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R G McCreadie

Publications and source records attributed to R G McCreadie.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

The Nithsdale Schizophrenia Survey. VI. Relatives' expressed emotion: prevalence, patterns, and clinical assessment.

A review of all known schizophrenics (n = 142) in Nithsdale, Scotland, found 50% were living with relatives or friends. Of these, 32% had high contact with a relative showing high expressed emotion (EE); put another way, 87% of all Nithsdale schizophrenics were not living in a high contact/high EE family. Parents were more critical than spouses, and more showed emotional over-involvement. A retrospective review showed a trend, not of statistical significance, towards a higher admission rate to in-patient care in patients from high EE homes. Of relatives believed by a consultant psychiatrist to be neither critical nor hostile, 80% fell into the low EE category, but only 44% thought hostile or critical belonged to the high EE category; that is, the clinician had a wider view of high EE than the Camberwell Family Interview. Relative's scores on a short patient-rejection scale were higher in high EE than in low EE relatives, but the wide scatter of scores suggested the scale could not be used to identify an individual relative with high EE.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Haloperidol decanoate v. fluphenazine decanoate as maintenance therapy in chronic schizophrenic in-patients.

In a double-blind study of 38 chronic schizophrenic in-patients, haloperidol decanoate was compared with fluphenazine decanoate as maintenance therapy over 60 weeks. Both drugs were given by injection at 4-week intervals. Haloperidol and fluphenazine were assumed to be equipotent; the mean starting dose of the former was 127 mg and of the latter 106 mg. The number of withdrawals over 60 weeks was similar in both groups but relapses, strictly defined, were significantly more frequent in the haloperidol group. When patients were switched to haloperidol, Parkinsonism diminished more quickly than in the fluphenazine group, but after 60 weeks there was no difference in severity in the two drug groups. The higher relapse rate and the quicker reduction in Parkinsonism in the haloperidol group might be due to a misjudgement in equivalent doses of the two drugs. Plasma haloperidol steady state levels were reached in most patients by 8-12 weeks. Plasma neuroleptic and prolactin levels, week-by-week systemic drug availability and Parkinsonism showed less variation between injections with haloperidol than with fluphenazine.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A comparison of scales for assessing rehabilitation patients.

Twenty-four chronic schizophrenic patients were assessed by the Morningside Rehabilitation Status Scale, the Krawiecka Scale, and the Social Adjustment Scale by Self-Report. Inter-rater correlations suggest that the MRSS can be used by a rater with little previous knowledge of the patient. Between-scale correlations suggest the three scales assess somewhat different dimensions. A standard approach to rehabilitation assessment is suggested.

Female↗
PubMed1986

The Nithsdale schizophrenia survey. V. Follow-up of tardive dyskinesia at 3 1/2 years.

The point-prevalence of tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenics from a discrete geographical area (Nithsdale, in Dumfries and Galloway Region) in 1981, 1982, and 1984 was 31%, 27%, and 30% respectively. This suggests that the prevalence of tardive dyskinesia in a community of schizophrenics has reached a plateau. In 12% of patients there was persistent dyskinesia, i.e. abnormal involuntary movements were present at all three assessments. Persistent dyskinesia was more common in older patients. The severity of tardive dyskinesia fluctuated between assessments in 41% of patients, indicating that it is only a transient feature in some cases.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1985

An open multicentre study of the treatment of florid schizophrenia with remoxipride.

Remoxipride, a novel substituted benzamide, was given for 4 weeks to 18 florid schizophrenics in an open study. The mental state of the majority improved as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Remoxipride itself did not appear to cause troublesome extrapyramidal effects. There were no significant adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and no significant abnormalities in laboratory tests. These results suggest that remoxipride has antipsychotic effects, and that this should be tested in controlled clinical trials.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Lithium and hair texture.

Patients receiving lithium who had noticed changes in hair texture since starting that drug, described variously as hair losing its curl or wave, have a greater lithium concentration in hair than patients on lithium with no such complaints.

Female↗
PubMed1985

The impact of lithium in South-west Scotland. I. Demographic and clinical findings.

A point-prevalence study in South-west Scotland found that 0.77 per 1,000 of the total population were receiving lithium. Almost one quarter had done so for more than ten years. At the time of lithium commencement, only 68% had always been diagnosed as having an affective illness; 59% of the patients were also receiving antidepressants, major tranquillisers, or both. Though this might be due in part to unnecessary administration of supplementary drugs, 19% of non-inpatients had moderate depressive symptoms, significant depressive illness, or manic symptoms. Lithium side-effects were prominent: 30% of the sample complained of weight gain, thirst or excessive micturition; 42% had noticed hair changes; and 7% had diminished thyroid activity, but most patients believed they had benefited considerably from lithium therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

The impact of lithium in South-west Scotland. II. A longitudinal study.

In a longitudinal study in South-west Scotland of patients suffering mainly from affective illness, the introduction of lithium as prophylactic therapy was associated with a significant reduction in the number and length of hospital in-patient admissions, as well as in the number of courses and total number of electro-convulsive treatments. However, there was no significant reduction in the length of time patients received either antidepressants or major tranquillisers. A rating of individual patients suggested that a bare majority (52%) had improved considerably following the introduction of lithium.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

The impact of lithium in South-West Scotland. III. The discontinuation of lithium.

A review in South-West Scotland of all patients prescribed lithium for the first time during the years 1972-82 showed that on average, 12 per 100,000 of the general population start this drug each year. By the end of the period, lithium had been stopped in 58% of patients; the most common reason for discontinuation was the development of side-effects, of which tremor was the most frequent. In only 15% was lithium stopped as it was considered no longer necessary; 44% of patients discontinued lithium within one year of starting it.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The Scottish survey of psychiatric rehabilitation and support services.

Rehabilitation and support services in psychiatric hospitals and general hospital psychiatric units serving two-thirds of the population of Scotland were reviewed. Although there are wide between-hospital differences, especially between rural and urban areas, the National Health Service in Scotland is making considerable efforts to provide staffing, accommodation, occupational activities, and support services for the long term mentally ill. Services provided by local authorities, with the exception of group homes, are seriously deficient. The total number of services provided by an individual hospital correlated highly with an assessment of its adequacy in providing such services in relation to other hospitals. A simple count of services may therefore be used to assess adequacy. There was also a correlation between the range of a hospital's services and numbers of misplaced new chronic in-patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

The Scottish survey of new chronic in-patients: two year follow up.

'New chronic inpatients' (patients aged 18-64 years in hospital more than one but less than six years) were followed-up two years after identification in the catchment areas of 14 psychiatric hospitals, serving 56% of the Scottish population. Nine per cent had died, 71% remained in-patients, and 20% had been discharged; 40% of those discharged had no contact with after-care services, and 37% of those remaining in hospital did not need in-patient care. Discharged patients were younger, had been in hospital a shorter time, and less often had organic brain disease. Only 13% of patients who, when first identified, had been rated at a low functioning level had been discharged; 64% of those remaining in-patients at follow up had such a rating.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

The Nithsdale schizophrenia survey. IV. Social adjustment by self-report.

The Social Adjustment Scale Self-report (SAS-SR) was completed by chronic schizophrenics (N = 82) living in Nithsdale, in Dumfries and Galloway region. Relatives also assessed patients' adjustment. The questionnaire response indicated that scrutiny of the form by a professional immediately after completion is necessary. Patients' and relatives' assessment of the patients' overall adjustment correlated very closely, thus suggesting a schizophrenic can satisfactorily describe his own adjustment. The patients were less well adjusted than a normal community population in all areas except the parental role. The SAS-SR highlights for each individual where many of his problems lie, and therefore may act as a guide to specific rehabilitative measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Within-individual variation in steady state plasma levels of different neuroleptics and prolactin.

Eleven male chronic schizophrenics were given, serially, oral pimozide, fluphenazine, and flupenthixol; the two latter were also given intramuscularly as decanoates in oil. Oral haloperidol was given before and after each drug. Analysis of variance of steady state plasma levels of the different neuroleptics showed considerable within-individual variation in such levels, probably due to differences in absorption and metabolism and between routes of administration. The findings suggest that if a patient fails to respond to one neuroleptic, there may be good pharmacokinetic reasons for switching him to another belonging to a different group, or for giving the same neuroleptic by a different route of administration. The study also showed that previous administration of one neurololeptic may influence the steady state level of another. The various neuroleptics produced different effects on plasma prolactin levels.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1984

The Scottish survey of chronic day-patients.

All chronic day-patients (n = 422), defined as patients aged 18-64 years attending a day facility of a psychiatric hospital or general hospital psychiatric unit continuously for more than a year, were identified in hospitals and units serving 56% of the Scottish population. The number of day patients was 14.8 per 100,000 of the general population, but the range between hospitals was very great--0 to 37.7 per 100,000--indicating the patchy development of such care. A typical day patient was a rather chronic middle-aged male schizophrenic, who lived on his own or with ageing parents. Most patients' accommodation was satisfactory, but the occupational activity of more than a third was inappropriate; 18% could have attended a local authority sheltered workshop if one had been available.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

The Scottish survey of 'new chronic' inpatients.

All 'new chronics' (N = 571), defined as patients aged 18-64 years in hospital more than one but less than six years, were identified in 14 psychiatric hospitals serving 56 per cent of the Scottish population. The bed occupancy was 20/100,000 of the general population (range between hospitals 12-29/100,000). First admissions (5.8 beds/100,000) were clearly distinguished from readmissions. Although for the whole group schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis the majority of first admissions had organic brain disease. First admissions were more disabled and most were well placed in hospital. Thirty-eight per cent of all patients did not need inpatient care; 20 per cent could have been accommodated in staffed hostels. Widespread differences, especially in numbers, found between hospitals may have been due in part to different attitudes among staff towards the prospect of patients' discharge.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

The Nithsdale schizophrenia survey: I. Psychiatric and social handicaps.

A review of all known schizophrenics from a discrete geographical area, Nithsdale in Dumfries and Galloway REgion, found a point prevalence of 2.38 per 1000 of the total population; this figure fell to 1.73 when only Feighner positive schizophrenics were considered. Only 3 per cent of the population interviewed had no abnormality in mental state or behaviour; negative schizophrenic symptoms were prominent, positive symptoms uncommon. Approximately one quarter were in-patients, who were an atypical group, showing much more obvious social and psychiatric disability. In- and day patient care and state benefits for schizophrenics cost each member of the Nithsdale community approximately 12 pounds a year.

Adult↗