The role of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in risk for posttraumatic stress disorder: taking a nutritional approach toward universal prevention

K Hamazaki; D Nishi; N Yonemoto; H Noguchi; Y Kim; Y Matsuoka

doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2014.05.002

The role of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in risk for posttraumatic stress disorder: taking a nutritional approach toward universal prevention

Eur Psychiatry. 2014 Sep;29(7):408-13. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2014.05.002. Epub 2014 Jun 23.

Authors

K Hamazaki¹, D Nishi², N Yonemoto³, H Noguchi⁴, Y Kim⁵, Y Matsuoka⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Translational Medical Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan.
² National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, National Disaster Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan.
³ Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Translational Medical Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan; National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan.
⁴ Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Translational Medical Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan.
⁵ National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan.
⁶ Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Translational Medical Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan; National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, National Disaster Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: yutaka@ncnp.go.jp.

PMID: 24969103
DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2014.05.002

Abstract

Several cross-sectional studies, but no prospective studies, have reported an association between an abnormal lipid profile and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We hypothesized that an abnormal lipid profile might predict risk for developing PTSD. In this prospective study, we analyzed data from 237 antidepressant-naïve severely injured patients who participated in the Tachikawa Cohort of Motor Vehicle Accident Study. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels at baseline were significantly lower in patients with PTSD than those without PTSD at 6 months after motor vehicle accident (MVA) and were inversely associated with risk for PTSD. In contrast, triglycerides (TG) at baseline were significantly higher in patients with PTSD than in those without PTSD at 6 months post-MVA and were positively associated with risk for PTSD. There was no clear association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or total cholesterol and risk for PTSD. In conclusion, low HDL-C and high TG may be risk factors for PTSD. Determining lipid profiles might help identify those at risk for PTSD after experiencing trauma.

Keywords: Epidemiology ;Lipid profile; Posttraumatic stress disorder.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Accidents, Traffic / psychology*
Adult
Age Factors
Cholesterol / metabolism
Cholesterol, HDL / metabolism*
Cholesterol, LDL / metabolism*
Cohort Studies
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / metabolism*
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
Triglycerides / metabolism*
Young Adult

Substances

Cholesterol, HDL
Cholesterol, LDL
Triglycerides
Cholesterol