Adult ADHD, Comorbidities and Impact on Functionality in a Population of Individuals with Personality Disorders – DSM IV and DSM 5 Perspectives

Background: ADHD and personality disorders show a considerable symptom overlap. Sometimes these disorders are complicated by comorbidities, the most frequent being depression, alcohol and drug abuse or dependence. Their presence impact the functionality of patients. The introduction of DSM 5 brought a new perspective on the approach of these disorders. Material and methods: The study consists of the evaluation of a sample of 140 individuals with personality disorders. From this sample it has been determined the proportion of the ADHD patients by using a specifi c scale (DIVA). First the analysis has been made using the DSM IV criteria. Two groups were formed: A - the ADHD group and B – the personality disorder non ADHD group. The possible comorbidities in the two groups A and B have been determined using the instrument MINI. The impact on functionality was evaluated with the scale WFIRS and the overall severity with the presence of hospitalizations. The same analysis has been made using the DSM 5 criteria. Then a comparison between the two classifi cations has been made. Results: The prevalence of ADHD in the initial sample of the personality disorder patients has been 29.3% after the DSM IV classifi cation and 44.3% after the DSM 5. Moreover, the prevalence of depression, alcohol, drug abuse and dependence and other comorbidities has been determined in the ADHD and non-ADHD group, fi rst using the DSM IV criteria, then using the DSM 5 criteria. A comparison between the two situations has been made, as well as an evaluation of the impact on functionality. Conclusions: The presence of depression, substance use disorders other than alcohol and alcohol use disorders are not signifi cant in the differentiation of ADHD patients from the population of personality disorder nonADHD patients. The overall severity and the impact on functionality as assessed with the presence of hospitalizations and the WFIRS scale show a signifi cant importance in differentiating the intensity of ADHD symptomatology

The Palliative Care in Patients with Oncological Diseases - a New Medical and Therapeutic Approach

The life expectancy increase in patients with cancer requires more attention to the quality of life and mental health status of this population. The aim of the current research is to change the perspective on the evolution of oncological disorders, regardless of their localization, stage, or complications, in terms of survival chances, by exploring the essential role of psychiatric medication on the core physical and mental health-related outcomes. This is a prospective, naturalistic study, that enrolled 284 oncological patients, distributed in three groups, diagnosed with lung cancer, metastatic lung cancer or other types of cancer, who received psychotropic medication for their mood symptoms, and changes in the primary outcomes (i.e., patients’ mood and pain, and quality of the mental status of the caregivers) were monitored for six months. The results reflected the efficacy of psychopharmacological intervention initiated early after the diagnosis of cancer was formulated, according to the scores on the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS). The severity of pain, the intensity of depression, and anxiety in family members decreased significantly during six months of the standard-of-care psychotropic medication administered for depressive disorders. In the long term, the objective is to change the oncological protocols to accommodate an early introduction of psychiatric medication in the evolution of oncological disease, even in the context of moderate physical symptoms with uncertain etiology, which causes a deterioration in overall functionality and quality of life. A new notion, created by the first author, is supported by this research, i.e., “long-term oncological survivorship care,” which will replace the former concept of palliative care, which refers to “end-of-life care,” or “comfort care,” in relation to the oncological context

Organic field effect transistor OFET optimization considering volume channel conduction mechanism

International audienceThe main contribution of this paper is to highlight a new work regime of an optimised organic field effect transistor (OFET) respectively volume channel mode. If the device comprises a vertical n + p junction on insulator, the longitudinal conduction can be deviated by two gates. The carriers rejection from surface deep into the volume is limited by the metallurgical junction, via the top, bottom gates and deep contacts for source and drain. In respect with the electrodes biasing, a new work regime is defined. The conduction is allowed by a volume n-channel, for both negative gate voltages, with the advantage of interface conduction avoiding. A current density of 1.45μA/cm2 occurs in this situation for usual biasing. After the final analysis, a distinct device function is encountered - transistor with volume channel. The situation is analysed versus the traditional OFET case with neutral or accumulation channels

Stigma in Midsize European Countries

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cognitive effects of antipsychotic drugs in first-episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder : a randomized, open-label clinical trial (EUFEST)

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive impairment, manifested as mild to moderate deviations from psychometric norms, is present in many but not all schizophrenia patients. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of haloperidol with that of second-generation antipsychotic drugs on the cognitive performance of patients with schizophreniform disorder or first-episode schizophrenia. METHODS: Subjects were 498 patients with schizophreniform disorder or first-episode schizophrenia who were randomly assigned to open-label haloperidol (1 to 4 mg/day [N=103]), amisulpride (200 to 800 mg/day [N=104]), olanzapine (5 to 20 mg/day [N=105]), quetiapine (200 to 750 mg/day [N=104]), or ziprasidone (40 to 160 mg/day [N=82]). The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test Part A and Part B, WAIS Digit Symbol Test, and Purdue Pegboard Test were administered at baseline and the 6-month follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: Compared with scores at baseline, composite cognitive test scores improved for all five treatment groups at the 6-month follow-up evaluation. However, there were no overall differences among the treatment groups. In addition, there was a weak correlation between the degree of cognitive improvement and changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores. CONCLUSION: Treatment with antipsychotic medication is associated with moderate improvement in the cognitive test performance of patients who have schizophreniform disorder or who are in their first episode of schizophrenia. The magnitude of improvement does not differ between treatment with haloperidol and treatment with second-generation antipsychotics. Moreover, cognitive improvement is weakly related to symptom change

Fighting stigma of mental illness in midsize European countries.

Although much has been done against the stigmatization and discrimination of the mentally ill, fighting stigma remains an essential task for mental health programs and for society. The descriptions summarized in this volume might serve as an inspiration for anti-stigma work and as an indication of potential collaborators in anti-stigma programs