bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PW01-189 - Correlation Between Serum Levels Of Nitric Oxide And Bilirubin In Patients With Schizophrenia: Preliminary Results
Authors: Memic A. , Huskic J. , Kapur L. , Kucukalic A. , Oruc L.
Published: June 2010

Objectives

There is a growing evidence that oxidative injury contributes to the patophysiology of schizophrenia (Sch), where higher concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) found to be neurotoxic. Data also suggest that bilirubin (BR) can serve as an endogenous scavenger of NO. The aim of this pilot study was to compare the serum levels of BR and NO among patients suffering from Sch, as well as to estimate whether NO serum levels differ between patients and healthy controls.

Methods

The study population were consisted of inpatients (n=20) who met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Sch confirmed by Structured Clinical Interview (SCID 1) and healthy controls (n=20). In order to exclude psychiatric morbidity in control subjects the same diagnostic procedure was applied. Serum BR levels were measured by the method of Ehrlich. NO concentration in serum was determined by classic colorimetric Griess reaction

Results

In patients with schizophrenia BR serum level were 9.85±1.182 mmol/L ; X±SEM. Serum NO level was significantly higher in patients with Sch (23, 26 ± 1, 76 μmol/L; X±SEM) than in control subjects (14, 36±1, 42 μmol/L; X±SEM, p=0.001). Correlation between serum nitric oxide and BR values were 0.1518.

Conclusions

Results of this study reveal that BR plays possible protective role in NO cell toxic activity. Our finding of increased serum NO levels in patients with Sch indicates its potential role in pathophysiology of this severe psychiatric disorder. However, those results are preliminary and have to be confirmed in sample of larger size.
PW01-191 - Hyperhomocysteinemia In Children And Adolescents With Psychotic And Mood Disorders
Authors: Kevere L. , Purvina S. , Bauze D. , Zeibarts M. , Rizevs A. , Jelisejevs S. , Caune M. , Purvins I. , Andrezina R.
Published: June 2010

The aim of our study was to get information about serum level of homocysteine (Hcy) for patients with schizophrenia spectrum, patients with affective disorders and in control group.

Methods

For the studies, we have used 225 patients from Children's Psychiatric Hospital. 82 of all selection were with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, 27 patients with affective disorders and 116 patients came from control group.

Patients were selected according to their diagnosis (in line with ICD-10) and current clinical status. Each diagnosis and clinical status was coded depending on its severity and course of disease.

The level of Hcy was stated by isocratic HPLC system with fluorometric detection (Shimadzu LC-20, model RF-10AxL).

Results

Correlation of Hcy concentration between schizophrenia's spectrum disorders and control group was r = -0.39 (p< 0.001; t = 22.99).

Mean level of Hcy was 11.94 μmol/L for patients with schizophrenia's spectrum disorders and 11.55 μmol/L for patients with affective disorders versus 7.47 μmol/L in control.

It has been found that the highest level of Hcy in the group of schizophrenia spectrum disorders has been seen in patients with episodic-recurrent course of disease, especially with pronounced affect. For the group with affective disorders the highest level was seen in patients with depressive symptoms with anxiety and mixed affective disorders (r = 0.58; p< 0.001; t = 12.77).

Conclusions

Obtained data are indicative of potential link among the level of Hcy and schizophrenia, and that the level of Hcy is inwrought with affective disorders and anxiety in the course of disease.
PW01-195 - The Evaluation Of Mentalisation Deficit With False-Irony Test In Schizophrenia
Authors: Varga E. , Hajnal A. , Tenyi T. , Fekete S. , Simon M. , Herold R.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

A group of schizophrenic patients perform well in known theory of mind (ToM) tasks. Still most of them have difficulties to understand social situations in real life.

Aims

We used a new test of ToM to find out if this group of patients really have the ability to understand other people´s mental states or they might use some compensatory strategies.

Methods

49 schizophrenic patients and 38 matched control inviduals were evaluated. Participants were asked to read short stories and answer simple yes/no comprehension questions. We used three experimental conditions: “false-irony” condition (FI), “control” condition (C), and “false-irony with linguistic help” condition (FIH).

Results

P atients with schizophrenia performed sinificantly worse than control subjects in each of the three conditions (FI:p=0.01;C:p=0.04;FIH:p=0.01). Among the 49 patients 22 did well the FIH tasks (44.89%). Among these 22 patients 12 did the FI tasks well (24.48%) and the other 10 did the FIH tasks well (20.4%).

Conclusions

P atients with schizophrenia performed a sinificant impairment in the new ToM test. Beside a group of patients is able to understand other people´s mental states. To understand these situations some patients probably use real mentalisation strategies, some of them can use the given linguistic help as a compensatory strategy, and some patients have difficulties in representing of the mental states of others.
PW01-198 - Metabolic Screening Ijn Fact Population
Authors: Cohen D. , Nugter A.
Published: June 2010

Background

Life expectancy in schizophrenia is shortened, 15 years to 32 years. Increased cardiovascular morbidity is thought to have a major contribution.

Methods

A nurse practitioner was appointed for metabolic screening. The cut-off points were according to the NCEP 2005 criteria, except for glucose (cut-off: 6,0 mmol/l).

All outpatients in two FACT teams in Alkmaar were asked to participate in the measurement of the metabolic syndrome. Blood pressure was twice measured at two different visits, that took place 4 weeks apart. If laboratory result was abnormal, the measurement was repeated.

Results

Out of the 204 patients in outpatient care who were asked, 67 refused participation. All in all, 137 patients participated, 91 male (46,3 years (SD: 12,2) and 46 female (51,7 yrs; SD: 11,6) patients. The vast majority (N=126 (92,6%) were Caucasian. Obesity was present in 32% of the male and 48% of the female patients compared to 16% in the general population. Normoglycemia was established in only 72,2% of the population compared to 95% in the same aged general population. Repeated hyperglycemia was present in 24,1% of the population.

Conclusion

In 137 patients with severe mental illness, mean age 48 years, we found that

1.

obesity was twice as prevalent as in the patient population.

2.

using the conservative NECP 2001 criterion for hyperglycemia, one out of four patients had a confirmed pre-diabetic hyperglycemia.

Intensive screening, therapy and preferably prevention are advised and needed to prevent major medical costs and massive medial consumption in this high-risk population.
PW01-205 - Do Healthcare Students Have More Negative Attitudes Towards Mental Illness Compared To Law And English Students?
Authors: Nearney H. , Beezhold J. , Nordt C. , Howe A.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

The Social Distance Scale (SDS) is an established tool in the measurement of discriminatory attitudes towards those with mental illness.

Objectives

To send an electronic questionnaire incorporating the SDS to both healthcare and nonhealthcare undergraduates.

Aims

To compare attitudes using the SDS of both student groups towards vignettes describing active and medically resolved cases of mental illness.

Methods

567 first year healthcare and 501 non-healthcare (law and english) university students were sent a questionnaire randomly containing one of six possible vignettes (describing either active or medically resolved depression, schizophrenia or asthma). The SDS as used by Nordt (2006), was then completed, indicating what level of social closeness would be accepted with the person described.

Results

180 responses were received for the healthcare group (31.7% response rate) and 125 for the non-healthcare group (25% response rate). Very good reliability of the Social Distance Scale (Cronbach's a=0.91) was observed in the sample. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. A linear regression model was applied which explained 20% of the variance. A significant difference was observed in attitudes between healthcare and non-healthcare students towards both the active and resolved schizophrenia, with the Non-healthcare group expressing higher social distance towards these vignettes (+0.31; P=0.043) compared to the healthcare group. The two groups did not differ significantly in social distance towards the depression and asthma vignettes.

Conclusions

The non-healthcare students were significantly more socially distant towards both active and resolved schizophrenia vignettes. The findings for the remaining vignettes were similar between the two groups.
PW01-207 - Quality Of Care And Crime Rates Among Patients With Schizophrenia: A Nationwide Population-Based Follow-Up Study
Authors: Pedersen C. , Paaske Johnsen S. , Nordentoft M. , Mainz J.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Crime rates are higher among patients with schizophrenia than in the general population. Denmark has seen a substantial increase in the number of forensic patients since 1980 with annual growth rates reaching 7%. In the same period, the population of forensic patients with schizophrenia has increased from 50% to 75%. Evidence-based care for patients with schizophrenia is well-established in international and national guidelines. However, a possible association between quality of care and risk of crime among patients with schizophrenia has not previously been studied.

Aim

To study the association between quality of care and risk of crime among patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

This nationwide population-based follow-up study is based on the Danish National Indictor Project (DNIP), a national clinical database for patients with schizophrenia, and the Danish Crime Register, a national register of criminal offences. We include all incident and prevalent patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (ICD-10: F20.00-F20.99), who are Danish citizens and older than 18 years. All patients have been admitted as inpatients at a psychiatric ward in the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2007 (approx 20,000 patients). In DNIP quality of care is assessed as fulfilment of a set of quality of care criteria related to the diagnostic process, contact with the health care system, use of antipsychotic medication, evaluation of side effects, family intervention, psycho education, planned outpatient treatment by discharge and suicide prevention. All patients will be followed up for 1-year after discharge. We identified all convictions for both violent and property crimes in the population.
PW01-210 - The Effects Of Macro- And Micro-Level Factors On The Psychological Well-Being Of Russian And Ukrainian Adolescents In The Post-Perestroika Period
Authors: Tartakovsky E.
Published: June 2010

Objectives

This study investigates how the changing socioeconomic conditions in Russia and Ukraine affected the psychological well-being of high-school adolescents in these countries. In addition, the effects of the micro-level factors, including the economic conditions of the adolescents’ family and perceived social support were investigated.

Method

The study was conducted in twelve medium-size towns and large cities scattered across the entire territory of Russia and the Ukraine. Adolescents studying in public high schools filled out the questionnaires in 1999 (n=489) and in 2007 (n=740). Six indexes of psychological well-being were measured: emotional and behavioral problems, loneliness, self-esteem, body image, social competence, and school competence.

Results

Macro-level socioeconomic conditions in Russia and Ukraine substantially improved from 1999 to 2007; however, none of the six indexes of psychological well-being measured in this study changed significantly. The psychological well-being of Russian and Ukrainian adolescents remained much worse than that of their peers in developed countries. Russian adolescents consistently reported higher selfesteem and school competence than their Ukrainian peers. At the micro-level, perceived parental care and autonomy providing, as well as perceived social support from parents, peers, and teachers were the major contributors to the adolescents’ psychological well-being.

Conclusions

Changes in adolescents’ psychological well-being do not follow macro-level socioeconomic changes that occur in a country. This indicates that psychological well-being is more influenced by values and cultural norms, which are relatively stable in each country, rather than by changing socioeconomic conditions.
PW01-214 - Long-Term Outcomes In Patients With First Psychotic Episode And Cannabis Use
Authors: Alberich S. , Barbeito S. , Fernández M. , Karim Haidar M. , Ron S. , Villamor A. , Jimeno A. , Zorrilla I. , Celaya L. , Alecha M.A. , González-Pinto A.
Published: June 2010

Objectives

To evaluate the influence of cannabis in the long-term follow-up in patients with a first psychotic episode, comparing those who have never used cannabis with (a) those who used cannabis before the first psychotic episode but stopped it during the follow-up, and (b) those who used cannabis both before and after the first psychotic episode.

Method

Patients were followed from the first psychotic admission. They were assessed at 1, 3 and 5 years obtaining information about functional outcome, positive and negative symptoms. At 8th year functional outcome was evaluated. Patients were classified in 3 groups: 40 that never used cannabis (NU), 27 that used cannabis and stopped during follow-up (CUS), and 25 that had continued use during follow-up (CU).

Results

At baseline, there were differences neither in functional outcome nor in negative symptoms. The CUS group improved the functional outcome during the follow-up (p< 0.001), while CU and NU groups did not show any significant results (p= 0.466 and p= 0.370 respectively). CUS group had also a significant decreasing trend in negative symptoms (p= 0.012), whereas for the other two groups no significant results were observed (p= 0.069 and p= 0.226 respectively). All groups improved in positive symptoms during follow-up.

Conclusions

Although cannabis use has deleterious effect, to stop it after the first psychotic episode produces a clearly improvement in the long-term follow-up.
PW01-217 - Gender Differences In Patients With Alcohol Dependence Cortisol Levels And Stress-Coping Styles Before And After Alcohol Withdrawal
Authors: Bayer U. , Gerhard U. , Walter M. , Wiesbeck G.
Published: June 2010

Female and male alcohol dependent patients present an inhomogeneous group regarding to the drinking outcome. Stress, as well as stress-coping-styles are relevant predictive factors for the progress of alcohol dependence.

Methods

Social data, data of drinking behaviour, stress-styles and cortisol concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in 130 patients with alcohol dependence (35F and 95M) before and after inpatient treatment.

The age of onset alcohol dependence, the amount of alcohol consumption since last 3 months, the responsibility for education from children, living situation, and the practice of positive ore negative stress coping styles were investigated.

Results

Female alcohol dependent patients show a significant higher age of onset for alcohol dependence (p=0.02) and have a significant lower consumption of alcohol in relation to male alcohol dependent patients (p=0.004).

Moreover, female alcohol dependent patients are significant more frequent involved in education of children (p=0.04), and are living significant less alone (p=0.023).

The cortisol levels in plasma and CSF between female and male alcohol dependent patients does not differ. However, female alcoholics show a significant higher score of negative stress-coping styles than male alcoholics (p= 0.023).

Conclusion

There are significant psychosocial differences between female and male alcohol dependent patients. These gender specific differences relating to social stressors and handling with stress may be clinical relevant for treatment and outcome in alcohol-dependent patients.
PW01-220 - Audit Of Off License Olanzapine Prescibing In An Irish Tertiary Referral Addiction Centre
Authors: Clancy M. , Doran M. , O’Connor J.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Olanzapine is prescribed in the treatment of schizophrenia and BPAD. It is not licensed for personality disorders, behavioural issues or in patients with opiate addiction.This audit sought to identify the number of opiate dependent patients in a tertiary referral centre on olanzapine and the reason why.

Methods

All patients attending one sector had their notes examined over a three year period to see whether they are or were on olanzapine. All patients were opiate dependent and prescribed methadone.Parameters looked at included Axis 1 or 2 diagnosis, previous psychiatric in-patient admissions, forensic history and whether fasting lipids and glucose were checked.

Results

169 charts were reviewed.Of these, 37 patients either were on or had been on olanzapine (21.9% overall).20 of these patients (11.8%) had an Axis 1 disorder, 17(10%) had behavioural diffciulties.Of the 20 patients with an Axis 1 disorder, 18 of them had an in-patient hospital admission.Only 7 of 17 patients on olanzapine with behavioural issues had an in-patient admission.All patients with behavioural difficulties had a forensic history and 16/17 had custodial sentences.15 of the 20 patients with Axis 1 diagnoses served custodial sentences.

Conclusion

A significant percentage of patients were prescribed olanzapine off license with no clinical indication.This is a worrying finding due to the abuse potential of olanzapine and longer term metabolic effects.Caution should be taken with prescribing olanzapine to opiate addicts who abuse it for its sedative effect.The value of this study is that it is one of the few to date to describe this problem.
PW01-225 - Perception Sleeps Disorders In Drug Dependent Patients
Authors: Grau-López L. , Roncero C. , Díaz-Morán S. , Guerrero C. , Rodriguez-Cintas L. , Sánchez L. , López- Ortiz C. , Egido Á. , Miquel L. , Esteve O. , Casas M.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Drug substance abuse has been related with chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders that are thought to interfere in detoxification treatment and relapse induction. These disorders can persist after drug detoxification.

Objectives

To describe sleep disorders refered by drug dependents patients in an inpatient detoxification unit.

Methods

We prospectively studied drug dependents patients admitted to our Detoxification Unit from January 2005 to March 2009. The first night, patients were asked to complete an 11-item questionnaire measure designed to assess the relationship between sleep disorders and drug use. Responses ranged from 1 to 7. The questionnaire measured the following:

a)

insomnia before hospitalization;

b)

patients’ beliefs about the relationship between insomnia and drug use;

c)

insomnia in previous detoxifications;

d)

patients’ worry about insomnia;

e)

treatment of sleep disorder with benzodiazepines.

Results

The study sample included 150 patients (75.3% men). 39% of the patients suffered from alcohol abuse, 34.67% from cocaine abuse, 22.67% from opiod abuse, 21% from cannabis abuse, 18% from benzodiazepine abuse, and 12.67% of patients were polydrug users.Lifetime prevalence of sleep disorders was 68.1%. 64% had suffered insomnia the months previous to detoxification. 80.1% of patients’ refered sleep disorders in relationship with substance abuse. 69.4% were worried about insomnia during detoxification. 75.4% of patients took benzodiazepines without prescription.

Conclusions

Sleep disorders in patients with drug abuse are frequent. A high prevalence of patients having worries about insomnia during the detoxification treatment and believing in a relationship between their sleep disorders and the drug abuse was found.
PW01-228 - Medication Use And Treatment Program For Nicotine Dependence In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Jaber Filho J.A. , Hoffmann E. , Hoffmann A. , Tomé A.
Published: June 2010

Objective

Nicotine dependence is a world health problem. The objective of this paper is to present the implementation of a treatment program and the use of varenicline as a specific medication for nicotine dependence during internment at our clinic in Rio de Janeiro.

Methods

The program starts with a first evaluation done by a psychiatrist. The initial dose of varenicline is 0,5 mg on the first 3 days raising to 0,5 mg twice a day from day 4 to day 7; after that it is increased to 1mg twice a day until 12 weeks are completed. It is suggested that the patient picks up a day to quit smoking, between the first and second week of use. It was also given behavioral and focal group therapy. During 14 months, we established a continuous reduction on the number of cigarettes, from 20 to 1 and finally 4 a day.

Results

There were 354 patients attending the program from June 2008 to August 2009 and 69 (19,5%) accepted the whole program. From them, 56 (81,2%) used varenicline and all of them reached abstinence. Also, we followed these 56 patients for the last 6 months and 38 (67,8%) were still abstinent.

Conclusions

There was a high number of acceptance as well as of abstinence. Group and behavioral therapies can be important allies to varenicline. It is important to remember that the high cost of this medication remains an impediment for wide use. A planned reduction with cultural changes can also be very effective.
PW01-232 - Connectivity Genes In Comorbid Alcoholism And Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Lydall G. , Bass N. , McQuillin A. , Anjorin A. , Kandaswamy R. , Pereira A.C. , Guerrini I. , Curtis D. , Vine A.E. , Sklar P. , Purcell S.M. , Gurling H.M.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Bipolar disorder (BPD) and alcoholism are strongly comorbid and both have significant genetic influences but no consistent genetic vulnerability has been found. We aimed to find bipolar-alcoholism vulnerability genes.

Method

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 510 patients with bipolar disorder (BPD), of whom 143 met Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) alcoholism diagnoses, and 506 ancestrally matched supernormal controls. We genotyped 372K genetic markers on an Affymetrix 500K-array. Chi-square analysis of allelic association using PLINK, and permutation testing for gene-wise association of genes previously associated with alcoholism-related phenotypes using COMBASSOC, were performed.

Results

No marker met genomewide significance. Gene-wise analyses of markers clustering near genes already implicated in alcoholism, but which were not associated in non-alcoholic BPD, were: Cadherin-11 (CDH11, p = 6 × 10-4), Exportin 7 (XPO7), neuromedin-U receptor 2 (NMUR2), collagen type XI-alpha 2 (COL11A2) and Semaphorin-5A (SEMA5A).

Discussion

These genes replicated prior genetic reports implicating “connectivity” (adhesion, migration and neuronal signalling) genes in addictions and comorbid BPD. Connectivity genes regulate neuronal connections during development and play roles in later neuroadaptive and mnemonic processes. These processes may influence addiction vulnerability, as seen clinically in denial, cognitive impairment, and repetitive substance misuse and relapse behaviour. We propose that we have identified genes i) increasing susceptibility to alcoholism that could be unmasked or released by the presence of bipolar affective disorder; ii) and genes increasing susceptibility to affective disorder that also predispose to secondary alcoholism. We were limited by small sample size. Larger future studies are needed.
PW01-233 - Searching For Alcoholism Vulnerability Genes: Uk-Coga Provisional Clinical Findings
Authors: Lydall G. , Worlley K. , McQuillin A. , Jauhar S. , O’Kane A. , Rao H. , Anjorin A. , Guerrini I. , Curtis D. , Vine A.E. , Gurling H.M. ,   UK-COGA
Published: June 2010

Background

Alcoholism has a high prevalence and impacts on morbidity, mortality, life quality, and the economy. Heritability estimates of alcohol dependence are 50-61%. Putative psychological, cultural, and genetic susceptibilities to alcoholism have been identified but understanding of the genetic components is still underdeveloped.

Aim

Identify genetic vulnerabilities predisposing individuals to alcoholism and co-morbid psychiatric disorders in the largest study of its kind.

Method

12 centres including 10 trainees are currently collecting blood and clinical samples. Nearly 1700 of 2000 cases of ICD-10/DSM-IV alcohol dependence have been collected; 500 with standardized assessments of alcohol use and comorbdity; and 2000 ancestrally-matched supernormal controls from UCL/collaborators. Genomic DNA will be isolated following standard procedures. Genotyping will be performed using the Affymetrix Gene Chip Human Mapping 1M Array to type up to 1 million single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and copy number variant (CNV) markers. Chi-square analysis of allelic association for the alcoholic sample versus controls will occur.

Results

n=65; 57% male; mean age 45years; mean age onset harmful alcohol use 19years; mean age onset withdrawals 32y; mean alcohol intake 21 units; primary depression 27%; secondary depression 49%; antisocial personality disorder 14%. The candidate gene approach in this sample has shown that the GABA receptor B1 (GABRB1) and the tachykinin receptor 1 (TACR1) are involved in genetic susceptibility to alcoholism. The D2 dopamine receptor is next.

Conclusion

Preliminary data suggests high psychiatric comorbidity in a clinical alcohol dependence sample and implicated candidate genes. Next is genomewide analysis of markers, sequencing and biological pathway/systems alterations.
PW01-241 - The Effect Of Pregabalin On Subjective Sleep Problems During Withdrawal From Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use
Authors: Rubio G. , Bobes J. , Cervera G. , Terán A. , Perez M. , López-Gómez V. , Rejas J.
Published: June 2010

Objective

To evaluate the effect of pregabalin as a tapering therapy over the subjective sleep quality of patients who underwent a benzodiazepine withdrawal program.

Method

This was a secondary analysis of a 12-week, prospective, and observational study carried out in patients aged 18 years or over, who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for benzodiazepine dependence without other major psychiatry disorder. Evaluations included the Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptom Questionnaire, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impression scale, and the MOS-Sleep Scale. Changes from baseline to the endpoint in the different scales’ scores as well as correlations of these changes with those of the MOS-Sleep scores were calculated.

Results

282 patients met the criteria for analysis. Mean pregabalin dose was 315 (166) mg/day at end-of-trial. We observed a significant and clinically relevant improvement in sleep outcomes at the study endpoint as measured with the MOS-Sleep Summary Index, that was reduced from 55.8 (18.9) pts at baseline to 25.1 (18.0) pts at week 12 (55% reduction), as well as with the six dimensions of the MOS-Sleep Scale. Moderate correlations were observed between Summary Index and sleep domains with improvements in the anxiety symptoms and in the disease severity as well. Also, sleep ameliorations were observed in the 52% successfully benzodiazepines withdrawals but, although to a lesser extent, in the remaining failures as well.

Conclusion

Pregabalin treatment improves subjective sleep quality in patients who underwent a benzodiazepine withdrawal program and this effect appears partly independent of the improvement of anxiety or withdrawal symptoms.
PW01-242 - Risk Factors For Cocaine-Induced Psychosis In Cocaine Dependent Patients
Authors: Roncero C. , Daigre C. , Gonzalvo B. , Grau-López L. , Diáz-Morán S. , Eiroa F. , Sánchez L. , Resmella R. , Miquel L. , Comin M. , Casas M.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Cocaine consumption can induce transient psychotic symptoms, expressed as paranoia or hallucinations. Cocaine induced psychosis (CIP) is common but not developed in all cases.

Objectives

To describe the Risk Factors for developing cocaine-induced psychosis in cocaine dependent patients, according DSM-IV-TR criteria.

Methods

This is the first European study about the relationship of CIP with consumption pattern variables and personality disorders, we evaluated 220 cocaine dependents over 18 years, 80'5% males, mean age 33.9 years (SD = 7.6). Patients were recluted from an outpatient clinic department and subsequently systematically evaluated using SCID I and SCID II interviews for comorbidity disorders, and a clinical-based systematic psychotic symptoms form.

Results

A high proportion of cocaine dependent patients reported psychotic symptoms (51.8%) under influence of cocaine. The most frequent reported psychotic symptoms were paranoid beliefs and suspiciousness (42.4%). After a logistic regression analysis we found that a model consisted of high cocaine consumption (mean of 12.01 grams per week), cannabis dependence history and to use intranasal or smoked rout of administration had a sensitivity of 63.2% and a specificity of 70.2%.

Conclusion

We conclude that is relevant to evaluate CIP in patients consuming high amounts of cocaine, with cannabis dependence history and who do not use intranasal rout. It could be useful for preventing consequences or risks of psychotic states for themselves or others.
PW01-243 - The Apomorphine Test As A Biological Marker For Relapse In Cocaine Dependent-Patients
Authors: Roncero C. , López-Ortíz C. , Rodríguez-Pascual M. , Corominas M. , Castells X. , Grau-López L. , Daigre C. , Gómez-Baeza S. , Castillo E. , Valero S. , Casas M.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

Until now, no reliable biological markers of risk and relapse in substance-dependent patients have been identified. The yawn-inducing test with apomorphine has been proposed as a marker of the functional status of the dopaminergic system and therefore a predictor of suffering an addiction or predisposition to relapse.

Objectives

Studying the safety and efficacy of apomorphine test as a predictor of relapse in intranasal cocaine dependent, diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR.

Methods

We performed the test of apomorphine at the beginning (day 1) and end (day 11/12) of a detoxification program in 33 patients (29 men). The majority of patients relapsed after 22 weeks of follow up (87% relapse). The average yawns in the sample were 10.9 ± 9.3 in the initial test (Apo 1) and 10.2 ± 10.2 in the final test (Apo 2). The 42% of patients relapsed early (before 4 weeks) and 45% late (afther 4 weeks). 58% of the sample (N = 19), which did not fall belatedly filled an average of 8.0 yawns in Apo1 and 8.1 on Apo2 and 42% who did so early (N = 14), 14,8 in Apo1 and 14.6 in Apo2. Therefore there are an increased number of yawns in patients with early relapse. No important side effects were reported.

Conclusions

Patients with early relapse have a higher number of yawns that those falling late or abstainers The apomorphine test is a safe test and it is a readily applicable tool in clinical practice and may be a biological marker of risk.
PW01-245 - Comparative Study of Psychological Health, Probability of Self-suicide Risk and Probability of Drugs Addition In University Students
Authors: Shafiei Amiri M. , Homayouni A. , Ahmadi T.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

The present research is designed and performed by the aim of comparative study of psychological health level, probability of drugs addiction in girl and boy university students.

Methods

Random sample includes 200 persons who 120 persons were girl and 80 persons were boy university students who were compared. All students, General health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Probability of Self-suicide and Probability of Drugs Addiction (PSSPDA) have been deducted from central office of science Ministry consultation questionnaire.

Results

Independent T-test was used; Test results show that anxiety level, depression, physical complaints and disturbed social interaction is meaningfully greater more severe in girl university students than boy university students. Also, results showed that drugs addition in boy university students is meaningfully greater than in girl university students. Also, probability of self-suicide risk is meaningfully greater in girl university students than boy university students.

Discussion

Findings indicated that most university students who embark to self-suicide or come to addict drugs, are worry about their educational improvement and situation and most persons who commit to self-suicide, are affected by emotional problems such as depression, anxiety and unpleasureable relationships, addiction to drugs and alcohol, unemployment, loneliness and guilt emotions. Therefore, it could be said that transfer nature of lives of most university students is accompanied by the experience of stress exposure for them. In this way, most students are accompanied by stress exposure experience. In this way, most university students come to addict drugs in order to decrease the stress.
PW01-248 - Topiramate as An Adjunct In Alcohol Detoxification Process
Authors: Paparrigopoulos T. , Tzavellas E. , Karaiskos D. , Papalias E. , Drabalos E. , Liappas I.
Published: June 2010

Background

Anticonvulsants have been used for the treatment of affective and anxiety symptoms secondary to alcohol abuse as well as craving. In this open label study we investigated efficacy of topiramate as an adjunct in alcohol detoxification; end targets were anxiety, depression and in obsessive-compulsive drinking.

Methods

Two groups matched for age, alcohol consumption and demographic characteristics, were treated either with psychotherapy (n=43) or psychotherapy and topiramate (n=43). Subjects were assessed twice (baseline and after a 4-6 week detoxification period) by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale. T-tests were used for comparisons between groups.

Results

Following detoxification, psychopathology significantly subsided in both groups; however, improvement was more robust in the topiramate group (table 1).

 HDRS admissionHDRS dischargeHARS admissionHARS dischargeOCDS admissionOCDS dischargeTopiramate group39.2 ± 4.26.7 ± 4.3*33.9 ± 6.45.5 ± 6.5*42.3 ± 3.28.2 ± 3.3*Control group38.7 ± 5.39.8 ± 7.4*32.3 ± 10.69.5 ± 6.5*41.5 ± 2.615.2 ± 2.4*

[Table 1]

Discussion

Topiramate in conjunction with a short-term psychotherapeutic approach may help the alcohol detoxification process by minimizing craving and subjective physical discomfort. Moderate to severe anxiety and depressive symptoms with concomitant poor functioning were present in all subjects before treatment. Following 4-6 weeks of alcohol detoxification, a considerable improvement in terms of anxiety and depressive symptoms was observed in both groups. However, in our sample, a significantly more robust decrease was recorded in the topiramate augmentation group. Consequently, topiramate can be of potential help in this population and can be used as an alternative among other treatment options.
PW01-255 - Suicide In Cinema
Authors: Guimaraes S. , Pereira S.
Published: June 2010

Introduction

The cinema has been fascinated by madness and its manifestations. Psychiatric illnesses have enabled filmmakers’ immense material for their screenplays, and the issue of suicide is often addressed.

Methods

A literature search was made through research on Pubmed with the words “cinema and suicide”,”cinema and psychopathology”.

Thirty five American and European films where the theme of suicide had been addressed were randomly selected from a cinema database (http://imdb.com). A questionnaire with data about the films screened was developed specifically for the study, which was filled to the extent that each film was viewed. The psychiatric diagnoses related with suicide were made according to DSM-IV-TR.

Discussion

The films selected deal with suicide in various ways, providing a more or less realistic overview about the mental disorder;

The profile from the suicide was: caucasian male, mid aged (< 45 yrs), committing suicide with a violent method (mainly fire gun), suffering from a psychiatric disorder (depression, personality disorders, substance abuse) after a significant life event. Just a small proportion (11%) was in psychiatric treatment. This profile matches with real data from the literature.

The characterization from the mental heath professionals was subjective coated as negative in the majority of the movies selected.

Conclusion

It is important to reflect on the vision that the movies provide in the general public about suicide, mental disease and in which way they shape the perception about the mentally ill and those who treat them.
PW01-257 - Direct Costs Of Suicide Attempts In Basel, Switzerland
Authors: Czernin S. , Vogel M. , Bourgnon J.-C. , Muheim F. , Reichelt M. , Stoppe G.
Published: June 2010

Background

Suicide is one of the major health problems today. The few available health economic studies have focussed on suicides. However suicide attempts, which are much more frequent, have been disregarded.

Methods

We made use of available data of the WHO-Euro-Multicentre study. During the year 2003, N=201 persons committing a suicide attempt in Basel could be accessed for health economic investigations. Due to the care structure in our region we started with the direct costs of inpatient treatment at the university (psychiatric) hospitals, which provide a wide majority of care for the people of the area, especially in emergency cases like suicide. Outpatient treatment was only calculated, if it was performed by these hospitals. This analysis included the overhead of the hospitals (staff etc.) was well as the costs provides for special services, consultation and liaison services, transports and emergency actions.

Results

We assume that the direct costs make up only part of the total costs. For example the loss of working ability, health costs for family members, caregivers and friends affected are not included in our analyses. Against our assumption, we could not find major differences regarding the underling diagnoses. However, elderly suicide attempts were more costly. There were also gender differences. Further details will be discussed.

Conclusion

The data show, that suicide attempts are expensive. Health care planers should take these data into account when discussing and deciding investments in suicide preventions.
PW01-259 - Paroxetine Use During Pregnancy and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes In The Absence Of Detection Bias
Authors: Berard A. , Sheehy O.
Published: June 2010

Objective

To quantify the prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with gestational exposure to paroxetine before the FDA warnings on the risk of cardiac malformations in newborns associated with the use of paroxetine during gestation were issued in 2005.

Methods

Data on all pregnancies included in the Quebec Pregnancy Registry were analysed to estimate the prevalence of planned/spontaneous abortions and deliveries during 1998-2004, before the warnings were issued. All study outcomes including congenital malformations are physician-based, and made prospectively and routinely as part of health care management; exposure to paroxetine is based on automated prescription fillings. Trends in the frequency of gestational use of paroxetine during the study period were compared to the trends in the prevalence of cardiac malformations.

Results

Among the 109,344 eligible pregnancies, 1,612 (1.5%) were exposed to paroxetine. Amongst paroxetine users, 49% had a planned abortion, 7% a spontaneous abortion, and 44% a delivery. Amongst those who delivered, 3% had a baby with a cardiac malformation. The most prevalent cardiac malformations were atrial and ventricular septal defects (74%). During the study period, an increase in the prevalence of paroxetine use during pregnancy was correlated with an increase in the rate of cardiac malformations.

Conclusion

Paroxetine use during gestation is associated with an important risk of adverse pregnancy events above baseline rates. Before the warnings on paroxetine were issued, the increase in the prevalence of paroxetine use during pregnancy was already correlated with an increase in the rate of cardiac malformations, excluding the possibility of detection bias.
SS01-01 - A New Way To Manage Depression Successfully: Restoring Circadian Rhythms
Authors: Racagni G.
Published: June 2010

Depression is a complex disorder characterized by a disruption of brain functions and altered intracellular mechanisms. However, it is evident that none of the current hypotheses of depression (monoamine, hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal, and neuroplasticity), can explain all the effects of antidepressants. On the other hand, there is no doubt that each of these hypotheses affords important insights into the pathophysiology of depression.

One hypothesis in particular is the object of an increasing body of evidence: the circadian rhythm hypothesis of depression is based on the fact that (i) depression is very often associated with a disruption of circadian rhythms, and (ii) the severity of depression is correlated with the disruption of circadian rhythms, suggesting that resetting the circadian rhythms may play a pivotal role in the treatment of depression.

Agomelatine is the first melatonergic antidepressant acting as an MT1/MT2 melatonergic agonist and as a 5-HT2C antagonist whose efficacy has been proven in several animal models of depression and in patients with major depressive disorder. These receptors are mainly present in the suprachiasmatic nuclei, but also in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and hypothalamus.

Given the action of agomelatine through these receptors, it was important to establish to what extent agomelatine works through modulation or via synergic interaction between MT1/MT2 and 5-HT2C receptors. Recent data show that only agomelatine (not melatonin or a 5-HT2C antagonist) modulates the expression of neuroplastic genes (BDNF and Arc), suggesting that the intracellular events can be regulated through synergic activity between both melatonergic and 5-HT2C receptors.
YSW01-01 - Telepsychiatry In Greenland
Authors: Bisgaard P.
Published: June 2010

Huge geographical distances aside with language barriers are major obstacles in provision of mental health care in greenland. Dispersity of population and shortage of professional resources that speak inuit language were and still are major challenges in development of an effective mental healt care system. Telepsychiatry was developed in Greenland during last 10-15 years. The presentation will run through major aspects of historical facts as well as potential future impacts of telepsychiatry on development of modern health system in Greenland. Pioneer experiences with telepsychiatry via patients‘mother tongue will also be presented.
YSW01-04 - Experiences From The First International Telepsychiatry Service In Europe: Patient Satisfaction Survey
Authors: Mucic D.
Published: June 2010

International telepsychiatry service was established between Denmark and Sweden in order to increase access to cross-cultural expertise that was more readily available in Sweden. Video-conferencing equipment connected the Swedish department of the Little Prince Psychiatric Centre with two hospitals, one asylum seekers’ centre and one social institution, at four different places in Denmark. Over a period May 2006-October 2007, 30 patients were treated by telepsychiatry (21 men and 9 women). After the end of the telepsychiatry contact all patients were asked to complete a satisfaction questionnaire.

The patients reported a high level of acceptance and satisfaction with telepsychiatry, as well as a willingness to use it again or recommend it to others. Patients expressed a wish to use telepsychiatry via their mother tongue, rather than through an interpreter in the future.

Mental health services in Scandinavia face significant resource shortages that may result in functional gaps. There is no doubt that mentally ill asylum seekers, refugees and migrants are under-served in their mother tongue. Telepsychiatry can ease the access to scarce resources and improve the quality of care. Presented service is the first international telepsychiatry collaboration to be established in Europe. The results of the survey may contribute to changes in policy and routines within mental health services towards cross-cultural patient population not only in Denmark but also in the rest of the EU.
YPSP01-01 - Clinical Typology Of Depression Among Patients Of Hospice And Nurse Care Department
Authors: Shakhurova N.
Published: June 2010

Objective

To compare the characteristics of the typology and frequency of depressive disorders in elderly patients of nursing care department and hospice.

Materials and methods

Two groups of the patients:- 1) 49 persons (19 male and 30 female, mean = 73,17±7,13 yrs) hospitalized due to incurable oncopathology for palliative care in the hospice and 2) 101 patients of the nurse care department (19 male and 82 female, mean = 75,21 ± 8,2 yrs) with complex combined somatic pathology, being in the hospital with necessity of assistance rendering or validation of medical documents into nursing home - were questioned according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). The inclusion criterions were the ability to understand the text of the questionnaire and the wish to answer to one.

Results

the depressive disorders have been detected to 65,3% patients of the first group and to 69,39% patients of second group. Comparative analysis of affective disorders prevalence has shown a statistically significant data on a more frequent occurrence of recurrent depressive disorder in patients with oncological diseases, whereas patients with other somatic pathology were more frequently determined by the organic affective disorder (p = 0,00593).

Conclusions

Performed investigation has shown a high incidence of disorders of depressive spectrum in elder patients of palliative care hospital. Screening revealing of depressive disorders reaches important aims such as objectification of clinical diagnosis of mental status and efficacy of psychopharmacotherapy, promotes more empathic response of secondary staff to emotional needs of incurable patient.
YPSP01-04 - Training On How To Use The Intermed: The Experience At Modena Medical School
Authors: Zannoni E. , Bombi A. , Bonati A. , Delli Carri T. , Disavoia A. , Ferrari S. , Mazzali V. , Simoni E. , Ferri P. , Huyse F.J. , Rigatelli M.
Published: June 2010

Objectives

INTERMED is an instrument to assess bio-psycho-social case complexity in general health care by focusing on past, present and future health needs and risks of patients. It consists in a structured interview defining 20 variables and related anchor points. The total score ranges from 0 to 60, reflecting the level of complexity and the related care needs/risks. The aim of this work was to describe the training process on the use of INTERMED and to assess its effectiveness.

Methods

A training group of 9 subjects had two-hour meetings twice a month between April and September 2009. After introductory sessions on theoretical aspects and inter-trainee simulations on interviewing and scoring techniques, students were assigned the task of producing video-recorded clinical material, which was used to comment on interviewing skills and practice on scoring. Individual and consensus scores were collected at the beginning and at the end of the training and compared statistically by means of Cohen's kappa.

Results

Motivation and involvement of students in the training was high (participation was on a voluntary basis during extra-work hours), as satisfaction. Agreement between individual and consensus scores was high already at the beginning of the training (Cohen's kappa mean value of 0.80) and slightly improved during the course.

Conclusions

The training process gave positive results both on the quantitative and the qualitative sides of evaluation. A six-month 25-hour training period is a reasonable time for learning how to master the instrument, although it needs to be followed by the clinical practice.