LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE AND SOMATOTROPIC HORMONE IN MALE COMBATANTS DEPENDING ON THE VOLUME OF BODY WOUND DAMAGE

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 8% of the general population. The prevalence of PTSD is twice as high among military personnel and combat veterans. PTSD is associated with a variety of social or personal health problems. Although the development of this disorder as a result of relationship difficulties has been studied more broadly, less is known about the relationship between PTSD and sexual dysfunction.

The aim of the study was to determine the main regularities between the volume of wound damage (on the one hand) and changes in the levels of some hormones in blood serum at different stages of wound disease (on the other hand), taking into account that these changes are important components of general processes that determine the course of the wound process.

Materials and methods. 30 men who received soft tissue injuries of various sizes took part in the study. The age of the wounded is 34.2 ± 4.3 years. The average body weight was 78 ± 3.5 kg. The levels of somatotropic hormone (STH) and testosterone were determined.

The results. During the study, a probable (p<0.05) increase in STH was registered in the group of patients with mild injuries from the first day after the injury. Such high levels of THG in male combatants were observed throughout the study. In the group of patients with an injury of moderate severity, we observed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of THG, which began on the first day and remained at a high level until the 5th day after the injury. But after two weeks, the concentration of growth hormone decreased almost to the level of control indicators. In the group of severely wounded, we registered a significant difference in indicators depending on the day of injury.

The dynamics of testosterone levels, which was obtained in the study, fully corresponds to the data of the literature regarding the fact that severe damage is almost always accompanied by suppression of the function of the gonads, which is manifested by a decrease in testosterone production, which increases anabolic processes.

In our study, the rather low level of testosterone in all young men with moderate and severe injuries draws attention. At the same time, it should be noted that the level of testosterone in men with light injuries did not differ from the control group.

Conclusions. First, the dependence of the levels of somatotropic hormone and testosterone on the severity of the injury in male combatants was established. Secondly, the role of testosterone and somatotropic hormone in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder and sexual dysfunction in male combatants was confirmed.

Key words: post-traumatic stress disorder, wounds, body damage, war, somatotropic hormone, testosterone, men.