Anxiety and Depression Among Transgender People: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Online Survey in Russia.

Purpose: As we still do not know enough about the mental health concerns of gender minority people in Russia, there is a need to initiate research on these issues. We aimed to examine the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms in a Russian sample of transgender people. Methods: The study consisted of a structured online survey and was conducted throughout November 2019. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used for online screening of anxiety and depression symptoms. A total of 588 transgender adults living in all Federal Districts of Russia (mean age 24.0 ± standard deviation 6.7) was included in the final analysis. Results: It was found that 45.1% (n = 265) and 24.0% (n = 141) of transgender people had clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression, respectively. No statistically significant differences in the prevalence of anxiety and depression were found among those who identified as a transgender man, a transgender woman, or other transgender identities. The anxiety and depression mean scores in the sample were statistically significantly higher than in the general Russian population (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in the level of depression and anxiety symptoms among respondents in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities. Conclusions: We found high rates of clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety among transgender people, consistent with international research. The study highlights the need for further research on the psychological well-being and mental health of transgender people, and the availability of psychiatric care to transgender people living in Russia.

Effects of CYP2C19*2 polymorphisms on the efficacy and safety of phenazepam in patients with anxiety disorder and comorbid alcohol use disorder.

Introduction: Phenazepam therapy can often be ineffective and some patients develop dose-related adverse drug reactions. Aim. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of the CYP2C19*2 (681G>A, rs4244285) in patients with anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence taking phenazepam therapy. Materials & methods: Patients (175 males, average age: 37.16 ± 7.84 years) received phenazepam in tablet form for 5 days. Genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The statistically significant differences in the UKU Side-Effect Rating Scale scores on the fifth day of therapy: (CYP2C19*1/*1) 2.00 [1.00; 2.00), (CYP2C19*1/*2) 7.00 (7.00; 7.00), (CYP2C19*2/*2) 9.00 (8.00; 9.00), p < 0.001. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the different efficacy and safety of phenazepam in patients with different genotypes of CYP2C19*2.

Effects of CYP2C19*17 polymorphisms on the efficacy and safety of bromodigyrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine in patients with anxiety disorder and comorbid alcohol use disorder.

Background Bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine (Phenazepam®) is used in the therapy of anxiety disorders in patients with alcohol dependence. However, Phenazepam therapy often turns out to be ineffective, and some patients develop dose-related adverse drug reactions (ADR): severe sedation, dizziness, headache, dyspepsia, falling, etc. That ensures the effectiveness of this category of patients. Despite the popularity of Phenazepam® as an anxiolytic drug, there is currently no accurate data on its biotransformation, as well as the effect of polymorphism of a gene on the efficacy and safety of bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine in patients. The aim of our study was to study the effect of the polymorphism of the CYP2C19 gene on the efficacy and safety index of Phenazepam® for patients with anxiety disorders, using algorithms for optimizing the therapy of Phenazepam® to reduce the risk of pharmacological resistance and increase the effectiveness of therapy. Methods The study was conducted on 86 Russian patients suffering from alcohol dependence. Patients with trauma anxiety disorders received bromdihydrochlorphenylbenzodiazepine in tablets at a dose of 4.0 [2.0; 6.0] mg per day for 5 days. Genotyping was carried out by the method of polymer chain reaction in real time with allele-specific hybridization. Efficiency and safety assessment was carried out using psychometric scales and scales of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) severity scores. Results Based on the results of the study, statistically significant differences in the number of scores on the scale of HADS severity of CYP2C19 CT on the third day of therapy were the following: (CC) 10.00 [9.00; 11.00], (CT) 14.00 [13.00; 16.00], (TT) 18.00 [17.00; 19.00], p=0.00, and also on the fifth day: (CC) 6.00 [5.00; 7.00], (CT) 17.50 [16.25; 19.75], (TT) 22.50 [20.00; 24.00], p=0.00. ADRs in patients with different genotypes for this polymorphic marker did not differ. Conclusions Thus, it has been shown that the polymorphism of the CYP2C19 gene may influence the effectiveness indices of Phenazepam therapy in patients with anxiety disorders comorbid with alcohol dependence. This should be taken into account in the appointment of this drug in this way in order to increase effectiveness of therapy and improve the quality of life.

Using a personalized clinical decision support system for bromdihydrochlorphenylbenzodiazepine dosing in patients with anxiety disorders based on the pharmacogenomic markers.

INTRODUCTION: Although pharmacogenetic tests provide the information on a genotype and the predicted phenotype, these tests themselves do not provide the interpretation of data for a physician. There are currently approximately two dozen pharmacogenomic clinical decision support systems used in psychiatry. Implementation of clinical decision support systems capable of forming recommendations on drug and dose selection according to the results of pharmacogenetic testing is an urgent task. Fulfillment of this task may allow increasing the efficacy of therapy and decreasing the risk of undesirable side effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 51 male patients (21 in the main group and 30 in the control group) with alcohol withdrawal syndrome. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapy, several international psychometric scales and rating scales to measure side effects were used. Genotyping was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction with allele-specific hybridization. Pharmacogenetic test results were interpreted using free software PGX2 (www.pgx2.com). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between the scores derived from all psychometric scales were revealed. For instance, the total score on CIWA-Ar scale by day 3 was 13.5 [11.2; 16.0] for the main group and 18.0 [17.0; 22.0] (p < 0.001) for the control group; by day 5, it was 6.5 [4.2; 8.0] for the main group and 15.0 [14.0; 16.0] (p < 0.001) for the control group. The UKU side effect rating scale (UKU) also revealed a statistically significant difference. The total score on UKU scale by day 3 was 6.0 [5.0; 7.0] for the main group and 7.0 [6.0; 8.0] (p < 0.001) for the control group; by day 5, this difference grew significantly: 5.5 [3.0; 9.0] for the main group and 14.0 [12.0; 19.0] (p < 0.001) for the control group. The groups were representative (there was no difference between the scores at the inclusion of patients). CONCLUSION: Pharmacogenetic-guided personalization of drug dose in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome can reduce the risk of undesirable side effects and pharmacoresistance. It allows recommending the use of pharmacogenomic clinical decision support systems for optimizing drug dosage.