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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Non-termination of sickness behavior as precipitating factor for mental disorders.

Sickness behavior can be defined as a combination of coordinated behavioral and physiological changes that develop in response to any condition that elicits pro-inflammatory activity. It is an adaptational homeostasis initiated by the influence of pro-inflammatory cytokines on central nervous system neurohormonal functioning. This paper introduces the concept of non-termination of sickness behavior as a potential threat to mental health. In view of the similarities between the behavioral symptoms, the neuroendocrine and the cytokine profiles of sickness behavior and that of a number of mental disorders it is hypothesized that the inappropriate continuation of sickness behavior, (i.e., non-termination), after recovery from the initial disease, could form the basis for mental disturbances. This would be particularly relevant in individuals with alterations in stress vulnerability (altered activation threshold and impaired negative feedback), which may occur due to the combination of genetic disposition and priming by early life experiences.

Cytokines↗
PubMed2000

Trauma severity and initial reactions as precipitating factors for posttraumatic stress symptoms and chronic dissociation in former political prisoners.

This study explores the relationships among trauma severity, initial trauma reactions, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and dissociation in a group of 98 former East-German political prisoners. Trauma severity and initial reactions were assessed using a persecution checklist and a coping process questionnaire. PTSD symptoms were assessed through a structured clinical interview. Chronic dissociation was evaluated using the Dissociative Experiences Scale. The two assumptions of the study were confirmed by structural equation modeling: (1) Lifetime PTSD symptoms were predominantly predicted by initial reactions to trauma and (2) chronic dissociation was predominantly predicted by trauma severity. The first finding is discussed in relation to the participants' initial trauma processing. The second finding is discussed especially in the context of trauma duration and dissociation-prone coping attempts. Limitations concerning the long-term interval between traumatization and data collection are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

[Precipitating factors for shunt insufficiency in post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus in the premature infant].

Between January 1984 and March 1989 twenty-seven low birth weight infants (mean birth weight 1351 gm, mean gestational age 30 weeks) required shunts after development of a posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Revision of the shunt occurred in 78% of the patients with a range of 1 to 11 revisions. Obstruction of the ventricular catheter was the main cause of mechanical complications that occurred in 75%. Preterm infants weighing less than 1000 gm revealed an enormous infection rate of 71%. Initial shunt placement in the first 8 weeks of life was more likely to need shunt revision (94%) than that placed at older age (44%). There was no difference between the type of shunt and percentage of shunt revision, but the Heyer-Schulte system in comparison with the Codman Uni shunt was more likely to have mechanical complications. Infants with Grade IV haemorrhage required the same percentage of revisions as those with Grade III haemorrhage. There was no association between preoperative therapy and the need for shunt revision. A great amount of erythrocytes and very low glucose levels in the preoperative CSF were more likely to predict shunt revision than predicted by the CSF protein.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1991

Exposure to an aeroallergen as a possible precipitating factor in respiratory arrest in young patients with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to airborne spores of the common mold Alternaria alternata has been implicated in asthma attacks. Such exposure is particularly frequent in the Midwest during the summer and fall months. To determine the role of A. alternata in triggering severe asthma attacks, we investigated the cases of 11 patients with asthma who had sudden respiratory arrest and determined the frequency of sensitivity to this allergen in these patients. METHODS: The 11 patients (age range, 11 to 25 years) with initial episodes of respiratory arrest, which was fatal in 2 patients, were identified in the course of their care in our pediatric and adult clinical allergy practice and by a retrospective review of all Mayo Clinic records of patients with severe asthma cared for between 1980 and 1989. Skin-test reactivity to A. alternata and levels of IgE antibody against this mold in the 11 patients were compared with those in 99 matched controls with asthma who had no history of respiratory arrest. RESULTS: All the patients came from the upper Midwest, and the episodes of respiratory arrest occurred in the summer or early fall. Ten of the 11 patients with asthma who had respiratory arrest (91 percent) had positive skin-puncture tests for sensitivity to alternaria, as compared with 31 percent of the controls (P less than 0.001), and the serum levels of IgE antibodies to alternaria were elevated in all 9 patients tested. Among the covariates we examined (age, sex, and distance from the Mayo Clinic), only age was a significant confounder. After adjustment for age, alternaria skin-test reactivity was found to be associated with an increase of approximately 200-fold in the risk of respiratory arrest (adjusted odds ratio, 189.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 6.5 to 5535.8). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to the aeroallergen A. alternata is a risk factor for respiratory arrest in children and young adults with asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

The extent, nature, and precipitating factors of nurse assault among three groups of registered nurses in a regional medical center.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated nurse perceptions of the incidence and nature of verbal and physical assault or abuse by patients and their family members or visitors. METHODS: A survey was given to ED, ICU, and general floor nurses in a 770-bed acute care north Florida medical center. RESULTS: The response rate was 68.8% (86 out of 125). Large percentages of nurses reported being victims of verbal assault or abuse and physical assault by patients and family members or visitors; 88% reported being verbally assaulted and 74% reported being physically assaulted while at work in the past year. ED nurses reported the highest rates of these incidences, with 100% reporting verbal assault and 82.1% reporting physical assault within the past year. Assaults were most commonly perpetrated by patients with cognitive dysfunction (79.1%), patients with substance abuse (60.5%), and persons who were angry because of the patient's condition (55.8%). Surprising information: the most common causes of assault by family members and visitors were anger related to enforcement of hospital policies (58.1%), anger related to the patient's condition/situation (57%), anger related to long wait times (47.7%), and anger related to the health care system in general (46.5%). DISCUSSION: Nurses were confused about what legally constitutes "assault" and "abuse"; nurse rights versus patient rights; and policies and procedures for reporting assault or abuse incidences. Our results indicate that nurses are experiencing abusive and assaultive behavior from family members and visitors just as often as they are from patients, and ED nurses are at higher risk. Nurses perceive a lack of institutional support and an institutional emphasis on patient rights and satisfaction and do not feel safe in the workplace.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy: a precipitating factor of cerebrovascular accident in a child with sickle cell anemia.

Cerebrovascular accident is one of the most serious complications of sickle cell anemia. The specific factors that predispose patients with sickle cell anemia to stroke are increased disease severity, higher baseline white blood cell count and lower baseline hematocrits. Likewise the presence of a co-existent alpha thalassemia trait and/or high fetal hemoglobin (HbF%) may reduce the risk. We report a child with sickle cell anemia and marked adenotonsillar hypertrophy resulting in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. There was no other known risk factor for developing cerebrovascular accident in this child during her hospitalization for adenotonsillectomy.

Adenoids↗
PubMed1992

Potential precipitating factors of the onset of myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) usually results from thrombotic coronary artery occlusion at the site of a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque. The factors responsible for triggering MI are not known but conditions that increase serum catecholamines may be involved. Accordingly, the authors prospectively evaluated the presence of factors that may increase catecholamines immediately prior to MI in 186 patients. Myocardial infarction was documented by a rise in serum CK-MB. There were 149 men and 37 women, aged 57 +/- 12 (mean +/- SD) years. All patients were interviewed within 72 hours of admission concerning strenuous physical activity, emotional stress, and assumption of the upright posture immediately prior to the onset of symptoms. Seventy-five (40%) patients had one or more of these factors immediately prior to the onset of MI chest pain. Fourteen (8%) experienced acute emotional upset; 28 (15%) were involved in strenuous physical activity; and 39 (21%) had suddenly changed position. In the latter group, 18 changed from being supine for more than 1 hour to standing; three rose from supine to sitting; and 18 changed from prolonged sitting (greater than 60 minutes) to standing. The conclusion is that a potential triggering factor is present in many patients immediately prior to the onset of MI. A sudden change in position is the most frequent potential trigger, typically occurring the morning after awakening from sleep.

Circadian Rhythm↗