Venetsanos Mavreas

Antipsychotic augmentation of serotonergic antidepressants in treatment-resistant obsessive–compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of antipsychotic augmentation of serotonergic antidepressants in the management of treatment-resistant obsessive compulsive disorder by carrying out a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials. Studies selected through a literature search conducted in March 2006. Ten trials comparing antipsychotic drugs versus placebo met inclusion criteria (haloperidol [n=1], risperidone [n=3], olanzapine [n=2], quetiapine [n=4]). A total of 157 patients were randomized to study drug and 148 were randomized to placebo. Response occurred more often among patients randomized to antipsychotic drugs. The weighted combined response rate ratio by random effects meta-analysis was 3.31 (95% CI 1.40-7.84). Significant between studies heterogeneity was partly explained by the definition of refractoriness, the type and dose of the drug used and the inclusion or exclusion of patients with tic disorders. The study supports the use of antipsychotic drugs as an augmentation strategy but more and larger trials are needed.

Temporal relations between unexplained fatigue and depression: longitudinal data from an international study in primary care

Objective: Unexplained fatigue syndromes, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and neurasthenia, are strongly associated with depression, but the temporal nature of this association is not clear. Methods: The authors examined this issue by using data from the World Health Organization collaborative study of psychological problems in general health care. Three thousand two hundred one subjects from 15 primary care centers in 14 countries were followed up for 12 months. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was the main instrument used. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic variables, physical morbidity and intercenter variability. Results: Cases of depression were found to have an increased risk of developing a new episode of unexplained fatigue at follow-up with an adjusted odds ratio of 4.15 (95% CI = 2.64–6.54). Similarly, cases of unexplained fatigue were found to have an increased risk of developing a new episode of depression at follow-up with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.76 (95% CI = 1.32–5.78). Further adjustment for subthreshold symptoms at baseline weakened the reported associations, especially between fatigue and development of a new episode of depression, but these remained significant. Conclusions: The findings support the view that unexplained fatigue and depression might act as independent risk factors for each other.

Efficacy and acceptability of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of depression in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for the treatment of depression in patients with Parkinsons Disease (PD) but data on their efficacy are controversial.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to investigate the efficacy and acceptability of SSRIs in the treatment of depression in PD.ResultsTen studies were included. In the comparison between SSRIs and Placebo (n = 6 studies), the combined risk ratio (random effects) was 1.08 (95% confidence interval: 0.77 - 1.55, p = 0.67). In the comparison between SSRIs and Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) (n = 3 studies) the combined risk ratio was 0.75 (0.39 - 1.42, p = 0.37). An acceptability analysis showed that SSRIs were generally well tolerated.ConclusionsThese results suggest that there is insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis of no differences in efficacy between SSRIs and placebo in the treatment of depression in PD. Due to the limited number of studies and the small sample sizes a type II error (false negative) cannot be excluded. The comparison between SSRIs and TCAs is based on only three studies and further trials with more pragmatic design are needed.

Personality variables are associated with colorectal cancer patients' quality of life independent of psychological distress and disease severity

Objective: The aim of the present study was to test whether psychological distress and personality variables are independently associated with health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in colorectal cancer patients, after adjusting for age, gender, education and disease severity.

Prevalence and sociodemographic associations of common mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of the general population of Greece

BackgroundNo study in Greece has assessed so far the full range of common mental disorders using a representative sample of the population from both mainland and insular regions of the country. The aim of the present paper was to present the results of the first such study.MethodsThe study was carried out between 2009–2010 in a nationally representative sample of 4894 individuals living in private households in Greece. Common mental disorders in the past week were assessed with the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). We also assessed alcohol use disorders (using AUDIT), smoking and cannabis use.Results14% of the population (Male: 11%, Female: 17%) was found to have clinically significant psychiatric morbidity according to the scores on the CIS-R. The prevalence (past seven days) of specific common mental disorders was as follows: Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 4.10% (95% CI: 3.54, 4.65); Depression: 2.90% (2.43, 3.37); Panic Disorder: 1.88% (1.50, 2.26); Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: 1.69% (1.33, 2.05); All Phobias: 2.79% (2.33, 3.26); Mixed anxiety-depression: 2.67% (2.22, 3.12). Harmful alcohol use was reported by 12.69% of the population (11.75, 13.62). Regular smoking was reported by 39.60% of the population (38.22, 40.97) while cannabis use (at least once during the past month) by 2.06% (1.66, 2.46). Clinically significant psychiatric morbidity was positively associated with the following variables: female gender, divorced or widowed family status, low educational status and unemployment. Use of all substances was more common in men compared to women. Common mental disorders were often comorbid, undertreated, and associated with a lower quality of life.ConclusionsThe findings of the present study can help in the better planning and development of mental health services in Greece, especially in a time of mental health budget restrictions.

Defense mechanisms in inflammatory bowel disease.

BackgroundAlthough psychiatric disturbances and personality features are possibly involved in inflammatory bowel disease, little attention has been given to the potential role of defense mechanisms in the formation, course, or prognosis of the disease. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether certain defense styles and ego mechanisms of defense are associated with inflammatory bowel disease, including both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.MethodsSeventy-six consecutive unselected outpatients participated in the study. The sample consisted of 39 patients with Crohn’s disease, 33 with ulcerative colitis, and 4 with an intermediate form of inflammatory bowel disease. The Symptom Distress Checklist (SCL-90-R), Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ), and Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire (HDHQ) were used.ResultsCrohn’s disease patients presented a more immature defensive profile than ulcerative colitis patients, using a “maladaptive action” style, as well as “consumption” and “pseudo-altruism” defense mechanisms more often. These differences were statistically significant and they were independent of age, sex, educational level, disease extension, and pharmacologic treatment. A significant positive correlation was also found between disease activity and defensive profiles in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients. In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients in terms of psychiatric symptoms.ConclusionsCrohn’s disease patients presented a different and more immature defensive profile than patients with ulcerative colitis. In addition, the more psychologically mature inflammatory bowel disease patients had lower rates of relapses and surgical operations, providing evidence that these aspects of personality are likely to influence the patients’ adaptation to the disease.

BDNF serum concentrations in first psychotic episode drug-naïve schizophrenic patients: Associations with personality and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism

AIMS To investigate the relationship among brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum concentrations, BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and personality profile in drug-naïve schizophrenic patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and healthy participants. MAIN METHODS This cross-sectional study included fifty FEP patients and fifty healthy participants who served as controls. To study their personality profile the standardized Greek version of the Alternative Five-Factor Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) was administered. Serum BDNF levels were measured and genotyping of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was performed in patients and healthy subjects. KEY FINDINGS FEP patients presented lower BDNF serum concentrations (P=0.002) and higher scores in ZKPQ Neuroticism (P=0.001) and Aggression-Hostility (P=0.002) scales while lower scores in the ZKPQ Sociability scale (P<0.001) than healthy participants. Multivariate analysis revealed that the odds of being assessed with FEP were 0.4 times lower in those with higher BDNF values (P<0.001) and 1.8 times greater in those with higher Neuroticism scores (P<0.001). There were no significant differences with respect to the Val66Met polymorphism between patients and healthy participants. SIGNIFICANCE Reduced BDNF serum concentrations along with higher Neuroticism scores might be associated with FEP. A complex interplay between BDNF serum concentrations, personality traits, BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and psychotic symptomatology has been arisen but further investigation is needed to better clarify the observed associations.

Cross-cultural patterns of the association between varying levels of alcohol consumption and the common mental disorders of depression and anxiety: Secondary analysis of the WHO Collaborative Study on Psychological Problems in General Health Care

BACKGROUND Alcohol consumption is associated with several complications of both physical and mental health. Light or moderate alcohol consumption may have beneficial effects on physical or mental health but this effect is still controversial and research in the mental health field is relatively scarce. Our aim was to investigate the association between varying levels of alcohol consumption and the common mental disorders of depression and anxiety in a large international primary care sample. METHODS The sample consisted of 5438 primary care attenders from 14 countries who participated in the WHO Collaborative Study of Psychological Problems in General Health Care. Alcohol use was assessed using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the mental disorders were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). RESULTS Light to moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a lower prevalence of depression and generalized anxiety disorder compared to abstinence while excessive alcohol consumption was associated with a higher prevalence of depression. This non-linear association was not substantially affected after adjustment for a range of possible confounding variables, including the presence of chronic disease and the current physical status of participants and was evident in different drinking cultures. CONCLUSION The study confirms that excessive drinking is associated with an increased prevalence of depression, but also raises the possibility that light/moderate drinking may be associated with a reduced prevalence of both depression and anxiety. Any causal interpretation of this association is difficult in the context of this cross-sectional study and further longitudinal studies are needed.

The impact of the metabolic syndrome on health-related quality of life: a cross- sectional study in Greece

Background: Metabolic syndrome [MetS] is a chronic, progressive and multi-complex health problem that can trigger physical, emotional and psychosocial problems. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between MetS and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as well as depressive and anxiety disorders. Methods: New consecutive patients who attended an outpatient lipid clinic for evaluation for MetS were eligible for inclusion in the study. The MetS was defined according to the new definition of International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The Medical Outcomes Study, Short Form-36 (SF-36) was used to assess HRQoL. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed by a validated Greek version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: Three hundred and fifty-nine subjects were involved of whom 206 [57.4%] met the diagnostic criteria for the MetS (cases) and 153 [42.6%] were free of MetS criteria (comparator group). MetS was associated with lower scores of all subscales of the SF-36 except of bodily pain. The physical component summary score of SF-36 was independently associated with gender (β = 2.41, P = .01), married or living together (β = 5.18, P = .001) and satisfactory household income (β = 5.77, P < .0001). The mental component summary score of SF-36 was independently associated with gender (β = 3.20, P = .003) and satisfactory household income (β = 3.94, P = .02). A predominance of anxiety and depressive symptoms was observed among subjects with MetS. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that subjects with MetS have significantly more impaired HRQoL than those without MetS. These findings suggest that HRQoL should be considered in the management of subjects with MetS.

Infliximab for patients with plaque psoriasis and severe psychiatric comorbidity

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