Sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone treatment is not affected by OPRM1 A118G and BDNF Va66Met polymorphisms, but alters the plasma beta-endorphin and BDNF levels in individuals with opioid use disorder

The study aimed to examine the genetic contribution to buprenorphine (BUP) treatment in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), with a specific focus on BDNF and OPRM1 genes. A total of 113 controls and 111 OUD patients receiving sublingual BUP/naloxone were enrolled. OPRM1 A118G and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms were investigated by PCR-FRLP. Plasma BDNF and beta-endorphin levels were assessed by ELISA kits in both groups. Blood BUP levels were measured by LC-MS/MS and normalized with daily BUP dose (BUP/D). OPRM1 A118G and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms didn't have an effect on plasma beta-endorphin and BDNF levels in OUD patients, respectively. Interestingly, OUD patients had significantly higher plasma BDNF and lower beta-endorphin levels compared to the controls (p < 0.001). A negative and significant correlation between plasma BUP/D and BDNF levels was found. Age onset of first use was associated with OPRM1 A118G polymorphism. The findings indicated that sublingual BUP/naloxone may increase plasma BDNF levels, but may decrease beta-endorphin levels in individuals with OUD. Plasma BDNF level seemed to be decreased in a BUP/D concentration-dependent manner. © 2022 Elsevier B.V

How probation affects treatment of opioid use disorders: Comparison of early remission rates between opioid use disorder patients admitted to medical clinic voluntarily and by probation

© 2019, Pacini Editore S.p.A.. All rights reserved.Background: Probation is a well-intentioned approach that aims to bring substance abusers back into the community. In the literature there is a lack of studies dedicated to showing how probation affects the treatment outcomes of opioid use disorders. Aim: This study aims to explore the probation’s impact on treatment outcomes of opioid use disorders by comparing the early remission rates of patients admitted voluntarily and by probation. Methods: 158 convicts on probation and 303 patients with opioid use disorder who applied voluntarily were included in the study. The sociodemographic characteristics and the early remission rates of the patients were compared. Based on DSM-5 criteria, early remission refers to the failure to meet any of the criteria of substance use disorder, other than craving or a strong desire, and the compulsion to use such substances for at least 3 months, but for a time period shorter than 12 months. Results: Early remission rate among patients who applied voluntarily (38.9%) was significantly higher than patients who were referred to us as convicts on probation (26.6%). Independent factors raising the probability of early remission were found to be voluntary referral to outpatient clinics (1.791-fold), being male (4.855-fold) and old age (1.090-fold), while being single (0.508-fold) and a long duration of substance use (0.981-fold) were found to be independent factors lowering the probability of early remission. Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrate that in patients suffering from opioid use disorder, the willingness and motivation of the individual to undergo treatment were more effective than motivations based on the threat of legal sanctions

Effects of family functions on Opioid Use Disorder patients to remission

Background. Heroin addiction is a problem with individual, social and economic aspects. The main aim of addiction treatment is to achieve and maintain remission. Secondary aims of the present study have been to determine the factors affecting remission in individuals who applied for treatment to counteract heroin addiction and determine whether family function is effective on remission. Methods. The study included 199 patients who were admitted to the alcohol and drug addiction treatment centre for the first were diagnosed with opioid addiction. The sociodemographic data form and Family Assessment Device (FAD), which shows family functions, were both applied. The patients who were included in the study were evaluated for their continuation of treatment month by month, and for opioid use during the first year of treatment. As a remission criterion valid for at least 1 month of treatment, the criteria adopted for addiction or misuse were not met, and the substance metabolite had to give a negative result in the urine analysis. Results. Inverse correlation was found between the amount of heroin used and remission (p = 0.008). The communication subscale score of FAD was found to be higher in non-working individuals compared with working ones, though the difference was not statistically significant (Z= 2.06 p=0.03). FAD's behavioural control subscale score is higher in men. In the group of those showing a history of disciplinary penalties at school, the average score of FAD's general functions was found to be higher than in those who did not receive disciplinary punishment (Z=1.98 p=0.04). When the group in remission and the group that continued to use heroin were compared, the general functions subscale score was lower in the group with remission (Z = 2.01 p = 0.04). Conclusions. It is important to consider familial functions in achieving and maintaining remission in heroin addiction. Taking note of the disadvantages of family interactions and taking them into consideration during the treatment process may bring benefits by increasing treatment success

The effect of poetry therapy on personal and social performance and self-esteem in patients with mental disorder

The purpose of this study was to look into the impact of poetry therapy program on personal and social performance as well as self-esteem in patients with mental illnesses (schizophrenia and bipolar syndrome). The research is an experimental study that employs pretest and posttest models. It was conducted with follow-up patients at the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), between 8 February 2022 and 4 April 2022. The data were collected with Personal Information Form, Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP), and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. There is a significant difference in the patients’ self-esteem scores after therapy based on their group (t&nbsp;(25) = –2.396;&nbsp;p = .024 &lt; .05). The control group's posttherapy self-esteem scores (x̄ = 3.333) were found to be higher than the treatment group's posttherapy self-esteem scores (x̄ = 1.917). There was a significant increase in posttherapy personal and social performance level (x̄ = 66.319) compared to pretherapy personal and social performance level (x̄ = 61.806) (t = –3.223;&nbsp;p = .008 &lt; .05).</p

The impact role of childhood traumas and life events in patients with alopecia aerate and psoriasis

© 2014, Ismail Volkan Şahiner et al.Background: Alopecia areata (AA) and psoriasis are common dermatological diseases which may be associated with psychosomatic origin. Close relationship with stressful life events has been shown both AA and psoriasis in previous studies. Dermatologic diseases which are thought to be psychosomatic origin are not examined about childhood traumas except AA. In the literature there is no study that investigates both stressful life events with childhood trauma in healthy indiviudals and dermatological diseases with psychosomatic origin such as AA and psoriasis. Objective: To determine whether stressful life events and childhood traumas play a role in AA is the first aim of this study. If it is, will this role specific for AA as a second aim? The patients with psoriasis and healthy individuals were also investigated too. Methods: Patients (range: 18-70 years of age) with a diagnosis of AA and psoriasis who admitted to Dermatology Outpatient Department of Baskent University Medical Faculty between August 2009 and July 2010 were recorded and analyzed for our study. Healthy individuals without past or present psychiatric symptoms proven by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) as control group were selected randomize. Forty patients with AA, 30 patients with psoriasis, and 50 healthy subjects as controls were stratified as three individual groups. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Life Events Checklist, The Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory and socio demographic data questionnaire were administered to the participants. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results: The rate of childhood traumatic events, the stressful life events, anxiety and depression scores were significantly higher in both AA and psoriasis group than healthy controls. Significant difference was not found between AA and psoriasis patients. Conclusion: Childhood traumas and stressful life events may play a role in the pathogenesis of AA. In addition, this role may also apply to other psychosomatic diseases as psoriasis. This result may let us understand the role of past and present psychological stressors in the etiology of dermatologic psychosomatic diseases. Psycho dermatologic new approaches are needed to evaluate stressful life events and childhood traumas