Mehmet Fatih Üstündağ

Synthetic Cannabis-Induced Mania

Synthetic cannabinoids (SC), cannabinoid 1 and cannabinoid 2 receptors agonists, are the psychoactive substances. SC was originally produced to treat medical conditions. Compared to other narcotics, SC is easier to obtain, cheap, and highly potent and has a long half-life. In addition, routine analysis does not detect SC, which has led to widespread use. A case is presented that manic episode was developed with the use of SC. Hospitalization and admission to psychiatric units depending on SC use have been observed mostly with psychosis. Although SC-induced affective symptoms were mentioned in the literature, mania has not been reported before. We aimed to discuss the psychiatric conditions induced by widespread use of SC via our case.

Pain perception: predictive value of sex, depression, anxiety, somatosensory amplification, obesity, and age.

Objective Factors affecting pain sensation are still being investigated. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), somatosensory amplification, anxiety, and depression on the perception of pain. Methods Venipuncture was performed on 140 healthy individuals. All the cases completed a sociodemographic data form, visual analog scale (VAS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory, and Somatosensory Amplification Scale. Height and weight were also measured. Results When both the sexes were compared, there was no difference in terms of VAS, BMI, age, and Beck Depression Inventory, but Somatosensory Amplification Scale and BAI were found to be higher in females. A correlation was found among VAS points, BAI, and BMI. The results of a regression analysis show that the BAI score is a predictor for the VAS score. Conclusion These results indicate that anxiety may be a predictor of pain, whereas sex, depression, somatosensory amplification, age, and weight do not appear to influence the perception of pain.

Diffuse Hair Loss Induced by Sertraline Use.

Hair loss is a rare side effect of psychotropic drugs. The most related drug class with this side effect is the mood stabilizers. Studies reporting the sertraline-induced alopecia are limited in number. Sertraline is a potent antidepressant which inhibits the serotonin reuptake from the presynaptic terminals selectively. The reason for hair loss could not be elucidated completely. Psychotropic drugs are usually considered to lead to hair loss through influencing the telogen phase of hair follicle. This paper reports a 21-year-old male with diffuse hair loss induced by sertraline use and improved by quitting the drug. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other case reports on sertraline-induced alopecia within 2 weeks.

Total oxidant–antioxidant and paraoxonase-1 levels in premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a follow-up study

ABSTRACT Objective: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that was categorized as a mood disorder in the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. In addition to a history of PMS, a PMDD diagnosis requires prospective symptom assessment for 2 consecutive menstrual periods. Although the effects of some oxidants–antioxidants were previously studied in PMS, their possible effects in PMDD remain unknown. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is a new high-density lipoprotein-associated enzyme with many antioxidative effects. We hypothesized that assessing serum total oxidant–antioxidant and PON-1 levels could clarify the role of oxidant–antioxidant system in PMDD. Methods: All participants (n = 50) were assessed by an experienced psychiatrist for PMDD by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV), Premenstrual Assessment Form and Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP)-Short Form or possible psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Serum estrogen, progesterone, total oxidant–antioxidant, and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) levels were measured in the serum of 20 participants with PMDD and 30 asymptomatic controls during the follicular and luteal phases of two consecutive menstrual cycles. Sleep quality, depression, and anxiety symptoms were assessed with the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), respectively. Results: There were no significant intergroup differences in estrogen, progesterone, oxidant–antioxidant, or PON-1 levels or PSQI scores. However, the mean HDRS and HARS scores were statistically significantly higher for patients with PMDD than for controls. Levels of estrogen, progesterone, and total oxidant–antioxidant were not correlated with HDRS, HARS, or PSQI scores. Conclusions: Considering the lack of differences in hormonal and biochemical levels between the two groups, it may be more efficient and discriminative to longitudinally assess biochemical and cellular stress-related parameters in subjects with PMDD.

Hip Fracture Masked By Catatonia Symptoms In a Patient With Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that affects a large proportion of the life of the patients. The comorbidity with other medical disorders is higher in patients with schizophrenia than the general population. Herewe report a schizophrenic patient with delayed diagnosis and treatment of femoral fracture masked with symptoms of catatonia.