Osteoporosis in patients with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is regularly mentioned as a possible consequence of treatment with prolactin-increasing antipsychotic medications, but little is known about the prevalence and the degree of loss of bone mineral density in patients suffering from schizophrenia. The authors' goals were to investigate the association between schizophrenia and a decrease in bone mineral density and to get more insight into potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. METHOD: In a cross-sectional study, the authors used dual x-ray absorptiometry to determine bone mineral density of 75 inpatients and outpatients suffering from schizophrenia. All patients had been treated with antipsychotics for at least 1 year, and only patients between the ages of 19 and 50 were studied to exclude patients with age-related idiopathic osteoporosis. RESULTS: In men but not women with schizophrenia, bone mineral density was significantly lower than normal in the lumbar region. A comparison of loss of bone mineral density in male and female patients showed significant differences between the sexes. Bone mineral density showed a negative correlation with negative symptoms and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score and a positive correlation with 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 levels and body mass index in male patients. In female patients, a positive correlation between body mass index and bone mineral density was found. Exposure to prolactin-increasing antipsychotics was not related to bone mineral density. CONCLUSIONS: The male patients with schizophrenia in this study suffered from low bone density. This finding as well as other reports lend support to directing more attention to bone metabolism in patients with schizophrenia, although there is no universally accepted screening policy to identify individuals at high risk for osteoporosis.     

Masking of speech in people with first-episode schizophrenia and people with chronic schizophrenia

In “cocktail-party” environments, although listeners feel it difficult to recognize attended speech due to both energetic masking and informational masking, they can use various perceptual/cognitive cues, such as content and voice primes, to facilitate their attention to target speech. In patients with schizophrenia, both speech-perception deficits and increased vulnerability to masking stimuli generally occur. This study investigated whether speech recognition in first-episode patients (FEPs) and chronic patients (CPs) of schizophrenia is more vulnerable to noise masking and/or speech masking than that in demographics-matched-healthy controls, and whether patients with schizophrenia can use primes to unmask speech. In a trial under the priming condition, before the target sentence containing three keywords was co-presented with a noise or speech masker, the prime (early part of the sentence including the first two keywords) was recited in quiet with the target-speaker's voice. The results show that in patients, target-speech recognition was more impaired under speech-masking conditions than noise-masking conditions, and the impairment in CPs (n = 22) was larger than that in FEPs (n = 12). Although working memory for holding prime-content information in patients, especially CPs, was more vulnerable to masking, especially speech masking, than that in healthy controls, patients were still able to use the prime to unmask the last keyword. Thus, in “cocktail-party” environments, speech recognition in people with schizophrenia is more vulnerable to masking, particularly informational masking, and the speech-recognition impairment augments as the illness progresses. However, people with schizophrenia can use the content/voice prime to reduce energetic masking and informational masking of target speech.     

Social functioning in young people at risk for schizophrenia

Deficits in social functioning are potential risk factors for schizophrenia. Social functioning was assessed in 55 individuals "at risk" for schizophrenia, 16 first episode patients with schizophrenia and 45 normal comparison subjects. The Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents (SAICA) was administered to adolescents <18 and the Social Adjustment Scale (SAS-SR) to young adults >17. The at risk and first episode groups significantly differed from the normal subjects on measures of social functioning in the domains of peer, family, work and school relationships. Individuals at risk for schizophrenia have significant functional deficits which may be potential indicators of increased vulnerability for psychosis.     

Obstetrical complications in people at risk for developing schizophrenia

Many factors have been associated with the development of schizophrenia, yet few studies have looked at these same factors in individuals considered at risk for schizophrenia, but who have not yet reached diagnostic threshold. The rate of obstetrical complications was assessed as part of a comprehensive battery in subjects at risk (N=52), or in the first episode of schizophrenia (N=18), and in normal comparison subjects (N=43). The rate of obstetrical complications was increased in the at risk (46%) and first episode (39%) samples compared to the normal comparison (19%) group, however, follow-up analyses were only significant between the at risk and normal comparison subjects. Obstetrical complications may be an important risk factor in identifying vulnerable subjects and ultimately may, along with other risk factors, be part of an algorithm for determining likelihood of developing schizophrenia.     

Cannabis use in young people: the risk for schizophrenia

Cannabis is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs, and despite the widely held belief that it is a safe drug, its long-term use has potentially harmful consequences. To date, the research on the impact of its use has largely been epidemiological in nature and has consistently found that cannabis use is associated with schizophrenia outcomes later in life, even after controlling for several confounding factors. While the majority of users can continue their use without adverse effects, it is clear from studies of psychosis that some individuals are more vulnerable to its effects than others. In addiction, evidence from both epidemiological and animal studies indicates that cannabis use during adolescence carries particular risk. Further studies are warranted given the increase in the concentration of the main active ingredient (Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol) in street preparations of cannabis and a decreasing age of first-time exposure to cannabis.     

Orbitofrontal morphology in people at high risk of developing schizophrenia

BackgroundAbnormalities of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) sulcogyral patterns have been reported in schizophrenia, but it is not known if these predate psychosis.MethodsHundred and forty-six subjects at high genetic risk of schizophrenia, 34 first episode of schizophrenia patients (SZ) and 36 healthy controls were scanned and clinically assessed. Utilising the classification system proposed by Chiavaras, we categorised OFC patterns and compared their distribution between the groups, as well as between those high risk subjects who did, and did not develop schizophrenia. The relationship between OFC pattern and schizotypy was explored in high risk subjects.ResultsWe refined Chiavaras’ classification system, with the identification of a previously unreported variant of OFC surface structure. There were significant differences in distribution of OFC patterns between high risk subjects who did or did not develop schizophrenia as well as between the first episode of schizophrenia group and healthy controls. Within the high risk group, possession of OFC Type III was associated with higher ratings on the Structured Inventory for Schizotypy (SIS) psychotic factor.ConclusionsOur results suggest that OFC Type III is associated with psychotic features before the development of schizophrenia. Characterisation of OFC morphology may have a role in the identification of those at greatest risk of developing schizophrenia.     

Empathic abilities in people with schizophrenia

Although the existence of empathy deficits in schizophrenia is generally accepted, very few studies have directly investigated the issue. The nature of empathy deficits in healthy subjects and psychiatric patients is an understudied subject. The performances of the 30 outpatients with schizophrenia on a psychometric measure, the Empathy Quotient (EQ), were compared with those of 30 control subjects matched for age, duration of education and gender. The relatives or spouses of the patients also filled out the EQ. A neuropsychological battery, including emotion recognition, emotional reasoning and theory of mind tasks, was also administered. Schizophrenia patients had severe empathy dysfunction based on their relative EQ ratings. There was a serious discrepancy between the self and relative/spouse assessments of the empathic skills of schizophrenia patients. Consistent with the previous findings schizophrenia patients were impaired in nearly all cognitive tasks. The empathy deficits of schizophrenia patients were associated with their impairments in other social cognitive tasks. Studies focusing on dysfunctional brain networks underlying empathy deficits and studies using more experimental measures of empathy should be helpful to unravel the true nature of the empathic failure in patients with schizophrenia.     

Osteoporosis pathology in people with severe motor and intellectual disability

ObjectivesWe assessed the severity and pathology of osteoporosis in children and adults with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) by evaluating bone enzymes, by which we aimed to determine adequate treatment approaches for preventing fractures.MethodsNinety patients (44 men, 46 women; mean age, 34.5 years) underwent bone quality assessment. Quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) was used to measure the T-score and Z-score of the calcaneus, and blood tests were used to measure bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b levels as bone formation and resorption markers, as well as calcium, phosphorous, and parathyroid hormone levels as routine examination.ResultsBone formation and resorption marker levels were within normal ranges in adults, although they were high during the growth period in children and adolescents and in elderly women. Patients receiving tube feeding showed a significantly lower Z-score than those without tube feeding. Tube feeding was a significant factor for the Z-score, whereas age, vitamin supplements, and anti-epileptic drugs were not.ConclusionsThe severity of osteoporosis in SMID started during the growth period and seems to be caused by a lack of an effective increase in bone mineral density. Any treatment should be started during the growth period. More study about tube feeding is needed.     

Older people with chronic schizophrenia

Older people with chronic schizophrenia are a numerically small but important group with complex clinical and service needs. Along with a reduction in positive schizophrenic symptoms with increasing age, a majority suffer from negative symptoms, cognitive deficits, depression, side effects due to long-term use of antipsychotics and co-morbid medical problems. They may have social disabilities making them vulnerable to poverty, isolation and poor quality of life. Evidence suggests that judicious use of antipsychotics combined with psychotherapy and psychosocial interventions are effective. There are shortcomings in the standard of both hospital and community care, and the cost implications of providing adequate services are high.     

Impaired musical ability in people with schizophrenia

BackgroundAssessment of the musical ability of people with schizophrenia has attracted little interest despite the diverse and substantive findings of impairments in sound perception and processing and the therapeutic effect of music in people with the illness. The present study investigated the musical ability of people with schizophrenia and the association with psychiatric symptoms and cognition.MethodsWe recruited patients with chronic schizophrenia and healthy controls for participation in our study. To measure musical ability and cognitive function, we used the Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA) and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). We carried out a mediation analysis to investigate a possible pathway to a deficit in musical ability.ResultsWe enrolled 50 patients and 58 controls in the study. The MBEA global score in patients with schizophrenia was significantly lower than that in controls (p < 0.001), and was strongly associated with both the composite cognitive function score (r = 0.645, p < 0.001) and the negative symptom score (r = −0.504, p < 0.001). Further analyses revealed direct and indirect effects of negative symptoms on musical ability. The indirect effects were mediated through cognitive impairment.LimitationsThe relatively small sample size did not permit full evaluation of the possible effects of age, sex, education, medication and cultural influences on the results.ConclusionExamining the associations between musical deficits, negative symptoms and cognitive imapirment in patients with schizophrenia may identify shared biological mechanisms.     

Emotion recognition in Chinese people with schizophrenia

This study examined whether people with paranoid or nonparanoid schizophrenia would show emotion-recognition deficits, both facial and prosodic. Furthermore, this study examined the neuropsychological predictors of emotion-recognition ability in people with schizophrenia. Participants comprised 86 people, of whom: 43 were people diagnosed with schizophrenia and 43 were controls. The 43 clinical participants were placed in either the paranoid group (n=19) or the nonparanoid group (n=24). Each participant was administered the Facial Emotion Recognition task and the Prosodic Recognition task, together with other neuropsychological measures of attention and visual perception. People suffering from nonparanoid schizophrenia were found to have deficits in both facial and prosodic emotion recognition, after correction for the differences in the intelligence and depression scores between the two groups. Furthermore, spatial perception was observed to be the best predictor of facial emotion identification in individuals with nonparanoid schizophrenia, whereas attentional processing control predicted both prosodic emotion identification and discrimination in nonparanoid schizophrenia patients. Our findings suggest that patients with schizophrenia in remission may still suffer from impairment of certain aspects of emotion recognition.     

Osteoporosis in people with intellectual disabilities: a review and a brief study of risk factors for osteoporosis in a community sample of people with intellectual disabilities

Background The population of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) is increasing and their health needs impact on primary and secondary healthcare specialities. One important aspect of their physical health is bone health as people with ID have increased risk factors associated with osteoporosis. It has been identified that this population has an increased prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis and osteopenia. The main contributory factors for low BMD are age, use of antiepileptics, immobility and diagnosis of Down's syndrome. Methods A literature search of electronic databases was undertaken. Studies that included people with ID were reviewed for the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in a community sample (n = 149) to screen for risk factors for osteoporosis. Results The majority of studies identified increased prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia with associated low BMD. In most studies individuals with ID presented with more than two risk factors. In our survey, we identified an increased prevalence of risk factors associated with osteoporosis, namely use of antiepileptics (64%), immobility (23%), history of falls (20%) and fractures (11%). We found that 54% of our sample fulfilled the criteria for screening. Of those who went on to have scans, 55% had osteoporosis and 33% had osteopenia. Conclusion We conclude that we should be screening for the risk factors associated with low BMD in adults with ID. If these are present further investigations should take place and those found to have osteoporosis and osteopenia should have treatment at an early stage to prevent morbidity and improve their quality of life.     

Sensory modulation and daily-life participation in people with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is considered to be an extreme mental health disturbance that affects a person's well-being and participation in everyday activities. Participation in meaningful everyday occupations is an important component of recovery from mental illness, the ultimate goal of mental health services. The participation restrictions of people with schizophrenia have been widely investigated through different factors, such as illness symptoms and course, cognition, and demographic data; however, the resulting explanations were incomplete. The purpose of the study was to explore the contribution of sensory modulation (SM), in addition to cognition and schizophrenia symptoms, to participation in daily life activities of people with schizophrenia. Forty nine in-patients with schizophrenia (study group) and 32 adults without mental illness (control group) comprised the study. They were assessed for their participation patterns, sensory modulation processes, cognitive functioning and symptoms severity. Results indicate significant differences between the study groups in most measurements addressed: participation (diversity and satisfaction), sensory modulation scores (intensity of the response and frequency of response), and cognitive measurements. The most contributive parameters for the prediction of participation dimensions among people with schizophrenia were negative symptoms severity and general cognitive status. In conclusion, people with schizophrenia experience SM disorder with an under responsive tendency. However the complex condition of schizophrenia dominates its influence on participation dimensions.     

Supported accommodation for people with schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: As a result of deinstitutionalization of psychiatric treatment and care, many people with severe mental illness have been offered supported accommodation. However, research on this costly intervention in Norway has been scarce.

Aims: The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the clinical and demographic factors associated with allocation to supported accommodation for people with schizophrenia.

Methods: The study was a prospective cohort study of 334 people with schizophrenia acutely admitted to Haukeland University Hospital between 2005 and 2010. Information concerning allocation to supported accommodation in their residential municipalities was collected retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate statistical methods were used to assess the association of clinical and demographical variables with allocation to supported accommodation.

Results: Supported accommodation was allocated to 29.6% of the participants during the study period. Age, gender, implementation of compulsory mental health care, substance abuse, symptom burden and suicidality were not associated with allocation to supported accommodation. Functional impairment, especially difficulties with activities of daily living, experiencing exacerbation in the course of chronic disease, being medicated and of Norwegian origin, favoured supported accommodation.

Conclusions: Our results supported the hypothesis that people with severe mental illness presenting the greatest need for supported accommodation, based on functional difficulties and exacerbation of chronic disease were allocated supported accommodation. Symptom burden was not associated with allocation.

Clinical implications: Further research is needed to examine the impact of supported accommodation on the outcomes for people with schizophrenia.     

Anticipated discrimination among people with schizophrenia

Üçok A, Brohan E, Rose D, Sartorius N, Leese M, Yoon CK, Plooy A, Ertekin BA, Milev R, Thornicroft G, the INDIGO Study Group. Anticipated discrimination among people with schizophrenia. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of anticipated discrimination in people with schizophrenia (n = 732) from 27 countries in the International Study of Discrimination and Stigma Outcomes (INDIGO). Method: Anticipated discrimination was assessed through four questions of Discrimination and Stigma Scale. Twenty‐five individuals were identified at each site who were reasonably representative of all such treated cases within the local area. Results: Sixty‐four per cent of the participants reported that they had stopped themselves from applying for work, training or education because of anticipated discrimination. Seventy‐two per cent of them reported that they felt the need to conceal their diagnosis. Expecting to be avoided by others who know about their diagnosis was highly associated with decisions to conceal their diagnosis. Those who concealed their diagnosis were younger and more educated. The participants who perceived discrimination by others were more likely to stop themselves from looking for a close relationship. Anticipated discrimination in finding and keeping work was more common in the absence than in the presence of experienced discrimination, and the similar findings applied to intimate relationships. Conclusion: This study shows that anticipated discrimination among people with schizophrenia is common, but is not necessarily associated with experienced discrimination.