PTSD Checklist For DSM-5 Scores Research Articles

Abstract P4-09-06: An investigation into the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in breast cancer patients

Abstract The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 284,200 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2021. According to the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR) an estimated 18,277 of those new diagnoses of female breast cancer will be made in the state of Texas. Studies have found that between 5% and 35% of breast cancer patients in the United States will develop diagnosable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or significantly impairing PTSD symptoms. The goal of the study was to gather data related to the presence of PTSD symptoms in a sample of West Texas female breast cancer patients. The proposed study aimed to:. (1)Determine the prevalence of PTSD in a sample of female, West Texas breast cancer patients(2)Identify elements of a breast cancer diagnosis and breast cancer treatment that may contribute to, or exacerbate these PTSD symptoms. Our sample consistent of 78 female breast cancer patients collected from a university medical center-affiliated cancer center in the West Texas region. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL5) was used to determine if a participant met diagnostic criteria for PTSD or fulfilled diagnostic criteria for any of the four symptom clusters – intrusive symptoms, avoidance symptoms, negative symptoms, and hyperarousal symptoms. PCL5 scores were then compared to a range of demographic variables including age, marital status, educational level, menopausal status, tobacco and alcohol use, time since diagnosis, as well as treatment modalities used. Further, PCL5 scores were compared to Her2, ER, and PR status of the tumor as well as clinical stage. Patients meeting criteria for PTSD and those with significant symptoms in distinct symptom clusters The only multi-group categorical variable that showed a significant relationship was lifetime tobacco use (F(2,75) = 4.97, p = 0.009) which showed a relationship such that current smokers were found to have higher PCL5 scores that either participants that were past smokers or those that had never smoked. Further, menopausal status (pre-menopausal versus post-menopausal) did was found to be related to PCL5 scores such that pre-menopausal women were found to have significantly higher PCL5 scores than post-menopausal women (t(71) = 2.558, p = 0.42). Living arrangement (alone or with others) was similarly, significantly related to PCL5 scores such that women living with others were found to have higher PCL5 scores than those living alone (t(74) = -1.904, p = .002). Receiving chemotherapy treatment or not was similarly related to PCL5 scores such that those that underwent chemotherapy treatment were found to have higher PCL5 scores (t(76), = -2.381, p = .008). HER2 positive status was also found to be related to PCL5 scores, such that HER2 positive patients were found to have higher PCL5 scores than HER2 negative patients (t(74) = -2.429, p = .001). While other samples identified larger percentages of diagnosable PTSD, our sample did find a percentage of patients with diagnosable PTSD consistent with the lower end of estimated rates. This. suggests that our sample is similar in some ways to that used in the existing body of literature. Future research could expand the scope of this study by including focusing on the significant variables identified in the current study, as well as by including more factors that may be particularly relevant to the patient population of the West Texas region, such as measures of religiosity, individualism, or self-reliance. nPercentage of total sampleNo significant symptoms4962.82%Significant symptoms in one symptom cluster1316.66%Significant symptoms in two symptom clusters67.69%Significant symptoms in three symptoms clusters33.85%Significant symptoms in all four symptom clusters (met criteria for PTSD diagnosis)78.97%Total78100% Citation Format: Evan Thomas Guidry, Nusrat Jahan, Catherine Jones. An investigation into the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-09-06.

Reliable and clinically significant change in the clinician-administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 among male veterans.

We calculated the reliable change index (RCI) and clinically significant change (CSC) values for two widely used measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and examined how symptom changes at these thresholds related to improvements in psychosocial functioning. We used data from three independent samples of male military veterans, including two randomized controlled trials for PTSD (N = 198 for Sample 1 and N = 102 for Sample 2) and a cross-sectional study of primary care patients (N = 228). For Sample 1, within-person change in CAPS-5 and PCL-5 scores of ≥ 13 and 15, respectively, was indicative of reliable change. For Sample 2, within-person change in CAPS-5 and PCL-5 scores of ≥ 12 and 18, respectively, was indicative of reliable change. Scores of ≤ 8 and 28 on the CAPS-5 and PCL-5, respectively, indicated a participant is more likely to belong to the non-PTSD population than the PTSD population (i.e., clinically significant change) in both Samples 1 and 2. Participants who exhibited reliable or CSC reported significantly better psychosocial functioning at all posttreatment assessments than those who did not. Results provide thresholds for identifying clinically meaningful PTSD symptom change using these measures. Care should be taken to interpret these values appropriately and relative to numerous other definitions for meaningful symptom change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Sensitivity and specificity of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 in a Canadian psychiatric outpatient sample.

The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a widely used, self-report measure that is employed to assess PTSD symptom severity and determine the presence of probable PTSD in various trauma-exposed populations. The PCL-5 is often administered in clinical settings as a screening tool for PTSD, with a suggested cutoff score of 33 indicating a probable PTSD diagnosis. Recent research indicates that a higher cutoff may be required in psychiatric samples. In the present study, we aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the PCL-5 in a Canadian outpatient psychiatric sample and establish an optimal cutoff score for detecting probable PTSD in this sample. Participants were 673 individuals who reported a history of trauma exposure and were assessed using a semistructured interview and self-report measures. Individuals diagnosed with PTSD (N = 193) reported a mean PCL-5 score of 56.57, whereas individuals without PTSD (N = 480) reported a mean score of 33.56. A score of 45 was determined to be the optimal cutoff score in this sample, balancing sensitivity and specificity while detecting a probable diagnosis of PTSD. Consistent with findings in other psychiatric samples, these findings indicate that in an outpatient psychiatric sample with a history of exposure to a variety of trauma types, a higher cutoff score is required to determine probable PTSD. In addition, given the estimated rate of false positives even with a higher cutoff, follow-up diagnostic assessments are recommended.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Factors 1 Year After the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Chinese Residents.

Background: By investigating the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among residents during a period of low transmission, this study reflects the long-term impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and identify which categories of residents are more likely to develop PTSD due to an acute infectious disease crisis, facilitating the development of targeted strategies to protect mental health after outbreaks of similar acute infectious diseases in the future.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in China from 4 to 26 February 2021. A convenience sampling strategy was adopted to recruit participants. Participants were asked to complete the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). A multivariable linear stepwise regression analysis model was used to identify which factors were associated with PTSD in residents of China.Results: A total of 2,361 Chinese residents completed the questionnaire. The mean PCL-5 score for the respondents was 13.65 (SD = 8.66), with 219 (9.28%) patients having probable PTSD symptoms. Respondents who were female (β = 0.038), had a relative or friend who had contracted COVID-19 (β = 0.041), and had poor health (β = 0.184) had higher PCL-5 scores, while the population aged over 60 years (β = −0.063), who agreed that COVID-19 information was released in a timely manner (β = −0.347), who had experienced a relatively limited impact of COVID-19 on their life (β = −0.069), and who agreed that the local prevention initiatives were sophisticated (β = −0.165) had lower PTSD scores.Conclusions: Outbreaks of acute infectious diseases can have long-term psychological health effects in the general population. In addition, health policy makers need to be concerned about and implement measures to support the mental health of vulnerable groups.

Extracellular Vesicle Proteins and MicroRNAs Are Linked to Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Service Members and Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common in military populations, and frequently associated with a history of combat-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In this study, we examined relationships between severity of PTSD symptoms and levels of extracellular vesicle (EV) proteins and miRNAs measured in the peripheral blood in a cohort of military service members and Veterans (SMs/Vs) with chronic mTBI(s). Participants (n = 144) were divided into groups according to mTBI history and severity of PTSD symptoms on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). We analyzed EV levels of 798 miRNAs (miRNAs) as well as EV and plasma levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), Tau, Amyloid beta (Aβ) 42, Aβ40, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We observed that EV levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) were elevated in participants with more severe PTSD symptoms (PCL-5 ≥ 38) and positive mTBI history, when compared to TBI negative controls (p = 0.024) and mTBI participants with less severe PTSD symptoms (p = 0.006). Levels of EV NfL, plasma NfL, and hsa-miR-139–5p were linked to PCL-5 scores in regression models. Our results suggest that levels of NfL, a marker of axonal damage, are associated with PTSD symptom severity in participants with remote mTBI. Specific miRNAs previously linked to neurodegenerative and inflammatory processes, and glucocorticoid receptor signaling pathways, among others, were also associated with the severity of PTSD symptoms. Our findings provide insights into possible signaling pathways linked to the development of persistent PTSD symptoms after TBI and biological mechanisms underlying susceptibility to PTSD.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms in COVID-19 survivors: a self-report and brain imaging follow-up study.

Previous coronavirus pandemics were associated elevated post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), but the self-report and neurological basis of PTSS in patients who survived coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are largely unknown. We conducted a two-session study to record PTSS in the COVID-19 survivors discharged from hospitals for a short (i.e., about 3 months, Session 1) to a medium period (i.e., about 6 months, Session 2), as well as brain imaging data in Session 2. The control groups were non-COVID-19 locals. Session 1 was completed for 126 COVID-19 survivors and 126 controls. Session 2 was completed for 47 COVID-19 survivors and 43 controls. The total score of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) score was significantly higher in COVID-19 survivors compared with controls in both sessions. The PCL-5 score in COVID-19 survivors was positively correlated with the duration after discharge (r = 0.27, p = 0.003 for Session 1), and increased by 20% from Session 1 to Session 2 for the survivors who participated both sessions. The increase was positively correlated with individual’s test-retest duration (r = 0.46, p = 0.03). Brain structural volume and functional activity in bilateral hippocampus and amygdala were significantly larger in COVID-19 survivors compared with controls. However, the volumes of the left hippocampus and amygdala were negatively correlated with the PCL-5 score for the COVID-19 survivors. Our study suggests that COVID-19 survivors might face possible PTSS deteriorations, and highlights the importance of monitoring mental wellness of COVID-19 survivors.

Correlates of self-reported history of mental health help-seeking: a cross-sectional study among individuals with symptoms of a mental or substance use disorder initiating care for HIV in Cameroon

BackgroundMental health and substance use disorders (MSDs) increase the risk of poor human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH). Receipt of mental health care may improve these adverse outcomes. We aimed to identify correlates of prior mental health help-seeking among PLWH with symptoms of an MSD in Cameroon.MethodsWe characterize prior mental health help-seeking from formal (mental health specialist/general medical provider) and informal (traditional healer/religious leader) sources among 161 people with symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores> 9), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7 scores> 9), probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 scores> 30), or possible alcohol use disorder (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores≥16) who were newly entering HIV care at three healthcare facilities in Cameroon between June 2019 and March 2020. Help-seeking was defined as ever speaking to a formal or informal source about emotional problems, sadness, or the way they were feeling or behaving. We estimated the association between sociodemographic and psychosocial measures and lifetime mental health help-seeking from each type of source using log-binomial regression.ResultsOverall, 55.3% of 161 PLWH with MSD symptoms reported prior mental health help-seeking, with 24.2% and 46.0% seeking help from formal and informal sources, respectively. Religious leaders were the most common source of help (40.4%), followed by general medical professionals (22.4%), traditional healers (16.8%), and mental health specialists (7.4%). Individuals with higher depressive, anxiety, and trauma symptom severity scores were more likely to have sought help than those with lower scores. Individuals with possible alcohol use disorder were the least likely to have sought help. Prior help-seeking was more common among those reporting a higher number of lifetime traumatic events (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.11) and those with a history of emotional intimate partner violence (PR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.80).ConclusionsPrior mental health help-seeking was associated with psychosocial stressors. Help-seeking from informal networks was more common than formal help-seeking. Training in the provision of evidence-based mental health support for informal networks could improve access to mental health care for PLWH with MSDs in Cameroon.

Is Higher Subjective Fear Predictive of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in a Sample of the Chinese General Public?

Background: COVID-19 has taken a huge toll on medical resources and the economy and will inevitably have an impact on public mental health. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as the most common mental illness after an epidemic, must be seriously addressed. This study aimed to investigate the subjective fear of the Chinese general public during COVID-19 and to explore how it affected the development of PTSD.Methods: An online questionnaire survey was conducted among 1,009 people from January 30 to February 14, 2020 (about 1 month after the COVID-19 outbreak). The subjective fear was measured by a self-reported single-choice question. Four items from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were selected to measure the subjects' sleep quality. Their post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) were measured by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Pearson correlation, hierarchical multivariate regression analysis, multiple mediator model, and bootstrapping were used in statistical analyses.Results: Different people showed different levels of subjective fear in response to the outbreak. There was a significant positive correlation between subjective fear and the total score of PCL-5 (R = 0.513, P < 0.01), meaning that the higher the degree of subjective fear, the more severe the symptoms of post-traumatic stress are. Subjective fear was an important predictor of PTSS, accounting for 24.3% of the variance. The total effect of subjective fear on PCL-5 scores was significant (total effect = 7.426, SE = 0.405, 95% CI = 6.631–8.221). The total indirect effect of subjective fear on PCL-5 scores through sleep quality was also significant (total indirect effect = 1.945, SE = 0.258, 95% CI = 1.436–2.470).Conclusions: Subjective fear has an important predictive effect on PTSS. In addition to the direct effect, our findings firstly demonstrate the mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between subjective fear and PTSS.

Validation of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) on Patients Injured in Car Accidents

Background: The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), is presently the most widely used psychological measure of PTSD along the criteria of DSM-5. We examined the criterion validity of PCL-5 separately for each of its 20 items by comparing scores of patients injured in high impact motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) to scores of persons in a control group. In addition, we evaluated criterion and convergent validity of the PCL-5 total scores.&#x0D; Method: De-identified data of 80 post-MVA patients (mean age 38.9 years, SD=12.8) included their scores on the PCL-5, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, Subjective Neuropsychological Symptoms Scale (SNPSS), ratings of depression, anger, and anxiety (Items 10 to 12 of the Whiplash Disability Questionnaire), and three questionnaire measures of driving anxiety (Steiner’s, Whetstone’s, and DAQ). The patients were assessed, on the average, 49.7 weeks (SD=36.3) after their MVA, but all still experienced active post-MVA symptoms requiring therapy.&#x0D; The PCL-5 scores were also available from 21 controls (mean age 43.0 years, SD=20.3).&#x0D; Results and Discussion: With respect to criterion validity of the PCL-5, the post-MVA patients differed significantly from the control group not only with respect to their total PCL-5 scores, but also on all 20 individual items of the PCL-5, and also on all 4 subscales of PCL-5 (Intrusion, Avoidance, Altered Cognitions/Mood, and Arousal). The PCL-5 total scores correlated significantly to all three measures of post-MVA driving anxiety, post-MVA pain and insomnia, post-MVA depression, anger, and generalized anxiety, and to post-MVA subjective neuropsychological symptoms in the post-concussion and whiplash spectrum.&#x0D; Conclusions: Both the criterion and convergent validity of the PCL-5 for the use on post-MVA patients are excellent.

Is COVID-19 Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?

To assess the prevalence of and risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with COVID-19. We conducted a cohort study between March and May 2020 at the Lille University Hospital (France), including all patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Psychological distress symptoms were measured 3 weeks after onset of COVID-19 symptoms using the Impact of Event Scale-6 items (IES-6). The evaluation of PTSD symptoms using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) took place 1 month later. Bivariate analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between PCL-5 scores and the demographic and health variables. The significant variables were then introduced into a multivariable linear regression analysis to establish their relative contributions to the severity of PTSD symptoms. 180 patients were included in this study, and 138 patients completed the 2 evaluations. Among the 180 patients, 70.4% patients required hospitalization, and 30.7% were admitted to the intensive care unit. The prevalence of PTSD was 6.5%, and the predictive factors of PTSD included psychological distress at the onset of the illness and a stay in an intensive care unit. The prevalence of PTSD in patients with COVID-19 is not as high as that reported among patients during previous epidemics. Initial psychological responses were predictive of a PTSD diagnosis, even though most patients showing acute psychological distress (33.5% of the sample) improved in the following weeks. PTSD symptoms also increased following a stay in an intensive care unit. Future studies should assess the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on patients' mental health.

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer survivors: A population-based study

ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and identified the predictive factors associated with PTSD symptoms in a population of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) survivors. MethodsA random sample of 2,000 NMIBC survivors, identified through the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry, were sent postal mail survey. PTSD symptoms were measured using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple linear regression were used to examine the prevalence of PTSD and to identify the factors associated with PTSD. ResultsA total of 376 participants were included in the analysis. The average PCL-5 score was 7.1 (standard deviation [SD] = 10.9, range: 0–66), where higher scores represent higher levels of PTSD symptoms. The prevalence of the provisional PTSD diagnosis was 5.3% or 6.9% (after adjusting for nonresponse). In addition, 28.7% of participants met criteria for at least one PTSD symptom cluster. After controlling for other variables, participants who were younger, had active disease or unsure of status, had more comorbidities, had lower social support, and had higher cognitive concerns reported significantly higher PTSD symptoms. ConclusionMore than one-fourth of NMIBC survivors had PTSD symptoms. Thus, healthcare providers should assess PTSD symptoms and provide supportive care for NMIBC survivors in the survivorship phase of care.

Psychometric properties of the PCL-5 in a sample of first responders

Given that first responders experience elevated rates of posttraumatic stress disorder and suicide, there is a need for evidence-based assessments and treatments to accurately assess, diagnose, and evaluate treatment outcome. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) in a sample of 133 firefighters/emergency medical technicians and police officers seeking treatment for PTSD. The results indicated that PCL-5 scores showed strong internal consistency and convergent and discriminant validity. Signal detection analyses indicated a good diagnostic accuracy and an optimal cutoff score of 41 for detecting PTSD. Consistent with recent studies, confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the anhedonia model of PTSD best fit the data. Overall, findings support use of the PCL-5 as a psychometrically sound measure of PTSD in individuals at high risk for exposure to trauma.

The relationship between dissociative symptoms and the medications used in the treatment of opioid use disorder

Opioid use disorder has long been associated with psychiatric symptoms, including dissociative experiences. Medications used to treat opioid use disorder can potentially impact dissociative symptoms, but the existing literature has not explored this. We examined the relationship between dissociative symptoms and opioid use disorder using the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). We studied subjects who were taking prescribed methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone for opioid use disorder. We gave the DES, the Patient Health Questionairre-9 (PHQ-9), and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) with Criterion A to subjects in three substance use treatment facilities in Ohio. We conducted Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Spearman's Rank Correlations to examine associations between the variables and outcomes. We developed three separate multiple linear regression models. We included 116 participants in our exploratory and naturalistic study. The majority of participants were female (51.7%), white (89.5%), ≤ 40 years of age (64.7%), and taking buprenorphine (55%). The average DES score was 16.1 (standard deviation = 14.9) and we considered 80.9% to have low dissociation (score < 30). Approximately 55% (n = 64) of participants were taking prescribed buprenorphine. Approximately 27% (n = 32) were taking prescribed methadone and approximately 18% (n = 21) were taking prescribed naltrexone (oral or extended release). There was a significant association between opioid medication type and log dissociative symptoms (p = .01). Participants taking prescribed buprenorphine had higher mean log dissociation symptom scores (2.7) compared to those taking prescribed methadone (2.2) and prescribed naltrexone (2.1). Log dissociation symptom scores were significantly associated with last use of any opiates (rs = −0.21; p = .02) and time on medication (rs = −0.228; p = .01). Compared to those taking buprenorphine, those taking both methadone (β = −0.26; p = .01) and naltrexone (β = −0.27; p = .006) had significantly lower dissociation scores, controlling for the other variables in the model. Dissociation scores were positively correlated with depression scores (r = 0.45; p < .0001) and with PCL-5 scores (r = 0.51; p < .0001). Our study highlights the importance of diagnosing and monitoring dissociative symptoms in individuals who are taking prescribed medications for opioid use disorder, especially since dissociative symptoms can interfere with substance use treatment.

Post-traumatic stress and stress disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: Survey of emergency physicians.

ObjectiveEmergency physicians routinely encounter stressful clinical situations, including treating victims of crime, violence, and trauma; facing the deaths of patients; and delivering bad news. During a pandemic, stress may be increased for healthcare workers. This study was undertaken to identify symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among emergency physicians during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic.MethodsThis cross‐sectional survey was developed using the Life Events Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM‐5 (DSM‐5) and the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5). The survey was distributed to members of the American College of Emergency Physicians from May 21, 2020, through June 22, 2020.ResultsAmong 1300 emergency physicians, a significant number of participants (22.3%; 95% confidence interval, 20.3–24.3%) reported symptoms of stress consistent with PTSD (PCL score ≥ 33). Higher PCL‐5 scores were associated with age younger than 50 years (P < 0.05) and <10 years in practice (P < 0.05). The major sources of stress identified by participants included disinformation about COVID‐19, computer work/electronic medical record, personal protective equipment concerns, and workload. The most common consequences of workplace stress were feeling distant or cut off from other people and sleep disturbance, such as trouble falling or staying asleep.ConclusionsA significant number of emergency physicians reported symptoms of stress consistent with PTSD. Higher PCL‐5 scores were associated with age younger than 50 years and <10 years in practice.

Smaller Regional Brain Volumes Predict Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at 3 Months After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

BackgroundBrain volumes in regions such as the hippocampus and amygdala have been associated with risk for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objective of this study was to determine whether a set of regional brain volumes, measured by magnetic resonance imaging at 2 weeks following mild traumatic brain injury, were predictive of PTSD at 3 and 6 months after injury. MethodsUsing data from TRACK-TBI (Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI), we included patients (N = 421) with Glasgow Coma Scale scores 13–15 assessed after evaluation in the emergency department and at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after injury. Probable PTSD diagnosis (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 score, ≥33) was the outcome. FreeSurfer 6.0 was used to perform volumetric analysis of three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance images at 3T obtained 2 weeks post injury. Brain regions selected a priori for volumetric analyses were insula, hippocampus, amygdala, superior frontal cortex, rostral and caudal anterior cingulate, and lateral and medial orbitofrontal cortices. ResultsOverall, 77 (18.3%) and 70 (16.6%) patients had probable PTSD at 3 and 6 months. A composite volume derived as the first principal component incorporating 73.8% of the variance in insula, superior frontal cortex, and rostral and caudal cingulate contributed to the prediction of 3-month (but not 6-month) PTSD in multivariable models incorporating other established risk factors. ConclusionsResults, while needing replication, provide support for a brain reserve hypothesis of PTSD and proof of principle for how prediction of at-risk individuals might be accomplished to enhance prognostic accuracy and enrich clinical prevention trials for individuals at the highest risk of PTSD following mild traumatic brain injury.

Preliminary study examining the mediational link between mild traumatic brain injury, acute stress, and post-traumatic stress symptoms following trauma

ABSTRACT Background: The presence of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) increases post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in the months following injury. However, factors that link mTBI and PTSD development are still unclear. Acute stress responses after trauma have been associated with PTSD development. mTBI may impair cognitive functions and increase anxiety immediately after trauma. Objective: This research aimed to test the possibility that mTBI increases acute stress symptoms rapidly, which in turn results in PTSD development in the subsequent months. Method: Fifty-nine patients were recruited from the emergency rooms of local hospitals. Post-mTBI, acute stress, and PTSD symptom severity were measured using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ), Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS), and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), respectively. Results: Moderated mediation analysis indicated that ASDS, at 2 weeks post-trauma, mediated the relationship between RPQ scores at 2 weeks and PCL-5 scores at 3 months post-trauma, only for patients who met mTBI diagnostic criteria. Conclusions: These findings present preliminary evidence suggesting that acute stress disorder symptoms may be one of the mechanisms involved in the development of PTSD among trauma survivors who have experienced mTBI, which provides a theoretical basis for early intervention of PTSD prevention after mTBI.

China experience from COVID-19: Mental health in mandatory quarantine zones urgently requires intervention.

The study investigated the quarantine of COVID-19 and its impact on mental health. The results showed that there was a significant difference in PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 scores between the quarantine group and the non-quarantine group. As a result, the mental health of residents in mandatory quarantine zones urgently requires intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Mapping PTSD symptoms to brain networks: a machine learning study

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition with complex and variable presentation. While PTSD symptom domains (intrusion, avoidance, cognition/mood, and arousal/reactivity) correlate highly, the relative importance of these symptom subsets often differs across patients. In this study, we used machine learning to derive how PTSD symptom subsets differ based upon brain functional connectivity. We acquired resting-state magnetic resonance imaging in a sample (N = 50) of PTSD patients and characterized clinical features using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). We compared connectivity among 100 cortical and subcortical regions within the default mode, salience, executive, and affective networks. We then used principal component analysis and least-angle regression (LARS) to identify relationships between symptom domain severity and brain networks. We found connectivity predicted PTSD symptom profiles. The goodness of fit (R2) for total PCL-5 score was 0.29 and the R2 for intrusion, avoidance, cognition/mood, and arousal/reactivity symptoms was 0.33, 0.23, −0.01, and 0.06, respectively. The model performed significantly better than chance in predicting total PCL-5 score (p = 0.030) as well as intrusion and avoidance scores (p = 0.002 and p = 0.034). It was not able to predict cognition and arousal scores (p = 0.412 and p = 0.164). While this work requires replication, these findings demonstrate that this computational approach can directly link PTSD symptom domains with neural network connectivity patterns. This line of research provides an important step toward data-driven diagnostic assessments in PTSD, and the use of computational methods to identify individual patterns of network pathology that can be leveraged toward individualized treatment.

A-43 Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Sport-Related Concussion and Orthopedic Injury: An Initial Comparison

Abstract Objective Few studies have compared psychological responses to injury following sport-related concussion versus injury in general. The aim of this pilot investigation was to explore whether trauma-related stress symptoms differ between adolescents with sport-related concussion (SRC) vs. orthopedic injury (OI). Method Participants age 12-18 with SRC (n=48) or OI (n=12) presented to specialty clinics in the North Texas Concussion Registry (ConTex) within 21 days of injury (M= 6.7). Total scores from the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were calculated (range=0-80). Independent t-test compared PCL-5 symptom scores between SRC and OI, and post-hoc analyses examined frequency of symptoms reported within each group. Results There was no significant difference between mean PCL-5 scores in SRC and OI groups, and both obtained scores above the typical cutoff for PTSD, defined as scores &amp;gt;30 (range= 0-46; SRC=10%, OI=16%). Most commonly reported symptoms for both SRC and OI were sleep problems, feeling jumpy, and being “super alert.” SRC subjects were more likely to report difficulty concentrating (SRC=42%; OI=16%), while OI subjects were more likely to report feeling distant from other people (OI=50%; SRC=20%). Conclusions While total post-traumatic stress symptoms may not differ between SRC and OI groups, there may be differences in individual trauma-related symptoms based upon the nature of injury. Both injury groups may be susceptible to sleep difficulties and hypervigilance, yet SRC individuals may experience more cognitive complaints, while OI may report more feelings of isolation. Furture studies will need to use the PCL-5 with larger sample sizes and recovery indices to provide a more detailed comparison of the injury groups.

Change in Event Centrality and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms During Intensive Treatment.

Event centrality, defined as the extent to which a traumatic event becomes a core component of a person's identity (Berntsen & Rubin, 2006), is both a correlate and predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, over and above event severity. These findings suggest that decreasing the perceived centrality of a traumatic event to one's identity might result in decreases in PTSD symptom severity. To date, few studies have examined how centrality is affected by PTSD treatment. The present study tested the hypotheses that change in centrality would be associated with both change in PTSD symptom severity and discharge PTSD symptom severity in an exposure-based PTSD partial hospitalization program (N = 132; 86.0% White; 85.2% female; M age = 36 years). At discharge (i.e., after approximately 6 weeks of treatment), both PTSD symptoms and centrality had significantly decreased, ds = .70 and .98, respectively, with large effect sizes. Decreases in Centrality of Events Scale (CES) scores at posttreatment, baseline CES scores, and baseline PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) scores were associated with change (i.e., decrease) in PCL-5 scores, p < .001, as well as with posttreatment PCL-5 scores, p < .001. Decreases in CES scores over time, baseline CES scores, and baseline PCL-5 scores explained 31% of the variance in PCL-5 change and 34% of the variance in posttreatment PCL-5 scores. The results indicate the potential importance of decreasing the centrality of a traumatic event in PTSD treatment and recovery.