Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate an association between PTSD and altered immunity. We examined peripheral T lymphocyte subsets, natural killer cells(NK cells) cytotoxicity(NKCC) and plasma hormones using flow cytometry in North Korean defectors with and without PTSD.
Methods: 24 North Korean defectors with PTSD and 22 controls were recruited from the North Korean defectors’ training center in South Korea. Peripheral T lymphocytes, NK cells, NKCC and plasma hormones (ACTH and cortisol) were obtained from all subjects. We also applied the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) for all subjects.
Results: We found NK cell activity is relatively lower than number of NK cells in North Korean defectors with PTSD. Subjects with PTSD had higher HAM-D and HAM-A scores than controls. There were no statistical differences in ACTH, cortisol, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19 and CD56 between the two subjects.
Conclusion: These findings suggest North Korean defectors with PTSD who are in the training center show higher levels of depression, anxiety and impaired or weak immune function in NK cells.

I. 서론 = 1
II. 방법 = 4
III. 결과 = 9
IV. 결론 = 14
V. 참고문헌 = 18