Search

PREemptive Pharmacogenomic testing for Preventing Adverse drug REactions (PREPARE) is the first prospective, pre-emptive pharmacogenomic study conducted in Europe, within the frame of the Horizon 2020 program. It aims to determine whether implementing pre-emptive pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing of clinically relevant biomarkers, so as the dose and drug selection to be guided, will result in an overall reduction of both the occurrence and the severity of drug-genotype-associated adverse drug reactions (ADRs). To achieve that, two groups of patients will be recruited; one that will receive treatment according to standard clinical practice and one other that will receive pharmacogenomic-guided treatment. The Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Treatment of the University of Patras, which coordinates and represents Greece in this study, in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry of the General University Hospital of Patras, the Department of Psychiatry of the Hospital "Attikon" and the Departments of Psychiatry of the Psychiatric Hospital of Athens "Dafni" is going to recruit 1500 psychiatric patients that are going to receive antidepressant or antipsychotic treatment. Our scientific hypothesis is that patients who receive pharmacogenomic guided drug and dose selection will experience 30% less ADRs than patients following standard care. Eligible drugs for inclusion in the PREPARE study, are those for which the clinical decision regarding drug and dose choice can be guided according to the Dutch Pharmacogenomics Working Group Guidelines (DPWG). Overall, 7 antidepressants (citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine, venlafaxine, clomipramine, amitriptyline) and 3 antipsychotics (haloperidol, zuclopenthixol, aripiprazole) related to 17 genetic variations in 2 genes (CYP2D6, CYP2C19) will be examined. Occurrence, severity and causality of adverse drug events (ADEs) will be assessed during monitoring, at month 1 and 3 after starting the index-drug, and at the end of each arm, by using the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events Scale (CTCAE) and the Liverpool Causality Assessment Tool (LCAT), respectively. The results of our study are expected to significantly contribute to the improvement of psychiatric patients' quality of life, by helping to provide the right drug, to the right dose in terms of efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness.

Compulsory admissions represent a significant proportion of psychiatric hospitalizations. A wide variation seems to exist internationally regarding legal frameworks, administrative procedures, detention rates and clinical practice. The aim of the present study is to describe qualitative and quantitative features of compulsory admissions in a large administrative area in southwest Greece, in order to identify targets for future research and possible remediation. Involuntary assessments and admissions in the Department of Psychiatry of the University Hospital of Patras were retrospectively assessed, during a 12-month period, for demographic features and data regarding legal procedures. Diagnoses following compulsory first assessment and at discharge were recorded for the patients who were admitted in our department. During the period of observation, 218 compulsory assessments were made, corresponding to 190 patients and resulting in 183 compulsory admissions. Thirty five cases (16.1%) were assessed as not justifying hospitalization and corresponded mainly to the diagnoses of alcohol and/or substance abuse or dependence. Involuntary hospitalizations represented 44.9% of all psychiatric admissions in our department. Diagnosis at first assessment was most frequently psychosis (68.4%). Diagnoses at discharge were most often schizophrenia (52.8%) and bipolar disorder (21.3%). A history of multiple hospitalizations (>5) was observed in 17 (15.8%) patients, whereas 46 patients (42.6%) were hospitalized for the first time, and 13 (11.7%) exhibited their first psychotic episode. Of the 108 patients who were admitted in our department, 88 (81.5%) declared that they did not wish to attend the court hearing, 7 (6.5%) were not able to attend due to severe health condition, and only 13 (12.0%) actually presented in court. Concluding, current situation regarding legal procedures, involuntary admissions and mental health care in Greece is rather far from satisfying. Future directions should include the systematic recording of mental health care parameters, such as compulsory hospitalizations, as well as efforts to improve these parameters and the existing legal framework and procedures.

Α number of previous articles have dealt with the negative impact of the Greek Economic crisis on public health, including significant increases in major depression prevalence and suicide and homicide rates. The mentally ill seem to represent a vulnerable social group, with particular difficulties in this context. The number of compulsory assessments and involuntary admissions was recorded by reviewing patient records in the Department of Psychiatry of the University Hospital of Patras, through years 2006-2013. Compulsory assessments increased from 176 in 2006 to 262 in 2009 and 354 in 2013, representing a 48.86% and 101.13% increase in the first and the fifth year of economic crisis, respectively. The assessments resulted in 160 involuntary admissions in 2006, which escalated to 262 admissions (63.75% rise) in 2013. Even though a rise in involuntary placements could be attributed to other factors as well, it may also partly represent a not so evident side of the Greek economic crisis.