Latin American consensus recommendations for the management and treatment of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD)

Despite the abundance of literature on treatment-resistant depression (TRD), there is no universally accepted definition of TRD, and available treatment pathways for the management of TRD vary across the Latin American region, highlighting the need for a uniform definition and treatment principles to optimize the management of TRD in Latin America.

METHODS

Following a thematic literature review and pre-meeting survey, a Latin America expert panel comprising 14 psychiatrists with clinical experience in managing patients with TRD convened and utilized the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method to develop consensus-based recommendations on the appropriate definition of TRD and principles for its management.

RESULTS

The expert panel agreed that 'treatment-resistant depression' (TRD) is defined as 'failure of two drug treatments of adequate doses, for 4-8 weeks duration with adequate adherence, during a major depressive episode'. A stepwise treatment approach should be employed for the management of TRD - treatment strategies can include maximizing dose, switching to a different class, and augmenting or combining treatments. Nonpharmacological treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy, are also appropriate options for patients with TRD.

CONCLUSION

These consensus recommendations on the operational definition of TRD and approved treatments for its management can be adapted to local contexts in the Latin American countries but should not replace clinical judgement. Individual circumstances and benefit-risk balance should be carefully considered while determining the most appropriate treatment option for patients with TRD.

Antipsychotic-induced bone loss: the role of dopamine, serotonin and adrenergic receptor signalling

Antipsychotics are commonly used in treating psychiatric disorders. These medications primarily target dopamine the serotonin receptors, they have some affinity to adrenergic, histamine, glutamate and muscarinic receptors. There is clinical evidence that antipsychotic use decreases BMD and increases fracture risk, with dopamine, serotonin and adrenergic receptor-signalling becoming an increasing area of focus where the presence of these receptors in osteoclasts and osteoblasts have been demonstrated. Osteoclasts and osteoblasts are the most important cells in the bone remodelling and the bone regeneration process where the activity of these cells determine the bone resorption and formation process in order to maintain healthy bone. However, an imbalance in osteoclast and osteoblast activity can lead to decreased BMD and increased fracture risk, which is also believed to be exacerbated by antipsychotics use. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of the mechanisms of action of first, second and third generation antipsychotics and the expression profiles of dopamine, serotonin and adrenergic receptors during osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis.