title: [Trauma and posttraumatic stress symptoms in patients in German primary care settings].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary care settings have an important gatekeeping function to detect mental diseases, including trauma and posttraumatic stress disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of trauma and posttraumatic symptoms in a first sample of northeast German primary care patients and to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the general practitioners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD) were assessed with self-rating questionnaires in a sample of N = 400 patients from 3 primary care facilities. Additionally, knowledge and diagnostic accuracy of the general practitioners were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the results of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-15) data from all patients, the majority of patients questioned showed slight to moderate stress from somatic symptoms. Of the patients with complete data 7 % (n = 25) had a complete PTSD according to the results of the questionnaire, which was also identified in the medical assessment with a sensitivity of 40 %. The stress resulting from posttraumatic symptoms was closely associated with the extent of somatic complaints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with a history of trauma and posttraumatic symptoms are prevalent in primary care settings. An early diagnosis by the general practitioner can help patients to receive adequate treatment. Patients with somatoform disorders in particular should be screened for trauma and posttraumatic symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald am Helios Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Rostocker Chaussee 70, 18437, Stralsund, Deutschland, kuwert@uni-greifswald.de.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuwert
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hornung
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Freyberger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Glaesmer
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klauer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult