Predictors of 2-Year Trajectory of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following Physical Injury

This study investigated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) trajectories and their predictors over a 2-year period, in individuals recovering from physical injuries.

Between June 2015 and January 2021, 1,142 patients from a South Korean University Hospital Trauma Center underwent baseline evaluations, including PTSD-related measures and sociodemographic characteristics. They were subsequently followed up for PTSD using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The analyzed sample consisted of 1,014 patients who were followed up at least once after the baseline and 3-month evaluations. Latent class growth analysis and logistic regression models were used.

Five distinctive trajectories were identified: resilient, worsening/recovery, worsening, recovery, and chronic groups. The worsening/recovery trajectory was associated with previous traumatic events and traffic-related injuries, while the worsening trajectory was linked to higher education and elevated depressive symptoms. The recovery trajectory was characterized by female sex, childhood abuse, traffic-related injuries, dissociative subtype, and higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. The chronic trajectory was predicted by the dissociative subtype and heightened anxiety symptoms.

These findings highlighted the heterogeneity of PTSD symptom development and, thus, the importance of considering individual characteristics when assessing and addressing PTSD following physical injuries.