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Early Intervention in Psychiatry Sep 2022Emotional stress reactivity may be a mediating factor in the association between trauma and psychosis. This review aimed to (i) identify, summarise and critically... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIM
Emotional stress reactivity may be a mediating factor in the association between trauma and psychosis. This review aimed to (i) identify, summarise and critically evaluate the link between emotional stress reactivity and psychotic experiences (ii) examine evidence for a 'dose-response' relationship between stress reactivity and psychosis in the wider psychosis phenotype (i.e., sub-clinical symptoms).
METHODS
Electronic database searches (PsychINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE) were conducted for studies which investigated the link between stress reactivity and psychosis, psychotic symptoms, or a vulnerability to developing psychosis (wider phenotype). Cross-sectional, experimental and experience sampling method study designs were eligible for inclusion.
RESULTS
Fourty five eligible articles were identified (N participants = 8830). Narrative synthesis showed that increased emotional stress reactivity was associated with psychosis and subclinical psychotic experiences across all study designs, however, findings were inconsistent across studies. The preliminary meta-analysis (k = 4, n = 383) showed increases in emotional stress reactivity was associated with higher negative affect in response to event-related stress, in those with psychosis compared to controls (mean difference in beta coefficients = 0.05, 95% CI 0.02-0.08, p = .004). However, this difference was small with a considerable degree of heterogeneity (p = .001, I = 81%) so results should be interpreted with caution.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the evidence suggests that there is a link between emotional stress reactivity and psychosis in those with psychosis, those at high risk of developing psychosis and in relation to subclinical psychotic-like experiences in the general population.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Emotions; Humans; Psychological Distress; Psychotic Disorders; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 34904353
DOI: 10.1111/eip.13247 -
Psychiatry Research Jan 2022Schizophrenia has a large disease burden globally. Early intervention in psychosis, and therefore a decreased duration of untreated psychosis, has a positive clinical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Schizophrenia has a large disease burden globally. Early intervention in psychosis, and therefore a decreased duration of untreated psychosis, has a positive clinical impact. There are several recognized risk factors for psychosis, including trauma history and substance use. This systematic review examined the literature for studies related to epigenetic changes in first-episode psychosis, with the goal of identifying future research directions.
METHODS
A literature review was conducted from inception to October 3, 2021 using MedLine/PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo searches with the keywords ("first-episode schizophrenia" OR "first-episode psychosis" OR "drug-naive schizophrenia" OR "drug-naive psychosis") AND (epigenetic OR methylation OR hydroxymethylation OR "histone modification" OR "miRNA") as well as a search of the bibliography of the identified papers.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies that examined various portions of the genome were included in this systematic review. There were two studies that showed hypomethylation at the LINE-1 portion of the genome and two that showed hypermethylation at LINE-1. Additionally, two studies showed hypomethylation specifically at the GRIN2B promoter (part of LINE-1).
CONCLUSIONS
Although sample sizes were small, these studies provide evidence for epigenetic alterations in early psychosis. Further research in this area is warranted for more definitive epigenetic correlations.
Topics: DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 34896847
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114325 -
Schizophrenia Research Nov 2023Individuals with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs) have significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and death by suicide in comparison to the... (Review)
Review
Individuals with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs) have significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and death by suicide in comparison to the general population. Sleep disturbances (reduced duration, timing and quality of sleep) are risk factors for suicidality in the general population, with research indicating the relationship is both immediate and accumulative. Sleep disturbances are also considered to be implicated in the onset and exacerbation of psychotic symptoms in SSDs. Reducing the risk of suicidality in SSDs remains an important public health priority, thus exploration of contributing risk factors is warranted. Sleep monitoring may also offer an adjunct risk monitoring method to suicidality assessments in SSDs, and a potential treatment target for psychotic symptoms. This review aimed to explore proximal and longitudinal relationships between self-reported and objectively measured sleep and suicidality in SSDs and other psychotic disorders. A comprehensive search of four databases was conducted. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria (10 cross sectional and 1 longitudinal). Narrative synthesis indicated that self-reported sleep disturbances and sleep disorders (e.g. insomnia) were associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempt. However, one study employing polysomnography did not find sleep to be associated with suicidality. Methodological limitations of the evidence base include: i) little experimental or longitudinal evidence, (ii) self-report and/or single item assessment of sleep disturbance, (iii) limited use of validated measures of suicidality, (iv) considerable research in long-term schizophrenia but sparse evidence in early psychosis. Future research should explore (i) cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between specific aspects of suicidality and objective sleep parameters, (ii) use qualitative or mixed-methods designs to disentangle the nuances and bidirectionality in the sleep-suicide relationship, (iii) explore the psychological processes underpinning or mediating the sleep-suicide relationship in SSDs.
Topics: Humans; Suicidal Ideation; Schizophrenia; Suicide; Cross-Sectional Studies; Psychotic Disorders; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37879227
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.10.010 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews May 2024Major depressive, bipolar, or psychotic disorders are preceded by earlier manifestations in behaviours and experiences. We present a synthesis of evidence on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Major depressive, bipolar, or psychotic disorders are preceded by earlier manifestations in behaviours and experiences. We present a synthesis of evidence on associations between person-level antecedents (behaviour, performance, psychopathology) in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood and later onsets of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or psychotic disorder based on prospective studies published up to September 16, 2022. We screened 11,342 records, identified 460 eligible publications, and extracted 570 risk ratios quantifying the relationships between 52 antecedents and onsets in 198 unique samples with prospective follow-up of 122,766 individuals from a mean age of 12.4 to a mean age of 24.8 for 1522,426 person years of follow-up. We completed meta-analyses of 12 antecedents with adequate data. Psychotic symptoms, depressive symptoms, anxiety, disruptive behaviors, affective lability, and sleep problems were transdiagnostic antecedents associated with onsets of depressive, bipolar, and psychotic disorders. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity and hypomanic symptoms specifically predicted bipolar disorder. While transdiagnostic and diagnosis-specific antecedents inform targeted prevention and help understand pathogenic mechanisms, extensive gaps in evidence indicate potential for improving early risk identification.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Adult; Child; Young Adult; Bipolar Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major; Prospective Studies; Psychotic Disorders; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 38494121
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105625 -
Schizophrenia Research Sep 2021Suicide is the main cause of premature death in patients with psychosis. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to review suicide in adolescents with psychotic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Suicide is the main cause of premature death in patients with psychosis. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to review suicide in adolescents with psychotic disorders by evaluating factors associated with suicidal acts. Ours is the first systematic review of suicide in this population.
METHOD
We performed a systematic review of suicide in adolescents (10 to 19 years) with psychotic disorder.
RESULTS
We identified 10 studies, only 2 of which were randomized clinical trials. The results revealed high rates of suicidal behaviour in this population: the times of higher risk were the time before admission and the period immediately following discharge. The factors most associated with suicide attempts were depression, distress with psychotic symptoms, fewer negative symptoms at baseline, positive symptoms, and anxiety disorders. Associated factors included previous psychiatric history or psychiatric admissions, female sex, prior suicidal behaviour, family history of completed suicide, and nicotine dependence.
LIMITATIONS
Clinical and methodological diversity of the studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents with psychotic disorders had a major risk of suicidal behaviour, and specific factors were associated with the act. Early detection of adolescents with psychosis is vital, since it has been found that early intervention can prevent suicidal acts in young people. However, it is necessary to perform more studies, particularly randomized controlled trials, on suicide and suicide attempts, particularly in adolescents.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety Disorders; Female; Humans; Psychotic Disorders; Risk Factors; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide, Attempted
PubMed: 34332428
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.07.029 -
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Dec 2019This study aimed at searching the literature and reassessing the concept of shared psychotic disorder (SPD) in young people under 18 taking into account genetic...
This study aimed at searching the literature and reassessing the concept of shared psychotic disorder (SPD) in young people under 18 taking into account genetic vulnerability, social circumstances and family situation to have a better understanding of this condition. Published case reports from 1980 through to March 2017, which included children and adolescents meeting DSM-III/IV/IV-TR or ICD 10 criteria of SPD, were identified. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected and analysed; a post hoc analysis comparing inductors and induced was also conducted. Four hundred and eight articles were assessed for eligibility of which 27 were included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Thirty families were described. Forty-eight children were identified including 6 inductors and 42 induced. Although delusional beliefs were presented in all subjects, hallucinations were only reported in 50% of the inductors and 27% of the inductees. Social isolation was the most common social context (83.3% of the inductors; 76.2% of the induced) and 18 out of 45 children (data missing for n = 3) were initially separated from adults involved although the outcome of the symptoms was not different from those who were not separated. Children who were inductors were more likely to meet criteria of major psychotic illness in the future. Most of the induced children involved in a case of shared psychosis were first-degree relatives of the inductor. Shared psychotic disorder probably occurs in premorbid predisposed individuals where genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development of the psychotic episode.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 30328525
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-018-1236-7 -
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal Mar 2021For individuals with a psychotic disorder, dating can present several challenges and lead many to be excluded from intimate relationships. These difficulties may stem...
UNLABELLED
For individuals with a psychotic disorder, dating can present several challenges and lead many to be excluded from intimate relationships. These difficulties may stem from a number of factors, including impairments in social and sexual functioning. Although scientific interest in this topic is mounting, the last quantitative review of the literature dates back to 2003.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this systematic review was to collect, evaluate, and synthesize quantitative data from studies published in the last 15 years on romantic relationships and sexuality in the context of a psychotic disorder.
METHODS
Articles were retrieved from PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases and were retained if they met the following inclusion criteria: (a) original research or meta-analysis, (b) complete or partial sample with a psychotic disorder diagnosis, (c) provision of quantitative data specific to the population of interest, and (d) studies focusing on romantic relationship and/or sexuality variables as correlates, predictors, mediators, or outcomes. Study quality was evaluated using PRISMA criteria.
RESULTS
43 studies were identified, 24 of which were categorized as obstacle-related (e.g., focusing on negative aspects of intimacy, such as risky behaviors) and 19 of which were deemed neutral or recovery-oriented (e.g., focusing on positive aspects of intimacy, such as marital functioning).
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Results highlight a need for greater communication and assistance in the areas of intimacy and sexuality for persons with psychotic disorders. Better access to resources such as dating skills and couples therapy programs as well as more consumer-oriented research is needed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Psychotic Disorders; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners; Sexuality
PubMed: 32191102
DOI: 10.1037/prj0000409 -
Psychology and Psychotherapy Sep 2021The moderate association between therapeutic alliance (TA) and psychological therapy outcome is well established. Historically, the field has not focused on people with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIM
The moderate association between therapeutic alliance (TA) and psychological therapy outcome is well established. Historically, the field has not focused on people with a severe mental illness. This is the first review to conduct a meta-analysis of associations between TA and therapeutic engagement as well as outcome in psychological therapy for psychosis.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Eligible studies conducted a quantitative investigation of the relationship between TA during a psychological therapy and outcome at a subsequent time-point.
METHOD
A systematic review examined the relationship between TA and engagement as well as outcome measures within psychological therapy for psychosis. Correlational meta-analyses using an aggregate random effects model were conducted.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies were eligible for inclusion (n = 1,656) of which 13 were included in the meta-analyses. Client- and therapist-rated TA were associated with engagement in therapy (r = 0.36, p = .003; r = 0.40, p = .0053). TA was also associated with reduction in global (r = 0.29, p = .0005; r = 0.24, p = .0015) and psychotic symptoms (r = 0.17, p = .0115; r = 0.30, p = .0003). The systematic review identified no evidence or limited evidence for a relationship between TA during therapy and depression, substance use, physical health behaviours, global as well as social functioning, overall mental health recovery, and self-esteem at follow-up. Although number of studies was small, TA was related to a reduced risk of subsequent hospitalization in 40% of analyses (across two studies) and improved cognitive outcome in 50% of analyses (across three studies).
CONCLUSIONS
The observed TA-therapy engagement and TA-outcome associations were broadly consistent with those identified across non-psychotic diagnostic groups. Well-powered studies are needed to investigate the relationship between TA and process as well as outcome in psychological therapy for psychosis specifically.
PRACTITIONER POINTS
This is the first review to conduct a meta-analytic synthesis of the association between therapeutic alliance (TA) and both engagement and change in outcome in psychological therapies for psychosis. TA (as rated by therapist and client) was associated with the extent of therapeutic engagement as well as reduction in global mental health symptoms and psychotic symptoms. The significant associations between TA and engagement as well as change in outcome identified in the current review are broadly consistent with those observed across non-psychotic diagnostic groups. We consider factors that could impact upon the dynamic and potentially interdependent relationships between TA and therapeutic techniques, including attachment security and severity of paranoid ideation.
Topics: Humans; Mental Health; Psychotic Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Therapeutic Alliance
PubMed: 33569885
DOI: 10.1111/papt.12330 -
Schizophrenia Research Jul 2020Sleep disturbance is a common clinical issue for patients with psychosis. It has been identified as a putative causal factor in the onset and persistence of psychotic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sleep disturbance is a common clinical issue for patients with psychosis. It has been identified as a putative causal factor in the onset and persistence of psychotic experiences (paranoia and hallucinations). Hence sleep disruption may be a potential treatment target to prevent the onset of psychosis and reduce persistent psychotic experiences. The aim of this review is to describe developments in understanding the nature, causal role, and treatment of sleep disruption in psychosis.
METHOD
A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies, published in the last five years, investigating subjective sleep disruption and psychotic experiences.
RESULTS
Fifty-eight papers were identified: 37 clinical and 21 non-clinical studies. The studies were correlational (n = 38; 20 clinical, 18 non-clinical), treatment (n = 7; 1 non-clinical), qualitative accounts (n = 6 clinical), prevalence estimates (n = 5 clinical), and experimental tests (n = 2 non-clinical). Insomnia (50%) and nightmare disorder (48%) are the most prevalent sleep problems found in patients. Sleep disruption predicts the onset and persistence of psychotic experiences such as paranoia and hallucinations, with negative affect identified as a partial mediator of this relationship. Patients recognise the detrimental effects of disrupted sleep and are keen for treatment. All psychological intervention studies reported large effect size improvements in sleep and there may be modest resultant improvements in psychotic experiences.
CONCLUSIONS
Sleep disruption is a treatable clinical problem in patients with psychosis. It is important to treat in its own right but may also lessen psychotic experiences. Research is required on how this knowledge can be implemented in clinical services.
Topics: Delusions; Hallucinations; Humans; Paranoid Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Sleep
PubMed: 31831262
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.11.014 -
Journal of Psychiatric Research Aug 2023People with mental disorders, such as psychosis or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often present impairments in social cognition (SC), which may cause significant... (Review)
Review
People with mental disorders, such as psychosis or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often present impairments in social cognition (SC), which may cause significant difficulties in real-world functioning. SC deficits are seen also in unaffected relatives, indicating a genetic substratum. The present review evaluated the evidence on the association between SC and the polygenic risk score (PRS), a single metric of the molecular genetic risk to develop a specific disorder. In July 2022, we conducted systematic searches in Scopus and PubMed following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. We selected original articles written in English reporting results on the association between PRSs for any mental disorder and domains of SC either in people with mental disorders or controls. The search yielded 244 papers, of which 13 were selected for inclusion. Studies tested mainly PRSs for schizophrenia, ASD, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Emotion recognition was the most investigated domain of SC. Overall, evidence revealed that currently available PRSs for mental disorders do not explain variation in SC performances. To enhance the understanding of mechanisms underlying SC in mental disorders, future research should focus on the development of transdiagnostic PRSs, study their interaction with environmental risk factors, and standardize outcome measurement.
Topics: Humans; Social Cognition; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Psychotic Disorders; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37418886
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.06.029