bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability and validity of a nurses' rating scale of depression
Authors: DElia G. , Raotma H. 
Published: August 2007

In order to test the reliability and the construct validity of a nurses' depression‐rating scale (NRS) patients with a depressive syndrome of endogenous or mixed endogenous‐psychogenic aetiology were assessed initially, during and after treatment, by NRS, doctors' rating scale (Cronholm & Ottosson) and self‐rating (Zung). Global ratings were also made.The inter‐rater reliability of the NRS was 0.41–0.90 for the symptoms, 0.90 for the depression‐anxiety syndrome, 0.79 for the retardation syndrome and 0.89 for the total depressive syndrome.As indicators of construct validity three criteria were used: treatment criterion (to discriminate between untreated and treated patients), group difference criterion (to discriminate between groups of treated patients), and convergent validity (correlation to other depression scales). Further, the degree of the discriminating ability, the sensitivity of the scale, was examined.The NRS discriminated well between untreated and ECT treated patients and satisfactorily between recovered and much improved patients.The correlations between NRS and doctors' ratings were positive and significant, although not very high. They indicate that nurses' rating and doctors' rating probably measure partly different aspects of the depressive symptomatology. The simultaneous use of both ratings may thus give a more complete estimate of depression.Doctors' rating was superior to nurses' rating in sensitivity and showed somewhat higher reliability. The results do not justify the replacement of doctors' rating by other ratings.Self‐rating appeared to be of little value as an additional assessment.
A clinical trial comparing sustained release amitriptyline (Saroten® Retard) and conventional amitriptyline tablets (Saroten®) in endogenously depressed patients with simultaneous determination of serum levels of amitriptyline and nortriptyline
Authors: Liisberg P. , Mose H. , Amdisen A. , Jørgensen A. , Petersen H. E. Høpfner 
Published: August 2007

The clinical effect of a sustained release preparation of amitriptyline has been compared with that of conventional amitriptyline tablets in a double‐blind cross‐over study with 24 patients suffering from endogenous depression. The sustained release preparation was given in a single evening dose (9 p.m.) of two thirds the total daily dose of conventional tablets, which was given in a three times‐a‐day regimen (8 a.m., 12 a.m. and 9 p.m.). Serum concentrations of amitriptyline and its active metabolite, nortriptyline, were determined.No difference was found between the two preparations as regards either clinical effect or side effects. No correlation could be shown between the clinical effects and the serum concentrations of amitriptyline and nortriptyline.
Biogenic amine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with affective disorders
Authors: Vestergaard P. , Sørensen T. , Hoppe E. , Rafaelsen O. J. , Yates C. M. , Nicolaou N. 
Published: August 2007

Concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA), 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were measured in lumbar CSF from 33 patients with affective illnes and from 23 neurological controls. The group of patients with affective illness comprised 29 depressed and four manic patients. During illness, the concentration of HVA was higher in the depressed patients (P >0.001) than in the controls. Both unipolar and bipolar depressed patients had increased HVA levels (P >0.001 and P >0.05, respectively). The concentration of MHPG was greater than control values in the unipolar (P < 0.001) and bipolar (P < 0.002) subgroups but did not differ from control values in the depressed group as a whole. The concentration of 5‐HIAA in the depressed patients as a whole and in the unipolar and bipolar subgroups did not differ from control concentrations. During illness the manic patients had increased levels of HVA (P >0.01) and normal levels of 5‐HIAA and MHPG. Sixteen of the 29 depressed patients had a second lumbar puncture after they had recovered. Compared with the pre‐recovery values, the concentration of HVA was reduced in the unipolar depressives (P < 0.01) and the concentration of 5‐HIAA lowered in the depressed group as a whole (P >0.02).The present findings suggest involvement of catecholamines in affective disorders.
Comparative trial of amitriptyline‐N‐oxide and amitriptyline in the treatment of out‐patients with depressive syndromes
Authors: Rapp W. 
Published: August 2007

Amitriptyline‐N‐oxide and amitriptyline were compared double‐blind in a material of out‐patients with depressive syndromes, 21 and 22 patients respectively. Both drugs had a good antidepressant effect. The globally rated effect was equal. The effect upon the various depressive symptoms was equal.Definite reversal of depression occurred somewhat earlier on amitriptyline‐N‐oxide on which side effects were also less marked, both those of an anticholinergic and of a sedative nature. No orthostatic reaction, nor any effect upon blood status or liver function, was observed.Amitriptyline‐N‐oxide appears to show a tendency to a some‐what more rapid onset of effect and less side effects.
Fertility of psychiatric first admissions in Norway 1936–1975
Authors: ØDegarrd Ø. 
Published: August 2007

A statistical study is made of the children born up to first admission to married women hospitalized for serious mental disease in Norway 1936–1975. 30,428 women were registered, with a total of 60,916 children. This observed number of children was related to the number to be expected if the fertility of the patients had been equal to that of a corresponding sample of the general population. The relative fertility (number of children observed per 100 expected) was found to have increased moderately from 72.4 in 1936‐45 to 83.6 in 1966–75. There was no difference between the diagnostic categories, in particular not between schizophrenia and manic‐depression.It is pointed out that individuals with a psychotic parent may represent a high‐risk group because of their social and personal situation. Our material indicates that each year 1,800 children are born in Norway who during their childhood or adolescence were exposed to this particular risk.
Neuroticism and ABO blood types
Authors: Rinieris P. M. , Christodoulou G. N. , Stefanis C. N. 
Published: August 2007

In an attempt to interpret previous findings of a higher incidence of blood phenotype A and a lower incidence of blood phenotype 0 in patients with either obsessive‐compulsive neurosis or hysteria, it was hypothesized that phenotype 0 might be associated with personality traits that render the individual less prone to developing neurotic symptoms. To test the validity of this hypothesis Form A of the Eysenck Personality Inventory was administered to 600 normal individuals and their ABO phenotype was determined.Our results failed to support the above hypothesis, because the blood phenotype of the participants did not differentiate them with respect to their mean neuroticism score. The possibility of an association between ABO blood phenotypes and other, more specific, personality traits, such as hysteroid or obsessional is presently under investigation.
Some current problems related to the mode of action of antidepressant drugs
Authors: Carlsson A. 
Published: August 2007

An important relationship between antidepressant drugs and the monoamine transmitters of the brain is generally recognized. Major groups of established antidepressants are inhibitors of monoamine inactivation (by reuptake or monoamine oxidase) or monoamine precursors. However, the tricyclic antidepressants have many actions in addition to the blockade of monoamine reuptake, e.g. blockade of muscarinic, α‐adrenergic and histaminic receptors and general membrane effects which may lead to cardiotoxicity.The discovery that certain antihistaminic agents devoid of condensed ring systems are fairly potent inhibitors of monoamine reuptake led to the synthesis of zimelidine, a potent and selective 5‐HT reuptake inhibitor with little affinity for receptors and almost devoid of cardiotoxicity. Careful pharmacological studies and clinical trials with such selective monoaminergic agents are of considerable value for testing the possible role of monoaminergic mechanisms in various aspects of human and animal behaviour and for central nervous disorders, including depression.
Serotonin and noradrenaline uptake inhibitors in the treatment of depression – relationship to 5‐HIAA in spinal fluid
Authors: Träskman‐Bendz L. , ÅSberg M. , Bertilsson L. 
Published: August 2007

Evidence is accumulating that endogenous depression, in spite of its relatively uniform clinical picture, may have different pathophysiological correlates, and that these may predict the outcome of treatment. The distribution of the serotonin (5‐HT) metabolite, 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) in the spinal fluid (CSF) from depressed patients has repeatedly been shown to be bimodal, provided that sufficiently sensitive biochemical methods (mass fragmentography) are used for the analysis.A study of nortriptyline revealed a poor antidepressant effect of this typical noradrenaline (NA) uptake blocker in patients with low pretreatment CSF 5‐HIAA. Chlorimipramine (CI), which is a potent 5‐HT uptake blocker in vitro and in animals was therefore given to depressed patients. The serotonin effects were borne out by a profound decrease in CSF 5‐HIAA. This effect, which is presumably mediated by feed‐back inhibition of 5‐HT synthesis was correlated to the plasma concentration of CI, but only up to a certain plasma level. Above this, there was little effect on 5‐HIAA, suggesting that high concentrations of CI may block 5‐HT receptors. The concentration of the NA metabolite, 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl glycol (HMPG) in CSF decreased in proportion to the demethyl metabolite (DMCI) concentration in plasma. DMCI is a potent NA uptake blocker in vitro. Patients with low pretreatment CSF 5‐HIAA reacted equally well to treatment with CI as those with high levels, but only in the latter group was there a correlation to plasma levels (between DMCI and antidepressant effect). The antidepressant effect was also correlated to HMPG reduction in CSF, suggesting that these patients recover in proportion to drug effect on NA
A multicentre placebo‐controlled trial comparing the efficacy of mianserin and chlordiazepoxide in general practice patients with primary anxiety
Authors: Bjertnaes A. , Block J. M. , Hafstad P. E. , Holte M. , Otremo I. , Larsen T. , Pinder R. M. , Steffensen K. , Stulemeuer S. M. 
Published: August 2007

In a double‐blind multicentre trial in general practice, 144 patients with primary anxiety received daily treatment with mianserin or chlordiazepoxide, 30‐60 mg, or placebo. There were no statistically significant differences in efficacy between the three treatments in the 106 patients who completed the 6‐week trial. However, there was a substantial trend in favour of mianserin (P= 0.1), but not chlordiazepoxide, over placebo as assessed by the difference in overall improvement on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. This trend may be clinically significant since more patients dropped out from the placebo group because of lack of effect or deterioration than did from the active treatment groups, particularly during the latter part of the trial.Side effects occurred to a similarly low extent with all treatments, except that mianserin caused more weight gain and, initially, more drowsiness than placebo, while placebo produced more nausea and vomiting. Taken together with the evidence from previous trials in patients with anxiety, these results support the notion that mianserin has anxiolytic properties.
Relation between outcome and the patient's initial experience of the therapist and therapeutic conditions in four treatment methods for phobic disorders
Authors: Persson G. , Alström J. E. , Nordlund C. L. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– One hundred and three phobic women not suitable for insight‐oriented psychotherapy were randomized to either therapistdirected prolonged exposure therapy (PE), supportive therapy of dynamic type (ST), relaxation therapy (R), or basal therapy (B). Immediately after seeing their therapist for history taking and beginning of treatment, the patients were asked to report their experience of the therapist, of themselves in relation to the therapist, and of the therapy (Experience of Therapy Inventory, ETI). The patients were informed that the therapists would not see the ETI. The patients were rated by an independent rater with regard to symptoms and functions at the beginning of treatment, at termination of treatment 3 months later, and at a follow‐up 1 year after the commencement of the study.1) Patients treated with PE and R were more satisfied with their therapists than patients treated with ST or B. The PE patients considered their therapists provided better contact, were more assured and knowledgeable, and gave what seemed to be the correct therapy, the R patients considered their therapist showed more warmth. Both PE and R patients felt their therapists were more interested than the ST and B therapists. These differences were probably due to differences in the amount of time offered, in the attitudes of the therapists, and in the characteristics of the therapies. 2) In the PE group there were positive associations between outcome and the initial experience of the therapist. There is, thus, empirical evidence that a good therapist‐patient relation is of importance to a good outcome in this type of behaviour therapy. In the ST group there was an association between a good outcome and a positive experience of the rather conflict‐centred beginning of the procedure. A positive experience of a conflict‐centred approach may thus be regarded as an indication for dynamic therapy.
Clinical Evaluation of Sulpiride in Schizophrenic Patients ‐ A Double‐blind Comparison with Chlorpromazine
Authors: Härnryd C. , Bjerkenstedt L. , Björk K. , Gullberg B. , Oxen‐Stierna G. , Sedvall G. , Wiesel F‐A , Wik G. , Åberg‐Wis‐Tedt A. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract To evaluate the clinical potential of sulpiride for the treatment of schizophrenic patients, a double‐blind study was performed comparing fixed doses of sulpiride (800 mg daily) and chlorpromazine (400 mg daily). Twentyfive schizophrenic (RDC) patients participated in each treatment group. Antipsychotic effects were evaluated by CPRS and NOSIE ratings before and after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Interrater reliabilities for CPRS items and subscales were satisfactory.Treatment with sulpiride or chlorpromazine resulted in a significant reduction of psychotic morbidity as estimated by CPRS and global ratings. CPRS scores reflecting autism were significantly reduced in all ratings of sulpiride‐treated patients, but only after four weeks in the chlorpromazine group. Total NOSIE scores indicated improvement in both treatment groups. A significant difference in favour of sulpiride was obtained for the NOSIE subscale “retardation”.Extrapyramidal side effects occurred at a similar frequency in both treatment groups. Autonomic side effects occurred to a greater extent in chlorpromazine‐treated patients. Lactation was reported only in four sulpiride‐treated patients. Liver transaminase enzymes in serum were markedly elevated only in chlorpromazine‐treated patients.The results indicate that sulpiride has a marked antipsychotic effect which is at least not inferior to that of chlorpromazine. A better effect on autistic components of behaviour was demonstrated for sulpiride. The results indicate a higher risk of lactation but a lower risk of anticholinergic side effects and liver toxicity for treatment with sulpiride than with chlorpromazine.
Paranoid psychosis in the elderly
Authors: Jørgensen P. , Munk‐Jørgensen P. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Hospital records comprising 106 first admissions of patients aged 60 years or more diagnosed paranoid disorder were studied. Affective psychosis and dementia were excluded. The female/male ratio was 2:1. Symptomatology, treatment and diagnostic classification are presented. Seventy‐five per cent revealed persecutory delusions, and nearly half were hallucinated. Almost all patients received neuroleptics. The majority were diagnosed paranoid psychosis or reactive psychosis.After 5–15 years of observation a full remission was seen in 27% according to the judgement of general practitioners as well as hospital records. Delusions such as megalomania and delusions with ideas of sex and jealousy showed a significantly poor outcome. The diagnosis reactive psychosis predicts a course of illness characterized by few relapses.
BRINGING INTO ACTION THE PSYCHIATRIC REFORM IN SOUTH‐VERONA. A FIVE YEAR EXPERIENCE
Authors: Tansella Ch. Zimmermann ‐ , Burti L. , Faccincani C. , Garzotto N. , Siciliani O. , Tansella M. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThe organization of psychiatric care in Verona prior to the new Italian Mental Health Act, and the organization of the new South‐Verona Community Psychiatric Service (CPS) implemented in 1978 after the approval of the new law, are described. Case‐register data for the period 1979‐1983 are also reported. To compare in‐patient care provided in South‐Verona after the Reform with that of the previous year, data on hospital admissions during 1977 were collected retrospectively. From 1977 to 1983 compulsory admissions have decreased by 67%, the average number of occupied beds per day and the average length of in‐patient stay have decreased by 34%, while the total rates of admission have increased by 4%. The long‐stay in‐patient rate, which was already considerably low in 1977 (48/100,000), is still decreasing slightly and no ≪new≫ long‐stay patients have accumulated in psychiatric institutions during the past three years. In South‐Verona most of the patients are treated outside the hospital and the same staff is responsible for in‐ as well as for out‐patient care (which includes domiciliary visits and day care), to ensure therapeutic continuity. Although it lacks some complementary facilities the South‐Verona CPS in its five years of experience has been able to bring into action the psychiatric reform as indicated by the new Law.
Relation between suicide and homicide in Portugal from 1970 to 1982
Authors: de Castro E. Ferreira , Albino L. , Martins I. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTTo evaluate to what extent a suicide can be considered a hetero‐aggression converted into self‐aggression, this study analyses whether the increase in suicides corresponds to a decrease in homicides and vice‐versa. Rates of suicide and homicide from 1970 to 1982 have been analysed in Portugal, Azores and Maderia, and the district and city of Lisbon; age and sex groups have also been compared. There is no inverse variation between suicides and homicides either globally or for males or females. There is also a difference in age distribution for suicides and homicides ‐ suicides being mainly over 50 years, homicides mainly under. This suggests that it is not very plausible that self‐ and hetero‐aggressive behaviours alternate in the same individual, although it is possible that, with increasing age, he may move from hetero‐ or potential hetero‐aggression to self‐aggression.
A Spanish experience of DSM III in a Consultation‐Liaison psychiatric service
Authors: Montero I. , Sanjuan J. , Frades B. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThe authors applied the DSM III diagnosis to 500 patients seen at a Consultation‐Liaison psychiatric service. Compared with similar American studies there was a lower frequency of adjustment and somatoform disorders and a higher proportion of drug abuse cases. Several possible reasons for these differences are mentioned. Although the use of DSM III has clear advantages in a General Hospital context, important difficulties were found: the use of some diagnostic criteria, the absence of a code to relate Axes I and III, the poor systemisation of scores in social Axes IV and V and the lack of a specific category for attempted suicide are but a few of the difficulties encountered. Finally, some modifications of DSM III are suggested in order to improve its clinical usefulness.
Psychiatric diagnostic categories in Saudi Arabia
Authors: El Sayed S. M. , Maghraby M. M. , Hafeiz H. B. , Buckley M. M. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThis study involves 324 new cases referred to the Psychiatric Department of King Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, over a period of 6 months. Men outnumbered women, which is in contrast to most Western studies. There was a preponderance in the younger age groups. The interaction of cultural factors and the rapid urbanization of the Saudi society may to some extent explain the pattern.
Low prevalence of mitral valve prolapse in bipolar affective disorder
Authors: Özeren A. , Türkoǧlu C. , Saygili R. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThe authors report the prevalence of mitral valve prolapse in bipolar affective disorder. 22 bipolar patients (13 men and 9 women; age 17–75 years, mean 42.3) were selected at random from 41 bipolar patients for echocardiographic examination. Diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse was made if prolapsus of the anterior or posterior valve to the left atrium was seen in the two‐dimensional echocardiography and if mid‐to late‐systolic posterior motion of the mitral valve was greater than 2 mm in M‐mode echocardiography. Of the 22 bipolar patients, only two had mitral valve prolapse. This rate does not differ significantly from the 5% rate found in the general population.
Research and society
Authors: Serafetinides E. A. , May Philip R. A. , Cohen Jerome , Glaser Edward M. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThe determination of an appropriate level of support for research has led to hard questions about the value of research and to realization that assessment of research value must be based on careful evaluation of a wider range of social benefits and costs than has hitherto been customary. Defining and measuring social aims poses a number of difficult but not insoluble problems. We also need to think more scientifically about the values we place on different types of knowledge‐how these enter into decision making and how they affect communication with non‐scientists and the transition between research and practice. A dose of humility and compromise is in order.
Participants’ evaluations of the research values and benefits project
Authors: Hirschman Ada , Boulougouris John , Greist John , May Philip R. A. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTEvaluations by 258 participants of the system for making judgements of research values and benefits were largely positive in tone but with a substantial diversity of opinion. The task was, in general, perceived as desirable and only noderately difficult: the main improvement needed according to the respondents was to describe the research and its potential benefits in simpler languate, free from research and academic jargon.
Differing cultural perceptions of research
Authors: Cohen Jerome , Serafetinides E. A. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTVariations in perceived social benefits of the projects were examined in relation to four occupational groups: health care professionals, other professions, non‐professionals and media. Differences between health professionals and non‐professionals were evident. This was particularly true for media respondents. All groups found the assessment important.ABSTRACTA comparison of North American versus European ratings showed that Europeans gave higher values to projects of public health significance, whereas Americans valued more highly projects contributing to knowledge. Further analysis revealed individual differences among countries which transcended this continental dichotomy; the possibel cultural variables involved in these differences are discussed.