Abstract
Objective Decreased cardiac vagal control (CVC) has been proposed in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the results are mixed. Analyses with larger sample sizes and better methodology are needed. Methods Thirty-two drug-naïve survivors with current PTSD, 32 survivors without PTSD and 192 matched controls were recruited for a case-control analysis. We used the PTSD checklist-civilian version (PCL-C) to assess posttraumatic symptoms severity. Cardiac autonomic function was evaluated by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Frequency-domain indices of HRV were obtained. The obtained results were evaluated in association with personality traits assessed by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). Results PTSD patients exhibited decreased LF-HRV and HF-HRV as compared to survivors without PTSD and to matched controls. The PTSD symptoms severity was associated with reduced mean RR intervals, Var-HRV, LF-HRV and HF-HRV. The harm avoidance score (which has been suggested to be associated with serotonergic activity) was negatively correlated with Var-HRV, LF-HRV and HF-HRV. Conclusion These data suggest that PTSD is accompanied by decreased CVC, highlighting the importance of assessing HRV in PTSD patients. In view of the increased risk for cardiovascular diseases in these vulnerable individuals, one might consider the treatment to restore their autonomic function while reducing PTSD symptoms.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 121-130 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Psychiatry Investigation |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Cardiac autonomic function
- Heart rate variability
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Vagal control
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry
Cite this
Decreased cardiac vagal control in drug-naïve patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. / Chang, Hsin An; Chang, Chuan Chia; Tzeng, Nian Sheng; Kuo, Terry B J; Lu, Ru Band; Huang, San Yuan.
In: Psychiatry Investigation, Vol. 10, No. 2, 06.2013, p. 121-130.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Decreased cardiac vagal control in drug-naïve patients with posttraumatic stress disorder
AU - Chang, Hsin An
AU - Chang, Chuan Chia
AU - Tzeng, Nian Sheng
AU - Kuo, Terry B J
AU - Lu, Ru Band
AU - Huang, San Yuan
PY - 2013/6
Y1 - 2013/6
N2 - Objective Decreased cardiac vagal control (CVC) has been proposed in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the results are mixed. Analyses with larger sample sizes and better methodology are needed. Methods Thirty-two drug-naïve survivors with current PTSD, 32 survivors without PTSD and 192 matched controls were recruited for a case-control analysis. We used the PTSD checklist-civilian version (PCL-C) to assess posttraumatic symptoms severity. Cardiac autonomic function was evaluated by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Frequency-domain indices of HRV were obtained. The obtained results were evaluated in association with personality traits assessed by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). Results PTSD patients exhibited decreased LF-HRV and HF-HRV as compared to survivors without PTSD and to matched controls. The PTSD symptoms severity was associated with reduced mean RR intervals, Var-HRV, LF-HRV and HF-HRV. The harm avoidance score (which has been suggested to be associated with serotonergic activity) was negatively correlated with Var-HRV, LF-HRV and HF-HRV. Conclusion These data suggest that PTSD is accompanied by decreased CVC, highlighting the importance of assessing HRV in PTSD patients. In view of the increased risk for cardiovascular diseases in these vulnerable individuals, one might consider the treatment to restore their autonomic function while reducing PTSD symptoms.
AB - Objective Decreased cardiac vagal control (CVC) has been proposed in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the results are mixed. Analyses with larger sample sizes and better methodology are needed. Methods Thirty-two drug-naïve survivors with current PTSD, 32 survivors without PTSD and 192 matched controls were recruited for a case-control analysis. We used the PTSD checklist-civilian version (PCL-C) to assess posttraumatic symptoms severity. Cardiac autonomic function was evaluated by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Frequency-domain indices of HRV were obtained. The obtained results were evaluated in association with personality traits assessed by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). Results PTSD patients exhibited decreased LF-HRV and HF-HRV as compared to survivors without PTSD and to matched controls. The PTSD symptoms severity was associated with reduced mean RR intervals, Var-HRV, LF-HRV and HF-HRV. The harm avoidance score (which has been suggested to be associated with serotonergic activity) was negatively correlated with Var-HRV, LF-HRV and HF-HRV. Conclusion These data suggest that PTSD is accompanied by decreased CVC, highlighting the importance of assessing HRV in PTSD patients. In view of the increased risk for cardiovascular diseases in these vulnerable individuals, one might consider the treatment to restore their autonomic function while reducing PTSD symptoms.
KW - Cardiac autonomic function
KW - Heart rate variability
KW - Posttraumatic stress disorder
KW - Vagal control
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84879324357&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84879324357&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.4306/pi.2013.10.2.121
DO - 10.4306/pi.2013.10.2.121
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84879324357
VL - 10
SP - 121
EP - 130
JO - Psychiatry Investigation
JF - Psychiatry Investigation
SN - 1738-3684
IS - 2
ER -