The Lancet Psychiatry Commission’s international task force released an outline for improving the physical health of people suffering from mental illnesses. “The disparities in physical health outcomes for people with mental illness are currently regarded as a human rights scandal,” said commission chair Joseph Firth, of Western Sydney University, in a statement.
Alkermes updated their new drug application to be submitted to the FDA for their olanzapine/samidorphan treatment ALKS 3831 to include an indication for bipolar I disorder.
Most patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder by a primary care physician weren’t subsequently referred to a psychiatrist. (Annals of Family Medicine)
Even after psychiatric hospitalization, risk for suicide remained much higher than the general population. (Harvard Review of Psychiatry)
A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified three loci in particular associated with suicide attempts in major depressive disorder, bipolar, and mood disorders. (American Journal of Psychiatry)
In related news, another GWAS identified eight variants tied to anorexia nervosa. “Our findings strongly encourage us to also shine the torch on the role of metabolism to help understand why individuals with anorexia frequently drop back to dangerously low weights, even after therapeutic renourishment,” said lead author Cynthia Bulik, PhD, of the UNC School of Medicine. (Nature Genetics)
Perinatal depression and suicidal ideology may not always go hand-in-hand, according to a recent survey of low-income pregnant women. (Journal of Affective Disorders)
Hotlines connecting primary care physicians to child psychiatrists helped improve access to mental health services for these kids. “These programs likely complement other efforts such as telepsychiatry programs for children and families who have no nearby provider, and student loan forgiveness programs intended to increase the number of child-focused mental health providers,” said Bradley Stein, of the RAND Corporation. (Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
Source: MedicalNewsToday.com
