bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Investigation of Family Environmental Alteration Affecting Short-Term Recovery from Schizophrenia in China
Authors: Rong-Min Chen 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundIt has been hypothesised that change in the family environment affects short-term recovery from schizophrenia.MethodObservation and study of 210 schizophrenic patients who were influenced by family environmental alteration show that the prognosis of schizophrenia caused suddenly by family environmental alteration is better than that of schizophrenia caused by a persistently unfavourable family environment.ResultsHence, we think sudden family environmental alterations do not cause psychorrhoea, but slow family environmental alteration may cause change in the mental state of patients. The prognosis is worse in the countryside than in the city. From the study group, we conclude that the first cure rate was 28%, and that 26% of patients were able to work. This indicates that there were no typical cases of the core pattern of schizophrenia, and that there was a certain potential for recovery.ConclusionIn the future, the emphasis of prevention and treatment must be placed on the countryside, and attention should be paid to the improvement of living and working conditions there, to the correct administration of patients, and to the improvement of recovery measures and therapy. We advocate that efforts should be made in the countryside to raise the national educational and cultural level.
Prevalence of Depression After Stroke: The Perth Community Stroke Study
Authors: Burvill P. W. , Johnson G. A. , Jamrozik K. D. , Anderson C. S. , Stewart-Wynne E. G. , Chakera T. M. H. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe Perth Community Stroke Study (PCSS) was a population-based study of the incidence, cause, and outcome of acute stroke.MethodSubjects from the study were assessed initially, by examination and interview, and at four- and 12-month follow-ups to determine differences in prevalence of depression between the sexes and between patients with first-ever and recurrent strokes.ResultsThe prevalence of depressive illness four months after stroke in 294 patients from the PCSS was 23% (18–28%), 15% (11–19%) major depression and 8% (5–11 %) minor depression. There were no significant differences between the sexes or between patients with first-ever and recurrent strokes. With a non-hierarchic approach to diagnosis of those with depression, 26% of men and 39% of women had an associated anxiety disorder, mainly agoraphobia. Nine per cent of male and 13% of female patients interviewed had evidence of depression at the time of the stroke. Twelve months after stroke 56% of the men were still depressed (40% major and 16% minor), as were 30% of the women (12% major and 18% minor).ConclusionThe prevalence of depression after stroke was comparable with that reported from other studies, and considerably less than that reported from in-patient and rehabilitation units.
A Comparison of Community-Based Care for Schizophrenia in South Verona and South Manchester
Authors: Gater Richard , Amaddeo Francesco , Tansella Michele , Jackson Gayle , Goldberg David 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe community-oriented mental illness services providing care to defined populations in south Verona, Italy (17 628 adults) and south Manchester, England (12 021 adults) have been compared to explore relationships between service organisation and patterns of service use.MethodThe composition and function of the two services and the sociodemographic characteristics of the two centres are described and related to epidemiological data on service use in the community, out-patient clinic, day hospital and in-patient care.ResultsTreated incidence of all psychiatric diagnoses and of schizophrenia were significantly higher in south Manchester than south Verona, indicating that the referral filter between primary and secondary care is more permeable in Manchester. Patients known to the service were more likely to be admitted and to have shorter in-patient stays in south Verona, indicating that the filter between in-patient care and the community is more permeable in Verona than Manchester.ConclusionsThe organisation of services in Verona results in a smaller load on the mental health service; the shorter hospital stays can be related to better integration between hospital and community resources. The organisation of services in Manchester provides care for a greater proportion of the population, but would be likely to require increased resources for the mental health services over time.
The Illusion of Reality or the Reality of Illusion
Authors: Al-Issa Ihsan 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe aim of this review is to integrate research findings on the role of sociocultural factors in hallucinations and to relate these factors to current psychological theory and research.MethodThe literature was surveyed by manual search, and the more reliable studies selected for the review.ResultsOne hundred and thirteen publications were scrutinised and 30 of them were included in this review.ConclusionsCross-cultural concepts of reality are related to the development and the threshold of hallucinations. Attitudes toward hallucinations tend to affect the emotional reaction to, and the degree of control of, these experiences. Awareness of these attitudes may help the diagnostician to distinguish between pathological and culturally sanctioned hallucinations. It is important that therapists consider the functional significance and meaning of hallucinations as well as the social context and the stimuli associated with them.
Recurrent Affective Syndromes in Bipolar and Unipolar Mood Disorders at Follow-Up
Authors: Goldberg Joseph F. , Harrow Martin , Grossman Linda S. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundIt is in dispute whether affective relapse disrupts psychosocial functioning to the same extent in depressed and manic patients.MethodA prospective, naturalistic, longitudinal follow-up of 84 unipolar and bipolar affectively disordered in-patients was conducted to examine the extent of recurrent affective syndromes and their relationship to overall outcome. Global adjustment relative to relapse was assessed at 2- and 4.5-year follow-ups.ResultsNearly half of the bipolar patients had subsequent syndromes, which were often associated with uniformly poor psychosocial functioning. Fewer than one-quarter of those with recurrences had steady work performance. Bipolar patients taking lithium alone had fewer recurrences than those taking lithium as well as neuroleptics (P<0.05). Bipolar and unipolar patients relapsed with equal frequency, but unipolar relapse was less often associated with readmission to hospital, work impairment, or uniformly poor functioning.ConclusionAffective relapse in bipolar disorders was more detrimental to overall functioning than was recurrence in unipolar depression.
Efficacy of Drug Treatment in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: a Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Piccinelli Marco , Pini Stefano , Bellantuono Cesario , Wilkinson Greg 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundA review of the efficacy of antidepressant drug treatment in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), using a meta-analytic approach.MethodRandomised double-blind clinical trials of antidepressant drugs, carried out among patients with OCD and published in peer-reviewed journals between 1975 and May 1994, were selected together with three studies currently in press. Forty-seven trials were located by searching the Medline and Excerpta Medica – Psychiatry data bases, scanning psychiatric and psychopharmacological journals, consulting recent published reviews and bibliographies, contacting pharmaceutical companies and through cross-references. Hedges'gwas computed in pooled data at the conclusion of treatment under double-blind conditions or at the latest reported point of time during this treatment period. For each trial, effect sizes were computed for all available outcome measures of the following dependent variables: obsessive–compulsive symptoms considered together; obsessions; compulsions; depression; anxiety; global clinical improvement; psychosocial adjustment; and physical symptoms.ResultsClomipramine was superior to placebo in reducing both obsessive–compulsive symptoms considered together (g= 1.31; 95% CI = 1.15 to 1.47) as well as obsessions (g= 0.89, 95% CI = 0.36 to 1.42) and compulsions (g= 0.79; 95% CI = 0.34 to 1.24) taken separately. Also, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a class were superior to placebo, weighted meangbeing respectively 0.47 (95% CI = 0.33 to 0.61), 0.54 (95% CI = 0.34 to 0.74) and 0.52 (95% CI = 0.34 to 0.70) for obsessive–compulsive symptoms considered together, and obsessions and compulsions taken separately. Although on Y–BOCS the increase in improvement rate over placebo was 61.3%, 28.5%, 28.2% and 21.6% for clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and sertraline respectively, the trials testing clomipramine against fluoxetine and fluvoxamine showed similar therapeutic efficacy between these drugs. Finally, both clomipramine and fluvoxamine proved superior to antidepressant drugs with no selective serotonergic properties.ConclusionAntidepressant drugs are effective in the short-term treatment of patients suffering from OCD; although the increase in improvement rate over placebo was greater for clomipramine than for SSRIs, direct comparison between these drugs showed that they had similar therapeutic efficacy on obsessive–compulsive symptoms; clomipramine and fluvoxamine had greater therapeutic efficacy than antidepressant drugs with no selective serotonergic properties; concomitant high levels of depression at the outset did not seem necessary for clomipramine and for SSRIs to improve obsessive–compulsive symptoms.
One Hundred Cases of Suicide in Elderly People
Authors: Cattell Howard , Jolley David J. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe White Paper The Health of the Nation targets a reduction in suicide rates. Preventive strategies must be guided by an understanding of the demography and antecedents of suicide. These issues are examined in relation to suicide by old people in Manchester.MethodOne hundred consecutive coroners' inquisitions on people aged over 65 occurring between 1980 and 1991 in which the verdict was suicide were scrutinised and related to Health Service notes.ResultsSuicides were rare, numbers ranging from 0 to seven per annum per Health District. Rates did not vary between district but did within smaller sub-populations. Most individuals died at home; 65% were physically ill, of whom 23% had been hospitalised within the previous year. At least 60% were clinically depressed, with 25% being prescribed antidepressants. A total of 43% had seen their general practitioner in the previous month but only 14% were in contact with psychiatric services.ConclusionsMany elderly people who commit suicide are not in close contact with primary care services; those who are may not be prescribed appropriate treatment, and few are referred for specialist care. Specialist services will fail to reduce suicide rates unless they embark upon programmes to increase public awareness of therapeutic possibilities and work more closely with primary care agencies to realise these possibilities.
The Limitations of Official Suicide Statistics
Authors: O'Donnell Ian , Farmer Richard 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThis study explored some of the problems associated with current procedures for the ascertainment of suicide.MethodA sample of 242 deaths which were known to have been self-inflicted was followed up through the coroners' courts where causes of death were legally established.ResultsVerdicts other than suicide were returned on half of the men, and on one-quarter of the women.ConclusionsFor suicide statistics to become valid indicators of suicide rates it might be more appropriate to apply the civil, rather than the criminal, standard of proof during inquest proceedings.
Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Fombonne Eric 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThis paper examines the evidence that rates of anorexia nervosa have increased over time.MethodEpidemiological studies that have provided time trends in incidence rates in specific countries or psychiatric registers and prevalence surveys were reviewed to assess whether or not prevalence estimates are higher in the most recent studies.ResultsEstimated trends in incidence rates showed an increase but no study ruled out plausible alternative explanations. Studies showing no upward trend were as numerous and were generally based on larger samples. Analysis of 29 cross-sectional surveys conducted over the last 25 years indicated that the median prevalence rate was 1.3 per 1000 females. There was no indication that more recent surveys yielded higher prevalence rates.ConclusionAnorexia nervosa remains a rare disorder and there is no evidence of a secular increase in its incidence.
Bereavement after Homicide
Authors: Rynearson E. K. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThis brief report presents initial findings from a prospective descriptive study of adults after the homicide of a family member. Within the first year of bereavement, the responses and risk factors associated with unrecovered grief and post-traumatic stress disorder in subjects who requested or refused supportive psychotherapy were compared.MethodFifty-two adult members of 237 families contacted within three months of a homicide attended a specialised out-patient clinic (32 requested, and 20 refused, supportive therapy) after a structured interview and completion of measures of grief (TRIG), trauma (RIES and DES), and death imagery.ResultsOnly two risk factors (childhood history of sexual abuse and lack of religious faith) were associated with treatment seeking. Treatment-seeking subjects also scored significantly higher (P<0.001) on all measures of grief, trauma, and intrusive re-enactment imagery of the dying.ConclusionAdults who seek therapy after the homicide of a family member are highly reactive to all measures of trauma, grief, and death imagery.
Ondansetron and Opiate Craving
Authors: Sell L. A. , Cowen P. J. , Robson P. J. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundPharmacological approaches to opiate addiction have for the most part been limited to a role in detoxification. A high percentage of patients who complete detoxification programmes relapse.MethodIn the present study, we used a simple laboratory method to investigate suggestions from preclinical studies that 5-(hydroxytryptamine) HT3 receptor antagonists have a role in the treatment of addiction.ResultsWe showed that addicts stably maintained on methadone experienced significant craving, dysphoria, and withdrawal-like symptoms when exposed to a video containing drug-related cues. The craving was not lessened by treatment with the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron (4 mg orally).ConclusionOur current findings do not support a role for 5-HT3 receptor agonists in the reduction of craving in opiate addicts.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after Childbirth
Authors: Ballard C. G. , Stanley A. K. , Brockington I. F. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThere has been discussion about the possible occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in mothers after difficult childbirth.MethodFour cases with a symptom profile suggestive of PTSD commencing within 48 hours of childbirth are presented.ResultsThe PTSD was in each case associated with the delivery. In each case, there was an associated depressive illness. All four had persistent disorders, and two had difficulties with mother/infant attachment.ConclusionAs confirmed by other reports, the prevalence of PTSD associated with childbirth is a matter of concern.
In the Shadow of Adversity: the Evolution and Resolution of Anxiety and Depressive Disorder
Authors: Surtees P. G. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundIt was proposed to explore the longitudinal relationship between adverse experience and mental health; in particular, whether particular adverse experiences influence the form of subsequent expression of morbidity.MethodThree groups of women were selected: 64 whose marital partner had recently died, 143 whose husbands had recently experienced a myocardial infarction and a third group of 32 women who had sought protection in a Women's Aid refuge. An initial interview assessed psychiatric status according to the RDC for the six months before the event and up to the time of interview, and a second interview was completed four months after the event had occurred. The course was assessed using the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation.ResultsFor the coronary group, the prevalence of psychiatric disorder doubled following the experience of the event, and was most pronounced for anxiety disorder. For the bereaved, rates increased over eight times for major depressive disorder and more than twice for anxiety disorder, following the loss; for the refuge group, prevalence rates were lower after entering the refuge than those before. Analyses that took account of the timing of the onset of disorders showed that in almost half of those experienced by the coronary group, and about 40% of the bereaved group, onset pre-dated the timing of the event.ConclusionsThe results further advance knowledge of the evolution and form of psychiatric conditions following the experience of severe adversity.
Childbirth: Life Event or Start of a Long-Term Difficulty?
Authors: Murray Declan , Cox John L. , Chapman Gail , Jones Peter 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThis paper reports further data from the Stoke study of postnatal depression and examines whether psychosocial characteristics and symptom profiles differ between postnatal and control depression.MethodTwo hundred and thirty-two postnatal and non-postnatal control women were screened with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; all high scorers and a sample of low scorers were interviewed with the Standardised Psychiatric Interview and modified Social Maladjustment Schedule. Depression was diagnosed using the Research Diagnostic Criteria.ResultsPostnatal but not control depression was associated with a poor relationship with the woman's own mother and greater occupational instability. Depression in control women was associated with low income, having three or more children, performing manual work and occupational dissatisfaction, but postnatal depression was not. There were no differences in the symptom profiles of the postnatal and control women nor between early and late onset postnatal depression.ConclusionDepression is a common and socially disabling disorder affecting mothers of young children. Postnatal depression is more contingent on acute biopsychosocial stresses caused by the arrival of a new family member. Depression in women with older children is more closely related to longer term social adversity.
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in the Oldest Old in the Community Prevalence and Comorbidity
Authors: Fichter M. M. , Meller I. , Schröppel H. , Steinkirchner R. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe study focuses on the prevalence of dementia in the oldest old.MethodA community sample (n = 402) of the oldest old in Munich (≥ 85 years) was assessed with different methods. Four instruments and a clinical examination were used for case identification: (a) the Geriatric Mental State Interview (GMS-A); (b) the Structured Interview for the Diagnosis of Dementia (SIDAM); (c) the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS); and (d) the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The clinical examination was performed by the interviewing physicians, who made their diagnoses according to ICD–10 and DSM–III–R.ResultsThe structured interviews (GMS-A: 25.4%; SIDAM/SISCO: 28.0%; SIDAM/DSM–III–R: 27.8%; SIDAM/ICD–10: 16.1 %) gave lower point prevalence rates of dementia than physicians' clinical diagnoses (43.1 %). The rates were 21.2% based on the MMSE. Depressive syndromes and anxiety syndromes were the most frequent psychiatric disturbances associated with dementia in the very old.ConclusionDementia rates were high in the oldest old, showed an increase with age but no sex differences. Interview methodology has a major impact on results.
Effect of Clozapine on d-Fenfluramine-Evoked Neuroendocrine Responses in Schizophrenia and its Relationship to Clinical Improvement
Authors: Curtis Vivienne A. , Wright Pádraig , Reveley Adrianne , Kerwin Robert , Lucey James V. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundClozapine is an effective antipsychotic that has high affinity for serotonin type 2 (5-HT2) receptors. The importance of 5-HT antagonism in the overall clinical efficacy of clozapine is unclear. Using a neuroendocrine strategy we tested the hypothesis that clinical response to clozapine is related to alteration in 5-HT function.MethodTen treatment-resistant schizophrenic subjects were treated with clozapine for a mean of 10.3 (s.e. 0.9) weeks; d-fenfluramine (DFEN) challenge tests were performed before and after treatment with concurrent clinical ratings (BPRS, SAPS, SANS) made at the time of testing.ResultsAll patients showed clinical improvement following treatment with clozapine. In addition, clozapine produced a significant attenuation of prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (CRT) response to DFEN challenge. Change in symptom ratings correlated significantly with reduction in PRL response to DFEN challenge.ConclusionsThese data show that functional alterations occur in the 5-HT system following response to clozapine and lend support to studies suggesting that 5-HT is an important component to the spectrum of action of clozapine.
A Self-Rating Scale for Measuring Neuroleptic Side-Effects
Authors: Day Jennifer C. , Wood Graham , Dewey Mike , Bentall Richard P. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundA study was conducted to validate a comprehensive self-rating scale for measuring side-effects of neuroleptic drugs.MethodThe Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale (LUNSERS), which includes ‘red herring’ items, was twice administered to 50 DSM–III–R schizophrenic patients, who were also interviewed using the UKU side-effect rating scale; 50 unmedicated controls also completed the LUNSERS.ResultsThe test-retest reliability of the LUNSERS was good (r = 0.811, P< 0.001) as was its concurrent validity against the UKU (r = 0.828, P< 0.001). Scores correlated with chlorpromazine equivalent doses (r = 0.310, P< 0.02). ROC analysis demonstrated that the scale discriminated between patients and non-medicated controls, who scored differently for real side-effects but not for ‘red herring’ items.ConclusionsThe LUNSERS is an efficient, reliable and valid method of assessing neuroleptic side-effects.
Mental Disorders and Criminal Behaviour
Authors: Modestin Jiri , Ammann Roland 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundUsing improved methods, findings of higher criminality in a psychiatric population were tested.MethodAn unselected sample of 1265 Swiss in-patients and a matched control group drawn from the general population were studied. Detailed accounts of conviction records served as a measure of criminal behaviour.ResultsApart from traffic law violations by men, and violent crimes and sexual offences by women, patients were more frequently registered in all crime categories. However, there were significant differences between the diagnostic groups. Alcoholics and drug users of both sexes had a significantly higher criminality rate. A higher rate was also found among female, but not male, patients suffering from schizophrenia or related disorders and other, mostly organic, disorders.ConclusionsAlcoholism and drug abuse contribute significantly to criminal behaviour, independent of sociodemographic factors; however, with a few exceptions, mental disorders such as schizophrenia and affective disorders do not contribute to criminal behaviour.