Psychological status of men with haemophilia and HIV infection: two-year follow-up

This study aimed to assess the psychological status of men with haemophilia and HIV infection and to monitor changes in psychlogical status over time, in order to evaluate the need for psychological support. The study included 24 HIV seropositive men and a control group of 21 HIV seronegative men who attended the Haemophilia Centre in Bari (Italy). Subjects underwent psychological tests (STAl-Y: State and Trait Anxiety Inventory; SDS: Self-Rating Depression Scale) and completed a questionnaire on the emotional impact of AIDS. Assessment was repeated at 6-monthly intervals over a 2-year period. Contrary to expectation, HIV seronegative men with haemophilia had worse anxiety and depression scores, reported more confusion and fear, and had more reluctance towards the use of blood products (despite their present safety) than HIV seropositives. Possible reasons for these findings are considered, and their implications for clinical practice discussed.     

The early outcome of admission to an adolescent unit: a report on 100 cases

Data are presented on the outcome of 100 adolescents after discharge from an adolescent inpatient unit. Outcome is recorded in terms of placement at home, day care provision, and partial or full-time residential care provision, relating this to diagnosis, sex, age, duration of admission and evidence of family pathology. Of these only duration of admission was significantly related to outcome. More than two thirds (69 per cent) of all patients are discharged home. At six months, of those traced, 82 per cent are at home. Stability of outcome is the norm. This reflects the bio-psycho-social approach of the unit and refutes the notion that psychiatric institutional care for adolescents merely predicts a continued need for therapeutic resources.     

Flunarizine I.V. in the Acute Treatment of Common or Classical Migraine Attacks A Placebo-Controlled Double Blind Trial

The efficacy and tolerance of 20 mg flunarizine i.v. were tested in comparison with placebo in a multicentre randomised double-blind trial in the acute treatment of migraine attacks. Sixty case reports were included in the evaluation; 31 patients were treated with flunarizine and 29 with placebo. Flunarizine proved to be significantly superior in its effect on the intensity of pain and the typical concomitant symptoms of the attacks. Patients were classed as responders who displayed a reduction in pain intensity by at least 50% within 60 minutes after the administration of flunarizine. 23 patients (= 74.2%) were responders, including 11 patients being without pain after 60 minutes. In the placebo group the responder rate was 27.6% The fact that both groups were comparable in all respects should be emphasized. The tolerance of intravenously administered flunarizine was excellent and corresponded to that of placebo. Apart from a sedative effect reported by 9 patients there were no side-effects. The circulatory conditions remained largely stable. The result of this study seems to indicate that an intravenous injection of 20 mg flunarizine might represent a genuine alternative, and as regards tolerance even a superior one, to the parenteral administration of ergotamine in migraine attacks.     

Substance Use Disorders in Men with Antisocial Personality Disorder: A Study in Turkish Sample

This study investigated the prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) and “substance of choice” in 500 male Turkish psychiatric outpatients manifesting a DSM-IV diagnosed antisocial personality disorder (APD) and a SUD diagnoses (the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV). Lifetime SUDs were diagnosed in 86% of APD subjects. Alcohol, cannabis, and inhalant use disorders were the most frequent among substance use, 75.6%, 67.4%, and 35.6%, respectively. This sample's “substance of choice” differed from reported Western populations; a result which may be influenced by socio-cultural variations. The study's limitations are noted.     

Adaptation to kidney transplantation: A case presentation and discussion

A 25-year-old man who has has two kidney transplants is presented. The patient's adaptation is discussed from different vantage points including: intrapsychic representation of the kidney, cognitive style, developmental influences, character, and potential crises and their management.