ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic and government lockdown restrictions have had an impact on children and young people worldwide. In this editorial, we explore how and why referrals to UK children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) have changed during the pandemic and summarise the emerging data on the potential reasons behind this.
ABSTRACT
Aims and methodWe examined whether intensive home treatment (IHTT) was beneficial for acute schizophrenia, using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale as a measure of severity and change, between 2011-2015. Demographic and clinical details were collected. RESULTS: 309 cases were referred to IHTT, comprising 245 separate individuals. This represented all severe acute psychotic episodes in Edinburgh during the study period. Three quarters of individuals had an improvement in CGI following IHTT and were safely managed at home. Thirty-nine per cent of all people received three or more regular medications. Comorbid drug and alcohol misuse was also frequently seen.Clinical implicationsIHTT can be beneficial to those suffering an acute episode of psychosis and has been shown to improve overall clinical outcome based on the CGI. Medication polypharmacy, as well as drug and alcohol use, are commonly seen in this population.Declaration of interestM.T. worked in IHTT at the time of the study, and has received fees and/or hospitality from Janssen, Lundbeck and Otsuka in the past 3 years.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to provide an opinion paper reviewing the role of depot or long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications, with comments on individual newer LAIs such aripiprazole maintena and paliperidone palmitate. In particular, we share our recent experience of using paliperidone three-monthly LAI. We also reflect on the associated benefits and potential harms of LAIs, and when they may be used. CONCLUSIONS: LAI antipsychotics are an important and arguably under-utilised therapeutic option, particularly where medication adherence is a priority, and where an informed patient opts for this formulation. Paliperidone is the first three-monthly LAI antipsychotic, and as such represents a significant advance in the range of treatment choices.
