Discharge against Medical Advice in Surgical Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report Series Illustrating Unique Challenges.

Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) can have detrimental effects on patient outcomes. Recently, the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked with DAMA in the setting. However, PTSD as a risk factor for DAMA in patients has not received much consideration, although such patients may be at risk for triggering or amplification of PTSD symptoms perioperatively.

Serotonin Syndrome Following an Uncomplicated Orthopedic Surgery in a Patient With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction that may occur in patients treated with serotonin agonist medications. Medications responsible for serotonin syndrome include commonly prescribed antidepressants, anxiolytics, analgesics, and antiemetics. Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at risk for polypharmacy with serotoninergic medications, given their psychological comorbidities and service-related musculoskeletal injuries.