Sex differences in heart rate responses to script-driven imagery soon after trauma and risk of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Kleim, B; Wilhelm, F; Glucksman, E; Ehlers, A

Journal article

Sex differences in heart rate responses to script-driven imagery soon after trauma and risk of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Abstract:: OBJECTIVE: To investigate in trauma survivors the predictive validity of heightened physiological responsivity to script-driven imagery for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to evaluate the interactive effect of survivors' sex. Physiological responses to idiosyncratic trauma reminders may be predictive of later PTSD. The majority of previous studies have been cross sectional and have produced mixed findings. Sex differences may contribute to this heterogeneity. METHODS: Heart rate (HR) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia were measured at 2 weeks post trauma in 158 assault survivors during baseline and as they listened to an idiosyncratic trauma script. At 6 months, 15.2% of male and 28.1% of female participants met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. RESULTS: Generalized linear model and logistic regression analyses showed that HR response to script-driven imagery and sex interacted in predicting PTSD symptom severity at 6 months. Women had greater PTSD symptom severities overall. Female HR responders to script-driven imagery showed the highest PTSD symptom severities and were almost three times more likely to develop PTSD at 6 months compared with men and female nonresponders (odds ratio, 2.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-6.57). Respiratory sinus arrhythmia responder type did not predict PTSD (odds ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.30-1.33). CONCLUSION: Female trauma survivors who respond to trauma reminders with increased HR may be at particular risk of developing PTSD. Physiological reactivity to trauma cues may be a useful index for screening and prevention of PTSD.

Publication status:: Published

Actions

Email

Email this record

Send the bibliographic details of this record to your email address.

Your Email
Please enter the email address that the record information will be sent to.

-
Your message (optional)
Please add any additional information to be included within the email.
Share
Cite

Cite this record

APA Style

Kleim, B., Wilhelm, F., Glucksman, E., & Ehlers, A. (2010). Sex differences in heart rate responses to script-driven imagery soon after trauma and risk of posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychosomatic Medicine, 72(9), 917–924.

MLA Style

Kleim, B, et al. “Sex Differences in Heart Rate Responses to Script-Driven Imagery Soon after Trauma and Risk of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.” Psychosomatic Medicine, vol. 72, no. 9, 2010, pp. 917–24.

Chicago Style

Kleim, B, F Wilhelm, E Glucksman, and A Ehlers. 2010. “Sex Differences in Heart Rate Responses to Script-Driven Imagery Soon after Trauma and Risk of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.” Psychosomatic Medicine 72 (9): 917–24.
Print