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Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder among primary care patients with bipolar spectrum disorder
Author(s) -
Neria Yuval,
Olfson Mark,
Gameroff Marc J,
Wickramaratne Priya,
Pilowsky Daniel,
Verdeli Helen,
Gross Raz,
ManettiCusa Julián,
Marshall Randall D,
Lantigua Rafael,
Shea Steven,
Weissman Myrna M
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
bipolar disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.285
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1399-5618
pISSN - 1398-5647
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2008.00589.x
Subject(s) - posttraumatic stress , bipolar disorder , spectrum disorder , clinical psychology , psychiatry , medicine , primary care , psychology , mood , family medicine
Objective: To examine relationships between exposure to trauma, bipolar spectrum disorder (BD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of primary care patients. Methods: A systematic sample (n = 977) of adult primary care patients from an urban general medicine practice were interviewed with measures including the Mood Disorders Questionnaire, the PTSD Checklist–Civilian Version, and the Medical Outcomes Study 12‐Item Short Form Health Survey. Results: Compared with patients who screened negative for BD (n = 881), those who screened positive (n = 96) were 2.6 times [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6–4.2] as likely to report physical or sexual assault, and 2.9 times (95% CI: 1.6–5.1) as likely to screen positive for current PTSD. Among those screening positive for BD, comorbid PTSD was associated with significantly worse social functioning. These results controlled for selected background characteristics, current major depressive episode, and current alcohol/drug use disorder. Conclusion: In an urban general medicine setting, trauma exposure was related to BD, and the frequency of PTSD among patients with BD appears to be common and clinically significant. These results suggest an unmet need for mental health care in this specific population and are especially important in view of available treatments for BD and PTSD.