Biomedical subjects

E Gur

Publications and source records attributed to E Gur.

58 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Hypouricemic effect of zuclopenthixol: a potential marker of drug compliance?

Twelve newly-admitted psychotic patients were treated with clinical doses of zuclopenthixol (ZPT). Plasma uric acid (PUA) was measured before and during treatment. ZPT reduced PUA in all the patients by an average of 29.6% (P < 0.0001). PUA levels during treatment correlated with those obtained before treatment (R = 0.871, P < 0.0002). PUA returned to initial levels on discontinuation of treatment. Uric acid excretion increased during treatment. It is concluded that ZPT is a potent uricosuric agent, capable of producing persistent hypouricemia while administered. Such hypouricemia might be a useful indicator of drug compliance.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hyperphosphatemia: an objective marker for bulimia nervosa?

Phosphorus abnormalities among patients suffering from eating disorders, although cited, have received relatively little attention. Studies generally report decreased concentrations of phosphorus for both bulimia and anorexia nervosa. We have recently noted hyperphosphatemia in several consecutive hospitalized bulimic patients who appeared to have normal renal function and calcium levels. Case files of 30 inpatient and outpatient female bulimic patients and 30 sex- and age-matched physically healthy psychiatric inpatients and outpatients were reviewed. Phosphorus and electrolytes related to phosphorus metabolism were compared between the two groups. Twenty-four of 30 bulimic patients (80%) were found to have at least one elevated serum phosphorus concentration, whereas all but one of 30 age-matched controls had values within normal limits. Elevated phosphorus levels were generally in the mild to moderate range. No correlation was found between phosphorus levels and any of the other electrolytes examined in both patients and controls. No correlation was found between phosphorus levels and the reported frequency of bingeing and vomiting or the number of laxatives ingested. Since bulimic patients are generally of normal weight and tend to deny their disturbed eating habits, diagnosis is often delayed. However, bulimia may be suspected from biochemical abnormalities such as hypokalemia, hypochloremia, elevated amylase, and acid-base disturbances. This preliminary study indicates that elevated serum phosphorus levels may serve as an additional objective marker for the presence of bulimia nervosa.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Increased prevalence of negative life events in subtypes of major depressive disorder.

The prevalence of negative life events is known to be increased among patients with depression. Little data exist on the specific subtypes of depression that are related to negative life events. Our study aimed to address this issue. We compare 115 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) to 60 normal controls. MDD patients reported experiencing one (P = .0001) or two (P = .01) negative life events more frequently than controls. Patients reported marital, other personal problems, and medical events significantly more often than controls (P < .01). Patients did not report more positive life events, and did not attribute greater severity to their adversities than controls. Younger MDD patients experienced four (P = .01) negative life events significantly more often than older patients. Similarly, patients with mild-moderate depression, nonmelancholic depression, or first episode of depression (FDE), respectively, experienced three or four life events significantly more often than patients with severe, melancholic, or recurrent depression (RDE). Other patient and illness characteristics such as gender, early parental loss, family history of depression or other mental disorders, psychotic features, suicide attempts, and chronicity were not related to increased prevalence of negative life events. Our results support the hypothesis that a subset of patients with MDD is especially prone to suffer from a cluster of negative life events. This subgroup is at increased risk for relapse and poor prognosis. The implications of these results for further research and for treatment are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence for an association between the dopamine D3 receptor gene DRD3 and schizophrenia.

Association of the dopamine D3 receptor gene (DRD3) and schizophrenia was examined in unrelated Israeli and Italian schizophrenic patients and ethnically matched normal control subjects. In the combined sample, there was a significant excess of DRD3 allele 2 among the schizophrenic patients (chi2 = 4.70, d.f. 1, p = 0.03). Comparison of genotype frequencies revealed an excess of the 2-2 genotype in the combined schizophrenic sample (chi2 = 8.30, d.f. 1, p = 0.01) and in the non-Ashkenazi Israeli schizophrenics alone (chi2 = 5.70, d.f. 2, p = 0.05). DRD3 2-2 genotype conferred a significantly increased risk of schizophrenia (chi2 = 8.21, d.f. 1, p = 0.004; OR = 2.87, CI 95% = 1.36-5.76) in the combined sample and in the non-Ashkenazi Israeli schizophrenics (chi2 = 7.22, d.f. 1, p = 0.04; OR = 7.22, CI 95% = 1.04-24.83). In the combined and Italian samples, allele 2 was associated with early age of onset as was the 2-2 genotype in the combined sample and non-Ashkenazi group. The 2-2 genotype was associated with poor response to neuroleptics, particularly in the non-Ashkenazi, Israeli schizophrenics. The possibility that DRD3 or a locus in linkage disequilibrium with it may play a role in the transmission of schizophrenia, is considered in relation to previous positive and negative reports.

Adult↗