The impact of interpersonal early life trauma on cardio-metabolic health in post-9/11 veterans.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the impact of early life trauma (ELT) on cardio-metabolic health in veterans from post-9/11 conflicts who experience significant stress from deployment and reintegration.

METHOD

Three hundred thirty-seven veterans from the Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders study underwent physiological assessments, including blood pressure and waist circumference. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure metabolic syndrome (MetS; cholesterol/triglycerides/glucose). ELT history was determined using the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. Logistic regression models examined the association of ELT and MetS diagnostic criteria while controlling for confounders.

RESULTS

The adjusted logistic regression showed a significant relationship between interpersonal ELT (IP ELT) and risk of MetS, with IP ELT having an approximately 3-fold increase in the risk of cardio- metabolic syndrome compared with those with no trauma (odds ratio [OR] = 3.06, p < .05). IP ELT was associated with over a 2-fold increased risk of elevated triglycerides compared with those with no trauma (OR = 2.06, p < .05). PTSD symptoms also explained in part the IP-ELT/MetS relationship. Veterans with any ELT were significantly more likely to meet for a current diagnosis of PTSD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that veterans with IP ELT are more likely to meet MetS and PTSD diagnostic criteria than veterans without IP ELT. This is concerning considering the young age of the sample and stresses the importance of an integrated and holistic approach in the assessment of physical and mental health in returning veterans. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).