A comprehensive review and meta-analysis revealed a significantly heightened risk of post-traumatic stress disorder within the LGBTQ community, particularly among transgender individuals.
A systematic review combined with a meta-analysis was conducted to shed light on the concerning prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the LGBTQ community. The review encompassed lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.
The primary objective was to comprehensively summarize data pertaining to the risk of PTSD among LGBTQ individuals and their diverse subgroups. Databases including Medline, Scopus, PsycINFO, and EMBASE were searched until September 2022. The study was published in the journal Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences.
Criteria Used
The selection criteria included studies offering comparative estimations of PTSD prevalence among the LGBTQ population as opposed to the general heterosexual/cisgender population. Age and enrollment settings were not constrained. Meta-analyses were conducted, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated using inverse variance models with random effects.
The review process identified and synthesized data from 27 studies, which collectively involved 31,903 LGBTQ individuals and 273,842 controls.
The analysis revealed a significant elevation in the risk of PTSD among LGBTQ people, with an overall risk (OR) of 2.20 (95% CI: 1.85; 2.60). Notably, the analysis within LGBTQ subgroups revealed transgender individuals faced the highest risk of PTSD (OR: 2.52 [95% CI: 2.22; 2.87]), followed by bisexual individuals (OR: 2.44 [95% CI: 1.05; 5.66]). It’s essential to note the limited data available for other sexual and gender minorities, like intersex people. Also, the risk for PTSD among bisexual individuals persisted when considering lesbian and gay individuals as the control group (OR: 1.44 [95% CI: 1.07; 1.93]).
Conclusion
The quality of the evidence was determined to be low, emphasizing the need for further research and robust studies in the area of LGBTQ PTSD. However, the review shows the heightened vulnerability of LGBTQ individuals, particularly transgender and bisexual individuals, to PTSD. This evidence carries profound implications for LGBTQ mental healthcare professionals and calls for increased public awareness. To address this urgent mental health concern, customized healthcare planning should include supportive strategies and preventive interventions which include programs, counseling services, and destigmatizing efforts. By integrating these measures, the healthcare community can contribute to mitigating psychiatric morbidity within this at-risk population, fostering a more inclusive and mentally healthier society.
Source:
Marchi, M., Travascio, A., Uberti, D., De Micheli, E., Grenzi, P., Arcolin, E., Pingani, L., Ferrari, S., & Galeazzi, G. M. (2023). Post-traumatic stress disorder among LGBTQ people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 32. https://doi.org/10.1017/s2045796023000586
