Objective: Elevated inflammation has been repeatedly observed in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it may drive the development of both psychiatric symptoms and physical comorbidities. However, it is not clear if elevated inflammation is a feature of both remitted and current PTSD, and little is known about relationships between specific clusters of PTSD symptoms and inflammation. Exaggerated threat sensitivity, as indexed by threat reactivity and avoidance of perceived threats, may be particularly closely associated with inflammation.
Methods: We assessed PTSD symptoms and threat sensitivity using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale in 735 Veterans Affairs patients (35% current PTSD; 16% remitted PTSD) who participated in the Mind Your Heart Study (mean age=59±11; 94% male). High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and fibrinogen were used as indices of inflammation. Analysis of covariance models with planned contrasts were used to examine differences in inflammation by PTSD status, adjusting for age, sex, race, kidney function and socioeconomic status.
Results: Individuals with current PTSD had significantly higher hsCRP and WBC than patients with no history of PTSD, but there were no significant differences in inflammatory markers between those with remitted versus no history of PTSD. Within patients with current PTSD, higher threat reactivity was independently associated with higher hsCRP (β=0.16, p=0.01) and WBC count (β=0.24, <0.001), and higher effortful avoidance was associated with higher fibrinogen (β=0.13, p=0.04).
Conclusion: Our data indicate that elevated inflammation may be a feature of current, but not remitted, PTSD. Within patients with PTSD, higher threat reactivity was also associated with elevated inflammation. A better understanding of the relationship between threat sensitivity and inflammation may inform interventions for patients with PTSD.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5279867 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2016.10.014 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Cardiovascular risk and allostatic load in PTSD: The role of cumulative trauma and resilience in affected and trauma-exposed adults.
J Psychiatr Res
January 2025
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Genomics of Brain Disorders Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Background: The pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves dysregulation of stress-sensitive biological systems due to repeated trauma exposure, predisposing individuals to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Allostatic load (AL), an indicator of maladaptive stress responses, could shed light on the underlying biological mechanisms. We determined whether CVD risk and AL were associated with trauma load and resilience in women with PTSD and trauma-exposed controls (TEC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPathways from violence exposure to medication non-adherence: exploration of mental health symptoms and coping in people living with HIV in the U.S. South.
AIDS Care
January 2025
Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
In the current study, we examine associations between exposure to violence and antiretroviral medication adherence in persons with HIV (PWH) in a southern city in the United States. We include investigation of a variety of violence exposures including childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, witnessing family violence, lifetime violence exposures and current stress related to violence experiences, as well as neighborhood violence exposure. We examined associations between violence exposures and adherence and mediational pathways between these variables including mental health symptoms - specifically depressive, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms - as well as coping strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAfter the storm, the calm never came: Hurricane Maria-related stressors and PTSD symptoms among Puerto Rican youth.
Psychol Trauma
January 2025
Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Objective: Youth may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a hurricane. Triaging of mental health services is crucial to effectively deliver trauma-focused interventions following natural disasters. Given the increased likelihood of hurricanes due to the current climate crisis, this study sought to examine the dose-response effect between hurricane-related stressors and PTSD, identify a cumulative stressor cutoff score based on the number of hurricane-related stressors experienced, and identify important individual hurricane-related stressors in explaining PTSD symptoms among youth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRandomized clinical trial of peer integrated collaborative care intervention after physical injury.
Trauma Surg Acute Care Open
January 2025
Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Objectives: The goal of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of a peer integrated collaborative care intervention for postinjury outcomes.
Methods: Injury survivors ≥18 years of age were screened for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and severe postinjury concerns; screen-positive patients were randomized to the intervention versus enhanced usual care control conditions. The collaborative care intervention included peer support and care management.
The status and influencing factors of death anxiety among Chinese college students under the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.
BMC Public Health
January 2025
Physical Education Teaching and Research Office, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China.
Background: To comprehend the current state of death anxiety among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, analyze its influencing factors, and provide recommendations for mitigating death anxiety among these students.
Methods: From March to May 2023, utilizing a cluster sampling method, students from three universities in Changzhou, Jiangsu, were selected as research participants. The investigation employed a general information questionnaire, the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Chinese Version Templer-Death Anxiety Scale (CT-DAS), and the brief version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10).
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!