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Relapse

How is relapse related to PTSD?

Studies have found high rates of relapse within a year of discharge from psychiatric institutions, with most being within the first three months. Sociodemographic and hospitalisation characteristics may influence the risk of relapse. Identifying the predictors of readmission improve interventions to reduce the cost and burden to systems, patients, and families. They can also inform health policies.

What is the evidence for relapse in people with PTSD?

Moderate quality evidence found an increased risk of readmission in people with a prior psychiatric hospitalisation, particularly longer hospital stays. Being discharged to residential rather than another treatment facility also increased the risk. There was a small reduction in readmission when a parent was the primary caregiver in children and adolescents with PTSD. There were no differences in rates of readmission according to patient age, gender, ethnicity, having a family history of a psychiatric disorder, or having a history of childhood abuse. There were no differences in psychiatric readmission between people with PTSD and people with other mental disorders.

August 2021

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Last updated at: 4:41 am, 11th October 2021
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Fact Sheet Technical Commentary

NeuRA Libraries

Title Colour Legend:
Green - Topic summary is available.
Orange - Topic summary is being compiled.
Red - Topic summary has no current systematic review available.