[Multidimensional diagnostics in pharmacopsychiatry/results of therapy with desmethyl-loxapine (author's transl)]. / Mehrdimensionale Diagnostik in der Pharmakopsychiatrie Ergebnisse eines Therapieversuchs mit Desmethyl-loxapine

In view of the particular problems of psychiatric classification the advantages and disadvantages of standardised rating scales are discussed. The result is that these instruments at present are irreplaceable in psychopathological research on behalf of their reliability in transmitting information and the possibility of quantifying psychopathological syndromes. The practice of 4 rating scales, which are still uncustomary mainly in the area of German language, is demonstrated by means of a psychopharmacological investigation example. These rating scales are: 1. the Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression, 2. the Wittenborn Psychiatric Rating Scale, 3. the Structured clinical Interview (Burdock and Hardesty) and 4. the Befindlichkeitsskala (Condition Scale) (v. Zerssen). Within a duration of treatment of 3 and 4 weeks desmethyl-loxapine [CL 67 772, 2-chloro-11-(1-piperazinyl)-dibenz (b,f)(1,4)-oxazepine] was tested in an open study as an antidepressant on 16 patients with different depressive syndromes. The results of treatment, which can be considered positive, are represented and discussed in an intra-individual pre- and after-treatment comparison in respect of the differences between these scales. The good therapeutic efficacy of desmethyl-loxapine results mainly from a marked anxiolytic effect. All the clinical and chemical examinations performed point out an excellent tolerance of this drug. German versions of standardised rating scales appear urgently indicated.

[The significance of standardized evaluation scales in psychiatric diagnosis as exemplified by the therapeutic intervention with desmethyl-loxapine (author's transl)]. / Die Bedeutung standardisierter Beurteilungsskalen in der psychiatrischen Diagnostik--dargestellt am Beispiel eines Therapieversuchs mit Desmethyl-Loxapin

Taking into account the particular problems of psychiatric classification the advantages and disadvantages of standardised rating scales are discussed. The authors come to the conclusion that these instruments at present are irreplaceable in psychopathological research because of their reliability in transmitting information and the possibility of quantifying psychopathological syndromes. The use of four rating scales which are little known yet within German speaking countries in demonstrated by means of a psychopharmacological investigation on the clinical effects of Desmethyl-Loxapine. These rating scales are: 1. the Hamilton-Psychiatric-Rating-Scale for Depression 2. the Wittenborn-Psychiatric-Rating-Scale 3. the Structured Clinical Interview (Burdock and Hardesty) and 4. the Befindlichkeits-Skala (Condition-Scale). Desmethyl-Loxapine was given in an open study as an antidepressant to 16 patients with different depressive syndromes. The results of treatment which lasted 3 to 4 weeks are discussed. The good therapeutic efficacy of Desmethyl-Loxapine was mainly due to its marked anxiolytic effect. All accomplished clinical examinations showed an excellent tolerance of this drug.