Intergenerational transmission of war-related trauma assessed 40 years after exposure.

BACKGROUND: The intergenerational transmission of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from parent to offspring has been suggested in the literature, but this is highly controversial. We aimed to study the association between veterans' war exposure and lifetime PTSD and the psychological characteristics of their respective offspring, 40 years after war-related trauma. METHODS: Forty-four adult offspring of veterans with PTSD and 29 offspring of veterans without PTSD were included in the study, from a total of 46 veterans. War exposure intensity, lifetime PTSD, and the general psychopathology (with Brief Symptom Inventory-BSI) of the veterans were studied, as were childhood trauma, attachment, and the general psychopathology (with BSI) of their offspring. RESULTS: Veterans' war exposure was associated with BSI in the offspring with regard to somatisation (ß = 0.025; CI 0.001, 0.050), phobic anxiety (ß = 0.014; CI: 0.000, 0.027), Global Severity Index (GSI) (ß = 0.022; CI 0.005, 0.038), and Positive Symptom Distress Index (ß = 0.020; CI 0.006, 0.033). The fathers' GSI mediated only 18% of the effect of the veterans' total war exposure on offspring's GSI. Fathers' war exposure was associated with offspring's physical neglect as a childhood adversity, although non-significantly (p = 0.063). None of the other variables was associated with veterans' war exposure, and veterans' lifetime PTSD was not associated with any of the variables studied. CONCLUSIONS: The offspring of war veterans showed increased psychological suffering as a function of their fathers' war exposure intensity, but not of their fathers' lifetime PTSD. These results could be used to suggest that mental health support for veterans' offspring should consider the war exposure intensity of their fathers, and not just psychopathology. This could spare offspring's suffering if this mental health support could be delivered early on, after veterans return from war.

Teaching communication skills in clinical settings: comparing two applications of a comprehensive program with standardized and real patients.

BACKGROUND: Communication is important for the quality of clinical practice, and programs have been implemented to improve healthcare providers' communication skills. However, the consistency of programs teaching communication skills has received little attention, and debate exists about the application of acquired skills to real patients. This study inspects whether (1) results from a communication program are replicated with different samples, and (2) results with standardized patients apply to interviews with real patients. METHODS: A structured, nine-month communication program was applied in two consecutive years to two different samples of healthcare professionals (25 in the first year, 20 in the second year). Results were assessed at four different points in time, each year, regarding participants' confidence levels (self-rated), basic communication skills in interviews with standardized patients, and basic communication skills in interviews with real patients. Data were analyzed using GLM Repeated-Measures procedures. RESULTS: Improvements were statistically significant in both years in all measures except in simulated patients' assessment of the 2008 group. Differences between the two samples were non-significant. Differences between interviews with standardized and with real patients were also non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: The program's positive outcomes were replicated in different samples, and acquired skills were successfully applied to real-patient interviews. This reinforces this type of program structure as a valuable training tool, with results translating into real situations. It also adds to the reliability of the assessment instruments employed, though these may need adaptation in the case of real patients.

General Practitioners' Own Traumatic Experiences and Their Skills in Addressing Patients' Past History of Adversities: A Cross-Sectional Study in Portugal.

Addressing trauma has been found to be important for primary care patients, as it can improve their health-related outcomes. We aimed to assess how Portuguese general practitioners' (GPs) past history of traumatic events (TEs) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence their clinical communication skills when addressing their patients' past history of adversities. An online survey was circulated by email to GPs' associations and through GPs' social media groups. A sample of 143 GPs participated in this study. GPs' exposure to ACEs and TEs was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form and the Life Events Checklist for the DSM-5. To evaluate clinical communication skills, we adapted the Self-confidence Scale and used the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy. GPs identified barriers to addressing trauma routinely, including a lack of time (86.7%) and a fear of causing further patient suffering (56.6%). GPs' exposure to TEs and ACEs was positively correlated with scores in some dimensions of self-confidence and empathy (r values varying from 0.170 to 0.247). GPs exposed to traumatic experiences felt more confident when addressing their patients' adversities and were more empathic when conducting therapeutic relationships. This study shows that GPs with a history of traumatic experiences are able to address their patients' adversities; however, they lack proper training and better patient care conditions, such as more time and more resources available for patient guidance.

The Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene (NR3C1) 9ß SNP Is Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with glucocorticoid (GC) hypersensitivity. Although genetic factors account for 30-46% of the variance in PTSD, no associations have been found between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GC receptor (GR) gene (NR3C1) and risk for this disorder. We studied the association of five SNPs in the GR gene (rs10052957, rs6189/rs6190, rs6195, rs41423247, and rs6198) and haplotypes with PTSD, in a group of Portuguese male war veterans (33 with lifetime PTSD, 28 without). To determine whether the 9ß SNP (rs6198) was associated with chronically altered cortisol levels, we evaluated hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in a sample of 69 veterans' offspring. The 9ß variant (G allele) was significantly associated with lifetime PTSD under a dominant model of inheritance. The 9ß variant was also significantly associated with severity of current PTSD symptoms. The haplotype analysis revealed an association between a common haplotype comprising the 9ß risk allele and lifetime PTSD. Carriers of the 9ß risk allele had significantly lower HCC than non-carriers. We found the 9ß risk allele and a haplotype comprising the 9ß risk allele of the GR gene to be associated with PTSD in veterans. This 9ß risk allele was also associated with lower HCC in their offspring.

The Pathways between Cortisol-Related Regulation Genes and PTSD Psychotherapy.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) only develops after exposure to a traumatic event in some individuals. PTSD can be chronic and debilitating, and is associated with co-morbidities such as depression, substance use, and cardiometabolic disorders. One of the most important pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of PTSD and its subsequent maintenance is a dysfunctional hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The corticotrophin-releasing hormone, cortisol, glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and their respective genes are some of the mediators of PTSD's pathophysiology. Several treatments are available, including medication and psychotherapies, although their success rate is limited. Some pharmacological therapies based on the HPA axis are currently being tested in clinical trials and changes in HPA axis biomarkers have been found to occur in response not only to pharmacological treatments, but also to psychotherapy-including the epigenetic modification of the GR gene. Psychotherapies are considered to be the first line treatments for PTSD in some guidelines, even though they are effective for some, but not for all patients with PTSD. This review aims to address how knowledge of the HPA axis-related genetic makeup can inform and predict the outcomes of psychotherapeutic treatments.

Trauma-Informed Care in Primary Health Settings-Which Is Even More Needed in Times of COVID-19.

Included in the general practitioner's (GP) core competencies is the ability to adopt a person-centered approach, and the use of the biopsychosocial model in their clinical work. Traumatic events (TEs) are frequently experienced within the population and are known to dysregulate the stress response system and to be associated with psychiatric and physical disorders. GPs may feel reluctant to confront TEs for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of sufficient training in trauma-informed care or a fear of causing harm when discussing a patient's more complicated issues, among others. This perspective paper aims to review the existing studies that support the practice of trauma-informed healthcare and to summarise best practices. Studies have shown that patients appreciate the questions that clinicians ask them about trauma-related issues and that they understand that this can be important for their healthcare. Furthermore, asking about trauma-related issues in a patient-centered and empathic way can result in better doctor-patient relationships, which improves the levels of satisfaction of both the patient and the doctor with the consultation, as well as improved health-related outcomes. As past traumatic experiences increase the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder on exposure to a new TE, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to trauma-informed care becoming even more important if the strategy is to continue to invest in preventive medicine.

Clinical Communication Skills Training in Dental Medical Education: The COVID-19 Pandemic Challenge.

It is very important for healthcare professionals to have good clinical communication skills, especially dentists. Patient-centred care results in patient satisfaction, better outcomes, and less complaints from dental patients. Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical communications skills programme of the pre-graduate course in dental medicine at the University of Porto had to be transformed to an online format. Based on their role as faculty, the authors aimed to recount their initial reflections and concerns within this perspective, and to share how they adapted to the new reality of teaching clinical communication skills online, as well as the conclusions of our experience, in the hope that this will help others who may have to go through a similar process. The authors acknowledged that the students achieved the pre-established goals of the clinical communications skills programme through the new online format.

Lifetime PTSD is associated with impaired emotion recognition in veterans and their offspring.

PTSD is associated with emotion dysregulation. Studies have found inconsistent impaired facial emotion recognition ability (ERA) in patients with PTSD and intergenerational transmission of PTSD has been reported, although no studies exist regarding ERA. Our objective was to characterise the facial ERA of a group of traumatised war veterans with, and without lifetime PTSD, and also of their respective adult offspring. Sixty-one veterans with, and without lifetime PTSD and 73 offspring were tested for ERA of seven basic facial emotions expressions, 40 years after veterans had been exposed to war-related trauma. Veterans with lifetime PTSD showed impairment of recognition of all emotions, irrespective of the type, when compared with veterans without PTSD. This result was maintained after adjusting for potential confounders-including depressive symptoms. Offspring of veterans with lifetime PTSD also showed impaired recognition of all emotions, including after adjustment for the same variables. Offspring of veterans with lifetime PTSD also showed specific impairment in recognising the emotions of happiness and disgust. These results confirm that PTSD has negative effects with regards to emotion regulation and also on the next generation. This could result in this population being at increased risk of suffering from relationship problems and psychopathology.

Vulnerability Factors Associated with Lifetime Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Veterans 40 Years after War.

Vulnerability factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development are still controversial. Our aim was to study the vulnerability factors for the development of war-related PTSD over a period of 40 years after exposure. A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out on 61 male traumatized war veterans, taking into consideration adverse childhood experiences (ACE), attachment orientations, number of non-war-related traumatic events, and war experiences. Lifetime PTSD was assessed by using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. Insecure attachment styles were significantly associated with lifetime PTSD and even after adjustment for war exposure this was still significant. Non-war-related traumatic events were not associated with lifetime PTSD, whereas ACE were associated with lifetime PTSD. War-related experiences were also associated with lifetime PTSD, except for injury or disease. The results for our sample show that, 40 years after war, the intensity of war-related experiences and ACE were significantly and independently associated with the development of lifetime PTSD. Insecure attachment was significantly associated with lifetime PTSD, which, in turn, are both positively associated with war exposure. These findings may have implications for patient care, as they constitute a strong argument that attachment-focused therapies could well be necessary 40 years after trauma.

Hair Cortisol as a Marker of Intergenerational Heritage of War? A Study of Veterans and Their Offspring.

OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with lower circulating cortisol levels in specific subgroups, which have also been found in the offspring of people with PTSD. The analysis of hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) is a recent methodology which is used to assess long-term systemic cortisol levels. We aimed to study veterans with war-related lifetime PTSD and their respective offspring with regards to HCC. We also studied the influence of lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD), war experiences, and childhood adversities on HCC in these groups. METHODS: 31 male veterans with PTSD and 28 without PTSD and 69 adult offspring were studied. HCC were quantified by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: No differences in HCC were found between veterans with and without PTSD, or between their respective offspring. Veterans without MDD showed a positive association between total war exposure and HCC. Veterans reporting more frequent childhood physical abuse had lower HCC. Veterans-with-PTSD's offspring with MDD had increased HCC compared to offspring without MDD. Offspring's exposure to more frequent childhood physical abuse was negatively associated with HCC in those without MDD. CONCLUSION: HCC did not appear to constitute a marker of intergenerational heritage of war-related PTSD, except in the case of veteranswith-PTSD's offspring with MDD. Our data suggest that HCC is a marker of adult reported childhood physical abuse.

Genetics of glucocorticoid regulation and posttraumatic stress disorder--What do we know?

CASTRO-VALE, I., E.F.C. van Rossum, J.C. Machado, R. Mota-Cardoso and D. Carvalho. Genetics of glucocorticoid regulation and posttraumatic stress disorder-What do we know? NEUROSCI. BIOBEHAV. REV. 43 (1) XXX-XXX, 2014 - Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops in a small proportion of those who have been exposed to a traumatic event. Genetic factors are estimated to be responsible for 30% of the variance in PTSD risk. Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis in PTSD has been found, particularly hypersensitivity of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In this review we aim to understand the genetic factors that influence glucocorticoid function in PTSD. Glucocorticoid action is regulated by a corticotrophin-releasing hormone, arginine vasopressin (AVP)/oxytocin pathway, GR, and regulators such as co-chaperone FKBP5. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GR gene, CRHR1 gene and FKBP5 gene affect HPA-axis sensitivity. The GR gene SNP BclI has been associated with hypersensitivity to glucocorticoids and PTSD symptoms. FKBP5 gene SNPs interacted with childhood adversity to moderate PTSD risk and in particular, the rs9470080 SNP was independently associated with lifetime PTSD. SNPs in the CRHR1 gene were also associated with PTSD risk. Gene-environment interaction studies have highlighted the importance of multifactorial vulnerability in PTSD, with epigenetic mechanisms contributing to the equation.

Emotion Recognition Ability Test Using JACFEE Photos: A Validity/Reliability Study of a War Veterans' Sample and Their Offspring.

Emotion recognition is very important for social interaction. Several mental disorders influence facial emotion recognition. War veterans and their offspring are subject to an increased risk of developing psychopathology. Emotion recognition is an important aspect that needs to be addressed in this population. To our knowledge, no test exists that is validated for use with war veterans and their offspring. The current study aimed to validate the JACFEE photo set to study facial emotion recognition in war veterans and their offspring. The JACFEE photo set was presented to 135 participants, comprised of 62 male war veterans and 73 war veterans' offspring. The participants identified the facial emotion presented from amongst the possible seven emotions that were tested for: anger, contempt, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise. A loglinear model was used to evaluate whether the agreement between the intended and the chosen emotions was higher than the expected. Overall agreement between chosen and intended emotions was 76.3% (Cohen kappa = 0.72). The agreement ranged from 63% (sadness expressions) to 91% (happiness expressions). The reliability by emotion ranged from 0.617 to 0.843 and the overall JACFEE photo set Cronbach alpha was 0.911. The offspring showed higher agreement when compared with the veterans (RR: 41.52 vs 12.12, p < 0.001), which confirms the construct validity of the test. The JACFEE set of photos showed good validity and reliability indices, which makes it an adequate instrument for researching emotion recognition ability in the study sample of war veterans and their respective offspring.

Neonatal exposure to cocaine: altered dopamine levels in the amygdala and behavioral outcomes in the developing rat.

The amygdala is a brain region that is known to be implicated in the development of behavioral sensitization to cocaine. This area is often related to conditioned associations, stress responses, and anxiety; and these behaviors are usually posited to be due to altered dopamine levels. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of neonatal exposure to cocaine on the levels of neurotransmitters in the amygdala of developing rats and to relate these levels with open-field observations, mainly rearing behavior, that is regarded to reflect emotional components. Male and female Wistar rats were given 15 mg of cocaine hydrochloride/kg body weight, subcutaneously, in two daily doses, from postnatal day 1 (PND1) to PND30. Controls were given 0.9% saline. Open-field activity was registered on PND14, 21, and 30 in three sessions of 15 min each. In PND30, rats were decapitated, and the amygdala dissected from both brain hemispheres and processed for determination of dopamine (DA) and metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). Results show that in PND14 and 21 all registered activity behaviors were increased in male and female cocaine-exposed animals. In PND30, there was a significant decrease in rearing and in global activity in the group exposed to cocaine, and DA levels were significantly decreased in the amygdala of the same group. No differences were found between the left and right amygdala. These results suggest that chronic neonatal cocaine administration leads to depletion of DA levels in the amygdala, which is consistent with previous findings. Furthermore, the lower levels of DA are associated with decreased rearing behavior, which may indicate emotional depression. These results can help to clarify the role of amygdala in cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in the developing rat.

Learning clinical communication skills: outcomes of a program for professional practitioners.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a communication skills program on professional practitioners' performance and self-confidence in clinical interviewing. METHODS: Twenty-five health professionals took 3 months of basic communication skills followed by 3 months of advanced communication skills. An additional quarter dealt with self-awareness and communication in special situations. Participants' performances were evaluated in clinical interviews with standardized patients before, during and after the program by external observers and standardized patients, using standardized instruments. Participants assessed their own confidence in their communication skills before and after the program. Data were analysed using GLM repeated-measures procedures in SPSS. RESULTS: Basic communication skills and self-confidence improved throughout the 6 months; competencies declined but self-confidence continued to increase 4 months later. Compared with taking no course, differences were statistically significant after the 6 months (external observers only) and 4 months later (external observers and participants). CONCLUSION: The program effectively improved communication skills, although significantly only when assessed by external observers. Four months later, effects were significant in communication skills (external observers), despite the decline and in self-confidence. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: While periodical enrollment in programs for the practice of communication skills may help maintain performance, more knowledge on communication and self-awareness may enhance self-confidence.

[Teaching doctor-patient communication - a proposal in practice]. / O ensino da comunicação na relação médico-doente - uma proposta em prática.

Traditionally, doctor-patient communication was considered a matter of <> and <>, and a topic for informal learning. Recently, studies have shown the importance of communication skills in medical practice. Doctor-patient communication skills, such as knowing how to listen, how to observe, and how to inform are today considered important components of Medical Education, although they are often difficult to integrate in Medical Curricula. In the current work, the authors describe the program of Communication in the Doctor-Patient Relationship, initiated in 2001 in the Medical School of the University of Porto, part of its undergraduate program. Future studies will allow us to assess the effectiveness of the learning and application of these skills in clinical practice.