CHRONIC POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER AND CHRONIC PAIN IN VIETNAM COMBAT VETERANS

A study was conducted to investigate chronic pain patterns in Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Combat veterans wi th PTSD completed standardized PTSD severity, pain, somatization, and depression measures. Of 129 consecutive out-patient combat veterans wi th PTSD, 80% reported chronic pain. Tn descending order were limb pain (83%), back pain (77%), torso pain (50%), and headache pain (32%). Co mpared to PTSD combat veterans without chronic pain, PTSD veterans who reported chronic pain reported significantly higher somatization as m easured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Inventory 2 hypochondriasis and h ysteria subscales. In the sample of 103 combat veterans with PTSD and chronic pain, MMPI 2 hypochondriasis scores and B PTSD symptoms (reexp eriencing symptoms) 2 hypochondriasis and depression scores were also significantly related to percent body pain. These results are discusse d in the context of current conceptualizations of PTSD. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science Inc.