ObjectiveSSRIs are some of the most widely prescribed medications in the world. In addition to their effectiveness, SSRIs were reported to be associated with the side effects of weight gain, sexual dysfunction, drug interactions, extrapyramidal symptoms and discontinuation symptoms. However, the effects of SSRIs on metabolic parameters are poorly understood.MethodsThis study aims to describe the effects of SSRIs on the metabolic parameters of drug-naive first episode patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Ninety-seven female patients aged 20-41 years without any metabolic or psychiatric comorbidity were included in the study. Fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram and escitalopram were randomly given to the patients. Metabolic parameters, including BMI, waist circumference and the levels of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and blood pressure, were measured before and after 16 weeks of treatment.ResultsIn the paroxetine group, there was a significant increase in the parameters of weight, BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride after 16 weeks of treatment. There were significant increases in the levels of triglyceride in the citalopram and escitalopram groups. In the sertraline group, the total cholesterol level increased after treatment. In the fluoxetine group, there were significant reductions in the parameters of weight, total cholesterol and triglyceride.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this study is the first to prospectively describe metabolic syndrome abnormalities in patients with first episode generalized anxiety disorder. Although the effectiveness of the different SSRIs is similar, clinicians should be more careful when prescribing SSRIs to patients who have cardiac risk factors. Larger and lengthier controlled clinical trials are needed to explore the associations between SSRI use and metabolic syndrome.

BackgroundMany studies have investigated the relationship between blood levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester (DHEA-S), cortisol, progesterone, and testosterone and the onset, prognosis, symptom severity, and treatment response of schizophrenia. In the present study, we assessed potential differences in blood levels of neurosteroids between drug-naïve first-episode patients with schizophrenia (FES), and drug-free patients with schizophrenia who were not in the first episode but were in a phase of acute exacerbation (DFP).Materials and methodsThe present study included 32 male FES, 28 male DFP, and 24 male healthy controls (HC). Groups were compared in terms of blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA-S.ResultsBlood levels of ACTH, cortisol, testosterone, and progesterone were similar among the groups. The mean value of serum DHEA-S was significantly different among the groups (P<0.001). The value of serum DHEA-S was higher in the FES group than in the DFP and HC groups (both P<0.001). The mean values of serum DHEA-S in the HC and DFP groups were found to be similar (P=0.33).ConclusionWe suggest that higher values of DHEA-S in the FES group compared with both the DFP and HC groups indicate that this neurosteroid response is unique to first-episode schizophrenia patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the difference in blood levels of neurosteroids in different groups in terms of age of diagnosis.

To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate higher serum prolactin levels in male FES compared with male DFS and male HC. Prolactin might act as a protective factor while first episode of schizophrenia is experienced. Future studies are needed to provide the role of prolactin in schizophrenia.

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Objective: Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most common cosmetic procedures among women. In the present study, we compared personality traits, self-esteem, and body perception between women who had undergone breast augmentation surgery and a control group of women who had not. We hypothesized that the personality traits of women who had vs those who had not undergone breast augmentation surgery would differ. Materials and Methods:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients who had undergone breast augmentation surgery and age-and education-matched, healthy women were included in the present study. The breast augmentation group and control group were compared in terms of personality traits under the Basic Personality Traits Inventory. Additionally, self-esteem, which was assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and body perception, which was evaluated using the Body Cathexis Scale, were measured and compared between the two groups.Results: When the patients (n = 80) and the control group (n = 100) were compared, the Body Cathexis Scale, extroversion, and openness scores were statistically significant and were found to be higher in the breast augmentation group (p<0.05). In regression analysis, it was found that age, openness, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score had statistically significant effects on extroversion. Conclusion:We argue that there may be a presupposition, based on stigma, that women who undergo breast augmentation surgery are more neurotic than those who do not. Consequently, this may influence the outcomes of studies evaluating the personalities of these women. Our results indicate that women who had undergone breast augmentation had more positive personality traits than women in an un-operated control group.

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