Functional quality of life in full versus partial posttraumatic stress disorder among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed mental and health functioning in full versus partial posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among newly returning veterans from Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF]) and Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF]) who were referred by primary care providers for a behavioral health assessment and reported an emotional trauma.

METHOD

Participants included OEF/OIF veterans receiving care in 2 veterans' affairs medical centers and affiliated community-based outpatient clinics who reported behavioral health issues to their primary care providers. All veterans underwent a clinical behavioral health assessment of Axis I disorders and functioning via telephone between June 2007 and April 2008. Functioning was measured using the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Those reporting a previous emotional trauma were subsequently assessed for PTSD using the PTSD Patient Checklist (PCL).

RESULTS

The final sample (N=201) was 88.1% male with a mean age of 34.2 years (SD=10.1). Individuals with full PTSD (n=120, 59.7%) reported worse mental health functioning compared to those with partial PTSD (n=37, 18.4%). Individuals with partial PTSD reported worse mental health functioning scores than the trauma exposed-only group (n=44, 21.9%). Compared to national norms, patients with partial PTSD reported mental health functioning scores that were worse than 75% of individuals within a similar age range. After controlling for other psychiatric factors, there was no difference between partial PTSD and the trauma-only group.

CONCLUSION

OEF/OIF veterans with partial PTSD referred for a behavioral health assessment may incur significant problems with functioning. These complaints may be better attributed to psychiatric comorbidity as opposed to symptoms specifically related to trauma.