Serum testosterone and prolactin in posttraumatic stress disorder for Iraqi terror attack victims

Abstract EN

Background : abnormal levels of testosterone and prolactin have been reported in various psychiatric disorders and the important roles of in the regulation of many processes in human metabolism have been described.

Objective : investigate the hormonal changes in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients and control group.

Patients and Methods: Eighty two males witnessed on explosion occurred at 10th June 2010 in Hilla city of Iraq, as well as thirty five males apparently healthy persons as a control groups.

Participants were grouped to four groups according to PTSD Checklist (PCL) scores.

Total testosterone, free testosterone, and prolactin (PRL) were determined using ELISA.

Results : total testosterone, free testosterone, and PRL showed an insignificant decreased in all groups of PTSD patients, when compared to control group.

There is negative correlation between each of total testosterone, free testosterone, and PRL with severity of PTSD.

Conclusion : results of present study may indicate that there are inhibition of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamic-pituitary-prolactin (HPP) axes in PTSD patients.