5 slides,Prevalence, persistence, and severity of 12-month and 30-day DSM-5 disorders in the World Mental Health Hong Kong Study Citation / Reference: Wong et al., World Mental Health Hong Kong (WMHHK) Study (PMCID: PMC12689180 | PMID: 41376871) 1. Background & Objective Hong Kong has recently faced consecutive population-level stressors, including social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to provide representative estimates for Hong Kong adults regarding: Prevalence (12-month and 30-day) Persistence (continuation of lifetime disorders into 12-month/30-day windows) Severity and sociodemographic correlates of 10 selected DSM-5 anxiety, mood, and externalising disorders. 2. Methodology Sample: Population-representative sample of 3,053 adults (aged ≥ ≥ 18 years) in Hong Kong. Data Collection: Face-to-face interviews (in-person or video-based online) conducted between November 2022 and March 2024. Diagnostic Tool: World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview for DSM-5 (CIDI-5). Disorders Assessed (10 total): Anxiety Disorders: Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCD). Mood Disorders: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), Bipolar Spectrum Disorders. Externalising Disorders: Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Key Definitions: Persistence: 12-month prevalence among lifetime cases, or 30-day prevalence among 12-month cases. 3. Key Findings Prevalence Rates Overall Any DSM-5 Disorder: 12-Month Prevalence: 10.6% (95% CI: 9.5–11.8) 30-Day Prevalence: 7.8% (95% CI: 6.7–8.9) By Diagnostic Class (12-Month): Anxiety Disorders: 8.0% (Highest prevalence) Mood Disorders: 4.3% Externalising Disorders: 1.7% Persistence & Severity Overall Persistence: 49.0% of lifetime cases persisted into 12-month disorders. Persistence by Class: Anxiety disorders showed higher persistence (55.6%) compared to mood (39.0%) and externalising (35.3%) disorders. Comorbidity: Having multiple disorders (comorbidity) was strongly associated with both increased persistence and greater disorder severity. Sociodemographic Risk Factors Higher Risk of Disorders: Younger adults, middle-aged adults, and individuals who were not currently married. Higher Severity: Associated with lower education levels. 4. Interpretation & Implications There is a substantial, ongoing mental health burden in Hong Kong during the post-pandemic recovery period. Anxiety disorders represent the single largest category of burden and show the highest rates of persistence. Findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted public mental health interventions to address urban stressors, specifically focusing on younger/unmarried demographics, low-education groups, and comorbid presentations.
5 slides,Prevalence, persistence, and severity of 12-month and 30-day DSM-5 disorders in the World Mental Health Hong Kong Study
Citation / Reference: Wong et al., World Mental Health Hong Kong (WMHHK) Study (PMCID: PMC12689180 | PMID: 41376871)
1. Background & Objective
Hong Kong has recently faced consecutive population-level stressors, including social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to provide representative estimates for Hong Kong adults regarding:
Prevalence (12-month and 30-day)
Persistence (continuation of lifetime disorders into 12-month/30-day windows)
Severity and sociodemographic correlates of 10 selected DSM-5 anxiety, mood, and externalising disorders.
2. Methodology
Sample: Population-representative sample of 3,053 adults (aged
≥
≥ 18 years) in Hong Kong.
Data Collection: Face-to-face interviews (in-person or video-based online) conducted between November 2022 and March 2024.
Diagnostic Tool: World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview for DSM-5 (CIDI-5).
Disorders Assessed (10 total):
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCD).
Mood Disorders: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), Bipolar Spectrum Disorders.
Externalising Disorders: Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
Key Definitions:
Persistence: 12-month prevalence among lifetime cases, or 30-day prevalence among 12-month cases.
3. Key Findings
Prevalence Rates
Overall Any DSM-5 Disorder:
12-Month Prevalence: 10.6% (95% CI: 9.5–11.8)
30-Day Prevalence: 7.8% (95% CI: 6.7–8.9)
By Diagnostic Class (12-Month):
Anxiety Disorders: 8.0% (Highest prevalence)
Mood Disorders: 4.3%
Externalising Disorders: 1.7%
Persistence & Severity
Overall Persistence: 49.0% of lifetime cases persisted into 12-month disorders.
Persistence by Class: Anxiety disorders showed higher persistence (55.6%) compared to mood (39.0%) and externalising (35.3%) disorders.
Comorbidity: Having multiple disorders (comorbidity) was strongly associated with both increased persistence and greater disorder severity.
Sociodemographic Risk Factors
Higher Risk of Disorders: Younger adults, middle-aged adults, and individuals who were not currently married.
Higher Severity: Associated with lower education levels.
4. Interpretation & Implications
There is a substantial, ongoing mental health burden in Hong Kong during the post-pandemic recovery period.
Anxiety disorders represent the single largest category of burden and show the highest rates of persistence.
Findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted public mental health interventions to address urban stressors, specifically focusing on younger/unmarried demographics, low-education groups, and comorbid presentations.
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This study examines the mental health landscape in post-pandemic Hong Kong, revealing a 10.6% prevalence of mental health issues over 12 months, with anxiety being the most persistent at 55.6%. Utilizing a representative sample from WMHHK and DSM-5 CIDI-5, the findings highlight the impact of comorbidity on severity and persistence, particularly among younger, unmarried, and low-education demographics. The research underscores the need for targeted interventions in these vulnerable groups.