Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
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Acta Psychiatr Scand · May 2002
ReviewThe application of transcranial magnetic stimulation in psychiatry and neurosciences research.
Over recent years transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has become widely applied in the study of neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of this article is to review the application of TMS as an investigative tool and as a potential therapeutic modality in psychiatric disorders. ⋯ TMS has a considerable role in neuropsychiatric research. It appears to have considerable potential as a therapeutic tool in depression, and perhaps a role in several other disorders, although widespread application requires larger trials and establishment of sustained response.
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Acta Psychiatr Scand · Mar 2001
Operating conditions of psychiatric hospitals and early readmission--effects of high patient turnover.
To study the association between hospitals' operating conditions and the risk of early readmission. The hypothesis was that high patient turnover might lead to a rise in the risk of readmission soon after discharge (within 30 days). ⋯ High patient turnover at the discharging ward was found to increase the patients' hazard of early readmission. This observation supports the hypothesis of a link between the operation conditions of the hospitals and patient outcome on a short time-scale.
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Acta Psychiatr Scand · Jan 2001
Editorial ReviewMaking psychiatric epidemiology useful: the contribution of epidemiology to government policy.
This paper aims to discuss the contribution of epidemiology to aspects of public policy that have either a direct influence on mental health and mental disorders, or an indirect effect by influencing environmental factors which influence mental health. Both kinds of public policy will need to be considered by governments wishing to protect, promote and improve the mental health of their populations. The paper draws on information from both relatively wealthy and low-income countries. ⋯ Mental health policy is increasingly recognized as an essential area for countries wishing to enhance their economic, social and human capital. Epidemiological data are a basic prerequisite to informing such policies. Expert professional and epidemiological advice to ministries is essential if policy is to be rooted in the evidence for population needs, risk factors, effective treatments and services, and measurement of outcomes. It is therefore important to develop the capacity for policy work in the psychiatric profession by including public health, epidemiology and policy placements for young psychiatrists.
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Acta Psychiatr Scand · Jul 2000
Comparative StudyA longitudinal study of prisoners on remand: psychiatric prevalence, incidence and psychopathology in solitary vs. non-solitary confinement.
To compare two levels of stress (solitary confinement (SC) and non-SC) among remand prisoners as to incidence of psychiatric disorders in relation to prevalent disorders. ⋯ Different levels of stress give rise to different incidence of psychiatric morbidity among remand prisoners. The surplus of incident disorders among SC prisoners is related to SC, which may act as a mental health hazard.
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Acta Psychiatr Scand · Jun 2000
ReviewAtypical antipsychotics and weight gain--a systematic review.
To review systematically data relating to weight changes with atypical antipsychotics. ⋯ All atypical drugs, with the exception of ziprasidone, have been associated with weight increases. Clozapine seems to have the highest risk of weight gain, followed by olanzapine and quetiapine. There is probably a lower risk with risperidone, sertindole and zotepine and a still lower risk with amisulpride. Ziprasidone appears not to be associated with weight gain. In the absence of more compelling data, these rankings must be considered approximate and preliminary. Longer, more robust trials are needed.