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Biomedical subjects

G Pakesch

Publications and source records attributed to G Pakesch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Alexithymia, obesity, and binge eating disorder.

Eighty-three obese subjects with binge eating disorder (BED) were compared with 99 obese subjects not meeting criteria for BED on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). Overall, the subjects in our sample were not significantly alexithymic, the mean global TAS score being 62.8 (SD = 10.2) which is comparable with the values found in non-patient control samples. Furthermore, the mean TAS scores did not differ between obese subjects with and without BED. However, we found a slightly higher prevalence of alexithymia (TAS total score 74 and above) in BED subjects compared with non-BED subjects (24.1% and 11.1%, respectively). A series of stepwise multiple regression analyses were run, exhibiting a significant relationship between the TAS and educational level and the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) subscales Interpersonal Distrust and Ineffectiveness. Age, body mass index, measures of depression, and eating pathology did not predict TAS scores.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of benzodiazepine utilization in an urban population].

In conjunction with a population survey of the prevalence of hypertension, conducted in Vienna, the consumption of benzodiazepines was investigated. In cooperation with a public opinion survey institute a quota sample of 1470 Viennese aged over 15 years was visited in their homes by 50 physicians trained in interview techniques. The quota sample comprised 0.959% of the population of 1,531,346 inhabitants and was representative in terms of age, sex, social status and area of residence. 5.3% of the probands took Benzodiazepines often, frequently or at least sometimes. Female sex and higher age correlated significantly with Benzodiazepine use, which was furthermore significantly influenced by the presence of psychopathological symptoms and the responder's subjective feeling of being under stress. Co-medication and physical illness were correlated with a higher benzodiazepine use.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Neuropsychological findings and psychiatric symptoms in HIV-1 infected and noninfected drug users.

Reports available on the extent and incidence of cognitive deficits in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) patients are variable. To assess the influence of drug abuse and psychiatric symptoms on the extent of the cognitive deficit, we examined 42 drug-addicted HIV-1 patients and compared them with a group of seronegative drug addicts (n = 31) as well as with a group of healthy controls (n = 50), using a psychometric test battery and standardized psychiatric scales. We found no significant difference in the extent and incidence of cognitive deficits in the group of HIV-1 patients as compared with the seronegative drug addicts. Both groups, however, differed from the normal population group. Remarkable depressive symptoms were found in the HIV-1 infected patient group. We assume that long-term drug abuse contributes markedly to the cognitive deficit of HIV-1 patients, which is further influenced by depressive symptoms.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1992

[Noopsychological changes and psychopathological characteristics of HIV-1 patients of various risk groups].

Reports on neuropsychological assessment and psychopathological symptoms in HIV-1 patients are rather different. The aim of the study was to assess frequency and extent of noopsychic changes and psychopathological symptoms in HIV-1 patients of different risk groups. Of the 77 patients being included in the study 35 patients belonged to risk group 1, 42 to risk group 2. The patient groups were compared to a control-group of healthy volunteers (n = 50) and to a control-group of HIV-negative i.v. drug-addicts (n = 31). The psychometric test battery included Raven and MWT Test, Benton Test, numerical memory Test, ARG Test. Personality variables were assessed by MMPI, Psychopathology by AMDP-System, Hamilton Depression Scale, Wellbeing Scale (von Zerssen), STAI 1 and 2 and BPRS. Patients of risk group 1 showed significantly less impairment of noopsychic performance than patients of risk group 2. Risk group 1 showed only in the Benton Test significant impairment compared to healthy volunteers while risk group 2 in most of the tests was impaired. Risk group 2 did not show impairment compared to the control-group of seronegative drug users. Depressive syndromes mainly in risk group 2 showed a significant influence on the noopsychic performance.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1991

[Efficacy and safety of fluoxetine versus clomipramine in ambulatory patients with a depressive syndrome in a clinical trial with private practitioners].

8 general practitioners and 7 specialists in the field of psychiatry and neurology participated in this study evaluating the results of fluoxetine treatment in outpatients with depression in respect to safety and efficacy. They were familiarized with the requisite instruments by video rater training. The study was designed as a randomised double-blind parallel study involving 139 patients, comparing the effects of a daily dosage of 20 mg fluoxetine, 40 mg fluoxetine and 50 mg clomipramine. The number of patients treated in each group was 45, 46, and 48, respectively and altogether 125 completed the four-week study (five visits). A comparison of overall efficacy ratings showed significant antidepressant efficacy in all three treatment groups. On day 14 of the study (visit 4), patients receiving 40 mg fluoxetine showed significantly (p less than 0.05) better global improvement than patients receiving clomipramine. Treatment was well tolerated by all patients. The frequency of adverse events in response to fluoxetine was lower than under clomipramine treatment. On comparing treatment by psychiatrist and general practitioner no significant differences were found regarding age, sex, number of previous episodes and duration of the recent episode and outcome. Severe depression tended to be treated by psychiatrists; general practitioners prescribed additional medication less frequently.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Prevalence of HIV-1 infection in intravenous drug dependent patients 1986 to 1989 in Vienna].

We report the results of a survey of a total of 553 intravenous drug users (IVDUs) investigated at the drug addiction out-patient unit of the Psychiatric Department of Vienna University for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) using both enzyme-linked immuno sorbent and Western blot assays. HIV-1 antibodies were found 1985/86 in 8.5%, 1986/87 in 14.5%, 1988 in 27.7% and 1989 in 29.7% of IVDUs. The introduction of methadone maintenance in 1987 attracted many IVDUs and increased the number of patients at the out-patient clinic. In 1989 more than 50% of the IVDUs are on methadone maintenance and already 84.5% of the HIV-1 infected drug users are treated with methadone.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1990

Monitoring HIV-1 infection prevalence among intravenous drug users in Vienna 1986-1990.

A standardised method to monitor HIV-1 infection levels and trends among injecting drug users (IDUs) was periodically administered at the drug addiction outpatient ward of the Psychiatric University Clinic of Vienna. A total of 715 injecting drug users were examined. HIV-1 antibodies were found in 8.5% of the IDUs in 1985/86, 14.5% in 1986/87, 27.7% in 1988, 29.7% in 1989 and 26.9% in 1990. Sharing was extensive in infected IDUs. After introduction of methadone maintenance in Austria more than 50% of the IDUs were receiving methadone and, in 1990, 88% of the infected IDUs were treated with methadone.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Electrodermal activity--"psychovegetative resonance" in AIDS patients].

The habituation of the electrodermal reaction (EDR) is one of the most used variables among psychophysiological indicators in investigations in men. In our department a specific computer assisted technique for measuring habituation, mean amplitude, area underneath the line and "emotional reflection" was developed. 15 acoustic stimuli (500 Hz tone at 72 db intensity lasting for 500 msec) are presented to the patient. The habituation criterion is reached when there are no reactions to 3 consecutive stimuli. Since the first reports in 1981 AIDS has become an expanding major public health problem. Therefore the aim of our investigation was to study electrodermal activity in AIDS-patients, especially the habituation of the EDR. 37 addicted AIDS-patients participated in the study voluntarily and were compared to 30 drug addicted HIV-negative patients, 30 homosexual AIDS-patients and 20 healthy normals. Furthermore the patients were divided according to the stages of their disease. The drug addicted AIDS-patient group habituated earlier than the addicted HIV-negative group, the healthy normals, and the homosexual patients. The drug dependent AIDS-patients were more psychovegetatively suppressed. As compared to the healthy normals and addicted HIV-negative patients the homosexual AIDS-patients differed in emotional reflection; they showed a higher degree of excitement, while in drug dependent AIDS-patients a lower emotional reflection was found. Concerning emotional intensity similar results were obtained. Differences in the mean amplitudes reached the level of statistical significance between homosexual AIDS-patients and the healthy normals and addicted HIV-negative patients respectively. Within as well as between both groups differences concerning stage III and IV could be observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1989

[Prevalence of a type A behavior pattern (coronary prone behavior pattern) in the Vienna population].

The prevalence of the coronary-prone behavior pattern and its interaction with psychosocial and primary coronary risk factors was studied in a Viennese population sample consisting of 1459 people (634 men, 825 women). The sample was representative with respect to sex, age greater than 16 years, socio-economic status and local distribution. A questionnaire-based short rating scale developed by Bortner was used. The distribution of the study population on the A-B axis was unimodal (means = 174.95 +/- 40.76). The upper and the lower third of the A-B dimension was designated to represent type A1 and type B4, respectively. The mean Bortner score and rate of type A1 persons clearly decreased at lower (16 to 20 years) and higher ages (greater than 60 years). Within the group of employed subjects aged 21 to 60 years the mean type A score and the rate of A1 subjects for men (177 +/- 39; 6%) differed significantly from that of their female counterparts (188 +/- 39; 13%). Housewives had a mean score of 178 +/- 41 and 10% of them were scored A1, thus indicating significantly lower mean scores than employed females but the same rate of A1. Subjects with higher educational level showed only a tendency to increased type A. The socio-economic status was positively correlated to the global Bortner score, especially in men, but no relation was found to the rate of Type A1 persons. There was no significant correlation between type A score and systolic or diastolic blood pressure, body mass index or smoking behavior, but a significant correlation between type A score and the subjective feeling of overload. Type A subjects scored themselves significantly more often as continuously overload.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[HIV infection in intravenous drug dependent patients--Vienna 1988 results].

The rapid spread of HIV infection among intravenous drug abusers plays an increasing role in the AIDS epidemic. In this context the Austrian government changed politics and introduced a methadone maintenance program 1987, to reach more intravenous drug addicts and to stop intravenous drug abuse of this clients. 119 intravenous drug users were anonymously tested for HIV antibodies between April 18 and May 17, 1988 at the out-patient clinic of the Psychiatric University clinic of Vienna and were examined by means of a standardized questionnaire. The data are discussed in respect of the benefits of a methadone maintenance program to decrease HIV-infection among intravenous drug abusers in Vienna.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

[Cholesterol 87--status of knowledge of the Vienna public].

A representative survey on cholesterol was carried out in June 1987 in Vienna on the basis of a personal interview. 93% of 1471 interviewees knew the term cholesterol, but only 65% knew its meaning. 46% associated it with myocardial infarction, 11% with cardiovascular disease. The cholesterol level had already been measured in 61% of the interviewees; out of these 16% had an elevated value, 68% a normal one; 16% did not know their own cholesterol. 70% were prepared to submit to an annual check up on their cholesterol or at even more frequent intervals. 94% would be willing to undertake counteractive measures in case of elevated cholesterol, 71% to stick to a diet, 56% to alter their lifestyle and 35% even to take medication.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Psychometric and psychophysiologic studies in AIDS patients with reference to the "declining performance syndrome"--level reduction].

It has been reported that the acquired immune deficiency syndrome can present neuropsychiatric symptoms of major depressive disorders, adjustment disorder with depressed mood and organic brain syndromes with affective, delusional and demented features. The aim of the present study was to determine deficits in performance and to measure psychophysiological variables in drug addicted AIDS-patients. 28 drug addicted AIDS-patients and 17 homosexual AIDS-patients participated in the study voluntarily and were compared to healthy normals. 18 patients belonged to stage III, 27 to stage IV. Performance was measured by numerical memory test, Benton test, Alphabetic reaction test and computer-assisted rigidity test. Psychophysiological parameters were evaluated by computer-assisted "static" and "dynamic" pupillometry, computer-assisted measurements of skin conductance-level, -reaction and habituation; and critical flicker frequency analyses. Performance in drug addicted AIDS-patients differed from controls and especially from healthy normals within a minimal range ("Denivellierungssyndrom"--decline of level of performance). No AIDS-dementia could be objectivated. Furthermore drug-dependent AIDS-patients demonstrated autonomous desactivation, reduced pupillary reagibility and suppressed vegetative irritability.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

The prevalence of psychoactive drug intake in a metropolitan population.

Together with a survey conducted among the population of Vienna on the prevalence of hypertension, the consumption of psychotropic substances was investigated. In cooperation with a polling institute a quota-sample of 1,470 Viennese over 15 were visited in their homes by 50 physicians trained in interview techniques. The quota-sample comprised 1,470 people (0.959(0/00) of the population of 1,531,346 inhabitants) and was representative in terms of age, sex, social status, and area of residence. The overall prevalence of psychoactive drug consumption among the inhibitants of Vienna investigated was found to be 6.8%. The female to male ratio was 3.5 to 1. Furthermore, psychoactive drug use increased with age and was influenced by social status, with the highest consumption rate found among divorced women and widows. Using the Goldberg "General Health Questionnaire", data were collected on the presence of psychopathologic symptoms and the responders' subjective feeling of being under stress was elicited. A significant correlation could be shown between these two factors and the use of psychoactive drugs. The type of drugs most frequently used were tranquilizers (4.96%), followed by antidepressants (0.95%) and hypnotics (0.88%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Fractionated opiate withdrawal with tiapride and naloxone, a new treatment approach].

To date, no satisfying solution has been found to the problem of how to avoid the distressing withdrawal symptoms accompanying opiate detoxification. By administering staggered doses of naloxone to the patient while under tiapride (Delpral-R), the various discomforts were satisfactorily reduced and the detoxification syndrome could be limited to 50 hours. This study covers 15 patients who had an average addiction history of more than 7 1/e years, and who underwent inpatient rapid opiate withdrawal treatment lasting an average of five days.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Prevalence of HIV antibodies in intravenous drug-dependent patients 1986 and 1987 in Vienna].

As one of the most important risk groups for HIV infection 82 intravenous drug addicts were tested in December 85/January 86 and 159 in December 86/January 87 for HIV antibody when entering a detoxification programme of our drug addition outpatient clinic. All these drug addicts had used intravenous drugs, mostly opiates. Serum antibodies to HIV were found in 7 (8.5%) of the first sample and in 23 (14.4%) of the second sample. Among seronegative drug addicts a significantly higher use of sterile needles was found than among HIV seropositive drug addicts. Among the seropositive drug abusers a history of intravenous drug abuse outside Austria was found more often than in seronegative drug addicts. The incidence of HIV antibodies in i.v. drug addicts in Vienna appears low in comparison with figures in the Austrian Tyrol (44%), Scotland (33%), Italy (53%) and Switzerland (53%), but similar to England (10%). The low frequency in Vienna could be explained by a significantly higher use of sterile equipment. Furthermore, at the first test period a change in abuse behaviour was found; an increasing number of patients was taking oral opiates exclusively, or reduced intravenous drug intake.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Approaches to the assessment of schizophrenia in Europe.

All definitions of schizophrenia rely more or less on Kraepelin's hypothesis, Bleuler's theory or Schneider's pragmatic criteria. After a discussion on how these assumptions are referred to in classical and operational diagnostic systems in Europe, the results of a survey of 1983 literature are presented to show what kinds of assessments European workers currently employ. Lastly, guidelines are presented to enable psychopharmacological research to make the best use of the diagnostic systems to suit its purposes: essentially, which system or systems (the polydiagnostic approach for example) one should choose depends upon the symptoms the medication to be tested is supposed to treat, keeping in mind that patient sampling varies according to the system in question.

Europe↗