PTSD and depression often co-occur, but the mechanisms linking them are unclear. Negative life events and trauma play a key role in their development, yet the type and cumulative impact of trauma may influence how these disorders emerge together. Understanding these patterns is crucial for improving prevention and treatment, as comorbidity can lead to more severe health issues, including cardiovascular disease. While PTSD and depression independently increase this risk, their combined effect is not well understood. Lifestyle factors may further influence cardiovascular outcomes.
This study will assess how specific trauma types (e.g., childhood trauma, combat trauma, and adverse life events), and their accumulation, affect the likelihood of comorbid PTSD and depression, compared to PTSD or depression alone, or no diagnosis (corrected for stress sensitivity (e.g., neuroticism)). The study will also evaluate cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with comorbid PTSD and depression, comparing them to those with PTSD, depression, or no diagnosis. It will explore how lifestyle factors influence cardiovascular risk, with a sub-analysis of military personnel, who face unique challenges regarding trauma and lifestyle.
Research questions:
1. How do specific trauma types distinguish individuals with comorbid PTSD and depression from those with PTSD or depression alone, or from individuals with no diagnosis?
2. Does cumulative trauma exposure increase the likelihood of developing comorbid PTSD and depression beyond the risk of PTSD or depression alone, or no diagnosis?
3. Do individuals with comorbid PTSD and depression have a higher risk of cardiovascular outcome compared to those with PTSD or depression alone, and those without a diagnosis?
4. To what extent do lifestyle factors such as physical activity, sleep, smoking, and alcohol use influence cardiovascular risk in individuals with PTSD and depression?