Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of psychiatric disorders in 8,169 male Vietnam War era veterans.
OBJECTIVE
This study reports the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among a nationally distributed sample of Vietnam Era veterans assessed using standardized psychiatric interviewing methods.


METHODS
In 1992, the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule was administered by telephone to 8,169 middle-aged males who served in the military during the Vietnam era (1965-1975).


RESULTS
Approximately 72% of respondents reported a lifetime history and 36% reported a 12-month history of at least one psychiatric disorder. The most prevalent psychiatric disorders included alcohol abuse and/or dependence (54% lifetime, 17% 12 month), nicotine dependence (48% lifetime, 22% 12 month), and posttraumatic stress disorder (10% lifetime, 4.5% 12 month).


CONCLUSIONS
Because of possible participation bias, these results likely represent conservative estimates of psychiatric disorder prevalences among the more than eight million Vietnam Era veterans and reinforces the major public health challenge of preventing, identifying, and treating psychiatric illness in American veterans.
Eisen
Seth A
SA
Research and Medical Service, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, MO 63106, USA.
Griffith
Kristin H
KH
Xian
Hong
H
Scherrer
Jeffrey F
JF
Fischer
Irene D
ID
Chantarujikapong
Sunanta
S
Hunter
Joyce
J
True
William R
WR
Lyons
Michael J
MJ
Tsuang
Ming T
MT
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D047829:Vietnam Conflict