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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Research article

Longitudinal trajectories of comorbid PTSD and depression symptoms among U.S. service members and veterans

Authors: Richard F. Armenta, Kristen H. Walter, Toni Rose Geronimo-Hara, Ben Porter, Valerie A. Stander, Cynthia A. LeardMann, for the Millennium Cohort Study Team

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD). The current study examined longitudinal trajectories of PTSD and MDD symptoms among service members and veterans with comorbid PTSD/MDD.

Methods

Eligible participants (n = 1704) for the Millennium Cohort Study included those who screened positive at baseline for both PTSD (PTSD Checklist–Civilian Version) and MDD (Patient Health Questionnaire). Between 2001 and 2016, participants completed a baseline assessment and up to 4 follow-up assessments approximately every 3 years. Mixture modeling simultaneously determined trajectories of comorbid PTSD and MDD symptoms. Multinomial regression determined factors associated with latent class membership.

Results

Four distinct classes (chronic, relapse, gradual recovery, and rapid recovery) described symptom trajectories of PTSD/MDD. Membership in the chronic class was associated with older age, service branch, deployment with combat, anxiety, physical assault, disabling injury/illness, bodily pain, high levels of somatic symptoms, and less social support.

Conclusions

Comorbid PTSD/MDD symptoms tend to move in tandem, and, although the largest class remitted symptoms, almost 25% of participants reported chronic comorbid symptoms across all time points. Results highlight the need to assess comorbid conditions in the context of PTSD. Future research should further evaluate the chronicity of comorbid symptoms over time.
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Metadata
Title
Longitudinal trajectories of comorbid PTSD and depression symptoms among U.S. service members and veterans
Authors
Richard F. Armenta
Kristen H. Walter
Toni Rose Geronimo-Hara
Ben Porter
Valerie A. Stander
Cynthia A. LeardMann
for the Millennium Cohort Study Team
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2375-1

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