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Mueller JK, Ahrens KF, Bauer M, Baune BT, Borgwardt S, Deckert J, Domschke K, Ellwanger R, Fallgatter A, Frodl T, Gallinat J, Gottschalk R, Grabe HJ, Hasan A, Herpertz SC, Hurlemann R, Jessen F, Kambeitz J, Kircher T, Kornhuber J, Lieb K, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Rupprecht R, Scherbaum N, Schlang C, Schneider A, Schomerus G, Thoma A, Unterecker S, Walter M, Walter H, Reif A, Reif-Leonhard C. Prevalence of COVID-19 and Psychotropic Drug Treatment in Psychiatric In-patients in Germany in 2020: Results from a Nationwide Pilot Survey. PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY 2023; 56:227-238. [PMID: 37944561 DOI: 10.1055/a-2177-3056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In patients with a pre-existing mental disorder, an increased risk for a first manifestation of a psychiatric disorder in COVID-19 patients, a more severe course of COVID-19 and an increased mortality have been described. Conversely, observations of lower COVID-19 incidences in psychiatric in-patients suggested protective effects of psychiatric treatment and/or psychotropic drugs against COVID-19. METHODS A retrospective multi-center study was conducted in 24 German psychiatric university hospitals. Between April and December 2020 (the first and partly second wave of COVID-19), the effects of COVID-19 were assessed on psychiatric in-patient care, the incidence and course of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, and treatment with psychotropic drugs. RESULTS Patients (n=36,322) were admitted to the hospitals. Mandatory SARS-CoV-2 tests before/during admission were reported by 23 hospitals (95.8%), while 18 (75%) conducted regular testing during the hospital stay. Two hundred thirty-two (0.6%) patients were tested SARS-CoV-2-positive. Thirty-seven (16%) patients were receiving medical treatment for COVID-19 at the psychiatric hospital, ten (4.3%) were transferred to an intermediate/intensive care unit, and three (1.3%) died. The most common prescription for SARS-CoV-2-positive patients was for second-generation antipsychotics (n=79, 28.2%) and antidepressants (SSRIs (n=38, 13.5%), mirtazapine (n=36, 12.9%) and SNRIs (n=29, 10.4%)). DISCUSSION Contrary to previous studies, our results showed a low number of infections and mortality in SARS-CoV-2-positive psychiatric patients. Several preventive measures seem effective to protect this vulnerable group. Our observations are compatible with the hypothesis of a protective effect of psychotropic drugs against COVID-19 as the overall mortality and need for specific medical treatment was low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane K Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt/M, Germany
| | - Kira F Ahrens
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt/M, Germany
| | - Michael Bauer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bernhard T Baune
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Borgwardt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jürgen Deckert
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Fallgatter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG)
| | - Thomas Frodl
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, RWTH, University Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - René Gottschalk
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Hans J Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Bezirkskrankenhaus Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rene Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Frank Jessen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Joseph Kambeitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Lieb
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rainer Rupprecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Norbert Scherbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LVR-Hospital Essen, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Anja Schneider
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Geriatric Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Georg Schomerus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Thoma
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Bezirkskrankenhaus Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Unterecker
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Charité University Clinic Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt/M, Germany
| | - Christine Reif-Leonhard
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt/M, Germany
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Moga S, Petric PS, Miron AA, Ifteni P, Teodorescu A. Outcome of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination in Patients Treated With Clozapine WHO Previously Went Through SARS-COV-2 Infection. Am J Ther 2023:00045391-990000000-00146. [PMID: 37097999 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000001633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic had multiple consequences for the health care system, especially for patients with mental illnesses. Schizophrenia patients particularly appear to have a higher risk of complications due to coronavirus-19 (COVID-19). Clozapine remains the gold standard for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). However, the COVID-19 pandemic had an important negative impact on clozapine treatment, mainly because of its administration protocol, which was very difficult to follow during the restrictions imposed in the pandemic, and its side effects in patients with COVID-19 infection. Vaccination is an effective method of avoiding SARS-CoV-2 infection or its severe complications, especially in susceptible populations. Data on adverse events after vaccination against COVID-19 are limited, both in the general population and in schizophrenia patients. STUDY QUESTION The study aimed to investigate the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in patients treated with clozapine for hematological parameters. STUDY DESIGN We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. We compared 2 groups of COVID-19 vaccinated patients who had previously experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection: The first group was treated with clozapine, whereas the second group was treated with other antipsychotics. MEASURES AND OUTCOMES The primary objective was to identify granulocytopenia, leukocytopenia, and lymphocytopenia. The results were measured after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. RESULTS This study included 100 patients. White blood cell count changes were limited to a few cases of mild granulocytopenia (8.16% in the clozapine group and 3.92% in the nonclozapine group, P = 0.37) with no cases of severe granulocytopenia or agranulocytosis. CONCLUSIONS As far as leukocyte counts are concerned, mRNA COVID-19 vaccination seems to be safe in patients treated with clozapine who previously had SARS-CoV-2 infection. Leukocyte changes had no clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Moga
- Universitatea Transilvania din Braşov, Facultatea de Medicina, Braşov, România; and
- Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie şi Neurologie Braşov, Braşov, România
| | - Paula Simina Petric
- Universitatea Transilvania din Braşov, Facultatea de Medicina, Braşov, România; and
- Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie şi Neurologie Braşov, Braşov, România
| | - Ana Aliana Miron
- Universitatea Transilvania din Braşov, Facultatea de Medicina, Braşov, România; and
- Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie şi Neurologie Braşov, Braşov, România
| | - Petru Ifteni
- Universitatea Transilvania din Braşov, Facultatea de Medicina, Braşov, România; and
- Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie şi Neurologie Braşov, Braşov, România
| | - Andreea Teodorescu
- Universitatea Transilvania din Braşov, Facultatea de Medicina, Braşov, România; and
- Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie şi Neurologie Braşov, Braşov, România
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Giles G, Varghese S, Shymko G, Nguyen T, Waters F. Clozapine Therapy and COVID-19: A Systematic Review of the Prevalence Rates, Health Outcomes, Hematological Markers, and Patient Perspectives. Schizophr Bull 2022; 49:53-67. [PMID: 36242537 PMCID: PMC9620749 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES There have been concerns that clozapine treatment may undermine the capacity of the body to fight infection and increase the vulnerability to contracting COVID-19. This review of recent cohort studies investigated (1) whether people with a severe psychiatric disorder are at increased risk of COVID-19 and complications, (2) the immunological response of clozapine-users who contract COVID-19, and (3) patients' perspectives on COVID-19 and the pandemic response. METHODS A systematic search of EMBASE, Medline, Pubmed, and PsycINFO databases using PRISMA guidelines using "COVID-19", "clozapine", and "vaccination" terms. RESULTS 18 studies (out of 330 identified) met all criteria (N = 119 054 including 8045 on clozapine). There was no strong evidence that clozapine users may be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 or developing complications after adjusting for medical comorbidities. Hematological studies showed temporary reductions in neutrophils in COVID-19-positive patients and vaccination suggesting a clozapine effect in defence against infection. Vaccination studies did not report major adverse effects. Increased plasma levels of clozapine and neutropenia however point to COVID-19-related interference of clozapine metabolism. Patient surveys reported limited impact on mental health and positive attitudes regarding pandemic response. CONCLUSION This review did not find compelling evidence that the immune system of clozapine users put them at risk of COVID-19 and further complications. Evidence of drug-infection interactions however points to the importance of adhering to consensus guidelines about clozapine therapy during the pandemic. More evidence using longitudinal designs is required to examine the longer-term effects of COVID-19 and vaccination in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Giles
- To whom correspondence should be addressed; Peel and Rockingham Kwinana Mental Health Service, Elanora Drive, Cooloongup, Western Australia, 6168, Australia; tel: 08 95994933, fax: 08 95994966, e-mail:
| | - Sunny Varghese
- South Metropolitan Health Service, Peel and Rockingham Kwinana (PaRK) Mental Health Service, Rockingham, Western Australia, 6168, Australia
| | - Gordon Shymko
- South Metropolitan Health Service, Peel and Rockingham Kwinana (PaRK) Mental Health Service, Rockingham, Western Australia, 6168, Australia
| | - Thinh Nguyen
- South Metropolitan Health Service, Peel and Rockingham Kwinana (PaRK) Mental Health Service, Rockingham, Western Australia, 6168, Australia,Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Flavie Waters
- Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia,School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia,Clinical Research Centre, Graylands Hospital Campus, North Metropolitan Area Services-Mental Health, Brockway Road, Mount Claremont, Perth, Western Australia, 6010, Australia
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Miron AA, Ifteni PI, Teodorescu A, Petric PS. Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics (LAIs) Prescribing Trends during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:1265. [PMID: 35885792 PMCID: PMC9316377 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10071265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Long acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are considered the ideal treatment for schizophrenia, especially for young patients with high rates of non-adherence. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, it has been reported that the administration of LAIs decreased in some areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the initiation of LAIs. This is a retrospective mirror- image study covering a total period of 24 months: 12 months before and 12 months after the declaration of COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020. During the study period, out of 218 patients admitted with schizophrenia, only 15 (1.3%) received LAIs at discharge. There was a 48.3% reduction in LAIs initiation compared to the pre-pandemic period (29 LAIs initiations in 2019 from 224 admissions). Despite the 27% reduction in the total number of admissions (1500 in 2019 vs. 1100 in 2020), the number of admissions with schizophrenia remained almost the same (224 in 2019 vs. 218 in 2020). COVID-19 pandemic brought an important challenge in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, especially in the initiation of LAIs. This could have an important impact on the relapse rate in the next period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana A. Miron
- Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500036 Brașov, Romania; (P.I.I.); (A.T.); (P.S.P.)
- Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie și Neurologie Brașov, 500123 Brașov, Romania
| | - Petru I. Ifteni
- Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500036 Brașov, Romania; (P.I.I.); (A.T.); (P.S.P.)
- Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie și Neurologie Brașov, 500123 Brașov, Romania
| | - Andreea Teodorescu
- Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500036 Brașov, Romania; (P.I.I.); (A.T.); (P.S.P.)
- Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie și Neurologie Brașov, 500123 Brașov, Romania
| | - Paula S. Petric
- Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500036 Brașov, Romania; (P.I.I.); (A.T.); (P.S.P.)
- Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie și Neurologie Brașov, 500123 Brașov, Romania
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Abstract
Long COVID refers to the lingering symptoms which persist or appear after the acute illness. The dominant long COVID symptoms in the two years since the pandemic began (2020-2021) have been depression, anxiety, fatigue, concentration and cognitive impairments with few reports of psychosis. Whether other symptoms will appear later on is not yet known. For example, dopamine-dependent movement disorders generally take many years before first symptoms are seen. Post-stroke depression and anxiety may explain many of the early long COVID cases. Hemorrhagic, hypoxic and inflammatory damages of the central nervous system, unresolved systematic inflammation, metabolic impairment, cerebral vascular accidents such as stroke, hypoxia from pulmonary damages and fibrotic changes are among the major causes of long COVID. Glucose metabolic and hypoxic brain issues likely predispose subjects with pre-existing diabetes, cardiovascular or lung problems to long COVID as well. Preliminary data suggest that psychotropic medications may not be a danger but could instead be beneficial in combating COVID-19 infection. The same is true for diabetes medications such as metformin. Thus, a focus on sigma-1 receptor ligands and glucose metabolism is expected to be useful for new drug development as well as the repurposing of current drugs. The reported protective effects of psychotropics and antihistamines against COVID-19, the earlier reports of reduced number of sigma-1 receptors in post-mortem schizophrenic brains, with many antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs being antihistamines with significant affinity for the sigma-1 receptor, support the role of sigma and histamine receptors in neuroinflammation and viral infections. Literature and data in all these areas are accumulating at a fast rate. We reviewed and discussed the relevant and important literature.
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Concurrent catatonia and COVID-19 infection - An experiential account of challenges and management of cases from a tertiary care psychiatric hospital in India. Asian J Psychiatr 2022; 69:103004. [PMID: 35016069 PMCID: PMC8724012 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Catatonia has been reported as one among many neuropsychiatric manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection. Catatonia and COVID-19 co-occurrence remain clinical concerns, often posing challenges pertaining to diagnosis, and especially management. Limited information is available regarding the appropriate approaches to the management of catatonia in COVID-19 infection, particularly with reference to the safety and efficacy of benzodiazepines and Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). We present our experience of five patients with catatonia consequent to heterogeneous underlying causes and concurrent COVID-19 infection, who received care at the psychiatric COVID unit of our tertiary care psychiatric hospital. An interesting observation included varying underlying causes for catatonia and the potential role that COVID-19 infection may have played in the manifestation of catatonia. In our experience, new-onset catatonia with or without pre-existing psychiatric illness and concurrent COVID-19 can be safely and effectively managed with lorazepam and/or ECTs. However, critical to the same is the need to implement modified protocols that integrate pre-emptive evaluation for COVID-19 disease and proactive monitoring of its relevant clinical parameters, thereby permitting judicious and timely implementation of catatonia-specific treatment options.
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De Hert M, Mazereel V, Stroobants M, De Picker L, Van Assche K, Detraux J. COVID-19-Related Mortality Risk in People With Severe Mental Illness: A Systematic and Critical Review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 12:798554. [PMID: 35095612 PMCID: PMC8793909 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.798554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Increasing clinical evidence suggests that people with severe mental illness (SMI), including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder (BD), and major depressive disorder (MDD), are at higher risk of dying from COVID-19. Several systematic reviews examining the association between psychiatric disorders and COVID-19-related mortality have recently been published. Although these reviews have been conducted thoroughly, certain methodological limitations may hinder the accuracy of their research findings. Methods: A systematic literature search, using the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases (from inception to July 23, 2021), was conducted for observational studies assessing the risk of death associated with COVID-19 infection in adult patients with pre-existing schizophrenia spectrum disorders, BD, or MDD. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: Of 1,446 records screened, 13 articles investigating the rates of death in patients with pre-existing SMI were included in this systematic review. Quality assessment scores of the included studies ranged from moderate to high. Most results seem to indicate that patients with SMI, particularly patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, are at significantly higher risk of COVID-19-related mortality, as compared to patients without SMI. However, the extent of the variation in COVID-19-related mortality rates between studies including people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders was large because of a low level of precision of the estimated mortality outcome(s) in certain studies. Most studies on MDD and BD did not include specific information on the mood state or disease severity of patients. Due to a lack of data, it remains unknown to what extent patients with BD are at increased risk of COVID-19-related mortality. A variety of factors are likely to contribute to the increased mortality risk of COVID-19 in these patients. These include male sex, older age, somatic comorbidities (particularly cardiovascular diseases), as well as disease-specific characteristics. Conclusion: Methodological limitations hamper the accuracy of COVID-19-related mortality estimates for the main categories of SMIs. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that SMI is associated with excess COVID-19 mortality. Policy makers therefore must consider these vulnerable individuals as a high-risk group that should be given particular attention. This means that targeted interventions to maximize vaccination uptake among these patients are required to address the higher burden of COVID-19 infection in this already disadvantaged group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc De Hert
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Clinical Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium
- Antwerp Health Law and Ethics Chair, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Victor Mazereel
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Clinical Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium
| | - Marc Stroobants
- Biomedical Library, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium
| | - Livia De Picker
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- University Psychiatric Hospital Campus Duffel, Duffel, Belgium
| | - Kristof Van Assche
- Antwerp Health Law and Ethics Chair, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Research Group Personal Rights and Property Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan Detraux
- Department of Neurosciences, Public Health Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium
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Moga S, Teodorescu A, Ifteni P, Petric PS, Miron AA. Clozapine and Neutropenia in Patients with Schizophrenia and SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022; 18:977-983. [PMID: 35547265 PMCID: PMC9081886 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s361405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clozapine (CLZ) is used for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Adverse reactions to clozapine include neutropenia. In March 2020, WHO declared the COVID-19 pandemic and after, psychiatrists raised concerns regarding continuation of clozapine, due to multiple restrictions. We aimed to provide a study on the association between neutropenia and clozapine in patients with schizophrenia and COVID-19. AIM To assess the neutrophil count in patients with schizophrenia treated with clozapine and infected with COVID-19. METHODS The study patients with schizophrenia, according to DSM-5, admitted to the Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry and Neurology Brasov, Romania, between April 2020 and October 2021. The inclusion criteria included positive RT-PCR (real-time PCR) test for COVID-19 and treatment with clozapine. We assessed three values of ANC (absolute neutrophil count): before COVID-19 infection (last ANC obtained at mandatory check), during infection and 1 month after resolution (first negative PCR test). RESULTS Of the 105 cases, 95 did not have neutropenia. Fifty-nine patients were males (62.1%), mean age was 43.5 years (SD = 12.1) with an average of clozapine treatment of 52.4 months (SD = 11.9). At baseline, they had a small reduction in the ANC mean value (4.41 × 109/l; SD = 2.22) which did not constitute a statistically significant decline from the prior to COVID-19 mean value of 4.66 × 109/l (SD = 2.34; p = 0.45). Values were also normal in the first month after negative PCR testing (4.45 × 109/l; SD = 2.35; p = 0.91). A total of 10 patients (9.5%) had neutropenia. The age, dose of clozapine and duration of treatment were not statistically different compared to the group without neutropenia. CONCLUSION Psychiatrists and other health professionals should keep in mind that neutrophil count may decrease during COVID-19 infection in patients taking clozapine and in some cases, neutropenia may even occur. We assumed that neutropenia could be caused by COVID-19 and clozapine interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Moga
- Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania.,Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie si Neurologie Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Andreea Teodorescu
- Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania.,Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie si Neurologie Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Petru Ifteni
- Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania.,Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie si Neurologie Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Paula-Simina Petric
- Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania.,Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie si Neurologie Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Ana-Aliana Miron
- Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania.,Spitalul Clinic de Psihiatrie si Neurologie Brasov, Brasov, Romania
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