Mary Princip

Adverse childhood experiences and autonomic regulation in response to acute stress: the role of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

ABSTRACT Background and objectives: After a previous report demonstrated blunted heart rate (HR) reactivity in association with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) [Voellmin, A., Winzeler, K., Hug, E., Wilhelm, F. H., Schaefer, V., Gaab, J., … Bader, K. (2015). Blunted endocrine and cardiovascular reactivity in young healthy women reporting a history of childhood adversity. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 51, 58–67. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.09.008], the present analysis aimed at clarifying the role of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system in this relationship. Design and Methods: One hundred eighteen healthy young women provided data on ACEs and underwent psychosocial stress testing. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA, quantified by high-frequency HR variability) were assessed as measures of sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiovascular activity, respectively. A mediation model was calculated to test the indirect effects of ACEs on HR via SBP and RSA. Results: The effect of ACEs on HR reactivity was mediated by SBP reactivity but not by RSA reactivity. ACEs were associated with reduced SBP at rest. Conclusions: ACEs were associated with down-regulation in a measure of sympathetic but no alteration in a measure of parasympathetic cardiovascular stress reactivity in adulthood. Future research will need to clarify whether this indicates risk or resilience.

Perception of a hectic hospital environment at admission relates to acute stress disorder symptoms in myocardial infarction patients

OBJECTIVE Hospital crowding is a public health problem that may impact on the quality of medical treatment and increase the risk of developing traumatic stress, e.g., after myocardial infarction (MI). This study examines whether subjective appraisal of crowding at hospital admission due to MI is associated with acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms. METHOD We investigated 102 consecutive patients with acute MI within 48h after having reached stable circulatory conditions. The appraisal of crowding was measured by the retrospective assessment of the perception of a hectic hospital environment at admission. Furthermore, patients completed the Acute Stress Disorder Scale to rate the psychological stress reaction. RESULTS The perception of a hectic hospital environment was associated with the development of ASD symptoms (r=0.254, P=.013) independently of demographic, peritraumatic and medical factors. Post hoc analysis revealed associations with dissociative (r=0.211, P=.041), reexperiencing (r=0.184, P=.074) and arousal (r=0.179, P=.083) symptoms. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that, besides objective circumstances, the way hospital admission due to MI is perceived by the patient may influence the development of MI-triggered ASD symptoms. The psychological and physiological long-term outcomes of the perception of a hectic hospital environment and the role of preventive interventions need further examination.

Resilience as a correlate of acute stress disorder symptoms in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives Myocardial infarction (MI) may be experienced as a traumatic event causing acute stress disorder (ASD). This mental disorder has an impact on the daily life of patients and is associated with the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. Trait resilience has been shown to be a protective factor for post-traumatic stress disorder, but its association with ASD in patients with MI is elusive and was examined in this study. Methods We investigated 71 consecutive patients with acute MI within 48 h of having stable haemodynamic conditions established and for 3 months thereafter. All patients completed the Acute Stress Disorder Scale and the Resilience Scale to self-rate the severity of ASD symptoms and trait resilience, respectively. Results Hierarchical regression analysis showed that greater resilience was associated with lower symptoms of ASD independent of covariates (b=−0.22, p<0.05). Post hoc analysis revealed resilience level to be inversely associated with the ASD symptom clusters of re-experiencing (b=−0.05, p<0.05) and arousal (b=−0.09, p<0.05), but not with dissociation and avoidance. Conclusions The findings suggest that patients with acute MI with higher trait resilience experience relatively fewer symptoms of ASD during MI. Resilience was particularly associated with re-experiencing and arousal symptoms. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of resilience as a potentially important correlate of ASD in the context of traumatic situations such as acute MI. These results emphasise the importance of identifying patients with low resilience in medical settings and to offer them adequate support.

Early Psychological Counseling for the Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Induced by Acute Coronary Syndrome: The MI-SPRINT Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and clinically significant PTSD symptoms (PTSS) are found in 4 and 12% of patients, respectively. We hypothesized that trauma-focused counseling prevents the incidence of ACS-induced PTSS. Methods: Within 48 h of hospital admission, 190 patients with high distress during ACS were randomized to a single-session intervention of either trauma-focused counseling or an active control intervention targeting the general role of stress in patients with heart disease. Blind interviewer-rated PTSS (primary outcome) and additional health outcomes were assessed at 3 months of follow-up. Trial results about prevalence were compared with data from previous studies on the natural incidence of ACS-induced PTSS/PTSD. Results: Intention-to-treat analyses revealed no difference in interviewer-rated PTSS between trauma-focused counseling (mean, 11.33; 95% Cl, 9.23-13.43) and stress counseling (9.88; 7.36-12.40; p = 0.40), depressive symptoms (6.01, 4.98-7.03, vs. 4.71, 3.65-5.77; p = 0.08), global psychological distress (5.15, 4.07-6.23, vs. 3.80, 2.60-5.00; p = 0.11), and the risk for cardiovascular-related hospitalization/all-cause mortality (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.37-1.23). Self-rated PTSS indicated less beneficial effects with trauma-focused (6.54; 4.95-8.14) versus stress counseling (3.74; 2.39-5.08; p = 0.017). The completer analysis (154 cases) confirmed these findings. The prevalence rates of interviewer-rated PTSD (0.5%, 1/190) and self-rated PTSS were in this trial much lower than in meta-analyses and observation studies from the same cardiology department. Conclusions: Benefits were not seen for trauma-focused counseling when compared with an active control intervention. Nonetheless, in distressed ACS patients, individual, single-session, early psychological counseling shows potential as a means to prevent posttraumatic responses, but trauma-focused early treatments should probably be avoided.

Early Psychological Counseling for the Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Induced by Acute Coronary Syndrome: The MI-SPRINT Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and clinically significant PTSD symptoms (PTSS) are found in 4 and 12% of patients, respectively. We hypothesized that trauma-focused counseling prevents the incidence of ACS-induced PTSS. Methods: Within 48 h of hospital admission, 190 patients with high distress during ACS were randomized to a single-session intervention of either trauma-focused counseling or an active control intervention targeting the general role of stress in patients with heart disease. Blind interviewer-rated PTSS (primary outcome) and additional health outcomes were assessed at 3 months of follow-up. Trial results about prevalence were compared with data from previous studies on the natural incidence of ACS-induced PTSS/PTSD. Results: Intention-to-treat analyses revealed no difference in interviewer-rated PTSS between trauma-focused counseling (mean, 11.33; 95% Cl, 9.23-13.43) and stress counseling (9.88; 7.36-12.40; p = 0.40), depressive symptoms (6.01, 4.98-7.03, vs. 4.71, 3.65-5.77; p = 0.08), global psychological distress (5.15, 4.07-6.23, vs. 3.80, 2.60-5.00; p = 0.11), and the risk for cardiovascular-related hospitalization/all-cause mortality (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.37-1.23). Self-rated PTSS indicated less beneficial effects with trauma-focused (6.54; 4.95-8.14) versus stress counseling (3.74; 2.39-5.08; p = 0.017). The completer analysis (154 cases) confirmed these findings. The prevalence rates of interviewer-rated PTSD (0.5%, 1/190) and self-rated PTSS were in this trial much lower than in meta-analyses and observation studies from the same cardiology department. Conclusions: Benefits were not seen for trauma-focused counseling when compared with an active control intervention. Nonetheless, in distressed ACS patients, individual, single-session, early psychological counseling shows potential as a means to prevent posttraumatic responses, but trauma-focused early treatments should probably be avoided.

Association of Trait Resilience With Peritraumatic and Posttraumatic Stress in Patients With Myocardial Infarction.

Objective Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a life-threatening condition, leading to immediate fear and distress in many patients. Approximately 18% of patients develop posttraumatic stress disorder in the aftermath of MI. Trait resilience has shown to be a protective factor for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder. However, whether this buffering effect has already an impact on peritraumatic distress and applies to patients with MI is elusive. Methods We investigated 98 consecutive patients with acute MI within 48 hours after having reached stable circulatory conditions and 3 months thereafter. Peritraumatic distress was assessed retrospectively with three single-item questions about pain, fear, and helplessness during MI. All patients completed the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS) and the Resilience Scale to self-rate posttraumatic stress and trait resilience. Results Multivariate models adjusting for sociodemographic and medical factors showed that trait resilience was not associated with peritraumatic distress, but significantly so with posttraumatic stress. Patients with greater trait resilience showed lower PDS scores (b = −0.06, p < .001). There was no significant relationship between peritraumatic distress scores and PDS scores; resilience did not emerge as a moderator of this relationship. Conclusions The findings suggest that trait resilience does not buffer the perception of acute MI as stressful per se but may enhance better coping with the traumatic experience in the longer term, thus preventing the development of MI-associated posttraumatic stress. Trait resilience may play an important role in posttraumatic stress symptoms triggered by medical diseases such as acute MI.

C-reactive protein as a predictor of posttraumatic stress induced by acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may cause clinically relevant posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS). An inflammatory state might be one mechanism linking PTSS with poor prognosis after ACS. We tested the hypothesis that a change in C-reactive protein (CRP) between hospital admission and 3-month follow-up is an independent predictor of ACS-triggered PTSS. METHODS We assessed 183 patients (median age 59 years; 84% men) with verified myocardial infarction (MI) within 48 h of an acute coronary intervention and three months post-MI for self-rated PTSS. 14 (7.7%) patients fulfilled definition criteria for PTSS caseness. CRP values were categorized according to the predicted risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) at hospital admission (acute inflammatory response): 0 to <5 mg/L, 5 to <10 mg/L, 10 to <20 mg/L, and ≥ 20 mg/L; and at 3-month follow-up (low-grade inflammation): 0 to <1 mg/L, 1 to <3 mg/L, and ≥ 3 mg/L. Additionally, in a subsample of 84 patients with CRP levels below 20 mg/L at admission, CRP values were log-transformed. RESULTS After adjustment for covariates, less of a reduction or an increase of log CRP values between admission and 3-month follow-up predicted PTSS caseness (OR 6.25, 95% CI 1.25, 31.38), and continuous PTSS (unstandardized B = 0.21, 95% CI 0.07, 4.19; p = 0.043). Less reduction in CRP risk categories predicted both PTSS caseness (OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.89, 9.06) and continuous PTSS (B = 1.80, 95% CI 1.09, 2.51; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Persistently heightened inflammation seems to be predictive for the development of PTSS three months after ACS, so interventions to lower inflammation might be warranted.

Relation of sleep disturbances to neuroendocrine and coagulation activity in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background: Sleep problems predict incident cardiovascular events and mortality. Whether sleep also affects cardiovascular prognosis and through which mechanisms is less clear. We evaluated the relationship of a clinical risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia symptoms with neuroendocrine and coagulation activity in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods: Within 48 h of an acute coronary intervention, 190 patients (mean age 60 years, 82.6% male) were interviewed to assess OSA risk (STOP screening tool) and sleep difficulties (Jenkins Sleep Scale). Concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and von Willebrand factor were measured in plasma/serum. Multivariate models linking sleep to neuroendocrine and coagulation outcomes were controlled for demographic factors, health behaviors, comorbidity and cardiac-related variables, and mutually adjusted for OSA risk and sleep difficulties. Results: A high risk of OSA was identified in 40.5% of patients, and sleep difficulties on more than seven days in the previous four weeks were reported by 27.4% of patients. Compared to those with a low OSA risk, patients with a high OSA risk had lower epinephrine (p = 0.015), norepinephrine (p = 0.049) and cortisol (p = 0.001) levels, independently of covariates. More sleep difficulties were associated with higher fibrinogen (p = 0.037) and lower norepinephrine (p = 0.024) levels, with difficulties initiating, respectively maintaining sleep, driving these relationships. OSA risk was not significantly associated with coagulation activity. Conclusions: Sleep problems may relate to neuroendocrine and coagulation activity in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The pattern of relationships is not uniform for OSA and sleep difficulties and even varies between individual sleep difficulties.

Are Inflammatory Cytokines Associated with Pain during Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective: Pain and inflammation during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been associated with the development of posttraumatic stress disorder and may also impact negatively on somatic outcome. We investigated the relationship between pain during AMI and levels of circulating proinflammatory (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-33 and tissue growth factor [TGF]-β1) cytokines. Methods: Data were collected as part of the Myocardial Infarction - Stress Prevention Intervention (MI-SPRINT) study. We included 140 patients (mean age 59.6 years, 82.1% male) with high acute psychological distress within 48 h after MI. Fasting blood samples were drawn thereafter to measure cytokine levels. Sociodemographic factors, psychological and medical data, as well as cardiometabolic markers were assessed with questionnaires and patient interviews. Results: Linear regression models showed a significant positive correlation of pain with TGF-β1 (b = 770.91, p = 0.031) and a significant inverse correlation of pain with IL-33 (b = -0.11, p = 0.015) after controlling for age, gender, body mass index, lifetime depression, acute stress disorder symptoms, and the prognostic Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score. Pain was not associated with IL-6 but with the GRACE score (b = 0.01, p = 0.003). Pain showed no significant association with TNF-α. Conclusion: Pain during MI was associated with anti- but not proinflammatory cytokines. As IL-33 has been shown to be cardioprotective, lower IL-33 levels with more intense pain may suggest a pathway through which increased pain during MI may have an impact on the medical prognosis.

A picture paints a thousand words: Heart drawings reflect acute distress and illness perception and predict posttraumatic stress symptoms after acute myocardial infarction

The aim of this study was to examine whether heart drawings of patients with acute myocardial infarction reflect acute distress symptoms and negative illness beliefs and predict posttraumatic stress symptoms 3 months post-myocardial infarction. In total, 84 patients aged over 18 years drew pictures of their heart. The larger the area drawn as damaged, the greater were the levels of acute distress (r = 0.36; p < 0.05), negative illness perceptions (r = 0.42, p < 0.05), and posttraumatic stress symptoms (r = 0.54, p < 0.01). Pain drawings may offer a tool to identify maladaptive cognitions and thus patients at risk of posttraumatic stress disorder.