scholarly journals The Role of Demoralization and Meaning in Life (DEMIL) in Influencing Suicidal Ideation Among Patients Affected by Chronic Pain: Protocol of a Single-Center, Observational, Case-Control Study

10.2196/24882 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e24882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Costanza ◽  
Vasileios Chytas ◽  
Viridiana Mazzola ◽  
Valérie Piguet ◽  
Jules Desmeules ◽  
...  

Background Chronic pain is a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal behavior (SB), including a 20%-40% prevalence rate of SI, a prevalence between 5% and 14% of suicide attempts, and a doubled risk of death by suicide in patients with chronic pain compared to controls. In most studies, associations between chronic pain and suicidality are robust, even after adjusting for the effect of sociodemographics and psychiatric comorbidity, and particularly for depressive conditions. A number of specific conditions that can modulate suicidality risk in patients with chronic pain have been investigated, but there is a need for their more specific characterization. Numerous recent studies have shown that demoralization and meaning in life (MiL) constructs affect suicidality as risk and protective factors, respectively. These constructs have been mainly investigated in patients with somatic illness and in community-dwelling individuals who may present with SI or SB independently of a psychiatric diagnosis of depression. However, a paucity of studies investigated them in suicidal patients affected by chronic pain. Objective The primary objective of this project is to investigate the relationship between demoralization and MiL on SI risk in patients with chronic pain. The secondary objectives are (1) to test whether demoralization can occur independently of depression in patients with chronic pain and SI, (2) to examine whether the expected association between demoralization and SI may be explained by a sole dimension of demoralization: hopelessness, (3) to examine whether the presence of MiL, but not the search for MiL, is associated with less SI, and (4) to explore whether previously described MiL profiles (ie, high presence-high search, high presence-low search, moderate presence-moderate search, low presence-low search, and low presence-high search) emerge in our cohort. Methods This project is a single-center, observational, case-control study—the Demoralization and Meaning in Life (DEMiL) study—conducted by the Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, the Multidisciplinary Pain Centre, and the Service of Liaison Psychiatry and Crisis Intervention at the Geneva University Hospitals. Self- and hetero-administered questionnaires were conducted among patients and controls, matched by age and gender. The Ethics Committee of the Canton of Geneva approved the scientific utilization of collected data (project No. 2017-02138; decision dated January 25, 2018). Data have been analyzed with SPSS, version 23.0, software (IBM Corp). Results From March 1, 2018, to November 30, 2019, 70 patients and 70 controls were enrolled. Statistical analyses are still in progress and are expected to be finalized in November 2020. To date, we did not observe any unfavorable event for which a causal relationship with the collection of health-related personal data could be ruled out. Results of this study are expected to form the basis for possible prevention and psychotherapeutic interventions oriented toward demoralization and MiL constructs for suicidal patients with chronic pain. Conclusions The interest in exploring demoralization and MiL in chronic pain patients with SI arises from the common clinical observation that experiencing chronic pain often requires a revision of one’s life goals and expectations. Hence, the impact of chronic pain is not limited to patients’ biopsychosocial functioning, but it affects the existential domain as well. The major clinical implications in suicidal patients with chronic pain consist in trying to (1) delineate a more precise and individualized suicide risk profile, (2) improve detection and prevention strategies by investigating SI also in individuals who do not present with a clinically diagnosed depression, and (3) enhance the panel of interventions by broadening supportive or psychotherapeutic actions, taking into consideration the existential condition of a person who suffers and strives to deal with his or her suffering. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/24882

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Costanza ◽  
Vasileios Chytas ◽  
Viridiana Mazzola ◽  
Valérie Piguet ◽  
Jules Desmeules ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Chronic pain is a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal behavior (SB), including a 20%-40% prevalence rate of SI, a prevalence between 5% and 14% of suicide attempts, and a doubled risk of death by suicide in patients with chronic pain compared to controls. In most studies, associations between chronic pain and suicidality are robust, even after adjusting for the effect of sociodemographics and psychiatric comorbidity, and particularly for depressive conditions. A number of specific conditions that can modulate suicidality risk in patients with chronic pain have been investigated, but there is a need for their more specific characterization. Numerous recent studies have shown that demoralization and meaning in life (MiL) constructs affect suicidality as risk and protective factors, respectively. These constructs have been mainly investigated in patients with somatic illness and in community-dwelling individuals who may present with SI or SB independently of a psychiatric diagnosis of depression. However, a paucity of studies investigated them in suicidal patients affected by chronic pain. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this project is to investigate the relationship between demoralization and MiL on SI risk in patients with chronic pain. The secondary objectives are (1) to test whether demoralization can occur independently of depression in patients with chronic pain and SI, (2) to examine whether the expected association between demoralization and SI may be explained by a sole dimension of demoralization: hopelessness, (3) to examine whether the presence of MiL, but not the search for MiL, is associated with less SI, and (4) to explore whether previously described MiL profiles (ie, high presence-high search, high presence-low search, moderate presence-moderate search, low presence-low search, and low presence-high search) emerge in our cohort. METHODS This project is a single-center, observational, case-control study—the Demoralization and Meaning in Life (DEMiL) study—conducted by the Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, the Multidisciplinary Pain Centre, and the Service of Liaison Psychiatry and Crisis Intervention at the Geneva University Hospitals. Self- and hetero-administered questionnaires were conducted among patients and controls, matched by age and gender. The Ethics Committee of the Canton of Geneva approved the scientific utilization of collected data (project No. 2017-02138; decision dated January 25, 2018). Data have been analyzed with SPSS, version 23.0, software (IBM Corp). RESULTS From March 1, 2018, to November 30, 2019, 70 patients and 70 controls were enrolled. Statistical analyses are still in progress and are expected to be finalized in November 2020. To date, we did not observe any unfavorable event for which a causal relationship with the collection of health-related personal data could be ruled out. Results of this study are expected to form the basis for possible prevention and psychotherapeutic interventions oriented toward demoralization and MiL constructs for suicidal patients with chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS The interest in exploring demoralization and MiL in chronic pain patients with SI arises from the common clinical observation that experiencing chronic pain often requires a revision of one’s life goals and expectations. Hence, the impact of chronic pain is not limited to patients’ biopsychosocial functioning, but it affects the existential domain as well. The major clinical implications in suicidal patients with chronic pain consist in trying to (1) delineate a more precise and individualized suicide risk profile, (2) improve detection and prevention strategies by investigating SI also in individuals who do not present with a clinically diagnosed depression, and (3) enhance the panel of interventions by broadening supportive or psychotherapeutic actions, taking into consideration the existential condition of a person who suffers and strives to deal with his or her suffering. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/24882


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 2396-2401
Author(s):  
Costin Berceanu ◽  
Elena Loredana Ciurea ◽  
Monica Mihaela Cirstoiu ◽  
Sabina Berceanu ◽  
Anca Maria Ofiteru ◽  
...  

It is widely accepted that thrombophilia in pregnancy greatly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism. Pregnancy complications arise, at least partly, from placental insufficiency. Any change in the functioning of the gestational transient biological system, such as inherited or acquired thrombophilia, might lead to placental insufficiency. In this research we included 64 pregnant women with trombophilia and 70 cases non-trombophilic pregnant women, with or without PMPC, over a two-year period. The purpose of this multicenter case-control study is to analyze the maternal-fetal management options in obstetric thrombophilia, the impact of this pathology on the placental structure and possible correlations with placenta-mediated pregnancy complications. Maternal-fetal management in obstetric thrombophilia means preconceptional or early diagnosis, prevention of pregnancy morbidity, specific therapy as quickly as possible and fetal systematic surveilance to identify the possible occurrence of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Félix Caballero ◽  
Ellen A. Struijk ◽  
Alberto Lana ◽  
Antonio Buño ◽  
Fernando Rodríguez-Artalejo ◽  
...  

AbstractElevated concentrations of acylcarnitines have been associated with higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between L-carnitine and acylcarnitine profiles, and 2-year risk of incident lower-extremity functional impairment (LEFI). This case–control study is nested in the Seniors-ENRICA cohort of community-dwelling older adults, which included 43 incident cases of LEFI and 86 age- and sex- matched controls. LEFI was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery. Plasma L-carnitine and 28 acylcarnitine species were measured. After adjusting for potential confounders, medium-chain acylcarnitines levels were associated with 2-year incidence of LEFI [odds ratio per 1-SD increase: 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.08, 2.64; p = 0.02]. Similar results were observed for long-chain acylcarnitines [odds ratio per 1-SD increase: 1.70; 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 2.80; p = 0.04]. Stratified analyses showed a stronger association between medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines and incidence of LEFI among those with body mass index and energy intake below the median value. In conclusion, higher plasma concentrations of medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines were associated with higher risk of LEFI. Given the role of these molecules on mitochondrial transport of fatty acids, our results suggest that bioenergetics dysbalance contributes to LEFI.


Author(s):  
Thomas Bardol ◽  
Regis Souche ◽  
Diane Genet ◽  
Charlotte Ferrandis ◽  
Françoise Guillon ◽  
...  

Cytokine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 155431
Author(s):  
Atakan Tanacan ◽  
Nuray Yazihan ◽  
Seyit Ahmet Erol ◽  
Ali Taner Anuk ◽  
Fatma Didem Yucel Yetiskin ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Bezzio ◽  
Mario Schettino ◽  
Gianpiero Manes ◽  
Paolo Andreozzi ◽  
Ilaria Arena ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Endoscopy plays a fundamental role in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of bowel preparation and colonoscopy in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) patients compared to subjects participating in a colorectal cancer population screening program. Methods Consecutive enrolment of CD and UC patients and screening subjects (SS) undergoing colonoscopy. Bowel preparation was done by split dose of 2 L PEG-ELS + simethicone. We recorded endoscopic, clinical, and demographic features; cleanliness rating using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS); and sedation doses. Bowel-preparation tolerability, discomfort, and pain during colonoscopy were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale from 0 to 100 mm. Results Sixty-three UC (mean age 49.9 ± 14.9 years), 63 CD (mean age 44.0 ± 14.0 years), and 63 SS (mean age 59.9 ± 6.3 years) patients were enrolled. Bowel preparation was similarly tolerated in UC, CD, and SS (P = 0.397). A complete colonoscopy was similarly performed in UC (59/63, 93.7%), CD (58/63, 92.1%), and SS (60/63, 95.2%) (P = 0.364). The BBPS did not show significant differences between UC (6.2 ± 1.6), CD (6.1 ± 1.3), and SS (6.2 ± 1.4) (P = 0.824). The need to increase sedation doses was significantly higher in CD (24/63, 38.1%) and UC (16/63, 25.4%) than in SS (4/63, 6.3%) (P < 0.0001). Conclusions Bowel preparation is equally tolerated and efficacious in IBD patients and in healthy SS. In IBD, higher sedation doses are needed to guarantee an equally tolerated colonoscopy.


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