Impact of hormonal therapy on HIV-1 immune markers in cis women and gender minorities.

BACKGROUND: Although sex hormones are recognized to induce immune variations, the effect of hormonal therapy use on immunity is only poorly understood. Here, we quantified how hormonal therapy use affects HIV-1 immune markers in cis women (CW) and trans women and non-binary people (TNBP) with HIV. METHODS: We considered CD4, CD8 and lymphocyte measurements from cis men (CM), CW and TNBP in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study. We modelled HIV-1 markers using linear mixed-effects models with an interaction between 'gender' (CW, TNBP) and 'hormonal therapy use' (yes/no). Models were adjusted on age, ethnicity, education level, time since start of antiretroviral therapy and use of intravenous drugs. We assessed the inflammatory effect of hormonal therapy use in 31 TNBP using serum proteomics measurements of 92 inflammation markers. RESULTS: We included 54 083 measurements from 3092 CW and 83 TNBP, and 147 230 measurements from 8611 CM. Hormonal therapy use increased CD4 count and CD4:CD8 ratio in TNBP more than in CW (pinteraction = 0.02 and 0.007, respectively). TNBP with hormonal therapy use had significantly higher CD4 counts [median = 772 cells/µL, interquartile range (IQR): 520-1006] than without (617 cells/µL, 426-892). This was similar to the effect of CW versus CM on CD4 T cells. Hormonal therapy use did not affect serum protein concentrations in TNBP. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the potential role of hormonal therapy use in modulating the immune system among other biological and social factors, especially in TNBP with HIV.

Assessing delirium with nursing care instruments: Evaluation of the cognitive and associated domains.

OBJECTIVE: Nursing instruments have the potential for daily screening of delirium; however, they have not yet been evaluated. Therefore, after assessing the functional domains of the electronic Patient Assessment - Acute Care (ePA-AC), this study evaluates the cognitive and associated domains. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study in the intensive care unit, 277 patients were assessed and 118 patients were delirious. The impacts of delirium on the cognitive domains, consciousness and cognition, communication and interaction, in addition to respiration, pain, and wounds were determined with simple logistic regressions and their respective odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS: Delirium was associated with substantial impairment throughout the evaluated domains. Delirious patients were somnolent (OR 6), their orientation (OR 8.2-10.6) and ability to acquire knowledge (OR 5.5-11.6) were substantially impaired, they lost the competence to manage daily routines (OR 8.2-22.4), and their attention was compromised (OR 12.8). In addition, these patients received psychotropics (OR 3.8), were visually impaired (OR 1.8), unable to communicate their needs (OR 5.6-7.6), displayed reduced self-initiated activities (OR 6.5-6.9) and challenging behaviors (OR 6.2), as well as sleep-wake disturbances (OR 2.2-5), Furthermore, delirium was associated with mechanical ventilation, abdominal/thoracic injuries or operations (OR 4.2-4.4), and sensory perception impairment (OR 3.9-5.8). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Delirium caused substantial impairment in cognitive and associated domains. In addition to the previously described functional impairments, these findings will aid the implementation of nursing instruments in delirium screening.

Delirium in the intensive care setting dependent on the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS): Inattention and visuo-spatial impairment as potential screening domains.

OBJECTIVE: In the intensive care setting, delirium is a common occurrence; however, the impact of the level of alertness has never been evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the delirium characteristics in the drowsy, as well as the alert and calm patient. METHOD: In this prospective cohort study, 225 intensive care patients with Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) scores of -1 - drowsy and 0 - alert and calm were evaluated with the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-1998 (DRS-R-98) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 4th edition text revision (DSM-IV-TR)-determined diagnosis of delirium. RESULTS: In total, 85 drowsy and 140 alert and calm patients were included. Crucial items for the correct identification of delirium were sleep-wake cycle disturbances, language abnormalities, thought process alterations, psychomotor retardation, disorientation, inattention, short- and long-term memory, as well as visuo-spatial impairment, and the temporal onset. Conversely, perceptual disturbances, delusions, affective lability, psychomotor agitation, or fluctuations were items, which identified delirium less correctly. Further, the severities of inattentiveness and visuo-spatial impairment were indicative of delirium in both alert- or calmness and drowsiness. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The impairment in the cognitive domain, psychomotor retardation, and sleep-wake cycle disturbances correctly identified delirium irrespective of the level alertness. Further, inattentiveness and - to a lesser degree - visuo-spatial impairment could represent a specific marker for delirium in the intensive care setting meriting further evaluation.

Screening for delirium with the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC): Symptom profile and utility of individual items in the identification of delirium dependent on the level of sedation.

OBJECTIVE: The importance of the proper identification of delirium, with its high incidence and adversities in the intensive care setting, has been widely recognized. One common screening instrument is the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC); however, the symptom profile and key features of delirium dependent on the level of sedation have not yet been evaluated. METHOD: In this prospective cohort study, the ICDSC was evaluated versus the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition, text revision, diagnosis of delirium set as standard with respect to the symptom profile, and correct identification of delirium. The aim of this study was to identify key features of delirium in the intensive care setting dependent on the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale levels of sedation: drowsiness versus alert and calmness.ResultThe 88 delirious patients of 225 were older, had more severe disease, and prolonged hospitalization. Irrespective of the level of sedation, delirium was correctly classified by items related to inattention, disorientation, psychomotor alterations, inappropriate speech or mood, and symptom fluctuation. In the drowsy patients, inattention reached substantial sensitivity and specificity, whereas psychomotor alterations and sleep-wake cycle disturbances were sensitive lacked specificity. The positive prediction was substantial across items, whereas the negative prediction was only moderate. In the alert and calm patient, the sensitivities were substantial for psychomotor alterations, sleep-wake cycle disturbances, and symptom fluctuations; however, these fluctuations were not specific. The positive prediction was moderate and the negative prediction substantial. Between the nondelirious drowsy and alert, the symptom profile was similar; however, drowsiness was associated with alterations in consciousness.Significance of resultsIn the clinical routine, irrespective of the level of sedation, delirium was characterized by the ICDSC items for inattention, disorientation, psychomotor alterations, inappropriate speech or mood and symptom fluctuation. Further, drowsiness caused altered levels of consciousness.

Subsyndromal delirium in the intensive care setting: Phenomenological characteristics and discrimination of subsyndromal delirium versus no and full-syndromal delirium.

OBJECTIVE: Similar to delirium, its subsyndromal form has been recognized as the cause of diverse adverse outcomes. Nonetheless, the nature of this subsyndromal delirium remains vastly understudied. Therefore, in the following, we evaluate the phenomenological characteristics of this syndrome versus no and full-syndromal delirium. METHOD: In this prospective cohort study, we evaluated the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised, 1998 (DRS-R-98) versus the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) diagnostic criteria and examined the diagnosis of delirium with respect to phenomenological distinctions in the intensive care setting. RESULTS: Out of 289 patients, 36 with subsyndromal delirium versus 86 with full-syndromal and 167 without delirium were identified. Agreement with respect to the DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of delirium was perfect. The most common subtype in those with subsyndromal delirium was hypoactive, in contrast to mixed subtype in those with full-syndromal delirium versus no motor alterations in those without delirium. By presence and severity of delirium symptoms, subsyndromal delirium was intermediate. The ability of the DRS-R-98 items to discriminate between either form of delirium was substantial. Between subsyndromal and no delirium, the cognitive domain and sleep-wake cycle were more impaired and allowed a distinction with no delirium. Further, between full- and subsyndromal delirium, the prevalence and severity of individual DRS-R-98 items were greater. Although the differences between these two forms of delirium was substantial, the items were not very specific, indicating that the phenomenology of subsyndromal delirium is closer to full-syndromal delirium. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Phenomenologically, subsyndromal delirium was found to be distinct from and intermediate between no delirium and full-syndromal delirium. Moreover, the greater proximity to full-syndromal delirium indicated that subsyndromal delirium represents an identifiable subform of full-syndromal delirium.

Delirium in the intensive care setting: A reevaluation of the validity of the CAM-ICU and ICDSC versus the DSM-IV-TR in determining a diagnosis of delirium as part of the daily clinical routine.

BACKGROUND: In the intensive care setting, delirium is a common occurrence that comes with subsequent adversities. Therefore, several instruments have been developed to screen for and detect delirium. Their validity and psychometric properties, however, remain controversial. METHOD: In this prospective cohort study, the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) were evaluated versus the DSM-IV-TR in the diagnosis of delirium with respect to their validity and psychometric properties. RESULTS: Out of some 289 patients, 210 with matching CAM-ICU, ICDSC, and DSM-IV-TR diagnoses were included. Between the scales, the prevalence of delirium ranged from 23.3% with the CAM-ICU, to 30.5% with the ICDSC, to 43.8% with the DSM-IV-TR criteria. The CAM-ICU showed only moderate concurrent validity (Cohen's κ = 0.44) and sensitivity (50%), but high specificity (95%). The ICDSC also reached moderate agreement (Cohen's κ = 0.60) and sensitivity (63%) while being very specific (95%). Between the CAM-ICU and the ICDSC, the concurrent validity was again only moderate (Cohen's κ = 0.56); however, the ICDSC yielded higher sensitivity and specificity (78 and 83%, respectively). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: In the daily clinical routine, neither the CAM-ICU nor the ICDSC, common tools used in screening and detecting delirium in the intensive care setting, reached sufficient concurrent validity; nor did they outperform the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria with respect to sensitivity or positive prediction, but they were very specific. Thus, the non-prediction by the CAM-ICU or ICDSC did not refute the presence of delirium. Between the CAM-ICU and ICDSC, the ICDSC proved to be the more accurate instrument.

Brief assessment of delirium subtypes: Psychometric evaluation of the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale (DMSS)-4 in the intensive care setting.

OBJECTIVE: The management of and prognosis for delirium are affected by its subtype: hypoactive, hyperactive, mixed, and none. The DMSS-4, an abbreviated version of the Delirium Motor Symptom Scale, is a brief instrument for the assessment of delirium subtypes. However, it has not yet been evaluated in an intensive care setting. METHOD: We performed a prospective/descriptive cohort study in order to determine the internal consistency, reliability, and validity of the relevant items of the DMSS-4 versus the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98) and the original DMSS in a surgical intensive care setting. RESULTS: A total of 289 elderly, predominantly male patients were screened for delirium, and 122 were included in our sample. The internal consistency of the DMSS-4 items was excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.92), and between the DMSS-4 and DRS-R-98 the overall concurrent validity was substantial (Cramer's V = 0.67). Within individual motor subtypes, concurrent validity remained at least substantial (Cohen's κ = 0.65-0.81) and sensitivity high (69.8 to 82.2%), in contrast to those of the no-motor subtype, with less validity and sensitivity (κ = 0.28, 22%). Similarly, total concurrent validity between the DMSS-4 and the original DMSS reached perfection (Cramer's V = 0.83), as did agreement between the subtypes (κ = 0.83-0.92), while sensitivity remained high (88.2-100%). Only in those with delirium with no-motor subtype was agreement moderate (κ = 0.56) and sensitivity lower (67%). Specificity was high across all subtypes (91.2-99.1%). The DMSS-4 yielded very sensitive ratings, particularly for hypoactive and hyperactive motor symptoms, and interrater agreement was excellent (Fleiss's κ = 0.83). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: We found the DMSS-4 to be a most reliable and valid brief assessment of delirium in characterizing the subtypes of delirium in an intensive care setting, with increased sensitivity to hypoactive and hyperactive motor alterations.

When cancer cannot be cured: A qualitative study on relationship changes in couples facing advanced melanoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this qualitative study was to gain a deeper understanding about couples' relationship changes over time (the first six months) after one partner is diagnosed with an incurable advanced melanoma (stage III or IV). METHOD: In semistructured interviews, eight patients and their partners were asked separately about potential changes in their relationship since diagnosis. The same questions were asked again six months later, but focusing on relationship changes over the preceding six months. Some 32 audiotaped interviews were analyzed applying qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: At baseline (t1), relationship changes were mostly reported in terms of caring, closeness/distance regulation, and communication patterns. While changes in caregiving and distance/closeness regulation remained main issues at six months follow-up (t2), greater appreciation of the relationship and limitations in terms of planning spare time also emerged as major issues. Unexpectedly, 50% of patients and partners reported actively hiding their negative emotions and sorrows from their counterparts to spare them worry. Furthermore, qualitative content analysis revealed relationship changes even in those patients and partners who primarily reported no changes over the course of the disease. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Our findings revealed a differentiated and complex picture about relationship changes over time, which also might aid in the development of support programs for couples dealing with advanced cancer, focusing on the aspects of caring, closeness/distance regulation, and communication patterns.

Alexithymia and its relationship to dissociation in patients with panic disorder.

Conditions that impede the regulation of emotional arousal, such as alexithymia and dissociation, may underlie panic attacks. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between alexithymia and dissociation in patients with panic disorder (PD). We assessed 95 PD outpatients with regard to alexithymia (20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale), dissociation (Dissociation Experience Scale), and overall psychological distress (Symptom Checklist 90-Revised, Global Severity Index). Regression analyses revealed a positive correlation between alexithymia and dissociation, even when the Global Severity Index was controlled for. A specific link was observed between "difficulty in identifying feelings" and "depersonalization/derealization." Patients who showed the pathological form of dissociation had higher levels of alexithymia, with particular regard to "difficulty in identifying feelings" and, to a smaller extent, "difficulty in describing feelings." These results support a strong relationship between alexithymia and dissociation in patients with PD. Assessing alexithymia and dissociation at the outset of therapy may be helpful for individualized therapy planning.

Bartholin gland cyst in a transgender male: case report of a rare occurrence.

This case report highlights the importance of a wide differential diagnosis in transgender patients. A 77-year-old transgender (female-to-male) with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) and obstructive voiding difficulties presented with a perineal cyst. Further examinations, including computed tomography (CT) and puncture, revealed that the patient had a symptomatic Bartholin gland cyst, a phenomenon that normally only affects women. In his gender confirmation surgery (GCS) 30 years before, the patient's female labia minora and Bartholin glands were used to lengthen the urethra for the phalloplasty. This explains the unusual location and the prolonged time to the correct diagnose. We decided to perform an incision of the fluid collection from perineal. A follow-up sonography after one month revealed a remaining cyst size of 6 mL, which was assumed to be residual fluid or newly produced liquid; however, the patient has not had any UTIs since the incision of the cyst. Our case seems to be the first description of a symptomatic Bartholin gland cyst in a trans man. This stresses the importance of an expanded understanding of sex/gender concepts, and underlines one of the many possible diagnostic pitfalls when treating trans people.

Quality of Life Following Male-To-Female Sex Reassignment Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of persons who are born with primary and secondary male sexual characteristics but feel that they are female (trans women) is ca. 5.48 per 100 000 males in Germany. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of the currently available data on quality of life after male-to-female sex reassignment surgery. METHODS: This review is based on publications retrieved by a systematic literature search that was carried out in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases in March 2017. RESULTS: The 13 articles (11 quantitative and 2 mixed quantitative/qualitative studies) that were found to be suitable for inclusion in this review contained information on 1101 study participants. The number of trans women in each study ranged from 3 to 247. Their mean age was 39.9 years (range: 18-76). Seven different questionnaires were used to assess postoperative quality of life. The findings of the studies permit the conclusion that sex reassignment surgery beneficially affects emotional well- being, sexuality, and quality of life in general. In other categories (e.g., "freedom from pain", "fitness", and "energy"), some of the studies revealed worsening after the operation. All of the studies were judged to be at moderate to high risk of bias. The drop-out rates, insofar as they were given, ranged from 12% to 77% (median: 56%). CONCLUSION: Current studies indicate that quality of life improves after sex reassign- ment surgery. The available studies are heterogeneous in design. In the future, prospective studies with standardized methods of assessing quality of life and with longer follow-up times would be desirable.

Delirium in the intensive care setting and the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS): Drowsiness increases the risk and is subthreshold for delirium.

INTRODUCTION: Sedation is a core concept in the intensive care setting, however, the impact of sedation on delirium has not yet been studied to date. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 225 patients with Richmond Agitation and Sedation (RASS) scores of -1 - drowsiness and 0 - alert- and calmness were assessed with the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised 1998 (DRS-R-98) and DSM-IV-TR-determined diagnosis of delirium assessing drowsiness versus alertness. RESULTS: By itself, drowsiness increased the odds for developing delirium eightfold (OR 7.88 p<0.001) and rates of delirium were 68.2 and 21.4%, respectively. Further, in the drowsy patient, delirium was more severe. In the presence of drowsiness, delirium was characterized by sleep-wake cycle disturbances and language abnormalities. These two features, in addition to psychomotor retardation, allowed the correct classification of delirium at RASS-1. The same features, in addition to thought abnormalities and the impairment in the cognitive domain, orientation, attention, short- and long-term memory representing the core domains of delirium, or the temporal onset were very sensitive towards delirium, however lacked specificity. Conversely, delusions, perceptual abnormalities and lability of affect representing the non-core domain were very specific for delirium in the drowsy, however, not very sensitive. In the absence of delirium, drowsiness caused attentional impairment and language abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Drowsiness increased the odds for developing delirium eightfold and caused more severe delirium, which was characterized by sleep-wake cycle and language abnormalities. Further, drowsiness by itself caused attentional impairment and language abnormalities, thus, with its disturbance in consciousness was subthreshold for delirium.

Attempted suicide by self-immolation is a powerful predictive variable for survival of burn injuries.

Up to 9% of all burn victims in western countries are reported to have been caused by self-immolation with suicidal intent and usually involve extensive injuries. The authors sought to identify differences between suicide burn victims as opposed to those who sustained their injuries accidentally with regard to injury severity and mortality and determine the possible impact of suicide as a prognostic variable in the context of a scoring system such as the Abbreviated Burns Severity Index (ABSI). The data of all burns patients treated at the Specialist Burns Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Zürich, between 1968 and 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Of the 2813 patients included in the study, 191 were identified as attempted suicides, most commonly involving the use of accelerants. Thirty percent of all suicide victims had preexisting psychiatric diagnoses. Suicide victims presented with significantly more extensive burns (53.7%, ±0.98 SEM vs 21.4 %, ±0.36 SEM, P < .0001), had higher total ABSI scores (8.4, ±0.23 SEM vs 6.6, ±0.05 SEM, P < .0001), and had higher mortality rates (42.9% [83/191] vs 16.3% [426/2622]) than accident victims. Furthermore, logistic regression revealed suicide to be a significant predictor of mortality as inhalation injury (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.4-3.5, P < .0003 and odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.4-4.0, P < .0009, respectively). The odds of dying from an attempted suicide are twice as high compared with those of accident patients in the same ABSI category, making suicide a powerful predictor of mortality. The authors therefore suggest including it as a fixed variable in scoring systems for estimating a patient's mortality after burn injuries such as the widely used ABSI.