title: The Impact of Trauma Type or Number of Traumatic Events on PTSD Diagnosis and Symptom Severity in Treatment Seeking Veterans.
abstract: Trauma history and increased exposure to combat and sexual trauma may account for heightened rates of PTSD among military populations. This study assessed trauma type and exposure history, diagnostic impressions, and PTSD severity in a large clinical dataset (n = 2463) of veterans presenting for PTSD evaluation at a Midwestern VA Medical Center between the years 2006 and 2013. The degree of lifetime trauma exposure was pronounced, with approximately 76% of the sample reporting exposure to at least four traumatic events. Higher numbers of lifetime trauma and higher levels of combat exposure were associated with more severe PTSD symptoms. Sexual trauma and combat trauma were more predictive of PTSD than other trauma types. Sexual trauma was associated with more severe PTSD than combat and other trauma.
authors.affiliation: *Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA; †Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI; ‡Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur; §Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; and ∥VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Jeanne M D
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jakob
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lamp
authors.forename: Sheila A M
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rauch
authors.forename: Erin R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Katherine R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Buchholz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult