Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Krausz

Publications and source records attributed to M Krausz.

82 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Comorbidity of opiate dependence and mental disorders.

In a 5-year-follow-up study of 350 opiate addicts in contact with a drug help system in Hamburg, 272 clients (78%) were interviewed a second time after 1 year. The objective of the study was to examine the correlation between mental disorders and drug consumption and its relationship to clients' general life situation. In the majority of the opiate addicts, a pattern of polydrug consumption was observed, but the amount of drugs consumed was clearly lower after 1 year. In the initial survey, a mental disorder according to ICD-10 could be diagnosed for 55% of the sample. Among groups formed by the severity and course of mental disorders or their symptoms, a significant correlation was observed, particularly at the time of follow-up, between the extent of drug consumption and the course of the mental disorder. Other areas, like physical health or social problems/conflicts, were also related to comorbidity (i.e., heavy drug consumption and/or mental disorder). These interrelationships should be taken into account in treatment, care and guidance to increase the prospects for successful treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The impact of neuroleptic dosage and extrapyramidal side effects on schizophrenic basic symptoms.

The impact of neuroleptic medication and extrapyramidal symptoms on abnormal subjective experiences in schizophrenia, also termed basic symptoms, as assessed with the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire (FCQ) was investigated in 40 schizophrenic patients medicated with conventional neuroleptics. Basic symptoms are thought to reflect the subjective side of schizophrenic vulnerability and to underlie schizophrenic symptomatology. It was expected that basic symptoms would inversely correlate with chlorpromazine equivalents, since neuroleptics not only improve acute schizophrenic symptoms but also have prophylactic properties. However, a significant positive correlation with neuroleptic dosage and extrapyramidal symptoms emerged, suggesting that basic symptoms as operationalized in the FCQ partly reflect neuroleptic-induced deficits. The results remained unchanged when global psychopathology was controlled for. In line with previous research, basic symptoms correlated with thought disorder but not with positive symptoms. However, when the effects of neuroleptic-induced disturbances were controlled for, thought disorder also insignificantly correlated with basic symptoms. Our findings confirm previous results that question the construct validity of the FCQ. Moreover, the need to control for confounding variables (such as medication) is emphasized by comparing different psychiatric groups.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Subjective cognitive dysfunction in first-episode and chronic schizophrenic patients.

Previous studies indicate that first-episode and chronic schizophrenic patients do not differ regarding neuropsychological performance as assessed with standard cognitive tasks. For the present study, it was investigated whether first-episode and chronic schizophrenics report similar subjective cognitive deficits. The Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire (FCQ), a scale devised for assessing subjective cognitive disturbances in schizophrenia, was administered to 20 first-episode and 36 chronic schizophrenic patients, as well as 20 healthy controls. The schizophrenic subsamples did not differ on any of the FCQ subscales or on a "lie scale," measuring illness denial. Psychopathological ratings were comparable for both groups. As expected, healthy subjects reported significantly less cognitive and perceptual problems than schizophrenic patients. In marked contrast to a Kraepelinian view of schizophrenia, the present data confirm previous studies conducted with objective neuropsychological tests that schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental rather than a neurodegenerative disorder.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cognitive dysfunction at baseline predicts symptomatic 1-year outcome in first-episode schizophrenics.

The present study addresses the consequences of cognitive disturbances on symptomatic outcome. Fifty-three first-episode schizophrenics were reassessed (n = 32) 1 year after admission. Simple regression analyses revealed that several self-perceived cognitive deficits at baseline as measured with the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire significantly predicted increased Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale global scores at follow-up (p = 0.05 to p = 0.005). A stepwise regression analysis proved memory dysfunction to be the strongest predictor of symptomatic worsening (p = 0.005). It is suggested that the exploration and treatment of neuropsychological deficits in schizophrenia is of great clinical importance with regard to its impact on both functional and symptomatic outcome in schizophrenia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Schizophrenic disorders among Turkish migrants in Germany. A controlled clinical study.

Several studies have implied cultural differences in the psychopathology of schizophrenia between migrants and natives. In a diagnostically strictly controlled study, including comparison of diagnosis with a Turkish-speaking psychiatrist, 74 patients of Turkish and 48 of German origin, all with a diagnosis of schizophrenic disorder, were compared using PANSS and HAM-D. The Turkish sample showed higher depression and hostile excitement, even in the subsample of those with paranoid schizophrenia, and no differences in positive, negative or cognitive symptoms. The similarities especially concerning core symptoms reflect evidence from cross-cultural studies on schizophrenia. In conclusion this study shows main differences in psychopathology between psychotic migrants and natives, as discussed in the literature, may be mainly due to diagnostic differences.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Production of 6-keto-PG F1 alpha in hyperstimulated cycles: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Prostacyclin (PG12), a potent vasodilator, is believed to be involved in increasing permeability within the wall of the preovulatory follicle. In ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), increased vascular permeability has been shown to lead to massive fluid accumulation in ovarian cysts and the peritoneal cavity. The objective of the in vitro and in vivo studies reported herein was to examine the production of 6-keto PGF1 alpha (a breakdown metabolite of PG12) during the luteal phase of women who develop OHSS, as well as the capacity of human granulosa luteal cells (GLC) obtained from stimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles to synthesize PGF1 alpha in vitro in long-term cultures. The in vivo results showed that during the luteal phase of women with OHSS, there is no increase in 6-keto PGF1 alpha production compared with the levels obtained from the luteal phase of normal ovulatory women. The GLC (representing early corpus luteum function) secreted significant amounts of 6-keto PGF1 alpha, but only in the first 48 hours of culture. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) had no additional augmentative effect upon the production of 6-keto PGF1 alpha throughout the culture period. It is concluded that 6-keto PGF1 alpha is not produced in significant amounts during the luteal phase, and therefore PG12 probably does not play a major role in the etiology of OHSS.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗