The Epidemiology and Treatment of Psychiatric Comorbidities
|
Epidemiology of Comorbid Psychiatric and Addictive Disorders
Presenter: Kevin Conway, Ph.D. (Senior Investigator: Kathleen Ries Merikangas, Ph.D.)
SUMMARY: Dr. Kevin Conway discussed current research on the patterns of comorbidity between mental, addictive, and medical disorders, identifying key patterns emerging from epidemiologic data. These patterns reveal information on cross-cultural prevalences; the risk for drug dependence versus drug abuse; risk variations by mental disorder (e.g., anxiety, mood, ASPD); risk by gender; and risk by type and number of drug disorders. Conway briefly discussed the implications of a heterogeneous phenotype for classification, treatment, and genetics research.
|
Comorbidity of Psychiatric and Addictive Disorders in Children
Joseph Biederman, M.D.
SUMMARY: Dr. Joseph Biederman presented extensive information on antecedent psychopathological disorders to subsequent substance use disorders in youth. Biederman specifically focused on common comorbid diagnoses with children diagnosed with ADHD and the impact these dual diagnoses have on smoking prevalence. The presentation also covered the risk factors for ADHD and ADHD-associated comorbities leading to SUDs. Lastly, data were presented on ADHD and SUDs in adults, as a form of comparison.
|
Depression in Hepatitis C Patients and Interferon Treatment
Paul J. Thuluvath, M.D.
SUMMARY: Dr. Paul Thuluvath presented evidence on the increased prevalence of depression or associated symptoms (fatigue, impaired quality of life, cognitive impairment) for HCV patients in treatment. This increased prevalence may be related to the disease or to patient characteristics that predispose them to HCV infection. Interferon-based treatment may cause significant depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in up to 30 percent of patients. Further, Thuluvath discussed how pre-existing depression worsens during interferon treatment, how the adequate treatment of depression enables successful completion of HCV treatment and better outcomes, and the current role of antidepressants in the treatment of interferon-related depression.
|
Research Advances in HIV Care
Joel E. Gallant, M.D.
SUMMARY: Dr. Joel Gallant discussed the latest developments in the care of the primary HIV infection and indications for treatment, current guidelines for care, complications of treatment, and the management of treatment failure. Gallant touched on recommended regimens for treatment-naïve patients, neuropsychiatric effects of efavirenz toxicity, and the global view of HIV-1 infection. He concluded with a synopsis of antiretroviral agents in the development phase, obstacles to vaccine development, and research approaches.
|
|
