Among U.S. veterans, PTSD symptoms were indirectly associated with greater Body Mass Index through depression symptoms (indirect effect 0.03, p=0.001), highlighting depression as a potential pathway to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Cross-Sectional (n=657)
No
Is PTSD associated with increased cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk through depression and poor health behaviors in U.S. veterans?
Depression mediates the relationship between PTSD and increased cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk through poor health behaviors and higher BMI in U.S. veterans.
Effect estimate: Indirect effect 0.03
p-value: p=0.001
physical activity and diet quality. Of the specific indirect pathways from PTSD to Body Mass Index (BMI), only the path through depression was significant. Higher depression symptoms were significantly associated with less physical activity, poorer diet, and greater likelihood of smoking. In addition, the specific indirect effect from depression to BMI through physical activity was significant. Current smoking and higher BMI were associated with greater likelihood of diabetes, and hypertension was associated with greater likelihood of CVD. PTSD symptoms may increase risk for CVD and diabetes through the 'negative impact of depression on health behaviors and BMI. With or without PTSD, depression may be an important target in interventions targeting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases among veterans.
Hoerster et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cardiovascular disease/diabetes risk (n=657). PTSD and depression symptoms was evaluated on Specific indirect effect from PTSD symptoms to BMI through depression symptoms (Indirect effect 0.03, p=0.001). Among U.S. veterans, PTSD symptoms were indirectly associated with greater Body Mass Index through depression symptoms (indirect effect 0.03, p=0.001), highlighting depression as a potential pathway to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.