Abstract
The severity of post-traumatic stress disorder and its long-lasting effects among the Yezidi population were previously uninvestigated. ObjectivesThis study evaluated the effects of PTSD severity and chronicity on physiological and anthropometric parameters in women who had survived genocide-related events after the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) attack in 2014. MethodsPTSD diagnosis was determined with the DSM-5 PTSD Checklist (PCL-5). Participants were divided into external control (healthy individuals living outside the camps), internal control (healthy individuals living in the camps), and PTSD (individuals diagnosed with PTSD) groups. The PTSD group was subdivided according to chronicity (<2 years, 2–5 years, or >5 years) and PTSD severity (moderate, severe, or extreme). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), and heart rate (HR) were evaluated. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. ResultsThe PTSD group showed higher SBP (9.51, 7.63%), DBP (5.57, 4.01%), heart rate (12.04, 5.57%), BMI (6.91, 6.19%), WC (7.14, 6.27%), weight (11.27, 10.62%), and WHtR (11.90, 6.82%) than the external and internal controls. The SpO2 values were lower in the PTSD group than both control groups. As the chronicity of the disease increased from <2 years to >5 years, SBP (2.49%), DBP (7.83%), heart rate (14.93%), BMI (33.14%), WC (19.17%), WHtR (13.95%), and weight (26.39%) increased in the PTSD group. Similarly, as disease severity increased from moderate to extreme, heart rate (22.53%), SBP (9.31%), DBP (11.79%), BMI (17.3%), WC (12.77%), WHtR (13.95%), and weight (21.06%) increased in the PTSD group. ConclusionLong-term effects on physiological and anthropometric parameters were observed in women diagnosed with PTSD, and might be aggravated by the severity and chronicity of the disease.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
