Predictors of re-admission of schizophrenic patients

Psychiatric re-admission is frequently used as a measure of adverse outcome, as it occurs when the relapse to illness is so severe that less restrictive treatment is insufficient. Investigating factors that may cause readmission of schizophrenic patients. The study composed of two parts; Part I: collecting data from data base about re-hospitalization of psychiatric patients during the year 2004, their diagnosis, socio-demographics and mean of hospital stay. Part II: prospective study throughout year 2005 for schizophrenic patients with repeated hospitalization for two times or more through this particular year. A total number of 1094 patients were re-hospitalized during the year 2004. Schizophrenic patients represented [n=373, 34%] of them. Significant correlation had been found with advanced age, being single, lower education level, increased duration of illness and with positive family history of psychiatric illness. Using the multivariate logistic regression, it had and en found that patients above 36 years of age, sex, family history, patient's compliance and stigma were independently associated with frequent hospitalization. Patients with negative family history of psychosis were less prone to have frequent hospitalization. Positive family history of psychosis and the progress of age [>36 years] were the main significant predictors for frequent hospitalization

Sexual experiences in depressed patients treated with antidepressants

Sexual dysfunction is the most challenging problem when investigating patients with Major depression in whom the illness itself and the medications used in its treatment are both known to have effects on sexual function. Assess sexual dysfunction in treated versus untreated depressed patients and possible correlation with gender and severity of depression. Forty depressed patients were assessed using Arizona Sexual Experience Scale [ASEX] and Clinical and Global impression [CGI] applied to patients before introducing an antidepressant then 8 weeks after starting treatment. Patients with untreated depression had a variety of sexual dysfunctions. Decreased arousal and/or sex drive were mentioned by half of them. Orgasmic difficulties and erectile dysfunction were significantly worse after treatment. No significant difference was detected between TCA and SSRI regarding sexual dysfunction. Depression was significantly improved in females compared to males. Worse sexual experiences were more encountered by older patients