Perceptions and Preoccupations of Patients and Physicians Regarding Use of Medical Cannabis as an Intervention Against Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Results from a Qualitative Study.

Objective: Explore perceptions and preoccupations regarding use of medical cannabis against chronic musculoskeletal pain, among patients and physicians. Design: Qualitative study using interviews with patients and physicians, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Setting: The study was conducted in Quebec, Canada, in spring 2020. Subjects: We included 27 adult patients and 11 physicians (GPs, anesthesiologists, psychiatrists, and a rheumatologist); the mean age of patients was 48.2 years; 59.3% of patients and 36.4% of physicians were women; 59.3% of patients used no medical cannabis at the time of study; 45.5% of physicians had never authorized it. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and for the qualitative analysis codes were developed in a hybrid, inductive and deductive approach. Guided by the TPB, facilitators and barriers, perceived benefits and harms, and perceived norms that may influence cannabis use or authorization were documented. Results: Although medical cannabis is an interesting avenue for the relief of chronic musculoskeletal pain, doctors and patients agreed that it remained a last line option, due to the lack of scientific evidence regarding its safety and efficacy. The norms surrounding medical cannabis also play an important role in the social and professional acceptance of this therapeutic option. Conclusion: Medical cannabis is seen as a last line option among interventions in the management of chronic pain, and attitudes and prior experiences play a role in the decision to use it. Study results may contribute to improved shared decision making between patients and physicians regarding this option.

Female Risk Factors for Post-Infarction Depression and Anxiety: Trial Design.

INTRODUCTION: Female patients are at elevated risk for adverse mental health outcomes following hospital admission for ischemic heart disease. These psychosocial characteristics are correlated with unacceptably higher rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Guidelines to address mental health following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can only be developed with the aid of studies elucidating which subgroups of female patients are at the highest risk. METHODS/DESIGN: The Female Risk factors for post-Infarction Depression and Anxiety (FRIDA) Study is a prospective multicenter questionnaire-based study of female participants admitted to hospital with ACS. Data are collected within 72 h of admission as well as at 3 and 6 months. At baseline, participants complete a sociodemographic questionnaire, social support survey, and Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS). Follow-up will consist of a demographic questionnaire, HADS, changes to health status, and quality of life indicators. Statistical analysis will include descriptive and inferential methods to observe baseline distributions and significance between groups. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our primary outcome is to determine if specific CV and sociodemographic factors correlate with increased depression and anxiety scores (HADS-D >7; HADS-A >7) at baseline. Our secondary aim is to determine if increased HADS scores at baseline and follow-up correlate with 3 and 6-month health and quality of life outcomes. A total of 2,000 patients will be enrolled across seven study sites. The aim of the FRIDA Study is to understand which groups of female patients have the highest rates of depression and anxiety following ACS to better inform care.

Investigating the relationship between the five-factor model of distress tolerance, anxiety and anxiety sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Distress tolerance (DT) has been conceptualized as a vulnerability factor for several psychopathologies. A five factor model of DT has been suggested, but its associations with anxiety and anxiety sensitivity have yet to be explored. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to further validate the five-factor model of DT, identify the associations between its factors and elevated anxiety, and assess if anxiety sensitivity mediates the association between DT and anxiety. DESIGN AND METHODS: This observational study included 330 students and university workers (women = 82.7%; mean age = 27.7 years, SD = 9.4). They completed online questionnaires assessing DT, anxiety sensitivity and anxiety levels. RESULTS: The five-factor model was a good fit to the data (RMSEA = .04). Two factors, and the sex of the participants, contributed to the variance in anxiety (r2 = .418, p < .001). Tolerance of negative emotion was directly (ß = -1.98, 95% CI = [-2.53, -1.42]) and indirectly (ß = -1.10, 95% CI = [-1.55, -.78]) associated with lower anxiety through anxiety sensitivity. Tolerance of uncertainty was also directly (ß = -.08, 95% CI = [-.10, -.06]) and indirectly (ß = -.04, 95% CI = [-.05, -.02]) associated with lower anxiety through anxiety sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Tolerance of negative emotion and uncertainty were associated with anxiety independently of the other factors of DT. These associations seem partially explained by the effect of anxiety sensitivity.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease: A Feasibility Study.

Implementing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the first-line psychological treatment for panic disorder (PD), may be challenging in patients with comorbid coronary artery disease (CAD).This study aimed at assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a CBT for PD protocol that was adapted to patients suffering from comorbid CAD. It also aimed at evaluating the efficacy of the intervention to reduce PD symptomatology and psychological distress and improve quality of life. This was a single-case experimental design with pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up measures. Patients with PD and stable CAD received 14 to 17 individual, 1-h sessions of an adapted CBT for PD protocol. They completed interviews and questionnaires at pre-treatment, post-treatment and at a 6-month follow-up assessing intervention acceptability, PD symptomatology, psychological distress and quality of life. A total of 6 patients out of 7 completed the intervention and 6-month follow-up, indicating satisfactory feasibility. Acceptability was high (medians of ≥ 8.5 out of 9 and ≥ 80%) both at pre and post treatment. Remission rate was of 83% at post-treatment and 6-month follow-up. The intervention appeared to have positive effects on comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms and quality of life. The intervention appeared feasible and acceptable in patients with comorbid CAD. The effects of the adapted CBT protocol on PD symptoms, psychological distress and quality of life are promising and were maintained at the 6-month follow-up. Further studies should aim at replicating the present results in randomized-controlled trials.

[Influence of Comorbidity in Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders]. / Influence de la comorbidité dans le traitement cognitif-comportemental des troubles anxieux et de l'humeur.

Objectives Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent disorders observed in health care services and are frequently comorbid with other disorders. Although Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has widely been shown efficacious to treat anxiety and mood disorders, studies that have focused on its effectiveness in the presence of comorbidity have been few and show conflicting results. Thus, the implications of the presence of comorbid disorders for treatment are still unknown. In an attempt to answer these questions, this study explores the impact of comorbidity on CBT for anxiety and mood disorders in a university-based clinic. Methods A total of 293 clients consulting for anxiety and/or mood disorders at the Service de Consultation de l'École de Psychologie de l'Université Laval (SCEP) between 2007 and 2018 took part in the study. Clients were excluded if they presented uncontrolled psychotic, manic or substance abuse symptoms as their principal complaint. Clients without comorbid disorders where compared to clients who had comorbid disorders on different measures before and after receiving therapy to examine if comorbidity had an impact on CBT effectiveness to treat the principal disorder. The impact of treatment on comorbid disorders was also investigated. Effectiveness was assessed on several measures before and after treatment including the severity of diagnoses (measured with a structured interview), anxiety and mood symptoms as well as quality of life. Repeated measures ANOVAs and t-tests were used. Results Before initiating therapy, clients with comorbid disorders had significantly more severe symptoms than clients without comorbid disorders. However, following therapy, both groups had significantly less severe principal disorders and reached a clinically significant change in equivalent proportions. Furthermore, the number and severity of comorbid disorders significantly decreased following therapy. Conclusion These findings suggest that although the presence of comorbid disorders leads to more severe symptoms, it does not affect the effectiveness of CBT for the principal disorder. Furthermore, comorbid disorders improved even though they were not specifically targeted by treatment. In concordance with the literature, it is thus suggested to keep focusing treatment on the principal disorder, whether comorbid disorders are present or not.

Anxiety disorders in patients with noncardiac chest pain: association with health-related quality of life and chest pain severity.

BACKGROUND: Patients with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) report more severe symptoms and lowered health-related quality of life when they present with comorbid panic disorder (PD). Although generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the second most common psychiatric disorder in these patients, its impact on NCCP and health-related quality of life remains understudied. This study describes and prospectively compares patients with NCCP with or without PD or GAD in terms of (1) NCCP severity; and (2) the physical and mental components of health-related quality of life. METHODS: A total of 915 patients with NCCP were consecutively recruited in two emergency departments. The presence of comorbid PD or GAD was assessed at baseline with the Anxiety Disorder Schedule for DSM-IV. NCCP severity at baseline and at the six-month follow-up was assessed with a structured telephone interview, and the patients completed the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey Version 2 (SF-12v2) to assess health-related quality of life at both time points. RESULTS: Average NCCP severity decreased between baseline and the six-month follow-up (p < .001) and was higher in the patients with comorbid PD or GAD (p < .001) at both time points compared to those with NCCP only. However, average NCCP severity did not differ between patients with PD and those with GAD (p = 0.901). The physical component of quality of life improved over time (p = 0.016) and was significantly lower in the subset of patients with PD with or without comorbid GAD compared to the other groups (p < .001). A significant time x group interaction was found for the mental component of quality of life (p = 0.0499). GAD with or without comorbid PD was associated with a lower mental quality of life, and this effect increased at the six-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid PD or GAD are prospectively associated with increased chest pain severity and lowered health-related quality of life in patients with NCCP. PD appears to be mainly associated with the physical component of quality of life, while GAD has a greater association with the mental component. Knowledge of these differences could help in the management of patients with NCCP and these comorbidities.

Are Patients at Risk for Developing Panic Disorder After an Emergency Department Visit With Noncardiac Chest Pain?

BACKGROUND: Panic disorder (PD) is common in emergency department (ED) patients with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). The literature suggests that initially PD-free patients may be at increased risk of developing PD in the months or years following an ED visit. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the incidence of PD in the 2 years following an ED visit with NCCP and to identify predictors of incident PD. METHODS: This study was conducted using a longitudinal, observational design. Five hundred eighty-five patients with NCCP (without PD) were recruited in two EDs. They underwent an interview and completed a series of questionnaires assessing anxiety disorders, perceived social support, psychological distress, anxiety sensitivity, comorbidities, and stressful life events. PD was assessed 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the initial interview. RESULTS: PD incidence was 11.1% (95% confidence interval: 8.7-13.9) in the two years following the baseline assessment. Anxiety sensitivity (odds ratio = 1.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.11; P < .001) and stress related to life events (odds ratio = 1.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.24; P = .001) significantly predicted incident PD. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NCCP are at high risk for developing PD in the 2 years following an ED visit with NCCP. Anxiety sensitivity and stress related to life events may be promising clinical targets for preventive interventions.

Cannabis against chronic musculoskeletal pain: a scoping review on users and their perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) may lead to reduced physical function and is the most common cause of chronic non-cancer pain. Currently, the pharmacotherapeutic options against CMP are limited and frequently consist of pain management with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, gabapentinoids, or opioids, which carry major adverse effects. Although the effectiveness of medical cannabis (MC) for CMP still lacks solid evidence, several patients suffering from it are exploring this therapeutic option with their physicians. OBJECTIVES: Little is known about patients' perceptions of their MC treatment for CMP. We aimed to increase this knowledge, useful for healthcare professionals and patients considering this treatment, by conducting a scoping literature review, following guidance by Arksey and O'Malley, to describe the views and perceptions of adult patients who had consumed MC to relieve chronic CMP. METHODS: Databases (PUBMED, EMBASE, Web of Science) and websites were searched using combinations of controlled and free vocabulary. All studies and study designs reporting on patients' perceptions regarding MC against CMP were considered. Studies had to include adult patients reporting qualitatively or quantitatively, i.e., through questionnaires, on MC use to treat CMP or other non-cancer pain, since studies reporting exclusively on perceptions regarding CMP were very rare. Study characteristics were extracted and limitations of the study quality were assessed. The review includes patients' demographic characteristics, patterns of MC use, perceived positive and negative effects, use of alcohol or other drugs, reported barriers to CM use, and funding sources of the studies. RESULTS: Participants of the 49 included studies reported that MC use helped them to reduce CMP and other chronic non-cancer pain, with only minor adverse effects, and some reported improved psychological well-being. In the included studies, men represent between 18 and 88% of the subjects. The mean age of participants in these studies (42/49) varied between 28.4 and 62.8 years old. The most common route of administration is inhalation. CONCLUSION: MC users suffering from CMP or other chronic non-cancer pain perceived more benefits than harms. However, the information from these studies has several methodological limitations and results are exploratory. These user-reported experiences must thus be examined by well-designed and methodologically sound clinical or observational studies, particularly regarding CMP, where reports are very scarce.

Epidemiology and prognostic implications of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in patients with coronary artery disease: rationale and design for a longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is associated with poorer prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Due to their severity and chronic course, anxiety disorders, particularly generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder (PD), are of considerable interest and clinical importance in this population. This study has two main objectives: (1) to estimate the prevalence and incidence of GAD and PD in patients with CAD over a 2-year period and (2) to prospectively assess the association between PD or GAD and adverse cardiac events, treatment adherence, CAD-related health behaviors, quality of life and psychological distress. DESIGN/METHOD: This is a longitudinal cohort study in which 3610 participants will be recruited following a CAD-related revascularization procedure. They will complete an interview and questionnaires at 5 time points over a 2-year period (baseline and follow-ups after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months). The presence of PD or GAD, adherence to recommended treatments, health behaviors, quality of life and psychological distress will be assessed at each time point. Data regarding mortality and adverse cardiac events will be collected with a combination of interviews and review of medical files. DISCUSSION: This study will provide essential information on the prevalence and incidence of anxiety disorders in patients with CAD and on the consequences of these comorbidities. Such data is necessary in order to develop clear clinical recommendations for the management of PD and GAD in patients with CAD. This will help improve the prognosis of patients suffering from both conditions.

Incidence of panic disorder in patients with non-cardiac chest pain and panic attacks.

This study documented the 6-month incidence of panic disorder and its predictors in emergency department patients with panic attacks and non-cardiac chest pain. The assessment included a validated structured interview to identify panic attacks and questionnaires measuring the potential predictors of panic disorder. Presence of panic disorder was assessed 6 months later. The incidence of panic disorder was 10.1 percent (n = 14/138). Anxiety sensitivity was the only significant predictor of the incidence of panic disorder (odds ratio = 1.06; 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.12). Patients with panic attacks and non-cardiac chest pain are at an elevated risk for panic disorder. This vulnerability appears to increase with anxiety sensitivity.

Physical activity and disability in patients with noncardiac chest pain: a longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) is one of the leading reasons for emergency department visits and significantly limits patients' daily functioning. The protective effect of physical activity has been established in a number of pain problems, but its role in the course of NCCP is unknown. This study aimed to document the level of physical activity in patients with NCCP and its association with NCCP-related disability in the 6 months following an emergency department visit. METHODS: In this prospective, longitudinal, cohort study, participants with NCCP were recruited in two emergency departments. They were contacted by telephone for the purpose of conducting a medical and sociodemographic interview, after which a set of questionnaires was sent to them. Participants were contacted again 6 months later for an interview aimed to assess their NCCP-related disability. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 279 participants (57.0% females), whose mean age was 54.6 (standard deviation = 15.3) years. Overall, the proportion of participants who were physically active in their leisure time, based on the Actimètre questionnaire criteria, was 22.0%. Being physically active at the first measurement time point was associated with a 38% reduction in the risk of reporting NCCP-related disability in the following 6 months (ρ = .047). This association remained significant after controlling for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: Being physically active seems to have a protective effect on the occurrence of NCCP-related disability in the 6 months following an emergency department visit with NCCP. These results point to the importance of further exploring the benefits of physical activity in this population.

A closer look at the relationships between panic attacks, emergency department visits and non-cardiac chest pain.

This study examined the prevalence of emergency department visits prompted by panic attacks in patients with non-cardiac chest pain. A validated structured telephone interview was used to assess panic attacks and their association with the emergency department consultation in 1327 emergency department patients with non-cardiac chest pain. Patients reported at least one panic attack in the past 6 months in 34.5 per cent (95% confidence interval: 32.0%-37.1%) of cases, and 77.1 per cent (95% confidence interval: 73.0%-80.7%) of patients who reported panic attacks had visited the emergency department with non-cardiac chest pain following a panic attack. These results indicate that panic attacks may explain a significant proportion of emergency department visits for non-cardiac chest pain.

The Revised-Panic Screening Score for emergency department patients with noncardiac chest pain.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to reduce the 90% rate of missed diagnoses of panic-like anxiety (panic attacks with or without panic disorder) among emergency department patients with low risk noncardiac chest pain by validating and improving the Panic Screening Score (PSS). METHOD: A total of 1,102 patients with low risk noncardiac chest pain were prospectively and consecutively recruited in two emergency departments. Each patient completed a telephone interview that included the PSS, a brief 4-item screening instrument, new candidate predictors of panic-like anxiety, and the Anxiety Disorder Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fourth Edition to identify panic-like anxiety. RESULTS: The original 4-item PSS demonstrated a sensitivity of 51.8% (95% CI [48.4, 57.0]) and a specificity of 74.8% (95% CI [71.3, 78.1]) for panic-like anxiety. Analyses prompted the development of the Revised-PSS; this 6-item instrument was 19.1% (95% CI [12.7, 25.5]) more sensitive than the original PSS in identifying panic-like anxiety in this sample (χ2(1, N = 351) = 23.89 p < .001) while maintaining a similar specificity (χ2(1, N = 659) = 0.754, p = .385; 0.4%, 95% CI [-3.6, 4.5]). The discriminant validity of the Revised-PSS proved stable over the course of a 10-fold cross-validation. CONCLUSIONS: The Revised-PSS has significant potential for improving identification of panic-like anxiety in emergency department patients with low risk noncardiac chest pain and promoting early access to treatment. External validation and impact analysis of the Revised-PSS are warranted prior to clinical implementation. (PsycINFO Database Record

Work Absenteeism and Presenteeism Loss in Patients With Non-Cardiac Chest Pain.

OBJECTIVE: To assess work absenteeism and presenteeism, and to identify biopsychosocial predictors of these outcomes in workers with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 375 active workers consulting in an emergency room for NCCP. RESULTS: About 66% (247/375) of participants reported work absenteeism in the 3 months preceding the consultation, while 36% (134/375) reported presenteeism during the same period. A family income >$29,999, and reporting at least a mild impact of chest pain on family functioning, social functioning, or physical activities, were associated with work absenteeism. Presenteeism was associated with younger age, symptoms of depression, and heart-focused anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Work absenteeism and presenteeism are highly prevalent among patients with NCCP. Family income and impacts of NCCP on functioning, are associated with increased occupational burden in these patients.

To be or not to be positive: Development of a tool to assess the relationship of negative, positive, and realistic thinking with psychological distress in breast cancer.

There is a widespread belief that positive thinking is a key strategy to cope with cancer. While dispositional optimism is associated with lower psychological distress, the literature supporting the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy indirectly suggests that realistic thinking is also effective. This article describes the development of the Thoughts and Anticipations about Cancer questionnaire designed to directly compare the effect of realistic thinking versus positive thinking on adjustment to cancer. Preliminary data on its relationships with psychological distress gathered in 10 breast cancer patients are promising. The validity of the Thoughts and Anticipations about Cancer questionnaire will need to be confirmed in larger studies.

Heart-focused anxiety and health care seeking in patients with non-cardiac chest pain: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of medical consultations six months after an emergency department (ED) consultation for non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). It also investigated the role of heart-focused anxiety (HFA) and other factors in predicting an increased healthcare utilization in these patients. METHOD: This was a prospective study of 428 patients who came to an ED with NCCP. Patients completed an interview and questionnaires assessing HFA, psychological distress, the characteristics of NCCP, and comorbidities. Their medical consultations were assessed by telephone interview six months later. The contribution of each factor was assessed using a binomial negative regression. RESULTS: Eighty-three percent of patients reported at least one medical consultation (mean=3.1, standard deviation=3.9). HFA (incident rate ratio 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02), the presence of a medical condition (2.14; 1.51-3.03), NCCP frequency (1.49; 1.16-1.91) and NCCP-related interference (1.08; 1.04-1.13) were predictive of further medical consultations. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of patients with NCCP are at risk of multiple medical consultations following discharge from the ED. HFA appears as a determinant of medical consultations after controlling for multiple confounding factors.

Factors associated with pain level in non-cardiac chest pain patients with comorbid panic disorder.

BACKGROUND: Panic disorder (PD) is highly prevalent in patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). This study aims to explore the role of psychological factors (PD intensity, anxiety sensitivity, heart-related fear, attention and avoidance) common to NCCP and PD in predicting chest pain levels in patients with both conditions. METHODS: This association was investigated in emergency department patients with NCCP and PD receiving either evidence-based treatment of PD or treatment as usual. Patients were assessed at baseline and 14 weeks later for post-treatment. RESULTS: Only heart-focused fear and attention for cardiac sensations independently explained a significant portion of the variance in baseline pain (n = 66). At 3 months follow-up (n = 53), changes in heart-related fear was the only factor independently associated with changes in chest pain intensity. Even in patients with PD, fear specific to cardiac sensations seems to play a central role in determining NCCP intensity. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the efficacy of intervention for patients with PD and comorbid NCCP could be improved by targeting heart-related fear and attention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00736346.

Effect of Treating Anxiety Disorders on Cognitive Deficits and Behaviors Associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Preliminary Study.

Twenty-five percent of children with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder (AD). As per Quay and in light of Barkley's model, anxiety may have a protective effect on cognitive deficits and behaviors associated with ADHD. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of treating AD on cognitive deficits and behaviors associated with ADHD in children with both disorders. Twenty-four children with ADHD and AD were divided into two groups: treatment for AD, and wait list. Participants were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up with the ADIS-C, the CBCL, and neuropsychological measures. The results revealed a significant improvement in automatic response inhibition and flexibility, and a decrease in inattention/hyperactivity behaviors following the treatment for AD. No significant differences were observed in motor response inhibition, working memory, or attention deficits. The results do not seem to support Quay's hypothesis: treating AD did not exacerbate cognitive deficits and behaviors associated with ADHD in our sample.