Sleep efficiency and PTSD symptom severity predict vascular function in young, trauma-exposed women

Chowdhury Tasnova Tahsin; Vasiliki Michopoulos; Abigail Powers; Jeanie Park; Zynab Ahmed; Kathryn Cullen; Nathaniel D M Jenkins; Manda Keller-Ross; Ida T Fonkoue

doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00169.2023

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Sleep efficiency and PTSD symptom severity predict vascular function in young, trauma-exposed women

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Sleep efficiency and PTSD symptom severity predict vascular function in young, trauma-exposed women

Chowdhury Tasnova Tahsin, Vasiliki Michopoulos, Abigail Powers, Jeanie Park, Zynab Ahmed, Kathryn Cullen, Nathaniel D M Jenkins, Manda Keller-Ross and Ida T Fonkoue

American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology, Vol.325(4), pp.H739-H750

10/2023

DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00169.2023

PMCID: PMC10642999

PMID: 37505472

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Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is linked to sleep disturbances and significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Further, vascular dysfunction and sleep are independently associated with CVD. Uncovering the link between PTSD symptom severity, sleep disturbances and vascular function could shine a light on mechanisms of CVD risk in trauma-exposed young women. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the individual and combined effects of sleep efficiency and PTSD symptom severity on vascular function. We recruited 60 otherwise healthy women (age, 26±7 years and BMI, 27.7±6.5 kg/m ) who had been exposed to trauma. We objectively quantified sleep efficiency (SE) using actigraphy, endothelial function via Framingham reactive hyperemia index (fRHI), and arterial stiffness via pulse wave velocity (PWV). PTSD symptom severity was assessed using the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL5). PWV was correlated with age (r =.490, <.001) and BMI (r =.484, <.001). Additionally, fRHI was positively correlated with SE (r=.409, =.001) and negatively correlated with PTSD symptoms (r=-.382, p=.002). Next, to explore the predictive value of SE and PTSD symptoms on PWV and fRHI, we conducted two separate multiple linear regression models. The model predicting PWV was significant (R =.49, p<.001), with age, BMI and SE emerging as predictors. Likewise, the model predicting fRHI was significant (R =.36, p<.001), with both PTSD symptoms and SE as significant predictors. Our results suggest that while PTSD symptom severity impacts endothelial function, sleep efficiency influences overall vascular function in young trauma-exposed women, after controlling for age and BMI.

Trauma

PTSD

Sleep

Premenopausal women

Vascular function

Details

Title: Subtitle: Sleep efficiency and PTSD symptom severity predict vascular function in young, trauma-exposed women
Creators: Chowdhury Tasnova Tahsin - University of Minnesota
Vasiliki Michopoulos - Emory University School of Medicine
Abigail Powers - Emory University School of Medicine
Jeanie Park - Emory University
Zynab Ahmed - University of Minnesota
Kathryn Cullen - University of Minnesota
Nathaniel D M Jenkins - University of Iowa
Manda Keller-Ross - University of Minnesota
Ida T Fonkoue - University of Minnesota
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology, Vol.325(4), pp.H739-H750
DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00169.2023
PMID: 37505472
PMCID: PMC10642999
NLM abbreviation: Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol
ISSN: 0363-6135
eISSN: 1522-1539
Grant note: UL1TR002494 / HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH) K01HL161027 / HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 07/28/2023
Date published: 10/2023
Academic Unit: Center for Social Science Innovation; Injury Prevention Research Center; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
Record Identifier: 9984455489802771

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