bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological reactions to edentulousness and treatment with jawbone‐anchored bridges
Authors: Blomberg S. , Lindquist L. W.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Total edentulousness can lead to chewing problems as well as to feelings of insecurity and inferiority and considerable psycho‐social problems. For many people a conventional removable denture is unsatisfactory. A new method ‐ osseointegration ‐ involves a titanium screw being operated into the jawbone and the attachment pre‐ and postoperativelv 3 monts and then 2 years after the insertion pre‐ and postoperatively 3 months and then 2 years after the insertion of a jawbone‐anchored bridge.

The majority of them state that there has been a significant improvement in their lives, that they have regained confidence in themselves, and that, in contrast to a conventional denture, they accept the fixed bridge as part of their body.

More attention should be focused on psychological reactions to total edentulousness. Individuals who cannot be rehabilitated by means of conventional prosthetic procedures should be given the opportunity of having a jawbone‐anchored bridge inserted. Such treatment means an odontological and psycho‐social restitutio ad integrum.
Kidney function in lithium‐treated patients
Authors: Bendz H.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Twenty‐three studies of the effect of lithium treatment on tubular and glomerular function are reviewed. They include about 1,450 patients from a total population of more than 2,000. One hundred and thirty‐two patients were kidney biopsied. In addition, two specific questions are reviewed: 1) Does combined treatment lithium/neuroleptics affect the kidneys adversely? 2) Do different lithium preparations or treatment schedules affect the kidneys differently? Conclusions: In a small proportion of patients long‐term lithium treatment causes morphological changes of a tubulointerstitial type and partly irreversible reduciton of tubular funcion. Glomerular function is reduced secondary to tubular atrophy. Combined treatment with neuroleptics does not increase the risk of kidney damage. Types of lithium prepartion do not affect kidneys differently. Multiple‐dose schedules may be associated with a higher urinary output than onedose schedule. Reduced renal function may in the future become a problem in an increasing number of patients.
Direct and indirect hostility and self‐destructive behavior by hospitalized depressives
Authors: Yesavage J. A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Suicidal and other self‐destructive behavior was correlated with self‐report (Buss‐Durkee) and observer rated (Lion Scale) measures of hostility and violence in 45 male inpatients with major depressive episodes by DSM III criteria (296.2, 296.3, 296.5). Selfdestructive acts were significantly correlated with a Buss‐Durkee Indirect Hostility factor. Measures of directly expressed hostility and violence correlated with seclusion and restraint for self‐protection. None of the Lion or Buss‐Durkee measures correlated with depression measures, nor did self‐destructive acts correlate with degree of depression in these severe patients. Thus our data indicate that, in patients with moderate to severe depression, self‐destructive acts in hospital may be better correlated with feelings of anger and hostility than with depression itself.
Schizoaffective psychoses A long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Berg E. , Lindelius R. , Petterson U. , Salum I.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The study comprises 20 men who had shown admixtures of schizophrenic and affective symptoms during their first hospitalisation in a psychiatric hospital in Stockholm 1946–1957. The observation period was between 17 and 30 years. At the time of follow‐up the group was rediagnosed on the basis of all information obtained. It was shown that this originally relatively homogeneous group was made up of a heterogeneous collection of illnesses. Definite schizophrenia formed the largest group (nine patients). Three patients had developed a definite manic‐depressive disease and three severe alcoholism. The remaining five patients showed prominent symptoms of both schizophrenic and affective type. After the first hospitalisation 19 patients were recovered or improved. At the end of the follow‐up period the corresponding number was eight. Twelve patients showed social recovery, i.e. were working or studying at the end of the follow‐up period. Eighteen patients were at some time re‐hospitalised for psychosis. The group, as a whole, spent 16% of the observation period hospitalised in a mental hospital ‐ 6% in the outcome group recovered + improved and 21% in the outcome group were unimproved. The course was difficult to predict with the aid of factors usually considered prognostically favourable. The study stresses the need for prospective controlled studies based on a systematised aftercare programme for patients who show symptoms of both schizophrenia and affective illness in their first attack.
Women with nonorganic psychosis: mental disturbance during pregnancy
Authors: McNeil T. F. , Kaij L. , Malmquist‐Larsson A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Rates of menial disturbance during pregnancy were studied in 88 index women with a history of nonorganic psychosis and 104 demographically similar control women. The sources of information were [he woman's own report at interview during pregnancy, the interviewer's assessment and, for index cases, psychiatric record notations relevant to the pregnancy period. Highly significantly increased rates of active mental disturbance were identified for index women, as compared with controls, based both on the woman's own report and on the interviewer's assessment. Most disturbed were women with a history of Schizophrenia, Cycloid, Posipanum and Other Psychoses, and only those index women with a history of Affective Illness did not differ from controls. Only one third of the index cases were in contact with a psychiatrist during pregnancy, and high rates of active mental disturbance were identified at interview even in those index women without psychiatric contact.
Effectiveness of lithium prophylaxis in schizoaffective psychoses:application of a polydiagnostic approach
Authors: Maj M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The effectiveness of lithium prophylaxis has been tested in a group of patients fulfilling the relatively broad ICD‐9 definition of schizophrenic psychosis, schizoaffective type, and in each of the subgroups resulting from the application to the same patients of four different sets of diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective or cycloid psychoses. Moreover, a comparison has been made, within the whole patient population, between responders and non‐responders to treatment, with respect to some clinical and biological variables. The mean number of morbid episodes and the mean total morbidity have been found significantly reduced during the treatment period, as compared with a control period of the same length, in the whole patient population as well as in subjects meeting RDC and Kendell's criteria for schizoaffective disorder (with special regard to schizomanics) and Perris's criteria for cycloid psychoses. No significant difference between the two periods has been observed in patients diagnosed as schizoaffectives according to Welner et al. Clinical/historical variables (with special regard to those concerning the course of the illness and the family history of major psychoses) have been found the most reliable predictors of response, whereas biological variables did not discriminate between responders and nonresponders to prophylaxis.
Glomerular filtration rate during lithium therapy
Authors: Jensen S. B. , Rickers H.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– In order to investigate the side effect of lithium on renal function the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured before (t0) and after a mean of 16.5 months (t1) (range 12‐25 months) lithium treatment in 13 consecutive patients aged 32‐67 years (mean age 46 years). The patients had a normal renal function before the treatment was started; none of them had previously been treated with lithium. During treatment GFR (ml/min) fell from 101.9 to 98.3 which was not significant. However, standard‐GFR (ml/min/1.73 m2) fell from 88.4 to 84.8 (P < 0.05) mainly due to a significant rise in body weight and estimated surface area during treatment. No significant changes appeared in plasma creatinine. It is concluded that lithium therapy for a mean of 16.5 months does not affect the glomerular filtration rate:but considerably longer observations of GFR during lithium therapy should be done by means of a reliable GFR measurement method.
Postdexamethasone prolactin and cortisol: a biological state variable in depression
Authors: Klein H. E. , Seibold B. , Bender W. , Nedopil N. , Albus M. , Schmauss M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– In 70 inpatients with major depressive disorder postdexamethasone cortisol and prolactin, but not baseline cortisol and prolactin, was found to correlate significantly with various state variables of depression. Postdexamethasone prolactin appeared to be a more specific state variable of depression compared with postdexamethasone cortisol. While prolactin was decreased following dexamethasone in controls and nonendogenous depressed patients, in endogenous depressed patients prolactin was increased by 30%. Due to this inverse prolactin response to dexamethasone, the sensitivity of this test should be considerably increased by using a higher dexamethasone dosage. The DST failed to be a diagnostic marker for any subgroup of depression.
Moclobemide and clomipramine in the treatment of depression
Authors: Larsen J. K. , Holm P. , Mikkelsen P. L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Moclobemide (Ro 11‐1163), a benzamide derivative, is a MAO‐inhibitor which selectively and reversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase type A. Thirty‐eight patients with episodic, chronic and atypical depressive disorder (DSM‐III) were equally randomized to 6 weeks’ treatment with either three daily doses of 100 mg moclobemide or 50 mg clomipramine. Both treatment groups improved with time as assessed weekly by the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Clinician's Overall Assessment of Depression State, and there was no interaction between treatment and time. Anticholinergic complaints, tremor and dizziness occurred more frequently on ciomipramine, and they were longer lasting and more severe. Because of its low toxicity, good tolerance, its selectivity and reversibility moclobemide may be a better alternative than the older monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Effects of ECT on diabetes mellitus
Authors: Finestone D. H. , Weiner R. D.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The authors review the recent, conflicting findings of the effect of ECT on diabetes mellitus. To further explore this relationship, they present case reports of three adult‐onset diabetic patients with varying degrees of diabetic management who were treated for depression with ECT. The results point to the variability of effects which ECT may have on blood glucose in diabetic patients. ECT may produce a potentially dangerous hyperglycemia in severely diabetic patients, but ECT does not appear to exert a major diabetogenic or diabetolytic effect on patients with mild diabetes mellitus. Possible mechanisms by which ECT affects blood glucose levels are discussed.
The effects of opening a geriatric psychiatry day hospital
Authors: Ballinger B. R.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Referrals of elderly patients with organic brain syndromes to a Geriatric Psychiatry Service were studied before and after the introduction of a Day Hospital. The Day Hospital was used for more patients than predicted and was perceived to be of benefit. However, there was little change in the number of patients admitted to hospital or put on the waiting list for in‐patient care in the year after referral.
Mental illness and sex chromosome aberration: renewed interest in light of a current survey
Authors: Wahlström J. , Axelsson R.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Chromosome determination in 134 men with psychotic disorder revealed sex chromosome aberrations in three patients: one with karyotype 47, XXY, one with 47, XXY/46. XY, and one with 46, XY/45, XO. The frequency of sex chromosome changes in our population (2 %) was significantly increased compared to that, in newborns. Since sex chromosome aberrations may play an important role in the etiology of psychiatric disorders, chromosome determination should be included among the routine investigations of patients with psychotic symptoms.
Is there a short‐cut?
Authors: Miller P. McC. , Salter D. P.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Forty‐two men and 53 women patients at the Edinburgh Regional Poisoning Treatment Centre were interviewed, usually within 8‐12 h of admission. The interview covered life events and difficulties from 6 months before admission. For 43 patients it was in 3 stages; 1) a list of life events and difficulties to be ticked. 2) standard probing questions about each situation ticked, 3) free flowing unstructured interviewing eliciting fuller contextual data about the situations. An independent rater scored the situations after each of the three stages, at each point being blind to information contained in subsequent stages. Four variables were scored designed to indicate the total number of life situations present, the number of situations containing either a long‐term threat or personal loss element, an overall threat score and the total number of characteristics (1). The remaining 52 patients had a similar interview but containing an extra stage at the start. In this stage the patients were invited to tell the interviewer about any problems they had had in the last 6 months. Anything volunteered was probed freely before administration of the other three stages. The raters scored all four stages separately. No important differences in results from the two types of interview were found. For individual patients more than 80 % of the life situation information found after the final free flow stage had been obtained by the end of the probe stage. Furthermore, the final stage took something between a third and a half the interview time. On the other hand, it was clear that it would be unreasonable to end the interview after either the first free flow or the list stages, and the gain in information from probe to final stage was highly significant and potentially important. For individual life situations 75 % underwent no further change in rating after the probe stage. High though this figure is, it would not, in our view, warrant shortening the interview.
Fragile X‐chromosome among child psychiatric patients with disturbances of language and social relationships
Authors: Jørgensen O. Sylvester , Nielsen K. Brøndum , Isager T. , Mouridsen S. E.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Twenty‐three child psychiatric patients with severe disturbances in language development and social relatedness were investigated for occurrence of fragile X‐chromosomes (fra(X)) and other chromosome abnormalities. One boy with fra(X) was found. He presented a characteristic infantile autistic syndrome.
Map analyses of psychiatric services
Authors: Stefansson C.‐G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A computerized system to make map analyses of psychiatric services (MAPS) was developed by combining data from a psychiatric case register with a demographic data base updated twice a year. The case register covered all adult psychiatric in‐ and outpatient services in a catchment area of 75,000 inhabitants. The analyses were carried out for homogeneous sub‐areas, thus providing the clinic with knowledge about the geographical distribution of diagnostic categories and utilization of services. In a first stage, the system utilizes the flexible features of the statistical analysis system (SAS). In the final graphic stage, the SAS/GRAPH or the UN1RAS System may be used alternately. Special statistics from the epidemiological frame of reference are constructed for comparing sub‐areas, such as standardized morbidity ratio, standardized relative risk with confidence interval and corresponding p‐values. The system's application to planning of services and research is illustrated.
Children's thoughts and attitudes in China and Sweden: impacts of a restrictive versus a permissive environment
Authors: Ekblad S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– With a restrictive‐permissive hypothesis as a frame of reference, the aim of this explorative study is to obtain knowledge about the socialization process, i.e. how children in Sweden and China come to behave in accordance with cultural values and what the price is of this development. 273 school children (about 11‐12 years old) from six cities and 49 preschool children (age 6‐7 years old) from 10 cities in China are compared with a Swedish sample (329 and 48) from a single community. The Swedish school children came from both outskirt and central areas. Despite acknowledged limitations, the overall findings confirm two hypotheses: 1) Chinese children learn to a higher extent to control their emotions than Swedish children, and 2) Chinese children learn to orient towards collective norms as opposed to Swedish children who are more individualistically oriented,
Long‐lasting neurological sequelae after lithium intoxication
Authors: Schou M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A combined literature study and correspondence follow‐up provided information about the development and further course of long‐lasting neurological sequelae after lithium intoxication in 40 patients (28 women and 12 men). The circumstances surrounding the acute intoxications were examined. Possible precipitating circumstances included somatic illness with fever (11 cases), concurrent treatment with low‐salt diet and diuretics (1), major surgery (1), low food intake (2), recent start with large lithium doses (3), acute overdose with suicidal intent (4). overdose due to pharmacy, laboratory or patient mistakes (6), and concurrent treatment with large doses of haloperidol in the presence of fever (4). In five cases no likely precipitant could be found, and in three cases there was no information about the circumstances of the acute intoxication. The neurological sequelae developed following abatement of the acute intoxication and typically showed cerebellar affection with ataxia and scanning speech. Other brain regions could be affected, and peripheral neuropathy occurred. Improvement was in some cases seen during the first 6‐12 months, supported psychologically and perhaps also functionally by physiotherapy, speech therapy, and general rehabilitation. The paper ends with a discussion of measures and guidelines to prevent the development of intoxications and permanent neurological sequelae. An Appendix provides warnings and precautions.
Dexamethasone suppression test in alcoholism
Authors: Abou‐Saleh M. T. , Merry J. , Coppen A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal function was investigated in alcoholic patients using the dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Seventy‐two patients were studied when they had been abstinent from alcohol for 3 to 6 weeks. Eight patients undergoing detoxification and 79 control subjects were investigated for comparison. Alcoholic patients after a 3‐ to 6‐week abstinence period showed significantly higher prevalence of abnormal DST results (28 %) than control subjects (11 %). Patients undergoing detoxification showed even a higher prevalence of abnormal DST results (62 %). Abnormal DST status was not associated with the presence of depression in these patients but was associated with abnormal liver function. It is supposed that abnormal DST responses in alcoholic patients are not diagnostic of depression but appear to be related to effects of alcohol either on liver metabolism or on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal function or both.
Seizure duration in unilateral electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Bergsholm P. , Gran L. , Bleie H.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Seizure duration in unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was recorded by means of EEG in an intraindividual comparison under different alveolar O2‐ and CO2‐concentrations. Hypocapnia induced by hyperventilation to an alveolar CO2‐concentration of 2 % (2 kPa) resulted in a highly significant increase in seizure duration compared to a normal CO2 of 5 %, when the alveolar O2‐concentration was constant at 92 %. Oxygen ventilation to an alveolar O2‐concentration of 92 % gave no significant increase in seizure duration compared to 15 %, obtained by ventilation with air, when the CO2‐concentration was kept constant at 5 %. Seizure duration seems to augment progressively with decreasing alveolar CO2‐concentration.
CSF monoamine metabolites in melancholia
Authors: Åsberg M. , Bertilsson L , Mårtensson B. , Scalia‐Tomba G.‐P. , Thorén P. , Träskman‐Bendz L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The neurotransmitter metabolites 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy‐phenyl glycol (HMPG) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured by mass fragmentography in 83 patients with melancholia (diagnosed by the Newcastle Inventory and the Research Diagnostic Criteria), and 66 healthy volunteer controls. After adjustment by analysis of covariance for differences between the subject groups in body height, age and sex distribution, significantly (P < 0.001) lower concentrations of 5‐HIAA and HVA were found in the melancholia patients than in the controls. HMPG did not differ between the groups. The differences could not be accounted for by differences in timing or examination techniques, and not by previously administered drugs (all patients were drug‐free at the examination, but a minority had taken small amounts of psychotropic drugs prior to the wash‐out period). The differences persisted after excluding the suicidal patients. There were no clear‐cut differences between unipolar and bipolar patients. It is suggested that the reduced concentrations of 5‐HIAA and HVA in the melancholic patients may be due to altered serotonin and/or dopamine functions in the central nervous system, which may be connected with an increased vulnerability to certain types of affective illness.
The Newcastle Endogenous Depression Diagnostic Index: validity and reliability
Authors: Davidson J. , Strickland R. , Turnbull C. , Belyea M. , Miller R. D.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The Newcastle Endogenous Depression Diagnostic Index of Carney et al. was studied for reliability and validity. Good inter‐rater reliability was obtained for diagnostic category and for item scores in 36 patients. The scale showed construct validity with reference to the Hamilton and Montgomery‐Åsberg rating scales. Concurrent validity was shown relative to other diagnostic scales of endogenous depression. Predictive validity was demonstrated in that endogenous and nonendogenous depressives responded differently to isocarboxazid. The continued use of 5 as the point of separation between endogenous and nonendogenous depression is questionable.
CSF monoamine metabolites of depressed patients during illness and after recovery
Authors: Träskman‐Bendz L. , Åsberg M. , Bertilsson L. , Thorén P.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Repeated lumbar punctures in 16 healthy volunteers showed reproducible concentrations of 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In seven depressed patients, studied during two or three illness periods, the metabolite concentrations were also fairly stable. In 11 patients CSF concentrations of 5‐HIAA, but not of HVA, were higher after recovery than during depression. This increase of 5‐HIAA after recovery was confined to patients whose initial serotonin metabolite levels were low. The finding constitutes further evidence of a biochemical heterogeneity within the depressive disorders, and suggests that patients whose CSF 5‐HIAA is low during a depressive episode may have a less stable serotonin system than other patients with depressive illness.
Self‐healing strategies among schizophrenics: attempts at compensation for basic disorders
Authors: Böker W. , Brenner H. D. , Gerstner G. , Keller F. , Müller J. , Spichtig L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– New experimental findings show that schizophrenics, as well as some of their non‐schizophrenic relatives, manifest basic cognitive disorders defined in terms of variables from the field of experimental psychology. These basic disorders can be regarded as markers ‐ if not, indeed, as psychological manifestations ‐ of vulnerability to schizophrenia. They can be associated with subjectively experienced forms of non‐clinically manifest impairments in psychological functioning. It was therefore hypothesised that schizophrenics, as well as non‐schizophrenic subjects vulnerable to schizophrenia, will, in the course of learning processes, develop compensatory efforts which may be more or less effective. It is assumed that effective efforts of this kind will take on special significance in stress situations which would tend to elicit the occurrence of a schizophrenic episode. Effective efforts at compensation for basic disorders should be able to act as a ‘buffer’ against negative stressor effects (moderator function), thus reducing the danger of a psychotic breakdown. These compensation efforts were studied in 40 inpatients in remission after an acute schizophrenic episode. It was found that significant correlations exist between the extent of subjectively experienced basic disorders and the number and kind of conscious compensation attempts. Although the findings to date are of a preliminary and purely descriptive nature they would seem to justify further research.
Mean 14.00–17.00 h plasma cortisol concentration and its relationship to the 1 mg‐dexamethasone suppression response in depressives and controls
Authors: Holsboer F. , Gerken A. , Steiger A. , Fass V.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Three‐hour cortisol‐profiles and cortisol responses to a 1 mg dose of dexamethasone were recorded in 31 depressed patients and nine controls. The data indicate that the likelihood of detecting non‐suppressible cortisol concentrations after dexamethasone is significantly increased in depressed patients with a hypersecretion of cortisol. However, a considerable subsample of normosecretors shows abnormal DST results. Conversely, hypersecretion is often associated with dexamethasone suppression. In this study a 1 mg‐DST did not reflect the adrenocortical activity with ultimate accuracy. Therefore any attempts which correlate psychopathological or biological data with pituitary‐adrenal activity and use a DST‐result as measure are criticizable. Data derived from volunteers illustrate that medical factors such as weight‐loss, steroid‐containing contraceptives and sleep deprivation can make a pituitary‐adrenal activity test ambiguous.
Treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms in hospitalized patients
Authors: Flygenring J. , Hansen J. , Holst B. , Petersen E. , Sørensen A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Seventy‐two hospitalized patients with alcohol withdrawal symptoms were treated with either carbamazepine (Tegretol®) or barbital (Diemal) in a randomized, double‐blind trial. The dose of trial medication as well as the duration of treatment was individual, corresponding to the conventional treatment schedule. During the trial period daily records were kept of target withdrawal symptoms, global evaluation, the patient's subjective feeling and unwanted effects. Sixty patients completed the treatment successfully. The two treatment groups were homogeneous as regards patient characteristics, pre‐treatment disease severity and drop‐out rate. No statisticaly significant differences were found in efficacy between the two treatments, and both drugs were well tolerated. It is concluded that carbamazepine is a valuable alternative drug in the treatment of mild and moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Offspring of women with nonorganic psychosis: fear of strangers during the first year of life
Authors: Näslund B. , Persson‐Blennow I. , McNeil T. , Kaij L. , Malmquist‐Larsson A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Fear of strangers (FOS) during the infant's first year was studied in 46 “high‐risk” offspring of index mothers with a history of nonorganic psychosis and in 80 demographically similar control offspring. FOS was measured in the home by a standardized test at 1 year of age and by repeated interviews with the mother during the first year. As compared with controls, the total index group, and the subgroups of offspring of mothers with Schizophrenia and Cycloid Psychosis, significantly more often showed a total absence of FOS in the test at 1 year, as well as during the entire first year. FOS at 1 year was unrelated both to serious active psychiatric disturbance in index mothers during the infant's first year of life, and the infant's sex, in index and control groups.
Acute psychiatric admission related to the menstrual cycle
Authors: Luggin R. , Bernsted L. , Petersson B. , Jacobsen Aa. Tholund
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A study of menstrual cycle phase on the day of acute admission to a psychiatric hospital for 121 women aged 20–39 showed an unequal distribution of admissions. More admissions than expected took place in the menstrual period, and correspondingly fewer intermenstrually. The difference was significant, and points to a certain degree of cyclicity in female psychiatric disturbance. This cyclicity was not significantly influenced by age, diagnosis, oral contraceptives or tendency for premenstrual symptoms. In the age group 20–39 one and a half times as many men as women are admitted to Danish psychiatric departments. Thus, in view of a common baseline, the most conspicuous feature is, that remarkably few women were admitted intermenstrually.
Relationship between mental health and job efficiency
Authors: Barnes B. L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A homogeneous group of 153 Merchant Marine Officers were analysed on Seafarers’ Mental Health Questionnaire (SMHQ) to evaluate their mental health state. The confidential reports of the officers relating to their job performance were scrutinised to determine the level of job efficiency. Individuals obtaining more than the mean effective percentage score were allotted to the high‐efficiency group and those obtaining less, to the low‐efficiency group. The results obtained show significant mean differences on almost all the mental health dimensions except sexual satisfaction, thus revealing that the job efficiency of seafarers is influenced by different aspects of mental health adjustments.
Twenty‐four‐hour serum levels of TSH in affective disorders
Authors: Kjellman B. F. , Beck‐Friis J. , Ljunggren J.‐G. , Wetterberg L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– As a part of a broad endocrine testing of patients with affective disorders the 24 h serum levels of thyrotropin (TSH) were investigated and correlated to the clinical history and disease symptoms. Thirty‐two patients with the research diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder were investigated. Twenty‐six of these patients were reinvestigated in a state of full or partial clinical remission. Nine patients with unipolar and eight patients with bipolar affective disorders were also investigated in clinical remission. The control group comprised 32 healthy subjects. The results showed significantly lower 24 h serum levels of TSH and less variability of TSH levels during the 24 h period in the group with acute major depression compared with the controls. The 24 h serum levels of TSH normalized during clinical remission. Different subtypes of depression, different clusters of symptoms and severity of depression did not significantly correlate with the 24 h serum levels of TSH. There were also no significant correlations between abnormalities of the dexamethasone suppression test or nightly melatonin levels and the 24 h serum levels of TSH. The lower TSH levels seen in acute major depression could not be correlated to increased or decreased levels of peripheral thyroid hormones. The mechanism of the decreased 24 h serum levels of TSH is unclear. One possibility is an altered sensitivity in the thyrotrophs of the pituitary.
Prevalence of mental disorders in an urban sample examined at 70, 75 and 79 years of age
Authors: Nilsson L. V. , Persson G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The prevalence of mental disorders in a representative sample of old people in Gothenburg, Sweden, was studied at 70, 75 and 79. The study comprised 392 subjects at 70, 302 subjects at 75 and 203 at 79. A case was defined by cut‐off points on symptom and sign rating scales, and diagnoses were defined operationally as closely as possible to the ICD‐classification. The total psychiatric morbidity was 21.9, 24.2 and 31.0% in the three age groups. The prevalence of schizophrenic and paranoid syndromes was 0.5, 1.7 and 2.5% and of affective disorders 1.0, 2.3 and 0.5%. The prevalence of dementias of psychotic degree was 1.3, 2.3 and 6.9% and of asthenic neuroses corresponding to dementias of mild‐moderate degree 2.3, 4.0 and 9.4%. The prevalence of anxiety, depressive and obsessive‐compulsive neuroses of moderate‐severe degree was 6.6, 4.6 and 3.9% and of mild degree 7.9, 6.0 and 5.9%. The prevalence of active alcoholism in men was 4.2, 3.4 and 3.0% and in women 0.0% in all age groups. Current treatment was reported by 67–85% of subjects with psychoses, about one half of them in psychiatric services, and by 35–65% of subjects with neuroses, about one fifth of them in psychiatric services.
Lithium, sodium and potassium transport in erythrocytes of manic‐depressive patients
Authors: Dagher G. , Gay C. , Brossard M. , Feray J. C. , Olié J. P. , Garay R. P. , Loo H. , Meyer P.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT: Different Li, Na and K transport pathways were assessed in erythrocytes from manic‐depressive patients. No alteration in the Li‐Na countertransport, Na,K cotransport or passive permeabilities was observed in either unipolar or bipolar manic‐depressive patients. In addition, acute or chronic lithium treatment did not alter the maximal velocity of either the Li‐Na countertransport or the Na,K cotransport. A two‐fold reduction of the ouabain‐sensitive Na efflux was observed among manic‐depressive patients without alteration in the affinity of the Na pump for internal Na.
Sulpiride in Tardive Dyskinesia
Authors: Gerlach J. , Casey D E
Published: August 2007

Abstract The pathogenesis of tardive dyskinesia (TD) appears to consist of a combination of a predisposing vulnerability of the patient and an antidopaminergic (neuroleptic) treatment. This combination may result in 1) a relative dopamine hyperreactivity associated with an increased number of dopamine receptors and/or a cholinergic hypo‐function (reversible TD), and 2) in long‐term treatment, degenerative phenomena leading to a decreased threshold for expressing dyskinetic symptoms (irreversible TD).

Sulpiride, a selective D‐2 dopamine receptor blocker, is able to suppress TD without producing a reciprocal aggravation in parkinsonism, although in vulnerable patients it may induce/aggravate parkinsonian symptoms. Animal data suggest that sulpiride has less TD‐inducing effect than traditional neuroleptics, but long‐term clinical studies are still needed to prove this suggestion.
Studies on the Mechanism of Action of Substituted Benzamide Drugs
Authors: Köhler Christer , Ögren Sven‐Ove , Fuxe Kjell
Published: August 2007

Abstract The effects of classical neuroleptic drugs (haloperidol, chlorpromazine) and atypical neuroleptics, i.e. substituted benzamides (L‐sulpiride, tiapride, FLA 731(‐)) on specific in vivo binding of the dopamine antagonist 3H‐spiperone and the dopamine agonist 3H‐n‐propylnorapomorphine (3H‐NPA) was examined in male rats. The atypical neuroleptics were found to be considerably more potent in displacing nigral than striatal 3H‐spiperone binding while the classical neuroleptics were about equipotent in the two brain regions. The benzamides also produced considerably less displacement of 3H‐spiperone in the striatum than did classical neuroleptics. Furthermore, while the classical neuroleptic drugs block the striatal 3H‐spiperone and 3H‐NPA binding sites to about the same degree, the substituted benzamides appear to have a higher affinity for the DA receptors labelled by 3H‐NPA than those labelled by 3H‐spiperone. The behavioural effects of the benzamides were found to differ from classical neuroleptic drugs particularly with regard to induction of catalepsy. Thus, the induction of cataleptic behaviour was found to correlate with displacement of 3H‐spiperone in the striatum while blockade of apomorphine induced hyperactivity correlated with the displacement of spiperone in extrastriatal areas.
Agoraphobics and social phobics: differences in background factors, syndrome profiles and therapeutic response
Authors: Persson G. , Nordlund C. L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Seventy‐three agoraphobic and 31 social phobic women, all rated unsuitable for insight‐oriented psychotherapy, were compared regarding family and personal history, intelligence, personality and factors pertaining to the disorder. The same patients, with 11 men included in the social phobic group, were also compared regarding response to four randomly assigned types of treatment given over a 3 month period, with a 9 months' follow‐up. The following differences were revealed: 1) Social phobias were associated with a higher social class of the parental home, higher education, higher scores on verbal intelligence, and a higher social class of the patient. 2) Social phobics scored higher on the personailty factor, aggressive non‐conformance, otherwise there were no differences in the personality factor. 3) Agoraphobias were associated with mother working outside home during the patient's childhood, neurotic symptoms in childhood, and current economic difficulties. Agoraphobics more often gave experience of death as a cause of the disorder. 4) Social phobias started at an earlier age. 5) Target phobia and the global rating were of equal severity in the two syndromes, but the agoraphobics had higher ratings on free anxiety and depersonalization. 6) Social phobics responded better to prolonged exposure in vivo, while agoraphobics responded better to supportive therapy of dynamic type, or to a simple basal therapy. Social phobics more often wanted the therapists to give advice and guidance.
Attempted suicide in Denmark
Authors: Bille‐Brahe U. , Hansen W. , Kolmos L. , Wang A. G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– During a 6 months’ period, 99 persons, randomly chosen among patients admitted for attempted suicide to the Department of Psychiatry, Odense University Hospital, were interviewed. This paper, which is the first in a series, deals with the theoretical and methodological background of the survey and the validity of the sample and also with some basic social characteristics of the suicide attempters. The majority of the suicide attempters were found to be single and many of them were living alone or alone with children. The sample could also be characterized by a low level of vocational education and by lack of association with the labour market. The suicide attempters could not, however, be unequivocally described as being in bad financial circumstances, neither were they solely from the lower social classes; the social status profile of the suicide attempters was closer to the status profile of suiciders, with relatively many persons from both upper and lower classes and few from the middle class.
Serum melatonin in relation to clinical variables in patients with major depressive disorder and a hypothesis of a low melatonin syndrome
Authors: Beck‐Friis J. , Kjellman B. F. , Aperia B. , Unden F. , von Rosen D. , Ljunggren J.‐G. , Wetterberg L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTMaximum nocturnal serum melatonin level (MTmax) in relation to some clinical variables was studied in 32 patients with a major depressive episode and in 33 healthy subjects with reference to the outcome of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Significant regressions were found between MTmaxlevels and clinical rating scores in CPRS, interpreted as retardation symptoms. Four healthy subjects with disposition for dysthymic reactions had subnormal MTmaxlevels, which differed from MTmaxlevels in subjects without such disposition. Patients but not the healthy subjects, who reported parental loss before 17 years of age, had subnormal MTmaxlevels and differed from patients with no reported parental loss. Patients with no reported suicidal behaviour in clinical history had significantly lower MTmaxlevels than patients with reported suicide attempts. No relations were found between low MTmaxlevels and diagnoses, duration of illness, reported inheritance for depressive illness or sleep disturbances. A hypothetical low melatonin syndrome in depression is proposed: 1) low nocturnal melatonin, 2) abnormal dexamethasone suppression test, 3) disturbed 24‐h rhythm of cortisol, 4) less pronounced daily and annual cyclic variation in depressive symptomatology.
A double‐blind group comparative study using the new anti‐depressant Org 3770, placebo and diazepam in patients with expected insomnia and anxiety before elective gynaecological surgery
Authors: Bettum V. , Sørensen M. , Jørgensen J. , Viby‐Mogensen J. , Dunbar G. C. , Steffensen K.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT Two hundred and fifty female patients about to undergo elective gynaecological surgery, were randomly allocated to a single oral dose of either 5, 15, 30 mg Org 3770, placebo, or 10 mg diazepam the evening before operation. Assessment of sleep quality next morning using self‐rated questionnaires showed that both Org 3770 and diazepam were significantly better than placebo in enhancing sleep. In addition, a dose‐response effect was seen with Org 3770, 15 mg seeming optimal. Assessment of pre‐surgery anxiety, again using self‐rated questionnaires, showed that 15 mg Org 3770, and 10 mg diazepam were significantly more effective than placebo at reducing anxiety. None of the medications produced any troublesome side effects nor did they have an effect on blood pressure.
Long‐term outcome of 151 cases of anorexia nervosa
Authors: Tolstrup K. , Brinch M. , Isager T. , Nielsen S. , Nystrup J. , Severin B. , Olesen N. S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT One hundred and fifty‐one patients (140 females ‐ 11 males) with anorexia nervosa (AN) from three departments (child psychiatry, psychiatry, and internal medicine) were re‐examined 4–22 years (average 12.5 years) after their first contact with the Rigshospital in Copenhagen. During the years 1960–76 the number of referrals was on the increase, and relatively more patients were treated in the psychiatric departments at the end than at the beginning of the period. Mean age was 16.6 years at onset, 19.0 years at primary contact. Mean weight loss was 32 %. Mean duration of treatment was 12 months. Differences between the three departments concern especially age, sex, and duration of treatment. Mean age at follow‐up was 31.0 years (range 16–63 years) for surviving probands. Follow‐up information originated from semi‐structured personal interviews (in 80 % of surviving probands) together with register data on all probands, supplemented by extensive hospital data. Nine patients (6 %), including six who committed suicide, died on the average 7.3 years after primary contact (average age 27.1 years). The mortality rate was 0.5 % per year. At follow‐up one fourth of the surviving probands had AN and one fourth suffered from other psychiatric disorders, while one half were free from mental illness. There were no significant differences in outcome between the three departments. As a whole, the group experienced a social decline. It is concluded that a substantial part of this group of AN patients had a poor prognosis with a tendency towards chronicity, despite relatively long and intensive treatment, but, on the other hand, about one half of the probands seemed to be healthy and well functioning.
Coping with cancer: psychological dimensions
Authors: Manos N. , Christakis J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Cancer has a profound psychological impact upon the patient and his family, and the psychological responses, primarily of the patient himself, the close family, physician and nursing personnel, but also of the extended family, and society in general, become a complex interrelationship. Some of the most important psychological aspects of cancer are reviewed. These include the psychological responses of the patient, such as denial, vulnerability, coping strategies, hope, depression, suicide, reaction to diagnosis, and the management of the family, and the psychological responses and attitudes of the physician and nursing personnel. Based on the above psychological analysis some guidelines are offered to help in coping with cancer.
Double‐blind comparison between a serotonin and a noradrenaline reuptake blocker in the treatment of depressed outpatients
Authors: Nyström C. , Hällström T.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Seventy‐five outpatients with major depressive disorder (RDC) were randomly referred to treatment with a dominant serotonin (5‐HT) uptake inhibiting drug (zimeldine, 100 mg b.i.d.) or a dominant noradrenaline (NA) uptake inhibiting drug, (maprotiline, 75 mg b.i.d.). The total antidepressive effect was similar in the two groups for up to 4 weeks of treatment. Both drugs gave an effect on the depressive syndrome as a whole, with no preference for mood, anxiety, retardation or vital symptoms. Good response to the NA drug correlated to few prior episodes and few years since first episode, whereas the 5‐HT drug had its best effect when there were several previous episodes.
Content of grandiose phenomenology across cultures
Authors: Ndetei D. M. , Vadher A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The content of grandiose ideas and delusions in patients of various cultural groups admitted to a London psychiatric hospital were compared. There were no overall differences but certain trends were apparent. It was found that religion was the commonest content of grandiose symptoms in all the groups. Its frequency was higher in the African and Jamaican groups, an observation that can be understood from the cultural background of these groups. The other types of content, namely royals, identity and ability were less frequent in all groups.
Separate and combined anxiolytic and anti‐depressant treatment of mixed anxiety/depression
Authors:   Sussex Clinical Trials Group
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– 233 patients attending their general practitioners for mixed anxiety/depressive states were treated on a double‐blind random allocation basis with one tablet to be taken three times daily, containing either 0.5 mg fluphenazine, 10 mg nortriptyline, a combination of 0.5 mg fluphenazine and 10 mg nortriptyline (Motival®), or placebo. After 7 and 28 days’ treatment, the combination product was found to be statistically superior to each of its active ingredients alone, as well as to placebo, with respect to anxiety, depression and non‐specific symptoms. Side effects were not a clinical problem and occurred with similar frequency in each treatment group. The superiority of Motival over each of its constituents is in keeping with previous studies showing advantages of the combination of fluphenazine and nortriptyline over anxiolytic and anti‐depressant drugs on their own.
Lithium effects on ophthalmological‐electrophysiological parameters in young healthy volunteers
Authors: Ullrich A. , Adamczyk J. , Zihl J. , Emrich H. M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The effects of lithium on the visual system in man have been tested. Ten healthy volunteers followed a 10‐day lithium regimen. Lithium plasma levels in the range of 0.6–0.8 mmol/l were obtained. Clinically used ophthalmological‐electrophysiological tests were performed. Most of the tests showed no significant change during the lithium treatment. The lithium regimen resulted in a strong reduction of the slow phase. Also the “Arden‐ratio”, measured by electrooculogram (EOG), was influenced by lithium. The “Arden‐ratio” reflects the corneo‐fundal potential in retinal illumination and dark adaptation and is influenced by the state of adaptation. All the demonstrated effects were fully reversible at the end of lithium administration. Possible mechanisms of the action of lithium are discussed (for example Ca2+‐fluxes, c‐AMP, cGMP). These lithium‐induced effects on the visual system in man may give some hint of the individual responsiveness to lithium.