PTSD prevalence, associated exposures, and functional health outcomes in a large, population-based military cohort.
OBJECTIVE
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) results from experiencing or witnessing traumatic, life-threatening events including combat-related experiences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PTSD symptoms and diagnosis, self-reported exposures, and functional health in a large cross-section of the U.S. military.


METHODS
This study used baseline Millennium Cohort data (July 2001 to June 2003) of 75,156 U.S. military members to assess the population-based prevalence of PTSD symptoms, self-reported exposures, and functional health as measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-Item Health Survey for Veterans (SF-36V).


RESULTS
PTSD diagnosis without current symptoms was reported by 953 respondents (1.2%, weighted), 1,490 respondents (2.1%, weighted) reported no diagnosis but reported PTSD symptoms, and 287 respondents (0.4%, weighted) reported diagnosis and current symptoms. Self-reported exposure to chemical or biological warfare agents, protective countermeasures, or hearing alarms were associated with PTSD symptoms independent of other combat-like exposures. Physical health was similar among those with PTSD diagnosis and current PTSD symptoms. However, compared with the overall cohort, lower mental health summary means for those reporting current PTSD symptoms (mean = 27.8), current symptoms and diagnosis (mean = 24.6), and diagnosis without current symptoms (mean = 47.5) were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest a 2.0% prevalence of PTSD symptoms without diagnosis and that self-reported threatening exposures were significantly associated with PTSD symptoms. Mental and physical health scores of those with current PTSD symptoms appear diminished, but suggest a return to cohort levels with resolution of PTSD symptoms.
Department of Defense Center for Deployment Health Research, Naval Health Research Center, P.O. Box 85122, San Diego, CA 92186-5122, USA. Smith@nhrc.navy.mil
Tyler C
TC
Smith
Deborah L
DL
Wingard
Margaret A K
MA
Ryan
Donna
D
Kritz-Silverstein
Donald J
DJ
Slymen
James F
JF
Sallis
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult