Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism, alcohol use, and their interactions in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.

Background: The symptomatology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is related not only to the intensity of the causative trauma, but also to alcohol use and genetic factors. Among the many candidate genes, the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is thought to be associated with stress reactivity.

Methods: Korean veterans of the Vietnam War with (n = 128) or without (n = 128) PTSD participated in this study.

Aripiprazole plus divalproex for recently manic or mixed patients with bipolar I disorder: a 6-month, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind maintenance trial.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy in preventing relapse of a mood episode in recently manic or mixed episode patients with bipolar I disorder stabilized with aripiprazole and divalproex combination.

Methods: This randomized, 24-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study enrolled patients from 23 centers in Korea. Patients with bipolar I disorder who had manic or mixed episode entered a 6-week open-label stabilization phase.

Bone density in chronic schizophrenia with long-term antipsychotic treatment: preliminary study.

Objective: Decreased bone mineral density has been found in the chronic schizophrenic patients who have been given a long-term administration of antipsychotics. Hyperprolactinemia from the antipsychotics and the negative symptom of schizophrenia were considered as the causes for this finding. In this study, the effect of hyperprolactinemia and the negative symptom of schizophrenia on bone mineral density was investigated on male schizophrenic patients.

Psychometric validation of the Korean version of Structured Interview for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (K-SIP).

For diagnosis and management of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the easily administered assessment tool is essential. Structured Interview for PTSD (SIP) is a validated, 17-item, simple measurement being used widely. We aimed to develop the Korean version of SIP (K-SIP) and investigated its psychometric properties.

Psychometric properties of the Korean version of the Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (K-SPRINT).

Aims: The Short Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Rating Interview (SPRINT) is a validated, eight-item, brief global assessment scale for PTSD. This report investigated the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the SPRINT (K-SPRINT).

Methods: Eighty-seven PTSD patients, 47 other psychiatric patients, and 63 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study.

Efficacy and tolerability of mirtazapine and sertraline in Korean veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized open label trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of mirtazapine in Korean veterans diagnosed with PTSD, by comparing it with sertraline, a drug approved for use in PTSD in the USA.

Methods: Efficacy was evaluated by the clinician administered PTSD scale (CAPS-2), the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD-17) and the clinical global impression scale (CGI), at baseline and at weeks 1, 2 and 6. A response was defined as a > or = 30 % decrease in CAPS-2 total severity, a > or = 50 % decrease in total HAMD-17 score, and a CGI-I score < 3.