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Biomedical subjects

A Shiber

Publications and source records attributed to A Shiber.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Female sexual dysfunction (FSD)].

Recent research suggests that a large number of women are dissatisfied with their sexual life due to sexual dysfunction. The accepted definitions of female sexual dysfunction are based on the human sexual response cycle described by Masters and Johnson and later elaborated by Kaplan. Their work formed the basis for the diagnostic systems of both the ICD-10 and DSM IV. Female sexual dysfunction may appear as lack of sexual desire, sexual pain, and arousal or orgasmic dysfunction. Although these problems are very common in women and more common than in males, for many years this field of interest was neglected both scientifically and clinically. In the past, only psychological and sexological forms of therapy were suggested. It is now better understood that, as in many other areas, the junction between the body and the mind, is responsible for many sex problems in women. Furthermore, multi professional team work is needed to treat these problems in order to enhance better quality of life for individuals and couples. This editorial calls for better education and research in this important field.

Female↗
PubMed1998

[Comparison between every-day and every-3-days fluoxetine in young, moderately depressed out-patients].

Fluoxetine is now a well-known and often-used specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and antidepressant. It has a very long active half-life, from 2-16 days. Our hypothesis was that sufficient therapeutic effectiveness would be achieved by prescribing the drug less frequently than once a day. To establish whether there is a difference between fluoxetine given daily or every 3 days, we assigned 25 outpatients with mild to moderate, acute major depressions (DSM-IV) to receive fluoxetine (20 mg), either each day or every 3 days. The study was open-labelled, using for assessment the HAM-D, GHQ-28 side-effect checklist and clinical judgment questionnaires. Follow-up lasted 6 months. Results indicated no differences in the clinical outcomes, except for slightly fewer side-effects in the study group. Although the open label design limits drawing definitive conclusions, our preliminary results provide more information, and support our hypothesis that low-dosage fluoxetine is beneficial. However, more comprehensive, double-blind studies are necessary to confirm our preliminary results.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Capgras' syndrome].

We present 3 cases of Capgras' syndrome-a delusional disorder in which the patient believes that 1 (or more) of his acquaintances has been replaced by an imposter who appears as a double. 2 were schizophrenics and 1 had depression with psychotic features. This syndrome is rare in our practice, but we do not know if this is due to lack of awareness of the condition, or to the possibility that it is a culture-related syndrome. We suggest that although the syndrome has lost some of it's significance, it is still worth making the diagnosis because of the medical and psychological implications this condition carries.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Sexual abuse in children: determination, identification and interventions].

Sexual and psychological abuse of children has drawn increasing attention from both the media and therapeutic institutions in recent years. This phenomenon has been amply determined to be widespread. 62% of children are victims of broadly defined psychological, physical and sexual abuse. Using stricter criteria, child abuse occurs in 6%. Most abusers are male relatives. The psychological model of the abuser cannot be determined, although risk factors in families in which abuse occurs can be identified. Children in distress due to sexual abuse do not usually report it, but the distress can be recognized because of hints and changes in the child's behavior. When children are identified as victims of sexual abuse, the welfare clerk or social worker should be informed immediately and the need for treatment determined. The purpose of this paper is to increase awareness of physicians, and particularly family physicians, of this phenomenon and of its frequency, as well as of the necessity for their interaction with treating factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume of psychiatric patients].

It has been observed clinically that the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of erythrocytes is increased in psychiatric patients, but this phenomenon has not been investigated. We therefore compared the MCV of 177 patients in our psychiatric day care ward and in our psychiatric outpatient clinic. The MCV of these psychiatric patients, and especially that of the outpatients, were significantly greater than that of normal controls. No association was found between MCV and sociodemographic or clinical variables. The sensitivity of a high MCV level as a diagnostic for folic acid deficiency was 42.9%, with a specificity of 80.6%. The sensitivity of a high MCV level as a diagnostic for vitamin B12 deficiency was 23.1%, with a specificity of 79.4%.

Erythrocyte Indices↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in three primary-care clinics in Beersheba, Israel. Concurrent assessment by the General Health Questionnaire, General Practitioners, and Research Diagnostic Criteria.

The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) had identified fully 69% of 776 respondents who attended 12 primary-care clinics as "probable cases" of psychiatric disorders, whereas the general practitioners (GPs) involved had thought only 31% had psychological problems. To investigate more accurately the prevalence of psychiatric disorders we examined 112 of the original sample with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Life-time version and found only 15% to have had a Research Diagnostic Criteria disorder at the time of the initial study. Raising the GHQ threshold to 15/16 improved specificity and positive predictive value, and improved GPs' case-finding modestly. These respondents either suffered from high rates of subclinical distress or readily report subjective distress in the clinic, or both.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Detection of emotional problems in the primary care clinic.

Emotional problems are an important component of general morbidity in primary care settings. Research on the sensitivity of primary care physicians to such problems is, however, scanty. This study examines the prevalence of emotional problems among 776 patients in primary care clinics in Israel using the GHQ-28 and as detected by their physicians. Hypotheses were tested relating to physician and practice characteristics and the extent to which they affect the matching of the two methods of problem identification. Using the GHQ, 69% of the patients were classified as 'cases'; physicians identified 31% of the patients as 'cases'. Specialist status in family medicine, interest and belief in the importance of emotional health, good communication, a low patient load and familiarity with the patient all predicted a better match of physician classification to GHQ-defined 'caseness'. The implications of these findings for ongoing medical education are briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Psychiatric approach to problems of pain].

The problem of pain is presented from a liaison-psychiatric point of view. Pain is a frequent symptom of medical illness but may also be a manifestation of a psychiatric disorder or a psychological condition, as in the somatization of affect. Pain is not only a symptom but also a set of behaviors, an expression of personality traits, and a personal way of coping. Hence pain as such affects the patient's interaction with his environment, including the medical staff. Psychiatric approaches to treating pain include explorative and supportive psychotherapy, behavioral and cognitive therapy, hypnosis, relaxation, biofeedback and group therapy. 4 cases are presented which demonstrate the physician's understanding of the patient's psychological condition, the combined treatment of the pain problem and related limitations and applications.

Adult↗