title: Metabolic syndrome in people suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous reports showed a high prevalence of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia among people suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there is a lack of reviews that systematically analyze the relationship between PTSD and metabolic syndrome. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at estimating the association between PTSD and metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. We included observational studies assessing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a sample with PTSD and in a comparison group without PTSD. Data were analyzed using Review manager 5.1. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were used as an association measure for pooled analysis, based on a random-effects model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six articles were eligible according to the inclusion criteria, for an overall number of 528 individuals suffering from PTSD and 846 controls without PTSD. The pooled OR for metabolic syndrome for people with PTSD was 1.37 (1.03-1.82). Statistical heterogeneity between the included studies was low (I(2)=22%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite some limitations, the findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed our hypothesis that individuals suffering from PTSD have a greater risk of metabolic syndrome. The potential role of unknown factors or mediators that might clarify the nature of this association needs further research.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Surgery and Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca , Milano, Italy .
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bartoli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carrà
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crocamo
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carretta
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017594:Publication Bias; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014728:Veterans