Hospital Stays Lengthened by PTSD

(March 28, 2008) - People who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) end up in the hospital more often and stay there longer than most people. Researchers have found PTSD (Read about "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder") is associated with more hospitalizations, longer hospitalizations and greater mental healthcare utilization in urban primary care patients. These findings appear in the current issue of Medical Care.

Prior studies suggest that trauma exposure and PTSD have considerable impact on health care use and costs. Most of this research, however, has focused on male veterans and female sexual assault victims (link to p48) but the impact on healthcare use in other populations is uncertain.

The researchers interviewed a sample of primary care patients to examine overall prevalence of traumatic exposure and select behavioral health outcomes in addition to PTSD, including major depression, substance dependence and chronic pain. (Read about "Depressive Illnesses" "Chronic Pain")

Among the participants, the researchers found that 80 percent had one or more trauma exposures. Compared to participants with no trauma exposure, subjects exposed to trauma were significantly more likely to be males, unmarried, have substance dependence and depression. They also had more mental health visits than those with no trauma exposure.

Among the participants, 22 percent had current PTSD. Compared to participants without PTSD, those with PTSD were significantly more likely to be female, to have an annual income of less than or equal to $20,000, have substance dependence and depression. PTSD participants also had more hospitalizations and mental health visits.

"PTSD has a cost beyond the specific mental health symptoms," said senior author Jane Liebschutz, MD. "These findings are relevant in light of the PTSD prevalence not only in our returning veterans, but in areas of urban poor," she added.