bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal attachment & socio-demographic and clinical factors
Authors: Meddouri L.S. , Bourgou S. , Fakhfakh R. , Bousnina D. , Triki A. , Belhadj A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

A pregnant woman’s bond with her fetus and the quality of the prenatal attachment can be determined by numerous variables.

Objectives

Determine the socio-demographic and clinical factors’ effect on prenatal attachment.

Methods

We conducted a transversal descriptive study in a first line clinical practice center and in an university gynecology-obstetrics department. The Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) was used to assess maternal-fetal attachment.

Results

For the 125 pregnant women that participated in our study, 99,2% were married with consanguinity for 14,4%. The mean marriage duration was 4 years and 3 months. Women were illiterate in 3,2% and more than the half (54,4 %) were unemployed. On average, the current pregnancy was their second one. Pregnancy was spontaneous in 85,6%, unplanned in 71,2% and not desired in 29,6%. Sex of the fetus was not desired by the mother in 40,8%. Dysgravidia complicated 32% of the pregnancies with hospitalization in 25,6%. Fetal health problems were detected in 7,2%. A psychiatric trouble has been reported by 4% of the pregnancies. The total score of PAI ranged from 27 to 82 in our sample. We found a statistically significant negative correlation between PAI and duration of marriage (p=0,012); PAI and gestation number (p=0,039) ; and a correlation between PAI and the planning of the pregnancy (p=0,030).

Conclusions

Socio-demographic and clinical factors should be taken in consideration while evaluating pregnant women at risk of perinatal psychological difficulties.

Conflict of interest

No significant relationships.
Conditions of negation formation in children of early age with down syndrome
Authors: Sedova E. , Stepanova V. , Gardanova Z.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

According to Vygotsky, children with special needs follow the same trajectory of development as normally developing children, although some of the skills can be observed in a later period. This statement can be implemeted to the children with Down syndrome. The number of such children in Russia is around 25 thousand.

Objectives

The aim is to study the conditions of negation formation in children with Down syndrome.

Methods

The sample consisted of 22 dyads of children with Down syndrome of 24-36 months old and their mothers. The research methods included: parents’ questionnaire; analysis of problematic situations; Tkacheva’s inventory Parent’s Psychological Type; Varga &Stolin Inventory of Parental Attitude; Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Bass-Darky Hostility Questionnaire, Leonhard-Schmieschek Test, Spielberger’s Test Anxiety Inventory.

Results

Firstly, we have studied how a child expresses his or her negative reaction: whether he or she uses a gesture or a sound for “no” or reacts with the whole body. According to those results we have divided the sample into two groups and then have compared them. The research shows the connection between mother’s aggressiveness and formation of the child’s negation reaction (gesture/sound or the whole body) as well as differences in the level of alexithymia and anxiety: all the characteristics are lower in the first group.

Conclusions

Mothers of the children with Down syndrome demonstrate a high and a medium level of anxiety. However, the mothers of the children who expresses negation with a gesture/sound show a lower anxiety level comparing with the mothers whose children react with the whole body.
Productivity of tasks performance in children and adolescents with different level of media multitasking
Authors: Koshevaya A. , Soldatova G. , Chigarkova S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Media multitasking (MMT) begins to play an increasingly important role in terms of the digitalization of everyday life. At the same time, the effect of MMT on efficiency is still poorly highlighted, especially among the younger generation (May, Elder, 2018; Patterson, 2017; Peifer, Zipp, 2019).

Objectives

The aim is to identify types of MMT in children and compare them by productivity and time of task performance.

Methods

Quasi-experimental research, which included the performance of tasks on a computer and a smartphone, was conducted among children in three groups aged 7-10 years, 11-13 years, 14-16 years (N=154).

Results

Based on a number of criteria, several types of behavior are identified in the MMT environment: two subgroups of “single-taskers” (23%), “light” (19%), “medium” (54%) and “heavy” (4%) MMT. Comparative analysis (p=0.027) reveals high scores for proper task performance of the subgroup “single-taskers1”, as well as “heavy” and “light” MMT. The other subgroup “single-taskers2” and “medium” MMT show, on the contrary, low productivity results. MMT groups also differ in terms of task performance time (p=0.006). The “light” and “heavy” MMT cope the fastest. The second place by the speed of task performance is held by “medium” MMTs and “single-taskers1”, and the slowest are “single-taskers2”.

Conclusions

The results show that both linear and nonlinear behavioral strategies can lead to a certain level of performance. Most children try to operate in the MMT mode and it is becoming the dominant and ubiquitous modus vivendi for the younger generation. The reported study was funded by RFBR, project No. 19-29-14181.

Conflict of interest

The reported study was funded by RFBR, project No. 19-29-14181.
Early premorbid of children with ASD
Authors: Kalinina M. , Shimonova G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

According to numerous studies, the origins of most endogenous mental diseases, in particular, autism, lie in early childhood. This concept is based on the classical theories of diathesis.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to clarify the phenomenology of mental disorders in children with an assessment of the prognostic significance of symptoms that preceded the development of the disease for future mental health.

Methods

The clinical material was collected during the survey of a child population. Selected for prospective observation was 40 children (1-3 years old) from the high-risk group for schizophrenia with functional disorders of the endogenous spectrum. All patients were examined by clinical methods and pathopsychological, neurophysiological. Psychometric scales PANSS, CARS were used. The results were mathematically evaluated using the Statistica 7 program.

Results

The clinical picture of the mental state of young children, in children with autistic disorders in 1,5-3 years, was determined by a specific complex of disorders, which were reduced to a general deficit, especially in the emotional sphere, vegetative dysregulation, most often, the sleep-Wake rhythm. Motor skills, as a rule, did not lag significantly behind the age standards. The onset of actual autistic disorders was noted older than 1 year of life. Сhildren received medication and corrective therapy. The detailed clinical picture of violations developed gradually. Dynamics of psychopathological picture in (80,0%) children was regressive.

Conclusions

The study shows the importance of preventive measures in people related to ASD, sparing individual approach in education and therapy.
Parental concerns during COVID-19-related school closures: Children’s behaviors and media usage
Authors: Kim S. , Shin Y.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

While coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads across the globe, many countries have closed schools to ensure physical distancing to slow transmission and ease the burden on health systems. Concerns regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) school closures often increase stress levels in parents.

Objectives

This study examined whether higher levels of parental concerns were associated with children’s problematic behaviors and other factors during COVID-19-related primary school closures.

Methods

Participants were 217 parents who responded to a web-based questionnaire covering parental concerns, subjective stress, and depression; children’s sleep patterns, behavioral problems, and changes in activity level after COVID-19; previously received mental health services; and media usage during the online-only class period from community center in Suwon city.

Results

The number of parental concerns was associated with children’s behavioral problem index (BPI) score (Pearson correlation 0.211, p < 0.01), sleep problems (0.183, p < 0.01), increased smartphone usage (0.166, p < 0.05), increased TV usage (0.187, p < 0.01), parents’ subjective stress levels (0.168, p < 0.05), and parental depression (0.200, p < 0.01). In families with children who previously received mental health services, the children reportedly suffered from more sleep and behavioral problems but not increased media usage, and parents noted more stress and depression. Parental concerns are related to family factors such as change of caregiver, no available caregiver, decreased household income, and recent adverse life events.

Conclusions

Ongoing monitoring of mental health at risky group and multiple support systems should be considered for parents having difficulty in caring their children.
Perception of financial well-being as a factor of physical and mental health of adolescents
Authors: Shaigerova L. , Shilko R. , Almazova O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The familial financial situation and its perception can be an important factor in the subjective well-being of adolescents, affecting their physical health and psychological state.

Objectives

To identify the correlation between the perception of the familial financial situation, the physical health and various aspects of the psychological state of adolescents were self-assessed.

Methods

The study involved 506 adolescents (217 males and 289 females) aged 14 to 18 years (M=16.46; SD=1.07). We analyzed the relationship between participants’ assessment of their family’s financial situation, its changes over the past three years, and the adolescents’ self-report on their physical health, stress experiences, and feelings of happiness.

Results

Perception of the financial situation (r=0.316;p<0.001) and assessment of its changes (r=0.217;p<0.001) are directly related to the self-assessment of physical health for the entire sample, as well as separately for boys and girls. For the entire sample, there were no links between the perception of the financial situation and the experience of stress and happiness. However, the study of relationships with gender as an independent variable showed that in boys, the financial situation score is associated with feeling happy (r=0.189;p=0.005), and in girls, an inverse relationship was found between the perception of a worsening financial situation and the experience of stress (r=-0.242;p<0.001).

Conclusions

The perception of the financial situation by adolescents affects the self-assessment of physical health by both boys and girls, but affects different aspects of the psychological state, depending on gender. The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, with the grant 15-18-00109.
Comorbidity of autism with hyperkinetic disorder
Authors: Koval-Zaytsev A. , Simashkova N. , Ivanov M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorders encompass a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Autism may be accompanied by other mental and neurological disorders. Comorbidity in autism is the rule rather than the exception (as reflected in DSM-5).

Objectives

To study comorbidity in patients with childhood autism and hyperkinetic disorder.

Methods

Surveyed 102 patients aged 6–7 years who had infantile psychosis before the age of 3 years (F84.02), comorbid with hyperkinetic disorder (F90.0). Methods: clinical, psychological and psychometric (CARS, PEP, bfcrs, CGI, CPRS-R:S (parents’ form)).

Results

In the surveyed patients, the autism level was 46 points according to CARS. Manifestations of hyperkinetic disorder in patients with F84.02 are found in 72%, which is associated with the severity of catatonic arousal (BFCRS 36 points). The cognitive development of the examined children is characterized by a combination of advancing, normative and delayed levels of development, depending on the type of cognitive dysontogenesis. Low indicators are revealed in involuntary attention, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. In patients with F84.02, a secondary hyperkinetic disorder forms upon exit from severe catatonia.

Conclusions

Excessive motor activity is combined with impulsiveness and impaired attention in the period of remission. The use of a complex of clinical and psychodiagnostic techniques aimed at assessing voluntary and involuntary attention provides additional data for the diagnosis of ASD and hyperkinetic disorders.
Dynamics of voluntary attention indicators of adolescents with endogenous mental pathology during treatment
Authors: Koval-Zaytsev A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The study of voluntary attention is necessary to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic, psychotherapeutic and psychocorrective measures. Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment by analyzing the dynamics of indicators of voluntary attention of adolescents with endogenous mental pathology is necessary for the development of personalized patient management

Objectives

To analyze the dynamics of indicators of voluntary attention to memory in adolescents with endogenous mental pathology during treatment.

Methods

clinical-catamnestic, pathopsychological methods. We examined 153 patients aged 12-16 years (average-13.7 years) with diagnoses of F21.3, F21.4, F20.8xx3 (ICD-10). The comparison group consisted of 143 healthy peers. Methods children’s color train test, Schulte tables. All subjects were examined twice – at the beginning of therapy and at discharge from the clinic.

Results

Analysis of the results of comparing the dynamics of attention in adolescents with endogenous mental diseases during the initial examination and during repeated examination showed that adolescents with diagnoses of F21.3, F21.4, as well as with a diagnosis of F20.8xx3 improve their attention indicators during repeated examination (at p< 0.01). Adolescents of the experimental group showed better results compared to the control group, which indicates that there is a positive therapeutic dynamics of attention in sick adolescents. Comparison of therapeutic dynamics of attention of adolescents with endogenous mental diseases depending on the diagnosis revealed significant differences. Adolescents from the F21 group performed better than the F20 group (at P< 0.01).

Conclusions

The Study showed the effectiveness of the choice of this methodological tool in assessing the therapeutic dynamics of patients.
The interface between paediatrics and camhs (child and adolescent psychiatry): Mental state examination teaching for paediatric trainees
Authors: Xu G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

During an out-of-hours shift, the initial assessment of a CAMHS patient is performed by the paediatric trainee, usually the paediatric SHO (senior-house-officer). During my placement as a paediatric SHO, I was aware of a gap in formalised metal state examination teaching for paediatric juniors, which would be crucial for a thorough assessment of these patients, and to better guarantee they are safely managed until further assessment.

Objectives

The aim is to provide a short teaching session on mental state examining of the CAMHS patent to paediatric SHOs in order to improve their confidence in assessment.

Methods

In order to assess initial confidence in assessing the mental-state of a CAMHS patient, a pre-teaching questionnaire was given to the paediatric SHOs. A 30-minute teaching session on the mental state exam was then carried out and a post-teaching questionnaire was then given to the same trainees.

Results

Paired sample Wilcoxons signed rank test found that training significant improved trainees’ confidence in taking a psychiatric mental state exam (p= 0.005, r = 0.628), and improved their confidence in presenting a mental state exam (p = 0.0041, r = 0.6420).

Conclusions

Being able to confidently assess the mental state of a CAMHS patient in an on call shift is important for the initial assessing paediatric trainee. However this is often not taught in the paediatric curriculum and trainees have expressed some anxiety in performing this assessment overnight, before a more comprehensive assessment by a CAMHS professional. A simple teaching session may help to reduce this anxiety and improve trainees’ confidence.
The role of research in evaluating and implementing digital mental health
Authors: Riper H.
Published: February 2022

Abstract Body

The clinical evidence and cost-effectiveness of digitalised prevention and treatment of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse have been steadily growing over the last two decades. However, bridging the gap between evidence-based eMental-health interventions and their actual delivery, evaluation and implementation in routine care has proven to be more difficult and a longer process than previously expected thereby reaching the estimated forecast of Roger’s innovation cycle of 20 years. In contrast, during the appearance of COVID-19 in 2020 for many patients and therapists digitalized treatment was the only option. Meanwhile from a scientific and policy perspective the implementation and upscaling of digital mental health care innovations in routine care have gained momentum in terms of theoretical perspectives on organizational change, empirical research into how to effectively implement digital innovations from the perspective of a variety of stakeholders and organizational levels (micro, macro and meso). In this presentation an overview of these issues will be presented, and it will be discussed whether COVID-19 might act as a turning point for the provision of large scale access to and implementation of digitalized mental health care in the near future.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Model of therapeutic intervention in anorexia nervosa of adolescents with depressive behavioral disorders
Authors: Mykhailova I. , Mitelov D. , Matkovska T. , Mayorov O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Anorexia nervosa is often associated with the development of depressive disorders.

Objectives

Skillful dissimulation of the true causes of fasting in adolescents leads to diagnostic errors and delayed adequate therapy.

Methods

The study design includes clinical psychopathological, somatic-neurological, and psychological methods for examination of 54 adolescent girls aged 12-14, with a recurrent depression, and factors determine disorders in alimentary behavior (anorexia nervosa) in teen-agers. The following psychological tests were performed: Children’s Depression Rating Scale Revised, Columbia - Suicide Severity Rating Scale, Mendelevitch - Yakhin Scale to establish a neurotic state.

Results

in all adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa depressive disorders were present in prepuberty. Behavioral syndrome and aggressive vulnerability prevailed in the structure of depression. Cognitive component was represented in the form of unstable type of poor memory and decreased rate of sensorimotor reactions with episodic recurrent attacks of bulimia. Our model of therapeutic intervention included: behavioral intervention, intravenous administration of Cerebrolysin 10,0 with 0,9 % Sodium chloride 200,0 (No.15). Therapeutic neuroplasticity, multimodal effect, and a disease - modifying therapy effects in short terms provide regression of emotional-cognitivity.

Conclusions

In adolescent girls with a recurrent depression anorexia nervosa has specific features that require early differentiation, neurotropic and neurodegenerative therapy.
The use of an electronic form to register play observation of a child with anxiety: A study case at a university clinical practice in Brazil
Authors: Silva G. , Soares J. , Brandão T. , Varanda C.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The modality of assessment used at a University Clinical Practice in Brazil is interventive psychodiagnosis in which the active participation of children and families is considered. Orientation is given following the input provided by children and their parents.

Objectives

Evaluating the use of an electronic form to be fulfilled during the observation of a child’s play in psychological session.

Methods

A child at the age of 5yrs 4m was brought for psychological assessment with the complaint of aggressiveness and irritability. His parents answered the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL -1 1/12 5 yrs) and the Psychology interns had to observe the child’s play and fulfill an electronic form in which the choice of toys and plays, motricity, creativity, symbolic abilities, frustration tolerance, adequation with reality were verified.

Results

The results of CBCL indicated that the child was within the clinical range regarding anxiety and depression along with somatic complaints. The indicators observed in the electronic form such as rigidity in the modality of play, the lack of adequate ability of impersonating in role-playing, the difficulty of using creativity during play unless he was guided by peers or the Psychology interns and the constant anguish of separating himself from his parents were crucial for parents’ orientation. The psychological treatment lasted five months and benefited from the information obtained through the form once the symptoms of irritability and aggressiveness were reduced.

Conclusions

This modality of assessment can be instructional for parents and may also reduce financial and time costs once provides specific indicators to observe during play.
An antisaccade task for measuring the attentional characteristics of social information processing in children with autism spectrum conditions
Authors: Lizarán M. , Sahuquillo-Leal R. , Perea M. , Moreno-Giménez A. , Salmerón L. , Simó S. , Vento M. , García-Blanco A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Autistic Spectrum Condition is often characterized by the presence of deficits in social interaction. An abnormal attentional processing may explain these difficulties, as it has been suggested that individuals with autism spectrum conditions may have problems with orienting attention to socially relevant stimuli and/or inhibiting their attentional responses to irrelevant ones.

Objectives

The aim of the current study is to shed light on this issue by the assessment of the attentional orienting and inhibitory control to emotional stimuli (angry, happy, and neutral faces).

Methods

An antisaccade task (with both prosaccade and antisaccade blocks) was applied to a final sample of 29 children with autism spectrum conditions and 27 children with typical development.

Results

The main findings were: i) children with autism spectrum condition committed more antisaccade error when seeing angry faces than happy or neutral faces, while children with typical development committed more antisaccade errors when seeing happy faces than neutral faces, and ii) latencies in the prosaccade and antisaccade blocks were associated with the severity of autism symptoms.

Conclusions

These results suggest that children with autism spectrum conditions show an impaired inhibitory control when angry faces are presented. This bias to negative high-arousal information is congruent with affective information-processing theories suggesting that threatening stimuli induce an overwhelming response in autism. From a clinical perspective, therapeutic strategies that focus on shifting attention to emotional stimuli may improve autism symptomatology and their socials functioning.
Effectiveness of the kiva antibullying program with and without the online game in chile: A three-arm cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Gaete J. , Valenzuela M. , Gana S. , Rojas-Barahona C.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Bullying is a major problem worldwide and Chile is no exception. Whole school-based antibullying programs offer an opportunity for preventing bullying at school. The KiVa antibullying program has been evaluated in Finland and other European countries, showing preventive effects on self-reported bullying victimization and bullying perpetration.

Objectives

To test the effectiveness of a culturally adapted version of the KiVa antibullying program in socio-economically vulnerable schools in Santiago, Chile.

Methods

We did a cluster randomized controlled trial in 5th and 6th graders at socially vulnerable schools. Schools were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to three groups: full KiVa group (including the online game), partial KiVa group (did not include the online game), and control group in which the regular school curriculum was implemented. The primary outcome was self-reported bullying victimization, measured with the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire-Revised version (OBVQ-R). Students were assessed at the end of the academic year (November 2016) and 12 months later at the end of the academic year (November 2017). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02898324.

Results

We included 39 schools (13 in each group). The baseline survey included a total of 5923 participants, and the endpoint survey included 3968 participants. Participants in the partial KiVa group had lower victimization and lower witnessing bullying at school at the endpoint survey than those in the control group. There was no effect of the full KiVa group. No effects were found for bullying perpetration in any of the comparisons between arms.

Conclusions

The KiVa antibullying Program had small effects in its implementation in Chile.
Implementation and first evaluation of PCIT
parent-child-interaction-training in zurich
Authors: Logoz M. Zulauf , Mailänder V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Parent training is an evidence based and highly effective intervention for conduct disorders in children. Traditionally, only the parents participate in behavioral trainings, implementing the new skills in their homes on their own between the appointments. In some cases, this turns out as not intense enough.

Objectives

Therefore, we recently implemented the German version of the PCIT Parent Child Interaction Training in our clinic in Zurich, Switzerland.

Methods

PCIT is an evidence-based and highly effective intervention for children aged 2-7 years with conduct disorders (Zisser & Eyberg, 2010; Briegel, 2016). Parents visit the clinic weekly with their child and are directly supported in their interaction by the therapists. A special treatment room was set up for this intervention.

Results

We will present our first experiences with this approach in the highly international and urban population of Zurich.

Conclusions

Parents appreciate to work with their child while being directly coached by the therapists. Almost all parents achieved considerable progress in their skills and the conduct problems reduced over time.
How to create an autism friendly hospital environment
Authors: Latif F. , King S. , Friedman A. , Valentine E. , Burley K.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) struggle with communication, sensory sensitivities and social interaction. These difficulties can make hospital visits challenging. Every child with ASD is unique, and as such, some children can do well in clinical settings with minimal supports while others may require environmental modifications to achieve optimal care. ASD is prevalent worldwide and cultural differences can lead to varied care. Several hospitals, including Boston Medical Center in USA and Sidra Medicine and Research Center in Qatar, have attempted to address these challenges by developing strategies to create an ‘Autism Friendly’ environment.

Objectives

This workshop will 1. Describe the 4 domains of an “Autism Friendly” environment 2. Describe practical steps for successful implementation of interventions and modifications to consider based on setting and culture.

Methods

Didactic section 1 will describe the 4 domains for greating an ‘Autism Friendly environment’. Didactic section 2 will describe implementation in an inpatient and outpatient setting focusing on modifications based on environmental differences. These didactic presentations will be followed by a hands on, interactive section where participants will break out in small groups to learn specific implementation skills.

Results

Participants will learn how to improve care offered to children with ASD during hospital visits. Participants will develop the skills to implement similar interventions in their home institutions.

Conclusions

Hospitals can create an Autism Friendly environment by using 4 domains of intervention which could help improve provider skills and patient and family experience.
Morbidity and mortality in schizophrenia with comorbid substance use disorders in Finland and Sweden
Authors: Lähteenvuo M. , Batalla A. , Luykx J. , Mittendorfer-Rutz E. , Tanskanen A. , Tiihonen J. , Taipale H.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Schizophrenia is highly comorbid with substance use disorders (SUD) but large epidemiological cohorts exploring the prevalence and prognostic significance of SUD are lacking.

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence of SUD in patients with schizophrenia in Finland and Sweden, and the effect of these co-occurring disorders on risks of psychiatric hospitalization and mortality.

Methods

45,476 individuals with schizophrenia from two independent national cohort studies, aged <46 years at cohort entry, were followed during 22 (1996-2017, Finland) and 11 years (2006-2016, Sweden). We first assessed SUD prevalence (excluding smoking). Then we performed Cox regression on risk of psychiatric hospitalization and mortality in patients with schizohrenia and SUD compared with those without SUD.

Results

The prevalence of SUD in specialized healthcare ranged from 26% (Finland) to 31% (Sweden). Multiple drug use and alcohol use disorders were the most prevalent SUD, followed by cannabis use disorders. Any SUD comorbidity, and particularly multiple drug use and alcohol use, were associated with 50% to 100% increases in hospitalization and mortality compared to individuals without SUD. Elevated mortality risks were observed especially for deaths due to suicide and other external causes. All results were similar across countries.

Conclusions

Co-occurring SUD, and particularly alcohol and multiple drug use, are associated with high rates of hospitalization and mortality in patients with schizophrenia. Preventive interventions should prioritize detection and tailored treatments for these co-morbidities, which often remain underdiagnosed and untreated.

Conflict of interest

ML: Genomi Solutions Ltd, Nursie Health Ltd, Sunovion, Orion Pharma, Janssen-Cilag, Finnish Medical Foundation, Emil Aaltonen Foundation. HT, EMR, AT: Eli Lilly, Janssen–Cilag. JT: Eli Lilly, Janssen-Cilag, Lundbeck, Otsuka.
Neurobiological correlation between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and obesity
Authors: Franco A.M. Romão , Cruz Da Fonseca I. , Ribeiro N. , Nova V. Vila , Gamito A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obesity are frequently comorbid. The prevalence of ADHD rises from around 2.8% in the general population (adults) to about 27% among those with obesity. Although neurobiological mechanisms explaining the strong association between ADHD and obesity are still unclear, several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the high comorbidity, including common genes, dopaminergic neurotransmission, deficits in executive functions (planning, adherence to weight loss programs or protocols after bariatric surgery) and circadian rhythm dysregulation.

Objectives

Review on the relationship between ADHD and Obesity, focusing on possible biological mechanisms driving their high comorbidity.

Methods

We conducted a search in PubMed and ClinicalKey with the terms: “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder”, “Obesity”, “Dopamine”.

Results

Altered reward processing and impaired inhibitory control are key features of ADHD and are also related to obesity. The ability to resist the impulse to eat and an appropriate reward response require normal function of these dopamine circuits. Both ADHD and obesity are usually associated with reduced volume of putamen, known to be a fundamental player in inhibitory control functioning. Human and animal studies have also demonstrated that obese individuals have decreased dopamine D2 receptor availability in the striatum. Recently genetic analyses implicated specifically Dopamine-DARPP32 Feedback in cAMP Signaling in both ADHD and Obesity.

Conclusions

ADHD and obesity are often comorbid. Dysregulated dopaminergic neurotransmission seems to be a fundamental factor underlying the overlap between ADHD and obesity, probably involving DARPP-32 signaling and possibly through neurobiological features of putamen, namely inhibitory control. Further studies are necessary to explain the neurobiological correlation between these entities.
Bayesian models to explain autistic traits in psychiatric population
Authors: Benassi M. , Garofalo S. , Vitali L. , Orsoni M. , Sant’Angelo R. , Raggini R. , Piraccini G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Studies on psychiatric patients have shown that the presence of autistic traits affects the effectiveness of the treatment, decreasing the likelihood of positive clinical outcomes.

Objectives

The aim of the present study is to investigate which are the areas of overlap between psychiatric symptoms and the traits of the autism spectrum using a bayesian approach.

Methods

A sample of 190 adult psychiatric patients, diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and personality disorder participated in the study. The RAADS-R questionnaire was used to assess the presence of autistic traits. The severity of psychiatric symptoms was measured with the BPRS and PANSS scales, the perceived well-being and disability using the Whodas and Whoqol scales, the TOL and STROOP for the measurement of executive functions, the attentional matrices for visual-spatial attention, the Raven for general cognitive skills.

Results

No difference emerged between the diagnoses regarding the presence of symptoms of the autism spectrum, which affects 64% of subjects. Logistic regression showed that the severity of symptoms measured as BPRS and PANSS predicted the probability of having autistic traits. Bayesian regression showed that specific autistic traits are indicative of executive functions deficits. Namely, motor impairment severity measured at RAADS is strongly predicted by rule violation with number of correct moves measured at TOL. The other executive functions seemed to be only moderately linked to autistic traits.

Conclusions

These results provide new information about the expression of comorbidity with autism in psychiatric patients.
Parkinson’s disease and depression
Authors: Maamri A. , Ghabi H. , Zalila H.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease has long been considered as a neurodegenerative disorder of pure motor expression. Motor dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease and other parkinsonian disorders is frequently accompanied by nonmotor signs and symptoms, including cognitive impairment, apathy, anxiety, and depression. Among psychiatric disorders comorbid with Parkinson’s disease, depression is probably the most important in terms of frequency and impact.

Objectives

The aim of this presentation was to illustrate the importance of considering depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Methods

A case report describing a patient with depressive symptoms in a patient with Parkinson’s disease and literature review.

Results

We report a case of a 57-year-old woman who presented symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for two years. She was treated with Benserazide (Madopar). She was referred to our department for depressive symptomatology. The patient suffered from fatigue, insomnia, loss of sexual desire, sadness, anhedonia, and social withdrawal during the last three months. The diagnosis of depression was not immediately retained. Finally, a major depressive episode was diagnosed. Fluoxetine (20mg per day) was prescribed with clinical improvement.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of a depressive episode is most often complex, due to an overlap symptomatic of both disorders. The depression comorbid to Parkinson’s disease because of its frequency and impact, requires specific identification and management early.
The quality of life of comorbid patients with pathology of thyroid gland and gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Artemieva M. , Manyakin I. , Basova E. , Ratenau V. Fon
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In Russia, the prevalence of GERD is 18-46% [Ivashkin V. T., Maev I. V., Trukhmanov A. S., 2011]. GERD leads to a significant decrease in the quality of life of patients, especially with nocturnal symptoms, extraesophageal symptoms (chest pain, persistent cough), and increases the risk of complications such as bleeding from ulcers and erosions, peptic strictures and, which causes the greatest caution, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinomas

Objectives

The medical and social significance of the pathology of the thyroid gland and gastrointestinal tract problem is determined by their high prevalence regardless of age, the annual increase in morbidity and the decrease in the quality of life (QOL).

Methods

Patients were divided in two groups: patients with GERD; patients with GERD and hypothyroidism. Quality of life was studied using the non-specific (general) SF 36 questionnaire.

Results

The lowest indicators were shown by patients with GERD and hypothyroidism (PF scale - Me 75.00 and 45.00 (p=0.005470), RF scale - 75,00 and 25.00 (p=0.043046), BP scale - 74.00 and 52.00 (p=0.036493), GH scale - 58.00 and 15.00 (p=0.009959)). The second group was more disadvantaged (VT scale - IU 52.50 and 32.50 (p=0.098125), SF scale - 75 00 and 50.00 (p=0.019016), RE scale - 33.30 and 0.00 (p=0.028841), GH scale - 48.00 and 36.00 (p=0.025919).

Conclusions

According to the results, the presence of combined pathology of the thyroid gland and gastrointestinal tract significantly affected the physical and psychological component of health in the studied patients.
Executives functions in co-occuring adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and alcohol use disorder
Authors: D’Alessandro A. , Bendimerad P.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Executives functions (EF) are cognitive processes mediating the ability to successfully regulate thoughts and behaviours in order to fulfil a goal. EF impairment has been found both in the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and in the Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Deficits in EF may have a major impact on patients’ everyday life.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate EF in a population with a dual diagnosis of Adult ADHD et AUD. We also evaluated the correlation between EF and the dimensions of quality of life.

Methods

For this observational multicentric study, we included patients with AUD starting long-term residential treatment. We used ASRS v.1.1 to screen for Adult ADHD and DIVA to confirm the diagnosis. We assess EF with BRIEF-A. WHOQoL-BREF was used to evaluate quality of life.

Results

Our population consists of 49 patients. Adult ADHD prevalence was 24,49%. Impairment score of all EF explored (Inhibition, Shifting, Emotional Control, Self-Monitoring, Initiative, Working Memory, Planning/Organizing, Organization of materials, Task Monitoring) was higher in patients with co-occuring Adult ADHD and AUD than in patients without Adult ADHD (p<0,001). We found strong negative correlation between Psychological Health and impairment score of Inhibition (p<0,001), Emotion Control (p<0,001), Self-Monitoring (p<0,001) and planning/Organizing (p<0,001). The other dimensions of quality of life were poorly correlated to EF impairment.

Conclusions

The prevalence of Adult ADHD in AUD patients is high. When AUD and Adult ADHD coexist, EF impairment is stronger and quality of life is poorer. Psychological health and EF impairment are strongly associated.
Psychiatric manifestations of Wilson’s disease
Authors: Freitas R. Mota , Valadas M.T.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Wilson’s Disease is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder related to disturbances of copper metabolism. Its clinical picture includes hepatic, neurologic, psychiatric, and systemic manifestations. Psychiatric symptoms are frequent over the course of this disease and can be found in up to a quarter of patients at presentation. Successful treatment for Wilson’s Disease can be achieved using anti-copper agents.

Objectives

We aim to review the literature regarding the psychiatric manifestations of Wilson’s Disease. We also include brief considerations about their management.

Methods

We performed an updated review in the PubMed database using the terms “Wilson’s Disease” and “Psychiatric manifestations”. The included articles were selected by title and abstract.

Results

Psychiatric manifestations, including psychosis, mood disorders, personality disorders and cognitive impairment are common in Wilson’s Disease and can be the initial symptoms of this condition. The diagnosis of Wilson’s Disease in people presenting with psychiatric symptoms heralds special considerations in psychopharmacology since this population has a higher risk of hepatic impairment, epilepsy, and extrapyramidal side effects.

Conclusions

Psychiatric symptoms are common in Wilson’s Disease and can be its presenting clinical features. Missing the diagnosis of Wilson’s Disease can stall an efficient treatment and lead to inadequate patient management.
Immunotherapy and psychosis: It there a risk?
Authors: Barbosa D. , Mota M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Over the past decades, immunotherapy treatments have been a revolution to many chronic diseases with encouraging results in clinical outcomes and quality of life. The use of monoclonal antibodies has yielded a great variability in terms of clinical efficacy and tolerability although it’s believed the incidence of psychotic symptoms is low (0,1-0,4%).

Objectives

To review the effects of monoclonal antibodies on psychosis.

Methods

Review of literature using PubMed database. A total of 16 studies were included.

Results

The targeted molecules by monoclonal antibodies may determine the risk of psychosis. While those who target TNF-alfa seem to have a reduced risk of psychosis (such as Infliximab, Adalimumab, Certolizumab and Golimumab), monoclonal antibodies who modulate lymphocytes may have a greater risk of psychosis namely Natalizumab, Belimumab, Basiliximab and Daclizumab, which seems to correlate to evidence of alterations in lymphocyte subsets in groups of patients with first psychotic episode and schizophrenia. Some seem to have positive correlation with psychosis namely monoclonal antibodies who have a supressing effect on the immune system, especially those who target adaptative immunity and those who are used in autoimmune diseases (vs oncologic conditions). It is unknown if delusions prevail over hallucinations or vice-versa. Despite the paucity of evidence, these findings corroborate the variability regarding the psychiatric effects of immunotherapy.

Conclusions

The available literature reports a low prevalence of psychotic symptoms associated with the use of monoclonal antibodies but it highlights the importance in knowing the immune mechanisms involved in psychotic disorders. Greater research is needed to correctly assess that risk.
Neuropsychiatric complications of traumatic brain injury
Authors: Santos C. Fernandes , Medeiros A.B. , Gomes R. , Descalço N.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, giving rise to a variety of neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with great functional impairments, chronic disability and poor quality of life. Depending on diagnostic criteria, 20-90% of victims of TBI develop at least one neuropsychiatric manifestation in the first month, and about 40% present at least three symptoms during three months, with higher incidence in females. Survivors of TBI are at increased risk for development of severe, long-term psychiatric disorders. The aetiology of these disturbances remains unclear.

Objectives

To review current knowledge on the neuropsychiatric consequences associated with TBI.

Methods

Non-systematic review of literature through search on PubMed/MEDLINE database for publications up to 2020, following the terms “traumatic brain injury” and “neuropsychiatry”.

Results

Although the experience of neuropsychiatric symptoms may be temporary and may resolve in the acute period, many patients with TBI can experience psychopathology that is persistent or that develops in the post-acute period, regardless of injury severity. These symptoms can involve personality changes, psychosis, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, maladaptive social behaviours, poor disability adjustment, reduced coping skills and cognitive impairment. Evidence remains insufficient to conclude the role of TBI-related neuropathological consequences in the development of post-TBI neuropsychiatric disorder. Non-organic factors are also implicated in its generation and maintenance.

Conclusions

Neuropsychiatric sequelae are common following TBI. Several of these syndromes are amenable to treatment. Further investigations are required to better understand the mechanistic aetiology of these conditions and the effectiveness of therapeutic modalities.
Illness anxiety disorder
Authors: Higueras P. Hervias , Jorge S. García , Lauffer J. Correas
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The diagnosis of hypochondria has disappeared in the new classification of mental illness. About 25% of patients who were diagnosed with hypochondria now fall into the category illness anxiety disorder. This disorder constitutes a new diagnostic category in DSM5 and is included within the somatic symptom and related disorders.

Objectives

We propose to carry out a bibliographic review off the new diagnostic category of illness anxiety disorder.

Methods

We present the clinical case of a 27-year-old man in the context of the Covid19 pandemic.

Results

The illness anxiety disorder is characterized by being concerned about having or acquiring a serious illness. Somatic symptoms are not present, but if they are, they are of mild intensity. The level of concern is excessive or disproportionate if there is any disease or if there is a high risk of developing it. There is a high level of health anxiety and the individual is easily alarmed by personal health status. It is a disorder that tends to be chronic and recurrent. The exact comorbidity is still unknown. However, it is important to keep in mind that hypochondria concurs with anxiety disorders and depressive disorders. Treatment is based on the cognitive restructuring of bodily symptoms. In addition, exposure therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy are also effective. Regarding pharmacological treatment, SSRIs are useful in relation with comorbidity.

Conclusions

Illness anxiety disorder is characterized by significant attention to somatic concerns in medical places, making it very useful for primary care professionals.