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Biomedical subjects

D Sarantidis

Publications and source records attributed to D Sarantidis.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Neurochemical variables in subjects with adjustment disorder after suicide attempts.

The investigation of biological correlates of suicidal behavior is important for identifying high-risk subjects. The objective of this study was to examine the neurochemical variables' platelet MAO activity and urinary MHPG, 5HIAA and HVA, the main metabolites of noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that are considered to be involved in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior, as well as plasma cortisol, in a group of subjects with adjustment disorder after a suicide attempt. Fifty-three patients, 42 females and 11 males, were included in the study and were compared to a group of 50 healthy controls, 25 females and 25 males. Platelet MAO activity was found to be significantly lower in both male and female patients compared to controls of the same sex (P < 0. 001 for both comparisons). 5HIAA and HVA were not different between patients and controls, but MHPG was significantly higher in the patients group (P = 0.008). Moreover, plasma levels of cortisol were significantly higher in the patients compared to the controls (P < 0. 001). Our results confirm the hypothesis of low platelet MAO activity as a biological characteristic of patients who attempt suicide. They also point to a possible parallel activation of the noradrenergic system.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1998

Platelet MAO activity in patients with dysthymic disorder.

The aim of the present study was to examine possible associations between platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and primary dysthymic disorder. For that purpose we estimated the enzyme activity in 58 patients (15 males and 43 females) selected according to DSM-III-R criteria and in 61 healthy controls (30 males and 31 females). Platelet MAO activities were found significantly lower in the female patients compared to female controls. Moreover, the enzyme activities were found to be even lower in the female patients who had attempted suicide. These differences did not exist in the male population. We could not find any associations of MAO activity to the age of the patients, the age of onset, the duration of dysthymia, or HAM-D and SCL-90R scores. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that platelet MAO activity is a trait-dependent indicator of vulnerability to dysthymic disorder and suicidality in our female population.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Alprazolam and amitriptyline in the treatment of moderate depression.

Forty-three out-patients with depression of a moderate degree were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind parallel group study comparing amitriptyline and alprazolam for 6 weeks of treatment. Patients were evaluated at the end of placebo washout and at Weeks 1, 2, 3 and 6 of drug therapy using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI). Drug dosage was determined in a fixed-flexible design resulting in mean final doses of alprazolam 3.2 mg/day and of amitriptyline 115 mg/day. Although both drug groups improved there were statistically significant differences in favour of amitriptyline at the end of the study on the HAM-D, BDI and HAM-A scales. Patients on amitriptyline reported more side effects overall than patients taking alprazolam with significantly more reports of dry mouth in the amitriptyline group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Treatment of major affective disorder with fluvoxamine.

A placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 63 inpatients with major affective disorder was performed to compare the safety and efficacy of fluvoxamine and imipramine. Results indicate that fluvoxamine and imipramine are superior to placebo and demonstrate a trend toward superiority of fluvoxamine over imipramine. Fluvoxamine was generally well tolerated in most patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

A review and controlled study of cutaneous conditions associated with lithium carbonate.

This study compares the incidence of a variety of cutaneous conditions among 91 patients treated with lithium carbonate with the incidence of such conditions among 44 patients treated with other non-neuroleptic, maintenance medications. Data on cutaneous conditions and allergies were obtained using structured interviews, demographic data, medication histories and personal and family histories. A significantly greater proportion of the lithium-treated patients than the comparison patients reported a cutaneous condition which may have been secondary to treatment in that it developed for the first time after the medication or appeared to have been exacerbated by the medication. Among the lithium-treated patients, females were found to be significantly more likely to report a secondary cutaneous condition. This effect was found across the whole range of cutaneous conditions. Male lithium-treated patients on the other hand reported approximately the same rate of secondary cutaneous conditions as both male and female comparison patients. Possible reasons for this sexual effect on incidence are discussed. The literature on cutaneous conditions which have been associated with lithium therapy is also reviewed.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1982

Determination of the optimal concentration of lithium for the prophylaxis of manic-depressive disorder.

A group of 29 bipolar manic-depressives completed a 12-month double-blind cross-over trial of low-dose and high-dose lithium prophylaxis. Twelve patients relapsed, and significantly more of the relapses occurred during the low-dose 6-month phase of the trial. There was a trend for relapse to occur within 2 months of an abrupt drop in plasma lithium level, and to occur more often in women than in men. The efficacy of low-dose lithium prophylaxis and the significance of rebound relapse are discussed.

Adolescent↗