title: Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Aging Vietnam-Era Veterans: Veterans Administration Cooperative Study 569: Course and Consequences of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Vietnam-Era Veteran Twins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among aging Vietnam-era veterans is not well characterized.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, 5,598 male Vietnam-era veterans and members of the Vietnam Era Twin Registry were assessed for PTSD using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Current symptoms were measured with the PTSD Checklist (PCL). PTSD was estimated according to age (<60 or ≥ 60) and Vietnam theater service.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lifetime prevalence of PTSD in theater veterans aged at least 60 years was 16.9% (95% CI: 13.9%-20.5%) and higher than the 5.5% (95% CI: 4.3%-7.0%) among nontheater veterans. Among veterans younger than 60 years, the comparable prevalence was 22.0% for theater (95% CI: 16.7%-28.4%) and 15.7% for nontheater (95% CI: 13.4%-18.2%) veterans. Similar results were found for theater service and current PTSD prevalence (past 12 months). PCL scores were significantly higher in theater compared with nontheater veterans in both younger and older cohorts. In both the younger and older cohorts significant differences in lifetime and current PTSD prevalence and PCL scores persisted in theater service discordant twin pairs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vietnam service is related to elevated PTSD prevalence and current symptom burden in aging veterans. More than 30 years after the end of the Vietnam conflict, many veterans continue to suffer from PTSD, which highlights the need for continuing outreach throughout the life course.
authors.affiliation: Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Electronic address: jack.goldberg@va.gov.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Magruder
authors.affiliation: Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Forsberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, White River Junction, VT; Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology & Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Epidemiological Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA; Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Brett T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Litz
authors.affiliation: Departments of Epidemiology and Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Viola
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vaccarino
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Heagerty
authors.affiliation: Cooperative Studies Program, Clinical Science Research and Development, VA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Theresa C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Gleason
authors.affiliation: Cooperative Studies Program, Clinical Science Research and Development, VA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Grant D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Nicholas L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014427:Twins / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D047829:Vietnam Conflict
keywords: Epidemiology; PTSD/posttraumatic stress disorder; geriatric/aging/elderly; trauma; twin studies