Konstantinos Fokas

Sexual Response Models: Toward a More Flexible Pattern of Women's Sexuality

INTRODUCTION Recent research suggests that none of the current theoretical models can sufficiently describe womens sexual response, because several factors and situations can influence this. AIM To explore individual variations of a sexual model that describes womens sexual responses and to assess the association of endorsement of that model with sexual dysfunctions and reasons to engage in sexual activity. METHODS A sample of 157 randomly selected hospital employees completed self-administered questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Two models were developed: one merged the Master and Johnson model with the Kaplan model (linear) and the other was the Basson model (circular). Sexual function was evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index and the Brief Sexual Symptom Checklist for Women. The Reasons for Having Sex Questionnaire was administered to investigate the reasons for which women have sex. RESULTS Women reported that their current sexual experiences were at times consistent with the linear and circular models (66.9%), only the linear model (27%), only the circular model (5.4%), and neither model (0.7%). When the groups were reconfigured to the group that endorsed more than 5 of 10 sexual experiences, 64.3% of women endorsed the linear model, 20.4% chose the linear and circular models, 14.6% chose the circular model, and 0.7% selected neither. The Female Sexual Function Index, demographic factors, having sex for insecurity reasons, and sexual satisfaction correlated with the endorsement of a sexual response model. When these factors were entered in a stepwise logistic regression analysis, only the Female Sexual Function Index and having sex for insecurity reasons maintained a significant association with the sexual response model. CONCLUSION The present study emphasizes the heterogeneity of female sexuality, with most of the sample reporting alternating between the linear and circular models. Sexual dysfunctions and having sex for insecurity reasons were associated with the Basson model.

Familial comorbidity of bipolar disorder and multiple sclerosis: genetic susceptibility, coexistence or causal relationship?

Our purpose in undertaking the present study was to examine the hypotheses proposed for explaining the frequent comorbidity of bipolar disorder and multiple sclerosis. One hypothesis posits that, when there is comorbidity, MS plays a causal role in psychiatric manifestations. Another suggests that both disorders have a common underlying physiological process that increases the likelihood of their co-occurrence. We examined two adult siblings with comorbidity and their relatives, including three generations of family members with psychiatric morbidity. We found an extensive multigenerational history of bipolar disorder in this family. This history would seem to support the hypothesis of a common underlying brain process (potentially genetically-based) to explain the comorbidity of BD and MS, but cannot clarify whether this comorbidity implies a relationship between the two disorders or merely reflects parallel processes of brain deterioration. We cannot, however, rule out the possibility of a subclinical MS-related process leading to the early manifestation of BD, with MS appearing much later in time, or even a third, undetermined factor, leading to familial comorbidity. Although we have insufficient information to support either hypothesis definitively, we present the familial cases as a springboard for a discussion of dilemmas related to teasing apart MS and BD comorbidity. Further observation of the clinical course of the younger family members, who have not yet shown any neurological signs, over the next few years may elucidate the current picture further.

Development and validation of the Greek severe impairment battery (SIB).

BACKGROUND Most neuropsychological batteries, especially those most often used, are unsuitable for the assessment of patients with severe dementia. The Severe Impairment Battery (SIB) was developed for the evaluation of preserved cognitive functions in these patients. The aim of this study was to formulate a Greek version of the SIB and to conduct a first assessment of its use of patients with mild, moderate, or severe Alzheimers disease (AD), compared to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). METHODS A convenience sample of 42 dementia patients according to DSM-IV-TR criteria and 23 healthy participants was selected. Patients were assessed twice using a Greek translation of the SIB and the Greek version of MMSE. Patients were divided into three severity groups based on grouped by Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score and the SIB and MMSE scores were compared. RESULTS The validity of the SIB was confirmed by evaluating the correlation coefficients between the SIB and Greek-MMSE, grouped by CDR, which were found to be significant. Cronbachs α for the total SIB score and each subscale score showed high significance, and the item-total correlation for each subscale was also acceptable. The test-retest correlation for the total SIB score and subscale scores were significant. The total SIB score and subscale scores were examined according to CDR. CONCLUSION The Greek SIB is reliable and valid in differentiating patients with moderate or severe dementia, whereas MMSE loses sensitivity due to a floor and ceiling effect.

Investigation of the comorbidity of psychiatric disorder and substance use disorder among inpatients of a public psychiatric hospital in an urban area in Greece

Background: Τhe prevalence of comorbidity is high among outpatients in rehabilitation centres and in psychiatric clinics. Aims: To investigate the level and type of comorbid psychiatric disorder and substance use disorder among inpatients of a psychiatric clinic in a public psychiatric hospital in an urban area in Greece, and to distinguish the characteristics of the dual diagnosis population, in order to help develop specialised services. Method: All patients admitted over a 12-month period were given the CAGE questionnaire and part of the EUROPASI questionnaire addressing substance use. This was followed by a diagnostic interview to establish the final diagnosis in accordance with the DSM-IV criteria. Results: A total of 313 patients were assessed. Present substance use disorder was identified in 102 individuals (32.6%), and involved one substance in 70 cases (68.6%) and more than one in 32 cases (31.4%). The principal substances involved in addiction or abuse were alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines and...

Assessment of cognitive function with MMSE in chronic schizophrenic inpatients

A large number of chronic patients with serious mental disorder are hospitalized in the private sector, either because the public sector is not able to hospitalize them for long periods, or because a private clinic might be closer to the patients habitat so that the relatives may have the possibility to visit them more often. In the frame of the Psychiatric Reform, the private sector has developed and adapted, in the direction of new data of benefits of Psychiatric care. However, the interaction of the chronicity of the disease with prolonged or life hospitalization has unknown effects on cognitive function. The aim of this project was to study if and how much the cognitive function of schizophrenic patients can be influenced by the long term of hospitalisation.

Inadvertent hospitalization in a private mental hospital during period 2000 - 2006

Materials and methods We took record of the number of admittances (inadvertent and voluntary), in a private psychiatric clinic during the period of 2000 2006. We categorized the patients into three categories. The first category was consistent by inadvertent admitted patients, after being diagnosed of schizophrenic disorder or psychosis, the second category was consistent by patients admitted after being diagnosed of bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder and the third category was consistent by patients diagnosed of organic-psychotic syndrome.

Inadvertent hospitalization - association between diagnosis and age

Conclusions The severe psychotic incidents of the schizophrenic range are the most common cause of inadvertent hospitalization and follow the incidents of bipolar disorder, while in the ages of 31–40 most inadvertent hospitalizations take place. from International Society on Brain and Behaviour: 3rd International Congress on Brain and Behaviour Thessaloniki, Greece. 28 November – 2 December 2007