International multi-site survey on the use of online support groups in bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Peer support is an established component of recovery from bipolar disorder, and online support groups may offer opportunities to expand the use of peer support at the patient's convenience. Prior research in bipolar disorder has reported value from online support groups. AIMS: To understand the use of online support groups by patients with bipolar disorder as part of a larger project about information seeking. METHODS: The results are based on a one-time, paper-based anonymous survey about information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder, which was translated into 12 languages. The survey was completed between March 2014 and January 2016 and included questions on the use of online support groups. All patients were diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Analysis included descriptive statistics and general estimating equations to account for correlated data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The survey was completed by 1222 patients in 17 countries. The patients used the Internet at a percentage similar to the general public. Of the Internet users who looked online for information about bipolar disorder, only 21.0% read or participated in support groups, chats, or forums for bipolar disorder (12.8% of the total sample). Given the benefits reported in prior research, clarification of the role of online support groups in bipolar disorder is needed. With only a minority of patients using online support groups, there are analytical challenges for future studies.

The Practice of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Asia: Variations and Deviations From the Guidelines-A Response to Dr Grunhaus.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is widely used in most countries in Asia. There are several regards in which the practice of ECT in this region deviate from the guidelines issued by the American Psychiatric Association and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The deviations are a matter of concern but are not surprising, considering that most previous surveys have also documented deviations from these guidelines. We are trying to explain all probable causes of this suboptimal practice, and then, we recommend how to improve the practice of ECT in Asian countries.

A survey of the practice of electroconvulsive therapy in Asia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a comprehensive survey of the practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Asia. METHOD: Between 2001 and 2003, a 29-item questionnaire was sent to 977 psychiatric facilities in 45 Asian countries. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were returned by 334 (34.2%) institutions in 29 (64.4%) countries. Electroconvulsive therapy was available in 257 institutions in 23 countries. During the year before the survey, 39,875 patients (62% men) received a mean of 7.1 ECT treatments. Most patients (73.1%) were 18 to 44 years old; few were younger than 18 years (6.0%) or older than 64 years (4.4%). Indications for ECT were schizophrenia (41.8%), major depression (32.4%), mania (14.0%), catatonia (6.9%), drug abuse (1.8%), dysthymia (1.6%), and others. Brief-pulse ECT devices were used in only 115 (58.4%) of 197 institutions. Routine electroencephalographic monitoring was conducted in only 59 (23.0%) institutions. Bilateral electrode placement was invariable in 202 (78.6%) institutions. Unmodified ECT was administered to 22,194 (55.7%) patients at 141 (54.9%) institutions in 14 countries. Continuation ECT was available in only 115 (44.7%) institutions in 17 countries. No institution had a formal ECT training program. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of ECT in Asia may seem suboptimal: schizophrenia, not depression, is the most common indication; most institutions offer sine-wave ECT; unmodified ECT is commonly administered; bilateral electrode placement is invariable in most institutions; electroencephalographic monitoring is uncommon; continuation ECT is infrequent; and no formal training in ECT is available. We speculate that the suboptimal practices reflect felt needs and ground realities in standards of medical care in developing countries rather than a misuse of ECT.

Frequency and Duration of Course of ECT Sessions: An Appraisal of Recent Evidence.

AIMS AND METHOD: This paper aims to review the recent literature regarding factors influencing the frequency and number of sessions during a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for different psychiatric disorders. We systematically reviewed English-language papers of clinical trials of ECT published since the year 2000 in terms of frequency and number of sessions of ECT. RESULTS: None of the 30 studies meeting our inclusion criteria were specifically designed to study frequency or number of sessions of ECT. A preliminary inference may be drawn regarding the number of sessions from the information available in these papers. For depression, patients receiving brief-pulse ECT needed fewer sessions than those receiving ultra-brief ECT when these were delivered at 8-times the threshold with unilateral electrode placement or at 2.5-times the threshold with bilateral placement. For schizophrenia, those receiving bifrontal ECT and ECT at 4-times the threshold-level stimulus needed fewer sessions than those receiving bitemporal ECT and 2-times the threshold-level stimulus, respectively. There were no clinical trials of the frequency of ECT sessions. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: As there is a dearth of studies specifically examining frequency and number of ECT sessions, broad recommendations from professional bodies should continue to guide practice.

Anesthetic and psychiatric implications of accidental awareness under general anesthesia during electroconvulsive therapy.

Accidental awareness under general anesthesia (AAGA) is a well-known phenomenon. However, little literature exists in its relation to the psychiatric field, particularly within the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) setting. This report explores the case of a 52-year-old woman that describes her own experience of AAGA during ECT. Relevant anesthetic details are also provided along with its possible implications in AAGA. The aim of this case report is to increase awareness among clinicians in regard to AAGA and its occurrence during ECT.

Internet use by older adults with bipolar disorder: international survey results.

BACKGROUND: The world population is aging and the number of older adults with bipolar disorder is increasing. Digital technologies are viewed as a framework to improve care of older adults with bipolar disorder. This analysis quantifies Internet use by older adults with bipolar disorder as part of a larger survey project about information seeking. METHODS: A paper-based survey about information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder was developed and translated into 12 languages. The survey was anonymous and completed between March 2014 and January 2016 by 1222 patients in 17 countries. All patients were diagnosed by a psychiatrist. General estimating equations were used to account for correlated data. RESULTS: Overall, 47% of older adults (age 60 years or older) used the Internet versus 87% of younger adults (less than 60 years). More education and having symptoms that interfered with regular activities increased the odds of using the Internet, while being age 60 years or older decreased the odds. Data from 187 older adults and 1021 younger adults were included in the analysis excluding missing values. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with bipolar disorder use the Internet much less frequently than younger adults. Many older adults do not use the Internet, and technology tools are suitable for some but not all older adults. As more health services are only available online, and more digital tools are developed, there is concern about growing health disparities based on age. Mental health experts should participate in determining the appropriate role for digital tools for older adults with bipolar disorder.

Online information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder: results from an international multisite survey.

BACKGROUND: Information seeking is an important coping mechanism for dealing with chronic illness. Despite a growing number of mental health websites, there is little understanding of how patients with bipolar disorder use the Internet to seek information. METHODS: A 39 question, paper-based, anonymous survey, translated into 12 languages, was completed by 1222 patients in 17 countries as a convenience sample between March 2014 and January 2016. All patients had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder from a psychiatrist. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations to account for correlated data. RESULTS: 976 (81 % of 1212 valid responses) of the patients used the Internet, and of these 750 (77 %) looked for information on bipolar disorder. When looking online for information, 89 % used a computer rather than a smartphone, and 79 % started with a general search engine. The primary reasons for searching were drug side effects (51 %), to learn anonymously (43 %), and for help coping (39 %). About 1/3 rated their search skills as expert, and 2/3 as basic or intermediate. 59 % preferred a website on mental illness and 33 % preferred Wikipedia. Only 20 % read or participated in online support groups. Most patients (62 %) searched a couple times a year. Online information seeking helped about 2/3 to cope (41 % of the entire sample). About 2/3 did not discuss Internet findings with their doctor. CONCLUSION: Online information seeking helps many patients to cope although alternative information sources remain important. Most patients do not discuss Internet findings with their doctor, and concern remains about the quality of online information especially related to prescription drugs. Patients may not rate search skills accurately, and may not understand limitations of online privacy. More patient education about online information searching is needed and physicians should recommend a few high quality websites.

Internet use by patients with bipolar disorder: Results from an international multisite survey.

There is considerable international interest in online education of patients with bipolar disorder, yet little understanding of how patients use the Internet and other sources to seek information. 1171 patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 17 countries completed a paper-based, anonymous survey. 81% of the patients used the Internet, a percentage similar to the general public. Older age, less education, and challenges in country telecommunications infrastructure and demographics decreased the odds of using the Internet. About 78% of the Internet users looked online for information on bipolar disorder or 63% of the total sample. More years of education in relation to the country mean, and feeling very confident about managing life decreased the odds of seeking information on bipolar disorder online, while having attended support groups increased the odds. Patients who looked online for information on bipolar disorder consulted medical professionals plus a mean of 2.3 other information sources such as books, physician handouts, and others with bipolar disorder. Patients not using the Internet consulted medical professionals plus a mean of 1.6 other information sources. The percentage of patients with bipolar disorder who use the Internet is about the same as the general public. Other information sources remain important.

Improving attendance in psychiatric outpatient clinics by using reminders.

We compared non-attendance rates at follow-up appointments in an adult psychiatry outpatient clinic using three different reminder methods: letters, telephone prompts and text message reminders. Two of the three strategies resulted in a significant increase in the rate of attendance. Reminder letters increased attendance from 62% to 85% (P<0.001) and text messaging increased attendance from 72% to 80% (P<0.002). The attendance rate was not significantly different between the two groups when telephone reminders were used (P=0.068). However, telephone prompts resulted in an 8% higher cancellation rate compared to controls. When all factors were taken into consideration, no method demonstrated clear superiority. Efforts should be made to reduce patient non-attendance, as this is a predictor of patients being unwell and at higher risk of relapse. Text messages are an inexpensive method of reminding patients, although appropriate safeguards for patient confidentiality are required.

MRI T(2) relaxometry of brain regions and cognitive dysfunction following electroconvulsive therapy.

BACKGROUND: Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) causes no structural brain damage, recent studies reported altered brain perfusion acutely following ECT. This is in keeping with brain edema which was noted in animal experiments following electroconvulsive shock. AIM: This study examined alteration in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T(2) relaxation time, a measure of brain edema, and its relation to therapeutic efficacy, orientation and memory impairment with ECT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen drug-naive consenting patients of major depressive disorder with melancholia (DSM-IV) received ECT as first-line treatment. MRI scans were done before the first ECT and at 2 hours after the second ECT. T(2) relaxation time was measured bilaterally in thalamus, hippocampus, medial temporal lobes and dorsolateral frontal cortex by a blind rater. RESULTS: Depression scores and memory scores were reduced significantly both after the second and fifth ECT. There was no change in T(2) relaxation time after second ECT. CONCLUSION: The finding suggests that ECT does not produce demonstrable change acutely in brain parenchyma detectable by MRI scans.

Survey of the practice of electroconvulsive therapy in teaching hospitals in India.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to obtain an overview of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) practice in teaching hospitals in India. METHOD: From September 1, 2001, to August 31, 2002, a 29-item questionnaire enquiring about ECT practice during the past year was sent to 188 teaching institutions and psychiatric hospitals. RESULTS: Seventy-four institutions (39.4%) completed the questionnaire. ECT was available in 66 institutions. A total of 19,632 patients received 114,111 instances of ECT from 316 psychiatrists, of which 13,891 patients (70.8%) received 89,475 treatments (78.4%) from 128 psychiatrists in the psychiatric hospitals. The male-to-female ratio was 1.56 to 1. Brief-pulse device was used in 39 institutions. EEG monitoring was used routinely in only 8 institutions. Bilateral ECT was used in almost all institutions. Patients with schizophrenia received ECT most frequently (36.5%), followed by patients with major depression (33.5%), mania (17.9%), catatonia (6.2%), and dysthymia (2.8%). Patients who received ECT were in age group of 45-64 years (43.9%), followed by 25-44 years (34.5%), 65 years and older (14.7%), 18-24 years (5.6%), and younger than 18 years (1.4%). A total of 10,234 patients (52%) received unmodified ECT 52,450 treatments (46%) at 33 institutions. There was one case of ECT-related death during a survey. Continuation ECT was performed in 29 institutions and maintenance ECT in 17. CONCLUSIONS: More than 70% of ECT administrations in India were performed in the psychiatric hospitals. Approximately half of ECT use was unmodified ECT. The majority of patients who received ECT were diagnosed with schizophrenia and major depression. ECT training programs for psychiatry residents were acceptable.