Siğnem Öztekin

A multinational study to pilot the modified Hypomania Checklist (mHCL) in the assessment of mixed depression.

BACKGROUND Mixed depression is a common, dimensional phenomenon that is increasingly recognized in unipolar and bipolar disorders. We piloted a modified version of the Hypomania Checklist (mHCL-32) to assess the prevalence and clinical correlates of concurrent manic (hypo) symptoms in depressed patients. METHODS The mHCL-32, Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-24) were utilized in the assessment of unipolar (UP=61) and bipolar (BP=44) patients with an index major depressive episode confirmed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). Differential mHLC-32 item endorsement was compared between UP and BP. Correlation analyses assessed the association of symptom dimensions measured by mHCL-32, YMRS and HAMD-24. RESULTS There was no significant difference between mood groups in the mean mHCL-32 and YMRS scores. Individual mHLC-32 items of increased libido, quarrels, and caffeine intake were endorsed more in BP vs. UP patients. The mHCL-32 active-elevated subscale score was positively correlated with the YMRS in BP patients and negatively correlated with HAMD-24 in UP patients. Conversely, the mHCL-32 irritable-risk taking subscale score was positively correlated with HAMD-24 in BP and with YMRS in UP patients. LIMITATIONS Small sample size and cross-sectional design. CONCLUSION Modifying the HCL to screen for (hypo) manic symptoms in major depression may have utility in identifying mixed symptoms in both bipolar vs. unipolar depression. Further research is encouraged to quantify mixed symptoms with standardized assessments.

Relationship of levetiracetam and obsessive-compulsive disorder: a case report

ABSTRACT Levetiracetam has gained wide acceptance in the treatment of epilepsy due to its broad-spectrum efficacy, the lack of significant drug–drug interactions, and a relatively benign side effect profile. However, in recent years, the treatment of epilepsy using levetiracetam has been associated with psychiatric side effects such as anxiety, irritability, hostility, depression, hallucinations, and, in some rare cases, obsessive-compulsive disorder. In this case report, we present and discuss onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms in a 55-year-old epileptic female patient, who did not have any previous psychiatric disorder, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, and who received levetiracetam treatment.

Validity and Reliability of Turkish Version For DSM-5 Level 2 Anger Scale (Child Form for Children Aged 11-17 Years and Parent Form for Children Aged 6-17 Years)

Introduction This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) Level 2 Anger Scale. Methods The scale was prepared by translation and back translation of DSM-5 Level 2 Anger Scale. Study groups consisted of a clinical sample of cases diagnosed with depressive disorder and treated in a child and adolescent psychiatry unit and a community sample. The study was continued with 218 children and 160 parents. In the assessment process, child and parent forms of DSM-5 Level 2 Anger Scale and Childrens Depression Inventory and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Parent Form were used. Results In the reliability analyses, the Cronbach alpha internal consistency coefficient values were found very high regarding child and parent forms. Item-total score correlation coefficients were high and very high, respectively, for child and parent forms indicating a statistical significance. As for construct validity, one factor was maintained for each form and was found to be consistent with the original form of the scale. As for concurrent validity, the child form of the scale showed significant correlation with Childrens Depression Inventory, while the parent form showed significant correlation with Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Parent Form. Conclusion It was found that the Turkish version of DSM-5 Level 2 Anger Scale could be utilized as a valid and reliable tool both in clinical practice and for research purposes.

Reliability and validity of Turkish Form of DSM-5 Mania Scale

Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the reliability and validity of the Turkish form of DSM-5 Mania Scale which was developed according to DSM-5 criteria to measure the severity of mania. Methods: This study was conducted with 50 patients who meet the diagnostic criteria of bipolar disorders according to DSM-5 criteria who are within manic or euthymic episode. The patients were under treatment at inpatient and outpatient clinics of Psychiatry Department of Celal Bayar University, Medicine Faculty. Patients with any mental or physical disease except bipolar disorders were excluded. Sixty-three volunteers without any mental or physical disease were in cluded as healthy control group. Beside DSM-5 Mania Scale the most widely used scale Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) was used for concurrent validity. In reliability analyses internal consistency coefficient and item-total corre-lation analysis; in validity analyses factor analysis and correlation analysis with the Pearson Correlation Analysis were performed. Results: The mean ages of the bipolar disorders group (n=50) and healthy control group (n=63) were respectively 30.9±13.6 and 22.4±5.8. 53.7% of the sample group (n=58) were female. Disease duration of bipolar disorder group was 7.2±7.9 years. The internal consistency of the DSM-5 Mania Scale was 0.91 and, item-total correlation coefficients of the DSM-5 Mania Scale were between 0.67 and 0.85. In the explanatory factor ana-lysis, for sample adequacy Kaiser- Meier-Olkin (KMO) coefficient was calculated as 0.85 and Bartlett coefficient was 389.51. Single-factor solution was obtained and the eigenvalue was 3.69, explaining 73.8% of the total vari-ance. Factor loadings of the items were between 0.77-0.91. Significant and high levels of correlation were deter-mined between YMRS and DSM-5 Mania Scale (r=0.78). Conclusion: These findings have been shown that the DSM-5 Mania Scale is reliable and valid for Turkish.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DSM-5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale–Child Form

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DSM–5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale–Child Form. The scale was prepared by translating and then back-translating the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale. The study groups included one group of 30 patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who were treated in a child and adolescent psychiatry unit and another group of 83 healthy volunteers from middle and high schools in the community. For assessment, the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (ADES) was used in addition to the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale. Regarding the reliability of the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale, Cronbach’s alpha was .824 and item–total score correlation coefficients were between .464 and .648. The test–retest correlation coefficient was calculated to be r = .784. In terms of construct validity, one factor accounted for 45.2% of the variance. Furthermore, in terms of concurrent validity, the scale showed a high correlation with the ADES. In conclusion, the Turkish version of the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale–Child Form is a valid and reliable tool for both clinical practice and research.