Purpose: Monocyte/HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR) is a novel inflammatory marker that is used as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular diseases and has been studied in many diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of inflammatory factors in schizophrenia patients by examining MHR levels and to compare schizophrenia patients and healthy controls in terms of cardiovascular disease risk. Method: A total of 135 participants between the ages of 18–65, 85 diagnosed with schizophrenia, and 50 healthy individuals in the control group were included in this cross-sectional study. Venous blood samples were taken from the participants and CBC parameters and lipid profiles were analyzed. The sociodemographic and clinical data form and positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS) were administered to all participants. Results: Although monocyte levels were significantly higher in the patient group, HDL-C levels were lower at significant levels. MHR was found to be higher in the patient group compared to the control group at significant levels. When compared to the control group, total cholesterol, triglyceride, WBC, neutrophil, basophil, and platelet levels were higher in the patient group at significant levels, and RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were significantly lower. Conclusion: The elevated MHR in patients with schizophrenia may contribute to our understanding that inflammation plays important roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Additionally, knowing the levels of MHR and considering the recommendations, such as diet and exercise, in the treatment approaches made us think that it might be beneficial in protecting schizophrenia patients against cardiovascular diseases and early death.

It has been thought that oxidative damage may occur in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia; metallothioneins (MT) have strong antioxidant functions. In this study, we aimed to measure MT-1 levels in schizophrenia patients. A total of 52 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 38 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum MT-1 concentrations were measured using the Human Metallothionein-1 ELISA Kit. In addition, Cu and Zn levels were measured. PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) was used to determine the disease severity of patients with schizophrenia. The MT-1 levels of the schizophrenia group were lower than the MT-1 levels of the control group. When the correlation analyses were examined, a positive correlation was found between MT-1 and illness duration and Cu/Zn. A negative correlation was found between MT-1 levels and PANSS total scores and PANSS positive scores. In the regression analysis, it was seen that the decrease in MT-1 levels poses a risk for schizophrenia. It was observed that a decrease of 1 ng/mL in MT-1 levels increased the risk of schizophrenia 1.115 times. The low concentration of MT-1 is likely to cause a deficiency in antioxidant defense in patients with schizophrenia. MT-1 may be a useful biomarker for predicting schizophrenia.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between peripheral inflammatory markers and aggression and impulsivity in schizophrenia patients with and without criminal histories. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with patients with schizophrenia involved in crimes and hospitalized in the Forensic Psychiatry ward of Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital and patients with schizophrenia not involved in crimes and hospitalized in the psychiatry ward of Elazığ Mental Health and Diseases Hospital. All participants completed the Buss–Waren Aggression Scale (BWAS), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS). Before treatment, venous blood samples were taken for laboratory measurements on the first day of hospitalization. Results: All participants were male. The mean age of those involved in a crime was 39 ± 9.7 years, while the mean age of those not involved in a crime was 41.2 ± 10.7 years. The PANSS all subscale and total scores of the patients with schizophrenia who were involved in a crime were significantly higher than the group who were not involved (p values were p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.043, p = 0.001, respectively). The BWAS—physical aggression (p = 0.007) and total scores of the scale (p = 0.046) and BIS-11—inability to plan (p = 0.002) scores of the group involved in a crime were higher than the group not involved. As for laboratory parameters, MCH, MCHC, PDW, eosinophils, basophils, RDW-CV, and RDW-SD values were significantly higher in those involved in crime, while MPV, creatinine, albumin, and LDH values were lower. CRP and CRP/albumin values were significantly higher, while neutrophil/albumin values were significantly lower in those who committed murder in the first degree than those who committed other crimes. Conclusion: Based on our results, we found that inflammatory agents were significantly increased in forensic schizophrenia patients with high aggression scores. Significant correlations between some inflammatory factors and impulsivity and aggression scores and differences in these factors according to crime types showed that these factors might be related to violence and criminal behavior. There is a need for further large-scale studies on this subject at different stages of the disease.

Aim Substance abuse and concomitant infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality. Yet, the number of epidemiological studies regarding infectious diseases in people with substance abuse are limited in our country. In this study, the aim was to investigate the frequency of illegal alcohol and substance use in an Alcohol and Drug Research, Treatment and Training Centres (AMATEM) clinic in Turkey as well as the HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV parameters between the years of 2016-2021. Material and Method HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV tests were conducted using the ELISA technique in 6881 alcohol and substance use disorder (ASUD). Urine samples from ASUD’s were analyzed for alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine metabolites. The results were evaluated retrospectively. Results All of the 6881 ASUD’s were male with a mean age of 32.18±9.66 years. Of the 6881 ASUD’s included in the study, 4107 (59.7%) were opioid addicts; 1479 (21.5%) were mixed drug addicts; 897 (13%) were alcohol addicts; and the rest were addicts with other types of substance use. The mean age of the alcohol users was 45.33±13.03 and the mean age of opioid users was 29.90±7.13. The percentage of opioid addiction in 2016 was 71.2% which dropped to 28.7% in 2021. Meanwhile, the percentage of alcohol addiction was 13.6% in 2016 and increased to 21.4% in 2021; and the percentage of mixed drug use was 8.7% in 2016 and increased to 36.8% in 2021. HBsAg-positivity in opioid users (56.7%) was higher compared to cannabis users (2.6%) and mixed drug users (22.3%). Anti-HCV positivity of opioid users (69.4%) was found to be higher compared to alcohol (9.4%), cannabis (2%), and mixed drug (16.2%) users, and this finding was statistically significant (p=0.0001). Anti-HBs positivity of opioid users (63.1%) was found to be higher compared to alcohol (9.9%), cannabis (3%), and mixed drug (21%) users, and this finding was statistically significant (p=0.0001). Anti-HIV was determined negative in all ASUD’s. The highest rates of HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HBs positivity were found in the 26-30 years of age. Conclusion These findings indicate a high prevalence of intravenous substance abuse in the 26-30 years age group in our region as well as the high HBV and HCV rates in this patient group.

Introduction: In the present study, the purpose was to examine whether there is a difference in the feelings of guilt, shame, and forgiveness in prisoners who committed one or more crimes. Also, the relationship between the number of crimes involved, the diagnosis of existing or past psychiatric diseases, and demographic data was examined. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 107 inpatients in the prisoner’s ward. The demographic data forms Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Guilt and Shame Scale (GSS), and Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS) were administered in the study. Results: A total of 107 people (51 people involved in one single crime and 56 people involved in more than one crime) were included in the study. The education level was lower in many crimes than in a single crime (p=0.032). Although the diagnosis of mood disorder was higher in the group that was involved in one single crime (36.6%), the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder was higher in the group that was involved in multiple crimes (41.9%). No differences were detected between the groups in terms of BAI (p = 0.903) and BDI (p = 0.557) scores. No differences were detected between the groups in terms of GSS (guilt and shame) and HFS scores (p values of 0.745 and 0.676, respectively). A positive correlation was detected between the BDI and BAI of all prisoners and the HFS-forgiveness subscale. A positive correlation was detected between the GSS-guilt and shame subscales and all subscales and the total score of HFS. Conclusion: The study showed that anxiety and depression are more common in individuals who were exposed to violence in childhood. It was considered that identifying the prisoners who were involved in the crime for the first time and who felt remorseful and guilty could prevent further crimes. Finally, it is considered that the rate of crime can be reduced by preventing childhood violence and providing psychiatric support to individuals with psychiatric symptoms in order to raise individuals who are mentally healthy and have a low tendency to harm.

Background: The purpose was to examine the electrocardiographic arrhythmia risk determinants of the QT and P-wave dispersions of the patients who have Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) by comparing them with the healthy control group. Method: A total of 52 patients who were diagnosed with ASPD according to DSM-5 Criteria and a healthy control group that consisted of 54 people were included in the study. Twelve lead Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained from all participants in the supine position and at rest, and P-wave dispersion and QT dispersion were also calculated. The participants were administered the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Buss-Durke Aggression Scale (BDAS), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), and sociodemographic clinical data form. The SPSS version 22 package program was used for statistical analyses. Results: The mean age of the ASPD group and control group were no statistically significant differences between them (p=0.092). QT max (p=0.016), QTd (p

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the changes in disease severity and medication adherence of patients who stayed away from Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) activities during the Covid-19 pandemic period although they participated more regularly in CMHC activities before the Covid-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: 54 patients who regularly attended CMHC were included in the study retrospectively. The first interview in this study was held in January 2020, and the second interview was held in June 2021. Results: The increase in the PANSS total 2 score compared to the PANSS total 1 score, the increase in the PANSS positive 2 score compared to the PANSS positive 1 score, the increase in the YMRS 2 score compared to the YMRS 1 score, and the decrease in the MMAS 2 score compared to the MMAS 1 score were found to be significant (p

Our study aimed to examine the childhood traumas and psychiatric symptoms of prisoners and their relationship with crime types. Persons convicted in Elazig Penitentiary Institutions were included in the study. The Demographic and Clinical Evaluation Form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) were administered to all participants. A total of 370 people were included in the study. For prisoners who have been imprisoned before, CTQ-physical abuse, BAI, SCL-90-somatization, anxiety, and hostility subscale scores were higher than those who entered the prison for the first time (p values: 0.020, 0.003, 0.016, 0.017, 0.047, respectively). Prisoners with a family history of prison entry had higher SCL-90 test all subscale scores, total scores and CTQ physical abuse subscale scores than the group without a family history of prison entry. Those exposed to violence in childhood and those who had attempted suicide before had higher scores on all scales. Those with a history of alcohol and substance use had higher total scores on the CTQ-emotional abuse and sexual abuse scale. According to the type of crime committed, only the CTQ-sexual abuse subscale scores differed. These subscale scores of the prisoners involved in more than one crime were higher than those involved in a single crime (p=0.030). The CTQ-sexual abuse subscale scores of those who were involved in the crime of willful homicide were calculated to be high (p=0.030). It was thought that preventing abuse, violence, and traumas in childhood may be necessary in reducing the tendency to crimes.