Examination of the PC-PTSD in previously deployed Air Force Medical Service personnel. Issue 4 (4th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tvaryanas, Anthony P.; Maupin, Genny M.; White, Edward D.; Schroeder, Valarie M.; Mahaney, Heather J.
• Is Part Of: Military psychology. Volume 30:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 295
• Page End: 301
• Publication Date: 2018-07-04
• Subjects: Deployment -- mental health -- military -- medical personnel -- health assessment -- air force -- PTSD -- posttraumatic stress disorder; Psychology, Military -- Periodicals; United States -- Armed Forces -- Periodicals; 355.0019
• DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2018.1425584
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-5605

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study assessed the performance of the PC-PTSD in diagnosing postdeployment posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a cohort of Air Force Medical Services personnel ( N = 18, 530). The prevalence of PTSD in the cohort was 5.18% based on medical record data. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.69, indicating poor classification accuracy. Sensitivity was 47.55%, specificity was 90.68%, positive predictive value was 21.79%, and negative predictive value was 96.94%. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 5.10 and 0.58, respectively. Several risk factors were found to be associated with a diagnosis of postdeployment PTSD: being a nurse, being enlisted in the medical service career field, being enlisted in the mental health service career field, those over age 30, being a member of the Active Duty service component, and having one's first deployment be to Iraq. Being an officer was found to be a protective characteristic. These factors could potentially improve screening for PTSD among Air Force healthcare personnel.