COVID-19: ramifications of the pandemic on mental health and substance abuse.

Objective: To explore the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on Mental Health and Substance Use.

Patients And Methods: Relevant literature examining the correlation between COVID-19 and mental health/substance use was reviewed, and findings were summarized.

Results: Specific mechanisms regarding COVID-19's effects on the brain are unclear, but preliminary studies and biomarkers have been suggested in the literature.

Electroconvulsive therapy for the acute management of severe agitation in dementia (ECT-AD): A modified study protocol.

Objective: This study began as a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe treatment-refractory agitation in advanced dementia. The aims are to assess agitation reduction using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), evaluate tolerability and safety outcomes, and explore the long-term stability of agitation reduction and global functioning. Due to challenges encountered during implementation, including recruitment obstacles and operational difficulties, the study design was modified to an open-label format and other protocol amendments were implemented.

Functional neuroimaging in patients with catatonia: A systematic review.

Background: Catatonia is a challenging and heterogeneous neuropsychiatric syndrome of motor, affective and behavioral dysregulation which has been associated with multiple disorders such as structural brain lesions, systemic diseases, and psychiatric disorders. This systematic review summarized and compared functional neuroimaging abnormalities in catatonia associated with psychiatric and medical conditions.

Methods: Using PRISMA methods, we completed a systematic review of 6 databases from inception to February 7th, 2024 of patients with catatonia that had functional neuroimaging performed.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Overdiagnosis and Overprescriptions: Medicalization of Distractions.

The use and misuse of prescription stimulants has escalated during the past decade, with concerns of being "the next epidemic." The diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the use of prescription stimulants have rapidly increased in children and adults in the past decade. Amphetamine use more than doubled from 2006 to 2016.

A feasibility study of virtual group therapy to improve quality of life of cancer caregivers.

Background: Cancer caregiving can negatively impact the quality of life (QOL) of the caregiver. In-person interventions for improving coping skills have been shown to be effective in improving QOL for caregivers.

Objectives: This pilot project explored the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual group therapy intervention to improve short-term cancer caregiver QOL.

The Negative Impact of Maternal Perinatal Opioid Use on Neonatal Outcomes.

To compare outcomes among newborns of opioid-using and nonopioid drug-using mothers with those of control mothers who did not report substance use. Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, newborns diagnosed with drug withdrawal syndrome (per or codes) from January 2010 through June 2017 were identified. For mothers, data collected included age, race, drug use, number of prenatal visits, and results of the urinary drug abuse survey, meconium test, and self-report survey.

Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Services at US Cancer Centers.

Background: It is standard of care and an accreditation requirement to screen for and address distress and psychosocial needs in patients with cancer. This study assessed the availability of mental health (MH) and chemical dependency (CD) services at US cancer centers.

Methods: The 2017-2018 American Hospital Association (AHA) survey, Area Health Resource File, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Hospital Compare databases were used to assess availability of services and associations with hospital-level and health services area (HSA)-level characteristics.

Substance Use Disorders and Telehealth in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A New Outlook.

During the current coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, many outpatient chemical dependency treatment programs and clinics are decreasing their number of in-person patient contacts. This has widened an already large gap between patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) who need treatment and those who have actually received treatment. For a disorder where group therapy has been the mainstay treatment option for decades, social distancing, shelter in place, and treatment discontinuation have created an urgent need for alternative approaches to addiction treatment.

Impact of County Health Rankings on Nationwide Liver Transplant Outcomes.

Background: There is limited information concerning whether social determinants of health affect postliver transplant (LT) outcomes. This study aims to understand to what extent the health of LT recipients' counties of residence influence long-term LT outcomes.

Methods: We used the United Network for Organ Sharing data to identify adult LT recipients transplanted between January 2010 and June 2018.

Intensive Multicomponent Fibromyalgia Treatment: A Translational Study to Evaluate Effectiveness in Routine Care Delivery.

Objective: The current study was designed to evaluate the translation of clinical trial outcomes and clinical guidelines for the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM) into an intensive multicomponent clinical program embedded in routine care delivery. The study aimed to assess the adaptation of these recommended strategies into routine clinical care while evaluating their effectiveness and durability in improving functional status and level of distress in a large clinical sample of FM patients.

Methods: Four hundred eighty-nine patients with FM completed a 2-day program that incorporated best practice recommendations for the treatment of FM.

Barriers to accepting mental health care in cancer patients with depression.

This study aimed to determine barriers to accepting mental health care among depressed cancer patients. Cancer patients who screened positive for depression were referred for mental health treatment and sent a validated questionnaire designed to assess barriers to receiving mental health care. Responses were compared between patients who accepted their referral and those who did not.

Opioids in Older Adults: Indications, Prescribing, Complications, and Alternative Therapies for Primary Care.

The fact that opioids are valuable tools for the management of pain has been known and used for thousands of years. Currently, millions of Americans are treated annually with opioids, and many of these patients are elderly. Opioids present risks to geriatric patients, some of which are unique to the population, and providers should have a good grasp of those risks.

Medication-assisted therapies for opioid use disorders in patients with chronic pain.

Opioids have been used to treat pain and invoke pleasure for centuries. Modern scientific advancements have led to more potent, synthetic opioids. While certainly more effective in treating pain, they can also be much more addictive.

Infectious diseases occurring in the context of substance use disorders: A concise review.

Prevalence of infectious diseases is substantially higher among patients with substance use disorders (SUD). Factors associated with drug use including sharing needles and injecting supplies, presence of contaminants in drugs and drug use related paraphernalia, risky behaviors associated with drug use, immune suppression secondary to chronic drug use, poverty and homelessness all increase the risk of infections. Persons with SUD have low rates of health care utilization and may miss opportunities for early diagnosis and care of infectious complications of substance use.

Are pre-existing psychiatric disorders the only reason for involuntary holds in the emergency department?

Objectives: To determine the role of previous psychiatric disorders including substance use disorders on emergency department (ED) patients on involuntary holds and compare presentations, treatment, and outcomes based on cause.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients ≥ 18 years old on involuntary holds in the ED of a tertiary care center from January 1, 2013, to November 30, 2015. Demographic and clinical information were collected.

Dementia palliative care in the acute psychiatric hospital: A feasibility study.

Purpose: We explored the feasibility of a clinical pathway to identify hospitalized patients with dementia who would benefit from a palliative intervention.

Design And Methods: Consecutive geropsychiatric admissions were screened for terminal dementia to be randomized to a palliative consultation vs usual care.

Findings: A total of 43 of the 188 patients (23%) had dementia; however, dementia stages were severe but not terminal.

Polypharmacy in older adults: the role of the multidisciplinary team.

Patients over the age 65 are a quickly expanding segment of the US population and represent a large percentage of patients requiring inpatient care. Older adults are more likely to experience polypharmacy and adverse drug effects. This review explains the risks of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications in the elderly.

Impact of Psychiatric Comorbidities on Health Care Costs Among Patients With Cancer.

Background: Psychiatric disorders are common in cancer patients and impact outcomes. Impact on cancer care cost needs study to develop business case for psychosocial interventions.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of preexisting psychiatric comorbidities on total cost of care during 6 months after cancer diagnosis.