Depressive symptoms carry an increased risk for suicidal ideation and behavior in bipolar disorder without any additional contribution of mixed symptoms

Latent Profile Analysis of Suicidal Ideation in Chinese Individuals with Bipolar Disorder

Individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) have a greater suicide risk than the general population. In this study, we employed latent profile analysis (LPA) to explore whether Chinese individuals with different phases of BD differed at the levels of suicidal ideation. We recruited 517 patients. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-24), and manic symptoms were evaluated using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). The extent of suicidal thoughts was determined through the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI). The scores of HAMD and YMRS were used to perform LPA. LPA categorized participants into three classes: one exhibiting severe depressive and mild manic symptomatology, another showing severe depressive and severe manic symptomatology, and the third one displaying severe depressive and intermediate manic symptomatology. Suicidal ideation levels were found to be remarkably elevated across all three classes. Additionally, the three classes showed no significant differences in terms of suicidal ideation. Our research confirms the link between depressive symptoms and suicide, independent of the manic symptoms. These findings carry meaning as they provide insight into the suicide risk profiles within different phases of BD.

Do bipolar disorder symptom profiles matter for suicide risk? A latent class approach to investigating differences in suicidal desire and acquired capability

INTRODUCTION

Depressive and mixed symptoms in bipolar disorder (BD) have been linked to higher suicide risk. Based on Klonsky and May's three-step theory and Joiner's Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide, we hypothesized that patients diagnosed with BD who reported severe levels of depressive symptoms and mixed depressive and manic symptoms would also report higher levels of suicidal desire and acquired capability of suicide, as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

METHODS

The sample included 177 outpatients diagnosed with BD. Latent class analysis was conducted to replicate the identified groups of a previously conducted study using a smaller but overlapping dataset. Between-class and pairwise analyses with measures of suicidal desire and acquired capability were conducted.

RESULTS

As expected, the classes characterized by severe depressive symptoms and mixed symptoms reported higher levels of suicidal desire. However, the results regarding acquired capability were less consistent.

CONCLUSION

Given the overall elevated suicide risk of BD and the consistent relationship between depressive symptoms and other strong correlates of suicide, clinicians who work with patients diagnosed with BD should closely monitor changes in their depressive symptoms.

Suicide Assessment and Prevention in Bipolar Disorder: How Current Evidence Can Inform Clinical Practice

Bipolar disorder is associated with a considerable risk of suicide, and this fact must be incorporated into management of all patients with the condition. This article highlights the importance of a more nuanced understanding of the factors associated with the increased risk of suicidal behavior in people diagnosed as having bipolar disorder and interventions that could mitigate it. Several sociodemographic, clinical, environmental, and other variables have been associated with suicide attempts or deaths in bipolar disorder. Youths with bipolar disorder are a particularly vulnerable group, and their trajectory of illness could be modified by early interventions. Several medications have been studied regarding their relationship to suicide risk in bipolar disorder, and interventional psychiatry is a newer area of research focus. Finally, community-based approaches can be incorporated into a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. This article summarizes the current understanding of key variables that can help inform a clinical risk assessment of individuals and interventions that can be employed in suicide prevention in bipolar disorder.

The temporal relationship between depressive symptoms and self-rated health across adulthood

Objective: Depressive symptoms have been found to relate to diminished self-rated health (SRH), which is a reliable index of general health. Despite such associations, there is limited research examining the bidirectional temporal relationship between these variables. The current study is the first to investigate the longitudinal relationship between depressive symptoms and SRH utilizing a cross-lagged panel analysis in a sample that spans adulthood (ages 18-93).Method: Data from the Virginia Cognitive Aging Project were used to examine the temporal relationship between depressive symptoms and SRH in a cross-lagged panel analysis using structural equation modeling.Results: A bidirectional temporal relationship, which was not moderated by age, was established between depressive symptoms and SRH.Conclusion: This article is the first to demonstrate that depressive symptoms and SRH influence each other reciprocally over time across adulthood, even after controlling for relevant variables. Considering the ubiquity and ramifications of depressive symptoms among American adults, these results highlight the importance of investigating mechanisms that could elucidate the link between the variables in question.

Validation of the Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT) questionnaire for adults

BACKGROUND

The Collaborative Outcome study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT; www.coh-fit.com) is an anonymous and global online survey measuring health and functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to test concurrently the validity of COH-FIT items and the internal validity of the co-primary outcome, a composite psychopathology "P-score".

METHODS

The COH-FIT survey has been translated into 30 languages (two blind forward-translations, consensus, one independent English back-translation, final harmonization). To measure mental health, 1-4 items ("COH-FIT items") were extracted from validated questionnaires (e.g. Patient Health Questionnaire 9). COH-FIT items measured anxiety, depressive, post-traumatic, obsessive-compulsive, bipolar and psychotic symptoms, as well as stress, sleep and concentration. COH-FIT Items which correlated r ≥ 0.5 with validated companion questionnaires, were initially retained. A P-score factor structure was then identified from these items using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) on data split into training and validation sets. Consistency of results across languages, gender and age was assessed.

RESULTS

From >150,000 adult responses by May 6th, 2022, a subset of 22,456 completed both COH-FIT items and validated questionnaires. Concurrent validity was consistently demonstrated across different languages for COH-FIT items. CFA confirmed EFA results of five first-order factors (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic, psychotic, psychophysiologic symptoms) and revealed a single second-order factor P-score, with high internal reliability (ω = 0.95). Factor structure was consistent across age and sex.

CONCLUSIONS

COH-FIT is a valid instrument to globally measure mental health during infection times. The P-score is a valid measure of multidimensional mental health.

Fire and Darkness: On the Assessment and Management of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by recurrent mood episodes, affecting 1% to 2% of the population. Although its defining features are manic and hypomanic episodes, its course is dominated by depressive syndromes. Diagnosis can be challenging owing to symptom overlap with other disorders. Management goals include early and complete remission of acute episodes and the prevention of relapse between episodes. We present an overview of bipolar disorder and its subtypes, including algorithms and suggestions for screening, assessment, and treatment.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of quetiapine and lithium for bipolar depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM

Pharmacological treatments recommended for bipolar depression are inconsistent across guidelines. We compared the efficacy and safety of antipsychotics and mood stabilizers for bipolar depression.

METHODS

A systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing antipsychotics and mood stabilizers for bipolar depression was conducted based on a literature search of major electronic databases.

RESULTS

Three studies comparing quetiapine with lithium were identified and analyzed; no other antipsychotic-mood stabilizer combinations were found. The meta-analysis revealed no significant differences between quetiapine and lithium for the following outcomes: (1) remission from depressive episodes (risk ratio [RR]: 1.80, 95% CI: 0.51-6.40, P = 0.36), (2) changes in depressive symptom (standardized mean difference: -0.22, 95% CI: -0.52-0.08, P = 0.15), (3) changes in social function (standardized mean difference: -0.00, 95% CI: -0.19-0.18, P = 0.98), (4) suicide-related events (odds ratio [OR]: 2.35, 95% CI: 0.40-13.65, P = 0.34), (5) severe adverse events (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 0.51-5.20, P = 0.41), (6) dropouts due to adverse events (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.76-1.87, P = 0.45, 7) dropout for any reasons (RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.74-1.22, P = 0.70).

CONCLUSION

Although this study found no differences in the efficacy and safety of quetiapine and lithium for bipolar depression, a comprehensive comparison of antipsychotics and mood stabilizers was not performed. Further studies are needed to clarify which of these, not just quetiapine and lithium, is more useful for bipolar depression.

Burden of schizophrenia among Japanese patients: a cross-sectional National Health and Wellness Survey

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia places a great humanistic and financial burden to patients, families, and societies, and the burden is substantially impacted by comorbid conditions. This study aimed to estimate the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia and to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity, and indirect cost among schizophrenia patients with and without comorbidities (depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and anxiety problems).

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of existing data collected in 2019 from the Japan National Health and Wellness Survey. The schizophrenia patients were categorized based on their Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score, self-reported experience of sleep disturbances, and anxiety problems. The lifetime prevalence was estimated using the total number of diagnosed schizophrenia patients as the numerator and the total number of respondents as the denominator. The HRQoL was evaluated through the Short Form 12-Item (version 2) Health Survey and EuroQoL 5-dimensions scale. Work productivity and annual indirect costs were evaluated through the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment instrument and monthly wage rates. Multivariate analyses included the comparison of outcomes using generalized linear models.

RESULTS

The study was conducted with 178 schizophrenia patients with an average age of 42.7 years old and an estimated lifetime prevalence of 0.59% (95% CI: 0.51%, 0.68%). Patients who experienced sleep disturbances, more severe depressive symptoms, and anxiety problems had lower HRQoL, higher levels of absenteeism, presenteeism, total work productivity and activity impairment, and almost twice more indirect costs, compared to those without these conditions.

CONCLUSION

Comorbid conditions among patients with schizophrenia impact significantly on their quality of life, work productivity as well as indirect costs.

Symptoms of mania and anxiety do not contribute to suicidal ideation or behavior in the presence of bipolar depression

Bipolar disorder is typified by episodes of manic/hypomanic and depressive symptoms, either distinctly or concurrently as mixed symptoms. While depressive symptoms are the major driver of risk, it is unclear whether specific combinations of manic and anxiety symptoms contribute differentially to suicidal ideation and behavior in individuals with bipolar disorder during a depressive state. This study uses a quantitative application of Rothman's theoretical framework of causation, or 'causal pies' model. Data were obtained from the National Network of Depression Centers Mood Outcomes Program for 1028 visits from 626 individuals with bipolar disorder with current moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, operationalized as a Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) score ≥10. Mania symptoms were captured using the Altman Self-Rating Mania scale (ASRM) and anxiety symptoms were captured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7). The outcome of suicidal ideation or behavior was captured using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). In this cohort of individuals with bipolar disorder and at least moderate depressive symptoms, we found no increased risk of suicidal ideation or behavior attributable to manic and anxiety symptom clusters in individuals with bipolar disorder during depressive state. A small amount (4%) of risk was attributable to having severe depressive symptoms. These findings, however, may be influenced by limitations in sample size and measurement instruments. Future studies would benefit from larger samples and more rigorous assessments, including clinician-rated measures.

Impact of bipolar disorder on health-related quality of life and work productivity: Estimates from the national health and wellness survey in Japan

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that bipolar disorder (BD) patients frequently present with difficulties in interpersonal relationships, education or employment and suffer poorer quality of life. This study aimed to estimate the impact of BD on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), work productivity loss and indirect costs.

METHODS

Data was from the online, self-administered 2019 National Health and Wellness Survey. Outcomes were compared for those who self-reported a physician diagnosis of BD (N=179), major depressive disorder (MDD, N=1,549) and controls who have never experienced BD, MDD and schizophrenia (N=27,485).

RESULTS

The lifetime prevalence was estimated to be 0.60% for BD and 5.16% for MDD. Significantly lower Mental Component Summary (MCS), Role Component Summary (RCS) scores and EuroQol 5-dimension scale (EQ-5D-5L) summary index and significantly higher presenteeism, total work productivity impairment and activity impairment assessed by Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire and indirect costs for BD versus controls and BD PHQ-9≥10 versus PHQ-9<10 were observed. Compared to MDD patients, BD patients had significantly lower RCS score and greater work productivity loss and activity impairment. The national morbidity cost of BD in Japan was estimated to be Japanese yen 1,236 billion using a human-capital approach.

LIMITATIONS

The data used were self-reported and is cross-sectional in nature, thus causal relationship cannot be assumed.

CONCLUSION

BD patients and those with severe depressive symptoms experience significantly poorer HRQOL and greater work productivity loss and indirect costs. These findings highlight the importance of proper screening, diagnosis and treatment of BD and bipolar depression.

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) recommendations for the management of patients with bipolar disorder with mixed presentations

OBJECTIVES

The 2018 Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) guidelines provided clinicians with pragmatic treatment recommendations for bipolar disorder (BD). While these guidelines included commentary on how mixed features may direct treatment selection, specific recommendations were not provided-a critical gap which the current update aims to address.

METHOD

Overview of research regarding mixed presentations in BD, with treatment recommendations developed using a modified CANMAT/ISBD rating methodology. Limitations are discussed, including the dearth of high-quality data and reliance on expert opinion.

RESULTS

No agents met threshold for first-line treatment of DSM-5 manic or depressive episodes with mixed features. For mania + mixed features second-line treatment options include asenapine, cariprazine, divalproex, and aripiprazole. In depression + mixed features, cariprazine and lurasidone are recommended as second-line options. For DSM-IV defined mixed episodes, with a longer history of research, asenapine and aripiprazole are first-line, and olanzapine (monotherapy or combination), carbamazepine, and divalproex are second-line. Research on maintenance treatments following a DSM-5 mixed presentation is extremely limited, with third-line recommendations based on expert opinion. For maintenance treatment following a DSM-IV mixed episode, quetiapine (monotherapy or combination) is first-line, and lithium and olanzapine identified as second-line options.

CONCLUSION

The CANMAT and ISBD groups hope these guidelines provide valuable support for clinicians providing care to patients experiencing mixed presentations, as well as further influence investment in research to improve diagnosis and treatment of this common and complex clinical state.

Behavioural activation and trial-based cognitive therapy may be beneficial to reduce suicidal ideation in major depressive disorder: A post hoc study from a clinical trial

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The suicidality spectrum is a clinical challenge because of the difficulty of its management and its association with mortality. Few studies have investigated psychotherapies for reducing the components of suicidality. In this study, we compared the effect of behavioural activation (BA), trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT) - both added to antidepressant (AD) treatment - and treatment as usual (TAU) in mitigating suicidal ideation in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS

A post hoc study was conducted with data from a randomized clinical trial. Secondary analyses compared the treatments using scores from the items that evaluated suicidal ideation with the HAM-D (HAM-D-3) and BDI (BDI-9). A composite measurement was constructed by summing the scores from the two items (HAM-D-3 plus BDI-9).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Seventy-six patients were analysed (BA + AD = 24; TBCT + AD = 26 and TAU = 26). In HAM-D-3, the BA + AD group showed a statistically greater reduction than the TAU group. In BDI-9, the three groups did not show significant differences. In the HAM-D-3 plus BDI-9, TBCT + AD reduced ideations more than the TAU group. There were no differences among the psychotherapies in any of the measures. Sensitivity analyses showed improvement in suicidal ideation in both psychotherapies compared to TAU.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

This is one of the few studies that evaluated the effect of BA and TBCT in lowering suicidal ideation. Adding these therapies to ADs seems to decrease suicidal ideation. We suggest the possible beneficial effects of BA and TBCT in the management of suicidal ideation in patients with recurrent MDD. Our findings need further studies to confirm these results.

Motivations for attempted suicide by women using drugs

Introduction: The scientific literature has pointed out an association between drug use and a higher risk of suicide in men and women. A gender focus is necessary to understand the intentions that women who have already attempted suicide attribute to this attitude because the way people act revelation has an intentional sense. Objective: To understand the reasons that lead women who use drugs to attempt suicide. Methods: Phenomenological study, developed in a Psychosocial Care Center for alcohol and drugs, with 12 female drug users. Data collection took place through phenomenological interviews, which were analyzed from the perspective of Alfred Schütz's Social Phenomenology. Results: The suicide attempt by women was motivated by depression due to situations of violence and conflicting relationships and the losses experienced in their lives. The reasons for the suicide attempt are linked to the women's life history and not only to the phenomenon of drug use. Conclusion: Thus, understanding the reasons and the women's life history made it possible to identify suicidal risk behavior and plan the actions of health professionals according to the health needs of these women.

The effects of childhood emotional maltreatment and alexithymia on depressive and manic symptoms and suicidal ideation in females with bipolar disorder: emotion dysregulation as a mediator

OBJECTIVES

The relations of childhood emotional maltreatment and alexithymia to the clinical course of bipolar disorder (BD) have been widely recognised. Difficulties in regulating emotions may explain these relationships. The current study evaluated the effects of childhood emotional maltreatment and alexithymia on depressive and manic symptoms as well as suicidal ideation in female patients with BD. Emotion dysregulation was evaluated as a mediating factor.

METHODS

Three hundred hospitalised female patients with a diagnosis of BD provided information regarding their history of childhood emotional maltreatment, alexithymia, difficulties in emotion regulation, depressive and manic symptoms, and suicidal ideation. A series of structural equation models (SEMs) were calculated to assess the associations between these variables.

RESULTS

Childhood emotional abuse and difficulty in identifying feelings were indirectly associated with depressive and manic symptoms as well as suicidal ideation. This association was mediated by emotion dysregulation. This association remained significant after depressive and manic symptoms were controlled in the model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that patients with BD who experienced emotional abuse during childhood and have difficulties identifying emotions report greater emotion dysregulation. These individuals, in turn, are more likely to experience more severe depressive and manic symptoms as well as suicidal ideation.Key pointsChildhood emotional maltreatment and emotional and clinical factors in bipolar disorder were assessed.Childhood emotional abuse indirectly affected clinical factors via emotion dysregulation.Difficulty in identifying feelings was linked to clinical factors via emotional dysregulation.Emotional dysregulation affected the links of childhood emotional maltreatment and difficulty in identifying feelings on suicidal ideation after controlling for clinical symptoms.Emotional dysregulation dimensions of impulse, strategies, and goals emerge in relation to suicidal ideation.

Latent class analysis of bipolar disorder symptoms and suicidal ideation and behaviors

Individuals with bipolar disorder are at increased risk of dying by suicide compared to healthy controls and those with unipolar depression. Previous studies show that depressive symptoms and mixed episodes of mania and depression are related to suicide. However, most of these studies adopt a variable-centered approach to understanding how specific symptoms relate to suicidal ideation, without addressing how these symptoms and symptom profiles relate to suicidal behaviors.

OBJECTIVES

Using latent class analysis, this study adopts a person-centered approach to examine whether subtypes of patients with bipolar disorder differ in their levels of suicidal ideation and behaviors.

METHODS

A total of 150 patients from a behavioral health outpatient clinic were recruited. Latent classes were generated based on self reports of their depressive and manic symptoms.

RESULTS

Five classes of patients with bipolar disorder were identified, namely, a minimal symptom, mania, moderately depressed, severely depressed, and mixed depression-mania subtypes. Those in the severely depressed and mixed depression-mania groups reported significantly higher levels of suicidal ideation and behaviors compared to the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide further support for the strong relationship between depressive symptoms and suicidality. These findings are significant as they shed light on the different suicide risk profiles among a heterogenous group of patients with bipolar disorder. Name of clinical trial: Suicidal Behavior in Patients Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder: The Roles of Biological and Childhood and Adult Environmental Risk Factors. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02604277.

Moderators of the association between depressive, manic, and mixed mood symptoms and suicidal ideation and behavior: An analysis of the National Network of Depression Centers Mood Outcomes Program

BACKGROUND

It has not been established that suicide risk with mixed symptoms is any greater than the depressive component or if there is synergy between depressive and manic symptoms in conveying suicide risk.

METHODS

The National Network of Depression Centers Mood Outcomes Program collected data from measurement-based care for 17,179 visits from 6,105 unique individuals with clinically diagnosed mood disorders (998 bipolar disorder, 5,117 major depression). The Patient Health Questionaire-8 (PHQ-8) captured depressive symptoms and the Altman Self-Rating Mania scale (ASRM) measured hypomanic/manic symptoms. Generalized linear mixed models assessed associations between depressive symptoms, manic symptoms, and their interaction (to test for synergistic effects of mixed symptoms) on the primary outcome of suicidal ideation or behavior (secondarily suicidal behavior only) from the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Moderation was assessed.

RESULTS

PHQ-8 scores were strongly associated with suicide-related outcomes across diagnoses. ASRM scores showed no association with suicidal ideation/behavior in bipolar disorder and an inverse association in major depression. There was no evidence of synergy between depressive and manic symptoms. There was no moderation by sex, race, or mood disorder polarity. Those over 55 years of age showed a protective effect of manic symptoms, which was lost when depressive symptoms were also present (mixed symptoms).

DISCUSSION

Mixed depressive and manic symptoms convey no excess risk of suicidal ideation or behavior beyond the risk conveyed by the depressive symptoms alone. Depressive symptoms are strongly linked to suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior and represent an important and potentially modifiable risk factor for suicide.

White Matter Correlates of Suicidality in Adults With Bipolar Disorder Who Have Been Prospectively Characterized Since Childhood

BACKGROUND

Prevention of suicide in individuals with early-onset bipolar disorder (BD) remains a challenge. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging studies in BD have identified neural correlates of emotional dysregulation implicated in BD and suicide. Using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, we sought to identify neural signatures of suicide attempts in adults with childhood-onset BD who have been clinically followed for up to 19 years as part of the COBY (Course and Outcome of Bipolar Youth) study.

METHODS

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data were collected in 68 adults with BD: 20 in the suicide attempter (SA+) group and 48 in the non-suicide attempter (SA-) group. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to identify the effect of group (SA+, SA-) on mean fractional anisotropy (indirect index of fiber collinearity) in key white matter tracts of emotional regulation. The effect of suicidal ideation and other clinical factors was further explored. False discovery rate was used to account for multiple comparison. Forty healthy control subjects were included.

RESULTS

Analyses revealed a main effect of group on fractional anisotropy (F5,59 = 3.0, p = .017). Specifically, the SA+ group showed lower fractional anisotropy than the SA- and healthy control groups in the middle portion of the forceps minor (FMIN) (F1,63 = 8.5, p = .010) and in the anterior (F1,63 = 7.8, p = .010) and posterior (F1,63 = 8.7, p = .006) portion of the right cingulum bundle (CB). Abnormalities in the FMIN, but not CB, were also associated with suicidal ideation (F1,64 = 10.6, p = .002) and levels of emotional distress at scan.

CONCLUSIONS

FMIN and CB abnormalities have been associated with emotional dysregulation in BD. Our findings suggest that the FMIN may represent a generic marker of suicidal ideation and, more broadly, emotional distress, while CB may represent a specific marker of attempted suicide.

Suicidal Behavior Associated with Mixed Features in Major Mood Disorders

Mixed features of the opposite nominal mood-polarity are increasingly recognized in both depressive and [hypo]manic phases of major affective disorders. They are associated with major increases of risk of suicidal behaviors. The authors reviewed the association of suicidal behavior with mixed features in both major depressive and bipolar disorders, as well as potentially relevant adverse effects of antidepressant treatment and use of alternative treatments aimed at minimizing agitation and suicidal risk.

Efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive modafinil/armodafinil in bipolar depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the dopaminergic-enhancing agent modafinil/armodafinil (MoArm) as adjunctive treatment for bipolar depression.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of major electronic databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adjunctive MoArm that included patients with bipolar I (BP-I) or bipolar II (BP-II) depression. Data for response/remission and all-cause discontinuation were analyzed. Effect size was summarized by relative risk (RR) using a random effect model.

RESULTS

Of 58 studies, five RCTs (N = 795 drug, N = 792 placebo) met inclusion criteria. Four armodafinil studies included only BP-I patients and one modafinil study included both bipolar subtypes with limited heterogeneity (I²  = 34%, P = .19; I²  = 18%, P = .30). Compared to placebo, augmentation with MoArm was associated with significantly greater rates of treatment response (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.37; P = .03) and remission (RR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.10-1.73; P = .005). All-cause discontinuation was not different than placebo (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.89-1.30; P = .45) with no evidence of increased risk of mood switch or suicide attempts with MoArm (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.39-2.5; P = .98; RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.37-2.85; P = .97).

CONCLUSION

This narrower scope meta-analysis of one drug for one disease suggests that adjunctive MoArm may represent a novel therapeutic intervention. Further studies delineating the subtypes of bipolar depression responsive to these novel dopaminergic-enhancing agents are encouraged.

Suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviour in patients with bipolar disorder and comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder after initiation of central stimulant treatment: a mirror-image study based on the LiSIE retrospective cohort

BACKGROUND

Currently, our understanding regarding treatment of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) co-occurring with bipolar disorder (BD) remains limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of central stimulant (CS) treatment on suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviour in patients with a pre-existing diagnosis of BD or schizoaffective disorder (SZD). Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that CS treatment significantly decreased the number of suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury events.

METHODS

A mirror-image study in patients with a dual diagnosis of BD or SZD and ADHD, comparing suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury events within 6 months and 2 years before and after CS initiation. This study was part of a retrospective cohort study (LiSIE) into effects and side-effects of lithium for maintenance treatment of BD as compared with other mood stabilisers.

RESULTS

Of 1564 eligible patients, 206 patients met the inclusion criteria. Within the 6 months after CS initiation, suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury events decreased significantly, both in terms of numbers of patients having such events (p = 0.013) and numbers of events experienced (p = 0.004). These effects were preserved 2 years after CS initiation.

CONCLUSIONS

CS treatment may reduce the risk of suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury events in patients with a dual diagnosis of BD or SZD and ADHD. Based on our findings, clinicians should not withhold CS treatment from patients with concomitant ADHD for fear of deterioration of the underlying BD. However, to minimise the risk of manic episodes concomitant mood stabiliser treatment and close monitoring remains warranted.

Bipolar depression and suicidal ideation: Moderators and mediators of a complex relationship

INTRODUCTION

Not all patients with bipolar depression have suicidal ideation (SI). This study examines some factors that link bipolar depression to SI.

METHODS

482 individuals with bipolar I or II were randomized to either lithium or quetiapine plus adjunctive personalized therapy in a 24 week comparative effectiveness trial. Severity of depression and SI were assessed with the Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale (BISS). We examined potential moderators (age, gender, age of illness onset, bipolar type, comorbid anxiety, substance use, past suicide attempts, childhood abuse and treatment arm) and mediators (severity of anxiety, mania, irritability, impairment in functioning (LIFE-RIFT) and satisfaction and enjoyment of life (Q-LES-Q)) of the effect of depression on SI. Statistical analyses were conducted using generalized estimating equations with repeated measures.

RESULTS

Bipolar type and past suicide attempts moderated the effect of depression on SI. Life satisfaction mediated the effect of depression and SI. The relationship between anxiety, depression and SI was complex due to the high level of correlation. Treatment with lithium or quetiapine did not moderate the effect of depression on SI.

LIMITATIONS

Suicide assessment was only done using an item on BISS. Patient population was not specifically chosen for high suicide risk.

DISCUSSION

Individuals with Bipolar II experienced more SI with lower levels of depression severity. A history of suicide predisposed patients to higher levels of SI given the same severity of depression. Reduced life satisfaction mediates the effect of depression on SI and may be a target for therapeutic interventions.

Clinical course and need for hospital admission after lithium discontinuation in patients with bipolar disorder type I or II: mirror-image study based on the LiSIE retrospective cohort

BACKGROUND

Currently, the evidence for lithium as a maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder type II (BD-II) remains limited. Guidelines commonly extrapolate recommendations for BD-II from available evidence for bipolar disorder type I (BD-I). Comparing the impact of lithium discontinuation is one way of assessing effectiveness in both groups.

AIMS

To compare the impact of lithium discontinuation on hospital admissions and self-harm in patients with BD-I or schizoaffective disorder (SZD) and patients with BD-II or other bipolar disorder.

METHOD

Mirror-image study, examining hospital admissions within 2 years before and after lithium discontinuation in both patient groups. This study was part of a retrospective cohort study (LiSIE) into effects and side-effects of lithium for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder as compared with other mood stabilisers.

RESULTS

For the whole sample, the mean number of admissions/patient/review period doubled from 0.44 to 0.95 (P<0.001) after lithium discontinuation. The mean number of bed days/patient/review period doubled from 11 to 22 (P = 0.025). This increase in admissions and bed days was exclusively attributable to patients with BD-I/SZD. Not having consulted with a doctor prior to lithium discontinuation or no treatment with an alternative mood stabiliser at the time of lithium discontinuation led to more admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher relapse risk in patients with BD-I/SZD suggests a higher threshold for discontinuing lithium than for patients with BD-II/other bipolar disorder. In patients with BD-II/other bipolar disorder, however, judged on the impact of discontinuation alone, lithium did not appear to prevent more severe depressive episodes requiring hospital admission.

The effects of vitamin D supplementation on mental health, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

In the current meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the effects of vitamin D supplementation on mental health, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with psychiatric disorders are assessed.

METHODS

The following databases were search up to March 2019: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The quality of the relevant extracted data was assessed according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data were pooled by the use of the inverse variance method and expressed as mean difference with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

Eleven effect sizes from nine studies were included in the final analyses. A pooled analysis of 9 effect sizes showed a significant reduction in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score following supplementation with vitamin D [weighted mean difference (WMD): -3.91; 95% CI: -5.15 -2.66), I²= 85.9%]. Combining data from two available studies on the effects of vitamin D supplementation on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) also revealed a significant reduction in this score following the intervention (WMD: -1.78; 95% CI: -2.28, -1.28). In addition, there were significant increase in glutathione (GSH) through 3 studies (WMD: 180.70; 95% CI: 6.76, 354.64), and in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) through 3 studies (WMD: 90.09; 95% CI: 56.36, 123.82) after vitamin D supplementation. Combining data from five studies, we found a significant reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations after vitamin D supplementation (WMD: -1.74; 95% CI: -2.82, -0.66).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the current meta-analysis demonstrated that taking vitamin D supplements among patients with psychiatric disorders had beneficial effects on BDI, PSQI, GSH, TAC and CRP levels, but did not affect other biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Suicide Risk in Bipolar Disorder: A Brief Review

Bipolar disorders (BDs) are prevalent mental health illnesses that affect about 1-5% of the total population, have a chronic course and are associated with a markedly elevated premature mortality. One of the contributors for the decreased life expectancy in BD is suicide. Accordingly, the rate of suicide among BD patients is approximately 10-30 times higher than the corresponding rate in the general population. Extant research found that up to 20% of (mostly untreated) BD subjects end their life by suicide, and 20-60% of them attempt suicide at least one in their lifetime. In our paper we briefly recapitulate the current knowledge on the epidemiological aspects of suicide in BD as well as factors associated with suicidal risk in BD. Furthermore, we also discuss concisely the possible means of suicide prevention in BD.