For-Wey Lung

Ethnic heterogeneity in allele variation in the DRD4 gene in schizophrenia

The goal of the present study was to use a meta-analysis on previous studies plus our own unpublished data to confirm and extend findings which indicate that the variation in the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene is best represented by a mixture of two different ethnic groups. The genotype distribution was divided into either a long or short form using a mixture analysis of normal controls of different ethnic origins under the assumption that there is a single major gene. The meta-analysis was based on the data from 19 independent samples, 18 association studies, and from our own unpublished data, including a total of 1431 schizophrenic patients (sporadic cases 1309, familial cases 122) and 1439 controls. No significant genotype differences were noted between patients and controls for the whole sample. However, reorganization of the studies into different groups by the geographical origin of samples revealed significant ethnic heterogeneity. In addition, there was a significant association between the long form of DRD4 gene and schizophrenia in Caucasians, especially those with familial schizophrenia.

Care of Patients With Chronic Mental Illness: Comparison of Home and Half-Way House Care

Community-based services are being developed as mental health services. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect between home care and half-way house services on patients with schizophrenia. The design was quasi- expsriroental and used repeated measurements. There were 60 subjects, 37 receiving home care and 23 receiving half-way house care which were affiliated with one general hospital in the south of Taiwan. Of the 60 chronic schizophrenic patients, there were 34 males and 26 females with an average age of 34 years. The Quality of Life Scale was applied to measure each patient four times, at an interval of two months. These follow-up data were analyzed by Generalized Estimating Equation-I (GEE-I) because repeated observations on an individual may be correlated. The result showed that the total QOL in patients receiving home care programs was significantly higher than those receiving half-way house service. The total scores of QOL in patients under half-way house and home care services did not show secular change. The patients under home care program showed a somewhat improvement for a short period of time. However, as time went on, the patients showed no obvious improvement in their life quality. The dimensions of indepen dence and social activity in QOL also showed significantly different between these two groups. The results may provide guides on designing programs and activities for the chronic mental patients. However, the best decision to apply which program for patients need continouous and comprehensive assessment.

Healthcare in schizophrenia: effectiveness and progress of a redesigned care network

BackgroundThe aim of this study was designed to investigate the care-effectiveness of different healthcare models for schizophrenic patients and the impact of it on caregivers.MethodsSample cases were randomly selected from southern Taiwan, 257 patients in redesigned care network, including a general hospital, a chronic ward, 10 outpatient clinics, and multialternative community programs, was compared to 247 patients in other traditional healthcare provider that were utilized as the control group. The quality of life (QOL) questionnaire and the Chinese health questionnaire (CHQ) were used.ResultsThe controls had longer duration of illness (p = 0.001) and were older (p = 0.004). The average resource utilization in the study group (US

The Premorbid Personality in Military Students With Adjustment Disorder

2737/year, per case) was higher than the control group (US

Personal characteristics of adolescent prostitutes and rearing attitudes of their parents: a structural equation model

2041) (t = 7.91, p < 0.001). For the study group, the average length of stay was shorter, but the admission rate was higher. The QOL of the patients in the study group was better than that of the controls (p = 0.01). The family burden of the study group was lower (p = 0.035) and the score of general health questionnaire higher (p = 0.019).ConclusionWe found that patients in the redesigned care network had a better QOL, lower family burden, decreased days of hospital stay, higher medical resource utilization and less frequent admission to a hospital, and the caregivers had better mental health. Although the costs were higher, the continued care network was more helpful in providing comprehensive mental illness services.

The mental health in mothers with autistic children: a case-control study in southern Taiwan.

The aim of this study was to examine the personality traits and mental health among Taiwanese military students with adjustment disorder. Among 641 students (M age = 17 years) from two military high schools, 43 had a diagnosis of adjustment disorder. Differences between students with adjustment disorder and those without adjustment disorder were statistically significant in terms of their premorbid personality and mental health. Based on structural equation modeling, different kinds of school discipline appear to be a precipitating factor for adjustment disorder; however, neurotic, introvert, and psychotic traits appear to be predisposing factors for adjustment disorder. This study provides evidence that the Chinese Health Questionnaire will help to screen for mental illness among military school students.

Parental attachment, premorbid personality, and mental health in young males with hyperventilation syndrome

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of family structure, personality traits, and other variables among adolescent prostitutes. The subjects comprised 158 adolescent prostitutes in a halfway house as the case group and 65 high school girls as the control group. Data were collected by using questionnaires about demographic information, the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Parental Bonding Instrument. A high rate of tobacco, alcohol and drug use was found in the case group. Numerous factors distinguished the cause-effect relationship among adolescent prostitutes. Of all risk factors studied, maternal protection, paternal care, neurotic characteristics, tobacco use, discontinuous schooling and a dysfunctional family had the most direct effect. These results provide useful information for the evaluation of and interventions with adolescent prostitution.

The Mental Health of Hospital Workers Dealing with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of autistic children on the mental health of their mothers. Autism is a complicated neuropsychiatric disorder. Evidence shows that mothers with autistic children experience greater stress than those having children with other chronic diseases. In this study we have 1) assessed the mental health of mothers with autistic children; 2) determined their prevalence of minor psychiatric morbidity (MPM); 3) classified their MPM; and 4) determined factors related to their mental health. A case-controlled design was used to compare the mental status among mothers having children with either autistic (n = 30), or Down syndrome (n = 11) and with normal children (n = 56). The mean score of the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ) showed no differences between those mothers of case and control groups. Using a 9-point criterion to screen for MPM in the CHQ, more mothers (37%) in the case group had scores > or = 9 compared with the control group (18%). Mothers of the case group had significantly higher for MPM using logistic regression analysis. The educational level was inversely related to the CHQ scores. Mothers with a CHQ score > or = 9, were later diagnosed with either depression (36%) and anxiety (46%); or anxiety and depression (9%). A primary care model for mothers with autistic children should therefore be developed to prevent them from developing mental disorders.

MUTATIONS IN THE P53 TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENE IN COLORECTAL CANCER IN TAIWAN

The aim of the study was to examine the predisposing and precipitating factors in the development of hyperventilation syndrome in males during military training in Taiwan. The participants included 110 young males who visited the emergency room of a teaching hospital in southern Taiwan because of an episode of acute hyperventilation during military training. Another 53 males, who had the same military training, and who did not experience hyperventilation or any psychiatric symptoms, were recruited as the control group. The risk of hyperventilation syndrome was increased by the following factors: greater neuroticism, less extraversion, parental overprotection, and less parental caring. A final parsimonious structural equation model showed a cause-effect relationship between the direct effects of maternal overprotection and introversion and the individuals neurotic characteristics, which contributed to the individuals current mental health status and the development of hyperventilation syndrome. Military training could be a precipitating factor in the development of hyperventilation syndrome in young males. The elucidation of these factors may contribute to the understanding and treatment of hyperventilation syndrome. The determination of competing risk factors and mediating effects in males with hyperventilation syndrome should be considered in future studies.

The effect of support group on the mental health and quality of life for mothers with autistic children.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) on health care workers in Taiwan. The possible predisposing and perpetuating factors in developing mental symptoms were investigated. Methods: Participantsconsisted of 135 health care workers who had had contact with or took care of patients who were probable or suspected SARS cases, during the SARS outbreak, at a teaching hospital in southern Taiwan. All participants completed questionnaires, including the Chinese Health Questionnaire, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and Parental Bonding Instrument. Results: Twenty-two participants (17.3%) developed significant mental symptoms, and 105 participants (82.7%) showed no obvious symptoms. The structural equation model showed that maternal care (β = –0.18, p = 0.011) and neuroticism (β = 0.54, p < 10–6) directly influenced the ability of health care workers to deal with the impact of SARS. Maternal overprotection (β = 0.30, p < 10–4) had an indirect influence on the ability to cope with the impact of SARS. Conclusion: Both neuroticism and maternal attachment influenced the mental health of health care workers during the SARS epidemic. The results can be a helpful reference for intervention and prevention programs for health care workers facing disasters in the future.