Amputation, Combat Posttraumatic Stess Disorder, Combat Trauma, PTSD
Conditions
Keywords
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Combat Trauma, Amputation, Tourniquet Use, Evacuation Time
Brief summary
This study aims to evaluate the relationship between evacuation time, tourniquet use, and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with combat-related amputations. In the context of modern warfare, prolonged evacuation times and extended tourniquet application may contribute not only to physical injury but also to psychological trauma. The study will prospectively follow patients over 18 months to identify key predictors of PTSD and to assess their interaction.
Detailed description
Combat-related amputations are frequently associated with prolonged evacuation times and the use of hemostatic tourniquets. While these factors are critical for survival, their potential contribution to long-term psychological outcomes remains insufficiently studied. This prospective longitudinal study will investigate how evacuation delays and tourniquet duration influence the development of PTSD symptoms in Ukrainian veterans with limb amputations. The study will also evaluate the interaction between these factors and their cumulative psychological impact. Participants will be followed for 18 months using validated PTSD screening tools, including the PCL-5 questionnaire, combined with retrospective analysis of medical records.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Charitable Organisation Charitable Fund Superhumans (Co Cf Superhumans)
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Ukrainian veterans with combat-related injury (post-February 2022) * Single limb amputation * Admission to rehabilitation within 2-4 months post-injury * Age ≥18 years * Ability to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Prior PTSD diagnosis before current injury * Multiple amputations * Rehabilitation duration \>3 months * Return to active military duty before follow-up completion
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PTSD severity measured by PCL-5 score | 18 months (baseline, 2, 6, 12, and 18 months follow-up) | Severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms will be assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), a validated 20-item self-report questionnaire. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely), with a total score range of 0 to 80, where higher scores indicate greater symptom severity. The primary outcome will be the total PCL-5 score measured longitudinally to evaluate changes in PTSD symptom severity over time and its association with evacuation time and duration of tourniquet use. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in PTSD Severity Over Time | Baseline to 18 months | Change in PTSD symptom severity measured as the difference in total PCL-5 score between baseline and follow-up assessments. This outcome will evaluate the trajectory of PTSD symptoms over time. |
Countries
Ukraine
Contacts
CONTACTDmytro Dmytriiev, PhD.Professor
Outcome results
None listed