Browsing by Author "Ucok, A"

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    THE VALIDATION OF TURKISH VERSION OF PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERFORMANCE SCALE (PSP)
    Aydemir, O; Ucok, A; Danaci, AE; Sariöz, F; Canpolat, T; Karadayi, G; Emiroglu, B
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    Reliability and Validity of Subjective Well-Being Under Neuroleptics Scale-Short Form-Turkish Version
    Pazvantoglu, O; Simsek, OF; Aydemir, O; Sarisoy, G; Korkmaz, IZ; Mor, S; Boke, O; Ucok, A
    Reliability and validity of subjective well-being under neuroleptics scale-short form, Turkish version Objective:The Subjective Well-Being Under Neuroleptics Scale (SWNS) is a self-reported measure that evaluates the state of well-being of schizophrenis patients using antipsychotic drugs independently of psychotic symptoms. This study was intended to establish the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the scale. Methods: The Cronbach alpha coefficient was calculated for reliability analysis of the scale, which was translated into Turkish and applied to 103 schizophrenia patients. The criterion validity was examined by correlation with reference scales (Turkish Version of the Functional Remission of General Schizophrenia, The Short Form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life) concurrently in use. The construct validity of the scale was assured using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Findings: The Turkish version of the scale was found to have a high reliability co-efficient (0.881). In terms of total scores, the correlation with other scales is medium-good. However, the results of the Turkish version factor analysis were incompatible with the sub-dimensions of the original scale. Conclusions: Our findings show that the Turkish version of this scale is a valid and reliable tool in the evaluation of states of subjective well-being of schizophrenic patients using antipsychotic drugs. On the other hand, we recommend that studies to be conducted in Turkey use only the scale total score.
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    Reasons for clozapine discontinuation in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia
    Ucok, A; Yagcioglu, EA; Yildiz, M; Kaymak, SU; Saka, MC; Tasdelen, R; Danaci, AE; Senol, SH
    Although clozapine is more effective than other antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia, the rate of its discontinuation is also high. The aim of this retrospective chart-review study was to investigate the causes of clozapine discontinuation in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. This study included a total of 396 patients with schizophrenia, 240 still on clozapine therapy and 156 who discontinued clozapine, and compared their clinical characteristics. Those who discontinued clozapine had a longer history of illness and more hospitalizations before clozapine and tended to be older. Inadequate response was more common among clozapine discontinuers compared to continuers. The most common reason for discontinuation was the side-effects associated with clozapine (49%). Discontinuation from patient decision or by the psychiatrist due to noncompliance was the second (29.7%) and discontinuation due to lack of efficacy was the third most frequent reason (21.3%). The patients who discontinued clozapine because of cardiac side effects were younger, had shorter duration of clozapine use, and had lower maximum clozapine dose compared to the other discontinuers. Our findings point out the importance of enhancing psychiatrists' ability to handle manageable side effects to minimize discontinuations and maximize the benefits of clozapine in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
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    Efficacy and tolerability of switching to ziprasidone from olanzapine, risperidone or haloperidol: an international, multicenter study
    Alptekin, K; Hafez, J; Brook, S; Akkaya, C; Tzebelikos, E; Ucok, A; El Tallawy, H; Danaci, AE; Lowe, W; Karayal, ON
    To compare the effectiveness of a switch from haloperidol (N=99), olanzapine (N=82), or risperidone (N=104) to 12 weeks of treatment with 80-160 mg/day ziprasidone in patients with stable schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Stable outpatients with persistent symptoms or troublesome side effects were switched using one of three 1-week taper/switch strategies as determined by the investigator. Efficacy was assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score, Clinical Global Impression, Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, and tolerability by using standard measures of weight change, extrapyramidal symptoms, and laboratory findings, Suboptimal efficacy was the primary reason for switching. The preferred switch strategy was immediate discontinuation, and the preferred dosing regimen was 120 mg/day. Completer rates were 68, 60, and 86% in the haloperidol, risperidone, and olanzapine pre-switch groups, respectively. At week 12, a switch to ziprasidone resulted in statistically significant improvement from baseline on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score, Clinical Global Impression-improvement, Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, and Global Assessment of Functioning scales, reduction in extrapyramidal symptoms and a neutral impact on metabolic parameters. Switch from olanzapine and risperidone resulted in weight reduction and from haloperidol in some weight increase. In conclusion, oral ziprasidone of 80-160 mg/day with food was a clinically valuable treatment option for stable patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder experiencing suboptimal efficacy or poor tolerability with haloperidol, olanzapine, or risperidone. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 24:229-238 (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.