Excess costs of mental disorders by level of severity.

INTRODUCTION: Mental disorders are highly prevalent in Germany, and associated with decreased quality of life for those affected as well as high economic burden for the society. The purpose of this study was to determine the excess costs of mental disorders and to examine how these differ with respect to disease severity. METHODS: We analyzed mean 6-month costs using the baseline data from the RECOVER trial in Hamburg, Germany, which evaluates an innovative stepped-care model for mental disorders. Four severity levels were classified based on the current level of mental illness, loss of functioning, and psychiatric diagnosis. In this work, direct costs (outpatient, inpatient, and social/informal care) and indirect costs (sick leave, unemployment, and early retirement) were estimated using interview-based data on health care utilization and productivity losses. Excess costs were determined by matching a comparison group of the German general population without mental disorders. Group differences in sociodemographic covariates and somatic comorbidities were balanced using entropy balancing. Excess costs by severity levels were estimated using generalized linear models (GLM) with gamma distribution and log-link function. RESULTS: Overall, the RECOVER group included n = 816 and the comparison group included n = 3226 individuals. Mean total 6-month excess costs amounted to 19,075€, with higher indirect excess costs (13,331€) than direct excess costs (5744€) in total excess costs. The excess costs increased with increasing disease severity, ranging from 6,123€ with mild disease severity (level 1) to 31,883€ with severe mental illness (level 4). Indirect excess costs ranged from 5612€ in level 1 to 21,399€ in level 4, and were statistically significant for all disease severity levels. In contrast, direct excess costs were only statistically significant for the levels 2 to 4, and ranged from 511€ in level 1 to 10,485€ in level 4. The main cost drivers were hospital stays (level 2-4), sick leave and unemployment (all levels), and early retirement (level 3-4). DISCUSSION: Mental disorders are associated with high costs that increase with the level of disease severity, which was also shown for individual ICD-10 diagnosis groups. Due to their influence on costs, indirect costs and disease severity levels should be considered in future cost-of-illness studies of mental disorders. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov, trial registration number NCT03459664.

Health-related quality of life in severe psychotic disorders during integrated care: 5-year course, prediction and treatment implications (ACCESS II).

PURPOSE: Studies on outcomes mapping Quality of Life (QoL) as patient-reported outcome over a longer period in severe psychotic disorders are scarce. However, such data would be particularly important for structuring, implementing and operating effective and efficient care models and for promoting satisfaction with care, service engagement and adherence. METHODS: The ACCESS II study is a prospective long-term study of an integrated care model for people with severe psychotic disorders. The model includes Therapeutic Assertive Community Treatment within a cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary network. This publication analyses the course of QoL assessed with the Q-LES-Q-18 using a mixed model for repeated measures. RESULTS: Mapping the course of QoL in N = 329 participants, there is a significant increase in the first 6 weeks of treatment (early course). Comparison to a published norm show significant lower QoL for severe psychotic disorders. The variable having a traumatic event before the age of 18 was significantly negatively associated with QoL. A decrease in the severity of depressive as well as in positive symptomatology in the first six weeks after admission was associated with increase of QoL. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that the overall symptom burden at time of inclusion is not decisive for the perceived QoL in the long-term course while the reduction in the severity of depressive and positive symptoms is important. This means focusing even more on the treatment of depressive symptoms and include traumatherapeutic aspects in the long-term treatment of severe psychotic disorders if needed. TRAIL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT01888627).

Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial evaluating home treatment with peer support for acute mental health crises (HoPe).

BACKGROUND: Home treatment (HT) is a treatment modality for patients with severe mental illness (SMI) in acute mental crises. It is frequently considered equivalent to psychiatric inpatient treatment in terms of treatment outcome. Peer Support (PS) means that people with lived experience of a mental illness are trained to support others on their way towards recovery. While PS is growing in international importance and despite a growing number of studies supporting its benefits, it is still not comprehensively implemented into routine care. The HoPe (Home Treatment with Peer Support) study investigates a combination of both - HT and PS - to provide further evidence for a recovery-oriented treatment of psychiatric patients. METHODS: In our randomized controlled trial (RCT), HT with PS is compared with HT without PS within a network of eight psychiatric clinical centers from the North, South and East of Germany. We investigate the effects of a combination of both approaches with respect to the prevention of relapse/recurrence defined as first hospitalization after randomization (primary outcome), disease severity, general functioning, self-efficacy, psychosocial health, stigma resistance, recovery support, and service satisfaction (secondary outcomes). A sample of 286 patients will be assessed at baseline after admission to HT care (data point t0) and randomized into the intervention (HT + PS) and control arm (HT). Follow-Up assessments will be conducted 2, 6 and 12 months after admission (resulting in three further data points, t1 to t3) and will be analyzed via intention-to-treat approach. DISCUSSION: This study may determine the positive effects of PS added to HT, prove additional evidence for the efficacy of PS and thereby facilitate its further implementation into psychiatric settings. The aim is to improve quality of mental health care and patients' recovery as well as to reduce the risk of relapses and hospitalizations for patients with SMI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04336527 , April 7, 2020.

[Characteristics of psychoses in adolescence-Longitudinal data of integrated care]. / Charakteristika von Psychosen in der Adoleszenz ­ longitudinale Daten der Integrierten Versorgung.

BACKGROUND: Integrated care according to the Hamburg model combines therapeutic assertive community treatment (TACT) with initiatives for early detection and early treatment of schizophrenia and affective psychoses. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics of adolescents in comparison to adult patients and to derive knowledge for transition-specific treatment approaches. METHODOLOGY: Sociodemographic and clinical variables as well as treatment performance and clinical outcome were investigated over a period of 12 months in 167 patients with psychoses (16-25 years, n = 88; and >25 years, n = 79). RESULTS: Patients with psychosis in adolescence had significantly more outpatient treatment contacts (3.5/week vs. 1.6/week; p < 0.001), while adults were hospitalized for twice as long (10 days vs. 21 days; p = 0.003). The duration of untreated psychoses was significantly shorter in the adolescent group than in adults (122 weeks vs. 208 weeks; p = 0.002). The proportion of comorbid mental disorders was significantly higher in the adolescent group (87% vs. 63%; p < 0.001). In addition, the adolescence patients already showed greater impairment of daily functions and a higher severity of illness at the start of treatment. DISCUSSION: The treatment of psychoses in adolescence was characterized by a particularly high need for flexibility across all sectors and support systems, taking comorbid problem areas into account. Care models for adolescents and young adults with psychoses should therefore combine treatment approaches for severely ill patients with transition psychiatric interventions to avoid breaks in care and to meet the complex requirements of young patients with severe mental illnesses.

[Mental Diseases in Adolescence - Approaches of Treatment and Clinical Insights]. / Psychische Erkrankungen in der Adoleszenz ­ Behandlungsansätze und klinische Erfahrungen.

Adolescents and young adults with mental illness have an increased risk of long-term unfavourable development and show high clinical severity and multiple psychosocial needs at an early age. In this context, several specific transitional psychiatric treatment services have been developed during the last years. The experience gained so far in adolescent psychiatry shows that a close interdisciplinary cooperation of child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry is necessary to address interface problems with the aim of a successful transition, as well as to prevent the development of severe and chronicmental illnesses. At the same time, there are many structural and content-related challenges that need to be integrated and addressed. In this review, different treatment models are presented and the requirements for successful transition psychiatry are discussed in the context of the existing evidence.

Autoantibody-associated psychiatric syndromes in children: link to adult psychiatry.

Studies show that psychiatric symptoms in adults and children are sometimes associated with serum neural autoantibodies. The significance of serum neural autoantibodies associated with psychiatric symptoms in children remains often unclear, but might be relevant for the extent and occurrence of psychiatric disease manifestation in later life, as well as therapy and outcome. For this narrative review, we sought articles listed in PubMed and published between 1988 and 2020 addressing the maternal-fetal transfer of neural autoantibodies and psychiatric disorders associated with serum neural autoantibodies. We identified six major subgroups of psychiatric disorders in children that are associated with serum neural autoantibodies: patients with attentional deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, psychosis and catatonia. Furthermore, we summarized study findings from maternal-fetal transfer of Contactin-associated protein-like 2, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and fetal brain autoantibodies associated with behavioral effects in animals and humans. We hypothesize that the maternal transfer of serum neuronal autoantibodies during or after birth could result (1) in the ignition of an autoimmune-mediated inflammation having neurodevelopmental consequences for their children (autoimmune-priming-attack hypothesis) and (2) has a potential impact on the later manifestation of psychiatric disorders. Through this narrative review, we propose a diagnostic pathway for the clinical diagnosis of a potentially autoimmune origin of psychiatric symptoms in children while considering recent guidelines.

Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral group therapy in patients at risk for serious mental illness presenting with subthreshold bipolar symptoms: Results from a prespecified interim analysis of a multicenter, randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Most patients with bipolar disorders (BD) exhibit prodromal symptoms before a first (hypo)manic episode. Patients with clinically significant symptoms fulfilling at-risk criteria for serious mental illness (SMI) require effective and safe treatment. Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) has shown promising results in early stages of BD and in patients at high risk for psychosis. We aimed to investigate whether group CBT can improve symptoms and functional deficits in young patients at risk for SMI presenting with subthreshold bipolar symptoms. METHOD: In a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, patients at clinical risk for SMI presenting with subthreshold bipolar symptoms aged 15-30 years were randomized to 14 weeks of at-risk for BD-specific group CBT or unstructured group meetings. Primary efficacy endpoints were differences in affective symptomatology and psychosocial functioning at 14 weeks. At-risk status was defined as a combination of subthreshold bipolar symptomatology, reduction of psychosocial functioning and a family history for (schizo)affective disorders. A prespecified interim analysis was conducted at 75% of the targeted sample. RESULTS: Of 128 screened participants, 75 were randomized to group CBT (n = 38, completers = 65.8%) vs unstructured group meetings (n = 37, completers = 78.4%). Affective symptomatology and psychosocial functioning improved significantly at week 14 (P < .001) and during 6 months (P < .001) in both groups, without significant between-group differences. Findings are limited by the interim character of the analysis, the use of not fully validated early detection interviews, a newly adapted intervention manual, and the substantial drop-outs. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that young patients at-risk for SMI presenting with subthreshold bipolar symptoms benefit from early group sessions. The degree of specificity and psychotherapeutic interaction needed requires clarification.

[Healthcare research in the living environment]. / Versorgungsforschung in der Lebenswelt.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare research in the living environment is focused on the scientific investigation of care, which is delivered in the personal environment of those affected by diseases. OBJECTIVE: Presentation of the healthcare policy starting position, content and evidence of forms of care by which treatment focuses on the living environment of affected persons. Presentation of the RECOVER model, by which these forms of care are integrated and coordinated in a care model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature search on "care or treatment models" and "psychiatric disease" over the last 10 years. RESULTS: Many experts are calling for the introduction of integrated and coordinated care as well as the digitalization of the healthcare system as essential future solutions. Evidence-based forms of care, which have a main focus on the living environment of those concerned, play an important role here. These include, for example early diagnosis and treatment of psychoses (early psychosis services, EPS), crisis resolution team (CRT), assertive community treatment (ACT), supported employment (SE) and e­mental health. With the exception of CRT, which can be financed as a hospital ward equivalent treatment according to §§ 39 and 115d (German Social Code V, SGB V), many of these treatment models are not yet part of standard care in Germany. In an integrated and coordinated care system these components work together in a meaningful and coordinated manner in defined care processes. This approach is currently being tested using the so-called RECOVER model, a severity level, evidence-based and cross-sectoral coordinated care model, where implementation, testing and transfer from 2017-2020 will be promoted by the Innovation Fund of the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA).

[Psychotic disorders in the transition phase: early detection and early intervention]. / Früherkennung und Frühintervention bei psychotischen Störungen in der Transitionsphase.

Adolescence is a particularly vulnerable age for the first manifestation of psychoses due to the brain maturation process and especially with additional stress factors and these have negative psychosocial consequences for the affected persons and their relatives. The disadvantages of an early onset of the disease can be partially compensated for by high-quality early diagnosis and early treatment, taking into account transitional medical approaches. In order to promote a successful transition of adolescent patients with psychoses, there are practical recommendations for the establishment of community-based, flexible and follow-up early diagnosis and treatment networks in which employees work together across diagnosis, age, discipline, and setting, enabling a structured, comprehensive, patient-oriented and flexible successful transition.

[Treatment in Adolescent Psychiatry: Results of a Germany-wide Survey]. / Behandlungsangebote der Adoleszenzpsychiatrie ­ Ergebnisse einer deutschlandweiten Erhebung.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to examine adolescence-specific treatment models throughout Germany, to describe the implementation process of transition psychiatric care and to identify relevant health care problem areas for adolescents with mental disorders. METHODOLOGY: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey (N = 26) of hospital-based adolescent psychiatric treatment models was conducted. Service structures, treatment groups and interventions were investigated by the 28-item questionnaire. RESULTS: There is an increase in adolescence-specific hospital-based services in Germany. These are characterized by multi-professional team work in diagnosis and adolescence-specific therapy approaches. Most of the treatment available is for young adults only (>18 years). Some of the services are organized in interdisciplinary cooperation models. Structural deficits in acute and crisis treatment, cross-sectoral cooperation and systematic transition are reported. Conclusions There is growing interest throughout Germany in the development of adolescent psychiatric treatment. Close interdisciplinary cooperation between child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry is necessary to overcome interface problems with the aim of a successful transition, but has not yet been implemented. Structural problems should be reduced in order to facilitate further development in transition psychiatry.

[Transition psychiatry - challenges and solutions]. / Transitionspsychiatrie ­ Herausforderungen und Lösungsansätze.

Disruptions in psychiatric care delivery during the transition from adolescence to adulthood frequently lead - particularly in the case of severe mental illness - to a considerable treatment delay and an especially high rate of treatment dropout with a high risk of early chronification. The joint Task Force Transition, of the German Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (DGKJP) and the German Association for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (DGPPN), therefore analyzed general, sector-specific and disorder-specific gaps in the German psychiatric care system which obstruct a successful transition to the adult psychiatric care system. The article summarizes the results of the Task Force, outlines the aims and challenges of transition-psychiatric treatment models, and addresses their structural and professional prerequisites. The requirements and recommendations derived from this are transferred to psychiatric planning, health and research policy as well as education, training and professional development in order to optimally shape the transition from adolescent-centered to adult-oriented psychiatric care in the future.

[Innovative care models for people with schizophrenia]. / Innovative Versorgungsmodelle für Menschen mit schizophrenen Erkrankungen.

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder. Hence, the mental health system faces enormous structural, therapeutic, and health-economic challenges. Innovative models of healthcare can facilitate making treatment more efficient and effective.This paper aims to give an overview of evidence-based and innovative models of care and treatment for schizophrenia and severe mental illnesses. For this purpose, we performed a literature search covering the last 10 years of publications regarding "care or treatment models" and "schizophrenia," "psychosis," or "severe mental illness."Many publications do not provide details about the tested care model. Innovative care models for schizophrenia comprise early psychosis services (EPSs) or models for severe mental illnesses (SMI) integrating, combining and/or developing the treatment models crisis resolution team (CRT), assertive community treatment (ACT), and/or (intensive) case management (ICM). For illustration, the innovative models Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) in Australia, the Flexible Assertive Community Treatment model in the Netherlands, and the Therapeutic Assertive Community Treatment model in Hamburg are explained. All three models regularly offer integrated, specialized, and assertive care.In Germany, innovative models of care have not been implemented sufficiently: neither EPS nor ACT are part of standard care; CRT can now be funded by health insurances via "ward-equivalent treatment" as defined by a new German law (§§ 39 und 115d SGB V). Regarding the implementation of CRT and ACT in Germany, a clinical study evaluating the RECOVER model is underway. This is a stepped-care, trans-sectorally coordinated and evidence-based treatment model, the evaluation of which is supported by the innovation fund of the Joint Federal Committee (Gemeinsamen Bundesausschuss, G­BA) from 2017 to 2020.

Negative symptoms, anxiety, and depression as mechanisms of change of a 12-month trial of assertive community treatment as part of integrated care in patients with first- and multi-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (ACCESS I trial).

Assertive community treatment (ACT) has shown to be effective in improving both functional deficits and quality of life (QoL) in patients with severe mental illness. However, the mechanisms of this beneficial effect remained unclear. We examined mechanisms of change by testing potential mediators including two subdomains of negative symptoms, i.e. social amotivation as well as expressive negative symptoms, anxiety, and depression within a therapeutic ACT model (ACCESS I trial) in a sample of 120 first- and multi-episode patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (DSM-IV). Path modelling served to test the postulated relationship between the respective treatment condition, i.e. 12-month ACT as part of integrated care versus standard care, and changes in functioning and QoL. The final path model resulted in 3 differential pathways that were all significant. Treatment-induced changes in social amotivation served as a starting point for all pathways, and had a direct beneficial effect on functioning and an additional indirect effect on it through changes in anxiety. Expressive negative symptoms were not related to functioning but served as a mediator between changes in social amotivation and depressive symptoms, which subsequently resulted in improvements in QoL. Our results suggest that social amotivation, expressive negative symptoms, depression, and anxiety functioned as mechanisms of change of ACCESS. An integrated and sequential treatment focusing on these mediators may optimise the generalisation effects on functioning as well as on QoL by targeting the most powerful mechanism of change that fits best to the individual patient.