bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality: A non-interventional study evaluating quality of life in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics in the ambulatory setting
Authors: Peuskens J. , Fontaine E. , Vanlerberghe T. 
Published: May 2011

ObjectivesThe QUALITY study evaluated Quality-of-Life in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) in the ambulatory setting.MethodsThis study was a 9-month, observational, multicentre prospective study. Patients (18–65 years-old) diagnosed with schizophrenia and treatment started with one AAP before visit-1 (minimum: 4-weeks, maximum: 8-weeks) were enrolled into this Belgian study. At visit-1 patients’ demographics and medical history were recorded with follow-up visits after 3-, 6- and 9-months. At each visit, patients completed the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptic treatment short form (SWN-K), while investigators assessed the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS-8) and Global Assessment of Functioning.Results121 patients were enrolled: 91 male, mean age 36.7 ± 10.8years. The main AAPs were risperidone (38/121), apripirazole (28/121) and quetiapine (25/121). On average, most mean changes from baseline in SWN-K-subscale scores were positive (between −0.5 and +0.5, range −1.8–1.6) suggesting patients felt better, although there were no treatment-group differences. The associations between baseline SWN-K-subscales and age were small (RC [regression co-efficient] range: −0.03–0.01). PANSS-8-score changes were slightly negative (means between −0.77 and −0.43) suggesting decreased symptom severity. Patients with more severe negative symptoms considered their mental- and physical-functioning to be better throughout the study, indicated by significant correlations between these SWN-K-subscale scores and negative PANSS-scores (RC = 0.19, p = 0.0282; RC = 0.15, p = 0.0258). The associations between SWN-K-scores and positive PANSS-scores were small (RC: 0.01–0.14). The number of hospitalizations decreased during the study (9.6% between visit-1 and 2 vs. 7.5% visit-3 and −4).ConclusionsQuality-of-life for all patients seemed to improve slightly, without any differences between treatment-groups.
Social skills vs. Neurocognitive training in psychotic patients
Authors: Piegari G. , Galderisi S. , Bucci P. , Mucci A. , De Riso F. , Campana T. , Maj M. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionIt has been hypothesized that cognitive remediation with adjunctive psychiatric rehabilitation would be associated with greater improvements in functional outcome than standalone treatment approaches (1).Moving from these observations our group designed an individualized rehabilitation program including a computerized cognitive training (CCT) and social skills training (SST), which showed promising results (2).A critical evaluation of recent studies examining standalone and combined treatment approaches included the understanding of the differential impact of the two approaches among crucial areas for future research (3).ObjectivesThe present study compared the effects of CCT and SST on several indices of outcome in psychotic patients. Fifty-eight patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: CCT or SST. Changes in cognitive, psychopathological and psychosocial indices after 6 and 12 months were compared between the two groups.ResultsAfter both 6 and 12 months, an improvement of psychosocial indices was observed in both groups, while cognitive functions improved only after CCT; the improvement of psychopathological indices, observed in both groups, was greater in the CCT group.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that CCT is associated with a greater impact than SST on different indices of outcome in psychotic patients. Future research should focus on possible synergistic effects of cognitive remediation and social skills training on functional outcome.
Decision-making strategies are inconsistent in schizophrenia: Results from the Ultimatum game
Authors: Polgár P. , Csukly G. , Tombor L. , Réthelyi J. , Kéri S. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionImpaired social cognition is a characteristic feature of schizophrenia, which is associated with the level of community functioning. Socioeconomic games are well-established in behavioral economy and widely used to examine decision-making strategies. They can also provide a useful method in the investigation of social decision-making in psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia. The strength of these games compared to classic paradigms is that they allow observing subjects directly engaged in interpersonal situations, thus real-time interactions with implicit processes become available to investigation.AimsInvestigating decision-making strategies in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.Methods29 healthy controls and 58 patients with schizophrenia were compared by a series of Ultimatum Game interactions in a computerized setting. In this game two players have to split a sum of money. The proposer offers a portion to the responder, who decides to either accept or reject the offer. Rejection results in no income to either of the parties. Cognitive testing included emotion recognition, memory and executive function. Symptoms were assessed by MINI 5.0 and Positive and Negative Symptom Scale.ResultsAssociation between offer and probability of acceptance was different in schizophrenia patients and controls (Chi2 = 18.8, n = 87, df = 4, p = 0.0009): schizophrenia was associated with an increased likelihood of acceptance at lower offers and a decreased likelihood of acceptance at higher offers. Ratio of inconsistent decisions was significantly higher in the schizophrenia group (Chi2 = 4.7, df = 1, p = 0.03).ConclusionOur results suggest that schizophrenia patients are impaired in socioeconomic interactions requiring decision-making, which may result in unstable behavioral strategies.
Perceptions about mental illness in a sample of portuguese polytechnic students
Authors: Queiros C. , Faria S. , Marques A.J. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionPeople with mental illness are frequently perceived as dangerous, suffering social stigma and exclusion. Deinstitutionalization movement implies a closer contact between citizen and individuals with mental illness. However, social perceptions can be a barrier to social inclusion, provoking unfavorable attitudes. Some studies found that social rejection is different according the pathology. Vogel and Boysen (2008) found that different mental illnesses provoke different attitudes of social distance. Norman and colleagues (2008) found that social distance was associated with the diagnosis, provoking schizophrenia greater social distance than depression.AimsCompare the perceptions about mental illness (in general), depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.MethodsData were collected using a translation of Mental Illness Stigma Scale (Day, 2007), fulfill on-line and in an anonym way by 315 Portuguese polytechnic students, studying in brief technological courses. The sample was composed by 69% male and 31% female; mean age 26.5 years.ResultsStudents have little contact with people with mental illness (mean = 1.5 in a Likert scale 1–5 points) but they fell comfortable when they contact a friend or a neighbor with mental illness (respectively, mean = 3.2 and mean = 2.7). They present some anxiety when they interact with people with mental illness and they avoid this contact, revealing attitudes of social exclusion. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder was perceived more negatively than depression.ConclusionsDeinstitutionalization movement provokes more contact between citizens and individuals with mental illness, but social stigma still exist. Students can learn how to interact with those persons without anxiety and help to do better social inclusion.
Effect of selegiline augmentation with antipsychotic drugs on treatment of the negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenic disorder
Authors: Ranjbar F. , Sabagh Razavi M. , Ghorayshizadeh M.A. , Shokri J. , Asadlo M. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionConsidering the shortcomings of antipsychotics in treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients, the use of augmentation treatment for decreasing the negative symptoms is highly important.AimsThe aim of this research was to study the effect of selegiline augmentation with antipsychotic drugs in decreasing the negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients.MethodsIn this double blind randomized control trial study 70 schizophrenic in- patients who were under treatment with antipsychotics were randomly divided into two intervention and control groups. The patients of both groups were given placebo for two weeks along with antipsychotics. For 12 weeks the intervention group was given selegiline 10 mg/day and control group was given placebo. The patients were evaluated with PANSS scale and Hamilton depression test at the end of first and second weeks and then at the end of every other week for twelve weeks. Then the results were analyzed statistically.ResultsThere was no significant difference between intervention and control groups considering PANSS score on first and second weeks, but the difference on 4-14 weeks was statistically significant. There was also no statistically significant difference in Hamilton depression Test between the two groups in first to 10 Th weeks. But the difference was statistically significant in 12–14 weeks.ConclusionsAugmentation treatment with selegiline can improve the negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients.
Profile of psychotic patients with social isolation
Authors: Rodriguez M. , Castillo S. , Malagon A. , Corcoles D. , Martin L.M. , Bulbena A. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionSocial isolation is a factor associated to mortality and morbidity in general population.This symptom has been considered as prodrome in ‘high-risk mental states’ for a possible development of psychosis. Social isolation is a frequent problem in psychotic patients visited by mobile crisis unit (EMSE).ObjectiveTo describe the differences between psychotic patients with social isolation with patients without it.MethodsA descriptive observational and cross-linked study in patients with diagnostic of psychotic disorder visited by EMSE from 2004 to 2010. The sample was divided in two groups; present and absence of social isolation as the main problem. We evaluated demographic and clinical variables including the aggressive behaviour and violence scale (AVAT) and positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS).ResultsN: 662 subjects (61.3% men; mean age 44+-16 years) with psychotic disorder. 15.1% present social isolation like the main problem against 84.9% who present others main problems: delusion/hallucination (44.7%), behaviour disturbance (18.1%) and agitation/aggressivity (14%).Patients with social isolation are mostly men (72%, p < 0.05), live with family (79.4%, p < 0.05), are less aggressive (AVAT 2.77 p < 0.05) than psychotic patients that are not isolated. The punctuation in subscale negative syndrome of PANSS is higher (26.19 versus 20.25, p0.001).ConclusionsThis study concludes that patients with psychotic disorder and social isolation are mainly men and they have less aggressivity and predominantly negative syndrome. These results are important to improve the multidisciplinary therapeutic approach.
Tolerability and treatment response in patients with recently diagnosed vs. chronic schizophrenia treated with paliperidone ER
Authors: Schreiner A. , Hoeben D. , Tessier C. , Lahaye M. , Turczynski J. , Vauth R. , Millet B. , Franco M. , Sacchetti E. 
Published: May 2011

ObjectiveTo explore tolerability and treatment response in adult patients with recently diagnosed (<5 years) and chronic (>5 years) schizophrenia treated with flexible doses of paliperidone ER.MethodsInternational prospective open-label 6-month study. Endpoints were the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), patient functioning and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).ResultsOf 713 recently diagnosed patients, most were male (60.9%), mean age was 33.6 ± 11.2 years and mean time since diagnosis was 2.3 ± 1.7 years. Chronic patients (n = 1003) were predominantly male (59.2%) with a mean age of 43.8 ± 11.4 and mean time since diagnosis of 15.6 ± 9.2 years. 70.4% and 71.7% of patients completed the study, respectively. Mean mode doses of paliperidone ER were similar between recently diagnosed and chronic patients (7.0 ± 2.9 mg/day and 7.2 ± 2.9 mg/day). 63.1% of recently diagnosed and 60.8% of chronic patients switching due to lack of efficacy with their previous antipsychotic had a >20% improvement in PANSS total score at endpoint, and improvement with other switching reasons was consistently numerically higher in recently diagnosed patients. The rate of patients with mild or no functional impairment increased from 17.7% to 39.8% in recently diagnosed and from 14.4% to 32.9% in chronic patients. TEAEs reported in >5% were insomnia (10.7% and 8.1%), anxiety (8.6% and 6.0%) and somnolence (5.8% and 3.4%), respectively.ConclusionThese data suggest that both recently diagnosed and chronic patients previously unsuccessfully treated with other oral antipsychotics may benefit from paliperidone ER, with a tendency for recently diagnosed patients showing some higher treatment response in psychotic symptoms and patient functioning.
Validation of a liability syndrome for schizophrenia (‘schizotaxia’) and effects of low dose risperidone on neurocognitive, clinical and social functioning: results from the Changsha study
Authors: Stone W.S. , Hsi X. , Giuliano A.J. , Seidman L.J. , Tsuang M.T. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThe Changsha study identifies adult, non-psychotic relatives of patients with schizophrenia who show deficits in neurocognitive, social, clinical and other dimensions, and who meet proposed diagnostic criteria for a liability syndrome for schizophrenia (’schizotaxia’).ObjectivesTo define and validate schizotaxia.AimsTo develop and validate diagnostic criteria for schizoaxia, and to reduce its symptoms using risperidone.MethodsWe investigated whether a low dose (2.0 mg) of risperidone, a second generation antipsychotic medication, could attenuate negative symptoms, neurocognitive deficits, and other measures of clinical and social function in subjects who met our research criteria for schizotaxia. One hundred eighty nine relatives were assessed at the Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, in Changsha, China. Eighty six of these individuals met criteria for schizotaxia, and 36 agreed to enter a 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled protocol.ResultsANCOVAs using age and gender as covariates showed significant improvement in the risperidone group (n = 20) on neurocognitive function (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test Total Errors and Perseverative Errors) and on a self-report measure of social function (Social Adjustment Scale), compared to the placebo-control group (n = 16). Effect sizes were small to medium. Notably, risperidone effect sizes were larger (medium to large) in a subset of subjects (risperidone = 15; placebo = 10) whose membership in the schizotaxic group was confirmed by cluster analysis.ConclusionsThe results are generally consistent with previous open-label investigations of risperidone administration in subjects with schizotaxia, and provide evidence that significant neurocognitive and clinical problems are amenable to remediation in non-psychotic relatives of people with schizophrenia.
Meta-analysis of the efficacy of asenapine for acute schizophrenia: comparisons with placebo and other atypical antipsychotics
Authors: Szegedi A. , Verweij P. , van Duijnhoven W. , Mackle M. , Cazorla P. , Karson C. , Fennema H. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionAsenapine is an FDA-approved atypical antipsychotic (AAP) indicated in adults for treatment of schizophrenia.ObjectivePresent meta-analyses of asenapine vs placebo and other antipsychotics in acute schizophrenia.AimFurther demonstrate the efficacy of asenapine in acute schizophrenia.MethodsPANSS total score changes from baseline to week 6 were assessed using last observation carried forward (LOCF) and mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM). Comparisons of asenapine and antipsychotics vs placebo were obtained from 4 placebo-controlled asenapine studies. Head-to-head comparisons among AAPs assessed in the same trials (including those for which no direct comparisons are available) were conducted with network meta-analyses using a published database (Leucht et al, Am J Psychiatry 2009;166:152–166) of 74 studies updated with data from 5 AAP-controlled asenapine trials.ResultsPANSS change from baseline with asenapine exceeded that of placebo (LOCF: 3.7 [95% CI, 1.5–5.9], P = 0.001; MMRM: 4.1 [95% CI, 1.6–6.5], P = 0.001), a treatment effect comparable to other antipsychotics (LOCF: 4.1 [95% CI, 1.7–6.5], P = 0.001; MMRM: 4.6 [95% CI, 1.9–7.3], P = 0.001). Head-to-head network meta-analysis reported comparable efficacy with asenapine and other AAPs; PANSS differences ranged from 3.9 points better than ziprasidone (95% CI, 0.3–7.4) to 2.9 points worse than olanzapine (95% CI, -5.-0.1).DiscussionThese meta-analyses demonstrate superiority of asenapine over placebo in acute schizophrenia, with treatment effects of asenapine at least comparable to antipsychotics used in the same studies. Further, the network meta-analysis suggests the efficacy of asenapine for acute schizophrenia is comparable to that of established AAPs.
Internal encoding style and schizotypy in a sub-clinical sample
Authors: Valérie R.V. , Belayachi S. , Van der Linden M. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThis study examined the relation between schizotypy and the encoding style in a sub-clinical sample. We evaluated, first, the level of schizotypy with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQB) (Raine and al, 1995). Three factors are evaluated
a)cognitive-perceptual factor,b)b) interpersonal factor and disorganisation.
For the encoding style, we use the Encoding Style Questionnaire (ESQ) (Lewicki, 2005). Two type of encoding process exist, the “hasty” (or internal, based on internal encoding schemata) versus conservative (or external, base on data from external stimuli) (Lewicki, 2005). Internal encoding style may contribute to the development of different psychopathological symptoms, like Paranoia, Anxiety disorders and Depression (Hill, Lewiski and Neubauer, 1991), because of the self-perpetuation of dysfunctional schemata.Participants and procedureA total of 184 students (113 women and 71 men) participated at this study. The mean age of the sample was 22,58 years (SD = 1,96). They were test using a French version of the ESQ, the brief SPQB, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale.ResultsThe results demonstrated that we have a positive correlation between internal encoding style, schizotypy, depression and anxiety. Secondly, a high level of internal encoding style means a high level of congnitivo-perceptual and for interpersonal factors with an impact of depression and anxiety.ConclusionAn internal encoding style is link with a high score in schizotypy.
Impact of variables related to treatment on quality of life and functioning of patients with stable schizophrenia
Authors: Valmisa E. , Galan J. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionQuality of life in patients with schizophrenia has been associated with severity of psychotic symptoms, adverse events and insight.ObjectivesDetermine variables related to quality of life. This communication is focused on variables directly related to pharmacological treatment.MethodsNon-interventional, multicentre, cross-sectional study. Outpatients with stable schizophrenia (according to clinical criteria) who had the last acute episode at least 2 months before were included. EuroQol-5D was used to assess quality of life, and GAF to assess functioning.Results941 patients were included in the study and 931 patients were analyzed. Mean index EuroQol-5D score (range: from -0.594 to1) was 0.7 (CI95%: 0.7,0.8), on EuroQol-5D Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was 65.4 (CI95%: 64.2,66.6) and GAF mean score was 59.7 (CI95%: 58.7,60.8).Variables with correlations statistically significant (p < 0.05) on quality of life and functioning were: no. of antipsychotics, length on antipsychotic treatment, no. of non-antipsychotic drugs, no. total of drugs, no. of adverse events (AEs), no. of moderate AEs, no. of severe AEs and severity of AEs (sum of severity of every AEs from 1 to 5).ConclusionIn this sample a difference in quality of life and functioning in patients based on the number of treatments (antipsychotic and non-antipsychotic), length with antipsychotic treatment and adverse events (any severity) was shown. In order not to impair quality of life and functioning, the least number of drugs should be used and attitude towards medication should be worked.Study sponsored by AstraZeneca Spain.
Activity, duration of rest, daytime sleepiness and sleep quality in schizophrenia patients treated with sertindole and olanzapine
Authors: Wichniak A. , Wierzbicka A. , Czasak K. , Musińska I. , Jakubczyk T. , Jernajczyk W. , Jarema M. 
Published: May 2011

ObjectivesLow activity and long rest times are frequent in patients with schizophrenia and are related to increased risk for metabolic disorder. We investigated whether patients who were switched from sedative antipsychotics to sertindole, an antipsychotic drug without sedative effect, were more active than patients with good tolerance to sedative effect of olanzapine.Methods18 patients with schizophrenia treated with sertindole (9 females, mean age 27.9 ± 4,1, mean dose 15.6 ± 3.0 mg/d) and 18 sex and age matched patients treated with olanzapine (mean dose 15.3 ± 6.5 mg/d) underwent actigraphy for seven days. Daytime sleepiness and sleep quality were evaluated with Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Athens insomnia scale (AIS) and sleep diaries. PANSS, UKU, BARS scales were used to rate mental state and medication side effects.ResultsAt the time of the assessment PANNS score was similar in sertindole (43.6 ± 7.1) and olanzapine (42.3 ± 12.2) groups. The difference in time in bed as measured by actigraphy was not significant between patients treated with sertindole (572.7 ± 54.8 min.) and olanzapine (600.6 ± 53.6 min.). Also mean 24-h-activity was comparable in both groups (86.6 ± 29.6 and 81.6 ± 27.9 units, respectively). There were not any significant differences in AIS and ESS scales.ConclusionsAlthough sertindole does not induce sedation, patients who were switched from sedative antipsychotics to sertindole were not more active than patients treated with olanzapine. Adjustment of pharmacological treatment has to be supplemented with non-pharmacological interventions to promote activity in patients with schizophrenia.