Evaluation of the Effect of Vortioxetine on Pain Threshold By Hot-Plate Test in Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Vortioxetine is an antidepressant that has a multimadal action mechanism and has recently come into use. The present study was planned to determine whether vortioxetine affects pain threshold in mice. METHOD: The experimental animals were divided into four groups with 10 mice in each group. The distilled water was given to the control group, 5 mg/kg of vortioxetine was intraperitoneally administered to the first group, 10 mg/kg of vortioxetine was intraperitoneally administered to the second group and 20 mg/kg of vortioxetine was intraperitoneally administered to the third group. Mice were placed on a hot-plate at 30 and 90 minutes. Hind paw licking and jumping times of the mice on the hot plate surface (55°C) were recorded.. RESULTS: With increasing dose (0 mg p>0.05, 5 mg p<0.001, 10 mg p<0.001, 20 mg p<0.001) and increasing time (30th minute p<0.01, 90th minute p<0.01), it was observed that the reaction time per minute, which was a reflection of pain treshold was decreased. CONCLUSION: The results of this study shows that vortioxetine may have a decreasing effect on pain threshold in mice. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism by which vortioxetine exerts its hyperalgesic effect.

Factors Associated with Pain Level in Patients Receiving Intravitreal Injection.

PURPOSE: To identify the factors associated with the pain level in patients receiving intravitreal injection. METHODS: A total of 120 patients were prospectively evaluated, and 104 were included in the study. Patients were asked to rate their pain intensity from 0 to 10 on the visual analog scale. Factors that were possibly associated with pain level were evaluated using a sociodemographic data form, state anxiety inventory, and the hospital anxiety and depression scale. RESULTS: Of the participants, 54 (51.9%) were female, and 50 (48.1%) were male, with a mean age of 65 ± 9.01 years. There was a positive correlation between pain level and state anxiety scores (r = 0.30; P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between hospital anxiety score (r = -0.23; P = 0.02) and hospital depression score (r = -0.27; P = 0.01). The correlation between pain score and education level was significantly higher in primary and secondary school graduates (P < 0.01). Smokers were observed to have higher pain scores (6.50 ± 2.21 in smokers and 4.87 ± 2.50 in nonsmokers; P = 0.01). Among diagnostic groups, pain scores were found to be significantly lower in the diabetic retinopathy (DR) group (6.82 ± 1.99 in age-related macular degeneration, 5.94 ± 2.27 in retinal vein occlusion, and 3.58 ± 1.97 in DR; P < 0.001). When pain scores were evaluated according to the drug injected, the group receiving bevacizumab injection was observed to have higher pain scores (7.32 ± 1.81 in bevacizumab, 4.00 ± 2.08 in aflibercept, and 3.92 ± 1.96 in ranibizumab; P < 0.001). Based on the multiple regression analysis, the state anxiety score, hospital anxiety score, hospital depression score, and smoking status were observed not to be significant predictors. The level of education, diagnosis, and active substance were found to have a statistically significant effect on pain perception. CONCLUSION: In this study, pain levels have been found to be high in smokers, those with a low educational level, individuals receiving bevacizumab for intravitreal injection, and those having a higher level of state anxiety, whereas patients with DR have lower pain scores.

Paradoxical Insomnia: A Case Report.

A diagnosis of paradoxical insomnia is made in patients presenting with the complaint of insomnia despite normal polysomnographic findings. These patients argue that they never sleep or have little sleep only for a few hours. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options are available for the treatment of paradoxical insomnia. Although its prevalence can be as high as 50% in the clinical samples and studies, clinicians may not remember to include paradoxical insomnia in the differential diagnosis. In this article, we present a patient, who was diagnosed with paradoxical insomnia for the first time in our polysomnography laboratory. The patient had accompanying sleep apnea and responded to the treatment with olanzapine and psychoeducation, comprising polysomnographic video recordings and instructions of sleep hygiene. Because this is the first case presentation from our country, characterized by the abovementioned clinical features; we think that this article may increase clinician awareness and contribute to the information in the literature.

Childhood Trauma, Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, Anxiety and Depression Levels in People with Bruxism.

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to investigate the relation between sociodemographic features, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, childhood trauma experiences, and quality of life and bruxism determining the risk factors in people with bruxism. METHODS: A total of 200 people were included in the study. Of the patients, 100 were diagnosed with bruxism and 100 were included in the control group. Sociodemographic Data Form, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HAD), The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Childhood Trauma Scale (CTS), Short Form-36 Quality of Life Scale (SF-36) were used. RESULTS: While there was no significant difference between the case group and the control group in terms of age, gender, marital status, and working status, there was a significant difference between educational levels. When the groups were compared a significant difference was found with regard to HAD-A (p<0.05), HAD-D (p<0.01), PSQI (p<0.01) and CTS (p<0.05) scores. While a significant difference was found when KF-36 subscales were examined, with regard to Physical Function (p<0.01), Pain (p<0.05), Social Function (p<0.05) and Mental Health (p<0.01) scores, no significant difference was detected between the subscales of Role Strength (p>0.05), General Health (p>0.05), Vital Energy (p>0.05) and Emotional Role (p>0.05). Regression analysis shows, (PSQI), HAD-D CTS scores predicted bruxism. CONCLUSION: Higher depression scale scores, bad sleep quality, traumatic childhood experiences increase the risk for bruxism. Paying attention to the mental state of people diagnosed with bruxism in the treatment process and incorporating the psychiatrists in this process may increase the success rate of the treatment.

Cytological and cytometric analysis of oral mucosa in patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the two most common neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have sought to identify precursor symptoms of AD and PD that occur before the onset of the disease. We evaluated changes in the oral mucosa of patients with AD and PD using a stereological method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 29 patients with AD, 30 patients with idiopathic PD, and 30 healthy volunteers. Brush biopsies were obtained from all participants, and the nucleator method was used to estimate the volume of cells obtained from the buccal mucosa. RESULTS: Cytomorphometric analysis revealed that the nuclear volume was 484.39±117.10 µm3 in the AD group, 509.71±132.26 µm3 in PD patients, and 509.30±100.21 µm3 in the control group. The cytoplasmic volume was 115,456.60±30,664.98 µm3 in the AD group, 103,097.93±25,034.65 µm3 in PD patients, and 109,528.45±28,381.43 µm3 in the control group. The nuclear and cytoplasmic volumes were not significantly different among groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The cytomorphometric analysis revealed no significant differences in the cytoplasmic and nuclear volumes of buccal cells obtained from patients with AD and PD and healthy volunteers.

How does ivabradine effect erectile dysfunction in patients with heart failure?

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability or insufficiency of penile erection that causes dissatisfaction during sexual intercourse. ED is seen in patients with heart failure (HF), ranging from 56% to 81% depending on the severity. Patients usually blame their cardiovascular medications for their ED. Ivabradine is used for antianginal effects, to improve exercise intolerance, and to decrease mortality in patients with HF. Most beta-blockers are known to cause ED, but unlike beta-blockers the effect of ivabradine over ED has never been evaluated. AIM: We investigated the effect of ivabradine on ED in patients with HF. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with HF (all men) under optimal treatment for HF (except ivabradine) were recruited. Patients were evaluated with the internationally validated Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire before the initiation of ivabradine and at the sixth month of the treatment. SHIM scores previous to treatment and at six months were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank test. A p value < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: At six months of follow-up after the initiation of ivabradine, a significant increase in patients with normal libido was found (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is a novel study that evaluates the effect of ivabradine on human with HF. Ivabradine improved libido in patients with HF.

Mean platelet volume and red cell distribution width levels in initial evaluation of panic disorder.

BACKGROUND: As the relationship between psychological stress and platelet activation has been widely studied in recent years, activated platelets lead to certain biochemical changes, which occur in the brain in patients with mental disorders. However, data relating to the mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with panic disorder (PD) are both limited and controversial. Herein, we aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the red cell distribution width (RDW) levels combined with MPV levels in patients with PD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2012 and June 2015, data of 30 treatment-naïve patients (16 females, 14 males; mean age: 37±10 years; range: 18-59 years) who were diagnosed with PD and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (10 females, 15 males; mean age: 36±13 years; range: 18-59 years) (control group) were retrospectively analyzed. The white blood cell count (WBC), MPV, and RDW levels were measured in both groups. RESULTS: The mean WBC, MPV, and RDW levels were 9,173.03±2,400.31/mm3, 8.19±1.13 fl, and 12.47±1.14%, respectively, in the PD group. These values were found to be 7,090.24±1,032.61, 6.85±0.67, and 11.63±0.85, respectively, in the healthy controls. The WBC, MPV, and RDW levels were significantly higher in the patients with PD compared to the healthy controls (P=0.001, P=0.001, and P=0.003, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the platelet number between the patients with PD and healthy controls (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study results are the first to demonstrate that the RDW levels combined with MPV levels significantly increase among patients with PD. We believe that increased RDW and MPV levels can be used as a novel marker for PD.

The Effect of Information About Gynecological Examination on the Anxiety Level of Women Applying to Gynecology Clinics: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Crowded hospital outpatient clinics and endless waiting lines that make patients feel overlooked tend to exaggerate patients' anxiety levels. In addition, fear of pain, shyness, religious and traditional thoughts, women's sexual role in society, and previous information and experience also contribute to people's anxiety levels with regard to gynecologic examination. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the effect of specific information about gynecologic examination on anxiety levels of women applying to gynecology clinics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized prospective study, the women applying for a gynecological examination were randomly allocated into control, intervention 1, and intervention 2 groups. Power analysis indicated that in order to achieve a one-point decrease from the previous anxiety score of 43.85 ± 5.41 at one side alpha 0.05 with a power of 80%, at least 79 women were needed in each group. Four medical school students interviewed 75 women (25 in control, 25 in intervention 1, and 25 in intervention 2). The data were collected using the demographic, social, and economic data form, and the Turkish version of the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). The women in the intervention 1 and 2 groups were instructed to read a paper that contained brief information about the gynecological examination procedure and the profits obtained from forests, respectively. All participants, including the women in the control group, filled the STAI by themselves. The three groups were compared appropriately. RESULTS: The demographics pertaining to age, gravidity and parity, miscarriage, induced abortion, ectopic pregnancy, offspring number, place of residence, working status, education level and previous experience of gynecological examination did not differ among the groups (P > 0.05). According to the STAI scores, all groups had mild state (control: 40.20 ± 10.53, intervention 1: 42.00 ± 11.98, and intervention 2: 39.53 ± 10.32) and severe continuous (control: 46.78 ± 8.65, Intervention 1: 47.25 ± 9.57, and intervention 2: 46.60 ± 9.72) anxiety levels. However, both state and continuous anxiety scores were not significantly different in all groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Providing brief written information about the gynecological examination procedure and the clinic's working discipline is not sufficient to lower the anxiety of women applying for a gynecological examination.

Levels of nitric oxide, asymmetric dimethyl arginine, symmetric dimethyl arginine,and L-arginine in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We aimed to investigate and compare to healthy controls the variations in the levels of nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA), and L-arginine levels in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients with OCD and 30 healthy controls in the study consecutively. Diagnostic interviews of all participants were conducted with the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), and sociodemographic data of the participants were recorded. Patients scoring 10 points or more on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: The NO levels of patients with OCD were increased compared to the control group, but the increase was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, patients with OCD had significantly lower levels of ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine compared with the controls (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found a significant decrease in ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine as NO inhibitors between the groups, possibly because of an increase in NO. However, the insignificant increase in NO suggests that ADMA, SDMA, and L-arginine play direct and potentially important roles in OCD biology.

Pain perception: predictive value of sex, depression, anxiety, somatosensory amplification, obesity, and age.

OBJECTIVE: Factors affecting pain sensation are still being investigated. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), somatosensory amplification, anxiety, and depression on the perception of pain. METHODS: Venipuncture was performed on 140 healthy individuals. All the cases completed a sociodemographic data form, visual analog scale (VAS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory, and Somatosensory Amplification Scale. Height and weight were also measured. RESULTS: When both the sexes were compared, there was no difference in terms of VAS, BMI, age, and Beck Depression Inventory, but Somatosensory Amplification Scale and BAI were found to be higher in females. A correlation was found among VAS points, BAI, and BMI. The results of a regression analysis show that the BAI score is a predictor for the VAS score. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that anxiety may be a predictor of pain, whereas sex, depression, somatosensory amplification, age, and weight do not appear to influence the perception of pain.

Diffuse Hair Loss Induced by Sertraline Use.

Hair loss is a rare side effect of psychotropic drugs. The most related drug class with this side effect is the mood stabilizers. Studies reporting the sertraline-induced alopecia are limited in number. Sertraline is a potent antidepressant which inhibits the serotonin reuptake from the presynaptic terminals selectively. The reason for hair loss could not be elucidated completely. Psychotropic drugs are usually considered to lead to hair loss through influencing the telogen phase of hair follicle. This paper reports a 21-year-old male with diffuse hair loss induced by sertraline use and improved by quitting the drug. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other case reports on sertraline-induced alopecia within 2 weeks.

Increased mean platelet volume in patients with panic disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between platelet activation and psychiatric disorders has been shown in previous work. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a measure of platelet size and a good indicator of platelet activity, which increases in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It is known that anxiety is a considerable factor in the etiology of mortality in CVDs. The aim of the present study was to investigate any probable difference in the MPV of patients with panic disorder (PD). METHODS: Sixty-one drug-free patients, aged 18-65 years and diagnosed with PD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, were included in the study, along with 63 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and MPV measured for each subject. RESULTS: The MPV was found to be higher in the PD group compared to the control group (P=0.004). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of platelet count or BMI. CONCLUSION: Alterations in platelet activity may be a reflection of abnormal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1A receptor function in the central nervous system of subjects with a diagnosis of PD. These findings may elucidate the relationship between CVDs and PD. The findings of the present study suggest that MPV is increased in PD patients.

SmartClamp circumcision versus conventional dissection technique in terms of parental anxiety and outcomes: A prospective clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: We prospectively analyzed parental anxiety and outcomes of the SmartClamp circumcision and the classic surgical dissection technique. METHODS: A total of 250 boys underwent circumcision between 2009 and 2012 at Kars State Hospital and Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine in Turkey. The initial 125 children were circumcised by conventional dissection method and the remaining children were operated on with a SmartClamp device. Children in both groups were compared in terms of bleeding, infection, penile edema, operative time, cosmetic result, length of the inner mucosal layer, and parental anxiety. We used a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) form to gauge how the circumcision affected parental anxiety. This form was completed by parents on postoperative day 2. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences among the 2 groups in terms of age, bleeding, infection, and cosmetic displeasure (p > 0.05). The STAI scores of the parents from the SmartClamp group were statistically higher than that of the other group (p < 0.001). Penile edema was more common in the SmartClamp group (p = 0.039). However, the mean operative time was statistically shorter (p < 0.001) and the inner mucosal length was significantly longer in the SmartClamp group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Circumcision with the SmartClamp device was faster. Cosmetic results and complication rates were similar. Unfortunately, this technique seemed to entail the disadvantages of longer mucosal length, penile edema, and higher parental anxiety. Urologists should keep these points in mind when choosing a technique.

Accelerated hypertension after venlafaxine usage.

Venlafaxine is the first antidepressant that acts via inhibiting serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake. Hypertension is observed in doses exceeding 300 mg/day and is the most feared complication. We report a patient with accelerated hypertension after venlafaxine use observed at a dose of 150 mg/day. A 23-year-old patient with symptoms of insomnia, depression, anhedonia, fatigue admitted our clinic. Venlafaxine at a dose of 75 mg/day was initiated after he was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. After 5 months, venlafaxine dose was uptitrated to 150 mg/day due to inadequate response to drug. After using venlafaxine for ten months at the dose of 150 mg/day, he admitted our clinic with headache and epistaxis. He was hospitalized after his blood pressure was measured as 210/170 mmHg. No secondary causes for hypertension were found, and venlafaxine treatment was considered possible etiologic factor. After stopping venlafaxine treatment, his blood pressure was reverted back to normal limits. While mild elevation of blood pressure could be observed after venlafaxine treatment, this case shows that accelerated hypertension with a diastolic blood pressure rise above 120 mmHg could be observed at relatively low doses of venlafaxine. Close monitoring of blood pressure is necessary after initiation of treatment, as accelerated hypertension could cause endorgan damage with potentially catastrophic results.