Sex differences, season of birth and platelet 5-HT levels in schizophrenic patients

Summary. Similar occurrence of schizophrenia was observed in men and women independent of their season of birth. Platelet 5-HT concentration was determined in 116 healthy control subjects (61 male and 55 female) and 152 patients with schizophrenia (96 male and 56 female). Platelet 5-HT concentration was significantly higher in male than in female healthy persons and schizophrenic patients. Male and female healthy subjects born in different seasons had similar platelet 5-HT concentrations, whereas schizophrenic patients with different birth-seasons had significantly different platelet 5-HT concentrations. The highest platelet 5-HT levels were observed in both male and female schizophrenic patients born in winter when compared to matched healthy controls. Male schizophrenic patients born in winter had higher platelet 5-HT levels than schizophrenic men born in spring and summer. Female schizophrenic patients born in winter had higher platelet 5-HT than schizophrenic women born in all other seasons. These results indicated sex differences in platelet 5-HT levels in healthy persons and schizophrenic patients. The relationship between season of the birth and platelet 5-HT concentration observed only in schizophrenic patients added further support to the presumption that schizophrenia is connected with a disturbance in the central serotoninergic system. Received January 26, 1998; accepted September 18, 1998     

Study of delusions in Kenyan schizophrenic patients diagnosed using a set of research diagnostic criteria

Eighty‘psychotic’Kenyan patients of African origin were screened using the New Haven Schizophrenic Index (NHSI). Fifty-one of these (64 %) were found positive. Delusions were found to be significantly more common (P < 0.001) in the NHSI positive group than in the negative group. Sex and age had no effect on the distribution of delusions in general but level of education did. These findings are compared and contrasted with findings of similar investigations and some of their implications are discussed.     

有无凶杀行为的精神分裂症患者智测结果比较

目的 探讨有凶杀行为与无凶杀行为的精神分裂症患者之间的认知差异.方法 对有凶杀行为的精神分裂症组(39例)、无凶杀行为的精神分裂症组(32例)及正常对照组(38例)进行韦氏成人智力测验,并比较三组间测验分数的差异.结果 除相似性分量表评分外,有凶杀行为的精神分裂症组与无凶杀行为的精神分裂症组其它各分量表评分和智商均显著低于正常对照组;有凶杀行为的精神分裂症组相似性分量表评分和言语智商均显著低于无凶杀行为的精神分裂症组.结论 精神分裂症患者存在认知缺损,且有凶杀行为和无凶杀行为的精神分裂症患者之间亦存在某种程度的认知差异.     

Season of birth in multiple sclerosis

The monthly distribution of births of people who were later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) did not differ significantly from that of the general population in British Columbia, Canada. This is in contrast to a recent report on the Danish population.     

Season of birth in mental disorders in mental disorders in Tokyo,Japan, by year of admission and age at admission

Seasonal distribution of births of schizophrenics and manic-depressives born in Tokyo between the years of 1841 and 1940 and first admitted between 1879 and 1973 was examined by year of birth, year of first admission and age at first admission. In both mental disorders, a fall-excess of births could be seen among those born up to the latter part of the 19th century, after which the distribution changed to show a spring-excess. The distributional pattern seemed to depend upon both year of birth and year of admission, rather than on age at first admission.     

躁狂症与精神分裂症妄想特征比较

目的：比较躁狂症与精神分裂症妄想特征及病理机制的差异。方法：用自编妄想特征调查表对躁狂症和精神分裂症患者各56例的妄想特征进行比较。结果：精神分裂症最多见的被害、关系妄想；躁狂症患者最多见夸大妄想，其次为被害、关系妄想。两者的持续时间，隐蔽性、协调性、稳定性以及伴随症状均有差异。结论：精神分裂症与躁狂症患者妄想特征及病理心理机制可能不同。     

Season of birth of schizophrenics in Mississippi, USA.

Prior reviews indicate that schizophrenics tend to be born in the winter, relative to non-psychiatric controls. This conclusion has been criticized, however, as the association between birth seasonality and schizophrenia may be the result of a statistical artifact, the age-incidence effect. To examine this possibility, we studied the birth seasonality of 2892 schizophrenics, controlling for the age-incidence effect. Both before and after instituting these controls, we found excesses for the months of December and March. We conclude that the age-incidence hypothesis does not provide any general explanation of the season-of-birth effect in schizophrenia.     

Season of birth associated with the age and method of suicide

A recent study reported season of birth variation in CSF levels of 5-HIAA and HVA, with low 5-HIAA for February to April and high HVA for October to January (Chotai & Åsberg, 1999). We therefore analysed data on all completed suicides during 1952--1993 in the county of Västerbotten in northern Sweden (1466 cases), regarding these birth seasons in relation to suicide method and sociodemographic variables. Those with suicide age under 45 years were more likely than older suicides to have been born during February to April, significantly so compared to October to January. This was more pronounced for the later birth-year cohort (born in 1931 or later). Those who preferred hanging rather than poisoning or petrol gases were significantly more likely born during February to April. Those who preferred poisoning rather than hanging were significantly more likely born during October to January, particularly for the later birth-year cohort. The results regarding suicide method were somewhat more pronounced for males. The results of the study are compatible with a hypothesis of season of birth variation in CSF monoamine metabolites.     

Season of birth associated with the age and method of suicide

Abstract

A recent study reported season of birth variation in CSF levels of 5-HIAA and HVA, with low 5-m for February to April and high HVA for October to January (Chotai & Asberg, 1999). We therefore analysed data on all completed suicides during 1952–1993 in the county of Västerbotten in northern Sweden (1466 cases), regarding these birth seasons in relation to suicide method and sociodemographic variables. Those with suicide age under 45 years were more likely than older suicides to have been born during February to April, significantly so compared to October to January. This was more pronounced for the later birth-year cohort (born in 1931 or later). Those who preferred hanging rather than poisoning or petrol gases were significantly more likely born during February to April. Those who preferred poisoning rather than hanging were significantly more likely born during October to January, particularly for the later birth-year cohort. The results regarding suicide method were somewhat more pronounced for males. The results of the study are compatible with a hypothesis of season of birth variation in CSF monoamine metabolites.     

Season of birth and season of hospital admission in bipolar depressed female patients

The season of birth and season of hospital admission of 50 bipolar I and 42 bipolar II female patients were analyzed. Significant differences were found in the seasonal distribution of births in the two subgroups. The birth dates of most bipolar I patients showed a tendency to peak during spring and autumn, while bipolar II patients were born mostly in summer and winter. Bipolar I patients were hospitalized for mania mainly in spring and autumn, and for depression mainly in summer and winter. Examination of the seasonal variation of hospital admission for depression also revealed significant difference between bipolar I and bipolar II patients. The results support the validity of the bipolar I-bipolar II distinction and are in agreement with earlier findings.     

精神分裂症患者脑部CT临床对照研究

为探讨精神分裂症患者脑ＣＴ结果与临床的相关性，对１９９５年１月～１９９６年５月住院符合ＣＣＭＤ—２—Ｒ诊断标准的精神分裂症患者进行脑部ＣＴ检查，以同期门诊神经症患者的脑ＣＴ检查报告作对照，并与临床相关因素进行对照分析。结果发现精神分裂症组脑ＣＴ异常６９例（３２．４％），与对照组比较有极显著差异；前者病程＞５年，年龄４０岁以上，以阴性症状为主患者的脑萎缩发生率最高。     

精神分裂症患者脑脊液T,B细胞标记及IgG合成率研究

应用ＡＮＡ冰霜示记Ｔ细胞，ＤＡＫＯ－ＣＤ２０单克隆抗体ＡＢＣ法标记Ｂ细胞，观察了３２例精神分裂症患者脑脊液中Ｔ、Ｂ的异常变化，并应用酶联免疫荧光法测定了其中１３例患者中枢神经系统的ＩｇＧ合成率。实验结果提示，精神分裂症患者Ｔ细胞百分率偏低，而Ｂ细胞百分率明显偏高，有５３．８４％的患者中枢神经系统有内源性ＩｇＧ的异常合成。     

A multicentre placebo-controlled trial comparing the efficacy of mianserin and chlordiazepoxide in general practice patients with primary anxiety

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.     

Pharmacokinetics of olanzapine in Chinese male schizophrenic patients with various smoking behaviors

Tobacco consumption has been recognized as a factor mediating the interindividual variations in olanzapine's pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The primary objective of this study was to describe the dose effect of smoking on the dose–plasma concentration relationship and the pharmacokinetics of oral olanzapine in male schizophrenic patients using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detector. Twenty-seven male schizophrenic inpatients were recruited and were stratified into the following groups according to smoking behaviors: non-smokers (n = 9), light-smokers (1–4 cigarettes per day; n = 9), and heavy-smokers (≥ 5 cigarettes per day; n = 9). Plasma olanzapine concentrations were determined up to 120 h following a single oral dose of 10 mg olanzapine. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by the non-compartment method using WinNonlin software. Results show that there was a significant correlation among non-smokers (n = 9; 0.79; p = 0.01) or combined with light-smokers (n = 18; 0.62; p < 0.01) between peak plasma olanzapine concentrations (C_max) and their individual dose-corrected by body weight, but this correlation did not appear in heavy-smokers. There were no significant differences between non-smokers and light-smokers except for significant decreased AUC_0→120 by 45.1% in light-smokers. The mean C_max and the mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to 120 h (AUC_0→120) of the heavy-smoking patients was 9.3 ± 4.3 ng/ml (65.2% reduction compared to the non-smokers) and 302.4 ± 167.8 h ng/ml (67.6% reduction compared to the non-smokers), respectively. In summary, a daily consumption of 5 cigarettes is probably sufficient for induction of olanzapine metabolism. Smoking cessation is recommended for olanzapine therapy to have better prediction for therapeutic dosages particularly in heavy-smokers. Compared to non-smokers, heavy-smokers therefore require a 50–100% increase in olanzapine doses. Therapeutic drug monitoring will need to be considered when schizophrenic patients change their smoking behaviors.     

精神分裂症患者认知功能的纵向研究

目的:探讨在精神分裂症的纵向病程中认知功能的改变.方法:对64例精神分裂症患者,分别在住院期间和5年后随访观察时的精神症状,信知功能等进行评定.结果:5年后随访时阳性,阴性症状群均明显改善.操作智商和全量表智商有所改善,且与阴性症状群相关,神经心理测验中,循环字母A删除测验和自由联想成绩也有改善,但双手手指敲击速度减慢,结论:本组精神分裂症患者在良好的维持治疗下,在5年病程中精神症状得到改善,认知功能也部分得到改善.     

Season of birth: comparison of patients with schizophrenia,affective disorders and alcoholism

The distribution of patients suffering from schizophrenia, affective disorders and alcoholism by months of their birth was studied, all patients having been reliably diagnosed using Research Diagnostic Criteria. Significant differences were found between the three groups. The winter-spring birth rate excess in schizophrenia was confirmed, a spring-summer birth rate excess in alcoholics was demonstrated. Different distributions are due to different reasons: for schizophrenic patients the harmful effects hypothesis and for alcoholics the procreational hypothesis seem to be appropriate explanations.     

精神分裂症患者病程与家属心理健康状况调查分析

目的探讨精神分裂症患者病程与家属心理健康状况的相关性,为促进患者家属心理健康和培养良好应对方式提供科学依据。方法采用随机抽样的方法,选取360名精神分裂症患者家属,按患者病程的长短将患者家属分为首发患者家属组（A组）、5年以下病程患者家属组（B组）、5年及以上病程患者家属组（C组）3组,通过调查法、症状自评量表（SCL-90）和Bradburn编制情感量表对3组患者家属心理健康状况进行调查分析。结果3组SCL-90量表总分及各因子分均高于国内常模（P〈0．05）,A组SCL-90量表除敌对和偏执外其他各因子分及总分均高于B组（P〈0．05）,除焦虑、敌对、偏执外其他各因子分及总分均高于C组（P〈0．01）,B组躯体化、强迫、抑郁、恐怖因子分高于C组（P〈0．05）。A组在正性情感、负性情感、情感平衡3个维度上均显著低于B组、C组（P〈0．01）。结论精神分裂症患者家属普遍存在心理健康问题,且不同病程的患者家属存在的心理问题不尽相同,而随着病程迁延,家属的心理调节能力逐渐增强,心理满意程度渐趋稳定。     

Season of birth and multiple sclerosis in Sweden

Objective –  To estimate the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) by month of birth in Sweden.
Materials and Methods –  Cases ( n  = 9361) were obtained from the Swedish MS Registry. All births in Sweden 1900–2007 served as controls ( n  = 12,116,853). The risk of MS was analyzed for each month of birth separately compared with birth during the other 11 months.
Results –  More (11%) cases with MS than expected were born in June. Fewer (8% and 10%) cases with MS than expected were born in December and January (non-significant after correction for multiple analyses). More (5%) cases with MS than expected were born in February–July as compared with August–January.
Conclusions –  This study supports previous results suggesting an association between the risk of MS and the season of birth. Decreased exposure to sun in the winter leading to low vitamin D levels during pregnancy is a possible explanation that needs further research.     

Season of birth of schizophrenics in Tokyo,Japan

The monthly distribution of births of 7,960 schizophrenic patients in Tokyo born during the period 1841–1950 was studied in comparison with that of a control population in Tokyo. A spring excess of schizophrenic births were found after 1901 as in previous studies in Western countries. Before 1900, however, there was no significant spring excess. The maximum excess of schizophrenic births occurred in May before 1900 and in April after 1901. The possibility of a shift in the seasonality of schizophrenic births was discussed.     

A double blind comparison of lofepramine,imipramine and placebo in patients with primary depression

The results of a double blind trial in which 139 patients with primary depression were randomly assigned to either lofepramine (46), imipramine (48), or placebo (45) are discussed. After treatment with either active drug, lofepramine or imipramine, the clinical outcome was significantly greater than with placebo. No significant differences were found in clinical responses between lofepramine and imipramine. With regard to reported side effects, however, a statistically significant lower number of severe and/or moderate side effects were reported for the lofepramine group than for the imipramine group. In particular, for severe and/or moderate occurrences of dry mouth, the statistically significant lower incidence in favor of lofepramine is by almost a factor of 3 (8 lofepramine vs 21 imipramine patients).