The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in an adolescent inpatient unit

To examine the prevalence and comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in an adolescent inpatient population. A 2-year retrospective chart study was conducted.

Computer-registered data of discharge records from 1993 and 1994 were recovered. Patients were grouped by diagnosis; frequency and chi-square statistical analyses were performed to ascertain the prevalence and the comorbidity of various diagnoses with PTSD.

A total of 187 patients, 114 females and 73 males, with a mean age of 15 years were reviewed, and 42% (79) of all patients had a diagnosis of PTSD using DSM-III-R criteria. There were 54 females and 25 males with PTSD; however, gender effect was not clinically significant. Associated comorbidity reaching clinical significance included other anxiety disorders (P = 0.008) and depressive disorders (P = 0.003). Asthma was diagnosed as a significant clinical disorder (P = 0.05) comorbid with PTSD. PTSD diagnoses correlated strongly with a history of abuse (P = 0.0001).

PTSD occurs frequently in adolescent inpatients and is commonly comorbid with other diagnostic presentations. These findings may affect the management of PTSD and prognosis for this population.