title: Abbreviated PTSD Checklist (PCL) as a guide to clinical response.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate two abbreviated versions of the PTSD Checklist (PCL), a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as an index of change related to treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for this study were from 181 primary care patients diagnosed with PTSD who enrolled in a large randomized trial. These individuals received a collaborative care intervention (cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or medication) or usual care and were followed 6 and 12 months later to assess their symptoms and functioning. The sensitivity of the PCL versions (i.e., full, two-item, six-item), correlations between the PCL versions and other measures, and use of each as indicators of reliable and clinically significant change were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All versions had high sensitivity (.92-.99). Correlations among the three versions were high, but the six-item version corresponded more closely to the full version. Both shortened versions were adequate indicators of reliable and clinically significant change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whereas prior research has shown the two-item or six-item versions of the PCL to be good PTSD screening instruments for primary care settings, the six-item version appears to be the better alternative for tracking treatment-related change.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA. ajlang@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Ariel J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Kendall
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilkins
authors.forename: Peter P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Roy-Byrne
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Golinelli
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chavira
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sherbourne
authors.forename: Raphael D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bystritsky
authors.forename: Greer
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Michelle G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Craske
authors.forename: Murray B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057189:Checklist; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult