Contemporary aspects of diagnostics and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in patients with brain injury

Author:
M.L. CHUKHLOVINA
State Pediatric Medical Academy, St. Petersburg

Summary:
Abstract. Thirty four patients (14 females and 20 males, 18 to 44 years old) with a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after mild brain injury were under observation. To perform scoring of cognitive functions and severity of anxious state, appropriate specific scales – Mini-Mental State examination – MMSE and Covi anxiety scale were employed. Levels of patients’ recovery motivation for their own disease were assessed with a special questionnaire (Recovery Locus of Control). Cognitive functions were decreased, showing mild to moderate disorders in patients with PTSD after brain injury. The levels of motivation for recovery from own disorder proved to be significantly decreased, and an inverse correlation was found between this parameter, and a degree of anxious condition in these patients. Treatment of the patients with Mexidolum improved cognitive functions, motivation, decreased the degree of anxious condition in PTSD. The results of study argue for a necessity of early detection PTSD after mild brain injury and inclusion of modern antioxidant and antianxiety drugs into combined therapy of the disease.

Keywords: post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injury, cognitive functions, anxious condition, Mexidolum.