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Nitric oxide (NO) is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia as well as many neuropsychiatric disease. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) reduces the level of NO by inhibiting nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme. In this study it is aimed to be investigated ADMA in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. In this study, according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia-like psychotic disorder, 49 male first-episode schizophrenia patients-whose mean age was 23.4±3.5 year-and age and education matched 30 healthy male subjects were included for comparison. ADMA levels of the patients were measured before and after 2 months of therapy. In order to rule out the conditions that may affect the levels of ADMA, people whose physical examination and laboratory findings were within normal range were included in the study. In this study plasma ADMA levels of first-episode schizophrenia patients and control group were 3.6±1.5 µmol/L and 1.02±1.02 respectively. After 2 months of antipsychotic treatment plasma ADMA levels of the schizophrenia patients decreased compared to baseline. There was no relationship between the ADMA levels and the clinical severity of the disease. It is considered to be the role of ADMA in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia.

BackgroundThe primary aim of the present study was to compare temperament and character traits and levels of alexithymia between patients with panic disorder and healthy controls.MethodsSixty patients with panic disorder admitted to the psychiatry clinic at Fırat University Hospital were enrolled in the study, along with 62 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis I (SCID-I), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and Panic Agoraphobia Scale (PAS) were administered to all subjects.ResultsWithin the temperament dimension, the mean subscale score for harm avoidance was significantly higher in patients with panic disorder than in controls. With respect to character traits, mean scores for self-directedness and cooperativeness were significantly lower than in healthy controls. Rates of alexithymia were 35% (n=21) and 11.3% (n=7) in patients with panic disorder and healthy controls, respectively. The difficulty identifying feelings subscale score was significantly higher in patients with panic disorder (P=0.03). A moderate positive correlation was identified between PAS and TAS scores (r=0.447, P<0.01). Moderately significant positive correlations were also noted for PAS and TCI subscale scores and scores for novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and self-transcendence.ConclusionIn our study sample, patients with panic disorder and healthy controls differed in TCI parameters and rate of alexithymia. Larger prospective studies are required to assess for causal associations.

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Background. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate adult-child caregiver burden in heart failure (HF) patients. Secondary purpose of the study was to identify the possible influencing factors for caregiver burden and depressive symptoms in a young adult-child caregiver group. Methods. A total of 138 adult-child caregivers and 138 patients with HF participated in this study. Caregivers' burden, depressive symptoms, and anxiety levels were assessed by using Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCBS), Beck Depression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Results. The mean ZCBS scores of the female caregivers were significantly higher than male caregivers. Approximately one-third of the adult-child caregivers had at least mild depressive symptoms. Caregivers with higher depressive symptoms had higher levels of caregiver burden. There were positive correlations between caregiving time, severity of depressive symptoms, and perceived caregiver burden. There was a negative correlation between education level of caregivers and perceived caregiver burden. Age, socioeconomic level, and marital status of patients were affecting factors for depressive symptoms in caregivers. Among caregiver characteristics, gender, marital status, and ZCBS scores seem to influence the depression in caregivers. Conclusions. The study findings suggest significant levels of burden and depressive symptoms even in adult-child caregivers of HF patients.