Clinical Note: Bipolar disorder in Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis: a case report.

Cerebrotendinous X anthomatosis (CTX) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder presenting with possible psychiatric manifestations that, once established, are difficult to control. We present the case of a 29-year-old woman diagnosed with CTX who developed bipolar disorder. Owing to difficulties in pharmacological management, the patient underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which lead to a favorable outcome. Little is known about the treatment of psychiatric symptoms of CTX, un uncommon disorder, though ECT may be an effective and safe approach.

Increased prospective health service use for depression among adults with childhood onset bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prospective relationship between age of onset of bipolar disorder and the demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment, new onset of psychiatric comorbidity, and psychosocial functioning among adults with bipolar disorder. STUDY DESIGN: As part of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, 1600 adults who met lifetime Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition criteria for bipolar disorder-I (n = 1172) and bipolar disorder-II (n = 428) were included. Individuals were evaluated using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-IV version for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, and data were analyzed from Waves 1 and 2, approximately 3 years apart. Individuals with bipolar disorder were divided into three age at onset groups: childhood (<13 years old, n = 115), adolescence (13-18 years old, n = 396), and adulthood (>19 year old, n = 1017). RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding factors, adults with childhood-onset bipolar disorder were more likely to see a counselor, have been hospitalized, and have received emergency room treatment for depression compared with those with adulthood-onset bipolar disorder. By contrast, there were no differences in the severity of mania or hypomania, new onset of comorbidity, and psychosocial functioning by age of bipolar disorder onset. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood-onset bipolar disorder is prospectively associated with seeking treatment for depression, an important proxy for depressive severity. Longitudinal studies are needed in order to determine whether prompt identification, accurate diagnosis, and early intervention can serve to mitigate the burden of childhood onset on the long-term depressive burden of bipolar disorder.

Prospective study of substance-induced and independent major depressive disorder among individuals with substance use disorders in a nationally representative sample.

BACKGROUND: Depression and substance use disorders (SUDs) commonly co-occur, which presents diagnostic challenges in classifying independent major depressive disorder (MDD) versus substance-induced depressive disorder (SIDD). It remains unclear if distinct characteristics and/or patterns in temporal course distinguish MDD-SUD and SIDD to guide these decisions. Further, evidence suggests that a significant portion of individuals with SIDD are later reclassified as having independent MDD. Continued research to improve our understanding of differences between these two and changes in reclassification over time is necessary for diagnostic clarification and to guide clinical decisions when treating depression in the context of SUDs. METHODS: The current study compared individuals with MDD-SUD versus SIDD at baseline and examined reclassification of DSM-IV Axis I diagnoses over a 3-year follow up in a large, nationally representative epidemiological sample (n = 2,121). RESULTS: Findings demonstrated that SIDD was extremely rare at both time points. At baseline, individuals with SIDD were more likely to be non-White, have less education, less likely to have insurance, less likely to have dysthymia or alcohol abuse, and more likely to have drug dependence compared to those with independent MDD. Of individuals with SIDD at Wave 1 who had a depressive episode between Waves 1 and 2, the overwhelming majority (>95%) had an independent MDD, not SIDD, episode. There were no significant group differences in the incidence of other mood disorders or SUDs at Wave 2. CONCLUSIONS: Findings have important etiological and treatment implications for the classification and treatment of depression in the context of SUDs.

Comparison of Mental Health Treatment Adequacy and Costs in Public Hospitals in Boston and Madrid.

Analyses of healthcare expenditures and adequacy are needed to identify cost-effective policies and practices that improve mental healthcare quality. Data are from 2010 to 2012 electronic health records from three hospital psychiatry departments in Madrid (n = 29,944 person-years) and three in Boston (n = 14,109 person-years). Two-part multivariate generalized linear regression and logistic regression models were estimated to identify site differences in mental healthcare expenditures and quality of care. Annual total average treatment expenditures were $4442.14 in Boston and $2277.48 in Madrid. Boston patients used inpatient services more frequently and had higher 30-day re-admission rates (23.7 vs. 8.7%) despite higher rates of minimally adequate care (49.5 vs. 34.8%). Patients in Madrid were more likely to receive psychotropic medication, had fewer inpatient stays and readmissions, and had lower expenditures, but had lower rates of minimally adequate care. Differences in insurance and healthcare system policies and mental health professional roles may explain these dissimilarities.

Pain as a Predictor of Opioid Use Disorder in a Nationally Representative Sample.

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to ascertain the relationship between moderate and more severe pain and prescription opioid use disorders in the noninstitutionalized U.S. METHOD: A structural equation model was used to assess prospectively the interdependency of pain and prescription opioid use disorder at waves 1 (2001-2002) and 2 (2004-2005) of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Pain was measured with a 5-point scale of pain-related interference in daily activities and dichotomized as "no pain" (no or little interference) or "pain" (moderate to extreme interference). Prescription opioid use disorder was assessed with a structured interview (the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-DSM-IV version). Other covariates included age, sex, anxiety or mood disorders, and family history of drug, alcohol, and behavioral problems. RESULTS: In the structural equation model, pain and prescription opioid use disorders were significantly associated with one another at baseline and at 3-year follow-up. However, whereas pain at baseline was also significantly associated with prescription opioid use disorder at follow-up, prescription opioid use disorder at baseline was not associated with pain at follow-up. These associations were independent of several background demographic and clinical characteristics. The path for pain interference was associated with a 41% relative increase in the risk of developing a prescription opioid use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Painful conditions contribute to the risk of prescription opioid use disorders. To help reduce the incidence of prescription opioid abuse and dependence among adults with moderate to severe pain, careful monitoring and consideration of nonopioid alternative treatments is warranted.

Probability and predictors of treatment-seeking for substance use disorders in the U.S.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about to what extent treatment-seeking behavior varies across individuals with alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, drug abuse, and drug dependence. METHODS: The sample included respondents from the Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) who reported a lifetime diagnosis alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, drug abuse, or drug dependence. Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios are presented for time to first treatment contact by sociodemographic characteristics and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Individuals were censored from the analyses if their condition remitted prior to seeking treatment. RESULTS: In the first year after disorder onset, rates of treatment-seeking were 13% for drug dependence, 5% for alcohol dependence, 2% for drug abuse, and 1% for alcohol abuse. The lifetime probability of seeking treatment among individuals who did not remit was also highest for drug dependence (90%), followed by drug abuse (60%), alcohol dependence (54%), and alcohol abuse (16%). Having had previous treatment contact for a substance use disorder (SUD) increased the probability of seeking treatment for another SUD. By contrast, an early age of SUD onset, belonging to an older cohort, and a higher level of education decreased the lifetime probability of treatment contact for SUD. The role of comorbid mental disorders was more complex, with some disorders increasing and other decreasing the probability of seeking treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Given high rates of SUD and their substantial health and economic burden, these patterns suggest the need for innovative approaches to increase treatment access for individuals with SUD.

National trends in the office-based prescription of schedule II opioids.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate national trends and patterns in opioid prescription within office-based medical practice. METHOD: An analysis is presented of 1995-2010 data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, focusing on overall and stratified trends in the percentage of medical visits involving prescriptions for Schedule II opioids. Among visits with opioid prescriptions in 2003-2010, first-time visits were also compared to return visits, and visits in which pain was the primary complaint were compared to visits with other primary complaints. RESULTS: Among all office visits, the percentage with an opioid prescription increased from 0.65% in 1995-1998 to 2.63% in 2007-2010 (odds ratio [OR] = 8.01; 95% CI, 4.96-12.94). During the study period (1995-2010), opioid prescriptions significantly increased in visits by male patients (OR = 6.54; 95% CI, 3.21-13.31); female patients (OR = 9.38; 95% CI, 6.70-13.14); and patients aged 18-35 years (OR = 5.82; 95% CI, 2.59-13.10), 36-64 years (OR = 8.30; 95% CI, 4.63-14.86), and ≥ 65 years (OR = 8.85; 95% CI, 6.13-12.77), but not ≤ 17 years (OR = 1.52; 95% CI, 0.50-4.63). Prescriptions for opioids also significantly increased in visits by patients with clinical depression (OR = 9.96; 95% CI, 5.45-18.21) or anxiety (OR = 10.99; 95% CI, 5.02-24.06) diagnoses. However, a significant decline occurred in opioid prescriptions in visits among patients with substance use diagnoses (OR = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.00-3.30). The number of opioid prescriptions rose faster among patients making a first visit (OR = 23.36; 95% CI, 11.82-46.17) versus a return visit (OR = 7.26; 95% CI, 4.38-12.03). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial increase occurred between 1995 and 2010 in opioid prescriptions in office-based medical visits, especially in visits by middle-aged and older adults and by patients making their first visit to the treating physician. These trends suggest that physicians have pursued greater pain control despite potential risks of nonmedical use of prescription opioids.

Probability and predictors of treatment-seeking for prescription opioid use disorders: a national study.

BACKGROUND: Prescription opioid use disorders are the second most common drug use disorder behind only cannabis use disorders. Despite this, very little is known about the help-seeking behavior among individuals with these disorders. METHODS: The sample included respondents of the Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) with a lifetime diagnosis of prescription drug use disorders (N=623). Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios are presented for time to first treatment-seeking by sociodemographic characteristics and comorbid psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: The lifetime cumulative probability of treatment seeking was 42% and the median delay from prescription drug use disorder onset to first treatment was 3.83 years. Having an earlier onset of prescription opioid use disorder and a history of bipolar disorder, major depression disorder, specific phobia and cluster B personality disorders predicted shorter delays to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although some comorbid psychiatric disorders increase the rate of treatment-seeking and decrease delays to first-treatment contact rates of treatment-seeking for prescription drug use disorder are low, even when compared with rates of treatment for other substance use disorders. Given the high prevalence and adverse consequences of prescription drug use disorder, there is a need to improve detection and treatment of prescription opioid use disorder.

Probability and predictors of first treatment contact for anxiety disorders in the United States: analysis of data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).

BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and the demonstrated efficacy of their treatment, most individuals with anxiety disorders never utilize mental health services. OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of treatment-seeking for DSM-IV anxiety disorders from a range of sociodemographic factors and comorbid mental disorders. DESIGN: Survival analysis with time-varying covariates was performed using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). SETTING: Face-to-face interviews conducted in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: 34,653 respondents, aged 18 years and older, from the 2004-2005 Wave 2 NESARC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The cumulative probability of treatment-seeking (assessed by the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-DSM-IV version, Wave 2 version) across the anxiety disorders in 1 year, 10 years, and lifetime and the median delay to the first treatment contact. RESULTS: Most individuals with panic disorder sought treatment within the same year of disorder onset, whereas the median delays to first treatment contact for generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, and social anxiety disorder were 1 year, 13 years, and 16 years, respectively. Several personality disorders and earlier age at anxiety disorder onset decreased the probability of treatment contact. By contrast, younger cohort membership, a recent change in marital status, treatment for a psychiatric disorder other than substance use disorder, and comorbid anxiety disorders increased the lifetime probability of treatment contact. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment-seeking rates for most anxiety disorders are low, are associated with long delays, and sometimes are hindered by co-occurrence of other psychopathology. These patterns highlight the complex interplay of personal characteristics, individual psychopathology, and social variables in the treatment-seeking process.