Does Anhedonia Presage Increased Risk of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?

Author(s):  
Victoria B. Risbrough ◽  
Laura M. Glynn ◽  
Elysia P. Davis ◽  
Curt A. Sandman ◽  
Andre Obenaus ◽  
...  
Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Edmondson ◽  
Ian M Kronish ◽  
Jonathan A Shaffer ◽  
Louise Falzon ◽  
Matthew M Burg

Context: Recent evidence suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Objective: To determine the association of PTSD to incident CHD using systematic review and meta-analysis. Data Sources: Articles were identified by searching Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Library, PILOTS database, and through manual search of reference lists. Study Selection: Prospective cohort studies that assessed PTSD in participants free of CHD and assessed subsequent CHD or cardiac-specific mortality. Data Extraction: We extracted estimates of the association of PTSD to incident CHD, as well as study characteristics. Odds ratios were converted to hazard ratios (HR), and a random-effects model was used to pool results. Data Synthesis: Five studies met our inclusion criteria (N= 401,712); 4 of these included depression as a covariate. The pooled HR for the magnitude of the relationship between PTSD and CHD was 1.53 (95% CI, 1.27-1.84) before adjustment for depression. The pooled HR estimate for the 4 depression-adjusted estimates (N= 362,388) was 1.22 (95% CI, 1.05-1.42). Conclusion: PTSD is independently associated with increased risk for incident CHD, even after adjusting for depression and other covariates. Figure 1. Forest plot of association of PTSD to incident MI or cardiac mortality Note: The area of each square is proportional to the study’s weight in the meta-analysis, and each line represents the confidence interval around the estimate. The diamond represents the aggregate estimate, and its lateral points indicate confidence intervals for this estimate.


2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (1) ◽  
pp. H49-H58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeung-Ki Yoo ◽  
Mark B. Badrov ◽  
Rosemary S. Parker ◽  
Elizabeth H. Anderson ◽  
Jessica L. Wiblin ◽  
...  

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric illness that is more prevalent in women, and accumulating evidence suggests a link between PTSD and future development of cardiovascular disease. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but augmented sympathetic reactivity to daily stressors may be involved. We measured muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate responses in 14 women with PTSD and 14 healthy women (controls) during static handgrip (SHG) exercise to fatigue at 40% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Two minutes of postexercise circulatory arrest (PECA) was followed immediately after SHG to fatigue. MVC and the time to fatigue during SHG did not differ between groups (both P > 0.05). At the first 30 s of SHG, women with PTSD showed augmented sympathetic neural [mean ± SD, ∆MSNA burst frequency (BF): 5 ± 4 vs. 2 ± 3 bursts/30 s, P = 0.02 and ∆MSNA total activity (TA): 82 ± 58 vs. 25 ± 38 arbitrary units/30 s, P = 0.004] and pressor (∆systolic BP: 10 ± 5 vs. 4 ± 3 mmHg, P = 0.003) responses compared with controls. However, MSNA and BP responses at fatigue and during PECA were not different between groups. More interestingly, the augmented initial neural and pressor responses to SHG were associated with greater awake systolic BP variability during ambulation in women with PTSD (MSNA BF: r = 0.55, MSNA TA: r = 0.62, and SBP: r = 0.69, all P < 0.05). These results suggest that early onset exercise pressor response in women with PTSD may be attributed to enhanced mechano- rather than metaboreflexes, which might contribute to the mechanisms underlying the link between PTSD and cardiovascular risk. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The novel findings of the current study are that women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibited augmented sympathetic neural and pressor responses at the first 30 s of submaximal isometric muscle contraction. More interestingly, exaggerated neurocirculatory responses at the onset of muscle contraction were associated with greater ambulatory awake systolic blood pressure fluctuations in women with PTSD. Our findings expand the knowledge on the physiological mechanisms that perhaps contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease in such a population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew E. Levy ◽  
Kathryn Anastos ◽  
Steven R. Levine ◽  
Michael Plankey ◽  
Amanda D. Castel ◽  
...  

Background To identify reasons for increased atherosclerotic risk among women living with HIV ( WLWH ), we evaluated the associations between psychosocial risk factors (depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms) and subclinical atherosclerosis among WLWH and HIV ‐negative women. Methods and Results Carotid artery focal plaque (localized intima‐media thickness >1.5 mm) was measured using B‐mode ultrasound imaging in 2004–2005 and 2010–2012 in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. We created psychosocial risk groups using latent class analysis and defined prevalent plaque at the final measurement. We also examined repeated semiannual depression measures with respect to focal plaque formation throughout follow‐up. The associations between latent class and prevalent plaque, and between depressive symptom persistence and plaque formation, were assessed separately by HIV status using multivariable logistic regression. Among 700 women (median age 47 years), 2 latent classes were identified: high (n=163) and low (n=537) psychosocial risk, with corresponding prevalence of depression (65%/13%), high stress (96%/12%), and probable posttraumatic stress disorder (46%/2%). Among WLWH , plaque prevalence was 23% and 11% in high versus low psychosocial risk classes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.12; 95% CI, 1.11–4.05) compared with 9% and 9% among HIV ‐negative women (aOR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.24–4.84), respectively. New plaque formation occurred among 17% and 9% of WLWH who reported high depressive symptoms at ≥45% versus <45% of visits (aOR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.06–3.64), compared with 9% and 7% among HIV ‐negative women (aOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.16–4.16), respectively. Conclusions Psychosocial factors were independent atherosclerotic risk factors among WLWH . Research is needed to determine whether interventions for depression and psychosocial stress can mitigate the increased risk of atherosclerosis for WLWH .


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R. Lowe ◽  
Andrew Ratanatharathorn ◽  
Betty S. Lai ◽  
Willem van der Mei ◽  
Anna C. Barbano ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Research exploring the longitudinal course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms has documented four modal trajectories (low, remitting, high, and delayed), with proportions varying across studies. Heterogeneity could be due to differences in trauma types and patient demographic characteristics. Methods This analysis pooled data from six longitudinal studies of adult survivors of civilian-related injuries admitted to general hospital emergency departments (EDs) in six countries (pooled N = 3083). Each study included at least three assessments of the clinician-administered PTSD scale in the first post-trauma year. Latent class growth analysis determined the proportion of participants exhibiting various PTSD symptom trajectories within and across the datasets. Multinomial logistic regression analyses examined demographic characteristics, type of event leading to the injury, and trauma history as predictors of trajectories differentiated by their initial severity and course. Results Five trajectories were found across the datasets: Low (64.5%), Remitting (16.9%), Moderate (6.7%), High (6.5%), and Delayed (5.5%). Female gender, non-white race, prior interpersonal trauma, and assaultive injuries were associated with increased risk for initial PTSD reactions. Female gender and assaultive injuries were associated with risk for membership in the Delayed (v. Low) trajectory, and lower education, prior interpersonal trauma, and assaultive injuries with risk for membership in the High (v. Remitting) trajectory. Conclusions The results suggest that over 30% of civilian-related injury survivors admitted to EDs experience moderate-to-high levels of PTSD symptoms within the first post-trauma year, with those reporting assaultive violence at increased risk of both immediate and longer-term symptoms.


1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina A. Byrne ◽  
David S. Riggs

This study examined the association between symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in male Vietnam veterans and their use of aggressive behavior in relationships with intimate female partners. Fifty couples participated in the study. Veterans reported on their PTSD symptoms, and veterans and partners completed measures assessing the veterans’ use of physical, verbal,’ and psychological aggression during the preceding year as well as measures of their own perceptions of problems in the relationship. Results indicated that PTSD symptomatology places veterans at increased risk for perpetrating relationship aggression against their partners. The association between veterans’ PTSD symptoms and their use of aggression in relationships was mediated by relationship problems. Clinical implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 552-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn Kerr ◽  
Madeline Romaniuk ◽  
Sarah McLeay ◽  
Andrew Khoo ◽  
Michael T Dent ◽  
...  

Background: Military veterans have higher rates of suicidality and completed suicides compared to the general population. Previous research has demonstrated suicidal behaviour is higher in US combat veterans who are younger, suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety and score lower on measures of health. However, research on predictors of suicide for Australian veterans is limited. The aim of this study was to identify significant demographic and psychological differences between veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder who had attempted suicide and those with posttraumatic stress disorder who had not, as well as determine predictors of suicide attempts within an Australian cohort. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 229 ex-service personnel diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who had attended a Military Service Trauma Recovery Day Program as outpatients at Toowong Private Hospital from 2007 to 2014. Patients completed a battery of mental health self-report questionnaires assessing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol use, anger, depression, anxiety and quality of life. Demographic information and self-reported history of suicide attempts were also recorded. Results: Results indicated the average age was significantly lower, and the rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, anger, anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly higher in those veterans with history of a suicide attempt. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity, unemployment or total and permanent incapacity pension status significantly predicted suicide attempt history. Conclusion: Among a cohort of Australian veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, psychopathology severity, unemployment and total and permanent incapacity status are significantly associated with suicidality. This study highlights the importance of early identification of posttraumatic stress disorder and psychopathology, therapeutic and social engagement, and prioritisation of tangible employment options or meaningful and goal-directed activities for veterans deemed unable to work.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (13) ◽  
pp. 1412-1422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey F Scherrer ◽  
Joanne Salas ◽  
Patrick Lustman ◽  
Peter Tuerk ◽  
Sarah Gebauer ◽  
...  

Aim Prescription opioid analgesic use (OAU) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). OAU is more common in patients with than without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and PTSD is associated with higher CVD risk. We determined whether PTSD and OAU have an additive or multiplicative association with incident CVD. Methods and results Veterans Health Affairs patient medical record data from 2008 to 2015 was used to identify 2861 patients 30–70 years of age, free of cancer, CVD and OAU for 12 months before index date. We defined a four-level exposure variable: 1) no PTSD/no OAU, 2) OAU alone, 3) PTSD alone and 4) PTSD+OAU. Cox proportional hazard models estimated the association between the exposure variable and incident CVD. The mean age was 49.0 (±11.0), 85.7% were male and 58.3% were White, 34.4% had no PTSD/no OAU, 32.9% had PTSD alone, 10.6% had OAU alone, and 22.1% had PTSD+OAU. Compared with patients with no PTSD/no OAU, those with PTSD alone were not at increased risk of incident CVD (hazard ratio = 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63–1.17); however, OAU alone and PTSD+OAU were both significantly associated with incident CVD (hazard ratio = 1.99; 95% CI:1.36–2.92 and hazard ratio = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.61–3.02). There was no significant additive or multiplicative PTSD and OAU association with incident CVD. Conclusion OAU is associated with nearly a two-fold increased risk of CVD in patients with and without PTSD. Despite no additive or multiplicative interaction effects, the high prevalence of OAU in PTSD may represent a novel contributor to the elevated CVD burden among patients with PTSD.


2020 ◽  
pp. 089198872095708
Author(s):  
Alby Elias ◽  
Christopher Rowe ◽  
Malcolm Hopwood

Several studies have investigated the risk of dementia in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using a varying methodology. Epidemiological studies have found an increased risk of dementia with PTSD in Vietnam veterans as well as the general population. Laboratory studies reported the accelerated formation of β-amyloid and tau, which represent the primary pathology of Alzheimer’s dementia in animal models of PTSD. These investigations were conducted against a background of cognitive impairment and atrophy of the hippocampus and certain cortical areas in patients with PTSD. Very few studies have investigated the pathological basis in humans for the reported association of PTSD with dementia. This important gap in the literature has recently been partly addressed by very few studies that estimated the burden of β-amyloid and tau. The PET studies did not show an association between PTSD and the specific pathology of Alzheimer’s disease or signs of neurodegenerative diseases underlying other dementia syndromes. Another study demonstrated decreased plasma β-amyloid load and increased plasma β-amyloid 42/40 ratio in PTSD without PET evaluation. While PTSD is associated with an increased risk of dementia syndrome in general, there is no convincing evidence that it causes or accelerates the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, which causes the most common type of dementia. Factors that may account for the association between PTSD and a clinical diagnosis of dementia are discussed in this review.


Psihologija ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Lutz Wittmann ◽  
Julia Müller ◽  
Naser Morina ◽  
Andreas Maercker ◽  
Ulrich Schnyder

Prediction of treatment response to trauma-focused psychotherapy remains a difficult task. This study evaluated treatment response to Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (BEPP) dependent on pre-treatment variables, symptom progression, and manual adherence. We tested differences in pre-treatment variables and symptom time course between treatment responders and non-responders in 27 patients, using exact regression analyses and general linear models. Associations of therapists? adherence to the treatment manual during different therapy phases with response status were also studied using independent samples t-test. Lower education and complete inability to work were negatively related to therapy outcome. Significant differences in symptom time course between responders and non-responders were detected from session nine onwards, whereas adherence to treatment was not related to outcome during any treatment phase. Our results indicate that early identification of treatment response may meaningfully expand previous research on outcome predicton based on pre-treatment variables in trauma-focused psychotherapy. Furthermore, adaptations of treatment protocols for specific groups of patients with increased risk of poor treatment outcomes may be advisable. If replicated by more naturalistic designs, our results could contribute towards limiting the requirement of strict manual adherence to efficacy studies in posttraumatic stress disorder treatment research.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Hübel ◽  
Mohamed Abdulkadir ◽  
Moritz Herle ◽  
Alish B. Palmos ◽  
Ruth J.F. Loos ◽  
...  

AbstractConstitutional thinness and anorexia nervosa are both characterised by persistent, extremely low weight with body mass indices (BMI) below 18.5 kg/m2. Individuals with anorexia nervosa concurrently show distorted perceptions of their own body and engage in weight-loss behaviours, whereas individuals with constitutional thinness typically wish to gain weight. Both are heritable, share genomics with BMI, but have not been shown to be genetically correlated with each other. We aim to differentiate between constitutional thinness and anorexia nervosa on a genomic level.First, we estimated genetic correlations between constitutional thinness and eleven psychiatric disorders and compared them with anorexia nervosa using publicly available data. Second, we identified individuals with constitutional thinness in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) by latent class growth analysis of measured BMI from 10 to 24 years (n = 8,505) and assigned polygenic scores for eleven psychiatric disorders and a range of anthropometric traits to evaluate associations.In contrast to anorexia nervosa, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (rgAN = 0.02 vs. rgCT = −0.24) and alcohol dependence (rgAN = 0.07 vs. rgCT = −0.44) showed a statistically significant negative genetic correlation with constitutional thinness. A higher polygenic score for posttraumatic stress disorder was associated with an increased risk of constitutional thinness in the ALSPAC cohort (OR = 1.27; Q = 0.03) whereas posttraumatic stress disorder shows no genetic correlation with anorexia nervosa (rg = −0.02). Overall, results suggest that constitutional thinness is different from anorexia nervosa on the genomic level.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document