Childhood adversities characterize the heterogeneity in the brain pattern of individuals during neurodevelopment.

BACKGROUND: Several factors shape the neurodevelopmental trajectory. A key area of focus in neurodevelopmental research is to estimate the factors that have maximal influence on the brain and can tip the balance from typical to atypical development. METHODS: Utilizing a dissimilarity maximization algorithm on the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) of the resting state functional MRI data, we classified subjects from the cVEDA neurodevelopmental cohort (n = 987, aged 6-23 years) into homogeneously patterned DMD (representing typical development in 809 subjects) and heterogeneously patterned DMD (indicative of atypical development in 178 subjects). RESULTS: Significant DMD differences were primarily identified in the default mode network (DMN) regions across these groups (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected). While the groups were comparable in cognitive performance, the atypical group had more frequent exposure to adversities and faced higher abuses (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected). Upon evaluating brain-behavior correlations, we found that correlation patterns between adversity and DMN dynamic modes exhibited age-dependent variations for atypical subjects, hinting at differential utilization of the DMN due to chronic adversities. CONCLUSION: Adversities (particularly abuse) maximally influence the DMN during neurodevelopment and lead to the failure in the development of a coherent DMN system. While DMN's integrity is preserved in typical development, the age-dependent variability in atypically developing individuals is contrasting. The flexibility of DMN might be a compensatory mechanism to protect an individual in an abusive environment. However, such adaptability might deprive the neural system of the faculties of normal functioning and may incur long-term effects on the psyche.

Evaluation of Feasibility and Acceptability of a Text-Messaging Intervention for Tobacco Cessation in India.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a brief behavioral intervention for tobacco cessation delivered via mobile phone text messaging in India. AIMS AND METHODS: We conducted an uncontrolled intervention cohort study in adult current users of tobacco. The participants received intervention messages on their mobile phones for eight weeks. We collected qualitative data about participants' perceptions of intervention delivery and receipt, acceptability, and feasibility of the intervention. The outcomes measured at 3 months post-recruitment were self-reported 7- and 28-day point-prevalence abstinence, and Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) risk categories for tobacco-low (0-3), moderate (4-26), and high (≥27). RESULTS: We recruited 26 eligible participants, and 22 completed the outcome assessments. The participants generally perceived the intervention content to be simple to access and useful in facilitating a change in tobacco use. None of the participants indicated that they wanted to discontinue receiving the intervention messages. Some suggestions for enhancing acceptability included supplementing text messaging with more intensive counseling and the use of multimedia content. Eighteen percent of participants reported abstinence in the past 7 and 28 days. A greater proportion of those who used smokeless tobacco were abstinent at follow-up compared to those who smoked (42.9% vs. 6.7%; p = .04). CONCLUSIONS: If effective, simple and low-cost mobile phone text messaging can be used to deliver interventions for tobacco use, and has the potential to be scaled up so it can be delivered to populations of smokers interested in receiving cessation support. IMPLICATIONS: Our study is an important step towards the development of a contextually relevant intervention suited for low- and middle-income countries and which is responsive to the needs of both those who use smoked and smokeless tobacco. If found to be effective, our intervention would be a scalable solution to overcome the human resource related barrier to accessing tobacco cessation services in low resource settings.

Text Message-Based Cessation Intervention for People Who Smoked or Used Smokeless Tobacco in India: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the high burden of tobacco use in India, users do not have access to adequate help. This pilot trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a text messaging intervention for tobacco cessation, generate preliminary estimates of its impact, and fine-tune procedures for a definitive trial. AIMS AND METHODS: Parallel two-arm single blind individually randomized controlled pilot trial with nested qualitative study. Participants included adult current tobacco users (smoked and smokeless). Eligible and consenting participants were randomized to receive either (1) text messaging intervention (ToQuit) which covered specific content areas such as psychoeducation about consequences of tobacco use and benefits of quitting and tobacco avoidance strategies or (2) information about tobacco cessation helplines such as the helpline number and the languages in which tobacco cessation support was available (control). Feasibility data included screening and consent rates, treatment dropouts, and outcome ascertainment. The primary abstinence outcome was self-reported abstinence from tobacco in the past seven days at 3 months post-randomization. In-depth interviews were conducted with a subsample of participants primarily to collect acceptability data. The primary abstinence analysis used a chi-squared test and logistic regression (complete case), and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-eight participants were randomized into the two trial arms; 77 (79%) completed outcome evaluation. No between-arm differences in abstinence were found though findings favored the intervention (7-day abstinence: ToQuit 23%, control 19%; adjusted odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 0.38, 3.97). Participants appreciated the language, comprehensibility, and relevance of the messages; and reported overall satisfaction with and positive impact from the intervention on their lives. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate the acceptability and feasibility of ToQuit and if found effective, it could be a potentially scalable first-line response to tobacco use in low-resource settings. IMPLICATIONS: Our pilot randomized control trial provides sufficient findings supporting the acceptability and feasibility of an intervention for tobacco cessation which is suitable for a context which has a shortage of healthcare workers and for individuals who use smoked or smokeless tobacco. This is critical on a background of limited contextually relevant interventions for a problem with a high burden in low- and middle-income countries such as India.

Perspectives of smokers, smokeless tobacco users and cessation practitioners in India: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: India is the second largest consumer of tobacco in the world and accounts for 70% of global deaths due to smokeless tobacco (SLT) use. AIM: The aim of this study is to understand the perspectives of tobacco users (smokers and SLT users) and practitioners in India to inform cessation interventions. METHOD: Semi-structured in-depth interviews with tobacco users (smoked and smokeless; n=23), and healthcare practitioners (n=13). Perspectives were triangulated using thematic analysis to examine convergence, divergence and complementarity of findings. RESULTS: We present the results in a socio-ecological framework to highlight reasons for initiation and continuation of tobacco and motives to quit at the individual, interpersonal, occupational, societal and policy levels. SLT is seen as culturally acceptable compared to smoked forms of tobacco. Emotionally framed messages highlighting negative effects of tobacco on loved ones were perceived to be a better motivator than other types of cessation messages. DISCUSSION: Nuanced differences exist between smokers and SLT user perspectives which have implications for cessation programs. Our findings supplement similar studies with other South Asian populations. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Our study provides useful insights to tailor cessation interventions to the type of tobacco consumed in order to enhance their acceptability and effectiveness.

Managing COVID-19 patients with mental illness in a specialized neuropsychiatric setting: An experience from a tertiary care hospital in India.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the management and outcome of COVID-19 infection in mental illness at a specialized neuropsychiatric setting. METHODS: A retrospective review of the clinical profile of 100 COVID-19 patients with mental illness, admitted to the Psychiatric COVID unit (PCU) from June 2020 to June 2022, was done, with a subgroup analysis of chronic institutionalized patients (n = 36). RESULTS: Schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, and schizoaffective disorder comprised 64% of the study population. Most patients (87%) were on antipsychotics. 56% of the patients had an infection of mild severity and 38% were asymptomatic. Corticosteroids and anticoagulants were given to 33.3% and 25% of the patients, respectively. 16% of the patients encountered medical complications in the PCU, and 14% were referred to a COVID-designated hospital. Patients with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension were more likely to be referred. The chronic institutionalized patients (n = 36) had either an asymptomatic or mild infection. Three among these patients were referred to a COVID-designated hospital. CONCLUSION: Most psychiatric patients with medical illnesses, including COVID-19, pose unique challenges including complexity of symptoms, ensuring patient safety, and the need for trained professional staff to provide specialized psychiatric interventions, which can be taken care of in psychiatric care settings.

Impact of Covid-19 on Caller Characteristics and Quit Rates: Experience of Regional Tobacco Quitline From India.

BACKGROUND: The tobacco epidemic is a major health concern amplified by Covid-19. We aimed to study differences in caller profiles to the regional tobacco quitline services of South India during the Covid-19 pandemic in comparison with the prepandemic. METHOD: Using a descriptive cross-sectional research design, we examined registered caller profiles to the quitline between March and July 2019 (Prepandemic N = 7845) and the same months in 2020 (Covid-19 pandemic phase N = 6447) phases. RESULTS: The proportion of registered callers with an expressed intent to quit tobacco increased by 1.73 times during pandemic (16.7% versus 9.6%). Health concerns were cited as the major reason (93.25%) to quit tobacco in 2020 as compared to 2019 (88.02%). Cough (28.50%) and psychological difficulties (14.20%) were reported significantly more by RCs in 2020. Self-reported quit rates were significantly higher among RCs in 2020 as compared to 2019 on the quit day (2019-47.37% & 2020-77.54%, p = .001), at one week (2019-25.17% and 2020-56.06%, p = .001) as was one-month continuous abstinence (2019-11.88% and 2020-39.60%, p = .001). CONCLUSION: The pandemic resulted in a greater intent to quit among registered callers to the quitline. However, awareness about the quitline services as well as other tobacco cessation services needs to be expanded to reach more tobacco users. IMPLICATIONS: Pandemics offer an opportunity to change health risk behaviors. During the Covid-19 pandemic, callers to the tobacco quitline were more motivated to quit tobacco and attributed it to concerns about the health risks from tobacco use, particularly during the pandemic. Quit rates also increased significantly during the pandemic as compared to before. These gains in encouraging tobacco cessation need to be maintained beyond the pandemic by strengthening existing quitlines and other supports for tobacco cessation.

Risk clustering and psychopathology from a multi-center cohort of Indian children, adolescents, and young adults.

Developmental adversities early in life are associated with later psychopathology. Clustering may be a useful approach to group multiple diverse risks together and study their relation with psychopathology. To generate risk clusters of children, adolescents, and young adults, based on adverse environmental exposure and developmental characteristics, and to examine the association of risk clusters with manifest psychopathology. Participants (n = 8300) between 6 and 23 years were recruited from seven sites in India. We administered questionnaires to elicit history of previous exposure to adverse childhood environments, family history of psychiatric disorders in first-degree relatives, and a range of antenatal and postnatal adversities. We used these variables to generate risk clusters. Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-5 was administered to evaluate manifest psychopathology. Two-step cluster analysis revealed two clusters designated as high-risk cluster (HRC) and low-risk cluster (LRC), comprising 4197 (50.5%) and 4103 (49.5%) participants, respectively. HRC had higher frequencies of family history of mental illness, antenatal and neonatal risk factors, developmental delays, history of migration, and exposure to adverse childhood experiences than LRC. There were significantly higher risks of any psychiatric disorder [Relative Risk (RR) = 2.0, 95% CI 1.8-2.3], externalizing (RR = 4.8, 95% CI 3.6-6.4) and internalizing disorders (RR = 2.6, 95% CI 2.2-2.9), and suicidality (2.3, 95% CI 1.8-2.8) in HRC. Social-environmental and developmental factors could classify Indian children, adolescents and young adults into homogeneous clusters at high or low risk of psychopathology. These biopsychosocial determinants of mental health may have practice, policy and research implications for people in low- and middle-income countries.

Quantification of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in urine as a marker of cannabis abuse.

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: Cannabis use has long been associated with celebration and hospitality, although abuse must be confirmed through testing. It has always been difficult to develop an accurate and reliable confirmatory method for the quantification of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) that meets local requirements. The goal was to develop a rapid, cost-effective analytical technique that can handle large batches. METHODS: Because of the wide metabolite detection window and ease of collection, urine was preferable sample. The extraction of a pre-screened urine sample (adulteration and multidrug screening) was done on Bond Elut cartridges using a positive pressure vacuum manifold, followed by quantification using a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer. RESULTS: The assay was linear between 15 and 300 ng/ml ( r2 of 0.99). The intra-day precision was 8.69 per cent and the inter-day precision was 10.78 per cent, respectively with a 97.5 per cent recovery rate for the lowest concentration. A total of 939 urine samples were examined, with 213 detecting cannabis. Sixty per cent of the total individuals tested positive for simply cannabinoids, 33 per cent for cannabinoids and sedatives, five per cent for cannabinoids and morphine and one for cannabis, morphine and cocaine. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSIONS: Assay characteristics included modest sample preparation, rapid chromatography, high specificity and small sample volume with a processing time of 12 h. The assay described here can be applied for diagnostic laboratories and in forensic settings as well.

A descriptive study of hepatitis C in people who inject drugs.

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: The seroprevalence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in general population is higher than that of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in India. People who inject drugs (PWIDs) constitute a high-risk group for all blood-borne infections. Multiple behavioural surveillance surveys have provided a rich typology of HIV-infected PWIDs, but this information is missing for HCV infection. We describe awareness, transmission risk factors and the treatment continuum for HCV infection among PWID. We also report spatial clustering of HCV infection in PWIDs residing in Bengaluru. METHODS: Information from clinical records was collected and telephonic interviews of retrospectively identified PWIDs who received treatment at a tertiary-level addiction treatment facility between 2016 and 2021 were conducted. RESULTS: We identified 391 PWIDs; 220 (56.26%) received an anti-HCV antibody test (4 th Generation HCV-Tridot). Individuals reporting unsafe injection practices were more often tested than those who did not ( χ2 =44.9, df=1, P <0.01). Almost half of the tested and more than a quarter of the whole sample (109/220, 49.9%; 109/391, 27.9%) were seropositive for HCV infection. The projected seropositivity in this group was between 27.9 per cent (best case scenario, all untested assumed negative) and 71.6 per cent (worst case scenario, all untested assumed positive). Only a minority of participants interviewed were aware of HCV (27/183, 14.7%). HCV infection and its associated risk behaviour (PWID) were clustered in certain localities (Diggle and Chetwynd Test; P =0.001) in Bengaluru in the southern district of Karnataka. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSIONS: Undetected HCV infection is common in PWIDs; awareness and treatment uptake is poor in this group. Spatial clustering of infections in a district shows transmission in close networks and provides opportunities for targeted interventions.

Mental Health Programme in India: Has the tide really turned?

Mental disorders in India form a major public health concern and the efforts to tackle these dates back to four decades, by way of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and its operational arm, the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP). Although the progress of NMHP (and DMHP) was relatively slower till recently, the last 4-5 years have seen rapid strides with several initiatives, including (i) expansion of DMHPs to 90 per cent of the total districts of the country, (ii) the National Mental Health Policy and (iii) strengthening the Mental Health Legislation by way of providing explicit provisions for rights of persons with mental illnesses. Among others, factors responsible for this accelerated growth include the easily accessible digital technology as well as judicial activism. Federal and State cooperation is another notable feature of this expansion. In this review, the authors summarize the available information on the evolution of implementation and research aspects related to India's NMHP over the years and provide a case for the positive turn of events witnessed in the recent years. However, the authors caution that these are still baby steps and much more remains to be done.

Feasibility testing of a peer support programme for prisoners with common mental disorders and substance use.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of mental disorders and substance use among prisoners is high. Convicted prisoners of 'good behaviour' can be part of a peer support system in prisons. AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of a peer support programme for prisoners with common mental disorders and substance use in prison. METHOD: The study used a mixed method research design, with a quasi-experimental approach (single group pre-post without control). It was conducted in two phases: Phase I. Thirty-five peers/convicted prisoners were recruited through advertisements on the prisoners' community radio station. Volunteers with good behaviour reports were given training over 5 days to recognise mental and substance use disorders and provide basic peer support in prison; their attitudes and knowledge were tested before and after the training. PHASE II: Feasibility of the peer support programme was tested by (i) recording the number of cases identified and referred, (ii) pre- and post-evaluation of well-being, coping, and symptom severity of those supported and (iii) evaluating qualitatively the experience of the peer supporters and service users. RESULTS: Thirty-five peer supporters identified 49 cases over 3 months. These cases showed significant improvement in well-being (Z -1.962; p < 0.050) and reduction in symptom severity (Z -1.913; 0.056). There was a significant improvement in the peers supporters' self-esteem from pre- to post-training (t -3.31; p < 0.002), improvement in their benevolence (t -4.37; p < 0.001) and a significant reduction in their negative attitudes to mental illness (Z -3.518; p < 0.001). A thematic model of peer support encompassed self-experienced benefits for the peer supporter, wider recognition of peer supporters in the prison, challenges to this kind of support, experience of training and visions for future work. CONCLUSION: The peer support programme was experienced positively by the peer-supporters and supported. Common mental disorders, substance use and suicidality were recognised and appropriately referred. A full-scale evaluation of this promising programme is warranted.

Experiences and reactions of adolescent offspring to their fathers' heavy drinking: A qualitative study from an urban metropolis in India.

The study assessed the experiences and reactions of adolescent offspring of alcohol-dependent fathers (N = 15) to their fathers' heavy drinking. Data were analyzed qualitatively, identifying themes and sub-themes. Respondent accounts elaborated these themes with reference to explanations, experiences, reactions to their fathers' drinking. Gender differences were notable: girls were more likely to report abuse, shouldering of family responsibilities, physiological and other reactions, ambivalent feelings toward father, sadness and worthlessness. Boys were more likely to react with anger and/or aggression. The findings should guide the development of gender-sensitive family-based interventions for the adolescents, with special attention to psychological, social and legal dimensions.

The Consortium on Vulnerability to Externalizing Disorders and Addictions (c-VEDA): an accelerated longitudinal cohort of children and adolescents in India.

The global burden of disease attributable to externalizing disorders such as alcohol misuse calls urgently for effective prevention and intervention. As our current knowledge is mainly derived from high-income countries such in Europe and North-America, it is difficult to address the wider socio-cultural, psychosocial context, and genetic factors in which risk and resilience are embedded in low- and medium-income countries. c-VEDA was established as the first and largest India-based multi-site cohort investigating the vulnerabilities for the development of externalizing disorders, addictions, and other mental health problems. Using a harmonised data collection plan coordinated with multiple cohorts in China, USA, and Europe, baseline data were collected from seven study sites between November 2016 and May 2019. Nine thousand and ten participants between the ages of 6 and 23 were assessed during this time, amongst which 1278 participants underwent more intensive assessments including MRI scans. Both waves of follow-ups have started according to the accelerated cohort structure with planned missingness design. Here, we present descriptive statistics on several key domains of assessments, and the full baseline dataset will be made accessible for researchers outside the consortium in September 2019. More details can be found on our website [cveda.org].

Development, Validation, and Feasibility Testing of a Yoga Module for Opioid Use Disorder.

CONTEXT: Opioid use disorder (OUD) involves excessive use of opioids-such as heroin, morphine, fentanyl, codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone-leading to major health, social, and economic consequences. Yoga lifestyle interventions have been found to be useful as adjunct therapies in management of substance use disorders and chronic pain conditions. OBJECTIVE: The research team intended to develop, validate, and test for feasibility a yoga program for OUD patients that could reduce opiate withdrawal symptoms-such as pain, fatigue, low mood, anxiety and sleep disturbances-and cravings associated with drugs. DESIGN: The research team first performed a literature review of traditional and contemporary yoga texts, such as Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Light on Yoga, as well as modern scientific literature in the following search engines-Google Scholar, PubMed, and PsychInfo, using the keywords yoga, pranayama, hatha yoga, relaxation. meditation, substance use, addiction, impulsivity, craving, sleep quality, and fatigue. Using the information obtained, the team developed a yoga program and designed a pilot study that used the program. SETTING: The study took place in the Department of Integrative Medicine at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore, India. PARTICIPANTS: Participants in the pilot study were 8 inpatients, 6 males and 2 females, who were on opioid agonist treatment (buprenorphine) for OUD. INTERVENTION: The intervention was the yoga program previously validated by the research team. In the pilot study, participants were taught a one-hour, yoga-based intervention, with sessions occurring once per day, for 10 sessions. OUTCOME MEASURES: For validation, 13 experts scored the yoga program that the research team had developed and gave suggestions for each yogic practice for use during the acute phase of withdrawal and the maintenance phase respectively. A content validity ratio (CVR) was calculated from their scoring, and the research team made changes to the program base on the scoring and suggestions. For the pilot study, assessments occurred at baseline and postintervention. The participants' yoga performance was rated by the yoga trainer on a yoga performance assessment scale (YPA). Other measurements included: (1) the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS), (2) the Hamilton's anxiety rating scale (HAM-A), (3) the Hamilton's depression rating scale (HAM-D), (4) buprenorphine dosage, (5) the Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) scale, (6) a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, (7) sleep quality (latency and duration), and (8) the module's safety. RESULTS: Four practices were removed from the program due to CVR scores below the cutoff, and one practice was found not to be feasible (Kapalabhati). Two categories of yoga modules emerged: (1) for the acute symptomatic phase (40 minutes) and (2) for the maintenance phase (one hour). Practices were added or excluded based on the phase. CONCLUSIONS: The yoga module that was developed for reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings in OUD patients was found to be safe, feasible, and potentially useful as an adjunct therapy to conventional treatment.

Changes in DNA methylation persist over time in males with severe alcohol use disorder-A longitudinal follow-up study.

Treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder (AUD) aim for abstinence or harm reduction. While deranged biochemical parameters reverse with alcohol abstinence, whether molecular changes at the epigenetic level reverse is not clearly understood. We investigated whether the reduction from high alcohol use reflects DNA methylation at the gene-specific and global level. In subjects seeking treatment for severe AUD, we assessed gene-specific (aldehyde dehydrogenase [ALDH2]/methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR]) and global (long interspersed elements [LINE-1]) methylation across three-time points (baseline, after detoxification and at an early remission period of 3 months), in peripheral blood leukocytes. We observed that both gene-specific and global DNA methylation did not change over time, irrespective of the drinking status at 3 months (52% abstained from alcohol). Further, we also compared DNA methylation in AUD subjects with healthy controls. At baseline, there was a significantly higher gene-specific DNA methylation (ALDH2: p < .001 and MTHFR: p = .001) and a significant lower global methylation (LINE-1: p = .014) in AUD as compared to controls. Our results suggest that epigenetic changes at the DNA methylation level associated with severe AUD persist for at least 3 months of treatment.

Consortium on Vulnerability to Externalizing Disorders and Addictions (cVEDA): A developmental cohort study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Low and middle-income countries like India with a large youth population experience a different environment from that of high-income countries. The Consortium on Vulnerability to Externalizing Disorders and Addictions (cVEDA), based in India, aims to examine environmental influences on genomic variations, neurodevelopmental trajectories and vulnerability to psychopathology, with a focus on externalizing disorders. METHODS: cVEDA is a longitudinal cohort study, with planned missingness design for yearly follow-up. Participants have been recruited from multi-site tertiary care mental health settings, local communities, schools and colleges. 10,000 individuals between 6 and 23 years of age, of all genders, representing five geographically, ethnically, and socio-culturally distinct regions in India, and exposures to variations in early life adversity (psychosocial, nutritional, toxic exposures, slum-habitats, socio-political conflicts, urban/rural living, mental illness in the family) have been assessed using age-appropriate instruments to capture socio-demographic information, temperament, environmental exposures, parenting, psychiatric morbidity, and neuropsychological functioning. Blood/saliva and urine samples have been collected for genetic, epigenetic and toxicological (heavy metals, volatile organic compounds) studies. Structural (T1, T2, DTI) and functional (resting state fMRI) MRI brain scans have been performed on approximately 15% of the individuals. All data and biological samples are maintained in a databank and biobank, respectively. DISCUSSION: The cVEDA has established the largest neurodevelopmental database in India, comparable to global datasets, with detailed environmental characterization. This should permit identification of environmental and genetic vulnerabilities to psychopathology within a developmental framework. Neuroimaging and neuropsychological data from this study are already yielding insights on brain growth and maturation patterns.

Complicated Alcohol Withdrawal-An Unintended Consequence of COVID-19 Lockdown.

AIM: To assess the impact of COVID-19-related lockdown in India on alcohol-dependent persons. METHOD: We examined the change in the incidence of severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome presenting to hospitals in the city of Bangalore. RESULTS: A changepoint analysis of the time series data (between 01.01.20 to 11.04.20) showed an increase in the average number of cases from 4 to 8 per day (likelihood ratio test: χ2 = 72, df = 2, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: An unintended consequence of the lockdown was serious illness in some patients with alcohol use disorders.

Innovative virtual mentoring using the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes model for primary care providers for the management of alcohol use disorders.

The number of experts available for the management of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in rural and underserved areas in India is limited. In this study, a blended training programme was conducted for 26 primary care providers (PCPs) from nine districts of Bihar, in best practices for the management of AUDs. A two weeks on-site training was followed by fortnightly online tele-Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) clinics for six months using the 'Hub and Spokes' ECHO model, accessible through internet-enabled smartphones. A questionnaire administered at baseline and after six months assessed changes in the PCPs compliance with principles of AUD management. Significant improvements were noted in compliance to principles in the management of AUDs based on self-report. Over the six months period 2695 individuals were screened, of whom 832 (30.8%) had an AUD Identification Test score of more than 16, indicating harmful use or dependence. The PCPs reported retaining 49.1 per cent of the cases for at least one follow up and needed to refer only 80 (3%) cases to specialists for further management. The ECHO model was found to be effective in training PCPs to provide quality healthcare. To confirm these findings, it needs to be tested in a large number of PCPs with a robust study design.

Adverse childhood experiences in families with multiple members diagnosed to have psychiatric illnesses.

OBJECTIVE: Adverse childhood experiences are linked to the development of a number of psychiatric illnesses in adulthood. Our study examined the pattern of adverse childhood experiences and their relation to the age of onset of major psychiatric conditions in individuals from families that had ⩾2 first-degree relatives with major psychiatric conditions (multiplex families), identified as part of an ongoing longitudinal study. METHODS: Our sample consisted of 509 individuals from 215 families. Of these, 268 were affected, i.e., diagnosed with bipolar disorder (n = 61), obsessive-compulsive disorder (n = 58), schizophrenia (n = 52), substance dependence (n = 59) or co-occurring diagnoses (n = 38), while 241 were at-risk first-degree relatives who were either unaffected (n = 210) or had other depressive or anxiety disorders (n = 31). All individuals were evaluated using the Adverse Childhood Experiences - International Questionnaire and total adverse childhood experiences exposure and severity scores were calculated. RESULTS: It was seen that affected males, as a group, had the greatest adverse childhood experiences exposure and severity scores in our sample. A Cox mixed effects model fit by gender revealed that a higher total adverse childhood experiences severity score was associated with significantly increased risk for an earlier age of onset of psychiatric diagnoses in males. A similar model that evaluated the interaction of diagnosis revealed an earlier age of onset in obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance dependence, but not in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that adverse childhood experiences were associated with an earlier onset of major psychiatric conditions in men and individuals diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance dependence. Ongoing longitudinal assessments in first-degree relatives from these families are expected to identify mechanisms underlying this relationship.

Pellagra and Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: Findings From a Tertiary Care Addiction Treatment Centre in India.

AIM: To define the prevalence and clinical presentation of pellagra, a multi-systemic disease caused by the deficiency of niacin, in patients admitted to a tertiary addiction treatment centre in southern India, with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS)-(ICD10). METHODS: Review of the health records of 2947 patients who received inpatient care for ADS between 2015 and 2017. RESULTS: Out of 2947, 31 (1%) were diagnosed with pellagra. Nearly two-thirds (64.5%) of those with pellagra were from a low-income group. Of the clinical-triad of pellagra, all patients had dermatitis, more than half (58%) had delirium, a minority (19%) had diarrhoea. Nearly two-thirds (61%) had presented in a complicated-withdrawal state. Associated conditions included peripheral neuropathy (32%); Wernicke's encephalopathy (26%); seizures (16%).Seventeen (54%) had BMI <18.5 kg/m2. Treatment was a high dose of parenteral vitamins including niacin (mean dose: 1500 mg/day) for an average of 7.5 days followed by oral multivitamin supplements. All had complete resolution of pellagrous symptoms by the end of the three weeks of inpatient care. CONCLUSIONS: Pellagra is an acute medical condition, frequently encountered in the context of alcohol dependence and poverty. It often presents with other disabling and life-threatening comorbidities like delirium tremens and Wernicke's encephalopathy. The classical triad of pellagra is only seen in a minority of cases. Thus a high index of suspicion is required lest pellagra may remain undiagnosed. Prompt identification and treatment with a high dose of niacin in combination with other vitamins result in complete recovery.