Singh, Balwinder

ABSTRACT Objectives To investigate pharmacological treatment patterns in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) with and without comorbid substance use disorder (SUD) and anxiety disorder (AX), we leveraged the Global Bipolar Cohort to analyze cross‐regional practices across North America, Europe, and the Pacific. Methods Fourteen cohorts contributed aggregate data on pharmacotherapy, demographics, diagnostic subtypes, and comorbidities. Proportional meta‐analyses using generalized linear mixed models were conducted to examine prescription trends and identify clinical differences. Results The sample ( N = 11,521) was 60% female and 84% Caucasian. Participants were categorized into four mutually exclusive groups based on comorbidity status: those with comorbid AX only, comorbid SUD only, both AX and SUD, or neither. The AX+SUD subgroup showed higher rates of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rapid cycling, obesity, and unemployment, reflecting a more severe clinical profile. Regional variations were notable: North American cohorts reported higher prevalence of AX and SUD than European and Pacific cohorts. Antidepressants use for AX were more common in Europe and the Pacific, while North American prescribing patterns were more variable. Benzodiazepine use was high among individuals with SUD across all regions. Lithium and first‐generation antipsychotic prescriptions varied, with higher rates observed in Europe. Conclusions Findings underscore the heterogeneity of BD and the influence of comorbid AX and SUD on illness burden and treatment. Regional prescribing variations underscore the need for context‐specific guidelines. Gaps in data on medication‐assisted treatment for SUD point to areas for future research. These insights can support more individualized and effective care for complex BD presentations.

Background: Ketamine and esketamine are increasingly used for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), yet their hepatic safety profile with repeated or long-term use remains poorly characterized. Chronic recreational ketamine abuse has been linked to cholestasis and cholangiopathy, raising concern that therapeutic use may carry similar risks. No systematic data exist on liver enzyme trajectories or biliary injury at subanesthetic doses used for depression. Methods: This historical cohort study included adults with TRD receiving IV ketamine or intranasal (IN) esketamine at the Mayo Clinic Ketamine Clinic (2017 to 2024). Patients were eligible if they had at least one liver enzyme value (AST, ALT, ALP, or bilirubin) within 12 months before through 3 months after treatment. Longitudinal enzyme trajectories were modeled using generalized linear-mixed models with a Gamma distribution. Clinically significant elevation was defined as ≥2× the upper limit of normal (ULN). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests compared pretreatment and post-treatment paired values. Results: Of 104 enrolled patients, 74 had liver enzyme data available; 51 had post-initiation data. Median age was 51.5 years; 72% were female. Most (78.4%) received IV ketamine. No clinically meaningful changes in enzyme trajectories were observed. Three patients (5.9%) had elevations ≥2× ULN, all attributable to alcohol use, myalgias, or pre-existing hepatic steatosis rather than (es)ketamine. Conclusions: Subanesthetic IV ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) and FDA-approved IN esketamine doses were not associated with clinically significant liver enzyme elevations in this real-world TRD cohort. Current evidence does not support routine hepatic monitoring for asymptomatic patients, although prospective, larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.

ABSTRACT Background This study aimed to explore the effect of family history (FH) and polygenic risk scores (PRS) for multiple psychiatric disorders on lithium response in bipolar disorder (BD). Method The sample included patients from the Mayo Clinic BD Biobank. FH in first‐degree relatives was obtained via the patient questionnaire. Linear regression models tested the association of FH and PRS for BD, major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCZ), alcohol use disorder (AUD), anxiety disorder (ANX), and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with lithium response measured by the Alda A score adjusted for the Alda B sum score. Post hoc models additionally adjusted for clinical covariates (age at onset, rapid cycling, and BD subtype). Results 716 patients had Alda scores for lithium response (61.9% females, mean age = 43.4 years). FH‐BD ( β = −0.57, p = 0.015), AUD ( β = −0.44, p = 0.045), and ANX ( β = −0.61, p = 0.050) were associated with worse lithium response. After adjusting for clinical covariates, associations for FH‐BD and FH‐ANX were no longer significant. PRS‐BD was associated with better response ( β = 0.22, p = 0.041), while PRS‐MDD ( β = −0.28, p = 0.01) and PRS‐ADHD ( β = −0.24, p = 0.028) were associated with worse response, with effects largely unchanged after adjusting for clinical covariates. In the combined model considering all FHs simultaneously, only FH‐BD remained significantly associated with worse lithium response ( β = −0.71, p = 0.039). In the combined model for PRS, only PRS‐BD ( β = 0.31, p = 0.008; better response) and PRS‐MDD ( β = −0.29, p = 0.020; worse response) showed significant associations. Conclusions In this exploratory study, FH‐BD, AUD, and ANX were associated with poor response, though only FH‐AUD remained significant after adjusting for clinical factors. PRS‐BD predicted better response, while PRS‐MDD was associated with worse response. These findings suggest independent and potentially complementary roles of FH and PRS. Integrating both familial and genetic risk measures may improve personalized treatment strategies and outcomes for BD patients.

Background: Ketamine and esketamine ((es)ketamine) rapidly reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation (SI) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but whether early SI improvement during the acute phase of the treatment predicts reduced suicide-associated emergency department (SAED) visits over the longer term remains unclear. Objectives: To examine whether early improvements in SI, measured using item 12 of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self Reported (QIDS-SR), following (es)ketamine treatment are associated with SAED visits over 6 months Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Individuals with TRD who had available data on SI measured using the QIDS-SR during the acute phase, as well as data on SAED visits over 6 months, were included. Participants were classified based on changes in SI as resolved, partially improved, or unchanged/worsened using the QIDS-SR item 12 during acute treatment (up to six intravenous (IV) or eight intranasal (IN) treatments) and were followed for SAED visits. Results: Among 96 patients with SI data, 73 (76%) had baseline SI. Following acute-phase treatment, 36 (49%) achieved SI resolution, 14 (19%) partially improved, and 23 (32%) were unchanged/worsened. During the 6-month follow-up, 8 (11%) had post-acute SAED visits. While not statistically significant, patients with resolved SI had lower odds of post-acute ED visits (OR = 0.16, p = 0.12). Kaplan–Meier estimates of SAED visit-free survival across three SI change groups trended toward significance ( p = 0.066), suggesting lower cumulative healthcare (ED) utilization in more favorable change groups. Secondary analysis among 57 patients who received IV ketamine and had baseline SI showed that, after two infusions, 33 (47.2%) demonstrated a reduction in SI. Early SI improvement (⩾50% reduction in SI) was associated with a lower likelihood of any post-treatment SAED visit at 6 months after adjusting for pre-treatment SAED (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.02–0.98, p = 0.047), corresponding to numbers needed to treat of 4.3. Conclusion: Early SI changes may have prognostic implications, though larger studies are needed to confirm clinical significance.

ABSTRACT Introduction Sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), initially developed for type 2 diabetes, have shown promise in improving renal outcomes in patients with and without diabetes. However, their effect on lithium‐associated kidney dysfunction remains unknown. Methods This historical cohort study included patients from Mayo Clinic (2001–2023) with mood disorders who received lithium for ≥ 6 months and later used SGLT2i for ≥ 1 month. Data on SGLT2i use and lithium treatment were extracted from electronic health records. Serum creatinine values were used to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) trajectories. Linear mixed‐effects models with piecewise linear splines were used to estimate eGFR slopes before and after SGLT2i initiation, adjusted for age and sex. Results Fifty‐six patients (mean age 57.4 years, 46.4% female), predominantly with bipolar disorder (87.5%), were included. The mean eGFR, measured nearest to SGLT2i initiation, was 77.9 ± 26.0 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , and the mean duration of SGLT2i use was 19.5 ± 17.8 months. Before SGLT2i initiation, eGFR declined at a rate of −1.43 mL/min/1.73 m 2 per year ( p < 0.001). After initiation, eGFR increased by 0.69 mL/min/1.73 m 2 per year, reflecting a + 2.13 change ( p = 0.025). Sensitivity analyses, including only patients on lithium at SGLT2i initiation ( n = 22) or who had > 1 year of SGLT2i use ( n = 29) showed similar, though non‐significant, changes in slopes. Conclusion SGLT2i treatment was associated with a significant improvement in eGFR trajectory in patients with mood disorders who received long‐term lithium therapy. These findings suggest a potential role for SGLT2is in mitigating lithium‐associated kidney dysfunction and highlight the need for randomized controlled trials in this population.

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and increased mortality, yet individuals with both BD and CKD are less likely to receive kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) provide renal protection in diabetes, but their long-term effects in this high-risk population remain unknown. Objectives: To evaluate whether SGLT2i use reduces the risk of KRT and all-cause mortality in adults with BD and mild-to-moderate CKD (stage ⩽ 3). Design: Observational cohort study with propensity score matching (PSM). Method: In this study using TriNetX (2009–2024) real-world database, 89,369 adults with BD and mild-to-moderate CKD were classified as SGLT2i users ( n = 12,736) or nonusers ( n = 76,633). Primary outcomes were progression to KRT and all-cause mortality over 5 years. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models, and 1:1 PSM reduced confounding. Subgroup analyses examined sex, race/ethnicity, diabetes status, CKD stage, and mood stabilizer use. Results: SGLT2i use was associated with lower risk of KRT (aHR 0.47 (95% CI, 0.42–0.53)) and all-cause mortality (aHR 0.69 (95% CI, 0.65–0.73); both p < 0.001). Protective effects were consistent across subgroups, including individuals receiving lithium, lamotrigine, valproate, or antipsychotics. After PSM (10,967 matched pairs), 5-year KRT-free survival was 94.61% versus 90.99%, and overall survival was 78.67% versus 67.53% (both p < 0.001). Given the observational design, the possibility of residual or unmeasured confounding canot be excluded. Conclusion: SGLT2i therapy in individuals with BD and mild-to-moderate CKD is associated with substantially lower risks of KRT and all-cause mortality. Prospective trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: Lithium, the gold standard treatment of bipolar disorder (BD), is thought to cause nephropathy in long-term users. However, the role of confounding variables linked to BD in exerting this adverse effect remains unclear. Objectives: This paper evaluates kidney function in patients with affective disorders who are taking lithium compared to patients not on lithium treatment. Design: This article is a systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources and methods: A comprehensive search of publications up to October 2023 within Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases was performed. Three assessors screened and extracted data from eligible observational studies. Risk of bias assessment was done with the ROBINS-E tool. Eligible studies were comparative studies of adult patients with diagnoses of affective disorders, including BD on lithium, with control groups not on lithium, reporting kidney function outcomes. Results: Mean estimated Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) showed less favorable outcomes in the lithium group compared to the non-lithium group ( n = 1622, MD = −11.14 ml/min/1.73 m 2 , 95% CI: −16.61, −5.68, I 2 = 86%). The mean annual eGFR decline comparison favored the non-lithium group ( n = 13,280, MD = 0.13 ml/min/1.73 m 2 , 95% CI: 0.06, 0.20, I 2 = 0%). Serum creatinine concentration (mg/dl) was found to be higher in the lithium compared to non-lithium groups ( n = = 1704, MD = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.07, I 2 = 3%). New or progressing chronic kidney disease events were not found to be statistically different between the lithium and control groups ( n = = 17,740, OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 0.59, 7.94, I 2 = 99%). The high heterogeneity in this meta-analysis limits the reliability and interpretability of our results. Conclusion: Kidney function, as measured by eGFR, was decreased in the lithium-taking groups versus the non-lithium groups. Continuous monitoring and discussion of risks and benefits with patients, especially those with a baseline of reduced kidney function, is imperative. Trial registration: This review was registered prospectively with PROSPERO (CRD42024517414).

Background: Depression affects approximately 5.7% of adults worldwide, and around one-third of these individuals develop treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Intravenous (IV) ketamine and esketamine (administered IV or intranasally (IN)) are novel treatment options for TRD; however, only IN esketamine currently holds FDA approval. Objectives: Compare the acute effectiveness of IV ketamine with esketamine (IV or IN) in adults with TRD. Design: Mantel–Haenszel random-effects meta-analysis of head-to-head studies. Response and remission at study end point were co-primary outcomes, expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses explored the impact of diagnosis, study type, and publication format; heterogeneity was quantified with I 2 . Data sources and methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, APA Psycinfo, and Scopus were searched from inception through 19 March 2025. Eligible studies enrolled adults with unipolar or bipolar depression directly comparing IV ketamine with esketamine and reporting response or remission. Results: Screening 1089 records identified eight studies ( n = 978). Seven observational studies ( n = 915) comparing IV ketamine with IN esketamine were included in the meta-analysis, while one randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing IV formulations was summarized qualitatively. Pooled response from six studies gave OR = 1.26 (95% CI, 0.92–1.71; p = 0.15) and remission from seven studies gave OR = 1.31 (95% CI, 0.93–1.86; p = 0.12), both nonsignificantly favoring IV ketamine with negligible heterogeneity ( I 2 = 0%). Sensitivity analyses excluding bipolar depression or abstract-only reports yielded similar effect estimates, reinforcing the robustness of the findings. Evidence across three studies for faster onset with IV ketamine ranged from significant in one study to modest trends in two. Conclusion: Based on the currently available comparative evidence, which is almost entirely observational, IV ketamine and IN esketamine show comparable acute response and remission rates, though IV ketamine may act faster. Large head-to-head RCTs are needed to confirm these findings. Trial registration: The study protocol was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF) at https://osf.io/5jzev .