Adult psychiatric inpatient admissions and length of stay before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large urban hospital setting in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic individuals with mental illnesses faced challenges accessing psychiatric care. Our study aimed to describe patient characteristics and compare admissions and length of stay (LOS) for psychiatric-related hospitalizations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using health administrative data comparing individuals with an acute psychiatric admission between two time periods: 1st March 2019 to 31st December 2019 (pre-COVID) and 1st March 2020 to 31st December 2020 (during-COVID).

Lithium related thyroid and parathyroid disease: Updated clinical practice guidelines are needed.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of and determine physician approaches to the screening and management of lithium-associated thyroid and parathyroid disorders in British Columbia, Canada.

Methods: Serum lithium and thyroid/parathyroid laboratory data were collected retrospectively for patients with lithium levels measured at seven BC hospitals between 2012 and 2021. A mail-out survey about screening and management of thyroid/parathyroid disorders in patients on lithium was sent to the ordering physicians of patients with abnormal results.

Association of homelessness and psychiatric hospital readmission-a retrospective cohort study 2016-2020.

Background: A large proportion of adult psychiatric inpatients experience homelessness and are often discharged to unstable accommodation or the street. It is unclear whether homelessness impacts psychiatric hospital readmission. Our primary objective was to examine the association between homelessness and risk for 30-day and 90-day readmission following discharge from a psychiatric unit at a single urban hospital.

Changes to the electrocardiogram during exercise in anorexia nervosa.

Background: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by low body weight, distorted body image, and an intense fear of gaining weight. Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, particularly in the QT interval, have been implicated in AN-associated sudden death but not well defined.

Objectives: To characterize QT interval changes during exercise in anorexia nervosa.

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are not routinely screened for depression and anxiety despite knowledge of an increased prevalence in people with chronic disease and negative effects on quality of life.

Methods: Prevalence of anxiety and depression was assessed in IBD outpatients through retrospective chart review. The presence of anxiety and/or depression was determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 self-report questionnaires or by diagnosis through psychiatric interview.

Managing unipolar depression in pregnancy.

Purpose Of Review: The management of depression in pregnancy is complex, as it is based on balancing the risks with the benefits of treatment versus no treatment for both the mother and the fetus. The current literature in the field of reproductive psychiatry is difficult to navigate and at times contradictory. This article aims to review both nonpharmacological and pharmacological modalities in the treatment of perinatal depression.