Browsing by Author "Danaci A.E."

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    Benzodiazepines for treatment of depressive disorders; [Depresif bozukluk tanili hastalarda benzodiazepin kullanimi]
    (2000) Danaci A.E.; Şen F.S.; Aydemir Ö.; Çelli I.
    Object: In conventional publications use of benzodiazepines for treatment of depressive disorders is often recommended as a final chance. In fact, depression implicates symptoms of anxiety as well; anxiety is one of the most frequently encountered symptoms and is among the most sensitive symptoms to show whether depressed patient is getting better or worse. Therefore an effective depression treatment should overcome the anxiety symptoms as well. A period of 2-4 weeks is required in treatment for the effects of antidepressants to start and in clinical practice physicians frequently add other medications to anti-depressants for rapid and additional effects. This study aims to examine the frequency of use of benzodiazepine in treatment of patients with depressive disorder in routine clinical practice. Method: In this study, records of 248 patients who applied to psychiatry outpatient ward of Celal Bayar University Hospital in 1998 and diagnosed with depressive disorder were analyzed. 83.1% of patients were women and 16.9% were men. Diagnostic dispersion was as follows: 65.7% of patients had major depressive disorder, single episode, 2.0% had major depressive disorder, recurrent, 0.8% had bipolar depression, 20.6% had dysthymic disorder and 10.9% had depressive disorder not otherwise specified. Results: 61.7% of patients were prescribed anxiolytic drugs alongside with antidepressant treatment. Use of benzodiazepine in patients with insomnia and anxiety symptoms was statistically higher (P=0.000) when compared to those not having such symptoms. In addition, drop out rates were less with patients having benzodiazepine as a supplement to their routine treatment (p=0.000). Conclussions: This study has shown that use of benzodiazepine in depressed patients, particularly those with anxiety and insomnia symptoms is rather common and this practice enables patients to adapt to treatment better.
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    Acute exacerbation of positive symptoms in schizophrenia during quetiapine treatment: Five case reports; [Ketiapin saǧaltimi sirasinda şizofreninin pozitif belirtilerinde ortaya çikan akut alevlenme: Beş olgunun sunumu]
    (2001) Danaci A.E.; Aydemir Ö.; Içelli I.
    Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic which has been recently submitted for clinical use in Turkey. Studies revealed that quetiapine is effective on the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and has less side effects compared to conventional antipsychotics. In this article 5 cases, who had been followed with diagnosis of schizophrenia for a long time and had acute exacerbation in positive symptoms during quetiapine treatment, are presented. In literature no articles about side effects of quetiapine were found. The possible reasons of this condition occurring in Turkey was discussed and a study on the pharmacokinetic properties of quetiapine based on this report is proposed.
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    Relationship of sexuality with psychological and hormonal features in the menopausal period
    (2003) Danaci A.E.; Oruç S.; Adigüzel H.; Yildirim Y.; Aydemir Ö.
    Women may experience some mental and sexual problems between the ages of 40 years and 60 years due to serious changes in the hormonal system. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between the changes in sex hormones, sexual behaviours, depression and anxiety levels of women who were in either the premenopausal, perimenopausal or postmenopausal period. The subjects of this cross-sectional study consisted of 324 women who attended the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Out-Patient Ward of Celal Bayar University Hospital. Of this group, 37.0% (n = 124) were postmenopausal, 27.2% (n = 84) perimenopausal and 35.8% (n = 116) premenopausal. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventories (STAI-I and II) and a questionnaire on sexual behaviour which was prepared for this study by the authors, were applied to all of the attendees and serum sex hormone levels were analyzed. Beck Depression Anxiety, STAI-I and STAI-II scores and sexual behaviours did not show any statistically significant difference among these three groups. The frequency of sexual intercourse was lower in women with high BDI scores. The rate of painful intercourse was higher in women with high STAI-I scores. The frequency of sexual intercourse, sexual desire and orgasm decreased and painful intercourse increased in women with high STAI-II scores. The frequency of sexual intercourse decreased significantly as the age or follicle stimulating hormone level of women increased. These findings have revealed that the menopausal state did not affect the sexual behaviour, and psychological state of women between the ages of 40 and 60 years, but the increase in anxiety and depression scores affected the sexual life in a negative manner.
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    Diabetes mellitus due to olanzapine use: A case report; [Olanzapin'e baǧli diabetes mellitus: Bir olgu sunumu]
    (2003) Danaci A.E.; Mizrak S.; Hekimsoy Z.; Içelli I.
    Olanzapine, a serotonin-dopamine-receptor antagonist, is an atypical antipsychotic agent used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. It has relatively low frequency of side effects such as sedation, orthostatic hypotension, extrapyramidal symptoms, and anticholinergic side effects. Here, a 32-years-old female patient with schizophrenia who developed diabetes after 3 years of olanzapine treatment is presented. Due to lack of family history and immune marker positivity in the occurrence of diabetes, the condition was attributed to olanzapine treatment. After discontinuation of the treatment DM was improved. Controlled studies are necessary both to elucidate the mechanism by which olanzapine can cause dysregulation of glucose homeostasis, and to develop guidelines for the use of olanzapine in patients with known as well as in patients with risk factors for diabetes.
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    Developing a quality of life questionnaire in patients with psoriasis; [Psoriasisli hastalarda yaşam kalite ölçeǧi geliştirilmesi]
    (2003) Inanir I.; Aydemir Ö.; Gündüz K.; Danaci A.E.; Ermertcan A.T.
    Background and design: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease which causes psychological, social and physical problems and affecting quality of life. Developing a quality of life instrument for patients with psoriasis which is suitable for our country is aimed in this study. Materials and methods: Twenty five patients with psoriasis, 25 relatives and 25 doctors were questionned about daily life problems caused by psoriasis and the mostly defined problems were collected in an questionnaire. The reliability and validity of this questionnaire were analysed in a group of 156 patients. Results: For reliability, Chronbach's α coefficient was 0.87, and item-total correlations were between 0,37-0,60 in internal consistency. There was a high test-retest reliability (r=0.98, p<0.001). For validity, three factors were extracted in the Principal Components Method in construct validity. The maximum factor loadings of each item were between 0.456-0.681. In convergent validity, all patients' self-ratings and PASI were correlated with the questionnaire score (p<0.001). Conclusion: The questionnaire consisting of 17 items were found to be suitable for both epidemiologic and clinical trials.
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    Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in pain syndromes: A comparative study with major depression
    (Cukurova Univ Tip Fakultesi Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali, 2008) Taşkin E.O.; Aydemir Ö.; Deveci A.; Taneli F.; Selçuki D.; Cerrahoǧlu L.; Danaci A.E.
    Objective: In this study, it is aimed to compare the level of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) of patients with migraine and fibromyalgia to that of depressive patients and healthy subjects in order to answer the question whether stress is related to pain syndromes. Methods: In the migraine group 27 patients and in the fibromyalgia group 19 patients without any previous antidepressant treatment and psychiatric diagnosis were included. In the depression group, 24 patients with at least eight weeks of antidepressant-free period were invited to the study. In the depression group no co-morbid diagnosis in the first axis was made. Twenty-six subjects without any previous psychiatric diagnosis and psychiatric treatment consisted the control group. For making diagnosis of depression and other first axis disorders Structured Clinical Interview for DSM- IV (SCID-I) was used in all study groups. For the assessment of the severity of depression Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) was applied. The diagnosis of migraine was made according to the criteria of International Headache Society. For the diagnosis of the fibromyalgia the criteria of American College of Rheumatology was used. The severity of pain was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS) in the migraine and fibromyalgia groups. Serum BDNF was kept at -70°C before testing, and assayed with an ELISA Kit (Promega; Madison, WI, USA), after dilution with the Block and Sample solution provided with the kit. The data were subjected to Kruskal Wallis Test in the comparison of serum BDNF levels. Results: The serum BDNF level of the depression group (21.2±11.3 ng/ml) was statistically lower (p<0.0001) than the level of the migraine group (32.2±10.1 ng/ml), fibromyalgia group (30.7±8.9 ng/ml) and the control group (31.4±8.8 ng/ml). The level of BDNF was not significantly different in the migraine, fibromyalgia and control groups. There was no significant correlation between serum BDNF levels, and age and gender. In pain syndromes there was no signification correlation between serum BDNF levels, and mean scores of HAM-D and VAS (r= 0.085; p= 0.579 and r= 0.191; p= 0.204 respectively). Similarly there was no significant correlation between serum BDNF levels and HAM-D scores in the depression group (r=0.122; p= 0.579). Conclusions: Even though the pain syndromes were suggested to be associated with stress, in this present work, serum BDNF level as one of the markers of stress does not support this hypothesis. This might be related to the factor that in pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia or migraine, serum BDNF level may be affected by the alteration in peripheral platelet functions. Furthermore in a limited chronic stress serum BDNF levels tend to be not affected and this may play a significant role in our results.
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    Impact of family involvement on social cognition training in clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia - A randomized pilot study
    (2012) Tas C.; Danaci A.E.; Cubukcuoglu Z.; Brüne M.
    Recovery of social functioning is a largely unattained goal in schizophrenia rehabilitation. In the recent past, new neurocognitive and social cognitive training approaches have been introduced to improve functioning in various domains of patients' social life. These programs have neglected, to some degree, the social environment in which the training takes place. Accordingly, the present study sought to examine if family-assisted social cognitive training could improve quality of life, social functioning and social cognition in schizophrenia patients as compared to a social stimulation approach. In a randomized, controlled, parallel group trial design with two groups, one receiving family-assisted social cognitive training once a week (F-SCIT) and the other, social stimulation once every three weeks (SS), both for 14-weeks period, patients were assessed at baseline, before randomization and 16. weeks after randomization. Participants were recruited from Celal Bayar University Psychosis Unit and were in a clinically stable condition. Patients who received F-SCIT significantly improved in quality of life, social functioning and social cognition, whereas the SS group worsened in nearly all outcome variables. Family-assisted SCIT is effective in improving quality of life, social functioning and social cognition. © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
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    Towards an integrative approach to understanding quality of life in schizophrenia: The role of neurocognition, social cognition, and psychopathology
    (2013) Tas C.; Brown E.; Cubukcuoglu Z.; Aydemir O.; Danaci A.E.; Brüne M.
    The term "schizophrenia" refers to a debilitating group of disorders that usually results in a severely impaired quality of life (QoL). Symptomatology appears to have a substantial role in determining QoL, although the relationship between QoL and specific psychotic symptoms is still unclear and has demonstrated mixed results. Due to the intrinsic importance of social functioning in QoL, and the mediating effect of social cognition on social functioning, the aim of this study was to try to investigate QoL in schizophrenia, not only in terms of symptomatology, but also in consideration of potential neurocognitive and social cognitive contributing factors. Methods: Twenty-eight clinically stable patients with schizophrenia performed a broad range of neurocognitive and social cognitive assessments, and also participated in a semi-structured interview of QoL, assessing four partially independent subdomains of QoL. A stepwise regression model was used to determine the best predictors of QoL, and additionally a mediator analysis was performed to test for the mediating power of social cognition on QoL. Results: Negative symptoms, intelligence, executive functioning and social cognition all had some power in predicting QoL in schizophrenia. Though most interestingly, mental state reasoning was specifically found to be most strongly related with the Intrapsychic Foundation subdomain of QoL, whereas neurocognition and symptom severity were associated with other subdomains of QoL. Conclusions: The association between mental state reasoning and the more "internal" aspects of QoL in schizophrenia may reflect a specific role for social cognition in introspective and subjective judgments of one's own QoL, whereas neurocognition and negative symptomatology may be more predictive of the external or extrinsic aspects of QoL. In conclusion, social cognitive skills appear to play a crucial role in the experience of one's own subjective well-being, which could help to explain previous inconsistencies in the literature investigating QoL in schizophrenia. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.
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    The developmental origins of metacognitive deficits in schizophrenia
    (Elsevier Ireland Ltd, 2016) Aydin O.; Balikci K.; Tas C.; Aydin P.U.; Danaci A.E.; Brüne M.; Lysaker P.H.
    The deficits in metacognition have been observed in schizophrenia but developmental roots of impaired metacognition are not well understood. Accordingly, this study compared metacognitive abilities of patients with schizophrenia and healthy group and examined the relationship between childhood trauma, attachment style and caregiver attitudes with metacognitive capacity which might contribute to metacognitive deficits in patient group. 35 patients with schizophrenia and 35 healthy people were included in the study. Metacognitive capacity was measured using the Metacognition Assessment Scale Abbreviated (MAS-A). This scale comprises four domains: self-reflectivity, understanding other's mind, decentration and mastery. Group comparisons revealed that schizophrenia patients had greater deficits in metacognitive ability. We found that the report of childhood emotional abuse, a pattern of anxious attachment and over protection by caregivers were uniquely related to metacognitive capacity. © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd
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    Oxytocin and social cognition in patients with schizophrenia: Comparison with healthy siblings and healthy controls
    (Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2018) Balikci K.; Aydin O.; Tas C.; Danaci A.E.
    Objective: There is substantial evidence from animal research indicating a key role of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in the regulation of complex social cognition and behaviour. Social cognition is indispensable for social relationships for the whole of human society, and numerous studies have shown impaired social cognition in schizophrenia (SCH) and unaffected first-degree relatives also seem to be impaired, albeit to a lesser extent. Because of that, this study focuses on the role of OT in social cognition in SCH. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with SCH, 27 healthy siblings (HS) of these patients, and 27 psychologically healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. Blood samples were collected through a peripheral venous catheter. Differences in the socio-demographical and WAIS-R were tested by chi-square and one way-ANOVA. To explore the relationships between social cognition and blood samples we performed Pearson correlations. MANCOVA (gender and WAIS-R as covariates) test was performed to investigate the effect of gender on blood levels of OT and WAIS-R on social cognition. Results: Significant differences were found in neurocognitive and social cognitive capacity but not in OT levels. In the healthy control group, there was a positive correlation between blood OT levels and RMET. There is a statistically significant difference between high and low OT groups with regard to social cognition in all subtests of the RMET. Conclusions: In the current study, we found that patients had deficits in social cognition and neurocognition. Lower endogenous OT levels are also predictive for poor social cognitive functioning in HS and HC. © 2018, The authors.
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    Retinal abnormalities and their relationship with social cognition in patients with schizophrenia and their healthy siblings
    (Kare Publishing, 2024) Akin F.; Danaci A.E.; Kayikcioglu R.O.; Tasci M.Y.
    Objective: This study aimed to investigate retinal abnormalities and their relationship with social cognitive function, and to assess whether retinal changes could be observed in the healthy siblings of patients with schizophrenia in a similar manner, suggesting their potential as an endophenotype. Method: The study included 28 patients with schizophrenia, 28 of their siblings, and 28 healthy control subjects. Social cognition tests were administered, and measurements of the retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFL), ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (GCL+IPL), and cup volumes were obtained using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: Analyses revealed no differences between the groups in RNFL thickness. The cup volume was significantly larger in both eyes of the patient group compared to the control group. The mean thickness of the GCL+IPL in the left eye was significantly lower in the patient group compared to the healthy control group, with a similar difference also observed between the siblings of patients and the control group. A statistically significant difference was found among all groups in the total scores of social cognition tests. A weak correlation was identified between retinal layer thicknesses and social cognition test scores in both the patient and sibling groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that GCL+IPL thickness can be a useful endophenotype for the early diagnosis of schizophrenia. While retinal changes do not predict cognitive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, they may play an important role in identifying high-risk groups. © 2024 Kare Publishing. All rights reserved.