[Acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder after motor vehicle accidents].

OBJECTIVE

We examined the rates of and factors associated with the development of acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after motor vehicle accidents (MVAs).

METHOD

Forty hospitalized patients who had orthopedic injuries after MVAs and 26 hospitalized patients who had orthopedic injuries without a MVA were included in the study. One month after the MVA, the General Health Questionnare (GHQ) Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnare (PDEQ) and sociodemographic data questionnaire were given to all patients. At 3 and 6 months follow-up the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), HDRS, GHQ, and a questionnaire concerning medical problems caused by the accident along with economic and legal problems were applied.

RESULTS

20% of the inpatients in the MVA group developed ASD in the 1st month, 30% developed PTSD in the 3rd month and 17% developed PTSD in the 6th month, while in the control group none of the patients developed either ASD or PTSD. The MVA group had higher mean GHQ, HDRS and CAPS scores than the controls at the 1st, 3rd and the 6th months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Serious and long-term psychiatric problems are seen after MVAs. Early intervention and rehabilitation are needed for the risk groups determined.