bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical care of people suffering from schizopphrenia on risperidone long acting injectable depot
Authors: Najim H. , Rafiq R. , Islam N. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundPeople with severe mental illness neglect their physical health needs. They smoke a lot, they drink a lot and they don’t do exercise. They eat unhealthy food and put on weight. Unfortunately, the antipsychotic medication don’t help and some of the drugs are associated with side effects which make these problems worse.MethodsMedical notes of patients who has been on risperidone long term injectable depot for a year, from the first of January till the 30th 2008 were reviewed and information were input on the form.Results65 notes were reviewed. 70% males. 70% between 18-50 years. The following was done baseline:50% had physical examination.25% had pulse, blood pressure and ECG.Body weight 10%.Triglycerides 20%.Urea and electrolytes (U&E)15%.40% had their liver function tests(LFT).50% had comorbidity with other physical illness.The following were done on six monthly maintenance measures:Only 5% had maintenance ECG.LFT 10%.U&E 30%.Triglycerides 5%.DiscussionOnly 50% of patients had physical examination. Only quarter of patients had their BP, pulse and ECG done as a baseline. There was no regular physical follow up and investigation and the investigation which were done sporadically. Physical co-morbidity was 50% of the sample while physical examination and investigations were done in less than half of the sample.ConclusionsProper physical assessment and regular follow up should be adopted.Promotion of healthy living and eating, exercise and monitoring weight should be advised.
Severe generalize cortical atrophy inconsistent with her age, and neurocognitive impairment in an untreated schizophrenia patient: A case report
Authors: Oral E. , Güleç M. , Aydin N. , Ozan E. , Kırpınar I. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundIn schizophrenia, frontal structural and functional deficits are replicated findings.CaseAK was 40 years old. She had not been appealed to psychiatry department or took any medicine. She had had severe positive symptoms such as, grandiosity, delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations, hallucinatory behaviors, mystic contains of thoughts since her childhood. MRI had been showed that the severe cortical atrophy inconsistent with her age. In the assessment of neurocognitive tests we found that the signs of frontal - prefrontal and temporo-limbic impairment. On Rey Auditory learning test she could remember totally 34 words as a sum of the 1st to 5.th Readings. At 6.th reading she remembered 5 words and at 7th 6 words. At recognition part of the test she had 8 true positive and 3 false positive results. On Auditory trigram test, her score was 25 and on controlled word association test she could tell 20 total words. In digit span test her scores were 4 at forward section and 4 at backwards section. She could not perform trial making test part A or part B. On Stroop test she completed section 5 (main card reading time) at 26 seconds. These results suggested us that she had dysfunction in the cognitive domains such as; working memory, focused attention, short time verbal memory and frontal executive functions.ConclusionThis sample has been attracted attention to neurodegenerative process notwithstanding without antipsychotic treatments effects.
The study of suicidal behavior at patients with anhedonia in schizophrenia
Authors: Orlova N. , Shkliar M. , Khaustova E. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThe suicidal behavior at patients with anhedonia in schizophrenia is one of the burn problems in modern psychiatry.ObjectivesAnhedonia belongs to negative symptoms in schizophrenia. The suicidal activity at patients with it consists from 7% tо 43%. At those patients fixed the suicidal ideas - 40%, suicidal attempts - 23% and complete suicide - 6,4%.AimsStudy the methods of suicidal behavior at those patients.MethodsThe Columbia Suicide severity research scale (C-SSRS).Results157 patients with anhedonia. Selected 49 (31, 21%) patients with suicidal behavior on admission or in the past. 23 women and 26 men with a mean age of 34, 37(±1, 92) and mean illness duration of 7, 72(±1, 42). The anhedonia level was 21, 26(±1, 26). 73,48% were the patients with Schizophrenia among them 44,91% with “postpsychotic depression” (295.60), 28, 57% with paranoid schizophrenia (295.30) and 26,52% - patients with affective disorders (296.3×). All patients wished to die. 79,59% (n = 39) had a suicidal attempts and 20,41% (n = 10) had a suicidal ideas. Active suicidal ideas without the suicide plan had 79, 59% patients. The methods of suicidal attempts were poisoning (38, 52%), cutting (25, 64%), hanging (12, 8%), falls (20, 48%), drowning (2, 56%).ConclusionsAnhedonia in schizophrenia is a risk factor of suicidal behavior. The suicidal behavior declared itself with suicidal attempts much more than suicidal ideas. Suicidal attempts were impulsive and dangerous with risk for life. It point to seriousness and danger results of suicidal behavior.
Oxidative stress markers in patients treated with typical and atypical antipsychotics
Authors: Padurariu M. , Ciobica A. , Dobrin I. , Joacabine C. , Stefanescu C. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionStudies performed in schizophrenia patients have generally suggested the presence of a compromised antioxidant system, but this is not always consistent with specific observed parameters, which on the whole, show evidences of dysregulation. There are also controversies regarding the oxidative stress status in patients treated with typical vs. atypical antipsychotics.AimIn this context, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the specific activity of some peripheral antioxidant defences like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and the level of a lipid peroxidation maker (malondialdehyde-MDA), in schizophrenic patients treated with typical (haloperidol) or atypical (olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone) antipsychotics, compared with age-matched healthy subjects.MethodsThe subjects of this study (n = 45), consisted of 35 patients who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and 10 healthy control age and gender-matched subjects. Patients were of paranoid subtype, with duration of illness for at least 5 years. Nine patients were under haloperidol (1–2 mg daily dose) treatment and 26 (8/10/8) patients were under atypical treatment: quetiapine (300 mg daily dose), olanzapine (20 mg daily dose) or risperidone (2–4 mg daily dose), respectively.ResultsWe found a significant decrease in GPX specific activity and also a significant increase of MDA levels in schizophrenic patients, compared to age-matched control group, regardless of their type of treatment. Additionally, an increase in SOD specific activity was observed, mainly in the patients treated with haloperidol and quetiapine.ConclusionsFurther research is necessary in order to elucidate the effects of different antipsychotic agents on antioxidant enzymes.
The neuronal correlates of empathy in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Michel T.M. , Herholz S. , Finkelmeier A. , Schneider F. , Brügmann E. , Haeck M. , Schneider K. , Vloet A. , Habel U. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterised by repetitive behaviour/interests, an impairment in reciprocal social interaction and communication. This implies the inadequate appreciation of socio-emotional cues and leads to a default in the responses to other people's emotions.ObjectivesDeficits in empathy have been described for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).AimsWe aim to investigate the described deficits in empathy in a group of people with ASD on a behavioural and a neuronal level.MethodsWe assessed neuronal activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during three different empathy tasks (“emotion-recognition”, “perspective-taking” and “affective-responsiveness”) of 12 adults with ASD and a matched group of healthy controls.ResultsSubjects with ASD did not have differences in affective responsiveness compared to healthy controls, but in emotion recognition and perspective taking. The reaction time was significantly longer in patients with ASD in all tasks. People with ASD showed a different pattern of brain activation in cortico-limbic areas during the empathy tasks compared to controlsConclusionOur findings of individuals with ASD having problems in emotions-recognition and in perspective taking are supported by previous results. These impairments are reflected by a different pattern of neuronal activation in several brain areas of individuals with ASD compared to controls. Although there are no differences in affective responsiveness in the ASD group a marked difference can be seen in the brain activation during this task. These findings might open up new avenues of intervention for individuals with ASD and their often described problems with empathy.
Subgroups with characteristically different electroencephalographic profiles identified by cluster analysis within schizophrenic patients
Authors: Papaliaga M.N. , Hatziefthimiou A.A. , Mouzas O. , Karatziou M. , Angelopoulos N. 
Published: May 2011

AimTo examine clinical, electrophysiological differences among subgroups of schizophrenic patients with different QEEG profiles identified by cluster analysis.MethodFifty-two schizophrenic patients were studied (age:34.64 ± 10.41, 18–58 years). Digital, resting electroencephalogram was recorded and submitted to quantitative-topographic spectrum analysis (QEEG), and patients’ clinical state was assessed by the Greek version of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). QEEG data were submitted to cluster analysis, and QEEG, clinical differences were compared using Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test.ResultsThree groups of patients with different electrophysiological profiles (p < 0.05) were detected by cluster analysis of QEEG data: Group A, characterized by increased levels of relative power in α frequency band, low levels in β, medium levels of relative power in δ, θ frequency bands; Group B, characterized by increased levels of relative power in δ, θ frequency bands and medium in α, β; Group C, characterized by increased levels of relative power in β frequency band, very low in α, medium in δ, θ bands. According to PANSS, group A patients had lower (p < 0.05) levels of agitation, hostility/aggression, difficulty in abstract thinking, stereotypic thought and attention deficit than patients of the other groups.ConclusionsCluster analysis can be used to identify characteristically different QEEG profiles of schizophrenic patients. The cluster with increased relative power in the α frequency band, low levels in β, and medium in δ, θ bands was “healthier” in specific PANSS parameters than the clusters with low α and increased relative power in δ, θ and β frequency bands.
Leading role of an animal in a schizophrenic delusion. A case-report
Authors: Paraschakis A. , Molochas G. 
Published: May 2011

AimTo impress the diversity of positive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.MethodCase report and review of the literature (PubMed).ResultsMale patient, 43 years old, single, elementary school graduate, living with his mother. First hospitalization.Clinical featuresPersecutory ideas and auditory hallucinations dating from 8 months: he was convinced that his neighbor wanted to harm him; for this reason he had recruited his dog. He noted that the dog was following him when he was going out in the neighborhood, and was very aggressive towards him (he“heard” the dog barking at him continuously). His fear made him stop working (scrap dealer) and he was afraid of coming out of his home. He had even thought of poisoning the animal. Laboratory as well as neuroimaging exams (EEG, brain CT) were normal. The patient was treated with haloperidol (30 mg daily) and olanzapine (15 mg daily). He was discharged after 18 days. Three months later, he spontaneously stopped medication (15 mg olanzapine daily); in three weeks time the same ideas had resurfaced and was “hearing” the neighbor's dog barking again loudly at him. Since then he takes his medication regularly without experiencing any symptoms. Only one relevant article was found in the literature (Dening, T.R., and West, A.“The Dolittle phenomenon: hallucinatory voices from animals”, Psychopathology. 1990; 23: 40–45).ConclusionsAnimals could, rarely, play a key role in the delusional ideas of patients with schizophrenia. This doesn’t make these ideas less debilitating or even potentially dangerous.
Anxiety sensitivity in patients with psychosis regarding a non-clinical sample
Authors: Pastor-Morales J. , Castillo-Gordillo E. , Fernández-Jiménez E. , Rivas-Marín F. , Sanz-Largo V. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThere is increasing empirical evidence that links the classical separated psychopathological spectrums neurosis and psychosis. In this sense, anxiety is a factor for delusional/hallucinative development and maintenance (Freeman and Garety, 2003).ObjectivesWe intended to assess differences in Anxiety Sensitivity dimensions between patients with psychosis and a non-clinical sample.MethodsParticipants: 49 patients with DSM psychosis diagnosis (42 men and 7 women; mean age: 40), who attended a Mental Health Rehabilitation Service in 2008, were compared with a non-clinical sample (n = 582) from another study (Sandín, Valiente, Chorot and Santed, 2007).Design, materials and procedureA Cross-sectional design (one measurement) for a co-relational method of comparison between groups.We used the Spanish validated Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 -ASI 3- (Sandín et al., 2007), a 18-item Likert self-report that assesses fears of anxious symptoms. It presents a hierarchical structure (a general factor and three subscales -Physical, Cognitive and Social Concerns-). It's also used the first and third items (delusions and hallucinatory behaviour) of The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale -PANSS- (Kay, Opler and Lindenmayer, 1988) to detect positive symptoms.ResultsPatients present a higher anxiety sensitivity in the General Factor (t = 2.06, p < 0.05) and Cognitive Subscale (t = 3.91, p < 0.001) than nonpatient sample.ConclusionsPatients with psychosis show significant fears of symptoms of different anxious domains (ASI-total) regarding a non-clinical sample. Particularly, they are worried about the possibility that concentration difficulties and restlessness lead to mental incapacitation (ASI-cognitive).
Antpsychotics and CVD risk managment in rehabilitation inpatients - findings of an audit
Authors: Paul M.M. , Young M. , Wilkinson B. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionPatients with severe mental illness are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease because of lifestyle, co-morbidity and medication effects.Aim/objectivesThe aim of this audit is to ascertain the regularity of metabolic health checks, CVD risk assessment and adequate lipid modification therapy among patients on antipsychotic medication in 3 rehabilitation wards in county Durham and Darlington.MethodAccording to audit standards (based on NICE guidelines-Schizophrenia, Lipid Modification, Maudsley guidelines), All patients should have Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), CVD risk assessment using appropriate calculator, Fasting blood glucose and Fasting Lipid profile done at least once a year. Lipid modification therapy has to be offered to those with 10 year CVD risk of 20% or greater. All 31 patients in 3 rehabilitation wards were included. We searched for these readings between 1/09/2010 to 30/08/2010 in patient records.ResultsOf 31 patients, 26(84%) had blood pressure, 29(94%) had BMI and 11(35%) had either fasting blood sugar or HbA1c recorded. CVD risk assessment using calculator was not done in any patients. 19(61%) lipid profile done. Of the 19 patients 16 (84%) had abnormal lipid profile. 9 (26%) patients were on lipid modifying drugs, 6 (19%) patients were on appropriate dose of lipid modifying drugs.ConclusionOur audit identified a need for systemic assessment of physical health with emphasis on cardiovascular risk management (lifestyle education, lipid modification therapy) which are critical to minimising risks and preventing long term adverse health consequences.
The empirical status of CBT for psychosis: controlled efficacy, indication and therapeutic factors. A systematic review of meta-analytic findings
Authors: Pfammatter M. 
Published: May 2011

A series of meta-analyses points to the benefits of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in the treatment of psychosis. However, there are discrepancies in the controlled efficacy of CBT for psychosis depending on the targeted treatment goal or the control condition applied. This raises questions about its indication and therapeutic ingredients.The findings of all existing meta-analyses were integrated. Relevant meta-analyses were identified by searching electronic data bases. In order to compare their findings the reported effect sizes were transformed into a standard effect size measure. Moderator analyses were performed regarding different treatment goals and controls. Furthermore, therapeutic components were related to outcome by calculating weighted mean correlation effect sizes in order to identify essential therapeutic factors. The statistical significance of the effect sizes was determined by computing 95% confidence intervals. Homogeneity tests were applied to examine the consistency of the effects and component-outcome relations.The integration of meta-analytic findings demonstrates considerable differences in the controlled efficacy: CBT for psychosis has long-term effects on persisting positive and negative symptoms, but no effect on acute positive symptoms and limited benefits as an early intervention. Moreover, the advantages compared to non-specific supportive therapies are moderate. Component-outcome relations indicate that cognitive restructuring and coping skills training represent key therapeutic factors. However, component control designs also point to the importance of the therapeutic alliance and motivational processes for therapeutic change. Thus, there is a need to promote analyses of the determinants of a helpful therapeutic relationship and enhanced treatment motivation of people suffering from psychosis.
Psychosocial particularities for adherence concept at chronic schizophrenia patients
Authors: Pirlog M.C. , Marinescu D. , Marinescu I. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundConcept of therapeutic adherence in schizophrenia describes the level of agreement between patient's medication taking and the psychiatrist expectations. The literature data reveal the facts that therapeutic adherence is low in the case of chronic evolution of schizophrenia. The sociological concept follows the notion of adherence to treatment for the schizophrenic patient in the patient-family-psychiatrist relation.MethodsTo find the level of understanding the concept of therapeutic adherence at the level of schizophrenic patients, their families and psychiatrists, we used a scale with 5 items. This scale was applied to a lot of 30 schizophrenic patients, 30 members of family or caregivers and 30 psychiatrists. The items referred to efficacy of pharmacological therapy, adverse effects of antipsychotics, administration form of antipsychotic (daily or long action), accessibility to medication, the direct relationship between patient and therapeutically team in the moment of taking medication.ResultsFor the patients: relationship between patient and psychiatrist, administration form and accessibility to medication.For the family: accessibility to medication, adverse effects, efficacy of therapy.For the psychiatrist: adverse effects, efficacy of therapy and accessibility to medication.DiscussionFor the patients the relation with therapeutically team is the most important element of adherence and is significant correlated with the long action antipsychotics therapy. The concept of adherence must be individualized depending to patient, family and psychiatrist. The results of this study can be a prerequisite for further research. Decrease of adherence to antipsychotics treatment suggests the switch to a long action antipsychotic.
Some aspects of quality of life among patients with chronic mental illness
Authors: Popovic I. 
Published: May 2011

In this study we examined 62 patients, suffering from Schizophrenia (N-36), or Bipolar affective disorder or Major depression (N-26). They completed a Quality of life Checklist (QUOLC) on the basis of one hour semi structured interview. Satisfaction with each Sector of QUOLC was measured according to some social psychiatric characteristics of the patients, such as: age, gender, education, living place (village/town), duration of the illness, education, employment, as so as the type of the psychiatric disorder.QUOLC include various aspects of living, such as: Housing, Knowledge& Education, Relationships, Dependency, Inner experience, Medical care, Leisure, Work and Religion. Results at the first place shows generally more satisfactory attitudes for Schizophrenia than Depression group of patients. Further, results show that schizophrenic patients significantly mark Unsatisfactory sectors: Relationships, Inner experience, Leisure and Work.Significantly satisfactory aspects for them were: Environment, Medical care and vocational rehabilitation. For patients suffering from Bipolar disorder or Major depression significantly Unsatisfactory aspects of life were: Mental health, Inner experience, Physical health and Work, while they found Satisfactory Relationships, Knowledge, Housing and Communication. Also, better scores on the QOULC show patients with social characteristics: younger ones, living in village, shorter duration of the illness, employed.
Anxiety on heart function in psychiatric patients
Authors: Poulou K. , Damigos D. , Mavreas V. , Gouva M. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionCardiac anxiety and its consequences is one of the issues in the research on pain. The special characteristics of people with psychiatric pathology affect the experience of this type of anxiety?AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between the cardiac anxieties with the experience of psychiatric pathology in persons hospitalized with a psychiatric problem.Materials and methodsThe study sample consisted of seventy patients hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic. The Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire as well a demographic questionnaire was used in order to measure the necessary parameters.ResultsPeople coming from a small town have greater anxiety for their cardiac function in the total of the questionnaire (P = .026), as well in the subscale of the avoidance (P = .011).The stressful event of childhood is a factor influencing the anxiety of focalization in cardiac function in adulthood (P = .013). Moreover, schizophrenic patients tend to have higher scores of cardiac anxiety, than patients with bipolar disorder (P = .040).ConclusionsThe genesis of cardiac anxiety depends on the experiences of childhood and the wider social situations. The psychiatric pathology contributes to the appearance of this type of anxiety. The establishment of educational programs for the health care staff would be useful in order to improve the diagnostic ability of the cardiac anxiety especially in the psychiatric population.