Biomedical subjects

S Torgersen

Publications and source records attributed to S Torgersen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Maxillofacial fractures in a Norwegian district.

Records of 169 patients referred to Haukeland Hospital, Bergen, Norway, for treatment of maxillofacial fractures during the period 1989-91 were studied with respect to socio-etiologic aspects, frequency and localization of jaw fractures, treatment, and complications. The number of maxillofacial fractures found in the present study was about twice as many as found in a study from the same area during the period 1974-9. Recent trends in the etiology of maxillofacial traumas were confirmed, such as increased number of fractures caused by interpersonal violence, and a reduction of cases related to traffic accidents. Alcohol abuse was a contributing factor in 28% of the patients. Mandibular fractures were 4.8 times more frequent than maxillary fractures. Reduction and fixation with miniplate osteosynthesis was the preferred treatment in most patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Birthweight and obstetric complications in schizophrenic twins.

Birthweight and obstetric complications were registered retrospectively in 24 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs. Sixteen pairs were discordant and 8 pairs were concordant for DSM-III-R schizophrenia. There was no significant intrapair difference in birthweight between the 2 groups of MZ twins. Prematurity was more often observed in the discordant pairs, but neither differences in prematurity nor differences in obstetric complications between the concordant and discordant twins reached significance. No difference in respect of family history of schizophrenia between the 2 groups of MZ twins was found. In the discordant pairs, no significant difference between the schizophrenic twin and the nonschizophrenic co-twin was observed regarding birth order, birthweight or physical condition at birth.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Mental health locus of control in first-degree relatives of agoraphobic and depressed inpatients.

Mental health locus of control in 77 first-degree relatives of agoraphobic, agoraphobic and major depressed (comorbid), and depressed inpatients were studied. Relatives of comorbid patients externalized locus of control more to chance than did relatives of agoraphobic and of depressed patients. These results suggest that a tendency to externalize to chance is familially transmitted and may be a vulnerability factor for the development of the comorbid condition of agoraphobia and major depression.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Metal release from arch bars used in maxillofacial surgery. An in vitro study.

Surgical arch bars (splints) are used in maxillofacial surgery as an aid to intermaxillary fixation procedures. Two different types of stainless steel arch bars, a solid bar and a silver-brazed bar, were studied with regard to metal release in vitro. Arch bars were ligated to jaw models and immersed in 0.9% saline solution. The electrolyte was analyzed for Ni, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cd by atomic absorption spectrophotometry on days 3, 10, and 28. The amounts of metal released from the brazed arch bar were 140-600 times higher than those released from the solid arch bar. Clinical implications are suggested.

Chromium↗

PubMed1991

High interrater reliability for the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Axis I (SCID-I).

The interrater reliability of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID) was studied. Fifty-four audiotaped SCID interviews were rated independently by 3 raters. The highest interrater agreements were observed for schizophrenia (0.94), major depressive disorder (0.93), dysthymia (0.88), generalized anxiety disorder (0.95), panic disorder (0.88), alcohol use disorder (0.96) and other psychoactive substance use disorder (0.85). The remaining diagnoses of mood and anxiety disorders obtained acceptable interrater agreement (0.70-0.80), with an exception for obsessive-compulsive disorder (0.40). The poorest agreement was obtained for somatoform disorders ( -0.03). Lack of hierarchy in DSM-III-R allows for multiple Axis I diagnoses. Interrater reliability for multiple diagnoses was tested. Agreement was generally good for combinations of 2 diagnoses, and poorer when 3 diagnoses were combined. Our findings confirm that SCID yields highly reliable diagnoses. SCID is recommended for research on mental disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Subtypes of schizophrenia--evidence from a twin-family study.

In a combined twin-family study, the concordance for subtype of schizophrenia was investigated. The sample included 31 monozygotic (MZ) and 28 dizygotic (DZ) twin probands fulfilling the criteria of DSM-III-R schizophrenia. Their co-twins and first-degree relatives were personally interviewed and diagnosed in accordance with DSM-III-R. Any twin or relative diagnosed as schizophrenic was subclassified as either paranoid or nonparanoid. Schizophrenia was more often observed in co-twins of MZ probands with nonparanoid schizophrenia than in MZ probands with paranoid schizophrenia, indicating a stronger genetic influence in nonparanoid schizophrenia. Fifteen MZ pairs were concordant for schizophrenia, and 13 of these pairs were also concordant for subtype. Such a relationship was not observed in the first-degree relatives with schizophrenia. Our results indicate a complex etiology of subtypes in schizophrenia, and to some extent the etiology of subtypes may differ from the etiology of schizophrenia.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Twin concordance for DSM-III-R schizophrenia.

The monozygotic (MZ)/dizygotic (DZ) concordance rates for schizophrenia and the relationship between schizophrenia and schizophrenic spectrum disorders were studied in a sample of 31 MZ and 28 DZ schizophrenic probands and their co-twins. All subjects were personally interviewed with structured diagnostic instruments and classified according to DSM-III-R criteria. The concordance rates of 48% for MZ twins and 4% for DZ twins indicate a genetic transmission of DSM-III-R schizophrenia. In addition to the schizophrenic co-twins, 3 MZ co-twins had a noneffective psychotic disorder, thus supporting the hypothesis that genes are involved in the development of Axis I schizophrenic spectrum disorders. Schizotypal and paranoid personality disorders were observed in both MZ and DZ co-twins. These disorders may be familially related to schizophrenia, but a genetic relationship was not confirmed for the Axis II spectrum disorders. A substantial number of MZ co-twins of schizophrenic probands had no mental disorder.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Mental disorders in first-degree relatives of schizophrenics.

A total 215 first-degree relatives of 88 twin probands with schizophrenia, mood disorders and nonaffective psychoses were studied. The twins' parents and siblings were personally interviewed with structured diagnostic instruments and diagnosed in accordance with DSM-III-R criteria. The first-degree relatives were interviewed by interviewers who were blind to the twins' diagnoses. Schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder were significantly more frequent in first-degree relatives of schizophrenic twins. Respectively, anxiety and mood disorders were significantly more prevalent among the parents and siblings of probands with mood disorders. Schizophrenic spectrum disorders were significantly more common in the families of schizophrenic probands compared with relatives of mood disorder probands, thus confirming a relationship between schizophrenia and schizophrenic spectrum disorders. However, we cannot, based on our study, specify whether this relationship is caused by genetic or environmental factors.

Diseases in Twins↗

PubMed1990

Basic character inventory personality traits among patients with major depression, anxiety disorders and mixed conditions.

Two hundred and seventy-two mainly nonpsychotic psychiatric outpatients between 19 and 59 years of age were divided into various clinical groups according to DSM-III: pure major depression, major depression in combination with various anxiety disorders, pure anxiety disorders and a group with other mental disorders. The groups were compared as to differences in personality traits assessed by means of the Basic Character Inventory. The mixed major depression/non-panic anxiety disorder group appeared to be the most deviant with more oral-neurotic personality traits in addition to obsessive traits, while the pure major depressive disorder and the pure anxiety disorder group were less disturbed. Especially cases with non-panic-anxiety features in addition to major depression were those which manifested a neurotic obsessive personality structure. These findings imply that it is important to distinguish between major depression cases with and without various anxiety disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

The relationship between the MCMI personality scales and DSM-III, axis II.

Compared were the personality scales of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) to the diagnosis of personality disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed. [DSM-III]; American Psychiatric Association, 1980), obtained by means of the Structured Interview for the DSM-III Personality Disorders (SIDP). The results from 272 psychiatric outpatients show a good correspondence for the Avoidant and the Dependent scales, a fairly good correspondence for the Schizotypal, the Histrionic, the Borderline, the Narcissistic, and the Paranoid scales, and no correspondence for the Schizoid, the Passive-Aggressive, and the Compulsive scales. The Passive-Aggressive scale seems to be positively correlated to personality disorders in general, whereas the Compulsive scale seems to be negatively correlated to a number of personality disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

DSM-III personality disorders among patients with major depression, anxiety disorders, and mixed conditions.

Of 298 mainly nonpsychotic psychiatric outpatients between 19 and 59 years of age, a group of patients having either pure major depression, major depression in combination with anxiety disorders, or pure anxiety disorders was extracted. The anxiety disorders were further differentiated in panic and nonpanic anxiety disorders. The groups were compared as to differences in frequency of personality disorders assessed by means of the Structured Interview for DSM-III Personality Disorders. The mixed major depression/anxiety disorder group appeared to be the most deviant with more severe personality disorders such as paranoid and borderline in addition to avoidant and dependent personality disorder. The differentiation between panic and nonpanic anxiety showed that it was patients with nonpanic anxiety features in addition to major depression who had this higher frequency of personality disorders. These findings imply that it is important to distinguish between major depression cases with and without anxiety disorders both in forthcoming research and in clinical practice.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Parental representation in patients with major depression, anxiety disorder and mixed conditions.

Differences in parental bonding between patients with pure major depression, mixed anxiety-depression and pure anxiety disorders were investigated in 272 consecutive outpatients. A low parental care score seemed to be the best discriminating variable between the mixed group and the 3 other groups. This study supports previous family and twin studies as well as clinical studies emphasizing the mixed group as a special disorder group, possibly with a different etiology. The role of the father in child development seems to be particularly important.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Comorbidity of major depression and anxiety disorders in twin pairs.

The relationship among major depression only, major depression with anxiety disorders, and anxiety disorders only was investigated in a twin sample (N = 177 pairs). The results suggest that there is an etiological relationship between mixed major depression-anxiety disorders and major depression only but no relationship between these two conditions and anxiety disorders only. When anxiety disorders with panic attacks were analyzed, the relationship between mixed cases and major depression only and the lack of a relationship between mixed cases, major depression only, and anxiety disorders only became even clearer. Furthermore, mixed cases seemed to be more strongly influence by genetic factors than was major depression only.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Tumors of the posterior hard palate].

The palatal mucosa is a representative area when reviewing etiology of the wide variety of oral tumours. The most important are of cystic, neoplastic or inflammatory nature. A case of malignant lymphoma occurred as a firm, painless swelling in the lateral posterior hard palate in a 69 year old woman. The tumour was initially diagnosed and treated as an abscess. Weeks later the swelling persisted and the patient was referred to the Department of oral surgery and oral medicine. University of Bergen. Incisional biopsy revealed the true nature of the process. Following cytostatic and radiation therapy, total regression of the tumour took place. The prognosis is considered favourable. The paper surveys the etiology of tumours of the posterior hard palate.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

Personality changes after gastric banding surgery for morbid obesity. A prospective study.

89 morbidly obese patients completed the Basic Character Inventory before and 1 and 3 years after horizontal gastric banding surgery. The aim of the study was to compare preoperative scores of personality traits with those of a normal population, and to examine any change in scores on the different personality traits at the follow-up tests. There was a uniform tendency to higher scores on the Oral cluster traits (Self-doubt, Insecurity, Sensitivity, Dependence, Compliance and Emotional instability) among the patients compared to normals. There was a general significant decrease in the post-operative scores on the Oral cluster traits present already at the 1 year follow-up, most pronounced for Self-doubt, Insecurity and Sensitivity. On the other hand there was a significant increase in the postoperative scores on the Obsessive traits: Parsimony and Orderliness. As a group these patients did not show any adverse changes in their personality traits, on the contrary they seemed less neurotic and possibly exerted more control of their situation after the operation and weight loss.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Characteristics of patients with major depression in combination with dysthymic or cyclothymic disorders. Childhood and precipitating events.

The relationship between patients with acute major depression and chronic affective disorders was investigated in 298 nonpsychotic outpatients. The patients were categorized into 4 groups: major depression only, major depression with dysthymic or cyclothymic disorders, dysthymic or cyclothymic disorder without major depression and one group of other psychiatric disorders. The patients were interviewed about childhood losses, relationship to parents and siblings and family atmosphere, their personality characteristics as children, as well as precipitating events. The reports in the various diagnostic groups were compared. Patients in the mixed group reported somewhat more traumatic childhood experiences compared with patients in the pure major depression group and pure dysthymic-cyclothymic group, and much more traumatic childhood experiences compared with patients in the group of other disorders. Precipitating events among patients in the acute major depression group consisted of more acute external stressors compared with the events of the patients in the group of chronic affective disorders. Patients with major depression in combination with pure dysthymic-cyclothymic disorder generally remembered their childhood as having been more traumatic, with a less satisfying relationship to their parents.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1989

Clinical differentiation between major depression only, major depression with panic disorder and panic disorder only. Childhood, personality and personality disorder.

A consecutive sample of 298 nonpsychotic psychiatric outpatients was classified according to DSM-III and divided into 4 diagnostic groups: pure major depression, mixed major depression/panic disorder, pure panic disorder and a remaining group of other disorders. The patients' report of childhood relationship to parents and siblings, family atmosphere, their own personality characteristics as children and precipitating events were compared in the various groups. In addition, differences in personality and frequencies of personality disorders were investigated by means of various instruments. Our results show that the type of relationship to parents in childhood differed in the various groups. The mother seems to be the most crucial person for the development of depression, the father for the development of panic disorder. Patients with major depression are more obsessive and patients with panic disorder more infantile and avoidant with less control of their personality. Finally, patients with mixed conditions are more in accordance with the DSM-III anxious personality disorder cluster.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

DSM-III symptom disorders (Axis I) and personality disorders (Axis II) in an outpatient population.

Type and prevalence of Axis I and Axis II disorders (DSM-III) were assessed in a sample of 298 consecutive psychiatric outpatients. The instruments used were SCID and SIDP. About half of the Axis I diagnoses consisted of different subgroups of depression. Most patients had more than one diagnosis, anxiety being the second most common disorder. Eighty one percent of the subjects met the criteria for a personality disorder diagnosis; half of them obtained more than one Axis II diagnosis. Personality disorder was more common among men than among women. Avoidant and dependent personality disorders constituted the most frequent diagnoses.

Adult↗