bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Violence and War: A Documental Exploratory Research
Authors: Dos Santos M.A. , Soares Junior R.D.C.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

In a globalized world, violence, present in all forms and everywhere, it is a serious public health problem. Violence and war lead to death and leave marks on the bodies and minds, and the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that may develop following exposure to a potential event traumatic.

Results

In the 3-month period (January 2016 to April 2016), according to typological analysis of the journal cover, the following results were found: the type of prevailing violence was interpersonal, community, committed by a stranger (75%), followed by the violence of the economic type (16.7%), and finally interpersonal violence committed by partner (8.3%). Although not all cases have provided the number of people who perpetrated or suffered violence, most victims of violence were male (8), aged 3 months and 36 years, followed by 2 women, and as a perpetrator of violence the men were in excess (4 men) followed by one woman.

Discussion

Violence and war are traumatic stressors and risk factors for PTSD which, in turn, is also a risk factor to perpetrate violence, such as domestic violence. The costs of violence are high and its routinization as a way of life has important effects on the mental health of population.

Considerations

Scientific research, including qualitative studies, on PTSD, violence and war are necessary so that we have a better understanding of the phenomenon as well as to promote the mental health of all through early intervention or even in preventing the onset of this disorder.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Clinical Features of PTSD and Adjustment Disorders in Refugees from the Zone ATO
Authors: Kozhyna H. , Korostiy V. , Mykhaylov V.
Published: June 2017

Aim

To study clinical features of PTSD and adjustment disorders in refugees from the zone ATO.

Methods

We have a complex psychopathological and psychodiagnostic research 156 refugees in volunteer center in Kharkiv.

Results

Among the IDPs observed, 75.9% have violations of adaptation: long-term depressive reaction and predominant disturbance of other emotions. The men reactive alarm indicators (average – 37.7 ± 3.0), were higher than trait anxiety (average – 32.6 ± 2.9). On the contrary, women figures trait anxiety (average – 38.6 ± 2.9) were higher than reactive anxiety (average – 34.7 ± 3.0). Severity of depressive symptoms also slightly prevailed in women. The mean score on the Hamilton scale for men was 17.0 ± 2.3 points, women – 18.0 ± 2.3 points.

Test results on a scale of quality of life showed no significant differences between men and women. We have developed a medical and psychological support system to correct the neurotic disorders in refugees.

Conclusions

The majority of people who left the ATO zone have psycho-emotional disorders of different severity and require a further correction in the specialized medical institutions.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Prefrontal Cortex Neurochemical Changes in Single Prolonged Stress as a Model of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at 9.4 T
Authors: Lim S.I. , Song K.H. , Yoo C.H. , Woo D.C. , Choe B.Y.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Single prolonged stress (SPS) is an animal model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Until now, it has not been known how PTSD develops from the first exposure to traumatic events and neurochemical differences between acute/single stress and PTSD-triggering stress. The object of this study is to determine neurochemical changes in prefrontal cortex of rats using in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) at 9.4 T.

Method and Materials

Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 11; mean body weight: 200–220 g) were used. The SPS was used in this study. Rats were restrained for 2 h and then immediately forced to swim for 20 min in water (20–24 C). After a 15 min recuperation period, rats were exposed to ether until anesthesia occurred. MRS was performed 30 min before SPS, 30 min after the stressors, 3 and 7 days after the stressors to investigate time-dependent changes on metabolites levels in the PFC. Acquisition of MRI/MRS was conducted at four time points using 9.4 T Agilent Scanner. Concentration of metabolites was quantified by LCModel. A one-way ANOVA test with Tukey's HSD post-hoc test was used for statistical analyses.

Results

The SPS resulted in altered absolute metabolite concentrations for GABA [F(3.0) = 1.450, P = 0.035], glutamate [F(3.0) = 3.417, P = 0.026], glutathione [F(3.0) = 3.759, P = 0.018], NAA [F(3.0) = 3.919, P = 0.015], total choline [F(3.0) = 7.584, P = 0.000], total NAA [F(3.0) = 3.760, P = 0.018], total creatine [F(3.0) = 3.248, P = 0.032] and glutamine/glutamate [F(3.0) = 3.552, P = 0.023] among the four time points.

Conclusion

PTSD in human is associated with decreased neuronal activity in the PFC. In this study, SPS decreased glutamate (excitatory) and total choline (membrane turnover) on day 7.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Impact on New Onset Stress and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Relatives of Patients Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit Evaluated by Diaries Study
Authors: Sundararajan K.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

ICU diary is effective in aiding psychological recovery and reducing the incidence of new onset PTSD in patients three months after ICU discharge. The impact of ICU diaries on PTSD in relatives of critically ill patients in Australia has not been fully elucidated.

Aims and objectives

To determine the impact of ICU diaries on the incidence of PTSD, stress and family satisfaction in the relatives of critically ill patients.

Methods

One hundred and eight consecutive patients, staying > 48 hours in a tertiary ICU were identified. A survey using DASS-21, IES-R, and FS-ICU questionnaires was performed followed by a repeat survey 90 days post discharge from ICU. An IES-R score of > 33 was used to define PTSD. A FS-ICU score < 5 was used to define dissatisfaction.

Results

Forty subjects refused to participate, eight were excluded, sixty family members were included for analysis on an intention to treat basis which included 36 completed diaries. Whilst there was no association between PTSD at 3-month follow-up and diary use (P-value = 0.9), there was an association with PTSD at baseline (P-value = 0.02) and unemployment (P-value = 0.0045). Medical patients had mean PTSD score 3.0 units greater than surgical (estimate = 3.0, 95% CI: 0.3, 5.7). Families who were dissatisfied (FS-ICU score of < 5) were not at more at risk of developing PTSD than families who were satisfied (P-value = 0.74).

Conclusion

ICU diaries did not impact on the incidence of stress, family satisfaction with care and PTSD in relatives of patients in this index population.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Adolescent Mental Health Outcomes of Early Adversities: Not a Simple Story
Authors: Oldehinkel A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Living creatures are shaped by the their experiences in a constant process of adaptation. These experiences accumulate and so their relative weight diminishes across the lifespan. In children, the relative weight of new experience is high, and children's developing brains are programmed to learn like in no other life phase. Early adversities can thus have a major impact on later mental and physical health outcomes. However, the nature of impact of exposure to adversities early in life on further development is less straightforward than it may seem at first sight.

Objectives

In this presentation, I will address and illustrate a couple of issues that manifest the complexity of this association.

Methods

The data will come from TRAILS (Tracking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey), a longitudinal study on the development of mental health from preadolescence into young adulthood, with bi- or triennial assessments from age 11 onwards, for a period of over fifteen years.

Results

Results from various analyses indicate that early adversities do not lead to unfavorable outcomes in every person, and that the consequences of early adversities depend on their timing.

Conclusions

The experiences that individuals encounter during development are incorporated in a continuous process of adaptation that shapes them and keeps on doing throughout life. Considering the complexity and individuality of these processes, it is inevitable that research findings are often heterogeneous, and effect sizes small.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Relationship Between Values of the Health Care and Cognitive Beliefs About Body, Illness and Treatment: Is There “Hypochondriac Discourse” in the Society?
Authors: Kovyazina M. , Rasskazova E. , Tkhostov A. , Varako N.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Social values of health and health care are considered as important factors of health behavior as well as sources of self-regulation in health and illness. However, emphasize on medicine, health and body that is widespread in mass media nowadays may increase hypochondriac-like beliefs and behavior as well as the risk for unexplained somatic symptoms in some individuals.

Objectives

Analysis of mass media revealed four models of health care value: health as a depletable resource requiring conservation, health as fragile value requiring protection and control, health as a necessary source of success and happiness, health as requiring periodic restoration by alternative medicine.

Aim was to investigate the relationship between these models and beliefs about body, illness and treatment.

Methods

One hundred and thirteen adults without history of mental or severe somatic illnesses filled checklist of values of health care, Cognitive Attitudes about Body And Health Scale (Rief et al., 1998), Compliance-related Self-Efficacy Scale (Tkhostov and Rasskazova, 2012).

Results

The models of health as a depletable resource and as fragile value are dominated in the sample. Agreement with these models of health care is, on the one hand, related to willingness to seek medical help and follow treatment, but, on the other hand, to an excessive attention to bodily sensations, somatosensory amplification, monitoring and catastrophization about bodily sensations.

Conclusions

Possible pathways linking “hypochondriac discourse” in the society in its various forms and cognitive beliefs typical for hypochondria and somatoform disorders will be discussed. Research supported by Russian Foundation for fundamental research, project 17-06-00849.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Assessment the Probability of Formation Burnout Syndrome Among Health Care Workers
Authors: Kuzmina S. , Yakhin K. , Berkheeva Z.
Published: June 2017

Aim

Study of psychosocial risk factors in the formation of burnout syndrome.

Material and method

Based on a questionnaire developed by WHO experts for the European model of “health management, environment and security in the workplace”, conducted surveys 246 health care workers. Individual attention was paid to health, physical activity and nutrition.

Results

Survey conducted of the medical personnel showed high prevalence among them psychophysical, social and psychological, behavioral symptoms that allows to think of high probability of formation of a syndrome of professional burning out. Part of medical workers who have one complaint in each group of symptoms (psychophysiological, sociological-psychological, behavioral) – 18,7%. Part of HCW with two and more complaints in each group – 39% (Table 1). Prevalence of psychophysiological, sociological and psychological, behavioral symptoms among health care emergency workers is different (Table 2).

Table 1City n = 78 (%)Countryside n = 168 (%)Chi2PTotal n = 246Complaint in each group of symptoms16 (20.5)30 (17.9)0.010.96336 (18.7)Two complaints in each group of symptoms32 (41.0)64 (38.1)0.010.98296 (39.0)Three complaints in each group of symptoms18 (23.1)26 (15.5)0.40.54944 (17.9)

Table 2City n = 70 (%)Countryside n = 150 (%)Chi2PTotal n = 220Two and more of psychophysiological spts26 (37.1)12 (8)7.80.00538 (17.3)Two and more of sociological and psychological spts8 (11.4)24 (16)0.10.79332 (14.5)Two and more of behavioral spts10 (14.3)10 (6.7)0.70.41420 (9.1)

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Pre- and postnatal psychosocial intervention concepts
Authors: Egloff G. , Djordjevic D.
Published: June 2017

Psychiatry, psychoanalysis and infant mental health research of the last decades have led to intervention concepts for pre- and postnatal stages of human development. Such concepts reach from how parents-to-be can be prepared for parenthood to how to intervene in support of relation and attachment in infants, toddlers and older children. Especially the postnatal relation of infant and parents has been examined extensively, as have parental competencies. The expression of intuitive parental competencies (according to Papousek and Papousek) may be compromised by diverse factors, thus putting the infant's psychic development at risk in general. Early intervention concepts may help out to some extent. In German-speaking countries, there are intervention programs focusing on bonding as there are on handling, processing of and coping with trauma, on promoting secure attachment between infant and parents, on relational issues, on bodily contact, on understanding the infant's signals, including those of the preterm infant, as well as on educational practices. From prenatal period onwards up to kindergarten age there are structured interventions, including the involvement of parents and parents-to-be. Yet, some factors of psychic development and of pathology may not necessarily be reached by these. Whereas concepts on an individual level of personality education do exist, nevertheless there might have to be collective measures. There seems to be a need to augment the agenda as there is good reason to assume that in the last decades there has been a motion toward new social deprivation stemming from societal depravation processes, which might potentiate future deprivation.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
“The Wounded Healer”: An anti-stigma program targeted at healthcare professionals and students
Authors: Hankir A. , Carrick F. , Zaman R.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

“The wounded healer” (TWH) is an innovative method of pedagogy that blends art with science that is delivered by an award-winning doctor with first-hand experience of a mental health condition. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of TWH at reducing stigma from healthcare professionals and students towards their peers with a mental health condition.

Background

TWH has been delivered to more than 30,000 people in 9 countries on 5 continents worldwide and has been integrated into the medical school curricula of 4 UK universities. TWH also featured in the 2015 iMed Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, the largest medical student congress in Europe (n = 1000).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study on participants who attended TWH in venues across the UK. Paper questionnaires containing stigma constructs with response items on a Likert-scale were hand distributed to participants. Free-text comments were subjected to thematic analyses.

Results

Two hundred and nineteen over 256 participants recruited responded (85% response rate); 207/219 (94%) of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that TWH made them realise that medical students and doctors who experience mental distress can recover and achieve their goals.

Themes that emerged from analyses of free-text comments included, “inspirational”, “merits of blending art with science”, and “benefits of receiving a talk from a doctor with first-hand experience of a mental health problem”.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that TWH might be effective at reducing stigma from healthcare professionals and students towards their peers with mental health problems. More robust research in this area is needed.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The role of personality and trait affectivity on delusional ideation
Authors: Tonna M. , Paglia F. , Ottoni R. , Ossola P. , De Panfilis C. , Marchesi C.
Published: June 2017

Objective

The relationship between personality and delusional ideation in still debated. The present study was aimed to evaluate the role of personality features and trait affectivity on the severity of delusional beliefs, through the lens of a dimensional approach. In fact, robust evidence suggests that delusional experience presents a dimensional structure rather than an all-or-nothing fashion with a severity gradient of delusional beliefs from general population to full-blown delusional disorder (DD).

Method

Forty-nine inpatients affected by DD and 42 non-delusional outpatients were administered the structured interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders, the Pathological Narcissism Inventory–Italian Version, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the Peters et al. 33–Italian version.

Results

Severity of delusional ideation was positively related to “hiding the self” (HS) domain of narcissistic vulnerability and to paranoid traits and negatively related to “positive affect” (PA). Paranoid traits and HS significantly interacted in influencing delusional dimension severity (Fig. 1). Low PA represents a trait affectivity of sadness and lethargy whereas HS is closely related to the experience of shame. We speculate that lower levels of PA and higher levels of HS may grasp the “asthenic” pole of Kretschmer's “sensitive character”.

Conclusion

The study findings suggest that the severity of delusional ideation depends, at least in part, on a complex interplay between specific affective and paranoid dispositions within personality. Delusion may constitute the superficial shell, which develops from and cover inner affective vulnerabilities of personality.

Fig. 1

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The impact of interpersonal violence in youth sport on adult psychopathology
Authors: Vertommen T. , Kampen J. , Schipper-van Veldhoven N. , Uzieblo K. , Van Den Eede F.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

A recent cohort study in the Netherlands and Belgium showed that 38% of children experienced psychological violence, 11% physical violence, and 14% sexual violence in sport (Vertommen et al., 2016). This study aims to explore the long-term consequences on anxiety, depression and somatic complaints in adults who experienced psychological, physical or sexual violence in the specific context of organized youth sport.

Methods

A web survey in a representative sample of adults, prescreened on having participated in organized sport before the age of 18 (n = 4043) was conducted. In this sample, depression, anxiety and somatic problems were assessed using the brief symptom inventory. A generalized linear model was used to quantify the impact of experiencing severe interpersonal violence in sport on psychopathology.

Results

All three types of severe interpersonal violence (psychological, physical and sexual) were significantly associated with the total score and the subscales of the brief symptom inventory. The effect remains significant after controlling for socio-demographics, as well as disability, sexual orientation, adverse childhood experiences outside sport, recent trauma and family history of psychological problems.

Conclusions

Experiencing interpersonal violence against in youth sport is associated with mental health problems in adulthood. This is an important finding to consider in child protection policy in sport.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Intervention in Clinical High Risk States - Current Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Ruhrmann S.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

During the last twenty years, international efforts advanced the prevention of psychosis considerably. However, improved predictions as well as well-tolerated and needs-tailored interventions are still required.

Objectives

Prediction and Prevention of Psychosis

Aims Presenting the current state and new developments, including the European Union funded multi-center project PRONIA with regard to prediction (www.pronia.eu, 7th Framework Programme grant agreement n° 602152) and the German multi-center trial ESPRIT funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF grants 01EE1407 C and 01EE1407I) with regard to prevention.

Methods

Results of meta-analyses will be presented and discussed with regard to achievements and challenges. Possible advances by current projects will be discussed.

Results

Pharmacological as well as psychological prevention has been shown to reduce the incidence rate of psychosis in the respective samples considerably. However, particularly social and role functioning, which are prognostically most important, are still an unsolved challenge. Furthermore, new interventions providing an improved tolerability and acceptance by the patients are required. On the level of prediction, a further improvement of predictive validity, particularly with regard to individualized risk estimation is desired.

Conclusions

The achievements in the field of prevention of psychosis are impressive, but further progress is needed. This should be achieved by studies like PRONIA, which aims at improving risk estimation by an advanced assessment concept as well as a sophisticated data analysis, and ESPRIT, which compares the effects of N-Acetylcysteine with an innovative, modular psychological prevention program focusing not only stress and symptom management, but also social cognitive domains.

Disclosure of interest

Consultant to Boehringer Ingelheim lecture fees by Boehringer Ingelheim, Otsuka travel grant by Servier.
Clozapine efficiency in tardive syndromes induced by anti-psychotic treatment
Authors: Jouini L. , Ouali U. , Zaouche R. , Jomli R. , Zgueb Y. , Nacef F.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Tardive syndromes (TS) resulting from prolonged exposure to dopamine receptor blocking agents are frequent. Clozapine is considered to have a low risk of causing new onset TS and accounts therefore as an interesting option in patients with invalidating TS.

Objectives

Our study aims to describe clozapine indications in patients experiencing TS.

Methods

Presentation of the clinical cases of five patients, who experienced different kinds of TS secondary to 1st and 2nd generation anti-psychotic treatment.

Results

We present the cases of AB aged 41, MJ aged 40, HM aged 31 and AS aged 30, diagnosed with schizophrenia; and FB aged 24,diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Adverse side effects to conventional anti-psychotics such as limb and trunk tremors were described for AB, choreic limb movements, axial and segmental dystonia for MJ, AS, FB and oculogyration for FB. All patients were switched to atypical anti-psychotics without improvement of the TS. The switch to clozapine, associated with abotulinum injection for MJ, led to regression of the TS and improvement of clinical signs. In fact, according to several studies, clozapine seems to be an interesting option when invalidating TS occurs. The low prevalence of TS under clozapine can be explained by its low affinity for striatal-D2 receptors, its anti-serotonin and anti-cholinergic effects.

Conclusions

Clozapine should be considered in symptomatic patients who develop TS while receiving other anti-psychotics. Further research on mechanism of TS and clozapine effect on TS is needed.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Childhood Trauma in Bipolar Disorders: Familial and Individual Mediators for Predicting Occurrence and Outcome
Authors: Etain B.
Published: June 2017

Childhood trauma is highly prevalent in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and has been associated to a more severe/complex expression of the disorder. Little is known about the familial and individual factors that can mediate the occurrence of trauma within families but also influence the outcomes of BD. We will present data from two independent samples of patients with BD in order to identify the potential mediators for occurrence and severity/complexity. In a first sample of 371 patients with BD, 256 relatives and 157 healthy controls, we will show that there is a familial resemblance for emotional and physical abuses. Patients’ level of physical abuse was associated with their parental levels of physical abuse, but also with their father's history of alcohol misuse (p < 0.05). Second, in a sub-sample of 270 normothymic patients, we have performed a path-analysis to demonstrate that emotional and physical abuses interacted with cannabis misuse to increase the frequency of psychotic features and delusional beliefs. Finally, in an independent sample of 485 euthymic patients from the FACE-BD cohort we used path-analytic models to show that emotional abuse increased all the assessed affective/impulsive dimensions (p < 0.001). In turn, affect intensity and attitudinal hostility were associated with high risk for suicide attempts (p < 0.001), whereas impulsivity was associated with a higher risk for presence of substance misuse (p < 0.001). These results illustrate that childhood trauma might derive from parental characteristics (own childhood trauma and psychopathology) and increase the severity/complexity of BD through individual dimensions of psychopathology.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Drug safety warnings in psychiatry: Adverse drug reactions’ signaling from 2002 to 2014
Authors: Prisco V. , Iannaccone T. , Capuano A. , Fabrazzo M. , Catapano F.
Published: June 2017

Monitoring drug-related side effects in psychiatric patients is highly recommended. In fact, frequent exposure to long-term polipharmacotherapy, poor compliance to pharmachological treatment and co-morbidity with organic illnesses requiring the prescription of other drugs are causes of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interactions. These vulnerability factors result in a certain increase in ADRs (adverse drug reactions). This study performs an analysis of the Italian medicine agency (AIFA) data, in the section “signal analysis”, to attempt an assessment of the safety warnings among the different psychotropic drug classes, belonging to the ATC class: N03 (anti-epileptics), N05 (anti-psychotics), N06 (psycho-analectic drugs). Then we analyzed, in a descriptive way, the different association between the drug and the related ADR, evaluating the different safety profiles, in relation to experimental studies, supporting the importance of the signal. In the last years, among the new 25 ADRs, 10 were related to antidepressant drugs (8 SSRI, 1 mirtazapine, 1 agomelatine). In relation to anti-psychotic drugs, 6 new correlations were found between drug and ADR onset, mainly among atypical anti-spychotics. Other correlations (6 above all) were found among anti-epileptic drugs. Among benzodiazepines, a signal linked to rabdomylysis onset was found. It is also recommended an evaluation of safety profile in relation to zolpidem prescription. The results of our systematic review are a motivational input, considering the continuous increase of safety warnings, to attentively monitor drug's prescription. Spontaneous ADRs’ signaling is a classical system to provide the required attention in relation to a potential risk.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Affective disorders, psychosis and lipid levels: Is there a connection? Linking psychopathology, clinical exams and neurobiology
Authors: Nascimento M. , Lázaro M. , Reis J. , Pereira G. , Bacelar F. , Nobre A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Published research regarding the relationship between lipid levels in affective disorders has been contradictory. Additionally, most studies correlating psychosis to lipid serum concentrations only concern schizophrenic patients.

Objective

To access the relationship between serum lipid levels with the diagnosis and pathophysiology of affective disorders.

Methods

Diagnostic data (ICD–10: F31–32), including mood and psychotic features, were prospectively collected for all patients admitted at the affective disorder ward at Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa (Portugal), during the third trimester of 2016. Serum concentrations of triglycerides and total/HDL/LDL cholesterol were evaluated using standard laboratory tests. Statistical analysis was performed for possible correlations between serum lipid levels and:

– different stages of bipolar disorder (BD);

– elevated versus depressive mood (unipolar and bipolar);

– depressive mood (BD versus non-BD);

– psychotic features.

Results

Sixty-three patients admitted were enrolled in this study: 47 presented with BD (32 manic, 10 depressives and 5 mixed episodes) and 16 presented depressive disorders. Statistical analysis (R software) revealed that depressed bipolar patients had significantly higher triglyceride (P = 0.026), total and LDL cholesterol (P = 0.525) levels than other states; mixed episodes presented higher HDL levels (P = 0.542). Although not significant, manic patients’ HDL levels were consistently elevated compared to depressive ones, whom presented with lower values overall. Finally, when adjusted for age, psychotic patients showed lower levels of total (P = 0.031) and LDL cholesterol (P = 0.052) compared to non-psychotic patients.

Conclusions

There is a potential link between serum lipid levels and diagnosis/psychopathology of affective disorders. Further research is needed to characterize its pathophysiologic relevance.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
A tribute to Jose M.R. Delgado (1915–2011): The pioneer of electric brain-stimulation
Authors: De Jonge L. , Petrykiv S. , Fennema J. , Michielsen P. , Arts M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

José Manuel Rodriguez Delgado (1915–2011), a Spanish physiologist, was among the first scientist to perform electric brain stimulation in both animals and humans. His work on brain-stimulation research during the 1960s and 1970s was innovative but also controversial.

Objectives

To present the scientific papers of Jose Delgado on psychosurgery.

Aims

To review available literature and to show evidence that Jose Delgado made a significant contribution to the development of psychosurgery.

Methods

A biography and private papers are presented and discussed followed by a literature review.

Results

Delgado showed that with electrical brain stimulation one could evoke well-organized complex behavior in primates. A rhesus monkey was stimulated with an electrode implanted inside the red nucleus, followed by a complex sequence of events. After stimulation of an area three millimeters from the red nucleus, the rhesus monkey just yawned. Delgado also investigated the mechanisms of aggressive behavior in other animals. Stimulation of the caudate nucleus by remote control in a fighting bully resulted in sudden paralysis. In some human patients suffering from depression, euphoria was induced after stimulation of the septum.

Conclusion

Delgado pioneered the brain electrode implantation in order to electrically stimulate specific brain areas for treatment epilepsy and of different types of mental illness. He was severely criticized. His studies, however, paved the way for new modulation techniques such as the development of deep brain stimulation.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The Role of Neuroplasticity in the Treatment of Cognitive Impairments by Means Multifactor Neuro-Electrostimulation of the Segmental level of the Autonomic Nervous System
Authors: Petrenko T. , Kublanov V. , Retyunskiy K.
Published: June 2017

Introduction.

Cognitive deficit is a consequence of organic lesions of the central nervous system. Activation of neuroplasticity is a way of effective treatment. There is a suppose that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) involves in the regulation of neuroplasticity.

Objectives.

We developed a technology for non-invasive electrical stimulate segmental and suprasegmental parts of ANS [1].

Methods.

Developed technology is implemented in the “SYMPATHOCOR–01” device. The device produces spatially distributed field of current pulses between two multiple electrodes located on the neck. The targets of impact are cervical ganglia of the sympathetic trunk and vagus nerve.

Results.

The restoration of blood supply in artificial ischemia calf muscles and recovery of behavior patterns during acute phase of the adjustment disorder were received as a result of application technology in experiments on rats [2]. An increase global neurometabolic activity on SPECT was shown in clinical studies [2]. Application device for two weeks in children with ADHD led to reduction of inattention and hyperactivity symptoms [2].

Conclusion.

We suggest that the demonstrated clinical effects are the results of activate of neuroplasticity by impact on ANS structures. It is necessary to conduct fundamental studies by means of neurovisualization methods (fMRI, PET) for the confirmation action of these mechanisms.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Psycho-education in Schizophrenia: Evaluation of a new Schizophrenia Questionnaire “SCHIWI” and Predictors of Knowledge Gain
Authors: Lüscher S.
Published: June 2017

Psycho-education is a well-known therapy within a multi-modal therapy concept for patients with schizophrenia and their relatives, as psycho-education is known to reduce relapse and duration of hospital stays. Here, evaluate a new questionnaire to show the gain of knowledge about schizophrenia, especially in combination with psycho-education during a hospital stay. Furthermore, we aim to find out more about the predictors for knowledge gain after participation in 4 to 8 psycho-educational groups. During 5 years (04/2011 to 08/2015) 517 patients and 223 relatives took part in our psycho-educational groups, 136 participants finished the study. In a test theoretical analysis it was shown that the questionnaire “SCHIWI” with 100 items has similar problems as previous questionnaires, but fulfils the criteria “discriminatory power” and “item- complexity” in a reduced version of 22 (was? Erbsen? Cremants?) and can be considered as a valid questionnaire. We could prove again that psycho-education leads to knowledge gain. Furthermore, we found the predictors “frequency of participation”, “basic knowledge” and possibly “relationship to relatives” to be relevant for knowledge gain in patients. Due to the small number of participating relatives we were not able to find secure predictors here, but we found indications that “previous experience with psycho-education”, “subjective knowledge gain” and “education” could be predictors for knowledge gain. This study underlines the importance of psycho-education in the treatment of schizophrenia, but emphasizes the need to find out more about possible predictors in further research.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
The Possibilities of the Improvement Language Competencies in Children with Dyslexia. The Evaluation of the Tomatis Therapy in Children Aged 6–10 years of Age
Authors: Mojs E. , Sudol A. , Samborski W.
Published: June 2017

Audio psycho–phonological stimulation training is a method based on listening to various musical sounds by way of a special device called electronic ear. The goal of this therapy is to enhance damaged hearing and consequently facilitate greater stimulation of central nervous system and improve cognitive functions i.e. attention and learning abilities. The second goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Tomatis method in the treatment of cognitive functions in children with developmental dyslexia. Data were collected from forty children (age range 6–10 all of whom had various lexical impairments and diagnosed as dyslexia. All children IQ ranged 78–110. All subjects underwent therapy based on the Tomatis method. The relevance group constituted, by healthy ones. Further assessment included reaction time, over sensitivity of hearing sense, verbal fluency, attention, abilities of verbal learning and learning memory–immediate and long term. The effects of the therapy were measured after 9 months of stimulation. Statistically relevant improvement of most evaluated functioning parameters, including shorter time of adequate reaction to presented stimuli was observed. Not only did the patients have lower threshold of sensitivity of hearing sense, ability to localize sources of sound significantly improved (P 0.05) also. Subjects’ verbal fluency, attention and immediate verbal memory were enhanced. The phonological abilities improved. Tomatis training significantly improved subjects’ cognitive functioning. We could demonstrate its efficiency in relation to such parameters as reaction time, localization of sources of sound and over sensitivity to audio stimuli. The Tomatis method is a useful way of the speech treatment impediments.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Review of Physical Health Care in Patients with Chronic Psychiatric Conditions in a Rehabilitation Unit
Authors: Yetkil A. , Wisidagama S.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

An important aspect to consider in chronic patients on psychotropic medication is their physical health status. Along with an aging population and the side effects of the medication it is key to identify complexities of their physical health that may be troubling the patient or can potentially effect the patient.

Objectives

Using the standards for inpatient mental health rehabilitation services highlighted by AIMS Rehab.

we will assess if the current method used to highlight any physical health concerns are being met for the new patients admitted in to the unit from January 2016 to September 2016.

Aims

Evaluate the quality of physical healthcare in Margaret Laurie House (Surrey and Borders NHS trust Rehabilitation unit).

Methods

We designed a spreadsheet to capture the standards as outlined in ‘physical healthcare’ section of the AIMs Rehab document.

We obtained the relevant patient data using the System One electronic patient record. The system contains an embedded template where physical health parameters are entered so we were able to simply copy the data from these sections. We then translated this information into an Excel spreadsheet format.

Results

The analysis of the data remains as work in progress at the current time. We anticipate low compliance with the 8 outlined standards (9.1.1–9.2.2). These were all considered type 1 standards; according to the AIMS rehab guidance the expectation is that the service must meet 100% of these standards. Upon re-audit we aim for 100% compliance.

Conclusion

Work in progress-to be updated.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Measuring Affective Attitudes towards Health Among Adolescents
Authors: Iosifyan M. , Arina G. , Korneev A. , Ryabova A. , Nikolaeva V.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Affective attitudes play a significant role in health behaviors. However, comparing to cognitive attitudes, affective attitudes are much less investigated.

Objectives

To study affective attitudes towards health among adolescents, we measured associations between words related to health and positive/negative emotions.

Aims

We used the modified Etkind Color Test (Etkind, 1980) as a new measure of affective attitudes.

Methods

Subjects (n = 79, Mage = 14.34 ± 1.21, 35 males) ranked 8 colors from Lüscher's color test (1971) from best to least associated with each of 13 words related to health (e.g. sport, risky behaviors) and 6 words related to positive and negative emotions. To calculate an association between an emotion and a health-related word we used a scoring algorithm, similar to Palmer's and colleagues MCA score (Palmer et al., 2013).

Results

Means of associations between words and positive emotions were assessed: my body (0.74 ± 2.02), environment (1.17 ± 1.82), eating (1.23 ± 1.98), health (1.60 ± 1.78), risky behaviors (−1.14 ± 2.14), family (2.13 ± 2.00), sport (2.02 ± 1.86), sleep (0.74 ± 1.85), school stress (−0.95 ± 1.89), hygiene (0.91 ± 1.85), medicine (0.61 ± 1.95), psychological well-being (1.11 ± 2.24), illness (−0.43 ± 1.39). Positive emotions had inverse relation with risk behaviors, illness and school stress and direct relation with the rest 10 factors.

All correlations between negative and positive attitudes towards health related words were significant and negative (−.223 < r < 559), except two (medicine and illness).

Conclusions

The modified Etkind Color Test describes semantic space of affective attitudes towards health. It showed that adolescents mostly did not have ambivalent attitudes towards health related factors.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Drug User's Self-Efficacy to Resist the Urge of Consuming these Substances: Cross-Cultural Adaptation Instrument
Authors: Vasconcelos S.C. , Frazão I.S. , Sougey E.B. , Souza S.L. , Turner N.E. , Silva A.O. , Pereira R.C. , Lima M.D.C.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Self-efficacy is the belief or personal confidence related to the own ability to perform a specific action necessary to obtain a certain result. Its use refers to the application of validated instruments.

Aims

Describe the process of cross-cultural adaptation of the drug-taking confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ-8) drugs’ version and to verify its content validity and reliability.

Methods

It's a methodological study accomplished by nine experts to the process of adaptation and validation and had a sample of 40 drug users in treatment in the Center of Psycho-Social Attention for alcohol and other drugs, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Results

The mean index semantics’ agreement (0.989; 0.989; 1.00), idiomatic (0.967), experiential (0.956), conceptual (0.978) and content validation on the clarity of language (0.972), practical relevance (0.958), the theoretical importance (0.958) and theoretical dimension (1.00) demonstrated a satisfactory process. The clinical validation showed that 57.5% of users were classified as moderate on the self-efficacy item to resist the urge to use drugs in high-risk situations, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.889 for the complete instrument, ranging from 0.863 to 0.890 among its items.

Conclusions

DTCQ-8 drugs proved to be easy to apply and understand. Its adaptation process was satisfactory for the application in the Brazilian context. The results showed that in this sample, this instrument was suitable to measure the Brazilian user's self-efficacy to resist the urge to consume these substances in high-risk situations.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Smoking Cessation and Soft Signs of Mental Disorders
Authors: Batra A. , Eck S.
Published: June 2017

Smoking is associated with major depression, schizophrenia, anxiety and compulsive disorders, personality disorders, or substance abuse disorders [1,2]. More than that, smokers often report higher levels of novelty seeking, anxiety or depressive symptoms without fulfilling full diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric disorder.

In a former study, Batra et al. [3] had shown that smokers reporting higher levels of novelty seeking/hyperactivity, depressivity, and nicotine dependence evince higher relapse rates after completion of a six-weeks behavioural treatment program than smokers reporting low scores on self-report psychological symptom measures.

Another study [4] showed that a modified smoking cessation program matched to at-risk smokers’ needs with n = 268 adult smokers leads to higher long-term abstinence rates.

All at-risk smokers had been randomly assigned to receive either a standard or modified treatment. Best results were shown for smokers with mild depressive symptoms. The talk reports results of former and recent studies and focuses on the German treatment guidelines for tobacco related disorders.

These [5] recommend to assess tobacco use among patients with mental disorders and should be offered smoking cessation support under consideration of the acuteness and the particularities of the mental disorder using the same psychotherapeutic and pharmaceutical measures as for smokers without additional mental disorders.

Disclosure of interest

Financial support by Pfizer, Parexel, SKB, Novartis for smoking cessation studies.
Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self-Measure as an Instrument for Diagnostic of Illness Representation in youth with Ultra-High risk for Psychosis
Authors: Kovyazina M. , Rasskazova E. , Varako N. , Enikolopov S.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Pictorial representation of illness and self-measure (PRISM) was developed as screening tool assessing implicit reaction to somatic illnesses. Conclusion is based on comparisons of the positions of illness-related (“Illness” and major symptoms) and unrelated (“Me”, “Family”, “Work/study”) objects on the list.

Objectives

Due to its easiness and implicitness PRISM could be promising addition to illness representation questionnaires in mental illnesses.

Aim was to reveal validity of the PRISM in youth with ultra-high risk for psychosis.

Methods

Eighty-one male patients 16–25 years old meeting criteria of ultra-high risk for psychosis; preliminary diagnoses of mood disorders 34, personality disorders 26, schizotypal disorder 21 patients) filled PRISM, beck cognitive insight scale, symptom checklist 90-r, illness perception questionnaire, quality of life and enjoyment questionnaire and happiness scale.

Results

According to hierarchical regression, conditional “Self-Illness” distance (after control for mean distances on the list) was related to less psychopathological complaints, lower subjective illness severity and emotional representations, higher treatment control and better quality of life. “Self-symptoms” distance was related to better cognitive insight, lower emotional representations and consequences and moderated the relationship between “Self-Illness” distance and appraisals of illness length and dynamic.

Conclusions

Conditional “Self-Illness” distance in PRISM could reflect cognitive appraisal of illness based on symptoms and related to life satisfaction while “Self-Symptoms” distance reflects merely emotional reaction based on cognitive insight.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.