Male Infertility in Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress is Associated with Increased Serum Lipid Concentration

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur after experiencing or witnessing life-threatening events such as combat operations, terrorist attacks, accidents or violent physical attacks, rape, etc. Its prevalence is high and it very often occurs in comorbidity with other psychiatric and physical disorders. PTSD patients often exhibit dysregulated lipid metabolic profiles. The aim of the research was to determine the biochemical concentration of lipids (TC, TG, HDL, and LDL) in men with post-traumatic stress disorder, veterans of the war in Kosovo, who are being treated for infertility. Our study included 72 male patients with primary and secondary infertility. Patients with PTSD were permanent residents of the Dukagjin region (the cities of Pejë, Istog, Deçan, Klinë) in the Republic of Kosovo. Serum lipid concentrations were determined on the COBAS INTEGRA 400 plus apparatus. To determine male fertility, we analyzed the parameters of human ejaculation according to the latest manual (6th, WHO 2021). Criteria that must be met to confirm the diagnosis of PTSD. The following instruments were used in the research: ITQ (International Trauma Questionnaire). In patients with PTSD, the mean TC values were higher (6.38 ± 1.20) than the without PTSD group (5.28 ± 0.37) (p=0.018), the concentration of bad cholesterol, LDL was higher in PTSD patients than without PTSD patients (4.16 ± 0.31 vs. 3.65 ± 0.49) (p= 0.016), TG also had higher concentrations (2.43 ± 0.64 ) than without PTSD patients (1.78 ± 0.45), (p = 0.036). HDL in PTSD patients (1.17 ± 0.40) was significantly lower in without PTSD patients (2.47 ± 0.50) (p = 0.021). BMI had no statistically significant differences between the two groups; with PTSD and non-PTSD (26.2 vs 25.6) (p=0.430). In conclusion, biochemical analyzes of the lipid profile of PTSD patients will help clinicians to reduce the possibility of vascular disease in this population during the treatment of male infertility.