scholarly journals Relationship between benzodiazepine prescription, aggressive behavior, and behavioral disinhibition: a retrospective study in a Swiss prison

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Baggio ◽  
Vladan Starcevic ◽  
Patrick Heller ◽  
Karen Brändle ◽  
Irina Franke ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed in prisons amidst the controversies surrounding their potential role in causing behavioral disinhibition and aggressive behavior and their association with use and trafficking of illicit and addictive substances. The present study aimed to (1) ascertain the relationship between benzodiazepine prescription (including their dosage and duration of use) and aggressive behavior and behavioral disinhibition in prison and (2) investigate whether there was an association between benzodiazepine prescription, (including their dosage and duration of use) and using and trafficking illicit and addictive substances during imprisonment. Methods Data were extracted from the electronic database of an “open” Swiss prison (n = 1206, 1379 measures) over a 5-year period (2010–2015). Measures included benzodiazepine prescription, duration of benzodiazepine use and mean dosage, and punishable behaviors (physical and verbal aggression, disinhibited but not directly aggressive behaviors, property damage or theft, substance-related offenses, and rule transgression). We assessed the relationship between benzodiazepine prescription and punishable behaviors after propensity score matching. Logistic regressions were also used to test the relationship of benzodiazepine use duration and dosage with punishable behaviors among participants who received benzodiazepines. Results After propensity score matching, benzodiazepine prescription was not significantly associated with any punishable behavior. Among detained persons who took benzodiazepines, there was no significant association of dosage and duration of use with offenses involving illicit or addictive substance use or trafficking. Conclusions Our study did not empirically support the occurrence of increased aggressive or disinhibited behaviors or increased risk of substance abuse in detained persons who received benzodiazepines in prison. This suggests a need to reconsider restrictions in prescribing benzodiazepines in the prison setting.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Baggio ◽  
Vladan Starcevic ◽  
Patrick Heller ◽  
Karen Brändle ◽  
Irina Franke ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed in prisons amidst the controversies surrounding their potential role in causing behavioral disinhibition and aggressive behavior and their association with use and trafficking of illicit and addictive substances. The present study aimed to 1) ascertain the relationship between benzodiazepine prescription (including their dosage and duration of use) and aggressive behavior and behavioral disinhibition in prison, and 2) investigate whether there was an association between benzodiazepine prescription, (including their dosage and duration of use) and using and trafficking illicit and addictive substances during imprisonment. Methods. Data were extracted from the electronic database of an “open” Swiss prison (n = 1,379) over a five-year period (2010–2015). Measures included benzodiazepine prescription (yes/no), duration of benzodiazepine use and mean dosage, and punishable behaviors (physical and verbal aggression, disinhibited but not directly aggressive behaviors, property damage or theft, substance-related offenses, and rule transgression). Propensity score matching was used to assess the relationship between benzodiazepine prescription and punishable behaviors. Logistic regressions were used to test the relationship of benzodiazepine duration and dosage with punishable behaviors. Results. Benzodiazepine prescription (yes/no) was not significantly associated with punishable behaviors. Detained persons taking benzodiazepines were not more likely to commit offenses involving illicit or addictive substance use or trafficking, even when taking these medications in higher dosage and over a longer period of time. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that access to benzodiazepines in the prison setting should be subject to the same regulations as in the community and that prescribing benzodiazepines to detained persons is just as safe as prescribing these medications to those who are not detained.


Gut ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung Won Lee ◽  
Eun Kyo Ha ◽  
Abdullah Özgür Yeniova ◽  
Sung Yong Moon ◽  
So Young Kim ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe adverse effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been documented for pneumonia; however, there is no consensus regarding whether the use of PPIs might be harmful regarding the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In this regard, we aimed to measure the potential associations of the current use of PPIs with the infection rates of COVID-19 among patients who underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing.DesignData were derived from a Korean nationwide cohort study with propensity score matching. We included 132 316 patients older than 18 years who tested for SARS-CoV-2 between 1 January and 15 May 2020. Endpoints were SARS-CoV-2 positivity (primary) and severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 (secondary: admission to intensive care unit, administration of invasive ventilation or death).ResultsIn the entire cohort, there were 111 911 non-users, 14 163 current PPI users and 6242 past PPI users. After propensity score matching, the SARS-CoV-2 test positivity rate was not associated with the current or past use of PPIs. Among patients with confirmed COVID-19, the current use of PPIs conferred a 79% greater risk of severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19, while the relationship with the past use of PPIs remained insignificant. Current PPI use starting within the previous 30 days was associated with a 90% increased risk of severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19.ConclusionPatients taking PPIs are at increased risk for severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 but not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This suggests that physicians need to assess benefit–risk assessments in the management of acid-related diseases amid the COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Maria Marangos ◽  
Jurjen Iedema ◽  
Mirjam de Klerk ◽  
Isolde Woittiez ◽  
Peter P. Groenewegen

Abstract Objectives Personal budgets for social and health care have been introduced in many European countries over recent decades. The assumption is that people with a personal budget are able to purchase care that matches their needs more closely and therefore experience greater independence and improved well-being. The question is whether this assumption is true. Little research has been carried out on this and the research that has been carried out is inconclusive and hampered by methodological limitations. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of data collected in a survey among persons who had submitted an application for social support. Propensity score matching was used to investigate whether people with a personal budget experience better independence, participation in society and quality of life than comparable people using conventionally organised help. Results After matching, no significant effects of the personal budget were initially found. A sensitivity analysis that excluded the variable sense of mastery from the calculation of the propensity scores, showed a significantly greater independence for those using a personal budget. Conclusion There may be several reasons for this lack of effect. First, perhaps there are no effects. It is also possible that effects can only be found in specific situations and/or specific groups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3309
Author(s):  
Gisella Gennaro ◽  
Melissa L. Hill ◽  
Elisabetta Bezzon ◽  
Francesca Caumo

Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) demonstrates a potential role in personalized screening models, in particular for women at increased risk and women with dense breasts. In this study, volumetric breast density (VBD) measured in CEM images was compared with VBD obtained from digital mammography (DM) or tomosynthesis (DBT) images. A total of 150 women who underwent CEM between March 2019 and December 2020, having at least a DM/DBT study performed before/after CEM, were included. Low-energy CEM (LE-CEM) and DM/DBT images were processed with automatic software to obtain the VBD. VBDs from the paired datasets were compared by Wilcoxon tests. A multivariate regression model was applied to analyze the relationship between VBD differences and multiple independent variables certainly or potentially affecting VBD. Median VBD was comparable for LE-CEM and DM/DBT (12.73% vs. 12.39%), not evidencing any statistically significant difference (p = 0.5855). VBD differences between LE-CEM and DM were associated with significant differences of glandular volume, breast thickness, compression force and pressure, contact area, and nipple-to-posterior-edge distance, i.e., variables reflecting differences in breast positioning (coefficient of determination 0.6023; multiple correlation coefficient 0.7761). Volumetric breast density was obtained from low-energy contrast-enhanced spectral mammography and was not significantly different from volumetric breast density measured from standard mammograms.


Author(s):  
Ranjit Unnikrishnan ◽  
Anoop Misra

AbstractThe advent and rapid spread of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID19) pandemic across the world has focused attention on the relationship of commonly occurring comorbidities such as diabetes on the course and outcomes of this infection. While diabetes does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of COVID19 infection per se, it has been clearly demonstrated that the presence of hyperglycemia of any degree predisposes to worse outcomes, such as more severe respiratory involvement, ICU admissions, need for mechanical ventilation and mortality. Further, COVID19 infection has been associated with the development of new-onset hyperglycemia and diabetes, and worsening of glycemic control in pre-existing diabetes, due to direct pancreatic damage by the virus, body’s stress response to infection (including cytokine storm) and use of diabetogenic drugs such as corticosteroids in the treatment of severe COVID19. In addition, public health measures taken to flatten the pandemic curve (such as lockdowns) can also adversely impact persons with diabetes by limiting their access to clinical care, healthy diet, and opportunities to exercise. Most antidiabetic medications can continue to be used in patients with mild COVID19 but switching over to insulin is preferred in severe disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjit Unnikrishnan ◽  
Anoop Misra

AbstractThe advent and rapid spread of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID19) pandemic across the world has focused attention on the relationship of commonly occurring comorbidities such as diabetes on the course and outcomes of this infection. While diabetes does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of COVID19 infection per se, it has been clearly demonstrated that the presence of hyperglycemia of any degree predisposes to worse outcomes, such as more severe respiratory involvement, ICU admissions, need for mechanical ventilation and mortality. Further, COVID19 infection has been associated with the development of new-onset hyperglycemia and diabetes, and worsening of glycemic control in pre-existing diabetes, due to direct pancreatic damage by the virus, body’s stress response to infection (including cytokine storm) and use of diabetogenic drugs such as corticosteroids in the treatment of severe COVID19. In addition, public health measures taken to flatten the pandemic curve (such as lockdowns) can also adversely impact persons with diabetes by limiting their access to clinical care, healthy diet, and opportunities to exercise. Most antidiabetic medications can continue to be used in patients with mild COVID19 but switching over to insulin is preferred in severe disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (03) ◽  
pp. 309-316
Author(s):  
Ozcan Cakmak ◽  
Ismet Emrah Emre

AbstractPreservation of the facial nerve is crucial in any type of facial procedure. This is even more important when performing plastic surgery on the face. An intricate knowledge of the course of the facial nerve is a requisite prior to performing facelifts, regardless of the technique used. The complex relationship of the ligaments and the facial nerve may put the nerve at an increased risk of damage, especially if its anatomy is not fully understood. There are several danger zones during dissection where the nerve is more likely to be injured. These include the areas where the nerve branches become more superficial in the dissection plane, and where they traverse between the retaining ligaments of the face. Addressing these ligaments is crucial, as they prevent the transmission of traction during facelifts. Without sufficient release, a satisfying pull on the soft tissues may be limited. Traditional superficial musculoaponeurotic system techniques such as plication or imbrication do not include surgical release of these attachments. Extended facelift techniques include additional dissection to release the retaining ligaments to obtain a more balanced and healthier look. However, these techniques are often the subject of much debate due to the extended dissection that carries a higher risk of nerve complications. In this article we aim to present the relationship of both the nerve and ligaments with an emphasis on the exact location of these structures, both in regard to one another and to their locations within the facial soft tissues, to perform extended techniques safely.


Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Kensuke Tashiro ◽  
Sakiko Soutome ◽  
Madoka Funahara ◽  
Yumiko Kawashita ◽  
Masayasu Kitamura ◽  
...  

Introduction: Reduced tongue pressure is one of the causes of dysphagia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between dental findings and tongue pressure, and whether prosthetic treatment prevents reduced tongue pressure. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Participants were 745 community-dwelling adults and elderly persons in the Goto Islands in Nagasaki, who underwent a health checkup for residents in 2015 and 2016. Data were collected on gender; age; grip strength; hemoglobin; Creatinine (Cr); glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c); history of stroke; smoking, drinking, exercise, and walking habits; number of teeth; wearing of removable dentures; functional units of natural teeth (n-FTUs), fixed prostheses (nif-FTUs), and removable dentures (t-FTUs); and tongue pressure. The associations between each variable and tongue pressure were examined using multiple regression analysis. Next, those with 3 or fewer n-FTUs were selected, and differences in tongue pressure were compared between those with 3 or fewer nif-FTUs and those with 4 or more nif-FTUs, using a propensity score matching method. Results: Male gender, weak grip strength, low HbA1c, no drinking, and a low number of teeth were independent factors significantly associated with lower tongue pressure. Among participants with 3 or fewer n-FTUs, the 43 with 4 or more nif-FTUs showed significantly higher tongue pressure than the 43 with 3 or fewer nif-FTUs after propensity score matching, although the number of t-FTUs was not associated with tongue pressure. Discussion/Conclusion: Tooth loss was significantly associated with lower tongue pressure. It was suggested that fixed prosthesis treatment might prevent the reduction of tongue pressure, but removable dentures did not have such an effect.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Du ◽  
Xiaojie Ma ◽  
Changjiang Wang

Many studies have established that T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4) is a susceptible gene for Graves’ disease (GD). Also many studies showed the association between the CTLA4 exon-1 49A/G polymorphism and the risk of developing Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) in GD patients. But those results were inconsistent. In recent years many new studies were published which helped to shed light on the relationship of CTLA4 SNP49 with GO. So we performed the meta-analysis to explore the association between the SNP49 and GO susceptibility in GD patients. Studies up to February 29, 2012, were searched by using PubMed. The odds ratio was used to evaluate the strength of the association. Altogether 12 case-control studies involving 2,505 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Results showed that the G allele was related to the increased risk of GO compared with the A allele under allelic genetic model (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.14–1.72,P=0.001) in European subgroup. No publication bias was detected. Our results showed that the SNP49 polymorphism of CTLA4 gene was related to increased risk of GO.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document