Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Psychosom Med. 2011 Jun;73(5):401-6. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e31821b47e8. Epub 2011 Jun 2.
To examine the relationship of traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a representative population sample of 1456 German elderly (60-85 years). Several studies have suggested that PTSD and traumatic experiences are related to adverse health outcomes. However, many past studies were based on special samples such as combat veterans or survivors of natural disasters.
Using self-report data and regression analyses, we investigated the association of traumatic experiences and PTSD with several medical conditions.
Traumatized subjects had a significantly increased risk for all the medical conditions under study compared with those participants without a traumatic exposure, ranging from odds ratio of 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-1.75) for hypertension up to 5.12 (95% CI = 2.25-11.6) for cancer. There are significant associations of current PTSD with cardiovascular diseases (angina pectoris/coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease) and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension and elevated cholesterol level; odds ratio of 1.94 [95% CI = 1.14-3.31]) for peripheral vascular disease up to 3.76 [95% CI = 2.11-6.70] for elevated cholesterol level), as well as with asthma, cancer, back pain, hard of hearing, osteoporosis, stomach problems, and thyroid disorders.
These findings suggest an association between traumatic stress and PTSD with impaired physical health in a general population sample in the German elderly. It underscores the importance of traumatic experiences and PTSD not only for mental health but also for physical health as a long-term consequence.
在 1456 名德国老年人（60-85 岁）的代表性人群样本中，研究创伤经历和创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）之间的关系。一些研究表明，PTSD 和创伤经历与不良健康结果有关。然而，许多过去的研究都是基于特殊样本，如战斗老兵或自然灾害幸存者。
使用自我报告数据和回归分析，我们调查了创伤经历和 PTSD 与几种医疗状况的关联。
与没有创伤暴露的参与者相比，创伤组的所有研究疾病的风险显著增加，范围从高血压的优势比 1.37（95%置信区间[CI] = 1.07-1.75）到癌症的 5.12（95%CI = 2.25-11.6）。目前 PTSD 与心血管疾病（心绞痛/冠状动脉疾病、充血性心力衰竭和外周血管疾病）和心血管风险因素（高血压和胆固醇水平升高；外周血管疾病的优势比为 1.94 [95%CI = 1.14-3.31]）至胆固醇水平升高的 3.76 [95%CI = 2.11-6.70]）以及哮喘、癌症、背痛、听力障碍、骨质疏松症、胃部问题和甲状腺疾病均存在显著关联。
这些发现表明，在德国老年人的一般人群样本中，创伤应激和 PTSD 与身体健康受损之间存在关联。这强调了创伤经历和 PTSD 的重要性，不仅对心理健康，而且对身体健康作为长期后果。
