title: Women in recovery from PTSD have similar inflammation and quality of life as non-traumatized controls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with greater concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers as well as substantial medical burden; however, it is not clear if these morbidity risks change following recovery from PTSD. In this study we compare women who have recovered from PTSD, to those with current PTSD, and healthy controls on their perceived health and inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 3 groups of women: those with current PTSD, those who reported recovery from PTSD, and healthy non-traumatized controls, which were determined using standard diagnostic instruments. We obtained a morning blood sample and examined concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers of: interleukin 6 (IL-6) and c-reactive protein (CRP), and lipid concentrations. Lastly, we evaluated health related quality of life (HRQOL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women who had recovered from PTSD had a similar HRQOL and inflammatory biomarkers as non-traumatized controls. Their concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers were lower than women with current PTSD, and similar to non-traumatized controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health perception as well as biological indicators of health significantly differ in women in recovery from PTSD, compared to those who remain symptomatic. These findings suggest that the psychological recovery is associated with normal levels of inflammatory biomarkers and HRQOL.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. gillj@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Jessica M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Leorey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Saligan
authors.forename: Henna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rotolo
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Szanton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein