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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: A selective intensified prevention (SIP) was introduced at individual schools in deprived areas in Marburg County (Germany) in 1995. The outcome of the program was evaluated in sixth graders (mean age: 12.06 years) in comparison to a control region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Caries experience was recorded by applying International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II criteria. Tooth brushing habits and other independent variables were examined psychometrically. To compare the mean caries scores, non parametric tests were applied. The influence of various independent variables on caries experience was assessed by stepwise backward logistic regression analysis. The matching criteria age, gender, ethnicity and maternal education were used to parallelize the samples. RESULTS: ICDAS scores of 2-6 were detected uniformly more often in the control region than in the test group. Combining ICDAS scores 3-6, children from the control region (mean D(3-6)MFT: 1.73) showed roughly double the caries experience compared to the test group (mean D(3-6)MFT: 0.88, p < 0.005). The D(5,6)MFT score of the test group amounted to 0.50, and the corresponding value of the reference group was 0.77 (p = 0.043). Multivariate analysis disclosed fissure sealants, early start of tooth brushing and topical fluoride application to be associated with the prevention of dental caries. High frequency of sugar intake was associated with the presence of dentine lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study confirm the positive effect of SIP on the dental health of 12-year-old pupils living in deprived areas. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of ICDAS II, targeted preventive measures can be applied in children with increased caries risk. Frequent applications of fluoride varnish inhibit the progression of initial lesions in this group.
Clinical Oral Investigations 12/2012; · 2.36 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: When the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II) was introduced, a two-number coding system that identifies restorations/sealants with the first digit and scores the caries lesions with a second digit was suggested. The aim of this study was, first, to assess the intra- and interexaminer reproducibility of this method applied by predoctoral dental students and, second, to evaluate the influence of an additional theoretical training session on the reproducibility values. Twenty-four third-year dental students at Philipps University of Marburg, Germany, were trained in a theoretical session by an experienced examiner. The students were randomly divided into two groups to examine extracted teeth. The assessments were repeated after three weeks. Prior to the second examinations, one group received an additional theoretical training session. For the restoration code, mean kappa values for intra- and interexaminer reproducibility were between 0.28 and 0.82. For the caries code, mean kappa values for intra- and interexaminer reproducibility were between 0.34 and 0.72. The mean kappa values of the two groups did not differ significantly, either on the first digit or on the caries code (p>0.05).
Journal of dental education 12/2012; 76(12):1657-66. · 0.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study was designed to identify items of the ADI-R that allow an early and sensitive identification of children with possible Asperger syndrome (AS). The aim was to obtain an economic short interview suitable for screening purposes. The study was based on data from a clinical sample of 5-18-year-old children and adolescents (mean age 10.9years) with either Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; n=43) or AS (n=62). The introductory questions and 36 items, which contribute to the diagnostic algorithm of the ADI-R, were subjected to content analysis and stepwise discriminant function analysis. Eight meaningful items were found, which were shown to be good predictors of AS and to discriminate between the children with AS and those with ADHD. The short interview was especially useful for the assessment and screening of children up to 11years in our sample, because in this subgroup, sensitivity was even higher (.92) and specificity was also excellent (.90). Eight items with high discriminatory power allowed sensitive and economic screening for young children with suspected AS.
Research in developmental disabilities 10/2012; 34(1):640-649. · 4.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The Marburg Heart Score (MHS) aims to assist GPs in safely ruling out coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients presenting with chest pain, and to guide management decisions.
To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the MHS in an independent sample and to evaluate the generalisability to new patients.
Cross-sectional diagnostic study with delayed-type reference standard in general practice in Hesse, Germany.
Fifty-six German GPs recruited 844 males and females aged ≥ 35 years, presenting between July 2009 and February 2010 with chest pain. Baseline data included the items of the MHS. Data on the subsequent course of chest pain, investigations, hospitalisations, and medication were collected over 6 months and were reviewed by an independent expert panel. CHD was the reference condition. Measures of diagnostic accuracy included the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and predictive values.
The AUC was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80 to 0.88). For a cut-off value of 3, the MHS showed a sensitivity of 89.1% (95% CI = 81.1% to 94.0%), a specificity of 63.5% (95% CI = 60.0% to 66.9%), a positive predictive value of 23.3% (95% CI = 19.2% to 28.0%), and a negative predictive value of 97.9% (95% CI = 96.2% to 98.9%).
Considering the diagnostic accuracy of the MHS, its generalisability, and ease of application, its use in clinical practice is recommended.
British Journal of General Practice 06/2012; 62(599):e415-21. · 1.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was firstly to assess inter- and intra- examiner reproducibility and accuracy in the detection of occlusal caries in extracted human teeth using the newly developed fluorescence-based camera VistaCam iX and secondly to compare the performance to the established fluorescence device VistaProof. The occlusal surfaces of 101 teeth were assessed. The distribution of the lesions were characterized first visually using ICDAS-II (consensus score). The investigation sites were assessed by two examiners with different levels of experience in cariology (one experienced dentist, one final-year dental student) by both fluorescence-based cameras VistaCam iX (FC1) and VistaProof (FC2). The teeth were hemisectioned and assessed for lesion depth. Intra-class-correlation coefficients for inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility were 0.88-0.97 (FC1) and 0.82-0.98 (FC2), respectively. There was significant positive correlation (r (s), p < 0.01) between all methods (ICDAS-II, fluorescence, and histological examinations: 0.63-0.89) and between FC1 and FC2 (r (s) 0.85-0.90), respectively. Areas under the ROC curves (AUC) were 0.87-0.92 (D(1) and D(3) diagnostic threshold, FC1) and 0.91-0.96 (FC2). There were no significant differences between the AUC of both fluorescence cameras (p values > 0.05). Both fluorescence cameras demonstrated high reproducibility and good performance for the detection of occlusal caries at various stages of the disease process. The novice and the experienced examiner were able to apply both systems for detection of lesions. The in vitro performance of both devices was comparable to each other, although there was a tendency of a better performance for the FC2. Thus, within the limitations of an in vitro study, measurements with the FC2 can be continued by the new fluorescence camera (FC1) and data formerly assessed can be compared without significant loss of information.
Lasers in Medical Science 03/2012; · 2.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Aim. To use visual inspection (ICDAS-II), laser fluorescence (LF), fluorescence based camera (FC) and radiographic examination (BW) for detection of caries and for treatment decision. Methods. The occlusal sites of 84 extracted permanent teeth were examined using all methods and treatment decisions (preventive or operative care) were recorded based on each method independently. For validation of the findings, fissures were opened with rotating instruments and clinical depth was determined as gold standard. Correlations (r(s)), sensitivity, specificity and AUC were calculated. McNemar test was used to show whether different methods led to significant changes in treatment decisions. Results. Highest correlation was found between ICDAS-II and FC (r(s) 0.84), ICDAS-II and gold standard (0.82) and FC and gold standard (0.81). ICDAS-II provided the highest performance (AUC 1.0), followed by FC (0.95) and LF (0.88). The greatest difference was found for treatment planning of dentine lesions, where the use of FC (cut-offs according to the literature) had the greatest agreement between operative treatment and dentine lesions, followed by use of ICDAS-II. Conclusion. ICDAS-II may have high potential for detection and treatment planning, and other devices, especially the fluorescence camera, can add substantial information to the visual examination, enabling examiners plan treatment more accurately.
International Journal of Dentistry 01/2012; 2012:371595.
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ABSTRACT: To assess the prevalence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) in a county in Northern Hesse and to correlate this parameter to various independent variables. Additionally to investigate the relationship between preventive measures and the socioeconomic status (SES).
In spring 2006, 1,082 preschool children were examined. According to WHO-criteria d(3+4)mft scores were recorded. Information about eating habits and preventive measures were collected by structured questionnaires. To compare the mean caries scores and preventive measures of various subgroups, non-parametric tests were performed. Variables associated with caries were included in a binary stepwise backward logistic regression analysis.
The mean d(3+4)mft score amounted to 1.88. Children with high SES had significantly less caries than children with low SES. Significant positive and negative associations of feeding practices and preventive measures to d(3+4)mft scores were observed. Differences between feeding practices and preventive measures were dependent on SES.
Long-term use of baby bottles at night is the most important factor of ECC. Differences in feeding practices and preventive measures in the various SES groups are evident but not that significant as supposed.
International Journal of Public Health 09/2011; 57(1):207-15. · 2.54 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is a semi-structured, standardized assessment designed for use in diagnostic evaluation of individuals with suspected autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The ADOS has been effective in categorizing children who definitely have autism or not, but has lower specificity and sometimes sensitivity for distinguishing children with milder ASDs. Revised ADOS algorithms have been recently developed. The goals of this study were to analyze the predictive validity of different ADOS algorithms for module 3, in particular for high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. The participants were 252 children and adolescents aged between four and 16 years, with a full-scale IQ above 70 (126 with a diagnosis of ASD, 126 with a heterogeneous non-spectrum diagnosis). As a main finding, sensitivity was substantially higher for the newly developed 'revised algorithm', both for autism versus non-spectrum, as well as for the broader ASD versus non-spectrum, using the higher cut-off. The strength of the original algorithm lies in its positive predictive power, while the revised algorithm shows weaknesses in specificity for non-autism ASD. As the ADOS is valid and reliable even for higher functioning ASD, the findings of the present study have been used to make recommendations regarding the best use of ADOS algorithms in a high-functioning sample.
Autism 05/2011; · 2.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Objective To examine the psychometric properties of the German version of the 'observing patient involvement' scale (OPTION) by analysing video recordings of primary care consultations dealing with counselling in cardiovascular prevention. Design Cross-sectional assessment of physician-patient interaction by two rater pairs and two experts in shared decision making (SDM). Setting Primary care. Participants Fifteen general practitioners provided 40 videographed consultations. Measurements Video ratings using the OPTION instrument. Results Mean differences on item level between the four raters were quite large. Most items were skewed towards minimal levels of shared decision making. Measures of inter-rater association showed low to moderate associations on item level and high associations on total score level. Cronbach-α of the whole scale based on the data of all four raters is 0.90 and therefore on a high level. An oblique factor analysis revealed two factors, but both factors were highly correlated so we can confirm a one-dimensional structure of the instrument. ROC analyses between the rater total scores and dichotomized expert ratings (SDM yes/no) revealed a good discriminability of the OPTION total score. Physicians with more expertise in shared decision making received higher OPTION ratings. Conclusions The German version of the OPTION scale is reliable at total score level. Some items need further revision in the direction of more concrete, observable behaviour. We were only able to perform a quasi-validation of the scale. Validity issues need further research efforts.
Health expectations: an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy 04/2011; · 1.80 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) are both associated with deficits in executive control and with problems in social contexts. This study analyses the variables inhibitory control and theory of mind (ToM), including a developmental aspect in the case of the latter, to differentiate between the disorders. Participants with an ASD (N = 86), an ADHD (N = 84) and with both disorders (N = 52) in the age range of 5-22 years were compared. Results were differences in inhibitory control (ADHD < ASD) and in the ToM performance among younger (ASD < ADHD) but not among older children. We discuss whether common deficits in ToM differ in the developmental course.
Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia 03/2011; 41(12):1718-26. · 3.06 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility and accuracy in the detection and assessment of occlusal caries in extracted human teeth using the newly developed fluorescence based camera VistaProof. Serial sectioning and microscopy are considered the gold standard. The occlusal surfaces of 53 teeth (99 investigation sites) were examined by two examiners with different levels of experience in cariology (one experienced dentist, one final-year dental student) and the VistaProof. Thereafter, the teeth were serially sectioned and assessed for lesion depth. The intraclass correlation coefficients for inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility for the fluorescence-based examinations were 0.76-0.95. There was a significant correlation between the fluorescence and histological examinations for both examiners (r (s) = 0.47 and 0.55, P < 0.01). At the D₁ diagnostic threshold (enamel and dentin lesions), sensitivity was 0.71-0.86 and specificity was between 0.32 and 0.76 at different cutoff values. At the D₃ diagnostic threshold (dentin lesions), sensitivity was 0.04-0.91 and specificity was 0.56-0.99 for both examiners. When the areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves were compared, there was no significant difference in the performance between the examiners (P = 0.52 at the D₁ threshold, P = 0.81 at the D₃ threshold). The VistaProof demonstrated high reproducibility and good diagnostic performance for the detection of occlusal caries at various stages of the disease process. Novice and experienced examiners were able to apply this system as a supportive device for caries diagnostic and monitoring purposes. Sensitivity and specificity values varied depending on the cutoff values.
Odontology 01/2011; 99(1):55-61. · 1.22 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Carious lesions can occur at different sites on the occlusal surfaces of teeth and may differ in appearance and severity. This study aimed to evaluate how scoring several lesions on occlusal surfaces, as opposed to only one representative lesion, affects estimates of reproducibility and accuracy of fluorescence-based devices. Thirty-six permanent teeth with 2-3 investigation sites (n = 82) were examined by two examiners using the laser fluorescence device DIAGNOdent pen (LF) and the fluorescence camera VistaProof (FC). Lesion depth was then assessed histologically in serial sections of the teeth. Intra-class-correlation coefficients (ICC) and areas under the ROC-curves were calculated for all investigation sites and for one randomly selected site per tooth. Comparing the reproducibility and the performance for the whole sample and the independent sites showed only a small effect or no effect. Measuring multiple sites on teeth with fluorescence devices only moderately influences performance compared to one site being investigated.
Lasers in Medical Science 01/2011; 27(2):343-52. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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Stefan Bösner,
Jörg Haasenritter,
Annette Becker,
Konstantinos Karatolios,
Paul Vaucher,
Baris Gencer,
Lilli Herzig, Monika Heinzel-Gutenbrunner,
Juergen R Schaefer,
Maren Abu Hani,
Heidi Keller,
Andreas C Sönnichsen,
Erika Baum,
Norbert Donner-Banzhoff
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ABSTRACT: Chest pain can be caused by various conditions, with life-threatening cardiac disease being of greatest concern. Prediction scores to rule out coronary artery disease have been developed for use in emergency settings. We developed and validated a simple prediction rule for use in primary care.
We conducted a cross-sectional diagnostic study in 74 primary care practices in Germany. Primary care physicians recruited all consecutive patients who presented with chest pain (n = 1249) and recorded symptoms and findings for each patient (derivation cohort). An independent expert panel reviewed follow-up data obtained at six weeks and six months on symptoms, investigations, hospital admissions and medications to determine the presence or absence of coronary artery disease. Adjusted odds ratios of relevant variables were used to develop a prediction rule. We calculated measures of diagnostic accuracy for different cut-off values for the prediction scores using data derived from another prospective primary care study (validation cohort).
The prediction rule contained five determinants (age/sex, known vascular disease, patient assumes pain is of cardiac origin, pain is worse during exercise, and pain is not reproducible by palpation), with the score ranging from 0 to 5 points. The area under the curve (receiver operating characteristic curve) was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-0.91) for the derivation cohort and 0.90 (95% CI 0.87-0.93) for the validation cohort. The best overall discrimination was with a cut-off value of 3 (positive result 3-5 points; negative result <or= 2 points), which had a sensitivity of 87.1% (95% CI 79.9%-94.2%) and a specificity of 80.8% (77.6%-83.9%).
The prediction rule for coronary artery disease in primary care proved to be robust in the validation cohort. It can help to rule out coronary artery disease in patients presenting with chest pain in primary care.
Canadian Medical Association Journal 09/2010; 182(12):1295-300. · 8.22 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: There is an ongoing debate whether a differentiation of autistic subtypes, especially between Asperger Syndrome (AS) and high-functioning-autism (HFA) is possible and if so, whether it is a categorical or dimensional one. The aim of this study was to examine the possible clustering of responses in different symptom domains without making any assumption concerning diagnostic appreciation. About 140 children and adolescents, incorporating 52 with a diagnosis of AS, 44 with HFA, 8 with atypical autism and 36 with other diagnoses, were examined. Our study does not support the thesis that autistic disorders are discrete phenotypes. On the contrary, it provides evidence that e.g. AS and autism are not qualitatively distinct disorders, but rather different quantitative manifestations of the same disorder.
Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia 08/2010; 40(8):921-9. · 3.06 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Data concerning the effectiveness of naturalistic treatments (treatment-as-usual) in child and adolescent psychiatric (CAP) services are scarce. The purpose of this prospective observational study was to examine the effectiveness of CAP treatments in a naturalistic outpatient setting. Three hundred six patients (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, n=94; conduct disorder, CD, n=57; anxiety disorder, AD, n=53; depressive disorder, DD, n=38; other diagnostic categories, n=64), from nine child and adolescent psychiatric practices in Germany, were evaluated. Treatment effects were compared between patients who received frequent treatment and patients who only participated in diagnostics and short interventions. Since randomization was not feasible, propensity score analysis methods were used. Regarding the total sample, no significant treatment effects were found. However, a subgroup analysis of the four most frequent disorders (ADHD, CD, AD, DD) showed small to moderate treatment effects in patients with ADHD and AD. In CD and DD subgroups, no significant treatment effects could be found. "Real-world" CAP outpatient treatment seems to produce significant effects for ADHD and AD, but not for CD and DD. Compared to efficacy studies, our results show that naturalistic treatment might be better than expected.
World psychiatry: official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) 06/2010; 9(2):111-7. · 6.23 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate a laser fluorescence device (the DIAGNOdent) and a visual classification system (ICDAS-II) for occlusal caries diagnosis. It also aimed to determine whether fluorescence measurements taken at the tooth surface correlate with the fluorescence measurements taken within the body of the lesion. The occlusal surfaces of 100 extracted permanent teeth were examined using ICDAS-II and DIAGNOdent (LF-tooth). Serial sections were made and lesion depth was assessed histologically. DIAGNOdent readings were also taken from the sections (LF-section). There were significant positive strong correlations between ICDAS-II and histology (r(S) = 0.71) and LF-section and histology (r(S) = 0.70), and only moderate correlations between LF-tooth and histology (r(S) = 0.51) and LF-tooth and LF-section (r(S) = 0.60). Diagnostic accuracy for ICDAS-II was generally better than for LF-tooth. While the DIAGNOdent device provides an objective reading for detection and monitoring of carious lesions, using the cut-off ranges previously suggested leads to inferior performance.
Lasers in Medical Science 03/2010; 26(2):171-8. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Histology is frequently used as a gold standard to validate caries detection devices. Poor assessment consistency could lead to apparent changes in diagnostic accuracy. In multi-center, multi-examiner studies electronic transfer of information would be convenient, provided there is no deteriation in quality. This study tested the hypothesis that examiner reproducibility in the assessment of caries lesion depth when viewing photographic images of histological sections on a computer monitor, is comparable with viewing the same sections under a microscope using two histological classification systems.
166 investigation sites (96 teeth) were selected for visual examination (ICDAS-II) and sections made using a novel technique which reduced risk of section damage and allowed accurate allocation of section to each investigation site. Digital images of the sections were produced and four examiners viewed the sections under a microscope and on a separate occasion corresponding digital images on a computer monitor. Presence and extent of caries was scored according to two histological classification systems (Downer, ERK).
The inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility for both histological classification systems and both examination techniques was substantial to almost perfect (weighted kappa=0.63-0.90). Comparing the kappa values between microscopy and viewing digital images, there was no effect or only a small effect between both examination techniques (effect size 0.00-0.28). There was also a strong relationship between the two viewing techniques (r(s)=0.748-0.844).
Viewing digital images of tooth sections produces results comparable to viewing images directly under a microscope and therefore has potential benefits for multi-centre studies.
Journal of Dentistry 02/2009; 37(3):204-11. · 2.95 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Carious lesions can occur at different sites on the occlusal surfaces of teeth and may differ in appearance and severity. This study aimed to evaluate how estimates of reproducibility and accuracy of ICDAS-II were affected when all lesions on occlusal surfaces, or only a representative lesion, were scored. 100 permanent teeth with 1-4 investigation sites on the occlusal surface were examined visually by four examiners. Serial sections of the teeth were assessed for lesion depth. Intra- and interexaminer reproducibility (weighted kappa values), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated for all investigation sites and for a randomly selected site per tooth. Comparing the kappa values for the whole sample and the independent sites, no effect or only a small effect was found. Comparing the areas under the ROC-curves no effect could be shown. Examining multiple sites on teeth leads to results comparable to when a single independent site is chosen per tooth.
International Journal of Dentistry 01/2009; 2009:798283.
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ABSTRACT: To explore the impact of premorbid and baseline body mass indices (BMIs) as well as BMI of patient's parents and associated variables on the prediction of antipsychotic-induced body weight gain.
Retrospective/cross-sectional data of 65 patients receiving clozapine, olanzapine and/or risperidone were assessed according to a systematic categorization of the long-term (7.3+/-9.2 years) weight course and evaluated using descriptive, explorative correlation and regression analyses.
Increased values of parents' BMI (p=0.041) and patients' BMI at premorbid stage (p=0.039) and prior to first antipsychotic treatment (p=0.032) as well as female gender (p=0.012), younger age (p=0.005) and non-smoking (p=0.047) have the most predictive value on body weight gain under antipsychotic treatment including pre-treatment with typical antipsychotics. Weight gain under atypical antipsychotics (pre-treatment excluded) is predicted by an increased premorbid BMI (p=0.019). Conversely, a low BMI prior to first antipsychotic treatment predicts a higher acceleration of BMI change (p=0.008) in vulnerable individuals, but not total BMI change itself. Furthermore, a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder showed a trend towards the prediction of an increased atypical DeltaBMI (p=0.067), possibly due to a longer treatment duration with atypical antipsychotics (p<0.001).
The study indicates increased parents' BMI and patients' premorbid BMI, female gender, younger age and - as a trend - the diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder to be predictors for antipsychotic-induced body weight gain involving atypical antipsychotics. Data contribute to the assumption of a strong impact of predispositional factors on weight gain, besides treatment-related factors.
Journal of Psychiatric Research 12/2008; 43(6):620-6. · 4.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Aripiprazole is a fairly new atypical antipsychotic substance. It acts as a partial D2- and 5-HT1A-agonist and as a 5-HT2A-antagonist. To date, there are few data concerning the dose-serum concentration relationship in children and adolescent psychiatric patients. Also, there are only few data on the influence of age, sex, body mass index, smoking behavior, and comedication on aripiprazole serum concentrations. In 33 consecutively admitted patients of a child and adolescent psychiatric hospital [age (mean +/- standard deviation) 18.7 +/- 1.7 years (range, 13.5-21.6 years)], 117 steady-state serum concentrations (repeated samples from individuals) of aripiprazole and its metabolite dehydroaripiprazole were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The aripiprazole (mean +/- standard deviation) daily dose was 12.9 +/- 6.4 mg (range, 5-30 mg); the aripiprazole serum concentration was 142.0 +/- 122.7 ng/mL (range, 40.0-648.3 ng/mL; interquartile range, 74.0-167.0 ng/mL). The mean dehydroaripiprazole serum concentration was 51.6 +/- 22.3 ng/mL (range, 30.0-111.6 ng/mL; interquartile range, 34.3-62.1 ng/mL). There was a positive correlation between oral dose and serum concentrations of aripiprazole (r = 0.548, P = 0.001) and dehydroaripiprazole (r = 0.740, P < 0.0005). Aripiprazole serum concentrations showed high inter- and intraindividual variability. Intraindividual variability was one- to 9.3-fold (dehydroaripiprazole: one- to 8.6-fold) and maximum interindividual variability 6.4-fold (dehydroaripiprazole: 6.8-fold). No significant influence was detected for age, sex, body mass index, comedication, and smoking on concentration-to-dose aripiprazole serum concentrations. Further studies are required to obtain data on the relationship between serum concentrations and resulting clinical effects.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring 08/2008; 30(4):462-6. · 2.49 Impact Factor
