PW01-201 - Ptsd And Other Psychiatric Disorders Among Concentration Camp Survivors In Bosnia And Herzegovina

Abstract

During war time in Bosnia (1992-1995) many inhabitants and fighters were arrested and incarcerated in concentration camps where many underwent torture and inhuman treatment.

Objectives

To establish the prevalence of PTSD and other psychiatric morbidity and associated factors among the Bosnian Concentration Camp survivors.

Methods

Prospective descriptive study of 750 concentration camp survivors, who were treated at Psychiatric Clinic in Sarajevo, included in the study, which conducted from January 2007-June 2009. These POWs were captured in concentration camps during war time in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lifetime and Current PTSD, IES-R score and other Psychiatric Morbidity as measured using the SCID and the IES-R.

Results

A DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of current PTSD was made in 555 (74%) of the survivors.75 (10%) suffered from Depression, 120 (16%) from Anxiety disorders. PTSD co-morbidity was in 444 (80%) with Personality Disorders, or with Panic attacks, or with drug and alcohol abuse. Current PTSD was associated with higher IES-R scores and older age, lower income, non-islamic religion, larger household size, older age at incarceration, greater length of incarceration, incarceration in two or more camps, experiencing other traumatic events, family history of mental illness and having other psychiatric illness. After treatment 229 (30.53%) of patients had severe Personality disorders after experienced trauma. Majority of PTSD patients were chronic.

Conclusions

Similar to other former Prisoners of War (POWs) elsewhere, these survivors suffer high PTSD prevalence rates and a special veterans’ service is recommended to address this problem and its associated factors among these and other veterans in Bosnia.