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Barry R, Anderson J, Tran L, Bahji A, Dimitropoulos G, Ghosh SM, Kirkham J, Messier G, Patten SB, Rittenbach K, Seitz D. Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders Among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Psychiatry 2024:2817602. [PMID: 38630486 PMCID: PMC11024772 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.0426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Importance Several factors may place people with mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, at increased risk of experiencing homelessness and experiencing homelessness may also increase the risk of developing mental health disorders. Meta-analyses examining the prevalence of mental health disorders among people experiencing homelessness globally are lacking. Objective To determine the current and lifetime prevalence of mental health disorders among people experiencing homelessness and identify associated factors. Data Sources A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, and AMED) was conducted from inception to May 1, 2021. Study Selection Studies investigating the prevalence of mental health disorders among people experiencing homelessness aged 18 years and older were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data extraction was completed using standardized forms in Covidence. All extracted data were reviewed for accuracy by consensus between 2 independent reviewers. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the prevalence (with 95% CIs) of mental health disorders in people experiencing homelessness. Subgroup analyses were performed by sex, study year, age group, region, risk of bias, and measurement method. Meta-regression was conducted to examine the association between mental health disorders and age, risk of bias, and study year. Main Outcomes and Measures Current and lifetime prevalence of mental health disorders among people experiencing homelessness. Results A total of 7729 citations were retrieved, with 291 undergoing full-text review and 85 included in the final review (N = 48 414 participants, 11 154 [23%] female and 37 260 [77%] male). The current prevalence of mental health disorders among people experiencing homelessness was 67% (95% CI, 55-77), and the lifetime prevalence was 77% (95% CI, 61-88). Male individuals exhibited a significantly higher lifetime prevalence of mental health disorders (86%; 95% CI, 74-92) compared to female individuals (69%; 95% CI, 48-84). The prevalence of several specific disorders were estimated, including any substance use disorder (44%), antisocial personality disorder (26%), major depression (19%), schizophrenia (7%), and bipolar disorder (8%). Conclusions and Relevance The findings demonstrate that most people experiencing homelessness have mental health disorders, with higher prevalences than those observed in general community samples. Specific interventions are needed to support the mental health needs of this population, including close coordination of mental health, social, and housing services and policies to support people experiencing homelessness with mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Barry
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jennifer Anderson
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lan Tran
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gina Dimitropoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - S. Monty Ghosh
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Julia Kirkham
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Messier
- Department of Electrical and Software Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Scott B. Patten
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katherine Rittenbach
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dallas Seitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Bahji A, Crockford D, Brasch J, Schutz C, Buckley L, Danilewitz M, Dubreucq S, Mak M, George TP. Training in Substance use Disorders, Part 1: Overview of Clinical Practice Recommendations. Can J Psychiatry 2024:7067437241231128. [PMID: 38613369 DOI: 10.1177/07067437241231128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Clinical Professor, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jennifer Brasch
- Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Lead, Addiction Psychiatry, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Past-President, Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christian Schutz
- Professor, Institute of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Research Lead Adult Mental Health and Substance Use, Provincial Health Service Authority, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Leslie Buckley
- Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Associate Medical Director, General Psychiatry, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada
| | - Simon Dubreucq
- Psychiatrist, Department of Addiction Medicine, CHUM, Montreal, QC, Canada; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael Mak
- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Tony P George
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Bastien G, Abboud A, McAnulty C, Elkrief L, Ledjiar O, Socias ME, Le Foll B, Bahji A, Brissette S, Marsan S, Jutras-Aswad D. Impact of Depressive Symptom Severity on Buprenorphine/Naloxone and Methadone Outcomes in People With Prescription-Type Opioid Use Disorder: Results From a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial. J Dual Diagn 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38580298 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2024.2329267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of depressive symptom severity on opioid use and treatment retention in individuals with prescription-type opioid use disorder (POUD). METHOD We analyzed data from a multi-centric, pragmatic, open-label, randomized controlled trial comparing buprenorphine/naloxone to methadone models of care in 272 individuals with POUD. Opioid use was self-reported every two weeks for 24 weeks using the Timeline Followback. Depressive symptom severity was self-reported with the Beck Depression Inventory at baseline, week 12 and week 24. RESULTS Baseline depressive symptom severity was not associated with opioid use nor treatment retention. At week 12, moderate depressive symptoms were associated with greater opioid use while mild to severe depressive symptoms were associated with lowered treatment retention. At week 24, moderate depressive symptoms were associated with greater opioid use. CONCLUSIONS Ongoing depressive symptoms lead to poorer outcomes in POUD. Clinicians are encouraged to use integrative approaches to optimize treatment outcomes. This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03033732) on January 27th, 2017, prior to participants enrollment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Bastien
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Anita Abboud
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Christina McAnulty
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Laurent Elkrief
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Omar Ledjiar
- Unité de recherche clinique appliquée, Centre hospitalier universitaire Ste-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - M Eugenia Socias
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anees Bahji
- Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Suzanne Brissette
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Marsan
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Crockford D, Bahji A, Schutz C, Brasch J, Buckley L, Danilewitz M, Dubreucq S, Mak M, George TP. Training in Substance Use Disorders, Part 2: Updated Curriculum Guidelines. Can J Psychiatry 2024:7067437241232456. [PMID: 38533564 DOI: 10.1177/07067437241232456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- David Crockford
- Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Anees Bahji
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christian Schutz
- Professor, Institute of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Research Lead Adult Mental Health and Substance Use, Provincial Health Service Authority, BC, Canada
| | - Jennifer Brasch
- Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Lead, Addiction Psychiatry, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Past-President, Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Leslie Buckley
- Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Associate Medical Director, General Psychiatry, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada
| | - Simon Dubreucq
- Psychiatrist, Department of Addiction Medicine, CHUM, Montreal, QC, Canada; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael Mak
- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Tony P George
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Bahji A, Danilewitz M, Sloan M, Tang V, Crockford D. Concerns regarding the recommendation against prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the Canadian guideline for the clinical management of high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder. CMAJ 2024; 196:E346-E347. [PMID: 38499302 PMCID: PMC10948180 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.149917-l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Matthew Sloan
- Psychiatrist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont
| | - Victor Tang
- Psychiatrist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont
| | - David Crockford
- Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
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Bahji A, Bastien G, Bach P, Choi J, Le Foll B, Lim R, Jutras-Aswad D, Socias ME. The Association Between Self-Reported Anxiety and Retention in Opioid Agonist Therapy: Findings From a Canadian Pragmatic Trial. Can J Psychiatry 2024; 69:172-182. [PMID: 37697811 PMCID: PMC10874605 DOI: 10.1177/07067437231194385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prescription-type opioid use disorder (POUD) is often accompanied by comorbid anxiety, yet the impact of anxiety on retention in opioid agonist therapy (OAT) is unclear. Therefore, this study investigated whether baseline anxiety severity affects retention in OAT and whether this effect differs by OAT type (methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) vs. buprenorphine/naloxone (BNX)). METHODS This secondary analysis used data from a pan-Canadian randomized trial comparing flexible take-home dosing BNX and standard supervised MMT for 24 weeks. The study included 268 adults with POUD. Baseline anxiety was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), with BAI ≥ 16 indicating moderate-to-severe anxiety. The primary outcomes were retention in assigned and any OAT at week 24. In addition, the impact of anxiety severity on retention was examined, and assigned OAT was considered an effect modifier. RESULTS Of the participants, 176 (65%) reported moderate-to-severe baseline anxiety. In adjusted analyses, there was no significant difference in retention between those with BAI ≥ 16 and those with BAI < 16 assigned (29% vs. 28%; odds ratio (OR) = 2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.94-4.40; P = 0.07) or any OAT (35% vs. 34%; OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 0.77-3.21; P = 0.21). In addition, there was no significant effect modification by OAT type for retention in assigned (P = 0.41) or any OAT (P = 0.71). In adjusted analyses, greater retention in treatment was associated with BNX (vs. MMT), male gender identity (vs. female, transgender, or other), enrolment in the Quebec study site (vs. other sites), and absence of a positive urine drug screen for stimulants at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Baseline anxiety severity did not significantly impact retention in OAT for adults with POUD, and there was no significant effect modification by OAT type. However, the overall retention rates were low, highlighting the need to develop new strategies to minimize the risk of attrition from treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03033732).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gabriel Bastien
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Paxton Bach
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - JinCheol Choi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ron Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Centre, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - M. Eugenia Socias
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Bahji A. Navigating the Complex Intersection of Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:999. [PMID: 38398311 PMCID: PMC10889170 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13040999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUDs) and psychiatric conditions, often referred to as comorbidity or concurrent disorders, presents intricate challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. This comprehensive narrative review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate the existing evidence surrounding the management of individuals with comorbid SUDs and psychiatric disorders. Comorbidity in these domains carries profound implications for clinical practice, research, and policymaking, emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of the intricate dynamics that arise when these conditions coexist. This review explores recent research findings, evidence-based guidelines, and emerging trends within the field, offering valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers seeking to navigate the complex terrain of comorbidity in substance use and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Departments of Psychiatry and Community Health Sciences & Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2R 1N4, Canada
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Bahji A, Boonmak P, Koller M, Milani C, Sutherland C, Horgan S, Chen SP, Patten S, Stuart H. Associations between Gender Expression, Protective Coping Strategies, Alcohol Saliency, and High-Risk Alcohol Use in Post-Secondary Students at Two Canadian Universities. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2024; 21:107. [PMID: 38248569 PMCID: PMC10815432 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study, conducted in October 2017 at two Canadian universities, aimed to explore the relationships between gender expression, protective coping strategies, alcohol saliency, and high-risk alcohol use. METHODS Validated scales were employed to assess these variables using survey data. Multivariate analyses were conducted to investigate the associations between these factors and high-risk drinking. RESULTS This study revealed significant associations between high-risk drinking and androgynous gender roles (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.19-2.10) as well as among self-reported males (OR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.77-2.75). Additionally, protective behavioural strategies were inversely related to high-risk drinking (OR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.94-0.96), while higher alcohol saliency exhibited a positive correlation with high-risk drinking (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.11-1.14). CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the importance of considering gender, alcohol saliency beliefs, and protective behavioural strategies in the development and refinement of interventions aimed at reducing high-risk alcohol use on Canadian campuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada;
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Paul Boonmak
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Michelle Koller
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Christina Milani
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Cate Sutherland
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Salinda Horgan
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Shu-Ping Chen
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Scott Patten
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada;
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Heather Stuart
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
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Bahji A, Hathaway J, Adams D, Crockford D, Edelman EJ, Stein MD, Patten SB. Cannabis use disorder and adverse cardiovascular outcomes: A population-based retrospective cohort analysis of adults from Alberta, Canada. Addiction 2024; 119:137-148. [PMID: 37766508 DOI: 10.1111/add.16337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
AIM To measure the association between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted a matched, population-based retrospective cohort study involving five linked administrative health databases from Alberta, Canada. PARTICIPANTS We identified participants with CUD diagnosis codes and matched them to participants without CUD codes by gender, year of birth and time of presentation to the health system. We included 29 764 pairs (n = 59 528 individuals in total). MEASUREMENTS CVD events were defined by at least one incident diagnostic code within the study period (1 January 2012-31 December 2019). Covariates included comorbidity, socio-economic status, prescription medication use and health service use. Using mortality-censored Poisson regression models, we computed survival analyses for time to incident CVD stratified by CUD status. In addition, we calculated crude and stratified risk ratios (RRs) across various covariates using the Mantel-Haenszel technique. FINDINGS The overall prevalence of documented CUD was 0.8%. Approximately 2.4% and 1.5% of participants in the CUD and unexposed groups experienced an incident adverse CVD event (RR = 1.57; 95% confidence interval = 1.40-1.77). CUD was significantly associated with reduced time to incident CVD event. Individuals who appeared to have greater RRs for incident CVD were those without mental health comorbidity, who had not used health-care services in the previous 6 months, who were not on prescription medications and who did not have comorbid conditions. CONCLUSIONS Canadian adults with cannabis use disorder appear to have an approximately 60% higher risk of experiencing incident adverse cardiovascular disease events than those without cannabis use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Josh Hathaway
- Canadian Research Initiative in Substance (CRISM)-Alberta Health Services (AHS) Advances of Analytics in Substance Use, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Denise Adams
- Canadian Research Initiative in Substance (CRISM)-Alberta Health Services (AHS) Advances of Analytics in Substance Use, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - E Jennifer Edelman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michael D Stein
- Behavioural Medicine and Addictions Research Department, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott B Patten
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Bahji A, Danilewitz M, Crockford D, Delva N, Rusak B. Assessing research competency development in Canadian psychiatry residency programs: A systematic review and future directions. SAGE Open Med 2023; 11:20503121231216846. [PMID: 38105808 PMCID: PMC10722931 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231216846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective We aimed to conduct a systematic review to identify curricular and educational interventions to build research competency among Canadian psychiatry residents and fellows transitioning to the competency-by-design framework. Methods The PRISMA guidelines were followed, searching five databases from their inception to February 2023 for relevant evaluation-type studies exploring research competency among psychiatry residents and fellows. We appraised thestudy's quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute's risk of bias tool for observational designs. Results Overall, 36 original articles met our inclusion criteria. Surveys (n = 10) showed that participation in scholarly research, quality improvement, or educational projects relevant to psychiatry is needed in most residency programs. However, these vary significantly across programs; few need direct research experience for residency completion. The interventions spanned four categories: externally funded comprehensive research training programs (n = 5); resident research tracks (n = 11); workshops and seminars (n = 7); and specific modules (n = 3). Reported outcomes included overall program ratings, research output, and career trajectory. The quality of most studies was low because of the lack of controls or validated metrics for evaluating outcomes. Conclusions While many studies have explored best practices in research curricula, the current literature does not inform competency-based models for Canadian psychiatry residency programs incorporating research training requirements. Further description is needed from Canadian psychiatric training bodies regarding appropriate curricula, milestones, and metrics for evaluating research competencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nicholas Delva
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Benjamin Rusak
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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11
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Babor T, Tsiboukli A, Hellman M, Bahji A. Ways to get a more balanced gender representation in addiction journals' management and workforce. Nordisk Alkohol Nark 2023; 40:560-567. [PMID: 38045007 PMCID: PMC10688402 DOI: 10.1177/14550725231181440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the scientific community, particularly academic publishing, claims to be gender-neutral and based on meritocracy, it mirrors other parts of modern society, wherein residual gender imbalances and implicit and explicit gender biases are reproduced. In this report, we address gender imbalances (in particular, the overrepresentation of men) in the editorial workforce of academic journals as barriers to women's promotion and career progression in addiction science. We also consider potential gender-related elements and biases in the peer-review and editorial decision-making processes, which may result in women's lower publication rates, thereby creating another gender-related barrier to women's promotion, career progression and academic recognition. Establishing a more balanced gender representation in addiction publishing will require the adoption of the SAGER guidelines and the development of Gender Equality Plans for addiction specialty journals. Finally, although our focus concerns gender, the organisational mechanisms identified here also affect other types of heterogeneity and intersectional thinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Babor
- University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Anna Tsiboukli
- National, and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Matilda Hellman
- University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Uppsala University. Sweden
| | - Anees Bahji
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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12
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Bahji A, Lunsky I, Gutierrez G, Vazquez G. Efficacy and Safety of Four Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies for Adults with Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Psychoactive Drugs 2023:1-16. [PMID: 37968944 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2278586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
There has been a resurgence in psychedelic research for managing psychiatric conditions in recent years. This study aimed to present a comprehensive review of the current state of the field by applying a systematic search strategy for articles on the effectiveness and tolerability of four psychedelic-assisted therapies (psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA], and ayahuasca) for adults with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychometric scores and adverse events were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis models with Hedges' g bias-corrected standardized mean differences (g) and rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Bias evaluation followed PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. Eighteen studies were identified, which suggested that psychedelic therapies were well tolerated and presented a large effect size for the management of depression symptoms in a transdiagnostic population with psilocybin (g = -1.92, 95% CI, -2.73 to -1.11) and MDMA (g = -0.71; 95% CI, -1.39 to -0.03). These are promising results that complement the current literature. However, evidence certainty was low to very low due to methodological limitations, small sample size, blinding, study heterogeneity, and publication bias. These results also highlight the need for more adequately powered studies exploring these novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Isis Lunsky
- School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gilmar Gutierrez
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gustavo Vazquez
- School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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14
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Bahji A, Danilewitz M, George TP, Dhaliwal A, Crockford DN. Evidence base to support using prescribed psychostimulants to treat psychostimulant use disorder is limited. CMAJ 2023; 195:E1354. [PMID: 37816523 PMCID: PMC10610955 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.149222-l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Associate conference chair, Canadian Psychiatric Association, Ottawa, Ont.; assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; associate medical director, General Psychiatry, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, Ont
| | - Tony P George
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont
| | - Arash Dhaliwal
- Assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ont
| | - David N Crockford
- Clinical professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta
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15
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Bahji A, Danilewitz M, Crockford D. Navigating Evidence, Challenges, and Caution in the Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1416. [PMID: 37891785 PMCID: PMC10605120 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amidst the opioid epidemic, harm reduction-oriented approaches have gained traction, including interventions that focus on prescribing pharmaceutical-grade psychoactive substances, such as opioids, instead of illicit versions, intending to mitigate fatal overdose risks arising from the variability in potency and additives found in illicit drugs. Stimulants have increasingly been found in the victims of opioid overdoses, further prompting some to argue for the prescription of stimulant medications for individuals with stimulant use disorders. Yet, the evidence supporting this practice remains insufficient. In this communication, we critically examine the existing evidence, challenges, and cautions surrounding the treatment of stimulant use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2R 0N2, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2R 0N2, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2R 0N2, Canada
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R7, Canada;
- Ontario Shores Center for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON L1N 5S9, Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2R 0N2, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2R 0N2, Canada
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16
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Bahji A, Socias ME, Bach P, Milloy M. Implications of Cannabis Legalization on Substance-Related Benefits and Harms for People Who Use Opioids: A Canadian Perspective. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023; 8:699-702. [PMID: 37001172 PMCID: PMC10623062 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2018, Canada enacted the Cannabis Act, becoming only the second country (after Uruguay) to legalize the recreational consumption of cannabis. Although there is ongoing global disagreement on the risk-benefit profile of cannabis with increasing legalization in many parts of the world, the evidence of rising cannabis use prevalence postlegalization has been consistent. In contrast, postlegalization changes in various cannabis-related metrics have been inconsistent in Canada and other parts of the world. Furthermore, the implications of cannabis legalization on substance-related harms and benefits for people who use unregulated drugs, particularly opioids, remain unclear. Finally, although Canada did not legalize cannabis to address the opioid crisis, there is rising scientific and popular interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabis to mitigate opioid-related harms. This perspective highlights the implications of cannabis legalization on substance-related benefits and harms for people who use opioids, the current state of Canadian research, and suggestions for future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
| | - M. Eugenia Socias
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Paxton Bach
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - M.J. Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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17
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Nikolin S, Rodgers A, Schwaab A, Bahji A, Zarate C, Vazquez G, Loo C. Ketamine for the treatment of major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 62:102127. [PMID: 37593223 PMCID: PMC10430179 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intranasal esketamine has received regulatory approvals for the treatment of depression. Recently a large trial of repeated dose racemic ketamine also demonstrated efficacy in severe depression. However, uncertainties remain regarding comparative efficacy, dosage, and the time course of response. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Embase, Medline, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL up to April 13, 2023, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating ketamine for depression. Two investigators independently assessed study eligibility and risk of bias and extracted the data on depression severity scores, response and remission rates, and all-cause dropouts. Multivariable mixed-effects meta-regressions incorporated drug formulation (racemic (Rac) or esketamine (Esket)) and dose (Low or High) as covariates. Treatment effects were assessed: immediately following the first dose, during further repeated dosing, and follow-up after the final dose of a treatment course. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021221157). Findings The systematic review identified 687 articles, of which 49 RCTs were eligible for analysis, comprising 3299 participants. Standardised mean differences (95% confidence intervals) immediately following the first/single treatment were moderate-high for all conditions (Rac-High: -0.73, -0.91 to -0.56; Esket-High: -0.48, -0.75 to -0.20; Rac-Low: -0.33, -0.54 to -0.12; Esket-Low: -0.55, -0.87 to -0.24). Ongoing effects during repeated dosing were significantly greater than the control for Rac-High (-0.61; -1.02 to -0.20) and Rac-Low (-0.55, -1.09 to -0.00), but not Esket-Low (-0.15, -0.49 to 0.19) or Esket-High (-0.22, -0.54 to 0.10). At follow-up effects remained significant for racemic ketamine (-0.65; -1.23 to -0.07) but not esketamine (-0.33; -0.96 to 0.31). All-cause dropout was similar between experiment and control conditions for both formulations combined (Odds Ratio = 1.18, 0.85-1.64). Overall heterogeneity varied from 5.7% to 87.6. Interpretation Our findings suggested that effect sizes for depression severity, as well as response and remission rates, were numerically greater for racemic ketamine than esketamine. Higher doses were more effective than low doses. Differences were evident in initial effects, ongoing treatment, and lasting effects after the final dose. Funding None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stevan Nikolin
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony Rodgers
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carlos Zarate
- Section Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders, Division of Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1282, Building 10CRC, Room 7-5342, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gustavo Vazquez
- Section Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders, Division of Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1282, Building 10CRC, Room 7-5342, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Colleen Loo
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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18
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Bahji A, Gordon KS, Crystal S, Satre DD, Wiliams EC, Edelman EJ, Justice AC. Factors Associated with Bothersome Symptoms in Individuals With and Without HIV Who Report Alcohol Use. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:2455-2462. [PMID: 36622487 PMCID: PMC10225332 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03972-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Bothersome symptoms potentially related to drinking are commonly reported by people with and without HIV (PWH/PWoH). However, the relationship between bothersome symptoms and level of alcohol use is often not appreciated by patients or providers. Therefore, among persons reporting prior-year alcohol use, we assessed whether alcohol use level (AUDIT-C score), HIV status, and demographic covariates influenced the likelihood of the patient reporting a bothersome symptom. We used the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) surveys (2002-2018), including a validated symptoms index. Among 3679 PWH and 3830 PWoH currently drinking alcohol, the most commonly reported symptoms were muscle/joint pain (52%), sleep disturbance (51%), and fatigue (50%). Level of alcohol use was independently associated with 18 of 20 bothersome symptoms, including seven symptoms more common among PWH. Results can help inform PWH/PWoH who drink alcohol about the strong relationship between level of alcohol use and bothersome symptoms, potentially motivating reduced use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Research in Addiction Medicine Scholars Program, Boston University Medical Centre, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kirsha S Gordon
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Center for Health Services Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Derek D Satre
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Emily C Wiliams
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - E Jennifer Edelman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale School of Medicine, 367 Cedar Street, ESH A, suite 401, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
| | - Amy C Justice
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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19
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Bahji A, Vazquez GH, Zarate CA. Response to "Letter to the Editor: Comparative efficacy of racemic ketamine and esketamine for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.". J Affect Disord 2023; 324:68. [PMID: 36574849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gustavo H Vazquez
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Section Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders, Division of Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, USA.
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20
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Bahji A, Dhaliwal A, Sachdev A, Danilewitz M, Lamba W, George TP, Chopra N, Crockford D. The Rising Tide of Stimulant-Related Morbidity and Mortality Warrants Evidence-Based Treatment. Can J Psychiatry 2023; 68:208-209. [PMID: 36113454 PMCID: PMC9974650 DOI: 10.1177/07067437221125301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, 2129University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, 2129University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 2129University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,558158British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Arash Dhaliwal
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, 6221Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Arushi Sachdev
- School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,25487Ontario Shores Center for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada
| | - Wiplove Lamba
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,25487Ontario Shores Center for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada
| | - Tony P George
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto; Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nitin Chopra
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto; Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Department of Psychiatry, 2129University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, 2129University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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21
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el-Guebaly N, Foster J, Bahji A, Hellman M. The critical role of peer reviewers: Challenges and future steps. Nordisk Alkohol Nark 2023; 40:14-21. [PMID: 36793486 PMCID: PMC9893124 DOI: 10.1177/14550725221092862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The critical role of peer reviewers in the publishing process is examined. Examples of typical challenges are provided, including the relative lack of rewards for this important task. Particular attention is paid to the need to consider the diversity of the peer reviewers recruited and impediments to the selection beyond Areas of Competence, often due to the small available pool. Finally, recommendations for improvement are suggested.
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22
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Rafizadeh R, Danilewitz M, Bousman CA, Mathew N, White RF, Bahji A, Honer WG, Schütz CG. Effects of clozapine treatment on the improvement of substance use disorders other than nicotine in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychopharmacol 2023; 37:135-143. [PMID: 36507548 PMCID: PMC9912304 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221142575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antipsychotic medications are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia and are associated with a reduction in psychiatric hospitalization and overall mortality. Some evidence suggest that antipsychotic medications might have a varying effect on the improvement of comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs), with clozapine showing more favorable outcomes. AIM We systematically reviewed all available evidence on effects of clozapine on the improvement of SUDs other than nicotine. METHODS Electronic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINHAL were conducted up to March 1, 2022. Studies of any methodological design involving two concepts: (1) clozapine and (2) SUD terms (excluding nicotine) were included. For SUD outcomes with three or more comparative studies with available raw data meta-analysis was performed. SUD outcomes not meeting criteria for meta-analysis were described qualitatively. Risk of bias was examined using "Downs and Black," and "Q-Coh" instruments. RESULTS The majority of individuals in the included 31 studies were male and of European ancestry. Abstinence was the most common outcome. Most of the studies were of low-to-moderate quality, and none of the studies met all the quality criteria. Pooled findings from four observational studies in samples of patients with predominantly comorbid alcohol use disorder showed that clozapine treatment is associated with significantly higher odds of remaining abstinent. In addition clozapine was associated with decreased odds of psychiatric hospitalization in all but one observational study. CONCLUSIONS Our systematic review and meta-analysis builds upon previous reviews, and it suggests the association of clozapine treatment with significantly higher odds of remaining abstinent from substance use and decreased likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization, compared with continuing treatment with other antipsychotic medications. Still, the validity of this association needs greater exploration and providing recommendations for the utility of clozapine in individuals without treatment-resistant psychosis and comorbid SUDs would be premature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Rafizadeh
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Psychosis Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada
| | - Chad A Bousman
- Departments of Psychiatry and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nickie Mathew
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Randall F White
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Psychosis Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anees Bahji
- Departments of Psychiatry and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - William G Honer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Psychosis Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christian G Schütz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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23
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Bahji A, Acion L, Laslett AM, Adinoff B. Exclusion of the non-English-speaking world from the scientific literature: Recommendations for change for addiction journals and publishers. Nordisk Alkohol Nark 2023; 40:6-13. [PMID: 36793485 PMCID: PMC9893128 DOI: 10.1177/14550725221102227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: While English is only the native language of 7.3% of the world's population and less than 20% can speak the language, nearly 75% of all scientific publications are English. Aim: To describe how and why scientific contributions from the non-English-speaking world have been excluded from addiction literature, and put forward suggestions for making this literature more accessible to the non-English-speaking population. Methods: A working group of the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors (ISAJE) conducted an iterative review of issues related to scientific publishing from the non-English-speaking world. Findings: We discuss several issues stemming from the predominance of English in the scientific addiction literature, including historical drivers, why this matters, and proposed solutions, focusing on the increased availability of translation services. Conclusion: The addition of non-English-speaking authors, editorial team members, and journals will increase the value, impact, and transparency of research findings and increase the accountability and inclusivity of scientific publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Laura Acion
- University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA; and University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Bryon Adinoff
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, Colorado, USA
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De Aquino JP, Bahji A, D'Souza DC. Letter to the Editor: Cannabis as a Solution to the Opioid Crisis: Is the Cart Before the Horse Again? Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2022; 7:898-900. [PMID: 34714101 PMCID: PMC9784580 DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joao P. De Aquino
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Deepak C. D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
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25
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De Aquino JP, Bahji A, Gómez O, Sofuoglu M. Alleviation of opioid withdrawal by cannabis and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: A systematic review of observational and experimental human studies. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 241:109702. [PMID: 36434879 PMCID: PMC9772106 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While six U.S. states have already officially authorized cannabinoids to substitute opioids and treat opioid use disorder, the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids remain unclear, especially when weighted against their adverse effects. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of studies examining the association between opioid withdrawal and cannabis use or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration. We searched multiple databases from inception to July 30, 2022, and assessed study quality. RESULTS Eleven studies were identified, with a total of 5330 participants, of whom 64 % were male. Nine observational studies examined the association between cannabis use and opioid withdrawal. Two randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) investigated the withdrawal-alleviating effects of dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC. Four observational studies found an association between cannabis use and the alleviation of opioid withdrawal; one reported exacerbation of opioid withdrawal symptoms; and four reported no association. RCTs reported that THC alleviated opioid withdrawal, albeit with dose-dependent increases in measures of abuse liability, dysphoria, and tachycardia. There was high heterogeneity in measurements of opioid withdrawal and the type and dose of opioid at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Although there is preliminary evidence that cannabis and its main psychoactive constituent, THC, may alleviate opioid withdrawal, these effects are likely to have a narrow therapeutic window. Further, the potential of cannabinoids to alleviate opioid withdrawal is determined by complex interactions between patient characteristics and pharmacological factors. Collectively, these findings have clinical, methodological, and mechanistic implications for treating opioid withdrawal during cannabinoid use, and for efforts to alleviate opioid withdrawal using non-opioid therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao P De Aquino
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George St., New Haven, CT 06511, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue (151D), West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), Conneticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park St, 3rd Floor, New Haven, CT, 06519.
| | - Anees Bahji
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Department of Psychiatry, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alb., Canada
| | - Oscar Gómez
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 7th Street, 40-02, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mehmet Sofuoglu
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George St., New Haven, CT 06511, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue (151D), West Haven, CT 06516, USA
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Bahji A, Danilewitz M, Maser B, Guerin E, Frank E. Association between substance use and professional outcomes among medical students: Findings from a Canadian cross-sectional survey. Can J Addict 2022; 13:32-43. [PMID: 37465425 PMCID: PMC10353729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Background While substance use is common among medical students, there is limited research on this topic involving Canadian medical students or exploring its associations with professional outcomes. The present study examines the association between Canadian medical students' substance use and related counselling attitudes and practices, career satisfaction, academic/clinical workload, and the medical school environment. Methods We sent an electronic cross-sectional survey to students attending all 17 Canadian medical schools between November 2015 and March 2016. A total of 4,438 participants completed the survey across four years of study, with a participation rate of 40.2%. We considered four categories of substance use: cannabis, alcohol, non-medical use of prescription stimulants (NPS), and cigarettes. Covariates included professional attitudes (e.g., career satisfaction, distress, patient counselling on alcohol or smoking cessation), specialty of interest, learner mistreatment, and perceived medical school support. We used multivariate logistic regression models, generating adjusted odds ratios (AORs), to examine covariates associated with substance use and how substance use (as a covariate) was associated with different professional outcomes. Results Individuals more interested in "lifestyle" specialties (AOR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.08-3.05) and surgical specialties (AOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.16-2.47) were more likely to report excessive alcohol use. Those interested in primary care were more likely to report cannabis use in the past 12 months (AOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.14-3.00). We did not identify significant associations between specialty of interest and current cigarette or NPS use in the past 12 months. However, excessive alcohol use was associated with greater career satisfaction (AOR, 1.24; 95% CI: 1.04-1.49), whereas NPS in the past 12 months was associated with poorer career satisfaction (AOR, 0.63; 95% CI: 0.42-0.93). In addition, there was a negative association between NPS use and the ability to handle workloads due to physical (AOR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.18-0.54) or mental health issues (AOR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.30-0.71), but not for other substances. We also found significant negative associations between current cigarette use and the perceived relevance of smoking cessation counselling (AOR, 0.48; 95% CI: 0.29-0.80) and alcohol cessation counselling (AOR, 0.42; 95% CI: 0.25-0.70). Conclusions These findings suggest that specific patterns of substance use in medical students appeared to be significantly associated with some professional outcomes, specialty of interest, and attitudes towards addiction-related clinical practice. Encouraging medical students to practise healthy habits, including minimizing harmful substance use behaviours, could be an important target for improving medical students' health and their patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brandon Maser
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eva Guerin
- Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erica Frank
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Annenberg Physician Training Program in Addiction Medicine
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Bahji A, Di Nota PM, Groll D, Carleton RN, Anderson GS. Psychological interventions for post-traumatic stress injuries among public safety personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev 2022; 11:255. [PMID: 36434683 PMCID: PMC9701019 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-022-02112-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public safety personnel (PSP) are exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTE) far more often than the general public, which increases the risk for various post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSIs). While there are many evidence-based psychological interventions for PTSI, the effectiveness of each intervention for PSP remains unclear. OBJECTIVES The current study assessed the effectiveness and acceptability of psychological interventions for PTSI among PSPs. METHODS A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis were performed on the effectiveness and acceptability of psychotherapies for PTSIs (i.e., symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder) among PSP. The review adhered to the PRISMA reporting guidelines and used standardized mean differences (Cohen's d), rate ratios (RR), and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) to measure pooled effect sizes across studies; negative d values and RR values less than one indicated a reduction in symptoms compared to baseline or control groups. In addition, heterogeneity was quantified using I2, and publication bias was evaluated using Egger's test. RESULTS The analyses included data from eight randomized controlled trials representing 402 PSP (79.4% male, 35.3 years). Psychological interventions included narrative exposure therapy (n = 1), cognitive behavioral therapy (n = 2), eclectic psychotherapy (n = 2), eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (n = 1), supportive counseling (n = 2), and group critical incident stress debriefing (n = 1). The interventions were associated with statistically significant reductions in symptoms associated with PTSD (d = - 1.23; 95% CI - 1.81, - 0.65; 7 studies; I2 = 81%), anxiety (- 0.76; 95% CI - 1.28, - 0.24; 3 studies; I2 = 47%), and depression (d = - 1.10; 95% CI - 1.62, - 0.58; 5 studies; I2 = 64%). There were smaller but statistically significant improvements at follow-up for symptoms of PTSD (d = - 1.29 [- 2.31, - 0.27]), anxiety (d = - 0.82 [- 1.20, - 0.44]), and depression (d = - 0.46 [- 0.77, - 0.14]). There were no statistically significant differences in dropout rates (RR = 1.00 [0.96, 1.05]), suggesting high acceptability across interventions. CONCLUSIONS There is preliminary evidence that psychotherapies help treat PTSIs in PSP; however, the shortage of high-quality studies on PSP indicates a need for additional research into treating PTSI among PSP. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO: CRD42019133534.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Paula M Di Nota
- Office of Applied Research and Graduate Studies, Justice Institute of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dianne Groll
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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Bahji A. The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of Electroconvulsive Therapy. J Psychiatr Pract 2022; 28:440-444. [PMID: 36355582 DOI: 10.1097/pra.0000000000000666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatments for depression. However, significant stigma from the media and the antipsychiatry movement has biased the public toward ECT, leading to underutilization, particularly among those most in need. This report reviews some of the key historical events in the rise, fall, and resurgence of ECT and how modern ECT knowledge and practice are more refined, including an improved understanding of its mechanisms of action and optimal treatment parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- BAHJI: Department of Psychiatry and Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Bahji A, Delva N. Making a case for the inclusion of refractory and severe mental illness as a sole criterion for Canadians requesting medical assistance in dying (MAiD): a review. J Med Ethics 2022; 48:929-934. [PMID: 33849958 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2020-107133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following several landmark rulings and increasing public support for physician-assisted death, in 2016, Canada became one of a handful of countries legalising medical assistance in dying (MAiD) with Bill C-14. However, the revised Bill C-7 proposes the specific exclusion of MAiD where a mental disorder is the sole underlying medical condition (MAiD MD-SUMC). AIM This review explores how some persons with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) could meet sensible and just criteria for MAiD under the Canadian legislative framework. METHODS We review the proposed Bill C-7 criteria (capacity, voluntariness, irremediability and suffering) as well as the nuances involved in separating a well-reasoned request for assisted suicide from what might be solely a manifestation of a SPMI. FINDINGS In this paper, we argue against the absolute exclusion of patients with SPMIs from accessing MAiD. Instead, we propose that in some circumstances, MAiD MD-SUMC may be justifiable while remaining the last resort. Conducting MAiD eligibility assessments removes the need to introduce diagnosis-specific language into MAiD legislation. Competent psychiatric patients who request MAiD should not be treated any differently from other eligible candidates. Many individuals with psychiatric disorders will be incapable of consenting to MAiD. The only ethical option is to assess eligibility for MAiD on an individual basis and include as legitimate candidates those who suffer solely from psychiatric illness who have the decisional capacity to consent to MAiD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicholas Delva
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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30
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Bahji A, Bach P, Danilewitz M, Crockford D, el-Guebaly N, Devoe DJ, Saitz R. Comparative efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapies for alcohol withdrawal: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Addiction 2022; 117:2591-2601. [PMID: 35194860 PMCID: PMC9969997 DOI: 10.1111/add.15853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS There have been few head-to-head clinical trials of pharmacotherapies for alcohol withdrawal (AW). We, therefore, aimed to evaluate the comparative performance of pharmacotherapies for AW. METHODS Six databases were searched for randomized clinical trials through November 2021. Trials were included after a blinded review by two independent reviewers. Outcomes included incident seizures, delirium tremens, AW severity scores, adverse events, dropouts, dropouts from adverse events, length of hospital stay, use of additional medications, total benzodiazepine requirements, and death. Effect sizes were pooled using frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis models to generate summary ORs and Cohen's d standardized mean differences (SMDs). RESULTS Across the 149 trials, there were 10 692 participants (76% male, median 43.5 years old). AW severity spanned mild (n = 32), moderate (n = 51), and severe (n = 66). Fixed-schedule chlormethiazole (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.65), fixed-schedule diazepam (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.59), fixed-schedule lorazepam (OR = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.08-0.45), fixed-schedule chlordiazepoxide (OR = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.08-0.53), and divalproex (OR = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.05-0.86) were superior to placebo at reducing incident AW seizures. However, only fixed-schedule diazepam (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.05-0.76) reduced incident delirium tremens. Oxcarbazepine (d = -3.69; 95% CI, -6.21 to -1.17), carbamazepine (d = -2.76; 95% CI, -4.13 to -1.40), fixed-schedule oxazepam (d = -2.55; 95% CI, -4.26 to -0.83), and γ-hydroxybutyrate (d = -1.80; 95% CI, -3.35 to -0.26) improved endpoint Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-Revised scores over placebo. Promazine and carbamazepine were the only agents significantly associated with greater dropouts because of adverse events. The quality of evidence was downgraded because of the substantial risk of bias, heterogeneity, inconsistency, and imprecision. CONCLUSIONS Although some pharmacotherapeutic modalities, particularly benzodiazepines, appear to be safe and efficacious for reducing some measures of alcohol withdrawal, methodological issues and a high risk of bias prevent a consistent estimate of their comparative performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paxton Bach
- British Columbia Centre for Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nady el-Guebaly
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel J. Devoe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Richard Saitz
- Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Clinical Translational Science Institute, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Bahji A, Milloy MJ, Bach P, Sociás ME. Challenges and opportunities for further research involving the cannabis-to-opioid use transition. Addiction 2022; 117:2752-2754. [PMID: 35661297 PMCID: PMC9949991 DOI: 10.1111/add.15973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael John Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
| | - Paxton Bach
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
| | - Maria Eugenia Sociás
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
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Delara M, Murray L, Jafari B, Bahji A, Goodarzi Z, Kirkham J, Chowdhury M, Seitz DP. Correction: Prevalence and factors associated with polypharmacy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:742. [PMID: 36096733 PMCID: PMC9469608 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03388-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mahin Delara
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Providence Care-Mental Health Services, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren Murray
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Providence Care-Mental Health Services, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Behnaz Jafari
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room 2919 Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Anees Bahji
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room 2919 Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Zahra Goodarzi
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room 2919 Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Julia Kirkham
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room 2919 Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Mohammad Chowdhury
- Department of Psychiatry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dallas P Seitz
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room 2919 Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada. .,Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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33
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Danilewitz M, Bahji A, Gratzer D. Comment on "I'm Virtually a Psychiatrist: Problems with Telepsychiatry in Training". Acad Psychiatry 2022; 46:535-536. [PMID: 35233734 PMCID: PMC8887800 DOI: 10.1007/s40596-022-01607-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anees Bahji
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Gratzer
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Delara M, Murray L, Jafari B, Bahji A, Goodarzi Z, Kirkham J, Chowdhury Z, Seitz DP. Prevalence and factors associated with polypharmacy: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:601. [PMID: 35854209 PMCID: PMC9297624 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03279-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Polypharmacy is commonly associated with adverse health outcomes. There are currently no meta-analyses of the prevalence of polypharmacy or factors associated with polypharmacy. We aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of polypharmacy and factors associated with polypharmacy in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies with no restrictions on date. We included observational studies that reported on the prevalence of polypharmacy among individuals over age 19. Two reviewers extracted study characteristics including polypharmacy definitions, study design, setting, geography, and participant demographics. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scales. The main outcome was the prevalence of polypharmacy and factors associated with polypharmacy prevalence. The pooled prevalence estimates of polypharmacy with 95% confidence intervals were determined using random effects meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were undertaken to evaluate factors associated with polypharmacy such as polypharmacy definitions, study setting, study design and geography. Meta-regression was conducted to assess the associations between polypharmacy prevalence and study year. Results 106 full-text articles were identified. The pooled estimated prevalence of polypharmacy in the 54 studies reporting on polypharmacy in all medication classes was 37% (95% CI: 31-43%). Differences in polypharmacy prevalence were reported for studies using different numerical thresholds, study setting, and publication year. Sex, study geography, study design and geographical location were not associated with differences in polypharmacy prevalence. Discussion Our review highlights that polypharmacy is common particularly among older adults and those in inpatient settings. Clinicians should be aware of populations who have an increased likelihood of experiencing polypharmacy and efforts should be made to review the appropriateness of prescribed medications and occurrence of adverse effects potentially associated with polypharmacy. Conclusions and implications Clinicians should be aware of the common occurrence of polypharmacy and undertake efforts to minimize inappropriate polypharmacy whenever possible. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03279-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahin Delara
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Providence Care-Mental Health Services, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren Murray
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Providence Care-Mental Health Services, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Behnaz Jafari
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room 2919 Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Anees Bahji
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room 2919 Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Zahra Goodarzi
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room 2919 Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Julia Kirkham
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room 2919 Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Zia Chowdhury
- Department of Psychiatry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dallas P Seitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Providence Care-Mental Health Services, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
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Bahji A, Crockford D, El-Guebaly N. Neurobiology and Symptomatology of Post-Acute Alcohol Withdrawal: A Mixed-Studies Systematic Review. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2022; 83:461-469. [PMID: 35838422 PMCID: PMC9798382 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2022.83.461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to review the neurobiology and symptomatology of post-acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). METHOD We conducted a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses)-guided systematic review of articles from two databases for English-language randomized and nonrandomized studies involving PAWS published between database inception and December 2020. RESULTS Twenty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. PAWS involves predominantly negative affect, which develops in early abstinence and can persist for 4-6 months or longer. Symptoms include anxiety, dysphoria, anhedonia, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, cravings, and irritability. PAWS symptoms appear to be risk factors for recurrent alcohol consumption. They have been associated with reported neurobiological differences in evoked potentials; measures of orexins, cortisol, serotonin, and pancreatic polypeptides; and neuroadaptation changes in the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS There is credible evidence to support the concept of PAWS based on this review's findings. There remains a need to develop and test specific criteria for PAWS. High-quality treatment studies involving agents addressing its neurobiological underpinnings are also recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nady El-Guebaly
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Bahji A, Crockford D, El-Guebaly N. Neurobiology and Symptomatology of Post-Acute Alcohol Withdrawal: A Mixed-Studies Systematic Review. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2022; 83:461-469. [PMID: 35838422 PMCID: PMC9798382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to review the neurobiology and symptomatology of post-acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). METHOD We conducted a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses)-guided systematic review of articles from two databases for English-language randomized and nonrandomized studies involving PAWS published between database inception and December 2020. RESULTS Twenty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. PAWS involves predominantly negative affect, which develops in early abstinence and can persist for 4-6 months or longer. Symptoms include anxiety, dysphoria, anhedonia, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, cravings, and irritability. PAWS symptoms appear to be risk factors for recurrent alcohol consumption. They have been associated with reported neurobiological differences in evoked potentials; measures of orexins, cortisol, serotonin, and pancreatic polypeptides; and neuroadaptation changes in the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS There is credible evidence to support the concept of PAWS based on this review's findings. There remains a need to develop and test specific criteria for PAWS. High-quality treatment studies involving agents addressing its neurobiological underpinnings are also recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nady El-Guebaly
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Bahji A, Crockford D, El-Guebaly N. Management of Post-Acute Alcohol Withdrawal: A Mixed-Studies Scoping Review. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2022; 83:470-479. [PMID: 35838423 PMCID: PMC9798381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article reviews research on post-acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) management. METHOD We conducted a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Revision and Meta-Analyses)-guided scoping review of the published PAWS literature, searching six electronic databases (from their inception through December 2020) for English-language randomized and nonrandomized studies. RESULTS A total of 16 treatment studies met the inclusion criteria. The strength of evidence overall for pharmacologic treatments is low, with often only short-term results being reported, small treatment samples used, or inconsistent results found. However, for negative affect and sleep symptoms, more evidence supports using gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) and anticonvulsants (carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine). Although preliminary data support acamprosate, there were no controlled trials. Despite an older treatment trial showing some positive data for amitriptyline for mood, the clinical measures used were problematic, and side effects and safety profile limit its utility. Finally, there is no evidence that melatonin and other agents (homatropine, Proproten-100) show PAWS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Although there is some evidence for targeted pharmacotherapy for treating specific PAWS symptoms, there are few recent, robust, placebo-controlled trials, and the level of evidence for treatment efficacy is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nady El-Guebaly
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Bahji A, Crockford D, El-Guebaly N. Management of Post-Acute Alcohol Withdrawal: A Mixed-Studies Scoping Review. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2022. [DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2022.83.470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nady El-Guebaly
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Bahji A. The association between gender expression, beliefs about alcohol, coping skills, and alcohol consumption in post-secondary students at two Canadian universities. Eur Psychiatry 2022. [PMCID: PMC9563502 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Unlike sex, the association between gender and high-risk drinking has been relatively understudied in post-secondary students. Gender expression may influence the use of protective coping strategies and beliefs about alcohol. Objectives This study evaluated associations between gender expression, protective coping strategies, beliefs about alcohol, and high-risk alcohol use in post-secondary students. Methods We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study of 3,446 undergraduate students at two Canadian universities in October 2017. The primary outcome was high-risk drinking during the previous month, measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score. We evaluated gender expression (masculine, feminine, androgynous, and undifferentiated), protective coping strategies, and beliefs about alcohol using validated scales. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to test the association between gender expression and AUDIT scores. Results The most prevalent gender expression was androgynous (35.1% overall), while the undifferentiated role was the least prevalent (17.4% overall). Those who adhered to an androgynous gender role (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.90) were significantly more likely to engage in problem drinking. In addition, greater scores on the protective behavioural strategies scale were associated with reduced odds of problem drinking (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.95, 0.97) while higher alcohol saliency scores were associated with higher odds of problem drinking (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.13). Conclusions Higher protective behavioural strategies and lower alcohol salience beliefs were associated with lower alcohol use. Androgynous gender roles were associated with high-risk alcohol use. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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Bahji A, Zarate CA, Vazquez GH. Efficacy and safety of racemic ketamine and esketamine for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2022; 21:853-866. [PMID: 35231204 PMCID: PMC9949988 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2022.2047928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racemic ketamine and esketamine have demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects. We aimed to review the efficacy and safety of racemic and esketamine for depression. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a PRISMA-guided review for relevant randomized controlled trials of racemic or esketamine for unipolar or bipolar major depression from database inception through 2021. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses using pooled rate ratios (RRs) and Cohen's standardized mean differences (d) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS We found 36 studies (2903 participants, 57% female, 45.1 +/- 7.0 years). Nine trials used esketamine, while the rest used racemic ketamine. The overall study quality was high. Treatment with any form of ketamine was associated with improved response (RR=2.14; 95% CI, 1.72-2.66; I2=65%), remission (RR=1.64; 95% CI, 1.33-2.02; I2=39%), and depression severity (d=-0.63; 95% CI, -0.80 to -0.45; I2=78%) against placebo. Overall, there was no association between treatment with any form of ketamine and retention in treatment (RR=1.00; 95% CI, 0.99-1.01; I2<1%), dropouts due to adverse events (RR=1.56; 95% CI, 1.00-2.45; I2<1%), or the overall number of adverse events reported per participant (OR=2.14; 95% CI, 0.82-5.60; I2=62%) against placebo. CONCLUSIONS Ketamine and esketamine are effective, safe, and acceptable treatments for individuals living with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada;,British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Carlos A. Zarate
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gustavo H. Vazquez
- Department of Psychiatry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Bahji A. Alien Hand Syndrome in Lewy Body Dementia. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2022; 24. [DOI: 10.4088/pcc.21cr03100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Bahji A, Li Y, Vickers-Smith R, Crystal S, Kerns RD, Gordon KS, Macmadu A, Skanderson M, So-Armah K, Sung ML, Bhondoekhan F, Marshall BDL, Edelman EJ. Self-Reported Cannabis Use and HIV Viral Control among Patients with HIV Engaged in Care: Results from a National Cohort Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:5649. [PMID: 35565045 PMCID: PMC9101884 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: The association between cannabis use and HIV-1 RNA (viral load) among people with HIV (PWH) engaged in care is unclear. Methods: We used data collected from 2002 to 2018 on PWH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) enrolled in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate associations between self-reported past-year cannabis use and detectable viral load (≥500 copies/mL), with and without adjustment for demographics, other substance use, and adherence. Results: Among 2515 participants, 97% were male, 66% were Black, the mean age was 50 years, and 33% had detectable HIV viral load at the first study visit. In unadjusted analyses, PWH with any past-year cannabis use had 21% higher odds of a detectable viral load than those with no past-year use (OR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.07-1.37). However, there was no significant association between cannabis use and viral load after adjustment. Conclusions: Among PWH engaged in care and receiving ART, cannabis use is associated with decreased adherence in unadjusted analyses but does not appear to directly impact viral control. Future studies are needed to understand other potential risks and benefits of cannabis use among PWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada;
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
- Research in Addiction Medicine Scholars Program, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (Y.L.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (B.D.L.M.)
| | - Rachel Vickers-Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Center for Health Services Research, Institute for Health, Rutgers University, Rutgers, NJ 08901, USA;
| | - Robert D. Kerns
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA;
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; (K.S.G.); (M.S.); (M.L.S.)
| | - Kirsha S. Gordon
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; (K.S.G.); (M.S.); (M.L.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Alexandria Macmadu
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (Y.L.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (B.D.L.M.)
| | - Melissa Skanderson
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; (K.S.G.); (M.S.); (M.L.S.)
| | - Kaku So-Armah
- Clinical Addiction Research & Education (CARE) Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Minhee L. Sung
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; (K.S.G.); (M.S.); (M.L.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Fiona Bhondoekhan
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (Y.L.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (B.D.L.M.)
| | - Brandon D. L. Marshall
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (Y.L.); (A.M.); (F.B.); (B.D.L.M.)
| | - E. Jennifer Edelman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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Bahji A, Breward N, Duff W, Absher N, Patten SB, Alcorn J, Mousseau DD. Cannabinoids in the management of behavioral, psychological, and motor symptoms of neurocognitive disorders: a mixed studies systematic review. J Cannabis Res 2022; 4:11. [PMID: 35287749 PMCID: PMC8922797 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-022-00119-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Aim
We undertook this systematic review to determine the efficacy and safety of cannabis-based medicine as a treatment for behavioral, psychological, and motor symptoms associated with neurocognitive disorders.
Methods
We conducted a PRISMA-guided systematic review to identify studies using cannabis-based medicine to treat behavioral, psychological, and motor symptoms among individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). We considered English-language articles providing original data on three or more participants, regardless of design.
Findings
We identified 25 studies spanning 1991 to 2021 comprised of 14 controlled trials, 5 pilot studies, 5 observational studies, and 1 case series. In most cases, the cannabinoids tested were dronabinol, whole cannabis, and cannabidiol, and the diagnoses included AD (n = 11), PD (n = 11), and HD (n = 3). Primary outcomes were motor symptoms (e.g., dyskinesia), sleep disturbance, cognition, balance, body weight, and the occurrence of treatment-emergent adverse events.
Conclusions
A narrative summary of the findings from the limited number of studies in the area highlights an apparent association between cannabidiol-based products and relief from motor symptoms in HD and PD and an apparent association between synthetic cannabinoids and relief from behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia across AD, PD, and HD. These preliminary conclusions could guide using plant-based versus synthetic cannabinoids as safe, alternative treatments for managing neuropsychiatric symptoms in neurocognitive vulnerable patient populations.
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Ahluwalia A, Rafizadeh R, White RF, Bahji A, Danilewitz M. Listening to the Patient's Voice: A Patient-Centred Approach to Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia. Can J Psychiatry 2022; 67:235-237. [PMID: 34889122 PMCID: PMC8935595 DOI: 10.1177/07067437211066262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amrit Ahluwalia
- University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
| | - Reza Rafizadeh
- BC Psychosis Program, 60299British Columbia Mental Health & Substance Use Services, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Randall F White
- BC Psychosis Program, 60299British Columbia Mental Health & Substance Use Services, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, 8166University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, 2129University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,25487 Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, Ontario, Canada
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Bahji A, Brothers TD, Danilewitz M. Considering Cannabis Use in Differential Diagnosis: A Teachable Moment. JAMA Intern Med 2022; 182:66-67. [PMID: 34842899 PMCID: PMC8881091 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.6901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Thomas D Brothers
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Bahji A, Bach P, Danilewitz M, El-Guebaly N, Doty B, Thompson L, Clarke DE, Ghosh SM, Crockford D. Strategies to aid self-isolation and quarantine for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. Psychiatr Res Clin Pract 2021; 3:184-190. [PMID: 34901762 PMCID: PMC8652932 DOI: 10.1176/appi.prcp.20210022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) have a higher risk of contracting COVID‐19 than individuals without SPMI. In combination with physical distancing, hygiene protocols, and vaccines, quarantine and self‐isolation are primary means of viral containment. However, individuals with SPMI may experience more difficulties with mandated quarantine or self‐isolation because of their illness(es), stigma, and marginalization. To date, there is a lack of consensus on strategies that could aid such individuals in completing isolation. Aim This review aimed to synthesize evidence for interventions to support self‐isolation and mandated quarantine for COVID‐19 among individuals with SPMIs. Methods We followed the PRISMA guidelines, searching 19 electronic databases (9 published literature registries and 10 gray literature sources). We looked for relevant randomized controlled trials, quasi‐experimental studies, and program evaluations of the effectiveness of relevant psychosocial, pharmacological, harm reduction, and addiction management strategies to support isolation settings or quarantine requirements for individuals with any SPMI (e.g., any mental disorder, substance use disorder, or their combination). Findings Of 10,298 total records that were located, 5582 were duplicate citations. Upon screening the remaining 4716 unique records by title and abstract, we excluded a further 3562 records. Only one original article met our inclusion criteria after reviewing the full texts of the remaining 1154 citations. To support individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID‐19 pandemic, San Francisco developed an isolation hotel that reduced COVID‐19 hospital strain for 1009 participants (25% had a mental health disorder and 26% had a substance use disorder). While 81% completed their hotel stay, 48 patients had behavioral health needs that exceeded the hotel's capabilities. No other studies met our review's eligibility criteria. Most articles located by the search simply proposed solutions or discussed the challenges brought by COVID‐19 for people with SPMIs. While some documents went a step further (e.g., shelter guidance documents to support individuals experiencing homelessness), these rarely addressed individuals with SPMIs directly. Conclusions This systematic review evaluated evidence from published and gray literature on interventions to support self‐isolation and mandated COVID‐19 quarantine for individuals with SPMIs. Only one study met our inclusion criteria. This study found a beneficial effect of a dedicated isolation hotel for individuals experiencing homelessness and COVID‐19—where approximately 25%–50% of the study sample had a mental or substance use disorder. While there has been an abundance of COVID‐19 protocols in general, information for SPMIs is lacking. As the pandemic continues and we better prepare for future pandemics, developing protocols for supporting SPMIs in this context is imperative. Individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) have a higher risk of contracting COVID‐19 than individuals without SPMI. This review aimed to synthesize evidence for interventions to support self‐isolation and mandated quarantine for COVID‐19 among individuals with SPMIs. Only one study met our inclusion criteria. This study found a beneficial effect of a dedicated isolation hotel for individuals experiencing homelessness and COVID‐19—where approximately 25%–50% of the study sample had a mental or substance use disorder. While there has been an abundance of COVID‐19 protocols in general, information for SPMIs is lacking. As the pandemic continues and we better prepare for future pandemics, developing protocols for supporting SPMIs in this context is imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry University of Calgary Calgary Canada.,British Columbia Center for Substance Use Vancouver Canada
| | - Paxton Bach
- British Columbia Center for Substance Use Vancouver Canada.,Department of Medicine University of British Columbia Vancouver Canada
| | | | - Nady El-Guebaly
- Department of Psychiatry University of Calgary Calgary Canada
| | - Benjamin Doty
- Division of Research American Psychiatric Association Washington District of Columbia USA
| | - Laura Thompson
- Division of Research American Psychiatric Association Washington District of Columbia USA
| | - Diana E Clarke
- Division of Research American Psychiatric Association Washington District of Columbia USA
| | - Sumantra Monty Ghosh
- Department of Psychiatry University of Calgary Calgary Canada.,Department of Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Canada
| | - David Crockford
- Department of Psychiatry University of Calgary Calgary Canada
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Devoe DJ, Dimitropoulos G, Anderson A, Bahji A, Flanagan J, Soumbasis A, Patten SB, Lange T, Paslakis G. The prevalence of substance use disorders and substance use in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Eat Disord 2021; 9:161. [PMID: 34895358 PMCID: PMC8666057 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-021-00516-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) often present with substance use and substance use disorders (SUDs). However, the prevalence of substance use and SUDs in AN has not been studied in-depth, especially the differences in the prevalence of SUDs between AN types [e.g., AN-R (restrictive type) and AN-BP (binge-eating/purge type]. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence of SUDs and substance use in AN samples. METHOD Systematic database searches of the peer-reviewed literature were conducted in the following online databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, and CINAHL from inception to January 2021. We restricted review eligibility to peer-reviewed research studies reporting the prevalence for either SUDs or substance use in individuals with AN. Random-effects meta-analyses using Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformations were performed on eligible studies to estimate pooled proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Fifty-two studies met the inclusion criteria, including 14,695 individuals identified as having AN (mean age: 22.82 years). Random pooled estimates showed that substance use disorders had a 16% prevalence in those with AN (AN-BP = 18% vs. AN-R = 7%). Drug abuse/dependence disorders had a prevalence of 7% in AN (AN-BP = 9% vs. AN-R = 5%). In studies that looked at specific abuse/dependence disorders, there was a 10% prevalence of alcohol abuse/dependence in AN (AN-BP = 15% vs. AN-R = 3%) and a 6% prevalence of cannabis abuse/dependence (AN-BP = 4% vs. AN-R = 0%). In addition, in terms of substance use, there was a 37% prevalence for caffeine use, 29% prevalence for alcohol use, 25% for tobacco use, and 14% for cannabis use in individuals with AN. CONCLUSION This is the most comprehensive meta-analysis on the comorbid prevalence of SUDs and substance use in persons with AN, with an overall pooled prevalence of 16%. Comorbid SUDs, including drugs, alcohol, and cannabis, were all more common in AN-BP compared to AN-R throughout. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the high prevalence of SUD comorbidity and substance use in individuals with AN. Finally, clinicians should consider screening for SUDs and integrating treatments that target SUDs in individuals with AN. Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) may also present with substance use or have a substance use disorder (SUDs). Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of substance use and substance use disorders in individuals with AN. We examined published studies that reported the prevalence of either substance use or SUDs in individuals with AN. We found that substance use disorders had a 16% prevalence and that drug abuse/dependence disorders had a prevalence of 7% in those with AN. These rates were much higher in individuals with binge-eating/purging type compared to the restrictive AN. However, many specific substance use disorders and substance use types were low in individuals with AN. Nonetheless, clinicians should be aware of the high prevalence of SUD comorbidity and substance use in individuals with AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Devoe
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Gina Dimitropoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Alida Anderson
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Jordyn Flanagan
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Andrea Soumbasis
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Scott B Patten
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Tom Lange
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Georgios Paslakis
- Ruhr-University Bochum, University Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Campus East-Westphalia, Lübbecke, Germany
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48
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Abstract
This cross-sectional study investigates the national prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and nonmedical prescription stimulant use among Canadian medical students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- The British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marlon Danilewitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eva Guerin
- Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brandon Maser
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erica Frank
- The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- The Annenberg Physician Training Program in Addiction Medicine, Bethel, Minnesota
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49
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Di Nota PM, Kasurak E, Bahji A, Groll D, Anderson GS. Coping among public safety personnel: A systematic review and meta–analysis. Stress Health 2021; 37:613-630. [PMID: 34597464 PMCID: PMC8013542 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Public safety personnel (PSP) are routinely exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs) that, in turn, can result in posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSI), including burnout and increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, the longitudinal impact of PPTEs on PSP coping remains unclear. Coping can be operationalized as various strategies (i.e., behaviours, skills, thought and emotion regulation) for dealing with stressors, which are broadly categorized as either approach (adaptive, positive, social support) or avoidant coping strategies (maladaptive withdrawal, avoidance, substance use). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate longitudinal coping outcomes among PSP. Thirteen eligible repeated-measures studies explicitly evaluated coping in 1854 police officers, firefighters, and rescue and recovery workers. Study designs included randomized-control trials, within-subject interventions and observational studies. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) at follow-up were described in 11 studies. Separate meta-analyses reveal small (d < 0.2) but non-significant improvements in approach and avoidant coping. Studies were of moderate quality and low risk of publication bias. Heterogeneity in outcome measures, follow-up durations, and study types precluded subgroup analyses. The current findings can inform the development and evaluation of organizational training programs that effectively promote sustained adaptive coping for PSP and mitigate PTSIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M. Di Nota
- Office of Applied Research and Graduate StudiesJustice Institute of British ColumbiaNew Westminster, BCCanada,Department of PsychologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Emily Kasurak
- Department of PsychiatryQueen's UniversityKingston, OntarioCanada
| | - Anees Bahji
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryCanada
| | - Dianne Groll
- Department of PsychiatryQueen's UniversityKingston, OntarioCanada
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50
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Bahji A, Forth E, Hargreaves T, Harkness K. Genetic markers of the stress generation model: A systematic review. Psychiatry Res 2021; 304:114139. [PMID: 34371296 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
AIM Robust evidence suggests that depression, and risk for depression, are associated with the generation of stressful life events. This tendency to generate stress may be genetically determined. This systematic review aimed to identify specific molecular genetic markers associated with the generation of interpersonal stressful life events, at least in part dependent on individuals' behavior. METHOD We followed the PRISMA guidelines in searching six electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane, and EMBASE) from inception to January 2021, and we reviewed the reference lists of eligible articles for additional records. We restricted eligibility to empirical studies involving at least one genetic marker and including proximal life events. We evaluated the risk of bias using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale for observational studies. The outcome permitted a distinction between life events dependent on the individual's agency versus independent events. RESULTS Seven studies, including 3585 participants, met eligibility criteria. Three were longitudinal, and four were cross-sectional; six included adolescents and young adults, and one focused on middle adulthood. Four examined the serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR), two examined the rs53576 single nucleotide polymorphism of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), and one examined a multilocus genetic profile score including four hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis genes. There were no significant direct correlations between genotype and life events in any study. Instead, their relation was significantly moderated by symptoms, exposure to early adversity, or attachment. Consistent with the stress generation hypothesis, this moderation relation was significant in predicting exposure to dependent life events but was not significant in predicting independent life event exposure. CONCLUSIONS There is evidence that genetic variation in the serotonin, HPA axis, and oxytocin systems moderates the effects of psychosocial vulnerability markers on the generation of proximal, dependent life events. Future research should examine additional genetic markers in systems known to confer risk for stress generation. PROSPERO CRD42019136886.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anees Bahji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Evan Forth
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Tegan Hargreaves
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Kate Harkness
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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