Nicotine dependence and psychiatric disorders among young males in Singapore.

Introduction: While the risk for a number of medical illnesses is well established for those who smoke, the risk for psychiatric disorders is not so well studied in Singapore.

Objectives: This study sought to establish the lifetime prevalence of nicotine dependence in a population of young males in Singapore and to establish its relationship with other psychiatric disorders.

Methods: The study was conducted among a cohort of males reporting for their mandatory physical examination prior to their enlistment for National Service in a 1-year period between August 2004 and August 2005.

Depressive symptoms and diabetes mellitus in an Asian multiracial population.

Introduction: Singapore has one of the world's highest rates of diabetes mellitus (DM). DM is also associated with depression, the nature of this relation is possibly bidirectional and complex and there are a number of putative associated factors.

Aims: To establish the prevalence of depressive symptoms in an Asian multiracial population with diabetes and identify some of these putative risk factors including ethnicity for depressive symptoms while controlling for multiple confounding variables.

Comorbid depression and increased health care utilisation in individuals with diabetes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the extent of health care utilisation (excluding costs) of diabetic patients with and without depressive symptoms attending a specialist clinic in Singapore.

Methods: A total of 537 Asian outpatients (aged 21 years and above) who were attending a Diabetes Centre were recruited on a consecutive basis between August 2006 and February 2007. Sociodemographic data, clinical and health care utilisation data were collected from the participants.

Academic attainment: a predictor of psychiatric disorders?

Aim: Poor academic performance can reflect the neurobiological abnormalities underlying schizophrenia and has been suggested as a premorbid marker for the disorder. However, it is not clear as to how academic performance compares as a marker for other mental disorders. The objective of this study was to examine whether educational attainment is a candidate marker for certain psychiatric disorders.

Mortality rates among patients with schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a severe and potentially irreversible movement, and previous studies have suggested increased mortality among patients with TD, but most of these studies are limited by small sample sizes and short periods of follow-up. This study examined the mortality rate of a cohort of 608 Asian patients with schizophrenia during a 6-year period and used survival analyses on time from case ascertainment to outcome (death). Data on the survival status were collected and compared between those with and without TD, and cross-tabulation was performed to show the correlation between survival and mortality rates among patients with and without TD.

Mental health professionals' perceived barriers and benefits, and personal concerns in relation to psychiatric research.

Aim: Mental health professionals can contribute to generating a strong evidence base for policy and practice in psychiatry. An insight into their perception of psychiatric research is important for planning support strategies. This study explored healthcare professionals' perceptions of barriers, benefits and concerns about psychiatric research in a Singapore psychiatric hospital.

The mental health screening of conscripts for the Singapore Armed Forces: rationale, objectives, and design.

Identification of mentally ill military conscripts is crucial, since these individuals may experience an exacerbation of their illness during training with dire consequences for them and the organization. This article describes the design of a study to validate a screening instrument for psychiatric disorders as well as to establish their prevalence among male army conscripts in Singapore. It involved a two-stage process: the conscripts were screened with a new instrument which we termed the Mental Wellness Screening Questionnaire; those who screened positive, and a random sample of those who did not, were administered the computerized Composite International Diagnostic Interview which was the gold standard in making the diagnosis.

Diagnostic stability 2 years after treatment initiation in the early psychosis intervention programme in Singapore.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic stability of psychotic disorders over a 2 year period in patients presenting with first-episode psychosis.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-four patients were recruited from an early psychosis intervention programme (EPIP). They were diagnosed by the attending psychiatrist using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I at first contact (baseline) and after 24 months.

Metabolic differences between Asian and Caucasian patients on clozapine treatment.

Objective: To establish if there are ethnic differences in the various metabolic disturbances that are common with clozapine treatment.

Method: Forty subjects (20 Asians and 20 Caucasians) with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were recruited for the study. Clozapine blood levels as well as fasting blood glucose, lipid levels, and liver function tests were established.

Diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in patients with schizophrenia.

Objectives: This study aimed to establish the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance in patients with schizophrenia and to elucidate some of the factors associated with hyperglycemia.

Methods: We studied a sample of 194 patients with schizophrenia. We determined fasting blood glucose and insulin levels at the start of the testing period; patients were given an oral glucose tolerance test after an overnight fast.