Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization. Drug interactions (DDIs) are among the most common causes of ADRs, and estimates have cited that up to 22% of patients take interacting medications. DDIs are often due to the propensity for agents to induce or inhibit enzymes responsible for the metabolism of concomitantly administered drugs. However, this phenomenon is further complicated by genetic variants of such enzymes. The aim of this study is to quantify and describe potential drug-drug, drug-gene, and drug-drug-gene interactions in a community-based patient population.

A regional pharmacy with retail outlets in Arkansas provided deidentified prescription data from March 2020 for 4761 individuals. Drug-drug and drug-drug-gene interactions were assessed utilizing the logic incorporated into GenMedPro, a commercially available digital gene-drug interaction software program that incorporates variants of 9 pharmacokinetic (PK) and 2 pharmacodynamic (PD) genes to evaluate DDIs and drug-gene interactions. The data were first assessed for composite drug-drug interaction risk, and each individual was stratified to a risk category using the logic incorporated in GenMedPro. To calculate the frequency of potential drug-gene interactions, genotypes were imputed and allocated to the cohort according to each gene’s frequency in the general population. Potential genotypes were randomly allocated to the population 100 times in a Monte Carlo simulation. Potential drug-drug, gene-drug, or gene-drug-drug interaction risk was characterized as minor, moderate, or major.

Based on prescription data only, the probability of a DDI of any impact (mild, moderate, or major) was 26% [95% CI: 0.248-0.272] in the population. This probability increased to 49.6% [95% CI: 0.484-0.507] when simulated genetic polymorphisms were additionally assessed. When assessing only major impact interactions, there was a 7.8% [95% CI: 0.070-0.085] probability of drug-drug interactions and 10.1% [95% CI: 0.095-0.108] probability with the addition of genetic contributions. The probability of drug-drug-gene interactions of any impact was correlated with the number of prescribed medications, with an approximate probability of 77%, 85%, and 94% in patients prescribed 5, 6, or 7+ medications, respectively. When stratified by specific drug class, antidepressants (19.5%), antiemetics (21.4%), analgesics (16%), antipsychotics (15.6%), and antiparasitics (49.7%) had the highest probability of major drug-drug-gene interaction.

In a community-based population of outpatients, the probability of drug-drug interaction risk increases when genetic polymorphisms are attributed to the population. These data suggest that pharmacogenetic testing may be useful in predicting drug interactions, drug-gene interactions, and severity of interactions when proactively evaluating patient medication profiles.

Genomind, Inc.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent and potentially disabling movement disorder associated with prolonged antipsychotic use. RE KINECT, a real-world screening study of antipsychotic-treated outpatients, included patients with movements that were clinician-confirmed as possible TD (Cohort 2) and patients with no involuntary movements (Cohort 1). Baseline data from the patient rated EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) were analyzed to evaluate health related quality of life (Cohort 2 vs. Cohort 1) and the effects of possible TD on quality of life (Cohort 2).

Assessments included EQ-5D-5L utility score (0=equivalent to death to 1=perfect health); SDS total score (0=no impact to 30=highest impact); patient- and clinician-rated severity of possible TD in 4 body regions (0=none, 1=some, and 2=a lot; summary score, 0 to 8); and patient-rated impact of possible TD in 7 daily activities (0=none, 1=some, and 2=a lot; summary score, 0 to 14). Populations included Cohort 1 (N=450); full Cohort 2 (N=204); and limited Cohort 2 (N=111, patients who self-reported “some” or “a lot” of TD severity in ≥1 body region). Mean differences between Cohort 2 and Cohort 1 in EQ-5D-5L utility and SDS total scores were analyzed using a generalized linear regression model that was adjusted for potentially confounding factors (e.g., age, sex, psychiatric diagnosis). Associations between TD summary scores (severity, impact) and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L utility, SDS total) were analyzed using a regression model.

The mean score difference between full Cohort 2 (N=204) and Cohort 1 (N=450) was significant for EQ-5D-5L utility (-0.037; P<0.05 [adjusted analysis]) but not SDS total (0.267; P>0.05). However, when limited to Cohort 2 patients who self-reported “a lot” of TD severity (n=53) or impact (n=33), both EQ 5D 5L utility and SDS total scores were significantly worse than in Cohort 1 (P<0.05). Regression coefficients indicated significant associations between patient-rated impact and EQ 5D-5L utility in the full Cohort 2 (-0.021, P<0.001) and limited Cohort 2 (-0.024, P<0.001). A significant association was also found with patient rated severity in limited Cohort 2 (P<0.05), but not with clinician-rated severity. Similar results were found for SDS total score.

RE-KINECT patients were consistent in evaluating the severity and impact of TD, whether based on subjective assessments or standardized patient-reported instruments (EQ-5D-5L, SDS). Clinician-rated severity of TD may not always correlate with patient perceptions of the significance of TD. Patient self-assessments (focused on symptom impact) can be clinically relevant; incorporating such measures into everyday practice may provide a more comprehensive approach to TD assessment and management.

Supported by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

The elevated prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with depression has been associated with increased mortality. This post hoc analysis assessed the effect of treatment with lurasidone on risk of MetS in patients with bipolar depression.

Data used in the current analyses consisted of 3 double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled, 6-week studies in adults with bipolar I depression (N = 1192), consisting of 1 monotherapy, and 2 adjunctive trials (lithium or valproate). Also analyzed was a 6-month open-label (OL) extension study (monotherapy, N = 316; adjunctive therapy, N = 497); and a 5-month, OL, stabilization phase followed by randomization to a 28-week DB, placebo-controlled, adjunctive therapy study with lurasidone (N = 490). MetS was defined based on NCEP ATP III criteria (2005 revision).

The proportion of patients with new-onset MetS was similar for lurasidone vs placebo in the short-term studies (monotherapy, 13.9% vs 15.3%; adjunctive therapy, 13.6% vs 11.0%); and remained stable during both the 6-month extension phase study (monotherapy, 15.2%; adjunctive therapy, 16.9%), and the 5-month stabilization study (adjunctive therapy, 12.2%). After 28 weeks of DB treatment (following 5-month treatment in the stabilization study), new onset MetS was observed at endpoint (OC) in 26.2% of the lurasidone group, and 30.8% of the placebo group.

This post hoc analysis found that both short and long-term treatment with lurasidone was associated with a relatively low risk for the development of MetS in patients with bipolar I disorder. These findings are consistent with similar analyses in patients with schizophrenia.

A 20-year-old woman with a history of bipolar disorder (BD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD) presented to the emergency department with suicidal ideation. This report compares her clinical course with that of her twin brother, who also had received a BD diagnosis but grew up in a less stressful environment than his sister. It also describes the possible genetic and environmental etiologic factors associated with BD, PTSD, BPD, and other psychiatric conditions. Chronic stress is strongly associated with the development of these conditions; pathologic processes involving the effect of stress hormones and neurotransmitters on the brain and central nervous system are described, along with pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to reducing chronic stress in persons with BD and other psychological disorders.

No funding.

Car accidents have a serious impact on the physical health and mental state of patients, leading to traumatic stress disorder. A good environment is beneficial for students to cultivate healthy and sound personalities, and has a positive impact on their mental health. Traditional culture and artistic environment can effectively alleviate patients’ anxiety.

The study selected a total of 98 students with traumatic stress disorder caused by car accidents from our hospital from January to December 2022 as the study subjects. The selected research subjects were divided into two groups: the control group and the experimental group. There was no significant difference in age, gender, etc. between the two groups of students (P>0.05). The experimental group received intervention using environmental therapy combined with general treatment, while the control group received routine intervention treatment.

The study used SPSS23.0 statistical software for data analysis, and the results showed that there was no significant difference in the total PCL-L scores between the two groups of patients before the intervention (P>0.05). After the intervention, the scores and scores of both groups decreased, and the experimental group was lower than the control group (P<0.05).

Traditional culture and art environment influence psychological intervention, which starts from various aspects such as psychological and physiological support, active care and encouragement of injured patients to express their feelings, and release and relax treatment, comprehensively improves patients’ understanding of the disease, enhances their treatment compliance, and improves their psychological state.

In the study of colleges and universities, students are under greater pressure to learn English, so the reform of the teaching mode of English in colleges and universities is of great significance to alleviating students’ learning anxiety.

This study chose 150 students with English learning anxiety as its experimental subjects at a particular university in order to investigate the impact of English teaching reform on helping students overcome their learning fear. The experimental employees were split into two groups using the random approach. One group was designated “blank,” and that group was taught using conventional English methods. The experimental group, which uses a multimedia-reformed approach to English instruction, is the other group. The experimental statistical scale uses the Anxiety Disorder Somatic Symptom Assessment Scale, and the experimental period lasts for 3 months.

The panic index scores of the blank group and the experimental group were 78.49 ± 2.32 and 79.50 ± 2.26, respectively, after the evaluation of the Anxiety Disorder Somatic Symptom Assessment Scale, and the tension index scores were 84.65 ± 2.42 and 83.17 ± 1.58, respectively, prior to the start of the experiment. Following the experiment, the scores for stress indicators were 83.79 ± 1.87 and 72.49 ± 4.01, while the scores for panic indicators were 77.76 ± 2.46 and 67.65 ± 1.28, respectively, in the blank group and experimental group. The experimental group’s scores for somatic symptoms of anxiety displayed a considerable decline.

The reform of college English teaching through multimedia can effectively alleviate students’ learning anxiety.

A project of Wuchang Shouyi University (No. 2021Y05).

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing, in particular combinatorial PGx testing, represents a potential means for delivering personalized treatment selection for patients with psychiatric disorders. The goal of this educational intervention was to educate clinicians about the role of PGx testing in neuropsychiatric conditions such as MDD, how these novel tests may be implemented into clinical practice, and how results may be used to inform decision-making.

Psychiatrists (n=830) participated in an online enduring CME activity on PGx testing in psychiatric disorders

• • The format was a 30-minute 2-person discussion (launched December 7, 2018)

• • Data from this activity were collected for 30 days after launch

• • Effectiveness of education for the CME activities was analyzed using 3 multiple-choice and 1 self-efficacy question (5-point Likert-type scale), presented as pre-/post-CME repeated pairs

• • A paired samples t-test was conducted to examine improvements in mean confidence pre and post

Participant knowledge, competence, and confidence change in pre- to post-CME responses were calculated

Overall, 72% of psychiatrists (n=830) had knowledge or competence that was reinforced or improved as a result of education.

• * 56% and 12% of psychiatrists had reinforcement and improvement, respectively, in knowledge related to the clinical benefits of PGx-guided treatment strategies

• • 61% and 8% of psychiatrists had reinforcement and improvement, respectively, in competence related to interpreting PGx tests for patients with neuropsychiatric disorders

• • Within the group of psychiatrists with reinforced and improved knowledge/competence, there was a 30% increase in their confidence using PGx tests to help guide treatment decisions for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) (M pre=2.14, post=2.77, scale 1 to 5)

• • Confidence in the use of PGx testing was correlated with likelihood of considering PGx testing for patients with MDD

Online CME aided in psychiatrists’ knowledge, competence, and confidence in using pharmacogenomics testing in patients with psychiatric disorders.

Supported by an independent educational grant from Myriad Neuroscience, formerly Assurex Health

Dasotraline is a long-acting dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor with a PK profile characterized by slow absorption and a t½ of 47-77 hours, permitting once-daily dosing. In a previous flexible dose study, dasotraline demonstrated significant efficacy in the treatment of binge-eating disorder (BED). The aim of this confirmatory fixed-dose study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of dasotraline in the treatment of patients with BED.

Patients meeting DSM-5 criteria for BED were randomized to 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with dasotraline (4 mg/d or 6 mg/d), or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was change in number of binge-eating days per week at week 12. Secondary efficacy endpoints included changes at Week 12 on the Binge Eating Clinical Global Impression of Severity Scale (BE-CGI-S), the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for Binge Eating (Y-BOCS-BE), and the proportion of patients with 100% cessation of binge-eating episodes during the final 4 weeks of treatment. Efficacy was assessed using an MMRM analysis (and a logistic regression model for cessation) with a pre-specified sequential testing procedure used to control overall type I error rate.

A total of 486 were in the ITT population (dasotraline 6 mg/d (N=162), 4 mg/d (N=161), or placebo (N=163). At week 12, treatment with dasotraline was associated with significant reduction in number of binge-eating days per week in the 6 mg/d group vs. placebo (-3.5 vs. -2.9; P=0.0045), but non-significant improvement in the 4 mg/d group vs. placebo (-3.2; P=0.12). Greater improvement was observed vs. placebo for dasotraline 6 mg/d and 4 mg/d, respectively, on the BE-CGI-S (P<0.01 and P<0.03) and the Y-BOC-BE (P<0.001 and P<0.02; all P-values were nominal, not adjusted for multiplicity). The proportion of patients who achieved 4-week cessation of binge-eating episodes was only significant for the dasotraline 6 mg in the completer population (P<0.05; post-hoc analysis) but was not significant for either dose of dasotraline vs. placebo when drop-outs were included in the analysis. The most common adverse events on dasotraline 6 mg/d and 4 mg/d were combined insomnia (early, middle, late), dry mouth, headache, decreased appetite, nausea, and anxiety. Changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were minimal. Mean baseline to endpoint changes in supine pulse rate on dasotraline 6 mg/d and 4 mg/d vs. placebo was +6.2 bpm and +4.8 vs. +0.2 bpm.

In this 12-week, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose study, treatment with dasotraline 6 mg/d was associated with a significant reduction in frequency of binge-eating days per week; efficacy was not demonstrated for the 4 mg dose. Treatment with both doses of dasotraline resulted in improvement in the Y-BOCS-BE and the BE-CGI-S. Dasotraline was safe and generally well-tolerated at both doses; most common adverse events were insomnia, dry mouth and headache.

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03107026

Supported by funding from Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.