bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low serum cholesterol is correlated to suicidality in a Korean sample
Authors: Kim Yong‐Ku , Lee Heon‐Jeong , Kim Ji‐Yeon , Yoon Do‐Kyung , Choi So‐Hyun , Lee Min‐Soo 
Published: March 2003

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine further the association between low total serum cholesterol and suicidal behaviour. Method: We measured the serum cholesterol levels in 231 patients admitted to an emergency room following a suicide attempt, in 231 age‐, sex‐ and diagnosis‐matched non‐suicidal psychiatric controls, and in 231 age‐ and sex‐matched normal controls. The suicide attempt patients were divided into five grades according to the degree of injury. Results: The mean total cholesterol level of the suicide attempt patients was significantly lower than that of the psychiatric and normal controls. When the suicide attempt patients and non‐suicidal psychiatric controls were divided by diagnosis, this significant relationship held true for major depressive disorders and personality disorders, but not for schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Cholesterol level and the severity of suicide attempt were inversely correlated. Conclusion: The results suggest that cholesterol level may serve as a marker for suicide risk. Possible explanations are discussed.
Quality of life in patients with schizophrenia in five European countries: the EPSILON study
Authors: Gaite L. , Vázquez‐Barquero J. L. , Borra C. , Ballesteros J. , Schene A. , Welcher B. , Thornicroft G. , Becker T. , Ruggeri M. , Herrán A. ,   the EPSILON Study Group
Published: March 2003

Objective: To compare subjective quality of life (QOL) and objective QOL indicators in patients with schizophrenia from five European sites: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London, Santander and Verona. Method: A representative sample of 404 patients with schizophrenia, in contact with mental health services, was randomly selected and evaluated with the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile (EU). Results: The level of satisfaction in certain domains, religion, family and social relations appears to be associated with local style of living and culture while work, finances, and safety were more independent from local variations. In addition to the severity of symptoms, frequency of contacts with family, friendship and age appear as predictors of QOL, all of them influenced by the characteristics of the surroundings. Conclusion: The centres participating in the study presented differences in subjective measures of QOL, objective indicators and also in service provision and styles of living.
Religious coping and psychological wellbeing in carers of relatives with schizophrenia
Authors: Rammohan A. , Rao K. , Subbakrishna D. K. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To examine the use of religious coping and its relation to psychological wellbeing in carers of relatives with schizophrenia. Method: Sixty carers of patients with an ICD‐10 diagnosis of schizophrenia, were assessed on strength of religious belief, perceived burden, religious and other coping strategies and psychological wellbeing. Results: Coping strategies of denial and problem solving, strength of religious belief and perceived burden were significant predictors of wellbeing. Conclusion: Strength of religious belief plays an important role in helping family members to cope with the stress of caring for a mentally ill relative. In addition to psychoeducation and problem solving coping, the role of religious coping in enhancing wellbeing of carers needs to be considered in family intervention programmes.
Comparisons between schizophrenia patients recruited from Australian general practices and public mental health services
Authors: Carr Vaughan J. , Lewin Terry J. , Barnard Rosemary E. , Walton Jane M. , Allen Jennifer L. , Constable Paul M. , Chapman Jenny L. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To examine differences between samples of schizophrenia patients recruited from general practice and public mental health services. Method: Demographic, psychosocial, disability and 12‐month service utilization data are reported from a multicentered survey of psychotic disorders and an associated study of schizophrenia in general practice. Patients with schizophrenia from three recruitment sources (in‐patient, community services, general practice) were compared. Results: General practice patients had fewer symptoms, better functioning, lower service use, but comparable substance abuse, to patients from mental health services. They were generally similar to community mental health patients, with the exception of family support, premorbid work adjustment, negative symptoms and disability. Service contact models are also reported which demonstrate that general practitioners deal with schizophrenia patients across the range of illness severity and acuity. Conclusion: Recruitment source impacts in schizophrenia research need to be more carefully considered during sample selection and better accounted for in the interpretation of results.
Development of specific social skills training programmes for schizophrenia patients: results of a multicentre study
Authors: Roder V. , Brenner H. D. , Müller D. , Lächler M. , Zorn P. , Reisch T. , Bösch J. , Bridler R. , Christen C. , Jaspen E. , Schmidl F. , Schwemmer V. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: The efficacy of three newly developed cognitive social skills training programmes for residential, vocational and recreational functioning (experimental groups) were compared with a traditional social skills training programme (control group) referring to cognitive and social abilities, psychopathology and generalisation effects. Method: One hundred and five patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to ICD‐10 criteria were selected and assigned to the different treatment groups, using a matching procedure. The treatment phase lasted 6 months. A follow‐up assessment was carried out after 1 year. Results: Higher global therapy effects were obtained on almost all dependent variables in the experimental groups. Analyses of variance and covariance indicated higher symptom reduction for the experimental groups, but significantly greater improvements in some cognitive variables for the control group. Correlation analysis suggested associations between improvement of social behaviour with symptom reduction and improvements of cognitive skills. Conclusion: In view of these favourable effects, the developed cognitive social skills training programmes might facilitate the abilities of schizophrenia patients for their integration in the community.
Could the hypofrontality pattern in schizophrenia be modified through neuropsychological rehabilitation?
Authors: Penadés R. , Boget T. , Lomeña F. , Mateos J. J. , Catalán R. , Gastó C. , Salamero M. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: The effects of neuropsychological treatment on cognitive hypofrontality were examined in schizophrenic patients through the score activation. Method: Eight subjects (six men and two women) with persistent negative symptoms and cognitive impairments were evaluated with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) procedures and neuropsychological battery before and after a neuropsychological treatment group. Results: After treatment an enhancement in neuropsychological performance was found, especially in executive functions. The activation score showed an increase over baseline levels and no cognitive‐dependent hypofrontality after treatment was found. Although the prefrontal blood flow changes were small and non‐specific, they suggest a reduction of the cognitive hypofrontality after neuropsychological treatment. Conclusion: Cognitive improvements after neuropsychological treatment would possibly be related with the diminution of the functional hypoactivity in the prefrontal areas.
Clinical issues related to depression in schizophrenia: an international survey of psychiatrists
Authors: Addington D. D. , Azorin J. M. , Falloon I. R. H. , Gerlach J. , Hirsch S. R. , Siris S. G. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: Depressive symptoms in schizophrenia are associated with a substantial morbidity and mortality burden. The `International Survey of Depression in Schizophrenia' was designed to evaluate current awareness and clinical approaches in this area. Method: A 48‐item questionnaire was distributed to approximately 80 000 consultant psychiatrists world‐wide. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Respondents demonstrated considerable awareness of the prevalence and consequences of depression in schizophrenia. Although there was widespread adjunctive use of antidepressants, one‐third of respondents indicated that they rarely or never prescribe these agents in combination with antipsychotic medication. There were considerable variations in opinions about the best approach to the treatment of depressive symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Conclusion: The considerable clinical burden of depressive symptomatology in schizophrenia was acknowledged by the majority of respondents to this survey. There was, however, little agreement on the best management strategy.
Treatment non‐adherence in affective disorders
Authors: Lingam Ravi , Scott Jan 
Published: March 2003

Objective: The aim of this paper is to review the prevalence, predictors and methods for improving medication adherence in unipolar and bipolar affective disorders. Method: Studies were identified through Medline and PsycLit searches of English language publications between 1976 and 2001. This was supplemented by a hand search and the inclusion of selected descriptive articles on good clinical practice. Results: Estimates of medication non‐adherence for unipolar and bipolar disorders range from 10 to 60% (median 40%). This prevalence has not changed significantly with the introduction of new medications. There is evidence that attitudes and beliefs are at least as important as side‐effects in predicting adherence. The limited number of empirical studies of how to reduce non‐adherence offer encouraging evidence that, if recognized, the problem can be overcome. Conclusion: Only 1–2% of all publications on the treatment of affective disorders explore factors associated with medication non‐adherence. This is disappointing as research and clinical data highlight the importance of extended courses of medication in improving the long‐term prognosis of affective disorders.
Social phobia: overview of community surveys
Authors: Furmark T. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: Social phobia has in recent years been recognized as a considerable public health concern. This paper presents an overview of community studies that have estimated the prevalence of social phobia, its subtypes, and specific social fears in the adult general population. Sociodemographic findings are also summarized. Method: Forty‐three epidemiological studies from 1980 to the present were located in electronic databases and by complementary searches of citations in journal articles and book chapters. Results: Recent surveys estimate the lifetime prevalence of social phobia at about 7–13% in Western countries. However, prevalence rates vary considerably and are prone to several influencing methodological variables such as the diagnostic criteria, diagnostic threshold, assessment method, number of situational probes, and prevalence period selected by the researcher. Conclusion: Although there are difficulties in delineating social phobia from subsyndromal social anxiety or shyness, social phobia is even when narrowly defined remarkably common in the general population.
The application of transcranial magnetic stimulation in psychiatry and neurosciences research
Authors: Fitzgerald P. B. , Brown T. L. , Daskalakis Z. J. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: Over recent years transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has become widely applied in the study of neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of this article is to review the application of TMS as an investigative tool and as a potential therapeutic modality in psychiatric disorders.Method: A comprehensive literature review.Results: When applied as an investigative tool, TMS provides innovative ways to directly study the excitability of the cortex, cortical regional connectivity, the plasticity of brain responses and cognitive functioning in illness and disease states. A number of studies suggest the potential of treatment with TMS in disease states, especially in patients with depression, although difficulties exist with the interpretation of the published literature.Conclusion: TMS has a considerable role in neuropsychiatric research. It appears to have considerable potential as a therapeutic tool in depression, and perhaps a role in several other disorders, although widespread application requires larger trials and establishment of sustained response.
Increased incidence of affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and non‐natural mortality in women after breast cancer diagnosis: a nation‐wide cohort study in Denmark
Authors: Hjerl K. , Andersen E. W. , Keiding N. , Mortensen P. B. , Jørgensen T. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To investigate whether breast cancer patients have increased incidence of psychiatric admission with affective disorders, anxiety disorders, or non‐natural mortality compared with the general female population. Method: Register‐linkage between nation‐wide registries: The Danish Psychiatric Central Register, The Danish Cancer Registry, and The Danish National Register of Causes of Death. A total of 61 709 women registered with primary invasive breast cancer between 1970 and 1993 were included and 356 023 person‐years were accrued. Results: The standardized incidence ratio of first‐ever psychiatric admission with affective disorder was 1.49 (95% CI: 1.35–1.63) and with anxiety disorder 1.25 (95% CI: 1.06–1.46). The standardized non‐natural mortality ratio during the first year after breast cancer diagnosis was 1.54 (95% CI: 1.27–1.87). All analyses were adjusted for age, calendar period, and place of residence. Conclusion: Breast cancer patients have significantly increased incidence of psychiatric admission with affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and non‐natural mortality.
Evaluation of the psychometric characteristics of the Spanish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Authors: Quintana J. M. , Padierna A. , Esteban C. , Arostegui I. , Bilbao A. , Ruiz I. 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  To assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS).Method:   We administered HADS to 685 participants (256 controls and 429 patients with five different diagnoses). The reliability of the instrument was assessed by a test–retest study. Construct validity studies were carried out through item–subscale correlation and factor analysis for the whole group and by each of the five different diagnoses. Three instruments were used as external criteria to assess concurrent validity.Results:  HADS test–retest reliability presented correlation coefficients above 0.85. The internal consistency was high, with a Cronbach's α of 0.86 (anxiety) and 0.86 (depression). Factor analysis showed a clear two‐factor structure for all groups. The results showed high concurrent validity with the Beck Depression Inventory and State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory and with the mental domains of the Short‐Form Health Survey.Conclusion:  The Spanish version of the HADS demonstrated good reliability and validity when used in medical patients.
Stressful life events and affective illness
Authors: Brostedt E. M. , Pedersen N. L. 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  To investigate the association between the occurrence of affective illnesses and the number/type of experienced negative stressful life events in a twin material. A case–control study with an unrelated twin as control to the case and a co‐twin control study were both undertaken with the same material.Method:  Postal questionnaire responses were used for confirming diagnosis and to inventory stressful life events. Risk ratios (RR) for groups of events were calculated using conditional logistic regression.Results:  A dose–response relationship was observed for the association between stressful life events and affective illness. The RRs for specific groups of exposures were higher in the co‐twin control study and higher for dizygotic twin pairs than for monozygotic twin pairs.Conclusion:  Individuals with a history of affective illness select themselves into high‐risk environments, in part due to their genetic propensity to the disease. Thus, the association represents a classic genotype–environment correlation.
Socio‐economic differences in psychiatric in‐patient care
Authors: Lorant V. , Kampfl D. , Seghers A. , Deliège D. , Closon M.‐C. , Ansseau M. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: We seek to investigate socio‐economic differences in psychiatric in‐patient care regarding admission, treatment and outcome.Method: This study is undertaken on a comprehensive and exhaustive psychiatric case register of all psychiatric in‐patient care carried out in Belgium in 1997 and 1998 (n=144 754).Results: Lower socio‐economic groups were more likely to be compulsorily admitted, to be cared for in a non‐teaching or psychiatric hospital, to be admitted in a hospital with unexpectedly long average length of stay and to be admitted to a ward with a more severe case‐mix. They were less likely to receive antidepressants and psychotherapies. The improvements in functioning and in symptoms were also less favourable for these groups. The lowest group had a higher risk of dying in the hospital.Conclusion: Psychiatric in‐patient care is associated with moderate socio‐economic differences in access, treatment and outcome. Further research is needed to clarify the causes of such disparities.
Protracted acute stress reaction following an earthquake
Authors: Bergiannaki J. D. , Psarros C. , Varsou E. , Paparrigopoulos Th. , Soldatos C. R. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To verify the official criteria of ICD‐10 diagnosis of acute stress reaction (ASR) among earthquake victims.Method: Data on psychosocial variables and the diagnosis of ASR were collected from 91 subjects.Results: The diagnosis of ASR was made in 70% of the sample. However, the restrictive duration criterion (i.e. symptoms not exceeding the first 48 h) was fulfilled only in 10%; in the remaining 60% the symptoms lasted for about another week. Thus, 60% of the sample constituted a group with protracted ASR (PASR) and 40% a group without it (n‐PASR). Medical history was more frequent among PASR than n‐PASR; PASR showed higher anxiety levels (both pre‐ and post‐disaster) than n‐PASR; finally, the persistence of ASR related positively to the fear of death at the time of the earthquake and pre‐disaster anxiety levels.Conclusion: As in the vast majority of earthquake victims the ASR is protracted beyond 48 h, a revision of ICD‐10 guidelines should be considered.
Antenatal screening for postnatal depression: a systematic review
Authors: Austin M.‐P. , Lumley J. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To describe the screening properties of the antenatal tools which have been developed to predict depression after birth and to summarize the implications of the findings for antenatal screening.Method: Systematic review and secondary analysis of published papers.Results: Sixteen studies including sufficient data for the calculation of screening properties were identified. The majority developed a study‐specific screening instrument. Outcome assessments used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale or standardized diagnostic psychiatric interviews, or both. In the two largest population‐based studies, the proportion of women screening as positive (‘at risk’ of postnatal depression) was 16 and 52%, respectively, and of these only 35 and 8% actually developed depression after birth.Conclusion: No screening instrument(s) met the criteria for routine application in the antenatal period. Factors that may have affected poor sensitivity and positive predictive values include the exclusion of key domains in predicting risk, particularly personality, a past history of abuse and postnatal events, the contribution of which may be being under‐estimated in studies evaluating antenatal risk prediction tools.
The association between age and depression in the general population: a multivariate examination
Authors: Stordal E. , Mykletun A. , Dahl A. A. 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  In a large general population study we found a close to linear rise with age in the mean score and prevalence of self‐reported symptoms of depression. The aim of this study was to examine if this linear relation prevailed when controlled for multiple variables and to examine factors that eventually explained the association.Method:  Among individuals aged 20–89 years living in Nord‐Trøndelag County of Norway, 60 869 filled in valid ratings of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale as well as many other variables. Covariates were grouped into a multivariate model with six blocks. Logistic regression was used to model the blocks and variables with caseness of depression as the dependent variable.Results:  The model explains a considerable part of the age‐related pattern on depression. The pattern became less distinct in the age groups above 50 years. Variables within the blocks of somatic diagnoses and symptoms, as well as impairment, had most explanatory power.Conclusion:  Because of our large sample we were able to control for more relevant variables than earlier studies. In contrast to most other studies, we found that an age‐related increase of the prevalence of depression persisted after control for multiple variables.
Gender and depression: a study of severity and symptomatology of depressive disorders (ICD‐10) in general practice
Authors: Hildebrandt M. G. , Stage K. B. , Kragh‐Soerensen P. 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  Gender differences in severity and symptomatology of depression in a large and representative sample of depressive patients from general practice were examined.Method:  During a 2‐year study period, 31 Danish general practitioners consecutively assessed patients, aged >18, for depression. A total of 1033 patients (692 female, 341 male) fulfilled ICD‐10 criteria for depressive disorders. Gender differences were examined with regard to severity and symptomatology of depression.Results:  The severity of depression was similar for men and women with the following distribution: 22% mild, 56% moderate and 23% severe depressive episodes. The mean number of symptoms presented was 6.6 of 10 for both genders. There were no gender differences in prevalence of single depressive symptoms.Conclusion:  No gender differences in the severity or symptomatology of depression were found in a highly representative sample of patients with depressive disorders.
Affective disorder and ‘psychopathy’ in a sample of younger male delinquents
Authors: Moeller A. A. , Hell D. 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  The authors' goal was to determine the prevalence of affective disorder, a history of traumatic events and the prevalence of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis in their relationship to ‘psychopathy’ in a sample of younger male delinquents admitted to a correctional institution.Method:  As part of routine mental health screening, the SCID‐1 and Psychopathy Checklist (PCL‐R) were administered to 102 inmates aged 17–27 years.Results:  Affective disorder was found in 28% and 29% had a history of suicidal attempts. The PCL‐R‐score was significantly correlated with the number of prior threatening events, but PTSD could not be diagnosed in the ‘psychopathic’ group. The prevalence of affective disorder was significantly higher in the ‘non‐psychopathic’ group.Conclusion:  The inverse relationship between threatening events and the PTSD diagnosis seems to indicate other coping modalities than those found in ‘non‐psychopaths’. That finding is discussed against the background of psychophysiological data and psychosocial learning models.