Krebs CDA

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Pain Comorbidity in Veterans
Principal Investigator: Erin E. Krebs, MD, MPH
Project Number PT073516
Funded by Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program

BACKGROUND
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain conditions commonly co-occur in both veteran and non-veteran populations. Little is known about consequences of this comorbidity on the evaluation and treatment of PTSD and on utilization of mental health and pain-related health services within the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.

STUDY OVERVIEW
This is a retrospective longitudinal cohort study using existing clinical and administrative data from local VISTA databases within VISN 11, which includes 8 medical centers and 20 affiliated community-based outpatient clinics in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana, serving approximately 1.4 million veterans. The study population will include patients screened for PTSD within VISN 11 between July 2002 and July 2007.

Our objective is to better understand the relationship between PTSD and chronic pain among veterans receiving care in the VA health care system.

Specific aims:
1. Determine whether the presence of pain affects diagnosis and treatment of PTSD among VA patients who have a positive PTSD screening test.
2. Evaluate the effects of PTSD/pain comorbidity on utilization of mental health, primary care, and pain-related health services.