174. Early life adversity, depressive symptoms, and endothelial dysfunction in women veterans

Abstract

Veterans are at particular risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and this may be related to early life adversity. Prior research demonstrates early life adversity promotes inflammation, which contributes to not only depressive symptoms but also to endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to CVD. Compared to female civilians, women Veterans have greater histories of abuse and therefore may be at particular risk for CVD. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate early life adversity, depressive symptoms, and endothelial dysfunction in women Veterans. A cross sectional sample of women Veterans (mean age = 50.47) completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Endothelial function was assessed by measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation using the Peripheral Arterial Tone (PAT) signaling technology, which non-invasively measures arterial tone in peripheral arterial beds. Subjects reported high levels of depressive symptoms that were positively associated with CTQ early life adversity subscales of emotional neglect (r = .669, p = .003), physical neglect (r = .590, p = .013), emotional abuse (r = .768, p = .000), and physical abuse (r = .537, p = .026). Nearly one third of the subjects (29.3%) had demonstrable endothelial dysfunction with Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) scores