Anxiety Associated With Increased Risk for Emergency Department Recidivism in Patients With Low-Risk Chest Pain

Anxiety contributes to the chest pain symptom complex in 30% to 40% of patients with low-risk chest pain seen in the emergency department (ED). The validated Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) has been used as an anxiety screening tool in this population. The objective was to determine the prevalence of abnormal HADS-A scores in a cohort of low-risk chest pain patients and test the association of HADS-A score with subsequent healthcare utilization and symptom recurrence. In a single-center, prospective, observational cohort study of adult ED subjects with low-risk chest pain, the HADS-A was used to stratify participants into 2 groups: low anxiety (score <8) and high anxiety (score ≥8). At 45-day follow-up, chest pain recurrence was assessed by patient report, whereas ED utilization was assessed through chart review. Of the 167 subjects enrolled, 78 (47%) were stratified to high anxiety. The relative risk for high anxiety being associated with at least one 30-day ED return visit was 2.6 (95% confidence interval 1.4 to 4.7) and this relative risk increased to 9.1 (95% confidence interval 2.18 to 38.6) for 2 or more ED return visits. Occasional chest pain recurrence was reported by more subjects in the high anxiety group, 68% vs 47% (p = 0.029). In conclusion, 47% of low-risk chest pain cohort had abnormal levels of anxiety. These patients were more likely to have occasional recurrence of their chest pain and had an increased risk multiple ED return visits

Emergency Department Physician Attitudes, Practices, and Needs Assessment for the Management of Patients with Chest Pain Secondary to Anxiety and Panic

poster abstractBackground Chest pain is a common medical complaint, accounting for 7 million annual visits to US Emergency Departments (EDs) [1]. Most research and clinical resources are focused on the management of the life-threatening acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, about 80% of all patients presenting to EDs with chest pain do not have a cardiopulmonary emergency [2-4]. Non-ACS chest pain can be caused by anxiety or a panic disorder, and such etiologies remain undiagnosed in almost 90% of cases, and frequently have worse outcomes [5-9]. Objective and Methods The study objective was to assess ED physician’s attitudes, practices, and needs in managing chest pain related to anxiety and panic. A REDCap survey of 15 Likert-style questions was constructed using expert consensus to ensure content validity then administered to all faculty and resident physicians in the IU Department of Emergency Medicine (113 individuals, 65.5% response-rate). Results ED providers believe a significant proportion (31.5%) of patients with chest pain at low risk for ACS are due to panic/anxiety. Providers give such patients instructions on how to manage their panic/anxiety only 34.8% of the time, while even fewer (19.0%) make a diagnosis of anxiety or panic disorder in their documentation. Most providers (77.0%) would welcome a narrative to aid in discussing anxiety/panic as a cause of chest pain and nearly all (85.1%) would find it helpful to have specific clinic information available to aid in follow-up. Conclusions A significant number of ED patients with chest pain are likely due to anxiety, and a majority of physicians report not having the resources necessary to manage these patients. Further work to develop relevant resources would aim to improve provider confidence in treating these patients, and would hope to improve management of anxiety or panic as a cause of chest pain in the ED

Emergency Department Cardiopulmonary Evaluation of Low-Risk Chest Pain Patients with Self-Reported Stress and Anxiety

Background Chest pain is a high-risk emergency department (ED) chief complaint; the majority of clinical resources are directed toward detecting and treating cardiopulmonary emergencies. However, at follow-up, 80%–95% of these patients have only a symptom-based diagnosis; a large number have undiagnosed anxiety disorders. Objective Our aim was to measure the frequency of self-identified stress or anxiety among chest pain patients, and compare their pretest probabilities, care processes, and outcomes. Methods Patients were divided into two groups: explicitly self-reported anxiety and stress or not at 90-day follow-up, then compared on several variables: ultralow (<2.5%) pretest probability, outcome rates for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and pulmonary embolism (PE), radiation exposure, total costs at 30 days, and 90-day recidivism. Results Eight hundred and forty-five patients were studied. Sixty-seven (8%) explicitly attributed their chest pain to “stress” or “anxiety”; their mean ACS pretest probability was 4% (95% confidence interval 2.9%–5.7%) and 49% (33/67) had ultralow pretest probability (0/33 with ACS or PE). None (0/67) were diagnosed with anxiety. Seven hundred and seventy-eight did not report stress or anxiety and, of these, 52% (403/778) had ultralow ACS pretest probability. Only one patient (0.2%; 1/403) was diagnosed with ACS and one patient (0.4%; 1/268) was diagnosed with PE. Patients with self-reported anxiety had similar radiation exposure, associated costs, and nearly identical (25.4% vs. 25.7%) ED recidivism to patients without reported anxiety. Conclusions Without prompting, 8% of patients self-identified “stress” or “anxiety” as the etiology for their chest pain. Most had low pretest probability, were over-investigated for ACS and PE, and not investigated for anxiety syndromes

Characteristics of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Who Do Not Undergo Percutaneous Coronary Intervention After Prehospital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Activation

Objectives: To assess the clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that are associated with an increased likelihood of not undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after prehospital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory activation in a regional STEMI system. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prehospital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory activations in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, between May 2008 and March 2011. Data were extracted from the prehospital patient record, the prehospital electrocardiogram, and the regional STEMI database. The independent variables of interest included objective patient characteristics as well as documented cardiac history and risk factors. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Two hundred thirty-one prehospital activations were included in the analysis. Five independent variables were found to be associated with an increased likelihood of not undergoing PCI: increasing age, bundle branch block, elevated heart rate, left ventricular hypertrophy, and non-white race. The variables with the most significance were any type of bundle branch block [adjusted odds ratios (AOR), 5.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.91–16.76], left ventricular hypertrophy (AOR, 4.63; 95% CI, 2.03–10.53), and non-white race (AOR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.76–7.08). Conversely, the only variable associated with a higher likelihood of undergoing PCI was the presence of arm pain (AOR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.36–6.25). Conclusions: Several of the above variables are expected electrocardiogram mimics; however, the decreased rate of PCI in non-white patients highlights an area for investigation and process improvement. This may guide the development of prehospital STEMI protocols, although avoiding false positive and inappropriate activations

How the Traditional Property Rights Model Informs the Television Broadcasting Spectrum Rationalization Challenge

This paper examines the role zoning rights and eminent domain may play in the Federal Communication Commission\u27s ( FCC ) challenge of reallocating underutilized television broadcast spectrum for use in significantly higher value mobile broadband applications. The government must find a way to reallocate the spectrum in an economically and legally efficient manner, balancing the interests of the politically powerful broadcasters and those of society as a whole. From a strictly legal perspective, the broadcasters have a relatively weak claim to property rights. However, the government has indicated it seeks an incentivized voluntary return of spectrum by the broadcasters, suggesting the government intends to effectively treat the broadcasters as though they have certain property rights to their spectrum licenses-specifically the right to control possession. Given the government\u27s de facto recognition of elements of property rights of the broadcasters, the twin theories of zoning and eminent domain can inform a mutually acceptable solution between the government and the broadcasters. Based on traditional property rights theories, a threefold solution would allow the government to reallocate the spectrum in a manner that is fair to all parties. Specifically, this solution would consist of: (1) giving a payment to the broadcasters, (2) granting cable or satellite subscription subsidies to affected viewers, and (3) allowing the broadcasters some continued retransmission guarantees. Even if the government does explicitly use eminent domain and zoning as part of its strategy to reacquire broadcast spectrum, the awareness of this option creates a backdrop that may significantly shape the negotiation process

Fighting viral infections and virus-driven tumors with cytotoxic CD4+ T cells

CD4+ T cells have been and are still largely regarded as the orchestrators of immune responses, being able to differentiate into distinct T helper cell populations based on differentiation signals, transcription factor expression, cytokine secretion, and specific functions. Nonetheless, a growing body of evidence indicates that CD4+ T cells can also exert a direct effector activity, which depends on intrinsic cytotoxic properties acquired and carried out along with the evolution of several pathogenic infections. The relevant role of CD4+ T cell lytic features in the control of such infectious conditions also leads to their exploitation as a new immunotherapeutic approach. This review aims at summarizing currently available data about functional and therapeutic relevance of cytotoxic CD4+ T cells in the context of viral infections and virus-driven tumors

Right-Sizing Broadband Spectrum Auction Licenses: The Case for Smaller Geographic License Areas in the TV Broadcast Incentive Auction

This article examines the potential impact of smaller-sized license territories in the context of the FCC\u27s upcoming 2016 Broadcast Incentive Auction-the largest, most complex auction to date. The purpose of the auction is to free up to 120 MHz of prime spectrum in the 600 MHz band, currently licensed to over-the-air television broadcasting, to repurpose for licensing mobile broadband and other higher value wireless services. This article argues that using smaller territories is more consistent with the longterm direction of efficient spectrum management reform and future wireless market. The article also explains how adopting small geographic territories is necessary to promote competition and other important economic and social goals, while acknowledging that right-sizing the license territories may not, by itself, be sufficient to ensure adequate competition and participation by smaller carriers and entrants. The analysis and findings in this article are generally applicable to other spectrum auctions in the United States and abroad

Mental Health Assessments in Emergency Department Patients: Assessing Longitudinal Follow-up and Retest Reliability (MCAT-2) [Provisional Baseline Analysis]

Background/Objective:The prevalence of anxiety and depression in adults in the United States is high with many experiencing ≥1 episode of anxiety or depression over a given year. Despite this, diagnoses of anxiety and depression in patients presenting to the ED for somatic complaints are seldom, relative to the population prevalence. Current fixed-item anxiety and depression screening tools have variable specificity and sensitivity, but adaptive screening tools such as the Computerized Adaptive Testing-Mental Health tool (CAT-MH) are thought to provide improved diagnostic characteristics and precision over fixed item tools. Our objective is to establish the reliability ofits depression and anxiety severity assessments in patients initially screened in an ED setting and reassessed over 30 days. Methods:We are conducting a longitudinal observational study among adult ED patients presenting with somatic, non-mental health complaints. The CAT-MH, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8), are administered to randomly selected patients meeting enrollment criteria after informed consent. Participants are reassessed at 1-, 2-, and 4 weeks after ED discharge and analyzed for longitudinal test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change in score severity over time. Results:In this ongoing study, we present baseline anxiety and depression severity assessments for the first 49 enrolled patients (Mean age of 37, 73% female, 49% white, 47% black). Fixed item tools (GAD-7 and PHQ-8) categorized 16% and 6% of patients as moderate and severe anxiety respectively vs 19% and 15% as moderate, and moderately-severe/severe depression. In comparison, CAT-MH categorized 8% and 10% as moderate and severe anxiety.10% and 6% were categorized as moderate and severe depression. Conclusion:In this longitudinal observational study, we present baseline data for the first 49 out of 100 planned patients. Upon completion of the study, we hope to find that the severity assessments from CAT-MH remain stable over 30 days

Anxiety Screening in the Emergency Department

Background and Hypothesis:&nbsp; Preliminary research completed in the Indiana University Health Methodist Emergency Department (ED) determined that the prevalence of undetected or unaddressed abnormal anxiety levels in patients with low-risk chest pain was greater than 45%. This subset was noted to have abnormal anxiety symptoms that persisted following visits and increased ED recidivism. We hypothesize that the prevalence of abnormal anxiety in the general ED population will be similar to the subset of patients with low-risk chest pain shown previously.&nbsp;&nbsp; Methods:&nbsp; We enrolled a convenience sample of adult patients with non-psychiatric chief complaints who presented to IUH Methodist and&nbsp;Eskenazi&nbsp;Emergency Departments. Participants were assessed for abnormal anxiety levels using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7) and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). Subjects will also complete these assessment tools at 30-days post-enrollment via phone or&nbsp;REDCap&nbsp;survey. Data regarding ED disposition, discharge diagnosis, and ED utilization over the previous 12 months and the 30 days post-enrollment will be collected from the electronic medical record (EMR).&nbsp; Results:&nbsp; Over four weeks, 108 patients were screened and 37 gave informed consent and were enrolled. Preliminary analysis shows that 21 subjects (56%) had a GAD-7 score ≥10, indicating abnormal anxiety levels. Full data analysis including comparison of HADS and GAD-7 scores will take place after 50 subjects have been enrolled, completed their 30-day follow-up surveys, and EMR review has taken place.&nbsp;&nbsp; Conclusion:&nbsp; Given data regarding ED visits in patients with low-risk chest pain, identification of anxiety and referral may reduce ED utilization