Summary: The study found a link between the oral microbiome and PTSD in veterans who fought in the 1982 Lebanon War. Veterans with PTSD and high levels of psychopathology (mental illness symptoms) had similar patterns of bacteria in their saliva. This groundbreaking discovery could lead to new, objective ways to diagnose PTSD, including post-traumatic stress disorder treatment options.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that affects many veterans. Early, accurate diagnosis is key to treating it well. One main problem is symptom overlap. PTSD symptoms can look like other conditions, such as depression and anxiety. That makes them hard to tell apart. Another problem is stigma. Many veterans may not want to ask for help with PTSD.
Some healthcare providers also do not fully understand PTSD and its symptoms. That may lead to missed or delayed diagnoses. Veterans have often lived through many traumatic events. That makes it harder to pin down one cause of their PTSD symptoms. Last, PTSD often comes with other medical or mental health conditions (doctors call this comorbid). That makes it even harder to diagnose.
Still, early diagnosis and treatment of PTSD in veterans matter. They are key to better quality of life and a lower risk of suicide. So we have to get past these problems. Veterans need the support and care to manage their PTSD.
Doctors face one more problem in catching PTSD early. There is no objective test, biomarker, or reliable lab test for it. A biomarker is a measurable sign in the body. So doctors diagnose the condition mainly by taking a history. That often delays the diagnosis. In recent years, researchers have worked toward a reliable biomarker for early diagnosis. A new study suggests that tracking changes in the oral microbiome (the bacteria that live in the mouth) may help spot PTSD early. The study was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
The study looked at about 200 Israeli veterans who fought in the 1982 Lebanon War. They came from a larger cohort (a group followed over time) in a 40-year study led by Prof. Solomon. The veterans were checked for many factors. These included sleep disorders, guilt, suicidal thoughts, and social support. They also covered life satisfaction, background, psychopathology, welfare, health, and education.
Researchers from Tel Aviv and Haifa Universities found a pattern. Veterans with PTSD and high levels of psychopathology had similar bacteria in their saliva. This is the first time anyone has found such a link. The researchers believe it could lead to new, objective ways to diagnose PTSD. They also found that air pollution exposure was associated with higher PTSD risk. In contrast, more education had a protective effect on the oral microbiome.
Prof. Illana Gozes, the lead researcher, noted that about a third of the veterans with PTSD had never been officially diagnosed. They had the symptoms anyway. She said this study may allow a more accurate PTSD diagnosis in the future. It would weigh both behavior and biological markers.
These are still early days in learning how PTSD affects the body. Even so, this study shows that an objective test for the condition is possible. One way to catch it early could be to look for microbial signatures (bacterial fingerprints).
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a test for PTSD?
Not yet. PTSD has no objective test, biomarker or reliable lab test. So doctors diagnose it mainly by taking a history, and that often delays the diagnosis. Researchers are working toward a biomarker. Saliva is one candidate. The bacteria in it may one day help flag PTSD, along with the behavior picture.
What is the link between PTSD and the oral microbiome?
Researchers from Tel Aviv and Haifa Universities studied about 200 Israeli veterans of the 1982 Lebanon War. Veterans with PTSD and high levels of psychopathology had similar patterns of bacteria in their saliva. It was the first time anyone had found such a link. It points toward an objective way to diagnose the disorder.
Why is PTSD hard to diagnose in veterans?
Its symptoms overlap with depression and anxiety. Stigma keeps many veterans from asking for help. Some healthcare providers miss the signs. Veterans often carry several traumatic events, so one cause is hard to pin down. PTSD also often comes with other conditions. In the study, about a third of veterans with PTSD had never been officially diagnosed.
What raises the risk of PTSD in veterans?
In this study, exposure to air pollution was tied to a higher PTSD risk. More education worked the other way. Higher education levels had a protective effect on the oral microbiome. The veterans were also checked for sleep disorders, guilt, and suicidal thoughts. Social support and life satisfaction were checked too.
Medical Disclaimer: Keep in mind that the content provided is not direct medical advice for patient care, but is provided for thoughtful discussion.
Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP
