Burnout Status of Italian Healthcare Workers during the First COVID-19 Pandemic Peak Period.

The pandemic of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has burdened extraordinary psychological stress on the healthcare workforce. The present survey aimed to examine the personal resources and psychological symptoms associated with burnout in 933 healthcare workers in Italy during the COVID-19 outbreak period. Sociodemographic and occupational data, depression, anxiety, burnout, and post-traumatic symptoms, as well as psychological well-being, were cross-sectional assessed through an online questionnaire. A considerable part of the sample scored over the clinical levels of depression (57.9%), anxiety (65.2%), post-traumatic symptoms (55%), and burnout (25.61%). Working in the front-line (p <.05), being part of the medical staff (p <.05), experiencing lower levels of psychological well-being (p <.001), and higher levels of post-traumatic symptoms (p <.001) independently explained 38% of burnout variance. The healthcare industry, services, and professionals should be aware of the harmful effects of COVID-19 on healthcare workers and take adequate preventive measures.

An open study of adjunct OROS-methylphenidate in children and adolescents who are atomoxetine partial responders: I. Effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of adding OROS methylphenidate (MPH) to children who are partial responders to atomoxetine (ATMX) in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: This is a two-phase, 7-week, open study in children aged 6-17 years. Phase I initiated ATMX for a minimum of 4 weeks. Phase II entered partial responders to ATMX and added up to 54 mg of OROS MPH to their regimen. Subjects were assessed on multiple outcomes, including ADHD, executive functioning, and adverse effects. All analyses were intent to treat, with last observation carried forward. RESULTS: Fifty subjects who were partial responders to ATMX were treated with the combination therapy, with 41 subjects completing the entire protocol. There was a 40% reduction in their ADHD Rating Scale from the start of phase II through the end of study (from 21.14 +/- 9.9 to 12.8 +/- 9.7, t = 6.5, p < 0.0001). In addition, there was a clinically significant reduction in the Clinical Global Index of ADHD severity from moderate to mild ADHD (start of phase II, 3.7; end of phase II, 2.7, 27%, t = 6.5, p < 0.0001), as well as improvements in executive functioning. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that OROS MPH added to the regimen of partial responders to ATMX improves ADHD and executive functioning, necessitating further controlled trials.

An open study of adjunct OROS-methylphenidate in children who are atomoxetine partial responders: II. Tolerability and pharmacokinetics.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerability of adding OROS methylphenidate (MPH) to children who are partial responders to atomoxetine (ATMX) in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: This was a two-phase, 7-week, open study in children aged 6-17 years. Phase 1 initiated ATMX for a minimum of 4 weeks. Phase 2 entered partial responders to ATMX and added OROS MPH to their regimen. Safety was assessed using blood pressure and heart rate measurements, electrocardiogram readings, AEs, laboratories, and ATMX levels. RESULTS: Fifty subjects who were partial responders to ATMX received the combination therapy, with 41 subjects completing the entire protocol. As reported elsewhere (Wilens et al., 2009 ), OROS MPH added to partial responders of ATMX was accompanied by a 40% reduction in the ADHD rating scale score and improvements in executive functioning. However, the combination of ATMX plus OROS MPH was associated with greater rates of insomnia, irritability, and loss of appetite compared to ATMX alone. A small significant increase in diastolic blood pressure was observed during adjunctive OROS MPH, with no clinically meaningful changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters during the study. ATMX levels and liver function tests did not significantly change during the combination treatment. CONCLUSION: Adjunct OROS MPH in ATMX partial responders yielded an additive adverse effect burden in this short-term study. Further controlled research with larger samples of children is warranted.

Onset of efficacy of long-acting psychostimulants in pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) adversely impacts the educational achievement, mood and emotion processing, and interpersonal relationships of children and adolescents. Effective treatments include a number extended-release (ER) methylphenidate-(MPH) and amphetamine-based drugs. Some formulations release a comparatively larger bolus after dosing and can result in different onset and duration of efficacy. OBJECTIVE: Provide an evidence-based description of the time course of efficacy of psychostimulant medications used in ADHD treatment of children and adolescents. DATA SOURCES: A literature search from 1998 to 2008 was conducted using a MEDLINE database and the keywords "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder," "extended-release," "sustained-release," "methylphenidate," "amphetamine," "randomized," "controlled," "placebo," "efficacy," "time course," and "classroom study." DATA EXTRACTION: Selection criteria included randomized, blinded, placebo- or active comparator-controlled clinical studies that evaluated an ER formulation of a psychostimulant treatment for ADHD in at least 30 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years. STUDY SELECTION: Eighteen clinical trials met the chosen criteria and evaluated: d, l-MPH, long-acting (d, l-MPH-LA); d, l-MPH-OR; d, l-MPH-CD (MCD); d-MPH-ER; MPH transdermal system (MTS); mixed amphetamine salts, ER (MAS-XR); and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX). DATA SYNTHESIS: Onset of efficacy was earliest for d-MPH-ER at 0.5 hours, followed by d, l-MPH-LA at 1 to 2 hours, MCD at 1.5 hours, d, l-MPH-OR at 1 to 2 hours, MAS-XR at 1.5 to 2 hours, MTS at 2 hours, and LDX at approximately 2 hours. Duration of efficacy for each treatment was: MCD 7.5 hours; d, l-MPH-LA 8 to 12 hours; and 12 hours for MTS, d-MPH-ER, d, l-MPH-OR, MAS-XR, and LDX. However, data should be interpreted with caution given the different trial designs and assessment time points. CONCLUSIONS: d-MPH-ER has the earliest onset of efficacy at 0.5 hours postdose, and MTS, d-MPH-ER, d, l-MPH-OR, MAS-XR, and LDX have a long duration of action at 12 hours postdose. Clinicians should consider differences in the onset of efficacy of each drug in the context of individual patient needs.

Donepezil in the treatment of ADHD-like symptoms in youths with pervasive developmental disorder: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies reported ADHD-like symptoms and cognitive deficits in pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Because work in dementia documents improvement in executive function deficits with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil, the authors reason that similar benefits could be obtained in PDD. METHOD: The authors describe eight cases of PDD youth ages 10 to 17 treated with donepezil targeting ADHD-like symptoms associated with PDD. RESULTS: Most participants improve ADHD-like symptomatology. In addition, improvement in communication and socialization is noted. CONCLUSION: Donepezil may have a role in treating ADHD-like symptoms in children with PDD.