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Journal of Psychiatric Research Jun 2024Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder with unclear pathophysiology. Moreover, there is no specific biological marker to help clinicians to define a... (Review)
Review
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder with unclear pathophysiology. Moreover, there is no specific biological marker to help clinicians to define a diagnosis, and medication is decided according to the psychiatrist's experience. In this scenario, microRNAs (miRNAs), which are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate several genes, emerge as potential peripheral biomarkers to help not only the evaluation of the disease state but also the treatment response. Here, we systematically reviewed indexed literature and evaluated follow-up studies investigating the changes in miRNA expression due to antipsychotic treatment. We also assessed target genes and performed pathway enrichment analysis of miRNAs listed in this systematic review. A total of 11 studies were selected according to research criteria, and we observed that 28 miRNAs play a relevant role in schizophrenia pathogenesis or response to antipsychotic treatment, seven of those of extreme interest as possible biomarkers either for condition or treatment. Predicted targets of the miRNAs reviewed here were previously associated with schizophrenia in genome-wide studies, and pathway analysis showed enrichment for genes related to neural processes. With this review, we expect to highlight the importance of miRNAs in schizophrenia pathogenesis and its treatment and point out interesting miRNAs to future studies.
PubMed: 38870782
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.06.010 -
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine May 2024It is widely acknowledged that personal therapy positively contributes to the continued personal well-being and ongoing professional development of mental health... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
It is widely acknowledged that personal therapy positively contributes to the continued personal well-being and ongoing professional development of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists. As a result, most training bodies continue to recommend personal therapy to their trainees. Given its reported value and benefits, one might hypothesize that a high proportion of psychiatrists avail of personal therapy. This systematic review seeks to investigate whether this is the case.
AIM
To identify and evaluate the findings derived from all available survey-based studies reporting quantitative data regarding psychiatrists' and psychiatry trainees' engagement in personal therapy.
METHOD
A systematic search for survey-based studies about the use of personal therapy by psychiatric practitioners was conducted in four databases and platforms (PubMed, Scopus, Embase and EbscoHost) from inception to May 2022 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were assessed for quality using the quality assessment checklist for survey studies in psychology (Q-SSP) and findings summarized using narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
The proportion of trainees who engaged in personal therapy ranged from a low of 13.4% in a recent UK based study to a high of 65.3% among Israeli residents. The proportion of fully qualified psychiatrists who engaged in personal therapy varied from 32.1% in South Korea to 89% in New Zealand.
CONCLUSION
This review represents the first known attempt to collect and synthesize data aimed at providing insights into the past and current trends in psychiatrists' use of personal therapy across different geographic regions and career stages.
PubMed: 38774997
DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2024.14 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2024Because of wars, conflicts, persecutions, human rights violations, and humanitarian crises, about 84 million people are forcibly displaced around the world; the great... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Because of wars, conflicts, persecutions, human rights violations, and humanitarian crises, about 84 million people are forcibly displaced around the world; the great majority of them live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). People living in humanitarian settings are affected by a constellation of stressors that threaten their mental health. Psychosocial interventions for people affected by humanitarian crises may be helpful to promote positive aspects of mental health, such as mental well-being, psychosocial functioning, coping, and quality of life. Previous reviews have focused on treatment and mixed promotion and prevention interventions. In this review, we focused on promotion of positive aspects of mental health.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of psychosocial interventions aimed at promoting mental health versus control conditions (no intervention, intervention as usual, or waiting list) in people living in LMICs affected by humanitarian crises.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and seven other databases to January 2023. We also searched the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify unpublished or ongoing studies, and checked the reference lists of relevant studies and reviews.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing psychosocial interventions versus control conditions (no intervention, intervention as usual, or waiting list) to promote positive aspects of mental health in adults and children living in LMICs affected by humanitarian crises. We excluded studies that enrolled participants based on a positive diagnosis of mental disorder (or based on a proxy of scoring above a cut-off score on a screening measure).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were mental well-being, functioning, quality of life, resilience, coping, hope, and prosocial behaviour. The secondary outcome was acceptability, defined as the number of participants who dropped out of the trial for any reason. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for the outcomes of mental well-being, functioning, and prosocial behaviour.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 13 RCTs with 7917 participants. Nine RCTs were conducted on children/adolescents, and four on adults. All included interventions were delivered to groups of participants, mainly by paraprofessionals. Paraprofessional is defined as an individual who is not a mental or behavioural health service professional, but works at the first stage of contact with people who are seeking mental health care. Four RCTs were carried out in Lebanon; two in India; and single RCTs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jordan, Haiti, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the occupied Palestinian Territories (oPT), Nepal, and Tanzania. The mean study duration was 18 weeks (minimum 10, maximum 32 weeks). Trials were generally funded by grants from academic institutions or non-governmental organisations. For children and adolescents, there was no clear difference between psychosocial interventions and control conditions in improving mental well-being and prosocial behaviour at study endpoint (mental well-being: standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.17 to 0.29; 3 RCTs, 3378 participants; very low-certainty evidence; prosocial behaviour: SMD -0.25, 95% CI -0.60 to 0.10; 5 RCTs, 1633 participants; low-certainty evidence), or at medium-term follow-up (mental well-being: mean difference (MD) -0.70, 95% CI -2.39 to 0.99; 1 RCT, 258 participants; prosocial behaviour: SMD -0.48, 95% CI -1.80 to 0.83; 2 RCT, 483 participants; both very low-certainty evidence). Interventions may improve functioning (MD -2.18, 95% CI -3.86 to -0.50; 1 RCT, 183 participants), with sustained effects at follow-up (MD -3.33, 95% CI -5.03 to -1.63; 1 RCT, 183 participants), but evidence is very uncertain as the data came from one RCT (both very low-certainty evidence). Psychosocial interventions may improve mental well-being slightly in adults at study endpoint (SMD -0.29, 95% CI -0.44 to -0.14; 3 RCTs, 674 participants; low-certainty evidence), but they may have little to no effect at follow-up, as the evidence is uncertain and future RCTs might either confirm or disprove this finding. No RCTs measured the outcomes of functioning and prosocial behaviour in adults.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
To date, there is scant and inconclusive randomised evidence on the potential benefits of psychological and social interventions to promote mental health in people living in LMICs affected by humanitarian crises. Confidence in the findings is hampered by the scarcity of studies included in the review, the small number of participants analysed, the risk of bias in the studies, and the substantial level of heterogeneity. Evidence on the efficacy of interventions on positive mental health outcomes is too scant to determine firm practice and policy implications. This review has identified a large gap between what is known and what still needs to be addressed in the research area of mental health promotion in humanitarian settings.
Topics: Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Mental Health; Developing Countries; Quality of Life; Adult; Child; Psychosocial Intervention; Adaptation, Psychological; Altruism; Adolescent; Refugees; Bias; Health Promotion; Psychosocial Functioning; Female; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 38770799
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD014300.pub2 -
Psychological Medicine May 2024Autistic children and young people (CYP) experience mental health difficulties but face many barriers to accessing and benefiting from mental health care. There is a... (Review)
Review
Autistic children and young people (CYP) experience mental health difficulties but face many barriers to accessing and benefiting from mental health care. There is a need to explore strategies in mental health care for autistic CYP to guide clinical practice and future research and support their mental health needs. Our aim was to identify strategies used to improve mental health care for autistic CYP and examine evidence on their acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness. A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out. All study designs reporting acceptability/feasibility outcomes and empirical quantitative studies reporting effectiveness outcomes for strategies tested within mental health care were eligible. We conducted a narrative synthesis and separate meta-analyses by informant (self, parent, and clinician). Fifty-seven papers were included, with most investigating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based interventions for anxiety and several exploring service-level strategies, such as autism screening tools, clinician training, and adaptations regarding organization of services. Most papers described caregiver involvement in therapy and reported adaptations to communication and intervention content; a few reported environmental adjustments. In the meta-analyses, parent- and clinician-reported outcomes, but not self-reported outcomes, showed with moderate certainty that CBT for anxiety was an effective treatment compared to any comparison condition in reducing anxiety symptoms in autistic individuals. The certainty of evidence for effectiveness, synthesized narratively, ranged from low to moderate. Evidence for feasibility and acceptability tended to be positive. Many identified strategies are simple, reasonable adjustments that can be implemented in services to enhance mental health care for autistic individuals. Notable research gaps persist, however.
PubMed: 38757186
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291724001089 -
Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford,... Jun 2024Delirium is a neuropsychiatric condition that commonly occurs in medical settings, especially among older individuals. Despite the lack of strong evidence in the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Delirium is a neuropsychiatric condition that commonly occurs in medical settings, especially among older individuals. Despite the lack of strong evidence in the literature, haloperidol is considered the first-line pharmacological intervention. Unfortunately, its adverse effects can be severe, and psychiatrists are considering the use of alternative drugs targeting dopamine and serotonin domains (atypical antipsychotics). Among them, aripiprazole is considered to have one of the safest pharmacological profiles.
AIMS
The purpose of this study is to examine the studies on aripiprazole as a pharmacological treatment of delirium present in today's literature.
METHODS
We carried out systematic research of MedLine, PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and ScienceDirect examining articles written between January 2002 and September 2023, including experimental studies published in peer-reviewed journals.
RESULTS
The 6 final included studies examined a total of 130 patients, showing a delirium resolution in a 7-day span of 73.8% of patients treated with aripiprazole.
CONCLUSIONS
Considering the limited data currently available, we can assert that aripiprazole is at least as efficient as haloperidol, the true point is that it has a far better tolerability and safety profile. Nonetheless, further studies are necessary to provide more compelling data, together with a more precise indication regarding minimum efficient dose, as the main limitations of our review are the very small sample size, the small percentage of subjects with preexisting dementia, and the fact that most studies used scales with low specificity for the examined condition.
Topics: Aripiprazole; Humans; Delirium; Antipsychotic Agents; Haloperidol
PubMed: 38686649
DOI: 10.1177/02698811241249648 -
Journal of Psychosomatic Research Jun 2024To estimate the prevalence of depression in people with limb amputation. Additionally, factors affecting the prevalence or pattern of depression following limb... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of depression in people with limb amputation. Additionally, factors affecting the prevalence or pattern of depression following limb amputation were explored.
METHODS
Systematic literature search to identify all relevant studies assessing prevalence of depression following limb amputations was conducted through following databases: PubMed/ MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. Search period was since inception of database till December 2021. Meta-analyses using random-effects model were conducted to estimate pooled prevalence of depression.
RESULTS
A total of 61 studies comprising 9852 limb amputees were included. Pooled prevalence of depression following limb amputations was 33.85% (95% CI: 27.15% to 40.54%), with significant heterogeneity (I = 98.57%; p < 0.001). Sub-group meta-analysis showed that pooled prevalence of depression was significantly higher in studies conducted from middle-income (45.31%, 95% CI: 28.92% to 61.70%) as compared high income countries (28.31%, 95% CI: 23.97% to 32.64%). Greater activity restriction, amputation-related body image disturbances, social discomfort, perceived vulnerability regarding disability, and avoidant coping style were commonly reported factors associated with greater depression symptomatology. Whereas, good perceived social support, and use of more active coping strategies were commonly reported protective factors.
CONCLUSION
About one-third of all limb amputees suffered from clinically significant depression. This emphasizes need to sensitize health care professionals involved in providing care to people following limb amputation regarding the importance of periodically screening this vulnerable group of patients for depression and liaising with psychiatrists. Further, addressing risk factors identified in this review could help in reducing the rates of depression post-amputation.
Topics: Humans; Amputation, Surgical; Prevalence; Depression; Amputees; Adaptation, Psychological; Female; Male
PubMed: 38657566
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111677 -
International Journal of Psychiatry in... Apr 2024Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory disorder characterized by painful, deep follicular nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts, and scarring, most commonly... (Review)
Review
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory disorder characterized by painful, deep follicular nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts, and scarring, most commonly presenting in the inguinal, axillary, and anogenital regions. This condition substantially decreases quality of life in affected individuals, resulting in higher rates of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance use. The detrimental effects of HS are well documented by dermatologists, as individuals with HS make up a large proportion of the patients that they see daily. However, it is unclear whether psychiatrists are aware of the degree of psychosocial impairment present in HS patients. It is important that those in the field of psychiatry and behavioral medicine are aware of this condition and are comfortable managing it from a psychosocial perspective. This systematic review chronicles the existing literature on the psychosocial effects of HS and assesses the extent to which dermatology journals review these effects in comparison to psychiatry or behavioral medicine.
PubMed: 38644350
DOI: 10.1177/00912174241249215 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Jul 2024Long-term antidepressant (AD) use, much longer than recommended, is very common and can lead to potential harms. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Long-term antidepressant (AD) use, much longer than recommended, is very common and can lead to potential harms.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the existing literature on perspectives of health professionals (HPs) regarding long-term AD treatment, focusing on barriers and facilitators to discontinuation.
METHODS
A systematic review with thematic synthesis. Eight electronic databases were searched until August 2023 including MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AMED, Health Management Information Consortium, and the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertation.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included in the review. Of these, nine focused on general practitioner perspectives, one on psychiatrist perspectives, and three on a mix of HPs perspectives. Barriers and facilitators to discontinuing long-term ADs emerged within eight themes, ordered chronologically based on HP considerations during an AD review: perception of AD use, fears, HP role and responsibility, HPs' perception of AD discontinuation, HPs' confidence regarding their ability to manage discontinuation, perceived patient readiness to stop, support from patient's trusted people, and support from other HPs.
LIMITATIONS
Coding and development of subthemes and themes was performed by one researcher and further developed through discussion within the research team.
CONCLUSION
Deprescribing long-term ADs is a challenging concept for HPs. The review found evidence that the barriers far outweigh the facilitators with fear of relapse as a main barrier. HP education, reassurance and confidence-building is essential to increase the initiation of the discontinuation process. Further research into the perspectives of pharmacists and mental health workers is needed as well as exploring the role of trusted people.
Topics: Humans; Antidepressive Agents; Attitude of Health Personnel; Health Personnel
PubMed: 38640978
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.060 -
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism May 2024Previous meta-analyses have shown mixed results regarding the association between eating disorders (EDs) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Our paper aimed to analyse... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Previous meta-analyses have shown mixed results regarding the association between eating disorders (EDs) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Our paper aimed to analyse different EDs and disordered eating behaviours that may be practiced by patients with T1DM.
METHODS
A literature search of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science was conducted on 17 January 2023, using the key terms "T1DM," "Eating Disorders" and "Bulimia." Only observational controlled studies were included. The Revman software (version 5.4) was used for the analysis.
RESULTS
T1DM was associated with increased risk of ED compared with nondiabetic individuals (RR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.84-3.32, p-value < 0.00001), especially bulimia nervosa (RR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.18-6.65, p-value = 0.02) and binge eating (RR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.18-1.98, p-value = 0.001). Our analysis has shown that increased risk of ED among T1DM persisted regardless of the questionnaire used to diagnose ED; DM-validated questionnaires (RR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.91-4.12, p-value < 0.00001) and generic questionnaires (RR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.27-3.23, p-value = 0.003). Prevalence of insulin omission/misuse was 10.3%; diabetic females demonstrated a significantly higher risk of insulin omission and insulin misuse than diabetic males.
CONCLUSION
Our study establishes a significant and clear connection between EDs and T1DM, particularly bulimia and binge eating, with T1DM. Moreover, female diabetics are at higher risk of insulin misuse/omission. Early proactive screening is essential and tailored; comprehensive interventions combining diabetes and ED components are recommended for this population, with referral to a specialised psychiatrist.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Bulimia; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Insulin; Insulin, Regular, Human
PubMed: 38597269
DOI: 10.1002/edm2.473 -
Sante Mentale Au Quebec 2023Context In the exercise of his practice, the psychiatrist is commonly called upon to assess the suicidal risk of a patient and may, under the circumstances, engage his...
Context In the exercise of his practice, the psychiatrist is commonly called upon to assess the suicidal risk of a patient and may, under the circumstances, engage his professional liability and become the subject of a civil suit in the event of the death of the patient. Despite the existence of guidelines and tools for the assessment and management of suicide risk, the practice often remains unstandardized. Few studies have focused on the assessment and management of this risk from a legal perspective. Some knowledge of case law could be useful to psychiatrists in making future decisions, both from a medico-legal point of view and to improve the care offered. Objectives This article aims to study the civil liability of the psychiatrist following the suicide of a patient by analyzing Canadian case law from a perspective of continuous improvement of practice with particular attention to the assessment and management of suicide risk. Method A systematic review of the judgments was carried out on CanLII.org, a virtual library of Canadian legal information allowing access to the judgments rendered by the courts of first instance, the Courts of Appeal as well as those of the Supreme Court of Canada. The search strategy consisted in using the key words "suicide," "psychiatrie," "faute" and "responsabilité" as well as their English translation to retain the recourses where a judgment was rendered by the court and where at least one psychiatrist acted as a defendant or co-defendant following the suicide of a patient. Results Nine judgments met our inclusion criteria. Since elements were of interest for our research question, it seemed wise to us to also include three decisions where the patient did not die of his suicidal attempt but kept significant sequelae. The analysis of the judgments made it possible to identify the alleged faults most often reproached to the psychiatrist by the plaintiff and to present the usual position of the courts, and the arguments which underlie them. The alleged faults can be grouped into three categories: an assessment of the suicide risk deemed faulty, a management of the suicide risk by supervisory measures deemed faulty and an omission to have used legal custody measures when they should have been applied. In nearly all cases, Canadian courts render a decision in favor of the psychiatrist, demonstrating sensitivity to the reality of psychiatrists' practice. The recommendations resulting from our analysis of Canadian case law support the guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association and the Ontario Hospital Association practice guidelines for suicide risk assessment and management, particularly in terms of the content of evaluation, specific moments of re-evaluation and documentation. Conclusion Knowledge of Canadian case law on civil liability for the suicide of a patient represents an additional asset for the practice of responsible and quality psychiatry.
Topics: Humans; United States; Psychiatrists; Suicide; Psychiatry; Liability, Legal; Ontario
PubMed: 38578190
DOI: No ID Found