EPA-1253 – Socio-demographic and clinical profile of immigrant and non-immigrant young patients with first episode schizophrenia

Introduction The influence of socio-demographic characteristics, namely immigration, on the risk to develop schizophrenia is well known. However, the impact of these variables on its initial clinical presentation and long-term prognosis is less well established. Objectives/Aims To compare socio-demographic characteristics, the clinical presentation of schizophrenia and other variables known to influence prognosis in immigrant and non-immigrant young patients (social performance, quality of life, psychopathology, therapeutic adherence, insight and premorbid adjustment). Methods A group of consecutive patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (ICD-10), aged 18 to 25, followed in our department's community-based early intervention in psychosis program were assessed using: ACECF short version for cognition, PANNS, WHOQOL short version for quality of life, ITAQ for insight, MARS for medication adherence, and PAS for pre-morbid adjustment. Information was also gathered on the following variables: gender, age, civil status, level of education, number of readmissions, and medication. The two groups (immigrants and non-immigrants) will be compared with the adequate statistical analysis. Results Preliminary results demonstrated that the immigrant group showed significantly lower levels of attention and concentration, of medication adherence, and of risk of aggression compared to the non-migrant group. The two groups did not differ in any of the remaining variables studied. We are still waiting final results. Conclusions The results will contribute to a better understanding about the influence of the immigration status on the clinical picture of schizophrenia, and allow for the development of more comprehensive rehabilitative treatments.