@article{ref1,
title="Common data elements in the assessment of military-related PTSD research applied in the consortium to alleviate PTSD",
journal="Military medicine",
year="2019",
author="Ben Barnes, J. and Presseau, Candice and Jordan, Alexander H. and Kline, Nora K. and Young-McCaughan, Stacey and Keane, Terence M. and Peterson, Alan L. and Litz, Brett T.",
volume="184",
number="5-6",
pages="e218-e226",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Driven by the need to share data, sufficiently power studies, and allow for cross-study comparisons of medical and psychiatric diseases, the President's National Research Action Plan issued in 2013 called for the use of state-of-the-art common data elements (CDEs) for research studies. CDEs are variables measured across independent studies that facilitate methodologically sound data aggregation and study replication. Researchers in the field of military-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have suggested applicable CDEs; however, to date, these recommendations have been conceptual and not field-tested. The Consortium to Alleviate PTSD (CAP) - an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional, military-related PTSD research consortium funded by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs - generated and applied CDEs that can be used to combine data from disparate studies to improve the methodological and statistical capabilities of study findings. We provide a description and rationale for the CAP CDEs and details about administration with two main goals: (1) to encourage military-related PTSD researchers to use these measures in future studies and (2) to facilitate comparison, replication, and data aggregation. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CAP compiled mandated (core) and optional CDEs based on the following criteria: (1) construct applicability to military-related PTSD; (2) precedence (use) in prior, related research; (3) published and strong psychometric evidence; (4) no cost (public domain); and (5) brevity, to limit participant burden. We provided descriptive statistics and internal consistency reliabilities for mandated measures from an initial cohort of around 400 participants enrolled in CAP studies. <br><br>RESULTS: Mandated CDEs in the CAP were found to have very good internal consistency reliability. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Although further research is needed to determine the incremental validity of these CDEs, preliminary analyses indicated that each mandated measure has very good internal consistency reliability. Investigators designing military-related PTSD research should consider using these field-tested CDEs to facilitate future data aggregation. Feedback based on empirical evidence or practical concerns to improve these CDEs is welcome.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0026-4075",
doi="10.1093/milmed/usy226",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usy226"
}