Temperament and stress coping styles in bronchial asthma patients.

INTRODUCTION: Temperament, defined as the formal characteristics of behavior, is a personality trait which can influence the clinical presentation and course of bronchial asthma. It determines susceptibility to stress as well as stress coping styles. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess whether healthy subjects differ from bronchial asthma patients with regard to temperamental variables and stress coping styles, and whether these factors may also differentiate patients with severe asthma from those with the milder form. The study also assesses whether the results of flow volume curve analysis correlate with temperamental traits and stress coping styles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a group of 65 asthma patients and 62 healthy controls. All underwent flow volume curve examination and psychological tests: Formal Characteristics of Behavior - Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI) and Coping in Stress Situations (CISS) questionnaire. RESULTS: Bronchial asthma patients were characterized by a lower level of briskness ("agility") than healthy subjects (13.35 ±4.48 vs. 14.97 ±3.98, p = 0.031). The remaining temperamental traits and stress coping styles did not differ between the groups. Additionally, the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) value was found to correlate negatively with the intensity of the emotion-oriented stress coping style, whereas FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FVC) were found to positively correlate with briskness, emotional reactivity and endurance, while a negative correlation was found with activity. CONCLUSIONS: Briskness differentiates healthy subjects from bronchial asthma patients. The values obtained in FEV1 and FVC pulmonary function tests were also found to correlate with some temperamental variables.

The Bcl I single nucleotide polymorphism of the human glucocorticoid receptor gene h-GR/NR3C1 promoter in patients with bronchial asthma: pilot study.

Bcl I in the promoter polymorphism observed within h-GR/NR3C1 gene may play an important role in the development of bronchial asthma and resistance to GCs in the severe bronchial asthma. The aim of the investigation was to study the correlation between this h-GR/NR3C1 gene polymorphism and occurrence of asthma in the population of Polish asthmatics. Peripheral blood was obtained from 70 healthy volunteers and 59 asthma patients. Structuralized anamnesis, spirometry and allergy skin prick tests were performed in all participants. Genotyping was carried out with PCR-RFLP method. In healthy, non-atopic population variants of Bcl I: GG, GC, CC were found with frequency 0.129/0.471/0.400, respectively. In asthma patients Bcl I: GG, GC, CC occurred with respective frequencies of 0.410/0.462/0.128. Chi-square analysis revealed a significantly different (P<0.05) distribution between cases and controls for the Bcl I polymorphism. The Bcl I polymorphism of h-GR/NR3C1 gene is significantly associated with bronchial asthma, susceptibility to the development of severe form and resistance to GCs in Polish population.

The sequence polymorphism of MnSOD gene in subjects with respiratory insufficiency in COPD.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with the development of respiratory failure, which, in turn, exposes the tissues to oxidative stress, which is both a cause and a result of respiratory insufficiency. The first-line defense against oxidative stress is provided by the mitochondrial enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), which is a superoxide anion scavenger. It is unknown whether genetic variability of the enzymes protecting against reactive oxygen species (ROS) can influence the development of respiratory failure in COPD patients. The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between polymorphism of MnSOD signal peptide and the occurrence of respiratory failure in the course of COPD. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study group consisted of 162 COPD patients (113 men and 49 women). The control group consisted of 63 subjects. Respiratory failure was diagnosed in 42 COPD patients. In all the examined subjects, the polymorphism resulting in alanine at residue 9 being replaced by valine and the expression of MnSOD in blood cells were determined. RESULTS: The Val/Val phenotype was demonstrated to occur in COPD patients more frequently than in the control group, as well as being associated with a lower expression level of MnSOD mRNA. Respiratory failure in the course of COPD also correlates with lower expression of MnSOD mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of valine at position 9 of the MnSOD signal peptide encoded by exon 2 is a risk factor for the occurrence of respiratory failure in the course of COPD in the Polish population.

Frequencies of Bcl I, E22E, and N363S of h-GR/NR3C1 restriction fragment length polymorphisms of glucocorticoid receptor gene in Polish adult population.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphism of the gene encoding the glucocorticoid receptor - h-GR/NR3C1 demonstrates close genetic and biochemical correlation with etiopathogenesis of metabolic, cardiovascular, hematologic, and mental disorders. The natural variability of DNA sequence within the h-GR gene affects both the conformation and the activity of glucocorticoid receptors. Modifications of the amino acid receptor structure give rise to disturbances of the receptor-hormone complex interaction with many genes responsible for normal cellular function. Transactivation, or transrepression, of the genes encoding proteins synthesized within the framework of cellular response to glucocorticosteroids is 1 among many molecular pathways leading to the development of resistance to anti-inflammatory drugs. MATERIAL/METHODS: A group of 70 healthy participants, with no history of asthma or atopic conditions, qualified for the study. Genotyping was accomplished using PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: In healthy, nonatopic population, within the h-GR gene promoter, a polymorphism of Bcl I: GG, GC, and CC occurring with 0.129/0.471/0.40 frequency, were identified. Two polymorphisms were identified in exon 2 at 1220 and 198 position in the h-GR gene: N363S (AA, AG occurring with 0.9/0.1 frequency) and ER22/23EK (GG, GC occurring with 0.843/0.157 frequency). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of polymorphisms occurring within the h-GR gene has not been assessed to date in the Polish population. The present study is the first attempt of such estimation. The study is an introduction to more-detailed analysis of the correlation between the occurrence of h-GR gene polymorphisms, and the development of severe, steroid-resistant bronchial asthma.

[Anxiety and depression in patients with obstructive diseases]. / Leki depresja u chorych na choroby obturacyjne pluc.

UNLABELLED: Obstructive disorders (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are associated with considerable emotional burden of the patient, with may result in the development of mood disturbances and anxiety disorders. However, the literature data are contradictory. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between subjective and objective obstruction symptoms and the intensity of anxiety as a condition, as well as estimation of the intensity of anxiety and depression in patients suffering from obstructive syndromes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 32 patients diagnosed with obstructive disorders. Structuralized anamnesis was obtained and spirometry was performed in compliance with the standards set by the Polish Society of Lungs Diseases. Disturbances of ventilation and their severity were estimated according to the GINA Report and GOLD Guidelines. All the patients were assessed using Beck Depression Inventory and Spielberg State - Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The subjective dyspnoea levels were estimated with Borg scale. The study was carried out between October 2005 and September 2008 in the Specialist Outpatient Department of the Lódz Medical University Department of Pneumonology and Allergology. RESULTS: A weak positive correlation was demonstrated between the declared dyspnoea level and the intensity of depression (p < 0.05) as well as the intensity of anxiety as a condition (p < 0.05) and anxiety as a trait (p < 0.05). A weak negative correlation was found to exist between FVC EX and the level of anxiety as condition (p < 0.01) and anxiety as a trait (p < 0.05). No statistically significant correlations between the values of spirometric parameters: FEV1, FEV1%, FEV1%FVC, and the levels of depression, anxiety and reported dyspnoea were found. CONCLUSIONS: A positive correlation between the declared dyspnoea level and the intensity of anxiety and depression as a condition was demonstrated in the studied group of patients with obstructive disorders.