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Moceri-Brooks J, Garand L, Sekula LK, Zoucha R, Joiner T. The Purple Heart and suicide risk in Post-9/11 U.S. Army Combat Veterans with a traumatic brain injury: A mixed methods study. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37262299 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2023.2204790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Active service members and Veterans with a combat-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) are four times more likely to attempt suicide than those without a TBI. TBIs are the signature injuries of the Post-9/11 conflicts and Combat Veterans (i.e., current and former service members who deployed in support of a combat mission) with these injuries are entitled to receive the Purple Heart medal. However, potentially tens of thousands of Combat Veterans did not receive, or were denied the Purple Heart during the first decade of the Global War on Terrorism because a TBI was not documented during the deployment. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the meaning of the Purple Heart and examine the impact of the Purple Heart on Army Combat Veterans with a combat-related TBI. Findings from this mixed methods study revealed that not receiving the Purple Heart is associated with increased suicide risk and lower quality of life after a brain injury. Additionally, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and perceived military institutional betrayal are associated with increased suicide risk in Army Combat Veterans with a TBI. This mixed methods study provides important insights into how Army culture is perceived and the power of the Purple Heart among this high-risk group of Combat Veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Linda Garand
- School of Nursing, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Rick Zoucha
- School of Nursing, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Thomas Joiner
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
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Nilaweera D, Phyo AZZ, Teshale AB, Htun HL, Wrigglesworth J, Gurvich C, Freak-Poli R, Ryan J. Lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder as a predictor of mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:229. [PMID: 37032341 PMCID: PMC10084620 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04716-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) could potentially increase the risk of mortality, and there is a need for a meta-analysis to quantify this association. This study aims to determine the extent to which PTSD is a predictor of mortality. METHODS EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were searched systematically on 12th February 2020, with updated searches conducted in July 2021, and December 2022 (PROSPERO CRD42019142971). Studies involving community-dwelling participants with a diagnosis of PTSD or PTSD symptoms, and a comparator group of individuals without PTSD, and which assessed mortality risk, were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on studies reporting Odds Ratio (OR), Hazard Ratio (HR), and Risk Ratio (RR), and subgroup analysis was also performed by age, sex, type of trauma experienced, PTSD diagnosis, and cause of death. RESULTS A total of 30 eligible studies of mostly good methodological quality were identified, with a total of more than 2.1 million participants with PTSD. The majority of studies involved male-dominated, veteran populations. PTSD was associated with a 47% (95% CI: 1.06-2.04) greater risk of mortality across six studies that reported OR/RR, and a 32% increased risk across 18 studies which reported time to death (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.10-1.59). There was very high study heterogeneity (I2 > 94%) and this was not explained by the prespecified subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION PTSD is associated with increased mortality risk, however further research is required amongst civilians, involving women, and in individuals from underdeveloped countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinuli Nilaweera
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Aung Zaw Zaw Phyo
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Achamyeleh Birhanu Teshale
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Htet Lin Htun
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Jo Wrigglesworth
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Caroline Gurvich
- Department of Psychiatry, Central Clinical School, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 2004, Australia
| | - Rosanne Freak-Poli
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Joanne Ryan
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
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Raza Z, Hussain SF, Foster VS, Wall J, Coffey PJ, Martin JF, Gomes RSM. Exposure to war and conflict: The individual and inherited epigenetic effects on health, with a focus on post-traumatic stress disorder. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 3:1066158. [PMID: 38455905 PMCID: PMC10910933 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2023.1066158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
War and conflict are global phenomena, identified as stress-inducing triggers for epigenetic modifications. In this state-of-the-science narrative review based on systematic principles, we summarise existing data to explore the outcomes of these exposures especially in veterans and show that they may result in an increased likelihood of developing gastrointestinal, auditory, metabolic and circadian issues, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We also note that, despite a potential "healthy soldier effect", both veterans and civilians with PTSD exhibit the altered DNA methylation status in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulatory genes such as NR3C1. Genes associated with sleep (PAX8; LHX1) are seen to be differentially methylated in veterans. A limited number of studies also revealed hereditary effects of war exposure across groups: decreased cortisol levels and a heightened (sex-linked) mortality risk in offspring. Future large-scale studies further identifying the heritable risks of war, as well as any potential differences between military and civilian populations, would be valuable to inform future healthcare directives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zara Raza
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Syeda F Hussain
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria S Foster
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
- St George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Wall
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Haxby Group Hull, General Practice Surgery, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J Coffey
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John F Martin
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Renata S M Gomes
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
- Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research, Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Roberts AL, Kubzansky LD, Chibnik LB, Rimm EB, Koenen KC. Association of Posttraumatic Stress and Depressive Symptoms With Mortality in Women. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e2027935. [PMID: 33275156 PMCID: PMC7718604 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.27935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Consistent evidence has found associations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased risk of chronic disease and greater prevalence of health risk factors. However, the association between PTSD and all-cause mortality has not been thoroughly investigated in civilians. Objective To investigate the association between PTSD symptoms, with or without comorbid depressive symptoms, and risk of death. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective cohort study was conducted using data on female US nurses in the Nurses' Health Study II followed up from 2008 to 2017. Women who responded to a 2008 questionnaire querying PTSD and depressive symptoms were included. Data were analyzed from September 2018 to November 2020. Exposures Symptoms of PTSD, measured using the short screening scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) PTSD, and depression symptoms, measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10 in 2008. Main Outcomes and Measures All-cause mortality was determined via National Death Index, US Postal Service, or report of participant's family. The hypothesis being tested was formulated after data collection. Trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms were jointly coded as no trauma exposure (reference), trauma and no PTSD symptoms, 1 to 3 PTSD symptoms (subclinical), 4 to 5 PTSD symptoms (moderate), and 6 to 7 PTSD symptoms (high). Results Among 51 602 women (50 137 [97.2%] White individuals), the mean (range) age was 53.3 (43-64) years at study baseline in 2008. PTSD and probable depression were comorbid; of 4019 women with high PTSD symptoms, 2093 women (52.1%) had probable depression, while of 10 105 women with no trauma exposure, 1215 women (12.0%) had probable depression. Women with high PTSD symptoms and probable depression were at nearly 4-fold greater risk of death compared with women with no trauma exposure and no depression (hazard ratio [HR], 3.80; 95% CI, 2.65-5.45; P < .001). After adjustment for health factors, women with these conditions had a more than 3-fold increased risk (HR, 3.11; 95% CI, 2.16-4.47, P < .001). Women with subclinical PTSD symptoms without probable depression had increased risk of death compared with women with no trauma exposure and no depression (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.06-1.93; P = .02). Among 7565 women with PTSD symptoms and probable depression, 109 deaths (1.4%) occurred for which we obtained cause of death information, compared with 124 such deaths (0.6% ) among 22 215 women with no depression or PTSD symptoms. Women with PTSD symptoms and probable depression, compared with women with no PTSD or depression, had higher rates of death from cardiovascular disease (17 women [0.22%] vs 11 women [0.05%]; P < .001), diabetes (4 women [0.05%] vs 0 women; P < .001), unintentional injury (7 women [0.09%] vs 7 women [0.03%]; P = .03), suicide (9 women [0.12%] vs 1 woman [<0.01%]; P < .001), and other causes of death (14 women [0.19%] vs 17 women [0.08%]; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that at midlife, women with high PTSD symptoms and co-occurring probable depression are at increased risk of death compared with women without these disorders. Treatment of PTSD and depression in women with symptoms of both disorders and efforts to improve their health behaviors may reduce their increased risk of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lori B. Chibnik
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Eric B. Rimm
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Bukhbinder AS, Wang AC, Qureshi SU, Arora G, Jawaid A, Kalkonde YV, Petersen NJ, Yu HJ, Kimbrell T, Pyne JM, Magruder KM, Hudson TJ, Bush RL, Kunik ME, Schulz PE. Increased Vascular Pathology in Older Veterans With a Purple Heart Commendation or Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2020; 33:195-206. [PMID: 31426715 DOI: 10.1177/0891988719868308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this retrospective cohort study was to determine whether stressors related to military service, determined by a diagnosis of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) or receiving a Purple Heart (PH), are associated with an increased risk of vascular risk factors and disease, which are of great concern for veterans, who constitute a significant portion of the aging US population. The Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 16 administrative database was searched for individuals 65 years or older between October 1, 1997 to September 30, 1999 who either received a PH but did not have cPTSD (PH+/cPTSD-; n = 1499), had cPTSD without a PH (PH-/cPTSD+; n = 3593), had neither (PH-/cPTSD-; n = 5010), or had both (PH+/cPTSD+; n = 153). In comparison to the control group (PH-/cPTSD-), the PH+/cPTSD- group had increased odds ratios for incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The PH-/cPTSD+ group had increased odds ratios for prevalence of diabetes mellitus and for the incidence and prevalence of hyperlipidemia. The PH-/cPTSD+ and PH+/cPTSD- groups were associated with ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, but not independently of the other risk factors. The PH+/cPTSD+ group was associated only with an increase in the incidence and prevalence of hyperlipidemia, though this group's much smaller sample size may limit the reliability of this finding. We conclude that certain physical and psychological stressors related to military service are associated with a greater incidence of several vascular risk factors in veterans aged 65 years or older, which in turn are associated with greater rates of ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avram S Bukhbinder
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.,Mischer Neuroscience Institute, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Austin C Wang
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.,Mischer Neuroscience Institute, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Salah U Qureshi
- Houston Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Garima Arora
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.,Mischer Neuroscience Institute, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ali Jawaid
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Nancy J Petersen
- Houston Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hong-Jen Yu
- Houston Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Timothy Kimbrell
- Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Center for Mental Health and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Pyne
- Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Center for Mental Health and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Kathy M Magruder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Teresa J Hudson
- Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Center for Mental Health and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ruth L Bush
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mark E Kunik
- Houston Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Paul E Schulz
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.,Mischer Neuroscience Institute, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
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7
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Lohr JB, Palmer BW, Eidt CA, Aailaboyina S, Mausbach BT, Wolkowitz OM, Thorp SR, Jeste DV. Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Associated with Premature Senescence? A Review of the Literature. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2015; 23:709-25. [PMID: 25959921 PMCID: PMC4568841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has major public health significance. Evidence that PTSD may be associated with premature senescence (early or accelerated aging) would have major implications for quality of life and healthcare policy. We conducted a comprehensive review of published empirical studies relevant to early aging in PTSD. METHOD Our search included the PubMed, PsycINFO, and PILOTS databases for empirical reports published since the year 2000 relevant to early senescence and PTSD, including: 1) biomarkers of senescence (leukocyte telomere length [LTL] and pro-inflammatory markers), 2) prevalence of senescence-associated medical conditions, and 3) mortality rates. RESULTS All six studies examining LTL indicated reduced LTL in PTSD (pooled Cohen's d = 0.76). We also found consistent evidence of increased pro-inflammatory markers in PTSD (mean Cohen's ds), including C-reactive protein = 0.18, Interleukin-1 beta = 0.44, Interleukin-6 = 0.78, and tumor necrosis factor alpha = 0.81. The majority of reviewed studies also indicated increased medical comorbidity among several targeted conditions known to be associated with normal aging, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal ulcer disease, and dementia. We also found seven of 10 studies indicated PTSD to be associated with earlier mortality (average hazard ratio: 1.29). CONCLUSION In short, evidence from multiple lines of investigation suggests that PTSD may be associated with a phenotype of accelerated senescence. Further research is critical to understand the nature of this association. There may be a need to re-conceptualize PTSD beyond the boundaries of mental illness, and instead as a full systemic disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B. Lohr
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health,University of California, San Diego – Department of Psychiatry and the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging
| | - Barton W. Palmer
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health,University of California, San Diego – Department of Psychiatry and the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging
| | - Carolyn A. Eidt
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health,University of California, San Diego – Department of Psychiatry and the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging
| | - Smitha Aailaboyina
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health,University of California, San Diego – Department of Psychiatry and the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging
| | - Brent T. Mausbach
- University of California, San Diego – Department of Psychiatry and the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging
| | | | - Steven R. Thorp
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health,University of California, San Diego – Department of Psychiatry and the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging
| | - Dilip V. Jeste
- University of California, San Diego – Department of Psychiatry and the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging
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Chopra MP, Zhang H, Pless Kaiser A, Moye JA, Llorente MD, Oslin DW, Spiro A. PTSD is a chronic, fluctuating disorder affecting the mental quality of life in older adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2014; 22:86-97. [PMID: 24314889 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2013.01.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Revised: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Examine the longitudinal course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in older adults and its influence on mental health quality of life (MHQoL). DESIGN Evaluation performed at baseline, and 3 and 6 months postrandomization as part of a longitudinal trial. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS A total of 1,185 participants, with a mean (±SD) age of 73.53 (±5.98) years, at seven primary care sites (including five Veterans Affairs clinics), were divided into four groups, namely, no trauma (n = 661), trauma only (n = 319), partial PTSD (n = 114), and PTSD (n = 81), based on reports of trauma and associated PTSD symptoms. MEASUREMENTS The prevalence of comorbid depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders, assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition, criteria and changes in MHQoL, as assessed by the Short Form-36 mental component score. RESULTS At baseline, the PTSD group had higher frequencies of comorbid depression and anxiety disorders and worse MHQoL than the other groups. Both chronic (participants diagnosed with PTSD at all three assessments) and fluctuating (participants moving to or from one of the other groups) trajectories of course were observed during the follow-up period, which appeared to be separate from that of the comorbid disorders. Even after accounting for those comorbid disorders, PTSD had an independent association with poorer MHQoL at multiple time points, especially in men, whereas trauma without PTSD symptoms (trauma only) had better MHQoL. CONCLUSIONS PTSD had chronic and fluctuating courses, with negative effects on MHQoL, while partial PTSD might represent a transitional state, underscoring the need to better identify and treat PTSD at any phase in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit P Chopra
- Department of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
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Lee EAD, Bissett JK, Carter MA, Cowan PA, Pyne JM, Speck PM, Theus SA, Tolley EA. Preliminary findings of the relationship of lower heart rate variability with military sexual trauma and presumed posttraumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress 2013; 26:249-56. [PMID: 23568414 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) occurs with physical and psychological disorders and is a predictor of cardiac and all-cause mortality. This study was the first of which we are aware to examine and report the relationship between military sexual trauma (MST) and HRV measures. In a historical cohort study of female veterans with (n = 27) and without (n = 99) MST who received Holter and electrocardiogram evaluation at a Veteran Affairs medical center during 2007-2010, we examined the relationship between MST and the standard deviation of all R-R intervals (SDNN) and the square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent R-R intervals (RMSSD). Female veterans with MST were younger, p = .002, frequently had a probable posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis, 80% versus 15%, p = < .0001, and had lower SDNN, p = .0001, and RMSSD, p = .001, than those without MST. The SDNN and RMSSD of a 25-year-old female veteran with MST were comparable to that of female veterans aged 69 to 81 years without MST. Further research is needed to evaluate relationships between MST and HRV measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A D Lee
- Department of Research and Development, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS), Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
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