The relationship between somatic and PTSD symptoms among Bhutanese refugee torture survivors: examination of comorbidity with anxiety and depression.
Previous research has indicated a relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and somatic complaints. We examined whether this relationship is a result of shared comorbidity with anxiety and depression. Local doctors interviewed a random, community sample of 526 tortured and 526 nontortured Bhutanese refugees living in U.N. refugee camps in Nepal. The interview covered demographics, torture, somatic complaints, and PTSD, depression, and anxiety measures. Number of PTSD symptoms, independent of depression and anxiety, predicted both number of reported somatic complaints and number of organ systems involving such complaints. Physicians need to screen for PTSD when survivors of extreme stressors present nonspecific somatic complaints.
Van Ommeren
Mark
M
Center for Victims of Torture Nepal in Kathmandu, Nepal. mark_van_ommeren@hotmail.com
Sharma
Bhogendra
B
Sharma
Gyanendra K
GK
Komproe
Ivan
I
Cardeña
Etzel
E
de Jong
Joop T V M
JT
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D001631:Bhutan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D014104:Torture / Q000523:psychology