Comparison of comorbid physical illnesses among veterans with PTSD and veterans with alcohol dependence

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with. high rates of medical service use and with self-reported poor health. Male veterans Admitted to a rehabilitation unit for PTSD (N=55) or alcohol dependence (N=38) were evaluated for comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions and health risk factors. Patients with PTSD were more likely to have osteoarthritis, diabetes, he-art disease, comorbid depression, obesity, and elevated lipid levels. These findings suggest that there may be a relationship between specific medical conditions, possibly mediated by behavioral risk factors, among the aging population of veterans with PTSD.