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Abstract. Background: Alexithymia, an inability to identify or describe emotions, is associated with suicidality yet the correlation with single or repeated suicide attempts is less clear. Aims: We aimed to assess the modifiability of alexithymia following a group psychosocial intervention focused on improving emotional literacy in those with a history of recurrent suicide attempts (RSA). Method: A total of 169 participants with self-reported RSA completed pre- and postgroup assessments of a 20-week group therapy intervention. Questionnaires assessed alexithymia, depression, impulsivity, and hopelessness; the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was the primary outcome. Data were analyzed using multiple imputation. Results: Participants had on average 7.8 lifetime suicide attempts, 73% were female, and 16.6% had a >13-point reduction in TAS-20 scores after 20 weeks. Directed acyclic graph (DAG) analysis demonstrated significant relationships between alexithymia, depression, hopelessness, problem-solving, and satisfaction with life. Age of onset of suicidality was the only factor predictive of postintervention TAS-20 score in univariate linear regression. Limitations: The study limitations were its sample size, insufficient resources, and missing data. Conclusion: A change in TAS scores indicated that alexithymia can be a modifiable treatment target. Being able to identify and describe feelings may lead to improvement in depression, hopelessness, problem-solving, and satisfaction with life in this population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Evidence suggests that children and adolescents with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) have heterogeneous clinical presentations. To use latent class analysis (LCA) and determine the frequency of various classes in pediatric patients with ARFID drawn from a 2-year surveillance study. METHODS Cases were ascertained using the Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program methodology from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017. An exploratory LCA was undertaken with latent class models ranging from 1 to 5 classes. RESULTS Based on fit statistics and class interpretability, a 3-class model had the best fit: Acute Medical (AM), Lack of Appetite (LOA), and Sensory (S). The probability of being classified as AM, LOA, and S was 52%, 40.7%, and 6.9%, respectively. The AM class was distinct for increased likelihood of weight loss (92%), a shorter length of illness ( CONCLUSIONS This LCA suggests that ARFID is a heterogeneous diagnosis with 3 distinct classes corresponding to the 3 subtypes described in the literature: AM, LOA, and S. The AM/LOA group had a mixed clinical presentation. Clinicians need to be aware of these different ARFID presentations because clinical and treatment needs will vary.

Background In the era of highly potent illicit opioids, such as fentanyl and carfentanil, injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) is an effective treatment for those with severe and treatment-refractory opioid use disorder. Untreated opioid use disorder in pregnancy can lead to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. There are currently limited reports on the use of iOAT in pregnant women. The in-patient setting may provide an opportunity to pregnant women for stabilization with iOAT where first line therapies have been ineffective. Case summary We report a case of a pregnant individual who engaged in daily intravenous fentanyl who was admitted to the hospital at 29 weeks gestation for stabilization with iOAT, methadone, and slow-release oral morphine. Before admission, she endured 6 opioid overdoses in her pregnancy and continued to use illicit intravenous opioids in the community despite high dose methadone combined with slow-release oral morphine. Her withdrawal symptoms and cravings were ameliorated with hydromorphone 90 mg IM/IV BID, methadone 135 mg daily, and morphine sulfate sustained release 600 mg daily. With this regimen, she was able to reduce her intravenous fentanyl use to a single episode during her hospitalization. She completed her pregnancy in hospital, delivering a full-term live infant after receiving comprehensive prenatal care. Discussion This case report highlights iOAT as an option during pregnancy and describes the in-patient setting as appropriate to retain high-risk patients in care. This approach may benefit those who are refractory to standard opioid agonist treatment, the numbers of whom may be rising as tolerance to the illicit supply increases.

This phase 2 randomized trial examined the outcomes of a brief, transitional, peer support intervention designed to address the poor outcomes that are common for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum illnesses in the period immediately following hospitalization. In the context of treatment-as-usual, participants were provided with a peer support intervention, 'the Welcome Basket,' in which participants received 1-2 sessions of peer support in the two weeks before discharge and met weekly for a month post-discharge. The study also piloted a brief version of this intervention with only one community session post-discharge with the same pre-discharge process. It was hypothesized that the full intervention would improve community transition outcomes, with community functioning (Multnomah Community Ability Scale) being the primary measure and secondary measures including symptomatology, community integration, personal recovery, quality of life, and social support. The examination of the brief intervention was exploratory. Measures were completed at baseline, 1-month post-discharge, and follow-up at 6 months. A total of 110 participants were randomized to one of three interventions, with outcome data obtained from 82 and follow-up from 74. While feasible, we did not find that the Welcome Basket intervention was superior to treatment as usual for any of our primary or secondary outcome measures. Future work is needed to determine whether a more extended intervention is required and whether specific subgroups of patients may benefit (e.g. those without access to immediate psychiatric care or those better able to engage with a peer).

Early patient encounters in medical education are an important element of clinical skill development. This study explores the experiences of volunteer inpatients (VIPs) participating in clinical skills training with junior medical students (JMS) solely for educational purposes.Following first-year medical students practicing history taking and clinical examinations with VIPs at Toronto General Hospital (TGH) and Toronto Western Hospital (TWH), patients completed a questionnaire and a short audio-recorded interview. This study used a mixed methodological approach. A 5-point Likert-scaled survey queried satisfaction regarding the recruitment process, student and faculty interactions and patient demographics (e.g. age and educational background). A 10-minute follow-up interview investigated patient perspectives. Survey responses were correlated to patient demographics and descriptive thematic analysis summarized trends in patient perspectives.Of 93 consenting VIPs, 66% were male and 58% participated at TGH. The mean overall experience was positive (4.76 and 4.93 at TGH and TWH, respectively). Three themes emerging through thematic analysis were Not "Just" a Medical Student, Patient as Teacher, and Promoting Best Practices. VIPs reported positive experiences when they were adequately informed of the VIP role during recruitment, and when students exhibited confidence, interest, and respect throughout the session.Study results provide clarity about VIP experiences with JMS and lay a foundation for improved patient satisfaction and best practices within clinical skills curricula in the health professions.L’exposition clinique précoce en éducation médicale est un élément important du développement des habiletés cliniques. Cette étude explore les expériences de patients hospitalisés bénévoles (PHB) qui participent à la formation sur les habiletés cliniques des étudiants de 1Après que les étudiants de première année aient effectué des anamnèses et des examens cliniques auprès de PHB à la Toronto General Hospital (TGH) et à la Toronto Western Hospital (TWH), les patients ont répondu à un questionnaire et ont fait une courte entrevue audio qui a été enregistrée. Cette étude a utilisé une approche méthodologique mixte. Un sondage basé sur l’échelle de Likert à 5 points a évalué le degré de satisfaction en ce qui a trait au processus de recrutement, aux interactions entre les étudiants et le corps professoral et aux caractéristiques démographiques des patients (p. ex. âge et niveau d’instruction). Une entrevue de suivi de dix minutes a permis d’examiner le point de vue des patients. Les réponses du sondage ont été mises en corrélation avec les caractéristiques démographiques des patients et une analyse thématique descriptive a résumé les tendances liées aux perspectives des patients.Sur les 93 PHB consentants, 66 % étaient des hommes et 58 % d’entre eux ont participé à la TGH. En moyenne, l’expérience générale s’est avérée positive (4,76 et 4,93 à la TGH et à la TWH, respectivement). Les trois thèmes qui ont émergé de l’analyse thématique sont: pas « seulement » un étudiant en médecine; le patient comme enseignant et, la promotion des pratiques exemplaires. Les PHB ont rapporté avoir eu des expériences positives lorsqu’ils étaient bien informés de leur rôle durant le recrutement et lorsque les étudiants faisaient preuve de confiance, d’intérêt et de respect tout au long de la session.Les résultats de l’étude apportent des clarifications en ce qui a trait aux expériences des PHB avec les étudiants en première année de médecine, et ils jettent les bases qui permettront d’améliorer la satisfaction des patients et les meilleures pratiques du programme de formation en habiletés cliniques dans les professions de la santé.

Background Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder first described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) [American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 2013]. Patients with ARFID do not fear gaining weight or have body image distortions. ARFID involves a persistent disturbance in feeding and eating that results in an inability to meet nutritional and/or energy needs with one of the following: weight loss or failure to achieve appropriate weight gain, nutritional deficiency, dependence on enteral feeding or nutritional supplements and significant interference with psychosocial functioning. To date, studies on patients with ARFID have retrospectively applied the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ARFID to reclassify patients diagnosed with DSM-IV eating disorders. Methods A descriptive retrospective chart review was completed on patients less than 18-years diagnosed with ARFID after a comprehensive eating disorder assessment between May 2013 and March 2016. The data collected included demographics, anthropometrics, historical information, clinical features, co-morbid diagnoses, need for inpatient hospitalization and psychometric measures. Results Three hundred and sixty-nine patients were assessed for an eating disorder between May 2013 and March 2016. Of these, 31 (8.4%) received a DSM-5 diagnosis of ARFID. A full chart review was performed on 28 (90.3%) patients. Weight loss or failure to achieve appropriate weight gain was the reason for diagnosis in 96.4% (27/28). All of our patients had 2 or more physical symptoms at the time of diagnosis and 16 (57.1%) had a co-morbid psychiatric disorder. Twenty (71.4%) reported a specific trigger for their eating disturbance. Admission for inpatient hospitalization occurred in 57.1% (16/28) of patients. Thirteen (46.4%) patients had been previously assessed by another specialist for their eating disturbance. None of the patients had elevated scores on commonly used psychometric tests used to assess eating disorders. Conclusion This is the first study to retrospectively determine the incidence of ARFID in children and adolescents using the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria at assessment. The clinical presentation of patients with ARFID is complex with multiple physical symptoms and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Commonly used pediatric eating disorder psychometric measures are not specific for making a diagnosis of ARFID, and may not be sensitive as assessment tools.

Six geosexual archetypes were identified: hosters, house-callers, rovers, privates, travellers, and geoflexibles, each with different characteristic profiles. Prioritizing interventions to hosters, rovers, and geoflexibles may reduce sexually transmitted infection transmission. Supplemental digital content is available in the text., Background There are complex, synergistic, and persistent sexually transmitted infection (STI) epidemics affecting gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) in every major urban centre across North America. We explored the spatial architecture of egocentric sexual networks for gbMSM in Toronto, Canada. Methods Our integrative mixed methods study included in-depth interviews with 31 gbMSM between May and July 2016. During interviews, participants mapped their egocentric sexual network for the preceding 3 months geographically. At the end, a self-administered survey was used to collect sociodemographic characteristics, online technology use, and STI testing and history. Results We identified 6 geosexual archetypes: hosters, house-callers, privates, rovers, travellers, and geoflexibles. Hosters always, or almost always (≥80%), hosted sex at their home. House-callers always, or almost always (≥80%), had sex at their partner’s home. Rovers always or almost always (≥80%) had sex at public venues (eg, bath houses, sex clubs) and other public spaces (eg, parks, cruising sites). Privates had sex in private—their own home or their partner's (part hoster, part house-caller). Travellers had sex away from their home, either at a partner’s home or some other venue or public space (part house-caller, part rover). Geoflexibles had sex in a variety of locations—their home, their partner’s home, or public venues. All hosters and rovers, and to a lesser extent, geoflexibles, reported a history of syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus. Conclusions Prioritizing interventions to hosters, rovers, and geoflexibles may have an important impact on reducing STI transmission.

Despite the high rates of hospitalization among people who use drugs (PWUD), harm reduction interventions have not been widely adopted in inpatient settings. We list several harm reduction practices that we believe should be considered in hospitals. Interventions to decrease stigma, including guidance regarding language and partnering with people with lived experience of drug use, can be implemented expeditiously. Hospitals with a high prevalence of drug use can establish addiction consultation services to address issues including initiation of medication-assisted therapy. Prescription opioids as a treatment for opioid addiction for select patients require further implementation science research to determine how to adapt this intervention for inpatient settings. While the evidence base for needle and syringe programs in the community is strong, implementation science research is required to address how best to integrate such programs in hospitals. Such research is also required to determine the optimal programs to ensure continuity of care post-discharge and retention in addiction-related care. We believe that new evidence generation is required to address the optimal use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters, to determine the relative benefits and harms of treatment contracts for inpatients, and to assess the efficacy of supervised injection services for inpatients. The need for harm reduction programs in hospitals emphasizes the need for a pragmatic, patient-centered, non-judgmental approach to the care of PWUD. Few publications have addressed how to integrate harm reduction approaches into the care of hospitalized PWUD. Such questions are compelling given the marked increase in opioid use in North America, the high rates of hospital admissions among PWUD, and the strong evidence and increasing adoption of harm reduction interventions in community settings. To date, the literature on care for PWUD in hospitals has focused on recognition and management of medical complications of drug use and overdose, withdrawal, pain management, and initiation of medication-assisted therapy (MAT) [1]. In many hospital settings, these interventions may be incompletely implemented while other harm reduction interventions are rarely used, leading to poor quality care for PWUD, non-adherence to management plans, and early discharge against medical advice. In this commentary, we outline several harm reduction practices that we believe should be considered by hospital-based practitioners. We classify such interventions into three categories. First, we list interventions that should be implemented immediately because of a strong evidence base or compelling ethical arguments. Second, we list interventions for which there is a solid evidence base in community settings but insufficient evidence regarding implementation in hospitals; such interventions require an implementation science approach to identify methods to optimally introduce these interventions into inpatient settings [2]. Third, we list interventions for which there is sufficient uncertainty or controversy such that additional clinical research is needed prior to implementation. Interventions to be implemented immediately De-stigmatizing interventions Drug use is among the most stigmatized conditions in health care [3]. De-stigmatizing interventions starts with educational programs for all health care providers. Lists of terms to avoid and acceptable substitutes can be easily provided to hospital personnel [3]. Involving people with lived experience of drug use as partners in clinical care delivery and hospital policy committees can help more fully address discrimination and stigma.

Background Prerequisite opioid withdrawal symptoms prior to buprenorphine induction are unacceptable to many patients. We assessed whether transdermal buprenorphine minimized withdrawal while bridging to sublingual therapy among hospital inpatients. Methods Retrospective chart review of (n = 23) inpatients with opioid use disorder or opioid dependence due to chronic pain. Results Of 23 inpatients, 65% transitioned without symptoms, while 35% experienced mild withdrawal. Ninety-six percent completed planned hospitalizations, with 83% engaged in treatment 4 weeks post-discharge. Discussion and conclusions Bridging to sublingual therapy with transdermal buprenorphine patches was feasible without withdrawal symptoms. Scientific significance This strategy may facilitate buprenorphine therapy in hospital inpatients. (Am J Addict 2019;00:1-4).

The Consent and Capacity Board (CCB) of Ontario is an independent administrative tribunal that adjudicates on matters of consent to medical treatment including involuntary admission to a psychiatric facility and findings of incapacity with regard to treatment decisions. This study explores the perspectives of multiple stakeholders on procedural justice in CCB hearings in Ontario. Using purposeful and snowball sampling, participants including CCB panel members and staff, patients, and other professionals (e.g., lawyers, psychiatrists) were recruited from different sites across the city of Toronto. Using focus groups (n = 10) and individual interviews (n = 14), data were collected from 44 participants including 6 patients and 38 other stakeholders who have participated in CCB hearings. Using thematic analysis, we identified five themes – (i) Inclusiveness (ii) Respect (iii) Fairness (iv) Finding and using one's voice, and (v) Balancing interests. Findings revealed that despite efforts by CCB panel members to conduct hearings in an inclusive manner, the legalistic nature of the proceedings, as well as patients' uncertainty regarding the benefits of testifying, may be perceived as barriers to patients' meaningful participation. There was a general belief that patients are respected during CCB hearings by physicians and panel members; however, patients and their lawyers had mixed perceptions about this issue. Almost all stakeholders, excluding CCB panel members, perceived that CCB hearings were not procedurally fair. Our findings indicate that CCB hearings, as currently conducted, are not perceived as procedurally just by many of the relevant stakeholders. This perception may improve by adopting a more informal and less adversarial hearing format as well as enhancing patients' education and understanding of the CCB hearings' processes and potential outcomes.

BackgroundAlthough Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychosocial treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD), the demand for it exceeds available resources. The commonly researched 12-month version of DBT is lengthy; this can pose a barrier to its adoption in many health care settings. Further, there are no data on the optimal length of psychotherapy for BPD. The aim of this study is to examine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of 6 versus 12months of DBT for chronically suicidal individuals with BPD. A second aim of this study is to determine which patients are as likely to benefit from shorter treatment as from longer treatment.Methods/designPowered for non-inferiority testing, this two-site single-blind trial involves the random assignment of 240 patients diagnosed with BPD to 6 or 12months of standard DBT. The primary outcome is the frequency of suicidal or non-suicidal self-injurious episodes. Secondary outcomes include healthcare utilization, psychiatric and emotional symptoms, general and social functioning, and health status. Cost-effectiveness outcomes will include the cost of providing each treatment as well as health care and societal costs (e.g., missed work days and lost productivity). Assessments are scheduled at pretreatment and at 3-month intervals until 24months.DiscussionThis is the first study to directly examine the dose-effect of psychotherapy for chronically suicidal individuals diagnosed with BPD. Examining both clinical and cost effectiveness in 6 versus 12months of DBT will produce answers to the question of how much treatment is good enough. Information from this study will help to guide decisions about the allocation of scarce treatment resources and recommendations about the benefits of briefer treatment.Trial registrationNCT02387736 . Registered February 20, 2015.

This investigation sought to identify HIV-risk and -protective factors among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) who engaged in anal sex following alcohol or substance use during an international Pride Festival. MSM attending World Pride were surveyed regarding (1) alcohol, substance use, and sex during the past 24 h; and (2) HIV-risk and -protective factors. Valid data were provided by 1123 MSM. Anal sex was reported by 195 MSM, among whom the majority (n = 105) consumed alcohol or substances prior to sex. Among MSM aware of their HIV status who consumed alcohol or substances prior to sex (n = 99), those who engaged in serodiscordant condomless anal sex (n = 22) were more likely to be HIV+ (AOR = 10.14, 95% CI 1.48–69.35); report multiple sex partners (AOR = 9.05, 95% CI 1.70–48.12); and possess lower condom efficacy (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.23–0.93) and social support (AOR = 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.46). Bolstering condom negotiation skills and social support could potentially reduce HIV acquisition/transmission-risk behavior, even when under the influence of alcohol or substances.

The purpose of this study was to explore nehiyaw iskwewak (Cree women's) perceptions and beliefs about how to restore balance to health. Fifteen indigenous women from Northern Alberta, Canada, participated in a 3-day cultural retreat on beauty and art in British Columbia, Canada, in May 2015. At the end of the retreat, these women were invited to participate in a talking circle and asked, 'What does restoring balance look like?' A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to explore individual and collective perspectives on restoring health. Nehiyaw iskwewak provided a vision of health using metaphors from the natural environment. Starting points and core characteristics of health were grounded in relationship with self, others, place and the land, suggesting interventions grounded in land-based pedagogy and focused on restoring relationship and secure attachment might be effective for this population. Nehiyaw iskwewak also said interventions should start at the individual level; as the individual restores balance mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, a long-term ripple effect can be initiated through the generations and community when these women in turn support the strengthening and nurturing of relations (e.g. parents, siblings, friends, children, grandchildren) for the next seven generations.

Frequent users of hospital emergency departments (EDs) are a medically and socially vulnerable population. The Coordinated Access to Care from Hospital EDs (CATCH-ED) study examined the effectiveness of a brief case management intervention in reducing ED use and improving health outcomes among frequent ED users with mental health or addiction challenges in a large urban centre. Adults (≥18 years of age) who had five or more ED visits in the past 12-months, with at least one visit for mental health or addictions problems were randomized to either brief case management (N = 83) or usual care (N = 83) and followed for 12 months. The primary outcome of effectiveness was the frequency of ED visits during 12 months after study enrolment. Secondary outcomes included days in hospital, mental health and addiction symptom severity and health-related quality of life, measured by the SF-12. Compared to usual care, CATCH-ED participants saw a 14% reduction in frequency of ED visits during the 12-month post-randomization period [rate ratio (RR) = 0.86, 95% CI 0.64-1.15)], however, this finding did not reach statistical significance. There were also no statistically significant differences between the groups at 12 months in the number of days spent in hospital (RR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.59-2.29), physical (1.50, 95% CI -2.15-5.15) or mental (-3.97, 95% CI -8.13-0.19) component scores of the SF-12, severity of psychiatric symptoms (-0.41, 95% CI -2.30-1.49), alcohol (0.053 95% -0.017-0.12) or drug (-0.0027, 95% CI -0.0028-0.023) use. Compared to usual care, a brief case management intervention did not result in significantly reduced ED use or improved health outcomes among frequent ED users with mental health or addictions challenges in a large urban centre in Canada. Future studies need to evaluate the availability and accessibility of community-based resources for individuals with frequent ED use.

Background Injection drug use is a skill learned in social settings. Change the Cycle (CTC), a peer-delivered, one-session intervention, is designed to reduce among people who inject drugs (PIDs) injection initiation-related behaviours (i.e., speaking positively about injecting to non-injectors, injecting in front of non-injectors, explaining or showing a non-injector how to inject) and initiation of non-injectors. We hypothesized that participation in CTC would lead to reductions in initiation-related behaviours six months later. Methods Using respondent driven sampling (RDS), 98 PIDs were recruited in Toronto, Canada to participate in pilot testing of CTC. The baseline session consisted of a structured interview, the peer-delivered CTC intervention, instructions regarding RDS coupon distribution, and an invitation to return in six months for a follow-up interview. For the 84 PIDs completing the six-month interview, we compared initiation-related behaviours at baseline with six-month follow-up. Results The proportion of PIDs offering to initiate a non-injector was reduced from 8.4% (95% CI: 2.5, 15.9) at baseline to 1.59% (95% CI: 0.4, 3.7) at 6-month follow-up. The prevalence of speaking positively about injection to non-injectors also decreased significantly. The proportion of PIDs who helped a non-injector with a first injection at baseline was 6.2% (95% CI: 2.1, 11.3) and at follow-up was 3.5% (95% CI: 0.8, 7.1). Paired analyses of initiator baseline versus follow-up data showed a 72.7% reduction in initiation (95%CI: 47.7, 83.1). Conclusions While further refinements remain to be tested, pilot study results suggest that CTC holds promise as a prevention intervention.

Patients with borderline personality disorder frequently drop out prematurely from psychotherapy. This study examined factors related to treatment attrition in 180 patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial comparing 1 year of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to General Psychiatric Management (GPM). Completers and dropouts were compared on a range of variables, including demographics, Axis I and Axis II disorders, anger and impulsivity, therapeutic alliance, and treatment condition. The participants were on average 30.36 years old and 86% were female. Regression analyses revealed that individuals who dropped out had higher levels of anger (p = .01), greater Axis I comorbidity (p = .03), poorer therapeutic alliance (p = .003), and a higher number of lifetime suicide attempts (p = .05). An interaction was also found between Axis I comorbidity and treatment condition, with significantly lower rates of dropout seen in individuals with high Axis I comorbidity who were assigned to GPM compared to those assigned to DBT (p < .001).

This exploratory study examined specific emotion processes and cognitive problem-solving processes in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and assessed the relationship of these changes to treatment outcome. Emotion and cognitive problem-solving processes were assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Linguistic Inquiry Word Count, the Derogatis Affect Balance Scale, and the Problem Solving Inventory. Participants who showed greater improvements in affect balance, problem solving, and the ability to identify and describe emotions showed greater improvements on treatment outcome, with affect balance remaining statistically significant under the most conservative conditions. The results provide preliminary evidence to support the theory that specific improvements in emotion and cognitive processes are associated with positive treatment outcomes (symptom distress, interpersonal functioning) in BPD. The implications for treatment are discussed.

Objective: People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are at high risk for attempting suicide. There are some data to suggest that risk factors for suicide attempts change over time. We conducted a prospective cohort study to examine risk factors for suicide attempts in a treated sample of patients with BPD. Method: One hundred eighty participants with BPD were followed over a year-long course of dialectical behaviour therapy or general psychiatric management and then for 2 more years in naturalistic follow-up. Participants were assessed for suicidal and self-injurious behaviours at baseline, every 4 months over the 1-year treatment phase, and every 6 months over a 2-year follow-up period. Participants were classified as suicide or nonsuicide attempters based on their behaviour at the end of the 1-year treatment phase and after the 2-year follow-up period. Groups were then compared on baseline clinical and demographic variables. Results: Nearly 26% of participants made a suicide attempt during the 1-year treatment phase, while 16.7% reported a suicide attempt over the 2-year follow-up period. Baseline number of suicide attempts during the 4 months prior to study and severity of childhood sexual abuse predicted suicide attempts during the treatment year. Similarly, baseline suicide attempts, severity of childhood sexual abuse, and number of hospitalizations in the 4 months prior to study entry predicted suicide attempts during the 2-year follow-up. Conclusions: Risk factors for suicide attempts in this treated sample of patients with BPD were fairly stable, largely nonmodifiable, and unrelated to psychopathology or psychosocial functioning at baseline.

Objective Evidence-based therapies for borderline personality disorder (BPD) are lengthy and scarce. Data on brief interventions are limited, and their role in the treatment of BPD is unclear. Our aim was therefore to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of brief dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills training as an adjunctive intervention for high suicide risk in patients with BPD. Method Eighty-four out-patients were randomized to 20 weeks of DBT skills (n = 42) or a waitlist (WL; n = 42). The primary outcome was frequency of suicidal or non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) episodes. Assessments were conducted at baseline 10, 20 and 32 weeks. Results DBT participants showed greater reductions than the WL participants on suicidal and NSSI behaviours between baseline and 32 weeks (P < 0.0001). DBT participants showed greater improvements than controls on measures of anger, distress tolerance and emotion regulation at 32 weeks. Conclusions This abbreviated intervention is a viable option that may be a useful adjunctive intervention for the treatment of high-risk behaviour associated with the acute phase of BPD.

The authors conducted a 2-year prospective naturalistic follow-up study to evaluate posttreatment clinical outcomes in outpatients who were randomly selected to receive 1 year of either dialectical behavior therapy or general psychiatric management for borderline personality disorder.Patients were assessed by blind raters 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after treatment. The clinical effectiveness of treatment was assessed on measures of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors, health care utilization, general symptom distress, depression, anger, quality of life, social adjustment, borderline psychopathology, and diagnostic status. The authors conducted between-group comparisons using generalized estimating equation, mixed-effects models, or chi-square statistics, depending on the distribution and nature of the data.Both treatment groups showed similar and statistically significant improvements on the majority of outcomes 2 years after discharge. The original effects of treatment did not diminish for any outcome domain, including suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors. Further improvements were seen on measures of depression, interpersonal functioning, and anger. However, even though two-thirds of the participants achieved diagnostic remission and significant increases in quality of life, 53% were neither employed nor in school, and 39% were receiving psychiatric disability support after 36 months.One year of either dialectical behavior therapy or general psychiatric management was associated with long-lasting positive effects across a broad range of outcomes. Despite the benefits of these specific treatments, one important finding that replicates previous research is that participants continued to exhibit high levels of functional impairment. The effectiveness of adjunctive rehabilitation strategies to improve general functioning deserves additional study.

Background Although a growing number of collaborative mental health care models have been developed, targeting specific populations, few studies have utilized such interventions among homeless populations. This quasi-experimental study compared the outcomes of two shelter-based collaborative mental health care models for men experiencing homelessness and mental illness: (1) an integrated multidisciplinary collaborative care (IMCC) model and (2) a less resource intensive shifted outpatient collaborative care (SOCC) model. Methods In total 142 participants, 70 from IMCC and 72 from SOCC were enrolled and followed for 12 months. Outcome measures included community functioning, residential stability, and health service use. Multivariate regression models were used to compare study arms with respect to change in community functioning, residential stability, and health service use outcomes over time and to identify baseline demographic, clinical or homelessness variables associated with observed changes in these domains. Results We observed improvements in both programs over time on measures of community functioning, residential stability, hospitalizations, emergency department visits and community physician visits, with no significant differences between groups over time on these outcome measures. Conclusions Our findings suggest that shelter-based collaborative mental health care models may be effective for individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness. Future studies should seek to confirm these findings and examine the cost effectiveness of collaborative care models for this population.

Data are limited about the role of initiators in the transition to injection drug use. We examined the prevalence and predictors of giving someone their first injection using baseline data from a study involving 98 injection drug users (IDUs) in Toronto, Canada. Participants were recruited in 2011 using respondent-driven sampling. Findings revealed that 27.4 % (95 % CI 14.7–42.2) of IDUs had ever given anyone their first injection. In the logistic regression analysis, being unemployed and having ever spoken positively about injecting to a non-injector were associated with giving someone their first injection. Furthermore, the odds of initiating non-IDUs increased with the number of years that IDUs had been injecting. Our results provide support for interventions that aim to reduce the initiation of non-IDUs; however, further research is needed to shed light on the link between unemployment and initiation of non-injectors.

Frequent users of hospital emergency departments (EDs) are a medically and socially vulnerable population. This article describes the rationale for a brief case management intervention for frequent ED users with mental health and/or addiction challenges and the design of a randomized trial assessing its effectiveness. Eligible participants are adults in a large urban centre with five or more ED visits in the past year, with at least one prior visit for a mental health or addictions reason. Participants (N = 166) will be randomized to either 4 to 6 months of brief case management or usual care, and interviewed every 3 months for 1 year. Consent will be sought to access administrative health records. A subset of participants (N = 20) and service providers (N = 13) will participate in qualitative data collection. Addressing the needs of frequent ED users is a priority in many jurisdictions. This study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of brief case management, compared to usual care, on reducing ED visits among frequent ED users experiencing mental health or substance misuse problems, and inform policy and practice in this important area. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01622244 . Registered 4 June 2012.