A comparative study of subjective experiences related to driving among outpatient psychotropic users and controls in Ragama, Sri Lanka

Chandradasa, Miyuru; Champika, Layani; Amarasuriya, M.; Wijelakshman, P.; Bandara, Saman; Ranaweera, T.; Fernando, Lalin

doi:10.4038/sljpsyc.v7i1.8100

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Therefore the disability caused by schizophrenia has an important significance to a country's productivity. Studies have shown that major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and their treatment in Sri Lanka, could significantly impact on earning a livelihood, by affecting occupational skills such as driving a motor vehicle 10 . Since DUP is known to impair the prognosis in this mental disorder, the knowledge of DUP is vital for planning rehabilitation efforts for patients with schizophrenia in Sri Lanka 1 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of duration of untreated psychosis and functional level, in first episode of schizophrenia attendingan outpatient clinic in Sri Lanka

Chandradasa

Champika²,

Gunathillaka³

et al. 2016

J. Postgrad. Inst. Med.

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Schizophrenia is a progressive disorder that affects thoughts, emotions, perceptions and psychosocial behaviour. The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is the time period from development of initial psychotic symptom in the patient to the beginning of adequate treatment. Studies in the west have indicated that longer DUP is associated with poorer prognosis and functional level in schizophrenia. This study aimed to quantify the DUP retrospectively in a group of patients in their first episode of schizophrenia attending the outpatient psychiatry clinic of National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Their functional level was assessed using the modified general assessment of functioning scale (mGAF) prospectively over three months. The mean DUP was 35.5 months and a longer DUP was significantly associated with lower mGAF scores. This DUP is higher compared to western and Indian data, and indicates the need for early recognition and management.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of duration of untreated psychosis and functional level, in first episode of schizophrenia attendingan outpatient clinic in Sri Lanka

Chandradasa

Champika²,

Gunathillaka³

et al. 2016

J. Postgrad. Inst. Med.

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“…Betel chewing has been seen at a higher rate among patients with schizophrenia in this setting, which could predispose them to health risks such as oropharyngeal carcinoma [ 24 ]. In addition, drivers with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders treated with psychotropic medications at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital were detected to have more collisions and less earnings per day than a control group [ 25 ]. Because community outreach services are at a minimally developed level, many patients with schizophrenia presenting to this hospital are prescribed intramuscular depot antipsychotics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Topiramate’s effectiveness on weight reduction in overweight/obese persons with schizophrenia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Chandradasa

Champika

Silva

et al. 2017

Trials

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BackgroundSchizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder with a higher mortality than that of the general population. Most of the deaths are due to cardiovascular causes and are related to metabolic risks. This risk is due not only to antipsychotics but also to inherent factors of the disorder. Studies in the West have shown topiramate to be effective in schizophrenia to reduce weight gain and for symptomatic control. Whether this is effective for South Asians is not known. It is important because South Asians have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. We aim to conduct a double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing topiramate add-on therapy with treatment as usual with antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia in an outpatient setting in Sri Lanka.Methods/designNinety patients with schizophrenia presenting to the Colombo North Teaching Hospital will be randomized to intervention and control groups equally using permuted block randomization. Patients with comorbid metabolic disorders and taking prescribed weight-controlling medications will be excluded. The intervention group will be prescribed topiramate in addition to their antipsychotics in a predefined dosing regimen targeting a dose of 100 mg per day. The control subjects are to receive a placebo. As the primary outcome, anthropometric measurements including weight, waist circumference, skinfold thickness, and body mass index will be recorded at baseline and monthly during the study period of 3 months. The secondary outcome is the change in symptoms according to the clinician-administered Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Assessment of capacity will be performed and informed consent obtained from all subjects. Ethics approval has been obtained from the ethical review committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, and the trial has been registered in the Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry.DiscussionIn this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, we will attempt to assess the effectiveness of topiramate as an add-on therapy compared with treatment as usual for weight control in patients with schizophrenia. To our knowledge, this is the first such study in South Asia, where metabolic risks are found to be higher than in the West and could have unique ethnic factors related to weight gain in schizophrenia.Trial registrationSri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry, SLCTR/2017/003. Registered on 20 February 2017. Universal trial number, U1111-1192-9439.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2162-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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A comparative study of subjective experiences related to driving among outpatient psychotropic users and controls in Ragama, Sri Lanka

Cited by 2 publications

References 10 publications

Association of duration of untreated psychosis and functional level, in first episode of schizophrenia attendingan outpatient clinic in Sri Lanka

Association of duration of untreated psychosis and functional level, in first episode of schizophrenia attendingan outpatient clinic in Sri Lanka

Topiramate’s effectiveness on weight reduction in overweight/obese persons with schizophrenia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

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