Prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in psychiatric patients users and non-users of antipsychotics.

Past reports have suggested that antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies may emerge as a response to antipsychotics treatment, as a high prevalence of aPL antibodies in antipsychotics users has been observed. However, no control group of non-medicated psychiatric patients was included in these reports. In a cross sectional study we determined the prevalence of aPL antibodies in 333 psychiatric inpatients. We compared the proportions of positive aPL antibodytests between users and non-users of antipsychotics with adjustments for potential confounders. The proportion of antipsychotics users carrying at least one aPL antibody ranged from 10·8% to 27·0% compared with 6·8% to 27·2% in non-users (P = 0·24, P = 0·24) depending on the method of detection of lupus anticoagulant (LA). The prevalence of LA detected by dilute Russell viper venom time or partial thromboplastin time-LA was not different between antipsychotics users and non-users (8·1% vs. 5·4%, P = 0·53 and 18·4% vs. 18·2%, P = 0·22), as well as the prevalence of IgM and IgG anti-ß2-glycoprotein-I antibodies, IgM and IgG anti-cardiolipin antibodies(3·8% vs. 2·0%, P = 0·75, 0·0% vs. 0·0%, P = not applicable, 1·1 vs. 1·4%, P = 0·91, 2·7% vs. 3·4%, P = 0·71). In conclusion, aPL antibodies were frequently found in patients with psychiatric diseases and no significant increase in the prevalence of aPL antibodies was observed in antipsychotics users.

Family psychoeducation in schizophrenia and schizophrenia related disorder, treatment compliance, and suicidal risk reduction: questions about their relationship from a naturalistic observation.

Introduction: The Profamille V3.2 multi-family psycho-educational program directed at caregivers of relatives with schizophrenia or schizophrenia related disorder has been shown to decrease the annual prevalence of suicide attempts. It has been reported that psychoeducation of families can sometimes improve compliance with treatment. This study investigates whether the Profamille program improves compliance and thus reduces the risk of suicide among patients. Method: This is a retrospective study of 179 groups of family caregivers, encompassing 1946 participants enrolled in Module 1 of the Profamille program and followed up one year after completion of the module. Evaluations were conducted using questionnaires filled out by family caregivers at three distinct times: prior to beginning the program, upon its completion, and again one year following its conclusion. The annual prevalence of suicide attempts was measured both before the program began and one year after its conclusion, while compliance to treatment was evaluated at the start and end of the program. Result: After the Profamille program, the annual prevalence of suicide attempts fell by a factor of 2 (p-value = 0.00002) and patient compliance improved (p-value <0.000001). This reduction in suicide attempts was observed independently of improved compliance. Compliance seems to have an additional effect, but only after participation in the program. Conclusion: The Profamille program reduces patients' risk of suicide even when patients are not taking the treatment. When family psychoeducation is not proposed in schizophrenia or schizophrenia related disorder, this can represent a loss of chance for patients.

[Physiological adolescence, pathological adolescence]. / Adolescences physiologiques, adolescences pathologiques.

The uncertainties of looming adulthood, nostalgia for childhood, and a general malaise explain the crisis of adolescence. Rebellion, conflict, occasional failure at school or in society, and at-risk behaviors are not always signs of future psychiatric illness. In contrast, the physician must be in a position to identify tell-tale signs such as dysmorphophobia, existential anxiety, a feeling of emptiness, and school or social breakdown. Most psychiatric disorders that begin in adolescence are only diagnosed several years after onset. Yet early diagnosis is of utmost importance, as treatment becomes less effective and the long-term prognosis worsens with time. Suicide is the second cause of death during adolescence. All signs of suicidal behavior require hospitalization and evaluation in a psychiatric unit. Antidepressants may be necessary in adolescence. The recent controversy concerning a possible increase in the suicidal risk during antidepressant treatment should not mask the fact that the real public health issue is depression, and not antidepressants. Eating disorders are especially frequent among adolescent girls; it is important to identify psychiatric comorbidities such as schizophrenia, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders, and to assess the vital risk. Illicit drug and alcohol consumption are frequent during adolescence; for example, close to half of all French adolescents have tried cannabis at least once. Once again, it is important to detect psychiatric comorbidities in substance-abusing adolescents. Phobia is an underdiagnosed anxiety disorder among adolescents; it may become chronic if proper treatment is not implemented, leading to suffering and disability. Finally, two major psychiatric disorders--schizophrenia and bipolar disorder--generally begin in adolescence. Treatment efficacy and the long-term prognosis both depend on early diagnosis. Treatment must be tailored to the individual patient. "Borderline" states are over-diagnosed, hindering more precise diagnosis and delaying appropriate treatment.

Prevalence of smoking in psychiatric patients.

Compelling evidence that tobacco-smoking is a form of drug addiction exists. The aim of this study is to determine the following: (1) prevalence of tobacco-smoking and of nicotine dependence in French psychiatric patients; (2) rates and patterns of tobacco smoking and of nicotine dependence according to diagnosis; (3) relationship between current smoking status and antipsychotic medications; and (4) relationship between cigarette smoking and neurological side effects induced by neuroleptics. A population of 711 psychiatric in- and outpatients was assessed using: (1) a detailed smoking self-questionnaire for smoking history and nicotine dependence; and (2) a questionnaire for staff covering treatments and DSMIII-R diagnoses. Data were analyzed using chi2 analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests (one factor) for quantitative comparisons between groups of patients, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test with age covariate was performed for age-dependent variables. Prevalence of smoking in the population of psychiatric patients was significantly higher than in the French general population. Diagnoses among current smokers were mainly substance-related disorder and schizophrenia. The authors established correlations between prevalence of smoking and age, sex, marital and socioeconomic status, alcohol use, coffee consumption and other psychoactive substance use or abuse. The authors did not find relationship between smoking prevalence and institutionalization. Neuroleptic neurological side effects were significantly fewer among smokers compared to nonsmokers. However, the rate of smokers was significantly higher in psychiatric patients receiving neuroleptic drugs. Nicotine abuse in psychiatric patients, and especially in schizophrenic patients, could support the hypothesis that smoking is consistent with self-medication.

Incidence of venous thromboembolism in psychiatric units.

INTRODUCTION: Incidence and risk factors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are well established in surgical and medical settings, but data in psychiatric units are lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of VTE in hospitalized psychiatric patients, and to assess the risk factors for VTE in this specific population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive adult patients, admitted for a psychiatric disorder for at least seven days in psychiatric units were considered for inclusion. Patients were evaluated for signs and symptoms of VTE during hospitalization. At Day 10, all participants were interviewed and a systematic compression ultrasonography of the lower limbs was performed. Patients were followed-up until Day 90. RESULTS: Among the 471 included patients, 449 were evaluable at Day 10, and 458 were followed-up until Day 90. Ten deep vein thromboses (DVT) were diagnosed by Day 10 leading to an incidence of VTE of 2.2% (95% CI, 1.1%-4.1%). Six additional symptomatic VTE occurred between Day 10 and Day 90, leading to a 3.5% incidence at Day 90 (95% CI, 2.0%-5.6%). The main factors associated with VTE were age, bed rest, and diagnosis of dementia. The incidence of VTE in patients aged 75 or over with a diagnosis of dementia reached 8.2% at Day 10 and 12.5% at Day 90. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of VTE in psychiatric units appeared low. However, in older patients, especially those with dementia, the incidence of VTE increased considerably. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.