Åsa Ringqvist1, Per Bech2, Birte Glenthøj3, Eskild Petersen4. 1. Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Pain Rehabilitation, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: asa.ringqvist@med.lu.se. 2. Psychiatric Center North Zealand, Psychiatric Research Unit, University of Copenhagen, Hillerød, Denmark; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. 3. Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research & Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Psychiatric Center Glostrup, Denmark. 4. Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital Skejby, Aarhus, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to explore the profile of acute and long-term psychiatric side effects associated with mefloquine. METHODS: Subjects (n = 73) reported to a Danish national register during five consecutive years for mefloquine associated side effects were included. Acute psychiatric side effects were retrospectively assessed using the SCL-90-R and questions based on Present State Examination (PSE). Subjects reporting suspected psychotic states were contacted for a personal PSE interview. Electronic records of psychiatric hospitalizations and diagnoses were cross-checked. Long-term effects were evaluated with SF-36. SCL-90-R and SF-36 data were compared to age- and gender matched controls. RESULTS: In the SCL-90-R, clinically significant scores for anxiety, phobic anxiety and depression were found in 55%, 51%, and 44% of the mefloquine group. Substantial acute phase psychotic symptoms were found in 15% and were time-limited. Illusions/hallucinations were more frequently observed among women. Cases of hypomania/mania in the acute phase were 5.5%. Significant long-term mental health effects were demonstrated for the SF-36 subscales mental health (MH), role emotional (RE), and vitality (VT) in the mefloquine group compared to matched controls. CONCLUSION: The most frequent acute psychiatric problems were anxiety, depression, and psychotic symptoms. Data indicated that subjects experiencing acute mefloquine adverse side effects may develop long-term mental health problems with a decreased sense of global quality of life with lack of energy, nervousness, and depression.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to explore the profile of acute and long-term psychiatric side effects associated with mefloquine. METHODS: Subjects (n = 73) reported to a Danish national register during five consecutive years for mefloquine associated side effects were included. Acute psychiatric side effects were retrospectively assessed using the SCL-90-R and questions based on Present State Examination (PSE). Subjects reporting suspected psychotic states were contacted for a personal PSE interview. Electronic records of psychiatric hospitalizations and diagnoses were cross-checked. Long-term effects were evaluated with SF-36. SCL-90-R and SF-36 data were compared to age- and gender matched controls. RESULTS: In the SCL-90-R, clinically significant scores for anxiety, phobic anxiety and depression were found in 55%, 51%, and 44% of the mefloquine group. Substantial acute phase psychotic symptoms were found in 15% and were time-limited. Illusions/hallucinations were more frequently observed among women. Cases of hypomania/mania in the acute phase were 5.5%. Significant long-term mental health effects were demonstrated for the SF-36 subscales mental health (MH), role emotional (RE), and vitality (VT) in the mefloquine group compared to matched controls. CONCLUSION: The most frequent acute psychiatric problems were anxiety, depression, and psychotic symptoms. Data indicated that subjects experiencing acute mefloquine adverse side effects may develop long-term mental health problems with a decreased sense of global quality of life with lack of energy, nervousness, and depression.
Authors: Mitra Heshmati; Sam A Golden; Madeline L Pfau; Daniel J Christoffel; Elena L Seeley; Michael E Cahill; Lena A Khibnik; Scott J Russo Journal: Neuropharmacology Date: 2015-10-22 Impact factor: 5.250
Authors: Li Li; Changli Wan; Ru Ding; Yi Liu; Jue Chen; Zonggui Wu; Chun Liang; Zhiqing He; Chengzhong Li Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2015-09-26 Impact factor: 3.186