Associations between Allostatic Load and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Scoping Review

Traumatic events may lead to the development of PTSD or PTSD symptomology that can negatively impact health outcomes. Allostatic load, which represents the cumulative biological wear and tear of exposure to stress, can be employed to better understand the physiological etiology of PTSD. A scoping review, informed by the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, was completed to identify published and unpublished empirical studies that explored the relationship of allostatic load and PTSD. Eight databases were searched yielding four studies, with the results summarized narratively and in tabular form. Findings were mixed as to the association between allostatic load and PTSD. Allostatic load was positively associated with PTSD diagnosis; however, studies measuring only PTSD symptomatology found no relationship. Few PTSD researchers have tested the relationship of a comprehensive measure of allostatic load to PTSD. Among those who have, studies show that allostatic load can be a beneficial tool and applicable theoretical framework for understanding the biological changes associated with PTSD. Future research should focus on standardizing measures of both allostatic load and PTSD and identifying potential confounders. A better understanding of the physiological changes associated with PTSD could lead to more effective prevention and treatment efforts.