Rima Styra

SARS control and psychological effects of quarantine, Toronto, Canada.

Explores effects of quarantine on those quarantined for SARS, Toronto, Canadarespiratory syndrome (SARS) was successfully contained globally by instituting widespread quarantine measures. Although these measures were successful in terminating the outbreak in all areas of the world, the adverse effects of quarantine have not previously been determined in a systematic manner. In this hypothesis-generating study supported by a convenience sample drawn in close temporal proximity to the period of quarantine, we examined the psychological effects of quarantine on persons in Toronto, Canada. The 129 quarantined persons who responded to a Web-based survey exhibited a high prevalence of psychological distress. Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression were observed in 28.9% and 31.2% of respondents, respectively. Longer durations of quarantine were associated with an increased prevalence of PTSD symptoms. Acquaintance with or direct exposure to someone with a diagnosis of SARS was also associated with PTSD and depressive symptoms.

Dexmedetomidine versus Propofol Sedation Reduces Delirium after Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background:Postoperative delirium (POD) is a serious complication after cardiac surgery. Use of dexmedetomidine to prevent delirium is controversial. The authors hypothesized that dexmedetomidine sedation after cardiac surgery would reduce the incidence of POD. Methods:After institutional ethics review board approval, and informed consent, a single-blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients 60 yr or older undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients with a history of serious mental illness, delirium, and severe dementia were excluded. Upon admission to intensive care unit (ICU), patients received either dexmedetomidine (0.4 &mgr;g/kg bolus followed by 0.2 to 0.7 &mgr;g kg−1 h−1 infusion) or propofol (25 to 50 &mgr;g kg−1 min−1 infusion) according to a computer-generated randomization code in blocks of four. Assessment of delirium was performed with confusion assessment method for ICU or confusion assessment method after discharge from ICU at 12-h intervals during the 5 postoperative days. Primary outcome was the incidence of POD. Results:POD was present in 16 of 91 (17.5%) and 29 of 92 (31.5%) patients in dexmedetomidine and propofol groups, respectively (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.92; P = 0.028). Median onset of POD was on postoperative day 2 (1 to 4 days) versus 1 (1 to 4 days), P = 0.027, and duration of POD 2 days (1 to 4 days) versus 3 days (1 to 5 days), P = 0.04, in dexmedetomidine and propofol groups, respectively. Conclusions:When compared with propofol, dexmedetomidine sedation reduced incidence, delayed onset, and shortened duration of POD in elderly patients after cardiac surgery. The absolute risk reduction for POD was 14%, with a number needed to treat of 7.1.

Impact on health care workers employed in high-risk areas during the Toronto SARS outbreak

Abstract Background A number of publications focusing on health care workers (HCWs) during a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak have suggested that HCWs experienced psychological distress, particularly increased levels of posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS). Factors contributing to increased distress in HCWs working in high-risk areas treating patients with SARS have not been fully elucidated. The goal of this study was to quantify the psychological effects of working in a high-risk unit during the SARS outbreak. Methods HCWs in a Toronto hospital who worked in high-risk areas completed a questionnaire regarding their attitude toward the SARS crisis along with the Impact of Event Scale—Revised, which screens for PTSS. The comparison group consisted of clinical units that had no contact with patients infected with SARS. Results Factors that were identified to cause distress in the 248 respondent HCWs were the following: (a) perception of risk to themselves, (b) impact of the SARS crisis on their work life, (c) depressive affect, and (d) working in a high-risk unit. In addition, HCWs who cared for only one SARS patient in comparison to those caring for multiple SARS patients experienced more PTSS. Conclusions As expected, HCWs who were working in high-risk units experienced greater distress. Contrary to expectations, HCWs who experienced greater contact with SARS patients while working in the high-risk units were less distressed. This suggests that HCW experience in treating patients infected with SARS may be a mediating factor that could be amenable to intervention in future outbreaks.

The effect of bupropion XL and escitalopram on memory and functional outcomes in adults with major depressive disorder: Results from a randomized controlled trial

Decrements in cognitive function are a common feature of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and whether distinct classes of antidepressants differentially affect memory in these individuals has not been sufficiently evaluated. In this study we sought to determine the effect of escitalopram and bupropion XL on memory and psychosocial function. Forty-one individuals (18-50 years) with MDD were enrolled in an 8-week, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized controlled comparative trial of bupropion XL and escitalopram. Thirty-six participants completed pre and post memory assessments. Verbal, non-verbal and working memory were evaluated with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Psychosocial function was assessed with the Sheehan Disability Scale and Endicott Work Productivity Scale. Escitalopram and bupropion XL significantly improved immediate as well as delayed verbal and nonverbal memory, global function (all p≤0.001), and work productivity (p=0.045), with no significant between-group differences. Improvement in immediate verbal memory exerted a direct influence on improvement in global function (p=0.006). Treatment with either escitalopram or bupropion XL was associated with improvement in memory and psychosocial function in adults with MDD.

Psychological adjustment to familial genetic risk assessment: differences in two longitudinal samples

Heritable cancer risk assessment is an increasingly common method of deriving valuable information relevant to deciding on appropriate screening regimens and preventive treatments. Assessments of heritable risk typically include familial-genetic evaluation, where analyses relate family pedigree to cancer risk, and DNA testing, where analyses indicate genetic mutations associated with cancer risk (e.g., BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations) or their absence. In this paper we report on the psychological responses of women given familial-genetic evaluations for ovarian cancer risk. The baseline and 6 to 12 follow-up assessments of an initial clinic-attending cohort of 65 women are compared with the baseline and 9 to 12 follow-up assessments of a second clinic-attending cohort of 60 women. Sizeable differences were found in the prevalence of clinically significant depression in these two physician or self-referred populations, as assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale and in the mean scores. Hypotheses accounting for these differences are discussed.

Time to Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service Referral as a Predictor of Length of Stay

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the time to referral (TTR) to psychiatric consultation and the length of stay (LOS) after adjusting for medical comorbity. METHODS Using a naturalistic study design, we collected and analyzed inpatient consultation-liaison psychiatry service data over a 12-month period from 2 Canadian hospital sites. Data collected included demographic characteristics, referral characteristics, Charlson Comorbidity Index to measure medical comorbidity severity, psychiatric diagnoses, type of psychiatric intervention, and time variables, namely TTR and LOS. We modeled the relationship LOS and TTR after adjusting for Charlson Index using a 3-component finite mixture of exponential regression models. RESULTS A total of 814 patients were included. The median LOS was 12 days (interquartile range : 4-28 days). Median TTR was 3 days (interquartile range: 1,9), and median Charlson Index was 5 (interquartile range 3,6). Bivariate analysis indicated a strong positive correlation among LOS and TTR (Spearman correlation: 0.77, p < 0.0001) and Charlson Index(Spearman correlation: 0.34, p < 0.0001), respectively. After controlling for Charlson Index, we observe that TTR was significantly associated with LOS in each of the 3 components of the mixture of exponential regression models. Persons with longer TTR have longer expected LOS. Graphical summaries suggest that the mixture of exponential regression model provides a good fit to these LOS response data. CONCLUSIONS Patients with longer TTR had significantly longer LOS. The association between TTR and LOS holds after controlling for severity of medical comorbidity. Our results support the role of integrated and proactive consultation-liaison psychiatry programs aimed at reducing TTR to improve LOS outcomes.

Delirium in Older Cardiac Surgery Patients: Directions for Practice

Delirium affects approximately 20% to 25% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery and is particularly common in older adults. This article reviews the etiology and risk factors for delirium associated with cardiac surgery in older adults. Delirium screening, prevention, and treatment strategies, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies, are presented. Interventions appropriate in both the intensive care unit and

Cerebral oximetry and postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery: a randomised, controlled trial

Postoperative delirium is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We hypothesised that restoration of regional cerebral oxygen desaturation would reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium in elderly patients after cardiac surgery. After institutional ethics review board approval and informed consent, a double‐blinded, prospective, randomised, controlled trial was conducted in patients ≥ 60 years of age undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. In the intervention group, an algorithm was commenced if regional cerebral oxygen saturation decreased below 75% of baseline value for 1 min or longer. In the control group, the cerebral oximetry monitor screen was electronically blinded. Assessment of delirium was performed with confusion assessment method for intensive care unit or confusion assessment method after discharge from intensive care unit at 12‐h intervals for seven postoperative days. Postoperative delirium was present in 30 out of 123 (24.4%) and 31 out of 126 (24.6%) patients in the intervention and control groups, respectively, odds ratio 0.98 (95%CI 0.55–1.76), p = 0.97. Postoperative delirium was present in 20 (71%) out of 28 and in 41 (18%) out of 221 patients with baseline regional cerebral oxygen saturation ≤ 50, or > 50%, respectively, p = 0.0001. Higher baseline regional cerebral oxygen saturation and body mass index were protective against postoperative delirium. Restoration of regional cerebral oxygen desaturation did not result in lower postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery. Pre‐operative regional cerebral oxygen saturation ≤ 50% was associated with increased postoperative delirium rates in elderly patients following cardiac surgery.

The effect of preoperative cognitive impairment and type of vascular surgery procedure on postoperative delirium with associated cost implications

Objective: Postoperative delirium (POD) has a high prevalence among vascular surgery patients, increasing morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. We prospectively studied preoperative risk factors for delirium that can be assessed by the surgical team to identify high‐risk patients and assessed its impact on hospital costs. Methods: There were 173 elective vascular surgery patients assessed preoperatively for cognitive function using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Confusion Assessment Method for POD, which was verified by chart and clinical review. Demographic information, medications, and a history of substance abuse, psychiatric disorders, and previous delirium were prospectively recorded. An accompanying retrospective chart review of an additional 434 (elective and emergency) vascular surgery patients provided supplemental cost information related to sitter use and prolonged hospitalization secondary to three factors: delirium alone, dementia alone, and delirium and dementia. Results: Prospective screening of 173 patients (73.4% male; age, 69.9 ± 10.97 years) identified that 119 (68.8%) had MoCA scores <24, indicating cognitive impairment, with 7.5% having severe impairment (dementia). Patients who underwent amputation had significantly (P < .000) lower MoCA scores (17 of 30) compared with open surgery and endovascular aneurysm repair patients (23.7 of 30). The incidence of delirium was 11.6% in the elective cohort. Regression analysis identified predictors of delirium to be type of surgical procedure, including lower limb amputation (odds ratio [OR], 16.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.41‐71.54; P < .000) and open aortic repair (OR, 5.33; 95% CI, 1.91‐14.89; P < .000); cognitive variables (dementia: OR, 5.63; 95% CI, 2.08‐15.01; P < .001); MoCA scores ≤15, indicating moderate to severe impairment (OR, 6.13; 95% CI, 1.56‐24.02; P = .02); and previous delirium (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.11‐7.96; P = .03). Retrospective review (N = 434) identified differences in sitter needs for patients with both delirium and dementia (mean, 13.6 days), delirium alone (mean, 3.9 days), or dementia alone (mean, <1 day [17.7 hours]). Fifteen patients required >200 hours (8.3 days), accounting for 69.7% of sitter costs for the surgical unit; 43.7% of costs were accounted for by patients with pre‐existing cognitive impairment. Conclusions: POD is predicted by type of vascular surgery procedure, impaired cognition (MoCA), and previous delirium. Costs and morbidity related to delirium are greatest for those with impaired cognitive burden. Preoperative MoCA screening can identify those at highest risk, allowing procedure modification and informed care.

Postoperative Delirium: The Impact of Preoperative Cognitive Impairment, Type of Vascular Procedure, and Cost Implications

Identification of Circulating microRNA Profile in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease and Critical Limb Ischemia Shubha Jain, Hamzah Khan, Sherri Afxentiou, Rawand Abdin, MD, John Harlock, MD, Mark Wheatcroft, MD, Kathryn L. Howe, MD, Krishna Singh, PhD, Mohammad Qadura, MD. Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Internal Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada