Subthreshold post-traumatic stress disorder as a risk factor for post-traumatic stress disorder: results from a sample of USA veterans

Subthreshold post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more prevalent than PTSD, yet its role as a potential risk factor for PTSD is unknown. To address this gap, we analysed data from a 7-year, prospective national cohort of USA veterans. Of veterans with subthreshold PTSD at wave 1, 34.3% developed PTSD compared with 7.6% of trauma-exposed veterans without subthreshold PTSD (relative risk ratio 6.4). Among veterans with subthreshold PTSD, specific PTSD symptoms, greater age, cognitive difficulties, lower dispositional optimism and new-onset traumas predicted incident PTSD. Results suggest that preventive interventions targeting subthreshold PTSD and associated factors may help mitigate risk for PTSD in USA veterans.

Automated summary

The study found that veterans with subthreshold PTSD are more likely to develop PTSD, compared to trauma-exposed veterans without subthreshold PTSD, with a relative risk ratio of 6.4. Preventive interventions targeting subthreshold PTSD and associated factors may help mitigate the risk of PTSD in USA veterans.