Hippocampal Subfield Volumes Predict Disengagement from Maintenance Treatment in First Episode Schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: Disengagement from treatment is common in first episode schizophrenia (FES) and is associated with poor outcomes. Our aim was to determine whether hippocampal subfield volumes predict disengagement during maintenance treatment of FES. METHODS: FES patients were recruited from sites in Boston, New York, Shanghai, and Changsha. After stabilization on antipsychotic medication, participants were randomized to add-on citalopram or placebo and followed for 12 months. Demographic, clinical and cognitive factors at baseline were compared between completers and disengagers in addition to volumes of hippocampal subfields. RESULTS: Baseline data were available for 95 randomized participants. Disengagers (n = 38, 40%) differed from completers (n = 57, 60%) by race (more likely Black; less likely Asian) and in more alcohol use, parkinsonism, negative symptoms and more impairment in visual learning and working memory. Bilateral dentate gyrus (DG), CA1, CA2/3 and whole hippocampal volumes were significantly smaller in disengagers compared to completers. When all the eight volumes were entered into the model simultaneously, only left DG volume significantly predicted disengagement status and remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, race, intracranial volume, antipsychotic dose, duration of untreated psychosis, citalopram status, alcohol status, and smoking status (P < .01). Left DG volume predicted disengagement with 57% sensitivity and 83% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Smaller left DG was significantly associated with disengagement status over 12 months of maintenance treatment in patients with FES participating in a randomized clinical trial. If replicated, these findings may provide a biomarker to identify patients at risk for disengagement and a potential target for interventions.

Clinical manifestations of chikungunya among university professors and staff in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic / Manifestaciones clínicas del chikungunya en profesores y personal universitario de Santo Domingo (República Dominicana)

ABSTRACT Objective To further characterize chikungunya virus infection and its associated clinical manifestations, using a sample of university professors and staff in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic. Methods A cross-sectional study with quota sampling by department was performed to obtain a convenience sample of professors (n = 736) and staff (n = 499) at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. Surveys were used to collect demographic and infection data during the fall term of 2014. Univariate and bivariate analyses were carried out to quantify infection and clinical manifestation prevalence and to assess relationships of these outcomes with age, sex, and acute phase duration. Results Of 1 236 participants, 49% reported infection (professors = 41%; staff = 61%). Of these, 53% also reported the presence of chronic effects, largely arthralgia (48%). Significant relationships were observed between reported infection and sex (P = 0.023), age (P < 0.001), and occupation (P < 0.001). More headache (P = 0.008) and edema (P < 0.001) in females, more headache (P = 0.005) in younger subjects, and more myalgia (P = 0.006) in those with longer acute symptoms were found. Additionally, more chronic arthralgia (P < 0.001; P = 0.003) and chronic edema (P < 0.001; P = 0.001) in females and older subjects, and more chronic myalgia (P = 0.041) and chronic edema (P = 0.037) in those with longer acute symptoms were observed. Conclusions To the authors knowledge, this is the first population-based chikungunya prevalence study in the Dominican Republic, and the first to explore clinical manifestations in a university setting. The findings reflect results from studies following the 2005 - 2006 Reunion Island outbreak: prevalence of infection and chronic arthralgia, as well as associations with sex, age, and acute intensity. Longitudinal research can provide further insight into these effects.

RESUMEN Objetivo Caracterizar de manera más detallada la infección por el virus del chikungunya y sus manifestaciones clínicas, a partir de una muestra de profesores y personal universitario de Santo Domingo (República Dominicana). Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal con muestreo por cuotas según los departamentos, a fin de obtener una muestra de conveniencia de profesores (n = 736) y otro personal (n = 499) de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. Se recopilaron mediante encuestas los datos demográficos y la información sobre las infecciones durante el semestre de otoño del 2014. Se realizaron análisis univariante y bivariante para cuantificar la prevalencia de las infecciones y de las manifestaciones clínicas, así como para evaluar la relación entre estos resultados y la edad, el sexo y la duración de la fase aguda. Resultados El 49% de los 1 236 participantes indicaron haber padecido la infección (profesores, 41%; otro personal, 61%), de los cuales el 53% también refirieron la presencia de efectos crónicos, principalmente artralgias (48%). Se observaron relaciones significativas entre la infección y el sexo (P = 0,023), la edad (P < 0,001) y la ocupación (P < 0,001). Las mujeres refirieron más cefaleas (P = 0,008) y edemas (P < 0,001); los jóvenes refirieron más cefaleas (P = 0,005); y los sujetos con síntomas agudos de mayor duración refirieron más mialgias (P = 0,006). Además, las mujeres y los sujetos de mayor edad refirieron más artralgias crónicas (P < 0,001; P = 0,003) y edemas crónicos (P < 0,001; P = 0,001), en tanto que los sujetos con síntomas agudos de mayor duración refirieron más mialgias crónicas (P = 0,041) y edemas crónicos (P = 0,037). Conclusiones Hasta donde saben los autores, este es el primer estudio poblacional sobre la prevalencia del chikungunya en la República Dominicana y el primero en el que se exploran las manifestaciones clínicas en un entorno universitario. Los resultados reflejan lo observado en los estudios posteriores al brote del 2005 y el 2006 en la isla Reunión: prevalencia de la infección y artralgias crónicas, así como asociaciones con el sexo, la edad y la intensidad de la fase aguda. Con investigaciones longitudinales se podría arrojar más luz sobre estos efectos.