Correlation of Suicidal Thoughts and Toxoplasmosis in Patients With Depression.

Objective We investigated the correlation between serum anti-Toxplasma gondii IgG and suicidal thoughts in depressive patients. Methods Depressive patients with (n = 100) and without (n = 100) suicidal thoughts along with 100 healthy control subjects were recruited for this study. In all three groups, a semi-structured clinical interview form called Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) Axis-I Disorder (SCID-I), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), suicidal behavior scale, and a sociodemographic data form were completed. Sera from all participants were taken, and anti-toxoplasma IgG was measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)-Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay. Statistical analysis of the data was performed. Results The serum anti-toxoplasma IgG levels of patients with suicidal thoughts were significantly higher than those without suicidal thoughts and the controls, which were 80.04 ± 40.66, 78 ± 14.82, and 19.98 ± 14.65, respectively, p < 0.001. There was no correlation between toxoplasma IgG and HAMD score in patients lacking suicidal thoughts (r = -0.112, p = 0.463). Conclusion This study shows a correlation between seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and depression with suicidal thoughts.

Relationship between disease and disease severity and semaphorin 5A and hemogram level in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Semaphorin 5A (SEMA 5A) is a neuroprotein that regulates the formation of excitatory synapses between neurons, important in autoimmunity, inflammatory processes and behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the SEMA 5A levels in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) diagnosed for the first time and evaluate the relationship of disease and disease severity with the blood SEMA 5A level and hemogram. METHODS: More than 41,465 patients who applied to the psychiatry clinic from January 2018 to December 2020 were evaluated according to the DSM-5 criteria; 57 patients diagnosed with OCD for the first time, who met the inclusion criteria, were included in the study. Disease severity was investigated administering the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsion Scale. The peripheral blood SEMA 5A level and hemogram were measured and evaluated in relation to platelet (PLT) activity, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), PLT-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and compared with control group of 26 people. RESULTS: The comparison of the groups revealed a significant difference in SEMA 5A and CRP level, neutrophil count and percentage, lymphocyte count, PLT activity. A significant correlation was found between disease and SEMA 5A level, NLR, PLR, and PLT parameters in diagnosis of OCD. As the severity of OCD increased, the SEMA 5A level and PLT count decreased, while the PDW and MLR values increased. CONCLUSION: In patients with OCD, a relationship was found between plasma SEMA 5A, PLT activity, NLR, PLR, and MLR activity levels with disease and the disease severity.

A New Scoring System Detecting the Supraventricular Tachycardia Inducibility and Radiofrequency Ablation With High Specificity in Electrophysiological Study.

AIM: The relationship between arrhythmia induction and ablation with palpitation characteristics has been demonstrated in electrophysiological study (EPS) patients. However, there is insufficient data on palpitation characteristics and their sensitivity and specificity. We aimed to identify the relationship between scoring composed of palpitation characteristics with the supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) induction and the success rate of the procedure. METHOD: A total of 119 patients, diagnosed as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) by electrocardiography, rhythm Holter or symptoms, and underwent EPS, were enrolled in the study. A psychiatrist administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS) questionnaire. RESULTS: In SVT induced group, palpitation duration (p = 0.048), palpitation spread to neck (p 0.004), responsiveness to medication (p = 0.008), induction with stress (p = 0.007), admission to emergency (p = 0.021) and documented PSVT (p = 0.017) were more common. Atropine administration (p = 0.001) was higher, and the Wenckebach cycle length (p < 0.001) was longer in the non-induced arrhythmia group. The presence of dual AV pathways was higher in SVT induced group (p = 0.002). There were no differences between groups in terms of anxiety score (p = 0.192), depression score (p = 0.730), and total psychiatric results (p = 0.280) in the HADS questionnaire. In scoring designed by the palpitation characteristics, the score of four and over predicted SVT induction with 63.6% sensitivity and 92.5% specificity. Radio-frequency ablation (RFA) was performed succesfully in 82.1% of patients with a score of ≥4. CONCLUSION: Supraventricular tachycardia induction score obtained from the palpitations characteristics and arrhythmia documentation can be useful in predicting the induction of SVT and the success of RFA.

Description of suicide ideation among older adults and a psychological profile: a cross-sectional study in Turkey.

This study investigates the suicidal ideation and the possible causes for suicidal behaviour in the elderly. Subjects were 150 patients aged 65 and older who were evaluated using the sociodemographic data collection forms, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS), Reasons for Living Inventory (RLI), and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Of 150 patients, 72.7% were women and 27.3% were men, ages ranged from 65 to 88 years. Suicidal ideation was noted in 30.7% of patients. When the mean of BHS total score between patients with and without suicidal ideation and the mean of BHS subscale's feelings and expectations regarding the future and loss of motivation and hope in terms of subscales were evaluated between the groups with and without suicidal ideation, the scores had a significant difference. When RLI was evaluated in terms of total scores, the suicidal ideation mean score was 243.74 ± 32.28, while the non-suicidal ideation mean score was 267.27 ± 24.36. There was a significant relationship between the two groups. We found low level of education, low level of reasons for living and higher psychiatric morbidity (generalized anxiety disorder and comorbid depressive disorder) in with suicidal ideation in the elderly.

Description of suicide ideation among older adults and a psychological profile: a cross-sectional study in Turkey / Descrição da ideação suicida em idosos e perfil psicológico: um estudo transversal na Turquia

Abstract This study investigates the suicidal ideation and the possible causes for suicidal behaviour in the elderly. Subjects were 150 patients aged 65 and older who were evaluated using the sociodemographic data collection forms, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS), Reasons for Living Inventory (RLI), and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Of 150 patients, 72.7% were women and 27.3% were men, ages ranged from 65 to 88 years. Suicidal ideation was noted in 30.7% of patients. When the mean of BHS total score between patients with and without suicidal ideation and the mean of BHS subscale's feelings and expectations regarding the future and loss of motivation and hope in terms of subscales were evaluated between the groups with and without suicidal ideation, the scores had a significant difference. When RLI was evaluated in terms of total scores, the suicidal ideation mean score was 243.74 ± 32.28, while the non-suicidal ideation mean score was 267.27 ± 24.36. There was a significant relationship between the two groups. We found low level of education, low level of reasons for living and higher psychiatric morbidity (generalized anxiety disorder and comorbid depressive disorder) in with suicidal ideation in the elderly.

Resumo Este estudo tem por objetivo investigar os fatores que levam à ideação suicida e às possíveis causas para o comportamento suicida em idosos. Foram estudados 150 pacientes com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos, que foram avaliados utilizando os formulários de coleta de dados sociodemográficos, Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (EDG), Escala de Ideação Suicida (EIS), Inventário de Razões para Viver (IRV) e Escala de Desesperança de Beck (EDB). De 150 pacientes, 72,7% eram mulheres e 27,3% homens , com idades de 65 a 88 anos. A ideação suicida foi observada em 30,7% dos pacientes . Ao se avaliar a média da pontuação total de EBD entre pacientes com e sem ideação suicida e a média dos sentimentos e expectativas da subescala EBD em relação ao futuro e perda de motivação e esperança em termos de subescalas entre os grupos com e sem ideação suicida, a pontuação teve uma diferença significativa. Quando o IRV foi avaliado em termos de pontuações totais, o escore médio de ideação suicida foi de 243,74 ± 32,28, enquanto o escore médio de ideação não suicida foi de 267,27 ± 24,36. Houve uma relação significativa entre os dois grupos. Fatores de risco para ideação suicida em idosos foram desesperança, baixo nível de educação, baixo nível de razões para viver, distúrbio de ansiedade generalizada e transtorno depressivo comórbido.

Oxidative status and prolidase activities in generalized anxiety disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Prolidase (Pro), an intracellular enzyme necessary for collagen turnover, matrix remodelling and cell growth has been shown to be related to Oxidative Stress (OS). To our knowledge, serum Pro activity in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has not been documented yet. In this study, we aimed to evaluate OS and its relation with Pro activity in patients diagnosed with GAD. METHOD: Thirty untreated GAD patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from all subjects to quantify total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and Pro activity. Oxidative stress index (OSI), the ratio of TOS to TAS, is calculated to evaluate the balance between antioxidants and oxidants. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) was used to determine the anxiety levels of all subjects. RESULTS: GAD group demonstrated statistically significantly higher TOS, OSI and Pro levels, when compared with the control group (t=2.947, p=0.005; t=2.874, p=0.006; and t=9.396, p<0.001 respectively). HARS scores were found to be positively correlated with TOS, OSI and Pro levels (p=0.008, r=0.338; p=0.008, r=0.339; and p<0.001, r=0.751 respectively). CONCLUSION: The degree of severity of OS is correlated with the levels of Pro. Thus, Pro might be the target enzyme, promising to be a marker for the follow-up of GAD patients. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report a significant relation between Pro activity and GAD.

Effect of Increased Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Decreased Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) Values on Inflammation in Acute Mania.

INTRODUCTION: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are simple, low-cost, and useful inflammatory markers detected in routine complete blood count (CBC), and their use has recently become widespread. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of an inflammatory state in manic patients on the basis of NLR and MPV values. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on 76 patients with acute mania who were admitted to the Inpatients Psychiatry Clinic of Afyon Kocatepe University Hospital in Turkey. Diagnoses were based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental disorder (DSM-IV). The control group consisted of 74 healthy individuals recruited from the community. They were age- and sex-matched with the study group. RESULTS: NLR values of the manic patient group were 2.2±1.4 and those of the control group were 1.6±0.5. NLR values were significantly higher (p=0.004) and MPV values were significantly lower in the manic patient group than in the control group (10.0±1.2 vs. 10.9±2.3, p=0.027). CONCLUSION: Increased NLR and decreased MPV levels may reflect inflammation in manic patients, and inflammation may play a role in the complex pathophysiology of acute mania.

Symptomatic Remission Determines Functional Improvement and Quality of Life in Schizophrenia.

INTRODUCTION: Schizophrenia is a chronic illness that negatively affects the quality of life and psychosocial functions. Defined criteria to assess remission in schizophrenia are considered to be useful in the long-term follow-up of patients and in discriminating diagnostic factors. This study investigated the quality of life and functionality in schizophrenia patients in symptomatic remission (R-Sch) and not in remission (Non-R-Sch). METHODS: Sociodemographic data were collected for 40 R-Sch and 40 Non-R-Sch patients, and the following scales were administered: the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) Scale; Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Short Form, Turkish Version (WHOQOL-BREF-TR), Quality of Life Scale for Schizophrenia Patients (QLS), and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). RESULTS: The total and all subscale scores of PANSS and the CGI-S score were significantly lower in the R-Sch group than in the Non-R-Sch group, whereas the GAF scores and all subscales of QLS and WHOQOL-BREF-TR were significantly higher. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that improvement in symptoms in schizophrenia patients improves quality and functionality in all areas of life, suggesting that an improvement in symptoms is the most important determinant of functional recovery in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Prolidase activity and oxidative stress in patients with schizophrenia: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum prolidase levels are associated with the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. METHODS: The study was conducted at the psychiatry outpatient clinics of the University Hospitals of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Afyonkocatepe in spring 2013. It comprised patients with schizophrenia who were consecutively recruited from the Psychiatry outpatient clinics of the hospital. An equal number of healthy individuals were recruited from the community. Each patient underwent a detailed diagnostic evaluation by psychiatry residents by using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV. Serum prolidase activity and oxidative parameters were measured in patient and control groups.The severity of psychotic symptoms was assessed using the positive and negative syndrome scale. SPSS 16 was used for statitistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 30 subjects in each group, with 18 (60%) females among the patients and 21 (70%) among the controls. Serum prolidase level was significantly higher in schizophrenia patients compared to the controls (p < 0.001). Total Oxidative Stress and Oxidative Stress Index parameters were found to be significantly different between the patients and the controls (p = 0.024 and p < 0.001). Serum prolidase level did not show any correlation with markers of oxidative stress in the patients. CONCLUSION: Prolidase activity, glutamate transmission and oxidative stress may be inter-related in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Prolidase activity and oxidative stress in patients with major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to determine whether the serum prolidase levels are associated with the etiopathogenesis of depression. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 29 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), who were consecutively recruited from the psychiatric outpatient clinic, and 30 healthy individuals recruited from the general community. Each patient underwent a detailed diagnostic evaluation by two psychiatrists using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I). Serum prolidase activity and oxidative parameters were measured in the patient and control groups. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. RESULTS: Serum prolidase level was significantly higher in patients with MDD compared to healthy subjects (p<0.001). Total Oxidant Status (TOS) levels and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) were also significantly higher in patients with MDD (p<0.001), whereas no significant difference was observed between the groups in the TAS levels (p=0.297). Serum prolidase level did not show any correlation with markers of oxidative stress in patients with MDD. CONCLUSION: Increased serum prolidase levels in patients with MDD may be interpreted as the interaction of prolidase activity, glutamate transmission and oxidative stress. It is suggested that prolidase activity is involved in the etiopathogenesis of depressive disorder.

The role of obsessive beliefs in patients with major depressive disorder.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in obsessional beliefs between patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and matched healthy controls using the obsessive-beliefs questionnaire (OBQ). METHODS: The study sample included 74 outpatients with MDD and 74 healthy subjects. The two groups were matched for age, gender, and education level. The diagnoses were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-IV). The severity of depression was measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). All participants filled out the 44-item OBQ. RESULTS: The total and subscale OBQ scores [Responsibility/Threat Estimation (RT), Perfectionism/Certainly (PC), and Importance/Control of Thoughts (ICT)], were significantly higher in patients with MDD than those of the control group. There was a positive correlation between HAM-D scores and the OBQ subscale scores (RT, PC, and ICT) in the patients. CONCLUSION: Obsessional beliefs appear to be related to MDD.

Sexual dysfunction in outpatients with schizophrenia in Turkey: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction is one of several factors related to medication compliance in patients taking antipsychotic medication but the magnitude of this problem is unknown. AIM: Compare the self-reported sexual functioning of clinically stable patients with schizophrenia taking antipsychotic medication to that of healthy controls using the Turkish version of the 5-item Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). This scale, which has previously been validated in Turkey, assesses 5 components of sexual function: sex drive, sexual arousal, vaginal lubrication/penile erection, ability to achieve orgasm, and satisfaction with orgasm. METHODS: The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms, and ASEX were administered to 101 clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia (38 females and 63 males). The ASEX was also administered to 89 control subjects (41 females and 48 males) without a history of mental illness. Respondents were classified as having sexual dysfunction if ASEX total score (range 5-30) >18, if any ASEX item score (range 1-6) ≥ 5, or if 3 or more ASEX items ≥4. RESULTS: Male patients with schizophrenia have significantly more self-reported sexual dysfunction than healthy controls (46% vs. 8%). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction is higher in female patients than in male patients (68% vs. 46%), but it was also very high in healthy female controls (68%), so the sexual dysfunction of female patients cannot be attributed to their illness or to the medications they are taking. Within the patient group, there was no significant relationship between the severity of positive or negative symptoms and the severity of sexual dysfunction, and the severity of sexual function was not different between patients taking first-generation or second-generation antipsychotic medications. CONCLUSIONS: The very different findings by gender in Turkey highlights the importance of assessing location-specific and gender-specific sexual norms when trying to assess the role of mental illness and medications on sexual functioning. Prospective studies are needed to distinguish the relative importance of cultural norms, the schizophrenic illness, and the use of antipsychotic medication in the etiology and course of sexual dysfunction among individuals with schizophrenia.

Complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with mental disorders in Turkey.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and the associated socio-demographic factors among patients with mental disorders in the Turkish community. METHODS: One thousand and twenty-seven patients with a diagnosis of mental disorders who were attending psychiatric outpatient clinics in five Turkish cities were interviewed. A survey questionnaire, which included questions on socio-demographic characteristics and CAM use, was administered face-to-face by psychiatrists. RESULTS: 22.2% of patients with mental disorders were using some form of CAM in the Turkish community. CAM and medication concurrent users had a higher level of education and income compared to CAM users only or medicine users only (p < 0.001). The most common type of CAM used was herbal therapy (n = 146, 64%). CONCLUSION: Use of CAM by patients with mental disorders should be investigated and taken into account by psychiatrists.

Temperament and Character Differences in Patients with Premature Ejaculation.

INTRODUCTION: The debate on the etiology of premature ejaculation is still ongoing although there was huge amount of biological and psychological theories. We aimed to investigate the personality structure of patients with premature ejaculation via temperament and character inventory. METHODS: Forty patients with premature ejaculation and a matched number of healthy people were included. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire booklet with separate sections for general demographic information and the temperament and character inventory. RESULTS: Total novelty seeking scores and subscale 1 (exploration-excitability) scores in premature ejaculation patients were significantly higher than in control groups (p<0.05). Total harm avoidance scores and harm avoidance subscale 2 (fear of uncertainty) scores in premature ejaculation patients was found significantly lower than in control group (p<0.05). Beck depression score was significantly higher in patients with premature ejaculation than in control groups. DISCUSSION: Men with premature ejaculation are more impulsive (excitant), more tempered, more excitable and less prone to harmful behavior. Current findings tend to reinforce premature ejaculation based upon combination of neurobiological and psychological reasons.