Background: Migration is a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. Aims: To examine whether migration is also a risk factor for bipolar affective disorder, unipolar depressive disorder and mood disorders in general. Method: Medline was searched for population-based incidence studies concerning mood disorders among migrants and mean relative risks were computed using a mixed-effects statistical model. Results: Only a few studies of unipolar depressive disorder were retrieved. The mean relative risk of developing bipolar affective disorder among migrants was 2.47 (95% CI 1.33-4.59). However, after excluding people of African-Caribbean origin in the UK this risk was no longer significantly increased. The mean relative risk of mood disorders of unspecified polarity was 1.25 (95% CI 1.04-1.49) and that of any mood disorder was 1.38 (95% CI 1.17-1.62). Conclusions: There is no conclusive evidence for a large increase in the risk of mood disorders associated with migration.

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Netherlands mood disorder schizophrenia human Denmark Medline bipolar disorder Sweden Humans male female risk factor Risk Factors Review Africa migration United Kingdom Emigration and Immigration statistical model Anthropology, Cultural major depression Mood Disorders