Researchers Unable To Agree On Predictors Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

Researchers Unable To Agree On Predictors Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders


Researchers Unable to Agree on Predictors of Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorders
Published: 14:42 EST, June 30, 2008

Studies exploring potential predictors of post-traumatic stress
disorder (PSTD) following major trauma have resulted in varied
conclusions. While a number of risk factors such as injury severity,
demographic factors and compensation-related factors have been
identified, none is strong enough to reliably predict which patient
will develop the disorder.


PTSD is characterized by flashbacks of the event, anxiety, and social
withdrawal. Victims of major trauma are at significant risk of
developing PTSD, with about 15% developing the disorder within a year
of the injury.

A study in the July issue of ANZ Journal of Surgery titled "Predictors
of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following Major Trauma" by Professor
Ian Harris et al. argues that the lack of consistency of previous PTSD
studies is a result of methodological flaws such as selection bias,
and poorly defined diagnostic criteria.

The authors investigated the association between injury severity,
demographic and compensation-related factors with the development of
PTSD and found that the disorder was also independently associated
with having an unsettled compensation claim, their use of lawyer
services and the placement of blame on others for the injury.

Another study in the same issue of ANZ Journal of Surgery claims that
there is no existing risk factor model that enables an accurate
prediction of how patients will be affected psychiatrically in the
aftermath of the injury.

Author of "Predictors of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder after Major
Injury", Professor Alexander Cowell McFarlane says, "The
inconsistencies in PTSD predicators suggest the pivotal role of health-
care professionals in the identification of patients at risk of
developing psychiatric disorders."

He adds, "While risk factors should be considered, the traumatic
events are sufficient to elicit symptoms in the individuals.
Ultimately, it is the surgeons’ skill in the management of the
psychological recovery that will play a critical role in the patients’
rehabilitation".

Source: Wiley






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