An investigation of the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder on physical health

In a large sample of Gulf War Veterans (N = 2301) we examined the relations between PTSD symptoms assessed immediately upon returning from the Gulf Wa r and self-reported health problems assessed 18-24 months later PTSD sympto matology was predictive of self-reported health problems over time for both men and women veterans, even after the effects of combat exposure were rem oved from the analysis. Female veterans reported significantly move health problems than male veterans, however there was no interactive effect of gen der and PTSD on health problems. These findings provide further support for the theory that psychological response to stressors impacts health outcome .