Psychiatric Rating Scale Scores Research Articles

Who can benefit more from its twelve-week treatment: A prospective cohort study of blonanserin for patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND Blonanserin (BNS) is a well-tolerated and effective drug for treating schizophrenia. AIM To investigate which types of patients would obtain the most benefit from BNS treatment. METHODS A total of 3306 participants were evaluated in a 12-week, prospective, multicenter, open-label post-marketing surveillance study of BNS. Brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) scores were calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of BNS, and its safety was assessed with the incidence of adverse drug reactions. Linear regression was used to screen the influencing factors for the reduction of BPRS total score, and logistic regression was used to identify patients with a better response to BNS. RESULTS The baseline BPRS total score (48.8 ± 15.03) decreased to 27.7 ± 10.08 at 12 weeks (P < 0.001). Extrapyramidal symptoms (14.6%) were found to be the most frequent adverse drug reactions. The acute phase, baseline BPRS total score, current episode duration, number of previous episodes, dose of concomitant antipsychotics, and number of types of sedative-hypnotic agents were found to be independent factors affecting the reduction of BPRS total score after treatment initiation. Specifically, patients in the acute phase with baseline BPRS total score ≥ 45, current episode duration < 3 months, and ≤ 3 previous episodes derived greater benefit from 12-week treatment with BNS. CONCLUSION Patients in the acute phase with more severe symptoms, shorter current episode duration, fewer previous episodes, and a lower psychotropic drug load derived the greatest benefit from treatment with BNS.

Nomogram model for predicting medication adherence in patients with various mental disorders based on the Dryad database

ObjectiveTreatment compliance among psychiatric patients is related to disease outcomes. How to assess patient compliance remains a concern. Here, we established a predictive model for medication compliance in patients with...

Changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factors in schizophrenic patients with spiritual psychoreligious therapy.

To examine the effect of Spiritual Quranic Emotional Freedom Technique therapy on the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in schizophrenic patients. The quasi-experimental study was conducted from August to December 2021 at the Polytechnic of Health, Kendari, Indonesia, and comprised patients of either gender aged >20 years who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia by psychiatrists using the text-revised version of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, had Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score 50-60, and were part of the treatment programme at the polyclinic. They were divided into experimental group A and control group B. Patients in group A were given 30 days of Spiritual Quranic Emotional Freedom Technique therapy, while those in group B received only education about the spiritual therapy with the recommendation to listen to the Quran verses. A set of healthy controls memorizing the Quran was enrolled from the Islamic Boarding School, Kendari, and placed in group C. They were given education about the need to keep reading and learning the Quran. The intervention was done 2 times per week for 4 weeks. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor level for all groups and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score for groups A and B were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Of the 30 subjects, 16(53.3%) were females and 14(46.7%) were males. There were 11(36.7%) subjects aged 31-40 years. Each of the 3 groups had 10(33.3%) subjects. There was a significant decrease in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores in groups A and B post-intervention (p<0.000). There was a significant increase in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels post-therapy in groups A and C (p<0.001), while in group B it was not significant (p=0.500). Spiritual Quranic Emotional Freedom Technique therapy could enhance clinical improvement and brain function in schizophrenic patients.

Evaluation of the pharmacodynamic interaction effect of augmentation agents with clozapine in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: A simulation study of clinical data

IntroductionThe aim of the study was to evaluate interaction effect of various augmentation strategies with clozapine in patients with Treatment-resistant schizophrenia. MethodsData was extracted for change in positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) or brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) scores for monotherapy with various antipsychotic agents alone and their combination with clozapine. Individual patient data was generated using simulation of data (factorial trial framework) from published clinical trials for sample sizes from eight to 400 to evaluate interaction effect through linear modeling. Dose equivalents were calculated, and best fit models were determined for simulated data. ResultsThe polynomial model was found to be the best fit for the simulated data to determine interaction effect of combination. The clozapine augmentation with risperidone and ziprasidone was found to be antagonistic, whereas it was additive for haloperidol, aripiprazole, and quetiapine. A synergistic effect was observed for ECT combined with clozapine (Interaction effect: -7.62; p <0.001). A sample size of 250-300 may be sufficient to demonstrate a clinically significant interaction in future trials. ConclusionClozapine may be augmented with electroconvulsive therapy, leading to the enhancement of antipsychotic effect. Though some antipsychotics like aripiprazole demonstrate additive effects, they may also add to the adverse effects.

Combining mHealth Technology and Pharmacotherapy to Improve Mental Health Outcomes and Reduce Human Rights Abuses in West Africa: Intervention Field Trial.

In West Africa, healers greatly outnumber trained mental health professionals. People with serious mental illness (SMI) are often seen by healers in "prayer camps" where they may also experience human rights abuses. We developed "M&M," an 8-week-long dual-pronged intervention involving (1) a smartphone-delivered toolkit designed to expose healers to brief psychosocial interventions and encourage them to preserve human rights (M-Healer app), and (2) a visiting nurse who provides medications to their patients (Mobile Nurse). We examined the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and preliminary effectiveness of the M&M intervention in real-world prayer camp settings. We conducted a single-arm field trial of M&M with people with SMI and healers at a prayer camp in Ghana. Healers were provided smartphones with M-Healer installed and were trained by practice facilitators to use the digital toolkit. In parallel, a study nurse visited their prayer camp to administer medications to their patients. Clinical assessors administered study measures to participants with SMI at pretreatment (baseline), midtreatment (4 weeks) and post treatment (8 weeks). Seventeen participants were enrolled and most (n=15, 88.3%) were retained. Participants had an average age of 44.3 (SD 13.9) years and 59% (n=10) of them were male. Fourteen (82%) participants had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and 2 (18%) were diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Four healers were trained to use M-Healer. On average, they self-initiated app use 31.9 (SD 28.9) times per week. Healers watched an average of 19.1 (SD 21.2) videos, responded to 1.5 (SD 2.4) prompts, and used the app for 5.3 (SD 2.7) days weekly. Pre-post analyses revealed a significant and clinically meaningful reduction in psychiatric symptom severity (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score range 52.3 to 30.9; Brief Symptom Inventory score range 76.4 to 27.9), psychological distress (Talbieh Brief Distress Inventory score range 37.7 to 16.9), shame (Other as Shamer Scale score range 41.9 to 28.5), and stigma (Brief Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale score range 11.8 to 10.3). We recorded a significant reduction in days chained (1.6 to 0.5) and a promising trend for reduction in the days of forced fasting (2.6 to 0.0, P=.06). We did not identify significant pre-post changes in patient-reported working alliance with healers (Working Alliance Inventory), depressive symptom severity (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), quality of life (Lehman Quality of Life Interview for the Mentally Ill), beliefs about medication (Beliefs about Medications Questionnaire-General Harm subscale), or other human rights abuses. No major side effects, health and safety violations, or serious adverse events occurred over the course of the trial. The M&M intervention proved to be feasible, acceptable, safe, and clinically promising. Preliminary findings suggest that the M-Healer toolkit may have shifted healers' behaviors at the prayer camp so that they commit fewer human rights abuses.

Clinical Variables and Peripheral Biomarkers Associated with Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder: Differences Related to Alcohol, Cannabis, and Psychostimulant Abuse.

Background: The present retrospective observational study aims to identify differences in clinical features and peripheral biomarkers among patients affected by substance-induced psychotic disorder (SIPD) according to the primary substance of abuse. Methods: A sample of 218 patients was divided into three groups according to the type of consumed substance: alcohol, cannabis, and psychostimulants. The three groups were compared using one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) for continuous variables and χ2 tests for qualitative variables. After excluding the alcohol-induced psychotic disorder group, the same analyses were repeated. The statistically significant variables from these subsequent analyses were included in a binary logistic regression model to confirm their reliability as predictors of cannabis- or psychostimulant-induced psychotic disorder. Results: Psychotic cannabis abusers were younger (p < 0.01), with illness onset at an earlier age (p < 0.01). Alcohol consumers presented a longer duration of illness (p < 0.01), more frequent previous hospitalizations (p = 0.04) and medical comorbidities (p < 0.01), and higher mean Modified Sad Persons Scale scores (p < 0.01). Finally, psychostimulant abusers had a higher frequency of lifetime history of poly-substance use disorders (p < 0.01). A binary logistic regression analysis revealed that higher mean Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores (p < 0.01) and higher sodium (p = 0.012) and hemoglobin (p = 0.040) plasma levels were predictors of cannabis misuse in SIPD patients. Conclusions: Different clinical factors and biochemical parameters con be associated with SIPD according to the main substance of abuse, thus requiring specific management by clinicians.

Ketogenic Diet Intervention on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A Pilot Trial

The ketogenic diet (KD, also known as metabolic therapy) has been successful in the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and epilepsy. More recently, this treatment has shown promise in the treatment of psychiatric illness. We conducted a 4–month pilot study to investigate the effects of a KD on individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with existing metabolic abnormalities. Twenty–three participants were enrolled in a single–arm trial. Results showcased improvements in metabolic health, with no participants meeting metabolic syndrome criteria by study conclusion. Adherent individuals experienced significant reduction in weight (12 %), BMI (12 %), waist circumference (13 %), and visceral adipose tissue (36 %). Observed biomarker enhancements in this population include a 27 % decrease in HOMA–IR, and a 25 % drop in triglyceride levels. In psychiatric measurements, participants with schizophrenia showed a 32 % reduction in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores. Overall Clinical Global Impression (CGI) severity improved by an average of 31 %, and the proportion of participants that started with elevated symptomatology improved at least 1–point on CGI (79 %). Psychiatric outcomes across the cohort encompassed increased life satisfaction (17 %) and enhanced sleep quality (19 %). This pilot trial underscores the potential advantages of adjunctive ketogenic dietary treatment in individuals grappling with serious mental illness.

Gender differences and clinical correlates in the age of the first hospitalization in patients with drug-naïve schizophrenia in China: a cross-sectional study.

Gender differences in the onset age of schizophrenia have been reported in many studies, but differences in the age of the first hospitalization and associated factors have not been explored. The present study investigated gender differences and clinical correlates in the age of the first hospitalization in drug-naïve schizophrenia (DNS). A total of 144 DNS patients and 67 health controls were included. Demographic information, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) scores, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores, and MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) scores were collected and analyzed. The age of the first hospitalization was significantly earlier in males than in females (P < 0.01). In addition, there were significant differences in the age of the first hospitalization in terms of marital status, occupation, family ranking, suicide attempt, and place of residence (all P < 0.05). After Bonferroni correction, only DUP had a positive correlation with the age of the first hospitalization (PBonferroni < 0.05/6 = 0.0083). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that gender (β = 0.141, t = 2.434, P = 0.016), marital status (β = 0.219, t = 3.463, P = 0.001), family ranking (β = 0.300, t = 4.918, P < 0.001), suicide attempt (β = 0.348, t = 5.549, P < 0.001), and DUP (β = 0.190, t = 2.969, P < 0.004) positively predicted the age of the first hospitalization. The age of the first hospitalization in male DNS was earlier than in females. In addition, gender, marital status, suicide attempt, DUP, and family rank were independent risk factors for the age of the first hospitalization.

Safety and effectiveness of oral medium to high dose blonanserin in patients with schizophrenia: subgroup analysis from a prospective, multicenter, post-marketing surveillance study in mainland China

BackgroundBlonanserin (BNS) had been undergoing post-market surveillance (PMS) since September 2018. Using the surveillance data, we did this analysis to assess the safety and effectiveness of different doses of BNS to explore a sufficient dose range of BNS in Chinese patients with schizophrenia (SZ).MethodsA 12-week, prospective, observational, single-arm, multicenter, open-label PMS was conducted. In this analysis, we divided the patients from PMS into low, medium to high, and high dose groups based on the dose of BNS they received, with medium to high dose group being the focus. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores at week 2 or 4, 6 or 8, and 12 were calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of BNS in improving psychiatric symptoms. The safety of BNS was reported as the incidence of adverse drug reactions.Results364 patients were included in the medium to high dose group, of which 321 completed the surveillance, with a dropout rate of 11.8%. The mean daily dose was 15.1 ± 1.92 mg. The BPRS total score was 50.1 ± 11.95 at baseline and decreased to 26.6 ± 7.43 at 12 weeks (P < 0.001). When compared with other groups, the median to high dose group achieved significantly more reduction in BPRS score at week 12 (P = 0.004 versus low dose and P = 0.033 versus higher dose). Extrapyramidal symptoms [EPS (46.4%)] were the most common adverse reactions in the medium to high group. The average weight gain during the surveillance was 0.5 ± 2.56 kg and prolactin elevation occurred in 2.2% patients. Most adverse reactions were mild.ConclusionsBNS at medium to high doses (mean 15.1 mg/d) significantly improved symptoms of SZ and was well-tolerated. Most ADRs were mild, and the likelihood of causing metabolic side effects and prolactin elevations was low. Medium to high dose of BNS is a more potent treatment choice for SZ.Trial registration number: ChiCTR2100048734. Date of registration: 2021/07/15 (retrospectively registered).

Case control study: G-allele of rs4244165 in JAK1 gene correlated with high-level brief psychiatric rating scale in bipolar patients.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and clinically complex disease, characterized by pathological disturbances in mood and energy. Cytokines can access the brain and their signaling pathways affect brain functions, such as neurotransmitter metabolism, neuroendocrine function, neural/synaptic plasticity, and mood neural circuitry. JAK 1 is the most common phosphorylation protein combined with the tyrosine kinase cytokine receptors; therefore, we investigated the association between the Janus family kinase 1 (JAK1) gene polymorphisms (rs2780895, rs4244165, and rs17127024) and susceptibility to BD. The case study population included 93 patients diagnosed with BD and 112 healthy controls, selected from the central coastal region of Tunisia. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to investigate these 3 JAK1 polymorphisms. We compared the sociodemographic and clinical parameters of 3 genotypes of this single nucleotide polymorphisms rs2780895, rs4244165, and rs17127024 of the JAK1 gene. The frequencies of the 3 genotypes were similar in the patient and control groups. One-way analysis of variance revealed a significant variation in rs4244165. After hospitalization, the average of the brief psychiatric rating scale score was significantly higher for the wild-type GG genotype than that for the double-mutation TT genotype (31.23% vs 22.85%, P = .043). The least significant difference post hoc test also showed a significant difference between the GG and TT genotypes at both hospital admission (P = .001) and after hospitalization (P = .012), with the GG genotype being associated with a higher brief psychiatric rating scale score. Haplotypic analysis revealed that the wild-type haplotype with the highest frequency (46.62%) was CTG. Our results showed no association between the 3 studied positions and bipolar disorder. However, the G-allele of rs4244165 in JAK1 is associated with the highest level of the brief psychiatric rating scale in patients with bipolar disorder. The JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway is an interesting therapeutic route that requires further investigations. Studying their regulatory regions can provide a clearer picture of all the interactions involved in the regulation of genetic expression in response to treatment.

Potential role between inflammatory cytokines and Tie-2 receptor levels and clinical symptoms in patients with first-episode schizophrenia

BackgroundSchizophrenia (SCZ) is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which may be involved in the underlying pathological mechanism of the disease and may influence patient prognosis. We evaluated the differences in serum cytokine and Tie-2 receptor levels between patients with first-episode SCZ and healthy controls and explored the correlation thereof with clinical symptoms.MethodsSeventy-six participants were recruited for the present study, including 40 patients with first-episode SCZ and 36 healthy controls. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores, demographic data, and blood samples were collected at baseline. A hypersensitive Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) electrochemiluminescence assay system was used to measure cytokine and Tie-2 receptor levels. Spearman’s correlation and stepwise linear regression were used to analyze the data.ResultsSerum interleukin-1β and -4 levels were significantly increased, and Tie-2 levels were significantly decreased, in first-episode SCZ patients as compared to healthy controls. IL-1β levels were positively correlated with total BPRS scores, resistance subscores, and PANSS positive subscores. Furthermore, IL-1β levels were negatively correlated with Tie-2 receptor expression levels. Stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated that IL-1β levels correlated positively with PANSS positive subscores and BPRS total scores. PANSS negative subscores, general psychopathology subscores, and PANSS total scores had positive effects on the Tie-2 receptor. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that IL-1β and Tie-2 were highly sensitive and specific for predicting first-episode SCZ symptoms and achieving an area under the ROC curve of 0.8361 and 0.6462, respectively.ConclusionOur results showed that patients with first-episode SCZ have low-grade inflammation. IL-1β and Tie-2 receptors may be important mediators between inflammation and vascular dysfunction in patients with SCZ and may underlie the increased cardiovascular disease in this population.Trial registrationThe clinical trial registration date was 06/11/2018, registration number was chiCTR1800019343.

Extension, translation and preliminary validation of the Northoff Scale for Subjective Experience in Catatonia (NSSC)

BackgroundIn the last two decades, much neuroscientific research has been done on the pathomechanisms of catatonia. However, catatonic symptoms have mainly been assessed with clinical rating scales based on observer ratings. Although catatonia is often associated with strong affective reactions, the subjective domain of catatonia has simply been neglected in scientific research. MethodsThe main objective of this study was to modify, extend and translate the original German version of the Northoff Scale for Subjective Experience in Catatonia (NSSC) and to examine its preliminary validity and reliability. Data were collected from 28 patients diagnosed with catatonia associated with another mental disorder (6A40) according to ICD-11. Descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, internal consistency and principal component analysis were employed to address preliminary validity and reliability of the NSSC. ResultsNSSC showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92). NSSC total scores were significantly associated with Northoff Catatonia Rating Scale (r = 0.50, p < .01) and Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (r = 0.41, p < .05) thus supporting its concurrent validity. There was no significant association between NSSC total score and Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale total (r = 0.26, p = .09), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (r = 0.29, p = .07) and GAF (r = 0.03, p = .43) scores. ConclusionThe extended version of the NSSC consists of 26 items and was developed to assess the subjective experience of catatonia patients. Preliminary validation of the NSSC revealed good psychometric properties. NSSC is a useful tool for everyday clinical work to assess the subjective experience of catatonia patients.

Correlation between elevated serum interleukin-1β, interleukin-16 levels and psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia at different stages

BackgroundThere is increasing evidence that immune dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) is bioanalytical method, which can detect serum inflammatory factors in patients. MSD has higher sensitivities, capturing a narrower range of proteins compared to other methods typically used in similar studies. The present study was aimed to explore the correlation between the levels of serum inflammatory factors and psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia at different stages and investigate a wide panel of inflammatory factors as independent factors for the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.MethodsWe recruited 116 participants, including patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FEG, n = 40), recurrence patients (REG, n = 40) with relapse-episode schizophrenia, and a control group (healthy people, HP, n = 36). Patients are diagnosed according to the DSM -V. The plasma levels of IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, VEGF, IL-15, and IL-16 were tested by the MSD technique. Patient-related data was collected, including sociodemographic data, positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS), and brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and subscale scores. The independent sample T test, χ2 test, Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), the least significant difference method (LSD), Spearman’s correlation test, binary logistic regression analysis and ROC curve analysis were used in this study.ResultsThere were significant differences in serum IL-1β (F = 2.37, P = 0.014) and IL-16 (F = 4.40, P < 0.001) levels among the three groups. The level of serum IL-1β in the first-episode group was significantly higher than in the recurrence group (F = 0.87, P = 0.021) and control group (F = 2.03, P = 0.013), but there was no significant difference between the recurrence group and control group (F = 1.65, P = 0.806). The serum IL-16 levels in the first-episode group (F = 1.18, P < 0.001) and the recurrence group (F = 0.83, P < 0.001) were significantly higher than in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the first-episode group and the recurrence group (F = 1.65, P = 0.61). Serum IL-1β was negatively correlated with the general psychopathological score (GPS) of PANSS (R=-0.353, P = 0.026). In the recurrence group, serum IL-16 was positively correlated with the negative score (NEG) of the PANSS scale (R = 0.335, P = 0.035) and negatively correlated with the composite score (COM) (R=-0.329, P = 0.038). In the study, IL-16 levels were an independent variable of the onset of schizophrenia both in the first-episode (OR = 1.034, P = 0.002) and recurrence groups (OR = 1.049, P = 0.003). ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under IL-16(FEG) and IL-16(REG) curves were 0.883 (95%CI:0.794–0.942) and 0.887 (95%CI:0.801–0.950).ConclusionsSerum IL-1β and IL-16 levels were different between patients with schizophrenia and healthy people. Serum IL-1β levels in first-episode schizophrenia and serum IL-16 levels in relapsing schizophrenia were correlated with the parts of psychiatric symptoms. The IL-16 level may be an independent factor associating with the onset of schizophrenia.

Association Between Clozapine Plasma Concentrations and Treatment Response: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis.

Although therapeutic drug monitoring of clozapine is recommended, its optimisation is often adjusted only on the basis of dosage. The aim of this study was to assess the link between clozapine plasma concentrations and clinical response by a meta-analysis of published studies and by an individual participant data meta-analysis. We conducted a computerised search of bibliographic databases (EMBASE, PubMed, Clinical Trials, and Web of Science) to identify studies that assessed the relationship between clozapine serum or plasma concentrations and clinical efficacy. Using pooled data, we investigated the association between improvement of clinical outcome and clozapine or norclozapine plasma concentrations, the sum of clozapine and norclozapine plasma concentrations, and the coefficient of variation of clozapine plasma concentrations. Using available individual data, we assessed the relationship between clozapine plasma concentrations and clinical response (changes in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score) and identified a threshold level for a favourable clinical response. Fifteen studies satisfied inclusion criteria. Our meta-analysis showed that responders had clozapine plasma concentrations that were, on average, 117 ng/mL higher than non-responders. The patients with plasma clozapine concentrations above the thresholds identified in each study had a higher likelihood of responding (odds ratio = 2.94, p < 0.001). Norclozapine plasma concentrations were not associated with a clinical response. The meta-analysis of individual data supported this result and confirmed the link between clozapine concentrations and a change in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score and/or the probability of clinical response. Finally, with the analysis of the coefficient of variation of clozapine plasma concentrations, we found that a greater inter-individual fluctuation in plasma concentrations was associated with a loss of clinical response. Our work confirmed that, in contrast to clozapine doses, clozapine plasma concentrations were related to a favourable clinical response, with a mean difference between responders and non-responders of 117 ng/mL. A threshold for a treatment response of 407 ng/mL was determined, with a high discriminatory capacity,and a sensitivity and specificity of 71% and 89.1%, respectively.

Successful high dose antipsychotic treatment with cariprazine in patients on the schizophrenia spectrum: Real-world evidence from a Spanish hospital setting.

Real-world evidence fills in an important gap by providing data on the effectiveness and tolerability of new medications in everyday patients. In this data collection form a Spanish hospital, the effectiveness and tolerability of cariprazine were evaluated in 14 patients who were admitted to the hospital due to an acute episode of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The collected data included demographic characteristics, history of disorder and previous treatment, and details of cariprazine therapy such as dosing, side effects and measurements of effectiveness via scales. Difference between admission and discharge on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale scores were evaluated using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. Significant improvement was detected in nearly all patients (one patient dropped out) as measured by the BPRS Total, Negative symptom, Positive symptom, and Hostility scores. At admission, patients were markedly-moderately ill and at discharge the severity was reduced to borderline ill and normal according to the CGI-S. The CGI-Improvement scale also indicated very much and much improvement at discharge. Importantly, patients left the hospital with high doses of cariprazine, i.e., 7.5 mg/day or even 9.0 mg/day, but this did not cause safety problems; cariprazine well-tolerated as only a few patients experienced side effects such as akathisia. The results provide novel evidence regarding the tolerability and effectiveness of cariprazine in high doses patients on the schizophrenia spectrum.

Serum cortisol and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia

The pathophysiology underlying major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia is related to endocrine system functions and includes changes in the blood levels of cortisol and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). However, these hormones have not been investigated simultaneously in patients with MDD and schizophrenia. We investigated the differences in serum cortisol and IGF-1 levels among patients with MDD and schizophrenia and controls. We included 129 patients with MDD, 71 patients with schizophrenia, and 71 healthy volunteers. Blood tests were performed between 6:00 am and 11:00 am after fasting. Serum cortisol levels were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia than in patients with MDD and controls. Serum cortisol levels were significantly higher in patients with MDD than in controls. Serum IGF-1 levels were higher in both patient groups than in controls, whereas there was no significant difference between patients with MDD and schizophrenia. Both cortisol and IGF-1 levels were positively correlated with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score in patients with MDD, whereas cortisol level was positively correlated and IGF-1 level was negatively correlated with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score in patients with schizophrenia. The differences in the level of these hormones suggest pathophysiological differences between these disorders.

An open-label study of oral acetazolamide for the prevention of antipsychotic associated weight gain

Weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotic medications need to be well managed. We set out: 1. To test the effect of acetazolamide on weight gain associated with antipsychotics 2. To assess improvement in psychotic symptoms using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score on patients receiving acetazolamide. This open-label study conducted after institutional ethical clearance from December 2018 to August 2020 included 34 drug-naive patients or patients on antipsychotic risperidone or olanzapine for less than one month. They were divided into two groups of 17 each as a case group (treatment as usual + acetazolamide) and a control group (treatment as usual) who were followed up for eight weeks. The patient's physical characteristics were recorded at baseline and during follow-ups. The Brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and clinical global impression (CGI) scores were compared for the cases and controls. The study showed non-significant reduction in the weight (-0.57 ± 1.06 kg), body mass index (BMI) (-0.23 ± 0.76 kg/m2) and abdominal circumference (-0.47 ± 1.37 cm) in the patients receiving oral acetazolamide at the end of two months as compared to controls where there was significant increase in the weight (+2.62 ± 1.09 kg), BMI (+1.03 ± 0.44 kg/m2) and abdominal circumference (+2.21 ± 1.33 cm, P = 0.001). Similarly, the BPRS and CGI scores were significantly reduced in both arms, with satisfaction rates better among the cases compared to controls. There was a non-significant reduction in the weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, and brief psychiatric rating scale scores in patients treated with acetazolamide.Ethics committee protocol number: - 2018/244CTRI India registration number: CTRI/2019/05/018884.

Research and Diagnostic Algorithmic Rules (RADAR) for mood disorders, recurrence of illness, suicidal behaviours, and the patient's lifetime trajectory.

The top-down Diagnostic and Statistical Manual/International Statistical Classification of Diseases categories of mood disorders are inaccurate, and their dogmatic nature precludes both deductive (as indisputable) and inductive (as top-down) remodelling of case definitions. In trials, psychiatric rating scale scores employed as outcome variables are invalid and rely on folk psychology-like narratives. Using machine learning techniques, we developed a new precision nomothetic model of mood disorders with a recurrence of illness (ROI) index, a new endophenotype class, namely Major Dysmood Disorder (MDMD), characterised by increased ROI, a more severe phenome, and more disabilities. Nonetheless, our previous studies did not compute Research and Diagnostic Algorithmic Rules (RADAR) to diagnose MDMD and score ROI, lifetime (LT), and current suicidal behaviours, as well as the phenome of mood disorders. Here, we provide rules to compute bottom-up RADAR scores for MDMD, ROI, LT and current suicidal ideation and attempts, the phenome of mood disorders, and the lifetime trajectory of mood disorder patients from a family history of mood disorders and substance abuse to adverse childhood experiences, ROI, and the phenome. We also demonstrate how to plot the 12 major scores in a single RADAR graph, which displays all features in a two-dimensional plot. These graphs allow the characteristics of a patient to be displayed as an idiomatic fingerprint, allowing one to estimate the key traits and severity of the illness at a glance. Consequently, biomarker research into mood disorders should use our RADAR scores to examine pan-omics data, which should be used to enlarge our precision models and RADAR graph.

Bipolar Affective Disorder in a Patient of Achalasia Cardia: A Case Report of Young Man

We present a case of 22-year-old known Achalasia cardia, previously treated for depression, presented with irritable behaviour, aggression, over-talkativeness, ideas of self-importance, running away from home and decreased sleep. He was treated for imperforate anus with anoplasty on the first day of birth and for Achalaisa Cardia with heller myotomy at 17 years of age. His Young Mania Rating Scale score was 22, and his Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score was 50. He was diagnosed as a case of bipolar affective disorder. Marked improvement in the symptoms occurred after two weeks of the treatment with sodium valproate, olanzapine and clonazepam.

Homocysteine Levels and Clinical Outcomes in Schizophrenia—A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: To find out the relation between homocysteine levels in peripheral blood and the effectiveness as well as the safety of haloperidol and olanzapine in schizophrenia treatment. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized parallel-group open-label interventional clinical trial was conducted on 40 mild to moderate schizophrenia patients. To compare the efficacy of olanzapine and haloperidol Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) score was used. Homocysteine levels of peripheral blood and Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale scores were evaluated. Results: BPRS score improved in both groups on day 14 and day 28. But significantly more with olanzapine ( P value =.001). The olanzapine group showed a higher reduction (13.91±0.47 to 9.74±0.5) in homocysteine levels than the haloperidol group. Also, the BPRS scores negatively correlated ( r = –0.66) to homocysteine levels. Conclusion: Therefore, our study shows that peripheral blood homocysteine levels can be used to predict and assess the treatment outcome in schizophrenia patients. Biomarker driven approach in schizophrenia will allow the patients to be treated promptly with the right drug. In this light, personalized treatment holds great potential in the future.