Speaking under pressure: Low linguistic complexity is linked to high physiological and emotional stress reactivity

What can a speech reveal about someone's state? We tested the idea that greater stress reactivity would relate to lower linguistic cognitive complexity while speaking. In Study 1, we tested whether heart rate and emotional stress reactivity to a stressful discussion would relate to lower linguistic complexity. In Studies 2 and 3, we tested whether a greater cortisol response to a standardized stressful task including a speech (Trier Social Stress Test) would be linked to speaking with less linguistic complexity during the task. We found evidence that measures of stress responsivity (emotional and physiological) and chronic stress are tied to variability in the cognitive complexity of speech. Taken together, these results provide evidence that our individual experiences of stress or “stress signatures”—how our body and mind react to stress both in the moment and over the longer term—are linked to how complex our speech under stress.     

Practice patterns in high-risk bariatric venous thromboembolism prophylaxis

Background

In the morbidly obese population that undergoes bariatric surgery, venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Certain factors place a patient at higher risk for VTE. No consensus exists on VTE screening or prophylaxis for the high-risk patient. This report describes the results of a survey on VTE screening and prophylaxis patterns in high-risk bariatric surgery.

Methods

Members of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) were queried on factors that identified bariatric patients as high risk for VTE and on routine screening and prophylaxis practices. This included mechanical and chemical prophylaxis, duration of therapy, and use of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters.

Results

Of the 385 surgeons who responded to the survey, 81 % were bariatric surgeons, and the majority managed more than 50 cases annually. One or more of the following risk factors qualified patients as high risk: history of VTE, hypercoagulable status, body mass index (BMI) exceeding 55 kg/m², partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO₂) lower than 60 mmHg, and severe immobility. Preoperative screening of patients for VTE was practiced routinely by 56 % of the surgeons, and 92.4 % used preoperative chemoprophylaxis. The most common agent used preoperatively was heparin (48 %), and Lovenox was most commonly used postoperatively (49 %). Whereas 48 % of the patients discontinued chemoprophylaxis at discharge, 43 % continued chemoprophylaxis as outpatients, and 47 % routinely screened for VTE postoperatively. Use of IVC filters was routine for 28 % of the patients, who most commonly removed them after 1–3 months.

Conclusions

This study describes current practice patterns of VTE screening and prophylaxis in high-risk bariatric surgery. Nearly all surgeons agree on risk factors that qualify patients as high risk, but only half routinely screen patients preoperatively. Preoperative VTE chemoprophylaxis is used by nearly all surgeons, but the duration of therapy varies. Use of IVC filters is not routine, and postoperative screening was performed by less than half of the respondents. An understanding of current practice patterns yields insight into the rates of VTE and shows variability in the need for evidence-based prophylaxis and standardized screening.     

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Pregnant Women: 5 States,United States, 2009–2011

Introduction Screening for specific sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during pregnancy has been a longstanding public health recommendation. Prior studies have described associations between these infections and socioeconomic factors such as race/ethnicity and education. Objectives We evaluated the prevalence of STDs and the correlation socioeconomic factors have with the presence of these infections among pregnant women in the United States. Methods We conducted an analysis using self-reported data from 12,948 recently pregnant women from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) in 5 states during 2009–2011. Responses to questions about curable STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis) diagnosed during pregnancy were utilized to calculate weighted STD prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A logistic regression was also conducted to identify maternal socioeconomic characteristics significantly associated with STDs; results are displayed as adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR). The PRAMS protocol was approved at PRAMS participating sites and by CDC’s Institutional Review Board. Results Overall, 3.3% (CI 2.9–3.7) reported?≥?1 curable STD during her most recent pregnancy. The adjusted STD prevalence was higher among women with younger age (aPR, 2.4; CI 1.8–3.4), non-Hispanic black race/ethnicity (aPR, 3.3; CI 2.4–4.1), unmarried status (aPR, 2.1; CI 1.4–3.0), no college education (aPR, 1.4; CI 1.0–1.9), annual income <?$25,000 (aPR, 2.0; CI 1.3–3.2), and no pre-pregnancy health insurance (aPR, 1.4; CI 1.1–1.8). Conclusions for Practice This is the largest study of prevalence of self-reported curable STDs among U.S. pregnant women. Differences in STD prevalence highlight the association between certain socioeconomic factors and the presence of STDs.     

Response to sirolimus in capillary lymphatic venous malformations and associated syndromes: Impact on symptomatology,quality of life,and radiographic response

Background

Capillary lymphatic venous malformations (CLVM) and associated syndromes, including Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) and congenital lipomatous overgrowth, vascular malformation, epidermal nevi, skeletal, and spinal syndrome (CLOVES), are underrecognized disorders associated with high morbidity from chronic pain, recurrent infections, bleeding, and clotting complications. The rarity of these disorders and heterogeneity of clinical presentations make large-scale randomized clinical drug trials challenging. Identification of PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha [gene]) mutations in CLVM has made targeted medications, such as sirolimus, attractive treatment options. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of sirolimus therapy in CLVM.

Procedure

A combined prospective and retrospective cohort of pediatric and young adult patients with CLVM treated with sirolimus was evaluated for disease response, including symptom improvement, quality of life (QOL), and radiologic response. Sirolimus dosing regimens and toxicities were also assessed.

Results

Twenty-nine patients with CLVM, including KTS and CLOVES, were included. Ninety-three percent of patients reported improved QOL, and 86% had improvement in at least one symptom. Most significantly, improvement was noted in 100% of patients with bleeding and 89% with thrombotic complications with corresponding decreases in mean D-dimer (p = .008) and increases in mean fibrinogen (p = .016). No patients had progressive disease on sirolimus. Most common side effects included neutropenia, lymphopenia, infection, and aphthous ulcers/stomatitis. No toxicities were life-threatening, and none required long-term discontinuation of sirolimus.

Conclusion

Sirolimus appears to be effective at reducing complications and improving QOL in patients with CLVM and associated syndromes. In this patient cohort, sirolimus was well tolerated and resulted in few treatment-related toxicities.     

Assessing decision-making capacity at end of life

Objective

Patients with terminal illness often face important medical decisions that may carry ethical and legal implications, yet they may be at increased risk for impaired decisional capacity. This study examined the prevalence of impairment on the four domains of decisional capacity relevant to existing legal standards.

Method

Twenty-four adults diagnosed with a terminal illness completed the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment, a semi-structured measure of decision-making capacity and measures of cognitive functioning and psychological distress.

Results

Approximately one third of the sample demonstrated serious impairment on at least one domain of decisional capacity. The greatest proportion of impairment was found on subscales that rely heavily on verbal abilities. Decisional capacity was significantly associated with cognitive functioning and education, but not with symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Conclusions

This study is the first to examine decisional capacity in patients with terminal illness relative to legal standards of competence. Although not universal, decisional impairment was common. Clinicians working with terminally ill patients should frequently assess capacity as these individuals are called on to make important medical decisions. Comprehensive assessment will aid clinicians in their responsibility to balance respect for patient autonomy with their responsibility to protect patients from harm resulting from impaired decisional capacity.