Community-based Sample Of Patients Research Articles

Predicting the "revolving door" phenomenon among patients with schizophrenic, schizoaffective, and affective disorders

A subpopulation of chronically mentally ill patients, sometimes referred to as "revolving door" patients, are frequently readmitted to psychiatric units. This study examined the relationships among demographic features, diagnostic characteristics, and frequency of hospitalization of patients from four state hospitals. Two semistructured, standardized instruments, the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia and a life events history, were administered to 135 inpatients who met the Research Diagnostic Criteria for schizophrenia (N = 56), schizoaffective disorder (N = 33), unipolar major depressive disorder (N = 23), and bipolar disorder (N = 23). Criminal history was assessed by arrest records. The main outcome measure was the number of hospitalizations. Chi-square and trend test analyses indicated that substance abuse and noncompliance with medication regimens were significantly associated with higher frequencies of hospitalization. A multiple regression model, which included alcohol/drug problems, medication noncompliance, and six sociodemographic and diagnostic variables (age, gender, race, marital status, years of education, and diagnosis) accounted for a significant proportion of the ability to predict frequency of hospitalization. Half of this predictability was due to the relationship of substance abuse and medication noncompliance with number of hospitalizations. Alcohol/drug problems and noncompliance with medication were the most important factors related to frequency of hospitalization. Preventing these behaviors through patient education may reduce rehospitalization rates.

Serum Iron Abnormalities in Neuroleptic-Induced Akathisia in Schizophrenic Patients

Twenty-two schizophrenic patients (DSM-III-R criteria) with clinically significant akathisia were matched with 22 schizophrenic patients without akathisia on the following variables: age, sex, diagnosis, duration of illness, and current treatment. Both groups were assessed using a variety of clinical rating scales and several parameters of serum iron status. The akathisic patients showed greater severity of clinical psychopathology, particularly positive symptoms, and an excess of extrapyramidal side-effects. We were unable to confirm any association between low serum iron and neuroleptic-induced akathisia in our sample of community-based patients.