The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder and its clinical significance among Southeast Asian refugees.
All 322 patients at a psychiatric clinic for Indochinese refugees were surveyed to determine the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If PTSD was not diagnosed at the time of initial evaluation, a structured reinterview was performed. Seventy percent of the patients (N = 226) met the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD, and an additional 5% (N = 15) met the criteria for a past diagnosis. The Mein had the highest rate of PTSD (93%) and the Vietnamese the lowest (54%). Of the patients with PTSD who were enrolled in the clinic before March 1988, 46% (N = 87) were given a diagnosis of PTSD only after the reinterview. PTSD is a common disorder among Indochinese refugees, but the diagnosis is often difficult to make.
Kinzie
J D
JD
Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098.
Boehnlein
J K
JK
Leung
P K
PK
Moore
L J
LJ
Riley
C
C
Smith
D
D
D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D009922:Oregon / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology