Cardiometabolic risk factor clustering in patients with deficient branched-chain amino acid catabolism: A case-control study.

Classical organic acidemias (OAs) result from defective mitochondrial catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Abnormal mitochondrial function relates to oxidative stress, ectopic lipids and insulin resistance (IR). We investigated whether genetically impaired function of mitochondrial BCAA catabolism associates with cardiometabolic risk factors, altered liver and muscle energy metabolism, and IR.

Comorbid substance abuse and neurocognitive function in recent-onset schizophrenia.

Despite the high prevalence of comorbid substance use disorder (SUD) up to 65% in schizophrenia there is still few knowledge about the influence of substance abuse on neurocognitive function. In a prospective design we recruited 68 patients (aged 18-40 years) diagnosed as recent-onset schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder consecutively admitted to hospital. The patients received standardized psychopathological evaluation of schizophrenic symptoms [Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS)], depressive symptoms [Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, (MADRS)] and global ratings [Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI), Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF)].

Treatment of erectile dysfunction with external vacuum devices.

In a retrospective study, the medical and psychological outcome of the use of external vacuum devices in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in 190 patients was evaluated, using a questionnaire and a clinical examination. 110/190 patients (57.8%) answered the questionnaire.

Interdisciplinary assessment and follow-up of patients with erectile dysfunction--psychiatric aspects.

The objectives of this investigation were to assess the psychiatric comorbidity and patients' satisfaction with treatment in a sample of 73 men with erectile dysfunction (ED) who were consecutively admitted to an andrologic outpatient centre. After comprehensive interdisciplinary assessment, 49% of these patients were assigned an organic etiology, 33% had psychogenic impotence, and in 18% somatic and psychogenic factors seemed to be relevant. 63% of all patients received a psychiatric diagnosis (according to ICD-9).

[Transsexualism and schizophrenic psychosis. Problems preparing expert opinion on transsexualism].

We report on two schizophrenics with transsexual beliefs to illustrate the problems in nosological classification of these patients and the difficulties in preparing expertises on changing the first name or on the legal changing of sex status according to the German Transsexuals Act (TSG). We should differentiate between rare cases of true comorbidity of schizophrenia and transsexualism, and other patients in whom the transsexual wish presents as a symptom of psychosis. Before approving any legal changes or even sex reassignment surgery, the transsexual wish should have remained unchanged under otherwise successful antipsychotic treatment.