Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Oxidative Stress Parameters Assessment and Correction by Means of Antioxidants in Contingent of International Operations. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

The Contingent of International Operations Combats are a subject for several extreme stressors that can cause Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD changes the quality of life to a significantly lower level, worsens forecast and progress of comorbid disorders. This problem is of a medically social kind and is up to date in all the countries whose armed forces take part in the Peace Support Missions. The basis of PTSD pathogenesis is hyperactivation of neurones under stress factors influence, socalled excitotoxicity, that causes oxidative stress (OS), because of an accumulation of free radicals. Neurons are especially susceptible to OS, changing signal transduction mechanisms that can cause PTSD. Research aim: to access PTSD incidence, OS parameters and their adjustment advances using antioxidants in PTSD risk group patients. Prospective placebo-controlled randomized study was realized in Riga Stradins University in cooperation with Latvian National armed forces Medical support centre. 143 participants of one 6-months mission, Latvian CIO, were examined two months before mission and immediately after the return. “Selenium” group received organic selenium during the mission. Questionnaires PCL-M were used for PTSD evaluation; OS rates and Se in blood were determined. Basing on the research results, we can conclude that: 1) there is a statistically reliable correlations between the incidence of PTSD and OS parameters, between PTSD symptomatic severity and OS parameters; 2) the use of antioxidant Selenium during the mission can reduce the OS parameters, minimize the incidence of PTSD and reduce the PTSD symptomatic severity. The novelty and practical significance of the research: 1) intellectual property related with study results is protected with the Latvian and the International patents “Preparation that effectively reduces high glutamate level in blood”; 2) PCL-M questionnaire validated Latvian language version can be recommended for use as an effective instrument for PTSD diagnostics and screening in military contingent; 3) invented practical method of PTSD risk groups morbidity diminishing (in field conditions as well) is recommended for use to mission combats and widespread use; 4) the first OS and PTSD parameters correlation assessment; 5) the first study Se using advances to reduce PTSD incidence in a risk group; 6) the first wide-scaled research in Latvian Military medicine and Psychosomatic medicine branches.