A nationwide prospective study on prescribing pattern of antidepressant drugs in Italian primary care
The objectivee was to explore antidepressant drug (AD) prescribing patterns in Italian primary care. Methods: Overall, 276 Italian general practitioners (GPs) participated in this prospective study, recruiting patients over 18 years who started AD therapy during the enrolment period (Jan 2007 to Jun 2008).  During visits at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months, data about patients' characteristics and AD treatments were collected by the GPs.  Discontinuation rate among new users of AD classes (i.e. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI); tricyclics (TCAs); other ADs) were compared.  Logistic regression ...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 18, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

BMA report: Drugs of dependence- the role of medical professionals
This report by the BMA on illicit drug use examines the scale of the problem and the harms for both the individual and society. It discusses the development of drug policy in Britain, the particular harms to the individual and society that are associated with the legal framework controlling drug use, and the options for an alternative legal framework. Interventions to reduce the harms associated with illicit drug use are also covered as is the doctor's role in the medical management of drug dependence and the ethical challenges of working within the criminal justice system. (Source: NeLM - Mental Health)
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 17, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

Content and quality of 10,000 controlled trials in schizophrenia over 60 years
Source: Schizophrenia Bulletin Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References Objective: To carry out an up-to-date comprehensive survey of the content and quality of intervention trials relevant to the treatment of people with schizophrenia. Design: Data were extracted and analysed from 10,000 trials on the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register. Main Outcome Measures: Source, type and date of publication, country of origin, language, size of trial, interventions and outcome measures. Results: In the last decade, there has been a great increase in the number of trials relevant to schizophrenia and an i...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 14, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

EU marketing authorisation application for Memantine FGK (memantine) withdrawn
Source: European Medicines Agency Area: News The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has been formally notified by FGK Representative Service GmbH of its decision to withdraw its application for centralised marketing authorisation for the medicine Memantine FGK (memantine) prolonged-release hard capsules, intended for use for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. In its official letter, the company stated that it is withdrawing the application for strategic reasons. (Source: NeLM - Mental Health)
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 14, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

CADTH Rapid Response Report: Antipsychotics for children and adolescents
Source: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) Area: News This Rapid Response Report by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) reviews the available evidence on the clinical benefits and harms of antipsychotics in the paediatric population and summarises evidence-based guidelines on their use in these patients.   A limited literature search of key resources was conducted for relevant articles, with the final selection limited to health technology assessments, systematic reviews and meta-analyses due to the large volume of literature. A total of 15 articles were inc...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 14, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

Comparing tolerability of olanzapine in schizophrenia and affective disorders: a meta-analysis
Source: Drug Safety Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References Letter and the authors' reply (Drug Saf 2012;35(12):1183-1184) referring to a paper by Moteshafi, et al. (Drug Saf 2012;35(10):819-836). (8 refs.) (Source: NeLM - Mental Health)
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 7, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

Olanzapine in schizophrenia and affective disorders
Source: Drug Safety Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References Letter and the authors' reply (Drug Saf 2012;35(12):1185-1186) referring to a paper by Moteshafi, et al. (Drug Saf 2012;35(10):819-836). (11 refs.) (Source: NeLM - Mental Health)
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 7, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

NICE consults on self harm quality standard
Source: NICE Area: News NICE has launched a consultation on its draft quality standard on the initial management of self-harm and longer-term support. The standard is made up of a set of measurable statements, which together with the guidance on which it is based (available via the link below), should contribute to the improvements outlined in the NHS Outcomes Framework 2013/14 and the public health outcomes framework for England (2013-2016). The consultation closes at 5pm on 4th February 2013. (Source: NeLM - Mental Health)
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 7, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

NICE evidence summary: unlicensed and off-label use of melatonin to treat sleep disorders in children and young people with ADHD
Source: NICE Area: Evidence > Drug Specific Reviews The unlicensed and off-label use of melatonin to treat sleep disorders in children and young people with ADHD is the second topic to be covered by NICE as part of its new service to provide information to the NHS and patients in England about the use of unlicensed and off-label medicines.   Key points from the evidence are as follows:   . Only 1 form of melatonin (prolonged-release tablets) is currently licensed in the UK for the short-term treatment of primary insomnia, characterised by poor quality of sleep, in adults who are aged 55 years or...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 4, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

Long-acting injectable vs. oral antipsychotics for relapse prevention in schizophrenia: meta-analysis
Source: Schizophrenia Bulletin Area: News Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) were associated with significantly lower relapse rates than oral antipsychotics (OAPs) in a meta-analysis published in 2011. However, new, large, controlled trials showed no benefit of LAIs, therefore the authors of the meta-analysis performed another one that incorporated the new RCT data and also applied broader inclusion criteria.   A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of RCTs lasting ?6 months that compared LAIs and OAPs. The primary outcome was study-defined relapse at the longest time point; secondary outco...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 4, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

Amitriptyline versus placebo for major depressive disorder
Source: Cochrane Area: Evidence > Drug Specific Reviews Background   Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that was synthesised in 1960 and introduced as early as 1961 in the USA, but is still regularly used. It has also been frequently used as an active comparator in trials on newer antidepressants and can therefore be called a 'benchmark' antidepressant. However, its efficacy and safety compared to placebo in the treatment of major depression has not been assessed in a systematic review and meta-analysis.     Objectives   To assess the effects of amitriptylin...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 3, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

Racial-ethnic differences in incident olanzapine use after an FDA Advisory for patients with schizophrenia
Conclusions: After the FDA communication and consensus statement were issued, differences in ... (Source: NeLM - Mental Health)
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 3, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

Review Bipolar disorder
Source: BMJ Area: News This review summarises current best practice in the diagnosis and management of bipolar disorder, signposting areas of uncertainty. It addresses the following questions:   . What is bipolar disorder? . Who gets bipolar disorder? . What causes bipolar disorder? . What makes bipolar disorder so challenging? . How is bipolar disorder diagnosed? . How do I distinguish between bipolar and unipolar depression? . How is bipolar disorder managed? . What drugs are effective? . What is the role of psychotherapy? . When shoul...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 3, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

SSRIs during pregnancy and risk of stillbirth and infant mortality
Source: JAMA Area: News This population-based cohort study evaluated the risk of stillbirth and infant mortality associated with use of SSRIs during pregnancy.   Participants were from all Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) at different periods from 1996 to 2007 and included women with singleton births. Information on maternal use of SSRIs was obtained from prescription registries and that relating to maternal characteristics, pregnancy, and neonatal outcomes, from patient and medical birth registries.   The following findings were reported:   . Among 1,633,877...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 3, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news

Psychological and pharmacological interventions for depression in patients with diabetes mellitus and depression
We examined reference lists of included RCTs and contacted authors.       Selection criteria   We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating psychological and pharmacological interventions for depression in adults with diabetes and depression. Primary outcomes were depression and glycaemic control. Secondary outcomes were adherence to ... (Source: NeLM - Mental Health)
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - January 3, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news