Efficacy and Safety of Lurasidone vs. Quetiapine XR in Acutely Psychotic Patients With Schizophrenia in Korea: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Trial.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lurasidone (160 mg/day) compared to quetiapine XR (QXR; 600 mg/day) in the treatment of acutely psychotic patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with lurasidone 160 mg/day (n=105) or QXR 600 mg/day (n=105). Primary efficacy measure was the change from baseline to week 6 in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score and Clinical Global Impressions severity (CGI-S) score.

Patient's Perspective on Psychiatric Drugs: A Multicenter Survey-Based Study.

Objective: We aimed to identify the expectations and preferences for medication and medical decision-making in patients with major psychiatric disorders.

Methods: A survey was conducted among patients with major psychiatric disorders who visited psychiatric outpatient clinics at 15 hospitals between 2016 and 2018 in Korea. The survey consisted of 12 questions about demographic variables and opinions on their expectations for medication, important medical decision-makers, and preferred drug type.

Relationship between Psychological Correlates and Empathy in Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: Empathy is important in the education of medical students. Many psychosocial variables are related to empathy. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between empathy and psychosocial factors such as burnout, personality, self-esteem, and resilience.

Korean Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder 2018: Comparisons with Other Treatment Guidelines.

The objective of this study was to compare recommendations of the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder 2018 (KMAP-BP 2018) with other recently published guidelines for treating bipolar disorder. We reviewed a total of five recently published global treatment guidelines and compared treatment recommendation of the KMAP-BP 2018 with those of other guidelines. For initial treatment of mania, there were no significant differences across treatment guidelines.

Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder 2018 (KMAP-BP 2018): Fourth Revision.

Objective: The Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder (KMAP-BP) was first published in 2002 through an expert consensus of opinion, and updated in 2006, 2010, and 2014. This study constitutes the fourth revision of the KMAP-BP.

Methods: A 50-item questionnaire was used to obtain the consensus of experts regarding pharmacological treatment strategies for various phases of adult bipolar disorder and six items for pediatric bipolar disorder.

Prevalence of Depressive Disorder of Outpatients Visiting Two Primary Care Settings.

Objectives: Although the prevalence of depressive disorders in South Korea's general population is known, no reports on the prevalence of depression among patients who visit primary care facilities have been published. This preliminary study was conducted to identify the prevalence of depressive disorder in patients that visit two primary care facilities.

Methods: Among 231 consecutive eligible patients who visited two primary care settings, 184 patients consented to a diagnostic interview for depression by psychiatrists following the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Generic Mirtazapine (Mirtax) for Major Depressive Disorder: Multicenter, Open-label, Uncontrolled, Prospective Study.

Objective: Mirtax is a generic mirtazapine widely used since 2003. We conducted an open-label, uncontrolled 6-week study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Mirtax for major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods: Ninety three MDD patients with the diagnosis of MDD and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score ≥14 were recruited.

Current prescription pattern of maintenance treatments for bipolar patients in Korea: A focus on the transition from acute treatments.

Aims: We examined prescription patterns in maintenance treatment for recovered bipolar patients and compared these with acute treatments.

Methods: Using retrospective methods, the bipolar patients in clinical recovery (Clinical Global Impression Bipolar Version score ≤ 2 for 6 months) after acute episode were selected. We reviewed differences between prescription patterns at remission and after a maintenance period of at least 6 months.

A diagnosis of bipolar spectrum disorder predicts diagnostic conversion from unipolar depression to bipolar disorder: a 5-year retrospective study.

Background: The major aims of this study were to identify factors that may predict the diagnostic conversion from major depressive disorder (MDD) to bipolar disorder (BP) and to evaluate the predictive performance of the bipolar spectrum disorder (BPSD) diagnostic criteria.

Methods: The medical records of 250 patients with a diagnosis of MDD for at least 5 years were retrospectively reviewed for this study.

Results: The diagnostic conversion from MDD to BP was observed in 18.

The Korean Medication Algorithm for Depressive Disorder: second revision.

Aim: This study constitutes a revision of the guidelines for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) issued by the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder (KMAP-DD) 2006. In incorporates changes in the experts׳ consensus that occurred between 2006 and 2012 as well as information regarding newly developed and recently published clinical trials.

Methods: Using a 44-item questionnaire, an expert consensus was obtained on pharmacological treatment strategies for (1) non-psychotic MDD, (2) psychotic MDD, (3) dysthymia and depression subtypes, (4) continuous and maintenance treatment, and (5) special populations; consensus was also obtained regarding (6) the choice of an antidepressant (AD) in the context of safety and adverse effects, and (7) non-pharmacological biological therapies.

Does mirtazapine interfere with naturalistic diabetes treatment?

Mirtazapine is known to induce weight gain and possibly leads to exacerbation of diabetic profiles. However, many cases of diabetic patients, who complained of insomnia and depression, were treated with mirtazapine in the clinical situations. Thus, this study aimed to assess any negative effects that treatment with mirtazapine may incur in diabetic patients.

Korean medication algorithm for depressive disorder: comparisons with other treatment guidelines.

We aimed to compare the recommendations of the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder 2012 (KMAP-DD 2012) with other recently published treatment guidelines for depressive disorder. We reviewed a total of five recently published global treatment guidelines and compared each treatment recommendation of the KMAP-DD 2012 with those in other guidelines. For initial treatment recommendations, there were no significant major differences across guidelines.

Does comorbid subthreshold anxiety predict treatment response in depression? Results from a naturalistic cohort study (the CRESCEND study).

Objective: To investigate whether the anxious depression defined as depression with clinically significant anxiety but not comorbid anxiety disorder predicts poor outcomes of depression treatment in naturalistic clinical setting.

Method: From nationwide sample of 18 hospitals, 674 patients with moderate to severe depression who completed the DSM-IV-based Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) were recruited. Anxious depression was defined as not having comorbid anxiety disorder by SCID and having a Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) total score ≥ 20.

Effect of the timing of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor ingestion on sleep.

Many patients with Alzheimer's disease experience sleep disturbances, and donepezil is usually prescribed for night-time administration. However, increased acetylcholine is associated with cortical arousal. We evaluated whether subjective sleep quality differed according to the timing of medication administration.

Continuity of outpatient treatment after discharge of patients with major depressive disorder.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the predictors associated with the continuity of outpatient treatment after discharge for patients with major depression.

Methods: The medical records of patients discharged with diagnosis of major depression were analyzed. The subjects were divided into two groups based on whether they regularly visited the outpatient clinic for more than 4 months after discharge.

Platelet count alterations associated with escitalopram, venlafaxine and bupropion in depressive patients.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate changes in platelet counts on three different kinds of antidepressant. All subjects (n = 131) in their drug-naïve state had been diagnosed with depression. Escitalopram (n = 42), venlafaxine (n = 50) and bupropion (n = 39) were prescribed, and platelet count was measured before and after 1 month of treatment and compared.

Factors associated with subjective quality of life in Korean patients with depressive disorders: the CRESCEND study.

Purpose: A number of studies suggest that depression is associated with the significant disability and the poorer subjective quality of life (QOL). We aimed to assess subjective QOL in Korean patients with depression and explore the factors (sociodemographic characteristics and clinical features) associated with subjective QOL.

Methods: We obtained the data from 808 depressive patients who entered the Clinical Research Center for Depression (CRESCEND) study and evaluated the relationship between subjective QOL and personal sociodemographics, and various clinical features, including depressive severity, and subjective QOL.