Objectives: Despite the various treatment approaches proposed for major depressive disorder (MDD), the right treatment protocol for different patients is not the same. Supplementation of L-carnitine to antidepressants has been recommended in some studies; however, different results have been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of adding L-carnitine to sertraline in the treatment of patients diagnosed with MDD. Material and Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 patients with MDD. The severity of the depressive disorder, as the primary research outcome, was assessed using the Beck depression inventory. The intervention group received 1000 mg of daily L-carnitine oral capsule along with 100 mg of sertraline; and the control group received a placebo (oral capsule containing 1000 mg of starch), along with 100 mg of sertraline every day. The primary outcome was assessed at baseline, the 3rd, and the 6th week. Results: Although depression score decreased in both groups over time, the difference between the two groups was not significant (P = 0.634). Three patients reported adverse side effects; however, the difference between the two groups was not significant (P = 0.554). Conclusion: Supplementation of L-carnitine to sertraline in patients with MDD did not show a significant effect on the improvement of depression severity.

Background: The benefits of addressing behavioral health issues in inpatients have been well documented. However, these problems are not frequently recognized by physicians during the hospitalization of patients in general hospitals. Objectives: This study described the current status and medical diagnoses made in psychiatric consultations to inpatients admitted to general hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences, North of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional observational research was carried out at Babol University of Medical Sciences from 2019 to 2020. All psychiatric consultations for patients hospitalized in different departments of two general hospitals affiliated to this university for 6 months were included. The mental disorders diagnosed for patients were recorded by a psychiatrist according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) criteria. Results: A total of 266 patients with a mean age of 51.21 ± 16.95 years were examined. Most of the consults were requested by the departments of cardiology (39.5%) and neurology (16.2%). According to the psychiatric visits, 32.3%, 51.1%, and 15.4% of the patients had no, one, and two concomitant psychiatric disorders, respectively. Mental disorders were found to have a significant association with gender (P < 0.001), admission department (P < 0.001), comorbid malignancies (P = 0.011), cardiovascular disorders (P < 0.001), need for surgical intervention (P = 0.018), a history of substance use (P = 0.001), and reasons for consult request (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Mental disorders, especially mood and anxiety disorders, were identified in approximately 70% of consultations. Therefore, requesting a timely psychiatric consultation can lead to better managing hospitalized patients.