Objective: Although spinal cord injury (SCI) was thought to be a fatal case, development of rehabilitation approaches in the early 20th century prolonged survival rates and longevity. Physical and psychological trauma and permanent results of the injury are difficult to cope with. Post traumatic stress disorder rates following SCI range from 10 to 44%. In this study we aimed to assess PTSD frequencies in patients with SPI in Turkey and the association of PTSD to factors like depression, anxiety and caregiver burden.
Methods: Eighty four patients with SCI (mean age= 40.5±15.97; 40 female, 44 male) and caregivers (n=83; mean age=43.72±14.37; 67 female, 16 male) were enrolled. Patients with mental retardation, premorbid psychiatric disorder, comorbid central nerve system disease and patients with professional caregivers were excluded. Clinican administered post traumatic stress disorder rating scale (CAPS), the Beck depression and anxiety, and Zarit caregiver burden scales were assessment tools.
Results: Although they had experienced traumatic events, 32.1% (n=27) of the patients did not have PTSD, while 40.5% (n=34) had PTSD. About 28.6% of these had acute PTSD symptoms and 11.9% (n=10) had had PTSD symptoms in the past. Patients with PTSD had statistically significant higher scores of depression, anxiety and caregiver burden.
Discussion: Perception of stress may be inşuenced by several factors including personality and economical factors. Expression of feelings may increase stress tolerance. The differing results may be due to the factors above as well as methodologies, different stages of assessed samples, social and cultural differences, and tolerance to stress. On the other hand, some negative effects of PTSD are screened in this study. These negative factors may inşuence adjustment of the disabled person and thus may cause a vicious circle.