Diseases among men 20 years after exposure to severe stress: implications for clinical research and medical care

Post-traumatic stress, prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in war veterans: Systematic review with meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The physical and psychological effects of war are not always easy to detect, but they can be far-reaching and long-lasting. One of the physical effects that may result from war stress is temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of TMD sign and symptoms among war veterans diagnosed with PTSD.

METHODS

We systematically searched in Web of Science, PubMed and Lilacs for articles published from the inception until 30 December 2022. All documents were assessed for eligibility based on the following Population, Exposure, Comparator and Outcomes (PECO) model: (P) Participants consisted of human subjects. (E) The Exposure consisted of exposition to war. (C) The Comparison was between war veterans (subjects exposed to war) and subjects not exposed to war. (O) The Outcome consisted of presence of temporomandibular disorders sign or symptoms (we considered pain to muscle palpation in war veterans).

RESULTS

Forty studies were identified at the end of the research. We chose only four study to draw up the present systematic study. The included subjects were 596. Among them, 274 were exposed to war, whereas the remaining 322 were not exposed to war stress. Among those exposed to war, 154 presented sign/symptoms of TMD (56.2%) whereas only 65 of those not exposed to war (20.18%). The overall effect revealed that subjects exposed to war and diagnosed with PTSD had a higher prevalence of TMD signs (pain at muscle palpation) than controls (RR 2.21; 95% CI: 1.13-4.34), showing an association PTSD war-related and TMD.

CONCLUSIONS

War can cause lasting physical and psychological damage that can lead to chronic diseases. Our results clearly demonstrated that war exposure, directly or indirectly, increases the risk of developing TMJ dysfunction and TMD sign/symptoms.

Stress Disorders: the Trauma Surgeon as the Second Victim

Purpose of Review

We review the vocabulary and studies regarding stress disorders, as it relates to trauma care providers, specifically trauma surgeons. In addition, we make recommendations regarding strategies to address the needs identified and future areas of research to assess the adequacy of these strategies.

Recent Findings

Stress disorders in trauma are common and constant, identified at levels similar to those seen among first-responders to mass-casualty events. These disorders are identified at every level-from trainee to the most experienced. Trauma surgeons experience the trauma firsthand, as well as through forced re-traumatization as a part of routine care. High levels of cumulative stress result due to the volume of patients that can be difficult to process due to the frequency of shifts and disrupted sleep patterns. This level of chronic stress can lead to a cycle of burnout and increased stress, which is harmful to surgeons and patients.

Summary

Stress disorders are common and poorly understood. Treatment options are infrequently encountered. In order to more adequately respond to this, systematic change is necessary.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Among Individuals With Symptomatic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

GOALS

Our aim was to describe the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal symptoms in a sample of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to examine the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms, PTSD severity, depression severity, and number of prior traumatic events reported.

BACKGROUND

IBS and PTSD can co-occur; yet, little research has focused on describing the gastrointestinal symptoms and prevalence of IBS among veterans with PTSD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined baseline data from a randomized clinical trial of behavioral interventions for veterans with PTSD. Veterans completed questionnaires assessing gastrointestinal symptoms (Gastrointestinal Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Information Systems; PROMIS) and lifetime traumatic events. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to examine associations between gastrointestinal symptoms and the number of prior traumas reported PTSD severity, and depression symptom severity.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty-four veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD were included. Twenty-five percent met the Rome III criteria for IBS. Veterans reported gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal/belly pain (36%), diarrhea (21%), constipation (18%), and bloating/gas (17%). In multivariable analyses, greater PTSD severity was associated with worse constipation ( P =0.008), diarrhea ( P =0.005), and gas/bloating ( P =0.001) when controlling for age and sex. Higher levels of depressive symptoms severity were associated with greater abdominal/belly pain ( P =0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Among a sample of veterans with PTSD, rates of IBS and abdominal/belly pain are greater than general US population reference values. Although levels of constipation and bloating/gas are lower than general US population reference values, increased severity of PTSD was associated with increased gastrointestinal symptoms.

Scope of Use and Effectiveness of Dietary Interventions for Improving Health-Related Outcomes in Veterans: A Systematic Review

Military veterans often have numerous physical and mental health conditions and can face unique challenges to intervention and management. Dietary interventions can improve the outcomes in many health conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the scope of health conditions targeted with dietary interventions and the effectiveness of these interventions for improving health-related outcomes in veterans. A systematic literature review was performed following PRISMA guidelines to identify and evaluate studies related to veterans and dietary interventions. Five electronic databases were searched, identifying 2669 references. Following screening, 35 studies were evaluated, and 18 were related to a US national veteran weight-loss program. The included studies were critically appraised, and the findings were narratively synthesized. Study designs ranged from randomised controlled trials to cohort studies and were predominantly U.S. based. The intervention durations ranged from one to 24 months. The mean subject age ranged from 39.0 to 69.7 years, with often predominantly male participants, and the mean body mass index ranged from 26.4 to 42.9 kg/m². Most dietary interventions for veterans were implemented in populations with overweight/obesity or chronic disease and involved single dietary interventions or dietary components of holistic lifestyle interventions. The most common primary outcome of interest was weight loss. The success of dietary interventions was generally moderate, and barriers included poor compliance, mental health conditions and large drop-out rates. The findings from this review illustrate the need for further refinement of dietary and lifestyle interventions for the management of veterans with chronic health conditions.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in U.S. Veteran Health Characteristics

Racial/ethnic health disparities persist among veterans despite comparable access and quality of care. We describe racial/ethnic differences in self-reported health characteristics among 437,413 men and women (mean age (SD) = 64.5 (12.6), 91% men, 79% White) within the Million Veteran Program. The Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test and linear mixed models were used to compare age-standardized frequencies and means across race/ethnicity groups, stratified by gender. Black, Hispanic, and Other race men and women reported worse self-rated health, greater VA healthcare utilization, and more combat exposure than Whites. Compared to White men, Black and Other men reported more circulatory, musculoskeletal, mental health, and infectious disease conditions while Hispanic men reported fewer circulatory and more mental health, infectious disease, kidney, and neurological conditions. Compared to White women, Black women reported more circulatory and infectious disease conditions and Other women reported more infectious disease conditions. Smoking rates were higher among Black men, but lower for other minority groups compared to Whites. Minority groups were less likely to drink alcohol and had lower physical fitness than Whites. By identifying differences in burden of various health conditions and risk factors across different racial/ethnic groups, our findings can inform future studies and ultimately interventions addressing disparities.

Distress and Resilience in Resettled Refugees of War: Implications for Screening

There is little work published about predictors of specific trajectory types of distress in refugees of war during early resettlement in a host country. Data about distress (Refugee Health Screener—15 (RHS-15)) and possible predictors of distress were collected at the domestic medical examination (T1) within 90 days of arrival and the civil surgeon examination (T2) 11–16 months after T1 for refugee groups from three countries (COU). Descriptive, correlative, analyses of variance, and regression techniques were used to determine trajectory type and their predictors. A higher percentage (7.3%) were distressed at T2 than at T1. By group, the Bhutanese became more distressed, the Burmese became less distressed, and Iraqi’s continued to have high distress. A regression model showed gender, loss, post-migration stress, and self-efficacy to be significant predictors of trajectory type (R² = 0.46). When the T1 RHS-15 score was added to the model, observed variance increased (R² = 0.53) and T1 RHS score accounted for the majority of variance (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), with post-migration stress accounting for markedly less (β = 0.19, p = 0.03). Loss and self-efficacy became less significant. Loss was, however, a strong predictor of delayed and chronic distress trajectory type. These data suggest that screening for distress should occur at least twice during resettlement to detect those with initial distress and those with delayed distress. Screening should be coupled with identifying other social determinants of health and a comprehensive assessment to determine the need for intervention for secondary prevention (i.e., reducing delayed distress) and treatment (reducing chronic distress).

Relationship between Child Sexual Abuse, Psychiatric Disorders and Infectious Diseases: A Matched-Cohort Study

Child sexual abuse (CSA) has been strongly associated with a range of psychological and physical problems in childhood and adulthood, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and infectious diseases. Despite the strength of these associations, no studies to date have investigated psychobiological processes that might underlie the relationship between CSA and physical health problems occurring during childhood, such as infectious diseases. The goal of the current study is to evaluate PTSD as a potential mediator between CSA and the occurrence of infectious diseases among children and adolescents. Furthermore, we postulate that PTSD plays a specific role as an indicator of chronic stress during childhood, in comparison to other mental disorders, such as anxious and non-anxious disorders (e.g., depression). Via a prospective matched-cohort design, administrative data were used to document PTSD, anxious and non-anxious disorders, and infectious diseases. The sample size was 882 persons with a substantiated report of sexual abuse and 882 matched controls. Negative binomial regressions revealed that CSA is associated with a greater number of anxious diseases diagnoses that, in turn, predict more infectious diseases diagnoses. These findings highlight the importance of preventing and intervening among sexually abused youth with anxious disorder symptoms to limit negative outcomes on physical health.

Trauma-Informed Care in Primary Health Settings-Which Is Even More Needed in Times of COVID-19

Included in the general practitioner’s (GP) core competencies is the ability to adopt a person-centered approach, and the use of the biopsychosocial model in their clinical work. Traumatic events (TEs) are frequently experienced within the population and are known to dysregulate the stress response system and to be associated with psychiatric and physical disorders. GPs may feel reluctant to confront TEs for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of sufficient training in trauma-informed care or a fear of causing harm when discussing a patient’s more complicated issues, among others. This perspective paper aims to review the existing studies that support the practice of trauma-informed healthcare and to summarise best practices. Studies have shown that patients appreciate the questions that clinicians ask them about trauma-related issues and that they understand that this can be important for their healthcare. Furthermore, asking about trauma-related issues in a patient-centered and empathic way can result in better doctor–patient relationships, which improves the levels of satisfaction of both the patient and the doctor with the consultation, as well as improved health-related outcomes. As past traumatic experiences increase the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder on exposure to a new TE, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to trauma-informed care becoming even more important if the strategy is to continue to invest in preventive medicine.

The evolution of mental health outcomes across a combat deployment cycle: A longitudinal study of the Guam Army National Guard

In the United States, National Guard soldiers have been called upon at unprecedented rates since 2001 to supplement active duty military forces. Frequent military deployments generate many occupational and environmental stressors for these citizen-soldiers, from serving in a dangerous zone to being away from family and home for long periods of time. Whereas there is a substantial amount of research focused on deployment-related health outcomes in relation to active duty (i.e., full-time) military populations, reserve forces are less understood. This study focuses on a United States Army National Guard combat unit deployed to Afghanistan. This prospective longitudinal study was conducted over the course an operational deployment cycle (i.e., before, during, and after) to document the evolution of salient mental health outcomes (i.e., post-traumatic stress, depression, general anxiety, and aggression). The findings show that both combat (e.g., killing others) and non-combat (e.g., boredom) stressors negatively affect mental health outcomes, and the severity of these outcomes increases over the course of a deployment cycle. Of special note, the study reveals key gender differences in the evolution of post-traumatic stress (PTS), depression, and anxiety across a deployment cycle: females report increased PTS, depression, and anxiety 6 months post-deployment, whereas the levels reported by males stabilize at their mid-deployment levels. The findings offer insights for medical providers and policymakers in developing more targeted health promotion campaigns and interventions, especially at the post-deployment phase.

The Impact of Antidepressants on the Risk of Developing Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been reported inconsistently, and the association between antidepressant use and the risk of developing OSA in patients with PTSD has not been previously studied. Therefore, we used the Longitudinal National Health Insurance Database (LHID) to investigate the impact of PTSD and antidepressant use on the risk of OSA development.

METHODS

Identified from the LHID, 2,316 individuals aged ≥ 18 years with PTSD, but with no history of OSA, and 23,160 control individuals matched for age, sex, obesity and index date were enrolled between 2000 and 2015 and followed up until the end of 2015 to identify the development of OSA. A two-tailed Bonferroni-corrected P < .00038 (.05/13) was considered statistically significant as we examined 13 antidepressants.

RESULTS

Individuals with PTSD had increased risk of developing OSA (adjusted hazard ratio 4.672, 95% confidence interval 2.246-9.787, P < .001) after adjusting for demographic data, medical comorbidities, and medication. Treatment with antidepressants was not significantly associated with an increased risk of developing OSA compared to no antidepressant treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Asian patients with PTSD had increased risk of developing OSA, and treatment with antidepressants did not play a key role in increasing the risk of OSA development. Further studies are required to investigate the underlying mechanisms of PTSD and the roles of antidepressants on the risk of developing OSA.

CITATION

Lin C-E, Chung C-H, Chen L-F, Chien W-C, Chou P-H. The impact of antidepressants on the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea in posttraumatic stress disorder: a nationwide cohort study in taiwan. J Clin Sleep Med. 2019;15(9):1233-1241.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and asthma risk: A nationwide longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggests that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) interferes with the immunological system and is correlated with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and chronic pain conditions. However, the association between PTSD and asthma remains unknown.

METHODS

A total of 5518 patients with PTSD and 22,072 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were enrolled between 2001 and 2009 and followed until the end of 2011. Individuals who developed asthma during the follow-up period were identified.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, the patients with PTSD had an increased risk of asthma (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.27), particularly those belonging to the youngest age group (HR = 4.01). The findings were consistent in subsequent sensitivity analyses after the exclusion of the first year of surveillance or allergic disorders.

DISCUSSION

This study showed a significant link between PTSD and asthma after adjusting for demographic data and related comorbidities. The risk of developing asthma in patients with PTSD was consistently higher than that in the controls during the study period. Additional studies are necessary to clarify the underlying mechanisms involved in this association between PTSD and asthma.

Associations of trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder with the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system in the general population

BACKGROUND

Previous studies suggested that exposure to traumatic events during childhood and adulthood and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with a dysregulation of different neuroendocrine systems. However, the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) in relation to trauma/PTSD has been largely neglected.

METHODS

Traumatization, PTSD, and plasma concentrations of renin and aldosterone were measured in 3092 individuals from the general population. Subgroups according to the status of traumatization ('without trauma'; 'trauma, without PTSD', 'PTSD') were formed and compared regarding renin and aldosterone concentrations. Additionally, we calculated the associations between the number of traumata, renin, and aldosterone concentrations. Finally, associations of PTSD with renin/aldosterone levels were controlled for the number of traumata ('trauma load').

RESULTS

Levels of renin, but not aldosterone, were increased in traumatized persons without PTSD (p = 0.02) and, even stronger, with PTSD (p &lt; 0.01). Moreover, we found a dose-response relation between the number of traumata and renin levels (β = 0.065; p &lt; 0.001). Regression analyses showed PTSD as a significant predictor of renin (β = 0.38; p &lt; 0.01). This effect was only slightly attenuated when controlled for trauma load (β = 0.32; p &lt; 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that traumatization has lasting and cumulative effects on RAAS activity. Finding elevated renin levels in PTSD independent from trauma load supports the concept of PTSD as a disorder with specific neuroendocrine characteristics. Alternatively, elevated renin levels in traumatized persons may increase the risk for developing PTSD. Our findings contribute to explain the relationship between traumatic stress/PTSD and physical disorders.

Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prominent mental health problem in veteran and community populations. There is accumulating evidence to suggest that aerobic exercise may serve as an effective treatment option for individuals with PTSD. The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing literature exploring aerobic exercise and PTSD and briefly discuss potential mechanisms of PTSD symptom reduction. A search of electronic databases and reference sections of relevant articles published through October 1, 2018 revealed 19 relevant studies that examined aerobic exercise and PTSD symptomatology. A narrative review of extant studies provides encouraging evidence that aerobic exercise interventions alone or as an adjunct to standard treatment may positively impact PTSD symptoms. Potential mechanisms by which aerobic exercise could exert a positive impact in PTSD include exposure and desensitization to internal arousal cues, enhanced cognitive function, exercise-induced neuroplasticity, normalization of hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) function, and reductions in inflammatory markers. Randomized clinical trials and translational neuroscience approaches are required to clarify the efficacy of exercise intervention for PTSD and elucidate potential mechanisms of exercise-induced PTSD symptom reduction.

Old Friends, immunoregulation, and stress resilience

There is a considerable body of evidence indicating that chronic adverse experience, especially chronic psychosocial stress/trauma, represents a major risk factor for the development of many somatic and affective disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the mechanisms underlying the development of chronic stress-associated disorders are still in large part unknown, and current treatment and prevention strategies lack efficacy and reliability. A greater understanding of mechanisms involved in the development and persistence of chronic stress-induced disorders may lead to novel approaches to prevention and treatment of these disorders. In this review, we provide evidence indicating that increases in immune (re-)activity and inflammation, potentially promoted by a reduced exposure to immunoregulatory microorganisms ("Old Friends") in today's modern society, may be causal factors in mediating the vulnerability to development and persistence of stress-related pathologies. Moreover, we discuss strategies to increase immunoregulatory processes and attenuate inflammation, as for instance contact with immunoregulatory Old Friends, which appears to be a promising strategy to promote stress resilience and to prevent/treat chronic stress-related disorders.

Multilevel Interactions of Stress and Circadian System: Implications for Traumatic Stress

The dramatic fluctuations in energy demands by the rhythmic succession of night and day on our planet has prompted a geophysical evolutionary need for biological temporal organization across phylogeny. The intrinsic circadian timing system (CS) represents a highly conserved and sophisticated internal "clock," adjusted to the 24-h rotation period of the earth, enabling a nyctohemeral coordination of numerous physiologic processes, from gene expression to behavior. The human CS is tightly and bidirectionally interconnected to the stress system (SS). Both systems are fundamental for survival and regulate each other's activity in order to prepare the organism for the anticipated cyclic challenges. Thereby, the understanding of the temporal relationship between stressors and stress responses is critical for the comprehension of the molecular basis of physiology and pathogenesis of disease. A critical loss of the harmonious timed order at different organizational levels may affect the fundamental properties of neuroendocrine, immune, and autonomic systems, leading to a breakdown of biobehavioral adaptative mechanisms with increased stress sensitivity and vulnerability. In this review, following an overview of the functional components of the SS and CS, we present their multilevel interactions and discuss how traumatic stress can alter the interplay between the two systems. Circadian dysregulation after traumatic stress exposure may represent a core feature of trauma-related disorders mediating enduring neurobiological correlates of trauma through maladaptive stress regulation. Understanding the mechanisms susceptible to circadian dysregulation and their role in stress-related disorders could provide new insights into disease mechanisms, advancing psychochronobiological treatment possibilities and preventive strategies in stress-exposed populations.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Cancer Risk: A Nested Case-Control Study

Data regarding cancer risk for individuals who were exposed to traumatic and stressful life events are conflicting. We sought to evaluate the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the risk of the four most common solid tumors: lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. We conducted four nested case-control studies using a large UK population-based database. Cases were defined as individuals with any medical code for the specific malignancy. For every case, we used incidence-density sampling to match four controls by age, sex, practice site, and both duration and calendar time of follow-up. Exposure of interest was any diagnosis of PTSD prior to cancer diagnosis. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer risk associated with PTSD were estimated using multivariable conditional logistic regression and were adjusted for smoking status, obesity, and antidepressant use. The study population included four case groups according to cancer type. There were 19,143 cases with lung cancer (74,473 matched controls), 22,163 cases with colorectal cancer (86,538 matched controls), 31,352 cases with breast cancer (123,285 matched controls), and 27,212 cases with prostate cancer (105,940 matched controls). There was no statistically significant association between PTSD and cancer risk among any of the cancer types: lung, OR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.43, 1.23]; breast, OR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.52, 1.01]; prostate, OR = 1.24, 95% CI [0.87, 1.77]; and colorectal, OR = 1.05, 95% CI [0.68, 1.62]. Our findings indicated that participants in our study with PTSD were not at increased risk of lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.

Physical and Mental Health Consequences of War-related Stressors Among Older Adults: An Analysis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Arthritis in Northern Vietnamese War Survivors

Objectives

We examine the impacts of trauma exposures and family stressors associated with the Vietnam War on musculoskeletal health and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) outcomes in elderly Vietnamese who were widely impacted by the war as young adults. Noting that wars' impacts extend beyond male veterans in most survivor populations, we give attention to male and female war survivors placed in a variety of roles vis-a-vis the war.

Method

Utilizing data from the 2010 Vietnam Health and Aging Pilot Study (N = 405), we use logistic and Poisson regression models to estimate the effect of wartime trauma exposures and family stressors on disabling arthritis and PTSD symptoms in male and female northern Vietnamese adults aged 55 and older.

Results

The odds of experiencing recent PTSD symptoms are greater in respondents who report involvement in killing/causing severe injury and who observed war atrocities. In women, PTSD is positively correlated with war era child death and spousal separation. Arthritis also exhibits a significant, positive association with killing/causing severe injury.

Discussion

Our study provides insights into the burden of conflict upon health among populations of the global south that survived war and are now entering older adulthood. The pattern of results, indicating greatest suffering among those who inflicted or failed to prevent bodily harm or loss of life, is consistent with the concept of moral injury.

Pathways Between Combat Stress and Physical Health Among Portuguese War Veterans

In this study, I explored the experience of both physical and psychological chronic illnesses among a sample of Portuguese war veterans. Twenty suffered from chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; unrecovered) and 20 had remission from PTSD (recovered), and all participants suffered from a chronic physician-diagnosed medical disorder. Two semistructured interviews were conducted. Analysis of the interviews was conducted using the Thematic and Categorical Analysis. Unrecovered participants reported higher moral injury, discrepancy between pre- and postwar identity, medication side effects, and lower repertoire of coping strategies, and verbalized that treatment care plan triggers posttraumatic symptoms. Recovered participants reported stronger moral repair, sense of continuity between pre- and postwar identity, and wider repertoire of coping strategies, well-being. Veterans' adjustment to chronic physician-diagnosed medical disorders is related to the accommodation of war traumatic experiences within existing self-schemas to restore a sense of continuity between veterans' pre- and postwar identity.

Racial and Ethnic Variation in Perceptions of VA Mental Health Providers are Associated With Treatment Retention Among Veterans With PTSD

BACKGROUND

Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who seek mental health care in the Veterans Health Administration frequently discontinue treatment prematurely. Early discontinuation of mental health treatment is more common among Veterans with PTSD who are of minority race or ethnicity.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether retention in individual therapy or pharmacotherapy among Veterans with PTSD are associated with patients' ratings of their mental health providers, and if those associations differ depending on Veteran race or ethnicity.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Latino, African American, and white Veterans (n=2452) who participated in a prospective national cohort study of Veterans with PTSD at the beginning of an episode of care were surveyed immediately following Veterans' PTSD diagnoses and 6 months later. Pharmacy and mental health service utilization were abstracted from Veterans Health Administration administrative databases for 6 months postdiagnosis. Retention in treatments were modeled using logistic regression among Veterans who initiated individual therapy or pharmacotherapy. Demographics, treatment need, treatment-related beliefs, treatment process measures, and ratings of mental health providers were considered as predictors.

RESULTS

Ratings of mental health providers, more than treatment beliefs, were associated with treatment retention. Among African American Veterans, retention in pharmacotherapy was reduced if the provider was perceived as not having helped manage medication side-effects (odds ratio, 0.36; confidence interval, 0.16-0.80). All Latino Veterans but one (99% or n=64) who rated their therapist as not caring discontinued individual psychotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Ratings of mental health providers were associated with treatment retention. The salience of specific provider behaviors to treatment retention varied by Veteran race or ethnicity.

Physical comorbidities of post-traumatic stress disorder in Australian Vietnam War veterans

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the prevalence of physical comorbidities in Australian Vietnam War veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is higher than in trauma-exposed veterans without PTSD.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Cross-sectional analysis of the health status (based on self-reported and objective clinical assessments) of 298 Australian Vietnam War veterans enrolled by the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute (Brisbane) during February 2014 - July 2015, of whom 108 were confirmed as having had PTSD and 106 served as trauma-exposed control participants.Main outcomes and measures: Diagnostic psychiatric interview and psychological assessments determined PTSD status, trauma exposure, and comorbid psychological symptoms. Demographic data, and medical and sleep history were collected; comprehensive clinical examination, electrocardiography, spirometry, liver transient elastography, and selected pathology assessments and diagnostic imaging were performed. Outcomes associated with PTSD were identified; regression analysis excluded the effects of potentially confounding demographic and risk factors and comorbid symptoms of depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

The mean total number of comorbidities was higher among those with PTSD (17.7; SD, 6.1) than in trauma-exposed controls (14.1; SD, 5.2; P < 0.001). For 24 of 171 assessed clinical outcomes, morbidity was greater in the PTSD group, including for conditions of the gastrointestinal, hepatic, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, sleep disorders, and laboratory pathology measures. In regression analyses including demographic factors, PTSD remained positively associated with 17 adverse outcomes; after adjusting for the severity of depressive symptoms, it remained significantly associated with ten.

CONCLUSION

PTSD in Australian Vietnam veterans is associated with comorbidities in several organ systems, independent of trauma exposure. A comprehensive approach to the health care of veterans with PTSD is needed.

Qualitative study to explore the health and well-being impacts on adults providing informal support to female domestic violence survivors

OBJECTIVES

Domestic violence (DV) is hazardous to survivors' health, from injuries sustained and from resultant chronic physical and mental health problems. Support from friends and relatives is significant in the lives of DV survivors; research shows associations between positive support and the health, well-being and safety of survivors. Little is known about how people close to survivors are impacted. The aim of this study was exploratory, with the following research question: what are the health and well-being impacts on adults who provide informal support to female DV survivors?

DESIGN

A qualitative study using semistructured interviews conducted face to face, by telephone or using Skype. A thematic analysis of the narratives was carried out.

SETTING

Community-based, across the UK.

PARTICIPANTS

People were eligible to take part if they had had a close relationship (either as friend, colleague or family member) with a woman who had experienced DV, and were aged 16 or over during the time they knew the survivor. Participants were recruited via posters in community venues, social media and radio advertisement. 23 participants were recruited and interviewed; the majority were women, most were white and ages ranged from mid-20s to 80.

RESULTS

Generated themes included: negative impacts on psychological and emotional well-being of informal supporters, and related physical health impacts. Some psychological impacts were over a limited period; others were chronic and had the potential to be severe and enduring. The impacts described suggested that those providing informal support to survivors may be experiencing secondary traumatic stress as they journey alongside the survivor.

CONCLUSIONS

Friends and relatives of DV survivors experience substantial impact on their own health and well-being. There are no direct services to support this group. These findings have practical and policy implications, so that the needs of informal supporters are legitimised and met.

Understanding the Connection Between Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Respiratory Problems: Contributions of Anxiety Sensitivity

Respiratory problems and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are the signature health consequences associated with the September 11, 2001 (9/11), World Trade Center disaster and frequently co-occur. The reasons for this comorbidity, however, remain unknown. Anxiety sensitivity is a transdiagnostic trait that is associated with both PTSD and respiratory symptoms. The present study explored whether anxiety sensitivity could explain the experience of respiratory symptoms in trauma-exposed smokers with PTSD symptoms. Participants (N = 135; M_age = 49.18 years, SD = 10.01) were 9/11-exposed daily smokers. Cross-sectional self-report measures were used to assess PTSD symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, and respiratory symptoms. After controlling for covariates and PTSD symptoms, anxiety sensitivity accounted for significant additional variance in respiratory symptoms (ΔR² = .04 to .08). This effect was specific to the somatic concerns dimension (β = .29, p = .020); somatic concerns contributed significantly to accounting for the overlap between PTSD and respiratory symptoms, b = 0.03, 95% CI [0.01, 0.07]. These findings suggest that the somatic dimension of anxiety sensitivity is important in understanding respiratory symptoms in individuals with PTSD symptoms. These findings also suggest that it may be critical to address anxiety sensitivity when treating patients with comorbid respiratory problems and PTSD.

Risk for Incident Hypertension Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military Veterans and the Effect of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment

OBJECTIVE

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality risk. Neither the prospective relationship of PTSD to incident hypertension risk nor the effect of PTSD treatment on hypertension risk has been established.

METHODS

Data from a nationally representative sample of 194,319 veterans were drawn from the Veterans Administration (VA) roster of United States service men and women. This included veterans whose end of last deployment was from September 2001 to July 2010 and whose first VA medical visit was from October 1, 2001 to January 1, 2009. Incident hypertension was modeled as 3 events: (1) a new diagnosis of hypertension and/or (2) a new prescription for antihypertensive medication, and/or (3) a clinic blood pressure reading in the hypertensive range (≥140/90 mm Hg, systolic/diastolic). Posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis was the main predictor. Posttraumatic stress disorder treatment was defined as (1) at least 8 individual psychotherapy sessions of 50 minutes or longer during any consecutive 6 months and/or (2) a prescription for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication.

RESULTS

Over a median 2.4-year follow-up, the incident hypertension risk independently associated with PTSD ranged from hazard ratio (HR), 1.12 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.17; p < .0001) to HR, 1.30 (95% CI, 1.26-1.34; p < .0001). The interaction of PTSD and treatment revealed that treatment reduced the PTSD-associated hypertension risk (e.g., from HR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.38-1.50; p < .0001] for those untreated, to HR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.15-1.25; p < .0001] for those treated).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that reducing the long-term health impact of PTSD and the associated costs may require very early surveillance and treatment.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Older Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This study explored (1) the incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from past trauma among older patients with COPD and (2) whether PTSD and COPD severity would relate to psychiatric co-morbidity and health-related quality of life. Eighty-five older patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale and the Medical Outcomes Short Form 12. The results showed that 55, 39 and 6 % had no, partial and full-PTSD respectively. Partial least squares showed that PTSD was significantly correlated with COPD severity which in turn was significantly correlated with health-related quality of life and psychiatric co-morbidity. Mediational analysis showed that the emotional symptoms of COPD mediated between PTSD and the mental health functioning of health-related quality of life and between PTSD and depression. To conclude, PTSD from past trauma was related to the severity of COPD for older patients. In particular, it impacted on the elevated emotional arousal of COPD severity. In turn, COPD severity impacted on older patients' general psychological well-being and depression.

Chronic subordinate colony housing paradigm: A mouse model for mechanisms of PTSD vulnerability, targeted prevention, and treatment-2016 Curt Richter Award Paper

There is considerable individual variability in vulnerability for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); evidence suggests that this variability is related in part to genetic and environmental factors, including adverse early life experience. Interestingly, recent studies indicate that induction of chronic low-grade inflammation may be a common mechanism underlying gene and environment interactions that increase the risk for development of PTSD symptoms, and, therefore, may be a target for novel interventions for prevention or treatment of PTSD. Development of murine models with face, construct, and predictive validity would provide opportunities to investigate in detail complex genetic, environmental, endocrine, and immunologic factors that determine vulnerability to PTSD-like syndromes, and furthermore may provide mechanistic insight leading to development of novel interventions for both prevention and treatment of PTSD symptoms. Here we describe the potential use of the chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC) paradigm in mice as an adequate animal model for development of a PTSD-like syndrome and describe recent studies that suggest novel interventions for the prevention and treatment of PTSD.

The long-term impact of combat exposure on health, interpersonal, and economic domains of functioning

PURPOSE

Wartime combat exposure is linked to a broad array of negative outcomes. The current study identified potential differences between middle-to-older aged men exposed to combat and those not exposed for physical health, interpersonal, and economic functioning over 10 years. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social support were examined as moderators between combat exposure and outcomes.

METHODS

Data from the National Comorbidity Survey, baseline and 10-year follow-up, were utilized. Only men aged 50-65 at follow-up (N = 727) were included. Group differences between combat and non-combat men were examined. Regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between earlier combat and health, interpersonal, and economic outcomes over time, while controlling for important covariates.

RESULTS

Combat-exposed men were at increased risk for asthma, arthritis/rheumatism, lung diseases, headaches, and pain; they also had greater marital instability. However, combat-exposed men reported economic advantages, including higher personal earnings at follow-up. For combat-exposed men, PTSD did not increase risk for headaches; however, PTSD in non-combat men was associated with increased risk for headaches at follow-up. Whereas combat-exposed men with higher levels of social support were less likely to report chronic pain at follow-up, there were no group differences in pain at lower levels of social support.

IMPLICATIONS

Individuals who experience combat may be susceptible to later health and marital problems; however, as combat-exposed men age, they demonstrate some resilience, including in economic domains of life. Given that consequences of combat may manifest years after initial exposure, knowledge of combat exposure is necessary to inform treatments and the delivery of disability benefits.

Systemic and localized extra-central nervous system bacterial infections and the risk of dementia among US veterans: A retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Emerging evidence indicates associations between extra-central nervous system (CNS) bacterial infections and an increased risk for dementia; however, epidemiological evidence is still very limited.

METHODS

This study involved a retrospective cohort of a national sample of US veterans (N = 417,172) aged ≥56 years. Extended Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for demographic characteristics and medical and psychiatric comorbidities determined the associations between systemic and localized extra-CNS bacterial infections occurring >2 years before the initial dementia diagnosis and the risk for dementia.

RESULTS

Exposure to any extra-CNS bacterial infection was associated with a significantly increased risk for dementia (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.20 [95% confidence interval = 1.16-1.24]). Independently, septicemia (HR = 1.39 [1.16-1.66]), bacteremia (HR = 1.22 [1.00-1.49]), osteomyelitis (HR = 1.20 [1.06-1.37]), pneumonia (HR = 1.10 [1.02-1.19]), urinary tract infections (HR = 1.13 [1.08-1.18]), and cellulitis (HR = 1.14 [1.09-1.20]) were associated with a significantly increased risk for dementia.

DISCUSSION

Both systemic and localized extra-CNS bacterial infections are associated with an increased risk for developing dementia.

Disease-related mortality among 21,609 Norwegian male military peacekeepers deployed to Lebanon between 1978 and 1998

PURPOSE

Our study assessed disease-related mortality among Norwegian male military peacekeepers deployed to Lebanon during 1978-1998.

METHODS

A total of 21,609 peacekeepers were followed from start of deployment through 2013. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated based on national rates for the overall cohort, by length of time since first deployment to Lebanon, and for service during high- and low-conflict periods. Poisson regression was used to determine the effect of conflict exposure.

RESULTS

In the overall cohort, a decreased risk was seen for all-cause mortality (1213 deaths, SMR = 0.85), mortality from neoplasms (SMR = 0.89), and from non-neoplastic diseases (SMR = 0.68). Disease-related mortality was lower during the first 5 years of follow-up, while mortality from external causes was elevated. After 5 years, mortality from neoplasms and external causes were similar to national rates, but mortality from non-neoplastic diseases remained lower. The high-conflict exposure group had a two-fold increased risk of mortality from non-neoplastic diseases (rate ratio = 2.33), including ischemic heart disease (rate ratio = 2.25) compared to the low-conflict exposure group.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a "healthy soldier effect" for all-cause mortality and disease-related mortality, but for neoplasms, this effect disappeared after 5 years. Conflict exposure was positively correlated with increased risk of mortality from non-neoplastic diseases.

Potential pleiotropic beneficial effects of adjuvant melatonergic treatment in posttraumatic stress disorder

Loss of circadian rhythmicity fundamentally affects the neuroendocrine, immune, and autonomic system, similar to chronic stress and may play a central role in the development of stress-related disorders. Recent articles have focused on the role of sleep and circadian disruption in the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suggesting that chronodisruption plays a causal role in PTSD development. Direct and indirect human and animal PTSD research suggests circadian system-linked neuroendocrine, immune, metabolic and autonomic dysregulation, linking circadian misalignment to PTSD pathophysiology. Recent experimental findings also support a specific role of the fundamental synchronizing pineal hormone melatonin in mechanisms of sleep, cognition and memory, metabolism, pain, neuroimmunomodulation, stress endocrinology and physiology, circadian gene expression, oxidative stress and epigenetics, all processes affected in PTSD. In the current paper, we review available literature underpinning a potentially beneficiary role of an add-on melatonergic treatment in PTSD pathophysiology and PTSD-related symptoms. The literature is presented as a narrative review, providing an overview on the most important and clinically relevant publications. We conclude that adjuvant melatonergic treatment could provide a potentially promising treatment strategy in the management of PTSD and especially PTSD-related syndromes and comorbidities. Rigorous preclinical and clinical studies are needed to validate this hypothesis.

On “Converting” Hand Pain Into Psychological Pain

A 36-year-old woman with a history of teenage trauma presented to a pain clinic with unexplained hand pain and numbness. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder with a conversion reaction. Because the trauma was taken to be significant in her symptomatology, she was referred for exposure-based therapy. Although psychological distress increased over treatment, her reported physical symptoms and an objectively measured index of symptoms both improved dramatically. Because many patients with unconventional presentations are overutilizers of medical resources, addressing the “cause” of the distress (e.g., trauma) can be advantageous for both patient and medical personnel.

Rethinking Compassion Fatigue Through the Lens of Professional Identity: The Case of Child-Protection Workers

Compassion fatigue is currently the dominant model in work-related stress studies that explain the consequences of caring for others on child-protection workers. Based on a deterministic approach, this model excludes the role of cognition a priori and a posteriori in the understanding of the impact of caregiving or providing social support. By integrating the notion of professional identity, this article adds a subjective perspective to the compassion fatigue model allowing for the consideration of positive outcomes and takes into account the influence of stress caused by accountability. Mainly, it is argued that meanings derived from identity and given to situations may protect or accelerate the development of compassion fatigue or compassion satisfaction. To arrive at this proposition, the notions of compassion fatigue and identity theory are first reviewed. These concepts are then articulated around four work-related stressors specific to child-protection work. In light of this exercise, it is argued that professional identity serves as a subjective interpretative framework that guides the understanding of work-related situations. Therefore, compassion fatigue is not only a simple reaction to external stimuli. It is influenced by meanings given to the situation. Furthermore, professional identity modulates the impact of compassion fatigue on psychological well-being. Practice, policy, and research implications in light of these findings are also discussed.

The evolution of the molecular response to stress and its relevance to trauma and stressor-related disorders

The experience of "stress", in its broadest meaning, is an inevitable part of life. All living creatures have evolved multiple mechanisms to deal with such threats and challenges and to avoid damage to the organism that may be incurred from these stress responses. Trauma and stressor-related disorders are psychiatric conditions that are caused specifically by the experience of stress, though depression, anxiety and some other disorders may also be unleashed by stress. Stress, however, is not a mandatory criterion of these diagnoses. This article focuses on the evolution of the neurochemicals involved in the response to stress and the systems in which they function. This includes the skin and gut, and the immune system. Evidence suggests that responses to stress are evolutionarily highly conserved, have wider involvement than the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal stress axis alone, and that excessive stress responses can produce stressor-related disorders in both humans and animals.

Immunization with a heat-killed preparation of the environmental bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae promotes stress resilience in mice

The prevalence of inflammatory diseases is increasing in modern urban societies. Inflammation increases risk of stress-related pathology; consequently, immunoregulatory or antiinflammatory approaches may protect against negative stress-related outcomes. We show that stress disrupts the homeostatic relationship between the microbiota and the host, resulting in exaggerated inflammation. Repeated immunization with a heat-killed preparation of Mycobacterium vaccae, an immunoregulatory environmental microorganism, reduced subordinate, flight, and avoiding behavioral responses to a dominant aggressor in a murine model of chronic psychosocial stress when tested 1-2 wk following the final immunization. Furthermore, immunization with M. vaccae prevented stress-induced spontaneous colitis and, in stressed mice, induced anxiolytic or fear-reducing effects as measured on the elevated plus-maze, despite stress-induced gut microbiota changes characteristic of gut infection and colitis. Immunization with M. vaccae also prevented stress-induced aggravation of colitis in a model of inflammatory bowel disease. Depletion of regulatory T cells negated protective effects of immunization with M. vaccae on stress-induced colitis and anxiety-like or fear behaviors. These data provide a framework for developing microbiome- and immunoregulation-based strategies for prevention of stress-related pathologies.

Traumatic stress and cardiopulmonary disease burden among low-income, urban heart failure patients

BACKGROUND

Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with increased risk for cardiopulmonary disease (CPD) in veterans, men, and primarily White populations. Less is known about trauma, PTSD, and CPD burden among low-income, racial minority residents who are at elevated risk for trauma and PTSD. It was hypothesized that traumatic events and PTSD would be significantly associated with CPD burden among low-income, racial minority residents.

METHODS

We evaluated cross-sectional relationships between traumatic events, PTSD, depression, and CPD burden in 251 low-income, urban, primarily Black adults diagnosed with heart failure. Data were analyzed using bivariate analyses, logistic and linear regression.

RESULTS

Forty-three percent endorsed at least one traumatic event. Twenty-one percent endorsed two or more traumatic events. In logistic regression analyses, traumatic events were associated with increased prevalence of coronary artery disease (adjusted odds=1.33, p<.05), hypertension (adjusted odds=1.28, p<.05), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (adjusted odds=1.52, p<.01), and cardiac arrest (adjusted odds=1.27, p<.05). PTSD was also related to increased risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (adjusted odds=1.22, p<.05) and was associated with earlier onset of heart failure (β=-.13, p<.05).

LIMITATIONS

The study utilizes cross-sectional, self-report data.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support the link between traumatic events, PTSD, and CPD burden in low-income, primarily Black patients with heart failure. Depression appears to be less closely linked to CPD burden, despite receiving significant attention in the literature. The accumulation of traumatic events may exacerbate CPD burden among urban, low-income, racial minority residents with heart failure; findings highlight the importance of PTSD screening.

Training laboratory primates – benefits and techniques

Abstract. This review discusses the benefits of training in the effective management of laboratory-housed nonhuman primates, including improved welfare, facilitated husbandry, improved quality of data, and human–animal relationships. Training implies that the animals cooperate in aspects of their own care and is a type of enrichment. Some refined ways of using negative reinforcement are discussed, as well as management perspectives on laboratory primate training. Several approaches to dealing with fear are described: systematic desensitization/counterconditioning (SD/CC) versus combined reinforcement training (NPRT). In addition, a detailed shaping plan covering target training, useful when e.g. moving, weighing, or stationing animals, is presented.

Chronic obstructive lung disease and posttraumatic stress disorder: current perspectives

Background

Several studies have reported on the co-occurrence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and psychiatric conditions, with the most robust evidence base demonstrating an impact of comorbid anxiety and depression on COPD-related outcomes. In recent years, research has sought to determine if there is a co-occurrence between COPD and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as for associations between PTSD and COPD-related outcomes. To date, there have been no published reviews summarizing this emerging literature.

Objectives

The primary objective of this review was to determine if there is adequate evidence to support a co-occurrence between PTSD and COPD. Secondary objectives were to: 1) determine if there are important clinical considerations regarding the impact of PTSD on COPD management, and 2) identify targeted areas for further research.

Methods

A structured review was performed using a systematic search strategy limited to studies in English, addressing adults, and to articles that examined: 1) the co-occurrence of COPD and PTSD and 2) the impact of PTSD on COPD-related outcomes. To be included, articles must have addressed some type of nonreversible obstructive lung pathology.

Results

A total of 598 articles were identified for initial review. Upon applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, n=19 articles or abstracts addressed our stated objectives. Overall, there is inconclusive evidence to support the co-occurrence between PTSD and COPD. Studies finding a significant co-occurrence generally had inferior methods of identifying COPD; in contrast, studies that utilized more robust COPD measures (such as a physician exam) generally failed to find a relationship. Among studies that examined the impact of PTSD on COPD-related outcomes, there was more consistent evidence that PTSD affects the perception of respiratory symptom burden and management. In addition, methods for measuring an important confounder (smoking) were generally lacking.

Conclusion

There is inconclusive evidence to support the co-occurrence of COPD and PTSD. There was stronger evidence implicating PTSD as an important comorbidity impacting COPD management. Further research is needed to: 1) determine whether or not COPD and PTSD are likely to be comorbid, and 2) further elucidate the mechanisms connecting PTSD and COPD-related outcomes.

Responding to the need for sleep among survivors of interpersonal violence: A randomized controlled trial of a cognitive-behavioral insomnia intervention followed by PTSD treatment

Sleep disturbance is a common feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but is not a focus of standard PTSD treatments. Psychological trauma exposure is associated with considerable physical and mental health morbidity, possibly due to the alterations in neuroendocrine function and inflammation observed in trauma exposed individuals. Although PTSD treatments are efficacious, they are associated with high drop-out rates in clinical trials and clinical practice. Finally, individuals with PTSD stemming from exposure to interpersonal violence represent an especially under-treated population with significant sleep disturbance. Community-based participatory research was utilized to design and prepare a clinical trial that randomizes recent survivors of interpersonal violence who have PTSD, depression, and insomnia to receive either: (1) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) followed by Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for trauma, or (2) attention control followed by CPT. Outcome measures include subjective and objective measures of sleep, clinician-administered PTSD and depression scales, inflammatory cytokines, and salivary cortisol. Assessments are conducted at baseline, following the sleep or control intervention, and again following CPT. The design allows for: (1) the first test of a sleep intervention in this population; (2) the comparison of sequenced CBTi and CPT to attention control followed by CPT, and (3) assessing the roles of neuroendocrine function, inflammatory processes, and objective sleep markers in mediating treatment outcomes. The study's overarching hypothesis is that treating insomnia will produce reduction in insomnia, PTSD, and depression severity, allowing patients to more fully engage in, and derive optimal benefits from, cognitive processing therapy.

Diagnostic Biomarkers for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Promising Horizons from Translational Neuroscience Research

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a heterogeneous disorder that affects individuals exposed to trauma (e.g., combat, interpersonal violence, and natural disasters). Although its diagnostic features have been recently reclassified with the emergence of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, the disorder remains characterized by hyperarousal, intrusive reminders of the trauma, avoidance of trauma-related cues, and negative cognition and mood. This heterogeneity indicates the presence of multiple neurobiological mechanisms underlying the etiology and maintenance of PTSD. Translational research spanning the past few decades has revealed several potential avenues for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers for PTSD. These include, but are not limited to, monoaminergic transmitter systems, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, metabolic hormonal pathways, inflammatory mechanisms, psychophysiological reactivity, and neural circuits. The current review provides an update to the literature with regard to the most promising putative PTSD biomarkers, with specific emphasis on the interaction between neurobiological influences on disease risk and symptom progression. Such biomarkers will most likely be identified by multi-dimensional models derived from comprehensive descriptions of molecular, neurobiological, behavioral, and clinical phenotypes.

Autonomic and inflammatory consequences of posttraumatic stress disorder and the link to cardiovascular disease

Stress- and anxiety-related disorders are on the rise in both military and general populations. Over the next decade, it is predicted that treatment of these conditions, in particular, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), along with its associated long-term comorbidities, will challenge the health care system. Multiple organ systems are adversely affected by PTSD, and PTSD is linked to cancer, arthritis, digestive disease, and cardiovascular disease. Evidence for a strong link between PTSD and cardiovascular disease is compelling, and this review describes current clinical data linking PTSD to cardiovascular disease, via inflammation, autonomic dysfunction, and the renin-angiotensin system. Recent clinical and preclinical evidence regarding the role of the renin-angiotensin system in the extinction of fear memory and relevance in PTSD-related immune and autonomic dysfunction is also addressed.

Migraine: treatments, comorbidities, and quality of life, in the USA

This study sought to characterize the experience of stress, treatment patterns, and medical and disability profile in the migraineur population to better understand how the experience of migraines impacts the social and psychological functioning of this group. A 30-minute self-report survey was presented via a migraine-specific website with data collection occurring between May 15 and June 15, 2012. Recruitment for the study was done through online advertisements. In total, 2,907 individuals began the survey and 2,735 met the inclusion criteria for the study. The sample was predominantly female (92.8%). Migraine-associated stress was correlated with length of time since first onset of symptoms (P<0.01) and number of symptoms per month (P<0.01). Disorders related to stress, such as depression (P<0.01) and anxiety (P<0.01), were also positively correlated with the measured stress resulting from migraines. Migraine-associated stress must be understood as a multidimensional experience with broader impacts of stress on an individual correlating much more highly with negative mental and physical health profiles. Stress resulting from frequent migraine headaches may contribute to the development of medical and psychological comorbidities and may be a part of a cyclical relationship wherein stress is both a cause and effect of the social and medical impairments brought about by migraine.

Identifying latent profiles of posttraumatic stress and major depression symptoms in Canadian veterans: Exploring differences across profiles in health related functioning

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been consistently reported as being highly comorbid with major depressive disorder (MDD) and as being associated with health related functional impairment (HRF). We used archival data from 283 previously war-zone deployed Canadian veterans. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to uncover patterns of PTSD and MDD comorbidity as measured via the PTSD Checklist-Military version (PCL-M) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Individual membership of latent classes was used in a series of one-way ANOVAs to ascertain group differences related to HRF as measured via the Short-Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). LPA resulted in three discrete patterns of PTSD and MDD comorbidity which were characterized by high symptoms of PTSD and MDD, moderate symptoms, and low symptoms. All ANOVAs comparing class membership on the SF-36 subscales were statistically significant demonstrating group differences across levels of HRF. The group with the highest symptoms reported the worst HRF followed by the medium and low symptom groups. These findings are clinically relevant as they demonstrate the need for continual assessment and targeted treatment of co-occurring PTSD and MDD.

An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphism may mitigate the effects of angiotensin-pathway medications on posttraumatic stress symptoms

Angiotensin, which regulates blood pressure may also act within the brain to mediate stress and fear responses. Common antihypertensive medication classes of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have been associated with lower PTSD symptoms. Here we examine the rs4311 SNP in the ACE gene, previously implicated in panic attacks, in the relationship between ACE-I/ARB medications and PTSD symptoms. Participants were recruited from outpatient wait rooms between 2006 and March 2014 (n=  803). We examined the interaction between rs4311 genotype and the presence of blood pressure medication on PTSD symptoms and diagnosis. PTSD symptoms were lower in individuals taking ACE-Is or ARBs (N = 776). The rs4311 was associated with PTSD symptoms and diagnosis (N = 3803), as the T-carriers at the rs4311 SNP had significantly greater likelihood of a PTSD diagnosis. Lastly, the rs4311 genotype modified the effect of ACE-Is or ARBs on PTSD symptoms (N = 443; F1,443 = 4.41, P < 0.05). Individuals with the CC rs4311 genotype showed lower PTSD symptoms in the presence of ACE-Is or ARBs. In contrast, T- carriers showed the opposite, such that the presence of ACE-Is or ARBs was associated with higher PTSD symptoms. These data suggest that the renin-angiotensin system may be important in PTSD, as ACE-I/ARB usage associates with lower symptoms. Furthermore, we provide genetic evidence that some individuals are comparatively more benefitted by ACE-Is/ARBs in PTSD treatment. Future research should examine the mechanisms by which ACE-Is/ARBs affect PTSD symptoms such that pharmaco-genetically informed interventions may be used to treat PTSD.

Are there racial/ethnic disparities in VA PTSD treatment retention?

BACKGROUND

Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can result in significant social and physical impairments. Despite the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) expansion of mental health services into primary care clinics to reach larger numbers of Veterans with PTSD, many do not receive sufficient treatment to clinically benefit. This study explored whether the odds of premature mental health treatment termination varies by patient race/ethnicity and, if so, whether such variation is associated with differential access to services or beliefs about mental health treatments.

METHODS

Prospective national cohort study of VA patients who were recently diagnosed with PTSD (n = 6,788). Self-administered surveys and electronic VA databases were utilized to examine mental health treatment retention across racial/ethnic groups in the 6 months following the PTSD diagnosis controlling for treatment need, access factors, age, gender, treatment beliefs, and facility factors.

RESULTS

African American and Latino Veterans were less likely to receive a minimal trial of pharmacotherapy and African American Veterans were less likely to receive a minimal trial of any treatment in the 6 months after being diagnosed with PTSD. Controlling for beliefs about mental health treatments diminished the lower odds of pharmacotherapy retention among Latino but not African American Veterans. Access factors did not contribute to treatment retention disparities.

CONCLUSIONS

Even in safety-net healthcare systems like VA, racial and ethnic disparities in mental health treatment occur. To improve treatment equity, clinicians may need to more directly address patients' treatment beliefs. More understanding is needed to address the treatment disparity for African American Veterans.