Shocking findings were reported in the August 1st issue of CANCER; cancer patients with schizophrenia possess a mortality rate that is 50% higher than general populations. In fact, cancer in patients with schizophrenia is the second leading cause of death among the group, suicide being the leading cause. According to Frederic Limosin, MD, PhD, of the University of Reims and Robert Debre Hospital in Reims, France, and colleagues, the mortality rate among cancer patients with schizophrenia is nearly four times as high as in general populations. “The continuing cultural stigma associated with schizophrenia can lead to barriers to access to medical care for these patients and may also contribute to diagnostic or treatment delays… It appears essential for psychiatrists to be attentive to the medical care of schizophrenic patients and to evaluate their compliance to therapy for somatic disease,” the researchers said. Perhaps cancer patients with schizophrenia do not possess the same support systems as general populations, contributing to quality of care; possibly general populations could possess greater recourses overall equating to greater rates of treatment at specialized facilities. The causes for the increased rate of mortality among cancer patients with schizophrenia are uncertain; regardless of the causes, it is certain that these findings warrant greater detection and prevention efforts on the part of medical communities and individual support systems. Click here to read an article from Modern Medicine that discusses the study more.

According to findings published in the June 16th issue of Neurology donepezil (Aricept) may delay dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment and depression. The study, however, found that patients without depression did not experience as significant proportions of stabilization or improvement of Alzheimer’s symptoms when taking the drug. The proportion of patients who received donepezil who progressed to Alzheimer’s disease was lower at 2.2 years (P=0.025) and slightly lower at 2.7years.(P=0.070). Outcomes among depressed patients with mild cognitive impairment varied greatly from stabilization to improvement of functioning. Mild cognitive impairment as it is related to dementia is a transitional phase between Alzheimer’s and loss of function associated with normal aging. Po H. Lu, Psy. D., of UCLA, one of the authors of the study, commenting said, “If we can delay the progression of this disease for even two years, it could significantly improve the quality of life for many people dealing with memory loss.” Click here to read an article from Modern Medicine.com that discusses the study more.

Findings from a study recently published online in The American Journal of Psychiatry suggest a link between sudden unexplained death in children and teens and stimulant use. Among 564 children and teens who experienced sudden death 1.8% were taking prescribed stimulants; this figure is significantly higher than the .4% of those in control groups that were not taking the stimulants. “Although sudden unexplained death is a rare event… this finding should be considered in the context of other data about the risk and benefit of stimulants in medical treatment,” the authors commented. According to Mark Olfson, M.D., M.P.H, of Columbia University in New York City, and co-author of the study, “it is clear that the great majority of children and adolescents in the U.S. who are receiving stimulants are receiving them for a clinical diagnosis of ADHD and so, in that sense, these data are relevant for the management of ADHD.” Perhaps these findings will cause physicians to consider whether stimulants should be used as a front-line treatment for ADHD. Click here to read an article from WebMD that discusses the findings more.

An interesting study was published today in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which examined the relationship between alcohol and suicide across a variety of ethnic groups. The study, conducted by the CDC, found that nearly a quarter of patients that committed suicide had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. The numbers were much higher, however, among American Indians/Alaska Natives and Hispanics. Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, 37% of those that committed suicide had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit and for Hispanics the numbers fell at 29%. According to Alex Crosby, MD, of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, “Alcohol is connected to suicides across all groups… when programs try to address suicide prevention, they should definitely include alcohol as one component.” The study is unique in that, while the relationship between alcohol consumption and suicide has been long known, risk factors among specific ethnic groups have not. Click here to read an article from ABC News that discusses the study more.

According to findings recently presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Professional Societies, insomnia and mood disorders may be facilitated through the same genetic pathways. The study examined 1,400 twin pairs; among those with anxiety or depression about a third had co-occurring insomnia, according to Philip Gehrman, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia. Commenting on the findings, Dr. Gehrman stated, “Despite the prevalence of insomnia, I’m always impressed by how few people have looked at the genetics of it.” Click here to read an article from the US News and World Report that discusses the study further.

According to findings published in July in a special issue of Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, drunk driving and binge drinking are on the rise among students across the United States. The study, conducted by Ralph Hingson, Sc.D., M.P.H., and colleagues, relays that over the first half of the decade binge drinking, drunk driving, and alcohol related deaths were on the rise, despite a variety of prevention programs. Specifically, from 1999 to 2005 the percentage of students ages 18-24 that binge drink rose from 41.7% to 44.7%. Drunk driving among this age group rose from 26.5% to 28.9%. The researchers commenting on the study’s findings said, “It does not appear that marked progress has been made in reducing the rates of alcohol-related mortality and morbidity among 18- to 24-year-old college students.”Click here to read an article from ScienceDaily.com that discusses the study further.

According to findings recently published in the Archives of Ophthalmology the childhood eye disorder, intermittent exotropia, which occurs in about 1% of developmentally normal children, is linked to increased risk for mental illness in young adults. Children with the eye disorder had almost a threefold increased risk for psychiatric illness by early adulthood. Furthermore, 53% of children with exotropia were diagnosed with a mental health disorder by early adulthood as opposed to 30.1% of controls. According to the researchers, “The increased rates of mental illness in males with exotropia is of particular concern given that males are nearly twice as likely as females to successfully complete suicide… further study is needed to determine whether interventions can decrease or otherwise alter the future development of mental illness.” Click here to read an article from Medpage Today that discusses the study more.