bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathways to Care, Duration of Untreated Psychosis and Treatments Received by Patients with First-Episode Psychosis
Authors: Giacco D. , Fiorillo A. , Del Vecchio V. , Luciano M. , Sampogna G. , Vinci V. , De Rosa C. , Catapano F.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Pathways to care and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) strongly influence the long-term outcome of schizophrenia.

Aims

To investigate pathways to care, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and treatments received by a sample of individuals aged between 18 and 35 years meeting diagnostic criteria for psychosis.

Methods

Pathways to care and DUP were explored by an “ad-hoc” schedule administered to patients and caregivers.

Results

The sample consists of 30 patients. The first episode of psychosis, which occurred at 19.7 (± 4.7) years, was characterized by negative symptoms and disorganized behaviours in more than half of the sample, suicide attempts (28%) and hospital admissions (26%). DUP was 41.6 ± 60.4 weeks, being longer than that reported in international literature. In 76% of cases patients’ relatives asked for a first contact with health professionals, referring the patients to psychiatrists (34% of cases), general practitioners (31%), neurologists (21%) or psychologists (13%). When professionals other than psychiatrists were contacted, the interval between the contact and receipt of appropriate psychiatric treatment (according to the current guidelines) was particularly long (15.2 ± 32.1 weeks). 34% of patients were treated with a monotherapy of psychotropic drugs: 24% with antipsychotics, 7% with anxiolytics and 3% with antidepressants; 48% received a poly-pharmacotherapy. 35% were treated with psychotherapy (in most of the cases cognitive-behavioural therapy), which was the only treatment for 18% of patients.

Conclusions

These results emphasize the need to train health professionals on diagnosis and treatment of first episode psychosis. DUP may be reduced by anti-stigma campaigns among general population.
Bromocriptin and Cabergolin in Treatment of Hyperprolactinemia in Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder
Authors: Gorobets L. , Bulanov V.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Correction of the syndrome of hyperprolactinemia is very important problem of psychopharmacotherapy.

Aims

Comparative assessment of efficacy by bromocriptin and cabergolin action in syndrome of hyperprolactinemia in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Methods

120 female patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia (86) and schizoaffective disorder (34) were treated for a long period with risperidon; all of them suffered of hyperprolactinemia. Bromocriptin and cabergolin were used for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. All patients were separated for 2 groups: patients of the 1st group (n = 64) were treated with bromocriptin (5 mg daily/2 months), patients of the 2nd group (n = 56) - with cabergolin (5 mg weekly/2 months). The level of prolactin was estimated in blood serum using immunoenzyme method.

Results

In the 1st group 48 patients (75%) were responders: prolactin level decreased from 1997 ± 504 m ME/I to 1125 ± 293 m ME/I (p ≤ 0.05) and in 16 (25%) nonresponders prolactin level did not change - 2165 ± 606 m ME/I before and 2190 ± 441 m ME/I after the treatment (p ≥ 0.05). In the 2nd group 48 patients were responders (85.7%) and serum prolactin level was reduced in the range of 30-75% from 2294 ± 634 mME/l to 1109 ± 240 mME/l (p ≤ 0.05). In the nonresponders (8 patients; 14.3%) changes of serum prolactin were insignificant (2514 ± 578 mME/l/ before and 2084 ± 451 mME/l after the therapy; p ≥ 0.05).

Conclusions

Investigation has shown a high level of efficiency of cabergolin (dostinex) and bromocriptin in correction of hyperprolactinemia.
Demographic and neuro-cognitive characteristics of patients with schizophrenia in Bahrain
Authors: Kamel C. , Grey I.
Published: May 2011

Previous research has indicated differential patterns of neuro-cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we explored the relationship between neuro-cognitive functioning with both socio-demographic and symptom characteristics of 35 Arab patients attending an out-patient psychiatric clinic in the kingdom of Bahrain.

All patients participated in an OPCRIT diagnostic assessment, assisted in the completion of a socio-demographic questionnaire (CSSRI) and completed a minimum of four computerized neuro-cognitive tests from the CANTAB. These were Motor Screening (MOT), Paired Associates Learning (PAL: Visual Leaning and New Memory), Stockings of Cambridge (SOC: Spatial Planning and Frontal Lobe functioning) and Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift (IED: Testing rule acquisition and reversal)). The average age of onset of symptoms was at age 28 (age range 19–47) and symptom onset in the majority of cases was within between 1 and 6 months. Results indicated using standard score measures on tests of cognitive function that the majority of patients experienced significant deficits in the areas of frontal lobe functioning, working memory and visual memory. Neuro-cognitive test results were not related to

(1) presence/absence of insight,

(b) diagnostic category, and

(c) duration of illness.

However, results did appear to predict employment status.

Results are discussed in the context of service provision and development of psychiatric services for patients with schizophrenia in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Brain activity during social cognition tasks in individuals with schizophrenia, their unaffected siblings, and healthy controls
Authors: de Achaval D. , Villarreal M. , Costanzo E. , Douer J. , Buglioni K. , Lopez J. , Fahrer R. , Guinjoan S.
Published: May 2011

Background

Several studies have shown that patients with schizophrenia have impaired performance in various aspects of social cognition including emotion processing and theory of mind. Most available neuroimaging studies have compared patients and healthy controls during such mental.

Objective

To determine whether alterations in brain activation associated with social cognition reflects a heritable trait in schizophrenia.

Methods

Sixteen patients with schizophrenia (age 31.3 ± 6.5), 16 non-psychotic siblings (age 31.8 ± 3.5, 6 females) and 16 healthy subjects (age 30.1 ± 9.2, 6 females) underwent BOLD fMRI during emotion processing (Ekman Faces Test) and Theory of Mind (ToM) paradigms: Faces and Reading the Mind in the Eyes tasks. In all cases a gender condition was used as a control task. Random effects analysis was done for each task within groups, measuring signal changes between the target and control conditions of each paradigm, and later a group analysis was done.

Results

In patients, social cognition tasks brought about activations in language areas (left inferior frontal gyrus and structures near tempo parietal junction). The intensity of the activations was minimum in the emotional processing task (basic emotions), and maximum in the detection of complex mental states in eyes. Healthy controls also activated symmetric brain structures on the right side. Unaffected siblings also showed bilateral activation in the same brain structures but asymmetrically distributed (left > right).

Discussion

These results support the idea that schizophrenia is an illness characterized by abnormalities in the process of brain lateralization.
Social functioning and cognition in patients with schizophrenia, their unaffected siblings and healthy controls: impact on quality of life
Authors: Achaval D.D. , Buglioni K. , Lopez J. , Douer J. , Costanzo E. , Mora M. , Fahrer R. , Guinjoan S.
Published: May 2011

Background

Patients with schizophrenia show deficits in many cognitive domains and social functioning, social skills, and self management skills in their daily life activities.

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between general-social cognition, mental state and social functioning, and impact on quality of life.

Methods

Twenty patients with chronic disorder of schizophrenia were evaluated and compared with 20 siblings and 20 healthy controls regarding performance in a series of tests: Cognitive Screening: Word Accentuation Test, MCCB (Matrics Consensus Cognitive Battery) Social Functioning: UPSA (University of California Performance Skills Assessment), TABS (Test of Adaptive Behaviour in Schizophrenia), SSPA (Social Skills Performance Assessment), Beck and Hamilton depression scales, Scale for Positive and Negative Syndrome of Schizophrenia, and SF-36 as indicator of quality of life.

Results

Patients showed significant differences from controls and siblings in MCCB total score (p < 0.001), whereas siblings showed significant differences compared to controls in MCCB total score (p = 0.053). Siblings performed differently from patients (p < 0.001) and controls (p = 0.019) in social functioning measured with TABS. A series of correlations between general cognition and social functioning were demonstrated for patients and their unaffected siblings (not shown).

Conclusion

Results suggest that the performance of nonpsychotic siblings is located between patients and healthy controls, suggesting that social performance measures are (or associated with) intermediate phenotypes of the disease. General and social cognition have a complex relationship with social functioning and quality of life.
Emotion facial expression in families of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Herrera S. , Bardón M. , Fernández C. , Ángeles V. , Lahera Forteza G. , Fernández Liria A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Patients with schizophrenia show a deficit in emotion recognition through facial expression and the low sense of familiarity may be a factor involved. However, the emotion facial expression in families of patients could be disturbed and be another factor related to the deficit in emotion recognition and in sense of familiarity in schizophrenia.

Objectives

To assess the emotion facial expression in a sample of 21 families of patients with schizophrenia and families of healthy controls.

Methods

22 healthy volunteers, all of them professionals of mental health, were assessed with the Ekman Test of emotion recognition in unfamiliar people which was photographed by expressing the 6 Ekman’s basic emotions. The task was composed of 42 pictures, half of them from families of patients and the other half from families of healthy control.

Results

Volunteers recognize worse emotions in relatives of patients than in relatives of control group and this difference was statistically significant (Wilcoxon W = -4.13; p = .001). The average of pictures correctly recognized from families of patients was lower than pictures from families of control group (54.28% vs. 82%).

Conclusions

The emotion facial expression in families of patients with schizophrenia seems worse than in families of healthy controls. It could be a factor involved in face emotion recognition deficit in schizophrenia.
Thought disorder: a left lateralised breakdown of the language network
Authors: Horn H. , Jann K. , Walther S. , Federspiel A. , Wirth M. , Müller T. , Strik W.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Structural and functional deviations in schizophrenic patients with formal thought disorder (FTD) point towards a dysfunction within left sided language network.

Objectives

Independent component analysis (ICA), a new approach to fMRI analysis, enables to target the question of a network dysfunction directly. Using this method in healthy controls it was possible to identify the language networks separately for the left and the right hemispheres In the present study we use ICA analysis to examine changes of the language network separate for each hemisphere in relation to the severity of FTD.

Aims

We hypothesize increasing disintegration with increasing severity of FTD only in the left sided language network while the right language network should remain unaffected.

Methods

We investigated 16 schizophrenic patients with different severity of FTD and matched healthy controls using ICA decomposition of the BOLD signal. The spatial similarity of the individual language networks was correlated to the severity of FTD.

Results

The integrity of the left language network decrease with increasing severity of FTD (r = -0.79, p < 0.01), while the integrity of the right language network show no significant correlation to the severity of FTD.

Conclusion

For the first time the isolated breakdown of the left sided language network was linked specifically to schizophrenic FTD. This result unites older manly left hemispheric findings of structural and functional abnormalities in schizophrenic FTD.
Evaluation correlation between quality of life and global functioning in schizophrenic patients in mazandaran state
Authors: Hosseini S.H. , KarkhanehYusefi M.
Published: May 2011

Background

Schizophrenia is a disorder, which has the most regression in behavioural, occupational and psychiatry aspects, and it is also important for this patients. the main purpose of this study is to evaluate. The quality of life and global function of schizophrenia patients.

Method

100 schizophrenia patients (with DSM-IV-TR) who had a history of at least 10 years from the beginning of the disorder were collected. Demographic characteristics, type of schizophrenia, living condition and the quality of life scale (QLS) including interpersonal relationship instrumental role, intra psychic foundation and common objects and activities, were filled. Patients’ general functions were evaluated with GAF.

Results

In this study 67% were men and 51% were women. They were residual (55%), Paranoid (11%)and undifferentiated (33%) schizophrenia. They lived in institute (67%) and with their families (28%). The significant association were found to be between married and singles patients in instrumental role (F, 2, 97), P > ./.5) but there weren’t found any association in other domains also the significant. Correlation were found between undifferentiated and paranoid patients in interpersonal relationship (F, 2, 97), P > ./.5).but there weren’t any correlation in intrapsychic foundation and common objects and activities domains. Also there were significant association in GAF (F, 3, 98), P > ./.5)between uneducated and educated participants. The Mean of five domains and genders didn’t have any association together.

Conclusion

Schizophrenia patients’ quality of life is low. which showed the value and reliability of Global Assessment Functioning that usually used for every psychiatrics’ patients for V axis clinical diagnosis and indicated the clinical value of this scale.
Treatment-resistant childhood-onset schizophrenia and abnormally enlarged cavum septum pellucidum combined with cavum vergae: case report and literature review
Authors: Hu S.-H. , Liao Z.-L. , Zhang M.-M. , Xu Y.
Published: May 2011

The treatment of refractory schizophrenia has been a clinical challenge for most psychiatrists. The possible mechanism of the refractory schizophrenia included diagnostic errors, medical conditions and brain dysgensis. Here, we described a patient with childhood-onset schizophrenia who had severe psychiatric symptoms such as auditory hallucination and persecutory delusion and so on. We reexamined all his possible medical conditions and found the patient had an abnormal enlarged Cavus Septum Pellucidum (CSP) combined with Cavum Vergae (CV) (maximum length>30 mm). Some reports suggested that abnormal CSP(length>6 mm) has an significant association with schizophrenia. However, abnormally large CSP or CSP/CV and related prognosis were reported rarely. This case suggested that abnormally enlarged CSP or CSP/CV may lead to schizophrenia and worse prognosis.
Social functioning in a first-episode of psychosis: can the existence of affective symptoms influence it?
Authors: Ienciu M. , Romosan F. , Bredicean C. , Romosan R. , Moroianu A. , Pufan L. , Giurgi-Oncu C.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Besides psychopathological outcome, the outcome in terms of social functioning is of great importance in first-episode psychosis. This paper has analyzed three components of social functioning: instructional level, professional and marital status.

Objectives

The objective of this paper is to analyze the social functioning after two years of evolution in a sample of subjects with a first-episode psychosis.

Aims

The aim is to determine the way in which the presence of affective elements can influence social functioning in a first-episode psychosis.

Methods

43 subjects with a first-episode psychosis have been divided into 2 samples, according to the existence of (sample A) / the absence of (sample B) affective symptoms (depressive or manic). We have to mention that the affective elements have not fulfilled the ICD 10 criteria for an affective episode. These two samples have been analyzed at onset and after two years of evolution, according to the following parameters: instructional level, professional and marital status.

Results

We have noticed that there were changes only regarding the professional status and instructional level. After 2 years of evolution, the number of employed subjects was higher in sample A, compared to sample B. All of the subjects in sample A, which were students during their first episode of psychosis, have managed to finish their studies. Family status was not modified in any sample.

Conclusion

The existence of affective elements in a first-episode psychosis has an influence only regarding the professional status.
Spatial notions peculiarities as a mark of the schizophrenia's degree of intensity
Authors: Ivanov M.
Published: May 2011

Spatial notions belong to the most important concepts, which depict and characterize person's consciousness and determine its thought's and world image's specificity. Spatial notions’ peculiarities in connection with psychic pathology of the different degree of intensity are scanty explored.

Objective

Spatial notions’ peculiarities specific to individuals who suffer from schizophrenic spectrum disorders of the different degree of intensity.

Sample

Schizophrenia (ICD-10, F20) (30 individuals), schizotypal disorder (F21) (30) and conditionally healthy (60). Exception criteria: organic affection lesions CNS, epilepsy (G40), mental retardation (F70-F79). The experimental base: Moscow mental hospital №13.

Aim

To analyze and to describe spatial notions’ peculiarities specific to individuals who suffer from schizophrenic spectrum disorders (sexual differences are taken into consideration).

Methods

The following groups of methods were used to achieve the aim of research: methods intended for “direct” space perception research; projective and reflexive techniques; methods intended for the thought peculiarities research.

Results

Blatant violations of the spatial perception were found in experimental group. Sexual differences were defined: more abstract and nonstandard decisions are specific for men, more concrete and fragmentary - women.

It should be noted that errors amount wasn’t rising in the experimental group with the complication of the tasks.

Conclusions

Blatant violations of the spatial perception include emasculation, image distortion, perseveration, notion agglutination, decision paradoxicality, ambivalence etc. These violations are classified as the peculiarity of the negative psychopathological manifestations of thought and perception specific to the schizophrenia.

In some case, spatial idea can expose predisposition to the latent psychic pathology of endogenous origin.
Difficulties in emotional processing in schizophrenia patients as a function of insufficient separation
Authors: Jędrasik-Styła M.
Published: May 2011

Objectives

The study focuses on the emotion processing deficits, which are typical for schizophrenia patients. Since abnormalities in this field can be seen in terms of insufficient individuation and failure in the separation process, a context of a close interpersonal relationship was introduced into the testing procedure.

Method

30 schizophrenia patients were compared to a normal control sample (n = 31) on their performance on the lexical decision task (LDT). Two-factor of experimental design had a form of 2 (possible values of the independent variable was healthy /ill) x 2 (experimental conditions). Participants completed the LDT twice -1) in a standard testing situation, and 2) in the relational context condition (the procedure followed the activation of the subjects’ experience with his/her mother). In an e-prime computerized experiment the list of 91 words (names of positive and negative emotions, divided into 9 categories) and 27 nonwords were randomly subliminally exposed. It was hypothesised that in a relational context condition the emotional processing irregularities would be more distinct.

Results

Analyses confirmed the aforementioned theoretical assumptions. A significant condition/group interactional effect was found for anger (F = 4, 56, p = 0, 04) and joy (F = 5, 05, p = 0, 03). The accessibility of the emotion categories mentioned above was higher in the relational condition for patients whereas in the control sample no differences were observed.

Conclusions

The results were interpreted to provide an explanation of separation difficulties in the clinical sample, since simultaneous presence of opposing emotions hinders the process of decision making, including a decision to leave the family of origin.
Disconnected: a film about the social integration of people suffering schizophrenia
Authors: Jambrina J.J.M.
Published: May 2011

I was attending the 17th European Congress in Lisbon were I introduced our work in Avilés, Asturias, Spain. We have been developing the first Spanish experience in Assertive Community Treatments during ten years. Nowadays, ACT has been disseminated all over our country.

We have made a beautiful film about our work titled DISCONNECTED. It was directed by a famous spanish director (M. Gómez Pereira) and is getting a great success in Spain. It lasts 58 minutes.

Do you think it would be possible to show it in Vienna‘s Congress?The film has been subtitled into English.

I, m attaching you the official trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/user/filmdesconectados#p/a/u/0/oZfUeDKz66s
Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, serum calcium and phosphorus in patients with schizophrenia and major depression
Authors: Jamilian H.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of depression and schizophrenia in some studies. However, a few epidemiological studies do not show consistent results.

Objectives

Comparing serum level of Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, Calcium, and phosphorus in schizophrenic and depressed patients with healthy subjects in Iranian people.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 100 patients with schizophrenia and 100 major depressed ones in Arak-Iran from October 2009 to April 2010, and also 100 healthy subjects were enrolled. After informed consent, serum levels of Vitamin D, Calcium, Phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone were assessed by using routine laboratory methods.

Data was analyzed by using SPSS V17, one-way ANOVA, the post-hoc test of Tukey and also in general linear models.

Results

The three groups were different in Vitamin D (PValue < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis of Tukey showed that Vitamin D level of healthy participants was significantly higher than depressed patients (PValue < 0.001) and schizophrenics (PValue = 0.001) while there was no significant difference between Vitamin D levels in depressed and schizophrenic patients (PValue = 0.563). Serum levels of Ca, P and PTH were the same in three groups.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that Vitamin D affects the brain independent of hormonal pathways which regulate serum level of calcium. Lack of difference between the serum levels of Vitamin D in schizophrenia and depression suggests that the independent effect of Vitamin D in the brain is a general effect and is not specific for a region or pathway in the brain.
Complex intervention in schizophrenia. Results of an integrated care project in German psychiatry and psychotherapy
Authors: Janssen B. , Schmidt-Kraepelin C. , Gaebel W.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

“High utilizing” schizophrenic patients are a problem in routine inpatient care.

Objectives

A complex intervention with improved cooperation between in- and outpatient services was applied to 46 “high utilizing” patients after discharge from inpatient care during an intervention phase of 6 months. The study was controlled by a matched group of 47 patients receiving treatment as usual.

Aims

The goal of this study was to prevent rehospitalizations and thus optimize satisfaction with treatment and quality of life in patients suffering from schizophrenia.

Methods

The intervention was based on a computerized decision support module. Eight psychiatrists in private practices were supplied with this software to obtain guideline-based recommendations according to current psychopathology and clinical state. A local hospital project team arranged specifically suggested interventions. Moderator variables such as socio-demographical aspects or influences of certain interventions to rehospitalization rate were analyzed

Results

Sociodemographical aspects showed no differences between both groups. The rehospitalization rate and the mean length of inpatient treatment were reduced to nearly 50% (Interventiongroup). The rate of readmissions increased in the control group, leading to a difference of 23% between both groups. Cost effectiveness was higher in the interventiongroup than in the controlgroup.

Discussion

The most important single factor was the participation in coping skills training, but only the guideline consistent complex therapies caused the significant overall result. Satisfaction increased during 6 months and remained constant during 12 months of follow up. The project described an important step to gain evidence for integrated care for patients with schizophrenia.
Preliminary study of emotion recognition using facial affect cards of the training of affect recognition program (TAR) in Spanish population
Authors: Jimeno N. , Vargas M.L. , Ruiz F. , Cañas M.T. , Pérez R. , Sanz S. , Sanguino R. , Frommann N. , Wölwer W.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Social cognition is presently an important focus in rehabilitation of patients wish schizophrenic psychoses. Emotion recognition in one of its different components, the Training of Affect Recognition (TAR) is a therapy program specifically developed aiming at improving affect recognition.

Objectives

To test if the material of the TAR program in terms a series of facial affect cards is reliable for emotion recognition in a Spanish control population.

Methods

A sample of Spanish control subjects were shown the TAR's series of facial affect cards. It includes the following emotions: happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, angry and disgust, and the neutral facial affect. Reliability was assessed by means of the kappa coefficient. Kappa values higher than 0.4 were considered reliable, the following criterion was accepted: kappa values < 0.4, low reliability; 0.4 to 0.75, moderate reliability; > 0.76, strong reliability.

Results

The sample was formed by subjects from the general population with no previous history of psychiatric disorders (n = 20). The following kappa values were obtained: happiness, 0.8406 (CI 0.7744–0.9068), sadness, 0.6171 (CI 0.5377–0.6964), surprise, 0.6582 (CI 0.5859–0.7304), fear, 0.4509 (CI 0.3569–0.5448), angry, 0.6252 (CI 0.5464–0.7040), disgust, 0.7700 (CI 0.6943–0.8456), neutral, 0.5534 (CI 0.4663–0.6404).

Conclusions

In a preliminary study in a sample of 20 Spanish control subjects using the TAR's series of facial affect cards, the six basic emotions and the neutral facial affect were recognized with at least a moderate reliability. A strong reliability was obtained in happiness and disgust, and a moderate reliability in surprise, angry, sadness, neutral, fear.
Efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine XR 400/600/800mg/day in acute schizophrenia: a post-hoc analysis of data from two pooled randomised studies
Authors: Kahn R. , Kalali A. , Gustafsson U. , Nyberg S.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Data from two, identically designed, placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind clinical trials (D1444C00132+D1444C00133) for once-daily extended-release quetiapine fumarate (QTP-XR) were pooled and analysed.

Objective

Evaluate dose response, efficacy and safety for QTP-XR in schizophrenia.

Methods

Post-hoc analysis of data from patients receiving QTP-XR 400, 600, 800 mg/day or placebo. Endpoints: least squares means (LSM) change from baseline to Day 42 in PANSS total and positive and negative subscale scores. No corrections for multiplicity were performed. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

Results

914 patients were included; PANSS scores were assessed in the MITT population (n = 889). LSM change from baseline in PANSS total score diverged significantly from placebo at: Day 14 for QTP-XR 800 mg/day (-15.3 vs -12.1 for placebo; p = 0.018); Day 21 for 600 mg/day (-17.3 vs -14.2; p = 0.039); Day 42 for 400 mg/day (-19.2 vs -15.4; p = 0.033).

Jonckheere-Terpstra analysis of change in PANSS total score at Day 42 showed a significant QTP-XR dose response (p = 0.0196; p < 0.001 with placebo). PANSS positive scores diverged by Day 21 for both QTP-XR 800 (-5.7 vs -4.8; p = 0.049) and 600 mg/day (-5.8 vs -4.8; p = 0.046). PANSS negative scores diverged by Day 21 (-4.0 vs -3.2; p = 0.040) and 42 (-4.8 vs -3.6; p = 0.009) for QTP-XR 800 and 600 mg/day, respectively. AEs occurred in 59.4%, 66.5%, 62.1% and 56.2% of patients in the QTP-XR 800, 600, 400 mg/day and placebo groups, respectively. Most common AEs were somnolence, dry mouth, sedation, insomnia, dizziness, headache, constipation and nausea.

Conclusions

QTP-XR was generally well tolerated and demonstrated efficacy that increased with dose in schizophrenia.

Financial support: AstraZeneca.
Disturbance of neurotransmitters monoamines and indices of reducing-oxidizing processes in patient with the first episode of schizophrenia (FES)
Authors: Kalinina V. , Gryzunov Y. , Smolina N. , Uzbekov M. , Misionzhnik E. , Dobretsov G.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Effective treatment of FES patients may lead to achievement of long-term remission, decrease the number of relapses and increase the level of social activity and quality of life.

Aim

To study some pathophysiological mechanisms of FES.

Methods

The group of patients who were investigated clinically and biochemically consists of 26 persons (11 women and 15 men, average age 28.2 ± 9.5 years) with the first psychotic episode (F20.0; F20.3). Some biochemical parameters, representing the monoaminergic systems, and some biophysical parameters, representing reducing-oxidizing processes, were investigated. These parameters in all patients were estimated following the admission and prior to any treatment.

Results

The severity of the disorder on admission to the clinic according to PANSS score was 75,5 ± 2,2 (i.e., moderately severe). Patients with FES were characterized by a significant increase of platelet momnoamine oxidase activity (by 107%; р < 0,01) and decrease of serum semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase activity (by 29%; p < 0,001) in comparison to the controls. Both reactive capability of SH-group (Cys-34 residue) of serum albumin, the main source of thiols of plasma and intersticial fluid, measured in reaction with thiol-specific reagent - dithyonitrobenzoic acide, and kinetic coefficient were decreased in FES patients (by 24%; p = 0,02) in comparison to controls.

Conclusion

These results show that FES patients are characterized by pronounced metabolic disturbances.
Cardiometabolic risk in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Kalnicka D. , Masopust J. , Maly R. , Konupcikova K.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Patients with schizophrenia have at least 20 years shorter life spam compared with general population that is primarily caused by their cardiovascular morbidity.

Aims

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in a sample of Czech patients with schizophrenia and related diseases and to predict a risk of premature cardiovascular mortality in this population.

Methods

We reviewed data from 129 outpatients treated in specialized outpatient clinic for psychoses. The main collected variables included basic physical parameters (height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure), smoking habits, laboratory data (glucose level, serum lipids levels) and ECG. Finally, we compared the studied group with a matched sample from general population in Czech Republic regarding the cardiovascular risk factors.

Results

Our results show that the most prevalent risk factors are overweight (70% of patients have BMI over 25), dyslipidaemia (70% of patients) and smoking (43% of patients). According to SCORE diagram, there is a high risk of fatal cardiovascular event in ten years in 10% of the study group. The percentage gets even higher (up to 24%) when the latest European guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention were used to calculate the risk.

Conclusions

Our outcomes indicate even higher cardiometabolic morbidity in patients with psychoses than referred in literature.
Functional connectivity in remission after the first episode of schizophrenia
Authors: Kasparek T. , Prikryl R. , Rehulova J. , Marecek R. , Prikrylova H. , Vanicek J.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Abnormal task-related activation and connectivity is present in schizophrenia. However, whether it is a trait or state marker and what components of brain networks are affected remains unclear

The aim of the present study was the analysis of functional networks in schizophrenia patients in remission after the first episode.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients in remission after the first episode of schizophrenia and 22 healthy controls underwent examination by functional magnetic resonance during Verbal Fluency Tasks. The functional connectivity of brain networks was analyzed using Independent Component Analysis.

Results

The patients showed lower activation of the network implicated in verbal fluency processing, consisting of the fronto-temporo-parietal cortex, the thalamus, caudate nucleus, and cerebellum. They also showed lower deactivation of the medial frontal cortex, temporal neocortex, hippocampus, posterior cingulate, precuneus, and lateral parietal cortex during VFT processing. Moreover, there was abnormal co-operation between individual networks - the patients had a lower anti-correlation between VFT activated and deactivated networks, hyper-connectivity between task-activated networks, and lower connectivity within deactivated networks. This functional abnormality was linked with the magnitude of clinical symptoms, cognitive task performance, and global functioning of the patients.

Conclusions

There is still an abnormal functional connectivity of several brain networks in remission after the first episode of schizophrenia. Therefore, the normalization of functional connectivity should be a target of schizophrenia treatment and a marker of disease stabilization. The effect of different treatment modalities on brain connectivity, together with temporal dynamics of this functional abnormality should be the objective of further studies.
Extended-release quetiapine fumarate (quetiapine XR) versus risperidone in the treatment of depressive symptoms in schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients
Authors: Kasper S. , Di Fiorino M. , Montagnani G. , Trespi G.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Depressive symptoms are associated with poor outcomes, increased risk of relapse and high suicide rates in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder (1, 2).

Objective

Assess the efficacy of quetiapine XR (QTP-XR) versus risperidone on depressive symptoms in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Methods

A randomised, open-label, parallel-group, flexible-dose study (NCT00640562).

Primary endpoint

LSM change from baseline to Week 12 in Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) (3) score. Secondary endpoints: change in HAM-D and PANSS scores, and adverse events (AEs). No scorrection for multiplicity was done for the secondary endpoints.

Results

216 patients received QTP-XR (n = 109; 400–800 mg/day) or risperidone (n = 107; 4–6 mg/day). From baseline, QTP-XR significantly reduced CDSS, HAM-D and PANSS negative total scores compared with risperidone (QTP-XR vs risperidone: -7.31 versus -5.53, p = 0.0107; -14.68 versus -11.53, p = 0.0005; -8.23 versus -5.45, p = 0.0008, respectively). No major differences in AEs were observed between QTP-XR and risperidone. Four serious AEs were experienced with QTP-XR and 5 with risperidone. Two patients receiving QTP-XR died (unrelated to study drug). Prolactin levels were significantly reduced from baseline with QTP-XR versus risperidone (-9.15 ng/mL and +22.18 ng/mL respectively; p < 0.0001). No important differences were seen in other laboratory parameters.

Conclusions

In this study, QTP-XR was superior to risperidone at reducing depressive symptoms in schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to CDSS, HAM-D and PANSS negative scores.
Sex-related differences in smell identification in patients with schizophrenia, their first-degree relatives and matched healthy controls
Authors: Kaufmann R.M. , Mossaheb N. , Schlögelhofer M. , Aninilkumparambil T. , Gold A. , Himmelbauer C. , Inreiter S. , Schlehaider L. , Aschauer H.N.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Sex-related differences in smell identification have been shown in healthy subjects, however, in patients with schizophrenia these findings are still controversial.

Objectives

We analyzed sex-related differences with respect to smell identification in patients with schizophrenia, their first-degree relatives and healthy controls.

Aims

To assess possible sex-related differences in smell identification.

Methods

The sample consisted of 51 patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (49% female; mean age 33.1 years; SD: 11), 21 first-degree relatives (61.9% female, age 49.5 years, SD 17.6, one affected, others non-affected) ; mean age 49.5 years; SD: 17.6) and 51 matched healthy controls (49% female; mean age 33 years; SD: 12.1). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) were used to assess psychopathology and diagnosis, respectively. The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), a standardized, multiple- and forced-choice scratch- and sniff test consisting of 40 items, was administered to all subjects.

Results

We found no significant differences in smell identification between the three groups (p = 0.182). Also, the female and male subgroups did not differ significantly in smell identification (p = 0.105, p = 0.387, respectively). The mean UPSIT scores were 34.4 (SD: 4.1) for healthy women (males: 33.2; SD: 3.5), 32.0 (SD: 5.1) for women with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (males: 32.5; SD: 4.4), and 34.5 (SD: 2.6) for female first-degree relatives (males: 30.5; SD: 2.8).

Conclusion

We found neither significant differences in smell identification in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, their first-degree relatives or healthy controls, nor sex-related differences.
Prevalence of cigarette smoking in schizophrenic patients compared to other hospital admitted psychiatric patients
Authors: Kheradmand A. , Ziaaddini H. , Vahabi M.
Published: May 2011

Introduction & aims

Estimate the prevalence of cigarette smoking and some of the related factors among schizophrenic and other hospitalized psychiatric patients.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study on 120 patients hospitalized in Shahid Beheshti hospital in Kerman in 2005. Patients were equally devided in two groups of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. Sampling was based on statistical census and data were collected using a questionnaire including 27 questions on demographic data, psychiatric disorder, smoking cigarettes and other substances, and Fagerstrom test. Data were analyzed by Chi-square and ANOVA tests using SPSS software.

Results

Prevalence and severity of cigarette smoking was 71.6% and 6.47% among schizophrenic and 51.6% and 6.40% among other psychiatric patients, respectively and the difference was not significant. History of withdrawal was 25.6% and 58.1% in the schizophrenia and other disorders respectively and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Addiction to other substances was 51.6% in schizophrenic and 45% in the other patients and the most prevalent substances in both groups were opium and alcohol. The severity of smoking cigarettes was 6.9 along with other drug abuses and 5.1 in cases with just smoking based on Fagerstrom test and the difference was significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The prevalence of cigarette smoking in both schizophrenia and other psychiatric patients is higher than normal population, but there is no significant difference between these two groups. Schizophrenic patients need persistent supportive and supervising programs for cigarette smoking abuse treatment because of their cognitive, motivate and social problems.
Psychoeducation of early psychosis patient's helps to improve on compliance
Authors: Solonenko A. , Khlopina I.
Published: May 2011

The given clinical-catamnethetic research was carried out on the basis of the department of the first psychotic epizode in « Specialized Clinical Psychiatric hospital №1» of the Department of Public Health Services of Krasnodar territory, Russia on the sample of 286 patients with the first psychotic symptoms who underwent treatment during 2006–2008 years. The medical-rehabilitation programme included psychopharmacological treatment and psychoeducational studies of both patients and their relatives, and a control group (100 individuals). Psychoeducational studies with relatives of the patients of the control group were not organized.

The research shows the evident effectiveness of psycho-education of relatives of the patients with first psychotic episode for better patients’ compliance.
Is executive function distinguishing schizophrenia from bipolar disorder?
Authors: Khodaee M.R. , Derakhshan M.K. , Khodabakhshi Kooalee A.
Published: May 2011

Objectives

There is an evidence for differential executive function in bipolar type 1 disorder (B1D) and schizophrenia that may tend different cognitive deficits and abnormalities. The objective of this study was to compare the executive function of B1D and schizophrenic patients.

Method

We studied 50 patients with B1D, and 50 schizophrenic participants. All participants completed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) of the Persian version. The participants were match in three basic variables which had most contributions in cognitive conditions in patients. They were Age, educational status and period of illness.

Results

The two patient groups had compared performance on the WCST. In the WCST, schizophrenic patients showed impairment executive function more than B1D patients.

Conclusions

Findings indicated that schizophrenic patients had more dysfunctions executive function than the Bipolar type 1 disorder patients. Although, both disorders may show the impairment in executive function, but the dysfunction in schizophrenia greater than bipolar type 1disorder patients.
The role of stigma resistance in persons with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
Authors: Kollmann W. , Amering M. , Schrank B. , Sibitz I.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

The stigma of schizophrenia is well established as a complicating feature of psychiatric treatment. The fight against stigma and discrimination may benefit from individuals’ capacity to counteract stigma (=stigma resistance). In our recently published study[i] stigma resistance emerged as a separate construct. The very nature of stigma resistance, however, is still not fully revealed.

Aims

The aim of our study is to shed more light on stigma resistance and gain a better insight in its genesis and impact.

Methods

Qualitative interviews are carried out with patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder following a semi-structured guideline. Transcripts of recorded interviews are coded and analysed thematically using a modified grounded theory approach. Interviews are continued until theoretical saturation is achieved.

Results

Preliminary results relating to the genesis of stigma resistance, its contribution to auto-protection and the concepts of life of a patient, as well as their influence on recovery will be presented.

Conclusion

Finding out more about determinants and consequences of stigma resistance could be a crucial step in improving the effectiveness of interventions targeting stigma and social exclusion.
Cognitive complaints in schizophrenia are associated with clinical symptoms and global functioning but not actual cognitive performance
Authors: Kontis D. , Theochari E. , Kleisas S. , Makris I. , Kalogerakou S. , Frissyra H. , Andreopoulou A. , Karouzos C. , Tsaltas E.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Although it is well established that patients with schizophrenia demonstrate cognitive impairments, little is known about their complaints concerning their cognition. We investigate the association of these complaints with clinical symptoms, global functioning and cognitive performance.

Method

93 patients with chronic schizophrenia (mean age = 42,59 years, SD = 9,83; mean illness duration = 18,43 years, SD = 11,84) were recruited from one psychiatric department. Their cognitive complaints (Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia-SSTICS), clinical symptoms (Calgary depression scale-CDS, PANSS, GAF), and neuropsychological performance (7 non-verbal CANTAB tests involving psychomotor speed, attention, memory, and executive function and WAIS-III) were assessed at a time that they were able to cooperate with neuropsychological testing. Correlation analyses were performed between SSTICS scores and measures of symptoms, functioning or cognition, using the SPSS.

Results

SSTICS total score positively correlated with CDS total score (Spearman's rho = 0.311, p = 0.03). Positive correlations were also found between the SSTICS items and CDS total score. Similarly, SSTICS total score positively correlated with PANSS total score (Pearson r = 0,294, p = 0.04). PANSS negative and general psychopathology scores (r = 0,219, p = 0.035 and r = 0.333, p = 0.01, respectively), but not PANSS positive scores accounted for this relationship. SSTICS total score negatively correlated with GAF (rho = −0.251, p = 0.017). No significant associations were revealed between SSTICS total scores and PANSS insight item, PANSS cognitive score, CANTAB or WAIS scores.

Conclusions

The complaints of patients with schizophrenia about their cognitive impairments are mostly related to their depressive, negative, general psychopathological symptoms and global functioning, rather than their actual cognitive deficits.
The characteristics of prodromal symptoms in the development of the psychotic disorder
Authors: Kostic J.S. , Milosavljevic L. , Stankovic M.
Published: May 2011

Objectives

In most cases, prodromal changes in behavior, lasting from several days to several years, often precede psychotic disorders and indicate the beginning of psychosis. Prodromal symptoms are nonspecific, making an accurate detection difficult. It is typical that the earlier stadium of the appearance of the disorder, the more insidious the prodromal stage is.

Method

Retrospectively, authors analyzed periods of nonspecific symptoms in ten patients, aged 16 to 20 years, who developed a clinical picture of psychosis.

Results

The most frequent prodromal symptoms in our research were anxiety, irritability and sleep disorder, which were followed by the attention deficit disorder, a sense of confusion and difficulty in dealing with the environment, accompanied by social withdrawal.

Conclusion

Authors pay attention to the cognition and early detection of prodromal symptoms, which gives the opportunity for earlier therapeutic interventions in the course of the disorder and the possibility for a better outcome and prognosis of the disorder.