Depressive symptoms and schizophrenia a psychopharmacological approach.
The frequency of depression was assessed in 43 chronic schizophrenic patients during an acute exacerbation phase of schizophrenia. The dexamethasone suppression test was administered to all patients. Depressive symptomatology showed a prevalence from 16.3% for moderate symptoms to 23.3% for mild ones. Depressive symptoms occurred concurrently with the psychotic picture and resolved as the psychosis remitted. Depressive symptoms were not relative to age, sex, duration of illness, DST cortisol levels, drug dosages and extrapyramidal side effects while basal cortisol levels were negatively correlated with basal Hamilton score.
Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Milan, Italy.
M C
MC
Mauri
S
S
Bravin
L
L
Fabiano
S
S
Vanni
L
L
Boscati
G
G
Invernizzi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol