NEUROCOGNITIVE AND PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITIES OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMONG OLDER VETERANS. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kang, B; Xu, H; McConnell, E
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 511
• Page End: 512
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1897
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders. Although the prevalence of PTSD remains high in older veterans, systematic reviews have yet to examine these comorbidities among older veterans. This systematic review examines the prevalence, incidence, and patterns of neurocognitive and psychiatric comorbidities of PTSD among older veterans and explores the factors associated with PTSD comorbidities. We searched for peer-reviewed articles published in the English language from January 1980 to May 2017 using PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases. Eligible studies examined the comorbid neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders of PTSD among older veterans aged 60 years or older. Eighteen studies were included in this review. Dementia was twice as prevalent among older veterans with PTSD compared to those without. Older veterans with PTSD have approximately a two times higher risk of dementia than those without PTSD (10.6% vs. 6.6%). Depressive disorder was the most prevalent comorbid psychiatric disorder (33%-52.3%), followed by generalized anxiety disorder (14%-15%), and substance use disorders (1.9%-11.3%). Factors consistently associated with PTSD comorbidities included age, war-related exposures, other clinical conditions, psychosocial characteristics, and quality of life. Despite heterogeneity in research designs and methodological limitations of existing studies, this review highlights the need to consider comorbid neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders among older veterans with PTSD in order to individualize care approaches. Considering factors associated with neurocognitive and psychiatric comorbidities of PTSD in study designs could improve prediction of comorbidity and, ultimately, strengthen the scientific basis for tailoring treatment approaches.