Exposure to interpersonal violence and risk of post-traumatic stress disorder among women with borderline personality disorder

• Published in: Psychiatry research 2018-04, Vol.262, p.311-315
• Main Authors: Sinai, Cave, Hirvikoski, Tatja, Wiklander, Maria, Nordström, Anna-Lena, Nordström, Peter, Nilsonne, Åsa, Wilczek, Alexander, Åsberg, Marie, Jokinen, Jussi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Medicin och hälsovetenskap
• ISSN: 0165-1781; 1872-7123; 1872-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.01.047

This study aims to determine the validity of the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS), as a screening tool for PTSD, among women with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and severe suicidal behavior. 106 women with BPD and at least two suicide attempts were assessed with the KIVS for exposure to interpersonal violence as a child and as an adult. The screening ability of the KIVS for the diagnosis of PTSD was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. PTSD diagnosis was valid for 61 (58%) women with BPD. The KIVS – exposure of lifetime interpersonal violence, displayed fair accuracy of predicting diagnosis of PTSD (area under the curve 0.79, confidence interval [0.71, 0.88]) and performed well (sensitivity 0.90 and specificity 0.62), with a cut-off score of 4 (range 0–10). Poly-traumatization was not significantly related to PTSD diagnosis as compared to single traumatization, whereas sexual victimization was significantly more prevalent in women with PTSD diagnosis, as compared to other types of traumatic events. A score of 4 or more on the KIVS – exposure to interpersonal lifetime violence presents well as a screening instrument for risk of PTSD, among women with BPD. •PTSD diagnosis was valid for 61 (58%) women with BPD.•The KIVS – exposure of lifetime interpersonal violence, displayed fair accuracy of predicting diagnosis of PTSD.•Poly-traumatization was not significantly related to PTSD diagnosis as compared to single traumatization.•Sexual victimization was more prevalent in women with PTSD diagnosis, as compared to other types of trauma.•The KIVS lifetime exposure presents well as a screening tool for PTSD among women with BPD and suicide history.