Comparison of comorbid physical illnesses among veterans with PTSD and veterans with alcohol dependence.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with high rates of medical service use and with self-reported poor health. Male veterans admitted to a rehabilitation unit for PTSD (N=55) or alcohol dependence (N=38) were evaluated for comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions and health risk factors. Patients with PTSD were more likely to have osteoarthritis, diabetes, heart disease, comorbid depression, obesity, and elevated lipid levels. These findings suggest that there may be a relationship between specific medical conditions, possibly mediated by behavioral risk factors, among the aging population of veterans with PTSD.
David
Daniella
D
Department of Psychiatry, Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1201 Northwest 16th Street, 116A12, Miami, Florida 33125, USA. daniella.david@med.va.gov
Woodward
Claudia
C
Esquenazi
Jose
J
Mellman
Thomas A
TA
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014728:Veterans