The Investigation of Transdiagnostic Role of Obsessive Beliefs: Comparison of Clinical Groups Diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorders and Depression with University Students. / Obsesif Inançlarin Tanilar Üstü Rolünün Incelenmesi: Obsesif- Kompulsif Bozukluk, Kaygi Bozukluklari ve Depresyon Tanisi Almis Klinik Gruplarin Üniversite Ögrencileri ile Karsilastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate whether the dysfunctional obsessive beliefs are specific to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using three different clinical groups including OCD, depression, and anxiety and a control group of university students. METHOD: The participants of the study comprised three patient groups with OCD (n=53), major depressive disorder (MDD, n=67), anxiety disorders (AD, n=73), and a group of university students (n=477). The short version of the Obsessive Belief Questionnaire (OBQ-20) was used to measure obsessive beliefs. The Semi-Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-IV-TR (SCID-I), the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory- Revised Form, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait Form were used to assess the severity of the symptoms. RESULTS: The scores of the three patient groups were significantly higher on the OBQ-20 as compared to the university students. It is noteworthy that the OBQ-20 scores did not significantly differ between the three patient groups except on the 'importance of thought' (ICT) subscale showing significantly higher scores in the group with OCD in comparison to the patients with depression and anxiety disorders. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that obsessive beliefs may have a transdiagnostic mechanism with a possible role in the etiology and maintenance of a broad range of different psychopathologies, except in relation to the 'importance and control' of thoughts. Investigating the common processes underlying different psychopathologies is important for the etiological explanation and future treatment of the disorders.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and psychopathology scores in drug-naïve first-episode psychosis.

INTRODUCTION: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the regulation of many neuronal processes, including neurogenesis. Therefore, it is thought to be closely associated with many psychopathologies with a neurodevelopmental basis, for example, schizophrenia. METHODS: The patients admitted to the Psychiatry Department of the Faculty of Medicine with a diagnosis of non-affective drug-naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) were included in the study. The relationship between laboratory and clinical findings and psychometric data (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) was examined. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 34 FEP and 34 healthy control (HC) volunteers. Mean BNDF levels of FEP and HC groups were 14.95 ± 6.13 and 17.89 ± 4.84 pg/ml, respectively. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (t = 2.197; p = .032). There was a negative correlation between mean BDNF levels and PANSS general psychopathology subscale scores (r = .358; p = .038), and total PANSS scores (r = .356; p = .039). DISCUSSION: There is a consensus on low serum BDNF levels both in FEP and in schizophrenia. However, it is still not clear which clinical findings are associated with lower serum BDNF levels. The relationship between BDNF levels and psychopathologies in schizophrenia has to be investigated.

Psychiatric Symptoms and Quality of Life in Military Personnel Deployed Abroad.

BACKGROUND: Military personnel deployed abroad could be exposed to more risk factors that adversely affect quality of life. In this study, we examined psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in Turkish Armed Forces deployed to Afghanistan. METHOD: A total of 289 Turkish military personnel working in Afghanistan enrolled in this study. They completed two surveys containing questions about socio-demographic characteristics. Data were collected and analyzed from 258 of the participants. RESULTS: The general symptom scores (GSI) were above 1 in 20.8 Percent (n=54) of the participants. The lowest SF-36 scores by the sub-groups were mental health (59.14 ± 18.56) and vitality (59.25 ± 21.17). The highest score was in the physical function subscale (84.42 ± 19.53). All Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form (SF-36)subscale scores were lower in the GSI above 1 group than the GSI below 1 group. In the GSI above 1 group: education level and depression affected SF-36 physical functioning; paranoid ideation and somatization affected SF-36 role limitations due to physical health; age and somatization affected SF-36 pain; age affected SF-36 general health; phobic anxiety affected SF-36 vitality; age, tenure of occupation, tenure abroad; and phobic anxiety affected SF-36 mental health. CONCLUSIONS: The negative effects of psychiatric symptoms on the quality of life were similar to those in the general population and in specific disease groups. These results should be considered when evaluating the mental health of military personnel deployed abroad.

Role of CRP, TNF-a, and IGF-1 in Delirium Pathophysiology.

INTRODUCTION: Delirium is a common and life-threatening neuropsychiatric syndrome. Diagnosing delirium can be challenging, which increases mortality and mortality rates and health care costs. The biologic model of delirium is not definite yet, but evidence supports a cholinergic deficiency model. Delirium may be the result of processes and drugs that trespass a compromised blood-brain barrier. We aimed to evaluate the possible diagnostic utilization and the role of certain biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), in delirium etiology. METHODS: A total of 93 inpatients that planned to undergo cardiovascular surgery were informed; 35 of them completed the study. Medical history and current cognitive status were evaluated pre-operatively. Participants were followed using Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 Turkish (DRS-R98-T) for delirium symptoms, and blood samples were collected post-operatively. RESULTS: Delirium was developed more in participants who had worse pre-operative cognitive status. Also, low pre-operative IGF-1 levels were detected in the delirium group. Pre-operative CRP and TNF-α levels were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: Low IGF-1 levels can be used to predict delirium after surgery. However, the complex nature of cytokines and delirium itself make it difficult to utilize cytokines to predict delirium instead of psychometric tools.

Communication skills training for emergency medicine residents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a communication skills training program on emergency medicine residents and patient satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty emergency medicine residents attended a 6-week psychoeducation program that was intended to improve their communication skills. The first three sessions of the psychoeducation program consisted of theoretical education on empathy and communication. Other sessions covered awareness, active communication, and empathic skills on a cognitive behavioral basis using discussion, role play, and homework within an interactive group. The effects of the program were assessed using a communication skills scale, empathy scale, and patient satisfaction survey and were reflected by the reduction in the number of undesirable events between doctors and patients in the emergency department. RESULTS: The mean communication skills score increased from 178.7±19 to 189.2±16 after training (P<0.02). Empathy score also increased from 29.5±9 to 30.7±8, but this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.1). The patient satisfaction survey of 576 patients demonstrated increased scores on confidence in the doctor (88.2±14.6-93.6±10.3; P<0.01); the doctor's respect, kindness, and thoughtfulness (90.3±10.8-94.1±16.5; P<0.01); individualized attention (86.7±9.4-93.9±11.1; P<0.01); devotion of adequate time to listening (88.6±12.3-90.8±14.1; P=0.04); and counseling and information delivery (90.1±11.3-92.2±11.7; P=0.02). The number of undesirable events between doctors and patients decreased 75% from 12 to three. CONCLUSION: Participation in a communication skills training program was associated with improved communication skills of emergency medicine residents, increased patient satisfaction, and decreased complaints.

Communication skills training for emergency nurses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a communication skills training program on emergency nurses and patient satisfaction. METHODS: Sixteen emergency nurses attended a 6-week psychoeducation program that was intended to improve their communication skills. The first 3 sessions of the psychoeducation program consisted of theoretical education on empathy and communication. Other sessions covered awareness, active communication, and empathic skills on a cognitive behavioral basis using discussion, role play, and homework within an interactive group. The effects of the program were assessed using a communication skills scale, empathy scale, and patient satisfaction survey and were reflected by the reduction in the number of undesirable events between nurses and patients in the emergency department. RESULTS: The mean communication skill score (177.8±20) increased to 198.8±15 after training (p=0.001). Empathy score also increased from 25.7±7 to 32.6±6 (p=0.001). The patient satisfaction survey of 429 patients demonstrated increased scores on confidence in the nurses (76.4±11.2 to 84.6±8.3; p=0.01); the nurse's respect, kindness, and thoughtfulness (72.2± 8.1 to 82.1 ± 6,5; p=0.01); individualized attention (71.3± 6.2 to 73.2 ± 9.8; p=0.2); devotion of adequate time to listening (84.6± 9.3 to 89.8 ± 7.6; p=0.03); and counseling and information delivery (71.1± 10.2 to 80.2 ± 9.7; p=0.01). The number of undesirable events and complaints during nurse-patient interactions decreased 66 % from 6 to 2. CONCLUSION: "Communication Skills Training" can improve emergency nurses' communication and empathy skills with a corresponding increase in patient satisfaction and reduction of the undesirable events and complaints during nurse-patient interactions.

The influence of emotional distress on the outcome of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment among infertile Turkish women.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether the emotional distress of infertile Turkish women is related to social support and influences the outcome of their IVF and/or ICSI treatment. METHODS: The Beck Depression Inventory, State- Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Social Support scales were administered to 104 primary infertile Turkish women before the date of their embryo transfer. Comparisons were made between the women who became pregnant and those who did not following the embryo transfer. RESULTS: Compared to the pregnant women, the non-pregnant women had a greater number of emotional symptoms despite similar levels of social support. Also, the increased severity of depressive symptoms and higher levels of anxiety were predictive of low pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION: The pregnancy rate of infertile Turkish women was associated with emotional distress and low levels of social support were associated with increased emotional distress. Further research is needed to determine the factors and mechanisms that contribute to emotional distress in the treatment of infertility.