Costs of psychotropics for outpatients with bipolar disorder in Japan; the MUSUBI 2016 survey

BACKGROUND

Although the costs of bipolar disorder (BD) treatments are associated with local and universal factors, data from non-Western countries remain limited. The associations between clinical features and costs of outpatient pharmacotherapy have not been well characterize. To estimate the costs of outpatient BD treatments and their associations with clinical features in a Japanese population, we investigated with special reference to the costs of medicines constituted the bulk of the total healthcare expense and were steadily increasing.

METHODS

The Multicenter Treatment Survey for Bipolar Disorder (MUSUBI) retrospectively evaluated 3130 patients with BD who visited 176 Japanese psychiatric outpatient clinics in 2016. Clinical features and drug prescriptions were recorded, and the total daily costs of psychotropic drug treatment were calculated. The annual medical costs related to outpatient BD treatments in Japan were estimated based on the corresponding demographics. The associations between daily medical costs and patients' clinical features were analyzed using multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The daily costs of psychotropic drugs ranged from zero to JPY3245 (mean, JPY349 equivalent to USD32.5) and were exponentially distributed. The annual costs for outpatients BD treatments were approximately 51.9 billion Japanese yens (519 million US dollars). Subsequent multiple regression analysis revealed that social adjustment, depressive symptoms, age, rapid cycling, psychotic symptoms, and comorbid mental disorders correlated strongly with the daily cost of psychotropic drugs.

CONCLUSION

The estimated annual costs for outpatient BD treatment in Japan were equivalent to those in OECD countries (except for the US) and higher than those in some Asian countries. The cost of psychotropic treatments was associated with individual characteristics and psychopathological conditions.Key MessagesPsychotropic treatment for an outpatient with bipolar disorder has a daily cost approximately JPY350.The annual outpatient treatment cost for bipolar disorder in Japan was estimated to 51.9 billion Japanese yen in 2016.Individual characteristics and psychopathological conditions affected the cost of drug treatment.

Predictors of psychiatric hospitalization among outpatients with bipolar disorder in the real-world clinical setting

Background

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder that causes recurrent manic and depressive episodes, leading to decreased levels of social functioning and suicide. Patients who require hospitalization due to exacerbation of bipolar disorder have been reported to subsequently have poor psychosocial functioning, and so there is a need to prevent hospitalization. On the other hand, there is a lack of evidence regarding predictors of hospitalization in real-world clinical practice.

Methods

The multicenter treatment survey on bipolar disorder (MUSUBI) in Japanese psychiatric clinics was an observational study conducted to provide evidence regarding bipolar disorder in real-world clinical practice. Psychiatrists were asked, as part of a retrospective medical record survey, to fill out a questionnaire about patients with bipolar disorder who visited 176 member clinics of the Japanese Association of Neuro-Psychiatric Clinics. Our study extracted baseline patient characteristics from records dated between September and October 2016, including comorbidities, mental status, duration of treatment, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score, and pharmacological treatment details. The incidence and predictors of hospitalization among patients with bipolar disorder over a 1-year period extending from that baseline to September–October 2017 were examined.

Results

In total, 2,389 participants were included in our study, 3.06% of whom experienced psychiatric hospitalization over the course of 1 year from baseline. Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of psychiatric hospitalization was correlated with bipolar I disorder, lower baseline GAF scores, unemployment, substance abuse and manic state.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that 3.06% of outpatients with bipolar disorder were subjected to psychiatric hospitalization during a 1-year period that extended to September–October 2017. Our study suggested that bipolar I disorder, lower baseline GAF scores, unemployment, substance abuse and baseline mood state could be predictors of psychiatric hospitalization. These results may be useful for clinicians seeking to prevent psychiatric hospitalization for bipolar disorder.

Effect of age and sex on prescriptions for outpatients with bipolar disorder in the MUSUBI study: a cross‑sectional study

BACKGROUND

Childbearing-aged female patients and elderly patients with bipolar disorder need special attention for pharmacological treatments, but current guidelines provide little information on their pharmacological treatment. In particular, the risk/benefit balance of pharmacological treatment for childbearing-aged females with bipolar disorder is a growing concern. Therefore, we aimed to address the effect of age and sex on psychotropic drug prescription for outpatients with bipolar disorder.

METHODS

The MUlticenter treatment SUrvey for BIpolar disorder in Japanese psychiatric clinics (MUSUBI) study was conducted, and data on age, sex, and details of pharmacological treatment were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 3106 outpatients were included in this study. Among young females (age  ≤ 39), 25% were prescribed valproate. There was no significant difference in the frequency and daily dose of valproate prescription for young females among all groups. Valproate prescriptions were significantly less frequent among young males and more frequent among middle-aged males. Lithium prescriptions were significantly less frequent among young females and more frequent among older males (age  ≥ 65) and older females. Lamotrigine prescriptions were significantly more frequent among young males and young females and less frequent among older males and older females. Carbamazepine prescriptions were significantly less frequent among young males and more frequent among older males.

CONCLUSIONS

Biased information about the risk and safety of valproate and lithium for young females was suggested, and further study to correct this bias is needed. Older patients were prescribed lithium more commonly than lamotrigine. Further studies are needed to determine the actual pharmacotherapy for elderly individuals.

Determinants of three-year clinical outcomes in real-world outpatients with bipolar disorder: The multicenter treatment survey for bipolar disorder in psychiatric outpatient clinics (MUSUBI)

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence regarding predictors of long-term clinical outcomes in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). The objective of this study was to describe 3-year clinical outcomes and identify their predictors from participants in the multicenter treatment survey for BD in psychiatric outpatient clinics (MUSUBI).

METHODS

The MUSUBI was a naturalistic study investigating patients with BD in real-world clinical practice. Our study extracted data regarding 1647 outpatients with BD from 2016, 2017, and 2019 as baseline, 1-year, and 3-year assessments. As clinical outcomes, we assessed the presence of time ill (depressive and manic) during the 1 year prior to the 3-year assessment and durable remission (53 weeks or more) prior to the 3-year assessment.

RESULTS

Participants with durable remission prior to the 3-year assessment had significant associations with diagnosis of a personality disorder and duration of continuous remission at baseline. Regarding the presence of depressive symptoms during the 1 year prior to the 3-year assessment, work status, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores, suicidal ideation, and duration of continuous remission at baseline had significant associations with this outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

At the 3-year assessment, 19.3% of participants (318/1647) achieved durable remission, while 47.5% of them (782/1647) were not remitted. Our findings can help clinicians predict the illness course of BD by understanding demographic and clinical characteristics.

Real-world clinical predictors of manic/hypomanic episodes among outpatients with bipolar disorder

Background

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness in which manic and depressive states are repeated, causing psychosocial dysfunction. Manic/hypomanic episodes cause problems with interpersonal, social and financial activities, but there is limited evidence regarding the predictors of manic/hypomanic episodes in real-world clinical practice.

Methods

The multicenter treatment survey on bipolar disorder (MUSUBI) in Japanese psychiatric clinics was administered in an observational study that was conducted to accumulate evidence regarding bipolar disorder in real-world clinical practice. Psychiatrists were asked to complete a questionnaire about patients with bipolar disorder who visited 176 member clinics of the Japanese Association of Neuro-Psychiatric Clinics by conducting a retrospective medical record survey. Our study extracted baseline patient characteristics from September to October 2016, including comorbidities, mental status, duration of treatment, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score, and pharmacological treatment details. We investigated the presence or absence of manic/hypomanic episodes over the course of one year from baseline to September-October 2017.

Results

In total, 2231 participants were included in our study, 29.1% of whom had manic/hypomanic episodes over the course of one year from baseline. Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of manic/hypomanic episodes was correlated with lower baseline GAF scores, rapid cycling, personality disorder, bipolar I disorder, and a mood state with manic or mixed features. Substance abuse was also a risk factor for manic episodes. There was no significant association between a baseline antidepressant prescription and manic/hypomanic episodes.

Conclusions

In Japan, 29.1% of outpatients with bipolar disorder had manic/hypomanic episodes over the course of one year. Our study suggested that a low GAF score, rapid cycling, personality disorder, bipolar I disorder, substance abuse, and baseline mood state could be predictors of manic/hypomanic episodes. Based on our findings, an antidepressant prescription is not a predictor of manic/hypomanic episodes.

Differences in prescription patterns between real-world outpatients with bipolar I and II disorders in the MUSUBI survey

OBJECTIVE

There is limited information available on the prescription of psychotropic agents to patients with bipolar I (BD-I) and bipolar II disorder (BD-II). The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of drug therapy in BD-I and BD-II outpatients, particularly with regard to antidepressants.

METHODS

In 2017, the MUlticenter treatment SUrvey for BIpolar disorder in Japanese psychiatric clinics (MUSUBI) study collected data on current mental status, medications, and other factors from 2774 outpatients with BD-I or BD-II.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the rates of prescriptions for mood stabilizers, antipsychotics and antidepressants. Mood stabilizers and antipsychotics were prescribed at higher rates to patients with BD-I (mood stabilizers; BD-I 86.0%, BD-II 80.8%, p < 0.001; antipsychotics; BD-I 61.5%, BD-II 47.8%, p < 0.001), and antidepressants were prescribed at higher rates to patients with BD-II (BD-I 32.1%, BD-II 46.4%, p < 0.001). The most commonly prescribed antidepressants were escitalopram for patients with BD-I and duloxetine for patients with BD-II. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were the most common class of antidepressants prescribed to patients with BD. With regard to combination therapy, combinations containing antidepressants were often prescribed to patients with BD-II.

CONCLUSION

There was a difference in the prescription of psychotropic agents between patients with BD-I and BD-II. The outpatient prescriptions for BD in Japan were mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, which generally followed the guidelines. There is insufficient evidence regarding the effects of the prescribed antidepressants and the risk of manic episodes, and further evidence needs to be collected.

Relationship Between Employment Status and Unstable Periods in Outpatients with Bipolar Disorder: A Multicenter Treatment Survey for Bipolar Disorder in Psychiatric Outpatient Clinics (MUSUBI) Study

PURPOSE

To clarify the relationship between the length of unstable periods and employment status of patients with bipolar disorder.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Medical records of outpatients with bipolar disorder who visited 176 member clinics of the Japanese Association of Neuro-Psychiatric Clinics were investigated during September-October 2016, and details of their medical care and employment were surveyed using a questionnaire. The odds ratios (ORs) of length of unstable period and unemployment were analyzed with a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

The study included 816 patients, of whom 707 were employed full-time (continuous employment) and 70 were unemployed (loss of employment). Univariate analysis showed that ORs were statistically significant for patients who were unstable for "almost all" of the year (OR = 10.4 [4.48-24.28] p < 0.001), but not for "few" unstable periods (OR = 1.06 [0.56-1.98] p = 0.849) and for "significant" unstable periods (OR = 1.65 [0.73-3.74] p = 0.231) were not significantly different. Multivariate analysis showed that ORs were statistically "significant" for patients who were unstable for "almost all" (OR = 12.1 [4.37-33.3] p < 0.001), but not for "few" unstable periods (OR = 1.07 [0.55-2.07] p = 0.846) and for "significant" unstable periods (OR = 1.62 [0.66-3.98] p = 0.290) did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSION

Patients with bipolar disorder with a long unstable period were associated with a higher risk of unemployment.

Relationship Between Mood Episode and Employment Status of Outpatients with Bipolar Disorder: Retrospective Cohort Study from the Multicenter Treatment Survey for Bipolar Disorder in Psychiatric Clinics (MUSUBI) Project

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship between mood episode and employment in patients with bipolar disorder to help improve their employment status.

METHODS

All medical records of patients with bipolar disorder who visited 176 member clinics of the Japanese Association of Neuro-Psychiatric Clinics in September-October 2016 were investigated in September-October 2017. Details of the medical care received were investigated using a survey sheet, which included employment status. Odds ratios of mood episodes for employment status were analyzed using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Among patients aged 60 years or less, 2292 described their occupation. On univariate analysis, odds ratios were statistically significant for depressive episode (OR = 2.68 [1.50-4.78] p = 0.001) and manic episode (OR = 2.64 [1.07-6.47] p = 0.034), whereas no significant difference was noted for mixed episode (OR = 1.72 [0.69-4.33] p = 0.246). On multivariate analysis, odds ratios were statistically significant for depressive episode (OR = 2.16 [1.13-4.13], p = 0.020) and manic episode (OR = 3.55 [1.36-9.25], p = 0.010), whereas no significant difference was noted for mixed episode (OR = 1.83 [0.65-5.14] p = 0.254).

CONCLUSION

Employment status among these patients with bipolar disorder receiving outpatient treatment was 43.5%. Compared to remission episodes, manic and depressive episodes were associated with a higher risk of unemployment.

Factors Associated with Doses of Mood Stabilizers in Real-world Outpatients with Bipolar Disorder

Objective

Several evidence-based practice guidelines have been developed to better treat bipolar disorder. However, the articles cited in these guidelines were based on clinical or basic studies with specific conditional settings and were not sufficiently based on real-world clinical practice. In particular, there was little information on the doses of mood stabilizers.

Methods

The MUlticenter treatment SUrvey on BIpolar disorder in Japanese psychiatric clinics (MUSUBI) is a study conducted to accumulate evidence on the real-world practical treatment of bipolar disorder. The questionnaire included patient characteristics such as comorbidities, mental status, treatment period, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score, and details of pharmacological treatment.

Results

Most patients received mood stabilizers such as lithium (n = 1,317), valproic acid (n = 808), carbamazepine (n = 136), and lamotrigine (n = 665). The dose of lithium was correlated with age, body weight, number of episodes, depression and GAF. The dose of valproic acid was correlated with body weight, number of episodes, presence of a rapid cycle and GAF. The dose of carbamazepine was correlated with age, mania, and the presence of a rapid cycle. The dose of lamotrigine was correlated with the number of episodes, depression, mania, psychotic features, and the presence of a rapid cycle. Doses of coadministered mood stabilizers were significantly correlated, except for the combination of valproic acid and lamotrigine.

Conclusion

The dose of mood stabilizers was selectively administered based on several factors, such as age, body composition, current mood status and functioning. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.

Real-world clinical features of and antidepressant prescribing patterns for outpatients with bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Several evidence-based practice guidelines have been developed to better treat bipolar disorder. However, the articles cited in these guidelines were not sufficiently based on real-world clinical practice.

METHODS

The MUlticenter treatment SUrvey on BIpolar disorder in Japanese psychiatric clinics (MUSUBI) is a study conducted to accumulate evidence on the real-world practical treatment of bipolar disorder. Psychiatrists were asked to complete a questionnaire about patients with bipolar disorder by performing a retrospective medical record survey. The questionnaire included patient characteristics (age, gender, height, weight, academic background, and occupational status), comorbidities, mental status, treatment period, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score, and details of pharmacological treatment.

RESULTS

Data on 2705 patients were included in this study. The proportion of patients receiving antidepressant prescriptions was 40.9%. The most commonly used antidepressant was duloxetine, and the most frequently used antidepressant class was selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Binomial logistic regression analysis and bivariate analysis revealed that the usage of antidepressants was correlated with low prescription rates for mood stabilizers, high prescription rates for anxiolytics and hypnotics, and low GAF scores. In addition, patients in a depressive state had a significantly higher rate of antidepressant prescriptions than patients with other mental states.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 40% of patients in Japan with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder have received antidepressants. Antidepressants were most often prescribed in combination with mood stabilizers, antipsychotics or both. Patients who were prescribed antidepressants received fewer mood stabilizers, more anxiolytics, and more hypnotics than those who did not receive antidepressant prescriptions.

Lasing action due to the two-dimensional quasiperiodicity of photonic quasicrystals with a Penrose lattice

We have fabricated photonic quasicrystal lasers with a Penrose lattice that does not possess translational symmetry but has long-range order, and observed coherent lasing action due to the optical feedback from quasiperiodicity, exhibiting a variety of 10-fold-symmetric lasing spot patterns. The lattice constant dependence of lasing frequencies and spot patterns show complicated features very different from photonic crystal/random lasers, and we have quantitatively explained them by considering their reciprocal lattice. Unique diversity of their reciprocal lattice opens up new possibilities for the form of lasers.

High resolution transmission electron microscopy observation of thermally fluctuating phasons in decagonal Al-Cu-Co

In situ high-temperature, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was performed on an Al-Cu-Co decagonal quasicrystal, to investigate thermal fluctuation of phasons. A tiling pattern constructed from the HRTEM image was analyzed in the framework of the strip-projection method. Transitions between two local tile arrangements were observed at high temperature for the first time, and were shown to correspond to a thermal phason fluctuation.