bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telemedicine – How Does it Work in Practice?
Authors: Kachnic J. , Wojtuszek M. , Wutke J. , Krysta K. , Krzystanek M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Today telemedicine is a very popular and rapidly growing area, which allows the treatment, regardless of the distance between the patient and doctor. We present the latest research, conducted amongst polish doctors about the usefulness of telemedicine as a therapeutic tool in different medical specialties.

Objectives and aims

The aim of the study was to examine doctors’ attitude to telemedicine and usefulness of Platform ‘Moneo’ in the therapy of the areas other than psychiatry.

Methods

The first part was the polish telemedical project (grant no. POIG.01.04.00–04–219/12) conducted to assess medical Platform ‘Moneo’. It was based on a questionnaire filled by participants in scale 1 to 5. The second study based on authors’ anonymous questionnaires was distributed amongst 105 psychiatrists from Poland.

Results

Everybody noticed advantages of medical platform. The Platform's functionalities, rated as the best by healthcare directors were: educational materials, appointment and therapy planning. Managers indicated parts, which could be improved in e-prescribing system, the process of collecting information about hospitalizations and operations. Functionalities indicated by doctors as desirable to increase the utility of the platform is e-prescribing system, reporting side effects, planning visits, educational materials. In study addressed to psychiatrists, only 15% of them claimed to have an extensive knowledge on telepsychiatry, but they had confirmed the potential of telemedicine in psychiatry.

Conclusion

Telemedicine is a useful method, which can improve quality of healthcare services and make an access to it possible for some people. However, lots of improvements in telemedical services are needed to make it an efficient medical tool.
Smartphone for Mental Health Patients: A Double-edged Weapon?
Authors: Mâalej M. , Turki M. , Nada C. , Hentati S. , Sana O. , Nassreddine Z. , Lobna Z. , Jihène B.T. , Mohamed M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The current development of new technologies dedicated to healthcare, such as smartphones, provides an interesting opportunity to improve both assessment and follow-up of different illnesses, particularly mental diseases.

Aim

To investigate, the contributions and risks of smartphone use among mental health patients.

Methods

We conducted a literature research of PubMed and Sciencedirect using the key words “smartphone”; “bipolar disorder”; “schizophrenia”; “anxiety disorders”; “addiction”; “dementia”.

Results

Literature data provide several examples of the use of the smartphone's features for patient monitoring. One such example involved patients with Alzheimer disease. An attempt to deal with the risk of wandering was proposed with the use of the Android app iWander, which works by using the smartphone's GPS to track the patient at all times. As for bipolar disorder, several applications have been proposed both for diagnostic ic instruments…) and interventional purposes (applications that offer subjects psycho-education in the form of emotional self-awareness…). Several other applications can be used in the management of schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder and addictions. Along with its obvious benefits, however, the smartphone use has a dark side. Problematic smartphone use is one form of behavioral addiction recently identified. In addition, the access to Internet through the smartphone opens the door to Internet addiction and its sub-types (cybersexual addiction, cyber-relationship addiction…).

Conclusion

The use of smartphone for medical purposes must be cautious among mental health patients, because of a field of vulnerability that promotes the appearance of other mental diseases, especially addictions, which may darken their prognosis.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Identification of Biological Pathways to Alzheimer's Disease Using Polygenic Scores
Authors: Harrison J. , Baker E. , Hubbard L. , Linden D. , Williams J. , Escott-Price V. , Holmans P.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) contribute small increases in risk for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). LOAD SNPs cluster around genes with similar biological functions (pathways). Polygenic risk scores (PRS) aggregate the effect of SNPs genome-wide. However, this approach has not been widely used for SNPs within specific pathways.

Objectives

We investigated whether pathway-specific PRS were significant predictors of LOAD case/control status.

Methods

We mapped SNPs to genes within 8 pathways implicated in LOAD. For our polygenic analysis, the discovery sample comprised 13,831 LOAD cases and 29,877 controls. LOAD risk alleles for SNPs in our 8 pathways were identified at a P-value threshold of 0.5. Pathway-specific PRS were calculated in a target sample of 3332 cases and 9832 controls. The genetic data were pruned with R2 > 0.2 while retaining the SNPs most significantly associated with AD. We tested whether pathway-specific PRS were associated with LOAD using logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, country, and principal components. We report the proportion of variance in liability explained by each pathway.

Results

The most strongly associated pathways were the immune response (NSNPs = 9304, = 5.63 × 10−19, R2 = 0.04) and hemostasis (NSNPs = 7832, P = 5.47 × 10−7, R2 = 0.015). Regulation of endocytosis, hematopoietic cell lineage, cholesterol transport, clathrin and protein folding were also significantly associated but accounted for less than 1% of the variance. With APOE excluded, all pathways remained significant except proteasome-ubiquitin activity and protein folding.

Conclusions

Genetic risk for LOAD can be split into contributions from different biological pathways. These offer a means to explore disease mechanisms and to stratify patients.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Hippocampal Volume Recovery After Depression: Evidence from an Elderly Sample
Authors: Bensassi I. , Lopez-Castroman J. , Calati R. , Courtet P.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Structural neuroimaging studies have revealed a consistent pattern of volumetric reductions in both the hippocampus and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of individuals with a major depressive episode (MDE). This study investigated hippocampal and ACC volume differences in the elderly comparing currently depressed individuals and individuals with a past lifetime history of MDE versus healthy controls.

Methods

We studied non-demented individuals from a cohort of community-dwelling people aged 65 and over (ESPRIT study). T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were used to acquire anatomical scans from 150 currently depressed individuals, 79 individuals with at least one past MDE, and 310 healthy controls. We derived quantitative regional estimates of subcortical volume of hippocampus and ACC using FreeSurfer Software (automated method). Concerning hippocampus, we also used a manual method of measurement. General Linear Model was used to study brain volumes in current and past depression adjusting for gender, age, education level, total brain volume, and anxiety disorder comorbidity.

Results

After adjustment, current depression was associated with a lower left posterior hippocampal volume (F = 10.38, P = 0.001) using manual estimation of volume. No other significant differences were observed. A positive correlation was found between time since the last MDE and left posterior hippocampal volume.

Conclusions

The finding of left posterior hippocampal volume reduction in currently depressed individuals but not in those with a past MDE compared to healthy controls could be related to brain neuroplasticity. Additionally, our results suggest manual measures to be more sensitive than automated methods.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The relationship between neurocognitive functioning and metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters and the interaction effect of cognitive insight in non-psychiatric individuals
Authors: Kilian S. , Asmal L. , Suliman S. , Seedat S. , Emsley R.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters are: elevated waist circumference (WC), triglycerides (TG), fasting glucose (FBG) and blood pressure (BP) and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). MetS parameters are associated with poor cognition and this association should be studied in the context of other factors. In particular, factors that are involved in maintaining poor lifestyle choices – MetS is largely a lifestyle illness. One factor important to consider is cognitive insight – an individual's ability to be flexible in how you think about yourself and others and to question your own thoughts.

Objectives

To conduct an exploratory cross-sectional study investigating the influence of cognitive insight on the relationship between MetS parameters and cognition in non-psychiatric individuals.

Aims

To explore the nature of the relationship between cognition and MetS parameters and test whether cognitive insight moderates the association.

Methods

Our sample consisted of n = 156 participants with mixed-ancestry. Correlations between MetS parameters and cognition were tested. ANOVA was used to test interaction effects and logistic regression was done to test the predictive power of selected factors.

Results

BP correlated with attention, delayed memory, and RBANS total scale score. The BCIS self-certainty subscale moderated the relationship between BP and immediate memory and attention. Age and BCIS self-certainty were the only predictors of elevated BP.

Conclusions

Good cognitive insight act as protective factor and reduce the impact of elevated BP on cognition. Cognitive insight may be a predictor of elevated BP.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Paediatric mental health training to school teachers in London, UK
Authors: Nijabat K.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The British National Foundation for Educational Research poll found that two thirds of school teachers feel they lack the appropriate training to help identify mental health issues in pupils.1 National Foundation for Education Research, http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/DFE-June2015.

I contacted 10 schools in London and teachers gave similar responses to the above poll, stating teachers did not feel confident identifying or managing common mental health issues in children and adolescents aged 5–18.

Aim

To deliver mental health training in a user friendly way to teachers and enable them to identify common mental health issues in young people.

Objectives

Address underlying concerns teachers have regarding pupils mental health. Discuss strategies to manage common mental health issues.

Method

I delivered a 2-hour training workshop to 25 teachers in two different schools in London, June 2016. The training included a lecture on emotional/behavioural and communication disorders in children. There was interactive discussion with teachers, discussing various scenarios, such as children becoming tearful, showing limited eye contact and displaying aggressive behaviour. We discussed how teachers were dealing with this and how better they could manage the situation.

Results

I got excellent feedback from teachers, 100% of teachers found the training very useful and would like to have more training of this kind in the future. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to improve the management of mental health in young people.

Conclusions

There is a gap in the knowledge teachers have on mental health within the young people and the stigma of mental health makes it more difficult for teachers to address these issues.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
“To live”: An experimental brief therapy for patients who attempt suicide
Authors: Silva D. , coutinho A. , Marques A. , Silva R.
Published: June 2017

Background/introduction

It is widely known that attempted suicide is the main risk factor for suicide and repeated suicide attempts. However, there is a lack of evidence for follow-up interventions/treatments reducing suicidal behavior in this population. The aim of the present study was to describe a novel-therapy as a potential treatment with effectiveness in reducing suicidal behavior. On of the main objectives of this project is to potentiate the benefits of the usual treatment in patients with history of suicidal attempt.

Description and method “To live” is a proposal of short psychotherapeutic intervention program for patients with recent suicide attempts. The participants were randomly allocated in two groups, one worked as our control group (n = 8), which had the usual treatment (individual outpatient care), and the other group (n = 8) underwent the usual treatment plus the experimental treatment. This treatment consists of a well structured program, in which participants receive eight group sessions followed by regular contact through telefonic calls over 12 months. In order to evaluate its impact and measure results, a set of structured interviews and clinical questionnaires have been applied in different times: time zero (before admission), time one (in the end of the intervention), time 2 (1month after intervention), then at each every 3 months over a 12 month follow up period.

Results/conclusion

By the time this study was conducted, the experimental program was being administered, therefore no results could be taken. However, preliminary findings suggest the effectiveness of the program in reducing suicidal behavior in a real-world clinical setting.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Long acting antipsychotics treatment of schizophrenia: A 24-month prospective study on patient's attitude towards treatment
Authors: Calderani E. , Pietrini F. , Burian I. , Chiarello F. , Dahlke D. , Gemignani S. , Marino P. , Talamba G.A. , Poli L. , Santangelo A. , Ricca V. , Ballerini A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Long-acting injectable (LAI) second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are considered an alternative to oral antipsychotics for schizophrenic patients with low adherence to therapy. However, it is still a matter of debate whether LAI-SGAs are able to significantly improve patient's attitudes towards treatment (ATT) [1].

Objective

To investigate the impact of LAI on ATT over 24 months.

Methods

Nineteen schizophrenic patients were switched from either oral olanzapine (11) or paliperidone (8) to the corresponding LAI. Patients were assessed at baseline (T0), after 6 (T1), 12 (T2) and 24 months (T3). Drug Attitude Inventory-10 (DAI-10) [2] was used to assess ATT. Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used for psychopathology evaluations.

Results

Eleven patients reached T3. Eight patients were excluded (4 olanzapine, 4 paliperidone): 4 required a significant change in concomitant treatment, 4 a change of antipsychotic (metabolic comorbidity). No changes in psychopathology occurred between T2 and T3, some scales improved from baseline to T2. DAI-10 mean scores were improved after 12 months, thus not significantly, and were further improved at 24 months (P = .008 vs baseline).

Conclusions

ATT keeps improving after one year of LAI treatment, unrelated to clinical response.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Cognitive outcomes of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction (BPF) supplementation in schizophrenia: Preliminary data
Authors: Crucitti M. , Bruno A. , Pandolfo G. , Troili G.M. , Zoccali R.A. , Muscatello M.R.A.
Published: June 2017

Background

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia significantly affect illness and community outcomes, and quality of life. Several studies support the neuroprotective properties of polyphenolic compounds resulting in neuronal protection, suppression of neuroinflammation and the potential to promote memory, learning and cognitive functions. Bergamot differs from other citrus fruits for flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides composition (neoeriocitrin, neohesperidin, naringin, rutin, neodesmina, roifolina and poncirina), and for their high amount. For these features, BPF may represent a potential supplement for improving cognitive functions.

Aims

The present study was aimed to explore the efficacy of BPF supplementation on clinical symptoms andcognitive functioning in a sample of schizophrenic subjects receiving atypical antipsychotics (APs).

Methods

Ten schizophrenic outpatients treated with atypical APs assumed BPF at the oral daily dose of 1000 mg/day for 30 days. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Verbal Fluency Task-Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Stroop Color-Word Test were administered.

Results

The results obtained indicate that BPF administration substantially improved WCST performances (perseverative responses, P = 0.008; perseverative errors, P = 0.012; total errors, P = 0.011; categories, P = 0.023). Moreover, a trend for others clinical (BPRS) and cognitive variables (Verbal Fluency Task-Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Stroop Color-Word Test) decrease was observed.

Conclusions

The findings provide evidence that BPF administration may be proposed as an effective therapeutic strategy to improve cognitive outcome in schizophrenia. Further clinical trials with adequately powered and well-designed methodology are needed to better explore the BPF effectiveness on cognitive impairments in schizophrenic patients.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
QTc Interval in individuals with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotic as monotherapy or polypharmacy
Authors: Elliott A. , Højlund M. , Mørk T.J. , Christensen T. , Jeppesen R. , Madsen N.J. , Viuff A.G. , Hjorth P. , Nielsen J.C. , Munk-Jørgensen P.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Antipsychotics are associated with the polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, Torsade's de pointes, which in worst case can lead to sudden cardiac death. The QTc interval is used as a clinical proxy for Torsade's de pointes. QTc interval is prolonged by monotherapy with antipsychotic, but it is unknown if the QTc interval is prolonged further with antipsychotic polypharmacy.

Objectives

To investigate the associations between QTc interval and antipsychotic mono- and polypharmaceutical treatment, respectively, in schizophrenic patients.

Aims

To learn more about the impact of antipsychotics on the QTc interval.

Methods

An observational cohort study of unselected patients with schizophrenia visiting outpatient facilities in the Region of Central Jutland, Denmark. Patients were enrolled from January 2013 through March 2015 with follow-up until June 2015. Data was collected from clinical interviews and clinical case records.

Results

ECGs were available in 58 patients receiving antipsychotic treatment. We observed no difference in average QTc interval for the whole sample of patients receiving monotherapy or polypharmacy (P = 0.29). However, women presented longer QTc-interval on polypharmacy than on monotherapy (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

We recommend an increased focus on monitoring the QTc interval in woman with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotics as polypharmacy.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Video and Internet Gaming Addiction Among Young Adults
Authors: Guermazi F. , Halouani N. , Yaich K. , Ennaoui R. , Chouayakh S. , Aloulou J. , Amami O.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

With the popularity of high-tech devices and Internet use in recent years, playing online or offline games has become a popular activity, among young adults (YA). However, research suggests that excessive engagement may in extreme cases lead to symptoms commonly experienced by substance addicts.

Aims

Estimate the prevalence of problematic use of video and Internet games (PUVIG) among YA. Determine the factors associated with it.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out during the first half of September 2016. A sample of 69 YA with a high education's level was randomly selected from the general population. Data were collected through a global questionnaire consisted of a sociodemographic part, the Young Internet Addiction Test, the Problem Video Game playing questionnaire, online network game scale and the Perceived Stress Scale.

Results

The average age was 27.6 years. The majority (70%) reported using video or Internet games. The risk of dependency to online network games involved 10% of game players while the presence of video games use consequences concerning 16%. Gaming addiction was significantly more likely in boys (P = 0.001). The students had more PUVIG than employees (P = 0.036). A link was highlighted with a problematic Internet use (P = 0.008), a facebook addiction (P = 0.001) and high perceived stress level (0.014).

Conclusions

Playing video and Internet games is a widespread activity among YA. The factors potentially involved are inevitably multiple and complex. It supports the need to carefully explore these emerging practices among this vulnerable population and suggest the establishment of better prevention and better tracking of video gaming.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Bipolar Disorder, Obesity and Cognitive Impairment
Authors: La Montagna M. , Stella E. , Ricci F. , Borraccino L. , Triggiani A.I. , Panza F. , Seripa D. , Miscio G. , Bellomo A. , Lozupone M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

According to scientific literature, cognitive impairment is a disabling feature of the bipolar disorder (BD), present in all the phases of the disease. Obesity and metabolic disorders represent another risk factor for cognitive dysfunctions in BD, since the excess of weight could adversely influence several cognitive domains.

Objective

To highlight the presence of impairment of cognitive functions in a sample of subjects suffering from BD and obesity.

Aims

Evaluation of the cognitive performance in a sample of BD patients, considering their anthropometric measures (height and weight) and body mass index (BMI).

Methods

The neuropsychological battery MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was administered by trained physicians for the evaluation of seven different cognitive domains in 46 patients (mean age: 43.17 years old; 39.13% male), affected by BD enrolled in the psychiatric unit of Azienda Sanitaria Locale and University of Foggia. In particular, cognitive functions assessed were speed of processing, attention/vigilance, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, reasoning and problem solving, and social cognition. BMI was calculated, and patients were divided into a group of normal weight and another one of overweight or obese, on the base of BMI value (BMI cut-off = 25).

Results

The obese patients amounted at 56.52%. We have found the presence of cognitive deficits in two of the seven domains assessed, that are speed of processing (P < 0.01) and reasoning and problem solving (P < 0.05) in the sample of overweight patients.

Conclusions

Cognitive deficits are clearly revealed in BD patients during the euthymic phase of the disorder. The obesity in BD could contribute to increase dysfunctions in cognitive domains.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Typical and Atypical Antipsychotics in Acute Mania: Comparison of Effectiveness
Authors: Medici C.R. , Kai L.M. , Kristensen S.B. , Kirkedal C. , Straszek S.P.V.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Mania is challenging to treat. Typical antipsychotics may be more efficient compared with atypical antipsychotics, however, with unfavourable side effects.

Objectives

To help the clinician choose between typical and atypical antipsychotics.

Aims

To investigate the correlation between change in severity of mania and the corresponding day to day use of typical and atypical antipsychotics.

Methods

This retrospective case record study included patients admitted with mania (International Classification of Diseases 10th revision code F30, F31.0, F31.1, F31.2 or F31.6) at the Department of Affective Disorders, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, between January 2013, and December 2015. The dose of typical and atypical antipsychotics was standardized as defined daily dose according to the World Health Organization's guidelines. The severity of mania was measured daily with the Modified Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Scale (MAS-M), a validated, nurse administered scale (MAS-M). We applied a linear regression in a mixed model approach to compare the Mas-M score over time under the influence of typical and atypical antipsychotics, respectively, adjusted for baseline characteristics.

Results

We included 43 patients. Patients receiving typical antipsychotics had more recent hospital admissions, a higher dosage antipsychotics and more constraint. The baseline MAS-M score was higher in patients receiving typical antipsychotics. The daily change in MAS-M score was–0.25 for typical antipsychotics and–0.23 for atypical antipsychotics with a difference of 0.02 (95% CI 0.008–0.039).

Conclusions

The rate of improvement of mania may be independent of baseline illness or type of antipsychotic medication. This may be confounded by indication.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Emotional Deficits in Remitted Bipolar and Schizoaffective Patients
Authors: Romosan R.S. , Romosan A.M. , Ienciu L.M. , Dehelean L. , Bredicean A.C.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Both bipolar and schizoaffective patients have deficient social skills persisting even during the remission of the clinical symptoms. These deficits may represent impediments for the social reintegration and recovery of these patients.

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to assess and compare emotion recognition abilities of schizoaffective and bipolar patients during remission.

Methods

The study was conducted between 2014 and 2016 on remitted outpatients, diagnosed with either bipolar disorder (n = 38) or schizoaffective disorder (n = 32), according to ICD 10 criteria, and a healthy control group (n = 65). In order to evaluate patients’ ability of understanding the emotional expressions of other people, we used the revised version of the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” test (“Eyes test”).

Results

The patient group consisted of 41 (58.6%) women and 29 (41.4%) men, with a mean age of 43.57 years (SD = 10.56). The control group was comprised of 25 males (38.5%) and 40 females (61.5%), with a mean age of 42.03 years (SD = 11.07). We found statistically significant differences (P = 0.003) between the patient groups and the control group regarding emotion recognition abilities (poorer emotion recognition skills than the control group in both bipolar and schizoaffective patients). Patients with schizoaffective disorder gave significantly more incorrect answers in the “Eyes test” than bipolar patients (P = 0.015). Although not statistically significant, women had better emotion recognition abilities than men, both in the patient sample and the control group.

Conclusions

Schizoaffective patients have more severe emotional deficits than bipolar patients during euthymic periods.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Exploring the Complex Association Between Affective Temperaments and Suicidal Behaviour
Authors: Serafini G. , Canepa G. , Adavastro G. , Pompili M. , Girardi P. , Amore M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Suicidal behaviour is one of the most relevant public health problems and it is associated with a significant disability and psychosocial impairment. Affective temperaments, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and suicide intent may be significantly involved in suicidal behaviour.

Objectives

The present study explored the complex relation between these clinical variables and suicide.

Aims

We aimed to evaluate the specific role of affective temperaments and other risk factors as potential predictors of suicide risk.

Methods

The sample included 276 patients (19.9% men, 81.1% women; mean age: 48.1 years, SD:16.9), of which most with major affective disorders, who were admitted at the Psychiatric Unit of the University of Genoa (Italy). All participants have been evaluated using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-a), Beck Hopelessness scale (BHS), Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI), and Intent Score Scale (ISS).

Results

Patients with anxious temperament significantly differ in terms of residual interepisodic symptoms, substances abuse, adherence to treatment, and current episode duration when compared with those having other affective temperaments. Only suicidal ideation and irritable temperament resulted significant predictors of suicide preparation. In addition, suicidal ideation and prior suicide attempts represent significant predictors of suicide intent.

Conclusions

The present findings suggest the importance of systematic evaluation for suicidal behaviour that may allow clinicians to identify patients at higher suicide risk. As these data may be influenced by the severity of the psychopathological conditions and psychiatric medications, which were used during admission by our patients, further additional studies are needed to test these preliminary findings.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Onset Paranoid Symptoms in Depressive and Non-depressive Middle Adolescence Sample: School-based Preliminary Study from Croatia
Authors: Krnic S. , Britvic D. , Milanovic M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

There is a lack of epidemiological evidence on the prevalence and incidence of mental health disorders in adolescence in Croatia. Depressive disorder and paranoid symptoms have been demonstrated to be closely related in adult community samples or patients with adult depression. The present study used a cross-sectional design to evaluate a sample of Croatian adolescents.

Objectives

Examine the prevalence of paranoid symptoms in adolescents attending grammar school as a preliminary study of clinical characteristic of depression in adolescence.

Methods

A sample of 450 individuals, average age 15.7 (SD = 0.45); female 232 (51.6%), male 218 (48.4%). The screening was followed by the use of a structured psychiatric interview (HAMD-21), which was administered to confirm the presence or absence of depression disorder. Item paranoid symptoms were administered to evaluate the level OD symptoms (0–none; 1–suspicious; 2–ideas of reference; 3–delusions of reference and persecutions).

Results

A total of 450 participants were screened, using HAMD-21, paranoid symptoms occurred (44.9%). Depressed adolescents: moderate, severe and very severe, defined as more than 14 points in HAMD-21 presented paranoid symptoms 68.1%, and non-depressed 32.2%.

Conclusion

The depressive group displayed more frequent and intense paranoid symptoms than the control group (P < 0.001). Among non-depressed the incidence of paranoid symptoms is a surprisingly high. This could be the consequences of the war in Croatia, transition, as well as the influence of social networks on adolescent communication. This requires future studies.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Adversity, Parental Mental Illness, and Risk of Depression in Youth
Authors: Patterson V. , Mackenzie L. , Zwicker A. , Drobinin V. , Cumby J. , Abidi S. , Bagnell A. , Propper L. , Alda M. , Uher R.
Published: June 2017

Background

The association between parental severe mental illness (SMI) and depression in offspring may be due to genetic liability or adverse environments. We investigated the effect of parental SMI, SES, and adversity on depression in a sample of youth enriched for familial risk of mental illness.

Method

We assessed 217 youth (mean age 11.95, SD 4.14, range 6–24), including 167 (77%) offspring of parents with SMI. We measured exposure to childhood maltreatment and bullying with the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ) and Childhood Experiences of Care and Abuse (CECA) interview.

Results

In total, 13.36% participants reported significant bullying and 40.76% had a history of childhood maltreatment. Rates of bullying and maltreatment were similar in offspring of parents with and without SMI. Maltreatment likelihood increased with decreasing socioeconomic status. Exposure to bullying (OR = 3.11, 95%CI 1.08–8.88, P = 0.03) predicted depression in offspring more strongly than family history of SMI in parents.

Conclusions

Adversity, such as maltreatment and bullying, has a stronger impact on the risk of developing depression than family history of mental illness in parents. These adverse experiences are associated with socioeconomic status rather than parental mental illness.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
From Identification of Neurofunctional Systems to Individualization of Treatment for Schizophrenic Disorders
Authors: Falkai P.
Published: June 2017

Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder characterized by positive, negative, affective and cognitive symptoms and can be viewed as a disorder of impaired neural plasticity. Schizophrenia leads to livelong disability in a substantial proportion of the sufferers and it still connected with an unfavorable outcome. Therefore, it is inevitable to find and apply interventions to reduce the risk of psychosis and/or prevent a further chronification of the illness. There are two major obstacles translational schizophrenia research has to face: One is the introduction of easy to measure and reliable biomarkers; the second are add-on treatments to improve the residual symptoms of this illness. To reach the first goal, subgroups must be identified utilizing biomarkers in order to induce specifically targeted treatments. For the long-term prognosis and outcome it is necessary for biomarkers to constitute easy measurable clinical routine parameters. Studies will be summarized using clinical (GAF, PANSS, CGI) and imaging data in order to accurately predict the outcome in the first week, for 4 and for 52 weeks. This will help to subdivide these groups into a god, an intermediate and a fair outcome group. Future clinical studies will benefit enormously if it was possible to focus on the intermediate group, where recovery could be reached by targeted treatment as most of those subjects are showing partial recovery or remission.

Disclosure of interest

The author declares that he has no competing interest.
The Co-occurrence of Non-suicidal Self-injury and Attempted Suicide Among Adolescents Hospitalized in Clinic for Mental Disorders “Dr Laza Lazarevic”
Authors: Randjelovic D. , Mihajlovic S. , Randjelovic D. , Nikolic Dimitrijevic D.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The phenomenon of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) as an act of deliberate destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent is common in adolescence. NSSI and suicide attempts (SA), although distinct behaviors differing in intent, form and function, often co-occur in the same individual.

Objective and aims

Recent studies investigate the association between SA and NSSI among adolescent, as well as risk factors associated with these phenomenon. We investigated the co-ccurrence of NSSI and SA among adolescents treated in hospital during the previous year.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional study among hospitalized adolescents in the Clinic for mental disorde “Dr Laza Lazarevic”, aged 14 to 18 years, in the period from 01.01.2015 to 01.01.2016. The data were obtained from clinical interviews of patients.

Results

Study included 146 adolescents, 51.4% male and 48.6% female, average age 15.5. We found a statistically significant difference of NSSI (c2 = 9.951, P = 0.002, phi = 0.276) and SA (c2 = 4.517, P = 0.034, fi = 0.192) among female adolescent. The co-occurrence of NSSI and SA was found in 4.8% of adolescents, which does not indicate a statistically significant difference (c2 = 1.009, P = 0.315, phi = –0.101) compared to the total population of hospitalized adolescents.

Conclusion

Although our study did not confirmed a higher incidence of SA in adolescent with NSSI, understanding of what percentage of those engaging in NSSI also make SA, and how they are related have great significance in their prevention taking into account the dangerousness and lethality of those behavior.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Somatoform Symptoms’ Influence on the Rubber Hand Illusion: Additional Analysis
Authors: Perepelkina O. , Arina G. , Boboleva M. , Nikolaeva V.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

In the rubber hand illusion (RHI) [1], sense of body ownership is changed by synchronous touches to the hidden participant's hand and a visible rubber hand. It was previously shown [2] that medically unexplained symptoms were associated with the weaker RHI (n = 40).

Objectives

We used data from our previous research [3] and supplementary questionnaires to test the hypothesis that somatoform symptoms would be associated with the decreased response to RHI.

Methods

Subjects (n = 78) voluntarily undergo the following procedures: RHI experiment with measurement of proprioceptive drift and self-reports, Screening for Somatoform Disorders (SOMS-2) and Symptom Check List-90-Revised (the “somatization scale”).

Results

Robust regression was used to evaluate predictors influence: Drift/Self-reports∼SOMS-2 + somatization. SOMS-2 was a significant predictor for proprioceptive drift with positive coefficient (P < 0.05, adjusted), both predictors were insignificant for self-reports.

Conclusions

Thus, the results of [2] were not reproduced. We demonstrated on the larger sample, that the higher somatoform symptoms (scores of SOMS-2) predicted the stronger RHI. Since our research and [2] had been conducted on non-clinical groups, it is necessary to conduct the critical experiment on the clinical population.

The reported study was funded by RFBR according to the research project No.16-36-00394.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Is international affective picture system (IAPS) appropriate for using in Iranian culture, comparing to the original normative rating based on a North American sample
Authors: Zamani N.
Published: June 2017

Background

Previous studies have shown that cultural context has an influence on emotion and cognition. In this study the emotional response to international affective picture system (IAPS) was compared between Iranians and normative ratings of Americans young adults.

Method

One hundred and thirty eight Iranian university students (85 women, 48 men) age 18 to 52 (average= 31, SD = 7.76) enrolled in the study. Participants’ emotional response to IAPS images were rated in three dimensions (valence, arousal, dominance) using self-assessment Manikin (SAM) system. Then, valence, arousal, dominance scores were compared to those of 100 American undergraduates (50 females, 50 males) of the same age group, enrolled at Florida university and surveyed by Prof. PJ Lang in 2008.

Result

Our results indicate that there is complete correlation between the mean ratings of valence, arousal and dominance between Iranian and American participants. Also the results showed similarities in valence ratings, but arousal ratings especially in female participants were different. The relationship between arousal and valence showed a similar boomerang shaped distribution seen with the North American sample. Iranian sample showed positively offset and negative bias comparable to the American counterparts.

Conclusion

The results are promising in the sense that IAPS images can be used in studies within Iranian cultural context. However, arousal values require a modification for their proper application in Iranian cultural context.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Misophonia: Case Report
Authors: Vidal C. , Vidal L. Melo , Lage M.J. Alvarenga
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Misophonia refers to a condition in which there is a strong aversion to certain sounds, in response to it the person reports unpleasant emotional experiences and autonomic arousal.

Objectives

To present the case of misophonia carrier and discuss diagnostic features.

Methodology

Case report and literature review.

Results

Female, 32 years old, married, two children. In anamnesis reported obsessional symptoms (Check doors and windows, concerned with order and symmetry of objects; read all that lies ahead, pull the hand two or three times on mobile) since adolescence. Also reported triggering situations of anger: intolerance to some noises and sounds, like chewing third, mobile keyboard, click the “mouse” computer, printer and rub hands. In the presence of these noises, she tries to move away, and already tried to attack physically relatives and insulting co-workers. She was treated with escitalopram and re-evaluation after thirty days, reported partial relief misophonia and reduction of obsessional symptoms.

Conclusion

The condition was first described in the early 2000s by two audiologists, and has become the focus of interest in the field of psychiatry. Some reports suggest that misophonic symptoms may be part of other conditions such as Tourette's syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Specifically, the characteristics shared between misophonia and OCD, as the relief of discomfort associated with avoidance behaviour suggest that the condition is part of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum, which seems to happen with the case described above.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
An Investigation of the Coupling of Temperament Traits with Anxiety
Authors: Sulis W. , Trofimova I.
Published: June 2017

Temperament traits and anxiety have been linked to varying degrees of neurotransmitter imbalances in neurophysiological systems of regulating behaviour. The diversity of neurotransmitters implicated in anxiety symptoms raises questions as to whether the multiple neurotransmitter systems secondarily express dysfunction in a higher-level system, which modulates their activity. This study analyzed the predictions of the neurochemical functional ensemble of temperament (FET) model that proposes that a dysregulation of the opioid receptors acting on monoaminergic and GABA systems gives rise to the symptoms of GAD. The study investigated the coupling of sex, age and temperament traits with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) across three age groups (17–24, 25–45, 46–65 years). The records of patients aged 65–85 years old were also examined but showed significantly less presence of GAD in comparison to other age groups. Temperament was assessed using the activity specific 12-trait structure of temperament questionnaire. Consistent with the hypotheses of the FET, patients with GAD reported lower mean scores on the traits of social-verbal endurance, mental endurance, plasticity and sensation seeking and higher mean scores in the trait of impulsivity, than healthy individuals. GAD was associated with significantly lower self-confidence in women than in men. The results suggest that new versions of the DSM should consider an increase of impulsivity and a decrease in plasticity of behavior as criteria symptoms of anxiety. Moreover, the results suggest that the current criterion of fatigue should be specified as more related to social-verbal and mental aspects and less to physical aspects of endurance.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Ultra High Risk Status and Transition to Psychosis in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Authors: Armando M. , Schneider M. , Pontillo M. , Vicari S. , Debbane M. , Schultze-Lutter F. , Eliez S.
Published: June 2017

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is characterized by high rates of psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia, making this condition a promising human model for studying risk factors for psychosis. We explored the predictive value of ultra high-risk (UHR) criteria in a sample of patients with 22q11DS. We also examined the additional contribution of sociodemographic, clinical and cognitive variables to predict transition to psychosis within a mean interval of 32.56176 months after initial assessment. Eighty-nine participants with 22q11DS (age range: 8–30 years; mean: 16.1647) were assessed using the structured interview for psychosis-risk syndromes. Information on axis I diagnoses, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, level of functioning and IQ was also collected. At baseline, 22 (24.7%) participants met UHR criteria. Compared to those without a UHR condition, they had a significantly lower functioning, more frequent anxiety disorders and more severe psychopathology. Transition rate to psychosis was 27.3% in UHR and 4.5% in non-UHR participants. Cox regression analyses revealed that UHR status significantly predicted conversion to psychosis. Baseline level of functioning was the only other additional predictor. This is the first study investigating the predictive value of UHR criteria in 22q11DS. It indicates that the clinical path leading to psychosis is broadly comparable to that observed in other clinical high-risk samples. Nevertheless, the relatively high transition rate in non-UHR individuals suggests that other risk markers should be explored in this population. The role of low functioning as a predictor of transition to psychosis should also be investigated more in depth.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Coping Victimization among Peers in Spain
Authors: Magallón-Neri E. , Vanneste-Morales S. , Forns M. , Kirchner T.
Published: June 2017

Background

Bullying at school and victimization problems in adolescence have a negative impact in personal identity development specifically in mental health field.

Objective

To analyze coping profiles used in a communitarian adolescents sample in relation to victimization among peers and controlling the other victimization subtypes.

Method

From Barcelona Metropolitan area, 1031 adolescents between 12 and 20 years old participated (37.5% boys; 15.7% foreigners). The different coping strategies were assessed with adolescent coping orientation for problem experiences test and the victimization types with juvenile victimization questionnaire.

Results

A 46.2% of adolescents suffered a victimization event by peers in the last year. As victimization level by peers advance, it presents an increase of unproductive coping strategies (P < .001; d-Cohen = 0.92). Regularly women score higher than men in low and moderate victimization groups (P < .05). However, when it reaches the highest expression (higher risk profile), unproductive strategies use in both genders is very similar and significant differences disappear. The results show that avoidant coping type is associated with a higher rate of victimization by peers. Positive relationship between previous victimization in other areas and peer victimization rate was found.

Conclusions

It is of high importance to develop and strengthen coping psychoeducation programs centered in solving this problem and struggling against victimization consequences by peers in adolescence. Due to that, increase of this victimization type is very related to the use of unproductive strategies use and therefore a coping by avoiding the problem.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.