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Georg Kemmler

Publications and source records attributed to Georg Kemmler.

60 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Attitudes of patients with schizophrenia toward placebo-controlled clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that the efficacy of antipsychotic treatment in patients with schizophrenia has been demonstrated in numerous double-blind studies, placebo-controlled studies are still commonly performed. Although much is known about the opinions of professionals concerning this issue, so far nothing is known about the opinions of patients who are most affected by the realization of placebo-controlled clinical trials. METHOD: In a cross-sectional study from June 2000 to January 2001, 100 inpatients and outpatients with ICD-10 schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder were investigated by using a questionnaire specifically developed to survey patients' attitudes concerning possible participation in placebo-controlled clinical trials. Psychopathology and side effects were physician-rated. RESULTS: 56% of patients would not be willing to participate in a placebo-controlled clinical trial. On the other hand, only about 16% of the patients are against clinical trials in principle. Gender, treatment, severity of psychopathology (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), adverse events (UKU Side Effect Rating Scale), and attitude toward medication (Drug Attitude Inventory) had no statistically significant influence on the decision. Most of the patients (76%) stated that they would not lose trust in their physician if asked to participate in a placebo-controlled clinical trial. CONCLUSION: The opinions and fears of patients who are most affected by the debate need to be considered when deciding whether a placebo-controlled clinical trial is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Olanzapine induces insulin resistance: results from a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare glucose metabolism in patients with schizophrenia receiving olanzapine with that in control subjects. METHOD: We conducted a prospective, controlled, open study comparing body weight, fat mass, and indices of insulin resistance/ sensitivity in 10 olanzapine-treated patients with ICD-10 schizophrenia (olanzapine dose range, 7.5-20 mg/day) with those of a group of 10 mentally and physically healthy volunteers. Weight, fat mass, and indices of insulin resistance/sensitivity were assessed over individual 8-week observation periods from November 1997 to October 1999. RESULTS: Fasting serum glucose and fasting serum insulin increased significantly in the olanzapine-treated patients (p =.008 for glucose and p =.006 for insulin). The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index for beta cell function did not change significantly in the olanzapine-treated patients, whereas the HOMA index for insulin resistance did increase (p =.006). In the control group, these parameters were stable. A significant increase in body weight (p =.001) and body fat (p =.004) was seen in patients treated with olanzapine, while the control group showed no significant changes. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the disturbances in glucose homeostasis during antipsychotic treatment with olanzapine are mainly due to insulin resistance. However, beta cell function remains unaltered in olanzapine-treated patients. We conclude that treatment with some second-generation antipsychotic drugs may lead to insulin resistance.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Attitudes toward antipsychotics among outpatient clinic attendees with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with schizophrenia who regularly attended an outpatient clinic to examine the impact of psychopathology, side effects, and sociodemographic factors on attitudes toward antipsychotics. METHOD: Sixty patients with a schizophrenic disorder according to ICD-10 criteria who had a duration of illness over 1 year and whose discharge from an inpatient unit had been at least 6 weeks earlier were investigated. Apart from the registration of demographic data, various rating scales were used: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the St. Hans Rating Scale for Extrapyramidal Syndromes, the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale, and the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI). RESULTS: Generally, the aspects describing a positive attitude toward antipsychotics on the DAI received a higher degree of assent than those characterizing a negative drug attitude. However, employment status correlated with a poorer global medication attitude on the DAI, and positive symptoms and sedation correlated with greater negative feelings on the DAI subjective negative feelings subscale. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that special attention should be paid to patients who experience positive symptoms or sedation and to those with relative absence of symptoms, who are therefore tempted to stop taking medication.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychiatric hospitalizations during the last 12 months before suicide.

OBJECTIVES: Suicide victims frequently have had contact with the mental health care system before they died. In this study, the rates, numbers and lengths of psychiatric hospitalizations of suicide victims during the last year before their suicide commission were assessed. METHODS: The quarterly and monthly hospitalization rates during the last 12 months of 665 individuals who committed suicide were compared. RESULTS: Of the suicide victims, 16.4% had been hospitalized at least once. The period after a recent discharge bore the highest risk for suicide commission, with 4.7% (28.4% of those hospitalized) committing suicide within 1 week after their discharge and 7.8% (47.7%) committing suicide within 1 month. Hospitalization rates were significantly higher in the last 3 months as compared with the preceding quarters. CONCLUSION: Increasing utilization of inpatient treatment facilities should prompt a particularly profound suicide risk assessment and postdischarge treatment planning.

Female↗