Saffron aqueous extract prevents metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia on olanzapine treatment: a randomized triple blind placebo controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether saffron aqueous extract (SAE) or its active constituent, crocin, prevents olanzapine-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: 66 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who were on olanzapine treatment (5-20 mg daily) were randomly allocated to receive a capsule of SAE (n=22; 30 mg daily), crocin (n=22; 30 mg daily) or placebo (n=22) in a 12-week triple-blind trial. Patients were screened not to have MetS at baseline and further assessment was done at weeks 6 and 12. Measurement of fasting blood glucose (FBS) and serum lipids were repeated at weeks 2, 6 and 12. Fasting blood levels of insulin and HbA1c were also measured at baseline and week 12. HOMA-IR and HOMA-ß were determined to evaluate insulin resistance. RESULTS: 61 patients completed the trial and no serious adverse effects were reported. Time-treatment interaction showed a significant difference in FBS in both SAE and crocin groups compared to placebo (p=0.004). In addition, SAE could effectively prevent reaching the criteria of metabolic syndrome (0 patients) compared to crocin (9.1%) and placebo (27.3%) as early as week 6. CONCLUSION: SAE could prevent metabolic syndrome compared to crocin and placebo. Furthermore, both SAE and crocin prevented increases in blood glucose during the study.

Relationship between job burnout and work performance in a sample of Iranian mental health staff.

OBJECTIVE: Job and workplace characteristics, particularly among mental health workers, have been identified as "stressors". In this study, the objective was to assess the relationship between work performance and job burnout amongst staff at a psychiatric hospital. METHOD: The respondents comprised 100 mental health professionals from Raazy Psychiatric Center, Tehran, Iran; including nurses, co-nurses, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists. Instruments used were the Job Burnout Inventory, standardized for an Iranian population; and a 10-item questionnaire about job performance. RESULTS: The study showed that 45.6% of the sample had job burnout at a high level; 42.5% of subjects had emotional exhaustion at a high level and 65.5% had experienced depersonalization at a high level; however, only 21% experienced feelings of failure in individual achievement at a high level. There was a significant correlation between job burnout and inability for job performance. CONCLUSION: The findings are of concern and show the need to take cognizance of the existence of job burnout amongst mental health professionals and to consider strategies for dealing with the problem.