Association between the T102C polymorphism of the serotonin-2A receptor gene and schizophrenia.

Studies have shown an association between the T102C polymorphism of the 5HT2a receptor gene and schizophrenia. However, negative findings have also been reported. We conducted a case-control study of the T102C polymorphism in Spanish Caucasians. We compared T102C polymorphism genotypes and allele frequencies in 188 schizophrenia patients and 440 healthy controls. There were significant differences in the distribution of the three genotypes (TT, TC and CC) and in the allele frequencies in controls and schizophrenics. The C allele was more frequent in schizophrenia patients than in healthy controls. The Cochrane-Armitage test for trend indicated a significant dosage effect for schizophrenia of the risk allele (C).

Psychiatric care and immigration. Preliminary findings in a hospital in Madrid, Spain

This pilot study aims to investigate differences regarding access to psychiatric care, motives for demanding emergency psychiatric care, admission rates, rates of compulsory admission, and main diagnoses in immigrants and natives. Psychiatric emergency visits (n=1,126) and hospitalizations (n=225) were registered in a Spanish Hospital with a catchment area of 280.000 people (19.34% immigrants)between October 20th 2002 and April 30th 2003. Access to psychiatric care, motives for demanding emergency psychiatric care, admission rates, rates of compulsory admission, and main diagnoses in natives and immigrants were compared. Immigrants were more likely to be compulsory admitted, were under-represented in the emergency and hospitalization units, and were less likely to be readmitted. Motives for hospitalization were also different. Immigrants seemed to suffer less drug abuse and more anxiety disorders than natives (possibly reactive conditions related to the stress of migration) (AU)