Alpha psychiatryPub Date : 2025-02-28eCollection Date: 2025-02-01DOI: 10.31083/AP38792
Qian Deng, Hualiang Chen
{"title":"Trends in Benzodiazepine and Z-Drug Prescriptions in Eastern China (2015-2021).","authors":"Qian Deng, Hualiang Chen","doi":"10.31083/AP38792","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP38792","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study analyses trends in the prescription and usage of benzodiazepines (BZDs) and Z-drugs within specialised medical institutions and emergency outpatient services in China from 2015 to 2021, focusing on demographics and prescribing patterns to promote better management practices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective study was conducted from 2015 to 2021, reviewing prescription information and population characteristics from 10 hospitals, including specialised psychiatric institutions and general hospitals in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Shanghai. The study analysed a total of 33,569 valid prescriptions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a noticeable increase in the total defined daily doses of both benzodiazepines and Z-drugs, with significant variations among different drugs. Lorazepam and zopiclone showed the most substantial increases in usage. Drugs like clonazepam and lorazepam were predominantly prescribed, indicating specific patterns in disease management, particularly for insomnia and anxiety.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study reveals a significant increase in benzodiazepine and Z-drug prescriptions, particularly among elderly and female patients. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to ensure safe prescribing practices and mitigate the risks associated with long-term use in these vulnerable populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 1","pages":"38792"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11916059/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143665452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alpha psychiatryPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241565
Niloofar Hemati, Ali Alipouriani, Mehdi Moradinazar, Alireza Ahmadi, Reza Mohammadi, Mitra Bonyani, Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani, Annette Beatrix Brühl, Habibolah Khazaie, Serge Brand
{"title":"Associations Between Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome and Daytime Napping with the Metabolic Syndrome Among Adults: Results from the Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease (RaNCD) Cohort Study.","authors":"Niloofar Hemati, Ali Alipouriani, Mehdi Moradinazar, Alireza Ahmadi, Reza Mohammadi, Mitra Bonyani, Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani, Annette Beatrix Brühl, Habibolah Khazaie, Serge Brand","doi":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241565","DOIUrl":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241565","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Adverse sleep and wake patterns are associated with physical health complaints, including metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) and napping during the day with metabolic syndrome (MetS).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was conducted on 10 065 participants aged 35-65 years using baseline data from the Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort study. Delayed sleep phase syndrome was evaluated through a clinical interview to rule out the possibility that the sleep complaints were a result of psychiatric disorders. Logistic and linear regression models were used to determine associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The severity of MetS was found to be higher in men, older age groups, married people, subjects with a lower education level, urban residents, smokers, people with low physical activity, and DSPS. In the fully adjusted model, the odds of having MetS were 26% (95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 1.48) higher in those with DSPS compared to those without DSPS. Additionally, the odds of MetS were 18% higher in people who napped less than 1 hour per day, 26% higher in those who napped 1-2 hours per day, and 21% higher in those who napped over 2 hours per day, compared to non-nappers. All of these associations were statistically significant. The odds of having the severity of MetS were significantly 6% (95% CI: 0.01, 0.12) higher in those with DSPS compared to those without DSPS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of this study indicate that DSPS and daytime napping are associated with an increased risk of MetS. Interventions aimed at improving sleep quality are recommended as potential strategies to help reduce the risk of developing MetS.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"25 6","pages":"705-712"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11739914/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143016746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alpha psychiatryPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241718
Catherine Glocker, Maria S Simon, Nicole Adler, Julia Eder, Barbara B Barton, Richard Musil
{"title":"Development and Evaluation of the \"Eating More Consciously\" Module of a Lifestyle Intervention Program to Prevent Medication-Induced Weight Gain in Psychiatric Patients: A One-Arm Pilot Study.","authors":"Catherine Glocker, Maria S Simon, Nicole Adler, Julia Eder, Barbara B Barton, Richard Musil","doi":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241718","DOIUrl":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241718","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Overweight and obesity are health issues that are increasing worldwide. Patients with severe mental illness are particularly vulnerable for various reasons, including the intake of weight gain-associated drugs. In this pilot study, we targeted eating behavior as a predictor for medication-induced weight gain and developed a module of a prevention program (\"Eating More Consciously\") to be evaluated by psychiatric inpatients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty-three patients participated in a behaviorally oriented group therapy program with 2 modules of 120 minutes each and weekly follow-up measurements over 4 weeks. Measures included weight, laboratory parameters, the German versions of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (Fragebogen Essverhalten; FEV) and the Food Craving Inventory (FCI) as well as a questionnaire on the implementation of the strategies in everyday life.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-three participants completed both modules and felt that they had benefited from the module \"Eating More Consciously\". Fragebogen Essverhalten domain \"cognitive restraint\" scores increased significantly throughout the study (<i>P</i> = .039), and the FCI sum score decreased significantly (<i>P</i> = .003).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We propose that the \"Eating More Consciously\" module is a promising approach to behavioral intervention in weight management in patients with severe mental illness. Prospective randomized controlled studies with a larger sample and a longer follow-up are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"25 6","pages":"737-745"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11739912/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143016955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adjunctive Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation for Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Studies.","authors":"Kai-Si Wen, Xin-Hu Yang, Nan Zhang, Si-Yuan Lin, Xing-Bing Huang, Todd Jackson, Yu-Tao Xiang, Wei Zheng","doi":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241799","DOIUrl":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241799","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>In order to determine whether intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) is a viable adjunct treatment for schizophrenia, a meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was performed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four independent researchers extracted and synthesized data from RCTs on adjunctive iTBS for patients suffering from schizophrenia. RevMan 5.3 software was used to calculate risk ratios (RRs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifteen RCTs involving 671 patients with schizophrenia were included. Adjunctive iTBS was significantly superior to sham interventions for improvement in overall psychopathology (SMD = -0.75, 95% CI: -1.10, -0.41, <i>I</i> <sup>2</sup> = 64%, <i>P</i> < .0001), negative symptoms (SMD = -0.76, 95% CI: -1.18, -0.35, <i>I</i> <sup>2</sup> = 78%, <i>P</i> = .0003), and general psychopathology (SMD = -0.51, 95% CI: -0.88, -0.14, <i>I</i> <sup>2</sup> = 71%, <i>P</i> = .007), though no significant group difference was found regarding positive symptoms. Adjunctive iTBS also demonstrated superiority over control treatments in improving cognitive functions as measured by the Spatial Span Test (SMD = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.16, 1.49, <i>I</i> <sup>2</sup> = 73%, <i>P</i> = .02) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.88, <i>I</i> <sup>2</sup> = 0%, <i>P</i> = .01). Discontinuation rates (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.50, <i>I</i> <sup>2</sup> = 0%, <i>P</i> = .75) and adverse events were comparable between groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The use of iTBS in patients with schizophrenia appears to be effective in improving psychiatric symptoms and cognitive function. To substantiate these preliminary findings, future research involving larger participant cohorts is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"25 6","pages":"676-684"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11744375/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Efficacy of Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia.","authors":"Hong-Yuan Chen, Xiao-Jun Wang, Ping Guo, Hai-Ying Chen, Wen-Jie Wei, Yu Chen, Yun-Jiao Hu, Juan Qiao, Hua-Xin Lu, Ming-Chao Li, Qiu-Ming Ji","doi":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.231473","DOIUrl":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.231473","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) in combination with risperidone tablets and psychotherapy in the treatment of patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients with TRS admitted to the psychiatric department of our hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 were selected as study participants. They were randomly divided into a control group and a study group, with the control group receiving risperidone tablets and psychotherapy, and the study group undergoing MECT as well as the control group treatment. The mood scores, efficacy, and side effects of the 2 groups were compared.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After treatment, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (<i>t</i> = 2.316, <i>P</i> = .021) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (<i>t</i> = 2.919, <i>P</i> = .013) scores of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The overall remission rate in the study group was 96.3%, which was higher than that of the control group (<i>χ</i> <sup>2</sup> = 9.319, <i>P</i> = .007). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (<i>t</i> = 8.126, <i>P</i> = .003), Traumatic Exposure Severity Scale (<i>t</i> = 13.210, <i>P</i> = .002), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (<i>t</i> = 6.412, <i>P</i> = .001) scores were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. The Wechsler Memory Scale score was higher in the study group than in the control group (<i>t</i> = 3.971, <i>P</i> = .002).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The use of MECT in combination with risperidone tablets and psychotherapy can effectively improve patient mood, increase efficacy, reduce adverse effects, promote memory recovery, and shorten recovery time in patients with TRS.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"25 6","pages":"700-704"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11739910/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143017145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Perinatal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Yamin Yuan, Liyuan Qu, Qiufeng Sun, Peina He, Xiaohuan Zhou","doi":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241553","DOIUrl":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241553","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To conduct a meta-analysis on the connection between vitamin D deficiency and perinatal depression.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comprehensive literature search was conducted across several databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP database. Two reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias in articles using the Cochrane collaboration's tool, with analysis performed via RevMan software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After reviewing major databases, 13 studies were included. Three studies assessed prenatal depression and vitamin D levels, showing significantly lower levels in the depression group compared to controls (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD] = -0.41, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] -0.57 to -0.25) with minimal heterogeneity, thus a fixed effects model was used. Another three studies explored postpartum depression and vitamin D, revealing considerable heterogeneity (<i>I</i> <sup>2</sup> = 96%, <i>P</i> < .01), leading to the use of a random effects model; these indicated much lower vitamin D levels in the depression group (SMD = -1.62, 95% CI -2.62 to -0.62). Seven studies examined the link between postpartum depression and vitamin D deficiency, again showing significant heterogeneity (<i>I</i> <sup>2</sup> = 92%, <i>P</i> < .01) and lower vitamin D levels in depressed women (SMD [Standardized Mean Difference] = 2.28, 95% CI 1.60-3.25), with no significant publication bias detected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Reduced vitamin D levels are significantly associated with the incidence of perinatal depression. Pregnant women with reduced vitamin D levels have a relatively higher risk of depression. This signifies that vitamin D levels may figure prominently in maintaining maternal mental health.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"25 6","pages":"669-675"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11739904/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143017187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alpha psychiatryPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241801
Michel Bourin
{"title":"The Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorders: A Major Public Health Issue.","authors":"Michel Bourin","doi":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241801","DOIUrl":"10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241801","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"25 6","pages":"750-751"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11739911/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143017189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}