A Modification of the Relative Weightings of Symptoms Utilizing a Logistic Function to Enhance the Linearity of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction: Although the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is widely used for evaluating patients with schizophrenia, the meaning of the weights of the individual symptoms is ambiguous. The aims of the study were 1) to investigate whether the modification of relative weights of items of the BPRS is able to enhance its correlation with the Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia scale (CGI-SCH) and 2) to construct a potential modified BPRS. Methods: We evaluated 200 schizophrenia patients using the BPRS and the CGI-SCH and drew the scatter plot distributions of the two scales. Next, univariate regression for the CGI-SCH using individual symptoms of the BPRS was performed. Multivariate regression utilizing the ‘logistic function’ was then conducted to allocate marks to each item and Pearson’s r correlation coefficient and r-squared between the two scales were assessed. After that, we constructed an example of a potential modified BPRS. Results: With the scatter plot for the two scales, a logarithmic curve was obtained;this was described by [CGI-SCH] = 3.2248 × ln[18-item BPRS] – 7.2044 (p i” that could express the relative weights of individual symptoms. Subsequently, modification of point allocations according to “Pi” yielded a Pearson’s r of 0.8491 and an r-squared of 0.7718 (not changed) (both p < 0.001). An example of a potential modified BPRS was constructed. Conclusions: Within the limits of our data, the weightings of items of the BPRS improved the correlation of the BPRS with the CGI-SCH for evaluating schizophrenia.

A comparison of a patient-rated visual analogue scale with the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale for social anxiety disorder: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), used to assess the severity of social anxiety disorder (SAD), requires considerable effort and time to complete. The aims of this study were: 1) to investigate whether a visual analogue scale (VAS) could be linear with the LSAS and substitute for the LSAS, 2) to relate such a VAS instrument to patient demographics. Methods: Fifty SAD patients were assessed using the LSAS and VAS instruments completed by both patients and doctors at the same session. We then drew distributions and calculated the Spearman’s ρ and κ coefficient values (divided at the median for each scale) between patient and doctor assessments. Next, each pair among the scores for the LSAS, the patient VAS and the doctor VAS was compared using Wilcoxon rank sum tests according to patient life profile data. Results: Scatter plots of pairs of scores were obtained. Spearman’s ρ was 0.661 between the LSAS and the patient VAS, 0.461 between the LSAS and the doctor VAS, and 0.494 between VAS scores of patients and doctors. The κ coefficients were 0.501 between the LSAS and patient VAS, 0.251 between the LSAS and doctor VAS, and 0.425 between patient VAS and doctor VAS (for all six, p < 0.001). The Wilcoxon rank sum tests indicated a significant difference between the groups with/ without “employment” (LSAS, patient/doctor VAS), with/without “graduation from junior college/university” (doctor VAS) (p < 0.05) and with/without marital history (the age of first consultation) (p < 0.01). Conclusions: A patient VAS may substitute for the LSAS and offer the versatility necessary to capture patient states and life profiles.

Epigenetic Regulation of Serotonin Transporter in Psychiatric Disorders

SLC6A4(solute carrier family 6,member 4) gene encodes a serotonin transporter(5-hydroxytryptamine transporter, HTT),which transports synaptic serotonin into presynaptic terminal.SLC6A4 is known to be the target of antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs).Inhibition of HTT increases synaptic serotonin concentration and thereby exerts antidepressant efficacy.A large number of genetic studies suggest the contribution of genetic variations of SLC6A4 to various psychiatric disorders.The most studied genetic variation,HTT-linked polymorphic region(HTTLPR),