Psychiatric Comorbidities and Risk of Somatic Symptom Disorders in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Nearly 90% of Americans are exposed to a traumatic event at some point in their lives, and over 8% of those individuals will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our study examined the demographic differences and psychiatric comorbidities in inpatients with PTSD with and without somatic symptom disorders (SSDs), using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2018 and 2019. Our sample included 12,760 adult patients with a primary diagnosis of PTSD, which was further subdivided based on a codiagnosis of SSD. We used a logistic regression model to determine the odds ratio (OR) of association for SSD and identify demographic predictors and comorbid risk factors in inpatients with PTSD. The prevalence of SSD in inpatients with PTSD was 0.43%, and it was more commonly seen in women and Caucasians. Personality disorders (OR, 5.55; p < 0.001) and anxiety disorders (OR, 1.93; p = 0.018) were found to increase the likelihood of codiagnoses of SSD in inpatients with PTSD. These findings support the need for a systematic, modular approach that includes evidence-based interventions to treat at-risk populations.