DHEA and DHEA-S levels in posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analytic review

A trend for higher DHEA levels was found in PTSD patients compared to non-trauma-exposed controls (NTC) (k = 3, SMD = 1.12 95% CI −0.03-2.52, Z = 1.91, p = 0.06). Significantly higher DHEA-S levels were observed in PTSD patients compared to NTC (k = 2, SMD = 0.76, 95% CI 0.38-1.13, Z = 3.94, p < 0.001). Additionally, significantly higher DHEA levels were observed in trauma-exposed controls (TC) compared to NTC (k = 3, SMD = 0.66, 95% CI 0.33-0.99, Z = 3.88, p < 0.001, I2 = 86%) this suggests that trauma exposure, irrespective of further PTSD development, might increase basal DHEA and DHEA-S levels.