Mehmet Hanifi Kokaçya

increased mean platelet volume in patients with panic disorder

Objective The relationship between platelet activation and psychiatric disorders has been shown in previous work. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a measure of platelet size and a good indicator of platelet activity, which increases in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It is known that anxiety is a considerable factor in the etiology of mortality in CVDs. The aim of the present study was to investigate any probable difference in the MPV of patients with panic disorder (PD). Methods Sixty-one drug-free patients, aged 18–65 years and diagnosed with PD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, were included in the study, along with 63 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and MPV measured for each subject. Results The MPV was found to be higher in the PD group compared to the control group (P=0.004). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of platelet count or BMI. Conclusion Alterations in platelet activity may be a reflection of abnormal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1A receptor function in the central nervous system of subjects with a diagnosis of PD. These findings may elucidate the relationship between CVDs and PD. The findings of the present study suggest that MPV is increased in PD patients.

The evaluation of anxiety and panic agarophobia scores in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo on initial presentation and at the follow-up visit

Abstract Conclusion: Patients with BPPV experienced short but intense anxiety and/or panic disorder, especially at the initial visit, but most patients recovered without medication with successful treatment. Objective: Recent studies have shown that people with dizziness report some psychological problems such as panic and agoraphobia and anxiety. The aim of this study was to evaluate anxiety and panic agorophobia levels in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo on initial presentation and at the follow-up visit and compare the scores with the control group. Methods: All the 32 patients in the study had a diagnosis of BPPV confirmed by their history, typical subjective symptom reports, and characteristic positional nystagmus during the Dix–Hallpike test and/or Roll test. The patients were instructed to complete the standard forms of Beck anxiety inventory and panic agoraphobia scale questionnaire before and at 7 and 14 days after the canalith repositioning treatment. Results: The validity scores of panic agoraphobia were statistically significantly higher in patients with BPPV than in the control group in each period (p < .001) and the validity scores of the Beck anxiety inventory were statistically significantly higher in patients with BPPV than in the control group at the first and second evaluation (p < .001).

Symptomatic Remission Determines Functional Improvement and Quality of Life in Schizophrenia

INTRODUCTION Schizophrenia is a chronic illness that negatively affects the quality of life and psychosocial functions. Defined criteria to assess remission in schizophrenia are considered to be useful in the long-term follow-up of patients and in discriminating diagnostic factors. This study investigated the quality of life and functionality in schizophrenia patients in symptomatic remission (R-Sch) and not in remission (Non-R-Sch). METHODS Sociodemographic data were collected for 40 R-Sch and 40 Non-R-Sch patients, and the following scales were administered: the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) Scale; Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Short Form, Turkish Version (WHOQOL-BREF-TR), Quality of Life Scale for Schizophrenia Patients (QLS), and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). RESULTS The total and all subscale scores of PANSS and the CGI-S score were significantly lower in the R-Sch group than in the Non-R-Sch group, whereas the GAF scores and all subscales of QLS and WHOQOL-BREF-TR were significantly higher. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that improvement in symptoms in schizophrenia patients improves quality and functionality in all areas of life, suggesting that an improvement in symptoms is the most important determinant of functional recovery in the treatment of schizophrenia.

The Antipsychotic Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Rats

Background:In humans, omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for cell membranes, brain function and nerve transmission continuation. When animals are exposed to a new environment—or as a result of an apomorphine application that creates an agonistic effect on D1 and D2 receptors—they display behavioral reactions like rearing and stereotypy. This study aims to reveal the possible antipsychotic and oxidative effects of omega-3 fatty acids by comparing with chlorpromazine, a conventional antipsychotic drug, through evaluating the novelty-induced rearing and apomorphine-induced stereotypic behaviors, as well as malondialdehyde and glutathione levels in rats. Methods:Twenty-eight, adult, male, Wistar rats were used in the study. Briefly, 4 groups of rats (n = 7) were administered docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (300 mg/kg; DHA: 120 mg/kg + EPA: 180 mg/kg intraperitoneally [IP]), DHA + EPA (150 mg/kg; DHA: 60 mg/kg + EPA: 90 mg/kg IP), chlorpromazine (1 mg/kg, IP) and isotonic saline (1 mL/kg, IP). One hour later, apomorphine (2 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was administered to each rat. After the apomorphine administration, rats were observed for stereotypic behavior. Results:This study shows that omega-3 fatty acids, “similar to antipsychotics,” reversed the psychotic like effects, increase of oxidants and decrease of antioxidants that are composed experimentally in rats. Conclusions:The application of omega-3 fatty acids has antipsychotic effects and causes an oxidative imbalance. This study adds new evidence to the current literature regarding the possible antipsychotic effects of omega-3 fatty acids.

Serum apelin and nesfatin-1 levels in depression patients and their relationship with treatment

Serum apelin and nesfatin-1 levels in depression patients and their relationship with treatment Objective: This study was designed to investigate the molecules apelin and nesfatin-1, their relationship with depression before and after treatment, and whether they can be used as biomarkers. Method: Forty-seven depression patients referred to psychiatric outpatient clinic who were not on treatment and 47 normal healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale were administered to all participants. Peripheral blood samples were collected following a 12-hour fasting at the beginning and three months after the start of treatment. Serum apelin and nesfatin-1 levels were measured. Results: Of the 47 depression patients, 35 (74.5%) were females and 12 (25.5%) were males. Thirty-one (66%) of the 47 volunteers were females and 16 (34%) of them were males. Age, marital status, occupation and Body Mass Index (BMI) did not differ between the groups. Serum apelin level was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the patient group and the control group in terms of serum nesfatin-1 levels. There was no significant difference in serum apelin and serum nesfatin-1 levels after 3 months of treatment. Conclusions: Serum apelin levels were significantly higher than healthy controls at the time of admission and there was no change in apelin levels after 3-months of treatment (antidepressant, antidepressant + electroconvulsive therapy, antidepressant + therapy) despite clinical recovery. Serum nesfatin-1 levels in the patient group were not different from the control group at the time of referral and at the end of 3 months treatment. There was no relationship between serum apelin level and BMI in our study. Serum nesfatin-1 level and BMI were correlated at the time of admission.

Increased Mean Platelet Volume in Patients with Depression

Aim: It is well known that the mean platelet volume (MPV) is a good indicator of platelet activity and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Major depressive disorder may emerge in association with the cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between MPV and major depressive disorder. Material and Method: MPV values of 65 patients with major depression were compared with 66 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Body mass index (BMI), MPV, platelet count (PLC) of all participants were measured. Beck Depression Scale (BDS) was performed to measure severity of depression. Results: MPV values of patients who had major depression were found to be significantly higher than the control group. Comparing Major Depression with the control group, there was no significant difference in terms of platelet count. In the depression group, there was no correlation between the severity of depression and MPV. Discussion: As a result, the mean platelet volume was determined to have a significant in crease in major depressive disorder compared with healthy individuals. This also may be informative about the association between pathologies related vascular structure such as vascular atherosclerosis and depression.

Günde 12 Litre Su İçen Psikojenik Polidipsi Olgusu

Psychogenic polydipsia is a rare condition characterized by excessive water drinking without any psyhiologic stimulant. In these patients excessive fluid intake is well tolerated without hiponatremia. The most useful test for diagnosis of psychogenic polydipsia is water deprivation test. Treatment is depend on etiology and severity of condition. Water restriction and patient education may be effective in treating mild cases. In this case report, we presented a 20-year-old woman who has psychogenic polydipsia. We emphasised on differantial diagnosis of psychogenic polydipsia