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Objectives: Adolescents with a homicidal tendency is a growing concern in the United States. Studies in the past have showcased the relationship between homicidal ideation (HI) and psychiatric illnesses, but very limited information is available on the adolescent and inpatient population. We aim to evaluate the prevalence of demographic characteristics and psychiatric disorders in adolescents with and without HI. Materials and methods: Adolescent (age 12-17) population admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of homicidal ideation was identified from the 2016-2018 National Inpatient Sample Dataset (NISD). Patients without HI were defined as the control group. The prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities between the groups was compared by applying the Rao-Scott adjusted chi-square test. We used multivariable logistic regression to generate odds ratio (OR) of homicidal ideation as an outcome; we adjusted age, sex, race, socioeconomic status, substance use disorders, alcohol use disorders, and psychiatric comorbidities. Results: A total of 18,935 patients (mean age: 14.5) with HI diagnosis were identified in this study. Majority of the patients were male subjects in the HI group compared to the control group (58.7 vs. 41.2%, p < 0.001). Racially, HI was more prevalent in white race (56.0 vs. 52.6%, p < 0.001) and black race (22.3 vs. 17.8%, p < 0.001), compared to Hispanic race (14.9 vs. 21.3%, p < 0.001). Major depression (Odds ratio [OR]: 2.66, p < 0.001), bipolar disorder (OR: 3.52, p < 0.001), anxiety disorder (OR: 1.85, p < 0.001), ADHD, and other conduct disorders (OR: 4.01, p < 0.001), schizophrenia (OR: 4.35, p < 0.001) are strong predictors of HI. Suicidality was prevalent in 66.9% of patients with HI. Conclusion: We found a higher prevalence of psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder in adolescents with homicidal ideation in the inpatient setting. White and black races were more prevalent in patients with homicidal ideation. Further large-scale longitudinal research studies are warranted to establish the correlation between psychiatric disorders and homicidal ideation among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Second-generation antipsychotics are associated with significant weight gain. The aim of this systematic review and metaanalysis was to determine the efficacy and safety of metformin for the treatment of weight gain in children and young adults treated with second-generation antipsychotics. Methods: We followed PRISMA guidelines to evaluated studies published before March 2020 in Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane library database, annual scientific sessions of the American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent, Psychiatry, and American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. Studies included compared metformin with the placebo for management of weight gain in children and adolescents taking atypical antipsychotics. Non-randomized studies, animal experiment studies, editorials, and review studies were excluded. Multiple parameters, including change in anthropometric-biochemical parameters, drug discontinuation rate, and side effects among the groups were assessed. The random-effects method was used for meta-analysis. Results: Four studies with were included in the final analysis (213 patients; metformin: 106; control: 107). After pooled analysis, 12-16 weeks of metformin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in weight [(mean difference (MD): -4.53 lbs, confidence interval (CI): -6.19 to -2.87, p-value < 0.001)], and BMI z score [MD, -0.09, CI: -0.16, -0.03, p-value: 0.004] compared to control. Metformin was also associated with a significant reduction in insulin resistance [MD: -1.38, CI: -2.26 to -0.51, p-value: 0.002]. There were higher odds of nausea-vomiting [OR: 4.07, CI: 1.32-12.54, p-value: 0.02] and diarrhea [OR: 2.93, CI: 1.50-5.71, p-value: 0.002] in the metformin group. However, there was no difference in drug discontinuation rate [OR: 1.45, CI: 0.41-5.06, p-value: 0.56]. Conclusion: Metformin may prove beneficial in the treatment of weight gain in children treated with second-generation antipsychotics. The pooled treatment effect showed a significant reduction in BMI Z-score and weight in just 12-16 weeks. The limitations include small sample size, variation in metformin dose, and duration of treatment. This meta-analysis should be interpreted as promising, and further larger studies are warranted before drawing a conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Even though marijuana is illegal on the federal level, it is one of the most used drugs in the United States during pregnancy. Our study investigates the relationship between numerous socioeconomic, demographic, and mental health risk variables and substance use during pregnancy. We examined data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2017 to 2019. Compared with the no serious psychological distress (SPD) group, the odds of using cannabis were higher in pregnant women with past-month SPD. In this study, in comparison with unmarried pregnant women, married pregnant women had a 67% lower chance of currently using cannabis. Racially, Hispanic pregnant women had 3 to 4 times higher odds for current use of cannabis as compared with the other races. Preventing cannabis use and its adverse effects by screening pregnant women could be part of the current strategy for reducing cannabis use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bipolar disorders (BDs) are associated with significant risk of suicide. BD patients (age ≥18 years) admitted to the hospital were identified from the National Inpatient Sample dataset. Based on the secondary diagnosis of chronic pain disorder (CPD), patients were stratified into two groups (1) BD with CPD (BD + CPD) and (2) BD without CPD (BD - CPD). Groups were matched (1:1) for the type of BD and compared for baseline characteristics and suicidal ideation/attempt (SI/SA). Compared with BD - CPD, most patients in the BD + CPD group were older (mean age, 47.6 vs. 40.4 years), female (58.4% vs. 55.2%), and white (77.2% vs. 66.7%). After adjusting for covariates, compared with the BD - CPD group, the BD + CPD group had 21% more risk of SI/SA (odds ratio, 1.21, p < 0.001). CPD is independently associated with the increased risk of suicide among patients with BD. Thus, comorbid CPD among patients admitted for BD can be an essential risk factor for suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: DiGeorge Syndrome (DGS) is a common multisystem disorder associated with deletions on chromosome 22q11.2. Our objective is to evaluate the psychiatric comorbidities and demographics of patients suffering from DGS in a nationally representative dataset on inpatient hospitalizations. Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the year 2005-2017 was used for this study. Data on patients with DiGeorge syndrome were collected by using the International Classification of Diseases code. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: In our study, the average age was 30.4 years (n = 6,563), with 59.9% male, and 61.8% of patients were white. There was a high prevalence of mood disorders (24.7%) and anxiety disorders (16.4%), followed by schizophrenia and other psychotic condition (14.0%). In patients with mood disorders, 8% had Major Depressive Disorder, and 7% had bipolar depression. Overall composite of psychiatric comorbidities was present in 2,959 (45.1%) of patients. The mean length of stay was 6.58 days, and 77% of patients had routine discharge to home. In the adjusted analysis, the average length of stay was 8.6 days vs. 6.7 days (p < 0.001) in patients with and without psychiatry comorbidities. In comparison to routine discharge, patients with psychiatry comorbidities were more likely to be discharged to other healthcare facilities (odds ratio [OR]: 1.28, p < 0.001) and discharged against medical advice (OR: 3.45, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with DGS have worse outcomes with a higher rate of discharge to other healthcare facilities and a higher rate of being discharged against medical advice. Further large scale randomize studies are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) before the age of 18 years are pervasive and noteworthy public health concerns. The ACEs are associated with sleep disorders in later life. In this study, we conduct a systematic review to explore the effects of ACEs on sleep in adulthood. Using Medical Subject Headings keywords, we searched Medline, PubMed, PubMed Central, the American Psychological Association PsycArticles, and PsychInfo databases to evaluate the association between ACEs and sleep disturbances. ACEs increase the odds of developing chronic short sleep duration, that is, <6 hours of sleep per night compared with optimal sleep duration of 7-9 hours per night during adulthood. The ACEs are positively associated with poor sleep characteristics such as short sleep duration and long-term sleep problems. Clinicians should pay close attention to developmental trauma care, access community health programs, and help develop better coping skills, resiliency, and good sleep habits in their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Insomnia is an important symptom associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). In addition, it is one of the risk factors for suicide. Studies have shown the relationship be-tween insomnia and suicidal behavior in patients with MDD. However, this association has not been evaluated in a large sample of hospitalized patients. Objectives. To evaluate the suicidal be-havior in MDD patients with insomnia compared to those without insomnia. Methods. From the National Inpatient Sample (NIS 2006–2015) database using the ICD-9 code, patients' data were obtained with the primary diagnosis of MDD and comorbid diagnosis of insomnia disorders (MDD+I). These patients were compared with MDD patients without insomnia disorders (MDD–I) by performing a 1:2 match for the primary diagnosis code. Suicidal ideation/attempt da-ta were compared between the groups by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results. After the diagnostic code matching, 139061 patients were included in the MDD+I group and 276496 patients in the MDD–I group. MDD+I patients were older (47 years vs. 45 years, p < 0.001) com-pared to the MDD–I group. The rate of suicidal ideation/attempt was 56.0% in the MDD+I group and 42.0% in the MDD–I group (p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, race, borderline personal-ity disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders, 'insomnia' was associated with 1.71 times higher odds of suicidal behavior among MDD patients admitted to the hospital. (Odds ratio: 1.71, 95% confidence interval 1.60–1.82, p < 0.001). Conclusions. Insomnia among MDD patients is significantly associated with the risk of suicide. MDD patients with insomnia need to be closely monitored for suicidal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Up to 60 percent of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) develop Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP). PDP is associated with a significant economic burden. The management of PDP has been divided into two approaches--one focuses on decreasing the doses of anti-Parkinsonian medications and the other involves prescribing atypical antipsychotics. Of these atypical antipsychotics, pimavanserin is United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved specifically for the treatment of PDP. Objective: The goal was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pimavanserin in the treatment of PDP based on data from randomized clinical trials. Methods: All the articles, which assessed pimavanserin's effect on the treatment of PDP, were retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed, and abstracts from annual scientific sessions. The data on dose, therapy duration, patient numbers, and study duration were collected. These data were analyzed with random effect modeling using the inverse variance method and the Mantel-Haenszel method. Results: Four studies comparing pimavanserin to a placebo provided data on 680 patients (263 placebo, 417 pimavanserin). Treatment with pimavanserin was associated with a significant reduction in scores using the Scale of Assessment of Positive Symptoms, Hallucinations, and Delusion (SAPS-H+D) (mean difference [MD]: -1.55 [-2.71, -0.379], p=0.009). The groups had similar composite scores for Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale II and III (UPDRS II and III) (MD: 0.093 [-1.28, 1.46], p=0.89). Interestingly, pimavanserin was protective against orthostatic hypotension (risk ratio: 0.33 [0.30, 0.37], p<0.001). All other adverse events were similarly distributed across both groups. Conclusion: There was a significant improvement in psychosis symptoms in patients with PD who took pimavanserin. Pimavanserin was also shown to be protective against orthostatic hypotension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]