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Biomedical subjects

R C Fowler

Publications and source records attributed to R C Fowler.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A comparison of nefazodone, imipramine, and placebo in patients with moderate to severe depression.

In this sample of moderately to severely depressed outpatients, nefazodone therapy proved superior to placebo. Nefazodone therapy was also associated with fewer dropouts from adverse effects than was imipramine. In view of these efficacy findings as well as the promising side effect and safety profile of nefazodone, further research is warranted to evaluate its therapeutic potential in the treatment of depressive illness.

Adult↗

San Diego Suicide Study. III. Relationships between diagnoses and stressors.

Few attempts have been made to look for potential correlations between psychiatric diagnoses and psychosocial stressors in suicides. In this study, we examine relationships between the most common psychiatric illnesses and the most common stressors in 283 suicides from San Diego County. We found that interpersonal loss/conflicts occurred more frequently near the time of death for substance abusers with and without depression than for persons with "pure" affective disorder. These findings are consistent with those of previous reports, suggesting a difference between the way suicidal persons with substance abuse and pure affective disorder respond to certain external stressors.

Adult↗

Suicide by psychotics.

The authors studied 31 cases with psychotic diagnoses from a consecutive series of 204 suicides in San Diego. They were compared to 25 similar cases from 134 suicides gathered in the city of St. Louis and St. Louis county 25 years earlier. The proportion of psychotic subjects (less than 20%) in the two samples was similar. The San Diego psychotics were younger on the average than those from St. Louis and had more polysubstance abuse than alcoholism. Only rarely did psychotics in either sample commit suicide by particularly "crazy" methods. In the San Diego suicides, the psychotics without a depressive syndrome had as many depressive symptoms as those with a depressive syndrome. Schizophrenics in the San Diego sample made suicidal communications just as often as the other psychotics and the nonpsychotics. Fewer schizophrenics than other psychotics or nonpsychotics had stressors identified at the time of death, but over half of all the subjects did have them.

Adult↗

Some differences between men and women who commit suicide.

Men have persistently had a several-fold higher suicide rate than women. In this study of 204 consecutive suicides, the authors examined three areas in which the men differed from the women. Men used more violent, immediately lethal methods of suicide, were almost three times more likely to be substance abusers, and were more likely to have economic problems as stressors. The authors conclude that while the difference in suicide rate between men and women is complexly determined, the weight of the evidence suggests that more men than women intend to commit suicide.

Adult↗

An evaluation of the role of the intravenous urogram in the management of patients with epididymo-orchitis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of intravenous urography in patients presenting with symptoms of epididymo-orchitis. The intravenous urograms of 67 such patients were assessed retrospectively. The management of patients with acute epididymo-orchitis was not affected by intravenous urography, although a number of abnormalities were identified. Patients with additional symptoms not typical of acute epididymo-orchitis showed a higher incidence of abnormalities some of which affected management. It is concluded that urography is not warranted in the investigation of patients with uncomplicated acute epididymo-orchitis.

Epididymitis↗

Scrotal ultrasonography: a clinical evaluation.

Two hundred and thirty patients had scrotal ultrasonography over an 18-month period. We report the ultrasound findings, correlation with the clinical diagnosis and, where possible, with the pathological diagnosis. The results show the value of scrotal ultrasonography in clinical practice. Of particular interest is the ultrasonic examination of the clinically normal or impalpable testis and the correct ultrasound diagnosis of testicular tumour in five cases (2% of all cases, 28% of tumours detected) thought clinically to be benign. A brief review of abnormal appearances is included.

Epididymitis↗

San Diego suicide study. I. Young vs old subjects.

The suicide rate among people under 30 years of age has nearly tripled in the past several decades. We compared 133 suicides under the age of 30 years with 150 aged 30 years and over. After gathering and reviewing extensive clinical information and postmortem toxicologic data, we assigned diagnoses using DSM-III criteria. A major diagnostic finding was the occurrence of more drug abuse than had been previously reported, significantly more often in the young people. Few other differences were found either between our total sample and previous studies or between our younger and older groups. We conclude that a closer look at the young group is necessary to see what other differences might occur between the drug abusers and other young suicides.

Adolescent↗

San Diego Suicide Study. II. Substance abuse in young cases.

Fifty-three percent of 133 consecutive young suicides had a principal psychiatric diagnosis of substance abuse. Twenty-four percent had an additional principal diagnosis of atypical depression, atypical psychosis, or adjustment disorder with depression. The relationship of the substance abuse to the additional diagnosis was usually obscure, though this subgroup was similar to the group with only substance abuse on a number of factors. Typically, substance abuse was a chronic condition present for nine years. Multiple substance abuse was the norm in these cases, and marijuana, alcohol, and cocaine were the most frequently abused substances. Substance abusers without other principal diagnoses received psychiatric care less frequently than those with additional principal diagnoses.

Adjustment Disorders↗

San Diego suicide study: comparison of gay to straight males.

Previous large studies of completed suicides have not considered sexual orientation in their data analyses. In this study, data from the known homosexual subpopulation (13 males, aged 21-42) in a series of 283 suicides were examined. They were compared with all other aged male suicides 21-42 (n = 106). Both groups showed considerable substance abuse plus a variety of other psychiatric diagnoses. Both also had a high frequency of relationship difficulties near the time of death. Gays who committed suicide did not have a history of more police trouble and were no more likely to be living alone than the comparison group. They did not have more prior suicide attempts or previous psychiatric treatment. We conclude that, among the factors examined here, there appears to be little difference between gay and heterosexual male suicides.

Adult↗

The difference between date of suicidal act and recorded death certificate date in 204 consecutive suicides.

The date of death recorded on death certificates (DCD) was compared to the date of the suicidal act (DA) in a consecutive series of 204 suicides. The DA was known to be the same as the DCD in only 46 per cent of the cases. The DA was different from the DCD in 22 per cent of the cases. The difference between the DA and DCD should be taken into consideration in the analysis of temporal trends.

Death Certificates↗

Double suicides: four modal cases.

Double suicides, or suicide pacts, are relatively rare and usually involve older married couples. Histories of four such couples are reviewed. The participants were similar to other (nonpact) suicides with regard to recent visits to physicians, alcohol use, and communication of intent. They differ from other suicides in that they are more likely to have a first-degree relative who died by suicide. Similar DSM-III diagnoses were found in both members of each couple, and there was a complementary quality in their personal and family histories.

Age Factors↗

Abdominal actinomycosis: a report of three cases.

Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare condition which is difficult to diagnose because of its close resemblance to other, more common conditions. The clinical and radiological features of three cases are described and illustrated. The diagnosis is suggested by the rapid development of a fixed mass with fistulae.

Actinomycosis↗

Schizophrenia-primary affective disorder discrimination. I. Development of a data-based diagnostic index.

A nine-variable diagnostic measure for discriminating schizophrenia and primary affective disorder was developed. The nine variables, which were selected by discriminant function analysis, reflect past and current symptomatology, duration of symptoms, and behavioral ratings. The measure was cross-validated by a jackknife procedure that accurately classified nine of ten of the cases. Such accuracy suggests that brief, data-based diagnostic instruments have considerable promise as practical checks of clinical diagnoses.

Adult↗

Schizophrenia-primary affective disorder discrimination. II. Where unclassified psychosis stands.

Cases of unclassified psychosis were assessed with a nine-variable diagnostic measure designed to discriminate schizophrenia and primary affective disorder. As a group, the unclassified cases occupied a midway position between and overlapping with cases of schizophrenia and primary affective disorder. Also, the mean discriminant-function score of the unclassified group was significantly different from the mean scores of the groups with affective disorder and schizophrenia, although one subgroup of unclassified cases was statistically indistinguishable from the group with schizophrenia. While this investigation was essentially unsuccessful in reclassifying unclassified psychosis, it demonstrates a method for reclassifying diagnostic groups. When this procedure is used in conjunction with follow-up and family studies, it provides a basis for modifying diagnostic criteria.

Adult↗