scholarly journals Assessing apathy: The use of the Apathy Evaluation Scale in first episode psychosis

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Faerden ◽  
Ragnar Nesvåg ◽  
Elizabeth Ann Barrett ◽  
Ingrid Agartz ◽  
Arnstein Finset ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
One Dimension ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Ongoing Work ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Negative Syndrome ◽  
Main Factor

AbstractBackgroundRecently there has been a renewed interest in defining the boundaries and subdomains of the negative syndrome in schizophrenia and new scales have been asked for. Apathy is one of the symptoms in focus. The Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) with its clinical version (AES-C) is one of the most used scales in an interdisciplinary context, but it has never previously been used in a population with first episode psychosis. The main aims of this study were to examine the psychometric properties of the AES-C and its relationship to the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).MethodsA total of 104 patients with first episode psychosis from the ongoing Thematic Organized Psychosis Research (TOP) study were included.ResultsA factor analysis of the AES-C identified three subscales: Apathy, Insight and Social Contacts. Only the Apathy subscale showed satisfactory psychometric properties and showed acceptable convergent and discriminate properties by correlating strongly with the apathy-related items of the PANSS.ConclusionsThis study shows that the AES-C measures more than one dimension. The main factor, the Apathy subscale, can however be used to assess apathy in first episode psychosis patients in the ongoing work of refining the subdomains of the negative syndrome.

Risk factors associated with treatment-resistant schizophrenia in first-episode psychosis

2017 ◽  
Vol Ano 7 ◽  
pp. 8-12
Author(s):  
Ana Beatriz de Oliveira Assis ◽  
Jayse Gimenez Pereira Brandão ◽  
Pedro Otávio Piva Espósito ◽  
Osmar Tessari Junior ◽  
Bruno Berlucci Ortiz
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Negative Syndrome

Objetivo: Ainda não está claro quais são os fatores de risco para a esquizofrenia resistente ao tratamento (ERT) em primeiro episódio psicótico (PEP). O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar indicadores de risco para ERT em PEP. Métodos: Foram selecionados 53 pacientes em primeiro episódio psicótico, com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia, que deram entrada à enfermaria de psiquiatria do Hospital das Clínicas Luzia de Pinho Melo entre 2011 e 2015. Ao ser admitido na enfermaria, o paciente era avaliado com a Escala de Sintomas para as Síndromes Positiva e Negativa (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale – PANSS) e recebia tratamento inicial por 4 semanas. Caso sua resposta fosse inferior a 40% de redução na PANSS, o antipsicótico era trocado, e as escalas eram aplicadas novamente após mais 4 semanas. Após a falha com dois antipsicóticos, em doses plenas, por 4 semanas cada, a clozapina era introduzida, e o paciente era considerado ERT. Uma regressão logística foi aplicada onde sexo, idade de início, tempo de doença não tratada, uso de substâncias, avaliação global do funcionamento inicial e PANSS inicial total foram inseridos como variáveis independentes, e ERT foi inserida como variável dependente. Resultados: Tempo de doença não tratada apresentou significância de p = 0,038 e Exp (B) = 4,29, enquanto que PANSS total apresentou p = 0,012 e Exp (B) = 1,06. Conclusão: Identificar os fatores associados à resistência precoce ao tratamento poderia permitir aos clínicos evitar o atraso na introdução da clozapina e prevenir um pior prognóstico para esses pacientes.

Is there an optimal factor structure of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in patients with first-episode psychosis?

2012 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHANNES LANGEVELD ◽  
OLE A. ANDREASSEN ◽  
BJØRN AUESTAD ◽  
ANN FAERDEN ◽  
LARS JOHAN HAUGE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Negative Syndrome

scholarly journals Metacognitive capacity and negative symptoms in first episode psychosis: Evidence of a prospective relationship over a 3-year follow-up

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 204380871882157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Fitzgerald Austin ◽  
Paul H. Lysaker ◽  
Jens Einar Jansen ◽  
Anne Marie Trauelsen ◽  
Hanne-Grethe Lyse Nielsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Negative Syndrome

Negative symptoms can be linked to Bleuler’s concept of splitting or fragmentation of thought, affect, and will. Research has shown a link between disturbances in metacognition and negative symptoms, although relatively few studies have examined this relationship longitudinally. The aim of this article is to examine whether metacognitive capacity among patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) predicted negative symptoms after a follow-up period of 3 years. Metacognition was assessed using the Metacognition Assessment Scale abbreviated and symptoms were assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale among 59 adults with FEP. Symptoms were then reassessed at a 3-year follow-up. Significant correlations were found between baseline metacognitive scores and the expressive component of negative symptoms as well as for individual negative symptoms such as blunted affect, poor rapport, and alogia at 3-year follow-up after controlling for baseline negative symptoms. Self-reflectivity was significantly correlated with the expressive component of negative symptoms at 3-year follow-up. The results are partly consistent with a Bleulerian model which understands the emergence of negative symptoms as a response in part to the experience of fragmentation, particularly in terms of sense of self and others. Future research should clarify the likely role of metacognition in the development and maintenance of negative symptoms.

Assessment of Social Anxiety in First Episode Psychosis using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety scale as a Self-report Measure

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.L. Romm ◽  
J.I. Rossberg ◽  
A.O. Berg ◽  
C.F. Hansen ◽  
O.A. Andreassen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale

AbstractObjectiveSocial anxiety is a common problem in psychotic disorders. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating version (LSAS-SR) is a widely used instrument to capture different aspects of social anxiety, but its psychometric properties have not been tested in this patient group. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the psychometric properties of the LSAS-SR in patients with first episode psychosis, to investigate whether it differentiated between active and passive social withdrawal and to test which clinical factors contributed to current level of social anxiety.MethodA total of 144 first episode psychosis patients from the ongoing Thematically Organized Psychosis (TOP) study were included at the time of first treatment. Diagnoses were set according to the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-1) for DSM-IV. A factor analysis was carried out and the relationship of social anxiety to psychotic and general symptomatology measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was evaluated. Possible contributors to social anxiety were analyzed using multiple hierarchic regression analysis.ResultsThe factor analysis identified three subscales: public performance, social interaction and observation. All three subscales showed satisfactory psychometric properties, acceptable convergent and discriminate properties, and confirmed previous findings in social anxiety samples. Self-esteem explained a significant amount of the variance in social anxiety, even after adjusting for the effects of delusions, suspiciousness and depression.ConclusionThe study shows that the LSAS-SR can be used in this patient group, that social anxiety is strongly related to both behavioral social avoidance and to self-esteem. The results support the use of this measure in assessment of social anxiety in both clinical settings and in research.

Longitudinal symptom network structure in first-episode psychosis: a possible marker for remission

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Yan Hong Piao ◽  
Je-Yeon Yun ◽  
Thong Ba Nguyen ◽  
Woo-Sung Kim ◽  
Jing Sui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Network Structure ◽  
Graphical Model ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Local Network ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Network Metrics ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Network approach has been applied to a wide variety of psychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to identify network structures of remitters and non-remitters in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) at baseline and the 6-month follow-up. Methods Participants (n = 252) from the Korean Early Psychosis Study (KEPS) were enrolled. They were classified as remitters or non-remitters using Andreasen's criteria. We estimated network structure with 10 symptoms (three symptoms from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, one depressive symptom, and six symptoms related to schema and rumination) as nodes using a Gaussian graphical model. Global and local network metrics were compared within and between the networks over time. Results Global network metrics did not differ between the remitters and non-remitters at baseline or 6 months. However, the network structure and nodal strengths associated with positive-self and positive-others scores changed significantly in the remitters over time. Unique central symptoms for remitters and non-remitters were cognitive brooding and negative-self, respectively. The correlation stability coefficients for nodal strength were within the acceptable range. Conclusion Our findings indicate that network structure and some nodal strengths were more flexible in remitters. Negative-self could be an important target for therapeutic intervention.

Cannabis use and genes of endocannabinoid system: their role in psychotic symptoms and cognition in first-episode psychosis.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maitane Oscoz Irurozqui ◽  
◽  
Maria Guardiola-Ripoll ◽  
Carmen Almodóvar-Payà ◽  
Salavador Sarró ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Background ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Negative Syndrome

Objectives. To evaluate the association of cannabis use, genes of the endocannabinoid system and their interaction on clinical symptoms and cognitive performance in patients with a first-episode of pyschosis. Background. The role of both cannabis use and individual genetic background has been shown in the risk for psychosis. However, the influence of cannabis and variability at endocannabinoid genes on the psychosis outcome still remains inconclusive. Materials and Methods. The sample comprised 43 Caucasian individuals with a first-episode of psychosis (mean age(sd)=25.80(6.39) years, 76.7% males, 51.2% cannabis users).There were no differences in age and sex between cannabis users and non-users. Genetic variability was assessed by genotyping one Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in each gene (CNR1-rs1049353 and CNR2-rs2501431). Clinical (PANSS, GAF) and neuropsychological (WAIS, WMS, BADS) scales were administered. Results and conclusions. Genotypic frequencies did not differ between cannabis users and non-users. Cannabis use was associated with better manipulative abilities (IQ-M-WAIS, p=0.029) and better executive function (BADS, p=0.036). CNR1-T allele carriers presented higher disorganized and negative syndrome scores (p=0.001 and p=0.044, respectively). The interaction models evidenced a combined effect of CNR1 and cannabis use on the negative syndrome-PANSS (p=0.037). These results suggest the role of cannabis use and genetic background on cognitive and psychopathological outcomes in first-episode psychosis. However, evidence is still scant, and further investigation in larger samples is needed.

Psychometric properties of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) in a first-episode psychosis sample.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
César González-Blanch ◽  
Leonardo A. Medrano ◽  
Shaunagh O'Sullivan ◽  
Imogen Bell ◽  
Jennifer Nicholas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Mindful Attention ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Mindful Attention Awareness Scale

scholarly journals Duration of Untreated Disorder and Cannabis Use: An Observational Study on a Cohort of Young Italian Patients Experiencing Psychotic Experiences and Dissociative Symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12632
Author(s):  
Valerio Ricci ◽  
Giovanni Martinotti ◽  
Franca Ceci ◽  
Stefania Chiappini ◽  
Francesco Di Carlo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Dissociative Experiences ◽  
Dissociative Symptoms ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Negative Syndrome

Background: The Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) is the time between the first-episode psychosis (FEP) and the initiation of antipsychotic treatment. It is an important predictor of several disease-related outcomes in psychotic disorders. The aim of this manuscript is investigating the influence of cannabis on the DUP and its clinical correlates. Methods: During years 2014–2019, sixty-two FEP patients with and without cannabis use disorder (CUD) were recruited from several Italian psychiatric hospitals. The subjects were then divided into two groups based on the duration of the DUP and assessed at the beginning of the antipsychotic treatment and after 3 and 6 months, using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II). Results: As expected, a longer DUP was associated with worse symptoms and cannabis use did not seem to affect the DUP, but both were related with more dissociative symptoms at onset and over time. Discussion: According to our study, cannabis use can be a predictor of FEP and DUP, and of disease outcome. However, several factors might influence the relationship between cannabis use and DUP. Preventing cannabis use and early diagnosis of psychotic disorders might impact the disease by reducing the persistence of symptoms and limiting dissociative experiences.

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