Brief screening instrument for post-traumatic stress disorder

• Published in: British journal of psychiatry Vol. 181; no. 2; pp. 158 - 162
• Main Authors: Brewin, Chris R., Rose, Suzanna, Andrews, Bernice, Green, John, Tata, Philip, McEvedy, Chris, Turner, Stuart, Foa, Edna B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.2002; RCP
• Subjects: Accidents; Adult; Arousal; Clinical interviews; Crime; Crime Victims; Female; Humans; Interview, Psychological; Interviews; London; Male; Medical diagnosis; Medical screening; Middle Aged; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychiatry; Questionnaires; Railroad accidents & safety; Railroads; Sensitivity and Specificity; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Trauma; Victims; Victims of crime; Violent crime; London
• ISSN: 0007-1250; 1472-1465
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.181.2.158

Brief screening instruments appear to be a viable way of detecting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but none has yet been adequately validated. To test and cross-validate a brief instrument that is simple to administer and score. Forty-one survivors of a rail crash were administered a questionnaire, followed by a structured clinical interview 1 week later. Excellent prediction of a PTSD diagnosis was provided by respondents endorsing at least six re-experiencing or arousal symptoms, in any combination. The findings were replicated on data from a previous study of 157 crime victims. Performance of the new measure was equivalent to agreement achieved between two full clinical interviews.