Pronounced clinical response following the oncolytic vaccinia virus GL-ONC1 and chemotherapy in a heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patient.

Heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patients become progressively chemoresistant, and thereafter, only scant treatments potentially accord reasonable, albeit limited clinical efficacy. We describe a case involving a 67-year-old ovarian cancer patient who underwent multiple lines of chemotherapy and presented with recurrent disease and a CA-125 of 4112 U/mL. Thenceforth, she was treated with GL-ONC1 oncolytic viral therapy that was administered laparoscopically in accordance with a clinical trial. The patient subsequently received chemotherapy and during the fourth cycle, her CA-125 decreased to 99 U/mL; moreover, a computed tomography scan of the pelvis exhibited significant disease reduction. Viral therapy hypothetically confers significant promise in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer, especially in patients who remain unresponsive to traditional medications.

Síndrome de Gilles de la Tourette / Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome

Introducción: El síndrome de la Tourette constituye un trastorno neuropsiquiátrico que puede afectar seriamente la calidad de vida. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas y el tratamiento del síndrome de la Tourette en un paciente atendido en el Departamento de Salud Mental del Policlínico Universitario Héroes de Girón. Métodos: Se aplicó el método clínico, anamnesis, examen físico general, neurológico y psiquiátrico. Entrevista semiestructurada, pruebas psicológicas proyectivas, exámenes de laboratorio, electrocardiograma, imagineología cerebral (TAC simple de cráneo); estudios neuropsicológicos (Wisconsin) y neurofisiológicos (electroencefalograma). Se revisó la historia clínica del paciente examinado. Resultados: Paciente masculino de 43 años de edad, soltero, no hijos, electricista. Con historia de hiperactividad y dificultad atencional, asociado a tics motores complejos y fonatorios desde los 7 años de edad sin tratamiento, con afectación de su calidad de vida. Al examen clínico se constatan tics mixtos, al examen psiquiátrico distractibilidad, retraimiento, desmotivación, perseveración, rumiaciones, ideas obsesivas, ansiedad, angustia, hipercinesia, compulsiones, rituales, disfemia, coprolalia e insomnio nocturno. En las pruebas psicológicas marcada ansiedad e impulsividad. Los estudios de laboratorio, electrocardiografía y TAC de cráneo no arrojaron resultados patológicos. Wisconsin positivo. Electroencefalograma con irritación cortical en región frontotemporal izquierda. Conclusiones: El síndrome de la Tourette se presenta con frecuencia en la clínica psiquiátrica del adulto como entidad comórbida con el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad y el Trastorno obsesivo compulsivo(AU)

Introduction: Tourette's syndrome constitutes a neuropsychiatric disorder that can seriously affect the quality of life. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and the treatment of Tourette's syndrome in a patient treated at the Department of Mental Health of Héroes de Girón University Polyclinic. Methods: The clinical method, anamnesis, general physical, neurological and psychiatric examination were applied. Semi-structured interview, projective psychological tests, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, brain imaging (simple skull CAT scan); neuropsychological (Wisconsin) and neurophysiological studies (Electroencephalogram). The clinical record of the patient examined was reviewed. Results: Male patient aged 43 years, single, without children, electrician. With a history of hyperactivity and attentional difficulty, associated with complex and phonatory motor tics from the age of 7 and without treatment, affecting his quality of life. The clinical examination shows mixed tics, psychiatric examination, distractibility, withdrawal, demotivation, perseveration, ruminations, obsessive ideas, anxiety, anguish, hyperkinesia, compulsions, rituals, dyspnea, coprolalia and nocturnal insomnia. In psychological tests, marked anxiety and impulsivity. The laboratory studies, electrocardiography and CT scan of the skull did not yield pathological results. Wisconsin positive. Electroencephalogram with cortical irritation in the left frontotemporal region. Conclusions: Tourette's syndrome is frequently seen in the psychiatric clinic of the adult as a comorbid entity with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder(AU)

Síndrome de Gilles de la Tourette / Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome

Introducción: El síndrome de la Tourette constituye un trastorno neuropsiquiátrico que puede afectar seriamente la calidad de vida. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas y el tratamiento del síndrome de la Tourette en un paciente atendido en el Departamento de Salud Mental del Policlínico Universitario Héroes de Girón. Métodos: Se aplicó el método clínico, anamnesis, examen físico general, neurológico y psiquiátrico. Entrevista semiestructurada, pruebas psicológicas proyectivas, exámenes de laboratorio, electrocardiograma, imagineología cerebral (TAC simple de cráneo); estudios neuropsicológicos (Wisconsin) y neurofisiológicos (electroencefalograma). Se revisó la historia clínica del paciente examinado. Resultados: Paciente masculino de 43 años de edad, soltero, no hijos, electricista. Con historia de hiperactividad y dificultad atencional, asociado a tics motores complejos y fonatorios desde los 7 años de edad sin tratamiento, con afectación de su calidad de vida. Al examen clínico se constatan tics mixtos, al examen psiquiátrico distractibilidad, retraimiento, desmotivación, perseveración, rumiaciones, ideas obsesivas, ansiedad, angustia, hipercinesia, compulsiones, rituales, disfemia, coprolalia e insomnio nocturno. En las pruebas psicológicas marcada ansiedad e impulsividad. Los estudios de laboratorio, electrocardiografía y TAC de cráneo no arrojaron resultados patológicos. Wisconsin positivo. Electroencefalograma con irritación cortical en región frontotemporal izquierda. Conclusiones: El síndrome de la Tourette se presenta con frecuencia en la clínica psiquiátrica del adulto como entidad comórbida con el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad y el Trastorno obsesivo compulsivo(AU)

Introduction: Tourette's syndrome constitutes a neuropsychiatric disorder that can seriously affect the quality of life. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and the treatment of Tourette's syndrome in a patient treated at the Department of Mental Health of Héroes de Girón University Polyclinic. Methods: The clinical method, anamnesis, general physical, neurological and psychiatric examination were applied. Semi-structured interview, projective psychological tests, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, brain imaging (simple skull CAT scan); neuropsychological (Wisconsin) and neurophysiological studies (Electroencephalogram). The clinical record of the patient examined was reviewed. Results: Male patient aged 43 years, single, without children, electrician. With a history of hyperactivity and attentional difficulty, associated with complex and phonatory motor tics from the age of 7 and without treatment, affecting his quality of life. The clinical examination shows mixed tics, psychiatric examination, distractibility, withdrawal, demotivation, perseveration, ruminations, obsessive ideas, anxiety, anguish, hyperkinesia, compulsions, rituals, dyspnea, coprolalia and nocturnal insomnia. In psychological tests, marked anxiety and impulsivity. The laboratory studies, electrocardiography and CT scan of the skull did not yield pathological results. Wisconsin positive. Electroencephalogram with cortical irritation in the left frontotemporal region. Conclusions: Tourette's syndrome is frequently seen in the psychiatric clinic of the adult as a comorbid entity with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder(AU)

ADRF Network Hosts Research Conference to Advance Uses of Administrative Data in the United States.

The Administrative Data Research Facilities (ADRF) Network is a new U.S.-based effort aimed at advancing the uses of administrative data in social science research. Together with Georgetown University's Massive Data Institute, the ADRF Network hosted its first conference in November 2017 to share approaches and build collaborative opportunities. The conference illustrated the importance of private sector data, the need for data intermediaries, and the essential process of building trust in moving forward this emerging field in the United States.

Prevalencia de depresión y factores de riesgo asociados a deterioro cognitivo en adultos mayores / Prevalence of depression and risk factors associated to cognitive impairment in elderly

Introducción: el deterioro cognitivo en los adultos mayores constituye un problema de salud que afecta todas las esferas de sus vidas. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de depresión y factores de riesgo asociados a deterioro cognitivo en adultos mayores. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal. Universo constituido por 48 adultos mayores parcialmente institucionalizados en la Casa de Abuelos del Municipio Cerro Celia Sánchez Manduley. Muestra representada por 20 adultos mayores parcialmente institucionalizados atendidos en la consulta de psico-geriatría en la Casa de Abuelos del Municipio Cerro Celia Sánchez Manduley, a través de visitas semanales en el período comprendido del primero de Enero hasta el 31 de marzo de 2016, seleccionados al azar teniendo en cuenta el único criterio de participación voluntaria en la investigación. A los pacientes se les aplicó el método clínico, entrevista semiestructurada. Encuesta para la pesquisa de depresión mediante tres preguntas orales (EPD-3PO), versión abreviada española de la escala de depresión geriátrica de Yesavage (15 preguntas). Mini-examen del estado mental de Folstein (M.M.S.E). Resultados: se obtuvo que el 60 por ciento de los pacientes presentaron depresión y el 95 por ciento enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, como principales factores de riesgo asociados a deterioro cognitivo. Conclusiones: la depresión y las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, constituyen los principales factores de riesgo asociados a deterioro cognitivo en adultos mayores(AU)

Introduction: Cognitive impairment in elderly constitutes a problem of health that affects all the spheres of this people´s life. Objective: To determine the prevalence of depression and risk factors associated to cognitive impairment in elderly. Methods: It was carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study. Universe: constitutes by 48 partially institutionalised olders of the Elderly´s House of the Municipality of Cerro Celia Sánchez Manduley. Sample: represented by 20 partially institutionalised attended elders in the Elderly´ s House of the Municipality of Cerro Celia Sánchez Manduley in the weekly psychogeriatric evaluation from January 1 st until Marz 31st 2016 .The only selection criteria was the patients´ will to participate in the research. To the patients applied them the clinical method, semi-structural interview. Three verbally asked questions (EPD-3PO), spanish short version of Yesavage geriatric depression scale (15 questions). Mini-exam of the mental state of Folstein (M.M.S.E). Results: The study showed that 60 percent of the patients had depression and 95 percent had chronic diseases as main risk factors associated to cognitive impairment. Conclusions: depression and chronic diseases constitute the main risk factors associated to cognitive impairment in elderly(AU)

Prevalencia de depresión y factores de riesgo asociados a deterioro cognitivo en adultos mayores / Prevalence of depression and risk factors associated to cognitive impairment in elderly

Introducción: el deterioro cognitivo en los adultos mayores constituye un problema de salud que afecta todas las esferas de sus vidas. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de depresión y factores de riesgo asociados a deterioro cognitivo en adultos mayores. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal. Universo constituido por 48 adultos mayores parcialmente institucionalizados en la Casa de Abuelos del Municipio Cerro Celia Sánchez Manduley. Muestra representada por 20 adultos mayores parcialmente institucionalizados atendidos en la consulta de psico-geriatría en la Casa de Abuelos del Municipio Cerro Celia Sánchez Manduley, a través de visitas semanales en el período comprendido del primero de Enero hasta el 31 de marzo de 2016, seleccionados al azar teniendo en cuenta el único criterio de participación voluntaria en la investigación. A los pacientes se les aplicó el método clínico, entrevista semiestructurada. Encuesta para la pesquisa de depresión mediante tres preguntas orales (EPD-3PO), versión abreviada española de la escala de depresión geriátrica de Yesavage (15 preguntas). Mini-examen del estado mental de Folstein (M.M.S.E). Resultados: se obtuvo que el 60 por ciento de los pacientes presentaron depresión y el 95 por ciento enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, como principales factores de riesgo asociados a deterioro cognitivo. Conclusiones: la depresión y las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, constituyen los principales factores de riesgo asociados a deterioro cognitivo en adultos mayores(AU)

Introduction: Cognitive impairment in elderly constitutes a problem of health that affects all the spheres of this people´s life. Objective: To determine the prevalence of depression and risk factors associated to cognitive impairment in elderly. Methods: It was carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study. Universe: constitutes by 48 partially institutionalised olders of the Elderly´s House of the Municipality of Cerro Celia Sánchez Manduley. Sample: represented by 20 partially institutionalised attended elders in the Elderly´ s House of the Municipality of Cerro Celia Sánchez Manduley in the weekly psychogeriatric evaluation from January 1 st until Marz 31st 2016 .The only selection criteria was the patients´ will to participate in the research. To the patients applied them the clinical method, semi-structural interview. Three verbally asked questions (EPD-3PO), spanish short version of Yesavage geriatric depression scale (15 questions). Mini-exam of the mental state of Folstein (M.M.S.E). Results: The study showed that 60 percent of the patients had depression and 95 percent had chronic diseases as main risk factors associated to cognitive impairment. Conclusions: depression and chronic diseases constitute the main risk factors associated to cognitive impairment in elderly(AU)

Morbilidad psiquiátrica en pacientes mayores de 18 años / Psychiatric morbidity in older than 18 years

Introducción: las enfermedades psiquiátricas constituyen un problema de salud que afecta todas las esferas de la vida humana. Objetivo: describir la morbilidad psiquiátrica de pacientes mayores de 18 años de edad. Métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal. La muestra estuvo constituida por 260 pacientes. Los entrevistados fueron pacientes mayores de 18 años de edad atendidos en el Departamento de Salud Mental del Policlínico Héroes de Girón, durante el año 2015. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes y se les aplicó el método clínico, entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: las entidades psiquiátricas de mayor prevalencia fueron las Psicosis (38,84 por ciento) y los Trastornos neuróticos (36,92 por ciento); seguidas de un predominio de las Adicciones (13,07 por ciento) y las Demencias (11,15 por ciento). Conclusiones: la morbilidad psiquiátrica que predomina está constituida por las Psicosis y los Trastornos neuróticos(AU)

Introduction: psychiatrics diseases constitute a problem of health that affects all the spheres of the human life. Objective: describing the psychiatric morbidity in older than 18 years of age. Material and method: It was carried out a descriptive transversal study. The sample was constituted by 260 patients. The interviewed were older than 18 years of age attended patients of the Mental Health Department at the Héroes de Girón Policlinic, during the year 2015. To the patients applied them the clinical method, semi -structural interview. Clinical reports of the examined patients were reviewed. Results: It was obtained that the most common psychiatrics diseases were Psychosis (38.84 percent%), Neurotics disorders (36.92 percent); it prevailed the diagnosis of Drug adiction isorder (13.07 percent) and Dementia (11.15 percent). Conclusion: the psychiatric morbidity that prevails is Psychosis and Neurotics disorders(AU)

Morbilidad psiquiátrica en pacientes mayores de 18 años / Psychiatric morbidity in older than 18 years

Introducción: las enfermedades psiquiátricas constituyen un problema de salud que afecta todas las esferas de la vida humana. Objetivo: describir la morbilidad psiquiátrica de pacientes mayores de 18 años de edad. Métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal. La muestra estuvo constituida por 260 pacientes. Los entrevistados fueron pacientes mayores de 18 años de edad atendidos en el Departamento de Salud Mental del Policlínico Héroes de Girón, durante el año 2015. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes y se les aplicó el método clínico, entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: las entidades psiquiátricas de mayor prevalencia fueron las Psicosis (38,84 por ciento) y los Trastornos neuróticos (36,92 por ciento); seguidas de un predominio de las Adicciones (13,07 por ciento) y las Demencias (11,15 por ciento). Conclusiones: la morbilidad psiquiátrica que predomina está constituida por las Psicosis y los Trastornos neuróticos(AU)

Introduction: psychiatrics diseases constitute a problem of health that affects all the spheres of the human life. Objective: describing the psychiatric morbidity in older than 18 years of age. Material and method: It was carried out a descriptive transversal study. The sample was constituted by 260 patients. The interviewed were older than 18 years of age attended patients of the Mental Health Department at the Héroes de Girón Policlinic, during the year 2015. To the patients applied them the clinical method, semi-structural interview. Clinical reports of the examined patients were reviewed. Results: It was obtained that the most common psychiatrics diseases were Psychosis (38.84 percent), Neurotics disorders (36.92 percent); it prevailed the diagnosis of Drug adiction isorder (13.07 percent) and Dementia (11.15 percent). Conclusion: the psychiatric morbidity that prevails is Psychosis and Neurotics disorders(AU)

Caracterización sociopsicológica en pacientes ingresados por conducta violenta en el Hospital Docente Joaquín Albarrán, 2013 / Socio-psychological characterization in patients admitted for violent conduct in the Teaching Hospital Joaquin Albarrán, 2013

Introducción: La violencia constituye un problema de salud que afecta todas las esferas de la vida humana.Objetivo: Caracterizar a los pacientes de 25 a 64 años de edad ingresados por conducta violenta en el Servicio de Psiquiatría del Hospital Docente Joaquín Albarrán.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal. La muestra estuvo constituida por 51 pacientes. Los encuestados fueron pacientes de 25 a 64 años de edad ingresados por conducta violenta en el Servicio de Psiquiatría del Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente Joaquín Albarrán durante el año 2013. A los pacientes se les aplicó el método clínico, entrevista semiestructurada, encuesta y el test de percepción del funcionamiento familiar (FF-SIL). Resultados: Se obtuvo que el grupo etario más afectado fue el de 30 a 49 años (72.6 por ciento); hubo un predominio del género femenino (54.9 por ciento), y la creencia religiosa yoruba (49.0 por ciento). Se encontró que de la serie estudiada el 84.3 por ciento de los casos pertenecían a familias disfuncionales. Así mismo, el diagnóstico de trastorno de la personalidad fue el más frecuente (58.8 por ciento).Conclusiones: La conducta violenta se presenta con más frecuencia en el grupo etario de 30 a 49 años, fundamentalmente en el sexo femenino. La creencia religiosa más asociada a la violencia es la religión yoruba. Las familias a las que pertenecen los pacientes estudiados son mayoritariamente disfuncionales. Entre los antecedentes de patología psiquiátrica predomina el diagnóstico de trastorno de la personalidad(AU)

Introduction: the violence constitutes a problem of health that affects all the spheres of the human life.Objective: characterizing the patients of 25 to 64 years of age entered by violent conduct in the Service of Psychiatry of the University Hospital Joaquin Albarran.Material and methods: it was carried out a descriptive and prospective study. The sample was constituted by 51 patients. The interviewed were patients of 25 to 64 years of age entered by violent conduct in the Service of Psychiatry of the University Hospital Joaquin Albarran during the year 2013. To the patients applied them the clinical method, semi structural interview, survey and the familiar function perception test (FF-SIL). Results: It was obtained that the group age more affected was that of 30 to 49 years (72.6 percent); there was a prevalence of the feminine gender (54.9 percent), belief yoruba religious (49.0 percent). It was that of the studied series the 84.3 percent they of the cases belonged to families dysfunctional. It prevailed the diagnosis of disorder of the personality (58.8 percent).Conclusions: the violent conduct comes group ages of 30 to 49 years with more frequency in the group, fundamentally in the feminine sex. The religious belief associated with the violence is the yoruba religion. The families to which the studied patients belong are for the most part dysfunctional. Between the antecedents of psychiatric pathology prevail the diagnosis of disorder of the personality(AU)

Ovarian cyst fluids are a cache of tumor biomarkers that include calgranulin A and calgranulin B isoforms.

SELDI-TOF MS analysis of cyst fluids identified 95 peaks that discriminate malignant, borderline, and benign ovarian tumors. Three prominent peaks, which correspond to calgranulin A (m/z 10847) and two isoforms of calgranulin B (m/z 12717 and 13294), have higher concentrations in borderline and malignant cyst fluids. Together, calgranulin A and B distinguish borderline and malignant tumors from benign tumors with 28.6% and 63.6% sensitivity for early stage disease, respectively, at 95% specificity and with 74.8% accuracy. Ovarian cyst fluids are useful for discovering discriminatory biomarkers, such as calgranulin, which may have utility for detecting, diagnosing, and biochemically classifying ovarian tumors.

Prevalence and burden of illness of migraine in managed care patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the 3-month prevalence rate of migraine in a health maintenance organization (HMO) population, using a 2-stage screening process and neurologist exam, and to examine the burden of illness associated with both previously diagnosed and previously undiagnosed migraine in this population METHODS: A migraine assessment was sent to a random sample of 1,000 HMO patients between April 1999 and January 2000. Those screening positive and a random sample of those screening negative for migraine were evaluated by neurologists using a structured diagnostic assessment. Then, those diagnosed to have migraines by the study's neurologists completed a battery of 3 questionnaires, evaluating severity, distress, and impairment RESULTS: Of 1,000 questionnaires sent, 753 (75.3%) were returned. The estimate of prevalence of migraine in this population ranged from 21.4% (adjusted for response bias) to 27.8% (unadjusted for selection bias). Only 48% of respondents had been previously diagnosed with migraine. The typical migraine caused moderate-to-severe distress in 69%, and 66% had definite or extreme interference in their social or occupational functioning. The average migraineur missed 7.6 hours of work due to migraine in the past 3 months. Previously undiagnosed migraine was associated with substantial impairment, with 58% of responders reporting interference with daily activities and 54% reporting moderate or greater distress. There was no significant difference between previously diagnosed and undiagnosed migraineurs on 3 outcome measures: pain, interference, or days of missed work. A higher proportion of previously diagnosed migraineurs (84%) reported moderate or greater distress compared with undiagnosed migraineurs (54%, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Using a neurologist exam, the researchers found that the prevalence of migraine headaches was higher than previously reported. About one half of migraineurs had been previously undiagnosed. Undiagnosed migraine is associated with significant pain, distress, and dysfunction and is similar in these respects to diagnosed migraine. Increased public education and physician education on migraine are warranted.

The chemopreventive agent phenethyl isothiocyanate sensitizes cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis.

The chemopreventive properties of the isothiocyanates have been attributed to their ability to inhibit phase I enzymes that activate procarcinogens, induce phase II protective enzymes and trigger apoptosis in transformed cells. In this study we provide evidence for a new mechanism of chemoprevention, wherein sublethal doses of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) sensitize cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis. The phenomenon was observed in the Fas-resistant T24 bladder carcinoma cell line and in Jurkat T cells overexpressing the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Caspase-3-like activity was increased up to 20-fold of that observed with either PEITC or anti-Fas antibody alone. While PEITC activated ERK, JNK and p38, inhibitors of these MAP kinases did not block apoptosis. PEITC transiently depleted cellular glutathione, providing a putative mechanism for sensitizing the cells to apoptosis. However, lowering glutathione with buthionine sulfoximine did not mimic the effect of PEITC. Instead, we propose that PEITC promotes apoptosis by directly modifying intracellular thiol proteins. The ability of PEITC to sensitize cells to receptor-mediated apoptosis provides an additional mechanism to explain its chemopreventive properties.

Automating standard alcohol use assessment instruments via interactive voice response technology.

BACKGROUND: Interactive voice response (IVR) technology integrates touch-tone telephones with computer-automated data processing. IVR offers a convenient, efficient method for remote collection of self-report data. METHODS: Twenty-six subjects recruited from an outpatient alcohol treatment center completed IVR and paper/pencil versions of a demographic and drinking history questionnaire, Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale, Drinker Inventory of Consequences, Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale, Alcohol Dependence Scale, and two numerical rating scales of craving and desire to drink during the prior week. Administration of the instruments in both formats was repeated 1 week later. The order of administration method was counterbalanced between subjects and reversed across data collection sessions. Scale and subscale scores from both methods were correlated within sessions. Test-retest correlations were also calculated for each method. A criterion of alpha = 0.01 was used to control type I statistical error. RESULTS: Intermethod correlations within each session were significant for all of the instruments administered. Test-retest correlations for both methods were also significant, except for the numerical ratings. Scores on the Alcohol Dependence Scale obtained via IVR were significantly lower than those collected by paper/pencil. Other differences between the data collection methods or across the sessions were inconsistent. The average IVR call length was 34 min and 23 sec. Paper/pencil forms required an average of 18 min and 38 sec to complete and an additional 10 min and 17 sec for data entry. CONCLUSIONS: IVR technology provides a convenient alternative to collecting self-report measures of treatment outcomes. Both paper/pencil and IVR assessments provide highly convergent data and demonstrate good test-retest reliability. Alcohol Dependence Scale score differences between methods highlight special considerations for IVR adaptation of existing paper/pencil instruments. Benefits of IVR include procedural standardization, automatic data scoring, direct electronic storage, and remote accessibility from multiple locations.

Paroxetine in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Open-Label Study.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder and is the largest diagnostic cohort seen by gastroenterologists. There is a bidirectional comorbidity of IBS and psychiatric illness. Ours is the first study to examine the effect of any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in subjects with IBS. METHOD: Twenty subjects with Rome I criteria-diagnosed IBS were treated with 20 to 40 mg of paroxetine for 12 weeks. We utilized a computer-administered patient daily questionnaire taken by patients over the telephone using an interactive voice response system. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of patients (13/20) reported a reduction in abdominal pain, and 55% (11/20) reported a reduction in pain frequency (total or mean number of days per week in which the patient had the symptom decreased by >/= 50%). Constipation and diarrhea were reduced in 69% and 57% of patients (9/13 and 8/14), respectively. Similarly, a clinically significant reduction in the symptoms of feeling of incomplete emptying (53% [9/17]) and bloating/abdominal distension (55% [11/20]) was apparent at study conclusion compared with baseline. On the Clinical Global Impressions scale at week 12, 47% (8/17) of the patients were much or very much improved. CONCLUSION: In our pilot open-label study, paroxetine was very effective in alleviating the abdominal pain and associated symptoms of IBS. These results warrant further examination in a placebo-controlled study.