December 2018 Briefing – Psychiatry

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Psychiatry for December 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.

Delayed School Start Shows Benefits for Teens

FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Delaying school start times increases the amount of time teenagers sleep, which seems to improve school performance, according to a study published in the December issue of Science Advances.

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Toll on Health From Depression, Anxiety Akin to Smoking, Obesity

FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Anxiety and depression predict poor future physical health as strongly as obesity and smoking in older adults, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Health Psychology.

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More Than Two-Thirds of Drug OD Deaths in 2017 Involved Opioids

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than two-thirds of drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved an opioid, with increases in overdose deaths from all opioids and synthetic opioids seen from 2016 to 2017, according to research published in the Dec. 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Low-Priced Generic Drugs Most Likely to Have Shortages

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The lowest-priced generic drugs are more likely to experience shortages, according to a study published in the November issue of Value in Health.

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More Americans Reporting Less Than Six Hours Sleep Per Night

THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The percentage of American adults reporting six hours of sleep or less per night increased from 29 to 33 percent from 2013 to 2017, according to a study recently published in Sleep.

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Initiative Can Cut Gender Gap in Medical School Faculty Salaries

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An institutional gender equity initiative (GEI) can reduce gender-based salary gaps among medical school faculty, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.

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ACOG: Interpregnancy Period Should Maximize Women’s Health

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Providers should maximize women’s health during the interpregnancy period, continuing care beyond the immediate postpartum period, according to a consensus report published online Dec. 20 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

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Incorrect Prescribing Alerts Common for Psychotropic Meds

FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Incorrect prescribing alerts for psychotropic medications may be common, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.