bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical and nosological aspects of dysthymia
Authors: Freeman H. L.
Published: August 2007

From the time of Hippocrates, the problem of persistently depressed mood has been recognised clinically. The first modern description of dysthymia was by Kahlbaum. who distinguished it from the fluctuating mood of cyclothymia. However, there has been continuous difficulty in separating low‐grade depressive disorder from an abnormal personality trait. DSM‐II defined chronic depression as a personality disorder, but Akiskal subsequently reclassified it as a mood disorder. In DSM‐III, all chronic depression lasting more than two years was defined as ‘Dysthymic disorder’. DSM‐III‐R brought together dysthymic and cyclothymic disorders into an affective category. ICD‐10 dysthymia subsumes a number of categories which include recurrent depression of mood. The primary distinction between Dysthymia and Major Depressive Disorder is that Dysthymia is chronic, but symptomatically less severe. A number of unresolved problems remain in relation to its nosological status.
Memory function in schizophrenia
Authors: Landrø Nils Inge
Published: August 2007

Memory impairment in schizophrenia has been reported in several studies during the last decades. Issues related to the interpretation of such deficits are discussed. Research strongly suggests specific memory dysfunction in schizophrenia that may be neither drug induced nor secondary consequences of attentional disorders. Our own longitudinal data indicate that these deficits deviate from normal function in a relatively stable way. Although medial temporal lobe structures seems to be of special importance, memory function may be vulnerable to a variety of neurobiological abnormalities.
The burden of care of schizophrenia in Malay families
Authors: Salleh M.R.
Published: August 2007

Deinstitutionalization has shifted much of the burden of care of chronic schizophrenia from mental institutions to the family. The aim of this study is to asses the prevalence of mental disorders among 210 primary carers of Malay schizophrenic patients, explored the burden and hardship experienced by them. This is a two‐stage psychiatric screening procedure. All the cases suspected from initial screening with WHO Self‐Reporting Questionnaires (SRQ‐20) were called for clinical interview. Patients' behavioural problems and the burden of relatives were assessed by the Social Behaviour Schedule and the Interview Schedule respectively. It was found that about 23% of the carers developed neurotic disorders resulting from the stress; nearly half of them had neurotic depression. Despite their burden, they do not complaint about it. Neurotic carers compared with non‐neurotic carers had significantly more subjective burden and distress related to the product of active psychosis. The carers were generally able to tolerate the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The number of problem behaviours and previous admissions were significantly correlated with the severity of burden.
DSM‐III‐R Axis I and II disorders in agoraphobic patients with and without panic disorder
Authors: Hoffart A. , Thornes K. , Hedley L.M. , Strand J.
Published: August 2007

Patients attending an inpatient phobia treatment program were diagnosed for DSM‐III‐R Axis I and II disorders, using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐III‐R Disorders, and completed a set of self‐report instruments. They were divided into 3 groups: (a) those who met the criteria for panic disorder with agoraphobia (n= 57), (b) those who met the criteria for agoraphobia without a history of panic disorder (n= 21), and (c) those who met criteria for other anxiety disorders, but not for panic/agoraphobia (n= 14). On Axis I, more of the panic with agoraphobia than of the agoraphobia without panic patients had obsessive‐compulsive disorder. On Axis II, no significant differences between the agoraphobic patients with and without panic occurred. However, the number of hysterical traits was related to the presence of panic disorder among the agoraphobic patients. Avoidant and dependent traits were related to symptom severity.
Pharmacology of reversible and selective inhibitors of monoamine oxidase type A
Authors: Finberg J. P. M.
Published: August 2007

The concept of reversible type A monoamine oxidase (MAO‐A) inhibitors as effective antidepressant drugs with a minimal side effect profile has been vindicated in practice. Despite this, the pharmacological basis for their actions is unclear. Studies with the irreversible inhibitor clorgyline have shown that chronic but not acute treatment of rats leads to a significant enhancement of noradrenaline release from peripheral sympathetic nerves and cerebral cortex together with a more effective inhibition of MAO‐A, as shown by reduction in levels of deaminated metabolites in cortical microdialysis fluid. Reversible inhibitors, however, do not have a cumulative effect on MAO inhibition and may have different effects on noradrenaline release. Reversible inhibitors did not produce the acute reduction in sympathetic nerve activity seen with clorgyline, which may be one factor in explaining their milder side effect profile. Other aspects of the pharmacology of reversible and irreversible selective inhibitors of MAO‐A are reviewed.
Factors predicting readmissions in personality disorders and other nonpsychotic illnesses. A retrospective study on 64 first‐ever admissions to the Psychiatric Clinic of Turku, Finland
Authors: Korkeila J. A. , Karlsson H. , Kujari H.
Published: August 2007

A retrospective study of factors predicting readmissions and follow‐up treatment was undertaken of all first‐ever episodes of inpatient care (age under 65), excluding psychotic and organic mental disorders, during 1987 and 1988 in University Psychiatric Clinic in Turku City Hospital, Finland. The cohort consisted of 64 subjects, 24 men and 40 women. The study was carried out in the end of 1993, thus allowing about 5 years of follow‐up. The diagnosis of personality disorder did not predict readmission. The only factor predicting readmission nearly significantly was not having a relationship. The incidence of the revolving door syndrome, defined as 4 or more admissions within 5 years, was 12.5%. Women had a greater risk of readmission, but not that of the revolving door. Patients who had psychotherapy as follow‐up treatment showed a frequency of 8% for 4 or more admissions, whereas patients who had no follow‐up treatment had a frequency of 21% for 4 or more readmissions. The only factor significantly predicting follow‐up treatment arrangement was previous treatment contact.
The nordic comparative study on sectorized psychiatry II. Resources of the psychiatric services and treated incidence
Authors: Saarento O. , Öiesvold T. , Göstas G. , Lindhardt A. , Sandlund M. , Vinding H. R. , Zandrén T. , Hansson L.
Published: August 2007

As a part of a Nordic comparative study on sectorized psychiatry, treated incidence was related to the resources and dynamic qualities of psychiatric services in 7 catchment areas. One‐year treated incidence cohorts were used. Data was collected concerning number of beds and staff, number of long‐term patients and turnover rate of patients in the services and availability of specialized services. A positive correlation was found between rates of outpatient staff and treated incidence. No statistically significant correlation was found between the dynamic qualities of the services and treated incidence. Treated incidence of dependence was the highest in a center that had a special service unit for abusers. Special services for young and old people were not clearly reflected in treated incidence in respective patient groups.
The use of the Expressed Emotion Index as a predictor of outcome in first admitted schizophrenic patients in a French speaking area of Switzerland
Authors: Huguelet Ph. , Favre S. , Binyet S. , Gonzalez Ch. , Zabala I.
Published: August 2007

A 5 year prospective study of 44 first admission schizophrenic patients was conducted in Geneva, in order to evaluate the prognostic value of Expressed Emotion (EE). The predictive power of the EE index was tested on 3 variables of outcome: relapse rates, social adaptation and hospital stays. The EE index and the outcome measures tended to be associated. After the third year, patients living with high EE relatives were significantly more maladjusted and relapsed more than those living with low EE relatives. At intake, the patients presenting more premorbid features lived in high EE households. Our results show that initial measure of EE in a first episode cohort is predictive of outcome over a five‐year period. This may not be causal, as it cannot be excluded that poorer premorbid functioning alone may result in poorer outcome, and may also elicit high EE in the relative.
Changes in the pattern of aggressive behaviour among inpatients with changed ward organization
Authors: Palmstierna T. , Wistedt B.
Published: August 2007

Aggressive behaviour by psychiatric inpatients was investigated on the same ward during two separate 6‐month periods before and after a 50% decrease in number of beds but without changes in catchment area. Character of the patient group, patient turnover and medical practices as well as total number of staff on duty on the ward was virtually the same during the two periods. It is therefore assumed that differences in aggressive behaviour are mainly explained by effects due to the decreased number of beds per se. It was found that the 50% reduction did not affect the overall aggression frequency. However, inter‐patient violence increased while the number of more severe aggressive incidents towards staff members decreased.
Clinical recovery from panic disorder is associated with evidence of changes in cardiovascular regulation
Authors: Middleton H.C. , Ashby M.
Published: August 2007

Cardiovascular measures (spectral derivatives of heart rate variability, the blood pressure response to standing and plasma noradrenaline levels) have been shown to change as clinical recovery follows the treatment of panic disorder patients with either imipramine or cognitive therapy. These findings can be interpreted as evidence of changes in baroreflex modulation, an important feature of the cardiovascular expression of arousal. This offers further evidence of a dysregulation of arousal in this disorder.
Blood pressure as a risk factor for depression in elderly people: a prospective study
Authors: Gilmore C. , Green B. H. , Copeland J. R. M. , Dewey M. E. , Davidson I. A. , Saunders P. A. , Sharma V.
Published: August 2007

A total of 1070 men and women aged 65 years and over living in the community in Liverpool were interviewed using the Geriatric Mental State. Diagnoses of depression at case and subcase level were made using the GMS‐AGECAT package from an initial interview and at follow‐up three years later. Data relating to blood pressure at year 0 was available on 748 subjects. Men not taking anti‐hypertensives or antidepressants with diastolic blood pressure greater than 85 mmHg were significantly less likely to be subcases than men with low or normal diastolic pressure. People in this group were also significantly less likely to be cases 3 years later. There were no other significant findings. These results do not support an association between low blood pressure and coincidental or future subcase‐ or case‐level depressive illness.
Comparison of adult manifestations of schizophrenia with onset before and after 15 years of age
Authors: Yang P.‐C. , Liu C.‐Y. , Chiang S.‐O. , Chen J.‐Y. , Lin T.‐S.
Published: August 2007

We examined 19 adult cases of early‐onset schizophrenia (onset before age 15) and 19 controls (schizophrenia with onset between age 15 and 35). Being matched by sex, length of hospitalization and living environment while the present age between groups showed no difference, patients were compared on psychopathological symptom measures and intelligence quotient (IQ). Results showed that early‐onset cases scored significantly higher on Scales for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and had lower performance IQ. No group difference in positive symptoms measure from Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and full IQ was noted. It suggested that when early‐onset patients grew up, phenomenologically, they resembled the schizophrenia of usual early‐adult onset in the positive symptom dimension, but with more negative symptoms, which may be fundamental in this group of patients.
Factors affecting illicit and licit drug use among adolescents and young adults in Greece
Authors: Madianos M. G. , Gefou‐Madianou D. , Richardson C. , Stefanis C. N.
Published: August 2007

A cross‐sectional survey on psychosocial issues, drug use, alcohol and health was carried out in Greece, with a nationwide probability sample of 2448 respondents aged 12–17 and 18–24. Factors potentially associated with illicit and unprescribed licit drug use were tested by logistic regression analysis. Several predictors were revealed. Sex and age were related to a higher lifetime use of illicit drugs, the male young adults reported a higher lifetime use of illicit drugs than the females. Positive attitudes toward hashish use, systematic smoking and use of drugs by close friends were more closely related to illicit than to unprescribed licit drug use. In addition “low self‐esteem, family members using tobacco and alcohol” and “problematic drinking” were found only to predict illicit drug use. Other variables, “family members using drugs with or without a doctor's prescription”, “being dissatisfied with social life” and “suffering from anxiety, depression and depersonalization symptoms” were found to be significantly associated with licit but unprescribed drug use.
Cerebrospinal fluid levels of phenylacetic acid in mental illness: behavioral associations and response to neuroleptic treatment
Authors: Sharma R.P. , Faull K. , Javaid J. I. , Davis J.M.
Published: August 2007

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of phenylacetic acid (CCSF PAA) were obtained from normal controls and from drug‐free psychiatric inpatients (schizophrenia, major depression, mania, and schizoaffective disorder). Post‐treatment CCSF PAA levels were obtained from 16 patients after 4 weeks of neuroleptic treatment. Phenylacetic acid levels were higher in women and were significantly correlated with age. There were no differences in CCSF PAA levels between the various diagnostic groups and no difference between the paranoid and the nonparanoid subtypes of schizophrenia. CCSF PAA was significantly correlated with several measures of psychopathology, especially the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale hostility/suspiciousness factor. Neuroleptic treatment did not result in significant PAA changes. These findings are discussed in light of the amphetamine‐like role ascribed to phenylethylamine, the precursor of PAA.
Coping with life span crises in a group at risk of mental and behavioral disorders: from the Lundby study
Authors: Cederblad M. , Dahlin L. , Hagnell O. , Hansson K.
Published: August 2007

The subjects belong to a prospective, longitudinal population study on mental health, the Lundby study, performed in 1947, 1957 and 1972. In 1988–1989. 148 individuals, then 42–56 years of age, raised in families with at least 3 risk factors for mental or behavioral disorders, were interviewed about their life span coping style. Twenty‐two coping mechanisms were rated; optimism, substitution, wishful thinking, problem‐solving, planning, self‐reliance, humor, acceptance, resignation, social support, comparison with others, religion, catharsis, self‐criticism, value reinforcement, alcohol and drug consumption, professional help, endurance, information‐seeking, isolating activity, magic and minimizing. Together they contributed statistically significantly to mental health (explained variance 24%) and quality of life (explained variance 28 %). Problem‐solving, social support and optimism were frequently used and were statistically associated with positive mental health and lower frequencies of some mental disorders. Sense of coherence, a personal disposition factor, was also statistically associated (explained variance 22%) with the combined coping mechanisms.
Compliance with treatment in schizophrenia: a drug intervention program in a developing country
Authors: Razali M.S. , Yahya H.
Published: August 2007

The compliance with drug regimens and follow‐up visits of 225 known cases of relapsed schizophrenia was assessed. About 27% of the patients met the criteria for good compliance. The compliance was found to be significantly related to the patients' view of usefulness of the medication, treatment duration of less than 5 years, dosage schedule of once or twice per day and the supervision of medication at home. Patients with poor compliance who were prescribed drug dosage of not more than twice per day throughout follow‐up and underwent counseling to enhance treatment compliance had a significantly lower relapse rate than the controlled group at the end of 1 year of follow‐up. The importance of family support and understanding patients' cultural background in ensuring good compliance was highlighted.
Reliability of the ICD‐10 diagnostic criteria for research in mental disorders in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Rhi B. Y. , Kwon J. S. , Lee C. , Paik I. H. , Cho M. J. , Lee Z. N. , Lee J. H. , Hahn K. H. , Kim J. J. , Han S. H. , Suk J. H. , Woo J. I.
Published: August 2007

The interrater reliability, confidence and ease of use of ICD‐10 diagnostic criteria for research were assessed in the Republic of Korea as part of the field trials of World Health Organization collaborative study. A total of 279 patients were diagnosed according to the ICD‐10 diagnostic criteria for research. Interrater reliability, calculated by kappa statistics, was found to be between 0.74 and 0.91 on 2‐character categories and between 0.64 and 0.90 on 3‐character categories except schizotypal disorder (F21). On the 4‐character categories, the agreement in the affective states between raters was lower. The reasons are discussed based on cultural differences.
To what extent is female alcohol dependence and abuse known in the health care system? The use of multi‐source information in a Swedish population survey
Authors: Spak F.
Published: August 2007

In a multi‐purpose two‐phase general population survey of female alcoholism/alcohol problems, unknown alcohol dependence and abuse (ADA) was estimated with interviews and by search of medical and National Insurance Office records. Firstly, 3130 subjects received a screening questionnaire and, secondly, a stratified selection of 399 women were interviewed. A total of 56 subjects received a diagnosis of ADA in interview and four due to other information. Lifetime prevalence of ADA was 3.3%. A total of 63.6% of the diagnosed women 45‐65 years of age, and 25.9% of the women 25‐35 years of age, were known in these records. Corresponding rates for women with alcohol dependence were 71.4% and 30.8%, respectively. Record information reveals a lack of attention to ADA from several physicians.
Familial vulnerability factors to post‐traumatic stress disorder in male military veterans
Authors: Reich J. , Lyons M. , Cai B.
Published: August 2007

The question has been frequently raised about whether there are emotional disorders that predispose to post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We do know that those with PTSD do have many comorbid disorders, but due to the difficulty in performing prospective studies it is hard to tell what is cause and what is effect. This study bypassed the problem caused by comorbidity by examining family history of four proband groups: PTSD, mixed anxiety disorders, coexisting anxiety and depressive disorders, and screened normal controls. Two questions were examined. First, whether family history predicted who experienced combat situations and second, whether the proband groups could be distinguished by family history. Logistic regression identified two variables that predicted the experience of combat: major depression (odds ratio 2.17) and the DSM‐III dramatic personality disorder cluster (odds ratio 1.36). Although there was considerable overlap, family history variables distinguished PTSD from other proband groups. Overall, the pattern of psychopathology in the families of the PTSD probands most closely resembled that in the families of the coexisting anxiety and depressive disorders probands. We conclude that family history methods may be an addition to possible variables that predict who will be exposed to combat and also that family history variables may be able to distinguish a PTSD population from some other types of emotional disorders.
A conceptual and quantitative analysis of 178 historical cases of dysmorphophobia
Authors: Berrios G. E. , Kan Chung‐Sing
Published: August 2007

The construction of the clinical category dysmorphophobia (now known as body dysmorphic disorder) resulted from the historical convergence of a neologism (coined by Enrico Morselli), a family of clinical concepts (already available during the late 19th century), and a specifiable behaviour (an ‘attitude’ towards part of the self and/or the body). The stability of such convergence has so far depended upon the epistemological capacity of the concepts involved and the social duration of the said attitude. This paper analyses the historical framework within which such convergence took place, and traces the history of dysmorphophobia in qualitative and quantitative terms. With regard to the latter, it compares cases reported before (139 subjects) and after (39 subjects) the publication of the DSM III criteria map. Patients in the former group were found to constitute a more heterogeneous group, and in the latter to have a better outcome. In the pre‐DSM III group, differences were also found between delusional and non‐delusional patients. The implications of these differences are discussed.
Psychopathy, platelet MAO activity and criminality among former juvenile delinquents
Authors: Alm P. O. , Klinteberg B. , Humble K. , Leppert J. , Sörensen S. , Thorell L.‐H. , Lidberg L. , Oreland L.
Published: August 2007

Psychopathy‐related personality traits as well as platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and criminality from the age of 15 years were studied in a group of 68 male former juvenile delinquents and 32 control subjects. The former juvenile delinquents registered for crime as adults were found to have higher Psychopathy Check List (PCL) scores and lower platelet MA0 activity than either juvenile delinquents who were not registered criminals from the age of 15 years or non‐criminal controls. Although PCL scores and platelet MAO activity were unrelated, a configural frequency analysis showed a significant interaction. Individuals with PCL scores, low platelet MAO activity and persistent criminal behaviour constituted a significant ‘type’. Among the 27 former juvenile delinquents who developed persistent criminality, 21 subjects (78%) had PCL scores greater than 0 and low platelet MAO activity, while none of these persistent criminals were characterized by a combination of zero PCL score and high platelet MAO activity.
Sociodemographic and clinical variables as predictors of the diagnostic characteristics of first episodes of schizophrenia
Authors: Vázquez‐Barquero J. L. , Nuñez M. J. Cuesta , Castanedo S. Herrera , Manrique J. F. Diez , Pardo G. , Dunn G.
Published: August 2007

This paper examines the association of clinical and sociodemographic factors, including age and sex, with the diagnostic characteristics of first episodes of schizophrenia. The study included all patients with a first episode of schizophrenia who made contact with any of the public mental health services of the Autonomous Region of Cantabria in Northern Spain over a period of 2 years. Diagnostic characteristics were determined using the Spanish version of the Present State Examination (PSE‐9), and the Scales for the Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms (SAPS and SANS, respectively). The study confirms that the onset of schizophrenia tends to occur earlier in men than in women. However, neither sex nor age of onset were found to be associated with the clinical and psychopathological characteristics of the patients as established by the PSE‐CATEGO‐ID system. Furthermore, no other factors were found to be associated with these diagnostic characteristics. Being female, having a family history of mental illness, and a poor premorbid adjustment were found to predict negative symptoms as defined by SANS/SAPS scales.
Determinants of decision‐making in the screening procedure of a community psychiatric service
Authors: Søgaard H. J. , Søndergaard I.
Published: August 2007

This study is a predictor analysis of the screening procedure followed by a psychiatric service for a period of 1 year preceding and a period of 1 year following the introduction of community psychiatry. Throughout this period, the psychiatric service consisted of a local service within the catchment area and a central service at a psychiatric hospital outside the area. At the time of the reorganization, the responsibility for the psychiatric service was transferred from the public health authorities to the social services. Before the reorganization, screenings were conducted on the basis of referral papers or simply as a result of telephone communication. After the reorganization, the screening procedure was intensified by means of a pre‐examination. One aim of the reorganization was to ensure that the severely mentally ill take priority over patients characterized predominantly by social strain. Patients with manic‐depressive psychosis and other psychoses showed a significantly increased probability of being accepted for treatment, whereas those with schizophrenia showed no significant increase, irrespective of the service reorganization. Similarly, manic‐depressive psychosis and other psychoses (not schizophrenia) were significant predictors of hospitalization at the mental hospital outside the catchment area as well as hospitalization in the local facilities, irrespective of the service reorganization. Indicators of social strain were not given higher priority following the service reorganization.
The effect of fluoxetine on anxiety and depression symptoms in cancer patients
Authors: Razavi D. , Allilaire J.‐F. , Smith M. , Salimpour A. , Verra M. , Desclaux B. , Saltel P. , Piollet I. , Gauvain‐Piquard A. , Trichard C. , Cordier B. , Fresco R. , Guillibert E. , Sechter D. , Orth J.‐P. , Bouhassira M. , Mesters P. , Blin P.
Published: August 2007

Little has been done to study the effectiveness of antidepressants in controlling anxiety/depression in a population of cancer patients. A double‐blind placebo‐controlled study was therefore designed to assess the effectiveness of 20 mg fluoxetine. Of 115 cancer patients who fulfilled entry criteria for levels of distress, 45 patients were randomized to a fluoxetine treatment group (FA) and 46 patients to a placebo group (PA) after a 1‐week placebo period designed to exclude placebo responders. The Montgomery and Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Revised Symptom Checklist (SCL90‐R) and the Spitzer Quality of Life Index (SQOLI) were used to assess the efficacy of fluoxetine. The response rate, defined by a HADS score lower than 8 after 5 weeks of treatment, was not significantly higher in the FA group (11%) compared to the PA group (7%). Compared to the PA group, patients in the FA group showed a significantly greater decrease in SCL90‐R mean total score after 5 weeks, but not a greater decrease in HADS mean score. No difference between the two groups was found in observer‐reported assessments (MADRS, HAS and SQOLI). Significantly more drop‐outs were observed in the FA group (n=15) than in the PA group (n=7), although the frequencies of side‐effects were not significantly different.
Dropping out of psychiatric treatment: a prospective study of a first‐admission cohort
Authors: Tehrani E. , Krussel J. , Borg L. , Munk‐Jorgensen P.
Published: August 2007

This study examined patient and treatment variables associated with patients dropping out of psychiatric treatment, drop‐outs’ reasons for terminating treatment, and the relationship between drop‐out and patient satisfaction. The term ‘drop‐out’ was defined as termination of treatment despite therapeutic need. In a cohort of 131 first‐admission psychiatric patients, 26% of these subjects dropped out of treatment during the first year. Multivariate analysis showed that dropping out was predicted by (a) living alone, (b) unemployment, (c) young age and (d) change of treatment service within the last month demanded by the patient against medical advice. Variables such as gender, diagnosis, mode of admission, type of hospital ward, level of treatment, transfer in accordance with treatment needs and inappropriate transfer caused by the treatment system were all non‐significant. The dropouts were markedly less satisfied with both the outcome and various aspects of the treatment process than those who did not drop out. The most common reasons given by the drop‐outs for terminating treatment were dissatisfaction with care (44%) and no need for further treatment (20%). Greater knowledge of the factors related to drop‐out might increase the likelihood of keeping patients in treatment.
Maternal perception of children's weight in relation to eating disorders
Authors: Ohzeki T. , Ohtahara H. , Hanaki K. , Urashima H. , Tsukuda T. , Tanaka Y. , Shiraki K.
Published: August 2007

Abnormal perception of body weight in girls has been reported previously (1), and distorted perception of body shape is cited as one of the pathogenetic factors in eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa (2,3)‐ Parent‐child relationships should also be considered as one of the factors possibly contributing to the onset of the eating disorders (3,4). In the present paper we shall examine whether mothers perceive the weight of their sons and daughters correctly or not, and we shall also compare the results with the perceptions of the children themselves, which we have reported previously in this journal (1). Five outline drawings (‐20% to 20% overweight), used in the previous study (1), were shown to the mothers, who were asked to select the drawings which they considered to represent the body weight of their sons (n=130) and daughters (n=125), who were aged 6 to 18 years. The mean body weights of the boys and girls in the study sample were 6.0% and 6.6% overweight, respectively. The mothers perceived the weight of their sons to be significantly (P < 0.01) less than the actual weight of these boys. The mean difference between the perceived weight and the actual weight was 10.4%. The mothers’ perception of their daughters’ weight was also 7.9% less than the actual weight (P < 0.05) (Fig. 1).
Caudate nucleus area in drug‐induced parkinsonism
Authors: Brown K. W. , Wardlaw J. M. , White T. , Walker N.
Published: August 2007

This study examined caudate nuclei areas in 10 schizophrenic subjects with and 25 schizophrenic subjects without parkinsonian symptoms. The subjects with parkinsonian symptoms were found to have statistically significantly smaller right caudate nuclei and a trend towards smaller left caudates. Cortical measurements did not differ between the groups. These results are consistent with the suggestion that antipsychotic drugs exert some neurotoxic effects, but should be viewed as preliminary and require replication.
Mental health care systems and their characteristics: a proposal
Authors: Burns T. , Priebe S.
Published: August 2007

The last 30 years have seen a significant growth in health service evaluation literature in the field of mental health. Much of the best of this research has taken the form of random control trials of an experimental service against 'standard’ or generic care. Interpretation of these results has been hampered by incomplete and inconsistent approaches to describing the experimental services, and often inadequate or completely non‐existent characterization of the control service. In addition, the health care system in which the treatment programme is embedded is known to have important consequences for outcome. A proposal is advanced for a structured service description as a routine component for health services research reporting. Two worked examples are given, and a number of areas of ambiguity are highlighted.
Determinants of self‐rating and expert rating concordance in psychiatric out‐patients, using the affective subscales of the CPRS
Authors: Mattila‐Evenden M. , Svanborg P. , Gustavsson P. , Åsberg M.
Published: August 2007

To investigate in more detail concordance between the recently developed Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) and the recently developed Self‐Rating Scale for Affective Syndromes (CPRS‐S‐A), a total of 101 psychiatric out‐patients were assessed using these procedures and a diagnostic interview according to DSM‐III‐R. Depressive and anxiety syndromes were the most common diagnoses on Axis I. Approximately one‐third of the patients had a diagnosis of clinical personality disorder on Axis II. The majority of the patients were assessed as predominantly manifesting either Cluster B or Cluster C traits. In general, the correlation between self‐and expert‐ratings was strong (0.83 for the Montgomery‐Åsberg Rating Scale (MADRS) depression subscale and 0.76 for the Brief Scale for Anxiety (BSA) anxiety subscale), but it tended to be weaker in the group of patients with clinical personality disorders. The correlation between the two ratings was also weaker in the group with predominantly Cluster B character traits than in the group with predominantly Cluster C traits or the group with no predominant traits, and weaker in the depressive group than in the anxiety group. However, personality disorder diagnoses were over‐represented in the depressive group. The weaker correlations in the groups mentioned above may have been attributable to psychological factors and qualitative differences in cognitive and communicative style. The CPRS‐S‐A is considered to be a useful and reliable instrument for quantitative rating of symptoms in out‐patients. Our results highlight the potential value of using appropriate self‐assessment forms as complementary tools in clinical practice and research.
A 22‐ to 25‐year follow‐up study of former child psychiatric patients: a register‐based investigation of the course of psychiatric disorder and mortality in 546 Danish child psychiatric patients
Authors: Thomsen P. H.
Published: August 2007

A total of 546 children and adolescents, aged 5 to 15 years, who were admitted as in‐patients to psychiatric hospitals throughout Denmark betweeen 1970 and 1973, were followed up with regard to later readmissions and mortality. Approximately one‐third of the sample had at least one readmission after the age of 18 years; there was no significant difference between male and female subjects. Probands with three selected diagnoses, namely childhood neurosis, conduct disorder and maladjustment reactions, did have a significantly greater general risk of readmission to psychiatric hospital in adulthood than the background population. In total, 24 probands (22 male, and 2 female subjects) died during the study period. Eight subjects had committed suicide. The standard mortality rate was significantly increased.
A pilot evaluation of the EMBU Scale in Japan and the USA
Authors: Huang Y. , Someya T. , Takahashi S. , Reist C. , Tang S. W.
Published: August 2007

Cultural differences in parental attitudes and child‐rearing practices among European countries have been demonstrated in previous studies using a scale for assessment of memories of upbringing (the EMBU). In this pilot study we evaluated the EMBU in two previously unstudied populations: a culturally homogenous sample from Japan (n=105) and a culturally mixed sample from Southern California (n= 73). The results suggest that, compared to European parents, Japanese parents are more emotionally distant from their children, while the Southern Californians as a group scored similarly to the Europeans. Further studies are needed in order to establish the EMBU as a transcultural tool for assessment of parental rearing behaviour.
Interviews with psychiatric inpatients about professional intervention with regard to their children
Authors: Wang A.‐R. , Goldschmidt V. V.
Published: August 2007

Wang, A‐R, Goldschmidt, V V. Interviews with psychiatric inpatients about professional intervention with regard to their children Acta Psychiatr Scand 1996: 93: 57–61. © Munksgaard 1996.

A description of mentally ill parents' experience and points of view concerning professional intervention in relation to their young children is presented in this paper. The results are from an interview survey designed with the purpose of improving the basis for cooperation between mentally ill patients and professionals, when intervention in relation to these patients' children is needed. Fifty consecutively admitted psychiatric inpatients with children 0–10 years old were interviewed by child psychiatrists and their information constitutes the study material. Data concerning the family situations and children have been published previously. One quarter of the patients had experienced having children placed in institutions or with foster families. Forty per cent had never received professional help related to their children. One third of the patients expressed a need for support, which was not presently received. A large group of patients did not know where to go for help related to children or would not be comfortable doing so. When making a global assessment of the childrens' situation based on the study material the child psychiatrists found reason for concern in regard to approximately 80% of the children. In most cases their views were in accordance with those of the mentally ill parents. Clinical implications concerning planning of intervention in regard to children of mentally ill parents are discussed.
Paroxetine and amitriptyline in the treatment of depression in general practice
Authors: Christiansen P. E. , Behnke K. , Black C. H. , Öhrström J. K. , Bork‐Rasmussen H. , Nilsson J.
Published: August 2007

Christiansen PE, Behnke K, Black CH, Öhrström JK, Bork‐Rasmussen H, Nilsson J. Paroxetine and amitriptyline in the treatment of depression in general practice. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1996: 93: 158–163. © Munksgaard 1996.

A total of 144 outpatients in general practice in Denmark, aged 18–65 years and diagnosed as suffering from depression with a HAMD‐17 score of 15 or more, were included in this 8‐week double‐blind, randomised, multicentre, controlled, parallel group comparison of paroxetine versus amitriptyline. The purpose of the study was primarily to evaluate efficacy and tolerance of treatment. In addition, focus was added on weight change and subjective well‐being. The efficacy results showed equal effect of both drugs. However, paroxetine was tolerated better than amitriptyline, and this difference reached the level of significance when four non‐evaluable patients were taken out of the analysis. Moreover, there was a significant weight increase in the amitriptyline group and no significant weight change in the paroxetine group. There was no difference between the groups as regards subjective well‐being as measured by the VAS. In conclusion, paroxetine is an effective and well‐tolerated antidepressant, and well‐suited for the treatment of depression in general practice.
Avoidant personality disorder and taijin kyoufu: Sociocultural implications of the WHO/ADAMHA International Study of Personality Disorders in Japan
Authors: Ono Y. , Yoshimura K. , Sueoka R. , Yamauchi K. , Mizushima H. , Momose T. , Nakamura K. , Okonogi K. , Asai M.
Published: August 2007

Ono Y, Yoshimura K, Sueoka R, Yamauchi K, Mizushima H, Momose T, Nakamura K, Okonogi K, Asai M. Avoidant personality disorder and taijin kvoufu: Sociocultural implications of the WHO/ ADAMHA International Study of Personality Disorders in Japan. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1996: 93: 172–176. © Munksgaard 1996.

This paper discusses the characteristics of avoidant personality disorder in a cultural context based on the Japanese concept of taijin kyoufu as well as that of DSM‐III‐R and DSM‐IV Social phobia. Sixty‐six patients were given the International Personality Disorder Examination and questionnaires including the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Among the 23 DSM‐III‐R personality disorder patients, 8 patients were diagnosed as having avoidant personality disorder. Six of them were suffering from taijin kyoufu symptoms. Among 27 ICD personality disorder patients, 22 patients were diagnosed as having ICD anxious personality disorder. All DSM avoidant patients were included in the ICD anxious group. These findings suggest that patients with avoidant personality disorder have had a long history of difficulties and share common personality problems with a milder form of taijin kyoufu, which is conceptually different from Social phobia.
Sex differential for suicide among Austrian age cohorts
Authors: Etzersdorfer E. , Piribaue F. , Sonneck G.
Published: August 2007

Etzersdorfer E, Piribauer F, Sonneck G. Sex differential for suicide among Austrian age cohorts.

Scand 1996: 93: 240–245. © Munksgaard 1996.

The suicide mortality data in Austria were studied over a period of four decades of continuous reporting. The data were studied for age, period and cohort effects. For the period 1951 to 1990 suicides among eight birth cohorts, born between 1932 and 1975, show a marked sex differential in time trends. Up to 1985, the rates increase in a constant manner for males in all age groups, in contrast to females. Results obtained using the Poisson regression models demonstrate a 35% (incidence rate ratio (IRR), 1.35%; 95% CI, 1.27–1.45) increased risk for male cohorts born later compared with those born earlier. The risk for later‐born females was not increased (IRR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.91–1.17). Explanations such as improved living conditions for Austrian women remain tentative, however, as age, period and cohort effects cannot be separated as independent variables in the suicide mortality data available in Austria.
Discriminant validity of the inventory to diagnose depression, lifetime version
Authors: Sakado K. , Sato T. , Uehara T. , Sato S. , Kameda K.
Published: August 2007

Sakado K, Sato T, Uehara T, Sato S, Kameda K. Discriminant validity of the inventory to diagnose depression, lifetime version.

Scand 1996: 93: 257–260. © Munksgaard 1996.

We examined the discriminant validity of the Inventory to Diagnose Depression, lifetime version (IDDL), that is, a self‐report instrument designed to diagnose a lifetime history of major depressive disorder. Remitted patients with major depression (MD), remitted patients with anxiety disorders (ADS) and controls completed the IDDL. The IDDL results were then compared in the three contrasts: MD vs. ADs + controls, MD vs. ADS, and MD vs. controls. The agreement between the IDDL and clinical diagnoses was high in each of the three contrasts, and the IDDL total score in the MD group was the highest among the three groups and distinguished from the ADS group or controls. However, the IDDL occasionally diagnosed subjects with a lifetime history of ADS as having a lifetime history of MD.
Incidence and sex ratio of transsexualism in Sweden
Authors: Landén M. , Wålindel J. , Lundström B.
Published: August 2007

Landén M, Wålinder J, Lundström B. Incidence and sex ratio of transsexualism in Sweden.

Acta Psychiatr Scand 1996: 93: 261–263. © Munksgaard 1996.

The incidence and sex ratio of transsexualism in Sweden were calculated during the period between 1 July 1972 and 30 June 1992 using a case register kept on file at the Swedish Bureau of Social Welfare. Only cases of primary/genuine transsexualism were considered. The study is unique in that it has been performed in exactly the same way as a previous study by one of the authors (JW) in the 1960s and early 1970s. The data can therefore be reliably compared. The results show that the incidence figures remain constant over time and that the incidence of primary/genuine transsexualism is equally common in men and women. A larger group consisting of all those individuals who had applied for sex reassignment revealed a preponderance of men. Analysis showed that this large group included not only primary/genuine transsexuals but also effeminate homosexuals, transvestites and diagnostically uncertain cases. The importance of describing the exact methods used when calculating epidemiological data is highlighted.
Epidemiology of eating behaviour and weight distribution in 14– to 19‐year‐old Swiss students
Authors: Buddeberg‐Fischer B. , Bernet R. , Sieber M. , Schmid J. , Buddeberg C.
Published: August 2007

Buddeberg‐Fischer B, Bernet R, Sieber M, Schmid J, Buddeberg C. Epidemiology of eating behaviour and weight distribution in 14– to 19‐year‐old Swiss students.

Scand 1996: 93: 296–304. © Munksgaard 1996.

A sample consisting of 1944 Swiss students of both sexes was investigated with regard to distribution over weight categories based on BMI age percentiles and eating behaviour (EAT‐26) in relation to age, sex and socio‐economic status (SES). In addition, the relationship between BMI and Eating Attitudes Test scores was analysed. More subjects than expected were found to be in the obese weight categories. No clear effect of age and sex on the distribution of the sample across the five BMI classes was observed. There was an inverse relationship between BMI and socio‐economic status. On the EAT scale girls scored twice as high as boys. Age had no effect on the EAT scores in females, although it did in males. Socio‐economic status and EAT scores were inversely associated. Three risk categories based on the EAT scores were described: EAT 0–9 = no risk (77.5% girls, 93.0'%1 boys), EAT 10–19 = low risk (14.1% girls, 5.5% boys), and EAT © 20 = high risk (8.3% girls, 1.5%, boys). With regard to both aspects, weight and eating behaviour, female students showed more disturbed eating behaviour and fewer instances of deviation from normal weight. In male subjects there were more deviations from normal weight than instances of disturbed eating behaviour.
Prevalence of depression among patients seen in community health centres and community mental health centres
Authors: Salokangas R. K. R. , Poutanen O. , Stengård E. , Jähi R. , Palo‐oja T.
Published: August 2007

Depression is a common disorder in the general population. However, its prevalence among patients attending various health‐care facilities is less well known. There have been very few Finnish studies of this topic. The Tampere Depression Project (TADEP) dealt with the prevalence of depression and factors associated with it in individuals seen in community health centres (CHC) and in psychiatric‐service (PS) patients. The diagnosis of depression was based on a standardized Present State Examination interview and a DSM‐III‐R assessment, carried out on 436 CHC patients and 428 PS patients. The severity of depression was assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression. About 10% of CHC patients and 50% of PS patients suffered from clinical depression. In addition to these, some depressive symptoms were displayed by just under 10% of subjects. Similar prevalence rates were obtained by the various methods used. The 1–year prevalence rate of clinical depression was 20% for the CHC patients and almost 60% for the PS patients. Mild depression represented the largest group. In the CHC group, depression was found more often in middle‐aged and widowed subjects and in patients with a lower educational level and blue‐collar workers than in others. In the PS group, depression was found more often in women, the oldest subjects and the widowed than in others.