Whitworth, J. W., Hayes, S. M., Andrews, R., Fonda, J., Beck, B. M., Hanlon, L. B., Fortier, C., Milberg, W., & McGlinchey, R. (2020). Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated With Better Cardiometabolic Health and Lower PTSD Severity in Post-9/11 Veterans. Mil Med, 185, e592-e596.
Notes
1930-613xWhitworth, James WHayes, Scott MAndrews, Ryan JFonda, Jennifer RBeck, Brigitta MHanlon, Lilly BFortier, Catherine BMilberg, William PMcGlinchey, Regina ET32 MH019836/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United StatesR21 AG056921/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United StatesJournal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.2020/02/16Mil Med. 2020 Jun 8;185(5-6):e592-e596. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usaa005.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and physical inactivity. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), which is modifiable by physical activity, is a strong independent predictor of cardiometabolic health. However, the relationship between CRF and cardiometabolic health in veterans with PTSD is unknown. Thus, this study aimed to explore the cross-sectional relationships among CRF, indices of cardiometabolic health (ie, HbA1c, blood lipids, blood pressure, waist-hip ratio, and body mass index), and PTSD severity in veterans with PTSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the local Institutional Review Board. All participants were informed of the study risks and provided consent prior to participation. Participants (n = 13) completed a cardiopulmonary exercise test, a fasting blood draw, and the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale. Correlations between CRF and cardiometabolic health were examined with Spearman's rank correlations, and differences in PTSD symptom severity were explored as a function of CRF (ie, low-to-moderate vs. high CRF), using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Peak oxygen uptake ($\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O2peak) was correlated with high-density lipoproteins rho = 0.60, P = 0.04 and diastolic blood pressure rho = -0.56, P = 0.05. Ventilatory threshold was correlated with HbA1c rho = -0.61, P = 0.03 and diastolic blood pressure rho = -0.56, P = 0.05. Higher CRF was associated with lower total PTSD severity standardized β = -0.84, P = 0.01, adjusted R2 = 0.47, total Cluster C symptoms (avoidance/numbing) β = -0.71, P = 0.02, adjusted R2 = 0.49, and total Cluster D symptoms (hyperarousal) β = -0.89, P = 0.01, adjusted R2 = 0.41, while adjusting for age and smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that CRF and by proxy physical activity may be important factors in understanding the increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease associated with PTSD.
