Physical disorders among southeast Asian refugee outpatients with psychiatric disorders
Author(s):
Ta, Karen; Westermeyer, Joseph; Neider, John
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Psychiatric Services, Volume 47, Issue 9 (1996-09). pp. 975-979.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Assessed the prevalence and duration of Axis III physical disorders and the resulting level of disability among Southeast Asian refugee outpatients with Axis I psychiatric disorders. 158 Hmong, 58 Laotian, 43 Vietnamese, and 7 Cambodian patients who were evaluated in a psychiatric outpatient clinic were assessed for presence of Axis III conditions through questions about physical symptoms, a medical history and review of records, physical examination, and laboratory screening. 55% of the Ss had 1 or more Axis III disorders, most of which were chronic and were not associated with extreme disability. Neurological conditions were most common, and the sequelae of war-related trauma were prominent. No associations were found between the presence of Axis III conditions and age, gender, marital status, or ethnic group. In 48 Ss, the Axis III condition may have caused or exacerbated the Axis I condition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)