The Detection of Alcoholism in Hospitalized Schizophrenics: A Comparison of the MAST and the MAC

The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale (MAC) were administered to forty-one schizophrenic inpatients also meeting DSM-III criteria for either alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence and 29 schizophrenic inpatients who did not qualify for an additional substance abuse diagnosis other than marijuana abuse/dependence. The MAC failed to differentiate between the alcoholic and nonalcoholic groups and both groups scored above the recommended cutting score. The MAST significantly differentiated the alcoholic and nonalcoholic schizophrenic patients and was as sensitive to a history of alcohol abuse as to alcohol dependence. Neither the MAST nor MAC was sensitive to recent versus more remote drinking. The overall classificatory accuracy of the MAST was found to be 80% and that of the MAC was 56%. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the use of just four MAST items can yield a group classificatory rate of 83%. It was concluded that the MAST exhibited sufficient sensitivity and specificity to be used as an initial screening instrument for alcoholism in schizophrenic patients.     

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Associated Health Impairment in Individuals with Celiac Disease

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Physical Activity,Gender Difference,and Depressive Symptoms

Objective

To investigate the roles of physical activity (exercise) and sociodemographic factors in depressive symptoms among men and women in the United States.

Data Source

2011 U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Study Design

Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-8) scores are aggregated and divided into five categories. An ordered switching probability model with binary endogenous physical activity is developed to accommodate ordinality of depression categories and ameliorate statistical biases due to endogeneity of physical activity.

Principal Findings

Average treatment effects suggest physical activity ameliorates depressive symptoms among mildly and moderately depressed individuals, most notably among mildly depressed women. Gender differences exist in the roles of sociodemographic factors, with age, income, race, education, employment status, and recent mental health condition playing differentiated roles in affecting depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Regular physical activity reduces depressive symptoms among both men and women with mild to moderate depression, notably among women.     

A Before and After Analysis of Health Care Utilization by Patients Enrolled in Opioid Controlled Substance Agreements for Chronic Noncancer Pain

Objective

To evaluate the impact of opioid controlled substance agreements (CSAs) enrollment on health care utilization.

奥氮平与利培酮治疗精神分裂症抑郁症状的比较研究

目的:对照比较奥氮平与利培酮对精神分裂症抑郁症状的疗效。方法:66例精神分裂症伴抑郁症状的患者随机分为奥氮平组和利培酮组,各33例,均治疗8周,分别于治疗前和治疗后2、4、6、8周以阳性与阴性症状量表(PANSS)及汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评定临床疗效;以治疗中出现的症状量表(TESS)评定不良反应,并体格检查及实验室检查,记录不良事件的发生。结果:治疗后两组患者PANSS和HAMD评分均显著下降,奥氮平组优于利培酮组,两组发生不良反应率无显著差异。结论:奥氮平治疗精神分裂症抑郁症状疗效优于利培酮疗效。