The effect of previous mood states on switch rates: a naturalistic study.

Objectives: A recent study suggested that post-manic depressions (post-MD) may differ from post-euthymia depression (post-ED). The goal of this study was to compare the switch rates and length of depressive episodes stratified by the pre-depression mood states.

Methods: The course of 72 prospectively observed depressions in 28 patients with Bipolar I depressions were divided into post-MD versus ED.

Bipolar depression and antidepressant-induced mania: a naturalistic study.

Background: The likelihood and character of antidepressant-induced mania remain important but poorly understood factors in the treatment of bipolar depression.

Method: We examined the response to naturalistic treatment of 29 bipolar I patients who experienced a total of 79 depressive episodes. Treatment consisted primarily of mood stabilizers used alone (N = 31) or in combination with antidepressants (N = 48).

Clinical evaluation of semiautomatic blood pressure devices for self-recording.

Sixteen semiautomatic blood pressure devices for self-recording were compared with a Hawksley random zero sphygmomanometer using three criteria for determination of accuracy: correlation analysis; mean differences; standard deviation of mean differences. Only one of the tested instruments showed excellent results, but three other devices had satisfactory accuracy of blood pressure recording. These devices could be recommended for self-recording by patients.

Long-term effect of captopril on kidney function in various forms of hypertension.

To study long-term effects of captopril on renal function in patients with various forms of severe hypertension, serum creatinine values were monitored in 76 patients under captopril therapy over a period of up to 3 years. Three different groups were formed: patients with essential hypertension (n = 37); patients with renovascular hypertension (n = 20); patients with renal parenchymatous hypertension (n = 19). In each of the three groups reduction in blood pressure was accompanied by increases in serum creatinine.

[Clonidine transdermal therapeutic system in essential hypertension: effect and tolerance].

The antihypertensive efficacy and side effects of a transdermal therapeutic system containing 2.5 mg clonidine (clonidine-TTS) was investigated in 21 patients with essential hypertension over a period of 10 weeks. The system was designed to release 0.