Comparison of Stress Responses and Coping Methods according to the Gender of Freshmen in Graduate Medical Students / 생물치료정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the gender differences in stress-coping methods that affect stress responses in graduate medical students.METHODS: The participants were 209 students of C medical school in Daejeon, Korea. Stress response was measured using the Stress Response Inventory. Coping methods were measured through the Ways of Coping Checklist and Problem-solving Style Scale. Data were analyzed using T-Tests, a correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analysis.RESULTS: The mean±standard deviation score of the stress response inventory was 23.56±20.20 in males and 32.34±23.44 in females. The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed the following factors related to stress response: helplessness, problem-solving control, approach style in males and helplessness, social readjustment rating scale, problem-solving confidence in females. No relationship between stress-coping style and academic performance was found in both genders.CONCLUSION: Hopelessness seemed to be the main reason for the stress response in medical students of both genders. We also found differences in coping methods affecting the stress response by genders. Future studies need to identify more such factors that lead to differences in coping methods and help adapt to stress in medical education.

The Effect of Psychopathology on the Quality of Lifein Female Dermatological Outpatients / 생물치료정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of psychopathology on the quality of life in dermatological outpatients.METHODS: A sample of 151 female dermatological outpatients was compared with a control group of 200 females. Symptom Check List-90-R(SCL-90-R) was used to screen for psychopathology and Skindex-29 for quality of life. We compared the scores of SCL-90-R and Skindex-29 between the two groups and examined the correlation between SCL-90-R and Skindex-29 in the patient group. We analysed the subscales of SCL-90-R that affect Skindex-29.RESULTS: There was statistically significant higher in the score of SCL-90-R in patient group than control group. In high score group of Skindex-29, the score of SCL-90-R was significantly higher than in low score group of Skindex-29. The correlation between SCL-90-R and Skindex-29 was positively correlated with moderate relationship on all subscales except paranoid ideation. Somatization and psychoticism of SCL-90-R were the factors affecting on the total score of Skindex-29.CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that psychological distress of the dermatological outpatients is more severe than control group, and somatization and psychoticism are suggested as predictors of the quality of life of dermatologic patients.

Impact of Body Dissatisfaction and Personality Characteristics on Smartphone Addiction / 생물치료정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of body dissatisfaction on Smartphone addiction and to determine the relative magnitudes of specific mediation effect of personality characteristics.METHODS: One hundred and fifteen young and healthy participants completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale, Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination-Self Report, and NEO Five-Factor Inventory. By using Indirect SPSS macros, multiple-mediation analyses were performed.RESULTS: Body dissatisfaction had a significant total, direct and indirect effect on Smartphone addiction. Indirect effect of Body dissatisfaction on Smartphone addiction was significantly mediated via personality characteristics (Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, and Openness).CONCLUSION: These results suggest the importance of evaluating both patients' personality characteristics and body dissatisfaction for managing Smartphone addiction. Consequently, they will be useful in the prevention and treatment of Smartphone addiction.

Clinical Dementia Rating Orientation Score as an Excellent Predictor of the Progression to Alzheimer's Disease in Mild Cognitive Impairment

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the usefulness of each subscale score of the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) for predicting Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia progression in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) elderly subjects. METHODS: Fifty-nine elderly MCI individuals were recruited from a university dementia and memory disorder clinic. Standardized clinical and neuropsychological tests were performed both at baseline and at the time of 2 years follow-up. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the ability of various clinical measures or their combinations to predict progression to AD dementia in MCI individuals. RESULTS: MCIp individuals showed significantly higher CDR Orientation subscale and CDR sum-of-boxes (SOB) score than MCInp ones, while there were no significant differences in other CDR subscale scores between the two. MCIp individuals also showed marginally higher MMSE scores than MCInp ones. A series of logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the model including CDR Orientation subscale had better AD dementia prediction accuracy than either the model with either MMSE or CDR-SOB. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that CDR Orientation subscale score, a simple and easily available clinical measure, could provide very useful information to predict AD dementia progression in amnestic MCI individuals in real clinical settings.

Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation and Associated Factors among Community-Dwelling Korean Elderly

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between suicidal ideation and its associated clinical factors among community-dwelling elderly in Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the data obtained from the face to face interviews of 1,500 (mean age : 74.41±6.44, male : 41.0%) elderly people aged 65 or above living in the community. The questionnaire used in this study was composed of detailed questions about the clinical characteristics including sociodemographic, life style, physical status, and psychiatric factors. In order to assess the suicidal ideation, the subjects were asked questions about the suicidal idea in the past year. RESULTS: A total of 156 (10.4%) elderly reported the suicidal ideation over the last year. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significant correlation with dissatisfaction with life [odds ratio (OR) 4.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.55-12.60], depression (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.62-5.07), cognitive decline (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.38-4.10), poor perception of health (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.04-5.24), and insomnia (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.31-3.84). CONCLUSION: These results showed the several clinical factors associated with suicidal ideation among community-dwelling elderly living in Korea. The present study suggested the necessity for the various aspects of approach.

Comparative Analysis of Emotional Symptoms in Elderly Koreans with Hwa-Byung and Depression

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the symptomatic emotional traits of elderly South Korean patients with hwa-byung and those with depression. METHODS: We enrolled 58 patients with hwa-byung, 180 patients with depression, and 181 healthy control subjects. All participants completed the Hwa-byung Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), State Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), Reaction Inventory (RI), and Aggression Questionnaire (AQ). Chi-square tests and a one-way analysis of variance with Games-Howell post-hoc tests were used to compare demographic variables and scores. RESULTS: A binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine risk factors for hwa-byung. Scores in the hwa-byung group were higher than those in the depression group for the HDRS; BDI; GDS; trait anger STAXI subscale (trait anger temperament and trait anger reaction); state anger and anger expression STAXI subscales (anger-in, anger-out, and anger control); physical and verbal aggression as well as anger and hostility AQ subscales; and disturbance, embarrassing circumstances, personal disrespect, and unpleasant encounters RI subscales. A binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the state anger STAXI subscale, verbal aggression and anger AQ subscales, and unpleasant encounters RI subscale were significantly associated with hwa-byung. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with hwa-byung had more severe anger traits and states as well as higher depression severity compared to those diagnosed with clinical depression. Excessive anger and anger reactivity to unpleasant factors may be risk factors for hwa-byung, whereas the appropriate expression (rather than suppression) of anger may decrease the risk of hwa-byung.

The Efficacy and Safety of Clonazepam in Patients with Anxiety Disorder Taking Newer Antidepressants: A Multicenter Naturalistic Study

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the efficacy and tolerability of clonazepam with other benzodiazepines in patients with anxiety disorders. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were as follows: age >20 years, diagnosis of anxiety disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria, taking only one type of antidepressant, and prescribed one of three oral benzodiazepines (alprazolam, clonazepam, or lorazepam). At baseline and week 6, clinical benefit was evaluated using the Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S), Clinical Global Impression-Anxiety Scale (CGI-anxiety), and Clinical Global Impression-Sleep Scale (CGI-sleep). RESULTS: Among 180 patients, no differences in demographic characteristics among the three benzodiazepine groups were noted. After six weeks of treatment, all benzodiazepine groups showed significant improvements in CGI-S, CGI-anxiety, and CGI-sleep scores (p<0.001). There were no differences in mean changes in CGI-S, CGI-anxiety and CGI-sleep among the three benzodiazepine groups. The incidence of side effects was significantly lower in the clonazepam group than with the other benzodiazepines. The incidences of adverse events for the clonazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam groups were 26.7% (n=20), 48.4% (n=31), and 43.9% (n=18), respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that clonazepam is as efficacious as other benzodiazepines for the treatment of various anxiety disorders. Furthermore, the safety profile of clonazepam was superior to the other benzodiazepines in this study.

No Effect on Body Dissatisfaction of an Interaction between 5-HTTLPR Genotype and Neuroticism in a Young Adult Korean Population

OBJECTIVE: Many studies suggest an association between the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and anxiety-related personality traits (e.g., neuroticism) in healthy subjects. This study investigated the interaction of 5-HTTLPR genotype on body dissatisfaction by neuroticism and to evaluate the interaction of 5-HTTLPR genotype on self-esteem by body dissatisfaction in a young adult Korean population. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty three subjects were included in this study. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Korean version was used to evaluate neuroticism, the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination-Self Report (BDDE-SR)-Korean version was used to evaluate body dissatisfaction, and the Self-Esteem Scale (SES)-Korean version was used to evaluate self-esteem. The 5-HTTLPR genotype by neuroticism (high : low) interaction was assessed according to the total BDDE-SR score, and 5-HTTLPR genotype by BDDE-SR (high : low) interaction was assessed according to the total SES score. RESULTS: The analysis of 5-HTTLPR genotype and neuroticism (high : low) with respect to body dissatisfaction showed no main effects of genotype whereas neuroticism did influence the BDDE-SR score and no interaction of the genotype with neuroticism. The analysis of 5-HTTLPR genotype and BDDE-SR (high : low) with respect to self-esteem score showed no main effects of genotype whereas BDDE-SR did influence the self-esteem score and no interaction of the genotype with body dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that an interaction between 5-HTTPLR genotype and neuroticism does not affect body dissatisfaction and an interaction between 5-HTTPLR genotype and body dissatisfaction does not affect self-esteem in a young adult Korean population.

Association Study between Treatment Response of Amisulpride and Dopamine D3 Receptor Gene Polymorphisms

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between rs6280 and rs905568 genetic polymorphism of DRD3 gene and the treatment response of amisulpride. METHODS: After six weeks treatment of amisulpride, 125 schizophrenia patients were interviewed based on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S). The genotyping for rs6280 and rs905568 was performed using TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping assay. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the frequency of genotype and allele of rs6280 between the responders and non-responders based on the total, positive, and general score of PANSS and CGI-S score. However, there was a significant association between this SNP and treatment response in the negative score of PANSS (chi2 = 5.23, p = 0.022). There was no significant association between rs905568 and the response in positive, negative, general, and total PANSS score and CGI-S score. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first positive association study between DRD3 gene and the treatment response of negative symptoms to amisulpride in Korean schizophrenia patients. A larger scale research on more SNP of the DRD3 gene will make a progress in the study of pharmacogenetics on the treatment response of the amisulpride.

Prospective Study to Determine the Efficacy of Day Hospital Care to Improve Treatment Adherence for Hospitalized Schizophrenic Patients / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of day hospital care in hospitalized schizophrenic patients in terms of treatment adherence and treatment outcomes. METHODS: Among schizophrenic patients hospitalized between 2011 and 2012, 23 day hospital care patients and 40 control subjects were included in the study. All candidates underwent Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, Drug Attitude Inventory, WHO Quality of Life scale, and Psychological Well-Being Scale when their symptoms were stabilized during hospitalization, and after being discharged, 23 patients received day hospital care for two months and then changed to out-patient care while 40 patients received out-patient care immediately after discharge. At the point of two months of out-patient care, the treatment adherence of the two groups was evaluated ; tracking observation was performed until February, 2013, and survival rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Treatment adherence was higher in the day hospital care group than in the control group. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a higher survival rate for the day hospital care group compared to the control group. Levels of cognitive insight and quality of life were higher after day hospital care than before day hospital care in the day hospital care group. CONCLUSION: Through the study, it was confirmed that when hospitalized schizophrenic patients receive continuous day hospital care after being discharged, they receive further out patient care more faithfully. The study is considered to aid in the understanding regarding schizophrenic patients' treatment adherence issues and improvement of treatment outcomes.

Association Study between DRD2 Genetic Polymorphisms and Schizophrenia in a Korean Population

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the association between the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) genetic polymorphism [TaqIB (rs17294542) and TaqID (rs1800498)] and patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: TaqIB (rs17294542) and TaqID (rs1800498) polymorphism of the DRD2 gene were typed in 100 patients with schizophrenia and 109 normal controls. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in genotype and allele distribution of TaqIB (rs17294542) and TaqID (rs1800498) genetic polymorphism between patients with schizophrenia and normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the TaqIB (rs17294542) and TaqID (rs1800498) polymorphisms of the DRD2 gene may not be associated with schizophrenia in the Korean population.

Anger in Elderly Patients with Depressive Disorders

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate anger in elderly patients with depressive disorders. METHODS: The subjects included 216 elderly patients with depression and 198 controls. All subjects were assessed by the State and Trait Anger Inventory (STAXI), Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), Reaction Inventory (RI). RESULTS: Elderly patients with depressive disorder showed lower levels of trait anger and anger expression on the STAXI, lower levels of verbal aggression and hostility on the AQ, and lower levels of anger reaction to the unpredictable disruption and disturbances factor, the embarrassing circumstances factor, and the personal disrespect factor on the RI than the controls. In the depression group, the severity of their depression was positively correlated with the trait anger, state anger, anger expression (except 'anger control') scores on the STAXI; the physical aggression, anger, and hostility scores on the AQ; and the anger reaction to unpredictable disruption and disturbances factor, the embarrassing circumstances factor, and the personal disrespect factor scores on the RI. However, the severity of depression negatively correlated with only anger control on the STAXI. In the linear logistic regression analysis, as there were higher levels of state anger seen in the STAXI, anger on the AQ, anger reaction to unpleasant factors on the RI, and therefore the likelihood of depression would be higher. CONCLUSION: Elderly depressive patients are less likely to have anger traits and to express anger than normal elderly. However, in elderly depressive patients, the higher they have severity of depressive symptoms, the higher they reported anger experience and anger expression.

A Validation Study of the Korean Version of SPAN

PURPOSE: The SPAN, which is acronym standing for its four components: Startle, Physiological arousal, Anger, and Numbness, is a short post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening scale. This study sought to develop and validate a Korean version of the SPAN (SPAN-K). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three PTSD patients (PTSD group), 73 patients with non-psychotic psychiatric disorders (psychiatric control group), and 88 healthy participants (normal control group) were recruited for this study. Participants completed a variety of psychiatric assessments including the SPAN-K, the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS), the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability values for the SPAN-K were both 0.80. Mean SPAN-K scores were 10.06 for the PTSD group, 4.94 for the psychiatric control group, and 1.42 for the normal control group. With respect to concurrent validity, correlation coefficients were 0.87 for SPAN-K vs. CAPS total scores (p<0.001) and 0.86 for SPAN-K vs. DTS scores (p<0.001). Additionally, correlation coefficients were 0.31 and 0.42 for SPAN-K vs. STAI-S and STAI-T, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of SPAN-K showed good diagnostic accuracy with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87. The SPAN-K showed the highest efficiency at a cutoff score of 7, with a sensitivity of 0.83, a specificity of 0.81, positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.88, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.73. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the SPAN-K had good psychometric properties and may be a useful instrument for rapid screening of PTSD patients.

Early Assessment of Delirium in Elderly Patients after Hip Surgery

OBJECTIVE: This study is intended to identify predictive factors of delirium, including risk factors and prodromal symptoms. METHODS: This study included sixty-five patients aged 65 years or older who had undergone hip surgery. Baseline assessments included age; gender; admission type (acute/elective); reason for surgery (fracture/replacement); C-reactive protein (CRP); Acute Physiology, Age, Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE III); and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The Korean version of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (K-DRS-98) was used to assess prodromal symptoms daily before the onset of delirium. RESULTS: Almost 28% (n=18) of the 65 patients developed delirium after surgery. Delirium in elderly patients after hip surgery was observed more often in older patients and those with acute admission, hip fracture, higher APACHE III score, lower MMSE score, and higher CRP levels within early days after the operation. Sleep-wake cycle disturbances, thought process abnormalities, orientation, and long-term memory in symptom items of K-DRS-98 were showed significant difference on 4 days before delirium, lability of affect on 3 days before, perceptual disturbances and hallucination, and visuo-spatial ability on 2 days before, and delusion, motor agitation, and short-term memory on the day before the occurrence of delirium. CRP levels within 24 hours and 72 hours after hospitalization were significantly higher in the delirium group. CONCLUSION: Medical professionals must pay attention to behavioral, cognitive changes and risk factors in elderly patients undergoing hip surgery and to the prodromal phase of delirium. K-DRS-98 may help in identifying the prodromal symptoms of delirium in elderly patients after hip surgery.

Comparative Study on Initial Symptoms Using Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography in Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to compare between hallucination group and delusion group in patient with schizophrenia, using Brain (99m)Tc-ECD SPECT. METHODS: Among 16 patients with less than 3 schizophrenic episodes, 8 patients whose initial symptom was hallucination were assigned to the hallucination group, and other 8 patients with initial sumptom of delusion were assinged to the hallucination group. All of the patients clinically evaluated using the PANSS and BPRS. Both groups of patients and 8 healthy subjects underwent (99m)Tc-ECD SPECT. RESULTS: Score of thinking disturbance subscale of BPRS were significantly lower in the hallucination group than the delusion group. In SPECT analysis, the hallucination group showed significantly increased perfusion in some areas of the right temporal lobe, bilateral limbic lobes and left parietal lobe compared to delusion group. Both group had a reduced rCBF in some areas of the frontal lobe. CONCLUSION: The hallucniation group, compared with the delusion group, showed significantly increased regional cerebral blood flow in some regions. Therefore, this data suggests that different neural substrates may affect the process of auditory hallucination and delusion.

Trends in Anger and Aggression Across the Life Span in Korean Population

OBJECTIVES: This study was to investigate the trends in anger and aggression with aging in Korean population aged from twenties to eighties. METHODS: Two hundreds ninety-five subjects included, ranged 22 to 92 years old. All subject participate in a clinical interview with psychiatrists who use the MINI (Mini international Neuropsychiatric Interview) to diagnosis psychiatric disorders, and were not any psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: In elderly group, the scores of Trait anger, Anger expression, and totol of STAXI were higher than adult group, where as the scores of State anger of STAXI, Hostility of AQ, and Disturbances, Embarrassing, Unpleasant circumstances, and total of RI were higher in adult group. Trait anger and Anger expression were shown trends to increase with age. On the other hands, State anger, Hostility, and Reaction to external stimuli were shown trends to decrease with age. CONCLUSION: The reaction to anger situation and aggression decrease with age, although anger increase with age. Various factor, such as defense mechanism may affect on aggressive expression and response. There will be needed to investigate associated factors between anger and aggression.

Multicenter Clinical Trials for Efficacy and Safety of Mirtazapine in Moderate-to-Severe Major Depressive Patients / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mirtazapine treatment in multicenter population consisting of Korean patients suffering from moderate-to-severe depression. METHODS: Total 163 of in and outpatients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (DSM-IV) and 18 or over scores of 17-items Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) received treatment with mirtazapine (15-45 mg/day) for 6 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by HAMD, Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scales and statistical analyses were performed on the intent-to-treat sample (143 patients) using the last-observation-carried-forward method. In addition, reported adverse events, routine laboratory parameters, and vital signs were investigated to evaluate the safety of mirtazapine. RESULTS: Mean daily dose of mirtazapine was 28.4 mg. At the end of the study, the response rate (50% or more reduction from baseline in HAMD scores) was 75.5% and the remission rate (7 or less in HAMD score) was 42.7%. Mirtazapine treatment induced significant reduction in depressive symptoms at the 4(th) day and substantial reduction along the treatment period, as assessed by changes in HAMD, MADRS, BDI, and CGI scales. At the 4(th) day and first week of mirtazapine treatment, the mean HAMD-17 total score was significantly reduced compared that of the baseline and the response rates were 11.9% and 28.7%, respectively. Mirtazapine was well tolerated in general, and somnolence and sedation were the most common adverse events reported. In addition, there were no clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters and vital signs, although body weight was increased. CONCLUSION: Although this trial had many limitations of open non-comparative study, mirtazapine was demonstrated to an effective treatment for moderate to severe major depressive disorder and was well tolerated. A potentially rapid onset of overall therapeutic efficacy of mirtazapine was suggested by significant changes in all major variables of efficacy after 4(th) day of treatment.

The Effects of Olanzapine in the Maintenance Treatment of Outpatients with Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: This open multicenter trial examined the effects of olanzapine on profiles of efficacy, safety, and subjective quality of life (QoL) in the maintenance treatment of stable outpatients with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. METHODS: A total of 47 patients who had completed acute inpatient treatment with olanzapine were recruited from six centers. Information on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics was collected. A variety of measures for efficacy, safety, and QoL were administered at the time of discharge (baseline) and after 12 weeks of maintenance treatment (endpoint). RESULTS: Twenty (43%) patients discontinued olanzapine treatment for various reasons. Twenty-seven patients (57%) completed the study, and in this group, there was a significant additional reduction in overall psychotic symptoms, including negative symptoms. Olanzapine was generally well-tolerated, although substantial weight gain was observed. However, QoL was not improved further during the maintenance treatment. CONCLUSION: Olanzapine was generally effective and well-tolerated in the maintenance treatment of stable outpatients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Four Years Reviewer Evaluation Reports of "Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association" / 신경정신의학

Four Years Reports of "Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association" during 2001 to 2005 were evaluated by 18 Editorial Board of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association. We investigated the articles to specific fields and rejection rate etc. by different section chiefs. Although several problems concerning review time duration and rejection guideline issues indicated but generally all reviewer processes proved relatively clear and concise criteria. Through these objective and systematic evaluation processes, "Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association" will develop a good journal.

Four Years Reviewer Evaluation Reports of "Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association" / 신경정신의학

Four Years Reports of "Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association" during 2001 to 2005 were evaluated by 18 Editorial Board of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association. We investigated the articles to specific fields and rejection rate etc. by different section chiefs. Although several problems concerning review time duration and rejection guideline issues indicated but generally all reviewer processes proved relatively clear and concise criteria. Through these objective and systematic evaluation processes, "Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association" will develop a good journal.