Comparison of Clinical Characteristics of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Between Turkish Immigrants, Native Turkish and German Patients

Abstract

Introduction

Although there is an ongoing discussion about variation of clinical characteristics of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) across different cultures and immigrant populations, there is great paucity of evidence regarding this area.

Aims and Objectives

That study was aimed to compare clinical characteristics of the GAD between Turkish immigrants, native Turkish and German patients.

Method

Turkish immigrants (Hannover-Germany) (n=36, F/M=27/9), Turkish (Ankara-Turkey) (n=52, F/M=40/12), German patients (Hannover-Germany) (n=35, F/M=20/15) were diagnosed with GAD according to the ICD-10 Criteria. Groups were assessed by Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale (GADSS).

Results

German patients' educational level (years:13.4±3.1) was significantly higher and their age (35.4±11.3) was significantly lower than the other groups. Table summarises clinical characteristics of the groups (covariates:age&education).

	Turkish Immigrants	Turkish	German	Statistics(MANOVA; posthoc:Bonferroni)
HAM-A	36.4±8.3*	26.7±6.8	23.6±8	F=20.608. p<0.001
HAM-A-psychic	15.9±3.3*	11.2±2.7	11.4±3.5	F=24.329, p<0.001
HAM-A-somatic	20.5±5.8*	15.3±4.8	12.2±5.7	F=14.753, p<0.001
HAM-D	24±7.1*	14.6±5.6	14±5.3	F=27.240, p<0.001
PSWQ	65.5±8.6*	51.3±5.7	54.7±11.4	F=28.158, p<0.001
GADSS	16.9±2.6**	14.5±3.2	14.6±4.8	F=4.531, p=0.013
Main Worry Contents	Health (own, others)	Health (own, others)	Future, Family wellbeing

*

p<0.001

**

p<0.05 only between Turkish immigrants and Turkish group

Moreover, data on comorbidity structure, differential symptomatology will be reported.

Conclusions

That study shows that Turkish immigrants with GAD had more severe anxiety and depression than the Turkish and German GAD patients. Worry contents in GAD vary widely based on the cultural backrounds. Suggestions for future research based on the results will be discussed.