1Associate Professor & Head, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Dr RMLIMS, Vibhuti Khand, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
2Senior Resident, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Dr RMLIMS, Vibhuti Khand, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
3Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physiology, Dr RMLIMS, Vibhuti Khand, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
*Corresponding Address: Dr Richa Choudhury, Associate Professor & Head, Dept. Of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, DrRMLIMS, Vibhuti Khand, Lucknow-226010, Email- drricha_c@hotmail.com
Online published on 8 August, 2019.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is an after effect of trauma resulting in disharmony between physiological, psychological and behavioural bodily reactions. Such Patients go through abnormal fluctuations in their autonomic nervous system functioning (dysautonomia), leading either to exaggerated fight and flight behaviours or the opposite state of withdrawal from reality and immobilization. In this study, we have tried to assess the trauma patients for the presence of PTSD. The aim of our study was the early detection and management of PTSD.
We have worked on 50 post trauma cases in the age group of 15–60 yearscoming to OPD of the Neurosurgery and Neurology departments of DrRMLIMS. These Participants were assessed for PTSD on the basis of Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS5). After this, these cases were tested for autonomic function tests HR, BP and HRV in the Physiology Department.
PTSD was seen in 13 males and 12 females. Maximum cases were seen in the 25–44 year age group, amongst both the PTSD (56%) and non-PTSD (52%) subjects. Lowest incidence of trauma was seen in the 55–64 year age group, followed by 45–54 year age group. Associate alcohol and smoking addiction was more common in PTSD group. In our study the PTSD group showed lower HRV than non PTSD group at baseline and throughout the 30 seconds visuals related to trauma. Contrarily, the non PTSD subjects had a normal HR and a high HRV, with normal BP.
The first and foremost problem is distinguishing between true PTSD from feigned or false PTSD. The psycho-physiological testing of suspected PTSD cases should be done for better assessment of PTSD's medico-legal cases. Forensic experts can also prove to be helpful in assisting the courts in ascertaining whether an individual actually suffers from PTSD or not.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Dysautonomia, Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5), Heart Rate Variability(HRV), Heart Rate (HR)
