Validity of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) psychosis module in a psychiatric setting

Positive and negative symptoms in methamphetamine-induced psychosis compared to schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The clinical profiles of methamphetamine-induced psychosis (MIP) and schizophrenia are largely overlapping making differentiation challenging. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to compare the positive and negative symptoms of MIP and schizophrenia to better understand the differences between them.

STUDY DESIGN

In accordance with our pre-registered protocol (CRD42021286619), we conducted a search of English-language studies up to December 16th, 2022, in PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO, including stable outpatients with MIP and schizophrenia. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to measure the quality of cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies.

STUDY RESULTS

Of the 2052 articles retrieved, we included 12 studies (6 cross-sectional, 3 case-control, and 2 cohort studies) in our meta-analysis, involving 624 individuals with MIP and 524 individuals with schizophrenia. Our analysis found no significant difference in positive symptoms between the two groups (SMD, -0.01; 95%CI, -0.13 to +0.11; p = 1). However, individuals with MIP showed significantly less negative symptoms compared to those with schizophrenia (SMD, -0.35; 95CI%, -0.54 to -0.16; p = 0.01; I2 = 54 %). Our sensitivity analysis, which included only studies with a low risk of bias, did not change the results. However, our meta-analysis is limited by its cross-sectional approach, which limits the interpretation of causal associations. Furthermore, differences in population, inclusion criteria, methodology, and drug exposure impact our findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative symptoms are less prominent in individuals with MIP. While both groups do not differ regarding positive symptoms, raises the possibility of shared and partly different underlying neurobiological mechanisms related to MIP and schizophrenia.

Association between tuberculosis and psychotic experiences: Mediating factors and implications for patient care in low- and middle-income countries

Background

Tuberculosis may play a role in the aetiology of psychosis. However, little is known about the association between tuberculosis and psychotic experiences (PEs) or the mediating factors of this association.

Methods

We analysed cross-sectional data from 48 low- and middle-income countries of the World Health Survey (WHS). Tuberculosis assessment was based on past 12-month symptoms of active tuberculosis. We assessed four types of past 12-month PEs with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. We performed multivariable multinomial logistic regression and mediation analysis.

Results

We analysed data on 224 842 individuals aged ≥18 years (mean age = 38.3 years, standard deviation = 16.0; 50.7% women). Tuberculosis was associated with 1.84 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.41-2.40), 2.18 (95%CI = 1.58-3.03), and 3.79 (95%CI = 2.88-4.98) times higher odds for 1, 2, and ≥3 PEs, respectively. The mediation analysis showed that the association between tuberculosis and at least one PE is mainly explained by anxiety (31.5%), sleep/energy (27.8%), and pain/discomfort (23.5%).

Conclusions

Tuberculosis was associated with increased odds of PEs. Factors such as affect, sleep, and pain should be considered in tuberculosis patients to target those who might be particularly vulnerable to PEs, and consequently, to psychotic disorders and other adverse effects of PE.

Glutamate and GABA levels in the anterior cingulate cortex in treatment resistant first episode psychosis patients

BACKGROUND

Around 30 % of schizophrenia patients do not respond sufficiently to conventional antipsychotic treatment. Glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may be implicated in treatment resistant (TR) patients. Some data indicate that TR patients show increased glutamate levels compared to responders, but findings are inconclusive and limited in the early disease stage. Furthermore, the two neurotransmitters have rarely been assessed in conjunction. We therefore aimed to investigate the role of GABA+ and glutamate in first episode TR patients and explore whether these neurometabolites could be potential predictive markers for TR schizophrenia.

STUDY DESIGN

We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to assess glutamate + glutamine (Glx) and GABA including macromolecules (GABA+) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of 58 first episode psychosis patients. At six months follow-up treatment response was determined and in a subgroup of 33 patients a follow-up MRS scan was acquired.

STUDY RESULTS

Glx and GABA+ levels were not significantly different between TR patients and responders at baseline and the levels did not change at six months follow-up. The groups differed in voxel fractions, which could have influenced our results even though we corrected for these differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings do not provide evidence that ACC Glx or GABA+ levels are potential biomarkers for TR in first episode psychosis. Future research needs to take in to account voxel fractions and report potential differences. Comparison with previous literature suggests that illness duration, clozapine responsiveness and medication effects may partly explain the heterogeneous results on Glx and GABA+ levels in TR.

A 6-year follow-up study in a community-based population: Is neighbourhood-level social capital associated with the risk of emergence and persistence of psychotic experiences and transition to psychotic disorder?

BACKGROUND

Social capital is thought to represent an environmental factor associated with the risk of psychotic disorder (PD). This study aims to investigate the association between neighbourhood-level social capital and clinical transitions within the spectrum of psychosis.

METHODS

In total, 2175 participants, representative of a community-based population, were assessed twice (6 years apart) to determine their position within an extended psychosis spectrum: no symptoms, subclinical psychotic experiences (PE), clinical PE, PD. A variable representing change between baseline (T1) and follow-up (T2) assessment was constructed. Four dimensions of social capital (informal social control, social disorganisation, social cohesion and trust, cognitive social capital) were assessed at baseline in an independent sample, and the measures were aggregated to the neighbourhood level. Associations between the variable representing psychosis spectrum change from T1 to T2 and the social capital variables were investigated.

RESULTS

Lower levels of neighbourhood-level social disorganisation, meaning higher levels of social capital, reduced the risk of clinical PE onset (OR 0.300; z = -2.75; p = 0.006), persistence of clinical PE (OR 0.314; z = -2.36; p = 0.018) and also the transition to PD (OR 0.136; z = -2.12; p = 0.034). The other social capital variables were not associated with changes from T1 to T2.

CONCLUSIONS

Neighbourhood-level social disorganisation may be associated with the risk of psychosis expression. Whilst replication of this finding is required, it may point to level of social disorganisation as a public health target moderating population psychosis risk.

Socioeconomic burden of schizophrenia: a targeted literature review of types of costs and associated drivers across 10 countries

AIMS

Schizophrenia has the highest median societal cost per patient of all mental disorders. This review summarizes the different costs/cost drivers (cost components) associated with schizophrenia in 10 countries, including all cost types and stakeholder perspectives, and highlights aspects of disease associated with greatest costs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Targeted literature review based on a search of published research from 2006 to 2021 in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Japan, Brazil, and China.

RESULTS

Sixty-four published articles (primary studies and literature reviews) were included. Comprehensive data were available on costs in schizophrenia overall, with very limited data for individual countries except the US. Most data is related to direct and not indirect costs, with extremely scarce data for several key cost components (adverse events, suicide, long-term care). Total schizophrenia-related per person per year (PPPY) costs were $2,004-94,229, with considerable variability among countries. Indirect costs were the main cost driver (50-90% of all costs), ranging from $1,852 to $62,431 PPPY. However, indirect costs are not collected systematically or incorporated in health technology assessments. Total schizophrenia-related PPPY direct costs were $4,394-31,798, with inpatient cost as the main cost driver (∼20-99% of direct costs). Intangible costs were not reported. Despite limited evidence, total schizophrenia-related costs were higher in patients with than without negative symptoms, largely due to increased costs of medication and medical visits.

LIMITATIONS

As this was not a systematic review, prioritization of studies may have resulted in exclusion of potentially relevant data. All costs were converted to USD but not corrected for inflation or subjected to a gross domestic product deflator.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct costs are most commonly reported in schizophrenia. The substantial underreporting of indirect and intangible costs undervalues the true economic burden of schizophrenia from a payer, patient, and societal perspective.

A comparison of psychosis-like symptoms following self-reported and agency-notified child abuse in a population-based birth cohort at 30-year-follow-up

There is a strong association between self-reported child abuse and subsequent psychosis in retrospective data. Prospective studies of reports to statutory agencies are less common with limited information on people in their 30s. There have also been no comparisons of the influence of self- and agency-reported abuse on psychosis in adulthood. We therefore compared the prevalence of delusions and hallucinations in 30-year-olds who had experienced either self- or agency-reported childhood maltreatment with that in the remainder of a birth cohort. There were 2427 participants with data on psychosis and child abuse at 30-year follow-up. Information on self-reported abuse came from the Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and was linked to notifications of child maltreatment reported to statutory agencies. We measured psychotic-like experiences using the Peter's Delusions Inventory (PDI) and screening questions from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The prevalence of self- and agency-reported maltreatment was 599 (24.7%) and 141 (5.8%) respectively. At 30-year follow-up, 556 participants had PDI scores in the top two deciles, while 232 had experienced visual hallucinations and 134 auditory phenomena. On adjusted analyses, self-reported maltreatment, apart from sexual abuse, showed a strong association with all three outcomes. Associations were less strong for agency-notified child maltreatment and largely restricted to physical and emotional abuse. These findings suggest that people presenting with psychosis should be screened for child maltreatment, particularly physical and emotional abuse, as well as the possibility of psychosis considered in survivors of child maltreatment.

Psychotic experiences among informal caregivers: findings from 48 low- and middle-income countries

PURPOSE

Informal caregivers may be at high risk for psychotic experiences (PE) due to caregiving related stress, sleep issues, or other potential mechanisms, but this has not been previously investigated in the general adult population. Thus, we examined the association between caregiving and PE, and its mediators, in a large sample of adults from 48 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

METHODS

Cross-sectional, community-based data from the World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Survey were analyzed. Informal caregivers referred to those who provided help to a relative or friend (adult or child) in the past year, because this person has a long-term physical or mental illness or disability, or is getting old and weak. PE were assessed using the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview psychosis screen. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Data on 224,842 individuals were analyzed. The mean (SD) age was 38.3 (16.0) years (range 18-120 years) and 50.7% were females. After adjustment for age, sex, and country, in the overall sample, caregiving was associated with 1.67 (95%CI = 1.56-1.79) times higher odds for PE. Sleep/energy explained the largest proportion of the association between caregiving and PE (13.9%), followed by pain/discomfort (11.5%), perceived stress (7.6%), depression (6.2%), and cognition (3.5%).

CONCLUSION

Caregivers in LMICs are at higher risk of PE. Future studies are warranted to gain a further understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and to assess whether addressing the identified mediators can lead to lower risk for PE among caregivers.

Hair cortisol, social support, personality traits, and clinical course: differences in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the differences in the relationship between hair cortisol concentration (HCC) and psychosocial stress, social support, clinical features, clinical course, and outcome in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

METHODS

A total of 109 schizophrenia patients, 93 bipolar disorder patients and 86 healthy controls between 18 and 60 years old were enrolled in the study. Linear regression and factor analysis were employed to examine and compare the relationship between HCC and childhood trauma, the number of stressful life events, the amount of social support in the three months before the hair cortisol assessment, clinical fearures, clinical course, and outcome in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

RESULTS

HCC is significantly associated with clinical syndromes, including depression-anxiety factor of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in schizophrenia patients, and thought disorder in bipolar disorder patients. However, HCC is positively related to social support and personality traits only in schizophrenia patients but not in bipolar disorder patients. Factor analysis indicates schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share a very similar but somewhat different structure in terms of HCC, psychosocial stress, social support, clinical features, clinical course, and outcome.

CONCLUSION

Findings support that schizophrenia and bipolar disoder have a significant overlap in both clinical characteristics and enviromental risk factors. Aberrant HCC contributes to the complexity of clinical characteristics mainly in schizophrenia.

A latent class analysis of psychiatric symptom profiles associated with past-month methamphetamine use

We explored latent psychiatric symptom profiles associated with methamphetamine use, and examined how these corresponded to diagnoses of schizophrenia (SZ) and methamphetamine-associated psychosis (MAP). We assessed psychiatric symptoms among 160 people who had used methamphetamine in the past month. Psychiatric symptoms were defined as a score of 4+ on Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) items. Diagnoses were made using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Participants were defined as having MAP if they met symptom criteria for SZ, but symptoms were considered to be always the result of substance use. Latent class analysis identified three classes. Class one (44% of participants) had a low probability of most BPRS symptoms; 4% met criteria for SZ, 51% for MAP. Class two (31% of participants) had a higher probability hallucinations and suspiciousness (37-46%); 72% met criteria for MAP, and 7% for SZ. Class three (25% of participants) had the highest probability for all positive psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, suspiciousness, grandiosity, unusual thought content; 32-82%), and reported activation, conceptual disorganisation, and tension (35% met criteria for SZ and 17% for MAP). We found three distinct classes of psychiatric symptom profiles, two of which showed partial alignment with diagnostic constructs of SZ and MAP.

Physical injury and psychotic experiences in 48 low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Psychotic experiences (PEs) may be associated with injuries, but studies focusing specifically on low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs) are scarce. Thus, the current study examined the link between injuries and PEs in a large number of LAMICs.

METHOD

Cross-sectional data were used from 242 952 individuals in 48 LAMICs that were collected during the World Health Survey in 2002-2004 to examine the association between traffic-related and other (non-traffic-related) forms of injury and PEs. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and meta-analysis were used to examine associations while controlling for a variety of covariates including depression.

RESULTS

In fully adjusted analyses, any injury [odds ratio (OR) 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.85-2.31], traffic injury (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.53-2.21) and other injury (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.84-2.37) were associated with higher odds for PEs. Results from a country-wise analysis showed that any injury was associated with significantly increased odds for PEs in 39 countries with the overall pooled OR estimated by meta-analysis being 2.46 (95% CI 2.22-2.74) with a moderate level of between-country heterogeneity (I2 = 56.3%). Similar results were observed across all country income levels (low, lower-middle and upper-middle).

CONCLUSIONS

Different types of injury are associated with PEs in LAMICs. Improving mental health systems and trauma capacity in LAMICs may be important for preventing injury-related negative mental health outcomes.

Shades of Blue and Gray: A Comparison of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview for Assessment of Depression Syndrome in Later Life

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Psychiatric research lacks the equivalent of a thermometer, that is, a tool that accurately measures mental disorder regardless of context. Instead, the psychometric properties of scales that purport to assess psychopathology must be continuously evaluated. To that end, this study evaluated the diagnostic agreement between the eight-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-8) and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-short form (CIDI-SF) in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data come from 17,613 respondents aged >50 from the 2014 wave of the HRS. Kappa coefficients were used to assess the agreement between the 2 instruments on depression classification across a range of thresholds for identifying case status, including variation across subgroups defined by age, race/ethnicity, and gender.

RESULTS

The point prevalence of depression syndrome estimated by the CESD was higher than that estimated by the CIDI-SF (CESD: 9.9%-19.5% depending on the cutoff applied to the CESD vs CIDI-SF: 7.7%). Assuming CIDI-SF as the gold standard, the CESD yielded a sensitivity of 56.2%-70.2% and specificity of 84.7%-94.0% across the range of cutoffs. The agreement on depression classification was weak (κ = 0.32-0.44).

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Depression cases identified by the CESD have poor agreement with those identified by the CIDI-SF. Conceptually, psychological distress as measured by the CESD is not interchangeable with depression syndrome as measured by the CIDI-SF. Population estimates of depression among older adults based on the CESD should be interpreted with caution.

Delusions in the general population: A systematic review with emphasis on methodology

The presence of delusions is considered a key feature of psychosis, but despite the psychopathological centrality of the concept of delusion, its definition and comprehension is a matter of continuing debate. In recent years studies showing that delusions are common in the general population have accumulated and challenged the way we perceive psychotic illness. In this systematic review, we examine the basis of the psychosis continuum-hypothesis, by reviewing a representative section of the original literature that report measures of delusional ideation in the general population, focusing specifically on methodology. Three online databases were systematically searched for relevant studies. After applying criteria of inclusion and exclusion, 17 articles were included for comprehensive review. Estimates of the distribution of delusions in the general population vary substantially, as does the mode of assessment. The methodology relies with few exceptions exclusively on self-report and fully structured interview by lay person. We conclude that measures of delusions in the general population should be interpreted cautiously due to inherent difficulties in methodology. Hypothesizing a continuum of delusion between normality and full-blown psychosis is deemed premature based on the reviewed studies.

Neighborhood change and psychotic experiences in a general population sample

Social stress caused by the neighborhood environment may be a risk factor for psychotic experiences (PEs). However, little information is available on the effect of the perception of the neighborhood in relation to PEs. In a general population study in the United States (N = 974), we examined the relationship between PEs and neighborhood disruption/gentrification. When adjusted for age, sex, race, income, nativity, city, marital status, and common mental disorders, higher disruption scores were significantly associated with higher odds for any PE (odds ratio = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.05-1.12). The same pattern of associations was observed for individual PEs including delusional mood, delusion of reference and persecution, delusion of control, and hallucination. This study suggests that subjectively perceived neighborhood change may be a factor contributing to the occurrence of PEs. There was no significant relationship between PE and gentrification. Having a low income and racial minority status did not modify this association. Future studies can employ comparative longitudinal analyses of individuals/neighborhoods/cities, geographical information systems, and ethnography, to examine the impact of neighborhood change on mental health.

Psychotic experiences and suicidal outcomes in a general population sample

Psychotic experiences (PEs) are associated with suicidal ideation and attempts. However, studies examining the role of potential psychosocial confounders in these associations have yielded variable and inconclusive results. In the current study, data from 974 participants in a general population sample were analyzed. We fitted four regression models to examine the associations between PEs vs. suicidal ideation and attempts, using hierarchical adjustments for sociodemographic factors and psychosocial risk factors. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors and psychosocial factors, PEs were associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation (odds ratio (OR) = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.12-3.22) and suicide attempts (OR = 4.33, 95% CI = 1.77-10.60). For both suicidal ideation and attempts, the association was attenuated but remained statistically significant, even at the highest level of adjustment. Sociodemographic factors and psychosocial factors substantially confound the association between PEs and suicidal ideation and attempts. When adjusting for these confounders, PEs remain independently associated with both suicidal ideation and attempts.

Annual Prevalence and Incidence of Schizophrenia and Similar Psychotic Disorders in the Republic of Korea: A National Health Insurance Data-Based Study

OBJECTIVE

We conducted this study to address the incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia and similar psychosis in South Korea with Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) database.

METHODS

We used HIRA database, which includes diagnostic information of nearly all Korean nationals to collect number of cases with diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizophrenia-similar disorders (SSP), including schizophreniform, acute/transient psychotic disorders, schizoaffective disorders, and other/unspecific nonorganic psychosis (ICD-10 codes F20/23/25/28/29) between 2010 and 2015. The annual prevalence and incidence were calculated using the population data from the Korean Statistical Office.

RESULTS

The 12-month prevalence of SSP of Korea between 2010 and 2015 were 0.48-0.66%. The 12-month prevalence of schizophrenia were 0.40-0.52%; The annual incidence rates (IR) of SSP between 2010 and 2015 were 118.8-148.7 per 100,000 person-year (PY). For schizophrenia, IR per 100,000 PY were 77.6-88.5 between 2010 and 2015.

CONCLUSION

The 12-month prevalence found in the present study was higher than that reported in community-based epidemiologic studies in South Korea but similar to those from other countries. The annual incidence of SSP and schizophrenia was found to steadily increase and was higher than that of other countries. The high incidence rate observed in the current study needs to be studied further.

Is there a discrete negative symptom syndrome in people who use methamphetamine?

BACKGROUND

Positive psychotic symptoms have consistently been associated with methamphetamine use but the presence of a negative symptom cluster remains unclear. We used exploratory factor analysis to examine whether a discrete negative syndrome could be delineated among methamphetamine users, and to examine the clinical correlates of this syndrome.

METHOD

Participants (N = 154) were people who used methamphetamine at least monthly and did not meet DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for lifetime schizophrenia. Scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale for the past month were subject to exploratory factor analysis. Latent class analysis was applied to resultant factor scores to determine whether negative and positive factors were experienced by the same participants. Past-month substance use measures were days of use for each drug type and methamphetamine dependence assessed using the Severity of Dependence Scale.

RESULTS

We articulated a three-factor model including 'positive/activation symptoms' (e.g. suspiciousness, hallucinations, conceptual disorganisation, tension), 'affective symptoms' (e.g. depression, anxiety) and 'negative symptoms' (e.g. blunted affect, motor retardation). Positive-activation and affective symptoms (but not negative symptoms) were positively correlated with past month days of methamphetamine use (r = 0.16; r = 0.25) and severity of dependence (r = 0.24; r = 0.41). Negative symptoms were correlated with heroin (r = 0.24) and benzodiazepine use (r = 0.21). Latent class analysis revealed a three-class model comprising a positive-symptom class (44%, high positive-activation, low negative symptoms), a negative-symptom class (31%, low positive-activation, high negative symptoms), and a low-symptom class (38%, low on all factors).

CONCLUSIONS

A negative symptom syndrome exists among people who use methamphetamine, but this appears related to polysubstance use rather than forming a part of the psychotic syndrome associated with methamphetamine use. Overlooking the role of polysubstance use on negative symptoms may conflate the profiles of methamphetamine-associated psychosis and schizophrenia.

An experimental study of a virtual reality counselling paradigm using embodied self-dialogue

When faced with a personal problem people typically give better advice to others than to themselves. A previous study showed how it is possible to enact internal dialogue in virtual reality (VR) through participants alternately occupying two different virtual bodies - one representing themselves and the other Sigmund Freud. They could maintain a self-conversation by explaining their problem to the virtual Freud and then from the embodied perspective of Freud see and hear the explanation by their virtual doppelganger, and then give some advice. Alternating between the two bodies they could maintain a self-dialogue, as if between two different people. Here we show that the process of alternating between their own and the Freud body is important for successful psychological outcomes. An experiment was carried out with 58 people, 29 in the body swapping Self-Conversation condition and 29 in a condition where they only spoke to a Scripted Freud character. The results showed that the Self-Conversation method results in a greater perception of change and help compared to the Scripted. We compare this method with the distancing paradigm where participants imagine resolving a problem from a first or third person perspective. We consider the method as a possible strategy for self-counselling.

DSM outcomes of psychotic experiences and associated risk factors: 6-year follow-up study in a community-based sample

BACKGROUND

Psychotic experiences (PEs) may predict a range of common, non-psychotic disorders as well as psychotic disorders. In this representative, general population-based cohort study, both psychotic and non-psychotic disorder outcomes of PE were analysed, as were potential moderators.

METHODS

Addresses were contacted in a multistage clustered probability sampling frame covering 11 districts and 302 neighbourhoods at baseline (n = 4011). Participants were interviewed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) both at baseline and at 6-year follow-up. Participants with PE at baseline were clinically re-interviewed with the SCID-I at follow-up. The role of socio-demographics, characteristics of PE, co-occurrence of mood disorders and family history of mental disorders were tested in the association between baseline PE and follow-up diagnosis.

RESULTS

In the participants with baseline PE, the psychotic disorder diagnosis rate at follow up was 7.0% - much lower than the rates of DSM-IV mood disorders without psychotic features (42.8%) and other non-psychotic disorders (24.1%). Within the group with baseline PE, female sex, lower socio-economic status, co-occurrence of mood disorders, family history of a mental disorder and persistence of PE predicted any follow-up DSM diagnosis. Furthermore, onset of psychotic v. non-psychotic disorder was predicted by younger age (15-30 years), co-presence of delusional and hallucinatory PE and family history of severe mental illness.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of PE appears to be a consequence of baseline severity of multidimensional psychopathology and familial risk. It may be useful to consider PE as a risk indicator that has trans-diagnostic value.

Psychotic experiences and mood episodes predict each other bidirectionally: a 6-year follow-up study in a community-based population

BACKGROUND

Psychotic experiences (PEs) are not exclusive to psychotic disorders and highly correlated with mood episodes. In this representative general population-based study, longitudinal bidirectional associations between the extended psychosis phenotype and mood episodes were investigated, accounting for other possible causes.

METHODS

Households were contacted in a multistage clustered probability sampling frame covering 11 districts and 302 neighbourhoods at baseline (n = 4011) and at 6-year follow-up (n = 2185). Participants were interviewed with the relevant sections of the composite international diagnostic interview both at baseline and at follow-up. Sociodemographic, familial and environmental risk factors associated with the extended psychosis phenotype and mood episodes were assessed. Logistic regression and cross-lagged panel correlation models were used for the associations between the extended psychosis phenotype and mood episodes.

RESULTS

PEs were associated with subsequent depressive and manic episodes. There was bidirectionality in that mood episodes were associated with subsequent PEs, and PEs were associated with subsequent mood episodes. The associations occurred in a sub-additive pattern. There were substantial synchronous and cross-lagged correlations between these psychopathology domains, with reciprocally similar cross-lagged correlations. Familial risk and adverse life events were associated with both psychopathology domains, whereas some sociodemographic risk factors and alcohol/cannabis use were associated with only one domain.

CONCLUSION

The sub-additive bidirectional associations between PEs and mood episodes over time and the similarity of cross-lagged correlations are suggestive of mutually causal connections between affective and psychotic domains of psychopathology.

Big Data and Discovery Sciences in Psychiatry

The modern society is a so-called era of big data. Whereas nearly everybody recognizes the "era of big data", no one can exactly define how big the data is a "big data". The reason for the ambiguity of the term big data mainly arises from the widespread of using that term. Along the widespread application of the digital technology in the everyday life, a large amount of data is generated every second in relation with every human behavior (i.e., measuring body movements through sensors, texts sent and received via social networking services). In addition, nonhuman data such as weather and Global Positioning System signals has been cumulated and analyzed in perspectives of big data (Kan et al. in Int J Environ Res Public Health 15(4), 2018 [1]). The big data has also influenced the medical science, which includes the field of psychiatry (Monteith et al. in Int J Bipolar Disord 3(1):21, 2015 [2]). In this chapter, we first introduce the definition of the term "big data". Then, we discuss researches which apply big data to solve problems in the clinical practice of psychiatry.

Izmir Mental Health Cohort for Gene-Environment Interaction in Psychosis (TürkSch): Assessment of the Extended and Transdiagnostic Psychosis Phenotype and Analysis of Attrition in a 6-Year Follow-Up of a Community-Based Sample

Objective: TürkSch is a prospective, longitudinal study in a representative community sample (İzmir, Turkey), consisting of several data collection stages, to screen and follow-up mental health outcomes, with a special focus on the extended and transdiagnostic psychosis phenotype. The aim of the present paper is to describe the research methodology, data collection results, and associations with noncontact and refusal in the longitudinal arm. Methods: Households were contacted in a multistage clustered probability sampling frame, covering 11 districts and 302 neighborhoods at baseline (n = 4,011) and at 6-year follow-up (n = 2,185). Both at baseline and at follow-up, participants were interviewed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Participants with probable psychotic disorder were reinterviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (SCID)-I either at the hospital or at the participant's residence. Relevant neighborhood-level measures were assessed in a separate sample (n = 5,124) in addition to individual-level measures. Candidate gene-by-environment interactions were investigated using two nested case-control studies. Results: Individuals with a mental health problem had lower refusal rates. Older and lower educated individuals had a lower probability of noncontact. Discussion: The TürkSch study has an advanced design to meet the challenges of evaluating the multidimensional etiological and phenomenological nature of the extended and transdiagnostic psychosis phenotype.

A Systematic Review of the Symptom Profile and Course of Methamphetamine-Associated PsychosisSubstance Use and Misuse

OBJECTIVES

The psychiatric symptom profile of methamphetamine-associated psychosis (MAP) has varied considerably across studies of different research designs. We performed a systematic review to examine the available evidence for specific psychotic symptoms associated with MAP, including the clinical course and longitudinal changes in this symptom profile.

METHODS

Five key electronic databases were searched to identify studies that examined the symptom profile or clinical course of MAP in individuals identified as having MAP. The reporting of specific psychiatric symptoms, and duration of symptoms where available, was recorded for each study.

RESULTS

Ninety-four articles were identified (n = 7387), including case-control (k = 29), cross-sectional (k = 20), experimental (k = 6), case report (k = 29), and longitudinal (k = 20) studies. Persecutory delusions, auditory and visual auditory hallucinations were by far the most commonly reported symptoms (reported in 65-84% of studies). Hostility, conceptual disorganization, and depression were reported in a large proportion of studies (31-53%). Negative symptoms were mostly absent (<20%). The median percentage of participants with persistent psychotic symptoms (>1 month duration) across studies was 25% (excluding case reports).

CONCLUSION

Persecutory delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations, hostility, depression and conceptual disorganization are central to MAP, whereas negative psychotic symptoms are typically absent. An overrepresentation of institutionalized or male participants may have overemphasized negative symptoms and underreported affective symptoms in past research. Symptoms of MAP may persist beyond one month after drug cessation in some individuals. Clinicians are encouraged to manage affective symptoms in MAP individuals, and monitor for the development of chronic psychotic symptoms.

Psychotic experiences and subjective cognitive complaints among 224 842 people in 48 low- and middle-income countries

AIMS

Cognitive deficits are an important factor in the pathogenesis of psychosis. Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are often considered to be a precursor of objective cognitive deficits, but there are no studies specifically on SCC and psychotic experiences (PE). Thus, we assessed the association between SCC and PE using data from 48 low- and middle-income countries.

METHODS

Community-based cross-sectional data of the World Health Survey were analysed. Two questions on subjective memory and learning complaints in the past 30 days were used to create a SCC scale ranging from 0 to 10 with higher scores representing more severe SCC. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to identify past 12-month PE. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The final sample consisted of 224 842 adults aged ⩾18 years [mean (SD) age 38.3 (16.0) years; 49.3% males]. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, a one-unit increase in the SCC scale was associated with a 1.17 (95% CI 1.16-1.18) times higher odds for PE in the overall sample, with this association being more pronounced in younger individuals: age 18-44 years OR = 1.19 (95% CI 1.17-1.20); 45-64 years OR = 1.15 (95% CI 1.12-1.17); ⩾65 years OR = 1.14 (95% CI 1.09-1.19). Collectively, other mental health conditions (perceived stress, depression, anxiety, sleep problems) explained 43.4% of this association, and chronic physical conditions partially explained the association but to a lesser extent (11.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

SCC were associated with PE. Future longitudinal studies are needed to understand temporal associations and causal inferences, while the utility of SCC as a risk marker for psychosis especially for young adults should be scrutinised.

Sibship size, birth order and psychotic experiences: Evidence from 43 low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Sibship size and birth order may be contributing factors to the multifactorial etiology of psychosis. Specifically, several studies have shown that sibship size and birth order are associated with schizophrenia. However, there are no studies on their association with psychotic experiences (PE).

METHODS

Cross-sectional, community-based data from 43 low- and middle-income countries which participated in the World Health Survey were analyzed. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to identify four types of past 12-month PE. The association of sibship size and birth order with PE was assessed with multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

The final sample consisted of 212,920 adults [mean (SD) age 38.1 (16.0) years; 50.7% females]. In the multivariable analysis, compared to individuals with no siblings, the OR increased linearly from 1.26 (95%CI = 1.01-1.56) to 1.72 (95%CI = 1.41-2.09) among those with 1 and ≥ 9 siblings, respectively. Compared to the first-born, middle-born individuals were more likely to have PE when having a very high number of siblings (i.e. ≥9).

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should examine the environmental and biological factors underlying the association between sibship size/birth order and PE. Specifically, it may be important to examine the unmeasured factors, such as childhood infections and adversities that may be related to both family structure and PE.

Criminal victimization and psychotic experiences: cross-sectional associations in 35 low- and middle-income countries

OBJECTIVE

Criminal victimization has been associated with elevated risk for psychotic symptoms in the United Kingdom, but has not been studied in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Understanding whether crime exposure may play a role in the social etiology of psychosis could help guide prevention and intervention efforts.

METHOD

We tested the hypothesis that criminal victimization would be associated with elevated odds of psychotic experiences in 35 LMICs (N = 146 999) using cross-sectional data from the World Health Organization World Health Survey. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations between criminal victimization and psychotic experiences.

RESULTS

Victimization was associated with greater odds of psychotic experiences, OR (95% CI) = 1.72 (1.50-1.98), and was significantly more strongly associated with psychotic experiences in non-urban, OR (95% CI) = 1.93 (1.60-2.33), compared to urban settings, OR (95% CI) = 1.48 (1.21-1.81). The association between victimization and psychosis did not change across countries with varying aggregated levels of criminal victimization.

CONCLUSIONS

In the largest ever study of victimization and psychosis, the association between criminal victimization and psychosis appears to generalize across a range of LMICs and, therefore, across nations with a broad range of crime rates, degree of urban development, average per capita income, and racial/ethnic make-up.

Association of Urbanicity With Psychosis in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Importance

Urban residence is one of the most well-established risk factors for psychotic disorder, but most evidence comes from a small group of high-income countries.

Objective

To determine whether urban living is associated with greater odds for psychosis in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This international population-based study used cross-sectional survey data collected as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Survey from May 2, 2002, through December 31, 2004. Participants included nationally representative general population probability samples of adults (≥18 years) residing in 42 LMICs (N = 215 682). Data were analyzed from November 20 through December 5, 2017.

Exposures

Urban vs nonurban residence, determined by the WHO based on national data.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Psychotic experiences, assessed using the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview psychosis screen, and self-reported lifetime history of a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder.

Results

Among the 215 682 participants (50.8% women and 49.2% men; mean [SD] age, 37.9 [15.7] years), urban residence was not associated with psychotic experiences (odds ratio [OR], 0.99; 95% CI, 0.89-1.11) or psychotic disorder (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76-1.06). Results of all pooled analyses and meta-analyses of within-country effects approached a null effect, with an overall OR of 0.97 (95% CI, 0.87-1.07), OR for low-income countries of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.82-1.15), and OR for middle-income countries of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.84-1.09) for psychotic experiences and an overall OR of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.73-1.16), OR for low-income countries of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.66-1.27), and OR for middle-income countries of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.67-1.27) for psychotic disorder.

Conclusions and Relevance

Our results provide evidence that urbanicity, a well-established risk factor for psychosis, may not be associated with elevated odds for psychosis in developing countries. This finding may provide better understanding of the mechanisms by which urban living may contribute to psychosis risk in high-income countries, because urban-rural patterns of cannabis use, racial discrimination, and socioeconomic disparities may vary between developing and developed nations.

Latent Psychotic Symptom Profiles Amongst People Who Use Methamphetamine: What Do They Tell Us About Existing Diagnostic Categories?

The inability to distinguish clearly between methamphetamine-related psychosis and schizophrenia has led to the suggestion that "methamphetamine psychosis" does not represent a distinct diagnostic entity but rather that the drug has triggered a vulnerability to schizophrenia. We tested this possibility by exploring the latent class structure of psychotic symptoms amongst people who use the drug and examining how these latent symptom profiles correspond to a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Latent class analysis was carried out on the lifetime psychotic symptoms of 554 current methamphetamine users, of whom 40 met the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia. Lifetime diagnoses of schizophrenia and individual psychotic symptoms were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The chosen model found 22% of participants had a high propensity to experience a wide range of psychotic symptoms (schizophrenia-like), whereas the majority (56%) more specifically experienced persecutory delusions and hallucinations (paranoid psychosis) and had a lower probability of these symptoms than the schizophrenia-like class. A third class (22%) had a low probability of all symptoms, with the exception of 34% reporting persecutory delusions. Participants in the schizophrenia-like class were more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia (26 vs. 3 and 1% for each of the other classes, p < 0.001) but the diagnosis failed to encompass 74% of this group. These results are consistent with there being a distinction between schizophrenia and methamphetamine-related psychotic symptoms, both in terms of the propensity to experience psychotic symptoms, as well as the symptom profile; however, this distinction may not be captured well by existing diagnostic classifications.

Lifetime self-reported arthritis is associated with elevated levels of mental health burden: A multi-national cross sectional study across 46 low- and middle-income countries

Population-based studies investigating the relationship of arthritis with mental health outcomes are lacking, particularly among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We investigated the relationship between arthritis and mental health (depression spectrum, psychosis spectrum, anxiety, sleep disturbances and stress) across community-dwelling adults aged ≥18 years across 46 countries from the World Health Survey. Symptoms of psychosis and depression were established using questions from the Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Severity of anxiety, sleep problems, and stress sensitivity over the preceding 30 days were self-reported. Self-report lifetime history of arthritis was collected, including presence or absence of symptoms suggestive of arthritis: pain, stiffness or swelling of joints over the preceding 12-months. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken. Overall, 245,706 individuals were included. Having arthritis increased the odds of subclinical psychosis (OR = 1.85; 95%CI = 1.72–1.99) and psychosis (OR = 2.48; 95%CI = 2.05–3.01). People with arthritis were at increased odds of subsyndromal depression (OR = 1.92; 95%CI = 1.64–2.26), a brief depressive episode (OR = 2.14; 95%CI = 1.88–2.43) or depressive episode (OR = 2.43; 95%CI = 2.21–2.67). Arthritis was also associated with increased odds for anxiety (OR = 1.75; 95%CI = 1.63–1.88), sleep problems (OR = 2.23; 95%CI = 2.05–2.43) and perceived stress (OR = 1.43; 95%CI = 1.33–1.53). Results were similar for middle-income and low-income countries. Integrated interventions addressing arthritis and mental health comorbidities are warranted to tackle this considerable burden.

Cross-sectional association of exercise, strengthening activities, and cardiorespiratory fitness on generalized anxiety, panic and depressive symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Limited research has evaluated the individual and combined associations of physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle strengthening activities (MSA) on generalized anxiety, panic and depressive symptoms. We evaluated this topic in a representative sample of young (20-39 years) adults, with considerations by sex.

METHODS

Data from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 2088) were used. Generalized anxiety, panic and depressive symptoms were assessed via self-report as well as using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Depressive Disorders modules of the automated version of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-Auto 2.1). PA and MSA were assessed via validated self-report questionnaires and CRF was determined via a submaximal treadmill-based test. An index variable was created summing the number (range = 0-3) of these parameters for each participant. For example, those meeting PA guidelines, MSA guidelines and having moderate-to-high CRF were classified as having an index score of 3.

RESULTS

MSA was not independently associated with generalized anxiety, panic and depressive symptoms, but those with higher levels of PA and CRF had a reduced odds of these symptoms (ranging from 40 to 46% reduced odds). Compared to those with an index score of 0, those with an index score of 1, 2, and 3, respectively, had a 39%, 54% and 71% reduced odds of having generalized anxiety, panic and depressive symptoms. Results were consistent across both sexes.

CONCLUSION

PA and CRF, but not MSA, were independently associated with generalized anxiety, panic and depressive symptoms. There was evidence of an additive association between PA, CRF, and MSA on these symptoms.

Child death and maternal psychosis-like experiences in 44 low- and middle-income countries: The role of depression

BACKGROUND

Studies on the effect of child death on the mental wellbeing of women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are scarce despite the high child mortality rates. Thus, the aim of the current study was to assess the association between child death and psychosis-like experiences (PLEs), as well as the role of depression in this association.

METHODS

Data from 44 LMICs which participated in the World Health Survey (WHS) were analyzed. A total of 59,444 women who ever gave birth, aged 18-49years, without a self-reported lifetime psychosis diagnosis, were included in the analysis. The World Mental Health Survey version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to establish the diagnosis of past 12-month DSM-IV depression, and assess four positive psychotic symptoms. Depression was defined as self-reported lifetime depression diagnosis and/or past 12-month depression. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

After adjustment for potential confounders, women who experienced child death had higher odds for all types of PLEs (when unadjusted for depression) (OR 1.20-1.71; p<0.05) and depression (OR=1.64; 95%CI=1.39-1.93). When adjusted for depression, only delusion of control was strongly associated with child death (OR=1.54; 95%CI=1.20-1.97).

CONCLUSIONS

Child death may be an important determinant of mental wellbeing among women in LMICs. Given the known adverse health outcomes associated with PLEs and depression, as well as the co-occurrence of these symptoms, mental health care may be particularly important for mothers who have experienced child loss in LMICs.

Physical Activity Levels and Psychosis: A Mediation Analysis of Factors Influencing Physical Activity Target Achievement Among 204 186 People Across 46 Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Physical activity (PA) can help reduce cardiovascular disease and premature mortality in people with psychosis. However, there is a paucity of representative data on PA in people with psychosis, especially from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Moreover, data on subclinical psychosis and PA is absent. This study explored whether complying with PA recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate-vigorous PA per week is related to: (1) psychotic symptoms without a psychosis diagnosis (subclinical psychosis); and (2) clinical psychosis (psychosis diagnosis). A total of 204 186 participants aged 18-64 years from 46 LMICs recruited via the World Health Survey were subdivided into those with (1) no psychosis diagnosis and no psychotic symptoms in the past 12 months (controls); (2) subclinical psychosis; and (3) psychosis diagnosis. People with a psychosis diagnosis had significantly higher odds for low PA in the overall sample (OR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.04-1.78; P = .024) and among males (OR = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.57-3.34; P < .0001) but not females (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.67-1.30; P = .6712). No difference was found among those with subclinical psychosis vs controls. Mediation analyses demonstrated that mobility difficulties explained the largest amount of low PA among males (18.5%) followed by self-care difficulties (16.3%), depression (16.1%), cognition (11.8%), pain and discomfort (11.4%), interpersonal activities (8.6%), sleep and energy (7.2%), and vision (3.0%). The results from the largest dataset on PA and psychosis and first in LMICs, found that psychosis diagnosis (especially among males) but not subclinical psychosis, is associated with physical inactivity. Population level interventions seeking to increase PA among people with psychosis may help improve health outcomes.

Epidemiology of depression with psychotic experiences and its association with chronic physical conditions in 47 low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

The co-existence of depression and psychotic experiences (PEs) is associated with more pronounced adverse health outcomes compared to depression alone. However, data on its prevalence and correlates are lacking in the general adult population, and there is no published data on its association with chronic physical conditions.

METHOD

Cross-sectional, community-based data from 201 337 adults aged ⩾18 years from 47 low- and middle-income countries from the World Health Survey were analyzed. The presence of past 12-month PE and DSM-IV depression was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Information on six chronic medical conditions (chronic back pain, edentulism, arthritis, angina, asthma, diabetes) were obtained by self-report. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The crude overall prevalence of co-morbid depression/PEs was 2.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-2.7%], with the age- and sex-adjusted prevalence ranging from 0.1% (Sri Lanka, Vietnam) to 9.03% (Brazil). Younger age, urban setting, current smoking, alcohol consumption, and anxiety were significant correlates of co-existing depression/PEs. Co-occurring depression/PEs was associated with significantly higher odds for arthritis, angina, and diabetes beyond that of depression alone after adjusting for sociodemographics, anxiety, and country, with odds ratios (depression/PEs v. depression only) being: arthritis 1.30 (95% CI 1.07-1.59, p = 0.0086); angina 1.40 (95% CI 1.18-1.67, p = 0.0002); diabetes 1.65 (95% CI 1.21-2.26, p = 0.0017).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of co-existing depression/PEs was non-negligible in most countries. Our study suggests that when depression/PE or a chronic condition (e.g. arthritis, angina, diabetes) is detected, screening for the other may be important to improve clinical outcomes.

Physical multimorbidity and psychosis: comprehensive cross sectional analysis including 242,952 people across 48 low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

In people with psychosis, physical comorbidities, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, are highly prevalent and leading contributors to the premature mortality encountered. However, little is known about physical health multimorbidity in this population or in people with subclinical psychosis and in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study explores physical health multimorbidity patterns among people with psychosis or subclinical psychosis.

METHODS

Overall, data from 242,952 individuals from 48 LMICs, recruited via the World Health Survey, were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were subdivided into those (1) with a lifetime diagnosis of psychosis ("psychosis"); (2) with more than one psychotic symptom in the past 12 months, but no lifetime diagnosis of psychosis ("subclinical psychosis"); and (3) without psychotic symptoms in the past 12 months or a lifetime diagnosis of psychosis ("controls"). Nine operationalized somatic disorders were examined: arthritis, angina pectoris, asthma, diabetes, chronic back pain, visual impairment, hearing problems, edentulism, and tuberculosis. The association between psychosis and multimorbidity was assessed by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of multimorbidity (i.e., two or more physical health conditions) was: controls = 11.4% (95% CI, 11.0-11.8%); subclinical psychosis = 21.8% (95% CI, 20.6-23.0%), and psychosis = 36.0% (95% CI, 32.1-40.2%) (P < 0.0001). After adjustment for age, sex, education, country-wise wealth, and country, subclinical psychosis and psychosis were associated with 2.20 (95% CI, 2.02-2.39) and 4.05 (95% CI, 3.25-5.04) times higher odds for multimorbidity. Moreover, multimorbidity was increased in subclinical and established psychosis in all age ranges (18-44, 45-64, ≥ 65 years). However, multimorbidity was most evident in younger age groups, with people aged 18-44 years with psychosis at greatest odds of physical health multimorbidity (OR = 4.68; 95% CI, 3.46-6.32).

CONCLUSIONS

This large multinational study demonstrates that physical health multimorbidity is increased across the psychosis-spectrum. Most notably, the association between multimorbidity and psychosis was stronger among younger adults, thus adding further impetus to the calls for the early intervention efforts to prevent the burden of physical health comorbidity at later stages. Urgent public health interventions are necessary not only for those with a psychosis diagnosis, but also for subclinical psychosis to address this considerable public health problem.

Stress Sensitivity and Psychotic Experiences in 39 Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Stress has a central role in most theories of psychosis etiology, but the relation between stress and psychosis has rarely been examined in large population-level data sets, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We used data from 39 countries in the World Health Survey (n = 176 934) to test the hypothesis that stress sensitivity would be associated with psychotic experiences, using logistic regression analyses. Respondents in low-income countries reported higher stress sensitivity (P < .001) and prevalence of psychotic experiences (P < .001), compared to individuals in middle-income countries. Greater stress sensitivity was associated with increased odds for psychotic experiences, even when adjusted for co-occurring anxiety and depressive symptoms: adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) = 1.17 (1.15-1.19) per unit increase in stress sensitivity (range 2-10). This association was consistent and significant across nearly every country studied, and translated into a difference in psychotic experience prevalence ranging from 6.4% among those with the lowest levels of stress sensitivity up to 22.2% among those with the highest levels. These findings highlight the generalizability of the association between psychosis and stress sensitivity in the largest and most globally representative community-level sample to date, and support the targeting of stress sensitivity as a potential component of individual- and population-level interventions for psychosis.

The epidemiology of back pain and its relationship with depression, psychosis, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and stress sensitivity: Data from 43 low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Back pain (BP) is a leading cause of global disability. However, population-based studies investigating its impact on mental health outcomes are lacking, particularly among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, the primary aims of this study were to: (1) determine the epidemiology of BP in 43 LMICs; (2) explore the relationship between BP and mental health (depression spectrum, psychosis spectrum, anxiety, sleep disturbances and stress).

METHODS

Data on 190,593 community-dwelling adults aged ≥18 years from the World Health Survey (WHS) 2002-2004 were analyzed. The presence of past-12 month psychotic symptoms and depression was established using questions from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Anxiety, sleep problems, stress sensitivity, and any BP or chronic BP (CBP) during the previous 30 days were also self-reported. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of any BP and CBP were 35.1% and 6.9% respectively. Significant associations with any BP were observed for subsyndromal depression [OR (odds ratio)=2.21], brief depressive episode (OR=2.64), depressive episode (OR=2.88), psychosis diagnosis with symptoms (OR=2.05), anxiety (OR=2.12), sleep disturbance (OR=2.37) and the continuous variable of stress sensitivity. Associations were generally more pronounced for chronic BP.

CONCLUSION

Our data establish that BP is associated with elevated mental health comorbidity in LMICs. Integrated interventions that address back pain and metal health comorbidities might be an important next step to tackle this considerable burden.

Risk and functional significance of psychotic experiences among individuals with depression in 44 low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Studies on whether the co-occurrence of psychotic experiences (PEs) and depression confers a more pronounced decrement in health status and function compared with depression alone are scarce in the general adult population.

METHOD

Data on 195 479 adults aged ⩾18 years from the World Health Survey were analysed. Using the World Mental Health Survey version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), depression in the past 12 months was categorized into four groups: depressive episode, brief depressive episode, subsyndromal depression, and no depression. Past 12-month psychotic symptoms were assessed using four questions on positive symptoms from the CIDI. Health status across seven domains (cognition, interpersonal activities, sleep/energy, self-care, mobility, pain/discomfort, vision) and interviewer-rated presence of a mental health problem were assessed. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to assess the associations.

RESULTS

When compared with those with no depression, individuals with depression had higher odds of reporting at least one PE, and this was seen across all levels of depression severity: subsyndromal depression [odds ratio (OR) 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.02-2.81], brief depressive episode (OR 3.84, 95% CI 3.31-4.46) and depressive episode (OR 3.75, 95% CI 3.24-4.33). Having coexisting PEs and depression was associated with a higher risk for observable illness behavior and a significant decline in health status in the cognition, interpersonal activities and sleep/energy domains, compared with those with depression alone.

CONCLUSIONS

This coexistence of depression and PEs is associated with more severe social, cognitive and sleep disturbances, and more outwardly apparent illness behavior. Detecting this co-occurrence may be important for treatment planning.

Psychotic symptoms and smoking in 44 countries

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between psychotic symptoms and smoking among community-dwelling adults in 44 countries.

METHOD

Data from the World Health Survey (WHS) for 192 474 adults aged ≥18 years collected in 2002-2004 were analyzed. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to identify four types of past 12-month psychotic symptoms. Smoking referred to current daily and non-daily smoking. Heavy smoking was defined as smoking ≥30 tobacco products/day.

RESULTS

The pooled age-sex-adjusted OR (95% CI) of psychotic symptoms (i.e., at least one psychotic symptom) for smoking was 1.35 (1.27-1.43). After adjustment for potential confounders, compared to those with no psychotic symptoms, the ORs (95% CIs) for smoking for 1, 2, and ≥3 psychotic symptoms were 1.20 (1.08-1.32), 1.25 (1.08-1.45), and 1.36 (1.13-1.64) respectively. Among daily smokers, psychotic symptoms were associated with heavy smoking (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.10-1.92), and individuals who initiated daily smoking at ≤15 years of age were 1.22 (95% CI = 1.05-1.42) times more likely to have psychotic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

An increased awareness that psychotic symptoms are associated with smoking is important from a public health and clinical point of view. Future studies that investigate the underlying link between psychotic symptoms and smoking prospectively are warranted.

The association between psychosis and severe pain in community-dwelling adults: Findings from 44 low- and middle-income countries

Previous studies examining the association between schizophrenia and pain have produced mixed results and data on sub-threshold psychosis or psychotic symptoms and pain are scarce. This study assessed the association between psychosis and severe pain among community-dwelling adults in 44 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where no data exists. Data on 235,370 adults aged ≥18 years from the World Health Survey (WHS) 2002-2004 were analyzed. The presence of past 12-month psychotic symptoms was established using four questions from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Participants were categorized into four mutually exclusive groups based on whether they had at least one psychotic symptom and/or a lifetime psychosis or schizophrenia diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between psychosis and past 30-day severe pain. The prevalence of severe pain among those with 0, 1, 2, ≥3 psychotic symptoms was 8.7%, 16.7%, 21.8%, 30.5% respectively. Compared to those with no psychotic symptoms or diagnosis, the ORs (95% CIs) were: at least one symptom without diagnosis [2.17 (1.99-2.38)]; no symptom with diagnosis [2.33 (1.71-3.17)]; at least one symptom and diagnosis [4.27 (3.20-5.71)]. Associations were partly mediated by chronic physical conditions, anxiety, and depression. Despite some limitations such as the use of a single-item question to assess pain, the results of this study suggest that individuals with psychotic symptoms or a psychosis diagnosis should be systematically assessed for pain, and if necessary, receive treatment for pain and its underlying conditions. Future research on the effect of pain management on psychosis outcome is warranted.

Prevalence and Correlates of DSM-IV Mental Disorders in South Korean Adults: The Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study 2011

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in Korean adults.

METHODS

Door to door household surveys were conducted with community residents aged 18-74 years from July 19, 2011, to November 16, 2011 (n=6,022, response rate 78.7%). The sample was drawn from 12 catchment areas using a multistage cluster method. Each subject was assessed using the Korean version of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

RESULTS

Lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates were as follows: alcohol use disorders, 13.4% and 4.4%, respectively; nicotine use disorders, 7.2% and 4.0%, respectively; anxiety disorders, 8.7% and 6.8%, respectively; and mood disorders, 7.5% and 3.6%, respectively. The prevalence rates of all types of DSM-IV mental disorders were 27.6% and 16.0%, respectively. Being female; young; divorced, separated, or widowed; and in a low-income group were associated with mood and anxiety disorders after adjustment for various demographic variables, whereas being male and young were associated with alcohol use disorders. Higher income was not correlated with alcohol use disorder as it had been in the 2001 survey.

CONCLUSION

The rate of depressive disorders has increased since 2001 (the first national survey), whereas that of anxiety disorders has been relatively stable. The prevalence of nicotine and alcohol use disorders has decreased, and the male-to-female ratio of those with this diagnosis has also decreased.

Psychotic symptoms are associated with physical health problems independently of a mental disorder diagnosis: results from the WHO World Health Survey

This study explored whether physical health problems are related to psychotic symptoms independently of a mental disorder diagnosis. A total of 224,254 subjects recruited for the World Health Organization World Health Survey were subdivided into those with both a lifetime diagnosis of psychosis and at least one psychotic symptom in the 12 months prior to the evaluation, those with at least one psychotic symptom in the past 12 months but no lifetime diagnosis of psychosis, and those without psychotic symptoms in the past 12 months and without a lifetime diagnosis of psychosis. The three groups were compared for the presence of medical conditions, health problems, and access to health care. Medical conditions and health problems (angina, asthma, arthritis, tuberculosis, vision or hearing problems, mouth/teeth problems, alcohol consumption, smoking, and accidents), medication consumption, and hospital admissions (but not regular health care visits) were more frequent in individuals with psychotic symptoms but no psychosis diagnosis, compared to those with no symptoms and no diagnosis. The number of medical conditions increased with the number of psychotic symptoms. Given the sample analyzed, this trend seems to be independent from the socio-economic development of the country or the specific health care system.

Evidence for the early clinical relevance of hallucinatory-delusional states in the general population

OBJECTIVE

To analyze, in a general population sample, clustering of delusional and hallucinatory experiences in relation to environmental exposures and clinical parameters.

METHOD

General population-based household surveys of randomly selected adults between 18 and 65 years of age were carried out.

SETTING

52 countries participating in the World Health Organization's World Health Survey were included.

PARTICIPANTS

225 842 subjects (55.6% women), from nationally representative samples, with an individual response rate of 98.5% within households participated.

RESULTS

Compared with isolated delusions and hallucinations, co-occurrence of the two phenomena was associated with poorer outcome including worse general health and functioning status (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.92-0.93), greater severity of symptoms (OR = 2.5 95% CI: 2.0-3.0), higher probability of lifetime diagnosis of psychotic disorder (OR = 12.9; 95% CI: 11.5-14.4), lifetime treatment for psychotic disorder (OR = 19.7; 95% CI: 17.3-22.5), and depression during the last 12 months (OR = 11.6; 95% CI: 10.9-12.4). Co-occurrence was also associated with adversity and hearing problems (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.8-2.3).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the co-occurrence of hallucinations and delusions in populations is not random but instead can be seen, compared with either phenomenon in isolation, as the result of more etiologic loading leading to a more severe clinical state.

Classes of psychotic experiences in Kenyan children and adolescents

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) have been observed worldwide in both adults and children outside the context of a clinical disorder. In the current study, we investigate the prevalence and patterns of PLEs among children and adolescents in Kenya. Among 1,971 students from primary and secondary schools around Nairobi (aged 8-19), 22.1 % reported a lifetime history of a psychotic experience, and 16.3 % reported this unrelated to sleep or drugs. Psychotic experiences were more common in males compared to females. LCA resulted in a three-class model comprised of a normative class (83.3 %), a predominately hallucinatory class (Type 1 psychosis: 9.6 %), and a pan-psychotic class (Type 2 psychosis: 7.2 %). These results indicate that PLEs are prevalent in children and adolescents, and the distributions of symptom clusters are similar to that found in adulthood. The relationship of specific PLEs to the future development of psychotic disorder, functional impairment or distress will require further study.

The continuum of psychotic symptoms in the general population: a cross-national study

OBJECTIVE

To identify the cross-national prevalence of psychotic symptoms in the general population and to analyze their impact on health status.

METHOD

The sample was composed of 256,445 subjects (55.9% women), from nationally representative samples of 52 countries worldwide participating in the World Health Organization's World Health Survey. Standardized and weighted prevalence of psychotic symptoms were calculated in addition to the impact on health status as assessed by functioning in multiple domains.

RESULTS

Overall prevalences for specific symptoms ranged from 4.80% (SE = 0.14) for delusions of control to 8.37% (SE = 0.20) for delusions of reference and persecution. Prevalence figures varied greatly across countries. All symptoms of psychosis produced a significant decline in health status after controlling for potential confounders. There was a clear change in health impact between subjects not reporting any symptom and those reporting at least one symptom (effect size of 0.55).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of the presence of at least one psychotic symptom has a wide range worldwide varying as much as from 0.8% to 31.4%. Psychotic symptoms signal a problem of potential public health concern, independent of the presence of a full diagnosis of psychosis, as they are common and are related to a significant decrement in health status. The presence of at least one psychotic symptom is related to a significant poorer health status, with a regular linear decrement in health depending on the number of symptoms.

Prevalence and characteristics of psychotic-like experiences in Kenyan youth

Current evidence suggests that there may be significant differences in psychotic symptom prevalence in Africa compared with other cultures. However, there have been few studies evaluating these symptoms in the continent. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in 2963 Kenyan students from seven tertiary academic institutions spread across Kenya, using a self-administered psychosis questionnaire evaluating psychotic experiences and demographic variables. Logistic regression was used to evaluate relationship between PLEs and demographic variables. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to determine specific classes of psychotic experiences. Twenty-three percent of respondents reported having at least one PLE, and 19% reported this unrelated to drug use or sleep. Compared to students identifying as Protestant Christians, Catholics had a lower likelihood of having any PLE or visual hallucinations. Other demographic variables were not significantly associated with PLEs. LCA of PLEs resulted in a three-class model that comprised 1) a non-psychotic class (83.8%), 2) a predominantly hallucinatory class ("type I PLE"; 12.7%), and 3) a multiple symptom class ("type II PLE"; 3.5%). Both psychotic classes had a predominance of male students. Further studies are required to clarify functionality and clinical progression associated with observed patterns of psychosis, as well as the generalizability of our findings.

Prevalence and correlates of psychotic symptoms among Asian males

PURPOSE

Psychotic symptoms have been reported at varying rates in the general population in the West. We studied the association of psychotic symptoms with educational attainment and other psychiatric disorders in 23,248 male pre-enlistees for National Service in Singapore.

METHODS

In a 2-stage assessment, these enlistees were first screened with the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-24) and the CRAFFT. Those screened positive were then assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to establish the presence of psychiatric disorders based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV).

RESULTS

The rate of psychotic symptoms (after excluding those with psychotic disorders) was 8.2% (n = 1,909). A multinomial logistic regression using the controls as the reference group revealed that younger age, lower PSLE scores, and mood and anxiety disorder remained significantly associated with both the diagnoses of psychotic disorders and the presence of psychotic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

A combination of categorical and dimensional representation of psychopathology for the diagnosis of psychotic disorders would better inform treatment and prognosis as there is a considerable overlap in the presentation of psychotic symptoms and psychotic disorders.

Effects of traumatic brain injury on cognitive functioning and cerebral metabolites in HIV-infected individuals

We explored the possible augmenting effect of traumatic brain injury (TBI) history on HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) associated neurocognitive complications. HIV-infected participants with self-reported history of definite TBI were compared to HIV patients without TBI history. Groups were equated for relevant demographic and HIV-associated characteristics. The TBI group evidenced significantly greater deficits in executive functioning and working memory. N-acetylaspartate, a putative marker of neuronal integrity, was significantly lower in the frontal gray matter and basal ganglia brain regions of the TBI group. Together, these results suggest an additional brain impact of TBI over that from HIV alone. One clinical implication is that HIV patients with TBI history may need to be monitored more closely for increased risk of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder signs or symptoms.

Mood and substance use disorders among adults seeking speech treatment for stuttering

OBJECTIVES

Stuttering has been associated with a range of anxiety disorders, including social phobia. In the general community, anxiety disorders are frequently associated with increased rates of mood and substance use disorders. Therefore, in the present study, the authors sought to determine the rate of mood and substance use disorders among adults who stutter.

METHOD

The study employed a matched case-control design. Participants included 92 adults seeking treatment for stuttering and 920 age- and gender-matched controls. Mental health assessments were conducted via a computerized psychiatric diagnostic interview. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios for the prevalence of mood and substance use disorders in both groups.

RESULTS

When compared with matched controls, adults seeking treatment for stuttering had twofold increased odds of meeting criteria for a 12-month diagnosis of any mood disorder but were not found to report significantly higher lifetime prevalence rates for any substance use disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Although adults who stutter in the present study were characterized by significantly higher rates of mood disorders than matched controls, they do not appear to self-medicate with substances such as alcohol. Results are discussed in terms of treatment implications and possible reasons why adults who stutter may avoid alcohol.

Prevalence and risk factors of psychotic symptoms: in the city of Izmir, Turkey

BACKGROUND

Psychotic symptoms, psychotic-like experiences and schizotypal signs can emerge in different socio-cultural circumstances and cause clinical or non-clinical pictures. Transient or self-limiting psychotic-like experiences are more prevalent than clinical psychotic disorders. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of psychotic symptoms in an urban area.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the residents of two districts in the urban area of Izmir, Turkey. Among the systematically selected 1,500 residents of 85,212-study population, a total of 1,268 individuals (response rate: 84.5%) were screened for any lifetime psychotic symptoms.

RESULTS

Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to assess psychotic symptoms. CIDI (+) psychotic symptoms were found in 3.6% of the screened sample. Logistic regression analysis showed that being a female (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.2-5.1), having a first degree family history of any mental disorders (OR=13.9, 95% CI=5.7-34.3), lack of social support (OR=4.5, 95% CI=2.3-8.6) and alcohol use (OR=4.9, 95% CI=2.3-10.6) were all related to psychotic symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of any psychotic symptom is lower compared to European studies. Alcohol might be considered as a risk factor for developing psychotic symptoms in the Turkish cultural setting.