The role of arterial elasticity and cardiovascular peripheral resistance as clinically relevant indices of health status in people with psychosis

OBJECTIVE

Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) are higher in people with psychosis compared to the general population, but there is little research into measures of the elasticity of the arterial wall (pulse pressure; PP) and peripheral resistance (mean arterial pressure; MAP). PP and MAP can provide an additional perspective on the functioning of the circulatory system. This study investigated PP and MAP in people with psychosis, using factors known to be related to PP and MAP in the general population.

METHOD

Participants included 1421 people aged 18-64years, from the second Australian national survey of psychosis, untreated with antihypertensive medication. We tested the interaction and main effects between age and gender on PP, MAP, systolic BP and diastolic BP. Odds ratios were calculated in people exceeding the at-risk thresholds for PP and MAP. Multiple linear regression was used to test whether factors associated with at-risk PP and MAP in the general population were similarly associated in the psychosis population.

RESULTS

The interaction effect between age and gender on PP, MAP, systolic BP and diastolic BP was not statistically significant. Variables that retained significance in the regression model in explaining higher PP and MAP were: male gender, higher age, and having a family history of hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians monitoring and treating CV risk in this population need to ensure that they have recorded whether there is a family history of hypertension, and should be especially, more vigilant in men and in older patients.

How individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) process their own face: a quantitative and qualitative investigation based on an eye-tracking paradigm

INTRODUCTION

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterised by repetitive behaviours and/or mental acts occurring in response to preoccupations with perceived flaws in physical appearance. Based on an eye-tracking paradigm, this study aimed to examine how individuals with BDD processed their own face.

METHODS

Participants were 21 BDD patients, 19 obsessive-compulsive disorder patients and 21 healthy controls (HC), who were age-, sex-, and IQ-matched. Stimuli were photographs of participants' own faces as well as those from the Pictures of Facial Affect battery. Outcome measures were affect recognition accuracy as well as spatial and temporal scanpath parameters.

RESULTS

The BDD group exhibited significantly decreased recognition accuracy for their own face relative to the HC group, and this was most pronounced for those who had a key concern centred on their face. Individual qualitative scanpath analysis revealed restricted and extensive scanning behaviours in BDD participants with a facial preoccupation. Persons with severe BDD also exhibited more marked scanpath deficits.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research should be directed at extending the current work by incorporating neuroimaging techniques, and investigations of eye-tracking focused on affected body parts in BDD. These could yield fruitful therapeutic applications via incorporation with existing treatment approaches.

Attentional biases in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD): Eye-tracking using the emotional Stroop task

OBJECTIVE

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterised by repetitive behaviours and/or mental acts occurring in response to preoccupations with perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance. This study aimed to examine attentional biases in BDD via the emotional Stroop task with two modifications: i) incorporating an eye-tracking paradigm, and ii) employing an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) control group.

METHOD

Twenty-one BDD, 19 OCD and 21 HC participants, who were age-, sex-, and IQ-matched, were included. A card version of the emotional Stroop task was employed based on seven 10-word lists: (i) BDD-positive, (ii) BDD-negative, (iii) OCD-checking, (iv) OCD-washing, (v) general positive, (vi) general threat, and (vii) neutral (as baseline). Participants were asked to read aloud words and word colours consecutively, thereby yielding accuracy and latency scores. Eye-tracking parameters were also measured.

RESULTS

Participants with BDD exhibited significant Stroop interference for BDD-negative words relative to HC participants, as shown by extended colour-naming latencies. In contrast, the OCD group did not exhibit Stroop interference for OCD-related nor general threat words. Only mild eye-tracking anomalies were uncovered in clinical groups. Inspection of individual scanning styles and fixation heat maps however revealed that viewing strategies adopted by clinical groups were generally disorganised, with avoidance of certain disorder-relevant words and considerable visual attention devoted to non-salient card regions.

CONCLUSION

The operation of attentional biases to negative disorder-specific words was corroborated in BDD. Future replication studies using other paradigms are vital, given potential ambiguities inherent in emotional Stroop task interpretation.

The value of counting WHO-defined cardiovascular risk factors for death and disability in a national sample of adults with psychosis

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the prevalence and associations of eight WHO-defined CVD risk factors for death and disability in people with psychosis.

METHOD

The study included 1156 people aged 18-64years, diagnosed with psychosis. The 2009 World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Health Risks Report was used as a framework to determine the prevalence and number of eight key risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men and women with psychosis. Differences in the number and type of risk factors by age and gender were investigated. Multi-predictor analysis was performed to identify associations between demographic factors, psychiatric diagnosis and accumulative CVD risk factors.

RESULTS

Women had fewer CVD risk factors than men. The number of risk factors significantly decreased in association with single marital status, current employment and significantly increased with earning a higher income. People aged 35-49years and 50-64years had an average of 4 risk factors (SD 1.38 and 1.30); people aged 18-34years had an average of 3 risk factors (SD 1.30). Mean risk factors were higher in the middle age and older age groups (35-49years and 50-64years) compared with the younger age group (18-34years) (p<0.0001). Overweight/obesity, hypertension, high blood glucose/diabetes and high cholesterol were significantly more prevalent in older men and women.

CONCLUSION

People with psychosis have a high prevalence of individual and aggregate CVD risks. These were more common in men and rose with age, implying the necessity of close clinical monitoring. The most common risk factors should be targeted by lifestyle interventions.

Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: Treatment Response and Resistance in Psychosis (TRRIP) Working Group Consensus Guidelines on Diagnosis and Terminology

OBJECTIVE

Research and clinical translation in schizophrenia is limited by inconsistent definitions of treatment resistance and response. To address this issue, the authors evaluated current approaches and then developed consensus criteria and guidelines.

METHOD

A systematic review of randomized antipsychotic clinical trials in treatment-resistant schizophrenia was performed, and definitions of treatment resistance were extracted. Subsequently, consensus operationalized criteria were developed through 1) a multiphase, mixed methods approach, 2) identification of key criteria via an online survey, and 3) meetings to achieve consensus.

RESULTS

Of 2,808 studies identified, 42 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 21 studies (50%) did not provide operationalized criteria. In the remaining studies, criteria varied considerably, particularly regarding symptom severity, prior treatment duration, and antipsychotic dosage thresholds; only two studies (5%) utilized the same criteria. The consensus group identified minimum and optimal criteria, employing the following principles: 1) current symptoms of a minimum duration and severity determined by a standardized rating scale; 2) moderate or worse functional impairment; 3) prior treatment consisting of at least two different antipsychotic trials, each for a minimum duration and dosage; 4) systematic monitoring of adherence and meeting of minimum adherence criteria; 5) ideally at least one prospective treatment trial; and 6) criteria that clearly separate responsive from treatment-resistant patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There is considerable variation in current approaches to defining treatment resistance in schizophrenia. The authors present consensus guidelines that operationalize criteria for determining and reporting treatment resistance, adequate treatment, and treatment response, providing a benchmark for research and clinical translation.

Acceptance and commitment therapy for psychosis: randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in psychosis has been reported but not for medication-resistant psychosis.

AIMS

To test the efficacy of ACT in a sample of community-residing patients with persisting psychotic symptoms. (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12608000210370.) METHOD: The primary outcome was overall mental state at post-therapy (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale - total); secondary outcomes were psychotic symptom dimensions and functioning. In total, 96 patients were randomised to ACT (n = 49) or befriending (n = 47). Symptom, functioning and process measures were administered at baseline, post-therapy and 6 months later.

RESULTS

There was no group difference on overall mental state. In secondary analyses the ACT group showed greater improvement in positive symptoms and hallucination distress at follow-up: Cohen's d = 0.52 (95% CI 0.07-0.98) and 0.65 (95% CI 0.24-1.06), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements reflected the treatment focus on positive symptoms; however, absence of process-measure changes suggests that the ACT intervention used did not manipulate targeted processes beyond befriending. Symptom-specific therapy refinements, improved investigation of process and attention to cognitive functioning and dose are warranted in future research.

Reduced cortical thickness in body dysmorphic disorder

Recent neuroimaging studies in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have implicated abnormal structure and function of occipito-temporal and fronto-limbic regions in the potential pathophysiology of the disorder. To date, morphometric investigations have yielded inconsistent results, and have suggested that clinical symptoms may mediate structural brain abnormalities in BDD. We measured Grey Matter (GM) cortical thickness in 20 participants with BDD and 20 healthy control participants matched on age, gender, estimated IQ and handedness. We observed cortical thinning in BDD patients compared with healthy control participants within the left middle temporal and left inferior parietal gyrus. No significant relationships between cortical thickness and BDD symptom severity, insight, social anxiety and depression were observed within the BDD group. Thinning within left temporal and left inferior parietal regions supports the involvement of these regions in the pathophysiology of BDD.

Randomised controlled trials of psychological & pharmacological treatments for body dysmorphic disorder: A systematic review

Treatment for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) often involves a combination of psychological and pharmacological interventions. However, only a small number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been undertaken examining the efficacy of different therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to systematically review the RCTs involving psychological and pharmacological interventions for the treatment of BDD. The literature was searched to June 2015, and studies were included if they were written in English, empirical research papers published in peer-review journals, specifically assessed BDD patients, and involved a RCT assessing BDD symptoms pre- and post-intervention. Nine studies were identified: six involving psychological and three involving pharmacological interventions. Cognitive behaviour therapy, metacognitive therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were identified as treatments with potential benefit. The small number of RCTs and the heterogeneity of findings emphasises the need for more high quality RCTs assessing both psychological and pharmacological interventions for BDD.

Attachment Insecurity Predicts Punishment Sensitivity in Anorexia Nervosa

Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) experience insecure attachment. We investigated whether insecure attachment is associated with punishment and reward sensitivity in women with AN. Women with AN (n = 24) and comparison women (n = 26) (CW) completed The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, The Attachment Style Questionnaire, and Sensitivity to Punishment/Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire. Participants with AN returned higher ratings for insecure attachment (anxious and avoidant) experiences and greater sensitivity to punishment (p = 0.001) than CW. In AN, sensitivity to punishment was positively correlated with anxious attachment and negative emotionality but not eating disorder symptoms. Regression analysis revealed that anxious attachment independently predicted punishment sensitivity in AN. Anxious attachment experiences are related to punishment sensitivity in AN, independent of negative emotionality and eating disorder symptoms. Results support ongoing investigation of the contribution of attachment experiences in treatment and recovery.

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) and related psychotic phenomena in mood disorders: analysis of the 2010 Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP) data

BACKGROUND

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) are known to occur in mood disorders, but there has been scant research in the area. This paper aimed to explore the presence of hallucinations, and AVHs in particular, across affective disorders (with non-affective disorders serving as clinical reference groups). Specific attention was given to i) running commentary, ii) voices conversing, and iii) negative voices. A secondary aim was to examine patterns of associated delusional themes.

METHOD

Participants were 1550 Australians, aged 18-64 years, assigned to one of four groups on the basis of diagnosis: i) bipolar disorder (BD), ii) depressive psychosis (DP), iii) schizophrenia (SCZ), and iv) schizoaffective disorder (SAD). Relevant data collected from the 2010 Australian Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP) was analysed.

RESULTS

Current prevalence of hallucinations was such that BD<DP; severity of hallucinations, and AVHs in particular, was in the order BD=DP<SAD=SCZ. These results were statistically significant. Negative voices, and concomitantly, persecutory delusions, were prominent across all clinical groups.

DISCUSSION

Future research should examine age of AVH onset as well as other forms of AVHs, whilst taking into account participants' specific mood states.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in schizophrenia resistant to clozapine: a double blind randomised placebo controlled trial targeting negative symptoms

BACKGROUND

Clozapine is an effective treatment for a proportion of people with schizophrenia (SZ) who are resistant to the beneficial effects of other antipsychotic drugs. However, anything from 40-60 % of people on clozapine experience residual symptoms even on adequate doses of the medication, and thus could be considered 'clozapine resistant'. Agents that could work alongside clozapine to improve efficacy whilst not increasing the adverse effect burden are both desired and necessary to improve the lives of individuals with clozapine-resistant SZ. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is one such possible agent. Previous research from our research group provided promising pilot data suggesting the efficacy of NAC in this patient population. The aim of the study reported here is to expand this work by conducting a large scale clinical trial of NAC in the treatment of clozapine-resistant SZ.

METHODS

This study is an investigator initiated, multi-site, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. It aims to include 168 patients with clozapine-resistant SZ, divided into an intervention group (NAC) and a control group (placebo). Participants in the intervention group will receive 2 g daily of NAC. The primary outcome measures will be the negative symptom scores of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Secondary outcome measures will include: changes in quality of life (QoL) as measured by the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile (LQoLP) and cognitive functioning as measured by the total score on the MATRICS. Additionally we will examine peripheral and cortical glutathione (GSH) concentrations as process outcomes.

DISCUSSION

This large scale clinical trial will investigate the efficacy of NAC as an adjunctive medication to clozapine. This trial, if successful, will establish a cheap, safe and easy-to-use agent (NAC) as a 'go to' adjunct in patients that are only partly responsive to clozapine.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registration Number: Current Randomised Controlled Trial ACTRN12615001273572 . The date of registration 23 November 2015.

Design and protocol for the Dialysis Optimal Health Program (DOHP) randomised controlled trial

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are serious and growing health problems with enormous impact on psychological and social functioning. Despite high rates of comorbid depression and anxiety in these patient populations, and the adverse impact these have upon treatment adherence, quality of life, social connectedness and healthcare costs there has been little attention focused on the prevention or management of these problems. Thus, our aim was to evaluate the Dialysis Optimal Health Program (DOHP) that adopts a person-centred approach and engages collaborative therapy to educate and support those diagnosed with ESKD who are commencing dialysis.

Methods

The study design is a randomised controlled trial. Ninety-six adult patients initiating haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis will be randomly allocated to either the intervention (DOHP) or usual care group. Participants receiving the intervention will receive nine (8 + 1 booster session) sequential sessions based on a structured information/workbook, psychosocial and educational supports and skills building. The primary outcome measures are depression and anxiety (assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS). Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life (assessed by the Kidney Disease Quality of Life instrument; KDQOL), self-efficacy (assessed by General Self-Efficacy Scale) and clinical indices (e.g. albumin and haemoglobin levels). Cost-effectiveness analysis and process evaluation will also be performed to assess the economic value and efficacy of the DOHP. Primary and secondary measures will be collected at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up time points.

Discussion

We believe that this innovative trial will enhance knowledge of interventions aimed at supporting patients in the process of starting dialysis, and will broaden the focus from physical symptoms to include psychosocial factors such as depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, wellbeing and community support. The outcomes associated with this study are significant in terms of enhancing an at-risk population’s psychosocial health and reducing treatment-related costs and associated pressures on the healthcare system.

Trial registration

ANZCTR no. 12615000810516. Registered on 5 August 2015.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1558-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Mental Health in Diabetes Service (MINDS) to enhance psychosocial health: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

After a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, people not only have to cope with the physical aspects and common complications that require daily self-management, they are also faced with ongoing psychosocial challenges. Subsequently they find themselves having to navigate the health system to engage multidisciplinary supports; the combination of these factors often resulting in reduced health-related quality of life. To maintain optimal diabetes control, interventions need to incorporate psychosocial supports and a skill base for disease management. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate an ‘Optimal Health Program’ that adopts a person-centred approach and engages collaborative therapy to educate and support the psychosocial health of people diagnosed with type I or II diabetes.

Methods

This prospective randomised controlled trial will include 166 people diagnosed with diabetes: 83 in the intervention (Optimal Health Program) and 83 in the control (usual care) group. Participants with type diabetes mellitus will be recruited through hospital outpatient clinics and diabetes community organisations. Participants in the intervention group will receive nine (8 + 1 booster session) sequential sessions, based on a structured treatment manual emphasising educational and psychosocial support self-efficacy and skills building. The primary outcome measures will be generalised self-efficacy (GSE) and health-related quality of life (AQoL-6D and EQ-5D). Secondary measures will be anxiety and depression (HADS), social and workplace functioning (WSAS), diabetes-related quality of life (DQoL), diabetes-related distress (PAID), and type of coping strategies (Brief COPE). In addition, a health economic cost analysis and process evaluations will be performed to assess the economic cost and efficacy of the program’s operations, implementation and service delivery.

Discussion

We envisage that the Optimal Health Program’s emphasis on self-efficacy and self-management will provide participants with the skills and knowledge to achieve increased empowerment and independence in aspects of health, which in turn, will help participants deal more effectively with the physical and psychosocial complexities of diabetes.

Trial registration

ACTRN12614001085662. Registered on 10 October 2014.

The Stroke and Carer Optimal Health Program (SCOHP) to enhance psychosocial health: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and distress, and often profoundly affects the quality of life of stroke survivors and their carers. With the support of carers, many stroke survivors are returning to live in the community despite the presence of disability and ongoing challenges. The sudden and catastrophic changes caused by stroke affects the mental, emotional and social health of both stroke survivors and carers. The aim of this study is to evaluate a Stroke and Carer Optimal Health Program (SCOHP) that adopts a person-centred approach and engages collaborative therapy to educate, support and improve the psychosocial health of stroke survivors and their carers.

METHODS

This study is a prospective randomised controlled trial. It will include a total of 168 stroke survivors and carers randomly allocated into an intervention group (SCOHP) or a control group (usual care). Participants randomised to the intervention group will receive nine (8 + 1 booster) sessions guided by a structured workbook. The primary outcome measures for stroke survivors and carers will be health-related quality of life (AQoL-6D and EQ-5D) and self-efficacy (GSE). Secondary outcome measures will include: anxiety and depression (HADS); coping (Brief COPE); work and social adjustment (WSAS); carer strain (MCSI); carer satisfaction (CASI); and treatment evaluation (TEI-SF and CEQ). Process evaluation and a health economic cost analysis will also be conducted.

DISCUSSION

We believe that this is an innovative intervention that engages the stroke survivor and carer and will be significant in improving the psychosocial health, increasing independence and reducing treatment-related costs in this vulnerable patient-carer dyad. In addition, we expect that the intervention will assist carers and stroke survivors to negotiate the complexity of health services across the trajectory of care and provide practical skills to improve self-management.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ACTRN12615001046594 . Registered on 7 October 2015.

Trialling of an optimal health programme (OHP) across chronic disease

Population ageing is a worldwide phenomenon, most advanced in developed countries and expected to continue over the next few decades. As people are surviving longer with age-associated disease and disability, there is an imperative to identify innovative solutions for an already overburdened health care system. Such innovations need to be focused on disease management, taking into consideration the strong associations that have been established between psychosocial factors and pathophysiological mechanisms associated with chronic disease. Aside from personal and community costs, chronic diseases produce a significant economic burden due to the culmination of health care costs and lost productivity. This commentary reports on a programme of research, Translating Research, Integrated Public Health Outcomes and Delivery, which will evaluate an optimal health programme that adopts a person-centred approach and engages collaborative therapy to educate, support and improve the psychosocial health of those with chronic disease. The effectiveness of the optimal health programme will be evaluated across three of the most significant contributors to disease burden: diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and stroke. Cost-effectiveness will also be evaluated. The findings derived from this series of randomised controlled trials will also provide evidence attesting to the potential applicability of the optimal health programme in other chronic conditions.

Awareness of Pre-diabetes or Diabetes and Associated Factors in People With Psychosis

OBJECTIVE

To estimate awareness of pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes and associated factors in people with psychosis, a known high-risk group.

METHODS

Cross sectional analysis of a national sample with psychosis who were aged 18-64 years, gave a fasting blood sample (n = 1155), had pre-diabetes or diabetes based on testing (n = 359) and reported if they knew they had high blood sugar or diabetes at survey (n = 356). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with awareness of pre-diabetes or diabetes prior to testing.

RESULTS

The prevalence of pre-diabetes (19.0% 219/1153) or type 2 diabetes (12.1%, 140/1153) was 31.1% (359/1153); 45% (160/356) were known prior to testing. Factors associated with detection were higher fasting blood glucose, older age, a perception of poor health, severe obesity, dyslipidaemia or treatment with a lipid regulating drug, a family history of diabetes, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, decreased cognitive functioning, regional economic disadvantage, treatment with an antihypertensive drug, and an elevated 5-year risk for cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of undiagnosed pre-diabetes/diabetes was highest in those aged 25-34 years at 34.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical detection of pre-diabetes or diabetes in people with psychosis was strongly dependent on established risk factors for type 2 diabetes in the population but not on current antipsychotic drug treatment or psychiatric case management which should ensure regular screening. Screening must become a clinical priority and should not wait until age 40.

Comparing the experience of voices in borderline personality disorder with the experience of voices in a psychotic disorder: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

In clinical settings, there is substantial evidence both clinically and empirically to suggest that approximately 50% of individuals with borderline personality disorder experience auditory verbal hallucinations. However, there is limited research investigating the phenomenology of these voices. The aim of this study was to review and compare our current understanding of auditory verbal hallucinations in borderline personality disorder with auditory verbal hallucinations in patients with a psychotic disorder, to critically analyse existing studies investigating auditory verbal hallucinations in borderline personality disorder and to identify gaps in current knowledge, which will help direct future research.

METHOD

The literature was searched using the electronic database Scopus, PubMed and MEDLINE. Relevant studies were included if they were written in English, were empirical studies specifically addressing auditory verbal hallucinations and borderline personality disorder, were peer reviewed, used only adult humans and sample comprising borderline personality disorder as the primary diagnosis, and included a comparison group with a primary psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia.

RESULTS

Our search strategy revealed a total of 16 articles investigating the phenomenology of auditory verbal hallucinations in borderline personality disorder. Some studies provided evidence to suggest that the voice experiences in borderline personality disorder are similar to those experienced by people with schizophrenia, for example, occur inside the head, and often involved persecutory voices. Other studies revealed some differences between schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder voice experiences, with the borderline personality disorder voices sounding more derogatory and self-critical in nature and the voice-hearers' response to the voices were more emotionally resistive. Furthermore, in one study, the schizophrenia group's voices resulted in more disruption in daily functioning. These studies are, however, limited in number and do not provide definitive evidence of these differences.

CONCLUSION

The limited research examining auditory verbal hallucinations experiences in borderline personality disorder poses a significant diagnostic and treatment challenge. A deeper understanding of the precise phenomenological characteristics will help us in terms of diagnostic distinction as well as inform treatments.

Management of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Although depressive symptoms are a frequently occurring phenomenon in schizophrenia, effective treatments remain an area of clinical need.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the benefit of short-term treatment with the atypical antipsychotic asenapine versus placebo on depressive symptoms in patients with acute schizophrenia in an exacerbated state.

METHODS

Data were pooled from intent-to-treat (ITT) populations of three 6-week, randomized controlled studies with fixed doses of asenapine (ASE; n=427), olanzapine (OLA; n=82), risperidone (RIS; n=54), haloperidol (HAL; n=97), or placebo (PLA; n=254). Change from baseline Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) total score and individual item scores were assessed at Day 21 and Day 42 in the total patient population (n=914), and in patients presenting with a CDSS total score of .6 at baseline (n=248). Mixed model repeated measures (MMRM) analyses were performed on patient data.

RESULTS

The observed change from baseline in CDSS total score was significantly larger with ASE.compared to PLA.at both Day 21 (p<0.05) and Day 42 (p<0.01) for the total patient population group, and at Day 21 (p<0.05) in patients with baseline CDSS total score .6. For both populations, there was a significant change from baseline in the CDSS depression item score with ASE.compared to PLA.at Day 21 (p<0.01, all patient population; p<0.05, patients with baseline CDSS .6), and at Day 42 (p<0.01) in the all patient population. Statistically significant changes from baseline, in favor of ASE versus PLA, were also observed in other individual CDSS item scores including hopelessness (p<0.05, Day 21, patients with baseline CDSS .6), self-depreciation (p<0.05, Day 42, all patient population), guilty ideas of reference (p<0.01, Day 42, all patient population), pathological guilt (p<0.01, Day 21, all patient population; p<0.05, Day 21 and Day 42, patients with baseline CDSS score .6), and observed depression (p<0.05, Day 21, all patient population).

CONCLUSIONS

ASE significantly improved a range of depressive symptoms in people with an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia, as measured by the CDSS. ASE may represent a beneficial treatment option for the management of depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Common familial risk factors for schizophrenia and diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

The co-occurrence of type 2 diabetes and psychosis is an important form of medical comorbidity within individuals, but no large-scale study has evaluated comorbidity within families. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is evidence for familial comorbidity between type 2 diabetes and psychosis.

METHOD

Data were analysed from an observational study of a nationally representative sample of 1642 people with psychosis who were in contact with psychiatric services at the time of survey (The 2010 Australian National Survey of Psychosis). Participants were aged 18-64 years and met World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision diagnostic criteria for a psychotic disorder (857 with schizophrenia, 319 with bipolar disorder with psychotic features, 293 with schizoaffective disorder, 81 with depressive psychosis and 92 with delusional disorder or other non-organic psychoses). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between a family history of diabetes and a family history of schizophrenia.

RESULTS

A positive family history of diabetes was associated with a positive family history of schizophrenia in those with a psychotic disorder (odds ratio = 1.35, p = 0.01, adjusted for age and gender). The association was different in those with an affective versus non-affective psychosis (odds ratio = 0.613, p = 0.019, adjusted for age and gender) and was significant only in those with a non-affective psychosis, specifically schizophrenia (odds ratio = 1.58, p = 0.005, adjusted for age and sex). Adjustment for demographic factors in those with schizophrenia slightly strengthened the association (odds ratio = 1.74, p = 0.001, adjusted for age, gender, diagnosis, ethnicity, education, employment, income and marital status).

CONCLUSION

Elevated risk for type 2 diabetes in people with schizophrenia is not simply a consequence of antipsychotic medication; type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia share familial risk factors.