The impact of endorsing Spitzer’s proposed criteria for PTSD in the forthcoming DSM-V on male and female Veterans

Authors

Lyndsey N. Miller, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Kathleen M. Chard, Cincinnati Veteran’s Administration Medical Center
Jeremiah A. Schumm, Cincinnati Veteran’s Administration Medical Center
Carol O’Brien, Bay Pines Veteran’s Administration Healthcare System

Date of this Version

2011

Citation

Journal of Anxiety Disorders 25 (2011) 639–644; doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.02.004

Abstract

This study explored differences between Spitzer’s proposed model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the current DSM-IV diagnostic classification scheme in 353 Veterans. The majority of Veterans (89%) diagnosed with PTSD as specified in the DSM-IV also met Spitzer’s proposed criteria. Veterans who met both DSM-IV and Spitzer’s proposed criteria had significantly higher Clinician Administered PTSD Scale severity scores than Veterans only meeting DSM-IV criteria. Logistic regression indicated that being African American and having no comorbid diagnosis of major depressive disorder or history of a substance use disorder were found to predict those Veterans who met current, but not proposed criteria. These findings have important implications regarding proposed changes to the diagnostic classification criteria for PTSD in the forthcoming DSM-V.