Psychosocial Impairment in Older Patients With Bipolar I Disorder.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to assess psychosocial functioning in older patients with bipolar I disorder compared with healthy subjects and to identify the psychopathological factors associated with poor functioning in patients. METHODS: We recruited 68 euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder from the outpatient unit and 89 healthy controls who were older than 50 years of age. In addition to clinical variables, we used other standardized measures, including the Young Mania Rating Scale, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Functional Assessment Short Test, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. RESULTS: Older patients with bipolar I disorder had poorer psychosocial functioning in general and in the domains of occupation, autonomy, and cognition than the healthy controls on the basis of previously defined Functional Assessment Short Test cutoff scores. We found that 35.3% (95% CI: 23%-47%) of the patients did not have clinically significant functional impairment, 38.2% (95% CI: 26%-50%) had mild impairment, and 26.5% (95% CI: 16%-37%) had moderate impairment. Depressive symptoms and impaired cognition were associated with poor overall functioning. CONCLUSIONS: The level of psychosocial functioning was heterogeneous among the patients. Subsyndromal depressive symptoms, even at low levels, and impaired cognition predicted poor functioning in euthymic middle-aged and older patients with bipolar I disorder.

Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection and Its Risk Factors in Older Adult Patients.

Introduction: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infection has recently gained worldwide interest due to limited treatment options and high morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) infection in older adult patients. Material and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included 132 patients with healthcare-associated CRKP infection (case group) and 150 patients with healthcare-associated carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae (CSKP) infection (control group), aged > 65 years. Results: In the CRKP and CSKP groups, 79 (59.8%) and 80 (53.3%) patients were males, and the mean ages were 77.8 ± 7.8 and 76.6 ± 7.7 years, respectively. Diabetes mellitus (DM), malignancy, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), surgical intervention, invasive mechanical ventilation, central venous catheter insertion, parenteral nutrition, hospitalization in the previous 6 months, antibiotic use in the previous 3 months, and exposure to cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems were significantly more common in the CRKP than the CSKP group (all p < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified malignancy, CVDs, DM, invasive mechanical ventilation, hospitalization in the previous 6 months, ICU admission, and exposure to cephalosporins, quinolones, and carbapenems as independent risk factors for CRKP infection in older adult patients. Conclusion: DM, malignancy, CVDs, ICU admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, and exposure to ceftriaxone, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems were independent risk factors for CRKP infection in older adult patients. The identification of risk factors for CRKP infection can help to prevent and treat CRKP infection.

The Impact of Coping Strategies on Suicide Attempts and Suicidal Ideation in Bipolar Disorder.

ABSTRACT: The stress coping strategies of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) may affect their suicide risk. We examined coping behaviors and impact of coping strategies and clinical characteristics on suicide attempts and lifetime suicidal ideation in patients with BD I, compared with a healthy control group. We recruited 185 euthymic patients with BD and 94 healthy controls. Participants completed the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory. Suicide attempt prevalence in patients with BD was around 34%, and frequency of lifetime suicide ideation was around 60%. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed greater use of behavioral disengagement and religious coping strategies among patients with BD, compared with controls. Patients with previous suicide attempts presented a more severe illness course, notably early onset, with more depressive and mixed episodes and a more dysfunctional coping style than nonsuicidal patients. Behavioral interventions can target avoidant coping behavior, such as denial, especially in patients with suicide attempts.

Alexithymia and Somatization in Depressed Patients: The Role of the Type of Somatic Symptom Attribution.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to establish the association between alexithymia and various factors, mainly somatization, and to determine the predictors of alexithymia in depressed patients. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with major depressive disorder who met The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria were administered the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Beck Depression Inventory, Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Somatosensory Amplification Scale, and Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire. The patients were classified into two groups as alexithymic and non-alexithymic with respect to the TAS cut-off points (≥59=alexithymic). Predictors of alexithymia were tested by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Of all patients, 36 (40%) were in the alexithymic group. The percentage of women, depression severity, level of general psychopathology and distress, and somatic symptom reporting (SCL-90), as well as the tendency to somatosensory amplification and three forms of somatic symptom attributions, were significantly higher in alexithymic patients than in non-alexithymic patients. Furthermore, age, depression severity, somatic symptom reporting, and the tendency to attribute physical symptoms to somatic causes were predictors of alexithymia. CONCLUSION: The results indicated an intimate association between alexithymia and somatization in depressed patients. Therefore, when evaluating depressed patients with alexithymia, their tendency for somatization should be considered, and alexithymic individuals should be assessed with particular attention, considering that somatization can mask the underlying depressive condition.

Use of Lithium in Severe Acute Manic Episodes: Retrospective Prescription Practice From a Tertiary Inpatient Unit.

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective chart review was performed to investigate the common preferences of clinicians for the pharmacological treatment of acute manic episodes, with particular regard to lithium use, and to assess the adherence of clinical practice to established guidelines. METHODS: Cases of manic episodes in patients admitted to Bakirköy Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Education and Research Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Length of stay, medication data, serum levels, and adverse effects were evaluated for patients who received lithium therapy (N=98). RESULTS: On the first day of lithium treatment, 81 patients received 900 to 1200 mg of lithium. In total, 44 patients were discharged with the same dose as that given on the first day of treatment. With the exception of 1 patient, the dose was increased by 300 to 600 mg in the remaining patients within the first 10 days on the basis of serum drug concentrations. The mean serum concentrations of lithium in the first week were 0.67±0.17 mEq/L in patients with no dose increase, and 0.51±0.15 mEq/L in patients who did receive a dose increase. In total, 94 patients received at least 1 antipsychotic medication in addition to lithium. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians attempted to maintain serum lithium levels above 0.60 mEq/L at the time of acute treatment initiation, consistent with established guidelines. Clinical practice in large inpatient settings may force clinicians to use lithium in combination with antipsychotics for the treatment of acute mania; the delayed action of lithium and the need for rapid stabilization may drive these practices.

The relationship of Chlamydophila pneumoniae with schizophrenia: The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in this relationship.

Several pathogens have been suspected of playing a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Chronic inflammation has been proposed to occur as a result of persistent infection caused by Chlamydophila pneumoniae cells that reside in brain endothelial cells for many years. It was recently hypothesized that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) may play prominent roles in the development of schizophrenia. NT-3 and BDNF levels have been suggested to change in response to various manifestations of infection. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the roles of BDNF and NT3 in the schizophrenia-C. pneumoniae infection relationship. RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and ELISA methods were used. Fifty patients suffering from schizophrenia and 35 healthy individuals were included as the patient group (PG) and the healthy control group (HCG), respectively. We detected persistent infection in 14 of the 50 individuals in the PG and in 1 of the 35 individuals in the HCG. A significant difference was found between the two groups (p<0.05). Twenty-two individuals in the PG and 13 in the HCG showed seropositivity for past C. pneumoniae infection, and no difference was observed between the groups (p>0.05). C. pneumoniae DNA was not detected in any group. A significant difference in NT-3 levels was observed between the groups, with very low levels in the PG (p<0.001). A significant difference in BDNF levels was also found, with lower levels in the PG (p<0.05). The mean serum NT-3 level was higher in the PG cases with C. pneumoniae seropositivity than in seronegative cases; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that NT-3 levels during persistent C. pneumoniae infection may play a role in this relationship.

Papel del factor neurotrófico de origen cerebral y de la neurotropina-3 en la relación de Chlamydophila pneumoniae con la esquizofrenia / The relationship of Chlamydophila pneumoniae with schizophrenia: The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in this relationship

Several pathogens have been suspected of playing a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Chronic inflammation has been proposed to occur as a result of persistent infection caused by Chlamydophila pneumoniae cells that reside in brain endothelial cells for many years. It was recently hypothesized that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) may play prominent roles in the development of schizophrenia. NT-3 and BDNF levels have been suggested to change in response to various manifestations of infection. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the roles of BDNF and NT3 in the schizophrenia-C. pneumoniae infection relationship. RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and ELISA methods were used. Fifty patients suffering from schizophrenia and 35 healthy individuals were included as the patient group (PG) and the healthy control group (HCG), respectively. We detected persistent infection in 14 of the 50 individuals in the PG and in 1 of the 35 individuals in the HCG. A significant difference was found between the two groups (p < 0.05). Twenty-two individuals in the PG and 13 in the HCG showed seropositivity for past C. pneumoniae infection, and no difference was observed between the groups (p > 0.05). C. pneumoniae DNA was not detected in any group. A significant difference in NT-3 levels was observed between the groups, with very low levels in the PG (p < 0.001). A significant difference in BDNF levels was also found, with lower levels in the PG (p < 0.05). The mean serum NT-3 level was higher in the PG cases with C. pneumoniae seropositivity than in seronegative cases; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that NT-3 levels during persistent C. pneumoniae infection may play a role in this relationship.

Existe la sospecha de que algunos patógenos pueden desempeñar un papel en la patogénesis de la esquizofrenia; en ese contexto, se ha propuesto que la infección persistente causada por células de Chlamydophila pneumoniae presentes en las células endoteliales cerebrales durante muchos años lleva a la inflamación crónica. Recientemente se ha planteado la hipótesis de que el factor neurotrófico de origen cerebral (BDNF, por sus siglas en inglés) y la neurotropina-3 (NT-3) podrían estar implicados en el desarrollo de la esquizofrenia, y se ha sugerido que sus niveles se modifican en respuesta a diversas manifestaciones de la infección. En esta investigación intentamos esclarecer el papel que desempeñan el BDNF y la NT3 en la relación entre la esquizofrenia y la infección por C. pneumoniae. Se utilizaron métodos de RT-PCR, inmunofluorescencia y ELISA. Se incluyeron 50 pacientes con esquizofrenia y 35 individuos sanos como grupo de pacientes (GP) y grupo de controles sanos (GCS), respectivamente. Detectamos una infección persistente en 14 sujetos del GP y en 1 de los del GCS, lo que constituyó una diferencia significativa (p < 0,05). Veinte participantes del GP y 13 del GCS fueron seropositivos para una infección pasada por C. pneumoniae, diferencia no significativa (p > 0,05). No se detectó ADN de C. pneumoniae en ninguno de los dos grupos. Se observó una diferencia significativa entre los grupos en los niveles de NT-3, que fueron muy bajos en el GP (p < 0,001), y de BDNF, inferiores en el GP (p < 0,05). La concentración sérica media de NT-3 fue mayor en los individuos seropositivos para C. pneumoniae en comparación con los seronegativos, pero esta diferencia no alcanzó significación estadística (p > 0,05). Sugerimos que los niveles de NT-3 durante una infección persistente por C. pneumoniae pueden estar implicados en la relación de Chlamydophila pneumoniae con la esquizofrenia.

Electroconvulsive Therapy in Women: A Retrospective Study from a Mental Health Hospital in Turkey.

The aim was to evaluate the clinical profile and effectiveness of ECT in women. A retrospective chart review was carried out to identify female patients who had received ECT during the period September 2013-February 2015. Details regarding their sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment data were extracted from these records for the present study. The total number of patients, admitted to our psychiatry inpatient clinic during the survey period, was 802. During this period, 26 (3.24 %) female patients received ECT. Patients who received ECT were mostly in age group of 25-44 years (76.9 %). Twenty percent of patients were in the postpartum period. Psychotic disorders (46.1 %) was the most common diagnosis for which ECT was used, followed by bipolar affective disorder, current episode manic (19.2 %). At the end of ECT courses, 70 % of the patients showed good response with a CGI-I of 1 or 2, and 30 % showed minimal response with a CGI-I score of 3. The most common side effects were post-ECT confusion (15.4 %) and prolonged seizure (11.5 %). This rate of prolonged seizure was higher the rates reported in the literature. The bronchospasm related with remifentanil, post-ECT bradycardia, hypertensive crisis and oligohydramnios were also reported in one case each. ECT is a safe and effective treatment option in women with severe psychiatric disorders and disorders in the perinatal/postpartum period are a major area of ECT use. The female gender may be a contributing factor for the higher rates of prolonged seizure.

Rapid Clozapine Titration in Patients with Treatment Refractory Schizophrenia.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of rapid clozapine titration in patients with schizophrenia in hospital settings. We conducted a retrospective two-center cohort study to compare the safety and effectiveness of clozapine with different titration rates in treatment-refractory patients with schizophrenia. In the first center, clozapine was started at 25-50 mg followed by 50-100 mg as needed every 6 h on day 1, followed by increases of 50-100 mg/day. In the second center, titration was slower; clozapine initiated with 12.5-50 mg on day 1 followed by increases of 25-50 mg/day. The number of days between starting of clozapine until discharge was shorter in the rapid titration group (22.4 ± 8.72 vs 27.0 ± 10.5, p = 0.1). Number of days of total hospital stay were significantly shorter in the rapid titration group (29.6 ± 10.6 vs 41.2 ± 14.8, p = 0.002). Hypotension was more common in the rapid titration group and one patient had suspected myocarditis. Rapid clozapine titration appeared safe and effective. The length of stay following initiation of clozapine was shorter in the rapid-titration group, although this was not statistically significant. However starting clozapine earlier together with rapid titration has significantly shortened the length of hospital stay in patients with treatment refractory schizophrenia.

Associations of somatic symptom attribution in Turkish patients with major depression.

BACKGROUND: There are differences across ethno-cultural groups in the degree of somatization among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Studies showed that the attribution style of somatic symptoms is an important predictor of health outcome in depressed patients. AIMS: The aims of this study were to investigate associations of psychologizing, normalizing and somatizing attribution styles as measured by the Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire (SIQ) in Turkish patients with MDD. METHODS: Ninety patients who were diagnosed with a major depressive episode using a semi-structured interview were administered the SIQ to assess attribution styles, each of which was regressed on age, gender, educational level, depressive symptom severity, tendency for somatosensory amplification, current somatic symptoms and alexithymia. RESULTS: Scores on somatizing, psychologizing and normalizing attribution subscales of the SIQ were strongly correlated with each other. Somatosensory amplification and alexithymia were independent correlates of somatizing attributions. Higher levels of psychologizing and normalizing attributions were both related to more severe symptoms of depression and to somatosensory amplification. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that patients with higher levels of depressive symptoms were more likely to engage in a greater diversity of attribution styles as measured by the SIQ in our sample. Independent correlates of somatic symptom attribution in patients with MDD were found to be different from Western countries, suggestive of disparate cultural characteristics and help-seeking pathways and behaviour in Turkey.

Tardive Blepharospasm and Meige Syndrome during Treatment with Quetiapine and Olanzapine.

Meige syndrome, which has been presented in tardive syndromes, is a form of blepharospasm accompanied by oromandibular dystonia with manifestations over the face, jaw, and neck. A blepharospasm can be induced by antihistamines, dopaminomimetic or sympathomimetic drugs, or long-term exposure to dopamine antagonists. Atypical antipsychotics have less extrapyramidal side effects because of a weak dopamine D2 receptor binding affinity or a strong antagonistic effect to serotonin 5-HT2a receptor and have been known to cause less tardive dyskinesia than typical antipsychotics. Thus, in literature, atypical antipsychotics are recommended for the treatment of psychosis in cases of tardive dyskinesia. The potential risk factors associated with the development of tardive dyskinesia are extrapyramidal symptoms' history, diabetes mellitus, affective disorder, female gender, older age, and long-term therapy with neuroleptics at higher dosages. As reported below, a patient with an affective disorder who had quetiapine-induced oromandibular dystonia and olanzapine-induced Meige syndrome after antipsychotic augmentation in different stages of the disease process was presented.

[The impact of disease course and type of episodes in bipolar disorder on caregiver burden]. / Bipolar I bozuklugu olan hastalarda dönem ve seyirözelliklerinin bakici yüküne etkisi.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine how the disease course and type of episodes in patients with bipolar I disorder (BPD-I) affect caregiver burden. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted between February and July 2010, and included 89 euthymic-state BPD-I patients (55 with a natural course and 34 with ≥1 mixed episode or a rapid cycling course) diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria and 89 of their caregivers. The patients were evaluated using a sociodemographic clinical form, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and Global Assessment of Functionality Scale (GAFS). The caregivers were evaluated using a sociodemographic form and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZCBI). RESULTS: In all, 44% of the BPD-I patients' caregivers had moderate to severe burden. More of the caregivers of patients with rapid cycling or mixed episodes had social relationships negatively affected by caregiver burden (P < 0.01). The mean YMRS score was higher in the caregivers with moderate to severe burden (P< 0.01). As patient age, YMRS score, number of manic episodes, duration of illness, and duration of caregiving during the euthymic period increased (P < 0.05) the level of caregiver-perceived dependency also increased; as caregiver age and the duration of caregiving increased, the perception of economic burden decreased (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: BPD-I patient caregiving, even when patients are in a euthymic state, results in considerable caregiver burden. Mixed episodes or rapid cycling increases the severity of caregiver burden, as does the number of manic episodes and the presence of subsyndromal manic features.

Effects of childhood trauma and clinical features on determining quality of life in patients with bipolar I disorder.

BACKGROUND: We explored how childhood trauma (CHT) affects the clinical expression of disorder and quality of life in patients with bipolar I (BP-I) disorder. METHODS: Euthymic patients (n=116) who subsequently received a diagnosis of BP-I disorder were consecutively included and were interviewed using the following sociodemographic and clinical data forms; Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Childhood Abuse and Neglect Questionnaire (CANQ) and the 36-item Medical Outcome Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The quality of life of BP-I patients with and without a history of CHT were examined. RESULTS: The percentage of trauma was 61.2%. Patients who had CHT had higher frequencies of depressive episodes (t=-2.38, p=0.019), total episodes (t=-2.25, p=0.026), attempted suicide more often (χ(2)=18.12, p=0.003) and had lower scores on the pain subscale of the SF-36 (z=-2.817, p=0.005). In patients with mixed or rapid-cycling episodes, SF-36 subscale scores except general health and pain were found to be lower. LIMITATIONS: Our sample may fail to reflect the general BD population; the patients were included consecutively and consisted of a majority of female patients. CONCLUSIONS: CHT plays an important role in the clinical expression of BP-I disorder and having mixed/rapid-cycling episodes negatively affects both physical and mental components, as measured by the SF-36. While both males and females reported experiencing sexual abuse, female BP-I patients complained about pain more often. It is suggested that treatment of BP-I patients with a history of CHT should differ from that provided for patients with no CHT history.

Experience of our surgery in iatrogenic vesicovaginal fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, transvesical and transvaginal approaches used in our clinic for the treatment of gynecologic iatrogenic vesicovaginal fistulas are discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 11 patients with vesicovaginal fistula admitted to the Department of Urogynecology, Zeynep Kamil Teaching- Research Hospital between 2005-2009 were enrolled in our study. Transvesical and transvaginal fistula repair were performed on all patients. All patients were treated by surgical repair, 4 cases by a classic transabdominal approach, 5 cases by an omental flap interposition and 2 cases by a martius flap interposition. RESULTS: The most common cause of iatrogenic vesicovaginal fistula in our patients was total abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions (n=10/11). The mean patient age was 43 years (34-53) and the mean time from the causative surgery to the operation was 7.5 months (3-12). The surgical techniques were successful in all patients. There were no intraoperative complications and no postoperative recurrences. CONCLUSION: The mouth of the fistula should be determined clearly on preoperative evaluation and surgery procedure should be planned according to the fistula aperture. The point to be careful of is excision of all diseased tissue in the bladder and vagina, complete separation of the bladder from the vagina with a margin of healthy tissue, and watertight closure of both bladder and vagina without tension. The aim of the vascularized tissue interposition between the closed bladder and the vagina is to provide the improvement of vascularity. We believe that in the treatment of supratrigonal and large fistulas, the transvesical approach with use of omental flap interposition is more effective, while, in the treatment of small and trigonal fistula, the transvaginal approach with use of martius flap interposition is an effective tecnique.

Electroconvulsive therapy for bipolar depressive and mixed episode with high suicide risk after epilepsy surgery.

Mood disturbance is a common comorbid condition of temporal lobe epilepsy before and after surgery. Suicide is more frequent in patients with epilepsy than in the general population. As suicide is a major issue in both epileptic and depressive patients, it is critical to treat aggressively any psychiatric illness with suicidal ideation. We describe two patients who, after temporal lobe surgery, developed a serious bipolar disorder that necessitated electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), despite better seizure control. Unfortunately they were not able to commit to a regular treatment plan with their psychiatrists to prevent a suicide. These patients underwent a course of ECT treatments. After the ECT regimen, acute suicidal intent remitted and was replaced by chronic suicidal ideation without active intent or plan. The patients were then able to commit to a treatment plan regarding their medications and control visits. These cases represent the safe utilization of ECT as a rapid and effective treatment option for bipolar disorder with suicide ideation following epilepsy surgery. Patients and parents should be advised about possible psychiatric disturbances and suicide risk after epilepsy surgery, especially in the presence of a temporal lobe epilepsy, even when seizure control is achieved postoperatively.