Hypertension is Associated with Depressive Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of vascular risk factors to the depressive symptom in Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews were performed for the patients, who underwent comprehensive neuropsychiatric assessment in the geriatric psychiatric clinic in the period between May of 2015 and January of 2017. Patients with moderate to severe stage of AD, neurological comorbidities and major psychiatric disorders were excluded to minimize the confounding factors. Sixty five newly diagnosed early AD patients were included and bisected by the cutoff point of 5 in the short version of the Geriatric Depression Scale. Comparisons were done between two groups for vascular risk factors and other relevant clinic-demographic variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was additionally performed to estimate the effect of hypertension to the depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Among the investigated vascular risk factors, hypertension was associated with depressive symptom in the early AD patients. In the logistic regression, odd ratio of hypertension for depression was 4.34 (95% confidence interval 1.47-12.79). CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms in the AD patients were associated with hypertension. Therefore, managing this vascular factor in the middle age may not only decrease the risk for neurovascular disorders, but also provide additional benefits in curtailing depression in AD.

The Clinical Usefulness of Beta-Amyloid Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in the Elderly Patients: Case Series & Brief Review

The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of beta-amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) in elderly patients with cognitive impairment in the clinical setting. Five subjects underwent beta-amyloid PET imaging to explore the cerebral beta-amyloid deposition. The two male patients with minor neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease, who displayed similar degree of cognitive impairment and medial temporal atrophy but different in apolipoprotein E4 status, both showed negative for beta-amyloid PET. On the other hand, a female major neurocognitive disorder due to probable Alzheimer's disease patient was tested positive for beta-amyloid PET, with increased beta-amyloid density in frontal and parietal lobes. Beta-amyloid PET was also used for the differential diagnosis of neurocognitive disorder from other psychiatric disorders in two elderly patients. The results were negative but assisted the diagnositic confirmation. A female patient was determined to be a case of late-onset schizophrenia and a male patient was determined as delirium due to minor traumatic brain injury, persistent. Beta-amyloid PET imaging was able to demonstrate cerebral beta-amyloid deposition in major neurocognitive disorder due to probable Alzheimer's disease in visual scale. However, further studies are needed for its clinical utility in the minor neurocognitive disorders. Moreover, beta-amyloid PET imaging may provide additional information in diagnosing primary psychiatric disorders with new onset in the old age.

Clinical Characteristics of the Suicide Attempters Who Refused to Participate in a Suicide Prevention Case Management Program

Case management interventions for suicide attempters aimed at helping adjust their social life to prevent reattempts have high nonparticipation and dropout rates. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of the group who refused to participate in the suicide prevention program in Korea. A total of 489 patients with a suicide attempt who visited Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea, from December 2009 to December 2013 were analyzed. All patients were divided into the participation group (n = 262) and the refusal group (n = 227) according to their participation in the case management program. Demographic and clinical characteristics of each group were examined. Results showed that the refusal group had low risks for suicide in terms of risk factors related with psychopathologies and presenting suicide behavior. That is, the refusal group had less patients with co-morbid medical illnesses and more patients with mild severity of depression compared to the participation group. However, the refusal group had more interpersonal conflict, more isolation of social integrity, and more impaired insight about suicide attempt. The results suggest that nonparticipation in the case management program may depend upon the patient's impaired insight about the riskiness of suicide and lack of social support.

Overactive Bladder Successfully Treated with Duloxetine in a Female Adolescent

Overactive bladder (OAB) is defined as urgency, usually with frequency and nocturia, and with or without urge incontinence. Duloxetine, an antidepressant that inhibits reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, is indicated for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in Europe. In this paper, we present a case of a 17-year-old female patient with OAB and depressive symptoms who was successfully treated with duloxetine. This case suggests duloxetine can be an option for patient with OAB, and it also highlights the need for further studies of duloxetine's use in the treatment of OAB.

Characteristic Risk Factors Associated with Planned versus Impulsive Suicide Attempters

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate predictors for planned suicide attempters. METHODS: This study included 1,003 patients who attempted suicide and visited emergency department. They were divided into two groups, planned suicide attempters (SAs; n=133 [13.3%]) and impulsive SAs (n=870, [86.7%]), and the demographic variables, clinical characteristics, factors related to suicide, and psychiatric resources of the groups were compared. RESULTS: Major depressive disorder and substance use disorders were more common among planned SAs than among impulsive SAs. Additionally, the planned SAs were older, more likely to be divorced, separated or widowed, and more likely to have comorbid medical illnesses, severe depression, higher suicidality, and self-blaming tendencies than the impulsive SAs. Financial problems and physical illnesses were more common in planned SAs but interpersonal conflicts were more frequent in impulsive SAs. Planned SAs had fewer previous suicide attempts but these were more serious suicide attempts. The presence of the hope to die, a written will, and suicidal ideation of a repetitive, intense, and continuous nature were predictive of planned SAs. CONCLUSION: The present findings demonstrated that planned SAs had more severe psychopathology and medical illnesses than impulsive SAs. Therefore, screening for depression, substance use disorders, and suicidal plans among old and medically ill patients may be important for preventing suicide attempts.

Suicide Risk Assessments: Which Suicide Risk Factors Psychiatric Residents Consider Significant?

OBJECTIVE: Patients visiting the emergency department (ED) after a suicide attempt are generally assessed for suicide risk by psychiatric residents. Psychiatric residents' competence in evaluating the risk posed by the patients who attempted suicide is critical to preventing suicide. METHODS: We investigated factors considered important by psychiatric residents when evaluating suicide risk. This study included 140 patients admitted to the ED after attempting suicide. Psychiatric residents rated patients' severity of current and future suicide risk as low/moderate/high using the Brief Emergency Room Suicide Risk Assessment (BESRA). The association between each BESRA variable and level of suicide risk was analyzed. RESULTS: Many factors were commonly considered important in evaluating the severity of current and future suicide risk. However, the following factors were only associated with future suicide risk: female gender, having no religion, family psychiatric history, history of axis I disorders, having a will, harboring no regrets, and social isolation. CONCLUSION: Psychiatric residents use diverse factors when assessing suicide risk. Psychiatric residents might put more emphasis on non-modifiable demographic and clinical factors, concrete evidence showing suicide determination, and social isolation to assess the risk of future suicide.

Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version of Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire

The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Korean version of Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ). A Korean version of the SASRQ was produced through forward translation, reconciliation, and back translation. A total of 100 healthy, non-clinical participants were selected through screening and clinical interview, and they each were given a set of questionnaires including SASRQ. Psychometric properties of SASRQ were then examined through statistical analyses. Full-scale and subscales of SASRQ yielded excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.98 and 0.78-0.95, respectively). Test-retest reliability at 2-week intervals was satisfactory, with coefficient r ranging between 0.47 and 0.71. Convergent validity was also demonstrated by strong correlations between SASRQ and other trauma-related questionnaires. Correlation with Social Desirability Scale, however, was not found to be significant; thus evidenced divergent validity. The Korean version of SASRQ appears to be a reliable and valid measurement tool for assessing symptoms of acute stress disorder. Including clinical samples for comparison with controls would be necessary in future studies.

The Effect of Resilience on Depression and Life Satisfaction in Patients with Hemodialysis / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resilience on depression and life satisfaction in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on Hemodialysis. METHODS: Fifty ESRD patients, aged 18 or older, on hemodialysis visiting the hemodialysis room at Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital were included in this study. All patients were divided into two groups based on a Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview : ESRD patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and ESRD patients without MDD. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale were used for assessment of the severity of depression symptoms. The Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and Index of Well-being were used for measurement of resilience and life satisfaction, respectively. RESULTS: Sixteen (32%) patients were included in the MDD group, and 34 (68%) patients were included in the non-MDD group. The MDD group had significantly lower CD-RISC (p<0.005) and Index of well-being scores (p<0.005). The CD-RISC score showed a significant negative correlation with HAM-D-17 (r=-0.36, p<0.05) score and a positive correlation with Index of well-being score (r=0.37, p<0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed a significant relation of CD-RISC score with HAM-D-17 (beta=-0.36, p<0.05) and well-being score (beta=-0.56, p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that ESRD patients with higher resilience might be less depressed and have higher life satisfaction. Therefore, identification of clinical approaches that could increase resilience of ESRD patients might be important to prevention of depression and enhancement of life quality in ESRD patients on hemodialysis.

Characteristics of Drug Overdose in Young Suicide Attempters

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have focused on the characteristic features of drug overdose in children and adolescents who have attempted suicide in Korea. The present study examined the characteristics of drug overdose in children and adolescents who visited the emergency room following drug ingestion for a suicide attempt. METHODS: The medical records of 28 patients who were treated in the emergency room following a drug overdose from January 2008 to March 2011 were analyzed. Demographic and clinical variables related to the suicide attempts were examined. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 16.6+/-1.7 years (range 11-19 years), and 20 of the patients (71.4%) were female. Most of the patients (n=23, 82.1%) overdosed on a single drug; acetaminophen-containing analgesics were the most common (n=12, 42.9%). Depression was the most common psychiatric disorder (n=22, 78.6%), and interpersonal conflict was the most common precipitating factor of the suicide attempts (n=11, 39.3%). This was the first suicide attempt for approximately 80% of the patients. About one fourth of the patients (n=7, 25%) had follow-up visits at the psychiatric outpatient clinic. CONCLUSION: Early screening and psychiatric intervention for depression may be an important factor in preventing childhood and adolescent suicide attempts. Developing coping strategies to manage interpersonal conflicts may also be helpful. Moreover, policies restricting the amount and kind of drugs purchased by teenagers may be necessary to prevent drug overdose in this age group.

Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction among Newer Antidepressants in a Naturalistic Setting

OBJECTIVE: Antidepressants used to treat depression are frequently associated with sexual dysfunction. Sexual side effects affect the patient's quality of life and, in long-term treatment, can lead to non-compliance and relapse. However, studies covering many antidepressants with differing mechanisms of action were scarce. The present study assessed and compared the incidence of sexual dysfunction among different antidepressants in a naturalistic setting. METHODS: Participants were married patients diagnosed with depression, per DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, who had been taking antidepressants for more than 1 month. We assessed the participants via the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and assessed their demographic variables, types and dosages of antidepressants, and duration of antidepressant use via their medical records. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients (46 male, 55 female, age 42.2+/-7 years) completed the instruments. Thirteen were taking fluoxetine (mean dose 21.3+/-8.5 mg/day), 24 were taking paroxetine (mean dose 20.4+/-7.2 mg/day), 20 taking citalopram (mean dose 22.1+/-6.5 mg/day), 22, venlafaxine (mean dose 115.7+/-53.2 mg/day) and 22, mirtazapine (mean dose 18+/-8.7 mg/day). Mean ages, sex ratios, and BDI and STAI scores did not differ significantly across antidepressants. A substantial number of participants (46.5%, n=47) experienced sexual dysfunction. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction differed across drugs: citalopram 60% (n=12), venlafaxine 54.5% (n=12), paroxetine 54.2% (n=13), fluoxetine 46.2% (n=6), and mirtazapine 18.2% (n=4). Regression analyses revealed the significant factors for sexual dysfunction were being female, total scores on the BDI and SAI, and type of antidepressant (F=4.92, p<0.0001). Of the antidepressants, the mirtarzapine group's total ASEX score was significantly lower than the scores of the citalopram, fluoxetine, and paroxetine groups. CONCLUSION: The incidence of sexual dysfunction was substantially high during antidepressant treatment. The incidence of sexual dysfunction differed among antidepressants having different mechanisms of action. Our study suggests the need for clinicians to consider the impact of pharmacotherapy on patients' sexual functioning in the course of treatment with antidepressants.

Deficits in Facial Emotion Recognition in Schizophrenia: A Replication Study with Korean Subjects

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the deficit in the recognition of facial emotions in a sample of medicated, stable Korean patients with schizophrenia using Korean facial emotion pictures and examined whether the possible impairments would corroborate previous findings. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with schizophrenia and 62 healthy control subjects completed the Facial Affect Identification Test with a new set of 44 colored photographs of Korean faces including the six universal emotions as well as neutral faces. RESULTS: Korean patients with schizophrenia showed impairments in the recognition of sad, fearful, and angry faces [F(1,114)=6.26, p=0.014; F(1,114)=6.18, p=0.014; F(1,114)=9.28, p=0.003, respectively], but their accuracy was no different from that of controls in the recognition of happy emotions. Higher total and three subscale scores of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) correlated with worse performance on both angry and neutral faces. Correct responses on happy stimuli were negatively correlated with negative symptom scores of the PANSS. Patients with schizophrenia also exhibited different patterns of misidentification relative to normal controls. CONCLUSION: These findings were consistent with previous studies carried out with different ethnic groups, suggesting cross-cultural similarities in facial recognition impairment in schizophrenia.

The Impact of Executive Function on Emotion Recognition and Emotion Experience in Patients with Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the impact of executive function on the performance of two different affective tasks, the Facial Affect Identification Task (FAIT) and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with schizophrenia and 33 healthy controls completed the FAIT and the IGT, followed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the intelligence quotient (IQ) test. In addition to correlation analysis, regression analysis was used to determine the extent to which the performance of the WCST, in particular, perseverative error (PE), accounted for the variation in both the FAIT and the IGT. RESULTS: Relative to normal controls, patients with schizophrenia showed significant impairments in the IGT, the FAIT and the WCST even after controlling for IQ. While normal controls did not show any relationships between the WCST and two affective tasks, patients with schizophrenia showed that variables in the WCST correlated not only with the FAIT total correct score (r=-0.503, p=0.001 for PE) but also with the IGT net score (r=0.385, p=0.016 for PE). The PE score was a better predictor of the performance on the FAIT (R2=0.25) than that of the performance on the IGT (R2=0.15). CONCLUSION: Our findings imply that deficits in executive function in schizophrenia can affect performance on facial emotion recognition task more than performance on task based on emotion experience, that is, the feedback from the body. Therefore, more consideration is needed of the impact of executive function when interpreting the result of "conventional" facial affect recognition tests as opposed to interpreting the IGT.

Bilateral Lesion of the Basal Ganglia in Patient with Alcoholic Ketoacidosis : Case Report / 신경정신의학

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is a serious metabolic abnormality that occurs in chronic alcoholics. We report a case of bilateral necrosis in the basal ganglia after alcoholic ketoacidosis in a 42-year-old female chronic alcoholics. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the patient suggested subacute infarction with subsequent necrosis of the basal ganglia, which matches with the patients neurological manifestations. Repeated alcoholic ketoacidosis in chronic alcoholics could be the cause of subacute infarction following necrotic changes in the basal ganglia.

The Study for Switching Methods to Olanzapine in Korean Schizophrenic Patients Treated with Other Antipsychotics(I): Comparison of Therapeutic Effecacy / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This randomized, multicenter, open-label, parallel clinical trial was carried to compare the therapeutic efficacy and the proportion of successful switch between 'direct switching method' and 'start-tapering switching method' when switching an antipsychotic to olanzapine. METHODS: This study included both inpatients and outpatients who fulfilled the criteria for schizophrenia as defined in the ICD-10 from 13 hospitals, and were in need to be appropriate for switching antipsychotics. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two switching methods. For 'direct switching method' group, previous antipsychotics were abruptly discontinued and 10mg of olanzapine was administered, whereas for 'start-tapering switching method' group, initially 10mg of olanzapine was administered and previous antipsychotics was gradually tapered for 2 weeks. Olanzapine was used for 6 weeks and the dose was adjusted within the range of 5-20mg. The therapeutic efficacy was measured with PANSS, BPRS, and CGI-Severity. A successful switching was defined as the completion of the 6 week trial without either worsening of the symptom(i.e. CGI-S score becomes worse twice consecutively) or the exacerbation of extrapyramidal symptoms(i.e. Simpson-Angus Scale scores becomes worse). RESULTS: 103 schizophrenic patients were participated in this study. There were no differences in baseline characteristics such as the demographic variables, the severity of symptoms, the history of previous antipsychotics treatments, the dosage of olanzapine used and the compliance between two groups. The proportion of successful switch was 71.1% for "direct switching method" and 82.2% for "start-tapering switching method", and there was no significant difference between the two switching methods. Also response rates to olanzapine based on total PANSS total scores were not different between the two groups(26.9% vs. 31.1%). At the time of completion of the trial, the scores of PANSS total, PANSS subscales, CGI-S and BPRS have significantly decreased after switching to olanzapine. But the changes of all scales measuring therapeutic efficacy in both endpoint and weekly analyses were not significantly different between the two switching methods. CONCLUSION: Although this study trial has many limitations and problems as an open clinical trial, the results may suggest that there were no significant differences between the two switching methods in the therapeutic efficacy. It was also found that the additional therapeutic benefits could be obtained by switching their antipsychotics to olanzapine.

Polymorphism of CTLA4 Gene in Schizophrenia / 신경정신의학

OBJECT: This study was performed to examine the relationship between immunogenetics and schizophrenia by analyzing polymorphism of CTLA4 gene, which is known to affect the apoptosis and the activation of T cells. METHOD: 116 schizophrenic patients who were diagnosed by DSM-IV and 149 normal controls obtained from the Catholic Hemopoietic Stem Cell Information Bank of Korea were analyzed. After extracting DNA from whole blood, we amplified CTLA4 exon1 genes by polymerase chain reaction and assessed by SSCP. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies of CTLA4 G/G, CTLA4 A/A, and CTLA G/A between patients with schizophrenia and controls were different with statistical significance. Data also showed significant differences in frequencies of CTLA4 A and CTLA4 G alleles between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found a partial relataionship between CTLA4 exon 1 +49 region polymophism and schizophrenia. Further systemic studies for larger subjects including adjacent genes and diverse clinical variables in the future may reveal the effects of CTLA4 gene on the susceptibility of schizophrenia.

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism of Tumor Necrosis Factorbeta Gene in Schizophrenia / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia is known to have high genetic influences. Recently, the main focus of etiologic study in schizophrenia has been concentrated on molecular genetic approach including polymorphism analysis. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between schizophrenia and immunologic influences by analyzing polymorphism of TNFB that is involved in interaction between immunologic system and CNS. METHOD: 146 schizophrenic patients diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria were included and data of 206 normal population from the Catholic Hemopoietic Stem Cell Information Bank(Seoul, Korea) were used as a control group in this study. DNA was extracted from whole blood, thereafter amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and digested by NcoI. We obtained and assessd RFLP of two alleles, TNFB1 which has a NcoI restriction site generating 555bp and 185bp fragments, and TNFB2 which lacks the NcoI restriction site. All data were analyzed by K 2 test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in frequency of TNFB1/1, TNFB1/2, and TNFB2/2 between the schizophrenic patient and the control group. Alleric frequencies of TNFB1 and TNFB2 were significantly different between schizophrenic patient and control group. CONCLULSION: We found the possible association between alleles of TNFB and schizophrenia in this study. To clarify the influences of TNFB on schizophrenia, further systematic studies should be conducted.

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism of Interleukin-10 Gene in Major Depression

OBJECTIVE: Major depression is known to have immunologic dysfunctions, the recent studies revealed that cytokines including Il-6 and IL-1beta were increased in patients with major depression. Since molecular genetic methods have been progressed, this study was to investigate the relationship between major depression and immunologic aspects by analyzing polymorphism of IL-10 gene. METHOD: 92 patients with major depression were included and data of 146 normal controls obtained from the Catholic Hemopoietic Stem Cell Information Bank of Korea were used in this study. DNA was extracted from whole blood, thereafter amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and digested by Mae III. After that procedure, we obtained and assessed RFLP of two alleles, IL-10T and IL-10C. All data were analyzed by chi2 test. RESULTS: 1) There were no significant difference in genotype frequencies of IL-10*T/T, IL-10*T/C, and IL-10*C/C between major depression patients group and control group. 2) There were no significant difference in allelic frequencies of IL-10*T and IL-10*C between major depression patients group and control group. CONCLUSION: We did not verified the differences in frequencies of IL-10*T/IL-10*C gene between the major depression patients group and control group, respectively. But the results of this study do not declare that the IL-10 gene has no association with major depression. We do suggest that further systematic studies including various clinical variables should be conducted.

Gene Polymorphism of Tumor Necrosis Factor Beta in Major Depressive Disorder / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVE: Major depressive disorder is known to have high genetic predisposition and the main focus of recent genetic studies in major depressive disorder has been concentrated on association studies between genetic polymorphism and disease, since molecular genetic methods have been developed. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between major depressive disorder and immunogenetic influences by analyzing polymorphism of TNFB gene, which is involved in interaction of immune system and CNS. METHOD: 95 persons who had been diagnosed of major depressive disorder were assigned as patient group and, 202 data obtained from Catholic hemopoietic stem cell bank, College of medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, were used as normal controls in this study. DNA was extracted from whole blood, thereafter amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and digested by NcoI. After that procedure, we obtained and assessd restriction fragment length polymorphism of two alleles, TNFB*1 which has 555bp and 185bp fragments and carries the NcoI restriction site, and TNFB*2 of 740 bp fragment lacks the NcoI restriction site. All data were analyzed by x2 test with two-tailed Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: 1) The frequencies of TNFB*1/1, TNFB*1/2, and TNFB*2/2 were not statistically different between major depressive disorder patients and control group. 2) The frequencies of TNFB*2 and TNFB*1 were not statistically different between major depressive disorder patient group and normal control group. CONCLUSION: We did not verified the differences of frequency in TNFB*1/TNFB*2 gene between the major depressive disorder and normal controls, respectively. Consequently, there is no genetic relationship between major depressive disorder and gene polymorphism of TNFB. We do suggest that further systematic studies including various clinical variables should be conducted.

Changes in Serum Cortisol Levels and Clinical Symptoms after the Administration of Risperidone in Schizophrenic Patients / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to identify the role of serotonin and cortisol in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia by measuring quantitative change of serum cortisol levels after risperidone(5HT2 antagonist) administration. METHOD: Subjects included 10 male and 7 female patients who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia(n=17). Blood samples(4ml/sample) were taken at the baseline, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 14th, 28th and 42nd days, twice, at 8:00 AM and at 10:00 AM in the morning after an overnight fast. The daily medication was administered after the first blood sampling at 8:00 AM. After baseline sampling, the same dose of risperidone was administered to each patient until the end of the 3rd day. The dose of risperidone was then decided by clinical evaluation. Serum cortisol concentrations were measured by standard double-antibody radioimmunoassay. RESULT: 1) Administration of risperidone significantly decreased serum cortisol levels(p<0.05). 2) There were significant reductions in positive symtom scores(21.7+/-3.8, vs 14.3+/-4.1) and negative symptom scores(20.5+/-5.2, vs 15.2+/-3.2), general symptom scores(44.3+/-5.4, vs 32.9+/-4.2) of PANSS after risperidone administration(p<0.05). 3) There were no significant differences in baseline serum cortisol levels and the reductions of serum cortisol levels after administration of risperidone between males and females. 4) There were no significant differences in baseline serum cortisol levels and the reductions of serum cortisol levels after administration of risperidone between positive symptom subgroup and negative symptom subgroup. CONCLUSION: These results suggest risperidone decreases serum cortisol levels in s chizophrenic patients and the reduction of cortisol by risperidone administration might be important factor in the treatment of schzophrenics, in contrast with typical antipsychotics.

Results of 1998 Korean Depression Screening Day and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Participants / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics of participants in '1998 Korean Depression Screening Day' and to evaluate the results of the screening test. METHODS: By using the survey results of 619 volunteers from 8 hospitals, the authors examined the prevalence of depression detected at the screening test and sociodemographic characteristics and the psychiatric treatment history of respondents. The assessment measure was the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. RESULTS: The mean depression score of all participants was 57.5+/-13.8 and it came under mild depression. Of all participants, 69.5% (N=430)had at least mild depressive symptoms, 43.1% (N=267)had at least moderate symptoms, and 18.4% (N=114)had severe symptoms. Never have 56.8% of respondents in the severely depressed range and 63.9% of those in the moderately depressed range had psychiatric treatment. The results suggest that the age group of 29-year-old or younger (relative to 60-year-old or older group)and full-time employment status (relative to unemployment)are protective factors of depression. CONCLUSIONS: By '1998 Korean Depression Screening Day', many depressed patients were detected and their depressive symptoms had statistically significant relationships with some sociodemographic characteristics. The results suggest that the education and screening test programs for depressive illness facilitated by Depression Screening Day are useful to the patients regardless of being under current treatment or not.