Jack Goldberg1, Kathryn M Magruder2, Christopher W Forsberg3, Matthew J Friedman4, Brett T Litz5, Viola Vaccarino6, Patrick J Heagerty7, Theresa C Gleason8, Grant D Huang8, Nicholas L Smith9. 1. 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. 2. Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. 3. Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA. 4. 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. 5. Massachusetts Epidemiological Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA; Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. 6. Departments of Epidemiology and Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. 7. Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 8. Cooperative Studies Program, Clinical Science Research and Development, VA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC. 9. Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
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. CONCLUSION: 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.
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. CONCLUSION: 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.
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