Factors Associated with Long-term Medication Adherence in Patients Who Participated in a Short-term Group Psychoeducation Program for Bipolar Disorder.

Improving adherence to medication and quality of life is a challenge in treating bipolar disorder. Therefore, psychoeducation plays an important role. This study examined factors associated with long-term medication adherence in patients with bipolar disorder who participated in a short-term psychoeducation program. Additionally, the relationships between medication adherence and medication attitudes and quality of life (QOL) were assessed. Multiple regression analysis was conducted on 67 inpatients and outpatients using medication adherence (Brief Evaluation for Medication Influences and Beliefs [BEMIB] score) as the dependent variable and clinical and demographic variables before and after the program as explanatory variables, one year after completion of the program. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated for associations between patients' BEMIB score and medication attitudes (Drug Attitude Inventory-10 [DAI-10]) and QOL (World Health Organization QOL-26 [WHOQOL-26] score) before and after the program and one year after program completion. The results showed that the CSQ-8 J (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 Japanese) and DAI-10 scores immediately after the program were significantly related to the BEMIB score one year after program completion. Both the BEMIB and DAI-10 showed significant positive correlations with several items of the WHOQOL-26, both after the program and one year after completion of the program. The results suggest that medication attitudes acquired through psychoeducation and program satisfaction impact long-term medication adherence. The study also indicates that medication attitudes and medication adherence after a psychoeducation program are associated with QOL. Thus, patients' subjective views after a psychoeducation program can play an important role in long-term medication adherence and QOL.

Sinus Node Dysfunction After Acute Lithium Treatment at Therapeutic Levels.

Lithium carbonate (lithium) has been used extensively for the treatment of a variety of psychiatric conditions. It requires close monitoring of serum concentration due to its narrow therapeutic window. Cardiac toxicity range from asymptomatic electrocardiographic changes to fatal arrhythmias may occur even at the therapeutic levels. We report a case of psychiatric inpatient who developed asymptomatic severe bradycardia most likely related to sinus node dysfunction due to acute lithium treatment at therapeutic level. After withdrawal of lithium, a time sequential improvement of severe bradycardia examined by repeated electrocardiogram, including Holter monitoring, suggested a relationship between the lithium toxicity and sinus node dysfunction. Other factors such as baseline sinus bradycardia and lower limit of normal thyroid function might be associated with severe bradycardia. This case emphasizes the need, when prescribing lithium, for clinicians to regularly monitor their patients' electrocardiogram and serum lithium levels to prevent serious or fatal complications, such as cardiac arrest.

[Comparison of emergency tracheal intubation performed on a table and on the ground].

BACKGROUND: Emergency tracheal intubation in the pre-hospital environment is generally more difficult than when performed at a hospital. Among the reasons making it more challenging, is the rescuer's position. We compared tracheal intubation between 2 settings, on a table and on the ground. METHODS: Ten staff anesthesiologists were asked to intubate mannequins placed on a table and on the ground. Measured variables included intubation time, Cormack grade, incidence of esophageal intubation, "crick" sound from the teeth of the mannequin, and degree of head tilt during intubation attempts. RESULTS: Mean intubation times on the table and ground were 12.6 +/- 3.9 and 14.7 +/- 6.5 seconds, respectively. No esophageal intubation occurred. Cormack grades and incidence of teeth click were significantly higher on the floor, whereas there was no difference regarding degree of head tilt between the 2 settings. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that intubation on the ground is more difficult and may require a longer time to accomplish, even for experienced anesthesiologists. Therefore, those involved in airway management training for emergency personnel should acquire appropriate skills to teach tracheal intubation in such a difficult situation.