title: Posttraumatic stress disorder and metabolic syndrome: retrospective study of repatriated prisoners of war.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a retrospective study of metabolic data for Vietnam-era repatriated prisoners of war (RPWs) and a comparison group to determine if metabolic syndrome (MbS) was more common in those individuals with clinically diagnosed, current or lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as suggested in a recent report.
  
  
  METHODS
  The metabolic data of our patients nearest the time of psychiatric evaluation (1998-2004) for PTSD were analyzed using both an analysis of variance and logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although we found elevated triglyceride levels (40 mg/dl higher) in RPWs with PTSD who met MbS criteria, overall the prevalence of MbS was the same in RPWs with and without PTSD and comparison group. Moreover, current PTSD symptom severity did not increase the likelihood of MbS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results from these repatriates who actively participate in a 37-year medical follow up program do not support the conclusion that MbS occurs more commonly in individuals with current PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Robert E. Mitchell Center for Prisoner of War Studies, 220 Hovey Road, Pensacola, FL 32508, USA.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Linnville
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hoyt
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Segovia
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hain
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D014857:Warfare