title: Influence of trauma history on panic and posttraumatic stress disorder in returning veterans.
abstract: The current study examined the role of predeployment sexual and physical abuse, combat exposure, and postdeployment social support in predicting panic disorder and PTSD diagnoses in a large sample of returning veterans. A chart review was conducted for 1740 OEF/OIF veterans who received mental health screenings at a large VA hospital between May 24, 2004 and March 26, 2008. Assessments included psychosocial evaluations conducted by psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers in addition to self-report measures. Results suggested that the prevalence of panic disorder (6.1%) and PTSD (28.7%) are elevated among OEF/OIF veterans. Veterans reporting higher levels of combat experience were likely to be diagnosed with PTSD (odds ration [OR], 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.25; p < .001) or comorbid panic disorder and PTSD (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04-1.33; p < .001). Veterans endorsing predeployment sexual abuse were likely to be diagnosed with comorbid panic disorder and PTSD (OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.15-8.08; p < .05), as were veterans endorsing predeployment physical abuse (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.22-1.00; p < .05). Panic disorder was also found to be associated with greater risk for suicide attempts than PTSD (χ² = 16.38, p = .001). These findings indicate a high prevalence of panic disorder among returning veterans and highlight the importance for clinicians to assess returning veterans routinely for panic disorder in addition to PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: Terri L
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0854-4216
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Barrera
authors.affiliation: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: Nancy Jo
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: Ellen J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Teng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult