فهرست مطالب hamzeh rostami

 Recent evidence suggests the potential efficacy of modafinil in addressing specific symptom domains associated with schizophrenia, particularly negative and cognitive symptoms. However, it's important to note that findings in this area have been inconsistent.

 This study was done to assess the impact of modafinil on improving negative symptoms in schizophrenia patients.

 In this clinical trial, 40 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and referred to Golestan Hospital were selected. Patients received a daily dose of 100 to 200 mg of modafinil in addition to their ongoing antipsychotic treatment with either Risperidone or Olanzapine. In the control group, patients received a placebo along with their prescribed antipsychotic therapy. The duration of the follow-up was 4 weeks. Both the evaluator and the patients were blinded to the administered medication. The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) was utilized to measure negative symptoms before the intervention, and at 2 and 4 weeks following the intervention.

 The mean age of participants in the intervention and control groups was 34.00 ± 6.60 and 36.90 ± 6.88 years, respectively. Two weeks after the intervention, the average SANS score was lower in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (99.70 ± 10.24 vs. 111.24 ± 7.08, P = 0.04). At 4 weeks post-intervention, the average SANS score in the intervention group was significantly reduced compared to the placebo group (84.39 ± 3.54 vs. 113.79 ± 3.75, P = 0.002).

 This study suggests that modafinil may be an effective adjunctive therapy for schizophrenia, particularly for treating anhedonia symptoms.

Limited studies have yet evaluated the effectiveness of topiramate in the treatment of amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of topiramate in the treatment of patients with this disorder.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 52 patients with amphetamine and methamphetamine use disorder, within the age range of 16-60 years, were randomly divided into an intervention group (n = 26) and a placebo group (n = 26). The intervention group was treated with topiramate tablets with a starting dose of 50 mg, which was gradually increased to the target dose of 200 mg. The control group was treated with placebo. The duration of drug intervention in this clinical trial was 12 weeks, and all participants were evaluated before the intervention and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after beginning the intervention. The Beck Depression Inventory, drug use temptation questionnaire, urine test, and side effects questionnaire were used as outcome measures to assess the patients. The data were analyzed using chi-square, independent t-test, and analysis of variance with repeated measurements.

There was no significant difference between the intervention and placebo groups in depression at the beginning of the treatment and at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks after the intervention (P > 0.05). The urine test also showed no significant difference between the two groups at any of the evaluation stages (P > 0.05). Although there was no significant difference between the two groups in the drug use temptation results at the beginning and the 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks (P > 0.05), the level of drug temptation in the intervention group was significantly lower than the placebo group in the 8th, 10th, and 12th weeks (P < 0.05).

Topiramate can be effective in reducing the desire to use amphetamine and methamphetamine. However, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

 Brucellosis, also known as malt fever, poses significant health and economic challenges across various regions worldwide, particularly in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries.

 This study aimed to identify cases of undiagnosed brucellosis among psychiatric patients.

 This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Khozestan Province, Iran. The study aimed to investigate cases of undiagnosed brucellosis among psychiatric patients during the first six months of 2021. The diagnosis of brucellosis relied on standard tests, namely the Wright test, the Coombs-Wright test, and the two-mercaptoethanol test, which are widely recognized as reference techniques. In the endemic region of Iran, a positive titer of at least 1: 80 in the Wright test and titers of at least 1: 40 in the two-mercaptoethanol test are considered diagnostic criteria. The Coombs-Wright test is deemed positive when the titer is three dilutions higher than the Wright test titer in symptomatic patients.

 A total of 225 patients admitted to psychiatric wards with psychiatric disorders underwent examination for brucellosis. The study revealed an undiagnosed brucellosis prevalence of 7.6% (n = 17). None of these patients had a recent or prior history of brucellosis, nor had they received any treatment for the disease. Among the seventeen patients, three reported experiencing typical and commonly observed symptoms of brucellosis, such as myalgia and arthralgia, during the clinical interviews. However, the remaining fourteen patients did not display any clinical symptoms typically associated with brucellosis, including myalgia, arthralgia, fever, and sweating. Instead, they solely exhibited psychiatric symptoms alongside their condition.

 Based on the findings, it can be deduced that among the 225 patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, 14 individuals were identified as having brucellosis. Remarkably, these patients did not exhibit the characteristic symptoms typically associated with brucellosis. Instead, their manifestation of brucellosis presented solely as psychiatric symptoms.

Metabolic syndrome is a potential side effect of atypical antipsychotics which are the current standard treatment for schizophrenia. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effect of barberry root (Berberis vulgaris) on the prevention of metabolic syndrome caused by atypical antipsychotic drugs in patients with schizophrenia.

Our research was a three-blind randomized clinical trial. The participants included all patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia through the SCID-5 questionnaire and based on the DSM-5-TR criteria by two psychiatric experts. These patients were randomly divided into intervention and placebo groups. During a three-month treatment period, the intervention group received three 500 mg capsules of barberry root extract daily, whereas the placebo group received the same capsules containing 500 mg of starch powder. Metabolic syndrome variables including fasting blood glucose, serum lipids (triglyceride and cholesterol), blood pressure, weight and waist circumference were measured before and after the treatment as outcome measure. Chi-square and t-tests were used for data analysis using SPSS-22 software.

At the beginning of the study, there was no significant difference between the intervention group (n = 41) and the placebo group (n = 47) in terms of demographic factors, and pre-treatment assessments including weight, waist size, fasting blood HDL, fasting blood triglycerides and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose (P > 0.05). Within group analysis showed that some metabolic factors significantly increased in both groups after the treatment (P < 0.05). Indeed, in both groups, metabolic syndrome measures worsened after the three-month treatment period. The parameters of weight and waist size were significantly higher in the intervention group than the placebo group after treatment (P < 0.05).

Barberry root extract was not able to control the Effects of antipsychotic drugs on metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia.

The COVID-19 anxiety syndrome is characterized by threat monitoring, checking, avoidance, and worry. The COVID-19 anxiety syndrome scale (C-19ASS) is a self-report tool to measure this syndrome. The present study was aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of C-19ASS in Iranian college students.

This is a correlational study. Participants were 251 students of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences in 2020 who were selected using a convenience sampling method and filled self-report tools of compassion scale, C-19ASS and COVID-19 burnout scale (COVID-19-BS). The reliability using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, convergent validity, divergent validity, and construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis were examined. the collected data were analyzed in SPSS v.25 and LISREL 8.8 applications.

The results of the confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor and two-factor structure of the Persian C-19ASS, where the two-factor model had a better fit. Cronbach’s alpha for the overall scale and its subscales of Perseveration and avoidance were obtained 0.72, 0.71, and 0.70, respectively. The Persian C-19ASS score had a positive significant correlation with the COVID-19-BS score and a negative significant correlation with the compassion scale score, indicating the convergent and divergent validity of the Persian C-19ASS.

The Persian C-19ASS has good psychometric properties (validity and reliability) and can be used in evaluating different dimensions of COVID-19 anxiety syndrome in Iran. It is a short and practical tool that can be used in clinical and research settings.

Eating disorders (EDs) are prevalent in adolescents and young adults, leading to various psychiatric and physical complications that affect the quality of life and even mortality.

The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of self-efficacy and self-esteem in the relationship of perfectionism and negative reactivity with EDs.

This descriptive study was performed on 302 students selected from the University of Tehran during 2018 - 2019. The data collection tools were the ED Examination-Questionnaire Short form, Self-esteem Scale, Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire-Short Form, ED Inventory-Perfectionism Scale, and Perth Emotional Reactivity Scale. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data.

The results showed that EDs had significant positive correlations with perfectionism (r = 0.4, P = 0.01) and general negative reactivity (r = 0.53, P = 0.01). On the other hand, these disorders had a significant negative correlation with self-esteem (r = -0.48, P = 0.01) and self-efficacy (r = 0.53, P=0.01). Self-esteem had a negative significant relationship with perfectionism (r = -0.12, P = 0.05) and negative reactivity (r = -0.68, P = 0.01). Moreover, self-efficacy had a negative significant relationship with perfectionism (r = -0.28, P = 0.01) and negative reactivity (r = -0.5, P = 0.01). The findings of path analysis showed that self-esteem and self-efficacy played mediating roles in the relationship of negative reactivity and perfectionism with EDs. Negative reactivity directly affected eating pathology (t = 1.27, ß = 0.13) but is not significant.

Our findings showed that self-esteem and self-efficacy are protective factors against the negative effects of perfectionism and negative reactivity. Therefore, self-esteem and self-efficacy can be considered as parts of prevention and treatment programs for EDs.

The coronavirus has caused fundamental changes in our way of life, leading to a wave of psychological distress associated with the COVID‑19 epidemic, including stress, anxiety, perceived threats, and fear.Considering the psychological consequences of COVID‑19, the present study was conducted with the aim of mediating the role of compassion in the relationship between COVID‑19 anxiety syndrome and COVID‑19 burnout.

The design of the present study was descriptive correlation. The present study population included all students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in the academic year 2020. Two hundred and fifty‑one students were selected and completed the COVID‑19 Anxiety Syndrome Questionnaire, Compassion Scale, and COVID‑19 Burnout Scale. Pearson correlation coefficient test and structural equation model were performed using SPSS version 18 and LISREL 8.8.

The results showed that COVID‑19 burnout had a positive and significant relationship with the overall score of anxiety syndrome (r = 0.42, P = 0.01), while it has a negative and significant relationship with compassion (r = −0.37, P = 0.01). Compassion also has a significant negative relationship with anxiety syndrome (r = −0.35, P = 0.01). In addition, the results of path analysis showed that compassion plays a mediating role in the relationship between COVID‑19 anxiety syndrome and COVID‑19 burnout.

Based on the findings of the present study, it can be said that compassion acts as a protective factor against the negative effects of anxiety syndrome. Therefore, this factor can be considered in the development of prevention and treatment programs for burnout caused by COVID‑19.

Because of the long duration of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, people may suffer greatly from the common burnout caused by this virus.

Considering the psychological consequences of COVID-19, this study investigated the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the COVID-19 Burnout Scale (COVID-19-BS).

The Persian version of the COVID-19-BS was prepared through forward translation, reconciliation, and back-translation. The method of the study was descriptive (psychometric). The statistical population included all students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from October 2020 to November 2020. Using the convenience sampling method, 251 students were selected. All participants completed the COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale (C-19ASS), the Compassion Scale (CS), and the COVID19-BS. Convergent validity, divergent validity, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate the validity. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 and LISREL 8.5 software.

The findings supported the single-factor structure of COVID-19-BS and a good internal consistency of the scale. Internal consistency obtained by Cronbach’s alpha method for the total score of C-19ASS was 0.72, indicating a good internal consistency. The COVID-19-BS had a positive and significant correlation with the C-19ASS (P = 0.01, r = 0.37) and a negative and significant correlation with the CS (P = 0.01, r = -0.41), indicating the convergent and divergent validity of this scale (P <0.01).

The present psychometric study complements the cross-cultural literature of this instrument. The COVID-19-BS showed good validity and reliability, and it can be useful in assessing the burnout caused by COVID-19 in the Iranian population. This scale seems to be a useful and practical tool for assessing COVID-19 burnout in research and clinical settings.