Marko Martinac

Serum lipid concentrations in Croatian veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder,post-traumatic stress disorder comorbid with major depressive disorder,or major depressive disorder.

The aim of this study was to assess eventual differences in serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio between veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) only or comorbid with major depressive disorder (MDD), veterans with combat experiences with MDD, and healthy control group. PTSD and/ or MDD were diagnose according to structured clinical interview based on DSM-IV criteria. Additional criteria to diagnose PTSD were Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and to diagnose MDD Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRAS). Serum lipid concentrations were determined by using the enzyme-assay method. Veterans with combat-related PTSD as well as veterans with combat-related PTSD comorbid with MDD showed significantly higher concentrations of cholesterol (F=9.858, p<0.01), triglycerides (F=10.112, p<0.01), LDL-C (F=11.145, p<0.01), and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (F=8.346, p<0.01) vs. veterans with MDD or healthy control group. Contrary healthy control group and veterans with MDD showed significantly higher concentrations of HDL-C (F=8.421, p<0.01), vs. veterans with PTSD or PTSD comorbid with MDD. In conclusion, there are no differences in serum lipid concentrations between veterans with combat-related PTSD and PTSD comorbid with MDD, but they have higher lipid concentrations than veterans with MDD or healthy control subjects.

Platelet serotonin and serum cholesterol concentrations in suicidal and non-suicidal male patients with a first episode of psychosis

Suicidal behavior is a major health risk in psychiatric disorders, especially in schizophrenia, wherein up to 10% patients will commit suicide. However, the neurobiology of suicide is still unclear. Suicidality has been related to decreased central serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) function and reduced cholesterol levels. Platelet 5-HT has been used as a peripheral marker of the central serotonergic synaptosomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum cholesterol and platelet 5-HT concentrations in suicidal and non-suicidal men in the first episode of psychosis and in healthy male controls. Venous blood samples were collected within 24 h of admission, and serum cholesterol and platelet 5-HT were determined enzymatically and fluorimetrically. Platelet 5-HT and serum cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in suicidal than in non-suicidal patients in the first episode of psychosis, and also lower than in healthy controls. Our results suggest that lower concentrations of serum cholesterol and platelet 5-HT in patients with a first episode of psychosis might be useful biological markers of suicidality.

Serum lipid levels and suicidality among male patients with schizoaffective disorder

Suicidal behavior in schizoaffective disorder is a serious problem and suicide risk during lifetime ranges between 5%-10%. Neurobiology of suicidal behavior has not been studied sufficiently, and a high number of studies are oriented toward lipid investigation. The aim of our study was to investigate whether there were differences in the level of lipids (cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides) in hospitalized suicidal (n=20) and non-suicidal (n=20) patients with schizoaffective disorder. The study also included male healthy control subjects (n=20). Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used to confirm the level of psychopathology in patients with schizoaffective disorder. Severity of suicidality was measured by Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI) at time of admission. Results of the study indicated significantly lower concentrations of cholesterol (p<0.001), LDL-cholesterol (p<0.01) and HDL-cholesterol (p<0.01). There were no differences in the number of previous hospitalization and previous suicide attempts between suicidal and non-suicidal patients (p>0.05). Duration of the illness was significantly (p<0.05) shorter in suicidal patients. Suicidal patients also had a significantly higher score on HDRS-17 (p<0.001) and PANSS (p<0.01) compared to non-suicidal patients.

Increase of serum triiodothyronine concentration in soldiers with combat-related chronic post-traumatic stress disorder with or without alcohol dependence

SummaryBackgroundPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a relatively new psychiatric disorder with three clusters of symptoms: trauma re-experiencing, avoidance, and increased arousal. The condition develops after a person sees, is involved in, or hears of an extreme traumatic stressor such as war, torture, natural catastrophe, assault, rape, or serious accident. PTSD is also often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders, especially with alcohol dependence. Several hormonal alterations have been reported in veterans with combatrelated PTSD, including elevations in certain thyroid hormones, e.g., total T3; however, previous studies have not controlled for alcohol dependence, a common comorbid psychiatric disorder in this population.ObjectiveThe first aim of our study was to assess possible differences in basal serum levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxine (FT4), total thyroxine (TT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in Croatian soldiers with combat-related chronic PTSD alone or comorbid with alcohol dependence and in healthy controls. The second purpose of the study was to determine any correlation between duration of combat activities, number of combat traumas, intensity and duration of PTSD symptoms, and serum levels of TT3, FT3, TT4, FT4, and TSH in this sample.MethodWe analyzed basal serum FT3, TT3, FT4, TT4, and TSH concentrations in soldiers with combat-related chronic PTSD (N=43), combat-related chronic PTSD comorbid with alcohol dependence (N=41), and in healthy controls (N=39) using a luminoimmunochemical assay.ResultsSoldiers with chronic combat-related PTSD with or without comorbid alcohol addiction had significantly higher values of TT3 than the control group (F=19.556, p<0.01). There was a significant correlation between TT3 levels and number of traumatic events in both the PTSD group (r=0.663, p<0.01) and those with PTSD comorbid with alcohol dependence (r=0.836, p<0.01). There was also a significant correlation between TT3 levels and symptoms of increased arousal in both PTSD (r=0.419, p<0.01) and PTSD comorbid with alcohol dependence (r=0.516, p<0.01).ConclusionElevated concentrations of serum TT3 are associated with combat-related PTSD, regardless of its comorbidity with alcohol dependence, and also with the number of traumatic events and symptoms of increased arousal. Given that current pharmacotherapy for PTSD is inadequate, reduction of TT3 may be a new strategy for pharmacologic intervention that could contribute to more effective treatment of this disorder.

Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Personality Types with Success in School

A number of indicators show that success in school depends on many factors, and more and more studies shows the significant influence of emotional intelligence and personality type. The aim of this study was to determine personality type and the level of emotional intelligence in students and to explain correlation with their high school success. The study included 4th grade students of the High School Fra Dominik Mandic Siroki Brijeg and Secondary Medical School Sisters of Charity in Mostar. There were 202 (77.69%) male and 58 (22.31%) female students. To measure general properties of emotional intelligence we used Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQ) and Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) as an objective test for multidimensional personality analysis. Considering the expression of the general personality characteristics, statistically significant differences were found. Examinees achieved the highest result on the anxiety, and the lowest on the independence scale. Also, expression of primary personality characteristics was examined on sample of High School students. The highest result among examinees was achieved on self-sufficiency scale and the lowest on judgment scale. According to expression of general personality characteristics, it was shown that students with average grade of excellent are more successful on non-sentimental scale when compared to students with average grade of good. Also, students with better average grades had lower scores on sensitivity and tension scale. Statistically significant positive correlation was established among non-sentimental and academic success, and negative correlation between anxiety, playfulness, vulnerability, fear, openness to change and tension with academic success.

The Significance of Thallium-201-Chloride SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in the Management of Patients With Stable Chronic Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) can be evaluated for myocardial viability by examining reverse redistribution of Thallium-201 (201TI) through cardiac scintigraphy. There is limited knowledge about association of a reverse redistribution with favorable cardiac outcomes. In this study, we hypothesized that higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), lower myocardial necrosis, fewer ischemic events, and less angina will be associated with reverse redistribution of 201TI imaging. Methods: Adult patients with stable CAD included in this study underwent exercise-redistribution Thallium single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and were followed for one year. LVEF and regional wall motion abnormalities were evaluated with echocardiography, exercise duration by bicycle testing, and myocardial ischemia and viability by Thallium SPECT. Results: We studied 159 patients (87 men, 72 women, median age 60 years, range: 38-84) with well-developed collaterals. Those with reverse redistribution on SPECT (n = 61, 38.3%) had significantly better exercise tolerance (⩾85%; P < .001). Subjects with reverse redistribution had better LVEF (P < .001), wall motion parameters (P < .001), a lower degree of myocardial necrosis (P < .05), less angina during follow-up (P = .02), and fewer ischemic events whether treated with OMT or PCI (P < .001). Conclusions: Reverse redistribution of 201Tl on scintigraphic images is a predictor of myocardial viability. Evidence from our study suggests that optimally treated chronic CAD patients with reverse redistribution may have lower likelihood of future adverse cardiovascular events and better prognosis.

HBV and HCV serological monitoring among injection drugs users in opiate substitution treatment in Bosnia and Herzegovina

INTRODUCTION Use of intravenous heroin carries a risk of serious medical conditions, including acquiring blood-borne infections. Therefore, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represent a threat for people who inject drugs (PWID). The objectives of this study were to determine the extent and characteristics of risk factors for acquiring HBV and HCV infection in PWID included in opiate substitution treatment in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). METHODOLOGY The study included 120 adult PWID of both sexes who participated in opiate substitution treatment. All participants were interviewed, and their blood samples were tested for the presence of the surface hepatitis B virus antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV). Prevalence data were obtained and compared to the serological status. RESULTS HBsAg prevalence among PWID was 0.8% (1/120), whereas seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 52.5% (63/120). PWID exposed to risk-behavior factors (such as unsafe sexual activity, serving prison sentence, and tattooing) were more frequently anti-HCV positive. Sharing drug paraphernalia was found to be the most significant risk factor. The highest predictive values for acquiring HCV-infection were attributed to PWID who used heroin for more than three years and who were unmarried. CONCLUSIONS HBsAg prevalence among PWID is rare (0.8%), while HCV-infection (52.5%) presents an important health and social issue among PWID in B&H. Sharing drug paraphernalia and intravenous heroin use longer than three years were the most prominent risk-behavior factors among the patients we investigated.