Dermatologic conditions of adult refugees following resettlement in the United States, 2015 to 2018.

Background: There is a paucity of literature regarding dermatologic conditions in migrant and refugee populations.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of all adult refugees resettling in a region of Connecticut, U.S.

Management of SIADH-related hyponatremia due to psychotropic medications - An expert consensus from the Association of Medicine and Psychiatry.

Objective: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte imbalance encountered in clinical practice and is associated with negative healthcare outcomes and cost. SIADH is thought to account for one third of all hyponatremia cases and is typically an insidious process. Psychotropic medications are commonly implicated in the etiology of drug induced SIADH.

Vaccine completion and infectious diseases screening in a cohort of adult refugees following resettlement in the U.S.: 2013-2015.

Background: Refugees are frequently not immune to vaccine-preventable infections. Adherence to consensus guidelines on vaccination and infectious diseases screening among refugees resettling in the U.S.

Refugee and Migrant Health Literacy Interventions in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Health literacy is a key determinant of health in refugee and migrant populations living in in high-income countries (HICs). We conducted a systematic review of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) to characterize the scope, methodology, and outcomes of research on interventions aimed at improving health literacy among these vulnerable populations. We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases to identify RCTs of health literacy intervenions in our target population published between 1997 and 2018.

QTc monitoring in adults with medical and psychiatric comorbidities: Expert consensus from the Association of Medicine and Psychiatry.

Objective: Several psychiatric medications have the potential to prolong the QTc interval and subsequently increase the risk for ventricular arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes (TdP). There is limited guidance for clinicians to balance the risks and benefits of treatments.

Methods: After a review of the existing literature, clinical-educators from the Association of Medicine and Psychiatry developed expert consensus guidelines for ECG monitoring of the QTc interval for patients with medical and psychiatric comorbidities who are prescribed medications with the potential to prolong the QTc interval.

Screening and Treatment Rates for Latent Tuberculosis Among Newly-Arrived Refugees in an Urban Facility in Connecticut.

There is a high prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and risk of reactivation among refugees. This study describes LTBI prevalence, treatment initiation, and completion rates in refugee patients seen at one urban Connecticut hospital. This retrospective chart review includes 248 adult refugee patients screened between January 2009 and April 2012.

Prevalence of obesity and diabetes in patients with schizophrenia.

Aim: To compare the prevalence of diabetes in patients with schizophrenia treated at a community mental health center with controls in the same metropolitan area and to examine the effect of antipsychotic exposure on diabetes prevalence in schizophrenia patients.

Methods: The study was a comprehensive chart review of psychiatric notes of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder treated at a psychosis program in a community mental health center. Data collected included psychiatric diagnoses, diabetes mellitus diagnosis, medications, allergies, primary care status, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), substance use and mental status exam.

Establishing an Integrated Health Care Clinic in a Community Mental Health Center: Lessons Learned.

Integrating primary care with behavioral health services at community mental health centers is one response to the disparity in mortality and morbidity experienced by adults with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders. Many integration models have been developed in response to the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration (PBHCI) initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). One model is a primary care clinic co-located within the mental health center.

Factors Associated with Refugee Acute Healthcare Utilization in Southern Connecticut.

Our objective was to examine refugees' acute care use early in resettlement. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of acute care use, emergency room and hospital visits, by adult refugees arriving in Southern Connecticut between 2/1/2013 and 2/1/2015. We examined associations between any acute care use and collected demographic as well as health characteristics.

Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain in First-Episode Psychosis Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Differential Effects of Antipsychotic Medications.

(Reprinted with permission from 2016; 10:193-202).

Smoking Use and Cessation Among People with Serious Mental Illness.

Smoking rates in people with serious mental illness (SMI) are disproportionately high compared to the general population. It is a leading contributor to the early mortality in this population. Smoking cessation rates are low in this group, though patients are motivated to quit.

General Medicine Training in Psychiatry Residency.

With growing awareness of the need for integrated health care settings, psychiatrists may be required to provide clinical care at the primary care and behavioral health interface. This article discusses the curricular changes that could enhance the development of psychiatrists as leaders in integrated primary and behavioral health care. Psychiatrists may be called upon to provide enhanced collaborative care services at primary care or behavioral health settings.

Antipsychotic-induced weight gain in first-episode psychosis patients: a meta-analysis of differential effects of antipsychotic medications.

Aim: The first-episode psychosis (FEP) represents a critical period to prevent cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity decades later. Antipsychotic (AP)-induced weight gain is one modifiable factor in this period. The purpose of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis of AP-induced weight and body mass index (BMI) change in FEP.

An overview of diabetes management in schizophrenia patients: office based strategies for primary care practitioners and endocrinologists.

Diabetes is common and seen in one in five patients with schizophrenia. It is more prevalent than in the general population and contributes to the increased morbidity and shortened lifespan seen in this population. However, screening and treatment for diabetes and other metabolic conditions remain poor for these patients.

History of Persecution and Health Outcomes Among U.S. Refugees.

Our goal was to describe the forms of persecution reported by adult refugees in the U.S. and the relationships between persecution and health status among this population.

High rates of obstructive sleep apnea symptoms among patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Patients with schizophrenia have high rates of obesity and cardiovascular morbidity, which are strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The prevalence and risk factors for OSA are not well studied in patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of OSA symptoms in a sample of outpatients with schizophrenia.

Status of general medicine training and education in psychiatry residency.

Objective: With the current emphasis on integrated care, the role of psychiatrists is expanding to either directly provide medical care or coordinate its delivery. The purpose of this study was to survey general psychiatry programs on the extent of general medicine training provided during residency.

Methods: A short web-based survey was sent to 173 residency program directors to recruit participants for a larger survey.

Giant cell arteritis presenting as small bowel infarction.

Giant cell arteritis predominantly affects cranial arteries and rarely involves other sites. We report a patient who presented with small bowel obstruction because of infarction from mesenteric giant cell arteritis. She had an unusual cause of her obstruction and a rare manifestation of giant cell arteritis.