BackgroundSymptoms of mental stress are a hallmark of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that just testing for COVID-19 could act as an effective stressor for persisting symptoms of mental distress including posttraumatic stress disorder. Our study aimed to determine whether personal beliefs on individual control and competence (locus of control, LoC) correlate with symptoms of mental distress and positive screening for post-traumatic stress disorder during a 9-month observational period.MethodsBetween March and December 2021, we applied online versions of the Questionnaire on Competence and Control Expectations (FKK), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Score (DASS), the Short Screening Scale for DSM-IV Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and a medical history questionnaire for COVID-19 symptoms (visit 1). 48 hours after negative COVID-19 testing, DASS was repeated to address relief effects on mental distress (visit 2). Following 90 days (visit 3), development of mental distress was addressed by a combination of DASS and PTSD, while the possible long-term manifestation of PTSD was evaluated 9 months later (visit 4).ResultsAt visit 1, 7.4 percent of the total sample (n = 867) demonstrated a positive screening for PTSD, while after nine months (at visit 4), 8.9 percent of the remaining sample (n = 204) had positive screening results. The mean age was 36.2 years; 60.8% were women, 39.2% men. In contrast to individuals with negative PTSD screening, these participants demonstrated a significantly different LoC personality profile. This was confirmed by the results of both DASS and the COVID-19 medical history questionnaire.ConclusionFollowing testing for COVID-19, individuals with positive long-term PTSD screening present with significantly different personality traits than those w/o suggesting that self-confidence and effective control over one’s own actions serve as a protective function against mental distress.
Background and objective Hyponatremia and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) are associated with and can be caused by tuberculosis (TB) through meningitis by locally invading the hypothalamus, adrenal, or pituitary glands or possibly through ectopic ADH production. This study assessed the association of TB mortality with hyponatremia and SIADH in a large cohort of a university hospital in Austria. Methods This retrospective study enrolled patients with hyponatremia and patients diagnosed with TB from 01/2001-11/2019 to assess the prevalence of TB in hyponatremia and TB morbidity and mortality in patients with and without hyponatremia. Sex, age, microbiological results, laboratory tests and comorbidities were analysed and used to calculate survival rates. Results Of 107.532 patients with hyponatremia (0.07%) and 186 patients with TB (43%), 80 patients were diagnosed with both—hyponatremia and TB. Only three TB patients had SIADH, precluding further SIADH analysis. In hyponatremia, young age and high CRP levels showed significant associations with TB diagnosis (p<0.0001). Survival rates of patients diagnosed with TB with moderate to profound hyponatremia were significantly lower than those without hyponatremia (p = 0.002). Conclusion In this study of a large cohort from a tertiary care hospital in a non-endemic area of TB, 0.07% of patients presenting with hyponatremia, but especially younger patients and patients with high CRP values, were diagnosed with TB. Crucially, patients with moderate to profound hyponatremia had a significantly higher mortality rate and thus required increased medical care.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.