Posttraumatic stress disorder and its comorbidities among American Indian veterans

Goal consists of describing the demographic and comorbid characteristics associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among American Indian veterans with any lifetime Axis 1 disorder. Sample included 252 American Indian veterans, obtained from a community sample of 557, using targeted sampling designed to provide a representative sample, structured to include equal numbers of rural and urban veterans and a twofold over sample of women. Data collection involved lifetime diagnoses based on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule/Quick Version/DSM-III-R, demographic characteristics, and combat exposure. Findings Bivariate comparisons showed positive relationships of PTSD with combat exposure, mood disorder and anxiety disorders (excluding PTSD), but a negative relationship with substance use disorder. Binary logistic regression analyses showed an independent association of PTSD with mood and anxiety disorders as well as combat exposure.