scholarly journals An Italian observational study on subclinical cardiovascular risk factors and depressive symptomatology. A suggestion for the potential utility of a sinergic cardio-psychiatric perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S318-S318
Author(s):  
S. Tassi ◽  
G. Rioli ◽  
G. Mattei ◽  
S. Mancini ◽  
S. Alboni ◽  
...  

IntroductionGrowing evidence has been collected over the complex, intertwined pathophysiological connection among subclinical cardiovascular (CV) disease, i.e. atherosclerosis, systemic low pro-inflammatory states and psychiatric disorders/symptomatology (anxiety, depression), with controversial results.AimAim of this study was to investigate the possible link between subclinical CV risk factors (atherosclerosis), depressive symptoms, and inflammation.MethodsCross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria: outpatients aged ≥40 years, attending colonoscopy after positive faecal occult blood test, negative medical history for cancer. Collected data: blood pressure, glycaemia, lipid profile, waist circumference, BMI, PCR (C reactive protein), LPS (bacterial lipopolysaccharide), ultrasound carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT). Psychometric tests: HADS, TCI, IMSA, SF36. Statistical analysis performed with STATA13.ResultsThe 54 patients enrolled were equally distributed by gender. CV risk factors were common in the study population, with 33 patients (61.11%) with hypertension, 14 (25.93%) with hyperglycaemia, 20 (37.4%) with hypertriglyceridemia, 19 (35.19%) with low HDL and 64.81% with overweight. High levels of PCR were found in 24 subjects (44.44%). Right c-IMT was increased in 26.41% of the sample, and 11.32% had an atheromatous plaque. Left c-IMT was increased in 24.53% of patients, with a plaque in 7.55% of them. Clinically relevant depressive symptoms were found in the 18.87% of the sample and were statistically significantly associated with PCR (OR = 28.63; P = 0.01).ConclusionsEvidence contributing to the so-called “inflammation theory” of depression and supporting the association between mood and CV disorders was here collected, supporting the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of such conditions, assuming a clinically-translated PNEI (psycho-neuro-endocrino-immunological) perspective.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyan Wang ◽  
Xiaoling Dai ◽  
Zichuan Yao ◽  
Xianqing Zhu ◽  
Yunzhong Jiang ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction To explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the associated risk factors in frontline nurses under COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 20, 2020 to March 20, 2020 and involved 562 frontline nurses. The effective response rate was 87.68%. After propensity score matched, there were 498 participants left. Extensive characteristics, including demographics, dietary habits, life-related factors, work-related factors, and psychological factors were collected based on a self-reported questionnaire. Specific scales measured the levels of sleep quality, physical activity, depressive symptoms, perceived organization support and psychological capital. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were determined by binary paired logistic regression. Results Of the nurses enrolled in the study, 50.90% had depressive symptoms. Three independent risk factors were identified: poor sleep quality (OR = 1.608, 95% CI: 1.384–1.896), lower optimism of psychological capital (OR = 0.879, 95% CI: 0.805–0.960) and no visiting friend constantly (OR = 0.513, 95% CI: 0.286–0.920). Conclusions This study revealed a considerable high prevalence of depressive symptoms in frontline nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak, and identified three risk factors, which were poor sleep quality, lower optimism of psychological capital, and no visiting friend constantly. Protecting mental health of nurses is important for COVID-19 pandemic control and their wellbeing. These findings enrich the existing theoretical model of depression and demonstrated a critical need for additional strategies that could address the mental health in frontline nurses for policymakers.


2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Melo ◽  
Helena Santa-Clara ◽  
Diana A. Santos ◽  
Nuno M. Pimenta ◽  
Cláudia S. Minderico ◽  
...  

It is unclear if cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) can be used as a screening tool for premature changes in carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in paediatric populations. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was 3-fold: (i) to determine if CRF can be used to screen increased cIMT; (ii) to determine an optimal CRF cut-off to predict increased cIMT; and (iii) to evaluate its ability to predict increased cIMT among children in comparison with existent CRF cut-offs. cIMT was assessed with high-resolution ultrasonography and CRF was determined using a maximal cycle test. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were conducted in boys (n = 211) and girls (n = 202) aged 11–12 years to define the optimal sex-specific CRF cut-off to classify increased cIMT (≥75th percentile). Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the CRF cut-offs with the risk of having an increased cIMT. The optimal CRF cut-offs to predict increased cIMT were 45.81 and 34.46 mL·kg−1·min−1 for boys and girls, respectively. The odds-ratios for having increased cIMT among children who were unfit was up to 2.8 times the odds among those who were fit (95% confidence interval: 1.40–5.53). Considering current CRF cut-offs, only those suggested by Adegboye et al. 2011. (Br. J. Sports Med. 45(9): 722–728) and Boddy et al. 2012 (PLoS One, 7(9): e45755) were significant in predicting increased cIMT. In conclusion, CRF cut-offs (boys: ≤ 45.8; girls: ≤ 34.5 mL·kg−1·min−1) are associated with thickening of the arterial wall in 11- to 12-year-old children. Low CRF is an important cardiovascular risk factor in children and our data highlight the importance of obtaining an adequate CRF.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Ines KNANI ◽  
Hassan BOUZIDI ◽  
Albert LECUBE ◽  
Jawhar GHARBI ◽  
Mohsen KERKENI

Introduction: No data regarding the relationship of carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs) levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between IMT and serum pentosidine, CML and MGO levels in patients with longstanding RA.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 80 consecutive RA patients with longstanding disease were included and compared with 30 age and sex-matched healthy controls. IMT was measured using ultrasonography. AGEs such as pentosidine, Ne-carboxymethyllysine (CML) and methylglyoxal (MGO) as an intermediate of glycation, were determined by ELISA.Results: Serum pentosidine, CML and MGO levels were increased in RA patients vs control subjects (P = 0.001; P < 0.001; P < 0.001 respectively). IMT was increased with disease activity of RA (P = 0.004) and was associated with serum pentosidine (r = 0.460, P < 0.001), serum CML (r = 0.549, P < 0.001) and serum MGO (r = 0.658, P < 0.001). Furthermore, in a multiple stepwise regression analysis CML and MGO were independently associated with IMT (b= 0.333, P = 0.007; b = 0.690, P < 0.001, respectively).Conclusion: serum pentosidine, CML and MGO were increased in RA patients and were significantly related to IMT. Serum CML and MGO were independently associated with IMT.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rattanee Kammoolkon ◽  
Nutta Taneepanichskul ◽  
Nattaporn Pitaknoppakul ◽  
Somrat Lertmaharit ◽  
Vitool Lohsoonthorn

Incense burning, a source of household indoor air pollution, is possible to effect on cardiovascular system. Our study sought to examine the association of long-term exposure to household incense smoke with increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). A cross-sectional study was conducted 132 adults aged ≥35 years. Participants were stratified into 3 groups by their long-term household incense use; nonexposed group, non–daily exposed group, and daily exposed group. A combined mean CIMT (mean difference = 0.04 mm; P < .01) and combined maximum CIMT (mean difference = 0.09 mm; P < .01) in the daily exposed group had greater than the nonexposed group. The mean CIMT and maximum CIMT of the left common carotid artery in the daily exposed group was significantly greater than the nonexposed group ( P < .01). These findings suggest that incense burning inside the house may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.


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