Screening

Several well-validated screening instruments are available; however, there is no evidence to support the use of such instruments in population screening programmes.

Guidelines recommend that the routine use of brief screening instruments should be considered for people who are at high risk of developing PTSD.[35][52][53]​​​​ These guidelines also recommend the use of a brief screening instrument when it is known that a person has had a traumatic experience, and that health professionals should consider asking people who repeatedly attend health services with unexplained medical symptoms whether they have experienced a traumatic event and provide specific examples.[52][53]​ Examples of traumatic events should be given, and it may be helpful to use a checklist of common traumatic experiences and symptoms, particularly for people who find it difficult to verbalise these. Some screening instruments contain checklists.

Available screening tests include the following:

US Department of Veterans Affairs: PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) Opens in new window​​

US Department of Veterans Affairs: trauma screening questionnaire (TSQ) Opens in new window

US Department of Veterans Affairs (PTSD): posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS-5) Opens in new window​​​​

The International Trauma Consortium. international trauma questionnaire (ITQ) Opens in new window(Based on ICD-11 criteria)

One systematic review concluded that instruments with fewer items, simpler response scales, and simpler scoring methods perform as well, if not better, than longer and more complex measures.[75]

Military personnel deployed for combat and peacekeeping operations sometimes experience repeated exposure to traumatic events. High prevalence rates of PTSD among combat veterans have been reported.[35][76][77][78]​​​ Interventions targeted at such high-risk occupational groups have shown potential.[79]​ The American College of Surgeons recommend that trauma centres carry out brief screening for all patients at risk of psychological distress (including depression and PTSD) following physical trauma. Risk factors noted include prior psychiatric history, prior trauma exposure, the characteristics of the injury, and the patient's post-injury reaction.[80]

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