Stress, Cortisol and Suicide Risk

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryl Brian O'Connor

Suicide is a global health issue accounting for at least 800,000 deaths per annum. Numerous models have been proposed that differ in their emphasis on the role of psychological, social, psychiatric and neurobiological factors in explaining suicide risk. Central to many models is a stress-diathesis component which states that suicidal behavior is the result of an interaction between acutely stressful events and a susceptibility to suicidal behavior (a diathesis). This article presents an overview of studies that demonstrate that stress and dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, as measured by cortisol levels, are important additional risk factors for suicide. Evidence for other putative stress-related suicide risk factors including childhood trauma, impaired executive function, impulsivity and disrupted sleep are considered together with the impact of family history of suicide, perinatal and epigenetic influences on suicide risk.

Crisis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami Hamdan ◽  
Nadine Melhem ◽  
Israel Orbach ◽  
Ilana Farbstein ◽  
Mohammad El-Haib ◽  
...  

Background: Relatively little is known about the role of protective factors in an Arab population in the presence of suicidal risk factors. Aims: To examine the role of protective factors in a subsample of in large Arab Kindred participants in the presence of suicidal risk factors. Methods: We assessed protective and risk factors in a sample of 64 participants (16 suicidal and 48 nonsuicidal) between 15 and 55 years of age, using a comprehensive structured psychiatric interview, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), self-reported depression, anxiety, hopelessness, impulsivity, hostility, and suicidal behavior in first-degree and second-relatives. We also used the Religiosity Questionnaire and suicide attitude (SUIATT) and multidimensional perceived support scale. Results: Suicidal as opposed to nonsuicidal participants were more likely to have a lifetime history of major depressive disorder (MDD) (68.8% vs. 22.9% χ2 = 11.17, p = .001), an anxiety disorder (87.5% vs. 22.9, χ2 = 21.02, p < .001), or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (25% vs. 0.0%, Fisher’s, p = .003). Individuals who are otherwise at high risk for suicidality have a much lower risk when they experience higher perceived social support (3.31 ± 1.36 vs. 4.96 ± 1.40, t = 4.10, df = 62, p < .001), and they have the view that suicide is somehow unacceptable (1.83 ± .10 vs. 1.89 ± .07, t = 2.76, df = 60, p = .008). Conclusions: Taken together with other studies, these data suggest that the augmentation of protective factors could play a very important role in the prevention of incidental and recurrent suicidal behavior in Arab populations, where suicidal behavior in increasing rapidly.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuwan C. Hettige ◽  
Ali Bani-Fatemi ◽  
Isaac Sakinofsky ◽  
Vincenzo De Luca

The risk of suicide is greatly increased in individuals with schizophrenia. Previous research has identified several potential risk factors for suicidal behavior in schizophrenia, although their ability to independently predict suicide is limited. The objective of this review was to systematically analyze and identify the interaction between the proposed risk factors in the literature that may predict suicidal behavior in schizophrenia. Articles that explored suicidal behavior and suicide risk in schizophrenia that were published between 1980 and August of 2015, indexed in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus were systematically reviewed. Many studies proposed a range of biopsychosocial risk factors that may independently lead to suicide in schizophrenia. These risk factors appear to be mainly related to stress, a history of suicidal behavior, and psychotic symptoms. It is clear, however, that many of these factors do not act independently and in fact require the reciprocal interaction of several of them to pose a risk for suicide in schizophrenia. Independently, the power of many risk factors to predict suicide is limited. Future studies should continue to adopt a multidimensional approach by considering the interaction of several factors in assessing the risk for suicide in schizophrenia.


Author(s):  
Fred L. Borch

Explores the role of the Dutch in the Indies from 1595, when sailors from Amsterdam first arrived in the islands, to 1942, when the Japanese invaded the colony and inflicted a devastating defeat upon the Dutch. The history of the Dutch in the Indonesian archipelago is critical to understanding the impact of the Japanese occupation after 1942, and the nature of the war crimes committed by the Japanese. This is because the ultimate goal of the Japanese occupiers was to erase all aspects of Dutch culture and influence the islands. The chapter begins with an examination of the early Dutch settlement of the islands, and the development of the colonial economy. It then discusses the so-called “Ethical Policy,” which sought to unify the islands under Dutch rule and implement European ideas about civilization, culture, and prosperity. The chapter looks at the colony’s social structure prior to World War II and closes with a discussion of the colony’s preparations for war with the Japanese in 1942. A short postscript explains what occurred between August 1945, when the Japanese surrendered, and December 1949, when the Netherlands East Indies ceased to exist.


Author(s):  
Paul Stevens

This chapter is concerned with the role of oil and gas in the economic development of the global economy. It focuses on the context in which established and newer oil and gas producers in developing countries must frame their policies to optimize the benefits of such resources. It outlines a history of the issue over the last twenty-five years. It considers oil and gas as factor inputs, their role in global trade, the role of oil prices in the macroeconomy and the impact of the geopolitics of oil and gas. It then considers various conventional views of the future of oil and gas in the primary energy mix. Finally, it challenges the drivers behind these conventional views of the future with an emphasis on why they may prove to be different from what is expected and how this may change the context in which producers must frame their policy responses.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1700
Author(s):  
Melissa Chalada ◽  
Charmaine A. Ramlogan-Steel ◽  
Bijay P. Dhungel ◽  
Christopher J. Layton ◽  
Jason C. Steel

Uveal melanoma (UM) is currently classified by the World Health Organisation as a melanoma caused by risk factors other than cumulative solar damage. However, factors relating to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) susceptibility such as light-coloured skin and eyes, propensity to burn, and proximity to the equator, frequently correlate with higher risk of UM. These risk factors echo those of the far more common cutaneous melanoma (CM), which is widely accepted to be caused by excessive UVR exposure, suggesting a role of UVR in the development and progression of a proportion of UM. Indeed, this could mean that countries, such as Australia, with high UVR exposure and the highest incidences of CM would represent a similarly high incidence of UM if UVR exposure is truly involved. Most cases of UM lack the typical genetic mutations that are related to UVR damage, although recent evidence in a small minority of cases has shown otherwise. This review therefore reassesses statistical, environmental, anatomical, and physiological evidence for and against the role of UVR in the aetiology of UM.


2010 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 488-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnaldo Schainberg ◽  
Antônio Ribeiro-Oliveira Jr. ◽  
José Marcio Ribeiro

It has been well documented that there is an increased prevalence of standard cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in association with diabetes and with diabetes-related abnormalities. Hyperglycemia, in particular, also plays an important role. Heart failure (HF) has become a frequent manifestation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals with diabetes mellitus. Epidemiological studies suggest that the effect of hyperglycemia on HF risk is independent of other known risk factors. Analysis of datasets from populations including individuals with dysglycemia suggests the pathogenic role of hyperglycemia on left ventricular function and on the natural history of HF. Despite substantial epidemiological evidence of the relationship between diabetes and HF, data from available interventional trials assessing the effect of a glucose-lowering strategy on CV outcomes are limited. To provide some insight into these issues, we describe in this review the recent important data to understand the natural course of CV disease in diabetic individuals and the role of hyperglycemia at different times in the progression of HF.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 7411-7422 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Brewer

Abstract. This review covers the development of ocean acidification science, with an emphasis on the creation of ocean chemical knowledge, through the course of the 20th century. This begins with the creation of the pH scale by Sørensen in 1909 and ends with the widespread knowledge of the impact of the "High CO2 Ocean" by then well underway as the trajectory along the IPCC scenario pathways continues. By mid-century the massive role of the ocean in absorbing fossil fuel CO2 was known to specialists, but not appreciated by the greater scientific community. By the end of the century the trade-offs between the beneficial role of the ocean in absorbing some 90% of all heat created, and the accumulation of some 50% of all fossil fuel CO2 emitted, and the impacts on marine life were becoming more clear. This paper documents the evolution of knowledge throughout this period.


Author(s):  
Iuliia Rossius

The goal of this article consists in demonstration of the impact of research in the field of history and theory of law alongside the hermeneutics of Emilio Betti impacted the vector of this philosophical thought. The subject of this article is the lectures read by Emilio Betti (prolusioni) in 1927 and 1948, as well as his writings of 1949 and 1962. Analysis is conducted on the succession of Betti's ideas in these works, which is traced despite the discrepancy in their theme (legal and philosophical). The author indicates &ldquo;legal&rdquo; origin of the canons of Bettis&rsquo; hermeneutics, namely the canon of autonomy of the object. Emphasis is placed on the problem of objectivity in Betti's theory, as well as on dialectical tension between the historicity of the interpreted subject and strangeness of the object that accompanies legal, as well as any other type of interpretation. The article reveals the key moment of Betti's criticism of Hans-Georg Gadamer. Regarding the question of historicity of the subject of interpretation. The conclusion is made that the origin of the general theory of interpretation lies in the approaches and methods developed and implemented by Betti back in legal hermeneutics and in studying history of law. &nbsp;&nbsp;Betti's philosophical theory was significantly affected by the idea on the role of modern legal dogma in interpretation of the history of law. Namely this idea that contains the principle of historicity of the subject of interpretation, which commenced&nbsp; the general hermeneutical theory of Emilio Betti, was realized in canon of the relevance of understanding in the lecture in 1948, and later in the &ldquo;general theory of interpretation&rdquo;. The author also underlines that the question of objectivity of understanding, which has crucial practical importance in legal hermeneutics, was transmitted into the philosophical works of E. Betti, finding reflection in dialectic of the subject and object of interpretation.


Author(s):  
Uma Jain ◽  
Kusumlata Singhal ◽  
Shikha Jain ◽  
Deepali Jain

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of dysglycaemia that occurs for the first time or is first detected during pregnancy. The adverse effects of GDM on pregnant women are pre-eclampsia, PIH, PPH, polyhydramanios, PROM, meanwhile, there would be an increase in dystocia, birth injury, and cesarean sectionMethods: This retrospective study was conducted in a Gynecology clinic in District Shivpuri to find out the various risk factors for GDM and to evaluate the impact of GDM on maternal and fetal health during the antenatal period. 84 patients who were diagnosed with GDM were included in the study. Results: Among risk factors; BMI >25 kg/m2 before pregnancy was found in 15.47% of the case, family history of diabetes mellitus 8.33%, Previous history of macrosomia 17.85%, Poor reproductive history 17.85%, baby with congenital malformation 8.33%, H/o unexplained IUFD 11.90%. H/o polyhydramnios 15.47%. History of PCOS 13.09% and preeclampsia was found in 17.85% of cases. In antenatal complications; miscarriages was found in 15.47%. polyhydramnios in 17.85%. Oligohydramnios in 8.33%, preterm labor in 11.90%, PROM in 9.52%, pre-eclampsia in 17.85%, sudden IUFD in 8.33% and congenital malformation was found in 4.76% of cases. On USG; IUGR was found in 7.14% of cases. Large for date fetus in 16.66% of cases and the normal growth was found in 76.19% of cases.Conclusions- In conclusion appropriate and timely diagnosis and treatment of GDM will result in decreased maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes comparable to general population rates, therefore, early diagnosis is important.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 94-97
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Starc ◽  
Richard J. Deckelbaum

For many adults, the risk of atherosclerosis can be reduced by intervention and treatment of known risk factors. Direct proof that similar intervention will be effective in children is not available. However, evidence suggests that prevention beginning in childhood will lead to a decrease in incidence of heart disease later in life. The majority of families are eager to take steps to prevent heart disease in their children, especially if there is a family history of early heart disease. It is the role of the pediatrician to identify those children at risk for early heart disease and to initiate advice on reducing risk factors.


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