Diagnostic Differences Among Different Ethnic Groups Contacting Mental Health Services

Abstract

Aim:

A nationwide register study was carried out in Denmark comprising 50,877 persons aged 18-66, who were registered in 2003 in the Danish Psychiatric Register or the National Patient Register with a psychiatric ICD-10 diagnosis with the aim to compare diagnostic profiles and use of services.

Method:

The study is a register survey linking Psychiatric/and National Patient Register with Statistical Bureau data.

Results:

Of the population 87.1% were ethnic Danes, 7.8% migrants, 4.0% descendants with one Danish born parent, 0.7% descendants with both parents born outside Denmark and 0.3% foreign adoptees. Males comprised 49%, women 51% of the population. The 5 ethnic groups had significant differences in utilization of care, in diagnostic distribution and in the use of coercion. Diagnostically, contacts due to schizophrenia were significantly higher among non-Danish patients and highest among young descendant males. Personality disorders were significantly higher among women than men and highes in adopted and descendant young women. PTSD had a preponderance among migrant men. Substance abuse was higher among men in all ethnic groups, but lower among migrant groups compared to Danes. Self-mutilating behaviour was seen more frequently among female descendants from non-Western countries than among migrant women from non-Western countries as well as among young adopted women.

Conclusion:

Significant diagnostic differences were observed. Possible explanatory models to these findings will be discussed.