Less Serotonin? It’s Unfair!
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Depletion of serotonin changes an individual’s judgment of unfairness.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
August 18, 2008
Covering:
Crockett MJ et al., Science 2008 Jun 27; 320:1739
Euthymia: It Depends on How You Define It
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The conventional definition of euthymia can be misleading.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
August 18, 2008
Covering:
Pizzagalli DA et al., Biol Psychiatry 2008 Jul 15; 64:162
Increased Bleeding Risk Associated with SSRIs and Venlafaxine
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Concomitant SSRI and NSAID use increases the risk of UGIB; acid reduction therapy mitigates bleeding risk.
Is Perimenopausal Depression a Unique Entity?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Perimenopausal depression was not clearly associated with hot flashes or history of reproductive endocrine-related mood disorders.
An Evidence-Based Approach to Preventing PTSD
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Prolonged exposure seems to help patients at risk.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
August 11, 2008
Covering:
Bryant RA et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Jun; 65:659
Anxiety Disorders and Suicide Attempts
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A longitudinal study uncovers a connection, even after controlling for some psychiatric comorbidities.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
August 11, 2008
Covering:
Bolton JM et al., Depress Anxiety 2008 Jun 1; 25:477
High Incidence of Decision-Making Incapacity in Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
More than four out of five patients with major psychoses lack decision-making capacity.
Emerging Perspectives: Children in the Shadows — The Effect of Maternal Depression and Its Treatment
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
When mothers get successful treatment, children’s psychopathology decreases.
By Barbara Geller, MD
August 4, 2008
Covering:
Pilowsky DJ et al., Am J Psychiatry 2008 Jun 16
Swartz HA et al., Am J Psychiatry 2008 Jun 16
Tully EC et al., Am J Psychatry 2008 Jun 16
Nurse-Delivered Intervention for Depressed Patients with Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A cancer-nurse–based psychiatric program was effective for managing depression.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
July 31, 2008
Covering:
Strong V et al., Lancet 2008 Jul 5; 372:40
Angina 1 Year After MI: Related Factors
Cardiology Summary and Comment
An analysis of registry data reveals several patient factors that should prompt heightened vigilance for angina after MI.
SSRIs and Gastrointestinal Bleeding
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Acid suppression might be indicated in patients who receive both SSRIs and NSAIDs.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 29, 2008
Covering:
de Abajo FJ and García-Rodríguez LA., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008 Jul; 65:795
Sildenafil and Sexual Dysfunction in Women Who Take Antidepressants
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Some benefits, especially in ability to achieve orgasm, were reported.
Sildenafil Effective for SSRI-Induced Female Orgasmic Dysfunction
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
But other common sexual adverse effects remain problematic.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
July 22, 2008
Covering:
Nurnberg HG et al., JAMA 2008 Jul 23/30; 300:395
Depression and Dysthymia During Pregnancy
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Dysthymia has greater adverse effects on the fetus, although major depression is associated with greater symptoms of maternal distress.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
July 21, 2008
Covering:
Field T et al., Depress Anxiety 2008 Jun; 25:e11
Diabetes and Depression Are Linked Bidirectionally
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Complex bidirectional associations exist, but their clinical implications are unclear.
Emerging Perspectives: Psychotropic Drugs During Pregnancy — New Data on Neonatal Outcomes
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Both the illness and the medication can create problems for the exposed neonate.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
July 14, 2008
Covering:
Ramos E et al., Br J Psychiatry 2008 May; 192:344
Oberlander TF et al., Br J Psychiatry 2008 May; 192:338
Newham JJ et al., Br J Psychiatry 2008 May; 192:333
Do Your Patients Borrow, Lend, or Trade Medications?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Neither a borrower nor a lender be — but about one third of people in this community survey do not heed this advice.
By Joel Yager, MD
July 14, 2008
Covering:
Goldsworthy RC et al., Am J Public Health 2008 Jun; 98:1115
Management of Depression in Cancer Patients
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Nurses provided effective, and cost-effective, depression care.
I’ve Got Rhythm, Who Could Ask for Anything More (to Avoid Relapse)?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Social rhythm plays a part in onset of affective episodes in bipolar patients.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
June 30, 2008
Covering:
Shen GHC et al., Bipolar Disord 2008 Jun; 10:520
Depression and Diabetes: Each Increases Risk for the Other
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Results from a large prospective study
Do Transference Interpretations Help? Do They Stick?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Patients with initially poor object relations showed sustained improvement 3 years after psychotherapy with transference interpretations.
By Joel Yager, MD
June 23, 2008
Covering:
Høglend P et al., Am J Psychiatry 2008 Jun; 165:763
Antipsychotic Prescribing Trends in U.K. Children
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Prescription rates are increasing, but not as fast as in the U.S.
By Barbara Geller, MD
June 23, 2008
Covering:
Rani F et al., Pediatrics 2008 May; 121:1002
Keep Your Eye on Fluoxetine: Effects on Neuronal Plasticity in the Visual System
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The drug’s therapeutic action may derive from its effects on restoring connections, according to this animal study.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
June 23, 2008
Covering:
Maya Vetencourt JF et al., Science 2008 Apr 18; 320:385
Postpartum Depressive Symptoms Common in U.S. Moms
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Almost 20% of women self-reported postpartum depressive symptoms; physical abuse, life or financial stress, smoking, and having a low birth weight infant raised risk.
By Diane E. Judge, APN/CNP
June 19, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Apr 11; 57:361
A Brightening Outlook: Bright Light plus Melatonin in Elderly Patients with Dementia
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
An inexpensive combination treatment has modest positive effects.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
June 10, 2008
Covering:
Riemersma-van der Lek RF et al., JAMA 2008 Jun 11; 299:2642
