Comparison study of memory status in war-PTSD veterans with depression and non- veterans depressed patients

• Main Authors: Radfar Shokofeh, Jazayeri Seiede Tahereh, Haghani Hamid, Habibi Mehdi, Anvari Somaieh Sadat
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2012-03-01
• Series: Tehran University Medical Journal
• Subjects: Major depression; memory status
• Online Access: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-25-167&slc_lang=en&sid=1
• ISSN: 1683-1764; 1735-7322

Background: Cognitive problems in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include poor concentration and impaired memory. Prevalence of PTSD in all aspects of life is 8% in USA. Regarding the importance of memory in functional levels, this study was performed to review memory status in these patients. Methods: Fifty male war veterans with PTSD and major depression and 50 male non-veterans with depression participated in this study performed at psychiatric outpatient ward in Baqiyatallah hospital during 2008-2009. The patients met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Depression severity, sex, age, educational level, and marital status were matched in both groups. A psychologist completed demographic and Mississippi questionnaires, PTSD checklist (PCL), beck depression Inventory and wechsler memory scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 11.0). A P-value smaller than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the veterans and non-veterans was 43.9±4.7 and 42±9.4 years, respectively. Memory status did not differ between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between duration and severity of PTSD with memory impairment (P>0.05). A negative correlation was found between personal and general information with re-experiencing in the veterans (P<0.05). Impaired memory was correlated with age greater than 45, educational level lower than high school diploma, severity of depression and longer participation in war. Conclusion: Although both PTSD and major depression affected memory, but memory status did not differ between patients with PTSD and depression and patients with chronic depression.