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Publications (47) View all
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Article: Assessment of posttraumatic symptoms in patients with first-episode psychosis.
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ABSTRACT: Posttraumatic stress disorder is common among patients with psychotic disorders. The present study examined the internal reliability and comparability of the Impact of Event Scale (IES) in a sample of 38 patients with first-episode psychosis and 47 controls exposed to severe physical and/or sexual abuse. The IES total score and both subscales showed high internal consistency in both groups (Cronbach's alpha coefficients of approximately 0.9 or higher). Given their equivalent trauma reporting, the lack of differences in IES scores between patients and controls seems to indicate that patients are likely to report accurately and neither exaggerate nor minimize their posttraumatic symptoms. Overall, the findings suggest that the IES can be used to assess symptoms of posttraumatic stress in patients with psychotic disorders as in other populations.The Journal of nervous and mental disease 11/2011; 199(11):896-8. · 1.77 Impact Factor -
Article: Childhood trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in patients with psychosis: clinical challenges and emerging treatments.
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ABSTRACT: To review the current literature on childhood trauma and emerging treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), one of its most prevalent consequences, in patients with psychotic disorders. Of patients with psychosis, 40-50% report either childhood sexual abuse or childhood physical abuse, and 11-46% fulfil a diagnosis of PTSD. About one-third of patients report childhood emotional abuse in the absence of other forms of childhood trauma. More robust evidence is mounting to support the role of childhood trauma in the aetiology of psychosis, but more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms. Patients with a history of childhood trauma and/or PTSD have a more severe clinical profile compared with those without these experiences, worse overall functioning, and lower remission rates. Research suggests that instruments assessing childhood trauma and PTSD developed for the general population are also appropriate for use among people with psychosis, and trauma-focussed treatments can be used safely and effectively in this group. Childhood trauma and its consequences are highly prevalent among patients with psychosis and severely affect the course and outcome. Treatment approaches appropriate for this population need to be further evaluated and implemented into routine practice.Current opinion in psychiatry 09/2011; 24(6):514-8. · 3.57 Impact Factor -
Article: Dissociative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia: relationships with childhood trauma and psychotic symptoms.
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ABSTRACT: This study sought to examine the stability of dissociative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders as well as relationships between psychotic symptoms, childhood trauma, and dissociation. One hundred forty-five patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (72% schizophrenia, 67% men) were examined at admission to inpatient treatment and 3 weeks later using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Dissociative symptoms significantly decreased over time (mean, 19.2 vs 14.1; P < .001). The best predictor of dissociative symptoms at admission was the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale positive subscale (F(inc)(3,64) = 3.66, P = .017), whereas childhood sexual abuse best predicted dissociation when patients were stabilized (F(inc)(10,80) = 2.00, P = .044). Dissociative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders are related to childhood trauma. Dissociation seems to be state dependent in this diagnostic group. Moreover, diagnostic interviews, in addition to the Dissociative Experiences Scale, should be considered to avoid measurement artifacts.Comprehensive psychiatry 07/2011; 53(4):364-71. · 2.08 Impact Factor -
Article: Physical and mental health in severe opioid-dependent patients within a randomized controlled maintenance treatment trial.
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate physical and mental health and compare treatment outcomes in opiate-dependent patients substituted either with heroin or methadone. Twelve-month open-label randomized controlled trial. Out-patient substitution clinics in seven German cities. A total of 1015 opiate-dependent individuals. Opiate Treatment Index-Health Scale Score (OTI), Body Mass Index (BMI), serology for infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, C and human immunodeficiency virus as well as tuberculosis, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL-90-R), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Modular System for Quality of Life and study medication-related serious adverse events (SAE). Improvements were found in both heroin and methadone substituted patients regarding OTI, BMI, KPS, SCL-90-R, and GAF, but they were more pronounced for the heroin group (analysis of variance, all P = 0.000). The frequency of pathological echocardiograms decreased in the heroin group and increased in the methadone group (χ(2) test, <0.05). Markers for infectious diseases and frequencies of pathological ECGs did not differ between baseline and 12 months, or between treatment groups. Study medication-related serious adverse events, all of which were treated successfully, occurred 2.5 times more often in the heroin group. The majority of heroin-related SAEs (41 of 58) occurred within a few minutes of the injections. The integration of severe injection drug users either in methadone or heroin-assisted maintenance treatment has positive effects on most physical and mental change-sensitive variables, with heroin showing superior results. Due to medication-related adverse events, patients should be observed for 15 minutes after a heroin injection.Addiction 04/2011; 106(9):1647-55. · 4.31 Impact Factor -
Article: Attitudes of patients with schizophrenia and depression to psychiatric research: a study in seven European countries.
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ABSTRACT: Relatively few studies have examined how patients with schizophrenia and depression view psychiatric research and what influences their readiness to participate. A total of 763 patients (48% schizophrenia, 52% depression) from 7 European countries were examined using a specifically designed self-report questionnaire ["Hamburg Attitudes to Psychiatric Research Questionnaire" (HAPRQ)]. Most patients (98%) approved of psychiatric research, in general, at least "a little". There was a tendency to approve psychosocial rather than biological research topics (e.g. research on the role of the family by 91% of patients compared to 79% in genetics). Reasons to participate were mainly altruistic. Only a minority (28%) considered monetary incentives important. Patients wanted extensive background information and a feedback of the results; both were significantly more expressed by schizophrenia as compared to depressive patients, although these findings need to be interpreted with care because of age and gender differences between the diagnostic groups. While patients expressed discerning views of psychiatric research, only few differences were apparent between the two diagnostic groups. Patients' research priorities are not the same as those of many professionals and funding bodies. Their demonstrated critical appraisal should inform future research ensuring an increased patient role in the research process.Social Psychiatry 02/2011; 46(2):159-65. · 2.05 Impact Factor
