bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) among outpatients attending a tertiary care psychiatric service in eastern nile delta
Authors: Amr M. , El-Wasify M. , El-Gilany A.-H. 
Published: May 2011

Thirty patients suffering from generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD) and diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria attending the psychiatric outpatient clinic of a University hospital in Egypt 2009–2010 were assessed by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale to estimate the severity of symptoms.Anxiety and depressive symptoms were also assessed by Hamilton anxiety rating Scale and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).The Global assessment of functioning was completed following the appointment. Forty-seven percent of the patients were males, and 53% were females. The mean age of the sample was 22.5 years, with a mean duration of SAD of 5.6 years. Forty percent of patients had a positive family history for SAD. Forty percent of patients presented with co-morbid depressive disorder, whereas 24% presented with anxiety disorder and 31% with other disorders. The age of patients was found to correlate positively with total LSAS score, but it correlated negatively with the total depressive score. The severity of social anxiety symptoms was significantly greater in patients with co-morbid diagnoses and in depressive disorders than in anxiety disorders. High Correlations between MADRS and LSAS scores were observed in depressive disorders.LimitationsSmall size of convenience sample undergoing varying treatments within a single specialist tertiary referral centre. Early recognition and treatment of SAD, may ameliorate the occurrence of depression. Follow up studies are needed to investigate the risk factors that may lead to depression in SAD.
The pre-pulse inhibition deficit in obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Martoni R. , Sottocorno S. , Galimberti E. , Fadda E. , Bellodi L. 
Published: May 2011

Pre-Pulse Inhibition (PPI) of the Acoustic Startle Response (ASR) is an operational measure of sensorimotor gating. Because top-level symptoms in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) suggest failures in inhibition processes and the pathophysiology of this disorder includes disturbances in brain regions that control PPI, we hypothesized that OCD patients should exhibit deficient PPI.PPI was examined in 17 OCD patients and 29 healthy controls (HC). Electromyography response (EMG) was used as dependent variable. We used an acoustic stimulation and three Inter-Stimulus Intervals (ISI): 120, 60 and 30 ms.Significant differences between OCD and HC in percent inhibition (% PPI) were found in in pp 120 ms [F = 7.71, p < .008] and in pp 60 ms [F = 10.22, p < .002] conditions. In both conditions there was no significant main effect of Block on % PPI. In pp 30 ms trials, PPI was considerably lower in patients (−0,54 ± 23,45%PPI) than healthy subjects (17,42 ± 55,99%PPI) but no main effect for group was found [F= 1.29, p=.26].% PPI correlations with clinical variables like severity of OCD symptoms, age of onset or durations of illness were not significant in our study.Two precedent studies and this results strongly suggest that OCD patients were characterized by reduced PPI, suggesting a deficient sensorimotor gating, but it is not clear if could be a stable or a state dependent trait. Further research could focus on this issue, because if reduced PPI is a stable trait in OCD, it may qualify as an endophenotype for this disorder.
Response inhibition in the obsessive-compulsive spectrum
Authors: Sottocorno S. , Martoni R. , Galimberti E. , Fadda E. , Bellodi L. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionSome authors suggest that Anorexia Nervosa (AN) could be considered as part of the Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might be best characterized in terms of failures in cognitive and behavioral inhibitory functions. Impairments in intentionally inhibiting simple motor actions (Response Inhibition) have been demonstrated in these patients but no studies were conducted in AN patients.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate Response Inhibition (RI) in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Healthy Controls (HC).Methods29 HC, 17 patients with OCD and 15 patients with AN were recruited. Stop Signal Task (SST) selected from Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) was administered to all participants. SST is based on the Logan's theory and it gives an index of Response Inhibition, called Stop Signal Reaction Time (SSRT).ResultsA significant difference in SSRT between HC and the clinical groups was found. No differences in SSRT and number of “Direction Errors” were found between OCD and AN groups. No gender influence on the SST performance was found.OCD group showed slower reaction times to the main task than AN and HC.ConclusionResults from neuropsychological assessment have shown a deficit in the Response Inhibition in OCD and AN patients, in line with our hypothesis. Findings supports evidences in literature about OCD patients, but it represents a pioneer result in the contest of AN patients.
Executive dysfunctions in Anorexia Nervosa patients, obsessive-compulsive patients and their unaffected relatives: searching for a new intermediate phenotype
Authors: Galimberti E. , Sani V. , Scavelli V. , Fadda E. , Fanini F. , Bellodi L. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionSome authors suggested that Anorexia Nervosa (AN) could be part of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum. Evidences suggested that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) could be characterized by an impaired neuropsychological profile, referring particularly to cognitive flexibility, decision making and planning. It's possible that these deficits could represent possible endophenotypes that characterizes OCD spectrum.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was compared, cognitive flexibility, decision making and planning in 38 patients with OCD, in 21 patients with AN and in their first degree unaffected relatives (OCD relatives: 46; AN relatives: 21). Results have been also compared to a sample of 41 healthy controls (HC) and their unaffected first degree relatives (43).MethodAll participants have been assessed by a neuropsychological battery composed by the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the Wisconsin Sorting Card Test (WISC) and the Hanoi Tower (TH).ResultsResults showed an impaired cognitive flexibility only in OCD patients and their relatives. Patients with AN and their relatives didn’t seem to be characterized by a deficit in this area. Results obtained from the TH scores showed an impaired planning ability both in OCD and AN patients. The same deficit has been also observed in OCD relatives. Impaired decision making seemed to characterize both AN and OCD patients, compared HC. Moreover, OCD and AN relatives showed a deficit performance, suggesting an impairment in this function.ConclusionResults regarding planning and decision making seem to be in line with the hypothesis that this two domains could represent possible endophenotypes of obsessive compulsive spectrum.
Smoking and respiratory irregularity at rest in patients with panic disorder
Authors: Fanini F. , Fadda E. , Galimberti E. , Sani V. , Scavelli V. , Bellodi L. 
Published: May 2011

ObjectiveIn the past decades different evidences suggested a relationship between Panic Disorder (PD) and respiration, among which the presence of different respiratory irregularities at rest in PD patients. It has been hypothesized that PD could be characterized by a dysfunction of those areas involved in the central control of respiration. The aim of this study was to unravel possible differences in the respiratory patterns at rest between PD patients and healthy controls (HC). Moreover we investigate possible mechanisms linking smoking to respiration.MethodsRespiratory physiology has been assessed in 32 PD patients with Agoraphobia and 24 HC, for 15 consecutive minutes. Mean and standard deviation of respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV), minute ventilation (VE), and end-tidal CO2 (pCO2) have been assessed.ResultsNo significant difference between the two groups in all physiological indexes has been found. A significant diagnosis-by-smoking interaction has been found for RR and VT mean value (p < 0,05), that were significantly higher in non-smokers PD patients compared to non-smokers HC.ConclusionResults seem to suggest the existence of a peculiar equilibrium condition in PD patients. Respiratory system in PD responds to nicotine assumption differently from that of the HC. These data seem to be consistent with the hypothesis of a central homeostatic dysfunction in PD.Further studies are needed, that take in account age of onset of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked daily. Moreover investigation on the Homeostatic Brain’ functioning should need a more integrated consideration of the cardiac, respiratory and balance systems together.
Treatment effect of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy in panic disorder - fmri study
Authors: Grambal A. , Hluštík P. , Praško J. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThe aim of our study was the correlation of regional brain activity with intensity of psychopathology and the correlation of treatment effect of CBT in patients suffering from panic disorder.MethodFive patients suffering from panic disorder and five healthy controls were studied in fMRI during the exposition of threat-related words compared with neutral words and emotional faces compared with fixation points. Inpatients were treated with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and existing pharmacotherapy for 6 weeks. Patients were studied in fMRI scanner before and after the treatment. Psychopathology was assessed using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The Clinical Global Impression rating scales (CGI), Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). Data were analyzed using software for functional magnetic analysis (AFNI) and compared with psychopathology rating scales.ResultsHyperactivity of cerebellum in patient treated with CBT compared with healthy controls was observed after activation by anxiety words and faces. The scores of psychopathology rating scales decreased in patient treated with CBT and correlates with decrease of hyperactivity in cerebellum.ConclusionChanges of brain activity in fMRI after the CBT treatment were observed in patient suffering from panic disorder. Threat-related words and emotional faces showed cerebellum hyperactivity in patients compared with healthy controls. Decrease of cerebellum hyperactivity was observed after treatment with CBT, compared with healthy controls. Predictor of therapeutic response in fMRI was not find. Cerebellum play an important role in panic disorder.Supported with project IGA NS 10301-3/2009
Preliminary analysis of characteristics of coping in a sample of outpatient with anxiety disorders
Authors: Grandinetti P. , Frustaci A. , Guerriero G. , Solaroli S. , Janiri L. , Pozzi G. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThe ways of coping with problems and emotions are particularly important in anxiety disorders. It is also likely that subjective functional styles help identify the mode of presentation of these disorders, regardless of diagnosis psychopathology.ObjectivesClinical and functional investigation of outpatients attending a third-level Anxiety Disorders Unit.AimsTo identify the most employed coping strategies and investigate whether different coping styles are linked to specific expressions of psychopathology by means of a cross-correlation analysis between dimensional measures of coping and characteristics of psychopathology.MethodsWe administered a set of instruments including SCL-90-R and Brief-COPE to 172 patients; categorical diagnoses according to DSM-IV-TR were as follows: GAD 80 (46.5%), 33 PD (19.2%), other miscellaneous 59 (34.3%). The statistical analyses of correlation between COPE and SCL scores were performed by means of Spearman's Rho.ResultsThe most represented (mean score >5) coping strategies include: active coping, planning, self-blame, instrumental support, emotional support, self-distraction, acceptance, venting. Venting, denial, behavioural disengagement, and use of emotional support, show positive correlations (p ≤ 0.04) with anxiety, phobic anxiety and GSI; self-blame with anxiety and GSI. Conversely, humour correlates (p ≤ 0.04) negatively with anxiety and GSI.ConclusionsCorrelations between high scores of GSI and specific coping strategies suggest possible mechanisms of interaction between functioning styles and expressions of psychopathology. The interpretation of these findings requires further investigation of interactive mechanisms, taking into account phases of activity or remission of the clinical syndrome.
Long-term outcome in pharmacotherapy-resistant patients with panic disorder treated with cognitive-behavior therapy: 5-year follow-up
Authors: Heldt E. , Blaya C. , Kipper L. , Salum Junior G. , Hirakata V.N. , Manfro G.G. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundThere is a limitation of data about factors associated with treatment response in panic disorder (PD) patients at long-term follow-up period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term treatment response of pharmacotherapy-resistant patients with PD after 5 years of cognitive-behavior group therapy (CBGT) and to identify factors that predict this outcome.MethodSixty-four patients who completed 12 sessions of CBGT were followed for 5-year. Outcome measures were evaluated by the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and quality of life (QoL) using WHOQOL-bref. Demographic and clinical features, stressful life events were the variables investigated as predictors of CBGT response across follow-up period.ResultsTreatment was associated with significant reduction in symptoms severity (agoraphobia, anticipatory anxiety and panic attacks) with maintenance of gains at 5-year of follow-up (p < 0.05). Twenty-four (40%) of the sample remained in remission after 5 years, 12 (20%) relapsed during the follow-up period and 24 (40%) were non-responder to CBGT. The poor CBGT response had an important negative impact in QoL. Regression analyzes showed that comorbidity with dysthymia (p = 0.017) and stressful life events (p = 0.012) as the most important predictors to worse response.ConclusionsThe improvement in all evaluations suggested that brief CBGT for pharmacotherapy-resistant patients could be an alternative as next-step strategy for residual symptoms with maintenance of the gains after 5 years as assessed across follow-up period. New strategies should be tried for resistant patients, such as those with dysthymia comorbidity, and some specific tool in order to cope with adverse events.
Anxiety prevalence in coexisting alzheimer’s and thyroid pathology
Authors: Ioancio I. , Trascu R. , Turcu I. , Spiru L. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundAlzheimer disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders (prevalence boosts from 0.2% in patients aged 55-65 up to 27% in patients aged 85+ years. Clinical manifestations of psychiatric disorders accompanying hypo- and hyper-thyroid function can mimic cognitive impairment.ObjectivesOur study aimed at studying the relationship between thyroid pathology, anxiety disorder and Alzheimer disease (AD).MethodsOur longitudinal, prospective research followed 49 patients with thyroid disorders (aged 50-85 years, 93.5 females); 63.3% (n = 31) had coexisting dementia and thyroid disease while 36.7% (n = 18) were dementia-cleared (10 had mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 8 - anxiety and/or depression); we cross/analyzed control (n = 18) and target (n = 31) groups.ResultsIn the target group, 64.5% (n = 20) had hypothyroidism, 22.6% (n = 7) had euthyroid function and 12.9% (n = 4) had hyperthyroidism. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was higher in the hypothyroidism + dementia group (55.5%, n = 11) than in the hypothyroidism-only group (44.4%, n = 8). Most controls (77.8%, n = 14) had hypothyroidism while 22% (n = 4) had normal thyroid function.ConclusionsAnxiety disorder had a greater prevalence both in the group with dementia + thyroid disease and in the MCI group. Hypothyroidism was the dominant thyroid disorder in both groups. The early diagnostic and treatment of thyroid disease is expected to improve prognosis and evolution of future cognitive disorders (MCI & AD).
Psychiatric evaluation of maladaptive male conscripts in a division of the republic of korean army: about the green camp participants
Authors: Kang S.-H. 
Published: May 2011

ObjectivesIn this study, we aimed to elucidate the demographic and psychological characteristics of maladaptive soldiers in the Republic of Korea Army.MethodsStudy participants were 110 male conscripts who participated in the Green camp, a kind of group psychotherapy for maladaptive soldiers. All the participants were interviewed and diagnosed by a psychiatrist, and classified into two groups according to whether they left or rejoin the army. We analyzed the difference between these two groups in terms of demographic features, psychiatric diagnosis, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) subscores.ResultsCompared with soldiers who rejoined their units, those who left military service exhibited significantly lower educational level (p = 0.041) and higher rate in psychiatric treatment prior to enlistment (p = 0.011). Among the 106 study subjects, 63 (59.4%) and 23(21.7%) were diagnosed as personality disorder and adjustment disorder, respectively. Soldiers who left military service were diagnosed more frequently as mood disorder (p = 0.001) and schizophrenia (p = 0.014), respectively, than those who rejoined their units. The MMPI scores of soldiers who left military service were significantly higher on the psychasthenia (p = 0.028) and schizophrenia (p = 0.039) scales than those of soldiers who rejoined their units.ConclusionMost of the maladaptive soldiers were diagnosed as mental disorder. The results of this study suggest that systematic, consistent psychiatric evaluation and intervention for maladaptive male conscripts is crucial in the army.
Behavior psychoterapy in the treatment of agoraphobia
Authors: Kozarov T. 
Published: May 2011

The origin of the word agoraphobia is greek word agora = squere and phobos = fear; fear of public places, streets and squares as well as separation of safety situations and people. Behaviour therapy belongs in “covering” psychoterapy which is primarly interested in actual behaviour of patient in the broadest sence of that word, from the very beginnings of the motoric and autonomous behaviour, along with private thoughts, feelings and events, till freely expressed behaviour which is available to external observation. The basis for neurosa is not entering in the situation of fear and passive avoide reaction which expresses agoraphobia.The material: Patient J.D. 27 years old, second marriage, mother of one, sales menager, fear from independent moving lasts for 6 months. The origin of the fear is traumatic, and the basis are marriage conflicts-weather stay in marriage or to divorce for the second time (two undesirable goals).Type of perssonality: Anxious.The treatment: Behavioural therapy analysis, systematic desensivation in vivo, therapeutics was achieved; independently mobile in duration of 1 hour (depression as the second phenomenon has disappeared, anxiety as the leading one is reduced to minimum)
The effects of olanzapine in treatment of panic disorder with and without agoraphobia
Authors: Mokhber N. , Savadkoohi F. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundIn this study, we have evaluated the effects of Olanzapine in treatment of panic disorder with and without agoraphobia.Method and materialsPatients whit resistant panic disorder (resistant to tow SSRI agents) who came to psychiatric clinic of Ibn-e-Sina and Ghaem Hospitals-Mashhad during 2004–2005 were enrolled in this study. Low dose Olanzapine (2.5 milligram per day) was administered initially. ALL cases were evaluated by different psychiatric tests such as agoraphobic cognitions questionnaire panic attack and anticipatory anxiety scale, Hamilton depression test and general functional assessment.ResultsIn this study, 30 patients were divided into two groups of panic disorder with agoraphobia (13 cases) and panic disorder without agrophobia (17 cases). Comparing these two groups, all indexes were improved significantly by time but The frequency of panic attacks in the last week minor panic attack duration of panic attacks agoraphobic cognition scale and Hamilton depression indexes were Improved significantly especially in those cases with panic disorder and agoraphobia Although the therapeutic response according to anxiety score, total panic attacks Hamilton depression test and general functional assessment was not showed any Difference.ConclusionOlanzapine augmentation has acceptable effects in the treatment of drug resistant panic disorder with agoraphobia and therapeutic effects were more significant among patients with panic disorder without agoraphobia.
Sports ballroom dances as a method of correction of anxiety at teenagers
Authors: Moskvin V.A. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionBallrom dancing as a sport now has a great popularity in Russia, therefore it is necessary to determine features of its influence on dancer's personality.ObjectivesThe hypothesis of this date has the following issue: regular employment of sports dances (under the European and Latin American program) are a method of correction of anxiety 13–14 years old teenagers.AimsAt a preliminary investigation phase we selected ten teenagers (4 boys and 6 girls), which hadn’t been engaged in any kinds cognitive activity, except school classes and having high anxiety indicators. At the basic investigation phase teenagers became members of a dance sports club and the psychological monitoring was carried out.MethodsDuring our research work we applied the test of R.Cattell (form HSPQ), the test of Ch. Spiellberger. Various methods of observation, interview, and also methods of mathematical statistics, particularly factor of correlation of K. Pearson, criterion of F. Wilcoxon were used.ResultsAccording to the R. Cattell test the tendency of anxiety decrease is fixed. Anxiety (scale O) was stably normalized at 80% of testees that positivly correlates with the results under the Ch. Spiellberger test results (r = 0,85). Two girls showed fluctuations of anxiety on the eve competitions.ConclusionsDancing sports develop ability to fruitful cooperation with adults and peer at teenagers, raise selfconfidence, form skills of self-organizing of their life. Reliable results on anxiety normalization are reached (p ≤ 0,005), hence, sports ballroom dances can be considered as a correction method for high by anxious teenagers.
The effects of CO2 inhalation in patients with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Authors: Muhtz C. , Daneshi J. , Braun M. , Kellner M. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionPanic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is currently classified as an anxiety disorder in DSM-IV, share some clinical characteristics. Emerging evidence suggests that CO2-induced fear reactivity is associated with anxiety disorders, especially panic disorder. However, there are only very few data available about the sensitivity of patients with PTSD to carbon dioxide.AimTo examine the psychometric effects of CO2 on panic anxiety and PTSD symptoms in subjects with PTSD.MethodsIn 10 patients with PTSD, 10 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects and additional 8 patients with panic disorder we assessed anxiety, panic, dissociative and PTSD symptoms before and after a single vital capacity inhalation of 35% CO2.ResultsInhalation of a single deep breath of 35% of carbon dioxide resulted in significant panicogenic and anxiogenic effects in PTSD patients versus healthy controls, which were similar to the well known responses of patients with panic disorder. Furthermore, significant pro-dissociative effects and significant provocation of post-traumatic flashbacks and PTSD symptoms were observed in PTSD patients.ConclusionsThese data provide novel evidence that panic disorder and PTSD share a common hypersensitivity to CO2 and thus might belong to the same spectrum of vulnerability.