By the Numbers - Mar. 2, 2015
23%
The prevalence of PTSD in a population of 4,945,897 Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraq Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans across 33 studies published between 2007 and 2013, according to a new paper to be published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders -- The Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans: A Meta-Analysis.
According to the study authors, the reason for this meta-analysis was to generate a more precise estimate of PTSD prevalence "for projecting healthcare needs and informing public policy;" in the literature, the estimated percentage of OEF/IOF veterans with the disorder has ranged from 1.4% to 60%.
The authors are clear about the limitations of the studies included in their analysis:
Publication year and percentage of Caucasian participants and formerly active duty participants explained significant variability in prevalence across studies. PTSD remains a concern for a substantial percentage of OEF/OIF veterans. To date, most studies have estimated prevalence among OEF/OIF veterans using VA medical chart review. Thus, results generalize primarily to the prevalence of PTSD in medical records of OEF/OIF veterans who use VA services. Additional research is needed with randomly selected, representative samples administered diagnostic interviews. Significant financial and mental health resources are needed to promote recovery from PTSD.
23%
The prevalence of PTSD in a population of 4,945,897 Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraq Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans across 33 studies published between 2007 and 2013, according to a new paper to be published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders -- The Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans: A Meta-Analysis.
According to the study authors, the reason for this meta-analysis was to generate a more precise estimate of PTSD prevalence "for projecting healthcare needs and informing public policy;" in the literature, the estimated percentage of OEF/IOF veterans with the disorder has ranged from 1.4% to 60%.
The authors are clear about the limitations of the studies included in their analysis:
Publication year and percentage of Caucasian participants and formerly active duty participants explained significant variability in prevalence across studies. PTSD remains a concern for a substantial percentage of OEF/OIF veterans. To date, most studies have estimated prevalence among OEF/OIF veterans using VA medical chart review. Thus, results generalize primarily to the prevalence of PTSD in medical records of OEF/OIF veterans who use VA services. Additional research is needed with randomly selected, representative samples administered diagnostic interviews. Significant financial and mental health resources are needed to promote recovery from PTSD.