scholarly journals Unexpected cancellation on a catatonic patient’s electroconvulsive therapy due to the coronavirus pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. e100271
Author(s):  
Kelsey Casano ◽  
Erin Capone

We report a case of a 39-year-old woman with a psychiatric history of schizoaffective disorder with catatonia, dependent personality disorder and substance use disorder whose symptoms have been very difficult to control. During her most recent inpatient admission, she was treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for catatonia. Our treatment team was hopeful that ECT was making a difference for this patient. However, she was only able to receive two sessions of treatment due to new hospital protocols related to the coronavirus pandemic. Although the patient was not suspected to have the coronavirus, she could no longer undergo ventilation with a bag and mask during the procedure. Bag–mask ventilation is known to aerosolise the coronavirus and other diseases and potentially put healthcare workers at risk. Although orotracheal intubation also aerosolises the coronavirus, this was the only means of airway management still allowed by anaesthesia providers at this time. Our psychiatry team estimated that the risks of intubation outweighed the benefits of treatment, and ECT was cancelled.Without additional ECT treatments, the patient again decompensated for several weeks before being stabilised on clozapine, haloperidol and lorazepam. Although she eventually had a positive treatment outcome, her hospital course was likely prolonged due to unforeseen events related to the novel coronavirus. We feel that the current medical climate is unprecedented and is interfering with necessary psychiatric treatment in an unanticipated way. Anaesthesiologists will need to be flexible while working with psychiatrists and identify safe ways to provide this necessary psychiatric treatment for patients.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valiollah Hassani ◽  
Saied Amniati ◽  
Fatemeh Kashaninasab ◽  
Mohammad Niakan ◽  
Omid Moradi Moghadam ◽  
...  

: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was first experienced in 1938 and had been conducting without anesthesia for 30 years. In this study, the most common indication for ECT was mood disorder (major depressive disorder and bipolar I disorder). We introduce a patient with a history of COVID-19 and suicide who required emergency ECT. Electroconvulsive therapy can be life-saving in patients with suicide history or catatonic schizophrenia. Health workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak control and must follow health instructions. Aerosol-producing procedures such as suction in anesthesia for ECT may facilitate the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. When performing aerosol-producing procedures during the pandemic of novel coronavirus, every patient should be considered suspicious.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1771
Author(s):  
Violetta Opoka-Winiarska ◽  
Ewelina Grywalska ◽  
Izabela Korona-Glowniak ◽  
Katarzyna Matuska ◽  
Anna Malm ◽  
...  

There is limited data on the effect of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) on pediatric rheumatology. We examined the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and a negative history of COVID-19 and the correlation of the presence of these antibodies with disease activity measured by juvenile arthritis disease activity score (JADAS). In total, 62 patients diagnosed with JIA, under treatment with various antirheumatic drugs, and 32 healthy children (control group) were included. Serum samples were analyzed for inflammatory markers and antibodies and their state evaluated with the juvenile arthritis disease activity score (JADAS). JIA patients do not have a higher seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than healthy subjects. We found anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in JIA patients who did not have a history of COVID-19. The study showed no unequivocal correlation between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and JIA activity; therefore, this relationship requires further observation. We also identified a possible link between patients’ humoral immune response and disease-modifying antirheumatic treatment, which will be confirmed in follow-up studies.


Author(s):  
David C. Reardon ◽  
Christopher Craver

Pregnancy loss, natural or induced, is linked to higher rates of mental health problems, but little is known about its effects during the postpartum period. This study identifies the percentages of women receiving at least one postpartum psychiatric treatment (PPT), defined as any psychiatric treatment (ICD-9 290-316) within six months of their first live birth, relative to their history of pregnancy loss, history of prior mental health treatments, age, and race. The population consists of young women eligible for Medicaid in states that covered all reproductive services between 1999–2012. Of 1,939,078 Medicaid beneficiaries with a first live birth, 207,654 (10.7%) experienced at least one PPT, and 216,828 (11.2%) had at least one prior pregnancy loss. A history of prior mental health treatments (MHTs) was the strongest predictor of PPT, but a history of pregnancy loss is also another important risk factor. Overall, women with a prior pregnancy loss were 35% more likely to require a PPT. When the interactions of prior mental health and prior pregnancy loss are examined in greater detail, important effects of these combinations were revealed. About 58% of those whose first MHT was after a pregnancy loss required PPT. In addition, over 99% of women with a history of MHT one year prior to their first pregnancy loss required PPT after their first live births. These findings reveal that pregnancy loss (natural or induced) is a risk factor for PPT, and that the timing of events and the time span for considering prior mental health in research on pregnancy loss can significantly change observed effects. Clinicians should screen for a convergence of a history of MHT and prior pregnancy loss when evaluating pregnant women, in order to make appropriate referrals for counseling.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S534-S534
Author(s):  
A. Melada ◽  
I. Krišto-Mađura ◽  
A. Vidović

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a subset disorder of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with chronic course and symptoms such as fatigue, gastrointestinal pain, fever, etc. IBD is associated with psychological manifestations including depression and anxiety. There is an increased number of studies trying to link these comorbidities. The gut-brain axis is regulated by intestinal microbiota and this bidirectional communication including immune, neural, endocrine and metabolic mechanisms may bring us closer to the answer. The following case concerns a 56-year-old patient with history of major depressive disorder who was in continuous psychiatric care and treated with antidepressants. Several years after the beginning of psychiatric treatment, he was hospitalized for diagnostic examination due to subfebrility of unknown etiology, but with no final somatic diagnosis. After two years he was referred to our department and at administration the patient showed symptoms of depression, anxiety, lack of motivation and suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Subfebrility was still present at that time. His psychopharmacotherapy was revised and there was a slight improvement in mood and behaviour. During outpatient follow-ups the symptoms of depression were still prominent and remission was not achieved even with modulation of antidepressant pharmacotherapy. The following year the patient was diagnosed with UC and started specific treatment after he presented with diarrhea in addition to subfebrility. Subsequently his mood improved, suicidal thoughts were diminished and ultimately remission was achieved. This case suggests that only after UC was being treated the psychiatric symptoms also withdrew which implicates that inflammatory mediators were involved in pathogenesis of depression.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Souto Melo ◽  
Mark Drew Crosland Guimarães

OBJECTIVE: To characterize an outpatient public referral center for mental health and to assess factors associated with treatment dropout. METHODS: A non-concurrent prospective study was undertaken to review 295 patient files. Patients, whose first consultation took place between January and December 1997, were followed-up for at least four months until April 1998. Patients were considered as having abandoned their treatment when, following a recommendation for at least a second visit, they did not return within four months after the first consultation. Social, demographic and clinical variables were compared to verify possible factors associated with dropout of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using relative hazard (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) estimated by the Cox Regression Model. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence of treatment dropout was 39.2% while multivariate analysis indicated that the following characteristics were statistically associated with treatment interruption: to live outside the referral area (RR = 1.95), no history of previous psychiatric hospitalizations (RR = 1.88), alcohol or drug use at admission (RR = 1.72), spontaneous demand to the service (RR = 2.12), lack of bus-passes (RR = 3.68) and to have less than four clinical appointments (RR = 7.31). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that services should be aware of the high incidence of treatment interruption, especially among those with no history of previous psychiatric hospitalizations and with less institutional bonds. This may indicate that mental health services should develop and implement public policies targeted at this population.


2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amilton dos Santos Jr. ◽  
Maitê Cruvinel Oliveira ◽  
Tiago dos Santos Andrade ◽  
Rosana Ramos de Freitas ◽  
Cláudio Eduardo Muller Banzato ◽  
...  

Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients who underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at a university general hospital. Method: In this retrospective study, records from all patients undergoing ECT between January 1988 and January 2008 at the psychiatric unit of the general hospital of Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) were reviewed. Telephone contact was made with patients/relatives to collect follow-up data. Results: A total of 200 charts were reviewed. The majority of patients were women, with a mean age of 39 years, and history of psychiatric hospitalization. The main indications for ECT were depression and catatonia. Complications were observed in less than half of the cases, and most were temporary and not severe. There was a good psychiatric outcome for 89.7% of the patients, especially for catatonic patients (100%, p = 0.02). Thirty-four percent of the cases were later contacted by telephone calls, at a mean of 8.5 years between the procedure and the contact. Among these, three (1.5%) reported persistent memory disorders and 73% considered ECT a good treatment. Conclusion: ECT has been performed according to international guidelines. In the vast majority of cases, undesirable effects were temporary and not severe. Response to ECT was positive in most cases, particularly in catatonic patients.


Author(s):  
Quintí Foguet-Boreu ◽  
Montse Coll-Negre ◽  
Montse Serra-Millàs ◽  
Miquel Cavalleria-Verdaguer

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a severe motor syndrome occurring as a consequence of neuroleptic treatment. We present a case of a 67-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of a major depressive disorder with psychotic features. During her third hospital admission, symptoms of autonomic instability, hyperpyrexia, severe extrapyramidal side effects, and delirium appeared, suggesting NMS due to concomitant treatment with risperidone and quetiapine, among other drugs. Despite several consecutive pharmacological treatments (lorazepam, bromocriptine and amantadine) and prompt initiation of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), clinical improvement was observed only after combining bupropion with ECT. The symptoms that had motivated the admission gradually remitted and the patient was discharged home. Bupropion increases dopaminergic activity in both the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex. Therefore, from a physiopathological standpoint, bupropion has a potential role in treating NMS. However, there is scarce evidence supporting this approach and therefore future cases should be carefully considered.


1991 ◽  
Vol 158 (6) ◽  
pp. 792-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Sensky ◽  
Timothy Hughes ◽  
Steven Hirsch

Following in-patient psychiatric treatment under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act, some patients have in the past remained on Section after discharge, and subsequently the Section has been renewed while the patient remained ‘on leave’. People treated thus with ‘extended leave’ probably resemble closely those who would be placed on a community treatment order if this were available. A group of these extended-leave patients was compared with a control group, matched for age, sex and diagnosis, selected by consultant psychiatrists as not requiring treatment using a community treatment order. The two groups showed very few differences, but the extended-leave patients more commonly had a history of recent dangerousness and non-compliance with psychiatric treatment. Use of extended leave improved treatment compliance, reduced time spent in hospital, and reduced levels of dangerousness.


Urbanisation ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-141
Author(s):  
Deepak Sanan

This is a brief history of a career in the generalist higher civil service of India called the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The article brings out the incentive structure which confronts a civil servant seeking to deliver better outcomes in the making and implementation of public policy in India. The peculiarities of India’s federal system of inter-governmental transfers, the constraints, dilemmas and limited scope for making a difference, are all explored in an anecdotal format in this first-person account of a career spanning three and a half decades. The author begins with his reasons for joining the civil service, his initial years of heading the local administration in remote mountain areas and moves on to an analysis of various postings at state and central levels, including stints in finance, rural and urban development, water, sanitation, health, land and power sectors. Each segment attempts to explain different facets and nuances of both the limits and potential of a career choice in the premier civil service of India.


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