ABSTRACT
Plasma and red blood cell levels of haloperidol, thioridazine, and thioridazine's main metabolite mesoridazine were measured in schizophrenic outpatients during treatment with fixed doses of haloperidol or thioridazine for several months. These drug levels were compared to those in schizophrenic inpatients treated with fixed doses of the same neuroleptics. There were large interpatient variations in plasma and red blood cell levels at a given dose for schizophrenic outpatients as well as for inpatients. The intrapatient day-to-day fluctuation was much greater in the outpatients. The mean coefficient of variation of thioridazine or mesoridazine levels was about two-fold higher in schizophrenic outpatients than in inpatients. Differences in blood sampling time or compliance in medication ingestion do not fully explain the issue. The factors accounting for the increased intrapatient variability of plasma levels of thioridazine, mesoridazine, and haloperidol in schizophrenic outpatients remain unclear.
Subject(s)
Haloperidol/blood , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Thioridazine/blood , Erythrocytes/metabolism , Haloperidol/therapeutic use , Humans , Outpatients , Patient Compliance , Thioridazine/therapeutic use , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Alprazolam, a triazolobenzodiazepine first developed as an anxiolytic, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression in several comparison studies with tricyclic antidepressants. This open label study examined the efficacy and safety of alprazolam in patients aged 56-78. Of 18 patients with evaluable data, 12 were responders (improvement greater than or equal to 50% on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale); 4 patients were partial responders (HAM-D improvement of 25%-49%); and 2 patients were nonresponders. Initial drowsiness was the only side effect observed.
Subject(s)
Anti-Anxiety Agents/therapeutic use , Benzodiazepines/therapeutic use , Depressive Disorder/drug therapy , Hospitalization , Aged , Alprazolam , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Drug Evaluation , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Status Rating ScalesABSTRACT
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, variable-dose study of 59 hospitalized nonpsychotic depressed patients, bupropion was significantly (p less than .05 to less than .001) more effective than placebo on measures of depression, anxiety, and global improvement. Statistically significant drug-placebo differences appeared as early as day 5 of treatment and increased on subsequent assessments. In an evaluation of Baseline X Treatment interactions, bupropion was particularly more effective than placebo in those patients with more severe depression. Placebo and bupropion groups had similar frequencies and severity of side effects. Laboratory data showed minimal differences between the two treatments. The most common adverse experience was mild dry mouth (20% of patients). Compared to placebo, bupropion was found to be effective in the treatment of depression and to have a favorable safety profile.
Subject(s)
Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Depressive Disorder/drug therapy , Propiophenones/therapeutic use , Adult , Bupropion , Clinical Trials as Topic , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Double-Blind Method , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , Personality Inventory , Placebos , Psychiatric Status Rating ScalesABSTRACT
This study explored the characteristics of the Borderline Personality Disorder classification, specified in DSM-III. MMPI profiles of 29 male veteran inpatients with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder were compared with the profiles of 26 similar inpatients with diagnoses of other personality disorders. The borderline group had higher elevations (p less than .05) on six of the 13 standard MMPI scales. Analyses showed the borderline profiles to be of a significantly higher elevation but no different in either profile shape or dispersion. A discriminant analysis accounted for 43.7% of the variance and correctly classified 78.2% of the patients. Results are discussed in terms of possible explanations for the high F scores of the borderline group. Implications regarding characteristics of the Borderline Personality Disorder are discussed.
Subject(s)
Borderline Personality Disorder/diagnosis , MMPI , Personality Disorders/diagnosis , Adult , Borderline Personality Disorder/psychology , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Male , Personality Disorders/psychology , Truth DisclosureABSTRACT
The authors compared the MMPI profile of 26 patients with DSM-III borderline personality disorder with than of 19 patients with dysthymic disorder. The clinical scales on which the borderline patients scored highest were psychasthenia and schizophrenia, but discriminant function analyses indicated that the L and F validity scales provided the model that best discriminated between the borderline and dysthymic groups.
Subject(s)
Borderline Personality Disorder/diagnosis , MMPI , Personality Disorders/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Borderline Personality Disorder/psychology , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Male , Manuals as Topic , PsychometricsABSTRACT
The relationship between depression and borderline disorder is unclear. Using standardized observer- and subject-rated scales for depression, the authors compared patients satisfying DSM-III criteria for borderline personality disorder and dysthymic disorder. The two groups did not differ on depression as defined by the scales; however, there was a substantial intergroup difference on certain characteristics of the depression spectrum thought empirically to be associated more often with the borderline patient. The depth and quality of the depression of the borderline patient may largely overlap with that of the dysthymic patient, but it also possesses features that make it qualitatively distinct.
