Medical-care costs associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans

Objective: This study examined the relationship between medical-care costs of Vietnam veterans and predictor factors, including posttraumatic stress d isorder (PTSD). Method: We merged medical-care cost data from the Department of Veterans' A ffairs and the Health Insurance Commission with data from an epidemiologica l study of 641 Australian Vietnam veterans. Posttraumatic stress disorder a nd other factors were examined as predictors of medical-care cost using reg ression analysis. Results: We found that a diagnosis of PTSD was associated with medical cost s 60% higher than average. Those costs appeared to be partly associated wit h higher treatment costs for physical conditions in those with PTSD and als o related mental health comorbidities. Major predictors of medical-care cos t were age ($137 per year for each 5-year increase in age) and number of di agnoses reported ($81 to $112 per year for each diagnosis). Mental health f actors such as depression ($14 per year for each symptom reported) and anxi ety ($27 per year for each symptom reported) were also important predictors . Conclusions: The findings indicate that, however they are incurred, high he althcare and, presumably, also economic and personal costs are associated w ith PTSD, There is an important social obligation as well as substantial ec onomic reasons to deal with these problems. From both perspectives, continu ed efforts to identify and implement effective prevention and treatment pro grams are warranted.