Predictive value of Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) for the severity of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to investigate the association of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) score with erectile dysfunction (ED), therefore, we prospectively evaluated the relationship between penile doppler ultrasonography (PDU) findings, PNI and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) scores in patients with ED. METHODS: A total of 414 patients' characteristics, laboratory findings, SHIM and PNI scores were recorded. The PNI is calculated using the formula: 10 × serum albumin + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count. PDU was performed in patients with a SHIM score of 17 and below, while patients with a SHIM score ≥ 18 were recruited for the control group. Correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between PNI, SHIM scores and PDU parameters. The predictive value of variables for severe ED was assessed with regression analysis. RESULTS: A significant difference was demonstrated between the ED subgroups and control group for total cholesterol (p = 0.04), serum albumin (p = 0.03), total lymphocyte count (p = 0.02), BDI score (p < 0.001), and PNI score (p = 0.03). A strong positive correlation between PNI score and PSV (rho = 0.73; p = 0.001), a moderate negative correlation between PNI score and EDV (rho = - 0.54; p = 0.02), and a moderate positive correlation between PNI and SHIM scores (rho = 0.61; p = 0.02) were demonstrated. PNI score ≤ 40 (OR: 3.49; p = 0.01), age (OR: 2.15; p = 0.03) and total cholesterol (OR: 2.03; p = 0.04) were determined as significant predictors of severe ED in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that PNI score is significantly lower in patients with severe and moderate ED. It has been also revealed that the PNI score is an independent predictive factor for severe ED.

Controlling nutritional status score in predicting International Society of Urological Pathology score upgrading and biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

AIM: The aim of our study was to assess the predictive value of controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score for the prognosis of prostate cancer. METHODS: A total of 257 patients' characteristics, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values, biopsy, and pathological specimen features were all recorded. The CONUT score was calculated for each patient from three blood parameters: total lymphocyte count (TLC), serum albumin, and cholesterol concentrations. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between the total CONUT score and the variables including age, body mass index, prostate volume, PSA, biopsy and pathological specimen features, and PSA-recurrence free survival (PSA-RFS) time. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for PSA-RFS analysis. Regression analyses were performed to assess the association between clinicopathological factors, the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) upgrading, and biochemical recurrence (BCR). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were determined in pathologic ISUP grade, and total tumor volume between low and high CONUT score groups. Additionally, the high CONUT score group had a significantly higher BCR rate and lower PSA-RFS when compared with the low CONUT score group. A strong positive correlation between total CONUT score and pathologic ISUP grade and a moderate negative correlation between total CONUT score and PSA-RFS was determined. In multivariate analysis, a total CONUT score ≥2 had a statistically significant association with ISUP upgrading (odds ratio [OR] = 3.05) and BCR (3.52). CONCLUSION: Preoperative CONUT score is an independent predictive factor for ISUP score upgrading and BCR in patients who undergo radical prostatectomy.

Distress intolerance in the parents of substance dependent patients.

The purpose of this study was to determine levels of Distress Tolerance (DT) and to compare levels of DT, depression, and anxiety in the parents of substance dependent patients. This sample included 40 parents of inpatients undergoing treatment for substance dependence (SDPP) in the Balikli Rum Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. A healthy control group was recruited of 40 individuals with no Axis I diagnoses that were counterbalanced with the SDPP group in terms of age and sex. All study participants completed a sociodemographic data form and the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the State & Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Distress Tolerance Scale. DSM-IV-TR Axis I diagnoses were evaluated by psychiatrists through face to face interviews in which a Structured Clinical Interview (SCID I) was administered. We found a statistically significant lower level of distress tolerance (DT) in our SDPP group. A negative relationship was found between levels of DT, depression and anxiety. The results of our study suggested that negative emotional symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and distress tolerance were frequently seen in parents of substance dependent patients. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

Microribonucleic acid dysregulations in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

AIM: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions. Although disorder etiology and pathogenesis remains unknown, several theories about OCD development have been proposed, and many researchers believe that it is caused by both genetic and environmental factors. In the current study, our aim was to investigate miRNA levels in OCD. METHODS: In the current study, we evaluated miR18a-5p, miR22-3p, miR24-3p, miR106b-5p, miR107, miR125b-5p, and miR155a-5p levels in child and adolescent OCD patients. The research sample consisted of a group of 23 OCD patients and 40 healthy volunteer controls. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age and sex between the two groups (P>0.05). The levels of miR22-3p, miR24-3p, miR106b-5p, miR125b-5p, and miR155a-5p were significantly increased in the OCD subjects (P≤0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in miR18a-5p or miR107 levels between groups (P≥0.05). CONCLUSION: There could be a close relationship between levels of circulating miRNAs and OCD. If we could understand how the signaling pathways arranged by miRNAs impact on central nervous system development, function, and pathology, this understanding could improve our knowledge about OCD etiology and treatment.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of CRAFFT Substance Abuse Screening Test among adolescents.

AIM: This study aimed to validate the CRAFFT diagnostic test, against the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition, Axis 1-based diagnostic inventory in a Turkish population of adolescents. METHOD: The 124 adolescents who were 15-18 years old were enrolled to this study. CRAFFT was self-administered. Interviews took approximately 30 minutes, including the DSM-IV diagnostic interview for alcohol/drug dependence. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 16.653 years (minimum: 15 years, maximum: 18 years). A score of 2 or higher in part B was found to be optimal for detecting youths with substance dependence problems (sensitivity: 0.82; specificity: 0.88) and it was sufficiently discriminative. CONCLUSION: The CRAFFT is a valid and reliable instrument for identifying Turkish-speaking youths at risk for substance use disorders.

Childhood trauma in the lives of substance-dependent patients: The relationship between depression, anxiety and self-esteem.

BACKGROUND: High levels of childhood traumatic experiences have been observed among substance abusers. There has been insufficient study of the effects of childhood trauma in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to research the relationship between childhood trauma, self-esteem, and levels of depression and anxiety in substance-dependent (SD) people. METHOD: This study took place between March 2012 and April 2013, at Balikli Rum Hospital (Istanbul) substance dependency clinic. It included 50 patients diagnosed as substance dependent according to the criteria of DSM-IV as compared with 45 healthy controls. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Diagnosis (SCID-I) was used to identify Axis I disorders. All other data was collected using a semi-structured socio-demographic questionnaire, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). FINDINGS: The total scores of the SD group on the CTQ and on its Emotional Abuse/Emotional Neglect (EA/EN), Physical Abuse (PA) and Sexual Abuse (SA) subscales were statistically significant. In relation to the healthy controls, the SD group scored higher on the RSES, BDI and BAI. A correlation was observed between the total scores of SD individuals on the CTQ and their scores on the RSES, BDI and BAI. CONCLUSION: This study showed high levels of childhood traumatic experiences for SD people and indicates that there may be a relationship between these experiences and their levels of self-esteem, depression and anxiety.

Assessment of psychiatric morbidity and quality of life in children and adolescents with cutaneous leishmaniasis and their parents.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a common parasitic infectious disease caused by different species of the leishmania genus. The skin lesions are usually found on exposed areas, especially the face, arms and legs. Although the disease does not cause significant morbidity, the lesions can be troublesome and unsightly. The disease have negative impacts in areas such as patients' psychological well-being, social life and daily activities in adults. AIM: To determine the frequency of psychiatric morbidity in children and adolescents who have cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and to determine the effect of CL on their levels of depression and anxiety and on their quality of life (QoL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with CL (29 males and 25 females), who were 7 to 18 years of age, were assessed with the Child Depression Inventory (CDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventories for Children (STAIC). The patients and their mothers were assessed with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Parent and Child Versions (PedQL-P and C, respectively). This questionnaires were filled in by the control group consisting of 40 healthy children and adolescents (20 males and 20 females) and their parents from the local community matched for age, gender, and education level of the parents. RESULTS: Both the patient group and the control group had high scores on the depression measurement scale (t = 5.36, p < 0.05). These measurements also show significant differences between children and adolescents, who were defined as 12 years of age and under as well as older than 12 years, respectively (12 years of age and under (t = 3.14, p = 0.04); over 12 years (t = 5.37, p < 0.001)). However, there was no significant difference between the anxiety scores of the general patient group and the control group when classified according to age. The anxiety sensitivity index scores did not differ in either group from those of the control group. The patients' and the mothers' QoL scores for all of the scales, including all subscale scores, were significantly different from those of the control group (both 12 years of age and under as well as older than 12 years). CONCLUSIONS: The results have shown that the frequency of depressive symptoms is much higher in patients who have CL than in healthy controls. In addition, the QoL of children and adolescents with CL and of their mothers was found to be much lower than that of the control group. Therefore, the follow-up for patients with CL who are referred to dermatology clinics should include a psychiatric evaluation. If necessary, they should be referred for psychiatric support.

Distress intolerance in substance dependent patients.

This study seeks to extend the literature by examining distress tolerance (DT) levels for a substance dependent group of individuals. Next, it considers the potential relationship of DT levels with substance dependence features and finally, it compares those factors with a healthy control group. This study included 93 individuals (49 substance dependent and 44 healthy controls). Participants were evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Diagnosis (SCID-I) and given the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and State & Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Consistent with our expectations, the substance dependent group showed higher scores on the BDI and STAI, and lower scores on the DTS. There was no difference between the single drug dependent group and multiple substance-dependent groups, and their DT levels were not correlated with the duration of substance use, nor with the age of first substance use. Instead, DT was strongly correlated with trait anxiety, state anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The DT levels of this group of substance dependent individuals were very low in comparison to controls and to other groups reported in the literature. Our results suggest that distress tolerance may represent a therapeutic target factor in substance dependency treatment. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

Temperamental characteristics in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a comparison with bipolar disorder and healthy control groups.

OBJECTIVE: To date, the affective temperamental characteristics of adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have not been studied. The aim of this study is to explore those temperamental characteristics for adults diagnosed with ADHD as measured by the TEMPS-A and then to compare those results with results for individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) and with healthy controls. METHODS: Forty adults with ADHD, 40 patients with BD, and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The groups were matched by age and gender. All patients were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID I), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Wender Utah Rating Scale. Subjects' temperamental characteristics were examined using the Turkish version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-auto questionnaire (TEMPS-A). RESULTS: Ten subjects (25%) in the ADHD group and 15 subjects (30%) in the bipolar group had at least one dominant temperament. There was no identifiable dominant temperament in the control group. Compared to the control group, the ADHD group scored higher than other groups on all domains of the TEMPS-A: depressive cyclothymic, irritable and anxious. However, the hyperthymic domain was not higher for this group. Adults with ADHD scored higher on the irritable temperament scale as compared to the BD group. The ADHD and BD groups had similar mean scores for each of the other four temperaments. CONCLUSION: The adults diagnosed with ADHD in this study had different temperamental characteristics from the control group, and these temperamental characteristics were similar to those of the bipolar patients. Recognizing the role of temperamental characteristics in adults with ADHD may increase our understanding of ADHD.