Editorial

Abstract

Dear colleagues, It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the first issue of 2019. Blier et al. reviewed the switching of medication products during the treatment of psychiatric illness. Switches between reference and generic products describe reductions in efficacy, reduced medication adherence and persistence as well as increased overall health care resource utilization and costs associated with generic substitution. When product switches are considered, they should only proceed with full knowledge of both patient and provider. Goh et al. analysed whether Topiramate mitigates weight gain in antipsychotic-treated patients with schizophrenia. It emerged that patients treated with topiramate experienced a greater reduction in body weight and BMI. Topiramate was significantly superior to control group in mitigating weight gains and psychopathology in antipsychotic-treated patients with schizophrenia. In our first original article, Grant et al. assessed gambling and its clinical correlates in university students. Gambling disorder was significantly associated with past-year use of numerous drugs and those affected were more likely to have generalized anxiety, PTSD and compulsive sexual behaviour. Using questionnaires, the authors also found higher levels of compulsivity and impulsivity associated with disordered gambling. Goldstone and Bantjes talked to mental health care providers about their experiences preventing suicide in people with substance use disorders in South Africa. In total, 18 participants were interviewed and described feeling hopelessness, helplessness and powerlessness related to the difficulties of treating substance use disorders as well as assessing and managing suicide risk. The study suggests to educate mental health care providers to transcend the limitations of risk factor approaches to suicide prevention and utilise certain strategies for treating the disorders. Tourjman et al. investigated the screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatriy (SCIP) and its association with disease severity and cognitive complaints in major depression. The SCIP-Global index score was associated with disease severity and multivariate analysis confirmed that these tests are independent predictors of performance in the SCIP. The study confirms that the SCIP can be used during routine clinical evaluation of MDD. Genc et al. examined the alteration of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with treatment resistant major depression. RNFL thickness is increased in treatment resistant MDD and rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex further increases RNFL thickness. Khalil et al. investigated the impact of a culturally adapted behavioural family psychoeducational programme in patients with schizophrenia in Egypt. The results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing family therapy psychoeducational interventions in different cultural settings with minor modifications. Mezerji et al. assessed the preventive effect of cryproheptadine on sleep and appetite disorders induced by methylphenidate. No significant difference between the cyproheptadine and the placebo groups regarding their weight, rate of growth and PSQI score was found in monthly assessments. Their results suggest that cyproheptadine does not have any considerable preventive effect on sleeping and appetite disorders. Finally, Fountoulakis et al. comment on personalised and precision psychiatry. Authors conclude that there is no laboratory index of any kind which currently can be used to guide the treatment decision; however, that now we precisely know the clinical areas of interest where more targeted research is necessary concerning bipolar disorder also with the existent treatment options.