General Adult Psychiatry Flashcards
Comparing depot formulations which induces more EPSEs Haloperidol, Zuclopenthixol or Flupenthixol?
Zuclopenthixol - good symptom control but higher potency to cause EPSEs
Do depot antipsychotics have a higher risk of NMS?
No - the risk of tardive dyskinesia is also the same for oral preparations of the same drug
In the context of schizophrenia which antipsychotic drug has the best anti-suicide properties?
Clozapine - indirect evidence for SGAs but no direct longitudinal studies
D-cyloserine has been used as an add-on for the treatment of?
Schizophrenia/psychosis
it is a partial agonist at the glycine site of NMDA receptor and there is some evidence to suggest it can treat negative symptoms
Name some findings from the national epidemiological survey of alcohol and related conditions (NESARC) with respect to depression?
- Highest risk of depression is age > 30
- Mean number of episodes in patients with lifetime MDD is 5
- Longest duration was 24 weeks per episode
N.b studies have found the prevalence of depression is changing - point prevalence in NSEARC increased from 3.3% to 7% (lifetime prevalence 13%)
In what percentage does the diagnosis of depression eventually change (Kessing 2005)?
56%
- 16% to schizophrenia
- PD 9%
- Neurotic stress and somatoform disorders 8%
- Bipolar Disorders 8%
How long does depressive episode last treated vs untreated?
Untreated 6 - 13 months
Treated 3 months
What is the risk of recurrence in depression?
50% will have no future episodes
50% will have a recurrence < 5 years
If 2 episodes risk of recurrence is 70%
If 3 episodes risk of recurrence is 80-95%
For depression define response, recovery, relapse, remission and recurrence
Response is a decrease in symptoms from at least 50%
- partial response is a decrease from 26-49%
If no detectable symptoms and continue to do so after the natural period of a treated depressive episode (3 months) - HAMD < 7 this is termed remission
If this is maintained for 6 months - this is termed recovery
Return of symptoms within the 6 months is called a relapse
Return of symptoms after this period is a new episode and called recurrence
Do males or female relapse more for depression?
Females
For mixed depression and anxiety what do NICE advocate treating first?
Depression
When may SSRIs be continued for at least 2 years after the episode?
If > 2 prior episodes in recent past or if residual symptoms are present
In depression when lithium augmentation in combination with an anti-depressant is tried and a good response elicited how long should this be continued?
At least 6 months of both
What is NNT of anti-depressants for response/remission in short term trials (12-14 weeks)
Response 4-5
Remission 6-7
Briefly outline the stepped care approach to treatment by NICE?
Primary care and general hospitals - recognition for assessment and screening
Treatment of mild depression in primary care
- Self-guided CBT
- Watchful waiting
- Self-help
- Computerised CBT
- Exercise
- Brief psychological therapies
Treatment of moderate-severe depression
- Medication use
- Psychosocial support
- CBT - alone or in combination
Specialist treatment
- Medication
- Complex psychotherapies
- Combined treatments
Inpatient treatment
- Risk management
- ECT/combined treatments
For depression outline the acute, continuation and maintenance phases?
Acute - stabilisation of symptoms up to 3 months (aim for remission)
Continuation phase - 6-12 months (recovery begins at 6 months if symptom free). It covers the natural untreated course)
Maintenance phase - prevents recurrence - treatment dependent on risk factors and probability
Outline the levels in STARD
Level 1 - Citalopram encouraged to continue 12 weeks
Level 2 - if no remission at 12 weeks in level 1 randomised to the following based on preference to switch, augment or combine:
- Switch (Buproprion, Sertraline, Venlafaxine)
- Switch to CBT
- Augment Citalopram with (Bupropion, Buspirone)
- Combine Citalopram with CBT
Level 3 - if no remission at 12 weeks in level 2 randomised to:
- Switch to Mirtazapine, Nortriptyline
- Augment level 2with Lithium or thyroid
Level 4: no remission after 12 weeks in level choose to:
- Switch to Tranylcypromine or Nortryptyline
- Combine Mirtazapine with Venlafaxine
Name some pertinent findings from STARD?
Cumulative response was 67% after 4 steps
50% symptom free after 2 levels
Switch within and to different class anti-D from SSRI no difference statistically
No statistical differences between level 3 and level 4 treatments
Which anti-D classes and examples within class are most toxic in overdose?
From high to low mortality risk:
TCAs - dosulepsin and doxepin
Mirtazapine / Venlafaxine
SSRI - Citalopram
What are the 5As that can result in TRD?
Alcoholism
Adequate anti-D dose
Adherence
Axis 2 disorders
Alternate diagnosis
How does agomelatine work?
5HT2c antagonist - works as Serotonin works to drive GABAergic interneurons that tonically inhibit dopaminergic and noradrenergic circuits in the PFC
Agomelatine stops this inhibition
What does activated charcoal absorb poorly and effectively?
Effectively:
- TCAs
- Paracetamol
- Aspirin
- Theophylline
- Aspirin
- Barbiturates
Not effectively
- Lithium
- Alcohol
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Acids
- Alkalis
Works well with non-polar poorly water soluble organic toxins
Contraindications for charcoal:
- Unprotected airway
- GI perf
- If endoscopy to be attempted
- If charcoal won’t absorb the item
Outline some considerations with St Johns wart?
Inducer of CYP450
- There is no identified therapeutic dose
- Similar AE to placebo in trials but interactions and can cause serotonin syndrome
- Cochrane evidence showed benefit for mild/moderate depression
Which condition is most associated with rapid cycling bipolar disorder?
Hypothyroidism