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INTRODUCTION: Cognitive impairment is common finding in individuals with PTSD. Dysfunctional metacognitions in variety of anxiety disorders can represent generic vulnerability for anxiety disorders, as well as elements that contribute to maintaining the disorder. There is little empirical information about metacognition in war veterans with PTSD, and its relation to cognitive and/or social, occupational and psychological functioning. AIM: to determine the values and reciprocal correlations of different aspects of metacognition, with cognitive and global functioning in outpatient war veterans with PTSD. METHODS: The study was conducted on 25 war veterans (24 male), with confirmed diagnosis of PTSD by a trained psychiatrist, average age 48,5±6,2 (38-63) years, with average duration of symptoms of 9,9±4,7 (0,5-16) years. We used the Metacognitions questionnaire, Mini Mental Status Examination, and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale to assess metacognition, cognitive impairment, and global functioning. Median values of Metacognitions questionnaire subcomponents, Global Assessment of Functioning Scale and Mini Mental Status Examination were determined, and also reciprocal correlations of all parameters expressed with Spearman Rank Correlation. RESULTS: 12 patients (48%) had impaired cognitive function. Significant negative correlation of score on Mini Mental Status Examination, and negative beliefs about worry is observed (r=-0,4278, p=0,034), as well as non significant correlations between rest of metacognition subscales and score on Mini Mental Status Examination. Cognitive self-consciousness showed high positive correlation with Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (r =0,7436, p<0,0001). CONCLUSION: Follow up of metacognitions, cognitive and global functioning, and its relations, may have an important role in assessment of war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.
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INTRODUCTION: Aphasia is considered to be the most difficult disorders of speech-language communication, and is often companion by all forms of cerebrovascular disease. GOAL: To determine the outcome of aphasia disorder a year after a stroke and stroke type influence on the outcome of aphasia disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed one-year outcome of aphasia disorders in patients who had a first stroke. Patients were tested by a speech pathologist with the International test for aphasia, immediately after admission and one year after the stroke. All patients that were hospitalized during treatment had a speech therapy and only a small number of patients were realsed from hospital. RESULTS: Out of 74 patients with aphasia who were discharged from hospital within one year 20 patients died and 2 patients did not respond to control clinical treatment review. Analysis of the remaining 52 respondents determined that out of the 10 patients with global aphasia 8 (80%) evolved into another aphasia syndrome, and two (20%) remained unchanged in form. In most cases, global aphasia was transformed in mixed non fluent aphasia (4 of 10 patients or 40%), and in two cases (20%) global aphasia was transformed in Broca aphasia. Broca aphasia (n = 20) in other forms evolved in 9 patients (45%), and 11 patients (55%) remained unchanged in form. Anomic aphasia had 11 patients (78.6%) which remained unchanged in form, while 3 (21.4%) evolved into an Alexia agraphia. Full recovery was noted in two patients (3.84%). Type of stroke did not affect the outcome of aphasia disorders. Out of the 52 analyzed patients after hospitalization, unfortunately, only 11 (21.2%) had some kind of speech pathology treatment after leaving the hospital. CONCLUSION: One year after the stroke severe aphasia evolved into a lighter form in a significant number of patients. Most often anomic aphasia remained (34.6%), followed by Broca (25%) and Conductive aphasia (7.7%). Type of stroke does not affect the outcome of aphasia disorders. Unfortunately only a small number of patients (21.2%) continued with aphasia speech therapy after leaving the hospital.
