[Admission status of alcohol and drug-dependent patients in "high threshold" access to withdrawal treatment]. / Die Aufnahmesituation alkohol-und medikamentenabhängiger Patienten bei"hochschwelligem" Zugang zur Entzugsbehandlung.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: 106 patients (64.2% male and 35.8% female) who applied for a withdrawal treatment by phone call, were interviewed concerning the admission context with the aim to find out whether the admission regulations prevent patients from undergoing treatment. RESULTS: 72.6% of all patients were admitted as inpatients. The average waiting period was 8 days. 15.1% were known to have previously suffered from conclusions and 4.7% from delirium tremens; for these patients, the waiting period was significantly shorter. CONCLUSIONS: High-threshold admission is not an insurmountable difficulty. Waiting periods and soberness at admission are accepted. Setting up admission conditions is, on the one hand, justified, whereas on the other hand chronic patients are often not reached. Telephone contacts with patients willing to undergo treatment should be replaced by contacts in an outpatient setting.

[Validity of assessment of schizophrenic basic symptoms]. / Validität der Erfassung schizophrener Basissymptome.

A study on the concept and measurement of the basic disorders of schizophrenia is presented. A total of 151 male adult psychiatric inpatients (51 with a dual diagnosis of schizophrenia and alcoholism, 50 schizophrenics and 50 alcoholics) were included. The aims of this study were: (1) the replication of the previous finding that the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire (FBF) contains items that discriminate between schizophrenia and alcoholism; (2) an empirical comparison between FBF and the Bonn Scale for the Assessment of Basic Symptoms (BSABS); (3) testing the relationship between basic and negative versus positive symptoms, as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Regarding (1), the former result was replicated. Regarding (2), FBF subscales and BSABS categories were shown to be significantly but weakly related, even if identical symptoms were included in the inquiry. Regarding (3), FBF and BSABS were found to be more closely related to negative than to positive PANSS items. Theoretical implications and consequences for further research are discussed.

Isolated bilateral abducens palsy.

This case illustrates the sudden onset and gradual regression of abducens palsy following an isolated brainstem infarct secondary to moderate to marked hypertension. This case also demonstrates that patients presenting with sudden diplopia need to be referred to internal medicine and/or neurology for further documentation of the etiology of this condition.