PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Annette Gjerris

Publications and source records attributed to Annette Gjerris.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

The stability of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire score index over time and the validity compared to classification according to DSM-III-R.

BACKGROUND: In 1984, Rosenthal et al. described a group of patients characterised by repeated winter depression with atypical symptoms eventually followed by summer mania or hypomania (seasonal affective disorder, SAD). The relationship between SAD and the classical manic-depressive disorder is uncertain. The aim of this study was to validate the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) classification in relation to the DSM-III-R criteria of seasonal patterns in a group of patients with bipolar affective disorder and to evaluate the stability of the SPAQ score index over time. METHODS: A group of bipolar patients were followed for 3 years with examinations every third month and at hospitalisation. At inclusion and at each following examination the patients were rated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Newcastle Depression Rating Scale, and the Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Rating Scale. At inclusion and once a year the patients completed the SPAQ. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients agreed to participate and 46 patients completed 1 year or more. Eight patients, all women, had at least one SPAQ score index (SSI) of 11 or more. Women scored significantly higher than men on SPAQ. The test/re-test reliability of SSI between two consecutive years was good, but decreased as the time difference between tests increased. Moreover, we found no relation between seasonal variations of affective episodes according to SSI and DSM-III-R. LIMITATIONS: The group of patients with seasonality according to DSM-III-R or SSI was small. CONCLUSION: The validity of SSI between two consecutive years is good, but decreases as the time difference between tests increases. There is no relationship between seasonality defined by DSM-III-R and SSI. Female bipolar patients show, as the general population, seasonal variations in mood, energy, sociality, appetite, and sleep independently of their affective episodes. SSI cannot be used for the prediction of seasonal variation in a group of bipolar patients.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed2003

Life events and onset of a new phase in bipolar affective disorder.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing focus on the impact of psychosocial factors and stressors on the course of bipolar affective disorder. The life event research has revealed many biases and the results are conflicting. In a prospective study we examined the relationship between life events and affective phases in a group of bipolar patients with a long duration of the disease. METHODS: A group of patients with at least three admissions to hospital for bipolar disorder was followed every 3 months for up to 3 years. At each examination an evaluation of affective phase was made according to the Hamilton Depression Scale, the Newcastle Depression Rating Scale and the Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Rating Scale. Moreover, the patients were rated according to the Paykel Life Events Scale. Their current medical treatment was noted. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (19 men and 37 women) were included in the study. Women experienced a significantly higher number of life events than men. In 21% of the 353 examinations of women, a new phase was preceded by life events whereas this was the case only in 8% of the 152 examinations of men. In 13% of the male examinations the patients were in a manic phase and in 5% in a depressive phase. In 5% of the female examinations the patients were in a manic phase and in 15% in a depressive phase. Half of the women's depressive phases were preceded by life events, but none of the depressive phases of men. The categories of life events preceding the depressive phases presented a significant overweight of somatic ill health and conflicts in the family. CONCLUSION: We found a gender difference in the course of bipolar affective disorder, as women had a significantly higher number of depressive episodes than men and men had a higher number of manic episodes than women. In bipolar patients with long duration of disease a significant number of depressive episodes in women were preceded by negative life events. Somatic health problems and conflicts in the family were significant factors preceding new depressive phases.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Ward atmosphere in acute psychiatric inpatient care: differences and similarities between patient and staff perceptions.

The purpose of the study was to compare patient and staff perceptions of the social climate in a psychiatric department, in order to investigate to what extent the two groups agree in their view of the ward milieu. Ninety-six patients and 66 staff members answered the Ward Atmosphere Scale (WAS) questionnaire, comprising a 100-item "real-form" concerning the ward atmosphere as it is actually perceived and a 100-item "ideal-form" concerning the atmosphere in an imagined "best of all" ward. Staff scores were significantly higher than patient scores on the WAS-R subscales Involvement, Spontaneity, Practical orientation, Personal problems orientation and Program clarity, and on the WAS-I subscales Spontaneity, Practical orientation, and Anger and aggression. Patient scores were significantly higher than staff scores on the WAS-R subscale Staff control and on the WAS-I subscales Support, Autonomy and Staff control. At the same time, the findings showed that the WAS-profiles of the two groups were highly concordant regarding both "realities" and "ideals". In conclusion, patients and staff do to some extent differ in their perception of the social climate in the ward. However, the differences seem to reflect nuances in views rather than fundamental differences in opinion. From an overall point of view, the findings suggest a basic agreement between patients and staff regarding the valuation of the treatment environment as well as the general preferences concerning the ward milieu.

Adult↗