Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis parameters and neurocognitive evaluation in patients with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is associated with neurocognitive impairment but the etiology of such impairment remains largely unknown. The present study aimed at investigating the performance of bipolar patients in various neuropsychological tasks within the framework of HPA axis hyperactivity model and also the impact of disease characteristics on neuropsychological functioning. Cognitive performance of 60 bipolar-I patients and 30 healthy controls was evaluated by using tasks from the CANTAB battery targeting visual memory, executive function and inhibitory control. Current symptoms were evaluated via administration of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) whereas assessment of functioning was performed with the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). Basal cortisol levels were determined and all patients were administered the Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST). Statistically significant differences between patients and controls were found in visuo-spatial associative learning and memory, planning, attentional set shifting and inhibitory control. Worse performance in visuospatial associative memory correlated with longer duration of illness and higher levels of basal cortisol. Poorer attentional set shifting was related to higher number of manic episodes. We found no relationship of neurocognitive measures with DST suppression status, current symptom severity or history of psychosis. The results of our study confirm the presence of cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder and provide evidence on the relation of cortisol with neuropsychological functioning, especially visuo-spatial associative memory. Moreover, we have found that number of previous manic episodes and duration of illness is associated with worse cognitive performance. It is known that neurocognitive deficits are evident in many patients with bipolar disorder. These deficits are often a cause of considerable distress and can lead to impairment of psychosocial and occupational functioning. The role of HPA axis needs to be further examined in bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, the identification of factors affecting neurocognitive functioning, like basal cortisol and number of manic episodes, may contribute to the implementation of more appropriate prevention strategies.

Psychotic (delusional) depression and suicidal attempts: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: It still remains unclear whether psychotic features increase the risk of suicidal attempts in major depressive disorder. Thus, we attempted, through a systematic review coupled with a meta-analysis, to elucidate further whether unipolar psychotic depression (PMD) compared to non-PMD presents higher levels of suicidal attempts. METHOD: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO as well as in various databases of the so-called gray literature for all studies providing data on suicidal attempts in PMD compared to non-PMD, and the results were then subjected to meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twenty studies met our inclusion criteria, including in total 1,275 PMD patients and 5,761 non-PMD patients. An elevated risk for suicide attempt for PMD compared to non-PMD patients was found: The total (lifetime) fixed-effects pooled OR was 2.11 (95% CI: 1.81-2.47), and the fixed-effects pooled OR of the five studies of the acute phase of the disorder was 1.93 (95% CI: 1.33-2.80). This elevated risk of suicidal attempt for PMD patients remained stable across all age groups of adult patients. CONCLUSION: Despite data inconsistency and clinical heterogeneity, this systematic review and meta-analysis showed that patients with PMD are at a two-fold higher risk, both during lifetime and in acute phase, of committing a suicidal attempt than patients with non-PMD.

Hospital anxiety and depression scale. A quantitative analysis in medical outpatients, psychiatric outpatients and normal subjects.

Depressive and anxiety symptomatology represent the most common psychiatric manifestations that complicate the management and prognosis of patients with somatic disorders. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a reliable, valid andpractical screening tool for identifying and quantifying anxiety and/or depression in non-psychiatric out patients. The aim of the present study was to compare the psychometric properties of the HADS among internal medicine outpatients, psychiatric outpatients and the generalpopulation. The present study involved 264 subjects: 95 internal medicine outpatients, 79 psychiatric outpatients and 90 normal controls. Psychiatric outpatients were diagnosed according to DSMIV-TR and inclusion criteria required the absence of any psychotic or organic psychiatric disorder. Patients with depressive disorders were divided in 3 groups: major depression, dysthymic disorderand adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. All patients were administered the following psychometric tools: HADS, BDI and STAI. Subjects of the control group were administeredonly HADS. In all psychometric scales the psychiatric group presented significantly greater values than the internal medicine and the control group. In turn, the internal medicine group scoredsignificantly higher than the control group. Within the psychiatric outpatient group significantly higher HADS and HADS-D scores were observed in the major depression group followed by the dysthymicdisorder and the adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood group. HADS may be capable of identifying anxiety and depressive symptoms between psychiatric outpatients, internal medicine outpatients and subjects in the general population. In addition, the HADS-D subscaledifferentiates the main depressive disorders.

[Suicide attempts in the General Hospital and warning signs].

Suicide represents a major public health issue and much research is focusing on the prevention and management of suicidal behavior. The present study aims at the assessment of Warning Signs of Suicide. For this purpose, 100 patients admitted for attempted suicide in Sotiria General Hospital have been included in the study. All patients have been examined through a semi-structured psychiatric interview, the somministration of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the assessment of the following Warning Signs: Internalization, Feeling gloomy, Presence of recent trauma in the patient's history, Change of behavior, Fear, Giving gifts, Depression and Aggression. The results showed that 80% of the sample presented at least two warning signs whereas only 10% of the patients had no warning signs. Moreover, a strong correlation was observed between the total score of depression as assessed with the BDI Scale and the number of Warning Signs. Warning Signs are present with a high percentage in patients who attempt suicide and many authors suggest that they should be included in suicide prevention. Therefore, it is important for all mental health clinicians to integrate the assessment of Warning Signs into their practices and to educate both patients and family members to recognize them.