Article
Psychiatry
Gin S. Malhi, Mustafa Acar, Mahsa H. Kouhkamari, Tzu Hsiang Chien, Prabhjot Juneja, Sinthuja Siva, Bernhard T. Baune
Summary: The study examined the prescribing habits of Australian patients with mood disorders and found that first-line prescribing aligns with the clinical practice guidelines, but there are differences between general practitioners and psychiatrists.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bonnie Purcell, Anke Wiethoelter, Julien Dandrieux
Summary: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of dogs receiving prednisolone in Australia and to identify factors influencing the prescribed dose. A random sample of 2,000 dogs prescribed prednisolone was collected, and their demographic data and dose information were analyzed. The results showed that prednisolone was primarily used for treating integumentary diseases, with some dogs receiving inappropriate immunosuppressive doses. Additionally, the increase in bodyweight was associated with a decrease in dose on a mg/kg scale.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wendy Thompson, Leanne Teoh, Colin C. Hubbard, Fawziah Marra, David M. Patrick, Abdullah Mamun, Allen Campbell, Katie J. Suda
Summary: The study compared patterns of dental antibiotic prescribing in Australia, England, and North America, finding that the United States had the highest antibiotic prescribing rate while Australia had the lowest. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics varied by country, highlighting significant differences in antibiotic prescribing practices among dentists.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Nagesh Pai, Mustafa Acar, Prabhjot Juneja, Mahsa Hosseini Kouhkamari, Sinthuja Siva, Judy Mullan
Summary: This study examined the real-world patterns of antipsychotic use in patients with schizophrenia in Australia. The majority of patients received atypical oral antipsychotic medications, but one in five continued to use older typical long-acting antipsychotic therapies. Treatment persistence was found to be greater in patients treated with clozapine compared to those treated with atypical long-acting therapies.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Natasa Bednarcuk, Ana Golic Jelic, Svjetlana Stoisavljevic Satara, Natasa Stojakovic, Vanda Markovic Pekovic, Milos P. Stojiljkovic, Nina Popovic, Ranko Skrbic
Summary: The utilization of antibiotics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was analyzed, as well as the prescribing practices for COVID-19 patients in outpatient settings. Outpatient antibiotic utilization increased significantly during 2020 compared to 2019. A high percentage of COVID-19 outpatients were prescribed at least one antibiotic during the study period, with a monthly prescription rate of over 55%. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were azithromycin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and doxycycline. The trend of repurposing antibiotics for COVID-19 treatment may have negative consequences in terms of antimicrobial resistance and loss of antibiotic effectiveness.
Article
Environmental Studies
Ciaran O'Faircheallaigh
Summary: Empirical research shows highly variable outcomes of Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs) between industry and Indigenous peoples in Australia and Canada. Some Indigenous groups benefit economically and gain environmental management roles, while others see limited economic benefits with little impact reduction. The study emphasizes the importance of Indigenous political mobilization in shaping IBA outcomes.
Article
Clinical Neurology
L. F. Camacho-Arteaga, H. Gardarsdottir, L. Ibanez, P. C. Souverein, L. van Dijk, K. Hek, X. Vidal, E. Ballarin, M. Sabate
Summary: Depression is the most common indication for prescribing antidepressants in both the Netherlands and Spain, followed by anxiety and sleep disorders. The most commonly prescribed antidepressants vary between the countries and are likely influenced by local guidelines.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
David Branford, Rohit Shankar
Summary: Prescribing of psychotropic medications for people with intellectual disability has changed, with antidepressants becoming the most widely prescribed. It is important to understand whether this change is evidence-based and to analyze the benefits or concerns associated with it.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wen-Qiang He, Martyn D. Kirk, John Hall, Bette Liu
Summary: From 2013 to 2018, antimicrobial drugs were prescribed for 6.8% of acute gastroenteritis cases in general practice in Australia, with higher prescription rates for Salmonella and Campylobacter infections. There was a 2.0% decrease in prescriptions for acute gastroenteritis during this period, highlighting the need for better antimicrobial stewardship in managing infectious gastroenteritis in general practice.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Katherine Chaplin, Robert C. Bracchi, Kathryn E. Haines, Philip Alexander Routledge, Paul N. Deslandes
Summary: This study investigated the prescribing patterns of the antidepressant dosulepin and selected adverse events in patients following the introduction of the National Prescribing Indicator (NPI). Results showed that over half of the patients had discontinued dosulepin during the NPI period. The study provides reassurance that discontinuation of dosulepin can be successful and that there was no significant difference in adverse events between those who discontinued dosulepin and those who continued its use.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sara L. MacPhail, Miguel A. Bedoya-Perez, Rhys Cohen, Vicki Kotsirilos, Iain S. McGregor, Elizabeth A. Cairns
Summary: This article analyzes the prescribing trends of medicinal cannabis in Australia since 2016. The results show that pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders are the leading indications for approvals, and oil products are the most popular type. In recent years, there has been an increase in approvals for younger patients, male patients, and non-CBD dominant products.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Charlotte R. L. Greene, Hanna Ward-Penny, Marianna F. Ioannou, Sarah H. Wild, Honghan Wu, Daniel J. Smith, Caroline A. Jackson
Summary: This systematic review examines the association between prescribing antidepressants or antipsychotics and type 2 diabetes outcomes. The review suggests that prescribing antidepressants may increase the risk of macrovascular disease, while the effects on glycaemic control are uncertain. Limited studies reported microvascular outcomes and risk factors other than glycaemic control. Therefore, individuals with diabetes prescribed antidepressants or antipsychotics should receive monitoring, risk factor treatment, and complications screening.
DIABETES RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Adele Coriati, Xiayi Ma, Jenna Sykes, Sanja Stanojevic, Rasa Ruseckaite, Lydie Lemonnier, Clemence Dehillotte, Jan Tate, Catherine Ann Byrnes, Scott C. Bell, Pierre Regis Burgel, Anne L. Stephenson
Summary: This study compared the survival rates of cystic fibrosis patients in countries with single-payer healthcare systems, taking into account markers of disease severity. The results showed that France had significantly higher survival rates compared to other countries, despite having a higher proportion of underweight patients.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ariana Saatchi, Ji-Won Yoo, Kevin L. Schwartz, Michael Silverman, Andrew M. Morris, David M. Patrick, James McCormack, Fawziah Marra
Summary: Despite stewardship efforts, the quality of antibiotic use in British Columbia remains unknown. Overprescribing for respiratory tract infections was found to be 2-8 times higher than expected rates, offering concrete targets for reducing unnecessary prescribing through provincial stewardship efforts.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Brendan J. McMullan, Christopher C. Blyth, Cheryl A. Jones, Karin A. Thursky, Celia Cooper, Naomi Spotswood, Rodney James, Pamela Konecny
Summary: The study revealed that Australian neonates commonly receive antifungal medications, primarily oral nystatin for prophylactic rather than treatment purposes, with invasive fungal infections being rare. There is substantial variation in dosing of antifungal drugs nationally.
Article
Psychiatry
Macarena A. San Martin Porter, Joemer Maravilla, Steve Kisely, Kim S. Betts, Caroline Salom, Rosa Alati
Summary: The study found that referrals for mental health care during the perinatal period have increased since the implementation of universal screening in Queensland, while admissions for mood disorders in the first 3 months after delivery have decreased.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Steve Kisely, Mark Connor, Andrew A. Somogyi, Dan Siskind
Summary: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and psilocybin may show promise in highly selected populations when administered in closely supervised settings and with intensive support.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Stephen Kisely, Dan Siskind, James G. Scott, Jake M. Najman
Summary: This study examined the association between childhood maltreatment and obesity and metabolic risk factors. The results showed that emotional abuse and neglect were strongly associated with obesity and several cardiometabolic risk factors.
INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Matthew Brazel, Stephen Allison, Tarun Bastiampillai, Stephen Kisely, Samantha M. Loi, Jeffrey C. L. Looi
Summary: The expenditure on older persons mental health services in Australia has not increased at the same rate as other population groups. Mental health of individuals aged over 65 seems to be a neglected policy priority in Australia. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety may lead to changes in services and expenditures.
AUSTRALASIAN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Jeffrey C. L. Looi, Gary Galambos, William Pring, Stephen Allison, Tarun Bastiampillai, Stephen R. Kisely
Summary: This commentary discusses the implications of the Deed of Settlement in the Honeysuckle Health - nib Australian-Competition-Tribunal Hearing, which has significant implications for a dominant private health insurance buying group and its potential to limit patients' and psychiatrists' clinical autonomy. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) authorized the formation of a joint buying group in 2021, but a subsequent legal challenge resulted in a settlement that preserves doctor-patient autonomy, transparency of contractual arrangements, and informed consent for the collection of clinical data. However, private health insurers still have options to form new buying groups and collect data on the general public and insured patients.
AUSTRALASIAN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Stephen R. Kisely, Tarun Bastiampillai, Stephen Allison, Jeffrey C. L. Looi
Summary: The debate on the effectiveness of headspace and its services has been evaluated independently, and the findings indicate that headspace does not provide therapy for a sufficient duration to result in clinically significant improvement. Most evaluations have used short-term measures or satisfaction surveys without control, and the outcomes using standardized measures have shown disappointing results. The costs are poorly quantified and may be underestimated. Despite this, headspace as a primary care intervention costs twice as much as a mental health consultation by a general practitioner and may not be cost effective, depending on assumptions.
AUSTRALASIAN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Sally Plever, Steve Kisely, Billie Bonevski, Irene McCarthy, Brett Emmerson, Emma Ballard, Melissa Anzolin, Dan Siskind, John Allan, Coral Gartner
Summary: This study evaluated the maintenance of improved delivery of smoking cessation assistance in adult acute psychiatry inpatient units three years after the statewide implementation of a system change intervention. The findings indicated that the percentage of discharges with recorded smoking status remained high, surpassing 90% on average.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Psychiatry
Steve Kisely
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Korinne Northwood, E. Pearson, U. Arnautovska, S. Kisely, M. Pawar, M. Sharma, K. Vitangcol, E. Wagner, N. Warren, Dan Siskind
Summary: Through analyzing the relationship between clozapine blood levels and treatment efficacy, the researchers found that a range of 250-550 ng/mL is recommended, with a particular emphasis on levels above 350 ng/mL yielding the best treatment response. However, the risk and benefits of using blood levels exceeding 550 ng/mL should be weighed.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Matthew K. T. McAdam, Ross J. Baldessarini, Andrea L. Murphy, David M. Gardner
Summary: This study provides dosing equivalencies and recommendations for drugs used to treat psychosis. Survey participants from 24 countries provided consensus on dosing recommendations and equivalency estimates for oral, long-acting injectable, and short-acting injectable formulations. The study found that consensus was highest for long-acting injectable formulations, intermediate for oral agents, and lowest for short-acting injectable formulations.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Dan Siskind, Andrea Baker, Anthony Russell, Nicola Warren, Gail Robinson, Stephen Parker, Sarah Medland, Steve Kisely, Tineka Hager, Urska Arnautovska
Summary: This is a 36-week trial to examine the efficacy of the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide on antipsychotic-induced obesity in individuals with schizophrenia. The study will recruit 80 clozapine-treated patients aged 18-64 and assess the percentage change in body weight as the primary endpoint.
Article
Primary Health Care
Mariam Ghabour, Caroline Morris, Kyle Wilby, Alesha Smith
Summary: This study aimed to explore the knowledge and perceptions of New Zealand registered pharmacists on pharmacist prescribing roles, courses, and the barriers and facilitators to course uptake. The findings revealed that most pharmacists believed that pharmacist prescribing would improve healthcare delivery in New Zealand. The main barriers to course uptake included funding, lack of institutional support, inadequate pharmacological/pharmaceutical knowledge, and difficulties in finding medical supervisors.
JOURNAL OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Stephen R. Kisely
Summary: The debate on the interpretation of evidence from randomized control trials (RCTs) on psychodynamic psychotherapy in the College's Clinical Practice Guidelines has brought attention to the differences in opinion. This paper discusses new techniques, such as umbrella reviews, that can help minimize disagreements and foster consensus on treatment guidelines. The latest umbrella review findings suggest that psychodynamic therapy is an evidence-based approach for common mental disorders, among other treatments.
AUSTRALASIAN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Criminology & Penology
James M. Ogilvie, Lisa Broidy, Carleen Thompson, Susan Dennison, Troy Allard, Aydan Kuluk, Belinda Crissman, Steve Kisely, Anna Stewart
Summary: This research aims to examine whether there are differences in mental health characteristics and service contacts across patterns of criminal legal system contact and whether these differences are consistent across gender and Indigenous status.
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND LIFE-COURSE CRIMINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Psychology, Clinical
Aleksandar Todorovic, Sweta Lal, Frances Dark, Veronica De Monte, Steve Kisely, Dan Siskind
Summary: Cognitive behavioural therapy may have small benefits for positive symptoms in clozapine refractory schizophrenia, but does not alter negative symptoms. Given the low risks and limited alternative options, this approach should be considered in this population.
JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
