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Biomedical subjects

N H Walbek

Publications and source records attributed to N H Walbek.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Clinical effects of a randomized switch of patients from clozaril to generic clozapine.

INTRODUCTION: Clozapine was discovered in 1959 but withheld from the United States market after several deaths due to agranulocytosis. The medication was approved in the United States in 1989 on a compassionate-use basis and was first marketed in 1990 as Clozaril. In 1999, following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Zenith Goldline Pharmaceuticals (ZGP) introduced a generic form of clozapine. METHOD: After 5 weeks of data collection (phase I), 24 patients were randomly assigned to group A and 21 patients to group B. Patients had DSM-IV diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychosis, or atypical psychosis with mood disorder. In phase II, group A received a mean daily dose of 630 mg of generic clozapine, and group B continued to receive Clozaril at a mean daily dose of 610 mg, each for 8 weeks. In phase III, group A was reassigned to Clozaril, and group B was switched to generic clozapine, each for 8 weeks. At the end of phase III, group B resumed Clozaril. Efficacy was measured with the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scale, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Five patients experienced relapse when they were switched from Clozaril to generic clozapine. Eleven patients worsened short of full relapse, 9 while receiving ZGP generic clozapine and 2 while receiving Clozaril. CGI-I scores and BPRS scores favored patients receiving Clozaril significantly. Only BDI scores favored patients receiving generic clozapine significantly. CONCLUSION: Until more studies have been performed, clinicians and administrators should carefully monitor stable Clozaril-treated patients who are being switched to generic clozapine.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Sex offender commitments in Minnesota: a descriptive study of second generation commitments.

Civil commitment laws intended to prevent sexual violence are being considered and enacted by many state legislatures. In their use of "preventive detention" to lock up the "most dangerous," the laws are highly controversial legally and morally. As well, critics raise questions about the extent to which the laws advance their stated goals. Considering the growing expense of these programs, evaluation efforts based on an empirical foundation are imperative. This study collected data on all 116 men committed under Minnesota's program during the period 1975-1996. The authors report descriptive summary data on admission rates and population trends, demographic characteristics of detainees and victims, pre-commitment criminal and mental health histories, and current status of detainees. The article also compares the committed group with sex offenders in the state's correctional system. The article describes the history and functioning of sex offender commitment programs, and draws implications for policy-makers from the data presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Behavior patterns of child molesters.

Despite intense interest in the problem of child sex abuse, base rates for different offense characteristics are poorly defined. The likelihood of otherwise uncorroborated allegations of sexual abuse could be assessed in light of known frequencies of alleged behaviors, if such were available. This paper reviews the current literature on the topic of the specific behaviors of child molesters, along with other epidemiological characteristics, and provides new data drawn from experience with 229 convicted child molesters.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The life histories and psychological profiles of 59 incestuous stepfathers.

Incest is both more common and more severe in stepparent families. The reasons for this have been unclear. In this comparison of 59 incestuous stepfathers, 70 incestuous biological fathers, and 158 offenders against unrelated children, there were few substantial differences in psychological characteristics between fathers and stepfathers, but their life histories and marital histories differed significantly. Stepfathers were significantly more likely to have prior convictions for sexual offenses, to have been sexually abused as a child, and to have juvenile criminal records. Stepfathers were more likely to have histories of previous marital failure. There was great heterogeneity of psychological characteristics. Increased prevalence in incest in stepfamilies is probably related to interactions between stepfathers' psychopathology, problems inherent in stepfamilies, and the availability of a potential victim.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Concurrent validity of three self-report measures of assertiveness.

The relative validity of three self-report measures of assertiveness was assessed by correlating the scored obtained by 88 student nurses with peer and faculty ratings of assertiveness. Self-reported assertiveness failed to predict frequency of class participation within a subsample of 48 students. Type of instructional setting, however, did exert a significant effect on class participation.

Adult↗