Document Detail


Prevalence and risk factors of posttraumatic stress disorder in older adults.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  14526136     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has scarcely been researched in the elderly. There is no population-based information on prevalence and risk factors in older persons. Patients with PTSD are often not recognized or incorrectly diagnosed. As the disorder has great implications for the quality of life, a correct diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Increased knowledge on vulnerability factors for PTSD can facilitate diagnostic procedures and health management in the elderly. METHODS: PTSD cases were found following a two-phase sampling procedure: a random selection of 1,721 subjects were screened and in 422 subjects a psychiatric diagnostic interview was administered. Prevalence of PTSD and subthreshold PTSD were calculated. Vulnerability factors regarding demographics, physical health, personality, social factors, recent distress and adverse events in early childhood were assessed. RESULTS: 6-month prevalence of PTSD and of subthreshold PTSD was 0.9 and 13.1%, respectively. The strongest vulnerability factors for both PTSD and subthreshold PTSD were neuroticism and adverse events in early childhood. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first population-based study on PTSD in older persons. With a 6-month prevalence of almost 1% the disease is not rare. Comparisons with younger populations suggest some accumulation of cases among older people reflecting the chronic risk factors, which are found in this study: neuroticism and adverse events in early childhood.
Authors:
Willeke H van Zelst; Edwin de Beurs; Aartjan T F Beekman; Dorly J H Deeg; Richard van Dyck
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Psychotherapy and psychosomatics     Volume:  72     ISSN:  0033-3190     ISO Abbreviation:  Psychother Psychosom     Publication Date:    2003 Nov-Dec
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-10-03     Completed Date:  2004-03-29     Revised Date:  2009-11-11    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0024046     Medline TA:  Psychother Psychosom     Country:  Switzerland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  333-42     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel
Affiliation:
Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. WH.van-Zelst.emgo@med.vu.nl
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Geriatric Assessment
Humans
Life Change Events
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Aged
Netherlands
Neurotic Disorders / diagnosis,  epidemiology,  psychology
Personality Assessment
Risk Factors
Sampling Studies
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis,  epidemiology*,  psychology

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