C Carmassi1, H S Akiskal2, D Bessonov2, G Massimetti3, E Calderani3, P Stratta4, A Rossi4, L Dell'Osso3. 1. Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 65, 56100 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: ccarmassi@gmail.com. 2. International Mood Center, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. 3. Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 65, 56100 Pisa, Italy. 4. Section of Psychiatry, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L׳Aquila, L׳Aquila, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has demonstrated gender-specific prevalence and expressions across the different DSM definitions, since its first introduction in DSM-III. The DSM-5 recently introduced important revisions to PTSD symptomatological criteria. Aim of the present study is to explore whether gender moderates rates of DSM-5 PTSD expression in a non-clinical sample of survivors to a massive earthquake in Italy. METHODS: 512 survivors of the L'Aquila 2009 earthquake, previously investigated for the presence DSM-IV-TR PTSD, were reassessed according to DSM-5 criteria in order to explore gender differences. All subjects completed the Trauma and Loss Spectrum-Self Report (TALS-SR). RESULTS: Females showed significantly higher DSM-5 PTSD rates and rates of endorsement of almost all DSM-5 PTSD criteria. Significant gender differences emerged in almost half of PTSD symptomatological criteria with women reporting higher rates in 8 of them, while men in only one (a new symptom in DSM-5: reckless or self-destructive behavior). Considering the impact of the three new DSM-5 symptoms on the diagnosis, significant gender differences emerged with these being crucial in almost half of the PTSD diagnoses in males but in about one-fourth in females. By using ROC curves, DSM-5 criteria E and D showed the highest AUC values in males (.876) and females (.837), respectively. LIMITATIONS: The use of self-report instrument; no information on comorbidity; homogeneity of study sample; lack of assessment on functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a contribution to the ongoing need for reassessment on how gender moderates rates of expression of particular disorders such as PTSD.
BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has demonstrated gender-specific prevalence and expressions across the different DSM definitions, since its first introduction in DSM-III. The DSM-5 recently introduced important revisions to PTSD symptomatological criteria. Aim of the present study is to explore whether gender moderates rates of DSM-5 PTSD expression in a non-clinical sample of survivors to a massive earthquake in Italy. METHODS: 512 survivors of the L'Aquila 2009 earthquake, previously investigated for the presence DSM-IV-TR PTSD, were reassessed according to DSM-5 criteria in order to explore gender differences. All subjects completed the Trauma and Loss Spectrum-Self Report (TALS-SR). RESULTS: Females showed significantly higher DSM-5 PTSD rates and rates of endorsement of almost all DSM-5 PTSD criteria. Significant gender differences emerged in almost half of PTSD symptomatological criteria with women reporting higher rates in 8 of them, while men in only one (a new symptom in DSM-5: reckless or self-destructive behavior). Considering the impact of the three new DSM-5 symptoms on the diagnosis, significant gender differences emerged with these being crucial in almost half of the PTSD diagnoses in males but in about one-fourth in females. By using ROC curves, DSM-5 criteria E and D showed the highest AUC values in males (.876) and females (.837), respectively. LIMITATIONS: The use of self-report instrument; no information on comorbidity; homogeneity of study sample; lack of assessment on functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a contribution to the ongoing need for reassessment on how gender moderates rates of expression of particular disorders such as PTSD.
Authors: Zachary D Brodnik; Emily M Black; Meagan J Clark; Kristen N Kornsey; Nathaniel W Snyder; Rodrigo A España Journal: Neuropharmacology Date: 2017-08-01 Impact factor: 5.250
Authors: Karen S Mitchell; Erika J Wolf; Michelle J Bovin; Lewina O Lee; Jonathan D Green; Raymond C Rosen; Terence M Keane; Brian P Marx Journal: J Abnorm Psychol Date: 2017-02-13
Authors: Claudia Carmassi; P Stratta; E Calderani; C A Bertelloni; M Menichini; E Massimetti; A Rossi; L Dell'Osso Journal: J Relig Health Date: 2016-04
Authors: Colleen E Jackson; Alyssa Currao; Jennifer R Fonda; Alexandra Kenna; William P Milberg; Regina E McGlinchey; Catherine B Fortier Journal: J Trauma Stress Date: 2021-12-31