[Blood lipid parameters in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorders].

OBJECTIVE

To study the specific features of blood lipid composition in combat veterans (CVs) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-one CVs were examined; their mean age was 42.8 +/- 0.7 years. All the patients underwent a clinical and neurological examination using additional studies. I.O. Kotenev's trauma stress questionnaire was used. The mean intensity of PTSD was 65.5 +/- 0.95 scores. Fasting biochemical blood tests were carried out using clinical chemical analyzers.

RESULTS

Dyslipidemias characterized mainly by elevated levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins are identified in the majority of present-day CVs. Higher triglyceride levels and lower high-density lipoproteins are encountered 2 and 1.5 times more frequently, respectively. A tendency has been found towards an inverse correlation between the degree of PTSD and the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroendocrine changes accompanying PTSD and leading to intensified adrenergic influences are an important trigger of accelerated hyperlipidemia development in CVs. Age-related changes and metabolic hepatic disorders associated with alcohol abuse and consequences of prior infectious diseases have become to play an important role in the pathogenesis of dyslipidemias in patients over 40-45 years of age.