ABSTRACT
To elicit the beliefs and perception of patients with schizophrenia about their illness by using Short Explanatory Model Interview [SEMI]. This cross sectional study was conducted in the department of psychiatry, Lady Reading Hospital. One hundred and three patients of schizophrenia were included in the study. Short Explanatory Model Interview [SEMI] was used to assess the explanatory model of illness of the sample. Four major areas covered in SEMI were "Concept" i.e., naming the illness, "Cause", "Treatment Choice" i.e., help seeking behaviour, and "Severity" of the illness. Mean age of the sample was 30.52 +/- 9.41 years. Regarding Concept, 34[33%] patients who although couldn't name any but attributed their condition to mental illness. The major response to the cause for the development of schizophrenia was stress of social issues by 22[23.30%] patients. A total of 56[54.3%] patients reported a combination of medication and spiritual healer to be the help seeking/ treatment choice. Only 44 [42.7%] patients considered the illness to be very serious. Our study suggests that patients suffering from schizophrenia believe that they have some form of mental illness but mostly attribute it to stress and other social factors. They prefer visiting spiritual healers along with medication for seeking help regarding their illness
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the effect of Memantine on cognitive functions and level of dependency of patients with Alzheimer dementia. This descriptive study was conducted at department of Psychiatry, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from February to June 2012. Sample consisted of 55 patients; both male and female and were included through consecutive sampling. Patients were assessed at baseline and at three months follow up for Cognitive functions and level of dependency with the use of Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] and Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly [CAPE] as psychometric tools. Fifty five patients with Dementia were included in the study. Forty three patients completed their follow up visits. Mean score of the patients who completed follow up on MMSE at baseline was 17.47 +/- 6.04, while mean dependency grade of CAPE at baseline was 3.67 +/- 1.44. Mean score on MMSE at follow up was 19.67 +/- 5.88 while mean dependency grade of CAPE was 2.67 +/- 1.39. Significant difference was found between the scores on base line and follow up with the p=0.00. We concluded from our study that Memantine has useful role in the improvement of the cognitive functions and behavioral dependency of the demented patients as there were significant improvements seen in both cognitive functions and level of dependency of the patients with Alzheimer dementia after 3 months follow up assessment
ABSTRACT
To compare the level of global assessment of functioning and scores on PANSS of schizophrenic patients with 5years follow up. Descriptive observational study. This study was conducted at department of Psychiatry Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from March 2007 to May 2012. A sample of 44 patients diagnosed as schizophrenics were included through consecutive sampling. All patients were enrolled in SMI [i.e. Severe Mental Illness] they came for regular assessment once in a month. All patients were assessed on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS] and Global Assessment of Functioning [GAF] at baseline and at five years follow up. Statistically significant difference was found between scores of PANSS and GAF at baseline and follow up. We concluded from our study that there is negative correlation between the score on PANSS and the level of GAF at baseline as well as at five years follow up