Metabolic syndrome and depression in war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and metabolic syndromes are growing public health problems in post-war countries. Understanding the co-morbidity among PTSD, depression and metabolic syndrome has an important clinical and theoretical issue.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between combat-related PTSD, co-morbid depression and metabolic syndrome as well as between severity of depression and metabolic syndrome.


METHODS
Metabolic syndrome and co-morbid depression were investigated in 100 male war veterans with combat PTSD and in 79 males who needed medical attention in dispensary of family medicine.


RESULTS
Metabolic syndrome according NCEP: ATP III was found in 25 % of war veterans with PTSD. Metabolic syndrome was identified more frequently in PTSD patients with co-morbid depression (47.8 %) compared to those without depression (9.1%). PTSD with moderate and severe co-morbid depression was associated with higher rates of metabolic syndrome (78.6% and 90.9% respectively) in comparison with mild depression (26.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
PTSD is frequently comorbid with depression, and when the two disorders co-occur, the risk for metabolic syndrome is increased. Treatment of war veterans with PTSD should address co-morbid depression and metabolic syndrome as well as the clinical features of PTSD.
Jakovljević
Miro
M
University Psychiatric Clinic Rebro, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kispatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. predstojnik_psi@kbc-zagreb.hr
Babić
Dragan
D
Crncević
Zeljka
Z
Martinac
Marko
M
Maslov
Boris
B
Topić
Radmila
R
D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D035061:Control Groups; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data