The association of polysomnographic sleep on posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters in trauma-exposed civilians and veterans

Abstract

Study Objectives: Self-reported sleep disturbance has been established as a risk factor and predictor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, less is known about the relationship between objective sleep and PTSD symptom clusters, and the specific role of hyperarousal. The present study examined the relationships between sleep continuity and architecture on PTSD symptom clusters. Methods: Participants underwent two in-laboratory sleep studies to assess sleep continuity and architecture. They also completed the Clinician-Administered PTSD-IV scale and the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV to assess for PTSD diagnosis and other psychiatric disorders. Results: Sleep continuity (i.e.Total sleep time, sleep efficiency percent, wake after sleep onset, sleep latency) was significantly related to PTSD Cluster B (reexperiencing) symptom severity (R2 =. 27, p