There is a high co-morbidity between chronic inflammatory disorders and depression. Proinflammatory cytokines like TNF-α seem to play a central role in the pathogenesis of these disorders, and its neutralization provides a potent treatment for inflammatory disorders. Few studies showed that TNF-α blockers also caused an improvement in depressive symptoms associated with these chronic inflammatory disorders. To evaluate the effectiveness of TNF-α blockers on symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), depression, anxiety and quality of life, 9 AS patients resistant to classical therapy were enrolled and followed-up at 2nd and 6th weeks after a TNF-α blocker was started. Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scales (HAM-D, HAM-A), Hospital Depression and Anxiety Questionnaire (HAD), Quality of Life Scale (SF36) and AS severity index (BASDAI) were applied to the patients at weeks 0, 2 and 6. ESR and CRP were evaluated to monitor biological disease activity. There was a significant reduction in HAM-D (p = 0.00), HAM-A (p = 0.00), HAD anxiety scores (p = 0.02) and a significant improvement in SF36 physical function (p = 0.00), physical role limitations (p = 0.00), bodily pain (p = 0.05), general health (p = 0.01), vitality (p = 0.03) and emotional role limitations (p = 0.00) subscales, BASDAI scores (p = 0.00), ESR (p = 0.00) and CRP (p = 0.00). Change in clinical disease activity (BASDAI) was not correlated with change in depression-anxiety scores, while change in biological disease activity (CRP) was correlated with change in depression-anxiety scores. TNFα blockers may have a potential antidepressant effect besides its anti-inflammatory effect that seems to be independent of its clinical effect.

Psychomotor speed and memory were primarily impaired in MS patients, and CI was closely associated with clinical aspects of MS rather than with depression and anxiety.

This study explored the rates of exposure to violence among physicians, nurses, and other health care staff members working at the locked psychiatric clinics, to examine the quantity and types of violence exposed, and to compare occupational groups by the level of exposure to violence. In parallel with the existing literature, the present study supports the proposition that physicians and nurses working at psychiatric units represent a risky group in terms of exposure to violence. The survey found that 87.6% of staff members viewed security measures insufficient. It is considered by the authors that preventive actions should be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to violence against the staff members working at the locked psychiatric clinics.

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Fifty-six consecutive male patients with sexual dysfunction who were referred for treatment to the Department of Psychiatry, University of Istanbul were allocated to psychotherapy and drug treatment conditions. The overall patient am'tion rate was found to be 66%. Lower socio-economic status, erectile failure, shorter duration and higher severity of dysfunction, and better marital adjustment were found to be associated with premature termination of psychotherapy, whereas none of these features predicted compliance in the drug group.Implications for practice of sex therapy with patients from lower social strata and traditional, non-Western cultural settings are discussed.