Differences in the primary care management of patients with psychosis from two ethnic groups: A population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background. Ethnicity is an important dimension in many aspects of psychosis. Objective. To investigate ethnic differences in the primary care management of patients with psychosis. Methods. Data were obtained from Lambeth DataNet, a database of computerized general practice case records derived from practices in an inner city London borough. We undertook a cross-sectional survey of patients with psychosis. Outcomemeasures: health screening, chronic diseasemanagement and prescribing data and differences between ethnic groups were expressed as odds ratios (ORs). Results. One thousand six hundred and ninety-four of 165,911 (1.02%) registered patients had a diagnosis of psychosis; 1090 (64%) had ethnicity recorded; 501wereWhiteand 403 were Black orBlack British. There were no significant ethnic differences for blood pressure, cholesterol or HbA1cmonitoring or control; cervical or mammography screening; treatment with hypotensives, statins, antidepressants, lithium, antipsychoticsor atypical antipsychotics.Depot injectable antipsychoticswere more likely to be prescribed to Black patients than other deliverymodes:OR 2.10 (95% CI: 1.20-3.67). Conclusions. Measurable aspects of physical health care of patients with psychosis were similar, regardless of ethnicity. Increased use of the depot antipsychotic medication in black patients needs further exploration. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.