BACKGROUND: Despite the dissemination of second generation antipsychotics for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, outcomes remain suboptimal, largely due to poor treatment and drug adherence. The primary aim of the current study was to assess the tolerability, validity and feasibility of the pocket-sized electronic diary Medicus®. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Our case observations attempted to evaluate eighteen patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. All of the patients were treated with the second generation antipsychotic quetiapine. We followed them up in two German medical centers over two years. RESULTS: The present results display an improvement of mood-stability in all patients treated with quetiapine. All patients were in regular contact to their psychiatrist over a period of 24 months. A complete description of the coherences between the symptoms was essential for estimation, which was conducted by Medicus®. Moreover, Medicus® seem to be useful for improving compliance within a medication regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncontrolled case observations can only be interpreted with caution, Medicus® seems to deserve further investigation and may hold the potential to optimize treatment and drug adherence in patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
BACKGROUND: Despite the dissemination of second generation antipsychotics for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, outcomes remain suboptimal, largely due to poor treatment and drug adherence. The primary aim of the current study was to assess the tolerability, validity and feasibility of the pocket-sized electronic diary Medicus®. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Our case observations attempted to evaluate eighteen patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. All of the patients were treated with the second generation antipsychotic quetiapine. We followed them up in two German medical centers over two years. RESULTS: The present results display an improvement of mood-stability in all patients treated with quetiapine. All patients were in regular contact to their psychiatrist over a period of 24 months. A complete description of the coherences between the symptoms was essential for estimation, which was conducted by Medicus®. Moreover, Medicus® seem to be useful for improving compliance within a medication regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncontrolled case observations can only be interpreted with caution, Medicus® seems to deserve further investigation and may hold the potential to optimize treatment and drug adherence in patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
Authors: Maria Faurholt-Jepsen; Maj Vinberg; Mads Frost; Sune Debel; Ellen Margrethe Christensen; Jakob E Bardram; Lars Vedel Kessing Journal: Int J Methods Psychiatr Res Date: 2016-04-01 Impact factor: 4.035
Authors: Maria Faurholt-Jepsen; Maj Vinberg; Mads Frost; Ellen Margrethe Christensen; Jakob Bardram; Lars Vedel Kessing Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2014-11-25 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Glenn J Treisman; Geetha Jayaram; Russell L Margolis; Godfrey D Pearlson; Chester W Schmidt; Gary L Mihelish; Adrienne Kennedy; Alexandra Howson; Maziar Rasulnia; Iwona E Misiuta Journal: J Nerv Ment Dis Date: 2016-08 Impact factor: 2.254
Authors: Maria Faurholt-Jepsen; Klaus Munkholm; Mads Frost; Jakob E Bardram; Lars Vedel Kessing Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2016-01-15 Impact factor: 3.630