bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discrepancies between parent and child report of anxiety in children with high functioning autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Ayoub R. , Brahim T. , Abid H. Ben , Bousleh S. , Guedria A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience high levels of anxiety. However, inconsistencies between parent and child reports may complicate the assessment of anxiety in this population.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate discrepancies between parent and self-reported anxiety among children with high functioning ASD.

Methods

Children aged between 8 and16 years with high functioning ASD, followed in the outpatient unite of child psychiatry at the University Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia and their parents, were invited to complete the Arabic version of the Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASC-ASD). The ASC-ASD is a 24-item questionnaire with six sub-scales, designed specifically for the assessment of anxiety symptomatology in children with ASD. A total score of ≥ 20 indicate significant levels of anxiety.

Results

We recruited 66 children and their parents. The mean age was 10 years old. High rates of anxiety were found: children’s reports revealed that 70% of them present anxiety and 60 % were coated anxious by parent’s reports. Performance Anxiety, Uncertainty and Social Anxiety were the most frequent types of anxiety reported by both parents and children. We did not find a significant difference between the parents and children rating of anxiety except for the apprehension subscale.

Conclusions

This is one of the first studies to compare between parent and self-reported anxiety among children with ASD using an autism-specific measure of anxiety. No discrepancies have been found between parents and children report, however others studies are needed to investigate discrepancies in children with severe ASD.
Children with hyperactive-impulsive disorder benefit from yoga training
Authors: Kiseleva N. , Kiselev S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

It is known that children with hyperactive-impulsive disorder have deficit in executive abilities. It is important to search for effective approaches for developing executive abilities in children with this disorder.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to reveal effect of yoga training on executive abilities in 8-9 years of age children with hyperactive-impulsive disorder. We compared the efficacy of two methods of training (yoga training vs. conventional motor exercises) in a randomized controlled pilot study.

Methods

18 children with hyperactive-impulsive disorder at the age of 8-9 years were included and randomly assigned to treatment conditions according to a 2×2 crossover design. Children from intervention group participated in 12 weeks of yoga training that included body-oriented activity and breathing exercises. To assess the executive functions we used 3 subtests from NEPSY (Auditory Attention and Response Set, Visual Attention, Statue). Effects of training were analyzed by means of an ANOVA for repeated measurements.

Results

The ANOVA has revealed (p<.05) that for all used subtests (Auditory Attention and Response Set, Visual Attention, Statue) the yoga training was superior to the conventional motor training, with effect sizes in the medium-to-high range (0.43-0.88).

Conclusions

The findings from this pilot study suggest that yoga training have positive effect on executive abilities in children with hyperactive-impulsive disorder. It influences predominantly the selective and sustained attention, inhibition, monitoring, and self-regulation. However, it is necessary to do further research into the impact of yoga exercises on the prevention and treatment of hyperactive-impulsive disorder in children.
Neurocognitive development in children and their online and offline self-appraisals
Authors: Soldatova G. , Rasskazova E. , Sadovnichaja V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Internet is an important sphere of activity in children 7-11 years old (Finkelhor et al., 2014; Li et al., 2015; Nasi, Koivusilta, 2013) creating a sphere of possible mental health risks (Livingstone et al., 2011). Neurocognitive deficiency could increase these risks online due to control and change replies and activities online.

Objectives

The aim was to study relationship between neurocognitive functioning in children 7-11 years old and their self-appraisals online and offline.

Methods

50 children 7-11 years old (primary school in Russia, 25 males and 25 females) participated in neuropsychological observation (Akhutina, 2016) and filled Dembo-Rubinstein scales of self-appraisals both for Internet and offline (used descriptors: healthy, happy, clever, kind, confident, independent, Cronbach’s alpha=.63-.65).

Results

Difficulties in the functions of programming and control, serial organization, auditory-speech processing are related to better self-appraisals online (r=.30-.35, p<.01) but not offline. Difficulties in functions of the right hemisphere are more strongly related to online self-appraisals (r=.51) than to offline self-appraisals (r=.31). Adjusting for offline self-appraisals, serial organization, auditory-speech processing and functions of the right hemisphere predict difference in offline and online self-appraisals (ΔR²=6.6-13.0%, p<.05).

Conclusions

Neurocognitive deficiency in children 7-11 years old could lead to unrealistic appraisals of themselves online but not offline increasing probability of problem behavior in the Internet. Study is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project 19-29-14181mk.

Conflict of interest

Study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project 19-29-14181mk. There are no other significant relationships.
The role of shame in the relationship between bullying and self-harm in portuguese adolescents
Authors: Bento C. , Pereira A.T. , Oliveira M. , Cartaxo T. , Carvalho F. , Macedo A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Bullying consists in acts of intentional and repeated physical or psychological violence, completed by an individual or a group of individuals, provoking pain, distress and shame. Currently, it is considered a serious problem with health implications in adolescents. Shame is a self-conscious, multifaceted and socially focused emotion that relates to a negative self-assessment.

Objectives

The study aim was to investigate the mediating role of Shame in the relationship between Bullying and Self-harm and Suicide Ideation in Portuguese adolescents.

Methods

346 adolescents (58.4% girls), aged 15.32±1.193 from public and private schools (9th to 12th grades) in Coimbra, answered the validated Portuguese versions of the Bullying Questionnaire, the Other as Shame Scale for Adolescents and the Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire. For data analysis the SPSS 26 and Macro Process (Hayes 2020) was used.

Results

Bullying Victimization had a prevalence of 18.78%. Girls and boys significantly differ in Bullying Victimisation, Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation and Shame mean scores (all p<.05). In girls, Bullying Victimisation was correlated with Shame and Suicidal Ideation. The mediation analysis showed that, in girls, Shame partially mediated the relationship between Bullying and Suicidal Ideation (p<.001). We didn’t find these results in boys.

Conclusions

Bullying is a global problem that needs to be addressed. Adolescents of today are the adults of tomorrow. In a physical growth and mental maturation phase, it is urgent to avoid disruptors which lead to psychopathology. Our results corroborate that Shame can be a harmful factor in Bullying with deleterious consequences in adolescents.
The EPA-council of national associations in implementing digital mental health across Europe: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Vahip S.
Published: February 2022

Abstract Body

Digital solutions and interventions for mental health have increasingly been taking place in many societies in the last several decades. There are significant differences among countries due to economical and organizational situations. On the other hand, despite digital gap, there is a significant increase in the use of telepsychiatry and e-mental health applications with the Covid-19 pandemic throughout the world. Experiences of this pandemic times make many opportunities and challenges more apparent in this field. Safety and security, legislation, regulations, good practice standards, evidence based data, ethics and education are several of main areas of needs. EPA with the Council of National Psychiatric Associations (NPAs) is one of the crucial organizations in Europe which may play an important role to work on these challenges and opportunities. EPA-Council of NPAs consists of 44 associations represent psychiatrists (and other mental health workers in some) from 40 European countries. NPAs are crucial organisations in contact with local and national mental health stakeholders; competent in national, local, authentic and cultural issues and sensitivities; and could serve as crucial junctions for Europewide policies and their widespread implementations. Some reflections on challenges and opportunities from the Council of NPAs will be presented, based on a rapid survey and personal communications with presidents and official representatives of NPAs for future perspectives.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Evaluation of parent-child relationships using the flannel-graph in children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Koval-Zaytsev A. , Furaeva E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The study of child-parent relationships in families raising children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the assessment of the dynamics of development of a child with ASD are necessary to provide timely psychological personalized assistance to such families.

Objectives

To study child-parent relations based on the mother’s behavior in an experimental play settings, in families raising children with ASD.

Methods

The child-parent relationship was being analyzed through the flannel graph that the child had previously created with fairy tale characters. This evaluation assessed child’s independence level, parent and child engagement levels. The following surveys were used to support these theses: “The interaction of the parents and the child” (IPC) and “Child Rejection Scale” (CRS). The survey sample size included 104 mothers and their children, half were with ASD (average age 7.1), and half were typically developed children (average age 7).

Results

Typically developing children mastered the flannel graph exercise assessment independently; 30% children with ASD did not complete the exercise due to the severity of the disease. Subsequently, among the mothers whose children have ASD 26% refused to participate and the facilitator helped them instead. Statistically significant differences were found on the IPC scales – satisfaction with family relationships; emotional proximity; disciplinary confrontation in the family. CRS identified 13% of mothers of children with ASD with pronounced rejection of children.

Conclusions

The study of child-parent relationships using flannel graph assessment can be helpful in a comprehensive research of ASD and in programming a psychocorrectional work with children, using the child’s proximal development.
The relationship between executive dysfunctions and quality of life of children and youth with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Engel Yeger B. , Hamud G. , Avital A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The high cognitive abilities named executive functions (EF) are responsible for emotional regulation and for goal-oriented behavior. EF are frequently disrupted in anxiety disorders and negatively affect daily function and quality of life (QoL). Nevertheless, EF evaluation is usually performed in the laboratory using neuro-psychological assessments that refer to specific components (such as working memory, inhibition), but lacks a comprehensive profile of EF and the expressions in real life context.

Objectives

To elaborate the knowledge about EF in daily life of children/youth with psychiatric disorders, by comparing their EF to those of healthy controls, using an ecological measure that imitates daily life scenarios; To examine the relationship between EF and QoL in the study group.

Methods

Participants were 49 children and youth aged 8-18 years: 25 subjects with psychiatric (mainly anxiety) disorders and 24 healthy controls. The children’s parents completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to profile emotional difficulties; The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF) which examines EF components related to meta-cognition and behavioral regulation; and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds-QoL).

Results

The study group had more EF difficulties [reduced behavioral regulation (F=31.81; p<.001) and metacognition (F=26.25; p<.001)], and lower QoL. In the study group, EF difficulties correlated with reduced physical, emotional, social, and school-related
QoL.

Conclusions

EF should be evaluated in children/youth with psychiatric disorders, by ecological evaluation that reflect the difficulties in daily life. This may focus intervention on child’s specific needs and improve the outcomes in terms of better function, development and QoL.
Social cognition in adolescents at risk for psychosis: A 2-year follow-up study
Authors: Pelizza L. , Azzali S. , Garlasdi S. , Scazza I. , Paterlini F. , Poletti M. , Pupo S. , Raballo A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Deficits in social cognition have been reported in people at ultra-high risk (UHR) of psychosis exclusively using socio-cognitive tasks and in adolescent and young adult mixed population.

Objectives

Aim of this study was (1) to assess subjective experience of social cognition in adolescent help-seekers identified through UHR criteria, (2) to explore its significant correlations with psychopathology and functioning in UHR individuals; and (3) to monitor longitudinally its stability after a 24-month follow-up period.

Methods

Participants [51 UHR, 91 first-episode psychosis (FEP), and 48 non-UHR/FEP patients], aged 13–18 years, completed the comprehensive assessment of at-risk mental states and the GEOPTE scale of social cognition for psychosis.

Results

In comparison with non-UHR/FEP patients, both UHR and FEP adolescents showed significantly higher GEOPTE total scores. After 12 months of follow-up, UHR individuals had a significant decrease in severity on GEOPTE “Social Cognition” subscore. In the UHR group at baseline, GEOPTE scores had significant positive correlations with general psychopathology, positive and negative dimensions. Across the 2-year follow-up period, social cognition subscores specifically showed more stable associations with general psychopathology and negative symptoms.

Conclusions

Social cognition deficits are prominent in UHR adolescents and similar in severity to those of FEP patients at baseline. However, these impairments decreased over time, presumably together with delivery of targeted, specialized models for early intervention in psychosis.
An eye-tracking study for measuring the attentional characteristics towards emotional scenes in children with autism spectrum condition
Authors: Lizarán M. , Sahuquillo-Leal R. , Navalón P. , Moreno-Giménez A. , Almansa B. , Vento M. , García-Blanco A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The difficulties in social interaction present in individuals with autism spectrum conditions may are related with the abnormal attentional processing of emotional information. Specifically, it has been hypothesized that the hypersensibility to threat shown by individuals with autism may explain an avoidance behaviour. However, this hypothesis is not supported by research and the underlying psychological mechanisms of social interaction in autism still unclear.

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to examine attentional processing biases by administering a computer-based attentional task in a sample of 27 children with autism spectrum conditions and 25 typically developed participants (age 11-15 years).

Methods

The initial orienting of attention, the attention al engagement, and the attentional maintenance to different emotional scenes in competition (i.e. happy, neutral, threatening and sad) were measured by recording the eye movements during a 20 seconds free-viewing
task.

Results

The main findings were: i) children with autism spectrum conditions showed an initial orientating bias towards threatening stimuli; and ii) while typically developed children revealed an attentional engagement and attentional maintenance bias towards threatening stimuli, children with autism spectrum conditions did not.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study are consistent with the affective information processing theories and shed light on the underlying mechanisms of social disturbances in autism spectrum conditions.
Use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in an adolescent with autism spectrum disorder and comorbid major depression disorder with anxiety symptoms: A case study
Authors: Nystazaki M. , Kalimeris S. , Tsakiri A. , Tsalamanios E. , Gkikas P.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Psychiatric comorbidities, including depressive and anxiety disorders, are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Use of conventional therapies for treating depression and anxiety are of limited efficacy in individuals with ASD making treatment a challenging field. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a safe and efficacious technique in major depressive disorder, and a similar approach could yield therapeutic benefits in ASD.

Objectives

The aim of this case study is to present the effectiveness of rTMS in a 17 year old patient diagnosed with ASD and comorbid major depression disorder with anxiety symptoms.

Methods

This is a case study of a male adolescent aged 17, diagnosed with ASD and comorbid major depression disorder with anxiety symptoms, suicidal ideation and aggressive behavior. The protocol applied was 4 weeks of daily rTMS sessions. This involved rTMS to the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (10 Hz, 3.000 pulses/120% motor threshold) to treat depressive symptoms and to the right (50Hz, 600 pulses/ 120%motor threshold) to treat anxiety symptoms. Assessments were conducted using the BDI, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales at baseline and one month follow up. Suicidal ideation and aggressive behavior were assessed by a clinician at same intervals.

Results

Patient showed overall improvement in scores both in depression and anxiety scales. Suicidal Ideation and aggressive behavior showed significant reduction. No side effects were recorded during therapy.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the use of rTMS therapy in adolescents in the autistic spectrum and comorbid major depression disorder and anxiety symptoms is an efficacious and safe therapeutic treatment option.
Self and parent-reported sleep difficulties of adolescents with childhood conduct problems and comorbid psychological problems
Authors: Tomasiello M. , Martin-Storey A. , Bégin V. , Déry M. , Poirier M. , Temcheff C.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Children with conduct problems (CP) exhibit problematic externalizing behaviors that violate the rights of others and/or societal norms, are likely to present with comorbid psychological problems, engage in high-risk behaviours during adolescence and in turn, display poorer prospective health in adulthood. However, little known about their adolescent quotidian behaviors, such as their sleep behaviours, which may contribute to these poorer outcomes.

Objectives

Using a sample designed to assess the longitudinal consequences of CP, the current study examines how histories of CP and comorbidity with depressive symptoms and/or attention-hyperactivity problems are associated with sleep difficulties during adolescence.

Methods

744 participants from an ongoing longitudinal study in Québec, Canada were assessed for CP and comorbidities when they were 6 to 10-years-old. They were classified as without CP, CP only, CP and depressive symptoms, CP and attention-hyperactivity problems, or CP, depressive symptoms and attention-hyperactivity problems based on parent and teacher-reported indices. Sleep difficulties were assessed 7 years later, using self and parent-reported indices. Regression analyses controlling for sex, age, family income, maternal education and medications were conducted.

Results

demonstrated that youth and parents from all CP groups reported more sleep difficulties than youth without histories of CP. Participants from the CP, depressive symptoms and attention-hyperactivity problem group reported more sleep difficulty than all other groups, while their parents did not.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that histories of CP, regardless of comorbidity, predispose youth to future sleep difficulties and highlight the importance of incorporating self and parental indices of sleep as well as examining the effect of comorbidity.
The challenges of psychopharmacological treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic in lombardy
Authors: Vita A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Public Mental Health Services in Lombardy (Italy) has 27 Departments for Mental Health and Addiction Services and a number of private residential facilities. With the reorganization of the entire Healthcare system to deal with COVID-19, Regional Health Authorities recognized mental health as a priority and authorized the continuation of mental health services for the general population. Objectives: To review the initiatives and procedures implemented in Lombardy during the Covid-19 pandemic in relation to the organization of Psychiatric Services and continuity of psychopharmacological treatment. Results: Hospital admissions for acute psychiatric disorders in patients positive for COVID-19 required a dedicated area in the psychiatric ward or alternatively, a medical ward supported by psychiatric staff. Psychiatric hospital activity for patients negative for Covid-19 has been maintained as usual. The activity in the Mental Health Centers has been maintained in patients suffering from severe mental disorders as well as in those with serious social problems or judicial sentences. Particular attention was paid to patients’ clinical monitoring and drug administration. Long-acting Injection antipsychotics were often preferred to oral treatment to ensure adherence and continuity of care. Appropriate e-health technologies were used to reach patients and their families, for monitoring patients and avoiding drop-outs of patients with serious diseases. Conclusions: Maintaining continuous monitoring of patients in contact with mental health services is essential for a careful assessment of their condition from both a psychopathological and medical point of view during pandemic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Behaviour in childhood is associated with distinct patterns of partnering in adulthood
Authors: Vergunst F. , Zheng Y. , Domond P. , Vitaro F. , Tremblay R. , Nagin D. , Park J. , Cote S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Childhood behavioral problems are highly prevalent in school-aged children and are associated with poor long-term outcomes. Yet little is known about their association with patterns of partnering in adulthood.

Objectives

To (1) describe patterns of partnering from age 18-35 years in a large population-based sample, and (2) examine the association between childhood behavioural problems and adult partnering patterns.

Methods

Behavioural ratings were prospectively obtained from teachers when children (n=2960) were aged 10-12 years – for inattention, hyperactivity, aggression-opposition, anxiety and prosociality – and linked to their tax return records from age 18-35 years. We used group-based trajectory modelling to identify distinct trajectories of partnering (married or cohabitating) and multinomial regression models to examine the association between childhood behaviour and trajectory group membership.

Results

Five distinct trajectories of partnering were identified: early-partnered (n=420, 14.4%), mid-partnered (n=620, 21.3%), late-partnered (n=570, 19.2%), early-separated (n=460, 15.5%), and delayed-or-unpartnered (n=890, 30.0%). After adjustment for sex and family background, children rated as being anxious or inattentive were more likely to remain unpartnered from age 18 to 35 years, while those rated as aggressive-oppositional or inattentive were more likely to separate and return to unpartnered status. Prosocial behaviours were consistently associated with earlier and more sustained partnership. Participants in the early-separated and delayed-or-unpartnered trajectories were also more likely to have left high school without a diploma and to have lower earnings.

Conclusions

Childhood behavioural problems were associated with increased likelihood of being unpartnered and of partnership dissolution, which has implications for the psychological health and wellbeing of individuals and their families.
Why do mentally ill, homeless people use substances?
Authors: Elmquist L. , Henriksen M. , Nordgaard J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In the Danish social welfare system, few people are homeless solely for economic reasons. In fact, 38% of homeless people suffer from both substance use and a psychiatric disorder, making diagnostic assessment and treatment difficult. This patient group, with dual diagnoses, often fail to receive effective treatment, and the consequences are far reaching and detrimental. A more comprehensive grasp of the history and patterns of substance use in these patients may contribute to improve their treatment.

Objectives

To identify the role and patterns of substance use in mentally ill, homeless people.

Methods

50 homeless, mentally ill patients are examined in comprehensive interviews, exploring the relationship between substance use, homelessness, and suffering from a mental disorder. The data are analyzed quantitatively as well as qualitatively using thematic analysis.

Results

Preliminary results indicate that substance use in mentally ill homeless patients is a complex phenomenon. On the one hand, substance use seems to contribute to keep the patient homeless and makes it difficult for the patient to get the necessary psychiatric help. On the other hand, substance use also appear to play an important part in coping with life on the streets by offering some kind of social contact and some relief from a desperate situation.

Conclusions

It seems that the triad of substance use, mental illness, and homelessness somehow reinforce each other and simultaneously locks the situation. New approaches for disentangling this locked situation and avoiding this ‘Bermuda triangle’ is needed.
Forced normalization and psychosis
Authors: Valadas M.T. , Freitas R. Mota
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Epilepsy is associated with a wide range of psychiatric manifestations. Forced normalization occurs when the establishment of improved seizure control in a patient with previous uncontrolled epilepsy leads to the emergence of psychiatric symptoms, which include, among others, psychotic phenomena.

Objectives

We aim to review the literature regarding the phenomenon of forced normalization and its association with psychosis.

Methods

We performed an updated review in the PubMed database using the terms “forced normalization” and “psychosis”. The included articles were selected by title and abstract.

Results

Psychosis is the most common behavioural disturbance in forced normalization, usually manifested as delusions and hallucinations. Forced normalization is more frequent in young female patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy. Antiepileptic drug treatment and epilepsy surgery are the most common triggers. Institution of antipsychotics and management of antiepileptic drugs are part of the treatment. Prognosis seems to be better in women, children and patients with generalized epilepsy, among other factors.

Conclusions

Forced normalization is an overlooked entity, the pathophysiology of which remains largely uncertain. The recognition of forced normalization by psychiatrists is crucial for adequate patient treatment including pharmacological management and consultation with a neurologist
Characteristics of hallucinatory-paranoid disorders in patients with vascular dementia of different stages of development
Authors: Maruta N. , Shevchenko-Bitenskiy K.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The most frequent and severe non-cognitive disorders in dementia are hallucinatory-paranoid disorders (HPD), which cause social dysfunction and financial burden of this pathology.

Objectives

To study the features of HPD in vascular dementia (VD), an approach using clinical-psychopathological, psychometric, psychodiagnostic and mathematical-statistical methods was used.

Methods

The study was based on the examination of 75 patients with HPD in VD and 63 patients with VD without HPD.

Results

In patients with VD in the middle stage of development in the structure of clinical manifestations was dominated by frequent paranoid and paranoid disorders (in 75.6% of patients, p <0.05) with a systemic delusional plot (in 70.1% of patients, p <0.01) material damage, robbery, theft (in 26.8% of patients, p <0.01), relationships (in 21.9% of patients, p <0.01) and jealousy (in 17.1% of patients, p <0, 01), which ran in the form of paranoid delusional disorder (63.4%), acute paranoia (12.2%) and hallucinations (24.4%). In patients with VD in the late stage of development, the clinical and psychopathological structure of GPR was characterized by a predominance of frequent, hallucinatory disorders (82.4% of patients, p <0.01) in the form of healthy (23.5%, p <0.1), tactile (20.6%, p <0.01) and auditory (26.5%, p <0.5) hallucinations, which took the form of hallucinations (44.2%, p <0.05), confusion (61.5 %, p <0.05) and paranoid delusional disorder (17.6%, p <0.01).

Conclusions

The study of the clinical and psychopathological structure of HPD in patients with dementia of different stages of development revealed their dependence on the stage of development of the pathological process.
Depression and anxiety disorders in chronic hemodialysis patients
Authors: Bouali W. , Gniwa R. Omezzine , Soussia R. Ben , Mohamed A. Hadj , Zarrouk L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Depression and anxiety are among the most common comorbid illnesses in people with end-stage renal disease. They are under-recognized in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders among HD patients and its associated factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study including patients on hemodialysis at the dialysis unit of the University Medical Center of Mahdia, Tunisia, conducted from December 2016 to January 2017. A standard self-administered questionnaire-the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used in the study to measure the presence and severity of anxiety and depression in the study population.

Results

were collated from 55 patients. Overall, 32.7% of patients reported depression and 23.6% reported anxiety. Among symptoms, depression had a significant correlation with diabetes, high blood pressure, and duration of dialysis (p<0.05). Regarding anxiety, this significant correlation was only seen with the duration of dialysis.

Conclusions

The current study showed that the prevalence of depression and anxiety in hemodialysis patients is important and correlates with clinical variables, so effective interventions for mental health should be taken into consideration and the impact of these interventions should be investigated.
Depression and anxiety among older people in central africa: Epidemca population-based study
Authors: Gbessemehlan A. , Guerchet M. , Adou C. , Clément J.-P. , Ndamba-Bandzouzi B. , Mbelesso P. , Houinato D. , Preux P.-M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The burden of depression and anxiety is poorly documented in Central African populations.

Objectives

To present the epidemiology of depressive and anxiety disorders among older people in two Central African countries.

Methods

A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in Republic of Congo (ROC) and Central African Republic (CAR) between 2011 - 2012 among people aged ≥ 65 years (EPIDEMCA study). Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire and participants underwent a brief physical examination. Depression and anxiety symptoms were ascertained using a community version of the Geriatric Mental State (GMS-B3). Probable cases were defined as having a GMS-AGECAT score ≥ 3. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between potential risk factors collected and presence of at least one of both symptoms.

Results

Overall 2002 participants were included in the EPIDEMCA study. Median age of the participants was 72 years [interquartile range: 68 – 78 years] and 61.8% were females. Prevalence was 38.1% (95% Confidence Interval: 35.9% - 40.2%) for depression, 7.7% (95% CI: 6.5% - 8.9%) for anxiety. In total 40.1% had least one of both symptoms. In multivariable models, the following factors were associated with the presence of at least one of both symptoms: female sex, residence area, frailty, cognitive disorders, a high happiness score (protective) and hypertension (adjusted Odds Ratios from 1.3 to 1.7; p<0.01).

Conclusions

In light of the high prevalence of both psychiatric symptoms among Central African older people, evidence on their epidemiology is important for better management and policy planning.
Somatic disorders in psychiatric inpatients : Prevalence and associated factors
Authors: Turki M. , Abid W. , Bouzid O. , Ellouze S. , Ouali R. , Halouani N. , Aloulou J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Elevated prevalence of somatic disorders (SD) in patients with mental diseases is well recognized and studied since latest years. However, their detection remains too late, which darken the prognosis of both diseases, and complicate the therapeutic management.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the prevalence of SD in psychiatric inpatients, and to assess relationships between the two diseases.

Methods

We analyzed retrospectively the medical records of 94 male patients hospitalized for the first time in psychiatry “B” department, Hedi Chaker hospital (Sfax, Tunisia), in the period from January 1st until December 31st, 2019.

Results

The mean age of patients was 36.88 years. Among them, 22.3% used cannabis and 37.2% consumed alcohol. Schizophrenia (41,5%) and bipolar disorders (20.2%) were the most common psychiatric diagnoses. During their hospitalization, at list one SD was noted in 53.2%: cardiovascular diseases 21.3% (electrocardiographic anomalies 19,1%); infections 9.6% and hepatic pathologies 8.5 %. The SD was comorbid with psychiatric disease in 90%, and represented a side effect of psychotropics in 10% of patients with SD. Older Patients were more likely to present SD during hospitalization, without a significant association. Patients with schizophrenia were significantly more likely to present infections (p=0.031). Repolarization disorders are more common in patients with cannabis use (p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Our study pointed the high prevalence of SD in patients with mental illnesses, especially in those with schizophrenia and cannabis use. Thus, the somatic assessment should be a systematic practice to identify patients at risk for somatic complications and ensure timely their transfer to a specialized setting.
Escitalopram in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Artemieva M. , Danilin I. , Ziewozinska Z. , Suleimanov R. , Lazukova A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, affecting up to 2-4% of population. The majority of investigations agree that this disease appears to be a result of confluence of genetic, allergenic and emotional factors. There is usually more than one trigger that leads to the manifestation or exacerbation of symptoms. Psychogenic factors are clearly in a pattern here. Some personality traits may lead to instability of the emotional sphere that can act alternately as a cause, then as an aftereffect of exacerbation of the chronic process, forming a so called “vicious circle” of psychosomatic disease.

Objectives

To discover the impact of escitalopram on the symptoms of psoriasis.

Methods

14 patients were diagnosed with psoriasis. All patients underwent psychiatric interviewing and psychological testing (STAI and HADS). The results revealed increased trait anxiety levels among 8 of them with moderate severity of the process according to SCORAD index. 3 cases demonstrated symptoms of clinically expressed and 4 subclinical levels of depression. Escitalopram (10 to 20 mg. daily) was administered along with common dermatologic therapy in these patients.

Results

Patients treated with escitalopram showed a reduction of anxiety and depression tests scores as well as the values some dermatological symptoms such as pruritus.

Conclusions

These preliminary results of 3 months study gives us a hope of successful psychopharmacological treatment of psoriasis in cooperation with dermatologists. Finding intercommunications in pathogenesis of skin and emotional disorders could optimize the treatment and improve patient’s quality of life. The publication was prepared with the support of the “RUDN University Program 5-100”.
Mental health of people living with hiv and adherence to antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Goma F. , Papazisis G. , Papakonstantinou E. , Karakioulakis G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is a key factor in predicting the success or failure of treatment. Data suggest that the status of mental health and especially depression of people living with HIV can affect adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the mental health status of people living with HIV, to record adherence to antiretroviral therapy and to investigate whether mental health affects adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Methods

A cross-sectional mixed observational correlation study in a sample of 112 HIV-positive individuals was conducted. The Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ) was used to assess adherence to antiretroviral therapy, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depression, and the WHOQOL – BREF tool was used to assess mental health.

Results

The results of the study showed that 58.93% of patients were found to be non-adherent to antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, according to the BDI scale, 10.7% of patients experienced marginal clinical depression, 10.7% experienced moderate levels of depression and 2.7% experienced severe or very severe levels of depression. Further, people living with HIV had a moderate level of mental health (M = 3.40, SD = 0.58).

Conclusions

Our study showed that a high percentage of people living with HIV are non-adherent to antiretroviral therapy. Factors that are possibly associated with decreased adherence are mental health and especially depression. Psychological support for people living with HIV and anti-depressant prevention programs could increase adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
Pain as relief
Authors: Vázquez P. García , Martinez R. Gomez
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Dermatitis artefacta (DA) is a condition whereby self-induced skin damage is the means used to satisfy a desire to assume the sick role.

Objectives

To describe clinical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and evolution of an 15 years-old woman with DA.

Methods

Retrospective review of clinical records, including dermatology, psychiatry and Pathology.

Results

A 15-year-old woman, who come to the Child Psychiatry consultations derived by the Dermatology Service, which is attended by the appearance of multiple bullous lesions throughout the body. Since August, the patient has reported a worsening of her mood, with feelings of loneliness and vital emptiness, with somatic and psychic anxiety referred. In the Dermatology office, she does not recognize self-infliction and the patient is derived to psychiatry consultation and solicited a skin biopsia. In the psychiatric interview, she recognizes that burns occur with a deodorant spray. She admitted doubts about her sexuality for months, claiming to be homosexual for the first time. When she burns, feels pleasure and relief. At the exploration: She wears a gay pride flag bracelet. Expressionless attitude. Cold contact. Approachable. Slightly collaborative. Without major affective disorders. No somatic anxiety, nor psychic. Short speech, impoverished language. Personality traits Cluster B and C. •Salamanca Questionnaire: Dependent personality, and in the background anxiety and histrionic. •Plutchik Impulsivity Scale: 14. •Toronto Alexithymia Scale: 64

Conclusions

The prognosis of the condition is variable, but it has been shown that resolution of the underlying psychosocial stressor leads to improvement. Multinucleated keratinocytes, a pathognomonic lesion of cryodermatitis artefacta, are discovered in the Pathology.
Antioxidant capacity as a novel biomarker of delirium after cardiac surgery
Authors: Kaźmierski J. , Pawlak A. , Miler P. , Jerczyńska H. , Woźniak J. , Frankowska E. , Woźniak K. , Brzezińska A. , Wilczyński M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Coronary-artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is known to improve cardiac function and decrease mortality, albeit, this method of treatment is associated with a high risk of postoperative delirium. The pathophysiology of delirium after cardiac surgery is largely unknown.

Objectives

To investigate whether oxidative stress reflected by decreased preoperative and postoperative plasma antioxidant capacity (AC) is independently associated with delirium after cardiac surgery. Furthermore, to assess whether the association between AC and the level of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) exists.

Methods

The patients were examined 1 day preoperatively with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and MMSE test to screen for depression, anxiety disorders, and for cognitive impairment, respectively. Blood samples for AC and sRAGE levels were collected both preopertively and postoperatively. The CAM ICU and MDAS were used within the first 5 days postoperatively to screen for a diagnosis of delirium.

Results

Postoperative delirium developed in 34% (61 of 177) of participants. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with low baseline AC are at significantly increased risk of developing delirium. Moreover, preoperative AC levels were inversly correlated with postoperative sRAGE concentrations (Spearman’s Rank Correlation -0.198; p<0.05). The most optimal cutoff values of the preoperative and postoperative AC that predict the development of delirium were 1.720 mM and 1.893 mM, respectively.

Conclusions

Decreased plasma AC levels are associated with delirium after cardiac surgery and inversly correlated with post-surgery sRAGE concentration. This may be an important pathophysiological consideration in the increased risk of postoperative delirium seen in cardiac surgery patients.
Structure of personal disorders in hypertensive disease patients
Authors: Chernus N. , .Sivkov S. , Serdakova A. , Sivkov A. , Savina T.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The strcuture of personal disorders in hypertensive disease aptients remains relevant topic.

Objectives

The study population included 57 hypertensive disease patients; mean age 49,1+9,6 years old (42 females and 15 males). The control group included 62 healthy individuals (49 females and 13 males); mean age 48,1+8,6 years old.

Methods

Emotional condition of subjects was assessed using the Depression Scale of Zung, the Spielberger trait Anger scale and Anxiety, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and SCL – 90-R Questionnaire.

Results

The study results showed that as compared to the healthy individuals, the hypertensive disease patients showed significantly higher scores of reactive anxiety (46,0+9,0 and 39,0+8,2; р<0,01), personal anxiety (50,3+9,2 and 41,03+7,9; р<0,01), depression (42,7+7,2 and 36,59+5,95;р<0,01), alexithymia (69,4+8,8 and 59,0+9,2; р<0,01), state anger (11,8+3,6 and 10,6+1,8; р<0,01), reactive anger (9,2+2,6 and 8,1+2,4; р<0,05), personal anger (21,4+5,3 and 18,1+4,6; р<0,01), trait anger (8,3+3,0 and 7,3+2,3; р<0,05), self-aggression (16,2+4,9 and 13,4+3,8; р<0,01), aggression towards others (15,9+3,9 and 14,7+3,4; р<0,05), somatization (1,27+0,6 and 0,5+0,4; р<0,01), hostility (1,2+0,7 and 0,5+0,4; р<0,01), obsessive-compulsive traits (1,2+0,7 и 0,6+0,4; р<0,01), psychoticism (0,7+0,6 and 0,27+0,30; р<0,01) and paranoid traits (1,22+0,6 and 0,5+0,4; р<0,01), phobic anxiety (0,6+0,5 and 0,2+0,2; р<0,01) and interpersonal sensitivity (1,2+0,7 and 0,7+0,5; р<0,01).

Conclusions

Close interrelations between manifestations of anxiety and depression spectrum disorders and anger may be explained by internal conflict between aggressive impulses and the need for adaptive behavior in such individuals, resulting in consistent vicious vortex.
Psychological well-being and employment status during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Valenzuela P. , Barrientos C. , Molina F. , Valdés D. , Leniz I. , Reginatto G. , Basaigoitia A. , Solis-Soto M. , Burrone M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Several restrictive measures have been implemented to reduced COVID- 19 impact with unknown consequences on people daily life.

Objectives

The primary objective is to asses the psychosocial impact and employment status changes since lockdown COVID-19 measures in Chile.

Methods

Cross-sectional study was implemented using an anonymous and self-administered online questionnaire. Adult people were invited to participate through social networks between May to June 2020. The questionnaire included sociodemographic information, coping strategies, changes in income and working conditions and psychological distress (K10 Scale).

Results

3102 participants over 18 years answered the questionnaire. 69.9% reported psychological distress mainly women (82.2%), members of the public health system (59%), dependent workers (39.8%), people who suffered income reduction (36.8%)., and those who changed their employment status (26.4%). Participants who presented income reduction were 1.83 times more likely to present psychological distress than those without changes (p <0.001)

Conclusions

Pandemic crisis had impacted population health, especially in some specifics groups that could be targeted for future interventions.