title: Defining Subthreshold PTSD in the DSM-IV Literature: A Look Toward DSM-5.
abstract: Subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), whether due to absence of symptom development or partial remission, is the subject of research and clinical work despite being absent from the DSM. A problem with the literature is that subthreshold definitions are inconsistent across studies and therefore aggregating results is difficult. This study compared the diagnostic hit rates and validity of commonly used definitions of Subthreshold PTSD in a single sample. Three definitions of Subthreshold PTSD were extracted from the literature and two were formed, including a model of DSM-5 PTSD-criterion sets, and a definition that requires six or more PTSD symptoms, but no particular criterion set. Participants (N = 654) with a criterion A stressor, but without full PTSD diagnosis, were included. Most individuals did not meet any definition of Subthreshold PTSD. Findings are discussed in light of previous research and need for increased understanding of the diagnostic implications of Subthreshold PTSD.
authors.affiliation: *Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System; †South Central VA Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC); ‡Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans, LA; and §Brown University and ∥Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: C Laurel
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chelminski
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult