Publications (1999)

1999

1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1986 1983

Relationships between Alexithymia and Locus of Control

Ver�ssimo R, Taylor G, Bagby M.

New Trends in Experimental and Clinical Psychiatry [Submitted Jan 25, 1999]

Keywords: Alexithymia, locus of control, pens�e op�ratoire.

Abstract:

The relationship between alexithymia and locus of control was explored in a clinical group comprised of 50 general practice patients and 74 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and in a nonclinical group comprised of 218 medical students. Alexithymia was associated positively with the powerful others and chance dimensions of external locus of control in both groups, and negatively with internal locus of control in the nonclinical group. Although not all correlations reached a level of significance, the overall pattern of correlations between the facets of the alexithymia construct and the dimensions of locus of control was similar in the two groups. The findings are consistent with clinical reports that alexithymic individuals manifest an externally-oriented mode of thinking and living.

Reprints: Ramiro Ver�ssimo
Psicologia M�dica

Postoperative mortality in an Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Intensive Care Unit (OLT-ICU)

Oliveira T, Abelha F, Ver�ssimo R.

Transplant International [Submitted Feb 2, 1999]

Keywords: .

Abstract:

Background: In the Intensive Care Units (ICU's) the patient status is regularly assessed by various means. Among them there are some scoring systems frequently referred in the literature used to evaluate severity of illness by weighing and summarising some variables related with physiological derangement. For that matter, currently using those same indexes, the Orthotopic Liver Transplantation ICU (OLT-ICU) makes no exception. Methods: Data collected was assessed in the 24h following admission and daily until the 5th day. Besides variables linked to the commonly used severity of illness scoring systems - APACHE II, SAPS II, MPM on admission and at 24h -, it also contemplates demographic variables and other related with the surgical and postoperative procedures; TISS-28 included. Results: Non-survivors accounted for higher severity scores and stayed longer in the ICU than did the survivors. They had significantly lower arterial bicarbonate, diuresis, hematocrit, body temperature, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. On the other hand creatinine serum levels were higher as was the uremia. Also noticeable during the considered first five days period are the systematically higher bilirubin levels, along with a smaller platelet count. Conclusions: After OLT surgery almost all of the items in the currently used severity scoring systems were consistently different among survivors and non-survivors. Some other physiological indexes also routinely evaluated, though not contemplated in those usual scoring systems, and TISS-28 scores as well, may also have some power to account for the early outcome.

Reprints: Teresa Oliveira
Dept of Anesthesia and Intensive Care / H. S. Jo�o
Al Prof Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

A few considerations on emotional development:
to be aware of or else holding back emotions among IBD patients

Ver�ssimo R.

Revista Portuguesa de Psicossom�tica [Submitted, Apr 1999]

Keywords: Alexithymia, emotional control, disorders of the affect regulation.

Abstract:

Conducted in an inflammatory bowel disease group comprised of 59 patients, 22 men and 37 woman, this cross-sectional study was aimed at exploring some possible influences of intrafamilial interactions in affect regulation.
Probably benefiting from a more caring upbringing environment, the last born increasingly expresses his emotions outwardly. In contrast to the eldest child, who has such tendency decreased. Parental separation, in turn, is associated with lower positive affects and sensation seeking. But in yet another perspective the positive affects and exploratory behaviour tends to increase with time period of adulthood separation from the nuclear family of origin. Finally those who were raised as the only child within the family are more anxious, and while having more difficulty describing feelings, also tend to be included among the more severely diseased patients. These findings are consistent with the assumed importance of the considered environmental conditions regarding alexithymia and related constructs.

Reprints: Ramiro Ver�ssimo
Psicologia M�dica

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Relationships between Alexithymia and Locus of Control
Ver�ssimo R, Taylor G, Bagby M.
New Trends in Experimental and Clinical Psychiatry [Submitted Jan 25, 1999]
Keywords:	Alexithymia, locus of control, pens�e op�ratoire.
Abstract:	The relationship between alexithymia and locus of control was explored in a clinical group comprised of 50 general practice patients and 74 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and in a nonclinical group comprised of 218 medical students. Alexithymia was associated positively with the powerful others and chance dimensions of external locus of control in both groups, and negatively with internal locus of control in the nonclinical group. Although not all correlations reached a level of significance, the overall pattern of correlations between the facets of the alexithymia construct and the dimensions of locus of control was similar in the two groups. The findings are consistent with clinical reports that alexithymic individuals manifest an externally-oriented mode of thinking and living.
Reprints:	Ramiro Ver�ssimo Psicologia M�dica

Postoperative mortality in an Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Intensive Care Unit (OLT-ICU)
Oliveira T, Abelha F, Ver�ssimo R.
Transplant International [Submitted Feb 2, 1999]
Keywords:	.
Abstract:	Background: In the Intensive Care Units (ICU's) the patient status is regularly assessed by various means. Among them there are some scoring systems frequently referred in the literature used to evaluate severity of illness by weighing and summarising some variables related with physiological derangement. For that matter, currently using those same indexes, the Orthotopic Liver Transplantation ICU (OLT-ICU) makes no exception. Methods: Data collected was assessed in the 24h following admission and daily until the 5th day. Besides variables linked to the commonly used severity of illness scoring systems - APACHE II, SAPS II, MPM on admission and at 24h -, it also contemplates demographic variables and other related with the surgical and postoperative procedures; TISS-28 included. Results: Non-survivors accounted for higher severity scores and stayed longer in the ICU than did the survivors. They had significantly lower arterial bicarbonate, diuresis, hematocrit, body temperature, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. On the other hand creatinine serum levels were higher as was the uremia. Also noticeable during the considered first five days period are the systematically higher bilirubin levels, along with a smaller platelet count. Conclusions: After OLT surgery almost all of the items in the currently used severity scoring systems were consistently different among survivors and non-survivors. Some other physiological indexes also routinely evaluated, though not contemplated in those usual scoring systems, and TISS-28 scores as well, may also have some power to account for the early outcome.
Reprints:	Teresa Oliveira Dept of Anesthesia and Intensive Care / H. S. Jo�o Al Prof Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

A few considerations on emotional development: to be aware of or else holding back emotions among IBD patients
Ver�ssimo R.
Revista Portuguesa de Psicossom�tica [Submitted, Apr 1999]
Keywords:	Alexithymia, emotional control, disorders of the affect regulation.
Abstract:	Conducted in an inflammatory bowel disease group comprised of 59 patients, 22 men and 37 woman, this cross-sectional study was aimed at exploring some possible influences of intrafamilial interactions in affect regulation. Probably benefiting from a more caring upbringing environment, the last born increasingly expresses his emotions outwardly. In contrast to the eldest child, who has such tendency decreased. Parental separation, in turn, is associated with lower positive affects and sensation seeking. But in yet another perspective the positive affects and exploratory behaviour tends to increase with time period of adulthood separation from the nuclear family of origin. Finally those who were raised as the only child within the family are more anxious, and while having more difficulty describing feelings, also tend to be included among the more severely diseased patients. These findings are consistent with the assumed importance of the considered environmental conditions regarding alexithymia and related constructs.
Reprints:	Ramiro Ver�ssimo Psicologia M�dica