bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Violence and Abuse on Mental Health of Women – Current Data
Authors: Schouler-Ocak M. , Brandl E.J.
Published: September 2022

Violence against women is widely recognised as a violation of human rights and a public health problem. The most common forms of violence against women are domestic abuse and sexual violence, and victimisation is associated with an increased risk of mental disorders. It is reported that a three times increase in the likelihood of depressive disorders, a four times increase in the likelihood of anxiety disorders, and a seven times increase in the likelihood of post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) for women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. Significant associations between intimate partner violence and symptoms of psychosis, substance misuse, and eating disorders have also been reported. Furthermore, systematic reviews of predominantly cross-sectional studies report consistent relationships between being a victim of domestic violence and abuse and having mental disorders across the diagnostic spectrum for men and women, but since women are more likely to be victims, the population attributable fractions are higher for women. In this presentation, the focus will also be on clinical guidance on the role of mental health professionals in identifying violence against women and responding appropriately, poor identification persists and can lead to non-engagement with services and poor response to treatment. After a literature review, we will present and discuss current data from parental consultation and a survey on violence during the Covid-19 pandemic in Berlin.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Factors Associated with Mental Health Outcomes and the Level of Work Engagement Among Health Care Workers Exposed to Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Tunisia
Authors: Betbout I. , Amemou B. , Ben Haouala A. , Touati Y. , Benzarti M. , Zaafrane F. , Mhalla A. , Gaha L.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Heath workers especiallyin the emergency rooms and emergency medical services are exposed to sustained stress which had increased due to the Pandemic situation

Objectives

To search for factors associated with mental disorders among health workers during the Covid 19 pandemic

Methods

Data were collected through a questionnaire,with demographic variables anddifferentscales to evaluate the degree of symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, distress, and the level of work engagement(PHQ-9,GAD-7,ISI,IES-R,UWES-9).

Results

Of the 217 participants, 46% were physicians, 42% were nurses and 12% were emergency medical technicians. We also found a femalepredominance of 66%, 55% were single and a total of 155 participants of whom 71% were frontline health workers. In our study, 54.8% of the HCWs had symptoms of depression, 68.2% had symptoms of anxiety and insomnia and 71.4% had symptoms of distress. Binarylogisticregressionanalysisshowedthat being married was associated with depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and being a frontlineworkerappeared to be a risk factor for depression and insomnia. Psychiatric support was an independentrisk factor for all psychiatric symptoms.In addition, living in a rural area was associated with depression, and age 31 or older was associated with anxiety. In addition, having a history of psychiatric illness was a risk factor for insomnia. Being a nurse was identified as a risk factor for psychiatric distress. We also found a moderatelevel of professional commitment to be a protective factor.

Conclusions

Protecting healthcare workers is a crucial part of the public health response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The support of healthcare workers suffering from COVID 19
Authors: Kacem I. , Maoua M. , Chouchane A. , Kahloul M. , Slama Y. , Ajmi M. , Naija W. , Mrizak N.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on the challenges and risks faced by frontline healthcare workers (HCW).

Objectives

To describe the quality of management of HCW affected by the COVID-19.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study enrolling all HCW of Farhat Hached Academic hospital who had been affected by COVID-19 during the period from september to December 2020.

Results

During the study period, 267 HCW were affected with a mean age of 42.3 ±10 years and a ratio-sex of 0.25. The most represented category was nurses (33.3%) followed by technicians (26.1%). Gynecology department had the highest number of affected HCW (14.4%).The majority of participants (97.4%) reported a medical care. Twelve HCW (4.5%) were hospitalized with an average length of hospital stay of 7.55 ± 6.12 days. The average length of sick leave was 18.68 ± 10.99 days. During the lockdown, 38.6% of HCW took care of their children without any external help. All of the HCW were supported by phone calls from colleagues in 88.4% of cases, the hierarchy in 67.4% of cases, occupational medicine in 60.3% of cases.

Conclusions

The impact of COVID 19 is greater in HCW than in the general population. The affected staff should have a multidimensional management to avoid post covid sequelae in both physical and mental levels.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Smelling different after COVID-19 ?
Authors: Nourchene K. , Khelifa E. , Abassi B. , Bouguerra I. , Maatouk O. , Ben Aissa S. , Mnif L.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Over the course of COVID 19 illness, olfactory dysfunction was largely described as hyposmia and anosmia. What about phantosmia?

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to explore olfactory hallucinations among COVID 19 patients.

Methods

Our literature review was based on the PubMed interface and adapted for 2 databases: Science Direct and Google Scholar using the following combination ( phantosmia [MeSH terms]) OR (olfactory hallucinations[MeSH terms]) AND (COVID-19 [MeSH terms]).

Results

Smell dysfonction is one of the most revealing sign of COVID 19 infection. However, other symptoms particularlty phantosmia tend to emerge later in the course of the disease. Female predominance was noted among patients sufferning from olfactory hallucinations regardless to their medical history. An unpleasant olfactory sensation was the most described sign. The occurene of phantosmia was also described in one case of women suffering from schizophrenia whom tested positive for COVID 19 infection.

Conclusions

Olfactory hallucinations are more and more associated with COVID-19 disease regardless to psychiatric disorders. The pathological mechanism remains unclear and further studies are needed for a better comprehension and management.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Comparison of prevalence, clinical evolution, and vaccination rate against covid 19 in a population of patients diagnosed with dual depression and non-dual depression
Authors: Romero Guillena S.L. , Dopico Cervera A.M. , Pérez Romero A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 4,745,519 cases, 396,878 hospitalizations and 82,884 deaths with COVID-19 have been reported in Spain. As of August 24, 2021, 76.4% of Andalusians over 12 years of age have the complete vaccination regimen

Objectives

Main: to calculate the prevalence of COVID 19 infection, clinical evolution and vaccination rate in a population of patients diagnosed with dual depression. Secondary: compare these data with those obtained in patients diagnosed with non-dual depression

Methods

Retrospective descriptive study. The study population is made up of patients diagnosed with dual depression and non-dual depression (according to DSM 5 criterion). Infection, admission, death, and vaccination data were obtained from the patient’s medical history

Results

Of the 10 patients diagnosed with dual depression, the prevalence of COVID 19 infection, since the beginning of the pandemic is 0% and of the 30 patients diagnosed with non-dual depression the prevalence is 3.33% (1/28). Of the patients with COVID 19 infection, none required hospital admission and no deaths occurred. The vaccination rate in the group of patients with dual depression is 30% (3/10) and in the group of non-dual depression is 86.66% (26/30), finding statistically significant differences (P<0.01) between both groups.

Conclusions

In our study the prevalence of COVID 19 infection in patients diagnosed with dual depression is 0% and the vaccination rate is 30%. While in patients with non-dual depression the prevalence is 3.33%, there were no admissions, no deaths and the vaccination rate is 86.66%.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Psychological adaptation of recovered individuals with COVID-19: A phenomenological approach
Authors: Hamdan-Mansour A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Healthcare services are primarily focusing on medical and physical treatment of COVID-19 while psychosocial and mental health needs are not considered a priority.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore how recovered individuals with COVID-19 adapted to their psychological and social stressors during infection period.

Methods

A descriptive phenomenological approach conducted using a purposeful sample of 13 individuals recovered from COVID-19 in Jordan. Data collected using unstructured interviews.

Results

Perception of being diagnosed with COVID-19 revealed to three major themes; positive learning (acceptance, avoiding social pressure, and normalizing), tolerating ambiguity (denial and seeking information and guidance), and resilience (caring family, professionals’ support, self-grieving, optimism, positive thinking, and spirituality).

Conclusions

The study indicates that there is a need to integrate psychosocial and mental health care services into healthcare plans provided to individuals with COVID-19.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Prenatal Exposure to SARS-Cov-2 and Schizophrenia Development: What to Expect?
Authors: Tavares F. , Viseu M. , Barbosa Pinto M. , Solana C.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a complex and multifactorial psychiatric condition characterized by thought, speech, perception and behaviour disorders, and social and occupational impairment. It has been related that viral prenatal infection may contribute to schizophrenia development. As such, there are some hypotheses regarding SARS-Cov-2 prenatal infection and its potential relation with “future” offspring schizophrenia.

Objectives

Literature review of schizophrenia development and relation with viral infections, and data research of COVID-19 neurotropic effects.

Methods

Non-systematic review through literature using databases as Pubmed and UpToDate. Keywords used: schizophrenia, prenatal, viral infection, COVID-19, SARS-Cov-2.

Results

Several studies had shown a relationship between prenatal viral infections, such as Influenza, and development of schizophrenia in the offspring. It relates with viral neurotropism mechanisms and inflammatory processes in the fetal neurology system. Regarding SARS-Cov-2, it is early to assume a relation between prenatal COVID-19 and offspring schizophrenia development. However, literature describes psychiatric manifestations post COVID, such as psychotic and manic episodes. As such, a SARS-Cov-2 neurotropic effect is demonstrated.

Conclusions

Schizophrenia has a multifactorial etiology. Since prenatal viral infections may interfere and contribute to schizophrenia development, it is logical to assume prenatal SARS-Cov-2 infection may also contribute. It may be relevant to investigate whether these offspring will manifest schizophrenia symptoms.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The Developing Brain and Emotion Regulation - Implications for Psychopathology
Authors: Nosarti C.
Published: September 2022

In this talk I will describe a series of studies conducted at the Centre for the Developing Brain, King’s College London, that seek to increase our understanding of why infants who are born very early (before 32 weeks’ gestation) are more likely to develop socio-emotional problems when they grow up compared to infants who are born at term. As part of the Evaluation of Preterm Imaging study we carried out multimodal MRI at term in over 200 newborns and studied whether we could identify specific patterns of brain development in those infants who might develop problems with emotion regulation and general mental health as they grow-up. At the behavioural level, we found that very preterm children compared to term-born controls had more mental health problems, including anxiety and autism-spectrum behaviours. Preterm children had lower IQ, were less able to regulate their emotions and inhibit unwanted behaviours. Children’s tendency to attribute negative emotions to daily events, which could lead to increased anxiety, was associated with two main neonatal brain features. These were: 1) weaker structural connectivity in a long-range white matter projection tract called the uncinate fasciculus which connects the frontal lobe with the anterior temporal lobe and 2) altered fronto-limbic functional connectivity, both of which play a critical role in several aspects of social and emotional development. These findings show that early brain changes can be used to predict children’s social and emotional outcomes, hence could be used to inform preventative interventions aimed at averting and targeting emerging emotional disorders.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
How are medical schools supporting student’s mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Authors: Howard R. , Selwyn V. , Beezhold J. , Henderson N. , Gilmore R. , Bartolome I.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted medical students in many ways. They are not exempt from personal struggles caused by the health crisis, and many have faced similar challenges adapting to a new learning experience. The University of East Anglia (UEA) has initiatives in place to support medical students including the society Headucate UEA and the Wellbeing Champions scheme established by Norwich Medical School (NMS).

Objectives

Headucate aims to improve mental wellbeing by educational online webinars and social events aimed at university students. NMS Wellbeing Champions offer support and signpost students to resources and the wider student support system at the UEA.

Methods

Headucate was established in 2012 by NMS students that began running workshops at local secondary schools. Their work has expanded to include wellbeing workshops, social events for students and mental health first aid training, so members can provide peer support. Wellbeing Champions are medical student representatives responsible for completing mental health first aid training, communication between students and faculty, providing resources and signposting, creating mental health bulletin newsletters, and running socials exclusively for medical students.

Results

100% of Headucate workshop attendees who completed anonymous feedback agreed that they enjoyed it and that it was useful. No feedback has been collected regarding the success of the Wellbeing Champions. This should be carried out to assess and enhance the project further.

Conclusions

More data is needed to establish the success of the initiatives at NMS and their impact on medical student’s wellbeing.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Burnout syndrome in healthcare professionals almost two years after the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Solis M. , Jurado Arevalo A. , Blánquez Garcia E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused major sanitary crisis worldwide. Frontline healthcare workers face many difficulties, such as: direct exposure to patients with high viral load, physical exhaustion, reorganization of workspaces, face the unusually high number of deaths among patients, colleagues or relatives and ethical issues in a tense health system.

Objectives

Provide up-to-date information of Burnout syndrome associated with exposure of healthcare workers to the COVID-19 pandemic, after almost 20 months of the declaration of pandemic by the World Health Organization.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out that included 84 healthcare workers from Spain in October 2021, through an anonymous, voluntary and multiple response type online survey which included questions about sociodemographic aspects and the Maslach burnout inventory

Results

62% were doctors and 29% were nurses. 70% work on the front line of Covid-19. 38% report not having been able to enjoy their vacations when they wanted. 8% admit to having had suicidal ideas. Almost 52% admit low personal fulfillment, 38.6% admit a high depersonalization count, and 45% report high emotional exhaustion. Of the total sample, 17 respondents have burnout syndrome.

Conclusions

It is necessary create strategies to promote mental well-being in health professionals exposed to COVID-19 after 20 months of active work. Protecting and identifying health care professionals who could be at high risk for developing a mental health pathology or detecting Burnout syndrome in them should be the priority of public health post pandemic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Psychiatric Admissions, Referrals, and Suicidal Behavior Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Denmark: A Time-Trend Study
Authors: Rømer T. , Christensen R. , Blomberg S. , Folke F. , Christensen H. , Benros M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected mental health globally, but the impact on referrals and admissions to mental health services remains understudied.

Objectives

To assess patterns in psychiatric admissions, referrals, and suicidal behavior before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark.

Methods

Utilizing hospital and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) health records covering 46% of the Danish population, we compared psychiatric in-patients, referrals to mental health services and suicidal behavior in years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to levels during the first lockdown (March 11 – May 17, 2020), inter-lockdown period (May 18 – December 15, 2020), and second lockdown (December 16, 2020 – February 28, 2021) using negative binomial models.

Results

The rate of psychiatric in-patients declined compared to pre-pandemic levels (RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.94 – 0.96, p < 0.01). Referrals were not significantly different (RR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.92 – 1.10, p = 0.91) during the pandemic; neither was suicidal behavior among hospital contacts (RR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.94 – 1.14, p = 0.48) nor EMS contacts (RR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00 – 1.18, p = 0.06). In the age group <18, an increase in the rate of psychiatric in-patients (RR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.07 – 1.15, p < 0.01) was observed during the pandemic; however, this did not exceed the pre-pandemic, upwards trend in psychiatric hospitalizations in the age group <18 (p = 0.78).

Conclusions

The pandemic was associated with a decrease in psychiatric hospitalizations. No significant change was observed in referrals and suicidal behavior.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Mental Health in the Consorci Sanitari del Maresme workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive cross sectional study
Authors: González-Campos M. , Brugué González O.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The global health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has put healthcare professionals in an unprecedented challenge, considering them extremely at risk population.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of clinically significant mental disorders and to assess associated factors among Consorci Sanitari del Maresme workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We made a descriptive cross-sectional study. All workers were invited to participate in an online survey during May 2021. Individual characteristics and frequency of direct exposure to COVID during professional activity were assessed. We used three Spanish versions of psychometric scales: the Patient Health Questionnaire to evaluate depressive symptomatology, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, which detects anxiety, and the 4-item version of the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 for PTSD screening purposes. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

Results

A total of 355 workers participated. Overall, 31% met the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (PHQ-9> 9), 36% for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7> 9) and 22% for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PCL-5> 7). It has been found that young adult, women, those with prior mental disorders or those with greater exposure to COVID-19 are risk factors for any current mental disorder.

Conclusions

There are large mental healthcare needs among healthcare professionals. There is a clear need to closely monitor the extent to which these needs are adequately met. In the design of measures and interventions to reduce this impact, an individualized approach should be considered while taking into account sociodemographic variables, psychiatric history and the frequency of direct exposure to COVID-19.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Covid -19 pandemic‘s impact on the clinical presentation of brief psychotic disorders
Authors: Khouadja S. , Najjar C. , Brigui Y. , Arbi A. , Younes S. , Zarrouk L.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

A major increase in mental health issues was noted since the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic even in patients with no history of mental health illness, specifically brief psychotic disorders.

Objectives

Establish the covid-19 pandemic circumstances as precipitating factors of psychosis independently from other stressors

Methods

This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study carried out in the psychiatric department of the University Hospital of Mahdia including two groups of patients over a period of 15 months: From October 2018 to December 2019 are pre-covid cases, and the second group consists of the ones admitted between June 2020 and August 2021. We have collected the data of patients diagnosed with brief psychotic disorder according to DSM-5. We have focused on two clinical characteristics of the psychotic episodes (theme of delusions, stressors).

Results

We have collected 19 patients, 12 among them during the pre-covid period. In our pre-covid period, brief psychotic disorder presented mostly with marked stressors (33.3%) whilst in the middle of the pandemic, marked stressors are present in only 14.3% of the cases. Which could suggest that this state of alarm can singlehandedly trigger psychosis. For the theme of delusions, in the pre-covid period, the religious theme appeared to be the most frequent (58.3%), whilst during the pandemic, persecution became the most prevalent (71.4%), showing how living in fear of contracting the virus could manifest itself in delusional content.

Conclusions

Living in a prolonged state of alarm is, in itself, a marked stressor, theoretically capable of increasing the psychosis rate and altering its characteristics.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Study of mental health of medical staff in a specialized hospital for COVID-19 in Novi Sad
Authors: Kuljancic D.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The highly infectious novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and soon became a global pandemic. COVID-19 is escalating medical staff psychological stress and creating an increasingly heavy professional burden. Fear of transmitting the virus to family, community perception of frontline workers as potential disease carriers, extreme workloads and moral dilemmas add additional stressors. In Novi Sad Clinical Centre of Vojvodina (CCV) for the past 2 years there has been a continuous struggle against the COVID-19 crisis. Both senior specialist doctors and newly hired young doctors, some without work experience, were hired immediately after completing their studies.

Objectives

To investigate the mental health of clinical first-line medical staff in COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study involving CCV staff who worked in the first line of patient treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were given a self-administered questionnaire which included information on demographic and socio-economic characteristics and the validated Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Impact of Events Scale–Revised (IES-R) instrument. A total of 190 medical workers were involved.

Results

Sixty-two (32,6%) participants screened positive for anxiety, 38 (20%) for depression, 68 (35,8%) for stress, and 22 (11,5%) for clinical concern of PTSD. The most endangered are young nurses and doctors with less than 6 months of previous work experience.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our results suggest frontline medical staff involved in treatment of COVID-19 patients should be closely monitored as a high-risk group for depression and anxiety, and given proper training before deployment.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Prevalence of vaccination against the Covid19 within mentally ill population and acceptance and hesitancy factors
Authors: Makni K. , Zouari L. , Feki R. , Smaoui N. , Omri S. , Gassara I. , Maalej M. , Ben Thabet J. , Charfi N. , Maalej M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Vaccines are effective interventions that can reduce the high burden of COVID19 globally. However, public vaccine hesitancy is a pressing problem for public health authorities.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of vaccination within mentally ill population and to point out the factors of acceptance and reticence.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study. It was carried out on a clinical population who consult in the psychiatry department in Sfax’s university hospital Hedi Chaker. Patients included in our study were aged between 21 and 69 years and were not in a decompensation phase of their psychiatric illness

Results

Forty five patients were included. The mean age was 45±13 years old. Our population was made up of 3 women (6.7%) and 42 men (93.3%).A rate of 42.2% of the patients was of urban origin, 15.6% lived with a partner, 77.8% were unemployed and 46.7% were schizophrenic. In our study population, five patients had COVID 19 (11.1%), fourteen patients (31.1%) were vaccinated and eight patients (17.8%) asked their psychiatrist to vaccine. The main reasons of vaccination were their belief that vaccination decreases the chance of contracting COVID 19 and its complications (0.00) ,that COVID is lethal (0.002), and the fact that they trust it (0.001). Thirtyone patients (68.9%) refused vaccination, mainly due to reading or hearing negative information about vaccination (0.025). Vaccination wasn’t correlated neither to the fact that it could be a conspiracy nor to the diagnostic.

Conclusions

Our study reveals that one third of mentally ill patients are vaccinated. The reasons of acceptance of vaccination are multiple in opposite of the hesitancy factors

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Promoting physical activity among university students with a co-constructed program during Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Goncalves A. , Deshayes M. , Bernal C. , Korchi K. , Nogrette M. , Gisclard B. , Charbonnier E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, sanitary context and e-learning has greatly modified students’ lifestyles. An increase of sedentary behaviors, a reduction in physical activity (PA) and a stronger tendency to move towards unhealthy diet have been demonstrated. Most of the research is largely descriptive and to date, no interventional studies have been conducted to prevent the deterioration of students’ health.

Objectives

The objective of the present research aims to evaluate the effects of an intervention program on the lifestyle and psychological state of student. Its primary objective is to promote PA among students, to improve both physical condition and motivation to engage in physical activity for one’s health by promoting motivational levers. Its second objective is to reduce and/or prevent the deterioration of the health of university students.

Methods

Students from University of Nîmes were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the two following conditions: an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group participated to an 8-weeks program of PA (co-constructed by users during design-based innovative workshops) whereas the control group did not. For each group, measures of PA, sedentary time, anthropometric data, sleep, physical condition and psychological variables (anxiety, depression, motivation, body appreciation, perceived control, well-being, …) were carried out before (T1: october 2021) and after (T2: December 2021) these 8-weeks in order to evaluate the benefits from the PA program.

Results

These assessments were performed in October 2021 (T1) and December 2021 (T2).

Conclusions

Data are still being collected and will be presented in April 2022.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Suicide in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wasserman D.
Published: September 2022

A literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar identified 64 articles assessing suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison with the pre-pandemic period in the six WHO regions of the world. Most studies come from high- and middle-income countries. There is a scarcity of data from South America, and no studies from the African and East-Mediterranean Regions. Compared to trends in previous years, suicide rates remained largely unchanged globally or declined in the early phase of the pandemic. However, increased suicide rates were reported among non-white residents and Afro - American groups in the US, as well as among adolescents in China. Japan and India showed a statistically significant increase in suicide rates after an initial decline. Similarly in Peru, after an initial decline, suicide rates increased among men during the course of the pandemic. This is in line with previous findings in the context of natural disasters and other epidemics where a similar increased suicide trend can be expected in the post-pandemic period in other countries. Among adolescents, there were no significant changes in suicide rates during the period of school closure, but an increase has been observed in the period after coming back to schools. The assessment of suicidal thoughts and attempts during the pandemic was mostly conducted through online cross-sectional surveys and showed significant increases, particularly in females and the young. Suicide can be prevented if evidence-based methods that exist are implemented in a systematic way (Wasserman et al. 2020; https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20801).

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Mental health of healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic: Analysis of the psychological problems faced by the healthcare workers over a period of three months during Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Spirkoska L. , Simonovska M. , Jankuloska O. , Ivceva N. , Olumcev N.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

SARS-COV 2 virus and the disease caused by the virus is a challenge for the healthcare workers since the beggining of the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with huge number of patient who need hospital care at the same time but also having scare information about the virus resulted with physical exhaustion, increased workload and mostly fear among the healthcare workers.

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to expand our knowledge about the mental health of the healthcare workers and explore most common psychological problems they faced during the Covid-19 pandemic over a period of three month.

Methods

All participants in the study work in the same public hospital in Skopje, North Macedonia in one of the following job positions: physicians, nurses, paramedics, and hygienists. They anonymously filled out a google form answering questions about their mental health. Questions in the form were created based on Beck Depression Scale and the GAD-7 Scale for Anxiety along with questions about the gender, age, and job position.

Results

The results we gained from this study are showing that the participants experienced insomnia, reduced concentration, intense feelings of restlessness and fatigue, less energy and mostly lack of job satisfaction.

Conclusions

Those symptoms indicates that healthcare workers developed anxiety and depression while working with patient infected by the SARS-COV 2 virus.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Influence of COVID-19 in the development of delusional ideas disorder. A case report
Authors: Alvarado Altuve E. , Almodovar Rivera M. , Alcalde-Diosdado Crespi C.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Hypochondria is characterized by the presence, for 6 months or more, of a generalized and non-delusional concern with fear of having (or the idea that one has) a serious illness, based on the wrong interpretation of the symptoms. In somatic-type delusional disorder, the delusional idea is fixed, indisputable, and occurs intensely because the patient is fully convinced of the physical nature of the disorder.

Objectives

To describe a clinical case and make a differential diagnosis of hypochondriac disorder vs somatic-type delusional disorder.

Methods

Case report: 61-year-old woman, after suffering from COVID-19, develops a hypochondriacal disorder vs. somatic delusional disorder, presenting anxiety-depressive symptoms and digestive somatic complaints, with a loss of 15 kg of weight. She made frequent visits to doctors and multiple complementary tests discarding organicity. She required involuntary hospital admission for 48 days, and pharmacological treatment with Venlafaxine 150 mg, Olanzapine 5mg, Mirtazapine 30mg and Alprazolam 1mg. The patient presented slow evolution during admission, with ups and downs and stagnation, meriting enteral nutrition due to refusal to ingest, given abdominal kinesthetic hallucinations and digestive evaluation (EDS) with a result of antral gastritis and negative H. pylori. In subsequent follow-ups after partial remission of symptoms, obsessive personality traits are glimpsed, although with better personal functioning.

Results

The diagnosis at discharge was inconclusive, however the data points to a somatic-type delusional disorder.

Conclusions

The influence of COVID-19 as a triggering factor, social isolation and premorbid personality traits, influence the development of a Somatic Delusional Disorder vs Hypochondriac Disorder, regarding this case.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system in Tuvan alcoholics is associated with a high level of stress in comparison with ethnic Russian patients
Authors: Shushpanova T. , Bokhan N. , Mandel A. , Novozheeva T.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Alcoholization is considered as prolonged auto-aggression, low frustration tolerance, filling of the existential vacuum. In all cases, the use of a psychoactive substance that alters the state of consciousness is regarded as a way of escape from real life.

Objectives

The study of clinically significant markers in alcoholism associated with the constitutional characteristics of craving for alcohol in people of different ethnicity is importance for the formation of new approaches to prevention and treatment.

Methods

68 Russian alcoholics and 67 Tuvans alcoholics only men and 20 healthy male were monitored. Clinical assessment of the condition of patients was carried out with the traditional clinical description. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to determine serum hormone levels in patients and volunteers.

Results

Deeper shifts in the increase in ACTH and Cortisol levels were found in alcoholic Tuvinians compared with Russian patients, which is associated with a high risk of alcohol dependence and a highly progressive course of the disease. The index of the ratio Cortisol/ACTH (IR) in the blood of alcoholic patients of the Russian (IR - 10,36) and Tuvan (IR - 10,62) nationalities does not differ, but significantly (1.5 times) differs from the indicator in healthy individuals (IR - 15,12).

Conclusions

The background level of dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients of Tuvan nationality is significantly more pronounced, however, the index of Cortisol/ACTH ratios (IR) in each ethnic group of patients is constant in this disease, which is characterized by a high level of stress.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Affective Temperaments and Suicidality in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Luciano M.
Published: September 2022

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD). Several risk factors linked to suicide attempts in patients with BD have been identified, including a long duration of illness, untreated BD, female sex, positive history for suicide attempts, comorbidity with substance abuse or personality disorders, anxiety, depressive polarity and recent psychiatric inpatient care. Recently affective temperaments have been considered as possible factors for suicide in BD. While hyperthymic temperament is associated with a reduced risk of suicide attempts, cyclothymic, irritable, depressive and anxious temperaments are more represented in patients with a positive history of suicide attempts. Moreover, cyclothymic and irritable temperaments are highly connected with both aggression and impulsivity, which play a role in suicidal behaviours. Despite this evidence, the predictive role of affective temperaments on suicide behaviours is still poorly studied. In this contribution, we will report results of a study aiming at assessing the relationship between affective temperaments and personal history of violent suicide attempts, in 74 patients with BD. Violent suicide attempts were positively associated with cyclothymic temperament and inversely to hyperthymic one. BD-I patients and patients with a clinical history of rapid cycling were significantly more represented in the group of patients with a history of violent suicide attempts. Our results suggest the role of affective temperaments in the suicidality of patients with BD.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Psychiatric admission among migrants: a retrospective study in acute psychiatric ward in Bologna, Italy
Authors: Galatolo M. , Biagini R. , D’Andrea G. , Farruggio M. , Carloni A.L. , Iuzzolino G. , Allegri D. , Descovich C. , Muratori R. , Tarricone I.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Numerous evidences point out how migrants use health services differently than the natives. Migrants turn more frequently to the ED for psychiatric problems and less to territorial psychiatric services than the native population. Other differences can be found in terms of diagnosis, type of discharge, type of hospitalization.

Objectives

Our study has the objective of evaluating the incidence of psychiatric hospitalizations of migrant patients compared to natives in a well-defined area of the metropolitan city of Bologna and evaluate the effect of the Covid 19 pandemic on the incidence of psychiatric hospitalizations among migrants and on their clinical characteristics.

Methods

The study conducted is of an observational and retrospective type on migrant and native patients admitted to the psychiatric unit “SPDC-Malpighi” of the DSM-DP of Bologna AUSL between 01/01/2018 and 31/12/2020.

Results

Migrants were more likely to be admitted via ED and less likely to be referred from a CMHC or from non-psychiatric hospital unit compared with natives. Most migrants were discharged at home while natives more frequently chose to self-discharge. With regard to diagnosis, migrants were more likely to be admitted due to a SSD, while natives were more likely to be diagnosed with a MD or SUD.

Conclusions

We confirm the presence of differences in access to care, type of discharge and type of diagnosis between migrants and natives. Further studies to investigate changes in pre and post Covid admissions in migrants would be needed.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Pastoral psychiatry – towards new understanding
Authors: Kosmowski W.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Cultural psychiatry is an area of psychiatry that has been growing in importance recently. According to the new definition, mental health requires harmony with the universal values of society (Galderisi et al., 2017). Faith is considered an important factor in culture. Theology can enable a better understanding of psychiatric problems and distinction between spiritual and mental issues. “Pastoral theology aims at constructing models of redeeming activity of the Church which are current in these days, and will be current in the nearest future” (Przygoda, 2013). This discipline must recognize and evaluate the impact of contemporary sciences, including psychiatry, on theology and ecclesiastical activity.

Objectives

This study aims to prepare a modern concept of pastoral psychiatry, which will be used to prepare a textbook, teaching aids and teaching plan for this discipline.

Methods

Textbooks and articles in psychiatry, psychology and related disciplines, and pastoral theology monographs were analyzed. This was followed by the conceptualization of areas of interest and methodological standards.

Results

Textbooks on this problem were published several decades ago (Gabriel, 1933; Bless, 1949; Polish edition issued in 1980, translated with amendments by Kaczmarek). Since then, knowledge has advanced considerably. Textbooks of psychiatry and psychology only selectively consider the Christian perspective.

Conclusions

“Pastoral Psychiatry” should be helpful for priests, theologians, believers, doctors, psychologists. It requires the work of authors with theological and psychiatric competence. It will create ways of agreement, facilitate understanding of different perspectives, increase competence: theologians, priests – to better understand modern psychiatry; psychiatrists, psychologists – to better help religious patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Migrants in Greece and mental health issues
Authors: Zartaloudi A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Migration is a difficult and painful process for individuals, since they could no longer rely on the supportive structures of their own country that would help them develop resilience and mental well-being, on the one hand and, on the other hand, they may be obliged to find a new identity and adapt to a new social context.

Objectives

To identify mental health issues in migrants in Greece.

Methods

A literature review has been made through PubMed database.

Results

First-generation immigrants exhibited an increased risk of poor mental health including increased levels of depression, post-traumatic disorder and anxiety compared to local population. When immigrants come to a new country, they often experience culture shock, significantly influencing their mental health. The term “culture shock” describes feelings of weakness and a state of disorientation of individuals living in a new environment as well as the difficulties they face in the process of their adapting to the new conditions. Individuals lack a social supportive environment while experiencing lack of acceptance, as well as social discrimination, economic exploitation and racism by local society. Additionally, their cultural background can influence and differentiate the way they perceive, react and cope stressful conditions.

Conclusions

For the smooth completion of the cultural process, mutual adaption to the new conditions of both migrants and host society is needed, focusing on the understanding of different cultural heritage, as well as on the respect and recognition of rights of both sides.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Con?icted Identities and Art Therapy: Practices and Case Studies in Kolozsvar/Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Authors: Chirilă E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

. Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania, Romania, has a historically multiethnic population who maintain their language-based cultural identities. In order to harmonize interethnic relations in our multicultural society, art-therapeutical methods depend on the need to establish a sensitive relationship between the cultural horizon of individuals, thus increasing self-confidence, tolerance, resilience.

Objectives

The objectives are : to develop social skills, which facilitate the social and professional integration of children and adolescents belonging to ethnic groups living together, including those with disabilities.

Methods

Clinical art therapy have unfolded within interdisciplinary teams: a neuropsychiatry doctor, a psychologist, a pedagogue, a social worker, an art therapist– each one having a specialized role. A medical project was transformed into an artistic project: E xperimenting with complex relationships: shape of the human body – shape of man-made objects and the creation of personal shapes conduct to harmonize interethnic relations in a multicultural place.

Results

Focus on several objectives: - practicing the abilities to express one’s feelings - the consolidation of self-respect and of confidence - the training of empathy - the development of personal problem and conflict solving strategies -the breaking through the emotional blockages - the improvement of cognitive abilities -the release of tension, frustrations, anxieties, stress -the development of social skills

Conclusions

Benefits arise from experiences based in artistic creativity: materializing ideas and coping with unexpected outcomes.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Clinical characteristics of treatment-resistant depression in adults in Hungary: Real-world evidence from a 7-year-longz retrospective data analysis
Authors: Rihmer Z.
Published: September 2022

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is associated with poor quality of life, elevated morbidity and mortality and high economic burden.Our observational retrospective epidemiological study have estimated the rate of patients with TRD within a cohort of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients in Hungary and examine the comorbidities and mortality of patients with and without TRD.Our study included patients with MDD who experienced new onset of depressive episode and received antidepressant prescription between 01 January 2009 and 31 August 2015, using data from nationwide, longitudinal database. A patient was considered to have TRD if two different antidepressant treatments had failed during a given pharmacologically treated periode.Overall, 99,531 MDD patients were included, of which 8,268 (8,3%) met the criteria of TRD. Patients with TRD had significantly higher rate of having “Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders”, autoimmune disorders, cardio-or cerebrovascular diseases, thyroid disorders and suicide attempts than non-TRD patients (for all comparisons, p < 0,005).Ths first study to assess the frequency of TRD in Hungary have found that the proportion of TRD is in the same range as in studies with similar methodology reported form other countries. The majority of our other main findings are also in line with previous studies from other countries.

Disclosure

This study was founded by Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnsson and Johnsson. I, as scientific advisor/consultant have received honoraria as I have participated in conceptualization, investigation, validation and writing this lecture.