[Psychotic disorders among immigrants from Turkey in Western Europe: An overview of incidences, prevalence estimates, and admission rates]

Abstract

Objective: To provide an overview of incidence and prevalence estimates, admission rates, and related features of psychotic disorders among immigrants from Turkey in Western Europe.

Method: Articles published in all languages between 1990 and 2010 were included. In order to detect relevant studies, a string ([schizo* OR psych*] AND [Turk*] AND [migra* OR immigra*]) was used in MEDLINE and PsychINFO. Turkish indexes and abstracts books of national congresses were also screened to locate additional papers.

Results: We included 21 studies which yielded 25 rates on psychotic disorders among immigrants from Turkey. Fifteen papers reported rates for the immigrants from Turkey in The Netherlands, four for Germany, one for Denmark and one for Switzerland. The incidence estimates of non-affective and affective psychosis among immigrants from Turkey were between 38.5 and 44.9 per 100,000 while incidence estimates of schizophrenia were between 12.4 and 63.8 per 100,000. The prevalence estimates of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders were between 1.1 and 6.2 per 1,000. Rates and relative risks of psychotic disorders in immigrants from Turkey tended to be higher than the natives and lower than other immigrant groups with similar sociocultural background. In addition to other risk factors, social contextual factors including discrimination and neighbourhood characteristics were the key environmental factors that modulate rates of psychotic disorders among immigrants from Turkey. Males were under a higher risk of incidence, prevalence estimates, and admission rates.

Conclusion: Variations in rates and relative risks indicate a possible etiological role of social experiences in immigrants. Studies with a focus on comparing the rates and the social factors of psychotic disorders between immigrants from Turkey in Western Europe and their family members residing in Turkey may provide additional insight into the epidemiology of psychotic disorders.