ELEVATED CYTOTOXICITY IN COMBAT VETERANS WITH LONG-TERM POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER - PRELIMINARY-OBSERVATIONS

Resting immune [WBC and differential cell counts, lymphocyte phenotypi ng (CD2, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD20, and CD56), and NK activity] and endocri ne (cortisol, prolactin, growth hormone, and DHEA-SO4) parameters were measured in 10 male, Vietnam combat veterans diagnosed with long-term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 9 control Vietnam combat ve terans without a PTSD diagnosis but with a comparable history of alcoh ol abuse. Subjects completed a battery of psychological questionnaires . We report on preliminary observations of the relationship between PT SD and physiological and psychological parameters. With some important exceptions. PTSD patients. did not differ from the age-matched contro l group with regard to hormone levels or lymphocyte phenotypes. Howeve r, NK activity was higher in the PTSD population than in the controls. Beck, Mississippi, and Combat Exposure scores were significantly elev ated in the PTSD population. in contrast to previous observations in d epressed populations, depression (indicated by elevated Beck scores), comorbid with PTSD, was associated with increased natural cytotoxicity . (C) 1998 Academic Press.