title: Psychological and somatic health problems in Bosnian refugees: a three year follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aim of this study was to explore association between psychiatric disorders (PTSD and depression) and chronic medical illnesses in a group of Bosnian refugees followed up for three years (1996-1999).
  
  
  METHODS
  Study was conducted in refugee camps in Varaždin, Nbaseline=534, Nendpoint=376 (70.4%). The interviews were conducted in Bosnian, data on depression and PTSD were collected using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 and Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, respectively. Medical conditions were self-reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most important findings: 1) Half of the sample at both study points reported no psychiatric problems (N=294, 55% vs. N=225, 59%), others suffered from depression (N=99, 18.5% at both times), PTSD (N=30, 5.6% vs. N=15, 4%), and depression + PTSD (N=129, 24.2% vs. N=114, 30.3%); 2) A total of 15 medical conditions were identified, and most frequently present were high blood pressure (N=201, 37.6%) and heart disease (N=167, 31.3%); 3) Occurrence of medical conditions was related to the clinical group - they were more frequent in subjects diagnosed with depression and depression + PTSD, than in those who were asymptomatic or suffering from PTSD only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate the persistence of both psychological and somatic health problems in Bosnian refugees involved in this study over time. Holistic approach and avoiding of mind-body dualism might be beneficial for the care and long-term prognosis of these people.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Addiction Prevention, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Mirogojska cesta 16, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia, isarajlic26@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Iris Sarajlić
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Vuković
authors.forename: Nikolina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jovanović
authors.forename: Branko
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kolarić
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vidović
authors.forename: Richard Francis
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Mollica