Publications by authors named "Laurent Bechard"

Article Synopsis
  • High rates of psychiatric comorbidities, including psychotic disorders, are observed in individuals with problem gambling (PBG), impacting their treatment and recovery.* -
  • A systematic review of 22 studies found the overall prevalence of psychotic disorders among PBG individuals to be 4.9%, with variations based on whether they were in treatment or surveyed.* -
  • The review emphasizes the importance of screening for psychotic disorders and other mental health conditions in problem gamblers to better address their recovery needs.*
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Due to its reliance on heterogeneous symptomatology, the accurate diagnosis of psychotic disorders remains a challenging task in clinical practice. Precise and early diagnosis of psychotic disorders facilitates early intervention, which has been shown to have substantial benefits for long-term outcomes. Still, the lack of specific biomarkers is an important limitation in early diagnosis and intervention.

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Introduction: Problem gambling (PBG) is more common in people with mental health disorders, including substance use, bipolar, and personality disorders, than in the general population. Although individuals with psychotic disorders might be expected to be more vulnerable to PBG, fewer studies have focused on this comorbidity. The aim of this review was to estimate the prevalence of PBG in people with psychotic disorders.

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Background: The optimal duration of antipsychotic treatment following remission of first-episode psychosis (FEP) is uncertain, considering potential adverse effects and individual variability in relapse rates. This study aimed to investigate the effect of antipsychotic discontinuation compared to continuation on recovery in remitted FEP patients.

Methods: CENTRAL, MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched on November 2, 2023, with no language restrictions.

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Aims: The objective of this study is to underline the impact of Gaming Disorder on the clinical evolution of patients with First Episode Psychosis. The specific aims of the study are to determine the prevalence of gaming disorder among those patients and assess the consequences of gaming on their clinical trajectory.

Methods: This is a prospective multicenter cohort study that will enrol 800 patients diagnosed with a first episode psychosis, with a follow-up period of up to 3 years.

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Background: Although attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often comorbid with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (SZSPD), concerns about an increased risk of psychotic events have limited its treatment with either psychostimulants or atomoxetine.

Aims: To examine whether the risk of hospital admission for psychosis in people with SZSPD was increased during the year following the introduction of such medications compared with the year before.

Method: This was a retrospective cohort study using Quebec (Canada) administrative health registries, including all Quebec residents with a public prescription drug insurance plan and a diagnosis of psychotic disorder, defined by relevant ICD-9 or ICD-10 codes, who initiated either methylphenidate, amphetamines or atomoxetine, between January 2010 and December 2016, in combination with antipsychotic medication.

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Background: The limited available data suggest that the prevalence of problem gambling is increased among young adults with first-episode psychosis, possibly due in part to several risk factors for problem gambling that are common in this population. Aripiprazole, a widely used antipsychotic drug, has also been linked to cases of problem gambling, but causality remains uncertain. Although the consequences of problem gambling further hinder the recovery of people with first-episode psychosis, there is a paucity of research about this comorbidity and its risk factors.

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Altered immune function in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may play a role in the disorder pathophysiology and onset. Women are more likely to develop PTSD, suggesting potential sex-specific inflammatory mechanisms underlying the dichotomous prevalence and risk of PTSD in men and women. In this review we examine the available literature to better assess the state of knowledge in the field.

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Objectives: Rechallenge/continuation of clozapine in association with colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) following neutropenia/agranulocytosis has been reported, but many questions remain unanswered about efficacy and safety. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of rechallenging/continuing clozapine in patients following neutropenia/agranulocytosis using CSFs.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception date to July 31, 2022.

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Background: Non-adherence to antipsychotics in schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of psychotic relapse and hospitalization, a risk that is reduced with the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the efficacy of paliperidone palmitate 3-monthly (PP3M) for psychotic relapse prevention in schizophrenia, but it remains poorly documented among individuals treated in real-life settings who can benefit the most out of LAIs.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PP3M in relapse prevention among patients with schizophrenia.

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Background: There is a growing interest in understanding the impact of video games in the clinical field, given that their excessive use could be associated with health issues. Particularly, gaming disorder (GD) is considered as an addictive behavioral disorder. Clinicians widely recognize the comorbidity of gaming and psychotic disorders (PDs).

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Objectives Individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) are poorly represented in clinical trials leading to drug approval. As a result, there is a relative paucity of empirical data to guide the psychopharmacological treatment of these youths. This article provides a synthesis of this literature, informed by the authors' clinical experience in treating FEP over the past 25 years.

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Background: Clozapine is the most efficacious antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, clozapine-induced neutropenia may warrant treatment discontinuation, hindering recovery. Several case reports describe clozapine rechallenge or continuation despite neutropenia, although many are subject to selective reporting, with incomplete information and short follow-up periods.

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Background: Although recognised as the most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, clozapine remains underused. One reason is the widespread concern about non-adherence to clozapine because of poor adherence before initiating clozapine.

Aims: To determine if prior poor out-patient adherence to treatmentbefore initiating clozapine predisposes to poor out-patient adherence to clozapine or to any antipsychotics (including clozapine) after its initiation.

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Clozapine has a unique efficacy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Its use is, however, associated with potential adverse events. Among those, clozapine induced rhabdomyolysis can compromise clozapine treatment.

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Background: Clozapine has a unique efficacy profile among individuals suffering from treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but is associated with hematological side effects. The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) to allow clozapine continuation or rechallenge has emerged as a promising option, but evidence is still scarce.

Aim: To describe the largest case series so far published regarding this practice.

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