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Biomedical subjects

E H Bennie

Publications and source records attributed to E H Bennie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A double-blind multicenter trial comparing sertraline and fluoxetine in outpatients with major depression.

BACKGROUND: Sertraline and fluoxetine have pharmacokinetic and pharmacologic differences, which may be of clinical relevance. METHOD: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study of 6 weeks' duration comparing the efficacy and safety of sertraline (50-100 mg/day) with those of fluoxetine (20-40 mg/day) was conducted in 286 psychiatric outpatients with DSM-III-R major depression or bipolar disorder (depressed). Primary efficacy measurements consisted of the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale. Secondary measurements included the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), the Raskin Depression Scale, the Covi Anxiety Scale, and the Leeds Sleep Questionnaire. Additionally, scores for two items and five factors from the HAM-D were analyzed. RESULTS: Efficacy was based on 124 evaluable patients in each treatment group. As measured by HAM-D and CGI-Severity scores, there was a significant (p < .001) improvement from baseline to each follow-up visit in both treatment groups with no statistically significant difference between groups. There was also no significant difference in the proportion of responders in each group. CGI-Improvement responder rates were 69% for sertraline and 67% for fluoxetine. Results of secondary efficacy measurements followed the same trend, although from the second week of treatment there was a numerical advantage (not statistically significant) for sertraline over fluoxetine in improving anxiety symptoms as measured by the total HAM-A score. Headache and nausea were the most frequently reported events for both drugs. The incidence of early patient withdrawals due to treatment-emergent adverse events was 14% for sertraline and 13% for fluoxetine. The starting dosage (sertraline 50 mg/day, fluoxetine 20 mg/day) was the final dosage in 76% of patients in both treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Sertraline and fluoxetine were equally effective and well tolerated in patients with major depression and associated anxiety.

1-Naphthylamine↗

Comparison of trazodone and mianserin in depressive illness.

In a multi-centre study, the antidepressant efficacy and incidence of on-therapy events of trazodone (100 to 400 mg daily) and mianserin (30 to 120 mg daily) was compared using a double-blind pre-determined randomized parallel group design in depressed patients unresponsive to placebo after a 7-day screening period. Of the 111 patients who entered the study, 27 patients were withdrawn or defaulted. The withdrawal rate was similar between the treatment groups. The results of depression rating scale assessments showed that trazodone and mianserin were similar to each other for efficacy in patients judged to be suffering from severe or mild/moderate depression whether of the endogenous or reactive type. For all on-therapy events, there were no major differences between the treatments, with drowsiness being the most frequently reported side-effect.

Adult↗

Mianserin and doxepin in the treatment of outpatient depression with anxiety.

1 A double-blind group comparative trial was performed comparing mianserin (Bolvidon-Organon) and doxepin (Sinequan-Pfizer) in the treatment of depression with anxiety. 2 Sixty outpatients from two centres were divided into 'high' and 'low' severity groups, based on initial HRS scores, and treated for four weeks. 3 Standard rating scales for depression and anxiety demonstrated a substantial improvement with both drugs. However, no consistent difference in efficacy was found although the 'low severity' group appeared to respond better to mianserin. 4 There was a greater incidence of drug-related side-effects with doxepin treatment.

Adult↗

Lithium therapy and thyroid function: a long-term study.

Seventy-three patients who had been continuously receiving lithium carbonate for 6 months or more had their thyroid function evaluated clinically and biochemically. Goitre was found in 37%, exophthalmos in 23%, positive thyroid auto-antibodies in 24% and abnormal TRH tests in 49%. It would appear that thyroid failure due to lithium is usually dependent on antibody mediated damage. It is unlikely that lithium has a direct effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

Adolescent↗

Growth hormone, prolactin, and corticosteroid responses to insulin hypoglycaemia in alcoholics.

Plasma growth hormone (GH), prolactin, and corticosteroid responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were studied in 24 men with progressive alcoholism who had been abstinent for two to seven days. Ten normal healthy subjects (five men, five women) served as controls for comparing GH and prolactin responses, while cortisol responses were studied in a further six male controls. Blood samples were taken at intervals after an injection of soluble insulin (0.1 U/kg body weight). All patients developed adequate hypoglycaemia (blood glucose <2.2 mmol/l (<39.6 mg/100 ml)) and nine had impaired GH responses (peak concentration <10 mU/1). Prolactin concentrations fell or remained unchanged in nine patients, eight of whom also had impaired GH responses. In seven patients corticosteroid concentrations decreased from basal concentrations, and six of these patients had impaired GH responses. All three hormone responses were impaired in several patients, and significant correlations were found between the GH and prolactin responses at 45 and 60 minutes. GH response was not correlated with age, duration of drinking, duration of alcoholism, or admitted alcohol intake. GH responses were significantly lower in patients who had the most severe withdrawal symptoms. Our observations of impaired stress responses in some recently abstinent alcoholics may have important implications for the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

ECT and lithium.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Depression↗

The effect of fluphenazine on basal prolactin concentrations.

The effect of fluphenazine on basal human prolactin (hPRL) concentrations was studied in 10 male schizophrenics who had received fluphenazine treatment for at least 6 months, in 10 male alcoholics before and during the first week of fluphenazine treatment and in 8 alcoholics at daily intervals before and after treatment. The results were compared with basal hPRL concentrations in 17 healthy male controls. Investigations involved giving fluphenazine (Modecate)by intramuscular injection and taking blood samples at appropriate intervals by venepuncture. Basal hPRL concentrations were significantly increased in the schizophrenics. The alcoholics showed a significant rise in hPRL concentrations after fluphenazine but there was considerable variation in hPRL levels between individual patients. Most patients showed marked elevation of daily hPRL levels with peak concentrations occurring 5--6 days after the injection. The results demonstrate that fluphenazine elevates basal hPRL levels and the variation between levels of individual patients merits further investigation.

Adult↗

Effect of fluphenazine on pituitary function in man.

The growth hormone (hGH) and prolactin (hPRL) response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia was studied in six alcoholics on two occasions before and after treatment with a single intramuscular injection of fluphenazine (Modecate). On both occasions blood samples were taken at intervals before and after the intravenous injection of soluble insulin (0.1 u/kg body weight). The patients were investigated on the first occasion, 2-7 days after cessation of drinking and they all demonstrated an adequate hGH response. They then received an injection of fluphenazine (Modecate 12.5 mg) and were reinvestigated 1 week later. The hGH response to hypoglycaemia was significantly impaired after treatment with fluphenazine. Basal hPRL concentrations were significantly increased and increased concentrations of hPRL in response to hypoglycaemia occurred after treatment. We conclude that a single injection of fluphenazine (Modecate 12.5 mg) has a marked effect on hypothalamic-pituitary mechanisms controlling hGH and hPRL release.

Adult↗

Mianserin hydrochloride: a new anti-depressant drug.

The tetracyclic anti-depressant drug mianserin hydrochloride has been assessed in an open clinical study in 24 psychiatric out-patients, who were prescribed 30 mg. mianserin daily, and were rated on the Hamilton Rating Scale and on the Wakefield Self-Assessment Inventory on day 0, before starting therapy, and on days 7 and 28 of their treatment. The results support the view that mianserin has anti-depressant properties, and the patients' self-rating scores confirm that the level of anti-depressant action is similar to amitriptyline. Drowsiness was the only side effect reported.

Adolescent↗

The growth hormone response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia in alcoholics.

The growth hormone response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia was studied in 7 alcoholic in-patients who had been abstinent for 2-11 days and in 10 normal controls. Blood samples were taken at intervals after the injection of soluble insulin (0-1 U/kg body weight). The growth hormone response was impaired in 4 of the alcoholics and the depression was not related to differences in blood glucose or plasma free fatty acids. The cortisol response was also impaired in the alcoholics. We conclude that alcoholics observed after alcohol withdrawal may have a depression of hypothalamic/pituitary function.

Adult↗

Serum concentrations of lithium after three proprietary preparations of lithium carbonate (Priadel, Phasal and Camcolit).

1 The serum lithium concentration was measured before dosing, and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20, 22, and 24 h after three proprietary preparations of lithium carbonate (Camcolit, Phasal or Priadel). 2 A total of twenty-eight studies were performed on eleven patients. In seven studies the patients received Camcolit, in ten studies patients received Priadel and in eleven the patients took Phasal. 3 The dose of each preparation was adjusted during a 10 week run-in period to maintain the serum lithium within the normal therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mmol/1). Five patients received one lithium preparation, one patient received three lithium preparations and five patients received four lithium preparations consecutively. 4 After a single daily dose of Phasal and Priadel, the serum lithium remained within the therapeutic range for 24 h. 5 After a single daily dose of Camcolit, the serum lithium remained within the therapeutic range for only 12 h. 6 After three doses of Camcolit (given at 0.800 h, 12.00 h, and 18.00 h) each day, the serum lithium was maintained in the therapeutic range for 24 h.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

A comparison of amitriptyline and a fluphenazine/nortriptyline preparation in anxiety-depressive states.

Patients suffering from mixed anxiety/depressive reactions, referred to the out-patient department of a large psychiatric hospital, were treated with either amitriptyline tablets or fluphenazine with nortriptyline (f/n) tablets for a period of four weeks. The study utilized a double-blind, completely randomised design, and patients' progress was assessed by means of the Wing Present State Examination, the Wakefield Self-Assessment Depression Inventory, and a side effects inventory. Both the symptom rating scales showed that purely depressive symptomatology improved significantly in each treatment group, but the patients' self-ratings showed that only f/n produced a significant alleviation of anxiety symptoms and panic attacks. The patients receiving f/n rated themselves as significantly (p less than 0.05) less irritable, as well as less anxious, after 4 weeks treatment, than those receiving amitriptyline. The PSE schedule did not differentiate between the 2 treatment groups, but self-rating, which is a more sensitive method of eliciting drug effectiveness in patients suffering from mild psychiatric disorders, did demonstrate patient preference for f/n. This should have important implications for compliance with treatment.

Adolescent↗

Some features of 'new long-stay' male schizophrenics.

From an original cohort of 471 admissions of male schizophrenics (260 individuals) to Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow, in the years 1967-70 inclusive, 39 patients were found who in December 1973 had become long-term residents by virtue of over three years' stay. These patients were followed up two years later, when it was found that 33 remained. Three had died and two had been discharged, though one was later admitted elsewhere. Those remaining had an average age 45-4 years, and an average duration of illness of 15 years. The patients are considered in terms of their clinical state, management problems, accommodation, occupational grade, and social circumstances. It is concluded that they represent a hard cord and that very few of them are likely to be suitable for such alternative forms of care as are at present available.

Chronic Disease↗