The association of posttraumatic stress disorder and metabolic syndrome: a study of increased health risk in veterans
2009

PTSD and Metabolic Syndrome in Veterans

Sample size: 253 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Heppner Pia S, Crawford Eric F, Haji Uzair A, Afari Niloofar, Hauger Richard L, Dashevsky Boris A, Horn Paul S, Nunnink Sarah E, Baker Dewleen G

Primary Institution: Veterans Affairs San Diego Health Care System

Hypothesis

Greater severity of PTSD would be associated with a higher likelihood of metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion

Higher severity of PTSD is linked to increased health risks represented by metabolic syndrome in veterans.

Supporting Evidence

  • 40% of the sample met criteria for metabolic syndrome.
  • 43% of veterans with PTSD met criteria for metabolic syndrome.
  • The model predicted metabolic syndrome well with a chi-squared value of 23.731.

Takeaway

This study found that veterans with more severe PTSD are more likely to have health problems related to metabolic syndrome, which can make them sick.

Methodology

The study analyzed clinical data from veterans, measuring factors linked to metabolic syndrome and using logistic regression to assess the impact of PTSD.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the exclusion of veterans with extreme laboratory values.

Limitations

The study had an under-representation of women and minority groups and was cross-sectional, limiting causal inferences.

Participant Demographics

The sample was primarily male (92%) and white (76.3%), with an average age of 52 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.005

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1741-7015-7-1

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