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. 2019 Oct;49(5):1473-1487.
doi: 10.1111/sltb.12536. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Ten-Year Trend and Correlates of Reported Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Young Male Veteran Suicide Decedents-Results from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 U.S. States, 2005-2014

Julie O'Donnell  1 , Joseph Logan  2 , Robert Bossarte  3   4
Affiliations

Ten-Year Trend and Correlates of Reported Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Young Male Veteran Suicide Decedents-Results from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 U.S. States, 2005-2014

Julie O'Donnell et al. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2019 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: This study examined trends and correlates of reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among young male Veteran suicide decedents, using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System from 2005-2014 on 1,362 male U.S. Veteran suicide decedents aged 18-34 years.

Methods: Prevalence of reported PTSD (i.e., diagnosis/symptoms) was determined by mental health diagnostic fields and narratives and examined by year. Demographic, incident, and precipitating circumstance characteristics correlated with reported PTSD were identified.

Results: One-hundred ninety-eight (15%) decedents had PTSD evidence. A 30-fold increase in reported PTSD prevalence occurred among decedents aged 25-34 years; however, no increase was observed among younger decedents. Reported PTSD was associated with past deployments (odds ratio (OR): 14.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 9.0-23.4); depression (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.6); and divorce (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-2.7). Recent crisis (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.3-0.9) was inversely associated with reported PTSD.

Conclusions: Reported PTSD prevalence substantially increased among Veteran suicide decedents aged 25-34 years suggesting it is beginning to play a larger role in suicide for this group. Few correlated suicide risk factors were found, suggesting that if symptoms of PTSD are present, heightened vigilance by providers for suicide risk might be warranted, irrespective of evidence of other risk factors.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Percentage of suicide deaths with evidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among male Veteran suicide decedents, ages 18–34 years, National Violent Death Reporting System, 2005–2014.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Number of suicide deaths among those with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide rate among male Veteran suicide decedents, ages 18–24 years (2a) and 25–34 years (2b), National Violent Death Reporting System, 2005–2014.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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