Progress Report - May 2010

With the assistance of 2 very competent part-time summer students the study now has:

·         101 cases

·         202 controls

·         38 samples of DNA (14 from cases)

Plan

We are now planning to aim for approximately 100 cases and 400 controls. 

We will continue to document cases in order to maximise the pool from which DNA samples can be obtained.  The consent rate among psychiatric patients is less than you might expect from individuals without mental illness.

We intend to complete documentation by the end of 2010.

Publications

The first article from the clozapine and myocarditis study has been published online ahead of print:

• Ronaldson KJ, Taylor AJ, Fitzgerald PB, Topliss DJ, McNeil JJ. Diagnostic characteristics of clozapine-induced myocarditis identified by an analysis of 38 cases and 47 controls. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry http://www.psychiatrist.com/privatepdf/article_wrapper.asp?art=oap/09m05024yel/09m05024yel.htm

A second article proposing evidence-based monitoring guidelines for clozapine-induced myocarditis has not yet been accepted for publication, but is currently undergoing peer review.