bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lorazepam, Tiapride and Pregabalin in Alcohol Withdrawal: A Multicenter, Randomised, Comparison Trial
Authors: Martinotti G. , Di Nicola M. , Tedeschi D. , Frustaci A. , De Filippis R. , Mazza M. , Pedullà C. , Pozzi G. , Janiri L. 
Published: March 2009

Introduction:In this multicenter, randomised, single-blind, parellel group, comparison trial we aimed to investigate the efficacy of lorazepam, tiapride and pregabalin in alcohol withdrawal. Craving and psychiatric symptoms improvements were the secondary endpoints.Methods:One-hundred-nine alcohol dependent subjects (DSM-IV) were detoxified and subsequently randomised into three groups, respectively receiving 200-400 mg of tiapride (TIA; mean dosage 300 mg), 2-5 mg of lorazepam (LOR; mean dosage 3 mg) and 150-450 mg of pregabalin (PRE; mean dosage 280 mg). Withdrawal symptomatology was determined by the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar), whereas the level of craving for alcohol was evaluated by a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Italian -version of the Obsessive and Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS). Psychiatric symptomatology was evaluated by the Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL-90 R).Results:All the three medications have shown efficacy on reducing alcohol drinking indices, craving scores and withdrawal symptomatology. The reduction observed in the PRE group was significantly higher than those in the LOR and TIA groups. In terms of safety and tolerability, all the compounds were generally well-tolerated. Only one patient has reported an epileptic episode during the treatment with tiapride.Discussion:Results from this study globally place the three medications at the same range of efficacy, with the PRE group reporting an higher reduction of withdrawal symptoms. Another point in favour of the employment of pregabalin was represented by a better outcome in those patients reporting a comorbid psychiatric disorder.
Internet Dependence in College Students from Greece
Authors: Frangos C.C. , Frangos C.C. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:We intended to study the trends of Internet dependence (ID) and to detect possible associations among Greek college students.Methods:646 college students (300 males and 346 females), mean age 20.5 years, from the Technological Educational Institute of Athens, were randomly selected. The students completed special questionnaires which contained questions on their demographics, Young's Addiction Scale (1996), and Lin and Tsai's (2002) Sensation Seeking scale.Results:a.The prevalence of Internet dependents was 7.9%.b.There are more boys (32) Internet addicts than girls (19).c.There is a significant relationship between ID and gender (p < 0.01), average mark in last semester (p < 0.001), and daily use of Internet (p < 0.001). 11% of internet dependent students use the Internet more than 10h per day compare to 1.6% of non-dependent students.d.Internet dependent students have used for more average time per week than non-dependent students online games (p < 0.01), blogs, chat rooms, and forums (p < 0.001).e.Nine (9) factors accounted for 54.467% of the total variance in questions concerning ID, sensation seeking, and relations with others. The three most prominent factors were related problems to internet use, family, and school, compulsive use and withdrawal symptoms and depression.f.There is a substantial correlation between Internet addiction and alcoholism, smoking, and substance taking (p < 0.005).Conclusion:Internet addicted students are more prone to experience loneliness, withdrawal, depression and rejection from others. Internet over-use affects academic performance and is associated with substance consumption.
Tobacco Smoking and Motivation to Quit in Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Ganhão I. , Gonçalves E. , Paixão A. , Trigo M. 
Published: March 2009

Introduction:Smoking is a major health risk in the population in general with significantly increased morbility/mortality with severe consequences on the quality of life and tremendous economic burden on society. It is well known that psychiatric patients have an even higher prevalence of smoking, of heavy smokers and of other risk factors that contribute to the same illnesses.Non-smoking campaigns/smoking restrictions have flourished and it appears that more people are quitting or seriously contemplating the idea. When once, many non-smokers tolerated smokers, today the stigma associated with smoking is undeniable. Psychiatric patients, already greatly stigmatized, risk even becoming more so. Furthermore, smoking cessation programs and interventions frequently are not available, exclude many psychiatric patients and/or are ill-adapted to the special needs in this patient population.Aim:To establish the prevalence of smoking, quantity of tobacco smoked, other factors of dependence by psychiatric diagnosis in a portuguese psychiatric hospital.Establish the motivation of these patients to seek help by professionals and motivation to quit.Methods:Application of questionnaires including Fagerstrom's Modified Questionnaire to patients under care by one team of a Psychaitric hospital in Lisbon, Portugal (CHPL - Sector A).Discussion and conclusions:The study is under way therefore, there are no valid conclusions yet.Certainly it will be possible to confirm high levels of smoking tobacco in this patient population. Hopefully, we may also conclude that there is the desire to change smoking habits making cessation programs a needed and welcomed intervention in psychiatric settings.
Temperament and Character Inventory Dimensions in Alcohol Dependency
Authors: Karadag F. , Saatcioglu O. , Ure I. , Ayhan A. , Tellioglu N. , Ozdemir F. , Akdeniz F. , Tezcan A.E. 
Published: March 2009

Aim:The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in dimensions of temperament between alcohol dependent inpatients and healthy control subjects.Method:The study is consisted of 77 alcohol-dependent patients according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition and 80 healthy control subjects. Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) scale and semi structured sociodemographic form were applied to the subjects after detoxification period.Results:Age and education level were similar rates in both alcohol dependent (mean age= 43.7 ± 10.1 and education level= 9.0 ± 4.2) and healthy control subjects (mean age: 42.5 ± 11.8 and education level: 10.2 ± 3.8). Alcohol-dependent patients were characterized by higher Novelty-Seeking (p=0.006) and Harm Avoidance (p=0.002) than non-psychiatric control subjects. Also, subjects suffering from Alcohol-dependence exhibited significantly more depressive (p=0.003), anxious (p=0.001), irritable (p=0.004) and cyclothymic (p=0.001) temperament. Novelty-Seeking [95% C.I = 1.08 (1.07-1.16)] and cyclothymic temperament [95% C.I = 1.13 (1.03-1.23)] were predictors of alcohol dependency.Conclusion:Novelty seeking and harm avoidance were significantly higher in the patients than in the healthy subjects. Novelty-Seeking and cyclothymic temperament were predictors for alcohol dependency. It seems to be important to consider TCI dimensions and affective temperaments in planning the treatment and maybe in preventing of alcohol dependence.
The Survey of Effective Factors in the Re-addiction After Quitting in Ardabil
Authors: Molaei B. , Hejazi S. , Karimollahi M. , Mohammadi M.A. 
Published: March 2009

Background and objectives:Addiction is one of the most terrible disasters that has struck the young people in our country and has destroyed many of our economic and human resources. This study was done to determine the effective factors in the re-addiction after quitting in Ardabil.Methods and materials:This study was a descriptive study in which the subjects have been addicts referring to the governmental and nongovernmental drug treating centers in Ardabil. 380 addicts were chosen on the basis of sampling. The instrument was a questionnaire of two parts. The first part consists of 16 questions about demographic factors and the second part with 39 questions was about the factors that caused re-addiction. The questionnaire had a content validity and its reliability was determined by the test-retest method.Results:The results show that 50.5% of the subjects ranged between 30 to 50 years. less than 89.2% city residents, 32.6% opium addicts and 34.5% had quit at least twice, and 64.7% of them had started again after 2 months, 50.6% of the addicts had mental disorders. Chi-square statistical analyses showed that there is significant relationship between personal, social, economic and family-related factors with re-addiction.Conclusion:It can be concluded that the combination of personal, social, economic and family-related factors play a very important role in re-addiction. So it is recommended that for re-addiction prevention all dimensions of the addicts have to be taken into consideration when they are quitting.
In Vivo Evidence for Long-term CNS Toxicity Associated with Chronic Binge use of Methamphetamine
Authors: Kim D. 
Published: March 2009

Purpose:Methamphetamine has strong addictive characteristics and is a potent neurotoxin. We use Single PhotonEmission Computed Tomography (SPECT) to study brain perfusion in persons who were formerly chronic binge users of methamphetamine and who at the time of imaging had abstained from methamphetamine use for anaverage of 2 years.Methods:Members of the methamphetamine group were 20 men who had previously injected methamphetamine intravenously for over 30 months and who were now abstinent for a minimum of 9 months and for an average of 2 years. Controls were 12 healthy men who had never injected methamphetamine. Images were obtained 40 minutes after intravenous injection of 1110 MBq of Tc-99m ECD using a dual-head gamma camera (ECAM plus; Siemens).Results:The mean global count was significantly decreased in methamphetamine group compared with that of control group (p < 0.0001). After global normalization, rCBF in methamphetamine user group compared with the control group was significantly disproportionately reduced in the striatum, thalamus, cingulum, mesiodorsal prefrontal cortex, and pons. Furthermore, normalized rCBF was strongly intercorrelated across all regions where disproportionate hypoperfusion was identified, including striatum and thalamus (r=0.90), thalamus and cingulum (r=0.91), thalamus and pons(r=0.89), and striatum and pons (r=0.94).Conclusions:Binge use of methamphetamine produces long-term changes in global and regional blood flow producing a pattern of hypoperfusion that resembles patterns reported previously for persons with atypical Parkinson disease. These findings suggest that methamphetamine abusers may be at increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases later in life.
Prevalence and Course of Substance Use in Pregnancy
Authors: Kumar M. , Crome I. 
Published: March 2009

The prevalence of substance use among pregnant women varies widely. The reported prevalence varies between 0.2 and 15% for alcohol, between 1.8% and 15% for cannabis, and between 0.3% and 9.5% for cocaine. The reported prevalence of opiate use during pregnancy ranges from 1.6% to 8.5%. The prevalence varies widely because of differences in the methods of assessment, gestational period of assessment and population characteristics. There is clear evidence that substance use in this population is an issue of real and serious concern. Most pregnant women stop or reduce their substance use during pregnancy and this might be an opportune moment for detection and treatment.We report the prevalence of smoking, drinking and illicit substance use among 420 women attending for 20 week antenatal ultrasound scan in a UK University Hospital is reported. Routine antenatal recording of substance use among this population is compared with a focused interview and objective measurements for substance use. Change in use of substances in relation to pregnancy is also reported.
Computer-assisted Self-infusion of Ethanol (case): New Outcome Measures may Contain Unseful Information
Authors: Mick I. , O’Connor S. , Vitvitsky V. , Plawecki M.H. , Mann K.F. , Zimmermann U.S. 
Published: March 2009

Oral alcohol self-administration studies limit the range of arterial blood alcohol concentrations (aBAC) due to the combination of IRB-constraints on the maximum aBAC allowed and substantial variability in idiosyncratic enteral absorption. 25 healthy young adults participated in a preliminary assessment of the influence of familial alcoholism on alcohol self-administration using CASE. CASE automates the i.v. infusion of 6% ethanol, using an individualized kinetic model to achieve identical incremental aBAC in all subjects.In two CASE sessions, the subject was instructed to request infused “drinks” in order to emulate his/her perceptions of alcohol effects obtained at a weekend party. Conventional outcome measures all correlated closely with each other, so we evaluated the basic shape of the time course of aBAC achieved and the latency to peak aBAC (Tpk).Tpk correlated with maximum aBAC on the 1st (p= 0.029), but not 2nd session. Further, Tpk did not correlate with mean aBAC on either day, but did correlate well with the number of drink requests on both days (p< 0.001). In 33 out of 47 experiments, subjects achieved and maintained stable plateaus of aBAC for at least 30 minutes during the self-infusion. Both latency to peak aBAC and the shape of the subject’s preferred time course of aBAC may represent informative new ways of examining styles of alcohol self-administration of alcohol using CASE. The additions may enrich studies of the influence of factors such as familial alcoholism on the vulnerability for alcohol future alcohol dependence.
Cognitive Dysfunctions in Patients with Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Nowakowska K. , Jabłkowska K. , Adamiak G. , Borkowska A. 
Published: March 2009

Background and aim:Alcohol dependence is a chronic disease connected with disorders of the brain. The aim of this study was to assess cognitive frontal cortex functions in patients with alcohol dependence after discontinuation of alcohol use and after at least, one year of abstinence.Methods:106 patients (28 females, 78 males), aged 26 - 57 (mean 43±7,5) years with alcohol dependence were evaluated. In 53 subjects, an assessment was performed seven to ten days after discontinuation of alcohol drinking and in 53 subjects after at least one-year of abstinence. The control group consisted of 53 healthy persons, matched for age, sex and education to patients from the experimental group. The intensity of alcohol addiction was assessed, using SADD and MAST scales. Neuropsychological assessment included frontal tests: Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), N-back Test, TMT A&B, Stroop Test 1&2 and Verbal Fluency Test (FAS).Results:Significant disturbances of working memory and executive functions were noted in patients with alcohol dependence (with short-term and long-term abstinence), in comparison to healthy subjects. No significant differences were observed between the patients with short-term and long-term abstinence on the performance on neuropsychological tests, except better results of TMT B, WCST- the percent of non-perseverance errors and WCST - the percent of reactions compliant with logical concept obtained by the patients with long-term abstinence.Conclusions:The results obtained indicate core and enduring working memory deficits, connected with prefrontal cortex impairment in patients with alcohol addiction, independent from the duration of the abstinence.Acknowledgements:This research was supported by grant 502-16-685 Medical University of Lodz.
Does Gender have any Effect on the Neurophycological Damage in Cocaine Addicts? [P01-60]
Authors: Mangado E. Ochoa , Madoz-Gúrpide A. , Vadillo E. Salvador 
Published: March 2009

Records:Taking into account the differences on the basal cognitive performance, pattern of drug use, and the influence of menstrual cycle on cerebral blood flow and neuronal lost, it is expected to find differences on the neuropsychological damage resulting of chronic cocaine use according to the patient's gender.Objetive:To know about the influence of the gender factor on the neurophycological damage as a result of chronic use of cocaine.Experiment and method:Using a neurophicological assessment battrery (digit (WAIS-III), Trail Making, Card's, Zoo's (BADS), and Wisconsin Card test), we compare the performance between males (N= 19) and females (N= 5). This assessment is part of a wider observatory prospective study with a control group, to study neurophycology damage caused by the cronic consumption of cocaine (Proyect MSC-2005/465 (DGPNSD).Results:The mean age on our sample is 36.0 years (ds: 6.3); mean of schooling time was 8.4 years. 83.3% consume cocaine daily, but only 12.5% injected intravenously. The average of daily cocaine consumption is 1.5 gr (ds: 1.3). 87.5% use also other illegal substances.No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in any of the tests applied. The adjustment was made considering different patterns of drug use, schooling time and other variables. In the others analysis of the same tests in the group control neither did no find any different evidence in gender factor.Conclusions:Differences according to gender could not be found. On the statistical adjustment, pattern of cocaine use and previous cognitive function were considered.
Staff and Patient Attitudes and Issues Related to the Implementaion of a Comprehensive Smoking Ban in a Psychiatic Facility
Authors: Scharf D.L. , Zahn E. , Reddon J.R. , Els C. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:The purpose of the study was to evaluate issues related to the implementation of a smoking ban with the aim of improving programs to help patients reduce or quit smoking.Method:At a 410 bed pyschiatric facility, 73 staff and 68 patients completed separate surveys regarding their attitudes towards a smoke-free policy banning all indoor smoking and smoking on the grounds.Results:55.2% of patient respondents smoked cigarettes and 42% of participants who smoked have either reduced tobacco consumption or have quit. Changes in quality of life that were found to be significant were mood, eating habits, outlook on life, and level of restlessness, anxiety, stress, and concentration. Comfort level and alertness did not change significantly. These symptoms are all associated with nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) was percieved as being effective in relieving nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Over half of the patients have not discussed tobacco use with a health care professional. Staff expressed mixed attitudes towards the ban and the use of NRTs. Concerns were raised over patients smoking while using NRT in fear of the patient recieving too much nicotine.Conclusion:Given that the deleterious health consequences of smoking are well known and given the high prevalence of smoking in the psychiatric population, extraordinary efforts are required to significantly reduce tobacco consumption. The implication of this research is that education on tobacco reduction options ought to be provided to staff as well as patients. Efforts to reduce tobacco usuage must be incorporated into standard patient care.
Alcohol and Youth
Authors: Spremo M. 
Published: March 2009

Introduction:In adolescence alcohol can become considerable psychological stimulus, and its more regularly consuming will be the first step in making psychological and later physical dependence as well.Method:The aim is to establish the freqsuency of misuse of alcohol among the youth and some of risk factors which precipitate that kind of behaviour.610 secondary school pupils (360 females and 250 males), aged 14 - 18, in Banja Luka were sampled. Selfreported Questionnaire of Risk Behaviour by K. Berg-Kelly (2000) was used.Results:61,4% of those sampled consum alcohol with different frequency; from every day to few times a year, from that 29,7% females in relation to 30,5% males, and there is statistically considerable difference (x2=75373, p=0,000). From that number 39,3% drink alone, 43% testees drink within a family and from that 2% drink few times a week, and 28,5% few times a year. 25,7% of these sampled had experience in drinking. Parents allow drinking in 41,5% testees in relation to 58,5% who are not allowed to drink, so there is statistically cosiderable difference (x2=33997, p=0,000).Conclusion:The results should be used as a support to measures of prevention from selling alcohol to youth and establishing stronger supervision on spending money as well.
Demographic Characteristics of Patients with Comorbid Drug Dependende and Posstraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Strey M. Neves , Pulcherio G. , Sarti P. , Fensterseifer D. , Pinent C. 
Published: March 2009

Objective:The present study is investigating posttraumatic stress disorder among male with substance dependence in treatment.Methods:Forty drug-addicted men participated of this study. All the subjects were psychiatric outpatients of Ippad, Porto Alegre, Brazil. They completed the following instruments: Specific Traumatic Events Scale, Davidson Trauma Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Sociodemographic characteristics. The measures were a self-report. SPSS 12.5 was used by the statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics include frequency, percents and means. Significance of 5%.Results:Overall the patients 30% had PTSD. The patients with PTSD had more family members with abuse or drugs dependence (66,7% versus 54,5%), related more exposure trauma (6,3 versus 4), when compared without PTSD. The PTSD patients punctuated more symptoms in Davidson Trauma Scale (12,8 versus 4,8). Punctuated more frequency and severity of symptoms’, mainly, hypercitability. The more frequent trauma was mugged or threatened with a weapon, 84,1%.Conclusions:Psychiatric comorbidity is common among addicted patients. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly symptomatic anxiety disorder of acute onset after a major distressing life-event. In clinical practice, patients suffering from drug addiction invariably report the occurrence of psychologically stressful episodes, with frequencies of PTSD ranging from 30% to 60%. Among patients suffering from alcohol or other drugs dependence, the prevalence of PTSD is estimated to range between 10% and 40%. Global response to treatment was achieved after the recognition and appropriate treatment of the latter condition, along with the combined approach to other comorbid disorders.
Sexual Dysfunction in Alcohoolism
Authors: Teixeira P. , Martins M. 
Published: March 2009

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in alcoholism is frequent and fluctuates between 3.2% and 64.4%, according different studies. The aim of this research is to study sexual dysfunction frequency in a sample of alcoholic patients who were undergoing treatment for this illness.The study consists of an a questionnaire on sexual behaviour, with a sample of 80 individuals, 60 men and 20 women.The authors conclude about the sexual dysfunction in different groups of alcoholic patients, in treatment in an inpatient and follow-up setting.