Aggresion in posttraumatic stress disorder comorbid with alcohol dependence

The aim of our study was to investigate if alcohol dependence in combat experienced solders with Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related with increase of aggression. Two groups of combat experienced solders were interviewed using a structured clinical interview based on DSM IV criteria for chronic PTSD (N = 40), and with PTSD comorbid with alcohol dependence (N = 40). Aggression rating scale A-87 was applied to explore aggression level in these two groups. Combat experienced solders with PTSD comorbid with alcohol dependence showed higher level of Verbal manifest aggression than combat experienced solders with PTSD only, (54.97 +/- 8.62 vs. 49.47 +/- 12.76; t = 2.19; p < 0.05), as well as Physically manifest aggression (41.75 +/- 9.80 vs. 35.62 +/- 10.80; t = 2.96; p < 0.05). Comorbid Alcohol dependence may have a role in aggression level in combat experienced chronic PTSD, especially in presentation of the aggression.