bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Effect on 8 weeks Treatment with Fluoxetine and Imipramine on Fasting Blood Sugar of Major Depressive Patient
Authors: Salehi B. 
Published: March 2009

Background:There is a lot of interference between depression and diabetes - mellitus and vice versa. Therefore, control of blood glucose levels in depressive patients and also to knowing the effect of antidepressants on blood glucose levels is important.This study was performed to determine the effect of 4 and 8 weeks treatment with Fluoxetine and Imipramine on the fasting blood sugar (FBS) of patient with major depressive disorder.Material and method:This study was a parallel randomized clinical trial that was performed in 2006 on out - patients, of the psychiatric ward of Hashemi Senejani Hospital of Arak - Iran, for major depression treatment; there were 40 subjects in each group. These patients had their F.B.S. tested three times, before beginning and 4 and 8 weeks after treatment, respectively.Results:There were not significant statistical differences between first and second time mean F.B.S. values in group A, but we had a significant decrement in first and third times mean F.B.S. values (p < 0.05). There was also a significant increment in second and third times mean F.B.S. values versus first time mean F.B.S. values in group B (p > 0.05).Conclusion:In this study, we have found that there is a decrement in F.B.S. mean value after 8 weeks of treatment with Fluoxetine and increment in FBS after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment with Imipramine. Therefore, we recommended Fluoxetine for hyperglycemic depressive patients and Imipramine for hypoglycemic one.
Evaluation of Factors Influencing Antidepressant Medication Compliance in Outpatient Treatment of Depressive Disorders in Korea
Authors: Moon-Soo L. , Jae-Won Y. , Hyonggin A. , Seung-Hyun K. 
Published: March 2009

Objective:Medication compliance is associated with the treatment outcomes. The reported consequences of non-compliance are chronification, poor psychosocial outcomes and increased suicide rates. We measured the drug compliance using medication event monitoring system (MEMS) and several compliance measures in the outpatients with depressive disorders. In addition, we tried to find out the relationship of antidepressant compliance with other clinical correlates including insight in depressive disorders.Method:This study was performed in Korea university medical center, Guro hospital. Outpatients diagnosed as having depressive disorders were enrolled. Monitoring was performed in 76 depressive patients who were taking the mono-antidepressant therapy during the at least 4-week evaluation period. 17 item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the mood disorders insight scale (MDIS) were investigated. Compliance was measured using MEMS, clinician rating scale of antidepressant compliance, pill count, and patient's self-report.Results:A total of 76 outpatients were enrolled in this study. As the severity of depression increases, patients tended to perceive poor social support from others in the correlation analysis. Level of depression by HRSD was significantly correlated with MDIS scores. Compliance rates for MEMS, pill count, clinician rating scale of compliance and self-report were 51.9%, 71.4%, 79.2% and 75.3% respectively. We did not find any statistical significance between compliance variables and other clinical scale scores (MDIS, HRSD, and MSPSS).Conclusion:More severely depressed patients have higher scores of insight in case of depression. However, increased perception of insight in depressive patients was not directly related with the increase in treatment compliance. Further investigation is needed to understand other factors affecting the drug compliance especially in depressive patients..
Factors Associated with Premature Discontinuation of Antidepressant Drug Treatment in France
Authors: Tournier M. , Boutouaba-Combe S. , Bégaud B. , Cougnard A. , Verdoux H. 
Published: March 2009

Objectives:As practice guidelines recommend to maintain antidepressant treatments for a long duration after improvement of symptoms in order to prevent relapse or recurrence, our objectives were to explore the duration of the antidepressant drug treatment in France and to characterise the antidepressant users with a short duration of treatment.Methods:An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted in the community-dwelling population 18 year-old and over through claims databases of the public health insurance. A random sample of 34.663 outpatients who initiated an antidepressant treatment between the 1st January 2005 and the 31st December 2006 were selected. The dependent variable was the duration of the first episode of antidepressant treatment, categorised a priori in short duration [1-6 months[ versus long duration [6 months and more] according to guidelines. Characteristics independently associated with the treatment duration were investigated using logistic regressions.Results:Nearly two thirds of the individuals were females. Most patients were not on welfare. Three quarters of them did not present with chronic conditions. The duration of the antidepressant treatment complied with the international recommendations for only one patient of six. Adequate treatment duration was associated with being a female, being older, not being on welfare, presenting with a chronic condition and a treatment introduction by a psychiatrist or a hospital practitioner.Conclusion:The recommendations concerning the duration of an antidepressant treatment are rarely respected in a real-life setting in France. Further analyses should be conducted to characterise the patterns of prescription according to antidepressant classes and associated treatments.
Riluzole for Affective and Behavioral Disturbance in Autism
Authors: Wachtel L. 
Published: March 2009

Objective:This paper reviews the novel usage of riluzole, an antiglutamatergic and neuroprotective agent, for affective and behavioral stabilization in autism.Method:A review of the English-language literature on riluzole usage for pediatric and adult psychopathology, combined with the author's experience with two autistic patients who demonstrated prominent affective stabilization and reduction in self-injury with riluzole.Results:Riluzole was developed for usage in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and is the only drug to slow the progression of this devastating neurological disease. Riluzole inhibits release of glutamate, the primary excitatory amino acid in the brain, and enhances GABA-A receptor function. Riluzole has demonstrated efficacy in open-label trials of adult unipolar and bipolar depression as well as pediatric and adult obsessive-compulsive disorder. Case reports have additionally documented benefit in trichotillomania and self-injury. There is not yet published literature on riluzole usage in autism, but the following cases are presented:Pt 1: A 20 year-old male with autism, depression with suicidality and self-injury who demonstrated a partial response to electroconvulsive therapy and traditional adjunctive psychopharmacology. Riluzole addition provided sustained remission of residual symptoms.Pt 2: A 9 year-old male with autism, cyclical mood disturbance and extreme self-injury towards the head requiring extensive protective equipment for safety. Riluzole conferred both affective stabilization and prominent reduction in self-injury.Conclusion:Riluzole is a new psychopharmacological agent. Efficacy has been demonstrated for mood and anxiety disorders in the typically-developing population. Similar positive benefit may be seen for psychopathology in autism, and merits further investigation.
Hyponatremia and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Authors: Rammos G. , Panutsopoulos A. , Xynos K. , Koufogeorga E. , Peppes V. , Kostopoulos K. , Turli P. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:Hyponatremia (HPN) is a potentially lethal electrolytic disturbance. Certain medical treatments are integrated in the etiology of that sodium disorder. We retrospectively studied the rate of HPN in patients examined in the emergency room (ER) of Alexandra Hospital receiving a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).Methods:17,410 patients, 55.54% women and 44.46% men were examined in the ER over a one year period. 281 patients (1,61% of total) presented with HPN, 162 were women (57.6%) and 121 (42.3%) men. Plasma Sodium values ≤ 133mEq/l defined HPN. 13 of the 281 patients with HPN (4.6%) with no renal, heart or hepatic impairment were on an SSRI regimen.Results:11 of 162 women (6.8%) presented with HPN were receiving concurrently SSRI and either thiazide diuretic (3 ) or furosemide (2 ). 2 of 121 men (1.65%) were on SSRI regimen and furosemide. SSRI dosage was in all cases within suggested therapeutic limits. Table 1 demonstrates mean values and standard deviation of all the parameters examined.PatientsAgePlasma Na+Plasma K+Plasma CreatininePlasma UreaHct1366,9 +/- 17,4 years127,2 +/- 6,1 mEq/4 +/- 0,7 mEq/l1.06 +/-0,5 mg%39,8 +/- 16,2 mg%36,7 +/ 2,9%Conclusion:SSRI therapy presents a potential cause for HPN principally in women older than 65 years old with increasing risk when diuretic is used concomitantly. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and expression conversion of aquaporin-2 receptors of the collecting ducts are two possible pathophysiologic mechanisms of HPN occurrence.
Anxiety Syndrome and Somatic Morbidity in an Italian Elderly Population
Authors: Cesano S. , Atti A.R. , Moretti F. , Bernabei V. , Morini V. , Modenese A. , Dalmonte E. , de Ronchi D. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:To evaluate anxiety syndrome prevalence and to investigate the association between anxiety and somatic morbidity in a population-based study of elderly: the “Faenza Project” (De Ronchi, 2005).Methods:6987 cognitively intact subjects living in the Faenza area (mean age 71,88 years; 59,2% women) underwent semi-structured interviews and were clinically assessed in order to evaluate somatic and mental health status (ICD-10 criteria). Multi-morbidity was defined as the presence of two or more somatic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, endocrine diseases, psychiatric disorders, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease (PD) and stroke). The association between anxiety and somatic morbidity was calculated by Logistic regression analysis estimating Odds Ratios and 95% Confidence Intervals (OR, 95%CI), adjusting for age, education, gender, marital status, socio-economic status, smoking habits and alcohol consumption.Results:The prevalence of anxiety syndrome was 11,1% (8,6% women vs 2,5% men, p< 0.001). Taking into account possible confounders, anxiety syndrome was associated with depressive syndrome (OR,95%CI=4.55,3.73-5.54), osteoporosis (OR, 95%CI=1.37,1.13-1.65), Parkinson's disease (OR,95%CI=4.18,2.55-6.85) and multi-morbitidy (OR,95%CI=1.75,1.46-2.10). When all these conditions were included simultaneously in the logistic model, however, only depressive syndrome and PD were still significantly associated with anxiety: OR,95%CI=4.10,3.22-5.23 and OR, 95%CI=3.02,1.73-5.28 respectively.Conclusions:The well known association between depression and anxiety is confirmed in our elderly population independently of other medical factors. Furthermore, a strong association between PD and anxiety resulted independently of co-occurrence of depression.
Stigma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Aukst-Margetić B. , Toić G. , Furjan Z. , Boban A. , Margetić B. 
Published: March 2009

Goal:To assess perception of stigma in patients suffering from combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.Methods:Sixty one veterans from 1991-1995 war in Croatia (mean age 43,8 years SD 6,3) with diagnosis of PTSD according to the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases hospitalized consecutively on acute psychiatric department during 6 months were assessed. Stigma was measured with Internalized Stigma Mental Illness inventory that has five subscales: Alienation; Stereotype Endorsement; Perceived Discrimination; Social Withdrawal and Stigma Resistance, and with Devaluation-Discrimination Scale both rated on four possibilities Likert scale: (1-strongly disagree to 4-strongly agree). Mississippi Scale for Combat-related PTSD was used to determine the severity of PTSD symptoms. It consists of 35 statements that are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 - “absolutely incorrect” to 5 - “absolutely correct”). A 100mm long visual analogue scales anchored with “not at all” and “very strongly” were used for assessing religiosity, social support and family problems caused with patient's illness.Results:Discrimination-devaluation scale was correlated with social support (r=0,373 p=0,003) indicating less discrimination with higher social support and with intensity of PTSD (r=-0,320 p=0,017). ISMI was correlated with intensity of family problems (r=0,299; p=0,019) and M-PTSD (r=0,588; p=0,001). Regression analyses indicated social support as significant predictor of less discrimination (R=0,570; p=0,021), and intensity of symptoms as predictor of high perceived stigma (R=0,653;p=0,001). Unsolved veteran invalidity status was associated with higher number of hospitalizations (t=2,097; df=59; p=0,042).Conclusion:Stigma perception in PTSD depends on social support and intensity of the symptoms.
The Comorbidity of Anxiety Disorders with Depression and the Associated Risk Factors in Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatients
Authors: Beskardes F. , Ertan T. , Eker E. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:We aimed to study the prevalence of anxiety disorders with the comorbidity of depressive disorders and the effects of risk factors among the patients attending the general Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatient Unit.Methods:Subjects were evaluated in terms of Anxiety Disorders on the basis of DSM criteria, SCID. Each patient was asked to fill out Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, Beck Anxiety and Depression Scale. Sociodemographic features and risk factors were assesed the prepared questionnaire.Results:In a number of total 1209 applicants in 12 months, we found the prevalance of anxiety disorders was %9,48 with a number of 115 patients in outpatient department applications and the prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder was found out to be %4,63(n:56), Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia %1,98(n:24), without Agoraphobia %0,90(n:11), the prevalence of OCD was %0,82(n:10), PTSD %0,49(n:6) and other anxiety disorders (SAD, SP, NOS) was %0,66(n:8).In the patients with anxiety disorders, the prevalence of depression comorbidity was found out to be %73,05(n:84), with the prevalence of the comorbid major depressive disorder %26,1(n:31), and the dysthymic/minor depressive disorder was %46,95(n:53). As a result of statistical analysis,we found that the risk factors associated with STAI-I and II scores were total years spent on education, but in reverse manners, as the education level increased, the STAI-I and II scores decreased.Conclusions:Anxiety disorders with comorbid depression might be frequent disorders among Turkish secondary care attenders. There is a need for further studies on the epidemiology of anxiety disorders and their comorbidity with depression among elderly in Turkey.
Pregabalin GAD-treatment in Different Patient Populations Under Clinical Practice Conditions
Authors: Brasser M. 
Published: March 2009

Background:The safety and efficacy of pregabalin in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) has been confirmed based on the results of 7 large, placebo-controlled trials. We report data on different patient populations from an open-label non-interventional observational trial under naturalistic conditions.Methods:331 physicians (mainly psychiatrists) recruited 578 adult GAD patients and documented treatment with pregabalin over 4 weeks. GAD severity was rated by the patients using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a 100mm daily Visual Analogue Scale (VAS-anxiety). Spontaneous Adverse Events (AEs) were collected.Results:Most patients received an initial dose of 150mg pregabalin per day, which was then increased to 300mg per day. Mean HADS-A Baseline Score (15.5 vs. 14.6) and Improvement (-5.9 vs. -6.1) was similar in younger (≤65 years, n=484) and older (>65 years, n=71) patients. Treatment naive patients had a lower HADS-A-Score (mean 14.2) than patients who got pregabalin add-on to their current medication (mean 15.8); both groups showed a similar improvement by 5.9 points over 4 weeks. A total of 26 AEs occured during this study, most of them rated mild to moderate in severity with no treatment related serious events. The pattern of events resembled the one known from clinical trials and post-marketing experience. 1.2% of subjects discontinued treatment due to adverse events.Conclusion:Data from this non-interventional study in GAD show that pregabalin demonstrates similar effectiveness in adults and older (≤65 years) patients, regardless of whether used as mono- or adjunctive therapy.
Anxiety Sensitivity Among Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Dabkowska M. , Araszkiewicz A. 
Published: March 2009

The study examine whether some aspects of anxiety is associated with domestic violence.Subjects:The examined group consisted of 59 women at the age between 17 and 64 years, the average age 35,9 years. Perpetrators used psychical violence (humiliating, menacing, deriding, setting financial limits, cheating victims out of money) or physical violence (beating and spanking, strangling, tieing together, sexual intercourse forcing, locking in a house).Research method:To assess the level and symptoms of anxiety Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) was used. To assess the level of anxiety as state and as trait the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) self-evaluation questionnaire was used. To assess the level of social anxiety self-report Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) was used.Results:The average level of intensity of anxiety according to HAS was 16, 5 points. In 28,8 % of women the medium intensity anxiety were found, in 8,4 % - hard intensity anxiety. In the studied group the low level of anxiety as a trait and as a state was noted. Social anxiety was reported among 57,1% of women who have experienced domestic violence. 38% was noted with a subtype of isolated social anxiety, whereas 19% had a generalized subtype of social phobia. Moderate intensity of social anxiety was presented by 9,5% of women, quite significant by 6,4% and severe and very severe by 9,4% of respondents.Conclusions:Traumatic events caused by home bullying can be a source of anxiety in victims. Victims of domestic violence are inherently at risk of social anxiety.
Spa Therapy in Anxiety Disorder in a 8 Week Comparative and Randomized Multicentre Study on 237 Patients
Authors: Dubois O. 
Published: March 2009

We compared spa therapy-like balneotherapy treatment with Paroxetine by means of a multicentre, comparative, randomized 8-week study. At least 200 patients fitting the diagnosed criteria of generalized anxiety disorder (DSM IV) were to be recruited. They were carried out by an independent, fully-trained and specialized assessor.The total score on the HAM-A scale (Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety) was the main measure for efficiency.There were 237 patients altogether attending in ambulatory who were admitted into the 4 French centres and joined the protocol. 117 were divided up by drawing lots into the Spa Therapy group and 120 into the Paroxetine group.All 207 patients were able to be assessed at W8. The HAM-A scores at W8 showed significant improvement in the Spa Therapy group compared to the Paroxetine group (t = 3.04 p≤ 0.0001). Remission and the rate of improvement (superior or equal to 50%) were markedly higher in the Spa Therapy group.Other analyses stemming from this assessment enrich the results, with complemetary information on the importance of a spa treatment course prescribed in a psychiatric aim.In conclusion, the Spa Therapy-based Balneotherapy treatment is one that has shown specific efficiency in generalized anxiety disorders. Its profile of being well-tolerated and well-accepted by the patients may enable to introduce it regularly in GAD, particularly for people who are resistent to, dependent on or have difficulty in tolerating pharmacology or psychotherapy treatments.
Comparison of Sleep Outcomes in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Following Treatment with Pregabalin or Venlafaxine-XR
Authors: Herman B. , Mychaskiw M. , Mandel F. 
Published: March 2009

Objective:To evaluate the differential effect of pregabalin and venlafaxine-XR versus placebo on sleep outcomes in non-depressed outpatients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).Methods:This secondary analysis was based on data from a double-blind trial in which adults who met DSM-IV criteria for GAD were randomized to 8-weeks of flexible-dose treatment with pregabalin (300-600 mg/d; N=121; baseline HAM-A=27.6), venlafaxine-XR (75-225 mg/d: N=125; HAM-A=27.4), or placebo (PBO; N=128; HAM-A=26.8). Sleep was evaluated at baseline, weeks 4, 8, and endpoint using the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Scale, including an overall sleep problems index (SPI), as well as subscale scores such as sleep disturbance.Results:At baseline, 64% of patients with GAD met MOS-Sleep scale criteria for insomnia. Treatment with pregabalin was associated with significant endpoint improvement in the MOS-SPI compared to both placebo (-18.1 vs. -10.5; P< 0.01) and venlafaxine-XR (-10.1: P< 0.01). Treatment with pregabalin was associated with significant endpoint improvement in the MOS-sleep disturbance score compared to both placebo (-22.2 vs. -12.0; P< 0.001) and venlafaxine-XR (-11.6: P< 0.001). While somnolence as a treatment-emergent adverse event occurred more frequently on pregabalin (9.1%) compared to venlafaxine-XR (4.8%) and placebo (2.3%), overall, patients treated with pregabalin reported greater reduction in daytime sleepiness compared to venlafaxine-XR on the MOS-daytime sleepiness sub-scale (-9.7 vs. -5.8).Conclusions:Treatment of moderate-to-severe GAD with pregabalin was associated with significantly better sleep outcomes compared to both placebo and venlafaxine-XR. Improvement in anxiety on pregabalin was associated with reduction in daytime sleepiness.
Is Speed of Onset of Anti-anxiety Efficacy with Pregabalin Influenced by Starting Dose?
Authors: Herman B. , Mandel F. 
Published: March 2009

Objective:There appears to be no dose-response effect for pregabalin at doses of 300-600 mg, and a modest dose-response effect in the range of 150-300 mg. The goal of the current investigation was to determine the effect of the starting dose on the speed of onset of anxiolytic efficacy.Methods:Data were analyzed from 7 trials of outpatients with DSM-IV GAD and a HAM-A total score ≥18. Starting doses of pregabalin ranged from 100 mg (N=301) or 150 mg (N=104), to 200 mg (N=167) and 300 mg (N=388). Assessment of early improvement included the HAM-A total score and CGI-Severity and Improvement scores.Results:The mean Week 1 HAM-A change score was similar for a starting dose of 200 mg/d with no titration (-8.24) when compared to patients who started on 200 mg/d and then titrated up to 400 mg/d on Day 4 (-8.64). The mean Week 1 HAM-A change score was somewhat higher for patients started on 300 mg/d, and then titrated to 450 mg/d on Day 4/5 (-8.84) when compared to patients started on a lower (100/150 mg/d) dose and titrated on Day 5 to 400/450 mg/d (-7.32). Starting on a dose of 300 mg/d with no titration resulted in an intermediate Week 1 change score (-7.87). The interaction of starting dose and titration schedule with baseline anxiety severity will be summarized in detail.Conclusion:The initial dose of pregabalin appears to have only a weak effect on the speed of onset of anxiolytic improvement.