A community epidemiological survey of generalized anxiety disorder in Hong Kong.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is understudied in Asian communities. There were 3,304 Chinese subjects (aged 15-60 years) randomly drawn from the general population of Hong Kong and successfully interviewed. The participation rate was 65.8%. The six-month prevalence of DSM-IV GAD was 4.1%. Over half of the GAD subjects reported palpitations and bowel symptoms. Comorbid depressive mood (65%) and substance use (35%) were common. Forty-one percent of GAD subjects sought help, usually from general practitioners who prescribed tranquilizers after negative physical investigations. Telephone-based surveys have limitations but provide an affordable and destigmatizing alternative to face-to-face surveys for communities with limited mental health resources.
Lee
Sing
S
Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, PR China. singlee@cuhk.edu.hk
Tsang
Adley
A
Chui
Helena
H
Kwok
Kathleen
K
Cheung
Emily
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents