Are vital exhaustion and depression independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease morbidity?

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the concurrent effects of vital exhaustion and depression on the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity.

Method: The sample of this representative, 4-year longitudinal study comprised 2,725 participants (43.56% male, Mage = 58.

Self-rated health is associated with the length of stay at the intensive care unit and hospital following cardiac surgery.

Background: Recently, a considerable amount of evidence suggested that anxiety, depression and other psychosocial variables might influence the outcomes of cardiac surgery. This study investigated the relationship between length of stay at the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital after surgery and different psychosocial variables (e.g.

Improving the quality and efficiency of follow-up after curative treatment for breast cancer--rationale and study design of the MaCare trial.

Background: After curative treatment for breast cancer women frequently attend scheduled follow-up examinations. Usually the follow-up is most frequent in the first 2-3 years (2-4 times a year); thereafter the frequency is reduced to once a year in most countries. Its main aim is to detect local disease recurrence, or a second primary breast cancer, but also to provide information and psychosocial support.

Psychological effects of a short behavior modification program in patients with acute myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass grafting. A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The effects of a short intervention on behavioral risk factor modification in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) on Type A behavior, vital exhaustion, and depression were studied in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Acute myocardial infarction patients or patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomly assigned to an 8-week multiple risk modification group program (n = 94) or to a control group (n = 90) that received usual care with standard physical exercise training. Patients were assessed before intervention, directly after intervention, and at 9-month follow-up.

Cholesterol changes in coronary patients after a short behavior modification program.

Serum cholesterol changes after an 8-week behavior modification program for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients were randomly assigned to the intervention (N = 94) or to usual care (N = 90). After 9 months' follow-up the intervention was effective in reducing total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, particularly in patients with high baseline lipid levels.

Alcohol use, cigarette consumption and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder.

Aims: The relationship between alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was studied in 147 male former members of the civilian resistance against the Nazi occupation of Holland during World War II.

Methods: The subjects were interviewed at home. Measures included rating of current PTSD and a self-report measure of smoking and alcohol use.