Positive and negative effects of trauma in patients after myocardial infarction: the role of type D personality

Background: Experiencing a myocardial infarction threatens the health and life of the patient; therefore, it can be perceived as a traumatic event. Indeed, myocardial infarction may result in negative consequences, including symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it is also possible to experience positive effects from traumatic events, which is expressed as posttraumatic growth. Personality characteristics, including type D (i.e., distressed) personality, are among several factors that have been shown determine the occurrence of negative and positive consequences after exposure to trauma. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to establish the role of distressed personality in the occurrence of negative and positive effects of trauma resulting from myocardial infarction. Material and methods: The study included a total of 80 patients after myocardial infarction. Sixty-three patients aged 43–85 years (M=67, SD=10.76) were included in the final analysis. The majority of respondents were men (61.9%). Patients completed a survey with three standardized measurement tools: the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and the Type D Scale (DS-14). Results: Negative affectivity was positively associated with PTSD symptoms, and this association was strongest for negative changes in cognition or mood. Social inhibition was not associated with PTSD symptoms, except for increased arousal and reactivity. Both dimensions of type D personality were positively related to one factor of posttraumatic growth: changes in the spiritual sphere. Conclusions: Reducing the severity of negative affectivity may decrease PTSD symptoms and thus contribute to improved psychosocial functioning among patients who have experienced myocardial infarction

Selected risk factors for ischemic heart disease and the success of treatment in patients with STEMI myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention

Background: Coronary heart disease is one of the most common causes of hospitalization and premature deaths in Europe. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been a clinical problem for many years, particularly in the aspect of choosing the optimal treatment method. The success of treatment is determined by many factors, including risk factors for ischemic heart disease, time between onset of symptoms and initiation of treatment, number and degree of coronary stenosis, and many more. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for ischemic heart disease affecting the success of STEMI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Material and methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out on data from medical records of patients treated in the Department of Acute Coronary Syndromes of St. Hedvig Provincial Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszow between 2009 and 2014. The research tool used in this paper was the author’s questionnaire. A total of 508 patients with STEMI myocardial infarction treated in the Department of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) between 2009 and 2013 were included in the analysis. The inclusion criteria were the complete and clear files of patient treatment in the ACS department between 2009 and 2013 due to acute coronary syndrome treated invasively by the PCI method. Results: Majority of the study group, 334 subjects, (65.7%) had hypertension. The most common risk factors for ischemic heart disease were found to be dyslipidemia in 176 subjects (34.6%) and smoking in 163 subjects (32.1%). This paper presents the results of the analysis of the success of treatment in relation to risk factors for ischemic heart disease. There was a statistically significant relationship between hypertension and successful treatment (p=0.0425). More cases in which treatment was unsuccessful were observed in the group of patients who had no previous treatment for lipid disorders (20.2% vs. 4.0%) (p = 0.0000). Significantly more cases of treatment failure were found among people who denied smoking (17.4% vs. 8.6%; p = 0.0087). Conclusions: Among the analyzed behavioral and somatic risk factors for failure in patients subjected to treatment were untreated hypertension, hyperlipidemia and a negative history of cigarette smoking

Corrective factors of intestinal microflora disorders in the perinatal period

Intestinal microflora is found at approximately 10⁴ bacteria per ml of intestinal fluid. Although this ecosystem is very diverse with dynamic changes taking place within it, there is a certain stability in the type and number of species, referred to as the core microbiome, found in 95% of the human population. Genetic variation of microorganisms is relatively small, and their functions are strictly defined and highly conservative. The microbiome exists symbiotically with the host, protecting it against colonization by pathogenic microorganisms, providing essential metabolites, and stimulating the immune system. Colonization begins prenatally and its development is greatly influenced by the course of pregnancy, method of delivery, food supplied to the child during the first moments of life, and post-birth environment. The appropriate intestinal microflora composition is a key determinant of health and homeostasis, and any intestinal dysbiosis can be associated later in life with the development of obesity, diabetes, allergies or cancer. Due to the increasing number of hospitalised pregnancies and deliveries, affecting the intestinal microflora of a newborn, efforts are being made to minimize this process and restore the newborn’s microbiome. The use of the Vaginal seeding procedure raises up great hopes, but also some fears concerning its safety. Some very simple and most natural factors have been recently also appreciated and promoted, such as breastfeeding or direct contact of the baby’s skin with the mother’s skin, which are allies to probiotic bacteria. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of microbial colonization of the human body and to present the latest and most effective procedures that are designed to correct the existing dysbiosis or to reduce the risk of its occurrence. The literature for the compilation of this study has been obtained from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science