ISSN:0033-3174    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of a prolonged active coping stressor on the transit of a substance from the mouth through small intestine in normal human volunteers.MethodTwelve healthy undergraduate males were administered 10 g of the nonabsorbable carbohydrate lactulose in two experimental sessions. In normal individuals, lactulose produces hydrogen gas upon exposure to bacteria residing in the colon. Repeated measurements of breath hydrogen were obtained for 2 hours. In one session, subjects rested quietly for the 2-hour period. In the other counterbalanced session, subjects avoided mild electric shocks by playing videogames for the first hour.ResultsStress produced a statistically and clinically significant reduction in mean transit time, from 79 to 55 minutes. The magnitude of stress-induced reduction in small bowel transit time was significantly correlated with change in an index of cardiac sympathetic activity, pulse transit time.ConclusionsA prolonged active coping stressor with minimal motor requirements produced a decrease in small bowel transit time comparable with that observed in several studies of the effects of physical exercise and in comparisons between normal controls and patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

ISSN:0033-3174    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectiveThis exploratory study assessed the prevalence of mood disorders, sexual disorders, and endocrine abnormalities, and explored the relationship between these parameters in a sample of HIV+ women.MethodFifty-four HIV+ women were evaluated with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID) and measures of psychiatric symptom severity, psychological well-being, and sexual problems. Women also provided blood to establish CD4 cell count, serum total testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels.ResultsAlthough overall levels of current Axis I diagnosis were low, Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) was diagnosed in 39% of the women. Forty-eight percent of the sample had deficient testosterone levels (below 20.0 ng/dl) and 27% had deficient DHEAS levels (below 35.0 [micro sign]g/dl). We found no significant relationship between diminished sexual desire and deficient levels of testosterone, DHEAS, or mood disorder diagnoses. However, HSDD was significantly related to more depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction. Women whose perceived risk factor for HIV infection included sexual contact were more than five times more likely to be diagnosed with a new onset HSDD than women who reported intravenous drug use (IVDU) as their only risk factor (47% vs. 9%, respectively).ConclusionsWe observed what seems to be high rates of HSDD and endocrine abnormalities with very low rates of mood disorders. Interestingly, endocrine abnormalities were not associated with low sexual desire. Our findings suggest that there is a significant unmet need for treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder among urban HIV+ women.

ISSN:0033-3174    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectivePostmenopausal status increases some aspects of women's physiological responses to psychological stress; however, the influences of chronic hormone replacement with estrogen and progestogen on these responses are not known. We investigated possible effects of long-term estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), both with and without progestogen, on physiological reactivity to brief laboratory stressors.MethodWe studied three groups of postmenopausal women: 16 on estrogen alone, 14 on estrogen and progestogen, and 25 control participants receiving no replacement therapy. Cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and immune data were collected at baseline and after speech and math tasks.ResultsIn all groups, the stressors reduced vagal cardiac control (indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia); increased heart rate and plasma epinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol levels; and altered T lymphocyte response (measured by mitogen-induced cell proliferation), natural killer cell lysis, and circulating leukocyte subsets. Women on either type of ERT had higher total cortisol levels (reflecting an estrogen effect on cortisol binding globulin) and greater mitogen-induced blastogenesis across measurement periods than controls. They also showed greater vagal withdrawal and less decline in mitogen-stimulated blastogenesis in response to the stressors. Combined estrogen and progestogen was associated with higher epinephrine and lower circulating total lymphocytes, T cells, and CD4+ T cells across measurement periods, and with intermediate levels of vagal withdrawal in response to the stressors.ConclusionsLong-term ERT was associated with enhanced parasympathetic responsiveness to stress, suggesting possible reduced demand for potentially detrimental sympathetic activation; and with higher overall levels and smaller stress-induced reductions of mitogen-stimulated blastogenesis, suggesting up-regulated T cell function.

ISSN:0033-3174    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0033-3174    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectiveNumerous studies have linked stress and negative states to adverse health outcomes. However, in addition to engendering negative states, stress may impair capacities to experience positive states. Such failure to experience positive states may represent a risk factor for poor health in and of itself. The research reported here examines a brief, easily repeated measure of positive states of mind (PSOM) including: focused attention, productivity, responsible caretaking, restful repose, sharing, sensuous nonsexual pleasure, and sensuous sexual pleasure.MethodThe PSOM Scale and measures of psychological distress, stress, and physical symptoms were administered in four independent samples: two samples of college students and two samples of pregnant women, one undergoing a potentially stressful medical procedure (amniocentesis). The relationship between PSOM scores and several conceptually related, but distinct, psychological variables was examined, controlling for the effect of social desirability where necessary.ResultsThe range of scores on the items of the PSOM indicated that impairments of ability to have the relevant experiences did occur in the subjects who were experiencing stress. The overall PSOM Scale score consistently showed an inverse relationship with anxiety and with indicators of stress. In addition, lower scores on the PSOM Scale were associated with more somatic symptomatology.ConclusionThe results provide evidence that positive states of mind are linked to negative psychological states and are responsive to stressful events. The PSOM scale provides a useful, brief measure for research in stress and health.

ISSN:0033-3174    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectivesA previous study found that individuals with blood pressure sensitivity to high sodium intake tend to have a high resting partial pressure of end-tidal CO (2) (PetCO2). The present study analyzed the test-retest reliability of individual PetCO2over 6 months, and the association of individual PetCO2with age, gender, and personality characteristics.MethodsPetCO2of 104 men and women (mean ages 42.1 +/- 1.5 years) was monitored via a respiratory gas monitor for 25 minutes during each of three sessions over an 11-day interval, and 59 subjects also participated in a 25-minute follow-up session 261 +/- 10 days later. Each subject completed the NEO Personality Inventory.ResultsPetCO2remained stable within and between monitoring sessions over a 6-month period. PetCO2was higher in men than in women, and decreased progressively over the life span. PetCO2was not correlated with the Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, or Conscientiousness Scales of the NEO Personality Inventory, but was highly positively associated with the Neuroticism Scale of the NEO Personality Inventory, and with its subscales.ConclusionsHigh resting end-tidal CO2tends to be a stable individual characteristic that is accompanied by a tendency to worry and experience negative emotions.

ISSN:0033-3174    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectiveOxidative stress or free radical activity may contribute to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and other chronic diseases associated with aging. Because psychosocial stress has been shown to increase oxidative stress, we conducted an exploratory study to investigate the effects of stress reduction with the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program on serum lipid peroxide levels in elderly subjects.MethodForty-one normally healthy subjects (aged 56 to 74 years, average 67 years) were recruited from the same Midwest city. Eighteen were long-term practitioners of the TM program (average 16.5 years.). Twenty-three controls were not practicing a formal stress management technique. Venous blood samples were analyzed for lipid peroxides by the TBARS assay. A dietary questionnaire was used to assess fat intake, red meat consumption, antioxidant vitamin supplementation, and smoking. Differences between groups and subgroups were analyzed by t test, and correlations.ResultsSignificantly lower serum levels of lipid peroxides were found in the TM practitioners compared with controls (-15%, p = .026). No significant differences were found between groups on smoking, fat intake, or vitamin supplementation. TM practitioners also had lower red meat consumption but matched subgroup analysis and partial correlations did not confirm a relationship between red meat intake and lipid peroxide levels.ConclusionsThese preliminary findings suggest that lower serum lipid peroxide levels may be associated with stress reduction using the Transcendental Meditation technique. Prospective controlled trials are needed to confirm that this effect is because of TM practice rather than other lifestyle factors, such as diet.

ISSN:0033-3174    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0033-3174    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectiveThis study examines the psychometric properties and clinical utility of a brief diagnostic instrument known as the Self-Rating Scale for PTSD (SRS-PTSD).MethodThe scale was applied to a sample of 136 survivors of a plane crash. We designed SRS-PTSD as an abridged version of the Structured Interview for PTSD (SI-PTSD), which measures the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms from both a current and a lifetime perspective.ResultsThe results indicate that SRS-PTSD and SI-PTSD both show satisfactory internal consistency and interjudge reliability. Furthermore, SRS-PTSD was shown to have sufficient sensitivity and specificity and an adequate likelihood ratio.ConclusionsSRS-PTSD constitutes a good alternative for SI-PTSD, especially for sites with limited clinical resources.

ISSN:0033-3174    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1998

数据来源: OVID