Lurasidone and risk of metabolic syndrome: results from short and long-term studies in patients with bipolar depression

OBJECTIVE

The elevated prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with depression has been associated with increased mortality. This post hoc analysis assessed the effect of treatment with lurasidone on risk of MetS in patients with bipolar depression.

METHODS

Data used in the current analyses consisted of 3 double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled, 6-week studies in adults with bipolar I depression (N = 1192), consisting of 1 monotherapy, and 2 adjunctive trials (lithium or valproate). Also analyzed was a 6-month open-label (OL) extension study (monotherapy, N = 316; adjunctive therapy, N = 497); and a 5-month, OL, stabilization phase followed by randomization to a 28-week DB, placebo-controlled, adjunctive therapy study with lurasidone (N = 490). MetS was defined based on NCEP ATP III criteria (2005 revision).

RESULTS

The proportion of patients with new-onset MetS was similar for lurasidone vs placebo in the short-term studies (monotherapy, 13.9% vs 15.3%; adjunctive therapy, 13.6% vs 11.0%); and remained stable during both the 6-month extension phase study (monotherapy, 15.2%; adjunctive therapy, 16.9%), and the 5-month stabilization study (adjunctive therapy, 12.2%). After 28 weeks of DB treatment (following 5-month treatment in the stabilization study), new onset MetS was observed at endpoint (OC) in 26.2% of the lurasidone group, and 30.8% of the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

This post hoc analysis found that both short and long-term treatment with lurasidone was associated with a relatively low risk for the development of MetS in patients with bipolar I disorder. These findings are consistent with similar analyses in patients with schizophrenia.

Antipsychotics and the risk of diabetes and death among adults with serious mental illnesses

BACKGROUND

Individuals with schizophrenia exposed to second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) have an increased risk for diabetes, with aripiprazole purportedly a safer drug. Less is known about the drugs' mortality risk or whether serious mental illness (SMI) diagnosis or race/ethnicity modify these effects.

METHODS

Authors created a retrospective cohort of non-elderly adults with SMI initiating monotherapy with an SGA (olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone, aripiprazole) or haloperidol during 2008-2013. Three-year diabetes incidence or all-cause death risk differences were estimated between each drug and aripiprazole, the comparator, as well as effects within SMI diagnosis and race/ethnicity. Sensitivity analyses evaluated potential confounding by indication.

RESULTS

38 762 adults, 65% White and 55% with schizophrenia, initiated monotherapy, with haloperidol least (6%) and quetiapine most (26·5%) frequent. Three-year mortality was 5% and diabetes incidence 9.3%. Compared with aripiprazole, haloperidol and olanzapine reduced diabetes risk by 1.9 (95% CI 1.2-2.6) percentage points, or a 18.6 percentage point reduction relative to aripiprazole users' unadjusted risk (10.2%), with risperidone having a smaller advantage. Relative to aripiprazole users' unadjusted risk (3.4%), all antipsychotics increased mortality risk by 1.1-2.2 percentage points, representing 32.4-64.7 percentage point increases. Findings within diagnosis and race/ethnicity were generally consistent with overall findings. Only quetiapine's higher mortality risk held in sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Haloperidol's, olanzapine's, and risperidone's lower diabetes risks relative to aripiprazole were not robust in sensitivity analyses but quetiapine's higher mortality risk proved robust. Findings expand the evidence on antipsychotics' risks, suggesting a need for caution in the use of quetiapine among individuals with SMI.

Changes in Metabolic Parameters and Body Weight in Patients With Prediabetes Treated With Adjunctive Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder: Pooled Analysis of Short- and Long-Term Clinical Studies

Objective: Certain atypical antipsychotics, while efficacious as adjunctive treatments in major depressive disorder (MDD), are associated with metabolic adverse effects and weight gain. This analysis determined the effect of adjunctive brexpiprazole on metabolic parameters and body weight in adults with MDD and prediabetes (ie, at risk of developing diabetes) based on pooled data from 3 short-term studies and 1 long-term study.

Methods: The short-term studies were 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of adjunctive oral brexpiprazole 1-3 mg/d in outpatients with MDD (DSM-IV-TR criteria) and inadequate response to antidepressant treatment, conducted between June 2011 and May 2016. The long-term study was a 26- to 52-week, open-label extension study conducted between October 2011 and May 2017. Prediabetes was defined based on fasting serum glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Shifts in diabetes status and shifts/changes in fasting metabolic parameters and body weight were determined.

Results: Most patients receiving adjunctive brexpiprazole maintained their baseline diabetes status in the short term (568/751; 75.6%) and long term (1,919/2,746; 69.9%). The incidence of categorical shifts in fasting metabolic parameters generally did not differ between treatment groups or between prediabetes and non-diabetes subgroups. Mean changes from baseline in metabolic parameters were small in the short term (all < 5 mg/dL) and long term (all < 6 mg/dL, except < 20 mg/dL for triglycerides). Moderate weight gain was observed in the short term (1.5 kg) and long term (3.4-4.1 kg).

Conclusions: Adjunctive brexpiprazole had a limited impact on the metabolic profile of patients with MDD, regardless of diabetes status (prediabetes/non-diabetes).

Trial Registration: Data used in this post hoc analysis came from studies with ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers NCT01360645, NCT01360632, NCT02196506, and NCT01360866.

Use of an Interactive Obesity Treatment Approach in Individuals With Severe Mental Illness: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Proposed Engagement Criteria

BACKGROUND

Digital and mobile health interventions are increasingly being used to support healthy lifestyle change, including in certain high-risk populations such as those with severe mental illnesses (SMIs). Life expectancy in this population lags 15 years behind counterparts in the general population, primarily due to obesity-related health conditions.

OBJECTIVE

We tested the feasibility and usability of a 12-week interactive obesity treatment approach (iOTA) to adults with chronic SMIs (depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorder) receiving treatment in community settings. The iOTA incorporates short message service (SMS) text messages to supplement monthly in-person health coaching.

METHODS

Factors hypothesized to be associated with weight change were illness severity and treatment engagement. Severe psychiatric symptoms were defined as baseline Clinical Global Impression severity score of >5. Criterion engagement was defined as a text messaging response rate >80% during the first 4 weeks of treatment. Disordered eating, assessed with the Loss of Control Over Eating Scores, was also evaluated. Participants provided qualitative data, further informing assessment of intervention feasibility, usability, and acceptability.

RESULTS

A total of 26 participants were enrolled. The mean age was 48.5 (SD 15.67) years; 40% (10/26) were Black and 60% (15/26) female. Participants with lower symptom severity and adequate engagement demonstrated significantly decreased weight (F1,16=22.54, P<.001). Conversely, high symptom severity and lower text message response rates were associated with trend-level increases in weight (F1,7=4.33, P=.08). Loss-of-control eating was not observed to impact treatment outcome. Participants voiced preference for combination of live health coaching and text messaging, expressing desire for personalized message content.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate the feasibility of delivering an adapted iOTA to SMI patients receiving care in community settings and suggest testable criteria for defining sufficient treatment engagement and psychiatric symptom severity, two factors known to impact weight loss outcomes. These important findings suggest specific adaptations may be needed for optimal treatment outcomes in individuals with SMI.

CRANIUM: a quasi-experimental study to improve metabolic screening and HIV testing in community mental health clinics compared to usual care

BACKGROUND

Individuals with serious mental illness often do not receive guideline-concordant metabolic screening and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, contributing to increased morbidity and premature mortality. This study evaluates the effectiveness of CRANIUM (Cardiometabolic Risk Assessment and treatment through a Novel Integration model for Underserved populations with Mental illness), an intervention to increase metabolic screening and HIV testing among patients with serious mental illness in a community mental health clinic compared to usual care.

METHODS

The study used a quasi-experimental design, prospectively comparing a preventive care screening intervention at one community mental health clinic (n = 536 patients) to usual care at the remaining clinics within an urban behavioural health system (n = 4,847 patients). Psychiatrists at the intervention site received training in preventive health screening and had access to a primary care consultant, screening and treatment algorithms, patient registries, and a peer support specialist. Outcomes were the change in screening rates of A1c, lipid, and HIV testing post-intervention at the intervention site compared to usual care sites.

RESULTS

Rates of lipid screening and HIV testing increased significantly at the intervention site compared to usual care, with and without multivariable adjustment [Lipid: aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.32-2.75, P = .001; HIV: aOR 23.42, 95% CI 5.94-92.41, P &lt; .001]. While we observed a significant increase in A1c screening rates at the intervention site, this increase did not persist after multivariable adjustment (aOR 1.37, 95% CI .95-1.99, P = .09).

CONCLUSIONS

This low-cost, reverse integrated care model targeting community psychiatrist practices had modest effects on increasing preventive care screenings, with the biggest effect seen for HIV testing rates. Additional incentives and structural supports may be needed to further promote screening practices for individuals with serious mental illness.

Lessons Learned From a New Reverse-Integration Model to Improve Primary Care Screening in Community Mental Health Settings

The authors sought to describe a reverse-integration intervention aimed at improving preventive health screening in a community mental health clinic. The intervention, CRANIUM (cardiometabolic risk assessment and treatment through a novel integration model for underserved populations with mental illness), integrated primary care services into a large urban community mental health setting. It was implemented in 2015 and included a patient-centered team, population-based care, emphasis on screening, and evidence-based treatment. CRANIUM's strengths included provider acceptability, a patient-centered approach, sustained patient engagement, and economic feasibility. Challenges included underutilized staff, registry maintenance, and unanticipated screening barriers. The CRANIUM reverse-integration model can be feasibly implemented and was acceptable to providers.

Payer-Level Care Coordination and Re-admission to Acute Mental Health Care for Uninsured Individuals

This study determined the short- and long-term outcomes associated with payer-level care coordination, compared with care-as-usual in "high-utilizers" of acute care services in a large, publicly funded safety net system. Administrative claims data (2016-2020) were analyzed. All patients were "high-utilizers," defined by the State of Florida as either (a) 3 + more acute care episodes in a 6-month period or (b) 1 + acute care episodes in the past 6 months lasting 16 + days. Patients enrolled in care coordination (n = 178) were compared to usual care (n = 1,127) on rates of re-admission and post-discharge engagement in outpatient/residential services. Care coordination was associated with reduced rates of re-admission, significant cost savings, and enhanced engagement in post-discharge non-crisis services. In light of the observed clinical and economic benefits associated with care coordination, payers, policymakers, and administrators of acute care settings should consider potential return on investment for allocation of resources to support specialty care coordination programs.

Using Innovation-Corps (I-Corps™) Methods to Adapt a Mobile Health (mHealth) Obesity Treatment for Community Mental Health Settings

Background

We employed Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) methods to adaptation of a mobile health (mHealth) short-message-system (SMS) -based interactive obesity treatment approach (iOTA) for adults with severe mentall illness receiving care in community settings.

Methods

We hypothesized "jobs to be done" in three broad stakeholder groups: "decision makers" (DM = state and community clinic administrators), "clinician consumers" (CC = case managers, peer supports, nurses, prescribers) and "service consumers" (SC = patients, peers and family members). Semistructured interviews (N = 29) were recorded and transcribed ver batim and coded based on pragmatic-variant grounded theory methods.

Results

Four themes emerged across groups: education, inertia, resources and ownership. Sub-themes in education and ownership differed between DM and CC groups on implementation ownership, intersecting with professional development, suggesting the importance of training and supervision in scalability. Sub-themes in resources and intertia differed between CC and SC groups, suggesting illness severity and access to healthy food as major barriers to engagement, whereas the SC group identified the need for enhanced emotional support, in addition to pragmatic skills like menu planning and cooking, to promote health behavior change. Although SMS was percieved as a viable education and support tool, CC and DM groups had limited familiarity with use in clinical care delivery.

Conclusions

Based on customer discovery, the characteristics of a minimum viable iOTA for implementation, scalability and sustainability include population- and context-specific adaptations to treatment content, interventionist training and delivery mechanism. Successful implementation of an SMS-based intervention will likely require micro-adaptations to fit specific clinical settings.

Insulin and glucose metabolism with olanzapine and a combination of olanzapine and samidorphan: exploratory phase 1 results in healthy volunteers

A combination of olanzapine and samidorphan (OLZ/SAM) received US Food and Drug Administration approval in May 2021 for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder. OLZ/SAM provides the efficacy of olanzapine, while mitigating olanzapine-associated weight gain. This exploratory study characterized the metabolic profile of OLZ/SAM in healthy volunteers to gain mechanistic insights. Volunteers received once-daily oral 10 mg/10 mg OLZ/SAM, 10 mg olanzapine, or placebo for 21 days. Assessments included insulin sensitivity during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, other measures of glucose/lipid metabolism, and adverse event (AE) monitoring. Treatment effects were estimated with analysis of covariance. In total, 60 subjects were randomized (double-blind; placebo, n = 12; olanzapine, n = 24; OLZ/SAM, n = 24). Olanzapine resulted in hyperinsulinemia and reduced insulin sensitivity during an OGTT at day 19, changes not observed with OLZ/SAM or placebo. Insulin sensitivity, measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, was decreased in all treatment groups relative to baseline, but this effect was greatest with olanzapine and OLZ/SAM. Although postprandial (OGTT) glucose and fasting cholesterol concentrations were similarly increased with olanzapine or OLZ/SAM, other early metabolic effects were distinct, including post-OGTT C-peptide concentrations and aspects of energy metabolism. Forty-nine subjects (81.7%) experienced at least 1 AE, most mild or moderate in severity. OLZ/SAM appeared to mitigate some of olanzapine's unfavorable postprandial metabolic effects (e.g., hyperinsulinemia, elevated C-peptide) in this exploratory study. These findings supplement the body of evidence from completed or ongoing OLZ/SAM clinical trials supporting its role in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.

PANSS Individual Item and Marder Dimension Analyses From a Pivotal Trial of RBP-7000 (Monthly Extended-Release Risperidone) in Schizophrenia Patients

Background: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) data from a pivotal phase 3 study in participants with schizophrenia of RBP-7000, a recently marketed long-acting subcutaneous injectable risperidone formulation, were examined to determine if dose-response relationships existed for different items of the PANSS. Methods: Changes in the 30 PANSS items were analyzed individually and using the 5 factor-analysis-derived dimensions defined by Marder and colleagues. Subgroups of patients who could benefit from the RBP-7000 120 mg dose were investigated. Results: 337 participants were randomized and received study medication (RBP-7000 90 mg n = 111, RBP-7000 120 mg n = 114, placebo n = 112). Dose-dependent responses were observed in items from the study-specified PANSS positive and general psychopathology exploratory subscales. Dose-dependent responses were observed across all 5 Marder dimensions, with the largest effect sizes observed with the 120 mg dose in the uncontrolled hostility/excitement (UHE) and anxiety/depression dimensions. Participants with baseline UHE dimension scores ≥ 9 demonstrated greater improvement in PANSS total score at the 120 mg dose compared to the 90 mg dose. Conclusions: RBP-7000 demonstrated efficacy across both the primary and exploratory PANSS study endpoints and the post hoc Marder dimensions. Schizophrenia patients with higher baseline Marder UHE scores may benefit from initiation of treatment at the 120 mg dose. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02109562.

Smoking cessation treatment for individuals with comorbid diabetes and serious mental illness in an integrated health care delivery system

INTRODUCTION

Smoking is a significant modifiable risk factor for mortality for persons with serious mental illness (SMI), who have a life expectancy 15-20 years shorter than the general population. Individuals with SMI and comorbid diabetes who are smokers face an even higher risk of cardiovascular complications and early death. Yet despite high rates of smoking among people with SMI, tobacco cessation interventions have not been broadly offered to this population.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records from 2014 in a large integrated care delivery system to examine whether use of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy among smokers with type 2 diabetes varies by serious mental illness (SMI) diagnosis. We analyzed smoking cessation medication prescription fills among adult smokers with diabetes, comparing those with SMI (N = 634) and without SMI (N = 18,021). Risk ratios were adjusted for age, gender, race, urban area type, and medical facility.

RESULTS

Of the SMI group, 19.09% filled at least one smoking cessation prescription compared to 9.73% of the non-SMI group (adjusted risk ratio 1.80 [95% CI 1.52-2.13]; p < .001). For the SMI group, primary care providers wrote 80.24% of prescriptions, while psychiatrists wrote 8.81% of prescriptions.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings offer an example of a delivery system with higher uptake of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy among people with SMI than without SMI, and highlight the opportunity to provide more smoking cessation interventions in mental health care settings.

Depression and Nicotine Withdrawal Associations with Combustible and Electronic Cigarette Use

Depression is a risk factor for nicotine use and withdrawal. Population level epidemiologic studies that include users of either combustible or electronic cigarette (NICUSER) could inform interventions to reduce nicotine dependence in vulnerable populations. The current study examined the relationship between depression diagnosis (DEPDX), NICUSER, and lifetime rates of DSM-V nicotine withdrawal (NW) symptoms in a nationally representative sample of US adults (N = 979), who answered related questions in surveys administered through GfK’s KnowledgePanel. Over 42% of the sample reported lifetime ever combustible cigarette use, 15.6% electronic-cigarette use, and 45.9% either (NICUSER). Weighted logistic regression analyses (controlling for age and gender) found that DEPDX was associated with 2.3 times increased odds (ratio (OR); 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.5–3.5) of being a NICUSER. Regarding risks of NW symptoms among NICUSER, models that additionally controlled for frequency of nicotine use found that DEPDX was significantly associated with increased odds of concentration problems (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.3–4.5) and depressed mood (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1–4.1) when quitting or cutting down on nicotine use. Results highlight the consistent comorbidity between depression, nicotine use, and symptomatic nicotine withdrawal in a population-based sample of combustible and electronic cigarette users.

Effects of Olanzapine Combined With Samidorphan on Weight Gain in Schizophrenia: A 24-Week Phase 3 Study

OBJECTIVE

A combination of olanzapine and the opioid receptor antagonist samidorphan is under development for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. The single-tablet combination treatment is intended to provide the efficacy of olanzapine while mitigating olanzapine-associated weight gain. In this phase 3 double-blind trial, the authors evaluated the weight profile of combined olanzapine/samidorphan compared with olanzapine in patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Adults (ages 18‒55 years) with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive either combination treatment with olanzapine and samidorphan or olanzapine treatment for 24 weeks. Primary endpoints were percent change from baseline in body weight and proportion of patients with ≥10% weight gain at week 24. The key secondary endpoint was the proportion of patients with ≥7% weight gain. Waist circumference and fasting metabolic laboratory parameters were also measured.

RESULTS

Of 561 patients who underwent randomization (olanzapine/samidorphan combination, N=280; olanzapine, N=281), 538 had at least one postbaseline weight assessment. At week 24, the least squares mean percent weight change from baseline was 4.21% (SE=0.68) in the olanzapine/samidorphan group and 6.59% (SE=0.67) in the olanzapine group (the difference of -2.38% [SE=0.76] was significant). Significantly fewer patients in the olanzapine/samidorphan combination group compared with the olanzapine group had weight gain ≥10% (17.8% and 29.8%, respectively; number needed to treat [NNT]=7.29; odds ratio=0.50) and weight gain ≥7% (27.5% and 42.7%, respectively; NNT=6.29; odds ratio=0.50). Increases in waist circumference were smaller in the olanzapine/samidorphan combination group compared with the olanzapine group. Schizophrenia symptom improvement was similar between treatment groups. Adverse events (in ≥10% of the groups) in the olanzapine/samidorphan and olanzapine groups included weight gain (24.8% and 36.2%), somnolence (21.2% and 18.1%), dry mouth (12.8% and 8.0%), and increased appetite (10.9% and 12.3%). Metabolic changes were small and similar between treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Olanzapine/samidorphan combination treatment was associated with significantly less weight gain and smaller increases in waist circumference than olanzapine and was well tolerated. The antipsychotic efficacy of the combination treatment was similar to that of olanzapine monotherapy.

The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Criminal Mental Health Project: Improving Access to Mental Health Treatment in Miami-Dade County

The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Criminal Mental Health Project (CMHP), a court-based jail diversion program, was established to divert individuals with serious mental illness from the criminal justice system into treatment and support services. The CMHP's success is built on collaboration among a diverse array of community stakeholders. This column describes the establishment and maintenance of these partnerships. CMHP's success is the result of several factors, including motivated local champions, acquisition of grant funding, formalized communication support, and use of the sequential intercept model. As the CMHP grows, system science methods will be useful for supporting optimization and sustainment.

Lurasidone and risk for metabolic syndrome: results from short- and long-term clinical studies in patients with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of treatment with lurasidone on risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Rates of metabolic syndrome during treatment with lurasidone (40-160 mg/d) were analyzed using pooled, short-term data from three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (vs olanzapine and quetiapine XR); long-term data from two active-comparator-controlled studies (vs risperidone and quetiapine XR); and data from two open-label studies in which patients were switched from olanzapine or risperidone to lurasidone.

RESULTS

MetS was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria. In short-term studies, the odds of meeting criteria for MetS at week 6 LOCF (adjusted for baseline metabolic syndrome status) was similar for the lurasidone and placebo groups (OR = 1.18; [95% CI, 0.81-1.71]; P = .39), but the odds (vs placebo) were significantly greater for olanzapine (OR = 2.81; [95% CI, 1.53-5.15]; P < .001) and quetiapine (OR = 3.49; [95% CI, 1.93-6.29]; P < .0001). No dose effect was observed for lurasidone across the dose range of 40-160 mg/d. In long-term studies, the odds of MetS after 12 months of treatment was significantly higher for risperidone compared with lurasidone (OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.15-3.90; P = .016) and for quetiapine XR compared with lurasidone (OR = 3.92; 95% CI, 1.15-13.40; P = .029). In open-label extension studies, the rate of MetS decreased in patients switched to lurasidone after 6 weeks of treatment with olanzapine or 12 months of treatment with risperidone.

CONCLUSION

In this analysis of lurasidone clinical trials, the odds of developing metabolic syndrome were minimal during short- and long-term treatment with lurasidone (40-160 mg/d).

Blood Levels to Optimize Antipsychotic Treatment in Clinical Practice: A Joint Consensus Statement of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology and the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Task Force of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Neuropsychopharmakologie und Pharmakopsychiatrie

OBJECTIVE

The quantification of antipsychotic levels in blood, also known as therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), is a potentially useful tool of modern personalized therapy that can be applied to augment antipsychotic use and dosing decisions. The application of TDM for antipsychotics can be helpful in numerous challenging clinical scenarios, such as lack of therapeutic response, relapse, or adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to antipsychotic treatment. The benefits of TDM may be particularly evident in the treatment of highly vulnerable patient subgroups, such as children, adolescents, pregnant women, and the elderly. The main aim of this article is to aid clinicians who routinely prescribe antipsychotics to successfully apply TDM in routine clinical practice in order to help optimize the efficacy and safety of those antipsychotics.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were clinicians and researchers, members of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, and the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Task Force of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Neuropsychopharmakologie und Pharmakopsychiatrie (Association of Neuropsychopharmacology and Pharmacopsychiatry).

EVIDENCE

TDM literature on antipsychotics was critically reviewed to provide a condensed clinical decision-making algorithm with therapeutic reference ranges for blood antipsychotic levels, within which patients are most likely to respond and tolerate treatment, although TDM is not equally recommended/supported for all antipsychotics.

CONSENSUS PROCESS

A preliminary draft was prepared and circulated to the writing group members. Consensus was achieved in all cases, and resulting recommendations focused on following areas: steady-state and sampling time, levels of recommendations, indications, therapeutic reference ranges and laboratory alert levels, practical issues, and interpretation, as well as limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

The utilization of TDM as a tool for problem solving in antipsychotic treatment offers a unique method to improve safety and efficacy. This consensus statement summarizes essential information on the routine use of TDM for antipsychotics and encourages clinicians to perform TDM with the appropriate indications as part of the clinical decision-making process.

Changes in Metabolic Parameters and Body Weight in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder Treated With Adjunctive Brexpiprazole: Pooled Analysis of Phase 3 Clinical Studies

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect of adjunctive brexpiprazole on metabolic parameters and body weight in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) based on pooled data from 4 short-term studies and 1 long-term extension study.

METHODS

The short-term studies (June 2011 to November 2016) were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in outpatients with MDD (DSM-IV-TR criteria) and inadequate response to 1-3 prior antidepressant treatments (ADTs) plus 1 prospective ADT. Patients were randomized to adjunctive brexpiprazole (fixed or flexible doses in the range of 1-3 mg/d; n = 1,032) or placebo (n = 819) for 6 weeks. The long-term study (October 2011 to May 2017) was a 52-week (amended to 26 weeks), open-label, uncontrolled study of adjunctive brexpiprazole 0.5-3 mg/d (flexible dose; n = 2,938). Mean changes from baseline and categorical shifts in fasting metabolic parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose) and body weight were analyzed.

RESULTS

Mean changes from baseline in metabolic parameters were small after 6 weeks (all < 2 mg/dL) and 52 weeks (all < 4 mg/dL, except triglycerides, 15.83 mg/dL) of treatment. In most cases, the incidence of unfavorable shifts in metabolic parameters was lower than the incidence of favorable shifts. Mean body weight increase at last visit in the short-term studies was 1.5 kg with ADT + brexpiprazole and 0.3 kg with ADT + placebo. During long-term treatment, mean body weight increased by 3.8 kg over 58 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjunctive brexpiprazole was associated with small changes in metabolic parameters and moderate weight gain during short- and long-term treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT01360645, NCT01360632, NCT02196506, NCT01727726, NCT01360866.

Adiposity, Hepatic Triglyceride, and Carotid Intima Media Thickness During Behavioral Weight Loss Treatment in Antipsychotic-Treated Youth: A Randomized Pilot Study

Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate changes in adiposity, carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), and hepatic fat content measured via magnetic resonance imaging-estimated hepatic proton density fat fraction (PDFF) in antipsychotic (AP)-treated youth versus nonpsychiatric (NP) participants during participation in a 16-week behavioral weight loss (BWL) intervention. Subjects/Methods: Overweight/obese AP-treated youth (n = 26) were randomized 2:1 to weekly treatment versus recommended care (RC) over 16 weeks. NP controls (n = 21) were assigned to weekly treatment. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)-measured adiposity, CIMT, and PDFF were measured at baseline and 16 weeks. Analyses assessed group differences in the effect of BWL on adiposity, CIMT, and PDFF. Results: BWL was well tolerated in both AP-treated and NP groups. DEXA-measured fat decreased significantly in the NP group (F[1,16] = 11.81, p = 0.003), with modest improvements in adiposity and hepatic fat in the AP-treated group, while an increase in adiposity was observed in the RC group. Significant differences in endpoint DEXA total fat (F[2,34] = 4.81, p = 0.01) and PDFF (F[2,30] = 3.60, p = 0.04) occurred across treatment groups, explained by larger improvements in NP versus RC youth in DEXA total fat (p = 0.03) and PDFF (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Intensive, family-based BWL treatment can improve whole-body adiposity and liver fat in obese youth, with decreases or attenuation of additional fat gain observed in AP-treated youth.

Changes in metabolic parameters and body weight in brexpiprazole-treated patients with acute schizophrenia: pooled analyses of phase 3 clinical studies

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect of brexpiprazole on metabolic parameters and body weight in adults with schizophrenia, including clinically relevant sub-groups of patients, based on data from two pivotal phase 3 studies (NCT01393613; NCT01396421) and a long-term extension study (NCT01397786).

METHODS

The short-term studies were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose (2 and 4 mg/day), 6-week phase 3 studies. The long-term study was an open-label 52-week study, recruiting de novo patients and those completing either short-term study. Maximum exposure to brexpiprazole was 58 weeks. Fasting metabolic parameters and weight were measured throughout the studies. Metabolic values were characterized as normal, borderline, or high (cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose) and low or normal (HDL), using commonly reported thresholds. The incidences of all possible shifts in metabolic parameters were measured from baseline to any time post-baseline during the first 6 weeks, first 6 months, and last 6 months of treatment.

RESULTS

In short-term studies, the proportion of brexpiprazole-treated patients with unfavorable shifts in metabolic parameters was low and like that of placebo-treated patients; the incidence of these shifts was not dose-dependent. During both short- and long-term treatment, the incidence of unfavorable shifts with brexpiprazole was lower than that of favorable shifts. During short-term studies, the mean increase in body weight was 1.2 kg with brexpiprazole treatment and 0.2 kg with placebo. The mean increase in body weight during long-term treatment was 3.2 kg at week 58.

CONCLUSIONS

Brexpiprazole treatment was associated with moderate weight gain and small changes in metabolic parameters during both short- and long-term treatment.

Metabolic Effects of Antipsychotics on Adiposity and Insulin Sensitivity in Youths: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Antipsychotic medications are commonly used to treat nonpsychotic disruptive behavioral disorders in youths.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the metabolic effects of first exposure to antipsychotics in youths using criterion standard assessments of body composition and insulin sensitivity.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This randomized clinical trial recruited antipsychotic-naive youths aged 6 to 18 years in the St Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area who were diagnosed with 1 or more psychiatric disorders and clinically significant aggression and in whom antipsychotic treatment was considered. Participants were enrolled from June 12, 2006, through November 10, 2010. Enrolled participants were randomized (1:1:1) to 1 of 3 antipsychotics commonly used in children with disruptive behavioral disorders and evaluated for 12 weeks. Data were analyzed from January 17, 2011, through August 9, 2017.

INTERVENTIONS

Twelve weeks of treatment with oral aripiprazole (n = 49), olanzapine (n = 46), or risperidone (n = 49).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Primary outcomes included percentage total body fat measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and insulin sensitivity in muscle measured via hyperinsulinemic clamps with stable isotopically labeled tracers. Secondary outcomes included abdominal adiposity measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and adipose and hepatic tissue insulin sensitivity measured via clamps with tracers.

RESULTS

The intention-to-treat sample included 144 participants (98 males [68.1%]; mean [SD] age, 11.3 [2.8] years); 74 (51.4%) were African American, and 43 (29.9%) were overweight or obese at baseline. For the primary outcomes, from baseline to week 12, DXA percentage total body fat increased by 1.18% for risperidone, 4.12% for olanzapine, and 1.66% for aripiprazole and was significantly greater for olanzapine than risperidone or aripiprazole (time by treatment interaction P < .001). From baseline to week 12, insulin-stimulated change in glucose rate of disappearance increased by 2.30% for risperidone and decreased by 29.34% for olanzapine and 30.26% for aripiprazole, with no significant difference across medications (time by treatment interaction, P < .07). This primary measure of insulin sensitivity decreased significantly during 12 weeks in the pooled study sample (effect of time, F = 17.38; P < .001). For the secondary outcomes from baseline to week 12, MRI measured abdominal fat increased, with subcutaneous fat increase significantly greater for olanzapine than risperdone or aripiprazole (time by treatment, P = .003). Behavioral improvements occurred with all treatments.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Adverse changes in adiposity and insulin sensitivity were observed during 12 weeks of antipsychotic treatment in youths, with the greatest fat increases on olanzapine. Such changes, likely attributable to treatment, may be associated with risk for premature cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality. The results inform risk-benefit considerations for antipsychotic use in youths.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00205699.

A Doctor is in the House: Stakeholder Focus Groups About Expanded Scope of Practice of Community Psychiatrists

We sought to understand stakeholder perspectives on barriers to metabolic screening for people with severe mental illness. We additionally assessed the feasibility of expanding psychiatrists' scope of practice to include treatment of cardiometabolic abnormalities. We conducted four focus groups among patients with severe mental illness, community psychiatrists, primary care providers, and public health administrators. Focus group transcripts were thematically analyzed. Three domains emerged: challenges with patient navigation of the complex health care system, problem list prioritization difficulties, and concern that treatment of cardiometabolic abnormalities were beyond the scope of practice of psychiatrists. Stakeholders agreed that navigating the health care system was challenging for this population and led to undertreatment of cardiometabolic risk factors. Expansion of psychiatrists' scope of practice within community mental health appears acceptable to patients and may be a mechanism to improve cardiometabolic care among people with severe mental illness.

Hospitalization outcomes in patients with schizophrenia after switching to lurasidone or quetiapine: a US claims database analysis

Background

This study compared hospital admission rates among adult patients with schizophrenia who switched to antipsychotic monotherapy with lurasidone or quetiapine.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used U.S.-based Truven Health MarketScan® Medicaid Multi-State Database (April 2010 through December 2012) and MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters Database (April 2010 through October 2013). Continuous enrollment for 6-months before and after medication initiation was required. Treatment episodes ended after 6-months post lurasidone or quetiapine initiation, a 60-day treatment gap, or initiation of another antipsychotic. Length of treatment episodes (i.e., treatment duration) was compared using a t-test. All-cause, mental-health, and schizophrenia-related hospitalization rates, as well as costs, were compared between lurasidone- and quetiapine-treated patients using multivariable generalized linear models that adjusted for background characteristics.

Results

Quetiapine (n = 435) compared to lurasidone (n = 238) treatment was associated with increased all-cause (21% vs 13%, p < 0.05) and mental health-related hospitalizations (20% vs 12%, p < 0.05), but similar rates of schizophrenia-related hospitalizations (14% vs. 10%, p = 0.14). After adjusting for baseline covariates, quetiapine had 64% higher likelihood of all-cause hospitalizations (OR [odds ratio] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–2.57, p = 0.03), 74% higher likelihood of mental health-related hospitalizations (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.11–2.75, p = 0.02), and a similar likelihood of schizophrenia-related hospitalization (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 0.82–2.22, p = 0.24). For those with hospital admissions, adjusted all-cause admission costs were higher for quetiapine when compared with lurasidone in both the Medicaid ($22,036 vs. $15,424, p = 0.17) and commercial populations ($23,490 vs. $20,049, p = 0.61). These differences were not significant. The length of treatment episodes was significantly shorter for quetiapine than lurasidone (115.4 vs 123.1 days, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In this retrospective claims database study, patients with schizophrenia who were switched to lurasidone had significantly fewer all-cause and mental health-related hospitalizations and similar rates of schizophrenia-related hospitalization compared with those switched to quetiapine. Patients switching to lurasidone had a significantly longer treatment duration rate than those switching to quetiapine. These results may reflect differences in efficacy or tolerability between lurasidone and quetiapine.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3020-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Diabetes Screening among Antipsychotic-Treated Adults with Severe Mental Illness in an Integrated Delivery System: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Severe mental illness (SMI) is associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes, partly due to adverse metabolic effects of antipsychotic medications. In public health care settings, annual screening rates are 30%. We measured adherence to national diabetes screening guidelines for patients taking antipsychotic medications.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate diabetes screening prevalence among patients with SMI within an integrated health care system, and to assess characteristics associated with lack of screening.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Antipsychotic-treated adults with SMI. We excluded participants with known diabetes.

MAIN MEASURES

Primary outcome was screening via fasting glucose test or hemoglobin A1c during a 1-year period.

KEY RESULTS

In 2014, 16,754 patients with SMI diagnoses were receiving antipsychotics. Seventy-four percent of these patients' providers ordered diabetes screening tests that year, but only 55% (9247/16,754) received screening. When the observation time frame was extended to 2 years, 73% (12,250/16,754) were screened. Adjusting for sex and race/ethnicity, young adults (aged 18-29 years) were less likely to receive screening than older age groups [adjusted RR (aRR) 1.23-1.57, p < 0.0001]. Compared to whites, screening was more common for Asians (aRR 1.141, 95% CI 1.089-1.195, p < 0.0001), less common for blacks (aRR 0.946, 95% CI 0.898-0.997, p < 0.0375), and no different for Hispanics (aRR 1.030, 95% CI 0.988-1.074, p = 0.165). Smokers were less likely to be screened than non-smokers (aRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.97, p < 0.0008). Utilization of either mental health or primary care services increased the likelihood of screening.

CONCLUSIONS

While almost three-fourths of adults with SMI taking antipsychotic medications received a lab order for diabetes screening, only 55% received screening within a 12-month period. Young adults and smokers were less likely to be screened, despite their disproportionate metabolic risk. Future studies should assess the barriers and facilitators with regard to diabetes screening in this vulnerable population at the patient, provider, and system levels.

Simulated Effects of Policies to Reduce Diabetes Risk Among Adults With Schizophrenia Receiving Antipsychotics

OBJECTIVE

Second-generation antipsychotics increase the risk of diabetes and other metabolic conditions among individuals with schizophrenia. Although metabolic testing is recommended to reduce this risk, low testing rates have prompted concerns about negative health consequences and downstream medical costs. This study simulated the effect of increasing metabolic testing rates on ten-year prevalence rates of prediabetes and diabetes (diabetes conditions) and their associated health care costs.

METHODS

A microsimulation model (N=21,491 beneficiaries) with a ten-year time horizon was used to quantify the impacts of policies that increased annual testing rates in a Medicaid population with schizophrenia. Data sources included California Medicaid data, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, and the literature. In the model, metabolic testing increased diagnosis of diabetes conditions and diagnosis prompted prescribers to switch patients to lower-risk antipsychotics. Key inputs included observed diagnoses, prescribing rates, annual testing rates, imputed rates of undiagnosed diabetes conditions, and literature-based estimates of policy effectiveness.

RESULTS

Compared with 2009 annual testing rates, ten-year outcomes for policies that achieved universal testing reduced exposure to higher-risk antipsychotics by 14%, time to diabetes diagnosis by 57%, and diabetes prevalence by .6%. These policies were associated with higher spending because of testing and earlier treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The model showed that policies promoting metabolic testing provided an effective approach to improve the safety of second-generation antipsychotic prescribing in a Medicaid population with schizophrenia; however, the policies led to additional costs at ten years. Simulation studies are a useful source of information on the potential impacts of these policies.

Utilization of the Behavior Change Wheel framework to develop a model to improve cardiometabolic screening for people with severe mental illness

Background

Individuals with severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) die 10–25 years earlier than the general population, primarily from premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Contributing factors are complex, but include systemic-related factors of poorly integrated primary care and mental health services. Although evidence-based models exist for integrating mental health care into primary care settings, the evidence base for integrating medical care into specialty mental health settings is limited. Such models are referred to as “reverse” integration. In this paper, we describe the application of an implementation science framework in designing a model to improve CVD outcomes for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) who receive services in a community mental health setting.

Methods

Using principles from the theory of planned behavior, focus groups were conducted to understand stakeholder perspectives of barriers to CVD risk factor screening and treatment identify potential target behaviors. We then applied results to the overarching Behavior Change Wheel framework, a systematic and theory-driven approach that incorporates the COM-B model (capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior), to build an intervention to improve CVD risk factor screening and treatment for people with SMI.

Results

Following a stepped approach from the Behavior Change Wheel framework, a model to deliver primary preventive care for people that use community mental health settings as their de facto health home was developed. The CRANIUM (cardiometabolic risk assessment and treatment through a novel integration model for underserved populations with mental illness) model focuses on engaging community psychiatrists to expand their scope of practice to become responsible for CVD risk, with significant clinical decision support.

Conclusion

The CRANIUM model was designed by integrating behavioral change theory and implementation theory. CRANIUM is feasible to implement, is highly acceptable to, and targets provider behavior change, and is replicable and efficient for helping to integrate primary preventive care services in community mental health settings. CRANIUM can be scaled up to increase CVD preventive care delivery and ultimately improve health outcomes among people with SMI served within a public mental health care system.

Understanding the Cost of a New Integrated Care Model to Serve CMHC Patients Who Have Serious Mental Illness

People with serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, experience premature mortality, often from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Unfortunately, people with serious mental illness typically are not screened or treated for CVD risk factors despite national guideline recommendations. Access to primary preventive care in community mental health settings has the potential to reduce early mortality rates in this population. The authors review best practices for developing an integrated care model for people with serious mental illness by considering economic feasibility and sustainability from the perspective of a community mental health clinic (CMHC). A process-mapping approach was used to gather information on clinic costs (staff roles, responsibilities, time, and salary) of serving 544 patients at one CMHC. The estimated annual cost of the model was measurable and modest, at $74 per person, suggesting that this model may be financially feasible.

Rates of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women With Severe Mental Illness in the Public Health System

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine cervical cancer screening rates among women with severe mental illness.

METHODS

California Medicaid administrative records (2010-2011) for 31,308 women with severe mental illness were examined. Participants received specialty mental health services and were not dually eligible for Medicare. Poisson models assessed association between selected predictors and cervical cancer screening.

RESULTS

Overall, 20.2% of women with severe mental illness received cervical cancer screening during the one-year period. Compared with white women, Asian women (adjusted risk ratio [ARR]=1.23), black women (ARR=1.10), and Hispanic women (ARR=1.11) (p<.001) were more likely to have been screened. Women ages 28-37 were more likely than those ages 18-27 to have been screened (ARR=1.31, p<.001). Evidence of other health care use was the strongest predictor of screening (ARR=3.07, p<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Most women in the sample were not regularly screened for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening for this high-risk population should be prioritized.

Diabetes Prevalence Among Racial-Ethnic Minority Group Members With Severe Mental Illness Taking Antipsychotics: Double Jeopardy?

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed differences in diabetes prevalence based on race-ethnicity among people with severe mental illnesses.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study examined diabetes prevalence in 2009 among California Medicaid enrollees with severe mental illness who were screened for diabetes (N=19,364). Poisson regression assessed differences in diabetes prevalence by race-ethnicity. The sample was standardized to the U.S.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of diabetes was 32.0%. The adjusted prevalence for all minority groups with severe mental illness, except for Asians, was significantly higher than for whites (1.21-1.28 adjusted prevalence ratios). With inverse probability weighting to reduce selection bias captured by measured factors, estimated prevalence of diabetes among screened participants was 27.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of diabetes in minority groups with severe mental illness was significantly higher than among whites with severe mental illness. Mental health administrators should implement universal diabetes screening with specific outreach efforts targeting minority populations with severe mental illness.

Nonpsychiatric Outpatient Care for Adults With Serious Mental Illness in California: Who Is Being Left Behind?

OBJECTIVE

Although primary care is associated with better outcomes, many individuals with serious mental illness do not receive general medical services. This study examined patient-level factors associated with not having outpatient general medical visits among individuals with serious mental illness in California.

METHODS

The study analyzed administrative, pharmacy, and billing data for 56,895 Medicaid-enrolled adults with serious mental illness treated in community mental health clinics between October 1, 2010, and September 20, 2011. Poisson regression estimated independent associations between predictor variables and outpatient general medical visits.

RESULTS

One-third of participants (34%) had no outpatient general medical visits during the study. In multivariate analyses, younger adults (ages 18-27) were less likely than older groups to have such a visit (adjusted relative risk [ARR]=1.07 and 1.19, respectively, for ages 28-47 and 48-67). Women were more likely than men to have such a visit (ARR=1.29). Compared with whites, blacks were less likely to have an outpatient general medical visit (ARR=.93). Rural dwellers were less likely than urban dwellers to have such a visit (ARR=.64). Persons with drug or alcohol use disorders were less likely than those without such disorders to have an outpatient general medical visit (ARR=.95), and those with schizophrenia were less likely than those with any other psychiatric disorder examined to have such a visit.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with serious mental illness had low use of outpatient general medical services. Integrated care models are needed to engage these individuals and eliminate disparities in morbidity and mortality.

Effect of Aripiprazole Lauroxil on Metabolic and Endocrine Profiles and Related Safety Considerations Among Patients With Acute Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

Aripiprazole lauroxil, a long-acting injectable antipsychotic, demonstrated safety and efficacy in treating symptoms of schizophrenia in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Because the metabolic profile of antipsychotics is an important safety feature, the effects of aripiprazole lauroxil on body weight, endocrine and metabolic profiles, and safety were examined in a secondary analysis.

METHODS

Patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV-TR criteria) were randomly assigned to aripiprazole lauroxil 441 mg, aripiprazole lauroxil 882 mg, or placebo intramuscularly once monthly between December 2011 and March 2014. Changes in body weight, body mass index, fasting blood glucose and serum lipids, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and prolactin over 12 weeks were assessed. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) was evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 622 randomized patients, no clinically relevant changes from baseline to week 12 were observed for any serum lipid, lipoprotein, plasma glucose, or HbA1c value with placebo or either dose of aripiprazole lauroxil. Both doses of aripiprazole lauroxil were associated with reductions in mean prolactin levels, whereas placebo treatment was not. The mean (standard deviation) change from baseline for body weight was 0.74 (3.9) kg, 0.86 (3.7) kg, and 0.01 (3.6) kg for aripiprazole lauroxil 441 mg, aripiprazole lauroxil 882 mg, and placebo groups, respectively. AEs related to metabolic parameters were reported in 2.4%, 1.4%, and 2.4% of patients in the aripiprazole lauroxil 441 mg, aripiprazole lauroxil 882 mg, and placebo groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Aripiprazole lauroxil was well tolerated, with a low-risk metabolic profile relative to published data for other antipsychotics. Changes similar to those observed with placebo were observed in the aripiprazole lauroxil groups for metabolic parameters, with modest weight gain in the active treatment groups over the 12-week course.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01469039.

Glucose Testing for Adults Receiving Medicaid and Antipsychotics: A Population-Based Prescriber Survey on Behaviors, Attitudes, and Barriers

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess provider attitudes about glucose testing for adults prescribed second-generation antipsychotic medication.

METHODS

Missouri Medicaid prescribers of antipsychotics in 2011 were surveyed (N=924, 25% response rate). Pearson's chi square test was used to compare responses between prescriber specialty setting. Multivariable log-binomial regression evaluated the association of factors hypothesized as barriers to screening.

RESULTS

Prescribers in community mental health centers were more likely than primary care providers to report that they would definitely order baseline testing (57% versus 39%, p<.001) and were greater promoters of screening to colleagues (76% versus 49%, p<.001). The strongest predictor of screening intent was disagreeing strongly that "metabolic screening is not a priority for me or my organization" (94% more likely to screen at drug initiation and 74% more likely at annual evaluation, both p<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Establishing organizational priority across all treatment settings is important for achieving population-based diabetes screening goals for all Medicaid patients receiving antipsychotics.

Behavioral Weight Loss Treatment in Antipsychotic Treated Youth

BACKGROUND

Antipsychotic-treated youth have increased risk for the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Behavioral weight loss treatments show promise in reducing obesity and diabetes risk in antipsychotic treated adults, but have received no study in antipsychotic treated youth.

OBJECTIVE

We describe a rationale for behavioral weight loss interventions in high-weight antipsychotic treated youth, and report behavioral, anthropomorphic, and metabolic findings from a case series of obese antipsychotic-treated adolescents participating in a short-term, family-based behavioral weight loss intervention.

METHODS

We adapted the Traffic Light Plan, a 16-week family-based weight loss intervention that promotes healthy energy balance using the colors of the traffic light to categorize the nutritional value of foods and intensity of physical activity, adapting a social ecological framework to address health behavior change in multiple social contexts. The intervention was administered to three obese adolescents with long-term antipsychotic medication exposure. Efficacy of the intervention was evaluated with a battery of anthropomorphic and metabolic assessments including weight, body mass index percentile, whole body adiposity, liver fat content, and fasting plasma glucose and lipids. Participants and their parents also filled out a treatment satisfaction questionnaire upon study completion.

RESULTS

Two males and 1 female (all aged 14 years) participated. All 3 participants attended all 16 sessions, and experienced beneficial changes in adiposity, fasting lipids and liver fat content associated with weight stabilization or weight loss. Adolescents and their parents all reported a high level of satisfaction with the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Family-based behavioral weight loss treatment can be feasibly delivered and is acceptable to antipsychotic-treated youth and their families. Randomized controlled trials are needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of behavioral weight loss interventions in antipsychotic treated youth and their families.

Ninety-six hour ketamine infusion with co-administered clonidine for treatment-resistant depression: A pilot randomised controlled trial

Objectives We examined the feasibility of a high-dose, 96-h infusion of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression. Methods Ten participants were randomised to receive a 96-h ketamine infusion, titrated as tolerated to a target rate of 0.6 mg/kg/h, while 10 received a 40-min ketamine infusion (0.5 mg/kg). Both groups received clonidine, titrated to a maximum of 0.6 mg orally daily, during the infusion to mitigate side effects of ketamine. Participants were followed for 8 weeks to examine potential antidepressant effects. Results All 20 participants completed the infusion. Most participants tolerated the infusion well, with minimal psychotomimetic symptoms or blood pressure elevation despite achieving high ketamine concentrations (mean 424 ng/ml for 96-h arm, 156 ng/ml for 40-min arm). There was no rebound hypertension upon discontinuing clonidine. Rapid and sustained improvement in depressive symptoms was observed in both study groups. Higher ketamine concentration was associated with sustained antidepressant response, and was not with greater psychotomimetic side effects, in the 96-h arm. Conclusions This study provides evidence for the feasibility of prolonged ketamine infusions in treatment-resistant depression. Co-administration of clonidine appeared to mitigate ketamine's psychotomimetic effects. Further study is required to investigate the extent to which prolonged ketamine infusions could provide both rapid and sustained improvements in treatment-resistant depression. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01179009.

The Role of Clinical Setting and Management Approach in Metabolic Testing Among Youths and Adults Treated With Antipsychotics

OBJECTIVE

This study compared metabolic screening among patients who received antipsychotic treatment at community mental health centers (CMHCs), with or without case management, and patients treated elsewhere.

METHODS

Rates of glucose and lipid testing among youths and adults in Missouri Medicaid (N=9,473) who received antipsychotic treatment at CMHCs, with and without case management, were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regressions determined which characteristics were independently associated with metabolic testing.

RESULTS

A total of 37.0% and 17.3% of youths and 68.7% and 34.9% of adults had glucose and lipid testing, respectively. Compared with treatment elsewhere, treatment at CMHCs, with or without case management, respectively, was associated with higher odds of glucose testing (youths, adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.68 and 1.89; adults, AOR=1.43 and 1.44) and lipid testing (youths, AOR=2.40 and 2.35; adults, AOR=1.97 and 1.48).

CONCLUSIONS

CMHCs had higher rates of metabolic testing, possibly reflecting Missouri's efforts to promote testing in these settings.

Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of augmentation pharmacotherapy with aripiprazole for treatment-resistant depression in late life: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Treatment-resistant major depression is common and potentially life-threatening in elderly people, in whom little is known about the benefits and risks of augmentation pharmacotherapy. We aimed to assess whether aripiprazole is associated with a higher probability of remission than is placebo.

METHODS

We did a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at three centres in the USA and Canada to test the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole augmentation for adults aged older than 60 years with treatment-resistant depression (Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] score of ≥15). Patients who did not achieve remission during a pre-trial with venlafaxine extended-release (150-300 mg/day) were randomly assigned (1:1) to the addition of aripiprazole (target dose 10 mg [maximum 15 mg] daily) daily or placebo for 12 weeks. The computer-generated randomisation was done in blocks and stratified by site. Only the database administrator and research pharmacists had knowledge of treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was remission, defined as an MADRS score of 10 or less (and at least 2 points below the score at the start of the randomised phase) at both of the final two consecutive visits, analysed by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00892047.

FINDINGS

From July 20, 2009, to Dec 30, 2013, we recruited 468 eligible participants, 181 (39%) of whom did not remit and were randomly assigned to aripiprazole (n=91) or placebo (n=90). A greater proportion of participants in the aripiprazole group achieved remission than did those in the placebo group (40 [44%] vs 26 [29%] participants; odds ratio [OR] 2·0 [95% CI 1·1-3·7], p=0·03; number needed to treat [NNT] 6·6 [95% CI 3·5-81·8]). Akathisia was the most common adverse effect of aripiprazole (reported in 24 [26%] of 91 participants on aripiprazole vs 11 [12%] of 90 on placebo). Compared with placebo, aripiprazole was also associated with more Parkinsonism (15 [17%] of 86 vs two [2%] of 81 participants), but not with treatment-emergent suicidal ideation (13 [21%] of 61 vs 19 [29%] of 65 participants) or other measured safety variables.

INTERPRETATION

In adults aged 60 years or older who do not achieve remission from depression with a first-line antidepressant, the addition of aripiprazole is effective in achieving and sustaining remission. Tolerability concerns include the potential for akathisia and Parkinsonism.

FUNDING

National Institute of Mental Health, UPMC Endowment in Geriatric Psychiatry, Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, and the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute.

Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Risk in Children With and Without Antipsychotic Drug Treatment

CONTEXT

Pediatric obesity is common, particularly in children treated with antipsychotic medications. Antipsychotic exposure can increase cardiometabolic risk by increasing adiposity, and possibly via other adiposity-independent pathways.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives were to characterize relationships of adiposity with intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in children with and without antipsychotic drug treatment, and to explore whether vitamin D alters any effects in these relationships.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional case-control study.

SETTING

The setting was an academic medical center.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 44 children (ages, 6-19 y): 25 cases treated with antipsychotic and other psychotropic drug therapies and 19 untreated controls, frequency-matched on age, gender, and body mass index.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Main outcome measures were dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry percentage body fat (DEXA %fat), IHTG measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and CIMT measured by ultrasonography. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipids, C-reactive protein, and liver enzymes were also evaluated.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between cases and controls on measures of IHTG, CIMT, or DEXA %fat. In combined crude and adjusted analyses, DEXA %fat predicted IHTG (R(2) = 0.30) but not CIMT. Low levels of vitamin D were associated with larger effects of DEXA %fat on IHTG.

CONCLUSION

In treated and untreated children alike, adiposity is a significant predictor of liver fat content. This relationship was altered by low vitamin D level. These results suggest a modifiable pathway to hepatic steatosis. Further research is needed to test the hypothesis that children with high adiposity and low vitamin D have particularly increased risks for the development of fatty liver.

Antiglucocorticoid therapy for older adults with anxiety and co-occurring cognitive dysfunction: results from a pilot study with mifepristone

OBJECTIVES

In older adults with anxiety disorders, chronically elevated cortisol may contribute to cognitive impairment and elevated anxiety. We conducted a pilot study with mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, as a potential treatment for late-life anxiety disorders and co-occurring cognitive dysfunction.

METHODS

Fifteen individuals 60 years and older with an anxiety disorder plus cognitive dysfunction participated in the 12-week study. In the first week, participants were randomly assigned to mifepristone 300 mg daily or placebo. In the subsequent 3 weeks, all participants received mifepristone 300 mg. Mifepristone was then discontinued, and the participants were reassessed 8 weeks later. We examined the following: (1) cognitive changes; (2) worry symptom severity; (3) safety and tolerability; and (4) salivary cortisol before, during, and after mifepristone exposure.

RESULTS

Overall safety, tolerability, and high retention supported the feasibility of this research. Participants with higher baseline cortisol levels (peak cortisol >6.0 ng/ml, n = 5) showed improvements in memory, executive function, and worry severity after 3-4 weeks of mifepristone with persistent memory and worry improvements 8 weeks after mifepristone discontinuation. Individuals with low-to-normal baseline cortisol (n = 8) showed little to no improvement. As expected, cortisol levels rose during mifepristone exposure and returned to pretreatment levels 8 weeks after mifepristone discontinuation. In the first week of treatment, there were no differences between placebo-treated and mifepristone-treated participants.

CONCLUSION

The results of this pilot study warrant further testing of antiglucocorticoid agents in late-life anxiety disorders with co-occurring cognitive dysfunction. Mifepristone is hypothesized to have benefits in patients with evidence of glucocorticoid excess. Directions for further study are discussed.

Switching antipsychotic medications to reduce adverse event burden in schizophrenia: establishing evidence-based practice

The purpose of this project was to provide evidence-based guidance concerning when and how it is appropriate to undertake elective changes in antipsychotic medications in order to reduce adverse effects, with a focus on those adverse effects associated with increased long-term health risks. This project extends the results of the National Institute of Mental Health-funded 2009 Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) psychopharmacologic treatment recommendations. The authors reviewed the literature on switching antipsychotics, focusing on randomized controlled trials published since the 2009 Schizophrenia PORT. The studies reviewed support a recommendation that an elective switch from higher to lower metabolic risk antipsychotics can produce weight and lipid benefits without significant risk of clinical deterioration. Evidence also suggests that certain antipsychotic switches may improve other adverse effects, including extrapyramidal symptoms and prolactin elevation. In deciding to make an elective change of antipsychotic medication, it is important to conduct a careful risk/benefit assessment with the patient. Before initiating a switch, patients should be educated about what to expect during the process. Studies also support gradual discontinuation of the current medication in order to minimize problems early in the switching process.

Implementation of a weight loss program for Latino outpatients with severe mental illness

To determine feasibility of implementation of a weight loss program for overweight Latinos with severe mental illness. In this quasi-experimental study, a 14-week behavioral weight loss course (extended) was implemented at one clinic. A one-time nutrition class (brief) was given at a sister clinic. Implementation feasibility was assessed by consent and participation rates. Weight was followed for 6 months. Consent rates were high [77 % (49/64) extended; 68 % (39/57) brief], and 88 % (43/49) of extended subjects participated and 88 % (38/43) completed follow-up. Weight loss did not differ between groups. A behavioral weight loss course is feasible to implement for this population.

NMDA receptor function, memory, and brain aging

An increasing level of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hypofunction within the brain is associated with memory and learning impairments, with psychosis, and ultimately with excitotoxic brain injury. As the brain ages, the NMDA receptor system becomes progressively hypofunctional, contributing to decreases in memory and learning performance. In those individuals destined to develop Alzheimer's disease, other abnormalities (eg, amyloidopathy and oxidative stress) interact to increase the NMDA receptor hypofunction (NRHypo) burden. In these vulnerable individuals, the brain then enters into a severe and persistent NRHypo state, which can lead to widespread neurodegeneration with accompanying mental symptoms and further cognitive deterioration. If the hypotheses described herein prove correct, treatment implications may be considerable. Pharmacological methods for preventing the overstimulation of vulnerable corticolimbic pyramidal neurons developed in an animal model may be applicable to the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Memantine for late-life depression and apathy after a disabling medical event: a 12-week, double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study

OBJECTIVE

Preclinical data suggests that memantine, a noncompetitive glutamate N-methyl- D-aspartate-receptor blocker used for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, could reduce depressive and amotivated behavior occurring in the context of psychosocial stress. Therefore, we examined whether memantine could reduce depressive symptoms and amotivation manifesting in older adults after a disabling medical event, thereby improving their functional recovery.

METHOD

We recruited subjects aged 60 years and older who had recently suffered a disabling medical event and were admitted to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. Participants with significant depressive symptoms, defined as a Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score of 10 or greater, and/or significant apathy symptoms, defined as an Apathy Evaluation Scale score of 40 or greater, were randomized to memantine (10 mg/d for 1 week, then 10 mg twice daily) or placebo, for 12 weeks. We also recruited participants without depressive or apathy symptoms for naturalistic follow-up as a non-depressed comparison group. Depressive and apathy symptoms were main outcomes; functional recovery, and self-report rating of helplessness, and onset of new depressive disorders were secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Thirty-five older adults with significant depressive and/or apathy symptoms were randomized, of whom 27 (77.1%) completed the 12 week randomized controlled trial. Both groups showed reduction in depressive symptoms (but no significant reduction in apathy symptoms) and improved function. However, there were no group differences between the memantine-randomized and placebo randomized participants on any outcome.

CONCLUSION

Memantine was not associated with superior affective or functional outcome compared with placebo in medically rehabilitating older adults with depressive and apathy symptoms.