Hypokalemia is associated with lengthening of QT interval in psychiatric patients on admission.

Several studies have revealed a relatively high frequency of hypokalemia in the general psychiatric population. This may be explained by adrenergic stimulation observed in the acute phase of psychiatric disorders. Little is known about the effects of hypokalemia on cardiac repolarisation in these circumstances. The current study was designed to determine if the hypokalemia observed among patients with acute psychiatric disorders can cause significant QT interval prolongation, and thus increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmia. Electrocardiograms were obtained in 282 non-selected patients admitted to a psychiatric unit. Heart-rate adjusted QT intervals (QTc) were compared to serum potassium levels and to other risk factors for QT prolongation (bradycardia, age, gender, and administration of antipsychotics). Hypokalemia, diagnosed in more than 11% of the patients, was associated with a significantly longer QTc interval (means 423.5+/-40 ms vs 408.5+/-31 ms), as was female sex. Multiple linear regression analysis on the studied risk factors revealed that only hypokalemia and female sex were independently associated with lengthening of the QT interval. According to our results, hypokalemia seems to be one of the most important risk factors for QT prolongation. We therefore strongly recommend that psychiatric patients should be screened for hypokalemia on admission.

[Psychosocial risks, perceived health status and working conditions of a local council's employees]. / Risque psychosocial, santé perçue et situations de travail chez les agents d'un Conseil Général.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the working conditions of employees in a local council as well as their possible relationships to health, particularly to psychosocial risks--an emerging occupational risk which causes physical and mental illness. Between November 2004 and October 2005, 919 employees were asked to fill out a self-administered questionnaire about their working conditions, their self-perceived health status, and sociodemographic characteristics. The exposure to psychosocial risk (job strain) was evaluated using the Job Content Questionnaire developed by Karasek. A total of 625 employees responded to the survey (participation rate = 68%). Their self-perceived health status was good overall, but the prevalence of job strain reached 22%, and was associated with an accrued frequency of work dissatisfaction, strong perception of stressful work and the desire and intent to change job positions.

[Antipsychotic drugs and cardiovascular safety: need for monitoring the QT interval]. / Risque cardiovasculaire des antipsychotiques, une surveillance nécessaire de l'intervalle QT.

Torsades de pointes (TdP), a form of ventricular arrhythmia that can cause ventricular fibrillation and sudden death, may occur during prolongation of the QT interval. QT prolongation has recently been reported with antipsychotic drugs. Physicians should be able to obtain a corrected measurement of the QT interval. QT is measured from the beginning of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave (QTm). This value must then be corrected to take heartbeat into account. The most common formula in current use is Bazett's. In practice, a QTc interval value greater than 500 ms indicates an increased risk of TdP. Safe combinations of antipsychotic drugs have been recommended by the French drug agency (Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé). Many other drugs, including psychotropic drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants, can prolong the QT interval. Combinations of these medications with one another, with antipsychotic medications, or with other concomitant factors, such as hypokalemia, also increase the risk. TdP is most often diagnosed only after observing QT prolongation. This underlines the need to monitor QT intervals attentively to prevent the risk of cardiac arrhythmia in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs.

[Post-stroke depression, another handicap]. / Dépression après un accident vasculaire cérébral, un handicap supplémentaire.

INTRODUCTION: Post-stroke depression is a severe complication affecting 30-50% of patients during the first year. Experienced medical and paramedical staff in stroke units, using validated scales, can now identify initial signs of depression in the first days after stroke onset. METHODS: This review of the literature is based on a Medline search for the terms stroke, depression, and epidemiology. It discusses problems of pathophysiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics. RESULTS: Depression is an emergency in stroke patients because it impedes rehabilitation and family and social insertion. Early diagnosis is difficult, but possible with clinical somatic and cognitive symptoms. Post-stroke depression may also be a marker of pending cognitive decline. Management requires both antidepressants and psychotherapy. CONCLUSION: There is a pressing need for further research to improve clinical practice in this area of stroke care.

Stroke with neuropsychiatric sequelae after cannabis use in a man: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The outcome of cerebral ischemic stroke associated with cannabis use is usually favorable. Here we report the first case of cannabis-related stroke followed by neuropsychiatric sequelae. CASE PRESENTATION: A 24-year-old Caucasian man was discovered in a deeply comatose non-reactive state after cannabis use. A magnetic resonance imaging scan of his brain showed bilateral multiple ischemic infarcts. The patient remained deeply comatose for four days, after which time he developed other behavioral impairments and recurrent seizures. CONCLUSION: Stroke related to cannabis use can be followed by severe neuropsychiatric sequelae. Concomitant alcohol intoxication is essential neither to the occurrence of this neurologic event nor to its severity.