Characterization of the Use of Antipsychotics in PTSD During the Past Seven Years

This study is a retrospective electronic review of the VISN 7 Data Warehouse to determine what have been the emerging trends in prescriptions of atypical antipsychotic medications over the past seven years for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the VA

This study is a retrospective electronic review of patients of the VISN 7 Data Warehouse of patients with a diagnosis of PTSD treated with antipsychotics as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy at a VA Medical Center or VA clinic in VISN 7 (GA, SC, and AL). The data will be retrieved from a computerized list of patients treated in VA VISN 7 for PTSD from 1998-2005 and cross-referenced with the electronic pharmacy file for having received a prescription of an antipsychotic medication. No personal identifiers will be collected. The data will then be examined to determine what type of antipsychotics were prescribed and the dose and duration of the antipsychotics. In addition, demographics and clinical characteristics available through the Data Warehouse will be collected.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female patients, any race or ethnic origin at least 19 years of age.
• Patients with a diagnosis of PTSD
• Treated with an antipsychotic as a monotherapy or adjunctive therapy
• Patient must have been seen at a VA medical center or clinic within VISN 7 during the study period.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients not diagnosed with PTSD
• Not treated with an antipsychotic as a monotherapy or adjunctive therapy
• Patients outside of Network 7
• Patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder