Personal and relationship challenges of adults with type 1 diabetes: a qualitative focus group study.

Objective: Little is known about the psychosocial challenges of adults living with type 1 diabetes or its impact on partner relationships. This qualitative study was undertaken to gain better understanding of these issues.

Research Design And Methods: Four focus groups were held, two with adult type 1 diabetic patients (n = 16) and two with partners (n = 14).

Varenicline treatment of concurrent alcohol and nicotine dependence in schizophrenia: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

Alcohol and nicotine dependence are common in schizophrenia. Varenicline is effective in smoking cessation and has also been shown to decrease alcohol consumption in smokers. The present pilot study assessed the safety and effectiveness of varenicline for treatment of concurrent nicotine and alcohol dependence in schizophrenia.

Accuracy of self-reported medical problems in patients with alcohol dependence and co-occurring schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Background: Schizophrenia and alcohol dependence (AD) are both major risk factors for a variety of medical problems, yet little is known about the medical status of patients in whom both conditions coexist.

Objective: The objectives of this study are to assess accuracy of self-reported medical problems and to compare the accuracy reports in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and co-occurring AD compared to patients with AD only and to controls. Our hypothesis was that medical problems are under-reported in patients with co-occurring disorders, possibly due to the combination of alcohol use and symptoms of schizophrenia.

Predictors of smoking severity in patients with schizophrenia and alcohol use disorders.

The goal of the present study was to identify predictors of smoking severity in patients with schizophrenia and co-occurring alcohol use disorders (AUD). Our hypothesis was that negative symptoms of schizophrenia, severity of depression, male gender, drinking severity, and recreational drug use were associated with increased smoking. Clinical data, including demographic variables, alcohol and substance use severity, psychiatric medications, severity of depression, positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia were analyzed in a cohort of 90 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and AUD.

Medical comorbidity in patients with schizophrenia and alcohol dependence.

Background: Schizophrenia and alcohol dependence are major risk factors for a variety of medical problems, yet there has been little research on the medical status of patients in whom both conditions coexist.

Methods: We assessed the prevalence and severity of medical illness in 80 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and comorbid alcohol use disorders who entered a controlled trial of monitored naltrexone treatment, and analyzed the relationship between medical illness burden and demographic variables, alcohol and other substance use, and psychosis. Participants underwent physical examination, laboratory tests, medical record review and standardized assessments of medical illness burden, alcohol and other substance use, and psychosis.

Negative symptoms are associated with less alcohol use, craving, and "high" in alcohol dependent patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) frequently co-occur with and exacerbate schizophrenia, yet the specific relationships between schizophrenia symptoms and alcohol use remain unclear.

Methods: PANSS scores were correlated with measures of alcohol and other substance use in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and AUDs entering a trial of monitored naltrexone treatment. Data were analyzed from the first 80 participants; 55% had schizophrenia and 45% had schizoaffective disorder.

Voucher-based incentives for naltrexone treatment attendance in schizophrenia and alcohol use disorders.

Objective: This study assessed the feasibility of voucher-based incentives for attendance for directly observed naltrexone treatment in a controlled trial for alcohol use disorders in schizophrenia.

Methods: Cash-value voucher-based incentives were contingent on attendance at three research visits per week over 12 weeks for 61 participants. Vouchers increased in value based on consecutive attendance.

Monitored naltrexone without counseling for alcohol abuse/dependence in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

This clinical trial assessed the effects of monitored naltrexone treatment in 19 subjects with schizophrenia spectrum and alcohol use disorders in an eight-week prospective open pilot study. Naltrexone was directly administered to subjects in oral doses of 100 mg on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 150 mg on Fridays. Subjects received reimbursement for attending the three weekly study visits.