Peter J. Carek

Exercise for the treatment of depression and anxiety.

Depression and anxiety are the most common psychiatric conditions seen in the general medical setting, affecting millions of individuals in the United States. The treatments for depression and anxiety are multiple and have varying degrees of effectiveness. Physical activity has been shown to be associated with decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Physical activity has been consistently shown to be associated with improved physical health, life satisfaction, cognitive functioning, and psychological well-being. Conversely, physical inactivity appears to be associated with the development of psychological disorders. Specific studies support the use of exercise as a treatment for depression. Exercise compares favorably to antidepressant medications as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression and has also been shown to improve depressive symptoms when used as an adjunct to medications. While not as extensively studied, exercise has been shown to be an effective and cost-efficient treatment alternative for a variety of anxiety disorders. While effective, exercise has not been shown to reduce anxiety to the level achieved by psychopharmaceuticals.

Post-traumatic stress disorder screening test performance in civilian primary care

PURPOSE we determined the test performance characteristics of four brief post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening tests in a civilian primary care setting. METHODS this was a cross-sectional cohort study of adults attending a family medicine residency training clinic in the southeastern USA. Four hundred and eleven participants completed a structured telephone interview that followed an index clinic visit. Screening tests included: PTSD Symptom Checklist-Civilian Version (17 items), SPAN (four items), Breslaus scale (seven items) and Primary Care PTSD screen (PC-PTSD) (four items). A modified Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale was used to determine past month PTSD for comparison. Receiver operating characteristic analysis based on area under the curve (AUC) was used to assess diagnostic efficiency (>0.80 desired). Cut-off scores were selected to yield optimal sensitivity and specificity (>80%). RESULTS past month PTSD was substantial (women = 35.8% and men = 20.0%; P < 0.01). AUC values were PTSD Symptom Checklist (PCL) (0.897), SPAN (0.806), Breslaus scale (0.886) and PC-PTSD (0.885). Optimal cut-scores yielded the following sensitivities and specificities: PCL (80.0% and 80.7%; cut-off = 43), SPAN (75.9% and 71.6%; cut-off = 3), Breslaus scale (84.5% and 76.4%; cut-off = 4) and PC-PTSD (85.1% and 82.0%; cut-off = 3). Overall and gender-specific screening test performances were explored. CONCLUSIONS results confirm: (i) PTSD was common, especially among women; (ii) all four PTSD screening tests were diagnostically adequate; (iii) Two of four PTSD screening tests showed adequate sensitivity and specificity (>80%) and (iv) The PC-PTSD screening test (four items) appeared to be the best single screening test. There are few studies to establish the utility of PTSD screening tests within civilian primary care.

Current Concepts in the Pharmacological Management of Obesity

The pharmacological management of obesity has gained increasing attention as new weight loss treatments are approved and a significant proportion of the public strives to lose weight. Obesity is associated with a high mortality rate, multiple chronic medical conditions, and carries an enormous financial burden. Obesity is a multifactorial condition, most often due to an imbalance in energy intake and expenditure.Despite the greater focus on management of obesity, weight loss remains a difficult goal to achieve. Obesity is a chronic medical condition that may require long term treatment, therefore the risks and benefits of all pharmacological agents must be carefully considered. Noradrenergic appetite suppressants (ie. phenyl-propanolamine, phentermine) result in weight loss but stimulatory effects limit their use. The serotonergic agents (fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine) were effective weight loss drugs, but were voluntarily withdrawn from the US market last year because of cardiovascular and pulmonary complications. The combination noradrenergic/serotonergic agent sibutramine is indicated for the management of obesity, particularly in the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors. Modest weight loss is achieved with sibutramine, although weight gain is significant after discontinuation. In addition, long term safety data are not yet available. The thermogenic combination of ephedrine plus caffeine is minimally effective, and adverse effects are usually transient. Other thermogenic agents, such as β3-agonists, are still under investigation.Agents may alter digestion through lipase inhibition (orlistat) or fat substitution (olestra). Orlistat decreases systemic absorption of dietary fat, decreasing body weight and cholesterol. Olestra is a fat substitute that has been incorporated into snack foods. Olestra substitution for dietary fat has not been studied as a weight loss strategy, although olestra has no caloric value and may be beneficial. The use of orlistat and olestra may be limited by gastrointestinal adverse effects. Finally, the manipulation of leptin and neuropeptide Y are under investigation for the treatment of obesity.Pharmacological agents should be used as an aid to a structured diet and exercise regimen in the treatment of obesity. Weight loss agents may result in initial weight loss, but sustained weight loss is not always achieved even with continuation of treatment. The effect of weight loss obtained while using pharmacotherapeutic agents on morbidity and mortality has not been established. Therefore, diet and exercise should be the focus of any weight loss programme. There is a continued need for safe and effective pharmacotherapeutic agents for the treatment of obesity.

The Pharmacist's Role in Promoting Optimal Antimicrobial Use

Optimal use of antimicrobials is essential in the face of escalating antibiotic resistance, and requires cooperation from all sectors of the health care system. Although antibiotic‐restriction policies in the hospital setting are important in altering microbial susceptibility patterns, an overall reduction in antibiotic prescriptions in the outpatient setting is more likely to significantly impact antibiotic resistance. Education of providers, application of clinical practice guidelines, audit and feedback activities, and multifaceted interventions all have had an effect in altering antibiotic prescribing in a research setting. Clinicians must alter antibiotic prescribing for the treatment of infectious diseases, and patients must change their perception of the need for these drugs. Pharmacists can play a major role through clinician education and focused clinical services. With cooperation of health care teams, the effectiveness of available antibiotics may be sustained and the threat of resistance minimized.

The Mortality Risk of Elevated Serum Transferrin Saturation and Consumption of Dietary Iron

BACKGROUND Recent data shows an increased mortality risk associated with elevated transferrin saturation. Because ingestion of dietary iron may contribute to iron overload in persons with elevated transferrin saturation, we investigated the relationship between elevated transferrin saturation, ingestion of dietary iron and red meat, and mortality. METHODS This 12-year cohort study used data from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1976–1980 (NHANES II) and the NHANES II Mortality Study 1992. Population estimates were based on 9,229 persons aged 35 to 70 years at baseline. A Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed based on levels of transferrin saturation, intake of dietary iron, and intake of red meat. The analysis was conducted while controlling for demographics, severity of illness, body mass index, and smoking status. RESULTS Unadjusted analyses indicated that those who had a high transferrin saturation and reported high dietary iron or red meat consumption had an increased mortality risk. The adjusted survival analysis indicated that persons with elevated transferrin saturation who reported high dietary iron intake had a hazard ratio for death of 2.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39–6.04) compared with those with normal transferrin saturation levels and reported low dietary iron intake. Persons who had a high transferrin saturation and reported high red meat consumption also had an increased hazard ratio for death (2.26; 95% CI, 1.45–3.52) compared with those who had normal transferrin saturation and reported low red meat consumption. CONCLUSIONS Ingestion of large quantities of dietary iron and red meat in persons with high transferrin saturation is associated with an increase in mortality. Simple dietary restrictions may reduce the mortality risk associated with high transferrin saturation.

Osteitis Pubis: A Diagnosis for the Family Physician

Background: Osteitis pubis was first described in 1924 in patients who had had suprapubic surgery. Since that time many theories concerning the cause of the disease have been developed. Published case reports and retrospective record reviews of specific, isolated patient populations have been used to postulate an infectious, inflammatory, or traumatic cause of this condition. Such confusion reduces the likelihood of an accurate diagnosis of osteitis pubis, particularly in the primary care setting, where it is becoming increasingly likely that patients afflicted with this frustrating illness will initially seek treatment. Methods: This article describes a case report and provides a review of the literature. The medical literature was searched using the following key words: “abdominal pain,” “pelvic pain,” “inflammation,” “symphysis pubis,” and “enthesopathy.” Results and Conclusions: Osteitis pubis, considered to be the most common inflammatory disease of the pubic symphysis, is a self-limiting inflammation secondary to trauma, pelvic surgery, childbirth, or overuse, and it can be found in almost any patient population. Occurring more commonly in men during their 30s and 40s, osteitis pubis causes pain in the pubic area, one or both groins, and in the lower rectus abdominis muscle. The pain can be exacerbated by exercise or specific movements, such as running, kicking, or pivoting on one leg, and is relieved with rest. Pain can occur with walking and can be in one or several of many distributions: perineal, testicular, suprapubic, inguinal, and postejaculatory in the scrotum and perineum. Symptoms are described as “groin burning,” with discomfort while climbing stairs, coughing, or sneezing. A greater understanding and awareness of osteitis pubis will reduce patient and physician frustration while improving overall outcomes.

TREATMENT OF CO-MORBID MENTAL ILLNESS IN PRIMARY CARE: HOW TO MINIMIZE WEIGHT GAIN, DIABETES, AND METABOLIC SYNDROME

In patients with mental illness the increased risk from cardiovascular disease appears to be related to the increased incidence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Barriers to the medical care in this patient population include diminished adherence to treatment and preventative recommendations, lack of willingness to engage in self-care activities, decreased access to affordable medical care, underestimation of risk by physicians, and adverse effects of commonly prescribed psychiatric medications. When managing patients with mental illness it is necessary to estimate the patients metabolic and cardiovascular risk, monitor BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose, and lipid profile regularly, evaluate psychiatric medications metabolic risk, and choose less “metabolically threatening” drugs. The promotion of healthy lifestyle choices among persons with serious mental illness is essential not only as part of their recovery, but as an integral part of preventing metabolic changes and weight gain linked to their illness and medication side effects. In patients with mental illness and co-morbid diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, psychiatrist and primary care clinicians should collaborate to establish a plan for healthy lifestyle habits (diet and activity regimen), encourage weight loss, and follow-up regularly using multispecialty teams to improve management.

Pharmacotherapy for the obese patient.

The long-term safety of many antiobesity pharmacologic regimens has not been adequately evaluated. If recommended and prescribed, pharmacologic agents should be an adjunct to a structured diet and exercise regimen. Unfortunately, weight gain after discontinuation of antiobesity agents is common. In addition, the effect of weight loss obtained through the use of pharmacotherapeutic agents on overall morbidity and mortality has not been established.

Identification and treatment of depression in minority populations.

Depression is a common condition, representing close to 6% of visits to primary care providers. Although minorities are more likely to have chronic depression, they are more likely to be incorrectly diagnosed and less likely to receive treatment when compared to the mainstream population. Screening and appropriate treatment within primary care is recommended in clinical practices that have systems in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up. This recommendation is especially relevant for treatment of minority populations, as they are more likely to seek care for mental health problems from primary care providers rather than specialists. A number of self-report screening tools that simplify screening are available. Treatment modalities that are supported by evidence are psychotherapy, prescription medications, and electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have become the cornerstone of therapy for depression since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of fluoxetine in 1987. No substantial differences in efficacy of SSRIs have been found, although data suggest differences with respect to onset of action and adverse effects that may be relevant in the choice of one medicine over another. Common side effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors include nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, somnolence and dizziness, akathisia, and sexual dysfunction. While most of these symptoms tend to subside within several weeks of use, sexual dysfunction appears to be a long-term side effect that typically reverses within a few days after discontinuation of the causative medication. Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), bupropion, mirtazapine, and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are other commonly used medications. Complementary and alternative treatments, such as St. Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum), exercise, acupuncture, music therapy, and relaxation, have limited data supporting their efficacy.

A Unique Leg Injury in a Dancer

A 19-year-old female college student reported bilateral anterior knee pain that she had had for at least 4 weeks. She denied any previous injury or precipitating event. The pain was exacerbated when she ascended and descended stairs, but she did not experience swelling or decreased range of motion in her knees. The pain did not compromise her daily activities and was absent at night. When she saw her physician, her sole activity was as a modern dancer; she danced several hours every day. She did not have a history of stress fracture, amenorrhea, or eating disorder.