Appraisal of a specific scale for quality of life (AlQoL-9) in Greek alcohol dependent individuals attending: A confirmatory factor analysis.

Αlcohol abuse/dependence seriously affects quality of life (QoL). The AlQoL-9 scale, derived from the generic instrument SF-36, is the only instrument in the international literature which is specific as a measure of QoL for alcohol-dependent patients. It can provide health carers with valuable information regarding the needs of alcoholic individuals and the effects of therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Greek version of AlQoL-9 taking as a basis the research on the original French and English versions. A sample of 170 participants (118 males, 52 females) aged 24-74 years (mean age=48.2 years, SD=9.6) recruited from inpatient and outpatient detoxification units in different regions of Greece completed the AlQoL-9 questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment - short version (WHOQOL-BREF). The internal structure of the AlQoL-9 questionnaire was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The associations of AlQoL-9 with sociodemographic and clinical variables were examined. The correlation coefficients between AlQoL-9 and scores on the domains of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire were computed as an indication of convergent validity. The average inter-item correlation between the AlQoL-9 items was 0.403. CFA supported a single factor underlying the AlQoL-9 items. Cronbach's alpha for the Greek version of the scale showed high internal consistency, 0.837, and could not be improved by omitting any item. The AlQoL-9 score showed significant associations with gender (mean 29.2, SD=6.2 for males; mean 26.1, SD=7.2 for females: p=0.004) and with comorbidity (mean 25.7, SD=7.8 with comorbidity, mean 29.5, SD=5.8 without: p=0.001). The AlQoL-9 score was significantly correlated (p<0.001) with all scores of the WHOQOL-BREF, most strongly with the WHOQOL domains of physical health (Pearson's r=0.720) and psychological health (r=0.693) and less so with social relationships (0.481), environment (0.411), and the single-item measures of overall health (0.554) and overall quality of life (0.522). The present study demonstrated that the Greek version of the AlQoL-9 constitutes a valid and reliable single-factor research instrument for evaluating quality of life among alcohol-dependent individuals. It is recommended to be used in combination with a generic QoL instrument e.g. the WHOQOL-BREF. It is suitable for clinical everyday practice to monitor possible patient QoL changes, as well as in large scale studies investigating QoL in the relevant population.

[Prevention of alcohol dependence].

With the exception of cardiovascular diseases, no other medical condition causes more serious dysfunction or premature deaths than alcohol-related problems. Research results indicate that alcohol dependent individuals present an exceptionally poor level of quality of life. This is an outcome that highlights the necessity of planning and implementing preventive interventions on biological, psychological or social level, to be provided to individuals who make alcohol abuse, as well as to their families. Preventive interventions can be considered on three levels of prevention: (a) primary prevention, which is focused on the protection of healthy individuals from alcohol abuse and dependence, and may be provided on a universal, selective or indicated level, (b) secondary prevention, which aims at the prevention of deterioration regarding alcoholic dependence and relapse, in the cases of individuals already diagnosed with the condition and (c) tertiary prevention, which is focused at minimizing deterioration of functioning in chronically sufferers from alcoholic dependence. The term "quaternary prevention" can be used for the prevention of relapse. As for primary prevention, interventions focus on assessing the risk of falling into problematic use, enhancing protective factors and providing information and health education in general. These interventions can be delivered in schools or in places of work and recreation for young people. In this context, various programs have been applied in different countries, including Greece with positive results (Preventure, Alcolocks, LST, SFP, Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device). Secondary prevention includes counseling and structured help with the delivery of programs in schools and in high risk groups for alcohol dependence (SAP, LST). These programs aim at the development of alcohol refusal skills and behaviors, the adoption of models of behaviors resisting alcohol use, as well as reinforcement of general social skills. In the context of relevant interventions, various techniques are used, such as role playing. At the level of social policy, different measures may contribute to increase the effectiveness of preventive programs (e.g. prohibition of sale of alcohol in young people). Interventions of tertiary prevention aim at the development of motivation for abstinence in alcohol dependent individuals and the prevention of relapse, as well as the acquisition of new behaviors, which support modification of the problem of alcohol dependence. These interventions can take place in the context of psychotherapeutic follow-up provided to alcohol dependent individuals, and may include various short-term interventions, such as motivational interviewing, but also alternative forms of treatment (e.g. acupuncture, meditation). Elements of prevention in combination with elements of promotion of mental health may be incorporated in the same programme for alcohol dependence, endorsing similar or different activities, which may be complementary and may reinforce the effectiveness of the prevention program. Finally, it is necessary to raise the awareness of mental health professionals regarding prevention and provide specialized education to those who work in drug addiction programmes. Mental health professionals may act as therapists and as intervention coordinators, and performing these roles, they may contribute to the effectiveness of preventive programs and more generally to the treatment of disorders connected with alcohol use.

Agomelatine augmentation in obsessive compulsive disorder: a preliminary report.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often the anxiety disorder that affects approximately 2% of the population. This disorder is associated with significant morbidity and dysfunction, and is included in the World Health Organization list of the ten most disabling medical illnesses. The therapeutic response of patients with OCD is relatively poor compared with that of other mental disorders. Pharmacological interventions for OCD have focused on modulating primarily serotonin function and secondarily dopamine neurotransmission. Augmentation treatment has been the subject of several studies in treatment-resistant obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). We hypothesized that medications with a dual action on the melatoninergic and serotoninergic systems may be of use in treatment-resistant OCD. In this open label study we investigated the efficacy and safety of agomelatine augmentation in treatment-resistant OCD. Twelve patients, aged 18-50, fulfilling OCD criteria, having failed to respond to adequate treatment with a Serotonine Reuptake Inhibitor for at least 16 weeks, were assigned to receive agomelatine augmentation. Subjects were assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), and were screened for treatment-emergent side effects at baseline and week 16 of treatment. We excluded patients with comorbid psychopathology, serious medical comorbidity, current or past history of substance abuse and severe personality disorders as well as patients receiving psychotherapy in addition to psychopharmacological treatment. Agomelatine augmentation lead to net improvement in Y-BOCS and its obsession and compulsion subscales after 16 weeks of treatment (all p<0.005). Agomelatine augmentation was well-tolerated and none of the patients dropped-out. Treatment-related adverse events were recorded as follows: (n, %): nausea: 1 (8.3%), headache 4 (33.3%), dizziness: 3 (25%) and somnolence: 2 (16.7%). The present case series study has several limitations due to its open-label design and the absence of a placebo or active control group. The small number of patients further limits the impact of our findings. The present case series study showed that a 16 week add-on treatment with agomelatine, achieved on average a 25% improvement in Y-BOCS in refractory to treatment OCD patients; side effects were mild, and none of the patients dropped out throughout the 16-week study period. Agomelatine could be efficacious and well tolerated as an augmenting agent in refractory to treatment OCD. The unique pharmacological profile of agomelatine and its dual action on serotoninergic and melatoninergic receptors may be of interest in this difficult-to-treat illness. Further controlled studies are warranted to explore the efficacy of agomelatine, as well as the potential role of circadian rhythm modulation both in the pathophysiology and treatment of OCD.

Julius Wagner-Jauregg (1857-1940): Introducing fever therapy in the treatment of neurosyphilis.

For centuries, heat has been used in various ways for the cure of mental diseases. Hippocrates noted that malarial fever could have a calming effect in epileptics. Centuries later, Galen described a case of melancholy cured as a result of an attack of quartan fever. In 19th century, the eminent French psychiatrist Philippe Pinel, in his treatise on insanity referred to the beneficial effect of fever. An opinion expressed few years later by his pupil Jean-Étienne Dominique Esquirol in his treatise entitled Des maladies mentales considérées sous les rapports médical, hygiénique et médico-légal. However, in 1917, the Austrian neuro-psychiatrist Julius Wagner Jauregg pointed out the therapeutic value of malaria inoculation in the treatment of dementia paralytica. In 1927, Wagner Jauregg received for this work the Nobel Prize in Medicine, being actually the first psychiatrist to win the Nobel Prize. He studied medicine at the University of Vienna and received his doctorate in 1880. In 1889, he was appointed Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Graz's Psychiatric Clinic, a position that he held until 1928. Working in the asylum, Wagner Jauregg noted that insane patients with general paralysis occasionally became sane after some febrile episode. After experimenting with several artificial methods (streptococci, tuberculin) to induce fever, he concluded that malaria was the most satisfactory. Actually, malaria infection was an acceptable risk for the patients, as quinine would be administered as soon as syphilis was cured. In 1917, he reported the first favorable results of his study. Patients were inoculated via intravenous injections with malaria. Some physicians were starting the administration of anti-syphilitic treatment (bismuth, salvarsan and later penicillin) after 10-12 febrile paroxysms, while others initiated the regimen the first febrile-free day after 8 malarial paroxysms. The therapeutic regimen was completed with the administration of quinine sulfate to terminate the malaria infection. It is worth mentioning that the above treatment was followed in hospital under strict monitoring of patients' vital signs and regular laboratory tests. In the following years of his discovery, artificial fever was induced by any one of the following methods: the introduction into the patient of a parasitic disease; the injection of a foreign protein; injections of chemical substances such as sulphur; electrical means such as the administration of diathermy or radiotherapy, or placing the patient in an electromagnetic field; and simple immersion of the individual in a hot bath, or placing him in a heat cabinet. Wagner Jauregg's therapy was highly admired and was used on neurosyphilis cases well onto the 1950's. However, with the introduction of penicillin in syphilis' treatment, fever therapy effectively ended. Wagner Jauregg's study led to all the methods of stress therapy used in psychiatry, as electric shock, and insulin.

Depression, physical activity, energy consumption, and quality of life in OSA patients before and after CPAP treatment.

BACKGROUND: A variety of studies have demonstrated improvement in quality of life and depressive symptoms in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. However, very little is known about the effect of OSA treatment on physical activity and energy consumption. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in depression, physical activity, energy expenditure, and quality of life (QoL) in OSA patients before and after CPAP therapy. METHODS: Forty-one patients with OSA as revealed by polysomnography, were included to the study. They responded to the generic World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQoL) questionnaire, to the specific-disease Quebec Sleep Questionnaire, and to Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in order to evaluate QoL and the incidence of depression. In addition, all patients wore an accelerometer which measured physical activity and energy expenditure during a week. At least 6 months after initiation of CPAP treatment (mean time, 9 months) we re-examined 24 patients who met the compliance with the treatment criteria. RESULTS: Patients after CPAP therapy had significantly higher scores in all domains of the Quebec Sleep Questionnaire and in the domains of physical health/level of independence and psychological health/spirituality of the WHOQoL. Depression scores were also better in CES-D after treatment. However, despite the improvement in QoL and psychological status, CPAP therapy had no impact on physical activity and energy expenditure. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP therapy improves QoL and lessens depressive symptoms in our group of well-treated OSA patients. However, physical activity and energy expenditure did not present statistically significant improvement in the same group of OSA patients.

Agomelatine and sertraline for the treatment of depression in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The present study compared the efficacy of agomelatine and sertraline in the treatment of symptoms of depression/anxiety, diabetes self-care and metabolic control in a sample of depressed patients with non-optimally controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHOD: This was an observational open label study of 40 depressed patients with DM who were randomly assigned to receive either agomelatine or sertraline, and were assessed over a 4-month period for depression, anxiety, self-care, fasting plasma glucose, haemoglobin A1c and body weight. RESULTS: Lower anxiety and depression scores as well as higher self-care scores were measured in the agomelatine group compared with the sertraline group after 4 months of treatment. Although the main effects of treatment on final body weight and fasting plasma glucose were not significant, significantly lower final haemoglobin A1c levels were measured in the agomelatine group compared with the sertraline group. Both antidepressants were well tolerated and none of the patients dropped-out of the study. CONCLUSION: The main finding of the present small pilot study was that agomelatine may be a promising agent in the treatment of symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as in the improvement of health-related behaviours, in depressed patients with type 2 DM possibly offering some advantages over sertraline. However, the lack of a placebo control group limits the generalisability of the findings and warrants further studies.

Sir Robert Carswell (1793-1857): coining the term "melanoma".

Melanoma is a neoplastic disorder produced by malignant transformation of the normal melanocyte, accounting for 4% of all skin malignancies. This malignancy was described since antiquity as a "fatal black tumour". In the 19th century, the distinguished pathologist Sir Robert Carswell coined first the term melanoma, provided its pathological description and depicted the lesion in his famous work Pathological Anatomy: Illustrations of the elementary forms of disease.

Clovis Vincent (1879-1947): founder of French neurosurgery and promoter of oncologic neurosurgery.

The eminent neurologist Clovis Vincent decided to become neurosurgeon at an advanced age. His is considered the founder of French neurosurgery and the Europe's first neurosurgeon. He was mainly interested in pituitary tumors and his work on oncologic neurosurgery remains valuable.

The Nobel Prize laureate - father of anaphylaxis Charles-Robert Richet (1850-1935) and his anticancerous serum.

Professor of physiology Charles-Robert Richet, winner of the Nobel Prize in 1913, is best known for his work on anaphylaxis. However, with his collaborator Jules Héricourt studied the effects of antibody treatment and made the very first attempts to fight cancer with serotherapy. Being versatile, Richet contributed in neurology, psychology and was also a poet, playwrighter, pacifist and pioneer in aviation.

Depression, anxiety and general psychopathology in breast cancer patients: a cross-sectional control study.

OBJECTIVE: A significant proportion of breast cancer patients experience psychiatric morbidity. The present study compared the psychopathological profile (depression, anxiety and general psychopathology) of Greek women with breast cancer with a group of healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (n=109) were recruited from a specialized oncology breast cancer department and healthy controls (n=71) from a breast outpatient clinic. General psychopathology was assessed by the SCL-90-R. The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used for assessing depression and anxiety. Demographics and clinical characteristics were also recorded. Data were modeled using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 54.7±18.1 years for the control group and 51.2±9.5 years for the patient group (p=0.288). Mean scores on SCL-90-R, MADRS and STAI were significantly higher in the cancer group compared to controls (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that breast cancer was independently and positively associated with all psychological measures (p<0.05). Regression coefficients ranged from 0.19 (SCL-90-R, psychotism) to 0.33 (MADRS). Lower anger/aggressiveness and anxiety were found in highly educated women; divorced/widowed women scored higher on obsessionality and MADRS compared to married women. Psychiatric treatment was associated with higher scores on somatization, depression, phobic anxiety and general psychopathology. CONCLUSION: Anxiety, depression, and overall psychopathology are more frequent in breast cancer patients compared to controls. Disease makes a larger independent contribution to all psychopathological measures than any other investigated variable. Therefore, breast cancer patients should be closely followed up in order to identify and timely treat any mental health problems that may arise.

The father of hematologic oncology Jean Bernard (1907-2006) and his contribution to the research and treatment of leukemia.

Through his medical research and scientific work Jean Bernard dominated for half century in medicine and literature and he was honored as no other scientist. He excelled in different medical fields and is rightly considered as the founder of hematology, oncology and bioethics.

An open pilot study of tiagabine in alcohol dependence: tolerability and clinical effects.

There is evidence that GABAergic anticonvulsants can be efficacious in the treatment of alcohol dependence and in the prevention of alcohol relapse because these agents act on the substrate that is involved in alcoholism. Tiagabine, a selective GABA transporter1 reuptake inhibitor, may be a promising candidate for the treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals. In this randomized, open pilot study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of tiagabine as adjunctive treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals (N = 60) during the immediate post-detoxification period and during a 6-month follow-up period following alcohol withdrawal. A control non-medicated group of alcohol-dependent individuals (N = 60) was used for comparisons in terms of anxiety and depressive symptoms, craving and drinking outcome. Although a steady improvement in terms of psychopathology, craving and global functioning was observed in both groups throughout the study, subjects on tiagabine improved significantly more compared to the control subjects (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the relapse rate in the tiagabine group was lower than in the control group (7 vs 14.3%). Tiagabine was well tolerated and only a minority of the participants reported some adverse effects in the beginning of tiagabine treatment. Results from this study suggest that tiagabine is a safe and effective medication for the management of alcohol dependence when given adjunctively to a standard psychotherapy treatment. Further studies are warranted before definite conclusions can be reached.

Detecting changes in quality of life and psychiatric symptomatology following an in-patient detoxification programme for alcohol-dependent individuals: the use of WHOQOL-100.

The present study examines quality of life (QoL) and psychiatric symptomatology prior to and upon completion of a 5-week in-patient detoxification programme with the aim to identify any changes produced following clinical intervention. A group of 46 alcohol-dependent individuals, who were consecutively admitted for detoxification in the Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Athens, were clinically-assessed at admission and just before discharge with DSM-IV, CIDI-WHO and with the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scales (HDRS, HARS) and the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) for depression, anxiety and overall functioning, respectively. In addition, the patients were invited to complete the World Health Organization Quality of Life WHOQOL-100 instrument. Differences between admission and discharge scores were examined using related sample t-tests. Correlations between the WHOQOL-100 scores and clinically-assessed symptomatology measures were performed. Regression analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation of clinical and socio-demographic variables with patient overall QoL. The results indicate that QoL scores increased at discharge in 16 out of the 24 WHOQOL-100 facets. In addition, patient-assessed status of health was significantly improved. Improvement was also observed in the symptomatology scales rated by the clinician, providing evidence for lower levels of depression, anxiety and a higher level of functioning. Moderate correlations were found between WHOQOL-100 domains and psychiatric symptomatology scales. Significant WHOQOL-100 gains at discharge and clinically-assessed improvement in the HDRS, HARS and GAS, provide evidence of the WHOQOL-100 instrument's sensitivity to changes in clinical condition. The WHOQOL-100 measurement may be suitable for detecting QoL deficits or therapeutic gains in alcohol-dependent patients and may prove useful to mental health professionals for treatment planning.

Oral transmucosal abuse of transdermal fentanyl.

Transdermal fentanyl is an opioid analgesic that is effective on chronic pain, and which appears to be advantageous due to several factors such as ease of administration, the relatively stable serum concentration and long dose intervals. Nevertheless, the danger of abuse and dependence exists among patients who are prescribed fentanyl patches. We present a case of transdermal fentanyl abuse, where the administration route of the drug was changed. Our patient, who had no history of substance abuse and who suffered from chronic nonmalignant pain, used the fentanyl transdermal patches as oral transmucosal medication, raising the dose by ten-fold. This abuse of the drug was only for analgesic purposes without seeking anxiolysis and/or euphoria. After treatment and progressive reduction of fentanyl, the patient remains in good condition, and is currently taking the initial dose of the drug transdermally, without having experienced any withdrawal symptoms.

Zolpidem dependence case series: possible neurobiological mechanisms and clinical management.

Zolpidem is a short-acting imidazopyridine hypnotic that is an agonist at the gamma-aminobutyric acid A type (GABAA) receptor. It has been suggested that it acts selectively on alpha1 subunit-containing GABAA benzodiazepine (BZ1) receptors presenting (contrary to classic benzodiazepines) low or no affinity for other subtypes. Therefore, it has been proposed that it lacks the benzodiazepines-like side-effects, having minimal abuse and dependence potential. Nevertheless, there is a considerable number of zolpidem dependence case reports in the literature. We present eight cases of zolpidem abuse and dependence without criminal record, without history of substance abuse (except for one alcohol abuser), with minor psychiatric disorders, who took zolpidem after physicians prescription in order to deal with their insomnia. However, they became zolpidem abusers not craving its sedative, but its anxiolytic and stimulating action, which helped them to cope with everyday activities. It is possible that, in the high doses that our patients used, zolpidem abandons its selectivity for BZ1 receptors and demonstrates all the actions of classic benzodiazepines. Molecular biology, via possible mutations on GABA receptors, may provide some answers as to why our eight patients (who did not differ much from the thousands of insomniacs who use zolpidem) and other zolpidem abusers, raised the dose progressively, and sought something from the drug other than hypnotic action.

A zolpidem and cocaine abuse case report.

A case is presented of a 30-year-old man, prescribed zolpidem for insomnia arising from cocaine abuse, who sought to use this hypnotic to reduce his craving for cocaine. However, after taking cocaine and up to 300 mg/day zolpidem, he became euphoric and hyperactive. It is suggested that at high doses, zolpidem, like cocaine, has a stimulatory effect on the brain dopaminergic reward pathway. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2002; 6: 217-219 ).

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: adequacy and quality of information given to decision makers.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is widely available, but patient-selection criteria and quality of informed consent are debated. The aims of this retrospective study were to evaluate the quality of information given to the decision-makers (relatives) and determine the overall acceptance of the procedure by the patients' family. METHODS: The relatives of patients with PEG were interviewed by telephone, using a structured questionnaire. They (n = 55; 36% spouses, 34% children, 30% other) gave information about themselves and the patient (34 males, 21 females, median age 69, range 16-92 years) who underwent PEG tube placement for eating disorders or dysphagia. RESULTS: At the time of evaluation 30/55 (54.6%) patients had died. The cumulative median survival was significantly longer in patients younger than 75 years by 58 days (p = 0.009). Relatives believed that PEG could improve the patients' quality of life (56%) or/and the underlying disease. Although 93% of the decision-makers considered that their opinion had been taken into account when the procedure was done, 25% said that they had not adequately been informed about alternative methods and the complications of the procedure (38%). 54% said that the procedure had improved the quality of life of the family. Most of the decision-makers believed that their decision was correct (87%) and they would recommend PEG (84%) to other patients suffering from dysphagia. CONCLUSION: Though several decision-makers were not satisfied with the quality of information given before informed consent, the overall acceptance of the PEG placement for nutritional support is high.

Abnormal P600 in heroin addicts with prolonged abstinence elicited during a working memory test.

The P600 component of event-related potentials, believed to be generated by anterior cingulate gyrus and basal ganglia, is considered as an index of aspects of second-pass parsing processes of information processing, having much in common with working memory (WM) systems. Moreover, dysfunction of these brain structures as well as WM deficits have been implicated in the pathophysiology of opioid addicts. The present study is focused on P600 elicited during a WM test in twenty heroin addicts with prolonged abstinence compared with an equal number of healthy controls. The results showed significantly prolonged latencies at right hemisphere, specifically at Fp2 abduction. Moreover, memory performance of patients did not differ from that of normal controls. These findings may indicate that abstinent heroin addicts manifest abnormal aspects of second-pass parsing processes as are reflected by the P600 latencies, elicited during a WM test. Additionally, the P600 might serve as a valuable investigative tool for a more comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological substrate of drug abuse.

The use of naloxone during the withdrawal syndrome from heroin.

Attempts to repeat in human subjects animal studies in which naloxone stopped withdrawal symptoms after prolonged use of heroin failed. Nevertheless, suggestions for further studies are made, as the subjects' subsequent desire for opiates did seem attenuated.