The Incidence of Alcohol Use Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a myriad of challenges to healthcare systems and public health policies across the globe. Individuals with alcohol use disorders are at peaked risk due to mental, socio-demographic, and economic factors leading to hindered mental health service access, misinformation and adherence. METHODS: Keywords including "alcohol use", "death", "hand sanitizer", "overdose" and "COVID-19" were used to obtain 8 media reports for case analysis. A review of 34 manually extracted records were also conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Embase database with no time and language restrictions. RESULTS: A total of 2,517 individuals with alcohol overdose across the United States, India, Canada, and Iran were presented. The majority of cases were male, ages 21-65. Common contributors were linked to socio-economic changes, disruption to mental health services, and physical isolation. CONCLUSION: While original studies are essential to evaluate the etiologies of alcohol use and misuse during pandemics, the dissemination of misinformation must be curbed by directing vulnerable individuals towards accurate information and access to mental health services.

A critical review of health and financial implications of obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. There is a link between increased mortality and obese individuals with the disease. The disease has been claimed to have disproportionately affected non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics. The rise in food accessibility and the drop in the relative cost of junk food items are the two most significant changes in dietary patterns. Around the world, 2.8 million people die from being overweight or obese, and those with more body fat also have a higher risk of diabetes (44%) and heart disease (23%). Obesity weakens the immune system because adipose cells infiltrate the bone marrow, spleen, and thymus. Obesity was substantially more common among COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized than those who were not hospitalized. Over 900 000 adults in the United States are hospitalized due to a COVID-19 infection. Hospitalizations in 271 700 (30.2%) cases have been attributed to obesity. Obese patients may be experiencing reduced thoracic expansion following bariatric surgery. Less tracheal collapse and air-trapping at end-expiration chest computed tomography (CT) were observed post-surgery, and patients reported reduced dyspnea. COVID-19 is estimated to cost the European Union €13.9 billion in secondary care, with 76% of that cost attributed to treatment for overweight and obese individuals. The average price per hospitalized patient also increased with increasing BMI. Screening for obesity, preventive measures, and recommendations for healthy lifestyle changes should be of the utmost importance to decrease both the health and financial implications of COVID-19.

COVID-19 and Psychiatric Admissions: A Comparative Study of Pre-pandemic and Post-pandemic Psychosis Admissions in a South Florida Emergency Department.

We noticed a subjective increase in psychosis admissions within our emergency department (ED) with the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to identify trends concerning admissions due to psychosis in the ED before and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed 508 psychiatric admissions through the ED from October 2019 to October 2020, of which 367 cases of psychosis were identified. Statistical analysis was performed using T-tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient. T-testing showed mean psychosis admissions during the pandemic (March 2020 to July 2020) to be greater than admissions occurring during the pre-pandemic period (October 2019 to February 2020) (p = 0.04). Pearson's correlation coefficient identified the relationships between COVID-19 admissions and psychosis admissions during this time as positive (r = 0.5) but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06). Therefore, within our time frame, we did see a noted increase in psychosis by 22.9% during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic times. Current research remains conflicted concerning psychiatric ED admissions during COVID-19, with some stating an increase and others finding a decrease. Our data showed a significant statistical increase in the mean number of psychosis cases when comparing pre-pandemic and pandemic admissions. These findings help add pertinent data to understand how psychosis admissions trended before and during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically in South Miami, Florida. It also provides a foundation for future studies by providing data points concerning mental illness within the vulnerable population of patients served in our community.

Association of Depression With Cardiovascular Diseases.

Depression has long been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We have reviewed the various factors (hormonal, inflammatory, neuroimmune, and behavioral) involved in depression and associated cardiovascular risk factors. Elevation of glucocorticoids due to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in chronic stress of depression results in hyperglycemia, causing insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for heart diseases. This increase in glucocorticoids also stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Literature also showed that chronic stress in depression activates platelet receptors resulting in endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular morbidity. It has been shown by various studies that depressed patients are more prone to unhealthy lifestyles like eating more processed food, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption resulting in weight gain and insulin resistance. Further in the literature, we reviewed some genetic factors associated with depression and cardiovascular outcomes. Elevated glucocorticoids reduce brain-derived neurotrophic factor-dependent upregulation of glutamate receptors involved in various neural circuits associated with depression and neural diseases by suppressing microRNA-132 expression. In depressed obese patients, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK-9), a regulator of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, has been shown to be associated with insulin resistance. This review sheds light on the importance of diagnostic, preventive, and treatment strategies in depressed patients to reduce overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

A Case Report on Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): How to Approach an Early Diagnosis.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening neurological emergency that has been observed to occur in some patients following the administration of anti-dopaminergic agents or the rapid withdrawal of dopaminergic medications. In this report, the authors present a case of a 51-year-old male patient with a known history of cocaine abuse, who was given quetiapine during his hospitalization. This precipitated an episode of NMS that eventually concluded uneventfully due to quick diagnosis and management. Prompt recognition of the condition is required to reduce significant morbidity and mortality. Ultimately, maintaining vigilance for the clinical features of NMS is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention.

A Misdiagnosed Case of Schizoaffective Disorder With Bipolar Manifestations.

Bipolar and schizoaffective disorders are both psychiatric illnesses that share common traits, but also significant differences. Due to the close overlap in symptoms, obtaining the correct diagnosis can be difficult. The management of these patients often poses a challenge to clinicians. Five years ago, our patient was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features. It was later discovered that she was suffering from schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. The schizoaffective disorder involves symptoms of both schizophrenia and mood disorder.

Suicidal Behavior and Medication Adherence in Schizophrenic Patients.

Suicide is one of the potential complications in the Schizophrenic patient population. This review article deals with the significance of antipsychotic medication compliance in decreasing suicidal behavior and hospitalizations in Schizophrenic patients. The medication adherence with second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) like clozapine and long-acting injectables (LAIs) like paliperidone is associated with decrease suicidal behavior and all-cause mortality in Schizophrenic patients. Concomitant treatment of depression and substance abuse disorder in this patient population is also associated with decreasing all-cause mortality and hospitalizations. On the other hand, long-term benzodiazepine use is associated with increase mortality in Schizophrenic patients. We also discuss some important physician intervention strategies to improve medication adherence in Schizophrenic patients like motivational interviewing (MI), behavioral tailoring (BT), and psychosocial interventions like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).

Medical Cannabis, Headaches, and Migraines: A Review of the Current Literature.

Cannabis has been long used since ancient times for both medical and recreational use. Past research has shown that cannabis can be indicated for symptom management disorders, including cancer, chronic pain, headaches, migraines, and psychological disorders (anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder). Active ingredients in cannabis that modulate patients' perceptions of their conditions include Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), flavonoids, and terpenes. These compounds work to produce effects within the endocannabinoid system to decrease nociception and decrease symptom frequency. Research within the United States of America is limited to date due to cannabis being classified as a schedule one drug per the Drug Enforcement Agency. Few anecdotal studies have found a limited relationship between cannabis use and migraine frequency. The purpose of the review article is to document the validity of how medical cannabis can be utilized as an alternative therapy for migraine management. Thirty-four relevant articles were selected after a thorough screening process using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The following keywords were used: "Cannabis," "Medical Marijuana," "Headache," "Cannabis and Migraine," "Cannabis and Headache." This literature study demonstrates that medical cannabis use decreases migraine duration and frequency and headaches of unknown origin. Patients suffering from migraines and related conditions may benefit from medical cannabis therapy due to its convenience and efficacy.

Olanzapine as an Adjunct in the Management of Refractory Psychogenic Excoriation With Comorbid Schizophrenia: A Case Report.

Neurotic or psychogenic excoriation (PE) is one of the most commonly diagnosed skin disorders associated with a primary psychiatric condition. PE is characterized by excessive picking and scratching of normal-appearing skin, and is often comorbid or is an inherent manifestation of affective disturbance and psychosis itself in schizophrenia. Evidence in the literature has demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in treating PE. Other pharmacological treatments that have shown therapeutic benefits in case reports include doxepin, clomipramine, naltrexone, pimozide, and olanzapine. However, using adjunct therapeutic methods or augmentation in the treatment of neurogenic excoriation in the setting of schizophrenia is still not well explored. In this study, we discuss the case of a 59-year-old medically complex paraplegic male with schizophrenia comorbid with severe refractory PE. The patient had poor adherence to psychopharmacological treatment. Consequently, the patient was repeatedly hospitalized due to acute exacerbations of schizophrenic episodes and self-mutilation due to PE. After several failed treatment approaches, olanzapine 10 mg PO BID was added as an adjunct therapy to the Haldol® Decanoate (Janssen Pharmaceutica, Beerse, Belgium) at a dosage of 100 mg/month intramuscularly to control the acute PE symptoms. This treatment modality proved successful in this case, and the patient has been free from PE relapse for over one year of close follow-up. Olanzapine along with Haldol Decanoate long-acting injectable (LAI), might, therefore, be a useful adjunct therapeutic modality for patients with refractory PE with a comorbid diagnosis of schizophrenia and warrants further research.

Synthetic Cannabis Overdose and Withdrawal in a Young Adult: A Case Report, Commentary on Regulation, and Review of the Literature.

Introduction. Marijuana has been used for its psychotropic effects including enhanced relaxation and perceptual alterations. However, the use of synthetic marijuana (SM) leads to more frequent and drastic side effects than the typical use of regular marijuana, owing to the fact that SM has a shorter duration and an earlier peak of action. Despite all the potential adverse health effects associated with SM use, current health policies on SM are very limited. It is believed that the popularity of SM has increased, due to its easy accessibility in the US and lack of detection in typical urine drug screens for THC. Case Report. One case presented is of a young adult patient, with histories of recurrent synthetic cannabis and recreational cannabis use, who had developed drastic physiological and psychiatric symptoms, including the development of acute-onset psychosis. Conclusion/Discussion. This case, as many others nationwide, exemplifies the impact of synthetic cannabinoid use and abuse in adolescents. Side effects and adverse health consequences of synthetic cannabinoid use warrant stricter regulations and policies in order to decrease psychiatric hospital admissions and associated healthcare costs.