bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a Platform for Online Psychotherapy Sessions
Authors: Bran M. , Ladea M. , Sarpe M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Providing mental health services by real-time videoconferencing has been increasingly adopted as a method of reaching hard-to-serve populations since the early 1990s. There is a growing body of evidence investigating the efficacy of delivering online mental health care. Though studies vary in quality, they generally demonstrate that online mental health care is effective across multiple age groups. Online is generally well accepted by patients and specialists and its implementation is feasible. It is also convenient and cost effective.

Objectives

Due to the fact that almost 75% of Romanian population have internet access and that mental health services are still stigmatized we perceived the opportunity to develop an online platform where patients can easily find and interact with mental health specialists using secured videoconference.

Methods

During a timeframe of two years a multidisciplinary team managed to develop and test an online platform where patients can access psychotherapy sessions. Main design and development targets were usability and confidentiality/security. The platform has an appointment tool, a secure videoconference solution and an integrated online payment service.

Results

The platform can be accessed at https://atlashelp.ro. It was launched in mid July 2016 and it already gathers more than 50 mental health specialists. The feedback was excellent from both specialists and patients.

Conclusions

The solution developed is complaint with most of international standards and offers easy to access and high quality psychotherapeutic services for Romanian patients.
Reasons for Using Schizophrenia Internet Forums in Croatia
Authors: Žaja N. , Vukušić Rukavina T. , Brborović O. , Prošev A. , Perušić D.
Published: June 2017

Searching the Internet is one of the main sources for obtaining health and medical information. When searching the Internet, users can find information published by various organizations, companies, agencies or institutions and also information posted by users on the user-oriented Internet platforms, such as forums, blogs, and various social networks. There are no single, standardized mechanisms to ensure the truthfulness, objectivity, credibility and comprehensibility of health information available on the Internet. Moreover, a very small proportion of medical content on the Internet is revised or moderated by health experts. The aim of this study was to examine the motives for using schizophrenia Internet forums in Croatia. The study sample consists of user-generated posts on the largest Croatian schizophrenia Internet sub-forum over a period of one year, analyzed using qualitative methodology–grounded theory. The results showed that the majority of users use schizophrenia Internet forums to receive emotional support from others with the same diagnosis. Other important reasons were to exchange information about medications, symptoms and prognosis of the illness. It was noted that a large number of entries, with information about drugs and symptoms of the illness, contain inaccurate information. Posts about treatment and symptoms of schizophrenia provided by Internet forums often contain unverified information and can potentially harm users of such forums and also undermine doctor-patient relationship. Expert moderation of these forums and better education of patients by their physician, could help patients receive better medical care and to strengthen the confidence of patients in their physicians.
Comparison of Self-reported to Observational Agitation Scales
Authors: Zun L. , Downey L.
Published: June 2017

Background

Increasingly, psychiatric patients are presenting to the emergency department (ED) with agitation. ED staff rarely, if ever, use scale to assess agitation or use any self-assessment tools to determine a patient's level of agitation.

Objectives

To evaluate the relationship between a patient's self-reported level of agitation and other validated agitation assessment tools.

Methods

This is a prospective study using a convenience sample of patients presenting to the ED with a psychiatric complaint. This study was conducted in an urban, inner-city trauma level 1 center with 55,000 ED visits a year. After obtaining consent, a research fellow administered observational tools, PANSS-EC and ACES and BAM and Likert scale self assessment tools on arrival to the ED. SPSS version 24 was used. The study was IRB approved.

Results

A total of 139 patients were enrolled. The most common ED diagnoses were depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar. Majority of patients were African-American (59%), falling in the 25–44 year old age range (56%) 52% male. Self-reported agitation was rated as moderate to high in 72.4% of these patients on the Likert scale and 76.3% on the BAM. There was a significant correlation between the self-reported score versus the BAM (F = 11.2, P = 0.00). However, the self-reported scores were significantly different from the scores assessed by observational tools (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

ED providers should assess a patient's self-reported level of agitation because a patient could be feeling markedly agitated without expressing outward signs detected by observational tools.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Family Functioning, Trauma Exposure and PTSD in a Middle-income Community Sample
Authors: Dorrington S. , Zavos H. , Ball H. , McGuffin P. , Sumathipala A. , Siribaddana S. , Rijsdijk F. , Hatch S.L. , Hotopf M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Only a minority of trauma-exposed individuals go on to develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous studies in high-income countries suggest that maladaptive family functioning adversities (MFFA) in childhood may partially ex-plain individual variation in vulnerability to PTSD following trauma. We test in a lower middle income setting (Sri Lanka) whether: (1) MFFA moderates the association between exposure to trauma and later (a) PTSD (b) other psychiatric diagnoses; (2) any moderation by MFFA is explained by experiences of interpersonal violence, cumulative trauma exposure or other psychopathology.

Methods

We conducted a population study of 3995 twins and 2019 singletons residing in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Participants completed the composite international diagnostic interview, including nine traumatic exposures and a questionnaire on MFFA.

Results

In total, 23.4% of participants reported exposure to MFFA. We found that (1) MFFA moderates the association between trauma exposure and both (a) PTSD and (b) non-PTSD diagnosis. (2) This was not explained by interpersonal violence, cumulative trauma exposure or other psychopathology.

Conclusions

In our sample MFFA moderates the association between trauma and PTSD, and the association between trauma and non-PTSD psychopathology.
Relationship between cognition and primary negative symptoms sub-domains in schizophrenia
Authors: Capatina O.O. , miclutia I.V. , toma A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The relationship between negative symptoms and cognition in schizophrenia is not clear, a number of authors whom studied this relationship came up with inconsistent findings and meta-analyses show that there is a small moderate associations between the two domains.

Objectives and aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognition and the primary negative symptoms sub-domains.

Methods

Sixty-seven female patients with schizophrenia were evaluated using PANSS ans NSA-16 scales. Correlation and regression analyses were used in the present study to investigate the relationship between the primary negative symptoms sub-domains obtained by using the principal component analysis, and cognition evaluated with the PANSS using the 5 factor model as described by Lindenmayer.

Results

No relationship was found between the PANSS Cognitive factor and Negative factor, but when investigating the relationship of the Cognitive PANSS factor with the negative sub-domains: diminished expression (DE) and avolition-apathy (AA), it was shown that there is a significant association between cognition and AA domain, but there was shown no association with the DE domain, and there was just a small association with the composit score of the NAS-16.

Conclusions

Our study reveals the relative independence of cognitive factor from the negative domain of the psychopathology, even though the association with AA domain was clear. These findings also support the need of using appropriate assessment tools in order to get a refined understanding of the phenomenology of schizophrenia.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Neuropsychological profile of patients in the first episode of psychosis
Authors: Bozikas V.P. , Dardagani A. , Athanasis P. , Gliatas I. , Ntouros E. , Parlapani E.
Published: June 2017

Neurocognitive dysfunction in patients presenting psychotic symptoms for the first time has been repeatedly noted by researchers. However, there is still much diversity in data concerning the performance of these patients in specific cognitive domains and their degree of impairment. We used the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), in order to administer a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. A series of tests was selected measuring attention, memory, planning, inhibition, shifting ability, mental flexibility, working memory and visuospatial ability. The sample comprised 64 patients (37 male) with first episode of psychosis and 14 healthy individuals (9 male). Patients’ performance was lower in all cognitive domains, in relation to the performance of controls. More specifically, impairments in sustained attention (–.6 SD), memory (–.7 SD), planning (–.6 SD), working memory (–.7 SD), shifting ability (–.6 SD) and visuospatial ability (–.6 SD) were prominent. Also, patients presented a severe deficit in speed of processing (–.7 SD) and selective attention (–.6 SD). Our data confirms that patients in the first episode of psychosis present deficits in all cognitive domains. A more rigorous and thorough examination of specific subcomponents of cognitive abilities may be necessary in order to examine possible contributing factors as to specify the exact nature of cognitive deficits in first episode of psychosis.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Clinical Variants of Psychopathological Disorders in Users of Synthetic Cannabinoids (Spices)
Authors: Bokhan N. , Selivanov G.Y.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The problem of mental health of synthetic (“designer”) drug or “spice” users draws the increasing attention of experts of various areas in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry and psychotherapy.

Research objective To classify and describe the psychotic states arising after the use of “spice”; to define the personality changes and probable consequences of the use observed in patients in the conditions of a hospital.

Material and methods

One hundred and one patients (93 men and 8 women; mean age 27.8 ± 7.6 years) with dependence on “spice” revealed between 2014 and 2015 were examined. History taking, clinical-psychopathological investigation and experimental psychological testing were used.

Results and discussion

As a result of research the patients were divided into 5 groups according to criteria of ICD-10:

– group 1: acute intoxication with delirium (n = 16; 15.84%);

– group 2: residual and late-onset psychotic disorders like flashbacks (n = 9; 8.92%);

– group 3: withdrawal state with delirium (n = 32; 31.68%);

– group 4: psychotic disorder, mainly hallucinatory (n = 30; 29.70%);

– group 5: paranoid schizophrenia (n = 14; 13.86%).

The use of synthetic cannabinoids (“spice”) can initiate transient psychotic episodes, serve as the contributing factor of development of paranoid schizophrenia, continuous type of the course, leads to “accentuation” of schizoid, paranoid and psychopathic traits of the personality. It is proposed to make up a question of the possibility of additional use of the clarifying designation “synthetic cannabinoids/spice” at reference of patients using synthetic cannabinoids to the section of ICD-10 F12 “Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids” the agenda of clinicians.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Evaluation of The use of Psychoactive Substances Among Patients Admitted to a Cardiology Intensive Care Unit: Prevalence and Prevention
Authors: Chevallier C. , Batisse A. , Merat B. , Dillinger J.G. , Bourgogne E. , Gourlain H. , Marillier M. , Henry P. , Laprevote O. , Samira D.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Addiction to psychoactive substances (PAS) can lead to cardiovascular complications. Cardiotoxicity of drugs is known but it is rarely documented by toxicology.

Objectives

We conducted a prevalence study on PAS use among patients with cardiac symptoms, with an analysis of diagnosis and a description of PAS user's characteristics.

Aims

To improve the therapeutic management in addictology for cardiac patients.

Methods

Prospective observational study performed during 3 months. Patients admitted in cardiology had to complete a hetero-questionnaire about his PAS consumption and a qualitative toxicological research in urine and/or blood (immunochemical/GC–MS detection).

Results

One hundred and sixty-one patients were included: 86% men, aged 24–68 years (Table 1). Results show a high level of PAS use in our population: 8.7%. A significant PAS use is observed among patients aged 40–70 years, with a prevalence of 22% for the 40–49, 15% for the 50–59 and 7% for the 60–69. PAS detected were mainly cannabis and cocaine. Clinical diagnoses of patients positive to PAS were acute coronary syndromes and severe cardiac arrhythmias.

Conclusions

In patients admitted in cardiology, toxicological screening is rarely done. Our study shows a significant PAS use among patients aged 40–70 years. According to data of the French Health Barometer, there is regular use of cannabis and cocaine at respectively 3% and 1.1% among people aged 18–64. These results invite us to achieve a more systematic identification of PAS use among patients with cardiovascular disorders and to optimize the therapeutic management by a systematic orientation in addictology.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Neuropsychological Differences Between Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder Patients
Authors: Michopoulos I. , Tournikioti K. , Gournellis R. , Ferentinos P. , Vassilopoulou K. , Karavia A. , Papadopoulou M. , Douzenis A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

There is a continuing debate about the differences and similarities between bipolar disorder (BD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Objectives

Only few studies have focused on the neuropsychological profile of these two disorders.

Aims

We studied the differences on memory, executive function and inhibitory control between BD and BPD patients.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with BD in euthymia, 27 patients with BPD and 22 healthy controls matched for age and education were included in the study. All of them were female. BD patients who could also be diagnosed with BPD were excluded from the study. Participants were administered a series of tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), accessing memory, executive function and inhibitory control.

Results

BD and BPD patients performed worse than controls in general. Significant differences were found in the PAL test; BD patients had 46.71, BPD patients had 36.56 and controls had 15.77 errors (P = 0.004). BPD patients performed worse in the IE/ED set-shifting test; they made 48.16 errors while BD patients made 23.64 and controls 16.14 (P = 0.001). BPD patients performed better in the problem-solving task (SOC), they solved 10.0, BD patients 6.32 and controls 8.32 problems (P < 0.001).

BD and BPD patients had similar performance in the SST inhibition task but worse than controls (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

BD and BPD seem to have differences in neuropsychological performance. BD patients show more deficits in memory learning and problem solving while BPD patients show more deficits in set shifting.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Bipolar Disorder in Epilepsy
Authors: Sivakova N. , Mazo G. , Lipatova L.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Bipolar disorder (BD) and epilepsy are the chronic recurrent diseases with several similarities in pathogenic mechanisms. There are high prevalence of comorbidity between affective disorders and epilepsy. However, most recent studies focused on association epilepsy with depression, while lack of scientific data about relationship between epilepsy and BD.

Objectives

This study examined the frequency of bipolar disorder in epileptic patients.

Aims

To improve the diagnostic tool for BD in epileptic patients.

Materials and methods

We observed 50 patients with epilepsy (PE). In this study, the symptoms of BD were measured by the Hypomania Checklist-32 (HCL-32).

Results

The mean age of the entire cohort was 40 (SD = 19.2) years. The proportion of females were 62%. The mean score using HCL-32 were 11.1 (SD = 4.5, range: 3–20) with 17 (34%) scoring above 14, the cut-off points for the basic version of the HCL-32. Among of high score subgroup there were 6 men and 11 women, maximum age was 74 and minimum 19, the mean age of the subgroup were 37 years. The patients 8 out of 17 (47%) received a score of 20 or more (maximum of 37) on the bipolar index that corresponds to ≥ 20% probability BD.

Conclusion

The results of the study observed a high prevalence of BD in PE. Future research addressing (1) using of psychiatric examination instruments to assess affective symptoms among PE and (2) treatment management of affective symptoms by antiepileptic drugs might result in better treatment outcomes among patient with comorbidities of BD and PE.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Social Aesthetics and Mental Health–Theory and Practice
Authors: Musalek M.
Published: June 2017

The Hows of dealing with life and with our fellow human beings is the main focus of scientific endeavor of social aesthetics as a multidisciplinary research domain. This knowledge about the Hows of our social coexistence in general and in preventative and curative medicine in particular provides the indispensable social aesthetics foundation for therapeutic interventions in which the individual once more becomes the measure of all things and activities. European intellectual history teaches us that beauty is not just an adornment to life but is also a major source of strength for our life. Moreover, the positive aesthetic experience also has healing power. Social aesthetics that wishes also to be understood as the science of beauty in interpersonal relationships provides us with knowledge that in medical-therapeutic practice becomes a key pillar of human-centred approaches to prevention and treatment.

Disclosure of interest

The author declares that he has no competing interest.
Exploring Maternal Mental Health in Syrian Refugee Women
Authors: Bowen A. , Ahmed A. , Feng C.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

There has been a rapid influx of 30,000 Syrian refugees in Canada, many are women of childbearing age, and most have young children. The literature reports that refugee women are almost 5 times more likely to develop postpartum depression than Canadian-born women. However, little is known about the experiences that the Syrian refugee women have encountered pre- and post-resettlement and their perceptions of mental health issues in general, and of maternal depression in particular. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the refugee women's experiences of having a baby in Canada from a mental health perspective.

Methods

Participants include Syrian refugee women who migrated to Saskatoon Canada in 2015–16 and who were either pregnant or up to one year postpartum. Qualitative data was collected via a focus group with thematic analysis, while depression with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and PTSD screening and sociodemographic descriptive data were collected from a structured questionnaire to provide context for the qualitative analysis.

Results

Twelve women participated in the focus group, despite smiling often, 58% of them screened as probable depression (EPDS > 10), 25% screened positive for depression (> 12 on EPDS), and 17% screened positive for PTSD. None of the women indicated intimate partner violence or suicidal thoughts. All participants indicated social support, mostly partner, and 25% had a history of depression. Thematic analysis will be shared.

Conclusions

Perinatal Depression is a serious problem for refugee women that deserve more in-depth study to ensure optimal outcomes and to develop services and programs.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Does Hikikomori Exist in Ukraine?
Authors: Frankova I.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The term “Hikikomori” refer to the modern phenomenon–severe (acute, prolonged) social withdrawal (SSW). Recently, there have been increasing reports of Hikikomori around the globe, Ukraine is not an exception.

Objectives

To describe epidemiological and psychopathological features of Hikikomori from Ukraine.

Methods

Hikikomori was defined as a six-month or longer period of spending almost all time at home, avoiding social situations, social relationships, associated with significant distress/impairment. Lifetime history of psychiatric diagnosis was determined by the M.I.N.I. 7.0. Additional measures was Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Life experience questionnaire (LEQ), Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), Chaban quality of life scale (CQLS).

Results

In total, 65.4% of Hikikomori group (HG, n = 26) had at least one psychiatric diagnosis, 34.6% had not. Personality disorders (15.4%), PTSD (11%), MDD (7.7%), SAD (7.7%), OCD (7.7%), bulimia nervosa (3.8%) were the most common. Onset of SSW in 41.7% started before 18 y.o. Healthy individuals formed the control group (CG, n = 25). Individuals with Hikikomori had high level of alexithymia (TAS-20 M = 71, SD = 11.6 vs. M = 60.8 SD = 13.8, P = 0.006). Childhood trauma was reported by 31.8% of CG vs. 52% of HG. Hikikomori had higher trauma index (LEQ M = 3.03, SD = 0.98 vs. 2.31, SD = 1.1, P = 0.019), larger number of lifespan traumatic events (LEQ 95%CI 4.57–7.35 vs. 2.8–5.28, P = 0.039); higher levels of irritability, resentment, suspiciousness, higher aggressiveness (BDHI M = 23, SD = 6.4 vs. M = 16.6, SD = 6, P = 0.001), low quality of life (CQLS M = 12.4, SD = 3.3, Р ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

Hikikomori exist in Ukraine, SSW quantitatively and qualitatively related to childhood trauma, manifests in adolescence, can be characterized by defined psychopathological features and affects quality of life.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Psychiatric Symptomatology and Health-related Quality of Life in Children With Epilepsy
Authors: Bilgic A. , Işık Ü. , Derin H. , Sivri R. Çolak , Çaksen H.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

There is a limited amount of data regarding the relationship between epilepsy and psychiatric symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in children and adolescents.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of depression, anxiety and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children and adolescents with epilepsy.

Methods

The sample consisted of 75 children with epilepsy and 50 healthy controls aged 8–18 years. Questionnaires were used to evaluate the psychiatric status and HRQL of the patients.

Results

Patients had lower child-rated psychosocial and total area HRQL scores, and lower parent-rated psychosocial, physical and total area HRQL scores than the controls did. Inattention scores of the epilepsy group were significantly higher compared to controls. No significant differences were found between patients and controls in terms of anxiety and depression scores. Regarding determinants of HRQL, severity of depression and anxiety had a decreasing effect on child-rated HRQL total scores; and severity of anxiety had a decreasing effect on parent-rated HRQL total scores.

Conclusions

Epilepsy is associated with poor QoL in childhood and severity of depression and anxiety are among the determinants of QoL. Clinicians should be more aware of accompanying psychiatric symptoms in epileptic patients and take the necessary precautions in the early period of the illness in an effort to improve QoL.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Exploring the Correlation Between Perceived Attachment Security and Levels of GH Hormone in a Sample of Children with Non-organic Failure to Thrive: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Fojanesi M. , Gallo M. , Russo F. , Valentini M. , Spaziani M. , Radicioni A. , Bersani F.S. , Biondi M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Short stature caused by growth hormone (GH) deficiency is one of the causes of the “Failure to Thrive” (FTT) condition. In absence of clear organic causes, several different psychosocial conditions may play a role in explaining the FTT phenotype. Advances in developmental psychology have highlighted the role of emotions and caregiving behaviors in the organization of child's personality and psychobiology, with the mother–son attachment bond being considered a fundamental developmental experience. The objective of the present preliminary study was to assess whether there are significant correlations between attachment styles and GH levels in a sample of subjects with non-organic FTT.

Methods

We enrolled 27 children (mean age: 9.49 ± 2.63) with non-organic FTT. Perceived attachment security was assessed through the Security Scale (SS) and its subscales focused on maternal and paternal security. Pearson partial correlation was used to test associations between GH levels and SS measures adjusting for confounding factors (i.e. age, gender and BMI).

Results

Across all subjects, GH was significantly positively correlated with general security (r = 0.425; P = 0.038) and maternal security (SSM) (r = –0.451; P = 0.027) and not significantly correlated with paternal security (SSP) (r = 0.237; P = 0.264).

Discussion

These findings preliminarily suggest that perceived attachment security may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of non-organic GH deficiencies and add to the accumulating evidence that attachment styles are associated with specific psychoendocrine underpinnings.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Belief inflexibility and dimensions of delusional beliefs in non-affective psychosis: Comparison with non-clinical meaningful beliefs
Authors: Zhu C. , So S.H.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Belief inflexibility (BI) has been considered as a crucial factor for delusional conviction, but less is known about other dimensions of delusional beliefs. Question has been raised regarding the extent to which BI distinguishes delusions from strongly held (non-deluded) personally meaningful beliefs.

Objectives

We examined the association between BI and major dimensions of delusional beliefs/non-clinical personally meaningful beliefs, and compared results from two BI measures (Maudsley assessment of delusions schedule [MADS] and bias against disconfirmatory evidence [BADE] task).

Methods

Idiosyncratic delusional beliefs from 40 outpatients with non-affective psychosis and personally meaningful beliefs from 30 healthy controls were assessed in an interview. Belief dimensions (conviction, preoccupation, and distress) and BI were measured.

Results

Compared with controls, patients reported higher levels of distress and preoccupation but a comparable level of conviction (3.30/4 vs. 3.00/4, t(66.967) = 1.928. P = n.s.). Patients exhibited lower belief flexibility than controls on MADS but not on BADE. In patients, delusional conviction was associated with lower flexibility on a MADS item (“possibility of being mistaken”: t(38) = 4.808, P < 001) and the BADE evidence integration index (r = 0.463, P = 01). In healthy controls, belief conviction was associated with lower flexibility on a MADS item (“reaction to hypothetical contradiction”: t(27) = 3.345, P=.002). Two-way ANOVA revealed that the association between possibility of being mistaken and conviction was stronger in patients than controls (F(1) = 6.718, P = 012). In both groups, BI on either measure did not correlate with distress or preoccupation.

Conclusions

BI was specifically associated with belief conviction. The association was significant for both groups, and was stronger in patients than controls.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Assessing the Role of Weight Suppression (WS) and Weight Loss Rate (WLR) in Eating Disorders
Authors: Miotto G. , Chiappini I. , Favaro A. , Santonastaso P. , Gallicchio D.
Published: June 2017

Introduction and aims

In this study, we aim to assess the role of weight suppression (WS) in eating disorders, not only from a quantitative point of view but also assessing the speed of the weight loss by using a new parameter: the weight loss rate (WLR). We analysed the role of these two indexes in different eating disorders domains, considering both eating behaviours and outcome profiles.

Methods

The sample consisted of 414 patients, including 62 with AN binge purge subtype (ANBP), 146 with AN restrictive subtype (ANR) and 206 with bulimia nervosa (BN). Data about response to treatment were available for a subsample of 201 patients. A cross-sectional design was used for the clinical symptoms detected during the initial assessment and a longitudinal design was adopted for the response to treatment analysis.

Results

No significant relationship emerged between both WS and WLR and variables collected at baseline assessment. We observed, on the contrary, a significant association between WS and weight gain at the end of treatment. High WLR predicted remission of binge eating and compensatory behavior in BN patients. We further analyzed our data to identify threshold values of both WS and WLR of clinical utility.

Conclusions

The role of WS and WLR as predictive factors in the outcome of eating disorders is of great interest and these initial results remark the usefulness of collecting these data during the initial assessment in order to plan a tailored therapeutic intervention.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Subcortical Structures in Suicide Attempters with Bipolar Disorder, Type I
Authors: Sani G. , Simonetti A. , Ambrosi E. , Janiri D. , Kotzalidis G.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Suicidality is a major health concern with as yet unclear neurobiology.

Objectives

To identify emotional correlates of suicidality in bipolar disorder I (BD-I).

Aims

To detect subcortical structural morphology changes associated with suicide attempts.

Methods

We enrolled 30 patients with BD-I of which 15 had history of suicide attempts, and 15 healthy controls (HCs) with no such history. Groups were defined according to suicide attempt history and psychopathology. Subcortical gray matter volumes were obtained from 3 T structural MRI scans using FreeSurfer. Intergroup differences were investigated through ANOVAs followed by post hoc Fischer's least significant difference.

Results

HCs had larger left hippocampal and left accumbens volumes than both BD-I attempters and nonattempters. BD-I attempters had smaller left hippocampi and larger left amygdala than both nonattempters and HCs.

Conclusions

Differences were observed in emotional processing mediating neural circuitries, with BD-I attempters showing opposite patterns to nonattempters between amygdala and hippocampus.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Validation of the Italian Version of the “abnormal Bodily Phenomena Questionnaire” in a Sample of Patients with Schizophrenia: Preliminary Data
Authors: Chieffi M. , Palumbo D. , Patriarca S. , Plescia G. , Montefusco V. , Pietrafesa D. , Mucci A. , Galderisi S.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The abnormal bodily phenomena questionnaire (ABPq) originates from the analysis of clinical files of more than 350 patients with schizophrenia. It consists in a semi-structured interview created to evaluate the subjective anomalies in feelings, sensations, perceptions and cognition in the domain of the lived body.

Objectives

The present study is aimed at providing preliminary data for the validation of the Italian version of the ABPq.

Methods

The ABPq was translated and adapted into Italian. ABPq scores were correlated to those obtained by the schizophrenia proneness instrument, Adult version–body perception disturbances (SPI-A E, body) that evaluates the same kind of phenomena, in order to examine its convergent validity. Moreover, ABPq was correlated to psychopathological domains assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and by the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS).

Results

The experimental sample included 40 clinically stable patients. Our findings showed a strong correlation between ABPq and SPI-A E, body. An association of ABPq total score with the positive and disorganized dimensions was also observed.

Conclusions

Our preliminary data suggest that the Italian version of ABPq has a good convergent validity. The presence of abnormal bodily phenomena resulted to be associated to a greater severity of the disease and therefore it could be hypothesized that they represent an indicator of clinical severity.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Confirmatory Factor Analyses of the Portuguese Version of the Maudsley Obsessional-compulsive Inventory
Authors: Ribeiro J. Silva , Pereira A.T. , Martins M.J. , Nogueira V. , Soares M.J. , Amaral A.P. , Macedo A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The Maudsley obsessional-compulsive inventory (MOCI) is a widely used self-report measure of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in clinical and non-clinical populations, both in research and clinical settings. Nogueira et al. confirmed in 2011 that the MOCI Portuguese version has good psychometric properties, having a factorial structure that is in accordance with those reported by other groups.

Aims

Based on the previous results of exploratory factor analysis with a Portuguese students sample, the present study aimed to perform a confirmatory factor analyses (using Mplus software) to verify if the three dimensions’ structure fitted the data.

Methods

The sample comprised 234 students on their first three years of college education (78.2% female), between 18–26 years old (M = 20.55; SD = 1.66). Participants filled the Portuguese version of the MOCI.

Results

Our results showed that the MOCI Portuguese version with original 3-factor structure has a good fit (χ2(227) = 386.987, P < .05; RMSEA = 0.053, 90%CI = 0.044–0.062; CFI = 0.928; TLI = 0.920; WRMR = 1.089). Good reliability was found for all subscales (Cronbach alpha < .80).

Conclusions

The MOCI Portuguese version reliably and validly assesses three OC symptom dimensions in young adults. Further research is needed to confirm this structure in Portuguese clinical samples.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Interplay of Gut Microbiota, Body Mass Index and Depression Scores in Anorexia Nervosa: Preliminary Data
Authors: Mörkl S. , Lackner S. , Gorkiewicz G. , Kashofer K. , Blesl C. , Tmava A. , Oberascher A. , Holasek S.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a lethal psychiatric disease with only narrow treatment possibilities. Recent study results point out, that gut microbiota might be a contributing factor in the development and persistence of AN through effects on the gut-brain-axis.

Methods

We used 16SRNA sequencing to characterize the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota of 18 AN patients, 19 normal weight controls and 19 athletes matched by age using stool samples. The QIIME-pipeline was used to assess the sequencing result. All participants completed an activity-questionnaire (IPAQ) and inventories to measure depression (BDI, HAMD).

Results

Kruskal-Wallis test identified significant differences in alpha-diversity (Chao-1-estimator [P = 0.013], number of observed species [P = 0.027]) between groups. Spearman-Correlation revealed a significant correlation of number of observed species (r = 0.366, P = 0.006) Chao-1-estimator (r = 0.352, P = 0.008) and BMI (Fig. 1). Furthermore, a higher BMI was related to lower depression scores (r = 0.351, P < 0.001). Although there was a tendency of a negative correlation of BDI-scores and alpha-diversity (r = –0.180, P = 0.059), correlations with depression scores and IPAQ-scores did not reach significance level (Fig. 1).

Conclusions

Our preliminary data demonstrate correlations of alpha-diversity and BMI. Further studies are needed to provide further insights in AN gut microbiota and its influence factors.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Identification of Novel Genes Associated to Major Mental Disease by Whole Exome Sequencing in Families with High Prevalence
Authors: Pol Fuster J. , Ruiz Guerra L. , Ortega Vila B. , Medina Dols A. , Bisbal Carrió B. , Lladó J. , Olmos G. , Heine Suñer D. , Cañellas F. , Vives Bauzà C.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The identification of new genetic variants underlying psychosis is crucial to improve its molecular diagnosis and to determine the disease etiology, which is necessary to develop new therapeutic targets.

Aim

To identify novel rare genetic variants associated to mental disorders, using whole exome sequencing (WES).

Methods

Two families with high prevalence of mental disease were genotyped using WES. The first family has 5 members affected, the mother with a bipolar disorder, three sons, two with schizophrenia and one with schizoaffective disorder, and a cousin with major depression and psychotic symptoms. The second family is constituted by 38 members affected by major mental diseases in three generations. Key affected members of each family were genotyped by WES. Shared rare variants, with allelic frequencies below 0.5% in general population, were identified among the affected members of the family. The segregation of those variants was confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

Results

In family 1, thirty-seven genetic variants related to neurodevelopment were identified. Two of those variants in the genes TRIP12 and RNF25 segregated with psychosis. In family 2, seven rare genetic variants contained in genes related to neurodevelopment were identified. A mutation in the gene ARHGAP19 segregated with psychosis.

Conclusions

Three new genes have been found to be associated with psychosis. TRIP12 and RNF25 encode two E3-ubiquitin ligases which modulate the Wnt pathway, mutations in which lead to neurodevelopmental defects. ARHGAP19 encodes a GTPase which regulates the RhoA protein, involved in the regulation of the cytoskeleton.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The Effects of Deep-brain Magnetic Stimulation (DMS) on White Matter Deficits: New Mechanism in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Treatment
Authors: Zhang Y. , Zhang D. , Feng S. , Guo H. , Zhang H. , Bowen R. , Li X.M.
Published: June 2017

Deep-brain magnetic stimulation (DMS) is an effective therapy for various neuropsychiatric disorders including major depression disorder. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the impacts of DMS on the brain remain unclear. Studies have reported abnormalities in the white matter of depressive brains, suggesting the involvement of myelin and oligodendrocyte pathologies in the development of major depressive disorder. In this study, we use a cuprizone induced demyelination animal model to generate depressive like behaviours and white matter and oligodendrocyte damages. Meanwhile, we treated the animal with DMS 20 minutes daily during the cuprizone challenge or recovery period. Behavioural tests, including nesting, new objective recognition, working memory and depression-like behaviours were tested periodically. Histological staining and western blotting were used to examine the underlying mechanism of DMS. We found that DMS reverse cuprizone induced behavioural deficits in acute demyelination but not during the recovery period. DMS alleviated demyelination and inflammation induced by cuprizone. During the recovery period, DMS had no impacts on overall neural progenitor cell proliferation, but enhanced the maturation of oligodendrocyte. This data suggest that DMS may be a promising treatment option for improving white matter function in psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases in future.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Regression models for biopsychosocial factors affecting patients with haemoglobinopathies in a Greek hospital
Authors: Lyrakos G. , Aslani E. , Spinaris V. , Drossou-Servou M. , Tsironi M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Sickle cell and thalassemia (haemoglobinopathies) are autosomal recessive inherited conditions that affect haemoglobin and as chronic diseases, stress, anxiety and depression are comorbid conditions.

Objectives

To examine possible biopsychosocial factors affecting stress, anxiety and depression symptoms in these patients.

Aims

To investigate whether different condition related markers, contribute to the psychological symptomatology.

Methods

A total of 97 patients participated in the study, 21 males (21.6%) and 76 females (78.4%), with a mean age of 44.35. Convenience sampling method was used and participants were recruited from the General Hospital of Nikaia, ‘Ag. Panteleimon’, in Athens, Greece. DASS and MFI scales were used to measure the dependent and independent variables. Data were analysed with the SPSS 21 software.

Results

Multivariate analysis revealed that days between transfusions (beta = −0.454), reduced activity (beta = 0.350) and age (beta = −0.207) explained 30.1% of the variance in Stress [F(3.91) = 13.04 R2 = 0.301 P = 0.03]. Reduced activity (beta = 0.417) and days between transfusions (beta = 0.318) explained 30,3% of the variance in Anxiety [F(2.92) = 19.96 R2 = 0.301 P = 0.03]. Finally reduced activity (beta = 0.334), days between transfusions (beta = 0.364), and reduced motivation explained 41.3% of the variance in Depression [F(3.91) = 21.34 R2 = 0.413 P = 0.03]. Levels of ferritin, haemoglobin, age and present condition of health had a NS effect in the models.

Conclusions

Similar factors were found to affect stress, anxiety and depression in the sample, with days between transfusions and reduced activity being the major factors affecting the psychological symptoms in haemoglobinopathy patients. More research is needed in order for all the biopsychosocial factors to be revealed in this field.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder in Russia: The results of a web-based survey of psychiatrists
Authors: Martynikhin I. , Neznanov N. , Mosolov S.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

There is a lack of attention on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in the psychiatrists’ education programs in Russia. The consequence of this is difficult to estimate because of insufficiency of the GAD epidemiology in Russia.

Objectives

Are estimation of the comparative prevalence of diagnosis of GAD among other anxiety and stress related disorders; psychiatrists’ knowledge about GAD and theirs therapeutic approaches.

Methods

The invitations to survey were sent by e-mail to members of the Russian Society of Psychiatrists; 888 psychiatrists took part in the survey. Twenty-six percent of them worked in inpatient departments, 43% – in outpatient departments, 15% – in somatic services, 17% – researchers and university professors.

Results

A total of 83% of respondents have diagnosed GAD at least once during last year. Most often GAD was diagnosed by psychiatrists of somatic services. Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder was diagnosed in 2.5 times more often than GAD; adjustment disorders – in 2.1 times. Doctors have noted that among their patients with other mental disorders 26% have chronic anxiety, but most of doctors do not establish the comorbid diagnosis of GAD for these patients. Only a quarter of doctors consider that detachment of GAD from other anxiety disorders is based on the features of etiology and pathogenesis. In the treatment of GAD together with SSRIs, SNRIs, and pregabalin prescribing, doctors often prescribe benzodiazepines, atypical anxiolytics (hydroxyzine, buspirone) and low-potency antipsychotics (alimemazine, chlorprothixene).

Conclusions

Increasing attention to GAD in the psychiatrists’ education programs may improve diagnosis and treatment of this disorder in Russia.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Pregnancy in men: Couvade syndrome
Authors: Navas M. , García Albea J. , García-Parajuá P.
Published: June 2017

As human reproduction has to been seen not only from the biological (gender) but from the social and anthropological perspective, and as long as paternity joins a very important aspect in men identity, we found essential to review actual and past literature in order to explain symptoms and attitudes experienced by some fathers to be.

Couvade syndrome was first described in the mid-sixties by a group of British authors who tried to analyze some typical pregnancy symptoms observed in fathers to be. These symptoms are heterogeneous and could be difficultly classified, but must of the authors tend to group them in anxiety or somatophorm-like disorders.

In this oral communication, we will explore into the deep causes of this syndrome and its links to the Couvade ritual described in some ancient cultures like the Greek (year 60 B.C.) as well as analyze an actual case report, with the help of the exhaustive revision of the existing literature.

Couvade has to be contemplated as a way to define the new identity of the father to be, and his bond with the newborn, his couple and the society.

Finally, Couvade could be seen as a proactive and constructive preparation of the male to the paternity, out of psycopathology and recognize these comprehensive reactions as a normal and functional part of the reproductive ritual.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.