BACKGROUND:

Brief screening instruments appear to be a viable way of detecting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but none has yet been adequately validated.

AIMS:

To test and cross-validate a brief instrument that is simple to administer and score.

METHOD:

Forty-one survivors of a rail crash were administered a questionnaire, followed by a structured clinical interview 1 week later.

RESULTS:

Excellent prediction of a PTSD diagnosis was provided by respondents endorsing at least six re-experiencing or arousal symptoms, in any combination. The findings were replicated on data from a previous study of 157 crime victims.

CONCLUSIONS:

Performance of the new measure was equivalent to agreement achieved between two full clinical interviews.