Top research in PTSD among Vietnam War veterans

PBS is currently airing a ten-part documentary on the Vietnam War, titled “The Vietnam War,” produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick.

It has been speculated that the documentary may trigger traumatic memories for some Vietnam War veterans and cause an increase in individuals seeking treatment for PTSD.

To prepare psychiatrists and mental health clinicians, Healio.com/Psychiatry gathered the most relevant PTSD research.

PTSD significantly affects Vietnam War veterans more than 40 years after service

More than 40 years after the Vietnam War, approximately 271,000 Vietnam theater veterans have current PTSD in addition to subthreshold war-zone PTSD, and of these, one-third also have comorbid major depressive disorder. Read more

Analysis shows suicide risk assessment methods lacking for veterans

Findings from a systematic review indicated risk assessment methods were sensitive to predictors of suicide and suicide attempts in veterans, but false positives were common, which limited clinical utility. Read more

Researchers observe lower suicide rates among veterans who use VHA services

From 2000 to 2010, the rate of suicide significantly decreased among veterans who used Veterans Health Administration services and increased for veterans who did not use those services and non-veterans, according to study findings in Psychiatric Services. Read more

PTSD prevalence among female Vietnam veterans affected by service location

Service location significantly influenced odds for PTSD among women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, according to study findings in JAMA Psychiatry. Read more

Treatment-seeking veterans have mixed views on telemedicine mental health treatment

PHILADELPHIA — Attitudes regarding mental health treatment via telehealth were mixed among a sample of recent veterans receiving outpatient treatment, according to data presented at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America annual conference. Read more