Subthreshold PTSD in Primary Care

• DOI: 10.1097/01.nmd.0000180740.02644.ab
• Publication Date: 2005-10-05T08:01:26Z
• Authors: Anouk L. Grubaugh; Kathryn M. Magruder; Angela E. Waldrop; Jon D. Elhai; Rebecca G. Knapp; B Christopher Frueh
• Keywords: Subthreshold conduction

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its association with specific traumas, other psychiatric diagnoses, healthcare use, functional status among 669 veterans in four VA Medical Centers. A cross-sectional, epidemiological design incorporating self-report measures, structured interviews, chart reviews was used obtain relevant information for analyses. Comparisons across three trauma-exposed groups (PTSD, PTSD, no PTSD) revealed that PTSD group did not use mental health services more often than those despite presence additional diagnoses worse status. These data indicate clinicians may be overlooking a subset individuals suffering from subsyndromal suggesting need detect serve these better within settings.