Epidemiological Aspects of the Repatriate Syndrome

A careful analysis of the mental hospital case notes of 55 Jamaicans who had become ill in Britain and were successfully traced in Jamaica show that most had suffered from recurrent episodes of schizophrenia but that few were predisposed develop this illness. After an average period of 42 months follow-up it was found that there had been an excessive mortality and that others were living in the Bush.

The most important finding of the study is that the chronic symptoms of illness which have been previously described as characteristic of the repatriate syndrome, had taken place in a half of the sample. Nevertheless there was evidence of a good outcome in a third of those who were living and interviewed during the field survey. These findings have been discussed. It has been concluded that repatriation may be of therapeutic benefit but only following more careful selection of cases.