title: Risk among Combat Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: The Impact of Psychosocial Factors on the Escalation of Suicidal Risk.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to (a) evaluate the influence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other comorbid disorders on suicidal risk among combat veterans and (b) evaluate the impact of psychosocial factors on the escalation of suicidal risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were gathered from a random and representative sample of 215 Kosovo War veterans. Subjects were assessed for the presence of lifetime and current psychiatric disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Revision (DSM-IV TR) using the following questionnaires: Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suicidal ideations were observed in 44 (20.5%) of the 215 subjects. High suicide risk was found in 31.8% veterans diagnosed with PTSD and comorbid major depressive disorder. In addition, high suicide risk was also observed in the group of unemployed veterans, veterans dissatisfied with social/economic attainment and veterans dissatisfied with living conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed that socioeconomic factors contributes to the deterioration of symptoms of major depression, PTSD and other comorbid disorders, with a direct impact of worsening suicidal ideations and suicidal behavior among war veterans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Regional Hospital, Gjilan, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Ramadan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Halimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, National Institute for Public Health, Gjilan, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Hidajete
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Halimi
keywords: PTSD; Suicidal ideation/behavior; combat veterans; psychosocial factors