JNBS
Üsküdar Üniversitesi

Case Report

A Case With Sexual Dysfunction Improved By Vortioxetine Dose Reduction and Sensate Focus Exercises

Turkish Title : A Case With Sexual Dysfunction Improved By Vortioxetine Dose Reduction and Sensate Focus Exercises

Dönmezler Süleyman,Şen Meltem,Yıldırım Münevver Hacıoğlu
JNBS, 2021, 8(1), p:78-80

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_37_20

Major depression disorder in its nature and antidepressants as side effects may cause people to have sexual dysfunction. In the literature, it has been shown in a few examples that it may be beneficial for sexual dysfunction to switch drugs from a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor to vortioxetine. Vortioxetine is an antagonist for 5‐HT3 and 5‐HT7, a partial agonist for HT1B and agonist for 5‐ HT1A and has been known for its low level of sexual dysfunctionality. There is a case showing that vortioxetine with high doses might cause sexual impairment and dose reduction might be a treatment option for this side effect. In this case, vortioxetine dose reduction and sexual improvement were simultaneous. Although the sensory exercises might also help the treatment of sexual dysfunction, it should not be ignored that vortioxetine may cause dose‐dependent sexual side effects.

Major depression disorder in its nature and antidepressants as side effects may cause people to have sexual dysfunction. In the literature, it has been shown in a few examples that it may be beneficial for sexual dysfunction to switch drugs from a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor to vortioxetine. Vortioxetine is an antagonist for 5‐HT3 and 5‐HT7, a partial agonist for HT1B and agonist for 5‐ HT1A and has been known for its low level of sexual dysfunctionality. There is a case showing that vortioxetine with high doses might cause sexual impairment and dose reduction might be a treatment option for this side effect. In this case, vortioxetine dose reduction and sexual improvement were simultaneous. Although the sensory exercises might also help the treatment of sexual dysfunction, it should not be ignored that vortioxetine may cause dose‐dependent sexual side effects.


Original Article

Comparison of Job Satisfaction, Work–Life Quality, and Compassion Level between Psychologists and Psychological Counselors

Turkish Title : Comparison of Job Satisfaction, Work–Life Quality, and Compassion Level between Psychologists and Psychological Counselors

Tahincioglu Dilara,Donmezler Suleyman,Erensoy Habib,Berkol Tonguc Demir
JNBS, 2021, 8(1), p:70-77

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_43_20

Introduction: Various studies have been conducted in the literature on job satisfaction, work‑related quality of life, and compassion with different sample groups. Our aim is to compare psychologists and psychological counselors (PC) in terms of these variables. Methods: It consists of 60 participants; 41 women and 19 men, 30 psychologists and 30 PC, aged between 23 and 52 years, working in schools, clinics, hospitals, and other institutions. Participants filled out a sociodemographic information form and were subjected to the Minnesota job satisfaction scale, the work‑related quality of life scale, and the compassion scale. Ethical Aspect of the Study: This study was approved by the T.R. University of Üsküdar, Non‑Interventional Studies Ethics Committee. Results: It was determined that as the age of psychologists and PC increases, their level of disconnection decreases in terms of compassion (r = −0.264; P = 0.041); thus, their ability to create a rapport increases with age, their compassion fatigue decreases as the workplace changes (r = −0.256; P = 0.048), their job satisfaction decreases as the noise level in the workplace increases (r = −0.433; P = 0.001), their job satisfaction increases as the work‑related quality of
life increases (r = 0.373; P = 0.003), their humaneness increases as their professional satisfaction increases, and their level of indifference and conscious awareness decreases as their compassion fatigue increases. Conclusion: Compassion fatigue is considered to be more related to the traumatic burden of the work done, because as the frequency of workplace changes increases, compassion fatigue decreases. The findings indicate that psychologists and PCs not only need to have suitable working areas available for their work but also need to change their work fields from time to time. It can be argued that the job satisfaction and work‑related quality of life of psychologists and PCs working in private clinics are higher than those working in schools; moreover, the reason for the lower levels of burnouts may be due to the noise levels, as well as the workload at the workplace, other occupational groups, and the culture of the institution.

Introduction: Various studies have been conducted in the literature on job satisfaction, work‑related quality of life, and compassion with different sample groups. Our aim is to compare psychologists and psychological counselors (PC) in terms of these variables. Methods: It consists of 60 participants; 41 women and 19 men, 30 psychologists and 30 PC, aged between 23 and 52 years, working in schools, clinics, hospitals, and other institutions. Participants filled out a sociodemographic information form and were subjected to the Minnesota job satisfaction scale, the work‑related quality of life scale, and the compassion scale. Ethical Aspect of the Study: This study was approved by the T.R. University of Üsküdar, Non‑Interventional Studies Ethics Committee. Results: It was determined that as the age of psychologists and PC increases, their level of disconnection decreases in terms of compassion (r = −0.264; P = 0.041); thus, their ability to create a rapport increases with age, their compassion fatigue decreases as the workplace changes (r = −0.256; P = 0.048), their job satisfaction decreases as the noise level in the workplace increases (r = −0.433; P = 0.001), their job satisfaction increases as the work‑related quality of
life increases (r = 0.373; P = 0.003), their humaneness increases as their professional satisfaction increases, and their level of indifference and conscious awareness decreases as their compassion fatigue increases. Conclusion: Compassion fatigue is considered to be more related to the traumatic burden of the work done, because as the frequency of workplace changes increases, compassion fatigue decreases. The findings indicate that psychologists and PCs not only need to have suitable working areas available for their work but also need to change their work fields from time to time. It can be argued that the job satisfaction and work‑related quality of life of psychologists and PCs working in private clinics are higher than those working in schools; moreover, the reason for the lower levels of burnouts may be due to the noise levels, as well as the workload at the workplace, other occupational groups, and the culture of the institution.


Original Article

Evaluating of Solute Carrier Family 6 Member 4 Gene (SLC6A4) Promoter Polymorphisms with Escitalopram Plasma Levels for Precision Medicine in Major Depressive Disorder

Turkish Title : Evaluating of Solute Carrier Family 6 Member 4 Gene (SLC6A4) Promoter Polymorphisms with Escitalopram Plasma Levels for Precision Medicine in Major Depressive Disorder

Canbolat Fadime,Erinc Dilek Meltem Tasdemir,Sercan Canan,Evrensel Alper,Ulucan Korkut,Aydın Ahmet,Tarhan Kasif Nevzat
JNBS, 2021, 8(1), p:62-69

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_44_20

Aim and Objective: Escitalopram (SCT) shows an antidepressant effect due to its mechanism of increasing the serotonin level by inhibiting the serotonin transporter protein (5HTT). 5HTT is encoded by solute carrier family 6 member 4 gene (SLC6A4) in the brain. Recognition of SCT plasma level of patients and pharmacodynamics of individuals during SCT treatment will increase the expected response to the treatment and reduce the adverse effects. This study aims to determine the effect of SLC6A4 promoter long/ short polymorphism and the SCT plasma level of patients on the response to treatment during the SCT drug therapy. Materials and Methods: Blood and plasma samples of 30 major depressive patients using 20 mg SCT for 8 weeks between the ages of 18 and 65 were analyzed to determine SCT plasma level and SLC6A4 promoter polymorphism. The treatment response level was determined by using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale at patient files. Results: SCT plasma level of the nine patients with LL polymorphism was found to be in the range of 13.40–63.36 ng/mL. For 13 patients with LS polymorphism, SCT plasma level was found to be in the range of 2.93–57.48 ng/mL. For eight patients with SS polymorphism, the SCT plasma level was found to be in the range of 0.95–49.32 ng/mL. Conclusion: When the association between SCT plasma level and response to the drug treatment was examined, we had significant results to show that SCT level affected the response to treatment, especially in the LS group, as well as the SLC6A4 promoter variation. This study may lead to a more profound understanding of rational drug therapy as well as to a careful application of pharmacogenetics in psychiatry.

Aim and Objective: Escitalopram (SCT) shows an antidepressant effect due to its mechanism of increasing the serotonin level by inhibiting the serotonin transporter protein (5HTT). 5HTT is encoded by solute carrier family 6 member 4 gene (SLC6A4) in the brain. Recognition of SCT plasma level of patients and pharmacodynamics of individuals during SCT treatment will increase the expected response to the treatment and reduce the adverse effects. This study aims to determine the effect of SLC6A4 promoter long/ short polymorphism and the SCT plasma level of patients on the response to treatment during the SCT drug therapy. Materials and Methods: Blood and plasma samples of 30 major depressive patients using 20 mg SCT for 8 weeks between the ages of 18 and 65 were analyzed to determine SCT plasma level and SLC6A4 promoter polymorphism. The treatment response level was determined by using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale at patient files. Results: SCT plasma level of the nine patients with LL polymorphism was found to be in the range of 13.40–63.36 ng/mL. For 13 patients with LS polymorphism, SCT plasma level was found to be in the range of 2.93–57.48 ng/mL. For eight patients with SS polymorphism, the SCT plasma level was found to be in the range of 0.95–49.32 ng/mL. Conclusion: When the association between SCT plasma level and response to the drug treatment was examined, we had significant results to show that SCT level affected the response to treatment, especially in the LS group, as well as the SLC6A4 promoter variation. This study may lead to a more profound understanding of rational drug therapy as well as to a careful application of pharmacogenetics in psychiatry.


Original Article

Examining the Relationship between the Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Myths among University Students in Turkey

Turkish Title : Examining the Relationship between the Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Myths among University Students in Turkey

Balkanoglu Cuneyt,Erensoy Habib,Donmezler Suleyman,Berkol Tonguc Demir
JNBS, 2021, 8(1), p:54-61

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_38_20

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge among university students on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to compare the level of knowledge of this sample on STDs and their sexual myths. Methods: The sociodemographic data of 200 university students studying at several universities in Turkey randomly selected between January and March 2019 were evaluated with the “Sociodemographic Questionnaire,” their knowledge of STDs with the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Knowledge Questionnaire (STDKQ), and their beliefs in sexual myths with the Sexual Myths Scale (SMS). Results: There was no difference between the STDKQ and the SMS in terms of demographic variables. However, differentiation was seen between the “sexual behavior,” which is one of the subscales of sexual myths, and STDs. The STDKQ scores revealed that individuals who were previously informed received higher scores than those who did not. The level of knowledge about STDs was higher in men than in women. Conclusion: The knowledge of STDs among university students and their beliefs in sexual myths were evaluated based on sociodemographic variables. According to the results, we obtained from our research to increase the level of knowledge about STDs, and for the healthy development of sexual behavior, formal education including sexual health issues should be provided, research should be done for each region in Turkey on this subject, and in line with the results, necessary information should be provided regarding sexual health.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge among university students on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to compare the level of knowledge of this sample on STDs and their sexual myths. Methods: The sociodemographic data of 200 university students studying at several universities in Turkey randomly selected between January and March 2019 were evaluated with the “Sociodemographic Questionnaire,” their knowledge of STDs with the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Knowledge Questionnaire (STDKQ), and their beliefs in sexual myths with the Sexual Myths Scale (SMS). Results: There was no difference between the STDKQ and the SMS in terms of demographic variables. However, differentiation was seen between the “sexual behavior,” which is one of the subscales of sexual myths, and STDs. The STDKQ scores revealed that individuals who were previously informed received higher scores than those who did not. The level of knowledge about STDs was higher in men than in women. Conclusion: The knowledge of STDs among university students and their beliefs in sexual myths were evaluated based on sociodemographic variables. According to the results, we obtained from our research to increase the level of knowledge about STDs, and for the healthy development of sexual behavior, formal education including sexual health issues should be provided, research should be done for each region in Turkey on this subject, and in line with the results, necessary information should be provided regarding sexual health.


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ISSN (Print) 2149-1909
ISSN (Online) 2148-4325

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