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Biomedical subjects

N Bouras

Publications and source records attributed to N Bouras.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Behaviour and psychiatric disorders of people with mental handicaps living in the community.

Psychiatric and behavioural disorders were found to be relatively common in a sample of 318 individuals with a mental handicap living in the community. Many of those referred for psychiatric assessment had other non-psychiatric problems. The presence of these other needs has been recognized, and had led to the emergence of a distinct group of professionals, therapists and support staff with whom psychiatrists need to liaise to devise an adequate and effective care plan. This study also highlights the need for the development of a methodology for assessing psychiatric disorders in people with a mental handicap.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

The detection of psychiatric cases by Greek physicians: report on a study carried out in a Greek primary care setting.

The detection of psychiatric disorder by primary care physicians in Greece was investigated using four non-psychiatric physicians. The General Health Questionnaire indicated a high probable prevalence of psychiatric disorder (77.8%), but the physicians rated only 9.3% of the sample as cases. Eighty eight per cent of the probable cases were undetected by the doctors. The doctors' reporting of cases was not affected by the demographic characteristics of the sample and only weakly affected by the patients' total GHQ score. The high probable prevalence and low detection rate is a cause for concern and requires further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

A needs survey among patients in Leros asylum.

The recent exposure of the plight of inmates living in poor conditions at the state asylum on the Greek island of Leros has caused public and professional outrage. If Greece is to avoid mistakes made by other countries, the plans for rehabilitating the patients and closing the hospital should from the outset include identification of the precise needs of patients for support and care. The survey of the patients' characteristics and needs for care found that most patients had no outside friends or relatives, and most were unable to perform basic daily skills. They shared many basic characteristics, however, with a large sample of the long-stay population in the UK, and 25% were thought to be able to live independently.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Mental health and primary care in ethnic groups Greek Cypriots in London: a preliminary investigation.

The psychiatric symptoms of 50 consecutive Greek Cypriot attenders at a primary health care centre in North London were compared with 50 consecutive native English attenders using the 28 item General Health Questionnaire. No differences were identified between the two ethnic groups. However, the less 'acculturated' Greek Cypriot patients manifested a higher level of psychological disturbance.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1988

Mianserin and trazodone for cardiac patients with depression.

In a placebo controlled double-blind cross-over study, the cardiovascular and antidepressant effects of three weeks' treatment with mianserin (30-80 mg daily) and trazodone (150-400 mg daily) were studied in depressed patients who had co-existant cardiac disease. In 14 of the 16 patients, no haemodynamic deterioration occurred with either drug. Two patients withdrew from the study. One with coronary artery disease, whose concomitant medication included a calcium-antagonist and a beta-adrenoceptor blocker and who developed severe postural hypotension after his first dose of trazodone while the other had an increased frequency of transient cerebral ischaemic attacks with both mianserin and trazodone, but not with placebo. Mianserin and trazodone are comparable for both antidepressant efficacy and paucity of cardiovascular effects. Although unwanted effects were generally mild, the incidence of dizziness was greater in those patients receiving trazodone. Caution is advised, however, when prescribing either drug to patients with transient cerebral ischaemic attacks or those with coronary artery disease receiving medication.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Amino acid levels in depression: a preliminary investigation.

Plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue amino acid levels were measured in 14 patients with affective illness and generally confirm previous findings. There was no correlation between these values and age, sex, family history and levels of anxiety. GABA levels measured in cortex tissue were negatively correlated with depressive mood (P less than 0.05), supporting a possible involvement of GABA in depressive illness.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

General practitioner referrals to an ambulatory psychiatric service. The effects of establishing an ease of access service.

The effects of establishing an ease of access 'walk-in' service on General Practitioner referrals to the ambulatory services of a catchment area psychiatric service are outlined. The characteristics of the patients referred are described. GPs made immediate and sustained use of the walk-in service and its creation expanded use of the ambulatory services by an overall 50%. Individual GPs were found to use the ambulatory services disproportionately and to discriminate between their use of the walk-in service and the coexisting traditionally run outpatient clinic. The walk-in service also allowed patients to refer themselves; a policy which did not result in a flood of inappropriate referrals but enabled patients, already familiar with the service, to re-establish contact in times of distress. The findings are discussed in terms of the current growth of Community Mental Health Centres in the United Kingdom and their implications for GP/Psychiatric Service liaison.

Community Mental Health Centers↗
PubMed1988

Down's syndrome and eating disorders. A case study.

We describe the case of a 33-year-old man with Down's syndrome and severe eating disorders. The clinical symptoms, and their difference from those of anorexia nervosa, are discussed. The patient responded well to a strict behavioural programme after long, in-patient treatment and was still well at a 2-year follow-up examination.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Ventricular size and CSF transmitter metabolite concentrations in severe endogenous depression.

The relationship between neurotransmitter metabolite concentrations and measurements of ventricular size on CAT scans and pneumoencephalographs was investigated in 15 patients with severe affective disorder. An association was identified between reduced levels of plasma free tryptophan and ventricular enlargement, and also between raised ventricular CSF levels of 5 HIAA and ventricular enlargement.

Adult↗