Effect of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on posttraumatic stress disorder,depression, anxiety,and quality of life among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans |
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Authors: | Nathan A. Kimbrel Sandra B. Morissette Eric C. Meyer Roberta Chrestman Robert Jamroz Paul J. Silvia |
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Affiliation: | 1. Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA;2. VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA;3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USAnathan.kimbrel@va.gov;5. VA VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Waco, TX, USA;6. Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, USA;7. Texas A&8. M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA;9. Texas A&10. Central Texas Veterans Research Foundation, Temple, TX, USA;11. Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA |
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Abstract: | Background and Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and stress are significant problems among returning veterans and are associated with reduced quality of life. Design: A correlational design was used to examine the impact of a polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in the serotonin transporter promoter gene on post-deployment adjustment among returning veterans. Methods: A total of 186 returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. Symptoms of PTSD, depression, general stress, and anxiety were assessed along with quality of life. Results: After controlling for combat exposure, age, sex of the participant, and race, 5-HTTLPR had a significant multivariate effect on post-deployment adjustment, such that S′ carriers reported more post-deployment adjustment problems and worse quality of life than veterans homozygous for the L′ allele. This effect was larger when the analyses were restricted to veterans of European ancestry. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that veterans who carry the S′ allele of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism may be at increased risk for adjustment problems and reduced quality of life following deployments to war zones. |
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Keywords: | 5-HTTLPR serotonin transporter PTSD trauma depression stress anxiety |
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