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Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain in Vietnam combat veterans.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Beckham, JC; Crawford, AL; Feldman, ME; Kirby, AC; Hertzberg, MA; Davidson, JR; Moore, SD
Published in: J Psychosom Res
October 1997

A study was conducted to investigate chronic pain patterns in Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Combat veterans with PTSD completed standardized PTSD severity, pain, somatization, and depression measures. Of 129 consecutive out-patient combat veterans with PTSD, 80% reported chronic pain. In descending order were limb pain (83%), back pain (77%), torso pain (50%), and headache pain (32%). Compared to PTSD combat veterans without chronic pain, PTSD veterans who reported chronic pain reported significantly higher somatization as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Inventory 2 hypochondriasis and hysteria subscales. In the sample of 103 combat veterans with PTSD and chronic pain, MMPI 2 hypochondriasis scores and B PTSD symptoms (reexperiencing symptoms) were significantly related to pain disability, overall pain index, and current pain level MMPI 2 hypochondriasis and depression scores were also significantly related to percent body pain. These results are discussed in the context of current conceptualizations of PTSD.

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Published In

J Psychosom Res

DOI

ISSN

0022-3999

Publication Date

October 1997

Volume

43

Issue

4

Start / End Page

379 / 389

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Warfare
  • Veterans
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Somatoform Disorders
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Regression Analysis
  • Psychiatry
  • Pain
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
 

Citation

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Beckham, J. C., Crawford, A. L., Feldman, M. E., Kirby, A. C., Hertzberg, M. A., Davidson, J. R., & Moore, S. D. (1997). Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain in Vietnam combat veterans. J Psychosom Res, 43(4), 379–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3999(97)00129-3
Beckham, J. C., A. L. Crawford, M. E. Feldman, A. C. Kirby, M. A. Hertzberg, J. R. Davidson, and S. D. Moore. “Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain in Vietnam combat veterans.J Psychosom Res 43, no. 4 (October 1997): 379–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3999(97)00129-3.
Beckham JC, Crawford AL, Feldman ME, Kirby AC, Hertzberg MA, Davidson JR, et al. Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain in Vietnam combat veterans. J Psychosom Res. 1997 Oct;43(4):379–89.
Beckham, J. C., et al. “Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain in Vietnam combat veterans.J Psychosom Res, vol. 43, no. 4, Oct. 1997, pp. 379–89. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0022-3999(97)00129-3.
Beckham JC, Crawford AL, Feldman ME, Kirby AC, Hertzberg MA, Davidson JR, Moore SD. Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain in Vietnam combat veterans. J Psychosom Res. 1997 Oct;43(4):379–389.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Psychosom Res

DOI

ISSN

0022-3999

Publication Date

October 1997

Volume

43

Issue

4

Start / End Page

379 / 389

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Warfare
  • Veterans
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Somatoform Disorders
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Regression Analysis
  • Psychiatry
  • Pain
  • Middle Aged
  • Male