Pre-existing diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk for high PTSD symptom levels. Results of a prospective population-based study

Longitudinal studies indicate that PTSD increases the risk of developing Diabetes Mellitus (DM). However, the extent to which pre-existing DM elevates the risk of PTSD and anxiety and depression symptomatology (ADS) following Potentially Traumatic Events (PTEs) remains largely unexplored. The present study aims to examine this risk. Data were extracted from the Longitudinal Core Study on Health and the VICTIMS study conducted with the Dutch population-based LISS panel. First, adult respondents were selected who were exposed to PTEs in the past 12 months (between T2 and T3; n = 1339). A series of (stepwise) multivariate logistic regression analyses (MLRAs) were conducted with ADS and high PTSD-symptom levels (PTSS) at T3 as dependent variables. Physician-diagnosed pre-existing DM/hyperglycaemia at T1 (3 months before T2) and potential confounders, such as pre-existing anxiety and depression-symptomatology and lack of support at T2 were entered as predictors. Control MLRAs were conducted with physician-diagnosed cardiac or vascular disease problems instead of DM as predictor. By PTEs affected respondents with pre-existing DM ( n = 62) compared to those without, were significantly more at risk of moderate-severe ADS (aOR = 2.26) and high PTSD symptom levels (aOR = 2.08) at T3. Pre-existing cardiac or vascular disease problems were not significantly associated with ADS and PTSS at T3. After PTEs adults with pre-existing DM are more at risk for PTSD and moderate-severe ADS than those without. Findings suggest that the relationship between DM on the one hand and PTSD and ADS on the other hand, is bi-directional. • PTSD increases the risk of developing diabetes mellitus (DM). • The extent to which DM increases the risk for PTSD-symptomatology remains unclear. • Aim of the present prospective trauma-related study was to examine this risk. • Results showed that pre-existing DM increased the risk of high PTSD-symptom levels. • It also increased the risk of post-trauma anxiety and depression symptomatology.