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Barabássy Á, Dombi ZB, Németh G. D3 Receptor-Targeted Cariprazine: Insights from Lab to Bedside. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5682. [PMID: 38891871 PMCID: PMC11172134 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Until the late 1800s, drug development was a chance finding based on observations and repeated trials and errors. Today, drug development must go through many iterations and tests to ensure it is safe, potent, and effective. This process is a long and costly endeavor, with many pitfalls and hurdles. The aim of the present review article is to explore what is needed for a molecule to move from the researcher bench to the patients' bedside, presented from an industry perspective through the development program of cariprazine. Cariprazine is a relatively novel antipsychotic medication, approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar mania, bipolar depression, and major depression as an add-on. It is a D3-preferring D3-D2 partial agonist with the highest binding to the D3 receptors compared to all other antipsychotics. Based on the example of cariprazine, there are several key factors that are needed for a molecule to move from the researcher bench to the patients' bedside, such as targeting an unmet medical need, having a novel mechanism of action, and a smart implementation of development plans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - György Németh
- Medical Division, Gedeon Richter Plc., 1103 Budapest, Hungary; (Á.B.)
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2
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Barbato A, D'Avanzo B, Corrao G, Di Fiandra T, Ferrara L, Gaddini A, Jarach CM, Monzio Compagnoni M, Saponaro A, Scondotto S, Tozzi VD, Lora A. Allocation of Users of Mental Health Services to Needs-Based Care Clusters: An Italian Pilot Study. Community Ment Health J 2024; 60:494-503. [PMID: 37882894 PMCID: PMC10912259 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-023-01200-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
In Italy, despite strong community-based mental health services, needs assessment is unsatisfactory. Using the Mental Health Clustering Tool (MHCT) we adopted a multidimensional and non-diagnosis dependent approach to assign mental health services users with similar needs to groups corresponding to resources required for effective care. We tested the MHCT in nine Departments of Mental Health in four Italian regions. After a brief training, 318 professionals assessed 12,938 cases with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder and personality disorder through the MHCT. 53% of cases were 40-59 years, half were females, 51% had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, 48% of cases were clinically severe. Clusters included different levels of clinical severity and diagnostic groups. The largest cluster was 11 (ongoing recurrent psychosis), with 18.9% of the sample, followed by cluster 3 (non-psychotic disorders of moderate severity). The MHCT could capture a variety of problems of people with mental disorders beyond the traditional psychiatric assessment, therefore depicting service population from a different standpoint. Following a brief training, MHCT assessment proved to be feasible. The automatic allocation of cases made the attribution to clusters easy and acceptable by professionals. To what extent clustering provide a sound base for care planning will be the matter of further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Barbato
- Laboratory of Quality Assessment of Care and Services, Department of Health Policy, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara D'Avanzo
- Laboratory of Quality Assessment of Care and Services, Department of Health Policy, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Corrao
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Street Bicocca degli Arcimboldi, 8, Building U7, 20126, Milan, Italy
- National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Di Fiandra
- Psychologist, previously General Directorate for Health Prevention, Italian Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Ferrara
- Centre of Research on Health and Social Care Management, CERGAS SDA Bocconi School of Management (Bocconi University), Milan, Italy
| | | | - Carlotta Micaela Jarach
- Laboratory of Lifestyle Epidemiology, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Monzio Compagnoni
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Street Bicocca degli Arcimboldi, 8, Building U7, 20126, Milan, Italy.
- National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessio Saponaro
- General Directorate of Health and Social Policies, Emilia-Romagna Region, Bologna, Italy
| | - Salvatore Scondotto
- National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Health Services and Epidemiological Observatory, Regional Health Authority, Sicily Region, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria D Tozzi
- Psychologist, previously General Directorate for Health Prevention, Italian Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Lora
- National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Lecco, Lecco, Italy
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Vita A, Barlati S, Porcellana M, Sala E, Lisoni J, Brogonzoli L, Percudani ME, Iardino R. The patient journey project in Italian mental health services: results from a co-designed survey on clinical interventions and current barriers to improve the care of people living with schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1382326. [PMID: 38606407 PMCID: PMC11007707 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1382326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Patient Journey Project aimed to analyze the scenario among Italian Mental Health Services (MHS) to understand the clinical interventions that are properly implemented and the ones deserving further implementation to design an effective treatment plan for patients living with schizophrenia (PLWS). Methods The 60-items survey was co-designed with all the stakeholders (clinicians, expert patients and caregivers) involved in the Patient Journey and focused on three phases of schizophrenia course: early detection and management, acute phase management, long-term management/continuity of care. Respondents were Heads of the Mental Health Departments and Addiction Services (MHDAS) or facilities directors throughout Italian MHS. For each statement, respondents expressed the consensus on the importance and the degree of implementation in clinical practice. Results Considering the importance of the statement, strong consensus was reached for most of the statements. Good levels of implementation were found on 2/17 statements of early detection and management, on 3/16 statements for acute phase management and on 1/27 statements of long-term management/continuity of care. Poor levels of implementation were found on 1/17 statements of early detection and management, none of acute phase management, and 4/27 statements for long-term management/continuity of care. Moderate levels of implementation were found on 14/17 statements for early detection and management, on 13/16 statements of acute phase management, and on 22/27 statements of long-term management/continuity of care. Thus, among Italian MHDAS, most interventions for PLWS were moderately implemented in clinical practice. Discussion Italian MHS have to provide new strategies and structural actions to overcome these current limitations and barriers to effectively improve the journey of PLWS. The areas that deserve most implementation include interventions during the early stage (especially the continuity of care between Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Adult Mental Health Services), the evidence-based psychosocial interventions during the chronic stages of the disorder, and the continuity of care after acute hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Vita
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Barlati
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Porcellana
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Sala
- Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lisoni
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Chiappini S, Di Carlo F, Mosca A, d’Andrea G, Di Paolo M, Lorenzini C, Lupica MG, Sampogna G, Pettorruso M, Fiorillo A, Martinotti G. Efficacy of Psychosocial and Psychological Interventions in Addition to Drug Therapy to Improve Global Functioning of Inpatients with Schizophrenia Spectrum and Mood Disorders: A Real-World Observational Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:1887-1897. [PMID: 37667738 PMCID: PMC10475300 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s418627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction and Aim Psychotic and mood disorders are associated with significant functional impairment, premature mortality, physical morbidity, and great social and economic burden. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial, psychological, and rehabilitative interventions implemented in an Italian psychiatric inpatient facility, with a focus on patients with schizophrenia spectrum versus those with mood disorders. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in the psychiatric hospital Villa Maria Pia in Rome, Italy, during 2022. Patients with an established diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum and mood disorder (ICD-9-CM) were assessed on admission (T0) and at the end of treatment (T1), using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). Interventions involved a multidisciplinary team and included individual and group activities. The t-test for independent samples was used to compare continuous variables between groups and Spearman correlation coefficient to calculate correlations between variables. Results The study sample consisted of 141 patients, the majority of them being adults (51.3 years ± 12.4) men (F/M= 68/73). Among them, 85 patients (60.3%) actively engaged in psychosocial and rehabilitative interventions and, compared to non-participating individuals, they showed lower functioning and symptoms at discharge (delta GAF was significantly higher among patients who had taken part in the psychosocial activities, t = -2.095; p = 0.038). Considering the index computed (n of interventions/days of hospitalization), the number of psychosocial activities was positively correlated with the improvement in patients' functioning in the sample taking part in activities (r = 0.272, p = 0.012), especially with psychotherapy and support groups (r = 0.202, p = 0.017 and r = 0.188, p = 0.025, respectively). Splitting the total sample into schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (N = 37) and mood disorder (N = 48) groups, the positive correlations between GAF improvement and participation in psychosocial activities were confirmed only in the schizophrenia-spectrum group. These correlations were not significant for symptomatology (BPRS) either in the total or the individual group. Conclusion Evidence from our study suggests that inpatient rehabilitation can be effective and useful for people with severe mental disorders. Further investigations are needed to better understand its effectiveness on improving quality of life and social functioning in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Chiappini
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, Chieti, Italy
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Francesco Di Carlo
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessio Mosca
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giacomo d’Andrea
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mariapia Di Paolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Chiara Lorenzini
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Lupica
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Gaia Sampogna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Pettorruso
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Fiorillo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ‘G. D’Annunzio’ University, Chieti, Italy
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
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Percudani ME, Iardino R, Porcellana M, Lisoni J, Brogonzoli L, Barlati S, Vita A. The Patient Journey of Schizophrenia in Mental Health Services: Results from a Co-Designed Survey by Clinicians, Expert Patients and Caregivers. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050822. [PMID: 37239294 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Patient Journey Project aims to collect real-world experiences on schizophrenia management in clinical practice throughout all the phases of the disorder, highlighting virtuous paths, challenges and unmet needs. METHODS A 60-item survey was co-designed with all the stakeholders (clinicians, expert patients and caregivers) involved in the patient's journey, focusing on three areas: early detection and management, acute phase management and long-term management/continuity of care. For each statement, the respondents expressed their consensus on the importance and the degree of implementation in clinical practice. The respondents included heads of the Mental Health Services (MHSs) in the Lombardy region, Italy. RESULTS For early diagnosis and management, a strong consensus was found; however, the implementation degree was moderate-to-good. For acute phase management, a strong consensus and a good level of implementation were found. For long-term management/continuity of care, a strong consensus was found, but the implementation level was slightly above the cut-off, with 44.4% of the statements being rated as only moderately implemented. Overall, the survey showed a strong consensus and a good level of implementation. CONCLUSIONS The survey offered an updated evaluation of the priority intervention areas for MHSs and highlighted the current limitations. Particularly, early phases and chronicity management should be further implemented to improve the patient journey of schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Emilio Percudani
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Niguarda Hospital, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Porcellana
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Niguarda Hospital, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lisoni
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Barlati
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Vita
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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Vita A, Fagiolini A, Maina G, Mencacci C, Spina E, Galderisi S. Achieving long-term goals through early personalized management of schizophrenia: expert opinion on the role of a new fast-onset long-acting injectable antipsychotic. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2023; 22:1. [PMID: 36650545 PMCID: PMC9843844 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-022-00430-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Definition of an appropriate and personalized treatment plan focused on long-term outcomes is crucial in the management of schizophrenia. Following review of the literature, a panel of six leading psychiatrists discussed the importance of clear and shared long-term goals when initiating antipsychotic treatment in light of their clinical experience. The importance of establishing shared and progressive treatment objectives was stressed, which should be tailored based on the patient's characteristics, goals, and preferences. Consensus emerged on the key role that therapeutic alliance and patient empowerment play throughout the course of treatment. Reduction in symptoms in the acute phase along with good efficacy and tolerability in the maintenance phase emerged as essential features of a therapy that can favor achievement of long-term outcomes. Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics enhance adherence to treatment compared to oral formulations and have been shown to be effective in the maintenance phase. Currently available LAIs are characterized by a delayed onset of action and require a loading dose or oral supplementation to achieve therapeutic concentrations. Risperidone ISM® is a novel LAI antipsychotic with fast and sustained release of antipsychotic, reaching therapeutic plasma levels within a few hours after administration without oral supplementation or loading doses. Risperidone ISM® has been shown to rapidly control symptoms in patients with an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia and to be effective and well tolerated as maintenance treatment irrespective of the severity of initial symptoms. It thus represents a valuable and novel therapeutic option in management of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Vita
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Spedali Civili of Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | | | - Giuseppe Maina
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Edoardo Spina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Silvana Galderisi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
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Giordano GM, Pezzella P, Giuliani L, Fazio L, Mucci A, Perrottelli A, Blasi G, Amore M, Rocca P, Rossi A, Bertolino A, Galderisi S. Resting-State Brain Activity Dysfunctions in Schizophrenia and Their Associations with Negative Symptom Domains: An fMRI Study. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13010083. [PMID: 36672064 PMCID: PMC9856573 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the neurobiological correlates of the two negative symptom domains of schizophrenia, the Motivational Deficit domain (including avolition, anhedonia, and asociality) and the Expressive Deficit domain (including blunted affect and alogia), focusing on brain areas that are most commonly found to be associated with negative symptoms in previous literature. Resting-state (rs) fMRI data were analyzed in 62 subjects affected by schizophrenia (SZs) and 46 healthy controls (HCs). The SZs, compared to the HCs, showed higher rs brain activity in the right inferior parietal lobule and the right temporoparietal junction, and lower rs brain activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the bilateral anterior dorsal cingulate cortex, and the ventral and dorsal caudate. Furthermore, in the SZs, the rs brain activity in the left orbitofrontal cortex correlated with negative symptoms (r = -0.436, p = 0.006), in particular with the Motivational Deficit domain (r = -0.424, p = 0.002), even after controlling for confounding factors. The left ventral caudate correlated with negative symptoms (r = -0.407, p = 0.003), especially with the Expressive Deficit domain (r = -0.401, p = 0.003); however, these results seemed to be affected by confounding factors. In line with the literature, our results demonstrated that the two negative symptom domains might be underpinned by different neurobiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Maria Giordano
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Pezzella
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Giuliani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0815666512
| | - Leonardo Fazio
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, LUM University, 70010 Casamassima, Italy
| | - Armida Mucci
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Perrottelli
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Blasi
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Mario Amore
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Rocca
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rossi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertolino
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Silvana Galderisi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Ciocca G, Jannini TB, Ribolsi M, Rossi R, Niolu C, Siracusano A, Jannini EA, Di Lorenzo G. Sexuality in Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis and First-Episode Psychosis. A Systematic Review of Literature. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:750033. [PMID: 34777053 PMCID: PMC8579023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.750033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A considerable body of literature reports that individuals with psychotic disorders often suffer from sexual dysfunctions (SDs), with these representing a major unmet need. Long-term antipsychotic drug treatment may be the main cause for SDs in psychotic patients, through a plethora of different mechanisms, including prolactin dyscrasia, histamine-mediated sedation, and serotonin-induced sexual demotivation. However, a few pieces of evidence treat sexuality in patients at risk or the onset of psychosis. For this purpose, we systematically reviewed literature of the last 10 years in order to investigate sexuality in ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis and first-episode psychosis (FEP). We included in our review 34 articles fitting our research criteria on SDs in UHR and FEP. Evidence of SDs in the transition from UHR to FEP emerges through the selected studies. In FEP, sexuality is affected by the severity of the psychotic symptoms and, in some cases, by the iatrogenic effects of psychopharmacological treatment. Further experimental and clinical studies should systematically investigate the role of sexual functioning in the transition from UHR to FEP and, consequently, clarify whether or not SDs could be considered a possible marker for the onset of psychosis in at-risk populations. Moreover, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists should take into consideration the role of sexual life in young people with prodromal mental symptoms or at the onset of psychosis. Focusing on a thorough sexual evaluation might be a major challenge that could break down barriers of mental health promotion among young people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and therefore achieve better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Ciocca
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso B Jannini
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Ribolsi
- Unit of Neurology, Neurobiology, Neurophysiology and Psychiatry, Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Rossi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Niolu
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Siracusano
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Di Lorenzo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS - Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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