Sex and gender differences in risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Women are at higher risk than men for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Comprehensive knowledge about these mechanisms is necessary to develop tailored, sex- and gender-sensitive preventive interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined sex-/gender-dependent risk factors, that is, risk factors with sex/gender differences in (a) vulnerability or (b) prevalence/severity, as well as sex-/gender-specific risk factors, that is, and (c) risk factors present in one sex/gender only. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, and PSYNDEX for articles published until October 16, 2022. We included prospective studies that assessed risk factors to predict subsequent PTSD symptom severity, as measured with the Clinician-Administered PTSD scale. The primary outcomes were sex/gender stratified pooled for sex-/gender-dependent vulnerability and sex-/gender-specific risk factors and pooled odds ratio (OR) or standardized mean difference (SMD) for sex-/gender-dependent risk factor prevalence/severity. We screened 17,270 records and included 117 reports from 45 studies (N = 13,752) in the systematic review. Seventeen studies (N = 4,257; 1,827 women, 2,430 men) were included in the meta-analysis. Regarding risk factor vulnerability, analyses revealed no significant sex/gender differences except for acute stress symptoms, with stronger associations for men (b = 0.11, SE = 0.06, p < .05). Regarding risk factor prevalence/severity, women reported more severe immediate psychological stress responses (range SMD = 0.23-0.56) and more commonly had a history of mental illness (OR = 1.81, 1.27-2.58). Men showed higher trauma load (SMD = -0.15, -0.29 to 0.01). Few women-specific and no men-specific factors were identified. Results suggest that women's heightened immediate psychological stress response drives sex/gender disparities in PTSD symptom severity. Preventive interventions should thus target women early after trauma. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

An internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for adults with depression in Arabic-speaking countries: A randomized controlled trial.

Internet-based interventions have proven to be effective for the treatment of depression in different samples, but evidence from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance and efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioural writing intervention for Arabic-speaking participants with depression living in the MENA region. A total of 259 participants (167 female, age in years: M = 25.58, SD = 6.39) with depressive symptoms indicative of clinical relevance were randomly allocated to a treatment group (TG; nTG = 128) or a waitlist control group (WG; nWG = 131). The TG received an internet-based intervention over a 6-week period. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms, and secondary outcomes were anxiety and quality of life (QoL). T-tests with change scores from pre- to post-treatment were used for data analyses. Intention-to-treat (ITT) as well as completer analyses were calculated. The ITT analysis revealed significant differences between the TG and WG in depression (T257 = -4.89, p < 0.001, d = 0.70) and QoL (T257 = 3.39, p < 0.001, d = 0.47). Significant differences regarding anxiety symptoms (T257 = 3.25, p < 0.05, d = 0.53) were identified for the completer sample. The general dropout rate was 39.9%. The results indicate the feasibility and efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioural writing intervention in adults from Arabic-speaking countries. The development and implementation of such interventions can be used to improve access to psychological help and adequate treatment.

Tracheal Schwannoma Presenting as Subcutaneous Emphysema and Pneumomediastinum.

Primary tracheal schwannomas are rare benign tumours. This is a case report, and therefore, no specific methods or results are applicable. We here report a case of a tracheal schwannoma in an early adolescent girl presenting with subcutaneous emphysema and symptoms of airway obstruction. Tracheal resection and reconstruction by primary anastomosis were performed. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of tracheal schwannoma. This is an unusual life-threatening presentation of a benign rare tracheal tumour with a challenging approach to management.

Changes in trauma appraisal during brief internet-based exposure and cognitive restructuring treatment for Arabic-speaking people with PTSD.

Background: Maladaptive trauma appraisal plays an important role in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of exposure and cognitive treatments for PTSD symptomatology, the effect of such treatments on specific trauma appraisals is still not well understood.Objective: The study investigated the effect of an exposure and a cognitive restructuring internet-based treatment on specific trauma appraisals in Arabic-speaking participants with PTSD.Method: 334 participants received either an exposure (n = 167) or a cognitive restructuring (n = 167) internet-based treatment. PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5) and specific trauma appraisals (TAQ) were assessed at pre- and post-treatment. Changes in specific trauma appraisals within and between the two treatments were analyzed using multi-group change modelling. Associations between changes in PTSD symptom severity and changes in trauma appraisals were evaluated using Pearson product-moment correlation. For both treatments, participants with versus without reliable improvement were compared regarding changes in specific trauma appraisals using Welch tests. Analyses were performed on 100 multiple imputed datasets.Results: Both treatments yielded significant changes in shame, self-blame, fear, anger, and alienation (all ps < .001). Changes in betrayal were only significant in the cognitive restructuring treatment (p < .001). There was no evidence of differences between treatments for any specific trauma appraisal. Changes in PTSD symptom severity were significantly associated with changes in trauma appraisals (all ps < .001). In both treatments, participants who experienced reliable improvement in PTSD symptom severity showed significantly larger pre- to post-treatment changes in specific trauma appraisals compared to those without reliable improvement. Again, differences in betrayal were only significant in the cognitive restructuring treatment.Conclusions: The findings indicate that both treatments are effective in reducing trauma appraisals in Arabic-speaking people with PTSD. Changes in trauma appraisal seem to be associated with changes in PTSD symptomatology.Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00010245.

Exposure and cognitive restructuring treatment in Arabic-speaking individuals with PTSD yield significant changes in shame, self-blame, fear, anger, and alienation.Changes in PTSD symptoms are positively associated with changes in specific trauma appraisals.There is no evidence of differences between both treatments for any specific trauma appraisal.

Fibrotic Cystic Lung Disease Post Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: Who is the Culprit?

Pulmonary complications post hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) are associated with poor outcomes and require extensive management depending on the etiology. They usually present in the form of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, interstitial pneumonitis, or drug toxicity that can lead to fibrosis. Scant data exists regarding diffuse cystic lung disease following HSCT, and the existing literature only mentions mild cystic changes. We present the case of a 25-year-old man with stage IVB Hodgkin's lymphoma post allogeneic HSCT, who developed progressive traction bronchiectasis, with the appearance of extensive pulmonary cysts that followed significant fibrotic changes and discuss the possible etiologies behind it.

Increased incidence of massive hemorrhage at uncommon sites after initiation of systemic anticoagulation in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

BACKGROUND: The management of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected patients continues to be challenging. Critically ill COVID patients are at increased risk of serious thrombotic events and hence increased mortality. On the other side, COVID-19 patients are also showing major life-threatening bleeds, especially when systemic anticoagulation is used. Pro-coagulant propensity in critically ill COVID-19 patients have been published, but very few have described the incidence of major bleeding and its characteristics. METHODS: In this study, we retrospectively observed the incidence of major bleed in 25 critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Six cases were identified and described together with their outcome. RESULTS: Major bleeding occurred in six of the 25 studied patients. Four patients were on therapeutic anticoagulation at the onset of the bleed, two required embolization for bleeding control and one died from hemorrhagic shock. Half of the described cases had unusual sites of bleeding including gluteal and abdominal wall muscles. CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of major bleeding was witnessed in our sample of critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection, with the majority being on therapeutic anticoagulation. This rate may be higher than previously reported, necessitating additional attention from the treating physician when considering empiric therapeutic anticoagulation. Moreover, the uncommon sites of bleeding shed the light on the need for additional studies in our population to identify the predisposing risk factors and mechanisms behind it.

Associations of Depressive Symptoms, COVID-19-Related Stressors, and Coping Strategies. A Comparison Between Cities and Towns in Germany.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a wide range of stressors related to depressive symptoms. Prevention measures like physical distancing have burdened the general population, especially in highly urbanized areas. However, little is known about the associations between pandemic-related stressors, coping strategies, and depressive symptoms in highly urbanized vs. less urbanized environments. METHODS: Participants were recruited in a cross-sectional online survey in Germany. Propensity score matching yielded a matched sample of city (n = 453) and town (n = 453) inhabitants. Depressive symptoms, COVID-19-related stressors, and coping strategies were compared between cities and towns. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine associations between pandemic-related stressors and depressive symptoms for the two groups separately. RESULTS: City inhabitants showed significantly higher depression scores than town inhabitants (t = 2.11, df = 897.95, p = 0.035). Seven coping strategies were more often used by the city sample. Depressive symptoms were associated with "restricted physical social contact" and "difficult housing conditions" (adjusted R 2= 0.19, F [9,443] = 12.52, p < 0.001) in city inhabitants, and with "fear of infection" and "difficult housing conditions" (adjusted R 2= 0.20, F [9,443] = 13.50, p < 0.001) in town inhabitants. LIMITATIONS: The data were collected at the end of the first wave and represent a snapshot without causal inferences. Pandemic-related stressors were measured with a newly developed scale. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms, perceived stressors, and approach/avoidance coping strategies differed between city vs. town inhabitants. These differences should be considered in policy-making and mental health care.

From Formative Research to Cultural Adaptation of a Face-to-Face and Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioural Intervention for Arabic-Speaking Refugees in Germany.

Background: This study aims to provide a transparent and replicable documentation approach for the cultural adaptation of a cognitive-behavioural transdiagnostic intervention (Common Elements Treatment Approach, CETA) for Arabic-speaking refugees with common mental disorders in Germany. Method: A mixed-methods approach was used, including literature review, interviews, expert decisions and questionnaires, in order to adapt the original CETA as well as an internet-based guided version (eCETA). The process of cultural adaptation was based on a conceptual framework and was facilitated by an adaptation monitoring form as well as guidelines which facilitate the reporting of cultural adaptation in psychological trials (RECAPT). Results: Consistent with this form and the guidelines, the decision-making process of adaptation proved to be coherent and stringent. All specific CETA treatment components seem to be suitable for the treatment of Arabic-speaking refugees in Germany. Adaptations were made to three different elements: 1) Cultural concepts of distress: a culturally appropriate explanatory model of symptoms was added; socially accepted terms for expressing symptoms (for eCETA only) and assessing suicidal ideation were adapted; 2) Treatment components: no adaptations for theoretically/empirically based components of the intervention, two adaptations for elements used by the therapist to engage the patient or implement the intervention (nonspecific elements), seven adaptations for skills implemented during sessions (therapeutic techniques; two for eCETA only) and 3) Treatment delivery: 21 surface adaptations (10 for eCETA only), two eCETA-only adaptations regarding the format. Conclusion: The conceptual framework and the RECAPT guidelines simplify, standardise and clarify the cultural adaptation process.