Abnormal serum lipid profile in Brazilian police officers with post-traumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND
To measure the serum lipid composition of a sample of Brazilian police officers with and without PTSD regularly exposed to potentially traumatic situations.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 118 active duty male police officers. Serum concentrations for total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides were enzymatically determined. Body mass index (BMI) was obtained for each participant.


RESULTS
Officers with PTSD exhibited significantly higher serum total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides levels than those without PTSD. Total cholesterol and triglycerides, but not LDL-C, remained associated with PTSD diagnosis after controlling for confounding influences (i.e. socio-demographics, BMI, and tobacco, alcohol and medication use).


CONCLUSIONS
The sample size was small. A nutritional interview was employed instead of established scales to assess alimentary habits, tobacco or alcohol consumption. A self-report screening tool was used to assess the prevalence of PTSD.


CONCLUSIONS
The association between PTSD and abnormal serum lipid profile and a tendency to exhibit higher BMI suggests that individuals with PTSD may be at increased risk for developing metabolic syndrome, a condition that by itself could account for many of the most serious PTSD-related physical health problems.
Maia
Deborah Bezerra
DB
Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB-UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. debmaia@terra.com.br
Marmar
Charles R
CR
Mendlowicz
Mauro V
MV
Metzler
Thomas
T
Nóbrega
Augusta
A
Peres
Mhara C
MC
Coutinho
Evandro S
ES
Volchan
Eliane
E
Figueira
Ivan
I
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008016:Life Change Events; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016495:Police / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides