Category: Publication

Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors and Hyponatremia in Acutely Medically-Ill Inpatients

By Dr Artin Mahdanian

Abstract Background: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have become the mainstay of treatment for depression, anxiety, and many other conditions. However, they have been associated with an increased risk of hyponatremia. Little is known about the risk of SSRI-associated hyponatremia in certain potentially at-risk populations, such as patients with acute medical illnesses. Objective: The main objective of…

Are Serotonergic Antidepressants Associated With a Lower Risk of Cerebrovascular Accidents?

By Dr Artin Mahdanian

TO THE EDITOR: Serotonergic antidepressants are one of the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications. The literature suggests that serotonergic antidepressants may be protective against ischemic cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs),1, 2 which has been thought to be due to effects on platelet activation and aggregation.3 However, the clinical relevance of the association between serotonergic antidepressants and CVAs has been challenged…

Health Canada Warning on Citalopram and Escitalopram–Its Effects on Prescribing in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry

By Dr Artin Mahdanian

Abstract Background: Reports have suggested that citalopram and escitalopram may prolong the QTc interval, leading Health Canada to issue a warning to limit their dosages in 2012. Little is known about the effects of this warning and similar ones (e.g., by the Food and Drug Administration) on antidepressant prescribing in inpatients with acute medical illness, who…

Serotonergic antidepressants and increased bleeding risk in patients undergoing breast biopsy

By Dr Artin Mahdanian

Abstract Objectives: Recent investigations have shown that serotonergic antidepressant (SAd) use may increase the risk of peri-operative bleeding events. Our objective was to evaluate the possibility of a similar association in patients undergoing radiologic breast biopsies. Methods: We used data from 3890 patients undergoing 6300 biopsy procedures between January 2011 and October 2014 in the Breast Clinic…

Serotonergic antidepressants and perioperative bleeding risk: a systematic review

By Dr Artin Mahdanian

Abstract Introduction: Serotonergic antidepressants (SAds) are known to increase bleeding events, with a number of recent studies investigating this risk in surgical settings. Our main objective was to synthesize the current evidence to evaluate the clinical importance of SAd-related bleeding risk in the perioperative period. Methods: A systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase and PsychINFO until November 2013…

Diagnoses, Requests and Timing of 503 Psychiatric Consultations in Two General Hospitals

By Dr Artin Mahdanian

Abstract The high comorbidity of medical and psychiatric diagnoses in the general hospital population requires collaboration between various medical fields to provide comprehensive health care. This study aims to find the rate of psychiatric consultations, their timing and overall diagnostic trend in comparison to previous studies. Tehran University of Medical Sciences has got an active…

Mental health in patients with pemphigus: an issue to worth consideration

By Dr Artin Mahdanian

Abstract Background: There exists a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in dermatological patients. Although, investigators have evaluated psychiatric aspects of the patients suffering from skin diseases; there are rare studies concerning mental health in pemphigus patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate mental health status and quality of life of newly diagnosed pemphigus patients.…

Family physicians’ satisfaction in Iran: a long path ahead

By Dr Artin Mahdanian

The launch of the Family Physician Project in Iran1 provided an opportunity for general practitioners to practise as regular primary care providers for designated rural populations. However, there is still a strong atmosphere of dissatisfaction among physicians. Most family doctors have to work under conditions that are unacceptable in terms of workload, payment, workplace, professional satisfaction…

Caesarean or normal vaginal delivery: overview of physicians’ self-preference and suggestion to patients

By Dr Artin Mahdanian

Abstract Purpose: Caesarean delivery in the absence of any medical indications has become a major issue of concern among the women’s health professionals. The patients’ choice of caesarean is influenced by several factors predominating by their physicians’ suggestion. Our objective was to examine factors that may affect the physicians’ responses to patients consulting the mode of…

Iranian model of living, non-related kidney donation: a style to be condemned ethically

By Dr Artin Mahdanian

These days, there are articles in the press promoting the Iranian model of living, non-related kidney donation. There are reasonable, well-presented arguments in favour of the Iranian model that motivate other countries to follow it. Although the impartial ones contain some disadvantages of the system, there exist many other unethical points that convince almost everybody to…