Psychiatric comorbidity in gender identity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Despite being recognized as an important prognostic factor for the outcome in gender identity disorder (GID), psychiatric comorbidity has rarely been assessed by means of standardized diagnostic instruments. The aim of this study was to assess current and lifetime psychiatric comorbidity in patients with GID.


METHODS
A cross-sectional sample of 31 patients who were treated for GID was assessed by the structured clinical interview for Axis I and II (SCID-I/II) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).


RESULTS
Twenty-nine percent of the patients had no current or lifetime Axis I disorder; 39% fulfilled the criteria for current and 71% for current and/or lifetime Axis I diagnosis. Forty-two percent of the patients were diagnosed with one or more personality disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Lifetime psychiatric comorbidity in GID patients is high, and this should be taken into account in the assessment and treatment planning of GID patients.
Hepp
U
U
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Culmannstrasse 8, Zurich CH-8091, Switzerland. urs.hepp@usz.ch
Kraemer
B
B
Schnyder
U
U
Miller
N
N
Delsignore
A
A
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation