Nikiforos V. Angelopoulos

Internet addiction among Greek adolescent students.

This research aimed to assess the prevalence of Internet addiction among Greek adolescent students, ages 12 to 18. The sample of 2,200 students was recruited from 120 classes among 85 schools in Thessaly, Greece. The sample included 10% of all classes in schools of Thessaly. The method of randomized stratified selection in every school was used for its constitution. Participants were asked to complete the Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction (YDQ), based on eight criteria, as well as an inventory that included sociodemographic factors and questions about the use of Internet, their social life, and their habits. In Greece, 70.8% of adolescents had access to the Internet. The consistency of the YDQ was tested with Cronbachs alpha (0.719), with standardized item alpha (0.728). Proportions are also calculated only on the frequent Internet users, which results in 11% fulfilling five YDQ criteria. The most frequent type of Internet use is online games, representing 50.9% of Internet users, and information services, representing 46.8%. The prevalence of Internet addiction among Internet users of Central Greece is 8.2%, and it concerns mainly the male students who play online games and visit Internet cafés.

The Effects of Antipsychotics on Prolactin Levels and Women's Menstruation

Introduction. Typical and atypical antipsychotic agent is currently used for treatment in the majority of patients with psychotic disorders. The aim of this review is to assess antipsychotic induced hyperprolactinaemia and the following menstrual dysfunction that affects fertility, quality of life, and therapeutic compliance of women. Method. For this purpose, Medline, PsychInfo, Cochrane library, and Scopus databases were accessed, with a focus on the publication dates between 1954 and 2012. Research of references was also performed and 78 studies were retrieved and used for the needs of this review. Results. A summary of several antipsychotics as well as frequency rates and data on hyperprolactinaemia and menstrual disorders for different agent is presented. Conclusion. Diverse prevalence rates of hyperprolactinaemia and menstrual abnormalities have been found about each medication among different studies. Menstruation plays an important role for women, thus, understanding, careful assessment, and management of hyperprolactinaemia could enhance their lives, especially when dealing with women that suffer from a psychotic disorder.

Psychosocial Correlates of Insomnia in an Adolescent Population.

This study examines the nature of the relationship between psychosocial factors and insomnia complaints in an adolescent non-clinical population. It is a cross-sectional study of a stratified sample of 2,195 Greek adolescent high-school students. Subjects were given the Athens insomnia scale, the Symptom Checklist scale (SCL-90-R) and a questionnaire concerning demographic characteristics. None of the subjects had received help for insomnia complaints or other overt psychopathology. Adolescents classified as suffering from insomnia presented higher levels of general psychopathology. Age, tobacco and alcohol use, self-reported patterns of communication in the family, perceived economic status and school performance were identified as correlates of the insomnia complaints. A significant number of adolescents fail to receive appropriate treatment for insomnia. Psychosocial correlates are important factors to consider when faced with insomnia complaints in this age group. More research is needed in important timelines in the developmental history of a young adult.

Increased frequency of self-reported parasomnias in patients suffering from vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin disorder of unknown aetiology, affecting 0.1-2% of the general population. The aim of the present study was to investigate its relationship with sleep disorders, especially parasomnias. Two hundred and sixteen individuals were examined. Among them, 116 were suffering from vitiligo, 52 from other dermatological diseases and 48 were healthy subjects, serving as a control group. An inventory including items related to sleep disorders from childhood and adolescence was used. The study was focused specifically on parasomnias. Patients suffering from vitiligo reported a significantly higher occurrence of sleepwalking, nocturnal enuresis, night illusions, sleep terrors and nightmares than that of the control group, prior to the manifestation of the disease. Patients suffering from other dermatological diseases only reported significantly more often nightmares and nocturnal enuresis compared to the control group. A relationship between parasomnias during early life and later development of vitiligo was detected. This finding supports the hypothesis that neural mechanisms involving monoaminergic systems (especially the serotoninergic one) may potentially be involved in the aetiopathology of vitiligo.

The role of cytokines and hot flashes in perimenopausal depression

BackgroundAn imbalance in the production of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines may play a role in the pathophysiology of perimenopausal depression. The aim of this study was to examine serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, in perimenopausal women suffering from depression. Furthermore, to assess whether serum cytokine levels are associated with the presence of hot flashes or the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). We also evaluated the possible association of hot flashes and perimenopausal depression.MethodsSerum samples from 65 perimenopausal women, 41 with depression and 24 without depression, were assessed for serum IL-6, TNFα and IL-10 by conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Depression was evaluated by the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D 17) and a psychiatric interview. The presence and severity of hot flashes were examined using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS).ResultsSerum levels cytokines did not differ between depressed women and normal controls. Serum levels of cytokines did not change significantly in depressed women with hot flashes or in depressed women treated with SSRIs. Hot flashes were strongly associated (P < 0.0001) with perimenopausal depression.ConclusionThe study supports the hypothesis that perimenopausal depression is not characterized by increased proinflammatory cytokines and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines. Women with perimenopausal depression suffer from more severe and more frequent hot flashes than women without perimenopausal depression.

Lack of association of acute phase response proteins with hormone levels and antidepressant medication in perimenopausal depression

BackgroundMajor depression is associated with higher plasma levels of positive acute-phase proteins, as well as with lower plasma levels of negative acute-phase proteins. The aim of this study is to examine the levels of acute-phase response proteins and whether these levels are influenced by reproductive hormones and antidepressant medication in the perimenopausal depression.MethodsSixty-five women (age range: 40–58 years old) participated in this study. All women were in the perimenopausal phase. The diagnosis of depression was made through a psychiatric interview and with the aid of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17 (HAM-D 17). The acute-phase response proteins, such as haptoglobin (HP), transferrine (TRf), α1-antitrypsin, complement protein 3 (C3), complement protein 4 (C4) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and the reproductive hormones, for example follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2), were analyzed using standard laboratory methods. Pearson’s correlations were applied to evaluate the relationship between acute-phase proteins and hormones.ResultsPerimenopausal women were divided into three groups. The first group consisted of normal controls, the second one involved depressed perimenopausal women, who were taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and the third one included depressed women that were not treated with SSRIs. Depressed women in perimenopause, when being compared to non-depressed women, did not differ as to serum levels of acute-phase proteins. There was a positive correlation between HP and E2 in depressed perimenopausal women, who were not taking SSRIs.ConclusionsThe lack of association between acute-phase proteins and depressive mood mentioned in this study does not support previous findings in patients with major depression. This negative finding in perimenopausal depression indicates either the absence or a more complex nature of the interactions between acute-phase proteins, low-grade inflammation and depression. The hormonal profile of women is a part of this complexity, because it seems that in perimenopause the hormonal changes are accompanied by changes of acute-phase response proteins. Particularly, in perimenopausal depression, there is an interaction between HP and E2. Therefore, it seems that perimenopause is a period of a woman’s life during which hormonal, immune and metabolic changes occur and interact with each other making women vulnerable to depression.

Efficacy of a support group intervention on psychopathological characteristics among caregivers of psychotic patients

Background: Families of individuals with psychotic disorders are playing a major role in the care of their relatives, but report poorer physical competence, elevated symptoms of psychological distress and more psychopathological characteristics. Aim: To compare psychopathological characteristics demonstrated by caregivers of psychotic patients in Greece who participated in support groups organized by non-governmental mental health organizations (NGOMH) compared to caregivers who did not. Methods: Participants were caregivers of a psychotic patient assigned to either the intervention group (n = 165) or the non-intervention group (n = 345) according to specific criteria. Participants were assessed for psychopathological characteristics through clinical interviews and with the Symptom Checklist 90–Revised (SCL-90-R). Results: Participants who did not take part in the support groups had higher levels of psychopathological characteristics on the dimensions of interpersonal sensitivity (t = −2.065, p = .003), depression (t = 1.043, p = .007), anxiety (t = 1.001, p = .010), hostility (t = −4.345, p < .001), phobic anxiety (t = −2.845, p < .001) and paranoid ideation (t = −1.091, p < .001). Psychotic relatives of participating caregivers show higher compliance rates in taking their medications, and female caregivers tend to be more involved in the support groups. Conclusion: Participation in support groups and sharing of emotional expression, thoughts and ideas help the caregivers deal with their physical and psychological demands related to the caregiver load. As such, intervention strategies offered to caregivers in the support groups appear to positively contribute to the family with a psychotic patient and improve the quality of life of both patients and their main caregivers.

963 – The effect of ssris on hot flashes in women with perimenopausal depression

Objective Menopause is characterized by a decline in ovarian function resulting in vasomotor symptoms. Vasomotor symptoms include hot flashes and night sweats.The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of SSRIs on hot flashes in perimenopausal women with depression. Material and methods Sixty five perimenopausal women participated in this study. The subjects included 41 perimenopausal women with depression and 24 healthy women. The diagnosis of depression was made by a psychiatric interview and with the help of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17 (HAM-D 17). Hot flashes were examined with the use of Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and they were divided as absent, mild, moderate, severe and very severe. Results Perimenopausal women were divided in three groups. The first group consisted of normal controls, the second of depressed perimenopausal women who were taking SSRIs and the third of depressed women not taking SSRIs. The control group had fewer hot flashes than the other two groups (p Conclusions It was found that depression is associated with the presence of hot flashes in perimenopausal women. On the other hand the use of SSRIs did not relieve perimenopausal women with depression of hot flashes. Therefore, it seems that hormonal replacement therapy has the first role in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms in perimenopausal women.

P02-378 - Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in greek nursery students

Objectives This study was designed to provide information on prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Greek nursery students. Methods Premenstrual symptoms of 125 students (18-22 years old) were assessed by the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). The PSST reflects and translates categorical DSM-IV criteria into a rating scale with degrees of severity. The premenstrual symptoms were examined over the course of one menstrual cycle. Results The diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome was confirmed in 26 of 101 women (25.7%) who completed the questionnaire. Nine subjects (8.9%) met criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Conclusions This study indicates a significant prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Greek nursery students. Given the associated impairment in social and occupational functioning seen in premenstrual disorders, these prevalence data provide a strong rationale for enhanced recognition and treatment of the disorders.

P01-141 - Vasomotor symptoms are associated with anxiety in perimenopausal women

Objectives Menopausal symptoms of hot flushes and night sweats are defined as vasomotor symptoms. They are markers of declining serum estradiol, are not universal in menopausal women and may occur in women who are sensitive to the effects of estradiol on thermoregulatory centers and serotonergic, adrenergic, and norepinephrine neurotransmitters. The aim of this research was to find out if vasomotor symptoms were associated with anxiety in perimenopausal women. Materials and methods We examined perimenopausal women with anxiety and a comparison group of asymptomatic perimenopausal women. One hundred and two (102) women participated in the study, 44 suffering from anxiety and 58 normal controls. All women were between the ages 40 and 58 and presented with a history of menstrual cycle irregularity of at least six months duration but not longer than one year of amenorrhea. The diagnosis of anxiety was determined by an interview and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Vasomotor symptoms were assessed with the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). The association between vasomotor symptoms and anxiety in perimenopausal women was made using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. Results A significant relationship between vasomototor symptoms and anxiety was found in perimenopausal women. The severity of vasomotor symptoms was strongly associated with the severity of anxiety (p Conclusions It appears that hot flushes and night sweats are associated with anxiety in perimenopausal women.