| 1. |
- Alem, Atalay, et al.
(författare)
-
Clinical course and outcome of schizophrenia in a predominantly treatment-naive cohort in rural Ethiopia
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Schizophrenia Bulletin. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0586-7614 .- 1745-1701. ; 35:3, s. 646-654
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The established view that schizophrenia may have a favorable outcome in developing countries has been recently challenged; however, systematic studies are scarce. In this report, we describe the clinical outcome of schizophrenia among a predominantly treatment-naive cohort in a rural community setting in Ethiopia. The cohort was identified in a 2-stage sampling design using key informants and measurement-based assessment. Follow-up assessments were conducted monthly for a mean duration of 3.4 years (range 1-6 years). After screening 68 378 adults, ages 15-49 years, 321 cases with schizophrenia (82.7% men and 89.6% treatment naive) were identified. During follow-up, about a third (30.8%) of cases were continuously ill while most of the remaining cohort experienced an episodic course. Only 5.7% of the cases enjoyed a near-continuous complete remission. In the final year of follow-up, over half of the cases (54%) were in psychotic episode, while 17.6% were in partial remission and 27.4% were in complete remission for at least the month preceding the follow-up assessment. Living in a household with 3 or more adults, later age of onset, and taking antipsychotic medication for at least 50% of the follow-up period predicted complete remission. Although outcome in this setting appears better than in developed countries, the very low proportion of participants in complete remission supports the recent observation that the outcome of schizophrenia in developing countries may be heterogeneous rather than uniformly favorable. Improving access to treatment may be the logical next step to improve outcome of schizophrenia in this setting.
|
|
| 2. |
- Fekadu, Abebaw, et al.
(författare)
-
Clinical outcome in bipolar disorder in a community-based follow-up study in Butajira, Ethiopia
- 2006
-
Ingår i: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-690X .- 1600-0447. ; 114:6, s. 426-434
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To determine the clinical outcome of bipolar disorder in a developing country setup. Method: After assessing 68 378 individuals, aged 15–49 years, in a double-sampling design in a rural community in Ethiopia, 312 patients with bipolar disorder were prospectively monitored with symptom rating scales and clinically for an average of 2.5 years. Results: Overall, 65.9% of the cohort experienced a relapse – 47.8% manic, 44.3% depressive and 7.7% mixed episodes – and 31.1% had persistent illness. Female gender predicted depressive relapse, while male gender predicted manic relapse. Being on psychotropic medication was associated with remission. Conclusion: This large community-based study confirms the relapsing nature of bipolar disorder and a tendency for chronicity. This may be partly because of lack of appropriate interventions in this setting; however, it may also indicate the underlying severity of the disorder irrespective of setting.
|
|
| 3. |
- Negash, Alemayehu, 1962-, et al.
(författare)
-
Neurological soft signs in bipolar I disorder patients
- 2004
-
Ingår i: Journal of Affective Disorders. - 0165-0327 .- 1573-2517. ; 80:2/3, s. 221-230
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Neurological soft signs (NSS) have been reported to be more prevalent in patients with schizophrenia compared to other psychiatric and non-psychiatric controls. However, this issue in bipolar I disorder seems to be understudied. Aims: The aims of the study were to examine the extent to which NSS are associated with bipolar I disorder cases compared to healthy controls, to assess the possible relationship between NSS and clinical dimensions of the disorder, and to explore the association of sociodemographic characteristics with the occurrence of NSS in cases with this disorder. Methods: Predominantly treatment naïve cases of bipolar I disorder from rural communities were assessed for NSS using the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES). Results: This study showed that patients with bipolar I disorder performed significantly worse on two NES items from the sensory integration subscale, on one item from motor coordination and on four items from the ‘others’ subscale, the highest difference in performance being in items under the sequencing of complex motor acts subscale. Clinical dimensions and sociodemographic characteristics appeared to have no relationship with NES total score. Conclusions: Bipolar I disorder patients seem to have more neurological dysfunction compared to healthy controls particularly in the area of sequencing of complex motor acts. In addition, the finding suggests that NSS in bipolar I disorder are stable neurological abnormalities established at its onset or may be essential characteristic features of the disorder representing stable disease process that existed long before its onset.
|
|
| 4. |
- Fekadu, Abebaw, et al.
(författare)
-
Bipolar disorder among an isolated island community in Ethiopia
- 2004
-
Ingår i: Journal of Affective Disorders. - 0165-0327 .- 1573-2517. ; 80:1, s. 1-10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Psychiatric data on population groups of geographic and social isolates are rare, but can potentially give insights into factors of aetiological importance. The Zeway islanders have lived in geographic and cultural isolation for over three centuries. AIM: To determine the prevalence of major psychiatric disorders among the adult population of Zeway islands. METHODS: A three stage screening design that included the use of structured interview instruments (CIDI and SCAN), key informants, and clinical assessment by psychiatrists was employed for case identification. RESULTS: Prevalence of bipolar disorders among the adult population (n = 1691) was 1.83% (n = 31) with 66% of the cases originating from one of the islands that constitutes only 17.33% of the study population. Only one subject was identified with schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: A pattern of differential prevalence for bipolar disorders and schizophrenia appears to exist in this isolated population, which also seems shared by other isolated population groups. The high prevalence of bipolar disorders with clustering of cases on one island may represent an environmental or genetic factor of etiologic relevance that deserves further exploration.
|
|
| 5. |
- Fekadu, Abebaw
(författare)
-
Studies on affective disorders in rural Ethiopia
- 2010
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background Affective disorders are poorly defined and studied in sub-Saharan Africa despite their substantial public health impact. Objectives Overall objective: To describe the epidemiology of selected affective disorders in rural Ethiopia. Specific objectives 1. To describe the validity and utility of the concept of minor depressive disorder (mD). 2. To describe the manifestation, prevalence and the short-term clinical and functional course and outcome of bipolar disorder. Subjects and methods Population: Zay community residents (age ≥16), and residents of Butajira (ages 15-49), in Southern Ethiopia. Study design: Population-based cross-sectional and longitudinal studies Case identification: For the identification of cases with bipolar disorder, a two stage process was employed. An initial screen used key informants and interview with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to identify cases with probable bipolar disorder. A second confirmatory diagnostic assessment stage employed the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). For the identification of cases with mD, data from the CIDI was used. Follow-up: 312 cases with bipolar disorder from Butajira were followed up for a mean of 2.5 years (ranging 1-4 years) through monthly clinical assessments and annual symptom and functional ratings. Results The CIDI was administered to 1714 adults among the Zay and to 68, 378 adults among the Butajira residents. The prevalence of mD among the Zay and Butajira was 20.5% and 2.2% respectively. Up to 80% of cases with mD had used services for their symptoms, while a third to a half of cases had thought about self harm. Up to a sixth of cases had attempted suicide. Age, marital status, education and somatic symptoms were independently associated with mD. The prevalence of bipolar disorder among the Zay was 1.8%. During a 2.5-year follow-up of 312 cases with bipolar disorder from Butajira, 65.9% relapsed (47.8% manic, 44.3% depressive and 7.7% mixed episodes) while 31.1% experienced persistent illness. Female gender predicted depressive relapse whereas male gender predicted manic relapse. Only being on psychotropic medication predicted remission (OR=3.42; 95% CI=1.82, 6.45). Disability was much worse among bipolar patients than in the general population and was predicted by symptom se3verity. Conclusions This is the largest study on mD and bipolar disorder in Africa. mD appears to have potential clinical utility in this setting given its association with service use and risk. The identified risk factors for mD also suggest potential aetiological continuity with major depression. The relatively high prevalence of bipolar disorder among the Zay may be related to genetic predisposition perhaps mediated through a founder effect, but other factors need exploring. In relation to the outcome of bipolar disorder, this study indicates that, contrary to previous assumptions, the course of bipolar disorder is characterised by both manic and depressive relapses in a relatively proportionate fashion. Bipolar disorder also leads to significant levels of disability. This is the only prospective outcome study of bipolar disorder in Africa where cases were monitored systematically at short assessment intervals. Therefore, findings are likely to be more robust than previous reports.
|
|
| 6. |
- Fekadu, Abebaw, et al.
(författare)
-
Utility of the concept of minor depressive disorder : evidence from a large rural community sample in a developing country setting
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Journal of Affective Disorders. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-0327 .- 1573-2517. ; 104:1-3, s. 111-118
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Evidence on the utility of the minor depressive disorder diagnostic construct in rural communities and developing countries is scarce. AIM: To assess the utility and validity of definitive minor depressive disorder in Ethiopia by determining its impact and sociodemographic correlates. METHODS: Assessment of 68,378 adults, aged 15-49 years, living in a largely rural district in Ethiopia using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of minor depressive disorder was 2.2% (95% CI=2.1%, 2.3%). Age, marital status, education and unemployment independently predicted minor depressive disorder. Over 80% of cases used health services, 55.1% experienced persistent thoughts of death and 14.6% attempted suicide. LIMITATION: Findings are based on lifetime estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Minor depressive disorder is an important public health problem in rural Ethiopia, as shown by the associated high health service use and risk behaviour. Sociodemographic correlates suggest aetiological continuity with major depression. Thus our findings extend the clinical and public health utility of this diagnostic construct to rural community and developing country settings.
|
|
| 7. |
- Fekadu, Abebaw, et al.
(författare)
-
Validity of the concept of minor depression in a developing country setting
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. - 0022-3018 .- 1539-736X. ; 196:1, s. 22-28
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Evidence for validity of the diagnostic construct of minor depressive disorder comes primarily from reports on subthreshold depressive states rather than minor depressive disorder per se. We report on the prevalence, impact, and sociodemographic correlates of minor depressive disorder in a developing country setting as further validation of this diagnostic construct. Diagnostic assessment of 1714 adults of an island population in Ethiopia was carried out using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The lifetime prevalence of minor depressive disorder was 20.5% (95% confidence interval 18.6, 22.5%). One-third of cases had sought help and expressed suicidal ideation. Being divorced/widowed, middle-aged, and having somatic pain were independently associated with having minor depressive disorder. Only being divorced/widowed was a shared risk factor for both minor depressive disorder and bereavement. Minor depressive disorder seems to be a useful and valid diagnostic construct with particular clinical significance in this and, possibly, similar developing country settings.
|
|
| 8. |
- Kebede, Derege, et al.
(författare)
-
Symptomatic and functional outcome of bipolar disorder in Butajira, Ethiopia
- 2006
-
Ingår i: Journal of Affective Disorders. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-0327 .- 1573-2517. ; 90:2-3, s. 239-249
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on the outcome of bipolar disorder in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To describe the symptomatic and functional outcome of bipolar disorder. METHODS: The psychoses and affective disorder modules of the CIDI were used to screen 68,378 individuals by a door-to-door survey of a defined district in Ethiopia. In addition, key informants were used to identify individuals with probable major mental illnesses. SCAN interviews were completed at the second stage to confirm the diagnosis. A total of 315 cases of bipolar disorder were identified, of which 264 (69 recent-onset and 195 prevalent cases) were prospectively followed for a mean of 2.5 (range 1-4) years by baseline and annual clinical assessments using symptom rating scales. Functional dimensions of the SF-36 scale were used to describe functional outcome. Random coefficient analyses were used to evaluate potential correlates of outcome. RESULTS: The magnitudes of mania and depression symptoms were elevated at baseline but improved with follow-up, although the improvement was less marked for depression. Sociodemographic or clinical variables were not associated with the improvements in symptomatic outcome. Between 35% and 47% of the recent-onset cases had functional role restrictions, while 42-52% of long-standing cases had such restrictions during the follow-up years. Similarly, social and physical functioning deficits were also present in 52-86% and 35-47% of recent-onset and long-standing cases, respectively. The magnitude of depression and mania symptoms was associated with poor functional outcome, while male sex, rural residence and being married were associated with better functional outcome. CONCLUSION: Although there were improvements in function with follow-up, between one-third and one-half of cases continued to have functional deficits.
|
|
| 9. |
- Shibre, Teshome, et al.
(författare)
-
Long-term clinical course and outcome of schizophrenia in rural Ethiopia : 10-year follow-up of a population-based cohort
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Schizophrenia Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0920-9964 .- 1573-2509. ; 161:2-3, s. 414-420
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Although the few available studies from LMICs report favorable outcome, the course of schizophrenia is more complex than has been indicated so far.METHODS: A sample of 361 people with a standardized clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia were recruited from a predominantly rural community in Ethiopia and followed up regularly for an average of 10years. Psychiatrists used the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation chart to carry out assessment of illness course. Duration of time in clinical remission was the primary outcome.RESULT: About 61.0% of the patients remained under active follow-up, while 18.1% (n=65) were deceased. The mean percentage of follow-up time in complete remission was 28.4% (SD=33.0). Female patients were significantly more likely to have episodic illness course with no inter-episode residual or negative symptoms (χ(2)=6.28, P=0.012). Nearly 14.0% had continuous psychotic symptoms for over 75% of their follow-up time. Only 18.1% achieved complete remission for over 75% of their follow-up time. Later onset of illness was the only significant predictor of achieving full remission for over 50% of follow-up time in a fully adjusted model. Conventional antipsychotic medications were fairly well tolerated in 80% of the patients and 4.2% (n=15) experienced tardive dyskinesia.CONCLUSION: This population-based study is one of the very few long-term outcome studies of schizophrenia in LMICs. The study demonstrated clearly a differential and more favorable course and outcome for female patients but overall course and outcome of schizophrenia appeared less favorable in this setting than has been reported from other LMICs.
|
|
| 10. |
- Shibre, Teshome, et al.
(författare)
-
Suicide and suicide attempts in people with severe mental disorders in Butajira, Ethiopia : 10 year follow-up of a population-based cohort
- 2014
-
Ingår i: BMC Psychiatry. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-244X. ; 14, s. 150-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: People with severe mental disorders (SMD) are at higher risk of suicide. However, research into suicide attempts and completed suicide in people with SMD in low-and middle-income countries is mostly limited to patients attending psychiatric facilities where selection bias is likely to be high. Methods: A population-based cohort of 919 people with SMD from rural Ethiopia (who received standardized clinician diagnoses of schizophrenia (n = 358) major depressive disorder (n = 216) and bipolar I disorder (n = 345)) were followed up annually for an average of 10 years. The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation chart was administered by psychiatrists and used to evaluate systematically suicidal behavior and risk factors, which may be amenable to intervention. Results: Over the follow-up period, the cumulative risk of suicide attempt was 26.3% for major depression, 23.8% for bipolar I disorder and 13.1% for schizophrenia, (p < 0.001). The overall incidence of completed suicide was 200.2/100,000 person-years (CI = 120.6, 312.5). Hanging was the most frequent method used (71.5%) for both attempters and completers. Most people who completed suicide were successful on the first attempt (84.2%), but the case-fatality rate for suicide attempt was 9.7%. In the adjusted logistic regression model, being currently married (Adjusted OR) =2.17, 95% CI = 1.21, 3.91), and having a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder (Adjusted OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.57, 4.26) or major depression (Adjusted OR = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.60, 4.58) were associated significantly with increased risk of suicide attempts. Conclusion: In this sample of people with SMD from a rural setting, the rate of suicide was high. Initiatives to integrate mental health service into primary care need to focus on limiting access to suicide methods in people with SMD in addition to expanding access to mental health care.
|
|
