Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Lindelius

Publications and source records attributed to R Lindelius.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Mortality in 497 patients with affective disorders attending a lithium clinic or after having left it.

The impact of lithium prophylaxis on mortality has been studied in 497 patients, 405 bipolars and 92 unipolars, who attended the same out-patient lithium clinic for up to 30 years. In order to avoid preselection, no minimum period of lithium treatment was required in our study. Of a total of 6014 patient-years, 4330 were spent in regular contact with the study clinic. General mortality due to natural causes was not significantly increased; among cardiovascular diseases, only pulmonary embolism showed an excess mortality. No patients died of lithium intoxication or chronic renal insufficiency. Patients were divided into three groups: Group A, 277 patients, attended the study clinic until death or the end of the study, Group B, 86 patients, left the clinic but continued to take lithium, and Group C, 134 patients, both left the clinic and stopped taking lithium. Among bipolars, the suicide rate compared to the general population was in excess in all three groups. Among unipolars, suicides occurred only after the patients had left the study clinic and stopped taking lithium. A special analytical method was used for intergroup comparisons of suicide rates. Bipolars in Group A attending the study clinic regularly had a suicide rate of 3.5 per 1000 patient-years. The rate increased to 6.3 or by 80 % if patients had left the clinic and did not take lithium any longer as in Group C. The suicide rate in Group C increased by 45% compared to Group B, patients who left the clinic but continued to take lithium. Our results support the hypothesis that lithium has a significant antisuicidal effect in bipolars as well as in unipolars. The suicide mortality can be further reduced by regular attendance in a specialised mood disorder clinic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Schizoaffective psychoses. A long-term follow-up.

The study comprises 20 men who had shown admixtures of schizophrenic and affective symptoms during their first hospitalisation in a psychiatric hospital in Stockholm 1946-1957. The observation period was between 17 and 30 years. At the time of follow-up the group was rediagnosed on the basis of all information obtained. It was shown that this originally relatively homogeneous group was made up of a heterogeneous collection of illnesses. Definite schizophrenia formed the largest group (nine patients). Three patients had developed a definite manic-depressive disease and three severe alcoholism. The remaining five patients showed prominent symptoms of both schizophrenic and affective type. After the first hospitalisation 19 patients were recovered or improved. At the end of the follow-up period the corresponding number was eight. Twelve patients showed social recovery, i.e. were working or studying at the end of the follow-up period. Eighteen patients were at some time re-hospitalised for psychosis. The group, as a whole, spent 16% of the observation period hospitalised in a mental hospital - 6% in the outcome group recovered + improved and 21% in the outcome group were unimproved. The course was difficult to predict with the aid of factors usually considered prognostically favourable. The study stresses the need for prospective controlled studies based on a systematised after-care programme for patients who show symptoms of both schizophrenia and affective illness in their first attack.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Effects of parental consanguinity on mortality and reproductive function.

A study of consanguinity effects on mortality and fertility was performed. The original series consisted of families selected on the basis of the birth of at least one child with a congenital, monohybrid, autosomal recessive disease. Biologically related families were compared with unrelated ones, the latter group being used as a natural control group. The results are discussed.

Consanguinity↗
PubMed1979

Trends in suicide in Sweden 1749-1975.

Changes in the suicide rate in Sweden have been studied over the period 1749-1975. It has risen from about 2 per 100,000 inhabitants at the middle of the 18th century to about 20 per 100,000 during the period 1971-1975. Thus a more than tenfold increase is evident. From the non-standardized figures a real and substantial increase can be demonstrated which becomes even more apparent after standardization. This increase is independent of variations in the age composition of the population. The increase has occurred in the younger age groups: between the ages of 20 and 35 years, i. e.during the most active years of life, suicide is the leading cause of death today. An account of legislative measures for suicide prevention during this period is also presented. There is considerable support for the assumption that the low suicide rate registered in Sweden up to the beginning of the 19th century was an effect of the powerful influence of religion over the population.

Adolescent↗