Transcultural Psychiatry
Volume 38, Issue 4, 2001, Pages 481-505
Rheumatological Disorders and Somatization in U.S. Mien and Lao Refugees with Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Cross-Cultural Comparison (Article)
Jomoore L. ,
Sager D. ,
Keopraseuth K.-O. ,
Chao L.H. ,
Riley C. ,
Robinson E.
-
a
University of Auckland, New Zealand
-
b
Oregon Health Sciences University, United States
-
c
Oregon Health Sciences University, United States
-
d
Oregon Health Sciences University, United States
-
e
Oregon Health Sciences University, United States
-
f
University of Auckland, New Zealand
Abstract
We report a study comparing presenting symptoms and medical diagnoses of Mien and Lao refugees seen at a specialized psychiatric referral programme in Oregon. Rheumatological assessment in Mien and Lao refugees suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder revealed similar prevalence rates of pain, rheumatologic disorders and somatization despite different initial clinical presentations. Of 89 patients seen in out-patient clinics, 95% had chronic pain, 88% had rheumatological diagnoses and 53% had medically unexplained pain. Although this was a selected sample, our results support the notion that physical pain complaints in psychiatric patients contribute to psychopathology and deserve careful evaluation. Culture strongly affected presentation and this study supports the identification of a Mien Somatic Complaint Syndrome. © 2001, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.
Author Keywords
Index Keywords
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0035659380&doi=10.1177%2f136346150103800407&partnerID=40&md5=c127ad11faee517e12ccc375a67fced3
DOI: 10.1177/136346150103800407
ISSN: 13634615
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English