Lindqvist D, et al. - This paper dealt with the contemplation of circulating platelets, white blood cells (WBC) and red blood cells (RBC) in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), along with their relationship inflammation and symptom severity. A link was brought to the fore front between combat PTSD with elevations in RBC, WBC, and platelets. Dysregulation of all three major lineages of hematopoietic cells in PTSD, as well as their marked association with inflammation, indicated the clinical importance of these changes.

Methods

• The enrollees comprised of 163 male combat-exposed veterans (82 PTSD, 81 non-PTSD).
• Blood analysis was conducted of platelets, WBC, and RBC.
• Data were correlated with symptom severity and inflammation.

Results

• Considerable elevation was noted in all cell counts, in PTSD.
• There were small mediation effects of BMI and smoking on these relationships.
• After adjusting for these, the variations in WBC and RBC remained prominent.
• On the other hand, platelet count was at trend level.
• Prominent association was revealed between all of the cell counts with inflammation.
• Platelet count was related to inflammation only in the PTSD subjects.
• Platelet count, but none of the other cell counts, exhibited direct link with PTSD severity ratings in the PTSD group.