Evaluation of Adolescents with Restless Legs Syndrome: Relation to School Success

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), which may be a missed diagnosis in children, is seen at an important frequency. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with RLS and to show the effect of RLS on school success. Forty-three patients with RLS and 43 healthy volunteers were included to the study. Blood samples were taken to measure ferritin. The averages of school exam scores were recorded. The patient group was classified as mild, moderate, severe, and very severe according to the RLS rating scale. The daytime sleepiness was measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The"Turgay DSM-IV-Based Child and Adolescent Disruptive Behavioral Disorders Screening and Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-S)" was completed by parents, and patients' inattention, and hyperactivity-impulsivity scores were compared with the control group. According to the RLS rating scale scores 25.6% (n:11) were evaluated as mild, 60.5% (n:26) were moderate and 14% (n:6) were severe. The mean ferritin level was significantly lower in the patient group. The mean score of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity in the patient group to be significantly higher than the control. The mathematics and science course mean grades were significantly lower in the patient group than the controls (66.7±17.7 vs 74.2±11.7). ESS scores were found to be significantly higher in the patient group. In this study, RLS has been found associated with ADHD and iron deficiency, similar to previous studies. There are not many studies on the effects of RLS in children on daily life and this study has objectively shown that RLS reduces patients' school achievement

Children’s oppositional defiant disorder symptoms make parents difficult to be nice: Longitudinal association among parent emotion regulation, child emotion regulation and children’s oppositional defiant disorder symptoms in Chinese children with oppositional defiant disorder

The current study aims to clarify the longitudinal relations among parent emotion regulation (ER), child ER, and children’s oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms. In the current study, parents of 275 children (195 boys, 70.1%) with ODD symptoms ( Mage = 9.32 years, SD = 1.64) reported their ER using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, child ERs using the Emotion Regulation Checklist, and children’s ODD symptoms using the eight symptoms indicated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) at three time points (T1, T2, and T3) within 2 years. Results indicated the longitudinal relationships between parent ER and children’s ODD symptoms were directly influenced by each other. Children’s ODD symptoms had important effects on both child ER and parent ER. Findings suggested that to reduce children’s ODD symptoms, it is necessary not only to improve child ER but also to improve parent ER.

Violent behavior patterns: possible homeopathic remedies

The authors discuss violence as a current epidemics and violent behavior in children and adolescents. They present a repertory study including the characteristic and peculiar symptoms of 12 patients, with clinical diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and the symptoms corresponding to the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-IV transcribed in repertory language. The result is a materia medica for patterns of violent behavior. Keywords: Violent behavior, homeopathy, children and adolescents, ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder.  Padrões de conduta violenta: possíveis medicamentos homeopáticos Resumo Os autores abordam a violéncia como epidemia contemporânea e estudam a conduta violenta em crianças e adolescentes. Apresenta-se uma análise repertorial, incluindo os sintomas característicos e peculiares de 12 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade (TDAHI), Transtorno de Conduta e Oposicional Desafiador, e os sintomas correspondentes aos critérios diagnósticos no DSM-IV transcritos em línguagem repertorial. O resultado é uma matéria médica para padrões de conduta violenta. Palavras-chave: Comportamento violento, homeopatia, crianças e adolescentes, TDAH, Desordem de conduta, Transtorno Oposicional Desafiador.  Modelos de conducta violenta: posibles remedios homeopáticos Resumen Los autores abordan la violencia como epidemia contemporánea y estudian la conducta violenta en niños y adolescentes. Se presenta un análisis repertorial, incluyendo los síntomas característicos y peculiares de 12 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de Trastorno de Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad (TDAHI), Trastorno de Conducta y Oposicional Desafiador, y los síntomas correspondientes a los criterios diagnósticos en el DSM-IV transcriptos en lenguaje repertorial. El resultado es una materia médica para modelos de conducta violenta. Palabras-clave: Comportamiento violento, homeopatía, niños, niñas y adolescentes, TDAH, trastorno de conducta, trastorno de oposición desafiante.  Correspondence author: Célia R. Barollo, [email protected]; http://www.nephsp.org How to cite this article: Barollo CR, Bignardi FAC, Osielski JM, Pedalino CMV.Violent behavior patterns: possible homeopathic remedies. Int J High Dilution Res [online]. 2008 [cited YYYY Mmm DD]; 7(22):7-21. Available from: http://journal.giri-society.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/257/341. ÂÂÂ

Prevalence of Comorbid Personality Disorder in Psychotic and Non-psychotic Disorders

Introduction: The burden of personality disorders (PDs) in China is large and the focus on mental health services is increasing. However, there is a lack of sufficient evidence regarding the prevalence of comorbid PD in psychotic and non-psychotic disorders, and whether PDs have different distributions. We aimed to investigate the PD comorbidity distribution pattern between psychotic and non-psychotic disorders using a clinical population-based study.Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,497 patients in Shanghai. PDs were screened using the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire Fourth Edition Plus (PDQ-4+). All patients were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) Axis II (SCID-II). We compared the differences in PD comorbidities classified as the 10 types of PDs in the DSM-IV, in 531 patients with psychosis and 966 patients with non-psychotic disorders.Results: More than one-third (37%) of patients with psychotic disorders met the criteria of at least one PD. Approximately half (46%) of patients with non-psychotic disorders met the criteria of at least one PD. Patients with non-psychotic disorders were more likely to meet the criteria of borderline (χ2 = 20.154, p < 0.001) and obsessive-compulsive PD (χ2 = 21.164, p < 0.001) diagnoses compared to those with psychotic disorders. In contrast, patients with psychotic disorders were more likely to meet the criteria of paranoid (χ2 = 11.144, p = 0.001) and schizotypal PD (χ2 = 14.004, p < 0.001) diagnoses than those with non-psychotic disorders.Discussion: PD comorbidity is common and comorbidity distribution pattern is varied in patients with psychotic and non-psychotic disorders, implicating the development of specific strategies that could screen and assess PDs in psychiatric clinical practice.

The Association Between Loneliness and Psychiatric Symptomatology in Older Psychiatric Outpatients

purpose Loneliness in adults increases with age. Although loneliness has been found to be associated with psychiatric disorders and dementia, no information is available on prevalence of loneliness in older psychiatric patients. The aims of this study were to examine prevalence of loneliness in older psychiatric outpatients, including gender differences and associations with psychiatric disorders and social isolation. Methods Cross-sectional study in an outpatient clinic for geriatric psychiatry between September 2013 and February 2018. Interviews were done in 181 patients. Results 80% of participants were lonely. Loneliness was associated with having contacts in less social network domains, in women but not in men. There were no associations with DSM-IV-TR-classifications. However, loneliness was associated with higher scores on questionnaires for depression and cognitive function. Intensity of treatment did not differ significantly between lonely and non-lonely participants. Conclusion Loneliness is highly prevalent in older psychiatric outpatients, with men and women equally affected. Loneliness should be assessed in all older psychiatric patients, especially when they show high scores on symptom checklists or have a restricted social network.

PRODUCTION OF AFFIRMATIVE, NEGATIVE AND INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Language disorder is one of the most significant symptom domains which characterize Schizophrenia Disorder. The aim of the present study considering these language problems is to find out the number of the affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences on schizophrenia patients’ spontaneous speech and reveal whether their depression, doubts and sceptical behaviours affect their speech. Fifty patients with schizophrenia diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria were included into the study and compared to fifty healthy subjects matched for age, sex and education level with the patients participated in the study. The subjects’ speech was evaluated by using subject-based narration and free verbal narration tests. As a result of the statistical and linguistic analyses, significant differences were found between schizophrenic patients’ and healthy subjects’ speech in terms of between affirmative, negative and interrogative sentence use. The results indicate that the patients' excessive use of negative and interrogative sentences is related to their feature of attributing negatively to the events and emotions they experience.

Harmonizing DSM-IV and DSM-5 Versions of ADHD “A Criteria”: An Item Response Theory Analysis

The transition from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; DSM-IV-TR) to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) checklists included item wording changes that require psychometric validation. A large sample of 854 adolescents across four randomized trials of psychosocial ADHD treatments was used to evaluate the comparability of the DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 versions of the ADHD symptom checklist. Item response theory (IRT) was used to evaluate item characteristics and determine differences across versions and studies. Item characteristics varied across items. No consistent differences in item characteristics were found across versions. Some differences emerged between studies. IRT models were used to create continuous, harmonized scores that take item, study, and version differences into account and are therefore comparable. DSM-IV-TR ADHD checklists will generalize to the DSM-5 era. Researchers should consider using modern measurement methods (such as IRT) to better understand items and create continuous variables that better reflect the variability in their samples.

Does Toxoplasma gondii Related to Schizophrenic Symptoms? A Narrative Systematic Review

Background: Accumulating evidence associated infectious agents with schizophrenia. Majority of these studies analyzed Toxoplasma. gondii association with schizophrenia. Aims and Objectives: the present study aimed to perform systematic search on studies conducted on investigating association between T. gondii and schizophrenia using IgG antibodies against T. gondii. Secondary objective was to discuss possible mechanisms by which T. gondii linked to schizophrenia. Methods: Systematic search performed using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science and University of Manchester databases. Key words Schizo* AND Toxoplasm* used to find articles published from years 2010-2020, used IgG antibodies against T. gondii, and patients participated in these studies definitively diagnosed with schizophrenia using DSM-IV or ICD- 10. Results: Total of 122 articles was identified after duplicated were removed, of these 24 were included in review. Two-third of studies found that schizophrenic patients had significantly higher IgG antibodies versus controls. Conclusion: These findings suggest that T. gondii is associated with schizophrenia and that T. gondii might be risk factor for schizophrenia development. If causative link is ascertained, then it would be possible to treat and prevent schizophrenia.

Symptom remission and functional outcome in an Egyptian sample of patients with schizophrenia

Background The ultimate treatment goal of schizophrenia is regaining patients’ pre-morbid function. Results Ninety-three outpatients with schizophrenia, diagnosed according to the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—fourth edition (DSM-IV), were recruited, of whom 35 patients (37.6%) had achieved the remission severity criteria, whereas 58 patients (62.4%) failed to fulfill the criteria for remission. The functional aspects were examined by the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) and the Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ). Predictors of outcome were examined by applying binary logistic regression analysis. Patients who fulfilled those specific criteria for remission showed a favorable outcome in the assessed areas, regarding GAF and social functioning in society. Lack of judgment or insight item of PANSS showed significantly good functional outcomes. Conclusion The results suggest that the remission concept has important implications for the treatment of schizophrenia. Remission seems to be associated with better functional capabilities. However, this does not necessarily mean that remitted patients have “adequate” functioning, especially regarding the social skills domain.

ОЦІНКА МАРКЕРІВ ЗАПАЛЕННЯ ТА НЕЙРОНАЛЬНОГО ПОШКОДЖЕННЯ У ПАЦІЄНТІВ З РОЗЛАДАМИ СПЕКТРУ АУТИЗМУ, АСОЦІЙОВАНИМИ З ГЕНЕТИЧНИМ ДЕФІЦИТОМ ФОЛАТНОГО ЦИКЛУ

Обґрунтування. Доказова база асоціації генетичного дефіциту фолатного циклу (ГДФЦ) та розладів спектру аутизму (РАС) у дітей ґрунтується на результатах 5 мета-аналізів рандомізованих контрольованих клінічних досліджень. Системне запалення, яке виникає внаслідок ГДФЦ у дітей з РАС, розглядають як важливий механізм розвитку енцефалопатії.Потребує уточнення клінічна значущість феномену персистуючого системного запалення у дітей з РАС. Доцільним є вивчення зв’язку між підвищенням сироваткової концентрації тих чи інших прозапальних медіаторів і показниками нейронального пошкодження в таких випадках.Мета роботи: вивчити сироваткові концентрації типових прозапальних медіаторів фактору некрозу пухлини альфа (ФНП-альфа), інтерлейкіну ІЛ-6(ІЛ-6) та тумор-М2-піруваткінази (ТМ2ПК) у дітей з РАС, асоційованими з ГДФЦ, з уточненням їх зв’язку з сироватковими концентраціями маркерних молекул пошкодження нейронів ЦНС нейрон-специфічної енолази (НСЕ) та білка S-100 для розширення уявлень щодо впливу системної запальної реакції на розвиток енцефалопатії при даній патології і відкриття нових точок прикладення дії нейропротекторного лікування.Матеріали і методи. Досліджувану групу (ДГ) склали 138 дітей з діагнозом розладів спектру аутизму (DSM-IV-TR та ICD-10), у яких відзначався генетич-ний дефіцит фолатного циклу (MTHFR C677T + MTHFR A1298C і/або MTR A2756G і/або MTRR A66G; ПЛР). Контрольна група (КГ) включала 51 здорову дитину відповідного вікового і гендерного розподілу.Досліджували сироваткові концентрації прозапальних медіаторів ТМ2ПК, ФНП-альфа, ІЛ-6 та показників нейронального пошкодження – НСЕ та білкуS-100.Результати дослідження та їх обговорення. Відзначалося підвищення сироваткових концентрацій ТМ2ПК у 119 із 138 пацієнтів ДГ (86%) і тільки у 11 із 51 дітей КГ (22%) (p<0,05; Z<Z0,05), ФНП-альфа – у 85 із 138 дітей ДГ (62%) і тільки у 7 із 51 дітей КГ (14%) (p<0,05; Z<Z0,05), ІЛ-6 – у 43 із 138 дітей ДГ (31%) і тільки у 3 із 51 дітей КГ (6% випадків) (p<0,05; Z<Z0,05). Середні сироваткові концентрації ТМ2ПК в ДГ складала 63,1±3,74 ОД/мл порівняно з 23,2±0,91 ОД/мл в КГ (p<0,05; Z<Z0,05), ФНП-альфа – 13,7±0,65 пг/мл порівняно з 5,3±0,38 пг/мл в КГ (p<0,05; Z<Z0,05), ІЛ-6 – 8,7±0,57 пг/мл порівняно з 3,6±0,27 пг/мл в КГ (p<0,05; Z<Z0,05). ТМ2ПК, ФНП-альфа та ІЛ-6 суттєво відрізнялися за чутливістю, лабільністю і специфічністю як маркери системного запалення у дітей з РАС, асоційованими з ГДФЦ.Всі три досліджувані показники системного запалення були асоційовані зі зростанням сироваткової концентрації лабораторних індикаторів нейронального пошкодження ЦНС НСЕ і білку S-100, що вказує на зв›язок між системною запальною реакцією та розвитком енцефалопатії у дітей з РАС, асоційованими з ГДФЦ.Висновки. Отримані дані не тільки розширюють сучасні уявлення щодо розвитку системного запалення та його участі в формуванні енцефалопатії у дітей з РАС, асоційованими з ГДФЦ, однак і відкриває шлях для апробації сучасних антизапальних нейропротекторних лікувальних стратегій.