A prospective examination of sex differences in posttraumatic autonomic functioning

Antonia V. Seligowski; Elizabeth R. Steuber; Rebecca Mary Hinrichs; Mariam H. Reda; Charis N. Wiltshire; Cassandra P. Wanna; Sterling J. Winters; Karlye A. Phillips; Stacey L. House; Francesca L. Beaudoin; Xinming An; Jennifer S. Stevens; Donglin Zeng; Thomas C. Neylan; Gari D. Clifford; Sarah D. Linnstaedt; Laura T. Germine; Kenneth A. Bollen; Guia Guffanti; Scott L. Rauch; John P. Haran; Alan B. Storrow; Brittany E. Punches; Michael C. Kurz; Vishnu P. Murty; Meghan E. McGrath; Lauren A. Hudak; Jose L. Pascual; Mark J. Seamon; Elizabeth M. Datner; Anna Marie Chang; Claire Pearson; David A. Peak; Roland C. Merchant; Robert M. Domeier; Niels K. Rathlev; Brian J. O'Neil; Leon D. Sanchez; Steven Bruce; Mark L. Miller; Robert H. Pietrzak; Jutta Joormann; Deanna M. Barch; Diego A. Pizzagalli; John F. Sheridan; Beatriz Luna; Steven E. Harte; James M. Elliott; Karestan C. Koenen; Ronald C. Kessler; Samuel A. McLean; Kerry J. Ressler; Tanja Jovanovic

doi:10.1016/J.YNSTR.2021.100384

A prospective examination of sex differences in posttraumatic autonomic functioning

Antonia V. Seligowski, Elizabeth R. Steuber, Rebecca Mary Hinrichs, Mariam H. Reda, Charis N. Wiltshire, Cassandra P. Wanna, Sterling J. Winters, Karlye A. Phillips, Stacey L. House, Francesca L. Beaudoin, Xinming An, Jennifer S. Stevens, Donglin Zeng, Thomas C. Neylan, Gari D. Clifford, Sarah D. Linnstaedt, Laura T. Germine, Kenneth A. Bollen, Guia Guffanti, Scott L. RauchJohn P. Haran, Alan B. Storrow, Brittany E. Punches, Michael C. Kurz, Vishnu P. Murty, Meghan E. McGrath, Lauren A. Hudak, Jose L. Pascual, Mark J. Seamon, Elizabeth M. Datner, Anna Marie Chang, Claire Pearson, David A. Peak, Roland C. Merchant, Robert M. Domeier, Niels K. Rathlev, Brian J. O'Neil, Leon D. Sanchez, Steven Bruce, Mark L. Miller, Robert H. Pietrzak, Jutta Joormann, Deanna M. Barch, Diego A. Pizzagalli, John F. Sheridan, Beatriz Luna, Steven E. Harte, James M. Elliott, Karestan C. Koenen, Ronald C. Kessler, Samuel A. McLean, Kerry J. Ressler, Tanja Jovanovic

University of Missouri-St. Louis

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

 Background
 Cross-sectional studies have found that individuals with       posttraumatic stress disorder     (PTSD) exhibit deficits in autonomic functioning. While PTSD rates are twice as high in women compared to men, sex differences in autonomic functioning are relatively unknown among trauma-exposed populations. The current study used a prospective design to examine sex differences in posttraumatic autonomic functioning.
 Methods
 192 participants were recruited from emergency departments following trauma exposure (   Mean   age = 35.88, 68.2% female). Skin conductance was measured in the emergency department; fear conditioning was completed two weeks later and included measures of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV). PTSD symptoms were assessed 8 weeks after trauma.
 Results
 2-week systolic BP was significantly higher in men, while 2-week HR was significantly higher in women, and a sex by PTSD interaction suggested that women who developed PTSD demonstrated the highest HR levels. Two-week HF-HRV was significantly lower in women, and a sex by PTSD interaction suggested that women with PTSD demonstrated the lowest HF-HRV levels.       Skin conductance response     in the emergency department was associated with 2-week HR and HF-HRV only among women who developed PTSD.
 Conclusions
 Our results indicate that there are notable sex differences in autonomic functioning among trauma-exposed individuals. Differences in sympathetic biomarkers (BP and HR) may have implications for cardiovascular disease risk given that sympathetic arousal is a mechanism implicated in this risk among PTSD populations. Future research examining differential pathways between PTSD and cardiovascular risk among men versus women is warranted.
 

Original language	American English
Journal	Neurobiology of Stress
Volume	15
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/J.YNSTR.2021.100384
State	Published - Nov 2021

Keywords

Autonomic
Cardiovascular
PTSD
Sex
Trauma

Disciplines

Psychiatry and Psychology

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Cite this

Seligowski, A. V., Steuber, E. R., Hinrichs, R. M., Reda, M. H., Wiltshire, C. N., Wanna, C. P., Winters, S. J., Phillips, K. A., House, S. L., Beaudoin, F. L., An, X., Stevens, J. S., Zeng, D., Neylan, T. C., Clifford, G. D., Linnstaedt, S. D., Germine, L. T., Bollen, K. A., Guffanti, G., ... Jovanovic, T. (2021). A prospective examination of sex differences in posttraumatic autonomic functioning. Neurobiology of Stress, 15. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.YNSTR.2021.100384

Seligowski, AV, Steuber, ER, Hinrichs, RM, Reda, MH, Wiltshire, CN, Wanna, CP, Winters, SJ, Phillips, KA, House, SL, Beaudoin, FL, An, X, Stevens, JS, Zeng, D, Neylan, TC, Clifford, GD, Linnstaedt, SD, Germine, LT, Bollen, KA, Guffanti, G, Rauch, SL, Haran, JP, Storrow, AB, Punches, BE, Kurz, MC, Murty, VP, McGrath, ME, Hudak, LA, Pascual, JL, Seamon, MJ, Datner, EM, Chang, AM, Pearson, C, Peak, DA, Merchant, RC, Domeier, RM, Rathlev, NK, O'Neil, BJ, Sanchez, LD, Bruce, S, Miller, ML, Pietrzak, RH, Joormann, J, Barch, DM, Pizzagalli, DA, Sheridan, JF, Luna, B, Harte, SE, Elliott, JM, Koenen, KC, Kessler, RC, McLean, SA, Ressler, KJ & Jovanovic, T 2021, 'A prospective examination of sex differences in posttraumatic autonomic functioning', Neurobiology of Stress, vol. 15. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.YNSTR.2021.100384

@article{f89dc218666c4188be8c266f9fef243c,

title = "A prospective examination of sex differences in posttraumatic autonomic functioning",

abstract = " Background Cross-sectional studies have found that individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibit deficits in autonomic functioning. While PTSD rates are twice as high in women compared to men, sex differences in autonomic functioning are relatively unknown among trauma-exposed populations. The current study used a prospective design to examine sex differences in posttraumatic autonomic functioning. Methods 192 participants were recruited from emergency departments following trauma exposure ( Mean age = 35.88, 68.2% female). Skin conductance was measured in the emergency department; fear conditioning was completed two weeks later and included measures of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV). PTSD symptoms were assessed 8 weeks after trauma. Results 2-week systolic BP was significantly higher in men, while 2-week HR was significantly higher in women, and a sex by PTSD interaction suggested that women who developed PTSD demonstrated the highest HR levels. Two-week HF-HRV was significantly lower in women, and a sex by PTSD interaction suggested that women with PTSD demonstrated the lowest HF-HRV levels. Skin conductance response in the emergency department was associated with 2-week HR and HF-HRV only among women who developed PTSD. Conclusions Our results indicate that there are notable sex differences in autonomic functioning among trauma-exposed individuals. Differences in sympathetic biomarkers (BP and HR) may have implications for cardiovascular disease risk given that sympathetic arousal is a mechanism implicated in this risk among PTSD populations. Future research examining differential pathways between PTSD and cardiovascular risk among men versus women is warranted. ",

keywords = "Autonomic, Cardiovascular, PTSD, Sex, Trauma",

author = "Seligowski, {Antonia V.} and Steuber, {Elizabeth R.} and Hinrichs, {Rebecca Mary} and Reda, {Mariam H.} and Wiltshire, {Charis N.} and Wanna, {Cassandra P.} and Winters, {Sterling J.} and Phillips, {Karlye A.} and House, {Stacey L.} and Beaudoin, {Francesca L.} and Xinming An and Stevens, {Jennifer S.} and Donglin Zeng and Neylan, {Thomas C.} and Clifford, {Gari D.} and Linnstaedt, {Sarah D.} and Germine, {Laura T.} and Bollen, {Kenneth A.} and Guia Guffanti and Rauch, {Scott L.} and Haran, {John P.} and Storrow, {Alan B.} and Punches, {Brittany E.} and Kurz, {Michael C.} and Murty, {Vishnu P.} and McGrath, {Meghan E.} and Hudak, {Lauren A.} and Pascual, {Jose L.} and Seamon, {Mark J.} and Datner, {Elizabeth M.} and Chang, {Anna Marie} and Claire Pearson and Peak, {David A.} and Merchant, {Roland C.} and Domeier, {Robert M.} and Rathlev, {Niels K.} and O'Neil, {Brian J.} and Sanchez, {Leon D.} and Steven Bruce and Miller, {Mark L.} and Pietrzak, {Robert H.} and Jutta Joormann and Barch, {Deanna M.} and Pizzagalli, {Diego A.} and Sheridan, {John F.} and Beatriz Luna and Harte, {Steven E.} and Elliott, {James M.} and Koenen, {Karestan C.} and Kessler, {Ronald C.} and McLean, {Samuel A.} and Ressler, {Kerry J.} and Tanja Jovanovic",

year = "2021",

month = nov,

doi = "10.1016/J.YNSTR.2021.100384",

language = "American English",

volume = "15",

journal = "Neurobiology of Stress",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - A prospective examination of sex differences in posttraumatic autonomic functioning

AU - Seligowski, Antonia V.

AU - Steuber, Elizabeth R.

AU - Hinrichs, Rebecca Mary

AU - Reda, Mariam H.

AU - Wiltshire, Charis N.

AU - Wanna, Cassandra P.

AU - Winters, Sterling J.

AU - Phillips, Karlye A.

AU - House, Stacey L.

AU - Beaudoin, Francesca L.

AU - An, Xinming

AU - Stevens, Jennifer S.

AU - Zeng, Donglin

AU - Neylan, Thomas C.

AU - Clifford, Gari D.

AU - Linnstaedt, Sarah D.

AU - Germine, Laura T.

AU - Bollen, Kenneth A.

AU - Guffanti, Guia

AU - Rauch, Scott L.

AU - Haran, John P.

AU - Storrow, Alan B.

AU - Punches, Brittany E.

AU - Kurz, Michael C.

AU - Murty, Vishnu P.

AU - McGrath, Meghan E.

AU - Hudak, Lauren A.

AU - Pascual, Jose L.

AU - Seamon, Mark J.

AU - Datner, Elizabeth M.

AU - Chang, Anna Marie

AU - Pearson, Claire

AU - Peak, David A.

AU - Merchant, Roland C.

AU - Domeier, Robert M.

AU - Rathlev, Niels K.

AU - O'Neil, Brian J.

AU - Sanchez, Leon D.

AU - Bruce, Steven

AU - Miller, Mark L.

AU - Pietrzak, Robert H.

AU - Joormann, Jutta

AU - Barch, Deanna M.

AU - Pizzagalli, Diego A.

AU - Sheridan, John F.

AU - Luna, Beatriz

AU - Harte, Steven E.

AU - Elliott, James M.

AU - Koenen, Karestan C.

AU - Kessler, Ronald C.

AU - McLean, Samuel A.

AU - Ressler, Kerry J.

AU - Jovanovic, Tanja

PY - 2021/11

Y1 - 2021/11

N2 - Background Cross-sectional studies have found that individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibit deficits in autonomic functioning. While PTSD rates are twice as high in women compared to men, sex differences in autonomic functioning are relatively unknown among trauma-exposed populations. The current study used a prospective design to examine sex differences in posttraumatic autonomic functioning. Methods 192 participants were recruited from emergency departments following trauma exposure ( Mean age = 35.88, 68.2% female). Skin conductance was measured in the emergency department; fear conditioning was completed two weeks later and included measures of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV). PTSD symptoms were assessed 8 weeks after trauma. Results 2-week systolic BP was significantly higher in men, while 2-week HR was significantly higher in women, and a sex by PTSD interaction suggested that women who developed PTSD demonstrated the highest HR levels. Two-week HF-HRV was significantly lower in women, and a sex by PTSD interaction suggested that women with PTSD demonstrated the lowest HF-HRV levels. Skin conductance response in the emergency department was associated with 2-week HR and HF-HRV only among women who developed PTSD. Conclusions Our results indicate that there are notable sex differences in autonomic functioning among trauma-exposed individuals. Differences in sympathetic biomarkers (BP and HR) may have implications for cardiovascular disease risk given that sympathetic arousal is a mechanism implicated in this risk among PTSD populations. Future research examining differential pathways between PTSD and cardiovascular risk among men versus women is warranted.

AB - Background Cross-sectional studies have found that individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibit deficits in autonomic functioning. While PTSD rates are twice as high in women compared to men, sex differences in autonomic functioning are relatively unknown among trauma-exposed populations. The current study used a prospective design to examine sex differences in posttraumatic autonomic functioning. Methods 192 participants were recruited from emergency departments following trauma exposure ( Mean age = 35.88, 68.2% female). Skin conductance was measured in the emergency department; fear conditioning was completed two weeks later and included measures of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV). PTSD symptoms were assessed 8 weeks after trauma. Results 2-week systolic BP was significantly higher in men, while 2-week HR was significantly higher in women, and a sex by PTSD interaction suggested that women who developed PTSD demonstrated the highest HR levels. Two-week HF-HRV was significantly lower in women, and a sex by PTSD interaction suggested that women with PTSD demonstrated the lowest HF-HRV levels. Skin conductance response in the emergency department was associated with 2-week HR and HF-HRV only among women who developed PTSD. Conclusions Our results indicate that there are notable sex differences in autonomic functioning among trauma-exposed individuals. Differences in sympathetic biomarkers (BP and HR) may have implications for cardiovascular disease risk given that sympathetic arousal is a mechanism implicated in this risk among PTSD populations. Future research examining differential pathways between PTSD and cardiovascular risk among men versus women is warranted.

KW - Autonomic

KW - Cardiovascular

KW - PTSD

KW - Sex

KW - Trauma

U2 - 10.1016/J.YNSTR.2021.100384

DO - 10.1016/J.YNSTR.2021.100384

M3 - Article

VL - 15

JO - Neurobiology of Stress

JF - Neurobiology of Stress

ER -