The Influence of Elective Surgery on Functional Health in Veterans with PTSD
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common, often chronic, and has been associated with greater risk of postoperative mortality in veterans. The purpose of this study was to determine if elective outpatient surgery had a persistent and deleterious effect on the physical or mental health of veterans, and also to explore factors that contributed to health change after outpatient elective surgery in veterans with PTSD. A longitudinal, mixed method, quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group study was conducted. Methods and Sample: Physical and mental health, depressive symptom severity, posttraumatic symptom severity, and pain severity were measured in 29 veterans with PTSD preoperatively, and 1, 4, and 12 weeks after outpatient elective surgery. For comparison, parallel data were collected from a control group of 31 veterans with PTSD at enrollment, and 1, 4, and 12 weeks after enrollment. Subjects who displayed clinically significant or distressing changes in health status after surgery were interviewed to identify factors associated with postoperative health change.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 21, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA617678
Entities
People
- Kenneth A. Wofford
Organizations
- Duke University