title: Abnormal serum lipid profile in Brazilian police officers with post-traumatic stress disorder.
abstract: 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.
authors: Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB-UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. debmaia@terra.com.br
authors: Deborah Bezerra
authors: DB
authors: Maia
authors: Charles R
authors: CR
authors: Marmar
authors: Mauro V
authors: MV
authors: Mendlowicz
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Metzler
authors: Augusta
authors: A
authors: Nóbrega
authors: Mhara C
authors: MC
authors: Peres
authors: Evandro S
authors: ES
authors: Coutinho
authors: Eliane
authors: E
authors: Volchan
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Figueira
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides