Coexisting physical conditions among inpatients with post-traumatic stress disorder

Discharge summaries over a four-year period for 543 veteran inpatients treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were reviewed for the frequency and nature of medical problems. Results demonstrated that a majority, 60% of the sample, had an identified medical problem. Of those patients, 42% had multiple medical problems. One patient in four showed some type of musculoskeletal or pain problem. Eight per cent had sequelae from combat-related trauma. The results illustrate a high base rate with a wide variety of physical conditions among PTSD inpatients. This suggests that closer attention should be given to the interaction of medical problems with PTSD expressed symptomatology in future research or clinical treatment.