Why we need to pursue both universal and targeted prevention to reduce the incidence of affective and psychotic disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis

The effectiveness of universal preventive approaches in reducing the incidence of affective/psychotic disorders is unclear. We therefore aimed to synthesise the available evidence from randomised controlled trials. For studies reporting change in prevalence, we simulated all possible scenarios for the proportion of individuals with the disorder at baseline and at follow-up to exclude them. We then combined these data with studies directly measuring incidence and conducted random effects meta-analysis with relative risk (RR) to estimate the incidence in the intervention group compared to the control group. Eighteen studies (k=21 samples) were included investigating the universal prevention of depression in 66,625 individuals. No studies were available investigating universal prevention on the incidence of bipolar/psychotic disorders. 63 % of simulated scenarios showed a significant preventive effect on reducing the incidence of depression (k=9 - 19, RR=0.75-0.94, 95 %CIs=0.55-0.87,0.93-1.15, p=0.007-0.246) but did not survive sensitivity analyses. There is some limited evidence for the effectiveness of universal interventions for reducing the incidence of depression but not for bipolar/psychotic disorders.

Does the polarity of radial head arthroplasty affect functional outcomes?: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Radial head arthroplasty allows a high degree of customizability, and implant polarity has emerged as an important variable. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate differences in functional and clinical outcomes between patients receiving monopolar and bipolar radial head prosthetic implants.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis were employed, and 65 articles were identified in three databases. Twelve articles contained non-English or insufficient text and were consequently excluded, and 20 others did not contain sufficient data or follow-up. The remaining 33 articles were qualitatively and quantitatively reviewed.

Results

In total, 33 populations were identified, with 809 unduplicated patients: 565 with monopolar and 244 with bipolar implants. In these respective patients, the mean follow-up was 40.2 and 56.9 months. Average Mayo Elbow Performance Score were 86.7 and 87.4 (P=0.80), respectively; average Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores were 17.9 and 14.7 (P=0.47), and average final flexion/extension arcs were 119.4° and 118.7° (P=0.48). Revision rates were 4.07% and 6.56%, while complication rates were 19.65% and 20.08% in the respective monopolar and bipolar patients. These increased relative risks associated with bipolar implants were not significant.

Conclusions

Radial head implant polarity does not appear to affect functional outcomes. While bipolar prosthetic design may increase the risks of revision and complications, the increases were not significant.

Social cognition and neurocognition in first-episode bipolar disorder and psychosis: The effect of negative and attenuated positive symptoms

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are associated with neurocognitive and social-cognitive impairments. To date very few studies investigated social cognition in first-episode bipolar disorder (FEBD). Our main aim was to investigate the differences in social cognition and neurocognition between FEBD and first-episode psychosis (FEP). Another aim was to investigate neurocognitive correlates of negative symptoms and attenuated psychotic symptoms in FEBD.

METHODS

This study included 55 FEBD, 64 FEP and 43 healthy controls. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery assessing social cognition, processing speed, verbal and visual memory, working memory, sustained attention, and executive functions was administered to all participants.

RESULTS

Both FEBD and FEP were associated with widespread deficits in all neurocognitive domains and social cognition. Both FEP (d = -1.19) and FEBP (d = -0.88) were also impaired in social cognition. In FEP, effect sizes (Cohen's d) of neurocognitive deficits ranged from -0.71 to -1.56. FEBD was also associated with relatively milder but similar neurocognitive deficits (d = -0.61 to-1.17). FEBD group performed significantly better than FEP group in verbal and visual memory, processing speed, and executive function domains (d = -0.40 to-0.52). Negative symptoms and social functioning were associated with neuropsychological impairment in both groups. The severity of attenuated psychotic symptoms was associated with poorer verbal memory in FEBD (r = -0.39, p < 0.01).

LIMITATIONS

The cross-sectional nature of the current study is the main limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurocognitive and social-cognitive deficits are evident in both FEBD and FEP. In FEBD, more severe memory deficits might be markers of clinical overlap and shared neurobiological vulnerability with psychotic disorders.

Longitudinal associations between psychedelic use and psychotic symptoms in the United States and the United Kingdom

It has long been speculated that psychedelic use could provoke the onset of psychosis, but there is little evidence to support this conjecture. Using a longitudinal research design with samples representative of the US and UK adult populations with regard to sex, age, and ethnicity (n = 9732), we investigated associations between psychedelic use and change in the number of psychotic symptoms during the two-month study period. In covariate-adjusted regression models, psychedelic use during the study period was not associated with a change in the number of psychotic symptoms unless it interacted with a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, in which case the number of symptoms increased, or with a personal (but not family) history of psychotic disorders, in which case the number of symptoms decreased. Taken together, these findings indicate that psychedelic use may affect psychotic symptoms in individuals with a personal or family history of certain disorders characterized by psychotic symptomatology.

Neurocognition and social cognition in youth and young adults at ultra-high-risk for psychosis and bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are associated with significant deficits in neurocognition and social cognition. Unlike the studies in chronic stages of these disorders, very limited information is available regarding neurocognitive and social-cognitive impairment before the onset of bipolar disorder. Our main aim was to investigate the differences in neurocognition and social cognition between individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR-P) and bipolar disorder (UHR-BD).

METHODS

This study included 152 help-seeking individuals identified as UHR-P (n = 78) and UHR-BD (n = 74), who were compared with a healthy control group (n = 43). A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was administered to all participants.

RESULTS

UHR-P was associated with widespread deficits in all neurocognitive and social-cognitive domains. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) of these deficits ranged from -0.57 to -1.34. UHR-BD was associated with significant deficits in processing speed, executive functions, sustained attention and social cognition (d = -0.48 to-0.70, p < 0.05). UHR-P performed significantly worse than UHR-BD in social cognition, processing speed, verbal memory and executive function domains (d = -0.39 to-0.64, p < 0.05). Negative symptoms were associated with impaired social cognition in the UHR-P group and verbal memory deficits in the UHR-BD group. Cognitive impairment was associated with functional impairment in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

While UHR-P is associated with more widespread cognitive impairment, deficits in processing speed, executive functions, sustained attention and social cognition might be common features of both UHR groups. In early intervention services, cognition should be considered as a target for assessment and intervention not only for individuals at high risk for psychosis but also for bipolar disorder.

Decreased serum allopregnanolone and progesterone levels in male patients with bipolar disorder and their effects on cognitive functions

The progression of bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by recurrent episodes of depression, mania, and hypomania, thus affecting the daily functionality of individuals. Previous studies have shown that a large proportion of patients diagnosed with BD who are in clinical remission experience significant functional disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between cognitive impairment and serum progesterone, allopregnanolone and BDNF levels in male bipolar disorder patients who are in the euthymic period. Our study included 41 euthymic male patients with bipolar disorder and 40 age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and smoking-matched male healthy control subjects. Neuropsychiatric tests such as the Stroop Test TBAG Form, Auditory Verbal Digit Span Test- Form B (VADS-B) and Cancellation Test were administered to all participants, and 5-7 ml of peripheral venous blood sample was taken from all participants. Serum allopregnanolone, progesterone and BDNF levels were also measured in all participants. Serum allopregnanolone and progesterone levels were found to be lower in bipolar patients, and it was observed that the serum level of allopregnanolone decreased as the disease duration increased. The serum BDNF levels were similar between groups. The cognitive functions assessed using the Stroop, VADS-B and cancellation tests were found to be better in healthy subjects. The neurocognitive test performances of all participants were strongly positively correlated with allopregnanolone levels. The present study supports the hypothesis that allopregnanolone acts as an endogenous mood stabilizer.

Transurethral bipolar enucleation using a TUEB loop for large benign prostatic hyperplasia: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of transurethral enucleation with bipolar system (TUEB) regardless of the prostate size using a specially developed TUEB loop.

METHODS

A total of 251 patients who underwent TUEB were categorized into two groups depending on the prostate volume (PV): small-PV (≤ 80 mL) group, 133 patients; large-PV (> 80 mL) group, 118 patients. Comparisons of background information and treatment outcomes were performed between the groups.

RESULTS

Operation (113.5 vs 166.4 min), enucleation (49.4 vs 68.1 min), and morcellation (11.4 vs 26.4 min) times were longer and hemoglobin decreased significantly (0.84 vs 1.30 g/dL) in the large PV group. However, the enucleation efficiency (enucleated weight per enucleation time; 0.71 vs 0.97 g/min) and prostate-specific antigen reduction rate (24.6% vs 16.1%) were significantly better in the large-PV group, with similar enucleation rates (enucleated weight per transitional zone volume; 82% vs 81%). The International Prostate Symptom Score, uroflowmetry maximum flow rate, and post-void residual urine in both groups improved at 3, 6, and 12 months compared with baseline. No patient underwent blood transfusion. There were no differences in the frequency of postoperative clot retention, urethral stricture, or stress incontinence at 3, 6, and 12 months.

CONCLUSION

TUEB using a TUEB loop resulted in high levels of satisfaction regarding the enucleation efficiency, efficacy, and safety for BPH surgery regardless of the prostate size. TUEB should be considered one of the best treatment options for large BPH that is uncontrollable with medication.

Effect of reference electrode on intracardiac electrograms: Close indifferent electrode vs Wilson central terminal

BACKGROUND

Unipolar electrograms (uni-EGMs) are an essential part of intracardiac mapping. Although Wilson central terminal (WCT) is conventionally used as a reference for signals, avoidance of contamination by far-field and nonphysiologic signals is challenging.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to explore the impact of an intracardiac indifferent reference electrode close to the recording electrodes, in lieu of WCT, on electrograms.

METHODS

Sinus node activation was mapped in patients undergoing catheter ablation by a multielectrode array with a close indifferent electrode (CIE) embedded in the distal end of the catheter shaft. An equal number of points was sequentially acquired at each site with use of CIE as a reference first and subsequently with WCT. Uni-EGMs, bipolar EGMs, and the earliest activation area (defined as the area activated in the first 10 ms of the beat) were compared between CIE- and WCT-based activation maps.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients (61 ± 18 years; 76% male) were studied. Uni-EGM voltages acquired with CIE were significantly larger than (n = 11) or comparable to (n = 4) those acquired with WCT. When points from the entire cohort were analyzed altogether, unipolar voltages and their maximum negative dV/dT and bipolar voltages recorded with CIE were significantly larger than those recorded with WCT (2.36 [1.42-3.79] mV vs 1.96 [1.25-3.03] mV, P < .0001; 0.40 [0.18-0.77] mV/s vs 0.35 [0.15-0.71] mV/s, P < .0001; and 1.46 [0.66-2.81] mV vs 1.33 [0.54-2.64] mV, P < .0001, respectively). The earliest activation area was significantly smaller in CIE-based activation maps than in WCT-based ones (0.3 [0.7-1.4] cm2 vs 0.6 [1.0-1.8] cm2, P = .01).

CONCLUSION

CIE-based maps were associated with an approximately 20% increase in unipolar voltage and may highlight the origin of a focal activation more clearly than WCT-based ones.

Tripolar configuration and pulse shape in cochlear implants reduce channel interactions in the temporal domain

The present study investigates effects of current focusing and pulse shape on threshold, dynamic range, spread of excitation and channel interaction in the time domain using cochlear implant stimulation. The study was performed on 20 adult guinea pigs using a 6-channel animal cochlear implant, recording was performed in the auditory midbrain using a multielectrode array. After determining the best frequencies for individual recording contacts with acoustic stimulation, the ear was deafened and a cochlear implant was inserted into the cochlea. The position of the implant was controlled by x-ray. Stimulation with biphasic, pseudomonophasic and monophasic stimuli was performed with monopolar, monopolar with common ground, bipolar and tripolar configuration in two sets of experiments, allowing comparison of the effects of the different stimulation strategies on threshold, dynamic range, spread of excitation and channel interaction. Channel interaction was studied in the temporal domain, where two electrodes were activated with pulse trains and phase locking to these pulse trains in the midbrain was quantified. The results documented multifactorial influences on the response properties, with significant interaction between factors. Thresholds increased with increasing current focusing, but decreased with pseudomonophasic and monophasic pulse shapes. The results documented that current focusing, particularly tripolar configuration, effectively reduces channel interaction, but that also pseudomonophasic and monophasic stimulation and phase duration intensity coding reduce channel interactions.

Bipolarity in Older individuals Living without Drugs (BOLD): Protocol and preliminary findings

INTRODUCTION

Although clinical guidelines regard prophylactic medication as the cornerstone of treatment, it is estimated almost half of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) live without medication. This group is underrepresented in research but can provide indispensable knowledge on natural course, resilience and self-management strategies. We aim to describe the clinical phenotype of patients diagnosed with BD who have discontinued maintenance treatment.

METHODS

The mixed-methods BOLD study included 58 individuals aged 50 years and over with BD that did not use maintenance medication in the past 5 years. A preliminary, quantitative comparison of clinical characteristics between BOLD and our pre-existing cohort of >220 older BD outpatients with medication (Dutch Older Bipolars, DOBi) was performed.

RESULTS

BD-I, psychiatric comorbidities, number of mood episodes and lifetime psychotic features were more prevalent in BOLD compared to DOBi. BOLD participants had a younger age at onset and reported more childhood trauma. BOLD participants reported fewer current mood symptoms and higher cognitive, social, and global functioning.

LIMITATIONS

Our findings may not be generalizable to all individuals diagnosed with BD living without maintenance medication due to selection-bias.

CONCLUSION

A group of individuals exists that meets diagnostic criteria of BD and is living without maintenance medication. They appear to be relatively successful in terms of psychosocial functioning, although they do not have a milder clinical course than those on maintenance medication. The high prevalence of childhood trauma warrants further investigation. Future analyses will examine differences between BOLD and DOBi per domain (e.g. cognition, physical health, psychosocial functioning, coping).

Affect dimensions and variability during major depressive episodes: Ecological momentary assessment of unipolar, bipolar, and borderline patients and healthy controls

Differentiating major depressive episodes (MDEs) of major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (MDE/BD) and the MDEs comorbid with borderline personality disorder (MDE/BPD) is crucial for appropriate treatment, and knowledge of phenomenological differences may aid this. However, studies comparing affect experiences of these three patient groups and healthy subjects are scarce. In our study, participants (N = 114), including patients with MDD (n = 34), MDE/BD (n = 27), and MDE/BPD (n = 24), and healthy controls (HC, n = 29) responded to ecological momentary assessment (EMA) with ten circumplex model affect items ten times daily for seven days (7709 recordings). Explorative factor analysis resulted in two affect dimensions. The positive dimension included active, excited, cheerful (high arousal), and content (low arousal) affects, and the negative dimension irritated, angry, and nervous (high arousal) affects. Relative to HC, patients reported 3.5-fold negative affects (mean MDD 1.36 (SD 0.92), MDE/BD 1.43 (0.76), MDE/BPD 1.81 (0.95) vs. HC 0.44 (0.49) (p < 0.01)) but 0.5-fold positive affects (2.01 (0.90), 1.95 (0.89), 2.24 (1.03), vs. 3.2 (0.95), respectively (p < 0.01)). We used multilevel modelling. Negative-affect within-individual stability was lowest in MDE/BPD and highest in MDD. Negative affect predicted concurrent positive affect more in MDE/BPD than in MDD. Moderate size of subcohorts and no inpatients were limitations. Despite apparently similar MDEs, affective experiences may differ between BPD, BD, and MDD patients. Clinical subgroups of patients with depression may vary in affective instability and concurrent presence of negative and positive affects during depression.

The prevalence and odds of bipolar disorder in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) suffer from psychological difficulties like bipolar disorder. Various studies in the literature report several prevalence rates of bipolar disorder in women with PCO, while there is no systematic review in this field. So, we designed this systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence and odds of bipolar disorder in women with PCO disease.

METHOD

PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and references of the references, conference abstracts were comprehensively searched by two independent researchers. The search was done on May 1st, 2023.

RESULTS

A literature search revealed 438 records, 35 full texts were evaluated, and finally, 11 studies remained for systematic review. Totally, 73,102 women with PCO and 340,724 controls were evaluated. Among cases, 1471 had bipolar diagnosis vs. 4321 controls. The prevalence of bipolar disorder in women with PCO ranged between 0 and 27%, and the pooled prevalence was estimated as 4% (95% CI, 2-5%; I2, 99.3%, p < 0.001). The odds of bipolar disorder in women with PCO ranged between 0.98 and 8.78, and the pooled estimate was 2.06 (95% CI, 1.61-2.63) (I2, 85.6%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis show that the pooled prevalence of bipolar disorder in women with PCO is 4%, and women with PCO are at a 2-fold higher risk of bipolar disorder.

Improved Bipolar Properties of Ester-Functionalized Discotic Diimine-Dithiolene Complexes

A series of platinum diimine-dithiolene complexes with a 5,6-dihydro-1,4-dithiin-2,3-dithiolato (dddt2- ) dithiolene ligand and a bipyridine carrying tris-alkoxyphenyl fragments connected through an ester linker (bpyCn, n=8, 12, 16, 10(s), 20) (Scheme 1) has been developed. The mesomorphic properties of the ligands and of the platinum complexes have been investigated by a combination of DSC, POM and SAXS analyses. The platinum complexes were found to self-organize into columnar mesophases of hexagonal symmetry over large temperature range including room temperature. Their electronic properties were also characterized by a combination of electrochemistry, absorption and emission spectroscopy measurements and TD-DFT calculations. Besides being liquid crystalline, these compounds can undergo two oxidation processes and two reduction processes in a fully reversible manner, allowing the isolation of stable dicationic and dianionic species. Such a behavior is highly promising for the development of ambipolar semiconducting soft materials.

Novel Bipolar High-Voltage Pulsed Radiofrequency Targeting the Cervical Sympathetic Chain for Treating Acute Herpetic Neuralgia

INTRODUCTION

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in the oral, maxillofacial, neck, and upper limb regions is a refractory neuropathic pain and severely affects the quality of life of patients. Because of the absence of ideal treatments for this condition, relieving pain in the acute stage and preventing the occurrence of PHN are of great clinical significance. However, the optimal intervention for this acute herpetic neuralgia remains obscure.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate whether bipolar high-voltage pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) targeting the cervical sympathetic chain could effectively treat acute herpetic neuralgia in the oral, maxillofacial, neck, and upper limb regions and reduce the incidence of PHN.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 patients with acute herpetic neuralgia in the oral, maxillofacial, neck, and upper limb regions were enrolled. The radiofrequency group (n = 30) received bipolar high-voltage PRF under ultrasound guidance at the level of the transverse processes of C6 and C7 to modulate the cervical sympathetic chain. In the sham group (n = 30), the electrodes were simply placed at the same position as in the radiofrequency group, but no radiofrequency energy was applied. The same treatment was repeated in each group after 72 hours. If patients were reported to have a visual analog scale (VAS) score ≥4, they would receive oral tramadol and gabapentin as rescue analgesics. The VAS score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score, use of tramadol and gabapentin, incidence of PHN, and adverse reactions were recorded to assess the effect and safety of therapy during three months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Decreased VAS scores, PSQI scores, and improved SF-36 scores were detected in the two groups at different time points after treatment (all p < 0.05). The VAS scores, PSQI scores, use of tramadol and gabapentin, and incidence of PHN were significantly lower, whereas the SF-36 scores were significantly higher in the radiofrequency group than in the Sham group (all p < 0.05). No serious adverseness related to the treatment was detected in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Bipolar high-voltage PRF treatment targeting the cervical sympathetic chain could effectively relieve acute herpetic neuralgia in the oral, maxillofacial, neck, and upper limb regions and reduce PHN incidence. The efficacy and safety of this novel treatment make it worthy of recommendation for clinical application.

Long-term risk of reoperation after modular hemiarthroplasty : Any differences between uni- or bipolar design?

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether unipolar (UHA) or bipolar (BHA) hemiarthroplasty should be the preferred treatment of femoral neck fracture (FNF).

AIM

We investigated the reoperation rate at 13 years post-fracture after BHA and UHA as treatment of FNF, including a subgroup analysis of individuals who survived 5 years or more, and described the reasons for reoperation after BHA and UHA respectively.

METHODS

In an observational cohort study on prospectively collected national register data, 16,216 BHA and 22,186 UHA were available for matching. A propensity score for treatment with bipolar HA was estimated using logistic regression. Matching was done using the 1:1 nearest neighbor matching without replacement. Of the 16,216 BHA patients, 12,280 were matched to a UHA control. A subgroup analysis based on the matched sample excluded individuals who died within 5 years and comprised 3,637 individuals with BHA and 3,537 with UHA. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used.

RESULTS

In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, 92% of the BHA group was free from reoperation at 13 years (95% CI 0.91-0.93), compared to 92% in the UHA group (CI 0.89-0.94). BHA was associated with more reoperations until 3 years. Reoperation due to infection was most common after BHA, n = 212 (1.7%) compared to n = 141 (1.1%) after UHA. Dislocation led to reoperation in 192 of the BHA cases (1.6%) and in 157 of the UHA cases (1.3%). Acetabular erosion/pain occurred in 0.1% and 0.4%. Amongst those surviving ≥ 5 years, 93% of the BHA group was free from reoperation (CI 0.92-0.94) at 13 years, 92% after UHA (CI 0.90-0.94). BHA had more reoperations during the 1st year only. The causes for reoperations showed similar rates except for acetabular erosion/pain. Here the BHA group had 2 cases (0.1%), the UHA had 39 (1.1%).

CONCLUSION

With a modular hemiarthroplasty relatively few patients need a reoperation. During the first years, there is a higher reoperation rate after BHA compared to UHA. Thereafter, no differences are seen. In patients who survive ≥ 5 years after the fracture there are more reoperations due to acetabular erosion after UHA, but crude numbers are extremely low, and the total reoperation rate is not affected.

The relationship between dysfunctional attitudes, maladaptive perfectionism, metacognition and symptoms of mania and depression in bipolar disorder: The role of self-compassion as a mediating factor

BACKGROUND

Maladaptive cognitions appear to be associated with the severity of mood symptoms in bipolar disorder (BD), but findings are mixed and generally cross-sectional in design.

METHOD

This study (n = 331) explored the associations between maladaptive cognitions and mood symptoms in BD over time (3 months), and the potential mediating effect of self-compassion cross-sectionally. Dysfunctional attitudes, maladaptive perfectionism and maladaptive metacognitions were explored separately with depressive and manic symptoms, and with current mood state in BD.

RESULTS

The results showed maladaptive metacognitions to be the only significant predictor of depression at 3-month follow-up (β = 0.31, p < .001), with no relationship to mania over time. Cross-sectionally, self-compassion partially mediated the relationship between all maladaptive cognitions and depression, with higher dysfunctional cognitions and lower self-compassion predicting increased severity of depressive symptoms. Only the relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and mania was partially mediated by self-compassion, however, the relationship was weak and suggestive that higher self-compassion predicted increased mania.

LIMITATIONS

The study duration limited the possible analysis. Future longitudinal research is needed. Also, the study sample was not representative of the clinical population, making results less generalisable. Additionally, limited significant findings regarding manic symptoms supports the need for further research into active cognitions during this phase of BD.

CONCLUSIONS

Maladaptive metacognitions were predictive of future depression severity, therefore, further exploration of metacognitive therapy for BD should be explored. Furthermore, self-compassion was shown to partially mediate the relationship between negative cognitions and mood, therefore further exploration of compassion-based therapies for BD is needed.

Antisuicidal effect of lithum in bipolar disorder: is there an age-specific effect?

OBJECTIVE

Our group reported previously a comparable overall antisuicidal effect of lithium and valproate in bipolar patients. We investigated factors associated with higher antisuicidal efficacy of lithium in older individuals.

METHODS

The age-related antisuicidal effect of lithium and valproate was compared in ninety-four (n = 94) high-risk bipolar suicide attempters who participated in a 2.5-year randomized, double-blind trial.

RESULTS

Age significantly moderated the effect of lithium vs. valproate on the risk of suicide event during the study (z = -1.98, p = 0.049). We found that those who were 42 years or older (above the 75th percentile), and on lithium had significantly lower risk of suicidal behavior than older patients on valproate (>42y) or younger (<42 y) patients on either medication (interaction HR = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.01-0.89, z = -2.07, p = 0.039). This difference in risk differences was not explained away by age-related differences in the proportion of participants with bipolar II disorder (Fisher's test p = 0.020) or higher lethality of past suicide attempts in younger participants (Wilcoxon test p = 0.024); neither was there any correlation with age in the longitudinally measured blood lithium levels (t = 1.04, df = 36, p = 0.307) or valproate levels (t = -0.50, df = 41, p = 0.621).

LIMITATIONS

Besides the fact that this is a secondary analysis, a limitation is that the study is not powered to detect suicide deaths or suicide attempts.

CONCLUSION

Bipolar patients randomized to lithium and older than 42 years had less suicidal behavior compared to same aged patients on valproate or younger patients (<42 y) on either medication. This effect was independent of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.

Cardiovascular variations in patients with major depressive disorder versus bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Differentiating depression in major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder is challenging in clinical practice. Therefore, reliable biomarkers are urgently needed to differentiate between these diseases. This study's main objective was to assess whether cardiac autonomic function can distinguish patients with unipolar depression (UD), bipolar depression (BD), and bipolar mania (BM).

METHODS

We recruited 791 patients with mood disorders, including 191 with UD, 286 with BD, and 314 with BM, who had been drug free for at least 2 weeks. Cardiovascular status was measured using heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) indicators via finger photoplethysmography during a 5-min rest period.

RESULTS

Patients with BD showed lower HRV but higher heart rates than those with UD and BM. The PWV indicators were lower in the UD group than in the bipolar disorder group. The covariates of age, sex, and body mass index affected the cardiovascular characteristics. After adjusting for covariates, the HRV and PWV variations among the three groups remained significant. Comparisons between the UD and BD groups showed that the variable with the largest effect size was the frequency-domain indices of HRV, very low and high frequency, followed by heart rate. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for each cardiovascular variable ranged from 0.661 to 0.714. The High-frequency index reached the highest AUC.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional design and the magnitude of heterogeneity across participants with mood disorders limited our findings.

CONCLUSION

Patients with BD, but not BM, had a greater extent of cardiac imbalance than those with UD. Thus, HRV may serve as a psychophysiological biomarker for the differential diagnosis of UD and BD.

Pubertal timing, sex hormone levels, and associations between early life adversity and accelerated development amongst 11-year-old children of parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and controls: The Danish high risk and Resilience study via 11

Background

Children of parents with severe mental illness have several known risk factors for altered pubertal timing. Pubertal timing is important for children's physical and emotional development. We aimed to examine pubertal timing and associations between pubertal timing, early life adversity and child problem behavior including psychiatric diagnoses among children of parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and controls.

Methods

Self-reported Tanner stage (mean age 11.9, range 10.87-12.67), sex hormone levels, home environment, placement out of home, and problem behavior including psychiatric diagnoses of children at familial high-risk (FHR) of schizophrenia (FHR-SZ), bipolar disorder (FHR-BP) and population-based controls (PBC) were assessed.

Results

A total of 465 children participated in the study (Tanner assessment N = 417, sex hormones N = 293). Assessed with self-reported Tanner, no difference in pubertal timing was found between groups (p = 0.09). Hormone levels did not differ between groups except for inhibin B (mean (SD) = 55.86 (29.13) pg/mL for FHR-SZ girls vs 84.98 (47.98) pg/mL) for PBC girls (p < 0.001)) and for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (mean (SD) = 5.82 (1.45) U/L for FHR-BP girls vs 4.54 (1.68) U/L for PBC girls (p < 0.001)). FHR children who were placed out of home (17 children, 3.8% of participants) had higher Tanner stages than those living at home (p < 0.001). Timing was not associated with level of problem behavior or psychiatric diagnoses.

Conclusions

FHR children did not differ from controls in pubertal timing. Early life adversity assessed as placement out of home may be associated with accelerated pubertal timing among children of parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Family environment of youth with first episode Mania

BACKGROUND

The purpose is to compare youth- and caregiver-reported characteristics of family environment, within and between families with a child experiencing a first manic episode of bipolar disorder (BPD), and families without a child with BPD or familial history of psychiatric disorders (HF).

METHODS

Family environment of 61 families with a child with BPD and 44 HF were assessed with Family Environment Scale (FES). We compared FES subscale scores between families with BPD and HF, and caregiver- and youth-rated scores.

RESULTS

Families with BPD differed significantly from HF on 8/10 FES subscales scores. Youth differed significantly from their caregivers on 7/10 subscales. An interaction effect was observed such that youth with BPD reported lower cohesion and organization, and higher conflict than their caregivers; however, HF did not differ significantly on these domains.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that families with BPD have higher conflict and lower cohesion and organization compared to HF. Results also indicate differences between youth and caregiver perspectives in both groups, which may contribute to family discord. Interventions targeting areas of cohesion, organization, and conflict may be beneficial for youth with BPD and their families, specifically those that identify and bridge perceptual divides.

The association between outpatient continuation/maintenance electroconvulsive therapy, readmission risk and total direct cost in patients with depressive, bipolar and psychotic disorders: A naturalistic retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The transdiagnostic effect of continuation/maintenance ECT (CM-ECT) across mood and psychotic disorders on hospital psychiatric readmission risk and total direct cost remains unclear.

METHODS

A naturalistic retrospective analysis of 540 patients who received inpatient acute ECT treatment from May 2017 to Mar 2021 in a tertiary psychiatric institution. Patients were assessed with validated clinical rating scales pre-ECT and after the first 6 treatments of a course of inpatient acute ECT. After discharge, patients who continued with CM-ECT were compared with those not receiving CM-ECT using survival analysis of hospital readmission. Total direct cost (hospitalisation and ECT treatment cost) was also analysed. All patients were subjected to a standard post-discharge monitoring program with case managers checking in on the patients regularly after discharge and ensuring they were given an outpatient appointment within a month of discharge.

RESULTS

Both cohorts had significant improvement in their rating scales scores after their first six 6 sessions of inpatient acute ECT. Patients who continued with CM-ECT after completing their inpatient acute ECT (mean number of acute ECT: N = 9.9, SD 5.3), had a significantly lower risk of readmission [adjusted hazard ratio of 0.68 (95 % CI: 0.49-0.94, p = 0.020)]. Patients who received CM-ECT also had a significantly lower average total direct cost compared to those who did not (SGD$35,259 vs SGD$61,337). For patients with mood disorders, the CM-ECT group had a significantly lower inpatient ECT cost, hospitalisation cost and total direct costs compared to those without CM-ECT.

LIMITATIONS

The naturalistic study cannot prove a causal relationship between CM-ECT and reduced readmission and lower healthcare costs.

CONCLUSION

CM-ECT is associated with lower readmission risks and lower total direct healthcare costs for the treatment of mood and psychotic disorders, especially for mood disorders.

Omnipolar versus bipolar mapping to guide ventricular tachycardia ablation

BACKGROUND

Omnipolar technology (OT) was recently proposed to generate electroanatomic voltage maps with orientation-independent electrograms. We describe the first cohort of patients undergoing ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation guided by OT.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare omnipolar and bipolar high-density maps with regard to voltage amplitude, late potential (LP) annotation, and isochronal late activation mapping distribution.

METHODS

A total of 24 patients (16 [66%] ischemic cardiomyopathy and 12 [50%] redo cases) underwent VT ablation under OT guidance. Twenty-seven sinus rhythm substrate maps and 10 VT activation maps were analyzed. Omnipolar and bipolar (HD Wave Solution algorithm, Abbott, Abbott Park, IL) voltages were compared. Areas of LPs were correlated with the VT isthmus areas, and late electrogram misannotation was evaluated. Deceleration zones based on isochronal late activation maps were analyzed by 2 blinded operators and compared to the VT isthmuses.

RESULTS

OT maps had higher point density (13.8 points/cm2 vs 8.0 points/cm2). Omnipolar points had 7.1% higher voltages than bipolar points within areas of dense scar and border zone. The number of misannotated points was significantly lower for OT maps (6.8% vs 21.9%; P = .01), showing comparable sensitivity (53% vs 59%) but higher specificity (79% vs 63%). The sensitivity and specificity of detection of the VT isthmus in the deceleration zones were, respectively, 75% and 65% for OT and 35% and 55% for bipolar mapping. At 8.4 months, 71% freedom from VT recurrence was achieved.

CONCLUSION

OT is a valuable tool for guiding VT ablation, providing more accurate identification of LPs and isochronal crowding due to slightly higher voltages.

A two-arm, randomised feasibility trial using link workers to improve dental visiting in people with severe mental illness: a protocol paper

BACKGROUND

People with severe mental illness (e.g. psychosis, bipolar disorder) experience poor oral health compared to the general population as shown by more decayed, missing and filled teeth and a higher prevalence of periodontal disease. Attending dental services allows treatment of oral health problems and support for prevention. However, people with severe mental illness face multiple barriers to attending routine dental appointments and often struggle to access care. Link work interventions use non-clinical support staff to afford vulnerable populations the capacity, opportunity, and motivation to navigate use of services. The authors have co-developed with service users a link work intervention for supporting people with severe mental illness to access routine dental appointments. The Mouth Matters in Mental Health Study aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention within the context of a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) measuring outcomes related to the recruitment of participants, completion of assessments, and adherence to the intervention. The trial will closely monitor the safety of the intervention and trial procedures.

METHODS

A feasibility RCT with 1:1 allocation to two arms: treatment as usual (control) or treatment as usual plus a link work intervention (treatment). The intervention consists of six sessions with a link worker over 9 months. Participants will be adults with severe mental illness receiving clinical input from secondary care mental health service and who have not attended a planned dental appointment in the past 3 years. Assessments will take place at baseline and after 9 months. The target recruitment total is 84 participants from across three NHS Trusts. A subset of participants and key stakeholders will complete qualitative interviews to explore the acceptability of the intervention and trial procedures.

DISCUSSION

The link work intervention aims to improve dental access and reduce oral health inequalities in people with severe mental illness. There is a dearth of research relating to interventions that attempt to improve oral health outcomes in people with mental illness and the collected feasibility data will offer insights into this important area.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was preregistered on ISRCTN (ISRCTN13650779) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05545228).

VEGF, IGF-1 and FGF-2 Serum Levels in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder with and without Bipolar Disorder

PURPOSE

To investigate serum levels of VEGF, IGF-1 and FGF-2, and relationships with several clinical characteristics in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with and without bipolar disorder (BD).

METHOD

40 subjects with ASD + BD as study group, and 40 subjects with ASD as control group were included. Serum levels of VEGF, IGF-1, and FGF-2 were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

RESULTS

The study group was significantly higher than the control group in terms of ASD severity, self-harming behavior and sleep disturbance. Serum VEGF and FGF-2 levels were significantly higher in the ASD + BD group than in the control group. There was no significant difference in serum IGF-1 levels between the two groups. There was no correlation between VEGF, IGF-1 and FGF-2 serum levels and ASD severity in the study group. However there was a negative correlation between VEGF levels and age at first diagnosis of BD, and a positive correlation between IGF-1 levels and the number of bipolar episodes in the study group.

CONCLUSION

Growth factors like VEGF and FGF-2 may be potential biomarkers of bipolar disorder in young subjects with ASD. Given the difficulty of clinical management of BD in young subjects with ASD, potential biomarkers would help clinicians in the diagnosis and follow up of BD in this special population. Further research is needed whether VEGF and FGF-2 can be potential biomarkers in the clinical management of young subjects with ASD and BD.

Real-life outcomes in biotypes of psychotic disorders based on neurocognitive performance

Aiming at discerning potential biotypes within the psychotic syndrome, we have recently reported the possible existence of two clusters or biotypes across schizophrenia and bipolar disorder characterized by their cognitive performance using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) instrument and validated with independent biological and clinical indexes (Fernández-Linsenbarth et al. in Schizophr Res 229:102-111, 2021). In this previous work, the group with larger cognitive deficits (N = 93, including 69 chronic schizophrenia, 17 first episodes (FE) of schizophrenia and 7 bipolar disorder patients) showed smaller thalamus and hippocampus volume and hyper-synchronic electroencephalogram than the group with milder deficits (N = 105, including 58 chronic schizophrenia, 25 FE and 22 bipolar disorder patients). We predicted that if these biotypes indeed corresponded to different cognitive and biological substrates, their adaptation to real life would be different. To this end, in the present work we have followed up the patients' population included in that work at 1st and 3rd years after the date of inclusion in the 2021 study and we report on the statistical comparisons of each clinical and real-life outcomes between them. The first cluster, with larger cognitive deficits and more severe biological alterations, showed during that period a decreased capacity for job tenure (1st and 3rd years), more admissions to a psychiatric ward (1st year) and a higher likelihood for quitting psychiatric follow-up (3rd year). Patients in the second cluster, with moderate cognitive deficits, were less compliant with prescribed treatment at the 3rd year. The differences in real-life outcomes may give additional external validity to that yielded by biological measurements to the described biotypes based on neurocognition.

Effects of bipolar disorder on maternal and fetal health during pregnancy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a mental disorder characterized by mood shifts from severe depression to mania. Pregnant women with BD may experience manic or depressive episodes, so they are usually concerned about the effects of BD on their pregnancy. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the effects of BD on maternal health and fetal health, weight, and development. It also addresses how BD affects the probability of incidence of pregnancy complications in women with bipolar compared with healthy controls.

METHODS

Seven electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, MIDRIS, APA PsychINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceOpen) were searched, and 1728 eligible studies were identified. After deduplication, screening, and manual search processes, we included only 15 studies. Descriptive analysis, and calculation of the probability of incidence for each pregnancy outcome were used to analyze the results.

RESULTS

The findings of the included studies suggest that BD during pregnancy may affect both fetal growth and maternal health by increasing the risk of giving birth to an infant with some birth defects such as microcephaly, CNS problems, small for gestational age, and other congenital anomalies, in addition to causing some obstetric complications such as gestational hypertension, preterm labor, need for assisted delivery, hospital readmission, and others.

CONCLUSION

Bipolar disorder during pregnancy negatively affects mothers and their fetuses and increases the probability of incidence of obstetrics complications.

Predominant polarity in bipolar affective disorder and its impact on cognition and quality of life

Background

Bipolar mood disorder or bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) is a chronic illness characterized by phases of mania/hypomania, depression, or mixed episodes. The course of bipolar mood disorder is relapsing in nature. It is associated with high comorbidity rates, a large number of premature deaths due to suicide, and a worse social and work performance. All of those characteristics entail a significant economic impact due to both direct and indirect costs and require an effective diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Lifetime prevalence of BPAD is approximately 4% worldwide. Various attempts have been made to define "predominance" of polarity in BPAD.

Need for this Study

Our study tries to highlight the existence of predominant polarity by comparing effects of the same on substance consumption, cognitive abilities, quality of life, and preponderance of specific polarity to specific gender.

Method

After Institutional Ethics Committee Approval and written informed consent, patients who were diagnosed with BPAD attending out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai were recruited. A total of 57 participants were enrolled. The World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief Scale (WHOQOL BREF) and the Montréal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were both used to evaluate the patients' quality of life and cognitive ability, respectively.

Discussion and Results

Men exhibited manic predominant polarity, while women had depressive predominant polarity, with P value of. 003. Regarding age, illness length, education, substance abuse, family history, and suicide attempts, there was no discernible difference in the polarities. The outcome of female bipolar patients may be improved if the clinician is mindful of the burden of depression, risk of misdiagnosis, and variable therapy response. Interestingly, our study found no significant difference between MoCA scores of those with depressive and manic polarity. Substantial MoCA score differences were found between the groups with depressive polarity and no polarity.

Conclusion

Men were observed to experience more manic episodes. More women in the study experienced predominantly depressive polarity, highlighting the need to probe for a past history of hypomania or mixed episodes to avoid misdiagnosis as unipolar depression in them. Manic predominate polarity performed better in the physical and psychological domains of the post hoc test for quality-of-life BREF scale. There were substantial MoCA score differences between the groups with depressive polarity and no polarity, with the depressive polarity showing more cognitive decline.

Lorazepam use during clinical trials of adults with bipolar mania episodes

Background

Lorazepam has commonly been prescribed to reduce agitation during bipolar 1 mania trials. Its use has varied considerably by trial methodology and in clinical practice.

Methods

The extent and amount of lorazepam treatment was recorded and analyzed from available brief, controlled trials of acute bipolar mania and in clinical reports in adults.

Results

In 3-week, placebo-controlled clinical trials (n = 19), most manic subjects (79%) were treated with lorazepam to reduce agitation. This treatment was most prominent during the antimanic drug wash-out phase that preceded placebo-controlled trials. Doses of lorazepam administered during the first 7-10 days of the pre-trial and the early trial phases averaged 2.2 mg/day. These doses were one-third the lorazepam/clonazepam doses administered during placebo-controlled, non-washout trials. Far higher benzodiazepine doses for manic agitation were noted in emergency department reports. Intake enrollment was strikingly restricted only in placebo-controlled trials that used pretrial drug wash-out.

Conclusions

Medication treatment conclusions from placebo-controlled, drug washout trials are not representative of clinical treatment for acute bipolar mania.

Experiences of decision making about psychotropic medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding in women living with severe mental illness: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of women living with severe mental illnesses making decisions about psychotropic medication use in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and what helped or hindered the decision-making process.

METHODS

We report on a qualitative study from 12 women who attended the pregnancy service between May 2018 and June 2019. Interviews occurred at 4-6 weeks postpartum on women with severe mental illnesses, which was nested within a larger mixed-methods study.

RESULTS

Three main themes were elicited from the participants' transcriptions and included (i) the decision-making process with subthemes of shared decision-making, consistency and complete care, collaboration and clear communication, and challenges of managing medication; (ii) how information is given, with subthemes of information delivery and communication breakdown; and (iii) breastfeeding dilemmas with subthemes of lithium and breastfeeding choice and autonomy regarding breastfeeding on medication.

CONCLUSION

Findings offer understanding of patients' experiences in the decision-making and use of psychotropic medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women living with severe mental illnesses, such as bipolar and psychosis, face difficult medication decisions due to uncertainty around use in pregnancy, potentially causing conflict with their dual role as both persons with a diagnosed mental illness but also new mothers. The clinician needs to provide comprehensible and concise information, giving space for a woman's voice to be heard to guide them from a position of hesitancy to one of assurance. Collaboration within a multidisciplinary team and external care providers combined with consistency of care assists this process.

Brain structural and functional alterations in individuals with combined overweight/obesity and mood disorders: A systematic review of neuroimaging studies

Growing evidence suggests there is a bidirectional relationship between depression and obesity, which are associated with structural and functional brain abnormalities. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms subserving the foregoing associations have yet to be characterized. It is necessary to summarize the neuroplastic brain changes in relation to depression and obesity. We systematically searched articles from 1990 to November 2022 on databases including MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO. Only neuroimaging studies within the scope of potential differences in brain function and structure in individuals with depression and obesity/ BMI changes were included. Twenty-four eligible studies were included in the review herein, consisting of 17 studies reporting changes in brain structure, 4 studies reporting abnormal brain function, and 3 studies reporting both changes in brain structure and function. Results indicated an interaction between depression and obesity on brain functions, and their influence on brain structure is both extensive and specific. Overall, reduced whole brain, intracranial, and gray matter volume (e.g. frontal, temporal gyri, thalamic, and hippocampal) and impaired white matter integrity was observed in persons with depression and obesity comorbidity. Additional evidence on resting state fMRI reveals select brain regions associated with cognitive control, emotion regulation, and reward functions. Due to the diversity of tasks in task fMRI, the distinct neural activation patterns are revealed separately. The bidirectional relationship between depression and obesity reflects different characteristics in brain structure and function. Longitudinal designs should be reinforced in follow-up studies.

All studies are not created equal: A systematic narrative review of bipolar depression clinical trial inclusion/exclusion rules and baseline severity scores

BACKGROUND

Several bipolar depression treatment guidelines have been designed to assist clinicians with medication selection. When ranking medications, none explicitly considered the inclusion/exclusion criteria or baseline severity scores of the reviewed clinical trials. This article aimed to determine if sufficient differences exist in these variables to justify their consideration when designing treatment guidelines.

METHODS

Using Ovid and PubMed databases in May and September 2022, all published, short-term cross-over or parallel-group design studies comparing second generation antipsychotics (SGAs), mood stabilizers, or antidepressants versus placebo in bipolar depressed patients were identified. Included studies must have enrolled adult bipolar I/II depressed patients, randomized patients into two or more treatment groups, utilized a double-blind, prospective design written in English, and had primary outcome results that were statistically significant in favor of the investigational treatment.

RESULTS

Thirty studies met eligibility criteria, comprising a total of 8791 patients. Among those studies, there were seventeen antipsychotic trials, six lithium trials, one lamotrigine trial, three valproate trials, two carbamazepine trials, and two antidepressant trials. The analysis revealed substantial differences among the studies. Although this was seen among all the different drug classes, these differences are clearest when comparing the lithium trials to those of the SGAs.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations included the selection of severity scores from the treatment arm with the most severe score and the exclusive focus on mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and SGAs.

CONCLUSIONS

Severity of the enrolled patient sample and treatment-resistance should be considered in addition to other factors when ranking medications in bipolar depression treatment guidelines.

Comparison of the short-term efficacy and safety of bipolar transurethral electro vaporization and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for moderate and large benign prostatic enlargement

BACKGROUND

To compare the efficacy and safety of bipolar transurethral vaporization of the prostate (B-TUVP) with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for moderate [prostate volume (PV) 30-80 ml] and large (≥ 80 ml) benign prostatic enlargement (BPE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male patients with lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) or urinary retention who underwent B-TUVP or HoLEP treatment in two regional centers were respectively enrolled. Patient characteristics and treatment outcomes were retrospectively compared between B-TUVP and HoLEP.

RESULTS

In patients with moderate and large prostate volume,B-TUVP showed shorter operative time (P < 0.001) and less hemoglobin decrease (P < 0.001) than in HoLEP. In uncatheterised patients, voiding symptoms and patients' quality of life improved after B-TUVP and HoLEP, but these improvement rates were consistently bigger in HoLEP than in B-TUVP. In catheterised patients, the rate of achieving catheter-free status after surgery was higher in HoLEP than in B-TUVP for patients with PV > 80 ml.(P < 0.001) The incidence of postoperative fever was higher in B-TUVP than in HoLEP for patients with PV 30-80 ml (P < 0.001) but not for those with PV > 80 ml.(P=0.08) The Incidence of postoperative stress incontinence(SUI) was higher in HoLEP than in B-TUVP for patients with moderate and large prostate volume.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few studies that investigated the short-term efficacy and safety of second-generation B-TUVP in comparison with HoLEP for moderate and large BPE. Improvement in LUTS and achievement of catheter-free status were predominant in HoLEP, and these outcomes were more prominent in patients with large BPE of PV > 80 ml. However, B-TUVP resulted in less blood loss, shorter operative duration, and less SUI suggesting that B-TUVP is also well-tolerated surgical modality.

Development and initial evaluation of a behavioural intervention to support weight management for people with serious mental illness: an uncontrolled feasibility and acceptability study

BACKGROUND

The rates of obesity and associated health problems are higher in people with serious mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, than the general population. A primary care referral to a behavioural weight management programme can be an effective intervention, but people with SMI have reported barriers to engaging with them and bespoke options are rarely provided in routine practice. It is possible that adjunct support addressing these specific barriers could help. Here we report the development, feasibility and acceptability of an intervention to improve uptake and engagement with a mainstream weight management programme for people with SMI.

METHODS

We worked with people with a lived-experience of SMI and used the person-based approach to develop the 'Weight cHange for people with sErious mEntal iLlness' (WHEEL) intervention. It comprised a referral to a mainstream weight management programme (WW®) to be attended once a week, in-person or online, for 12-weeks. The adjunct support comprised a one-off, online consultation called Meet Your Mentor and weekly, telephone or email Mentor Check Ins for 12-weeks. We assessed the feasibility of WHEEL through the number of programme and adjunct support sessions that the participants attended. We analysed the acceptability of WHEEL using a thematic analysis of qualitative interviews conducted at baseline and at 12-week follow-up. Our exploratory outcome of clinical effectiveness was self-reported weight at baseline and at end-of-programme.

RESULTS

Twenty participants were assessed for eligibility and 17 enrolled. All 17 participants attended Meet Your Mentor and one was lost to follow-up (94% retention). Nine out of 16 attended ≥50% of the weekly programme sessions and 12/16 attended ≥50% of the weekly check-ins. Participants reported in the interviews that the adjunct support helped to establish and maintain a therapeutic alliance. While some participants valued the in-person sessions, others reported that they preferred the online sessions because it removed a fear of social situations, which was a barrier for some participants. The mean change in self-reported weight was - 4·1 kg (SD: 3·2) at 12-weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

A mainstream weight management programme augmented with brief and targeted education and low-intensity check-ins generated sufficient engagement and acceptability to warrant a future trial.

Preventing Complications During Mapping and Ablation of Left Ventricular Summit Arrhythmias

The left ventricular summit is a site of origin for idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias. With advancements in mapping and ablation techniques, sites previously considered inaccessible can now be approached. Anatomical knowledge of the 3-dimensional landmarks of this space is important, as critical structures reside within its boundaries and are potentially liable to collateral injury during ablation. This article reviews reported complications from ablation of ventricular arrhythmias arising from the left ventricular summit and its vicinity and discusses the pros and cons of different ablation technique and the role of an individualized anatomical approach to reduce procedural related complications and improve outcomes.

Comparison of the LigaSure™ bipolar vessel sealer to monopolar electrocoagulation for thoracoscopic lobectomy and lymphadenectomy: a prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

High-energy devices allow better vessel sealing compared with monopolar electrocautery and could improve the outcomes of surgical operations. The objective of the study was to compare tissue dissection by the LigaSure™ device with that by monopolar electrocoagulation for thoracoscopic lobectomy and lymphadenectomy.

METHODS

This pragmatic, parallel group, prospective randomized controlled trial was funded by the Medtronic External Research Program (ISR-2016-10,756) and registered at www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov (NCT03125798). The study included patients aged 18 years or older, who had undergone thoracoscopic lobectomy with lymphadenectomy at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Poznan University of Medical Sciences between May 3, 2018, and November 4, 2021. Using simple randomization, the patients were assigned to undergo tissue dissection with either the LigaSure device (study group) or monopolar electrocautery (control group). Participants and care givers, except operating surgeons, were blinded to group assignment. The primary outcome was postoperative chest drainage volume. Secondary outcomes were change of the esophageal temperature during subcarinal lymphadenectomy and C-reactive protein level 72 h after surgery.

RESULTS

Study outcomes were analyzed in 107 patients in each group. We found no differences between the study and control groups in terms of chest drainage volume (550 vs. 600 mL, respectively; p = 0.315), changes in esophageal temperature (- 0.1 °C vs. - 0.1 °C, respectively; p = 0.784), and C-reactive protein levels (72.8 vs. 70.8 mg/L, respectively; p = 0.503). The mean numbers of lymph nodes removed were 12.9 (SD: 3.1; 95% CI, 12.4 to 13.5) in the study group and 11.6 (SD: 3.2; 95% CI, 11.0 to 12.2) in the control group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the LigaSure device did not allow to decrease the chest drainage volume, local thermal spread, and systemic inflammatory response. The number of lymph nodes removed was higher in patients operated with the LigaSure device, which indicated better quality of lymphadenectomy.

Word usage in spontaneous speech as a predictor of depressive symptoms among youth at high risk for mood disorders

BACKGROUND

We examined whether digital phenotyping of spontaneous speech, such as the use of specific word categories during speech samples, was associated with depressive symptoms in youth who were at familial and clinical risk for mood disorders.

METHODS

Participants (ages 13-19) had active mood symptoms, mood instability, and at least one parent with bipolar or major depressive disorder. During a randomized trial of family-focused therapy, participants were instructed to make weekly calls to a central voice server and leave speech samples in response to automated prompts. We coded youths' speech samples with the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count system and used machine learning to identify the combination of speech features that were most closely associated with the course of depressive symptoms over 18 weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 253 speech samples were collected from 44 adolescents (mean age = 15.8 years; SD = 1.6) over 18 weeks. Speech containing affective processes, social processes, drives toward risk or reward, nonfluencies, and time orientation words were correlated with depressive symptoms at concurrent time periods (ps < 0.01). Machine learning analyses revealed that affective processes, nonfluencies, drives and risk words combined to most strongly predict changes in depressive symptoms over 18 weeks of treatment.

LIMITATIONS

Study results were limited by the small sample and the exclusion of paralinguistic or contextual variables in analyzing speech samples.

CONCLUSIONS

In youth at high risk for mood disorders, knowledge of speech patterns may inform prognoses during outpatient psychosocial treatment.

Comparison of perioperative outcomes between bipolar sealing, ultrasonic shears and a hybrid device during laparoscopic gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: a prospective, multicenter, randomized study

BACKGROUND

Although EBDs are essential for minimally invasive surgery, well-established prospective randomized studies comparing EBDs are scarce. This study aimed to compare the intraoperative inflammatory response and short-term surgical outcomes among different energy-based devices (EBDs) in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG).

METHODS

Patients with clinical stage I gastric cancer scheduled for LDG at two different medical centers were prospectively randomized into three groups: ultrasonic shears (US), advanced bipolar (BP) and ultrasonic-bipolar hybrid (HB). The C-reactive protein (CRP) level, operation time, intraoperative blood loss (IBL), laboratory tests, cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10), hospital stay, and complication rate were analyzed. A novel semiquantitative measurement method using indocyanine green (ICG) and a near-infrared camera measured the amount of lymphatic leakage.

RESULTS

The primary endpoint, the CRP level, was significantly lower in the BP (n = 60) group than in the US (n = 57) or HB (n = 57) group [9.03 ± 5.55 vs. 11.12 ± 5.02 vs. 12.67 ± 6.14, p = 0.001, on postoperative day (POD) 2 and 7.48 vs. 9.62 vs. 9.48, p = 0.026, on POD 4]. IBL was significantly lower in BP than in US or HB (26.3 ± 25.3 vs. 43.7 ± 42.0 vs. 34.9 ± 37.0, p = 0.032). Jackson-Pratt drainage triglycerides were significantly lower in BP than in US (53.6 ± 33.7 vs. 84.2 ± 59.0, p = 0.11; HB: 71.3 ± 51.4). ICG fluorescence intensity, operation time, laboratory results, cytokines, hospital stay, and complication rate were not significantly different among the 3 groups.

CONCLUSION

BP showed a lower postoperative CRP level and less IBL than US and HB, suggesting less collateral thermal damage and better sealing function. Surgeons may consider this when selecting EBDs for laparoscopic surgery.

Shared and Specific Patterns of Structural Brain Connectivity Across Affective and Psychotic Disorders

BACKGROUND

Altered brain structural connectivity has been implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, it is unknown which part of these connectivity abnormalities are disorder specific and which are shared across the spectrum of psychotic and affective disorders. We investigated common and distinct brain connectivity alterations in a large sample (N = 1743) of patients with SZ, BD, or MDD and healthy control (HC) subjects.

METHODS

This study examined diffusion-weighted imaging-based structural connectome topology in 720 patients with MDD, 112 patients with BD, 69 patients with SZ, and 842 HC subjects (mean age of all subjects: 35.7 years). Graph theory-based network analysis was used to investigate connectome organization. Machine learning algorithms were trained to classify groups based on their structural connectivity matrices.

RESULTS

Groups differed significantly in the network metrics global efficiency, clustering, present edges, and global connectivity strength with a converging pattern of alterations between diagnoses (e.g., efficiency: HC > MDD > BD > SZ, false discovery rate-corrected p = .028). Subnetwork analysis revealed a common core of edges that were affected across all 3 disorders, but also revealed differences between disorders. Machine learning algorithms could not discriminate between disorders but could discriminate each diagnosis from HC. Furthermore, dysconnectivity patterns were found most pronounced in patients with an early disease onset irrespective of diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

We found shared and specific signatures of structural white matter dysconnectivity in SZ, BD, and MDD, leading to commonly reduced network efficiency. These results showed a compromised brain communication across a spectrum of major psychiatric disorders.

First experiences with a diode laser in major gynecological laparoscopic procedures show lack of benefit and impaired feasibility

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to evaluate feasibility and potential benefit of a diode laser in major laparoscopic procedures in gynecology.

METHODS

Between 2018 and 2020, a total of 42 cases were enrolled in this study comparing standard electrosurgery with diode laser-supported therapy in laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LASH), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), or laparoscopic myoma enucleation (LME). Dual wavelength 45 W diode laser light was used to cut and coagulate during laparoscopy in the prospective interventional arm consisting of 11 cases, while 31 matching patients who received conventional treatment with monopolar/bipolar current for the same interventions were retrospectively identified in our laparoscopy database. Recruitment in the prospective interventional laser diode arm was terminated after only 11 patients (instead of planned 50) due to intense hemorrhage and massive smoke development.

RESULTS

A total of 42 cases were analyzed (11 LME, 19 LASH, and 12 TLH). Strong smoke development was evident in all 11 cases in the diode laser arm. It was necessary to convert to bipolar or monopolar current in all hysterectomies (n = 9) with initial diode laser implementation due to increased bleeding and smoke development. Conventional current sources had to be used in LMEs (n = 2) due to excessive bleeding and poor visibility during enucleation of the fibroid. A significant difference (p < 0.0001) was observed regarding smoke development when comparing the laser arm with the control arm.

CONCLUSION

We found a 45-W diode laser to be inferior to electrosurgical techniques for major laparoscopic gynecologic surgeries regarding bleeding control and smoke development.

Postpartum Psychosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that can affect the health and life of mothers, infants, and families. Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is distinct from non-postpartum psychosis in many ways, and it is crucial to study and understand PPP to identify, treat, and possibly prevent this condition. We therefore sought to review the latest research findings about PPP with the intention of updating readers about the latest evidence base.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple physiologic pathways have been implicated in the development of PPP, and further understanding these pathways may allow for early detection and treatment. Risk assessment and treatment should include consideration of the woman patient but also the mother-infant dyad and the larger family. It is our hope that this review of research updates in postpartum psychosis may inform clinical practice and promote specialized, evidence-based diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment.

Exploring the Hypothesis of a Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Continuum: Biological, Genetic and Pharmacologic Data

Present time nosology has its roots in Kraepelin's demarcation of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, accumulating evidence has shed light on several commonalities between the two disorders, and some authors have advocated for the consideration of a disease continuum. Here, we review previous genetic, biological and pharmacological findings that provide the basis for this conceptualization. There is a cross-disease heritability, and they share single-nucleotide polymorphisms in some common genes. EEG and imaging patterns have a number of similarities, namely reduced white matter integrity and abnormal connectivity. Dopamine, serotonin, GABA and glutamate systems have dysfunctional features, some of which are identical among the disorders. Finally, cellular calcium regulation and mitochondrial function are, also, impaired in the two.

Contributing risk factors of common psychiatric disorders in the Pakistani population

With an increasing incidence of psychiatric disorders worldwide, there is a need for a better understanding of the population-specific contributing risk factors that are associated with common psychiatric conditions. This study aimed to assess the correlation between socioeconomic, environmental and clinical features associated with major depression (MDD n = 479), bipolar disorder (BD n = 222) and schizophrenia (SHZ n = 146), in the Pakistani population. Multinomial logistic regression and Pearson's correlation were applied to assess the association and correlation between demographic, socioeconomic, environmental, and clinical features of MDD, BD and SHZ. In the present study, MDD was found to be more prevalent than BD and SHZ. The average age at onset (AAO), was observed to be earlier in females with BD and SHZ, in addition, females with a positive family history of MDD, BD and SHZ also had an earlier AAO. The fitted multinomial logistic regression model indicated a significant association of; aggression, tobacco use, drugs abuse, history of head injuries and family history with BD as compared to MDD, while insomnia and suicidality were significantly associated with MDD. Strong positive correlations were observed mainly between age/AAO, AAO/tobacco use and aggression/insomnia in all three cohorts. In conclusion, the present study identifies possible contributing socio-demographic, biological and environmental factors that are correlated and associated with the psychiatric conditions in the Pakistani population.

Electrocoagulation removal of Pb, Cd, and Cu ions from wastewater using a new configuration of electrodes

A new configuration of aluminum electrodes has been performed in an electrocoagulation reactor (ECR) to remove toxic metals from synthetic wastewater. The ECR contains four concentric-cubic electrodes that were connected to the DC power supply with a bipolar mode. The ability of this reactor to eliminate 200 ppm Pb, 200 ppm Cd and 200 ppm Cu from wastewater was investigated under the effect of pH (4-10), applied current (0.2-2.6 A), and the reaction time of (4-60 min). Two grams of NaCl were added to each experiment to enhance the electrical conductivity and minimize the passivation of cathode surfaces. The experiments, analysis, and optimization were conducted using response surface methodology type Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD) and the Minitab-statistical software program. The highest elimination of heavy metals was: Pb-99.73%, Cd-98.54%, and Cu-98.92% at pH 10, 1.4 A of the applied current, and 60 min of the reaction time. The total real consumption of anodes under these conditions was 0.55 g, and the energy consumption was 12.71 kWh/m3. All reactions of metal removal that occurred in the present EC reactor obey the kinetic of a first-order reaction. Thermodynamics parameters of present electrocoagulation removal of heavy metals indicate an endothermic, spontaneous nature, and random irregularity at the liquid-solid interaction. The highest values of removal efficiencies and the considerably lowest values of energy and electrode consumption proved that the electrocoagulation technology applies in wastewater treatment containing toxic metals.•The anode electrodes were perforated to decrease the amount of electrode consumption, while the cathode electrodes were not perforated.•The new EC reactor eliminated Pb-99.73%, Cd-98.54%, and Cu-98.92% of 200 mg/l of each metal at pH 10, applied current of 1.4 A, and reaction time of 60 min. Moreover, the consumption of energy and electrodes was significantly low.•The performance indicator (R²) of the studied responses was higher than 0.95.

Mania associated olfactory dysfunction: A comparison between bipolar subjects in mania and remission

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the olfactory functions of patients with bipolar disorder in manic phase and to compare them to those of bipolar subjects in remission and healthy controls.

METHODS

We recruited 96 participants divided in 3 groups: bipolar mania (MB), euthymic bipolar in remission (EB) and healthy controls (HC). All participants underwent an assessment of their olfactory functions using the Sniffin' sticks threshold and identification tests. Odors' pleasantness, intensity, familiarity and emotion were assessed. All participants were screened for the presence of psychiatric disorder through the MINI questionnaire. Clinical evaluation explored dimensions of mania, depression, anxiety respectively through YMRS, MADRS and STAI scales. Anhedonia was explored through the Chapman physical and social anhedonia questionnaire.

RESULTS

Patients in mania had deficits in identifying positive smells compared to bipolar subjects in remission and to healthy controls (MB < EB < HC; p < 0.001). Hedonic (MB < EB = HC; p < 0.001) and emotional (MB < EB = HC; p < 0.001) ratings of positive smells were lower in patients in manic phase compared to remitted subjects or controls. Mania was associated to higher emotion rating of negative smells compared to remitted subjects and controls (MB > EB = HC; p < 0.001). There was no difference between the 3 groups in the ratings of intensity and familiarity of smells, as well as in the olfactory threshold testing. The 3 groups showed no difference in the identification of negative smells.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients in manic episodes showed deficits in identifying positive odors. They evaluated these smells as less pleasant and less emotional compared to remitted bipolar subjects and healthy controls. These olfactory dysfunctions may constitute potential indicators of manic state. The persistence of olfactory dysfunction in remission phase (deficit in the olfactory identification of positive odors compared to healthy controls) may constitute a potential trait indicator of bipolarity.

The association between stage of treatment-resistant depression and clinical utility of ketamine/esketamine: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Ketamine has demonstrated rapid and significant antidepressant effects in patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD). Herein, we conducted a systematic review to determine ketamine's efficacy as a function of the stage of treatment resistance (e.g., number of failed treatments) among individuals with TRD.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus from inception to August 2021 was conducted. Where applicable, the studies were categorized into low and high stages of resistance, where low category included studies where the mean number of failed antidepressants was <3 or had a higher proportion of subjects with ≤2 antidepressant trials. Reported indicators of treatment resistance and efficacy were extracted from randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) assessing ketamine or esketamine for TRD.

RESULTS

In total, 18 RCTs were included in the current review. There was variability across reported indicators of disease severity, definition of treatment resistance, as well as treatment protocols, preventing clear direct and indirect comparison of relative efficacy of ketamine at different stages of treatment resistance. Ketamine was effective in reducing depressive symptoms in RCTs at both lower and higher stages of treatment resistance; however, the effect size and duration of effects was greater in RCTs of lower stage of treatment resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that ketamine has antidepressant efficacy across all identified stages of treatment resistance, however with increasing failed treatment trials, treatment might be less efficacious. At this time, the comparative efficacy as a function of resistance stage remains to be well-established. Evaluation of participant level data is required to more clearly determine the association between level of treatment resistance and likelihood of response.

ADHD in adults with major depressive or bipolar disorder: does it affect clinical features, comorbidity, quality of life, and global functioning?

BACKGROUND

This study compared clinical characteristics, concurrent disorders, level of function, and quality of life in adults with bipolar (BD) or major depressive disorder (MDD) in those with/without adult attention defici1t hyperactivity disorder (AADHD).

METHODS

The participants were recruited among adult inpatients and outpatients with MDD or BD in their current partial remission in a psychiatric hospital. They were evaluated using the interview for adults with ADHD (DIVA-5), Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales-Self-Report-Screening Version (CAARS-SR-SV), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-V (SCID-5), Beck Depression Inventory-II and Young Mania Rating Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief (WHOQoL-BREF).

RESULTS

In those with MDD (n = 105) and BD (n = 103), AADHD was detected as 13.3% and 16.5%, respectively. The inattentive presentation was the most prevalent type among patients with AADHD. Compared to the patients without AADHD, the results regarding the prevalence of comorbidities, suicidal attempts, severity of affective episodes, the early emergence of the affective disorders, and level of quality of life and global functioning were poorer in the group with AADHD (p < 0.05).

LIMITATIONS

The participants were individuals with major depressive or bipolar type I disorder with a mostly manic episode, chosen among the referrals to a tertiary psychiatric hospital with high comorbidity and more severe psychopathology. This may limit the generalizability of the findings.

CONCLUSION

ADHD was common in adults with MDD and BD, along with high psychiatric comorbidity and negative consequences. Clinicians are suggested to screen adults with mood disorders for the symptoms of ADHD for a more precise and comprehensive diagnosis and to provide a more appropriate therapeutic intervention.

Intracardiac electrogram characteristics of intramural outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias

BACKGROUND

Annotation of earliest depolarization which depends on maximum dV/dt of unipolar-electrograms and unipolar QS morphology identify site of origin for ventricular premature contractions (VPC). However, identification of unipolar QS morphology has limitations due to low spatial resolution. This study aims to compare electrogram characteristics at successful ablation site in patients with outflow tract (OT) VPC.

METHODS

Local activation time (LAT), duration, and voltage data of each bipolar- and unipolar-electrogram at the successful ablation sites from the right ventricle OT (RVOT) and the left ventricle OT (LVOT) cases were analyzed.

RESULTS

Forty-four of 60 (73%) of patients were ablated from RVOT and in 16/60 (27%) required ablation from both sides. All patients had acute VPC suppression. Bipolar-electrogram-QRS onset was earlier (36.4 ± 14.5 ms vs 26.3 ± 7.4 ms, p = 0.01), duration of bipolar-electrogram was shorter (56.9 ± 18.9 ms vs 78.9 ± 21.8 ms, p = 0.002), and bi-voltage amplitude was higher (3.2 ± 2.3 mV vs 1.4 ± 1.1 mV, p = 0.07) for patients with RVOT-only ablation. Mean bipolar-unipolar-electrogram difference was 4.4 ± 4.5 ms in the RVOT group vs 12.8 ± 4.9 ms in RVOT + LVOT group (p < 0.001). Unipolar QS morphology was recorded in 3.0 ± 3.9 vs 3.6 ± 1.8 cm² in RVOT and RVOT + LVOT group, respectively (p = 0.41). Unipolar-electrogram revealed W pattern in 3/44 of RVOT vs 5/16 of RVOT + LVOT group, respectively (p = 0.01). In 18/60 (30%) of patients, unipolar QS was not identified at successful ablation site.

CONCLUSION

QS in unipolar-electrogram was not a perfect predictor for successful ablation sites. Analysis of bipolar voltage amplitude and duration with bipolar-unipolar-electrogram time difference may identify presence of a deeper source.

Association of mood disorder with cardiometabolic multimorbidity trajectory and life expectancy, a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) including hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes and stroke, are always combined with each other, leading to cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM). Mood disorder was associated with onset of CMD. However, the impact of mood disorder on the transition from single CMD to CMM was poorly understood.

METHODS

A total of 95,351 participants with single CMD, with median age of 59 (range 40 to 71) years from UK Biobank were enrolled at baseline. Competing risk regression models were used to estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) of association between mood disorder categories and progress from single CMD to CMM. Association of mood disorder with mortality, and life expectancy differences were also calculated by flexible parametric proportion-hazard models.

RESULTS

Relative associations were observed between mood disorder and the progress from first onset of CMD to CMM. Adjusted HRs for progress to CMM from those with comorbid CMD plus depression or bipolar were increased (depression: 1.23 [1.19 1.27]; bipolar: 1.47 [1.31 1.66]), compared with those with the sole CMD. Mood disorder also had impact on all-cause mortality (depression: 1.17 [1.10 1.24]; bipolar: 2.03 [1.74 2.32]) and reduced life expectancy estimates for those with single CMD.

LIMITATIONS

This cohort primarily comprises White individuals. Covariates only measured at baseline and assumed unchanged during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Mood disorder conferred greater hazard on the CMM and mortality outcome. This study highlighted the importance of depression and bipolar in disease progression, from single CMD, to multimorbidity or mortality.

Impacts of stimulus parameters and configurations on motor cortex direct electrical stimulation using intrinsic optical imaging: a pilot study

Background

Motor cortex stimulation applied as a clinical treatment for neuropathic disorders for decades. With stimulation electrodes placed directly on the cortical surface, this neuromodulation method provides higher spatial resolution than other non-invasive therapies. Yet, the therapeutic effects reported were not in conformity with different syndromes. One of the main issues is that the stimulation parameters are always determined by clinical experience. The lack of understanding about how the stimulation current propagates in the cortex and various stimulation parameters and configurations obstruct the development of this method.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the effect of different stimulation configurations on cortical responses to motor cortical stimulations using intrinsic optical imaging.

Results

Our results showed that the cortical activation of electrical stimulation is not only related to the current density but also related to the propagation distance. Besides, stimulation configurations also affect the propagation of the stimulation current.

Conclusions

All these results provide preliminary experimental evidence for parameter and electrode configuration optimizations.

Suicidal behavior in juvenile bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess rates and lethality of suicidal behavior in studies of children and adolescents diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BD).

METHODS

This PROSPERO-registered protocol (CRD-42019159676) systematically reviewed reports on suicidal behavior among juveniles (age ≤ 18 years), and pooled data on risk (% of subjects) and rates (%/year), followed by random-effects meta-analysis and multivariable linear regression modeling.

RESULTS

Included were 41 reports (1995-2020) from 15 countries involving 104,801 juveniles (102,519 diagnosed with MDD, 2282 with BD), at risk for 0.80-12.5 years. Meta-analytically pooled suicide attempter-rates averaged 7.44%/year [95%CI: 5.63-9.25] with BD and 6.27%/year [5.13-7.41] with MDD. Meta-analysis of 5 studies with both diagnostic groups found significantly greater attempt risk with BD vs. MDD (OR = 1.59 [1.24-2.05], p < 0.0001). In 6 studies, suicide rate with juvenile mood disorders averaged 125 [56.9-236]/100,000/year, similar to adult rates, >30-times greater than in the general juvenile population, and higher among older adolescents. The ratio of attempts/suicides (A/S) was 52.6 among mood-disordered juveniles, indicating greater lethality than among juveniles in the general population (A/S ≥ 250), but somewhat less than in the estimated adult general population (A/S ca. 30).

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of suicide attempts in juveniles with a major mood disorder averaged 6580/100,000/year, were greater in BD versus MDD observed under the same conditions, and greater with shorter periods of observation. Lethality (fatalities per suicide attempt) was greater in juveniles diagnosed with major affective disorders than in the juvenile general population, but less than in adults.