Challenges and potential solutions for physician suicide risk factors in the COVID-19 era: psychiatric comorbidities, judicialization of medicine, and burnout

Abstract Introduction Suicide among physicians constitutes a public health problem that deserves more consideration. A recently performed meta-analysis and systematic review evaluated suicide mortality in physicians by gender and investigated several related risk factors. It showed that the post-1980 suicide mortality was 46% higher in female physicians than among women in the general population, while the risk in male physicians was 33% lower than among men in general, despite an overall contraction in physician mortality rates in both genders. Methods This narrative review was conducted by searching and analyzing articles/databases that were relevant to addressing questions raised by a prior meta-analysis and how they might be affected by COVID-19. This process included unstructured searches on Pubmed for physician suicide, burnout, judicialization of medicine, healthcare organizations, and COVID-19, and Google searches for relevant databases and medical society, expert, and media commentaries on these topics. We focus on three factors critical to addressing physician suicides: epidemiological data limitations, psychiatric comorbidities, and professional overload. Results We found relevant articles on suicide reporting, physician mental health, the effects of healthcare judicialization, and organizational involvement on physician and patient health, and how COVID-19 may impact such factors. This review addresses information sources, underreporting/misreporting of physician suicide rates, inadequate diagnosis and management of psychiatric comorbidities and the chronic effects on physicians' work capacity, and, finally, judicialization of medicine and organizational failures increasing physician burnout. We discuss these factors in general and in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions We present an overview of the above factors, discuss possible solutions, and specifically address how COVID-19 may impact such factors.

Physician suicide demographics and the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: To identify suicide rates and how they relate to demographic factors (sex, race and ethnicity, age, location) among physicians compared to the general population when aggravated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: We searched U.S. databases to report global suicide rates and proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) among U.S. physicians (and non-physicians in health occupations) using National Occupational Mortality Surveillance (NOMS) data and using Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) in the general population. We also reviewed the effects of age, suicide methods and locations, COVID-19 considerations, and potential solutions to current challenges. Results: Between NOMS1 (1985-1998) and NOMS2 (1999-2013), the PMRs for suicide increased in White male physicians (1.77 to 2.03) and Black male physicians (2.50 to 4.24) but decreased in White female physicians (2.66 to 2.42). Conclusions: The interaction of non-modifiable risk factors, such as sex, race and ethnicity, age, education level/healthcare career, and location, require further investigation. Addressing systemic and organizational problems and personal resilience training are highly recommended, particularly during the additional strain from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychotic and affective symptoms of early-onset bipolar disorder: an observational study of patients in first manic episode

Objective: Presence of psychotic symptoms seems to be a commonplace in early-onset bipolar disorder (BD). However, few studies have examined their occurrence in adolescent-onset BD. We sought to investigate the frequency of affective and psychotic symptoms observed during the first manic episode in adolescents. Methods: Forty-nine adolescents with bipolar I disorder (DSM-IV criteria) were admitted to a psychiatric hospital during their first acute manic episode. Assessment for current psychiatric diagnosis was performed by direct clinical interview and the DSM-IV version of the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA). Results: Teenage inpatients with BD consistently exhibited typical manic features, such as euphoria, grandiosity, and psychomotor agitation. In addition, disorganization and psychotic symptoms were present in 82 and 55% of the total sample, respectively. There was no significant difference in symptoms between early- and late-adolescent subgroups. Remarkably, most patients (76%) reported previous depressive episode(s); of these, 47% had prominent psychotic features in the prior depressive period. Conclusion: These findings suggest that disorganization and psychotic symptoms during the first manic episode are salient features in adolescent-onset BD, and that psychotic depression frequently may precede psychotic mania. Nevertheless, differential diagnosis with schizophrenia should be routinely ruled out in cases of early-onset first psychotic episode.

Where does her mood come from? An organic approach to a once functional patient / De onde vem seu humor? Uma abordagem orgânica para um paciente previamente funcional

Objective: To report the rare development of manic symptoms in a patient with schizophrenia and discuss its differential diagnosis. Case description: Diagnostic criteria were based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10). A 63-year-old female (diagnosed with schizophrenia since she was 28) was brought to the emergency room with symptoms consistent with manic episode and physical examination suggestive of thyrotoxicosis. Graves' disease was confirmed by subsequent laboratory tests. She was treated successfully with radioiodine ablation, leading to full remission of manic symptoms. Comments: Schizophrenia is a chronic disease that affects about 1% of the population worldwide. The main symptoms of the disorder are altered affection, delusions, and hallucinations. Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition in which antibodies increase the production and release of thyroid hormones. There are reports about the development of mood symptoms in patients with Graves' disease that remit with adequate treatment. .

Objetivo: Relatar um caso raro de desenvolvimento de sintomas maníacos em uma paciente com esquizofrenia e discutir o diagnóstico diferencial desses sintomas. Descrição do caso: Foram utilizados como base os critérios diagnósticos da Classificação Internacional de Doenças, 10ª edição (CID-10). Paciente de 63 anos do sexo feminino e com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia desde os 28 anos foi levada a emergência com sintomas compatíveis com episódio de mania e exame físico sugestivo de tireotoxicose. Doença de Graves foi confirmada por exames subsequentes. A paciente foi tratada com sucesso com ablação por iodo radioativo, levando à remissão dos sintomas maníacos. Comentários: A esquizofrenia é uma doença crônica que afeta cerca de 1% da população mundial. Os principais sintomas do transtorno são o embotamento afetivo, alucinações e delírios. A doença de Graves é uma doença autoimune em que o estímulo humoral aumenta a produção e liberação de hormônios pela tireoide. Há relatos na literatura sobre o desenvolvimento de sintomas maníacos em pacientes com doença de Graves, os quais remitem mediante tratamento adequado. .