Dataset Information

The lived experience of clozapine discontinuation in patients and carers following suspected clozapine-induced neutropenia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Clozapine is the treatment of choice in refractory psychosis. In most countries, clozapine must be stopped indefinitely if white blood cells fall below a defined threshold during routine monitoring. Despite evidence of severe adverse consequences of clozapine discontinuation, published accounts on the lived experiences and perspectives of patients and carers are scarce.

Method

We completed semi-structured interviews with patients (n = 4) and family carers (n = 4) on experiences of clozapine cessation following suspected drug-induced neutropenia. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.

Results

The two overarching themes comprised:(i) stress of clozapine below threshold neutrophil results and (ii) patient and carer priorities.

Conclusions

There is a suggested need for evidence-based pharmacological and psychological approaches to support patients and carers after clozapine cessation. Such approaches will minimise the potentially negative physical and emotional sequela in the aftermath of a below threshold neutrophil result and reduce the likelihood of experiencing additional health and social inequalities after clozapine discontinuation.

SUBMITTER: Oloyede E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10249299 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

The lived experience of clozapine discontinuation in patients and carers following suspected clozapine-induced neutropenia.

Oloyede Ebenezer E Dunnett Danielle D Taylor David D Clark Ivana I MacCabe James H JH Whiskey Eromona E Onwumere Juliana J

BMC psychiatry 20230608 1

<h4>Background</h4>Clozapine is the treatment of choice in refractory psychosis. In most countries, clozapine must be stopped indefinitely if white blood cells fall below a defined threshold during routine monitoring. Despite evidence of severe adverse consequences of clozapine discontinuation, published accounts on the lived experiences and perspectives of patients and carers are scarce.<h4>Method</h4>We completed semi-structured interviews with patients (n = 4) and family carers (n = 4) on exp ...[more]

PMID: 37291505

Similar Datasets

Project description:AimsClozapine is licensed for treatment-resistant psychosis and remains underutilised. This may berelated to the stringent haematological monitoring requirements that are mandatory in most countries. We aimed to compare guidelines internationally and develop a novel Stringency Index. We hypothesised that the most stringent countries would have increased healthcare costs and reduced prescription rates.MethodWe conducted a literature review and survey of guidelines internationally. Guideline identification involved a literature review and consultation with clinical academics. We focused on the haematological monitoring parameters, frequency and thresholds for discontinuation and rechallenge after suspected clozapine-induced neutropenia. In addition, indicators reflecting monitoring guideline stringency were scored and visualised using a choropleth map. We developed a Stringency Index with an international panel of clozapine experts, through a modified-Delphi-survey. The Stringency Index was compared to health expenditure per-capita and clozapine prescription per 100 000 persons.ResultsOne hundred twocountries were included, from Europe (n = 35), Asia (n = 24), Africa (n = 20), South America (n = 11), North America (n = 7) and Oceania and Australia (n = 5). Guidelines differed in frequency of haematological monitoring and discontinuation thresholds. Overall, 5% of included countries had explicit guidelines for clozapine-rechallenge and 40% explicitly prohibited clozapine-rechallenge. Furthermore, 7% of included countries had modified discontinuation thresholds for benign ethnic neutropenia. None of the guidelines specified how long haematological monitoring should continue. The most stringent guidelines were in Europe, and the least stringent were in Africa and South America. There was a positive association (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) between a country's Stringency Index and healthcare expenditure per capita.ConclusionsRecommendations on how haematological function should be monitored in patients treated with clozapine vary considerably between countries. It would be useful to standardise guidelines on haematological monitoring worldwide.

Project description:Renal cachexia is an important consideration in the person-centred care that is needed in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, given that clinical guidelines relating to renal cachexia are largely absent, this is an unmet care need. To inform guidelines and future renal service planning, there is an urgency to understand individuals’ experiences of renal cachexia and the interrelated experiences of the carers in their lives. We report here the protocol for an interpretative phenomenological study which will explore this lived experience. A purposive sampling strategy will recruit individuals living with ESRD who have cachexia and their carers. A maximum of 30 participants (15 per group) dependent on saturation will be recruited across two nephrology directorates, within two healthcare trusts in the United Kingdom. Individuals with renal cachexia undergoing haemodialysis will be recruited via clinical gatekeepers and their carers will subsequently be invited to participate in the study. Participants will be offered the opportunity to have a face-to-face, virtual or telephone interview. Interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. NVivo, will be used for data management. Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Office for Research Ethics Committees Northern Ireland (REC Reference: 22/NI/0107). Scientific evidence tends to focus on measurable psychological, social and quality of life outcomes but there is limited research providing in-depth meaning and understanding of the views of individuals with renal disease who are experiencing renal cachexia. This information is urgently needed to better prepare healthcare providers and in turn support individuals with ESRD and their carers. This study will help healthcare providers understand what challenges individuals with ESRD, and their carers face in relation to cachexia and aims to inform future clinical practice guidelines and develop supportive interventions which recognise and respond to the needs of this population.

Dataset Information

The lived experience of clozapine discontinuation in patients and carers following suspected clozapine-induced neutropenia.

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

Publications

The lived experience of clozapine discontinuation in patients and carers following suspected clozapine-induced neutropenia.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets