Dopamine correlates of neurological and psychological status in untreated Parkinsonism.
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Thirty-seven untreated Parkinsonism patients showed significant positive correlations among decreased excretion of free dopamine, MMPI scores indicative of schizophrenic-like looseness of thinking, and the severity of all Parkinsonism signs except tremor. The data could indicate that abnormalities of dopamine metabolism may underlie both the motor and mental abnormalities of Parkinsonism. (+info)
Individual differences in the phase and amplitude of the human circadian temperature rhythm: with an emphasis on morningness-eveningness.
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We studied the relationship between the phase and the amplitude of the circadian temperature rhythm using questionnaires that measure individual differences in personality variables, variables that relate to circadian rhythms, age and sex. The ambulatory core body temperature of 101 young men and 71 young women was recorded continuously over 6 days. The temperature minimum (Tmin) and amplitude (Tamp) were derived by fitting a complex cosine curve to each day's data for each subject. Participants completed the Horne-Ostberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), the Circadian Type Inventory (CTI) and the MMPI-2, scored for the Psychopathology-5 (PSY-5) personality variables. We found that the average Tmin occurred at 03.50 h for morning-types (M-types), 05.02 h for the neither-types and 06.01 h for evening-types (E-types). Figures were presented that could provide an estimate of Tmin given an individual's morningness-eveningness score or weekend wake time. The Tmin occurred at approximately the middle of the 8-h sleep period, but it occurred closer to wake in subjects with later Tmin values and increasing eveningness. In other words, E-types slept on an earlier part of their temperature cycle than M-types. This difference in the phase-relationship between temperature and sleep may explain why E-types are more alert at bedtime and sleepier after waking than M-types. The Tmin occurred about a half-hour later for men than women. Another interesting finding included an association between circadian rhythm temperature phase and amplitude, in that subjects with more delayed phases had larger amplitudes. The greater amplitude was due to lower nocturnal temperature. (+info)
Relationships between epidural fibrosis, pain, disability, and psychological factors after lumbar disc surgery.
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Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is an important complication of lumbar disc surgery. Epidural fibrosis is one of the major causes of FBSS. However, most patients with epidural fibrosis do not develop symptomatic complaints from scarring. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the relationships among the severity of epidural fibrosis, psychological factors, back pain and disability after lumbar disc surgery. Twenty-nine surgically managed patients (13 women, 16 men) were included in this study. In all patients, the presence and severity of epidural fibrosis was determined with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A pain visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) were completed before and after surgery. Subjects were grouped by their type of herniation (protrusion, free fragment), MRI findings and results of the mini form of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and the groups were compared for their VAS and ODQ scores. Our results disclosed that neither the postoperative VAS scores nor the postoperative ODQ scores differed significantly among the epidural fibrosis severity groups. Moreover, postoperative VAS scores were positively correlated with the scores of the mini MMPI. These findings indicate that epidural fibrosis may be considered as a radiological entity independent of patients' complaints. Furthermore, the mini MMPI should be included in the assessment and planning of the reoperations in FBSS patients, because of the importance of psychological factors in postoperative pain and disability. (+info)
Depression after myocardial infarction.
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The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory was completed by 101 patients 16 to 18 months after a proved myocardial infarction. The data suggested a bimodal distribution of patients. One class of patients had a relatively "normal" personality score apart from a tendency to hypomania. The second class had severe depression, with associated hysteria, hypochondriasis and psychasthenia. The severely depressed patients were older, with a greater tendency to hypertension and angina, and a tendency to smaller gains in aerobic power despite an equal intensity of endurance training. The distinction between "normal" and "depressed" postinfarction patients seems of some clinical importance, for the two classes of patients require opposite supportive techniques--restraint and encouragement, respectively. (+info)
Epidemiologic study of the irritable bowel syndrome in Beijing: stratified randomized study by cluster sampling.
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OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Beijing and its risk factors. METHODS: Phase I: a screening for IBS in Beijing area according to symptoms using both Manning (modified including constipation) and Rome criteria. 2486 subjects were studied by cluster sampling of the inhabitant groups according to a stratified design of urban, suburban and rural areas, and sample size of each area studied was in proportion to the population of the area. Selection of the inhabitant groups was made by simple random sampling. Age of subjects enrolled in the study was 18-70 years. All subjects fulfilling the selection criteria were requested to fill in a questionnaire assisted by trained doctors or medical students during the visit to their families. Phase II: an aliquot of patients who fulfilled at least the Manning criteria were further selected according to their scoring series to undergo detail clinical examination in the hospital including laboratory examination, abdominal ultrasonography, colonoscopy or/and barium enema to exclude organic disease of the colon. Prevalence of IBS of the population was then adjusted by the rate of correct diagnosis during Phase II study. Study using Minnesota Multi-Personality Indices (MMPI) was done in some cases. Probable risk factors were explored by comparing their frequencies among IBS group and non-IBS group using chi 2 and logistic analysis of multifactors. RESULTS: The adjusted point prevalence of IBS in Beijing is 7.26% according to Manning criteria, and is 0.82% according to Rome criteria. There is a higher prevalence rate in city (10.50%) than in rural areas (6.14%) by stratified analysis (P < 0.001). Male to female ratio is 1:1.15. And IBS is more common in people aged between 18-40 years (51.6%), and among the intellectuals. Our study indicated that history of dysentery (OR 3.00), exposure to cool (OR 1.55) and ingestion of cold food and raw materials (OR 1.24) may be the most important risk factors (P < 0.001), and IBS patients may have a higher tendency of psychological abnormalities. CONCLUSION: IBS is a common disorder in Beijing and should be taken into consideration in the human welfare strategy. (+info)
Patients with coexistent psychogenic pseudoepileptic and epileptic seizures: a psychological profile.
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Despite significant advances in epileptology, the differential diagnosis of epileptic and pseudoepileptic seizures continues to be a considerable challenge. The problem becomes even more complicated when epileptic and psychogenic pseudoepileptic seizures coexist in the same patient. Appropriate psychological measures may be helpful in the diagnosis and may improve knowledge about aetiological factors which can provoke psychogenic pseudoepileptic seizures. The purpose of this paper is to present the psychological profile of patients with mixed seizures (epileptic and psychogenic pseudoepileptic) developed on the basis of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and to discuss the personality differences between patients with psychogenic epileptic seizures and epileptic patients. In patients with diagnosed epilepsy and/or suspected psychogenic pseudoepileptic seizures long-term video-monitoring was performed. On the basis of the gathered data the patients were divided into three groups: group I (N= 32 : 25 F and 7 M) had coexistent psychogenic pseudoepileptic and epileptic seizures, group II (N= 38 : 30 F and 8 M) had psychogenic pseudoepileptic seizures only and group III (N= 36 : 18 F and 8 M) had epileptic seizures only and was treated as the control group. All three groups were given the MMPI. Comparison of the averaged personality profiles of the three groups revealed significant differences (P< 0.0001) in hypochondriasis (Hs) and hysteria (Hy), similarity of the profiles of groups I and II, and significantly higher Hs and Hy scores than D (Depression) scores (P< 0.001). Unlike groups I and II, group III (the epileptic group) had significantly higher D scores than Hs and Hy scores (P< 0.01). Our findings suggest that conversion, manifested in the typically elevated Hs and Hy scores as compared to D scores, is present in both groups of patients demonstrating pseudoepileptic seizures but absent in the patients with epilepsy where the Hs and Hy to D ratio is reversed. Patients with mixed seizures and patients with psychogenic pseudoepileptic seizures only have similarly shaped profiles. (+info)
Somatisation indexes as differential factors in psychogenic pseudoepileptic and epileptic seizures.
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One of the postulated factors responsible for psychogenic epileptic seizures is somatisation. The purpose of this study was to analyse differences in the levels of somatisation manifested in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) somatisation scales. Subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of a neurological examination and long-term video-monitoring. Group One (N=66, 55F; 11M) had only psychogenic pseudoepileptic seizures. Group Two (N=42, 32F; 10M) had both epileptic and psychogenic pseudoepileptic seizures. Group Three (N=36, 28F; 8M) had only epileptic seizures and served as the control group. Patients in all three groups were given the MMPI. Somatisation indexes in the three groups were compared. Significant between-group differences were obtained for the following somatisation indexes (mean scores): Hypochondriasis (P<0.001), Somatic Complaints (P<0.001), Organic Symptoms (P<0.015) and Poor Health (P<0.05). No significant differences were found for Physical-Somatic Complaints. Psychological evaluation of the differences in the levels of somatisation in these groups may help us to gain a better understanding of, and discrimination between, patients with psychogenic epileptic seizures, mixed seizures and epileptic seizures only. (+info)
Personality characteristics in obesity: relation of MMPI profile and age of onset of obesity to success in weight reduction.
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A group of 142 obese subjects was seen in an obesity clinic over a 2-year period. Of these, 116 had assessment of personality factors by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and 71 were followed for periods of 4 to 28 months in order to determine success at weight reduction by means of a conventional dietary regimen. The MMPI profiles of the obese subjects were compared to those of a general medical population of 50,000 patients seen in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. Obese male subjects had significantly higher scores on the F and MA scales. Obese female subjects had significantly higher scores on the F, PD, PA, SC, and MA scales, and a significantly lower score on the Q scale than the reference population. Even though these findings show that certain personality traits as measured by the MMPI may occur more frequently in obese persons, the individual MMPI profile codes point out the presence of diverse behavior patterns among obese persons rather than a single personality pattern characteristic of obesity. There were no apparent differences in the success in achieving a loss of 10% or more of initial weight among the male and female obese subjects having normal or abnormal MMPI profiles. Obese subjects having onset of obesity before age 12 years were slightly more successful in weight reduction than those whose obesity began later than this, but the differences were not statistically significant for either the male or female subjects. (+info)