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28-10-2023 | Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | Research Article

Sex differences in Black Veterans with PTSD: women versus men have higher sympathetic activity, inflammation, and blunted cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity

Authors: Ida T. Fonkoue, Chowdhury Tasnova Tahsin, Toure N. Jones, Keyona N. King, Chowdhury Ibtida Tahmin, Jinhee Jeong, Deirdre Dixon, Dana R. DaCosta, Jeanie Park

Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research | Issue 6/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with greater risk of incident hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Inflammation and autonomic derangements are suggested as contributing mechanisms. Women and Black adults have higher CVD risk associated with stress; however, whether there is a sex difference in autonomic and inflammatory mechanisms among Black individuals with PTSD is not known. We hypothesized that Black women with PTSD have higher inflammation, sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and impaired baroreflex sensitivity (BRS).

Methods

In 42 Black Veterans with PTSD (Women, N = 18 and Men, N = 24), we measured inflammatory biomarkers, continuous blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) at rest and during arterial BRS testing via the modified Oxford technique.

Results

Groups were matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Resting BP was similar between groups, but HR was higher (76 ± 12 vs. 68 ± 9 beats/min, p = 0.021) in women compared to men. Although women had lower PTSD symptoms severity (57 ± 17 vs. 68 ± 12 a.u.), resting MSNA (27 ± 13 vs. 16 ± 5 bursts/min, p = 0.003) was higher in women compared to men, respectively. Likewise, cardiovagal BRS was blunted (p = 0.002) in women (7.6 ± 4.3 ms/mmHg) compared to men (15.5 ± 8.4 ms/mmHg) while sympathetic BRS was not different between groups (p = 0.381). Black women also had higher (p = 0.020) plasma levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2).

Conclusion

Black women with PTSD have higher resting HR and MSNA, greater impairment of cardiovagal BRS and possibly higher inflammation. These findings suggest a higher burden of autonomic and inflammatory derangements in Black women compared to Black men with PTSD.

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Title: Sex differences in Black Veterans with PTSD: women versus men have higher sympathetic activity, inflammation, and blunted cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity
Authors: Ida T. Fonkoue
Chowdhury Tasnova Tahsin
Toure N. Jones
Keyona N. King
Chowdhury Ibtida Tahmin
Jinhee Jeong
Deirdre Dixon
Dana R. DaCosta
Jeanie Park
Publication date: 28-10-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research / Issue 6/2023
Print ISSN: 0959-9851
Electronic ISSN: 1619-1560
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-023-00995-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Sex differences in Black Veterans with PTSD: women versus men have higher sympathetic activity, inflammation, and blunted cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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