The Delphi Delirium Management Algorithms. A practical tool for clinicians, the result of a modified Delphi expert consensus approach.

Delirium is common in hospitalised patients, and there is currently no specific treatment. Identifying and treating underlying somatic causes of delirium is the first priority once delirium is diagnosed. Several international guidelines provide clinicians with an evidence-based approach to screening, diagnosis and symptomatic treatment. However, current guidelines do not offer a structured approach to identification of underlying causes. A panel of 37 internationally recognised delirium experts from diverse medical backgrounds worked together in a modified Delphi approach via an online platform. Consensus was reached after five voting rounds. The final product of this project is a set of three delirium management algorithms (the Delirium Delphi Algorithms), one for ward patients, one for patients after cardiac surgery and one for patients in the intensive care unit.

Predictors of hospital readmission for patients diagnosed with delirium: An electronic health record data analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Delirium is an acute and fluctuating change in attention and cognition that increases the risk of functional decline, institutionalisation and death in hospitalised patients. After delirium, patients have a significantly higher risk of readmission to hospital. Our aim was to investigate factors associated with hospital readmission in people with delirium. METHODS: We carried out an observational retrospective cohort study using linked mental health care and hospitalisation records from South London. Logistic regression models were used to predict the odds of 30-day readmission and Cox proportional hazard models to calculate readmission risks when not restricting follow-up time. RESULTS: Of 2814 patients (mean age 78.9 years SD ±11.8) discharged from hospital after an episode of delirium, 823 (29.3%) were readmitted within 30 days. Depressed mood (odds ratio (OR) 1.34 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.66)), moderate-to-severe physical health problems (OR 1.67 (95% CI 1.18-2.2.36)) and a history of serious circulatory disease (OR 1.29 (95% CI 1.07-1.55)) were associated with higher odds of hospital readmission, whereas a diagnosis of delirium superimposed on dementia (OR 0.67 (95% CI 0.53-0.84)) and problematic alcohol/substance (OR 0.54 (95% CI 0.33-0.89)) use were associated with lower odds. Cox proportionate hazard models showed similar results. CONCLUSION: Almost one-third of patients with delirium were readmitted within a short period of time, a more detailed understanding of the underlying risk factors could help prevent readmissions. Our findings indicate that the aetiology (as alcohol-related delirium), the recognition that delirium occurred in the context of dementia, as well as potentially modifiable factors, as depressed mood affect readmission risk, and should be assessed in clinical settings.

Urological adverse drug reactions of psychotropic medication in psychiatric inpatients - A drug surveillance report from German-speaking countries.

Urological adverse drug reactions (UADR) are common during treatment with psychotropic medication. The aim of this study was to provide a systematic description of the differential profile of UADR of psychotropic drugs in a large naturalistic population. Data stems from psychiatric hospitals collected by AMSP (Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie), a continuous multi-center pharmacovigilance program in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. 171 cases of severe UADR (0.037%) among a total population of 462 661 inpatients treated with psychotropic drugs in 99 psychiatric hospitals between 1993 and 2016 were examined. Urinary retention (129 cases, 0.028%) was the most common UADR followed by incontinence (23 cases, 0.005%) and nocturnal enuresis (16 cases, 0.003%). Risk of UADR was higher in patients with mania than in other diagnostic groups. Promethazine and haloperidol were the antipsychotics with the highest rate of UADR. Tricyclic antidepressants had a higher and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors a lower risk for UADR than the respective other antidepressants. Amitriptyline and clomipramine were the most common causes of urinary retention and clozapine of urinary incontinence. This research improves our knowledge of the urological risk profiles of psychotropic drugs in inpatients and highlights compounds associated with higher or lower risk.

Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions During Antipsychotic Treatment: Results of AMSP, A Drug Surveillance Program Between 1993 and 2013.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are still the leading cause of global mortality. Some antipsychotic agents can show severe cardiovascular side effects and are also associated with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: This observational study was based on data of AMSP (Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie), a multicenter drug surveillance program in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, that recorded severe drug reactions in psychiatric inpatients. RESULTS: A total of 404 009 inpatients were monitored between 1993 and 2013, whereas 291 510 were treated with antipsychotics either in combination or alone. There were 376 cases of severe cardiovascular adverse reactions reported in the given timespan, yielding a relative frequency of 0.13%. The study revealed that incidence rates of cardiovascular adverse reactions were highest during treatment with ziprasidone (0.35%), prothipendyl (0.32%), and clozapine (0.23%). The lowest rate of cardiovascular symptoms occurred during treatment with promethazine (0.03%) as well as with aripiprazole (0.06%). The most common clinical symptoms were orthostatic collapse and severe hypotonia, sinustachycardia, QTc prolongation, myocarditis, and different forms of arrhythmia. The dosage at the timepoint when severe cardiovascular events occurred was not higher in any of the given antipsychotics than in everyday clinical practice and was in average therapeutic ranges. In terms of subclasses of antipsychotics, no significant statistical difference was seen in the overall frequencies of adverse reactions cases, when first-generation high potency, first-generation low potency, and second-generation antipsychotics were compared. Thirty percent of adverse events among second-generation antipsychotics were induced by clozapine. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings on cardiovascular adverse reactions contribute to a better understanding of cardiovascular risk profiles of antipsychotic agents in inpatients.

The Efficacy of Light Therapy in the Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Bright light therapy (BLT) has been used as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) for over 30 years. This meta-analysis was aimed to assess the efficacy of BLT in the treatment of SAD in adults. METHOD: We performed a systematic literature search including randomized, single- or double-blind clinical trials investigating BLT (≥1,000 lx, light box or light visor) against dim light (≤400 lx) or sham/low-density negative ion generators as placebo. Only first-period data were used from crossover trials. The primary outcome was the post-treatment depression score measured by validated scales, and the secondary outcome was the rate of response to treatment. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies finally met our predefined inclusion criteria. BLT was superior over placebo with a standardized mean difference of -0.37 (95% CI: -0.63 to -0.12) for depression ratings (18 studies, 610 patients) and a risk ratio of 1.42 (95% CI: 1.08-1.85) for response to active treatment (16 studies, 559 patients). We found no evidence for a publication bias, but moderate heterogeneity of the studies and a moderate-to-high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: BLT can be regarded as an effective treatment for SAD, but the available evidence stems from methodologically heterogeneous studies with small-to-medium sample sizes, necessitating larger high-quality clinical trials.

Implementing prevention of seasonal affective disorder from patients' and physicians' perspectives - a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a seasonally recurrent type of major depression that has detrimental effects on patients' lives during winter. Little is known about how it affects patients during summer and about patients' and physicians' perspectives on preventive SAD treatment. The aim of our study was to explore how SAD patients experience summers, what type of preventive treatment patients implement, which preventive treatment methods, if any, physicians recommend, and what factors facilitate or hinder implementation/recommendation of SAD prevention. METHODS: We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews, ten with adult patients with a history of SAD and five with physicians. Transcripts were analyzed by two researchers using an inductive thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: One group of patients was able to enjoy summer and ignore thoughts of the upcoming winter. The other group feared the impending depressive episode in winter, and this fear negatively impacted these patients' well-being during the summer. Preventive treatment was a relevant issue for all patients, and all but one person implemented SAD prevention during summer. We identified six factors that influenced patient use of preventive treatment of SAD. Four factors occur on an individual level (knowledge about disease and preventive treatment options, experience with treatment in acute phase, acceptability of intervention, willingness to take responsibility for oneself), one on an interpersonal level (social and work environment), and one on a structural level (healthcare system). All psychiatrists recommended some kind of preventive intervention, most commonly, lifestyle changes. Four factors influenced psychiatrists in recommending prevention of SAD (patient expectations, disease history and stability, risk/benefit ratio, lack of evidence). CONCLUSIONS: Success in the implementation of SAD prevention does not solely depend on the willingness of the patients, but is also influenced by external factors. Raising awareness of SAD among general practitioners and low-level access to mental-health support could help patients find appropriate help sooner. To better guide the optimal treatment choice, comparative effectiveness research on treatments to prevent a new onset in patients with a history of SAD and clinical practice guidelines on SAD are needed.

Drug-Induced Liver Injury during Antidepressant Treatment: Results of AMSP, a Drug Surveillance Program.

BACKGROUND: Drug-induced liver injury is a common cause of liver damage and the most frequent reason for withdrawal of a drug in the United States. The symptoms of drug-induced liver damage are extremely diverse, with some patients remaining asymptomatic. METHODS: This observational study is based on data of Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie, a multicenter drug surveillance program in German-speaking countries (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland) recording severe drug reactions in psychiatric inpatients. Of 184234 psychiatric inpatients treated with antidepressants between 1993 and 2011 in 80 psychiatric hospitals, 149 cases of drug-induced liver injury (0.08%) were reported. RESULTS: The study revealed that incidence rates of drug-induced liver injury were highest during treatment with mianserine (0.36%), agomelatine (0.33%), and clomipramine (0.23%). The lowest probability of drug-induced liver injury occurred during treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ([0.03%), especially escitalopram [0.01%], citalopram [0.02%], and fluoxetine [0.02%]). The most common clinical symptoms were nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. In contrast to previous findings, the dosage at the timepoint when DILI occurred was higher in 7 of 9 substances than the median overall dosage. Regarding liver enzymes, duloxetine and clomipramine were associated with increased glutamat-pyruvat-transaminase and glutamat-oxalat-transaminase values, while mirtazapine hardly increased enzyme values. By contrast, duloxetine performed best in terms of gamma-glutamyl-transferase values, and trimipramine, clomipramine, and venlafaxine performed worst. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are less likely than the other antidepressants, examined in this study, to precipitate drug-induced liver injury, especially in patients with preknown liver dysfunction.

[Internalized Stigma of Schizophrenia: Validation of the German Version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness-Scale (ISMI)]. / Internalisiertes Stigma bei Schizophrenie: Validierung der deutschen Version der Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness-Skala (ISMI).

OBJECTIVES: Schizophrenia is particularly associated with stigma. Especially internalized stigma, the inner subjective experience of stigma and its psychological effects resulting from applying negative stereotypes and stigmatising attitudes to oneself, is a barrier to recovery. The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness-scale (ISMI) developed by Jennifer Boyd Ritsher and colleagues is a valid instrument for self-rated assessment of the subjective experience of stigma. The aim of the study was to examine the psychometric properties of the German Version of the ISMI among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. METHODS: The ISMI was translated into German. Reliability and validity of the instrument were tested and predictors of internalized stigma were explored. Data of 157 people were collected on the ISMI and demographic and clinical variables. Construct validity was tested by comparing results with already established constructs such as perceived devaluation and discrimination, depression, self-esteem, empowerment, control convictions and quality of life. RESULTS: The German Version of the ISMI showed good psychometric properties with high internal consistency, good test-retest reliability and good construct validity among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. About one third had a mean above the midpoint of the scale indicating a high level of internalized stigma. Internalized stigma was predicted by insufficient social network, level of education less than high school and inpatient or day clinic treatment compared to outpatient treatment. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the German version of the ISMI is comparable to its original version. With the German version of the ISMI internalized stigma can be measured reliably and validly among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Future studies may use the ISMI to record changes in internalized stigma pertinent to the achievement of therapeutic goals.

[The chameleon of psychiatry - psychiatric manifestations of neurosyphilis]. / Das Chamäleon der Psychiatrie - Psychiatrische Manifestationsformen der Neurosyphilis.

OBJECTIVE: Recent epidemiological data have shown a significant increase in the prevalence of syphilis. If left untreated, up to 30 % of patients may develop tertiary syphilis, which can manifest as neurosyphilis. The aim of our review is to evaluate psychiatric manifestations of neurosyphilis according to ICD-10. METHODS: A systematic electronic search for published studies (1995-2010) was performed using the databases Medline, Embase, Cochrane as well as the search engines Scopus and Google Scholar. RESULTS: 113 studies were used for detailed analysis. Clinical manifestations of various forms of neurosyphilis are protean, numerous and non-specific and could be on the differential diagnosis for many psychiatric presentations according to ICD-10. CONCLUSION: Due to our results, the difficulties in diagnosing syphilis and current epidemiological data, routine screening tests are still mandatory in the psychiatric field. Further, neurosyphilis still has to be considered in the differential diagnosis within the context of psychiatric conditions and diseases.

Meta-analysis: fact or fiction? How to interpret meta-analyses.

OBJECTIVES: Widespread use of increasingly complex statistical methods makes it ever more challenging to adequately assess the results reported and conclusions drawn in meta-analytic research. This paper aims to identify potential fallacies by in-depth examination of recent publications on mood disorders. METHODS: Three meta-analyses were selected based on availability of data and representativeness of methods employed. By means of detailed re-analysis, several widespread methodological problems were identified, and the example data were used to illustrate and discuss them. RESULTS: General points addressed include clear formulation of the research question, choice of effect size measures, and general choice of model. Data quality problems like missing data and publication bias are discussed along with methods to deal with them. Furthermore, aspects of meta-analytic modelling like the use of fixed or random effects, data aggregation, as well as the use of subgroups are explained, and issues of excessive complexity and data dredging pointed out. Finally, the benefit of diagnostic tools like confidence bands and the importance of transparency regarding data and methodology for the interpretation of meta-analytic results are highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Practically relevant quality criteria for readers to bear in mind when dealing with meta-analytic publications are summarized in a ten point checklist.