Borderline Personality Disorder: Comparison of Two Treatment Modalities.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two treatment modalities for patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). A total of 100 psychiatric patients diagnosed with BPD participated in this study. Among them, 50 patients were outpatients who attended the Reason and Emotion (RIO) program, and the remaining 50 were inpatients who were treated on psychotherapeutic ward at the same hospital.

A pilot study of accelerated deep transcranial magnetic stimulation effects on cognitive functioning in patients diagnosed with treatment resistant major depressive disorder.

The purpose of this study was to assess cognitive functioning in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) treated with two different accelerated deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) modalities as an add-on to stable pharmacotherapy.A total of 32 adult psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with treatment resistant MDD were allocated by stratified randomization into two groups: a group treated with dTMS twice a day during 2 weeks, and a group treated with dTMS twice a day during 3 weeks. Clinical psychologists assessed participants´ cognitive functions (memory, visuospatial functioning, executive functions, psychomotor speed, verbal fluency) via a battery of instruments, after the inclusion, and by the end of treatment.

Association of Childhood Trauma and Personality Dimensions with the Duration of Untreated Psychosis.

Background: Understanding causes and consequences of untreated psychosis is important since the duration of psychosis prior to the treatment initiation is a potentially modifiable prognostic factor, and comprehending its impact on outcome may enhance therapeutic strategies.

Subjects And Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on a consecutive sample of 105 participants, 47 first episode participants and 58 with multiple episodes. Primary outcome was the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP).

Antipsychotics-induced hyperprolactinemia and screening for macroprolactin.

Introduction: High prolactin (PRL) concentrations are found in laboratory test results of patients on majority of antipsychotic drugs. Prevalence rates and degrees of severity of hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) based on PRL concentration may depend on the presence of macroprolactin in the serum. The aim of the study was to investigate the difference between PRL concentrations before and after precipitation of macroprolactin and to examine if there were any changes in the categorization of HPRL between samples prior and after precipitation.

Gender differences in early onset of chronic physical multimorbidities in schizophrenia spectrum disorder: Do women suffer more?

Aim: The association between various physical illnesses and schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) is well-established. However, the role of gender remains unclear. The present study explored the gender-based differences in the prevalence and early onset of chronic physical multimorbidities (CPM) in patients with SSD and the general population (GEP).

Improving the quality of life during treatment in the Day hospital for early intervention in Psychiatric Hospital "Sveti Ivan".

Background: The Day hospital for early intervention is a time-limited structured therapeutic program based on different psychotherapy and socio-therapy techniques. The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes of the Day hospital treatment for early intervention on self-esteem, and quality of life, and to determine which patients benefit the most from the program.

Subjects And Methods: The study was conducted on 124 patients with an early phase of psychosis who were treated at the Day hospital.

Efficacy of Center for Integrative Psychiatry Multimodal Early Intervention Services in Early-Phase Psychosis on Hospital Readmission.

Background: Growing body of evidence has opened new opportunities to enhance treatment outcomes during early-phase psychosis (EPP). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Centre for integrative psychiatry (CIP) multimodal Early Intervention Services (EIS) on time to relapse in the patients with early-phase psychosis (EPP) during 12 and 24 month period.

Subjects And Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study on the sample of 454 EPP patients (duration of the diagnosed disorder ≤5 years) admitted to Psychiatric Hospital "Sveti Ivan", Zagreb Croatia, from January 2, 2015, to December 5, 2018, for the acute treatment of EPP.

Hyperprolactinemia - side effect or part of the illness.

Background: Hyperprolactinemia is associated with side effect of antipsychotics in people suffering from psychotic disorders. However, increased prolactin levels (mlU/L) were found in patients suffering from the first psychotic episode who were not receiving antipsychotic therapy. The assumption of this study is that the abnormality in the level of prolactin is associated with the effect and influence of the disease, not the therapy that is carried out.

Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation using a figure-8-coil or an H1-Coil in treatment of major depressive disorder; A randomized clinical trial.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an evidence-based treatment option for major depressive disorder (MDD). However, comparisons of efficacy between the two FDA-approved protocols of rTMS modalities are lacking. The aim of this industry-independent, randomized-controlled, single-blind trial was to evaluate clinical outcome of the two FDA-approved rTMS protocols delivered by H1-coil and the figure-8-coil, in MDD patients.

Early Intervention Services for Early-Phase Psychosis - Centre for integrative psychiatry in Psychiatric Hospital "Sveti Ivan", Croatia.

Background: There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that early and effective management in the critical early years of schizophrenia can improve long-term outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate time to relapse of the patients with early-phase psychosis treated in the Centre for integrative psychiatry (CIP).

Subject And Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study on the sample of 373 early-phase psychosis patients admitted to Psychiatric Hospital "Sveti Ivan", Zagreb Croatia: from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017.

Efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation using an H1-coil or figure-8-coil in the treatment of unipolar major depressive disorder: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive technique with few side effects that has been reported to be effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). At present, no randomized controlled trials (RCT) have compared the efficacy and safety of rTMS delivered by the figure-8-coil and the H1-coil. We describe an industry-independent, randomized, controlled, single-blinded, single-center study protocol assessing the differences in efficacy and safety of rTMS for patients diagnosed with MDD with the H1-coil and figure-8-coil as an add-on to stable pharmacotherapy or pharmacotherapy alone.

ABO blood groups and psychiatric disorders: a Croatian study.

Background: The prevalence of ABO alleles is different in different populations, and many studies have shown a correlation between the occurrences of some diseases and different genotypes of ABO blood groups. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a significant association between psychiatric syndromes and ABO blood groups.

Materials And Methods: This case-control study involved 156 psychiatric patients and 303 healthy, unrelated, voluntary blood donors.

Early intervention programme for patients with psychotic disorders in "Sveti Ivan" Psychiatric hospital (RIPEPP) - sociodemographic and baseline characteristics of the participants.

Background: Psychiatric hospital "Sveti Ivan" in Zagreb, Croatia, offers an outpatient Early intervention programme for patients with psychotic disorders (RIPEPP), consisting of psychoeducational workshops and group psychodynamic psychotherapy. The aim of this study was to describe sociodemographic and baseline characteristics of the participants, in order to provide better understanding of this population, and to assist with the development of more effective therapeutic approaches.

Subjects And Methods: Since 2008, a total of 245 patients with first episodes of psychosis and their family members participated in the programme.

Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Augmentative rTMS in Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): A Prospective Cohort Study in Croatia.

Background: An increasing body of research suggest that repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is effective and safe treatment option for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The Psychiatric Hospital "Sveti Ivan" has the first TMS laboratory with rTMS and deep TMS (dTMS) in Croatia. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of augmentative rTMS treatment vs standard treatment in Croatian patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Somatic comorbidities are independently associated with the poor health-related quality of life in psychiatric patients.

Background: Despite the increased risk, the quality of somatic healthcare is lower for patients with mental illnesses. Currently dominant approach separates physical and mental, primary and secondary healthcare. Objective of our study was to explore whether somatic comorbidities are associated with a poor HRQoL independently of some sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Day Hospital Treatment as a Missing Link for Single Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): a Preliminary Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the day hospital treatment outcome on severity of clinical manifestations, general neuroticism and coping mechanisms in patients suffering from chronic combat-related PTSD.

Subjects And Methods: The sample consisted of 38 consecutive patients admitted to the Day Hospital treatment of PTSD during one year observation period. The average age of the sample was 46.

Personal space of war veterans with PTSD - some characteristics and comparison with healthy individuals.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the size of personal space among war veterans with PTSD, compared to healthy individuals, and to examine its associations with some sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Subjects And Methods: Participants were 83 male war veterans with chronic PTSD and 85 healthy male employees of the medical institutions. Preferred interpersonal distances were assessed by using a stop-distance technique, where male and female research assistants approached the participants from four directions (front, behind, left, right).

Characteristics of the Group Process in Long-Term Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy for Patients with Psychosis.

This study aimed to investigate the development of the group process through group climate parameter dynamics during long-term psychodynamic group psychotherapy for 30 outpatients with psychosis. The group process in four groups was monitored using MacKenzie's Group Climate Questionnaire-Short Form (GCQ-S) that was completed by the therapist after each session over the two-year period. The trends of engagement, avoidance and conflict parameters differed between groups, and no clear indicators of the development phases were found.

Personality characteristics of psychotic patients as possible motivating factors for participating in group psychotherapy.

Background: This study aimed to examine the relationship between some personality characteristics of patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders and the quality of their engagement in psychodynamic group psychotherapy. Given that previous research has shown that self-stigma is significantly negatively associated with the engagement of patients, the measure of self-stigma was used as a correlate of patients' motivation to participate in group psychotherapy.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 48 outpatients (52.

Quality of life of patients with schizophrenia treated in foster home care and in outpatient treatment.

Background: The Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Hospital in Zagreb, Croatia, offers foster home care treatment that includes pharmacotherapy, group psychodynamic psychotherapy, family therapy, and work and occupational therapy. The aim of this study is to compare the health-related quality of life of patients with schizophrenia treated in foster home care with that of patients in standard outpatient treatment.

Methods: The sample consisted of 44 patients with schizophrenia who, upon discharge from the hospital, were included in foster home care treatment and a comparative group of 50 patients who returned to their families and continued receiving outpatient treatment.

Social functioning of patients with psychotic disorders in long-term psychodynamic group psychotherapy: preliminary research.

Background: In recent years, social functioning of patients has increasingly been used as a criterion for assessing therapeutic efficacy of the group psychotherapy. The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine whether social functioning of patients with diagnosed psychotic disorders changes during their participation in psychodynamic group psychotherapy.

Subject And Methods: The sample consisted of 30 patients involved in the psychodynamic group psychotherapy (PGP), and a comparative group of 30 patients treated only with antipsychotic medication therapy (treatment as usual; TAU).

Changes in aspects of cognitive functioning in young patients with schizophrenia during group psychodynamic psychotherapy: a preliminary study.

Background: The "Sveti Ivan" psychiatric hospital in Zagreb, Croatia, offers an outpatient Early Intervention Program for psychotic patients. This program consists of psycho-educational workshops and group psychodynamic psychotherapy. Two important objectives of the program are improving and maintaining adequate cognitive functioning.

Pathological narcissism and depressive symptoms in psychiatric outpatients: mediating role of dysfunctional attitudes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between pathological narcissism (narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability), dysfunctional attitudes (perfectionism and dependency on other people), and depressive symptoms in psychiatric outpatients.

Method: A sample of 234 adult psychiatric outpatients (57.3% male; mean age 44.

Factorial and diagnostic validity of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) in Croatian primary health care.

The aim of this study was to examine the factorial and diagnostic validity of the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) in Croatian primary health care. Data were collected using a medical outpatient sample (N = 314). Reliability measured by internal consistency proved to be high.

The role of personality traits in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Background: A number of studies have shown that although exposure to potentially traumatic events is common, development of PTSD is relatively rare, which is one of the reasons PTSD still remains a controversial psychiatric entity. The aim of this article was to provide an overview of the research on the role of personality traits in the vulnerability, resilience, posttraumatic growth and expressions associated with PTSD. Personality based approach represents a dimensional aspect of the transdisciplinary integrative model of PTSD.