Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with schizophrenia are aware of the current status and have accurate information about COVID-19. Methods: The participants consisted of 161 inpatients and 117 outpatients with schizophrenia and 40 normal controls. The subjects completed self-report questionnaires measuring changes in their daily life, their perceptions of the current status of COVID-19 and their basic knowledge about the disease. Results: Compared to the normal control group, the inpatients and outpatients with schizophrenia underestimated the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and overestimated the mortality rate of COVID-19. The mortality rates of COVID-19 and the common cold were higher in the order of inpatients, outpatients, and normal controls. The main route of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the main symptoms of COVID-19 were accurately recognized by more than 95% in the normal group and more than 80% in outpatients, but inpatients chose the correct answers at a lower rate. In the questions about misperceptions about COVID-19, the correct answer rate was high in the order of normal controls, outpatients, and inpatients. Most patients with schizophrenia obtained information about COVID-19 on TV, while most normal controls collected information through the internet. Conclusion This study showed that awareness of COVID-19 among patients with schizophrenia is insufficient. Additional measures are needed to provide accurate information and the current status of COVID-19 to patients with schizophrenia.

Objectives: Liraglutide is a glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonist which has been used as an anti-obesity drug. It was reported that patients might develop or worsen suicidal ideas and/or depression during liraglutide treatment, especially when it comes to patients with a psychiatric disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of liraglutide, especially in terms of the psychiatric adverse effects. Methods: A retrospective chart review study was conducted on psychiatric patients prescribed liraglutide for more than one month from September 2018 to September 2020. Based on their medical records, we investigated the change in the weight and body mass index (BMI) of patients from the baseline to 6 months of receiving liraglutide treatment. Information on the adverse effects was also obtained, including psychiatric adverse effects such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. A mixed linear model was used for assessing the time effect on change in weight and BMI. Results: A total of 24 patients were included in the current study, and the most common psychiatric diagnosis included major depressive disorder (n=13, 54.2%). There was a significant change in weight (F=6.127, p=0.001) and BMI (F=6.749, p<0.001) during the liraglutide treatment. Worsening of depression and anxiety occurred in one patient but improved after the adjustment of psychiatric medications. Conclusion The current study found that liraglutide treatment in patients with a psychiatric disorder can be a safe and effective intervention for weight reduction.