bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suicidal Attempts and Life Events Among Depressive Adult Outpatients
Authors: Amara G. , Braham A. , Ben Nasr S. , Ben Hadj Ali B.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Although a relationship between experience of problematic life events and suicidal behaviour has been recognized during last decades, few studies of life events have been realized among depressive adults.

The aim of this study was to determine the correlations between life events and suicidal attempts among depressive adult patients.

Methods:

Eighty adult outpatients were recruited from the psychiatric department of Farhat Hached hospital of sousse (in Tunisia). All patients were followed up for a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) according to the DSM IV criteria. They also were in remission for at least four weeks. For life events we used the EVE scale of Ferreri which permitted to assess event nature, event number and patient strategies in front of stressful life events.

Results:

The gender ratio of the sample was 1.35 and the mean age was 44.4 ± 12.9 years.

Twenty five percent of the sample have committed at least one suicidal attempt.

Suicidal attempts were positively correlated with the total number of life events (p = 0.001), the number of early life events (p = 0.024) and the number of stressful life events (p < 0.001). Patients with a history of suicidal attempts were more likely to cope negatively with life events (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

To prevent suicide, psychotherapies focusing on stress coping could be a good therapeutic alternative among patients with MDD.
Age and Parameters of the Rheoencephalogram in Treatment of Depression
Authors: Andruskevicius S.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of study is to investigate the influence of age for dynamic of parameters of the rheoencephalogram (REG) in treatment of depression. 130 patients (mean age 46,0±1,2 years) have been studied. According to ICD-10, all of them were diagnosed to have depression (F 31.3-31.4, F 32.0- 32.2, F 33.0-33.2). Depending on age the patients have been divided into two groups: group 1 (age 19 - 49 years, mean age 39,1±1,2 years) - 81 patient and group 2 (age 50 - 85 years, mean age 57,6±1,3 years) - 49 patients. The patients were examined in the morning hours prior the beginning of treatment, following one week, three weeks and upon discharging from the in-patient department. Control group 1 - age 29 - 49 years (mean age 41,0±1,4 years) and control group 2 - age 50 - 71 year (mean age 56,6±1,4 years). The elder patient group distinguished by changes characteristic to atherosclerotic type, and difficulty of venal circulation. REG waves appeared to be rounded, arched, devoid of supplemental catacrotic peaks and notches, with venal waves. Cerebral circulation reduces due to the increased of cerebrovascular resistance. During the treatment REG parameters normalized. There was improvement of circulation as the vascular tonus increased, which manifested in decline of dicrotic wave. Correlation analysis confirmed increase of arterial tonus with aging, in both basins symmetrically: a.carotis (r = 0,181 and r = 0,178) and a.vertebralis (r = 0,186 and r = 0,186). Elderly patients are characterized by venostasis (r = 0,242).
Prediction of Response to Bupropion Treatment - the Early Change of Prefrontal QEEG Cordance. Open Label Study
Authors: Bares M. , Brunovsky M. , Novak T. , Kopecek M. , Stopkova P. , Sos P. , Höschl C.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Previous studies demonstrated predictive effect of reduction of prefrontal cordance for non-resistant outpatients or resistant inpatients treated by various antidepressants or venlafaxine. The aim of the present study was to examine whether the reduction of theta prefrontal QEEG cordance value after 1 week of bupropion administration is associated with response to 4 weeks treatment in patients with resistant depressive disorder. We extended our previous pilot data.

Methods:

We analyzed 18 inpatients, who finished 4-week treatment with venlafaxine. EEG data were monitored at baseline and after 1 week of treatment. QEEG cordance was computed at 3 frontal electrodes in theta frequency band. Depressive symptoms were assessed using Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

Results:

Nine of 11 responders (reduction of MADRS ≥50%) and no one of 7 non-responders decreased prefrontal QEEG cordance value after the first week of treatment. Positive and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV) of cordance reduction for response to treatment was 1.0 (95% CI, 0.8-1.0) and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.57-0.78), respectively.

Conclusions:

Based on our results, the prefrontal QEEG cordance might be helpful in the prediction of the response to bupropion treatment in resistant patients.

This study was supported by a grant from Internal Grant Agency of Ministry of Health of Czech Republic No. NR/9330-3 and a grant from Ministry of Health of Czech Republic MZ0PCP2005.
Psychometric Evaluation of the German Version of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)
Authors: Barkmann C. , Erhart M. , Schulte-Markwort M. , Wille N. , Ravens-Sieberer U.
Published: March 2009

Objectives:

To examine the psychometric properties and test-theoretical quality of the German version of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC), a 20 items comprising screening instrument which measures the frequency of parent- and self-reported depressive symptoms in children and adolescents.

Methods:

Using a population-based, representative sample of N=2.863 7 to 17 year old German children and adolescents, factorial validity by means of linear structural modelling, cross-sectional coefficients of reliability, inter-rater agreement and normative scores are determined.

Results:

In a population-based German sample, the 4-factor version of the CES-DC following Radloff (1977) is considered to have good factorial validity and stability across age and informant version. The main problems of the questionnaire are the high difficulties of the items, strong floor effects of the scales and low cross-sectional reliability, which is just acceptable for screening purposes. The low inter-rater agreement indicate that parental assessment can replace self-assessment only to a limited degree.

Conclusion:

The strengths and weaknesses of the CES-DC are discussed taking into consideration previous data and comparable tests. Particular advantages are the existence of the parent report form and the adult version, as well as its multifactorial structure. Parental assessment should be supplemented by self-report data whenever possible.
Regional Origin and Decrease of Pain in Patients with Depressive Symptoms Under Treatment with Venlafaxine
Authors: Begré S. , Traber M. , Gerber M. , von Känel R.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Worldwide data are extensively lacking in regard to patients with depressive symptoms under therapy with antidepressants in the primary care setting. We hypothesized that the magnitude of pain reduction under treatment with venlafaxine differently relates to regional origin of patients.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective naturalistic observational trial on 420 pain sufferers with depressive symptoms from all over Switzerland who were treated with venlafaxine by 122 physicians in primary care. Previous and additional antidepressant medication was not taken into account. Physicians rated illness severity using the Clinical Global Impression severity scale and pain intensity by means of visual analogue scales.

Results:

Compared with Middle European patients (ME), those from Eastern Europe (EE), and Southern Europe (SE) were younger and presented more intense overall pain mainly affecting the head, extremities and back. In addition, SE patients suffered more intense thoracic pain than ME patients, and EE patients suffered less frequently from abdominal pain compared to their ME and SE counterparts. Furthermore, 3 months after study entry, ME patients were found to profit more from treatment with venlafaxine in terms of overall illness severity and pain intensity than patients from EE and SE.
Physician Speciality and Pain Reduction in Patients with Depressive Symptoms Under Treatment with Venlafaxine
Authors: Begré S. , Traber M. , Gerber M. , von Känel R.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Excessive pain perception may lead to unnecessary diagnostic testing or invasive procedures to result in iatrogenic complications and prolonged disability. Naturalistic studies on depressed patients with chronic pain investigating the impact of medical speciality on treatment outcome in a primary care setting are lacking.

Methods:

In this observational study, we examined whether the magnitude of pain reduction in 444 depressed patients under venlafaxine would differently relate to the medical speciality of the 122 treating physicians, namely psychiatrists (n=110 patients), general practitioners (n=236 patients), and internists (n=98 patients).

Results:

Independent of demographic factors, comorbidity, severity of pain and illness at study entry, and the duration of pain and depression, patients seemed to profit significantly less in terms of pain reduction (p< .001) and of reduction in severity of their illness by psychiatrists as compared to general practitioners (p< .019) and internists (p< .002).
Sense of Coherence in Patients Treated for Depression with ECT
Authors: Kononova N. , Berg J.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether the Antonovsky Sense of Coherence test administered before and after ECT can contribute more information pertinent to outcome than a test of depression.

Twenty patients with a severe unipolar or bipolar depression underwent a series of unipolar ECT under standard conditions. As part of the routine of the department, the patients filled in, before and after ECT, the following questionnaires: Beck Depression Inventory (Beck), 20 item version and Antonovsky Sense of Coherence test (SOC), 13 item version.

Mean age was 40.3, somewhat less for women.

Fourteen patients were living alone.

A reduction was obtained, not significantly different in uni- or bipolar depression, from 35 to 17 in total score on Beck. Likewise, the SOC value increased from a mean of 2.5 to 3.2, indicating a better manageability, comprehensibility and meaningfulness in life.

Four patients had an invalidity pension. Ten of the 16 remaining patients attained work after ECT, and scored better than those not starting to work on both tests, SOC > Beck. A low SOC value may indicate increased mortality risk.

Patients who are favourably treated with ECT against any depression, but who do not show a considerable improvement in SOC, would need special follow-up on factors not directly related to mental illness to reduce relapse and mortality risk.
Emtional Intelligence, Depression, and Antidepressants
Authors: Biran M. , Burch N.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Emotional intelligence is the measure of the comprehension of one's emotional state and the capability to manage emotions, to recognize emotions in others and to react to those emotions appropriately (Salovey & Mayer, 1990).

In previous studies a strong correlation was found between low emotional intelligence and depression. (e.g.,Berrocal, Alcaide, Extremera, & Pizarro, 2006).

Since antidepressants attempt to solve depression by numbing patients’ emotions and making the emotions more controllable (Arce et al, 2008; Davison, 2005), it was our hypothesis that antidepressants will lower emotional intelligence.

Method:

A package of questionnaires was distributed to 195 undergraduate students. Included in the package was a questionnaire asking subjects whether depressed, and were they taking antidepressants. Also included were the SCL-90 used to assess emotional distress (Derogatis,1985), the Beck Depression Inventory used to assess level of depression (Beck, 1981), and the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale used to evaluate level of emotional intelligence.

Results:

The results not only agreed with the findings of previous research linking low levels of emotional intelligence to depression, but also supported the hypothesis that the use of antidepressants would be linked to lower levels of emotional intelligence (r (191)= -.158, p< .029) This is a powerful finding, considering that the sample size was rather small. Only about 15% of the sample reported being prescribed antidepressants to treat their depression.

Conclusions:

The results of this study suggest that taking antidepressants as a form of treatment for depression might impact negatively on patients’ ability to handle their emotions.
Activation of Serotonin Metabolism and BDNF Changes in Depressed Patients with Multiple Sclerosis During Interferon-Beta Therapy
Authors: Bonaccorso S. , Ricciardi A. , Matrisciano F. , Nicoletti F. , Scaccianoce S. , Ruberto A. , Girardi P. , Tatarelli R. , Pompei F. , Manciocchi R. , Pozzilli C. , Verkerk R. , Scharpe S. , Wang L. , Shelton R.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase is responsible for tryptophan catabolism; IFN-β is a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) and it has been associated with depression. IDO activation might play a role in IFN-β induction of depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms associated with MS illness and IFN-β treatment have been treated with pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention.

Aims:

Evaluation of the kynurenine pathway, IDO activation and neurotoxic agents, serum BDNF in MS patients during IFN-β intervention.

Methods:

14 study subjects, aged 18-64 years with major depressive disorder and MS treated with IFN-β, before and after pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic intervention, and 34 age matched healthy controls were enrolled at the University of Rome "La Sapienza" and at the at the University of Antwerp. Depressed participants were randomized to sertraline-treatment or interpersonal psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Results:

There were significant improvements in both depression and anxiety symptoms with medication and psychotherapy groups, although the effect with sertraline was more robust. Sertraline treatment was associated with a decline in serotonin. In the psychotherapy group, a significant increase in 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (HAA) was observed after 4 months treatment (p= .04) with a significant decrease in tryptophan levels at 6 weeks (p= .02) and a trend towards a significant decrease in BDNF after 6 wks (p=0.06), neither of which were seen in the medication condition.

Discussion:

The increase in HAA among the psychotherapy-treated patients raises the possibility of a neurodegenerative challenge for patients with multiple sclerosis during treatment with IFN-β which appeared to be prevented with pharmacological treatment.
Doctor Takes me Along to the Paradise
Authors: Chawki B.
Published: March 2009

It is well-known that the depression is a disorder which is with the crossroads of biological and the psychic one, of social of cultural and the spiritual one. Our reflexion today, will try to throw the light, through our characteristic lived of looking after, on the aspect certainly, most occult, but which remains nevertheless in our humble opinion, more determining in the success of the project of care between the therapeutist and his suicidal patient, in other words: the cultural and spiritual dimension of this meeting. It Would not be not convenient, even advantageous, that the therapeutist takes the risk to explore of advantage the quotient of religiosity of his patient, with the detriment or not of his own convictions, in order to better help it in his spiritual storm; in other world. Can the spiritual accompaniment" it form part of the therapeutic contract? It is on its same interrogations, that will try to focus our reflexion, today. This naturally leads us to wonder the following questions: That of the bond which can exist between faith and psychic imbalance on the one hand. As of the interest which can draw looking after it, by integrating the spiritual life of its depressed patient, in his psychotherapy intention, on the other hand.
Psychological Distress Among Patients of an Orthopaedic Out Patient Clinic: Study from a Low Income Country
Authors: Husain N. , Humail S.M. , Chaudhry I.B. , Rahman R. , Tomenson B. , Creed F.
Published: March 2009

In high income countries depression is common among general trauma patients and is associated with a poor outcome. In the absence of previous reports from a developing country we evaluated the relationship of psychological distress to physical injury, musculoskeletal complaints, and social factors in Pakistan.

Methods:

One thousand and fourteen patients were recruited from a busy orthopaedic outpatient clinic at a general hospital in Karachi (90.5% response rate). Research assistants administered the Self Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) to measure psychological distress, the Oslo social support questionnaire, and the Brief Disability Questionnaire (BDQ). The surgeons documented the diagnosis and, if appropriate, rated symptoms as medically unexplained.

Results:

An SRQ score of 9 or more, which indicates probable depressive disorder, occurred in 45.6% of men & 76.1% of women. A high SRQ score was associated with female sex, divorced, separated or widowed status, little or no education, low income and little social support. Even after these were controlled for there was a significantly higher SRQ score in patients with arthritis, backache/prolapsed intervertebral disc, major fracture and other bone pathology. Overall there was no difference in SRQ score between patients with medically explained (by trauma or organic disease) or unexplained symptoms.

Conclusions:

Depressive disorder appears to be very common in orthopaedic out patients in this low income country and both social circumstances and nature of bone pathology are associated with such depression. Treatment should address this extreme psychological distress.
Humiliation and Entrapment Among Depressed Women of Pakistani Origin Living in the UK
Authors: Chaudhry N. , Husain N. , Tomenson B. , Creed F.
Published: March 2009

In a population-based sample of women of Pakistani origin in UK we tested the hypothesis that chronic difficulties involving humiliation and entrapment will be associated with depressive disorder.

487 randomly selected women were screened for depressive disorder with the Self- Rating Questionnaire (SRQ). All high scorers and 1:4 low scorers were interviewed, using the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). Of these 193 women were also administered the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS) to measure social stress.

92 women had a depressive disorder, 62 had SRQ score>7 but no depressive disorder and 39 were not depressed. 89 of the 92 depressed women were followed up to six months later, 55 women remained depressed and 34 were no longer depressed.

In univariate analysis at baseline they had significantly more marked difficulties in the domains of health, money/possession, marital/partner and other relationships. In logistic regression analysis difficulties associated with depressive disorder were marked marital/partner and other relationship difficulties. 87% of women who experienced humiliation and 84% of those experiencing entrapment had marked marital partner and other relationship difficulties.

At 6 months follow-up chronic difficulties in the domains of marital/partner and other relationship were associated with persistent depression. 90% of women experiencing humiliation and entrapment had marked marital/partner and other relationship difficulties.

Humiliating difficulties directly devaluing a woman's core role where she finds herself to be trapped with no way out is associated with depressive disorder in women of Pakistani origin in the UK.
The Prevalence of Late-Lifedepression and Physicians’ Attitude Toward it in Primary Care Settings of China
Authors: Chen S.
Published: March 2009

Late-life depression is associated with physical and psychological comorbidity, functional and cognitive impairment, and increased mortality due to suicide and other causes. However, studies in the west show that the identification of depression in older people is problematic and consequently the illness is underdiagnosed and undertreated. We investigated the prevalence of late-life depression and physicians’ attitude toward it in primary care settings of China.

The survey was performed in urban primary care settings of Hangzhou, China. 1000 patients aged ≥ 55 years and 300 primary care physicians were recruited, of which 689 patients and 247 physicians provided complete data. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30) was used for investigating the prevalence of late-life depression in patients, and the Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) for investigating physicians’ attitudes and knowledge about depression.

Of the 689 patients, 23.4% (n=161) scored ≥ 11 on the GDS-30, including 3% (n=21) who scored ≥ 21. Among the physicians, 72% (n=178) endorsed that “Becoming depressed is a natural part of being old”, and 70% (n=173) of them thought “Working with depressed patients is heavy going”; in their clinical practice. Only 6.6% of physicians prescribed anti-depressants.

Primary care physicians in China are ill prepared to diagnose and treat depression in older adults, which presents at high rates in primary care clinics. How to improve their attitudes and clinical practice is crucial to the well-being of older people in China.
Association Between Age of Onset and Symptom Profiles of Late-Life Depression
Authors: Corruble E.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

The recognition of later late-onset (LLO) major depression (MD) is a matter of concern.

Method:

Cross-sectional study assessed MD with the MINI structured interview and the MADRS in a referred sample of 13 377 non-demented adult out-patients visiting their physicians. Among 6850 patients with a first episode of MD, 370 LLO (75 years of age and older) MD were compared with 814 late-onset (LO) (60-74 years old) MD and 5666 early-onset (EO) (18-59 years old) MD.

Results:

There are many similarities between the symptom patterns of EO, LO and LLO MDs. However, the symptom pattern of LLO MD includes more retardation/agitation, lassitude, reduced appetite and apparent sadness, and less sleep disturbances, guilt feelings, pessimism and inner tension than LO and EO MD.

Conclusion:

The differences in symptom profiles are very modest and between-group differences may not be meaningful on an individual level.
Self-Destructive Behaviours in Adolescence: Comparison with a Normative Sample Relatively to Psychological Adjustment, Self-Esteem and Stress Perception
Authors: Cruz D. , Narciso I. , Sampaio D.
Published: March 2009

Adolescence is a developmental stage characterized by profound and diverse changes - individual, familial and social. The corresponding challenge of adapting can determine a chrysies period, in which may take place symptoms of psychological disorder, such as Self-destructive behaviours.

The present study is a part of a wider investigation, in the extent of the work for a doctorate in Psychology about Influent factors in stress and well-being of youngsters presenting Self-destructive behaviours: quality of family relations, attachment and parenting styles.

This preliminary study is a comparative one between a sample of youngsters, ranging from 12 to 21 years old, with a history of self-destructive behaviours, who resorted to the consult of the Suicide Studies Group of the Hospital of Santa Maria, and a normative sample comprising youngsters who have no such history, attending schools of the Lisbon region and the country's Centre region. The goal is to compare the two samples relatively to the psychological adjustment - assessed through the presence of psychopathological symptoms - (YSR; Fonseca & Monteiro, 1999), self-esteem (SES; Faria, L., 2000) and stress perception (PSS; IPSSO, 2000), assessed through self-report questionnaires.

The results reveal the presence of significant differences between the clinical group and the control group, concerning the variables at study.
Ethnic and Cultural Impact on Depressive Symptoms - a Comparison Study in Austrian and Turkish Patients
Authors: Deisenhammer E.A. , Coban-Basaran M. , Mantar A. , Prunnlechner R. , Kemmler G. , Alkin T. , Hinterhuber H.
Published: March 2009

The cultural and ethnic background of a patient may have a significant impact on the presentation of a psychiatric disorder. In this study symptoms assessed within a major depressive episode in 3 groups of female patients were compared:

1.

women of Austrian origin,

2.

women of Turkish origin but living in Austria and

3.

Turkish women living in Turkey.

Patients were recruited at University hospitals either in Innsbruck, Austria, or Izmir, Turkey. A total of 136 patients were included into the study. Rating instruments included the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Bradford Somatic Inventory (BSI). Groups differed significantly with respect to severity as well as symptom clusters. Although Austrian patients were more often treated as in-patients they appeared to be less severely depressed. Both Turkish groups, however, presented somatic symptoms significantly more often than Austrian depressed women. Austrian-Turkish patients displayed some somatic symptoms even more frequently than Turkish patients in their home-country. It is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of depression to take ethnic and cultural issues of the patients into account.
Prescription Patterns of Antidepressants in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry - a 10 Year-Observational Study (1988-1997)
Authors: Diefenbacher A.
Published: March 2009

Few long term studies have reported observations of changes over time with consultation-liaison (C-L) populations. This is a longitudinal observational study of a tertiary care psychiatric C-L- service over a ten-year-period (1988 - 1997) using a standardized computerized clinical database to examine 4429 consecutive referrals. Sociodemographic variables, relative consultation rates, reasons for referral, and psychiatric diagnoses, apart from a shift from adjustment disorders with depressed mood to major depressive disorders within the depressive syndrome group, did not demonstrate significant changes during the study period. Changes occurred in the pattern of C-L-psychiatric recommendations, e.g., in the prescription of antidepressants where tricyclic antidepressants were replaced by newer agents such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), beginning with the introduction of fluoxetine to the US-american market in 1988. Due to a decrease in length of stay (LOS) over the ten year observation period the correlation of lagtime (the time from admission to the hospital until referral to C-L psychiatry) and LOS decreased from very strong to moderate.
Correlation Between Depression and Interferon-Beta Therapy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zervas I. , Mitsonis C. , Dimopoulos N. , Psarra V. , Potagas C. , Papadimitriou G.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Depression is the most frequent psychiatric disorder encountered in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), with a life-time prevalence of approximately 50%. INF-beta (INF-β) shows beneficial effect on the course of MS. Although it has been suggested that interferons may be associated to depression, the validity and the nature of this relationship remain unclear regarding INF-β. The objective of this study is to review the scientific literature in order to elucidate the relationship between depression and INF-β therapy.

Methods:

This systematic review was based on Medline, Embase and, PsycLIT literature searches (through January 2005), supplemented by bibliographical citations in identified papers.

Results:

The majority of studies ruled out a correlation between INF-β1a/1b and depression in MS patients. However, patients with a recent history of depression may be at higher risk for depression particularly in the early phase of treatment (first 6 months), even if they are not depressed at the initiation of medication. There is an association between depressive symptoms and discontinuation of INF therapy but INF-β does not seem to be associated with suicide attempts. Treating patient-reported depression increases adherence to treatment.

Conclusions:

Clinicians should not refrain from including patients with MS in INF-β treatment programs, even those with depression in the past or at the present time. Screening, monitoring, and early antidepressant treatment is necessary to optimize IFN therapy for the majority of patients with MS.
Echoes of Anaclitic Depression
Authors: Djurisic V.
Published: March 2009

Ego of the child under the age of four years (when basic independence is still not founded) experiences separation from the mother as a trauma. We will follow dynamics of this traumatisation, through revew of the cases of three adult patients during psychoanalitical psychotherapy.This study is mainly occupied with correlation between phase (and sub-phase) of ego development and object-relations during the absence of the mother and the echoes of anaclitic depression of that time upon clinical condition in adulthood.
Recovery from Trauma-Related Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Draghinda I.
Published: March 2009

During the last few years, most cases of major depression encountered by the author in his private practice proved to be issues of psychological trauma. Among the incriminated traumatic causes, very few were potentially life-threatening events, and some were various forms of sexual abuse; however, most were seemingly trivial experiences that had had deleterious effect on the subject's narcissism or perceived social recognition. It appeared that in all cases where previous psychotherapy or psychiatric treatment had been performed, such trauma had been ignored or overlooked. Amazingly, careful and exhaustive trauma-targeted psychotherapy brought about exceptional relief and eventually recovery from the mood disorder.

More amazingly, five cases of apparent bipolar disorder proved to be traumatic disorders. One of these presented with a very typical first manic episode; the other four had been diagnosed with this condition in a psychiatric hospital, they had a documented bipolar history and had received mood-stabilisers or atypical neuroleptics with satisfying results. Here too, careful trauma-centered psychotherapy achieved complete recovery and allowed to stop chemical treatment. Four and a half year follow-up (the longest among these five cases) showed no relapse in any of the five patients, despite the lack of any chemical treatment.

Significant case reports will be discussed.
Changes in Mental Health in Adolescents with a History of Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Durkin K. , Conti-Ramsden G.
Published: March 2009

Little is known about long-term mental health outcomes as individuals with specific language impairment (SLI) approach adulthood.

Aims:

This longitudinal study examined anxiety (Child Manifest Anxiety Scale; CMAS) and depression (Moods and Feelings Questionnaire; MFQ) during the critical period when adolescents finish compulsory education and then embark upon their chosen course of study or employment.

Method:

Eighty-nine adolescents with SLI and 90 typically developing (TD) peers were assessed during their final year of compulsory schooling (16 years) and one year later.

Results:

At 16 years, there is a greater risk of both anxiety and depression in adolescents with SLI compared to their peers. Group scores for adolescents with SLI were significantly higher on both the CMAS (p< .001) and the MFQ (p< .01). However, while this finding is replicated at 17 years for anxiety symptoms (p< .01), there is a significant decrease in depressive symptoms for adolescents with SLI across time such that risk of depression is comparable to TD peers at 17 years. Scores for TD adolescents remain remarkably stable across this period. Poor mental health symptoms were not related to measures of nonverbal IQ, language, literacy or sociability but were associated with higher levels of shyness.

Conclusion:

Notwithstanding a sustained, elevated risk of anxiety symptoms, there is an encouraging trend for a decrease in depressive symptoms as adolescents with SLI complete compulsory education. The findings are interpreted within a developmental psychopathology framework, focusing on the changing structure of intrapersonal and environmental processes that influence internalizing symptoms during mid-adolescence.
Depression and Hepatitis C
Authors: Ferreira M.J. , Margalho R. , Fernandes C. , Serra J. , Cunha J. , Silvestre M.
Published: March 2009

Combination therapy of peginterferon and ribavirin for HCV has been recommended as a first choice for chronic hepatitis C. INF therapy has been associated with various IFN-related adverse events, such as psychological disturbances. Beyond that preexisting mental disorders are considered risk factors for INF-alfa-induced severe psychiatric side effects such as depression and/or suicidality, consequently many of these patients remain untreated even tough they fulfil the medical criteria for antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

The authors relate the case of a patient, 56 year's old, sent to infecciology consultation because she had alterations in abnormal liver function tests. She had a previous history of mental disorder with neurotic personality traits and she was treated with psychiatric medication.

She had treatment for chronic hepatitis C with peginterferon and ribavirin as well psychiatric and psychotherapeutic support.

A low sustained virologic response was obtained however the depressive picture has been difficult to handle so she had had already had a psychiatric hospitalization. There were several adverse life events that can not be forgotten as they certainly trigger and exacerbate the depressive symptomatology.

We assume that psychiatric patients have more depressive symptoms before and during treatment compared with patients without no psychiatric history. This shows that this patients have an increase need for treatment with antidepressants and that a close cooperation with a psychiatrist is always needed.
Predictors of Depression in Adolescents and Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Giannakopoulou D. , Lindner H.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Young individuals with Type 1 Diabetes have an increased risk for psychological and emotional problems. However, little is known of the factors which encounter for depression among young individuals with Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective:

The present study aimed first to examine differences on psychological variables between disease and non-disease groups and second to determine the developmental, psychosocial and health predictors of depression in young individuals with Type 1 Diabetes.

Methods:

The sample consisted of 123 participants with Type 1 Diabetes and 123 healthy controls, aged from 12 to 26 years, 32.9 % males, recruited from different states of Australia and completed a battery of self report questionnaires for development, anxiety, depression, coping, health behaviours, social support and psychological adjustment to diabetes.

Results:

Young adults with Type 1 diabetes (n=62) reported significantly higher depression scores and lower levels of problem focused coping than their controls, p< .05. Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (n=61) reported more health behaviors than those without, p< .01. Using regression analysis findings showed that significant predictors of depression for participants with Type 1 Diabetes were development, independent living, social support (degree of satisfaction), health behaviours and problem focused coping.

Conclusions:

Psychological interventions specifically designed for the enhancement of positive coping, independent living skills and social satisfaction could be important for the prevention and/or management of depressive symptoms among individuals with Type 1 Diabetes.
Detection and Prevalence of Depressive Disorders in Primary Care Settings in Hungary
Authors: Torzsa P. , Gonda X. , Szokontor N. , Sebestyen B. , Faludi G. , Kalabay L. , Rihmer Z.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Although depressive disorders are common conditions in primary health care service, and many depressed patients consult their general practitioners, GPs have some difficulties in the detection and correct diagnosis of depression. Unrecognized and untreated depression causes great health and economic burden and also contributes to significant suffering, therefore the correct recognition of affective disorder in GP settings is an important healthcare target. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of depressive disorders in general practices in Hungary and also to assess the sensitivity and specificity of different depression screening instruments.

Method:

In the present study the current prevalence of DSM-IV depressive disorders were surveyed among 984 primary care attendees in 6 GP practices in Hungary, using the Beck Depression Inventory and the PRIME-MD screening instrument.

Results:

The current prevalence rate of any PRIME-MD DSM-IV depressive disorders, including symptomatic major depressive episode, were 18.5% and 7.3% respectively. Beck Depression Inventory identified any current depressive disorders with 95% sensitivity and 56% specificity and the same figures for current symptomatic major depressive episode were 83% and 23%, respectively.

Discussion:

Our results are similar to those reported previously from Hungary and from other countries. The findings also indicate that the Beck Depression Inventory and PRIME-MD can help in detecting depressive disorders in primary care.
Dimensional Approach to Delusional Beliefs in Psychotic Depression in Old Age: Factor Structure and Clinical Correlates
Authors: Gournellis R. , Oulis P. , Rizos E. , Kalemi G. , Fortos A. , Lykouras L.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

The present study attempted to investigate the clinically important broader dimensions of clinical characteristics of delusions, through multivariate analysis, in a pure sample of elderly unipolar delusional depressives as well as to test their external validity against a set of demographic, anamnestic and psychopathological validators.

Methods:

Fifty inpatients suffering from psychotic major depression (PMD) in the context of major depressive disorder, 60 years old or older, were assessed on the basis of SCID IV, HRSD, MMSE and by three - point ordinal scales of twelve clinical, intrinsic or relational characteristics of delusions tested for their interrater reliability.

Results:

Principal Component Analysis resulted in the extraction of five factors, jointly accounting for 69.7% of the total variance. The five factors were interpreted as representing the dimensions of delusional strength, acute upsetting, delusional organization, incomprehensibility and incitation to actions. Most of the factors were differentially associated with patients’ demographic, anamnestic and clinical variables.

Conclusion:

Our results overlap in part with those of another similar study in delusional depressives of all age-ranges, differing, however in respects possibly attributable to peculiarities of elderly depressives. Overall, the findings of the present study contribute to the further elucidation of major clinical dimensions of delusions in PMD in the elderly and the testing of their external validity.
The Therapeutic Effects of Tianeptin on Adolescents
Authors: Graovac M.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

Changes in mood and anxiety constantly follow nearly all clinical categories which we encounter in working with adolescents. While recent studies that followed the therapeautic effects of antidepressants on children and adolescents report results which argue against the use of antidepressants on children and adolescents, our experiences show that within the therapeutic process it is often necessary to include medication, keeping in mind their developmental processes as well as the risks and protection i factors in potential psychopathological phenomena. The study is directed towards the confirmation of the therapeutic effects of Tianeptine in the treatment of adolescents.

Method:

60 adolescents (ages 15 - 23) took Tianeptine in a daily dosage of 37,5mg and were followed for the duration of 3-6 months. Tianeptine monotherapy was applied for 31,8% of adolescents, while we involved 68,2% of adolescents in some form of pscyhotherapeutic work. Clinical monitoring was conducted with the HRDA scale. Psychological testing (MMPI, PIE) was done at the beginning of therapy and after three months.

Results:

Statistically, a less significant depression and anxiety resulted in both clinical and pyschological tests following the utilisation of Tianeptine in both monotherapeutic as well as combined psychotherapeutic techniques.

Conclusions:

Our results confirm the therapeutic effects of Tianeptine on symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents. We want to point out the efficacy of a rational application of antidepressants for adolescents, especially when the same is utilised as part of a complex medical psychotherapy treatment of adolescents.
Depression, Hostility and Substance Use Among University Students in Jordan
Authors: Hamdan-Mansour A.
Published: March 2009

Background:

University student became a target population for number of research studies due to increased number and types of mental and psychosocial problems that they suffer from.

Objective:

To examine the relationship between depression, hostility and substance use among university students in Jordan.

Study design:

Descriptive correlation study. Data collected on demographics, depression, hostility, and substance use from 572 university students in Jordan.

Results:

Almost 75% of the university students had mild to severe depression. Tobacco, pain killers, stimulants, tranquilizers, inhalants, and alcohol respectively were the most used substances. Depression was negatively correlated with hostility(r = .10, p= .04) and tobacco use (r =.19, p < .001). Depression level has positive correlation with frequency of using pain killers, inhalants, stimulants, tranquilizers, and heroine (p < .05). Male and female university students were not different in their depression scores, hostility, and frequency of substance use.

Conclusions:

Depression, hostility and substance use were correlated. Mental health care providers have to understand the impact of depression among university students in Jordan.
Glutamate and Depression
Authors: Kapsali F. , Tsopelas C. , Kamilaris I. , Dimitraka M. , Sardis A.
Published: March 2009

Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the cerebral cortex and it is implicated in the pathophysiology of depression and antidepressant activity.

Aim:

Aim of this study is to review recent studies and examine the physiology of glutamate and its receptors, pathophysiology of NMDA, effects of stress on glial cells and glutamate neurotransmission and explore the antidepressant properties of NMDA antagonists.

Method:

Review of recent pharmacological, imaging and genetic studies.

Results:

Increasing evidence supports a tight relationship between stress, the glutamatergic system and depression. Extracellular glutamate concentrations are increased in several brain regions including prefrontal cortex and hippocampus after exposure to stress. Interactions between glutamate and other neurotransmitters are discussed, as are possible mechanisms by which such altered receptor activity might result in the clinical expression of depression.

A variety of NMDA antagonists, group I metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, as well as positive modulators of AMPA receptors, demonstrate efficacy in various preclinical models

Conclusions:

It seems that a breakthrough in the therapy of depression will require going beyond monoamine-based theory of depression. Evidence indicates that the glutaminergic system might be a promising target fir novel antidepressant therapy.
Antidepressant-like Effect of Baccharis Ilimita in the Forced Swimming Test in Mice
Authors: Kikko A. , Koerich P. , Bondan E. , Nunes F. , Pizzolatti M. , Barbosa A.
Published: March 2009

The aim of the present work was to investigate if flowers extract (FE) and leaf extract (LE) of Baccharis ilimita (Asteraceae) induced antidepressant-like effect. Previous phytochemical investigations have shown the presence of structurally and biogenetically diverse secondary metabolites in this gene, such as flavonoids, diterpenes and triterpenes. Male Swiss mice were injected with FE and LE (12.5; 25.0 or 50.0 mg/kg; i.p.) or saline (S) and after 30 min, they were tested in the forced swimming test (FST). The results showed that FE and LE (50 mg/kg) decreased the duration of immobility time in comparison to the control group (S: 114.8s ± 10.23; FE50: 47.52s ± 9.45; LE50: 53.36s ± 10.38). However, the 12.5 and 25.0 mg/kg doses had no effect on the immobility time in comparison to the control group. The FE and LE did not produce any change in ambulation in mice when tested in an open field. The imipramine (IMP; 15.0 mg/kg i.p.) was used as the positive control. Our results suggested that FE and LE of Baccharis ilimita presents antidepressant-like effect in mice. Such results suggest that the antidepressant-like effect may be attributed at lest partially the flavonoids or the interaction of the active(s) principle(s) present in this plant.

Descritores:

Baccharis ilimita. Forced swimming test. Depression. Mice.
Objective and Subjective Rated Depression, Daytime Sleepiness and Sleep Quality in Different Sleep Disorders
Authors: Lattova Z. , Keckeis M. , Lauer C. , Pollmacher T.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

Daytime sleepiness and disturbed sleep quality are core symptoms of sleep disorders. In addition, depressive symptoms are often reported. In the present study, we examined the possible relationships of daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and objective and subjective rated depressive symptoms in three major sleep disorders: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; n = 25), restless legs syndrome (RLS; n = 18) and psychophysiological insomnia (n = 21), compared to healthy controls (n = 33).

Method:

Otherwise healthy subjects without a history of psychiatric disorder or psychotropic medication use were included. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for daytime sleepiness assessment and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI) for subjective sleep quality were administered. Participants filled in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) as indicator of subjective rated depression and underwent a standard psychiatric interview; observer ratings comprised the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA).

Results:

As expected daytime sleepiness was highest in OSA, whereas insomnia patients showed the highest depression and anxiety scores and the worst subjective sleep assessment. In contrast to the HAMD, the BDI was unable to differentiate among patient groups. Objective (HAMD) and subjective (BDI) rated depression correlated significantly in insomnia, RLS and healthy controls, but surprisingly not in OSA. Subjective rated depression (BDI) correlated significantly with subjective sleep quality (PSQI) in these patients. This correlation was not present in insomnia, RLS or controls. Therefore, increased BDI levels in OSA are possibly related to disturbed sleep (PSQI) rather than to depression.