Anxiety symptoms in psychotic disorders.

BackgroundThe prevalence of anxiety symptoms among Australians with psychotic disorders was examined as part of the Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP).MethodsA two-phase design was used. Of 7,955 people who were screen positive for psychosis and eligible, 1825 participants (18-34 years and 35-64 years) were interviewed. Data were collected on symptomatology, substance use, cognitive ability, functioning, disability, physical health, mental health service utilisation, medication use, education, employment and housing. Anxiety symptomatology was divided into generalized anxiety, panic, phobic, social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.ResultsThe most common ICD-10 diagnoses were schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (63.0%) and bipolar (mania) disorder (17.5%). Overall, 59.8% (n = 1092) of participants reported experiencing anxiety symptoms in the previous 12 months. Female gender was highly associated with all domains of anxiety. Smoking was significantly associated with all domains of anxiety, except generalized anxiety. The presence of any depressive symptoms in the previous 12 months was significantly associated with all anxiety symptoms. Medication side-effects were associated with phobic and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Social dysfunction was associated with social anxiety, and less so for obsessive-compulsive symptoms.ConclusionsAnxiety symptoms are common in people with psychotic disorders. Appropriate screening and treatment should be a clinical priority.

Early intervention in psychotic disorders: faith before facts?

This paper reviews the literature on early intervention in psychotic disorders, weighs the cons of this approach, and makes suggestions for clinicians and researchers regarding how to interpret and respond to what is still an embryonic evidence-base, notably in terms of any long-term benefits.

An open-label study of quetiapine in anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Atypical antipsychotics may be beneficial in treating the core psychopathology of anorexia nervosa (AN). METHODS: An 8 week open-label study of quetiapine was conducted in eight severely ill DSM-IV AN patients consecutively admitted to a specialist eating disorders unit. Participants were assessed by EDE-12, MADRS, YBOCS, SAPS-delusions and CDR neuropsychological battery at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, and by weekly body mass index (BMI), CGI and extrapyramidal scores. Quetiapine doses ranged from 50 mg to 800 mg per day, according to efficacy and tolerability. RESULTS: Seven participants completed 4 weeks and five participants completed 8 weeks. All participants had clinically significant levels of specific eating disorders psychopathology, and mild to moderately severe depressive symptomatology. Apart from initial mild sedation, no subjects experienced any significant adverse events. Over 4 weeks there was no significant difference in BMI, but a significant difference in the EDE-12 restraint score. There were significant differences on BMI and EDE-12 restraint subscale scores over 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: A double-blind placebo controlled study is required to further evaluate the therapeutic utility of quetiapine in severely ill AN patients beyond multidisciplinary specialist intervention.

Proximal tubular defects in idiopathic hypercalciuria: resistance to phosphate administration.

Of 100 consecutive patients with recurrent renal calculi, 43 had idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) on outpatient evaluation. Hypercalciuria was classified as diet-dependent or fasting; all patients had normal serum iPTH and urinary cyclic AMP, and serum phosphate and TmPO4/GFR were reduced in IH compared to normocalciuric stone formers. In 16 patients with IH, clearance studies revealed an elevated urine flow are factored for GFR (V/GFR) as compared with normal controls (p less than 0.05). In 12 patients, serum PTH was normally suppressed by calcium infusion but TmPO4/GFR was persistently reduced. Acute and chronic phosphate administration significantly reduced urine calcium excretion but did not correct the abnormal V/GFR. We conclude that in IH of both the fasting and the diet-dependent type, there is a defect in the proximal tubular reabsorption of sodium and fluid as well as PTH-independent tubular phosphate wasting. The proximal tubular defect is not a consequence of hypercalciuria nor of phosphate depletion but may be a cause of these abnormalities.

Transient neutropenia in a patient receiving cimetidine.

Transient neutropenia developed in a 62-year-old, white male on maintenance hemodialysis being treated with cimetidine for an in tractable duodenal ulcer. The probable mechanism was peripheral destruction of the granulocyte series, unlike the marrow depression reported with metiamide, another histamine H2 receptor antagonist.

Post-permanent access neuropathy.

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome independent of uremic polyneuropathy has been described in 4 patients. 2. Operative findings are consistent with intraneural vascular compression related to the forearm A-V fistula. 3. Intraneural neurolysis results in immediate and almost total symptomatic relief.

Renal effects of guanabenz: a new antihypertensive.

In order to determine the effects of guanabenz upon renal function, clearance studies were performed on hypertensive volunteers during sustained steady-state water diuresis. The data reveal an acute fall in renal hemodynamics and a marked reduction in sodium excretion during the 3rd and 4th hour after administration. Tha antinatriuresis was due to decreased filtration and enhanced distal nephron reabsorption of sodium, principally in association with secretion of potassium. Chronic administration of guanabenz for one week produced a sustained reduction in blood pressure, but there was no change in either body weight or 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. Repeat clearance studies revealed no change with either renal hemodynamics or sodium clearance. The data suggest that the acute antinatriuresis is a transient hemodynamic event and chronic therapy with guanabenz will not be complicated by sodium retention, a feature characteristic of other antihypertensive agents.