BACKGROUND To assess the expression of psychosocial problems among children of parents with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MATERIAL AND METHODS A group of 100 children of school age (from 10 to 5 years old) from two randomly chosen schools has been analyzed. Children from complete families whose parents accepted psychometric measurement related to trauma have been chosen. Subjects were divided into two groups: a group of children whose parents express the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-experimental group (N = 50) and group of children whose parents are not suffering from PTSD-control group (N = 50). The assessment of PTSD symptoms and parental traumatisation is done by Harvard Trauma Questionnaire-version for Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) (Allden et al., 1998), behavioral problems were assessed by Child Behavior Checklist--as reported by parents (CBCL, Achenbach, 1991), the level of traumatisation and posttraumatic symptoms in children by the Impact of Event Scale (Horowitz, Wilner, Alvarez, 1979), and neurotism and extraversion is estimated by Neurotism and Extraversion Scale (HANES). With regard to gender and parental participation the sample is homogenous. Data are processed by descriptive statistics method. RESULTS Children whose parents are suffering from PTSD symptoms show statistically significant increase in behavioral problems such as withdrawal, somatic complaints, thought problems, delinquent and aggressive behavior (p < 0.001), anxiety/depression, attention deficit and problems in social relations (p < 0.005). Male subjects showed more prominent delinquent behavior (p < 0.01). Children whose parents have PTSD symptoms show significantly expressed internalisation (p < 0.001) and higher level of stress (Chi2 = 23.528, p < 0.001), compared to children of parents without PTSD. There is statistically significant difference regarding the mean (M) of symptom groups among the analyzed groups of subjects related to the symptoms of intrusion (p < 0.01) and symptoms of avoidance (p < 0.001). Significantly expressed neurotism is present in children of parents with PTSD (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The results show that children of parents with PTSD express a significant behavioral problems, higher level of neurotism, internalisations, posttraumatic stress reactions, symptoms of intrusion and avoidance as well as significantly higher level of stress compared to children of parents without PTSD.

In Central and Eastern European countries, after abandoning communism, significant political, economic and social changes occurred, followed by the increase in income inequality and social disparity. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological symptoms and monthly income of employees in companies undergoing privatization. The study included 258 workers from seven companies undergoing privatization in the Tuzla Canton region. For the study purposes, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and a general questionnaire with questions about socio-demographic characteristics, income, and workplace, were used. Monthly income of the majority of workers (207 or 80.2%) was below the monthly income in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Workers with salaries below the average salary for Bosnia and Herzegovina have pronounced somatization, anxiety, paranoia, interpersonal sensitivity and hostility. The BSI scale yielded significant negative correlation between the level of monthly salary and the expression of psychological symptoms (r = -0.184, p = 0.002) and between the level of family income and the expression of psychological symptoms (r = -0.123, p = 0.024). Based on the study results, it was determined that socio-economic factors such as the level of salary and total family income and job insecurity, educational level, marital status and gender may be predictors of psychological symptoms.

INTRODUCTION Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are chronic diseases with unpredictable course causing progressive physical disability and cognitive decline, and broadly affecting the patient's life, social interaction, recreational activities and overall life satisfaction. GOALS To examine the quality of life of patients with PD and MS, and investigate the existence of differences between the degree of impairment to the quality of life in PD and MS. METHODS A prospective study was conducted at the Neurology Clinic, University Clinical Center in Tuzla in the period from December 2005 until May 2007. The study included subjects with confirmed diagnosis of MS and PD. We analyzed 50 patients with PD and 50 patients with MS, with disease duration 1-5 years without any or with mild cognitive impairment. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 scale comprised of 36 questions in eight health profiles. RESULTS There was no significant difference in gender frequency in our study sample of patients with PD, while in MS group of patients there were a significantly more females. The average age of the PD patients was 63.18 +/- 10.42, and in patients with MS 37.4 +/- 8.65 years. In our study the relative influence of PD and MS on quality of life was similar after controlling the duration of the disease, and there were some differences in relation to the degree for clinical disability. Subjects showed reduced QoL independently of the duration of illness (patients with PD in 88% of cases, and multiple sclerosis in 84% of cases). There are significant differences in the occurrence of poor quality of life in patients with PD were in advanced clinical stages of disease for the physical, mental dimension of the SF 36 and the total score. Respondents in stages III-V of the disease were 5.23 times (23%) likely to experience reduced QoL compared to those with less physical disability. In subjects suffering from MS reduced QoL was not related to the degree of clinical disability in physical, nor the mental dimension of the SF 36 and the total score. These results in MS patients can be partially explained by the small sample size, on the other hand it is possible that patients with MS, although they have greater physical disability seen as a very difficult diagnosis which determines the entire life. CONCLUSIONS Patients who are treated for PD and MS had a high degree (> 80%) of reduction of the overall quality of life, and there were no significant differences in the extent of QoL reduction between these groups of patients. Reduced quality of life in patients with PD is observed during severe stages of the disease, while the QoL does not depent on the degree of clinical disability in MS patients. In both groups of patients the appearance patients reduced QoL does not depend on the duration of the disease.

INTRODUCTION Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are chronic diseases with unpredictable course causing progressive physical disability and cognitive decline, and broadly affecting the patient's life, social interaction, recreational activities and overall life satisfaction. GOALS To examine the quality of life of patients with PD and MS, and investigate the existence of differences between the degree of impairment to the quality of life in PD and MS. METHODS A prospective study was conducted at the Neurology Clinic, University Clinical Center in Tuzla in the period from December 2005 until May 2007. The study included subjects with confirmed diagnosis of MS and PD. We analyzed 50 patients with PD and 50 patients with MS, with disease duration 1-5 years without any or with mild cognitive impairment. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 scale comprised of 36 questions in eight health profiles. RESULTS There was no significant difference in gender frequency in our study sample of patients with PD, while in MS group of patients there were a significantly more females. The average age of the PD patients was 63.18 +/- 10.42, and in patients with MS 37.4 +/- 8.65 years. In our study the relative influence of PD and MS on quality of life was similar after controlling the duration of the disease, and there were some differences in relation to the degree for clinical disability. Subjects showed reduced QoL independently of the duration of illness (patients with PD in 88% of cases, and multiple sclerosis in 84% of cases). There are significant differences in the occurrence of poor quality of life in patients with PD were in advanced clinical stages of disease for the physical, mental dimension of the SF 36 and the total score. Respondents in stages III-V of the disease were 5.23 times (23%) likely to experience reduced QoL compared to those with less physical disability. In subjects suffering from MS reduced QoL was not related to the degree of clinical disability in physical, nor the mental dimension of the SF 36 and the total score. These results in MS patients can be partially explained by the small sample size, on the other hand it is possible that patients with MS, although they have greater physical disability seen as a very difficult diagnosis which determines the entire life. CONCLUSIONS Patients who are treated for PD and MS had a high degree (> 80%) of reduction of the overall quality of life, and there were no significant differences in the extent of QoL reduction between these groups of patients. Reduced quality of life in patients with PD is observed during severe stages of the disease, while the QoL does not depent on the degree of clinical disability in MS patients. In both groups of patients the appearance patients reduced QoL does not depend on the duration of the disease.

PURPOSE Numerous studies indicate that the exposure to traumatic events and psychological trauma is a widespread. Studies also show the frequency of comorbidity of mental disorders in patients with posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD), while the effects of exposure to traumatic events on somatic health have been neglected for a long time. As PTSD might have a devastating effect on physical integrity and general health, the aim of this study was to show the prevalence of somatic problems in patients with PTSD. METHOD Analyzed were 217 patients treated in the period from 2005 to 2008 at the Traumatic Stress Disorders Unit of the Department for Psychiatry Tuzla, in which PTSD was diagnosed using DSM IV criteria. The medical records, Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) - version for Bosnia and Herzegovina for identification of war traumatic events and PTSD symptoms, modified Domestic Violence Inventory, general questionnaire on socio-demographic data and data related to psychosocial issues were used in this study. Somatic diseases were diagnosed by ICD-10. RESULTS The average age of patients was 48.0246.33 years, with somewhat higher prevalence of male patients (136 ys 81). The highest number have completed secondary school (73.3%), were married (88%), employed (61.3%) and, of domicile status (83.4%). Out of 217 patients, in 85.7% the PTSD was related to war traumatic experiences. Somatic complaints and diagnosed chronic somatic diseases were present in 184 or 84.8% patients of both sexes. The highest number of patients had a hypertension, angina pectoris, back pain and degenerative bone diseases, as well as cerebrovascular disease and diabetes. More than three chronic somatic diseases were present in 85 or 39.2% patients with PTSD, and most frequent psycho-social problems were insufficient financial resources and a job loss. CONCLUSION Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that association of somatic diseases with posttraumatic stress disorder is often present in persons who were exposed to multiple war traumatic experiences and more psychosocial problems.

2 ICD-10. Results: The average age of patients was 48.02±6.33 years, with somewhat higher prevalence of male patients (136 ys 81). The highest number have completed secondary school (73.3%), were married (88%), employed (61.3%) and, of domicile status (83.4%). Out of 217 patients, in 85.7% the PTSD was related to war traumatic experiences. Somatic complaints and diagnosed chronic somatic diseases were present in 184 or 84.8% patients of both sexes. The highest number of patients had a hypertension, angina pectoris, back pain and degenerative bone diseases, as well as cerebrovascular disease and diabetes. More than three chronic somatic diseases were present in 85 or 39.2% patients with PTSD, and most frequent psycho-social problems were insuffi- cient financial resources and a job loss. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that association of somatic diseases with posttrau- matic stress disorder is often present in persons who were exposed to multiple war traumatic experiences and more psychosocial problems.

PURPOSE Studies among veterans indicate that veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) express anger, hostility and aggression as well as alcohol and substance abuse more then veterans without PTSD. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between anger, use of alcohol and symptoms of PTSD in war veterans in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). METHOD Comparing a group of veterans (n = 54) with PTSD who use alcohol and a group of veterans (n = 46) who do not use alcohol, the analyzed were dimensions of anger related to PTSD symptoms and alcohol usage. Medical records of patients treated at the Department for Psychiatry in Tuzla, B&H, Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ)--version for Bosnia and Herzegovina, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), Structured Clinical Diagnostic Interview (SCID-I) were used in this study. The basic socio-demographic data were also collected. RESULTS A significant correlation is found between alcohol usage, and state and trait of anger (P < 0.001), angry temperament (P = 0.001), anger-in expression (P < 0.001), anger-out expression (P < 0.001), and anger control (P < 0.001). PTSD hyperarousal cluster symptoms were significantly correlated to state anger, anger-in expression (P < 0.05), and use of alcohol (P = 0.010). CONCLUSION The results indicate that there is a significant correlation between PTSD arousal symptom with anger dimensions, as well as between anger dimensions and use of alcohol in war veterans with PTSD.