Influence of childhood trauma on diagnosis and substance use in first-episode psychosis.

BackgroundChildhood trauma has been significantly associated with first-episode psychosis, affective dysfunction and substance use.AimsTo test whether people with first-episode psychosis who had experienced childhood trauma, when compared with those who had not, showed a higher rate of affective psychosis and an increased lifetime rate of substance use.MethodThe sample comprised 345 participants with first-episode psychosis (58% male, mean age 29.8 years, s.d. = 9.7).ResultsSevere sexual abuse was significantly associated with a diagnosis of affective psychosis (χ2 = 4.9, P = 0.04) and with higher rates of lifetime use of cannabis (68% v 41%; P = 0.02) and heroin (20% v 5%; P = 0.02). Severe physical abuse was associated with increased lifetime use of heroin (15% v 5%; P = 0.03) and cocaine (32% v 17%; P = 0.05).ConclusionsPatients with first-episode psychosis exposed to childhood trauma appear to constitute a distinctive subgroup in terms of diagnosis and lifetime substance use.

Looking at my body. Similarities and differences between anorexia nervosa patients and controls in body image visual processing.

BACKGROUND: Body image distortion is a core symptom of eating disorders. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies on body image processing, described different patterns of neural response, mainly involving the inferior and superior parietal lobules, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), with conflicting results. METHODS: The neural response to the view of their own body pictures (normal size and distorted) was evaluated in 18 female anorexia nervosa (AN) restricting type patients, and in 19 healthy female subjects (HC) using fMRI. Clinical assessment was performed by means of the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV and self-reported questionnaires. RESULTS: In response to the body image distortion, patients and controls showed an inverse pattern of activation, with the widest extent of activation in the oversize condition in AN, while in the undersize condition in HC. AN and HC showed a similar pattern of neural response to the view of their own body, with an increased activation in the extrastriate body area, superior and inferior parietal lobule and prefrontal areas, although the extent of activation in HC was more limited as compared with AN patients. Increased activity in AN patients, compared with HC, was observed in the DLPFC in response to the oversized body picture and a significant correlation was found in AN patients between DLPFC activation and eating disorder psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the existence of a continuum from normalcy to pathology in neural response to body image, and confirm the clinical relevance of body image distortion in AN, reinforcing the key role of attentive, executive and self-evaluation networks in AN visual processing of own distorted body image.

Investigation on psychological symptoms improves ANDROTEST accuracy in predicting hypogonadism in subjects with sexual dysfunction.

The role of psychological symptoms in recognizing late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is still controversial. The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between LOH and specific psychological symptoms, and to verify whether investigating intra-psychic domain improves the accuracy of a validated case-history tool (ANDROTEST) in detecting LOH. A consecutive series of 1009 subjects (mean age 49.23±13.34) consulting for sexual dysfunction was studied. Intra-psychic symptoms were investigated by Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (MHQ), a self-reported questionnaire for screening of mental disorders. A minimum set of two MHQ items was identified through iterative receiver-operating characteristic analysis, with assessment of sensitivity and specificity for hypogonadism (calculated free testosterone <0.225 nmol l(-1)) in an exploratory sample of 462 patients. Sensitivity and specificity were verified in a validation sample of 547 subjects, in which the final two-item version showed an accuracy of 58.4±3.2% in detecting hypogonadism. The combination of the two-item score with ANDROTEST increased the accuracy in predicting hypogonadism (0.741±0.029; P<0.0001) when compared with ANDROTEST (0.696±0.018; P<0.0001) and the two-item score (P<0.05) alone. Hence, combining these two psychological symptoms with a physical scoring system improves its ability in detecting hypogonadism. The combination of the scores should be tested in other studies.

Depression and anxiety in perinatal period: prevalence and risk factors in an Italian sample.

Accumulating evidence suggests that pregnancy does not protect women from mental illness. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, and the risks factors for perinatal depression and anxiety. Five hundred ninety women between 28th and the 32nd gestational weeks were recruited and submitted to a sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychological interview. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-Y) were also administered in antenatal period and 3 months postnatally. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I) was used to diagnose mood and anxiety disorders. Three months after delivery, EPDS was administered by telephone interview. Women with an EPDS score ≥10 were 129 in antenatal period (21.9%) and 78 in postnatal period (13.2%). During pregnancy 121 women (20.5%) were positive for STAI-Y state and 149 women (25.3%) for STAI-Y trait. The most important risk factors for antenatal depression are: foreign nationality, conflictual relationship with family and partner, and lifetime psychiatric disorders. The principal risk factors for postnatal depression are: psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and artificial reproductive techniques. Psychiatric disorders, during and preceding pregnancy, are the strongest risk factors for antenatal state and trait anxiety. Antenatal depressive and anxiety symptoms appear to be as common as postnatal symptoms. These results provide clinical direction suggesting that early identification and treatment of perinatal affective disorders is particularly relevant to avoid more serious consequences for mothers and child.

The size and burden of mental disorders and other disorders of the brain in Europe 2010.

AIMS: To provide 12-month prevalence and disability burden estimates of a broad range of mental and neurological disorders in the European Union (EU) and to compare these findings to previous estimates. Referring to our previous 2005 review, improved up-to-date data for the enlarged EU on a broader range of disorders than previously covered are needed for basic, clinical and public health research and policy decisions and to inform about the estimated number of persons affected in the EU. METHOD: Stepwise multi-method approach, consisting of systematic literature reviews, reanalyses of existing data sets, national surveys and expert consultations. Studies and data from all member states of the European Union (EU-27) plus Switzerland, Iceland and Norway were included. Supplementary information about neurological disorders is provided, although methodological constraints prohibited the derivation of overall prevalence estimates for mental and neurological disorders. Disease burden was measured by disability adjusted life years (DALY). RESULTS: Prevalence: It is estimated that each year 38.2% of the EU population suffers from a mental disorder. Adjusted for age and comorbidity, this corresponds to 164.8million persons affected. Compared to 2005 (27.4%) this higher estimate is entirely due to the inclusion of 14 new disorders also covering childhood/adolescence as well as the elderly. The estimated higher number of persons affected (2011: 165m vs. 2005: 82m) is due to coverage of childhood and old age populations, new disorders and of new EU membership states. The most frequent disorders are anxiety disorders (14.0%), insomnia (7.0%), major depression (6.9%), somatoform (6.3%), alcohol and drug dependence (>4%), ADHD (5%) in the young, and dementia (1-30%, depending on age). Except for substance use disorders and mental retardation, there were no substantial cultural or country variations. Although many sources, including national health insurance programs, reveal increases in sick leave, early retirement and treatment rates due to mental disorders, rates in the community have not increased with a few exceptions (i.e. dementia). There were also no consistent indications of improvements with regard to low treatment rates, delayed treatment provision and grossly inadequate treatment. Disability: Disorders of the brain and mental disorders in particular, contribute 26.6% of the total all cause burden, thus a greater proportion as compared to other regions of the world. The rank order of the most disabling diseases differs markedly by gender and age group; overall, the four most disabling single conditions were: depression, dementias, alcohol use disorders and stroke. CONCLUSION: In every year over a third of the total EU population suffers from mental disorders. The true size of "disorders of the brain" including neurological disorders is even considerably larger. Disorders of the brain are the largest contributor to the all cause morbidity burden as measured by DALY in the EU. No indications for increasing overall rates of mental disorders were found nor of improved care and treatment since 2005; less than one third of all cases receive any treatment, suggesting a considerable level of unmet needs. We conclude that the true size and burden of disorders of the brain in the EU was significantly underestimated in the past. Concerted priority action is needed at all levels, including substantially increased funding for basic, clinical and public health research in order to identify better strategies for improved prevention and treatment for disorders of the brain as the core health challenge of the 21st century.

Motivational readiness for treatment in weight control programs: the TREatment MOtivation and REadiness (TRE-MORE) test.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The degree of motivation before starting the treatment represents a pre-treatment predictor of successful weight management. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a new self-reported questionnaire of motivation and readiness to change before starting a lifestyle modification program (the TREatment MOtivation and REadiness test) (TRE-MORE) for overweight patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: TRE-MORE was evaluated in a consecutive series of 129 obese patients attending our Outpatient Clinic. Validation of the questionnaire was performed through test-retest reliability, internal consistency, psychopathological correlates, and concurrent validity. Subjects have been evaluated by means of a clinical interview, and different self-reported questionnaires, assessing the eating specific and general psychopathology, and quality of life. TRE-MORE total and subscales scores showed good test-retest reliability and internal consistency. We identified 10 items grouped in 3 areas (obstacles and desire to overcome, taking care of themselves, and sharing the problems, current lifestyle). TREMORE scores were significantly correlated with eating specific psychopathology and quality of life measures. Univariate and Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis showed that TRE-MORE total and subscales scores represent a good model for predicting a weight loss >5% of the initial weight after 6 months of treatment. CONCLUSION: TRE-MORE represents a validated and easy-to-use questionnaire assessing at the meantime the treatment motivation and readiness with good predictive capacity for weight loss.

Functional neuroimaging in anorexia nervosa: a clinical approach.

AIMS: To provide a review of the available literature about the functional neuroimaging of anorexia nervosa, and to summarize the possible role of neurobiological factors in its pathogenesis. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed and Medline electronic database (1950-September 2009). Eligible studies were restricted to those involving the main parameters of cerebral activity and functional neuroimaging techniques. Findings of the reviewed studies have been grouped on a diagnostic subtype basis, and their comparison has been interpreted in terms of concordance. RESULTS: We found a high level of concordance among available studies with regard to the presence of frontal, parietal and cingulate functional disturbances in both anorexia nervosa restricting and binge/purging subtypes. Concordance among studies conducted regardless of the anorexia nervosa subtypes suggests an alteration in temporal and parietal functions and striatal metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: The most consistent alterations in anorexia nervosa cerebral activity seem to involve the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the inferior parietal lobule, the anterior cingulate cortex and the caudate nucleus. They may affect different neural systems such as the frontal visual system, the attention network, the arousal and emotional processing systems, the reward processing network, and the network for the body schema.

Childhood traumata, Dexamethasone Suppression Test and psychiatric symptoms: a trans-diagnostic approach.

BACKGROUND: Childhood traumatic events and functional abnormalities of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been widely reported in psychiatric patients, although neither is specific for any diagnosis. Among the limited number of studies that have evaluated these topics, none has adopted a trans-diagnostic approach. The aim of the present research is to explore the relationship between childhood stressors, HPA axis function and psychiatric symptoms, independent of the diagnosis. METHOD: A total of 93 moderate to severely ill psychiatric out-patients of Florence and Pisa University Psychiatric Units and 33 healthy control subjects were recruited. The assessment consisted of salivary cortisol pre- and post-low dose (0.5 mg) Dexamethasone, early and recent life events, 121 psychiatric symptoms independent of diagnosis, SCID, BPRS. RESULTS: In total, 33.5% of patients were Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) non-suppressors, compared with 6.1% of controls (p=0.001). Among patients, non-suppression was associated with particular symptoms (i.e. depressive and psychotic), but not to any specific diagnosis. Early stressful life events were significantly associated with higher salivary cortisol levels, with DST non-suppression and with approximately the same subset of symptoms. A recent stressful event seemed to be associated to the HPA response only in those subjects who were exposed to early traumata. CONCLUSIONS: Our report suggests a relationship between life stress, HPA axis and psychopathology. A cluster of specific psychiatric symptoms seems to be stress related. Moreover, it seems that an abnormal HPA response is possibly triggered by an excessive pressure in vulnerable individuals.

Clinical epidemiology of eating disorders: results from the Sesto Fiorentino study.

BACKGROUND: It is speculated that clinical samples do not fully reflect the characteristics of eating disorders (EDs) as they are in the general population, especially in their lowest range of severity. The present article reports the prevalence of EDs in a community sample aged >14 years, their clinical and psychopathological features, and their course and outcome on naturalistic grounds. METHODS: The Sesto Fiorentino Study is a three-phase community-based survey where 2,355 out of 2,500 people representative of the population aged >14 years living in Sesto Fiorentino were evaluated by their own general practitioner using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview plus six additional questions. All those who had positive results plus a probability sample of the non-cases were re-interviewed by psychiatrists using the Florence Psychiatric Interview. The subjects who reported ED symptoms were subsequently administered the Eating Disorder Examination (12th edition). RESULTS: Overall, the lifetime prevalence of EDs was 1.21%. More precisely, 0.42% had anorexia nervosa, 0.32% bulimia nervosa, 0.32% binge eating disorder and 0.32% eating disorder not otherwise specified. All the subjects suffering from an ED fulfilled diagnostic criteria for at least another DSM-IV axis I psychiatric disorder. At the moment of the interview, conducted a few years (average 7 years) after the onset of the disorder, 50% had fully recovered from EDs, 26.9% were currently affected by an ED, 23.1% showed a persistent body image disturbance and/or the presence of compensatory behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Community surveys conducted by clinicians may provide useful additional information on the psychopathological features, natural course and outcome of these disorders on naturalistic grounds.

The epidemiology of panic disorder and agoraphobia in Europe.

A literature search, in addition to expert survey, was performed to estimate the size and burden of panic disorder in the European Union (EU). Epidemiologic data from EU countries were critically reviewed to determine the consistency of prevalence estimates across studies and to identify the most pressing questions for future research. A comprehensive literature search focusing on epidemiological studies in community and clinical settings in European countries since 1980 was conducted (Medline, Web of Science, Psychinfo). Only studies using established diagnostic instruments on the basis of DSM-III-R or DSM-IV, or ICD-10 were considered. Thirteen studies from a total of 14 countries were identified. Epidemiological findings are relatively consistent across the EU. The 12-month prevalence of panic disorder and agoraphobia without history of panic were estimated to be 1.8% (0.7-2.2) and 1.3% (0.7-2.0) respectively across studies. Rates are twice as high in females and age of first onset for both disorders is in adolescence or early adulthood. In addition to comorbidity with agoraphobia, panic disorder is strongly associated with other anxiety disorders, and a wide range of somatoform, affective and substance use disorders. Even subclinical forms of panic disorder (i.e., panic attacks) are associated with substantial distress, psychiatric comorbidity and functional impairment. In general health primary care settings, there appears to be substantial underdiagnosis and undertreatment of panic disorder. Moreover, panic disorder and agoraphobia are poorly recognized and rarely treated in mental health settings, despite high health care utilization rates and substantial long-term disability.

The influence of ethanol infusion on the effects of 35% CO2 challenge. A study in panic disorder patients and healthy volunteers.

UNLABELLED: Alcohol and panic disorders co-occur at a rate that exceeds chance significantly. Early experimental work suggests that alcoholic subjects, compared to non-alcoholics, are less sensitive to sodium lactate and that alcohol intake reduces the response to a 35% CO(2) challenge in Panic Disorder patients. The present study documents the direct pharmacological effect of ethanol infusion on CO(2) induced panic. METHODS: According to a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, cross-over design 10 drug free panic disorder patients and 16 healthy volunteers underwent a 35% CO(2) challenge after intravenous infusion of a moderate dose of ethanol on one test day and of placebo on another test day. RESULTS: Compared to the placebo condition, the effect of the CO(2) challenge was significantly smaller after ethanol infusion (P = 0.041). DISCUSSION: A moderate dose of ethanol decreased the response to a 35% CO(2) without inducing pre challenge sedation. CONCLUSION: The results comfort earlier findings of a direct pharmacological effect of ethanol on panic.

The Eating Disorder Examination as a retrospective interview.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the Eating Disorder Examination 12.0D (EDE) when administered retrospectively. METHODS: Twenty-five female patients suffering from an eating disorder [(10 with anorexia nervosa (AN), 10 with bulimia nervosa (BN), 5 with eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS)] were investigated using the EDE at the time of the first referral to our outpatient ward (T1). Afterwards (mean 1.4 +/- 0.6 years later) each patient was administered again the EDE by the same assessor (T2). At this time the interviewer asked the patients to answer the questions referring to the symptoms and behaviours at the time of the first interview. RESULTS: Test-retest correlation factors were 0.7 or greater for all subscales of the EDE (p < 0.0001) and 0.5 or greater for every single item of the EDE (p < 0.001), except for EDE 1.5 (snack after dinner) and EDE 9A.6 (maximum time free from objective bulimic episodes in the last two months). DISCUSSION: Our results provide evidence that the EDE 12.0D is a reliable interview even when administered retrospectively, suggesting the use of this instrument for the retrospective assessment of eating disorders.

A self-controlled, naturalistic study of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors versus tricyclic antidepressants.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) for anxiety and mood disorders in a naturalistic setting. METHODS: 114 of 2,000 outpatients drawn from a private facility with a diagnosis of mood or anxiety disorder had two separate episodes during which they were treated once with a SSRI and once with a TCA. The drugs had to be in monotherapy and appropriate according to the recent guidelines. Key outcome measures included several rating scales, the results of which were combined into three measures of outcome: full response (no symptom), partial response (residual symptoms), poor response. RESULTS: TCAs produced a better response in 63 cases and SSRIs in 18 cases (p < 0.00001). When the outcome was dichotomized, TCAs were still superior (stricter criterion of full response: p = 0.0002; lower threshold: p < 0.0001). Considering depressive and anxiety disorders separately, TCAs remained superior in terms of efficacy (for depression: p < 0.0001; for anxiety: p = 0.026). Moreover, the second episode of illness showed a better outcome than the first (p = 0.0008). CONCLUSIONS: In those cases where two different antidepressants were prescribed over two different episodes of illness, TCAs were significantly more effective than SSRIs, regardless of the type of disorder and order of prescription.

Fluoxetine and fluvoxamine combined with individual cognitive-behaviour therapy in binge eating disorder: a one-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: : The treatment of binge eating disorder (BED) is still the object of debate. In the present study, the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs (fluoxetine - FLX - 60 mg/day, fluvoxamine - FLV -300 mg/day), cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and combined treatments (CBT + FLX, CBT + FLV) has been evaluated in a randomized, clinical trial. Results at the end of the active treatment (in the 24th week) and 1-year follow-up outcomes have been evaluated. METHODS: One hundred eight (44 M, 64 F) BED patients were randomly assigned to either CBT, FLX (60 mg/day), FLV (300 mg/day), CBT + FLX or CBT + FLV, for 24 weeks. At the beginning (T0), at the end (T1) of treatment and after 1 year (T2), body mass index (BMI) and eating attitude and behaviours (by EDE 12.0D) were assessed. RESULTS: At T1, BMI and EDE scores were significantly reduced in CBT, CBT + FLX and CBT + FLV, but not in the FLX and FLV treatment groups. In the CBT + FLV group, a greater (p < 0.05) reduction of EDE total scores was observed, when compared to CBT + FLX or CBT treatment groups. At T2, BMI was significantly higher than at T1, but still significantly lower than at T0 in the CBT, CBT + FLX and CBT + FLV groups, while EDE scores remained unchanged from T1 in all treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: CBT was more effective than FLX or FLV in the treatment of BED. The addition of FLX to CBT does not seem to provide any clear advantage, while the addition of FLV could enhance the effects of CBT on eating behaviours. Modifications of eating behaviours are maintained at the 1-year follow-up, although the lost weight was partly regained.

Psychopathological and clinical features of outpatients with an eating disorder not otherwise specified.

In order to investigate similarities and differences between Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) and Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN), we studied a consecutive series of 189 female outpatients attending two Eating Disorder Units. The data were collected by means of interviews (Eating Disorder Examination, EDE 12.0D), the Structured Diagnostic Interview for DSM III-R, (SCID), and self-reported questionnaires (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI, and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI 1-2). The diagnosis of EDNOS was as frequent as that of AN and BN (43.8% versus 43.2%). There were no significant differences between EDNOS and AN/BN patients in terms of their general and specific psychopathological features, but significant differences were observed between bulimic-like and anorectic-like EDNOS patients, as well as between those with AN and BN. In conclusion, in our clinical setting, the patients with EDNOS and those with typical eating disorders have similar psychopathological features, thus suggesting that EDNOS patients should be further divided into two groups, anorectic-like (similar to AN) and bulimic-like (similar to BN) patients.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. A review.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) programmes for bulimia nervosa (BN) have been considerably refined during the last 2 decades, and such a treatment is now extensively used. The present paper describes the treatment rationale and structure, and reviews the available evidence on its efficacy. Compared to any other psychological or pharmacological treatment for which controlled studies have been published, CBT is reported to be more effective (the majority of studies), or at least as effective. A CBT programme for binge eating disorder (BED) has been created by adapting that of BN, but it has been less extensively evaluated in field trials. Even here, however, no other treatment has proven to be of greater efficacy than CBT. Various methodological limitations reduce the possibility of generalizing these findings. Moreover, CBT was found to be completely satisfactory neither for BN nor for BED, with moderate effectiveness and some limits. However, at the present state of treatment, no other therapeutical procedure seems to be more effective, more specific or more promising. It is speculated therefore that CBT could be presently considered the first-choice remedy for these severely disabling disorders.

A European perspective on social anxiety disorder.

Epidemiologic surveys conducted across Europe indicate that the lifetime prevalence of social anxiety disorder in the general population is close to 7%. The disorder in adulthood rarely presents in its 'pure' form and 70-80% of patients have at least one other psychiatric disorder, most commonly depression. Social anxiety disorder is a risk factor for the development of depression and alcohol/substance use or dependence, especially in cases with an early onset (< 15 years). Individuals with social anxiety disorder have significant functional impairment, notably in the areas of initiation and maintenance of social/romantic relationships and educational and work achievement. The economic consequences of social anxiety disorder are considerable, with a high level of diminished work productivity, unemployment and an increased utilisation of medical services amongst sufferers. Effective treatment of social anxiety disorder would improve its course and its health and economic consequences.

Epidemiology of social phobia: a clinical approach.

The recent epidemiologic studies report extremely varied rates for social phobia (SP). One of the reasons for this may be the difficulty in diagnosing SP, the boundaries of which are uncertain. A community survey was carried out using doctors with experience in clinical psychiatry as interviewers, and a clinical diagnostic instrument. Two thousand three hundred and fifty-five people (out of the 2,500 randomly selected from the population) living in Sesto Fiorentino, a suburb of Florence, Italy, were interviewed by their own general practitioner, using the MINI plus six additional questions. Six hundred and ten of the 623 subjects that were found positive for any form of psychopathology at the screening interview, and 57 negative subjects, were re-interviewed by residents in psychiatry using the Florence Psychiatric Interview (FPI). The FPI is a validated composite instrument that has the format of a structured clinical research record. It was found that 6.58% of subjects showed social anxiety not attributable to other psychiatric or medical conditions during their life. Social or occupational impairments meeting DSM-IV diagnostic requirements for SP was detected in 76 subjects (lifetime prevalence = 3.27%). Correction for age raises the lifetime expected prevalence to 4%. Sex ratio was approximately (F:M) 2:1. The most common fear was speaking in public (89.4%), followed by entering a room occupied by others (63.1%) and meeting with strangers (47.3%). Eighty-six point nine percent of subjects with SP complained of more than one fear. The mean age of onset (when the subjects first fully met DSM-IV criteria for SP) was 28.8 years, but the first symptoms of SP usually occurred much earlier, with a mean age of onset at 15.5 years. Ninety-two percent of cases with SP also showed at least one other co-morbid psychiatric disorder during their life. Lifetime prevalence of avoidant personality disorder (APD) was 3.6%. Forty-two point nine percent of cases with SP also had APD, whereas 37.9% of cases with APD developed SP.

Effects of chronic lithium treatment on the peripheral nervous system.

BACKGROUND: Although lithium carbonate is widely used in the treatment of mood disorders, symptoms suggesting toxic effects on the peripheral nervous system may emerge even in subjects whose serum lithium levels remain within the recommended therapeutic range. METHOD: Electroneuronographic (ENG) parameters (motor nerve conduction velocity of peroneal and median nerves, sensory nerve conduction velocity of sural and median nerves, amplitude of motor potential of peroneal and median nerves, and amplitude of sensory action potential of the median nerve at the wrist and the sural nerve) were investigated in 2 groups (N = 34) of patients suffering from bipolar affective disorder (DSM-III-R, DSM-IV) undergoing maintenance treatment with lithium carbonate for at least 1 year (mean = 2.06 years) in monotherapy. For 12 patients, ENG results were compared with pretreatment values, whereas in the other 22 cases, only data relevant to posttreatment were available. Fifty-four healthy subjects and 20 patients with recurrent major affective disorder (unipolar and bipolar) never treated with lithium made up the comparison groups. RESULTS: Compared with the 2 comparison groups, patients on chronic lithium treatment showed significant reduction of motor nerve conduction velocity of peroneal and median nerves, sensory nerve conduction velocity of sural and median nerves, amplitude of motor potential of peroneal and median nerves, and amplitude of sensory action potential of the median nerve at the wrist and the sural nerve. The comparison with the assessment made prior to lithium treatment also showed significant changes; after a period of treatment with lithium varying from 2 to 8 years (mean = 5.2 years), significant reductions were found on motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity and on amplitude motor potentials and sensory action potentials. CONCLUSION: Chronic maintenance treatment with lithium affects the peripheral nerves, even if the impairment rarely is such as to warrant discontinuation of treatment. Monitoring of ENG results could be useful for the early detection of neurotoxicity of lithium.