Prevalence

9% of a US community sample had a DSM-IV personality disorder

Samuels J, Eaton W, Bienvenu J et al. Prevalence and correlates of personality disorders in a community sample. British Journal of Psychiatry 2002 June; 180: 536–42.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

QUESTION: What is the prevalence and correlates of personality disorders in the community? Is there a higher prevalence in some demographic subgroups?

Key Words: prevalence

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Cross sectional survey of participants followed up from a previous study.

Baltimore, USA; 1997–1999.

In 1981, 3481 randomly sampled adults were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule and a proportion were examined by psychiatrists. Approximately 15 years later, surviving participants were re-interviewed. A sample completed personality examinations for this study (n=742); age range 34–94 years; 63% women; 60% white.

Personality disorders were assessed using a combined DSM-IV and ICD-10 version of the International Personality Disorder Examination. Information was collected about family background, childhood behaviours, general health, academic performance, social activities and impairments. Disorders were clustered using DSM-IV categories (A odd / eccentric, B dramatic / emotional / erratic, C anxious / fearful). Data were weighted to account for unequal selection probabilities.

DSM-IV and ICD-10 personality disorders.

The estimated prevalence of DSM-IV personality disorders was 9%. The prevalence of disorders is associated with demographic characteristics such as age and gender (see . . . [Full text of this article]

Tara E Galovski, PhD, Associate Professor

Center for Trauma Recovery
University of Missouri, St. Louis, USA

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