The prevalence of PTSD after repair of ruptured AAA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after Emergency Repair of a Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
IRAS ID
289300
Contact name
Mei Nortley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundaiton Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 28 days
Research summary
Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) is a common and debilitating psychological complication following major vascular events, major surgery and intensive care unit stays. Surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms involves all three; however, there is currently no research on PTSD rates following these surgeries.\nAortic aneurysms are swellings of the large blood vessel in the abdomen, which can occasionally burst, causing extreme pain and often death, if not (and often even if) rapidly operated on.\nA study on non-emergency surgery for aortic aneurysms showed 32% had a significant PTSD or depression afterwards (Liberzon et al 2006). Following another sudden painful aortic event – an aortic dissection - 23% were found to have PTSD (Pasadyn et al 2020). As the repair for a ruptured aortic aneurysm is more dangerous and traumatic, we would expect rates of PTSD to be higher. This is compared to a rate of 3.7% in men and 5.1% in women in the general population.\nWe will examine the rates of PTSD post ruptured aortic aneurysm repair through questionnaire, mailed to all those who have had such a repair between 1st January 2012 and 30th November 2022 in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK, using the PC-PTSD 4 questionnaire. The primary outcome is the incidence of PTSD in the post-surgery population. Demographic and operative questions will be asked to look at secondary factors contributing to an increased likelihood of PTSD. \nClinically, a large incidence, could be used to encourage screening for PTSD using the PC-PTSD-4 in follow up clinic appointments, held 6 weeks after discharge for everyone a ruptured aortic aneurysm repair. If positive, this can allow formal diagnosis by their GP, and then access to valuable help and support.\n
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0422
Date of REC Opinion
16 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion