A DNA Methylation Signature of Addiction in T Cells and Its Reversal With DHEA Intervention.

Previous studies in animal models of cocaine craving have delineated broad changes in DNA methylation profiles in the nucleus accumbens. A crucial factor for progress in behavioral and mental health epigenetics is the discovery of epigenetic markers in peripheral tissues. Several studies in primates and humans have associated differences in behavioral phenotypes with changes in DNA methylation in T cells and brain.

Association between psychological distress and mortality: the case of Israel.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the association between psychological distress (measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12) and risks of all-cause mortality and deaths from cardiovascular, cancer and other causes. We hypothesised that in the Israeli population permanently exposed to war/terror stressors, this relationship is absent.

Methods: We performed an analysis of data from participants in the Israel National Health Survey conducted in 2003-2004, who died during the follow-up decade.

Changes in consumption of opioid analgesics in Israel 2009 to 2016: An update focusing on oxycodone and fentanyl formulations.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to assess opioid (morphine, methadone, oxycodone, pethidine, and fentanyl) consumption in Israel during 2009 to 2016 and identify recent trends.

Methods: Data for all treatment settings, private and public, for the years 2009 to 2016, were extracted from the Israel Ministry of Health's Pharmaceutical Administration database. The data were used to calculate defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day, of the various drugs.

No apparent association between bipolar disorder and cancer in a large epidemiological study of outpatients in a managed care population.

An association between bipolar disorder (BD) and cancer risk has been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate this association through linkage analysis of a national HMO database and a national cancer registry. All members of the Leumit Health Services (LHS) HMO of Israel from 2000 to 2012 were included.

Trends in the use of antipsychotics in the Israeli inpatient population, 2004-2013.

Background: Although serious mental illneses are treated with both typical and atypical antipsychotic grugs, trends in their use in psychiatric inpatient population in Israel are unrecognized. The aim of this study was to detect trends in the use of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs in the Israeli inpatient psychiatric population throughout the last decade.

Methods: Data regarding allocation of typical and atypical antipsychotics, over the period 2004 to 2013, were extracted from the electronic records of SAREL, Israel's largest private supplier of drugs to healthcare and medical facilities.

Validation of the HCR-20 Scale for Assessing Risk of Violent Behavior in Israeli Psychiatric Inpatients.

Background: Assessment of risk of violent behavior in forensic psychiatric practice is a complex and responsible clinical task and the use of a valid instrument can make the expert's work more effective. The Historical Clinical and Risk Management scale 20 (HCR-20) is a widely accepted measure of the risk of violence, sexual and criminal behavior. The aim of this study was to validate the HCR-20 in Israeli psychiatric inpatient settings.

Dental Health and the Type of Antipsychotic Treatment in Inpatients with Schizophrenia.

Aim: This study examined the association between dental conditions in hospitalized patients with ICD-10 schizophrenia and type of antipsychotic treatment. Based on the literature suggesting that atypical antipsychotics are thought to be more tolerable than typical antipsychotics, we hypothesized that hospitalized patients with schizophrenia treated with atypicals would have better dental health than those treated with typicals alone or with a combination of both (combined group).

Methods: A representative sample of 348 patients (69% males), aged 51.

Associations between attachment and psychopathology dimensions in a large sample of patients with psychosis.

Attachment theory is a powerful theoretical framework that complements and extents current models psychosis. We tested the hypothesis that attachment anxiety and avoidance are differentially associated with the severity of positive, negative and general psychopathology symptoms in patients with a diagnosis of psychosis. Five hundred patients with DSM-IV or ICD-10 diagnoses of psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective or non-affective psychosis) from independent samples from Netherlands, United Kingdom and Israel completed the Relationship Questionnaire.

Validation of the Hebrew and Arabic Versions of the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45).

Background: Measuring the progress of mental health treatment aids in assessment and monitoring of psychotherapeutic outcomes. The OQ-45 is a widely accepted measure of such outcomes. The aim of this study was to validate the Hebrew and Arabic versions of the OQ-45.

Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone add-on therapy on mood, decision making and subsequent relapse of polydrug users.

A major problem in the treatment of addiction is predicting and preventing relapse following a rehabilitation program. Recently, in preclinical rodent studies dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was found to markedly improve the resistance to drug reuse. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we examined the effect of DHEA on relapse rates in adult polydrug users taking part in a detoxification program enriched with intensive psychosocial interventions and aftercare.

Trends in dual diagnosis of severe mental illness and substance use disorders, 1996-2010, Israel.

Objectives: (1) To examine the trends in the incidence of dual diagnosis (DD) of severe mental illness and substance-related disorders among inpatients in Israel, and (2) the demographic and clinical correlates of DD patients.

Method: Using data from the National Psychiatric Case Register, we identified 56,774 inpatients aged 15-64 whose first psychiatric hospitalization occurred between 1996 and 2010. We compared the characteristics of inpatients having DD with drugs, alcohol or drug/alcohol abuse with those with mental disorder only.

Baclofen as add-on to standard psychosocial treatment for alcohol dependence: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 1 year follow-up.

Background: Limited clinical trials and case-reports yielded conflicting results regarding the efficacy of baclofen (a GABAB agonist) in the treatment of alcohol dependence. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy and tolerability of baclofen in alcohol dependent patients in Israel.

Methods: The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial comparing 50mg/day of baclofen to placebo over 12 weeks, in addition to a standard psychosocial intervention program, with 26-week and 52-week follow-up observations.

Trends in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs consumption, Israel, 2005-2012.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe trends in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs consumption in Israel (Ritalin, Concerta, Daytrana, Vyvanse, Focalin, and Adderall) over the 8 years, 2005-2012, and to explore explanations for changes in amounts and patterns of the utilization.

Methods: Data for the period from 2005 to 2012 were extracted from the database maintained by the Israel Ministry of Health's Pharmaceutical Administration. The data were converted into a defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day.

The CANSAS self-report for screening of needs in outpatients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders.

The importance of needs assessment for service development has been widely recognized. In this study we examined the agreement between the Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedule self-report version (CANSAS-P) and the Camberwell Assessment of Need interview-based scale in 100 outpatients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. We found equivalent number of met, unmet, and no needs for most of the domains of the two instruments.

Interpersonal distances, coping strategies and psychopathology in patients with depression and schizophrenia.

Aim: To explore (1) intergroup differences in comfortable interpersonal distances (CIDs) and the use of coping strategies; (2) the association of these parameters with individual symptomatology; and (3) the interplay between CIDs and coping styles in patients with depression and schizophrenia.

Methods: The parameters of interest were assessed by means of standardized questionnaires: CID and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations. Psychopathology was evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory and Positive and Negative Syndromes Scale.

Contribution of attachment insecurity to health-related quality of life in depressed patients.

Aim: To examine the individual contributions of insecure attachment styles and depression symptom severity to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder (AJD) with depressed mood.

Methods: Participants were 67 patients diagnosed with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth edition AJD with depressed mood, who completed standardised self-report questionnaires measuring study variables. Mean scores and SDs were computed for the outcome and predictor measures.

Attachment styles and affect regulation among outpatients with schizophrenia: relationships to symptomatology and emotional distress.

Objectives: Using the model of activation and dynamics of the attachment system (Shaver & Mikulincer, 2002) and dynamic stress-vulnerability models of psychosis (Ingmar & Luxton, 2005) as the analytical frameworks, the authors tested the hypothesis that the insecure attachment styles are differentially associated with the severity of psychopathological symptoms and emotional distress among outpatients with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth edition (ICD-10) diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Methods:  Attachment styles were identified using the Relationship Questionnaire (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991) among 100 outpatients with an ICD-10 schizophrenia diagnosis. Current symptom severity was measured by the Positive and Negative Syndromes Scale (Kay, Fiszbein, & Opler, 1987) and emotional distress by the General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg & Williams, 1988).

Mortality and causes of death among users of methadone maintenance treatment in Israel, 1999-2008.

Objectives: To determine all-cause and specific-causes mortality, in the years 1999-2008, among opioid-dependent users treated at methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in Israel and to compare the obtained results with data from relevant studies worldwide.

Method: The records of patients treated at MMT units were linked to the nationwide database of causes of death. Information about the Israeli general population from the Central Bureau of Statistics was used for comparison to match sex and age to the cohort under study.

Psychiatric hospitalization by court observation order in Israel: a ten year follow up study.

Objectives: To explore the proportion of defendants hospitalized by court observation order (COO) who were diagnosed as having a psychiatric disorder during: 1) the COO period, or 2) a 10-year follow-up period.

Methods: Data on all adult defendants, who underwent psychiatric hospitalization by COO between 1991 and 1995, were extracted from the National Psychiatric Case Registry of the Israel Ministry of Health, and rehospitalizations over the next ten years were identified. ANO VA and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for comparing the diagnosed and undiagnosed defendant cohorts.

Ten-year quality of life outcomes among patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder II. Predictive value of psychosocial factors.

Purpose: To identify psychosocial predictors of change in health-related quality of life among patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and schizoaffective (SA) disorders over a 10-year period.

Methods: In a naturalistic longitudinal design, 108 patients with SZ/SA disorders completed a comprehensive rating scale battery including self-reported quality of life, emotional distress symptoms, coping styles, sense of self-efficacy, and social support, as well as observer-rated psychopathology, medication side effects, and general functioning at 2 time points, baseline and 10 years later.

Results: Regression models revealed that reduction in self-reported symptoms of depression, sensitivity or anxiety along with increase in self-efficacy, social support, and emotion-oriented coping scores predicted improvement in domain-specific perceived quality of life.

Differences in the consumption rates and regulatory barriers to the accessibility of strong opioid analgesics in Israel and St. Petersburg.

Objective: To compare trends in opioid consumption in Israel and St. Petersburg/Russia (morphine, oxycodone, pethidine, fentanyl, methadone, buprenorphine, trimeperidine, and papaveretum) over the period 2000-2008, and to describe the regulatory barriers to their accessibility as an exploratory variable for between-country differences.

Methods: Data were drawn from the databases maintained by the Israel Ministry of Health's Pharmaceutical Administration and the St.

Methadone maintenance and cancer risk: an Israeli case registry study.

Objectives: This study explored cancer incidence rates in a large cohort of Israeli (Jewish and Arab) opioid-dependent individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), and how the incidences vary by ethnicity and sex.

Method: The record linkage between the Israel National Addiction Registry (INAR) and the Israel National Cancer Registry (INCR) was performed. Information about the Israeli general population from the Central Bureau of Statistics was used for comparison to match sex and year of birth to the cohort under study.

Attachment insecurity and psychological resources associated with adjustment disorders.

This study examined the adult attachment styles, interpersonal distance from potential attachment figures and strangers, coping strategies, perceived social support, and stress-related self-variables among patients diagnosed with adjustment disorders (AJD). Seventy patients at an outpatient clinic and 61 matched controls completed a battery of standardized questionnaires. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to evaluate the parameters of interest.

The Israel Survey of Mental Health Among Adolescents: aims and methods?

Objective: The Israel Survey of Mental Health among Adolescents (ISMEHA) aimed to ascertain the prevalence of selected mental disorders and patterns of comorbidity, service utilization and unmet needs, health and sociodemographic covariates, and risk and protective factors. This paper reviews the methods used and discusses the strengths and limitations of the survey.

Method: The ISMEHA was a cross-sectional survey that included 957 Israeli adolescents, representative of the adolescent population aged 14-17 years.