DHEA and DHEA-S plasma levels are increased in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder and a history of childhood abuse

Reports about dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been inconsistent and contradictory. The aim of our study was to examine the influence of history of severe childhood traumatisation on these steroid hormones in PTSD patients. 33 subjects with chronic PTSD (15 with and 18 without sexual and/or severe physical abuse before age 12) were examined between 13:00 and 17:00 using a modified combined dexamethasone/CRH test (0.5mg dexamethasone at 23:00, 100µg h-CRH at 15:00). Mean pre-CRH levels of both plasma DHEA and DHEA-S were significantly increased in the subgroup with childhood abuse, the respective ratios with plasma cortisol were significantly lower. Significant amounts of the variation of DHEA, DHEA-S and the cortisol-DHEA-S ratio in the entire sample of PTSD patients could be explained by a history of childhood abuse. Our results underline the importance of childhood trauma history in the interpretation of DHEA and DHEA-S concentrations in PTSD patients. Additional studies are needed to specify the potential role of DHEA and DHEA-S as biomarkers for severe early adverse events in patients suffering from PTSD and in other stress-related disorders.