bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explore the mechanisms by which prenatal stress can lead to the emergence of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders among children
Authors: Downes N.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Maternal stress experienced during pregnancy has potential lasting consequences on child development. One mechanism that can explain certain links between the activity of the maternal stress axis during pregnancy and the developmental trajectory of children is the maternal hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Nevertheless, further exploration is needed as there are methodological limits in the existing literature, such as the lack of longitudinal data.

Objectives

To fill this gap, this DEVSTRESS research project was created with the aim of increasing our understanding of the mechanisms linking prenatal maternal stress to child development using longitudinal data from the EDEN cohort study.

Methods

In this sample, various bio-psycho-social data were collected: (1) maternal stress was measured during pregnancy via questionnaires assessing childhood adversity, major life events, work-related stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms; (2) children’s emotional and behavioural problems were reported at 3, 5, 8 and 11 years, and cognitive development was assessed by psychologists at 5 years of age; (3) maternal and child hair samples provided data on the level of cortisol in the hair, which were used as a biological marker of stress and were collected at birth for both mother and child, as well as 1, 3, and 5 years after birth from children.

Results

Various statistical analyses have been conducted using this data to explore the longitudinal links between self-reported maternal prenatal stress and child outcomes.

Conclusions

This research project will be concluded in 2023, thus findings from the overall DEVSTRESS project and practical recommendations will be provided.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The Translation and Adaptation Of The Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) To Azerbaijan Culture
Authors: Osmanli N. , Ergene T. , Ozer A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The lack of valid and reliable screening tools is the one of the significant barriers to the extension of studies in child and adolescent mental health in Azerbaijan culture.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to adapt the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL 6-18) to Azerbaijan culture.

Methods

Study group of the research is consist of 1232 (630 female, 599 male) children and adolescents between the ages of 6-17 studying in classes 1 to 11 in Azerbaijan.The ability to explain the data obtained from Azerbaijani Version of CBCL by theoretical model was examined by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results

The RMSEA index was calculated as .09 for the one-dimensional alternative model and Comparative Fit Index as .93 for CBCL Azerbaijani Version. It was concluded that the alternative one-dimensional model, where a series of indexes were evaluated together, has an acceptable fit.Internal consistency coefficients were calculated as .94 for Total Problems, .87 for Internalizationand .87 for Externatilazation. The internal consistency coefficients for the empirically based problem subtests varied between .62 and .86.Correlations with total score of total syndrome subtests of the checklist were calculated for female and male students and 6-11/12-17 ages, and a positive and significant correlation was found for female and male students and 6-11/12-17 age groups (p <.05). The correlations between the Total Problem and all syndrome subtests ranged from .68 to .88 for boys and .67 to .88 for girls. Furthermore, a strong correlation (r> .70) between Anxiety/Depression, Social Withdrawn/Depression and Internalizing Problems and between Aggressive Behavior, Delinquent Behaviour problem subtests and Externalizing Problems, was detected.It was found that Externalizing Problems and Aggressive Behavior subtests of boys has a significantly higher average than girls (p<.05).It was concluded that the scores of Social Withdrawn/Depression and Internalizing Problems of girls and Social Problems and Thought Problems of boys increases, and Social Withdrawn/Depression and Internalizing Problems scores of boys decreases as the age increases.

Conclusions

Considering that a row of indexes is evaluated together in examining model fit, it can be said that the model consisting of eight factors has an acceptable fit.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5,child and adolescent version: A transcultural validation
Authors: Kouki N. , Bourgou S. , Rezgui H. , Naffeti A. , Hamdoun M. , Belhadj A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Posttraumatic stress disorder in the paediatric population has clinical features. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5,child and adolescent version (CAPS-CA-5) is the gold standard for the positive diagnosis.

Objectives

The objectives of our work were to translate the CAPS-CA-5 into Tunisian dialectal Arabic and to validate it in our Tunisian sociocultural context.

Methods

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the child psychiatry department of Mongi Slim Hospital and the forensic medicine department of Charles-Nicolle Hospital (Tunisia), among children older than seven years who were exposed to a potentially traumatic event at least one month before. We validated the tool through translation, content, construct validity and reliability. The statistical processing for this data was carried out using SPSS 26 software.

Results

We conducted our study with 150 patients. The validation was made on 146 records after the exclusion of 4 incompleted assessments.

We initially translated the CAPS-CA-5 into Tunisian dialect. We validated the content through pre-test and scientific committee evaluation.

Afterwards, we validated the construction. We calculated the Bartlett’s sphericity test (p<0.001) .The KMO index that was 0.766.

Concerning the reliability study, we found a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient equal to 0.92. We studied also the inter-raters reliability; we found an intra-class coefficient between 0.8 and 1

Conclusions

We validated the first Tunisian diagnostic tool for PTSD in children according to the DSM-5 criteria with satisfactory psychometric qualities.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Analysis of the factors that influence caregiver burden in adolescents with dual diagnosis
Authors: Susana Perez S. , Martin-Herrero I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Serious mental illness in adolescence that not only has a significant impact on the patient but also on other contexts such as their family. Caregivers assume almost all of the care. This responsibility exposes caregivers to intense overload with negative consequences.

Objectives

To evaluate and quantify the overload of the primary caregiver in children and adolescents with severe mental disorders.

Methods

A prospective study was designed using structured interviews in caregivers of patients between 11 and 18 years of age with severe mental disorders and substance use who were evaluated in the psychiatric emergency service for 2 months. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale was used for quantitative assessment. Diagnosis, main caregiver, socio-health resources were recorded.

Results

Of a total of 35 patients with serious mental illness between 11 and 16 years of age, the following was observed: intense caregiver burden in 42.2% of cases, moderate in 21%. Being the main caregiver the mother. 27.5% had adequate use of socio-health resources, while 42.7% had not requested them. The greatest need detected was economic and rehabilitation.

Conclusions

Serious mental disorder present since adolescence leads families to significant destabilization of the family nucleus and comorbidity of psychiatric disorders in caregivers. Good orientation and evaluation of individual cases are necessary to guide families about the resources available in the social and health network, thus avoiding a high overload of caregivers and improving the quality of life of families.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Differential diagnosis of psychosis and dissociative disorder: a case report
Authors: Arroyo Sánchez E. , Setién Preciados P.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Psychosis and dissociative disorders are both described in the DSM-5 as different diagnostic categories. However, a high comorbidity of these diagnoses has been observed in different studies, perhaps due to the overlapping of symptoms between them.

Objectives

A systematic review about overlapping symptoms in psychotic spectrum and dissociative disorders

Methods

Presentation of the case of a patient and review of the existing literature on the differential diagnosis between dissociative disorder and other psychotic spectrum disorders.

Results

Both similarities and differences have been found between both diagnoses. Patients with dissociative disorder experienced more dissociative and positive symptoms while those on the psychotic spectrum experienced more negative symptoms. The literature reflects that the two entities overlap on many of their diagnostic symptoms. On some occasions, more dissociation has been detected in patients diagnosed with the psychotic spectrum than those with a diagnosis of dissociative disorder.

Conclusions

Despite the fact of being different diagnostic entities, the literature does not reflect clear boundaries between psychosis spectrum symptoms and dissociative disorder.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Psychotropic drugs and the environment: a comprehensive analysis of surface water concentrations and associated risks
Authors: Luykx J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

For most countries it is currently unknown to what degree concentrations of psychotropic drugs in surface water exceed environmental threshold concentrations (ETCs) [MOU1] for ecosystems and what risk mitigation could be applied. ETCs are defined as per-compound threshold concentrations above which detrimental effects on reproduction, growth, and mortality of aquatic organisms cannot be exclude

Objectives

To quantify levels of antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines in surface water, investigate their sources and assess whether these levels exceed ETCs.

Methods: Design

Cross-sectional analysis of measured and modeled data. Environmental levels were compared to ETCs to evaluate their risks for the aquatic environment. Finally, sources of psychotropic drugs were investigated.

Setting

All available Dutch water monitoring data from all regional and national monitoring campaigns of 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exposures

Concentrations of aripiprazole, carbamazepine and its metabolites, clozapine, diazepam, (es)citalopram, fluoxetine, haloperidol, nortriptyline, olanzapine, oxazepam, temazepam, quetiapine, sertraline, valproic acid, and venlafaxine.

Main outcomes and measures

The main outcomes were measured and modeled concentrations of the aforementioned agents in surface water. As a secondary outcome, where possible, average risk quotients (RQs) were calculated by dividing the measured or modeled concentrations by the ETC. An RQ > 1 was interpreted as a risk to the environment.

Results

Psychotropic drug samples (n=1201; 14-520 measurements per drug) showed the highest average concentrations for oxazepam (0.91 μg/L; RQ = 1.89) and carbamazepine (0.74 μg/L; RQ = 1.48), with individual measurements exceeding ETCs. For other drugs, measured concentrations did not reach the detection limit (amisulpride, (es)citalopram, quetiapine, and venlafaxine) or did not exceed the ETC (fluoxetine). Furthermore, households contributed most to psychotropics in surface water. Finally, psychotropics were cleared less efficiently from a wastewater treatment plant than other medications.

Conclusions

Psychotropic drugs are present in surface water, are primarily emitted by households, and may put organisms at risk. We signal a need to reduce concentrations of several psychotropic agents in the environment. Our findings set the stage for policies and research aimed at curtailing emissions of psychotropic drugs into the environment and highlight a need for responsible prescribing and waste measures.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Crohn disease and schizophrenia: fortuitous association or etiopathogenic link?
Authors: Zineb B. , Aicha T. , Imane K. , Fouad L. , Abderrazak O.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of multifactorial etiology. Its association with psychiatric disorders has frequently been reported, mainly with depressive or anxiety disorders.However, its association with schizophrenia remains exceptional.

Objectives

we will try to discuss this association.

Methods

In this regard, we report the case of a young patient, aged 24, diagnosed 5 years ago with Crohn’s disease, evolving by remission flares, currently treated with Azathioprine, after failure of corticosteroid bolus.

Results

The patient was admitted to psychiatry for aggression towards his parents.In view of the history of the disorders as reported by the family and the psychiatric interview, the diagnosis of schizophrenia was retained and the patient was put on amisulpride.

Conclusions

Schizophrenia and Crohn’s disease are relatively frequent diseases, generally occurring at a young age, whose etiopathogenesis, multifactorial, involves in both cases genetic, environmental and immunological factors.Their association does not seem fortuitous and arouses both etiopathogenic and therapeutic interest, but studies involving a large number of patients would make it possible to elucidate the link between these two diseases.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
THE COMPLEXITY OF DUAL PATHOLOGY: REGARDING A CASE REPORT OF SEIZURES
Authors: De Andrade M. F. , Magalhães M. , Gil L. , Viveiros V. , Moreira C.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is a potentially reversible neuropsychiatric emergency caused by thiamine deficiency, whose classical triad consists of acute onset of confusion, gait ataxia, and oculomotor dysfunction. The diagnosis is missed in 75-80% of cases and approximately 80% of untreated patients develop Korsakoff Syndrome, which is characterized by memory impairment associated with confabulation. Early recognition of nutritional deficiency or any portion of the triad is critical and should prompt treatment, since WE is readily reversible if treated with adequate doses of parenteral thiamine.

Objectives

Starting from a case report of suspected WE, we pretend to discuss the differential diagnosis of seizures in dual pathology.

Methods

Non-systematic review of the literature was performed in PubMed database using the keywords “Wernicke’s Encephalopathy”, “Seizures”, “Alcohol” and “Benzodiazepines”. The articles were selected according to their relevance. A patient´s clinical record was reviewed and presented.

Results

We present a case of a 44-year-old Ukrainian man with suspected background of chronic alcohol abuse and psychiatric history of schizoaffective disorder, who presented with acute onset of confusion, psychomotor agitation, gait ataxia and nystagmus. Anamnesis was hampered by the language barrier and absence of past medical history and patient’s alcoholic habits remained unclear. After suspicion of WE it was introduced thiamine and diazepam, with significant improvement. After discontinuation of diazepam, the patient presented with several episodes of tonic-clonic seizures. He was medicated for seizures with clinical stabilization. At time of discharge the diagnostic discussion prevailed.

Seizures are a common presentation of various conditions associated with alcohol use, whose differential diagnosis is difficult, especially in patients with dubious alcohol consumption. Alcohol abuse is a major precipitant of status epilepticus as seizure threshold is raised by alcohol drinking. Seizures may also occur during alcohol withdrawal, for which treatment with benzodiazepines is recommended, however carefully, since both abrupt cessation and high-dose use are critical for the appearance of seizures. Although very rare, WE may also present with seizures, whereby overdiagnosis and overtreatment are preferred to prevent persistent neurocognitive impairments.

Conclusions

This case illustrates the complexity of neuropsychiatric diagnoses in dual pathology. It requires a longitudinal assessment for a better understanding of clinical conditions and establishment of the best therapeutic approach.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome - A Case Report of an uncommon condition
Authors: Peixoto B. , Bicho M. , Cruz M. , Mendonça M. , Ustares V.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The increasing prevalence of cannabis use in the world requires awareness of cannabis-related disorders such as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). CHS is characterized by cyclic episodes of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, affecting chronic cannabis users, who usually recur to hot showers to relief the symptoms. The pathophysiology underlying this syndrome is still unclear. Despite the well-established anti-emetic properties of cannabis, there is increasing evidence of its paradoxical effects on the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system.

Objectives

The authors pretend to inform the readers about the rare Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).

Methods

The authors describe a case of a 22 years old patient with chronic cannabis use, cyclic and intractable nausea and vomiting, to bring to the attention that this condition exists and is underdiagnosed.

Results

CHS should be strongly considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent vomiting in patients who reports relief with hot showers. In the acute setting, supportive care with intravenous fluids, dopamine antagonists, topical capsaicin cream, and avoidance of narcotic medications has shown some benefit. However, cannabis cessation appears to be the best treatment.

Conclusions

CHS prevalence will continue to rise in parallel with increasing worldwide cannabis use and potency. So, health professionals must be aware of this syndrome, its diagnosis, and treatment, to provide better care and avoid overlooking CHS. Further research is required to elicit the exact mechanism and additional therapies for this condition.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Depression and Anxiety in Cardiac Disease, diagnosing and screening
Authors: Jupe T. , Provi K. , Zenelaj B. , Myslimi E. , Giannopoulos I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Among patients with heart disease, such as coronary artery disease or heart failure, depression and anxiety disorders are extremely common. In these populations, 20% to 40% have elevated depressive symptoms, and 15% to 20% suffer from MDD. Anxiety may be even more common than depression. A recent meta-analysis suggests that over 50% of patients with heart failure have elevated rates of anxiety, and 13% meet criteria for an anxiety disorder. These prevalence rates are significantly higher than those in the general population and highlight the high-risk status of cardiac patients for these disorders.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to highlight the frequency of anxiety and depression in patients with cardiac health problems and to explain the mechanism by which anxiety and depression influence the manifestation of cardiac diseases.

Methods

Α bibliographical review was performed using the PubMED platform. All relevant articles were found using the keywords: depression, anxiety, cardiac disease.

Results

The links between depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease are complex and involve psychological, biological, and behavioral mechanisms. Depression, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease frequently co-occur because they share common behavioral and pathophysiological drivers-unhealthy lifestyle, autonomic dysregulation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation-that are intricately related to one another.

Conclusions

In patients with cardiovascular disease, depression and anxiety disorders are common, persistent, and associated with poor functional and cardiac outcomes. As such, making a timely and accurate clinical diagnosis using DSM-5 criteria is critical. Safe and effective treatments are available for the management of these disorders in patients with cardiac disease, and it is hoped that such treatment can improve psychiatric health, quality of life, and medical outcomes.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
A look at post-pandemic conjugality: a clinical case study
Authors: Pires-Lima C. , Figueiredo M. H. , Salgueiro A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The co-construction of conjugality is influenced by the interactions established in the family as a whole. It manifests itself, therefore, as a relational model in the expression of affectivity and the management of conflicts.

Objectives

In this clinical case report, the couple assumes relational difficulties focused on the significant reduction of time in individual leisure activities and, on the other hand, a 24-hour coexistence in the same space, in a period of compulsory confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This study is exploratory-descriptive, using the case study as an empirical approach.

Results

The case described, reports to Couples Therapy, with the sessions taking place in 2022, in a total of seven. The couple, N, male, and J, female, have been married since 2020, shortly before the first confinement because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding their marital relationship, they reported that it deteriorated due to the difficulty in expressing an adaptive reaction to the stressor confinement and the opposite position regarding their desire to become parents.

Conclusions

Integrative strategies were developed, with different theoretical and operative references. The couple took control of their relationship due to a greater empathic awareness and the establishment of a healthy and balanced communication system.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health outcomes in delusional disorder: A systematic review
Authors: Román E. , Natividad M. , Seeman M. V. , Izquierdo E. , Martínez E. , Rial E. , Alvarez A. , Guàrdia A. , Monreal J. A. , González-Rodríguez A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely recognized in both physical and mental health. Relatively little attention has been paid to patients with delusional disorder (DD).

Objectives

Our goal was to synthesize the known mental and physical health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients diagnosed with DD.

Methods

A systematic review was carried out using the PubMed and Scopus database (2019-October 2022) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Search terms: “delusional disorder” or “delusional disorder” AND “COVID-19 OR SARS-CoV2.” Inclusion criteria: 1)DD according to DSM/ICD, 2)languages: English, French, German and Spanish, 3)studies reporting health consequences of COVID-19 pandemic. From a total of 615 records, 6 were included: meta-analysis (n=1), cross-sectional studies (n=2), retrospective study (n=1), case reports (n=2).

Results

A full third of patients with psychosis (including DD) presented with increased psychiatric symptom severity, reportedly activated by increased daily life stress. Suicidal behavior was reported in a previously undiagnosed DD patient in association with a worsening clinical picture. Perhaps surprisingly, admissions for DD in 2020 were lower than in 2019. The duration of hospitalization was, however, longer. There was a report of new onset DD with delusional material centred on COVID. There was also a report of COVID-19 symptoms being more severe in DD patients than in the larger community.

Conclusions

Health emergencies affect the seriously mentally ill more than other community members. Awareness and outreach can help to maintain treatment adherence and minimize risk of psychotic exacerbation.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The cognitive consequences of the COVID-19 infection and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia: Is there a link?
Authors: Costandache G. I. , Oroian B. A. , Salaru A. P. , Ionescu P. F. , Mihai C.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Frontotemporal dementia behavioral variant (bvFTD) is the most common subtype of frontotemporal dementia, characterized by early and often severely disabling alterations in personality and social conduct that carry a huge impact on the patient, family, and society.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to correlate the clinical data collected from our patient with relevant literature and discuss the diagnosis of bvFTD in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Case report and a systematic review of the literature.

Results

The middle-aged female patient we examined presented an array of psychiatric symptoms, including cognitive, behavioral, and personality changes that emerged in two months after a mild form of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objectively, a cranial CT scan displayed frontal and anterior temporal lobe atrophy. The rapid and severe decline of the patient’s mental faculties throughout the last year, along with the circumstances in which the pathology developed, raised a question about the etiological factors that contributed to this early-onset dementia.

Conclusions

Although diagnostic criteria are useful, frontotemporal dementia may be difficult to differentiate from other conditions because there are no disease-specific biomarkers. Correlations between the COVID-19 infection and the fulminant bvFTD symptoms remain unclear and require further investigations.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The exploration of interoception construct in COVID-19 survivors
Authors: D’Orsi G. , Palladini M. , Scalabrini A. , Mazza M. G. , Poletti S. , Rovere-Querini P. , Benedetti F.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has important physical and mental health implications at short and long term. Some inflammatory parameters are implicated in the maintenance of psychiatric symptoms, especially those of anxiety and depression. Additionally, growing literature attributes a role to interoception in several mental health conditions.

Objectives

We investigated the involvement of the interoception in COVID-19 survivors and its possible associations with psychopathological and inflammatory variables.

Methods

Our study included 57 people surviving COVID-19 at one month follow-up after recovery. Individual interoceptive accuracy (IA) measure was obtained through heart-beat perception task. A measure of accuracy in external time perception (TA) was also obtained asking people to mentally produce a duration of 10s. Each participant completed State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI-Y; Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale - ZSDS; Beck Depression Inventory - BDI-II; Impact of Events Scale - IES-R and Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness - MAIA. Peripheral inflammation markers were obtained in a subsample of 40 people by a blood sampling conducted at the time of admission and discharge from hospital. Correlation, regression and GLM analyses were performed with SPSS. Mediation analysis were performed with Hayes’ Process tool.

Results

TA is not associated with IA, symptomatological measures and bodily awareness. Trusting is the only aspect of body awareness associated with IA (p=.021). Noticing (p=.010), Not-distracting (p=.009), Not-worrying (p=.012) and Trusting (p=.001) predict anxiety psychopathology. Poor IA predict anxiety symptomatology (p=.004) and part of this effect is mediated by Trusting [Fig.1]. In the end, platelets count at the time of hospitalization negatively correlates with anxiety symptoms (p=.003).

Image:

Conclusions

COVID-19 hospitalization could be considered a psychophysical traumatic experience which involved mental and physical health and the connection and integration between them. It’s necessary to deepen the different facets of body awareness and IA in post-covid stages and to study how interoceptive dimensions change over time. Further research is needed to investigate the specific role of platelets in prominent anxiety psychopathology detected in COVID-19 survivors, wondering about their possible involvement in the dysfunctional interoception process too.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
THE COMPLIANCE OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION TO MEDICATION AND FOLLOW-UP DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Anagnostaki M. E. , Anagnostaki I. , Papaspiropoulou G.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The current SARS Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected primary care and health system services provided to chronically ill patients, such as patients with Diabetes Mellitus, Dyslipidemia and Hypertension.

Objectives

The recording of the number of unfulfilled scheduled visits of Psychiatric patients who are monitored in the Pathological Outpatient Clinic of Arterial Hypertension at the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica due to non-attendance, before the pandemic (9/2018 -2/2020) and during its evolution (3/2020-2 /2022).

Methods

The study was done retrospectively and included 1515 patients with a Psychiatric history and concomitant Hypertension who were examined at Outpatient Clinics during the aforementioned time intervals. The rates of missed scheduled visits, as well as discontinuation of treatment without a doctor’s indication were compared and the statistical method used was χ2 with a significance level of p<0.05.

Results

The percentage of scheduled appointments that did not take place due to patient no-shows during the pre-pandemic period was 22% (550/2500). During the pandemic the non-attendance rate increased to 36% (1132/3145). The increase in the rate of missed appointments was statistically significant with p<0.001. Correspondingly, the difference in recorded discontinuation of treatment was statistically significant, 26% (523/2011) versus 33% 743/2252).

Conclusions

Στην παρούσα μελέτη διαπιστώνεται στατιστικά σημαντική αύξηση της μη προσέλευσης Ψυχιατρικών ασθενών στα Παθολογικά Εξωτερικά Ιατρεία τη περίοδο της πανδημίας. Επίσης το πρόβλημα της μη συμμόρφωσης στη συνιστώμενη αγωγή διογκώθηκε καθώς καταγράφηκε μεγαλύτερο ποσοστό μη συνιστώμενης διακοπής αγωγής για την Αρτηριακή Υπέρταση .

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
COVID-19-associated schizophrenia-like psychosis during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bravve L. , Zakharova N.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The viral theory of the development of psychoses was formulated in the 19th century, but the role of viral agents in the pathogenesis of psychoses remains a matter of debate. In the context of the 2020 pandemic, the results of several papers on the characteristics of psychotic disorders in COVID-19 have been published. Coronaviruses are neuroinvasive, capable of affecting mental and body functions.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to identify patients with acute psychosis without a history of mental disorders in order to test the hypothesis about the possibility of manifestation of schizophreniform psychosis due to a viral attack.

Methods

Within a year and a half, 50 patients with mental disorders associated with COVID-19 were identified. The reason for hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital is the development of acute schizophreniform psychosis against the background of a new coronavirus infection. The diagnosis was verified according to traditional clinical criteria and modern psychometric tools. Inclusion criteria: no previous visits to a psychiatrist; verified acute polymorphic psychotic disorder and coronavirus infection COVID-19 (ICD-10); manifestation of psychosis against the background of infection with COVID-19; age 18-60 years; consent to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria: signs of organic brain damage; indications of substance abuse; delirium of any etiology; somatic pathology in the stage of decompensation.

Results

27 women (54%) and 23 men (46%), aged 20 to 57 years (average age 34.5±7.6), of which 18 people (36%) worked, 2 (4%) studied , 29 (58%) people are unemployed. 27 people (54%) are single, 16 (32%) are married, 7 (14%) are divorced; 18 people (36%) were raising children, which indirectly indicated a relatively favorable premorbid functioning. At the time of the examination, the condition was determined by polymorphic psychotic symptoms with a predominance of dissociative-delusional, paraphrenic and oneiric phenomena with plots containing plots of infection and the spread of coronavirus. At the same time, the sum of PANSS is from 53 to 130 (85) points, including PANSS P - from 15 to 37 (27), PANSS N - from 7 to 44 (18), PANSS G - from 23 to 57 (39.9 ); P1 - 5.7; P3 - 5.1. When comparing the obtained data with the world experience, we found some differences. Delusional symptoms were diagnosed twice as rarely, cases with tactile hallucinations were not detected, but catatonic symptoms were observed twice as often, and manic arousal was twice as rare. In general, the studied data are comparable with the results published in the world practice.

Conclusions

The unique experience of the coronavirus pandemic will allow us to assess the influence of environmental factors, namely the role of infections, in the manifestation or predisposition to schizophrenia spectrum disorders. It is planned to evaluate the dynamics of the course of the disorder after the relief of the acute period.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The use of antidementia therapy in non-dementia cognitive disorders associated with COVID-19
Authors: Liubov P. , Iashina I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The new coronavirus infection causes severe damage to the human body. One of the most serious complication is cognitive impairment.

According to a meta-analysis by Maxime Taquet et al. (2021), which assessed neurological and psychiatric outcomes among 236,379 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, 1.7% of participants over 65 years of age were diagnosed with dementia.

In a US online survey of 1,500 people (Sarah Ballou et al., 2020), about half reported difficulty concentrating on any task after experiencing COVID-19.

It was also found that there is a decrease in the speed of reactions and problem-solving (Jeffrey D. Pyne et al., 2021).

There are a number of studies that present the evidence-based efficacy of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors in dementia prevention.

However, in accordance with clinical guidelines for cognitive disorders in the elderly, anti-dementia drugs are not used at the stage of mild to moderate cognitive impairment (Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 2020).

Objectives

The use of AChE inhibitors in cognitive impairments that do not reach the degree of dementia.

Methods

Research data from open sources.

Results

The development of early cholinergic deficiency correlates with the development of cognitive impairment, while acetylcholine has a pronounced neuroplastic effect and increases the number of neurons (Gabriela Dumitrita Stanciu et al., 2019).

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a positive effect of rivastigmine was found in patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. The study’s results show that rivastigmine treatment (3, 6, 9 mg/day) for six months increases brain activity of the hippocampus in the control group by 32,5%. Rivastigmine prevented the clinical progression of symptoms of cognitive impairment and caused activation of some parts of the cerebral cortex (Nagaendran Kandiah et al., 2017).

In a study by Wolfson C. et al. (2002), it was found that rivastigmine can slow down the development of cognitive impairment for at least six months in patients with mild to moderate massive cognitive dysfunction. Subjects treated with 1 to 21 mg per day for 7 to 12 weeks got more favorable ADAS-cog scores for the six months after treatment. While those who took the drug in doses of 6 to 12 mg showed a more pronounced positive effect compared to the placebo group.

The Luca Rozzini in 2006 conducted a study based on 59 subjects with mild cognitive impairment. 15 subjects received both neuropsychological examination and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. As a result, the remaining subjects were behind in terms of abstract thinking and behavioral symptoms, in comparison with a combined treatment group.

Conclusions

It is advisable to conduct further studies on the effectiveness of AChE inhibitors to prevent the progression of mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their transition to dementia.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Quality of life and fear of death among patients living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic second wave
Authors: Titova V. V. , Rozhdestvenskiy V. I. , Gorkovaya I. A. , Ivanov D. O. , Aleksandrovich Y. S.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The new coronavirus pandemic has brought the issue of life quality to the forefront. Among HIV-infected patients, life quality may be associated with fear of death.

Objectives

The study aimed to investigate the life quality and death fear among HIV-infected patients during the pandemic second wave in Russia.

Methods

The data were collected from February to July 2021 using a Google form that we developed. Fifty-nine patients living with HIV participated in the study. We used the WHOQOL-BREF to examine the quality of life and the Fear of Personal Death Scale to explore fear of death. Both questionnaires were adapted for use in Russia.

Results

We found the following mean values for the domains: “physical and psychological well-being” — M = 21.39±3.61; “self-perception” — M = 17.51±2.28; “microsocial support” — M = 9.15±2.94; “social well-being” — M = 24.81±5.33. We found that physical and psychological well-being were associated with the transcendental consequences of death (rxy = 0.274, p < 0.05), self-perception with body consequences (rxy = -0.304, p < 0.05) and fear of forgetting (rxy = -0.287, p < 0.05), and social well-being with body consequences (rxy = -0.310, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Life quality is related to intrapersonal, interpersonal, and supra-personal dimensions of death fear during the second wave of the pandemic among patients living with HIV. Such fact may indicate possible psychotherapeutic targets when working with this group of patients.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Individual behaviour self-regulation and emotional reactions among patients living with HIV during the second wave of the new coronavirus pandemic in Russia
Authors: Rozhdestvenskiy V. I. , Titova V. V. , Gorkovaya I. A. , Ivanov D. O. , Aleksandrovich Y. S.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to adapt to rapidly changing external conditions has increased dramatically. Predictors of successful adaptation can be the degree of development of individual self-regulation and its profile. The emotional state depends on successful adaptation.

Objectives

The study aimed to examine the individual self-regulation of behaviour and emotional reactions among patients living with HIV in Russia.

Methods

The data were collected from February to July 2021 using a Google form developed by us. Fifty-nine HIV-positive patients participated in the study. To diagnose the development of individual self-regulation and its profile, we used the Self-Regulation Style Questionnaire, to study depression, anxiety, and stress — DASS-21 adapted for use in Russia.

Results

We found that 10 % of respondents had a low overall level of self-regulation, 53 % had an average level, and 37 % had a high level. The average individual profile was as follows: predominance of planning (M = 6.24±1.90) over modelling (M = 5.69±1.90), programming (M = 5.93±1.66), and evaluating results (M = 5.78±1.60), which were approximately at the same level. Flexibility (M = 6.58±1.90) and autonomy (M = 5.56±2.08) scores were in the average normal range. Only two correlations were found: modelling was negatively associated with depression (rxy = -0.336, p < 0.01) and anxiety (rxy = -0.275, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Awareness and adequacy of perceptions of changes in external and internal significant conditions contribute to a favourable emotional status among people living with HIV.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Atopic Dermatitis and Major Depressive Disorder: is there causality?
Authors: Reis C. S. , Vieira A. , Martins P. S.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The association between Atopic Dermatitis (AD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has long been reported by some population-based observational studies. However, observational studies are susceptible to potential confounders and inverse causation, rendering it difficult to conclude about the causality of such association. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis is a novel epidemiological method to assess the causation between an exposure and an outcome, with less susceptibility to potential confounders and reverse causation by using genetic variants as instrumental variables.

Objectives

To report a clinical case of depression in association with atopic dermatitis and to review what contributions MR studies have been bringing to the matter of causality between AD and MDD.

Methods

Case report and literature review based on PubMed using the terms “atopic dermatitis”, “eczema”, “depression", “depressive”, “mood” and “Mendelian randomization”, which were searched in the title and abstract fields.

Results

Case-report: A 26-year-old man was admitted for inpatient treatment with a clinical picture of sadness, irritability, social isolation and insomnia, with 4 months of evolution, aggravated by suicidal ideation in the preceding days. On examination of the mental status, the patient had a frankly depressed mood, with congruent affects. He was contemplating suicide methods, pointing to sodium nitrite intoxication as an option. The patient related these symptoms to the worsening of his atopic dermatitis. In fact, he had a history of other depressive episodes contemporaries with periods of dermatological worsening.

Literature review: The PubMed research identified 7 articles, 4 of which assessed the causal effect of AD on MDD. Three studies did support a causal effect of AD genetic risk on MDD. One study supported a small causal effect of AD on MDD, with the significance disappearing when a stricter threshold for selection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms was applied.

Conclusions

The MR studies included in this poster favour the absence of a causal effect of AD on MDD, suggesting that the comorbidity observed clinically is unlikely to be causal. We must be aware that these studies are few and are not free of limitations (e.g. subgroup analysis for age and severity was not carried out, AD and MDD diagnosis were self-reported in some cases). Further research may help clarify the existence of causality and/or uncover the factors responsible for the observed association of AD with MDD in observational studies.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The involvement of Croatian psychiatrists in helping the displaced persons from Ukraine
Authors: Rojnic Kuzman M.
Published: August 2023

After two years of pandemic with COVID-19 Europe is facing a war, which has already caused numerous death and injuries, mass displacement, and aggravated the economic and energy crisis and has left most countries completely unprepared and created a humanitarian crisis. The COVID-19 pandemics crisis pointed out the unpreparedness of the health (including mental health) sectors for the emergency situations. However, we also learnt some of the practices that proved effective – including the fast creation of collaborative networks on a larger scale that also allowed fast spread of good practices and practical organisation of help. The European Psychiatric Association as well as individual national psychiatric association have started an informal network of solidarity for Ukraine on February 28th, 2022 to respond to the needs of people in Ukraine as verbalized by the Ukrainian mental health professionals, but also to the need of surrounding countries where people from Ukraine fled to. Through this network several actions, including financial support, medical donations and education. The Croatian Psychiatric Association took the lead in the organisation of education for first line helpers and volunteers from Ukraine and countries surrounding Ukraine where displaced persons fled to, in collaboration with many partners.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The therapeutic potential of psilocybin in depression resistant to psychotropic drugs
Authors: Ramírez González J. , Fernández Márquez I. , Ferreiro González S. , Ruíz E. M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The use of hallucinogens has accompanied the human being throughout history. In the 1970s, studies focused on the therapeutic potential of hallucinogens were blocked due to their misuse in the young population. At present, psilocybin is re-emerging as the center of attention due to its possible therapeutic potential in different psychiatric pathologies such as depression, anxiety or substance use.

Objectives

The main objective of this work has been to review recent studies on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in drug-resistant depressive disorder.

Methods

For the search for articles, the search strategy “psilocybin AND depression” was established in PUBMED. Regarding the inclusion criteria, it was established that they were recent articles, in Spanish or English and that the full text was freely accessible. On the other hand, those articles whose studies did not focus on humans and resistant depressive disorder were excluded. A total of 19 articles were obtained to review.

Results

Focusing on Drug-Resistant Depressive Disorder, multiple studies have agreed that the administration of one or two microdoses (10-25mg) of psilocybin accompanied by psychotherapy improves the clinical picture for at least 6 months. These results make us feel optimistic in the search for new treatments in the field of mental health.

Conclusions

Psilocybin microdoses associated with psychotherapy improves depressive symptoms in a patient resistant to common antidepressants.

The psilocybin response in terms of improvement of the depressive symptoms persists after 6 months of evolution.

One or, in some two cases, two microdoses of psilocybin (10-25mg) are enough to obtain statistically significant results in the improvement of the depressive symptoms.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
High number of refugees in Germany - how is the mental health care dealing with this major challenge?
Authors: Schouler-Ocak M.
Published: August 2023

Europe is again confronted with a new dramatic emergency, a war which has already caused civil victims, mass displacement and even fear about a nuclear war and energy crisis. Again, Europe is facing new waves of war refugees, forcibly displaced people. There is increasing evidence that a large proportion of refugees or forcibly displaced persons suffer from the consequences of traumatic events and exhibit psychological problems or develop mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive and anxiety disorders, and relapses in psychotic episodes. European countries are trying to face with an extraordinary surge of solidarity and generosity, but at the same time with the awareness that the needs are much beyond reaction capacity of individual people and states. The direct and indirect consequences of this humanitarian catastrophe cannot be estimated at present. Mental healthcare services are suddenly faced with major challenges and need to develop or expand strategies to address them. In this presentation, strategies from Germany will be presented and discussed.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared