Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Psychiatry for March 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Mobile Health App Use Continuing to Increase
TUESDAY, March 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The number of mobile health apps is continuing to increase and doctors are embracing this trend, with more than one-third of physicians recommending their use in the past year, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
2015 Match Sees High Proportion of Unmatched Seniors
MONDAY, March 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — About 6.1 percent of U.S. allopathic medical school seniors in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) were not placed into first-year residency positions, with a higher percentage of unmatched seniors than in 2014, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
MIND Diet Could Help Lower Dementia Risk
FRIDAY, March 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Adults who follow the “MIND” diet could lower risk for Alzheimer’s, according to research published online in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
Hunger Signals Differ in Brains of Those With Anorexia
THURSDAY, March 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People with anorexia nervosa have an abnormal brain response to hunger signals, according to a new study. The findings were published in the April 1 issue of Biological Psychiatry.
Prenatal Exposure to Pollutants May Affect Fetal Brain
THURSDAY, March 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to common air pollutants before birth may make children more likely to have the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other thinking and behavioral problems, a small new study suggests. The findings were published online March 25 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Dialectical Behavior Tx Aids Borderline Personality Disorder
THURSDAY, March 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with borderline personality disorder with high suicide risk, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) interventions that include skills training are most effective, according to a study published online March 25 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Physicians Should Be Aware of Signs of Burnout
THURSDAY, March 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Burnout can be prevented if physicians are aware of the warning signs, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.
Air Pollution May Contribute to High Anxiety
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Air pollution may take a toll not only on physical health, but mental well-being as well, according to two new studies published March 24 in The BMJ.
Binge Eating Linked to Comorbidities in Obese Adults
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For obese adults, binge eating disorder (BED) may be associated with specific medical comorbidities, according to a study published online March 16 in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Lasting Benefit for Stress Mgmt Post Breast Cancer Surgery
TUESDAY, March 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For women with early-stage breast cancer, cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) delivered after surgery is associated with long-term psychological benefits, according to a study published online March 23 in Cancer.
Doctors May Not Be Informing of Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
TUESDAY, March 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Doctors are not telling a majority of their patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s that they have the degenerative brain disease, a new report by the Alzheimer’s Association indicates.
Family-Centered Care Improves Outcomes in Children With ADHD
MONDAY, March 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), receiving more family-centered, compassionate care may be more effective than standard care, a new study has found. The findings were published online March 23 in Pediatrics.
Electronic Solutions Underway for Rx Prior Authorizations
FRIDAY, March 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Efforts are underway to offer technological solutions to the burdens associated with prior authorizations, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
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Dietary Omega-3 Supplements Improve ADHD Symptoms
FRIDAY, March 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is associated with improvement in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms for children with ADHD and typically developing children, according to a study published online March 19 in Neuropsychopharmacology.
Sleep Affects Women’s Sexual Desire, Response
FRIDAY, March 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Sufficient sleep is important to the promotion of healthy sexual desire and response in females, according to a study published online March 16 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Assisted Reproductive Technology Linked to Autism
THURSDAY, March 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is associated with increased incidence of autism, according to a study published online March 19 in the American Journal of Public Health.
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New Assessment Tool Helps Predict Risk of Cognitive Decline
THURSDAY, March 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new assessment tool may be able to predict risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults, according to a study published online March 18 in Neurology.
Antipsychotics May Up Risk of Premature Death in Dementia
WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Antipsychotic drugs used to treat the delusions, hallucinations, agitation, and aggression that occur in many people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia may increase the risk of premature death more than previously thought, a new study suggests. The study was published online March 18 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Workplace Suicides Up Sharply Since 2007
WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Since 2007 there has been a sharp increase in workplace suicides, with certain occupations at higher risk, according to a study published online March 16 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Jyoti Meditation Program Effective for Chronic Neck Pain
TUESDAY, March 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An eight-week jyoti meditation program is effective for patients with chronic neck pain, according to a study published in the January issue of The Journal of Pain.
More Than 16 Million Americans Have Gained Coverage Under ACA
TUESDAY, March 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Obama Administration reported Monday the largest drop in the number of Americans without health insurance since the Johnson administration expanded health coverage through Medicare and Medicaid 50 years ago.
Gender-Specific Variation in Medical Specialties
MONDAY, March 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical specialties vary by gender, with obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics dominated by female residents and specialties such as surgery, emergency medicine, and anesthesiology dominated by males, according to a report published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
HHS Wants to Help Restore Joy of Medicine
FRIDAY, March 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is listening to physicians and wants to address the regulatory burdens they face, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Emotional Intelligence Peaks in Middle Age
FRIDAY, March 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — While some thinking skills begin to decline as one ages, researchers found that others don’t peak until middle age or even later. The study will appear in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science.
Cochlear Implantation Associated With Improved Cognition
FRIDAY, March 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cochlear implants not only boost hearing in seniors with severe hearing loss, they might also enhance their emotional state and thinking abilities, according to a new study published online March 12 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Getting Heard May Be Key to Getting New Job
FRIDAY, March 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Your voice may be the key to landing a new job, researchers report in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science.
Ultrasound Tx Shows Promise in Breaking Up Amyloid Plaque
THURSDAY, March 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Preliminary research in mice raises the possibility that an ultrasound-based treatment might help eliminate amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque in the brain. The study appears in the March 11 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
Powdered Alcohol Approved by U.S. Regulators
THURSDAY, March 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — U.S. regulators have approved a controversial powdered alcohol product called Palcohol, which is meant to be mixed into drinks.
Health Highlights: March 11, 2015
Clinical Trial Data Often Not Reported in Timely Manner
THURSDAY, March 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers are not promptly reporting the results of clinical trials to ClinicalTrials.gov, according to an article published in the March 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Physicians Should Plan Exit Strategy in Advance
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should begin planning their exit strategy three to five years in advance, according to the American Medical Association.
Psychosocial Phone Counseling Aids Cervical Cancer Survivors
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A psychosocial telephone counseling (PTC) intervention can be beneficial for cervical cancer survivors, according to a study published online Feb. 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Stress + Depression = Deadly Combo in Heart Disease
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Coronary heart disease, depression, and stress can be a deadly combination, according to a new study published online March 10 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Melatonin Use in Children Raises Safety Concerns
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Considerable safety concerns surround use of melatonin for children with sleep disorders, according to a review article published online Feb. 3 in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Persistent EHR Nonadoption Could Mean Lower Payment
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Persistent nonadopters of electronic health records (EHRs) tend to be older, and are employed in smaller practices, according to a letter published in the March 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Frustrated by Regulations, Doctors Increasingly Miserable
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The nationwide Physician Misery Index is 3.7 out of 5, with the vast majority of physicians reporting that the business and regulation of health care has worsened the practice of medicine, according to a report published by Geneia.
AAMC: Significant Shortfall of Physicians Projected for 2025
TUESDAY, March 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The expected shortfall of physicians is projected to reach about 46,000 to 90,000 by 2025, according to a study conducted by IHS Inc. for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Subthreshold Mania May Mean Bipolarity in High-Risk Youth
TUESDAY, March 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Subthreshold manic or hypomanic episodes may be a diagnostic precursor to bipolar disorder in the children of parents with bipolar disorder, according to research published online March 3 in The American Journal of Psychiatry.
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Paternal, Maternal Depression May Up Asthma Risk for Baby
MONDAY, March 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A child may face an increased risk of asthma if the child’s mother or father experienced depression during the pregnancy or if the mother took an older antidepressant to treat her condition, new research suggests. The study findings were published online March 9 in Pediatrics.
Model Explores Impact of Vitamin D, Omega-3 Deficiency
FRIDAY, March 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A model has been proposed to explain the influence of inadequate vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids on brain dysfunction via serotonin levels, according to a review published online Feb. 24 in The FASEB Journal.
Changes Being Made to Med School Applicant Assessment
FRIDAY, March 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In accordance with the changes in graduate medical education to better prepare doctors for a changing health care system, changes are being made to medical school applicant evaluation, according to an article published Feb. 19 by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Psychotherapy for Child Anxiety Offers Long-Term Benefits
FRIDAY, March 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Successful cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for an anxiety disorder in childhood is associated with lasting protection against suicidal ideation, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Extended Pre-Cessation Bupropion Helps Smokers Quit
FRIDAY, March 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Extended pre-quit bupropion is associated with reduced smoking behavior during the pre-quit period and improved short-term abstinence rates, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.
Confidence Gap Between Male and Female Med Students
FRIDAY, March 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Female medical students perform at the same or higher level as men, but they lack confidence compared with men, according to a letter published in the March 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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National Hospital Rating Systems Rarely in Agreement
FRIDAY, March 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — National hospital rating systems are rarely in agreement, according to a study published in the March issue of Health Affairs.
FDA Launches First App to Identify Drug Shortages
THURSDAY, March 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A mobile phone application (app) has been released to identify current drug shortages, resolved shortages, or discontinuations of drug products, according to a press release published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Coping With Stress May Be As Key to Heart Health As Exercise
THURSDAY, March 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Teens who have trouble coping with stress may face an increased risk for future coronary heart disease that even exercise can’t erase, a new study suggests. The report was published online March 4 in Heart.
Rush University Adds Patient Scores to Doctor Profiles
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Rush University Medical Center’s website has started adding the results of patient surveys to individual physician profiles, according to a report published by the medical center.
Many PCPs Not Using Rx Drug Monitoring Programs Routinely
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Most primary care physicians are aware of state prescription drug monitoring programs, and more than half report using one, according to research published in the March issue of Health Affairs.
CDC: Heroin Overdose Mortality Nearly Tripled 2010 to 2013
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The age-adjusted rate for deaths involving opioid analgesics has leveled in recent years; however, the rate for deaths involving heroin has almost tripled since 2010, U.S. health officials reported Wednesday.
Estimates of Childhood ADHD Worldwide Differ Significantly
TUESDAY, March 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — About 7 percent of children worldwide have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), new research concludes. The study was published online March 3 in Pediatrics.
Research Measures Perceptions of Physician Compassion
TUESDAY, March 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients prefer physicians who convey a more optimistic message, and perceive in them a higher level of compassion, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in JAMA Oncology.
Mitral Valve Repair Could Improve Mental Health
MONDAY, March 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) have less depression and anxiety after they undergo surgical repair, according to research published in the March issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Hospital Design Has Little Effect on Patient Satisfaction
MONDAY, March 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Hospital design has little effect on patient satisfaction, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Suicidal Ideation Prevalent in Patients With Fibromyalgia
MONDAY, March 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Suicidal ideation is prevalent among patients with fibromyalgia and is strongly associated with mental health, according to a study published in the February issue of Pain Practice.
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