Marcin Jaracz

Temperament profile in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy: a case-control study

Purpose To assess temperament in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) compared to healthy controls. Methods A total of 32 patients diagnosed with acute CSCR and 30 healthy controls matched by age and sex were assessed with the self-report Cloningers Temperament and Character Inventory. Central serous chorioretinopathy was diagnosed based on fluorescein angiography and spectral optical coherence tomography. Results Significantly higher mean scores of harm avoidance in patients with CSCR were found. Differences also were noted in subscales of novelty-seeking and reward dependence. Conclusions The patients with CSCR demonstrated less exploratory behaviors, higher risk avoidance, restraint, and low extravagance. They were more quick-tempered, disorganized, and easily frustrated, with a tendency to avoid negative and potentially harmful stimuli, less tolerance to frustration, higher level of insecurity, and higher level of anticipatory anxiety.

Coping Styles and Alcohol Dependence among Homeless People

Background and Objectives The ways in which homeless individuals cope with stress may differ from those relied upon by the members of the general population and these differences may either be the result or the cause of their living conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the preferred coping style among the homeless and its relationship with alcohol dependence. Methods The study included 78 homeless individuals and involved the collection of demographic, sociological, psychological and medical data from each participant. Coping styles relied upon when dealing with stressful situations were assessed using a Polish adaptation of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations. Alcohol dependence was assessed using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and a quantitative analysis of alcohol consumption. Results Men accounted for 91.93% of the study population. Nearly 75% of the subjects met the alcohol dependence criterion. Significant relationships were observed between the individuals age, preferred coping style and alcohol consumption level. As an individual’s age increased, the use of emotion-oriented coping styles decreased, while an increase in alcohol consumption was associated with a more frequent use of emotion- and avoidance-oriented strategies. Conclusions The findings of this study, similarly to those of many other studies of homeless individuals but investigating other areas (e.g. epidemiology of tuberculosis and traumatic injuries), are an exaggerated representation of associations observed in the general population. The results describe a group of people living on the margins of the society, often suffering from extremely advanced alcoholism, with clear evident psychodegradation. The presence of specific ways of coping with stress related to excessive alcohol consumption in this group of individuals may interfere with active participation in support programmes provided for the homeless and may further exacerbate their problems.

Affective temperament and executive functions in emergency medicine professionals

BACKGROUND Recent studies indicate that choice of profession is related to differences in affective temperament, which is probably due to various predispositions needed to efficiently perform particular professions. The aim of the present study was to assess affective temperament and executive functions in a sample of emergency medicine professionals. METHODS 75 emergency medicine professionals were enrolled in the study. Affective temperament was assessed by means of TEMPS-A. Executive functions were assessed by means of Trail Making Test and Stroop Color Word Interference Test. RESULTS Subjects showed significantly higher rates of hyperthymic, compared to depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperaments. The principal component analysis revealed that hyperthymic temperament contributes to a different factor, than the remaining ones. Higher rates of depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperaments were related to poorer performance in Trail Making Test, whereas hyperthymic temperament had the opposite effect. LIMITATIONS Due to the size of the sample, results of the present study may have lacked power to show all the relationships between tested variables. CONCLUSIONS Hyperthymic temperament promotes efficient performance of complex tasks under time pressure. Depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperaments have the opposite effect. This makes hyperthymic temperament a desirable trait in emergency medicine professionals, performing complex medical tasks under extreme conditions.

Affective temperament in women with functional aphonia.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to assess the affective temperament in women with functional aphonia. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. METHODS Forty-one women with functional aphonia underwent an examination of affective temperament by means of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa and San Diego Autoquestionnaire. RESULTS Compared with the reference group, women with functional aphonia show significantly higher rates of depressive and anxious temperament. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study are concordant with the previous findings, indicating elevated levels of depressive and anxious symptoms in aphonic patients. Implications for the therapy of functional aphonia as well as considerations for further studies are discussed.

Affective temperament, job stress and professional burnout in nurses and civil servants

Introduction The risk of professional burnout is constituted by job-related as well as individual factors. The latter involve affective temperament, which influences the perception of job-related stress. The aim of the present study was to assess the affective temperament, the level of job stress and professional burnout, as well as the relationships between these variables, in public servants and nurses. Material and methods 100 civil servants and 100 nurses were enrolled in the study. Affective temperament and burnout were assessed by means of TEMPS-A and MBI questionnaires, respectively. To measure the level of job-related stress, we have designed a 6-item self-reported questionnaire, which considered stressors common for both professions. Results Compared to the civil servants, nurses showed higher rate of anxious temperament and experienced greater intensity of job-related stress. The groups did not differ in the intensity of burnout symptoms. The rates of cyclothymic and anxious temperaments correlated with the intensity of stress, and burnout symptoms in the group of nurses. Within the civil servants group, the level of stress correlated with intensity of burnout, however no correlations with affective temperament were observed. The regression analysis performed in both groups revealed the significant effect of stress and cyclothymic temperament on burnout, while the effect of anxious temperament was not significant. Conclusions Cyclothymic and anxious temperaments are related to the level of experienced job stress and the risk of burnout. In professions like nursing, where employees show elevated rates of these temperaments, burnout prevention and stress management education is of particular importance.

Cognitive impairment in patients with severe psoriasis

Introduction Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, in which an important role is played by psychological factors. Aim To evaluate the frontal cognitive functions in patients with psoriasis. Material and methods The study included 188 subjects (97 patients with psoriasis and 91 healthy controls). To assess the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex functions, the Trail Making Test and the Stroop test were applied. Severity of psoriasis was assessed by means of the PASI index. Results Compared to healthy subjects, psoriatics scored lower in neuropsychological tests assessing memory and executive functions. Conclusions Cognitive dysfunction disclosed by neuropsychological assessment of frontal functions was evident in patients with psoriasis.

The polymorphisms in serotonin-related genes (5-HT2A and SERT) and the prevalence of depressive symptoms in obese patients

As overweight and obesity are a growing problem in industrialized societies, they become a main focus of many studies. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between the occurrence of polymorphisms in serotonin-related genes and the prevalence of depressive symptoms in obese patients. Two polymorphisms were tested: a 44-bp insertion/deletion in the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene and a single-nucleotide variation (1438G/A) in the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A) gene. The study involved 180 patients (41 men; 139 women) previously diagnosed as obese. All patients were subjected to clinical, biochemical, and neuropsychological evaluation and genotyping. Amplification of the gene fragments was obtained by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Products of the genotyping were separated via electrophoresis. The intensity of depressive symptoms was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D). Clinically relevant depressive symptoms were diagnosed in 39% of subjects. The lowest intensities of depressive symptoms were ascertained in the group with the least advanced obesity, but this trend was statistically insignificant. Small differences were observed in obesity indicators among three groups of patients with various genotypes of the SERT gene, but these differences were also statistically insignificant. Furthermore, in the context of the intensity of depressive symptoms, no significant associations were observed in these two groups. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were observed among specific obesity parameters and intensity of depressive symptoms as a function of the 5-HT2A gene polymorphism. To conclude, depressive symptoms were prevalent in obese participants: 39% of subjects experienced symptoms of clinical relevance. However, no significant associations were observed between 5-HT2A and SERT gene polymorphisms and depressive symptoms in this study group.

Association between COMT Val158Met and DAT1 polymorphisms and depressive symptoms in the obese population

Objectives Depressive symptoms are common among patients with obesity. Abnormalities in dopamine signaling involved in the reward circuit may ensue excessive consumption of food, resulting in obesity and leading to neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. This study sought to investigate the association of polymorphisms in the genes encoding DAT1/SLC6A3 and COMT with the intensity of depressive symptoms in obese subjects. Participants and methods Prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms were assessed in a group of 364 obese patients using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Genetic polymorphisms in DAT1 and COMT were evaluated in peripheral blood samples. Results The results indicated an association between DAT1 alleles and depressive symptoms, as well as severity of obesity. Subjects homozygous for the nine-repeat allele scored higher in BDI (P=0.022) and HDRS (P=0.00001), suggesting higher intensity of depression in both sexes. This allele was also associated with the highest body mass index (BMI; P=0.001). Carriers of the Val158Met allele of COMT scored higher on both depression scales (BDI, P=0.0005; HRDS, P=0.002) and had the highest BMI values. Conclusion Polymorphisms in the DAT1 and COMT genes are associated with a greater intensity of depressive symptoms in the obese population.

P03-71 - Decision making, working memory and executive functions in schizophrenic patients

Introduction Schizophrenia is a disorder related with decline in cognitive functioning. Deficit of working memory and executive functions in schizophrenia is consistently reported. On the other hand, studies of decision making in schizophrenia bring contradictory results. Aims The aim of the study was to assess decision making and executive functions in clinically stable schizophrenic patients. Methods The study included 25 clinically stable schizophrenic patients (7 female, 18 male), aged 31±6 years and 25 age, sex and education years matched healthy controls. Decision making was assessed with Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Working memory and executive functions were assessed with Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and Trail Making Test (TMT). Psychometric asessment was provided with Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS) Results No significant differences in performance on IGT between schizophrenic patients and healthy subjects were found. Schizophrenic patients made more perseverative (t=-4,05; 0,00) and nonperseverative errors (t=-4,35, p=0,002), gave less conceptual level responses (t=-5,35; p=0,00), completed less categories (t=-4,73, p=0,00) and used more cards to complete first category (t=-3,98, p=0,00) in WCST. They also needed more time to complete part A (t=-5,62; p=0,00) and B (t=-4,06; p=0,00) of TMT test. Conclusions No significant differences in performance on IGT between schizophrenic patients and healthy subjects were found. On the other hand, schizophrenic patients performed significantly worse on all measures of WCST as well as in TMT test.

P01-194 Decision making, working memory and executive functions in euthymic bipolar patients

Aims Decision making, as well as working memory and executive functions are among the most significant cognitive processes, associated with prefrontal cortex function. Decision making is associated with the orbitofrontal cortex function. Working memory and executive functions are dependent on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Orbitofrontal, as well as dorsolateral prefrontal cortex dysfunction in bipolar disorder has been reported. The aim of the study was to assess decision making and executive functions in euthymic bipolar patients. Methods The study included 13 euthymic bipolar patients (6 female, 7 male), aged 43±11 years and 11 age, sex and education years matched healthy controls. Decision making was assessed with Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Working memory and executive functions were assessed with Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and Trail Making Test (TMT). Depressive and/ or manic symptoms were measured with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Results Euthymic bipolar patients made more nonperseverative errors (t=2,53, p=0,01), gave less conceptual level responses (t=-2,33, p=0,03), completed less categories (t=-1,66, p=0,005) and used more cards to complete first category (t=1,49, p=0,003) in WCST. They also gained less money in IGT (t=-1,34, p=0,03). Conclusions Bipolar patients performed significantly worse on several measures of WCST. Euthymic bipolar patients gained less money in IGT compared to healthy controls, although no significant differences in responding style in IGT were found.