Sex differences in the severity and natural recovery of child PTSD symptoms: a longitudinal analysis of children exposed to acute trauma

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Lucy V. Hiscox ◽  
Sidney Bray ◽  
Abigail Fraser ◽  
Richard Meiser-Stedman ◽  
Soraya Seedat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Symptom Change ◽  
Natural Recovery ◽  
Child Ptsd ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Trauma Type

Abstract Background Higher levels of PTSD symptoms are present among trauma-exposed females v. males in adulthood; however, much less is known about the emergence of this sex difference during development. Methods In a multi-study sample of 7–18-year-olds (n = 3397), we examined the effect of sex and age on the severity of PTSD symptoms after a single incident trauma at 1 month (T1), and on symptom change after a natural recovery period of 3 (T2) and 6 months (T3). PTSD scores were harmonised across measurement types, and linear regressions were used to determine sex and age effects, adjusting for study level variance and trauma type. Results A sex × age interaction was observed at T1 (p < 0.001) demonstrating that older age was associated with greater PTSD symptom severity in females (β = 0.008, p = 0.047), but less severe symptoms in males (β = −0.011, p = 0.014). The same pattern was observed at T2 and T3, with sex differences beginning to emerge by age 12 years. PTSD symptoms decreased naturally by ~25% at T2 with little further improvement by T3. Further, females showed a greater reduction in symptoms at T3 than males, although the same effect was not observed at T2. Conclusions Sex differences in PTSD symptoms become apparent during adolescence, due to opposing changes in susceptibility occurring in females and males with age. Understanding the factors contributing to these findings is likely to provide wider insight into sex-specific psychological vulnerability to trauma-related psychopathology.

Physical Exercise as Treatment for PTSD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frida Björkman ◽  
Örjan Ekblom
Keyword(s):  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Study Quality ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Military Trauma ◽  
Exercise Type ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

ABSTRACT Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a cluster of physical and psychiatric symptoms following military or civilian trauma. The effect of exercise on PTSD symptoms has previously been investigated in several studies. However, it has not been fully determined what type of exercise most impacts PTSD symptoms. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the effects of different types of exercise on PTSD symptom severity and symptoms of coexisting conditions in adults. Materials and Methods Electronic searches were conducted in the databases PubMed, APA PsycInfo, and SportDiscus, from database inception up until February 1, 2021. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials published in English, participants having a PTSD diagnosis or clinically relevant symptoms, and participants randomly allocated to either a non-exercising control group or an exercise group. Data concerning the number of participants, age, exercise type and duration, PTSD symptom severity (primary outcome), and symptoms of coexisting conditions (secondary outcomes) were extracted. The subgroup analysis included high or low training dose, military trauma versus non-military trauma, the type of intervention (yoga versus other exercise), active or passive control condition, group training versus individual exercise, and study quality. The study quality and risk of bias were assessed using grading of recommendation assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) guidelines. A meta-analysis was performed with a mixed-effects model and restricted maximum likelihood as model estimator, and effect size was calculated as the standardized difference in mean and 95% CI. Results Eleven studies were included in the present review. Results showed a main random effect of exercise intervention (0.46; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.74) and a borderline significant interaction between more voluminous (&gt;20 hours in total) and less voluminous (≤20 hours in total) exercise interventions (P = .07). No significant findings from the subgroup analysis were reported. The secondary outcome analysis showed a small but significant effect of exercise on depressive symptoms (0.20, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.38), and a larger effect on sleep (0.51, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.73). For substance use (alcohol and drugs combined) and quality of life, we found significant effects of 0.52 (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.98) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.34 to 0.69), respectively. No significant effect was found for anxiety (0.18, 95% CI: −0.15 to 0.51), and no sign of publication bias was found. Conclusions Exercise can be an effective addition to PTSD treatment, and greater amounts of exercise may provide more benefits. However, as there were no differences found between exercise type, possibly due to the inclusion of a low number of studies using different methodologies, further research should aim to investigate the optimal type, dose, and duration of activity that are most beneficial to persons with PTSD.

scholarly journals Posttraumatic Symptoms in 3–7 Year Old Trauma-Exposed Children: Links to Impairment, Other Mental Health Symptoms, Caregiver PTSD, and Caregiver Stress

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Cervin ◽  
Alison Salloum ◽  
Leigh J. Ruth ◽  
Eric A. Storch
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Symptom Domains ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Childhood Ptsd ◽  
Child Ptsd

AbstractFew studies have examined how PTSD symptoms in young children are associated with other mental health symptoms and mood and functioning in caregivers. This is an important gap in the literature as such knowledge may be important for assessment and treatment. This study used network analysis to identify how the major symptom domains of PTSD in young trauma-exposed children were related to impairment, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, caregiver PTSD, and caregiver stress. Caregivers of 75 trauma-exposed 3–7 year old children reported on their child’s symptoms and impairment and their own PTSD symptoms and caregiver stress. A strong association between the child PTSD domains of intrusions and avoidance emerged, which is in line with theoretical notions of how PTSD onsets and is maintained in adolescents and adults. Externalizing child symptoms were strongly linked to PTSD-related impairment and caregiver stress, highlighting the need to carefully assess and address such symptoms when working with young trauma-exposed children. Internalizing symptoms were uniquely associated with all three of the major childhood PTSD symptom domains with further implications for assessment and treatment.

scholarly journals An Insight into the Sex Differences in COVID-19 Patients: What are the Possible Causes?

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Maleki Dana ◽  
Fatemeh Sadoughi ◽  
Jamal Hallajzadeh ◽  
Zatollah Asemi ◽  
Mohammad Ali Mansournia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Severe Form ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
Disaggregated Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Hormonal Levels

AbstractStudies have reported a sex bias in case fatalities of COVID-19 patients. Moreover, it is observed that men have a higher risk of developing a severe form of the disease compared to women, highlighting the importance of disaggregated data of male and female COVID-19 patients. On the other hand, other factors (eg, hormonal levels and immune functions) also need to be addressed due to the effects of sex differences on the outcomes of COVID-19 patients. An insight into the underlying causes of sex differences in COVID-19 patients may provide an opportunity for better care of the patients or prevention of the disease. The current study reviews the reports concerning with the sex differences in COVID-19 patients. It is explained how sex can affect angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), that is a key component for the pathogenesis of COVID-19, and summarized the gender differences in immune responses and how sex hormones are involved in immune processes. Furthermore, the available data about the impact of sex hormones on the immune functions of COVID-19 cases are looked into.

PTSD Symptom Severity, but Not Trauma Type, Predicts Mental Health Help-seeking in the Military

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 310-316
Author(s):  
JEFFREY GUINA ◽  
RAMZI W. NAHHAS ◽  
MINH-TRI NGUYEN ◽  
SETH FARNSWORTH
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity ◽  
The Military ◽  
Trauma Type

scholarly journals Differential effect of Hurricane Sandy exposure on PTSD symptom severity: comparison of community members and responders

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 881-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Gonzalez ◽  
Rehana Rasul ◽  
Lucero Molina ◽  
Samantha Schneider ◽  
Kristin Bevilacqua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Differential Effect ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether the association between Hurricane Sandy exposures and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity was greater for exposed community members compared with responders.MethodsData were analysed from three existing studies with similar methodologies (N=1648): two community studies, Leaders in Gathering Hope Together (n=531) and Project Restoration (n=763); and the Sandy/World Trade Center Responders Study (n=354). Sandy-related PTSD symptoms were measured using the PTSD checklist-specific traumatic event and dichotomised as elevated (>30) versus low/no (<30) PTSD symptoms. Sandy exposures were measured with a summed checklist. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the differential effect of exposures on PTSD by responder status, adjusting for demographics and time elapsed since Sandy.ResultsResponders were somewhat older (50.5 years (SD=8.3) vs 45.8 years (SD=20.0)), more likely to identify as white (92.4% vs 48.1%) and were male (90.7% vs 38.4%). Responders were less likely to have elevated PTSD symptoms than community members (8.6% vs 31.1%; adjusted OR=0.28, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.46). While exposure was significantly related to elevated PTSD status, the effects were similar for responders and community members.ConclusionsResponders appear to be more resilient to PTSD symptoms post-Sandy than community members. Understanding the mechanisms that foster such resilience can inform interventions aimed at populations that are more vulnerable to experiencing PTSD after natural disasters.

scholarly journals Changes in hemopoiesis during the course of acute LCM virus infection in mice

Blood ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Bro-Jorgensen ◽  
S Knudtzon
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis ◽  
Precursor Cells ◽  
Hemopoietic Precursor Cells ◽  
Previous Demonstration ◽  
Stimulating Factor ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Although severe hematologic and immunologic disorders occur in several viral infections, insight into the mechanisms by which viruses may affect hemopoietic tissues is poor. The previous demonstration of distinct immunohemopoietic lesions in mice with acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus infection has led us to investigate the function of hemopoietic precursor cells in the course of this experimental infection. During the first week of infection, there was profound suppression of pluripotential stem cell (CFU) and in vitro colony-forming cell (CFU) compartments, and of 59Fe uptake into hemopoietic tissues. During the same period, we found enhanced activity of colony-stimulating factor, lack of responsiveness to erythropoietin, and appreciable titers of interferon in blood and spleen. After day 10 post infection, there was a striking increase in CFU and 59Fe uptake confined to spleen and blood. Restoration of bone marrow, however, was markedly delayed. With reference to recent studies on interferon, and the findings in mice with persistent LCM virus infection, we suggest that interferon may be the comprehensive suppressor of the hemopoietic precursor cells in the first stage of acute LCM virus infection, and that these cells in the recovery period are directed preferentially into erythropoiesis.

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