Understanding the association between posttraumatic stress disorder characteristics and physical health conditions: A population-based study

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly comorbid with a range of physical health conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the association between index trauma and PTSD symptom clusters with physical health conditions, among individuals with PTSD in a population-based sample. Data were analyzed from the 2012–2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III; N = 36,309). Past-year PTSD (n = 1779) was assessed using a clinical interview in accordance with DSM-5 criteria. Multiple logistic regression models examined the associations between PTSD symptom clusters and index trauma with physical health conditions. Results of the most stringent model, adjusting for sociodemographics, other psychiatric conditions, and other PTSD symptom clusters, indicated re-experiencing symptoms were associated with cardiovascular and endocrine/metabolic conditions (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) range: 1.18–1.33) and negative alterations in mood and cognition symptoms were associated with sleep disorder (AOR = 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.04–1.30], p = .009). Results also demonstrated significant associations between life-threatening illness with cancer, digestive, and neurologic conditions (AOR range: 2.10–3.42) and life-threatening injury with musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions (AOR range: 1.76–2.04). Finally, significant associations emerged between psychological trauma with musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions (AOR range: 0.48–0.66), and other trauma with digestive conditions and anemia (AOR range: 0.38–0.47). Results suggest PTSD symptomatology and index trauma play a differential role in their association with variable physical health conditions. Results may inform screening practices and targeted interventions to mitigate risk of PTSD and physical health conditions.