Second-generation antipsychotics increase the risk of diabetes and other metabolic conditions among individuals with schizophrenia. Although metabolic testing is recommended to reduce this risk, low testing rates have prompted concerns about negative health consequences and downstream medical costs. This study simulated the effect of increasing metabolic testing rates on ten-year prevalence rates of prediabetes and diabetes (diabetes conditions) and their associated health care costs. Login at top right hand side of page using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text.
In first-episode psychosis there is a heightened risk of aggression and subsequent criminal justice involvement. This column reviews the evidence pointing to these heightened risks and highlights opportunities, using a sequential intercept model, for collaboration between mental health services and existing diversionary programs, particularly for patients whose behavior has already brought them to the attention of the criminal justice system. Coordinating efforts in these areas across criminal justice and clinical spheres can decrease the caseload burden on the criminal justice system and optimize clinical and legal outcomes for this population. Login at top right hand side of page using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text.
Editorial. There is a debate about long-term treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotic drugs, with some experts suggesting that these drugs should be discontinued. In this issue, Takeuchi et al demonstrated by a meta-analysis of 11 trials that antipsychotic drugs maintained their efficacy for relapse prevention for 1 year, whereas patients on placebo kept getting worse. We consider these findings in the light of the current discussion about possible dose-related brain volume loss, supersensitivity psychosis, the high variability of results in long-term follow-up studies and recent approaches to discontinue antipsychotics in patients with a first-episode. The new findings speak in favour of continuing antipsychotics at the same dose, at least in patients whose condition is chronic, but the topic is complex. SSSFT staff - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
In this editorial, we discuss a UK-based cohort study examining the mortality gap for people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder from 2000 to 2014. There have been concerted efforts to improve physical and mental healthcare for this population in recent decades. Have these initiatives reduced mortality and ‘closed the gap’? SSSFT staff - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
To compare total symptom trajectories for antipsychotic versus placebo treatment over a 1-year period of maintenance treatment in schizophrenia. SSSFT staff - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
Patients with first-episode psychosis exposed to childhood trauma appear to constitute a distinctive subgroup in terms of diagnosis and lifetime substance use. SSSFT staff - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
The striatum receives segregated and integrative white matter tracts from the cortex facilitating information processing in the cortico-basal ganglia network. The authors examined both types of input tracts in the striatal associative loop in chronic schizophrenia patients and healthy control subjects. Login at top right hand side of page using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text.
The Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode–Early Treatment Program compared NAVIGATE, a comprehensive program for first-episode psychosis, to clinician-choice community care over 2 years. Quality of life and psychotic and depressive symptom outcomes were found to be better with NAVIGATE. Compared with previous comprehensive first-episode psychosis interventions, NAVIGATE medication treatment included unique elements of detailed first-episode-specific psychotropic medication guidelines and a computerized decision support system to facilitate shared decision making regarding prescriptions. In the present study, the authors compared NAVIGATE and community care on the psychotropic medications prescribed, side effects experienced, metabolic outcomes, and scores on the Adherence Estimator scale, which assesses beliefs related to nonadherence. Login at top right hand side of page using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text.
The second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are associated with metabolic disturbances. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a rare, but potentially fatal sign of acute glucose metabolism dysregulation, which may be associated with the use of SGAs. This study aims to review published reports of patients with schizophrenia and antipsychotic drug–associated DKA, focusing on the effective management of both conditions. SSSFT staff can use the OVID link, or you can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
Letter. SSSFT staff can use the OVID link, or you can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
There is consistent evidence that impulsivity is linked to tobacco consumption and to symptomatology in schizophrenia. In the current study, we propose a new integrative model of the relationship between impulsivity, psychopathological symptoms, and tobacco status in patients with paranoid schizophrenia. To read the full article, log in using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens details.
Childhood traumas have been extensively associated with the development of psychotic disorders. However, our understanding of processes underlying this relationship remains poor. In order to address this issue, we examined which specific aspects of childhood trauma are significantly associated with a first episode of psychosis. 109 patients with first episode of psychosis and 145 controls representative from general population were recruited in three centers in France. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
ABSTRACT FROM: Lennox B, Palmer-Cooper E, Pollak T, et al. Prevalence and clinical characteristics of serum neuronal cell surface antibodies in first-episode psychosis: a case–control study. Lancet Psychiatry 2017;4:42–8.
What is already known on this topic?
Antineuronal antibody-mediated encephalitis frequently presents with prominent psychiatric features. It has been hypothesised that antineuronal antibodies may play a pathophysiological role in subgroups of patients with psychotic disorders. To read the full article, log in using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens details.
This cross-sectional study uses a large sample of patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls to determine the association of white matter with information Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
This study assesses homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and stress hormone levels among drug-naive patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
Altered pain sensitivity may affect the outcome of appendicitis in patients with schizophrenia. We aimed to compare the prevalence of perforation in appendicitis between patients with and without schizophrenia.
Open Access Article
Elwira Lubos writes her debut blog on a recent systematic review of antipsychotics for the acute treatment of patients with first episode schizophrenia.
Joe Barnby and Muna Dubad explore a recent systematic review that looks at the potential predictors of adherence to digital interventions for psychosis.
This study examined the prevalence of cigarette smoking and the quantity of cigarettes consumed by individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and those without a psychiatric disorder in the period 1999–2016. Login at top right hand side of page using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text.
Psychotherapy54.3 (Sep 2017): 245-251.
Incorporating behavioral activation into psychotherapy with persons with psychosis requires adaptation in its conceptualization and application owing to special deficits in the self-experience. Persons with psychosis often experience a diminished or disorganized sense of self, and have deficits in coherently narrating the experience of the self and in the ability to make sense of how to take action and direct their own lives. Based on a metacognitive model of disability in psychosis, the current paper presents a therapy process of a woman coping with schizophrenia using Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (Lysaker and Dimaggio, 2014). To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
European Psychologist22.2 (2017): 83-100.
Considering several etiologic, therapeutic, and comorbidity-related factors, a psychosis continuum model has been proposed for the understanding and treatment of psychotic disorders. Within the new emerging treatment approaches, Contextual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CCBT) seem to hold promise for the psychosis continuum. However, considering their novelty for this specific population, the quality of efficacy evidence remains unclear. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal40.3 (Sep 2017): 266-275.
Objective: This purpose of this study was to describe and demonstrate CrossCheck, a multimodal data collection system designed to aid in continuous remote monitoring and identification of subjective and objective indicators of psychotic relapse. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
Periodic catatonia has long been a challenging diagnosis and there are no absolute guidelines for treatment when precipitating factors are also unclear. We report a schizophrenia patient with periodic catatonia with a 15-year treatment course. A possible correlation between decreased daylight exposure and periodic attacks has been observed.
Editorial. In this issue, Falkenberg et al explore the practicability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of the initial clinical assessment in patients with first-episode psychosis and the prevalence, nature and clinical significance of radiological abnormalities in these patients. They provide evidence for the use of MRI data to detect gross brain abnormalities. In addition, improvements in quantitative analyses makes MRI an indispensable tool to elucidate the neurobiological substrates that might underlie primary (or idiopathic) psychotic illness. SSSFT staff - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
Depression in schizophrenia predicts poor outcomes, including suicide, yet the effectiveness of antidepressants for its treatment remains uncertain. SSSFT staff - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
The evidence on factors that may influence treatment decisional capacity (‘capacity’) in psychosis has yet to be comprehensively synthesised, which limits the development of effective strategies to improve or support it. SSSFT staff - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
There is no consensus as to whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be used as part of the initial clinical evaluation of patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP). SSSFT staff - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
Letter & author's reply. SSSFT staff - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.
Open access. To assess the patients' most influential concerns regarding long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) and mental health professionals' preconceptions about these concerns. For both groups, to assess the level of knowledge about LAIs. This cross-sectional study used semi-structured interviews of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 164), nurses (n = 43) and physicians (n = 20).
Therapeutic alliance is a key predictor of therapy outcomes. Alliance may be particularly pertinent for people with schizophrenia as this group often have a history of interpersonal trauma and relationship difficulties including difficult relationships with mental health staff. This review aimed to determine (a) the quality of therapeutic alliance between people with schizophrenia and their therapists; (b) whether alliance predicts therapeutic outcomes; and (c) variables associated with alliance. To read the full article, log in using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens details.
The aim was to quantify caregiver distress among informal caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and identify its correlates. Login at top right hand side of page using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology85.10 (Oct 2017): 937-949.
Objective: People dealing with serious mental illness frequently report turning to religion to help cope with the disorder. However, little is known about how religion impacts commitment to psychotherapy programs for people with schizophrenia and their caregivers. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
MicroRNAs are short, non-coding molecules that regulate gene expression. Here, we investigate the role of microRNAs in depression and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). To read the full article, log in using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens details.
The findings provide new insights into the common genetic basis underlying schizophrenia and cognitive function, suggesting novel molecular genetic mechanisms. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
Neuropsychology31.7 (Oct 2017): 778-786.
Objective: Cognitive impairment is prevalent and related to functional outcome in schizophrenia, but a significant minority of the patient population overlaps with healthy controls on many performance measures, including declarative-verbal-memory tasks. In this study, we assessed the validity, clinical, and functional implications of normal-range (NR), verbal-declarative memory in schizophrenia. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.
Nonadherence to antipsychotic treatment increases the likelihood of relapse and progressive symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia. Atypical long-acting injectables, including paliperidone palmitate (PP), may increase adherence and improve symptoms. This study compared and assessed predictors of treatment patterns and symptom remission among schizophrenia patients treated with PP versus atypical oral antipsychotic therapy (OAT) in community behavioral health organizations (CBHOs). [Janssen Scientific]
While the findings suggest genes do play an important role in schizophrenia, this is only an estimate and the true picture is likely to be more complicated. Environmental factors clearly still have an influence on whether the person actually develops schizophrenia.
Patients with schizophrenia have a high prevalence of diabetes, but data on diabetes care quality for these patients are limited. This nationwide study compared the quality of diabetes care among individuals with and without schizophrenia and identified predictors of care quality. Login at top right hand side of page using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text.
People with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are being offered animal therapy with dogs, rabbits and even rats at North Manchester General Hospital.
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People who hear voices may benefit from keeping a diary to record their experiences.
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Motor abnormalities are frequently observed in schizophrenia and structural alterations of the motor system have been reported. The association of aberrant motor network function, however, has not been tested. We hypothesized that abnormal functional connectivity would be related to the degree of motor abnormalities in schizophrenia. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
This article discusses motor behaviors and seeks to explain how research into basal ganglia, cerebellar, and cortico-motor circuit function/dysfunction, grounded in brain circuit-motor behavior relationships, can elucidate our understanding of pathophysiology, provide vital links to other key systems of interest, significantly improve identification and classification, and drive development of targeted individualized treatments. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
A reliable body of research suggests that reducing the duration of untreated psychosis among those in their first episode results in demonstrable gains in clinical and functional outcomes. Along a similar line, growing evidence suggests that intervention in the Clinical High-Risk (CHR)/Ultra High-Risk phase of illness may be associated with positive outcomes including symptom improvement, delay of onset, and potential prevention of diagnosable psychosis. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
People with, and those who are developing, schizophrenia are at increased risk to engage in aggressive behavior (AGB). Some incidents lead to criminal prosecution. Most people with schizophrenia who commit crimes engage in delinquency and/or AGB prior to first episode. A large proportion of these individuals have a history of childhood conduct disorder (CD) and brain abnormalities suggestive of abnormal neural development distinctive from that of others with schizophrenia. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
Released prisoners diagnosed with psychotic disorders have elevated rates of violent reoffending risk and their exposure to adverse neighborhood environments may contribute to this risk. We identified all released sentenced prisoners in Sweden between 2003 and 2013 (n = 47226) and followed them up for a median period of 4.4 years. Please contact the library to request a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai