bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inner London Collaborative Audit of Admissions in Two Health Districts
Authors: Bebbington P. E. , Feeney S. T. , Flannigan C. B. , Glover G. R. , Lewis S. W. , Wing J. K. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundTwenty-six per cent of patients in two Inner London districts were admitted to acute wards under the provisions of the Mental Health Act. Compared with those not under compulsion, they were young, male, more likely to be of black Caribbean origin, and to have a diagnosis of schizophrenia of short duration. The hypothesis is tested that ethnicity determines rates of compulsory admission independently of the other factors.MethodSampling and data collection methods were described in the first paper. Statistical analyses included a log-linear analysis of six key variables: compulsory admission, challenging behaviour, diagnosis, ethnicity, age, and sex.ResultsThere were no substantial differences between districts. Analysis provided two similar statistical models. In both, admission under the Act was strongly associated with challenging behaviour and diagnosis of schizophrenia. In the model of best fit there was no significant interaction term for ethnicity and compulsion. In the second model there was a weak association.ConclusionsEthnicity did not appear to be of outstanding importance in decisions to use the Mental Health Act. There was a strong link between ethnicity and diagnosis, independent of compulsion. Differences between the districts made no major contribution to the rates of compulsory admission.
Predictors of Treatment Outcome in the Behavioural Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Keijsers Ger P. J. , Hoogduin Cees A. L. , Schaap Cas P. D. R. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundAn investigation to determine which prognostic variables are associated with behavioural treatment failure in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Empirically established prognostic variables measured at the start of treatment may lead to adjusted treatment programmes for these patients.MethodForty patients, diagnosed with OCD, received a standardised treatment consisting of 18 sessionsin vivoexposure and response prevention. Compulsive behaviour (MOCI) and obsessive fear (ADS) were the outcome measures. Prognostic variables included were initial severity of OC complaints, initial level of depression, problem duration, patients' motivation for treatment, quality of the therapeutic relationship, and marital dissatisfaction.ResultsGreater initial severity of complaints (P< 0.01), and depression (P= O.03) predicted poorer outcome for compulsive behaviour. Greater initial severity of complaints (P< 0.01), and the conjoint variables higher level of depression, longer problem duration, poorer motivation for treatment, and dissatisfaction with the therapeutic relationship predicted poorer outcome for obsessive fear (P< 0.01).ConclusionsThe complaint-related variables of initial severity, initial depression, and problem duration, and the non-specific treatment variables of patients' motivation and quality of the therapeutic relationship, affect behavioural treatment outcome in OCD.
Survival Analysis and Readmission in Mood Disorder
Authors: Pridmore Saxby , Hornsby Helen , Hay David , Jones Ivor 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThis is an exploratory study of readmission in mood disorder.MethodThe study is naturalistic and employs survival analysis. We identified 821 individuals with ICD–9 diagnoses, drawn from the Tasmanian Mental Health Register.ResultsNo demographic variables influence the time to readmission. Two groups emerge: those with affective psychoses, and those with neurotic depression, brief depressive reaction and depressive disorders not elsewhere classified. The former group demonstrated shorter times to readmission than the latter. There was no support for a unipolar–bipolar distinction.ConclusionsAffective psychoses have a less favourable outcome than expected. There was support for an endogenous-neurotic distinction.
The East York Health Needs Study
Authors: Katz R. , Stephen J. , Shaw B. F. , Matthew A. , Newman F. , Rosenbluth M. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThis study reports the prevalence of psychiatric disorder in women from a Canadian community. The GHQ and the CES–D were compared for their utility.MethodA thousand women over the age of 18 were mailed the GHQ and the CES–D. Our return rate was 44.4%; 24% were personally interviewed by interviewers blind to screening information. The CIDI was used to establish DSM–III–R diagnoses. Four versions of the GHQ and one version of the CES–D were calibrated against the CIDI.ResultsThe prevalence of general psychiatric disorder was estimated as between 15% and 19%, anxiety disorders between 10% and 13%, and depression occurring with anxiety between 3% and 4%. The calibrated GHQ was the most reliable instrument.ConclusionsPrevalence of DSM–III–R psychiatric disorder can be reliably determined with the calibrated GHQ. Anxiety disorders are most prevalent in this community, and were best detected using calibrated versions of the longer form GHQ.
Social Support, Negative Life Events and Mental Health
Authors: Dalgard Odd Steffen , Bj⊘rk Sven , Tambs Kristian 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundIn a 10-year follow-up of a survey from Oslo, 503 persons were reinterviewed using the same questionnaire.MethodThe questionnaire includes information about social support, ‘locus of control’ and mental health as well as negative life events and long-lasting mental strain during the year prior to the follow-up.ResultsThe study confirms the “buffer hypothesis”, that social support protects against the development of mental disorder only when the individual is exposed to stressors, like negative life events. This buffering effect was especially strong for depression.ConclusionsThe buffering effect only applies to the ‘externals’ –those who have personality-related feelings of powerlessness and lack of control over their own lives. The ‘internals’ do not have the same need for social support to cope with life stressors, and have low symptom scores even when negative life events are combined with relative weak social support.
Negative Symptoms at Discharge and Outcome in Schizophrenia
Authors: Hwu Hai-Gwo , Tan Happy , Chen Chu-Chang , Yeh Ling-Ling 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe clinical significance in schizophrenia of positive and negative symptoms at discharge was assessed.MethodOf schizophrenic patients fulfilling DSM–III criteria, 113 were recruited for this study. Personal, social and psychopathological data were collected and all cases were followed up at one and two years after discharge.ResultsThe presence of positive symptoms (64 cases), without concomitant negative symptoms, did not predict the follow-up social function and positive symptom score. Conversely, the presence of negative symptoms (31 cases) predicted worse social functioning (P < 0.05 to P < 0.005) and higher positive symptom scores (P < 0.01) at follow-up using MANOVA. Eighteen cases (15.9%) had neither positive nor negative symptoms and had the best clinical outcome.ConclusionsNegative, but not positive, symptoms assessed at discharge are an important predictor of poor outcome. In addition, negative symptoms may themselves expose a biological vulnerability to the presence of positive symptoms.
Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia with Amisulpride
Authors: Boyer P. , Lecrubier Y. , Puech A. J. , Dewailly J. , Aubin F. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe efficacy of low doses of certain neuroleptics in improving negative symptoms is still controversial. This study assessed the efficacy of amisulpride, a benzamide which increases dopaminergic transmission at low doses via presynaptic dopamine receptor blockade, on negative symptoms of schizophrenia.MethodThe study was designed as a parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients had to fulfil DSM–III criteria for schizophrenia, Andreasen's criteria for negative schizophrenia, and to have a total score of at least 75 on the SANS; those treated with neuroleptics or antidepressants underwent a six-week placebo wash-out. One hundred and four in-patients were randomly assigned to amisulpride 100 mg/d, amisulpride 300 mg/d, or placebo for six weeks; 85 patients completed the study.ResultsBoth amisulpride doses were significantly more effective than placebo on the primary evaluation criterion (SANS total score, MANOVAP< 0.02). No significant changes were found in positive symptoms or in extrapyramidal symptoms.ConclusionsNegative symptoms can be improved by low doses of amisulpride, favouring the hypothesis of dopaminergic hypofunction as one of the causes of negative symptoms.
Dopamine Supersensitivity and Hormonal Status in Puerperal Psychosis
Authors: Meakin Christopher J. , Brockington Ian F. , Lynch Se , Jones Stephen R. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundWe examine the dopamine receptor supersensitivity hypothesis of puerperal psychosis, and explore puerperal changes in the functional sensitivity of this receptor system.MethodDopamine receptor sensitivity was estimated using growth hormone (GH) response to apomorphine challenge following delivery in 37 control women, and 11 deliveries in 10 women at ‘high risk’ of puerperal psychosis (previous history of puerperal affective or nonpuerperal manic psychosis). Tests were on days 4 or 5, 11 or 12 and at six weeks postpartum.ResultsThree women developing puerperal psychosis had subsensitive GH responsiveness on day 4. GH response to 67 challenge tests (in control and ‘high risk’ women) increased between days 4 or 5 and six weeks postpartum (P < 0.05). GH response at six weeks correlated with free thyroxine levels (P < 0.01).ConclusionsThese three cases do not support the stated hypothesis. Hypothalamic dopamine receptor sensitivity increases during the puerperium; thyroxine might influence this.
Course and Recurrence of Postnatal Depression
Authors: Cooper Peter J. , Murray Lynne 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundIt is unclear whether the causative factors of non-psychotic postnatal depression are the same as those of depression at other times.MethodThe course and recurrence of postnatal depression was studied in two groups of primiparous women experiencing an index episode of postnatal depression: those for whom the mood disorder had arisen de novo (n = 34), and those for whom it was a recurrence of previous affective disturbance (n = 21). The mental state of these two groups, together with a psychiatrically well control group (n = 40), was studied for five years.ResultsIt was found that those for whom the index episode was a recurrence of depression were at raised risk of further non-postpartum episodes but not postpartum episodes, and that those for whom the index episode had arisen de novo were at raised risk for further episodes of postnatal depression but not for non-postpartum episodes.ConclusionThese findings suggest a specific nosologic reference for the concept of postnatal depression.
Effect of Fluoxetine on Melatonin in Patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder and Matched Controls
Authors: Childs P. A. , Rodin I. , Martin N. J. , Plaskett L. , Thompson C. , Allen N. H. P. , Smythe P. J. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe aim was to investigate the secretion profile of melatonin and seasonal affective disorder before and after treatment with fluoxetine.MethodA six-week case-controlled study with repeated overnight blood sampling was conducted. Ten patients fulfilling the criteria for major depressive disorder, seasonal type, with a 29-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score of at least 20 were compared with ten age- and sex-matched healthy controls in a clinical laboratory. The effects of fluoxetine (20 mg/day) on the HDRS and melatonin concentration were measured.ResultsFluoxetine significantly reduced melatonin levels in both groups. There was no significant difference in melatonin secretion between the groups.ConclusionsThe effect of fluoxetine differs from tricyclics and fluvoxamine, both of which increase melatonin.
Diagnosis of Depression in Alcohol Dependence: Changes in Prevalence with Drinking Status
Authors: Davidson Kate M. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundDepression and alcohol dependence are frequently found to co-exist but the relationship between these disorders requires further elucidation. This study tested several hypotheses related to the relevance of whether the diagnosis of depression was made before admission or after detoxification in the current episode for those with alcohol dependence.MethodThe Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) was administered to obtain Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) on 82 randomly selected alcohol dependent in-patients. Alcohol-related (Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ), alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems), socio-demographic variables and treatment for depression were assessed.ResultsFor the episode of drinking which led to admission, a diagnosis of major depression was found in the majority of patients (67%). Once detoxification from alcohol took place, only the minority (13%) met criteria for major depression.ConclusionsIt is suggested that depression is largely associated with the episode of drinking which led to admission in patients who are dependent on alcohol and may be due to the effect of chronic alcohol intoxication. Socio-demographic and alcohol-related characteristics appear to bear little relation to the presence of depression. Clinicians exercise appropriate judgement in not prescribing antidepressant treatments to patients whose depression may remit with abstinence from alcohol.
Psychotic States Arising in Late Life (Late Paraphrenia)
Authors: Almeida Osvaldo P. , Howard Robert J. , Levy Raymond , David Anthony S. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThis study explored the psychopathological state of a sample of ‘late paraphrenic’ patients and the reliability of their diagnosis according to the most widely used systems of classification of mental disorders.MethodThe presence and severity of psychiatric symptoms were assessed with the Present State Examination (PSE), the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), and the High Royds Evaluation of Negativity (HEN) scale. Patient signs and symptoms were classified according to the PSE9–CATEGO4, DSM–III–R, DSM–IV, and ICD–10 diagnostic systems. Agreement among the 11 most widely used criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia was assessed for these patients. These included DSM–III–R, DSM–IV, ICD–10, Schneider, Langfeldt, New Haven Schizophrenia Index, Carpenter, Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC), Feighner, Taylor & Abrams, and PSE9–CATEGO4. The study assessed 47 patients, including in-patients, out-patients, day-patients, and those in the community. Thirty-three elderly controls were recruited from luncheon clubs in Southwark and Lambeth (London, UK).ResultsPatients showed a wide range of delusional ideas, most frequently involving persecution (83.0%) and reference (31.9%). Eighty-three per cent of patients reported some sort of hallucination, most frequently auditory (78.7%). Formal thought disorder was very rare, only one patient showing mild signs of circumstantial speech. No patients exhibited catatonic symptoms or inappropriate affect. Shallow, withdrawn, or constricted affect was found in only 8.5% of patients. The various systems of classification indicated that most patients displayed typical schizophrenic symptoms, although up to one-third of them did not meet criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia. There was poor agreement among the different diagnostic schedules as to whether to classify patients as schizophrenic (0.02 < k < 0.45).ConclusionPsychotic states arising in late life are accompanied by various psychiatric symptoms that are not entirely typical of early-onset schizophrenia. The current trend to include ‘late paraphrenia’ into the diagnosis of schizophrenia or delusional disorder has poor empirical and theoretical bases.
Mental Status Examination of an Exceptional Case of Longevity
Authors: Ritchie Karen 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe mental status examination of an extreme case of longevity, J. C., aged 118 years and 9 months, is documented in order to further knowledge regarding profiles of morbidity in the extremely elderly. J. C. is presently considered to have the longest authenticated life-span in the history of the human species.MethodNeuropsychological tests were improvised taking into account the subject's severe perceptual deficits. The examination was carried out over a six-month period. A CT scan was also conducted.ResultsThe subject's performance on tests of verbal memory and language fluency is comparable to that of persons with the same level of education in their eighties and nineties. Frontal lobe functions are relatively spared and there is no evidence of depressive symptomatology or other functional illness. Cognitive functioning was found to slightly improve over a six-month period.ConclusionsThe subject shows no evidence of progressive neurological disease. A high initial level of intellectual ability may have constituted a protective factor.
Late-Life Depressive Disorder in the Community
Authors: Ojen Rob Van , Hooijer Chris , Bezemer Dick , Jonker Cees , Lindeboom Jaap , Tilburg Willem Van 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundIn previous studies cognitive impairment in depressed elderly in-patients tends to be associated with a late onset of depression. This study tests the hypothesis that cognitive impairment is associated with depression only in elderly individuals with no history of psychiatric illness.MethodWe investigated an age-stratified sample of 4051 elderly people living in the community, aged between 65 and 84 (AMSTEL). The relationship between depression (GMS-AGECAT diagnosis) and scores on the Mini Mental State Examination was studied in subjects with and without a reported psychiatric history (CAMDEX questionnaire).ResultsLow MMSE scores (MMSE ≤ 25) were only associated with depression in subjects with no psychiatric history (young/old: OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.83, 4.19; old/old: OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.61, 3.03).ConclusionsWe concluded that the combination of cognitive impairment and first-episode depression in elderly individuals may indicate cerebral deterioration. Depression as such may not be associated with cognitive impairment.
Positive Life Change and Recovery from Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Leenstra A. S. , Ormel J. , Giel R. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe objective was to examine the relationship between positive life change (PLC) and recovery from depression and anxiety. Following Brown et al (1988, 1992), we hypothesised: (a) that an excess of PLC would be found in the 3-month period before recovery compared with base rates (‘excess hypothesis’) and (b) that fresh-start and anchoring subtypes of PLC would trigger recovery from depression and anxiety respectively (‘specificity hypothesis’).MethodOne hundred and seventy primary care patients with a depressive and/or anxiety disorder, selected from 1994 consecutive attenders, were assessed at baseline and at 1-year and 3.5-year follow-ups on life change (LEDS) and psychopathology (PSE and Course Interview).ResultsOur results appeared to confirm the excess hypothesis regarding depression and anxiety (twofold excess was found prior to recovery), but not regarding mixed anxiety/depression. They did not support the specificity hypothesis.ConclusionsPLC facilitates recovery but is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for remission. Difficulty reduction is the most important recovery-enhancing factor.
Organised Violence and the Stress of Exile
Authors: Hauff Edvard , Vaglum Per 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe prevalence and course of mental disorders among Vietnamese refugees were studied, using a model including variables from different research traditions.MethodA consecutive community cohort of 145 Vietnamese boat refugees aged 15 and above were personally interviewed on their arrival in Norway and three years later.ResultsThree years later, there was, unexpectedly, no decline in self-rated psychological distress (SCL-90-R), almost one in four suffered from psychiatric disorder and the prevalence of depression was 17.7% (Present State Examination). Female gender, extreme traumatic stress in Vietnam, negative life events in Norway, lack of a close confidant and chronic family separation were identified as predictors of psychopathology.ConclusionsThe effects of war and persecution were long-lasting, and compounded by adversity factors in exile. A uniform course of improvement in mental health after resettlement cannot be expected in all contexts. The affected refugees need systematic rehabilitation.
Comparison of Carbamazepine and Lithium in the Prophylaxis of Bipolar Disorders
Authors: Dardennes R. , Even C. , Bange F. , Heim A. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThis meta-analysis assessed the equipotency of carbamazepine and lithium prophylaxis in bipolar disorder.MethodWe selected only randomised, double-blind, controlled studies comparing carbamazepine with lithium from a manual and computerised search, and subjected them to a quality inventory. Their statistical results were weighted by their quality score and combined. Results. Four studies met our criteria, yielding, overall, P = 0.15. This result is not straightforward because the studies showed significant heterogeneity (P < 0.01).ConclusionDifferences in statistical power and sensitivity of outcome measure explain this heterogeneity and the conflicting results of the studies. Therefore, the prophylactic efficacy of carbamazepine remains questionable.
Assessment of the Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorder in Young Adults
Authors: Ferdinand Robert F. , van der Reijden Matthias , Verhulst Frank C. , Nienhuis Fokko J. , Giel Robert 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe effectiveness of different assessment procedures for determining prevalence rates of psychiatric disorder in young adults was investigated.MethodIn a two-stage multi-method procedure, the Young Adult Self-Report, the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), the Structured Interview for Personality Disorders (Revised), and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale were used to assess prevalence rates in 706 19–24-year-olds from the general population. Furthermore, individuals' subjective perception of distress and referral to mental health services were assessed.ResultsThe prevalence of any SCAN/DSM–III–R disorder was 19.3% (95% confidence interval: 11.2–27.4%). Most subjects who received a SCAN/DSM–III–R diagnosis were only mildly impaired. The highest prevalence rates of dysfunctioning (GAF score below 61) without referral to mental health services were for dissociative disorder (2.3%), sleep disorder (2.1 %), alcohol dependence (1.3%) and affective disorder (1.8%).ConclusionInstruments that assess functional impairment in addition to DSM–III–R diagnoses are indispensable in prevalence studies.
Schizophrenic and Manic Brains in Nigerians Computerised Tomography Findings
Authors: Ohaeri Jude U. , Adeyinka Abiodun O. , Enyidah Solomon N. , Osuntokun Benjamin O. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundWe highlight the profile of brain computerised tomography (CT) measures among Nigerian psychiatric patients for comparison with findings from developed countries, and study of the relationship between CT values and clinical variables.MethodSeven brain ventricle measures of 50 schizophrenic patients, 14 manic patients, and 41 healthy control subjects were compared.ResultsPatients had a significantly higher mean Sylvian fissure area. The third ventricle of schizophrenic patients was significantly larger than those of control subjects. CT measures were not significantly correlated with duration of illness.ConclusionThe so-called functional psychotic states are most probably associated with nonspecific brain abnormality.