A descriptive analysis of PTSD chronicity in Vietnam veterans.
This study examined the chronicity of PTSD in 530 male and female Vietnam veterans who were drawn from 2 large, ethnically diverse samples. Delayed onset was common, as was a failure to fully remit: 78% of the 239 veterans with full or partial lifetime PTSD were symptomatic in the 3 months prior to assessment. Cluster analysis identified 4 subtypes of posttraumatic response, with women most likely to be in a delayed onset cluster, and minority men most likely to be in a severe chronic cluster. The extent of chronicity observed in this sample underscores the need for treatments that address the persistence of posttraumatic symptoms.
Schnurr
Paula P
PP
VA National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont 05009, USA. paula.schnurr@dartmouth.edu
Lunney
Carole A
CA
Sengupta
Anjana
A
Waelde
Lynn C
LC
D002908:Chronic Disease; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014728:Veterans; D014744:Vietnam