Concomitant drugs associated with increased mortality for MDMA users reported in a drug safety surveillance database.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is currently being evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If MDMA is FDA-approved it will be important to understand what medications may pose a risk of drug-drug interactions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the risks due to MDMA ingestion alone or in combination with other common medications and drugs of abuse using the FDA drug safety surveillance data. To date, nearly one thousand reports of MDMA use have been reported to the FDA. The majority of these reports include covariates such as co-ingested substances and demographic parameters. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was employed to uncover the contributing factors to the reported risk of death among MDMA users. Several drug classes (MDMA metabolites or analogs, anesthetics, muscle relaxants, amphetamines and stimulants, benzodiazepines, ethanol, opioids), four antidepressants (bupropion, sertraline, venlafaxine and citalopram) and olanzapine demonstrated increased odds ratios for the reported risk of death. Future drug-drug interaction clinical trials should evaluate if any of the other drug-drug interactions described in our results actually pose a risk of morbidity or mortality in controlled medical settings.

Association of Posttraumatic Stress and Depressive Symptoms With Mortality in Women.

Importance: Consistent evidence has found associations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased risk of chronic disease and greater prevalence of health risk factors. However, the association between PTSD and all-cause mortality has not been thoroughly investigated in civilians. Objective: To investigate the association between PTSD symptoms, with or without comorbid depressive symptoms, and risk of death. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study was conducted using data on female US nurses in the Nurses' Health Study II followed up from 2008 to 2017. Women who responded to a 2008 questionnaire querying PTSD and depressive symptoms were included. Data were analyzed from September 2018 to November 2020. Exposures: Symptoms of PTSD, measured using the short screening scale for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) PTSD, and depression symptoms, measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10 in 2008. Main Outcomes and Measures: All-cause mortality was determined via National Death Index, US Postal Service, or report of participant's family. The hypothesis being tested was formulated after data collection. Trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms were jointly coded as no trauma exposure (reference), trauma and no PTSD symptoms, 1 to 3 PTSD symptoms (subclinical), 4 to 5 PTSD symptoms (moderate), and 6 to 7 PTSD symptoms (high). Results: Among 51 602 women (50 137 [97.2%] White individuals), the mean (range) age was 53.3 (43-64) years at study baseline in 2008. PTSD and probable depression were comorbid; of 4019 women with high PTSD symptoms, 2093 women (52.1%) had probable depression, while of 10 105 women with no trauma exposure, 1215 women (12.0%) had probable depression. Women with high PTSD symptoms and probable depression were at nearly 4-fold greater risk of death compared with women with no trauma exposure and no depression (hazard ratio [HR], 3.80; 95% CI, 2.65-5.45; P < .001). After adjustment for health factors, women with these conditions had a more than 3-fold increased risk (HR, 3.11; 95% CI, 2.16-4.47, P < .001). Women with subclinical PTSD symptoms without probable depression had increased risk of death compared with women with no trauma exposure and no depression (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.06-1.93; P = .02). Among 7565 women with PTSD symptoms and probable depression, 109 deaths (1.4%) occurred for which we obtained cause of death information, compared with 124 such deaths (0.6% ) among 22 215 women with no depression or PTSD symptoms. Women with PTSD symptoms and probable depression, compared with women with no PTSD or depression, had higher rates of death from cardiovascular disease (17 women [0.22%] vs 11 women [0.05%]; P < .001), diabetes (4 women [0.05%] vs 0 women; P < .001), unintentional injury (7 women [0.09%] vs 7 women [0.03%]; P = .03), suicide (9 women [0.12%] vs 1 woman [<0.01%]; P < .001), and other causes of death (14 women [0.19%] vs 17 women [0.08%]; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that at midlife, women with high PTSD symptoms and co-occurring probable depression are at increased risk of death compared with women without these disorders. Treatment of PTSD and depression in women with symptoms of both disorders and efforts to improve their health behaviors may reduce their increased risk of mortality.

The cost-effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD.

BACKGROUND: Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling condition that generates considerable morbidity, mortality, and both medical and indirect social costs. Treatment options are limited. A novel therapy using 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has shown efficacy in six phase 2 trials. Its cost-effectiveness is unknown. METHODS AND FINDINGS: To assess the cost-effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MAP) from the health care payer's perspective, we constructed a decision-analytic Markov model to portray the costs and health benefits of treating patients with chronic, severe, or extreme, treatment-resistant PTSD with MAP. In six double-blind phase 2 trials, MAP consisted of a mean of 2.5 90-minute trauma-focused psychotherapy sessions before two 8-hour sessions with MDMA (mean dose of 125 mg), followed by a mean of 3.5 integration sessions for each active session. The control group received an inactive placebo or 25-40 mg. of MDMA, and otherwise followed the same regimen. Our model calculates net medical costs, mortality, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Efficacy was based on the pooled results of six randomized controlled phase 2 trials with 105 subjects; and a four-year follow-up of 19 subjects. Other inputs were based on published literature and on assumptions when data were unavailable. We modeled results over a 30-year analytic horizon and conducted extensive sensitivity analyses. Our model calculates expected medical costs, mortality, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Future costs and QALYs were discounted at 3% per year. For 1,000 individuals, MAP generates discounted net savings of $103.2 million over 30 years while accruing 5,553 discounted QALYs, compared to continued standard of care. MAP breaks even on cost at 3.1 years while delivering 918 QALYs. Making the conservative assumption that benefits cease after one year, MAP would accrue net costs of $7.6 million while generating 288 QALYS, or $26,427 per QALY gained. CONCLUSION: MAP provided to patients with severe or extreme, chronic PTSD appears to be cost-saving while delivering substantial clinical benefit. Third-party payers are likely to save money within three years by covering this form of therapy.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Severe Maternal Morbidity.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) accompanies miscarriage, intrauterine fetal demise, and preterm birth. Levels of PTSD may be higher for women who experience acute, life-threatening events during labor and delivery. Severe maternal morbidities or near misses for maternal death disproportionately impact African American, Hispanic, American Indian, and women in rural communities. Expanding research demonstrates association between severe maternal morbidity or near-miss events and PTSD. Multiple preceding conditions and intrapartum and postpartum events place women at higher risk for PTSD. Postpartum evaluation provides an opportunity for PTSD screening. Untreated perinatal PTSD impacts long-term maternal and child health and contributes to health disparities.

Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mortality Among Responders and Civilians Following the September 11, 2001, Disaster.

Importance: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with increased mortality, primarily in studies of veterans. The World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry) provides a unique opportunity to study the association between PTSD and mortality among a population exposed to the World Trade Center attacks in New York, New York, on September 11, 2001 (9/11). Objectives: To assess whether 9/11-related probable PTSD (PTSD) is associated with increased mortality risk, as well as whether this association differs when including repeated measures of PTSD over time vs a single baseline assessment. Design, Setting, and Participants: A longitudinal cohort study of 63 666 Registry enrollees (29 270 responders and 34 396 civilians) was conducted from September 5, 2003, to December 31, 2016, with PTSD assessments at baseline (wave 1: 2003-2004) and 3 follow-up time points (wave 2: 2006-2007, wave 3: 2011-2012, wave 4: 2015-2016). Data analyses were conducted from December 4, 2018, to May 20, 2019. Exposures: Posttraumatic stress disorder was defined using the 17-item PTSD Checklist-Specific (PCL-S) self-report measure (score ≥50) at each wave (waves 1-4). Baseline PTSD was defined using wave 1 PCL-S, and time-varying PTSD was defined using the PCL-S assessments from all 4 waves. Main Outcomes and Measures: Mortality outcomes were ascertained through National Death Index linkage from 2003 to 2016 and defined as all-cause, cardiovascular, and external-cause mortality. Results: Of 63 666 enrollees (38 883 men [61.1%]; mean [SD] age at 9/11, 40.4 [10.4] years), 6689 (10.8%) had PTSD at baseline (responders: 2702 [9.5%]; civilians: 3987 [12.0%]). Participants who were middle aged (2022 [12.5%]), female (3299 [13.8%]), non-Latino black (1295 [17.0%]), or Latino (1835 [22.2%]) were more likely to have PTSD. During follow-up, 2349 enrollees died (including 230 external-cause deaths and 487 cardiovascular deaths). Among all enrollees in time-varying analyses, PTSD was associated with all-cause, cardiovascular, and external-cause mortality, with adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) of greater magnitude compared with analyses examining baseline PTSD. Among responders, time-varying PTSD was significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause (AHR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.58-2.32), cardiovascular (AHR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.25-3.04), and external-cause (AHR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.47-3.91) mortality. Among civilians, time-varying PTSD was significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause (AHR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.28-1.85), cardiovascular (AHR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.15-2.58), and external-cause (AHR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.06-4.19) mortality. Conclusions and Relevance: The risk of mortality differed in examination of baseline PTSD vs repeated measures of PTSD over time, suggesting that longitudinal data should be used where possible. Comparable findings between responders and civilians suggest that 9/11-related PTSD is associated with an increased mortality risk.

Association of Postdisaster Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Mortality Among Older Disaster Survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

Importance: Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represent 2 common mental health sequelae of natural disasters. However, to date, no studies have examined whether postdisaster depression and PTSD are associated with increased risk of mortality among community-dwelling survivors of natural disasters. Objective: To assess whether postdisaster depression and PTSD were associated with mortality in older disaster survivors. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cohort study, prospective data were retrieved from older Japanese adults in Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, which was directly affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The baseline was established 7 months before the disaster (August 2010), and follow-up surveys were conducted approximately 2.5 years afterward (October 1, 2013, to January 31, 2014). Invitations were mailed to every citizen 65 years or older in Iwanuma City. Mortality data were obtained through March 4, 2017. Data analysis was performed from December 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. Exposures: Postdisaster depression (Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form score ≥5) and PTSD (Screening Questionnaire for Disaster Mental Health PTSD subscale score ≥4) were measured in 2013. Main Outcomes and Measures: Mortality data were obtained by linkage to the national long-term care insurance database. Cox proportional hazards regression models were adjusted for predisaster sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, social cohesion, predisaster depression, and disaster experiences. Results: The response rate for the baseline survey was 59.0% (5058 of 8567 individuals), and the follow-up rate was 82.1% (3594 of 4380 eligible respondents). A total of 2965 individuals (mean [SD] age, 73.4 [6.2] years; 1621 [54.7%] female) participated in the study. The mean (SD) follow-up since the 2013 survey was 3.3 (0.5) years. Overall, 974 (32.8%) reported postdisaster depression and 747 (25.2%) reported PTSD. In adjusted models, depression was associated with more than double the risk of mortality (hazard ratio, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.54-3.42); PTSD was not associated with increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.73-1.64). When evaluating the association of the 4-category comorbid depression and PTSD variable with mortality, survivors with depression only (HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.43-3.49) as well as those with comorbid depression and PTSD (HR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.50-4.27) were at increased risk of death during the follow-up period compared with those with neither depression nor PTSD. Conclusions and Relevance: Depression, but not PTSD, was associated with mortality during 3.3 years of follow-up among older disaster survivors. These findings suggest that long-term mental health consequences of natural disasters may exist and that treating depression in older survivors of disasters may be beneficial.

New Coprescription of Opioids and Benzodiazepines and Mortality Among Veterans Affairs Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Opioids and benzodiazepines are commonly coprescribed medications. The mortality risk associated with their concurrent use is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the all-cause mortality risk for patients newly prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently relative to patients prescribed benzodiazepines only, opioids only, or neither medication. METHODS: This propensity score-matched, retrospective, cohort study included 17,476 patients receiving Veterans Affairs (VA) health care between October 1, 2009, and September 30, 2011, and diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder identified using ICD-9-CM code 309.81. One-year total and cause-specific mortality was assessed by hazard ratios and subhazard ratios, adjusted for propensity score, age, baseline psychiatric and medical comorbidity, and daily medication dose. RESULTS: Concurrent users (n = 4,369) were propensity score matched 1:1 with benzodiazepine-only users, opioid-only users, and nonusers. One year after medication start, the concurrent cohort had higher rates of all-cause mortality (116 deaths) relative to benzodiazepine-only (75 deaths; adjusted hazard ratio = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.14-2.03), opioid-only (67 deaths; 1.76; 95% CI, 1.32-2.35), and nonuser (60 deaths; 1.85; 95% CI, 1.30-2.64) cohorts. Risk of overdose death was greater among patients in the concurrent cohort relative to patients in the benzodiazepine-only (adjusted subhazard ratio = 2.59; 95% CI, 1.00-6.66), opioid-only (2.58; 95% CI, 1.09-6.11), and nonuser (9.16; 95% CI, 2.27-37.02) cohorts. For circulatory disease-related deaths, the adjusted subhazard ratio for concurrent medication users was 1.81 (95% CI, 1.01-3.24) relative to nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: New coprescription of opioids and benzodiazepines was associated with increased all-cause mortality and overdose death compared with new prescription of benzodiazepines only, opioids only, or neither medication and increased circulatory disease-related death relative to neither medication.

Is acute stress reaction a risk factor for early mortality?

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the role of combat stress reaction (CSR) in predicting all-cause mortality over a 33-year period following the end of the war. METHOD: Two groups of male veterans from the 1982 Lebanon War participated in this study in 1983 (T1) and 2016 (T2): the CSR group (n = 375) and a matched comparison group (n = 305) consisting of combatants who had participated in combat in the same units as the CSR group but were not identified as having CSR. Participants were assessed for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and depressive symptoms in T1 and mortality in T2. RESULTS: The distribution of mortality rates was significantly different between the 2 groups and higher among the CSR group (n = 32, 8.5%) as compared to the comparison group (n = 12, 3.9%; χ2 = 5.89, p = .01). Both posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and depressive symptoms were controlled for because they have been shown to be risk factors for all-cause mortality. The mortality curve of the CSR group increased steeply around the age of 40 years, whereas in the comparison group, the increase was less substantial. CONCLUSIONS: CSR was found to be a significant predictor of all-cause mortality. The risk for mortality was higher and earlier among the CSR group compared with the comparison group. The findings of this study call attention to the importance of immediately identifying CSR to better care for the individual and minimize long-term negative effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Ten-Year Trend and Correlates of Reported Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Young Male Veteran Suicide Decedents-Results from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 U.S. States, 2005-2014.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined trends and correlates of reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among young male Veteran suicide decedents, using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System from 2005-2014 on 1,362 male U.S. Veteran suicide decedents aged 18-34 years. METHODS: Prevalence of reported PTSD (i.e., diagnosis/symptoms) was determined by mental health diagnostic fields and narratives and examined by year. Demographic, incident, and precipitating circumstance characteristics correlated with reported PTSD were identified. RESULTS: One-hundred ninety-eight (15%) decedents had PTSD evidence. A 30-fold increase in reported PTSD prevalence occurred among decedents aged 25-34 years; however, no increase was observed among younger decedents. Reported PTSD was associated with past deployments (odds ratio (OR): 14.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 9.0-23.4); depression (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.6); and divorce (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-2.7). Recent crisis (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.3-0.9) was inversely associated with reported PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: Reported PTSD prevalence substantially increased among Veteran suicide decedents aged 25-34 years suggesting it is beginning to play a larger role in suicide for this group. Few correlated suicide risk factors were found, suggesting that if symptoms of PTSD are present, heightened vigilance by providers for suicide risk might be warranted, irrespective of evidence of other risk factors.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Death From Suicide.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes the increasing public health concern about PTSD and suicide, and the population-based studies that have examined this association. Further, we discuss methodological issues that provide important context for the examination of this association. RECENT FINDINGS: The majority of epidemiologic studies have shown that PTSD is associated with an increased risk of suicide; however, a notable minority of studies have documented a decreased risk of suicide among persons with PTSD. Methodological (e.g., sample size and misclassification) and etiologic issues (e.g., complicated psychiatric comorbidity) may explain the conflicting evidence. PTSD may be associated with an increased risk of suicide, but further research is needed. Increasing the use of appropriate methods (e.g., marginal structural models that can evaluate both confounding and effect modification, machine learning methods, quantification of systematic error) will strengthen the evidence base and advance our understanding.

The Long-Term Clinical Outcome of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Impaired Coronary Distensibility.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary Distensibility Index (CDI) impairments reflect endothelial-dependent process associated with vulnerable-plaque composition. This study investigated the relation of impaired CDI with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their predictive value for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). METHODS: This study involved 246 patients (age = 63 [10] years, 12% women) with (n = 50) and without (n = 196) PTSD, who underwent computed tomography angiography to determine coronary artery disease and CDI. Extent of coronary artery disease was defined as normal, nonobstructive (<50% luminal stenosis), and obstructive (>50%). Incidence of MACE, defined as myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death, was documented during a mean follow-up of 50 months. Survival regression was employed to assess the longitudinal association of impaired CDI and PTSD with MACE. RESULTS: A significant inverse correlation between CDI and Clinical Global Impression Severity scale of PTSD symptoms was noted (r = .81, p = .001). CDI was significantly lower in patients with PTSD (3.3 [0.2]) compared with those without PTSD (4.5 [0.3]), a finding that was more robust in women (p < .05). Covariate-adjusted analyses revealed that the relative risk of MACE was higher in patients with PTSD (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.34-3.14) and those with impaired CDI (HR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.27-3.01, per standard deviation lower CDI value). There was also a significant interaction between PTSD and impaired CDI (HR = 3.24, 95% CI = 2.02-5.53). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired CDI is strongly associated with the severity of PTSD symptoms. Both impaired CDI and PTSD were independently associated with an increased risk of MACE during follow-up, and evidence indicated an interaction between these two factors. These findings highlight the important role of CDI in identifying individuals with PTSD at risk for MACE.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and mortality in VA patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

BACKGROUND: The association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mortality in patients undergoing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement has not been evaluated in US veterans. HYPOTHESIS: PTSD in veterans with ICD is associated with increased mortality. METHODS: We studied a retrospective cohort of 25 678 veterans who underwent ICD implantation between September 30, 2002, and December 31, 2011. Of these subjects, 3280 carried the diagnosis of PTSD prior to ICD implantation. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality between date of ICD implantation and end of follow-up (September 30, 2013). We used Cox proportional hazard models to compute multivariable adjusted hazard ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the relation between PTSD diagnosis and death following ICD placement. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 4.21 ± 2.62 years, 11 015 deaths were reported. The crude incidence rate of death was 87.8 and 103.9/1000 person-years for people with and without PTSD, respectively. We did not find an association between presence of PTSD before or after ICD implantation and incident death when adjusted for multiple risk factors (hazard ratio: 1.003, 95% confidence interval: 0.948-1.061). In secondary analysis, no statistically significant association was found. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective cohort study among more than 25 000 veterans undergoing ICD implantation, almost 13% had a diagnosis of PTSD. Subjects with PTSD were significantly younger, yet they had a higher incidence of coronary heart disease, major cardiac comorbidities, cancer, and mental health conditions. We found no association between presence of PTSD before or after ICD implantation and incident death when adjusting for all covariates.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Narrative Review.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic condition related to severe stress and trauma. There is a mounting evidence about increased prevalence and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients with PTSD. This review summarizes the current data on possible relations between PTSD and increased risks of CVD, including biological, psychological and behavioral factors. Biological factors refer to increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), hypertension, elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and homocysteine levels. Peripheral Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) are promising surrogate markers of increased cardiovascular risk. Among psychological factors, some personality traits, such as neuroticism and trait impulsivity/hostility, contribute to the development of PTSD, and are associated with general cardiovascular distress. Recently, type-D (distressed) personality is usually investigated in relation to cardiovascular morbidity, but in populations other than PTSD patients. Behavioral factors refer to unhealthy life-styles, encompassing high smoking rate, drug substances abuse and addiction, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. The relationships among all these factors are complex and yet incompletely taken into consideration. Because of a high prevalence of CVD in patients with PTSD, there is a strong need for a more intensive focus on this vulnerable population in both primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention as well as in effective treatment possibilities.

Predictors of Mortality in Older Homeless Veterans.

OBJECTIVES: In this analysis of a cohort of older homeless veterans, we examined psychosocial, health, housing, and employment characteristics to identify predictors of mortality. METHOD: Our sample of 3,620 older veterans entered Veteran Affairs homeless programs in years 2000-2003. Fifteen variables from a structured interview described this sample and served as predictors. National Death Index data for years 2000-2011 were used to ascertain death. Survival table analyses were conducted to estimate and plot cumulative survival functions. To determine predictors and estimate hazard functions, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Five variables (presence of a serious health issue, hospitalization for alcohol abuse, alcohol dependency, unemployment for 3 years, and age 60+) were associated with increased risk of death; three (non-White, drug dependency, and dental problems) were associated with reduced risk. A risk score, based on total unit-weighted risk for all eight predictors, was used to identify three groups that were found to differ significantly in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: These analyses underline the jeopardy faced by older homeless veterans in terms of early death. We were able to identify several variables associated with mortality; more importantly, we were able to show that a risk score based on status for these variables was significantly related to survival.

[Posttraumatic stress disorder : Trigger and consequence of vascular diseases]. / Posttraumatische Belastungsstörung : Auslöser und Folgeerscheinung vaskulärer Erkrankungen.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was previously thought to be a psychological reaction precipitated by exposure to war, sexual and physical violence; however, PTSD is also prevalent after life-threatening medical events, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. After such events PTSD is often underdiagnosed despite the fact that it is clearly associated with adverse clinical outcomes including recurrence of cardiac events and increased mortality. Moreover, PTSD increases the risk of vascular events. This review summarizes the bidirectional relationship between PTSD and vascular diseases and outlines current knowledge regarding clinical features, prevalence and the putative underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Comorbidity Correlates of Death Among New Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Deployment.

BACKGROUND: Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who receive care in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) have high disease burden. Distinct comorbidity patterns have been shown to be differentially associated with adverse outcomes, including death. This study determined correlates of 5-year mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VA demographic, military, homelessness, and clinical measures informed this retrospective analysis. Previously constructed comorbidity classifications over 3 years of care were entered into a Cox proportional hazards model of death. RESULTS: There were 164,933 veterans in the cohort, including African Americans (16%), Hispanics (11%), and whites (65%). Most were in their 20s at baseline (60%); 12% were women; 4% had attempted suicide; 4% had been homeless. Having clustered disorders of pain, posttraumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury was associated with death [hazard ratio (HR)=2.0]. Mental disorders including substance abuse were similarly associated (HR=2.1). Prior suicide attempt (HR=2.2) or drug overdose (HR=3.0) considerably increased risk of death over 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: As congressional actions such as Veterans Choice Act offer more avenues to seek care outside of VA, coordination of care, and suicide prevention outreach for recent veterans may require innovative approaches to preserve life.

Distress of Routine Activities and Perceived Safety Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress, Depression, and Alcohol Use: 2002 Washington, DC, Sniper Attacks.

OBJECTIVE: For over 3 weeks in October 2002, a series of sniper attacks in the Washington, DC, area left 10 people dead and 3 wounded. This study examined the relationship of distress associated with routine activities and perceived safety to psychological and behavioral responses. METHODS: Participants were 1238 residents of the Washington, DC, metropolitan area (aged 18 to 90 years, mean=41.7 years) who completed an Internet survey including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and items pertaining to distress related to routine activities, perceived safety, and alcohol use. Data were collected at one time point approximately 3 weeks after the first sniper shooting and before apprehension of the suspects. Relationships of distress and perceived safety to post-traumatic stress, depressive symptoms, and increased alcohol use were examined by using linear and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Approximately 8% of the participants met the symptom criteria for probable post-traumatic stress disorder, 22% reported mild to severe depression, and 4% reported increased alcohol use during the attacks. Distress related to routine activities and perceived safety were associated with increased post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms and alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Distress and perceived safety are associated with specific routine activities and both contribute to psychological and behavioral responses during a terrorist attack. These findings have implications for targeted information dissemination and risk communication by community leaders.

Prevalence and Determinants of Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After Floods.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and determinants of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among flood victims. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2014 among individuals who had experienced the 1998 floods and had been diagnosed with PTSD in 1999 in Hunan, China. Cluster sampling was used to select subjects from the areas that had been surveyed in 1999. PTSD was diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, social support was measured according to a Social Support Rating Scale, coping style was measured according to a Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and personality was measured by use of the revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale for Chinese. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews by use of a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to reveal the determinants of chronic PTSD. RESULTS: A total of 123 subjects were interviewed, 17 of whom (14.4%) were diagnosed with chronic PTSD. Chronic PTSD was significantly associated with disaster stressors (odds ratio [OR]: 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.47), nervousness (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.17), and social support (OR: 0.85; 95 CI%: 0.74-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic PTSD in flood victims is significantly associated with disaster stressors, nervousness, and social support. These factors may play important roles in identifying persons at high risk of chronic PTSD.

Predictors and prognostic impact of post-traumatic stress disorder after the great East Japan earthquake in patients with cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: We examined the prevalence, predictors and prognostic impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the Great East Japan Earthquake in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the CHART-2 study. METHODS AND RESULTS: The prevalence of PTSD was 14.7% at 6 months after the Earthquake. Female sex, experiencing the Tsunami, property loss, poverty, and insomnia medication use were associated with PTSD. The patients with PTSD more frequently experienced a composite of death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure (18.5% vs. 15.0%, P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: PTSD was frequent in CVD patients after the Earthquake and had an adverse prognostic impact.

Effect of elective surgery on subjective health in veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common, is often chronic, and has been associated with greater risk of postoperative mortality in veterans. The purpose of this study was to determine if elective outpatient surgery had a persistent effect on the physical or mental health of veterans with chronic PTSD. A longitudinal, quasi-experimental study was conducted that followed up 60 veterans with chronic PTSD over 12 weeks. Self-reported physical and mental health, depressive symptom severity, and posttraumatic symptom severity were measured in 29 veterans undergoing outpatient elective surgery and 31 veterans not having elective surgery (controls). Data collection was performed at baseline and repeated 1, 4, and 12 weeks after surgery or enrollment. At baseline, both surgical and control subjects reported poor physical and mental subjective health status. After surgery, surgical group subjects reported mean age- and gender-adjusted reductions of 3.9 points on the Physical Component Summary score and 2.9 points on the Mental Component Summary score of the Veterans Rand 36-item Health Survey, which resolved by 4 weeks after surgery. These findings suggest that veterans with PTSD were at greater risk of mortality because of poor baseline health, but did not demonstrate persistent decline in health following common elective surgical procedures.