Which Severe Mental Illnesses Most Increase the Risk of Developing Dementia? Comparing the Risk of Dementia in Patients with Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

Objective@#Previous studies have shown that certain severe mental illnesses (SMIs) increase the risk of dementia, but those that increase the risk to a greater degree in comparison with other SMIs are unknown. Furthermore, physical illnesses may alter the risk of developing dementia, but these cannot be well-controlled. @*Methods@#Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD) were recruited. We also recruited normal healthy subjects as the control group.All subjects were aged over 60 years, and the duration of follow-up was from 2008 to 2015. Multiple confounders were adjusted, including physical illnesses and other variables. Use of medications, especially benzodiazepines, was analyzed in a sensitivity analysis. @*Results@#36,029 subjects (MDD: 23,371, bipolar disorder: 4,883, schizophrenia: 7,775) and 108,084 control subjects were recruited after matching according to age and sex. The results showed that bipolar disorder had the highest hazard ratio (HR) (HR: 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.99−2.30), followed by schizophrenia (HR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.93−2.19) and MDD (HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.51−1.69). The results remained robust after adjusting for covariates, and sensitivity analysis showed similar results. Anxiolytics use did not increase the risk of dementia in any of the three groups of SMI patients. @*Conclusion@#SMIs increase the risk of dementia, and among them, bipolar disorder confers the greatest risk of developing dementia. Anxiolytics may not increase the risk of developing dementia in patients with an SMI, but still need to be used with caution in clinical practices.

Harm Avoidance is Correlated with the Reward System in Adult Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Objective@#Hypoactivity in the reward system among patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a well-known phenomenon. Whether the activity in the reward pathway is related to harm avoidance, such as in sensitivity to punishment, is unclear. Evidence regarding the potential difference between ADHD patients and controls in terms of this association is scarce. @*Methods@#Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted on subjects performing the Iowa gambling test. Fourteen adults with ADHD and 14 controls were enrolled in the study. @*Results@#Harm avoidance was found to be positively correlated with the activities of the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex and right insula in individuals with ADHD. A group difference was also confirmed. @*Conclusion@#Understanding the roles of harm avoidance and brain activation during risk tasks is important.

Serotonin Modulates the Correlations between Obsessive-compulsive Trait and Heart Rate Variability in Normal Healthy Subjects: A SPECT Study with 123 IADAM and Heart Rate Variability Measurement

Objective@#The impact of serotonergic system on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is well studied. However, the correlation between OC presentations and autonomic nervous system (ANS) is still unclear. Furthermore, whether the correlation might be modulated by serotonin is also uncertain. @*Methods@#We recruited eighty-nine healthy subjects. Serotonin transporter (SERT) availability by [ 123 I]ADAM and heart rate variability (HRV) tests were measured. Symptoms checklist-90 was measured for the OC presentations. The interaction between HRV and SERT availability were calculated and the correlation between HRV and OC symptoms were analyzed after stratified SERT level into two groups, split at medium. @*Results@#The interactions were significant in the factors of low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). Furthermore, the significantly negative correlations between OC symptoms and the above HRV indexes existed only in subjects with higher SERT availability. @*Conclusion@#OC symptoms might be correlated with ANS regulations in subjects with higher SERT availability.

Personalization of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder According to the Existing Psychiatric Comorbidity

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) are evidenced-based treatments for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who fail to respond to standard first-line therapies. However, although various TMS protocols have been proven to be clinically effective, the response rate varies across clinical applications due to the heterogeneity of real-world psychiatric comorbidities, such as generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or substance use disorder, which are often observed in patients with MDD. Therefore, individualized treatment approaches are important to increase treatment response by assigning a given patient to the most optimal TMS treatment protocol based on his or her individual profile. This literature review summarizes different rTMS or TBS protocols that have been applied in researches investigating MDD patients with certain psychiatric comorbidities and discusses biomarkers that may be used to predict rTMS treatment response. Furthermore, we highlight the need for the validation of neuroimaging and electrophysiological biomarkers associated with rTMS treatment responses. Finally, we discuss on which directions future efforts should focus for developing the personalization of the treatment of depression with rTMS or iTBS.

Central Pontine Myelinolysis in a Normonatremic Patient with Depression

A 76-year-old male presented with a recurrent depressive episode, an unsteady gait and cognitive impairment. Extensive blood tests, including hemogram, biochemical tests, folic acid, vitamin B12, and thyroid hormone, showed normal results. With the exception of the unsteady gait, neurological examination was negative. Brian magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the typical feature of central pontine myelinolysis (CPM); however, there was no history of alcoholism, liver transplantation, malnutrition or rapid correction of hyponatremia. The patient had taken venlafaxine to treat major depressive disorder for more than 20 years. After discontinuation of venlafaxine, the unsteady gait gradually resolved, and subsequent MRI revealed reduction of the lesions over 6 months. We discuss herein the possible correlation between chronic use of venlafaxine and CPM.

Personalization of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder According to the Existing Psychiatric Comorbidity

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) are evidenced-based treatments for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who fail to respond to standard first-line therapies. However, although various TMS protocols have been proven to be clinically effective, the response rate varies across clinical applications due to the heterogeneity of real-world psychiatric comorbidities, such as generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or substance use disorder, which are often observed in patients with MDD. Therefore, individualized treatment approaches are important to increase treatment response by assigning a given patient to the most optimal TMS treatment protocol based on his or her individual profile. This literature review summarizes different rTMS or TBS protocols that have been applied in researches investigating MDD patients with certain psychiatric comorbidities and discusses biomarkers that may be used to predict rTMS treatment response. Furthermore, we highlight the need for the validation of neuroimaging and electrophysiological biomarkers associated with rTMS treatment responses. Finally, we discuss on which directions future efforts should focus for developing the personalization of the treatment of depression with rTMS or iTBS.

Central Pontine Myelinolysis in a Normonatremic Patient with Depression

A 76-year-old male presented with a recurrent depressive episode, an unsteady gait and cognitive impairment. Extensive blood tests, including hemogram, biochemical tests, folic acid, vitamin B12, and thyroid hormone, showed normal results. With the exception of the unsteady gait, neurological examination was negative. Brian magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the typical feature of central pontine myelinolysis (CPM); however, there was no history of alcoholism, liver transplantation, malnutrition or rapid correction of hyponatremia. The patient had taken venlafaxine to treat major depressive disorder for more than 20 years. After discontinuation of venlafaxine, the unsteady gait gradually resolved, and subsequent MRI revealed reduction of the lesions over 6 months. We discuss herein the possible correlation between chronic use of venlafaxine and CPM.

Skin Exposure Contributes to Chemical-Induced Asthma: What is the Evidence? A Systematic Review of Animal Models

It is generally assumed that allergic asthma originates primarily through sensitization via the respiratory mucosa, but emerging clinical observations and experimental studies indicate that skin exposure to low molecular weight (LMW) agents, i.e. “chemicals,” may lead to systemic sensitization and subsequently develop asthma when the chemical is inhaled. This review aims to evaluate the accumulating experimental evidence that adverse respiratory responses can be elicited upon inhalation of an LMW chemical sensitizer after previous sensitization by dermal exposure. We systematically searched the PubMed and Embase databases up to April 15, 2017, and conducted forward and backward reference tracking. Animal studies involving both skin and airway exposure to LMW agents were included. We extracted 6 indicators of “selective airway hyper-responsiveness” (SAHR)—i.e. respiratory responses that only occurred in previously sensitized animals—and synthesized the evidence level for each indicator into strong, moderate or limited strength. The summarized evidence weight for each chemical agent was graded into high, middle, low or “not possible to assess.” We identified 144 relevant animal studies. These studies involved 29 LMW agents, with 107 (74%) studies investigating the occurrence of SAHR. Indicators of SAHR included physiological, cytological/histological and immunological responses in bronchoalveolar lavage, lung tissue and airway-draining lymph nodes. Evidence for skin exposure-induced SAHR was present for 22 agents; for 7 agents the evidence for SAHR was inconclusive, but could not be excluded. The ability of a chemical to cause sensitization via skin exposure should be regarded as constituting a risk of adverse respiratory reactions.

Skin Exposure Contributes to Chemical-Induced Asthma: What is the Evidence? A Systematic Review of Animal Models

It is generally assumed that allergic asthma originates primarily through sensitization via the respiratory mucosa, but emerging clinical observations and experimental studies indicate that skin exposure to low molecular weight (LMW) agents, i.e. “chemicals,” may lead to systemic sensitization and subsequently develop asthma when the chemical is inhaled. This review aims to evaluate the accumulating experimental evidence that adverse respiratory responses can be elicited upon inhalation of an LMW chemical sensitizer after previous sensitization by dermal exposure. We systematically searched the PubMed and Embase databases up to April 15, 2017, and conducted forward and backward reference tracking. Animal studies involving both skin and airway exposure to LMW agents were included. We extracted 6 indicators of “selective airway hyper-responsiveness” (SAHR)—i.e. respiratory responses that only occurred in previously sensitized animals—and synthesized the evidence level for each indicator into strong, moderate or limited strength. The summarized evidence weight for each chemical agent was graded into high, middle, low or “not possible to assess.” We identified 144 relevant animal studies. These studies involved 29 LMW agents, with 107 (74%) studies investigating the occurrence of SAHR. Indicators of SAHR included physiological, cytological/histological and immunological responses in bronchoalveolar lavage, lung tissue and airway-draining lymph nodes. Evidence for skin exposure-induced SAHR was present for 22 agents; for 7 agents the evidence for SAHR was inconclusive, but could not be excluded. The ability of a chemical to cause sensitization via skin exposure should be regarded as constituting a risk of adverse respiratory reactions.

Increased Readmission Risk and Healthcare Cost for Delirium Patients without Immediate Hospitalization in the Emergency Department

OBJECTIVE: Hospitalization of patients with delirium after visiting the emergency department (ED) is often required. However, the readmission risk after discharge from the ED should also be considered. This study aimed to explore whether (i) immediate hospitalization influences the readmission risk of patients with delirium; (ii) the readmission risk is affected by various risk factors; and (iii) the healthcare cost differs between groups within 28 days of the first ED visit. METHODS: Using the National Health Insurance Research Database, the data of 2,780 subjects presenting with delirium at an ED visit from 2000 to 2008 were examined. The readmission risks of the groups of patients (i.e., patients who were and were not admitted within 24 hours of an ED visit) within 28 days were compared, and the effects of the severities of different comorbidities (using Charlson’s comorbidity index, CCI), age, gender, diagnosis and differences in medical healthcare cost were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients without immediate hospitalization had a higher risk of readmission within 3, 7, 14, or 28 days of discharge from the ED, especially subjects with more severe comorbidities (CCI≥3) or older patients (≥65 years). Subjects with more severe comorbidities or older subjects who were not admitted immediately also incurred a greater healthcare cost for re-hospitalization within the 28-day follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Patients with delirium with a higher CCI or of a greater age should be carefully considered for immediate hospitalization from ED for further examination in order to reduce the risk of re-hospitalization and cost of healthcare.

Holistic Consideration of Patients with Schizophrenia to Improve Medication Adherence and Outcomes

Although several algorithms have been applied to treat patients with schizophrenia, their clinical use remains still limited, because most emphasize the prescription of antipsychotics. A new algorithm with a more holistic approach to treating patients with schizophrenia, to be used before applying traditional prescribing guidelines, was thus proposed by an expert team of Taiwanese psychiatrists. In this algorithm, several important treatment tasks/modalities are proposed, including long-acting injection anti-psychotics, shared decision-making, a case management system, compulsory treatment by law, community rehabilitation programs, the patients' feeling about their health care professionals (patients' behaviors) and their attitude/knowledge of their conditions/illness. This study proposes that evaluating the medication adherence of patients can be determined by two key domains, namely patients' behaviors and attitudes. Based on different levels of their behaviors (X-axis) and attitude/knowledge (Y-axis), it is possible to categorize patients with schizophrenia into six subgroups, for which various different interventions, including the use of antipsychotics, could be applied and integrated. Further research is needed to assess the applicability of this treatment algorithm in clinical settings.

Severe bilateral pulmonary edema after video-assisted thoracic surgery for pneumothorax

A 36-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of chest tightness and progressive shortness of breath. Chest radiography showed a collapsed lung in the left hemithorax. After tuber thoracostomy, persistent air-leakage was noted even after five days. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was carried out under general anesthesia, and one-lung ventilation was performed for one hour and 15 minutes. Eighteen hours after extubation, the patient experienced severe dyspnea with hypoxia. A chest radiograph revealed bilateral pulmonary edema. She was re-intubated, and her symptoms improved with mechanical ventilation and PEEP in the intensive care unit [ICU]. Although video-assisted thoracic surgery [VATS] is a safe and effective procedure, clinicians should keep in mind that bilateral re-expansion pulmonary edema [RPE] may occur after anesthesia for the treatment of pneumothorax

Positive end-expiratory pressure attenuates positional effect after thoracotomy

Thoracotomy is a common procedure. However, thoracotomy leads to lung atelectasis and deteriorates pulmonary gas exchange in operated side. Therefore, different positions with operated side lowermost or uppermost may lead to different gas exchange after thoracotomy. Besides, PEEP [positive end-expiratory pressure] influence lung atelectasis and should influence gas exchange. The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological changes in different positions after thoracotomy. In addition, we also studied the influence of PEEP to positional effects after thoracotomy. There were eight pigs in each group. Group I received left thoracotomy with zero end-expiratory pressure [ZEEP], and group II with PEEP; group III received right thoracotomy with ZEEP and group IV with PEEP. We changed positions to supine, LLD [left lateral decubitus] and RLD [right lateral decubitus] in random order after thoracotomy. PaO[2] was decreased after thoracotomy and higher in RLD after left thoracotomy and in LLD after right thoracotomy. PaO[2] in groups II and IV was higher than in groups I and III if with the same position. In group I and III, PaCO[2] was increased after thoracotomy and was higher in LLD after left thoracotomy and in RLD after right thoracotomy. In groups II and IV, there were no PaCO[2] changes in different positions after thoracotomy. Lung compliance [Crs] was decreased after thoracotomy in groups I and III and highest in RLD after left thoracotomy and in LLD after right thoracotomy. In groups II and IV, there were no changes in Crs regardless of the different positions. There were significant changes with regards to pulmonary gas exchange, hemodynamics and Crs after thoracotomy. The best position was non-operated lung lowermost Applying PEEP attenuates the positional effects

Effectiveness of the BDProbeTec ET system for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens

OBJECTIVE: The diagnostic efficacy of the BDProbeTEC ET Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex direct detection assay (DTB) performed on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens and sputum smears was compared with acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy. METHOD: AFB smear microscopy, DTB and culture results of 286 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 120 patients provided expectorated sputum samples, and 166 patients provided BAL specimens. Culture results and clinical diagnosis were used as gold standards. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the DTB assay in detecting MTB in sputum specimens was significantly higher compared to AFB smear microscopy (83.7% and 82.4%, vs. 75.6%, and 41.2%, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of the DTB assay in detecting MTB in sputum samples was 77.2% and 100% compared to clinical diagnosis, while AFB smear had a sensitivity and specificity of 70.3% and 26.3%, respectively. Compared to culture, DTB had a sensitivity and specificity of 82.8% and 93.2%, respectively, in detecting MTB from BAL specimens; AFB smear had a sensitivity and specificity of 41.9% and 87.7%, respectively. Compared to clinical diagnosis, DTB had a sensitivity and specificity of 67.2% and 100%, respectively, in detecting MTB from BAL specimens; AFB smear had a sensitivity and specificity of 34.8% and 79.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The superior performance of the DTB assay relative to AFB smear microscopy makes it a valuable tool to enable early diagnosis of MTB, thereby improving patient care and reducing transmission.

Traumatic pseudoaneurysm from the aorta to the left common carotid artery presenting as widened mediastinum

Diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of the aorta or its main branches is a challenge in patients with blunt chest trauma. Computed tomography helps to demonstrate intrathoracic hemorrhage and suspected great vascular injury when a chest radiograph reveals widening of the mediastinum. Aortic angiography remains the gold standard in the determination of the site, and severity of vascular injury for definitive surgical intervention. Timing of surgical repair is controversial. Delayed repair of traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the aorta after primary control of associate injuries decreases mortality significantly, thus improving prognosis. We report a case of successful repair of a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch with extension to the left common carotid artery in an 18-year-old female patient. The diagnosis, surgical approaches, and timing of operation are discussed along with case presentation

Tratamiento quirúgico del efisema pulmonar bulloso / Surgical treament of bullous pulmonary emphysema

Entre las causas pulmonares de disnea, ninguna se compara , ni en morbilidad, nio en mortalidad, con la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crònica, la cual constituye en el adulto la quinta causa de muerte y la primera de invalidez. La enfermedad bullosa presenta complicaciones como infecciòn, neumotòrax, hemorragia, insuficiencia respiratoria crònica y càncer de pulmòn. En el articulo se ofrecen experiencias de un mèdico costarricense de origen taiwanès, Dr. Kai Cheng Hung Chang, junto a su colectivo de profesores, en la lucha contra la sed de aire

Cáncer de mama bilateral en el Hospital Universitario Comandante Manuel Fajardo, 1982-2003 / Bilateral breast cancer at Comandante Manuel Fajardo Teaching Hospital (1982-2003)

En 1945, Foote y Stewart plantearon que el antecedente más frecuente de cáncer en un seno es haber tenido una neoplasia en el seno contrario. Se realizó un estudio sobre los casos de cáncer de mama bilateral atendidos en nuestro servicio entre 1982 y 2003. Métodos: El universo de nuestro trabajo está compuesto por 25 pacientes que fueron atendidas en los últimos 20 años por cáncer de mama bilateral, la mayoría de ellos metacrónicos (21 casos). En cada caso se analizó edad, etapas clínicas al momento del diagnóstico, tratamiento utilizado, tipo histológico y evolución, entre otras variables. Resultados: Se observó la mayor incidencia de esta enfermedad en la 5ta. y 6ta. décadas de la vida, con predominio de los tumores en etapa II. El tipo de operación más realizado fue la mastectomía radical modificada de Patey y prevalecieron las técnicas más conservadores en la segunda operación. Siete de las pacientes fallecieron por la enfermedad. Conclusiones: El pronóstico de las mujeres con cáncer de mama bilateral suele ser favorable y depende de la etapa de desarrollo de éste al momento del diagnóstico. El tratamiento del segundo primario fue más conservador que el primero. El seguimiento estricto y el uso de la ingeniería genética son elementos fundamentales para el diagnóstico precoz(AU)

In 1945, Foote and Stewart said: the most frequent antecedent of cancer in a breast is having had a neoplasia in the other breast. A study of the cases of bilateral breast cancer seen in our service between 1982 and 2003 was conducted. Methods: The universe of our work was composed of 25 patients attended in the last 20 years due to bilateral breast cancer. Most of them were metachronic (21 cases). Age, clinical stages at the time of diagnosis, treatment used, histological type and evolution, among other variables, were analyzed. Results: the highest incidence of this disease was observed in the 5th and 6th decades of life, with predominance of stage II tumors. Patev's modified radical mastectomy was the most common operation. The most conservative techniques prevailed in the second operation. Seven of the patients died as a result of the disease. Conclusions: the prognosis of women with bilateral breast cancer is usually favorable and it depends on its development stage at the time of the diagnosis. The treatment of the second was more conservative than the first one. The strict follow-up and the use of genetic engineering are fundamental elements for the early diagnosis(AU)