Post-traumatic stress disorder in Italy: a comprehensive evaluation of all the ICD comorbidities and gender-related differences

• Main Authors: Fabio Ferretti, Andrea Pozza, Letizia Bossini, Serena Desantis, Miriam Olivola, Laura Del Matto, Giacomo Gualtieri, Roberto Gusinu, Daiana Bezzini, Andrea Fagiolini, Anna Coluccia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2019-11-01
• Series: BMC Research Notes
• Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder; Comorbidity; Medical conditions; Gender differences; Diseases of the circulatory system; Metabolic syndrome
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13104-019-4792-0

Abstract Objectives The association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and medical comorbidities is controversial since most studies focused on specific comorbidity and victim types. In Italy, data on this issue are scarce. A comprehensive evaluation of all the ICD medical categories co-occurring in PTSD may orient assessment and treatment during clinical and forensic practice. This is the first study evaluating all the ICD physical comorbidities and gender-related differences in Italian PTSD patients. Eighty-four PTSD patients (36 females, 48 males) were included. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Davidson Trauma Scale were administered. Results Most patients had a PTSD consequent to an accident and half of them presented extreme symptom severity. No gender differences emerged on symptom severity/duration and age at the event. Metabolic (39.29%), circulatory (20.24%) and musculoskeletal systems/connective tissue diseases (17.86%) were the most frequent comorbidities. Metabolic/circulatory diseases were more frequent among males (p = 0.019 and p = 0.027, respectively) while females more frequently showed neoplasms (p = 0.039). Physical comorbidities represent a serious complication in PTSD patients and are more prevalent than in the Italian population. While gender is not associated with symptom presentation, it seems to play a key role in specific comorbidities including metabolic, circulatory and neoplastic diseases.