Associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and hemoglobin AlC in low-income minority patients with diabetes

Objective: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among low-income minorities and is associated with poorer health. However, the association between PTSD and hemoglobin Al-C (Al-C) among patients with diabetes has not been fully described. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate associations between PTSD and Al-C among low-income minorities with diabetes. Method: Adults with diabetes were recruited from a network of primary care clinics. Data were obtained from surveys and electronic medical records. Lifetime PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview-DSM-IV and depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Al-C was obtained from chart review. Results: Of 103 adults analyzed, 12% had lifetime full PTSD and 12% had subthreshold PTSD. On backward stepwise logistic regression, patients with any PTSD symptoms were significantly more likely to have an Al-C > 7% compared to patients without symptoms (ORadj 2.98, 95% CI 1.04-8.52, P=.04). An Al-C > 7% also was associated with an interaction between PTSD symptoms and longer diabetes duration (P <.05). Conclusion: In this cohort of low-income minorities with diabetes, lifetime PTSD symptoms were significantly associated with an Al-C > 7%. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.