bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of ethical competences in mental health and psychiatry: simulation with nursing students
Authors: Lopes R. , Moreira I. , Neves M. , Brás C. , Rodrigues R.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Simulation as a pedagogical strategy contributes to improving the acquisition, consolidation and retention of knowledge and is very attractive for students.

In simulation learning, students come into contact with real clinical practices, allowing them to develop personal, psychosocial, ethical and clinical skills, facilitating learning for decision-making.

The creation of different and complex simulation scenarios within the scope of Mental Health and Psychiatry (MHP) allows the empowerment of nursing students, through the anticipation and prevention of errors and the creation of training opportunities, which culminate in the development of critical thinking and reflective on the ethical dimension of caring for people experiencing mental illness.

Objectives

To analyze the simulation as a strategy to develop ethical competences in MHP; To reflect on respect for autonomy, capacity for self-determination and dignity of the person; To reflect on care practices that promote respect and dignity for people experiencing mental illness.

Methods

After the careful design of the situation simulation scenario in MHP, the steps are as follows:

Prebriefing - transmit generic information about the scenario to the participants/students; request the participation of some students to assume the role of actors in the context they will encounter and prepare to start the case; explain to observers what will happen and the goals of the scenario.

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Scenario development.

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Debriefing - ask observers to analyse and reflect on positive aspects of performance; lead participants to analyse and reflect on their actions; investigate the basis of gaps/errors.

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Reflection - facilitating students’ structured thinking (reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action); review learning.

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Assessment - focus group interview; observation and/or filming.

Results

The evaluation revealed that the use of a simulation scenario allows the connection between the theoretical contents of ethics (principles, dignity of the person, human rights, informed consent, …) with what they saw and experienced in the scenario; facilitates understanding of concepts, helps to internalize knowledge and retain information; favors reflection, development of critical thinking through discussion and argumentation; makes it easier to understand the relationship between the subject taught and reality; and the discussion of the situation helped to structure the thought.

The diversity of scenarios is interesting and useful, it allows understanding the different role of nurses in the hospital context and in the context of primary care.

Conclusions

It is concluded that the use of a simulation scenario in MHP is of great interest and usefulness for the development of ethical competences, allowing reflection on care practices that promote respect and dignity of the person with experience of mental illness.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Sexual aggressors with mental disorders: characterization of a Tunisian sample
Authors: Chamseddine A. , Charfi N. , Ajmi S. , Gassara I. , Smaoui N. , Feki R. , Omri S. , Zouari L. , Ben Thabet J. , Maâlej Bouali M. , Maâlej M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Sexual violence is a worldwide public health concern. Nevertheless, the psychopathology of perpetrators of sexual assault still nowadays poorly documented.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of sexual aggressors with mental disorders.

Methods

It was a retrospective study that included a series of sexual aggressors examined in forensic psychiatric assessment in the psychiatry C department at Hedi Chaker university Hospital in Sfax, from January 2010 to December 2021. Data were collected from psychiatric expert reports.

Results

The sample was exclusively composed of men with an average age of 37 years and 07 months (± 12.75 years). 54.4% of sexual aggressors suffered from mental disorder. Personality disorder was the most prevalent psychiatric disorder and the antisocial type was noted in 23.9% of cases.

Sexual aggressors suffering from mental disorder were more likely to commit rape followed by murder (p=0.05). They used physical violence far more than the others did (p=0.007) and they were more apt to threaten their victims with weapon during the assault (p=0.038). They were also more likely to abuse the power given by their professional roles (15,2 % versus 5,6 %; p=0.07). They more frequently attacked unknown victims (p=0.019).

Conclusions

More than half of sexual aggressors suffered from psychiatric disorder. Therefore, the detection and treatment of psychiatric morbidity among sexual aggressors may minimize the risk of recidivism.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Autism spectrum disorder and genetic: a possible correlation?
Authors: Violi M. , Simoncini M. , Valetto A. , Bertini V. , Pardini F. , Massoni L. , Carmassi C. , Dell’Osso L.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairment in social interaction and communication, whose etiology is heterogeneous, including genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. It is associated with restricted interests and stereotyped behaviors with high prevalence rates in general population, neurobiological bases and high heritability.

Objectives

The aim of our study is to identify the possible phenotype-genotype relationships regarding neurodevelopmental disorders and to evaluate a correlation between genomic alterations and the manifestations of the overt and subthreshold ASD in a family administered psychiatric clinical evaluations at our hospital.

Methods

The family M underwent a psychiatric evaluation through the MINI interview according to the SCID-5 criteria, the AQ, ADAS, PAS-SR, SHI-SHY,SHY-OBS to assess respectively the subthreshold traits of ASD in adulthood, the panic-agoraphobic, social-phobic and obsessive-compulsive spectrum and CAT-Q Italian version, to evaluate social camouflage behaviors typical of ASD individuals. Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization was used for studying DNA imbalances in this family.

Results

We found that Mrs.A, her father, her brothers and her older sister had a microduplication, very likely pathogenic, since it has been never reported in healthy subjects and harbors several genes. It could be related with overt and subthreshold traits of ASD. From the questionnaires administered and from the clinical interview, it emerged that Mrs.A is affected by ASD and Bipolar Disorder. Her twin brothers have been evaluated at early ages by child neuropsychiatric clinic and they were diagnosed with ASD and mental and psychomotor impairment. Her father was reported a significant trend in ADAS, AQ, PAS-SR, SHI-SHY and SHY-OBS scores. Finally, about her older sister, even if our results were not significant for an ASD diagnosis, we speculated that she performed a high score in some ADAS items and in the CAT-Q but not in the AQ. Females generally tend to attract fewer attention than males thanks to their better coping and camouflaging mechanisms as well as their ability to “disappear” in large groups.

Conclusions

Genetic knowledge can have a relevant clinical impact; a genetic etiology can be identified in individuals with ASD, leading to the identification of treatable psychiatric comorbidities. Furthermore, knowing the causative genetic variants of ASD could provide crucial information for genetic counseling as well as to understand the neurobiology of these disorders and to contribute to an early diagnosis.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Development of a cellular model to study L-DOPA decarboxylase deregulation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia
Authors: Kurishev A. , Abashkin D. , Karpov D. , Golimbet V.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Schizophrenia (SZ) is an inherited mental illness that affects 1% of the world’s population. Schizophrenia is a common functional psychosis with some unifying features that appears to have a universal distribution. Much of the research on SZ seeks to identify physiological, biochemical, or genetic features that differ between patients and healthy individuals. Biochemical factors represent an imbalance of certain biochemical substances in the brain, especially neurotransmitters. Early studies focused on the brain biochemistry of patients with SZ in terms of dysregulation of the neurotransmitter network. There is evidence that elevated dopamine concentrations are associated with positive symptoms (i.e., hallucinations, delirium) of the disease. For example, L-DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) is an enzyme involved directly in dopamine and serotonin synthesis and indirectly in noradrenaline synthesis. Therefore, the DDC gene can be considered a candidate gene for schizophrenia and its activity is a good candidate for functional analysis via epigenetic repression.

Objectives

We aimed to create a cellular model with a deregulated DDC gene.

Methods

We constructed two lentiviral vectors, one expressing the dCas9-KRAB-MeCP2 repressor under the control of a synthetic tetracycline inducible promoter, and the other carrying a cassette expressing two sgRNAs with spacers against the DDC promoter. The SH-SY5Y cell line was sequentially stably transduced with both lentiviral constructs, and cells carrying both constructs were selected by the fluorescence of the GFP and RFP reporter proteins encoded in the lentiviral construct backbones.

Results

Methyl-sensitive real-time PCR followed by high-resolution fusion showed methylation of the DDC promoter. Correspondingly, real-time PCR showed a two-fold decrease in DDC expression in SH-SY5Y during tetracycline-induced expression of the CRISPR repressor.

Conclusions

We developed a cellular model to study the contribution of DDC deregulation to SZ-related molecular mechanisms.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Case report of schizophrenia in a patient with de novo mutation in the SLC6A1 gene
Authors: Mikhailova V. , Alfimova M. , Lezheiko T. , Kondratyev N. , Kaleda V. , Galiakberova A. , Dashinimaev E. , Golimbet V.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder mainly caused by genetic risk factors. Many studies have demonstrated that both multiple genetic variants and rare mutations are associated with schizophrenia risk. The next step is to study the causal effect of the gene on the phenotype. Recently, a large family-based study identified de novo mutations, which may increase liability to schizophrenia (Rees et al 2020). In particular, a mutation in the GABA transporter (SLC6A1) gene (rs756927822 C/T) was identified in one patient from our subsample.

Objectives

Here, we present a case report of this patient and describe the procedure of derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from fibroblast cultures.

Methods

Clinical, psychometric and neuropsychological methods were used. iPSCs were derived from patients’ and both unaffected parents’ fibroblasts. Human fibroblasts, cultured in fibroblast medium, are infected with lentivirus vectors expressing the transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc, and KLF4. All iPSCs were immunocytochemical stained for intracellular (Oct4, Sox2) and extracellular (SSEA4, Tra-1-81, Tra-1-60) pluripotency markers. An qPCR analysis for pluripotency markers (TDGF1, Sox2, Oct4, REX1, LIN28, NANOG, KLF4, GDF3, DPPA4, DNMT3) was performed. All four iPSC lines formed embryoid bodies before the differentiating into three germ layers. Differentiation was confirmed by immunostaining for mesoderm (aSMA), ectoderm (Nestin, Desmin) andendoderm (FoxA2, Pax6) markers.

Results

A 47-year-old male patient was presented to psychiatry at the age of 16. There was no personal or family history of psychiatric disorder, the premorbid functioning was normal, the patient had no somatic diseases, showed high performance in sport (mountain skiing). On his first admission, he was diagnosed with schizoaffective psychosis. The patient showed signs of mania and catatonia. Neuropsychological testing revealed a decrease of cognitive functioning (short-term and associative memory). The patient was followed up for more than 20 years. The diagnosis was changed for schizophrenia at the age of 43 years. There was a deterioration in cognitive function (the apparent decrease in performance on neurocognitive tests (attention, memory, executive functions) from the first examination (1997) till last one (2019). The patient refused or was not able to perform most of the tasks. During follow-up, the patient shows good adherence to treatment.

Conclusions

For this patient, obtained lines might be valuable for investigating the disease mechanisms and screening candidate drugs.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Assessment of health-related quality of life in asthmatic patients
Authors: Omrane A. , Touil I. , Romdhani R. , Brahem Y. , Bouchareb S. , Boussoffara L. , Kneni J. , Khalfallah T. , Keskes N.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Asthma is a common worldwide, chronic respiratory disease. It has been shown to impair a person’s health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), but the core influencing factors are not fully understood.

Objectives

We aimed in this study to evaluate QoL of asthmatic patients and its main determinants.

Methods

A prospective single center study was held with asthmatics consulting in the Pulmonology Department a public hospital in Tunisia. A complete structured questionnaire concerning socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were determined. The assessment of asthma control during the last 4 weeks was based on the GINA 2022 report criteria. The quality of life was assessed by the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) scale in its validated Arabic version.

Results

A total of 109 asthmatic patients was included. Most of them were female (N= 73, 67%). Twelve (11%) were current or ex-smokers. The majority of patients (N=101, 92.6%) were active. Thirty-nine patients (35.7%) had comordidities. Asthma were controlled in 40.4% of cases.

The average of AQLQ was4.9±1.2. The most affected domains were environmental stimuli and symptoms with a mean value of 4.6 ± 1.3 and 5.0± 1.3 respectively.

Allergic and uncontrolled asthma and severe disease were significantly associated with the average of AQLQ in the study population with p respectively 0.001, <0.000 and <0.000.

Multivariate analysis demonstrated that factors independently associated with the HR-QoL were : the severity of asthma (OR-0.39, IC95% [-0.62,-0.15], p=0.001) and uncontrolled disease (OR=0.59, IC95%,[-0.87,-0.31], p=0.000).

Conclusions

These results suggest that uncontrolled and severe asthma significantly affect health asthma-related quality of life.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
First-admissions in Psychiatry: a cluster analysis of a sample of inpatients from 2019 to 2021
Authors: La Spina E. , Mastrangelo M. , Montalbani B. , Mancinelli I. , Del Casale A. , Comparelli A. , Pompili M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Only a few studies analyse the clinical and psychopathological characteristics of first-admitted inpatients regardless of diagnosis.

Objectives

Describing the psychopathological, demographic, and clinical characteristics of inpatients with acute symptomatology identifying groups with common features using factors extracted from the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS).

Methods

We selected 103 (48 F) inpatients from the psychiatric ward of the Sant’Andrea Hospital in Rome from January 2019 to December 2021. We assessed psychopathological characteristics and suicide risk with BPRS, Global Assessment of Functioning, and Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale and gathered the anamnestic and demographic data. We conducted descriptive analyses and factor analysis on BPRS items. Then we used the BPRS factors as variables to perform a cluster analysis.

Results

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was the most frequent diagnosis. We obtained five factors: “Psychotic dimensions” (FI); “Anxiety” (FII); “Hostility and lack of cooperation” (FIII); “Depression” (FIV); “Flattening of affectivity” (FV). We identified two clusters (cluster 1 n=31; cluster 2 n=72). Patients in cluster 1 reported higher average scores in FI and FIII while the average scores of cluster 2 patients in FII and FIV were higher than patients in cluster 1. We called cluster 1 “psychotic and hostile patients compulsory admitted with a low risk of suicide”. Cluster 2 patients are “affective patients with a high risk of suicide”. The two clusters share an average age of 38-39 yo and an average GAF score indicating severe impairment and inability to function in almost all areas. They differ in the psychiatric diagnosis represented: respectively, Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder and Bipolar Disorder with low suicidal risk, MDD, and Personality Disorders with a high suicidal risk. 39% of patients in cluster 1 were involuntarily admitted.

Conclusions

The results of our study show that patients admitted for the first time usually are admitted for psychotic symptoms and a high risk of suicide. Psychotic patients more often show hostility and lack of cooperativeness which can explain the higher rate of involuntary admissions. Patients with predominant affective symptoms show a higher risk of suicide. Our analyses do not consider categorical diagnosis highlighting that exist transdiagnostic groups of patients with specific needs.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Stressful events among adolescents from public schools in a community in Brazil
Authors: Pacheco P. M. , Pacheco M. D. S. , Molini-Avejonas D. R.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Adolescence can be seen as a fundamental stage of life for the construction of the subject, resulting from childhood experiences and decisive for adulthood. It is common stressors to appear during adolescence, due to the lack of necessary resources to deal with a stressful problem or event. In this way, the evaluation of a stressful situation by the adolescent is important, because from it he will develop coping strategies that will help him to deal with the problem.

Stressful life experiences, whether important events or even common annoyances, threaten the adolescent’s well-being, in addition to being linked to mental health and behavior problems, both internalizing ones, such as isolation, somatic complaints and anxiety/depression, as well as externalizing factors such as breaking rules and aggressive behavior. Romantic relationships are related to a major source of stress in the lives of these young people when conflicts, jealousy, aggression and infidelity occur, and have a great impact on the mental health of the individuals involved. Breakups, for example, have been linked to the onset of clinical depression in adolescents.

There are three categories of concern for adolescents: (a) related to achievements, such as success in school or opportunity for success in the future; (b) relationships with colleagues or family members; and (c) social problems such as the environment, poverty and unemployment.

Objectives

To identify and describe stressful life events in adolescents from public schools in a poor community in Brazil.

Methods

The study included 64 adolescents, boys (51.56%) and girls (48.43%), aged between 12 and 16 years old (average 13.76%). The Adolescent Perceived Events Scale (APES) was used, which consists of 90 items that correspond to events that may occur in the adolescent’s daily life.

Results

The most significant stressors for the adolescents in this study were those dealing with the death of close people, such as a friend (100%), a family member (96.29%) and a relative (94.73%). Also appearing as major stressors were “plans that did not work” (91.89%), use of alcohol or drugs by family members (87.5%), loss of a job by parents (75%), imprisonment of a family member (75%), fights with boyfriend or girlfriend (86.66%), breakup (75%) and concern about their own appearance (76.52%).

Conclusions

Events referring to interpersonal relationships were considered the greatest stressors, with percentages above 80%. The present study contributed to the understanding of adolescents’ perceptions of their life events. In this way, we can understand the relationship between stressors and the coping strategies. Furthermore, it allows the proposition of preventive intervention strategies in the school context.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Clinical variants of affective manifestations in the structure of adjustment disorder at forcibly displaced persons as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Authors: Kuzminov V. , Linskiy I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

As a result of Russia’s large-scale military aggression against Ukraine, many civilians were forced to leave their homes. Emotional disorders associated with fear for one’s life and relatives, loss of housing, work, and stable social ties are found in the majority of forcibly displaced persons.

Objectives

The purpose of our study was to study the characteristics and expressiveness of affective disorders in displaced persons as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Studied affective disorders in 24 forcibly displaced females. Age of the surveyed 30-50 years. Contacted with psychiatrist because the insistence of relatives. Patients were not identified and applied earlier about mental disorders to psychiatrists. To quantify anxiety, we used a scale HAM-A.

Methods

Clinico-psychopathological.

Results

Affective disorders in the examined patients can be confidently attributed to adjustment disorders. According to the ICD-10, an adaptation disorder (F43.2) was diagnosed. Most of them were dominated by depressive and anxiety-depressive modalities of affective disorders. According to the HAM-A scale, the level of anxiety was 14±2.7. Most patients showed few irritability and anger, which is probably due to the inability to respond to the cause of their troubles and problems. However, some patients (6 people) expressed gloomy irritability, anger (clinical sighnificant) a feeling of hostility towards others. It is necessary to note the undulation of these manifestations, often aggravated under the influence of external factors.At the same time, the immediate environment often suffered, on which all the troubles fell. The behavior of such patients became maladaptive, significantly disrupting communication.

Conclusions

Therapeutic impact on internally displaced persons should be aimed not only at overcoming anxiety and depressive syndrome, but also irritability and anger. This should be taken into account when planning psychotherapeutic programs, it is possible to prescribe normotimics.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Memantine augmentation of sertraline in the treatment of symptoms and executive function among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A double-blind placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Askari S.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Medications currently recommended for the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) usually decrease the severity of the symptoms by 20–30%; however, 40–60% of OCD patients do not achieve a satisfactory response. Our main objective was to investigate the effectiveness of memantine, a non-competitive N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, as an adjunct therapy to sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), to improve severity of symptoms and executive function among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objectives

Our main objective was to investigate the effectiveness of memantine, a non-competitive N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, as an adjunct therapy to sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), to improve severity of symptoms and executive function among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Methods

Seventy patients with OCD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) criteria, and a Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale (Y-BOCS) score of more than 21 were recruited to the study. They received sertraline (100 mg daily initially followed by 200 mg daily after week 4) and either memantine (10 mg twice daily) or placebo in a placebo controlled, double-blinded, parallel-group, clinical trial of 12 weeks. The primary outcome was OCD symptoms measured by the Y-BOCS. Moreover, executive function of participants was measured by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST).

Results

The total score, and obsession and compulsion subscales of Y-BOCS significantly dropped in both groups with no significant difference between the two groups. However, memantine group showed a greater response in the number of completed categories subscale of the WCST (p value<0.001). We did not observe any major adverse effects in any of the groups.

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Conclusions

Memantine has an acceptable safety and tolerability in patients with OCD and might have a positive effect on their executive function. Nevertheless, the current results don`t42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 support the efficacy of memantine as an adjunctive agent to sertraline for symptoms in patients with OCD.

Memantine has an acceptable safety and tolerability in patients with OCD and might have a positive effect on their executive function. Nevertheless, the current results don`t support the efficacy of memantine as an adjunctive agent to sertraline for symptoms in patients with OCD.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Obsessive-compulsive spectrum – review of the construct
Authors: Torres S. , Moura J. , Cunha J. F. , Lopes A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a clinical syndrome whose hallmarks are excessive, anxiety-evoking thoughts and compulsive behaviours that are generally recognized as unreasonable, but which cause significant distress and impairment. OCD may also occur in the context of other neuropsychiatric disorders, most commonly other anxiety and mood disorders. The question remains as to whether these combinations of disorders should be regarded as independent, cooccurring disorders or as different manifestations of an incompletely understood constellation of OCD spectrum disorders with a common aetiology.

Objectives

To review critically whether there is a robust basis for the concept of an obsessive–compulsive (OC) spectrum of disorders, and if so, which disorders should be included.

Methods

Literature review performed on PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using the keywords “obsessive–compulsive disorder”, “obsessive–compulsive spectrum”, “body dysmorphic disorder”, “hypochondriasis”, “trichotillomania”, “psychiatry”.

Results

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) itself is a heterogeneous condition or group of conditions, and this needs to be appreciated in any articulation of a ‘spectrum’ of OC disorders. The basis for ‘membership’ of the spectrum is inconsistent and varied, with varying level of support for inclusion in the putative spectrum.

Conclusions

A more fruitful approach may be to consider behaviours and dimensions in OCD and OC spectrum disorders, and that this should be encompassed in further developments of the OC spectrum model.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Physical activity and depression later in life: a cross sectional study in Greece
Authors: Argyropoulos K. , Arampatzi F. , Argyropoulou A. , Avramidis D. , Gourzis P. , Jelastopulu E.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Depression is a very prevalent mental disorder among older people. Exercise and physical activity may have beneficial effects on depressive symptoms that are comparable to those of antidepressant treatments.

Objectives

The purpose of the present study was to estimate the role that physical activity plays in wellbeing of older people, as well as its association with depression.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 101 people over the age of 60, who are active members of the Open Day Care Centers (K.A.P.I) of the municipality of Serres, North Greece. An anonymous questionnaire was created to record the basic demographic data of the studied population. The Greek version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used to assess depressive symptoms in the elderly, and the (IPAQ) short edition - 7 items, was applied to evaluate the physical activity of the participants. Statistical analysis was performed with a SPSS 21.

Results

According to our results, as the age of the participants increases, so does the severity of the depression according to GDS-15. In addition, depressive symptoms were associated with marital status, widows in comparison to divorced, with participants living in urban areas and with illiterates and high school graduates. Furthermore, older adults with monthly income of 1000 to 2000 Euros presented to suffer more from depression than those who had a monthly income of up to 2000 Euros (p <0.05).On the other hand, physical activity based on IPAQ was strongly associated with age, married compared to not, high level of education, living in rural areas and depression (p <0.05).

Conclusions

The results of the present study may contribute to further interventions in Primary Health Care for the prevention and detection of depression among older people. Furthermore, physical exercise may be an alternative or adjunct to traditional forms of treatment in mild to moderate forms of depression later in life.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Building a research career in psychiatry: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Guloksuz S.
Published: August 2023

In this interactive session, we will attempt to create a roadmap toward a research career in psychiatry, particularly in challenging settings. Participants will be able to share their experiences and ask questions. Through dialectical discourse, we will identify the essential skills and key competencies for a research career and how to develop them through key strategies and practical exercises. We will try to answer these questions and more. “I like research, but I don’t know where to start?” “I know writing is important, but how can I make the process less painful and even perhaps enjoy writing?” “There is no research tradition in my workplace; how can I find a mentor?” “How can I build confidence in presenting at scientific conferences?” “It’s important to master hard skills, but what could we do with soft skills?”

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Bipolar disorders diagnosed in the elderly: Clinical and therapeutic particularities.
Authors: Karoui M. , Kammoun I. , Kammoun R. , Nefzi H.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Data on the differences between young and elderly patients with bipolar disorder and between elderly patients with early and late age of onset are limited.

Objectives

to study the clinical differencies between bipolar patients with an onset in old age and other bipolar patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 420 bipolar patients. In this study, patients with onset after age 60 (n=37) were compared to other patients with early-onset bipolar (EOB) (<>50 years; n=383).

Results

In the year before recruitment, older patients more frequently reported a rapid course of the illness, but fewer suicide attempts , more often a single psychotropic medication and had less severe manic and psychotic symptoms, atypical antipsychotics were administered less frequently. but no difference in depressive symptomatology was observed.

Conclusions

Elderly bipolar patients differ from younger bipolar patients in course and treatment. Medication use and the occurrence of rapid cycling in elderly bipolar patients deserve careful investigation.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Anxiety and depression among breast cancer patients
Authors: Zaouali F. , Abbes I. , Ben Slama A. , Belhaj Youssef I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Neoplastic disease affects all aspects of life. People with cancer may experience a variety of emotions and reactions to their new reality that may be mild or intense, transitory or permanent.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to assess the psychological distress of patients with breast cancer.

Methods

Cross-sectional descriptive study including patients followed for breast cancer at the outpatient medical oncology consultation of Hadj Ali Soua regional hospital from January to March 2021. We used the “Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD-S)” for the assessment of anxiety and depression.

Results

Fifteen patients were included with a mean age of 49.87 ± 8.48 years and a mean age at diagnosis of 46.73 ± 7.55 years. At the TNM classification, 66.6% of the patients had a T1 or T2 at the time of diagnosis and 80% had an N0. All patients received a surgical intervention which was conservative in 53.3% of cases. No patient underwent breast reconstruction. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy were prescribed in 86.7% of patients. The mean anxiety and depression scores according to the HAD-S were 9.53 and 4.93, respectively. The majority of our patients had no depressive symptoms (80%) against only 2 patients (13.33%) with depressive symptoms. On the other hand, most of our patients were anxious: 6 patients (40%) showed probably clinically relevant levels of anxiety (score of 11 or higher) and 5 patients showed possibly clinically relevant levels of anxiety (scores of 8 or higher) (33,33%).

Conclusions

Our study revealed a high prevalence of psychological distress. The presence of clinical psychologists in the medical oncology department and the training of nursing staff in psycho-oncology are essential for the overall care of patients with cancer.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Combining remote work and training: the experience of participating in the first Virtual EPA Gaining Experience Programme
Authors: Shalak K.
Published: August 2023

Each year the European Psychiatric Association offers early career psychiatrists the opportunity to take part in the Gaining Experience programme, a scholarship that funds short observership placements (between 2 and 8 weeks) overseas in different psychiatric institutions across Europe to ECPs who have completed their psychiatric training. However, since COVID-19 was declared by the WHO as a worldwide emergency on 11th March 2020, it was no longer possible to provide offline overseas observerships. Therefore, the Gaining Experience programme changed its format in 2020-2021 and became virtual. It was in this context, that an Ukranian early career psychiatrist was going to participate in the virtual Gaining Experience programme at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London (United Kingdom) from December 2021. The observership placement had a particular academic focus, the essence of which was investigating psychotherapy training among ECPs in Ukraine, and to examine how it is included in psychiatry training. The sharing of this example of virtual observership shows that it is possible and feasible high-quality and affordable distance learning for ECPs. This training format can be useful not only during quarantine restrictions, but also in conditions of limited travel opportunities.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The effect of Hypnotherapy-based interventions on improving women’s experience of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum: A narrative review
Authors: Seitz F. , Pourasghar M. , Ganji J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Hypnotherapy has been increasingly used in recent years in healthcare, with several applications during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum.

Objectives

This review was performed to assess the effects of Hypnotherapy before, during and after pregnancy.

Methods

A narrative review methodology using keywords determined by the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) thesaurus was adopted in this study. For this purpose, the databases of PubMed, Scopus,Web of Science, GoogleScholar, and Scientific Information Database (SID) were searched using the keywords of “Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, Pregnancy, Labor, and Childbirth ” from March11 to April 5, 2022; and finally, the related articles published from 2000 to 2022 were retrieved.

Results

According to the findings, the effects ofHypnotherapy on pregnancy and delivery and postpartumoutcomes were classified into several categories as the following: Hypnotherapy-based interventions improve childbirth experience, with less anxiety, increased satisfaction, fewer birth interventions, more postnatal well-being and better childbirth experience overall. Hypnotherapy may reduce the overall use of analgesia during labour, but not epidural use.Hypnotherapy intervention during pregnancy aided in reducing physical and psychological symptoms during pregnancy.

Conclusions

With reference to the related literature on this subject matter, women can safely pursue hypnotherapy during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum. Hypnotherapy can be presented as a technique enabling patients to have a positive birth experience; however, high quality trials are needed to demonstrate its complete efficacy.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Impact of social support on the outcomes of occupational injuries in the construction sector
Authors: Sellami I. , Hrairi A. , Haddar A. , Kotti N. , Masmoudi M. L. , Jmal Hammami K. , Hajjaji M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Occupational injuries in the construction sector constitute an important health problem affecting workers in their most productive years. The professional environment influences the outcomes of these accidents. The impact of social support among this vulnerable population may explain the difference in terms of outcomes of occupational injury.

Objectives

Evaluating the impact of social support in occupational injuries’ outcomes among construction workers.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted during 9 months among construction sector workers victim of an occupational injury consulting for an Impairment Rating Evaluation and working. Socio-professional data and the accident’ outcomes were collected. Social support was evaluated by the Social Support Scale. The pain was evaluated by a Visual Analogue Scale.

Results

Out of 51 injured workers, 96.1% were male. The mean age was 43.66 ± 10.79 years. The majority of accidents took place in 2020 (49%). Upper arm injuries represented 41.2% of injured sites. The mean pain scale was 6.98±1.69 and the mean length of absence was 227.88 days±292.23. A proportion of 9.8 % had Low social support. Twenty-three subjects (45.1%) had not returned to work. Low social support was associated with a perception of stigma and discrimination (p=0.000), negative outlook of the future (p=0.003), low job satisfaction (p=0.000) and non-return to work (p=0.009). No association was found with pain, length of absence and sleep disorders.

Conclusions

Social support may influence occupational injury outcomes. This finding highlights the need for further examination of social factors among this vulnerable population.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Dimensions of role and identity in young informal workers in the tourism sector
Authors: Obispo Salazar K. J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Work is a sine qua non condition of “normal” life for most
people, since it is the main source of income, feelings and social integration (Méda, 2007).
It is an important factor of socialization, as well as an identity provider (Agulló, 1998).
Identity was assumed as a constant construction process in which the person is positioned and
recognized, and which has an important relationship with the dimensions of the role (Scheibe,
1995). All this in a context of insertion into the labor market for young people, which is
usually framed in informality.

Objectives

Describe the dimensions of the role and identity of the young informal worker in the
tourism sector of Santa Marta

Methods

This was a qualitative study, with a phenomenological design. The participants were
selected for convenience, and the sample size was determined by the saturation criterion. A
total of nine young informal workers participated. The semi-structured interview and the
content analysis technique were used for data analysis.

Results

The dimensions of status, involvement and assessment allowed us to deduce that the
role played by young people was central in the description and construction of their
identity, as well as the implications and the place occupied by the tourist, the family and
co-workers in the activity that they carry out. develop, because they are the ones who
validate and motivate people to stay and mobilize in that work context, expressing
“So I tried when the tourist managed to capture my attention I started
explaining about the…” (P4). That these dimensions are high indicates that
there is a close relationship between role and identity.

Conclusions

If identity is read from the social positions that are recognized by others (Scheibe,
1999), particularly the findings of this research showed that characters such as family,
tourists, co-workers and friends intervene significantly in the recognition of the roles
assumed, which makes the young person stay in this activity and market, as well as find
satisfaction in it. Through the dimensions of the role, it was evidenced that at work it is
possible to configure the identity of young people. For Lucena et al. (2018) when a person
who does part of this type of work and refers to it, is talking about himself.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Meals and Movies: What Makes Our Microbiota Merry?
Authors: Yousef O. , De Souza S.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

A healthy microbiota should be on all our Christmas lists this year. There is compelling evidence that good gut health is associated with better mental health, especially important during these cold winters. To spark some joy during this time, many of us enjoy a festive film and we can probably admit we also overindulge during the festive season.

Objectives

We aim to investigate “what is the impact of festive cinematic diets on the gut microbiota?”.

Methods

We identified films and broke down the festive meals into their constituents. Using our MINCE PIE (Microbiota INdex of Comparative Evaluation for Pictorial Infographic Evidence) scoring equation (=Microbiota Enhancing Food Groups - Microbiota Detrimental Food Groups), we formulated scores for 12 festive films. We sought to rate meals in each film to assess their relative ability to enhance the gut microbiotia.

Results

Most festive films contained meals or foods from a typical “Western diet” i.e., high sugar/high fat. These meals overall show negative effects. However some films did promote diets containing a cornucopia of fibre, beneficial proteins or polyphenols. These are the gifts under the Christmas tree for our microbiota.

Conclusions

Good balance is needed in our microbiota, and consequently influences our mental health. Many festive films portray a “Western diet”, which leads to dysbiosis. Through the gut-brain axis and the influence of media, the festive foods eaten in these films (maybe an extra chocolate biscuit during Love Actually) may cause stress to our microbiota.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Study of the association of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and anxiety-depressive diseases
Authors: Ben Afia L. , Brahim D. , Youssef I. , Ernez S. , Ayed W. , Mersni M. , Mechergui N. , Ladhari N.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Mental disorders, musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) and their comorbidities are major threats to work and functional ability. The relationship between mental health and the common MSDs has not received enough attention

Objectives

To study the socio-professional characteristics of workers suffering from work related MSD

To evaluate the association of work related MSDs with anxiety and depression disorders

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among workers with work-related MSDs who consulted the occupational medicine department of the Charles Nicolle Hospital between January 2022 and September 2022. A remote survey was conducted among these workers to screen for anxiety and depressive disorders using the Hospital anxiety and Depressive Scale

Results

The study population consisted of 54 workers with MSDs with a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.74. The average age was 44.4 [27-61 years]. The average professional seniority was 14.9 years±7 years and the sectors with the highest prevalence of MSDs were the health sector (22%), the food industry (13%) and the textile industry (11%). The workers reported MSDs of the lumbar spine in 61%, gonarthrosis in 31%, followed by MSDs of the upper limb in 25%. The prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders were respectively 46% and 38%. There was no significant association between socio-demographic factors and anxiety depressive disorders. The anxiety disorder was associated with MSDs of the lumbar spine (p: 0.05; OR: 0.32 CI95% [0.1-1.09]).

Conclusions

Anxiety and depressive disorders were common among workers with MSDs related to work. Interventions targeting psychological distress and work-related psychosocial characteristics may reduce their musculoskeletal pain.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Assessment of the quality of life of workers exposed to organic solvents: Study of 33 cases
Authors: Ziedi H. , Brahim D. , Ben Said H. , Moussa A. , Ayed W. , Ernez S. , Youssef I. , Ladhari N.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Exposure to organic solvents (SO) is a significant occupational hazard in industrial settings. This can lead to neurobehavioural and physical effects that can affect the quality of life of workers

Objectives

To assess, using a validated questionnaire, the quality of life of workers exposed to SO.

Methods

Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the occupational medicine department of the Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis, which interested patients exposed to SO who had consulted for a medical opinion on fitness for duty during the period from January 1, 2017 to August 31, 2022. The data collection was carried out by a telephone call using the SF12 questionnaire. Socio-demographic and medical data were completed from medical records.

Results

We identified 51 workers exposed to OS. Thirty-three employees agreed to answer the SF12 questionnaire, for a response rate of 65%. The average age was 44 8 years with a clear male predominance of 75%. The most represented sectors of activity were the automobile industry (34%), followed by the leather and footwear industry (15%) and the plastics industry (12%). The jobs most exposed to SO were manual workers (54%) and painters (9%). The median occupational seniority was 15[10; 23] years. Comorbidities were observed in 72% of employees. The average physical composite score was 48%. The average mental composite score was 49%. The average overall score was 49%. Average quality of life (overall SF12 score above 50) was noted in 60% of the population. Moderate disability (overall SF12 score between 30 and 39) was found in 18% of respondents. Twenty-one percent of workers had a severe disability (overall SF12 score below 30).

Conclusions

In addition to socio-professional conditions, exposure to SO may be implicated in altering the quality of life of exposed workers. This implies the need to strengthen preventive measures in order to preserve the mental and physical health of these workers.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared