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Rojnic Kuzman M, Padberg F, Amann BL, Schouler-Ocak M, Bajic Z, Melartin T, James A, Beezhold J, Artigue Gómez J, Arango C, Jendricko T, Ismayilov J, Flannery W, Chumakov E, Başar K, Vahip S, Dudek D, Samochowiec J, Mihajlovic G, Rota F, Stoppe G, Dom G, Catthoor K, Chkonia E, Heitor Dos Santos MJ, Telles D, Falkai P, Courtet P, Patarák M, Izakova L, Skugarevski O, Barjaktarov S, Babic D, Racetovic G, Fiorillo A, Carpiniello B, Taube M, Melamed Y, Chihai J, Cozman DCM, Mohr P, Szekeres G, Delic M, Mazaliauskienė R, Tomcuk A, Maruta N, Gorwood P. Clinician treatment choices for post-traumatic stress disorder: ambassadors survey of psychiatrists in 39 European countries. Eur Psychiatry 2024; 67:e24. [PMID: 38450651 PMCID: PMC10988156 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considering the recently growing number of potentially traumatic events in Europe, the European Psychiatric Association undertook a study to investigate clinicians' treatment choices for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS The case-based analysis included 611 participants, who correctly classified the vignette as a case of PTSD, from Central/ Eastern Europe (CEE) (n = 279), Southern Europe (SE) (n = 92), Northern Europe (NE) (n = 92), and Western Europe (WE) (N = 148). RESULTS About 82% woulduse antidepressants (sertraline being the most preferred one). Benzodiazepines and antipsychotics were significantly more frequently recommended by participants from CEE (33 and 4%, respectively), compared to participants from NE (11 and 0%) and SE (9% and 3%). About 52% of clinicians recommended trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy and 35% psychoeducation, irrespective of their origin. In the latent class analysis, we identified four distinct "profiles" of clinicians. In Class 1 (N = 367), psychiatrists would less often recommend any antidepressants. In Class 2 (N = 51), clinicians would recommend trazodone and prolonged exposure therapy. In Class 3 (N = 65), they propose mirtazapine and eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy. In Class 4 (N = 128), clinicians propose different types of medications and cognitive processing therapy. About 50.1% of participants in each region stated they do not adhere to recognized treatment guidelines. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians' decisions for PTSD are broadly similar among European psychiatrists, but regional differences suggest the need for more dialogue and education to harmonize practice across Europe and promote the use of guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Rojnic Kuzman
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb and School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Frank Padberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikt L. Amann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
- Mental Health Institute Hospital del Mar and Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meryam Schouler-Ocak
- Psychiatric University Clinic of Charité at St. Hedwig Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zarko Bajic
- Research Unit “Dr. Mirko Grmek”, Psychiatric Clinic “Sveti Ivan”, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tarja Melartin
- Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Julian Beezhold
- Great Yarmouth Acute Service, Northgate Hospital/Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Great Yarmouth, UK
| | | | - Celso Arango
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), CIBERSAM, ISCIII, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - William Flannery
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Egor Chumakov
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Koray Başar
- Department of Psychiatry, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Simavi Vahip
- Affective Disorders Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Ege University Medicine Faculty, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Dominika Dudek
- Psychiatry and Department of Adult Psychiatry, Collegium Medicum Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | | | - Goran Mihajlovic
- Clinic for Psychiatry, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Fulvia Rota
- Swiss Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Switzerland
| | | | - Geert Dom
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp (UAntwerp), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kirsten Catthoor
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp (UAntwerp), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eka Chkonia
- Department of Psychiatry, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Maria João Heitor Dos Santos
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Department, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Saúde (CIIS), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diogo Telles
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Peter Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Philippe Courtet
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Post Acute Care, Hôspital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier,Montpellier, France
| | - Michal Patarák
- Department of Psychiatry, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Roosevelt Teaching Hospital, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Lubomira Izakova
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Oleg Skugarevski
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Stojan Barjaktarov
- University Clinic of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
| | - Dragan Babic
- Psychiatry Clinic, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Goran Racetovic
- Community Mental Health Center, Health Center Prijedor, Prijedor, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Andrea Fiorillo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Bernardo Carpiniello
- University of Cagliari and Psychiatry Unit, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maris Taube
- Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Riga, Latvia
| | | | - Jana Chihai
- Department of Mental Health, Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, Kishinev, Moldova
| | | | - Pavel Mohr
- Clinical Department, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
- Third School of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Ramunė Mazaliauskienė
- Psychiatric Clinic, Lithuanian Health Sciences University Kaunas Hospital, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | | | - Nataliya Maruta
- Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry and Narcology, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Philip Gorwood
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR1266, Paris, France
- CMME, GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Hôpital Sainte-Anne, Paris, France
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2
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Cheung S, O'Beirne M, Hill T, Huyghebaert T, Keller S, Kelly M. Management of sleep disorder by preceptors in a family medicine residency program in Calgary, Alberta: a mixed-methods study. CMAJ Open 2023; 11:E637-E644. [PMID: 37491048 PMCID: PMC10374247 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20220080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most prescriptions for sedative-hypnotics are written by family physicians. Given the influence of preceptors on residents' prescribing, this study explored how family physician preceptors manage sleeping problems. METHODS Family physician preceptors affiliated with a postgraduate training program in Alberta were invited to participate in this mixed-methods study, conducted from January to October 2021. It included a quantitative survey of preceptors' attitudes to treatment options for sleep disorder, perceptions of patient expectations and self-efficacy beliefs. Participants indicated their responses on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree." Respondents were then asked whether they were interested in participating in a semistructured qualitative interview that elicited preceptors' management of sleep disorder in response to a series of vignettes. We analyzed the quantitative data using descriptive statistics and the qualitative interviews using thematic analysis. RESULTS Of the 76 preceptors invited to participate, 47 (62%) completed the survey, and 10 were interviewed. Thirty-two survey respondents (68%) were in academic teaching clinics, and 15 (32%) were from community clinics. The majority of participants (34 [72%]) agreed they had sufficient expertise to use nondrug treatment. Most (43 [91%]) had made efforts to reduce prescribing, and 45 (96%) felt able to support patients empathically when not using sleeping medication. The qualitative data showed that management of sleeping disorder was emotionally challenging. Participants hesitated to prescribe sedatives and reported "exceptions" to prescribing, many of which included indications within guideline recommendations. Participants were reluctant to change a colleague's management. INTERPRETATION Preceptors were confident using nonpharmacologic management to treat sleep disorder and hesitant to use sedative-hypnotics, presenting legitimate use of sedatives as exceptional behaviour. Acknowledging social norms and affective aspects involved in prescribing may support balanced prescribing of sedative-hypnotics for sleep disorder and reduce physician anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cheung
- Department of Family Medicine (Cheung, O'Beirne, Hill, Kelly), University of Calgary; Department of Family Medicine (Huyghebaert), South Health Campus Family Medicine Teaching Clinic, University of Calgary & Alberta Health Services; Crowfoot Primary Care Network (Keller), Calgary, Alta
| | - Maeve O'Beirne
- Department of Family Medicine (Cheung, O'Beirne, Hill, Kelly), University of Calgary; Department of Family Medicine (Huyghebaert), South Health Campus Family Medicine Teaching Clinic, University of Calgary & Alberta Health Services; Crowfoot Primary Care Network (Keller), Calgary, Alta
| | - Todd Hill
- Department of Family Medicine (Cheung, O'Beirne, Hill, Kelly), University of Calgary; Department of Family Medicine (Huyghebaert), South Health Campus Family Medicine Teaching Clinic, University of Calgary & Alberta Health Services; Crowfoot Primary Care Network (Keller), Calgary, Alta
| | - Trudy Huyghebaert
- Department of Family Medicine (Cheung, O'Beirne, Hill, Kelly), University of Calgary; Department of Family Medicine (Huyghebaert), South Health Campus Family Medicine Teaching Clinic, University of Calgary & Alberta Health Services; Crowfoot Primary Care Network (Keller), Calgary, Alta
| | - Shelly Keller
- Department of Family Medicine (Cheung, O'Beirne, Hill, Kelly), University of Calgary; Department of Family Medicine (Huyghebaert), South Health Campus Family Medicine Teaching Clinic, University of Calgary & Alberta Health Services; Crowfoot Primary Care Network (Keller), Calgary, Alta
| | - Martina Kelly
- Department of Family Medicine (Cheung, O'Beirne, Hill, Kelly), University of Calgary; Department of Family Medicine (Huyghebaert), South Health Campus Family Medicine Teaching Clinic, University of Calgary & Alberta Health Services; Crowfoot Primary Care Network (Keller), Calgary, Alta.
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3
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Lape EC, Powers JM, Hooker JE, Edwards RR, Ditre JW. Benzodiazepine Use and Dependence in Relation to Chronic Pain Intensity and Pain Catastrophizing. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:345-355. [PMID: 36243316 PMCID: PMC9898110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Benzodiazepines (BZDs), a class of sedative-hypnotic medications, generated concern as their popularity grew, with particular alarm regarding elevated rates of BZD use among chronic pain populations. Consistent with negative reinforcement/motivational models of substance use, desire for pain alleviation may motivate BZD use. Yet, little is known about relations between pain and addiction-relevant BZD use processes. This cross-sectional survey study aimed to: a) test associations between pain intensity and clinically relevant BZD use patterns, and b) examine the role of pain catastrophizing in hypothesized pain-BZD relations. Participants included 306 adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain and a current BZD prescription who completed an online survey study (Mage = 38.7, 38.9% female). Results indicated that pain intensity was positively associated with past-month BZD use frequency, BZD dependence severity, and likelihood of endorsing BZD misuse behaviors (ps < .05). Pain catastrophizing was positively associated with BZD dependence/likelihood of BZD misuse, covarying for pain intensity (P < .05). These findings build upon an emerging literature by highlighting positive covariation of pain intensity and pain catastrophizing with addiction-relevant BZD use behaviors. Results underscore the need to further investigate high-risk BZD use among individuals with chronic pain, with and without concurrent opioid use, to inform prevention/intervention efforts. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents findings on cross-sectional associations of pain intensity and pain catastrophizing with clinically relevant benzodiazepine (BZD) use outcomes, including dependence and misuse, among individuals with chronic pain. Findings help elucidate the higher burden of BZD misuse/dependence in chronic pain populations and suggest that pain relief may be a common, yet under recognized, self-reported motivation for taking BZDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Lape
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Jessica M Powers
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Julia E Hooker
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Robert R Edwards
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph W Ditre
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York.
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4
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Wainblat E, Weleff J, Anand A. Management of Phenibut Use Disorder and Withdrawal in a Geriatric Patient. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 31:67-74. [PMID: 36266201 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Phenibut is a misused substance which has shown an increase in use over the past decade. Marketed as a "dietary supplement," it is not approved in the United States for use and is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The substance, however, is readily available for purchase through online markets. It has a similar drug profile as alcohol, gabapentin and benzodiazepines. Clinical effects of this drug include physiologic dependence, euphoria, anxiolysis, antispasticity, sedation, and possible nootropic properties. While there are emerging new cases of managing phenibut withdrawal, no cases currently feature phenibut addiction and withdrawal management in the geriatric population. Here we discuss such a case of phenibut addiction and withdrawal in a 68-year-old male who initially began misusing phenibut to alleviate anxiety and insomnia precipitated by worsening affective disorder, sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder, and alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeremy Weleff
- Department of Psychiatry (JW), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology (JW, AA), Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Akhil Anand
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology (JW, AA), Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University (AA), EC-=10 Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
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5
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Cucciare MA, Hagedorn HJ, Bounthavong M, Abraham TH, Greene CJ, Han X, Kemp L, Marchant K, White P, Humphreys K. Promoting benzodiazepine cessation through an electronically-delivered patient self-management intervention (EMPOWER-ED): Randomized controlled trial protocol. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2022; 29:100994. [PMID: 36111174 PMCID: PMC9468353 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Long-term benzodiazepine dependence carries significant health risks which might be reduced with low-cost patient self-management interventions. A booklet version of one such intervention (Eliminating Medications Through Patient Ownership of End Results; EMPOWER) proved effective in a Canadian clinical trial with older adults. Digitizing such an intervention for electronic delivery and tailoring it to different populations could expand its reach. Accordingly, this article describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of an electronically-delivered, direct-to-patient benzodiazepine cessation intervention tailored to U.S. military veterans. Methods Design: Two-arm individually randomized controlled trial. Setting US Veterans Health Administration primary care clinics. Participants Primary care patients taking benzodiazepines for three or more months and having access to a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. Intervention and comparator Participants will be randomized to receive either the electronically-delivered EMPOWER (EMPOWER-ED) protocol or asked to continue to follow provider recommendations regarding their benzodiazepine use (treatment-as-usual). Measurements The primary outcomes are complete benzodiazepine cessation and 25% dose reduction, assessed using administrative and self-report data, between baseline and six-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes are self-reported anxiety symptoms, sleep quality, and overall health and quality of life, measured at baseline and 6-month follow-up, and benzodiazepine cessation at 12-month follow-up. Comments This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether the accessibility and effectiveness of a promising intervention for benzodiazepine cessation can be improved through digitization and population tailoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Cucciare
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.,Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Hildi J Hagedorn
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA
| | - Mark Bounthavong
- Health Economics Resource Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.,Center for Innovation to Implementation, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Traci H Abraham
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.,Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Carolyn J Greene
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.,Translational Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Xiaotong Han
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.,Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Lakiesha Kemp
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Kathy Marchant
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Penny White
- Veterans Affairs South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Keith Humphreys
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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6
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Baldwin DS. Clinical management of withdrawal from benzodiazepine anxiolytic and hypnotic medications. Addiction 2022; 117:1472-1482. [PMID: 34542216 DOI: 10.1111/add.15695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Benzodiazepines continue to be prescribed widely in the management of patients with insomnia or anxiety disorders, despite the availability and acceptability of alternative pharmacological and psychological treatments. Many patients will experience adverse effects during treatment and considerable distress when the dosage is reduced and stopped. Management of benzodiazepine withdrawal includes measures to prevent the development of dependence, careful attention to underlying medical conditions, medication consolidation and gradual dosage reduction, accompanying psychological interventions, occasional prescription of concomitant medication, and relapse prevention with on-going support to address psychosocial stressors. There are needs for easier patient access to services with refined expertise and for further research to optimise strategies for preventing dependence and facilitating withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Baldwin
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,University Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Mood and Anxiety Disorders Service, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
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7
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Robertson R, McAuley A, Matheson C. Benzodiazepines: the time for systematic change is now. Addiction 2021; 116:2246-2247. [PMID: 33739553 DOI: 10.1111/add.15488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catriona Matheson
- Professor in Substance Use and Chair of the Scottish Drugs Death Taskforce, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
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8
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Designer Benzodiazepines: A Review of Toxicology and Public Health Risks. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060560. [PMID: 34208284 PMCID: PMC8230725 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The rising use of designer benzodiazepines (DBZD) is a cat-and-mouse game between organized crime and law enforcement. Non-prohibited benzodiazepines are introduced onto the global drug market and scheduled as rapidly as possible by international authorities. In response, DBZD are continuously modified to avoid legal sanctions and drug seizures and generally to increase the abuse potential of the DBZD. This results in an unpredictable fluctuation between the appearance and disappearance of DBZD in the illicit market. Thirty-one DBZD were considered for review after consulting the international early warning database, but only 3-hydroxyphenazepam, adinazolam, clonazolam, etizolam, deschloroetizolam, diclazepam, flualprazolam, flubromazepam, flubromazolam, meclonazepam, phenazepam and pyrazolam had sufficient data to contribute to this scoping review. A total of 49 reports describing 1 drug offense, 2 self-administration studies, 3 outpatient department admissions, 44 emergency department (ED) admissions, 63 driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) and 141 deaths reported between 2008 and 2021 are included in this study. Etizolam, flualprazolam flubromazolam and phenazepam were implicated in the majority of adverse-events, drug offenses and deaths. However, due to a general lack of knowledge of DBZD pharmacokinetics and toxicity, and due to a lack of validated analytical methods, total cases are much likely higher. Between 2019 and April 2020, DBZD were identified in 48% and 83% of postmortem and DUID cases reported to the UNODC, respectively, with flualprazolam, flubromazolam and etizolam as the most frequently detected substances. DBZD toxicology, public health risks and adverse events are reported.
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9
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Borda MG, Jaramillo-Jimenez A, Oesterhus R, Santacruz JM, Tovar-Rios DA, Soennesyn H, Cano-Gutierrez CA, Vik-Mo AO, Aarsland D. Benzodiazepines and antidepressants: Effects on cognitive and functional decline in Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2021; 36:917-925. [PMID: 33382911 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aim to study the effects of the prescription of benzodiazepines and antidepressants on cognitive and functional decline in older adults living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD) over a 5-year follow-up. METHODS This is a longitudinal analysis of a Norwegian cohort study entitled "The Dementia Study of Western Norway" (DemVest). We included 196 patients newly diagnosed with AD (n = 111) and LBD (n = 85), followed annually for 5 years. Three prescription groups were defined: only benzodiazepines (BZD), only antidepressants (ADep), and the combination of benzodiazepines and antidepressants (BZD-ADep). Linear mixed-effects models were conducted to analyze the effect of the defined groups on the outcomes. The outcomes were functional decline, measured by the Rapid Disability Rating Scale-2, and cognition measured with the Mini-Mental State Examination. RESULTS Prescription of the combination of benzodiazepines and antidepressants in LBD was associated with faster functional decline. In AD, the prescription of BZD and BZD-ADep was associated with greater functional deterioration. ADep alone did not show positive or negative significant associations with the studied outcomes. CONCLUSIONS BZD and especially the combination of BZD and ADep are associated with functional decline in AD and LBD and should be used cautiously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Germán Borda
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Semillero de Neurociencias y Envejecimiento, Ageing Institute, Medical School, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Alberto Jaramillo-Jimenez
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.,Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, Medical School, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Ragnhild Oesterhus
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jose Manuel Santacruz
- Semillero de Neurociencias y Envejecimiento, Ageing Institute, Medical School, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Cognition and Memory Center, Intellectus, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia.,Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Diego Alejandro Tovar-Rios
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,School of Statistics, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Del Valle, Santiago de Cali, Colombia.,Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, Santiago de Cali, Colombia
| | - Hogne Soennesyn
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Carlos Alberto Cano-Gutierrez
- Semillero de Neurociencias y Envejecimiento, Ageing Institute, Medical School, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Geriatric Unit, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Audun Osland Vik-Mo
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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10
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Pádua-Reis M, Nôga DA, Tort ABL, Blunder M. Diazepam causes sedative rather than anxiolytic effects in C57BL/6J mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9335. [PMID: 33927265 PMCID: PMC8085115 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88599-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Diazepam has been broadly accepted as an anxiolytic drug and is often used as a positive control in behavioral experiments with mice. However, as opposed to this general assumption, the effect of diazepam on mouse behavior can be considered rather controversial from an evidence point of view. Here we revisit this issue by studying the effect of diazepam on a benchmark task in the preclinical anxiety literature: the elevated plus maze. We evaluated the minute-by-minute time-course of the diazepam effect along the 10 min of the task at three different doses (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg i.p. 30 min before the task) in female and male C57BL/6J mice. Furthermore, we contrasted the effects of diazepam with those of a selective serotoninergic reuptake inhibitor (paroxetine, 10 mg/kg i.p. 1 h before the task). Diazepam had no anxiolytic effect at any of the tested doses, and, at the highest dose, it impaired locomotor activity, likely due to sedation. Noteworthy, our results held true when examining male and female mice separately, when only examining the first 5 min of the task, and when animals were subjected to one hour of restrain-induced stress prior to diazepam treatment. In contrast, paroxetine significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior without inducing sedative effects. Our results therefore suggest that preclinical studies for screening new anxiolytic drugs should be cautious with diazepam use as a potential positive control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Pádua-Reis
- Behavioral Neurophysiology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Diana Aline Nôga
- Behavioral Neurophysiology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adriano B L Tort
- Behavioral Neurophysiology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59056, Brazil
| | - Martina Blunder
- Behavioral Neurophysiology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden.
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11
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Bollinger K, Weimer B, Heller D, Bynum N, Grabenauer M, Pressley D, Smiley-McDonald H. Benzodiazepines reported in NFLIS-Drug, 2015 to 2018. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021; 3:100138. [PMID: 33665593 PMCID: PMC7905184 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2021.100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) is a program of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Division. The NFLIS-Drug component collects drug identification results and associated information from drug cases submitted to and analyzed by federal, state, and local forensic laboratories. This paper presents national annual estimates and national and regional yearly trend differences for clonazepam, diazepam, flubromazolam, clonazolam, and etizolam using annual report rates per 100,000 persons aged 15 or older between 2015 and 2018. An estimated 263,538 benzodiazepine reports were identified by state and local laboratories between 2015 and 2018. Methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin accounted for 32% of the drugs reported in the same item as alprazolam. Depressants and tranquilizers and narcotic analgesics were the drug classes most frequently identified in the same item as etizolam. A timeline of some benzodiazepines’ emergence in NFLIS-Drug is shown, as well as state- and county-level data for selected benzodiazepines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Bollinger
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - BeLinda Weimer
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - David Heller
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Nichole Bynum
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Megan Grabenauer
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - DeMia Pressley
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Division, 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA, 22152, USA
| | - Hope Smiley-McDonald
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
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12
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Schulte C, Maric HM. Expanding GABA AR pharmacology via receptor-associated proteins. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2021; 57:98-106. [PMID: 33684670 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Drugs directly targeting γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs), the major mediators of fast synaptic inhibition, contribute significantly to today's neuropharmacology. Emerging evidence establishes intracellularly GABAAR-associated proteins as the central players in determining cellular and subcellular GABAergic input sites, thereby providing pharmacological opportunities to affect distinct receptor populations and address discrete neuronal dysfunctions. Here, we report on recently studied GABAAR-associated proteins and highlight challenges and newly available methods for their functional and physical mapping. We anticipate these efforts to contribute to decipher the complexity of GABAergic signalling in the brain and eventually enable therapeutic avenues for, so far, untreatable neuronal disorders and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Schulte
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics and Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, D15, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hans Michael Maric
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics and Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, D15, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
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