bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different neurotransmitter metabolite concentrations in CSF samples from inpatient and outpatient normal volunteers
Authors: Guthrie S. K. , Berrettini W. , Rubinow D. R. , Nurnberger J. I. , Bartko J. J. , Linnoila M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of the neurotransmitter metabolites 5–hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), 3,4–dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 3–methoxy‐4–hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were compared in two groups of healthy volunteer subjects. One group (outpatient) was composed of 27 subjects who were transported to the outpatient clinic on the day of the lumbar puncture (LP). The other group (inpatient) was composed of 10 subjects who were admitted to the NIMH Research Ward on the evening prior to the LP. After statistical adjustment for age, height, sex and season in which LP was performed the inpatient group had significantly higher concentrations of both 5HIAA and HVA (P < 0.005 and P < 0.05, respectively) than the outpatient group. The difference in DOPAC concentration approached significance (P = 0.056), but there was no difference in MHPG concentration between the groups. This result indicates the need for strict control of environment in studies of CSF monoamines and their metabolites.
Respiratory irregularity and tardive dyskinesia A prevalence study
Authors: Yassa R. , Lal S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— In a survey of 351 chronically hospitalized adult psychiatric patients, clinical evidence of irregular respiration compatible with respiratory tardive dyskinesia was present in eight subjects (2.3%). In four, audible involuntary respiratory noises were present. All patients with respiratory irregularities had a facio‐bucco‐lingual dyskinesia and in four the dyskinesia also involved extremities and/or other regions of the body. The prevalence of respiratory irregularities amongst patients with tardive dyskinesia was eight out of 108 (7.4%); none of the patients without tardive dyskinesia had respiratory irregularities. The prevalence of respiratory irregularities was significantly greater in patients with an organic mental disorder (11.1%) compared with those without (1.3%) (P < 0.005). None of the patients complained of their respiratory symptoms and none had been diagnosed as having a respiratory dyskinesia prior to the survey. In two patients the symptoms were severe, leading in one case to prominent gasping, dysphagia, severe choking when eating, and episodes of aspiration pneumonia. In a second patient the noisy respiration was interpreted as attention‐seeking and intimidating behaviour which led to rejection by the staff. In the remaining six patients respiratory symptoms were relatively minor.
Serum and cerebrospinal fluid antibodies to cytomegalovirus in schizophrenia
Authors: Rimón R. , Ahokas A. , Palo J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT:Antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) were determined in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by complement‐fixing (CF), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and enhanced virus neutralization test (EVNT), in acute unmedicated schizophrenic patients and neurological controls. An elevated level of CF antibody was observed in three serum specimens from the schizophrenic patients and in one control specimen. No CF antibody was present in the CSF samples of the two patient groups tested. By EIA none of the serum or CSF specimens was positive for IgM antibody to CMV. By EVNT, 17% of the schizophrenic patients exhibited a CSF/serum ratio > 2 SD, whereas the corresponding figure for the control group was 4% (P > 0.05). The role of CMV in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia is discussed in the light of the present and previous negative findings.
Relation between suicide and homicide in Portugal from 1970 to 1982
Authors: de Castro E. Ferreira , Albino L. , Martins I.
Published: August 2007

To evaluate to what extent a suicide can be considered a hetero‐aggression converted into self‐aggression, this study analyses whether the increase in suicides corresponds to a decrease in homicides and vice‐versa. Rates of suicide and homicide from 1970 to 1982 have been analysed in Portugal, Azores and Maderia, and the district and city of Lisbon; age and sex groups have also been compared. There is no inverse variation between suicides and homicides either globally or for males or females. There is also a difference in age distribution for suicides and homicides ‐ suicides being mainly over 50 years, homicides mainly under. This suggests that it is not very plausible that self‐ and hetero‐aggressive behaviours alternate in the same individual, although it is possible that, with increasing age, he may move from hetero‐ or potential hetero‐aggression to self‐aggression.
A Spanish experience of DSM III in a Consultation‐Liaison psychiatric service
Authors: Montero I. , Sanjuan J. , Frades B.
Published: August 2007

The authors applied the DSM III diagnosis to 500 patients seen at a Consultation‐Liaison psychiatric service. Compared with similar American studies there was a lower frequency of adjustment and somatoform disorders and a higher proportion of drug abuse cases. Several possible reasons for these differences are mentioned. Although the use of DSM III has clear advantages in a General Hospital context, important difficulties were found: the use of some diagnostic criteria, the absence of a code to relate Axes I and III, the poor systemisation of scores in social Axes IV and V and the lack of a specific category for attempted suicide are but a few of the difficulties encountered. Finally, some modifications of DSM III are suggested in order to improve its clinical usefulness.
Psychiatric diagnostic categories in Saudi Arabia
Authors: El Sayed S. M. , Maghraby M. M. , Hafeiz H. B. , Buckley M. M.
Published: August 2007

This study involves 324 new cases referred to the Psychiatric Department of King Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, over a period of 6 months. Men outnumbered women, which is in contrast to most Western studies. There was a preponderance in the younger age groups. The interaction of cultural factors and the rapid urbanization of the Saudi society may to some extent explain the pattern.
Low prevalence of mitral valve prolapse in bipolar affective disorder
Authors: Özeren A. , Türkoǧlu C. , Saygili R.
Published: August 2007

The authors report the prevalence of mitral valve prolapse in bipolar affective disorder. 22 bipolar patients (13 men and 9 women; age 17–75 years, mean 42.3) were selected at random from 41 bipolar patients for echocardiographic examination. Diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse was made if prolapsus of the anterior or posterior valve to the left atrium was seen in the two‐dimensional echocardiography and if mid‐to late‐systolic posterior motion of the mitral valve was greater than 2 mm in M‐mode echocardiography. Of the 22 bipolar patients, only two had mitral valve prolapse. This rate does not differ significantly from the 5% rate found in the general population.
Research and society
Authors: Serafetinides E. A. , May Philip R. A. , Cohen Jerome , Glaser Edward M.
Published: August 2007

The determination of an appropriate level of support for research has led to hard questions about the value of research and to realization that assessment of research value must be based on careful evaluation of a wider range of social benefits and costs than has hitherto been customary. Defining and measuring social aims poses a number of difficult but not insoluble problems. We also need to think more scientifically about the values we place on different types of knowledge‐how these enter into decision making and how they affect communication with non‐scientists and the transition between research and practice. A dose of humility and compromise is in order.
Participants’ evaluations of the research values and benefits project
Authors: Hirschman Ada , Boulougouris John , Greist John , May Philip R. A.
Published: August 2007

Evaluations by 258 participants of the system for making judgements of research values and benefits were largely positive in tone but with a substantial diversity of opinion. The task was, in general, perceived as desirable and only noderately difficult: the main improvement needed according to the respondents was to describe the research and its potential benefits in simpler languate, free from research and academic jargon.
Differing cultural perceptions of research
Authors: Cohen Jerome , Serafetinides E. A.
Published: August 2007

Variations in perceived social benefits of the projects were examined in relation to four occupational groups: health care professionals, other professions, non‐professionals and media. Differences between health professionals and non‐professionals were evident. This was particularly true for media respondents. All groups found the assessment important.

A comparison of North American versus European ratings showed that Europeans gave higher values to projects of public health significance, whereas Americans valued more highly projects contributing to knowledge. Further analysis revealed individual differences among countries which transcended this continental dichotomy; the possibel cultural variables involved in these differences are discussed.
A wider perspective; researchers’ assessments of their own projects and independent perceptions of benefits and values that were not identified by researchers themselves
Authors: Dencker Sven J. , May Philip R.A.
Published: August 2007

An analysis of ratings by 270 raters of the potential social benefits from six different research projects shows that almost all independent raters identified some additional benefit from at least one project that had not been specifically pinpointed in the researchers’ descriptions or recognized in the researchers’ own ratings of these same projects. The researchers themselves were able to identify more items of benefit than were contained in their own descriptions, but independent raters recognized an even greater number of benefits. These findings run contrary to a common belief that outside persons are insensitive to the social values of research. They also suggest that the process of actually doing a rating of potential social benefits draws attention to items of benefit that have been overlooked in the description. This points to the importance of encouraging researchers to think more deeply and seriously about the potential social benefits fo their own research ‐and about non‐reseachers attitudes and preferences
Age, research benefits and values
Authors: Sainsbury Peter
Published: August 2007

It is reasonable to postulate that age will affect attitudes to research and appraisals of projects'social relevance. In fact, the expectation that the values assigned to research projects would relate to the rater's age receives little support. The young tended to be more parsimonious and the elderly more generous; otherwise differences between age groups were samll, few, inconsistent, and without a discernible pattern.
Psychopharmacological aspects of idiopathic and transient insomnia
Authors: Hindmarch I.
Published: August 2007

Residual sedative effects seem to be intrinsic properties of effective hypnotic agents. Residual effects are dose related and more likely if the elimination half‐life is greater than 12 hours. In two separate studies, investigations into effects on performance were carried out using a series of psychometric tests. In the first, a group of skilled radar operators working a shift system were given a pre‐sleep administration of temazepam 20 mg and measurements were made of any residual effects. In the second clinical study, general practice patients suffering from idiopathic insomnia were randomized onto either temazepam 20 mg, triazolam 0.25 mg, nitrazepam 5 mg, flurazepam 15 mg, or placebo. Assessments were made using the Leeds Psychomotor Tester to measure Choice Reaction Time and Critical Flicker Fusion. In a separate test, digit substitution was used to measure sensory processing ability. In addition, the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire was completed by each patient in the clinical study to provide a subjective evaluation of ease of getting to sleep, ease of awakening and behaviour after awakening. Neither study showed a residual activity that was likely to impair performance following temazepam 20 mg indicating the usefulness of this drug in the management of idiopathic insomnia and sleep difficulties introduced by changes in scheduling of sleep, i.e. intercontinental travel or shift work.
Interrater reliability of the DSM‐III diagnoses in two Norwegian studies on psychiatric and super obese patients
Authors: Larsen Frode , Vaglum Sonja
Published: August 2007

Two Norwegian psychiatrists classified independently according to DSM‐III, 45 patients drawn at random from two populations: one of psychiatric patients (N=161) and one of super obese surgical patients (N=71).

They interviewed the patients and listened to each other's audio‐taped interviews afterwards. In the total group, on axis I the overall agreement was 78 percent (kappa=0.74). On axis II, the overall agreement was 81 percent (kappa=0.68). The study shows that by using the DSM‐III, two Norwegian psychiatrists obtained good diagnostic reliability.
The influence of chlormethiazole in comparison to thioridazine on body temperature and postural hypotension in healthy adults and healthy elderly volunteers
Authors: McCarthy S. T. , John S. M. , McCarthy G. L. , Wollner L.
Published: August 2007

‐ Certain drugs used to treat the elderly are known to precipitate hypothermia. In this study, the effects of chlormethiazole and thioridazine in producing postural hypotension were compared. In a study of hypothermia in the elderly the effects of chlormethiazole, thioridazine and lormetazepam were examined. Only three patients showed a postural drop following chlormethiazole, while 11 showed a postural drop following thioridazine. Chlormethiazole showed little variation from the control group in the hypothermia study, while thioridazine and lormetazepam caused a fall in temperature. For behaviour control in the elderly and for a short course as a hypnotic, chlormethiazole seems to be safer than thioridazine or lormetazepam.
Treatment of delirium tremens in German psychiatric hospitals: results of a recent survey
Authors: Schied H. W. , Braunschweiger M. , Schupmann A.
Published: August 2007

A questionnaire was sent to all the psychiatric clinics in West Germany to determine their treatment of delirium tremens. Chlormethiazole was found to be the most important drug for treating delirium tremens and was used in more than 90% of clinics. Contraindications for chlormethiazole treatment and side‐effects with treatment were also recorded.
Socio‐demographic factors of depressive illness among Nigerians
Authors: Ihezue U. H. , Kumaraswarny N.
Published: August 2007

Abstract— The socio‐demographic characteristics of 142 depressive patients seen for the first time at the Psychiatric Hospital, Enugu, were studied. Females (55%) outnumbered males (45%). While depressive neurosis occurred more commonly in those under 30 years of age, manic‐depressive psychosis (MDP) depression was commoner among those over 30. Married status was commoner among female MDP depressives, but there was no significant difference regarding marital status among those with depressive neurosis. MDP depression occurred more often among rural dwellers while depressive neurosis was diagnosed more often among urban dwellers. Although the majority of patients had a low level of education, there were a significant number of students and housewives among those with depressive neurosis. The probable socio‐cultural factors responsible for the observed differences are discussed. A suggestion is made for a central control and monitoring of all available alternative forms of treatment (orthodox, novel, traditional and spiritual) for a better mental health delivery.
Pattern of therapeutic intervention and role of psychiatric settings: A survey in two regions of Italy
Authors: Muscettola G. , Casiello M. , Bolline P. , Sebastiani G. , Pampallona S. , Tognoni G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— A survey of therapeutic intervention was conducted on 1513 patients treated in different psychiatric settings‐psychiatric hospitals (PH), private facilities (PF), community mental health centers (CMHC) and psychiatric wards in general hospitals (PWGH). Psychotropic drugs, mainly neuroleptics and benzodiazepines, were widely prescribed irrespective of diagnosis, and 39% of patients treated with neuroleptics received two or more drugs. Psychotherapeutic intervention and social measures were administered in 21% and 20% of cases respectively, and 17% of patients received no treatment. The observed distribution of treatments over settings was compared with the expected one under the hypothesis that the two factors were independent. Differences between settings in therapeutic strategies, after adjustment for possible confounders (sex, age, education, diagnosis) were: no specific treatment was more than expected in PH and largely below unity in PF and PWGH, where treatment with psychotropic drugs alone was overrepresented; CMHC showed the most balanced therapeutic approach.
A successful electroconvulsive treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Authors: Hermesh H. , Aizenberg D. , Weizman A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— A case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) treated successfully with electroconvulsive therapy (ETC) is described. Repeated exposures of the patients to succinylcholine during ECT did not cause malignant hyperthermia. The efficacy of ECT is probably related to its facilitatory effect upon dopamine (DA) activity in CNS.
Lithium: Long‐term effects on the kidney
Authors: Hetmar O. , Clemmesen L. , Ladefoged J. , Rafaelsen O.J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT—Renal function in 32 patients treated with lithium for an average period of 10 years was reexamined 2 years after the first examination. A markedly influenced tubular function leading to increased urine volume (average 3 litres/24 h) and decreased renal concentrating capacity was still found, whereas glomerular function remained unimpaired in nearly all of the patients. No statistically significant changes in renal functions were observed at the follow‐up examination.

The results were compared with the same renal functional tests obtained from a control group consisting of 53 patients with affective disorders never treated with lithium. The control group had a significantly lower urine output (average 2 litres/24 h), but lithium‐treated patients on a one‐dose schedule had an average urine volume of only 500 ml/24 h more than the controls.

In conclusion, this prospective study found no evidence of a progressive impairment of glomerular or tubular function in lithium‐treated patients reexamined after 2 years. Patients with affective disorders never treated with lithium had normal renal concentrating capacity.
Comparison of fronto‐frontal and temporo‐parietal unilateral non‐dominant ECT
Authors: Widepalm K.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— An intraindividual, double blind cross‐over comparison of the retrograde effect on memory of unilateral non‐dominant fronto‐frontal (FF) and temporo‐parietal (TP) ECT was performed in connection with the second and third treatments of ECT‐series. Treatment technique was standardized and seizure duration was measured by means of EEG. Memory functions were examined 1 hour before and 2 hours after ECT with four tests. The influence on forgetting over this time was taken as a measure of the memory disturbance. There were no differences between FF and TP ECT as regards the amount of methohexital and suxamethonium chloride, mean time of stimulation and seizure duration. The influence of forgetting was similar in all memory tests. The result is in agreement with a previous anterograde study. It is concluded that no essential gain in terms of reduced memory disturbance can be obtained by substituting the routine non‐dominant temporoparietal with fronto‐frontal electrode positions.
Deliberate self harm ‐ correlates of suicidal intent and severity of depression
Authors: O'Brien G. , Holton A. R. , Hurren K. , Watt L. , Hassanyeh F.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— In a study of 98 cases of deliberate self harm, a high correlation was obtained between a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (M.D.D.) and scores on both the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression (HRS) and the Suicide Intent Scale (SIS). There was also a high correlation between HRS and SIS scores. A higher score on HRS and SIS correlated with increasing age, as also did a diagnosis of M.D.D.
A simplex model of the paranoid process: Implications for diagnosis and prognosis
Authors: Romney D. M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— The theory that the paranoid process is gradual and insidious was tested quantitatively by means of LISREL, a computer program designed to trace causal pathways between latent variables. The results clearly confirmed Lorr's simplex model which depicts a progressive sequence of six stages, beginning with hostile attitude and ending with delusions of influence. The model suggests that it is artificial to distinguish paranoid personality, paranoia and paranoid schizophrenia as separate diagnostic entities. Instead, paranoid schizophrenia should be regarded as a more severe form of paranoia which in turn is a more severe form of paranoid personality. The implications of this model for prognosis are also discussed.
Prediction and profile of the long‐stay population
Authors: Kastrup M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— A nation‐wide cohort of 12,737 first admitted patients aged 15 years or more to Danish psychiatric institutions was followed in the Danish Case Register for a 10‐year period. Long stay patients were delineated as: 1) patients whose first admission lasted for more than 1 year (new long‐stay); or 2) patients who later had an admission lasting for more than 1 year (late long‐stay). Together they comprised 420 males and 527 females with an incidence rate of 0.22 males and 0.27 females per 1,000. Up to age 65 males dominated, after 65 females dominated. Thirty‐three percent of demential disordered and 24 of schizophrenics became long‐stay patients. A multiple contingency analysis showed that the variables “age group”, “main diagnosis”, “size of municipality of residence” and “marital status” were independently associated with the outcome “long‐stay”. The two long‐stay groups differed. New long‐stay patients tended to be females, older, suffering from demential disorders and with a total hospital stay shorter than that of the long‐stay population. In a multiple contingency analysis the variables “age group” and “main diagnosis” were independently associated with the outcome “new long‐stay” and the variables “age group”, “main diagnosis” and “size of municipality of residence” with the outcome “late long‐stay”.
Psychiatric classification as a reflection of uncertainties
Authors: Mellergård M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— Some problems of psychiatric classification are discussed and a shift of viewpoint is suggested. The existence of a natural and inherent structure for the class of psychiatric disorders is a matter of dispute, and it is postulated that a continuous search for such natural structure may be futile. Clinical psychiatry shall try to answer a series of questions which can be formulated as a hierarchy of uncertainties. It is now suggested that the existing pool of information used for psychiatric description may be a reflection of these uncertainties. The pool shall be analysed for core‐syndromes which are the reliable components of an alternative classification.
Onset of functional psychoses in later middle age
Authors: Mattila V.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT: The onset of functional psychosis occurring in later middle age (45–64 years) was studied by comparing the life situation and personal history of 74 Turku patients admitted to the mental hospital for the first time with the corresponding information obtained for randomly selected controls of the same age and of the same sex. The annual first admission rate of functional psychoses was 81 per 100 000; there was no difference between men and women. The rate was highest in unmarried individuals and lowest in married individuals (167 vs. 56 per 100 000). Measured by many different indicators, the patients’ prepsychotic social development had been clearly poorer than that of the controls during the corresponding period. Almost all patients had had a precipitating life change during the last 5 years preceding the onset of psychosis. Objective losses had occurred more often in the group of affective psychoses than in the other diagnostic groups. In the case of childhood losses, on the other hand, there were no difference between patients and controls or between the diagnostic groups.
Electrodermal activity in antidepressant medicated and unmedicated depressive patients and in matched healthy subjects
Authors: Thorell L. H. , Kjellman B. F. , D'Elia G.
Published: August 2007

A group of 59 depressive in‐ and outpatients displayed statistically significantly subnormal electrodermal activity (EDA) according to the skin conductance level, the skin conductance response magnitude, the skin conductance response rate, and the index of nonresponding during neutral tone stimulation, compared to 59 mentally and somatically healthy subjects, individually matched for age and sex. Comparisons between 20 antidepressant medicated and 20 unmedicated patients, matched for age, and comparisons between 21 drug‐free patients and 10 patients medicated exclusively with antidepressants yielded no statistically significant difference in any EDA variable. However, all the electrodermal central values were somewhat lower in the medicated patients, possibly an effect of greater severity of symptoms. The present and previous findings offer strong support to the hypothesis of a subnormal function of the electrodermal activity in groups of depressive patients.
Adolescent suicide attempts 1973–1982 in the Helsinki area
Authors: Kotila L. , Lönnqvist J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT: Four hundred and twenty‐two adolescent suicide attempts were examined. The intent to die was weaker than in adult persons. Within lethality no difference was found. Adolescents came mostly from the lowest social classes and their educational status was low. Their mental health was often unsatisfactory. The psychiatric treatment, which was arranged after the suicide attempt, was not more intensive than that arranged for adult suicide attempters.
Anxiety disorders: Classification and diagnosis
Authors: Holmberg Gunnar
Published: August 2007

Obsessive‐Compulsive Disroder and Panic Disroder with or without agoraphobia are emphasized as specific entities that are easily accessible to pharmacological treatment, while more unspecific and heterogeneous syndromes are less predictable in their reaction to treatment. The DSM‐III system, not yet official in Sweden, is described and commented on. Agoraphobia has undergone a re‐evaluation and should be coupled with Panic Disorder, although the two illness componenets may have somewhat different genetic and biochemical mechanisms. Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder, on the other hand, should bot be listed under Anxiety States, but have a place of its own. The relatioship between anxiety and depression is discussed, and it is suggested that there is a clear break between specifica affective disorders and specifica anxiety disorders, while there may be continuity between Generalized Anxiety and Neurotic‐reacitve (dysthymic) depression, with mixed cases in between. Still, much work needs to be done in the classification of these disorders.
Brain neurotransmission in panic disorder
Authors: Eriksson Elias
Published: August 2007

For two decades it has been hypothesized that schizophrenia and depression are related to alterations in the activity of specific neurotransmitters in brain; to a great extent, these theories are based on the assumed mode of action of antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs. With the available knowledge of how panic anxiety can be effectively treated (and elicited) with drugs, it is now reasonable to formulate hypotheses also regarding the contribution of central neurotransmitters to the generation of panic. As will be discussed in this brief review, three substances seem to be of particular importance in this context: serotonin, noradrenaline and GABA. In view of this concept, the putative mode of action of the atypical benzodiazepine derivative alprazolam, which in contrast to other benzodiazepines has been attributed effectiveness in the treatment of panic, will also be discussed.
Treatment and prevention of alcohol and drug abuse: Coordination of professional services
Authors: Skutle Arvid
Published: August 2007

Abstract A need assessment evaluation among primary health and social professionals in two municipalities in Norway revealed that treatment services for alcohol and drug abuse were not satisfactorily coordinated. Conferences, work shops and consultation on a regular basis over a three year period increased the level of competence of the local health and social professionals and the coordination of treatment service in the two municipalities. Re‐hospitalization of clients was significantly reduced and more clients received treatment and follow‐up by local agencies. Impediments to an even better coordination of services were conflicting ideologies concerning abuse and dependency, lack of simple and standardized assessment methods and the lack of time in the primary health and social system.
Alcoholism by Chinese diagnostic interview schedule: A prevalence and validity study
Authors: Hwu H.‐G. , Yeh E.‐K. , Yeh Y.‐L. , Chang L.‐Y.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— A community survey in metropolitan Taipei (MT) and two small towns (ST) by using the Chinese modified diagnostic interview schedule (DIS‐CM) revealed a significant difference in the prevalence of alcohol abuse (AA) defined by DSM‐III between two study samples (MT 3.4%; ST 8.0%), but the prevalence of alcohol dependence (AD) was not different (MT 1.5%; ST 1.8%). These figures are significantly higher than that of an earlier Formosan study. Demographic data, psychiatric symptoms, medical complications and impairment of social functions were adopted as the variables to validate the nosological status of AA and AD. The results of this study substantiated that AA and AD identified by the DISCM were nosologically different from a non‐alcoholic group. The possible reasons for an increasing prevalence of alcoholism in Taiwan Chinese were discussed. An etiological hypothesis was proposed for AA and AD on account of their differential prevalences.
Psychological aspects of intersex in Saudi patients
Authors: Elsayed S. M. , Al‐Maghraby M. , Hafeiz H. B. , Taha S. A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— Four cases of male pseudo‐hermaphrodism were seen post pubertal. All had been reared as females unambiguosly since birth. Two cases developed male gender identity post pubertal, but failed to declare themselves to their families and society until a similar case had been publicized in the local newspaper. The third case did not reveal her problem to her family even after being informed by a doctor at the age of 15, and was discovered accidentally at the age of 22 on routine medical examination. The fourth was discovered accidentally at age 40 after having been married and divorced. The families of the four cases shared a strong desire for their children to be reassigned to the male sex including the third case, irrespective of being assured of her female gender identity by physicians. Psychiatric and social problems encountered pre‐ and post‐operatively are discussed with particular emphasis on the role of culture and traditions.
The Italian mental health reform nine years on
Authors: Crepet P.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— It is 9 years since the mental health reform was passed by the Italian Parliment. The author presents a data‐based evaluation of the effects of the Italian mental health reform. There are still many problems to be resolved: More than 30,000 inpatints are still in psychiatric hospitals and little is known of the fate of those discharged in recent years. District mental health services are still lacking, especially in the south of the country; Psychiatric units in the general hospital function much the same way as the “old” psychiatric hospitals. The pattern of mental health services consumers have changed: They are younger with less severe psychiatric diagnosis and come from a higher social background.
Increasing incidence of borderline states in Denmark from 1970‐1985
Authors: Mors O.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— In Denmark sex and age standardized rates of first‐admission diagnosis of the borderline state (301.83; ICD‐8), have significantly increased during the 16 year interval 1970‐85. There was no increase in the sex and age standardized rates of first‐admission diagnosis of the other borderline state schizophrenia latens (295.59; ICD‐8), in the same period. There was not sex difference in application of the 301.83 diagnosis, but a generation effect, the age group 15‐34 especially contributed to the increase. Analysis of the geographic variation showed a five‐fold relative risk of receiving the 301.83 diagnosis in the metropolitan area of Copenhagen compared with a total of three selected counties. Possible causes of the increase are discussed. There is every probability that the increase is due to change in diagnostic habits, but change in population psychiatric morbidity can not be excluded.
Who commits suicide after a suicide attempt?
Authors: Cullberg J. , Wasserman D. , Stefansson C.‐G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— One hundred and sixty‐three individuals in a suburban catchment area of 72,000 inhabitants made registered suicide attempts during 1975–1976 (i.e. 159/100,000 ≥ 18 years). They were followed up by means of the Swedish Register of Death Causes over a period of 8–10 years. Police reports, autopsies and psychiatric records were also studied. Six cases of verified suicide were found and four additional cases were considered as probable or possible suicides. Thus the cumulative rate over 8–10 years was 3.7–6.1%. There was a mean number of 3.5 suicide attempts before the eventual suicide. The most important common factor overall was alcohol or drug abuse with social deterioration (seven in 10 cases). The rest (three in 10 cases) were depressed women with long‐standing suicidal processes. The importance of recognizing chronic abuse as probably the most important background factor is stressed. The total group encompasses individuals with longstanding and severe life problems and difficulties in relating to society. The realistic chances of being able to provide effective suicide prophylaxes for most of these patients requires well planned and longstanding treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
Use of the Child Behavior Checklist in an Israeli adolescent psychiatric unit
Authors: Apter A. , Offer R. , Blumenson R. , Tyano S.
Published: August 2007

This article deals with the Hebrew version of an instrument for the diagnosis of psychopathology in young adolescents: the Child Behavior Checklist and the associated Child Behavior Profile developed by Achenbach (1978). We report on a study of the reliability and validity of the checklist and its suitability for use with severely disturbed adolescents in Israel. Parents of 130 adolescents, 89 healthy and 41 sick, participated in the research. The scales were found to be valid in that two‐thirds of the items were correctly assigned by clinicians in Israel to their respective scales; it is internally consistent as measured by the Cronbach coefficient; and it is reliable in distinguishing between patient and control groups. Scores for control adolescents in Israel were found to be very similar to norms in the United States, the Netherlands and Chile. This finding may have important implications for cross‐cultural research.
Prevalence of risk factors for aggressive behavior: characteristics of an involuntarily admitted population
Authors: Palmstierna T. , Wistedt B.
Published: August 2007

In Västmanland County, Sweden, 105 patients were acute admitted and involuntarily treated during a six‐month period. In spite of a low mean age (39.2 years), abuse of alcohol or other drugs was common (29%). Thirty‐nine percent of the patients showed violent behavior prior to the actual admission and 36% of the patients had shown such behavior prior to earlier admissions. Of the patients below 40 years, 32% had a disability pension.
Community attitudes and awareness of mental disorders
Authors: Penayo U. , Jacobsson L. , Caldera T. , Bermann G.
Published: August 2007

Attitudes towards mentally ill people were studied in two Nicaraguan towns through interviews with key informants. They were presented 8 case histories originally developed in a World Health Organization collaborative study. Alcoholism and depressive neurosis were considered the most common disorders, while the schizophrenic case was generally judged as the most severe. The methodology was found useful and valid.
Afternoon plasma cortisol in relation to depression A replication study
Authors: Christensen P. , Lolk A. , Pedersen O.L. , Nielsen S. , Kragh‐Sørensen P. , Gram L.F.
Published: August 2007

In 37 consecutive depressed inpatients afternoon plasma cortisol (1500–1520 h) was measured in 3 ways: 1) spontaneously; 2) 2 h after oral administration of 60 mg oxazepam; and 3) 16 h after oral administration of 2 mg dexamethasone. Both oxazepam and dexamethasone caused a significant suppression of cortisol secretion. Spontaneous and suppressed cortisol levels correlated significantly to stress/distress items on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (sum of items 8, 9, 10 and 12), whereas no correlations to age. or type of depression were found. In an earlier similar study of 35 patients both spontaneous and suppressed cortisol levels correlated significantly with age, type and severity of depression as well as with the stress/distress items. Those patients were older, more depressed (HRSD‐17) and had higher stress/distress scores compared with the present sample of 37 patients. The consistent finding of a correlation with the stress/distress items suggest that this factor is important in relation to the hypersecretion of cortisol during depression and this may explain the limited diagnostic power of spontaneous and suppressed cortisol levels.
SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN EDMONTON
Authors: Dyck R. J. , Bland R. C. , Newman S. C. , Orn H.
Published: August 2007

The relationship between lifetime histories of attempting suicide, psychiatric disorders and other social problems was assessed by examining data from a random sample of 3,258 household residents of Endmonton who were administered the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) by trained lay interviewers. While the overall lifetime rate for suicide attempt was 3.6%, of particular interest was the finding that a lifetime history of a psychiatric disorder was 2.6 times more frequent in those who had made a suicide attempt than in those who had not. Alcoholism, major depressive episode and antisocial personality disorder carried the highest lifetime prevalence rates for male attempters, whereas major depressive episode, alcoholism and phobic diorder were the most common disorders in female attempters. Having thoughts and feelings about wanting to die and committing suicide were strongly associated with having made a sucide attempt in both males and females. GHQ results indicated that in comparison to nonattempters those who attempted suicide were more likely to have high current symptom levels.
Cross‐cultural research on severe mental disorders: issues and findings
Authors: Marsella Anthony J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThe present paper will review and discuss researchissues and findings of recent corss‐cultural studies of severe mental disorders. The paper is divided into two main sections. The first section will discuss: (1) the concept of culture, (2) hierarchical levels of human behavior determinants, (3) the cultural variability continuum, and (4) the concept of self. The second section will discuss: (1) epidemiology, (2) culture and clinical phenomenology in severe disorders, and (3) culture as an etiological determinant. The paper closes with a discussion of some conclusions and suggestions for future research.
Is schizophrenia universal?
Authors: Jablensky Assen , Sartorius Norman
Published: August 2007

The question whether schizophrenia occurs in similar forms in different populations and cultures was first raised by Kraepelin at the turn of the century. However, methodological difficulties have impeded for decades the development of comparative cross‐cultural research, and it was not until the 1960s that investigations of the kind Kraepelin envisaged became feasible. A major role in launching multi‐centre clinical and epidemiological studies of schizophrenia in over 20 countries in different parts of the world has been played by the World Health Organization. The WHO studies have demonstrated that: (I) syndromes of schizophrenia occur in all cultures and geographical areas investigated; (II) their rate of incidence is very similar in the different populations; (III) the course and prognosis of schizophrenia is extremely variable, but outcome is significantly better in the developing countries. These findings have fundamental implications for the conceptualization of schizophrenia and for designing strategies of new research.
Opiate addicts and their perceived parental rearing
Authors: Spain Anasagasti, J I , Spain Denia M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT A comparison is made between a group of young opiate addicts and a control group on their parents’ rearing attitudes. A number of significant differences between the two groups emerged e.g. concerning affection, guilt engendering, favouring self esteem, estimation of a school performance, strictness indicating a defective family atmosphere. The presence of a high percentage of alcoholism in fathers of the toxicomanics supports these findings.
Epidemiology of long‐term functional psychosis in three different areas in Stockholm County
Authors: Widerlöv B. , Borga P. , Cullberg J. , Stefansson C.‐G. , Lindqvist G.
Published: August 2007

This study is the first in a series investigating different aspects of living conditions and care utilization in a total population with long‐term functional psychoses (LFP). The study cohort (n = 302) was defined as people that: were aged 18–64 years, were affected by a nonorganic psychosis continuously during at least 6 months, showed psychotic features or residual symptoms during 1984, and had their home address in the study area during 1984. The study area consists of one rural and one suburban municipality, and one urban parish (57,035 inhabitants aged 18–64 years). The LFP concept used shows a high interrater reliability (k = 0.93). The one‐year prevalence in the rural, suburban and urban areas was 3.4, 5.6 and 6.6 per 1000 respectively, thus producing a gradient from the rural to the urban areas. The prevalence of schizophrenia (DSM‐III) was 2.6, 3.8 and 5.0 per 1000 respectively. The other diagnoses covered by the LFP concept (paranoia, major affective disorder with psychotic features, and psychotic disorder not elsewhere classified) showed the same gradient, with the exception of paranoia, which showed a lower rate in the urban area. The prevalence of schizophrenia was higher among males, while for paranoia the prevalence was higher among females.
Postpsychotic collapse in schizophrenia
Authors: Mino Y. , Ushijirrta S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— The hospital records of 46 schizophrenic patients were studied retrospectively for postpsychotic collapse (PPC), defined in terms of underactivity. PPC was observed in 38 (83%) patients. The duration of PPC was strongly correlated with the duration of the acute psychotic phase after therapy started, and weakly correlated with the mean dose of antipsychotics per day in the acute psychotic phase, and with age of onset. The authors discuss PPC in terms of the effect of antipsychotics, of psychological reaction, and of understimulation in the hospital setting.
Explorative single‐blind study on the sedative and hypnotic effects of buspirone in anxiety patients
Authors: De Roeck J. , Cluydts R. , Schotte C. , Rouckhout D. , Cosyns P.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT In this single‐blind study the sedative and hypnotic properties of buspirone, a nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic, were investigated in 8 anxious outpatients. Polysomnographic recordings were gathered during baseline, at the start of active medication, after 3 weeks of treatment and one night after discontinuing treatment. Daytime alertness was measured using the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and performance tests. The effects of buspirone on sleep structure were minimal and of no clinical consequence. Subjectively, the patients reported improved sleep quality. There were no effects on daytime alertness at the beginning, after 3 weeks or at sudden discontinuation of the medication. It is concluded that buspirone does not have a sedative or hypnotic effect in anxiety patients.
An educational program on depressive disorders for general practitioners on Gotland: background and evaluation
Authors: Rutz W. , Wålinder J. , Eberhard G. , Holmberg G. , von Knorring A.‐L. , von Knorring L. , Wistedt B. , Åberg‐Wistedt A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT General practitioners are the psychiatrists’ most important co‐workers in the treatment of depressive disorders. A high degree of knowledge about this illness in this group of doctors is of decisive importance. However, the value of postgraduate educational programs for general practitioners has been questioned. The Swedish Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression (PTD) offered an educational program on symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of depression to all general practitioners on the Swedish island of Gotland. Lectures on suicide, depressive illness in childhood and in old age and psychotherapy of depressive states were also given. In several control periods data were collected on suicides, referrals to the local psychiatric department, emergency admissions, the quantity of sick leave used and the quantity of inpatient care due to depression. Even the prescription of psychopharmacological drugs on the island was investigated. Overall, the results indicated that general practitioners gratefully accepted the educational program and achieved increasing competence and stringency in treating and preventing depressive states. The program was associated with decreases in the use of psychiatric inpatient care and the sick leave frequency of depressed patients. The possibility of preventing suicides was positively influenced.
Changes in suicidal behavior in child psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Pfeffer C. R. , Plutchik R. , Mizruchi M. S. , Faughnan L. , Mintz M. , Shindledecker R.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– This study of 49 preadolescent psychiatric inpatients, aged 6–12 years, evaluated changes from the time of admission to 7 weeks later in ratings of suicidal behavior, assaultive behavior, depression, hopelessness, and global functioning. Standard research instruments were used to measure these variables. There were significant decreases in suicidal behavior, assaultiveness, and depression and a significant increase in global assessment during the 7 weeks of hospitalization. Severity of suicidal behavior and severity of assaultive behavior at admission predicted a subsequent change in level of suicidal behavior. Furthermore, severity of suicidal behavior at admission was the best indicator of a change in severity of suicidal behavior.