Anger in Elderly Patients with Depressive Disorders

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate anger in elderly patients with depressive disorders. METHODS: The subjects included 216 elderly patients with depression and 198 controls. All subjects were assessed by the State and Trait Anger Inventory (STAXI), Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), Reaction Inventory (RI). RESULTS: Elderly patients with depressive disorder showed lower levels of trait anger and anger expression on the STAXI, lower levels of verbal aggression and hostility on the AQ, and lower levels of anger reaction to the unpredictable disruption and disturbances factor, the embarrassing circumstances factor, and the personal disrespect factor on the RI than the controls. In the depression group, the severity of their depression was positively correlated with the trait anger, state anger, anger expression (except 'anger control') scores on the STAXI; the physical aggression, anger, and hostility scores on the AQ; and the anger reaction to unpredictable disruption and disturbances factor, the embarrassing circumstances factor, and the personal disrespect factor scores on the RI. However, the severity of depression negatively correlated with only anger control on the STAXI. In the linear logistic regression analysis, as there were higher levels of state anger seen in the STAXI, anger on the AQ, anger reaction to unpleasant factors on the RI, and therefore the likelihood of depression would be higher. CONCLUSION: Elderly depressive patients are less likely to have anger traits and to express anger than normal elderly. However, in elderly depressive patients, the higher they have severity of depressive symptoms, the higher they reported anger experience and anger expression.

Perinatal outcome of preterm infants born to severe pregnancy induced hypertension mothers with or without HELLP syndrome / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE:The aim of this study was to compare the perinatal outcome of preterm infants born to severe pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) mothers according to the presence or absence of HELLP syndrome. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was done in 314 premature live infants born to 302 severe PIH mothers who admitted at Chonnam National University Hospital from January 2002 to May 2008. Maternal and neonatal characteristics and their outcome were compared between the groups. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS program using Student's t test, Chi-square analysis, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression test. RESULTS:Among 302 severe PIH mothers (single pregnancy 270, twin pregnancy 32), 84 (27.8%) were associated with HELLP syndrome. Among their 334 fetuses (singleton 270, twins 64), total 20 (6.0%) resulted in fetal death and the rate of fetal death was higher in HELLP syndrome group compared to the control group (12.2% vs. 3.4%, P=0.006). Among the 314 live premature infants, 86 (27.4%) were born to severe PIH with HELLP syndrome (study group) and 228 (72.6%) were born to the control group. There were no differences in maternal and neonatal characteristics, maternal death, neonatal morbidity and neonatal death between the groups. However, the duration of mechanical ventilation (12.2+/-14.5 vs. 7.6+/-9.9 days, P=0.019) and hospitalization (25.6+/-12.3 vs. 13.0+/-10.5 days, P=0.013) were longer in the study group. CONCLUSION:Most of severe PIH mothers complicated by preterm birth, and especially combined with HELLP syndrome showed higher fetal and perinatal death than without HELLP syndrome. Moreover, their live-born premature infants needed longer duration of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization. These results indicate that careful fetal monitoring and delivery with the co-operations of obstetricians and neonatologists is essential to improve the perinatal outcome.

Profound hypotension immediately following insertion of methyl methacrylate during bipolar endoprosthesis in a patient with long-term levodopa-treated paralysis agitans

Insertion of methyl methacrylate polymer into newly reamed bony cavities has sometimes resulted in profound hypotension, cardiac arrest, or sudden death which are more common in patients with hemodynamic instability or hypovolemia. In paralysis agitans(Parkinson's disease), dramatic worsening of the disease often occurs when another illness or trauma accompanies it. And it is possible that chronic medication with levodopa can cause the loss of ability to support blood pressure. So, it involves some risk to use methyl methacrylate in chronic levodopa-treated paralysis agitans. We present a case of paralysis agitans who demonstrated profound hypotension immediately following insertion of methyl methacrylate polymer in spite of normovolemia and proper anesthetic management.

Mediastinal and Bilateral Pleural Effusions due to Extravascular Migration of the Subclavian Catheter during Fluid Therapy / 대한마취과학회지

Among the various complications of central venous catheterization, extravsscular migra tion of the catheter during fluid therapy is a rare condition to be encountered. We experienced a case in which an uneventful, successful insertion of subclavian catheter was followed at greater than 33 hours by massive mediastinal and bilateral pleural effusions, which resulted in hypotension, severe dyspnea, and cyanosis. The symptoms were re- lieved immediately after the bilateral thoracostomy and removal of the subclavian catheter. The chemical assay of the effusion was revealed glucoae-rich fluid given exogenously. The inferred cause was that postoperstive extravascular migration of the subclavian catheter probably resulted from both intensive respiratory physiotherspy and movement. We conclude that, although the successful placement of central line may be confirmed on insertion, a continuous reexamination of both function and location of the line is necessary to avoid the hazards of delayed diagnosis.

Mediastinal and Bilateral Pleural Effusions due to Extravascular Migration of the Subclavian Catheter during Fluid Therapy / 대한마취과학회지

Among the various complications of central venous catheterization, extravsscular migra tion of the catheter during fluid therapy is a rare condition to be encountered. We experienced a case in which an uneventful, successful insertion of subclavian catheter was followed at greater than 33 hours by massive mediastinal and bilateral pleural effusions, which resulted in hypotension, severe dyspnea, and cyanosis. The symptoms were re- lieved immediately after the bilateral thoracostomy and removal of the subclavian catheter. The chemical assay of the effusion was revealed glucoae-rich fluid given exogenously. The inferred cause was that postoperstive extravascular migration of the subclavian catheter probably resulted from both intensive respiratory physiotherspy and movement. We conclude that, although the successful placement of central line may be confirmed on insertion, a continuous reexamination of both function and location of the line is necessary to avoid the hazards of delayed diagnosis.

Changes in Arterial Blood Gas Tensions and Serum Electrolytes after Release of Pneumatic Tourniquet during Spinal Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

Tourniquets are often used for surgery on the extremities to provide a bloodless surgical field. However, inflation of tourniquet can cause hypertension, and deflation can cause hypotension. Decrease in arterial pH and PaCO2, and increase in PaCO2 immediately following tourniquet deflation have been documented. In 25 patients for the operation on the lower extremity with spinal anesthesia, we examined the changes of arterial blood pressure, heart rate, arterial blood gases (pH, PO2, PCO2, HCC3 ), and serum electrolytes (Na(+), K(+). Cl(+) ) just before inflation of tourniquet and at 5 minutes after deflation of it. The results were as follows ; 1) Systolic blood pressure decreased by 5.8 mmHg (p<0.05), and diastolic blood pressure decresed by 3.8 mmHg after release of tourniquet. But heart rate did not change, significantly. 2) PaCO2 increased bY 2.4 mmHg after deflation of tourniquet, but it was not significant statistically. Arterial pH, PaCO2, and concentration of bicarbonate all showed insignificant changes. 3) All of serum electrolytes showed too small and insignificant changes.