The effect of lifestyle intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors in mental health rehabilitation hostel residents at-risk: a cluster-randomized controlled 15-month trial.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiometabolic disorders contribute to morbidity and mortality in people with severe mental illnesses (SMI), yet lifestyle-intervention efficacy in patients with SMI is unclear. Israel's unique mental-health rehabilitation hostels (MHRHs) provide housing to subjects with SMI. We tested how multi-component lifestyle intervention affects cardiometabolic risk-factors in at-risk SMI populations residing in MHRHs. METHODS: In a prospective, cluster-randomized, controlled study, six MHRHs, paired by residents' functioning level, were randomized to lifestyle intervention (nutrition education, physical education), or usual care. Subjects recruited included those with ≥1 of: BMI > 25 kg/m2; plasma triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL; HbA1c ≥ 5.7%; fasting plasma glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL and plasma HDL < 40(men)/ 50(women) mg/dL. Primary outcome was BMI change after 15 months; other outcomes were plasma lipids levels and glycemic control. Low cooperation in one MHRH pair led to their exclusion, the others were assigned to intervention or control. RESULTS: Eighty residents were enrolled to intervention groups and 74 to control. Compared to baseline, intervention-arm participants experienced improvements in BMI (-0.83 kg/m2 [-1.36, -0.29] 95%CI), triglycerides (-30.60 mg/dL [-49.39, -11.82]95%CI) and LDL (-15.51 mg/dL [-24.53, -6.50]95%CI) (all P ≤ 0.003). BMI improvement correlated with number of dietitian consultations (r = -0.30; P = 0.001). No significant differences were found between treatment arms in BMI (-0.46 kg/m2 [-1.11, 0.18]95%CI;P = 0.189), triglycerides (-24.70 mg/dL [-57.66, 8.25]95%CI), LDL (-9.24 mg/dL [-20.50, 2.03]95%CI), HDL and glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle intervention significantly improved BMI, LDL and triglycerides compared to baseline in at-risk MHRHs residents with SMI, yet compared to usual care the differences did not reach statistical significance. The association between the number of dietitian's consultations and BMI improvement suggests that programs should highlight participants' adherence.

[LONG-TERM SURVIVAL OF DUAL DISORDERS PATIENTS AFTER MIXED CARE IN DUAL DISORDERS AND STANDARD WARDS VERSUS CARE ONLY IN DUAL DISORDERS WARD].

BACKGROUND: Dual disorders (co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders in the same person) are extremely common among patients receiving mental health services. Integrated treatment has been proposed as the standard of care and it describes a flexible combination of treatments from the mental health and addiction fields that are blended together in the therapy. Scientific evidence for survival of dual disorders patients (DDPs), who had integrated dual disorders inpatient care, is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To determine the long term survival rates following integrated care (Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment Ward [IDDTW] only) versus mixed care (IDDTW and psychiatric wards) during the life-time of DDPs. METHODS: The charts of 333 subjects admitted to IDDTW during the period January 2002 - June 2006 were assessed at least 8 years after the first admission. Psychiatric diagnoses have been established and grouped according to international classification of diseases and health-related problems -10th edition (ICD-10). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the cumulative survival rates in all the subpopulations, and the predictive values of different variables were assessed by Cox proportional-hazards regression model. RESULTS: The total all-cause 12-year, unadjusted mortality was 21.1% in integrated care versus 24.6% in mixed care (p<.68). The Cox regression was not revealed for integrated care as a predictive factor for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that there was no consistent evidence to support integrated inpatient care over mixed care, as measured by long-term survival. More studies are required in order to address the challenges posed in the treatment of DDPs.

Anesthetic management of prophylactic cervical cerclage: a retrospective multicenter cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Cervical incompetence complicates approximately 1 in 500 pregnancies and is the most common cause of second-trimester spontaneous abortion and preterm labor. No prospective or large retrospective studies have compared regional and general anesthesia for cervical cerclage. STUDY DESIGN: Following IRB approval, we performed a retrospective study in the two main medical centers over an 8-year period to assess the association of anesthesia choice with anesthetic and obstetric outcomes. Anesthetic and perioperative details were retrospectively collected from fails of all patients undergoing cervical cerclage from 01/01/2005 until 31/12/2012. Details included demographic data, anesthetic technique, PACU data and perioperative complications. RESULTS: We identified 487 cases of cervical cerclage in 327 women during the study period. The most commonly used anesthetic technique was general anesthesia (GA) (402/487; 82.5%) compared with regional anesthesia (RA) (85/487; 17.5%). When GA was performed, facemask was the most commonly used technique (275/402; 68.4%), followed by intravenous deep sedation (61/402; 15.2%); LMA (51/402; 12.7%) and tracheal intubation (13/402; 3.2%). There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between women receiving general and regional anesthesia. Average duration of suturing the cervix among the GA group was 9.8 ± 1.6 and 10.6 ± 2.1 min in the RA group (p < 0.001). Average length of stay in the operating room in the GA group was 20.5 ± 3.9 and 23 ± 4.6 min in the RA group (p < 0.001). Patients receiving GA received in the PACU more opioids (6.2 versus 1.2%; p < 0.05) and more non-opioids analgesics (36.8 versus 9.4%; p < 0.001). Duration of PACU stay was shorter after GA (49.5 ± 18 min) than after RA (62.4 ± 28 min; p < 0.001). There were no other differences in anesthetic or perioperative outcome between groups. This study was not designed to provide evidence that RA reduces the risk of pulmonary aspiration, airway complications or adverse fetal neurological effects from maternal anesthetic exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Both regional and general anesthesia were safely used for the performance of cerclage. Patients after general anesthesia had a shorter recovery time but a higher demand for opioids and non-opioids analgesia.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for upper rectal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Compared with traditional rectal resection, transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is faster and safer. This retrospective study sought to assess the efficacy of TEM for lesions located in the upper rectum, ≥10 cm from the anal verge. METHODS: Data from all patients who underwent TEM for rectal lesions ≥10 cm from the anal verge between 2001 and 2010 at two medical centers in Israel were retrospectively analyzed. The study group comprised 96 patients (57 men, 39 women) who underwent 99 TEM procedures. Collected data included patient demographics, tumor characteristics, indications for surgery, operative findings and details, postoperative outcomes, and histopathologic findings. Long-term outcomes including local recurrence (LR) for benign lesions and LR and overall survival (OS) for malignant lesions were calculated. Categorical variables were calculated by frequency tables, and linear variables were represented by averages and standard deviation or median with the spread of variables. Survival and LR analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods. RESULTS: The mean tumor distance from the anal verge was 11.3 ± 2 cm and the median tumor size was 2 cm. Early postoperative outcomes were favorable, and no early postoperative mortality was reported. The postoperative morbidity rate was 10%. For long-term outcomes, in the subgroup with benign lesions, after a median follow-up of 8.7 years, the LR rate was 5.1%. In the group with malignant lesions, LR and OS rates were 6.9 and 87%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TEM for upper rectal lesions is feasible and may be safe in selected cases. Low morbidity rate, shorter operative time and length of stay, no mortality events, and favorable long-term outcomes support the use of TEM for the treatment of lesions in the upper rectum.

[Survival following the first admission in an integrated dual disorders treatment ward (IDDTW): preliminary results from a cohort study].

BACKGROUND: Dual disorders (co-occurring severe mental illness [SMI] and substance abuse disorders in the same person) are extremely common among patients receiving mental health services. Dual disorders are associated with increased all-cause mortality, as compared with patients with SMI. Scientific evidence is lacking on the survival of dual disorders subjects, who had psychiatric inpatient care. OBJECTIVE: To determine the long term survival rates of patients after the first admission in an IDDTW and to identify their baseline predictors. METHODS: The charts of 258 subjects admitted to IDDTW during the period 2002-2004 were assessed at least 8 years after the first admission. Psychiatric diagnoses were established and grouped according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th edition (ICD-10). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the cumulative survival rates, and the predictive values of different variables were assessed by Cox proportional-hazards regression model. RESULTS: The cumulative 1-, 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-year survival rates of all subjects were 98.06%, 96.51%, 91.47, 86.43% and 81.78%, respectively, without statistically significant differences between subgroups of psychiatric diagnoses. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the age at death was the only independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = .96; 95% confidence interval .93 to .99; p < .009). CONCLUSIONS: Those of young age are at a particularly low risk of long term survival. More targeted health care is required to address the specific needs of this vulnerable subgroup. Further research of survival into specific risk groups is required.

[Nutritional assessment of inpatients with schizophrenia].

BACKGROUND: No thorough examination of the actual nutritiornal composition of the diet of schizophrenia patients in Israel has been carried out. We performed a cross-sectional study evaluating the nutritional assessment and dietary intake of inpatients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotic drugs, based on the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [MABAT]. METHODS: Sixty inpatients completed a face-to-face interview. The questionnaire included details on health status, alcohol intake, exercise, smoking habits, eating and dieting habits and food supplementation use, knowledge and attitudes regarding nutrition, sources of nutrition knowledge and a 24-hour food recall to gather information on total caloric intake and total fat, protein, carbohydrate, cholesterol, and fiber content. The hospital's menu is according to the requirements of the Ministry of Health (MoH), based on Dietary Reference Intakes. Weight, height, waist and hip measurements were recorded and body mass index and waist/hip ratio were calculated. Data were subsequently compared to data for the general population collected in the MABAT survey. RESULTS: Schizophrenia patients as a group did not eat more food when compared to MABAT subjects, but the relative percentages of calories derived from protein was higher and fiber intake was lower. The schizophrenia patients exercised less, but were not significantly more obese, thodgh there was more abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: The schizophrenic patients make poor dietary choices, which likely contribute to the adverse metabolic side effects of antipsychotic treatment, thereby promoting the risk of morbidity and mortality. Proactive programmes to improve dietary habits and related nutritional status are necessary.

[Impact of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) on survival of schizophrenic patients with co-occurring substance use disorders followed for ten years].

BACKGROUND: Despite disproportionately high rates of HCV infection among patients with schizophrenia and co-occurring substance use disorders, to date, scientific evidence for their survival is lacking. AIM: The objective of this study was to compare long term survival among this population with and without persisting HCV. METHODS: Charts of 212 subjects admitted during a period from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2005 were assessed. Psychiatric diagnoses have been established according to international classification of diseases and health related problems--10th edition (ICD-10). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the cumulative survival rates. The association between HCV and mortality was estimated using the Cox proportional hazard regression models, with adjustments for potential confounders. The main outcome was all-cause mortality. Median observation time was 10.0 years. RESULTS: Period prevalence of HCV was 16.0%. Total all-cause, unadjusted mortality was 50.0% in populations with HCV versus 12.9% in populations without HCV (p < .00001, log rank test]. In Cox regression, mortality was higher for the population with HCV (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.07; 95% confidence interval = 1.4-3.0, p < .0001. CONCLUSION: The high mortality of schizophrenic dual disorders patients with HCV necessitates new approaches to secondary and tertiary prevention to reduce the burden of chronic liver disease and to improve survival for those who already have evidence of liver disease. The strong adverse effect of HCV on survival should encourage clinical trials including schizophrenic patients with dual disorders, to ascertain whether patients benefit from treatment choices. It is essential that adequate resources and strategies are targeted to the schizophrenic patients with dual disorders with HCV.

Auricular acupuncture for sleep quality in participants with mental and behavioral disorders due to prior multiple drug use: a retrospective consecutive case series.

BACKGRUOUND: Poor sleep quality is associated with psychoactive substance abuse/addiction/withdrawal. Auricular acupuncture (AA) is a nonpharmacological method used for the treatment of sleep disturbances. This study aimed to examine the quality of sleep before and after AA in participants with mental and behavioral disorders due to prior multiple drug use in the therapeutic community. METHODS: This was a consecutive case series of 27 participants (25 male [92.6%]). The median age was 35.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 29.0-37.2 years), methadone/buprenorphine were not used, and the participants were treated with AA (median number of treatments, 15.0 [IQR, 12.0-18.0]) during a median period of 51.0 days (IQR, 49.0-51.0 days) according to the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA)-Acudetox protocol. Sleep quality was determined using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a self-rated questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a 1-month interval. RESULTS: The global PSQI score dropped (indicating better sleep quality) by a median of 3.0 points (IQR, 0.0-8.0 points) after treatment. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, with an increase in global PSQI score during AA by 1 point, there was a 0.73-fold reduction in the risk of poor sleep quality post-AA (adjusted odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-1.01; p<0.055; Nagelkerke's R2=0.66). CONCLUSION: The results revealed a positive effect of AA (by the NADA-Acudetox protocol) on sleep quality (as measured by PSQI) among participants in a treatment center with mental and behavioral disorders due to multiple drug use.

Long-term supplementation with a combination of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, arginine, and glutamine for pressure ulcer in sedentary older adults: a retrospective matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests that beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), arginine (Arg), and glutamine (Gln) positively affect wound recovery. This study investigated the effects of long-term administration of HMB/Arg/Gln on pressure ulcer (PU) healing in sedentary older adults admitted to geriatric and rehabilitation care facilities. METHODS: This was a pilot retrospective case (standard of care and HMB/Arg/Gln)-control (standard of care alone) clinical study. Outcome measures were relative healing rates and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) scores (calculated after 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks) and time to healing. RESULTS: The study subpopulation was comprised of 14 participants (four males, 28.6%) with the median age of 85.5 years (interquartile range [IQR], 82.0-90.2 years). The control subpopulation was comprised of 31 participants (18 males, 58.1%) with the median age of 84.0 years (IQR, 78.0-90.0 years). At the beginning of follow-up, there were no statistically significant demographic (sex and age) and clinical (main diagnosis, baseline area, and PU perimeter) differences between the groups. During the study period, there were no significant differences in the relative healing rates and PUSH scores between the subpopulations. The median time to complete healing in the study and control populations was 170.0 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.7-254.3) and 218.0 days (95% CI, 149.2-286.7) (log-rank, chi-square=3.99; p<0.046), respectively. CONCLUSION: More than 20 weeks of HMB/Arg/Gln supplementation had a positive effect on difficult PU healing in older adults with multiple comorbidities.

Predictors of successful weaning in patients requiring extremely prolonged mechanical ventilation.

INTRODUCTION: For patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV; > 21 days), successful weaning has been attributed to various factors. The aim of this study is to determine the usefulness of the rapid shallow breathing index(RSBI) and other potential predictors of successful weaning in patients unable to wean and requiring extreme PMV at a hospital-based long-term ventilator facility in Israel. Material and ethods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data over 5 years. RESULTS: A total of 150 subjects on PMV, ready to undergo a weaning process, were included in the study. Of them, 60 (40.0%) were males. The mean age of the whole study population was 76.5 years (SD = 13.6; range 22.0-96.0 years). The subjects were on MV for a mean period of 170.1 days (SD = 237.6; range 25.0-1624.0 days). Sixty patients (40%) were successfully weaned. The mean RSBI in the successfully weaned population was 41.9 breaths/min/L (SD = 12.3; range 13.0-80.4 breaths/min/L), in the population where weaning failed, it was 114.8 breaths/min/L (SD = 69.2; range 47.5-450.0 breaths/min/L). By univariate logistic regression analysis, younger age (p < 0.007), female gender (p < 0.001), decreased duration of MV (p < 0.023), re-spiratory rate (p < 0.001) and RSBI (p < 0.001), increased tidal volume/ideal body weight (p < 0.001) and minute ventilation (p < 0.01) were found to be factors that significantly predict successful weaning. By multivariate analysis, increased tidal volume/ /ideal body weight (p < 0.007) and decreased RSBI (p < 0.046) were found to be independent predictors of successful weaning (p < 0.001; R2 Nagelkerke = 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: Factors independently predicting successful weaning in patients requiring extreme PMV included increased tidal volume/ideal body weight and decreased RSBI.

Methadone maintenance treatment and survival of schizophrenic patients with a lifetime comorbid substance use disorders: a long-term follow-up study.

Background Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) remains the most widely used effective therapeutic approach for opioid use disorders. However, there is paucity of empirical data regarding the relationship between the MMT and survival of subjects with schizophrenia. Aim The aim of this study was to examine the effect of MMT on the long-term survival of subjects with schizophrenia and a lifetime comorbid substance use disorders. Methods The charts of 277 consecutive subjects admitted in our center during a period from January 1, 2002 to February 1, 2007 were assessed. Psychiatric diagnoses have been established according to international classification of diseases and health related problems-10th edition (ICD-10). The risk of all-cause mortality was assessed by Cox proportional-hazards regression models, including time-dependent covariates. Results Out of MMT subjects, 31 (11.2%) had mental and behavioral disorders due to multiple psychoactive substance use, 5 (1.8%) had mental and behavioral disorders due to use of opioids. All of 13 (4.7%) subjects with opioid use disorders were treated. MMT has been found to be predictive of lower long-term survival, in time-independent (hazard ration [HR] = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.06-3.37; p<.05) and in time-dependent adjusted models (HR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.21-3.60; p<.05). MMT daily dose of <120 mg (adjusted HR = 1.83; 95%CI: .95-3.54) and MMT daily dose of ≥120 mg (adjusted HR = 2.70; 95%CI: .97-7.54) were associated with less long-term survival, all compared with no lifetime MMT (p<.046). Conclusions Among subjects with schizophrenia and a lifetime comorbid substance use disorders, overall mortality was higher in those who received lifetime MMT, then in patients without MMT.

[Risk factors for suicide attempts in dual diagnosis patients].

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from both psychiatric disorders and substance abuse/addiction are titled "dual diagnosis patients" (DDP). Substance abuse/addiction is associated with suicidal behavior. Although our knowledge of substance abuse/addiction and suicide behavior is increasing, we lack sufficient knowledge of suicide among DDP. OBJECTIVES: (1) To compare the rate of suicide attempts among DDP and non-DDP; (2) To determine risk factors for suicide attempts in DDP. METHODS: Analysis of 3,433 consecutive admissions: men and women aged 18-65 years in our center (06/2003-06/2005). RESULTS: Of 848 DDPs' admissions, 197 (23.2%) were after suicide attempts, whereas 403 of 2558 non-DDP's admissions (15.8%) were after suicide attempts (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.3 - 1.9). The OR in the multiple analysis was 1.4 [95% CI] = 1.1 - 1.8). By multivariate regression analysis, the positive result for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the urine analysis was a protective factor and a diagnosis of disorders of adult personality and behavior (according to the International Classification of Disease - 10 edition [ICD-10]) was an independent risk factor for suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS: DDP have greater risks of suicide attempts than non-DDP. A comprehensive plan of preventive interventions for multidisciplinary staff is recommended in order to reduce suicide rates in DDP.