Psychiatric symptom presentation in ethnically diverse cardiology patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to examine rates of depression and distress among different ethnic groups receiving care in an outpatient cardiology clinic.


METHODS
Cross sectional study.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from an urban cardiology clinic.


METHODS
Data are presented for 1003 patients screened between June 2005 and November 2007. The ethnic groups represented were Hispanics (504 patients or 50% of the sample), Southeast Asians (229 patients or 23%), Caucasians (114 patients or 11%), East Asians (89 patients or 9%), Africans (53 patients or 5%), and 14 patients (2%) of unknown or other ethic backgrounds.


METHODS
All patients registered for an outpatient visit received questionnaires, in English or Spanish, screening for depression (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]) and distress (the impact of Events Scale [IES]).


RESULTS
Overall, significantly more patients screened positive for distress than depression (33% vs 27%, X2 = 130.11, P = .00). The ANOVA comparing PHQ scores by ethnic group was significant, F(4, 867) = 4.46, P = .01 with Hispanics and Southeast Asians scoring significantly higher than East Asians. An ANOVA comparing IES scores by ethnic group was also significant, F (4, 760) = 3.63, P = .01.with Southeast Asians scoring significantly higher than Caucasians.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated levels of psychiatric symptoms are common across ethnic groups in medical settings, particularly in patients of Hispanic and Southeast Asian origin. Devising culturally sensitive procedures is imperative to successful screening and evaluation.
Annunziato
Rachel A
RA
Fordham University, Department of Psychology; 441 E Fordham Road, Dealy Hall, Room 336; Bronx, NY 10458, USA. annunziato@fordham.edu
Rubinstein
David
D
Murgueitio
Michael
M
Santra
Mugdha
M
Sultan
Sarah
S
Maurer
Martin
M
Cotter
Gad
G
Yehuda
Rachel
R
Shemesh
Eyal
E
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data