The associations between migrant status and ethnicity and the identification of individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis and transition to psychosis: a systematic review

A comparison of pathways to care in at-risk mental states and first episode psychosis: a mental health electronic clinical records analysis in the East of England, UK

PURPOSE

Delays in treatment for individuals experiencing early signs of psychosis are associated with poorer outcomes. Few people presenting with first episode psychosis (FEP) access early intervention in psychosis (EIP) services during the prodromal stage. In this study, we compared pathways to care (PtC) in people with At-Risk Mental States (ARMS) and FEP and explored the sociodemographic factors associated with accessing EIP during ARMS or FEP.

METHODS

Sociodemographic and PtC data were collected from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) Research Database. All individuals referred and accepted to CPFT EIP services as either ARMS or FEP between 1st April 2018 and 31st October 2019 (N = 158) were included.

RESULTS

There was strong evidence that ARMS patients accessing EIP were younger and were less likely to have a minority ethnic status than FEP patients. In terms of PtC, ARMS patients had fewer numbers of contacts, were less likely to be referred via the acute services, less likely to be involuntarily admitted and had reduced family involvement in their help-seeking. No differences were identified between ARMS and FEP in terms of living circumstances, area-level deprivation, urbanicity, employment status, duration of PtC, or police involvement in PtC.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight that disparities exist between ARMS and FEP patients in terms of sociodemographic and PtC characteristics. Further research is required to replicate these findings and investigate the effectiveness of interventions to encourage and facilitate access to EIP at an earlier stage to improve outcomes.

Enriching ultra-high risk for psychosis cohorts based on accumulated exposure to environmental risk factors for psychotic disorders

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS

Transition to psychosis rates within ultra-high risk (UHR) services have been declining. It may be possible to 'enrich' UHR cohorts based on the environmental characteristics seen more commonly in first-episode psychosis cohorts. This study aimed to determine whether transition rates varied according to the accumulated exposure to environmental risk factors at the individual (migrant status, asylum seeker/refugee status, indigenous population, cannabis/methamphetamine use), family (family history or parental separation), and neighborhood (population density, social deprivation, and fragmentation) level.

METHODS

The study included UHR people aged 15-24 who attended the PACE clinic from 2012 to 2016. Cox proportional hazards models (frequentist and Bayesian) were used to assess the association between individual and accumulated factors and transition to psychosis. UHR status and transition was determined using the CAARMS. Benjamini-Hochberg was used to correct for multiple comparisons in frequentist analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 461 young people included, 55.5% were female and median follow-up was 307 days (IQR: 188-557) and 17.6% (n = 81) transitioned to a psychotic disorder. The proportion who transitioned increased incrementally according to the number of individual-level risk factors present (HR = 1.51, 95% CIs 1.19-1.93, p < 0.001, pcorr = 0.01). The number of family- and neighborhood-level exposures did not increase transition risk (p > 0.05). Cannabis use was the only specific risk factor significantly associated with transition (HR = 1.89, 95% CIs 1.22-2.93, pcorr = 0.03, BF = 6.74).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a dose-response relationship between exposure to individual-level psychosis-related environmental risk factors and transition risk in UHR patients. If replicated, this could be incorporated into a novel approach to identifying the highest-risk individuals within clinical services.

Prevalence of mental disorders and related risk factors in refugees and asylum seekers in Campania

Introduction

In recent years, the increasing presence of refugees and asylum seekers displaced from their country of origin, determined significant social, economic, humanitarian and public health implications in host countries, including Italy. These populations are exposed to several potential stressful experiences which make them vulnerable to psychological distress. In fact, the majority of studies addressing the topic found a higher prevalence of mental disorders, especially post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, in refugees and asylum seekers with respect to the general population. However, heterogeneous prevalence rates have been reported among studies, due to methodological factor as well as to the impact of a variety of risk factors related to stressful experiences lived in the country of origin, during the migration journey and in the host country.

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of the main psychiatric diagnoses in a large group of adult refugees and asylum seekers (N=303) in the reception centers of two provinces of the Campania region, as well as to investigate the impact of potential risk factors on the occurrence of psychiatric disorders.

Methods

The diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and the identification of subjects at high risk to develop psychosis were carried out by means of structured diagnostic interviews. The following variables were explored as potential risk/protective factors to the occurrence of psychiatric disorders: socio-demographic variables, migration status (refugees/asylum seekers) and characteristics of the reception center,assessed by means of an ad hoc questionnaire; cognitive indices assessed by using standardized neuropsychological tests; traumatic experiences and level of political terror in the country of origin, assessed by means of reliable and valid self-report questionnaires.

Results

At least one mental disorder was found in 29.7% of the sample. Most prevalent diagnoses were depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and PTSD. Women showed, with respect to men, a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders, higher trauma levels, and came from more at-risk countries. Higher trauma levels, better cognitive abilities and unemployment and refugee status were associated to the presence of a current psychiatric disorder in the whole sample.

Conclusions

Our findings showed a higher prevalence of depressive disorders and PTSD in the sample of refugees and asylum seekers with respect to the general population and highlighted the role of potential risk factors whose identification may guide the implementation of preventive strategies and early treatments in these people.

Ethnic Disparities in Access to Mental Health Services for Black and Asian Migrants in Major Resettlement Countries

Ethnic inequalities in high-income countries result in higher risk of mental illness and lower access to healthcare services for migrant populations than the majority White populations. This literature review examined evidence of the responsible barriers. A systematic search of six databases (Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection; eBook Collection [EBSCOhost]; CINAHL; GreenFILE; Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts; and MEDLINE) was done using search terms. Eighteen recent, locally accessible studies conducted in six major resettlement countries were selected following PRISMA guidelines and the extracted evidence was analysed descriptively and thematically. Three main themes of ethnic mental health differentials of Black and Asian migrants were identified: access to services (13 studies), risk of mental illness (7 studies), and experience of care services (7 studies). Their access disparities revealed migrants suffer inequalities in service utilisation (5 studies) and greater obstacles to receiving care (8 studies). Their higher risk of mental illness was related to over-diagnosis of psychosis (2 studies), higher prevalence (4 studies), and exposure to predisposing factors (3 studies). Migrants experienced poorer quality and outcomes of care (3 studies), and use of restraint (2 studies) and seclusion (1 study) and expressed fear and mistrust of services (2 studies). The common ethnic barriers in service delivery were language and cultural difficulties, systemic discrimination and marginalisation, and social stigmatisation. It is proposed that systemic racism as well as communication and cultural difficulties are the core determinants of migrants' ethnic disparities of accessing mental health services in these major host countries.

The Translational Future of Stress Neurobiology and Psychosis Vulnerability: A Review of the Evidence

Psychosocial stress is a well-established risk factor for psychosis, yet the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this relationship have yet to be fully elucidated. Much of the research in this field has investigated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and immuno-inflammatory processes among individuals with established psychotic disorders. However, as such studies are limited in their ability to provide knowledge that can be used to develop preventative interventions, it is important to shift the focus to individuals with increased vulnerability for psychosis (i.e., high-risk groups). In the present article, we provide an overview of the current methods for identifying individuals at high-risk for psychosis and review the psychosocial stressors that have been most consistently associated with psychosis risk. We then describe a network of interacting physiological systems that are hypothesised to mediate the relationship between psychosocial stress and the manifestation of psychotic illness and critically review evidence that abnormalities within these systems characterise highrisk populations. We found that studies of high-risk groups have yielded highly variable findings, likely due to (i) the heterogeneity both within and across high-risk samples, (ii) the diversity of psychosocial stressors implicated in psychosis, and (iii) that most studies examine single markers of isolated neurobiological systems. We propose that to move the field forward, we require well-designed, largescale translational studies that integrate multi-domain, putative stress-related biomarkers to determine their prognostic value in high-risk samples. We advocate that such investigations are highly warranted, given that psychosocial stress is undoubtedly a relevant risk factor for psychotic disorders.

Predictors of transition in patients with clinical high risk for psychosis: an umbrella review

Diagnosis of a clinical high-risk (CHR) state enables timely treatment of individuals at risk for a psychotic disorder, thereby contributing to improving illness outcomes. However, only a minority of patients diagnosed with CHR will make the transition to overt psychosis. To identify patients most likely to benefit from early intervention, several studies have investigated characteristics that distinguish CHR patients who will later develop a psychotic disorder from those who will not. We aimed to summarize evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on predictors of transition to psychosis in CHR patients, among characteristics and biomarkers assessed at baseline. A systematic search was conducted in Pubmed, Scopus, PsychInfo and Cochrane databases to identify reviews and meta-analyses of studies that investigated specific baseline predictors or biomarkers for transition to psychosis in CHR patients using a cross-sectional or longitudinal design. Non-peer-reviewed publications, gray literature, narrative reviews and publications not written in English were excluded from analyses. We provide a narrative synthesis of results from all included reviews and meta-analyses. For each included publication, we indicate the number of studies cited in each domain and its quality rating. A total of 40 publications (21 systematic reviews and 19 meta-analyses) that reviewed a total of 272 original studies qualified for inclusion. Baseline predictors most consistently associated with later transition included clinical characteristics such as attenuated psychotic and negative symptoms and functioning, verbal memory deficits and the electrophysiological marker of mismatch negativity. Few predictors reached a level of evidence sufficient to inform clinical practice, reflecting generalizability issues in a field characterized by studies with small, heterogeneous samples and relatively few transition events. Sample pooling and harmonization of methods across sites and projects are necessary to overcome these limitations.

Migrant status, clinical symptoms and functional outcome in youth at clinical high risk for psychosis: findings from the NAPLS-3 study

PURPOSE

Migrant status is a known risk factor for psychosis, but the underlying causes of this vulnerability are poorly understood. Recently, studies have begun to explore whether migrant status predicts transition to psychosis in individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. Results, however, have been inconclusive. The present study assessed the impact of migrant status on clinical symptoms and functional outcome in individuals at CHR for psychosis who took part in the NAPLS-3 study.

METHODS

Participants' migrant status was classified as native-born, first-generation, or second-generation migrant. Clinical symptoms were assessed using the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS); functional outcome was measured using the Global Functioning Scales:Social and Role (GF:S; GF:R). Assessments were conducted at baseline, 12-months, 18-months, and 24-months follow-up. Generalized linear mixed models for repeated measures were used to examine changes over time and differences between groups.

RESULTS

The overall sample included 710 individuals at CHR for psychosis (54.2% males; Age: M = 18.19; SD = 4.04). A mixed model analysis was conducted, and no significant differences between groups in symptoms or functioning were observed at any time point. Over time, significant improvement in symptoms and functioning was observed within each group. Transition rates did not differ across groups.

CONCLUSION

We discuss potential factors that might explain the lack of group differences. Overall, migrants are a heterogeneous population. Discerning the impact of migration from that of neighborhood ethnic density, social disadvantage or socio-economic status of different ethnic groups could help better understand vulnerability and resilience to psychosis.

The association between social deprivation and the rate of identification of individuals at Ultra-High Risk for psychosis and transition to psychosis

BACKGROUND

There is a higher incidence of psychotic disorders in neighbourhoods of greater social deprivation. However, it is not known whether this represents a causal relationship, as the stage at which social deprivation exerts its influence on the development of psychotic disorders is yet to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate the association between neighbourhood-level social deprivation and the rate of identification of individuals at Ultra-High Risk for psychosis (UHR), as well as the risk of transition to psychosis in UHR individuals.

METHODS

The cohort included all young people aged 15 to 24 identified as UHR attending an Early Intervention clinic in northwestern Melbourne over a 5-year period (2012-2016). Australian census data were used to obtain the at-risk population and social deprivation information according to the postcode of residence. Levels of social deprivation were arranged into quartiles. Poisson regression was used to calculate rate ratios and Cox regression analysis determined hazard ratios.

RESULTS

Of the 461 young people identified as UHR, 11.1% (n = 49) lived in the most affluent neighbourhoods (Quartile 1) compared to 36.7% (n = 162) in the most deprived neighbourhoods (Quartile 4). There was a 35% higher rate of identification of young people who were UHR from the most deprived neighbourhoods (aIRR = 1.35, 95% CI [0.98, 1.86]). Over a median follow-up of approximately 10 months (308 days (IQR: 188-557), 17.5% (n = 77) were known to have transitioned to a full-threshold psychotic disorder. Residing in a neighbourhood of above average deprivation had a hazard ratio of 2.05 (95% CI [0.88, 4.80]) for risk of transition, when controlling for age, sex and substance use.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide more support that EI services should be funded as per the expected incidence of psychotic disorders.

Comparing Risk Factors for Non-affective Psychotic Disorders With Common Mental Disorders Among Migrant Groups: A 25-Year Retrospective Cohort Study of 2 Million Migrants

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS

Although migration is a well-established risk factor for psychotic disorders, less is known about factors that modify risk within migrant groups. We sought to assess whether socio-demographic, migration-related, and post-migration factors were associated with the risk of non-affective psychotic disorders (NAPD) among first-generation migrants, and to compare with estimates for common mental disorders (CMD) to explore specificity of the effect.

STUDY DESIGN

We constructed a retrospective cohort of first-generation migrants to Ontario, Canada using linked population-based health administrative data (1992-2011; n = 1 964 884). We identified NAPD and CMD using standardized algorithms. We used modified Poisson regression models to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) for each factor to assess its effect on the risk of each outcome.

STUDY RESULTS

Nearly 75% of cases of NAPD met the case definition for a CMD prior to the first diagnosis of psychosis. Our findings suggest that younger age at migration, male sex, being of African-origin, and not having proficiency in national languages had a specificity of effect for a higher risk of NAPD. Among migrants who were over 19 years of age at landing, higher pre-migratory education and being married/common-law at landing showed specificity of effect for a lower risk of NAPD. Migrant class, rurality of residence after landing, and post-migration neighborhood-level income showed similar effects across disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings help identify high-risk groups to target for intervention. Identifying factors that show specific effects for psychotic disorder, rather than mental disorders more broadly, are important for informing prevention and early intervention efforts.

Young migrants to Australia identified as being at ultra-high risk for psychosis: Pathways to care and clinical characteristics

INTRODUCTION

Despite the established finding that migrants are at higher risk of developing a first-episode psychosis, they are under-represented in cohorts of young people identified as being at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR). Therefore, in order to determine the reasons for these conflicting findings, this study examined the pathways to care and clinical presentation of migrants attending an At-Risk Mental State clinic.

METHODOLOGY

This study included consecutive UHR cases identified over five years attending the PACE clinic in Melbourne, Australia. The CAARMS was used to assess the severity of attenuated psychotic symptoms. Depressive symptoms and functioning were measured using the PHQ9 and GAF, respectively.

RESULTS

Over the five-year study period, 461 UHR young people attended the PACE clinic and 13.7% were first-generation migrants. A higher proportion of migrants were referred by community health services, such as general practitioners, than other referral sources. Australian born UHR patients were more likely to be referred via another mental health service. There was no difference in the type or severity of attenuated psychotic symptoms based on migrant status, except that there was a trend for young African migrants to have more severe unusual thought content. Depressive symptoms and poor functioning were highly prevalent across the total cohort and did not differ according to migrant status.

CONCLUSIONS

It is not yet understood why migrants are under-represented in UHR cohorts. Qualitative interviews of migrants, who are not typically identified in the UHR stage, could provide insights into the barriers to accessing care.

Cumulative sociodemographic disadvantage partially mediates associations between childhood trauma and schizotypy

OBJECTIVES

Risk for psychosis in the general population is characterized by a set of multidimensional traits that are referred to as schizotypy. Higher levels of schizotypy are associated with socioeconomic disadvantage and childhood trauma, just as these risk factors are associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Here, we set out to investigate whether cumulative sociodemographic disadvantage mediates associations between childhood trauma and schizotypy in adulthood.

METHODS

A sociodemographic cumulative risk (SDCR) score was derived from six risk indices spanning employment, education, income, socioeconomic status, marital, and living circumstances for 197 participants that included both healthy (n = 57) and clinical samples with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 65) or bipolar disorder (n = 75). A series of multiple linear regressions was used to examine the direct and indirect associations among childhood trauma (measured with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), the SDCR index, and levels of schizotypy (measured with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire).

RESULTS

Schizotypy was independently associated with trauma and the SDCR index. In addition, the SDCR index partially mediated associations between trauma and schizotypy.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings in a mixed sample of healthy and clinical participants represent the full spectrum of schizotypy across health and illness and suggest that effects of childhood trauma on schizotypal personality organization may operate via cumulative socioeconomic disadvantage in adulthood.

PRACTITIONER POINTS

The strong associations between trauma and schizotypy suggest that systematic health screening of children exposed to early life trauma may assist to identify those at risk of developing psychosis. Clinicians should pay attention to various indicators of sociodemographic disadvantage in patients prone to psychosis, in addition to any exposure to trauma during childhood.