Comparing the stability of diagnosis in full vs. partial posttraumatic stress disorder.
We studied differences in diagnostic stability between patients with full and patients with partial posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We collected self-reported symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and functioning at a Veterans Affairs mental health clinic (n = 1962). We classified patients as meeting full or partial PTSD based upon their initial assessment. We performed Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to compare stability of diagnosis over time and Cox proportional hazards models to understand how comorbid symptoms and level of functioning confounded the relationship. We performed a chart review to examine differences in treatment received by the two groups. Patients in the partial PTSD group lost their diagnosis significantly faster and at significantly higher rates than did patients with full PTSD. Comorbid symptoms contributed significantly to this difference. Mental health treatments delivered to the two groups were similar. These diagnoses appear to be different, suggesting that people with partial PTSD may benefit from a different clinical approach.
VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT 05009, USA. brian.shiner@va.gov
Brian
B
Shiner
Daniel
D
Bateman
Yinong
Y
Young-Xu
Maha
M
Zayed
A Lisa
AL
Harmon
Andrew
A
Pomerantz
Bradley V
BV
Watts
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs