[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

Irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disorders among university freshmen

Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS] is a very common disorder. Some researches have pointed to an interaction between psychiatric disorders and IBS. Present study aimed to determine psychiatric disorders in patients with IBS compared to normal controls among an Iranian population. All freshmen students [n=3012] of Tehran University invited to the study at 2001. A trained general practitioner interviewed the entire students for IBS based on Rome II criteria. A gastroenterologist visited the students who had Rome II criteria and ordered laboratory exams that are necessary for ruling out organic diseases. After confirming IBS patients, a matched control group by sex and age was selected. A psychologist who was blind to IBS diagnosis interviewed all cases and controls using a reliable 28- items General Heath Questionnaire. Chi-Square analysis used to compare psychiatric disorders in the cases and controls. P-value less than 0.05 determined as significant. A total of 3008 students [female; 1785, male; 1223] participated to the study and 143 had Rome II criteria for IBS [4.7%, 95% CI 4-5.6%]. Finally 46 [female; 31] with IBS and 97 [female; 62] controls underwent psychologic interview. Somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, social dysfunction and mental disorder were reported by 41.3%, 34.8%, 15.2%, 43.5% and 41.3% respectively in IBS patients and 14.4%, 14.4%, 5.2%, 21.6% and 13.4% among control group respectively. All psychiatric disordoers were significantly more common among IBS patients than controls. Mental health in IBS patients is impaired. This fact could be primary or secondary. Control of psychiatric disorders may improve IBS symptoms

case with post-vaccination hysteria

Conversion disorder is a disturbance of bodily functioning that does no conform to current concept of anatomy and physiology of central or peripheral nervous system. It typically occurs in a setting of stress and produces considerable dysfunction. It is a common disorder, however in this report we have introduced a rare case who presented after the measles and rubella [MR] vaccination

Psychiatric patients' attitude to the psychiatrist's style of dressing and addressing

The patient-physician relationship is one of the most important cues in medial practice. How a physician dresses and how she/he addresses the patients are two important factors in developing rapport. This study was conducted to determine patient's preference for the style of the psychiatrists dressing and addressing. This descriptive study was performed at the psychiatric clinics of a general hospital. The patients who were intended to take part in the study were selected and their demographic data disorder type and disorder duration were recorded. Photos demonstrating 8 different styles of dressing [four for female physicians and four for male, based on Iranian culture] were shown to the patients and they were asked to select their desired style, meanwhile, they were requested to nominate the way they preferred to be addressed.The study population included 57 females and 53 males with the mean age of 30 10.5 years. Results revealed that white coat was the most popular for both male and female psychiatrists [41.8 and 40.9 percent, respectively, p < 0.01]. Thirty nine patients [35.5%] preferred to be addressed only by their first name, however, it was not important for 34.5% [p < 0.01]. The psychiatrists' gender was not important for 58 patients [52.7%] [p < 0.01].The psychiatrists style of dressing is important for psychiatric patients though it is not being paid much attention at psychiatric wards. It seems that paying further attention to this aspect will improve patient-physician relationship