Ethnicity and diagnostic patterns in veterans with psychoses

摘要: Background Differential diagnosis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is a challenging but important task.These conditions often exhibit overlapping clinical symptomatology, have different prognoses pharmacological management strategies. Factors other than presentation may influence diagnosis. Past studies suggest that ethnicity one such factor, with variations observed in diagnostic rates serious mental illness (SMI).With increasing attention paid to provider cultural competency, we investigate current practices within veteran population. Method Controlling for patient need characteristics severity, examine whether ethnic differences continue exist. If so, race adversely enter the evaluation process.A national database all SMI veterans explores relationship between The role symptomatology also examined. Given minimal variation socioeconomic status, Department Veterans Affairs (VA) provides natural setting address this confounding factor. 1999 National Psychosis Registry sample 134,523 diagnosed schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or disorder. Multinomial logistic regression yielded odds ratios (OR) being versus disorder; risk was likewise assessed,exploring theoretical aspects psychosis-affective ‘continuum’. Results Small effects were male, single rural resident. However, demographic characteristic most strongly associated race. OR African Americans 4.05, 3.15 Hispanics. Similar though less dramatic results revealed Conclusions This study confirms continued disparities patterns, highlights importance recognizing symptom while emphasizing greater competency.