Association of posttraumatic stress disorder with low-grade elevation of C-reactive protein: Evidence from the general population

Background This study was designed to assess oral ulcerative mucositis, C-reactive protein, blood pressure, heart rate and thyroid function in breast cancer patients in relation to the occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods A total of 120 female breast cancer patients and women 100 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. PTSD status was assessed by questionnaire. Before and after treatment (modified radical mastectomy and chemotherapy), serum samples were collected and measured for levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) by ELISA. Oral ulcerative mucositis was evaluated by the number and duration of oral ulcers and the degree of pain. Results Breast cancer patients experienced long-term PTSD and had elevated serum T3 and T4 levels. Patients experienced more severe pain and longer duration of oral ulcers compared with the healthy group. Oral ulcers were significantly associated with PTSD score in terms of the number of ulcers (p=0.0025), the degree of pain (p<0.0001) and the duration of ulcers (p<0.0001). Conclusion These findings support that thyroid function is altered in breast cancer patients with PTSD. Elevation of T3 and T4 and oral ulcerative mucositis might be indicative of the emotional status of breast cancer patients.

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Assessment of Plasma C-Reactive Protein as a Biomarker of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Risk

JAMA Psychiatry ◽

10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.4374 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 71 (4) ◽

pp. 423 ◽

Cited By ~ 158

Author(s):

Satish A. Eraly ◽

Caroline M. Nievergelt ◽

Adam X. Maihofer ◽

Donald A. Barkauskas ◽

Nilima Biswas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Disorder Risk

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Gut Microbiome

The Oxford Handbook of the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190931544.013.10 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kelsey M. Loupy ◽

Christopher A. Lowry

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Low Grade ◽

Related Disorder ◽

Microbiome Composition ◽

Glucocorticoid Signaling ◽

System Functioning

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a trauma- and stressor-related disorder that is often associated with the dysregulation of multiple physiological systems, including autonomic nervous system functioning, glucocorticoid signaling, and chronic low-grade inflammation. Recent evidence suggests that persons with a diagnosis of PTSD also exhibit alterations in the composition of gut microbiomes compared to people who are trauma-exposed but do not develop PTSD. The bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome, the gut, and the brain, deemed the microbiome-gut-brain (MGB) axis, is composed of neural, neuroendocrine, and immune processes that both impact and respond to the structure of the gut microbiome. This chapter aims to outline (1) the ways in which trauma and stressor exposure may impact the gut microbiome; (2) the ways in which gut microbiome composition may influence brain function, including anxiety, and fear responses; and (3) how the bidirectional MGB axis, through interactions with several physiological circuits, may determine individual variability in resilience versus vulnerability to development of PTSD after trauma exposure.

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