Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Insomnia Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review assessed the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on the treatment of insomnia disorder and their reporting of recommendations, while summarizing the evidence and providing guidance on an algorithmic approach to appropriate pharmacological treatment. METHODS: The PubMed and EMBASE databases, guideline repositories, and specialist association websites were searched. The quality of the CPGs was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument, complemented by the AGREE-REX (Appraisal of Guidelines REsearch and Evaluation-Recommendations EXcellence). A multidisciplinary team identified the key clinical questions that a clinician would consider when taking an algorithmic approach to the use of medication for patients with insomnia disorder. By using a meta-synthesis approach, recommendations from the CPGs were characterized and summarized via a recommendation matrix. RESULTS: A total of 10 records that met the inclusion criteria were included and appraised. Four CPGs were rated as high and 3 CPGs were rated as moderate in overall quality. Most of the CPGs recommended pharmacotherapy only if cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia or other nonpharmacological interventions were unavailable, unsuccessful, or declined by patients. Recommendations on types of medicines and dose and duration of treatment varied and were nonspecific. Few of the CPGs provided recommendations on pharmacotherapy in special populations. CONCLUSIONS: Indications for starting medications are the only common thread in all of the reviewed CPGs. The CPGs diverged in the choice of first-line pharmacotherapy, and most of the CPGs did not provide recommendations on all subsequent clinical considerations.

Does Late-onset Anorexia Nervosa Exist? Findings From a Comparative Study in Singapore.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of cases of older onset anorexia nervosa (AN) has increased in recent years. However, the literature on late-onset AN has been inconclusive. The goal of this study was to compare late-onset with early-onset cases of AN. METHODS: Cases of AN presenting to an eating disorders treatment service were identified and the associated medical records were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 577 cases of AN that were studied, 7.1% were late-onset. Unlike the early-onset cases of AN, the late-onset cases reported less teasing and more relationship problems as a trigger for the illness. They were also less likely to join the eating disorders treatment program. Otherwise, the late-onset AN cases were largely similar to the early-onset cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although differences exist between early-onset and late-onset cases of AN, these are few. Until stronger evidence emerges over time, there currently seems to be minimal justification to accord late-onset AN a unique position in psychiatric nosology.

Comprehensive psychological intervention to improve outcome in functional gastrointestinal disorder: a cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) have a decreased quality of life (QoL). Psychological illnesses are strongly associated with FGIDs. This study examined the effect of a comprehensive psychological intervention programme designed for refractory FGID patients. METHODS: Refractory FGID patients at a tertiary gastroenterology unit were encouraged to participate in a psychological intervention programme, which included screening for anxiety and depression in patients, educating patients and physicians on FGIDs, and providing early access to psychiatric consultation for patients with significant psychological illnesses. The duration of follow-up was six months. Outcomes were measured using the Irritable Bowel Syndrome-QoL (IBS-QoL) instrument and the EuroQol five dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1,189 patients (68% female, 80% Chinese, mean age 48.6 years) participated in the programme. Among these participants, 51% had a significant psychological disorder (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] anxiety or depression score > 7). These participants had a significantly poorer QoL (IBS-QoL and EQ-5D, both p < 0.0001), and were more likely to be single or English-speaking, as compared to the participants without psychological disorders. Participants who completed ≥ 3 months of follow-up (n = 906) showed significant and durable improvement. High baseline HADS anxiety score predicted improvement (p < 0.001), with participant IBS-QoL and EQ-5D scores decreasing over time. CONCLUSION: The intervention programme was associated with a clinically meaningful improvement in the QoL of patients with refractory FGIDs. High baseline anxiety was predictive of improvement.