PTSD is Associated With an Excess of Inflammatory Immune Activities

  1. Jessica M. Gill PhD, RN,
  2. Leo Saligan PhD, RN,
  3. Stephanie Woods PhD, RN,
  4. Gayle Page DNSc, RN

Article first published online: 24 SEP 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2009.00229.x

Issue

Perspectives in Psychiatric Care

Perspectives in Psychiatric Care

Volume 45, Issue 4, pages 262–277, October 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Gill, J. M., Saligan, L., Woods, S. and Page, G. (2009), PTSD is Associated With an Excess of Inflammatory Immune Activities. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 45: 262–277. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2009.00229.x

Author Information

  1. Jessica M. Gill, PhD, RN, is Assistant Clinical Investigator, and Leo Saligan, PhD, RN, is Post-doctoral Fellow, National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Nursing Research, Bethesda, Maryland; Stephanie Woods, PhD, RN, is Associate Professor, University of Akron, School of Nursing, Akron, Ohio; and Gayle Page, DNSc, RN, is Professor, Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

*Author contact: gillj@mail.nih.gov, with a copy to the Editor: pearsong@psychiatry.uchc.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 24 SEP 2009
  2. Article first published online: 24 SEP 2009
  3. First received November 26, 2008; Revision received April 10, 2009; Accepted for publication April 28, 2009.

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Keywords:

  • Cortisol;
  • immune;
  • inflammatory;
  • PTSD;
  • trauma

PURPOSE.  Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with inflammatory-related medical conditions. This review examines studies of immune function in individuals with PTSD to determine if excessive inflammation is associated with PTSD.

CONCLUSIONS.  Current studies suggest an excess of inflammatory actions of the immune system in individuals with chronic PTSD. High levels of inflammatory cytokines have also been linked to PTSD vulnerability in traumatized individuals. There is also evidence that excessive inflammation is in part due to insufficient regulation by cortisol.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  An excess of inflammatory immune activity may contribute to health declines in individuals with PTSD, and treating PTSD symptoms may reduce these risks.

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