RESUMO
This study assessed the association between serum lipid levels and aggression in female patients with schizophrenia. The study included female patients with schizophrenia (N = 120). The participants were subdivided into two groups (aggressive and nonaggressive), with 60 participants in each group. Serum lipids-cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol)-were determined. The clinical part of the study included an evaluation using psychiatric scales: the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), the aggression subscale of the PANSS scale (PANSS-AG), and the overt aggression scale (OAS). Significant differences were only observed in HDL cholesterol levels, where aggressive subjects had significantly lower values of HDL cholesterol (t = 2.540; p = 0.012), and the representation of subjects with low cholesterol values was almost three-times higher in the group of subjects with aggression (χ2 = 7.007; p = 0.008) compared to the nonaggressive group. The nominally significant predictor for HDL cholesterol in nonaggressive and aggressive participants was the total value of the PANSS scores. In subjects with aggression, suicidality was not significantly associated with HDL cholesterol levels. Our findings suggest that lower HDL cholesterol is significantly associated with aggression in women with schizophrenia.
Assuntos
Esquizofrenia , Agressão/psicologia , Colesterol , HDL-Colesterol , LDL-Colesterol , Feminino , Humanos , Lipoproteínas HDL , TriglicerídeosRESUMO
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disease which affects one percent of population. It is most common in young adults. It is primarily treated with typical and atypical antipsychotics. Resistant schizophrenia is a condition diagnosed after no response is noticed to two different antipsychotics of which one is atypical. The treatment has to be undertaken with adequate doses and duration of therapy. Clozapine is the golden standard in the treatment of therapy-resistant schizophrenia. It has shown its superiority among other antipsychotics in various studies. Aside from greater effectiveness, advantages include absence of extrapyramidal side effects. During clozapine treatment, regular blood tests should be performed as a screening method for agranulocytosis. Twenty to thirty percent od schizophrenia patients suffer from treatment resistant schizophrenia. Sixty percent of the latter ones show no therapeutic response to clozapine. In conclusion twelve to eighteen percent of all patients suffering from schizophrenia show no response to any form of treatment. Attempts to augment clozapine effectiveness are being made by increasing the dose of monotherapy, using antipsychotic polipharmacy or adding other types of drugs to clozapine. Unfortunately, these augmentation methods have not yet proven themselves to be effective enough to be added to standard therapy algorythms. On the other hand, electroconvulsive therapy is neuromodulatory method that shows promise in increasing therapeutic success. Although many methods of treatment are being researched, therapy-resistant schizophrenia remains a clinical challenge which affects a significant percentage of population and will require additional research.
Assuntos
Antipsicóticos , Clozapina , Eletroconvulsoterapia , Esquizofrenia , Antipsicóticos/efeitos adversos , Clozapina/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Esquizofrenia/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Unlike in female population, the effect of testosterone on aggression in men has been investigated countless times so far. A scarce number of studies have examined the effect of testosterone on aggression in women. The results obtained so far are inconsistent for some studies indicated a positive, whilst others showed a negative correlation. Since testosterone turned out to be an important factor related to aggression in men, the aim of our study was to investigate whether this correlation existed in aggressive female patients with schizophrenia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 120 women, aged from 18 to 45 years, diagnosed with schizophrenia by DSM-5 criteria. Those who were breastfeeding or suffered from specific hormonal or other physical disorders were excluded from the study. They were divided into two groups of 60 - those with aggressive behavior and those with nonaggressive behavior. Psychopathology was measured by several tests (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale - PANSS, Overt Aggression Scale - OAS and PANSS Extended Subscale for Aggression Assessment). Serum testosterone hormone assays were performed. Statistical data analysis was done by parametric statistical tests, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student's t-test and simple linear regression. All data were presented as mean values and corresponding standard deviations (SD). RESULTS: Testosterone levels didn't differ significantly between aggressive and nonaggressive subjects. There were no significant differences between testosterone levels in suicidal aggressive subjects compared to nonsuicidal aggressive respondents (t=0.616; p=0.540). The largest number of subjects in both groups had referent testosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: Despite expecting a significant effect of testosterone levels on aggression in women with schizophrenia, conducted by previous studies, no correlation has been found. Suicidal behavior surprisingly didn't depend on the subjects' testosterone levels.
Assuntos
Esquizofrenia , Agressão , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Ideação Suicida , TestosteronaRESUMO
Background: The longitudinal course of schizophrenia shows a high level of heterogeneity with testosterone as a possible factor in the variety of clinical outcomes.Aim: Evaluation of the course of schizophrenia in male patients over an eight-year period and of the possible testosterone effects on changes in clinical features.Subjects and methods: The initial study population consisted of 120 male schizophrenic patients (aged 18-40) hospitalized in the University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce in 2009. Patients were classified into nonaggressive (control, n = 60) and aggressive (n = 60) groups. In 2017, we reassessed 85 patients (67,5%) from the initial sample. Symptoms of schizophrenia were determined using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and compared with the total serum testosterone level taken at the inclusion in the study. The distribution of values for individual variables was determined using the Smirnov-Kolmogorov test; for all further analyses, the appropriate non-parametric test was used.Results: The control group showed a statistically significant negative correlation between testosterone and negative PANSS. The initial PANSS scores, compared to those at the follow-up, showed a statistically significant reduction in positive and general symptoms in all groups, with the greatest reduction in the control group.Conclusion: We found a reduction in positive and general symptoms of schizophrenia among all patients and no changes in negative symptoms. Inverse correlation between testosterone and negative symptoms was found only in the control group, but there was no testosterone influence on the progression of any PANSS subscales.
Assuntos
Esquizofrenia/sangue , Testosterona/sangue , Adolescente , Adulto , Agressão , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Progressão da Doença , Feminino , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Esquizofrenia/diagnóstico , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hyperprolactinemia among psychiatric patients receiving antipsychotic medications was estimated to be between 30% and 70%. A review of the literature on prolactin and schizophrenia symptoms suggests that the correlation between them is complex and not limited to the adverse effects of antipsychotics. Relations with specific symptom dimensions have not been found consistently across studies. The association between increased prolactin and recurrent episodes of schizophrenia needs to be replicated in larger samples and in a population of female patients. The aim of this study was to find out whether elevated prolactin is related to specific symptoms or dimensions of schizophrenia, which is a heterogenic entity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 119 consecutively acute admitted women, aged 18 to 45 years with recurrent schizophrenia diagnosed on bases of DSM-5 criteria. Assessment for all the enrolled subjects comprised a psychiatric evaluation and blood draw to determine the prolactin level. Symptoms of schizophrenia were determined using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Data were analyzed by regression analysis and the Independent Samples t Test. Values are given as means ±SD. RESULTS: Hyperprolactinemia was detected in 74.79% patients (n=89), whereas the group without hyperprolactinemia comprised 25.21% of the sample. When plasma prolactin levels and clinical features between groups were compared, there was a statistically significant difference in the negative subscale scores of the PANSS (p=0.0011), positive subscale scores of the PANNS (p=0.0043), general subscale scores of the PANSS (p=0.0226) and total scores of the PANNS (p=0.0003). CONCLUSION: There were statistically significant differences in the clinical symptoms between two compared groups in total score and in the positive, negative and general subscores.
Assuntos
Hiperprolactinemia/sangue , Prolactina/sangue , Esquizofrenia/sangue , Psicologia do Esquizofrênico , Adolescente , Adulto , Antipsicóticos/efeitos adversos , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Esquizofrenia/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The gender differences in onset, symptom severity, and outcome of schizophrenia are now thought to support the hypothesis that sex hormones may also have a role in etiology, as well as treatment, of schizophrenia. A number of reproductive hormones may be implicated, including testosterone, progesterone, or luteinising hormone, and thus it is important to acknowledge that there is a complex interplay of hormones occurring. This study was introduced to highlight the effect of the menstrual cycle, and sex hormones on female patients with schizophrenia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 31 consecutively acute admitted women, aged 18 to 45 years with schizophrenia diagnosed by DSM-5 criteria. The sample consisted of women who were regulary menstruating and to be undergoing regular hormonal fluxes. Each subject was enrolled and received psychopathology and hormone (estradiole, progesterone, testosterone) assessments. Psychopathology was measured with Positive end Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The subjects were divided into folicular (high estrogen) and luteal (low estrogen) phase admissions. Data were analyzed by regression analysis and t-test for independent samples. Values are given as means ±SD. RESULTS: There were no differences between the folicular and luteal phase admission grups with regard to age, duration of illness and age at onset of illness. We found that significantly more women were admitted during the luteal (low estrogen) phase of menstrual cycle (68%) as compared to follicular (high estrogen) phase (32%). CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in hospital admissions in the luteal phase of menstrual cycle in women suffering from exacerbation of schizophrenia. The influence of particulary sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) on admission rate and clinical psychopatology was found insignificant.
Assuntos
Ciclo Menstrual , Esquizofrenia , Psicologia do Esquizofrênico , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Fase Folicular , Humanos , Fase Luteal , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Progesterona , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Aggressive behavior and negative symptoms are two features of schizophrenia that may have a hormonal basis. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare testosterone level with clinical features of schizophrenia, focusing on negative symptoms and aggressive behavior. METHODS: The study population consisted of 120 male schizophrenic patients (ages 18-40) classified into non-aggressive (n = 60) and aggressive (n = 60) groups. Depending on the type of aggression that was manifested prior to admission, the aggressive group was divided into violent (n = 32) and suicidal (n = 28) subgroups. Psychopathological severity, violence and suicidality were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Overt Aggression Scale and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, respectively. Total serum testosterone level was determined on the same morning that symptoms were assessed. RESULTS: In the non-aggressive group, testosterone level was negatively correlated with the score on the negative subscale of PANSS (P = 0.04) and depression (P = 0.013), and positively correlated with excitement (P = 0.027), hostility (P = 0.02) and impulsive behavior (P = 0.008). In the aggressive group, testosterone level had non-significant correlation with these parameters, and with violent or suicidal behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed that non-aggressive male schizophrenic patients with lower levels of testosterone had a greater severity of negative symptoms. In aggressive patients, there was no correlation between testosterone and clinical features of the disorder or the degree or type of aggression. These findings indicate that therapeutic strategies targeting testosterone could be useful in the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Assuntos
Agressão/psicologia , Esquizofrenia/sangue , Psicologia do Esquizofrênico , Testosterona/sangue , Adolescente , Adulto , Humanos , Comportamento Impulsivo , Masculino , Negativismo , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Esquizofrenia/tratamento farmacológico , Ideação Suicida , Violência/psicologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Despite evidence that children of male war veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at particularly high risk for behavior problems, very little is currently known about suicidal behaviors in this population of youth. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of suicide attempts among psychiatrically hospitalized adolescent offspring of Croatian male PTSD veterans. Participants were psychiatric inpatients, ages 12-18 years. Self-report questionnaires assessed demographics, suicide attempts, psychopathology, parenting style, and family functioning. The prevalence of suicide attempts was 61.5% (65.2% for girls and 58.0% for boys). Internalizing symptoms, family dysfunction, lower levels of maternal and paternal care, and paternal overcontrol were significantly associated with suicide attempts. Our findings suggest that suicide attempts are common among inpatient adolescent offspring of male PTSD veterans and that interventions targeting both adolescent psychopathology and family relationships are needed for adolescents who have attempted suicide.
Assuntos
Filho de Pais com Deficiência/psicologia , Pacientes Internados/psicologia , Relações Pais-Filho , Transtornos de Estresse Pós-Traumáticos/psicologia , Tentativa de Suicídio/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Criança , Croácia , Relações Familiares , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Poder Familiar/psicologia , Prevalência , Tentativa de Suicídio/psicologia , Veteranos/psicologiaRESUMO
Throughout history, given the lack of understanding of schizophrenia and lack of effective treatment options, patients were often committed to asylums and later psychiatric institutions, often for prolonged periods of time. First antipsychotic medications helped to bring about changes in approach to these patients and facilitated deinstitutionalization, and discovery of new drugs with differing side-effects profiles introduced new options in treating schizophrenia patients. Data on hospitalization of patients in University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce from the mid-1990s, as well as data on national level, suggests a trend of drop in hospitalization of schizophrenia patients. At the same time, that period saw significant increase in a number of available newer-generations antipsychotics and the rise in their use compared to first-generation one. Although far from being the only contributing factor, seem to play an important role in continuing the trend of reducing hospitalization rates for schizophrenia patients that started with first antipsychotics. Newer antipsychotics with a more tolerable side-effects profile promote better compliance and further reduce rate of relapse and hospitalizations. No less important is the contribution of newer antipsychotics with new receptor profiles to the personalized psychopharmacotherapy approach that is in tune with emerging conceptualizations of schizophrenia as a complex syndrome with a number of separate symptom domains, whose specific combinations produce specific individual clinical presentation and in turn ask for a specific individual approach to the patient.
Assuntos
Antipsicóticos/uso terapêutico , Hospitalização/estatística & dados numéricos , Esquizofrenia/tratamento farmacológico , Croácia/epidemiologia , Feminino , Hospitalização/tendências , Humanos , Masculino , Esquizofrenia/epidemiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the association between serum prolactin (PRL) concentration and aggression in female patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Female patients with schizophrenia (N = 120) were diagnosed using SCID-5 based on the DSM-5 criteria. They were sampled at the University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce during the period from March 2017 to March 2019. Aggression was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Overt Aggression Scale (OAS). Patients were subdivided into aggressive and non-aggressive groups. PRL was determined in serum using electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) method. RESULTS: Aggressive patients with schizophrenia had significantly (p < 0.0001) increased PRL concentration compared to non-aggressive patients. Higher PRL concentration was significantly (p < 0.0001) associated with pronounced aggressive symptoms determined by the OAS scores. When patients were subdivided into those who were treated with risperidone, haloperidol, paliperidone, amisulpride, and a group that was not treated with these antipsychotics, aggressive patients in both groups had significantly higher PRL concentrations than non-aggressive patients. Higher antipsychotic dose was related to increased PRL concentration (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that higher PRL is significantly associated with aggression, irrespective of the antipsychotic medication, in female patients with schizophrenia.
Assuntos
Agressão , Antipsicóticos , Prolactina/sangue , Esquizofrenia , Antipsicóticos/uso terapêutico , Feminino , Humanos , Esquizofrenia/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
Clozapine is associated with various haematological adverse effects, including leukopenia, neutropenia, agarnulocytosis, leukocytosis, anaemia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia and thrombocythaemia. Recognition and treatment of clozapine-related seizures also will become increasingly important as clozapine use grows in the 1990s. The decision to stop clozapine as a result of haematological adverse effects or seizures is a frustrating one for the clinician, and frequently disastrous for the patient. Cessation of treatment results in relapse. In case that patient is unresponsive to other antipsychotic, restarting clozapine should be consider, despite the risk involved. As the risk of a second agranulocytosis is much higher in those patients, various methods of militating against repeat blood dyscrasias have been treated, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and lithium. The decision to restart clozapine should be taken on case-by-case basis and should take into account the likely risks and benefits of restarting. Prior response to clozapine and magnitude of patient deterioration on stopping treatment are important factors to take into this consideration. Clozapine-related seizures did not preclude successful treatment with clozapine. A strategy that has been proposed to reduce the occurrence of seizures is the addition of an anticonvulsant agent. However, clozapine does induce a variety of adverse effects, most of which are of limited duration and either preventable or manageable if a number of simple clinical procedures are followed. With careful haematologyc control, the risk of agranulocytosis can be minimized and in case of clozapine related seizures recommendations include dose reduction, electroencephalogram (EEG), plasma-level monitoring and prophylactic antiepileptic treatment. Re-exposure to clozapine may rarely be attempted where there are facilities for very close and frequent monitoring.
Assuntos
Agranulocitose/induzido quimicamente , Antipsicóticos/toxicidade , Clozapina/toxicidade , Epilepsia/induzido quimicamente , Epilepsia/prevenção & controle , Leucopenia/induzido quimicamente , Leucopenia/prevenção & controle , Transtornos Psicóticos/tratamento farmacológico , Trombocitopenia/induzido quimicamente , Trombocitopenia/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Agranulocitose/sangue , Agranulocitose/prevenção & controle , Anticonvulsivantes/uso terapêutico , Antimaníacos/efeitos adversos , Antimaníacos/uso terapêutico , Antipsicóticos/farmacocinética , Antipsicóticos/uso terapêutico , Clozapina/farmacocinética , Clozapina/uso terapêutico , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Quimioterapia Combinada , Epilepsia/sangue , Feminino , Humanos , Leucopenia/sangue , Carbonato de Lítio/efeitos adversos , Carbonato de Lítio/uso terapêutico , Transtornos Psicóticos/sangue , Recidiva , Fatores de Risco , Esquizofrenia/sangue , Esquizofrenia/tratamento farmacológico , Síndrome de Abstinência a Substâncias/sangue , Síndrome de Abstinência a Substâncias/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Abstinência a Substâncias/psicologia , Trombocitopenia/sangueRESUMO
AIM: The association between various physical illnesses and schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) is well-established. However, the role of gender remains unclear. The present study explored the gender-based differences in the prevalence and early onset of chronic physical multimorbidities (CPM) in patients with SSD and the general population (GEP). METHODS: We recruited 329 SSD patients and 837 GEP controls in this nested cross-sectional study. The primary outcome was the prevalence of the chronic physical multimorbidities, especially in the youngest age group (<35 years). RESULTS: Women with SSD had more than double the odds for having CPM than men (OR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.35-4.50), while the gender-related burden of chronic diseases in controls was nearly the same (OR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.65-1.22). Furthermore, the prevalence of chronic disease in younger women patients was significantly higher than in controls (P = .002), while younger men did not seem to experience this increased comorbidity burden. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that women with SSD are at increased physical comorbidity risk compared to men, particularly early in the course of psychiatric illness. Tailored and individualized treatment plans must consider this, aiming to deliver holistic care and effective treatment outcomes.
Assuntos
Doença Crônica/epidemiologia , Esquizofrenia/epidemiologia , Caracteres Sexuais , Adulto , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Comorbidade , Croácia/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , PrevalênciaRESUMO
The authors discuss the frequency of indication for and the results of CT and MRI brain scans in patients hospitalized in Vrapce Psychiatric Hospital. They wanted to contribute to the solving of the dilemma whether neuroradiologic tests should be a part of a routine diagnostic procedure in all psychiatric patients. Retrospectively, on the basis of case histories, the patients were analyzed in the first nine months of 2006. In this period 90 CT brain scans and two MRI brain scans were done, most often in the patients who were treated under the diagnoses of endogeneous psychoses, psychoorganic syndrome (dementia), affective disorders and epilepsy. Most CT findings (59%) and both MRI findings were normal. Abnormal findings were most often described as various forms of brain atrophy. Only one brain tumor was found. Electroencephalographic findings quite more often differed significantly from normal in the patients with abnormal CT findings compared with the patients with normal CT findings. The conclusion is that very small number of positive findings, except the brain atrophy, does not give good reason for routine CT and MRI brain scan in all hospitalized psychiatric patients. Indication must be made selectively on the basis of clinical psychiatric-neurologic evaluation. EEG, with limitations, can be of help in this matter.
Assuntos
Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Transtornos Mentais/diagnóstico por imagem , Transtornos Psicóticos Afetivos/diagnóstico por imagem , Transtornos Psicóticos Afetivos/patologia , Encéfalo/patologia , Epilepsia/diagnóstico por imagem , Epilepsia/patologia , Feminino , Hospitalização , Hospitais Psiquiátricos , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Transtornos Mentais/patologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Transtornos Psicóticos/diagnóstico por imagem , Transtornos Psicóticos/patologia , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios XRESUMO
AIM: To determine if atypical antipsychotic agents reduce the rehospitalization rates of patients with newly diagnosed or chronic schizophrenia in comparison with typical antipsychotic drugs. METHODS: From January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2004, we retrospectively compared two-year rehospitalization rates of 135 patients with newly diagnosed schizophrenia and 398 patients with chronic schizophrenia (62% and 65% men, respectively), who were initially discharged from Vrapce Psychiatric Hospital, Zagreb, with the prescription of atypical (olanzapine, risperidone or clozapine) or typical (haloperidol or fluphenazine) antipsychotic treatment between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2002. Time-to-readmission was determined with Kaplan-Meier formula for survival analysis. RESULTS: In the two-year follow-up, 52 (39%) newly diagnosed patients and 197 (47%) patients with chronic schizophrenia were rehospitalized. No significant differences in time-to-rehospitalization were observed with respect to the type of medications in patients with newly diagnosed schizophrenia (P=0.378) or patients with chronic schizophrenia (P=0.531). CONCLUSIONS: Rehospitalization rates of patients who were prescribed atypical antipsychotic drugs were similar to those of patients who were prescribed typical antipsychotic drugs for both the group with the first psychotic episode and group with chronic schizophrenia.
Assuntos
Antipsicóticos/uso terapêutico , Hospitalização/estatística & dados numéricos , Esquizofrenia/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Doença Crônica , Bases de Dados como Assunto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Psicometria , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Aim of this study was to determine changes in prescribing antipsychotics during 5 year period in Psychiatric Hospital VrapEe. Data about type of antipsychotic medication, ward and gender were collected for all patients receiving antipsychotics on 1st of October. During 5 year period decrease in prescribing classical antipsychotics was observed while prescribing of atypical antipsychotics has shown increase. There was an increase in number of patients treated with combination of antipsychotics, while number of patients treated with clozapine remained the same. It was noticed that female patients were more often treated with atypical antipsychotics. Data for forensic and emergency ward was analyzed separately and trends similar to hospitals were noticed here. Rationalizing use of antipsychotics can decrease cost of treatment, decrease negative effects of antipsychotics and consequently improve the treatment. Through systematic studies of this type positive progress and changes in the prescribing of antipsychotics are possible.
Assuntos
Antipsicóticos , Revisão de Uso de Medicamentos/estatística & dados numéricos , Hospitais Psiquiátricos/estatística & dados numéricos , Croácia , Revisão de Uso de Medicamentos/tendências , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Distribuição por SexoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Some psychotropic drugs are connected with prolongation of QT interval, increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias and greater incidence of sudden death, especially when used in combination. Concomitant use of antipsychotics and antidepressants is not rare in our clinical practice. The study compares the length of QT interval in patients on monotherapy with an antipsychotic or an antidepressant and patients taking polytherapy (an antipsychotic agent combined with an antidepressant). METHODS: Sixty-one hospitalized women who met the ICD-10 criteria for schizophrenia, schizoaffective psychosis, delusional disorder and mood disorder were included in the study. The monotherapy group was consisted of thirty-two women treated with an antipsychotic or an antidepressant while the polytherapy group was composed of twenty-nine women treated with an antipsychotic agent plus an antidepressant. Two electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained for each patient: the first was carried out before the treatment and the second after two weeks of treatment.Statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS program and included unpaired and paired t test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Mean baseline QTc values did not differ between the groups (439 +/- 22 ms was the same value found in the both groups; unpaired t test, p > 0.5). Mean QTc intervals after two weeks of treatment were also similar (439 +/- 24 ms in the monotherapy group and 440 +/- 20 ms in the polytherapy group; unpaired t test, p > 0.5). Fisher's exact test did not reveal significant difference in the number of patients with borderline (451-470 ms) or prolonged (> 470 ms) QTc between groups, neither before treatment nor after two weeks of treatment. Twenty two women of the total of sixty one patients (36%) had QTc > 450 ms before applying therapy. CONCLUSION: We did not find significant QT prolongation in our patients after two weeks of treatment with antipsychotics and/or antidepressants. The QTc interval length did not differ significantly in the monotherapy and the polytherapy group. More than one third of included women exceeded the threshold value of borderline QTc interval (450 ms) before starting treatment. This finding calls for caution when prescribing drugs to female psychiatric patients, especially if they have other health problems.
RESUMO
The aim of this article was to examine Croatian psychiatric practice regarding involuntary hospitalization, after the Law on Protection of Persons with Mental Disorders became effective, on January 1, 1998. Data on the practice of involuntary hospitalizations of patients with mental disorders in Vrapce Psychiatric Hospital were collected from the medical records, for the years 1998 and 1999. Data regarding involuntary hospitalizations from other Croatian hospitals and departments were obtained from heads of psychiatric hospitals and departments for the first five months of 1998. The rate of involuntarily hospitalized patients in Vrapce Psychiatric Hospital rose significantly from 1998 to 1999 (p < 0.01). The rate of patients involuntarily hospitalized under section 21, subsection 3 rose significantly from 1998 to 1999 (p < 0.01), while rate of patients involuntarily hospitalized under section 22, subsection 1 decreased significantly in the same period (p < 0.01) in Vrapce Psychiatric Hospital. The implementation of the Law on protection of persons with mental disorders was not applied uniformly in all Croatian psychiatric institutions during first five months of 1998. Further analyses on this subject are necessary in order to investigate the influence of changes and supplements to the Law on the protection of persons with mental disorders on the practice of involuntary hospitalizations.
Assuntos
Internação Compulsória de Doente Mental/legislação & jurisprudência , Internação Compulsória de Doente Mental/tendências , Hospitais Psiquiátricos/estatística & dados numéricos , Transtornos Mentais/reabilitação , Pessoas Mentalmente Doentes/legislação & jurisprudência , Direitos do Paciente/legislação & jurisprudência , Croácia , Pesquisas sobre Atenção à Saúde , HumanosRESUMO
The aim of the investigation is to define as clearly as possible specific forensic psychiatric characteristics of persons who committed homicide and or attempted due to jealousy (the nature and severity of psychopathology, the level of responsibility, danger for the community, intensity and nature of aggression, the victimologic dimension, the relation of alcohol and jealousy). A retrospective method based on forensic psychiatric expertises in the period 1975-1999 was used. They encompassed 200 examinees that committed murder or attempted it. The results show the connection of psychotic jealousy with the highest degree of danger in diagnostic categories of paranoid psychosis and paranoid schizophrenia. The time span from the first manifestations of jealousy until the actual commitment of a crime is the longest in personality disorders and the shortest in schizophrenia. Exogenous provoking situations were dominant for committing homicide due to jealousy in personality disorders. Acute alcohol intoxication has a specific significance in crime due to jealousy in the same diagnostic category. Clear criteria were designed for forensic psychiatric evaluation of murder and attempts of homicide caused by jealousy, which will be of help in everyday practice in the field forensic work and treatment.