Self‐Reported Pain Complaints among Afghanistan/Iraq Era Men and Women Veterans with Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder

Objective Research has shown significant rates of comorbidity among posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and pain in prior era veterans but less is known about these disorders in Iraq and Afghanistan war era veterans. This study seeks to extend previous work by eval...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Mass.), 2013-10, Vol.14 (10), p.1529-1533
Main Authors: Runnals, Jennifer Jane, Van Voorhees, Elizabeth, Robbins, Allison T., Brancu, Mira, Straits‐Troster, Kristy, Beckham, Jean C., Calhoun, Patrick S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Afghan Campaign 2001
Comorbidity
Complaints
Depression
Depressive Disorder, Major - epidemiology
Endorsements
Female
Humans
Iraq War, 2003-2011
Male
Pain
Pain - epidemiology
Post traumatic stress disorder
PTSD
Self Report
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology
United States
Veteran
Veterans - psychology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Objective Research has shown significant rates of comorbidity among posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and pain in prior era veterans but less is known about these disorders in Iraq and Afghanistan war era veterans. This study seeks to extend previous work by evaluating the association among PTSD, MDD, and pain (back, muscle, and headache pain) in this cohort. Method A sample of 1,614 veterans, recruited from 2005 to 2010, completed a structured clinical interview and questionnaires assessing trauma experiences, PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and pain endorsement. Results Veterans with PTSD endorsed pain‐related complaints at greater rates than veterans without PTSD. The highest rate of pain complaints was observed in veterans with comorbid PTSD/MDD. Women were more likely to endorse back pain and headaches but no gender by diagnosis interactions were significant. Conclusions Findings highlight the complex comorbid relationship between PTSD, MDD, and pain among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. This observed association suggests that integrated, multidisciplinary treatments may be beneficial, particularly when multiple psychological and physical health comorbidities are present with pain. Further support may be indicated for ongoing education of mental health and primary care providers about these co‐occurring disorders.
ISSN:1526-2375
1526-4637
DOI:10.1111/pme.12208