Early intervention following trauma may mitigate genetic risk for PTSD in civilians: a pilot prospective emergency department study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Civilian posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat PTSD are major public health concerns. Although a number of psychosocial risk factors have been identified related to PTSD risk, there are no accepted, robust biological predictors that identify who will develop PTSD or who will respond to early intervention following trauma. We wished to examine whether genetic risk for PTSD can be mitigated with an early intervention.

Method

65 emergency department patients recruited in 2009-2010 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, who met criterion A of DSM-IV PTSD received either 3 sessions of an exposure intervention, beginning in the emergency department shortly after trauma exposure or assessment only. PTSD symptoms were assessed 4 and 12 weeks after traum

SUBMITTER: Rothbaum BO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4293026 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature