Rate of depression among patients with schizophrenia

Background and objective: Depression is a common comorbid mental condition in schizophrenia. This study aimed at estimating both the rate and demographic correlates of depression among patients with schizophrenia in Erbil, Kurdistan Region

Methods: Three hundred patients with schizophrenia were assessed for the possible existence of comorbid depression. Diagnosis of schizophrenia was confirmed by Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Each participant, however, was assessed by Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia for possible concurrent depressive disorder

Results: Of 300 patients with schizophrenia, 101 [33.7%] had concurrent depression as well. When all demographic variables considered, altogether, through logistic regression analysis, none of them discriminated, significantly, depressed from non-depressed patients with schizophrenia

Conclusion: Depressive disorders are frequently experienced by patients with schizophrenia. Psychiatrists are in charge to pay greater attention to this, life-threatening, mental disorder whenever they come across patients diagnosed as schizophrenia

Nicotine dependence among a group of iraqi schizophrenic patients

Substance dependence frequently co-occurs with psychiatric morbidities. Among substances, nicotine found to be the commonest substance of abuse among schizophrenic patients. To assess the association of nicotine dependence with Schizophrenia. 112 schizophrenic patients and 374 non-schizophrenic patients were invited to answer a standard clinical/demographic questionnaire and a questionnaire on nicotine dependence [modified Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire [mFTQ]]. The rate of nicotine dependence was significantly higher among schizophrenic patients [44.64%] than non-schizophrenic patients [23.52%] [P <0.0001]. Male smokers outnumbered female smoker [P <0.0001] in both groups. Male gender was a significant predictor for smoking among both groups of patients [OR = 55.878; P = 0.0001 for schizophrenic patients; OR = 9.489; P = 0.0001 for non-schizophrenic patients]. Increase in age was significant predictor for nicotine smoking in general [OR = 1.032; F = 0.001], and among the schizophrenic group [OR = 1.116; P = 0.0001], whereas, it was not a significant predictor for nicotine smoking among non-schizophrenic patients [OR = 1.0 14; P = 0.185]. Whole sample patients start nicotine smoking before their psychiatric disorders onset [3.3 and 7.7 years earlier respectively] [P = 0.01]. Both groups were highly nicotine dependents [mean mFTQ = 9.92 for schizophrenic patients; mean mFTQ = 8.54 for non-schizophrenic patients] [P = 0.02]. The rate and severity of nicotine dependence were higher among patients with schizophrenia than non-schizophrenic patients. Gender and age were significant predictors for nicotine smoking m whole psychiatric patients. Both groups started their smoking habit before their psychiatric morbidity onsets

Retrospective comparison of weight gain between olanzapine- and risperidone- treated patients

Weight gain as a side effect of the second generation antipsychotics have been increasingly noted during therapy; however no studies addressed such a valid clinical concern in Iraq till now. The objective of this study was to determine the weight changes among patients treated with either Olanzapine or Risperidone. A retrospective study was performed by reviewing the charts of 80 patients who have been treated with Olanzapine monotherapy [60 patients] or Risperidone monotherapy [20 patients] through the period of April 2008 to April 2009, comparing the baseline weight in kilograms with after one month of therapy weight. Among the 60 patients treated with Olanzapine, 42 [70%] gained weight, 70.37% of males and 69.69% of females treated with Olanzapine gained weight. Among the 20 patients treated with Risperidone, 12 [60%] gained weight, 50% of males and 75% of females treated with Risperidone gained weight. Those treated with Olanzapine, gained 3.96 kg after 30 days of treatment, while the amount of gain was 2.25 kg among those treated with Risperidone after the same period. Olanzapine treated group gained about 6.21% of their baseline weight which was significantly higher than that of Risperidone-treated group who gained about 2.89% of their baseline weight [P value of 0.03]. Females gained more amount of weight than males in both group. Both second generation antipsychotics, Olanzapine and Risperidone, are associated with weight gain. However, Olanzapine appears to have a greater potential in inducing weight gain. Both genders affected nearly equally, though females were victims of more amount of weight gain

Rate of alcohol and substance use disorders among the journalists in Erbil City

A number of studies have shown variations in the rate of alcohol and substance use disorders among different populations, but no study till now focused on such a variation in Iraq. The present study aimed to examine variations in the rate of alcohol and substance use disorders among journalists and some other residents in Erbil city. 200 journalists and 486 other professionals were interviewed between the period of September to November 2008 by a structured interview [M.I.N.I.] for the detection of alcohol and substance use disorders. among the journalists, 34.5% were alcohol dependents, 7.5% were alcohol abusers, 1% were substance dependent, and another 1% were substance abusers. Among the non-journalists, 7.6% were alcohol dependents, 2.26% were alcohol abusers, 1.44% were substance dependents, and 1.02% were substance abusers. Most of the substances, other than alcohol, used by both groups were the prescription pills. 50% of journalists and 75% of non-journalists, who were either substance dependents or abusers, were alcohol dependents or abusers at the same time. Male gender and those who achieve higher educational levels were more affected in both groups. The present study concluded that occupation is an important determinant for alcohol and substance use disorders in Iraq. Working as a journalist, is a risk factor particularly for alcohol dependence. Gender is an important determinant within each occupation as well