The aim of our study was to assess concentrations of serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides in soldiers with ...combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in comparison with combat-experienced soldiers without PTSD. The second aim of our study was to explore the relationship between PTSD symptoms such as re-experiencing, avoidance, increased arousal, and serum lipid levels. In 53 soldiers with combat-related PTSD and 49 with combat experiences without PTSD, serum cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides were assayed by an enzyme-assay method. Soldiers with combat-related PTSD were found to have significantly higher concentrations of cholesterol (P = 0.001), LDL-C (P = 0.002), and triglycerides (P = 0.001) than soldiers without current PTSD. HDL-C was statistically lower (P < 0.001) in soldiers with combat-related PTSD than in those without PTSD. A positive correlation was found between increased arousal and cholesterol (r = 0.464; P = 0.039), or LDL-C (r = 0.479; P = 0.021) concentrations.
The aim of this study was to explore the role of inflammatory markers in the occurrence of depression. The concentrations of inflammatory markers were analyzed in the groups of healthy subjects and ...subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) initially and after one-month antidepressant therapy in the latter. The intention was to demonstrate the role of inflammatory markers in the development of MDD by differences in their concentrations and to explain the mechanism of depression development. This would help us expand our understanding of the occurrence of depression and enable introduction of some new methods in the treatment and diagnosis of depression. Study results showed a statistically significant difference in the concentrations of inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha) between the group of MDD subjects and control group of healthy subjects. These concentrations were higher in MDD subjects. A statistically significant difference was also found in CRP concentration before and after antidepressant therapy administered to MDD patients, i.e. it was lower after antidepressant therapy. Study results pointed to the efficacy of antidepressant therapy for depression by reducing the concentration of this inflammatory marker.
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T-cell mediated disease directed to a still unknown antigen, which may affect oral mucosa. The aim of this study was to determine whether differences in anxiety, ...depression and stress could be seen in patients with OLP in acute stage and in remission, as well as in comparison with healthy control subjects. The study included 50 OLP patients aged 22-79 (mean age 61.04) years and 50 control subjects who had healthy oral mucosa aged 38-80 (mean age 58.70) years. Patients with OLP filled out the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults and Beck Depression Inventory II test in acute stage and in remission. Control subjects also filled out the same tests. On detailed medical history, study subjects were asked about the possible stressors, which might have happened in the previous year. Statistical analysis was performed by use of descriptive statistics and t-test. There were no differences in the level of anxiety, depression and stress between the two stages of OLP disease (acute vs. remission period). Patients with OLP were significantly more anxious, depressed and stressed in both OLP stages as compared with healthy controls. It might be that psychological disturbances precede OLP development rather than worsening the disease process itself.
Psychiatric aspects of hepatitis C treatment Vrbanac, Daniela Bundalo; Buljan, Danijel; Sindik, Ivana ...
Acta clinica Croatica (Tisak),
09/2013, Letnik:
52, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Hepatitis C is a public health problem worldwide. Currently recommended therapy for the treatment of hepatitis C, pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin, when applied in combination, are often ...associated with the risk of developing mood disorders, depression and anxiety. Previously, the existence of psychiatric comorbidity was the reason for therapy discontinuation, but current guidelines allow such treatment despite the presence of psychiatric illness. Close cooperation with psychiatrists is highly recommended for the treatment of patients with psychiatric comorbid disease in order to motivate the patient for treatment, stabilize his mental condition, educate him about the possible side effects, and regularly monitor the patient, so the treatment can be carried out safely and successfully. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is essential for successful treatment of hepatitis C virus infections.
The aim of this study was to assess eventual differences in serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, LDL-C/HDL-C ...ratio between veterans with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) only or comorbid with major depressive disorder (MDD), veterans with combat experiences with MDD, and healthy control group. PTSD and/ or MDD were diagnose according to structured clinical interview based on DSM-IV criteria. Additional criteria to diagnose PTSD were Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and to diagnose MDD Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRAS). Serum lipid concentrations were determined by using the enzyme-assay method. Veterans with combat-related PTSD as well as veterans with combat-related PTSD comorbid with MDD showed significantly higher concentrations of cholesterol (F=9.858, p<0.01), triglycerides (F=10.112, p<0.01), LDL-C (F=11.145, p<0.01), and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (F=8.346, p<0.01) vs. veterans with MDD or healthy control group. Contrary healthy control group and veterans with MDD showed significantly higher concentrations of HDL-C (F=8.421, p<0.01), vs. veterans with PTSD or PTSD comorbid with MDD. In conclusion, there are no differences in serum lipid concentrations between veterans with combat-related PTSD and PTSD comorbid with MDD, but they have higher lipid concentrations than veterans with MDD or healthy control subjects.
Psychiatric approach should be based on themodel of biological
psychiatry andmodified therapeutic community, with fast and precise diagnostics,
taking care of acute psychiatric patients in the frame ...of intensive
monitoring, using the modern psychopharmacological and other medicamental
therapy and all forms of individual, group and family psychotherapy.
The activities and development of the out-patient Clinic and Day-hospital,
with short-term hospital treatment should also be intensified, as well
as the collaboration with teams of primary health care.
Psychiatric approach should be based on the model of biological psychiatry and modified therapeutic community, with fast and precise diagnostics, taking care of acute psychiatric patients in the ...frame of intensive monitoring, using the modern psychopharmacological and other medicamental therapy, and all forms of individual, group and family psychotherapy. The activities and development of the out-patient Clinic and Day-hospital, with short-term hospital treatment should also be intensified, as well as the collaboration with teams of primary health care.
Delusions of parasitosis (DP) is a primary psychiatric disorder, a type of monosymptomatic hypochondriac psychosis in which patients believe that 'bugs' or 'parasites' have infested their skin or ...that they have even spread into their visceral organs. Patients with DP usually approach different medical specialists, mostly dermatologists and primary care physicians because of symptoms presenting as crawling under their skin. Therefore, the exact prevalence of DP is unknown. It is believed that it is a rare disorder but different studies indicate that the prevalence is greater than presented. The etiology of this disorder is still unclear. Patients with DP come to a physician with a stereotypic history. Usually the patient has previously addressed many other different specialists and symptoms are usually present for several months to years. The main cutaneous symptom is crawling, biting and pruritus due to 'burrowing of parasites, insects or bugs' under the skin. Patients with DP are rare but can be very challenging for making the correct diagnosis and for the treatment as well. It is essential to distinguish primary from secondary disorder since the approach to these patients is different. Dermatologists who have good knowledge in diagnosis, both dermatologic and psychodermatologic, and who dare prescribe antipsychotics after consulting liaison-psychiatrist, can have good results in treating patients with DP. When treating patients with DP, multidisciplinary approach by collaboration between a dermatologist and a psychiatrist is necessary to provide complete and meaningful treatment for these patients.
The aim of the study was to determine the level of anxiety and depression in patients with and without burning mouth syndrome, and to assess the possible association between the intensity of burning ...mouth and incidence of depression and anxiety. The study was conducted in a sample of 120 randomly chosen adult patients from two dentist offices in Nova Gradiska (Croatia). Patient data were collected by use of a questionnaire that consisted of four parts: history questionnaire, Beck's anxiety inventory (BAI), Zung's self-evaluation scale for rating depression, and visual analogue scale (VAS) for estimating the intensity of burning mouth syndrome. The presence of the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome was recorded in 35% of 120 subjects. A statistically more significant mean level of depression and anxiety was detected in the group of subjects with the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome. The association between the burning mouth syndrome, anxiety and depression was tested by Pearson correlation. The levels of burning mouth syndrome, anxiety and depression in subjects showed positive correlation. Study results indicated the level of anxiety and the level of depression to be higher in the group of subjects with the burning mouth syndrome. The intensity of the symptoms of anxiety and depression also was in positive correlation with the intensity of the burning mouth syndrome. This clearly points to the role of psychogenic factors, anxiety and depression in the etiology of the burning mouth syndrome, which should be taken in consideration when treating patients with the burning mouth syndrome.
Recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) are a disease of an unknown etiology and mediated through T-cell lymphocytes. Evidence suggests that RAU is connected with chronic bowel disease, haematinic ...deficiencies, AIDS, food hypersensitivity and severe stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether differences in anxiety and depression could be seen in patients with RAU during acute phase and remision period and in comparison to the healthy controls. There were 30 patients with RAU (age range 36.27 +/- 15.308) and 30 controls aged 29.83 +/- 9.082. Every participant with RAU fullfilled STAI and Beck Depression Inventory II test during acute phase and during remission period as well as controls. Statistical analysis was performed by use of descriptive statistics and t-test. There are no differences in the level of depression and stress between the two phases of the RAU (acute versus remission period) as well as in comparison to the controls. Patients with acute RAU are more anxious than patients with RAU during remission period. We might conclude that psychological disturbances do not preceed the development of RAU and that the patients with acute RAU are more anxious when compared to the condition when they do not have RAU due to the discomfort they experience.
PDF
