Appraisal of a specific scale for quality of life (AlQoL-9) in Greek alcohol dependent individuals attending: A confirmatory factor analysis.

Αlcohol abuse/dependence seriously affects quality of life (QoL). The AlQoL-9 scale, derived from the generic instrument SF-36, is the only instrument in the international literature which is specific as a measure of QoL for alcohol-dependent patients. It can provide health carers with valuable information regarding the needs of alcoholic individuals and the effects of therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Greek version of AlQoL-9 taking as a basis the research on the original French and English versions. A sample of 170 participants (118 males, 52 females) aged 24-74 years (mean age=48.2 years, SD=9.6) recruited from inpatient and outpatient detoxification units in different regions of Greece completed the AlQoL-9 questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment - short version (WHOQOL-BREF). The internal structure of the AlQoL-9 questionnaire was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The associations of AlQoL-9 with sociodemographic and clinical variables were examined. The correlation coefficients between AlQoL-9 and scores on the domains of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire were computed as an indication of convergent validity. The average inter-item correlation between the AlQoL-9 items was 0.403. CFA supported a single factor underlying the AlQoL-9 items. Cronbach's alpha for the Greek version of the scale showed high internal consistency, 0.837, and could not be improved by omitting any item. The AlQoL-9 score showed significant associations with gender (mean 29.2, SD=6.2 for males; mean 26.1, SD=7.2 for females: p=0.004) and with comorbidity (mean 25.7, SD=7.8 with comorbidity, mean 29.5, SD=5.8 without: p=0.001). The AlQoL-9 score was significantly correlated (p<0.001) with all scores of the WHOQOL-BREF, most strongly with the WHOQOL domains of physical health (Pearson's r=0.720) and psychological health (r=0.693) and less so with social relationships (0.481), environment (0.411), and the single-item measures of overall health (0.554) and overall quality of life (0.522). The present study demonstrated that the Greek version of the AlQoL-9 constitutes a valid and reliable single-factor research instrument for evaluating quality of life among alcohol-dependent individuals. It is recommended to be used in combination with a generic QoL instrument e.g. the WHOQOL-BREF. It is suitable for clinical everyday practice to monitor possible patient QoL changes, as well as in large scale studies investigating QoL in the relevant population.

Detecting changes in quality of life and psychiatric symptomatology following an in-patient detoxification programme for alcohol-dependent individuals: the use of WHOQOL-100.

The present study examines quality of life (QoL) and psychiatric symptomatology prior to and upon completion of a 5-week in-patient detoxification programme with the aim to identify any changes produced following clinical intervention. A group of 46 alcohol-dependent individuals, who were consecutively admitted for detoxification in the Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Athens, were clinically-assessed at admission and just before discharge with DSM-IV, CIDI-WHO and with the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scales (HDRS, HARS) and the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) for depression, anxiety and overall functioning, respectively. In addition, the patients were invited to complete the World Health Organization Quality of Life WHOQOL-100 instrument. Differences between admission and discharge scores were examined using related sample t-tests. Correlations between the WHOQOL-100 scores and clinically-assessed symptomatology measures were performed. Regression analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation of clinical and socio-demographic variables with patient overall QoL. The results indicate that QoL scores increased at discharge in 16 out of the 24 WHOQOL-100 facets. In addition, patient-assessed status of health was significantly improved. Improvement was also observed in the symptomatology scales rated by the clinician, providing evidence for lower levels of depression, anxiety and a higher level of functioning. Moderate correlations were found between WHOQOL-100 domains and psychiatric symptomatology scales. Significant WHOQOL-100 gains at discharge and clinically-assessed improvement in the HDRS, HARS and GAS, provide evidence of the WHOQOL-100 instrument's sensitivity to changes in clinical condition. The WHOQOL-100 measurement may be suitable for detecting QoL deficits or therapeutic gains in alcohol-dependent patients and may prove useful to mental health professionals for treatment planning.

Oral transmucosal abuse of transdermal fentanyl.

Transdermal fentanyl is an opioid analgesic that is effective on chronic pain, and which appears to be advantageous due to several factors such as ease of administration, the relatively stable serum concentration and long dose intervals. Nevertheless, the danger of abuse and dependence exists among patients who are prescribed fentanyl patches. We present a case of transdermal fentanyl abuse, where the administration route of the drug was changed. Our patient, who had no history of substance abuse and who suffered from chronic nonmalignant pain, used the fentanyl transdermal patches as oral transmucosal medication, raising the dose by ten-fold. This abuse of the drug was only for analgesic purposes without seeking anxiolysis and/or euphoria. After treatment and progressive reduction of fentanyl, the patient remains in good condition, and is currently taking the initial dose of the drug transdermally, without having experienced any withdrawal symptoms.

Zolpidem dependence case series: possible neurobiological mechanisms and clinical management.

Zolpidem is a short-acting imidazopyridine hypnotic that is an agonist at the gamma-aminobutyric acid A type (GABAA) receptor. It has been suggested that it acts selectively on alpha1 subunit-containing GABAA benzodiazepine (BZ1) receptors presenting (contrary to classic benzodiazepines) low or no affinity for other subtypes. Therefore, it has been proposed that it lacks the benzodiazepines-like side-effects, having minimal abuse and dependence potential. Nevertheless, there is a considerable number of zolpidem dependence case reports in the literature. We present eight cases of zolpidem abuse and dependence without criminal record, without history of substance abuse (except for one alcohol abuser), with minor psychiatric disorders, who took zolpidem after physicians prescription in order to deal with their insomnia. However, they became zolpidem abusers not craving its sedative, but its anxiolytic and stimulating action, which helped them to cope with everyday activities. It is possible that, in the high doses that our patients used, zolpidem abandons its selectivity for BZ1 receptors and demonstrates all the actions of classic benzodiazepines. Molecular biology, via possible mutations on GABA receptors, may provide some answers as to why our eight patients (who did not differ much from the thousands of insomniacs who use zolpidem) and other zolpidem abusers, raised the dose progressively, and sought something from the drug other than hypnotic action.

A zolpidem and cocaine abuse case report.

A case is presented of a 30-year-old man, prescribed zolpidem for insomnia arising from cocaine abuse, who sought to use this hypnotic to reduce his craving for cocaine. However, after taking cocaine and up to 300 mg/day zolpidem, he became euphoric and hyperactive. It is suggested that at high doses, zolpidem, like cocaine, has a stimulatory effect on the brain dopaminergic reward pathway. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2002; 6: 217-219 ).

The use of naloxone during the withdrawal syndrome from heroin.

Attempts to repeat in human subjects animal studies in which naloxone stopped withdrawal symptoms after prolonged use of heroin failed. Nevertheless, suggestions for further studies are made, as the subjects' subsequent desire for opiates did seem attenuated.