Original Article
Remission and relapse after the first hospital admission in psychotic depression: a 4-year naturalistic follow-up
- BUSHRA NAZ, THOMAS J. CRAIG, EVELYN J. BROMET, STEPHEN J. FINCH, LAURA J. FOCHTMANN, GABRIELLE A. CARLSON
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 05 March 2007, pp. 1173-1181
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Background
Few studies have examined the course of illness among severely depressed patients ascertained at first hospitalization. Using data from the Suffolk County Mental Health Project (SCMHP), we investigated the times to and predictors of the first full remission and the first relapse during a 4-year period in a first-admission cohort with major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features.
MethodThe cohort included 87 county-wide, first-admission patients with a longitudinal consensus diagnosis of MDD with psychotic features who were systematically followed over a 4-year period. We examined the associations of background, clinical and treatment factors, and time-varying indices of antidepressant (AD) and antipsychotic (AP) medication use to time to remission and relapse using Cox regression.
ResultsBy the 4-year follow-up, 60 respondents (69·0%) had achieved a period of full remission (median time of 22 weeks among remitters and 54 weeks in the full sample). In the multivariable analysis, longer time to remission was associated with longer latency between initial episode and hospitalization, lower pre-hospital Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score, and lack of insurance, but not use of medication. Twenty-six remitters (43·3%) relapsed (median time of 50 weeks among those who relapsed and 192 weeks among all remitters). None of the risk factors or time-varying medication variables was significantly associated with time to relapse.
ConclusionOnly two-thirds of the sample had at least one full remission by 4 years, and almost half of them subsequently relapsed. Poorer pre-hospital resources predicted remission but not relapse. Medication use over the follow-up was not associated with remission or relapse.
Syndrome stability and psychological predictors of symptom severity in idiopathic environmental intolerance and somatoform disorders
- JOSEF BAILER, MICHAEL WITTHÖFT, CHRISTIANE BAYERL, FRED RIST
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 17 November 2006, pp. 271-281
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Background. Previous studies suggest that idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI) is a variant of somatoform disorders (SFDs) or the so-called functional somatic syndromes. Little is known, however, about the stability and the psychological predictors of IEI.
Method. This prospective study examined the 1-year stability of somatic symptoms and IEI features in three diagnostic groups: 49 subjects with IEI, 43 subjects with SFD but without IEI, and 54 subjects (control group, CG) with neither IEI nor SFD. The predictive value of typical psychological predictors for somatization was tested using zero-order correlations and multiple linear regression analyses.
Results. Somatic symptoms and IEI features proved to be temporally stable over the 1-year follow-up period. The SFD and IEI groups scored significantly higher than CG on all measures of somatic symptoms and on questionnaires assessing psychological predictors for somatization. Measures of trait negative affectivity (NA), somatic symptom attribution and somatosensory amplification predicted somatic symptom severity within the IEI and SFD groups, both at baseline and 1 year later. The strongest predictors of IEI complaints in the IEI group were somatic attributions, followed by prominent cognitions of environmental threat and a tendency to focus on unpleasant bodily sensations and to consider them as pathological.
Conclusions. IEI and SFD are highly stable conditions. In both SFD and IEI, NA and the processes of symptom perception, interpretation and attribution contribute substantially to the persistence of typically somatoform symptoms and IEI complaints. Treatment of IEI and SFD should address these psychological factors and mechanisms.
Smoking behaviour as a predictor of depression among Finnish men and women: a prospective cohort study of adult twins
- TELLERVO KORHONEN, ULLA BROMS, JYRKI VARJONEN, KALLE ROMANOV, MARKKU KOSKENVUO, TARU KINNUNEN, JAAKKO KAPRIO
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2006, pp. 705-715
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Background. Depression is associated with smoking, but the causality of the relationship is debated. The authors examine smoking behaviour as a predictor of depression among the Finnish adult twin population.
Method. Based on responses to surveys in 1975 and 1981, the authors characterized the subjects as never smokers, persistent former smokers, quitters, recurrent smokers and persistent smokers. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was applied in 1990 to measure depression (BDI score >9). Although the population consisted of twins, the authors first considered the subjects as individuals. Logistic regression models were computed for 4164 men and 4934 women. In order to control for family and genetic background, conditional logistic regression analyses were conducted among twin pairs discordant for depression. Bivariate genetic modelling was used to examine genetic and environmental components of the correlation between smoking and depression.
Results. Among the men, persistent smoking (OR 1·42, 95% CI 1·07–1·89) and smoking in 1975 but quitting by 1981 (OR 1·68, 95% CI 1·17–2·42) was associated with a higher risk of depression, while among the women only the quitters had an elevated risk (OR 1·38, 96% CI 1·01–1·87). The gender×smoking interaction showed persistent smoking to be a stronger risk for men. When family and genetic background were controlled, smoking remained a predictor of depression. Genetic modelling among the men suggested a modest correlation (rg=0·25) between genetic components of smoking and depression.
Conclusions. Smoking behaviour may be a gender-sensitive predictor of depression, the stronger association in men being partly accounted for by having underlying genes in common.
Assessment of complex mental activity across the lifespan: development of the Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire (LEQ)
- MICHAEL J. VALENZUELA, PERMINDER SACHDEV
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- 20 November 2006, pp. 1015-1025
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Background. Brain reserve is a property of the central nervous system related to complex mental activity which may mediate the course and clinical expression of brain injury. Since there is no instrument that comprehensively assesses complex mental activity through the lifespan, we developed and tested the Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire (LEQ) in a prospective study of healthy ageing.
Method. The LEQ assesses educational, occupational and cognitive lifestyle activities at different stages through life. Test–retest, item analysis and Item Response Theory (IRT) were used to determine reliability. Dimensionality was evaluated using factor analysis. Validity was established through IRT analysis of test performance, correlation with an extant contemporaneous instrument (Cognitive Activities Scale; CAS) and prediction of global cognitive change over 18 months controlling for age, baseline cognition and hypertension.
Results. In a sample of healthy older individuals (n=79) the LEQ was found to be consistent, coherent and discriminate between individuals with high and low mental activity levels. Factor analysis revealed a dominant factor which loaded heavily on education, occupation and leisure activity. Total LEQ was significantly correlated with the CAS. Furthermore, individuals with higher LEQ scores showed less cognitive decline over 18 months, independent of covariates (r=0·37, p=0·003).
Conclusions. The LEQ is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing complex lifespan mental activity which is protective against cognitive decline. The LEQ is therefore proposed as a useful tool for estimating brain reserve in older individuals and further development is anticipated.
Assessment of information processing in working memory in applied settings: the paper & pencil memory scanning test
- WIM VAN DER ELST, MARTIN P. J. VAN BOXTEL, GERARD J. P. VAN BREUKELEN, JELLE JOLLES
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 22 March 2007, pp. 1335-1344
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Background
Sternberg's Memory Scanning Test (MST) is a useful paradigm for evaluating the speed and efficiency of information processing in working memory. Unfortunately, the classical MST has major drawbacks for use in applied settings such as the clinic. For example, its administration time is long and the test is too difficult for older people or people with cognitive disorders. It would be advantageous to have a test for the assessment of information processing in working memory for use in applied settings, for example in differential diagnostics in clinical settings.
MethodThe MST was modified into a format that makes it more appropriate for use in the clinic, the Paper & Pencil MST (P&P MST). The influence of age and age-extrinsic factors on the P&P MST was evaluated in a large sample (n=1839) of healthy and cognitively intact adults (24–81 years) to establish the normal range of performance.
ResultsAge and education affected all components of information processing in working memory. Gender did not affect the non-memory processing stages in the P&P MST, but affected the speed of memory scanning. An Age×Gender interaction was observed, which suggested that females who were aged below 55 scanned working memory faster than males, and vice versa for people aged above 55.
ConclusionsThe established P&P MST norms provide a useful tool in applied settings when a person's memory scanning and non-memory processes in working memory are to be evaluated.
Characteristics and functions of non-suicidal self-injury in a community sample of adolescents
- ELIZABETH E. LLOYD-RICHARDSON, NICHOLAS PERRINE, LISA DIERKER, MARY L. KELLEY
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 12 March 2007, pp. 1183-1192
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Background
Few studies have investigated non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), or the deliberate, direct destruction of body tissue without conscious suicidal intent, and the motivations for engaging in NSSI among adolescents. This study assessed the prevalence, associated clinical characteristics, and functions of NSSI in a community sample of adolescents.
MethodA total of 633 adolescents completed anonymous surveys. NSSI was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM).
ResultsSome form of NSSI was endorsed by 46·5% (n=293) of the adolescents within the past year, most frequently biting self, cutting/carving skin, hitting self on purpose, and burning skin. Sixty per cent of these, or 28% of the overall sample, endorsed moderate/severe forms of NSSI. Self-injurers reported an average of 12·9 (s.d.=29·4) incidents in the past 12 months, with an average of 2·4 (s.d.=1·7) types of NSSI used. Moderate/severe self-injurers were more likely than minor self-injurers, who in turn were more likely than non-injurers, to have a history of psychiatric treatment, hospitalization and suicide attempt, as well as current suicide ideation. A four-factor model of NSSI functions was indicated, with self-injurers likely to endorse both reasons of automatic reinforcement and social reinforcement. The most common reasons for NSSI were ‘to try to get a reaction from someone’, ‘to get control of a situation’, and ‘to stop bad feelings’.
ConclusionsCommunity adolescents reported high rates of NSSI, engaged in to influence behaviors of others and to manage internal emotions. Intervention efforts should be tailored to reducing individual issues that contribute to NSSI and building alternative skills for positive coping, communication, stress management, and strong social support.
A randomized controlled clinical trial of a psychosocial and communication intervention carried out by GPs for patients with medically unexplained symptoms
- JOSÉ M. AIARZAGUENA, GONZALO GRANDES, IDOIA GAMINDE, AGUSTÍN SALAZAR, ÁLVARO SÁNCHEZ, JULEN ARIÑO
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 13 December 2006, pp. 283-294
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Background. Somatizing patients are a challenge to general practitioners (GPs). A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted to asses the effect of specific communication techniques delivered by GPs on somatizing patients' self-perceived health.
Method. Thirty-nine GPs were assigned randomly to two parallel groups. GPs in the intervention group treated somatic patients according to specific communication techniques focused on offering a physical explanation – release of hormones – and approaching sensitive topics in the patient's experience indirectly. Control GPs used the standard Goldberg reattribution technique. A total of 156 patients, aged 18–65 years, were selected randomly from a list of 468 patients with six or more active symptoms for women and four or more for men. All patients had six programmed 30-min consultations. Health-related quality of life (assessed with the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, SF-36) and a summary utility index were used as outcome measures. Patients were interviewed at home at baseline and at 3, 8 and 12 months after the beginning of the intervention.
Results. Patients in both groups improved in all dimensions of the SF-36. The time course of the quality of life was significantly better for the intervention group in five of the eight scales of the SF-36 (bodily pain, mental health, physical functioning, vitality, and social functioning) and in the utility index (p<0·039).
Conclusions. Communication techniques were found to have a clinically relevant impact on body pain. This finding, together with a trend towards better scores in the remaining scales, justifies the use of these techniques in psychosocial interventions delivered to patients with medically unexplained symptoms.
The psychological costs of unsustainable housing commitments
- MARK P. TAYLOR, DAVID J. PEVALIN, JENNIFER TODD
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 16 January 2007, pp. 1027-1036
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Background. The extended recession and stagnant housing market in the 1990s following the boom of the late 1980s resulted in more than half a million housing repossessions. This study explores the impact of unsustainable housing commitments on psychological well-being. We test the hypotheses that housing payment problems and housing arrears have adverse impacts on heads of households' psychological well-being over and above those caused by financial hardship more generally.
Method. Data came from the British Household Panel Survey 1991–2003 and the samples for analysis consist of: (1) 5651 male head of households producing 26618 person-year observations, and (2) 2534 female head of households producing 9091 person-year observations. Summary statistics and multivariate, fixed effects regression models are used. Mental health was measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire.
Results. For male heads of households housing payment problems and entering arrears have significant detrimental effects on mental well-being and for female heads of households longer-term housing payment problems and arrears have significant detrimental effects on mental well-being. The sizes of these effects are in addition to and larger in magnitude than those associated with financial hardship more generally. The net effects appear to be relatively stable over the time of the panel data.
Conclusions. This study provides evidence that housing payment problems have independent psychological costs over and above those associated with general financial hardship. The magnitude of the effect is similar to that shown for marital breakdown and job loss.
Ovarian hormones and binge eating in bulimia nervosa
- CRYSTAL EDLER, SUSAN F. LIPSON, PAMELA K. KEEL
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 12 October 2006, pp. 131-141
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Background. Symptom fluctuation in bulimia nervosa (BN) is related to menstrual cycle phase. However, the relationship between bulimic symptoms and ovarian hormones (estrogens and progesterone) has not been examined directly in women with BN.
Method. Regularly menstruating women with DSM-IV BN (n=9) and regularly menstruating controls (n=8) collected hormone samples and recorded mood and bulimic symptoms daily for 35 consecutive days. Estradiol and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. Within-subject analyses examined prospective longitudinal associations between changes in ovarian hormones and changes in binge frequency in women with BN. Analyses controlled for the possible influence of negative affect on binge frequency as well as the influence of progesterone when examining estradiol associations and the influence of estradiol when examining progesterone associations. Between-subject analyses examined whether women with BN were more likely to have disrupted hormonal profiles than controls.
Results. Increases in binge eating were significantly associated with both decreases in estradiol and increases in progesterone in BN women with intact menstrual cycles. Although BN women were more likely to have disrupted hormone profiles than controls, this difference did not reach statistical significance, and mean estradiol and progesterone levels did not differ between bulimic and control groups.
Conclusions. The results are consistent with those from experimental animal studies and suggest that decreases in estradiol and increases in progesterone may contribute to increases in binge eating. Ovarian hormone function represents a promising candidate for unraveling the neurobiological mechanisms of binge eating.
Prognostic indices with brief and standard CBT for panic disorder: II. Moderators of outcome
- MICHAEL G. T. DOW, JUSTIN A. KENARDY, DEREK W. JOHNSTON, MICHELLE G. NEWMAN, C. BARR TAYLOR, AILEEN THOMSON
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 10 May 2007, pp. 1503-1509
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Background
Despite the growth of reduced therapist-contact cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programmes, there have been few systematic attempts to determine prescriptive indicators for such programmes vis-à-vis more standard forms of CBT delivery. The present study aimed to address this in relation to brief (6-week) and standard (12-week) therapist-directed CBT for panic disorder (PD) with and without agoraphobia. Higher baseline levels of severity and associated disability/co-morbidity were hypothesized to moderate treatment effects, in favour of the 12-week programme.
MethodAnalyses were based on outcome data from two out of three treatment groups (n=72) from a recent trial of three forms of CBT delivery for PD. The dependent variables were a continuous composite panic/anxiety score and a measure of clinical significance. Treatment×predictor interactions were examined using multiple and logistic regression analyses.
ResultsAs hypothesized, higher baseline severity, disability or co-morbidity as indexed by strength of dysfunctional agoraphobic cognitions; duration of current episode of PD; self-ratings of panic severity; and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (Mental component) score were all found to predict poorer outcome with brief CBT. A similar trend was apparent in relation to baseline level of depression. With high and low end-state functioning as the outcome measure, however, only the treatment×agoraphobic cognitions interaction was found to be significant.
ConclusionsWhile there was no evidence that the above variables necessarily contraindicate the use of brief CBT, they were nevertheless associated with greater overall levels of post-treatment improvement with the 12-week approach.
Do characteristics of patients with major depressive disorder differ between primary and psychiatric care?
- MARIA S. VUORILEHTO, TARJA K. MELARTIN, HEIKKI J. RYTSÄLÄ, ERKKI T. ISOMETSÄ
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- 05 March 2007, pp. 893-904
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Background. Despite the need for rational allocation of resources and cooperation between different treatment settings, clinical differences in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) between primary and psychiatric care remain obscure. We investigated these differences in representative patient populations from primary care versus secondary level psychiatric care in the city of Vantaa, Finland.
Method. We compared MDD patients from primary care in the Vantaa Primary Care Depression Study (PC-VDS) (n=79) with psychiatric out-patients (n=223) and in-patients (n=46) in the Vantaa Depression Study (VDS). DSM-IV diagnoses were assigned by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID-I in PC-VDS) or Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN in VDS), and SCID-II interviews. Comparable information was collected on depression severity, Axis I and II co-morbidity, suicidal behaviour, preceding clinical course, and attitudes towards and pathways to treatment.
Results. Prevalence of psychotic subtype and severity of depression were highest among in-patients, but otherwise few clinical differences between psychiatric and primary care patients were detected. Suicide attempts, alcohol dependence, and cluster A personality disorder were associated with treatment in psychiatric care, whereas cluster B personality disorder was associated with primary care treatment. Patients' choice of the initial point of contact for current depressive symptoms seemed to be independent of prior clinical history or attitude towards treatment.
Conclusions. Severe, suicidal and psychotic depression cluster in psychiatric in-patient settings, as expected. However, MDD patients in primary care or psychiatric out-patient settings may not differ markedly in their clinical characteristics. This apparent blurring of boundaries between treatment settings calls for enhanced cooperation between settings, and clearer and more structured division of labour.
Genetic and environmental influences on obsessive-compulsive symptoms in adults: a population-based twin-family study
- DANIËL S. VAN GROOTHEEST, DANIËLLE C. CATH, AARTJAN T. BEEKMAN, DORRET I. BOOMSMA
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 25 June 2007, pp. 1635-1644
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Background
The contribution of genetic factors to obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms has not been examined using a large population-based sample of adults. Furthermore, the extent to which there are qualitative and quantitative differences in genetic architecture between men and women with OC symptoms has not been elucidated.
MethodWe obtained the Young Adult Self Report Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YASR-OCS) from a group of 5893 monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins, and 1304 additional siblings from the population-based Netherlands Twin Register. Structural equation modelling was used to decompose the variation in OC behaviour into genetic and environmental components and analyse quantitative and qualitative sex differences.
ResultsFamilial resemblance was the same for DZ twins and non-twin siblings, which means that there was no evidence for a special twin environment. The same genetic risk factors for OC behaviour were expressed in men and women. Depending on the choice of fit index, we found small (39% for men and 50% for women) or no sex differences (47% for both men and women) in heritability. The remaining variance in liability was due to individual-specific environment.
ConclusionsOC behaviour showed a moderate heritability. At most, small quantitative sex differences were found in the genetic architecture of OC behaviour, and no qualitative sex differences.
An analysis of suicide and undetermined deaths in 17 predominantly Islamic countries contrasted with the UK
- COLIN PRITCHARD, S. AMANULLAH
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 December 2006, pp. 421-430
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Background. Suicide is expressly condemned in the Qu'ran, and traditionally few Islamic countries have reported suicide. Undetermined deaths are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as Other Violent Deaths (OVD) in ICD-9, or Other External Causes (OEC) in ICD-10. It has been suggested that to avoid under-reporting of suicides, both formal suicide verdicts and OVD should be considered together because OVD may contain ‘hidden’ suicides.
Method. The latest WHO mortality data, by age and gender, were analysed and tested by χ2 tests. Levels of suicide and OVD in 17 Islamic countries were examined and contextually compared with UK rates. The regional Islamic cultural differences in Middle Eastern, South Asian, European Islam countries and those of the former Union of Socialist Soviet Republics (FUSSR) were analysed separately to test the hypotheses that there would be no difference between regional suicide and OVD rates per million (pm) and 17 Islamic countries and UK rates.
Results. Suicide rates were higher for males than females, and ‘older’ (65+) higher than ‘younger’ (15–34) rates in every country reviewed. The rate for Middle Eastern males was 0–36 pm, South Asian 0–12 pm, European 53–177 pm and FUSSR 30–506 pm, with three countries exceeding the UK rate of 116 pm. The Western male average OVD rate was 22 pm; the UK 55 pm rate was highest. Middle Eastern OVD was 1–420 pm, South Asian 0–166 pm, European 1–66 pm and FUSSR 11–361 pm. OVD rates in 10 Islamic countries were considerably higher than the Western average and eight had OVD rates considerably higher than their suicide rates.
Conclusions. Islamic suicide rates varied widely and the high OVD rates, especially the Middle Eastern, may be a repository for hiding culturally unacceptable suicides.
Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for subthreshold depression in people over 50 years old: a randomized controlled clinical trial
- VIOLA SPEK, IVAN NYKLÍČEK, NIELS SMITS, PIM CUIJPERS, HELEEN RIPER, JULES KEYZER, VICTOR POP
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 30 April 2007, pp. 1797-1806
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Background
Subthreshold depression is a highly prevalent condition and a risk factor for developing a major depressive episode. Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy may be a promising approach for the treatment of subthreshold depression. The current study had two aims: (1) to determine whether an internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy intervention and a group cognitive behaviour therapy intervention are more effective than a waiting-list control group; and (2) to determine whether the effect of the internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy differs from the group cognitive behaviour therapy intervention.
MethodA total of 191 women and 110 men with subthreshold depression were randomized into internet-based treatment, group cognitive behaviour therapy (Lewinsohn's Coping With Depression course), or a waiting-list control condition. The main outcome measure was treatment response after 10 weeks, defined as the difference in pre- and post-treatment scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Missing data, a major limitation of this study, were imputed using the Multiple Imputation (MI) procedure Data Augmentation.
ResultsIn the waiting-list control group, we found a pre- to post-improvement effect size of 0·45, which was 0·65 in the group cognitive behaviour therapy condition and 1·00 within the internet-based treatment condition. Helmert contrasts showed a significant difference between the waiting-list condition and the two treatment conditions (p=0·04) and no significant difference between both treatment conditions (p=0·62).
ConclusionsAn internet-based intervention may be at least as effective as a commonly used group cognitive behaviour therapy intervention for subthreshold depression in people over 50 years of age.
Predictors of compliance with psychological interventions offered in the community
- J. L. AYUSO-MATEOS, A. PEREDA, G. DUNN, J. L. VAZQUEZ-BARQUERO, P. CASEY, V. LEHTINEN, O. DALGARD, G. WILKINSON, C. DOWRICK
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 09 November 2006, pp. 717-725
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Background. This study sought to evaluate the acceptance of two brief psychological interventions for depressed individuals, contacted through a community survey, and to look for predictors of adherence at the patient level.
Method. The authors used data from the Outcomes of Depression International Network (ODIN) study, which included a randomized controlled trial in which depressed individuals from five European countries, and nine geographical areas were assigned to one of three groups: individual problem-solving treatment, group psychoeducation, or control group. In this analysis, we included all of the individuals who had been assigned to one of the psychological interventions. Compliance with intervention was defined in two different ways. Multiple logistic regression was used to see which variables might predict an individual's compliance with psychological treatment.
Results. Psychological intervention was offered to 236 subjects. Treatment was completed by 128 subjects and not by 108 (compliance definition A). Three variables were found to have an effect on compliance A: the presence of a confidant, the use of antidepressant medication during the previous 6 months, and the previous use of any social or health services. On the other hand, 164 subjects had agreed to at least start the treatment, and 72 had not (compliance definition B). The three factors associated with compliance B were presence of a confidant, previous use of services, and the ‘desire for change’ score.
Conclusions. Social support and previous use of services are the main predictors of compliance with a psychological treatment in depressed individuals from the community. Implications for clinical practice and community programs are discussed.
Slow habituation of arousal associated with psychosis proneness
- PAUL ALLEN, DANIEL FREEMAN, PHILIP McGUIRE
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 December 2006, pp. 577-582
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Background. Previous studies report skin conductance (SC) abnormalities in both patients with schizophrenia and psychosis-prone individuals. However, no studies have assessed SC abnormalities in relation to specific psychotic and emotional symptoms. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between SC orienting response and hallucination proneness, delusional ideation, anxiety and self-focused attention in non-clinical individuals.
Method. Forty-three participants were recruited and divided into two groups depending upon the SC habituation profile. Normal habituators (n=28) and slow habituators (n=15) were compared on measures of psychosis proneness, anxiety and self-focused attention.
Results. Slow habituators had significantly higher levels of delusional ideation and hallucination proneness than the normal habituators. SC habituation scores were particularly associated with the conviction of delusional ideas. Levels of anxiety or self-focused attention did not differ significantly between the groups.
Conclusions. The study provides evidence of ‘aetiological continuity’. Common mechanisms may contribute to psychotic experiences in non-clinical and clinical samples, consistent with the notion of a psychosis continuum.
Religious involvement and depressive symptoms in primary care elders
- D. A. KING, J. M. LYNESS, P. R. DUBERSTEIN, H. HE, X. M. TU, D. B. SEABURN
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 14 May 2007, pp. 1807-1815
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Background
Multiple lines of evidence indicate relationships between religious involvement and depression, although the specific nature of the relationships is yet to be clarified. Moreover, there appear to be no well controlled longitudinal studies to date examining this issue in primary care elders.
MethodThe authors assessed the linear and non-linear relationships between three commonly identified types of religious involvement and observer-rated depressive symptoms in 709 primary care elders assessed at baseline and 1-year follow-up.
ResultsCross-sectional analyses revealed a curvilinear, U-shaped association between depressive symptoms and organizational religious activity, an inverse linear relationship of depressive symptoms with private religious involvement, and a positive relationship of depressive symptoms with intrinsic religiosity. Longitudinal analyses revealed a U-shaped association between depressive symptoms and private religious involvement, such that those reporting moderate levels of private religiosity at baseline evidenced lower levels of depressive symptoms at 1-year follow-up than those reporting either high or low levels of private religious activity.
ConclusionsThe relationships between religious involvement and depression in primary care elders are complex and dependent on the type of religiosity measured. The authors found the strongest evidence for an association of non-organizational, private religious involvement and the severity of depressive symptoms, although further study is warranted using carefully controlled longitudinal designs that test for both linear and curvilinear relationships.
Research Article
Quality of life as an outcome indicator in patients with seasonal affective disorder: results from the Can-SAD study
- ERIN E. MICHALAK, GREG MURRAY, ANTHONY J. LEVITT, ROBERT D. LEVITAN, MURRAY W. ENNS, RACHEL MOREHOUSE, EDWIN M. TAM, AMY CHEUNG, RAYMOND W. LAM
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 20 November 2006, pp. 727-736
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Background. Although a host of studies have now examined the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and non-seasonal depression, few have measured QoL in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). We report here on results from the Can-SAD trial, which assessed the impact of treatment with either antidepressant medication or light therapy upon QoL in patients diagnosed with SAD.
Method. This Canadian double-blind, multicentre, randomized controlled trial included 96 patients who met strict diagnostic criteria for SAD. Eligible patients were randomized to 8 weeks of treatment with either: (1) 10000 lux light treatment and a placebo capsule or (2) 100 lux light treatment (placebo light) and 20 mg fluoxetine. QoL was measured with the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) and the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-20) at baseline and 8 weeks.
Results. Both intervention groups showed significant improvement in QoL over time with no significant differences being detected by treatment condition. Q-LES-Q scores increased significantly in seven of eight domains, with the average scores rising from 48·0 (S.D.=10·7) at baseline to 69·1 (S.D.=15·6) at week 8. Treatment-related improvement in QoL was strongly associated with improvement in depression symptoms.
Discussion. Patients with SAD report markedly impaired QoL during the winter months. Treatment with light therapy or antidepressant medication is associated with equivalent marked improvement in perceived QoL. Studies of treatment interventions for SAD should routinely include broader indices of patient outcome, such as the assessment of psychosocial functioning or life quality.
Original Article
Predicting post-traumatic stress disorder: validation of the Trauma Screening Questionnaire in victims of assault
- JAMES T. R. WALTERS, JONATHAN I. BISSON, JONATHAN P. SHEPHERD
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 September 2006, pp. 143-150
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Background. No accurate means of determining which individuals will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event has yet been identified. This study aimed to determine the validity of the Trauma Screening Questionnaire (TSQ) in predicting the development of PTSD following assault.
Method. Five hundred and sixty-two individuals who presented to an emergency unit following assault completed the TSQ between 1 and 3 weeks later. The Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) was completed by the same individuals at 1 month and 6 months following assault to determine the presence of PTSD. The predictive power of the TSQ was determined by statistical tests.
Results. The TSQ was an effective means of predicting future PTSD, with a sensitivity of 0·85, specificity 0·89, negative predictive value (NPV) 0·98 and efficiency 0·90. The positive predictive value (PPV) was lower (0·48), probably as a result of the relatively low prevalence of PTSD at 1 month (11%) and 6 months (8%) following the assault.
Conclusions. This study suggests that the TSQ can be used between 1 and 3 weeks after assault to help identify individuals who will develop PTSD.
Book Review
Adult Psychiatry (2nd edn). Edited by E. H. Rubin and C. F. Zorumski. (Pp. 493; $75.00; ISBN 1405117699.) Blackwell Publishing: Oxford, UK. 2005.
- ALAN M. GRUENBERG
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- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 25 January 2007, pp. 295-296
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