Cognitive status of Croatian combat veterans and their compensation-seeking

Abstract

Aim: To explore the differences in MMPI-2 scales and cognitive function scales (WAIS-III) in combat veterans submitted to expert examination for compensation-related purposes, compensation-seeking (CS) and war veterans who were under regular medical examination, non-compensation-seeking (NCS) veterans in Croatia. Methods: The study included 64 CS Croatian war veterans and 48 NCS war veterans. Both patient groups were assessed and diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Data were collected by Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) and Clinically Administered PTSD Scale. Psychological data on cognitive functions were collected by Wechsler Intelligence Scale- Revised (WAIS-III-R) and Minnesota Multi Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Results: Significant differences in CS and NCS groups on executive scales (digit-span and arithmetic), memory scales (numeric and visual), visual processing scales (visual completion), and control scales of MMPI-2 (F, Fb, K and L). There were no significant differences between compensation-seeking and non-compensation-seeking PTSD patients in verbal, non-verbal and global intelligence (VIQ, NIQ and IQ). Significantly lower results are shown on memory scales and higher results on control MMPI-2 scales for CS PTSD (with and without comorbid diagnoses) in comparison to NCS with PTSD or PTSD with comorbid diagnoses. Conclusion: Cognitive functions and over-reporting symptoms of PTSD are correlated especially in working memory, executive functions (digit-span, numeric memory and arithmetic) and visual completion and visual memory. Compensation-seeking could be an important artefact in neuropsychological measures and also offer additional help in the diagnosis of PTSD and cognitive impairment.