1112 Mental Health And Sleep Disorders Are Associated With Elevated C-reactive Protein In Returning Veterans

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Mental health disorders and sleep disorders are associated with systemic inflammation, which may be a key element linking these highly co-occurring conditions to negative health outcomes. This study used national VA medical records to examine C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in Iraq/Afghanistan veterans based on presence of mental health and/or sleep disorder diagnoses. Methods We examined medical records for 16,576 Iraq/Afghanistan veterans under age 55 who had high-sensitivity CRP results reported. ICD diagnostic codes were used to compare CRP values for: a) veterans without sleep disorders or mental health diagnoses, b) veterans with mental health disorders only, c) veterans with sleep disorders only, and d) veterans with both conditions. In generalized linear models controlling for demographics, we examined the impact of diagnostic category on continuous CRP value as well as the risk of elevated CRP (>3mg/L). Results Veterans with mental health disorders (coeff=.14, p<.001) and comorbid sleep and mental health disorders (coeff=.21, p<.001) had higher continuous CRP values compared to veterans without either condition. Veterans with comorbid sleep and mental health disorders had higher continuous CRP values than veterans with sleep disorders alone (coeff=.22, p<.041); however, there were few patients in the current sample who were diagnosed with sleep disorders alone (n=401, 2.4%). Additionally, veterans with mental health disorders (ARR=1.12, p=.004) and comorbid sleep and mental health disorders (ARR=1.15, p=.001) were more likely to have CRP values >3mg/L compared to veterans without either condition. Conclusion Sleep disorders were highly likely to co-occur with mental health disorders in this sample of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. Mental health disorders and comorbid mental health/sleep disorders were associated with elevated C-reactive protein, indicating these patients are at highest risk for negative health outcomes. Future studies should investigate directionality of relationships among sleep disruption, mental health symptoms, and inflammation. Support VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment