Exploration of Predictive Modeling of Defense Health Agency & Department of Veterans Affairs Beneficiaries Dietary Supplements Use.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to predict dietary supplements (DS) use among Defense Health Agency (DHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries who were scheduled for surgical procedures. DESIGN: This was a predictive descriptive multicenter study with a convenience sample of 2,623 adult subjects. After institutional review board exemption, data collection occurred preoperatively via electronic survey. Participation was voluntary and data unidentifiable. METHODS: Data were collected in preoperative anesthesia clinics during preanesthetic evaluations, or in surgery holding areas immediately prior to surgery, using a validated data collection tool. The total convenience sample size was 2,623 subjects from 6 medical centers. Data were voluntarily, anonymously, and verbally obtained from subjects using electronic survey methodology. Collected data included: gender, age, rank, beneficiary status, race, body mass index, tobacco use, marital status, and knowledge of DS side effects and drug interactions. For predictive modeling of DS use, multiple logistic regression was performed for binary outcomes via SPSS. FINDINGS: For binary logistic regression the predictors were significant for the following outcomes: taking DS (education, sex, age, and race; P < .05), knowledge of side effects (age, race, and rank; P < .05), and believe they are having side effects (age; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Understanding DS use is central to predict and anticipate potential negative sequelae in patient outcomes in anesthesia. College education, females, Caucasians, and increasing age are indicators for greater DS use. These results provide opportunities for perianesthesia nurses to improve preoperative assessments, design patient specific perianesthesia care, and enhance patient education. Further research is recommended.

Knowledge Assessment of Military Personnel, Veterans, and Family Taking Dietary Supplements.

Dietary supplements (DS) pose many side effects and multiple interactions with perioperative medications, which may increase surgical morbidity and mortality. Descriptive empirical data are essentially nonexistent related to DS consumption and patient knowledge of DS. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of use, type of supplements used, and the knowledge base among military beneficiaries and veterans consuming DS during the preoperative period. This descriptive cross-sectional study solicited data from 2,623 volunteer, preoperative patients at 6 different military medical centers throughout the United States. Of the 2,623 participants, 847 (32.3%) reported taking at least 1 DS. Relevant to the surgical population, 154 (18.1%) of participants reported consuming DS that are associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Importantly, we found that 89.7% of patients taking DS were not aware of any potential side effects, and 97.1% lacked knowledge regarding any potential medication interactions between the supplement consumed and their prescribed medications. This vast knowledge gap could have deleterious effects on surgical outcomes. An increase in DS research is needed, and patient education should be incorporated routinely during preoperative assessments provided by military and Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities.

Investigation of the Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects of Crocin, a Compound from Saffron (Crocus sativus L), in the Male Sprague-Dawley Rat.

Anxiety and depression are debilitating, costly psychological disorders that account for more than $133 billion annually in direct medical expenses in the United States. Finding alternative treatments to reduce the personal and financial burden for patients with these disorders, while maintaining patient safety, is vital. The purposes of this study were to determine if crocin, a compound from saffron (Crocus sativus L), produces anxiolytic and/or antidepressant effects using rat models for anxiety and behavioral despair and to determine the effects of crocin at the benzodiazepine site on the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor. Fifty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups: vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide), crocin, midazolam, flumazenil plus crocin, and midazolam plus crocin. Behavioral analyses were conducted in the elevated plus-maze and the forced swim test. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and a least significant difference post hoc test. Data from the elevated plus-maze suggested crocin may attenuate the anxiolytic effects of midazolam, while not affecting psychomotor activity. Data from the forced swim test showed a significant increase in mean time mobile in the midazolam plus crocin group, suggesting a decrease in behavioral despair because of the interaction between crocin and midazolam.