Pharmacogenomics in psychiatry: Practice recommendations from an Asian perspective (2024).

Introduction: Pharmacogenomic testing in psychiatry is an emerging area with potential clinical application of guiding medication choice and dosing. Interest has been fanned by commercial pharmacogenomic providers who have commonly marketed combinatorial panels that are direct-to-consumer. However, this has not been adopted widely due to a combination of barriers that include a varying evidence base, clinician and patient familiarity and acceptance, uncertainty about cost-effectiveness, and regulatory requirements.

Youth Epidemiology and Resilience (YEAR) in a student population: prevalence and predictors of mental health symptoms.

Background: Adolescence is a pivotal developmental phase, marked by a high prevalence of mental health issues. The Singapore Youth Epidemiology and Resilience (YEAR) study aims to assess the prevalence of mental health symptoms, sociodemographic risk factors, and the protective role of resilience in a multi-ethnic, Asian school-going adolescent population.

Methods: School-based adolescents aged 11-18 and their parents were invited from a stratified sample of national schools, designed to be demographically representative of the mainstream school-going population.

ADHD/CD-NET: automated EEG-based characterization of ADHD and CD using explainable deep neural network technique.

Unlabelled: In this study, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder, is being studied alongside its comorbidity, conduct disorder (CD), a behavioral disorder. Because ADHD and CD share commonalities, distinguishing them is difficult, thus increasing the risk of misdiagnosis. It is crucial that these two conditions are not mistakenly identified as the same because the treatment plan varies depending on whether the patient has CD or ADHD.

Prevalence and economic burden of depression and anxiety symptoms among Singaporean adults: results from a 2022 web panel.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are leading causes of disability and premature mortality. At a global level, over 300 million people are estimated to suffer from major depressive disorders, equivalent to 4·4% of the world's population. Pandemic era stressors have increased rates for depression and anxiety by upwards of 25%.

Home-based brain-computer interface attention training program for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a feasibility trial.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent child neurodevelopmental disorder that is treated in clinics and in schools. Previous trials suggested that our brain-computer interface (BCI)-based attention training program could improve ADHD symptoms. We have since developed a tablet version of the training program which can be paired with wireless EEG headsets.

Differences in the Prevalence and Profile of DSM-IV and DSM-5 Alcohol Use Disorders-Results from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016.

Introduction: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) criteria for alcohol use disorders (AUD) was a significant shift from the historical DSM-IV Text Revised version. Following this shift in diagnostic criteria, a difference in the prevalence of AUD was expected. The current study aimed to evaluate the consequences of the modification of the diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV to DSM-5 AUD using lifetime diagnosis in Singapore's multi-ethnic population using data from a nationwide epidemiological study.

Association of cardiovascular metabolic risk factor measurements with psychiatric readmission among in-hospital patients with severe mental illness: a retrospective study.

Background: Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) and comorbid physical conditions were often associated with higher risks of mortality and hospital readmission. In this study, we aim to examine the association of cardiovascular metabolic risk factor measurements with risks of psychiatric readmissions among in-hospital patients with severe mental illness (SMI).

Methods: We collected the longitudinal information of laboratory investigations, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) among in-hospital patients who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depression disorder or bipolar disorder and with comorbid diagnosis of hypertension, hyperlipidemia or diabetes from Jan 2014 to Jan 2019.

Automated classification of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder using entropy features with ECG signals.

Background: The most prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder among children is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD presents with a high prevalence of comorbid disorders such as conduct disorder (CD). The lack of definitive confirmatory diagnostic tests for ADHD and CD make diagnosis challenging.

Mental Resilience of Medical Practitioners in Singapore during COVID-19: Survey Results from a Webinar Course on Resilience.

Front-line doctors are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19. The mental resilience of general practitioners and their areas of concerns and support required are important during this COVID-19 period. A total of 403 general practitioners attending a webinar on resiliency, hosted by the College of Family Physicians, Singapore, participated in the survey anonymously.

Comparison of mental-physical comorbidity, risk of death and mortality among patients with mental disorders - A retrospective cohort study.

Aim: To compare the risk of death, the prevalence of comorbid chronic physical illness and mortality among an Asian population of patients with mental disorders.

Methods: This was a retrospective data analysing of medical records of patients with schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder and the comorbid chronic physical illnesses. The hazard risk of death was calculated with Cox regression and compared between patients with and without comorbid chronic physical illness(es).

Our children then and now: Changes in mental health symptoms among Singaporean children from 2003 to 2017.

In recent years, there appears to be a rise in the diagnosis and treatment of child mental health disorders in many countries, including Singapore. While this increase may be alarming, it could possibly be attributed to factors such as changes in diagnostic criteria, improved screening in schools and primary health settings, changes in clinical practices, and an increase in help-seeking behaviour. Hence, an examination of community-level trends in mental health symptoms can elucidate how child psychopathology has changed over the years.

Automated detection of conduct disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder using decomposition and nonlinear techniques with EEG signals.

Background And Objectives: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often presented with conduct disorder (CD). There is currently no objective laboratory test or diagnostic method to discern between ADHD and CD, and diagnosis is further made difficult as ADHD is a common neuro-developmental disorder often presenting with other co-morbid difficulties; and in particular with conduct disorder which has a high degree of associated behavioural challenges. A novel automated system (AS) is proposed as a convenient supplementary tool to support clinicians in their diagnostic decisions.

Development of a co-designed gamified attention bias modification app for individuals with opioid use disorder.

Background: The advances in experimental psychology in the last decade have led to a greater understanding of cognitive bias, and the investigation of cognitive bias modifications as a therapeutic option. Whilst conventionally such interventions are delivered in a laboratory, technological advances are changing the potential modes of delivery of these interventions. Whereas mobile delivery of interventions might seem to increase accessibility and encourage compliance, this might not be the case for cognitive bias modification interventions.

Debate: COVID-19 to the under 19 - a Singapore school mental health response.

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic causes much disruption globally on sociopolitical, economic and healthcare fronts. While much of the impact has focused on the epidemiology and medical management of the pandemic, more need to be focused on the mental health impact of COVID-19. This article describes the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Singapore's schools and the response and adaptation of the school community mental health services.

Updates in technology-based interventions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Purpose Of Review: Technological advancement has led to the development of novel treatment approaches for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This review aims to review recent studies which employ the use of technology to treat ADHD, with particular focus on studies published during a 1-year period from February 2019 to February 2020.

Recent Findings: Most recent studies involved children aged 12 years and below.

Smoking and Mental Illness: Prevalence, Patterns and Correlates of Smoking and Smoking Cessation among Psychiatric Patients.

This study aims to understand (a) the prevalence and correlates of smoking in a psychiatric population, (b) factors that encourage smoking cessation, and (c) awareness towards cessation programmes. This study captured data ( = 380) through a modified version of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). A descriptive analysis of the data was performed.