Adult psychiatric inpatient admissions and length of stay before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large urban hospital setting in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic individuals with mental illnesses faced challenges accessing psychiatric care. Our study aimed to describe patient characteristics and compare admissions and length of stay (LOS) for psychiatric-related hospitalizations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using health administrative data comparing individuals with an acute psychiatric admission between two time periods: 1st March 2019 to 31st December 2019 (pre-COVID) and 1st March 2020 to 31st December 2020 (during-COVID). Multivariable negative binomial regression was used to model the association between most responsible diagnosis type and the two-time periods to hospital LOS, reporting the Rate Ratio (RR) as the measure of effect. Results: The cohort comprised 939 individuals who were predominately male (60.3%) with a severe mental illness (schizophrenia or mood-affective disorder) (72.7%) and a median age of 38 (IQR: 28.0, 52.0) years. In the multivariable analysis, anxiety disorders (RR: 0.63, CI: 0.4, 0.99) and personality disorders (RR: 0.52, CI: 0.32, 0.85) were significantly associated with a shorter LOS when compared to individuals without those disorders. Additionally, when compared to hospital admissions for non-substance related disorders the LOS for patients with substance-related disorders were significantly shorter during the COVID period (RR: 0.45, CI: 0.30, 0.67) and pre-COVID period (RR: 0.31, CI: 0.21, 0.46). Conclusions: We observed a significant difference in the type and length of admissions for various psychiatric disorders during the COVID-19 period. These findings can support systems of care in adapting to utilization changes during pandemics or other global health events.

Lithium related thyroid and parathyroid disease: Updated clinical practice guidelines are needed.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of and determine physician approaches to the screening and management of lithium-associated thyroid and parathyroid disorders in British Columbia, Canada. METHODS: Serum lithium and thyroid/parathyroid laboratory data were collected retrospectively for patients with lithium levels measured at seven BC hospitals between 2012 and 2021. A mail-out survey about screening and management of thyroid/parathyroid disorders in patients on lithium was sent to the ordering physicians of patients with abnormal results. Three months after, a follow-up questionnaire was sent to respondents, and the original survey was re-sent to non-responders. RESULTS: Of 4917 patients, 1.9 % had PTH (mean 22.33 ± 23.00 pmol/L) and 77.1 % had TSH (mean 3.61 ± 6.69 pmol/L) measured. Of 222 hypercalcemic patients (defined as any serum calcium or ionized calcium above the laboratory reference), 17.6 % had a PTH level measured. From 294 surveys sent to 214 physicians, the overall response rate was 31.6 % (n = 93) with twelve fully completed surveys. All twelve respondents monitored TSH levels every 6-12 months, and eight physicians monitored PTH and/or calcium at variable intervals. Two physicians routinely ordered both thyroid and parathyroid screening laboratory tests. Of the 80 non-respondents, limited patient contact was the most common reason for opting out (n = 27). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest biochemical screening for lithium-associated parathyroid disorders is less common than for thyroid disorders. There is insufficient data to determine the true prevalence of lithium-associated thyroid and parathyroid disorders. This highlights the need for updated clinical guidelines for management of lithium-associated thyroid and parathyroid disorders.

Association of homelessness and psychiatric hospital readmission-a retrospective cohort study 2016-2020.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of adult psychiatric inpatients experience homelessness and are often discharged to unstable accommodation or the street. It is unclear whether homelessness impacts psychiatric hospital readmission. Our primary objective was to examine the association between homelessness and risk for 30-day and 90-day readmission following discharge from a psychiatric unit at a single urban hospital. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study involving health administrative data among individuals (n = 3907) in Vancouver, Canada with an acute psychiatric admission between January 2016 and December 2020. Participants were followed from the date of index admission until censoring (December 30, 2020). Homelessness was measured at index admission and treated as a time-varying exposure. Adjusted Hazard Ratios (aHRs) of acute readmission (30-day and 90-day) for psychiatric and substance use disorders were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 3907 individuals who were predominantly male (61.89%) with a severe mental illness (70.92%), substance use disorder (20.45%) and mean age of 40.66 (SD, 14.33). A total of 686 (17.56%) individuals were homeless at their index hospitalization averaging 19.13 (21.53) days in hospital. After adjusting for covariates, patients experiencing homelessness had a 2.04 (1.65, 2.51) increased rate of 30-day readmission and 1.65 (1.24, 2.19) increased rate of 90-day readmission during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Homelessness was significantly associated with increased 30-day and 90-day readmission rates in a large comprehensive sample of adults with mental illness and substance use disorders. Interventions to reduce homelessness are urgently needed. QUESTION: Is homelessness associated with risk for 30-day and 90-day psychiatric hospital readmission? FINDINGS: In this retrospective cohort study of 3907 individuals, homelessness at discharge was associated with increased 30-day and 90-day psychiatric readmission. MEANING: Housing status is an important risk factor for hospital readmission. High-quality interventions focused on housing supports have the potential to reduce psychiatric readmission.

Changes to the electrocardiogram during exercise in anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by low body weight, distorted body image, and an intense fear of gaining weight. Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, particularly in the QT interval, have been implicated in AN-associated sudden death but not well defined. OBJECTIVES: To characterize QT interval changes during exercise in anorexia nervosa. METHODS: The QT interval was evaluated in a prospective cohort undergoing structured exercise. Patients from the St. Paul's Hospital Provincial Adult Tertiary Eating Disorders Program underwent a 6-minute modified exercise test protocol. A single lead ECG patch recording device was used to record a Lead I equivalent, due to challenges applying standard ECG monitoring in subjects with low body mass. Heart rate (HR) and QT interval were assessed. RESULTS: Eighteen eating disorder patients (16 female) completed testing (age 31 ± 12 years, BMI 16.5 ± 3.8 kg/m2). Patients were compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. HR was similar between patients and controls (baseline: 65 (55-70)bpm vs. 69 (53-73)bpm, p = 0.83; maximum: 110 (94-139) bpm vs. 108 (93-141) bpm, p = 0.96; end recovery: 62 (54-68) bpm vs. 66 (55-75) bpm, p = 0.39). QTc intervals were similar between groups at baseline (381 ± 17 ms vs. 381 ± 46 ms, p = 0.93) and end recovery (397 ± 42 ms vs 398 ± 42 ms, p = 0.91). However, AN patients demonstrated QTc prolongation while controls showed QTc shortening at maximum HR (426 ± 70 ms vs. 345 ± 59 ms, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Low level exercise HR increases are similar between AN patients and controls, but the QTc interval fails to shorten, which may explain the increased arrhythmic risk in AN.

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are not routinely screened for depression and anxiety despite knowledge of an increased prevalence in people with chronic disease and negative effects on quality of life. METHODS: Prevalence of anxiety and depression was assessed in IBD outpatients through retrospective chart review. The presence of anxiety and/or depression was determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 self-report questionnaires or by diagnosis through psychiatric interview. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, and medication information were also collected. Multivariable analysis was used to determine associations between patient factors and depression and anxiety. RESULTS: 327 patient charts were reviewed. Rates of depression and anxiety were found to be 25.8% and 21.2%, with 30.3% of patients suffering from depression and/or anxiety. Disease activity was found to be significantly associated with depression and/or anxiety (p = 0.01). Females were more likely to have anxiety (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of IBD patients suffer from depression and/or anxiety. The rates of these mental illnesses would justify screening and referral for psychiatric treatment in clinics treating this population. Patients with active disease are particularly at risk for anxiety and depression.

Managing unipolar depression in pregnancy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The management of depression in pregnancy is complex, as it is based on balancing the risks with the benefits of treatment versus no treatment for both the mother and the fetus. The current literature in the field of reproductive psychiatry is difficult to navigate and at times contradictory. This article aims to review both nonpharmacological and pharmacological modalities in the treatment of perinatal depression. A literature review using PubMed and MEDLINE databases was used to collect literature from the past 2 years; however, given the relatively small amount of research in reproductive psychiatry, several salient articles from the past 5 years have also been included in this review. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent US Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada warnings regarding poor neonatal adaptation and adverse perinatal outcomes associated with antidepressant use in pregnancy have changed patterns of practice for prescribing physicians. Many physicians are now left with a sense of indecisiveness regarding the safety of treating their depressed, pregnant patients. Similarly, these warnings have changed patients' attitudes and their willingness to consider pharmacological treatment for depression. Although these warnings demand attention and careful consideration, research has also shown that exposure to mental illness in pregnancy has deleterious short-term and long-term effects for the exposed mother and fetus. SUMMARY: The field of reproductive psychiatry is rapidly evolving. Clinicians need to keep abreast of changes in the management of depression during pregnancy. Ongoing research in this field is important so that the most up-to-date recommendations may be provided to pregnant women.