bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and functioning outcomes of second-generation long-acting antipsychotics in a sample of schizophrenia patients during a follow-up period of 6 months
Authors: Corigliano V. , Mancinelli I. , De Carolis A. , Tamorri S.M. , Di Pietro S. , Pazzelli F. , Ciccaglione I. , Girardi P. , Comparelli A. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionSecond-generation long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) constitute a valuable alternative for the treatment of schizophrenia and combine advantages of both long-acting injectable drugs and atypical antipsychotics. Realistic, naturalistic studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of LAIs on specific cluster of symptoms.ObjectivesTo collect clinical and functioning outcomes in outpatients with schizophrenia treated with LAIs during a follow-up period of 6 months.AimsTo determine the impact on symptoms and functioning of second-generation LAIs.MethodsIt is a 6-month naturalistic, observational, prospective, non-interventional study of patients diagnosed with DSM-V schizophrenia disorder. Clinical data were assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). For statistical analysis, we used the Wallwork's five-factor model of the PANSS.ResultsA total of 50 schizophrenia patients (70% male; mean age: 36.2 ± 10.4) referred to the Depot Clinic at Sant’Andrea Hospital in Rome was included. Eight patients received treatment with risperidone LAI (RLAI), 20 with paliperidone-palmitate LAI (PLAI), 10 with olanzapine-pamoate LAI (OLAI) and 12 with aripiprazole LAI (ALAI). LAIs were overall associated with improved functioning and positive symptoms; OLAI, ALAI e PLAI correlated with improved negative symptoms, RLAI, OLAI e PLAI with improved disorganised/concrete symptoms, OLAI e PLAI with improved excited symptoms; ALAI improved depressive symptoms.ConclusionOver the 6-month period, LAIs were associated with improved functioning and illness severity in schizophrenia patients with different symptoms profile. Treatment with PLAI and OLAI showed the major clinical advantages, whereas only ALAI correlated with improved depressive symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Anti-DNA antibodies in the blood of patients with schizophrenia possess DNA-hydrolyzing activity
Authors: Ermakov E. , Smirnova L. , Sinyanskii L. , Dobrygina D. , Semke A. , Nevinsky G. , Buneva V. , Ivanova S. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionAutoantibodies (Abs) to different neuronal receptors and DNA were detected in the blood of patients with schizophrenia. Abs hydrolyzing DNA were detected in pool of polyclonal autoantibodies in autoimmune and infectious diseases, such catalytic Abs were named abzymes.ObjectivesTo investigate the level of anti-DNA antibodies and DNA-hydrolyzing activity of IgG from the serum of patients with schizophrenia depending on leading clinical symptoms.Aims– To measure the concentration of anti-DNA Abs in serum of patients with leading positive and negative symptoms;– to determine DNA-hydrolyzing activity of IgG.MethodsIn our study, 51 patients were included. The levels of antiDNA Abs were determined using ELISA. DNA-hydrolyzing activity was detected as the level(%) of supercoiled pBluescript DNA transition in circular and linear forms. Statistical analysis was performed in “Statistica 9.0”.ResultsAnti-DNA Abs of patients with schizophrenia not only bind DNA, but quite efficiently hydrolyze the substrate. IgG of patient with schizophrenia were shown to possess DNA hydrolyzing activity. It should be noted that DNAase activity of IgG in patients with schizophrenia with a negative symptoms was significantly higher, than in patients with positive symptoms (Table 1).ConclusionsThe data show a correlation with the level of DNase activity and leading symptoms of patients with schizophrenia.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Reducing cardiovascular risk in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia: A 2.5-year programme conducted in a real-life setting
Authors: Hjorth P. , Jørgensen P.M. , Kynde A. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionPatients with schizophrenia have increased somatic morbidity and increased mortality. Knowledge of how to integrate prevention and care of somatic illnesses into the treatment of psychiatric patients is required.ObjectivesForty-seven patients diagnosed with schizophrenia participated in the programme (mean age: 33.3 years, SD: 11.9).AimsTo investigate whether a 2.5-year interventional programme to improve physical health is effective.MethodThe intervention consisted of health promotion activities focusing on the patients’ health, not their diseases. The patients’ physical health parameters were intensely monitored and each patient received individual guidance on healthy food and on how to live a physically active life.ResultsExtensive problems with obesity, especially among the women, were observed, and low level of physical activity among the patients was demonstrated. The included patients were in a high risk of developing cardio vascular diseases and diabetes type 2. The main outcomes were reduction in waist circumferences and in consumption of soft drinks and an increase in coffee drinking. Furthermore, an increase in time spent on moderate and light physical activities was observed. The patients showed great interest in the programme, and it was unproblematic getting the patients to participate in the entire programme. Moreover, they willingly followed the health guidance and achieved a healthier life.ConclusionsThe intervention seems relevant and manageable in an outpatient setting. The results are promising in the ongoing process of improving physical health among patients with schizophrenia. We recommend implementation of the programme in daily practice.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
A mirror image study of the utility of long acting aripiprazole
Authors: Hodgson R. , Aladakatti C. , Kataria N. , Saravanappa T. , Brittany D. 
Published: May 2016

Aims and backgroundAblify Maintena (AM) is a long acting injection of aripiprazole that received marketing authorisation in the UK in January 2014. It is costly compared to first generation antipsychotics (FGAs) LAIs and there are no robust trials comparing AM with FGAs. We examined the effectiveness and use of AM in a mental health trust.MethodsWe identified all patients prescribed AM in North Staffordshire (population: 470,000) since launch and examined records for demography, diagnosis, bed and medication use. We examined the effectiveness of AM using a mirror image design.ResultsThirty patients received AM in a time frame allowing a 1-year follow-up. Sixty-nine percent were male and the mean age was 39 years. Over half were detained under the 1983 Mental Health Act and 30% were inpatients on a psychiatric intensive care unit when AM was started. Twenty-eight patients had a psychotic diagnosis. There was a significant reduction in bed occupancy (63 v 6 days, P = 0.0001) and admissions (1.6 v 0.5, P = 0.0001). The median dose was 400 mg. Lack of effectiveness/poor adherence with prior treatments were the main reason for starting AM in 84%. Eighty-six percent of patients clinically improved on AM. Blood parameters were in the normal range.DiscussionWithin the limitations of the methodology, our results show a reduction in psychiatric bed use in the year following AM initiation on an intention to treat basis. The reduction in bed use equates to a minimum annual saving of £14,250 per patient. AM at the median study dose costs £2645 per year.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Perceived and anticipating stigma in schizophrenia in relationship with depressive symptoms and functionality degree
Authors: López-Micó C. , Reneses B. , Gallego L. , Maria Sagrario G. , Fernandez R. , Huidobro Á. , Reyes L. , Gómez P. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionPerceived and anticipated stigma is relevant issues in patients with schizophrenia. Stigma has negative consequences both in quality of life and in the course of illness.ObjectivesTo analyze the degree of perceived and anticipated stigma and discrimination in patients with schizophrenia and their relationship with clinical and socio-demographic variables.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 100 patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia, 18 or more years old, clinically stabilized, without axis I DSM-IV comorbidity. Patients received treatment in the outpatient services of a catchment area in Madrid. Perceived and anticipated discrimination was evaluated trough the DISC-12 (Discrimination and Stigma scale). Other study variables were: socio-demographic characteristics, symptoms of depression (Calgary Scale) and functionality degree measured by Global Assessment of Function (GAF).ResultsThe presence of symptoms of depression evaluated by the Calgary Scale and low degree of functionality measured by GAF are associated with greater feelings of discrimination and stigma, especially in the sub-scales of experienced and anticipated discrimination of the DISC 12. Anticipated stigma is higher in men than in women while the rest sub scales of the DISC-12 do not correlate with gender or other sociodemographic variables.ConclusionsPreventive strategies to avoid the stigma in schizophrenia should consider some characteristics associated with disease, especially the degree of functionality and presence of depressive symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Odors hedonic judgment in patients with schizophrenia. Influence of negative symptoms and β-endorphin levels
Authors: Urban-Kowalczyk M. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionThe relationship between olfactory and emotional processing is an area of increasing interest in schizophrenia research.ObjectivesOlfactory identification deficits are well described in schizophrenia while the results for pleasantness ratings remain unclear.AimsEvaluation of odor identification and hedonic judgment related to severity of negative symptoms and β-endorphin concentration.MethodsFifty outpatients with schizophrenia were included in the study: 25 with negative symptoms (PN) and 25 without predominant negative symptoms (P). They were compared with 23 healthy individuals. In all study groups University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and odor hedonic evaluation were performed. Clinical symptoms severity was evaluated using PANSS. Plasma concentrations of β-endorphin were assayed in all participants.ResultsPN made more odor identification errors than controls (P = 0.000) and P sample (P = 0.001). Hedonic judgments of unpleasant odors were significantly more pleasant in PN sample than in P (P = 0.03) and controls (P = 0.041). PN had significantly higher concentration of β-endorphin than P sample (P = 0.014) and controls (P = 0.009). No relationship between β-endorphin concentration and odors identification and odor hedonic judgment was found in both patient samples and controls.ConclusionsIncreased level of β-endorphin is related to predominance of negative symptoms but probably it is not involved in olfactory identification performance and hedonic judgment in schizophrenia. Patients with predominant negative symptoms revealed different pattern of pleasantness rating – they experience unpleasant odors as more pleasant. Alterations in smell identification and hedonic judgment could be differentially expressed in some subtypes of schizophrenia.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Self-Stigma and adherence to medication in patients with psychotic disorders – cross-sectional study
Authors: Vrbova K. , Kamaradova D. , Latalova K. , Ociskova M. , Prasko J. , Mainerova B. , Cinculova A. , Kubinek R. , Tichackova A. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionAdherence to treatment of mental disorders is one of the key factors influencing its success and, secondarily, the patients’ quality of life and social adaptation.AimsThe cross-sectional study of 90 outpatients diagnosed with psychotic disorders aimed at determining if there was a relationship between discontinuation of medication in the past, current adherence to treatment and self-stigma.MethodsThe assessment was made with the objective and subjective Clinical Global Impression – Severity scale, Drug Attitude Inventory, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale and demographic data.ResultsThe questionnaires were filled out by 79 patients, of whom 5 handed in incomplete questionnaires. Complete sets of data were obtained from 74 patients. The data analysis showed that the levels of self-stigma as assessed by the total ISMI scores was not statistically significantly correlated with most of the demographic factors (age, age of illness onset, gender, education, marital status, employment, duration of the illness, number of hospitalizations and antipsychotic dosage). However, there was a significant negative correlation with current adherence to treatment.ConclusionsAdherence to treatment is one of the most important prerequisites for successful therapy. Adherence may be enhanced through better motivation and education of patients on the necessity of adhering to treatment recommendations and the consequences of non-adherent behavior. Important factors in adherence also seem to be patients’ stigmatization and self-stigma. Adherence may be increased by promising self-stigma-reducing strategies performed by systematic psychoeducation of patients or as a part of psychotherapeutic counseling.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Mindfulness and insomnia at pregnancy
Authors: Marques M. , Pereira A.T. , Bento E. , Xavier S. , Azevedo J. , Soares M.J. , Freitas V. , Macedo A. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionThe impact of mindfulness in improving insomnia symptoms is documented in different samples (e.g. anxiety disorders; insomnia samples) and mindfulness based programs for pregnancy refer the association between mindfulness development and the reduction of insomnia symptoms/improvement of sleep.ObjectiveTo explore differences in the Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire-10 (FMQ-10; Azevedo et at. 2015), between sleep groups, in Portuguese pregnant women.MethodsFour hundred and nineteen pregnant women (mean age: 32.51 ± 4.759; weeks of gestation: 17.32 ± 4.803) answered the Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire-10 and the Insomnia Assessment Scale (IAS, Marques et al., 2015). Three sleep groups were created considering all the IAS items: good sleepers (no insomnia symptoms; no associated daily impairment); insomnia symptoms groups (one/more insomnia symptoms; no associated daily impairment; exclusion of other conditions/disorders explaining the symptoms); insomniacs (one/more insomnia symptoms; one/more daily associated impairment; exclusion of other conditions/disorders explaining the symptoms).ResultsThere were significant differences in the total FMQ-10 score, the F1/Nonjudging of inner experience and the F2/acting with awareness, between sleep groups [respectively, F (2.402) = 6,933; P = 0.001; F (2.406) = 10.243; P = 0.001; F (2.406) = 37.431; P = 0.002]. Tukey tests indicated that the mean total FMQ-10 and F1/Nonjudging of inner experience scores of good sleepers and insomnia symptoms group were significantly higher than of the insomniacs. The mean value of F2/acting with awareness in the good sleepers was significantly higher than of the insomniacs.ConclusionsIt seems important to develop mindfulness to improve sleep in pregnancy or reduce the impact of insomnia symptoms (common at pregnancy).Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Perceived causes for changes in sleep pattern in postpartum women
Authors: Santos S. , Pereira A.T. , Soares M.J. , Bento E. , Marques M. , Macedo A. 
Published: May 2016

AimTo investigate the causes that postpartum women most mention for changes in sleep pattern and its associations with obstetric and sleep variables and depressive symptoms.MethodsAt three months postpartum 192 women fill in a booklet containing obstetric and sleep variables and the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS; Pereira et al., 2010). If they experienced changes in their sleep pattern, they were asked about the perceived cause(s) (multiple choice). Chi-squared and Student t tests were applied as appropriate.ResultsA total of 64.6% women referred to some cause(s); the most mentioned were feeding/baby care and older children care (32.3%) and worries (baby and life problems related) (29.5%). Women who mentioned feeding/baby and older children care as a cause did not significantly differ in relation to type of delivery, feeding method proportions and in PDSS mean scores. Women who identified worries as a cause vs. women who did not – presented significant differences in proportions of vaginal (20.0%) vs. assisted delivery (52.2%) (OR 4.444), caesarean-section (22.2%) vs. assisted delivery (52.6%) (OR 3.827), in breast-feeding (36.0%) vs. bottle-feeding (12.9%) (OR .263) and in “having trouble sleeping even when the baby is asleep” (28.0% vs. 2.9%) (OR 12.833) (all P<.05). PDSS mean scores were also significantly higher in women who mentioned worries as a cause (50.20 ± 20.622 vs. 58.640 ± 15.766, P < 0.05).ConclusionIt is important to distinguish the causes for changes in sleep pattern in postpartum women. Worries as a perceived cause have a higher impact and clinical significance than causes related to baby care demands.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Impact of dialectical behavior therapy on incidence of suicidal attempts and non-suicidal self injury among a sample of Egyptian borderline personality disorder patients
Authors: Abdelkarim A. , Nagui Rizk D. , Esmaiel M. , Helal H. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionDialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive psycho-social treatment developed by Marsha Linehan and originally designed for persons meeting criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD). DBT is considered as a standard evidence based treatment for suicidal BPD patients in most international guidelines. Although its effectiveness has been proved in multiple studies across different patient populations but almost all the research was conducted in North American or European countries. The current study was the first trial to apply DBT in Egypt with a different language and culture than where the treatment was originally developed.ObjectivesAssessment of incidence of suicidal attempts and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among a sample of Egyptian BPD patients enrolled in an outpatient DBT program.AimThe aim of the current study was to estimate impact of comprehensive DBT on suicidal attempts and NSSI when applied to Egyptian BPD patients.MethodsTwenty-five BPD patients, 4 males and 21 females, were included in a comprehensive outpatient DBT program for one year and incidence of suicidal attempts and NSSI were calculated.ResultsFive patients only attempted suicide again with an incidence of 20% and a mean of one attempt/patient. Seven patients attempted NSSI with an incidence of 28%, an overall 22 incidents and a mean of 3 incidents/patient.ConclusionAlthough this was the first time to apply DBT in an Egyptian population, DBT proved to be an effective psycho-therapeutic intervention for suicidal BPD patients across regardless of different language or culture.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Characteristics of individuals who use alcohol at the time of attempting suicide
Authors: Jung D.U. , Kim S.J. , Lim J.S. , Kong B.G. , Kang J.W. , Moon J.J. , Jeon D.W. , Kim Y.S. , Kang E.C. 
Published: May 2016

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of individuals who used alcohol at the time of attempting suicide.MethodsWe divided 143 individuals who attempted suicide by consuming drugs into two groups on the basis of their blood alcohol concentration level: drinker group (n = 79) and non-drinker group (n = 64). We compared epidemiological characteristics and suicidal behavior between the groups by using the Suicidal Intent Scale (SIS) and the Risk Rescue Rating Scale (RRRS). In addition, we administered the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation–II (APACHE–II) to evaluate the medical lethality of the individuals who attempted suicide. We used Student's t-test, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression to analyze the data.ResultsThe drinker group scored lower on the SIS's planning subscale than the non-drinker group did (P = 0.022). The drinker group's blood alcohol concentration levels were negatively correlated with the rescue potential of their suicidal attempt (P = 0.031) and the APACHE-II score (P = 0.003). Higher blood alcohol concentration levels predicted poorer medical outcomes measured by the APACHE-II (P = 0.004).ConclusionOur findings support the notion that alcohol use increases suicidal impulsivity, decreases rescue potential, and worsens medical outcomes. Therefore, suicide prevention programs need to include education and counselling about the risks associated with alcohol use.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Talking suicide on Twitter: Linguistic style and language processes of suicide-related posts
Authors: O’Dea B. , Larsen M. , Batterham P. , Calear A. , Christensen H. 
Published: May 2016

IntroductionSuicide is a leading cause of death worldwide and is largely preventable. The social media site Twitter is used by individuals to express suicidal intentions. It is not yet feasible to contact each Twitter user to confirm risk. Instead, it may be possible to validate risk by linguistic analysis. Psychological linguistic theory suggests that language is a reliable way of measuring people's internal thoughts and emotions; however, the linguistics of suicidality on Twitter is yet to be fully explored.Objectives & aimThe aim of this study is to characterise the linguistic styles of suicide-related posts on Twitter for the purposes of predicting suicide risk.MethodsThe Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) program was used to compare the linguistic features of suicide-related tweets previously coded for suicide risk by humans with a set of matched controls. Logistic regression was then used for predictive modelling.ResultsThe suicide-related tweets had significantly different linguistic profiles to the control tweets. The “strongly concerning” suicide tweets were found to have fewer words than all other tweets and not surprisingly, references to ‘death’ were significantly higher in this group. A number of other results were found. The final model which distinguished “strongly concerning” suicide risk from the controls was found to have 97.7% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity.ConclusionsThis study confirms that the linguistic features of suicide-related Twitter posts are different from general Twitter posts and that these linguistic profiles may be used to predict suicide risk in Twitter users.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.