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Background and Aims: Assessment of the severity of substance use disorders (SUDs) in a culture-sensitive manner can help gauge the current condition of the substance user and assess change with time. The present study aimed to develop a scale for the assessment of the severity of SUDs in the Indian clinical context. Methods: Based upon the review of literature on previously available instruments and a consultative meeting of experts, a clinician-rated scale was developed that finally comprised 41 items. A briefer 5-item scale with current and lifetime versions was also developed. The scales were applied to patients with SUDs at six different clinical sites. Results: The instrument was applied to 720 patients (98.2% males, mean age: 34.6 years). The Cronbach's alpha of the full scale was 0.852. The inter-rater reliability Pearson correlation coefficient of the full-scale was r = 0.821 (P < 0.001), and the intra-class correlation coefficient single measure was 0.800 (95% confidence interval: 0.724-0.956). A four-factor solution was suggested to be the most tenable. The mean application duration of the full scale was 13.4 minutes, and that of the briefer version was 2 minutes. Conclusion: This validated scale could be a potentially useful assessment measure for the severity of SUDs in the Indian context. The utility lies in the simplicity of administration and scoring and the balance between brevity and thorough assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to offer an overview of the models of clinical care of the patients with dual disorders in India. Design/methodology/approach: All the members of the Dual Diagnosis India Network (DDIN) who shared the clinical care delivery at their center were invited to share the details of their model. In addition, an invite was also sent to those members who could not attend the online session but were interested in contributing the required information about their model. The information shared by the respondents was collated. The different models were then categorized based on their features. Findings: Following the categorization of the clinical care services organization across different settings, five different models emerged. These were specialized dual diagnosis clinic; services for dual disorders offered as substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services within general psychiatry care; services for dual disorders in general psychiatry care; services for dual disorders offered as SUD treatment services separated from general psychiatry care; and services for dual disorders offered in general psychiatry services combined with exclusive SUD treatment services. Originality/value: Currently, there is limited literature on models of dual disorders from the low- and middle-income countries. The authors believe that the documentation of these models from India shall be of help while setting up services for dual disorders in other health-care settings. This study can be a valuable resource for making informed choices while setting up new services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the management of psychiatric disorders during the perinatal period. Topics discussed include an overview of psychological conditions in the perinatal period, general approach to the patient in perinatal psychiatry, and risk benefit analysis of medications and management planning.

Context: Cognitive impairments are common among patients with alcohol dependence. It may involve frontal executive dysfunction, global cognitive impairments, or both. Motivation to quit alcohol involves recognition of alcohol use as a problem. This ability may be construed as a cognitive symptom. Aims: The aim is to study the frequency of cognitive dysfunction among patients with alcohol dependence and to study the association between cognitive dysfunction and the motivation to quit alcohol. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six adult males with alcohol dependence (International Classification of Diseases-10) who had completed a course of detoxification and who did not have active withdrawal symptoms or acute medical illnesses were recruited for this study. Their cognitive functions were tested using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Their motivation levels were assessed using the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale. Clinical details were collected using a semi-structured pro forma. Results: Global cognitive impairment (MoCA <26) was seen in 81% and frontal executive dysfunction (FAB <12) in 16% of patients. Higher MoCA and FAB scores correlated with better education, while lower FAB scores correlated with higher age. The 14 patients (25%) with good motivation did not differ in age, education, years of dependence, or MoCA or FAB scores from poorly motivated patients. FAB scores, but not MoCA, were associated with poor motivation. All nine patients with FAB <12 were poorly motivated to quit alcohol; likelihood score = 5.731, P = 0.017. Conclusions: Four-fifths of patients with alcohol dependence had global cognitive impairments after the detoxification period. One-sixth had frontal executive dysfunction. Cognitive functions were not significantly correlated with the duration of dependence. Presence of frontal executive dysfunction was associated with almost six times likelihood that the patient will be poorly motivated to quit alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]