Differences in Subjective Transition Outcomes Between Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals Who Completed Mandatory Psychiatric Assessment and Those Who Received Gender-Affirmative Medical Treatment in Croatia: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey.

The aim of this study was to evaluate different aspects of transition outcomes in groups of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people based on their transition status. We divided the 70 TGD participants (19 individuals assigned male at birth and 51 assigned female at birth) into two groups: those who had completed their psychiatric and psychological evaluation (PPE), which is mandatory in Croatia, and those who had undergone gender-affirming medical treatment (GAMT) (both gender-affirming hormone treatment and gender-affirming surgery). The online survey included sociodemographic questions and a custom-designed nine-item scale. The items were specifically designed based on the DSM-5-TR criteria for gender dysphoria to assess subjectively perceived transition outcomes. We conducted a factor analysis of the scale followed by structural equation modeling for confirmation. Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare group differences. The following three-factor structure was confirmed: better functioning, reduced body dysphoria, and satisfaction with decision. A positive influence of better functioning on satisfaction with the decision was found. In addition, our results showed that TGD individuals who had undergone GAMT scored higher on better functioning than those who had just completed PPE. Both groups consistently scored high on satisfaction with the decision, with no statistically significant differences between them. Our findings suggest that TGD individuals view gender-affirming medical care as beneficial to their overall functioning.

What Makes Forensic Psychiatric Experts Change Their Opinion in Supplemental Evaluations?

There are cases in forensic psychiatric evaluations with inconclusive information or with important information missing. In such situations, when new information becomes available the judge may ask an expert to supplement his/her report in the light of new information. For the purpose of this study, we collected 42 supplemental evaluations written in the University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce to determine possible factors which were associated with changes in supplemental evaluations. The following data were gathered: demographic data, types of criminal offenses, reasons for the supplement evaluation, court questions, and diagnoses. Changes in supplemental evaluations occured more often when the defendants were diagnosed with a personality disorder (PD) only, compared to those who had a PD with a comorbidity, especially substance use disorders. Defendants with the diagnosis of a substance use disorder were 63.7% less likely to have changed experts' evaluations. The evaluations remained the same when the reason for supplemental evaluations were new witnesses' testimonies. Considering the principle of economy of actions in a judiciary system, a more critical approach should be taken when the judge requests a supplemental report.

The Assessment of Psychopathic Traits in Perpertrators with Schizophrenia and Psychopathy as Comorbidity.

This paper discusses the assessment of psychopatic traits in perpetrators with schizofrenia in the light of common assumption that perpetrators with schizofrenia are not homogenic group but rather heterogenic group whose future risk does not rest exclusively on the psychopathology of the underlying disease. Our sample consists of 150 perperators with schizofrenia who commited a criminal act and were subjects of forensic evaluation in the University Hospital of Psychiatry Vrapce, Center for Forensic Psychiatry throughout a period of 11 years. All data were extracted from written evaluations. In our research, the assessment of psychopatic trait was performed by PCL-R (Psychopathy Checklist- Revised) - the assessment tool rarely used in Croatia. Data were analysed by methods of descriptive statistics and multivariant discriminatory analysis. Our results show that some of psychopatic traits exist in all of our evaluees, but with markedly different intensity. The average PCL-R score was 19.92 (SD=8.30), and by defining the cut off at 26, our subjects were divided into two groups: subjects with a higher level of psychopathy trait (High-P) and those with a lower level of psychopathy trait (Low-P). These two groups showed significant differences in all of the items. The confirmation of our hypothesis opens new areas for discussion and future research: problem of comorbidites in patients with schizofrenia in a forensic setting and a rationale for the routine usage of PCL-R in forensic evaluations.

No Arachnoid Granulations-No Problems: Number, Size, and Distribution of Arachnoid Granulations From Birth to 80 Years of Age.

Introduction: The study aims to quantify changes in the number, size, and distribution of arachnoid granulations during the human lifespan to elucidate their role in cerebrospinal fluid physiology. Material and Methods: 3T magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed in 120 subjects of different ages (neonate, 2 years, 10 years, 20 years, 40 years, 60 years, and 80 years) all with the normal findings of the cerebrospinal fluid system (CSF). At each age, 10 male and 10 female subjects were analyzed. Group scanned at neonatal age was re-scanned at the age of two, while all other groups were scanned once. Arachnoid granulations were analyzed on T2 coronal and axial sections. Each arachnoid granulation was described concerning size and position relative to the superior sagittal, transverse, and sigmoid sinuses and surrounding cranial bones. Results: Our study shows that 85% of neonates and 2-year-old children do not have visible arachnoid granulations in the dural sinuses and cranial bones on magnetic resonance imaging. With age, the percentage of patients with arachnoid granulations in the superior sagittal sinus increases significantly, but there is no increase in the sigmoid and transverse sinuses. However, numerous individuals in different age groups do not have arachnoid granulations in dural sinuses. Arachnoid granulations in the cranial bones are found only around the superior sagittal sinus, for the first time at the age of 10, and over time their number increases significantly. From the age of 60 onwards, arachnoid granulations were more numerous in the cranial bones than in the dural sinuses. Conclusion: The results show that the number, size, and distribution of arachnoid granulations in the superior sagittal sinus and surrounding cranial bones change significantly over a lifetime. However, numerous individuals with a completely normal CSF system do not have arachnoid granulations in the dural sinuses, which calls into question their role in CSF physiology. It can be assumed that arachnoid granulations do not play an essential role in CSF absorption as it is generally accepted. Therefore, the lack of arachnoid granulations does not appear to cause problems in intracranial fluid homeostasis.