Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptom Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary goals for this investigation are to quantify: (1) fluctuations in PTSD symptom reports when assessed at bi-weekly intervals; (2) change in PTSD symptoms associated with stressful life events; and (3) change in PTSD symptoms associated with perceived social support.

Detailed Description
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The primary goals for this investigation are to quantify: (1) fluctuations in PTSD symptom reports when assessed at bi-weekly intervals; (2) change in PTSD symptoms associated with stressful life events; and (3) change in PTSD symptoms associated with perceived social support. Despite increased sophistication in measurement of PTSD, little is known about the long-term longitudinal course of this disorder or the fluctuation of symptoms over time. Because previous studies have focused on the development and persistence of symptoms immediately following a stressor, the course of the chronic disorder has been largely unexplored. Although there is evidence of both persistence and fluctuation of PTSD symptom presentation in Vietnam veterans, little is known about how much and in what ways symptoms change over time. This investigation will increase understanding of the nature and extent of symptom fluctuation as well as the longitudinal course of PTSD as first steps in determining which variables affect that course and how clinicians might intervene to alter it. Aversive life events may constitute one factor that influences the course of chronic PTSD. Researchers and clinicians have frequently hypothesized that stressful life events account for much of the variability in course of chronic PTSD; individuals with PTSD may have a compromised ability to cope with stressors, and such events may worsen existing symptoms. Social support is another variable thought to affect the course of post-trauma symptomatology. Support from other persons has been shown to both promote psychological health in general and to protect against psychological deterioration in times of stress. This investigation will examine aversive life events and perceived social support to determine their relationships over time to symptoms of PTSD.

Official Title
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Longitudinal Evaluation of Chronic Combat-Related PTSD

Conditions
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PTSD

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Vietnam vets who served in combat Diagnosis of current or lifetime PTSD Excluded if severe psychosis, current diagnosis of acute substance dependence, if no stable residence in past 6 months Exclusion Criteria: Actively psychosis, currently suicidal or homicidal, without telephone access, or had experienced substance or alcohol abuse or dependence within the previous six months.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Bi-weekly telephone calls<br>34 participants received bi-weekly telephone calls in addition to the annual reviews | |
| Annual review only<br>23 participants received annual reviews only | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PTSD Checklist - Military Version | The PTSD Checklist-Military Version is a self-report questionnaire comprising 17 items corresponding to the 17 DSM-IV symptoms for PTSD. Respondents are instructed to specify the extent to which they have been bothered by each symptom during the past month on a Likert-type scale ranging from 1 - not at all to 5 = extremely. Weathers et al. (1993) reported a full scale internal consistency reliability (coefficient alpha) for the PCL-M of .97 and test-retest reliability (2- to 3-day interval) of .96. | For past two weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Combat-Related PTSD, Vietnam Veterans