Historical cohort study of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the risk of motor vehicle crash hospitalization among recent veterans enrolled in Veterans Administration healthcare

Combat Veterans face elevated risk of motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related injuries. This historical cohort study examined whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) predicts MVC-related hospitalization among 119,343 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans enrolled in Veterans Health Administration care within one year of deployment. PTSD was defined by inpatient or multiple outpatient diagnoses within the first year. Over five years, 373 Veterans were hospitalized for MVC injuries. Unadjusted models showed PTSD increased risk by 40% (RR=1.4; 95% CI: 1.1–1.7), but adjusted models found no significant association (RR=1.0; 95% CI: 0.8–1.2). PTSD may indicate, rather than cause, MVC risk; further research is needed.