Psychiatry - Research Publications
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ItemArterial stiffness in underweight and weight-restored anorexia nervosa(WILEY, 2021-11)Cardiovascular complications have been demonstrated in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) in both the state of starvation and during weight restoration, however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The current study aimed to assess arterial stiffness via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in the acute and weight-restored states of AN. The study also aimed to determine the association between psychological distress and cfPWV. The sample included 37 participants; 10 participants with AN, 17 who were weight-restored (AN-WR; minimum body mass index >18.5 for at least 12 months) and 10 healthy controls (HCs). cfPWV via applanation tonometry was conducted to assess arterial stiffness. Psychological distress was assessed using the depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21) and the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Between-group comparisons were performed to determine differences between groups, a two-stage hierarchical regression model was performed to determine the contribution of physiological and psychological variables on cfPWV and correlation analyses were also performed. Vascular stiffness was significantly increased in the AN and AN-WR groups, relative to HCs. The total DASS score was the only significant predictor of cfPWV across the sample. There were positive associations between cfPWV and depression, anxiety and stress, as assessed by the DASS. Furthermore, cfPWV was positively associated with STAI trait anxiety. Arterial stiffness was increased in individuals in the acute and weight-restored states of AN, demonstrating early signs of the development of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Increased arterial stiffness was associated with increased psychological distress, which may be a contributing mechanism to the increased cardiovascular risk in AN.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableRelation of substance use disorders to mortality, accident and emergency department attendances, and hospital admissions: A 13-year population-based cohort study in Hong Kong(ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD, 2021-12-01)BACKGROUND: The impact of substance use disorders (SUD) in an Asian population has not been fully explored. We aimed to assess the risk of mortality, accident and emergency (A&E) department attendances, and hospital admissions associated with SUD in a population-based cohort study. METHOD: Patients diagnosed with SUD in public A&E departments from 2004 to 2016 (N = 8,423) were identified in the Clinical Database Analysis and Reporting System of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority and 1:1 matched to patients without SUD by propensity score (N = 6,074 in each group). Relative risks of mortality, A&E attendances and hospital admissions were assessed using Cox regression and Hurdle negative binomial regression. RESULTS: Patients with SUD had higher mortality (hazard ratio=1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.26-1.62) and more often died from poisoning or toxicity and injuries. The odds ratio (OR) for A&E attendances and all-cause hospital admissions associated with SUD were 2.80 (95% CI=2.58-3.04) and 3.54 (95% CI=3.26-3.83), respectively. The impact of SUD on the above outcomes was greatest among school-aged individuals (≤ 21 years) and decreased with age. The relative risk of mental disorder-related hospital admissions was much higher than that for infections, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. In patients with SUD, ketamine and amphetamine use were associated with increased A&E attendances than opioid use. CONCLUSIONS: SUD was associated with increased mortality, A&E attendances and hospital admissions, especially in school-aged individuals. Our findings suggest prioritising early treatment and preventive interventions for school-aged individuals and focusing on the management of comorbid mental disorders and the use of ketamine and amphetamine.
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ItemLong-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Treatment in Schizophrenia and Co-occurring Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review(FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2021-12-15)Objectives: Co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) among individuals with schizophrenia are a prevalent and complex psychiatric comorbidity, which is associated with increased symptom severity, worsened illness trajectory and high rates of treatment non-adherence. Recent evidence suggests that the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics may provide an effective treatment option for individuals with this dual-diagnosis. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the databases PubMed, PsychInfo and Google Scholar for English-language studies, investigating the use of LAIs in co-occurring schizophrenia and substance use disorders (SCZ-SUDs). Results: Eight reports [one case study (n = 1), one case series (n = 8), three open-label retrospective studies (n = 75), and three randomized controlled trials (n = 273)] investigated the use of LAI antipsychotics in 357 participants with SCZ-SUDs [alcohol use disorder: 5 studies, n = 282; cocaine use disorder: 5 studies, n = 85; amphetamine use disorder: 1 study, n = 1; cannabis use disorder: 3 studies, n = 160; opioid use disorder: 3 studies, n = 19; methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use disorder: 2 studies, n = 9; ketamine use disorder: 1 study, n = 4] and were included in this systematic review. Findings indicate significant improvements in substance use related outcomes across 7 of 8 studies, while in 6 of 8 studies, significant improvements in psychopathology-related outcomes were reported. Conclusions: LAI antipsychotics may be an efficacious intervention option for the treatment of SCZ-SUDs. However, varying methodological rigor, generally small sample sizes and heterogeneity of samples, settings, substances of abuse, tested LAIs and comparators, as well as psychosocial cotreatments and level of reported detail across studies requires that these findings be considered preliminary and interpreted with caution. Further research is required to better understand the effects of LAIs among individuals with SCZ-SUDs.
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ItemDisordered Eating among People with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review(MDPI, 2021-11)Disordered eating, or abnormal eating behaviours that do not meet the criteria for an independent eating disorder, have been reported among people with schizophrenia. We aimed to systemati-cally review literature on disordered eating among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). Seven databases were systematically searched for studies that described the prevalence and correlates of disordered eating among patients with SSD from January 1984 to 15 February 2021. Qualitative analysis was performed using the National Institutes of Health scales. Of 5504 records identified, 31 studies involving 471,159 subjects were included in the systematic review. The ma-jority of studies (17) rated fair on qualitative analysis and included more men, and participants in their 30s and 40s, on antipsychotics. The commonest limitations include lack of sample size or power calculations, poor sample description, not using valid tools, or not adjusting for con-founders. The reported rates were 4.4% to 45% for binge eating, 16.1% to 64%, for food craving, 27% to 60.6% for food addiction, and 4% to 30% for night eating. Positive associations were re-ported for binge eating with antipsychotic use and female gender, between food craving and weight gain, between food addiction and increased dietary intake, and between disordered eating and female gender, mood and psychotic symptoms. Reported rates for disordered eating among people with SSD are higher than those in the general population. We will discuss the clinical, treatment and research implications of our findings.
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ItemTherapeutic use of melatonin in schizophrenia: A systematic review(BAISHIDENG PUBLISHING GROUP INC, 2021-08-19)BACKGROUND: Sleep dysfunction is a common problem in people with schizophrenia, and side effects of treatment often exacerbate metabolic and cardiovascular risk and may induce extrapyramidal side effects. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an endogenously produced hormone which has demonstrated direct and indirect antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Previous studies have explored the use of exogenous melatonin in improving sleep outcomes in the general population, yet indications for use in schizophrenia are unclear. AIM: To synthesize the evidence from clinical trials investigating prescribed melatonin as an adjunctive therapy in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A systematic literature review of MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, PsychINFO, and PubMed on the 27/08/20; and CINAHL and Cochrane Library databases, was conducted. Inclusion criteria were: a peer-reviewed clinical trial published in English; included a group of patients with schizophrenia; used melatonin as an adjunctive therapy; and reported any outcome of any duration. Exclusion criteria were: neurodegenerative diseases, primary sleep disorders, co-morbid substance use or animal studies. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included in the current review with the following primary outcomes: sleep (n = 6), metabolic profile (n = 3), tardive dyskinesia (n = 3), cognitive function (n = 2) and benzodiazepine discontinuation (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Adjunctive melatonin therapy has some positive outcomes for sleep, metabolic profile and tardive dyskinesia in patients with schizophrenia. No beneficial effect of melatonin was observed on outcomes of cognition or benzodiazepine discontinuation. Future studies utilizing larger samples and investigations specifically comparing the effect of melatonin as adjunctive therapy with different antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia are required.
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ItemWhat is OSFED? The predicament of classifying 'other' eating disorders(CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS, 2021-08-12)The transition from DSM-IV to DSM-5 relaxed diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and recognised a third eating disorder, binge eating disorder. However, a large proportion of cases remain in the ill-defined category of 'other specified feeding and eating disorders'. We sought to investigate the utility of a proposed solution to classify this group further, subdividing based on the dominant clinical feature: binge eating/purging or restraint. Cluster analysis failed to identify clusters in a treatment-seeking sample based on symptoms of restraint, binge eating, purging and over-evaluation of shape and weight. Further investigation of this highly heterogeneous group is required.
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ItemAutonomic Nervous System Function in Anorexia Nervosa: A Systematic Review(FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2021-06-28)Background: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction has been suggested to contribute to the high prevalence of cardiovascular complications in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), yet has not been thoroughly investigated. The current review aimed to synthesize the evidence of basal ANS function in individuals with a current diagnosis of AN and those with a previous diagnosis who had achieved weight restoration, as compared to controls. Methods: A systematic review of nine databases was conducted and studies that were published in a peer-review journal, in English, that included at least one assessment of ANS function in individuals with a current or previous diagnosis of AN were selected. Forty-six studies were included with a total of 811 participants with a current diagnosis of AN and 123 participants with a previous diagnosis of AN. Results: ANS function was assessed through heart rate variability (n = 27), orthostatic challenge, blood pressure variability or baroreflex sensitivity (n = 11), adrenergic activity (n = 14), skin conductance level (n = 4), and pupillometry (n = 1). Individuals with AN demonstrated increased parasympathetic activity and decreased sympathetic activity, suggestive of autonomic dysregulation. Following weight restoration, autonomic function trended toward, or was equivalent to, control levels. Discussion: Autonomic dysregulation is indicated through a range of assessments in individuals with AN. Future investigations should utilize a variety of assessments together in order to conclusively establish the nature of autonomic dysfunction in AN, and following extended weight restoration. Moreover, investigation into the co-occurrence of ANS function and cardiovascular risk is required.
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ItemA psychosocial intervention for individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease: A feasibility randomized controlled trial(WILEY, 2021-05)AIM: The current study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a psychosocial intervention, the Kidney Optimal Health Program, in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease. METHODS: Patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease were randomized to either a nine-session psychosocial intervention programme or usual care. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention rates and programme acceptability. Participants completed assessments of depression, anxiety and psychosocial health at baseline and at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare groups on outcomes over time. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients were screened for eligibility; 84 consented to participant and were randomized to receive the intervention (N = 42) or usual care (N = 42). 27 (32.1%) participants withdrew prior to baseline assessment. Of those who completed the baseline assessment (N = 57), trial retention was high (75.4% at 3-month, 80.7% at 6-month and 70.2% at 12-month follow-up). Participants reported high levels of programme acceptability. The patients who completed the intervention (N = 17) demonstrated significantly decreased depression at 12-month follow-up compared to the usual care group (N = 13). CONCLUSION: The results support the feasibility of the Kidney Optimal Health Program intervention in recruitment, retention and programme acceptability with an improved screening protocol. Preliminary support is provided for improvement in depressive symptoms in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. Further investigation through a fully powered randomized controlled trial is warranted.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableChildhood maltreatment and trauma is common and severe in body dysmorphic disorder(W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC, 2021-08)BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment and trauma may be risk factors for the development of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). However, the limited research to date on these topics has been constrained by either the absence of a matched healthy control group or non-comprehensive assessments. METHODS: This study assessed the prevalence and severity of childhood maltreatment and other traumatic events in 52 BDD participants (56% female) and 57 matched controls (51% female) with no history of mental illness, using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and a checklist assessing broader traumatic events. RESULTS: In comparison with controls, participants with BDD showed a higher prevalence of emotional abuse (61.5% vs. 33.3%) and physical neglect (59.6% vs. 28.1%), as well as more severe overall maltreatment, emotional abuse, and emotional and physical neglect. BDD participants were also more likely to meet cut-offs for multiple types of maltreatment and reported an elevated number and variety of broader traumatic childhood events (e.g., life-threatening illness). In BDD, increasingly severe maltreatment was correlated with greater severity of BDD symptoms, anxiety and suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that childhood maltreatment and exposure to other traumatic events are common and severe in BDD and are cross-sectionally associated with the severity of clinical symptoms. Adversity linked to maladaptive family functioning during childhood may therefore be especially relevant to people with BDD and could relate to social and emotional processing problems in the disorder.