A Systematic Review on the Association between Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

A systematic review aimed to investigate the association between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), its prevalence and incidence, potential factors associated with its occurrence and its impact on mortality among these patients. We performed the literature search in PubMed, Scopus and PsycInfo from inception to February 2022 and identified 19 studies: ten cross-sectional, 5 that included cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, and 4 retrospective cohort studies. The reported prevalence of COPD ranged from 2.6% to 52.7% in patients with schizophrenia and between 3.0% and 12.9% in patients with bipolar disorder. Two studies reported an annual incidence of COPD of 2.21 cases/100 person-years in patients with schizophrenia and 2.03 cases/100 person-years in patients with bipolar disorder. Among the risk factors evaluated in three studies, only advanced age was consistently associated with the presence/occurrence of COPD in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; the role of tobacco consumption was not investigated in those three studies. According to two studies, the likelihood of mortality from COPD showed an over 3-fold increase in patients with schizophrenia and a 2-fold increase in those with bipolar disorder compared to the overall population; COPD was also associated with increased inpatient mortality. Available data indicate that COPD in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is a major public health problem. National and international health organizations should strive to specifically address this issue by creating awareness about this health problem and developing specific programs for screening and early intervention aimed to reduce the burden of COPD in these populations.

A naturalistic study on the effectiveness of long-acting antipsychotics in an early intervention program for patients with recent-onset psychosis.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) on the risk of hospitalization and the length of hospitalization in the setting of an early intervention program for patients with recent-onset psychosis. METHODS: Observational, retrospective study conducted under routine clinical practice conditions. We included all patients admitted from July 2015 to April 2020 to the Early Intervention Program in Psychosis. We analysed the incidence of hospitalization and hospitalization days before and after treatment with LAIs and calculated the incidence rate ratio (IRR). We also compared the outcomes of patients treated with LAIs with those of the patients maintained on oral antipsychotics using a binomial negative regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 170 patients were included in the program. Of them, 34 (20%) received LAIs (aripiprazole [n = 22], and paliperidone/risperidone [n = 12]). There was an 89% reduction in the incidence of hospitalizations after treatment with LAIs (IRR 0.11, 95%CI 0.05-0.21; p < .0001). The IRR for LAIs vs. oral antipsychotics was 0.87 (95%CI, 0.24-3.18; p = .829). The presence of a substance use disorder significantly increased the rate of hospitalizations by 123% (IRR 2.23, 95%CI 1.31-3.78). Analyses of hospitalization days showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that LAIs are useful for the management of patients with recent-onset psychosis who fail treatment with oral antipsychotics. Whether LAIs are superior to oral antipsychotics as first-line treatment of patients with early psychosis and/or could play a special role in managing patients with early psychosis and comorbid substance use disorders should be further evaluated.

Initial monotherapy with eslicarbazepine acetate for the management of adult patients with focal epilepsy in clinical practice: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the effectiveness, overall tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) as an initial or early monotherapy treatment of adult patients with focal epilepsy under real-world practice conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We focused on real-world longitudinal studies that included or separately reported the results of at least one of the efficacy outcomes of interest. A DerSimonian-Laird random effects model was used with the presentation of the 95% confidence intervals of the estimate. RESULTS: 5 studies met our selection criteria and were included in the quantitative synthesis. All studies were observational and uncontrolled studies, and all but one were retrospective studies. The pooled proportion of patients who were seizure-free for the entire study period was 64.6% (95% CI, 45.7 to 79.8) at month 6 and 56.6% (95% CI, 50.2 to 62.8) at month 12. Pooled retention rates were 95.0% (95% CI, 90.3 to 97.5) at 6 months and 83.6% (95% CI, 73.9 to 90.1) at 12 months. The pooled proportion of patients who reported at least one adverse event was 27.2% (95% CI, 21.7 to 33.6), and the pooled proportion of patients who discontinued ESL due to adverse events was 8.9% (95% CI 6.2 to 12.6). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that initial or early monotherapy with ESL is effective and well-tolerated for the management of adult patients with focal epilepsy in clinical practice, with results that are at least similar to those reported in the pivotal randomized clinical trial of ESL monotherapy. No new safety signals with ESL have been identified in this systematic review.

The Probiotic VSL#3® Does Not Seem to Be Efficacious for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Symptomatology of Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Gastrointestinal symptomatology is frequent among patients with fibromyalgia, which increases disease burden and lacks specific treatment, either pharmacological or non-pharmacological. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a multi-strain probiotic, VSL#3®, for the treatment of fibromyalgia-associated gastrointestinal manifestations. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial included 12 weeks of probiotic or placebo treatment followed by 12 weeks of follow up. The primary outcome variable was the mean change from the baseline to the endpoint in the composite severity score of the three main gastrointestinal symptoms reported by patients with fibromyalgia (abdominal pain, abdominal bloating and meteorism). Secondary outcome variables were the severity of additional gastrointestinal symptoms, fibromyalgia severity, depression, sleep disturbance, health-related quality of life and patients' overall impression of improvement. No differences were found between VSL#3® (n = 54) and the placebo (n = 56) in the primary outcome (estimated treatment difference: 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.1, 4.2; p = 0.501), or in any of the secondary outcomes. However, responders to VSL#3 were more likely to maintain any improvement during the follow-up period compared to responders in the placebo arm. Overall, VSL#3 tolerability was good. Our data could not demonstrate any beneficial effects of VSL#3® either on the composite score of severity of abdominal pain, bloating and meteorism or in any of the secondary outcome variables. More research is needed to elucidate specific factors that may predict a favourable response to treatment in patients with fibromyalgia.

Use of waterpipes and other substances in adolescents: Prevalence and potential associations with mental and behavioral well-being, a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: This study assess the prevalence and potential determinants (attitudes, behavioral and emotional conditions) associated with waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) and cigarette smoking in adolescents in public compulsory secondary schools. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in October 2017 in three secondary schools from Seville, Spain, among adolescents aged 12-18 years. We administered an ad hoc questionnaire to explore the demographic and clinical characteristics of students; in addition, it included questions on consumption of tobacco (waterpipe and/or cigarette), alcohol (usual consumption and/or drunkenness) and/or cannabis, and attitudes towards waterpipe tobacco smoking. We also administered a validated version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which is used to screen children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. An established usage of a substance was defined as weekly or daily use. A multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression methods to determine the probability of established usage. RESULTS: Of the 1135 adolescents, 72.1% lived with at least one smoker; the established usage was 13.4% for waterpipe; 9.2% for cigarettes and 3.2% for dual use. Of those with established usage of waterpipe, 38.2% had established alcohol usage, 12.7% were drunk weekly or daily, and 27.4% used cannabis. Students consolidating the consumption of waterpipes were three times more likely to have established cigarette use than those not having an established usage (OR=3.7; p=0.0005). The overall SDQ score increased the likelihood of established usage of both waterpipes and cigarettes (p=0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The probability of established usage of cigarettes (multivariate analysis) is associated with increasing age (course), cohabitation with smokers, established usage of waterpipe, established use of alcohol and a borderline score in the behavioral dimension (SDQ). Addiction to waterpipes among teens is significantly associated with their behavioral and emotional difficulties.

Real-World Data on the Adverse Metabolic Effects of Second-Generation Antipsychotics and Their Potential Determinants in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Studies.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the risk of occurrence and potential determinants of metabolic disorders in adult patients treated with second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) under real-world practice conditions. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycInfo were searched in July 2019 from database inception. We included population-based, longitudinal, comparative studies that report the results of the outcomes of interest for adult participants, including diabetes, ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, weight gain/obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Two reviewers independently extracted data on the study design, study quality, and study outcomes. RESULTS: We included 40 studies. Most studies showed that clozapine and olanzapine were associated with an increased likelihood of developing diabetes, while the results for risperidone and quetiapine were mixed. Although less well studied, ziprasidone and aripiprazole appeared to not be associated with the occurrence of diabetes. Information on antipsychotic-induced weight gain/obesity is extremely scarce. Regarding dyslipidemia, aripiprazole was not associated with an increased likelihood of developing dyslipidemia, clozapine was associated with an increased likelihood of developing dyslipidemia, and risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone showed mixed results. Two studies suggested an association between ziprasidone and the occurrence of hypertension. Several studies found that the occurrence of a metabolic disorder acted as a risk factor for the development of other metabolic disorders. We did not find information on brexpiprazole, cariprazine, or lurasidone, and data on any long-acting SGA were lacking. CONCLUSION: Although there are relevant differences among SGAs concerning the risk of metabolic disorders, it appears that none of the SGAs included in our review are fully devoid of these disturbances.

Patients with severe mental disorders often present metabolic disorders such as obesity, increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Treatment with antipsychotics may contribute to the occurrence of these disorders. Using a systematic review, we have evaluated the risk of occurrence of these metabolic disorders associated with the most frequently used antipsychotics­the so-called second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs)­and which factors increase the patient chances of presenting a metabolic disorder when they are treated with these drugs under routine clinical practice. After reviewing 40 studies, we found that, although there are relevant differences among SGAs concerning the risk of metabolic disorders, it appears that none of the drugs included in our review are fully free of these disturbances. Among the factors that increase the chances of these disturbances, we highlight that the presence of a particular metabolic disorder (e.g., increased blood pressure) acts as a risk factor for the occurrence of other metabolic disorders (e.g., high blood sugar), and that the duration of treatment could be a relevant factor for the occurrence of these disorders. Finally, we also found important gaps in our knowledge about this matter, mainly the limited information on the SGAs apparently associated with lower risk of metabolic disorders in experimental studies (that is, few studies evaluating ziprasidone and aripiprazole, and none evaluating brexpiprazole, cariprazine, or lurasidone) and the lack of information on long-acting injectable (that is, antipsychotics that are usually given every 2­4 weeks) SGAs.

Marital adjustment in patients with fibromyalgia: its association with suicidal ideation and related factors. A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Fibromyalgia has been associated with suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and completed suicide. Non-married status is a risk factor for suicidal behaviours but the quality of the marital relationship has been scarcely investigated. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate, in patients with fibromyalgia, the relationship between marital adjustment suicidal ideation and potentially related variables: depression severity, sleep disturbance, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, fibromyalgia severity and pain intensity. METHODS: A survey was done in patients with fibromyalgia which collected sociodemographic data and included the following questionnaires: the Locke and Wallace Marital Adjustment Test, the Beck's Depression Inventory II, the Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale, a 10-item version of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Suicidal ideation was assessed with item 9 of the Beck's Depression Inventory, and pain intensity was measured with the VAS scale of the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 257 participants 71 were single, 107 had a good marital adjustment and 79 a poor marital adjustment. Suicidal ideation was most frequent among patients with poor marital adjustment than among those with good marital adjustment or patients without partner. The poor marital adjustment group showed significantly worse scores in most of the remaining variables with the only exceptions of the FIQR and pain scores. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with fibromyalgia the degree of marital adjustment seems to be a relevant factor for suicidal ideation and related variables.

Patterns of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment, treatment satisfaction and perceived tolerability in patients with fibromyalgia: a patients' survey.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the patterns of treatment among patients with fibromyalgia (FM) in Spain and to assess patient satisfaction and perceived tolerability of the treatment received. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in Spain via internet from September 2015 to March 2017. We recorded sociodemographic and clinical information, including treatment satisfaction evaluated using a 10-point numerical rating scale (NRS) and adverse events. RESULTS: Evaluable subjects (n=915) were predominantly middle-aged, married women who presented with moderate to severe pain, sleep disturbance and affected quality-of-life. The most frequent non-pharmacologic treatments were physical exercise (85%), diet (47%), supplements such as magnesium and vitamins (47%), and psychotherapy (31%). The most frequently prescribed drugs were tramadol (40%), benzodiazepines (30%), duloxetine (22%), pregabalin (19%), amitriptyline (17%) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; 16%); 7.5% of patients received stronger opioids. After excluding benzodiazepines, NSAIDs, and paracetamol, 46% of patients received ≥2 drugs. Satisfaction with treatment (NRS mean score) was generally poor for pharmacologic treatment (4.1), exercise (4.7), psychotherapy (5.2), diet (5.0), physiotherapy (6.2) and acupuncture (6.3). The increase in the number of drugs prescribed was not associated with an increase in satisfaction, but rather with an increase in adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with FM in Spain are overtreated with a combination of non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies. Several of these therapies lack adequate support from randomised clinical trials and/or clinical practice guidelines. This overtreatment is not associated with relevant clinical benefits or patient satisfaction and, in the case of pharmacologic treatments, poses tolerability and safety issues.

Antipsicóticos inyectables de liberación prolongada para el tratamiento de la esquizofrenia en España / Long-acting injectable antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia in Spain

Los antipsicóticos son un componente esencial del tratamiento de la esquizofrenia. Las formulaciones inyectables de liberación prolongada (ILP) surgen para mejorar la adherencia con el potencial asociado de reducir el riesgo de recaídas. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el uso de antipsicóticos ILP en España -que es similar al de otros países europeos pero con un predominio de la utilización de ILP de segunda generación-, discutir las posibles causas de las diferencias de prescripción respecto a otros países de nuestro entorno (entre otras, aspectos organizativos, actitudes de psiquiatras, pacientes y familiares, guías de práctica clínica), y discutir su utilización en unidades de agudos, primeros episodios, y en niños y adolescentes. A nuestro juicio, aunque es necesario aumentar las pruebas existentes respecto a las ventajas de los antipsicóticos ILP y la diferenciación entre aquellos disponibles actualmente, su utilización seguirá probablemente creciendo impulsada por la experiencia clínica

Antipsychotics are an essential component in the treatment of schizophrenia. Long-acting injectable formulations (LAI) arose to improve adherence with the associated potential of reducing the risk of relapse. The objective of this article is to analyze the use of LAI antipsychotics in Spain, which is similar to other European countries but with a predominance of the use of second generation LAI, to discuss the possible causes of prescribing differences with respect to other countries (including organizational aspects, attitudes of psychiatrists, patients and family members, and clinical practice guidelines), and to discuss their use in acute psychiatric units, first episode, and in children and adolescents. In our view, while it is necessary to increase existing evidence regarding the advantages of LAI antipsychotics and the differentiation between LAI antipsychotics currently available, their use will likely continue to grow driven by clinical experience

A Real-World Study on Antidepressant-Associated Sexual Dysfunction in 2144 Outpatients: The SALSEX I Study.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the frequency, impact, and management of sexual dysfunction associated with commonly prescribed antidepressants available in psychiatry outpatient clinics in Spain. We recruited 2163 adult patients who had undergone treatment with antidepressants for at least 8 weeks and had a history of normal sexual functioning before the prescription of the antidepressant, except for mildly impaired libido. We used the Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire (PRSexDQ-SALSEX) for evaluating the frequency and tolerance of sexual dysfunction and whether this side effect was spontaneously reported. Overall, 79% patients showed sexual dysfunction, as indicated by a total score ≥ 3 on the PRSexDQ-SALSEX; 64% showed moderate-severe sexual dysfunction, with no differences between men and women on these outcomes. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, treatment with a serotonergic antidepressant and having a severe clinical state of psychiatric illness were the factors associated with the highest likelihood of presenting with sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction was spontaneously reported by 838 (41%) of the 2066 evaluable patients for this outcome. Among patients with sexual dysfunction, this condition was poorly tolerated by 22% of the patients, with these frequencies being significantly higher in men than in women. The most frequently used strategies employed by the psychiatrists in our study for dealing with sexual dysfunction were switching to another antidepressant (34%) and waiting for spontaneous resolution (33%). In conclusion, our results indicate that despite being a well-known, long-standing side effect of antidepressants, sexual dysfunction continues to be extremely common in patients receiving antidepressants, especially serotonergic ones, potentially jeopardizing treatment success in a substantial proportion of patients. There are important sex differences in the reporting and tolerance of sexual dysfunction that require further investigation.

Waterpipe and cigarette smoking among adolescents in Seville (Spain): prevalence and potential determinants. / Consumo de pipas de agua y cigarrillos entre adolescentes de Sevilla (España): prevalencia y potenciales determinantes.

Letter to the editor.

Carta al Editor.

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia in Spain. / Antipsicóticos inyectables de liberación prolongada para el tratamiento de la esquizofrenia en España.

Antipsychotics are an essential component in the treatment of schizophrenia. Long-acting injectable formulations (LAI) arose to improve adherence with the associated potential of reducing the risk of relapse. The objective of this article is to analyze the use of LAI antipsychotics in Spain, which is similar to other European countries but with a predominance of the use of second generation LAI, to discuss the possible causes of prescribing differences with respect to other countries (including organizational aspects, attitudes of psychiatrists, patients and family members, and clinical practice guidelines), and to discuss their use in acute psychiatric units, first episode, and in children and adolescents. In our view, while it is necessary to increase existing evidence regarding the advantages of LAI antipsychotics and the differentiation between LAI antipsychotics currently available, their use will likely continue to grow driven by clinical experience.

Consumo de pipas de agua y cigarrillos entre adolescentes de Sevilla (España): prevalencia y potenciales determinantes / Waterpipe and cigarette smoking among adolescents in Seville (Spain): prevalence and potential determinants

No disponible

Psychiatric Comorbidity in Children and Adults with Gluten-Related Disorders: A Narrative Review.

Gluten-related disorders are characterized by both intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. Previous studies have suggested an association between gluten-related disorder and psychiatric comorbidities. The objective of our current review is to provide a comprehensive review of this association in children and adults. A systematic literature search using MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO from inception to 2018 using terms of ‘celiac disease’ or ‘gluten-sensitivity-related disorders’ combined with terms of ‘mental disorders’ was conducted. A total of 47 articles were included in our review, of which 28 studies were conducted in adults, 11 studies in children and eight studies included both children and adults. The majority of studies were conducted in celiac disease, two studies in non-celiac gluten sensitivity and none in wheat allergy. Enough evidence is currently available supporting the association of celiac disease with depression and, to a lesser extent, with eating disorders. Further investigation is warranted to evaluate the association suggested with other psychiatric disorders. In conclusion, routine surveillance of potential psychiatric manifestations in children and adults with gluten-related disorders should be carried out by the attending physician.

Suicidal behaviors in patients with rheumatic diseases: a narrative review.

Chronic rheumatic disorders are characterized by inflammation and chronic pain, and both anxiety and depression have been frequently observed in these patients. Depression and chronic pain are recognized as risk factors for the development of suicidal behaviors. Accordingly, the objective of the present review is to provide a comprehensive review of suicidal behaviors associated with rheumatic diseases. Medline and EMBASE were searched for English language publications using key words related with rheumatic diseases, suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation. 34 records (30 full-length published papers and 4 studies published in abstract form) that included data related to the frequency and/or potential determinants of suicidal behaviors in rheumatic diseases were included in the review. It was found that both suicidal ideation and completed suicide seem to be more frequent in patients experiencing systemic lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia and arthritis. Major determinants were comorbid depression in fibromyalgia and arthritis, and neuropsychiatric disease in systemic lupus erythematosus. Based on these findings, suicide risk should be assessed in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia and/or arthritis.

[Incidence of acute agitation and variation in acute agitation management by emergency services]. / Incidencia y variabilidad de manejo de la agitación aguda en los servicios de emergencias médicas.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the management of acute agitation by Spanish emergency medical services (EMS) and assess the incidence of acute agitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational descriptive study based on aggregate data from unpublished internal EMS reports. RESULTS: Seven participating emergency services received 4 306 213 emergency calls in 2013; 111 599 (2.6%, or 6.2 calls per 1000 population) were categorized as psychiatric emergencies. A total of 84 933 interventions (4.2%, or 4 per 1000 population) were required; 37 951 of the calls concerned agitated patients (1.9%, or 2 cases per 1000 population). Only 3 EMS mandated a specific procedure for their responders to use in such cases. CONCLUSION: The agitated patient is a common problem for EMS responders. Few teams apply specific procedures for managing these patients.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la incidencia y el manejo de la agitación aguda por los servicios de emergencias médicas (SEM) en España. METODO: Estudio observacional descriptivo que utiliza datos agregados de las memorias de actividad o datos internos no publicados de los SEM. RESULTADOS: Durante el año 2013, los 7 SEM participantes recibieron 4.306.213 llamadas, de las cuales 111.599 (2,6%; 6,2 llamadas/1.000 habitantes) fueron categorizadas como psiquiátricas. Las actuaciones requeridas por motivos psiquiátricos fueron 84.933 (4,2% del total de actuaciones; 4,0 actuaciones/1.000 habitantes) y, de estas, 37.951 fueron por pacientes agitados (1,9% del total de actuaciones; 2,0 actuaciones/1.000 habitantes). Solo 3 SEM disponían de un procedimiento específico para los equipos asistenciales de atención al paciente psiquiátrico y al paciente agitado. CONCLUSIONES: El paciente agitado es un problema común en los equipos asistenciales de los SEM. Pocos de estos equipos cuentan con procedimientos específicos de actuación ante estos casos.

Incidencia y variabilidad de manejo de la agitación aguda en los servicios de emergencias médicas / Incidence of acute agitation and variation in acute agitation management by emergency services

Objetivo. Evaluar la incidencia y el manejo de la agitación aguda por los servicios de emergencias médicas (SEM) en España. Método. Estudio observacional descriptivo que utiliza datos agregados de las memorias de actividad o datos internos no publicados de los SEM. Resultados. Durante el año 2013, los 7 SEM participantes recibieron 4.306.213 llamadas, de las cuales 111.599 (2,6%; 6,2 llamadas/1.000 habitantes) fueron categorizadas como psiquiátricas. Las actuaciones requeridas por motivos psiquiátricos fueron 84.933 (4,2% del total de actuaciones; 4,0 actuaciones/1.000 habitantes) y, de estas, 37.951 fueron por pacientes agitados (1,9% del total de actuaciones; 2,0 actuaciones/1.000 habitantes). Solo 3 SEM disponían de un procedimiento específico para los equipos asistenciales de atención al paciente psiquiátrico y al paciente agitado. Conclusiones. El paciente agitado es un problema común en los equipos asistenciales de los SEM. Pocos de estos equipos cuentan con procedimientos específicos de actuación ante estos casos (AU)

Objective. To describe the management of acute agitation by Spanish emergency medical services (EMS) and assess the incidence of acute agitation. Methods. Observational descriptive study based on aggregate data from unpublished internal EMS reports. Results. Seven participating emergency services received 4 306 213 emergency calls in 2013; 111 599 (2.6%, or 6.2 calls per 1000 population) were categorized as psychiatric emergencies. A total of 84 933 interventions (4.2%, or 4 per 1000 population) were required; 37 951 of the calls concerned agitated patients (1.9%, or 2 cases per 1000 population). Only 3 EMS mandated a specific procedure for their responders to use in such cases. Conclusions. The agitated patient is a common problem for EMS responders. Few teams apply specific procedures for managing these patients (AU)