Post-traumatic stress disorder in a group of Australian general practices.
BACKGROUND
Some authorities regard post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a well characterised condition that is under diagnosed in general practice. We aimed to explore its prevalence in Australian general practice.


METHODS
'Medic-GP' contains the records of 58,941 patients over a period of six years. We searched the database for PTSD and synonyms in individual records, looking for diagnostic criteria and comorbidities.


RESULTS
Post-traumatic stress disorder was diagnosed in 337 patients, an annual incidence of 88/100,000 patients over a 6.5 year period. Specialists diagnosed 312 (93%) after referral by general practitioners. The GPs diagnosed 25 (7%) themselves, of whom only five patients (20%) had all seven diagnostic criteria recorded, and only 16% were free of comorbidities.


CONCLUSIONS
General practitioners diagnosed PTSD infrequently, and at levels lower than that seen in the community. The usual psychiatric criteria were seldom recorded. Comorbid conditions were common.
Gauvin
Charis Lucy
CL
University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Wilson
Ian G
IG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*