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Biomedical subjects

J Alpert

Publications and source records attributed to J Alpert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Factors associated with chronic depressive episodes: a preliminary report from the STAR-D project.

OBJECTIVE: To identify baseline sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with a current chronic major depressive episode (MDE). METHOD: Outpatients with major depressive disorder enrolled in 41 US primary or psychiatric care sites were divided into two groups based on self-report of current episode length (<24 or > or =24 months). Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with chronicity of current depressive episode. RESULTS: About 21.2% of 1380 subjects were in current, chronic MDEs. Older age, less education, lower income, no private insurance, unemployment, greater general medical illness burden, lower physical quality of life, concurrent generalized anxiety disorder, fewer prior episodes, and history of prior suicide attempts were all associated with chronic episodes. Blacks, Hispanics, and patients receiving care in primary as opposed to psychiatric care settings exhibited greater chronicity. CONCLUSION: Chronic depressive episodes are common and are associated with greater illness burden, comorbidity, socioeconomic disadvantage, and racial/ethnic minority status.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The potential relationship between levels of perceived stress and subtypes of major depressive disorder (MDD).

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to explore whether major depressive disorder (MDD) subtypes (melancholic depression, atypical depression, double depression, and MDD with anger attacks) were related to levels of perceived stress, as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). METHOD: Our sample [n = 298; female = 163 (55%); mean age 40.1 +/- 10.5 years] consisted of out-patients with MDD. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Anger Attack Questionnaire, and the PSS were administered prior to initiating treatment. RESULTS: Depressed women had significantly higher levels of perceived stress (P = 0.02) than depressed men. Greater severity of depression at baseline was significantly related to higher levels of perceived stress (P < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, gender, and severity of depression at baseline, higher levels of perceived stress were significantly related to the presence of anger attacks (P < 0.0001; t = -4.103) as well as to atypical depression (P = 0.0013; t = 3.26). CONCLUSION: Out-patients with MDD who are more irritable and/or present with atypical features have higher levels of perceived stress, indicating a potential reactive component to their depression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Clinical and sociodemographic predictors of response to augmentation, or dose increase among depressed outpatients resistant to fluoxetine 20 mg/day.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with major depressive disorder often show only partial or no response to antidepressants, necessitating next-step interventions such as dose increase or augmentation. Factors moderating response to these next-step interventions are not well-studied. METHOD: In this randomized, double-blind investigation of next-step treatments in 101 outpatients who failed to respond to fluoxetine 20 mg for 8 weeks, the impact of depressive course and sociodemographic factors on likelihood of treatment response following dose increase or lithium or desipramine augmentation was examined. RESULTS: After controlling for depression severity at baseline, current marriage and earlier onset of depression were associated with greater likelihood of response in a logistic regression. Intervention strategy was not predictive of response. CONCLUSION: Marital status and earlier onset of depression may be clinically useful in predicting outcome following any next-step intervention for treatment resistance, rather than with particular strategies.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Strengthening clinical effectiveness trials: equipoise-stratified randomization.

As psychiatric practice patterns evolve to take advantage of the growing list of treatments with proven efficacy, research studies with broader aims will become increasingly important. Randomized trials may need to accommodate multiple treatment options. In completely randomized designs, patients are assigned at random to one of the options, requiring that patients and clinicians find each of the options acceptable. In "clinician's choice" designs, patients are randomized to a small number of broad strategies and the choice of specific option within the broad strategy is left up to the clinician. The clinician's choice design permits some scope to patient and clinician preferences, but sacrifices the ability to make randomization-based comparisons of specific options. We describe a new approach, which we call the "equipoise stratified" design, that merges the advantages and avoids the disadvantages of the other two designs for clinical trials. The three designs are contrasted, using the National Institute of Mental Health Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression trial as an example.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMed1998

Signal transduction by platelet adenylate cyclase: alterations in depressed patients may reflect impairment in the coordinated integration of cellular signals (coincidence detection).

BACKGROUND: Adenylate cyclase (AC) responds to distinct but coincident signals from the agonist-stimulated G-protein Gs and the inhibitory G-protein Gi by generating a greater output signal-to-noise ratio--i.e., agonist-stimulated to basal ratio (fold-stimulation)--through coincidence detection than that generated by a single input (Gs) alone. Such coincidence detection by murine brain AC was found to be enhanced during chronic antidepressant treatment with imipramine. METHODS: We examined and compared the basal, agonist-stimulated, and guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) or AlF4 ion postreceptor-stimulated AC activities in mononuclear leukocytes and platelets from the same blood specimens obtained from depressed patients (n = 27) and control subjects (n = 19). RESULTS: In all subjects, the differences (delta GTP gamma S or delta AlF4) between postreceptor measures of AC in mononuclear leukocytes (where AC is regulated by Gs but not by Gi) and platelets (where AC is regulated by both Gs and Gi) were highly significant. In controls, the relationships between delta GTP gamma S or delta AlF4 and basal, agonist-stimulated, and the fold-stimulation of agonist-stimulated platelet AC resembled the regulation of AC by Gi in model-membrane systems. Comparable relationships between delta GTP gamma S or delta AlF4 and basal, agonist-stimulated, and the fold-stimulation of agonist-stimulated platelet AC activities were not observed in depressed patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in controls, platelet AC enzyme activity is determined (in part) by the coordinated integration of signals from Gs and Gi through coincidence detection, while such coincidence detection by platelet AC may be impaired in patients with depressive disorders.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1997

Emergence of adverse events following discontinuation of treatment with extended-release venlafaxine.

OBJECTIVE: The rate of adverse events following discontinuation of treatment with extended-release venlafaxine was compared with the rate associated with discontinuation of placebo administration. METHOD: The subjects were 20 outpatients with major depressive disorder who had participated in a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of the new extended-release formulation of venlafaxine. RESULTS: During the 3 days after discontinuation of treatment with the study drug, seven (78%) of the nine venlafaxine-treated subjects and two (22%) of the nine placebo-treated patients reported the emergence of adverse events, a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that clinicians discontinuing venlafaxine treatment should consider tapering the medication dose gradually.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Gender differences in Axis I comorbidity among depressed outpatients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess gender differences in Axis I comorbidity in patients with a primary diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), as well as gender differences in age of onset of MDD. METHODS: The presence of MDD, including age of onset, and of comorbid Axis I disorders were assessed in 396 depressed outpatients. RESULTS: Women were significantly more likely than men to meet criteria for comorbid bulimia nervosa and for simple phobia, while men were significantly more likely than women to meet criteria for lifetime history of alcohol abuse/dependence and other substance abuse/dependence. No other significant gender differences in those comorbid Axis I disorders examined were observed. In addition, the age of onset of the first episode of MDD was significantly lower in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with those of previous studies showing a greater prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse and dependence in men and of eating disorders in women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Fluoxetine treatment of anger attacks: a replication study.

"Anger attacks" are outbursts of anger which are accompanied by intense autonomic arousal and are clearly inappropriate to the situation in which they occur. The Anger Attacks Questionnaire, designed to assess these attacks, was administered to 164 consecutive patients (78 men and 86 women; mean age, 40.5 +/- 11.0 years) diagnosed as having major depression with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. These patients were treated openly with fluoxetine, 20 mg/day for 8 weeks, and the prevalence of anger attacks was assessed before and after treatment. At baseline, 64 (39%) (26 men and 38 women) of these patients reported having anger attacks according to our criteria. Forty-one (64%) of the 64 depressed patients with anger attacks at baseline did not report anger attacks following fluoxetine treatment, while 7 (7%) of the 100 patients who did not have anger attacks at baseline reported these attacks following treatment, with this difference being statistically significant (chi 2 = 22.7, p < .0005).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Patterns of improvement in depressive symptoms with fluoxetine treatment.

By definition, patients who respond to antidepressant treatment show significant improvements in most, if not all, of their depressive symptoms. We assessed the patterns of change in depressed outpatients treated openly with fluoxetine 20 mg/day for 8 weeks. We studied 62 depressed outpatients with major depressive disorder who showed full response following fluoxetine treatment. Analysis of the data revealed that the symptoms that tended to improve relatively early during treatment were suicidal ideation, excessive guilt, and lack of appetite. Our tentative conclusion from this pilot study was that symptom improvement tends to occur in both cognitive and neurovegetative areas early in treatment as well as later.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Pulmonary artery hypertension in severe aortic stenosis: incidence and mechanism.

We investigated the incidence and mechanism of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) in a consecutive series of patients with aortic stenosis who were undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Forty-five patients with severe aortic stenosis were divided into two groups: group 1 comprised 13 patients (29%) with PAH (pulmonary artery systolic pressure > 50 mm Hg); group 2 comprised 32 patients (71%) without PAH. Group 1 patients had a higher incidence of congestive heart failure, a lower left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac index, and more mitral regurgitation as compared with group 2 patients. Of the 13 group 1 patients, 8 had a transpulmonary gradient (pulmonary artery mean pressure--pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) > or = 10 mm Hg, consistent with reactive PAH. We conclude that PAH frequently accompanies aortic stenosis and is often reactive.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Defining the role of subtotal colectomy in the treatment of carcinoma of the colon.

Seventy-two patients with colon cancer were treated by primary subtotal colectomy, including 23 patients with acute and subacute left colon obstruction. There were two operative deaths and no cases of disabling diarrhea. One death occurred in the group with colon obstruction. Other indications for subtotal colectomy included multiple polyps associated with the primary tumor (32), synchronous carcinomas (15), a previous transverse colostomy for obstruction (8), associated severe sigmoid diverticular disease (2), age less than 50 years with a positive family history (3), adherence of the sigmoid loop to a cecal tumor (2), and metachronous carcinoma (2). There were multiple indications in several patients. Subtotal colectomy has a defined role in a wide variety of clinical settings associated with colon cancer, including management of obstruction of the left and sigmoid colon, particularly if the proximal colon cannot be evaluated before operation by colonoscopy or barium enema. Segmental or regional colonic resections are appropriate if the entire colon can be evaluated before operation and no associated neoplasms are revealed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cementless total knee arthroplasty in patients over 65 years old.

Many factors influence the decision to implant a knee prosthesis with or without cement. Implant retrieval studies have demonstrated that bone ingrowth into porous-coated devices is possible even in older age groups. Early clinical follow-up observations suggest that cementless total knee arthroplasty can be successful in patients over 65 years of age, and need not be reserved for younger patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Treatment of acute vascular occlusions with intra-arterial urokinase.

This study reviewed 57 patients with 71 vascular occlusions treated with urokinase from 1985 to 1988. Of these patients, 89% were candidates for urgent surgery. Total clot lysis was achieved in 73% of cases. The success rate rose with increasing experience (p less than 0.05), and recent occlusions had more favorable outcomes than older ones (p less than 0.05). The length and type of occluded conduit (graft or vessel), age, sex, other medical conditions, and concurrent use of heparin had no influence on success. Of 18 cases successfully lysed and not subjected to any adjunctive therapy directed at the cause of occlusion, 9 (50%) reoccluded within 1 to 88 days (mean: 25 days). Cases successfully treated with thrombolysis and surgery or dilation of the causative stenosis had poor 1-year patencies: 17%, 20%, and 55% for vein grafts, prosthetic grafts, and native arteries, respectively. With additional urokinase treatments, surgical operations, and percutaneous procedures, 1-year patencies were 22%, 45%, and 65%, respectively.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

The value of preliminary traction in the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip.

In forty-one children who had forty-seven congenitally dislocated hips, the results of attempted closed reduction with general anesthesia, but without preliminary traction, were studied. Twenty (43 per cent) of the hips could not be reduced closed, and an open reduction was needed. After the reduction, all of the involved hips were immobilized in the so-called human position (marked flexion and slight abduction). At a minimum follow-up of two years, osteonecrosis of the femoral head had developed in only two hips (4 per cent). Patients who were more than one year old when the hip was reduced had a higher incidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head and were more likely to need reconstructive procedures later. Patients who were more than eighteen months old at the time of the attempted closed reduction were more likely to need an open reduction of the hip. Treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip in young children remains an extremely complex problem. It has not been clearly established that the use of preliminary traction decreases the incidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head or improves the outcome of treatment. In our experience, uncomplicated (non-teratological, postnatal) congenital dislocation of the hip has been safely treated with either open or closed reduction without preliminary traction in patients who were younger than two years old, provided that the reduction could be obtained without excessive force.

Female↗
PubMed1987

Femorofemoral grafts for lower limb ischemia caused by intra-aortic balloon pump.

From January 1975 to December 1985, 1454 patients had an intra-aortic balloon inserted for cardiac assistance. Eighty balloon-dependent patients had severe limb ischemia and required a femorofemoral graft (FFG) (5% of the total group of patients). Twenty-nine of the 80 patients with grafts (or 36%) left the hospital and 28 were followed up for an average of 40 months to determine late complications associated with the crossover grafts. All grafts remained patent. The 28 patients were classified into five groups according to the degree and type of lower limb ischemia. Group I consisted of 13 asymptomatic patients (46%); group II had four (14%) patients with mild claudication caused by preexisting peripheral arteriosclerosis; group III comprised four patients (14%) without preexisting disease but claudication subsequent to the FFG; group IV had five patients with irreversible ischemic sequelae before grafting ending in amputation, foot drop, or persistent paresthesia; and group V consisted of two patients with graft infection (7%). The perioperative mortality rate of the balloon-dependent patients with an FFG (64%) reflects the gravity of the cardiac condition. Placement of an FFG to relieve limb ischemia in these patients is followed by few immediate or late complications in the survivors and any persistent limb changes were related to the prolonged ischemia present before revascularization. Our data suggest that in balloon-dependent patients with limb-threatening ischemia, aggressive use of the FFG is limb-saving, durable, and allows continuation of balloon support.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The risk of stroke in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis undergoing cardiac surgery: a follow-up study.

During a 7-year period, 4047 patients underwent a battery of noninvasive carotid tests before cardiac surgery. Two thirds of the patients with abnormal studies underwent carotid angiography. One hundred fifty-three patients (3.8%) had significant carotid disease, narrowing the luminal diameter by greater than 50%. The incidence of transient ischemic attack or cerebrovascular accident following cardiac surgery was 1.9% in those patients with no carotid disease and 9.2% in those patients with carotid lesions. The incidence of transient ischemic attack or cerebrovascular accident in 32 patients with inoperable (occluded) carotid vessels was 15.6% and in 121 patients with operable (stenotic) lesions was 7.4%. In the group of patients with stenosis, 57 patients underwent carotid operation with an 8.8% incidence of neurologic deficit. During the last 1 1/2 years, no patient with asymptomatic carotid stenosis underwent simultaneous carotid and coronary surgery. Four of 64 patients with combined lesions but no carotid surgery (6.3%) had a neurologic deficit, one of which was severe and permanent. The highest incidence of neurologic dysfunction occurred in patients with unilateral occlusions and contralateral stenosis. Four of 12 patients in this group had a deficit (three of seven patients underwent operation; one of five did not), one of which was permanent. The operative mortality rate after cardiac surgery was three times higher in patients with carotid disease than in those patients with normal carotid arteries. Combined carotid and coronary surgery is currently reserved for patients with neurologic symptoms and severe cardiac disease.

Angiography↗