The actual process of rating the global assessment of functioning scale

The Impact of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia and Their Association with Clinical Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

The treatment efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for negative symptoms amongst patients with schizophrenia remains unclear. In this study, we aim to examine the effects of ECT on negative symptoms in schizophrenia and their association with other clinical outcomes, including cognition and function.

METHODS

This is a retrospective data analysis of patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder treated with ECT at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Singapore, between January 2016 and December 2019. Clinical outcomes were assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Global Assessment of Function (GAF). Changes in scores were compared with repeated measures analysis of variance. Sequential structural modelling was utilized to examine the pathway relationships between changes in negative symptoms, global functioning, and cognition functioning after ECT.

RESULTS

A total of 340 patients were analysed. Hence, 196 (57.6%), 53 (15.5%), and 91 (26.7%) showed improvements, no change, and deterioration in negative symptoms, respectively. ECT-induced improvement of negative symptoms was significantly associated with improvement of global functioning (direct effect correlation coefficient (r): -0.496; se: 0.152; p = 0.001) and cognition function (indirect effect r: -0.077; se: 0.037; p = 0.035). Moreover, having capacity to consent, more severe baseline negative symptoms, lithium prescription, and an indirect effect of voluntary admission status via consent capacity predicted ECT associated negative symptoms improvement.

CONCLUSION

ECT is generally associated with improvements of negative symptoms in people with schizophrenia, which correlate with improvements of overall function. Possible novel clinical predictors of negative symptom improvement have been identified and will require further research and validation.

Usefulness of a psychomotor function test as a cognitive function scale for patients with schizophrenia: A pilot study

As cognitive dysfunction due to schizophrenia is strongly associated with patients' social rehabilitation, cognitive functions have been examined as a therapeutic target. Although the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) has been used to evaluate cognitive function, it is difficult to administer in routine clinical practice due to its time-consuming nature. Therefore, a novel tool is needed to facilitate the assessment of cognitive function. In the present study, we examined whether cognitive function can be assessed effectively by testing psychomotor function in patients with schizophrenia. Test batteries consisting of choice reaction time (CRT) and compensatory tracking task (CTT) and the BACS were examined in 20 schizophrenic patients to evaluate the correlation between the scales by Pearson correlation coefficient. Of the test batteries, the CRT was significantly correlated with attention functions, a subtest of the BACS (r = -0.506, p = 0.023), and the CTT was strongly correlated with attention functions (r = -0.716, p < 0.001) and working memory (r = -0.633, p = 0.003). A multiple regression analysis was performed to clarify the association between psychomotor function tests and the total BACS score, and peripheral awareness task, a component of CTT, was independently associated with the total BACS score (β = -0.59, p = 0.004) with an R2 of 0.37. Thus, of the psychomotor function tests, the CRT and the CTT are highly useful in assessing cognitive functions in schizophrenic patients. However, no having large sample size in this study is a limitation.

Psychometric validation of a multi-dimensional capability instrument for outcome measurement in mental health research (OxCAP-MH)

BACKGROUND

Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are widely used in mental healthcare research for quality of life assessment but most fail to capture the breadth of health and non-health domains that can be impacted. We report the psychometric validation of a novel, multi-dimensional instrument based on Amartya Sen's capability approach intended for use as an outcome measure in mental health research.

METHODS

The Oxford Capabilities Questionnaire for Mental Health (OxCAP-MH) is a 16-item self-complete capability measure that covers multiple domains of functioning and welfare. Data for validation of the instrument were collected through a national randomised controlled trial of community treatment orders for patients with psychosis. Complete OxCAP-MH data were available for 172 participants. Internal consistency was established with Cronbach's alpha; an interclass correlation coefficient was used to assess test-retest reliability in a sub-sample (N = 50) tested one week apart. Construct validity was established by comparing OxCAP-MH total scores with established instruments of illness severity and functioning: EuroQol (EQ-5D), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and Objective Social Outcomes Index (SIX). Sensitivity was established by calculating standard error of measurement using distributional methods.

RESULTS

The OxCAP-MH showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.79) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.86). Convergent validity was evidenced by strong correlations with the EQ-5D (VAS 0.52, p < .001) (Utility 0.45, p < .001), and divergent validity through more modest associations with the BPRS (-0.41, p < .001), GAF (0.24, p < .001) and SIX (0.12, p = ns). A change of 9.2 points on a 0-100 scale was found to be meaningful on statistical grounds.

CONCLUSIONS

The OxCAP-MH has demonstrable reliability and construct validity and represents a promising multi-dimensional alternative to existing patient-reported outcome measures for quality of life used in mental health research.

Association between length of hospital stay and implementation of discharge planning in acute psychiatric inpatients in Japan

Background

Japan has introduced an acute psychiatric care unit to the public healthcare insurance program, but its requirement of a shorter length of stay could lead to discharges without proper discharge planning. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the implementation of discharge planning and the length of stay of acute psychiatric inpatients in Japan.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study included 449 patients discharged from the ‘psychiatric emergency ward’ of 66 hospitals during a two-week period from March 7 to 20, 2011. The assigned nurse or nursing assistant for each patient provided information on the implementation of discharge planning in the hospital stay.

Results

Approximately one quarter of the 449 patients (n = 122) received no support for coordination with post-discharge community care resources. The 122 patients who had received no support for community care coordination had a significantly lower mean age at admission, a shorter length of stay, and a higher rate of either no follow-up or unidentified post-discharge outpatient service than the other 327 patients. Multilevel linear regression analysis demonstrated a significantly greater length of stay among patients who were older, those who had a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia, those who were admitted compulsorily, those who received hospital outpatient services, and those who received community care coordination support from the assigned nurse or nursing assistant. The implementation of support for community care coordination did not indicate a significant association with these factors, which have been related to an increased risk of psychiatric readmission.

Conclusion

Patients to whom the assigned nurse or nursing assistant provided support on community care coordination experienced a significantly greater length of hospital stay. The implementation of support for community care coordination did not indicate a significant association with these factors, which have been related to an increased risk of psychiatric readmission. The mental health policy should increase focus on discharge planning in the acute psychiatric setting to enhance a link between psychiatric inpatient care and post-discharge community care resources.

Collecting Information for Rating Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF): Sources of Information and Methods for Information Collection

INTRODUCTION

Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is an assessment instrument that is known worldwide. It is widely used for rating the severity of illness. Results from evaluations in psychiatry should characterize the patients. Rating of GAF is based on collected information. The aim of the study is to identify the factors involved in collecting information that is relevant for rating GAF, and gaps in knowledge where it is likely that further development would play a role for improved scoring.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted with a combination of thorough hand search and search in the bibliographic databases PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Campbell Collaboration Library of Systematic Reviews.

RESULTS

Collection of information for rating GAF depends on two fundamental factors: the sources of information and the methods for information collection. Sources of information are patients, informants, health personnel, medical records, letters of referral and police records about violence and substance abuse. Methods for information collection include the many different types of interview - unstructured, semi-structured, structured, interviews for Axis I and II disorders, semistructured interviews for rating GAF, and interviews of informants - as well as instruments for rating symptoms and functioning, and observation. The different sources of information, and methods for collection, frequently result in inconsistencies in the information collected. The variation in collected information, and lack of a generally accepted algorithm for combining collected information, is likely to be important for rated GAF values, but there is a fundamental lack of knowledge about the degree of importance.

CONCLUSIONS

Research to improve GAF has not reached a high level. Rated GAF values are likely to be influenced by both the sources of information used and the methods employed for information collection, but the lack of research-based information about these influences is fundamental. Further development of GAF is feasible and proposals for this are presented.

Family burden and functional assessment in the Swedish CLIPS-study: do staff and relatives agree on individuals with psychotic disorders' functional status?

PURPOSE

In this study, the individuals with psychotic disorders' daily life function was investigated on six dimensions considering their relations to family burden. Functional ratings carried out by relatives and staff were also compared.

METHODS

Totally 88 relatives, to as many individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, participated in this study. Relatives were to rate their own perceived burden and their ill relatives' physical functioning, personal care skills, interpersonal relationships, social acceptability, activities, and work skills. The outpatient staff, in all 24 case managers also rated the patients' functional level on the same assessment tool as did the relatives.

RESULTS

Most dimensions of patients' everyday functioning were highly correlated to relatives' burden. The two functional dimensions "interpersonal relationships" and "activities" were best at classifying burden when rated by relatives. Also, comparing independent functional ratings by relatives and staff showed that despite great agreements on most dimensions, they differed significantly on "social acceptability" where relatives rated the function to be poorer and "activities" where relatives rated the function to be better.

CONCLUSIONS

Relatives, who perceive individuals with a psychotic disorder to be limited in their ability to interpersonal relationships and limited in their ability to activate in everyday life, are more likely to perceive a higher burden. Even though staff and relatives mainly agree on the patients' functional ability, they often differ in ratings regarding patients' social acceptability and ability to activate in everyday life. This should be worth considering in clinical practice as well as in future research.

Clinical differences between immigrants voluntarily and involuntarily admitted to acute psychiatric units: a 3-year prospective study

Involuntary psychiatric admissions are widespread among patients with an immigrant background. According to a study in Norway, involuntary admissions are about 75% of admissions among immigrants compared to roughly 50% among ethnic Norwegians. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical and demographic characteristics of immigrant patients with involuntary or voluntary admissions to two acute psychiatric units. A 3-year prospective study of 94 immigrant patients involuntarily and voluntarily admitted to acute psychiatric units was carried out. Sixty-two patients (66.0%) were voluntarily and 30 (31.9%) involuntarily admitted. Involuntary admissions were significantly higher among men (22, 73.3%) compared to women (8, 26.7%; χ(2) = 4.507, d.f. = 1, P= 0.03). The mean length of stay for voluntary and involuntary patients were 7.8 (SD = 6.6) and 21.6 (SD = 27.3; t=-2.7, d.f. = 88, P= 0.01). Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and psychotic disorder were more often admitted involuntarily (63.0%; χ(2) = 17.83, P= 0.001). This study confirms that immigrant patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders are more often involuntarily than voluntarily admitted. Comparing the clinical and demographic characteristics of immigrants helps identify the reasons behind involuntary admissions and might improve efforts towards reducing such admissions in the future.

Guidelines for rating Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)

BACKGROUND

Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is a scoring system for the severity of illness in psychiatry. It is used clinically in many countries, as well as in research, but studies have shown several problems with GAF, for example concerning its validity and reliability. Guidelines for rating are important. The present study aimed to identify the current status of guidelines for rating GAF, and relevant factors and gaps in knowledge for the development of improved guidelines.

METHODS

A thorough literature search was conducted.

RESULTS

Few studies of existing guidelines have been conducted; existing guidelines are short; and rating has a subjective element. Seven main categories were identified as being important in relation to further development of guidelines: (1) general points about guidelines for rating GAF; (2) introduction to guidelines, with ground rules; (3) starting scoring at the top, middle or bottom level of the scale; (4) scoring for different time periods and of different values (highest, lowest or average); (5) the finer grading of the scale; (6) different guidelines for different conditions; and (7) different languages and cultures. Little information is available about how rules for rating are understood by different raters: the final score may be affected by whether the rater starts at the top, middle or bottom of the scale; there is little data on which value/combination of GAF values to record; guidelines for scoring within 10-point intervals are limited; there is little empirical information concerning the suitability of existing guidelines for different conditions and patient characteristics; and little is known about the effects of translation into different languages or of different cultural understanding.

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies have dealt specifically with guidelines for rating GAF. Current guidelines for rating GAF are not comprehensive, and relevant points for new guidelines are presented. Theoretical and empirical studies, and international expert panels would be valuable, as well as production of a manual with more information about scoring. Computerised assessment may well be the future.

The self-assessment Global Quality of Life scale: Reliability and construct validity

Abstract Objective. The aim was to establish psychometric properties of the Global Quality of Life Scale (GQL) for people with severe mental illness. Methods. GQL is a stand-alone visual analogue scale included in "The Quality Star", a minimal platform for clinical follow-up and efficiency documentation of mental health services in eight dimensions widely used in Sweden. Validating instruments included MANSA, Inventory of Problem and Solutions, Consumer Satisfaction Rating Scale, Perceived Global Distress, health screening using UKU-Side Effect Rating Scale, GAF, and Perceived Global Burden (for next of kin). Test-retest reliability of the GQL was examined between ratings at quarterly intervals during 1 year. Results. There were three main results: test-retest reliability at quarterly intervals was very satisfactory, concurrent validity with the initial item of life satisfaction scale of MANSA, "Life as a whole", was demonstrated and finally content validity was clarified by associations with a number of validating measures from several contexts in three studies. Conclusion. GQL have acceptable psychometric properties and is valid for serious mental ill persons. Its use as easy-to-use instrument for screening of perceived global quality of life was supported.

Illness-related components for the family burden of relatives to patients with psychotic illness

BACKGROUND

Previous research has shown that symptom severity often implies an increased family burden. Few other illness-related variables have, however, been investigated in this context. This study investigates how family burden is affected by symptom, function, and cognition, as well as how the patient perceives his/her illness and quality of life.

METHOD

A total of 99 relatives, to as many patients diagnosed with psychosis and with their illness at a stable level, participated in this study. The relatives estimated their perceived burden, the patients rated the distress caused by their illness as well as the quality of their lives, and the care staff rated the patients' symptom and function as well as tested their cognitive abilities.

RESULTS

Increased family burden can be tied to the patients' increased symptom severity, to their impaired functioning as well as to the patients' higher self ratings regarding distress. The family burden is also connected to the patient's reduced working memory and reduced executive functioning, but this connection is not totally clear and should be further investigated. Of the variables that the patients were rated on, it was the overall functional ability measured with GAF that had the single most impact on perceived family burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Controlling of illness-related variables, such as symptoms, impaired functioning, impaired working memory and executive functioning, as well as the patients' own experiences of distress, is important in order to lessen the burden for the relatives. All aspects of family burden are, however, not explained by these factors, which is why further research within this realm is required.

Gray matter morphology and the level of functioning in one-year follow-up of first-episode schizophrenia patients

Schizophrenia is a condition with a highly variable course that is hard to predict. The aim of the present study was to investigate if local gray matter volume (GMV) can differentiate poor (PF) and good (GF) functioning patients using voxel-wise analysis in a group of first-episode schizophrenia subjects (FES).

METHOD

32 FES male patients were assessed twice: at the time of the first episode of schizophrenia and one year later. 18 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and handedness were also included. Local gray matter volume was analyzed using voxel-wise full-factorial design with factors group (GF, PF) and time.

RESULTS

FES subjects had bilateral gray matter reduction in the lateral prefrontal cortex as compared with healthy controls. PF subjects had smaller GMV in the left orbitofrontal and frontopolar cortex.

CONCLUSION

GMV in the left prefrontal cortex differentiates later poor and good functioning schizophrenia patients. Morphological analysis might be considered a candidate for a biological marker in outcome prediction. However, the small sample size, and the lack of female subjects limit generalization of results. Moreover, studies analyzing the predictive value of brain morphology on a single-subject level should be performed to assess its real usefulness in outcome prediction.

Psychometric Properties of the Burden Inventory for Relatives of Persons with Psychotic Disturbances

Earlier studies have shown that close relatives are heavily burdened when a family member has schizophrenia. The current purpose was twofold: (1) to examine the psychometric properties for a test of the burden of family members, one used in Swedish clinical practice (the Care Burden Scale for Relatives), and (2) develop a shortened version with the same or better psychometric properties. 99 close relatives, 34 men and 65 women of the same number of patients who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or delusional disorder, completed the Care Burden Scale for Relatives and a visual analog scale measuring perceived global burden on which the total burden was assessed. Patients of the close relatives were assessed on clinical tests often used in psychiatric care to validate the external criteria, such as severity of symptoms and level of functioning. The resulting version, the Burden Inventory for Relatives of persons with psychotic disturbances, showed good psychometric properties which simplifies data collection from relatives of patients with psychotic disturbances. In this study, relatives of those patients not in remission evinced a significantly greater family burden.

A twelve-week randomized controlled study of the cognitive-behavioral Integrated Psychological Therapy program: positive effect on the social functioning of schizophrenic patients

OBJECTIVES

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of twelve weekly sessions of the cognitive-behavioral program originally known as the Integriertes Psychologisches Therapieprogramm für Schizophrene Patienten, designated the Integrated Psychological Therapy (IPT) program in English, on cognition, social adjustment and quality of life in schizophrenic outpatients, comparing it to the effect of treating such patients as usual.

METHOD

Fifty-six adult outpatients (from 18 to 65 years of age) with ICD-10-based diagnoses of schizophrenia were randomly assigned to two different groups: active intervention (IPT group); and treatment as usual (control group). Outcome measures were quality of life (as determined using the WHOQOL-Bref), cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination and Word Recall Test), global functioning (DSM-IV Global Assessment of Functioning Scale), social functioning (Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale) and social adjustment (Social Adjustment Scale).

RESULTS

The findings suggest that, in comparison with treatment as usual (control group), the twelve-session IPT program had a positive effect on several outcome measures: cognition in the domains of spatiotemporal orientation (p = 0.051) and memory (p = 0.031); overall social adjustment (p = 0.037), leisure/social life (p = 0.051) and family relations (p = 0.008); overall functioning (p = 0.000); social-occupational functioning (p = 0.000); and quality of life in the psychological domain (p = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

The twelve-session cognitive-behavioral IPT intervention demonstrated superiority over treatment as usual in its effects on cognition, social adjustment and quality of life. Studies involving larger samples, longer follow-up periods and additional outcome measures are needed in order to assess the specific effects on dimensions of social functioning, cognitive functioning and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.

Symptom dimensions and needs of care among patients with schizophrenia in hospital and the community

The purpose of the present paper was to examine the psychiatric symptom dimensions related to needs of care among patients with schizophrenia in hospital and in the community. Subjects were 217 patients with F2 ICD-10 diagnoses. Hospital patients included 102 inpatients (47.0%) in psychiatric long-term care units. Community patients included 115 outpatients (53.0%) living in their homes or residential facilities. Psychiatrists used the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) to assess patients' psychiatric symptoms. Formal care providers assessed needs of care using a scale developed by the Committee on Case Management Guidelines for People with Mental Disabilities in Japan. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) self-performance and difficulty were also measured using a scale from the Minimum Data Set-Home Care (MDS-HC). Multiple regression analyses were applied, using the symptom dimensions as dependent variables and needs of care as independent variables. Patient group (hospital or community) was also used as an independent variable. Hospital patients demonstrated more severe psychiatric symptoms and greater needs of care than community patients. Multiple regression analyses showed that the total needs of care were greater among male patients (B = 0.142, P = 0.005), hospital patients (B = 0.310, P < 0.001), patients with poor IADL self-performance (B = 0.217, P = 0.047), and patients with severe negative symptoms (B = 0.240, P = 0.002; R(2) = 0.515). The present results suggested an association between negative symptoms and needs of care in schizophrenia. Hospital patients had greater needs of care, even though their psychiatric symptoms were controlled for. Further research should examine the relationships between psychiatric symptoms and needs of care in a cohort study following patients when hospitalized and when living in the community.

Factors linked to outcomes in sexually abused girls: a regression tree analysis

Children who report sexual abuse (SA) have been found to display a range of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. In the present study, a tree-based analysis was used to derive models predicting the variability of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems as well as dissociation symptoms in SA girls. Participants were 150 girls aged 4 to 12 years referred to a specialized pediatric clinic after disclosure of SA. The potential predictors taken into account included sociodemographic and abuse-related variables as well as maternal and family characteristics. The models obtained point to prior abuse as a salient variable in predicting outcomes of SA girls. Implications for the treatment for children disclosing SA are discussed.

Nurses' collaboration with physicians in managing medication improves patient outcome in acute psychiatric care

The aim of the present paper was to examine the impact of nurses' collaboration with physicians in medication management on patient outcome in acute psychiatric care. Data for 143 patients with schizophrenia were assessed based on information given by nurses and physicians in charge. Twenty-two patients were defined as a collaborative group when physicians changed medication after receiving reports that nurses perceived the necessity to change. A control group was formed from the 50 patients when nurses perceived the necessity to change medication but did not tell physicians, or nurses advised of the necessity to physicians but medication was not changed. Physicians retrospectively evaluated patients' social functioning and acceptance of medication at admission and discharge. Social functioning was measured by Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and acceptance of medication by a single item using Japanese version of Schedule for Assessment of Insight (SAI-J). Changes in the scores from admission to discharge on GAF and acceptance of medication were defined as outcome measures. Nurses recognized the necessity to change medication for patients with frequent aggressive behavior and younger age. Compared with the control group, the collaborative group had less instruction for use of drugs, and more perceived necessity to decrease the current dose or the number of drugs because of stable symptoms. The collaborative group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in social functioning. The collaborative group improved acceptance of medication, although there were no significant differences between the two groups. Nurses' collaboration with physicians in medication management improved patient outcome in acute psychiatric care.

The psychogeriatric and risk behavior assessment scale (PARBAS): a new measure for use with older adults living in the community

In the context of decreased access to inpatient mental health care, the assessment of risk behavior in older adults living in the community is a growing concern. The purpose of the study was to develop a risk behavior screening tool to help community practitioners plan early intervention for frail older adults with severe mental illness (SMI) referred to community health and social service centers. The initial instrument development involved discussion-based work among practitioners and researchers. It was followed by a content validation phase (involving nine experts), preliminary testing of inter-rater reliability (27 subjects, 12 pairs of raters), and item analysis procedures combining previous data. The psychogeriatric and risk behavior assessment scale (PARBAS) includes 34 items organized in 10 sections of risk behavior: (i) self neglect; (ii) non-compliance; (iii) substance abuse; (iv) risk toward oneself and others; (v) aggressive behavior; (vi) emotional distress; (vii) suicidal behavior; (viii) personal security; (ix) risk of victimization by others and (x) financial security. It can provide professionals with essential information about their clients' risky behaviors, thereby contributing to timely and appropriate preventive interventions. Future research is needed to establish its psychometric properties.