Biomedical subjects

Veljko Dordević

Publications and source records attributed to Veljko Dordević.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Suicidality among veterans suffering from chronic PTSD treated at Center for Crisis Intervention, Zagreb University Hospital Center].

Recent literature suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients are at an increased risk of suicidal behavior. The purpose of our study was to assess the impact of psychiatric comorbidity on suicidality (as assessed by SUAS) and relationship to combat exposure (as assessed by CES) in 277 veterans suffering from chronic PTSD. The diagnosis of PTSD and psychiatric comorbidity was confirmed according to DSM-IV criteria. Patients with PTSD and comorbidity had significantly higher scores (p<0.01) on the measures of suicidality and combat exposure than the groups without psychiatric comorbidity. These findings suggest that persons with PTSD and psychiatric comorbidity are at a higher risk of suicidal behavior. Therefore, on assessing suicide risk in PTSD patients attention should be paid to comorbidity factors, in order to reduce the risk of fatal complications.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

"My new Alfa Romeo GT is not in the garage any more": Cognitive behavioural therapy of panic disorder with agoraphobia co morbid with psychosis.

This paper describes a case of co-morbid panic disorder and psychosis with a focus on the successful treatment of the panic disorder via a CBT approach. The patient has had only one episode of psychosis. The cognitive model of panic disorder is used as a template to consider this young man's psychotic experiences, in the context of some types of delusional beliefs, especially those involving the catastrophic and atypical misinterpretation of the physiological sensations associated with anxiety. This case emphasises the therapeutic value for certain patients of focussing therapy on the non-psychotic symptoms once the acute psychotic state has been managed.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Social phobia.

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) is an irrational fear of being observed and judged by other people in various social settings. The individual is afraid that he or she will act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing. It is often a chronic, disabling condition that is characterized by a phobic avoidance of most social situations. Social anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder (10-15%) that occurs in two subtypes--generalized and specific. It is a disorder that occurs during the adolescence and reflects negatively to the quality of life of an individual. Neurobiological basis of this disorder has not been explored yet. The disorder is frequently burdened with comorbidity with other anxiety disorders, depression and substance-related disorders. Only cognitive-behavioral techniques are desirable in the psychotherapeutic treatment of the disorder and the best results are achieved in combination with pharmacotherapy. The medicaments of choice in the treatment of social anxiety disorder are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Anxiolytics should be used only as a supplementary in the acute phase. Treatment of social anxiety disorder should last at least 3 months up to one year.

Anxiety↗

PubMed2003

Forensic importance of jealousy.

The aim of the investigation is to define as clearly as possible specific forensic psychiatric characteristics of persons who committed homicide and or attempted due to jealousy (the nature and severity of psychopathology, the level of responsibility, danger for the community, intensity and nature of aggression, the victimologic dimension, the relation of alcohol and jealousy). A retrospective method based on forensic psychiatric expertises in the period 1975-1999 was used. They encompassed 200 examinees that committed murder or attempted it. The results show the connection of psychotic jealousy with the highest degree of danger in diagnostic categories of paranoid psychosis and paranoid schizophrenia. The time span from the first manifestations of jealousy until the actual commitment of a crime is the longest in personality disorders and the shortest in schizophrenia. Exogenous provoking situations were dominant for committing homicide due to jealousy in personality disorders. Acute alcohol intoxication has a specific significance in crime due to jealousy in the same diagnostic category. Clear criteria were designed for forensic psychiatric evaluation of murder and attempts of homicide caused by jealousy, which will be of help in everyday practice in the field forensic work and treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Attitudes of medical staff towards the psychiatric label "schizophrenic patient" tested by an anti-stigma questionnaire.

The aim of this research was to investigate the opinions and attitudes of medical staff towards schizophrenic patients. The research included three groups of examinees, 200 physicians of various specialties, 200 nurses and technicians working in Zagreb city hospitals, and 200 3rd and 4th year students of the School of Medicine in Zagreb. Previously validated anti-stigma questionnaire was used, consisting of 25 questions divided into three thematic groups, structured and adapted to the specific requirements of this study. The results were mutually compared and statistically analyzed by applying the chi 2-test. Significant difference (p < 0.01) between the answers of physicians and those of medical students was found in questions 2, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, and between physicians and nurses/technicians in answers to questions 4, 15, 22, 23. Significant difference (p < 0.01) between the answers given by nurses/technicians and medical students was found in questions 10, 13, 22, 23. The results point to the existence of prejudices and stigmatizing attitudes in all three investigated groups. The most frequent reasons for stigmatizing attitude of students are based on fear and insufficient knowledge about mental patients and schizophrenia as a disease, while there are a high percentage of positive answers to the questions on rehabilitation and resocialization. The nurses/technicians also show a high degree of mistrust towards schizophrenic patients and mostly answer with "I don't know", thus presenting insufficiently formed attitudes about the mentioned problems. The physicians in their answers confirm fear, mistrust and stigmatizing attitudes towards schizophrenic patients found in general population in Croatia. The consequences of such attitudes are the low quality of life of schizophrenic patients, and slow, often incomplete, resocialization.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Hormone replacement therapy--is there a place for its use in neurology?

Stroke remains the third leading cause of mortality in developed countries despite declining tendency over the past decades. As the leading cause of disability and second cause of dementia, primary prevention should be the main way to fight the disease, since therapy is not efficient enough. Several observations pointed to estrogen as a protective agent that may reduce stroke risk, however, studies have shown conflicting data. There is no strong evidence that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases stroke risk. Several studies have shown that HRT may reduce the risk of fatal stroke. Conflicting results have been found for Alzheimer's disease and HRT as well. An association between higher serum concentration of estradiol and decreased risk of cognitive decline has been found in some studies, supporting the hypothesis that estrogen concentration may play a significant role in brain protection. Having in mind results of recent randomized trials, it is suggested that HRT should not be recommended on general basis for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases or for primary prevention of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Osteoporosis, cognitive decline and climacteric symptoms that are likely to impact on quality of life, speak in favor for recommendation of HRT use. On the other side, family history of breast carcinoma, mastopathy, thromboembolism, in certain cases gallbladder disease, will discourage the commencement of HRT. Respecting the patient's preferences and having benefits and risks in mind as well as science advisory statements, individual counseling regarding HRT should be the leading concept in the healthcare of postmenopausal women.

Aged↗