| 1. |
- Fountoulakis, K.N., et al.
(författare)
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Modeling psychological function in patients with schizophrenia with the PANSS : An international multi-center study
- 2021
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Ingår i: CNS Spectrums. - : Cambridge University Press. - 1092-8529 .- 2165-6509. ; 26:3, s. 290-298
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background.The aim of the current study was to explore the changing interrelationships among clinical variables through the stages of schizophrenia in order to assemble a comprehensive and meaningful disease model.Methods.Twenty-nine centers from 25 countries participated and included 2358 patients aged 37.21 ± 11.87 years with schizophrenia. Multiple linear regression analysis and visual inspection of plots were performed.Results.The results suggest that with progression stages, there are changing correlations among Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale factors at each stage and each factor correlates with all the others in that particular stage, in which this factor is dominant. This internal structure further supports the validity of an already proposed four stages model, with positive symptoms dominating the first stage, excitement/hostility the second, depression the third, and neurocognitive decline the last stage.Conclusions.The current study investigated the mental organization and functioning in patients with schizophrenia in relation to different stages of illness progression. It revealed two distinct “cores” of schizophrenia, the “Positive” and the “Negative,” while neurocognitive decline escalates during the later stages. Future research should focus on the therapeutic implications of such a model. Stopping the progress of the illness could demand to stop the succession of stages. This could be achieved not only by both halting the triggering effect of positive and negative symptoms, but also by stopping the sensitization effect on the neural pathways responsible for the development of hostility, excitement, anxiety, and depression as well as the deleterious effect on neural networks responsible for neurocognition.
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| 2. |
- Wasserman, D, et al.
(författare)
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Compulsory admissions of patients with mental disorders: State of the art on ethical and legislative aspects in 40 European countries
- 2020
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Ingår i: European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists. - : Royal College of Psychiatrists. - 1778-3585. ; 63:1, s. e82-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background.Compulsory admission procedures of patients with mental disorders vary between countries in Europe. The Ethics Committee of the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) launched a survey on involuntary admission procedures of patients with mental disorders in 40 countries to gather information from all National Psychiatric Associations that are members of the EPA to develop recommendations for improving involuntary admission processes and promote voluntary care.Methods.The survey focused on legislation of involuntary admissions and key actors involved in the admission procedure as well as most common reasons for involuntary admissions.Results.We analyzed the survey categorical data in themes, which highlight that both medical and legal actors are involved in involuntary admission procedures.Conclusions.We conclude that legal reasons for compulsory admission should be reworded in order to remove stigmatization of the patient, that raising awareness about involuntary admission procedures and patient rights with both patients and family advocacy groups is paramount, that communication about procedures should be widely available in lay-language for the general population, and that training sessions and guidance should be available for legal and medical practitioners. Finally, people working in the field need to be constantly aware about the ethical challenges surrounding compulsory admissions.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Fountoulakis, Konstantinos N., et al.
(författare)
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Staging of Schizophrenia With the Use of PANSS : An International Multi-Center Study
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. - : Oxford University Press. - 1461-1457 .- 1469-5111. ; 22:11, s. 681-697
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- IntroductionA specific clinically relevant staging model for schizophrenia has not yet been developed. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the factor structure of the PANSS and develop such a staging method.MethodsTwenty-nine centers from 25 countries contributed 2358 patients aged 37.21 ± 11.87 years with schizophrenia. Analysis of covariance, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Discriminant Function Analysis, and inspection of resultant plots were performed.ResultsExploratory Factor Analysis returned 5 factors explaining 59% of the variance (positive, negative, excitement/hostility, depression/anxiety, and neurocognition). The staging model included 4 main stages with substages that were predominantly characterized by a single domain of symptoms (stage 1: positive; stages 2a and 2b: excitement/hostility; stage 3a and 3b: depression/anxiety; stage 4a and 4b: neurocognition). There were no differences between sexes. The Discriminant Function Analysis developed an algorithm that correctly classified >85% of patients.DiscussionThis study elaborates a 5-factor solution and a clinical staging method for patients with schizophrenia. It is the largest study to address these issues among patients who are more likely to remain affiliated with mental health services for prolonged periods of time.
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| 5. |
- Fountoulakis, KN, et al.
(författare)
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Relationship of suicide rates to economic variables in Europe: 2000-2011
- 2014
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Ingår i: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science. - : Royal College of Psychiatrists. - 1472-1465. ; 205:6, s. 486-496
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is unclear whether there is a direct link between economic crises and changes in suicide rates.AimsThe Lopez-Ibor Foundation launched an initiative to study the possible impact of the economic crisis on European suicide rates.MethodData was gathered and analysed from 29 European countries and included the number of deaths by suicide in men and women, the unemployment rate, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, the annual economic growth rate and inflation.ResultsThere was a strong correlation between suicide rates and all economic indices except GPD per capita in men but only a correlation with unemployment in women. However, the increase in suicide rates occurred several months before the economic crisis emerged.ConclusionsOverall, this study confirms a general relationship between the economic environment and suicide rates; however, it does not support there being a clear causal relationship between the current economic crisis and an increase in the suicide rate.
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