Metabolic syndrome and depression in war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

Background. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and metabolic syndromes are growing public health problems in post-war countries. Understanding the co-morbidity among PTSD, depression and metabolic syndrome has an important clinical and theoretical issue. Objective: To examine the relationship between combat-related PTSD, comorbid depression and metabolic syndrome as well as between severity of depression and metabolic syndrome. Method. Metabolic syndrome and co-morbid depression were investigated in 100 male war veterans with combat PTSD and in 79 males who needed medical attention in dispensary of family medicine. Results: Metabolic syndrome according NCEP: ATP III was found in 25% of war veterans with PTSD. Metabolic syndrome was identified more frequently in PTSD patients with co-morbid depression (47.8%) compared to those without depression (9.1%). PTSD with moderate and severe co-morbid depression was associated with higher rates of metabolic syndrome (78.6% and 90.9% respectively) in comparison with mild depression (26.2%). Conclusions: PTSD is frequently comorbid with depression, and when the two disorders co-occur, the risk for metabolic syndrome is increased. Treatment of war veterans with PTSD should address co-morbid depression and metabolic syndrome as well as the clinical features of PTSD.