Patient anxiety and elective gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Background: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy (CS) are commonly performed procedures that can cause anxiety related to potential findings, embarrassment and concern over discomfort. The objective of this study is to evaluate patient anxiety associated with diagnostic, sedated outpatient endoscopy and to correlate endoscopists' estimations of patient anxiety with those of the patient.

Methods: Consecutive patients referred for diagnostic upper endoscopy or colonoscopy were evaluated.

The role of anxiety in predicting drinking behaviour.

Aims: We investigated whether reduced anxiety predicted improved drinking outcomes over and above age of onset and ondansetron treatment among alcoholics enrolled in a clinical trial.

Methods: Study design was a 2 (early onset alcoholics versus late onset alcoholics) x 4 (placebo and ondansetron 1, 4 and 16 micro g/kg twice daily) factorial randomized clinical trial during which all participants received weekly group cognitive behavioural therapy. Using weighted least squares regression, we examined the effects of ondansetron dose, age of onset, pre-treatment drinking and anxiety level (measured by Profile of Mood States) on end-state drinking behaviour.

The effects of safety-seeking behavior and guided threat reappraisal on fear reduction during exposure: an experimental investigation.

We examined the effects of safety-seeking behavior and guided threat focus and reappraisal on fear reduction during exposure. Participants (N=46) displaying marked claustrophobic fear were randomized to one of three 30-min exposure conditions: (a) guided threat focus and reappraisal; (b) safety-behavior utilization; or (c) exposure only control. Tripartite outcome assessments during a behavioral approach test, along with measures of suffocation and restriction fears were obtained at pre- and post-treatment, and at a 2-week follow-up.