Search

To examine the mediation effect of burnout on the association between workaholism and tobacco and alcohol use. A total of 2199 workers from the French national electricity company fulfilled an online questionnaire. Smoking status, alcohol use disorder based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption and workaholism based on the Work Addiction Risk Test were used as binary variables. Burnout was assessed as a continuous variable with the Copenhagen Burn-Out Inventory. Mediation analyses tested the direct effect of the associations between workaholism and each substance use, as well as the indirect effect passing through burnout, while adjusting for sociodemographic factors (gender, age, occupational grade and marital life), work stress using the effort-reward imbalance and overcommitment. When testing the mediation effect of burnout on the relation between workaholism and smoking, there was a significant direct effect of workaholism on smoking (Estimated effect of 0.27 [95% CI 0.01; 0.54]) and a significant indirect effect passing through burnout (Estimated effect of 0.09 [95% CI 0.02; 0.15]). When testing the mediation effect of burnout on the relation between workaholism and alcohol use, the direct effect of workaholism on alcohol use was not significant (Estimated effect of 0.21 [95% CI − 0.01; 0.44]) while the indirect effect passing through burnout was significant (Estimated effect of 0.10 [95% CI 0.04; 0.17]). Information and prevention regarding substance use should be reinforced among workers exposed to workaholism, especially if their workaholism led to a high level of burnout. Preventing the emergence of burnout among workaholics might have some benefits on their tobacco and alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research suggests that certain psychiatric symptoms could be associated with increased risk of death. However, it remains unclear whether this association could rely on all or specific symptoms. In this report, we used data from a multicenter 5-year prospective study (N = 641) of older adults with an ICD-10 diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder, recruited from French community psychiatric departments. We used a latent variable approach to disentangle the effects shared by all psychiatric symptoms (i.e., general psychopathology factor) and those specific to individual psychiatric symptoms, while adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed face-to-face by psychiatrists trained to semi-structured interviews using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Among older adults with major psychiatric disorders, we found that all psychiatric symptoms were associated with increased mortality, and that their effect on the 5-year mortality were exerted mostly through a general psychopathology dimension (β = 0.13, SE = 0.05, p < 0.05). No BPRS item or lower order factor had a significant effect on mortality beyond and above the effect of the general psychopathology factor. Greater number of medical conditions, older age, male sex, and being hospitalized or institutionalized at baseline were significantly associated with this risk beyond the effect of the general psychopathology factor. Since psychiatric symptoms may affect mortality mainly through a general psychopathology dimension, biological and psychological mechanisms underlying this dimension should be considered as promising targets for interventions to decrease excess mortality of older individuals with psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: It is unclear whether retirement age can modify the association of working conditions with health and mortality in retirees who are no longer exposed to these conditions. Methods: The present study investigated this issue in a cohort of 13,378 French workers in whom self-rated health and mortality were measured over 15 years after statutory retirement. The analyses were also performed in homogenous clusters of workers differentiated on the basis of working conditions, social position, birth and retirement years. Results: Bad working conditions before retirement, which were assessed using a global score combining 25 different occupational exposures, were associated with higher rates of suboptimum self-rated health and mortality in retirees after adjusting for retirement age, social position, demographics and health status before retirement. These rates were also substantially higher in the cluster of workers characterized by bad working conditions in comparison to other clusters. In contrast, retirement age was not associated with self-rated health or mortality after adjusting for working conditions, social position, demographics and health status before retirement. Likewise, no association of retirement age with self-rated health or mortality was found in any cluster of workers and no interactions were observed with any of these clusters. Conclusion: These results suggest that bad working conditions before retirement have long-term detrimental effects on health and mortality in retirees and that retirement age does not modulate these effects. Improving work environment rather than modifying retirement age should be prioritized to promote health and reduce mortality not only in workers but also in retirees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is a substantial gap between people having a mental disorder and those treated for this disorder. Studies that assessed the influence of age on healthcare use for major depressive disorder (MDD) have provided inconsistent results. We aimed to assess healthcare use in terms of treatment-seeking and psychotropic medication use in four age groups of 45- to 85-year-old community dwellers meeting criteria for MDD.Methods: Data stemmed from CoLaus|PsyCoLaus, a population-based prospective cohort study. Diagnostic information on mental disorders, utilization of professional healthcare and psychotropic drugs was elicited using a semi-structured interview. Associations between age groups and healthcare use were established using logistic regression models with serial adjustments for socio-demographic and depression characteristics as well as comorbid mental disorders and cardio-metabolic features.Results: Compared to participants of the youngest age group (ages 45 to 54 years), (1) those older than 75 years were less likely to use healthcare from psychiatrists or psychologists (OR: 0.4 [95% CI 0.17-0.96]), although the frequency of using any professional health care did not vary across age groups; (2) those older than 55 years used any psychotropic medication more frequently; and (3) those aged 55-64 years used antidepressants more frequently (OR: 1.61 [95% CI 1.07-2.44]), whereas those aged 65-74 years used anxiolytics more frequently (OR: 2.30 [95% CI 1.15-4.58]).Conclusion: Age is a complex biological and social factor that influences healthcare use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the prospective association of physical exertion at work with subsequent tobacco, cannabis, alcohol use, and sugar and fat consumption. Volunteers of the French population-based CONSTANCES cohort currently employed were included from 2012 to 2017 for tobacco and cannabis outcomes (n = 100,612), and from 2012 to 2016 for alcohol and sugar and fat outcomes (n = 75,414). High level of physical exertion at work was defined as a score ≥ 12 at the Rating Perceived Exertion Borg scale. Substance use was self-reported and diet rich in sugar and fat was obtained from principal component analysis and analyzed as quartiles. Generalized linear models computed odds of substance use and sugar and fat consumption at follow-up according to baseline physical exertion at work, while adjusting for sociodemographic factors, depressive symptoms and baseline level of consumption. High physical exertion was associated with tobacco use with dose-dependent relationships. It was also associated with increased odds of cannabis use at least once per month compared to no use in the past and with increased odds of diet rich in sugar and fat. Hence, the role of physical exertion at work on tobacco and cannabis use and diet rich in sugar and fat should be tackled for information and prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous factors are known to influence quality of life of adults with schizophrenia. However, little is known regarding the potential predictors of quality of life in the increasing population of older adults with schizophrenia. The main objective of the present study was to propose a comprehensive model of quality of life in this specific population. Methods: Data were derived from the Cohort of individuals with Schizophrenia Aged 55 years or more (CSA) study, a large (N = 353) multicenter sample of older adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder recruited from French community mental-health teams. We used structural equation modeling to simultaneously examine the effects of six broad groups of clinical factors previously identified as potential predictors of quality of life in this population, including (1) severity of general psychopathology, (2) severity of depression, (3) severity of cognitive impairment, (4) psychotropic medications, (5) general medical conditions and (6) sociodemographic characteristics. Results: General psychopathology symptoms, and in particular negative and depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, reduced overall functioning and low education were significantly and independently associated with diminished quality of life (all p < 0.05). Greater number of medical conditions and greater number of antipsychotics were also independently and negatively associated with quality of life, although these associations did not reach statistical significance in sensitivity analyses, possibly due to limited statistical power. Conclusion: Several domains are implicated in quality of life among older adults with schizophrenia. Interventions targeting these factors may help improve importantly quality of life of this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chlorpromazine has been suggested as being potentially useful in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the grounds of its potential antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between chlorpromazine use and mortality among adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Methods: We conducted an observational, multicenter, retrospective study at Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) Greater Paris University hospitals. Study baseline was defined as the date of first prescription of chlorpromazine during hospitalization for COVID-19. The primary endpoint was death. Among patients who had not been hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs), we compared this endpoint between those who received chlorpromazine and those who did not, in time-to-event analyses adjusted for patient characteristics, clinical markers of disease severity, and other psychotropic medications. The primary analysis used a Cox regression model with inverse probability weighting. Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Of the 14,340 adult inpatients hospitalized outside ICUs for COVID-19, 55 patients (0.4%) received chlorpromazine. Over a mean follow-up of 14.3 days (standard deviation [SD] 18.2), death occurred in 13 patients (23.6%) who received chlorpromazine and 1289 patients (9.0%) who did not. In the primary analysis, there was no significant association between chlorpromazine use and mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75–5.40; p = 0.163). Sensitivity analyses included a Cox regression in a 1:5 ratio matched analytic sample that showed a similar result (HR 1.67, 95% CI 0.91–3.06; p = 0.100) and a multivariable Cox regression that indicated a significant positive association (HR 3.10, 95% CI 1.31–7.34; p = 0.010). Conclusion: Our results suggest that chlorpromazine prescribed at a mean daily dose of 70.8 mg (SD 65.3) was not associated with reduced mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: To review evidence regarding the association between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, henceforth referred to as severe mental disorders (SMD), and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, its mechanisms, and the interventions to reduce this burden. Recent Findings: Much of the loss in life expectancy in people with SMD remains driven by cardiovascular mortality. Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers are associated with negative cardio-metabolic outcomes, but large inter-individual differences are observed, and not treating SMD might be associated with even greater cardiovascular mortality. Classical modifiable cardiovascular risk factors remained inadequately screened and, once identified, too seldom treated in people with SMD. After a myocardial infarction, aggressive tertiary prevention may be as effective in people with SMD as in the general population but is less prescribed. Reduced healthcare quality and increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors may not fully explain the excess cardiovascular mortality associated with SMDs, which themselves should be considered risk factors in risk calculators. Summary: Hazardous health behaviors, the cardio-metabolic adverse effects of medications, and a reduced access to quality healthcare remain priority targets for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severity of psychopathology has a strong negative impact on quality of life (QoL) among older adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. However, because these subjects generally experience multiple psychiatric symptoms, it remains unclear whether decreased QoL in this population is due to specific symptoms (e.g., hallucinations), specific dimensions of psychopathology (e.g., negative symptoms), a general psychopathology dimension representing the shared effect across all psychiatric symptoms, or a combination of these explanations. Data were derived from the Cohort of individuals with Schizophrenia Aged 55 years or more (CSA) study, a large (N = 353) multicenter sample of older adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder recruited from French public-sector psychiatric departments. We used structural equation modeling to examine the shared and specific effects of psychiatric symptoms on QoL, while adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, general medical conditions, global cognitive functioning and psychotropic medications. Psychiatric symptoms and QoL were assessed face-to-face by psychiatrists using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Quality of Life Scale (QLS). Among older adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, effects of psychiatric symptoms on QoL were exerted mostly through a general psychopathology dimension (β = − 0.43, p < 0.01). Negative symptom dimension had an additional negative effect on QoL beyond the effect of that factor (β = − 0.28, p < 0.01). Because psychiatric symptoms affect QoL mainly through two dimensions of psychopathology, i.e., a general psychopathology dimension and a negative symptom dimension, mechanisms underlying those dimensions should be considered as promising targets for therapeutic interventions to substantially improve quality of life of this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzodiazepine (BZD) inappropriate use (i.e., misuse and overuse) is a worldwide public health problem. Despite current knowledge about increased sensitivity to side effects in the elderly, that should lead to more caution, only a third of BZD prescriptions in this age group are considered appropriate. The most frequent inadequate situations are excessive duration and/or dosage of a medical prescription or self-medication, especially in a context where it would be contraindicated, e.g., long-acting BZD in the elderly. Polypharmacy and comorbidities are major risk factors. Consequences of BZD inappropriate use are falls, delirium and other cognitive dysfunction, acute respiratory failure, car accidents, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms. An emerging concern is a potentially increased risk of dementia. Contrary to most clinicians' belief, discontinuation of chronic BZD use in elderly patients is feasible, with adequate psychotherapeutic or pharmacological strategies, and can lead to long-term abstinence. Brief cognitive therapy mostly relies on psychoeducation and motivational enhancement and is particularly useful in this context. Further research is needed, notably in three areas: (1) assessing the impact of public health programs to prevent BZD inappropriate use in the elderly, (2) developing alternative strategies to treat anxiety and insomnia in elderly patients, and (3) exploring the association between chronic BZD use and dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents sociodemographic characteristics and psychiatric correlates of a representative sample of sexual assaulters in the United States. Data were drawn from a nationally representative survey, the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Face-to-face interviews of more than 43,000 adults were conducted between the 2001-2002 period, based on the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-DSM-IV Version. The prevalence of committing sexual assault in the U.S. was 0.15 %. Sexual assaulters had significantly lower education than their counterparts. Sexual assaulters were significantly more likely to report a wide range of antisocial behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated strong associations between sexual assault and lifetime psychiatric disorders often associated with impaired impulse control, such as antisocial personality disorder, conduct disorder, and cocaine use disorder. In addition, psychotic disorders were consistently associated with sexual assault. Our findings indicate that sexual assault could represent a behavioral manifestation of a broader spectrum, including impairment of impulse control and psychotic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 136 with or without first-degree relatives with alcohol dependence were compared according to lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders and personality dimensions. Family history positive women showed significant higher prevalence rates of depression and agoraphobia, and exhibited lower scores on Reward Dependence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Approximately 1–2% of patients treated with the atypical antipsychotic clozapine develop severe neutropenia and agranulocytosis. The usual recommendation is to discontinue treatment with the drug when the peripheral neutrophil count drops below 1,500/mm³. Methods: We have reviewed several reports describing procedures that allowed the patients to continue clozapine treatment despite the occurrence of these haematological side effects. Results: The therapeutic procedures described (symptomatic treatment of neutropenia by co-administration of lithium or granulopoiesis-stimulating factors, management of the adjunctive medication) seem to be efficient strategies that allow continuation of clozapine treatment despite the occurrence of neutropenia. However, these types of therapy have only been used in a limited number of cases, and the evidence supporting their use remains anecdotal. Conclusion: Although the procedures adopted in the cases described in this review are uncommon, they potentially provide an alternative to the discontinuation of clozapine treatment in patients with complex symptomatologies for whom treatment with other antipsychotic medication is insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested how 5 simple variables, routinely collected in primary care (i.e., the 3 AUDIT-C items, age, and sex), could constitute a clinician-friendly risk calculator tool of the 3-year risk of several alcohol-related adverse outcomes (i.e., alcohol use disorder, withdrawal symptoms, occurrence of tremors or seizures, and alcohol related interpersonal relationship problems, legal problems, and psychological problems) among non-alcohol-dependent individuals consuming alcohol. Data were drawn from a nationally representative sample of US adults, the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (wave 1, 2001–2002; wave 2, 2004–2005). We used scaled and rounded composite scoring systems to combine information derived from these predictors and quantify the risks for each subject. Analyses were limited to 16,710 respondents without a lifetime history of alcohol use disorder who completed both interviews and had consumed alcohol during the year prior to wave 1 (development sample N = 8355, validation sample N = 8355). The risk equations calibrated well (Hosmer and Lemeshow test p values ≥ 0.072) and showed good predictive values (C indices ranging from 0.727 to 0.872) in the validation sample. This risk calculator can be clinically useful in primary care for identification of at-risk individuals, encourage respondents to reduce their drinking, and improve prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]