engleski

Elevated serum lipid levels in Croatian veterans with combat related chronic posttraumatic stress dirorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with numerous neurochemical changes in the brain which may have biological effects on poor physical health. Only a few researches have been found on elevated serum lipid levels in patients with PTSD. To determine serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels in Croatian veterans with chronic combat-related PTSD with respect to comorbidity and pharmacotherapy. The 110 Croatian veterans with diagnoses of chronic combat-related PTSD, hospitally treated at the Psychiatric Clinic, Osijek, Croatia, in a period from 2002 to 2004 were selected as the sample for this study. Patients included in the study were male (91, 8%) and female (8, 2%), between 25 and 56 years old, and they had been in direct combat or high stress combat support roles for a minimum of 3 consecutive months during the war in Croatia, with diagnosis of chronic PTSD according to DSM-IV. The data in this study are cross sectional and the reporting is retrospective. The veterans had serum lipid screening upon entry to a inpatient treatment. Co-morbidity was monitored as well as the contingent elevated blood pressure, prescribed antihipertension and hypolipemic therapy and psychopharmacotherapy. RESULTS: Elevated cholesterol was found in 87 ( 79, 1%) veterans (normal levels (3-5, 2 mmol/L). Elevated triglycerides were found in 80 (72, 7%) veterans (normal leves 0, 5-1, 8mmol/L). The co-morbidity of depression was found in 32 (29, 1%) veterans and anxiety disorders in 39 (35, 44%) veterans. 8, 18% of veterans had received hypolipemic drugs, and 40, 91% had elevated blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides are associated with combat related PTSD. Beside the effects of PTSD, this may be accounted for in part by comorbidity, as well as by behavioural risk factors. This may imply that patients with combat related PTSD are under a higher risk for arteriosclerosis. Routine lipid screening and appropriate pharmacotherapy may be warranted in veterans with chronic combat related PTSD.

lipid levels; veterans; PTSD

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