[Psychosis in elderly post-traumatic stress disorder patients].
BACKGROUND
Late-onset post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients with traumatic experiences from World War II often present psychotic features.


METHODS
Twelve psychotic elderly PTSD patients were compared with 22 nonpsychotic elderly PTSD patients for age, marital status, age of traumatization, age of onset of psychiatric symptoms, and psychiatric comorbidities. The contents of delusions and hallucinations were registered as well as trauma details.


RESULTS
The psychotic PTSD patients were significantly older (80 years vs 74), later traumatized (20 years vs 14), more frequently demented (75% vs 27%), and more frequently widowed (83% vs 50%). The contents of their psychotic features often were related to traumatic experiences in early life.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychoses of traumatized elderly patients should be registered regarding psychotic content to discover a possible relation between traumatic experiences and psychosis. The International Classification of Diseases 11th Edition should include the subtype "PTSD with simultaneous psychotic features."
Böwing
G
G
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie Röbel, MediClin Müritz-Klinikum GmbH, Stadtgarten 15, 17207, Röbel. georgia.boewing@mueritz-klinikum.de
Schmidt
K U R
KU
Juckel
G
G
Schröder
S G
SG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D047789:World War II