Mild Cognitive Impairment, But Not HIV Status, is Related to Reduced Awareness of Level of Cognitive Performance Among Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Self-assessment of cognitive abilities can be an important predictor of clinical outcomes. This study examined impairments in self-assessments of cognitive performance, assessed with traditional neuropsychological assessments and novel virtual reality tests among older persons with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: One hundred twenty-two participants (82 persons with HIV; 79 MCI+) completed a traditional neuropsychological battery, DETECT virtual reality cognitive battery, and self-reported their general cognitive complaints, depressive symptoms, and perceptions of DETECT performance. Relationships between DETECT performance and self-assessments of performance were examined as were the correlations between general cognitive complaints and performance. These relations were evaluated across HIV and MCI status, considering the associations of depressive symptoms, performance, and self-assessment. RESULTS: We found no effect of HIV status on objective performance or self-assessment of DETECT performance. However, MCI+ participants performed worse on DETECT and traditional cognitive tests, while also showing a directional bias towards overestimation of their performance. MCI- participants showed a bias toward underestimation. Cognitive complaints were reduced compared to objective performance in MCI+ participants. Correlations between self-reported depressive symptoms and cognitive performance or self-assessment of performance were nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: MCI+ participants underperformed on neuropsychological testing, while overestimating performance. Interestingly, MCI- participants underestimated performance to approximately the same extent as MCI+ participants overestimated. Practical implications include providing support for persons with MCI regarding awareness of limitations and consideration that self-assessments of cognitive performance may be overestimated. Similarly, supporting older persons without MCI to realistically appraise their abilities may have clinical importance.

Body Mass Index Predicts Decline in Executive Function in Bipolar Disorder: Preliminary Data of a 12-Month Follow-up Study.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and associated risk factors have been linked to cognitive decline before. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we evaluated potential cumulative negative effects of overweight and obesity on cognitive performance in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BD) in a longitudinal design. METHODS: Neurocognitive measures (California Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test [TMT] A/B, Digit-Symbol-Test, Digit-Span, d2 Test), anthropometrics (e.g., body mass index [BMI]), and clinical ratings (Hamilton Depression Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale) were collected over a 12-month observation period. Follow-up data of 38 patients with BD (mean age 40 years; 15 males, 23 females) were available. RESULTS: High baseline BMI predicted a decrease in the patient's performance in the Digit-Span backwards task measuring working memory performance. In contrast, cognitive performance was not predicted by increases in BMI at follow-up. Normal weight bipolar patients (n = 19) improved their performance on the TMT B, measuring cognitive flexibility and executive functioning, within 1 year, while overweight bipolar patients (n = 19) showed no change in this task. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that overweight can predict cognitive performance changes over 12 months.

Emerging 5-HT receptor antagonists for the treatment of Schizophrenia.

INTRODUCTION: While antipsychotics have been generally successful in treating psychosis in schizophrenia, there is a major treatment gap for negative symptoms and cognitive deficits. Given that these aspects of the disease contribute to poor functional outcomes independently of positive symptoms, treatments would have profound implications for quality of life. The 5-HT2A- receptor has been considered a potential target for interventions aimed at negative and cognitive symptoms and multiple antagonists and inverse agonists of this receptor have been tested. AREAS COVERED: Ritanserin and volinanserin, are historically important compounds in this area, while pimavanserin, roluperidone, and lumateperone are either newly approved, in late stages of development, or currently being tested for efficacy in schizophrenia-related features. The focus will be on their efficacy in the treatment of negative symptoms, with a limited secondary discussion of cognition. EXPERT OPINION: In addition to their efficacy in treating negative symptoms and cognition, these compounds may also have a role in modulating antipsychotic-induced dopamine super-sensitivity and preventing relapse. They may also show efficacy in treating patients with milder symptoms such as patients with schizotypal personality disorder and attenuated psychosis syndrome. Their utility may also expand outside the spectrum of schizophrenia to encompass Parkinson's Disease psychosis, major depression, bipolar depression, and dementia-associated apathy.

Pharmacological treatment of violence in schizophrenia.

Chronic aggression and violence in schizophrenia are rare, but receive disproportionate negative media coverage. This contributes to the stigma of mental illness and reduces accessibility to mental health services. Substance Use Disorders (SUD), antisocial behavior, non-adherence and recidivism are known risk factors for violence. Treatment with antipsychotic medication can reduce violence. Aside from clozapine, long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI) appear to be superior to oral antipsychotics for preventing violence, addressing adherence and recidivism. LAI also facilitate the implementation of functional skills training. For the high-risk recidivist target population with schizophrenia, better life skills have the potential to also reduce the risk for contact with the legal system, including an improved ability to live independently in supported environments and interact appropriately with others. High-risk patients who are resistant to treatment with other antipsychotics should receive treatment with clozapine due to its direct positive effects on impulsive violence, along with a reduction in comorbid risk factors such as SUDs.

Tardive dyskinesia: motor system impairments, cognition and everyday functioning.

The recent approval of treatments for tardive dyskinesia (TD) has rekindled interest in this chronic and previously recalcitrant condition. A large proportion of patients with chronic mental illness suffer from various degrees of TD. Even the newer antipsychotics constitute a liability for TD, and their liberal prescription might lead to emergence of new TD in patient populations previously less exposed to antipsychotics, such as those with depression, bipolar disorder, autism, or even attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The association of TD with activity limitations remains poorly understood. We review potential new avenues of assessing the functional sequelae of TD, such as the performance of instrumental activities of daily living, residential status, and employment outcomes. We identify several mediating aspects, including physical performance measures and cognition, that may represent links between TD and everyday performance, as well as potential treatment targets.

Twenty-year progression of body mass index in a county-wide cohort of people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder identified at their first episode of psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: There is an increased prevalence of obesity in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, leading to a disproportionate risk of adverse health conditions. Prospective, long-term weight gain data, however, are scarce. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Suffolk County Mental Health Project cohort of consecutive first admissions with psychosis recruited from September 1989 to December 1995 and subsequently followed for 20 years, focusing on people with schizophrenia (n=146) and bipolar disorder (n=87). The time course of weight gain was examined using a 2 (group)×5 (time) mixed-model repeated measures ANOVA, and body mass index (BMI) scores at the first (6 months) and second (2 years) assessments were compared to examine whether early overweight predicted later obesity. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant effect of time (F(1,210)=68.06, P<.001) and diagnosis (F(1,210)=29.18, P<.001) on BMI, but not the interaction of time×diagnosis (F(1,210)=0.88, P=.48). Most participants had normal BMIs at the first two assessments. Early overweight was a predictor of eventual obesity for both groups. At the 20-year follow-ups, approximately 50% of the bipolar and 62% of the schizophrenia sample were obese, with a greater prevalence of obesity in schizophrenia at each assessment (all P<.02), except for years 4 (P=.12) and 20 (P=.27). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly two-thirds of the participants with schizophrenia and over half of those with bipolar disorder were obese 20 years after first hospitalization for psychosis, considerably higher than the rate for adults in New York State (27%). Early intervention may be required to prevent long-term consequences of obesity-related morbidity and mortality.

Association of obesity and treated hypertension and diabetes with cognitive ability in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: People with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia are at greater risk for obesity and other cardio-metabolic risk factors, and several prior studies have linked these risk factors to poorer cognitive ability. In a large ethnically homogenous outpatient sample, we examined associations among variables related to obesity, treated hypertension and/or diabetes and cognitive abilities in these two patient populations. METHODS: In a study cohort of outpatients with either bipolar disorder (n = 341) or schizophrenia (n = 417), we investigated the association of self-reported body mass index and current use of medications for hypertension or diabetes with performance on a comprehensive neurocognitive battery. We examined sociodemographic and clinical factors as potential covariates. RESULTS: Patients with bipolar disorder were less likely to be overweight or obese than patients with schizophrenia, and also less likely to be prescribed medication for hypertension or diabetes. However, obesity and treated hypertension were associated with worse global cognitive ability in bipolar disorder (as well as with poorer performance on individual tests of processing speed, reasoning/problem-solving, and sustained attention), with no such relationships observed in schizophrenia. Obesity was not associated with symptom severity in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Although less prevalent in bipolar disorder compared to schizophrenia, obesity was associated with substantially worse cognitive performance in bipolar disorder. This association was independent of symptom severity and not present in schizophrenia. Better understanding of the mechanisms and management of obesity may aid in efforts to preserve cognitive health in bipolar disorder.

Treatment resistance and other complicating factors in the management of schizophrenia.

Treatment resistance, along with its sibling partial response, remains a common phenomenon in schizophrenia, complicating the disability burden inherent in the disease. Antipsychotic medications are the mainstay of treatment, and treatment resistance has mainly been defined in terms of poor response to antipsychotic medication. At the same time, clozapine, the most effective antipsychotic, remains underutilized at the expense of exposing patients to polypharmacy. We review known causes of disability in schizophrenia, how they impact various areas of everyday functioning, and discuss potential treatment options including but not limited to pharmacological approaches aimed at maximizing treatment response and reducing treatment resistance.

A closer look at avolition in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Persistence of different types of activities over time.

BACKGROUND: Avolition is associated cross-diagnostically with extensive functional impairment. Participants with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD) engage in fewer productive activities than healthy controls, with more sedentary activities such as sitting. We examined the temporal variability in activities of participants with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, focusing on persistence of activities and the likelihood of performing more than one activity at a time. METHODS: 101 participants with schizophrenia and 76 participants with BD were sampled 3 times per day for 30 days utilizing Ecological Momentary Assessment surveys. Each survey queried current activities along with questions about who they were with and if they were home or away and moods. We separated activities into productive, unproductive, or passive recreational categories. RESULTS: Participants with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder reported one activity on most surveys, with that activity commonly being passive or unproductive. No participant reported engaging in more than one productive activity. Productive activities were more likely to occur away from home, with 17 % of surveys from home reporting productive activities. All three activities were persistent, but passive and unproductive activities were more likely than productive activities to be persistent at home. Negative mood states predicted unproductive and passive activities in BD participants only. DISCUSSION: The low numbers of activities, combined with persistence of unproductive and passive activities highlights the impact of avolition. Most persistent activities reflected sedentary behavior. People with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may benefit from interventions targeting leaving home more often to improve their general levels of functioning and overall health.

Accuracy of immediate self-assessment of neurocognitive test performance: Associations with psychiatric diagnosis and longitudinal psychotic symptoms.

Participants with schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) have challenges in self-evaluation of their cognitive and functional abilities, referred to as introspective accuracy (IA). Although psychotic symptoms are commonly found to be uncorrelated with cognitive performance, many models of the development of delusions focus on failures in self-assessment and responses biases during momentary monitoring. We performed a single 4-test cognitive assessment on 240 participants (schizophrenia n = 126; bipolar disorder n = 114) and asked them to make a judgment about their performance immediately after completion of each task. We related performance and these judgments to results of Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA) of the momentary occurrence of psychotic symptoms (Voices, paranoid ideas, other delusions) collected over up to 90 surveys over a 30 days prior to the single cognitive assessment. We examined test performance and the accuracy of self-assessment at that assessment, looking at diagnostic differences in performance and mis-estimation of performance. Participants with bipolar disorder had better cognitive performance, but there were no differences in mis-estimation. Analyses of the correlation between cognitive performance and self-assessment were all significant and better cognitive performance predicted reduced errors in self-assessment. Examination of the 30-day course of psychotic symptoms and IA could only be performed in participants with schizophrenia, revealing correlations between more common occurrences of all three psychotic symptoms and increased absolute values for IA errors. These data are consistent with theories of cognitive response biases and the formation of delusions.

Real world sedentary behavior and activity levels in patients with schizophrenia and controls: An ecological momentary assessment study.

BACKGROUND: People with schizophrenia often experience poor health, leading to shortened lifespans. The health of people with schizophrenia may be further exacerbated by increased sedentary behavior, which independently predicts health risk in the general population. However, the prevalence and patterns of objectively measured sedentary behavior in schizophrenia have not been studied extensively on a momentary basis. METHODS: Activity of 100 patients with schizophrenia was compared to that of healthy controls (HC; n=71) using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). EMA provides real-time, real-world monitoring of behavior. We sampled behavior seven times per day for seven days, quantifying active versus inactive behaviors and four different movement patterns (recumbent, seated, standing, and moving). Due to different employment rates between samples, we focused on surveys completed at home. RESULTS: Four of the five most commonly reported activities for participants with schizophrenia involved sitting or lying down. When considering activity during the last hour, participants with schizophrenia were more likely to be sitting or pacing and less likely to be standing than HC. If participants with schizophrenia only did one thing in the last hour, it was more likely to involve sitting and less likely to involve standing compared to HC. DISCUSSION: People with schizophrenia were significantly more likely to be seated and less likely to be standing or active during the past hour than HC, despite high frequencies of seated behaviors in the HC as well. The adverse health consequences of sitting for extended periods may be especially relevant for people with schizophrenia and likely contribute to premature mortality in this population.

Evidence for avolition in bipolar disorder? A 30-day ecological momentary assessment comparison of daily activities in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: Disability is common in bipolar disorder (BD) and predicted by persistent sadness. We used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine daily activities in people with BD and schizophrenia. We classified activities as productive, unproductive, or passive recreation, relating them to momentary sadness, location, and social context. METHODS: 71 people with BD and 102 people with schizophrenia were sampled 3 times/day for 30 days with an EMA survey. Each survey asked where they were, with whom, what they were doing, and if they were sad. RESULTS: People with BD were home more than 50% of the time. There were no differences in prevalence of activity types across diagnoses. People with BD were less likely to report only one activity since the prior survey, but the most surveys still reported only one. For both groups, sadness and being home and alone since the last survey was associated with less productive activity and more passive recreation. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with BD and schizophrenia manifested high levels of unproductive and passive activities, predicted by momentary sadness. These activity patterns are consistent with descriptions of avolition and they minimally differentiated people with BD and schizophrenia. Previous reports of negative symptoms in BD may have been identifying these behaviors.

Self-reported social functioning and social cognition in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Using ecological momentary assessment to identify the origin of bias.

OBJECTIVES: People with schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar illness (BPI) generate self-reports of their functioning that diverge from objective information. It has been suggested that these participants do not base such reports on daily experiences, relying on other information. We used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to sample socially relevant daily activities in SCZ and BPI and related them to self-reported and observer-rated social functioning and social cognitive ability. METHODS: 71 people with (BPI) were compared to 102 people with SCZ. Participants were sampled 3 times per day for 30 days with a smartphone-based survey. Each survey asked where they were, with whom they were, what they were doing, and if they were sad. Participants and observers were asked to provide ratings on social functioning and social cognitive abilities at the end of the EMA period. RESULTS: There was no association between being home or alone and self-reports of everyday social functioning. In contrast observer ratings were highly correlated with the momentary survey results. Reports of very low levels of sadness were associated with overestimated functioning and participants who were commonly home and alone rated their social functioning as better than participants who were commonly away in the presence of others. IMPLICATIONS: Both SCZ and BPI were marked by a disconnect between momentary experiences and self-reports. The largest effect was overestimation of functioning by participants who reported no sadness. Experience appears important, as participants who were routinely home and alone reported better social functioning than participants who spent more time others.

Performance-based assessment of social skills in a large sample of participants with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and healthy controls: Correlates of social competence and social appropriateness.

INTRODUCTION: Performance-based assessments of social skills have detected impairments in people with severe mental illness and are correlated with functional outcomes in people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The most common of these assessments, the Social Skills Performance Assessment (SSPA), has two communication scenarios and items measuring both social competence and appropriateness. As real-world competence and appropriateness appear to have different correlates, we hypothesized that SSPA Items measuring competence and appropriateness would be distinct and have different correlations with other outcomes. METHODS: We aggregated data from 557 people with schizophrenia, 106 with bipolar disorder, and 378 well controls from 4 separate research studies. All participants were assessed with both SSPA scenarios and other performance based and clinician-rated measures. A single expert rated the SSPA interactions for competence and appropriateness while blind to participant diagnoses. RESULTS: Participants with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia performed more poorly on every item of the SSPA than healthy controls. Items measuring social competence and appropriateness in communication were intercorrelated across scenarios, as were elements of socially competent communication, although the items measuring competence did not correlate substantially with appropriateness. Items assessing social competence, but not social appropriateness, correlated with better cognitive and functional performance and residential and financial independence. DISCUSSION: Social competence and social appropriateness were distinct elements of performance-based social skills with potential differences in their functional correlates. As both social competence and appropriateness impact functional outcomes, improvement in the measurement and treatment of appropriate communication seems to be an important goal.

Evaluation of a plasticity-based cognitive training program in schizophrenia: Results from the eCaesar trial.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is a core feature of the disorder. Computerized cognitive training has shown promise in pilot studies. A 26-week randomized blinded placebo-controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effect of a novel computerized cognitive training program on cognitive and functional capacity outcomes. METHOD: The study followed MATRICS guidelines for the evaluation of interventions designed to improve cognitive function in schizophrenia. Participants (N = 150) were randomized to experimental (computerized cognitive training in a game-like format) or active control (computer games) groups. Training was conducted in-clinic, with an intended training schedule of 5 days per week, 1 h per day, for 26 weeks. Co-primary outcome measures were the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) composite score and the UCSD Performance-Based Skills Assessment (UPSA-2) total score, secondary outcome measures included the Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI) and the Short-Form-12 Mental Composite Score (SF-12 MCS). Target engagement was assessed with task-learning based assessment. RESULTS: At baseline, the groups were well matched. No significant effect of the experimental treatment was seen on the primary or secondary outcome measures compared to the active control. Review of the task learning/target engagement data suggested inadequate target engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Results do not support a cognitive or functional capacity benefit from this implementation of a computerized cognitive training program in people with schizophrenia. In future trials, careful consideration is merited of the assessment of task learning/target engagement, the effects of making the cognitive training game-like on motivation, and the implicit effects of trial requirements on participant selection.

Weight gain in newly diagnosed first-episode psychosis patients and healthy comparisons: one-year analysis.

BACKGROUND: Various antipsychotics are associated with body weight gain. However, most study samples include high proportions of patients with chronic schizophrenia. We examined neuroleptic-induced weight gain in drug-naïve first-episode psychotic patients to limit confounding variables such as multiple past medication trials, history of partial adherence; or poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, associated with chronic mental illness. METHODS: Newly diagnosed first-episode psychosis patients treated with antipsychotic medication, a small group of patients not receiving antipsychotics, and healthy comparisons were followed for one year. Body weight differences and proportions of subjects with more than 7% weight gain were calculated. The effects of concomitant psychotropic medication on weight gain were explored. RESULTS: Ninety-eight first-episode psychotics patient and 30 healthy controls were examined. Patients receiving neuroleptics gained significantly more weight than healthy controls (p=0.002). Olanzapine (91% gained >7%) increased body weight by 37.3+/-27.7 lb, followed by risperidone (51%; +16.6+/-22) and haloperidol (47%; +9+/-12), and perphenazine (10%; +3.4+/-6). Younger patients (r=-0.24, p=0.02) and patients with more negative symptoms at baseline (SANS global; r=0.22, p=0.04) gained more weight. A greater number of co-medications per patient, and co-prescription of antidepressants significantly and independently increased antipsychotic-associated weight gain. DISCUSSION: The results confirm substantial and clinically significant weight gain introduced by antipsychotic treatment in drug-naïve first-episode psychotic patients, and identify several treatment-associated risk factors for weight gain. The magnitude of weight gain induced highlights potential health risks and points to the need for preventive measures such as behavioral weight control programs along with the initiation of pharmacotherapy.

Decreased T cellular immune response in schizophrenic patients.

The involvement of an alteration of the immune system in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia is discussed since many years. In particular, in vitro studies give evidence that the T helper-1 (Th1) mediated cellular immune response is deficient in schizophrenia. We therefore hypothesized that the type-IV delayed skin hypersensitivity reaction, which is effected by the Th1 immune response, is attenuated in schizophrenia patients. A prospective case-control study was performed to assess skin reactivity of 30 patients vs. 30 age and sex matched healthy controls. A standardized device with seven different antigens (Multitest Immignost) was applied intracutaneously; after 48h, the skin reactions were quantified. In general, the mean skin reaction of the schizophrenic patients were significantly smaller as compared to the healthy control group. Moreover, significantly more schizophrenic patients showed a diminished skin reaction to distinct antigens. Our findings demonstrate a markedly attenuated in vivo type-1 mediated cellular immune response in schizophrenic patients, further confirming the hypothesis of a relative Th2 shift in schizophrenia.

Body composition, pre-diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk in early schizophrenia.

AIM: This preliminary study examines the relationship between body composition, insulin resistance and NCEP-III-defined cardiovascular disease risk factors in persons early in the course of schizophrenia exposed to commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications. METHODS: Subjects underwent modified oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) and DEXA (dual X-ray absorptiometry) scans corrected for relevant sociodemographic data, including activity levels. We used linear multiple regression models to evaluate relationships between body composition and metabolic variables. RESULTS: Thirty-six individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, receiving atypical antipsychotic monotherapy, and within 5 years of illness onset, participated. Average age was 25.1 ± 3.6 years (range, 19-34) and duration of illness was 2.5 years (30 ± 18 months). Mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.3 ± 4.9, with a mean total body fat mass of 28.6 ± 8.4%, suggesting an increase in fat relative to BMI. Ten participants (28%) had pre-diabetes (fasting glucose 100-126 mg dL-1 or 2-h OGTT 140-200 mg dL-1 ), but no participant had diabetes. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was predicted by total body mass (BMI) more so than by body fat mass, with an incremental contribution derived from antipsychotics. Insulin secretion in response to glucose challenge was predicted by BMI, body fat mass and antipsychotic medication. CONCLUSIONS: Fat mass relative to BMI was increased in early schizophrenia patients receiving atypical antipsychotics. Body composition accounted for most of the variance in risk for abnormalities in glucose metabolism. Incremental contributions were derived from atypical antipsychotics, in line with their known adipogenicity. If direct fat mass measures are unavailable, frequent BMI measures may be practical proxy markers for metabolic risk.

Increased caffeine and nicotine consumption in community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia.

INTRODUCTION: It is known that people with schizophrenia make poor dietary choices and smoke at alarmingly high rates. There is also anecdotal evidence that they may ingest large amounts of caffeine. However, while smoking habits in this population have been examined, no recent study has quantified caffeine consumption taking into account various dietary caffeine sources unrelated to coffee including convenience foods such as candy bars, chocolate or soft drinks, and compared results to US population data. METHODS: We employed 24-h diet recalls to assess dietary habits in a sample of outpatients suffering from schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Caloric intake and caffeine consumption were quantified and the relationship to various sociodemographic variables including body mass index (BMI) and dietary quality was examined. RESULTS: 146 patients were recruited. Mean BMI in the sample was 32.7+/-7.9. Patients ingested 3,057+/-1,132 cal on average. Patients smoked at higher rates (59.6% vs. 23.4%, p< or =0.001), higher numbers of cigarettes/day (24+/-14.4 vs. 13.5+/-11.3, t=8.549, p<0.001) and ingested more caffeine (471.6+/-584.6 mg vs. 254.2+/-384.9 mg, t=6.664, p<0.001) than US population comparisons. Caffeine consumption was correlated to the number of cigarettes smoked daily (r=0.299, p< or =0.001), but not to BMI (r=0.134, p=0.107) or dietary parameters such as caloric intake (r=0.105, p=0.207). CONCLUSION: Community-dwelling schizophrenia patients consume significantly more caffeine and nicotine than US population comparisons. Clinicians should be aware that while a significant proportion of patients are overweight and have poor dietary quality - which merits lifestyle counseling on its own - there is a lack of correlation between those factors and smoking and caffeine intake. Thus, lifestyle modification counseling in all patients should address smoking and caffeine intake concurrently.

General medical and psychiatric perspectives on somatoform disorders: separated by an uncommon language.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: While Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV provided updated definitions and diagnostic criteria for the diagnoses subsumed under the category of somatoform disorders, various nosological questions are still unresolved. We assessed current research activity on important key concepts related to nosology, validity, and reliability of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV somatoform diagnoses. RECENT FINDINGS: The initial Medline search for articles from 2000 through 2005 yielded a total of 912 articles. After checking for redundancy and excluding publications using other than Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV diagnostic criteria, a total of 101 articles was further reviewed. Heterogeneity of papers precluded statistical approaches; thus, a descriptive and narrative review was pursued. SUMMARY: It appears that applying the specific categories and criteria as proposed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV only captures a small proportion of the phenomena of interest at the interface of medicine and psychiatry. A paradigm shift towards 'general medical/psychiatry interface disorders' in exchange for the current dichotomy of 'mind' vs. 'body' disorders, may reduce stigma associated with current diagnostic labeling, improve user acceptability, and stimulate research in this important but still fragmented clinical area that still lacks agreed-upon diagnostic definitions.