Substance Use Among Homeless Individuals With Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Substance Use Disorder Among Patients with Primary Mental Illnesses in Southwestern Uganda

Objective: Substance use is common among people with primary mental illness especially schizophrenia and bipolar disorder compared to the general population and complicates treatment outcomes. Methods: We enrolled 385 patients with primary mental illnesses in southwestern Uganda between June and August 2022. We collected information on alcohol and cannabis use, social support, religiosity, adherence to treatment and sociodemographic characteristics. We run a logistic regression model to determine the factors associated with substance use disorder. Results: At multivariable analysis, being male (AOR = 13.61, 95% CI [3.66-50.63]: p <.001) and prior history of cannabis/alcohol use (AOR = 34.95, 95% CI [8.80-138.72]: p < .001) were significantly associated with substance use disorder while adherence to treatment was against substance use disorder (AOR = 0.27, 95% CI [0.09-0.83]: p = .03). Conclusions: Adherence to treatment is protective against substance use disorder among people with mental illness. Interventions aiming at preventing substance use disorder among people with mental illness should aim at promoting adherence to treatment.

Cariprazine in Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use: A Dual Approach to Treatment?

Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by recurrent episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression and is often complicated by comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs). Up to 60% of individuals with BD experience SUDs, which exacerbate mood instability and increase the risk of rapid cycling, suicide, and poor clinical outcomes. Current treatment strategies, including lithium and valproate, show limited efficacy in treating both BD and SUD. Psychotherapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) offer benefits but lack a specific focus on substances such as cannabis and cocaine. Since there is still debate on how to treat this comorbidity, there is a need to find new therapeutic options; this mini-review examines the pharmacological properties of cariprazine and its emerging role in the treatment of comorbid BD and SUD. Cariprazine, an atypical antipsychotic with partial agonism at dopamine D2 and D3 receptors, has shown promise in treating both mood symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in BD. Its unique affinity for D3 receptors, which are involved in motivation and reward processing, may offer advantages in reducing drug craving. Clinical trials indicate that cariprazine effectively treats manic, depressive, and mixed episodes in BD with a favorable side effect profile, particularly at lower doses. Preliminary results suggest its potential to reduce craving and substance use in individuals with co-occurring BD and SUD. Therefore, cariprazine, with its unique pharmacodynamic mechanism, could be further studied for the treatment of BD in comorbidity with SUD. However, evidence on the role of cariprazine in the treatment of SUDs remains limited, based primarily on case reports and animal studies. Further research, including large-scale clinical trials, is needed to determine its full efficacy in this dual diagnosis.

Characterization of substance use in homeless patients with mental disorders

BACKGROUND

In Denmark, 42% of homeless people suffer from dual diagnosis, i.e. the co-occurrence of a substance use of alcohol and/or illegal substances and another psychiatric disorder. Dual diagnosis homeless patients often cause differential diagnostic difficulties and fail to receive effective treatment. A solid grasp of the role of substance use in these patients may inform the diagnostic decision and contribute to improve their treatment. Today, knowledge of these issues remains scarce. The purpose of this study was to explore substance use in homeless patients with mental disorders and their subjective perspectives on their substance use.

METHODS

44 homeless dual diagnosis patients were included in the study. They were examined in interviews focusing on their substance use and their subjective perspective on their substance use.

RESULTS

The most frequently used substances were cannabinoids (70.5%) and alcohol (45.5%), followed by cocaine, sedative/hypnotics, and amphetamine. The finding suggests that substance use in dual diagnosis homeless patients is a complex phenomenon with most patients (56.8%) using multiple substances. While substance use seems to contribute to keep the patients homeless, substance use was also reported to play an important role in coping with life on the streets by offering social contact and some relief from a desperate situation.

CONCLUSION

Substance use, mental disorder, and homelessness seem to be closely entangled, reinforcing each other and making it difficult to help these vulnerable patients. Diagnostic overshadowing may cause delays in adequate diagnosis and treatment of this group of patients.

COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality in people experiencing homelessness in the Netherlands

INTRODUCTION

People who are homeless might be more at risk for getting infected by the SARS-COV-2 virus or for experiencing severe course of the infection due to their often more fragile health, unmet health needs, and poorer living conditions. This study aims to gain insight into the morbidity and mortality of the SARS-COV-2 virus among the homeless population in the Netherlands.

METHODS

In this observational retrospective study, anonymized data about patients experiencing homelessness who contacted a street doctor were gathered in nine cities in the Netherlands from March 2020 until March 2021. Data included patient characteristics, COVID-19 -related symptoms, diagnosis, and disease course of a SARS-COV-2 infection.

RESULTS

Of the total 1419 patients in whom 1544 COVID-19 related consults were registered, 16% tested positive for a SARS-COV-2 infection, and an additional 12% were clinically suspected of having a SARS-COV-2 infection but were seen before there were any COVID-19 tests available in General Practice or for some other reason not tested. Significantly more (p = <0.001) patients born outside the European Union tested positive for a SARS-COV-2 infection (36%) compared to the remainder of the population (20%). The most discerning symptom for being tested positive was loss of taste and smell (29% vs 6% in the negative tested group and 2% in the suspected group), fever (24% vs 13% in the negative tested group but 18% in the suspected group), and headache (26% vs 17% resp 14%), and fatigue (29% vs 20 resp 17%). Cough, dyspnea and common cold were more often seen in the clinically suspected but not tested group). Of the group that tested positive for a SARS-COV-2 infection, 10% were hospitalized. Two patients were admitted to intensive care and one patient died. Of patients who were clinically suspected of a SARS-COV-2 infection, 5% were hospitalized.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 was not widespread among people experiencing homelessness in the Netherlands, but the number of hospitalizations in this study was relatively high. Monitoring this population during a pandemic is necessary to take prompt action when needed.

Homelessness and health-related outcomes in the Republic of Ireland: a systematic review, meta-analysis and evidence map

Aim

To map existing research on homelessness and health in the Republic of Ireland, and to synthesize the evidence on housing-related disparities in health.

Methods

Peer-reviewed articles and conference abstracts published in English between 2012-2022 were retrieved from 11 bibliographic databases if they contained empirical data on homelessness and health in Ireland, and - in a subsequent screening stage - at least one measure of health disparity between the homeless and general populations. Reviewers extracted relative risks (RR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and calculated pooled RR of comparable health disparities using pairwise random-effects meta-analyses.

Results

One hundred four articles contained empirical data on the health of homeless individuals residing in Ireland, addressing primarily substance use, addiction and mental health. Homelessness was associated with increased risk of illicit drug use (RR 7.33 [95% CI 4.2, 12.9]), reduced access to a general practitioner (GP) (RR 0.73 [CI 95% 0.71, 0.75]), frequent emergency department (ED) presentation (pooled RR 27.8 [95% CI 4.1, 189.8]), repeat presentation for self-harm (pooled RR 1.6 [95% CI 1.2, 2.0]) and premature departure from hospital (pooled RR 2.65 [95% CI 1.27, 5.53]).

Conclusions

Homelessness in Ireland is associated with reduced access to primary care and overreliance on acute care. Chronic conditions amongst homeless individuals are understudied.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-023-01934-0.

Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders by Demographics in Jail Populations

Many individuals incarcerated in jails suffer from psychiatric disorders and require mental health treatment. However, there has yet to be a study which comprehensively described the prevalence of mental illness diagnoses by demographic variables or compared results to the general population. Data for this study were the Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, 2002. Binary logistic regression was run to compare the prevalence of diagnoses to demographic variables of the jail population. Results were compared to studies in the general population. Males were less likely than females to report five of the seven disorder categories, and employed individuals were less likely to report all seven disorders. The results were consistent with research on the general population. It is important to understand the population of individuals with mental illness in jail so we can better serve them and catch psychiatric disorders early while they are more easily treatable.

Association of Social Needs and Housing Status Among Urban Emergency Department Patients

Introduction

People experiencing homelessness have high rates of social needs when presenting for emergency department (ED) services, but less is known about patients with housing instability who do not meet the established definitions of homelessness.

Methods

We surveyed patients in an urban, safety-net ED from June–August 2018. Patients completed two social needs screening tools and responded to additional questions on housing. Housing status was determined using validated questions about housing stability.

Results

Of the 1,263 eligible patients, 758 (60.0%) completed the survey. Among respondents, 40% identified as Latinx, 39% Black, 15% White, 5% Asian, and 8% other race/ethnicities. The median age was 42 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 29–57). and 54% were male. Of the 758 patients who completed the survey, 281 (37.1%) were housed, 213 (28.1%) were unstably housed, and 264 (34.8%) were homeless. A disproportionate number of patients experiencing homelessness were male (63.3%) and Black (54.2%), P <0.001, and a disproportionate number of unstably housed patients were Latinx (56.8%) or were primarily Spanish speaking (49.3%), P <0.001. Social needs increased across the spectrum of housing from housed to unstably housed and homeless, even when controlling for demographic characteristics.

Conclusion

Over one in three ED patients experience homelessness, and nearly one in three are unstably housed. Notable disparities exist by housing status, and there is a clear increase of social needs across the housing spectrum. Emergency departments should consider integrating social screening tools for patients with unstable housing.

Proposing a "Brain Health Checkup (BHC)" as a Global Potential "Standard of Care" to Overcome Reward Dysregulation in Primary Care Medicine: Coupling Genetic Risk Testing and Induction of "Dopamine Homeostasis"

In 2021, over 100,000 people died prematurely from opioid overdoses. Neuropsychiatric and cognitive impairments are underreported comorbidities of reward dysregulation due to genetic antecedents and epigenetic insults. Recent genome-wide association studies involving millions of subjects revealed frequent comorbidity with substance use disorder (SUD) in a sizeable meta-analysis of depression. It found significant associations with the expression of NEGR1 in the hypothalamus and DRD2 in the nucleus accumbens, among others. However, despite the rise in SUD and neuropsychiatric illness, there are currently no standard objective brain assessments being performed on a routine basis. The rationale for encouraging a standard objective Brain Health Check (BHC) is to have extensive data available to treat clinical syndromes in psychiatric patients. The BHC would consist of a group of reliable, accurate, cost-effective, objective assessments involving the following domains: Memory, Attention, Neuropsychiatry, and Neurological Imaging. Utilizing primarily PUBMED, over 36 years of virtually all the computerized and written-based assessments of Memory, Attention, Psychiatric, and Neurological imaging were reviewed, and the following assessments are recommended for use in the BHC: Central Nervous System Vital Signs (Memory), Test of Variables of Attention (Attention), Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III (Neuropsychiatric), and Quantitative Electroencephalogram/P300/Evoked Potential (Neurological Imaging). Finally, we suggest continuing research into incorporating a new standard BHC coupled with qEEG/P300/Evoked Potentials and genetically guided precision induction of "dopamine homeostasis" to diagnose and treat reward dysregulation to prevent the consequences of dopamine dysregulation from being epigenetically passed on to generations of our children.

Impact of an addiction medicine consult team intervention in a Canadian inner city hospital on acute care utilization: a pragmatic quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Inner city patients have a higher illness burden and need for care, but experience more unmet care needs. Hospital Addiction Medicine Consult Teams (AMCTs) are a promising emerging intervention. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a Canadian AMCT-like intervention for inner city patients on reduction in high emergency department (ED) use, hospital admission, and inpatient length of stay.

METHODS

Using a community-engaged, two-arm, pre-post, longitudinal quasi-experimental study design, 572 patients reporting active substance use, unstable housing, unstable income, or a combination thereof (302 at intervention site, 270 at control sites) were enrolled. Survey and administrative health service data were collected at baseline, six months post-enrolment, and 12 months post-enrolment. Multivariable regression models tested the intervention effect, adjusting for clinically important covariables (inpatient status at enrolment, medical complexity, age, gender, Indigenous identity, shelter use, opioid use).

RESULTS

Initial bivariable analyses demonstrated an intervention effect on reduction in admissions and length of stay, however, this effect was no longer significant after adjusting for covariables. There was no evidence of reduction in high ED use on either bivariable or subsequent multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

After adjusting for covariables, no AMCT intervention effect was detected for reduction in high ED use, inpatient admission, or hospital length of stay. Further research is recommended to assess other patient-oriented intervention outcomes.

Substance Use/Dependence in Psychiatric Emergency Setting Leading to Hospitalization: Predictors of Continuity of Care

Background: Poor adherence to treatment is a common clinical problem in individuals affected by mental illness and substance use/dependence. In Italy, mental care is organized in a psychiatric service and addiction unit (SERD), characterized by dual independent assets of treatment. This difference, in the Emergency Room setting, leads to a risk of discontinuity of treatment in case of hospitalization. In this study we clinically characterized individuals who decided to attend hospital post-discharge appointments at SERD, in accordance with medical advice. Methods: This is a retrospective study, based on two years of discharged records of patients entering “Versilia Hospital” (Viareggio, Italy) emergency room, with urinalyses testing positive for substance use, and hospitalization after psychiatric consultation. The sample was divided according to the presence or absence of SERD consultation after discharge. Results: In the 2-year period of the present study, 1005 individuals were hospitalized. Considering the inclusion criterion of the study, the sample consisted of 264 individuals. Of these, 128 patients attended post-discharge appointments at SERD showing urinalyses positive to cocaine, opiates, and poly use; they were more frequently diagnosed as personality disorder and less frequently as bipolar disorder. The prediction was higher for patients that had already been treated at SERD, for patients who received SERD consultation during hospitalization, and for patients with positive urinalyses to cocaine and opiates at treatment entry. Conversely, patients who did not attend SERD consultation after discharge were affected by bipolar disorders. Limitations: Small sample size. Demographical data are limited to gender and age due to paucity of data in hospital information systems. SERD is located far from the hospital and is open only on weekdays; thus, it cannot ensure a consultation with all inpatients. Conclusions: Mental illness diagnosis, the set of substance use positivity at hospitalization, and having received SERD consultation during hospitalization appeared to have a critical role in promoting continuity of care. Moreover, to reduce the gap between the need and the provision of the treatment, a more effective personalized individual program of care should be implemented.

Monitoring for COVID-19 by universal testing in a homeless shelter in Germany: a prospective feasibility cohort study

BACKGROUND

Living conditions in homeless shelters facilitate the transmission of COVID-19. Social determinants and pre-existing health conditions place homeless people at increased risk of severe disease. Described outbreaks in homeless shelters resulted in high proportions of infected residents and staff members. In addition to other infection prevention strategies, regular shelter-wide (universal) testing for COVID-19 may be valuable, depending on the level of community transmission and when resources permit.

METHODS

This was a prospective feasibility cohort study to evaluate universal testing for COVID-19 at a homeless shelter with 106 beds in Berlin, Germany. Co-researchers were recruited from the shelter staff. A PCR analysis of saliva or self-collected nasal/oral swab was performed weekly over a period of 3 weeks in July 2020. Acceptability and implementation barriers were analyzed by process evaluation using mixed methods including evaluation sheets, focus group discussion and a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Ninety-three out of 124 (75%) residents were approached to participate in the study. Fifty-one out of the 93 residents (54.8%) gave written informed consent; thus 41.1% (51 out of 124) of all residents were included in the study. Among these, high retention rates (88.9-93.6%) of a weekly respiratory specimen were reached, but repeated collection attempts, as well as assistance were required. Around 48 person-hours were necessary for the sample collection including the preparation of materials. A self-collected nasal/oral swab was considered easier and more hygienic to collect than a saliva specimen. No resident was tested positive by RT-PCR. Language barriers were the main reason for non-participation. Flexibility of sample collection schedules, the use of video and audio materials, and concise written information were the main recommendations of the co-researchers for future implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

Voluntary universal testing for COVID-19 is feasible in homeless shelters. Universal testing of high-risk facilities will require flexible approaches, considering the level of the community transmission, the available resources, and the local recommendations. Lack of human resources and laboratory capacity may be a major barrier for implementation of universal testing, requiring adapted approaches compared to standard individual testing. Assisted self-collection of specimens and barrier free communication may facilitate implementation in homeless shelters. Program planning must consider homeless people's needs and life situation, and guarantee confidentiality and autonomy.

Traumatic brain injury in the homeless: health, injury mechanisms, and hospital course

Primary ObjectiveEstablished literature demonstrates that homeless individuals experience both greater disease burden and risk of experiencing traumatic brain injury (TBI) than the general population. Similarly, shared risk factors for both homelessness and/or TBI may exacerbate the risk of repetitive neurotrauma within homeless populations.Research DesignWe leveraged a state-wide trauma registry, the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study (PTOS), to characterize 609 patients discharged to homeless (58% TBI, 42% orthopedic injury (OI)) in comparison to 609 randomly sampled adult patients discharged to home.Methods and ProceduresWe implemented Chi-square tests to examine preexisting health conditions (PECs), hospital course, and injury mechanisms for both patient groups.Main Outcomes and ResultsHomelessness affects a greater proportion of nonwhite patients, and homeless patients present for care with increased frequencies of psychiatric and substance use PECs, and alcohol-positive TBI. Furthermore, assault impacts a larger proportion of homeless patients, and the window for overnight assault risk resulting in TBI is extended for these patients compared to patients discharged to home.ConclusionGiven the shifting conceptualization of TBI as a chronic condition, identifying homeless patients on admission to trauma centers, rather than retrospectively at discharge, can enhance understanding of the challenges facing the homeless as they age with both a complex neurotrauma history and multimorbidity.

Housing as a Social Determinant of Health: Evidence from Singapore, the UK, and Kenya: the 3-D Commission

Housing is a paradigmatic example of a social determinant of health, as it influences and is influenced by structural determinants, such as social, macroeconomic, and public policies, politics, education, income, and ethnicity/race, all intersecting to shaping the health and well-being of populations. It can therefore be argued that housing policy is critically linked to health policy. However, the extent to which this linkage is understood and addressed in public policies is limited and highly diverse across and within countries. This analysis seeks to describe the linkages between housing policies and health and well-being using examples from three countries at different levels of the wealth spectrum: Singapore, the UK, and Kenya.We conducted a comparative policy analysis across three country contexts (Singapore, the UK, and Kenya) to document the extent to which housing policies address health and well-being, highlighting commonalities and differences among them. To guide our analysis, we used the United Nations (UN) definition of adequate housing as it offers a broad framework to analyze the impact of housing on health and well-being.The anatomy of housing policies has a strong correlation to the provision of adequate housing across Singapore, the UK, and Kenya, especially for vulnerable groups. The paper demonstrates that contextual factors including population composition (i.e., aging versus youthful), political ideologies, legal frameworks (i.e., welfare versus market-based provision of housing), and presence (or absence) of adequate, quality, timely, reliable, robust data systems for decision-making, which are taken up by stakeholders/state, have strong implications of the type of housing policies developed and implemented, in turn directly and indirectly impacting the overall health and well-being of populations.This analysis demonstrates the value of viewing housing policies as public health policies that could significantly impact the health and well-being of populations, especially vulnerable groups. Moreover, the findings highlight the importance of the Health in All Policies approach to facilitate integrated policy responses to address social determinants of health such as housing. This is more critical than ever, given the context of the global pandemic that has led to worsening overall health and well-being.

The Importance of a Multi-Disciplinary Approach to the Endometriotic Patients: The Relationship between Endometriosis and Psychic Vulnerability

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition, which is distinguished by the presence of the endometrial-like glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Pain and infertility are the most commonly expressed symptoms, occurring in 60% and 40% of cases, respectively. Women with endometriosis, especially those with pelvic pain, also have a greater vulnerability to several psychiatric disorders. There is, in particular, a tendency to contract affective or anxiety disorders as well as panic-agoraphobic and substance use disorders. Endometriosis with pelvic pain, infertility and psychic vulnerability usually leads to disability and a markedly lower quality of life for women of reproductive age. Thus, the burden of endometriosis is not limited to the symptoms and dysfunctions of the disease; it extends to the social, working and emotional spheres, leading to a severe impairment of global functioning. An analysis of scientific literature revealed a close relationship between specific temperamental traits, the expression of several psychiatric symptoms, chronicity of pain, risk of substance use and lower probability of a positive outcome. Endometriosis symptoms and the impact of related psychological consequences, increased vulnerability and the possible onset of psychiatric symptoms may influence coping strategies and weaken resilience, so triggering a vicious cycle leading to a marked deterioration in the quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach consisting of a medical team composed of gynecologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, experts in Dual Disorder, algologists and sexologists, would guarantee the setting of a target and taking the best decision on a personalized treatment plan. That approach would allow the prompt detection of any psychopathological symptoms and improve the endometriosis-related physical symptoms, bringing a healthier quality of life and a greater likelihood of a positive outcome.

Alcohol misuse among older military veterans: an intersectionality theory perspective

BACKGROUND

Alcohol misuse among older adults is an emerging public health issue. Older veterans are particularly at risk of developing substance use dependency due to the enduring impacts of military service. The purpose of this study was to test the theory of intersectionality on alcohol misuse by veteran status and age, veteran status and sex, and veteran status and race.

METHODS

Combined data from the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Brief Risk Factor Resilience Survey (BRFSS) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used in this cross-sectional study. The BRFSS is conducted annually with adults via landline or cellular telephones in all 50 states in the United States, as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Alcohol misuse among individuals aged 65+ was examined by veteran status and the interaction between age, race, and sex using survey-weighted logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Results show no interaction between veteran status and age or sex. For the interaction between veteran status and race, significant disparities were found. Black/Other race veterans were significantly more likely to engage in binge drinking and heavy drinking compared to nonveterans of the same race, White veterans, and White nonveterans.

CONCLUSION

Older veterans who are also Black, Indigenous and/or people of color (BIPOC) are at great risk of engaging in alcohol misuse due to the combined stressors from their intersectional identities. Interventions targeting this population should consider the historical, cultural, and systemic factors that contribute to a disproportionally higher rate of binge drinking and heavy drinking among BIPOC veterans.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Its Associate Factors Relating to Patients with Severe Mental Disorders Attending Psychiatric Follow-Ups in Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Patients with mental disorders have high rates of co-existing alcohol use disorder and vice versa. Alcohol use disorder has emerged as a major challenge to intervene patients with severe mental disorders. It is under-recognized and has not been investigated well in low-income countries like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associate factors of alcohol use disorder among patients with severe mental disorders attending psychiatric follow-ups at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

A total of 384 patients with severe mental disorders selected by a systematic random sampling technique took part in the interviews for this cross-sectional study. The alcohol use disorder identification test was used to assess the problem. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regressions were computed to examine the associated factors. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used for reporting the result.

RESULTS

The prevalence of alcohol use disorder among patients with severe mental disorders was 36.2%. Of the participants, 23.5%, 8.6%, and 4.1% had hazardous, harmful alcohol drinking and alcohol dependency, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, male sex, younger age, psychotic and bipolar disorder diagnoses, having poor social support, moderate and high perceived stress, and current tobacco smoking were factors significantly associated with alcohol use disorder.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of alcohol use disorder among patients with severe mental disorders was found to be high. Early intervention and integrating treatment services for co-existing mental disorders and alcohol use disorder is important. The special treatment, where it is offered for young male patients and those with the diagnosis of psychotic and bipolar disorders, is recommended to promote the uptake of alcohol and mental health treatment services.

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection through rapid serology testing in the homeless population in the City of Rome, Italy. Preliminary results

Background: The development of COVID-19 pandemic has affected all segments of the population; however, it had a significant impact on vulnerable subjects, such as in people experiencing homelessness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 spread in homeless persons in the city of Rome, Italy.

Design and Methods: Patients included in the study underwent a clinical evaluation and rapid antibody analysis on capillary blood for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 virus. Symptomatic patients were not included in the screening and immediately referred to local hospitals for further evaluation.

Results: One-hundred seventy-three patients of both sexes were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection through rapid serological test. Age range was 10-80 years; people came from 35 different countries of origin and 4 continents. Test results were negative for most patients (170-98.2%); two patients had positive IgM (1.2%) and one patient had positive IgG (0.6%).

Conclusions: Our study is the first to evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in people experiencing homelessness in the city of Rome, Italy. Most patients were negative for COVID- 19, although several factors may have had an impact on this result, such as the exclusion of symptomatic patients, the limited sensitivity of rapid serological tests in the initial stage of infection and the prevention measures adopted in these populations. Larger studies on fragile populations are needed to prevent and intercept new clusters of infection in the upcoming months.

Racial Disparities in Substance Use Treatment Completion Among Older Adults

Background and Objectives

Racial disparities in substance use among young adults have been well documented in the substance use literature, but little attention has been paid to older adults. While being an older adult is positively associated with substance use treatment completion, racial disparities in treatment completion have yet to be examined. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent racial disparities exist in substance use treatment completion among older adults (65 and older).

Research Design and Methods

This cross-sectional study utilized data from the most recent Treatment Episode Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which documents discharges from a publicly funded substance use treatment program in the United States. A total of 17,942 older adults reported to a substance use treatment program in 2017 and 6,653 met the criteria for the study. Chi-squared tests were used to analyze group differences and a binary logistic regression was used to predict substance use treatment completion.

Results

Results show that Black older adults were 37% less likely to complete a substance use treatment program than Whites (OR = 0.630) while Hispanic older adults were 26% more likely to complete a substance use treatment program than Whites (OR = 1.26).

Discussion and Implications

These results support the findings from similar studies with younger adults and support the theory that racial disparities are prevalent across the life span. Although Hispanics had a higher treatment completion rate than Whites, this is likely a reflection of familismo, where decisions about health treatments is a group process and a steady network of family members are available to provide advice and encouragement. The significant disparity observed between Black and White older adults suggest a need to consider cultural, historical, and systemic factors that affect voluntary termination of substance use treatment among Black older adults.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of bipolar disorder among homeless people

Background

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common severe mental disorder among homeless people and is associated with an increased risk of disability and mortality from suicide, medical causes (including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis infection, hypertension, and tuberculosis), as well as substance use disorders. However, a systematic synthesis of the existing evidence on the subject is lacking. To fill this gap in the literature, this study aimed to carry out systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the consolidated prevalence of BD among homeless people.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Embase, PubMed, and Scopus to identify pertinent studies that reported the prevalence of BD among homeless people in March 2019. Random effect meta-analysis was employed to pool data from the eligible studies. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis was conducted and Cochran’s Q- and the I² test were utilized to quantify heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed by using Egger’s test and visual inspection of the symmetry in funnel plots.

Results

Of 3236 studies identified, 10 studies with 4300 homeless individuals were included in the final analysis. Among the 10 studies, five studies used the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental disorders (DSM), three studies used Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), one study used Schedule for Clinical Assessment of Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), and one study used Composite International Neuropsychiatric Interview (CIDI) to assess BD among homeless individuals. Based on the results of the random effect model, the prevalence of BD among homeless people was 11.4% (95% CI; 7.5–16.9). The prevalence of BD was 10.0% (95% CI; 3.1–27.9) in Europe and it was 13.2% (95% CI; 8.9–19.3) in other countries. Moreover, the prevalence of BD was 11.5% (95% CI; 5.5–22.3) for studies that used DSM to assess BD and it was 11.0% (95% CI; 6.1–19.2) for studies that used other instruments (MINI, SCAN, and CIDI).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis demonstrated that BD is highly prevalent among homeless individuals, underlying the importance of early screening and targeted interventions for BD among homeless individuals.

The overall and sex- and age-group specific incidence rates of cancer in people with schizophrenia: a population-based cohort study

AIMS

Decades of research show that people with schizophrenia have an increased risk of death from cancer; however, the relationship between schizophrenia and cancer incidence remains less clear. This population-based study investigates the incidence of seven common types of cancer among people with a hospital diagnosis of schizophrenia and accounting for the effects of age, sex and calendar time.

METHODS

This population-based study used 1990-2013 data from three nationwide Swedish registries to calculate the incidence (in total, by age group and by sex) of any cancer and of lung, oesophageal, pancreatic, stomach, colon, (in men) prostate and (in women) breast cancer in 111 306 people with a hospital diagnosis of schizophrenia. The incidence in people with diagnosed schizophrenia was compared with the incidence in the general population. Risk estimates accounted for the effects of calendar time.

RESULTS

In 1 424 829 person-years of follow-up, schizophrenia did not confer an overall higher cancer risk (IRR 1.02, 95% CI 0.91-1.13) but was associated with a higher risk for female breast (IRR 1.19, 95% CI 1.12-1.26), lung (IRR 1.42, 95% CI 1.28-1.58), oesophageal (IRR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.46) and pancreatic (IRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.21) and a lower risk of prostate (IRR 0.66, 95% CI 0.55-0.79) cancer. Some age- and sex-specific differences in risk were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

People with schizophrenia do not have a higher overall incidence of cancer than people in the general population. However, there are significant differences in the risk of specific cancer types overall and by sex calling for efforts to develop disease-specific prevention programmes. In people with schizophrenia, higher risk generally occurs in those <75 years.

Satisfaction with health and community services among homeless and formerly homeless individuals in Quebec, Canada

User satisfaction is a crucial quality indicator in health service provision. Few studies have measured user satisfaction among homeless and formerly homeless individuals, despite the high prevalence of mental health disorders (MHD) in this population. The purpose of this study was to assess overall satisfaction among 455 homeless and formerly homeless individuals who were receiving health and community services, and to identify factors associated with user satisfaction. Data collection occurred between January and September 2017. Study participants were 18 years old or over, with experience of homelessness in the current or recent past. They completed a questionnaire eliciting socio-demographic information, and data on residential history, service use and satisfaction and health profiles. Multivariate linear analysis was performed on overall satisfaction with health and community services in the previous 12 months. Independent variables were organised as predisposing, enabling and needs factors based on the Gelberg-Andersen Behavioral Model. The mean satisfaction score was 4.11 (minimum: 1; maximum: 5). Variables associated with greater user satisfaction included: older age, residence in permanent housing, common MHD (e.g., depression, anxiety), having a family physician, having a case manager, strong social network, good quality of life and, marginally, male sex and having substance use disorders (SUD). By contrast, frequent users of public ambulatory health services were the most dissatisfied. User satisfaction was more strongly associated with enabling factors. Strategies for improving satisfaction include: promoting more tailored primary care programmes (including family physician) adapted to the needs of this population, better integrating primary care with specialised services including SUD integrated treatment and enhancing continuity of care through the reinforcement of case management services. Further efforts aimed at increasing access to permanent housing with supports, and eliciting more active involvement by relatives and friends may also improve user satisfaction with services, and reduce unnecessary service use.

The need to improve detection and treatment of physical pain of homeless people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Results from the French Housing First Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of physical pain in a large multicenter sample of Homeless Schizophrenia and Bipolar (HSB) patients.

METHODS

This multicenter study was conducted in 4 French cities: Lille, Marseille, Paris and Toulouse. Pain was measured by EQ5D-3 L questionnaire with no specified period or location. In addition, sociodemographic information, duration of homelessness, illness severity using the Modified Colorado Symptom Index (MCSI) and drug information were collected.

RESULTS

Overall, 655 HSB patients, mean age 38.8 years and 82.6% men were included, 448 (68.9%) were diagnosed with schizophrenia and 202 (31.1%) with bipolar disorder. More than half patients (N = 337, 51.5%) reported moderate to extreme physical pain while only 2.7% were administered analgesic drugs. In the multivariate analysis, self-reported moderate to extreme physical pain was associated with antidepressant consumption (adjusted odd ratio aOR = 2.56[1.25;5.26], p = .01), female gender (aOR = 1.72[1.03;2.86], p = .04), bipolar disorders (vs. schizophrenia) (aOR = 1.81[1.19;2.77], p = .006), older age (aOR = 1.03 [1.01;1.05], p = .01), with higher MCSI psychotic score (a0R = 1.04[1.01;1.06],p = .002), independently of the number of days in the street during the last 180 days, MCSI depression score, alcohol and substance use disorders, psychotropic drugs and analgesic treatments. No association with education level, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytic, hypnotic or medication adherence was found (all p > .05).

CONCLUSION

Physical pain was highly reported in homeless patients with severe mental illness with insufficient care. Physical pain should be systematically explored and treated in this population. Bipolar disorders, antidepressant consumption and female gender may be targeted in priority. Age and psychotic symptomatology were found to influence self-reported pain in a marginal way.

Mental health multimorbidity and poor quality of life in patients with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

While "dual diagnosis" involving both psychiatric and substance use disorders has long been a focus of schizophrenia research, recent studies have advocated for a shift of focus to multimorbidity, addressing comorbidity from both additional psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders. We hypothesized that more extensive mental health multimorbity would be associated with poorer quality of life (QOL) and functioning, and that additional psychiatric comorbidity in schizophrenia would have similar adverse effects on QOL as substance use comorbidity.

METHODS

Participants with schizophrenia in the NIMH-funded Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) were classified using baseline diagnostic data into four groups: 1) monomorbid schizophrenia: 2) additional psychiatric comorbidity, 3) additional substance use comorbidity, and 4) both additional psychiatric and substance use comorbidity. Mixed models compared groups on self-reported QOL (SF-12 and Lehman QOLI) and rater-evaluated QOL (the Quality of Life Scale) using baseline, 6, 12 and 18-month follow-up data.

RESULTS

As hypothesized, patients with schizophrenia alone had a better QOL than those with any multimorbidity; patients with both psychiatric and substance use comorbidities had a worse QOL than those with fewer comorbidities; and patients with comorbid substance use alone were not significantly worse off than those with comorbid psychiatric disorder.

CONCLUSION

The multimorbidity framework more richly differentiates complex clinical presentations of schizophrenia than the current dual diagnosis concept and deserves further study as to its etiology, consequences, and treatment.

Victimization and posttraumatic stress disorder in homeless women with mental illness are associated with depression, suicide, and quality of life

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the following: 1) the proportion of women in the homeless population with schizophrenia (SZ) or bipolar disorder (BD), in addition to the trajectory of their homelessness (ie, homelessness history, number of nights spent without home during the 180 past nights) and the characteristics of their illnesses compared to men (ie, illness severity, suicide risk, physical health status, and quality of life [QoL]); 2) whether these women were victimized more frequently than similarly situated men; 3) the impact of victimization on these women in terms of illness severity, suicide risk, physical health status, and QoL; and lastly 4) the differences and overlap of homeless women with SZ and BD.

METHODS

This study employed data at baseline from a multicenter randomized controlled trial conducted in the following four large French cities: Lille, Marseille, Paris, and Toulouse. Mobile mental health outreach teams recruited SZ/BD homeless patients in the street, emergency shelters, hospitals, and jails from August 2011 to April 2014. Evaluations were performed during face-to-face interviews by psychiatrists and research assistants in the offices of mobile mental health outreach teams that were located in the downtown area of each city. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive analyses, chi-square and Student's t-tests, generalized estimating equation regression models, and path analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 703 patients were included in this study. The proportion of women in the SZ/BD homeless population was 123/703 (17.5%). In this population, women were more likely than men to declare that they were subjected to physical or sexual assault during the past 6 months, that they had been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and that they had experienced more severe depressive symptoms. Moreover, these women presented a higher suicide risk, worse physical health status, and lower QoL than similarly situated men. Homeless women with BD were more vulnerable than women with SZ. A path analysis revealed that PTSD and violent victimization might explain the higher levels of depression and suicide risk and the lower levels of physical health status and QoL in homeless women.

CONCLUSION

SZ/BD homeless women experience more PTSD and victimization than men, which are both associated with poor clinical outcomes. These results confirm the vulnerability of homeless women in this high need population and should be considered by public health policy.

Homeless women with schizophrenia reported lower adherence to their medication than men: results from the French Housing First experience

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with non-adherence to medication in a large multi-center sample of homeless schizophrenia (HSZ) patients.

METHODS

This multi-center study was conducted in four French cities: Lille, Marseille, Paris, and Toulouse. In addition to the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), sociodemographic information, history of homelessness, illness severity using the Modified Colorado Symptom Index (MCSI) and the Multnomah Community Integration Scale (MCAS), and drug information were collected.

RESULTS

In total, 218 HSZ patients (16.1% women, mean age 36.8 ± 9.3 years) were included in this study. In the multivariate analysis, being a woman and having higher illness severity (MCSI score) and lower "acceptance of illness" (MCAS score) were significantly associated with lower MARS index scores. Compared to men, women had lower MARS dimension 1 ('medication adherence behavior') and dimension 3 ('negative side effects and attitudes toward psychotropic medication') scores. First-generation antipsychotic use was also associated with lower MARS dimension 3 scores.

CONCLUSION

HSZ women reported lower adherence than men, mainly due to having more subjective negative side effects and worse attitudes toward psychotropic medication. Future longitudinal studies should confirm these findings and explore the applicability of specific pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies for HSZ women, including treatment dose adaptation and psychoeducation. Clinical trial number NCT01570712.

Validation of the Medication Adherence Rating Scale in homeless patients with schizophrenia: Results from the French Housing First experience

The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) is one of the most widely used measurements of adherence in schizophrenia (SZ), but there is no available data regarding its psychometric properties in homeless SZ patients (HSZ). The aim of this study was therefore to assess the psychometric properties of the MARS in a large multicenter sample of HSZ subjects. This multi-centre prospective study was conducted in the following 4 French cities: Lille, Marseille, Paris and Toulouse. Three hundred and fifty-three patients were included. The 3-factor structure of the MARS was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis: RMSEA = 0.045, CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.97 and WRMR = 0.76. The unidimensionality of each factor was supported by the satisfactory INFIT statistics. Item internal consistencies were all higher than 0.20 and the Kuder–Richardson were higher than to 0.6, except for factor 2, which was closed to 0.5. Significant associations with symptoms, functioning and quality of life showed satisfactory external validity. The acceptability was satisfactory with missing data lower than 5% for each dimension. The MARS is a short self-administered instrument with acceptable psychometric properties in homeless SZ patients that yields interesting information about medication adherence.