Biomedical subjects

K C Dube

Publications and source records attributed to K C Dube.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Recovery from psychotic illness: a 15- and 25-year international follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Poorly defined cohorts and weak study designs have hampered cross-cultural comparisons of course and outcome in schizophrenia. AIMS: To describe long-term outcome in 18 diverse treated incidence and prevalence cohorts. To compare mortality, 15- and 25-year illness trajectory and the predictive strength of selected baseline and short-term course variables. METHODS: Historic prospective study. Standardised assessments of course and outcome. RESULTS: About 75% traced. About 50% of surviving cases had favourable outcomes, but there was marked heterogeneity across geographic centres. In regression models, early (2-year) course patterns were the strongest predictor of 15-year outcome, but recovery varied by location; 16% of early unremitting cases achieved late-phase recovery. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of treated incident cases of schizophrenia achieve favourable long-term outcome. Sociocultural conditions appear to modify long-term course. Early intervention programmes focused on social as well as pharmacological treatments may realise longer-term gains.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

On the expression of psychosis in different cultures: schizophrenia in an Indian and in a Nigerian community.

This sub-study of the WHO Determinants of Outcome of Severe Mental Disorders research project was aimed at characterizing the behavioral and expressive qualities of schizophrenia in two highly diverse cultures. Early research has indicated that the core elements involving affect, perceptual and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia are highly similar in form in most cultures of the world. Much of the cross-cultural literature emphasizes, however, strong differences in the ways in which schizophrenia is actually expressed and manifested in different settings. The basic methodology for psychiatric description and diagnosis in the WHO program was the Present State Examination. In five of the field centers a method for investigating the expressive quality and the social behavior of patients in their own communities through the eyes of significant others was applied. This method was then subjected to psychometric tests of cross-cultural applicability and found to be valid for comparing behavior across settings. The expressive patterns of the Indian and Nigerian patients were studied from two perspectives. Indian schizophrenics were described by family members as manifesting a more affective and "self-centered" orientation; the Nigerian patients presented with a highly suspicious, bizarre, anxious quality to the basic behavioral pattern. The main features of pathology were in general accord with the descriptions of indigenous psychiatrists. The special qualities of the psychosis in the two cultures were interpreted against the background of traditional psychopathological and anthropologic theories concerning the psychodynamics and the influence of differing social conflictual themes in the two cultures. Analysis of psychopathology in this manner was found to enhance understanding of underlying mechanisms and the role of cultural conflicts in its expression.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Stressful life events preceding the acute onset of schizophrenia: a cross-national study from the World Health Organization.

This study reports on the findings from a WHO sponsored cross-national investigation of life events and schizophrenia. Data are presented from a series of 386 acutely ill schizophrenic patients selected from nine field research centers located in developing and developed countries (Aarhus, Denmark; Agra, India; Cali, Colombia; Chandigarh, India; Honolulu, USA; Ibadan, Nigeria; Nagasaki, Japan; Prague, Czechoslovakia; Rochester, USA). On a methodological level, the study demonstrates that life event methodologies originating in the developed countries can be adapted for international studies and may be used to collect reasonably reliable and comparable cross-cultural data on psychosocial factors affecting the course of schizophrenic disorders. Substantive findings replicate the results of prior studies which conclude that socioenvironmental stressors may precipitate schizophrenic attacks and such events tend to cluster in the two to three week period immediately preceding illness onset.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Psychiatric training and therapies in Ayurved.

This paper describes the selection and training procedures, ethical codes, metaphysical theories and principles of psychiatric treatments as practiced in Ayurved. Three treatment approaches for psychological disorders are: Ministered therapies (psychotherapies), Performance therapies (rituals), Auto therapies. Other forms of therapies mentioned are herbal, physical and natural. Treatments were administered with benediction. Man was treated as a whole with a psychosomatic approach. Ayurved is still a living science, though much of its knowledge has passed into oblivion. Resurrection of the lost treasure is advocated if the objective of 'Health for All by 2000 A.D.' is to be achieved for countries like India.

Ethics, Medical↗

PubMed1984

Long term course and outcome of the Agra cases in the International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia.

The course and outcome at a 13-14-year follow-up of the Agra cases in the International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia (IPSS) was observed by two methods: i) through a mailed questionnaire to assess the key respondents own perception of their state, ii) by a thorough clinical examination and assessment using standard instruments. The results of these two methods were compared and no significant difference found. Based on the second method it was found that 46% of schizophrenics and 43% of manic-depressives had one or two episodes during the first 5 years after inclusion and none in the subsequent period of 8 to 9 years (up to the present follow-up). The results indicate that the illness loses its intensity over a period of years. Mortality among schizophrenics was higher than the expected rate in a general population. The suicide rate was similar to that reported in other studies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Personality types in Ayurveda.

The basis of human personality as given in ancient Hindu Ayurvedan literature is reviewed and interpreted in the light of current knowledge and understanding. The structure of mind expounded in Sankhyan philosophy is explained and its parallelism with the Freudian approach is brought out. The formative influences in the development of the mental constitution of an individual are described. An attempt is made to demonstrate close similarity between Ayurvedan and Lewin's field (Gestalt) theories. Significance of Tridosh (Vet, Pitta and Kaf), by vitiating the chemical balance, as etiological factors of mental illness is described. Sixteen personality types and their correspondence with 16 types of mental disorders are mentioned.

Humans↗

PubMed1982

Severe depression in different cultures.

The observations on 99 cases of psychotic depression as per I.C.D.--8 categories 296.0, 296.2, 298.0 (WHO 1967) which were included and studied during the course of the 'International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia' carried out in nine field research centres in different countries are reported. An attempt is made to high-light and discuss in cross-cultural perspective: (i) the psychopathological similarities and differences among psychotic depressives, and (ii) similarities and differences of psychotic depressives with clinically diagnosed schizophrenics and with corcordant and discrepant groups (WHO 1973) of schizophrenia.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗

PubMed1982

"Makings of a dacoit".

A study of the dacoits of the Chambal River valley was undertaken to determine what special circumstances exist to make them to take to dacoity, or whether these outlaws had a psychopathic disposition. The study sample consisted of 50 dacoits, compared with 50 aggressive criminals and 50 normals (non-criminals) from the same region. Among the most important factors contributing to their choosing this particular criminal career were: insecure childhood, enemity, psychopathic or wayward tendencies, belonging to a family of outlaws, rejection by society, extremely discordant family conditions, and the influence of operating dacoits.

Antisocial Personality Disorder↗

PubMed1981

The question of onymity and anonymity of a questionnaire in a drug use survey.

In a drug use survey of 457 final-year medical students a self-administered questionnaire included the controversial question whether such questionnaires should be onymous or anonymous. Definite answers either in favour of or against anonymity were given by 216 respondents. Of these, 72.2 per cent were in favour of anonymity, only 27.8 per cent favoured onymity. Among those who provided ambiguous answers, or who did not respond on the issue of anonymity vs. onymity, there were significantly more drug users. Where there was no family history of drug use, or where parents definitely disapproved of drug use, a high proportion of respondents were in favour of anonymity.

Anonyms and Pseudonyms↗

PubMed1979

Nosology and therapy of mental illness in Ayurveda.

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, is described in Atharva Veda and in subsequent treatises by Charak, Susrut, and Vagbhatt, containing the details of etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and therapy of afflictions in humans and animals. The science of mental disorders (Bhoot-Vidya) describes extensively conditions from mild anger and greed to severe psychoses. This paper presents a synoptic overview comparing the clinical conditions described in Ayurveda with clinical conditions described in the Internationl Classification of Diseases. The symbiotic relationship between 'psyche' and 'soma' was recognised in Ayurveda, attributing the highest importance to psychic energy as the propulsive power of creation--the original force. According to Vedic concepts, personality is composed of three elements (gunas): i. Satva (pure qualities), ii. Rajas (pleasure-seeking propensities and emotions), iii. Tamas (animal-like behavioural tendencies leading to deterioration). Abnormalities result from the excess of Tomas and Rajas. The main therapies are i. suggestion, auto-suggestion, hynotism, assurance, persuasion, and ritualistic therapy; ii. transferring of symptoms; iii. confession, penance, and sacrifice; iv. use of natural elements; v. medicine and endocrine therapies; and vi. tantic and yogic practices.

History, Ancient↗

PubMed1978