Cognitive Deficits and Memory Disturbances in Patients with Chronic Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder

Background : Some studies have demonstrated high cognitive deficits in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Considering the limited available information about this issue, we decided to assess the cognitive deficits and memory disturbances in these patients.
Materials and Methods : The present study is a case control research conducted on 50 patients with post-traumatic stress disorder who were admitted to Ibn-e-Sina psychiatric hospital in Mashhad, in north-eastern part of Iran in 2008. The control group included 50 people of first degree relatives of these patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study. Case and control groups were selected by simple sampling method and for all of them, a questionnaire of demographic information, Wechsler memory scale, and mini mental status examination (MMSE) were completed. The gathered data were analyzed using SPSS 14th edition by chi square, t-test, and analyze of variance.
Results : The mean score of Wechsler memory scale in patients with PTSD (80.78±18.39) was significantly higher than control group (67.92±7.38) (p=0.001). The mean score of MMSE was significantly lower in patients with PTSD compared to control group (p=0.001). The determined disability level assessed by Iranian veterans’ organization and also comorbidity of other psychiatric disorders with PTSD did not have a significant relationship with cognitive deficits, but the duration of PTSD and age of patients were significantly related to the level of cognitive deficits.
Conclusion : Cognitive deficits and memory disturbances are higher in patients with PTSD than general population.