bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The epidemiology of anorexia nervosa in Denmark from 1973 to 1987: a nationwide register study of psychiatric admission
Authors: Nielsen S.
Published: August 2007

A nationwide register study of psychiatric admission for anorexia nervosa in Denmark yielded average incidence rates of 1.9 per 100,000 per year for females and 0.17 per 100,000 per year for males. The prevalence was 6.7 per 100,000 per year for females and 0.6 per 100,000 per year for males. The female‐male ratio for first admissions was 11.8: 1. The incidence of anorexia nervosa showed no trend in the general population, but an increase was found among psychiatric inpatients. This increase was explained by a reduction by one third in all psychiatric first admissions and in available psychiatric beds and augmented by an increase in readmissions of anorectic patients. Males were younger than females at first admission. Females were older at first admission from 1973 to 1977 than in later periods. Of males readmitted for non‐eating disorders, more were psychotics and fewer psychopaths than among females. Age‐period and age‐cohort analysis of the 10‐ to 24‐year‐old females showed that only age exerted a significant independent influence on first‐admission rates, whereas all 3 factors exerted significant independent influence on readmission rates. This might reflect changes in admission policy, greater diagnostic vigilance and changes in attitude towards weight, shape and fitness.
Parental representation in patients with major depression, anxiety disorder and mixed conditions
Authors: Alnæs R. , Torgersen S.
Published: August 2007

Differences in parental bonding between patients with pure major depression, mixed anxiety‐depression and pure anxiety disorders were investigated in 272 consecutive outpatients. A low parental care score seemed to be the best discriminating variable between the mixed group and the 3 other groups. This study supports previous family and twin studies as well as clinical studies emphasizing the mixed group as a special disorder group, possibly with a different etiology. The role of the father in child development seems to be particularly important.
Postpartum psychosis: a study of indoor cases in a general hospital psychiatric clinic
Authors: Agrawal P. , Bhatia M. S. , Malik S. C.
Published: August 2007

In a prospective study, 144 consecutive indoor cases of puerperal psychosis were assessed. Their mean age was 24.6 years. A past and a family history of psychosis was present in 12 cases each. According to RDC criteria, a majority of the patients had unspecified functional psychosis. A majority of the cases developed psychosis after the birth of a first child. Puerperal psychosis showed a positive correlation with the birth of a female child. Most of these cases developed psychiatric illness in the first 2 weeks after delivery. When the prevalence of symptoms in the study group was compared with the age‐and disease‐matched nonpuerperal controls, several differences were statistically significant.
Plasma 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol in manic patients: relationships with clinical variables
Authors: Azorin J. M. , Pupeschi G. , Valli M. , Joanny P. , Raucoules D. , Lancon C. , Tissot R.
Published: August 2007

Plasma levels of 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were found to be significantly higher in manic patients than in age‐ and sex‐matched normal controls (n= 22). In 18 manic patients plasma MHPG correlated with manic symptoms but not with anxiety, depression, motor behaviour, acute psychosis, schizophrenia and severity of illness. A positive correlation between MHPG and grandiosity items on rating scales suggests a link with cognitive contents and therefore a relationship with central factors.
Gender differences in initiation of psychotherapeutic medicine use
Authors: Trinkoff A. M. , Anthony J. C.
Published: August 2007

It has been shown that women are more likely than men to have used prescription psychotherapeutic medicines. Gender differences in the determinants of such use have also been identified. In an earlier study of adult household residents aged 18–44, we found that antecedent illicit drug use was associated with prescribed psychotherapeutic medicine use, independent of psychiatric symptoms. In this study, we explore these predictive relationships separately for males and females. For both males (n= 604) and females (n= 933) illicit drug use was associated with psychotherapeutic medicine use, although the relationship was stronger among males. Psychiatric symptoms did not account for this relationship for either gender. Among males, symptoms and illicit drug use each increased the likelihood of psychotherapeutic medicine use. Among females, no additional likelihood of psychotherapeutic medicine use over and above that for illicit drug use resulted when psychiatric symptoms were also present. Help‐seeking was strongly associated with prescription psychotherapeutic medicine use among both genders.
Anticonvulsants as adjuncts for the neuroleptic treatment of schizophrenic psychoses: a clinical study with beclamide
Authors: Raptis C. , Garcia‐Borreguero D. , Weber M. M. , Dose M. , Bremer D. , Emrich H. M.
Published: August 2007

A recent study showed an adjuvant effect of carbamazepine in the neuroleptic treatment of acute schizophrenic psychoses. Since beclamide (β‐chlorpropionamide) was reported to reduce the neuroleptic doses required, the combination haloperidol‐beclamide was tested using a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study in 23 inpatients with an acute schizophrenic psychosis. In both groups patients received haloperidol and either beclamide or placebo. Every 7 d the treating psychiatrist could increase the haloperidol dose by 3 mg per day if clinically necessary. Chlorprothixene and biperiden were on hand as additional medication. After 28 d beclamide or placebo were discontinued under a constant dose of haloperidol and a final rating with the Inpatient Multidimensional Rating Scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Extrapyramidal Symptom Scale was carried out. Without reaching statistical significance, the beclamide group needed a lower dose of neuroleptic medication, showed fewer side effects and a more pronounced psychopathological improvement.
Comorbidity of panic disorder and major depressive disorder: effects on platelet alpha2 adrenergic receptors
Authors: Grunhaus L. J. , Cameron O. , Pande A. C. , Haskett R.F. , Hollingsworth P. J. , Smith C. B.
Published: August 2007

Adrenergic receptor dysregulation has been described as occurring in both major depressive disorder (MDD) and panic disorder. Measurements of platelet alpha2 adrenergic receptors in these patients may be confounded by the coexistence or comorbidity of both diagnoses in the same patient. To explore this possibility, we measured platelet alpha2 adrenergic receptors (3H‐clonidine and 3H‐yohimbine binding) in 3 groups of patients (MDD only, panic disorder only, and those showing comorbidity of MDD and panic) and normal controls. Patients with comorbidity of MDD and panic disorder had significantly lower agonist binding (3H‐clonidine).
Risk factors of suicide among schizophrenics
Authors: Cheng K. K. , Leung C. M. , Lo W. H. , Lam T. H.
Published: August 2007

This case control study included 74 Chinese schizophrenics (DSM‐III criteria) who died of suicide and 74 age‐ and sex‐matched nonsuicide schizophrenics. Sociodemographic variables were unrelated with suicide. Associations were found between suicide and severity of illness (more frequent admissions, higher dose of medication and earlier appointments), history of major depressive episodes and suicidal attempts, last admission for reasons other than schizophrenic symptoms alone, and suicidal ideas on mental state examination. The last 2 factors, together with the maintenance dose of medication, were identified as the most important risk factors by logistic regression analysis.
New chronic schizophrenic patients: a comparison of daypatients and inpatients
Authors: Hogg L. I. , Brooks N.
Published: August 2007

A group of 24 “new chronic” schizophrenic inpatients was compared with a group of 19 daypatients matched for duration of current care; both had spent between 1 and 6 years in continuous inpatient or daypatient care. The groups were compared on a variety of clinical, demographic, and social variables to identify specific variables that might distinguish the new chronic inpatient group. Despite a few nonsignificant trends in the data, the groups were found not to differ significantly on any variables. Both groups had long psychiatric histories with many previous hospital admissions, presented many negative symptoms of schizophrenia at interview, were quite disabled in terms of self‐care and speech skills, had a low incidence of behavioural disturbance and had few contacts outside of the hospital. The majority of both groups expressed a clear preference for community care. The results therefore highlight the urgent need for more comprehensive and detailed assessment of patients in relation to decisions about retention in or discharge from inpatient hospital care and also the need to identify objective predictors of the success of such decisions.
Sexuality of women with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Raboch J. , Faltus F.
Published: August 2007

The sexual development and life of 30 adult women with anorexia nervosa and of 50 control women was investigated using a structured interview and 3 sexological questionnaires. Heterosexual development was found to be normal in the initial stages, but psychosexual adaptation in adulthood was impaired. Primary or secondary insufficiencies of sexual life were found for 80% of the anorectic patients. Biological and psychosocial factors may participate in this unfavourable state. Discussion of sexual problems should be part of the process of treating women with anorexia nervosa.
Lithium discontinuers. II. Therapeutic outcome
Authors: Nilsson A. , Axelsson R.
Published: August 2007

Eleven patients from a lithium‐treated cohort of 64 patients with major affective disorder (DSM‐III) were investigated after a mean of 6.7 years on lithium prophylaxis and reinvestigated 7 years later, at which point they had discontinued lithium for a mean of 2.3 years. Therapeutic outcome was compared in the 11 discontinuers and 20 continuers on lithium from the same cohort, matched for sex, age, and mental status on admission to the study. Ratings of psychopathology (CPRS) at the end of the 7‐year follow‐up period showed that the only significant difference between the patient categories was a higher frequency of reported autonomic disturbances and worry over trifles in the discontinuers. Daily doses of neuroleptic drugs were significantly higher in discontinuers than in controls by the end of the study. Alternative concomitant treatment outside conventional medicine was sought by 45% of the discontinuers, whereas no lithium‐treated control reported the need for such additional therapeutic measures.
A trend analysis of changes during treatment of panic disorder with alprazolam and imipramine
Authors: Mellergard M. , Lorentzen K. , Bech P. , Ottosson J.‐O. , Rosenberg R.
Published: August 2007

A total of 123 Scandinavian patients participated in a cross‐national study of panic disorder. Twelve outcome measures, including number of panic attacks and phobias, have been used to describe changes in symptoms during treatment. This article gives a trend analysis of remission for each variable, analysing changes through the total period from baseline to week 8 and also changes in first and second half of this period, separately. Important differences between treatments are demonstrated. Alprazolam had an early effect on variables relating to panic attacks, such as severity of spontaneous attacks and avoidance, whereas imipramine showed a more delayed effect on global measures. Duration of illness, sex and the occurrence of depression in patients’ history all affected the sequence of improvement.
Alprazolam, imipramine and placebo treatment of panic disorder: predicting therapeutic response
Authors: Rosenberg R. , Bech P. , Mellergård M. , Ottosson J.‐O.
Published: August 2007

Factors that predicted the outcome of drug treatment (alprazolam or imipramine) of panic disorder were studied in a sample of 123 Scandinavian patients participating in a multicenter placebo‐controlled 8‐week trial. The attrition rate was 95% for alprazolam, 73% for imipramine and 46% for placebo. For the intention‐to‐treat and 3‐week‐completer samples, drugs and anxiety symptoms at baseline were the best predictors of improvement on the Global Improvement Scale and on symptom scales focusing on panic attacks, phobic behavior and anticipatory anxiety. For completers of the 8‐week trial, only baseline scores predicted outcome. Generally, more severe symptoms at baseline predicted a worse outcome. A subsample of patients had a marked placebo response. Avoidance, sex, age, childhood psychopathology and previous treatment experience had no or only a weak impact on the outcome. The relationship between panic disorder and mood disorder is presented elsewhere.
Physostigmine in Alzheimer's disease: effects on cognitive functioning, cerebral glucose metabolism analyzed by positron emission tomography and cerebral blood flow analyzed by single photon emission tomography
Authors: Tune L. , Brandt J. , Frost J. J. , Harris G. , Mayberg H. , Steele C. , Burns A. , Sapp J. , Folstein M. F. , Wagner H. N. , Pearlson G. D.
Published: August 2007

The effect of acute, intravenous administration of physostigmine on measures of brain activity and cognitive functioning were investigated in 14 patients with Alzheimer's disease. Regional cerebral glucose metabolism was assessed using (18F)‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose and positron emission tomography, and cerebral blood flow was assessed using 123I‐iodoamphetamine single photon emission tomography. Although physostigmine enhanced cerebral blood flow in most patients, only one patient showed significant clinical improvement. This patient, however, also showed a very pronounced improvement in cerebral glucose metabolism. It is concluded that these preliminary findings hold considerable promise for our appreciation of the pathophysiology of dementing illness as well as our understanding of centrally acting compounds of interest in Alzheimer's disease.
A prospective study of patient assaults on nurses in a provincial psychiatric hospital in Canada
Authors: Cooper A. J. , Mendonca J. D.
Published: August 2007

A 27‐month prospective study was conducted of patient assaults on nurses in a Canadian psychiatric hospital. Rates were low (4% of the patients committing an assault) and the injuries mostly trivial. Schizophrenics accounted for 43% of attacks, but when allowance was made for the disproportionate number of patients in the hospital with this diagnosis, individuals with mental retardation or dementia were approximately twice as likely to be assaultive as schizophrenics. Repeat assaulters (>4 attacks) were more likely to be suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
High interrater reliability for the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐III‐R Axis I (SCID‐I)
Authors: Skre I. , Onstad S. , Torgersen S. , Kringlen E.
Published: August 2007

The interrater reliability of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐III‐R (SCID) was studied. Fifty‐four audiotaped SCID interviews were rated independently by 3 raters. The highest interrater agreements were observed for schizophrenia (0.94), major depressive disorder (0.93), dysthymia (0.88), generalized anxiety disorder (0.95), panic disorder (0.88), alcohol use disorder (0.96) and other psychoactive substance use disorder (0.85). The remaining diagnoses of mood and anxiety disorders obtained acceptable interrater agreement (0.70–0.80), with an exception for obsessive‐compulsive disorder (0.40). The poorest agreement was obtained for somatoform disorders (– 0.03). Lack of hierarchy in DSM‐III‐R allows for multiple Axis I diagnoses. Interrater reliability for multiple diagnoses was tested. Agreement was generally good for combinations of 2 diagnoses, and poorer when 3 diagnoses were combined. Our findings confirm that SCID yields highly reliable diagnoses. SCID is recommended for research on mental disorders.
Neurological deviations in newborns at psychiatric high risk
Authors: Blennow G. , McNeil T. F.
Published: August 2007

Neurological deviations on the third to fourth day of life were blindly assessed in 55 offspring of index women with histories of nonorganic psychoses and in 71 offspring of demographically similar control women with no history of psychosis. While the total index group did not differ from the total control group on rates of neurological deviation, the offspring of women with schizophrenia and cycloid psychosis showed more neurological deviations of a diverse nature than did their controls. The offspring of women with affective disorders had rates of deviation that were lower than those of controls and other index diagnostic groups. The differences observed were not sensitive to the narrowness of diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and affective disorder.
How should prevalence be modelled?
Authors: Dewey M. E.
Published: August 2007

This article evaluates a number of different methods for summarizing the relationship between prevalence and other variables. It uses as a concrete example the article by Jorm et al. (1). The article makes recommendations for future studies.
Alcohol abuse in chronic schizophrenics: implications for management in the community
Authors: Soni S. D. , Brownlee M.
Published: August 2007

This study was designed to investigate the effects of regular alcohol consumption on chronic schizophrenic patients maintained on fluphenazine decanoate in the community. A group of patients who consumed more than 20 units of alcohol per week was compared with those who did not drink or did so only occasionally. It was found that patients in the alcohol group had a higher frequency of previous relapses, a greater severity of positive symptoms and a lower incidence of extrapyramidal side effects except tardive dyskinesia for which there was no difference. Serum fluphenazine levels were lower in this group (NS). It was concluded that patients who regularly consume alcohol tend to be clinically unstable, perhaps because of poor therapeutic control.
Suicide in borderline patients — predictive factors
Authors: Kjelsberg E. , Eikeseth P. H. , Dahl A. A.
Published: August 2007

Twenty‐one borderline patients (in accordance with Gunderson) who had committed suicide were compared with matched borderline patients who stayed alive. The suicide group had more frequent childhood loss, lack of treatment contact before hospitalization, longer hospitalization, and they were more frequently discharged for violating the treatment contract. These variables were combined into a predictive model for suicide in borderline patients.
Violence among psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Shah A. K. , Fineberg N. A. , James D. V.
Published: August 2007

A considerable body of evidence suggests increasing levels of violence among psychiatric inpatients. The literature on the subject is reviewed, highlighting correlates of violence among psychiatric patients and methodological flaws in the published literature. Improvement in the definition of violence and the methodology as well as future areas of research are discussed.
Validation of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in Arab patients
Authors: Malasi T. H. , Mirza I. A. , El‐Islam M. F.
Published: August 2007

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered to psychiatric outpatients with various diagnoses to assess its validity. The study was also designed to find out whether HADS can differentiate between diagnostic groups based on depression and anxiety symptoms. HADS was able to discriminate patients from controls at a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 87%. HADS was much less sensitive, specific and diagnostically accurate in identifying anxiety and depressive disorders in the experimental group at a cut‐off point of 13 and 10 respectively for both conditions. Possible psychological, social and psychiatric reasons for the results are discussed.
Premorbid personality and positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia
Authors: Peralta V. , Cuesta M. J. , de Leon J.
Published: August 2007

The relationship between premorbid personality and schizophrenic symptoms assessed by the Scales for the Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms was explored in 115 DSM‐III‐R schizophrenics. The frequencies of normal, schizoid‐schizotypal and other DSM‐III‐R personality disorders were 44%, 39% and 17%. Affective flattening and alogia were significantly more frequently present and severe in the schizoid‐schizotypal group than in the rest of the patients. There were no differences in positive symptoms. It is suggested that, in some cases, negative symptoms are merely the persistence or exacerbation of schizoid traits present prior to the emergence of schizophrenic symptoms. These results should be cautiously interpreted because the premorbid personality was diagnosed in a retrospective way and the negative symptoms were assessed cross‐sectionally.
Patterns of outcome in schizophrenia in Hong Kong
Authors: Lee P. W. H. , Lieh‐Mak F. , Yu K. K. , Spinks J. A.
Published: August 2007

A total of 153 schizophrenic subjects were included for outcome assessment in different aspects of their life functions. The same group of subjects was followed‐up 1 year later to assess the consistency of their outcome pattern. A factor analysis on the outcome measures was conducted, and 5 independent factors were noted. Outcome on symptomatic control was most favourable but less consistent over time. Psychosocial deficits, on the other hand, were more enduring and noted in a significant proportion of the subjects.
Reliability and validity of the Chinese versions of the Scales for Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms
Authors: Phillips M. R. , Xiong W. , Wang R. W. , Gao Y. H. , Wang X. Q. , Zhang N. P.
Published: August 2007

This 4‐center study assesses the reliability and validity of the Chinese versions of the Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms and the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms. Interrater reliability, short‐term test‐retest reliability, and internal consistency were excellent; intraclass correlation coefficients and Cronbach alphas for the overall scores were all over 0.8. The strong correlation of the scales with an independently assessed parallel measure (the Chinese version of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) and the separate positive and negative factors found with principal components analysis confirm the construct validity of the instruments. These findings demonstrate the importance of culturally sensitive revision and rigorous psychometric evaluation of Western instruments prior to their use in non‐Western cultures.
Eating behaviour, drug use, psychopathology and parental bonding in adolescents in Norway
Authors: Lavik N. J. , Clausen S. E. , Pedersen W.
Published: August 2007

A 12‐item version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT‐12) was constructed and applied at 1‐year intervals in a non‐referred cohort of 1193 adolescents in Norway aged 13–18 years. Eight percent of the girls scored beyond the chosen cut‐off point of 9/10 the first time and 9% the second time. Factor analysis demonstrated 3 factors – dieting, bulimia and food preoccupation and oral control. Both the total scores on the EAT‐12 and the 3 different factor scores showed a significant relationship between eating behaviour and smoking, level of alcohol consumption, alcohol intoxication, psychopathology and parental bonding.
Electroconvulsive therapy in the Nordic countries, 1977–1987
Authors: Strömgren L. S.
Published: August 2007

In 1977 a questionnaire was sent to all psychiatric departments in the Nordic countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, concerning indications for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and the use of unilateral and bilateral treatment, respectively. The inquiry was repeated in 1987 and the answers compared with those obtained in 1977. In addition, the answers from Denmark were compared with previously performed inquiries. The use of exclusively unilateral treatment (U) and of both unilateral and bilateral treatment (UB) has increased in most of the countries and exclusively bilateral treatment (B) has decreased drastically. In Denmark the situation has not changed for ECT in endogenous depression and acute delirium, and the use in reactive psychosis, mania and schizophrenia decreased somewhat during the 1970s and then again stabilized or increased during the 1980s. Nearly all departments in the Nordic countries used ECT in endogenous depression in 1977 and were still doing it in 1987. In mania, about 50% of all departments have found ECT indicated occasionally or exceptionally both in 1977 and 1987. Manic‐depressive mixed states have been regarded as an indication in somewhat more than two thirds of departments, increasing during the period. The use of ECT in schizophrenia has been rare and somewhat decreasing, but still about half of the departments apply it once in a while. In reactive psychosis the use of ECT decreased slightly, but in 1987 it was still in use for this indication in about 50% of all departments. In acute delirium there has been an overall increase in the use of ECT. ECT is still a widely used treatment in the Nordic countries, especially so in endogenous depression, manic‐depressive mixed states and acute delirium, and with a trend towards an increase in these conditions.
The natural history of anxiety disorders
Authors: Angst J. , Vollrath M.
Published: August 2007

The article reviews research and presents our results on the natural history of 2 forms of anxiety disorder, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Data from our epidemiological cohort study give evidence of premorbid anxiousness and overadaptation already in childhood. Distressing conditions in the family are more prevalent among subjects with anxiety disorders or major depression than among controls. Anxiety disorders frequently begin between age 20–30 and can be triggered by life events. The course is often characterized by a certain chronicity that manifests itself in residual symptoms and mild impairment in social roles even after many years and is frequently complicated with depression. The best predictors are severity and duration of symptoms, as well as comorbidity with depression. Future studies of the natural history should take into account these factors in multivariate approaches.
Benzodiazepines in the treatment of schizophrenia: an updated survey
Authors: Lingjærde O.
Published: August 2007

Reports on the effects of benzodiazepines in schizophrenia have appeared since the early 1960s. Conclusions drawn from these studies, most of which have been uncontrolled, have ranged from worse than placebo to better than neuroleptics. A critical appraisal of the literature seems to warrant the following main conclusions. Benzodiazepines alone, in conventional doses, have no convincing antipsychotic effect in schizophrenia, although they may reduce anxiety, tension and insomnia. However, very high doses of diazepam, and possibly other benzodiazepines, may have a symptomatic antipsychotic effect, especially in paranoid‐hallucinatory schizophrenics, also when given alone. Benzodiazepines, in conventional doses, can enhance the antipsychotic effect of neuroleptics in schizophrenics who have not responded satisfactorily to neuroleptics alone. This effect may be most conspicuous against hallucinations, but improvement may also be obtained from delusions, thought disturbances, some negative symptoms, anxiety and tension. Some benzodiazepines may be more effective than others in schizophrenia, but this has been insufficiently elucidated.
Outcome of attempted suicide and psychiatric consultation: risk factors and suicide mortality during a five‐year follow‐up
Authors: Suokas J. , Lönnqvist J.
Published: August 2007

A total of 1018 self‐poisoned patients were treated during the year 1983 in the emergency room of Helsinki University Central Hospital. By the end of a 5‐year follow‐up period, 3.2% of these had committed suicide, making annual suicide mortality 589 per 100,000. During the first year after the index attempt, suicide mortality was 1768 per 100,000, a 50‐fold risk compared with that of the total population in Helsinki. Risk factors were being male of advancing age, having mental disorders, previous suicide attempts, a nonimpulsive index suicide attempt, moderate to very serious lethality and severe intention to die during the index suicide attempt. When the lethality was assessed as being very serious or intention to die as certain, 21% later committed suicide. The relative risk for those left without psychiatric consultation was 0.6 when the lethality was mild and 1.6 when it was severe. Results indirectly indicate that psychiatric consultation seemed to have a positive effect on the outcome of these attempted suicides.
Long‐term outcome after neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Authors: Koponen H. , Repo E. , Lepola U.
Published: August 2007

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare, life‐threatening adverse drug reaction caused by the blockade of central dopaminergic receptors by neuroleptics. In the acute phase, most patients recover, although marked mortality from complications of acute NMS still exist. The long‐term course after acute NMS is, however, still unclear. In this report we describe the follow‐up data from 12 patients.
Cerebrospinal fluid variables among alcoholics lack seasonal variation
Authors: Roy A. , Adinoff B. , DeJong J. , Linnoila M.
Published: August 2007

Seasonal influences on indices of serotonergic function, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA), have been reported in psychiatric patients and healthy volunteers. We examined seasonal differences in CSF concentrations of 5‐HIAA among 135 alcoholics admitted to a research ward who had a lumbar puncture. No significant seasonal differences were found for either CSF concentrations of 5‐HIAA or CSF concentrations of other monoamine metabolites or peptides. The possible explanations for these negative findings are discussed.
Evidence of low dopaminergic activity in elderly women with spontaneous orofacial dyskinesia
Authors: Dávila R. , Andía I. , Miler J. C. , Friedhoff A. J. , Guimón J.
Published: August 2007

Evidence of low dopaminergic activity was found in elderly women exhibiting spontaneous orofacial dyskinesias. The dyskinesia was significantly reduced by haloperidol. The results are not compatible with dopamine receptor supersensitivity in this dyskinesia.
Assault characteristics and posttraumatic stress disorder in rape victims
Authors: Bownes I. T. , O'Gorman E. C. , Sayers A.
Published: August 2007

A diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) encompasses several of the symptoms associated with the response to rape. The object of this study was to determine the incidence of PTSD among 51 rape victims and to compare the groups with and without PTSD with respect to the characteristics of the assaults. The results showed that 70% of the victims had PTSD and further suggested that PTSD was likely to be a long‐term problem for these women. The results supported the view that psychological treatment approaches to rape victims should take into account the posttraumatic nature of the response. The incidence of rapes by strangers, of physical force being used, of weapons being displayed and of injuries being sustained by the victim were all higher in the group of women who had PTSD. These are all features that can be readily identified in the initial assessment of the rape victim and may help to identify the victims at risk of developing long‐term psychological sequelae after rape. Appropriate therapeutic action taken early may influence the prognosis for a significant proportion of rape victims.
Serum cholesterol and aggressive behavior in psychiatrically hospitalized children
Authors: Rao U. , Carlson G. A. , Rapport M. D.
Published: August 2007

The relationship between serum cholesterol and a number of measures of impulsiveness and aggression was examined in 38 prepubertal, psychiatrically hospitalized children. Although care was taken to use reports and direct observations of both variables within 2 weeks of admission and 8 weeks later, no consistent relationship was found. The reasons for these findings are discussed.
Psychological problems of families and health workers dealing with people infected with human immunodeficiency virus 1
Authors: Maj M.
Published: August 2007

The psychological problems of the families of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1)‐infected people, and of the health workers taking care of them, have been addressed in a few empirical studies and in several anecdotal reports and theoretical contributions. Apparently, HIV‐1 infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are able to elicit a wide range of emotional reactions, from rejection and refusal to provide care to immersion in the infected person's needs and burnout. Since irrational fears and attitudes play an important role in conditioning these reactions, education may not be sufficient to change behaviour. Counselling sessions and mutual support groups are often the most appropriate contexts where fears and concerns can receive an individually tailored response, and where formal and informal caregivers can be helped to manage stress.
Thyroid abnormalities during lithium treatment
Authors: Bocchetta A. , Bernardi F. , Pedditzi M. , Loviselli A. , Velluzzi F. , Martino E. , Zompo M. Del
Published: August 2007

Thyroid function was evaluated in 150 Sardinian outpatients at different stages of lithium treatment. A visible and/or palpable goitre was found in 51% of patients, and there was no apparent correlation with the duration of treatment. No cases of symptomatic hypothyroidism were observed, but subclinical hypothyroidism was present in 19% of patients. The prevalence of specific antithyroid antibodies was positively correlated with age and duration of lithium treatment, and was higher in women. Subclinical hypothyroidism was observed in 53% of antibody‐positive lithium‐treated patients. Carbamazepine in combination with lithium was associated with significantly lower levels of total T4 and T3 than with lithium alone, and the ratios between total and free hormones were also decreased.
Serum and red cell folate and affective morbidity in lithium prophylaxis
Authors: McKeon P. , Shelley R. , O'Regan S. , O'Broin J.
Published: August 2007

Serum and red cell folate concentrations were estimated in 68 affective disorder patients taking lithium prophylactically, 65 of whom had bipolar disorder. The number of hospital admissions, the frequency of use of additional mood altering treatments and the Affective Morbidity Index were calculated for the 2 years of the study. Contrary to other findings, there were no differences between the folate concentrations for different severities of affective morbidity. These results question the rationale of prescribing folic acid preparations for lithium‐treated bipolar disorder patients, but the authors indicate that folate concentrations may be low in lithium‐treated unipolar depressives.
Interhospital relocation of long‐stay psychiatric patients: a prospective study
Authors: Jones E. M.
Published: August 2007

The reorganization of psychiatric services in the United Kingdom has resulted in relocation of many long‐stay patients, but such transfers are seldom evaluated. Twenty‐four chronic psychiatric patients destined for interhospital relocation were investigated prospectively. After transfer, no fatality occurred, but the group showed a significant deterioration in behaviour, with some changes persisting at 6 months.
L‐5‐hydroxytryptophan stimulated cortisol escape from dexamethasone suppression in melancholic patients
Authors: Maes M. , D'Hondt P. , Martin M. , Claes M. , Schotte C. , Vandewoude M. , Blockx P.
Published: August 2007

The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was carried out in 62 depressed patients. At 0800 the postdexamethasone cortisol values were determined and 125 mg L‐5‐hydroxytryptophan (L‐5‐HTP) was administered. The second cortisol sample at 0930 revealed a significant enhancing effect for L‐5‐HTP on the postdexamethasone cortisol values in melancholic patients, whereas no effects were detected in minor depressives. Our results show that L‐5‐HTP converts some DST suppressors into nonsuppressors, whereas the escape from dexamethasone in some nonsuppressors is markedly stimulated. The L‐5‐HTP‐stimulated 0930 postdexamethasone cortisol values performed markedly better than the 0800 DST results: at a cut‐off value of ≥ 5 μg/dl the sensitivity for melancholia increased from 46% to 68%, and the specificity remained unchanged (96%).
Trends in long‐stay hospitalization in Denmark: a descriptive register study, 1972‐1987
Authors: Licht R. W. , Gouliaev G. , Lund J.
Published: August 2007

By means of 4 cross‐sections at 5‐year intervals from 1972 to 1987, information on long‐stay inpatients and daypatients was extracted from the computerized, cumulative psychiatric case register in Denmark. Long‐stay refers to continuous hospitalization of more than 1 year. The prevalence of long‐stay patients declined from 101 per 100,000 general population in 1972 to 38 per 100000 in 1987. As the prevalence of all diagnoses declined, regardless of age and sex, it is suggested that the major cause of the observed trends is altered political and administrative strategies, influenced by and influencing altered capabilities and methods of treatment. The trends are described in detail and their implications discussed.
Suicidal behaviour and electrodermal activity in depressive inpatients
Authors: Keller F. , Wolfersdorf M. , Straub R. , Hole G.
Published: August 2007

Within the context of a habituation experiment, the electrodermal activity (EDA) of suicidal depressed patients was measured. Twenty‐four patients had a suicide attempt in their most recent history; these attempts were divided into attempts with violent or nonviolent methods. All the patients who had used a violent method habituated quickly, as was the case for 4 of 5 patients who committed suicide in the year following the experiment. Just as many patients who used nonviolent methods habituated quickly or slowly. There was no indication that age, sex or medication had any influence. For 18 of these 24 patients, comparable groups, in terms of age and sex distribution, were formed containing either nonsuicidal depressed patients or patients with suicidal thoughts. No differences between groups concerning any of the EDA variables could be found. In accordance with these results, EDA cannot be considered to be a valid predictor for suicide‐proneness. The relations between violent suicide attempts and nonreactivity should, however, be further examined and the group of non‐reactive patients in EDA should be treated as a risk group for clinical reasons.
Study of chronic schizophrenics with positive and negative family histories of psychosis
Authors: Alda M. , Zvolsky P. , Dvorakova M. , Papezova H.
Published: August 2007

We found no differences in clinical symptoms among chronic schizophrenics with a family history of psychosis (n= 18) and without any affected relatives (n= 22). The lifetime morbidity risks of psychosis in the former group were 0.59 ± 0.13 for children and 0.33 ± 0.07 for siblings.
The prevalence of dementia in elderly Chinese
Authors: Kua E. H.
Published: August 2007

A stratified random sample of 612 Chinese aged 65 years and more and living in the community in Singapore was interviewed in 1985, using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule. The overall prevalence of dementia was 1.8%. The rate increased to 4.8% for those 80‐84 years and 12.0% for those 85 years and more. An epidemiological survey of dementia in Beijing in 1986, also using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule, reported a similar rate of 1.8% for those 65 years and more. However, the prevalence of senile dementia was higher and multi‐infarct dementia lower in Singapore than in Beijing.
Need‐adapted treatment of new schizophrenic patients: experiences and results of the Turku Project
Authors: Alanen Y. O. , Lehtinen K. , Räkköläinen V. , Aaltonen J.
Published: August 2007

This article describes a psychotherapeutically oriented approach to schizophrenia developed especially to meet the needs of the community psychiatric field. Because of the heterogeneous nature of the schizophrenic psychoses, the authors emphasize that these patients should always be treated based on case‐specific premises. The main principles of the need‐adapted approach are: I. The therapeutic activities are planned and carried out flexibly and individually in each case so that they meet the real and changing needs of the patients as well as of their family members. 2. Examination and treatment are dominated by a psychotherapeutic attitude. 3. The different therapeutic activities should support and not impair each other. 4. The process quality of therapy is clearly perceived. A family‐centred initiation of the treatment is especially emphasized for both diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. The positive experiences of this led the Finnish national programme for the treatment and rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients to recommend the establishment of family‐ and environment‐oriented acute psychosis teams (APT) in the mental health districts. In later phases of treatment, the significance of individual psychotherapy is increased. The preliminary results of the approach are presented and compared with an earlier sample of patients.
Suicide attempts by battered wives
Authors: Bergman B. , Brismar B.
Published: August 2007

During an 8‐month period a total of 117 battered wives, all seeking emergency surgical care, were identified. Twenty‐two of the battered wives were found to have made 82 suicide attempts during the 16‐year study period. This corresponds to an incidence more than 8 times that of an unselected population of women being treated because of attempted suicide in the same hospital. The suicide attempts were predominately passive methods. Although conflict with the husband was the most common triggering factor for the attempt, mental disorder of the woman was another main cause. It is concluded that the doctor, when confronted with a patient who has attempted suicide, always should consider the possibility of ongoing physical abuse. Although battering generally is not the only explanation, the physician should remember this possibility and the patient should, if necessary, be referred to proper care services.
Gender and schizophrenia: age at onset and sociodemographic attributes
Authors: Gureje O.
Published: August 2007

A consecutive series of 214 patients (125 males, 89 females) who met the Research Diagnostic Criteria for schizophrenia were studied to determine gender differences in age at onset of the illness and sociodemographic attributes. The immediate family's first awareness of psychotic symptoms or signs and age at first presentation in hospital were used as indices of onset; male patients had a significantly earlier age of onset than females. By the time they were 30 years of age, 83% of male patients had already become ill and only 66% of females had done so. Significantly more females than males were married at the time of first contact with hospital. Married males did not differ from married females in age at onset of illness, suggesting that patients who marry may have late onset.
Sexual abuse of girls: aspects of the genesis of mental disorders and therapeutic implications
Authors: Kinzl J. , Biebl W.
Published: August 2007

We studied the mental disorders of 33 women with a history of intrafamilial sexual abuse as a child and found a wide range of psychopathological symptoms, but no typical incest syndrome. Several psychosocial factors are presented and the psychodynamics of and the causative circumstances initiating the mental disorders are discussed. These circumstances were mainly situations of separation, which led to ego instability and gave rise to a feeling of helplessness and impotence. The necessity to take into consideration the possibility of sexual abuse during childhood in all cases of mental disorders as well as therapeutic guidelines are discussed.
Low brain uptake of L‐[11C]5‐hydroxytryptophan in major depression: a positron emission tomography study on patients and healthy volunteers
Authors: Agren H. , Reibring L. , Hartvig P. , Tedroff J. , Bjurling P. , Hörnfeldt K. , Andersson Y. , Lundqvist H. , Langström B.
Published: August 2007

The precursor of serotonin, L‐5‐hydroxytryptophan (L‐5‐HTP), was radiolabelled with 11C in the β‐position, yielding [β‐11C]serotonin after decarboxylation, allowing positron emission tomography studies of L‐5‐HTP uptake across the blood‐brain barrier. We studied 8 healthy volunteers and 6 patients with histories of DSM‐III major depression, 2 with repeated examinations after clinically successful treatment. We report a significantly lower uptake of [11C]5‐HTP across the blood‐brain barrier in depressed patients, irrespective of phase of illness. The findings emphasize that serotonin is involved in depressive pathophysiology and support earlier suggestions that the transport of 5‐HTP across the blood‐brain barrier is compromised in major depression.
Alcohol abuse among elderly patients in a general hospital as identified by the Munich Alcoholism Test
Authors: Speckens A. E. M. , Heeren T. J. , Rooijmans H. G. M.
Published: August 2007

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of alcohol abuse among elderly patients in a general hospital. Scores on the Dutch version of the Munich Alcoholism Test (MALT) and medical records were obtained from 132 patients aged 65 and over, staying at the University Hospital Leiden. According to the MALT. 9% of the elderly patients (13% of the men and 7% of the women) were classified as alcoholics. In contrast, the discharge diagnosis involved alcohol dependence or abuse for only 0.5% of the patients 65 years and over admitted in 1989. In this study, two thirds of the alcoholic patients were recognized by the attending physician. Vague symptoms as admission diagnosis occurred more frequently in alcoholics than in nonalcoholics. Regarding former medical diagnoses, alcoholics had suffered significantly more often from organic brain diseases. In comparison to nonalcoholics, elderly alcoholics used more psychotropic drugs.
Misdiagnosis of respiratory dyskinesia
Authors: Chiu H. F. K. , Lee S. , Chan C. H. S.
Published: August 2007

Respiratory dyskinesia consists of involuntary movements of the respiratory musculature and manifests as irregular respiratory rate, tachypnoea and grunting. It is probably an underrecognized condition and hence is easily misdiagnosed. Two patients with respiratory dyskinesia are reported. One patient was misdiagnosed as suffering from generalized anxiety disorder and the second as having chronic obstructive airway disease. Features useful for clinical differentiation are discussed.
Quality of life after psychiatric rehabilitation: the clients’ perspective
Authors: Pinkney A. A. , Gerber G. J. , Lafave H. G.
Published: August 2007

Fifty‐five people discharged from inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation programs were interviewed 1 year after leaving hospital using the Client's Quality of Life Instrument. Following long periods of psychiatric hospitalization, these former patients had adapted to living in the larger community with considerable success. Ninety‐six percent felt that their quality of life had improved as a consequence of leaving hospital. Most people had the necessary maintenance skills to live in community settings. They showed appropriate behaviors and blended into the larger community without difficulty. They used outreach support services provided by the hospital to help them in the transition to community living.