Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Relation to Duration of Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychopathological features such as depression and anxiety in schizophrenics with obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) as well as the severity of OCS according to duration of schizophrenia. METHODS: We randomly selected sixty four inpatients with schizophrenia. We classified the patients into two groups (OCS group, non-OCS group) according to the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Clinical and demographic features were evaluated. To assess OCS, Y-BOCS were performed. The Korean version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(K-PANSS), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Korean version of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (K-CDSS), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) were conducted. Independent t-test and chi-square test were conducted to compare the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the duration of schizophrenia and the Y-BOCS score. RESULTS: The Y-BOCS, K-CDSS, and BAI scores were higher in the OCS group. There was a significant correlation between the duration of schizophrenia and the Y-BOCS score. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and depression symptoms were severe in the OCS group. In addition, the results of this study indicate that the longer duration of schizophrenia, the more severe the OCS. Therefore, the evaluation of OCS in schizophrenics should be accompanied by treatment intervention.

Serial Progression from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder to Alcohol Use Disorder: Serial Multiple Mediated Effects of Externalizing Disorders and Depression

OBJECTIVE: Externalizing disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder, as well as depression are common comorbidities in alcohol use disorder (AUD). The current study focused on the temporal relationship between the onsets of these disorders and AUD, and investigated the serial multiple mediator model of externalizing disorders (e.g., ADHD) and depression on AUD. METHODS: We analyzed the mediated effects of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale motor (BIS_M) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) on Korean version of the Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS_K) using the multiple-step multiple mediation procedure regression analysis. In addition, we comparatively analyzed different clinical characteristics in relation to conduct problems. RESULTS: The multiple-step multiple mediation procedure found the serial multiple mediated effects of the BIS_M and the BDI on the relationship between the ASRS and the ADS_K. Also, the group with conduct problem was significantly high in ADHD symptoms, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, legal problems and alcohol-related problems, compared to the group without conduct problems. CONCLUSION: To sum up, the results of this study show that ADHD symptoms in childhood could exert significant effects on the severity of AUD in adulthood, and both disorders might be mediated by the externalizing disorders characterized by the core feature of motor impulsivity, and depression serially. Thus, the treatment of preceding disorders in accordance with developmental stages is an overarching clinical component for preventing the subsequent development of AUD and for its treatment.

The Effects of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom and Impulsivity on Abstinence Period of Male Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is closely associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the mechanism involved in this association remains unclear. Impulsivity is one of the core traits of ADHD, and an elevated level of impulsivity increases the risk of onset of AUD. Our study focused on impulsivity as the common trait factor of these disorders. We examined the effects of ADHD symptoms and impulsivity on the abstinence period of patients with AUD. METHODS: Male participants with AUD completed the contents of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. We investigated participant alcohol abstinence period to evaluate severity and frequency of relapse. RESULTS: Both ADHD symptom presence and abstinence period were significantly correlated with impulsivity. Motor impulsivity showed the highest correlations with ADHD and abstinence. The results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that impulsivity is a predictor of abstinence period, while ADHD had a moderating effect on the relationships between impulsivity and abstinence period. Moreover, we undertook hierarchical regression analysis of motor, cognitive, and non-planning impulsivity ; only motor impulsivity and ADHD symptom showed a statistically significant interaction with abstinence period. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a possible causal relationship between the treatment of ADHD symptoms and the extension of AUD abstinence period. In other words, treatment of ADHD symptoms may prevent AUD relapse. Impulsivity, especially motor impulsivity has an important role in the base mechanisms of these two disorders.

Clinical and Neuropsychological Characteristics of Adult Alcohol Use Disorder Patients with or without Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Symptom

OBJECTIVES: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is often comorbid with adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other psychiatric illnesses. When associated with other mental problems, the prognosis of the AUD can be more serious. This study shows research on the clinical and neuropsychological characteristics according to whether or not ADHD symptoms and AUD were comorbid. METHODS: MethodsA total of 64 adult inpatients who completed AUD scales about adult ADHD, alcohol dependence, depression, anxiety, and impulsiveness. They also completed neuropsychological tests about attention and executive function. According to the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale score, patients were categorized into two groups (ADHD symptom positive/negative group). RESULTS: Fourteen among the 64 subjects were part of the ADHD symptom positive group (21.9%). They had statistically significant shorter abstinence periods and a higher rate of history of 'rule violation during school' and 'physical damage in childhood' compared to the ADHD symptom negative group. CONCLUSION: The comorbidity rate with ADHD symptom in adult AUD is higher than the general population. The ADHD symptom positive group suffered from more severe and refractory AUD. Considering the more frequent history of rule violation during school in the ADHD symptom positive group, the association between ADHD and AUD may be mediated by conduct disorder. Therefore we suggest the necessity of careful evaluation and intervention in children and adolescents with ADHD and conduct disorder.

A case of early-detected synchronous lung cancer by narrow-band imaging treated with photodynamic therapy / 대한내과학회지

Surgical resection is the treatement of choice for early stage lung cancer. However, it is hazardous for patients with poor pulmonary function, multifocal endobronchial lesions, a previous history of major lung resection, or an important comorbidity. Under such circumstances, bronchoscopic photodynamic therapy could be considered as a treatment option for patients whose tumors are centrally located and bronchoscopically visible and accessible. We present a patient with radiologically occult synchronous non-small cell lung cancer accompanied by esophageal cancer. The esophageal cancer and a tumor in the right lower lobe were surgically removed, and a carcinoma in situ in the left upper lobe was treated with bronchoscopic photodynamic therapy. Nine months later, another tumor was detected in the right middle lobe by narrow-band imaging. The tumor was treated by photodynamic therapy again. In this case, narrow-band imaging played a crucial role in the diagnosis, and photodynamic therapy ensured complete application of the treatment.

Two Cases of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease in Heart Transplant Recipients / 결핵및호흡기질환

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases are increasing worldwide. However NTM lung disease in organ transplant recipients has been rarely reported. Here, we report 2 cases of NTM lung disease in heart transplant recipients. A 37-year-old man, who had undergone a heart transplant one year previous, was admitted to hospital due to a cough. Chest CT scan showed multiple centrilobular nodules in both lower lungs. In his sputum, M. abscessus was repeatedly identified by rpoB gene analysis. The patient improved after treatment with clarithromycin, imipenem, and amikacin. An additional patient, a 53-year-old woman who had undergone a heart transplant 4 years prior and who suffered from bronchiectasis, was admitted because of purulent sputum. The patient's chest CT scan revealed aggravated bronchiectasis; M. intracellulare was isolated repeatedly in her sputum. Treatment was successfully completed with clarithromycin, ethambutol, and ciprofloxacin. NTM lung disease should be considered as a potential opportunistic infection in organ transplant recipients.

Two Cases of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease in Heart Transplant Recipients / 결핵및호흡기질환

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases are increasing worldwide. However NTM lung disease in organ transplant recipients has been rarely reported. Here, we report 2 cases of NTM lung disease in heart transplant recipients. A 37-year-old man, who had undergone a heart transplant one year previous, was admitted to hospital due to a cough. Chest CT scan showed multiple centrilobular nodules in both lower lungs. In his sputum, M. abscessus was repeatedly identified by rpoB gene analysis. The patient improved after treatment with clarithromycin, imipenem, and amikacin. An additional patient, a 53-year-old woman who had undergone a heart transplant 4 years prior and who suffered from bronchiectasis, was admitted because of purulent sputum. The patient's chest CT scan revealed aggravated bronchiectasis; M. intracellulare was isolated repeatedly in her sputum. Treatment was successfully completed with clarithromycin, ethambutol, and ciprofloxacin. NTM lung disease should be considered as a potential opportunistic infection in organ transplant recipients.

A case of infective endocarditis with endophthalmitis and septic arthritis caused by pneumococcal bacteremia / 대한내과학회지

Pneumococcal endocarditis accompanied by pneumococcal bacteremia is a rare condition. However, its clinical course is typically aggressive and associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. We report a case of a 67-year-old male who had small cell lung cancer and was undergoing concurrent chemoradiation therapy, and who presented with pneumococcal bacteremia complicated by infective endocarditis, endogenous endophthalmitis, and septic arthritis of the wrist. He presented with fever, sudden blindness, and a systolic cardiac murmur. Blood cultures were positive for penicillin susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae. Despite appropriate treatment with intravenous and intravitreal antibiotics, destructive changes still appeared in his vitreous, mitral, and aortic valves. He underwent a vitrectomy and mitral and aortic valve replacement. We were able to prevent further embolic events with antibiotics and early surgical management.

A Case of Sarcoidosis with Pancytopenia as Resulting from Bone Marrow Involvement / 결핵및호흡기질환

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease that can involve any organ, although it primarily involves the lungs, intrathoracic lymph nodes, skin, and eyes. We present a case of sarcoidosis with pancytopenia, resulting from bone marrow involvement. A 35-year-old man was admitted to hospital for chronic cough and blurred vision. On chest computed tomography, there were multiple pulmonary nodules and mediastinal lymph nodes enlargement. As the patient also showed pancytopenia, we performed a bone marrow biopsy, as well as a transbronchial lung biopsy. Both biopsies showed non-caseating granulomas. We diagnosed the patient with sarcoidosis with pulmonary, bone marrow, uvea, liver and spleen involvement. After oral steroid therapy, the patient's symptoms as well as his pancytopenia improved. We present this case to demonstrate the significance of bone marrow biopsy in cases of sarcoidosis with pancytopenia, as well the possibility of clinical improvement with steroid treatment.

A Case of Recurrent Pancytopenia due to Parvovirus B19 Infection in a Renal Transplant Recipient / 대한신장학회지

Pure red cell aplasia due to parvovirus B19 infection after renal transplantation has been rarely reported, and few have been described about pancytopenia due to parvovirus B19. We report a case of recurrent pancytopenia due to parvovirus B19 infection in a renal transplant recipient. Ten days after transplantation, the patient developed severe pancytopenia (WBC 400/mm3, platelet 29,000/mm3, hemoglobin 6.8 g/dL) and his blood sample was positive for parvovirus B19 DNA PCR. Two weeks after 5-day administration of IVIG 400 mg/kg/day, pancytopenia resolved and tacrolimus was converted to cyclosporine A for reducing immunosuppressant potency. However, recurrent pancytopenia developed two months after IVIG treatment. Both blood and bone marrow samples were positive again for parvovirus B19 DNA PCR. Although pancytopenia persisted after another 5-day administration of IVIG 400 mg/kg/day, excellent hematological response has been achieved with single dose of IVIG 1 g/kg/day. Our case suggested that parvovirus B19 infection should be considered in renal transplant recipients with unexplained severe pancytopenia. High dose IVIG would be an effective therapeutic option, if the infection is recurrent or refractory to the usual dose of IVIG.