bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Complicated Case of Catatonia
Authors: Makela A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Many different causes of catatonia are well-documented in medicine. Modern understanding of catatonia has evolved in the last 100 years with the suggestion that there is a root cause in neuroinflammation. This is a case report of a young woman who presented to the emergency department with altered mental status, found to have catatonia responsive to lorazepam, with the underlying etiology being a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Objectives

A case-based approach is used to support the following learning objectives: - Review the diagnostic criteria for catatonia - Distinguish between simple and malignant catatonia - Review the Bush-Francis Scale - Review available treatment

Methods

Mother brings 24-year-old woman into the hospital for altered mental status and changes in behavior including staring spells, periods of withdrawal, refusal to eat, lack of purposeful movement, apraxia, and mutism that worsened 24 hours prior to presentation.

Results

The patient was afebile with negative covid-19 test. Recent diagnosis of Bell’s palsy treated with antivirals and oral steroird, which terminated just prior to presentation. Additionally, patient had outpatient treatment for vertigo. Lumbar puncture was negative for an infectious process. MRI revealed multiple stable white matter lesions in the periventricular, pontine, and subcortical regions, some oriented perpendicular to the corpus callosum.

Conclusions

This case of a 24-year-old woman with catatonia brought an opportunity to retrospectively review a case in detail in order to feature learning objectives that review very important considerations in the evaluation, differential diagnosis, symptom tracking, and treatment of catatonia. The future of research in catatonia is bright and diverse.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The role of the Psychiatry
Authors: Fraga A. , Mesquita B. , Esteves-Sousa D. , Albuquerque M. , Facucho-Oliveira J. , Espada-Santos P. , Cintra P. , Moutinho A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, affecting about 20% of people worldwide. This complex and multifaceted disorder has been proposed as a system disease involving not only individual systems including the nervous, endocrine, imune, digestive, microbiota and the environment but also the interactions of these systems. The aetiology of IBS is complex and incompletely understood and this disease are frequently associated with a comorbid psychiatric disease. Current treatment is symptom-directed, rather than based on underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Objectives

The authors elaborate a narrative literature review to identify the pathophysiology and therapeutic approach of IBS.

Methods

Pubmed databased searched using the therms “psychiatry”, “irritable bowel syndrome” and “treatment”.

Results

The IBS is the most common and best described of the functional bowel disorders, which represents a considerable therapeutic challenge. Studies looked at the efficacy of fibre, antispasmodics and peppermint oil in the treatment of IBS found moderately effectiveness in the treatment of global symptoms. Elimination diets are helpful in improving IBS. There is evidence that a low-FODMAP diet can have a favorable impact on IBS symptoms, especially abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea with improved irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and quality of life. Among the currently available classes of drugs for the treatment of IBS, antidepressants such as selective serotonin releasing inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants are useful because of their analgesic properties, independent of their mood-improving effects.

Conclusions

Evidence suggest that antidepressants might be useful for treatment symptom of IBS however further investigation is required.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Acute Confusional Syndrome and Covid-19 disease. Clinical and Sociodemographic differences with other comorbid diseases
Authors: García Hernández D. , Calls Samora M. , Llimona González A. , Dinamarca F. , Casanovas F. , Pérez Oms A. , Llimona Sánchez C. , Oller Canet S.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Since the outbreak, neuropsychiatric presentations such as delirium have been developing.

Objectives

Our aim is to describe sociodemographic and clinical differences between inpatients cursing with Acute Confusional Syndrome (ACS) with and without COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods

This is an observational-descriptive study. All patients attended by the liaison psychiatry service of Hospital del Mar, between February and April 2020, with ACS diagnosis were included. The sample was divided in 2 groups (with and without COVID-19 pneumonia). Sociodemographic and clinical variables including sex, age, previous somatic or psychiatric history, ACS risk factors, ACS subtype and pharmacological treatment were compared. Chi-square and U Mann Whitney tests were used.

Results

The total sample was 62 patients. 43.5% were women with a mean age of 71,7 (SD 11,3). Covid pneumonia group included 26 patients. There was a higher percentage of Hypoxemia in Covid pneumonia patients (p<0,001). There were significant differences between Covid pneumonia group and ACS in relation to: a previous diagnosis of Ischemic Heart Disease (p=0,007), Heart Failure (p=0,029) and Nephropathy (p=0,022). Dexmedetomidine (p=0,001) was highly used for ACS treatment in Covid pneumonia patients.

Conclusions

In this sample, patients with ACS and Covid pneumonia had a bigger rate of hypoxemia and previous history of Ischemic Heart Disease, Heart Failure and Nephropathy compared to the rest of ACS patients. Dexmedetomidine was more commonly used for the treatment of ACS in Covid pneumonia group. More studies would be necessary to assess the significance.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Youth Mental Health
Authors: Hvolby A. , Hansen J.P.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in national lockdowns in several countries. Previous global epidemics led to an increase in the number of psychiatric patients presenting symptoms of anxiety or depression. Knowledge about the impact of early lockdown initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of healthcare interactions is sparse.

Objectives

To investigate both the impact of the Danish lockdown event on psychiatric patients’ contact with the healthcare system, stratified by type of contact (face-to-face (FTF) or virtual) and ICD-10 diagnosis, and how acute contacts were impacted in the five regions in Denmark.

Methods

Contacts in this study include all recorded FTF and virtual treatment interactions between patients and healthcare systems. An interrupted time series analysis was applied to determine the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown event on the number of contacts with psychiatric hospitals in Denmark, from February 25, 2019 to May 3, 2020. The analyses took a Box-Jenkins approach to fit an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model.

Results

Virtual contacts replaced most FTF contacts during the lockdown. For most patient groups, the total number of contacts did not decrease significantly. However, for child and adolescent patients diagnosed with F 10–19, 70–79, and 80–89, the number of contacts decreased during lockdown. The number of acute contacts with the psychiatric system decreased significantly during lockdown.

Conclusions

The Danish healthcare system was forced to introduce innovative tele-psychiatry to mental health care during the lockdown. Disruption to service delivery was minimized because the resources were in place to sustain the transition from FTF to virtual contacts.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Perceived stress among physician parents during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Regaieg N. , Ben Touhemi D. , Fayala A. , Boudabous J. , Kammoun W. , Khemakhem K. , Hadj Kacem I. , Ayadi H. , Moalla Y.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Stress among physician parents is still poorly studied, especially during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic.

Objectives

To describe the stress of being both a doctor and a parent during COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods

It was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, carried out on google drive in March 2021, and relating to 93 Tunisian medical parents. We used a questionnaire containing the parents’ personal and professional data as well as the perceived stress scale (PSS10).

Results

The majority of parents (94.7%) were women. The average age was 34.43 years old. The average age of marriage was 29.6 years for men and 25.4 years for women. The majority of parents (89.4%) had one or two children and 70.2% were satisfied with their relationship with their children. On another side, 71.3% of doctors had to provide on duty services in the hospital, with 44.1% providing 3-4 on-calls per month, while 69% were providing on duty services in the COVID units. The average PSS score was 22.6. The distribution of scores indicated medium and high stress level in respectively 84.9% and 14% of parents. Furthermore, the PSS score was negatively correlated with the marriage age (p = 0.046, r = -0.2). On the other hand, no association was observed with the children number nor with the satisfaction of the relationship with his child.

Conclusions

It follows from our study that stress among physician parents is at a fairly high level. Managing this stress during a pandemic is not easy and requires the activation of several defense mechanisms.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Suicide in Old Age: a threaten to Human Rights?
Authors: De Leo D.
Published: September 2022

Mental health care remains a pillar of suicide prevention also in late, but the range of interventions should include attention to the many socio-environmental conditions that are relevant to this stage of life. Community programs that promote a sense of worthiness and belonging should be strongly encouraged in order to preserve personal identity and social integration. Loneliness has to be counteracted in its many facets and with vigour, given its multiple negative impacts. The fight against stigma and ageistic views - still deeply rooted even among health workers – should be carried out with determination. Active promotion of a culture of resilience and adaptation to different phases of life and the changes imposed by them should constitute the founding bases of all efforts aimed at promoting a successful aging process. Combating discrimination against older people, as well as promoting basic social determinants of health, would help prevent suicide. However, these issues are still very underrepresented in the global agenda of health care. While having an effective impact on the numerous forms of discrimination would require legal interventions by governments, fighting stigma would primarily involve education aimed at changing beliefs and attitudes. Promotion of human rights, with particular regard to protection against abandonment, abuse and violence - particularly deleterious aspects in old age – appears as essential for personal empowerment of older individuals. Once become more powerful, older people may become more capable of defending their interests in terms of quality of life and protection against risk factors for suicide.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Life events impact on experiences of COVID-19 pandemic (in Azerbaijani sample)
Authors: Ismailova E. , Ryzhov A. , Zhuykova E. , Pechnikova L. , Sokolova E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Many studies point to cognitive beliefs, attitudes and other psychologicalt traits involved in particularities of reactions to pandemic situation, but the differences in life events are often overlooked.

Objectives

A study of subjective evaluation of life events during the pandemics.

Methods

The modified Lifeline technique was used to elicit life events. In semistructured interview, using a timeline, subjects were asked to indicate and describe events that had an impact on their attitudes, behaviors and feelings since the start of pandemic. Then they evaluated with direct assessment scales each event as to what extent it was anxious, difficult to cope, changed the beliefs concerning COVID-19, fostered the changes of behavior and habits, and led to reappraisal of own values. The events were coded using dichotomous categories: COVID-related vs directly unrelated, universal vs individual, personally involved vs noninvolved, and also were further qualitatively evaluated. 25 young Azerbaijani residents took part in the study.

Results

From 191 events named, 72% were COVID-related, 62% - universal, 62% - with personal involvement. 46% of events were unique (mentioned once). Universal events were more likely to be assessed as anxiogenic, while personal ones as leading to rethink own values and priorities (U, p<.01 and p<.05). Surprisingly, life events in total were assessed as less challenging the beliefs about pandemics while more frequently leading to rethink own values (T, p<.05). Individual events involved more conflict meanings and implications.

Conclusions

Lifeline technique may provide important insights on the impact of life events in complex social transitions and may be used in counseling.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Depression in women recovered from COVID-19
Authors: Lagha M. , Hamdi G. , Dhaouadi N. , Chebli S. , Ridha R.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Studies assessing the psychological impact of COVID-19 have shown that patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms than healthy controls.

Objectives

The objectives of our study were to assess depression in women recovered from COVID-19 and to compare it to healthy controls.

Methods

It was a cross-sectional case-control study.

We randomly recruited women, from April 1st to 30th, 2021.The women in the case group have been infected with Sars-Cov 2, with a benign or pauci-symptomatic clinical form, and cured for one to two months at the time of the study without any post-COVID complications. Women included in the control group have not been infected with Sars-Cov 2 .Depression was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results

In total, we recruited 30 women in the case group and 30 women in the control group.The average age of the case group was 35.8 ±6.8 years versus an average age of 35.3 ± 6.33 years in the control group. The majority of coronavirus infections were symptomatic (83.3% (n=25)).

The average depression score for the case group was 10.8 ±9.6 corresponding to moderate depression, while the average depression score for the control group was 6.1 ± 6.1 corresponding to mild depression. The presence of depression was more significant in the case group compared to the controls (p=0.003).

Conclusions

COVID-19 is significantly associated with depression, even in mild or pauci-symptomatic clinical forms.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The psychological impact of the covid-19 on Tunisian healthcare workers tested positive
Authors: Adouni A. , Mannai J. , Zaafrane M. , Jaballah F. , Dakhli A. , Herch N. , Fayala A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The covid19 pandemic has led to a major health crisis and the healthcare workers, who are the first to respond, are generally the ones who pay the highest price. Their safety, both physical and psychological, should be a priority in the management of this pandemic.

Objectives

We aim to assess anxiety and depression in caregivers with covid19 and to identify the many factors that may be responsible for this psychological distress.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers at the different health structures located in Kairouan-Tunisia from October to December 2020 within the framework of a crisis unit set up by the Ministry of Health. Through phone interviews, demographic and clinical data were collected at first, then psychological impact was evaluated using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD).

Results

68 healthcare workers (47 females) with covid-19 were included in this study with an average age of 44.12 years: 38 nurses, 21 hospital employees and 9 doctors working at the Ibn Jazzar hospital (47%), the Aghlabite hospital (20%) and the dispensaries of Kairouan (33%). Among them, 8 had a depression score >10 and 20 had an anxiety score >10. Moreover, 90% feared contaminating their loved ones and 43% reported sleep disturbance and irritability during the containment period. The most important causes reported were the non-availability of means of protection (41,2%) and the increase in workload (64,7%).

Conclusions

The prevention of the negative psychological impact of COVID-19 on the affected health professionals is essential to preserve their well-being and to ensure the continuity of care.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Social Cohesion, Connection and Prescription: Good ways for Preventing Suicide?
Authors: Courtet P.
Published: September 2022

Despite the multiplication of the therapeutic strategies for psychiatric disorders during the last decades, the incidence of suicide has not decreased substantially. Specifically, the most commonly used strategy, which is the use of antidepressant treatments, is clearly nonsufficient to attain the goal of a substantial reduction of suicides. Then, we will discuss the hypothesis that people who are more sensitive to experiences of social disconnection may activate a pathophysiological process which lead to a greater risk of suicide, and by such its study may offer new avenues for assessing the suicide risk as well as in providing new therapeutic targets. It is well demonstrated that both the objective condition of being alone and loneliness are strongly associated with suicide. From a series of cognitive imaging studies, it appears that suicidal patients are more sensitive to social exclusion, relying on a neural network implicated in the pain matrix, and individuals experiencing more psychological pain in daily life would be less prone to activate orbitofrontal cortex in social contexts which would facilitate disadvantageous decision-making, leading to choose options (i.e. suicidal act) with short-term reward (i.e. relief from pain) in spite of the risks (i.e. death). As psychological pain predicts suicidal behaviour, suggesting the need in assessing it in clinical practice, in using alleviating drugs i.e. opiates or ketamine, and in implementing evidence-based psychosocial strategies, based on caring contacts and social prescription. In conclusion, there are many innovations available to help tackle social vulnerability, which should be a priority in suicide prevention.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Vaccine hesitancy and conspiracy theories: a Jungian perspective
Authors: Khachouf O.T. , Saraga M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Endorsing conspiracy theories seems to constitute a major feature of contemporary collective anti-vaccine movements (Vignaud & Salvadori, 2019). As revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this contributes to increased worldwide vaccine hesitancy (de Figueiredo et al., 2020).

Objectives

The present work aims at providing novel insight into the collective psychological underpinnings of conspiracy-based vaccine discourses.

Methods

Our approach is inspired by Jung’s view that human groups produce narratives to project their collective conflicts (e.g., social, religious, political) onto reality. We analyze these projections in relation to the “halo effect” phenomenon, namely taking metaphorical extensions of (scientific) concepts at face value (e.g. Keller, 1995). Accordingly, we discuss one version of “the Great Reset” theory, claiming that COVID-19 vaccines are used by “the elite” to control behavior and abolish fundamental freedoms.

Results

Our analysis suggests that Western societies are manifesting some of their existential concerns through anti-vaccine discourse. In “the Great Reset” narrative, characters (people, vaccines, elites, immune systems, etc.) and plot can be read as symbols of, respectively, structural elements of the collective psyche (socio-cultural values, aggressive drives, death anxiety, psychic defenses, etc.), and dynamic interrelations among these elements.

Conclusions

Conspiracy theories can be understood as shared narratives serving the purpose of giving shape to collective fears. Within such a framework, references to “vaccines” and “immunity” are the manifestations of a state of crisis of collective psychic defenses.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Dynamics of indicators of mental health and mental wellbeing among university students during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Shaigerova L. , Almazova O. , Dolgikh A. , Zinchenko Y.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

University students’ lifestyle has changed dramatically due to the spread of COVID-19. They had to face adaptation to the online learning format, as well as strict and long-term restriction of social contacts.

Objectives

To trace the dynamics in the main indicators of mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress) and mental wellbeing among students during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

DASS (Lovibond, Lovibond, 1995) and WEMWBS (Tennant et al., 2007) were applied in the research. The study involved 733 students at Russian universities aged from 18 to 23 years (M=20.0; SD=3.23), of which 88.1% were girls. The same design was used in the spring (N=245), in the autumn of 2020 (N=270) and in the winter of 2021 (N=218).

Results

It was found that the indicators for all DASS scales significantly differ (p<0.05) across the three periods. With Post Hoc Scheffe, it was shown that the levels of depression, anxiety and stress in autumn 2020 and winter 2021 were significantly higher than in spring 2020 (p<0.05). The WEMWBS values differ significantly (p<0.05) throughout the periods. The level of mental wellbeing among students in spring 2020 was significantly higher than in autumn 2020 and in winter 2021 (p<0.05).

Conclusions

It was revealed that despite the rather severe restrictions in Russia at the beginning of the pandemic, and relatively mild measures taken afterwards (compared to many countries), the indicators of students’ mental health as well as the level of their mental well-being continued to decline. The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number 20-04-60174.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Stressors in nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: El Kefi H. , Kabtni W. , Bouzouita I. , Bencheikh C. , Torkhani O. , Gafsi I. , Baatout A. , Krir W. , Oumaya A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The coronavirus epidemic started in Tunisia on March 12, 2020. Nursing students in hospital internship are among the professional categories most exposed to the virus.

Objectives

To identify stressors during a COVID-19 pandemic among senior nursing students at the military health school.

Methods

Descriptive, retrospective study conducted in March 2021 of the 60 senior nursing students enrolled in the military health school. We developed a self-questionnaire with questions about potential stressors during a COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Our population was 54.3% male and 45.7% female. The mean age was 22.6 years. Most of the senior students (54.3%) worked in units dedicated to the care of patients with COVID-19. The main stressors reported by the students were fear of seeing patients die (84%), contaminating family (81.4%), being assigned to a COVID unit (78%), lack of protective equipment (75%), catching COVID-19 (67%), contaminating colleagues (64%), delay in teaching (61%), lack of competence and making mistakes (53%).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic is a time of major stress for nursing students. Psychological support should be provided.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Mental Health and Human Rights of Women
Authors: Amering M.
Published: September 2022

Gender equality leads to better health and mental health for women and girls as well as to better public health and mental health for all. Inequality, discrimination and social exclusion are both cause and consequence of mental health problems for all and affecting women and girls in specific and substantial ways. Equality through the realization of non-discrimination, respect and enablement of autonomy as well as full inclusion in all spheres of life are demands of gender equality legislation as well as human rights obligations for persons with mental health problems. Essentials of non-discrimination laws concern key areas, including health, family planning, marriage and parenthood, employment, housing, education, standards of living and social, political and cultural participation, along with the right to be free from exploitation, violence and abuse. Gender-specific attention to the risks, rights and needs of women and girls and their families are legal obligations as well as clinical and scientific responsibilities. Because of the cumulative and interacting gender-based and other forms of discrimination, regulations such as those following the adoption of the UN-Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities include specific provisions for women with psychosocial disabilities. Other examples for the urgent necessity of a gender-sensitive approach are – among many others - safety and gender-responsiveness of community and hospital settings, humanitarian crisis response, working with family carers, and of course, mental health teaching and research, including efforts towards gender parity in academic psychiatry.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
“I have brain fog…” About cognitive impairment after COVID-19
Authors: Ghabi H. , Aissa A. , Zili A. , Ben Cheikh Ahmed A. , Zgueb Y. , Madouri S. , Ouali U. , Jomli R.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Much has been learned about SARS-CoV-2. However, the mechanism of short or long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms remains unclear. several hypotheses, including lack of oxygen caused by lung damage, inflammation affecting brain cells, or Lack of blood flow caused by swelling of the small blood vessels in the brain, have been advanced to explain these symptoms.

Objectives

Herein, we presented a case of cognitive impairment diagnosed after infection with COVID 19.

Methods

We discussed, through a clinical case, the possible mechanisms and risk factors of cognitive impairment following COVID 19 infection.

Results

This case concerned a 28 –year-old patient. He had no personal or family psychiatric. In August 2021, he presented a SARS-CoV-2 infection without hypoxemia or respiratory failure. On day 10 the patient recovered. Two days after, he consulted our psychiatric department as he experienced impairment in memory. He had impairment in attention and executive function, and in particular verbal fluency. He said that his thinking was sluggish, fuzzy, and not sharp. He denied any alcohol or drug abuse. He was euthymic and he had no depressive symptoms. Arterial blood gas, laboratory, and clinical findings were normal. A brain CT scan with contrast was performed and did not show any abnormality.

Conclusions

This case highlighted the possible cognitive consequences of COVID-19 during the recovery phase. Further work is required to identify risk factors of psychiatric symptoms following COVID-19 infection and their management.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Public attitudes to Sputnik V vaccination against the novel COVID 19 infection the role of the social-demographic characteristics and pandemic COVID-19 individual experience issues and their implementation as the targets for brief psychosocial intervention
Authors: Vasileva A. , Neznanov N. , Karavaeva T. , Radionov D. , Yakovlev A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Vaccination has proved to be an effective tool in decreasing infectious diseases incidence and their mortality rate. Negative public vaccine attitude can significantly undermine efforts to combat the pandemic that makes vaccine hesitancy one of the WHO main concerns

Objectives

Examination of the relationships in population between vaccine attributes and COVID-19 personal experience, social and demographic characteristics

Methods

Cohort cross-sectional study of the population attitude to vaccination against coronavirus infection COVID-19 was performed online during the first 2 months of mass vaccination in Russia, using the special designed questionnaire assessing social demographic variables, COVID-19 related factors, and preferable sources of information about COVID-19 vaccines. 4977 participants in the age from 18 to 81 years were enrolled in the study to vaccination against coronavirus infection COVID-19 was performed online during the first 2 months of mass vaccination in Russia, using the special designed questionnaire assessing social demographic variables, COVID-19 related factors, and preferable sources of information about COVID-19 vaccines .

Results

34.2% of respondents consider vaccination useful. 31.1% ‑ doubt its effectiveness. 9.9% ‑ consider vaccination unnecessary. 12.2% ‑ dangerous. indifference to vaccination was formed in 7.4% of respondents. They indicated that they do not plan to be vaccinated. 32.3%. postpones their decision until more remote data on the results and effectiveness of vaccination are obtained ‑ 34.0%. were vaccinated at the time of the study ‑ 11.6%.

Conclusions

Attitude towards vaccination depends on age, gender, education, fear of possible complications, coronaphobia. Young people are less focused on vaccination than middle-aged and older people.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Stress and sleep: impact of the main contributing factors to poor sleep experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ionescu T. , Zaharia S. , Minecan E. , Tudose C.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic is associated with several stressful factors that can negatively affect peoples’ sleep quality and mental health.

Objectives

The aim of the current study was to prospectively identify decreased sleep quality and associated risk factors in general population during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational online study on a Romanian sample of 667 respondents aged >18 years. Sleep quality and quantity was evaluated with Athens Insomnia scale (AIS) and the main concerns associated with the pandemic context were evaluated through a multiple-choice question.

Results

The data collected identified important evidence regarding the prevalence and intensity of insomnia. The average score for AIS was 6.13 (cut-off point for was set at 8). However, it is worth noting that 179 respondents (26.8%) meet the criteria for insomnia. Of the 8 self-assessment items, daytime sleepiness was the criterion evaluated with the highest average score (1.01), all other items getting subunit values. A low quality of sleep was linearly related with fear of illness/death (p=0.053), fear of illness/death of close people (p=0.032), social isolation (p<0.001), economic impact (p=0.003), losing the job (p<0.001) and social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection (p=0.009).

Conclusions

More than a qurter of respondes scored above the threshold of 8 at the insomnia scale, while losing the job, social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection and social isolation are the main risk factors for a low quality and quantity of sleep.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Neuropsychiatric implications of covid-19 infection: A case report
Authors: Coucheiro Limeres P. , Franco Soler A. , Cerame A. , Maldonado Orellana S.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

During the COVID19 pandemic numerous cases of neuropsychiatric complications were reported as a result of COVID19.

Objectives

Presentation of a clinical case and literature review of new cases of neuropsychiatric complications after SARS-CoV2.

Methods

We present the case of a 43-year-old woman in follow-up for 15 years borderline personality disorder who was diagnosed with SARS-CoV2 pneumonia without signs of severity. Throughout the admission the patient, who had no history of epilepsy or other neurological affections, presented up to 5 generalized tonic-clonic seizures during 15 days.

Results

In the ECG was evidenced intercritical epileptiform activity predominantly right frontotemporal. No analytical alterations were observed, neither in the imaging tests (cranial MRI and CT). Lumbar puncture was normal. During the admission, he presents an affective deterioration, with generalized impoverishment, decreased functional autonomy and hearing voices without structured delusional ideation. No previous psychotic history. Her previous treatment with Sertraline 100mg was suspended and valproic acid was added (1300 mg/day) which, being insufficient in the control of seizures, was necessary to boost with Levetiracetam (1000 mg/12h). Risperidone 3 mg and Diazepam 5 mg/8h were added to control psychotic symptoms. In the subsequent follow-up, previous antipsychotic treatment was gradually discontinued. The patient evolved favorably without new psychotic symptoms and clinical stability was observed with euthymia.

Conclusions

Taking care of these complications it is necessary to avoid misdiagnosing. It is essential to expand the study of this entities in the context of COVID19 in order to increase knowledge and to be able to carry out an adequate approach and follow-up.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Psychosocial experiences of frontline health professionals working in hospitals during the covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Papathanasiou C. , Tritari M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The covid-19 pandemic exerts severe pressure on health systems worldwide and creates stressful working conditions for healthcare workers.

Objectives

The aim of this study, which used the focus group method, was to investigate the psychosocial experiences of the healthcare personnel working in covid-19 wards.

Methods

An interview guide was specially designed and the sample consisted of twelve frontline healthcare workers. Data analysis was based on the empirically grounded theory and thematic analysis was used as a method.

Results

One overarching theme called “Threat” and three main themes were identified: a) Nature of the disease, b) Interpersonal relationships at the hospital, and c) Challenges-Interventions. The concept of “Threat” is dominant throughout the discussion and transcends every issue of the analysis. The first main theme “Nature of the disease” refers to the fear of infection and spread of the virus in the professionals’ environment, the existential concerns brought to the surface by the fear of death, as well as the stigma experienced by health professionals as “potential carriers” of the coronavirus. The second main theme “Interpersonal relationships at the hospital” concerns the relationships developed both among health staff and between health professionals and patients in response to the challenges of the epidemic. The third main theme concerns the obstacles that health professionals face in carrying out their work, the strategies they adopt to deal with stressful situations, but also the type of institutional support they need.

Conclusions

Hospital staff training on the biomedical developments about covid-19 as well as face-to-face self-help groups are recommended.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The evaluation of main sources of anxiety and fear for Covid 19 in Greece
Authors: Lyrakos G. , Pilafas G. , Aslani E. , Spinaris V.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Covid19 has led in major changes in our lives, while fear was one of the major psychological symptoms that emerged in psychological first aid evaluations.

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to report the major factors creating anxiety and fear, affecting everyday life of people in Greece during the two years of the pandemic.

Methods

A sample of 1,158 Greeks (280 males [24.2%] participated voluntarily in the study through online platforms. The Fear factors was assessed through an open question which was then analyzed with SPSS 24.

Results

According to the findings, the main source of anxiety and fear arises from the situation that prevails in other European countries with increasing death rates (20.9%) presented in television, followed by what is shown in the news and news programs on television (14, 8%), the fear that the individual may get sick, watching television and radio (9.7%), the experts announcements in public (7.8%), the announcement of new measures by the government and the Ministry of Health in media (6.1%), the existence of elderly parents in the family (4.6%) and social networks (3.8%), while 12.6% stated that they have no fear or anxiety. Gender differences were significant in most of the factors x2=51.167 p=.001.

Conclusions

According to the findings the effect that media have in anxiety and fear creation (64.1%), a result that can be used in designing effective health measures that can help people deal with the psychological aftermath of the pandemic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Sport trainings as a stress prophylactic mean during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Titova M. , Pulkina V.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

COVID-19 pandemic assumed as an additional stress factor for people due to extraordinary work conditions, unclear expectations of the future, anxiety about the self-health and health of close people (Samanta et al., 2020; Pascale, 2020). Sport training can be considered as a mean of stress consequences prevention during COVID-19 pandemic (Jimеnez-Pavоn et al., 2020). It is known that moderate physical loads are related to strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of disease, depression, anxiety (Landers, 1996; Schwellnus et al., 2016). Some authors recommend to maintain an active lifestyle in the COVID-19 period (Mattioli et al, 2020).

Objectives

The study was held in 62 professionals from different fields, who work remotely during the self-isolation due to COVID-19 pandemic and aimed to estimate sports trainings opportunities as a means of preventing stress of professionals in various fields of activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

The assessment methods included: 1) author’s questionnaire about the attitude towards sports trainings; 2) A.B. Leonova’s “Chronic fatigue” and “Chronic stress”; 3) Ch. Spilberger’s “Trait anxiety”.

Results

The results revealed that the low level of chronic stress (U=82; p=0,015), chronic fatigue (U=82; p=0,015) and trait anxiety (U=79; p=0,011) is more typical for those surveyed who experienced COVID-19 symptoms and engaged in sports trainings with moderate loads than those people with COVID-19 symptoms who did not attend sport trainings.

Conclusions

The results of the study can be used to develop programs to improve the psychological well-being and performance of professionals working under stress due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Assessing sexual health status among Tunisian ICU healthcare providers in times of the COVID-19
Authors: Loghmari A. , Kahloul M. , Bouassida K. , Slama Y. , Harzali A. , Friaa M. , Soussi M. , Jaidane M. , Naija W.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected ones well-being. ICU healthcare providers are particularly concerned by this impact which includes physical, mental and socioeconomic repercussions. Others health dimensions could be deeply affected but not well explored such as the psycho-sexual status.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess sexual health status among ICU healthcare providers.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study enrolling Tunisian ICU healthcare providers and conducted between July and September 2021. Data collection was based on a self-administrated questionnaire. To assess sexuality, Arabic validated versions of the IIEF-15 and the FSFI was used for male and female respectively. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale and the Rosenberg Self-esteem questionnaire were also used.

Results

Twenty ICU workers (13 physicians and 7 nurses) were enrolled. The mean age was 28.2 years and the sex ratio was 2.3. All participants were involved in COVID-19 crisis management and 80 % reported an increase in their workload. The mean Rosenberg scale was 27 suggesting a low self-esteem. The mean Covid19 Fear Scale was 26 ± 2. For the IIEF-15 the mean score was 17 ± 3 (moderate erectyl dysfunction) and the most damaged dimension was the intercourse satisfaction. For the FSFI scale, the mean was 23 ± 5 witch (a low sexual dysfunction). A high sexual desire with a lack in the satisfaction dimension was reported in 90% of cases. Only 4 participants have consulted a sexologist.

Conclusions

COVID-19 has a serious sexual impact in ICU healthcare providers justifying urgent psychological interventions.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
All that was missing from the students of the University of Patras and the return to a new daily life after quarantine
Authors: Katsifara A. , Argyropoulos K. , Avramidis D. , Jelastopulu E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The pandemic that broke out by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the imposition of restrictive measures to reduce the dispersion, affects both the physical and mental health of all population groups.

Objectives

The main objective of the study was to investigate how these measures have impacted the students during the first quarantine period (Spring 2020). Also we wanted to know what they lacked most after the six-weeks-lockdown.

Methods

More than 2,000 students from all Schools of the University of Patras participated in the research, completing an online questionnaire. Emphasis was placed on the question “What is the FIRST thing you will do immediately after lifting the measures”. The open last option ‘Other’ was qualitative investigated with thematic analysis by gender.

Results

The answer options of the evaluated question were to ‘Go out for coffee/food/drink/fun with friends’ (58%) or ‘with family’ (5%), to ‘Visit beauty and hair salons’ (16%), to ‘Travel’ (6%), or to ‘Go shopping’ (2%). The option ‘Other’ was answered by 246 (13%) students. The thematic analysis revealed 13 categories, with first place ‘Restoring immediately social life without restrictions’, followed by ‘Seeing and being together with boyfriend/girlfriend’, but at the same time ‘Continue to be careful and take self-restraining measures after the end of the quarantine’.

Conclusions

Students of both genders lacked mainly social life and companionship. The need to return to a new daily routine with protection measures that limit both exposure to the new virus and the spontaneity, is obvious.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
First episode psychosis related to COVID-19 infection
Authors: Dhakouani S. , Kammoun R. , Skini M. , Karoui M. , Ellouz F.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

During the course of COVID-19 pandemic, The respiratory system is the most commonly affected while many neuropsychiatric manifestations of the disease have been observed.

Objectives

Emphasize the importance of eliminating the diagnosis of covid 19 infection in a pandemic context face to first episode psychosis.

Methods

Presentation of case report

Results

A 29-year-old woman unemployed married with no personal medical history and with psychiatric family history. She wasn’t exposed to subject with covid 19 in her family circle. She was admitted in psychiatric care for acute behavioural disorders during five days. On physical examination: she was afebrile, eupneic and tachycardiac. Oxygen saturation was 96% and blood pressure was 100/50 mmHg. Specialized neurological examination was normal and cerebral CT scan was without abnormalities. At the psychiatric interview she was extremely agitated. She was distressed her speech was incoherent. She had auditory and visual hallucinations and a multi-thematic delirium. One day after her admission she died suddenly, the autopsy found positive RT PCR covid test and bilateral basal pneumonia.

Conclusions

In individuals presenting with new-onset psychosis in areas endemic to COVID-19, consideration should be made for neuropsychiatric manifestations of Covid 19 from where the importance to push the explorations and to test the patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Emotional Dysregulation: Epidemiology and Genetic Features from Childhood towards Adulthood
Authors: Nobile M.
Published: September 2022

Emotional dysregulation (ED) is a dimensional, transdiagnostic domain that is associated with multiple categorical psychiatric diagnoses from childhood to adulthood, representing a risk for increased problems in affect, behavior, and cognition [1]. Traditionally, the nature of ED trait has been studied with top down approaches: quantitative evaluation of ED is possible through “Dysregulation Profile” scoring, which is measured through composite scales of the “Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment” (ASEBA) [2] questionnaires. Dysregulation profile is characterized by severe anxiety and affective symptoms, impulsive and/or aggressive behaviours and metacognitive difficulties. More recently, different researchers also applied bottom up approaches to evaluate the presence of ED in both general population and clinically referred samples [3]. Also in these cases, the results showed that ED is a trait, stable through time and across different cultures and societies, associated with higher presence of psychiatric diagnosis. It is important to note that these non-traditional statistical approaches highlighted that, in adulthood, ED is characterized by elevated scores in both externalizing and internalizing areas. In this contribution, the research aimed at disentangling the etiology of ED, which is crucial to treat and prevent worst evolution associated with this trait, will be revised. Many efforts have been done to understand the complex interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors which predispose patients to develop and maintain ED. [1] Aitken, et al. (2019). JAD, 253, 87-95. [2] Achenbach & Rescorla (2001). Manual for the ASEBA school-age forms and profiles. [3] Bianchi, et al (2017). ECAP, 26(5), 549-557.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Post-Covid Syndrome: A standardized assessment on subjective psychiatric and neuropsychological symptoms
Authors: Roesch Ely D. , Kramer B. , Jaehn A. , Merle U. , Weisbrod M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Long-Covid or Post-COVID-19 syndrome develops during or after an infection with COVID-19 and continues for more than 12 weeks. The signs and symptoms are not explained by an alternative diagnosis. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are usually manifested as cognitive impairment (brain fog, loss of concentration or memory issues, etc.), headache, sleep disturbance, peripheral neuropathy symptoms (pins and needles and numbness), dizziness, anosmia, symptoms of depression, anxiety and fatigue. Patients complain of reduced quality of life and impairment on daily functioning. Although the burden of disease is high there is until now very few data available, the etiopathology is still unknown and treatment strategies are not established.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to gather standardized data of patients with long-covid syndrome who suffer from neuropsychiatric symptoms in order to better understand the complexity of this syndrome.

Methods

Patients were referred from the long-covid outpatient unit of the internal medicine department to our specialized outpatient unit, so that the previous infection was confirmed. A standardized psychiatric interview and a thorough neuropsychological assessment was conducted.

Results

We will present preliminary data on psychiatric symptoms, neuropsychology and quality of life with patients with long-covid syndrome.

Conclusions

Potential treatment strategies to improve psychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms as well as improvement of quality of life will be discussed.

Disclosure

Daniela Roesch Ely and Matthias Weisbrod have a contract with Schuhfried GmbH (development of neurocognitive batteries and training programs)