Vital Exhaustion and Markers of Low-Grade Inflammation in Healthy Adults: The Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study.
Vital Exhaustion and Markers of Low-Grade Inflammation in Healthy Adults: The Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study.
Stress Health. 2013 Mar 8;
Hoekstra T, Barbosa-Leiker C, Twisk JW
This study analyses distinct trajectories of vital exhaustion (VE; a measure of mental health incorporating signs of stress and depression) over a period of 15?years in healthy adults and investigates further the consequences for markers of low-grade inflammation as indicators of cardiovascular disease risk. Data of 341 participants of the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study were utilized. VE was measured by the Maastricht Questionnaire. Markers of low-grade inflammation included interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumour necrosis factor-?. Distinct trajectories of VE were obtained by latent class growth models, and consequences for markers of low-grade inflammation of the trajectories were analysed by linear regressions. We found comparable trajectories of VE for men and women; a ‘never vitally exhausted’ subgroup (16.9% and 25.1%, respectively), a ‘stable preclinical VE’ subgroup (51.7% and 68.1%) and a ‘chronic VE state’ subgroup (31.5% and 6.7%). The subgroups had similar levels of the markers investigated. This study is the first to analyse VE longitudinally in healthy adults and indicates that although distinct trajectories of VE were identified, differential consequences for cardiovascular disease risk were unapparent. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. HubMed – depression
[Are Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Heart Failure Influenced by Improvement of Cardiological Treatment?]
Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol. 2013 Mar 8;
Schöner P, Horstkotte D, Piper C
Psychological symptoms are common in patients with heart disease. Objective of this study was to analyse the effects of somatic factors on anxiety and depression in hospitalised patients with heart failure. We examined 150 patients by short-term interview and standardized questionaire (HADS-D) and performed a written survey 3 months later. In 47% of the patients signs of anxiety and in 30% signs of depression were present. Increased heart failures severity was associated with increased rates of anxiety and depression. 3 months after hospital discharge the percentage of patients who reported symptoms of anxiety had decreased, the percentage of depressive female patients had increased. The course of anxiety and depression was not affected by cardiologic treatment. Patients with severe signs of anxiety and/or depression should receive specific diagnostics and therapy. HubMed – depression
[A Short Version of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-15): Dimensionality and Psychometric Properties in a Representative Sample of the German Population.]
Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol. 2013 Mar 8;
Spangenberg L, Romppel M, Bormann B, Hofmeister D, Brähler E, Strauß B
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) is a commonly used measure of narcissism. This study administered a 15 item short version of the NPI (NPI-15). Central aims of the present study were to examine its dimensionality, and to provide data on its psychometric properties. NPI-15 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) were assessed in a representative sample of the German population (N=2,512). According to Scree-plot and model fit, a solution with 2 or 3 factors seemed feasible. Because of factor loadings and item-level associations to depression/anxiety we decided to favour a 2-factor-solution. 2 subscales reflecting different facets of narcissism were compiled (leadership ability/personality [LA/LP], grandiosity [G]). The psychometric properties of these scales were good (LA/LP) respectively unsatisfactory (G). The validity of the NPI-15 needs to be further studied. HubMed – depression