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Biomedical subjects

J M Rey

Publications and source records attributed to J M Rey.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Validity of Axis V of DSM-III and other measures of adaptive functioning.

In order to address validity issues which have not been adequately explored in the existing literature on Axis V, the authors compared ratings on this axis with ratings on three other measures of adaptive functioning (Social Competence, premorbid and present) in a diagnostically heterogeneous group of 195 referred adolescents. It was found that correlations amongst the measures were moderate, except between premorbid and present functioning, which was high. Axis V was found to be comparable with a measure of premorbid functioning while Social Competence was similar to present functioning.

Adolescent↗

DSM-III axis IV revisited.

Clinicians have traditionally inquired about stressful life events preceding the onset of a psychiatric disorder. Axis IV of DSM-III attempted to improve on this by suggesting that a wide range of events be considered and that the information obtained be integrated into a global rating of severity. After reviewing recent evidence, the authors suggest that this process might result in ratings with lower reliability than expected. They also discuss some of the methodological difficulties in this field and explore directions for further research.

Humans↗

DSM-III-R: too much too soon?

Some of the more important changes carried out in the recently published revision of the DSM-III classification (DSM-III-R) are described, and an assessment is made on whether a revision of this nature was necessary and whether it achieved its aims. Since a large number of disorders have been modified in one way or another and since empirical evidence for many of the changes is lacking, the author concludes that DSM-III-R, rather than illuminating the field, is likely to cause confusion and frustration in the minds of clinicians, researchers and administrators, and that in fact DSM-III-R is a new classification, a DSM-IV in disguise.

Humans↗

Reliability of the psychosocial axes of DSM-III in an adolescent population.

Three psychosocial variables were rated independently by two clinicians for 140 adolescent referrals to a psychiatric unit. Overall, intraclass correlations for DSM-III Axis IV, Axis V and a psychosocial adversity index (PSAI) were respectively 0.44, 0.58 and 0.68. The main source of unreliability is probably the operational definitions, rather than their application by clinicians; indices similar to the PSAI may be preferable.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Sources of unreliability of DSM-III Axis IV.

Lists of stressors recorded for 159 adolescents and rated by two judges showed poor agreement on stressor identification but good concordance for the most severe stressor identified for each patient. Good agreement was also found for a short checklist of chronic stressors. When individual stressors were rated by four judges for 27 patients, global Axis IV ratings were largely determined by the rating of the most severe event. Those results suggest that Axis IV can be made more reliable and easier to use by concentrating on the identification of severe events.

Adolescent↗

Towards ICD 10: the attitudes of Australian and New Zealand psychiatrists.

About 15% of practising psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand responded to a brief postal questionnaire. This sample appears reasonably representative of the various groups within the profession and of the geographical distribution of the clinicians. Ninety-one per cent of the respondents thought it was important to have a reliable classification; 83% thought that ICD 10 should incorporate specific diagnostic criteria; and 78% were of the view that ICD 10 should have a multiaxial system. Overall, DSM-III is used twice as often as ICD 9, and only 12% of psychiatrists do not use DSM-III at all. A very small minority (6%) use some other classification system. The results of this survey are discussed against the background of the intended introduction of ICD 10 in about 1990. Preliminary preparations for it are already in progress.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Tardive dyskinesia: fluctuating patient or fluctuating rater.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is usually described as fluctuating in its clinical manifestations. We attempted to quantify fluctuations in TD using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). Three psychiatrists rated multiple video-recorded examinations of four outpatients with mild TD. The unexpected finding was that within-rater variability dominated within-patient variability.

Adult↗

Assessment of tardive dyskinesia in psychiatric outpatients using a standardized rating scale.

Psychiatric outpatients were assessed for dyskinetic movements using the abnormal involuntary movement scale (AIMS). The prevalence of tardive dyskinesia in an Australian sample of 66 patients was 44% which is similar to reported prevalence in other countries. Although the prevalence was significantly higher in patients over 45 years of age and with more than a 5 year history of neuroleptic medication, there were no significant correlations between presence of dyskinesias and age, sex or duration of neuroleptic treatment. Organic factors such as neurological disorders, ECT or alcoholism were not related to dyskinetic movements, nor was the use of anticholinergic or tricyclic antidepressant medication. The AIMS is a reliable rating scale for dyskinetic movements and could be used more widely as a screening instrument for early detection of tardive dyskinesia.

Adolescent↗

Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) in depression: pest or blessing?

St John's wort (SJW) was introduced into Australia during the 1880s for medicinal purposes, but was subsequently declared a noxious weed. There is now a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic properties of this herb. In particular, use of SJW as an antidepressant has increased in recent months owing to reports of its effectiveness and safety. Nevertheless, the controlled trials available have limitations. Increasing use of SJW in the community poses a variety of questions. For example, should medical practitioners become more knowledgeable about the effects and interactions of alternative remedies? What are the ethical and medical implications of "antidepressant" prescribing by non-medical persons? Who is to fund further research and treatment studies? How can quality of SJW preparations be guaranteed?

Adult↗