bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological Stressor Of End Stage Chronic Kidney Disease Patients On Dialysis. A Battle For Life
Authors: Hashmi S. S. , Syed A.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may choose to undergo dialysis. Factors that may have led patients to prescribe psychological interventions related to dialysis are poorly understood in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore multi-level factors surrounding dialysis modalities such as Diagnosed Mood Disorders, Existential crises, Triggering events, Social support, and Distrust towards the process of dialysis.

Objectives

The study aims to investigate the psychological battle of the client while going through the process of dialysis. The study reveals multiple mood disorders and existential crises leading to depression among chronic kidney disease patients. Therefore the study was conducted with the aim of providing a therapeutic guide line in future once the factors are investigated in detail.

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted in a dialysis clinic in Karachi where 19 participants participated in this qualitative study. The age ranges from 40-76. Initiating with informed consent followed by surveys assessing demographic and clinical information were administered to participants following their interviews.

Results

Qualitative findings suggested that patients were dealing with Clinical Mood Disorders without being provided treatment. Moreover, the cohesive family support enabled them to continue with daily living activities; however, the patients with low support triggering adverse events in life lost their lives in follow-up sessions. Furthermore, nephrology care doesn’t seem sufficient as they are dealing with existential crises of hopelessness, regret, condemnation, and elevated death anxiety. In CKD the misinterpretation of dialysis by cognitively substituting it as End of life increased the clinical symptoms of Mood disorders. Thus the risk factors increase disturbing the quality of life.

Conclusions

Findings point to broader factors affecting dialysis modalities with Mood disorders. The low social support and adverse triggering events precipitate the risk factors of dialysis treatment. Furthermore, distrust towards dialysis and existential crisis are recommended for therapeutic interventions

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Prevalence of alcohol use disorder in migrants from a Portuguese Center for Refugees: a study protocol
Authors: Magalhaes D. , Satuala P. , Bastos J. , Martins S. , Oliveira M. , Sousa T. , Neto A.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

According to the 2023 statistical report from the Portuguese Migration Observatory, Portugal has received over 72,000 refugees since 2015, with a significant number (56,041) being displaced citizens from Ukraine. This influx includes spontaneous asylum requests. The major countries of origin for refugees in Portugal are Afghanistan, India, Gambia, Pakistan, and Morocco. Notably, refugee populations exhibit elevated incidence rates of specific psychiatric disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive disorders. These conditions are independent risk factors for substance use disorders. Furthermore, refugees face unique risks related to their migration journey, increasing their vulnerability to substance use disorders. The prevalence of substance use disorders, especially Alcohol Use Disorder, can reach up to 36% in this population. CAR 1 (Reception Center for Refugees) is a vital social facility in Portugal dedicated to enhancing the reception and integration of asylum seekers and refugees.

Objectives

Our primary objective is to determine the prevalence of potential alcohol problems and unhealthy alcohol use within the Portuguese Refugee Center in Lisbon. Our secondary aim is to comprehensively characterize the migrant population. This includes gathering data regarding demographic information, legal status, country of origin, pre-migration alcohol-related issues, psychiatric diagnoses, history of psychiatric evaluations, self-initiated help-seeking behavior, and self-perceived alcohol-related problems.

Methods

All individuals currently residing in our refugee center (approximately 70 people) will be invited to participate in a comprehensive survey and screening process. Exclusion criteria will apply to individuals with acute psychiatric conditions unable to provide reliable responses. The survey includes the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the CAGE questionnaire. Quantitative data obtained from the questionnaires will be analyzed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS 29 software.

Results

We anticipate a high prevalence of positive responses to the AUDIT due to potential alcohol-related issues but expect low responses to the CAGE questionnaire due to limited awareness of alcohol use disorder and a reduced perception of the need for help.

Conclusions

This study could help identify and validate the prevalence of alcohol use disorders among migrants, emphasizing the need for appropriate responses. By shedding light on these challenges, we hope to promote effective responses to alcohol use disorder and encourage the utilization of alcohol screening tests in refugee centers, emphasizing the importance of seeking consultation when needed.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Brain activity behind the negative and positive emotions: an experimental setting with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)
Authors: Kabella B. , Fehér A. , Lazáry J.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The fNIRS is an optical brain monitoring technique which uses near-infrared spectroscopy for the purpose of functional neuroimaging. Using fNIRS, brain activity is measured by using near-infrared light to estimate cortical hemodynamic activity which occurs in response to neural activity. In the aspect of psychiatry fNIRS is a tool that can potentially facilitate the clinical diagnostic process and identify stages of psychiatric illnesses by providing objective and quantifiable evidences of brain changes. However, this will require specific cerebral haemodynamic patterns to be validated in larger clinical populations with specific psychiatric disorders.

Objectives

Our team decided to set a fNIRS system to find out the difference in prefrontocortical (PFC) activity pattern between healthy and anhedonic population. This abstract has been created for introduce our first findings about the difference in PFC activity under emotionally positively or negatively coloured stimuli in healthy population.

Methods

We have measured 5 healthy adults, non-anhedonic participants under emotionally different visual and acustic stimuli with the use of NIRX/NIRScout system with the view of our prefronto-temporo-parietal montege.

Fig 1 We devided our experimental tools into 4 individual 20 second long parts:

Passive neutral visual or acustic stimuli for baseline (watching a black dot or scilence)

Passive visual stimuli (watching a single picture)

Active visual stimuli (choosing from photo collage) to detect contrast of cortical background activation

Passive acustic stimuli (listening sounds)

In total, we defined emotionally, two neutral, four positive and four negative stimuli in our experimental setting.

Softwares: We used HOMER3 for analyzing our datas and estimate hemodinamic reponse factor (HRF) using general linear matrix (GLM) regression. We used AtlasViewer for reconstructing HRF image onto the Colin27 digitalised brain model. And we also used SPSS for statictical analysis between stimuli types and HRF means.

Results

Fig 2 Significant HRF differences were measured in the dominant hemisphere dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) between the influence of each emotionally negative and positive stimuli (p<0.001). The level of DLPFC activity was positively influenced by emotionally positive stimuli (p<0.001).

Image:

Image 2:

Image 3:

Conclusions

Fig 3 Our fNIRS experimental system is a suitable tool to measure and model the pattern of prefrontal cortical activity.

Based on the measured hemodynamic values, we detected a significant activity difference in the dominant hemisphere DLPFC during emotionally positive and negative stimuli, the extent of which is positively influenced by emotionally positive stimuli.

The left DLPFC appears to be a promising target for our next studies of anhedonia.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Brain correlates of recall of negative autobiographical memories in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Barbosa L. , Aquino-Servín A. , Fuentes-Claramonte P. , García-León M. Á. , Karuk A. , Jaurrieta N. , Hoyas-Galán B. , Ramiro-Sousa N. , Corte-Souto C. , McKenna P. , Pomarol-Clotet E.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Autobiographical memory is known to be disturbed in schizophrenia. In addition, a leading theory of auditory hallucinations (AVH) is that they are intrusive – typically negative – autobiographical memories that are misinterpreted as perceptions.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the brain functional correlates of recall of negatively emotionally valanced autobiographical memories in patients with schizophrenia, with a longer term aim of comparing patients with and without AVH.

Methods

11 patients meeting DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 10 age, sex and estimated premorbid IQ-matched healthy controls have so far taken part.

Participants underwent functional MRI in a 3T scanner while performing a task requiring them to recall autobiographical memories in response to individually tailored pairs of cue words. The cue words were based on autobiographical memories previously elicited in an interview with each patient and were designed to evoke the same memory. The cue words were presented in 10 20-second blocks interspersed with blocks where the subjects viewed cue words that did not evoke autobiographical memories. Brain activations were examined in three contrasts of interest: memory evoking words vs baseline, neutral words vs baseline and memory evoking vs neutral words.

Pre-processing and analysis were carried out with the FEAT module included in the FSL software. Statistical analysis was performed by means of a General Linear Model (GLM) approach.

Results

In the memory evoking vs baseline contrast the patients showed hypoactivation in the medial frontal cortex compared to the healthy controls (Figure 1). There were no differences in activation between the patients and the controls comparing the memory evoking and neutral cues.

Image:

Conclusions

The finding of hypoactivation in the medial frontal cortex compared to low level baseline in patients with schizophrenia suggests dysfunction in the default mode network, which is known to activate during recall of autobiographical memories.

These preliminary results suggest that recall of negative autobiographical memories in patients with schizophrenia is associated with reduced activity in the default mode network. A planned larger sample of patients and controls will be used to examine activations in patients with and without AVH.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Investigating Epigenetic and Neuroimaging Profiles in Bipolar Disorder and Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia: An integrated epigenetic-neuroimaging approach
Authors: Delvecchio G. , Serpente M. , Di Consoli L. , Rotondo E. , Borraci V. , Scola E. , Triuzi F. M. , Castellani M. , Arighi A. , Scarpini E. , Galimberti D. , Brambilla P.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Discriminating between bipolar disorder (BD) and behavioral variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD) is a clinical challenge as it is still based on clinical judgement, which often leads to misdiagnosis. This challenge is particularly pronounced in cases involving the C9orf72 hexanucleotide expansion, a genetic factor responsible for a substantial portion of familial FTD cases, as in these patients the development of late psychoses is particularly frequent. Moreover, individuals with C9orf72 bvFTD are also characterized by behavioral changes that resemble those seen in late-life BD, especially during the early stages of the disease. This raises questions about whether the clinical similarities between BD and bvFTD are rooted in specific alterations within the brain networks involved in cognitive processing or in selective genetic and epigenetic mutations. In light of this, our recently published neuroimaging study has shed light on the presence of distinctive structural and metabolic characteristics in elderly individuals with BD and bvFTD. These findings offer valuable neurobiological insights that may lead to differentiate between bvFTD and elderly BD patients.

Objectives

Building on our previous research, this study further explores the existence of similar epigenetic expression patterns in plasma neural derived extra cellular vesicles (NDEs), such as miRNA and lncRNA, and seeks to correlate these epigenetic data with shared or distinct biological markers obtained through structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging and [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

Methods

We will plan to conduct statistical analyses on epigenetic and neuroimaging data on C9orf72 and sporadic bvFTD as well as on late-and early-onset BD patients and on healthy controls. Additionally, A PET study will be also performed on a subpopulation of these patients.

Results

Our hypothesis posits that selective epigenetic modifications may impact the brain’s structure and function, in a way that can change the glutamatergic neurotransmission in prefrontal regions, with subsequent indirect effects on subcortical areas.

Conclusions

Our findings will not only help identifying the specific biological signatures of BD and bvFTD, which might have important implications not only in prevention but also in differential diagnosis and treatment, but also offer insights into potential targets for slowing the onset and progression of the structural alterations characterizing these disorders.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Whole-brain Functional Connectivity Correlates of Brain Structural Aging in Adult Schizophrenia Patients Compared to Healthy Controls
Authors: Panikratova Y. , Tomyshev A. , Abdullina E. , Dudina A. , Kaleda V. , Strelets V. , Lebedeva I.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Age-related changes of brain functional connectivity, in contrast to brain structure, are understudied in schizophrenia. Importantly, patients with schizophrenia demonstrate an increased difference between the brain-predicted age and chronological age indicating that brain structural aging may be accelerated in this mental disorder (Constantinides et al. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28 1201-1209). Research on functional connectivity correlates of this process seems to be fruitful.

Objectives

We aimed to search for the brain regions whose resting-state whole-brain functional connectivity is differently associated with brain-predicted age in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls.

Methods

Eighty-three male patients with schizophrenia (age range 17.3 – 52.3; mean age 32.1 ± 10.5) and eighty-seven male healthy individuals (age range 18.3 – 53.6; mean age 31.7 ± 10.0) underwent structural MRI and resting-state fMRI (Philips Ingenia 3T scanner). Brain-predicted age was individually estimated using a model trained on independent data based on 68 measures of cortical thickness and surface area, 7 subcortical volumes, lateral ventricular volumes, and total intracranial volume, all derived from T1-weighted MRI scans (Han et al. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26 5124-39). The associations between the brain-predicted age and the whole-brain global correlation (GCOR) were compared between groups; t-contrasts were calculated (one-way ANCOVA covariate interaction via CONN; RRID:SCR_009550; www.nitrc.org/projects/conn). The chronological age was a covariate of no interest.

Results

Schizophrenia patients had a higher difference between brain-predicted age and chronological age (T(168) = 2.1; p = .036; Cohen’s d = 0.32; 95% CI 0.02-0.63). Greater brain-predicted age in schizophrenia patients, compared to controls, was associated with lower functional connectivity of a region in the right Heschl’s gyrus, planum temporale, as well as central opercular and insular cortex with the rest of the brain (p < .001 voxelwise, p[FDR] < .05 clusterwise; Figure 1).

Image:

Conclusions

Our results coincide with earlier findings on accelerated brain structural aging in schizophrenia. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to indicate that this process is coupled with a decline of the whole-brain functional connectivity of a region located in the right temporal, insular, and parietal cortices, and this effect is not driven by chronological age. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical and cognitive correlates of this decline of functional connectivity.

The study was supported by RSF grant project 22-25-00706.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Use of vortioxetine in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder: a case report
Authors: Jiménez-Fernández B. , Motta-Rojas N. V. , Iborra-Vicheto X. , Cuevas-Esteban J.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic disorder with a wide range of manifestations but primarily intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and/or ritualized actions (compulsions) that can cause a huge distress in patients’ life. First-line treatment for OCD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Tricyclic antidepressants are used as second-line treatment due to secondary effects. Also antipsychotics such as aripiprazole are approved for treating OCD. Vortioxetine is has 5-HT3, 5-HT7 and 5-HT1D antagonists, 5-HT1B partial agonist and a 5-HT1A agonist and serotonin transporter inhibitor property. It is used in major depressive and anxiety disorders. A male 48 years old patient with an OCD diagnosis since he was 21, was reffered to psychiatry department. Previously, he had no response with SSRIs at full dosage and clomipramine 75mg was effective. At 46 years old, he had an acute myocardial infarction. He also admited not taking the medication regularly due to sexual disfunction and having affective symptoms related to the distress caused by OCD.

Objectives

To evaluate efficacy of vortioxetine in treating OCD in a patient with contraindications for tricyclic antidepressants and no response to SSRIs.

Methods

Clomipramine dose was reduced until discontinuation. After one week without treatment, basal scores for Hamilton Scale and Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DY-BOCS) were collected. Same data was collected again after 10 weeks treatment.

Results

The dosage of vortioxetine was progressively titrated until 20mg daily in 3 weeks lapse. Diazepam 5mg was added in case of insomnia or anxiety. Aripiprazole 5mg was added in the third week of treatment as adjunctive treatment due to the recurrence of some intrusive thoughts (discontinued by himself because of akathisia). Finally, the patient reported an improvement in affective and OCD symptoms in the sixth week of treatment that was sustained until the tenth week, when data was recollected. The patient did not refer sexual disfunction.

The pre and post results are summarized in tables 1 and 2.
Table 1.

Hamilton Depresion Rating Scale (0-52)

BasalPost 10-week treatment214

Dimensional Y-BOCS (0-15)BasalPost 10-week treatmentAggressive-related obsessions and compulsions102Religious-related obsessions and compulsions51Symmetry and order71Pollution and cleaning00Collecting and accumulation20Miscellaneous103

Conclusions

Vortioxetine might be a promising molecule for treating OCD in patients with contraindications for first and second-line treatments.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Integration of Geriatric Psychiatry and Geriatrics: Enhancing Mental Health Assessment in the Elderly
Authors: Borges A. F. , Domingues V.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The ageing population presents complex clinical challenges, particularly in the realm of mental health among the elderly. The intersection of geriatric psychiatry and geriatrics plays a critical role in providing a holistic and comprehensive approach to addressing psychiatric issues in older adults. This abstract explores the integration of these two disciplines and their significance in elderly mental health care.

Objectives

This study aims to underscore the benefits of collaboration between geriatric psychiatry and geriatrics while highlighting areas of intersection. These areas include the assessment of medical and psychiatric comorbidities, the management of neuropsychiatric disorders, and the promotion of healthy ageing, both physically and mentally.

Methods

We comprehensively reviewed the literature, encompassing research studies, case reports, clinical guidelines, and reports published in the last 10 years. The research was conducted on medical databases, including PubMed, Medline, and specialized sources in gerontology.

Results

Effective integration between geriatric psychiatry and geriatrics provides a more comprehensive and patient-centred approach to addressing the mental health needs of the elderly. This includes enhanced assessment and treatment of a wide range of psychiatric conditions commonly found in older adults, such as cognitive disorders (including dementia and mild cognitive impairment), mood disorders (including depression and bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders. Additionally, the collaboration ensures a better understanding of the complex interplay between physical and mental health in the ageing population. The integration approach also encompasses the management of neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with various medical conditions common in older adults, such as delirium and behavioural disturbances in dementia. This coordinated care extends to the judicious use of psychotropic medications, considering the unique pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the elderly population, with a focus on minimizing adverse effects and drug-drug interactions. Furthermore, promoting emotional well-being and preventing mental illnesses emerge as critical areas of collaboration between these disciplines. Strategies for achieving this goal include psychoeducation, lifestyle interventions, and fostering a supportive environment for the elderly.

Conclusions

In summary, the collaboration between geriatric psychiatry and geriatrics is crucial for addressing the complex mental health needs of the elderly, providing patient-centred care, and optimizing resources. This integrated approach is essential in ensuring the well-being of older adults, emphasizing a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to mental health issues in this population.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
How can clinical trials expedite the process of answering treatment-related questions and reduce the number of participants needed?
Authors: Emsley R.
Published: August 2024

Patients and the research community need better and more cost-effective randomised trials. These are the ‘gold standard’ way of seeing if a new treatment works or not, and take years of effort involving lots of patients and funding. However, around half of trials fail to show that the new treatment is better than what it is being compared with. In cancer, this problem has been recognised. They use trial designs which test multiple treatments, and find out quicker answers to more questions. These ‘efficient trials’ are able to involve patients at a faster rate and to improve the chances of patients receiving a treatment that works. In mental health, the whole toolbox of trial designs is not being used. Sometimes there are valid reasons for this, but sometimes it is simply that researchers do not know about them – this talk will expand on the concept of ‘efficient trials’ in mental health, and present the opportunities and challenges to using these.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Are antipsychotics carcinogenic?: A review of the literature
Authors: Walha S. , Mezri D. , Mahfoudh K. , Hamzaoui S. , Ouertani A. , Ouali U. , Aissa A. , Jomli R.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Antipsychotics are currently widely prescribed for various mental disorders. A presumption of a potential carcinogenic effect of antipsychotics was raised by certain studies. There are few data in the literature on this subject.

Objectives

Study the relationship between the use of antipsychotics and the risk of cancer.

Methods

A systematic literature review was carried out on PubMed looking for articles in English, published during the last decade (2013-2023), using the keywords “Antipsychotics” and “Cancer”. We included all articles studying the relationship between antipsychotics use and cancer risk.

Results

Nine articles were included in our study, the majority of which focused on breast cancer. The results regarding breast cancer were discordant: although three studies did not show an association between the administration of antipsychotics and breast cancer, more recent studies have proven the opposite. Indeed, chronic exposure to antipsychotics, particularly those raising prolactinemia, was significantly associated with an accumulated risk of breast cancer, especially with positive estrogen receptors, whereas prolactin-sparing antipsychotics were not associated with it. Regarding hematologic malignancies, unlike other antipsychotics, long-term use of clozapine was associated with a high risk of malignancy, and had a greater effect on mortality from lymphoma and leukemia than to agranulocytosis. On the other hand, it has been proven that the use of atypical antipsychotics is associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer.

Conclusions

Data from the literature regarding the carcinogenic potential of antipsychotics remain discordant and inconclusive. The most recent studies are worrying and highlight in particular an association between the use of antipsychotics and the increased risk of breast cancer. If these data are confirmed in future studies, this will undoubtedly impact the benefit-risk balance when making therapeutic decisions.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
A cross-cultural analysis of the relationship between the level of depression and attitudes toward death in cancer patients
Authors: Kholmuradova K.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

♦Over the last 10 years, the number of cancer patients in the world has increased by almost 23%, and the number of cancer deaths has also increased by about 10%. Malignant neoplasms still remain as one of the main causes of mortality in the population. Patients with oncopathology are characterized by a high level of depression which leads to inadequate attitudes towards the disease and its treatment, and this may further act as a risk factor for disease susceptibility and aggravate its course (Schulz-Kindermann, 2021). It is relevant to search for variables that act as a personal resource in coping with cancer. It is hypothesized that one such personal resource is the specificity of attitudes towards death.

Objectives

To conduct a comparative analysis of the relationship between the level of depression and the peculiarities of the attitude to death in cancer patients in Russia and Germany.

Methods

▪

Beck Depression Inventory to determine the level of depression severity.

▪

Death Attitude Profile-Revised to determine the type of attitude to death.

For statistical processing of data, the SPSS 23.0 statistical package was used with a preliminary check for normality of distribution using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical criterion.

SELECTION

The sample consisted of a total number of 50 cancer patients with 25 each undergoing treatment in Russia (Moscow) and in Germany (Munich). The study was based on the sample obtained from the P. A. Herzen Moscow Research Oncological Institute and the Helios Munich-West Clinic. Overall, the sample was relatively gender-balanced.

Results

The following results were obtained from the study:

1.

The mean value of depression level in cancer patients is higher in Russia than in Germany.

2.

The level of depression in cancer patients in both the countries is correlated with:

▪

marital status (p=0.36)

▪

stage of disease (p=0.001)

▪

type of treatment (p=0.001)

▪

belief in God (p=0.024)

▪

adherence to a particular religious denomination (p=0.008)

3.

The level of depression was correlated with a certain type of attitude towards death: a higher level of depression was associated with scores on the “fear of death” scale (p=0.000), and a lower level (or lack of
) with the “neutral acceptance of death” scale (p=0.000)

4.

The fear of death is seen to be most common in the sample of patients from Russia, while the neutral acceptance of death is more prevalent in the sample from Germany.

Conclusions

The results suggest that a positive attitude to death (neutral as one of these types) is correlated, along with other factors, with lower levels of depression, which may be a personal resource in coping with the disease.

This allows us to make the assumption that when providing psychological support to cancer patients, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the attitude to life and illness, but also to the attitude to death.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Low back pain and perceived psychological workload among electricians
Authors: Sellami I. , Feki A. , Abbes A. , Baklouti S. , Masmoudi M. L. , Jmal Hammami K. , Hajjaji M.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Low back pain (LBP) is a serious threat to electricians. It is well known that LBP is associated with physical strain. But the impact of psychological workload on the occurrence of LBP needs further investigation.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the link between LBP and perceived psychological workload among electricians.

Methods

The study was conducted with a sample of workers from a Tunisian Electricity society. Data were gathered between January-June 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire including socio-professional characteristics and the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire during the last 12 months and the last 7 days. To assess the perceived workload, we used the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). In this study, we evaluated raw NASA-TLX scores.

Results

Our study included 68 male electricians. The mean age was 39.2 ± 10.3 years. The average job tenure was 16± 11.4 years. According to the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, 32.4% of participants reported low back pain during the last 12 months. Thirty participants (19.1%) had low back pain during the last 7 days. The mean score of mental demand, physical demand, performance, effort, frustration level and temporal demand were respectively 88.2±14.3, 61.1±24, 84.8±13.3, 82.6±14.5, 35.8±29.2 and 60.4±28.8. The frustration level was associated with the presence of LBP during the last 12 months and the last 7 days (p<0.05).

Conclusions

From the results of this study, we conclude that LBP was associated with the perceived psychological workload. Hence, the prevention of LBP should go through the improvement of work conditions to enhance the mental health of the electricians.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Psychosocial risk factors for headache in medical students
Authors: Nikolaev E. L. , Orlov F. V. , Fakhraei S. S.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Headache is often considered as a symptom reflecting mental ill-being of a person. Taking into account heavy academic loads, we should study it in medical students in reference to its connections with various psychosocial risk factors

Objectives

To establish interrelations between the frequency of headaches in medical students and risk factors of psychosocial nature

Methods

We conducted the research based on the Faculty of Medicine of Ulianov Chuvash State University. It covered 546 students of both genders who had no complains of having mental problems. We surveyed the students by means of Sociocultural Health Questionnaire (E. Nikolaev)

Results

The research showed that two out of three students complained of headaches of various intensity and frequency. It was present with statistically equal frequency (p>.05) in domestic (68.85%) and foreign (63.90%) medical students. Females experience headache more often (r=.20), and it more often correlates with a high level of stress (r=.25), lesser satisfaction with studying (r=-.14), higher frequency of e-cigarette consumption (r=.15), higher anxiety due to phantom ringing syndrome (r=.15), lower self-esteem of health (r=-.29), confidence (r=-.16), successfulness (r=-.12), happiness (r=-.18), well-being (r=-.11), liveliness (r=-.16), higher frequency of medication consumption (r=.27), higher frequency of visits to a psychotherapist in the childhood (r=.11), higher current need in the help of a psychologist (r=.21), psychiatrist and psychotherapist (r=.21).

Conclusions

These psychosocial risk factors call for attention from mental health professionals, and we should take them into consideration while providing medical care to medical students and developing health programs in universities.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
BUT WHO LOOKS AT ME? About a daily clinical case in treatment in a mental health center
Authors: Gamo Bravo B. , Gonzalez Laynez M. E. , Bañon Gonzalez S. M. , Ogando Portilla N.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

BUT WHO LOOKS AT ME?

Patient around thirty years old, teacher and with obsessive, anxious, paranoid, schizotypic semiology that affects his functionality to the point of isolation, and take sick leave, which with pharmacological treatment with antipsychotics such as aripiprazole and olanzapine and the antidepressant sertraline (at a final dose of 200 mg) and group psychotherapy in multifamily groups remits from these symptoms with functional and symptomatic improvement.

Objectives

Highlight the diagnostic difficulties due to the coexistence of symptoms that are part of personality imbalances or first-order diagnostic entities as in this case, depressive picture in a personality with obsessive and paranoid traits

Methods

Describe the evolution and psychiatric clinical decompensation of a patient with depression and anxiety and a personality of cluster A traits, paranoid type and obsessiveness

Results

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC TRIAL

ANXIOUS DEPRESSIVE SYNDROME (PREDOMINANCE OF SYMPTOMS OF OBSESSIVENESS AND DISTRUST)

MIXED CLUSTER A PERSONALITY DISORDER (PARANOID AND SCHIZOTYPIC TRAITS)

Conclusions

Discussions and conclusions: There is a gap difficult to separate in many cases between obsessiveness and paranoidism as communicating vessels, whose worsening of one worsens another and whose improvement of one leads to the improvement of the other, which at the pharmacological level respond to combined approach versus potentiated atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants such as sertraline that help us neutralize the discomfort

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The relationship between non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation in patients with borderline personality disorder treated at the Arrazi psychiatric hospital in Salé
Authors: Ait Bensaid N. , El Omari F.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Non-suicidal self-harm, i.e. the intentional self-infliction of bodily harm without apparent suicidal intent, is a powerful risk factor for suicidal ideation and behavior [1]. Although non-suicidal self-harm and suicidal behaviour are distinct concepts, the two forms of deliberate self-harm frequently coexist and share key instrumental functions, such as escaping aversive internal states, reducing dysphoria or communicating distress, especially in patients with personality disorders. [2]

Some individuals also report using non-suicidal self-harm to ameliorate suicidal thoughts or urges [2].

Objectives

To assess the relationship between non-suicidal self-harm and suicidal ideation in patients with borderline personality disorder followed at the Arrazi psychiatric hospital in Salé.

Methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a questionnaire including sociodemographic criteria, clinical criteria and the Beck suicidal intentionality scale to assess the relationship between non-suicidal self-harm and suicidal ideation in patients with borderline personality disorder followed and hospitalised at the Arrazi psychiatric hospital in Salé.

The inclusion criteria were as follows: both sexes with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder according to DSM 5 criteria.

Exclusion criteria were current psychosis and severe intellectual disability.

Results

We collect 63 participants.

The average age of the participants was 23, and they were predominantly female (89%). About 85% were single and 97% had no occupation. The majority of participants had a substance use disorder.

All participants had a history of non-suicidal self-harm and 36% had a history of suicide attempts.

Suicidal intent was strong in 45% of participants who had already attempted suicide.

Approximately 46% of participants reported that non-suicidal self-harm was intended to alleviate suicidal ideation and approximately 27% of participants reported having experienced suicidal ideation shortly after non-suicidal self-harm.

Conclusions

Non-suicidal self-harm is very common in patients with borderline personality disorder often considered to have a mitigating effect on the internal stress of these patients and sometimes even neglected. The relationship between non-suicidal self-harm and suicidal ideation is an important one, and may reduce suicidal ideation in the short term but subsequently encourage further self-harm, thereby increasing the risk of suicide.

Particular attention must be paid to these patients and their self-harm, and specialised, comprehensive care is required.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Pro to AI/metaverse implementation: a review on the potential of metaverse in psychiatry
Authors: Fontenelle L. F.
Published: August 2024

The metaverse, a term first employed in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel “Snow Crash”, is a digital environment delivered via artificial intelligence in which multiple users can use avatars to engage in social, economic and cultural activities. Broadly speaking, metaverse encompasses technologies as diverse as augmented reality (AR), “lifelogging” (smart watches, smart phones and other wearables), “mirror” worlds (e.g. Google Earth, Waze, …) and virtual reality (VR). There is a pressing need to understand the potential of metaverse for medicine in general and psychiatry in particular. The therapeutic use of VR technologies is already a reality in clinical practice, particularly in terms of online treatments and exposure and response prevention for anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and trauma-related disorders. Avatar integrated therapies may increase treatment seeking via anonymity, decrease in physical and communication barriers, and facilitation of expression. In terms of research, the metaverse allows manipulation of the therapeutic environment in order to answer specific questions.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Secondary Trauma by Internet Content Moderation: a Case Report
Authors: Martinez-Sadurni L. , Casanovas F. , Llimona C. , Garcia D. , Rodriguez-Seoane R. , Castro J. I.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

In recent years, a global debate has emerged regarding the protection of Internet users from exposure to harmful content. Content moderation is defined as the organized practice of filtering user-generated content posted on internet, social networks, and media to determine the appropriateness of the content for a site, locality, or jurisdiction. The growing volume of this content along with the psychological impact of this activity have promoted the application of automated approaches based on artificial intelligence and machine-learning. However, the changing characteristics of content, as well as the cultural differences that influence its appropriateness, mean that human moderation of Internet content currently continues to exist. Psychological effects of this activity such as symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could represent an example of secondary trauma.

Objectives

Our aim is to describe a clinical case of post-traumatic stress disorder presenting with specific traumatic exposure idiosyncrasy that could lead to a better consequence characterization of a recent social phenomena such as internet content moderation.

Methods

We expose the clinical case of a woman with emotional distress who was reffered to our outpatient psychiatric unit in Barcelona in 2022 after five years working as an internet content moderator.

Results

We describe the case of a 35-year-old woman without relevant medical, toxicologic or psychiatric record that presents to our out-patient psychiatric clinic with post-traumatic stress disorder after five years of working as an internet content moderator and being exposed to visual traumatic content such as sexual assault and paedophilia. The clinical presentation consisted with one year of recurrent daily panic attacks, intrusive images about the traumatic exposure, intrusive thoughts, insomnia, vivid nightmares, avoidance of exposure to her son, distrust of the environment and intense fear for her son security. The disorder interfered in her capacity to work. The patient received psychological treatment and ISRS (Sertraline) was prescribed, however only partial response was reached with persistence of the majority of symptoms.

Conclusions

The presented case suggests a temporal and symptom content relationship between the described work exposure and the appearance of emotional distress in a patient without PTSD history. Although previous evidence of secondary trauma in people exposed to indirect traumatic experiences has been reported, for example in healthcare professionals, the exposure to alien trauma through digital exposure as a workactivity is yet to be specifically examined. It is necessary to expand knowledge on the clinical expression of this phenomenon due to the observed recurrence of anxious and depressive symptomatology related to repeated exposure to traumatic content.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The new paradigm of psychiatry precision medicine and its emerging clinical framework
Authors: Abdelmoula B. , Bouayed Abdelmoula N.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Precision medicine is a promising approach to improving the prevention, prediction and treatment of disease, based on individual characteristics and biomarkers/genetic variants shared by specific subgroups of patients.

Objectives

This study aims to address the new paradigm of precision medicine in psychiatry and to discuss, through the literature, its emerging clinical framework.

Methods

We conducted an exhaustive review of the scientific literature using PubMed database and Google Scholar, with “Precision Medicine in Psychiatry” as keywords.

Results

Our review revealed that while psychiatrists have long practiced a personalized therapeutic approach with, for example, treatment choices guided by individual criteria, the methods for achieving this objectively have until now been largely lacking. This dilemma has begun to be resolved with the implementation of data analysis methods such as machine learning and large-scale genomic analysis studies. The goals of precision psychiatry involved the delineation of genetic risk factors using GWAS, the redefinition of the functional domains involved in mental disorders and pharmacological repositioning. The highly polygenic nature of mental disorders and the failure of GWAS to confirm the role of candidate genes have suggested that a systems genetic approach that considers function at the network level would provide a better approach to the problem of linking heterogeneous genetic risk factors and brain mechanisms. In addition, the growing evidence that certain disorders such as psychotic disorders are syndromes rather than diseases in their own right suggests that many conditions currently recognized as such may have similar underlying patterns of cognitive dysfunction and neurobiological abnormalities that will need to be reclassified.

Conclusions

The application of precision medicine in psychiatry is still in its infancy. Numerous research programs creating large multimodal databases with multiple data on brain imaging, genetics, etc. will soon support the clinical deployment of precision medicine in psychiatry.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Psychoneuroimmunomodulating effect of lymphocytes with ortho-fluoro-benzonal modulated activity in syngeneic long-term alcoholized recipients
Authors: Markova E. , Savkin I. , Serenko E. , Smyk A. , Knyazheva M.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Lymphocytes are dysfunctional during long-term ethanol consumption and may contribute the progression from healthy to problem drinking. GABAA receptors are molecular targets of ethanol on lymphocytes, potentiating the effects of alcohol.

Objectives

We first demonstrated that original compound ortho-fluoro-benzonal, artificial GABA receptor ligand, has immunostimulating properties and is able to restored long-term alcoholized mice lymphocytes activity in vitro through GABAA receptors.  Based on the previous results we investigated effects of the ex vivo ortho-fluoro-benzonal modulated lymphocytes in recipients with experimental alcoholism.

Methods

Male (CBAxC57Bl/6)F1 mice with 6-month 10% ethanol exposure were undergoing the transplantation of syngeneic long-term alcoholized mice lymphocytes, pretreated in vitro with ortho-fluoro-benzonal. Recipient’s ethanol consumption, parameters of the nervous and immune systems functional activities were estimated.

Results

It was shown that lymphocytes modulated ex vivo with ortho-fluoro-benzonal after intravenous injection caused in syngeneic long-term alcoholized recipients ethanol consumption decrease and stimulation of behavioral activity in the “open field” test against the background of changes in the level of a number of cytokines in pathogenetically significant brain structures. Stimulation of humoral immune response, estimated by the relative number of antibody-forming spleen cells was also detected in recipients after lymphocytes transplantation. The injected immune cells were recorded in the parenchyma of the spleen and brain of recipients, which suggests, in particular, their direct influence on these functions.

Conclusions

Results demonstrated that transplantation of ortho-fluoro-benzonal-modulated lymphocytes caused positive psychoneuroimmunomodulating effect in long-term alcoholized recipients, which makes it possible to consider adoptive immunotherapy as a promising method in the treatment of alcoholism.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared