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BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
One of the most frequently used self-report measures of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the PTSD Checklist (PCL). Recently, the PCL was recognized as an appropriate follow-up measure for veterans screening positive on the VHA clinical reminder for PTSD. Additional research is needed on the PCL in order to establish accurate diagnostic cutoff scores for different patient characteristics (e.g., gender, age, comorbidity) and setting characteristics (e.g., primary care, speciality care).
OBJECTIVE(S):
The purpose of this project is to examine the operating characteristics of the PCL using a large sample of veterans and with special consideration to patient and setting characteristics.
METHODS:
The current project involves the secondary analyses of four existing and de-identified datasets. Four groups of VHA investigators have agreed to share their PCL data with us. These investigators were selected based on their utilization of the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) as the diagnostic gold standard for evaluating the PCL in previously presented work with veterans. Across the four studies, PCL data will be available from approximately 800 male and 500 female veterans. Most of the veterans are Caucasian and between the ages of 25 and 80. IRB approval was obtained from all four sites.
FINDINGS/RESULTS:
No results are available at this time. Our proposed analyses include evaluating the psychometric properties of the PCL (e.g., test-retest reliability, internal consistency) and the use of generalized additive models (GAMS) to determine the relationship between PCL scores and the probability of being positive for PTSD on the CAPS. Patterns of sensitivity and specificity will be examined using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves with weighted kappa coefficients to account for the prevalence of the disorder in different settings.
IMPACT:
The findings from this project will help VHA clinicians and researchers in their interpretation of PCL scores and subsequent clinical care decisions. The findings may help in the development of best practices for patients screening positive on the VHA clinical reminder for PTSD.
PUBLICATIONS:
None at this time.
DRA:
Mental Illness, Special (Underserved, High Risk) Populations
DRE:
Treatment
Keywords:
PTSD, Deployment Related, Operation Enduring Freedom
MeSH Terms:
none
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