Longitudinal studies are permeating clinical trials in psychiatry. Additionally, in the same field, rating scales are frequently used to evaluate the status of the patients and the efficacy of new therapeutic procedures. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to study the psychometric properties of these instruments within a longitudinal framework. In the area of depression, the Hamilton depress...

BACKGROUND depression is common but under-diagnosed in nursing-home residents. There is a need for a standardized screening instrument which incorporates daily observations of nursing-home staff. AIM to develop and validate a screening instrument for depression using items from the Minimum Data Set of the Resident Assessment Instrument. METHODS we conducted semi-structured interviews with 1...

OBJECTIVE To assess mood and quality of life in male hemodialysis patients, and to correlate mood swings with the different domains of the quality of life questionnaire. METHOD Forty-seven male patients undergoing regular hemodialysis for more than six months were included in the study. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire, in a version...

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Treatment usually consists of serotonergic medications along with exposure therapies. Danger ideation reduction therapy (DIRT) is an alternative therapy predominantly for washing compulsions and focuses on reduction of danger ideations. DIRT was tried on Ms. S. with a history of OCD for 15 years and improvement ...

Background: Voiding and sexual dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis represent the most devastating dimensions of the disease. Pharmacological treatment of voiding dysfunction could improve sexual life in patients affected by the disease. We investigated the effects of Onabotulinum toxin A intradetrusor injections on urinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction, and on the psychological status of women ...

BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder afflicts an estimated 17% of individuals during their lifetimes at tremendous suffering and costs. Cognitive therapy may be an effective treatment option for major depressive disorder, but the effects have only had limited assessment in systematic reviews. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Cochrane systematic review methodology, with meta-analyses and trial seque...

Little research has been done on the use of antidepressants among homebound older adults, especially low-income homebound older adults, and their perceptions of the effectiveness of their medication. The purposes of this study were to examine self-reported use of antidepressants among depressed homebound older adults, class and type of antidepressants used, individual-level correlates of antide...

BACKGROUND Goals of treating major depressive disorder (MDD) include achieving remission and avoiding relapse. It is possible that patients may have a broader view of remission than what is captured via clinician-rated scales. This patient perspective may, in turn, have an impact on treatment outcomes. METHODS The association between a broader conceptualization of remission, based on the Remi...

To determine whether the mode of administration affected the psychometric properties of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), 21 subjects with an affective disorder were administered two HAMD interviews on the same day, once via videoconference (at 384 kbit/s) and once face-to-face, by two independent interviewers. The interviewers were blind to the results of the other interview. The me...