Biomedical subjects

C Stefanis

Publications and source records attributed to C Stefanis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Patterns of alcohol consumption and related problems in the general population of Greece.

This paper focuses on patterns of alcohol consumption and related problems, based on a nation-wide home survey sample of 4290 respondents aged 12-64 years. The prevalence of lifetime, past year and past month alcohol use, as well as levels of quantity of alcohol consumed and the reported alcohol-related problems, are presented. Frequency and quantity of consumption increases as age increases. Males were found to drink alcohol more frequently and in higher quantities than females. A higher proportion of young adults reported alcohol-related problems, in comparison to the other age groups. Regional variations in the frequency of consumption of alcohol were observed. However, no differences were found in the geographic distribution of persons of all age groups reporting alcohol-related problems. Respondents of all groups with two or more alcohol related problems expressed a high number of dysphoric and depressive symptoms. Finally, a stepwise discriminant analysis revealed certain socio-demographic, familial, psychological and medical factors to discriminate optimally the "problem" and "non-problem" drinkers in both adolescent and adult age groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Familial correlates of drug and alcohol use in a nationwide general population survey.

Familial correlates such as parental stability and past family medical history of respondents reporting recent illicit and licit unprescribed drug use or 'problematic' drinking, in a nationwide general population sample in Greece, were explored. The type of survey was cross-sectional and the respondents, aged 12-64, were interviewed in their homes with a multidimensional structured questionnaire. Familial pathology was recorded by the Family Medical History Index, an originally developed instrument. An association between familial instability and illicit or unprescribed drug use was observed. Higher levels of familial pathology expressed in the form of prevalence of mental or somatic illness, excessive tobacco smoking, alcohol and drug use was found to be related with higher rates of illicit or unprescribed drug use and 'problematic' drinking among the probands. These results are discussed within the context of the limitations of the study and the usefulness of obtaining information on the family atmosphere of drug users.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Dimensionality alterations of the hippocampal electroencephalographic activity following the induction of long-term potentiation in rats.

In the present in vivo experimental study the complexity alterations of the hippocampal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity were investigated prior and during the maintenance phase of long-term potentiation (LTP), using analytical methods based on the recent concepts of deterministic chaos. LTP was induced in the hippocampal dentate hilus after stimulation of the medial perforant path of the rat's brain. During the experimental procedure hippocampal EEG epochs were recorded prior and after the induction of LTP. Dimensionality computations performed on these epochs showed a maintained relative reduction in the correlation dimension during the maintenance phase of LTP. This result might suggest that different functional states of the brain are governed by different degrees of complexity and that the altered efficacy in the information process, as it is achieved by the induction of LTP, modifies the spontaneous EEG activity of the potentiated hippocampal area in a plastic manner.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

The prognostic importance of delusions in depression: a 6-year prospective follow-up study.

The authors followed 32 delusional and 41 unipolar non-delusional depressed patients 6 years after hospital discharge. Long-term outcome, as determined by the frequency of the relapses, number of hospitalizations, chronic course of illness as well as clinical status and global functioning at the end of the 6-year period, failed to differentiate the two patient groups. Discontinuation of maintenance medication in both groups or of antipsychotics in the delusional group was associated with a high rate of relapses. Our findings indicate that delusional depression has a similar clinical course to that of non-delusional depression, underline the importance of psychoprophylactic treatment and question the efficacy of monotherapy with antidepressants in the prevention of relapses of delusional depression.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Effects of monoamine oxidase A inhibition on plasma biogenic amine metabolites in depressed patients.

The main metabolites of noradrenalin, dopamine, and serotonin-3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), respectively--were estimated in plasma of 21 depressed patients before and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment with the monoamine oxidase-type A (MAO-A) inhibitor moclobemide (mean final daily dose = 8.9 mg/kg body weight). The treatment caused significant mean reductions in plasma MHPG and HVA (46% and 30%, respectively), while plasma 5-HIAA was unchanged. Multiple regression analysis revealed associations between reductions in MHPG and changes on the anxiety-somatization factor of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and between reductions in HVA and changes in the HRSD factors cognitive disturbance and retardation.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Biogenic amine metabolites in delusional (psychotic) depression and melancholia subtypes of major depression.

1. The levels of the urinary main metabolites of norepinephrine 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), of dopamine homovanillic acid (HVA) and of serotonin 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in 84 patients with major depressive disorder, 34 delusional and 50 nondelusional. Melancholia subtype was also defined (N = 62). 2. MHPG was significantly higher in the delusional depressed group (p = 0.023). Female patients with delusional major depression also had significantly higher HVA excretion than female patients with non delusional major depression (p = 0.036). 5-HIAA excretion was similar in the two patient subgroups. 3. No significant differences in the three monoamine metabolites were found between the melancholic and nonmelancholic depressed patients.

Biogenic Amines↗

PubMed1994

Prolactin and TSH responses to TRH and to haloperidol in schizophrenic patients before and after treatment.

The prolactin (PRL) and the TSH responses to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH, 0.4 mg i.v.) and to haloperidol (5 mg i.m.) were studied in 11 male schizophrenic patients in a drug-free state and after treatment with haloperidol, 60 mg daily. The PRL responses observed after i.m. haloperidol in the drug-free state, on average 35.4 ng/ml, were abolished after treatment, indicating complete receptor blockade, while the PRL responses to TRH were preserved, although moderately reduced (from 19.4 to 14.8 ng/ml on average). The TSH responses to TRH were unaltered by the treatment (means 8.25 and 7.74 mIU/l). The results show that the TSH and partially the PRL releasing actions of TRH are not mediated via receptors that are effectively blocked by haloperidol.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Adolescent drinking and alcohol-related problems in a nationwide general population.

A sample of 1,325 adolescents drawn from a nationwide multistage probability master sample of 4,290 persons were interviewed at their homes in 1984. The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns and quantity of alcohol consumption and related problems. Moreover, mental health status of respondents and "risk" factors were explored. Alcohol use increased from the very young to the older ones and decreased between lifetime and past week frequencies. Of adolescents, 18% reported two or more alcohol-related problems including suffering from depressive symptoms. Discriminant analysis revealed 14 predictors with high discriminating power between problematic and nonproblematic drinking.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1993

Criminality in a sample of drug abusers in Greece.

Criminality as expressed by self-reported arrests and convictions was studied in a sample of 294 drug--mainly heroin--abusing subjects, 77.6% of whom had been arrested and 57.1% convicted. The majority had more than one arrest or conviction for a variety of crimes. Arrests and convictions for other than drug offences outnumbered the drug offences. Only a minority of the subjects were responsible for the majority of criminal acts. In half of the subjects, involvement in criminality predated initiation to heroin use. Gender, polydrug use, unemployment, low education level--not injecting heroin as main mode of use--were found to be among the main factors significantly predicting criminality.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Evaluation of TSH and prolactin responses to TRH as predictors of the therapeutic effect of ECT in depression.

In a group of 42 unipolar depressed patients with melancholia the thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) responses to TRH were studied in relation to the clinical response to an ECT course. Patients were categorized as responders or nonresponders using as criterion a 50% reduction in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score. Comparison between responders and nonresponders with respect to the TSH and PRL responses to TRH did not reveal any significant differences. Thus, TSH and PRL responses were not proved to have a predictive value for the therapeutic ECT response in melancholia.

Aging↗

PubMed1993

Prolactin and thyrotropin responses to ECT after pindolol administration. A placebo controlled study.

The effect of pindolol, a beta-receptor blocker with potent 5-HT1 receptor antagonistic properties, on the prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) responses to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was systematically studied in 12 female depressed patients. In a balanced order, crossover design, the patients were given placebo or pindolol 5 mg orally, 1 h prior to bilateral ECT. The last five patients were additionally tested with 10 mg pindolol during the third ECT. Plasma levels of PRL and TSH increased in all three trials, but no consistent effect of pindolol on these hormonal responses could be demonstrated. Pindolol tended to attenuate seizure duration, especially at the 10 mg dose. The participation of 5-HT1 receptor activity in the secretion of PRL and TSH during ECT remains uncertain.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

An investigation of hostile and alexithymic characteristics in breast cancer patients.

Two measures of personality characteristics, the Personality Deviance Scale and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, were administered to a total sample of 448 women and a subsample of 100 women, respectively, attending two breast-screening centers in Athens. The relative risk of breast cancer between women with low denigratory attitudes towards others and women with high scores in this scale was 2.31. Statistically significant relations were not noted between the mean scores of alexithymia factors and breast cancer diagnosis. Our findings point to the conclusion that breast cancer patients can be distinguished from healthy women on the basis of their cognitive activity, characterized by rare denigratory thoughts.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Thyrotropin responses to TRH and MHPG excretion before and after an electroconvulsive therapeutic course in depressed patients.

1. TSH response to TRH, and urinary MHPG were investigated before and after an ECT course in 12 female patients with endogenous depression. 2. The changes caused by ECT treatment on these parameters were not significant. 3. A positive correlation (r = 0.75, p = 0.005) was found between the changes in TSH response and the changes in urinary MHPG excretion.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

AIDS-related behavior and attitudes among i.v. drug users in Greece.

Risk-taking behavior was investigated in 140 intravenous drug users to identify possible factors accounting for the low HIV seroprevalence rate in Greek intravenous drug users (IVDUs). High-risk drug using and sexual practices were reported by the majority. Awareness of the risk of HIV infection was low. One-third claimed to have changed risk behaviors in both drug use and sexual practices after the appearance of AIDS. Several drug use, mental health, criminal behavior, and sociodemographic factors were correlated with high risk behavior and reported change. Low HIV seroprevalence appears to be due to delayed invasion of the virus and not to the behavior of IVDUs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1991

Hormonal responses to clonidine and urinary MHPG in delusional and nondelusional melancholic patients: a placebo-controlled study.

The growth hormone (GH) and cortisol responses to intravenous clonidine (0.15 mg) treatment of 25 melancholic patients, 12 with and 13 without delusions, were studied with placebo control. The baseline concentrations of the main noradrenaline metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were also estimated in urine. Cortisol plasma levels decreased significantly and equally after both placebo and clonidine. Baseline cortisol levels correlated positively with urinary MHPG. Clonidine did not increase GH levels significantly over time compared with placebo. Delusional melancholic patients tended to have smaller GH responses to clonidine than nondelusionals (F = 2.18, P = 0.06). There were no differences in GH response to clonidine between high and low MHPG excretors.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Effects of ECT course on TSH and prolactin responses to TRH in depressed patients.

The thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) responses to TRH were studied in 15 female depressed patients with melancholia (nine unipolar, six bipolar) during an electroconvulsive therapeutic course. The test was performed before initiation of treatment, 5 days after the final ECT session, and 1 month later, when the patients were on medication with heterocyclic antidepressants (HCAs). The maximal hormonal responses were not altered 5 days after the final ECT but both increased significantly 1 month later. Responders (n = 8) and non-responders (n = 7) to ECT did not differ significantly as regards changes in delta max TSH and PRL. The seven non-responders to ECT improved markedly after 1 month's treatment with HCAs. Three out of four patients with blunted TSH response (less than 5 mu IU/ml) continued to exhibit a blunted response in both post-ECT TRH tests. The rank order of magnitude of delta max TSH remained remarkably stable throughout the assessment period as shown by the highly significant correlations between the values in the three time points.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Thyrotropin and prolactin responses to ECT in schizophrenia and depression.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) plasma levels were studied during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in five schizophrenic patients in a simulated ECT (SECT) controlled experimental design. The data were compared to those obtained from a group of 10 depressed patients treated with ECT. In the schizophrenic group, both PRL and TSH increased significantly during ECT compared to SECT, as they did in the depressive group during ECT. Thus, the hormonal TSH and PRL profile during ECT is similar in schizophrenia and depression. It is concluded that the changes in TSH and PRL induced by ECT are specifically linked to the current or the seizure, and are not related to the type of psychopathology.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Neuropsychological assessment of HIV-seropositive haemophiliacs.

Neuropsychological findings from investigation of 46 HIV-seropositive asymptomatic and 14 HIV-seropositive symptomatic haemophiliacs without AIDS-related complex (ARC) or AIDS, with known duration of HIV seropositivity were compared with 29 seronegative controls. Subjects were assessed blindly using a battery of sensitive computerized neuropsychological tests. They underwent a thorough neurological examination, were assessed for mood and screened for psychopathology. Symptomatic HIV-positive haemophiliacs without ARC or AIDS showed statistically significant decreased performances compared with HIV-negatives in choice reaction, visuomotor coordination and global attentional performance (P = 0.018, 0.039 and 0.044, respectively). HIV-positive asymptomatic subjects gave lower performances than HIV-negative subjects in all tests, although these differences were not statistically significant. However, there was a statistically significant trend for these findings between seronegative, asymptomatic and symptomatic groups. Impairment was not associated with mood factors. Duration of seropositivity was found to be a more important factor than Centers for Disease Control stage in the choice reaction test (P less than 0.01). These findings indicate that mild cognitive impairment observed during the natural history of HIV infection in haemophiliacs without ARC or AIDS may be a progressive phenomenon not necessarily associated with the clinical expression of HIV infection.

Anxiety Disorders↗