Psychosomatic medicine
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Psychosomatic medicine · Sep 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialInteracting effects of trait anger and acute anger arousal on pain: the role of endogenous opioids.
Elevated trait anger (TRANG; heightened propensity to experience anger) is associated with greater pain responsiveness, possibly via associations with deficient endogenous opioid analgesia. This study tested whether acute anger arousal moderates the impact of TRANG on endogenous opioid analgesia. ⋯ Results indicate that hyperalgesic effects of TRANG are most prominent when acute anger is aroused and suggest that endogenous opioid mechanisms contribute.
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Negative expectations deriving from the clinical encounter can produce negative outcomes, known as nocebo effects. Specifically, research on the nocebo effect indicates that information disclosure about potential side effects can itself contribute to producing adverse effects. Neurobiological processes play a role in the nocebo effect, and this article provides a selective review of mechanistic research on the nocebo effect. ⋯ Nocebo effects adversely influence quality of life and therapy adherence, emphasizing the need for minimizing these responses to the extent possible. Evidence further indicates that the informed consent process in clinical trials may induce nocebo effects. This article concludes with ethical directions for future patient-oriented research and routine practice.
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Psychosomatic medicine · Sep 2011
Increased risks of acute organ dysfunction and mortality in intensive care unit patients with schizophrenia: a nationwide population-based study.
To investigate the risks of acute organ dysfunction and death in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with schizophrenia. ⋯ Among ICU patients, schizophrenic patients were sicker, having a higher risk of acute organ dysfunction and death.