The categorical and dimensional models of endogenous depression

We calculated a Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) endogenous score for 257 depressed inpatients based on the number of endogenous criteria present. The distribution of RDC endogenous scores was unimodal. There was no association between endogenous scores and results of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test, or morbid risk for depression in the patients' first-degree relatives. The morbid risk for a family history of alcoholism tended to decrease with increasing endogenous scores, although a consistent steady decline was not observed. The results suggest that the RDC criteria do not fit either the categorical or dimensional model of endogenous classification. Potential sources of difficulty with the RDC endogenous criteria are discussed.     

Searching for answers: How well do depression websites answer the public’s questions about treatment choices?

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate websites providing information on treatment for depression to the public, and to evaluate changes in the quality of website information over time.

舒必利与氯丙嗪合用治疗慢性精神分裂症阴性症状的对照研究

目的 探讨舒必利与氯丙嗪及舒必利,氯丙嗪治疗慢性精神分裂症阴性症状的疗效。方法 将60例以阴性症状为主要表现的慢性精神分裂症病人随机分为舒必利合并氯丙嗪组(研究组)及舒必利组,氯丙嗪3个组。用临床疗效评定标准和BPRS量表评定疗效。结果 研究组的显效率(显进 痊愈)明显比氯丙嗪组及舒必利组高,x~2检验P<0.05提示舒必利合并氯丙嗪治疗比单一用药疗效显著。舒必利组氯丙嗪组显效率比较无显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论 舒必利合并氯丙嗪治疗慢性精神分裂症阴性症状的疗效比单一用药更好,副作用更少。     

MMPI, personality dysfunction and the dexamethasone suppression test in major depression

In this study we examined the relationship of psychopathology and personality dysfunction to neuroendocrine functioning. MMPI profiles were examined for 30 psychiatric inpatients with major depression who were suppressors (60%) and nonsuppressors (40%) on the dexamethasone suppression test. There were no differences between suppressors and nonsuppressors on any of the MMPI scales or on DSM-III Axis-II diagnosis. When subdivided according to T-score elevations above 70 on MMPI scales 4 and 6, or 4 and 9, 30% of the sample, however, met criteria for personality dysfunction. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of suppressors (50%) evidenced personality dysfunction than did the nonsuppressors (8%). This suggests that certain MMPI scales are able to identify a subgroup of depressed patients with personality disturbances who also have a hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal dysfunction.     

Anxiety psychopathology predictive of outcome in patients with panic disorder and depression treated with imipramine, alprazolam and placebo

This study examines clinical predictors of outcome for patients with panic disorder and depression in a 16 week, placebo-controlled trial of alprazolam and imipramine (n = 126). Baseline global severity of illness and phobic avoidance were differentially predictive of acute response to treatment. Patients in the mild to moderate range of global distress experienced smaller degrees of improvement on alprazolam than on imipramine at week 4. At endpoint, the relative effectiveness of the active medication versus placebo was diminished in patients with higher levels of phobic avoidance. This relationship was not evident for completers, suggesting that the adverse effects of avoidance on outcome after sustained treatment was reduced.     

澳门与广州两地护士焦虑和抑郁的比较研究

澳门是个多元文化的地区 ,被葡萄牙管治 4 0 0余年 ,受葡文化影响深远 ,澳门人口以广东籍后代居多 ,部分来自福建等地区及印尼归侨 ,另一部分来自葡萄牙、缅甸、菲律宾等国家 ,小部分是中葡结合的后代。葡语及中文是官方语言 ,市民日常沟通以广州话为主 ,英语也很通行 ,回归前后才推广普通话。澳门地域面积小就业范围较窄 ,职业多为手工业、纺织业、旅游业及少数专业人士 (医生、律师、工程师等 )。澳门仁伯爵医院已有 12 0多年历史 ,最初是由名叫仁伯爵的葡萄牙军人创办的军医院 ,后由政府接管归澳门卫生司管理 ,是一所综合医院 ,医院护士…     

The failed repressor: EEG asymmetry as a moderator of the relation between defensiveness and depressive symptoms

This study assessed the joint effects of defensiveness and frontal asymmetry in predicting symptoms of depression and anxiety. Depression symptoms were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and anxiety symptoms with the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (TMAS). Defensiveness was assessed with both the Marlowe Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSD) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire L scale (EPQL). Participants completed two EEG recording sessions 3 weeks apart. Six baselines, three eyes open and three eyes closed, were recorded in each session. Alpha power (8–13 Hz) was computed and log transformed. R–L asymmetry was computed at eight pairs of homologous sites for aggregated data. Defensiveness (EPQL and MCSD scores) and depression symptoms (BDI) were assessed at the beginning of the first session. L and MCSD correlated positively with anterior R–L asymmetries. For both scales, the highest correlations were observed at F8–F7. L interacted with F8–F7 asymmetry to predict depressive symptoms. Among left frontally active individuals, there was trend toward a negative correlation between L and BDI. Among the right frontally active individuals, the correlation between L and the BDI was positive. MCSD did not moderate the relation between F8–F7 asymmetry and BDI. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that defensiveness protects against symptoms of depression in the context of left frontal activity, and serves as a diathesis for depression in the context of right frontal activity. High-defensive individuals who are right frontally active may represent “failed repressors,” i.e. individuals for whom defensiveness does not protect against depression, and may even exacerbate it.     

Tritiated imipramine binding to platelets in manic subjects

We studied 21 patients with bipolar affective disorder and 25 healthy controls in order to determine if tritiated imipramine binding to platelets distinguished the manic from the depressed phase of bipolar disorder. Depressed patients had a significantly lower mean Bmax value (754 +/- 149 fmole/mg protein) than the manic and control groups (1112 +/- 248 and 1237 +/- 201 fmole/mg protein, respectively), which did not differ from each other. These differences could not be attributed to differences in age, sex, menopausal status, the presence of psychotic features or medication history among the subject groups. These findings confirm that decreased imipramine binding to platelets is a state marker for bipolar depression and not a trait marker of bipolar disorder.     

Psychosocial factors regulating natural-killer cell activity in recurrent spontaneous abortions

PROBLEM: The preconceptional natural-killer cell (NK) activity predicts subsequent miscarriage among women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine network has recently been proposed as a mechanism for abortions. We therefore examined which psychosocial factors influenced the NK activity among women with RSA. METHOD OF STUDY: We measured the preconceptional NK activity of 61 women with a history two consecutive unexplained first-trimester miscarriages and no live births. We also administered semi-structured interviews and a battery of self-report questionnaires to assess their social support, personality, self-esteem and psychiatric symptoms. RESULTS: The preconceptional NK activity was negatively correlated with the women's neuroticism personality trait (r= -0.32, P = 0.01) and current depressive symptoms (r = -0.26, P= 0.05), and positively correlated with their self-esteem (r = 0.34, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to several substances such as transforming-growth-factor beta and granulocyte-macrophase colony-stimulating factor, we found that low neuroticism, low depression scale score and high self-esteem contributed to high NK activity among women with RSA.     

A controlled study of a specific MAO A reversible inhibitor (R011-1163) and amitriptyline in depressive illness

A double blind comparative study of amitriptyline and a new reversible MAO A inhibitor R011-1163 was conducted in 25 depressed inpatients over 4 weeks. Response to treatment was assessed with the Hamilton depression rating scale, the Carroll depression self rating scale and the Visual analogue scale. Both drugs produced significant changes in depressive symptomatology (P less than 0.01, MANOVA) and there were no statistically significant differences between drugs (P greater than 0.05 MANOVA). Side effects were of mild to moderate severity with dry mouth the most commonly reported side effect of amitriptyline and vague, generalised headache in patients, treated with R011-1163.