Prevalence of Depression among Physically-Disabled Veterans in Northwestern Iran

Psychological trauma may result in depression. Veterans are particularly prone to development of depression. 100 male veterans (39 injured by chemical and 61 by non-chemical warfare) with 30% to 70% of physical disability were compared with 100 age- and sex-matched individuals selected from general population serving as comparison group. The diagnosis of depression was made according to the DSM-IV criteria utilizing the standard Zung depression questionnaire along with an interview. Participants were aged between 25 and 75 (mean: 38) years. The prevalence of depression in disabled veterans (71%) was significantly (p<0.0001; RR: 2.0 [CI95%: 1.5–2.6]) higher than that in the comparison group (36%).   The prevalence of depression in chemical warfare victims (92%) was significantly (p<0.0001; RR: 1.6 [CI95%: 1.3–2.0]) higher than those who suffered from non-chemical injury (57%). Chemical warfare victims also suffered from a more severe depression than non-chemically injured victims (p<0.05). This study showed disabled veterans are prone to profound depression and chemically injured veterans were found to be more vulnerable