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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-04-2013 | Original Paper

Lifetime traumatic experiences and their impact on PTSD: a general population study

Authors: Karoline Lukaschek, Johannes Kruse, Rebecca Thwing Emeny, Maria Elena Lacruz, Alexander von Eisenhart Rothe, Karl-Heinz Ladwig

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 4/2013

Abstract

Objective

Exploring the relationship of exposure to a traumatic event and the subsequent onset of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the population.

Methods

Posttraumatic stress disorder was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale (IES), Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS) and interview data. Logistic regression analyses with sex, age, marital status, educational level and traumatic event characteristics were performed. Prevalences were standardised to the sex and age distribution of the German population.

Results

A total of 41 % of the subjects reported exposure to a trauma, leading to full PTSD in 1.7 % and to partial PTSD in 8.8 % of the participants. Logistic regression revealed accidents (OR 2.5, 95 % CI 1.3–4.7), nonsexual assault by known assailants (4.5, 2.1–9.8), combat/war experiences (5.9, 2.0–17.4), life-threatening illness (4.9, 2.7–8.9) and interpersonal conflicts (15.5, 2.5–96.0) as risk factors for full PTSD; risk factors for partial PTSD were accidents (3.2, 2.4–4.3), sexual (4.6, 2.2–9.6) or nonsexual (2.3, 1.4–3.8) assault by known assailants, life-threatening illness (6.2, 4.6–8.3), death of relatives (5.0, 3.2–7.8) and interpersonal conflicts (22.0, 8.3–58.1).

Conclusions

Of subjects exposed to traumatic events, only a minority developed PTSD indicating a relationship between characteristics of the exposure and the individual and the onset of PTSD.

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Title: Lifetime traumatic experiences and their impact on PTSD: a general population study
Authors: Karoline Lukaschek
Johannes Kruse
Rebecca Thwing Emeny
Maria Elena Lacruz
Alexander von Eisenhart Rothe
Karl-Heinz Ladwig
Publication date: 01-04-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-012-0585-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Lifetime traumatic experiences and their impact on PTSD: a general population study

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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