Prevalence of Main Psychiatric Disorders in Relation to Urbanization in Gyeonggi Province by Using the Korean Version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview / 신경정신의학

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological studies have supplied growing evidence of an association between the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and the urban/rural division. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of the main psychiatric disorders in two areas of Gyeonggi Province of South Korean with different levels of urbanization. METHODS: A survey was conducted of the adult population (over 40 years of age) in Yangpyeong-gun (lower level of urbanization ; n=639) and Guri-si (higher level of urbanization ; n=335) in Gyeonggi Province. The Korean version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (K-MINI) was used as a structured psychiatric diagnostic interview instrument. Major depressive disorder (MDD), suicidality, alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), somatoform disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia were selected as the 8 main psychiatric problems. RESULTS: The prevalence of the 8 main psychiatric disorders in Guri-si (25.6%) was higher than those of Yangpyeong-gun (15.1%, p<0.05). In particular, the prevalence of MDD, suicidality, and GAD, which are thought to be strongly influenced by psychosocial factors, were significantly higher in Guri-si (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A greater prevalence of almost all major psychiatric disorders is associated with higher levels of urbanization, exceptions being somatoform disorders and bipolar disorder. This urban.rural difference may be related to environmental risk factors.