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Prevalence of delayed-onset posttraumatic stress disorder in military personnel: is there evidence for this disorder?: Results of a prospective UK cohort study

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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  • L Goodwin
  • M Jones
  • RJ Rona
  • J Sundin
  • S Wessely
  • NT Fear
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>31/05/2012
<mark>Journal</mark>The Journal of nervous and mental disease
Issue number5
Volume200
Number of pages9
Pages (from-to)429-437
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Delayed-onset posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as onset at least 6 months after a traumatic event. This study investigates the prevalence of delayed-onset PTSD in 1397 participants from a two-phase prospective cohort study of UK military personnel. Delayed-onset PTSD was categorized as participants who did not meet the criteria for probable PTSD (assessed using the PTSD Checklist Civilian version) at phase 1 but met the criteria by phase 2. Of the participants, 3.5% met the criteria for delayed-onset PTSD. Subthreshold PTSD, common mental disorder (CMD), poor/fair self-reported health, and multiple physical symptoms at phase 1 and the onset of alcohol misuse or CMD between phases 1 and 2 were associated with delayed-onset PTSD. Delayed-onset PTSD exists in this UK military sample. Military personnel who developed delayed-onset PTSD were more likely to have psychological ill-health at an earlier assessment, and clinicians should be aware of the potential comorbidity in these individuals, including alcohol misuse. Leaving the military or experiencing relationship breakdown was not associated.