Types of depression in alcoholic patients

Standardized clinical interviews of 48 alcoholic patients consecutively admitted to an alcoholism treatment program revealed that 22 (46%) had suffered major depressive episodes. However, only two had the typical depressed affect at the time of the interview. Cyclic mood swings, panic attacks and hypomania were common, indicating that this was a heterogeneous group of depressed patients. The alcoholism tended to precede the onset of depression, which was then followed by the seeking of help, but the whole sequence developed over a few years, when the patients were in their early 20s. The depressed patients had more psychiatric, marital and legal difficulties than the nondepressed patients. There is a need for better definitions of affective disorders in alcoholic patients.     

Use of medical services and treatment for panic disorder with agoraphobia and for social phobia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the medical services and treatment for anxiety disorders reported by patients who had either panic disorder with agoraphobia or else social phobia. DESIGN: Archival research of consecutive records of psychiatric interviews conducted between January 1990 and December 1991. The records were examined by a trained research assistant who had had no contact with the patients. PATIENTS: One hundred patients who had panic disorder with agoraphobia and twenty-eight patients who had social phobia. SETTING: An anxiety disorders clinic in a university-affiliated psychiatric institute. OUTCOME MEASURES: Variables related to the use of medical services included history of hospitalization, emergency department visits and referrals to specialists. Variables related to treatment included types of medication received, whether behaviour therapy was received and types of health care professionals seen. RESULTS: Almost 30% of the patients with panic disorder and more than 20% of those with social phobia had a history of a major depressive episode at some time in their lives; 30% and 25% respectively had a current nonpsychiatric medical diagnosis. In the past year nearly one-third of both patient groups had seen three or more different health care professionals and almost one-fifth of those with panic disorder had gone to a general hospital emergency department. Of the patients with panic disorder 9% had previously been assessed by a cardiologist and 17% by a neurologist. At least two-thirds of each group had received benzodiazepines, often for use as needed. Although most of the patients in both groups had been seen by mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, few had received optimal treatment. Of those with panic disorder, only 15% had received the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine, 13% alprazolam and 11% cognitive-behavioural therapy. Only 4% of the patients with social phobia had received cognitive-behavioural therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups of patients, and particularly those with panic disorder, are frequent users of medical services. Although most have had contact with mental health professionals, few have received appropriate treatment. Benzodiazepines appear to be overprescribed, whereas forms of treatment that have been shown to reduce the use of medical services, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, are infrequently given.     

阿尔茨海默病非认知精神症状分析

目的　探讨轻、中度阿尔茨海默病 (AD)的非认知精神症状学特点。方法　采用简明精神病量表(BPRS)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表 (HAMD)、汉密尔顿焦虑量表 (HAMA)调查 30例AD患者和 2 0名正常老年人。全部病例和对照均进行头颅MRI检查。结果　 6 6 .7%的AD患者伴精神症状 ,其中 ,幻觉 16 .7% ,妄想 2 3.3% ,抑郁2 6 .7% ,焦虑 2 6 .7% ,行为障碍 46 .7%。精神症状发生与性别、发病年龄、受教育水平、病前职业无关 ,焦虑在较年轻患者组中出现率高于较年老组。智能损害严重者 ,行为障碍也多见。伴幻觉、妄想者有更多的易激惹和攻击行为。AD患者中 ,抑郁与焦虑呈正相关 ,抑郁出现率高于正常老年人。结论　精神症状在轻、中度AD患者中常见 ,管理及指导治疗时应予以考虑。     

某精神医院急诊科重性精神疾病患者流行病学调查及特征分析

目的：：研究某精神病院急诊科重性精神病疾病流行病学情况,对精神疾病患者特征进行分析。方法：选取2011年3月至2015年3月期间某精神病医院急诊科收治的1641例精神疾病患者,对精神疾病患者进行流行病学调查,包括患者的性别、年龄、发病时间、住院次数、服药情况、临床表现、合并疾病以及处理方法等进行统计,分析患者发病特征。结果：共调查精神疾病患者1641例,患者年龄14~88岁,平均年龄(41.6±10.2)岁。其中首发重性精神疾病的患者583例,占35.53％;复发重性精神疾病的患者1058例,占64.47％。外伤患者138例,给予包扎止血处理;肌肉注射411例;静脉输液286例。所有患者在我院长期住院治疗,其中精神科1338例,外科91例,内科169例,妇科43例。治疗后出院1292例,转院113例,236例转精神科门诊治疗,无死亡病例。精神分裂、情感障碍以及精神发育迟滞在所有精神疾病中所占比例最高,分别为28.52％、23.28％以及20.48％。其中除感情障碍外,其他类型疾病男性发病率均略高于女性。精神疾病发病年龄段以18~60岁最多,共1232例(75.08％),其中多数患者为已婚患者,共1184例(72.15％),文化程度以初高中患者最多,共983例(59.90％),多数患者在家属陪同下来院就诊,共1397例(85.13％)。结论：对精神病患者的发病类型及患者临床特征进行分析有助于对精神疾病的诊断和针对性治疗,减少患者对社会的危害性,有助于社会的发展,对临床治疗具有重要意义。     

Surviving social assistance: 12-month prevalence of depression in sole-support parents receiving social assistance

BACKGROUND: Although it is generally recognized that poverty and depression can coexist among single parents receiving social assistance, there is insufficient research on this topic. The goals of this study therefore were to investigate the prevalence, correlates and health care expenditures associated with depression among sole-support parents receiving social assistance. METHODS: Sole-support parents who had applied for social assistance in 2 regions of southwestern Ontario were included in the study. Depression was diagnosed with the 1994 University of Michigan Composite International Diagnostic Interview short forms. RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence rate of depressive disorder among the parents interviewed was 45.4% (345/760). A total of 247 (32.5%) had major depressive disorder alone, 19 (2.5%) had dysthymia, and 79 (10.4%) had both major depressive disorder and dysthymia ("double depression"). Those with major depressive disorder, particularly double depression, had significantly higher rates of coexisting psychiatric disorder than those without depressive disorders. Parents with depression reported higher rates of developmental delay and behaviour problems in their children than parents without depression. Expenditures for health care services were higher for parents with depression and for their children than for parents without depressive disorder and their children. INTERPRETATION: Single parents receiving social assistance have high rates of depression. Such parents with depression also have higher rates of other psychiatric disorders and higher expenditures for health care services, and their children have higher rates of developmental delay and behaviour problems.     

Mental health services research issues in the Veterans Administration

In 1975 the Veterans Administration treated 351,000 veterans in psychiatric inpatient services and had 2.7 million psychiatric outpatient visits and 10% of all psychiatric beds in the United States. The VA has led the nation in a shift toward outpatient treatment of psychiatric disorders. The VA patient population differs from the rest of the country in that VA psychiatric patients have a higher incidence of psychoses and organic brain syndrome as well as being older, being predominantly male, and having a higher rate of chronic disorders. Mental health services research directed toward the VA medical care system falls into two major categories: utilization and patterns of care, and quality and effectiveness of care. Several possible avenues of research are offered in each of these two major areas.     

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Vietnamese children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Vietnamese children and adolescents living in Perth, Western Australia. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A list of Vietnamese households was drawn from Perth telephone directories. A computer program generated a systematic probability sample of households. All children and adolescents aged 9-17 in these households were invited to participate in the study. Children and their parents were interviewed in their home using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, version 2.3 (DISC-2.3). The child version (DISC-C) was used for children and the parent version (DISC-P) for adults. The study was conducted between July and December 1997. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, based on DISC-C and DISC-P data. RESULTS: Results were based on the 519 children (89.2%) for whom complete data were available. Twenty-three parents (4.4%) reported that their child had one or more disorders on the DISC-P, 82 children (15.8%) reported one or more disorders on the DISC-C, and 18.3% of children were reported to have a disorder on either the DISC-C or the DISC-P. Parent-child concordance on specific diagnoses was very low (0.6%). The great majority of disorders reported were anxiety disorders, especially simple and social phobias. CONCLUSIONS: The combined prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Vietnamese children aged 9-17 was similar to that found among children in Western Australia's general population. Vietnamese children in our study were much more likely to report symptoms of a psychiatric disorder than were their parents.     

A PSYCHODEMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE PATIENTS OF A DEADDICTION CENTRE IN PUNE

One hundred and twelve patients who reported to a de-addiction centre were investigated with regard to their psychodemographic profile, 66.07% of them turned out to be exclusive alcohol dependent. Six (5.35%) of them turned out be exclusively dependent on brown sugar. About 28.57% of patients were dependent on more than one drug in various combinations. The mean age of onset of drug use was 26.8 years and mean age of reporting for treatment was 36.6 years. 66% of the drug dependents started first with alcohol as the initial drug followed by 26.78% of drug dependents with nicotine in the form of smoking bidi/cigarette or taking gutka. Other than the withdrawal syndrome the other associated psychiatric disorders were anxiety, depression, suicidal attempts, sleeplessness, drug induced psychosis and antisocial personality disorder.KEY WORDS: Drug dependence, Psychiatric disorders, Psychodemographic profile     

Psychiatric morbidity in patients with alcoholic liver disease

Seventy one patients with alcoholic liver disease and an equal number with non-alcoholic liver disease were interviewed using the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia. Forty seven (66%) of the group with alcoholic liver disease had or had had psychiatric illnesses compared with 23 (32%) of the control group (p less than 0.001). Affective disorder, particularly major depression, neurotic disorders, and antisocial personality, were all more common among the patients with alcoholic liver disease than the controls. No patient had schizophrenia or other forms of psychosis. Among the patients with alcoholic liver disease 11 men (24%) and 14 women (54%) had an affective or a neurotic disorder that had antedated their heavy drinking, and 30 (77%) of those who had had such a problem at any time had symptoms at the time of interview. Abstinence from alcohol is essential for patients with severe alcoholic liver disease. In view of the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in these patients psychiatric assessment is important to increase the patients' likelihood of complying with such advice.     

Gender and ethnicity in first admissions to a psychiatric unit in Trinidad

It has been recognized that there are gender disparities in the admission rates to psychiatric units. While the community prevalence of the major non-organic psychotic mental disorders are thought to have no gender bias, non-psychotic disorders such as depression are more commonly diagnosed in women. Gender differences in admission may indicate differences in severity or in presentation to psychiatric services and would have important implications for the targeting of preventative strategies. The case notes of all admissions to the psychiatric unit at the San Fernando General Hospital were obtained for the calendar year 1999. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnoses and gender were analysed to determine the distribution of diagnostic categories by gender. A total of 119 patients were admitted to the unit for the first time in the period under review, 72 were male (60.5%) and 47 were female (39.5%). There were no significant differences in age by gender. Substance use related admissions and psychotic illnesses (schizophrenia spectrum and affective psychoses) were significantly more common in men (p = 0.006; p = 0.03 respectively). These differences were especially marked for those of East Indian descent. Non-psychotic illnesses were more commonly diagnosed among women (p = 0.0008). These findings suggest that a larger proportion of males are admitted to the general hospital psychiatric unit among first time admissions. This is also true for re-admissions. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with substance use and psychotic disorders, while for women, major depression and non-psychotic illnesses are the main diagnoses. Community surveys are needed to determine whether this demographic pattern of admission reflects the population prevalence of these disorders. Reduction of admission rates will require interventions that are sensitive to gender differences in diagnosis among those admitted to psychiatric units.     

Effects of breast conservation on psychological morbidity associated with diagnosis and treatment of early breast cancer

Psychiatric morbidity was assessed in 101 women treated for early breast cancer (T0,1,2,N0,1,M0). Patients had expressed no strong preference for treatment, so were randomised to either mastectomy or breast conservation. The incidence of anxiety states or depressive illness, or both, among women who underwent mastectomy was high (33%) and comparable with that found in other studies. Slightly more of the patients who underwent a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy had affective disorders, 38% having an anxiety state, depressive illness, or both. These findings question the view that mutilating treatment is predominantly responsible for the measurable psychiatric morbidity reported previously. Counselling services should be provided for all women treated for breast cancer, not just those who undergo mastectomy.     

Kleptomania: a case series

Kleptomania is an enigmatic condition and is among the very few psychiatric disorders in which crime is medicalised and used as a legal defence. The scientific literature on kleptomania is scarce. Early literature and recent studies have shown a female preponderance, with an early age of onset of stealing in people with comorbid personality disorder(s). In a retrospective review of the case notes of theft offenders who had forensic psychiatric evaluations performed in a one-year period in 2010 at the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, we found three patients who were diagnosed with kleptomania. In this report, we describe the pertinent clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as the diagnostic issues of kleptomania in relation to the three cases.     

Demographical profile and clinical features of patients with bipolar disorder in an outpatient setting in Singapore

INTRODUCTION: Bipolar disorder, or manic depressive psychosis, is a psychiatric disorder characterised by extreme changes in mood, thinking, energy and behaviour. Western studies on this condition show a delay in diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is to examine the demographical profile and clinical features of this group of patients in Singapore to see if there is a similar delay. METHODS: Data of patients diagnosed with this condition and treated in two separate outpatient practices in the private sector from January 1999 to October 2003 were retrieved from case files and analysed. RESULTS: Of the 121 patients with bipolar disorder treated, there were 45 percent male and 55 percent female patients, and most of them were in the 20-39 year age group. Chinese formed the largest ethnic group while Malays were underrepresented. 58 percent were employed, and 48 percent were married. While the age of onset of illness ranged mainly from age 10 to 29 years, the age when they first sought treatment was from 20 to 39 years. A duration of illness of more than two years was found in 79 percent of these patients. In terms of diagnostic categories, 17 percent were bipolar I, 76 percent were bipolar II and 7 percent of the bipolar disorders, not otherwise specified. The first episode presented was depression in 75 percent and bipolar disorder was the initial diagnosis in only 34 percent of the cases. A delay in the correct diagnosis for more than two years accounted for 34 percent of the cases. Only 17 percent had a family history of bipolar disorder. 28 percent had a history of antidepressant-induced manic episodes and 17 percent had a previous episode of mixed state. Psychotic symptoms were absent in 75 percent, and 65 percent had never been hospitalised for their condition. Nine percent had made a past suicide attempt and 39 percent had a comorbid diagnosis. 46 percent were treated with a combination of mood stabilizers, neuroleptics and antidepressants and 16 percent had electroconvulsive therapy. Only 34 percent were in full remission of their illness. CONCLUSION: There was a preponderance towards the younger age groups for the age of onset, and the type of first episode was typically depression. There was a significant delay in diagnosis and treatment of patients with bipolar disorder. These features were strikingly similar to Western studies. Bipolar II was the diagnostic category seen more than bipolar I in the outpatient setting. Polypharmacy was the norm and a large group of patients did not achieve full remission.     

Acute allergic interstitial pneumonitis induced by hydrochlorothiazide.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical features of 4 unpublished cases and 26 published cases of acute allergic interstitial pneumonitis induced by hydrochlorothiazide (HCT). DATA SOURCES: The unpublished cases were found in the database of the Drug Adverse Reaction Program, Health Protection Branch, Department of National Health and Welfare, and the database of the Programme conjoint de pharmacovigilance, in Quebec. The published cases were retrieved from MEDLINE and EMBASE. STUDY SELECTION: Reported cases were selected if they were sufficiently documented. All published cases were selected because a differential diagnosis had been made in each one. DATA SYNTHESIS: The onset was acute and dramatic; the average time to onset of symptoms was 44 minutes. Sex was a predominant risk factor, since 27 (90%) of the 30 patients were women. The average age was 56 years; thus, most of the women were postmenopausal. Over two-thirds of the patients had one to three positive prechallenges or rechallenges, 3 of the 52 documented adverse events occurred after a voluntary rechallenge, some were life-threatening and necessitated mechanical ventilation, and 1 was fatal. Treatment was supportive; avoidance of HCT was the only prevention. CONCLUSION: Acute allergic interstitial pneumonitis due to HCT is extremely rare and potentially fatal. Such a reaction can be diagnosed only if the clinician suspects it when presented with a case of unexplained acute pulmonary edema.     

Effectiveness of three types of geriatric medical services: lessons for geriatric psychiatric services.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of geriatric medical services, to identify the types of patients who would benefit from such services, to determine the service components related to positive outcomes and to apply pertinent findings to geriatric psychiatric services. DATA SOURCES: Two databases, MEDLINE and Health Planning and Administration, were searched for relevant articles published from January 1975 to February 1990. The bibliographies of identified articles were searched for additional references. STUDY SELECTION: Seventeen reports were located that met the following three inclusion criteria: original research, published in English or French and controlled trial (nonrandomized or randomized) of a geriatric medical service. Fifteen met the validity criteria for intervention studies established by McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. DATA EXTRACTION: Information about study design, patient selection, interventions, outcome measures and results was systematically abstracted from each report. DATA SYNTHESIS: Abstracted data were compared and contrasted. Most of the external services and some of the hospital units were effective in reducing the number of hospital days an deaths. Consultation services were ineffective. Continuing care appeared to be related to positive outcomes. CONCLUSION: In applying these findings to geriatric psychiatric services priority should be given to the development of external services and the organization of continuing care.     

Effect of ambulance 12-lead ECG recording on times to hospital reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence that recording a prehospital 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) reduces time from hospital arrival to initiation of reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DATA SOURCES: Medline search from 1966 to the present (articles in all languages) and examination of bibliographies. STUDY SELECTION: Published studies of prehospital 12-lead ECG recording that included control groups and reported time intervals from hospital arrival to start of reperfusion therapy. DATA EXTRACTION: Eight articles satisfied selection criteria (two randomised controlled trials, four non-randomised interventional studies and two prospective observational studies). DATA SYNTHESIS: Widely varying study methodologies precluded meta-analysis. All studies had methodological problems, but hospital delays were consistently reduced. Such improvements appear to be small in hospitals where delays are already minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Little evidence is available to support routine prehospital 12-lead ECG recording if the median hospital time to reperfusion is already less than 30 minutes. Improvement of in-hospital treatment times may be a better initial strategy than prehospital 12-lead ECG recording, as this will benefit more patients and allow ambulance services to better allocate their available resources.     

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. A treatable parasomnia affecting older adults

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia defined by intermittent loss of electromyographic atonia during REM sleep with emergence of complex and vigorous behaviors. Punching, kicking, and leaping from bed during attempted dream enactment caused repeated injury in nine of our first ten adult patients. Mean age at onset was 62 years; nine of the patients were male. All patients underwent standard polysomnographic studies with videotaping of behaviors and extensive neurologic and psychiatric evaluations. The RBD was unrelated to psychopathologic conditions but in five cases was closely linked with major neuropathologic disorders: dementia (two), olivopontocerebellar degeneration, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the Guillain-Barré syndrome. Other common polysomnographic abnormalities were high REM density, increased stage 3/4 (slow-wave) sleep, and both periodic and aperiodic limb twitching in non-REM sleep. Eight patients had dream changes involving motor overactivity and violent confrontations of dream characters. Clonazepam induced rapid and sustained improvement of dream and sleep behavior problems in seven patients, as did desipramine hydrochloride in one patient.     

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE: A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

A clinical-psychological study of 400 consecutive patients with sexually transmitted disease (STD) was undertaken at 151 BH and MH Meerut during 1991-95. Majority of the STD patients were aged 34 years or less (90.25%), belonged to other ranks (68%), hailed from rural areas (90.75%), were Hindus (83.50%), were married (72.50%). Uncontrollable sexual urge was the reason for exposure in majority (69.25%) of the cases. Commonest source of STD was commercial sex workers (CSW) (72.80%). At the time of exposure 58.50% patients were at their place of work (on out-pass) and 11.75% had consumed alcohol. Commonest STDs were Chanchroid (30.50%), Syphilis (19.50%) and LGV (10.80%). A delay of more than one month from the onset of symptoms to reporting for treatment was observed in 18.50% patients, while 24.25% patients had taken treatment from unauthorised sources. A past history of STD was given by 8.80% of patients. Majority (57.75%) of the STD patients had inadequate knowledge of STD and only 6.75% had used a condom during exposure. Mean scores of STD patients on Maudsley personality inventory were: Neuroticism-37.98 and extroversion-46.03. The General Health questionnaire identified 19.75% patients as probable psychiatric cases. On clinical evaluation, psychiatric disorders were present in 5.75% of patients.     

General practitioners' recognition and management of psychiatric illness

All 53 of the general practitioners from one community health area of the Hunter region of New South Wales were interviewed about patients with psychiatric illnesses who had presented to their practices. Four main themes were covered: personal data which included details of medical and psychiatric training and experience; attitudes to psychiatric illness; pharmacological management; and the effectiveness of existing services. Ninety-four per cent of the general practitioners felt that dealing with psychiatric problems was an integral part of their role as a general practitioner and 60% of the general practitioners believed that their management of these problems was adequate. Patients with personality problems and those with hypochondriasis were identified as their most difficult patient groups, while inability to refer quickly was cited as the major obstacle to successful psychiatric treatment. An increased awareness of the hazards of psychotropic drugs and of the proper uses of these agents existed. Finally, private psychiatrists and the mental hospitals were criticized for not providing an adequate back-up service for this group of general practitioners.     

社区精神分裂症患者、家属和精神病防治人员对疾病认知、治疗依从性及社区服务评价的质性研究

目的调查汕头市社区精神分裂症患者、家属、精神病防治人员对疾病的感知、治疗依从性、社区随访服务的评价,为提高管理治疗质量提供参考依据。方法采用分层抽样质性研究方法,于2019年2~8月对汕头市7个区县在册在管的社区精神分裂症患者17198人进行抽样调查,每个区县分别抽取2个镇(街道),对所抽取的镇(街道)再分别抽取10名患者、10位家属和3名精神病防治人员,对疾病的感知、治疗依从性、社区随访服务的评价进行调查分析。受访者最终纳入137例患者、138名家属和41名精神病防治人员,采用访谈调查法对受访者进行半结构式访谈,按传统方法收集数据资料,采用SPSS 12.0统计学软件包进行描述性统计分析。结果(1)34.3%患者和32.6%家属对疾病认知不全,22.6%患者和23.2%家属存在病耻感。(2)26.3%患者对治疗不依从、29.9%患者无自知力,53.3%患者和24.6%家属对药物副作用和成瘾性认识不当,35.0%患者和13.0%家属存在病好不用药的误区。(3)29.2%患者和31.2%家属厌烦长程服药,24.8%患者和21.0%家属感到被社会隔离,17.5%患者感到得不到支持和18.8%家属承认对患者关心不够。(4)31.4%患者不主动接受随访服务,37.2%患者和20.3%家属不配合随访医生,21.2%患者和10.1%家属对随访服务不满意。(5)精神病防治人员基本能掌握辖区患者的病情和定期开展随访服务(90.2%)、掌握应急处置方法(92.7%)、有开展培训(97.6%)。但精神病防治人员的精神科执业比低(58.5%)而且多为兼职(78.0%),平均工作年限为(5.7±1.4)年,对社区随访服务的满意度较高(95.1%),但认为精神病防治工作困难较大(36.6%)、对身兼多职承担多项公共卫生服务工作感到不满(31.7%)。结论汕头市严重精神障碍管理治疗项目初显成效,对社区随访服务较满意,但患者和家属对疾病认知水平仍偏低、服药依从性差、负性情绪较明显、对药物治疗存在顾虑。有必要加强人员专业化专职化,对患者和家属开展早期心理健康教育和合理情绪行为训练。