Characteristics of Korean Employees Without Depression but Having Suicidal Ideation

Objective@#The aim of this study was to identify the factors related to suicidal ideation targeting the risk group showing suicidal ideation despite the absence of depression in Korean workers. @*Methods@#The data of 14,425 participants who were employees aged of 18 to 75 years who attended a mental health checkup program at the Workplace Mental Health Institute, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from June 2015 to October 2019 were analyzed. A self-report questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic factors, suicidal ideation, job stress, levels of depression and anxiety, and resilience was administered. A Hierarchical logistic regression model was used with suicidal ideation as dependent variable. Separate analyses were conducted according to depressive symptoms using the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. @*Results@#Being women, older, and having low resilience, more perceived stress, more severe anxiety and less sleeping hours were associated with suicidal ideation in no-depression group (CES-D <16). In the subcategories of job stress, lack of reward was significantly associated with suicidal ideation in no-depression group. @*Conclusion@#This study identified the characteristics of a group that has no depression but has suicidal ideation in Korean workers. Among job stress items, lack of reward is a clear characteristic to be considered with caution in this group.

The Association Between Alcohol Use and Suicidal Ideation Among Employees

Objective@#The risk of suicide is assessed by identifying the relationship between alcohol-use patterns and suicidal ideation in Korean employees. @*Methods@#The study involved 13,858 employees who underwent workplace mental health screening at the Workplace Mental Health Institute of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital over a 6-year period between 2014 and 2019. Analysis was performed separately for Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Korea (AUDIT-K) items related to the frequency/volume of alcohol consumption (items 1 to 3, AUDIT-C) and those regarding alcohol dependence/related problems (items 4 to 10, AUDIT-D/P). Subjects were then classified into three groups on the basis of the presence or absence of clinical depression and suicidal ideation. The groups’ sociodemographic factors and clinical features of depression, anxiety, and alcohol-use patterns were analyzed with a chi-square test as well as one-way analysis of variance, followed by a post hoc test using the Bonferroni correction. @*Results@#AUDIT-K and AUDIT-D/P scores were significantly associated with the presence or absence of clinical depression as well as the presence or absence of suicidal ideation (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found among the three groups with regard to the AUDIT-C score (p=0.054). @*Conclusion@#Identifying or treating alcohol dependence/related problems can help lower the occurrence of mental health problems, and suicidal ideation in particular, in employees and reduce social costs.

The Relationship between Serum Vitamin D Levels,C-Reactive Protein, and Anxiety Symptoms

Objective@#The aim of study is to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D, c-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and anxietysymptoms. @*Methods@#Serum vitamin D and CRP levels of 51,003 Korean adult participants were collected retrospectively. Anxiety symptoms wereassessed using the Korean version of Beck Anxiety Inventory. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (ORs) of anxietysymptoms by serum vitamin D and CRP levels. The regression was adjusted for covariates, and each model was adjusted mutually for vitaminD and CRP levels. @*Results@#Compared with sufficient vitamin D levels (≥20 ng/mL), insufficient (10–19.99 ng/mL) and deficient (<10 ng/mL) vitamin Dlevels were significantly associated with risk of anxiety symptoms. Also, continuous vitamin D levels were negatively associated with therisk of anxiety symptoms. CRP levels did not affect the relationship between vitamin D levels and risk of anxiety symptoms. @*Conclusion@#Insufficient (10–19.99 ng/mL) and deficient (<10 ng/mL) vitamin D levels were significantly associated with risk of anxietysymptoms. After adjusting for CRP levels, the results were not changed, and no evidence of interaction between vitamin D and CRP levelswas found. CRP levels did not account for the association between vitamin D levels and risk of anxiety symptoms.Psychiatry Investig 2020;17(4):312-319

Resilience as a Protective Factor for Suicidal Ideation among Korean Workers

Objective@#This study aimed to investigate resilience as a protective factor for suicidality among Korean workers. @*Methods@#Participants were workers from 26 organizations in Korea, aged 18 to 63 years, who completed a self-reported questionnaire comprising items on sociodemographic factors, job stress, resilience, and suicidality. Completed questionnaires were collected from 4,405 persons, with 4,389 valid responses. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were performed using suicidality as the dependent variable. @*Results@#Results of the logistic regression analyses indicated that among the sociodemographic factors, older age, being female, and being single were statistically significantly associated with suicidal ideation. A high level of job stress, depressive mood, and anxiety, in addition to a short job duration, were also associated with suicidal ideation. Resilience was a significant protective factor for suicidal ideation after adjusting for all other variables. Older age and high anxiety levels were associated with having a suicide plan among participants with suicidal ideation. The association of resilience with suicide plans and suicide attempts was non-significant. @*Conclusion@#In this study, we found that a high level of resilience was associated with a low incidence of suicidal ideation in Korean workers. Based on these results, we suggest the need to develop and implement interventions to improve resilience in the workplace, thereby protecting workers, especially those with a high level of work stress, from suicidal ideation.

The Association between Physical Activity and Anxiety Symptoms for General Adult Populations: An Analysis of the Dose-Response Relationship

Objective@#The aim of this study is to determine the dose-response relationship between physical activity and anxiety symptoms. @*Methods@#We included data of 124,434 participants who had comprehensive health-screening examinations from January 1st, 2012, to December 31st, 2016, in Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul and Suwon, South Korea. We measured the level of physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF) and estimated anxiety symptoms using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). BAI scores of 19 and above were defined as cases. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between physical activity and BAI-defined anxiety. Furthermore, we assessed whether sex differences might affect the relationship between physical activity and BAI-defined anxiety by stratifying our data. @*Results@#Compared with the sedentary group (0–600 METs-min/week), individuals achieving 600–6,000 METs-min/wk had a significantly lower risk of BAI-defined anxiety with a U-shaped relationship in general adults. After stratifying our data by sex, we found that optimal ranges of physical activity were 600–9,000 METs-min/wk for men, but 1,200–3,000 METs-min/wk for women. @*Conclusion@#We identified a U- or J-shaped association between physical activity and anxiety symptoms, suggesting an optimal dose and upper limit of physical activity for decreasing anxiety symptoms. Optimal levels and upper limits of physical activity for reducing anxiety symptoms were higher for men than for women.

Enhanced alcohol degradation and hepatic protective effects of an Acetobacter Pasteurianus-derived product, CureZyme-ACE, in an acute intoxication rat model / 한국실험동물학회지

Excessive alcohol consumption induces acute intoxication and various hepatic diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of the CureZyme-ACE (CA), Acetobacter Pasteurianus (AP)-derived product, in acute intoxication rats. The ethanol and acetaldehyde levels of serum were lower in rats treated with CA than those who only treated ethanol. The activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase also recovered faster in the CA group than only-ethanol group. The transaminase levels (AST, ALT) in the CA group were significantly lower than only-ethanol group. In addition, Hepatic histological analyses and stomach wall were demonstrated that the CA-treated group recovered faster than only-ethanol group. With regard to most characteristics, we found that CA had dose-dependent effects. At high concentrations of CA, there were no differences in the tested parameters compared to those of normal rats. These findings indicate that CA reduces the serum alcohol concentration and some of the hepatic damage caused by alcohol intoxication.

Job Stress and Depression / 신경정신의학

Companies need to take an interest in the mental health of employees, including stress and depression, which is closely related to the productivity of the company. When dealing with the workplace mental health of employees, the company needs to shift a perspective from management to care. The rate of depression among workers is similar to that of the general population, but they complain of a deterioration of concentration and cognitive function during periods of depression, which is often related to workability and complaints of discomfort. Various types of depressive symptoms among workers have been noted, but they often show signs of adjustment disorder with depression. Therefore, therapeutically, in addition to pharmacological therapy, various forms of psychotherapeutic approaches are important. In the case of pharmacotherapy, it is better to avoid drugs that can influence the cognitive function, especially drugs that induce drowsiness or affect cognitive ability. If necessary, caution should be taken when using sleep-inducing agents or benzodiazepines, and it is recommended to use them temporarily. Psychiatrists should take care of mental health at the workplace and provide help in prevention and treatment through a range of activities, such as consultation, coaching, and lectures.

Resilience as a Protective Factor for Depressive Mood and Anxiety among Korean Employees

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate resilience as a protective factor for depressive mood and anxiety among Korean employees. METHODS: Participants were employees of eight private and local government organizations in Korea, aged 19 to 65 years. A self-report questionnaire that included items on resilience, job stress, levels of depression and anxiety, and socio-demographic factors, was administered to 1,079 Korean employees, with 1,076 valid responses. We performed hierarchical linear regression analyses with the levels of depression and anxiety scores as dependent variables. RESULTS: Being women and having a high level of job stress were associated with greater depressive mood and anxiety. In contrast, resilience was negatively related to depressive mood and anxiety, after adjusting for demographic variables and the level of job stress. Among the five factors for resilience, “support” and “hardiness” were protective factors for depressive mood and anxiety after adjusting for demographic variables and the level of job stress. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the current study, we suggest that focusing on the resilience of employees, especially on “support” and “hardiness,” factors as well as developing and engaging in interventions that increase resilience in the workplace, can protect against depressive mood and anxiety, especially for those with high levels of job stress.

Gender Differences of Occupational Stress Associated with Suicidal Ideation among South Korean Employees: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the relationship between occupational stress and suicidal ideation was investigated, focusing on gender differences among Korean employees. METHODS: Cross-sectional data for 53,969 workers were collected at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital health screening centers. Risk of suicidal ideation was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire examining suicidal ideation during the past year. Occupational stress was measured using 24 items of the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF). Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the relationships between suicidal ideation and components of occupational stress. RESULTS: In multivariable-adjusted models, all job stress contributed to increased risk of suicidal ideation in males. Most subscales, except insufficient job control and organizational system, were risk factors of suicidal ideation in females. Further adjustments for depression markedly attenuated this relationship. However, the effects of insufficient job control and lack of reward on suicidal ideation remained significant in males, and interpersonal conflict remained significant in females. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that occupational stress plays a significant role in increasing risk of suicidal ideation through elevation of depressive symptoms. Gender differences in components of occupational stress associated with suicidal ideation were also observed.

The Relationship between Plasma Oxytocin Levels and Social Anxiety Symptoms

OBJECTIVE: The pathophysiology of social anxiety disorder (SAD) is not yet well understood, but previous research has suggested that oxytocin is associated with social behavior and may play a role in human anxiety states and anxiety-related traits. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between social anxiety symptoms and plasma oxytocin levels. METHODS: Twenty-three male patients with SAD and 28 healthy male controls participated in this study. All participants were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify associations between plasma oxytocin levels and SAD. RESULTS: In multiple regression models, after controlling for age and years of education, we found that higher oxytocin levels were significantly associated with higher total LSAS scores (R²=0.157, coefficient=0.145, 95% CI=-0.0005–0.291, p=0.051) and fear subscale scores (R²=0.134, coefficient=0.083, 95% CI=0.007–0.159, p=0.034) in the SAD group. CONCLUSION: In this study, increased plasma oxytocin levels were associated with higher social anxiety symptoms among SAD patients, but not among controls. This might be because among SAD patients, higher oxytocin (OT) secretion is an insufficient compensatory attempt to reduce social anxiety symptoms.

Improving the Screening Instrument of Bipolar Spectrum Disorders: Weighted Korean Version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: It is not easy to diagnose bipolar disorders accurately in the clinical setting. Although Korean version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (K-MDQ) is easily administered, it still has weakness regarding case finding. In this study, we suggest a new weighted version of the K-MDQ to increase its screening power. METHODS: Ninety-five patients with bipolar disorders and 346 controls (patients with schizophrenia, patients with depressive disorders, patients with anxiety disorders, and subjects without any psychiatric disease) were enrolled in this study. The subjects received brief information on the K-MDQ, and then independently completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Using odds ratios, we constructed a new weighted K-MDQ (W-K-MDQ). Item 1 (feel so good or hyper) was weighted 7 times and item 4 (less sleep) 3.5 times. Item 7 (easily distracted) and item 11 (more interested in sex) were excluded. Part 2 (simultaneity) and 3 (functional impairment) were also excluded as in the original K-MDQ. The sensitivity of the W-K-MDQ with a cutoff value of 10 was enhanced to 0.789. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was increased to 0.837. CONCLUSION: We suggested a new formula for K-MDQ using 11 of its items. The W-K-MDQ can be easily applied with good sensitivity to screen for bipolar disorders in clinical settings in Korea. Further evaluations with larger samples are needed to establish the usefulness of the W-K-MDQ.

What Kind of Stress Is Associated with Depression, Anxiety and Suicidal Ideation in Korean Employees?

Various types of stress affect mental health in the form of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and suicidal ideation. Recently, the increasing suicide rate in the working-age population has become a major mental health concern in Korea. Thus, we investigated what kind of stress influence depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in Korean employees. The study participants were 189,965 employees who attended health screenings and responded to the Center for Epidemiologic Study-Depression Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and a questionnaire on the major causes of stress and suicidal ideation. We investigated the major causes of stress by gender and age categories and used binary logistic regression to determine the impact of the causes of stress on depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Of several stress causes, work-related stress was the most prevalent, regardless of age category and gender, followed by interpersonal relationships. However, interpersonal relationships and financial problems were the predominant causes of stress related to depression or suicidal ideation. This research suggests that despite the fact that work is the most common cause of stress for Korean employees, stress related to life problems other than work has a greater influence on the mental health of Korean employees.

Dysfunction of Time Perception in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

OBJECTIVES: Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have deficits in time perception, as assessed by the time estimation task and the time reproduction task, however its age-related trajectory is not yet determined. Therefore we examined the correlation between accuracy of time perception tasks and age, and the association between accuracy of estimation tasks and reproduction tasks. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with ADHD, aged 8 to 18 years tested the tasks for five time durations (2, 4, 12, 45, and 60 seconds). Accuracy of tasks was assumed differences (absolute values) between raw results of tasks and original time durations. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed to determine correlation between accuracy of time perception tasks and age. Multivariate regression was used to determine the association of accuracy of estimation tasks with accuracy of reproduction tasks. RESULTS: Age showed correlation with accuracy of estimation tasks, but not with that of reproduction tasks. We observed that the higher the accuracy in 12, 45, and 60 seconds duration time reproduction, the higher the accuracy in longer seconds duration time estimation. CONCLUSION: Age was correlated with time estimation accuracy whereas there was no impact on time reproduction accuracy. Association of each of the two time perception tasks, particularly in longer time duration, suggested specific impairments in time perception.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Generic Mirtazapine (Mirtax) for Major Depressive Disorder: Multicenter, Open-label, Uncontrolled, Prospective Study

OBJECTIVE: Mirtax is a generic mirtazapine widely used since 2003. We conducted an open-label, uncontrolled 6-week study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Mirtax for major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Ninety three MDD patients with the diagnosis of MDD and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score > or =14 were recruited. The HDRS, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale (CGI-S) were administered at baseline, 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Response (> or =50% decrease in the HDRS or MADRS score), remission (absolute HDRS score < or =7 or MADRS score < or =10) and CGI-I score < or =2 were also calculated. Adverse event (AE) frequency and severity, weight, blood pressure, and pulse rate were checked to assess safety. RESULTS: The starting dosage was 11.5+/-6.4 mg/day, and the maintenance dosage was 23.1+/-9.4 mg/day. During 6 weeks, HDRS, MADRS and CGI-S scores decreased from 25.1+/-5.6 to 11.9+/-8.6 (mean change -13.1+/-8.3, p<0.001), from 30.2+/-6.3 to 13.73+/-10.40 (mean change -16.5+/-9.8, p<0.001), and from 5.0+/-0.8 to 2.5+/-1.3 (mean change -2.5+/-1.3, p<0.001), respectively. The percentages of responders, remitters by HDRS and patients with a CGI-I score < or =2 were 64.6%, 35.4% and 52.7%, respectively. Significant decreases in HDRS, MADRS and CGI-S scores were confirmed at week 1. The total rate of AEs was 32.3%; the most frequently reported AEs were sedation (4.3%) and constipation (4.3%). Weight was increased from 58.8+/-10.6 to 60.3+/-9.3 kg (mean change 0.7+/-1.7 kg, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: This study, as the first clinical trial of generic mirtazapine, demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of Mirtax for MDD using a single treatment design.

Comparison of Depressive Symptoms between Social Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder

OBJECTIVES: The principal aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristic depressive symptoms in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and panic disorder in comparison to patients with depressive disorder. METHODS: This study included 132 patients with SAD, 128 panic disorder and 64 depressive disorder (major depressive disorder, dysthymia etc.) patients without comorbid psychiatric disorders. The Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI) is used to measure depressive symptoms. We divided BDI into three categories originally described by Shafer AB, including negative attitude toward self, performance impairment, and somatic symptoms. We compared the depressive symptoms of SAD, panic disorder and depressive disorder by using ANOVA. RESULTS: Negative attitude toward self was noticeable in SAD (SAD 0.54 +/- 0.23, panic disorder 0.41 +/- 0.17, depressive disorder 0.46 +/- 0.11, p < 0.001). Performance impairment and somatic symptoms were remarkable in panic disorder than in SAD and depressive disorder (performance impairment : SAD 0.39 +/- 0.21, panic disorder 0.44 +/- 0.14, depressive disorder 0.40 +/- 0.09, p = 0.009 ; somatic symptoms : SAD 0.07 +/- 0.10, panic disorder 0.15 +/- 0.12, depressive disorder 0.14 +/- 0.08, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results facilitate an approach to optimal treatment for patients with comorbidity of anxiety disorder and depression.

Association of Hair Manganese Level with Symptoms in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

OBJECTIVE: The study examined the association between hair manganese level and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Korean children. METHODS: Forty clinic-referred children with ADHD and 43 normal control children participated in this study. The participants were 6-15 years old and were mainly from the urban area of Seoul, Korea. ADHD was diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition and Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version-Korean Version. The severity and symptoms of ADHD was evaluated according to the ADHD Diagnostic System, and parent's Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS). All participants completed intelligence test and hair mineral analysis. We divided the data of hair Mn into two groups to determine whether a deficit or excess of Mn are associated with ADHD. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify hair manganese levels associated with ADHD, controlling for age, sex, and full scale intelligence quotient (IQ). RESULTS: The proportion of abnormal range Mn group was significantly high in ADHD compared to controls. However, after statistical control for covariates including age and sex, abnormal range Mn group was significantly associated with ADHD (OR=6.40, 95% CI=1.39-29.41, p=0.017). CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggests that excess exposure or deficiency of Mn were associated with ADHD among children in Korea. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the effects of hair manganese levels on symptoms in ADHD.

Korean Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder 2014: Depressive Episode / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: Since the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder (KMAP-BP) was developed in 2002, the third revision of KMAP-BP was performed in 2014 in order to reflect the recent rapid development and research of bipolar disorder and psychopharmacology. METHODS: According to methodology of previous versions, KMAP-BP 2014 was revised using the same questionnaire consisting of 14 questions. Sixty-four experts of the review committee completed the survey. The executive committee analyzed the results and discussed the final production of algorithm considering scientific evidence. RESULTS: The first-line pharmacotherapeutic strategy for acute bipolar depressive episode with moderate, non-psychotic severe and psychotic severe episode was mood stabilizer combined with atypical antipsychotic (AAP) or AAP with lamotrigine. Compared to KMAP-BP 2010, preference of AAP has been increased in the treatment of bipolar depressive episode in KMAP-BP 2014. Among AAPs, olanzapine, quetiapine and aripiprazole were preferred. When considering the efficacy and safety simultaneously, (es)citalopram, bupropion, and sertraline were recommended among antidepressants for bipolar depression. CONCLUSION: Compared with the previous version, we found that more aggressive pharmacological strategies as an initial treatment were preferred, although various strategies were recommended as same as previous studies. Increased preference of AAP was prominent in KMAP-BP 2014. We expect this algorithm may be helpful in the treatment of bipolar disorder, depressive episode.

Korean Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder 2014: Manic Episode / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: The pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder has many difficulties such as various clinical feature according to each episode, recurrence, breakthroughs, treatment resistance, switching and worsening of its course. Recent rapid development and research of bipolar disorder and psychopharmacology, including atypical antipsychotics and new anticonvulsants, make it more difficult to choose the appropriate pharmacological options. Therefore, we decided to revise the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder (KMAP-BP) 2010 in order to provide more proper guideline for clinicians. METHODS: Like the previous version, KMAP-BP 2010, we performed the survey using questionnaire comprising 55 main questions in which 8 main questions and 478 sub-items for treatment of manic or hypomanic episode were included. Sixty-four members of the review committee completed the survey. The executive committee analyzed the results and discussed the final production of algorithm considering scientific evidence. RESULTS: The first-line pharmacotherapeutic strategy for acute manic episode is combination of mood stabilizer and an atypical antipsychotic, and it is the treatment of choice for euphoric, psychotic and dysphoric/mixed mania. The preference for monotherapy with atypical antipsychotic (for all three types of mania) or mood stabilizer (for euphoric mania) was increased in KMAP-BP 2014. Valproic acid and lithium are chosen as the preferred mood stabilizer of the first-line treatment of acute manic episode and valproic acid was the treatment of choice for all types of mania. Atypical antipsychotics is more widely accepted than before in manic and hypomanic episode. Moreover, the preference for combination treatment in manic patients who failed to respond in early stage treatment was increased. CONCLUSION: Compared with the previous version, we found that 'no-consensus' decreases in this revision. These suggest that the many clinicians agree with others in the treatment of acute manic/hypomanic episode, and the pharmacotherapy of manic/hypomanic episode become more obvious than before. Atypical antipsychotics such as aripiprazole, olanzapine and quetiapine gain more awareness in the treatment of bipolar mania and hypomania. We expect this algorithm may provide clinicians good information and help about the treatment of bipolar disorder, manic/hypomanic episode.

Korean Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder 2014: Overview / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: The Korean Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder (KMAP-BP) was firstly published in 2002, with updates in 2006 and 2010. This third update reviewed the experts' consensus of opinion on the pharmacological treatments of bipolar disorder. METHODS: The newly revised questionnaire composed of 55 key questions about clinical situations including 223 sub-items was sent to the experts. Sixty-four of 110 experts replied. For the newly added section (treatment guideline for child and adolescent bipolar disorders) in KMAP-BP 2014, 23 of 38 experts replied to this special section. Data were analyzed according to the same methods to be used in conjunction with the previous publications. RESULTS: The recommendations for the management of acute mania remained largely unchanged. Combination of mood stabilizer (MS) and atypical antipsychotic (AAP) was the first-line treatment option in acute mania. Valproic acid (VP), lithium (Li), and several AAPs continued to be first-line treatments. MS or AAP monotherapy was the first-line treatment in hypomania. More frequent use of AAP as a first-line agent was noted in KMAP-BP 2014. For management of mild to moderate bipolar depression, MS monotherapy, combination of MS and AAP, combination of AAP and lamotrigine (LTG) was the first-line treatments. In severe non-psychotic depression, combination of MS and AAP, combination of AAP and LTG, and combination of MS and antidepressant (AD) was the first-line treatments. For the management of severe psychotic bipolar depression, combination of MS and AAP, combination of AAP and LTG, combination of MS, AAP and AD or LTG, combination of AAP and AD, and combination of AAP, AD and LTG was the first-line treatments. Li, VP, LTG, aripiprazole (ARP), olanzapine (OLZ) and quetiapine (QT) were the first-line treatment for bipolar depression. Although many treatment options were recommended, there were few consensus of opinion in bipolar depression. Treatment of mixed features was firstly added in KMAP-BP 2014. Combination of MS and AAP was the treatment of choice for management of mixed features. AAP monotherapy was also the first-line treatment. VP, Li, ARP, OLZ and QT were the first-line treatment for management of all phases of mixed features. Risperidone was added in mixed mania and LTG in mixed depressive features. There have been many treatment options for management of rapid cycling in bipolar disorder, when considered the combination of MS and AAP was only first-line treatment in KMAP-BP 2014. Combination of MS and AAP, MS or AAP monotherapy was the first-line options for management of maintenance phase after manic episode. For maintenance treatment after bipolar I depression, combination of MS and AAP, combination of MS and LTG, combination of AAP and LTG, MS or LTG monotherapy, and combination of MS, AAP and LTG were the first-line options. For management of maintenance phase of bipolar II depression, combination of AAP and LTG, combination of MS and LTG, combination of MS and AAP, AAP or LTG monotherapy were recommended as the first-line options. CONCLUSION: The experts' opinion of consensus was markedly changed in KMAP-BP 2014 than in previous publications. Preferred treatment with AAP and LTG was especially noted for management of bipolar disorder. We confirmed the treatment options recommended in KMAP-BP 2014 were much in concordance with current updated treatment guidelines for bipolar disorder. Despite the limitations of expert consensus guideline, KMAP-BP 2014 may reflect the current patterns of clinical practice and recent researches.

Korean Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder 2014: Safety and Tolerability / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: The complexity of the treatment for bipolar disorder is often caused by the presence of side effects of various psychiatric medications. In particular, weight gain and metabolic syndrome are currently major concerns in the medication for bipolar disorders. Therefore, we undertook a survey of expert opinion to help make clinical decisions in these special situations. METHODS: A written survey which asked about treatment strategies in the safety and tolerability was prepared; 1) weight gain, 2) antipsychotic related hyperprolactinemia, 3) lamotrigine related skin rash, 4) treatment non-adherence, and 5) genetic counselling. Treatment options were scored using a 9-point scale for rating appropriateness of clinical decisions in some issues. In other issues, experts were asked to choose to determine the ranking of preferences on the list. Sixty-four experts of the review committee completed the survey. We classified the expert opinions about preferences by chi2 test. RESULTS: Experts preferred behavioral and diet modification for weight gain, switching to prolactin-sparing-antipsychotics for antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia, reducing dose of lamotrigene for its related benign skin rash, and prescribing once a day for treatment adherence. CONCLUSION: With the limitation of expert opinion, authors hope that the results of this study provide valuable information to make clinical decision about the treatment of bipolar disorder in the complicated situations.