Registered prevalence of borderline personality disorder in primary care databases

ObjectiveBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is a common personality disorder, with a population prevalence of 1.4–5.9%, although the epidemiology of this disorder in primary care is insufficiently known. Our objective was to determine the registered prevalence of BPD in primary care databases and to study the demographic and clinical characteristics of these patients.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study of the computerized databases of primary care clinical records. The target population consisted of all adults (≥ 16 years old) registered in the Catalan Health Institute (n = 4,764,729).ResultsThe prevalence of recorded BPD was 0.017%, and was higher in patients with other mental disorders, particularly substance-abuse disorders (0.161%). These patients had twice as many appointments with the general practitioner as the general population (8.1 vs. 4.4).ConclusionThe number of diagnoses of BPD recorded in primary care is extremely low, which contrasts with the available population-based data.

ResumenObjetivoEl trastorno límite de la personalidad (TLP) es frecuente, con una prevalencia poblacional del 1,4% al 5,9%, aunque la epidemiología de este trastorno en atención primaria es escasamente conocida. Nuestro objetivo es determinar la prevalencia registrada de TLP en atención primaria y estudiar las características de estos pacientes.MétodosEstudio transversal de las bases de datos informatizadas de las historias clínicas de atención primaria. La población diana son los adultos (≥16 años) registrados en el Instituto Catalán de la Salud (n = 4.764.729).ResultadosLa prevalencia de TLP registrada es del 0,017%, y es mayor en los pacientes con otros trastornos mentales, particularmente trastornos por abuso de sustancias (0,161%). Estos pacientes duplican las visitas al médico general de la población general (8,1 frente a 4,4).ConclusiónLos diagnósticos de TLP registrados en atención primaria son escasos, lo que contrasta con los datos poblacionales disponibles.