Cardiac-disease-induced PTSD (CDI-PTSD): A systematic review

Neuropsychiatric Complications of COVID-19

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To describe the presentation, etiologies, and suggested management of post-acute COVID-19 neuropsychiatric symptoms.

RECENT FINDINGS

Over 30% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 may exhibit cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety that persist for months after discharge. These symptoms are even more common in patients who required intensive care for severe effects of the virus. In addition to the pandemic-related psychological stress, multiple biological mechanisms have been proposed to understand the neuropsychiatric symptoms observed with COVID-19. Given limited research regarding effective interventions, we recommend pharmacologic and behavioral strategies with established evidence in other medically-ill populations. Long-term, neuropsychiatric complications of COVID-19 are common and consequential. Because these are likely to co-occur with other medical problems, patients recovering from COVID-19 are best managed in clinics with highly coordinated care across disciplines and medical specialties. Future research is needed to inform appropriate interventions.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Growth Among Muslim CPR Survivors

The present study was conducted to compare post-traumatic growth (PTG) and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) in CPR survivors in Shia and Sunni. In a cross-sectional study, the results showed that the mean score of PTSD in Sunni (n = 74) was more than that of Shia (n = 89). There was no difference between Shia and Sunni in the mean score of PTG. Regarding the useful role of religion on PTG, the use of religious coping strategies in post-traumatic life-threatening situations can be helpful. It is recommended that further studies be conducted on the cultural, social, and psychological factors affecting PTG and PTSD in different societies.

Broken Heartstrings—Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Psychological Burden after Acute Mitral Regurgitation Due to Chordae Tendineae Rupture

Chordae tendineae rupture (CTR) is a potentially life-threatening cardiac event often resulting in Acute mitral regurgitation (AMR). We assessed Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms in n=21 CTR patients with AMR (age 82.3 ± 4.2 years; 66.7% men) and compared them to n=23 CTR patients with Chronic mitral regurgitation (CMR) and n=35 Myocardial infraction (MI) patients. Regression analyses revealed that PTSD scores were significantly higher in CTR patients with AMR than in CTR patients with CMR or MI patients. CTR patients with CMR had the lowest levels of PTSD-symptoms. Depression and anxiety scores were elevated across all three groups. Our results suggest that psychosocial factors need to be considered in CTR patients’ care.

Cognitive impairment and psychopathology in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors in Denmark: The REVIVAL cohort study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Cognitive impairment and psychopathology caused by brain hypoxia and the traumatic impact of critical illness are common in cardiac arrest survivors and can lead to negative consequences of everyday life functioning, and further impact mental health in relatives. Most studies have dealt with the mere survival rate after cardiac arrest and not with long-term consequences to mental health in cardiac arrest survivors. Importantly, we face a gap in our knowledge about suitable screening tools in the early post-arrest phase for long-term risk prediction of mental health problems. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel screening procedure to predict risk of disabling cognitive impairment and psychopathology 3 months after cardiac arrest. Furthermore, the study aims to evaluate long-term prevalence of psychopathology in relatives.

METHODS AND ANALYSES

In this multicentre prospective cohort study, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors and their relatives will be recruited. The post-arrest screening includes the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Acute Stress Disorder Interview (ASDI) and is conducted during hospitalisation. In a subsample of the patients, functional MRI is done, and cortisol determination collected. At 3-month follow-up, the primary study outcomes for 200 survivors include the Danish Affective Verbal Learning Test-26 (VAMT-26), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System tests (trail making, colour-word interference, word and design fluency), Rey's Complex Figure and Letter-number sequencing subtest of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV, HADS and IES-R. For the relatives, they include HADS and IES-R.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study is approved by the local regional Research Ethics Committee (H-18046155) and the Danish Data Protection Agency (RH-2017-325, j.no.05961) and follows the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and may impact the follow-up of cardiac arrest survivors.

Associations between Trauma Exposure and Physical Conditions among Public Safety Personnel: Associations entre l'exposition à un traumatisme et les problèmes physiques chez le personnel de la santé publique

BACKGROUND

Trauma exposure is associated with adverse health-related correlates, including physical comorbidities, and is highly prevalent among public safety personnel (PSP). The current study (1) examined the association between context of index trauma exposure (part of job vs. other) and physical conditions and (2) established the prevalence of physical conditions according to PSP category (e.g., police, paramedic) and index trauma type (e.g., serious accident, physical assault) in a large Canadian sample of PSP.

METHODS

PSP completed an online survey between September 2016 and January 2017. Multivariable logistic regressions examined associations between context of index trauma exposure (i.e., part of job vs. other) and physical condition categories. Cross-tabulations with chi-square analyses examined whether the prevalence of physical conditions significantly differed according to PSP category and index trauma type.

RESULTS

There were 5,267 PSP included in the current study. Results from the most stringent model of logistic regressions demonstrated that, compared to PSP who experienced their index trauma in any other context, PSP who experienced it as part of their job had reduced odds of "other" physical conditions (adjusted odds ratio = 0.73, 95% confidence interval, 0.57 to 0.94, P < 0.05). Results also revealed significant differences in the prevalence of physical conditions across all PSP categories and select index trauma types.

CONCLUSION

Results highlight the relevance of trauma exposure outside of an occupational context among PSP and may have implications for the positive impact of stress inoculation and resiliency training programs for PSP.

What Do We Know About Young Adult Cardiac Patients' Experience? A Systematic Review

Background: Studies interested in patients coping with a cardiac illness usually focus on children, teenagers, and adults above the age of 55. Apart from the field of congenital heart diseases, there is a general lack of literature regarding young adult cardiac patients (18-55 years old) who seem to cope with psychosocial issues. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to gather all the research carried out concerning the psychological experiences of young adult cardiac patients. Methods and Results: A comprehensive, systematic review was conducted on quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies in PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library databases. Out of the 10,747 articles found, 32 were included. While we aimed to include many cardiac diseases, coronary patients dominated the data. Five main themes emerged: emotional states (depression, anxiety, emotional distress, and stress), quality of life (health-related quality of life, physical functioning, and sexuality), adjusting to the medical environment (coping with the disease, health behavior change, financial barriers, and interactions with medical professionals), social life (social support and work), and identity (parenthood, new challenges, and new meanings). The results highlighted that their levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life were sometimes worse than in the general population and than in older and younger patients coping with a cardiac illness. Social isolation, identity changes, work, and parenthood were the specific challenges that this population had to face. Furthermore, young adult cardiac patients showed worse health behavior profiles than the general population and felt that they lacked information from professionals, especially regarding sexuality. Compared to men, women had worse psychosocial outcomes, especially regarding depression, stress, emotional distress, and quality of life. Conclusions: Young adult cardiac patients are to be considered with their own identity and challenges. They may be in need of specific interventions, some dedicated to women, and better communication is necessary with their families and professional caregivers so as to improve the patient's mental health, quality of life, coping skills, and adherence.

Protocol for the development and validation of a measure of persistent psychological and emotional distress in cardiac patients: the Cardiac Distress Inventory

INTRODUCTION

Distress is experienced by the majority of cardiac patients, yet no cardiac-specific measure of distress exists. The aim of this project is to develop and validate the Cardiac Distress Inventory (CDI). Using the CDI, health professionals will be able to identify key clusters of psychological, emotional and social concern to address with patients, postcardiac event.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

An item pool will be generated through: identification of items by a multidisciplinary group of clinician researchers; review of generic and condition-specific distress measures; focus group testing with cardiac rehabilitation professionals; feedback from patients. The COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) criteria will be used to inform the development of the methodology for determining the CDI's psychometric properties. The item pool will be tested with 400 cardiac patients and responses subjected to exploratory factor analysis, Rasch analysis, construct validity testing and latent class analysis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis will be used to identify the optimal CDI cut-off score for distinguishing whether a person experiences clinically significant distress.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Approved by the Monash Health Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number-RES-19-0000631L-559790). The CDI will be made available to clinicians and researchers without charge. The CDI will be translated for use internationally. Study findings will be shared with cardiac patient support groups; academic and medical communities via publications and presentations; in the training of cardiac secondary prevention professionals; and in reports to funders. Authorship for publications will follow the uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivorship: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Cardiac arrest systems of care are successfully coordinating community, emergency medical services, and hospital efforts to improve the process of care for patients who have had a cardiac arrest. As a result, the number of people surviving sudden cardiac arrest is increasing. However, physical, cognitive, and emotional effects of surviving cardiac arrest may linger for months or years. Systematic recommendations stop short of addressing partnerships needed to care for patients and caregivers after medical stabilization. This document expands the cardiac arrest resuscitation system of care to include patients, caregivers, and rehabilitative healthcare partnerships, which are central to cardiac arrest survivorship.

Interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms induced by medical events: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Medical events such as myocardial infarction and cancer diagnosis can induce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The optimal treatment of PTSD symptoms in this context is unknown.

METHODS

A literature search of 6 biomedical electronic databases was conducted from database inception to November 2018. Studies were eligible if they used a randomized design and evaluated the effect of treatments on medical event-induced PTSD symptoms in adults. A random effects model was used to pool data when two or more comparable studies were available.

RESULTS

Six trials met full inclusion criteria. Studies ranged in size from 21 to 81 patients, and included patients with PTSD induced by cardiac events, cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, and stem cell transplantation. All trials assessed psychological interventions. Two trials comparing a form of exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with assessment-only control found that CBT resulted in lower PTSD symptoms [Hedges's g = -0.47, (95% CI -0.82 - -0.12), p = .009]. A third trial compared imaginal exposure (another form of exposure-based CBT) with an attention control and found a trend toward reduced PTSD symptoms. Three trials compared eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) with active psychological treatments (imaginal exposure, conventional CBT, and relaxation therapy), and found that EMDR was more effective.

CONCLUSION

CBT and EMDR may be promising approaches to reducing PTSD symptoms due to medical events. However, additional trials are needed in this patient population.

Traumatic Stress, Attachment Style, and Health Outcomes in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients

OBJECTIVE

Research on psychosocial risk factors in cardiovascular disease (CVD) has identified traumatic stress and attachment style as independent risk factors for the development of CVD and poor prognosis for those with established CVD. Exploring the interrelationships between these variables will inform psychosocial risk factor modeling and potential avenues for intervention. Therefore, the hypothesis that attachment style is related to health outcomes among CR patients and that traumatic stress mediates this relationship was tested.

METHODS

Patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program (n = 201) completed validated self-report measures of traumatic stress and attachment style at baseline (program intake). Health outcomes were assessed at baseline and 3 months, including anxiety, depression, quality of life, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and cholesterol (HDL ratio). Multivariate structural equation modeling was used to fit the data.

RESULTS

Of the 201 participants, 42 (21%) had trauma scores indicating the probable presence of posttraumatic stress disorder. Via greater levels of traumatic stress, greater attachment anxiety at baseline was indirectly related to greater anxiety, depression, fasting blood glucose, and HbA1c, and poorer physical and mental quality of life. There were no significant indirect effects on HDL ratios.

CONCLUSION

Greater attachment anxiety predicted greater traumatic stress; this, in turn, predicted poorer health outcomes. Screening and treatment for these constructs in CVD patients is warranted.

Sex differences in factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder in acute type A aortic dissection patients

BACKGROUND

Emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is associated with a high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the risk factors for PTSD symptoms development in AAAD patients of different sexes remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the risk factors for PTSD symptoms separately in the females and males following AAAD.

METHODS

A sample population of 214 patients who had AAAD surgery was recruited. Patients' sociodemographic and disease-specific data were collected during hospitalization.

RESULTS

In this study, PTSD symptoms was present in 22.1% of the male patients and 20.0% of the female patients (P = 0.739). For the male patients with AAAD, PTSD symptoms were significantly positively associated with HADS-D score (P = 0.029), while those with university education and above (P = 0.039), stronger subjective support (P = 0.010) and greater optimism (P = 0.001) had significantly lower possibility for the presence of PTSD symptoms. For the female patients with AAAD, support availability (P = 0.031) was significantly negatively associated with PTSD symptoms while HADS-D score (P = 0.033) was significantly positively associated with PTSD symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Risk factors for PTSD symptoms differ in male patients and female patients following AAAD.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Heart Failure Patients: A Test of the Cardiac Disease-induced PTSD Hypothesis

Background:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in approximately 12% of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and such patients are at risk of further CVD morbidity and mortality. It is unknown whether CVD patients with cardiac and non-cardiac traumatic events leading to PTSD differ in medical comorbidities and psychiatric vulnerabilities. Our objective was to compare heart failure (HF) patients with cardiac and non-cardiac PTSD.

Method:

A population of HF patients from 3 hospitals underwent a two-step depression and anxiety screening process to identify potential mental health treatment needs. The post-traumatic stress disorder module of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I disorders was used to classify trauma(s) exposure, and other disorders. The patients with PTSD were sub-divided by cardiac related traumas (e.g. myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac arrest) and non-cardiac related traumas (e.g. sexual abuse, interpersonal violence).

Results:

10 patients met criteria for non-cardiac trauma and 18 patients met criteria for cardiacinduced trauma. There were no significant differences in HF aetiology or severity nor cardiac comorbidities. Time since PTSD, onset was significantly longer for those with non-cardiac PTSD. Among psychiatric comorbidities, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, as well as depression were more prevalent in patients with non-cardiac PTSD.

Conclusion:

Cardiac related PTSD was associated with less alcohol and substance abuse disorders, and depression by comparison to their non-cardiac induced PTSD counterparts. Ongoing research is required to establish if cardiac-induced PTSD truly reflects a unique subtype of PTSD, and whether there are different treatment needs and therapeutic approaches for this subtype.

Understanding the association between posttraumatic stress disorder characteristics and physical health conditions: A population-based study

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly comorbid with a range of physical health conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the association between index trauma and PTSD symptom clusters with physical health conditions, among individuals with PTSD in a population-based sample. Data were analyzed from the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III; N = 36,309). Past-year PTSD (n = 1779) was assessed using a clinical interview in accordance with DSM-5 criteria. Multiple logistic regression models examined the associations between PTSD symptom clusters and index trauma with physical health conditions. Results of the most stringent model, adjusting for sociodemographics, other psychiatric conditions, and other PTSD symptom clusters, indicated re-experiencing symptoms were associated with cardiovascular and endocrine/metabolic conditions (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) range: 1.18-1.33) and negative alterations in mood and cognition symptoms were associated with sleep disorder (AOR = 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.04-1.30], p = .009). Results also demonstrated significant associations between life-threatening illness with cancer, digestive, and neurologic conditions (AOR range: 2.10-3.42) and life-threatening injury with musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions (AOR range: 1.76-2.04). Finally, significant associations emerged between psychological trauma with musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions (AOR range: 0.48-0.66), and other trauma with digestive conditions and anemia (AOR range: 0.38-0.47). Results suggest PTSD symptomatology and index trauma play a differential role in their association with variable physical health conditions. Results may inform screening practices and targeted interventions to mitigate risk of PTSD and physical health conditions.

Early interventions to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in survivors of life-threatening medical events: A systematic review

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) induced by life-threatening medical events has been associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes, but it is unclear whether early interventions to prevent the onset of PTSD after these events are efficacious. We conducted a systematic review to address this need. We searched six biomedical electronic databases from database inception to October 2018. Eligible studies used randomized designs, evaluated interventions initiated within 3 months of potentially traumatic medical events, included adult participants, and did not have high risk of bias. The 21 included studies (N = 4,486) assessed a heterogeneous set of interventions after critical illness (9), cancer diagnosis (8), heart disease (2), and cardiopulmonary surgery (2). Fourteen psychological, 2 pharmacological, and 5 other-type interventions were assessed. Four of the psychological interventions emphasizing cognitive behavioral therapy or meaning-making, 1 other-type palliative care intervention, and 1 pharmacological-only intervention (hydrocortisone administration) were efficacious at reducing PTSD symptoms relative to control. One early, in-hospital counseling intervention was less efficacious at lowering PTSD symptoms than an active control. Clinical and methodological heterogeneity prevented quantitative pooling of data. While several promising interventions were identified, strong evidence of efficacy for any specific early PTSD intervention after medical events is currently lacking.

Bringing close others to the emergency department for an acute coronary event is associated with increased patient perception of threat

OBJECTIVE

Relationship quality is one of the most consistent psychosocial predictors of physical and mental health. Yet, little research examines relationship types or support within the immediate context of acute health events. We tested the unexplored role that close others play in patients' experience of threat during evaluation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the Emergency Department (ED), as well as the indirect effect of close others on ACS-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

METHOD

Participants were 871 patients evaluated for ACS at an urban academic ED (60.86 years old; 54.08% male; 56.37% Hispanic, 19.86% Black, 16.65% White). Threat perceptions were assessed in-ED and median 3 days later. ACS-induced PTSD was assessed median 41 days later using the PTSD checklist cued to a specific stressor. Non-overlapping categories were created representing close others in the ED (i.e., spouse/significant other, child), non-close others (e.g., neighbor), or no one.

RESULTS

Patients who brought close others recalled experiencing greater threat in the ED: vs. no one, b = 0.11, p = .072; vs. non-close others, b = 0.16, p = .030. There was no direct effect of close others on ACS-induced PTSD; however, recalled threat mediated the effect of close others on development of ACS-induced PTSD, ps < .05.

CONCLUSIONS

Close others were associated with recalling greater threat during ED evaluation, which predicted ACS-induced PTSD. ACS-induced PTSD is associated with medication nonadherence, event recurrence, and mortality, highlighting the need to develop a greater understanding of the impact stressful medical environments have on patients and close others.

The impact of psychological distress on long-term recovery perceptions in survivors of cardiac arrest

PURPOSE

To determine the association of depressive and PTSD symptoms with cardiac arrest survivors' long-term recovery perceptions, after accounting for cognitive status, functional independence, and medical comorbidities.

METHODS

Perceived recovery of 78 cardiac arrest survivors at 6-months post-hospital discharge was assessed through the question, "Do you feel that you have made a complete recovery from your arrest?" Psychological symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) and the PTSD Checklist-Specific (PCLS). Logistic regression was utilized to assess the association between psychological symptoms with positive and negative recovery perceptions, adjusting for demographics, cognitive impairment, functional dependence, and medical comorbidities.

RESULTS

At 6 months, 53% of patients (n = 41) had negative recovery perceptions. 32.1% (n = 25) of patients screened for depression and 28.2% (n = 22) for PTSD. Patients with higher CES-D scores were significantly more likely to have negative recovery perceptions in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses (OR: 1.10, 95% CI [1.03, 1.16], p < .01). PCL-S scores were significantly associated with negative recovery perceptions in an unadjusted model (OR: 1.05, 95% CI [1.01, 1.10], p < .01), but not after adjustment of covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast with cognitive and functional measures, depressive symptoms were strongly associated with cardiac arrest survivors' negative recovery perceptions at 6-months post-discharge.

A challenge for psychocardiology: Addressing the causes and consequences of patients' perceptions of enduring somatic threat

The enduring somatic threat (EST) model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to life-threatening medical events suggests that PTSD-like symptoms represent patients' sensitization to cues of ongoing threat in the body. In this article, we review research on the prevalence and consequences of such reactions in cardiovascular disease patients, discuss early tests of the EST model, and then report a new test of the EST model in 143 patients enrolled during their first acute coronary syndrome (ACS; i.e., non-ST elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina-colloquially, "heart attack"). Invasive coronary revascularization procedures are commonly used to reduce secondary ACS risk and may reduce patients' EST, as revascularized patients often report being "cured." We assessed ACS patients' initial threat perceptions during emergency department (ED) evaluation and followed them for 1 month for PTSD symptoms (specific for ACS, by telephone). We compared PTSD symptoms in participants who were revascularized (n = 65), catheterized but not revascularized (n = 35), and medically managed (n = 43). PTSD symptoms were lower for revascularized versus medically managed participants (B = -5.32, 95% confidence interval [-9.77, -0.87]), t(98.19) = -2.37, p = .020. In a multiple regression model adjusted for clinical and psychosocial covariates, the interaction of threat perception in the ED and ACS management group was significant (greater ED threat predicted greater 1-month PTSD symptoms only in medically managed participants). These findings offer further support for the EST model and suggest that psychological interventions to preempt patients' development of EST should be considered in the hospital. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

The intriguing relationship between coronary heart disease and mental disorders

Coronary heart disease (CHD) and mental illness are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Decades of research has revealed several, and sometimes surprising, links between CHD and mental illness, and has even suggested that both may actually cause one another. However, the precise nature of these links has not yet been clearly established. The goal of this paper, therefore, is to comprehensively review and discuss the state-of-the-art nature of the epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of the bidirectional links between mental illness and CHD. This review demonstrates that there exists a large body of epidemiological prospective data showing that people with severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, as a group, have an increased risk of developing CHD, compared with controls [adjusted hazard ratio (adjHR)=1.54; 95% CI: 1.30-1.82, P<0.0001]. Anxiety symptoms or disorders (Relative Risk (RR)=1.41, 95% CI: 1.23-1.61, P<0.0001), as well as experiences of persistent or intense stress or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (adjHR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.08-1.49), although to a lesser degree, may also be independently associated with an increased risk of developing CHD. On the other hand, research also indicates that these symptoms/mental diseases are common in patients with CHD and may be associated with a substantial increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Finally, mental diseases and CHD appear to have a shared etiology, including biological, behavioral, psychological, and genetic mechanisms.

Psychiatric sequelae of cardiac arrest

This manuscript summarizes the literature on mental health outcomes after cardiac arrest. Survivors of cardiac arrest show high rates of mental illness with more than 40% suffering from anxiety, 30% from depression, and 25% from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health outcomes may differ depending on the setting in which the cardiac arrest occurred. A major problem is reduced neuropsychological functioning. Between 30% and 50% of survivors of cardiac arrest suffer from cognitive deficits. Deficits of attention, declarative memory, executive function, visual-spatial abilities, and verbal fluency have been observed. As a result of numerous psychopathological symptoms (depression in 14% to 45%, anxiety in 13% to 61%, and PTSD in 19% to 27%) and reduced cognitive functioning (about 20% to 60%), relevantly reduced quality of life is observed in about 20% of cardiac arrest survivors.

An Examination of the Association Between Post-traumatic Growth and Stress Symptomatology in Cardiac Outpatients

This study examined the association between post-traumatic growth (PTG), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and trauma-related factors in cardiac outpatients. Participants recruited from four cardiology clinics between November 2014 and July 2015 (N = 52, 69.2% men, M_age = 65 years) completed self-assessments of PTG and PTSD along with demographic, cardiac health index, and trauma-related factors. In total, 75% of the sample endorsed their cardiac event as traumatic, while 17.2% reported their cardiac event as their 'worst trauma'; those endorsing the latter did not significantly differ from those endorsing 'other traumas' as their worst. Chi-square analyses indicated that the lifetime traumas of experiencing loss or abandonment, witnessing trauma, and experiencing a natural disaster were significantly related to PTG factors of new possibilities, relating to others, and spirituality. Bivariate correlations on all PTSD symptom clusters and factors of PTG revealed the strongest associations between the PTG factors of spiritual change and appreciation of life. Lifetime PTSD symptoms, duration of negative reactions, and re-experiencing symptoms were found to be significantly associated with higher PTG, and a unique independent effect emerged with avoidance symptoms. Our results suggest that PTG may be associated with particular facets of PTSD symptomatology.

Development and Validation of a Measure to Assess Patients' Threat Perceptions in the Emergency Department

OBJECTIVE

Threat perceptions in the emergency department (ED; e.g., patients' subjective feelings of helplessness or lack of control) during evaluation for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are associated with the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and PTSD has been associated with medication nonadherence, cardiac event recurrence, and mortality. This study reports the development and validation of a seven-item measure of ED threat perceptions in English- and Spanish-speaking patients evaluated for ACS.

METHODS

Participants were drawn from an observational cohort study of 1,000 patients evaluated for ACS between 2013 and 2016 in a large New York City hospital. Participants reported on threat perceptions in the ED and during inpatient stay (using 12 items previously identified as predictive of PTSD) and reported on cardiac-induced PTSD 1 month postdischarge. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to establish the factor structure and test measurement invariance. Validity and reliability were examined, as was the association of ED threat perceptions with cardiac-induced PTSD.

RESULTS

Factor analyses identified a seven-item measure of ED threat perceptions (e.g., "I feel helpless," "I am worried that I am going to die") for both English- and Spanish-speaking patients. ED threat perceptions demonstrated convergent validity, correlating with ED stress and ED crowdedness (r = 0.29 and r = 0.14), good internal consistency (α = 0.82), and stability (r = 0.61). Threat perceptions were associated with cardiac-induced acute stress at inpatient and PTSD symptoms at 1 month (r = 0.43 and r = 0.39).

CONCLUSIONS

This brief tool assessing ED threat perceptions has clinical utility for providers to identify patients at risk for developing cardiac-induced PTSD and is critical to inform research on whether threat may be modified in-ED to reduce PTSD incidence.

Patterns of peritraumatic threat perceptions in patients evaluated for suspected acute coronary syndrome according to prior and current posttraumatic stress symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Prior posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and elevated threat perceptions predict posttraumatic psychopathology after evaluation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but most research has measured threat retrospectively. We investigated how threat perceptions during ACS evaluation in the emergency department (ED) and upon recall were associated with posttraumatic psychopathology burden due to prior trauma and the suspected ACS.

METHODS

Perceived threat was assessed in the ED, and ED threat recall was assessed upon inpatient transfer/discharge, along with acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms due to suspected ACS and PTSD symptoms due to prior trauma. The sample comprised 894 participants (mean age = 60.7 ± 13.1 years; 46.8% female; 56.3% Hispanic; 20.5% Black). One-way ANOVAs examined how those with consistent posttraumatic psychopathology (prior PTSD/ASD; 14.8%), prior posttraumatic psychopathology (prior PTSD/no ASD; 6.8%), new-onset posttraumatic psychopathology (no PTSD/ASD; 15.7%), or no posttraumatic psychopathology (no PTSD/no ASD; 62.8%) differed in threat perception, threat recall, and their discrepancy.

RESULTS

Threat perception scores ranged from 6 to 24. Participants with consistent posttraumatic psychopathology had higher threat perceptions (M = 14.01) than those with prior posttraumatic psychopathology (M = 12.02) and new-onset posttraumatic psychopathology (M = 12.21) (ps ≤ 0.001); the latter two did not differ significantly but had higher threat perceptions than those with no posttraumatic psychopathology (M = 9.84) (p < .001). Similar results were observed for threat recall (p < .001). The new-onset posttraumatic psychopathology group also had a greater increase in perceived threat versus the no posttraumatic psychopathology group (p = .06). Results were similar adjusting for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessing threat perceptions during ACS evaluation and hospitalization may help identify those at risk for emotional difficulties post-ACS.

Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms characterize cardiac arrest survivors' perceived recovery at hospital discharge

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms, not cognitive or functional impairment, are associated with cardiac arrest survivors' negative recovery perceptions at hospital discharge.

METHODS

Prospective observational cohort of cardiac arrest patients admitted between 9/2015-5/2017. Survival to discharge with sufficient mental status to complete a psychosocial interview was the main inclusion criterion. Perceived recovery was assessed through the question, "Do you feel that you have made a complete recovery from your arrest?" The following measures were examined as potential correlates of perceived recovery: Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, Modified Lawton Physical Self-Maintenance Scale, Barthel Index, Modified Rankin Scale, Cerebral Performance Category, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D), and PTSD Checklist-Specific (PCL-S). Logistic regression evaluated associations between perceived recovery and potential correlates of recovery.

RESULTS

64/354 patients (58% men, 48% white, mean age 52 ± 17) were included. 67% (n = 43) had a negative recovery perception. There were no differences among patients' cognitive and functional domains. In individual models, patients with higher PCL-S and CES-D scores were more likely to have a negative recovery perception after adjusting for age and gender (OR: 1.2, 95% CI [1.1, 1.4], p = 0.003) and (OR: 1.1, 95% CI [1.0, 1.1], p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Within one month after a cardiac arrest event, survivors' negative recovery perceptions are associated with psychological distress.

Comorbidity in illness-induced posttraumatic stress disorder versus posttraumatic stress disorder due to external events in a nationally representative study

OBJECTIVE

The current study compared physical and mental health characteristics and quality of life of illness-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) versus those with PTSD due to external traumatic events in a population-based sample.

METHOD

PTSD was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule (AUDADIS-5) using DSM-5 criteria in the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Participants with past-year PTSD (n = 1779) were categorized into two groups: illness-induced (6.5%) and other trauma-induced PTSD (92.9%) based on index trauma. Group differences in physical health, mental health, and quality of life were estimated using multiple logistic and linear regressions with adjustment for demographics and medical morbidity.

RESULTS

Compared to PTSD due to external events, illness-induced PTSD had higher rates of life-threatening illness in the past year. Illness-induced PTSD compared to PTSD due to external events was associated with reduced odds of depressive/bipolar disorders and antisocial personality disorder, but increased odds of cannabis use disorder. The groups did not differ on quality of life after accounting for medical morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Illness-induced PTSD is common among American adults and has a similar impact on quality of life as PTSD due to external events, but may have distinct mental health correlates.

Cardiac-disease-induced PTSD and Fear of illness progression: Capturing the unique nature of disease-related PTSD

According to Edmondson's Enduring Somatic Threat (EST) Model of PTSD Due to Acute Life-Threatening Medical Events, the nature of PTSD in the context of illness may differ from the nature of "traditional" PTSD in that it includes future-oriented alongside past-related intrusive thoughts. Yet almost no empirical studies to date have assessed the putative future-oriented quality of cardiac-disease-induced PTSD (CDI-PTSD). In the current study, we assessed the hypothesized associations between CDI-PTSD and fear of illness progression (FoP) - a novel theoretical conceptualization of patients' future-related anxieties. We hypothesized that FoP would be positively associated with CDI-PTSD, and especially with its specific items of intrusive thoughts. Patients (N = 112) were interviewed three months post-hospitalization for an acute coronary event via use of the PSS-SR-5 (to assess PTSD symptomatology), the FoP-Q-SF (to assess fear of illness progression), and the HADS (to assess anxiety and depression levels). Results indicated a strong positive association between CDI-PTSD and FoP, even when controlling for anxiety and depression. As hypothesized, the concepts of CDI-PTSD and fear of illness progression were strongly associated both at the level of the clusters as well as at the level of the specific items. The current study provides an initial empirical validation of the EST Model, especially regarding the future-oriented nature of PTSD resulting from acute cardiovascular disease.

Post-traumatic stress reactions among individuals with visual impairments: a systematic review

Purpose: To conduct a systematic review of post-traumatic stress reactions among individuals with visual impairment (VI). Materials and methods: Qualitative and quantitative studies were identified through searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Libraries. The literature search was limited to humans, of English and Scandinavian languages and publication year between 1980 and 2017. Study quality was assessed for all the included studies and extracted data were synthesized using narrative analysis. Results: Of 4235 records identified through literature search, eleven were included in the analyses. Results from the qualitative studies illustrated multiple physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive manifestations of trauma. Four out of five quantitative studies showed that various types of potentially traumatic events were significantly associated with mental health adversities (p < 0.05). The prevalence of post-traumatic mental disorders was 4-21.2% for depression, 0.9% for dysthymia, and 32% for substance misuse. The quality of the reviewed studies was considered low to moderate. Conclusion: Traumatic experiences appear to have a great impact on the mental health in people with visual impairment (VI) and these results highlight their need for mental health care. Future studies with higher methodological rigor are recommended. Implications for rehabilitation Visual impairment entails a greater susceptibility to some types of potentially traumatic events, especially threats in everyday life. This calls for a greater emphasis on safe community environments and universal design in public spaces. In rehabilitation after serious accidents or potentially traumatic events, professionals working with people with vision impairment should be aware of the different manifestations of post-traumatic stress responses and that some stress responses may cause additional disability. The high prevalence of traumatic events and their impact on mental health in individuals with visual impairments highlights a need of mental health care.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in patients who rule out versus rule in for acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Many patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the experience. Less is known about risk for PTSD in patients who rule out for ACS. Our objective was to compare the risk of developing PTSD among patients who rule out versus rule in for ACS.

METHODS

We enrolled a consecutive sample of 1000 patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) with symptoms of a probable ACS. We assessed presenting ACS symptoms in the ED. We determined whether presenting symptoms were due to a confirmed ACS or another etiology by chart review. We assessed PTSD by telephone 1 month after discharge using the PTSD Checklist specific for the suspected ACS event (PCL-S). We used logistic regression to determine the association of ruling out versus ruling in for ACS with a positive PTSD screen (PCL-S ≥ 32), adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, depression, trauma history, and pre-existing PTSD.

RESULTS

Approximately two-thirds of patients (68.2%) ruled out for ACS. Compared to confirmed ACS patients, patients who ruled out had similar presenting symptoms, and similar risk of screening positive for PTSD (18.9% versus 16.8%; p = 0.47; adjusted OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.69-2.00; p = 0.55).

CONCLUSIONS

ED presentation with ACS symptoms was sufficient to trigger a positive PTSD screen whether the etiology was due to a life-threatening ACS or another etiology. Patients who present with ACS symptoms should be considered for interventions to prevent PTSD after hospitalization, regardless of symptom etiology.

The role of perceived threat during emergency department cardiac evaluation and the age-posttraumatic stress disorder link

Evaluation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can trigger posttraumatic stress symptoms (PSS). Research suggests that younger, versus older, individuals may be at elevated risk for PSS after ACS evaluation. It has been proposed that younger individuals may be at greater risk because they perceive the suspected ACS event as more threatening than their older counterparts; however, this has yet to be tested. We examined whether perceived threat during ACS evaluation mediated the association between age and PSS after ACS evaluation in an observational cohort study of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected ACS. Demographics and perceived threat were assessed in the ED. PSS were measured upon inpatient transfer or by phone 3 days later. The analytic sample comprised 871 adult participants. Multiple linear regression was used to examine (1) associations of age and perceived threat with PSS and (2) whether perceived threat mediated the association. Bootstrapping with percentile-based confidence intervals (CIs) was used to test the indirect effect. Each year of age was associated with lower PSS (b = - 0.12, p < .001), independent of covariates. Older age was associated with lower perceived threat during ACS evaluation (b = - 0.05, p < .001). Greater threat perceptions predicted greater PSS (b = 0.94, p < .0001). The indirect effect (- 0.04) was statistically significant (95% CI - 0.07, - 0.02). Younger, versus older, individuals are at risk for greater PSS after ACS evaluation, and elevated perceived threat partially mediated this association. Understanding age differences in PSS development risk and the potential impact of age on threat perceptions may help inform ED treatment.

Cardiac patients' perceptions of neighboring patients' risk: influence on psychological stress in the ED and subsequent posttraumatic stress

Background

As many as 12% of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients screen positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms due to their cardiac event, and emergency department (ED) factors such as overcrowding have been associated with risk for PTSD. We tested the association of patients’ perceptions of their proximity to a critically ill patient during ED evaluation for ACS with development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PSS) in the month after hospital discharge.

Methods

Participants were enrolled in the REactions to Acute Care and Hospitalization (REACH) study during evaluation for ACS in an urban ED. Participants reported whether they perceived a patient near them was close to death. They also reported their current fear, concern they may die, perceived control, and feelings of vulnerability on an Emergency Room Perceptions questionnaire. One month later, participants reported on PTSD symptoms specific to the cardiac event and ED hospitalization.

Results

Of 763 participants, 12% reported perceiving a nearby patient was likely to die. In a multivariate linear regression model [F(9757) = 19.69, p < .001, R² adjusted = .18] with adjustment for age, sex, GRACE cardiac risk score, discharge ACS diagnosis, Charlson comorbidity index, objective ED crowding, and depression symptoms at baseline, perception of a nearby patients’ likely death was associated with a 2.33 point (95% CI, 0.60–4.61) increase in 1 month PTSD score. A post hoc mediation analysis with personal threat perceptions [F(10,756) = 25.28, p < .001, R² adjusted = .24] showed increased personal threat perceptions during the ED visit, B = 0.71 points on the PCL per point on the personal threat perception questionnaire, β = 0.27, p = .001, fully mediated association of participants’ perceptions of nearby patients’ likely death with 1-month PTSD score (after adjustment for ED threat perceptions,) B = 0.89 (95% CI, −1.33 to 3.12), β = 0.03, p = .43, accounting for 62% of the adjusted effect and causing the main effect to become statistically nonsignificant.

Conclusions

We found patients who perceived a nearby patient was likely to die had significantly greater PTSD symptoms at 1 month. Awareness of this association may be helpful for designing ED patient management procedures to identify and treat patients with an eye to post-ACS psychological care.