ABSTRACT
The authors review the various methods of evaluating quality of life in schizophrenics and note the limitations of that type of method in terms of both form and content. In practical terms, the patients' cognitive disorders may constitute a bias when the questionnaire is addressed. Using a 'subjective quality of life profile' by Gerin et al., the authors interviewed 22 patients presenting with 'recalcitrant schizophrenia' and treated with clozapine for more than 3 years. The patients were asked to assess the change in their quality of life by comparison with previous neuroleptic chemotherapies. For all the items investigated, the responses were in favor of clozapine.
Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Clozapine/therapeutic use , Quality of Life , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Schizophrenic Psychology , Antipsychotic Agents/adverse effects , Chronic Disease , Clozapine/adverse effects , Humans , Patient Satisfaction , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Recurrence , Schizophrenia/diagnosisABSTRACT
A cephalometric study was performed in 19 patients with Turner's syndrome, aged 8.7-16.5 years. A lateral roentgen-encephalogram was taken before and after two years of treatment with biosynthetic growth hormone in a dose of 24 IU/m2/week. During two years of growth hormone treatment, the mandibular length increased mainly due to vertical growth. The initially posteriorly rotated mandible showed an anterior rotation, although the normal position was not reached. The other linear measurements and angles did not change during treatment. No indications were found for an increase in the disproportionate growth or for excessive chin growth as a sign of acromegaly during growth hormone treatment. In conclusion, growth hormone treatment in patients with Turner's syndrome resulted in an increase in mandibular length, mainly due to vertical growth of the ramus and in the anterior rotation of the mandible.
