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Posttraumatic stress disorder in the World Mental Health Surveys

  • K. C. Koenen
  • , A. Ratanatharathorn
  • , L. Ng
  • , K. A. McLaughlin
  • , E. J. Bromet
  • , D. J. Stein
  • , E. G. Karam
  • , A. Meron Ruscio
  • , C. Benjet
  • , K. Scott
  • , L. Atwoli
  • , M. Petukhova
  • , C. C.W. Lim
  • , S. Aguilar-Gaxiola
  • , A. Al-Hamzawi
  • , J. Alonso
  • , B. Bunting
  • , M. Ciutan
  • , G. De Girolamo
  • , L. Degenhardt
  • O. Gureje, J. M. Haro, Y. Huang, N. Kawakami, S. Lee, F. Navarro-Mateu, B. E. Pennell, M. Piazza, N. Sampson, M. Ten Have, Y. Torres, M. C. Viana, D. Williams, M. Xavier, R. C. Kessler
  • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
  • Columbia University
  • Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
  • University of Washington
  • Stony Brook University School of Medicine
  • University of Cape Town
  • University of Balamand
  • St George Hospital University Medical Center
  • University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences
  • National Institute of Psychiatry Ramon de la Fuente Muñiz
  • University of Otago
  • Moi University
  • Harvard Medical School
  • The University of Queensland
  • The Park Centre for Mental Health
  • UC Davis Health
  • Al-Qadisiya University
  • Pompeu Fabra University
  • Ulster University
  • National School of Public Health, Management and Professional Development
  • Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico
  • National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
  • University College Hospital, Ibadan
  • Universitat de Barcelona
  • Peking University Sixth Hospital
  • University of Tokyo
  • The Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Innovación y Cronicidad
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • National Institute of Health
  • Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction
  • CES University
  • Federal University of Espírito Santo
  • Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1211 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Traumatic events are common globally; however, comprehensive population-based cross-national data on the epidemiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the paradigmatic trauma-related mental disorder, are lacking. Methods Data were analyzed from 26 population surveys in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys. A total of 71 083 respondents ages 18+ participated. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview assessed exposure to traumatic events as well as 30-day, 12-month, and lifetime PTSD. Respondents were also assessed for treatment in the 12 months preceding the survey. Age of onset distributions were examined by country income level. Associations of PTSD were examined with country income, world region, and respondent demographics. Results The cross-national lifetime prevalence of PTSD was 3.9% in the total sample and 5.6% among the trauma exposed. Half of respondents with PTSD reported persistent symptoms. Treatment seeking in high-income countries (53.5%) was roughly double that in low-lower middle income (22.8%) and upper-middle income (28.7%) countries. Social disadvantage, including younger age, female sex, being unmarried, being less educated, having lower household income, and being unemployed, was associated with increased risk of lifetime PTSD among the trauma exposed. Conclusions PTSD is prevalent cross-nationally, with half of all global cases being persistent. Only half of those with severe PTSD report receiving any treatment and only a minority receive specialty mental health care. Striking disparities in PTSD treatment exist by country income level. Increasing access to effective treatment, especially in low- and middle-income countries, remains critical for reducing the population burden of PTSD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2260-2274
Number of pages15
JournalPsychological Medicine
Volume47
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2017

Keywords

  • Epidemiology
  • International
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • trauma
  • treatment

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