Criminality as a Prognostic Factor in Opiate Dependence

1975 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. T. d'Orbán

SummaryThe relationship between criminality and the outcome of treatment was investigated in opiate addicts attending a drug dependence clinic. A comparison was made between the criminal records of 33 male and 7 female patients who came off drugs and a control group of 29 male and 10 female patients who remained addicted. In male patients, the extent of criminal involvement (as measured by the number of previous convictions on entering treatment) failed to discriminate between those who subsequently achieved abstinence and those who remained addicted. In the small sample of female patients the control group more often had a criminal record and had more previous convictions. These results were in keeping with a previous study of female addicts.The findings suggest that there is a sex difference in the relationship between criminality and the prognosis for addiction. In male addicts criminal involvement has no significant influence on the outcome of treatment and previous convictions are not a helpful guide to prognosis, whereas in female addicts a criminal record is of more adverse significance.

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-136
Author(s):  
Ahmed Hasan Ahmed

Background: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is the most common form of inherited ataxia, comprising one-half of all hereditary ataxias with a carrier rate between 1 in 60 to 1 in 90 and with a disease prevalence of 1 per 29,000. It can occur in two forms the classic form or in association with a vitamin E dependent ataxia. The precise role of Vitamin E in the nervous system is unknown; An Oxidative attack is suspected to play a role in Ataxia with Vitamin E deficiency, as well as in Friedreich ataxia. Vitamin E is the major free-radical-trapping antioxidant. Objective: Theobjectives of the study is to asses vitamin E level in patients with Friedreichs ataxia phenotype in Iraqi patients. Type of the study:Cross-sectional study. Method: This study was conducted at the neuroscience hospital and Baghdad teaching hospital during the period from the 1st of November 2013 through November 2014. Forty patients with friedreich's ataxia attended in neuroscience hospital and Baghdad teaching hospital during this period; there was12 male, 20 female patients and their age range between (4-50) years. Results: Regarding the level of vitamin E in patients in the present study, The study revealed that mean level of vitamin E for Friedreich ataxia patients was (10.92 μg/ml) ranging from (8-18 μg/ml),while in the control group the mean was (28.06μg/ml) ranging from (22-36μg/ml), the difference in mean level was found to be statistically significant (p=0.0001.) Thirty percents of (FRDA) patients was (8-9.9μg/ml), while half of patients (50%) were within (10-11.9 μg/ml),and low percentage (15 %)of patients were within (12-13.9 μg/ml ). The rest (5%) were had vitamin E level equal or more than 14 μg/ml. these finding revealed that majority of Friedreich ataxia patients were found with low level of vitamin E (32 patients(80%)), and low percentage with normal level (8 patients(20%.)) Patients with Friedreich ataxia were found to have a comparable level 10.47±1.79(8.4-13.5),11.48±2.61(9.4-18) and 10.66±1.26(9-12.5) for those with less than 10 years, 10-19 years , equal or more than 20 years of age respectively (p=0.382), while it was found to have a significantly decreasing level with advance in the age for the control group, 30.57±4.61(24.5-36), 27.46±3.16(23.7-33.5), 25.50±3.03 (22.9-29) for those less than 10 years, 10-19 years, 20 years or more respectively (p=0.006.) Vitamin E level in relation to Gender showed that Friedriech ataxia male patients had significantly higher vitamin E level compared to females [12.05±2.66 (9.0-18.0) compared to 10.17±1.07 (8.4-12.0)] (p=0.003), while relation to gender in the control group was not of significant value statistically [27.08±2.90 (22.9-30.0) for male compared to 29.04±4.97 (23.7-36) for females] , p=0.136. Conclusion: In the light of the results of the present study, the following conclusions were made:  The level of vitamin E in friedreichs ataxic phenotype patients was subnormal than normal range representing 80% of the sample selected for the test.  The level of vitamin E in male patients of freidriechs ataxic phenotype patients was higher than female patients.  


Medicina ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Renata Balnytė ◽  
Daiva Rastenytė ◽  
Dalia Mickevičienė ◽  
Antanas Vaitkus ◽  
Erika Skrodenienė ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of HLA-DRB1 alleles on the genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis in the Lithuanian population. Material and Methods. A total of 120 patients with multiple sclerosis and 120 unrelated healthy controls were enrolled in this case-control study. Allelic frequencies were compared between the groups. HLA-DRB1 alleles were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction. Results. HLA-DRB1*15 was present in 55.8% of the patients with multiple sclerosis and 10.0% of the controls (OR, 5.58; 95% CI, 3.19–9.77; P<0.0001). The protective alleles that were found to be more prevalent among the controls compared with the patients with multiple sclerosis were HLADRB1* 01 (26.7% vs. 7.5%, P<0.0001), *03 (17.5% vs. 8.3%, P=0.034), and *16 (11.7% vs. 3.3%, P=0.014). HLA-DRB1*15 was more common among the female patients with multiple sclerosis than among the male patients (68.4% vs. 34.1%; OR, 4.18; 95%, CI 1.90–9.22; P=0.001). The heterozygous inheritance of HLA-DRB1*15 allele was more common in the patients with a history of maternal multiple sclerosis than in those with a history of paternal multiple sclerosis (29.4% vs. 9.8%; P=0.045). Conclusions. HLA-DRB1*15 was found to be associated with multiple sclerosis in the Lithuanian population. This allele was more prevalent among the female patients with multiple sclerosis. Maternal multiple sclerosis was more common than paternal multiple sclerosis, but the relationship with HLA-DRB1*15 allele was not established. HLA-DRB1*01, *03, and *16 appeared to be the protective alleles in this series.


2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menno M Schoonheim ◽  
Hanneke E Hulst ◽  
Doriana Landi ◽  
Olga Ciccarelli ◽  
Stefan D Roosendaal ◽  
...  

Background: Gender effects are strong in multiple sclerosis (MS), with male patients showing a worse clinical outcome than female patients. Functional reorganization of neural activity may contribute to limit disability, and possible gender differences in this process may have important clinical implications. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore gender-related changes in functional connectivity and network efficiency in MS patients. Additionally, we explored the association of functional changes with cognitive function. Methods: Sixty subjects were included in the study, matched for age, education level and intelligence quotient (IQ). Male and female patients were matched for disability, disease duration and white matter lesion load. Two cognitive domains often impaired in MS, i.e. visuospatial memory and information processing speed, were evaluated in all subjects. Functional connectivity between brain regions and network efficiency was explored using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and graph analysis. Differences in cognitive and functional characteristics between groups, and correlations with cognitive performance, were examined. Results: Male patients showed worse performance on cognitive tests than female and male controls, while female patients were cognitively normal. Decreases in functional connectivity and network efficiency, observed in male patients, correlated with reduced visuospatial memory ( r = −0.6 and r = −0.5, respectively). In the control group, no cognitive differences were found between genders, despite differences in functional connectivity between healthy men and women. Conclusions: Functional connectivity differences were found in male patients only and were related to impaired visuospatial memory. These results underline the importance of gender in MS and require further investigation in larger and longitudinal studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (35) ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
Noor AL-Huda Salah AL-ZUHAIRY ◽  
Zainab Abdul Jabbar Ridha AL-ALI

Beta-thalassemia is a heterogeneous group of hereditary blood disorders characterized by defects in the synthesis of the β- chains of hemoglobin, resulting in variable phenotypes ranging from severe anemia to clinically asymptomatic individuals. This study aims to assess the serum PTH, vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and magnesium levels in β-thalassemia major patients. A total of 50 (30 male and 20 female) patients with β- thalassemia major with ages range 11- 16 years and an equal number of sex-matched healthy adolescents as a control group were included in this study. A total of 52% of patients were lived in an urban area, and there was no significant difference between patients and the control group regarding residency. Male patients showed low statistically significant (P 0.05) mean serum PTH, vitamin D, and calcium levels, but mean serum phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly higher (P 0.05) as compared to the male control group. However, female patients had low, but without statistical significant (P>0.05) mean serum PTH level, whereas vitamin D and calcium levels were highly significant (P 0.05) reduced. The phosphorus and ALP levels were highly significantly (P 0.05) increased as compared to female controls. Regarding β- thalassemia major group, the current study showed male patients had non-significant (P 0.05) higher levels of PTH, calcium, phosphorus, and ALP. In contrast, vitamin D level was non-significantly (P 0.05) low in male patients as compared to female patients. Mean serum level of PTH had a negative correlation with phosphorus, but it had a positive association with vitamin D, calcium, ALP, and magnesium. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that β-thalassemia major patients have a markedly deranged biochemical metabolic bone profile. Regular monitoring of PTH and biochemical mineral profile is also recommended.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-36
Author(s):  
SS Bist ◽  
Sanjeev Bhagat ◽  
Himanshu Kala

ABSTRACT Objectives Although the association between obesity and bronchial asthma (BA) has been gaining more attention, few studies have been conducted concerning the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and other allergic diseases. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and BMI. Materials and methods This was a retrospective study. Two hundred and ten patients of AR (138 males and 72 females) and 424 healthy controls were included in the study. The BMI of patients and controls were calculated and correlated. Results The percentage of AR patients with a low BMI was 9.5%, whereas 57.6% had a normal BMI; 21% were preobese and 9.5% were obese. In the control group, 48.6% subjects had normal BMI range followed by preobese 21.2%, underweight 20.3%, and obese 9.9%. Among the overweight (preobese+ obese) category, the maximum number of subjects belonged to cases, i.e., 32.8% with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.95 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.91-1.07). Thus, AR was not associated with high BMI. Among the underweight, the maximum number of subjects belonged to the control group, i.e., 20.3% with an OR of 2.13 (95% CI 1.24-3.68). Thus, AR had no relationship with lower BMI also. It was also observed that more of the female patients (18, 29.1, and 12.5% were underweight, preobese, and obese respectively) had deranged BMI than male patients (5.3, 20.2, and 7.9% were underweight, preobese, and obese respectively). A relative risk of 1.124 (95% CI 1.01-1.23) and 1.04 (95% CI 0.95-1.13) was present in female patients with low and high BMI respectively, which is statistically significant (p = 0.0008). Conclusion It was concluded that BMI was not associated with increased prevalence of AR. Among the underweight and overweight, AR was more common in females than in males. Thus, BMI had a significant association with AR among female patients. Overall, BMI had no significant association with AR. How to cite this article Kala H, Bhagat S, Varshney S, Bist SS. A Clinical Study of Relationship of Body Mass Index with Allergic Rhinitis. Clin Rhinol An Int J 2016;9(1):33-36.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Wójciak ◽  
Klaudia Domowicz ◽  
Marta Zabłocka ◽  
Michał Michalak ◽  
Janusz K. Rybakowski

Objective: The relationship between negative symptoms and neurocognitive performance in schizophrenia is well documented, but the mechanism of these connections remains unclear. The study aims to measure the relationship between the results on the new scales for the assessment of negative symptoms such as Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) and Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS), and the results of some neurocognition tests. The second aim is to assess a possible gender effect on these associations.Methods: The study included 80 patients (40 men, 40 women) with schizophrenia, aged 19–63 (mean 38 years), during the improvement period (total PANSS score &lt;80, unchanged pharmacological treatment in the last 3 weeks). They were assessed using the BNSS, SNS, Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scales, and the tests for neuropsychological performance such as the Trail Making Test (TMT-A, TMT-B), Stroop Color-Word Interference Test, Verbal fluency tests (VFT), Category fluency test (CFT), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).Results: Male patients obtained higher scores than females on some PANSS and BNSS items. No gender differences were observed for the SNS scale. Female patients scored better in the PSP and CFT. In male patients, a significant positive correlation between the intensity of negative symptoms measured by the BNSS and the results of PSP with the Trail Making Test was observed. In female patients, we found a positive correlation between the results of BNSS and PSP with the Stroop Color-Word Interference Test.Conclusion: The obtained results confirm the relationship between negative symptoms and neurocognition in schizophrenia patients. However, in male and female patients such association was observed for different cognitive domains. Further research is needed to explain the nature of these differences.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1020-1020
Author(s):  
K Cornett

Abstract Objective Research literature has demonstrated the role that pre-morbid anxiety has in prolonging recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The aim of this investigation is to clarify the degree of the relationship between anxiety and postconcussive symptomology in patients with mTBI. Method This study compared scores from a patient-report measure of anxiety, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), to scores from a patient-report measure of postconcussion symptom severity, the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI). Participants were recruited from September 2018 to December 2019 who had been referred for clinical evaluation to Rehabilitation Institute of Washington’s Brain Injury Services (a privately-run, interdisciplinary, outpatient clinic). 39 adult participants (30 males and nine females) completed both the GAD-7 and NSI. No control group was used. Injury severity level was ascertained via review of the medical records. Patients underwent an abbreviated evaluation with a clinical neuropsychologist. As a part of this initial evaluation, patients completed an intake packet, which included the NSI and GAD-7. Results The relationship between the ordinal variables (i.e., anxiety and postconscussive symptomology) was assessed using spearman’s rho. Anxiety had a strong, statistically significant relationship with postconcussive symptomology (rho = 0.670, p = 0.000). Conclusions Anxiety and postconcussive symptomology severity are associated in this population of patients with mTBI. Limitations of this current investigation include a small sample size and no control group. This study indicates the need for controlled studies in future research to address the above-encountered limitations. Nevertheless, this study lends support to the prevalence of anxiety in those with elevated postconcussive symptomology and the need to monitor this in assessment and treatment.


Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Ramazan Asoğlu ◽  
Mahmut Özdemir ◽  
Nesim Aladağ ◽  
Emin Asoğlu

Background and Objectives: Epilepsy patients have a higher risk of sudden unexplained death compared to the rest of the population. Cardiac repolarization abnormalities might be seen in epilepsy during interictal periods. We aimed to evaluate the changes in electrocardiography (ECG) parameters in generalized tonic-clonic seizure patients treated with carbamazepine or valproic acid (VPA) drug. Materials and Methods: A totally of 129 subjects (66 epilepsy patients, 63 healthy subjects) were enrolled in the study. Of the patients, 36 were on carbamazepine and 30 were on VPA. There were 12-lead ECGs obtained from all participants. RR interval (time between consecutive R peaks), QT interval (defines the period of ventricular repolarization), corrected QT (QT interval corrected for heart rate; QTc), QTc-maximum (QTc-max), QTc-minimum (QTc-min), QTc dispersion (QTcd), P (atrial depolarization )-maximum (P-max), P-minimum (P-min) and P dispersion (Pd) were measured. Results: QTd (QT dispersion), QTcd, and Pd values were significantly higher in the patients compared to the controls (p < 0.01). QTcd, Pd, and P-max values were statistically higher in male patients compared to healthy male controls. QTcd values were significantly higher in female patients using carbamazepine compared to the female patients on VPA and healthy controls (p = 0.01). Male patients using VPA had significantly higher QTcd values against the male population in carbamazepine and control groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that QTd, QTcd, and Pd values were significantly higher in epilepsy patients than in healthy controls. In addition, female patients using carbamazepine and male patients using VPA were prone to ventricular arrhythmia compared to the control group.


2003 ◽  
Vol 182 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Macdonald ◽  
J. Halliday ◽  
T. MacEwan ◽  
V. Sharkey ◽  
S. Farrington ◽  
...  

BackgroundThat sexual dysfunction occurs in schizophrenia is not in doubt. Previous studies have had weaknesses such as the use of selected populations or the absence of a control group.AimsTo measure rates of sexual dysfunction in people with schizophrenia compared with the general population.MethodSexual dysfunction was assessed by a self-completed gender-specific questionnaire. Ninety-eight (73%) of 135 persons with schizophrenia and 81 (71%) of 114 persons recruited as controls returned the questionnaire.ResultsAt least one sexual dysfunction was reported by 82% of men and 96% of women with schizophrenia. Male patients reported less desire for sex, were less likely to achieve and maintain an erection, were more likely to ejaculate more quickly and were less satisfied with the intensity of their orgasms. Female patients reported less enjoyment than the control group. Sexual dysfunction in female patients was associated with negative schizophrenic symptoms and general psychopathology. There was no association between sexual dysfunction and type of antipsychotic medication.ConclusionsPeople with schizophrenia report much higher rates of sexual dysfunction than do the general population. Men and women with schizophrenia have a different pattern of sexual dysfunction.


2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alper Otunctemur ◽  
Emin Ozbek ◽  
Suleyman Sami Cakir ◽  
Murat Dursun ◽  
Emre Can Polat ◽  
...  

Objectives: In recent years, it has been shown that there is association between metabolic syndrome and urinary stone disease. Stone disease and erectile dysfunction (ED) are considered as systemic diseases which are associated with hormonal and metabolic disorders. Therefore we investigated the relationship between ED and urinary tract calculi. Material and methods: 98 male patients with urolithiasis and 59 randomly selected male patients without stone disease were included in the study. Serum testosterone (T) levels were measured and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-15 questionnaire forms were used to assess ED. Results: The prevalence of ED was found 29% (29 patients) in the urolithiasis group. Sixty-nine patients (71%) had no ED; 16 (16.3%) had mild, 5 (5.1%) had moderate and 8 (8.2%) had severe ED. None of the patients in the control group had severe or modarete ED, six patients (10.2%) had mild ED. Serum T levels were detected at the level of biochemical hypogonadism on 13 patients with stones (13.3%) and T levels were detected at the lower limit in 18 (18.3%) patients. Conclusion: In our study we have shown that ED and low T levels are significantly associated with urolithiasis. We propose that the patients with urolitiasis should be evaluated for ED and hypogonadism.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document