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[Neurotic triad and change in blood platelet number in reaction to stress]

K Van Imschoot, M Liesse, C Mertens

    L'Encephale
    |January 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Psychological stress impacts blood platelet counts differently in individuals. Non-coronary subjects with lower psychological distress showed reduced platelet counts compared to other groups.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Psychology
    • Hematology

    Background:

    • Catheterization procedures can induce physiological stress.
    • Psychological factors may influence hematological parameters like platelet count.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between psychological profiles and blood platelet count changes following catheterization stress.
    • To compare platelet responses in myocardial infarction patients versus non-coronary subjects.

    Main Methods:

    • Blood platelet counts were measured three times in response to catheterization stress.
    • Participants (21 myocardial infarction patients, 21 non-coronary subjects) were categorized based on psychological scale results (hypochondria, depression, hysteria via M.M.P.I.).

    Main Results:

    • Non-coronary subjects with low scores on hypochondria, depression, and overall psychological scales exhibited lower platelet counts.
    • Non-coronary subjects with high psychological scores had similar platelet counts to coronary patients, regardless of their psychological score.

    Conclusions:

    • Psychological distress levels appear to modulate blood platelet count responses to stress in non-coronary individuals.
    • Platelet count reactivity to catheterization stress may be influenced by psychological state, particularly in healthy individuals.

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