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Biomedical subjects

H Rittmannsberger

Publications and source records attributed to H Rittmannsberger.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Methadone substitution treatment. Results of an evaluation of 3 years implementation in an Austrian province].

Methadone maintenance treatment was introduced in Austria in 1987. The organisation of a methadone maintenance program in Upper Austria is described and the results of a follow up study 3 years after start of the program are presented. As positive effects of methadone treatment could be found an increase of time in work, a decrease of delinquency and a good compliance of HIV-positive patients with monitoring and treatment of their infection. Statistical correlations between social items and different outcome criteria are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Differential therapy with benzodiazepines].

Benzodiazepines (BZ) are the most frequently prescribed psychotropic agents. Though most of today's BZ exert very similar clinical effects, there are considerable differences in their pharmacokinetics. Growing knowledge about the mode of action of BZ receptors will lead to a more sophisticated classification of BZ. Impairment of memory function and development of dependence are the most important side effects of BZ. The clinical significance of dependence on BZ is viewed controversially. In part this results from a confusion about the meaning of the term dependence. It is therefore important to distinguish between the different forms of dependence on BZ. Some recommendations for treatment with BZ are presented.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1993

[Psychotic manifestation of hypothyroidism. A case report].

The case of a young woman is reported, who was treated one and a half years with psychopharmacologic agents and psychotherapy until hypothyroidism was diagnosed. Initially the psychopathology with prominent though disorders led to a tentative diagnosis of schizophrenia. Under administration of thyroid hormone the patient was free of psychiatric and somatic symptoms within 3 months. Problems of diagnosis, therapy and prognosis are discussed in relation of the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Asterixis induced by carbamazepine therapy.

There are very few reports about asterixis as a side effect of treatment with psychopharmacologic agents. In this report we present four patients treated with a combination of different psychotropic drugs, in whom asterixis was triggered either by adding carbamazepine (CBZ) to a treatment regimen, or by increasing its dosage. Neither dosage nor serum levels of CBZ were in a higher range. We consider asterixis to be an easily overlooked sign of neurotoxicity, which may occur even at low or moderate dosage levels, if certain drugs as lithium or clozapine are used in combination with CBZ.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Monitoring of laboratory parameters during carbamazepine therapy in psychiatric patients.

In recent years, carbamazepine has increasingly also been used in psychiatric indications. However, the manifold action of this drug also manifests itself in a number of adverse effects. In a prospective study including 46 patients, who were given carbamazepine for psychiatric indications and most of whom were also treated with one or several other psychotropic drugs, the following laboratory parameters were determined at two-weekly intervals: red and white blood count, platelets, SGOT, SGPT, gamma GT, alkaline phosphatase, serum calcium, serum sodium, IgA, IgG, IgM. Statistically significant changes were found in erythrocytes, leucocytes, platelets (decrease), Gamma GT (increase), serum calcium (decrease), IgA, IgM (decrease). The clinical relevance of these changes is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Asterixis as a side effect of carbamazepine therapy.

A patient developed asterixis 13 weeks after starting a therapy with carbamazepine. Serum concentration of carbamazepine was within the therapeutic levels. Further factors which might have provoked asterixis were an impairment of pulmonary function and the combination with a neuroleptic and lithium. Since the latter risk factors had already been present for a long time, it may be assumed that the addition of carbamazepine triggered the development of asterixis.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1991

Long latency EMG responses in early diagnosis of Huntington's chorea.

In healthy subjects, 2 EMG responses of the thenar muscles can be distinguished, elicited by electrical stimulation of the median nerve during an isometric contraction: an early spinal response (M1) and a long latency response (LLR) (M2); earlier studies have shown that in patients with Huntington's chorea (HC) this late EMG response is missing. LLR were studied in the nine subjects at risk out of three families with definite HC. In 6 of them, LLR was clearly asymmetrical or absent on one or both sides, while normal LLRs were seen in the rest of the subjects studied; LLR abnormalities found in clinically free members of HC families may assist in early diagnosis of individuals who may later develop symptoms and may help in genetic counselling.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Carbamazepine in the treatment of psychiatric diseases: effects and side effects].

The use of carbamazepine in psychiatry has widened its scope in the last years. Its efficacy is proven best in manic syndromes, in the prophylaxis of manic-depressive illness and in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Beyond this, carbamazepine has been used successfully in depression, schizophrenia, organic psychoses and intermittent explosive disorder. The manifold therapeutic possibilities should not make forget the side effects. The most severe effects to be expected are impairment of the hematopoietic system and skin reactions. Vegetative and neurotoxic effects most commonly occur in the beginning of therapy, after increasing the dosage and in case of intoxication. Further possible side effects are disturbances of hepatic, thyroid, renal and cardiac function, of immune response, water balance and calcium metabolism. Monitoring of these parameters during therapy with carbamazepine is necessary.

Affective Disorders, Psychotic↗
PubMed1990

[Effectiveness of courses in autogenic training within the scope of the public university. An expanded form of the contribution, which was recognized in 1987 with the "Ludo-Hartmann Prize" by the Austrian Society of Public Education].

128 participants of courses for autogenic training held at an adult college were followed up three months after end of the course by means of a questionnaire. The investigation aimed to explore, whether the participants succeeded in learning autogenic training and how many of them after 3 months still practiced it. The most important findings were: most participants succeeded with the exercises of warmth and heaviness whereas they had much difficulties with the exercises of the different organ systems. The frequency of practice correlated statistically positive with the participant's age. After end of the course the frequency of practice decreased markedly. Success in practicing the basic exercises is determined by the frequency of practice and the participant's symptomatology: participants with organic symptoms do significantly worse in learning autogenic training.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Water intoxication--a little known complication in the course of mental diseases].

Acute or chronic psychogenic polydipsia is a not uncommon finding in psychiatric patients. Water intoxication either results from the intake of large amounts of fluid within a short period of time and/or from a reduction of the renal "free water clearance". The latter can be caused iatrogenically by the administration of certain drugs or by the "Syndrome of Inadequate Secretion of ADH" (SIADH). Water intoxication results in cerebral oedema and may ultimately lead to death. A case is reported of iatrogenically-induced water intoxication in a patient with chronic psychogenic polydipsia.

Drinking↗
PubMed1986

[Late rehabilitation of psychiatric patients].

The results of a catamnestic study concerning patients of a psychiatric rehabilitation unit are reported. The patients were either longterm inpatients (mean duration of stay 8.5 years) or those, who had been transferred from the acute unit for lack of therapeutic progress and thus were probable to become longterm patients. Half the patients of the first and two third of the patients of the second group could be dismissed, living alone, with their families or in home accommodations. In a very few cases occupational rehabilitation could be achieved. Predictors of good outcome were higher age of the patient at first admission to a psychiatric hospital, longer duration of occupational practise, preserved contact to the family and pecuniary security warranted by a disablement pension. Further improvements of in- and outpatient psychiatric care are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Long-term therapy of juvenile drug addicts in the hospital as shown at the Erlenhof therapeutic facility].

The therapeutic community is the most important part of a multimodality treatment program for narcotic addicts. In Upper Austria, the Therapiestation Erlenhof was founded in 1981, being the third community of this kind in Austria. The therapeutic concept stresses four determinants: community life, work, leisure time, group psychotherapy. First results are reported. The importance of ideological issues and problems of aftercare are discussed.

Adolescent↗