POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN POLY-TRAUMA CASES

Six hundred and one patients, who sustained injuries in militant activities, admitted during a 7 month period to a zonal referral hospital were studied. The majority, 54.6% from the Armed Forces and 38.8% from the para-military forces, were in the age group of 22-53 years. There were 40 (6.7%) civilian casualties. These were in the age group of 20-45 years. A large number (75.7%) of the casualties manifested with post-traumatic stress symptoms. 24.3% of them were rated as post-traumatic stress disorder. Six months follow-up revealed persistence of post-traumatic stress disorder in 17.1% of the cases. By one year, 42.1% who responded to the follow-up letters had persistence of post-traumatic stress disorder in 4.95%. Early recognition of this psychic trauma and preventive strategies are discussed.