Based on the evidence that aripiprazole added to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) or clomipramine in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has reported promising results, the present 16-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial had the aim to explore the efficacy of aripiprazole add-on pharmacotherapy on clinical symptoms and cognitive functioning in a sample of treatment-resistant OCD patients receiving SRIs. After clinical and neurocognitive assessments, patients were randomly allocated to receive, in a double-blind design, 15 mg/d of aripiprazole or a placebo. A final sample of 30 patients completed the study. The results obtained indicate that aripiprazole added to stable SRI treatment substantially improved obsessive-compulsive symptoms as measured by changes on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale total score and subscores (obsessions, P = 0.007; compulsions, P = 0.001; total score, P < 0.0001). Regarding cognitive functions, improvement was observed in some explored areas, such as attentional resistance to interference (Stroop score, P = 0.001) and executive functioning (perseverative errors, P = 0.015). The findings provide evidence that aripiprazole augmentation of SRIs/clomipramine treatment is well tolerated and may be proposed as an effective therapeutic strategy to improve outcome in treatment-resistant OCD.

Background: Is well known that oral health and dental aesthetic have significant effects on the sociality of human beings. The aim of the present study was to assess some aspects of oral health with possible repercussions in adolescent and youth, with particular reference to gender differences. Methods: A total of 190 subjects with female prevalence (F = 62.6%, M = 37%) and ages between 14 and 29 years old (Mean = 23.8; SD = 3.27) participated. Evaluation was carried using standardized instruments to assess quality of oral life (PIDAQ), negative impact of oral conditions (OHIP-14), and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale). Correlational and difference analyses and linear regressions were performed. Results: Significant gender differences were found in terms of gender, in reference to variables such as self-confidence and convictions. Positive correlations emerged between psychological impact and social impact, aesthetic concern and social impact, convictions and self-confidence, oral health with psycho-social impact, and aesthetic concern, self-esteem with oral health. Inverse correlations emerged between psycho-social impact and self-confidence, aesthetic concern and self-confidence, oral health, and self-confidence. Multivariate linear regression indicated relations between age and psychological impact, sex and self-confidence, crooked teeth and conviction. Conclusions: The impact of oral health on the psychological well-being of young people is relevant. These factors, if considered within clinical practice, can improve the quality of life of the subject.

Halitosis represents a common dental condition, although sufferers are often not conscious of it. The aim of this study was to examine behavior in a sample of Italian subjects with reference to self-reported halitosis and emotional state, and specifically the presence of dental anxiety.

Background: The pathological reality of diabetes and the incidents in following the prescribed therapies have been considered and are still a serious and relevant problem in the health sector. Objective: This review aims at highlighting the importance of clinical psychological phenomena that underlie the notion of therapies. Methods: The review was conducted through search engines such as PubMed, Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The articles related to compliance, adherence, concordance, empowerment and the self-management of diabetes were included, in order to highlight the possible similarities and differences that these terms bring with them in them management of diabetes. Results: Starting from 252 initial publications, 101 articles were selected that highlighted the practical implications that each term has compared to the others. Conclusion: The review can represent a bridge between the medical approach and clinical psychology, in which integration can suggest paths aiming at improving patients’ existential conditions and adaptation.

The persistence of psychotic, affective, cognitive, and psychosocial symptoms despite medications is commonly observed in schizophrenic patients. The present study was a 24-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial aimed to explore the efficacy of topiramate add-on pharmacotherapy on clinical symptomatology and cognitive functioning in a sample of treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients receiving clozapine. After clinical and cognitive assessments were randomly allocated to receive either up to 200 mg/day of topiramate or a placebo. A final sample of 43 patients completed the study. The results obtained indicate that topiramate appeared to be scarcely effective for reducing clinical symptomatology in schizophrenic patients who have had an incomplete clinical response to clozapine. Regarding cognitive functioning, in our sample a trend to experience cognitive impairment in the examined domains was observed, as the patients included in the topiramate groups expressed cognitive complaints partially confirmed by a mild worsening of performances on certain cognitive tasks. Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder with regard to pathophysiology; therefore, data reflecting the mean response of a sample of patients may fail to reveal therapeutic effects. More research is needed to better identify subgroups of patients with peculiar features which may account for responsivity to experimental medications and augmentation strategies.