[Comparing therapeutic effects of reboxetine with placebo in adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial]

Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] in adults is accompanied with different complications such as decreased occupational and educational performance. At present, stimulant drugs are used as the first line treatment in this disorder. However, possible development of side effects and dependence on these drugs are of concern. Therefore, it was decided to evaluate the efficacy of reboxetine in the treatment of adults with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Forty adult diagnosed with ADHD without any significant psychiatric disorder were participated in a 6-weeks a double blind clinical trial with reboxetine [8 mg/d] in two divided doses. The principle measured outcome was the Conner's ADHD Rating Scale [adult version]. Rate of response [decrease of Conner's rating scale scores] in reboxetine group were significantly greater than control group [p<0/001]. Reboxetine may be an effective treatment for the adult with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Farsi version of the strength and difficulties questionnaire self-report form: the normative data and scale properties

This study was performed to evaluate the normative data and psychometric properties and the internal consistency of the Farsi [Persian] version of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire [SDQ] self-report form, as a screening tool in a community-based sample of 12 to 17 year-old adolescents of urban Tehran. In this investigation, 1105 adolescents [12 to 17 years old], selected from 250 clusters from all the 22 municipality areas of Tehran, responded to 25 questions of the Farsi version SDQ self-report form. The frequency of each symptom domains according to Goodman's cutoff points and 90th percentile and the mean score in each subscale were determined. The 90th percentile cutoff points were somewhat different from those of the previous reports. Using Goodman's cutoff points, the prevalence of symptom domains was relatively high. For example, 13.7 percent of the adolescents studied had total scores equal to 20 or more. There were significant correlations between different subscales and their constituting questions. Self-report form of SDQ is a valuable tool in the screening of adolescent psychopathologies. Frequency of majority of the symptom domains seems to be higher in the adolescents in Tehran urban areas

[Validity of the Iranian version of the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV [SCID-I] in the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders]

To assess the validity of diagnoses obtained with the Iranian version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV [SCID-I]. This study was undertaken in two stages: [a] translation of SCID-I into Persian [Iranian language], [b] assessing the validity of the Persian version in a sample of Iranian patients. We recruited 299 psychiatric patients- including inpatients and ambulatory cases- from 3 teaching hospitals. A trained SCID interviewer administered the SCID and then two psychiatrists developed a consensus diagnosis, using data from multiple sources. The degree of agreement between SCID interviews and psychiatrists' diagnosis ranged from "moderate" for obsessive-compulsive and major depressive disorders to "good" for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. With the psychiatrists' diagnosis used as the gold standard, the SCID-based diagnosis showed high specificity and moderate to high sensitivity for most psychiatric diseases. The results of this study indicate that the Iranian version of the SCID is a valid instrument for diagnosis in clinical settings

[Validity of a Farsi translation of the composite international diagnostic interview [CIDI] to diagnose schizophrenia and bipolar disorder]

The Composite International Diagnostic Interview [CIDI] is a comprehensive, standardized diagnostic interview for the assessment of psychiatric disorders. There have been few studies on the validity of the CIDI. The objective of present study was to assess the validity of a Farsi translation of the complete CIDI and its psychosis/mania module in five referral clinical psychiatric settings. Two hundred and three as well as 104 consecutive admissions were interviewed using the complete and the psychosis/mania module, respectively. Within two days of the CIDI interview, two last year residents of psychiatry or psychiatrist who were blind to the CIDI diagnosis completed the Clinical diagnostic checklists [based on DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria] simultaneously and reached the consensus diagnosis. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 11 to determine the validity of CIDI. The sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of schizophrenia was 0.12 and 0.96 using DSM-IV criteria. According to ICD-10 criteria, the results were the same with 0.19% sensitivity and 0.96% specificity. The sensitivity for the diagnosis of bipolar I disorder was low [0.21 using DSM-IV criteria and 0.17% using ICD-10] and specificity, high [0.90 compared to DSM-IV and 0.89 compared to ICD-10 criteria]. The results were rather similar for the psychosis/mania module of CIDI. This study suggests that the Farsi translation of both the complete CIDI and the psychosis/mania module of CIDI have good specificity, but poor sensitivity for the diagnosis of schizophrenia and of bipolar I disorder

Behavioral problems of children at age of 7-11 years old in foster care centers

Every year, thousands of children admitting in Foster Care Centres, because of several reasons. Most children live in foster care centers, as a results of neglect, physical abuse, parental substance abuse, divorce and social-economic poverty. In addition, living in Foster Care Centres cause a lot of health behavioral problems in the children. With regard to this issue, mental health status of 7-11 years old children living in foster care centres in Tehran was assessed. We performed a cross-sectional study with 105 children [57 boy, 48girl] liring in the centers. In this research, the sampling method was census. The required information about children's mental health was obtained by interview of the Child Behavioral Checklist [CBCL] from guardians who recognized these children on the basis of their behaviors. The result showed that the frequency of behavioral problems in these children were as follows: Delinquent [44.8%], externalizing [40%], internalizing [40%], social problems [13.3%] and aggression [11.4%]. Furthermore, the obtained total scores of questionnaire showed that more than 28% of these children had mental health problems. Chi-square test showed that there were significant relationships between attentional problems and mental health with gender. On the basis of these findings and the results of other studies, paying full attention, assessment and further studies on high risk groups of children were recommended

effects of fluoxetine on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]: a pilot study

This study was aimed to determine the efficacy of fluoxetine in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] in children and adolescents. Twenty-two children and adolescents [6-16 years] diagnosed as having ADHD [excluding mental retardation, comorbid disorders, using concomitant medications] based on clinical psychiatric evaluation, Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents [DICA], and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-4th Edition [DSM-IV] were enrolled in an open clinical trial in a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic, 2000-2001. Fluoxetine was prescribed 20 mg a day for 7 weeks. The efficacy was assessed before and after treatment by means of three outcome measures: Children Global Assessment Scale [CGAS], Conner's Parent Rating Scale [CPRS], Conners's Teacher Rating Scale [CTRS]. The side effects were assessed using a questionnaire. Moderate to robust improvement [improvement >50%] were seen in 65%. Eighty-six percent reported no side effects. Mild to moderate side effects were experienced by 14% which diminished with continuation of the medication. Fluoxetine is well tolerated in children and adolescents and may be an alternative medication in ADHD patients who cannot take other medications

[Comorbidity of Tourette's and obsessive-compulsive disorders in children]

This project was conducted to evaluate the rate of comorbidity of Tourette's disorder with obsessive-compulsive disorder [OCD]. All of the patients diagnosed with Tourette's disorder, a total of 20 cases that had been referred to Child Psychiatric Ward of Roozbeh Hospital since its inception were evaluated. They were compared with 20 patients afflicted with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and 20 OCD patients. Data was collected via Yale Tic Severity Scale and analyzed by descriptive statistical methods, Fisher's LSD, and chi[2] statistical test. The mean age of onset of Tourette's disorder was 8.5 years [SD: 0.65] whereas the onset of OCD was 14.5 years [SD: 0.7]. The ratio of male to female in Tourette's disorder was four to one and in OCD, it was two to one. The level of correlation between these two disorders was statistically significant. There was not a significant level of correlation obtained for the presence of co-morbidity of Tourette's and OCD disorders in the immediate family members of the patients. The level of comorbidity of OCD in children afflicted with Tourette's disorder is remarkable