scholarly journals Antipsychotic medication for women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Bodyl A. Brand ◽  
Yudith R. A. Haveman ◽  
Franciska de Beer ◽  
Janna N. de Boer ◽  
Paola Dazzan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Premenopausal Women ◽  
Receptor Occupancy ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Abstract There are significant differences between men and women in the efficacy and tolerability of antipsychotic drugs. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of what is currently known about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antipsychotics in women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and translate these insights into considerations for clinical practice. Slower drug absorption, metabolism and excretion in women all lead to higher plasma levels, which increase the risk for side-effects. Moreover, women reach higher dopamine receptor occupancy compared to men at similar serum levels, since oestrogens increase dopamine sensitivity. As current treatment guidelines are based on studies predominantly conducted in men, women are likely to be overmedicated by default. The risk of overmedicating generally increases when sex hormone levels are high (e.g. during ovulation and gestation), whereas higher doses may be required during low-hormonal phases (e.g. during menstruation and menopause). For premenopausal women, with the exceptions of quetiapine and lurasidone, doses of antipsychotics should be lower with largest adjustments required for olanzapine. Clinicians should be wary of side-effects that are particularly harmful in women, such as hyperprolactinaemia which can cause oestrogen deficiency and metabolic symptoms that may cause cardiovascular diseases. Given the protective effects of oestrogens on the course of SSD, oestrogen replacement therapy should be considered for postmenopausal patients, who are more vulnerable to side-effects and yet require higher dosages of most antipsychotics to reach similar efficacy. In conclusion, there is a need for tailored, female-specific prescription guidelines, which take into account adjustments required across different phases of life.

scholarly journals Examining side effect variation of antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia spectrum disorders

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria S. Neumeier ◽  
Stephanie Homan ◽  
Stefan Vetter ◽  
Erich Seifritz ◽  
John M. Kane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Precision Medicine ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Antipsychotic Drugs ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Second Generation Antipsychotics ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Right

Background: Side effects of antipsychotic drugs play a key role in non-adherence and discontinuation of treatment in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). Precision medicine aims to minimize such side effects by selecting the right treatment for the right patient. However, to determine the extent of precision medicine that is required, we need to (1) show that there is indeed variation in side effects and (2) estimate the amount of variation in those side effects between patients. While clinical observations suggest that such variation may be considerable, a statistical comparison of side effect variation between active and control treatments is required to confirm this. Here, we hypothesized to find larger side effect variation in treatment compared with control in patients treated with first and second generation antipsychotics. Methods: We included double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adults with a diagnosis of SSD and prescription for licensed antipsychotic drugs. Standard deviations of the pre-post treatment differences of weight gain, prolactin levels,and corrected QT (QTc) times were extracted. Data quality and validity were ensured by following the PRISMA guidelines. The outcome measure was the overall variability ratio of treatment to control across RCTs. Individual variability ratios were weighted by the inverse-variance method and entered into a random-effects model. Results: We included N = 16578 patients for weight gain, N = 16633 patients for prolactin levels, and N = 10384 patients for QTc time. Variability ratios (VR) were significantly increased for weight gain (VR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.14; P = 0.004) and prolactin levels (VR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.17 - 1.62; P < 0.001) but did not reach significance for QTc time (VR = 1.05; 95% CI: 0.98 - 1.12; P = 0.135). Conclusion: We found increased variability in major side effects in patients with SSD under treatment with second generation antipsychotics, suggesting that subgroups of patients or even individual patients may benefit from improved treatment allocation through stratified or personalized medicine, respectively.

scholarly journals T216. VARIATION IN SIDE EFFECTS TO ANTIPSYCHOTIC TREATMENT ACROSS SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S314-S315
Author(s):  
Maria Susanne Neumeier ◽  
Stephanie Winkelbeiner ◽  
John Kane ◽  
Erich Seifritz ◽  
Maximilian Huhn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Precision Medicine ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Second Generation Antipsychotics ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background Adverse effects of antipsychotic drugs play a key role in non-compliance and discontinuation of treatment in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD). Precision medicine aims to minimize such adverse effects by selecting the right treatment for the right patients. To determine the need for precision medicine we need to estimate the amount of variation in adverse effects between patients. While clinical experience suggests that such variation is considerable, analyzing how variation differs between treated and untreated patients can answer this question. Here, we hypothesized to find larger variation in treatment compared to control groups of patients treated with second generation antipsychotics. Methods We included double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trials of adults with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and prescription for licensed antipsychotic drugs. Means and variances of the pretreatment and posttreatment outcome differences of weight gain, prolactine levels, and corrected QTC times were extracted. Data quality and validity were ensured by following the PRISMA guidelines. The outcome measure was the overall variability ratio of treatment to control across RCTs. Individual variability ratios were weighted by the inverse-variance method and entered into a random-effects model. Results We included N = 13 282 patients for weight gain, N = 11 767 for prolactine levels, and N = 7 203 for QTC time. For all the measured adverse effects, variances were greater in treatment compared to control. Specifically, variance ratios were increased for weight gain (VR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.20), prolactine levels (VR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.68) and QTc time (VR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.12). Discussion We found increased variability in the major side effects that patients with SSD had under treatment with second generation antipsychotics. Indeed, some patients were more susceptible than others to weight gain, prolactine level increase, and QTC time increase, suggesting that precision medicine in antipsychotic treatment should be informed by individual differences in side effects rather than treatment effects. Future studies should aim at finding biological predictors of such individual differences in side effects.

Screening Adolescents for Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Cornblatt ◽  
M. Obuchowski ◽  
S. Roberts ◽  
S. Pollack ◽  
L. Erienmeyer-Kimling
Keyword(s):  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Sleep and cognition in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review protocol.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Carruthers ◽  
Gemma Brunetti ◽  
Susan Rossell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Systematic Review Protocol ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Sleep And Cognition ◽  
The Relationship

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are chronic and debilitating mental illnesses characterised by both cognitive impairments and sleep deficits. In this systematic review protocol, we outline an approach to examine the available literature investigating the relationship between sleep and cognition in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

scholarly journals Randomised controlled trial of Compensatory Cognitive Training and a Computerised Cognitive Remediation programme

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Dark ◽  
Ellie Newman ◽  
Victoria Gore-Jones ◽  
Veronica De Monte ◽  
Marta I. Garrido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Interventions ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Compensation and adaptation therapies have been developed to improve community functioning via improving neurocognitive abilities in people with schizophrenia. Various modes of delivering compensation and adaptation therapies have been found to be effective. The aim of this trial is to compare two different cognitive interventions, Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) and Computerised Interactive Remediation of Cognition–Training for Schizophrenia (CIRCuiTS). The trial also aims to identify if mismatch negativity (MMN) can predict an individual’s response to the compensation and adaptation programmes. Methods This study will use a randomised, controlled trial of two cognitive interventions to compare the impact of these programmes on measures of neurocognition and function. One hundred clinically stable patients aged between 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder will be recruited. Participants will be randomised to either the CCT or the CIRCuiTS therapy groups. The outcome measures are neurocognition (BACS), subjective sense of cognitive impairment (SSTICS), social functioning (SFS), and MMN (measured by EEG) in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Discussion This trial will determine whether different approaches to addressing the cognitive deficits found in schizophrenia spectrum disorders are of comparable benefit using the outcome measures chosen. This has implications for services where cost and lack of computer technology limit the implementation and dissemination of interventions to address cognitive impairment in routine practice. The trial will contribute to the emerging evidence of MMN as a predictor of response to cognitive interventions. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12618000161224. Registered on 2 February 2018. Protocol version: 4.0, 18 June 2018.

scholarly journals Empathy and perceived burden in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosaria Di Lorenzo ◽  
Anna Girone ◽  
Nunzio Panzera ◽  
Gianluca Fiore ◽  
Margherita Pinelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Mental Health Center ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Cronbach’S Alpha ◽  
Emotional Empathy ◽  
Cronbach's Alpha ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Spearman Test

Abstract Background Caregivers of patients load different kinds of burdens, including emotional distress. Aims of this study were to evaluate both burden and empathy of caregivers who assist patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Methods We selected a sample of 60 caregivers (34 women and 26 men), who assisted patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders treated in our local Community Mental Health Center for a 1-year minimum period. We administered two scales to our sample, Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES), and collected data of caregivers and their assisted patients in a 3-month period. Data were statistically analyzed. Results We reported a mean ZBI score of 49.68 (±15.03 SD) and a mean BEES score of 14.35 (±9.05 SD), indicating the perception of moderate-severe burden and low level of empathy, respectively. The analysis of internal consistency confirmed the good reliability of both ZBI (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90) and BEES (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77). The correlation between the two scales was not statistically significant at Spearman test. At our multiple linear regression, many variables of both caregiver and patient showed a significant correlation with the ZBI score. In particular, not living with the assisted patient and female gender of caregiver potentially decreased the burden, whereas clinical severity of assisted patient and two caregiver conditions, middle school education and spouse relationship with patient, could worsen the burden. We highlighted two positive statistically significant correlations between the total score of BEES and caregiver characteristics: being spouse and not living with assisted patient. Conclusions Our study highlights that the caregiver burden of patients with severe psychiatric disorders is high and is associated with low emotional empathy experienced by caregivers, probably due to a defensive psychological mechanism. The conditions of spouse and cohabitation can concomitantly increase both empathy and burden in caregivers.

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