Treatment of PTSD and comorbid symptoms in adult and elderly refugees: does age matter?

Abstract

Is there a difference in the reduction of PTSD symptoms and comorbid symptoms before and after treatment of traumatized adult and elderly refugees? To research this subject, data of ninety-one adults (aged 18 – 49) and thirty-three elderly (aged 50 – 63) were drawn from the electronic patient record of Centrum '45, a specialized center for traumatized refugees and asylum seekers. In the overall sample, small decreases in PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms were found with an effect size of approximately 0.12. No age effects were found in treatment progression and symptom severity. Unexpectedly we found symptom severity before treatment predicted treatment progression. The present study has brought us a step forward in gaining knowledge of PTSD in elderly refugees. However, research on this subject is limited and clearly further research is required. Further research should focus on a more general PTSD population and also include elderly with a higher mean age.