Comparison of subjective quality of life domains in schizophrenia, mood, and anxiety disorders; an individual patient data meta-analysis.

This study sought to compare satisfaction with different subjective quality of life domains across individuals with three different mental health disorders. Samples from four separate studies were combined to conduct a one-step individual patient data meta-analysis. 5329 individuals with either a schizophrenia (n = 1839), mood (n = 1650), or anxiety disorder (n = 1840) were included. Mean satisfaction ratings for each life domain were compared across disorders. Associations between satisfaction ratings and personal characteristics were investigated using multivariable mixed effect models. Results showed that individuals with an anxiety disorder had the widest range of scores and reported lower satisfaction in most domains compared to those with a schizophrenia or mood disorder. Individuals with a schizophrenia disorder rated domains to do with 'others', such as relationships with family and sex life, as lower than individuals with a mood or anxiety disorder. Satisfaction ratings were often more impacted by personal characteristics, such as employment status, than by diagnostic category. These results demonstrate that specific life areas are impacted differently in the three mental health disorders studied. However, further research needs to consider the impact of personal characteristics across disorders, and the subjective quality of life in individuals with anxiety disorders in particular warrants further investigation.

Which life domains are people with major depression satisfied or dissatisfied with? An individual patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: People with depression tend to score low on measures of subjective quality of life (SQoL) which has been suggested to reflect a general negative bias of perception. However, studies do not tend to investigate specific life domains. This study investigated satisfaction with life domains in people with major depression and explored influential factors. METHODS: A one-step individual patient data meta-analysis combined data of 1710 people with major depression from four studies. In all studies, SQoL was measured on the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life, which provides satisfaction ratings with 12 life domains. Associations between individual characteristics and satisfaction ratings were investigated using univariable and multivariable models. RESULTS: Mean satisfaction ratings varied across life domains. Participants expressed dissatisfaction with several domains but expressed satisfaction with others, mainly for domains associated with close relationships. Some of the investigated characteristics were consistently associated with satisfaction ratings across the domains. LIMITATIONS: The primary limitation of this study was in the analysis of individual characteristics, which were chosen based on identification in existing literature and availability in our datasets, and of which several were dichotomised to have sufficiently large numbers which may have resulted in lost nuance in the results. CONCLUSIONS: People with major depression distinguish between their satisfaction with different life domains and are particularly satisfied with their close relationships. This challenges the notion of a general negative appraisal of life in this group, and highlights the need to evaluate satisfaction with different life domains separately.

Clinical- and cost-effectiveness of a technology-supported and solution-focused intervention (DIALOG+) in treatment of patients with chronic depression-study protocol for a multi-site, cluster randomised controlled trial [TACK].

BACKGROUND: Many with an acute depressive disorder go on to develop chronic depression, despite ongoing care. There are few specifically designed interventions to treat chronic depression. DIALOG+, a technology-assisted intervention based on the principles of solution-focused therapy, may be beneficial. It has been shown to be effective as a treatment for patients with psychotic disorders, especially in regards to increasing quality of life. DIALOG+ was designed to be flexibly applied and not diagnosis-specific, aiming to structure communication and generate a personally-tailored care plan. This cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) is part of a programme of research to adapt and test DIALOG+ for patients with chronic depression. METHODS: Patients will be eligible for the trial, if they have exhibited symptoms of depression or non-psychotic low mood for at least 2 years, have regular contact with a clinician and have a low subjective quality of life and moderate depressive symptoms. Clinicians, who routinely see eligible patients, will be recruited from a number of sites across NHS England. Clusters will have between 1 and 6 patients per clinician and will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention (DIALOG+) or active control group (treatment as usual + DIALOG scale). Clinicians in the intervention group are trained and asked to deliver the intervention regularly for 12 months. Active control participants receive treatment as usual and are asked to rate their satisfaction with areas of life and treatment on the DIALOG scale at the end of the clinical session. Approximately 112 clinician clusters will be recruited to reach a total patient sample size of 376. Clinical and social outcomes including costs are assessed at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months post randomisation. The primary outcome will be subjective quality of life at 12 months. DISCUSSION: This definitive multi-site, cluster RCT aims to evaluate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of DIALOG+ for people with chronic depression. If shown to be effective for this patient population it could be used to improve outcomes of mental health care on a larger scale, ensuring that patients with complex and co-morbid diagnoses can benefit. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN11301686 . Registered on 13 Jun 2019.

Acceptability of a technology-supported and solution-focused intervention (DIALOG+) for chronic depression: views of service users and clinicians.

BACKGROUND: Treating chronic depression represents a significant burden for the NHS, yet there is a lack of evidence-based interventions and research specifically focused on this condition. DIALOG+, a technology-assisted and resource-oriented intervention found effective for people with psychosis, may improve care for this service user group. The aim of this study was to explore the acceptability and relevance of DIALOG+ for the treatment of chronic depression in community-based settings. METHODS: A convenience sample of 16 mental health professionals and 29 service users with chronic depression tested the DIALOG+ intervention in routine community care appointments for 3 months across 3 different mental health NHS Trusts in England. Of these, 15 clinicians and 19 service users were individually interviewed about their experiences. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis by an analytic team which included a service user researcher. RESULTS: Analysis of the combined dataset identified five overarching themes: DIALOG+ Structure; Therapeutic Communication; Reflecting and Monitoring; Empowerment and Powerlessness; and The Impact of Technology. Overall, service users and clinicians were interested in the continued use of DIALOG+ as part of routine care. CONCLUSIONS: DIALOG+ was viewed as acceptable by both service users with chronic depression and their clinicians who work in community care settings, albeit with some caveats. Clinician training required significant improvements to address the issues that were referenced, most notably around support with using technology.

Personal continuity versus specialisation of care approaches in mental healthcare: experiences of patients and clinicians-results of the qualitative study in five European countries.

BACKGROUND: The current debate on organisation of the mental health care raises a question whether to prioritise specialisation of clinical teams or personal continuity of care. The article explores the experiences of patients and clinicians regarding specialisation (SC) and personal continuity (PCC) of care in five European countries. METHODS: Data were obtained via in-depth, semi-structured interviews with patients (N = 188) suffering from mental disorders (F20-49) and with clinicians (N = 63). A maximum variation sampling was applied to assume representation of patients and of clinicians with different characteristics. The qualitative data from each country were transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed through a thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Many positive experiences of patients and clinicians with the PCC approach relate to the high quality of therapeutic relationship and the smooth transition between hospital and community care. Many positive experiences of patients and clinicians with the SC approach relate to concepts of autonomy and choice and the higher adequacy of diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians stressed system aspects of providing mental health care: more effective management structure and higher professionalization of care within SC approach and the lower risk of disengagement from treatment and reduced need for coercion, restraint, forced medication or involuntary admission within PCC. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the PCC, nor the SC approach meets the needs and expectations of all patients (and clinicians). Therefore, future reforms of mental health services should offer a free choice of either approach, considering that there is no evidence of differences in patient outcomes between PCC and SC approaches.

Assessment and Treatment of Patients with Comorbidity of Mental Health Problems and Alcohol Use Disorders: Experiences of Clinicians and Patients in the UK and Poland.

AIMS: Treatment of patients with comorbidity of mental health problems and alcohol use disorder (AUD) constitutes a challenge in many countries. The article aimed at exploration of personal experiences of clinicians and patients with the comorbidity regarding its assessment, treatment and organization of care in Poland and the UK. METHODS: Data were collected via in-depth, semi-structured interviews with clinicians (N = 28) and patients (N = 81) in both countries, according to a unified study protocol. Maximum variation sampling was applied to both study groups. All interviews' transcripts were coded (CAQDA) and the consistency of coding across centres was assessed. Data analysis was performed according to the principles of thematic analysis. RESULTS: Our data show that most patients with AUD admitted at the psychiatric wards-apart from assessment which is a standard procedure during admission-receive only minimal support during their hospital stay. This is the consequence of two factors: lack of trained staff prepared to help those patients and a priority given to self-referrals by AUD units. At the same time, it is recognized by clinicians and patients that more support is needed to encourage the utilization of AUD services and to prevent the drop-out. CONCLUSIONS: In order to improve the system response, the use of screening instruments in the process of the assessment of AUD and establishment of special procedures supporting motivation and adherence to treatment and preventing drop-out merits consideration. Moreover, the psychiatric wards and the AUD services could possibly profit from formalization of the collaboration between services.

Social networks of patients with psychosis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Social networks are important for mental health outcomes as they can mobilise resources and help individuals to cope with social stressors. Individuals with psychosis may have specific difficulties in establishing and maintaining social relationships which impacts on their well-being and quality of life. There has been a growing interest in developing social network interventions for patients with psychotic disorders. A systematic literature review was conducted to investigate the size of social networks of patients with psychotic disorders, as well as their friendship networks. METHODS: A systematic electronic search was carried out in MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsychINFO databases using a combination of search terms relating to 'social network', 'friendship' and 'psychotic disorder'. RESULTS: The search identified 23 relevant papers. Out of them, 20 reported patient social network size. Four papers reported the mean number of friends in addition to whole network size, while three further papers focused exclusively on the number of friends. Findings varied substantially across the studies, with a weighted mean size of 11.7 individuals for whole social networks and 3.4 individuals for friendship networks. On average, 43.1 % of the whole social network was composed of family members, while friends accounted for 26.5 %. CONCLUSIONS: Studies assessing whole social network size and friendship networks of people with psychosis are difficult to compare as different concepts and methods of assessment were applied. The extent of the overlap between different social roles assessed in the networks was not always clear. Greater conceptual and methodological clarity is needed in order to help the development of effective strategies to increase social resources of patients with psychosis.

Providing mental healthcare to immigrants: current challenges and new strategies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The article reviews recent evidence on improving access to mental healthcare for immigrants and best practice of care provision. RECENT FINDINGS: Language barriers, different beliefs and explanatory models of illness, confidentiality concerns, stigma, reluctance to seek psychological help outside families, and social deprivation may prevent immigrants from accessing mental healthcare. Pathways are influenced by families, primary care practitioners, voluntary organizations, and social services. Interpreting services are often not available, and data documentation on immigrants' use of services is inconsistent. Nonmedical specific services for immigrants can be effective in outreach activities. Cultural training of staff can improve clinicians' attitudes and patients' satisfaction with care. Integrative approaches between primary and mental healthcare, psychoeducational programs, and technological innovations have been developed to improve access to care. SUMMARY: Immigrants can face significant barriers in accessing mental healthcare. Strategies to overcome these barriers are as follows: increased coordination and communication between voluntary organizations, social services and mental health services; training of staff on cross-cultural issues; integration of mental healthcare with primary care; psychoeducational initiatives focused on families and broader social groups; and technology-based interventions.

Factors associated with quality of services for marginalized groups with mental health problems in 14 European countries.

BACKGROUND: Different service characteristics are known to influence mental health care delivery. Much less is known about the impact of contextual factors, such as the socioeconomic circumstances, on the provision of care to socially marginalized groups.The objectives of this work were to assess the organisational characteristics of services providing mental health care for marginalized groups in 14 European capital cities and to explore the associations between organisational quality, service features and country-level characteristics. METHODS: 617 services were assessed in two highly deprived areas in 14 European capital cities. A Quality Index of Service Organisation (QISO) was developed and applied across all sites. Service characteristics and country level socioeconomic indicators were tested and related with the Index using linear regressions and random intercept linear models. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) of the QISO score (minimum = 0; maximum = 15) varied from 8.63 (2.23) in Ireland to 12.40 (2.07) in Hungary. The number of different programmes provided was the only service characteristic significantly correlated with the QISO (p < 0.05). The national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was inversely associated with the QISO. Nearly 15% of the variance of the QISO was attributed to country-level variables, with GDP explaining 12% of this variance. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic contextual factors, in particular the national GDP are likely to influence the organisational quality of services providing mental health care for marginalized groups. Such factors should be considered in international comparative studies. Their significance for different types of services should be explored in further research.

Subjective quality of life in war-affected populations.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to traumatic war events may lead to a reduction in quality of life for many years. Research suggests that these impairments may be associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms; however, wars also have a profound impact on social conditions. Systematic studies utilising subjective quality of life (SQOL) measures are particularly rare and research in post-conflict settings is scarce. Whether social factors independently affect SQOL after war in addition to symptoms has not been explored in large scale studies. METHOD: War-affected community samples were recruited through a random-walk technique in five Balkan countries and through registers and networking in three Western European countries. The interviews were carried out on average 8 years after the war in the Balkans. SQOL was assessed on Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life--MANSA. We explored the impact of war events, posttraumatic stress symptoms and post-war environment on SQOL. RESULTS: We interviewed 3313 Balkan residents and 854 refugees in Western Europe. The MANSA mean score was 4.8 (SD = 0.9) for the Balkan sample and 4.7 (SD = 0.9) for refugees. In both samples participants were explicitly dissatisfied with their employment and financial situation. Posttraumatic stress symptoms had a strong negative impact on SQOL. Traumatic war events were directly linked with lower SQOL in Balkan residents. The post-war environment influenced SQOL in both groups: unemployment was associated with lower SQOL and recent contacts with friends with higher SQOL. Experiencing more migration-related stressors was linked to poorer SQOL in refugees. CONCLUSION: Both posttraumatic stress symptoms and aspects of the post-war environment independently influence SQOL in war-affected populations. Aid programmes to improve wellbeing following the traumatic war events should include both treatment of posttraumatic symptoms and social interventions.

Symptoms and subjective quality of life in post-traumatic stress disorder: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with substantially reduced subjective quality of life (SQOL). This study aimed to explore whether and how changes in the levels of PTSD symptom clusters of intrusion, avoidance and hyperarousal are associated with changes in SQOL. METHODS: Two samples with PTSD following the war in former Yugoslavia were studied, i.e. a representative sample of 530 people in five Balkan countries and a non-representative sample of 215 refugees in three Western European countries. They were assessed on average eight years after the war and re-interviewed one year later. PTSD symptoms were assessed on the Impact of Event Scale - Revised and SQOL on the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life. Linear regression and a two-wave cross lagged panel analysis were used to explore the association between PTSD symptom clusters and SQOL. RESULTS: The findings in the two samples were consistent. Symptom reduction over time was associated with improved SQOL. In multivariable analyses adjusted for the influence of all three clusters, gender and time since war exposure, only changes in hyperarousal symptoms were significantly associated with changes in SQOL. The two-wave cross-lagged panel analysis suggested that the link between hyperarousal symptoms and SQOL is bidirectional. CONCLUSIONS: Low SQOL of patients with war-related PTSD is particularly associated with hyperarousal symptoms. The findings suggest a bidirectional influence: a reduction in hyperarousal symptoms may result in improved SQOL, and improvements in SQOL may lead to reduced hyperarousal symptoms.

Using social network analysis for assessing mental health and social services inter-organisational collaboration: findings in deprived areas in Brussels and London.

Fragmentation in mental health and social care delivery should be addressed at the system level. A Social Network Analysis was carried out on relations between services in order to assess Leutz's levels of care integration: linkage, coordination, and full integration. Findings for deprived areas in Brussels and London show that linkage across clusters of services is weak in both networks. However, the integration of care relies on the level of linkage in London, while in Brussels it is more dependent on central services playing brokerage roles. The method offers a useful and complementary basis for evaluating the integration of care.

Mental health-care provision for marginalized groups across Europe: findings from the PROMO study.

BACKGROUND: Providing mental health care to socially marginalized groups is a challenge. There is limited evidence on what form of mental health-care generic (i.e. not targeting a specific social group) and group-specific services provide to socially marginalized groups in Europe. AIM: To describe the characteristics of services providing mental health care for people with mental disorders from socially marginalized groups in European capitals. METHODS: In two highly deprived areas in different European capital cities, services providing some form of mental health care for six marginalized groups, i.e. homeless, street sex workers, asylum seekers/refugees, irregular migrants, travelling communities and long-term unemployed, were identified and contacted. Data were obtained on service characteristics, staff and programmes. RESULTS: In 8 capital cities, 516 out of 575 identified services were assessed (90%); 297 services were generic (18-79 per city) and 219 group-specific (13-50). All cities had group-specific services for the homeless, street sex workers and asylum seekers/refugees. Generic services provided more health-care programmes. Group-specific services provided more outreach programmes and social care. There was a substantial overlap in the programmes provided by the two types of services. CONCLUSIONS: In deprived areas of European capitals, a considerable number of services provide mental health care to socially marginalized groups. Access to these services often remains difficult. Group-specific services have been widely established, but their role overlaps with that of generic services. More research and conceptual clarity on the function of group-specific services are required.

Service provision and barriers to care for homeless people with mental health problems across 14 European capital cities.

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are disproportionately higher amongst homeless people. Many barriers exist for homeless people with mental health problems in accessing treatment yet little research has been done on service provision and quality of care for this group. The aim of this paper is to assess current service provision and identify barriers to care for homeless people with mental health problems in 14 European capital cities. METHOD: Two methods of data collection were employed; (i) In two highly deprived areas in each of the 14 European capital cities, homeless-specific services providing mental health, social care or general health services were assessed. Data were obtained on service characteristics, staff and programmes provided. (ii) Semi-structured interviews were conducted in each area with experts in mental health care provision for homeless people in order to determine the barriers to care and ways to overcome them. RESULTS: Across the 14 capital cities, 111 homeless-specific services were assessed. Input from professionally qualified mental health staff was reported as low, as were levels of active outreach and case finding. Out-of-hours service provision appears inadequate and high levels of service exclusion criteria were evident. Prejudice in the services towards homeless people, a lack of co-ordination amongst services, and the difficulties homeless people face in obtaining health insurance were identified as major barriers to service provision. CONCLUSIONS: While there is variability in service provision across European capital cities, the reported barriers to service accessibility are common. Homeless-specific services are more responsive to the initial needs of homeless people with mental health problems, while generic services tend to be more conducive to long term care. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of different service delivery models, including the most effective coordination of homeless specific and generic services.

Mental health care for irregular migrants in Europe: barriers and how they are overcome.

BACKGROUND: Irregular migrants (IMs) are exposed to a wide range of risk factors for developing mental health problems. However, little is known about whether and how they receive mental health care across European countries. The aims of this study were (1) to identify barriers to mental health care for IMs, and (2) to explore ways by which these barriers are overcome in practice. METHODS: Data from semi-structured interviews with 25 experts in the field of mental health care for IMs in the capital cities of 14 European countries were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Experts reported a range of barriers to mental health care for IMs. These include the absence of legal entitlements to health care in some countries or a lack of awareness of such entitlements, administrative obstacles, a shortage of culturally sensitive care, the complexity of the social needs of IMs, and their fear of being reported and deported. These barriers can be partly overcome by networks of committed professionals and supportive services. NGOs have become important initial points of contact for IMs, providing mental health care themselves or referring IMs to other suitable services. However, these services are often confronted with the ethical dilemma of either acting according to the legislation and institutional rules or providing care for humanitarian reasons, which involves the risk of acting illegally and providing care without authorisation. CONCLUSIONS: Even in countries where access to health care is legally possible for IMs, various other barriers remain. Some of these are common to all migrants, whilst others are specific for IMs. Attempts at improving mental health care for IMs should consider barriers beyond legal entitlement, including communicating information about entitlement to mental health care professionals and patients, providing culturally sensitive care and ensuring sufficient resources.

Good practice in mental health care for socially marginalised groups in Europe: a qualitative study of expert views in 14 countries.

BACKGROUND: Socially marginalised groups tend to have higher rates of mental disorders than the general population and can be difficult to engage in health care. Providing mental health care for these groups represents a particular challenge, and evidence on good practice is required. This study explored the experiences and views of experts in 14 European countries regarding mental health care for six socially marginalised groups: long-term unemployed; street sex workers; homeless; refugees/asylum seekers; irregular migrants and members of the travelling communities. METHODS: Two highly deprived areas were selected in the capital cities of 14 countries, and experts were interviewed for each of the six marginalised groups. Semi-structured interviews with case vignettes were conducted to explore experiences of good practice and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: In a total of 154 interviews, four components of good practice were identified across all six groups: a) establishing outreach programmes to identify and engage with individuals with mental disorders; b) facilitating access to services that provide different aspects of health care, including mental health care, and thus reducing the need for further referrals; c) strengthening the collaboration and co-ordination between different services; and d) disseminating information on services both to marginalised groups and to practitioners in the area. CONCLUSIONS: Experts across Europe hold similar views on what constitutes good practice in mental health care for marginalised groups. Care may be improved through better service organisation, coordination and information.

Community mental health centres initiated by the South-Eastern Europe Stability Pact: evaluation in seven countries.

Eight community mental health care centres (initiated by the South-Eastern Europe Stability Pact) in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Romania were evaluated. Characteristics of patients, patient reported outcomes and patient views of care were assessed in 305 psychiatric patients. Patient characteristics varied across centres, with most patients having long term psychotic disorders. Treatment satisfaction and therapeutic relationships were rated favourably. Subjective quality of life mean scores were rather low, with higher satisfaction with health and dissatisfaction with the financial and employment situation. Being unemployed was the only factor associated with poor quality of life and lower treatment satisfaction. Most developing centres target patients with persistent psychotic disorders. Care appears highly valued by the patients. The findings encourage establishing more centres in the region and call for employment schemes for people with mental illnesses.

Reasons for not receiving treatment in people with posttraumatic stress disorder following war.

The aim of the study was to explore why people suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following war do not receive treatment. A total of 212 participants who have PTSD following war in the Balkans and have never received psychiatric treatment were interviewed (86 in Western Europe and 126 in Balkan countries). Answers were subjected to thematic content analysis. Five major and not mutually exclusive themes were identified: "need no help" (57 participants), "personal ways of coping" (72 participants), "negative attitude towards psychiatric treatment" (91 participants), "comparative insignificance" (24 participants), and "external barriers" (65 participants). While most participants, for different reasons, did not want to seek psychiatric treatment, a significant number, particularly in Western European countries, felt prevented from receiving treatment.

Treatment outcomes and costs at specialized centers for the treatment of PTSD after the war in former Yugoslavia.

OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a frequent consequence of war experience, and specialized centers have been established in some war-affected areas to provide treatment. This study assessed treatment costs and outcomes in such centers in former Yugoslavia. METHODS: An observational study was conducted in four specialized treatment centers (in Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina). A total of 526 consecutive adult patients with war-related PTSD were assessed at the beginning of treatment, and 463 met inclusion criteria, including a diagnosis of PTSD on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-IV (CAPS). For most patients seven years had elapsed between the traumatic experience and treatment at the specialized center. Service costs were also assessed. Outcomes measured at one year were the presence of a PTSD diagnosis and severity of symptoms as indicated by the CAPS score and subjective quality of life as measured by the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life. RESULTS: At 12 months 380 (82%) patients were followed up, and 325 (86%) met criteria for PTSD. Symptoms and quality of life showed overall small but statistically significant improvements. Treatment costs for patients with and without PTSD at 12 months did not significantly differ (euro 307 and euro 284, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The recovery rate among patients treated in specialized centers for war-related PTSD several years after the war was poor (14%), and symptom improvements were small. The recovery rate was not linked to service costs. Improving recovery rates might require different treatment methods or different service models.

Consequences of untreated posttraumatic stress disorder following war in former Yugoslavia: morbidity, subjective quality of life, and care costs.

AIM: To assess long-term mental health outcomes in people who suffer from war-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but do not receive appropriate treatment. METHODS: We interviewed 264 subjects from former Yugoslavia, who lived in Croatia, Serbia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. All of them had suffered from PTSD at some point following the war, but never received psychiatric or psychological treatment. The interviews took place on average 10.7+/-3.0 years after the war-related trauma. Outcomes were current PTSD on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, subjective quality of life (SQOL) on the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life, and care costs. Socio-demographic characteristics, the level of traumatic war-events, and aspects of the post-war situation were tested for association with outcomes. RESULTS: Current PTSD was diagnosed in 83.7% of participants, the mean SQOL score was 4.0+/-0.9, and mean care costs in the last 3 months exceeded euro1100 in each center. Older age, more traumatic war-events, lower education, and living in post-conflict countries were associated with higher rates of current PTSD. Older age, combat experience, more traumatic war-events, being unemployed, living alone, being housed in collective accommodation, and current PTSD were independently associated with lower SQOL. Older age and living in Germany were linked to higher costs of formal care. CONCLUSION: People with untreated war-related PTSD have a high risk of still having PTSD a decade after the traumatic event. Their SQOL is relatively low, and they generate considerable care costs. Factors that have been reported as influencing the occurrence of PTSD also appear relevant for recovery from PTSD. Current PTSD may impair SQOL independently of social factors.