The authors kindly thank the Dutch Veterans Institute, Doorn, the Netherlands for providing the opportunity to recruit the Veterans.
1573-6598/asset/olbannerleft.jpg?v=1&s=0b2c1a19dc102ab82d8f890e3ac1a9b7f8bc89f1)
1573-6598/asset/olbannerright.jpg?v=1&s=c35027df18244592191357dea2c3c2caf0dcfd14)
Research Article
Trauma exposure and hypothalamic–pituitary– adrenal axis functioning in mentally healthy Dutch peacekeeping veterans, 10–25 years after deployment†
Article first published online: 9 FEB 2010
DOI: 10.1002/jts.20491
Copyright © 2010 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Issue
1573-6598/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=9f8273d5a6117c7b9272d2b6a5d5360499f82807 "Journal of Traumatic Stress")
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Special Issue: Psychological Consequences of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
Volume 23, Issue 1, pages 124–131, February 2010
Additional Information
How to Cite
Klaassens, E. R., van Veen, T., Giltay, E. J., Rinne, T., van Pelt, J. and Zitman, F. G. (2010), Trauma exposure and hypothalamic–pituitary– adrenal axis functioning in mentally healthy Dutch peacekeeping veterans, 10–25 years after deployment. J. Traum. Stress, 23: 124–131. doi: 10.1002/jts.20491
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 18 FEB 2010
- Article first published online: 9 FEB 2010
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis alterations have been found in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is unclear whether trauma exposure during adulthood in the absence of psychopathology is also associated with HPA-axis dysregulation. Thirty-six trauma-exposed peacekeepers, 23 nonexposed peacekeepers, and 25 nonexposed civilians, all without lifetime psychopathology were studied. Basal HPA-axis functioning was assessed with salivary cortisol samples obtained over 2 days. HPA-axis reactivity was assessed with the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone test. Lower afternoon salivary cortisol levels were found in both veteran groups versus controls after adjustment for confounders. The authors concluded that this study does not support the idea that HPA-axis functioning is durably altered by trauma exposure during adulthood in men.