Impact of the trait anxiety during pregnancy on birth weight: an observational cohort study.

To explore the effects of antenatal anxiety on fetal growth an observational cohort study was performed, including a cohort of 204 women with singleton pregnancies during the strict lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Psychosocial factors, maternal demographics, obstetric outcomes, social support (Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, MOS-SSS), and symptoms of anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAIs and STAIt) and depression (Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, EPDS) were studied as potential predictors of low birth weight. Main outcome measures were birth weight, head circumference and length. Results showed a negative correlation between STAIt score (trait anxiety) and birth weight percentile (r = -0.228, p = .047). In the univariate linear regression analysis, a lower maternal weight and BMI before pregnancy, parity, increased STAIt score and preterm birth below 37 weeks of gestation (p = .008, p = .015, p = .028, p = .047 and p = .022, respectively) were identified as predictive risk factors for low birth weight, whereas in the multivariate lineal regression analysis only a lower maternal weight before pregnancy and an increased STAIt score were independent predictors for low birth weight (p = .020, p = .049, respectively). To conclude, anxiety during pregnancy impacts birth weight, and specifically the trait anxiety, is a predictor for low birth weight.

Social Support and Mental Health in the Postpartum Period in Times of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Spanish Multicentre Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: To explore the depression and anxiety symptoms in the postpartum period during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to identify potential risk factors. METHODS: A multicentre observational cohort study including 536 women was performed at three hospitals in Spain. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS), and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) were assessed after birth. Depression (EPDS) and anxiety (STAI) symptoms were measured, and the cut-off scores were set at 10 and 13 for EPDS, and at 40 for STAI. RESULTS: Regarding EPDS, 32.3% (95% CI, 28% to 36.5%) of women had a score ≥ 10, and 17.3% (95% CI, 13.9% to 20.7%) had a score ≥ 13. Women with an STAI score ≥ 40 accounted for 46.8% (95% CI, 42.3% to 51.2%). A lower level of social support (MOS-SSS), a fetal malformation diagnosis and a history of depression (p = 0.000, p = 0.019 and p = 0.043) were independent risk factors for postpartum depression. A lower level of social support and a history of mental health disorders (p = 0.000, p = 0.003) were independent risk factors for postpartum anxiety. CONCLUSION: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed during the postpartum period.

Intrauterine cannabis exposure and fetal and maternal blood flow: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Cannabis consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of pregnancy and neonatal complications. Since the underlying mechanism is unknown, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in maternal and fetal blood flow in pregnancies exposed to cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study between 2013 and 2020, included women with continued cannabis exposure during the pregnancies, defined by qualitative detection of THC in urine (Cannabis Group), and low-risk pregnancy women divided into tobacco smokers (Tobacco Group), and non-tobacco smokers (Control Group). We evaluated the association between cannabis consumption and maternal and fetal blood flow parameters measured by Doppler ultrasound: uterine artery at 11-14, 20-22 and 33-35 weeks, umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery at 33-35 weeks. Cerebral-placental ratio was calculated. RESULTS: Overall, 275 participants were included, 60 in the Cannabis Group, 17 in the Tobacco Group and 198 in the Control Group. At 33-35 weeks, differences were found in the umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) (1.05 ± 0.23, 1.06 ± 0.19, 0.93 ± 0.15, P < 0.01), middle cerebral artery PI (1.75 ± 0.35, 1.90 ± 0.45, 1.88 ± 0.34, P < 0.05), cerebral-placental ratio (1.69 ± 0.40, 1.85 ± 0.53, 2.07 ± 0.47, P < 0.05) and mean uterine artery PI (0.89 ± 0.26, 0.73 ± 0.19, 0.74 ± 0.20, P < 0.01), respectively. On logistic regression analysis, adjusted for maternal age, maternal body mass index, maternal weight and white ethnicity, both cannabis and tobacco were predictors for increased umbilical artery PI, but only cannabis was a predictor for a decreased cerebral-placental ratio and an increased uterine artery PI at 33-35 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Data from a large cohort of continuous cannabis exposure pregnancies show that cannabis is associated with maternal and fetal blood flow changes. However, it is not possible to disentangle the association of the tobacco and cannabis.

Psychological impact and social support in pregnant women during lockdown due to SARS-CoV2 pandemic: A cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety and depression during pregnancy can lead to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The SARS CoV-2 pandemic, and the complete lockdown required during the first wave in most countries are stressors for pregnant women and can lead to anxiety and depression during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to explore depression and anxiety symptoms, and social support in pregnant women during the SARS CoV-2 lockdown, as well as to explore demographic risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, including pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic during the SARS-CoV2 lockdown period. Three questionnaires were administered to study depression (EPDS), anxiety (STAI) and Social Support (MOS-SSS). STAI state (STAIs) described the actual state of anxiety and the STAI trait (STAIt) described the trait of anxiety. A cut-off of 10 for EPDS and 40 for STAI was considered to be clinically relevant. The main outcome measures were depression and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 217 women were invited to participate, and 204 accepted (94%). From these, 164 filled in the EPDS, 109 STAI and 159 MOS-SSS questionnaires: 37.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.5%-45.7%) (62/164) of women showed an EPDS result ≥10, 59.6% (95% CI 49.8%-68.8%) (65/109) a STAI state (STAIs) ≥40, and 58.7% (95% CI 48.9%-67.9%) (64/109) a STAI trait (STAIt) ≥40. Regression analysis showed that mental health disorder, Latin American origin and lack of social support were independent risk factors for anxiety symptoms in the STAIs (P = .032, P = .040 and P = .029, respectively). Regarding depressive symptoms, maternal body mass index, mental health disorders and social support were independent factors (P = .013, P = .015 and P = .000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A lockdown scenario during the first wave of the SARS-CoV 2 pandemic increased the symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant women, particularly affecting those with less social support.

Training professionals' communication and motivation skills to improve spinal cord injury patients' satisfaction and clinical outcomes: Study protocol of the ESPELMA trial.

Acute spinal cord injury leaves patients severely impaired and generates high levels of psychological distress among them and their families, which can cause a less active role in rehabilitation, worse functional recovery, and less perceived satisfaction with the results. Additionally, rehabilitation professionals who deal with this psychological distress could ultimately experience higher stress and more risk of burnout. This article presents the study protocol of the ESPELMA project, aimed to train rehabilitation professionals in the clinical management of acute spinal cord injury-associated psychological distress, and to measure the impact of this training on the patients' perceived satisfaction with treatment.

Optimismo disposicional y estrategias de afrontamiento en pacientes con trasplante renal / Dispositional optimism and coping strategies in patients with a kidney transplant

Introducción: El optimismo disposicional aparece como un recurso personal que determina el estilo de afrontamiento y respuesta adaptativa ante enfermedades crónicas. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron averiguar las relaciones entre el constructor de optimismo disposicional y las estrategias de afrontamiento en pacientes con trasplante renal reciente, y evaluar diferencias en la utilización de estrategias de afrontamiento según el grado de optimismo disposicional. Material y métodos: Consecutivamente se eligen pacientes hospitalizados en el servicio de nefrología tras realizar el trasplante renal. Los instrumentos de evaluación fueron el Life Orientation Test-Revised y el Inventario de Estrategias de Afrontamiento. Los datos son analizados con medidas de tendencia central, análisis correlacional y comparación de medias con la prueba t de Student. Resultados: Participan 66 pacientes con trasplante renal. El estilo de afrontamiento que caracteriza a pacientes con trasplante renal reciente sería la Retirada social y la Evitación de problemas. Las correlaciones entre optimismo disposicional y estrategias de afrontamiento son significativas, en sentido positivo en Resolución de problemas (p < 0,05) y Reestructuración cognitiva (p < 0,01), y en sentido inverso con Autocrítica (p < 0,05). Las diferencias en optimismo disposicional generan diferencias significativas en la dimensión de Autocrítica (t = 2,58; p < 0,01). Conclusiones: Las puntuaciones en optimismo disposicional aportan diferencias en la respuesta de afrontamiento tras el trasplante renal. Además, las estrategias de afrontamiento podrían estar influyendo en la percepción del paciente sobre el bienestar emocional tras el trasplante renal (AU)

Introduction: Dispositional optimism is a personal resource that determines the coping style and adaptive response to chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the correlations between dispositional optimism and coping strategies in patients with recent kidney transplantation and evaluate the differences in the use of coping strategies in accordance with the level of dispositional optimism. Material and method: Patients who were hospitalised in the nephrology department were selected consecutively after kidney transplantation was performed. The evaluation instruments were the Life Orientation Test-Revised, and the Coping Strategies Inventory. The data were analysed with central tendency measures, correlation analyses and means were compared using Student’s t-test. Results: 66 patients with a kidney transplant participated in the study. The coping styles that characterised patients with a recent kidney transplantation were Social withdrawal and Problem avoidance. Correlations between dispositional optimism and coping strategies were significant in a positive direction in Problem-solving (p<.05) and Cognitive restructuring (p<.01), and inversely with Self-criticism (p<.05). Differences in dispositional optimism created significant differences in the Self-Criticism dimension (t=2.58; p<.01). Conclusions: Dispositional optimism scores provide differences in coping responses after kidney transplantation. Moreover, coping strategies may influence the patient's perception of emotional wellbeing after kidney transplantation (AU)

Dispositional optimism and coping strategies in patients with a kidney transplant.

INTRODUCTION:  Dispositional optimism is a personal resource that determines the coping style and adaptive response to chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the correlations between dispositional optimism and coping strategies in patients with recent kidney transplantation and evaluate the differences in the use of coping strategies in accordance with the level of dispositional optimism.  MATERIAL AND METHOD: Patients who were hospitalised in the nephrology department were selected consecutively after kidney transplantation was performed. The evaluation instruments were the Life Orientation Test-Revised, and the Coping Strategies Inventory. The data were analysed with central tendency measures, correlation analyses and means were compared using Student’s t-test.  RESULTS:  66 patients with a kidney transplant participated in the study. The coping styles that characterised patients with a recent kidney transplantation were Social withdrawal and Problem avoidance. Correlations between dispositional optimism and coping strategies were significant in a positive direction in Problem-solving (p<.05) and Cognitive restructuring (p<.01), and inversely with Self-criticism (p<.05). Differences in dispositional optimism created significant differences in the Self-Criticism dimension (t=2.58; p<.01).  CONCLUSIONS: Dispositional optimism scores provide differences in coping responses after kidney transplantation. Moreover, coping strategies may influence the patient’s perception of emotional wellbeing after kidney transplantation.

[Appropriateness and complexity of the psychiatric emergencies in a general hospital]. / Complejidad y adecuación de las urgencias psiquiátricas en un hospital general.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide data about the characteristics of consultations in a Psychiatric Emergency Unit of a General Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We evaluated prospectively all patients attended in the Psychiatric Emergency Unit of the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona over a period of 40 days. A standardized registry was applied. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1,054 cases (52.9% women and 47.1% men). The most frequent reason for consultation was anxiety (33.4%). Some medication was administered in 59.4% cases and 20.5% of patients were hospitalized. The consultation was considered appropriate in 60.1% cases. Complementary exams were performed in 28.9% patients. In 21.7% cases, the patient had to be studied by more than one specialist. CONCLUSIONS: Consultations to a Psychiatric Emergency Unit may be complex, and therefore it seems reasonable that a general hospital has to be the ideal location for these units.

Complejidad y adecuación de las urgencias psiquiátricas en un hospital general / Appropriateness and complexity of the psychiatric emergencies in a general hospital

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: Este trabajo pretende aportar datos sobre las características de la demanda asistencial en urgencias de psiquiatría en un hospital general, especialmente en relación con la complejidad y adecuación de las consultas. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Se aplicó de manera prospectiva un registro estandarizado a todas las consultas consecutivas atendidas durante 40 días en Urgencias de Psiquiatría del Hospital Clínico Universitario de Barcelona. RESULTADOS: La muestra estaba formada por 1.054 consultas (un 52,9 por ciento eran mujeres y el 47,1 por ciento varones). El motivo de consulta más frecuente fue la ansiedad (33,4 por ciento), se administró medicación en el 59,4 por ciento de las consultas y se hospitalizó al 20,5 por ciento de los pacientes. Se consideró adecuada la consulta en el 60,1 por ciento de casos; se efectuaron exploraciones complementarias en el 28,9 por ciento y participó más de un especialista en el estudio del caso en el 21,7 por ciento. CONCLUSIONES: Las consultas a una unidad de urgencias de psiquiatría constituyen una demanda asistencial de notable complejidad, por lo que parece aconsejable su ubicación en un hospital general. (AU)