Disability in Person with Schizophrenia: Its Correlation with Psychopathology and Socio-Demographic Profile.

Schizophrenia causes considerable functional disability. The present study was designed to assess disability in person with schizophrenia and to see its relationship with psychopathology (PANNS score), UKU side effect, duration of illness, duration of treatment, perceived social support and other socio-demographic factors . The study was done at the Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGMER), Kolkata, India. For this study 100 patients with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia as per ICD-10 were taken. Thereafter, all patients were assessed on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) for psychopathology, on Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Schedule (IDEA) for disability, on UKU Side Effect Rating Scale for side effects of drugs and on Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) for perceived social support. It was found that majority of the patients were having severe level of disability in global, interpersonal activity and communication & understanding area and moderate level in work and self care domains. PANSS total score had a significant (<0.035) positive correlation and SSQ total score had a significant (p<0.000) negative correlation with global disability. Age of onset, duration of illness have an effect on disability. The total score of PANSS and SSQ SERS total score emerged as the sole significant predictor of global disability. Treatment in schizophrenia should be focused on psychopathology and social support system to improve competencies in retaining an occupation, better interpersonal relationship with co-workers, and significant others.

Assessment of differential doses of buprenorphine for long term pharmacotherapy among opiate dependent subjects.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate, two different doses of sublingual buprenorphine (2 mg and 4 mg) among patients on maintenance treatment and to assess the relationship of steady state plasma level with craving. Twenty three male opioid dependent (ICD-10 DCR) subjects, were assigned to double blind randomized controlled trial of 2 and 4 mg/day doses of buprenorphine in an inpatient setting. They were evaluated thrice (2nd, 7th and 14th day) in 2 weeks for withdrawal symptoms (acute and protracted), sedation, euphoria, craving, side effects, global rating of well being and for measurement of plasma levels of buprenorphine. The data showed that there were no significant difference in scores of euphoria and sedation, protracted withdrawal symptoms and side effects, craving and overall well being and plasma level of buprenorphine among the subjects. However, both the groups had significant difference in score on almost all the measurements on final observation in comparison to initial observation. Both 2 mg/day and 4 mg/day dose of buprenorphine were effective in long term pharmacotherapy of opioid dependence without significant difference as compared by different measures used in the study.