bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PTSD Symptoms and Comorbid Mental Disorders in Israeli War Veterans
Authors: Skodol Andrew E. , Schwartz Sharon , Dohrenwend Bruce P. , Levav Itzhak , Shrout Patrick E. , Reiff Marian 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate patterns of mental disorders comorbid with PTSD symptoms in young Israeli men exposed to combat.MethodSix hundred and seventeen subjects were selected via a general population sample and evaluated in a two-phase case-identification procedure, culminating in a modified SADS–L interview, administered by psychiatrists.ResultsMajor depressive disorder (OR=3.2), substance use disorders (OR=1.9) and personality disorders (OR=3.0) occurred more frequently in men reporting symptoms of PTSD than in men who had been under fire who did not report symptoms. With the possible exception of personality disorders, comorbid disorders did not constitute risk factors for PTSD. Comorbid PTSD and RDC disorders were associated with increased help-seeking.ConclusionsThe results suggest similar rates and types of PTSD comorbidity in Israeli war veterans as in veterans in the US assessed in general population studies, and are consistent with shared risk factors for PTSD and comorbid disorders.
Amisulpride versus placebo in the medium-term treatment of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Authors: Loo H. , Poirier-Littre M.-F. , Theron M. , Rein W. , Fleurot O. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundAmisulpride is a substituted benzamide with high selectivity for dopamine D2 and D3 receptors. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of 100 mg amisulpride in patients with predominantly negative symptoms of schizophrenia.MethodThis was a multi-centre, randomised, parallel-group, double-blind study. Patients received either amisulpride (100 mg/day) or placebo over a six-month treatment period.ResultsA total of 141 patients were included, 69 received amisulpride, 72 placebo. Fifty-eight patients (41%) had received neuroleptic treatment prior to inclusion. The percentage of amisulpride patients completing the study (55%) was significantly higher than that with placebo (32%), and drop-out rates due to lack of efficacy were 27% with amisulpride and 47% with placebo. All efficacy assessments were statistically in favour of amisulpride compared with placebo. The overall incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms was comparable in both groups; only five patients started anti-Parkinsonian treatment during the study (one in the placebo and four in the amisulpride group).ConclusionAmisulpride is effective in the medium-term treatment schizophrenic patients with predominantly negative symptoms.
A randomised controlled trial and cost analysis of problem-solving treatment for emotional disorders given by community nurses in primary care
Authors: Mynors-Wallis Laurence , Davies Ioana , Gray Alastair , Barbour Faith , Gath Dennis 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundWe set out to investigate whether community nurses could be trained in problem-solving therapy and, once trained, how effective they would be in treating emotional disorders in primary care.MethodSeventy patients with an emotional disorder in primary care were randomly allocated to receive either problem-solving therapy from a trained community nurse or treatment as usual from their general practitioner. Interview and self-rated assessments of clinical and economic outcome were made pre-treatment, at eight weeks and at 26 weeks after treatment.ResultsThere was no difference in clinical outcome between patients who received problem-solving treatment and patients who received the general practitioner's usual treatment. However, patients who received problem-solving treatment had fewer disability days and fewer days off work. The health care cost of problem-solving was greater than that of the general practitioner's usual treatment but this was more than offset by savings in the cost of days off work.ConclusionsProblem-solving treatment can be given by trained community nurses. The clinical effectiveness and cost-benefit of the treatment will depend on the selection of appropriate patients.
Discontinuation rates of SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants: a meta-analysis and investigation of heterogeneity
Authors: Hotopf Matthew , Hardy Rebecca , Lewis Glyn 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundPrevious meta-analyses suggest that individuals treated with serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are less likely to discontinue treatment than those on tricyclic antidepressants. This metaanalysis investigates whether this is due to the frequent use in RCTs of older reference tricyclics (imipramine and amitriptyline), which may have worse side-effects than more recent compounds.MethodsA meta-analysis of RCTs comparing tricyclic and heterocyclic antidepressants with SSRIs in the treatment of depression.ResultsThe overall odds ratio of discontinuation on tricyclic/heterocyclic antidepressants compared with SSRIs was 0.86 (95% CI 0.78–0.94). The odds ratio for reference tricyclics was 0.82 95% CI 0.72–0.23), newer tricyclics 0.89 (95% CI 0.74–1.06), and heterocyclics 1.02 (95% CI 0.78–1.35). The pooled advantage of SSRIs over tricyclics was maintained whether the population studied consisted of younger adults or only the elderly. No differences in discontinuation rates were detected between the SSRIs.ConclusionsThe lower rate of discontinuation in patients on SSRIs may be due to the use of old tricyclics (which have worse side-effects) as reference compounds. The SSRIs do not show a statistically significant difference in discontinuation rates when compared with newer tricyclics or heterocyclics.
Aggressive, socially disruptive and antisocial behaviour associated with fronto-temporal dementia
Authors: Miller B. L. , Darby A. , Benson D. F. , Cummings J. L. , Miller M. H. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundResearch suggests an association between frontal and temporal injury and antisocial conduct. We studied the frequency of antisocial behaviours in fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) where pathology is anterior frontal-temporal, compared with Alzheimer's disease (AD) where pathology is primarily posterior temporal-parietal.MethodThe presence of antisocial conduct was compared in 22 FTD versus 22 AD subjects. All FTD patients had anterior frontal or temporal hypoperfusion with single photon emission computed tomography, whereas those with AD had posterior temporal-parietal hypoperfusion.ResultsTen FTD and one AD subject showed antisocial behaviours, which included assault, indecent exposure, shoplifting and hit-and-run driving. Three FTD subjects were arrested. This difference was highly significant (P = 0.004).ConclusionsDegeneration of frontal and temporal lobes predisposes to antisocial behaviour. This study supports a relationship between frontal-temporal dysfunction and certain types of antisocial activities.
Enhanced growth hormone responses to pyridostigmine challenge in patients with panic disorder
Authors: Cooney J. M. , Lucey J. V. , Dinan T. G. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundPanic disorder is associated with neuroendocrinological abnormalities, some of which overlap with those seen in major depression. To date, there has been little assessment of the role of cholinergic mechanisms in this disorder.MethodSixteen patients with DSM–III–R panic disorder and an age and gender-matched comparison group were administered 120 mg of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor pyridostigmine. Growth hormone (GH) responses over a three-hour period were monitored.ResultsMean ΔGH, the difference between basal and the maximum pyridostigmine levels, was significantly greater in patients with panic disorder than in the comparison group.ConclusionsThis may reflect increased cholinergic responsivity in panic disorder.
Perceived parental styles in a Japanese sample of depressive disorders
Authors: Sato Tetsuy , Sakado Kaoru , Uehara Toru , Nishioka Kazuo , Kasahara Yomishi 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundDysfunctional parental styles, as measured by the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), have been associated with adult depression in Western cultures. This study sought to determine whether such parental styles are also associated with adult depression in a non-Western society.MethodPBI scores and parental styles assessed by PBI quadrants were explored in 51 Japanese depressive patients and controls in a matched, case-control design.ResultsLow care and high protection scores were associated not with melancholic but with non-melancholic depression. Subjects exposed to dysfunctional parental styles demonstrated a high risk for non-melancholic depression.ConclusionsThese data suggest that the association between dysfunctional parental styles on PBI and non-melancholic depression may be independent of cultural differences.
Total mortality in people admitted to a psychiatric hospital
Authors: Hansen Vidje , Arnesen Egil , Jacobsen Bjarne K. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe aim was to document the mortality of psychiatric patients within a service system characterised by a low beds-to-population ratio.MethodAll patients admitted to one psychiatric hospital were followed from date of first admission after 31 July 1980 until 31 December 1992 with regard to death, by linkage to the Norwegian Central Register of Persons. Age-adjusted total mortality rates and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) compared with the general population were computed.ResultsMortality rates were highest in men, and increased with age in both sexes. SMRs were highest in the younger age-groups, and the overall SMR was significantly higher for men than for women. Mortality was highest during the first year after admission for both sexes and was higher than in the general population in all diagnostic groups.ConclusionsThe mortality of psychiatric patients is still unsatisfactorily high, and men constitute a special high-risk group.
Suicide as an outcome for mental disorders
Authors: Harris E. Clare , Barraclough Brian 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundMental disorders have a strong association with suicide. This meta-analysis, or statistical overview, of the literature gives an estimate of the suicide risk of the common mental disorders.MethodWe searched the medical literature to find reports on the mortality of mental disorders. English language reports were located on MEDLINE (1966–1993) with the search terms mental disorders', ‘brain injury’, ‘eating disorders’, ‘epilepsy’, ‘suicide attempt’, ‘psychosurgery’, with ‘mortality’ and ‘follow-up studies’, and from the reference lists of these reports. We abstracted 249 reports with two years or more follow-up and less than 10% loss of subjects, and compared observed numbers of suicides with those expected. A standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated for each disorder.ResultsOf 44 disorders considered, 36 have a significantly raised SMR for suicide, five have a raised SMR which fails to reach significance, one SMR is not raised and for two entries the SMR could not be calculated.ConclusionsIf these results can be generalised then virtually all mental disorders have an increased risk of suicide excepting mental retardation and dementia. The suicide risk is highest for functional and lowest for organic disorders with substance misuse disorders lying between. However, within these broad groupings the suicide risk varies widely.
Psychopathological syndromes and familial morbid risk of psychosis
Authors: Van Os Jim , Marcelis Machteld , Sham Pak , Jones Peter , Gilvarry Karyna , Murray Robin 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundFamilial liability in the functional psychoses had traditionally been examined by comparing mutually exclusive diagnostic categories. This study examines overlapping psychopathological dimensions in relation to familial morbid risk of psychosis.MethodWe tested for associations between seven factor-analysis derived psychopathological dimensions and familial morbid risk of psychosis, in a sample of 150 patients with recent-onset functional psychosis and 548 of their first-degree relatives.ResultsA syndrome characterised by affective blunting and insidious and early onset of illness, non-specifically predicted psychosis in the first-degree relatives, whereas a manic syndrome specifically predicted affective psychosis in the relatives. No other main effects were observed, but there were interactions with proband diagnosis: a syndrome characterised by bizarre behaviour, inappropriate affect, catatonia and poor rapport predicted psychosis in relatives of schizophrenic probands, and a syndrome of depressive: symptoms predicted psychosis in relatives of schizoaffective probands. Positive symptoms were not associated with illness in the relatives.ConclusionsGenetic effects in the functional psychoses may comprise non-specific components that canalise a general, early-onset, affective blunting phenotype and several other, more specific, influences on phenotypic variation.
Cost-effectiveness of antidepressant treatment reassessed
Authors: Woods Scott W. , Rizzo John A. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundA recent simulation concluded that the serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine was more cost-effective than the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) imipramine, despite substantially higher medication acquisition costs.MethodWe replicated the previous model and revised key assumptions which drove the results. The revised model was subjected to sensitivity analysis.ResultsMost scenarios in the revised model showed that the TCA is equally or more cost-effective than the SSRI. Model revision producing these results were changes in assumptions about switched treatment success rates, treatment length and initial treatment success. The revised model appears sensitive to drug acquisition and delivery costs and costs of treatment failure.ConclusionsBased on the model, a policy of using TCAs as first-choice antidepressant treatment, with SSRIs reserved for those patients not doing well initially, appears more cost-effective than the reverse sequence. Given limitations in current knowledge about key parameters to include in a simulation model, large prospective random-assignment cost-effectiveness studies are needed.
The use of seclusion and emergency medication in a hospital for people with learning disability
Authors: Rangecroft M. E. H. , Tyrer S. P. , Berney T. P. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe management of disturbed behaviour in facilities for those with learning disabilities involves a spectrum of approaches including the prescription of emergency medication, restraint and seclusion. The use of these techniques has recently come under close scrutiny.MethodAll incidents requiring emergency medication or seclusion that occurred in a large hospital for those with learning disabilities were studied over a six-months period. The precipitating factors, course and outcome of those who had received emergency medication or seclusion were then examined.ResultsIn all, 286 incidents involving 72 individuals occurred during the study period. The episodes requiring seclusion comprised 19% of all incidents. Two-thirds of the patients involved were male but six female patients accounted for 36% of all incidents. During the second part of the study, when the staff knew that the treatments used were being monitored, there was a significant reduction in use of restraint and emergency drugs given intramuscularly. Patients receiving seclusion were judged to have a better outcome one hour after the onset of the incident compared with those who received medication.ConclusionsDespite concerns about the use of seclusion, the results of this survey suggest that procedures that remove the patient from the environment contributing to the disturbance may have certain advantages in this population.
The treatment of sexually dysfunctional men without partners: A controlled study of three behavioural group approaches
Authors: Stravynski Ariel , Gaudette Giles , Lesage Alain , Arbel Nira , Petit Pascale , Clerc Doris , Fabian José , Lamontagne Yves , Langlois Robert , Lipp Olivier , Sidoun Paul 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundModels of sex therapy for sexual dysfunction in single men are available, but their value is not well established. This controlled study compared three approaches to the treatment of sexually dysfunctional single men.MethodSixty-nine single men diagnosed as sexually dysfunctional were randomly assigned to treatments focusing on either their sexual dysfunction, their interpersonal problems, a combination of both or a waiting list; 51 completed treatment and 50 the one-year follow-up. Treatment was administered in small groups in 15 weekly sessions and four six-weekly sessions during the first six months of a year-long follow-up.ResultsNo clinically meaningful change was observed during the waiting period. In contrast, a significant and equivalent improvement was observed in all treatment groups by the end of treatment. However, differences between them were in evidence at 6 and 12 months' follow-up.ConclusionsBoth treatments paying attention to the patients' interpersonal difficulties resulted in significantly better outcomes overall than the approach that concentrated on problems in sexual functioning alone.
Controlled efficacy study of fluoxetine in dysthymia
Authors: Vanelle Jean-Marie , Attar-Levy Dominique , Poirier Marie-France , Bouhassira Myriam , Blin Patrick , Olié Jean-Pierre 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThere have been very few controlled studies of antidepressants in dysthymia, particularly in samples diagnosed reliably and with an adequate length of follow-up. In this investigation, we measured the long-term outcome in a large group of patients meeting DSM – III -R criteria for dysthymia. This study was designed to investigate whether fluoxetine is effective in the treatment of dysthymia.MethodThis randomised study, including 140 patients, compared fluoxetine (91 patients) and placebo (49 patients) on a double-blind basis in two distinct phases: a short-term end-point (3 months with 20 mg/day fluoxetine) and a medium-term end-point (6 months) where the initial responders continued double-blind treatment unchanged and non-responders received an additional treatment of 20 mg/day fluoxetine.ResultsAfter three months of treatment, response was seen more frequently in the fluoxetine group (42/72) than in the placebo group (14/39, P <0.0001). Improved patients at 3 months were still improved at 6 months. Furthermore, 50% of the non-responders at 3 months improved and rated as responders at 6 months, after fluoxetine was increased to 40 mg daily.ConclusionsThis study showed the significant and persistent action of fluoxetine on dysthymia. The finding that 50% of the non-responders at 3 months were improved at 6 months, after fluoxetine dosage was increased to 40 mg daily, argues in favour of treating dysthymic patients for at least 6 months, and with a higher dosage if the initial doses are ineffective.
Anxiety, depression and PTSD in asylum-seekers: Assocations with pre-migration trauma and post-migration stressors
Authors: Silove Derrick , Sinnerbrink Ingrid , Field Annette , Manicavasagar Vijaya , Steel Zachary 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundResearch into the mental health of refugees has burgeoned in recent times, but there is a dearth of studies focusing specifically on the factors associated with psychiatric distress in asylum-seekers who have not been accorded residency status.MethodForty consecutive asylum-seekers attending a community resource centre in Sydney, Australia, were interviewed using structured instruments and questionnaires.ResultsAnxiety scores were associated with female gender, poverty, and conflict with immigration officials, while loneliness and boredom were linked with both anxiety and depression. Thirty subjects (79%) had experienced atraumatic event such as witnessing killings, being assaulted, or suffering torture and captivity, and 14 subjects (37%) met full criteria for PTSD. A diagnosis of PTSD was associated with greater exposure to pre-migration trauma, delays in processing refugee applications, difficulties in dealing with immigration officials, obstacles to employment, racial discrimination, and loneliness and boredom.ConclusionsAlthough based on correlational data derived from a convenient'sample, our findings raise the possibility that current procedures for dealing with asylum-seekers may contribute to high levels of stress and psychiatric symptoms in those who have been previously traumatised.
Grey matter correlates of syndromes in schizophrenia
Authors: Chua S. E. , Wright I. C. , Poline J.-B. , Liddle P. F. , Murray R. M. , Frackowiak R. S. J. , Friston K. J. , McGuire P. K. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundSymptoms in schizophrenia duster into syndromes, each of which may be associated with a particular pattern of cerebral blood flow. We sought to investigate whether these syndromes are also related to neuroanatomical changes.MethodA semi-automated method was used to examine structural magnetic resonance images in 12 patients with schizophrenia. The relationship between the relative regional grey matter volume and ratings of the syndromes of psychomotor poverty, disorganisation and reality distortion was investigated.ResultsThere was a significant negative correlation between psychomotor poverty score and the relative volume of the left ventro-medial prefrontal grey matter, and a significant positive correlation between disorganisation and the relative volumes of the hippocampus, and the parahippocampal/fusiform gyrus bilaterally.ConclusionThe correlation between psychomotor poverty and left prefrontal grey matter volume resembles that previously seen with prefrontal blood flow in the same patients, suggesting that this functional abnormality is related to an underlying anatomical change.
EEG coherence and syndromes in schizophrenia
Authors: Norman R. M. G. , Malla A. K. , Williamson P. C. , Morrison-Stewart S. L. , Helmes E. , Cortese L. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundFrith et al (1995) and others have hypothesised that disruptions in the connection between left frontal and temporal areas of the brain are a central deficit in schizophrenia. In this paper we examine whether such connectivity as assessed by EEG coherence is related to level of symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.MethodFor 73 patients with schizophrenia, assessments of the EEG coherence between frontal and temporal regions were carried out under conditions of activation by a mathematical task, and between frontal and occipital regions when performing a visuo-spatial task. We then examined the relationship between these coherence measures and the reality distortion, disorganisation and psychomotor poverty dimensions of symptomatology.ResultsOnly left frontal -temporal connectivity was found to have a significant negative relationship to symptomatology. This relationship was, however, specific to reality distortion rather than to symptoms of disorganisation or psychomotor poverty, and may be more characteristic of males than females.ConclusionsDisruption of frontaltemporal connectivity appears to have a specific relationship to reality distortion symptoms in schizophrenia.