Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in the general population of Hong Kong: predictors of persistent PLEs

Abstract

BACKGROUNDS: PLEs are poorly understood phenomenon referring to subclinical psychotic experiences that occurred in healthy individuals. Most PLEs are transient, while persistent PLEs might increase the risk of psychosis. Understanding predictors of persistent PLEs provides insight to development of psychosis. AIMS AND METHODS: The ongoing study aims to compare environmental factors of healthy subjects with and without persistent PLEs by conducting a 2-year follow-up on subjects who reported PLEs in the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey 2010 (HKMMS). HKMMS was an epidemiological study carried out in 2010–2013, targeted at general population aged 16–75. Endorsement on e”1 items in Psychotic Screening Questionnaire at both baseline (HKMMS) and follow-up was regarded as having persistent PLEs. RESULTS: Data of 62 participants were analyzed, 43(69.4%) were female, aged 19–72 years (mean = 44.97, SD = 13.84). At follow-up, 31 (50%) subjects had persistent PLEs. Baseline information was compared between the groups with persistent (pPLEs) and non-persistent PLEs (nPLEs). Chisquare test indicated no significant difference in gender (Ç 2(1, N = 62) = 0.76, p = 0.78), education attainment (Ç 2(4, N = 62) = 5.81, p = 0.21) and employment (Ç 2(1, N = 62) = 0, p = 1.00). Mann–Whitney tests showed no significant difference on age (U = 473, p = 0.92). Mann–Whitney test indicated that the total number of life events experienced by pPLEs (Mdn = 3) was significantly greater than nPLEs (Mdn = 2) (U = 331.50, p = 0.03). No significant difference was observed in social support (U = 403, p = 0.37) and social and occupational functioning (U = 422.5, p = 0.41). Chisquare test showed no significant difference in substance use (Ç 2(1, N = 62) = 0.48, p = 0.49). SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION: The preliminary results on the link between life events and persistence of PLEs support an environmental influence on the progression of PLEs. Further study may focus on the mechanisms of the influence and its implication.