Disrupted Rhythmicity and Vegetative Functions Relate to PTSD and Gender in Earthquake Survivors

Bibliographic Data

ID15516435
AuthorsClaudia Carmassi (0000-0002-3662-8073, University of Pisa), Valerio Dell’Oste (0000-0003-0520-4785, University of Pisa, corresponding author), Valerio Dell'Oste, Carlo Antonio Bertelloni (0000-0003-1752-0339, University of Pisa), Claudia Foghi (University of Pisa), Elisa Diadema (0000-0002-9489-1195, University of Pisa), Federico Mucci (0000-0002-9746-8237, University of Pisa), Gabriele Massimetti (0000-0001-5668-848X, University of Pisa), Alessandro Rossi (0000-0001-8723-7622, University of L'Aquila), Liliana Dell’Osso (0000-0002-9841-5030, University of Pisa), Liliana Dell'Osso
Year2020
Volume11
Pages492006-492006
Publication date2020-11-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2020.492006
PMID33304278
OpenAlexW3102207973
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited103

Background: Increasing evidence indicates that survivors to traumatic events may show disruption of sleep pattern, eating and sexual behaviors, and somatic symptoms suggestive of alterations of biorhythmicity and vegetative functions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate these possible alterations in a sample of survivors in the aftermath of earthquake exposure, with particular attention to gender differences and impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: High school senior students, who had been exposed to the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, were enrolled 21 months after the traumatic event and evaluated by the Trauma and Loss Spectrum Self-Report to investigate PTSD rates and by a domain of the Mood Spectrum Self-Report-Lifetime Version (MOODS-SR), to explore alterations in circadian/seasonal rhythms and vegetative functions. Results: The rates of endorsement of MOODS-SR rhythmicity and vegetative functions domain and subdomain scores were significantly higher in survivors with PTSD with respect to those without it. Among all earthquake survivors, women reported higher scores than men on the rhythmicity and vegetative functions domain and subdomain scores, except for the rhythmicity and sexual functions ones. Female survivors without PTSD showed significantly higher scores than men in the rhythmicity and vegetative functions total scores and the sleep and weight and appetite subdomains. Potentially traumatic events burden predicted rhythmicity and vegetative functions impairment, with a moderation effect of re-experiencing symptoms. Conclusions: We report impairments in rhythmicity, sleep, eating, and sexual and somatic health in survivors to a massive earthquake, particularly among subjects with PTSD and higher re-experiencing symptoms, with specific gender-related differences. Evaluating symptoms of impaired rhythmicity and vegetative functions seems essential for a more accurate assessment and clinical management of survivors to a mass trauma

Circadian rhythm · Moderation · Mood · Psychiatry · Sexual dysfunction · Clinical Psychology · Neuroscience · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments · Resilience and Mental Health

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