Trajectory of post-traumatic stress following traumatic injury: 6-year follow-up

Abstract

Background: Traumatic injuries affect millions of patients each year, and resulting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly contributes to subsequent impairment. Aims: To map the distinctive long-term trajectories of PTSD responses over 6 years by using latent growth mixture modelling. Method: Randomly selected injury patients (n = 1084) admitted to four hospitals around Australia were assessed in hospital, and at 3, 12, 24 and 72 months. Lifetime psychiatric history and current PTSD severity and functioning were assessed. Results: Five trajectories of PTSD response were noted across the 6 years: (a) chronic (4%), (b) recovery (6%), (c) worsening/recovery (8%), (d) worsening (10%..