Community-based care for youths with early and very-early onset bipolar I disorder

Not Only Mania or Depression: Mixed States/Mixed Features in Paediatric Bipolar Disorders

Background: early onset is frequent in Bipolar Disorders (BDs), and it is characterised by the occurrence of mixed states (or mixed features). In this systematic review, we aimed to confirm and extend these observations by providing the prevalence rates of mixed states/features and data on associated clinical, pharmacological and psychopathological features. Methods: following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched from inception to 9 February 2021 for all studies investigating mixed states/mixed features in paediatric BD. Data were independently extracted by multiple observers. The prevalence rates of mixed states/features for each study were calculated. Results: eleven studies were included in our review, involving a total patient population of 1365 individuals. Overall, of the patients with paediatric age BD, 55.2% had mixed states/features (95% CI 40.1–70.3). Children with mixed states/features presented with high rates of comorbidities, in particular, with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Evidences regarding the psychopathology and treatment response of mixed states/features are currently insufficient. Conclusions: our findings suggested that mixed states/features are extremely frequent in children and adolescents with BD and are characterised by high levels of comorbidity. Future investigations should focus on the relationship between mixed states/features and psychopathological dimensions as well as on the response to pharmacological treatment.

Pharmacotherapy effectiveness for clinical subgroups among children and adolescents with early onset schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of pharmacotherapies among children and adolescents diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia subgrouped according to their co-occurring psychiatric disorders.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort design was employed, using South Carolina's (USA) Medicaid claims dataset covering outpatient and inpatient medical services, between January, 1999 and December, 2013 to identify patients ≤17 years of age. Random effects regression analyses assessed differential changes in acute psychiatric service utilization over time across the 3 subgroups associated with antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, psychostimulant, or antidepressant pharmacotherapy.

RESULTS

For patients with schizophrenia and comorbid mood disorders or emotional dysregulation (Cluster 1), or schizophrenia and severe cognitive impairments (Cluster 2), those treated with monotherapy second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) over time demonstrated consistently lower use of acute psychiatric treatment services as did those coprescribed mood stabilizers, primarily lithium, or anticonvulsants. In all clusters, including the relatively homogenous subgroup of patients with early onset schizophrenia and few comorbid disorders, acute psychiatric service utilization was significantly higher and more variable over time for those prescribed multiple SGAs.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of the specific constellation of symptoms and comorbid disorders targeted, the coprescription of multiple SGAs was not effective over time in stabilizing children and adolescents outside of acute care settings.

Diagnostic clusters associated with an early onset schizophrenia diagnosis among children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE

Given the greater severity and chronicity of psychiatric disorders that first declare in individuals under the age of 18, early onset schizophrenia (EOS) and its association with co-occurring psychiatric conditions deserve further investigation.

METHODS

Cluster and discriminant analyses were used to examine the heterogeneity of children and adolescents diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1 statewide system of care. A retrospective cohort design was employed, using South Carolina's (USA) Medicaid claims dataset covering outpatient and inpatient medical services between January, 1999 and December, 2013 to identify patients ≤17 years of age.

RESULTS

Among the 613 EOS patients selected, 3 main clusters of ICD-9 psychiatric diagnoses were identified: (1) older children with schizophrenia coaggregated with a spectrum of mood/emotional dysregulation conditions; (2) younger children with coaggregated schizophrenia, mental retardation/intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorders; and (3) older children with schizophrenia and significantly fewer diagnosed co-occurring conditions. Externalizing/disruptive behavior disorders (i.e., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder) were significantly associated with Clusters 1 and 2.

CONCLUSION

Symptom patterns plus age of first diagnosis are important differentiators of EOS subgroups in this cohort. Earlier recognition of psychiatric symptom/syndrome patterns that frequently co-occur may enable clinicians to stratify/tailor treatment interventions.

Sleep in Adolescents With Bipolar I Disorder: Stability and Relation to Symptom Change

Sleep disturbances are common features of bipolar disorder (BD), yet little is known about trajectories of sleep disturbances in youth with BD. Using longitudinal data, this study assessed the stability of sleep disturbances and their ability to predict symptom progression in adolescents diagnosed with BD compared to controls. Thirteen- to 19-year-olds meeting diagnostic criteria for BD I (n = 19, 16.2 ± 1.75 years, 57.9 % female, 68.4% Caucasian) and psychiatrically healthy age-comparable controls (n = 21, 15.7 ± 1.48 years. 52.4% female, 57.1% Caucasian) were assessed for sleep onset latency, number of awakenings, and wake time, separately for weekdays and weekends using a self-report questionnaire. Sleep indices and symptoms of mania (Young Mania Rating Scale) and depression (Children's Depression Rating Scale) were assessed at two time points, T1 and T2, approximately 12 months apart. Correlations were used to examine stability of sleep indices across time points and regression models to examine the effects of T1 sleep on T2 symptoms. Adolescents with BD showed low stability on most sleep indices, whereas controls showed high stability on all sleep indices. After controlling for T1 depression symptoms, more T1 weekend awakenings and weekend wake time predicted significantly greater T2 depression symptoms in youth with BD but not in controls. No significant associations were found between T1 sleep and T2 mania symptoms. These findings suggest that increased awakenings and wakefulness on weekends may represent an important therapeutic target for reducing depression in adolescents with BD.

Factors Differentiating Childhood-Onset and Adolescent-Onset Schizophrenia:A Claims Database Study

BACKGROUND

The greater severity and burden of illness in individuals with early onset schizophrenia (ie, before age 18 years) deserves further investigation, specifically regarding its prevalence in community-based treatment and its association with other psychiatric or medical conditions.

METHOD

A retrospective cohort design was employed using the South Carolina Medicaid claims database covering outpatient and inpatient medical services from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2013, to identify patients aged ≤ 17 years with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (ICD-9-CM). Logistic regression was used to examine the factors differentiating childhood- versus adolescent-onset schizophrenia in a community-based system of care.

RESULTS

Early onset schizophrenia was diagnosed in 613 child and adolescent cases during the study epoch or 0.2% of this population-based cohort. The early onset cohort was primarily male (64%) and black (48%). The mean length of time followed in the Medicaid dataset was 12.6 years. Within the early onset cohort, 22.5% were diagnosed at age ≤ 12 years and 77.5% were diagnosed as adolescents. The childhood-onset subgroup was twice as likely to have speech, language, or educational disabilities and an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis but significantly less likely to have schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, an organic brain disorder or mental retardation/intellectual disability, or a substance use disorder (adjusted OR = 2.01, 2.26, 0.38, 0.31, 0.47, and 0.32, respectively) compared to the adolescent-onset subgroup.

CONCLUSION

Primary care providers should identify and maintain surveillance of cases of pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, which appear to be highly comorbid and genetically related, and refer them early and promptly for specialized treatment.

Complexity and continuity of treatments among privately insured youth diagnosed with bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVES

To examine longitudinal patterns of complexity, continuity, and initiation of treatment for youth diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Additionally, we explore bipolar diagnosis stability and its relationship to observed treatment patterns.

METHODS

A cohort of 426 privately insured youth (ages 6-18) diagnosed with bipolar disorder was identified from the 2000-2001 Thomson/Medstat-MarketScan(®) database. Medication complexity was defined as number of different psychotropic medication classes dispensed during a 6-month period following a new treatment episode of bipolar disorder. Treatment continuity was examined over a 6-month follow-up period, specifically focusing on mood stabilizing medications and antidepressant monotherapy. Predictors of complexity and continuity were investigated.

RESULTS

Fifty-five percent of youth received more than one and 25% received three or more different types of psychotropic medication classes during follow-up. This was contrasted with several youth having no prescription fills (21%) and 31% discontinuing mood stabilizing medication. Youth with a stable bipolar diagnosis were more likely to have continuity of mood stabilizing prescriptions (OR: 4.05), but also greater psychotropic medication complexity. Age, health status/comorbidity, and being in a managed care plan were also related to complexity and continuity of psychotropic medication class regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

More evidence is needed on the causal patterns leading to increased psychotropic medication complexity and continuity and how diagnosis of bipolar disorder may drive treatment patterns.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms and trauma exposure in youth with first episode bipolar disorder

AIMS

To examine the prevalence of trauma exposure as well as the rates and effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescents with bipolar disorder following a first manic episode.

METHODS

Adolescents (12-18 years) with DSM-IV bipolar I disorder and experiencing their first manic or mixed episode were recruited. Participants underwent structured diagnostic interviews, completed the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC), and were prospectively evaluated using diagnostic, symptomatic and functional assessments over the course of 12 months.

RESULTS

Seventy-six adolescents (14.9 +/- 1.7 years) completed the TSCC and 66% (50 individuals) reported exposure to traumatic events. Two (3%) subjects met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD, 11 (14%) had post-traumatic stress t-scores > or = 65, the threshold for clinically significant symptoms. Subjects with and without post-traumatic stress t-scores > or = 65 did not differ in demographic characteristics. When compared by t-score, TSCC subscores of the first episode bipolar adolescents were similar to normative data. Regression models incorporating TSCC subcomponents, did not predict syndromic recovery or recurrence or symptomatic recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of PTSD were lower in this sample of bipolar adolescents at the time of their first hospitalization compared with rates in samples of bipolar adults. These differences coupled with the low incidence of PTSD and trauma symptoms in this young sample suggests that bipolar disorder may be a risk factor for the development of PTSD later in the course of illness or following recurrent affective episodes.

Sleep Disturbance in Bipolar Disorder Across the Lifespan

The aim of this article is to highlight the importance of the sleep-wake cycle in children, adolescents, and adults with bipolar disorder. After reviewing the evidence that has accrued to date on the nature and severity of the sleep disturbance experienced, we document the importance of sleep for quality of life, risk for relapse, affective functioning, cognitive functioning, health (sleep disturbance is implicated in obesity, poor diet, and inadequate exercise), impulsivity, and risk taking. We argue that sleep may be critically important in the complex multifactorial cause of interepisode dysfunction, adverse health outcomes, and relapse. An agenda for future research is presented that includes improving the quality of sleep measures and controlling for the impact of bipolar medications.

The adverse consequences of sleep disturbance in pediatric bipolar disorder: implications for intervention

Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a severe and chronic disorder, ranked among the top 10 leading causes of disability worldwide. Bipolar spectrum disorders with onset in childhood and adolescence have a particularly severe course, including more suicide attempts and greater comorbidity. The evidence accrued to date indicates that sleep disturbances are common among youth with BPD. Moreover, sleep problems may be an early marker for BPD, a distinguishing feature of BPD, and a contributor to relapse. The evidence reviewed highlights that sleep problems are associated with a range of serious adverse consequences, including difficulty in regulating affect in the daytime and difficulties with cognitive functions, such as memory, learning, attention, and concentration. Evidence reviewed also points to sleep disturbance as one possible contributor to weight gain, comorbid substance use, and impulsivity. The implications for intervention are explored, and a multicomponent sleep intervention for youth with BPD is outlined.

Review of the literature regarding early intervention for children and adolescents aged 0-15 experiencing a first-episode psychiatric disturbance

AIM

The purpose of this review is to report on existing literature regarding children and adolescents younger than 16 years of age experiencing a first-episode psychiatric disturbance. Rather than providing a comprehensive list of service implications, this paper identifies some of the gaps in knowledge and practice to encourage ongoing analysis regarding better practices for early intervention for children and adolescents experiencing a first-episode psychiatric disturbance.

METHODS

A search was conducted to identify key evidence-based literature published from 1985 to 2007 discussing various aspects of child and youth mental health in Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The review also included 'grey' literature. Categories of information include diagnoses, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, prevalence, environmental and other risk factors, and demographic variables.

RESULTS

Understanding first-episode psychiatric disturbance for patients under the age of 16 years is limited because of a scarcity of controlled studies focusing on this population. Programme evaluations are sparse, perhaps because of the small number of specialized units servicing this population. It may be helpful to enlist early intervention psychosis programmes that have been successful in assisting young people aged 16-24 in the development of better practices and care outcomes for younger age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors highlight information that has the potential to assist in optimizing care for those youth younger than 16 years experiencing or exhibiting signs of a first-episode psychiatric disturbance.

Pharmacotherapy in the community-based treatment of children with bipolar I disorder

OBJECTIVE

To examine the services and medications received, and psychosocial functioning changes over time of children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder in a public mental health system.

METHOD

Medical records were reviewed for 82 patients, 6-17 years of age, diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, and newly admitted to one public mental health system between 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2004. A retrospective cohort design was employed, with an 18-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

One-third of the patients dropped out treatment within a few months. The psychosocial functioning ratings of patients who remained in treatment improved over time on several dimensions (total, school/work, behavior toward others). Children and adolescents prescribed both a mood stabilizer and an atypical antipsychotic medication regimen (35%) were rated as higher functioning on self-harm behavior and mood/emotions by clinical staff, but their improvement could not be attributed directly to the pharmacotherapy in this small cohort.

CONCLUSION

Community-based pharmacotherapy for children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder does not differ substantially from the extant literature, given the complexity and severity of these cases, and may lead to improvement for children and adolescents who remain in treatment.

Outcomes for youths with early- and very-early-onset bipolar I disorder

To examine differences between children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder in a public mental health system, medical records and computerized data files were reviewed for 82 newly admitted patients, focusing on documented diagnoses, clinical features, services and medications received, and psychosocial functioning changes over 18 months. Suicidality, violent or aggressive behavior, psychotic features, and severe/frequent mood changes were prevalent in 40-70% of the cohort, with children more likely to have comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and adolescents more likely to have substance-related problems. For clients who remained in treatment, functioning ratings improved over 18 months on multiple dimensions but were unrelated to type of service or pharmacotherapy received.

Pathways to care for patients with bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic, debilitating psychiatric illness with serious ramifications for patients, their families, and society. Despite the availability of effective treatments, this disease often goes untreated due to medical, financial, legal/governmental, and cultural barriers. In this review we explore possible reasons for this problem. Misdiagnosis of bipolar disorders is a common medical barrier. One pathway to care for individuals with bipolar disorder is through referral from primary care, but primary care physicians generally have not received special training in the recognition and management of bipolar disorder. This often leads to diagnostic delays or errors, which prevents timely 'filtering' of patients into specialized care. Using data bases we explored these pathways. Legislation in the USA, such as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), designed to ensure access to inpatient mental health care, has instead given hospitals financial incentives to limit inpatient mental health care capacities. Reimbursement of mental health care expenses is a significant issue impacting a patient's ability to gain access to care, as bipolar disorder is a costly disease to treat. Improving access to care among the bipolar community will require multilateral strategies to influence the actions and attitudes of patients, communities, providers, health care systems, and state/national governments. In other cultures, barriers to care differ according to a number of factors such as type of services, explanatory models of illness, misdiagnosis and perceptions of care givers. It is essential that clinicians are aware of pathways and barriers so that appropriate and accessible care can be provided.