(Dec. 29, 2015) Research Weekly did not begin arriving in mailboxes until the end of 2015, but interesting, illuminating and even hopeful mental illness research was in circulation throughout the year. Among the Treatment Advocacy Center’s staff favorites, in reverse chronological order, are the following.
- Comprehensive treatment of first-episode psychosis improved outcomes in clinical trials.
Nearly a dozen articles in multiple publications reported on the first two years of results from RAISE (Recovery After Initial Schizophrenia Episode) projects. The mostly young-adult participants were found to be more likely to be in treatment, experiencing fewer symptoms, enjoying improved quality of life and working or going to school than non-participants. Programs based on the findings are currently being rolled out across the country. (Referenced in Research Weekly, December 2015.) - People with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter.
Doris A. Fuller et al. conclude that untreated mental illness is so prevalent in fatal police incidents that reducing encounters between on-duty law enforcement and individuals with the most severe psychiatric disease may represent the single most immediate, practical strategy for reducing law enforcement homicides in the United States. (“Overlooked in the undercounted: The role of mental illness in fatal law enforcement encounters,” Treatment Advocacy Center, December 2015). - Dramatic differences exist in how widely clozapine is prescribed from state to state.
E. Fuller Torrey et al. report dramatic differences in prescription rates for the antipsychotic clozapine among the states. Clozapine (trade name Colzaril) is the only drug ever approved by the FDA for treatment-resistant schizophrenia or suicide prevention. Usage in the US dramatically trails other countries. Among the states, usage ranges from 2% in Nevada, Oregon and Louisiana to 16% in South Dakota. Usage of 10-20% in the candidate population is estimated to be appropriate. (“Clozapine for treating schizophrenia: A comparison of the states,” Treatment Advocacy Center, November 2015) - Can a child's contact with cat litter lead to schizophrenia?
Researcher and author Harriet A. Washington examines whether humans “catch” mental illness through viruses, prions and bacteria and argues against the “false dichotomy of mental versus physical disease.” She also proposes practical strategies for reducing psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, autism and OCD by making greater use of medical tools. ("Infectious madness: The surprising science of how we ‘catch’ mental illness,” Little, Brown, October 2015) - Ex-inmates with serious mental illness are more likely to be violent.
Zheng Chang et al. find that former prisoners with psychiatric disorders or substance abuse are “substantially more likely” to commit a violent crime after release than other prisoners. The authors estimate there could be 1 million fewer violent crimes a year in the US if prisoners with these conditions received better health care behind bars and after release to the community. (“Psychiatric disorders and violent reoffending: a national cohort study of convicted prisoners in Sweden,” The Lancet, September 2015) - Fish oil, taken in the earliest stages of schizophrenia, may slow development of schizophrenia.
Amminger et al. report that symptoms suggestive of later schizophrenia were reduced for more than six years among a study population that took a 12-week course of omega-3 fish oil. (“Longer-term outcome in the prevention of psychotic disorders by the Vienna omega-3 study,” Nature Communications, August 2015). - Coercion during hospital admission does not hurt outcomes.
Stephen Shannon et al. examine the impact of coercion during psychiatric admission and find it unrelated to functioning and quality of life one year after discharge. “Quality of life” was measured by factors such as employment, housing or engagement with friends.” (“Quality of life and functioning one year after experiencing accumulated coercive events during psychiatric admission,” Psychiatric Services, August 2015) - Criminal acts, incarceration and repeat offenses among individuals with bipolar disorder.
Thomas Fovet et al. review 35 academic articles and find criminal acts to be “common” among patients with bipolar disorder and the prevalence of bipolar among prison populations to be “high” (2%-7% of all inmates). Bipolar inmates also were found to be at higher risk for re-incarceration and suicide. The authors conclude that “many improvements should be made both within and outside prison” to improve care for individuals with bipolar disorder. (“Individuals with bipolar disorder and their relationship with the criminal justice system: A critical review,” Psychiatric Services, April 2015) - States could generate substantial savings and human suffering could be reduced by improving adherence to antipsychotic medications among individuals with schizophrenia.
Zachary Predmore et al. estimate annual net savings of $3.28 billion if all patients with schizophrenia took their prescribed antipsychotics. Adherence to medication is associated with lower rates of victimization, criminalization, hospitalization and other consequences of non-treatment. (“Improving antipsychotic adherence among patients with Schizophrenia: Savings for States,” in Psychiatric Services, April 2015, will be summarized in a January 2016 Research Weekly.) - Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) reduces net taxpayer costs.
Health Management Associates analyzes cost data from the use of assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) in seven jurisdictions using dramatically different AOT to assess cost effectiveness of the treatment option in qualifying publications. Cost reductions in hospitalization, Medicaid and other services significantly offset the cost of the programs reviewed in New York and Ohio, resulting in net savings. (“State and community considerations for demonstrating the cost effectiveness of AOT services,” Treatment Advocacy Center, February 2015)
Research Weekly is a summary published as a public service of the Treatment Advocacy Center and does not necessarily reflect the findings or positions of the organization or its staff. Publications cited in Research Weekly reports may require a fee or paid subscription before providing full access to the articles.
To comment, visit our Facebook page.
Visit our blog archive to read all our recent posts.