Dunston Hill Hospital

BACKGROUND: The attitudes of staff and patients have been demonstrated to influence the acceptance of long-acting injections (LAIs) or depot antipsychotics. AIMS: To examine the attitudes of patients and staff to LAIs. METHOD: A systematic review was carried out. Studies included contained quantitative data for attitudes of patients or staff to LAIs. RESULTS: Twelve studies published subsequent to the systematic review reported in 2001 were identified. Five studies conveyed an overall positive attitude. The most positive attitudes among patients were seen in those already prescribed an LAI. Positive attitudes of staff correlated closely with the extent of their knowledge of LAIs. CONCLUSIONS: Long-acting injections continue to have an image problem, arguably perpetuated by manufacturers of oral second-generation antipsychotic drugs, and exacerbated by the predominant use of these medications as a ;last resort' often for the most stigmatized individuals. The introduction of better-tolerated LAIs and better education of both staff and patients may encourage individuals to re-examine their attitudes.

Long-acting injections of antipsychotic medication (or depots) were developed specifically to promote treatment adherence and are a valuable option for maintenance medication in psychotic illnesses. Approximately 40-60% of patients with schizophrenia are partially or totally non-adherent to their antipsychotic regimen, but only 30% or less are prescribed a long-acting injection. The use of such injections has declined in recent years after the introduction of second-generation (atypical) oral antipsychotic drugs. Research shows that possible reasons for this decline include concerns that may be based on suboptimal knowledge, as well as an erroneous assumption that one's own patient group is more adherent than those of one's colleagues. Research on attitudes has also revealed that psychiatrists feel that long-acting injections have an ;image' problem. This editorial addresses the gaps in knowledge and behaviour associated with possible underutilisation of these formulations, highlighting the role of stigma and the need for more research.

The regular use of antipsychotic medication is known to improve overall outcomes and diminish risk of relapse, but applying the results of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) into routine clinical practice is not always straightforward. Furthermore, psychiatrists, service users and policy makers can have trouble keeping up with the burgeoning and, at times, conflicting results from research trials, meta-analysis and systematic reviews. In this paper we examine the differences between efficacy and effectiveness trials with regard to antipsychotic medication with a focus on first-episode psychosis, after reviewing the relative contribution of antipsychotic medication to outcomes in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in early social development and personality are present in patients with schizophrenia and their unaffected relatives. This study aimed to establish the degree to which these childhood and adolescent developmental abnormalities are genetically determined. METHOD: We used a combined twin and family study design (n=531) to assess childhood and adolescent social adjustment and schizotypal personality traits in 98 twin pairs (n=196) varying in their zygosity and concordance for schizophrenia and 156 sibling clusters (n=335) varying in their concordance for schizophrenia. RESULTS: Schizophrenia was significantly associated with childhood and adolescent deficits in social adjustment and personality, with additive genetic effects being the main source of these phenotypic correlations. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities of social adjustment and personality are present in children and adolescents who later develop schizophrenia, reflecting the influence of common genetic risk.

52 outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis were given benorylate (as the 40% suspension) in doses of up to 8 g daily. Periods of medication were varied but some patients were given the drug for nearly 2 years. Assessments of clinical progress were made at regular intervals by recording both subjective and objective measurements including duration of morning stiffness, grip strength, joint size. Laboratory investigations include renal function tests, liver function tests, blood picture and occult blood. No serious side effect, attributable to benorylate was reported and it was concluded that the drug is satisfactory for the long term treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Aims and method Community compulsion via community compulsory treatment orders is used routinely in Scotland. We aimed to describe the common characteristics of individuals subject to community compulsion. We collected standardised information from a national database about individuals subject to community compulsion and compared them with people subject to hospital detention. Results Analysis of 499 cases revealed that the majority of individuals subject to community compulsion had a psychotic illness, had a history of non-adherence to services and treatment, and were more likely than not to be in receipt of a long-acting injection of antipsychotic medication. Patients subject to community compulsion were clinically similar to patients subject to hospital-based treatment orders and usually were considered to pose a risk to other people. Clinical implications Community compulsion has been widely adopted despite a relative lack of supporting scientific evidence. Our findings are similar to those of other related studies and highlight that individuals with a psychotic illness who are ambivalent about treatment and who pose a risk to self or others are likely to be considered for community compulsion.

Journal Article The major amputation stump in health and disease Get access F G St Clair Strange F G St Clair Strange Senior Surgeon Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Dunston Hill, Gateshead Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Surgery, Volume 33, Issue 129, July 1945, Pages 31–41, https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.18003312904 Published: 06 December 2005