Predictors of 2-Year Trajectory of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following Physical Injury.

Objectives: This study investigated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) trajectories and their predictors over a 2-year period, in individuals recovering from physical injuries. Materials and Methods: Between June 2015 and January 2021, 1,142 patients from a South Korean University Hospital Trauma Center underwent baseline evaluations, including PTSD-related measures and sociodemographic characteristics. They were subsequently followed up for PTSD using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The analyzed sample consisted of 1,014 patients who were followed up at least once after the baseline and 3-month evaluations. Latent class growth analysis and logistic regression models were used. Results: Five distinctive trajectories were identified: resilient, worsening/recovery, worsening, recovery, and chronic groups. The worsening/recovery trajectory was associated with previous traumatic events and traffic-related injuries, while the worsening trajectory was linked to higher education and elevated depressive symptoms. The recovery trajectory was characterized by female sex, childhood abuse, traffic-related injuries, dissociative subtype, and higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. The chronic trajectory was predicted by the dissociative subtype and heightened anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: These findings highlighted the heterogeneity of PTSD symptom development and, thus, the importance of considering individual characteristics when assessing and addressing PTSD following physical injuries.