Temporary change in personality states among social media users: effects of Instagram use on Big Five personality states and consumers' need for uniqueness.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that certain personality traits influence the frequency of social media use. However, the potential effect of social media use on personality states merits investigation as well, in light of the personality dynamics approach. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: We conducted an experimental study in which 325 Instagram users were asked to count selfies and emoticons on their Instagram profiles (experimental condition) or their phones (control condition). Subsequently, all participants responded to questions from the Big Five personality inventory and scale to measure the need for uniqueness in consumption. RESULTS: Instagram users had a higher neuroticism state and a higher need for uniqueness compared with the controls. In terms of the other Big Five states, we observed no differences between the study conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our study explores the novel direction of the relationship between social media use and personality, suggesting that using Instagram can temporarily change personality states.

Acute rhabdomyolysis associated with coadministration of levofloxacin and simvastatin in a patient with normal renal function.

We report a rare case of severe acute rhabdomyolysis in association with coadministration of levofloxacin and simvastatin in a patient with normal renal function. A 70-year-old Caucasian male was treated due to community acquired pneumonia with levofloxacin in a dosage of 500 mg once and then twice a day. On the 8th day of hospitalization the patient presented with acute severe rhabdomyolysis requiring an intensive care support. After discontinuation of levofloxacin and concomitant medication with simvastatin 80 mg/day, clinical and laboratory effects were totally reversible. Up to now, levofloxacin has been reported to induce rhabdomyolysis mainly in patients with impaired renal function, as the medication has a predominant renal elimination. In our case renal function remained normal during the severe clinical course. According to a recent case report rhabdomyolysis was observed due to interaction of simvastatin and ciprofloxacin. To our best knowledge this is the first case of interaction between simvastatin and levofloxacin to be reported. This case emphasizes the need of close monitoring of creatine kinase in patients under more than one potentially myotoxic medication especially when patients develop muscle weakness.