Citation

Lang AJ, Wilkins K, Roy-Byrne PP, Golinelli D, Chavira D, Sherbourne C, Rose RD, Bystritsky A, Sullivan G, Craske MG, Stein MB. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry 2012; 34(4): 332-338.

Affiliation

Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA. ajlang@ucsd.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.02.003

PMID

22460001

PMCID

PMC3383936

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate two abbreviated versions of the PTSD Checklist (PCL), a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as an index of change related to treatment.

METHOD: Data for this study were from 181 primary care patients diagnosed with PTSD who enrolled in a large randomized trial. These individuals received a collaborative care intervention (cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or medication) or usual care and were followed 6 and 12 months later to assess their symptoms and functioning. The sensitivity of the PCL versions (i.e., full, two-item, six-item), correlations between the PCL versions and other measures, and use of each as indicators of reliable and clinically significant change were evaluated.

RESULTS: All versions had high sensitivity (.92-.99). Correlations among the three versions were high, but the six-item version corresponded more closely to the full version. Both shortened versions were adequate indicators of reliable and clinically significant change.

CONCLUSION: Whereas prior research has shown the two-item or six-item versions of the PCL to be good PTSD screening instruments for primary care settings, the six-item version appears to be the better alternative for tracking treatment-related change.

Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en