QT dispersion in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: the impact of disease activity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although autopsy studies have documented that the heart is affected in most SLE patients, clinical manifestations occur in less than 10%. QT dispersion is a new parameter that can be used to assess homogeneity of cardiac repolarization and autonomic function. We compared the increase in QT dispersion in SLE patients with high disease activity and mild or moderate disease activity.</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>One hundred twenty-four patients with SLE were enrolled in the study. Complete history and physical exam, ECG, echocardiography, exercise test and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) were recorded. Twenty patients were excluded on the basis of our exclusion criteria. The patients were divided to two groups based on SLEDAI: 54 in the high-score group (SLEDAI > 10) and 50 in the low-score group (SLEDAI < 10).</p> <p>QT dispersion was significantly higher in high-score group (58.31 ± 18.66 vs. 47.90 ± 17.41 respectively; <it>P </it>< 0.004). QT dispersion was not significantly higher in patients who had received hydroxychloroquine (54.17 ± 19.36 vs. 50.82 ± 15.96, <it>P </it>= 0.45) or corticosteroids (53.58 ± 19.16 vs. 50.40 + 11.59, <it>P </it>= 0.47). There was a statistically significant correlation between abnormal echocardiographic findings (abnormalities of pericardial effusion, pericarditis, pulmonary hypertension and Libman-Sacks endocarditis) and SLEADI (<it>P </it>< 0.004).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>QT dispersion can be a useful, simple noninvasive method for the early detection of cardiac involvement in SLE patients with active disease. Concerning high chance of cardiac involvement, cardiovascular evaluation for every SLE patient with a SLEDAI higher than 10 may be recommended.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Clinicaltrial.gov registration <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01031797">NCT01031797</a></p

PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been suggested to be involved in the etiology of schizophrenia. There is a line of evidence that disruption of neurotrophins could play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia, and antipsychotics show their effect by altering levels of neurotrophins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of antipsychotics on serum BDNF levels and their relationship with the symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Twenty-two schizophrenia patients were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 22 age- and sex-matched physically and mentally healthy volunteers (7 male, 15 female). Serum BDNF levels and the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) scores were recorded at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. Serum BDNF levels were also recorded in the control group. Schizophrenia patients who failed to meet 30% improvement in PANSS score were excluded from the study. The baseline serum BDNF levels of schizophrenia patients were lower than those of controls (t=4.56; df=21; p0.05). Although PANSS (for positive symptoms p0.05). Our results support the view that BDNF would be associated with schizophrenia. However, we could not conclude that treatment with antipsychotics alters serum BDNF levels in patients with schizophrenia. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Reproductive and sexual functions in schizophrenia: Effects of antipsychotic treatment [Şizofrenide üreme ve cinsel işlevler: Antipsikotik sagaltimin etkisi]

Luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were reduced in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Hypothalamic dopaminergic and serotonergic inputs participate in the regulation of pituitary hormones and drugs that block central dopamine and serotonin receptors are expected to influence the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axes. The trials focus on antipsychotic medications serve us critical knowledges about the pathophysiological process of schizophrenia. Results of trials on relation between schizophrenia and sexual disfunction show significant differences. Sexual dysfunction in chronic schizophrenia was related to both illness and antipsychotic treatment. Compared to treatment in the conventional antipsychotic era, patients with schizophrenic disorder taking novel antipsychotic medications now suffer less from extrapyramidal side effects. However, sexual side effects have been described as a consequence of novel antipsychotic medication as seen in conventional agents. The aim of this article is to review the effect of both schizophrenia and antipsychotics on reproductive and sexual functions

Co-occurrence of substance use disorders with anxiety disorders: Epidemiology, psychobiology, clinical features, and treatment

Symptoms of anxiety and anxiety disorders commonly co-occur with substance use disorders (SUDs). The interaction between these disorders is bidirectional: anxiety disorders may contribute to the development of SUDs and modify the presentation and the outcomes of treatment for SUDs; on the other hand, SUDs may modify the manifestation of anxiety disorders. Anxiety symptoms are also accompanied with intoxication or withdrawal symptoms. Studies in clinical samples and community surveys have demonstrated high rates of co-occurrence of anxiety disorders with alcohol and drug use disorders. In National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, 17.71% of respondents with any 12 month substance use disorder had at least one independent anxiety disorder and 14.96% of respondents with any 12-month anxiety disorder had at least one substance use disorder, during the same 12-month period. Despite the high prevalence rates, anxiety disorders are frequently under-diagnosed in substance abuse settings. However, it is clinically important while the outcome for each type of disorder is worse across clinical and psychosocial domains than for the disorders without comorbidity. Integrated treatment strategies including medications and psychosocial treatment perspectives are needed for co-occurring anxiety and substance disorders to improve outcome. © 2010 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved

Case report: A mixt episode induced by sibutramine [Sibutramin ile i·ndüklenen bir mikst epizot olgusu]

Sibutramine is an antiobesity drug which has also an inbitor effect on NE and 5HT reuptake pumps. These antidepressant pharmacodynamic properties of sibutramine has been proved by pre-clinical and clinical trials. Here, we want to report a 53 years old male patient who did not have any prior hypomanic or manic episodes had a mixed episode after a 3 months of antiobesity treatment by 30 mg/day sibutramine. Since sibutramine has an antidepressant activity drug which may cause affective or psychotic symptoms we wanted to highlight the importance of evaluating the mental and psychiatric status of patients during and prior to treatment

Heart rate variability in drug naive panic disorder patients compared with healthy controls

WOS: 00020947020069

Effect of antipsychotics on low serum brain derived neurotrophic factor levels in schizophrenia

18th ECNP Congress 2005 -- OCT 22-26, 2005 -- Amsterdam, NETHERLANDSWOS: 000233860601007ECN