PTSD and somatization in women treated at a VA primary care clinic.
The authors examined the association between trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and somatization in 264 women attending a Department of Veterans Affairs primary care clinic. Using a structured computerized interview (Composite International Diagnostic Interview), they found that traumatic events were reported by 81% of the women. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD was 27%; for somatization it was 19%. PTSD was the best predictor of somatization after control for demographic variables, veteran status, and other mood and anxiety disorders. Psychological numbing symptoms of PTSD emerged as a particularly strong predictor of somatization. The link between PTSD and somatization deserves further study.
Escalona
Rodrigo
R
New Mexico VA Health Care System, Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA. pescalona@salud.unm.edu
Achilles
Georgiana
G
Waitzkin
Howard
H
Yager
Joel
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology