COMORBIDITY OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS AND PAIN SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Background. The development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is absolutely clearly associated with extremely difficult experiences that go far beyond the usual human experience. From 70 to 90% of combatants suffer from pain syndrome of various localization, which is associated with injuries during the fighting. Aim. To identify the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders in patients – combatants with post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain of various localization. Material and methods. 40 patients participating in the hostilities suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder were examined. Clinical anamnestic, clinical psychopathological and laboratory examination, ECG, EEG study, examination of specialists were carried out. According to the criterion for the presence of pain, patients were divided into two clinical diagnostic groups. Clinical group I included 20 patients (50% of the examined) with post-traumatic stress disorder, group II - 20 patients (50%) with PTSD and comorbid pain syndrome. Results. In group I patients, a depressive syndrome had a syndromic advantage (60%); anxiety syndrome was recorded in 40% of cases. In patients of group II, another percentage of anxiety and depressive syndromes was recorded - 80% and 20%, respectively. Conclusions. In patients with PTSD and comorbid pain syndrome, anxiety symptoms prevail. They need to be a more pronounced sedative and anxiolytic effect, combined antidepressant and anxiolytic therapy.