Suicidal Ideation Predicts Functioning and Quality of Life Over One Year after Acute Coronary Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the associations of suicidal ideation (SI) evaluated within 2 weeks after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) episode with functioning, disability, and quality of life (QOL) at a 1-year follow-up assessment. METHODS: This study recruited 1152 consecutive patients within 2 weeks of a confirmed ACS episode; 828 of these patients who were followed up 1 year later comprised the study sample. SI was determined at baseline using the “suicidal thoughts” item of the MontgomeryÅsberg Depression Rating Scale. At both examinations, social and occupational functioning were measured by the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), disability was estimated by World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-12 (WHODAS-12), and QOL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Abbreviated form (WHOQOL-BREF). Baseline covariates included sociodemographic data, depression characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, and current cardiac status. RESULTS: SI at baseline was independently associated with less improved or decreased scores on the SOFAS, WHODAS-12, and WHOQOL-BREF over 1 year after adjusting for relevant covariates. CONCLUSION: SI within 2 weeks of an ACS episode predicted poorer functioning and QOL at a 1-year follow-up assessment. Thus, the simple evaluation of SI in patients with recently developed ACS could be helpful in screening for functioning and QOL during the chronic phase of this disease.

Juvenile Polyp associated with Hypovolemic Shock Due to Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Juvenile polyps are the most common types of polyps in children, and patients usually present with lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding as the predominant symptom. These lesions, which are referred to as hamartomas, usually measure approximately 2 cm in size and are benign tumors located mainly in the rectum and sigmoid colon. The most common symptom of a juvenile polyp is mild intermittent rectal bleeding. It is rare for anemic patients because the amount of blood loss is small and often not diagnosed immediately. We present the case of a 6-year-old girl with a juvenile polyp in the distal transverse colon, who developed hypovolemic shock due to massive lower GI bleeding. Pediatricians must perform colonoscopy for thorough evaluation of polyps, because their location and size can vary and they can cause massive bleeding.

Thyroid Hormone Resistance in a Preterm Infant with a Novel THRB Mutation

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is a condition caused by a mutation in the thyroid hormone receptor gene. It is rarely reported in individuals with no family history of RTH or in premature infants, and its clinical presentation varies. In our case, a premature infant with no family history of thyroid diseases had a thyroid stimulating hormone level of 85.0 µIU/mL and free thyroxine level of 1.64 ng/dL on a thyroid function test. The patient also presented with clinical signs of hypothyroidism, including difficulties in feeding and weight gain. The patient was treated with levothyroxine; however, only free thyroxine and triiodothyronine levels increased without a decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Taken together with thyroid gland hypertrophy observed on a previous ultrasound examination, RTH was suspected and the diagnosis was eventually made based on a genetic test. A de novo mutation in the thyroid hormone receptor β gene in the infant was found that has not been previously reported. Other symptoms included tachycardia and pulmonary hypertension, but gradual improvement in the symptoms was observed after liothyronine administration. This report describes a case involving a premature infant with RTH and a de novo mutation, with no family history of thyroid disease.

Clinical manifestation of Campylobacter enteritis in children / 소아과

PURPOSE: Timely antibiotic therapy in selected cases of diarrhea associated with bacterial infections can reduce the duration and severity of illness and prevent complications. The availability of a predictive index before identification of causative bacteria would aid in the choice of a therapeutic agent. METHODS: The study included patients admitted to the pediatrics unit at Konyang University Hospital for acute inflammatory diarrhea from August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016 who underwent multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing. Of 248 patients, 83 had positive results. The clinical symptoms and blood test results were examined in 61 patients with Campylobacter spp. (25 patients), Salmonella spp. (18 patients), and Clostridium perfringens (18 patients) infections. The mean age of the 61 patients (male:femal=31:30) was 84.0±54.8 months, and the mean hospital stay was 4.6±1.7 days. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in sex, age, clinical symptoms, or signs. Patients with Campylobacter infection were significantly older (P=0.00). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with Campylobacter infection were higher than those in the other 2 groups, at 9.6±6.1 mg/dL. The results of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff age was ≥103.5 months (sensitivity, 72%; specificity, 86%) and the CRP cutoff level was ≥4.55 mg/dL (sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 69%). CONCLUSION: Age (≥103.5 months) and higher CRP level (≥4.55 mg/dL) were good predictors of Campylobacter enterocolitis. If neither criterion was met, Campylobacter enterocolitis was unlikely (negative predictive value 97.2%). When both criteria were met, Campylobacter enterocolitis was highly likely.

Prevalence and Predictors of Poststroke Anxiety

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of poststroke anxiety (PSA) at acute and chronic stage. METHODS: PSA was defined as 7 or higher score on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-anxiety subscale within 2 weeks (n=286) and at 1 year (n=222) after the index stroke. Following variables were examined at baseline: sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, education years, marital status, living alone, and unemployment), risk factor of vascular disease, stroke location on brain imaging, severity of stroke (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale), physical impairment (Barthel Index), etc. These variables were compared by PSA initially using t-test or χ2 test. Those variables shown significant associations (p < 0.05) entered simultaneously to logistic regression analysis for evaluating independent predictive factors. RESULTS: PSA was observed in 27 patients (9.4%) at acute stage, and in 35 patients (15.8%) at chronic stage. Acute PSA was associated with younger age and higher Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score, and chronic PSA was associated with hypertension and higher HAM-D score. CONCLUSION: PSA was prevalent and was associated with those variables on poor prognosis of stroke outcome. Therefore, early screening of PSA and referral to proper treatment may reduce stroke burden.

Predicting the mortality of pneumonia patients visiting the emergency department through machine learning

OBJECTIVE: Machine learning is not yet widely used in the medical field. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the performance of preexisting severity prediction models and machine learning based models (random forest [RF], gradient boosting [GB]) for mortality prediction in pneumonia patients. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from patients who visited the emergency department of a tertiary training hospital in Seoul, Korea from January to March of 2015. The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated for both groups and the area under the curve (AUC) for mortality prediction was computed. For the RF and GB models, data were divided into a test set and a validation set by the random split method. The training set was learned in RF and GB models and the AUC was obtained from the validation set. The mean AUC was compared with the other two AUCs. RESULTS: Of the 536 investigated patients, 395 were enrolled and 41 of them died. The AUC values of PSI and SOFA scores were 0.799 (0.737–0.862) and 0.865 (0.811–0.918), respectively. The mean AUC values obtained by the RF and GB models were 0.928 (0.899–0.957) and 0.919 (0.886–0.952), respectively. There were significant differences between preexisting severity prediction models and machine learning based models (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Classification through machine learning may help predict the mortality of pneumonia patients visiting the emergency department.

BDNF Methylation and Suicidal Ideation in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are at an increased risk of suicide. It is well known that epigenetic mechanisms may explain the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior including suicidal ideation (SI), but no study has explored these mechanisms in ACS populations. METHODS: In total, 969 patients were initially recruited within 2 weeks of the acute coronary event and, 711 patients were successfully followed up 1 year after ACS. SI was evaluated using the relevant items on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and covariates potentially affecting SI were estimated. RESULTS: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) hypermethylation was associated with SI in both the acute and chronic phases of ACS, although the association was not statistically significant in the acute phase after applying Bonferroni’s correction. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that BDNF hypermethylation may have played a role in an epigenetic predisposition for SI in ACS patients, particularly during the chronic phase.

Longitudinal Impact of Depression on Quality of Life in Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: Stroke is associated with significant long-term morbidity and poor quality of life (QOL). Depression is one of the most common complications after stroke and has been associated with QOL cross-sectionally. We investigated the longitudinal impact of depression in the acute phase of stroke on QOL 1 year after stroke. METHODS: In total, 423 patients were evaluated 2 weeks after stroke, and 288 (68%) were followed 1 year later. QOL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Abbreviated form (WHOQOL-BREF) at baseline and follow-up. Depression was diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria; demographic and clinical characteristics data, including stroke severity, were obtained at baseline. The longitudinal associations of post-stroke depression (PSD) at baseline with QOL across two evaluation points were assessed using a repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The WHOQOL-BREF scores were significantly and persistently lower 1 year after stroke in patients with PSD at baseline compared with those without PSD at baseline independent of demographic and clinical characteristics, including stroke severity. CONCLUSION: PSD in the acute phase of stroke is an independent predictor of QOL in both the acute and chronic phases of stroke. Our findings underscore the importance of evaluating depression in the acute phase of stroke.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Long-acting Injectable and Oral Second-generation Antipsychotics for the Treatment of Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of long-acting injectable (LAI) and oral second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in treating schizophrenia by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, as well as five Korean databases, were systemically searched to identify studies published from 2000 to 16 April 2015, which compared the efficacy and safety of LAI and oral SGAs. Using data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses were conducted. In addition, the GRADE (the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach was applied to explicitly assess the quality of the evidence. A total of 30 studies including 17 RCTs and 13 observational studies were selected. The group treated with LAI SGAs was characterized by significantly lower relapse rates, longer times to relapse and fewer hospital days, but also by a higher occurrence of extrapyramidal syndrome and prolactin-related symptoms than that in the group treated with oral SGAs. Our findings demonstrate that there is moderate to high level of evidence suggesting that in the treatment of schizophrenia, LAI SGAs have higher efficacy and are associated with higher rates of extrapyramidal syndrome and prolactin-related symptoms. Additionally, the use of LAI SGAs should be combined with appropriate measures to reduce dopamine D2 antagonism-related symptoms.

Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Physical Health Condition and Disability in an Elderly Korean Population

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal effects of anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity on physical disorders and disability in an elderly Korean population. METHODS: In total, 1,204 community-dwelling elders were evaluated at baseline, and of these 909 (75%) were re-assessed two years later. Anxiety and depression were identified at baseline using questions from the community version of the Geriatric Mental State diagnostic schedule (GMS-B3). Participants were assessed for functional disability and for 11 physical disorders both at baseline and at follow-up. RESULTS: Anxiety alone was associated with the incidence of heart disease, depression alone with the incidence of asthma, and comorbid anxiety and depression with incidence of eyesight problem, persistent cough, asthma, hypertension, heart disease, and gastrointestinal problems. Comorbid anxiety and depression were associated with an increase in the number of physical disorders and the degree of disability during the two-year follow-up, compared to anxiety or depression alone or the absence of anxiety or depression. CONCLUSION: Anxiety, depression, and particularly their comorbidity should be assessed in the elderly population considering their longitudinal effects on physical disorders and disability. Future study is required to determine whether interventions aimed at these disorders can mitigate their impacts.

Effects of Escitalopram on Anxiety in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: There are no evidence-based practices for treating anxiety in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Thus, we investigated the effects of escitalopram on anxiety in this population. METHODS: We enrolled 217 patients with ACS who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria for depressive disorders into a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Patients received either escitalopram or placebo over a 24-week period. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-anxiety subscale (HADS-A). A HADS-A score >7 was classified as an anxiety disorder. Baseline evaluations included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, such as depressive symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors, and current cardiac status. RESULTS: Independent of improvements in depression and without any differences in safety profiles, escitalopram treatment was significantly more efficacious in treating and reducing anxiety than placebo over a 24-week period. CONCLUSION: Escitalopram can be recommended as an effective and safe treatment option for anxiety in patients with ACS.

Relationship between Problematic Internet Use and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Students Following the Sewol Ferry Disaster in South Korea

We investigated the association between problematic internet use (PIU) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children and adolescents in South Korea. A cross-sectional survey was administered to community students who attended primary, secondary, and high schools in the Jindo area 1–2.5 months after the Sewol ferry disaster. Of the 1,744 respondents, 392 students who were exposed to the disaster, witnessing the rescue work directly, were evaluated. PTSD symptoms were measured using the University of California Los Angeles Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI). The severity of impairment caused by excessive internet use was evaluated using Young's Internet Addiction Test. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and State Anxiety Inventory for Children (SAIC) were also used. Logistic regression analysis revealed that PIU was significantly and independently associated with a high level of PTSD symptoms. Our findings suggest that children and adolescents with PIU require intensive follow-up and special care to prevent the development of PTSD symptoms following a disaster.

Development of a Biomarker-Based Diagnostic Algorithm for Posttraumatic Syndrome after Physical Injury: Design of the BioPTS Study

Severe physical injury is a leading cause of posttraumatic syndrome (PTS). This is to develop a biomarker-based diagnostic algorithm for posttraumatic syndrome (BioPTS) study. This is a 2-year longitudinal cohort study assessing patients who were hospitalized beginning in 2015 at Chonnam National University Hospital in Gwangju, Korea, after experiencing severe physical injuries. Baseline evaluations were made during the acute phase (within 1 month) of the physical injury and included extensive information on sociodemographic and clinical variables as well as a list of biomarkers. All participants will be followed up for 2 years, and the diagnostic and predictive validities of various biomarkers for PTS will be estimated. The BioPTS study will develop the most accurate models for the diagnosis and prediction of PTS, and will contribute to existing research regarding the complex relationships between severe physical injury and psychological issues.

Gender-specific Associations of the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met Polymorphism with Neurocognitive and Clinical Features in Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: To explore associations of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism with cognitive functioning and psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: We included 133 subjects meeting the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia who were in the post-acute stage of the disease. BDNF Val66Met genotypes were identified via polymerase chain reaction. The computerized neurocognitive function battery, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS), and the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptic Treatment (SWN-K) were administered. Gender-stratified sub-analysis was also conducted to identify gender-specific patterns in the findings. RESULTS: In male patients, no significant difference in any measure by BDNF genotype was evident. In female patients, scores on the CDSS and total PANSS and all subscales were significantly higher in valine (Val) carriers. In addition, scores on the SOFAS and SWN-K were significantly lower in Val carriers. In terms of neurocognitive measures, female patients with the Val allele had significantly poorer reaction times and fewer correct responses on the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the Trail Making Test (Parts A and B). After adjustment of PANSS total scores and log-transformed CDSS scores, CPT outcomes were significantly poorer in female patients with than in those without the Val allele. CONCLUSION: Gender-specific associations of the Val allele with poor neurocognitive function and more severe psychopathology were evident. Further studies are required to explore the mechanisms of these differences and the potential utility of the BDNF genotype as a predictor of outcome in patients with schizophrenia.

Associations between Serotonergic Genes and Escitalopram Treatment Responses in Patients with Depressive Disorder and Acute Coronary Syndrome: The EsDEPACS Study

Genes related to serotonin are associated with responses to treatment for depression. We examined associations between the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) and serotonin 2a receptor (5-HTR2a) genes and responses to treatment for depressive disorders in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 255 patients who met the DSM-IV major or minor depressive disorder and recently developed ACS were randomly assigned to the escitalopram (n=127) or placebo (n=128) group in this 24-week double-blind trial (ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT00419471). Remission was defined as a Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) score < or =7. Assays were performed for the 5-HTTLPR, STin2 VNTR, 5-HTR2a 102T/C, and 5-HTR2a 1438A/G genotypes. Escitalopram was superior to placebo for treating depressive disorder with ACS but there were no significant associations between serotonergic genes and treatment responses even when considering ACS severity. The effect of escitalopram was independent of 5-HTT and 5-HTR2a polymorphisms.

Treatment-Resistant Depression Entering Remission Following a Seizure during the Course of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Major depressive disorder is often resistant to antidepressant treatment. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Known adverse events of rTMS include transient headache, local pain, syncope, seizure induction, and hypomania induction. This report outlines a patient with TRD who unexpectedly improved following a seizure during the course of rTMS, which has never been reported.

Contributing Factors for the Registration Rates within Emergency Department Based Post-suicidal Care Program

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the independent factors associated with the registration rate for the community-based post suicidal care program in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted between January and September 2015 at the academic ED in the tertiary urban hospital. The variables examined included gender, age, address, type of insurance, history of previous psychiatric disease, suicide methods, number of previous attempts, CES-D (The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale), and disposition at ED. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify factors affecting the registration rate for the community-based post suicidal care program. RESULTS: Overall, 331 suicides were investigated, 61 (18.4%) of which were registered in the post-suicide care program. Factors such as a intervention by psychiatric physician (OR: 3.287, 95%; CI: 1.207-9.624) and levels of depression by CES-D score of 16?24 (OR: 3.635; CI: 1.055-12.526) were significantly correlated with registration for the program. CONCLUSION: The registration rate for the community-based post suicidal care program was influenced by frequent intervention by a psychiatric physician and levels of depression by CES-D score of 16-24.

Contributing Factors for the Registration Rates within Emergency Department Based Post-suicidal Care Program

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the independent factors associated with the registration rate for the community-based post suicidal care program in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted between January and September 2015 at the academic ED in the tertiary urban hospital. The variables examined included gender, age, address, type of insurance, history of previous psychiatric disease, suicide methods, number of previous attempts, CES-D (The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale), and disposition at ED. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify factors affecting the registration rate for the community-based post suicidal care program. RESULTS: Overall, 331 suicides were investigated, 61 (18.4%) of which were registered in the post-suicide care program. Factors such as a intervention by psychiatric physician (OR: 3.287, 95%; CI: 1.207-9.624) and levels of depression by CES-D score of 16?24 (OR: 3.635; CI: 1.055-12.526) were significantly correlated with registration for the program. CONCLUSION: The registration rate for the community-based post suicidal care program was influenced by frequent intervention by a psychiatric physician and levels of depression by CES-D score of 16-24.

Newly detected patent ductus arteriosus by transesophageal echocardiography in patient who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass: A case report

Transesophageal echocardiography is a useful device to evaluate the posterior structure of heart with an advantage of enabling clearer images, as compared to transthoracic echocardiography. With intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, we can reconfirm pre-diagnosed lesions, determine the success of the operation, and in particular, diagnose new lesions that are undetected in pre-operative evaluation. In the present case, undiagnosed patent ductus arteriosus was found on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography during cardiopulmonary bypass. Subsequently, the patent ductus arteriosus was ligated successfully. With transesophageal echocardiography, we can diagnose the structural and functional abnormality of heart unidentified in the pre-operative evaluation. Also, transesophageal echocardiography can play the role of a rescuer to solve the problems that occur during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Comorbidity of Depression with Physical Disorders: Research and Clinical Implications / 전남의대학술지

Depression is prevalent in patients with physical disorders, particularly in those with severe disorders such as cancer, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome. Depression has an adverse impact on the courses of these diseases that includes poor quality of life, more functional impairments, and a higher mortality rate. Patients with physical disorders are at higher risk of depression. This is particularly true for patients with genetic and epigenetic predictors, environmental vulnerabilities such as past depression, higher disability, and stressful life events. Such patients should be monitored closely. To appropriately manage depression in these patients, comprehensive and integrative care that includes antidepressant treatment (with considerations for adverse effects and drug interactions), treatment of the physical disorder, and collaborative care that consists of disease education, cognitive reframing, and modification of coping style should be provided. The objective of the present review was to present and summarize the prevalence, risk factors, clinical correlates, current pathophysiological aspects including genetics, and treatments for depression comorbid with physical disorders. In particular, we tried to focus on severe physical disorders with high mortality rates, such as cancer, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome, which are highly comorbid with depression. This review will enhance our current understanding of the association between depression and serious medical conditions, which will allow clinicians to develop more advanced and personalized treatment options for these patients in routine clinical practice.