[Spectrum of Complex Partial Performance Disorders in Patients with Mental Illnesses]. / Spektrum komplexer Teilleistungsstörungen bei Patienten mit psychischen Erkrankungen.

INTRODUCTION: Recent research highlights a high prevalence of minimal cerebral dysfunctions (MCD) in patients with mental disorders. Nonetheless, empirical understanding of minimal cerebral dysfunctions and diffuse neuropsychological impairments in adult patients remains limited. METHOD: In our study, we examined 399 patients with diverse common mental disorders on minimal cerebral dysfunctions. 329 patients were in psychosomatic rehabilitation, 40 in forensic psychiatry, and 30 in an addiction ward of a psychiatric hospital at the time of the study. Symptom patterns and anamnesis of MCD and sociodemographic characteristics of the patients were recorded using structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Overall, about 29% of all patients reported MCD symptoms. Patients with MCD reported greater problem burden in everyday coping (attention, arithmetic, memory, sensitivity to noise, orientation) and social interaction (outsider, excitability) than patients without partial performance disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mental illness reported a heterogeneous pattern of minimal cerebral dysfunctions. These frequent disorders should be recognized in diagnostics and treatment. Further studies should investigate therapeutic approaches for MCD according to Baltes' Selective Optimization and Compensation model.

Application of ICD-11 among individuals with chronic pain: A post hoc analysis of the Stanford Self-Management Program.

BACKGROUND: Chronic primary pain (CPP) is one of seven diagnostic groups within the proposed classification of chronic pain in ICD-11. Our aims were to apply the proposed ICD-11 criteria in a large cohort of chronic pain patients participating in the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP) and further investigate whether participants with CPP differed from participants with chronic secondary pain (CSP) regarding health, health expenditure and the effect of participating in the CPSMP. METHODS: A secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled trial on the effect of the CPSMP. Four examiners categorized participants' pain according to ICD-11 using register-based medical diagnoses and patients' self-reported symptoms. Afterwards, differences between CPP and CSP were examined. RESULTS: Out of 394 participants, 312 were successfully classified into CPP (n = 164) or CSP (n = 148) whereas 76 had a mixed pain condition. Participants with CPP were younger, more likely to be women, and had longer pain duration compared to participants with CSP. Participants with CPP reported worse health-related quality of life on the SF-36 Mental Component Summary and subscales of vitality, social functioning and bodily pain. Participants with CSP had more physical comorbidities and higher total health expenditure. None of the groups benefitted from the CPSMP. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully applied the new classification of chronic pain in ICD-11 on the basis of ICD-10 medical diagnoses and symptom self-report. Participants with CPP differed significantly from participants with CSP on baseline characteristics, self-reported health measures and total health expenditure. The CPSMP was not effective in any of the groups. SIGNIFICANCE: The current study applies the proposed new classification of chronic pain in ICD-11 and shares the experiences of the diagnostic rating procedure of individuals with chronic pain. Furthermore, it evaluates the effect of the Stanford Self-Management Program.

Changes in depression in a cohort of Danish HIV-positive individuals: time for routine screening.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to follow a cohort of HIV-positive individuals for 3 years in order to assess changes in depression, adherence, unsafe sex and emotional strains from living with HIV. METHODS: Participants were assessed for depression, adherence, emotional strain and unsafe sex via a questionnaire. The Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI) was used to assess the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms. Patients with a BDI score of 20 or above (moderate to major depression) were offered a clinical evaluation by a consultant psychiatrist. RESULTS: In 2005, 205 HIV-positive individuals participated in the study. Symptoms of depression (BDI >14) were observed in 77 (38%) and major depression (BDI ≥20) in 53 (26%) individuals. In 2008, 148 participants were retested (72% of original sample). Depression (BDI >14) was observed in 38 (26%) and symptoms of major depression (BDI ≥20) in 24 (16%) individuals. Patients at risk of moderate to major depression were more likely to be non-adherent to medications, to practice unsafe sex and to suffer from emotional strains compared with patients not at risk of depression, both at baseline (2005) and follow-up (2008). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a decline in depression scores over time and an association between the risk of depression and low medication adherence, stress and unsafe sex. We recommend routine screening for depression to be conducted regularly to provide full evaluations and relevant psychiatric treatment.

Outcome of a psychotherapeutic programme for patients with severe personality disorders.

A specialized psychotherapeutic day treatment programme was established in a Danish clinical setting on the basis of recent research and advances in treatment for severe personality disorders. This study analyses treatment effectiveness by comparing the day treatment programme with a treatment as usual (TAU) situation as given to personality-disordered patients on a waiting list. The sample consisted of 66 personality-disordered patients consecutively referred and diagnosed according to standardized criteria. The intervention group comprised 38 patients. There was no selection made for the intervention group: when the programme capacity was reached, a waiting list of 28 consecutive patients formed the comparison group; none of these patients figured in the intervention group. Intervention included psychodynamic and cognitive-based therapy in a group/individual setting and lasted 5 months. Outcome measures were self-rated and observer-rated multidimensional evaluation of functioning relevant to personality-disordered patients. The day treatment programme did significantly better in reducing acute and prolonged hospitalizations and suicide attempts, in stabilizing the psychosocial functioning and in reducing complaints that lead to treatment. The intensive day treatment programme stabilized patient functioning but did not lead to changes on personality traits for which more extended treatment might be necessary.

[Psychotherapeutic day treatment of patients with severe personality disorders. Results from the first two years]. / Psykoterapeutisk dagbehandling af svaert personlighedsforstyrrede patienter. En toårsopgørelse.

INTRODUCTION: A psychotherapeutic day treatment (DT) for patients with severe personality disorders (PD) was established in January 2003, consisting of five months of intensive psychodynamic based integrated therapy for 14 patients. This paper presents results from the first two years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 53 patients were included in a five month combined group psychotherapeutic DT, including psychoeducation, cognitive, body, music/drawing and individual therapy. Semi-structured interviews were used to assess diagnosis (PSE, SCID-II). SCL-90-R, self-rating scales and GAF rating (s/f) were used before and after therapy. The design was naturalistic. RESULTS: 40 patients (34 women) completed the DT. Eight dropped out and five received another treatment. Before treatment: Average age 27(SD 6,5), mean GAF= 43 corresponding with unemployment, singles and social dysfunctions, high degree of self mutilation, suicide attempts, earlier hospitalisations and substance abuse. The most frequent diagnosis was borderline disorder 63%. There were co-morbidity with anxiety disorder 48% and depression 22%. Most importantly, we found a significant reduction in symptoms, significant increase in the level of function, reduction in self destructive behaviour, a pronounced reduction in hospitalisations and a relatively high degree of satisfaction with the treatment programme. CONCLUSION: According to literature, effective treatment of patients with severe PD has to be long term, integrated, theoretical coherent and focused on compliance. Our study indicates that the intensive DT is effective and a good introduction to long term psychotherapy.