The impact of psoriasis on the quality of life and psychological characteristics of persons suffering from psoriasis.

Psoriasis, as same as other skin diseases, has an influence on many spheres of patient's life. It influences the mental image the patients have of themselves and it indirectly shapes their personality traits as well as it defines the quality of their lives. The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of psoriasis on the quality of life and gender differences in the quality of life and explore presence of neurotic symptoms among persons suffering from psoriasis in comparison to general population.

Neuroimaging techniques in modern forensic psychiatry.

Applied neuroscientific knowledge such as brain neuroimaging has widespread application in the medical diagnostic and treatment areas. Neuroscientific progress such as cognitive neuroscience has strong implications in specific medical fields such as forensic psychiatry. Significant progress in forensic psychiatry has affected the practice of law, in which an understanding of the complex relationship among mind, brain, and behavior is becoming necessary.

Forensic aspects in domestic homicide.

The aim of the study was investigation of specific forensic aspects in offenders involved in domestic homicide cases in regard to sociodemographic and psychosocial variables and modalities of the offense. The research was conducted at the Department of Forensic Psychiatry in Neuropsychiatric Hospital "Dr. Ivan Barbot" in Popovaca, Croatia.

Relationship between comorbidity and violence risk assessment in forensic psychiatry - the implication of neuroimaging studies.

Violence is an important social problem. Violence in the community has important social relevance for the political, criminal justice, and health care systems. Studies of homicide offenders have suggested a high prevalence of neurologic dysfunction due to organic brain damage such as traumatic brain injury, epilepsy and dementia have been observed to exhibit excessive violence.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and its controversies.

Purpose: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare and life threatening condition usually defined as a complication of treatment with antipsychotics characterized by severe rigidity, tremor, fever, altered mental status, autonomic dysfunction, and elevated serum creatine phosphokinase and white blood cell count. The literature on this topic is rather extensive, but many aspects related to the syndrome are thought to be controversial. The aim of this paper, written with the clinician in mind, is to summarize some of the most prominent controversies that may have importance in usual clinical practice.

The role of CYP2D6 and TaqI A polymorphisms in malignant neuroleptic syndrome: two case reports with three episodes.

Malignant neuroleptic syndrome (MNS) is a serious and potentially fatal side-effect of neuroleptic treatment. Beside antipsychotic drugs, other psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants and lithium carbonate can cause this life threatening side-effect. Underlying mechanism of this side-effect is still unknown and debated.

Forensic aspects of alcohol abuse and homicide.

Numerous investigations indicate a close link between violent behavior, homicide (murder) and alcohol intoxication. With increased frequency of drinking and the chronic consummation of alcohol, the risk of the fatal outcome or homicide and victimization caused by violence is more likely to occur. Studies conducted on convicted murderers suggested that about half of them were under the heavy influence of alcohol at the time of perpetration of murder.

Psychiatric comorbidity in forensic psychiatry.

For the past several years a numerous studies in the field of forensic psychiatry confirmed a close relationship between violent offenders and comorbid substance abuse. The comorbid substance abuse in violent offenders was usually unrecognized and misdiagnosed. Furthermore, comorbidity in forensic psychiatry describes the co-occurrence of two or more conditions or psychiatric disorder known in the literature as dual diagnosis and defined by World Health Organization (WHO).

Chromotherapy in the regulation of neurohormonal balance in human brain--complementary application in modern psychiatric treatment.

Chromotherapy is based on the effect of colored light with different frequencies on human neurohormonal pathways, precisely on melatonin and serotonin pathways in brain. There is evidence that visible electromagnetic spectrum of light we see as colors can have impact on human health, Cicardian rhythm or biological clock is complex fundamental physiological and biological cycle in human organism. The biological clock in humans is located in the specialized group of brain cells called suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) within the anterior hypothalamus.

Domestic homicide cases related to schizophrenic offenders.

The goal of this study was identification of highly specific patterns of schizophrenia related domestic homicides by comparing schizophrenic homicide offenders with related domestic homicide group of offenders diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders. This study was based on the comparison of schizophrenic homicide group and other homicide group of offenders on the basis of differences in psychosocial and sociodemographic patterns and the modality of crime. The survey was conducted on mentally insane domestic homicide offenders diagnosed with schizophrenia (n=44) and second group of mentally insane offenders diagnosed with other psychiatric diagnosis (n=43).

Perception of stigmatization in forensic patients with schizophrenia.

Background: The literature about perceived stigmatization of forensic patients with schizophrenia is sparse.

Aims: To examine relations between the perceived stigmatization of forensic patients with schizophrenia and the intensity of the symptoms, age, regular home visiting, kind of offence, perceived family support and duration of hospitalization.

Method: Sixty-two male forensic patients with schizophrenia were included.

A different hypothesis on hyponatremia in psychiatric patients: treatment implications and experiences.

Polydipsia, chronic or intermittent, with or without hyponatremia, frequently occurs among chronic patients with schizophrenia. The pathogenesis of polydipsia remains poorly understood. The key assumption of our hypothesis is that in some of these patients, polydipsia and hyponatremia are consequences of patients' adjustment to a prolonged intake of an insufficient diet, dominantly poor in potassium.

Religiosity and schizophrenia.

We focus on the relationships between schizophrenia and religiosity, on the basis of the review of literature and the data of an ongoing study about religiousness and personality, and religious coping conducted among outpatients with schizophrenia. Religion may be part of the psychopathology, but some of its dimensions may be protective from the negative effects of the illness. Religion may be relevant for the treatment of people with schizophrenia in that it may help to reduce pathology, to enhance coping and to foster recovery.

Treatment of generalized tardive dystonia with clozapine.

Tardive dystonia is a syndrome of sustained muscle contractions, frequently causing twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures, associated with prolonged exposure to antipsychotics. We report a case of a 35-year-old patient with schizophrenia who developed a generalized form of tardive dystonia after switching of clozapine to risperidone treatment that persisted after switch to olanzapine and during the period while treatment with an antipsychotic was discontinued. It was successfully managed with reintroduction of clozapine.

Forensic psychiatric evaluation of persons with posttraumatic stress disorder undergoing criminal trial.

The aim of our study was to determine if there is a difference between the type of crime committed by persons diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and that committed by other offenders. The study included 389 male patients at the Department of Forensic Psychiatry in Popovaca who underwent forensic psychiatric evaluation to establish a psychiatric diagnosis, evaluate the mental capacity, and provide advice on further treatment. The data on the number of individuals with PTSD vs.

Successful treatment of polydipsia, water intoxication, and delusional jealousy in an alcohol dependent patient with clozapine.

The beneficial effect of clozapine on polydipsia and water intoxication in patients with schizophrenia has been demonstrated many times. The authors report a successful clozapine treatment of polydipsia, intermittent water intoxication, and delusional jealousy of an alcoholic. This is a rare case of clozapine treatment of a non-schizophrenic patient affected by polydipsia.

Importance of oral glucose tolerance test in patient with schizophrenia.

We describe the case of a 39-year-old patient with schizophrenia who developed worsening of glucose metabolism during treatment with two different atypical antipsychotics, clozapine and quetiapine. Diabetes mellitus was recognized during clozapine treatment. During quetiapine treatment, while patient was taking diabetic diet, fasting and 1-hour glucose levels and body mass index, decreased, but 2-hour glucose levels increased.

Religiosity and health outcomes: review of literature.

Research into a connection between religiosity and health was neglected in scientific circles until recently. However, the interest in interactions between religiosity and mental and physical health has started to grow lately. A large proportion of published empirical data suggest that religious commitment shows positive associations with better mental and physical health outcomes.

Religiosity, depression and pain in patients with breast cancer.

There is a growing body of evidence that religiosity can buffer depression and support the healing process. Our objective was to assess the relationship between religiosity, depression and pain in patients with breast cancer. Participants in our study were 115 breast cancer female patients recruited from a radiotherapy unit of a cancer teaching hospital, surveyed during the course of 6 months.

Depression, anxiety and pain in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

The aim of this study was to assess relations among depression, anxiety and pain in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Pain was measured with the visual analogue scale (VAS), and depression and anxiety with depression and anxiety subscales from the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSC-C). Pain perception was significantly correlated with depression scores.

An open-label series using loratadine for the treatment of sexual dysfunction associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Objective: To assess the impact of loratadine as an add-on treatment of erectile dysfunctions associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Methods: Nine patients diagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD), with erectile dysfunction associated with the administration of SSRIs, completed a 2-week trial of loratadine in the dose of 10 mg/day. The International Index of Erectile Function Five (IIEF-5) was used as an assessment measure for diagnosing the presence and severity of erectile dysfunction.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and clozapine withdrawal at the same time?

The authors report a case of a patient, who in a few days after an abrupt discontinuation of clozapine and haloperidol developed agitated and confused state resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) and clozapine withdrawal symptoms at the same time. Data obtained from family members led to gradual reintroduction of clozapine and to subsequent recovery. The case illustrates the importance for clinicians to be familiar with the variety of discontinuation symptoms, so they can recognize them and offer effective treatment.

Usage of diagnostic questionnaire for depressive patients versus center for epidemiologic studies of depression scale in breast cancer patients.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the agreement and differences between Diagnostic Questionnaire for Depressive Patients according to 10th revision of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

Methods: Participants were 115 breast cancer female patients recruited in specialised cancer hospital radiotherapy unit. Depression was measured with CES-D, 20-item self-report scale designed to measure depressive symptoms in community.