ObjectiveWe investigated the relationship between serum bilirubin levels and metabolic syndrome (MetS), and the longitudinal effects of baseline serum bilirubin concentrations on MetS in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders undergoing atypical antipsychotics.MethodsThe sample of this study consisted of 131 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Waist circumference, blood pressure, and levels of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose, and insulin were evaluated at baseline and at month six. Serum bilirubin levels were measured at baseline. Serum bilirubin levels of the patients with and without MetS criteria were compared. We also compared patients with high and low bilirubin levels (upper and lower 50th percentiles of serum bilirubin levels) in terms of MetS criteria, MetS frequency, and course of MetS.ResultsSerum direct bilirubin levels were more consistently related to MetS and MetS-related variables. The waist circumference and triglyceride criteria for MetS were significantly related to low serum direct bilirubin at baseline; waist circumference and fasting glucose criteria, and insulin resistance were associated with low serum direct bilirubin at follow-up. MetS diagnosis and the presence of the waist circumference criterion were more frequent at the baseline and the follow-up in low bilirubin group. At the end of the follow-up period, the rate of reverse MetS was significantly higher in the high bilirubin group.ConclusionOur results have suggested that serum direct bilirubin levels showed a more reliable and stable relationship with abdominal obesity for MetS components.in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders using antipsychotics. Further studies are required.

Purpose The aim of the study was to assess efficacy and safety of paliperidone palmitate (PP) in schizophrenic patients using real-life data. Methods This national, multicenter, retrospective, and mirror-image study was performed reviewing the medical records of patients in 18 centers. Adult schizophrenic patients receiving PP treatment (n = 205) were enrolled. Patients' data covering the last 12 months before the initial PP injection and the period until the end of study with at least 12 months after the initial PP injection were evaluated. Patients' characteristics, scale scores, and adverse events were recorded. Results Nonadherence to prior medication was the most frequent reason for switching to PP treatment. Comparing with the period before PP treatment, the rate of patients visiting the hospital for relapse (79.5% vs 28.9%, P < 0.001) and the median number of hospitalizations (2 vs 0, P < 0.001) were lower during PP treatment. During PP treatment, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score decreased by 20% or more (response to treatment) in 75.7% of the patients. The frequency of adverse events did not differ between the period before and during PP treatment. Improvement in functionality was higher in those with disease duration of 5 years or less. Conclusions Paliperidone palmitate is effective and safe in treatment of schizophrenic patients and in switching to PP treatment in patients with schizophrenia, which reduced the percentage of patients admitted to the hospital for relapse and the median number hospitalization, and has positive effects on functionality.

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Purpose: The present study was conducted to determine the care burden and psychiatric symptom levels of the caregivers of schizophrenic patients.Design and Methods: The caregivers of schizophrenic patients were included in this descriptive study.Findings: It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in the care burden scores and the education, family type, and the presence of physical diseases of the caregivers (P < .05). It was determined that there was a statistically significant positive relation between age and care duration (r = .339, P = .001).

AbstractÖz Purpose: This study aims to identify the demographic and clinical data of patients presenting for mental health disability reports from these boards. Material and Methods: In this study, the records of the patients presenting to the medical board for disability due to mental health problems in 2014 were retrospectively investigated. Results: Among the 5670 patients over 18 years who presented to the medical board for disability, 795 (14.2%) of them were assigned a report due to mental health problems. Four hundred ninety one (61.8%) of them were male, and 304 (38.2%) were female. The most frequent reasons for presentation were for benefits related to law number 2022 (35.8%), and for social benefits / home care services (32.8%). The most frequently encountered diagnoses were mental retardation (52.2%), schizophrenia (18.4%), and depression -dysthymia (7.1%). Three hundred thirteen (39.4%) of the 795 patients with mental health problems were found to be severely disabled, and 510 (64.2%) of the reports were assigned for an indefinite period of time. Conclusion: We think that this report might be helpful for regulations related to disabled people, and might guide adult psychiatric services for patients who present to medical boards for disability due to mental health problems.Amaç:. Bu çalışmanın amacı Engelli Sağlık Kurulu'na başvuran hastalardan ruhsal rahatsızlığı nedeniyle engelli raporu verilen hastaların belirlenerek bu hastaların demografik verilerinin incelenmesidir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmada 2014 yılı içerisinde Engelli Sağlık Kurulu'na başvuran hastalar içerisinden ruhsal rahatsızlığa bağlı engelli raporu alan hastaların dosya verileri geriye dönük olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Engelli Sağlık Kuruluna başvuran 18 yaş üstü 5670 hastanın 795'ine (%14.02) ruh sağlığı ve hastalıkları açısından engelli raporu verildiği tespit edilmiştir. Bu olguların 491'i erkek (%61.8), 304'ü kadın (%38.2) idi. En sık başvuru nedenleri; 2022 Sayılı Yasa'dan yaralanmak (%35.8) ve sosyal yardım/evde bakım hizmetlerinden yararlanmak (%32.8) olduğu görülmüştür. Olgularda en sık saptanan tanılar zekâ gerilikleri (%52.2), şizofreni (%18.4) ve depresyon-distimi (%7.1) olarak bulunmuştur. Ruhsal rahatsızlığı olan hasta grubundaki 795 kişiden 313'ünün (%39.4) ağır engelli olarak değerlendirildiği, verilen raporlardan 510'unun (%64.2) sürekli olarak verildiği saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Engelli Sağlık Kuruluna başvuran ve ruhsal rahatsızlığı sebebiyle engellilik tespit edilen olgulara ait veriler erişkin ruh sağlığı ve hastalıkları pratiğine katkıda bulunacağı ve engelli kişilere ait düzenlemelerde faydalı olabileceği düşünülmüştür.