Using the persian version of Gadow's child syptom Inventory (SCI-4), an attempt was made to determine the prevalence of attention deficit and disruptive behaviours among elementary school children of Gonabad town in the north eastern khorasan province of Iran. Subjects consisted of 400 children (202 boys and 198 girls) ages 7 to 12 years attending grades 1-5 of public primary schools. They had been randomly chosen to represent the population of primary school pupils of the town. During the first phase of the study, 100 of the children selected for study were rated by their mothers and teachers using the CSI-4. the same children were then interviewed by a trained psychiatrist who also filled the CSI-4 for each of them.

Using the latter ratings as a criterion, the sensitivity andspecificity of ratings made by mothers and teachers were deetermined and a cut-off point was established for diagnosis of hyperactivit and disruptive behaviour disorder. Applying this cut-off point to the total sample of children rated by their teacers and mothers (N=400) it was found that %21.8 of boys as compared with %12.1 of girls meet the DSM-IV criteria for attention deficit and disruptive behaviour disorders. The majority of children (%9.9 of boys and %8.1 of girls) identified as behaviourally disturbed manifested symptoms of hyperactivity / attention deficit disorder. The second most prevalent category of behaviorla disturbance was conduct disorder (manifested by %8.99 of boys and %4.0 of girls). Defiant oppositional disorder was shown only by %5.9 of boys and %3.0 of girls.

Among boys, the highest rates of disorder were shown by the six children aged 12 plus (%100). All of whom were below their age level in terms of academic progress and has been rated as, academically very werak, by their teachers. Rates of behaviour disorder tended to be higher among children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Objective: Standardizing the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale among Iranian population from birth through 18 years and 11 months of age. Method: The Scale is consisted of four domains: Communication, daily life skills, socialization and motor skills. To validate this Scale on Iranian population, 1650 normal subjects composed of 15 age groups in urban and rural areas in Fars, Khorasan, Zanjan, Kohkilouyehboyr'ahmad, and Tehran provinces were selected, Also 130 mental retarded subjects were chosen to be assessed by this Scale. To determine the reliability of the Scale, it was performed on 140 parents of the subjects with retest method. Findings: The findings indicate that the items of this Scale is valid and reliable on Iranian population. Also the table of standardized scores were calculated with 2, 3, and 4 months intervals, adaptive levels in the fields, compound adaptive behavior, the level of maladaptive behavior, percentile ranks, normalized scores, age equivalents in the fields and subfields, and the compound parts of adaptive behavior. Result: This Scale is valid to assess adaptive behavior on Iranian population and has the ability to differentiate between mentally retarded individuals and normal groups. Hence, the differential validity of the Scale may be considered as yet another measure for the structure reliability.

Abstract

Introduction: This study was aimed to determine the efficacy of fluoxetine in treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents.

Method: Twenty-two children and adolescents (6-16 years) diagnosed as having ADHD (excluding mental retardation, comorbid disorders, using concomitant medications) based on clinical psychi-atric evaluation, Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA), and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-4th Edition (DSM-IV) were enrolled in an open clinical trial in a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic, 2000-2001. Fluoxetine was prescribed 20 mg a day for 7 weeks. The efficacy was assessed before and after treatment by means of three outcome mea- sures: Children Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), Conner's Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), Conners's Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS). The side effects were assessed using a questionnaire.

Results: Moderate to robust improvement (improvement >50%) were seen in 65%. Eighty-six percent reported no side effects. Mild to moderate side effects were experienced by 14% which dimi- nished with continuation of the medication.

Conclusion: Fluoxetine is well tolerated in children and adolescents and may be an alternative me- dication in ADHD patients who cannot take other medications.

Abstract

Objectives: The present study was carried out to determine the incidence of Bipolar Spectrum Disorders (BSD) among pregnant women in rural areas of the province of Isfahan using Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), and its relationship with the development of post-partum depression (PPD). Method: This cohort prospective study was carried out on all pregnant women in their third trimester, residing in rural areas covered by Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. In the first stage, all subjects were assessed for present depression and life-time BSD, by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and MDQ respectively. In the second stage, 6-8 weeks after delivery, all women who did not have depression at the first stage were screened for postnatal depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Results: Results showed the incidence of 24.65% for PPD. Significant correlation between life-time prevalence of BSD and incidence of PPD was shown (p<0.05, r=0.24). The sensitivity and specificity of the MDQ for predicting PPD were 46.6% and 75.6% respectively. Its positive and negative predictive values to predict PPD were 2.6% and 98.8% respectively. Conclusion: Significant correlation between the long-life prevalence of BSD and incidence of PPD supported the hypothesis that PPD belongs to BSD. In addition, in instances where other risk factors of PPD are present, this questionnaire can be used to predict the probability of not developing PPD.

Objectives: The present study was carried out with the aim of assessing the psychometric properties of “Neuro-psychiatry Unit Cognitive Assessment Tool” (NUCOG) in patients with dementia. Method: In a descriptive-analytical study, patients presenting to Noor Hospital Neuropsychiatric Clinic and the Neurology Department of Ayatollah Kashani Hospital in Isfahan in autumn 2008 were evaluated and 33 individuals with dementia were selected using convenience sampling. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and NUCOG were administered to the patients. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, Chi² test, and Cronbach’s alpha. Results: Content validity of NUCOG was confirmed. The internal consistency of the NUCOG by Cronbach's alpha was 0.919.  The convergent validity of the MMSE and the NUCOG was 0.922 (p<0.001). There was no significant correlation between age and education, and NUCOG total scores. Conclusion: The Persian version of the NUCOG is a valid and reliable tool for screening patients with dementia in clinical psychiatric settings.