Comorbid depressive symptoms in treatment-seeking PTSD outpatients affect multiple domains of quality of life

Purpose

No study has examined the impact of the comorbid Axis I conditions on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with a primary diagnosis of PTSD. Our goal was to investigate the influence of comorbid disorders on the QoL of treatment-seeking outpatients with PTSD.

Methods

The diagnoses of PTSD and of the comorbid disorders were established using the SCID-I. The 54 volunteers also completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Civilian Version, the BDI, the BAI, the Trauma History Questionnaire, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed by means of the WHOQOL-BREF, a 26-item self-administered scale that measures four domains of QoL: psychological, physical, social, and environmental. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to investigate the relationship between the severity of post-traumatic, mood, and anxiety symptoms; the presence of specific current comorbid disorders and of psychotic symptoms, the number of current comorbid conditions, and a history of child abuse for each of the four domains of QoL, after adjusting for the effect of socio-demographic characteristics.

Results

The severity of PTSD symptoms impacted negatively on the psychological and physical domains. The severity of depressive symptoms correlated negatively with QoL in all domains, independently of sex, age, occupation, and marital status. The psychotic symptoms impacted negatively on the environmental domain. A history of child abuse was negatively associated with the psychological and the social domains.

Conclusions

The severity of comorbid depressive symptoms is one of the most important factors in the determination of the QoL in patients with PTSD.     

Health functioning impairments associated with posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression

Although anxiety disorders have been associated with impairments in self-reported health functioning, the relative effect of various anxiety disorders has not been studied. We compared health functioning of patients with a principal diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder (PD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). Patients with PTSD and MDD were equally impaired on overall mental health functioning, and both were significantly worse than patients with PD and GAD. PTSD was associated with significantly worse physical health functioning relative to PD, GAD, and MDD. Hierarchical regression showed that the association of PTSD with physical health functioning was unique and was not caused by the effects of age, depression, or comorbid anxiety disorders. Both PTSD and comorbid anxiety accounted for unique variance in mental functioning. These results highlight the association of PTSD with impaired physical and mental functioning and suggest that effective treatment of PTSD may affect overall health.     

Health-related quality of life in primary care patients with recognized and unrecognized mood and anxiety disorders

OBJECTIVE: Primary care providers have been criticized for underrecognizing and undertreating mental health disorders. This criticism assumes patients with recognized disorders and those with unrecognized disorders suffer the same burden of illness. This study describes differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with recognized and unrecognized mood and anxiety disorders in a primary care setting. METHODS: A probability sample of 500 adult ambulatory patients from a university-based, family practice clinic, completed the PRIME-MD mood and anxiety disorder modules and the SF-36 Health Survey. Computerized patient records were reviewed retrospectively to determine recognition of mood and anxiety disorders. The Mental Health (MCS) and Physical Health (PCS) Component Summary scales of the SF-36 served as the primary outcome measures. RESULTS: Sub-threshold mood and anxiety disorders were less likely to be recognized by physicians than disorders meeting DSM-III-R criteria. Recognized mood disorders were associated with a significant decrement in MCS scores (poorer HRQOL) compared with unrecognized disorders. In contrast, recognized mood disorders demonstrated slightly higher PCS scores. Recognized and unrecognized mood disorders differed significant ly in physical functioning, vitality, social functioning, role functioning related to emotional state, and mental health. Recognition of anxiety disorders was not related to HRQOL. Conclusions: Patients with mental health disorders that have been recognized by their health providers appear to suffer from poorer HRQOL than patients whose disorders have not been recognized. This relationship, though, is only apparent for mood disorders. Poorer physical functioning may mask less severe emotional symptoms in mood disorders; profound emotional symptoms make recognition easier.     

Fear of pain as a predictor of concurrent and downstream PTSD symptoms

BackgroundPain anxiety has been associated with more severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, the unique role of individual domains of pain anxiety has yet to be explored in the prediction of PTSD severity. This study examined whether specific pain anxiety domains (i.e., cognitive anxiety, escape/avoidance, fear of pain, and physiological anxiety) predict both concurrent and downstream PTSD symptoms above and beyond other PTSD risk factors.MethodParticipants were 63 survivors of traumatic events with moderate to high baseline pain treated in the emergency department and assessed for PTSD symptoms and pain anxiety at 3- and 12-months.ResultsThree-month pain anxiety domains of fear of pain and physiological anxiety (inversely related) significantly predicted concurrent 3-month PTSD symptoms above and beyond other established PTSD risk factors (i.e., sex, age, pain, and trauma type). However, only 3-month fear of pain significantly predicted 12-month PTSD symptoms.ConclusionsFindings highlight the relevance of specific pain anxiety domains in concurrent and future PTSD symptoms and suggest the importance of evaluating pain anxiety among patients with PTSD. Interventions focused on increasing willingness to experience and tolerate fear of pain may help mitigate this risk, thereby improving outcomes for individuals with acute PTSD symptoms.     

Treating trauma in psychosis with EMDR: a pilot study

BackgroundInitial studies have shown that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be effectivelytreated in patients with a psychotic disorder. These studies however used adapted treatment protocols, avoided direct exposure to trauma related stimuli or preceded treatment with stabilizing techniques making treatment considerably longer in duration.MethodAn open trial in which adult subjects with a psychotic disorder and a comorbid PTSD (n = 27) received a maximum of six Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy sessions. PTSD symptoms, psychotic symptoms and additional symptoms were assessed at baseline and end-of-treatment.ResultsThe dropout rate was 18.5 percent (five subjects). Only five of the twenty-two completers (22.7%) still met criteria for PTSD after treatment. PTSD symptoms, auditory verbal hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem all improved significantly. Paranoid ideation and feelings of hopelessness did not improve significantly. Treatment did not lead to symptom exacerbation in subjects. There were no adverse events, such as suicide attempts, self-mutilation, aggressive behavior or admission to a general or psychiatric hospital.ConclusionsThis pilot study shows that a short EMDR therapy is effective and safe in the treatment of PTSD in subjects with a psychotic disorder. Treatment of PTSD has a positive effect on auditory verbal hallucinations, delusions, anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and self-esteem. EMDR can be applied to this group of patients without adapting the treatment protocol or delaying treatment by preceding it with stabilizing interventions.     

Sleep restoration is associated with reduced plasma C-reactive protein and depression symptoms in military personnel with sleep disturbance after deployment

BackgroundDeployed military personnel are vulnerable to chronic sleep disturbance, which is highly comorbid with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, as well as declines in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Inflammation is associated with HRQOL declines and sleep-related comorbidities; however, the impact of sleep changes on comorbid symptoms and inflammation in this population is unknown.MethodsIn this observational study, we examined the relationship between reported sleep changes and concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in peripheral blood. The sample was dichotomized into two groups: (1) decrease in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI; restorative sleep) and (2) no change or increase in PSQI (no change). Mixed between–within subjects analysis of variance tests were used to determine group differences on changes of inflammation and comorbid symptoms.ResultsIn our sample of 66 recently deployed military personnel with insomnia, 34 participants reported restorative sleep whereas 32 reported no sleep changes. The two groups did not differ in demographic or clinical characteristics, with the exception of PTSD diagnosis at baseline. The restorative sleep group had significant reductions in CRP concentrations and depression symptoms, as well as reduced fatigue and improvements in emotional well-being, social functioning, and physical functioning at follow-up.ConclusionsMilitary personnel who report sleep restoration after deployment have reduced CRP concentrations, decreased severity of depression, and improved HRQOL. These findings suggest that treatment for sleep disturbances may be associated with improvements in mental and physical health, thereby supporting continued study in this line of research.     

Health-related Quality of Life across the anxiety disorders: Findings from a sample of primary care patients

Previous studies have not compared Health-related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) across all DSM-IV anxiety disorders and comorbid conditions. We compared the effects of each anxiety disorder on HR-QoL, controlling for demographic variables, medical conditions, and comorbid Axis I disorders. Data are obtained from the Primary Care Anxiety Project (PCAP), a naturalistic, longitudinal study of anxiety disorders in 539 primary care patients. Each of the anxiety disorders was associated with worse self-reported physical and mental functioning compared to general population means. While all of the anxiety disorders were univariate predictors of specific domains of HR-QoL, only presence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and comorbid Depressive Disorder (MDD) uniquely predicted worse functioning on both self-report and interview measures. The current study extends previous research by showing that different anxiety disorders and comorbid conditions may be associated with impairment in specific domains of HR-QoL.     

Psychotic symptoms in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is known often to be comorbid with other anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders. Psychotic symptoms have also been noted in PTSD and have been reported to be more common in Hispanic veterans. However, the occurrence of psychotic symptoms, including the degree to which they are accounted for by comorbid disorders, have received limited systematic investigation. Our study objectives were to assess psychotic symptoms according to DSM-III-R criteria in patients with a primary diagnosis of combat-related PTSD and determine the associations of those symptoms with psychiatric comorbidity and ethnicity. METHOD: Fifty-three male combat veterans consecutively admitted to a PTSD rehabilitation unit were assessed for psychotic symptoms and Axis I disorders. Ninety-one percent were Vietnam veterans; 72% were white, 17% were Hispanic, and 11% were black. Associations between psychotic symptoms and comorbid depression, substance use disorders, and minority status were compared by chi-square analyses; associations between psychotic symptoms and both PTSD and dissociative symptom severity were compared by t test analysis. RESULTS: Forty percent of patients reported a psychotic symptom or symptoms in the preceding 6 months. These symptoms featured auditory hallucinations in all but 1 case. The psychotic symptoms typically reflected combat-themes and guilt, were nonbizarre, and were not usually associated with formal thought disorder or flat or inappropriate affect. Psychotic symptoms were significantly associated with current major depression (p < .02), but not with alcohol or drug abuse or with self-rated PTSD and dissociation severity. Psychotic symptoms and current major depression were more common in minority (black and Hispanic) than white veterans (p < .002). CONCLUSION: Psychotic symptoms can be a feature of combat-related PTSD and appear to be associated with major depression. The association with minority status may be a function of comorbidity.     

The role of anxiety sensitivity in reactivity to trauma cues in treatment-seeking adults with substance use disorders

BackgroundExposure to traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). Although the presence of trauma exposure and/or PTSD among those with SUDs is associated with a range of negative outcomes, much remains to be understood about the factors contributing to these outcomes. Anxiety sensitivity (the tendency to respond fearfully to the signs and symptoms of anxiety) has been linked to greater PTSD symptoms and the use of substances to cope with PTSD symptoms, and is a promising factor for understanding the negative outcomes associated with co-occurring PTSD and SUDs.MethodsThis study examined the association between anxiety sensitivity and trauma cue reactivity among 194 trauma-exposed patients with SUDs (27.3% met criteria for current PTSD). Participants completed ratings of negative affect and substance cravings prior to and after exposure to a personally-relevant trauma cue.ResultsResults indicated that anxiety sensitivity was associated with greater emotional reactivity (but not craving reactivity) to the trauma cue; neither PTSD symptom severity nor PTSD diagnosis moderated these associations. PTSD symptom severity was associated with greater emotional and craving reactivity to the trauma cue.ConclusionsResults highlight the potential utility of targeting anxiety sensitivity in treatments for trauma-exposed patients with SUDs with and without PTSD.     

Symptom correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder in clients with borderline personality disorder

Limited research has examined the clinical and functional impact of concurrent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Such information is particularly lacking for BPD clients with the most disabling symptoms: those who meet criteria for severe and persistent mental illness. We evaluated individuals with severe mental illness to assess whether PTSD in individuals with BPD was associated with more severe symptoms and impaired functioning than BPD alone and replicated these findings in an independent sample. In both the studies, the clients with PTSD and BPD reported significantly higher levels of general distress, physical illness, anxiety, and depression than those with BPD alone. Because individuals with both of these disorders are likely to require more intensive clinical services to reduce distress and improve functioning, work is needed to develop and evaluate interventions designed to address these comorbid conditions.     

Comorbidity, impairment, and suicidality in subthreshold PTSD

OBJECTIVE: Reliance on the categorical model of psychiatric disorders has led to neglected study of posttraumatic sequelae that fall short of full criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Substantial disability and suicidal risk is associated with subthreshold PTSD, but this association has not been well studied. In addition, no studies have examined the role of comorbidity in explaining disability and impairment in subthreshold PTSD. METHOD: On National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day 1997, 2,608 out of 9,358 individuals screened for affective and anxiety disorders at 1,521 sites across the United States reported at least one PTSD symptom of at least 1 month's duration. Impairment, comorbid anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and rates of suicidality were determined and compared for individuals with no, one, two, three, or four (full PTSD) symptoms on a screening questionnaire. Regression analyses examined the relative contribution of subthreshold PTSD and comorbid disorders to impairment and suicidal ideation. RESULTS: Impairment, number of comorbid disorders, rates of comorbid major depressive disorder, and current suicidal ideation increased linearly and significantly with each increasing number of subthreshold PTSD symptoms. Individuals with subthreshold PTSD were at greater risk for suicidal ideation even after the authors controlled for the presence of comorbid major depressive disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Higher numbers of subthreshold PTSD symptoms were associated with greater impairment, comorbidity, and suicidal ideation. Disability and impairment found in previous studies of subthreshold PTSD symptoms may be related in part to the presence of comorbid disorders. However, the presence of subthreshold PTSD symptoms significantly raised the risk for suicidal ideation even after the authors controlled for major depressive disorder. Given the broad public health implications of these findings, more efforts are needed to identify subthreshold PTSD symptoms in clinical populations, epidemiologic surveys, and treatment studies.     

Sleep problems among persons with a lifetime history of posttraumatic stress disorder alone and in combination with a lifetime history of other psychiatric disorders: a replication and extension

Objective

Sleep problems are a clinical and/or diagnostic feature for a broad array of mood, substance use, and anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous research by Leskin et al (Leskin GA, Woodward SH, Young HE, Sheikh J. Effects of comorbid diagnoses on sleep disturbance in PTSD. J Psychiat Res 2002;36:449-452) using the baseline National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) data found that persons with PTSD and panic disorder had a greater proportion of sleep problems than persons with other comorbid disorders. The current study extends Leskin et al's findings using the replication of the NCS. It compared persons with a lifetime history of PTSD (either alone or in combination) with 6 comparison disorders (adult separation anxiety, alcohol dependence, generalized anxiety, dysthymia, major depression, and panic) on severity of sleep disorder symptoms.

Method

The NCS Replication was a national probability survey of 9282 individuals that examined the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders. Subjects were chosen through a multistage probability sample of US households and interviewed using a computer-aided version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.

Results

The PTSD (alone) group did not differ from the comparison disorders on difficulties of falling/staying asleep but did report more weeks per year when they had sleep difficulties than persons with adult separation anxiety, alcohol dependence, and major depression.

Conclusion

Unlike Leskin et al, the additive effects of a second disorder on sleep difficulties are not unique to panic disorder. However, when sleep difficulties were indexed by the number of weeks per year, differences between diagnostic groups emerged. If the goal of a diagnostic system is to carve nature at its joints, a sleep disturbance symptom reflecting frequency of difficulties in this way is clearly superior to less precise alternatives.     

Psychiatric and psychosocial outcome of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a prospective 12-month follow-up study

Little is known concerning the natural history of psychiatric morbidity, postoperative delirium, cognitive decline and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in cardiac surgery patients and the impact of neurocognitive dysfunction on HRQOL after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In a prospective study, we followed up for 1 year 30 of the original 34 patients who had undergone cardiac surgery with CPB. Patients were assessed preoperatively, before discharge, and at 1 year after surgery with the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and a series of neuropsychological tests. Psychometric scales were administered to evaluate cognitive functioning (Syndrom Kurztest), depressive symptomatology (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale), posttraumatic stress symptoms (Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome 10-Questions Inventory) and HRQOL (SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire). Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) was used daily over the course of intensive care unit treatment. Postoperative delirium developed in 11 of the 34 patients (mean DRS rating scale score+/-S.D.: 20.36+/-6.22, range: 14-31). Short-term consequences of cardiac surgery included adjustment disorder with depressed features (n=11), posttraumatic stress disorder (n=6), major depression (n=6) and clinically relevant cognitive deficits (n=13). At 12 months, the severity of depression and anxiety disorders improved and returned to the preoperative level, and 6 out of the 30 followed-up patients displayed cognitive deficits. Our patients' HRQOL SF-36 self-reports significantly improved compared with baseline quality of life data. However, 1-year overall lower cognitive function scores were associated with lower HRQOL. Cardiac surgery with CPB is associated with improvements in HRQOL relative to the preoperative period, but the presence of cardiac surgery-related cognitive decline impairing HRQOL is a complication for a subgroup of cardiac surgical patients in the long-term outcome.     

The role of comorbid psychiatric conditions in health status in epilepsy

Comorbid psychiatric conditions are highly prevalent in patients with epilepsy, yet the long-term implications across multiple mental health conditions are poorly understood. We examined the association between psychiatric diagnoses and self-reported health status in veterans with epilepsy. ANCOVA models were used to derive adjusted SF-36V scores for individuals with epilepsy alone (N=7379) or with additional psychiatric conditions (N=6320): depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, substance abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compared with patients with epilepsy alone, scores of veterans with comorbid psychiatric diagnoses averaged 21% lower across all domains. Role Limitation scales exhibited the greatest decrement across domains. A PTSD diagnosis consistently corresponded to lower scores, followed by depression. Schizophrenia contributed the least detriment to perceived health status. Comorbid psychiatric conditions impart significant emotional and physical burdens, requiring timely recognition and treatment of these disorders. Patients with epilepsy are uniquely at risk for high physical-psychiatric comorbidity profiles, with concomitant losses in perceived health status.     

Frequency of symptoms and concurrent psychiatric disorder in Vietnam veterans with chronic PTSD

The frequency of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder within each of three categories--reexperiencing, avoidance or numbing, and physiological arousal--was examined in 116 Vietnam combat veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD. The prevalence of all PTSD symptoms was greater than 50 percent except for flashbacks, psychogenic amnesia, and sense of foreshortened future. Comorbidity in a subgroup of 48 patients was assessed using operational criteria for DSM-III-R mental disorders. Mood disorders, psychoactive substance abuse disorders, and other anxiety disorders frequently co-occurred with PTSD, but psychotic disorders were uncommon. These findings provide empirical validation of the DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for PTSD.     

Fatigue,self-efficacy and psychiatric symptoms influence the quality of life in patients with myasthenia gravis in Tianjin,China

BackgroundMuscle weakness related to myasthenia gravis (MG) limits the daily functioning of patients. MG patients often experience subjective symptoms including psychiatric disorders, fatigue, and reduction in self-efficacy. All of which ultimately influence their life. The relationship between the subjective symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has never been systematically explored among MG patients.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the HRQoL of patients with MG in China, and to assess the impact of potential predictors of HRQoL.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional observational study in patients with confirmed diagnosis of MG. Patients with MG were assessed using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6 items scale (SES6G). Disease severity was evaluated by two specialists at the same time.ResultsPatients had significantly lower mean SF-36 scores for the categories role physical and general health (GH). The mean physical and mental composite scores were 57.76 ± 21.28 and 60.03 ± 23.75. Sex and unemployment influenced the QoL. Financial burden was negatively associated with total SF-36 scores. Compared to the control group, patients with generalized symptoms (MGFA II and III) had lower SF-36 scores, but the patients with pure ocular symptoms (MGFA I) had not significant difference, except GH. The SF-36 scores were highly correlated with the severity of the disease, the states of mood, fatigue, and self-efficacy.ConclusionsThe decrease in the HRQoL of patients with MG was related not only to the gender, severity of disease, and unemployment but also to the subjective experience including depressive and anxiety disorders, fatigue, and self-efficacy. In the course of treatment, the evaluation of HRQoL should be included in the routine assessment of patients with MG. Psychosocial treatment, social support, and health education should be advocated.     

Anxiety and depressive disorders in dialysis patients: association to health-related quality of life and mortality

Objective

To examine the associations between depressive/anxiety disorders (DAs), perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mortality in dialysis patients.

Methods

Patients were assessed for depressive and DAs with the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The HRQOL was assessed with the Medical Outcome Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36), and the Beck Depression Inventory and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were also applied. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were also collected.

Results

Patients with depressive disorders reported more impaired HRQOL on four of the eight subscales, while those with a depressive disorder comorbid with DA reported more impairment on all MOS SF-36 subscales compared to those without any psychiatric disorder. During the observation period, 50% of those with depression, 28% of those with anxiety and 33% of patients with DA disorder died. A survival analysis did not indicate that patients with depressive or DAs had a higher mortality than patients without such disorders.

Conclusion

Dialysis patients with depressive disorders reported impaired HRQOL, whereas those with DAs did not. Patients with DA reported the most serious HRQOL impairment. No evidence was obtained to support the hypothesis that depressive and DAs contributed to compromised survival in dialysis patients. In patients with depression, DAs should also be assessed as they significantly contribute to impaired HRQOL.     

Comorbid PTSD and social phobia in a treatment-seeking population: an exploratory study

The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social phobia (SP) and explore factors associated with the etiology and effect of this comorbidity. The sample consisted of 443 patients seeking treatment of PTSD, SP, or both. Of 240 patients with principal PTSD, 43% had comorbid SP, whereas only 7% of 57 with principal SP had comorbid PTSD. Patients with principal PTSD and comorbid SP were more likely to meet criteria for major depression and other anxiety disorders, and reported worse depression, anxiety, and physical, mental, and social functioning, than those with only PTSD or SP, regardless of other anxiety comorbidity. PTSD patients with SP reported more trauma-related guilt and higher frequency of childhood abuse than those without SP. The results are discussed in terms of implications for treatment of the comorbid presentation and directions for future research.     

Impact of traumatic and violent victimization experiences in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

Individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SZ) experience more violent victimization and noninterpersonal traumatic experiences than the general population. Earlier studies, however, have generally excluded one or grouped together victimization and trauma experiences into single outcome variables, which may obscure their contributory role to SZ symptoms. This issue is important because there is some evidence that intentionally induced violence produces higher rates of psychopathology than nonintentional traumatic experiences. We examined the independent contribution of both types of victimization experiences on SZ patients' symptomatology. We were also interested in determining whether SZ patients' pattern of acute symptom presentation could discriminate between SZ patients with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) comorbidity. SZ inpatients (n = 70) were assessed for the presence of comorbid PTSD diagnosis, violent victimization, and noninterpersonal traumatic experiences. Patients were also rated on SZ symptom severity and general psychopathology measures. Past violent victimization experiences predicted severity of dysphoria and anxiety in SZ. Past traumatic experiences, however, predicted severity of psychosis. Victimization predicted severity of patients' autistic/cognitive symptoms. SZ patients with comorbid PTSD presented with significantly more anxiety and dysphoria symptoms and SZ illness chronicity than their non-PTSD counterparts. Discriminant function analysis revealed that the severity of positive, dysphoric, autistic/cognitive, and anxiety symptoms differentiated comorbid PTSD patients from their non-PTSD counterparts, with an overall 72.9% classification rate. Past traumatic and victimization experiences are significantly associated with SZ patients' symptom severity and illness course in partially overlapping domains. Use of common assessment strategies may be employed to increase detection of PTSD in SZ patients presenting for acute treatment.     

Quality of life in social anxiety disorder compared with panic disorder and the general population

OBJECTIVE: Quality of life in a treatment-seeking cohort of patients with social anxiety disorder was compared with that of patients with panic disorder who were matched for age, comorbid illnesses, and gender and with population-based norms. METHODS: The study participants were 33 patients with social anxiety disorder and 33 patients with panic disorder who had participated in clinical trials and who had completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-36 (SF-36) as part of a baseline evaluation. The patients did not have significant comorbid psychiatric disorders. Paired t tests were used to compare baseline scores on subscales of the SF-36 between the two cohorts. One-sample t tests were used to compare scores on subscales of the SF-36 with expectation scores based on 2,474 persons from the general population. RESULTS: Compared with the general population, the patients with social anxiety disorder had significantly greater impairment as measured by the SF-36 social functioning and mental health subscales. Subscale scores also indicated poorer emotional role functioning, but the difference was not significant. However, they were significantly less impaired than the patients with panic disorder in terms of physical functioning, physical role, and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with social anxiety disorder who do not have significant comorbid depression or anxiety are substantially impaired in quality of life, but to a lesser extent than patients with panic disorder, who suffer from both mental and physical impairments in quality of life.