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The co-existence of different versions of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) may introduce a source of error in depression research. In a training procedure, based on 16 videotapes, over 900 scores were used to investigate differences between two prominent versions. The HDRS published by Bech et al. in 1986 produced significantly lower total scores than the original HDRS presented by Hamilton in 1960. Previous experience of the raters, both in psychiatry and in the use of the scale, increased the scores in a nonsignificant way. During the training raters' scores increased significantly. These effects were small, one point each in the total scores, but they were consistent throughout our material. In depression research, training procedures and the exact version of the scales used should be specified.

The aim of the present study was (a) to investigate the relative efficacy of autogenic training and future oriented hypnotic imagery in the treatment of tension headache and (b) to explore the extent to which therapy factors such as relaxation, imagery skills, and hypnotizability mediate therapy outcome. Patients were randomly assigned to the 2 therapy conditions and therapists. 55 patients (28 in the autogenic therapy condition and 27 in the future oriented hypnotic imagery condition) completed the 4 therapy sessions and 2 assessment sessions. No significant main effect or interaction effects for treatment condition or therapist was revealed. A significant effect for time in analyzing scores for headache pain, pain medication usage, depression, and state anxiety was found. In the self-hypnosis condition, pain reduction proved to be associated with depth of relaxation during home practice (as assessed with diaries) and capacity to involve in imagery (as assessed with the Dutch version [van der Velden & Spinhoven, 1984] of the Creative Imagination Scale [Barber & Wilson, 1978/79; Wilson & Barber, 1978]). After statistically controlling for relaxation and imagery, hypnotizability scores (as assessed with the Dutch version [Oyen & Spinhoven, 1983] of the Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale [Morgan & J.R. Hilgard, 1975, 1978/79]) were significantly correlated with ratings of pain reduction. Results are discussed in the context of the neo-dissociation and social-cognitive model of hypnoanalgesia. The clinical relevance and the methodological shortcomings of the present study are also critically assessed.

Traditional approaches to curing patients with chronic benign pain have had only limited success. Rehabilitation becomes therefore more important and in recent years management programs have been developed to achieve this goal. This study was based on the hypothesis that a program can be more effective with its structure according to the comments of patients with respect to the various components of the program. After testing this hypothesis we conclude that such subjective evaluation of treatment is an important factor which merits receiving more attention than previous work has suggested.

Concentrations of amitriptyline (AT), nortriptyline (NT) and E-10-hydroxynortriptyline (E-10-OH-NT) were measured in 18 women with bulimia receiving 100 mg AT/day for at least 6 wk. After onset of treatment between days 36 and 57 there is a decrease in AT and an increase in E-10-OH-NT concentrations, probably due to an autoinductive effect on hydroxylation. The estimated mean (+/- SD; range; n) elimination half-life time of AT was 14.0 (+/- 7.8 h; 7.5-38.5 h; 14). On day 36, AT concentrations in females using oral contraceptives (OC) were higher than in non-users of OC, which indicates inhibition of AT metabolism by OC. In all smokers the E-10-OH-NT concentrations on day 36 were lower than in non-smokers. Our findings suggest induction of N-demethylation and glucuronidation by smoke components.

Outpatients of the Department of Internal Medicine with an early psychiatric referral (within twelve weeks), when compared with outpatients of the same department referred to the psychiatrist at a later stage or not at all, were found to be ten years younger when the complaints started, when they first visited the G.P. and (later) a medical specialist, and at the same time of the investigation. They had visited more medical specialists and had been admitted to hospital more frequently. Outpatients of the pain clinic with an early psychiatric referral (within six weeks), when compared without patients of the same department referred to the psychiatrist later or not at all were eleven years younger when the complaints started and eight years younger when they first visited the G.P. They were referred later to a medical specialist, visited more medical specialists, and belonged to a lower social class and income group. The results are discussed and compared with those of inpatient-studies.

The analgesic and antidepressive effects of amitriptyline (AT) in relation to its kinetics and metabolism were studied in 19 outpatients with chronic pain who received a daily dose of 75 mg AT for at least 6 weeks. Riboflavin was added to the medication to check compliance. On days 0, 4, and 8 and weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12 after the start of dosing, blood samples were drawn from the patients 10 +/- 1 hours after the first morning dose and a sample of the first morning urine was taken to check riboflavin. Serum levels of AT and its metabolites, especially nortriptyline (NT) and E-10-hydroxy-nortriptyline (E-10-OH-NT), were measured by HPLC. On day 0 and at 3, 6, and 12 weeks the severity of depression was scored by means of a self-rating depression scale and pain intensity scores were measured. In addition, after 6 weeks of dosing patients estimated their percentage of pain in comparison with baseline. Mean (+/- SD) steady-state concentrations of AT, NT, and E-10-OH-NT were 36 +/- 23.5, 28 +/- 14.9, and 52 +/- 23.7 micrograms/L, respectively, in male patients (n = 8; age 45 +/- 7.4 years) and 34 +/- 14.6, 45 +/- 25.1, and 40 +/- 15.6 micrograms/L, respectively, in female patients (n = 11; age 46 +/- 6.8 years). There was a significant sex-related difference in the NT/AT ratio, which was higher in women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The relationship between amitriptyline (AT) metabolism and clinical response was studied in 14 outpatients treated with a daily dose of 150 mg AT. Riboflavin was added to the medication to check compliance. On days 0, 2, and 7 and at 3, 6, 9, and 13 wk after onset of therapy, blood samples were drawn from the patients 3 (+/- 0.5) hr after the first morning dose and a sample of the first morning urine was taken to check riboflavin. Serum levels of AT and its metabolites, nortriptyline (NT), E- and Z-10-hydroxynortriptyline (E- and Z-10-OH-NT), total (E + Z) 10-hydroxyamitriptyline (tot-10-OH-AT), and desmethylnortriptyline (DNT), were measured by means of HPLC while minimizing adsorption onto glass. On day 0 and after 6 and 13 wk the severity of the depressive disorder was scored by means of the self-rating depression scale of Zung.28 Mean steady-state concentrations of AT, NT, and E-10-OH-NT were in the order of 100 micrograms/l and tot-10-OH-AT and Z-10-OH-NT approximated 20 micrograms/l. DNT concentrations were under 15 micrograms/l. There was great variation in metabolic pattern between patients. After 6 wk concentrations of all compounds were approximately 15% lower than at 3 wk, indicating a weak autoinducible effect of AT or its metabolites. Steady-state concentrations of AT correlated well with that of NT (r = 0.64; P less than 0.05) but not with that of E-10-OH-NT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)