Assessment of Drug-Induced QTc Prolongation in Mental Health Practice: Validation of an Evidence-Based Algorithm.

Background: Drug-induced QTc interval prolongation (QTcIP) can lead to serious consequences and is often a concern for mental health practitioners, as access to experts such as cardiologists, for consultation is time-limiting and can delay treatment decisions. This research aimed at validating the content of an algorithm for the assessment, management and monitoring of drug-induced QTcIP in mental health practice.

Methods: Following an initial face validity by content experts, a cross-sectional survey of mental health care practitioners with a 4-point Likert-type scale was used to assess the validity of the decision steps on the QTcIP algorithm (QTcIPA) by estimating the content validity index (CVI) and the modified kappa statistic (κ*).

Opinions and experiences on the provision of care to people with mental illnesses: a qualitative study with Doctor of Pharmacy graduates after a rotation in psychiatry.

Background: Pharmacists are vital to optimizing therapy of people with mental illnesses. Limited knowledge, lack of confidence, and mental health-related stigma can lead to pharmacists' reluctance in the provision of pharmaceutical care to this population. Advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE) in mental health have been reported as valuable learning opportunities to overcome these challenges.

Sleep Quality and Sleep Hygiene Behaviours Among University Students in Qatar.

Background: Insomnia is a highly prevalent health problem, affecting about one-third of the adult population globally. University students are at a high risk for developing insomnia due to the stressful nature of academic life and often unhealthy sleeping habits. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of poor sleep quality and investigate sleep hygiene patterns among university students in Qatar.

Mental Health Prescribers' Perceptions on the Use of Pharmacogenetic Testing in the Management of Depression in the Middle East and North Africa Region.

Objective: A wide variety of commercial pharmacogenetic (PGx) tools are available worldwide to guide treatment selection for depression based on individuals' genetic profiles. However, the use of genetic testing to inform psychiatric care has faced challenges due to the limited training and education for mental health clinicians. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, level of engagement, and perspectives on the use of PGx testing when making depression management decisions among practicing psychiatrists within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

First Episode of Psychosis in the Context of Varenicline Treatment for Smoking Cessation.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide. Several pharmacological therapies have been established over the years to aid in smoking cessation, including Varenicline, a partial nicotine agonist. Neuropsychiatric adverse events have been reported in patients treated with Varenicline.

An Exploration of Smoking Patterns Among People with Serious Mental Illness Attending an Outpatient Clinic in Qatar.

Background: Studies have shown that tobacco use is exceptionally high in people affected with serious mental illness (SMI). Many countries worldwide have observed a decrease in the prevalence of tobacco smoking; however, the smoking rates among people with SMI have declined much less than in those without mental illness. To date, no nationally representative data have examined the smoking patterns or the sociocultural factors that influence smoking among SMI people in Qatar.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice related to COVID-19: A comparison between patients with mental illness and the general population in Qatar.

Background: In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global health pandemic. The rapid spread and high fatalities associated with COVID-19 have increased interest in assessing Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) toward this illness among the general population in comparison to specific subgroups. Most publications to date have explored KAP among the general public, healthcare providers, and people with chronic conditions, but not amongst those with mental illness.

Clozapine prescribing practice and trends in Qatar: First national observational study.

Background: Clozapine is the gold standard in the management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Despite its clinically proven efficacy clozapine utilization is variable globally and published evidence is suggestive of its underutilization. Research from the Arab region on clozapine utilization is limited.

Burnout among pharmacy professionals in Qatar: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Pharmacists' roles and responsibilities have expanded in the modern pharmacy profession, and the expectations from pharmacists have increased. This has been associated with new psychological challenges and emotional stress that can induce burnout.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome and factors associated with burnout among pharmacy professionals in the healthcare system in Qatar.

Evaluation of cardiovascular risk in adult psychiatric outpatients in Qatar using two risk assessment tools.

Introduction: Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) experience premature death, likely due to increased rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study was conducted to estimate the CVD risk in a cohort of individuals with SMI receiving outpatient psychiatric services in Qatar and to assess contributory CVD risk factors.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of the electronic medical records of a cohort of outpatients with SMI attending a mental health clinic in Doha, Qatar.

Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics: A Systematic Review of Their Non-Systemic Adverse Effect Profile.

Introduction: Long acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are commonly used in the treatment of schizophrenia to improve adherence and clinical outcomes. Concerns have been reported in relation to their non-systemic or injection site adverse effect profile. As such, this study aims to review and evaluate all evidence reporting injection site adverse effects with LAI antipsychotics.

Prevalence, median time, and associated factors with the likelihood of initial antidepressant change: a cross-sectional study in Qatar.

Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) requires therapeutic interventions during the initial month after being diagnosed for better disease outcomes. International guidelines recommend a duration of 4-12 weeks for an initial antidepressant (IAD) trial at an optimized dose to get a response. If depressive symptoms persist after this duration, guidelines recommend switching, augmenting, or combining strategies as the next step.

Patterns of prescription of antipsychotics in Qatar.

Objective: Even though all guidelines recommend generally against antipsychotic polypharmacy, antipsychotic polypharmacy appears to be a very common practice across the globe. This study aimed to examine the prescription patterns of antipsychotics in Qatar, in comparison with the international guidelines, and to scrutinize the sociodemographic and clinical features associated with antipsychotic polypharmacy.

Methods: All the medical records of all the inpatients and outpatients treated by antipsychotics at the Department of Psychiatry-Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Doha, Qatar (between October 2012 and April 2014) were retrospectively analyzed.

Assessing Pharmacists Knowledge and Attitude Toward the Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Qatar.

Pharmacists were found to play a key role in anticoagulation care. In order to make an appropriate selection and counselling regarding direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), pharmacists should be knowledgeable and abiding by evidence-based practice. We aim in this study to assess the knowledge and practices of practicing hospital and community pharmacists in Qatar regarding DOACs and their reflection on the dispensing and patient education.

Perceptions and expectations of health care providers towards clinical pharmacy services at a tertiary cancer centre in Qatar.

Background: Clinical pharmacy services started in 2009 at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Qatar. Clinical pharmacy services was established to provide comprehensive prescription of drug management and support, and consulting services to build clinically efficient and cost-effective pharmacy program.

Aim: To determine perceptions and expectations of healthcare providers toward the clinical pharmacy services at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research.

Perceptions and expectations of health care providers towards clinical pharmacy services in a mental health hospital in Qatar.

Background: With the growing burden of mental disorders, pharmacists are ideally positioned to play an important role in supporting people with a mental illness. However, the value of clinical pharmacists within mental health remains unrecognized by other healthcare professionals.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and expectations of mental health professionals on the provision of clinical pharmacy services (CPS) at a psychiatric hospital.

A qualitative exploration of clozapine prescribing and monitoring practices in the Arabian Gulf countries.

Clozapine is considered as the first line antipsychotic for treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Worldwide reports indicate an overall underutilization of clozapine in patients experiencing TRS. This study aims to understand the prescribing practices, monitoring strategies and barriers to the use of clozapine in the Arabian Gulf (AG) region.

Outcomes of patient education practices to optimize the safe use of lithium: A literature review.

Introduction: Lithium is commonly used to treat various psychiatric disorders and is particularly effective in the maintenance phase of bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, this drug has a narrow therapeutic index and, if not monitored regularly, can result in toxicity. Therefore, for lithium to be prescribed safely, clinicians must ensure that patients are well educated on lithium toxicity, its prevention, and symptom recognition.

Medical comorbidities in patients with serious mental illness: a retrospective study of mental health patients attending an outpatient clinic in Qatar.

Background: The life span of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) is shorter compared to the general population. This excess mortality is mainly due to physical illness. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence rates of different physical illnesses in individuals with SMI and to examine how these are being managed.