PSYCHO-VEGETATIVE "CHAOS" AS AN IMBALANCE OF HOMEOSTATIC SYSTEMS IN STUDENTS: METHODS OF ITS EARLY DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

The aim of the work was to study the psycho-vegetative state of students using standardized questionnaires.

Materials and methods of research. The study involved students of 18–20 y/o, I–II course of the medical university. According to the results of screening of 448 students, we used a standardized questionnaire by OM Vein. There were 82 people with signs of autonomic dysfunction, which comprised the main study group. To assess the state of autonomic balance, we used cardiointervalography; to verify the hyperventilation syndrome, we used the Nijmegen questionnaire; to assess the psycho-emotional state and anxiety, we used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results of the research. Among 82 students with signs of autonomic dysfunction, the average score by the Vein scale was 36.12 ± 4.26 points (p ˂ 0.001) vs. 15 points denoting the norm. Subjective symptoms identified by the Vein scale closely correlated with the results of the Nijmegen questionnaire. A positive indicator of the latter – 36.24 ± 1.26 points – was observed in 71.95 % of people, which indicated the presence of hyperventilation syndrome in this group of students. The rest of the students in the main group had a negative result (less than 23 points), although according to the Vein scale, they had signs of autonomic dysfunction, which could indicate a certain premorbid condition. According to the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, among the 82 people surveyed, students with signs of personal anxiety scored the most points, which were accompanied by emotional "explosions" (56.1 %), neurotic conflicts (35.37 %), feelings of insecurity (46.34 %) and anxiety (37.8 %), etc. We found an association between signs of anxiety and hyperventilation syndrome (r = 0.76). According to the results of the assessment, against the background of anxiety and neurotic symptoms and manifestations of hyperventilation syndrome, the results of the survey revealed signs of somatoform autonomic dysfunction in a significant proportion of students (71.95 %) of the main group, including complaints of respiratory, circulatory and gastrointestinal nature. The lack of isolated psychological markers specific to each psychosomatic disorder should also be noted. Thus, the identified signs of autonomic imbalance by the Vein questionnaire were significantly correlated with the manifestations of hyperventilation syndrome, increased anxiety, somatoform abnormalities, which is the evidence of statistical significance and informativeness of the results of the surveys.

Conclusions. Screening surveys among students using standardized questionnaires, analysis of heart rate variability allows identifying a risk group with manifestations of psycho-vegetative dysfunction, maladaptation syndrome and recommending the use of certain health measures to improve quality of life, professional activity.