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Biomedical subjects

V Hobi

Publications and source records attributed to V Hobi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Use and abuse of non-narcotic analgesics.

The definition of abuse and dependence of non-narcotic analgesics should take into consideration the interaction of drug and personality. Usually, definitions are based on qualitative aspects of the risk-benefit ratio in the use of psychotropic drugs. By means of modern research methods in epidemiology and clinical psychology, quantitative aspects might be integrated in the process of defining persons and drugs when evaluating their risk of abuse or dependence. In a prospective field study with working housewives of northwestern Switzerland who showed objective evidence of intake of non-narcotic analgesics and a control group, the interaction of drug use and personality features has been investigated. There was significant evidence that heavy use of non-narcotic analgesics was paralleled with a high risk of depression, emotional liability and disturbance in sexual identity. Using urine analysis, the study group was divided into two subgroups showing low or high intake of drugs, respectively. Special attention was focused on persons shifting from the study group into the control group and vice versa.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1977

The heart rate response as an indicator of changes in activation induced by alcohol.

This experiment was conducted in order to examine different alcohol-induced states of activation as indicated by the acoustic evoked heart rate response (HRR). Twelve healthy male subjects received 0.7 g/kg alcohol in one session of a cross-over designed experiment. In the control session no alcohol was given. The measurements of three parameters of the heart rate response as well as the self-assessments of mood were repeated five times along the course of the venous blood alcohol concentration. Significant depressant alcohol effects were reflected in a decrease in the HRR acceleration as well as in a decrease in vitality, vigilance, and self-estimated startle reaction. Stimulating effects could be observed in an increase of the mean heart rate and the second HRR deceleration. We conclude that different alcohol-induced states of activiation represent different patterns of inhibitory and facilitatory processes, each manifesting itself in different parameters. The results suggest three major components of alcohol action: 1) an inhibition release with immediate onset,2) a slower processing inhitition,3) attention focussing as a compensatory response to inhibition.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1976

[Basler drug- and alcohol-questionnaire. First experiences in the construction of a test instrument for evaluation of dependency of drug-and/or alcohol-consumers (author's transl)].

In order to provide an estimation of the degree of drug and/or alcohol dependency the authors designed a questionnaire. In this paper the basic steps of item analysis, factor analysis and calculation of reliability (split-half-method) are reported. After elimination of 6 items out of 65 the item-metric and factorial characteristics as well as the reliability of the instrument could be judged as satisfactory. On the item level two factor analytical solutions were interpreted. The first one showed one factor covering the general concept of dependency, the second one suggested a 3- dimensional differentiation in terms of 1. negative self-concept, 2. obsessional traits, and 3. addictive illness behavior.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1976

[The time-course of alcohol induced changes in self-rating-scales of mood (author's transl)].

Alcohol was administered in a dose of 0.77 g per kg bodyweight to 16 healthy male subjects in a cross-over-design. A study was made of a number of psychological and physiological variables to determine the modifications that accompany the alcohol-induced changes in the orienting response to an auditory stimulus. Five determinations were made at intervals following a dose of alcohol and five in a control session when no alcohol was given. The results obtained for the psychological variables (self-ratings of the intensity of intoxication and the degree of being startled by the first stimulus; and self-assessment of mood) show alcohol to have stimulant as well as depressant effects. Some of the variables show stimulant effects, mainly at the beginning of the absorption phase, whereas other variables show depressant effects, both in the absorption phase and the postabsorption phase. Changes in physiological variables (such as parameters of electrodermal activity and of the heart rate response) support these findings. The simultaneous presence of both stimulant and depressant effects is pointed out as well as the difficulties in describing these findings in terms of a unidimensional model of activation.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Attentions, sensumotoric coordination, and angular acceleration threshold under the influence of small doses of alcohol in relation to aspects of personality (author's transl)].

In a parallel cross-over design 22 male students were examined with 0,6 g alcohol per kg of body weight (0,5 o/oo). The dependent variables were attention, sensumotoric coordination angular acceleration threshold, and mood. A number of personality trait factors (FPI, MPI, habit of alcohol and tobacco consumption, body measures) and state factors (subjective state, psychophysiological state) were also measured, others were helf constant (age, sec, intelligence, standardisized breakfest, duration of drinking time, day time, week time). The accelerated concentration of blood alcohol was connected with neuroticism and subjective bad state on day of examination. The accelerated elimination of blood alcohol varried with bad subjective state. Attention, and sensumotoric coordination were significantly (by a BAC of 0,42 o/oo) diminished and the sensitivity of angular acceleration threshold was strongly (by a BAC of 0,30, 0,44, 0,38 and 0,21 o/oo) diminished, connected with a general brightening of mood. Certain personality traits and states may diminish performances with those slight doses of alcohol.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1976

[Treatment, follow-up and prognosis of drug addiction (author's transl)].

Using a standardised psychological questionnaire (self-estimation scale, personality-inventory FPI of Fahrenberg and Selg) and serial examinations, the effectiveness of a therapeutic concept combining drug, environmental and group therapy was tested. The psychological parameters objectified stabilisation of the psychological-autonomic and emotional areas as well as ego functions. The follow-up study extended over an average of five years and included 101 former drug addicts (14 could not be interviewed, 10 had died). Social stability was observed in 63% (satisfactory working performance, reduction of sexual problems, contacts with friends). 36% of the group had abstained from further drug taking, 27% were taking them periodically, 32% had to be treated again and 5% had deteriorated (trend towards invalidism).

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Studies on the personality structure of patients with myoarthropathy].

A group of test patients afflicted with myoarthropathy was compared by psychological tests to a control group and was shown to differ significantly in their personality. The differences: the group of patients shows a stronger disturbance of general psychosomatic behaviour. There is no evidence of open aggressivity, on the other hand the patients are irritable, easily disappointed and concerned and generally depressive. This picture is rounded off by the "typical female selfdescription" in Scale 12. The investigation shows that "primarily" somatic patients should be, in greater measure, considered from the aspect of psychohygiene or psychotherapy.

Female↗
PubMed1976

Analgesic abuse and personality characteristics.

The Freiburg Personality Inventory (FPI) was mailed to a group of 880 female industrial workers who were participating in a 5-year prospective study aimed at elucidating eventual renal toxity of phenacetin-containing analgesics. 338 completely filled in test-sheets were returned. The study sample was divided into five sub-groups according to the amount of drug which could be located. 1. Consumers who had a positive test for analgesic-intake in at least one urine sample (paracetamol = N-acetyl-p-aminophenol as principal metabolit of phenacetin),N = 65.2. "High intakers", paracetamol values over 0.499 o.D. (o.D. = optical density in the spectrophotometric determination of paracentamol [total of three tests]), N = 73.3. "Medium intakers", paracetamol values 0.200-0.499 o.D. (total of three tests), N = 25.4. "Low intakers", paracetamol values 0.049-0.199 oD., N = 84.5. "None-consumers" with negative urine tests, N = 199. It was shown that for some personality features, consumers could be distinguished from non-consumers and "high intakers" from "low intakers", but not "low intakers" from non-consumers nor "high intakers" from "medium intakers". The areas contributing mainly to differentiation were general psychosomatic disturbance, irritability tinged with dysphoria, psychosocial and emotional immaturity, and lability. The importance of early registration is consequently demonstrated.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Personality-specfic action of a tranquilizer (author's transl)].

23 emotionally lable and 22 emotionally stable subjects wefe selected from a total smaple of 147 students by three personality inventories (FPI, GT, MPI). In a 2(3)-factor design the following effects of a single dose of 1.5 mg bromazepam p.o. against placebo were found: whereas the fine-motor activity (tapping, line-tracing) was stabilized independently of personality traits, the performance in attention tests (d2, choice-reaction time) was decreased in the emotionally stable group. In the emotionally lable group, i.e. in those subjects for whom bromazepam could therapeutically be indicated, an advantageous effect on performance in these tests was possible. The following variables were not affected by personality or medication: after-image of spiral rotor, critical flicker fusion (CFF), taking-task

Affect↗
PubMed1975

[The impairment of the ability to drive with blood alcohol concentrations of 0,5 per mille. A review of the literature].

As a contribution to the discussion surrounding reduction of the 0.08% limit, empirical data concerning the influence of blood alcohol levels around 0.05% on driving ability are reviewed. The papers reviewed, all of which satisfy the usual methodological standards, show that in the 500 subjects investigated there was already marked impairment of driving ability below blood alcohol levlels of 0.08%. Marked impairment is particularly apparent in those abilities which, with regard to the complexity of the perceptual and psychomotor patterns involved, are most relevant to the real driving situation: --decreased performance of simple and complex perceptual mechanisms, attention and vigilance; --decreased performance of psychomotor skills, resulting in impaired control of the vehicle in the real traffic situation. It can be concluded that even at these low blood alcohol levels an increased accident risk is to be expected.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1975

[Schizophreniform conditions in adolescent drug users differentiation possibilities using objective personality inventories].

The authors report on schizophreniform states in juvenile drug consumers. The following psychodiagnostic instruments have been used in this investigation: a list of complaints, a self-estimation scale, a psychosis-depression-neurosis inventory (v. Zerssen), the Freiburg personality inventory (FPI, Fahrenberg, Selg and Hampel). According to clinical-psychopathological data in the course of psychosis, three groups of patients (N = 21) have been formed and defined as schizophrenia-, borderline-, intoxication-psychosis-groups. The report describes the procedure of two discriminant analyses by which the said three groups have been selected. In addition to methods of a cross section approach, the necessity of longitudinal observations is discussed by means of an own clinical example, considering also observations described in the literature.

Adolescent↗