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Biomedical subjects

C G Watson

Publications and source records attributed to C G Watson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

The comparative concurrent validities of the Shipley Institute of Living Scale and the Henmon-Nelson Tests of Mental Ability.

This study compared the abilities of the Shipley Institute of Living Scale and the Henmon-Nelson Tests of Mental Ability to predict Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) scores in psychiatric hospital patients. The Henmon-Nelson DIQs accounted for about 50% more WAIS-R Verbal and Full Scale IQ variance than did the Shipley IQs, apparently because of their higher correlations with the Information, Vocabulary, and, perhaps, Similarities subtests. Because Henmon-Nelson scores were more variable and generally higher than their WAIS-R counterparts, statistical adjustments were needed to optimize Wechsler IQ estimates. Therefore, regression formulae and a conversion table for the estimation of WAIS-R Full Scale IQs from Henmon-Nelson and Shipley intelligence scores also are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Do computer-administered Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventories underestimate booklet-based scores?

We ran meta-analyses that compared the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scale scores produced in 770 booklet and 762 computer administrations described by nine studies. While most of the differences were small, the computer-based scores significantly underestimated their booklet counterparts on 8 of the 13 scales. The average underestimate was about three-quarters of a T-score point and accounted for around 4% of the reliable variance. These findings suggest that separate norms and profile sheets for computer-administered MMPIs might be helpful.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The PTSD interview: rationale, description, reliability, and concurrent validity of a DSM-III-based technique.

This paper describes the PTSD Interview (PTSD-I). It was developed to meet four specifications: (a) close correspondence to DSM-III standards; (b) binary present/absent and continuous severity/frequency outputs on each symptom and the entire syndrome; (c) administrable by trained subprofessionals; and (d) substantial reliability and validity. It was written to meet the first three criteria. It demonstrated very high internal consistency (alpha = .92) and test-retest reliability (Total score r = .95; diagnostic agreement = 87%). It correlated strongly with parallel DIS criteria (Total score vs. DIS diagnosis rbis = .94, sensitivity = .89, specificity = .94, overall hit rate = .92, and kappa = .84). Earlier studies revealed correlations with a military stress scale and Keane et al.'s MMPI PTSD subscale. It is apparently the only PTSD instrument that meets all of the above criteria.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A factor analysis of the DSM-III post-traumatic stress disorder criteria.

The authors factor analyzed DSM-III-based post-traumatic stress disorder symptom ratings made on 131 Vietnam-veteran PTSD patients. Five factors--termed Intrusive Thoughts and Their Effects, Increased Arousal, Impoverished Relationships, Guilt, and Cognitive Interference--emerged. The factor structure gave more support to Laufer, Brett and Gallops' conceptualization of PTSD than to the Horowitz, DSM-III, or DSM-III-R systems. It also generated suggestions for future editions of the diagnostic manual.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Pneumocystis carinii infection presenting as necrotizing thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.

Extrapulmonary Pneumocystis infection has been increasingly reported in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), in particular, recently in association with the increasing use of aerosolized pentamidine. This report describes the unusual presentation of extrapulmonary Pneumocystis infection as a thyroid neck mass and clinical hypothyroidism in a 37-year-old man with hemophilia and AIDS. This case differs from the previously reported single case of isolated thyroid pneumocystosis in the presence of a rapidly enlarging neck mass, lack of previous Pneumocystis, and prior prophylaxis with aerosolized pentamidine. The pathologic and electron microscopic description of the peculiar flocculent necrotic thyroid material is contrasted with typical pulmonary alveolar findings in Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), the differential diagnoses of a rapidly expanding neck mass, and diagnostic difficulties of hypothyroidism in patients with AIDS are discussed. Finally, it is emphasized that use of aerosolized pentamidine, although successful for prevention of pulmonary PCP, may be insufficient to prevent extrapulmonary infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Poorly differentiated ('insular') thyroid carcinoma. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

The clinical, histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic findings of two cases of poorly differentiated ("insular") thyroid carcinoma are reported and compared with the 25 cases previously described in the literature. These 27 cases occurred in eight men and 19 women, aged from 34 to 77 years. All but 2 presented with a thyroid mass. Eleven (41%) of the 27 patients experienced local recurrences following surgery, 17 (63%) had development of cervical lymph node metastases, 5 (19%) had development of mediastinal lymph node metastases, 11 (41%) had pulmonary metastases, and 9 (33%) had bone metastases, and 9 (33%) had bone metastases. At least 15 patients (56%) are known to have died of their disease, usually within 8 years of diagnosis. Pathologically, the tumors are distinctive and grow as solid islands (insulae) of small cells separated by artifactually created clefts. In some instances, small follicles are also noted within the insulae. All tumors were positive on immunostaining for thyroglobulin. In view of the propensity for local recurrences and lymphatic and hematogenous dissemination, a total thyroidectomy and neck dissection would seem advisable. Additionally, adjuvant external beam irradiation, systemic chemotherapy, and/or radioactive iodine therapy should also be considered.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

A factor analysis of Ellis' irrational beliefs.

In an effort to identify, organize, and operationally define the philosophies that underlie Albert Ellis' self-defeating beliefs, the authors factored an 11-item irrational-values self-report instrument given to 190 psychiatric patients. Four factors emerged and were named to reflect the contents of their items--"I need to control a dangerous world," "Self-assertion is painful," "I need affirmation," and "I lack control over my fate."

Humans↗
PubMed1990

The construct validity of an aftereffect-based subtyping system for alcoholics.

In an earlier project, we identified five alcohol-consumption aftereffect factors, which were named Hangover, Euphoria, Flushing, Seizures, and Sleepiness. In this study (N = 100) we assessed the construct validities of the five, using 47 MMPI, self-report, and recidivism criteria. The number of significant relationships between the factors and the criteria substantially exceeded chance. The Hangover factor related to social maladjustment and to the MMPI Psychopathic Deviate, Paranoia, Psychasthenia, Hypomania, and Masculinity-Femininity scales. The Euphoria factor was associated with a high number of job losses, but a low incidence of certain physical sequelae. The Flushing factor was associated with high consumption, late development of alcoholism, many physical complaints, and older age. The Seizure factor correlated with high consumption, facial puffiness, tremors, and lack of defensiveness on the MMPI. The Sleepiness factor was associated with a good prognosis and several mild MMPI elevations. These findings suggest that the factors may provide the basis for a useful alcoholism subtyping system and that additional research on them should prove fruitful.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

What does the Keane et al. PTSD scale for the MMPI measure?

The correlations of the Keane, Malloy, and Fairbank (1984) MMPI PTSD scale with DSM-III-based post-traumatic stress disorder symptom, section, and factor score ratings, and with combat history, were studied to determine what aspects of the disturbance it measures (N = 61). The scale's correlations with the various symptom criteria were both substantial and strikingly consistent. However, its relationships with trauma history measures were modest and frequently nonsignificant. The data suggest that the scale is a moderately strong measure of the various PTSD symptoms, but is related only weakly to trauma history.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Schizophrenic birth seasonality and the age-incidence artifact.

Lewis (1989) dismisses a large number of articles in which schizophrenic winter birthrate excesses have been reported as the result of either design problems or the age-incidence artifact. We review about 20 studies in which the effects of age incidence have been controlled in one way or another. The majority support the conclusion that the seasonality effect is due neither to artifact nor deficient research design. We also correct two significant errors in Lewis' description of our prior work.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The contributions of self-defeating philosophies, perceived helplessness, and repression to anxiety among psychiatric patients.

Four of the most influential psychological explanations for the development of anxiety attribute it to (1) repressed awareness of undesirable emotions; (2) the emergence of unacceptable feelings from the unconscious; (3) adherence to irrational, self-defeating philosophies; and (4) perceived helplessness/lack of control over one's affairs. To test these theories, the authors administered the Trait Anxiety, Denial, Irrational Beliefs, and Locus of Control scales to 190 psychiatric inpatients. Appropriate zero-order, attenuation-corrected, multiple, and partial correlations were run. Denial was correlated negatively with Trait Anxiety; this is consistent with the view that awareness of unpleasant emotions generates anxiety, but does not support the claim that it is the result of repression. The correlations of Trait Anxiety with the Irrational Beliefs scale were substantial. However, its relationships with Locus of Control were limited and nonsignificant after the effects of the Denial and Irrational Beliefs scales were removed statistically. The findings lend support to the positions that anxiety results from self-defeating philosophies and/or the emergence of unpleasant thoughts about oneself, but give only modest support to the "perceived helplessness" hypothesis and seem to contradict the "excessive repression" explanation.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1989

Childhood stress disorder behaviors in veterans who do and do not develop posttraumatic stress disorder.

The purpose of this study was to test a variation of the stress-evaporation theory, which maintains that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are simply exacerbations of behaviors present before the trauma. Retrospective childhood self-ratings were made by 63 PTSD patients, 53 psychiatric controls, and 28 normals on 13 PTSD-like symptoms. The results did not support the hypothesis, and they give more support to the residual-stress model than to the stress-evaporation theory.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The comparative recidivism rates of voluntary- and coerced-admission male alcoholics.

The outcomes of inpatient alcoholics who reported that they had been coerced into treatment by commitment or pressure from others were compared in a follow-up study to those of alcoholics who described themselves as voluntary admissions. Ten assessments of control over drinking, number of drinking days in the past week, and intoxication since previous appraisal were made by collaterals between 2 weeks and 18 months after treatment. Even though the data were analyzed in several ways, the number of significant differences did not exceed chance expectations. This suggests that the prognoses of alcoholics who present for treatment under court order or interpersonal pressure were not substantially different from those of men who claim to have entered without coercion. However, the differences between the groups' Control over Drinking ratings, even though not statistically significant, consistently favored the coerced admissions, which raises the possibility that their outcomes may have been slightly better than those of the voluntary admissions.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The relationships of post-traumatic stress disorder to adolescent illegal activities, drinking, and employment.

The authors compared the self-reported incidences of adolescent legal problems, drinking, employment, and church attendance in psychiatric patients (N = 116) with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and normals (N = 28). The differences did not exceed chance expectations. The data raise doubts about the validity of the theory that PTSD is at least partially a result of pre-traumatic personality maladjustment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Perceptual distraction in schizophrenia.

The purpose of this project was to determine whether a distractibility deficit at the stimulus-identification level could be identified in schizophrenics after distractor and non-distractor conditions had been matched for difficulty (N = 110). Process schizophrenics, reactive schizophrenics, and psychiatric controls were asked to identify tachistoscopically presented stimuli shown with and without distractors. The distractor and non-distractor tasks were matched for difficulty beforehand by manipulating presentation intervals. The schizophrenics did not show more deficit under the distractor conditions than did the nonschizophrenic patients. Moreover, compared to psychiatric controls, the schizophrenics' performances were no more deficient under distractor conditions than under non-distractor conditions, even before the tasks were matched for difficulty. These findings suggest that perceptual distractibility at the stimulus identification level is no more pronounced in schizophrenics than in nonschizophrenics, especially after difficulty is controlled.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Differences between posttraumatic stress disorder patients with delayed and undelayed onsets.

In an effort to determine whether they differ from one another in important ways, the authors compared posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) victims who reported delayed onsets with those who claimed undelayed onsets of PTSD symptom self-ratings, MMPI clinical and validity scale scores, stress histories, and repression measures. The number and the sizes of the differences did not exceed chance expectations and did not support the establishment of separate delayed- and undelayed-onset PTSD categories in the diagnostic manual, nor did they support the hypotheses that the delay, when it appears, is attributable to the magnitude of the trauma, the severity of the symptoms, repression, or a limited stress history.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Radioimmunoimaging of metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland using an indium-111-labeled monoclonal antibody to CEA.

Elevated levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or calcitonin after surgical therapy for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland (MCT) indicate the presence of residual or metastatic disease. CEA elevations appear to be prognostically more reliable in patients with metastatic disease and suggest a more virulent tumor. Attempts to stage the disease with use of conventional imaging techniques are usually inadequate, as is the therapy for disseminated or recurrent MCT. An indium-111-labeled anti-CEA monoclonal antibody (ZCE-025) was used to image metastases in a patient with MCT. Potential applications of monoclonal antibody technology in the management of MCT would include (1) preoperative differentiation of unicentric from multicentric thyroid gland involvement, (2) detection of regional or distant metastases or both, (3) measurement of response to systemic therapy, and (4) the facilitation of radionuclide immunoconjugate therapy.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗