Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-hgkh8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-18T14:53:19.274Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Epidemiology of trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-morbid disorders in Chile

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 July 2006

CARON ZLOTNICK
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School and Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
JENNIFER JOHNSON
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA
ROBERT KOHN
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School and Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
BENJAMIN VICENTE
Affiliation:
Universidad de Concepcion, Departamento de Psiquiatria y Salud Mental, Concepcion, Chile
PEDRO RIOSECO
Affiliation:
Universidad de Concepcion, Departamento de Psiquiatria y Salud Mental, Concepcion, Chile
SANDRA SALDIVIA
Affiliation:
Universidad de Concepcion, Departamento de Psiquiatria y Salud Mental, Concepcion, Chile

Abstract

Background. In this study we examined the prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), types of trauma most often associated with PTSD, the co-morbidity of PTSD with other lifetime psychiatric disorders, which disorders preceded PTSD, and gender differences in PTSD and trauma exposure in a representative sample of Chileans.

Method. The DSM-III-R PTSD and antisocial personality disorder modules from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and modules for a range of DSM-III-R diagnoses from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) were administered to a representative sample of 2390 persons aged 15 to over 64 years in three cities in Chile.

Results. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD was 4·4% (2·5% for men and 6·2% for women). Among persons exposed to trauma, rape was most strongly associated with PTSD. Onset of PTSD significantly increased the risk of developing each of the 10 other tested disorders. Among those exposed to trauma, women were significantly more likely to develop PTSD, after controlling for assaultive violence.

Conclusions. This study highlights the importance of investigating the prevalence of PTSD, patterns of co-morbidity of PTSD, and gender differences in PTSD in non-English-speaking countries.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
© 2006 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)