Sex-Based Contributors to and Consequences of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Lucy V. Hiscox; Tamsin H. Sharp; Miranda Olff; Soraya Seedat; Sarah L. Halligan

doi:10.1007/s11920-023-01421-z

Sex-Based Contributors to and Consequences of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Lucy V. Hiscox, Tamsin H. Sharp, Miranda Olff, Soraya Seedat, Sarah L. Halligan

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

25 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Women are twice as likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to men after a traumatic experience. The purpose of this mini review was to explore recent research on biological contributors to this sex difference. Recent Findings: We identified 51 studies published since 2019. Studies found that beyond the influence of sex on the prevalence and symptoms of PTSD, there is evidence for and against sex-based differences in genetic and epigenetic factors (n = 8), brain structure and function (n = 11), neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses (n = 5), and in the role of sleep on emotional memory processing (n = 1). Sex differences were also observed in recovery and during PTSD treatment (n = 16). Finally, there is emerging evidence of sex-differentiated risk for medical and psychiatric comorbidities in PTSD (n = 10). Summary: Rapid advances are being made using integrated multidisciplinary approaches to understand why females are at a heightened risk for developing PTSD.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	233-245
Number of pages	13
Journal	Current Psychiatry Reports
Volume	25
Issue number	5
Early online date	10 May 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-023-01421-z
Publication status	Published - 31 May 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the UK Medical Research Council (grant MR/T002816/1) and ESRC (grant ES/V002643/1).

Keywords

PTSD
Post-traumatic stress
Sex characteristics
Sex differences
Trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Psychiatry and Mental health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1007/s11920-023-01421-zLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Sex-Based Contributors to and Consequences of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder",

abstract = "Purpose of Review: Women are twice as likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to men after a traumatic experience. The purpose of this mini review was to explore recent research on biological contributors to this sex difference. Recent Findings: We identified 51 studies published since 2019. Studies found that beyond the influence of sex on the prevalence and symptoms of PTSD, there is evidence for and against sex-based differences in genetic and epigenetic factors (n = 8), brain structure and function (n = 11), neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses (n = 5), and in the role of sleep on emotional memory processing (n = 1). Sex differences were also observed in recovery and during PTSD treatment (n = 16). Finally, there is emerging evidence of sex-differentiated risk for medical and psychiatric comorbidities in PTSD (n = 10). Summary: Rapid advances are being made using integrated multidisciplinary approaches to understand why females are at a heightened risk for developing PTSD.",

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note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the UK Medical Research Council (grant MR/T002816/1) and ESRC (grant ES/V002643/1).",

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doi = "10.1007/s11920-023-01421-z",

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AU - Hiscox, Lucy V.

AU - Sharp, Tamsin H.

AU - Olff, Miranda

AU - Seedat, Soraya

AU - Halligan, Sarah L.

N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by the UK Medical Research Council (grant MR/T002816/1) and ESRC (grant ES/V002643/1).

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Y1 - 2023/5/31

N2 - Purpose of Review: Women are twice as likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to men after a traumatic experience. The purpose of this mini review was to explore recent research on biological contributors to this sex difference. Recent Findings: We identified 51 studies published since 2019. Studies found that beyond the influence of sex on the prevalence and symptoms of PTSD, there is evidence for and against sex-based differences in genetic and epigenetic factors (n = 8), brain structure and function (n = 11), neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses (n = 5), and in the role of sleep on emotional memory processing (n = 1). Sex differences were also observed in recovery and during PTSD treatment (n = 16). Finally, there is emerging evidence of sex-differentiated risk for medical and psychiatric comorbidities in PTSD (n = 10). Summary: Rapid advances are being made using integrated multidisciplinary approaches to understand why females are at a heightened risk for developing PTSD.

AB - Purpose of Review: Women are twice as likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to men after a traumatic experience. The purpose of this mini review was to explore recent research on biological contributors to this sex difference. Recent Findings: We identified 51 studies published since 2019. Studies found that beyond the influence of sex on the prevalence and symptoms of PTSD, there is evidence for and against sex-based differences in genetic and epigenetic factors (n = 8), brain structure and function (n = 11), neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses (n = 5), and in the role of sleep on emotional memory processing (n = 1). Sex differences were also observed in recovery and during PTSD treatment (n = 16). Finally, there is emerging evidence of sex-differentiated risk for medical and psychiatric comorbidities in PTSD (n = 10). Summary: Rapid advances are being made using integrated multidisciplinary approaches to understand why females are at a heightened risk for developing PTSD.

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Sex-Based Contributors to and Consequences of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Caregiver influences on child psychological adjustment following trauma; a longitudinal study of a high adversity population

Psychological and physical heath impacts of childhood trauma: A longitudinal study based on the Drakenstein Child Health Study

Cite this

Sex-Based Contributors to and Consequences of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

Caregiver influences on child psychological adjustment following trauma; a longitudinal study of a high adversity population

Psychological and physical heath impacts of childhood trauma: A longitudinal study based on the Drakenstein Child Health Study

Cite this