by PWeekly | Jun 5, 2012
New research was presented at the American Psychiatric Association’s 165th Annual Meeting from May 5-9, 2012 in Philadelphia. The features below highlight just some of the studies that emerged from the conference. Treating Sleep Disorders Benefits Psychiatric Patients The Particulars: Research has shown that disturbances in quality and quantity of sleep can exacerbate underlying psychiatric illness. It has been hypothesized that treatment of sleep disorders might improve symptoms of psychiatric illness. Data Breakdown: Investigators reviewed the charts of patients with and without psychiatric disorders at a sleep disorders clinic. They recorded outcomes at 6, 12, and 24 months in those with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Compliance with sleep disorder treatment was compared between those with and without comorbid psychiatric illness. When compared with baseline, psychiatric status progressively improved significantly, with no differences in treatment compliance observed between the groups. Take Home Pearls: Treatment of comorbid sleep disorders in patients with comorbid psychiatric illness appears to significantly improve psychiatric disorder symptoms. Compliance with sleep disorder treatment does not appear to be affected by the presence of a psychiatric disorder. Improving Metabolic Monitoring of Patients on Antipsychotics The Particulars: Antipsychotic medications, particularly second generation antipsychotics (SGAs), have been linked to various metabolic changes that are associated with cardiovascular disease. Despite recommendations from the American Psychiatric Association and American Diabetes Association that patients on SGAs be monitored for metabolic changes, it is unknown how well these individuals are systematically monitored. Data Breakdown: At a primary care network, multiple departments monitored metabolic syndrome in patients placed on SGAs more closely. All members of these departments were educated on the morbidity associated with SGA use...
