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Cuijpers P, Miguel C, Ciharova M, Harrer M, Basic D, Cristea IA, de Ponti N, Driessen E, Hamblen J, Larsen SE, Matbouriahi M, Papola D, Pauley D, Plessen CY, Pfund RA, Setkowski K, Schnurr PP, van Ballegooijen W, Wang Y, Riper H, van Straten A, Sijbrandij M, Furukawa TA, Karyotaki E. Absolute and relative outcomes of psychotherapies for eight mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World Psychiatry 2024; 23:267-275. [PMID: 38727072 PMCID: PMC11083862 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychotherapies are first-line treatments for most mental disorders, but their absolute outcomes (i.e., response and remission rates) are not well studied, despite the relevance of such information for health care users, providers and policy makers. We aimed to examine absolute and relative outcomes of psychotherapies across eight mental disorders: major depressive disorder (MDD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), specific phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD). We used a series of living systematic reviews included in the Metapsy initiative (www.metapsy.org), with a common strategy for literature search, inclusion of studies and extraction of data, and a common format for the analyses. Literature search was conducted in major bibliographical databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials) up to January 1, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials comparing psychotherapies for any of the eight mental disorders, established by a diagnostic interview, with a control group (waitlist, care-as-usual, or pill placebo). We conducted random-effects model pairwise meta-analyses. The main outcome was the absolute rate of response (at least 50% symptom reduction between baseline and post-test) in the treatment and control conditions. Secondary outcomes included the relative risk (RR) of response, and the number needed to treat (NNT). Random-effects meta-analyses of the included 441 trials (33,881 patients) indicated modest response rates for psychotherapies: 0.42 (95% CI: 0.39-0.45) for MDD; 0.38 (95% CI: 0.33-0.43) for PTSD; 0.38 (95% CI: 0.30-0.47) for OCD; 0.38 (95% CI: 0.33-0.43) for panic disorder; 0.36 (95% CI: 0.30-0.42) for GAD; 0.32 (95% CI: 0.29-0.37) for social anxiety disorder; 0.32 (95% CI: 0.23-0.42) for specific phobia; and 0.24 (95% CI: 0.15-0.36) for BPD. Most sensitivity analyses broadly supported these findings. The RRs were significant for all disorders, except BPD. Our conclusion is that most psychotherapies for the eight mental disorders are effective compared with control conditions, but absolute response rates are modest. More effective treatments and interventions for those not responding to a first-line treatment are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- International Institute for Psychotherapy, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Clara Miguel
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marketa Ciharova
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mathias Harrer
- Psychology & Digital Mental Health Care, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Djordje Basic
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ioana A Cristea
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Nino de Ponti
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Driessen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Depression Expertise Center, Pro Persona Mental Health Care, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica Hamblen
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Sadie E Larsen
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Minoo Matbouriahi
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Davide Papola
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Darin Pauley
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Constantin Y Plessen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rory A Pfund
- Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education & Research, Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kim Setkowski
- Research Department, 113 Suicide Prevention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Wouter van Ballegooijen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yingying Wang
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heleen Riper
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemieke van Straten
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Toshi A Furukawa
- Department of Health Promotion and Human Behavior, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Eirini Karyotaki
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Sistad RE, Kimerling R, Schnurr PP, Bovin MJ. The impact of screening positive for hazardous alcohol use on the diagnostic accuracy of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 among veterans. J Trauma Stress 2024; 37:328-336. [PMID: 38085555 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a widely used self-report measure of PTSD symptoms that has demonstrated strong psychometric properties across settings and samples. Co-occurring hazardous alcohol use and PTSD are prevalent among veterans, and the effects of alcohol use may impact the performance of the PCL-5. However, this possibility is untested. In this study, we evaluated the PCL-5 diagnostic accuracy for veterans who did and did not screen positive for hazardous alcohol use according to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C). Participants were 385 veterans recruited from Veterans Affairs primary care clinics. Results indicated that PCL-5 performance, AUC = .904, 95% CI [.870, .937], did not differ as a product of hazardous alcohol use. PCL-5 diagnostic utility was comparably high for veterans with, AUC = .904; 95% CI [.846, .962], and without, AUC = .904 95% CI [.861, .946], positive AUDIT-C screens. Although optimally efficient cutoff scores for veterans who screened positive were higher (i.e., 34-36) than for those with negative screens (i.e., 30), neither were significantly different from the overall PCL-5 cutoff score (i.e., 32), suggesting that neither veterans with nor without positive AUDIT-C screens require differential PCL-5 cutoff scores. The results do underscore the importance of using PCL-5 cutoff scores in concert with clinical judgment when establishing a provisional PTSD diagnosis and highlight the need for additional study of the impact of comorbidities on PCL-5 diagnostic accuracy and cutoff scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Sistad
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel Kimerling
- Dissemination and Training Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Michelle J Bovin
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Meredith LS, Ahluwalia S, Chen PG, Dong L, Farmer CM, Bouskill KE, Dalton S, Qureshi N, Blagg T, Timmins G, Schulson LB, Huilgol SS, Han B, Williamson S, Watson P, Schnurr PP, Martineau M, Davis K, Cassells A, Tobin JN, Gidengil C. Testing an Intervention to Improve Health Care Worker Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e244192. [PMID: 38687482 PMCID: PMC11061774 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.4192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Stress First Aid is an evidence-informed peer-to-peer support intervention to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of health care workers (HCWs). Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored peer-to-peer support intervention compared with usual care to support HCWs' well-being at hospitals and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design, Setting, and Participants This cluster randomized clinical trial comprised 3 cohorts of HCWs who were enrolled from March 2021 through July 2022 at 28 hospitals and FQHCs in the US. Participating sites were matched as pairs by type, size, and COVID-19 burden and then randomized to the intervention arm or usual care arm (any programs already in place to support HCW well-being). The HCWs were surveyed before and after peer-to-peer support intervention implementation. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was used to evaluate the intervention's effect on outcomes, including general psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Intervention The peer-to-peer support intervention was delivered to HCWs by site champions who received training and subsequently trained the HCWs at their site. Recipients of the intervention were taught to respond to their own and their peers' stress reactions. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes were general psychological distress and PTSD. General psychological distress was measured with the Kessler 6 instrument, and PTSD was measured with the PTSD Checklist. Results A total of 28 hospitals and FQHCs with 2077 HCWs participated. Both preintervention and postintervention surveys were completed by 2077 HCWs, for an overall response rate of 28% (41% at FQHCs and 26% at hospitals). A total of 862 individuals (696 females [80.7%]) were from sites that were randomly assigned to the intervention arm; the baseline mean (SD) psychological distress score was 5.86 (5.70) and the baseline mean (SD) PTSD score was 16.11 (16.07). A total of 1215 individuals (947 females [78.2%]) were from sites assigned to the usual care arm; the baseline mean (SD) psychological distress score was 5.98 (5.62) and the baseline mean (SD) PTSD score was 16.40 (16.43). Adherence to the intervention was 70% for FQHCs and 32% for hospitals. The ITT analyses revealed no overall treatment effect for psychological distress score (0.238 [95% CI, -0.310 to 0.785] points) or PTSD symptom score (0.189 [95% CI, -1.068 to 1.446] points). Post hoc analyses examined the heterogeneity of treatment effect by age group with consistent age effects observed across primary outcomes (psychological distress and PTSD). Among HCWs in FQHCs, there were significant and clinically meaningful treatment effects for HCWs 30 years or younger: a more than 4-point reduction for psychological distress (-4.552 [95% CI, -8.067 to -1.037]) and a nearly 7-point reduction for PTSD symptom scores (-6.771 [95% CI, -13.224 to -0.318]). Conclusions and Relevance This trial found that this peer-to-peer support intervention did not improve well-being outcomes for HCWs overall but had a protective effect against general psychological distress and PTSD in HCWs aged 30 years or younger in FQHCs, which had higher intervention adherence. Incorporating this peer-to-peer support intervention into medical training, with ongoing support over time, may yield beneficial results in both standard care and during public health crises. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04723576.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lu Dong
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California
| | | | | | | | | | - Tara Blagg
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California
| | | | - Lucy B. Schulson
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- RAND Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Bing Han
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Southern California Kaiser Permanente, Pasadena
| | | | | | - Paula P. Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | | | | | | | - Jonathan N. Tobin
- Clinical Directors Network, New York, New York
- The Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science, New York, New York
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Schnurr PP, Hamblen JL, Wolf J, Coller R, Collie C, Fuller MA, Holtzheimer PE, Kelly U, Lang AJ, McGraw K, Morganstein JC, Norman SB, Papke K, Petrakis I, Riggs D, Sall JA, Shiner B, Wiechers I, Kelber MS. The Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder: Synopsis of the 2023 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline. Ann Intern Med 2024; 177:363-374. [PMID: 38408360 DOI: 10.7326/m23-2757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
DESCRIPTION The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) worked together to revise the 2017 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder. This article summarizes the 2023 clinical practice guideline (CPG) and its development process, focusing on assessments and treatments for which evidence was sufficient to support a recommendation for or against. METHODS Subject experts from both departments developed 12 key questions and reviewed the published literature after a systematic search using the PICOTS (population, intervention, comparator, outcomes, timing of outcomes measurement, and setting) method. The evidence was then evaluated using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) method. Recommendations were made after consensus was reached; they were based on quality and strength of evidence and informed by other factors, including feasibility and patient perspectives. Once the draft was peer reviewed by an external group of experts and their inputs were incorporated, the final document was completed. RECOMMENDATIONS The revised CPG includes 34 recommendations in the following 5 topic areas: assessment and diagnosis, prevention, treatment, treatment of nightmares, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with co-occurring conditions. Six recommendations on PTSD treatment were rated as strong. The CPG recommends use of specific manualized psychotherapies over pharmacotherapy; prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing psychotherapy; paroxetine, sertraline, or venlafaxine; and secure video teleconferencing to deliver recommended psychotherapy when that therapy has been validated for use with video teleconferencing or when other options are unavailable. The CPG also recommends against use of benzodiazepines, cannabis, or cannabis-derived products. Providers are encouraged to use this guideline to support evidence-based, patient-centered care and shared decision making to optimize individuals' health outcomes and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire (P.P.S., J.L.H., P.E.H.)
| | - Jessica L Hamblen
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire (P.P.S., J.L.H., P.E.H.)
| | - Jonathan Wolf
- Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia (J.W.)
| | - Rachael Coller
- Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California (R.C.)
| | - Claire Collie
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC (C.C.)
| | - Matthew A Fuller
- Veterans Health Administration Pharmacy Benefits Management Service and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio (M.A.F.)
| | - Paul E Holtzheimer
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire (P.P.S., J.L.H., P.E.H.)
| | - Ursula Kelly
- Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center and Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, Georgia (U.K.)
| | - Ariel J Lang
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health at VA San Diego Healthcare System and University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California (A.J.L.)
| | - Kate McGraw
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia (K.M., M.S.K.)
| | - Joshua C Morganstein
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Bethesda, Maryland (J.C.M.)
| | - Sonya B Norman
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, and University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California (S.B.N.)
| | - Katie Papke
- National Social Work Program Office, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC (K.P.)
| | - Ismene Petrakis
- National Center for PTSD, West Haven, and Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (I.P.)
| | - David Riggs
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Center for Deployment Psychology, Bethesda, Maryland (D.R.)
| | - James A Sall
- Evidence Based Practice, Quality and Patient Safety, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC (J.A.S.)
| | - Brian Shiner
- White River Junction VA Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont, and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire (B.S.)
| | - Ilse Wiechers
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC; Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; and University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, California (I.W.)
| | - Marija S Kelber
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia (K.M., M.S.K.)
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Kofman YB, Selbe S, Szentkúti P, Horváth-Puhó E, Rosellini AJ, Lash TL, Schnurr PP, Sørensen HT, Galea S, Gradus JL, Sumner JA. Sex Differences in Psychopathology Following Potentially Traumatic Experiences. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e240201. [PMID: 38386319 PMCID: PMC10884878 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Various psychopathology may follow trauma; however, sex differences in these ranging manifestations of posttraumatic psychopathology remain understudied. Objective To investigate sex-specific incidence of posttraumatic psychopathology. Design, Setting, and Participants This population-based cohort study of Danish national health registries included a cohort of individuals who experienced a potentially traumatic event (PTE) from 1994 to 2016. Individuals were further categorized by presence of any pretrauma psychopathology. A comparison group of individuals who experienced a nontraumatic stressor (nonsuicide death of a first-degree relative) was examined as a reference cohort. Exposures At least 1 of 8 PTEs (eg, physical assault, transportation accident) derived through health registry International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes, with additional qualifiers to improve classification accuracy. Main Outcomes and Measures Incidence of 9 categories of ICD-10 psychiatric disorders recorded in registries within 5 years of PTEs. The standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) for psychopathology outcomes were also calculated to compare individuals experiencing PTEs with those experiencing a nontraumatic stressor. Results This study included 1 398 026 individuals who had been exposed to trauma (475 280 males [34.0%]; 922 750 females [66.0%]). The group of males who had been exposed to trauma were evenly distributed across age, while most females in the trauma-exposed group were aged 16 to 39 years (592 385 [64.2%]). Males and females were equally distributed across income quartiles and predominantly single. Following PTEs, the most common diagnosis was substance use disorders for males (35 160 [7.4%]) and depressive disorders for females (29 255 [3.2%]); incidence proportions for these and other disorders were higher among males and females with any pretrauma psychopathology. Certain PTEs had elevated onset of various psychiatric disorders and some sex differences emerged. Following physical assault, associations were found with schizophrenia or psychotic disorders for males (SMR, 17.5; 95% CI, 15.9-19.3) and adult personality disorders for females (SMR, 16.3; 95% CI, 14.6-18.3). For noninterpersonal PTEs, males had larger SMRs for substance use, schizophrenia or psychotic disorders, and adult personality disorders (SMR, 43.4; 95% CI, 41.9-45.0), and females had larger SMRs for depressive disorders (SMR, 19.0; 95% CI, 18.6-19.4). Sex differences were also observed, particularly when considering pretrauma psychopathology. For example, among interpersonal PTEs, males were most likely to develop substance use disorders after physical assault, whereas females were more likely to develop various disorders, with stronger associations seen for females without pretrauma psychiatric diagnoses. Among noninterpersonal PTEs, exposure to toxic substance showed robust associations with psychopathology, particularly in those without pretrauma psychopathology, with sex-specific differences across psychiatric categories. Conclusions and Relevance Mental disorders after trauma were wide-ranging for males and females, and sex differences in patterns of posttraumatic psychopathology were more pronounced when accounting for pretrauma psychopathology. Findings provide new insights for sex-relevant PTEs and their mental health consequences. It also outlines future directions for advancing understanding of a constellation of posttraumatic psychopathology in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin B Kofman
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Sophie Selbe
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter Szentkúti
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Erzsébet Horváth-Puhó
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anthony J Rosellini
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Timothy L Lash
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Henrik Toft Sørensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Sandro Galea
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jaimie L Gradus
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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Lang AJ, Hamblen JL, Holtzheimer P, Kelly U, Norman SB, Riggs D, Schnurr PP, Wiechers I. A clinician's guide to the 2023 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder. J Trauma Stress 2024; 37:19-34. [PMID: 38184799 DOI: 10.1002/jts.23013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
A clinical practice guideline (CPG) is a rigorously established set of recommendations based on currently available evidence about the efficacy, safety, acceptability, and feasibility of interventions to assist with clinical decision-making. The 2023 Department of Veterans Affairs /Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder is described herein. The CPG recommendations are accompanied by a clinical algorithm, which incorporates principles of evidence-based practice, shared decision-making, and functional and contextual assessments of goals and outcomes. An overview of the CPG recommendations is combined with a discussion of questions that clinicians and patients may face in implementing the CPG and suggestions for how to effectively work with the CPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel J Lang
- VA San Diego Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH), San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jessica L Hamblen
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Paul Holtzheimer
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Ursula Kelly
- VA Atlanta Healthcare System, Decatur, Georgia, USA
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sonya B Norman
- VA San Diego Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH), San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
| | - David Riggs
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Ilse Wiechers
- Veterans Health Administration Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Klein AB, Schnurr PP, Bovin MJ, Friedman MJ, Keane TM, Marx BP. An empirical investigation of definitions of subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress 2024; 37:113-125. [PMID: 37937636 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has long been recognized as an important construct that identifies a subgroup of individuals who report significant PTSD symptoms and associated disability but do not endorse enough symptoms to meet the criteria for a full PTSD diagnosis. Different investigators have defined subthreshold PTSD in various ways, making it difficult to interpret findings across studies. To address this problem, we systematically compared individuals who met criteria for nine different subthreshold PTSD definitions with individuals diagnosed with either full PTSD or no PTSD (i.e., failed to meet the criteria for a subthreshold definition) with respect to prevalence and associated clinical outcomes of interest. Participants were 1,082 veterans enrolled in the Veterans After Discharge Longitudinal Registry. PTSD and subthreshold PTSD diagnostic status were determined using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) and validated self-report instruments were used to assess clinical outcomes. Across outcomes, subthreshold definitions generally identified a group of participants that was distinguishable from participants in both the PTSD and no PTSD groups, rs = .02-.47. We discuss the benefits and drawbacks of various subthreshold definitions and highlight the need for additional work evaluating these definitions across additional outcomes and samples. In the interim, we propose a working case definition of subthreshold PTSD as meeting any three of the four DSM-5 symptom criteria (i.e., Criteria B, C, D, and E) along with Criterion A and Criteria F-H. The results suggest subthreshold PTSD is a clinically meaningful construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra B Klein
- Mental Health Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Michelle J Bovin
- Behavioral Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew J Friedman
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Terence M Keane
- Behavioral Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian P Marx
- Behavioral Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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8
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Marx BP, Hall-Clark B, Friedman MJ, Holtzheimer P, Schnurr PP. The PTSD Criterion A debate: A brief history, current status, and recommendations for moving forward. J Trauma Stress 2024; 37:5-15. [PMID: 38123526 DOI: 10.1002/jts.23007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Criterion A, also known as the "stressor criterion," has been a major source of debate ever since PTSD was added to the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1980. Since then, the traumatic stress field has held an ongoing debate about how to best define Criterion A and the events that it covers. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent race-based incidents, the Criterion A debate has been reinvigorated. In this paper, we review briefly the history of Criterion A and changes in its language across different editions of the DSM. We then describe the four main positions held by scholars involved in the Criterion A debate and carefully examine the support for those positions. We conclude by offering recommendations for moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Marx
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brittany Hall-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- National Center for PTSD, Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
| | - Matthew J Friedman
- National Center for PTSD, Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, USA
| | - Paul Holtzheimer
- National Center for PTSD, Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, USA
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9
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Deisenhofer AK, Barkham M, Beierl ET, Schwartz B, Aafjes-van Doorn K, Beevers CG, Berwian IM, Blackwell SE, Bockting CL, Brakemeier EL, Brown G, Buckman JEJ, Castonguay LG, Cusack CE, Dalgleish T, de Jong K, Delgadillo J, DeRubeis RJ, Driessen E, Ehrenreich-May J, Fisher AJ, Fried EI, Fritz J, Furukawa TA, Gillan CM, Gómez Penedo JM, Hitchcock PF, Hofmann SG, Hollon SD, Jacobson NC, Karlin DR, Lee CT, Levinson CA, Lorenzo-Luaces L, McDanal R, Moggia D, Ng MY, Norris LA, Patel V, Piccirillo ML, Pilling S, Rubel JA, Salazar-de-Pablo G, Schleider JL, Schnurr PP, Schueller SM, Siegle GJ, Uher R, Watkins E, Webb CA, Wiltsey Stirman S, Wynants L, Youn SJ, Zilcha-Mano S, Lutz W, Cohen ZD. Implementing precision methods in personalizing psychological therapies: Barriers and possible ways forward. Behav Res Ther 2024; 172:104443. [PMID: 38086157 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Claudi L Bockting
- AmsterdamUMC, Department of Psychiatry, Research Program Amsterdam Public Health and Centre for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kim de Jong
- Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jessica Fritz
- University of Cambridge, UK; Philipps University of Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Claire M Gillan
- School of Psychology, Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, And Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mei Yi Ng
- Florida International University, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jessica L Schleider
- Stony Brook University and Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Soo Jeong Youn
- Reliant Medical Group, OptumCare and Harvard Medical School, USA
| | | | | | - Zachary D Cohen
- University of California, Los Angeles and University of Arizona, USA.
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10
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Alpert E, Gowdy-Jaehnig A, Galovski TE, Meis LA, Polusny MA, Ackland PE, Spoont M, Valenstein-Mah H, Orazem RJ, Schnurr PP, Chard KM, Kehle-Forbes SM. Treatment-related beliefs and reactions among trauma-focused therapy completers and discontinuers: A qualitative examination. Psychol Serv 2024:2024-41582-001. [PMID: 38166295 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Prolonged exposure (PE) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are effective, but some patients do not respond adequately, and dropout rates are high. Patients' beliefs about treatment and perceptions of treatment components influence treatment outcomes and may be amenable to change through intervention. The present study sought to identify beliefs and reactions to PE and CPT that differentiated completers who screened negative for a PTSD diagnosis after treatment (PTSD-), completers who screened positive for a PTSD diagnosis after treatment (PTSD+), and discontinuers who attended six or fewer sessions. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes in qualitative data collected via retrospective semistructured interviews with 51 completers (19 PTSD- after treatment, 32 PTSD+ after treatment) and 66 discontinuers of PE/CPT. Participants were demographically diverse veterans across service eras. Treatment-related beliefs and reactions differentiating these groups included perceived helpfulness of treatment, self-efficacy in engaging in treatment, anticipatory anxiety and concerns, interpretations of ongoing symptoms, and perceived consequences of treatment on functioning. Further, some patterns seemed to differ in early treatment sessions compared to during the active components of treatment. Findings point to potentially malleable targets that could be intervened upon to improve trauma-focused treatment outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Alpert
- National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Sciences Division, VA Boston Healthcare System
| | | | - Tara E Galovski
- National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Sciences Division, VA Boston Healthcare System
| | - Laura A Meis
- National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Sciences Division, VA Boston Healthcare System
| | - Melissa A Polusny
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System
| | - Princess E Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System
| | - Michele Spoont
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System
| | | | - Robert J Orazem
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System
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11
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Salas J, Wang W, Schnurr PP, Cohen BE, Freedland KE, Jaffe AS, Lustman PJ, Friedman M, Scherrer JF. Severity of posttraumatic stress disorder, type 2 diabetes outcomes and all-cause mortality: A retrospective cohort study. J Psychosom Res 2023; 175:111510. [PMID: 37827022 PMCID: PMC10842322 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some evidence suggests patients with comorbid PTSD and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have worse T2D outcomes than those with T2D alone. However, there is no evidence regarding PTSD severity and risk for starting insulin, hyperglycemia, microvascular complications, and all-cause mortality. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, Veterans Health Affairs (VHA) medical record data from fiscal year (FY) 2012 to FY2022 were used to identify eligible patients (n = 23,161) who had a PTSD diagnosis, ≥1 PTSD Checklist score, controlled T2D (HbA1c ≤ 7.5) without microvascular complications at baseline. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) scores defined mild, moderate, and severe PTSD. Competing risk and survival models estimated the association between PTSD severity and T2D outcomes before and after controlling for confounding. RESULTS Most (70%) patients were ≥ 50 years of age, 88% were male, 64.2% were of white race and 17.1% had mild, 67.4% moderate and 15.5% severe PTSD. After control for confounding, as compared to mild PTSD, moderate (HR = 1.05; 95% CI:1.01-1.11) and severe PTSD (HR = 1.15; 95%CI:1.07-1.23) were significantly associated with increased risk for microvascular complication. Hyperarousal was associated with a 42% lower risk of starting insulin. Negative mood was associated with a 16% increased risk for any microvascular complication. Severe PTSD was associated with a lower risk for all-cause mortality (HR = 0.76; 95%CI:0.63-0.91). CONCLUSIONS Patients with comorbid PTSD and T2D have an increased risk for microvascular complications. However, they have lower mortality risk perhaps due to more health care use and earlier chronic disease detection. PTSD screening among patients with T2D may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Salas
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, United States; The Advanced HEAlth Data (AHEAD) Research Institute, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Wenjin Wang
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, and Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Beth E Cohen
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine and San Francisco VAMC, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kenneth E Freedland
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Allan S Jaffe
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Patrick J Lustman
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Matthew Friedman
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, and Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Jeffrey F Scherrer
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, United States; The Advanced HEAlth Data (AHEAD) Research Institute, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States.
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12
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Fischer IC, Schnurr PP, Pietrzak RH. Employment status among US military veterans with a history of posttraumatic stress disorder: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:1167-1175. [PMID: 37821772 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of employment status in a nationally representative sample of U.S. military veterans with a probable lifetime history of posttraumatic stress disorder. Participants were 4,609 veterans from National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS) Bivariate analyses compared the employment status of veterans with regard to sociodemographic, military, health, and psychiatric characteristics. A multinomial regression analysis was conducted to determine the effect of lifetime PTSD status on employment and identify variables that differentiated employment status among veterans with a history of PTSD. In the total sample, 450 (weighted 12.5%) screened positive for lifetime PTSD. Veterans with PTSD were more than twice as likely to be unemployed, OR = 2.41, and retired, OR = 2.26, and nearly 4 times as likely to be disabled, OR = 3.84, relative to those without PTSD. Among veterans with PTSD, 203 (54.0%) were employed, 178 were retired (28.2%), 31 (7.3%) were unemployed, and 38 (10.5%) were disabled. Relative to employed veterans, retired veterans were older and reported more medical conditions; unemployed veterans were almost 5 times as likely to be female; disabled veterans reported lower income, more medical conditions, and more severe symptoms of current major depressive disorder but less severe symptoms of alcohol use disorder, ORs = 0.88-4.88. This study provides an up-to-date characterization of employment status in a nationally representative sample of U.S. military veterans with a history of PTSD. Results may inform efforts to provide sustainable employment in this segment of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian C Fischer
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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13
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Rauch SA, Venners MR, Ragin C, Ruhe G, Lamp K, Burton M, Pomerantz A, Bernardy N, Schnurr PP, Hamblen JL, Possemato K, Sripada R, Wray LO, Dollar K, Wade M, Astin MC, Cigrang JA. Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder with prolonged exposure for primary care (PE-PC): Effectiveness and patient and therapist factors related to symptom change and retention. Psychol Serv 2023; 20:745-755. [PMID: 37326566 PMCID: PMC10721715 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Prolonged exposure (PE) is a first-line treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) available in specialty mental health. PE for primary care (PE-PC) is a brief version of PE adapted for primary care mental health integration, composed of four-eight, 30-min sessions. Using retrospective data of PE-PC training cases from 155 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) providers in 99 VHA clinics who participated in a 4- to 6-month PE-PC training and consultation program, we examined patients' PTSD and depression severity across sessions via mixed effects multilevel linear modeling. Additionally, hierarchical logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess predictors of treatment dropout. Among 737 veterans, medium-to-large reductions in PTSD (intent-to-treat, Cohen's d = 0.63; completers, Cohen's d = 0.79) and small-to-medium reductions in depression (intent-to-treat, Cohen's d = 0.40; completers, Cohen's d = 0.51) were observed. The modal number of PE-PC sessions was five (SD = 1.98). Providers previously trained in both PE and cognitive processing therapy (CPT) were more likely than providers who were not trained in either PE or CPT to have veterans complete PE-PC (OR = 1.54). Veterans with military sexual trauma were less likely to complete PE-PC than veterans with combat trauma (OR = 0.42). Asian American and Pacific Islander veterans were more likely than White veterans to complete treatment (OR = 2.93). Older veterans were more likely than younger veterans to complete treatment (OR = 1.11). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila A.M. Rauch
- Research Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, 30033
- Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, 30033
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30029
| | - Margaret R. Venners
- National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, 94025
| | - Carly Ragin
- Research Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, 30033
| | - Gretchen Ruhe
- Research Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, 30033
| | - Kristen Lamp
- Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, 30033
| | - Mark Burton
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30029
| | - Andrew Pomerantz
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington DC
| | - Nancy Bernardy
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, 05009
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, 03755
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, 05009
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, 03755
| | - Jessica L. Hamblen
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, 05009
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, 03755
| | - Kyle Possemato
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY 13204
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244
| | - Rebecca Sripada
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105
| | - Laura O. Wray
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY 13204
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo NY
| | - Katherine Dollar
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY 13204
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244
| | - Michael Wade
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY 13204
| | - Millie C. Astin
- Research Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, 30033
- Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, 30033
| | - Jeffrey A. Cigrang
- School of Professional Psychology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 45402
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14
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Valenstein-Mah H, Polusny MA, Spoont M, Ackland PE, Meis L, Orazem RJ, Schnurr PP, Zickmund S, Chard K, Kehle-Forbes SM. Provider perceptions of their patients' dropout from trauma-focused therapy for PTSD in the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. Psychol Trauma 2023; 15:1393-1397. [PMID: 36455889 PMCID: PMC10232666 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many patients who initiate prolonged exposure (PE) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT) do not complete a full course, although little is known about how providers view PE and CPT dropout among their own patients. METHOD Semistructured interviews were conducted with providers (n = 29) in the Veterans Health Administration to understand each provider's experience of dropout by a specific patient whom they treated using PE or CPT. Content analysis was used to categorize perceptions of dropout as negative, somewhat negative, or not negative. Themes associated with somewhat or not negative views of dropout were identified via inductive coding. RESULTS Fourteen percent of providers viewed their patient's dropout from PE or CPT as wholly negative, 38% as somewhat negative, and 48% as not a negative outcome. Themes associated with viewing dropout as something other than wholly negative included belief that the patient would not benefit from treatment if they were not ready, the importance of maintaining the therapeutic relationship, the view that trauma-focused therapy was not what the patient needed or that the patient could benefit from other approaches, the impression that the patient had made some gains, and that patients are responsible for treatment engagement and have the right to disengage. CONCLUSIONS Providers' perceptions of dropout from PE or CPT for individual patients were rarely viewed as entirely negative. Research is needed to help providers determine when patient dropout is an undesirable outcome and when efforts to reengage patients in trauma-focused treatment are warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Valenstein-Mah
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School
| | - Melissa A. Polusny
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Michele Spoont
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota School of Medicine
| | - Princess E. Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota School of Medicine
| | - Laura Meis
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota School of Medicine
| | - Robert J. Orazem
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
| | - Susan Zickmund
- IDEAS Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah
| | - Kathleen Chard
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Shannon M. Kehle-Forbes
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota School of Medicine
- Women’s Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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15
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Vasterling JJ, Franz MR, Lee LO, Kaiser AP, Proctor SP, Marx BP, Schnurr PP, Ko J, Concato J, Aslan M. Early predictors of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder symptom trajectories in U.S. Army soldiers deployed to the Iraq war zone. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:955-967. [PMID: 37608526 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
The course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms varies among veterans of war zones, but sources of variation in long-term symptom course remain poorly understood. Modeling of symptom growth trajectories facilitates the understanding of predictors of individual outcomes over time. Although growth mixture modeling (GMM) has been applied to military populations, few studies have incorporated both predeployment and follow-up measurements over an extended time. In this prospective study, 1,087 U.S. Army soldiers with varying military occupational specialties and geographic locations were assessed before and after deployment to the Iraq war zone, with long-term follow-up assessment occurring at least 5 years after return from deployment. The primary outcome variable was the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version summary score. GMM yielded four latent profiles, characterized as primarily asymptomatic (n = 194, 17.8%); postdeployment worsening symptoms (n = 84, 7.7%); mild symptoms (n = 320, 29.4%); and preexisting, with a chronic postdeployment elevation of symptoms (n = 489, 45.0%). Regression models comparing the primarily asymptomatic class to the symptomatic classes revealed that chronic symptom classes were associated with higher degrees of stress exposure, less predeployment social support, military reservist or veteran status at the most recent assessment, and poorer predeployment visual memory, ORs = 0.98-2.90. PTSD symptom course varies considerably over time after military deployment and is associated with potentially modifiable biopsychosocial factors that occur early in its course in addition to exposures and military status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Vasterling
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Molly R Franz
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lewina O Lee
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anica Pless Kaiser
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susan P Proctor
- US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
- Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian P Marx
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - John Ko
- Clinical Epidemiology Research Center, VA Cooperative Studies Program, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - John Concato
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Mihaela Aslan
- Clinical Epidemiology Research Center, VA Cooperative Studies Program, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Thompson-Hollands J, Lunney CA, Sloan DM, Stirman SW, Schnurr PP. Treatment length and symptom improvement in prolonged exposure and present-centered therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: Comparing dose-response and good-enough level models in two manualized interventions. J Consult Clin Psychol 2023; 91:596-605. [PMID: 37471022 PMCID: PMC10527917 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The dose-response model of change in psychotherapy posits that each session of therapy is incrementally beneficial across patients. The contrasting good-enough level model suggests that patients improve at different rates in therapy and discontinue treatment when they are satisfied with their improvement. Support for each theory has been mixed, and many prior studies have relied on samples of patients receiving unstructured treatment approaches. We conducted this study to compare these two theories across two manualized treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD Two hundred eighty-four female veterans and military service members with PTSD (Mage = 44.79; 54.6% White non-Hispanic, 6.7% Black non-Hispanic, 37% other) were randomized to receive 10 sessions of prolonged exposure (PE), a trauma-focused therapy, or present-centered therapy (PCT), a non-trauma-focused therapy. Participants completed the PTSD Checklist (PCL) at even-numbered treatment sessions, and the timing of dropout/treatment completion was monitored. RESULTS The point of highest risk for dropout differed between the treatments, with risk in PE corresponding to the beginning of imaginal exposures. In the PE condition, but not in PCT, a higher number of sessions completed increased the likelihood of achieving reliable clinically significant improvement. Across treatments, the rate of change in PTSD symptoms did not differ according to the number of sessions completed (b = 0.06, p = .687). CONCLUSIONS Findings support the dose-response model of change in psychotherapy. There were notable differences in dropout across the treatment conditions, including rates, timing, and implications for outcomes. These differences likely reflect differences in content between the protocols. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Thompson-Hollands
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division, at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Carole A. Lunney
- National Center for PTSD, Executive Division, White River Junction, VT
| | - Denise M. Sloan
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division, at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Shannon Wiltsey Stirman
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, at VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
- Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, Executive Division, White River Junction, VT
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH
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17
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Smith ML, Seegulam V, Szentkúti P, Horváth-Puhó E, Galea S, Lash TL, Rosellini AJ, Schnurr PP, Sørensen HT, Gradus JL. Risk of psychopathology following traumatic events among immigrants and native-born persons in Denmark. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023; 58:1305-1316. [PMID: 36449069 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02391-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Immigrants may have increased risk of mental disorders compared with native-born persons. We aimed to expand the limited research on immigrants' posttraumatic psychopathology related to traumatic experiences in their country of resettlement. METHODS We obtained data from a cohort of Danish residents with ≥ 1 traumatic event recorded in health and administrative national registries during 1994-2016. We calculated risks of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance use disorders (SUD) within 5 years post-trauma among native-born Danes and immigrants who had been in Denmark for ≥ 10 years at the time of their index trauma (including immigrants overall and immigrants from specific regions). Risks were compared via age- and sex-standardized risk ratios (SRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We restricted to persons with no record of the disorder under investigation in the 10 years pre-trauma, and stratified by non-interpersonal (e.g., transport accidents) versus interpersonal trauma (e.g., assaults). RESULTS Following non-interpersonal trauma, immigrants were more likely than native-born Danes to be diagnosed with PTSD (SRR = 5.2, 95% CI 4.6, 5.9), about as likely to be diagnosed with depression (SRR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.92, 1.1), and less likely to be diagnosed with SUD (SRR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.82, 0.95). Results were similar following interpersonal trauma, except the SRR for PTSD was reduced in magnitude (SRR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.7, 5.4). There were differences by region of birth. CONCLUSION Immigrants to Denmark have higher risk of PTSD following traumatic experiences than do native-born Danes, possibly due to the combined influence of adverse pre-, peri-, and/or post-migration experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan L Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vijaya Seegulam
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Péter Szentkúti
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Sandro Galea
- School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany St., Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Timothy L Lash
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anthony J Rosellini
- Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD Executive Division, White River Junction, VT, USA
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Henrik Toft Sørensen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jaimie L Gradus
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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Gradus JL, Smith ML, Szentkúti P, Rosellini AJ, Horváth-Puhó E, Lash TL, Galea S, Schnurr PP, Sumner JA, Sørensen HT. Antihypertensive Medications and PTSD Incidence in a Trauma Cohort. J Clin Psychiatry 2023; 84:22m14767. [PMID: 37530605 PMCID: PMC10545136 DOI: 10.4088/jcp.22m14767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Antihypertensive medications have been examined as agents for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevention in trauma-exposed individuals, given well-documented associations between PTSD and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and purported trauma-relevant mechanisms of action for these medications. Evidence regarding the effectiveness of such drugs for this purpose remains mixed. Methods: We conducted a national population-based cohort study using data from Danish national registries to assess whether 4 classes of antihypertensive drugs (beta-adrenoceptor blockers [beta blockers], angiotensin II receptor blockers [ARBs], angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers) were associated with a decreased incidence of PTSD (diagnosed according to ICD-10) over a 22-year study period. Data for this study originated from a population-based cohort of over 1.4 million persons who experienced a traumatic event between 1994 and 2016 in Denmark. We calculated the incidence rate of PTSD per 100,000 person-years among persons who filled a prescription for each class of drug in the 60 days prior to a traumatic event and for corresponding unexposed comparison groups. We then used Cox proportional hazards regression to compare the rate of PTSD among persons who filled an antihypertensive medication prescription within 60 days before their trauma to the rate among persons who did not. Results: We found evidence that calcium channel blockers were associated with a decreased incidence of PTSD (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.34, 1.2); all other antihypertensive medication classes had null or near null associations. Conclusions: These findings lay a foundation for additional research focusing on antihypertensive medications that appear most effective in reducing PTSD incidence following trauma and for additional replication work aimed at continuing to clarify the disparate findings reported in the literature to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaimie L Gradus
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts
- Corresponding Author: Jaimie L. Gradus, DMSc, DSc, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St T317E, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Meghan L Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Péter Szentkúti
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anthony J Rosellini
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | | | - Timothy L Lash
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sandro Galea
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | | | - Henrik T Sørensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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19
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Fortney JC, Rajan S, Chen JA, Campbell SB, Nolan JP, Wong E, Sayre G, Petrova V, Simons CE, Reisinger HS, Schnurr PP. A mixed-methods evaluation of why an implementation trial failed to engage veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder in trauma-focused psychotherapy. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:762-771. [PMID: 37370238 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
An effectiveness trial found that telemedicine collaborative care for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly increased engagement in trauma-focused psychotherapy (TFP) and improved PTSD symptoms. However, in a subsequent implementation trial, very few veterans enrolled in collaborative care initiated TFP. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation to determine why veterans did not initiate TFP in the implementation trial. After conducting chart reviews of 1,071 veterans with PTSD enrolled in collaborative care, patients were categorized into four mutually exclusive TFP groups: TFP not discussed; TFP discussed, declined; TFP discussed, did not decline; and TFP initiated. We conducted semistructured interviews with 43 unique patients and 58 unique providers (i.e., care managers and mental health specialists). Almost half (48.6%) of the veterans had no documentation of discussing TFP with their care manager; another 28.9% discussed it but declined. Most veterans (77.1%) had an encounter with a mental health specialist, 36.8% of whom never discussed TFP, and 35.7% of whom discussed it but declined. Providers reported that many veterans were not able, willing, or ready to engage in TFP and that non-trauma-focused therapies were better aligned with their treatment goals. Veterans gave numerous reasons for not initiating TFP, including having bad prior experiences with TFP and wanting to avoid thinking about past traumatic experiences. Commonly cited reasons for noninitiation were providers never discussing TFP with veterans and veterans declining TFP after discussing it with their provider. Interventions, such as shared decision-making tools, may be needed to engage providers and patients in informed discussions about TFP.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Fortney
- VA Health Services Research and Development, Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Suparna Rajan
- VA Health Services Research and Development, Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jessica A Chen
- VA Health Services Research and Development, Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sarah B Campbell
- VA Health Services Research and Development, Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - John P Nolan
- Independent researcher, El Dorado, Arkansas, USA
| | - Edwin Wong
- VA Health Services Research and Development, Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - George Sayre
- VA Health Services Research and Development, Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Valentina Petrova
- VA Health Services Research and Development, Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Carol E Simons
- VA Health Services Research and Development, Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Heather S Reisinger
- VA Health Services Research and Development, Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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20
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Bovin MJ, Resnik J, Linsky A, Stolzmann K, Mull HJ, Schnurr PP, Post EP, Pleasants EA, Miller CJ. Does screening for PTSD lead to VA mental health care? Identifying the spectrum of initial VA screening actions. Psychol Serv 2023; 20:525-532. [PMID: 35446094 PMCID: PMC10150561 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Despite the active posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening program in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care clinics and the availability of empirically supported treatments for PTSD at VA, many veterans for whom screening suggests treatment may be indicated do not gain access to VA-based mental health care. To determine where we may be losing veterans to follow-up, we need to begin by identifying the initial action taken in response to a positive PTSD screen in primary care. Using VA administrative data and chart review, we identified the spectrum of initial actions taken after veterans screened positive for PTSD in VA primary care clinics nationwide between October 2017 and September 2018 (N = 41,570). We collapsed actions into those that could lead to VA-based mental health care (e.g., consult placed to a VA mental health clinic) versus not (e.g., veteran declined care), and then examined the association between these categories of actions and contextual- and individual-level variables. More than 61% of veterans with positive PTSD screens had evidence that an initial action toward VA-based mental health care was taken. Urban-dwelling and female veterans were significantly more likely to have evidence of these initial actions, whereas White and Vietnam-era veterans were significantly less likely to have this evidence. Our findings suggest that most veterans screening positive for PTSD in VA primary care clinics have evidence of initial actions taken toward VA-based mental health care; however, a substantial minority do not, making them unlikely to receive follow-up care. Findings highlight the potential benefit of targeted primary care-based access interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J. Bovin
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jack Resnik
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amy Linsky
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kelly Stolzmann
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hillary J. Mull
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Edward P. Post
- Veterans Affairs Central Office, Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Erin A. Pleasants
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christopher J. Miller
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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21
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Campbell TM, Pollack S, Schnurr PP. Service Dogs for Veterans With PTSD. Psychiatr Serv 2023; 74:668. [PMID: 37259585 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20230104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tamara M Campbell
- Program Policy Implementation (Pollack) and National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (Schnurr), Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, D.C. (all authors)
| | - Stacey Pollack
- Program Policy Implementation (Pollack) and National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (Schnurr), Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, D.C. (all authors)
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Program Policy Implementation (Pollack) and National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (Schnurr), Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, D.C. (all authors)
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22
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Riblet NB, Matsunaga S, Shiner B, Schnurr PP, Watts BV. Are suicide risk scales sensitive to change? A scoping review. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 161:170-178. [PMID: 36931135 PMCID: PMC10149613 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clinician- or self-administered scales are frequently used to assist in detecting risk of death by suicide and to determine the effectiveness of interventions. No recent review studies have examined whether these scales are sensitive to change. We conducted a scoping review to identify suicide risk scales that are sensitive to change. MATERIAL AND METHODS We searched Medline and Excerpta Medica Database from inception through March 17, 2022, to identify randomized trials, pooled analysis, quasi-experimental studies, and cohort studies reporting on sensitivity to change of suicide risk scales. We assessed sensitivity to change by examining internal and external responsiveness. Internal responsiveness evaluates whether the scale measures changes in suicide-related symptoms in response to an intervention while external responsiveness assess whether changes in the scale correspond to changes in risk of suicide. We summarized findings across studies using descriptive analysis. RESULTS Among 38 eligible scales, we identified 27 scales that included items that were modifiable to change. However, only 7 scales had been studied to determine their sensitivity to change based on internal or external responsiveness. While the results of studies suggested that 6 scales have internal responsiveness, none of the included studies confirmed that scales have external responsiveness. DISCUSSION A few suicide risk scales are internally responsive and may be useful in a clinical or research setting. It is unclear, however, whether changes in scores correspond to an actual change in suicide risk. Future research should confirm the external responsiveness of scales using robust metrics including suicide mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie B Riblet
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health Service, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover NH, 03755, USA.
| | - Sarah Matsunaga
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover NH, 03755, USA
| | - Brian Shiner
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health Service, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover NH, 03755, USA; National Center for PTSD, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover NH, 03755, USA; National Center for PTSD, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA
| | - Bradley V Watts
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health Service, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover NH, 03755, USA; Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, White River Junction VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA
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23
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Riblet NB, Young-Xu Y, Shiner B, Schnurr PP, Watts BV. The efficacy and safety of buprenorphine for the treatment of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 161:393-401. [PMID: 37019069 PMCID: PMC10149594 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depressive disorders are common. Many patients with major depression do not achieve remission with available treatments. Buprenorphine has been raised as a potential treatment for depression as well as suicidal behavior but may pose certain risks. METHODS A meta-analysis comparing the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of buprenorphine (or combinations such as buprenorphine/samidorphan) versus control in improving symptoms in patients with depression. Medline, Cochrane Database, PsycINFO, Excerpta Medica Database and The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched from inception through January 2, 2022. Depressive symptoms were pooled using Hedge's g with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Tolerability, safety, suicide outcomes were summarized qualitatively. RESULTS 11 studies (N = 1699) met inclusion criteria. Buprenorphine had a small effect on depressive symptoms (Hedges' g 0.17, 95%CI: 0.05-0.29). Results were driven by six trials of buprenorphine/samidorphan (N = 1,343, Hedges's g 0.17, 95%CI: 0.04-0.29). One study reported significant improvement in suicidal thoughts (Least Squares Mean Change: -7.1, 95%CI: -12.0 - 2.3). Most studies found buprenorphine was well-tolerated with no evidence of abuse behavior or dependency. CONCLUSIONS Buprenorphine may have a small benefit for depressive symptoms. Future research should clarify the dose response relationship between buprenorphine and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie B Riblet
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health Service, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Psychiatry and Dartmouth Institute, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.
| | - Yinong Young-Xu
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health Service, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Psychiatry, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Brian Shiner
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health Service, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Psychiatry and Dartmouth Institute, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA; National Center for PTSD, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Psychiatry, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA; National Center for PTSD, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA
| | - Bradley V Watts
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mental Health Service, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of Psychiatry, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA; Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, White River Junction VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA
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24
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Reger GM, Smolenski D, Williams R, Norr AM, Foa E, Kuhn E, Schnurr PP, Weathers F, Zoellner L. Design and methods of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of the PE Coach mobile application on prolonged exposure among veterans with PTSD. Contemp Clin Trials 2023; 127:107115. [PMID: 36758935 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the impact of mobile applications (apps) designed to support patients progressing through an evidence-based psychotherapy. Prolonged exposure (PE) is an efficacious treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and PE Coach is a treatment companion app that may increase patient engagement with the active components of PE, thereby supporting recovery. METHODS This paper describes a randomized clinical trial that will evaluate PE delivered with and without PE Coach at post-treatment, and 1-month and 4-months post-treatment. Veterans with PTSD (N = 124) will be randomized (1:1) to conditions and complete up to 15 treatment sessions based on a priori defined termination criteria. We hypothesize that compared to PE without PE Coach, PE with the app will result in greater improvements in PTSD-related social and occupational functioning (primary outcome is the PTSD-Related Functioning Inventory), quality of life, and greater reductions in functional impairment, neurobehavioral symptoms, depression, and suicidal ideation (Aim 1). We also hypothesize that including PE Coach will reduce assessor-masked PTSD symptom severity, relative to PE without the app, as assessed by the revised Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (Aim 2). We hypothesize that PE Coach will facilitate increased treatment adherence, as measured by completion of PE homework (Aim 3). We will explore the impact of PE Coach on treatment engagement, as measured by reduced treatment dropout. CONCLUSION Data on the outcomes of PE Coach can inform dissemination efforts and help evaluate the return on investment to guide future mental health app development. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.govNCT04959695.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg M Reger
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America; University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seattle, WA, United States of America.
| | - Derek Smolenski
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, Silver Spring, MD, United States of America
| | - Rhonda Williams
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America; University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Aaron M Norr
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seattle, WA, United States of America; VISN 20 Mental Illness Research Evaluation and Clinical Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Edna Foa
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, PA, United States of America
| | - Eric Kuhn
- Dissemination and Training Division, National Center for PTSD, Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America; Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, United States of America; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States of America
| | - Frank Weathers
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Health Care System, MA, United States of America
| | - Lori Zoellner
- University of Washington, Department of Psychology, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Morse JL, Wooldridge JS, Afari N, Angkaw AC, Schnurr PP, Lang AJ, Capone C, Norman SB. Associations among meaning in life, coping, and distress in trauma-exposed U.S. military veterans. Psychol Serv 2023:2023-49912-001. [PMID: 36848054 PMCID: PMC10460455 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Experiencing meaning in life may be particularly relevant following traumatic experiences as individuals who report meaning post trauma report less psychological distress. Engaging in avoidant coping, however, may be a sign of underlying psychological distress in the aftermath of traumatic experiences. We sought to examine associations among meaning in life, avoidant coping, and psychological distress in a sample of trauma-exposed veterans. Secondary cross-sectional analyses were conducted on data from veterans exposed to a traumatic event(s) who experienced clinically meaningful guilt (N = 145). Questionnaires on meaning in life, avoidant coping, and psychological distress were administered, and structural equation modeling was used to test direct effects. Path analysis revealed that greater meaning was associated with lower depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptomatology, while higher avoidant coping was associated with greater depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and somatization symptomatology. Participants who report more meaning in life and report lower avoidant coping post trauma may experience less psychological distress. If replicated longitudinally, results could suggest cultivating meaning in life and reducing avoidant coping may decrease psychological distress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Na PJ, Schnurr PP, Pietrzak RH. Mental health of U.S. combat veterans by war era: Results from the National health and Resilience in veterans study. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 158:36-40. [PMID: 36565542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Combat exposure is associated with elevated risk for adverse psychiatric outcomes in military veterans. However, few studies have examined psychiatric characteristics of veterans who served in different war eras. We analyzed data from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1257 US combat veterans including World War II or Korean War veterans (n = 61, weighted 4.9%), Vietnam War veterans (n = 767, weighted 44.5%), Gulf War veterans (n = 168, weighted 14.5%), and Iraq/Afghanistan War veterans (n = 261, weighted 36.2%). Sociodemographic, military, and mental health factors were examined. Gulf and Iraq/Afghanistan War era veterans were comprised of younger veterans and included more women and racial/ethnic minorities relative to previous era veterans. Overall, Gulf and Iraq/Afghanistan War veterans endorsed greater trauma burden, and were more likely to screen positive for lifetime and current major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as current suicidal ideation. Among all war era groups, Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans reported the greatest lifetime trauma and combat exposure severity, and were most likely to screen positive for lifetime PTSD (weighted 29.3%), current alcohol use disorder (weighted 17.2%), and current drug use disorder (weighted 12.4%). Specifically, more than 1-in-4 Iraq/Afghanistan War veterans (weighted 26.3%) reported current suicidal thoughts. Collectively, these findings provide war-era specific characterization of the psychiatric status of US combat veterans, which may help inform era-specific assessment, monitoring, and treatment of psychiatric disorders in the combat veteran population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Na
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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27
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Riblet NB, Matsunaga S, Lee Y, Young-Xu Y, Shiner B, Schnurr PP, Levis M, Watts BV. Tools to Detect Risk of Death by Suicide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Psychiatry 2022; 84:21r14385. [PMID: 36383739 PMCID: PMC9890591 DOI: 10.4088/jcp.21r14385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective: There is limited knowledge about the ability of instruments to detect risk of suicide in a range of settings. Prior reviews have not considered whether the utility of instruments depends on prior probability of risk. We performed a systematic review to determine the diagnostic accuracy of instruments to detect risk of suicide in adults using likelihood ratio analysis. This method aids evaluation of prior probabilities of risk. Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Scopus from inception through January 19, 2021. Study Selection: We included clinical trials, observational studies, and quasi-experimental studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of instruments to detect risk of suicide in adults. There were no language restrictions. Data Extraction: Three reviewers in duplicate assessed full texts to determine eligibility and extracted data from included studies. Positive (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) and 95% CIs were calculated for each instrument. Results: Thirty studies met inclusion criteria. Most instruments showed minimal utility to detect or rule out risk of suicide, with LR+ ≤ 2.0 and LR- ≥ 0.5. A few instruments had a high utility for improving risk detection in emergency department, inpatient mental health, and prison settings when patients scored above the cutoff (LR+ > 10). For example, among patients discharged from an emergency department, the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale-Clinical Practice Screener had a LR+ of 10.3 (95% CI, 6.3-16.8) at 3-month follow-up. The clinical utility of the instruments depends on the pretest probability of suicide in the setting. Because studies spanned over 6 decades, the findings are at risk for secular trends. Discussion: We identified several instruments that may hold promise for detecting risk of suicide in emergency department, inpatient mental health, or prison settings. The utility of the instrument hinges, in part, on baseline suicide risk. Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42021285528.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie B Riblet
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont
- Department of Psychiatry and Dartmouth Institute, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
- Corresponding author: Natalie B. Riblet, MD, MPH, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bldg 9, 215 North Main St, White River Junction, VT 05009
| | - Sarah Matsunaga
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Younji Lee
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Yinong Young-Xu
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Brian Shiner
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont
- Department of Psychiatry and Dartmouth Institute, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
| | - Maxwell Levis
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Bradley V Watts
- Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
- Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, White River Junction VA Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont
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Shiner B, Huybrechts K, Gui J, Rozema L, Forehand J, Watts BV, Jiang T, Hoyt JE, Esteves J, Schnurr PP, Ray K, Gradus JL. Comparative Effectiveness of Direct-Acting Antivirals for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans Affairs Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Am J Epidemiol 2022; 191:1614-1625. [PMID: 35689641 PMCID: PMC9989349 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwac104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We recently conducted an exploratory study that indicated that several direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), highly effective medications for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, were also associated with improvement in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a national cohort of US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients treated between October 1, 1999, and September 30, 2019. Limiting the same cohort to patients with PTSD and HCV, we compared the associations of individual DAAs with PTSD symptom improvement using propensity score weighting. After identifying patients who had available baseline and endpoint PTSD symptom data as measured with the PTSD Checklist (PCL), we compared changes over the 8-12 weeks of DAA treatment. The DAAs most prescribed in conjunction with PCL measurement were glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB; n = 54), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL; n = 54), and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF; n = 145). GLE/PIB was superior to LDV/SOF, with a mean difference in improvement of 7.3 points on the PCL (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1, 13.6). The mean differences in improvement on the PCL were smaller between GLE/PIB and SOF/VEL (3.0, 95% CI: -6.3, 12.2) and between SOF/VEL and LDV/SOF (4.4, 95% CI: -2.4, 11.2). While almost all patients were cured of HCV (92.5%) regardless of the agent received, PTSD outcomes were superior for those receiving GLE/PIB compared with those receiving LDV/SOF, indicating that GLE/PIB may merit further investigation as a potential PTSD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Shiner
- Correspondence to Dr. Brian Shiner, VA Medical Center, 215 N. Main Street, White River Junction, VT 05009 (e-mail: )
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Kehle-Forbes SM, Nelson D, Norman SB, Schnurr PP, Shea MT, Ackland PE, Meis L, Possemato K, Polusny MA, Oslin D, Hamblen JL, Galovski T, Kenny M, Babajide N, Hagedorn H. Comparative effectiveness of trauma-focused and non-trauma-focused psychotherapy for PTSD among veterans with comorbid substance use disorders: Protocol & rationale for a randomized clinical trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2022; 120:106876. [PMID: 35987487 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.106876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Co-occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUDs) is common and concurrent treatment is recommended. Relatively little is known about which evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD are most effective for patients with varying substance use profiles. We aim to examine the comparative effectiveness of trauma-focused therapy (TFT) and non-trauma-focused therapy (NTFT) among Veterans with PTSD and SUD. TFT has been found to be effective among those with PTSD/SUD, though effects are smaller and rates of treatment non-completion are higher than in those without SUD. NTFTs suggested for the treatment of PTSD, such as Present Centered Therapy, (PCT) have not been examined among those with co-occurring SUD, despite lower rates of treatment dropout. We will also examine the comparative effectiveness of TFT and NTFT for patients with varying SUD severity, type of substances used, and patient treatment preference. METHOD 420 Veterans with PTSD and SUD will be randomized in a prospective, pragmatic comparative effectiveness trial at 14 Veterans Health Administration facilities. Participants will receive either TFT (Prolonged Exposure or Cognitive Processing Therapy) or NTFT (PCT) after enrolling in concurrent SUD treatment-as-usual. Assessments will occur at baseline, posttreatment, 3- and 6 -months posttreatment. Main outcomes are PTSD symptom severity and PTSD treatment dropout. Clinician, patient, and leadership stakeholder panels advise study activities, and a process evaluation will identify strategies to enhance the implementation of evidence-based PTSD treatments in SUD care settings. CONCLUSIONS Results will provide critical information to guide clinicians when recommending PTSD treatments to patients with comorbid SUD. CLINICALTRIALS gov Identifier: NCT04581434.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M Kehle-Forbes
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, United States of America; Women's Health Sciences Division at VA Boston, National Center for PTSD, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, United States of America; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America.
| | - David Nelson
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, United States of America; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America
| | - Sonya B Norman
- National Center for PTSD, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT 05009, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, CA 92161, United States of America
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT 05009, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03577, United States of America
| | - M Tracie Shea
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, United States of America
| | - Princess E Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, United States of America; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America
| | - Laura Meis
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, United States of America; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America
| | - Kyle Possemato
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, 800 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13204, United States of America
| | - Melissa A Polusny
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, United States of America; Minneapolis VA Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2312 South 6(th) Street, Minneapolis, MN 55454, United States of America
| | - David Oslin
- VISN 4 MIRECC, Crescenz VA Medical Center, 3900 Woodland Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 1 191049, United States of America
| | - Jessica L Hamblen
- National Center for PTSD, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT 05009, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03577, United States of America
| | - Tara Galovski
- Women's Health Sciences Division at VA Boston, National Center for PTSD, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America
| | - Marie Kenny
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, United States of America
| | - Nofisat Babajide
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, United States of America
| | - Hildi Hagedorn
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2312 South 6(th) Street, Minneapolis, MN 55454, United States of America
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30
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Fortney JC, Rajan S, Reisinger HS, Moeckli J, Nolan JP, Wong ES, Rise P, Petrova VV, Sayre GG, Pyne JM, Grubaugh A, Simsek-Duran F, Grubbs KM, Morland LA, Felker B, Schnurr PP. Deploying a telemedicine collaborative care intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: A stepped wedge evaluation of an adaptive implementation strategy. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2022; 77:109-117. [PMID: 35596963 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To address barriers to trauma-focused psychotherapy for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we compared two implementation strategies to promote the deployment of telemedicine collaborative care. METHOD We conducted a Hybrid Type III Effectiveness Implementation trial at six VA medical centers and their 12 affiliated Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The trial used a stepped wedge design and an adaptive implementation strategy that started with standard implementation, followed by enhanced implementation for VA medical centers that did not achieve the performance benchmark. Implementation outcomes for the 544 veterans sampled from the larger population targeted by the intervention were assessed from chart review (care management enrollment and receipt of trauma-focused psychotherapy) and telephone survey (perceived access and PTSD symptoms) after each implementation phase. The primary outcome was enrollment in care management. RESULTS There was no significant difference between standard implementation and enhanced implementation on any of the implementation outcomes. 41.6% of sampled veterans had a care manager encounter, but only 6.0% engaged in trauma-focused psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS While telemedicine collaborative care was shown to be effective at engaging veterans in trauma-focused psychotherapy in a randomized controlled trial, neither standard nor enhanced implementation strategies were sufficient to support successful deployment into routine care. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02737098.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Fortney
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America.
| | - Suparna Rajan
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Heather S Reisinger
- VA HSR&D Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, IA, United States of America; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Jane Moeckli
- VA HSR&D Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, IA, United States of America
| | | | - Edwin S Wong
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Department of Health and Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Peter Rise
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Valentina V Petrova
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - George G Sayre
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey M Pyne
- VA HSR&D Center for Mental Health and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Anouk Grubaugh
- VA HSR&D Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center, Charleston, SC, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - Fatma Simsek-Duran
- Iowa City VA Health Care System, IA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Kathleen M Grubbs
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Leslie A Morland
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Bradford Felker
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, United States of America; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States of America
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31
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Kehle-Forbes SM, Ackland PE, Spoont MR, Meis LA, Orazem RJ, Lyon A, Valenstein-Mah HR, Schnurr PP, Zickmund SL, Foa EB, Chard KM, Alpert E, Polusny MA. Divergent experiences of U.S. veterans who did and did not complete trauma-focused therapies for PTSD: A national qualitative study of treatment dropout. Behav Res Ther 2022; 154:104123. [PMID: 35644083 PMCID: PMC9873271 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are first-line treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and have been disseminated throughout the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. Treatment non-completion is common and lessens clinical effectiveness; however, prior work has failed to identify factors consistently associated with non-completion. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a national sample of veterans who recently completed (n = 60) or did not complete (n = 66) PE or CPT. Non-completer interviews focused on factors that contributed to veterans' decisions to drop out and efforts undertaken to complete PE/CPT. Completer interviews focused on challenges faced in completing treatment and facilitators of completion. Transcripts were coded using a mixed deductive/inductive approach; constant comparison was used to identify differences between completers and non-completers. Completers and non-completers differed in the extent of treatment-specific therapist support received, therapists' flexibility in treatment delivery, the type of encouragement offered by the care team and social supports, their interpretation of symptom worsening, the perceived impact of treatment on functioning, and the impact of stressors on their treatment engagement. Treatment-specific therapist support, more patient-centered and flexible treatment delivery, leveraging the full care team, and addressing functional concerns are potential targets for PE and CPT engagement interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M. Kehle-Forbes
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA,Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston, National Center for PTSD, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA,University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA,Corresponding author. Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA. (S.M. Kehle-Forbes)
| | - Princess E. Ackland
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA,University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Michele R. Spoont
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA,University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA,National Center for PTSD, Pacific Islands Division, 459 Patterson Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96819, USA
| | - Laura A. Meis
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA,University of Minnesota, Department of Medicine, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Robert J. Orazem
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Alexandra Lyon
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Helen R. Valenstein-Mah
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, Department of Veterans Affairs, 163 Veterans Dr, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Rope Ferry Rd, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Susan L. Zickmund
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement & Analytic Sciences Center, Salt Lake City VA, 500 S Foothill Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| | - Edna B. Foa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 6th Gateway, 3535 Market St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Chard
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center, 3200 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45220, USA
| | - Elizabeth Alpert
- Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston, National Center for PTSD, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Melissa A. Polusny
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA,University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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32
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Hamblen JL, Grubbs KM, Cole B, Schnurr PP, Harik JM. "Will it work for me?" Developing patient-friendly graphical displays of posttraumatic stress disorder treatment effectiveness. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:999-1010. [PMID: 35261090 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to create simple visual displays to help patients understand the benefits of evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We reviewed randomized trials of the most effective individual, trauma-focused psychotherapies and first-line antidepressants for adults with PTSD. The analytic sample included 65 treatment arms from 41 trials. We used binomial logistic regression to estimate the proportion of participants who lost their PTSD diagnosis at posttreatment and created a sample icon array to display these estimates. We provide a range of estimates (0-100) based on varying the percentage of the sample with a military affiliation. The percentage of participants who no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD among civilian populations was 64.3% for trauma-focused treatment, 56.9% for SSRI/SNRI, and 16.7% for waitlist/minimal attention. For military populations, the proportions of participants who no longer met the diagnostic criteria were 44.2%, 36.7%, and 8.1%, respectively. We present icon arrays for 0%, 7%, 50%, and 100% military affiliation displaying 100 icons, a portion of which were shaded to indicate the number of participants that no longer met the PTSD criteria following treatment. After evidence-based treatment, between one third and two thirds of participants no longer met the PTSD criteria. Providers can use the icon array developed in this study with patients to facilitate communication regarding PTSD treatment effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Hamblen
- National Center for PTSD-Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Kathleen M Grubbs
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Veterans Medical Research Foundation, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Bernard Cole
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD-Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Juliette M Harik
- National Center for PTSD-Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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33
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Bryant RA, Schnurr PP, Pedlar D. Addressing the mental health needs of civilian combatants in Ukraine. Lancet Psychiatry 2022; 9:346-347. [PMID: 35305300 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00097-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - David Pedlar
- Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research and School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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34
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Shiner B, Forehand JA, Rozema L, Kulldorff M, Watts BV, Trefethen M, Jiang T, Huybrechts KF, Schnurr PP, Vincenti M, Gui J, Gradus JL. Mining Clinical Data for Novel Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Medications. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:647-657. [PMID: 34952698 PMCID: PMC8918007 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the prevalence and negative impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there are few medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment, and approved medications do not work well enough. We leveraged large-scale electronic health record data to identify existing medications that may be repurposed as PTSD treatments. METHODS We constructed a mechanistic tree of all Food and Drug Administration-approved medications and used the tree-based scan statistic to identify medications associated with greater than expected levels of clinically meaningful improvement in PTSD symptoms using electronic health record data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Our cohort included patients with a diagnosis of PTSD who had repeated symptom measurements using the PTSD Checklist over a 20-year period (N = 168,941). We calculated observed numbers based on patients taking each drug or mechanistically related class of drugs and the expected numbers based on the tree as a whole. RESULTS Medications typically used to treat PTSD, such as the Food and Drug Administration-approved agent sertraline, were associated with improvement in PTSD symptoms, but the effects were small. Several, but not all, direct-acting antivirals used in the treatment of hepatitis C virus demonstrated a strong association with PTSD improvement. The finding was robust to a sensitivity analysis excluding patients who received established PTSD treatments, including trauma-focused psychotherapy, concurrent with hepatitis treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our exploratory approach both demonstrated findings that are consistent with what is known about pharmacotherapy for PTSD and uncovered a novel class of medications that may improve PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Shiner
- White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont; Veterans Administration National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire.
| | | | - Luke Rozema
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont
| | - Martin Kulldorff
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bradley V. Watts
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont,Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | | | - Tammy Jiang
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Krista F. Huybrechts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, White River Junction, Vermont,Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Matthew Vincenti
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont,Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Jiang Gui
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Jaimie L. Gradus
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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35
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Dong L, Meredith LS, Farmer CM, Ahluwalia SC, Chen PG, Bouskill K, Han B, Qureshi N, Dalton S, Watson P, Schnurr PP, Davis K, Tobin JN, Cassells A, Gidengil CA. Protecting the mental and physical well-being of frontline health care workers during COVID-19: Study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2022; 117:106768. [PMID: 35470104 PMCID: PMC9023359 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.106768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has placed health care workers at unprecedented risk of stress, burnout, and moral injury. This paper describes the design of an ongoing cluster randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of Stress First Aid (SFA) to Usual Care (UC) in protecting the well-being of frontline health care workers. Methods We plan to recruit a diverse set of hospitals and health centers (eight matched pairs of hospitals and six pairs of centers), with a goal of approximately 50 HCW per health center and 170 per hospital. Participating sites in each pair are randomly assigned to SFA or UC (i.e., whatever psychosocial support is currently being received by HCW). Each site identified a leader to provide organizational support of the study; SFA sites also identified at least one champion to be trained in the intervention. Using a “train the trainer” model, champions in turn trained their peers in selected HCW teams or units to implement SFA over an eight-week period. We surveyed HCW before and after the implementation period. The primary outcomes are posttraumatic stress disorder and general psychological distress; secondary outcomes include depression and anxiety symptoms, sleep problems, social functioning problems, burnout, moral distress, and resilience. In addition, through in-depth qualitative interviews with leaders, champions, and HCW, we assessed the implementation of SFA, including acceptability, feasibility, and uptake. Discussion Results from this study will provide initial evidence for the application of SFA to support HCW well-being during a pandemic. Trial registration: (Clinicaltrials.govNCT04723576).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Dong
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
| | | | | | - Sangeeta C Ahluwalia
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA; UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Bing Han
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, VT, USA; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, NH, USA
| | | | - Jonathan N Tobin
- Clinical Directors Network (CDN), NY, USA; The Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science, NY, USA
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36
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Cypel Y, Schnurr PP, Schneiderman AI, Culpepper WJ, Akhtar FZ, Morley SW, Fried DA, Ishii EK, Davey VJ. The mental health of Vietnam theater veterans-the lasting effects of the war: 2016-2017 Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:605-618. [PMID: 35290689 PMCID: PMC9310606 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Mental health data from the 2016-2017 Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study (VE-HEROeS) were analyzed by cohort, represented by United States Vietnam theater veterans (VTs) who served in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos; nontheater veterans (NTs) without theater service; and age- and sex-matched nonveterans (NVs) without military service. The exposure of interest was Vietnam theater service. Surveys mailed to random samples of veterans (n = 42,393) and nonveterans (n = 6,885) resulted in response rates of 45.0% for veterans (n = 6,735 VTs, Mage = 70.09, SE = 0.04; n = 12,131 NTs) and 67.0% for NVs (n = 4,530). We examined self-report data on four mental health outcomes: probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, psychological distress, and overall mental health functioning. Weighted adjusted odds ratios (aORs) between each outcome and cohort were estimated, controlling for covariates in four models: cohort plus sociodemographic variables (Model 1), Model 1 plus physical health variables (Model 2), Model 2 plus potentially traumatic events (PTEs; Model 3), and Model 3 plus other military service variables (Model 4). Mental health outcome prevalence was highest for VTs versus other cohorts, with the largest aOR, 2.88, for PTSD, 95% CI [2.46, 3.37], p < .001 (Model 4, VT:NT). Physical health and PTEs contributed most to observed effects; other service variables contributed least to aORs overall. Mental health dysfunction persists among VTs years after the war's end. The present results reaffirm previous findings and highlight the need for continued mental health surveillance in VTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Cypel
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes of Military Exposures (12POP5)U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWashingtonD.C.USA
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- National Center for PTSDU.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWhite River JunctionVermontUSA,Department of PsychiatryGeisel School of Medicine at DartmouthHanoverNew HampshireUSA
| | - Aaron I. Schneiderman
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes of Military Exposures (12POP5)U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWashingtonD.C.USA
| | - William J. Culpepper
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes of Military Exposures (12POP5)U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWashingtonD.C.USA
| | - Fatema Z. Akhtar
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes of Military Exposures (12POP5)U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWashingtonD.C.USA
| | - Sybil W. Morley
- VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide PreventionU.S. Department of Veterans AffairsCanandaiguaNew YorkUSA
| | - Dennis A. Fried
- War Related Injury & Illness Study CenterU.S. Department of Veterans AffairsEast OrangeNew JerseyUSA
| | - Erick K. Ishii
- Population Health Services (10P4V)U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWashingtonD.C.USA
| | - Victoria J. Davey
- Office of Research & Development (14RD)U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWashingtonD.C.USA
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37
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Norman SB, Capone C, Panza KE, Haller M, Davis BC, Schnurr PP, Shea MT, Browne K, Norman GJ, Lang AJ, Kline AC, Golshan S, Allard CB, Angkaw A. A clinical trial comparing trauma-informed guilt reduction therapy (TrIGR), a brief intervention for trauma-related guilt, to supportive care therapy. Depress Anxiety 2022; 39:262-273. [PMID: 35075738 DOI: 10.1002/da.23244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Trauma-related guilt is common, associated with posttraumatic mental health problems, and can persist after posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment. We compared the efficacy of two six-session psychotherapies, Trauma-Informed Guilt Reduction (TrIGR) and Supportive Care Therapy (SCT), for reducing trauma-related guilt. TrIGR helps patients accurately appraise their role in the trauma and re-engage in values. In SCT, patients guide session content. METHODS A total of 184 veterans seeking VA mental health services were enrolled across two sites; 145 veterans (mean age: 39.2 [8.1]; 92.4% male; 84.8% with PTSD) who endorsed guilt related to a traumatic event that occurred during a post 9/11 Iraq or Afghanistan deployment were randomized and assessed at baseline, posttreatment, 3- and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS Linear mixed models using intent-to-treat analyses showed guilt decreased in both conditions with a greater decrease for TrIGR (treatment × time, -0.22; F 1, 455.2 = 18.49, p = .001; d = 0.92) than supportive therapy. PTSD and depressive symptoms showed the same pattern. TrIGR had significantly higher likelihood of PTSD treatment response (67% vs. 40%), loss of PTSD diagnosis (50% vs. 14%), and meaningful change in depression (54% vs. 27%) than supportive therapy. Psychological distress and trait shame improved in both conditions. Quality of life did not change. CONCLUSIONS Targeting guilt appears to be an effective means for reducing posttraumatic symptoms and distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya B Norman
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, Hartford, Vermont, USA.,Department of Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Clinical Research Division, VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Christy Capone
- Department of Mental Health, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kaitlyn E Panza
- Department of Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Moira Haller
- Department of Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Brittany C Davis
- Department of Mental Health, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, Hartford, Vermont, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - M Tracie Shea
- Department of Mental Health, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kendall Browne
- Department of Research, Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Gregory J Norman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ariel J Lang
- Department of Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Clinical Research Division, VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Alexander C Kline
- Department of Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Shahrokh Golshan
- Department of Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Carolyn B Allard
- Department of Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Abigail Angkaw
- Department of Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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Gradus JL, Rosellini AJ, Szentkúti P, Horváth-Puhó E, Smith ML, Galatzer-Levy I, Lash TL, Galea S, Schnurr PP, Sørensen HT. Using Danish national registry data to understand psychopathology following potentially traumatic experiences. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:619-630. [PMID: 35084778 PMCID: PMC9035023 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Research on posttraumatic psychopathology has focused primarily on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); other posttraumatic psychiatric diagnoses are less well documented. The present study aimed to (a) develop a methodology to derive a cohort of individuals who experienced potentially traumatic events (PTEs) from registry-based data and (b) examine the risk of psychopathology within 5 years of experiencing a PTE. Using data from Danish national registries, we created a cohort of individuals with no age restrictions (range: 0-108 years) who experienced at least one of eight possible PTEs between 1994 and 2016 (N = 1,406,637). We calculated the 5-year incidence of nine categories of ICD-10 psychiatric disorders among this cohort and examined standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) comparing the incidence of psychopathology in this group to the incidence in a nontraumatic stressor cohort (i.e., nonsuicide death of a relative; n = 423,270). Stress disorders (2.5%), substance use disorders (4.1%), and depressive disorders (3.0%) were the most common diagnoses following PTEs. Overall, the SMRs for the associations between any PTE and psychopathology varied from 1.9, 95% CI [1.9, 2.0], for stress disorders to 5.2, 95% CI [5.1. 5.3], for personality disorders. All PTEs except pregnancy-related trauma were associated with all forms of psychopathology. Associations were consistent regardless of whether a stress disorder was present. Traumatic experiences have a broad impact on psychiatric health. The present findings demonstrate one approach to capturing trauma exposure in medical record registry data. Increased traumatic experience characterization across studies will help improve the field's understanding of posttraumatic psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaimie L. Gradus
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anthony J. Rosellini
- Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Péter Szentkúti
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Meghan L. Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isaac Galatzer-Levy
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Timothy L. Lash
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sandro Galea
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont, USA,Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Henrik T. Sørensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Gradus JL, Rosellini AJ, Szentkúti P, Horváth-Puhó E, Smith ML, Galatzer-Levy I, Lash TL, Galea S, Schnurr PP, Sørensen HT. Pre-trauma predictors of severe psychiatric comorbidity 5 years following traumatic experiences. Int J Epidemiol 2022; 51:1593-1603. [PMID: 35179599 PMCID: PMC9799210 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A minority of persons who have traumatic experiences go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leading to interest in who is at risk for psychopathology after these experiences. Complicating this effort is the observation that post-traumatic psychopathology is heterogeneous. The goal of this nested case-control study was to identify pre-trauma predictors of severe post-traumatic psychiatric comorbidity, using data from Danish registries. METHODS The source population for this study was the population of Denmark from 1994 through 2016. Cases had received three or more psychiatric diagnoses (across all ICD-10 categories) within 5 years of a traumatic experience (n = 20 361); controls were sampled from the parent cohort using risk-set sampling (n = 81 444). Analyses were repeated in samples stratified by pre-trauma psychiatric diagnoses. We used machine learning methods (classification and regression trees and random forest) to determine the important predictors of severe post-trauma psychiatric comorbidity from among hundreds of pre-trauma predictor variables spanning demographic and social variables, psychiatric and somatic diagnoses and filled medication prescriptions. RESULTS In the full sample, pre-trauma psychiatric diagnoses (e.g. stress disorders, alcohol-related disorders, personality disorders) were the most important predictors of severe post-trauma psychiatric comorbidity. Among persons with no pre-trauma psychiatric diagnoses, demographic and social variables (e.g. marital status), type of trauma, medications used primarily to treat psychiatric symptomatology, anti-inflammatory medications and gastrointestinal distress were important to prediction. Results among persons with pre-trauma psychiatric diagnoses were consistent with the overall sample. CONCLUSIONS This study builds on the understanding of pre-trauma factors that predict psychopathology following traumatic experiences, by examining a broad range of predictors of post-trauma psychopathology and comorbidity beyond PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaimie L Gradus
- Corresponding author. Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St, T318E, Boston, MA 02118, USA. E-mail:
| | - Anthony J Rosellini
- Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Péter Szentkúti
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Meghan L Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isaac Galatzer-Levy
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Timothy L Lash
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sandro Galea
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Henrik T Sørensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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40
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McLean CP, Back SE, Capone C, Morland L, Norman SB, Rauch SAM, Schnurr PP, Teng E, Acierno R. The Impact of COVID-19 on Psychotherapy Participation Among Individuals With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Enrolled in Treatment Research. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:308-313. [PMID: 34291832 PMCID: PMC8426668 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of daily life and required a rapid and unprecedented shift in psychotherapy delivery from in-person to telemental health. In the present study, we explored the impact of the pandemic on individuals' ability to participate in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) psychotherapy and the association between the impact of COVID-19 impact on health and financial well-being and psychotherapy participation. Participants (N = 161, 63.2% male, Mage = 42.7 years) were United States military veterans (n = 108), active duty military personnel (n = 12), and civilians (n = 6), who were participating in one of nine PTSD treatment trials. The results indicate a predominately negative COVID-19 impact on therapy participation, although some participants (26.1%) found attending therapy sessions through telehealth to be easier than in-person therapy. Most participants (66.7%) reported that completing in vivo exposure homework became harder during the pandemic. Moreover, the impact of the pandemic on PTSD symptom severity and daily stress were each associated with increased difficulty with aspects of therapy participation. The findings highlight the unique challenges to engaging in PTSD treatment during the pandemic as well as a negative impact on daily stress and PTSD severity, both of which were related to treatment engagement difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen P. McLean
- Dissemination and Training Division, National Center for PTSDVA Palo Alto Health Care SystemMenlo ParkCaliforniaUSA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sudie E. Back
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA,Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical CenterCharlestonSouth Carolina
| | - Christy Capone
- Providence VA Medical CenterProvidenceRhode IslandUSA,Department of Psychiatry and Human BehaviorCenter for Alcohol and Addiction StudiesBrown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | - Leslie Morland
- VA San Diego Healthcare SystemSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA,National Center for PTSD Pacific Islands DivisionHonoluluHawaiiUSA,Department of PsychiatryUniversity of California San Diego School of MedicineSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sonya B. Norman
- VA San Diego Healthcare SystemSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA,Department of PsychiatryUniversity of California San Diego School of MedicineSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA,Executive DivisionNational Center for PTSDWhite River JunctionVermontUSA
| | - Sheila A. M. Rauch
- Health Service LineAtlanta VA Medical CenterAtlantaGeorgiaUSA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- Executive DivisionNational Center for PTSDWhite River JunctionVermontUSA,Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthHanoverNew HampshireUSA
| | - Ellen Teng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Ron Acierno
- Louis Faillace Department of PsychiatryMcGovern Medical School at UTHealth HoustonHoustonTexas
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41
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Schnurr PP, Chard KM, Ruzek JI, Chow BK, Resick PA, Foa EB, Marx BP, Friedman MJ, Bovin MJ, Caudle KL, Castillo D, Curry KT, Hollifield M, Huang GD, Chee CL, Astin MC, Dickstein B, Renner K, Clancy CP, Collie C, Maieritsch K, Bailey S, Thompson K, Messina M, Franklin L, Lindley S, Kattar K, Luedtke B, Romesser J, McQuaid J, Sylvers P, Varkovitzky R, Davis L, MacVicar D, Shih MC. Comparison of Prolonged Exposure vs Cognitive Processing Therapy for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among US Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2136921. [PMID: 35044471 PMCID: PMC8771295 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.36921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and serious mental health problem. Although there are effective psychotherapies for PTSD, there is little information about their comparative effectiveness. OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of prolonged exposure (PE) vs cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for treating PTSD in veterans. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This randomized clinical trial assessed the comparative effectiveness of PE vs CPT among veterans with military-related PTSD recruited from outpatient mental health clinics at 17 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers across the US from October 31, 2014, to February 1, 2018, with follow-up through February 1, 2019. The primary outcome was assessed using centralized masking. Tested hypotheses were prespecified before trial initiation. Data were analyzed from October 5, 2020, to May 5, 2021. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized to 1 of 2 individual cognitive-behavioral therapies, PE or CPT, delivered according to a flexible protocol of 10 to 14 sessions. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was change in PTSD symptom severity on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) from before treatment to the mean after treatment across posttreatment and 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Secondary outcomes included other symptoms, functioning, and quality of life. RESULTS Analyses were based on all 916 randomized participants (730 [79.7%] men and 186 [20.3%] women; mean [range] age 45.2 [21-80] years), with 455 participants randomized to PE (mean CAPS-5 score at baseline, 39.9 [95% CI, 39.1-40.7] points) and 461 participants randomized to CPT (mean CAPS-5 score at baseline, 40.3 [95% CI, 39.5-41.1] points). PTSD severity on the CAPS-5 improved substantially in both PE (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.99 [95% CI, 0.89-1.08]) and CPT (SMD, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.61-0.80]) groups from before to after treatment. Mean improvement was greater in PE than CPT (least square mean, 2.42 [95% CI, 0.53-4.31]; P = .01), but the difference was not clinically significant (SMD, 0.17). Results for self-reported PTSD symptoms were comparable with CAPS-5 findings. The PE group had higher odds of response (odds ratio [OR], 1.32 [95% CI, 1.00-1.65]; P < .001), loss of diagnosis (OR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.12-1.74]; P < .001), and remission (OR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.24-2.00]; P < .001) compared with the CPT group. Groups did not differ on other outcomes. Treatment dropout was higher in PE (254 participants [55.8%]) than in CPT (215 participants [46.6%]; P < .01). Three participants in the PE group and 1 participant in the CPT group were withdrawn from treatment, and 3 participants in each treatment dropped out owing to serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This randomized clinical trial found that although PE was statistically more effective than CPT, the difference was not clinically significant, and improvements in PTSD were meaningful in both treatment groups. These findings highlight the importance of shared decision-making to help patients understand the evidence and select their preferred treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01928732.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula P. Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Kathleen M. Chard
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Josef I. Ruzek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, California
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
| | - Bruce K. Chow
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Palo Alto, California
| | | | - Edna B. Foa
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia
| | - Brian P. Marx
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew J. Friedman
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Michelle J. Bovin
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kristina L. Caudle
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont
| | - Diane Castillo
- Center of Excellence, Central Texas VA Health Care System, Waco
| | - Kyle T. Curry
- Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Michael Hollifield
- Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Long Beach, California
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Riverside
| | - Grant D. Huang
- Cooperative Studies Program Central Office, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research & Development, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Su Bailey
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Karin Thompson
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael Messina
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison
| | - Laurel Franklin
- New Orleans VA Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
- South Central VA Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Steve Lindley
- Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, California
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | | | | | | | - John McQuaid
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute of Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Patrick Sylvers
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division, Tacoma, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Ruth Varkovitzky
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division, Tacoma, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Lori Davis
- Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham
| | - David MacVicar
- Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham
| | - Mei-Chiung Shih
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Palo Alto, California
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Schnurr PP. Honoring the Career of Matthew J. Friedman, MD, PhD. Psychiatry 2022; 85:153-156. [PMID: 35588491 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2022.2068924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Marx BP, Lee DJ, Norman SB, Bovin MJ, Sloan DM, Weathers FW, Keane TM, Schnurr PP. Reliable and clinically significant change in the clinician-administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 among male veterans. Psychol Assess 2021; 34:197-203. [PMID: 34941354 DOI: 10.1037/pas0001098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We calculated the reliable change index (RCI) and clinically significant change (CSC) values for two widely used measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and examined how symptom changes at these thresholds related to improvements in psychosocial functioning. We used data from three independent samples of male military veterans, including two randomized controlled trials for PTSD (N = 198 for Sample 1 and N = 102 for Sample 2) and a cross-sectional study of primary care patients (N = 228). For Sample 1, within-person change in CAPS-5 and PCL-5 scores of ≥ 13 and 15, respectively, was indicative of reliable change. For Sample 2, within-person change in CAPS-5 and PCL-5 scores of ≥ 12 and 18, respectively, was indicative of reliable change. Scores of ≤ 8 and 28 on the CAPS-5 and PCL-5, respectively, indicated a participant is more likely to belong to the non-PTSD population than the PTSD population (i.e., clinically significant change) in both Samples 1 and 2. Participants who exhibited reliable or CSC reported significantly better psychosocial functioning at all posttreatment assessments than those who did not. Results provide thresholds for identifying clinically meaningful PTSD symptom change using these measures. Care should be taken to interpret these values appropriately and relative to numerous other definitions for meaningful symptom change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Fikretoglu D, Sharp ML, Adler AB, Bélanger S, Benassi H, Bennett C, Bryant R, Busuttil W, Cramm H, Fear N, Greenberg N, Heber A, Hosseiny F, Hoge CW, Jetly R, McFarlane A, Morganstein J, Murphy D, O'Donnell M, Phelps A, Richardson DJ, Sadler N, Schnurr PP, Smith P, Ursano R, Hooff MV, Wessely S, Forbes D, Pedlar D. Pathways to mental health care in active military populations across the Five-Eyes nations: An integrated perspective. Clin Psychol Rev 2021; 91:102100. [PMID: 34871868 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Military service is associated with increased risk of mental health problems. Previous reviews have pointed to under-utilization of mental health services in military populations. Building on the most recent systematic review, our narrative, critical review takes a complementary approach and considers research across the Five-Eyes nations from the past six years to update and broaden the discussion on pathways to mental healthcare in military populations. We find that at a broad population level, there is improvement in several indicators of mental health care access, with greater gains in initial engagement, time to first treatment contact, and subjective satisfaction with care, and smaller gains in objective indicators of adequacy of care. Among individual-level barriers to care-seeking, there is progress in improving recognition of need for care and reducing stigma concerns. Among organizational-level barriers, there are advances in availability of services and cultural acceptance of care-seeking. Other barriers, such as concerns around confidentiality, career impact, and deployability persist, however, and may account for some remaining unmet need. To address these barriers, new initiatives that are more evidence-based, theoretically-driven, and culturally-sensitive, are therefore needed, and must be rigorously evaluated to ensure they bring about additional improvements in pathways to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Fikretoglu
- Defence Research and Development Canada, 1133 Sheppard Ave. West, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | | | - Amy B Adler
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Heidi Cramm
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Fardous Hosseiny
- Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Charles W Hoge
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Department of National Defence, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Dominic Murphy
- Combat Stress, Leatherhead, Surrey, UK; King's College London, London, UK
| | - Meaghan O'Donnell
- Phoenix, Australia: Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Carlton, Australia
| | - Andrea Phelps
- Phoenix, Australia: Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Carlton, Australia
| | - Don J Richardson
- Parkwood Institute- St. Joseph's Health Care London, London, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Sadler
- Phoenix, Australia: Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Carlton, Australia
| | | | - Patrick Smith
- Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Miranda Van Hooff
- Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), Woodville, SA, Australia
| | | | - David Forbes
- Phoenix, Australia: Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Carlton, Australia
| | - David Pedlar
- Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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Shiner BR, Gui J, Rozema L, Cornelius SL, Dufort V, Schnurr PP, Watts BV. Patient and Clinical Factors Associated With Response to Medications for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. J Clin Psychiatry 2021; 82. [PMID: 34610227 DOI: 10.4088/jcp.21m13913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, topiramate, and venlafaxine have previously shown efficacy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in randomized clinical trials. Two prior studies using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical records data show these medications are also effective in routine practice. Using an expanded retrospective cohort, we assessed the possibility of differential patterns of response based on patient and clinical factors. Methods: We identified 6,839 VA outpatients with clinical diagnoses of PTSD between October 1999 and September 2019 who initiated one of the medications and met pre-specified criteria for treatment duration and dose, combined with baseline and endpoint PTSD checklist (PCL) measurements. We compared 12-week changes in PCL score within clinical subgroups defined by sex, race and ethnicity, and military exposures, as well as comorbidities. Comorbidities were identified using International Classification of Diseases diagnostic codes and grouped according to major diagnostic classifications in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (eg, Psychotic Disorders, Depressive Disorders). We used a propensity score weighting approach to balance covariates among medication arms within each clinical subgroup. In our exploratory analyses using unweighted data for the overall cohort, we built penalized logistic regression models to identify covariates that predicted meaningful improvement. Results: There were no significant differences between medications in our weighted subgroup analyses. In unweighted exploratory analyses, higher baseline PCL scores and concurrent receipt of evidence-based psychotherapy predicted meaningful improvement, while high levels of disability predicted not realizing meaningful improvement. Conclusions: In the largest real-world study of medications for PTSD to date, we did not observe a pattern of differential response among clinical subgroups. All patients taking medications for PTSD, especially those with the highest levels of disability, should consider combined treatment with evidence-based psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R Shiner
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont.,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont.,Departments of Psychiatry and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire.,Corresponding author: Brian R. Shiner, MD, MPH, VA Medical Center; 215 North Main St, 116D, White River Junction, VT 05009
| | - Jiang Gui
- Departments of Biomedical Data Science, Community & Family Medicine, and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Luke Rozema
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont
| | | | - Vincent Dufort
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont.,Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Bradley V Watts
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire.,Office of Systems Redesign and Improvement, Washington, DC
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Salas J, Gebauer S, Gillis A, van den Berk-Clark C, Schneider FD, Schnurr PP, Friedman MJ, Norman SB, Tuerk PW, Cohen BE, Lustman PJ, Scherrer JF. Increased Smoking Cessation among Veterans with Large Decreases in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Severity. Nicotine Tob Res 2021; 24:178-185. [PMID: 34477205 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntab179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improvement in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with better health behavior such as better medication adherence and greater use of nutrition and weight loss programs. However, it is not known if reducing PTSD severity is associated with smoking cessation, a poor health behavior common in patients with PTSD. METHODS Veterans Health Affairs (VHA) medical record data (2008 to 2015) were used to identify patients with PTSD diagnosed in specialty care. Clinically meaningful PTSD improvement, was defined as ≥20 point PTSD Checklist (PCL) decrease from the first PCL ≥ 50 and the last available PCL within 12 months and at least 8 weeks later. The association between clinically meaningful PTSD improvement and smoking cessation within 2-years after baseline among 449 smokers was estimated in Cox proportional hazard models. Entropy balancing controlled for confounding. RESULTS On average, patients were 39.4 (SD=12.9) years of age, 86.6% were male and 71.5% were white. We observed clinically meaningful PTSD improvement in 19.8% of participants. Overall, 19.4% quit smoking in year 1 and 16.6% in year 2. More patients with vs. without clinically meaningful PTSD improvement stopped smoking (n=36, cumulative incidence=40.5% vs. 111, cumulative incidence=30.8%; respectively). After controlling for confounding, patients with vs. without clinically meaningful PTSD improvement were more likely to stop smoking within 2-years (HR=1.57; 95%CI:1.04-2.36). CONCLUSIONS Patients with clinically meaningful PTSD improvement were significantly more likely to stop smoking. Further research should determine if targeted interventions are needed or whether improvement in PTSD symptoms is sufficient to enable smoking cessation. IMPLICATIONS Patients with PTSD are more likely to develop chronic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Poor health behaviors, including smoking, partly explain the risk for chronic disease in this patient population. Our results demonstrate that clinically meaningful PTSD improvement is followed by greater likelihood of smoking cessation. Thus, PTSD treatment may enable healthier behaviors and reduce risk for smoking related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Salas
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis MO. 63104, United States.,Harry S. Truman Veterans Administration Medical Center. Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Sarah Gebauer
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis MO. 63104, United States.,Harry S. Truman Veterans Administration Medical Center. Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Auston Gillis
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis MO. 63104, United States
| | - Carissa van den Berk-Clark
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis MO. 63104, United States
| | - F David Schneider
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD and Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, United States
| | - Matthew J Friedman
- National Center for PTSD and Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, United States
| | - Sonya B Norman
- National Center for PTSD and Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, United States
| | - Peter W Tuerk
- Sheila C. Johnson Center for Clinical Services, Department of Human Services, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. United States
| | - Beth E Cohen
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine and San Francisco VAMC, United States
| | - Patrick J Lustman
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis MO. and The Bell Street Clinic Opioid Addiction Treatment Programs, VA St. Louis Healthcare System, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jeffrey F Scherrer
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis MO. 63104, United States.,Harry S. Truman Veterans Administration Medical Center. Columbia, MO, United States
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Norrholm SD, Zalta A, Zoellner L, Powers A, Tull MT, Reist C, Schnurr PP, Weathers F, Friedman MJ. Does COVID-19 count?: Defining Criterion A trauma for diagnosing PTSD during a global crisis. Depress Anxiety 2021; 38:882-885. [PMID: 34469042 PMCID: PMC8652625 DOI: 10.1002/da.23209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a globally significant crisis with a rapid spread worldwide, high rates of illness and mortality, a high degree of uncertainty, and a disruption of daily life across the sociodemographic spectrum. The clinically relevant psychological consequences of this catastrophe will be long-lasting and far-reaching. There is an emerging body of empirical literature related to the mental health aspects of this pandemic and this body will likely expand exponentially. The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of a historic catastrophe from which we can learn much and from which the field will need to archive, interpret, and synthesize a multitude of clinical and research observations. METHODS In this commentary, we discuss situations and contexts in which a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may or may not apply within the context of diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria. RESULTS Our consensus is that a COVID-related event cannot be considered traumatic unless key aspects of DSM-5's PTSD Criterion A have been established for a specific type of COVID-19 event (e.g., acute, life-threatening, and catastrophic). CONCLUSION The application of a more liberal interpretation of Criterion A will dilute the PTSD diagnosis, increase heterogeneity, confound case-control research, and create an overall sample pool with varying degrees of risk and vulnerability factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth D. Norrholm
- Neuroscience Center for Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral NeurosciencesWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Alyson Zalta
- Department of Psychological ScienceUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Lori Zoellner
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | | | - Christopher Reist
- Long Beach VA Healthcare SystemLong BeachCaliforniaUSA,Science 37Culver CityCaliforniaUSA
| | - Paula P. Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWhite River JunctionUSA,Department of PsychiatryGeisel School of Medicine at DartmouthHanoverNew HampshireUSA
| | - Frank Weathers
- Department of Psychological SciencesAuburn UniversityAuburnAlabamaUSA
| | - Matthew J. Friedman
- National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWhite River JunctionUSA,Department of PsychiatryGeisel School of Medicine at DartmouthHanoverNew HampshireUSA
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Krystal JH, Chow B, Vessicchio J, Henrie AM, Neylan TC, Krystal AD, Marx BP, Xu K, Jindal RD, Davis LL, Schnurr PP, Stein MB, Thase ME, Ventura B, Huang GD, Shih MC. Design of the National Adaptive Trial for PTSD-related Insomnia (NAP Study), VA Cooperative Study Program (CSP) #2016. Contemp Clin Trials 2021; 109:106540. [PMID: 34416369 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2021.106540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
There are currently no validated pharmacotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related insomnia. The purpose of the National Adaptive Trial for PTSD-Related Insomnia (NAP Study) is to efficiently compare to placebo the effects of three insomnia medications with different mechanisms of action that are already prescribed widely to veterans diagnosed with PTSD within U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers. This study plans to enroll 1224 patients from 34 VA Medical Centers into a 12- week prospective, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial comparing trazodone, eszopiclone, and gabapentin. The primary outcome measure is insomnia, assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index. A novel aspect of this study is its adaptive design. At the recruitment midpoint, an interim analysis will be conducted to inform a decision to close recruitment to any "futile" arms (i.e. arms where further recruitment is very unlikely to yield a significant result) while maintaining the overall study recruitment target. This step could result in the enrichment of the remaining study arms, enhancing statistical power for the remaining comparisons to placebo. This study will also explore clinical, actigraphic, and biochemical predictors of treatment response that may guide future biomarker development. Lastly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this study will allow the consenting process and follow-up visits to be conducted via video or phone contact if in-person meetings are not possible. Overall, this study aims to identify at least one effective pharmacotherapy for PTSD-related insomnia, and, perhaps, to generate definitive negative data to reduce the use of ineffective insomnia medications. NATIONAL CLINICAL TRIAL (NCT) IDENTIFIED NUMBER: NCT03668041.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Krystal
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America; Departments of Neuroscience and Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America.
| | - Bruce Chow
- Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center (CSPCC), VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Vessicchio
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Adam M Henrie
- Cooperative Studies Program, Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center (CSPCRPCC), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA; VA San Francisco Healthcare System, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Andrew D Krystal
- Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Brian P Marx
- Behavioral Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Ke Xu
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Ripu D Jindal
- Department of Psychiatry, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
| | - Lori L Davis
- Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, United States of America
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT, Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States of America
| | - Murray B Stein
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, Departments of Psychiatry, Family Medicine, and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Michael E Thase
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Beverly Ventura
- Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center (CSPCC), VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
| | - Grant D Huang
- Cooperative Studies Program, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Mei-Chiung Shih
- Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center (CSPCC), VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America; Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
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Decker SE, Rosen MI, Cooney NL, Schnurr PP, Black AC. Correspondence Between Retrospective and Momentary Self-Reported Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: Evidence for Peak and End Effects in Veterans. J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:889-894. [PMID: 33743184 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Validated retrospective self-report symptom rating scales are recommended for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening and treatment. However, such reports may be affected by a respondent's most intense ("peak") or most recent ("end") symptoms. The present study evaluated the correspondence between PTSD symptoms assessed using a standard past-month retrospective rating scale and recorded by ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over the same period and tested hypotheses that retrospective scores would be predicted by peak and end-period momentary symptoms. Male U.S. veterans (N = 35) who served post-9/11 completed the PTSD Symptom Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) at baseline and 1 month later. For 28 days during the intervening period, they received quasi-randomly timed text prompts to complete a modified version of the PCL-5 at that moment. Using multiple regression modeling, controlling for the number of completed EMAs and time (days) since the last EMA, we assessed the predictability of follow-up retrospective PCL-5 scores by (a) the mean of all momentary scores and (b) peak and last-day momentary scores. Retrospective PCL-5 scores were closest to peak scores, d = -0.31, and substantially higher than overall mean, d = 0.99, and last-day momentary scores, d = 0.94. In the regression model, peak symptom experiences and last-day momentary symptoms uniquely predicted follow-up PCL-5 scores over and above significant prediction by overall mean momentary symptom scores. In sum, participants' self-reported past-month PTSD symptom severity did not simply reflect an average over time. Additional questioning is needed to understand peak and recent symptom periods reflected in these estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne E Decker
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Marc I Rosen
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ned L Cooney
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Anne C Black
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Marx
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts.,Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont.,Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, White River Junction, Vermont
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