Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and high hostility are significant risk factors for poor health. We have begun to identify a number of behavioral and psychophysiological variables that may contribute to this increased risk. Research in the last funding period (NIMH R01MH62482) indicated, for example, that PTSD veterans smoke more, have higher lipids, report poorer objective sleep and more daily negative affect. Findings that ambulatory heart rate is higher, and blood pressure recovery to a stressful task is slower in hostile veterans with PTSD suggest that the autonomic nervous system may be involved in the increased risk in PTSD veterans with high hostility. We also documented a close association between the severity of PTSD and reduced levels of heart rate variability in women. In addition, individuals with PTSD have reduced sleep duration and sleep efficiency, which may lead to reduced levels of ambulatory heart rate variability. Pilot data from this period also suggest an increased rate of metabolic syndrome in our participants with PTSD. Although previous work has demonstrated a relationship between PTSD and reduced parasympathetic nervous system control of the heart under controlled laboratory conditions, no study has evaluated autonomic responses across a 24-hour period outside the laboratory. Taken together, this program of research suggests that PTSD and hostility increase cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors and may contribute to increased risk of poorer health outcomes and cardiovascular mortality. The proposed study will evaluate whether PTSD in a younger cohort is associated with biomarkers of cardiovascular risk measured from vascular endothelial function, 24-hour heart rate variability, and baroreflex sensitivity, and will determine whether the biomarkers of risk are highest among individuals with PTSD and high hostility. Parallel analyses will evaluate whether PTSD is related to insulin resistance and risk of metabolic syndrome. As depression has also been related to cardiovascular risk factors, we will evaluate the independent effects of PTSD by comparing two groups of patients with PTSD including those with and without co-morbid major depressive disorder. The project goals are to examine: (1) the independent relationship between PTSD and biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic disease and (2) the contribution of hostility as a moderator and co-morbid major depressive disorder to the relationship between PTSD and biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Study results will serve to inform development of risk reduction strategies in individuals with PTSD early in the trajectory of their disorder. In addition, this study should significantly advance knowledge about the mechanisms that are involved in the increased risk of mortality associated with PTSD. By evaluating possible mechanisms that may be specific to or amplified in a psychiatric patient sample, we may gain a more complete understanding of the psychopathological mechanisms in health effects of psychiatric disorder.

Public Health Relevance

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent mental disorder in both men and women, and those with PTSD have a greater risk of cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity and mortality. This study will provide important information on the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease biomarkers in younger individuals with PTSD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH062482-07
Application #
8090308
Study Section
Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Emotion, Stress and Health Study Section (MESH)
Program Officer
Muehrer, Peter R
Project Start
2009-08-18
Project End
2014-04-30
Budget Start
2011-06-01
Budget End
2012-04-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$629,916
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Dennis, Paul A; Dedert, Eric A; Van Voorhees, Elizabeth E et al. (2016) Examining the Crux of Autonomic Dysfunction in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Whether Chronic or Situational Distress Underlies Elevated Heart Rate and Attenuated Heart Rate Variability. Psychosom Med 78:805-9
Dennis, Paul A; Kimbrel, Nathan A; Sherwood, Andrew et al. (2016) Trauma and Autonomic Dysregulation: Episodic - Versus Systemic - Negative Affect Underlying Cardiovascular Risk in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Psychosom Med :
Green, Kimberly T; Dennis, Paul A; Neal, Lydia C et al. (2016) Exploring the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and momentary heart rate variability. J Psychosom Res 82:31-4
Dennis, Paul A; Weinberg, J Brice; Calhoun, Patrick S et al. (2016) An investigation of vago-regulatory and health-behavior accounts for increased inflammation in posttraumatic stress disorder. J Psychosom Res 83:33-9
Rissling, Michelle B; Dennis, Paul A; Watkins, Lana L et al. (2016) Circadian Contrasts in Heart Rate Variability Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in a Young Adult Cohort. J Trauma Stress 29:415-421
Carpenter, Vickie L; Hertzberg, Jeffrey S; Kirby, Angela C et al. (2015) Multicomponent smoking cessation treatment including mobile contingency management in homeless veterans. J Clin Psychiatry 76:959-64
Liu, Yutao; Garrett, Melanie E; Dennis, Michelle F et al. (2015) An examination of the association between 5-HTTLPR, combat exposure, and PTSD diagnosis among U.S. veterans. PLoS One 10:e0119998
Gentes, Emily; Dennis, Paul A; Kimbrel, Nathan A et al. (2015) Latent Factor Structure of DSM-5 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Psychopathol Rev 2:17-29
Oddone, Ania E; Dennis, Paul A; Calhoun, Patrick S et al. (2015) Orthostatic hypotension in young adults with and without posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychol Trauma 7:229-33
Van Voorhees, Elizabeth E; Beckham, Jean C (2015) Advancements in treating intimate partner violence in veterans. J Clin Psychiatry 76:e826-7

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