Post-traumatic stress disorder can increase diabetes risk

Mon, 14 Jun 2010
A new study has found that members of the military that show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to suffer from diabetes than their counterparts without the symptoms. With previous research also showing that the risk of diabetes was increased for those suffering from depression, the study found the link between the two conditions was even stronger than first thought.

The investigation into more than 44,000 active duty service members in the US found that the stress response associated with PTSD could possibly contribute to widespread inflammation in the body and lower sensitivity to the blood-sugar -regulating hormone insulin, which could lead to diabetes.

The risk of diabetes was more than doubled in the presence of PTSD symptoms, which can develop after exposure to an ordeal or frightening event where serious physical harm has occurred or has been threatened, such as naturally or human-caused disasters, violent personal assaults, accidents or military combat.

Of the 44,754 service members whose health status was examined, about 0.3 per cent were reported to have been newly diagnosed with the condition three years later.

The symptoms of PTSD include continuous frightening thoughts and memories of the trauma, a feeling of being emotionally numb, detachment and sleep problems.

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