Association between serum testosterone levels, body mass index (BMI) and insulin in male patients with schizophrenia treated with atypical antipsychotics--olanzapine or risperidone.

OBJECTIVE: A sufficient amount of testosterone (T) is essential for adequate sexual functioning but also for cognitive and psychological well-being. Most recent studies have demonstrated that higher BMI and other symptoms of metabolic syndrome are associated with alterations in sex steroid hormone concentrations. Although, neuroleptics are known to cause a significant and sustained weight excess, the relationships between body mass index and the level of testosterone in psychiatric patients have not been thoroughly studied. The main purpose of the present study was to examine the correlations between testosterone, estradiol BMI, and insulin in male patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and treated with olanzapine or risperidone. METHODS: The study included 78 males diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the DSM-IV diagnostic classification hospitalized in psychiatric inpatient units (42 on risperidone and 36 on olanzapine). The initial and final evaluation of testosterone (T), estradiol, prolactin (PRL) and insulin serum levels were performed at week 3 and 8 after the onset of the new treatment, respectively. RESULTS: At week 3, the mean serum prolactin was markedly higher, whereas testosterone level was lower in risperidone patients compared to those treated with olanzapine. T level was negatively affected by the studied medication (risperidone), increased prolactin and a higher BMI. At week 8, the mean serum prolactin level was markedly higher in risperidone patients. Higher values of BMI and serum insulin were the most prominent factors independently associated with decreased plasma testosterone levels at that measurement point. Individual changes of T level between week 3 and 8 were positively correlated with the corresponding changes in estradiol levels. CONCLUSIONS: T serum levels appear to be independently linked with BMI, insulin and prolactin in both investigated neuroleptics. Further research is needed to elucidate the relationship between reproductive hormones and metabolic parameters in patients with schizophrenia under neuroleptic treatment.

[Dry eye disease in patients treated with antidepressants]. / Zespól suchego oka u pacjentów leczonych lekami antydepresyjnymi.

PURPOSE: Dry eye disease is defined as a multifactorial disease of tears and ocular surfaces that causes discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. This study aimed to determine dry eye findings in patients with depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 40 patients with depression aged 18-65 years old. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including intraocular pressure and dry eye tests, was performed. RESULTS: Among patients with depression 24 patients (70%) had dry eye syndrome. Compared with patients who did not have dry eye, the patients with dry eye were significantly older than the patients without dry eye (44 years old and 36 years old, respectively). Time in duration of depression in patients with depression and with dry eye lasted over 54 months and time of taking antidepressants was longer than 18 months and was significant, in comparing to the patients without dry eye (36 months and 10 months, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Dry eye is frequent disease in patients with depression, especially in older patients, who have longer duration of depression, and taking antidepressant medication for a longer period of time. Using of antidepressant may be cosidered as potential cause of dry eye syndrome.

[Family history of alcohol abuse - depressive symptoms and the quality of life in view of the MAST score of schizophrenic patients with dual diagnosis]. / Naduzywanie alkoholu w rodzinie - objawy depresyjne oraz subiektywna ocena jakosci zycia a wyniki w skali MAST u pacjentów z rozpoznana schizofrenia i alkoholizmem.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of familial alcohol abuse, depressive symptoms and the quality of life on MAST score in schizophrenic patients, dependent from alcohol. Material and methods. 61 patients with dual diagnosis and 60 with single diagnosis of schizophrenia performed MAST In two groups with clinical scales, depressive symptoms and the quality of life were assessed. RESULTS: Significant correlates of higher MAST scores were family history of alcohol abuse and earlier onset of alcoholism. Dissatisfaction with the quality of life was correlated with higher MAST scores but only in dependent from alcohol female schizophrenic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of depression accompanying alcohol dependence did not influence MAST score.

[The psychological consequences of amblyopia]. / Psychologiczne nastepstwa niedowidzenia.

This is the review of references about problem of amblyopia and its psychosocial effects on children being cured. The study emphasies the need for psychological approach to problems that trouble children wearing glasses, suffering from strabismus and being cured by occlusion.