title: The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans: a meta-analysis.
abstract: Literature on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence among Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans report estimates ranging from 1.4% to 60%. A more precise estimate is necessary for projecting healthcare needs and informing public policy. This meta-analysis examined 33 studies published between 2007 and 2013 involving 4,945,897 OEF/OIF veterans, and PTSD prevalence was estimated at 23%. Publication year and percentage of Caucasian participants and formerly active duty participants explained significant variability in prevalence across studies. PTSD remains a concern for a substantial percentage of OEF/OIF veterans. To date, most studies have estimated prevalence among OEF/OIF veterans using VA medical chart review. Thus, results generalize primarily to the prevalence of PTSD in medical records of OEF/OIF veterans who use VA services. Additional research is needed with randomly selected, representative samples administered diagnostic interviews. Significant financial and mental health resources are needed to promote recovery from PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; VA Mid-Atlantic Region Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States. Electronic address: jessica.j.fulton@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jessica J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fulton
authors.affiliation: Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; VA Mid-Atlantic Region Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
authors.forename: Patrick S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Calhoun
authors.affiliation: Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; VA Mid-Atlantic Region Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
authors.forename: H Ryan
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; VA Mid-Atlantic Region Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
authors.forename: Amie R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Schry
authors.affiliation: Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States.
authors.forename: Lauren P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Hair
authors.affiliation: Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Feeling
authors.affiliation: Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; VA Mid-Atlantic Region Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; Department of Psychiatry, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, United States.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elbogen
authors.affiliation: Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; VA Mid-Atlantic Region Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham, NC 27705, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
authors.forename: Jean C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Beckham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D017594:Publication Bias; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Afghanistan; Iraq; Meta-analysis; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Prevalence; Veterans