bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of Covid-19 on the Mental Health of the Portuguese Population
Authors: Dos Santos I. , Saraiva J. , Mesquita E. , Coelho M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Covid-19 does not only have repercussions on the physical level, representing a new way of life, both individually and in society. The pandemic results in invisible consequences for the population’s mental health.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the consequences of Covid-19 on mental health in Portugal with a view to understanding and promoting the well-being and happiness of the Portuguese.

Methods

The study included 111 young people and adults, aged between 18 and 58 years (M= 21.81, SD= 5.34), with 43.7% males and 52.7% females. A sociodemographic questionnaire was applied to all participants, as well as the Échelle de Mesure des Manifestations du Bien-Être Psychologique (ÈMMBEP; Massé et al., 1998 - Portuguese translation by Monteiro, Tavares & Pereira, 2012) which translates into a response scale 5-point Likert type, with five subscales, including happiness. In addition, a semistructured interview with data collection instruments was administered.

Results

The results obtained demonstrate the negative impact of Covid-19 on the level of well-being, regardless of the participant’s gender or age.

Conclusions

The data presented point to the need to sensitize individuals to the risk of the pandemic in terms of mental health, thus increasing society’s awareness of the psychological effects of this new global disease. Therefore, coping mechanisms are essential to promote well-being and successfully overcome the pandemic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Clozapine Toxicity in the Setting of COVID-19: A case of differential diagnosis
Authors: Pelayo-Terán J.M. , Zapico-Merayo Y. , Vega-García S.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Together with agranulocytosis, fever and immflamatory manifestations are clozapine side effects to be monitorized during initial treatment. In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, implied mechanisms, and symptomatology should be carefully controlled.

Objectives

To analyze the clinical analytic and inflammatory chracterisctics the resembles and differenciates clozapine immune response and SARS-CoV-2 infection. To describe a case of clozapine induced fever and pneumonitis during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A case of clozapine-induced pneumonitis during COVID-19 pandemic is described.- A mini-review of clozapine inflamamtory effects, induced-pneumonitis and SARS-CoV-2 was performed.

Results

A 33 year old afrolatin male started treatment with clozapine up to 250 mg daily. He developed fever and respiratory symptoms in the 11th day of treatment. The exploration revealed pulmonary sounds decreased and 91% basal saturation, making the probable causes viral infection (local incidence of SARS-CoV-2 >800/100000hab), nosocomial bacterial infection or pulmonary thromboembolism. The patient was isolated due to probable COVID-19. Blood tests showed leucocytosis (13400/mcL), Lymphocytopenia (11.8%), high PCR (14.4mg/dL), Ferritine (506.9ng/mL), Fibrinigen (663.83 mg/dL), D-Dimer (1.61mg/dL), and Interleukin-9 /25.8pg/mL). The angioTC revealed a pleural efusion and ground glass infiltrates (figure1). Only after 2 weeks eosinophilia was discovered (88/mcL) After 2 negative consecutieve PCRs for SARS-CoV-2, no imrovement with ampirical antibiotics and all infectious pannels negative, we started decreasing clozapine with improvement of the symptoms and resolution after suspending clozapine completely.

Conclusions

Clozapine may induce a generalize inflammatory response mediated by interleukin-6. Patients treated with clozapine may exhibit fever and rarely, insterstitial lung inflammation. The expression of induced pneumonitis resembles viral infections, particularly SARS-CoV-2

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Measurement of COVID-19 related mental health problems
Authors: Arts M. , Petrykiv S. , De Jonge L.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The spread of the corona virus (COVID-19) has an enormous psychosocial impact on humanity across the globe, resulting in an increase in mental health issues. There are no specific diagnostic instruments that could identify COVID-19 related mental health problems. In recent months, new scales have been developed to identify COVID-19 related problems.

Objectives

Our objective was to investigate the clinical utility of these new assessment instruments.

Methods

We performed a literature search, using Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane library databases, to search for new scales identifying COVID-19 related mental health problems.

Results

During the first half of the year 2020, we found five published new self-report measurement instruments: Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), the COVID Stress Scales (CSS), the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), and the Questionnaire on Perception of Threat from COVID-19. These instruments have been validated in a group of middle-aged ambulatory patients.

Conclusions

These new instruments might be useful in non-clinical settings. Although the psychometric reports are promising, the instruments have been validated in a less vulnerable group of patients. Future validation studies should also comprise other age groups, particularly the old and more vulnerable population.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Schizophrenia in Covid-19 crisis : Is it a mortality risk factor ?
Authors: Nourchene K. , Khelifa E. , Abassi B. , Ben Aissa S. , Maatouk O. , Bouguerra I. , Mnif L.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Patients with mental disorders mainly schizophrenia represent a vulnerable population. In Covid-19 pandemic situation, could schizophrenia be considered as a significant mortality risk factor ?

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to explore the odds of significant COVID-19 mortality among schizophrenia patients

Methods

Our literature review was based on the PubMed interface and adapted for 2 databases: Science Direct and Google Scholar using the following combination ( schizophrenia [MeSH terms]) AND (COVID-19, mortality[MeSH terms])

Results

Our review included 4 population-based cohort studies covering the period from december 2019 to May 2021. The data showed increased mortality risk among individuals with schizophrenia who have had COVID-19. Indeed, this high rate of mortality maybe associated with multiple factors such as unhealthy lifestyle, low socioeconomic status and comorbidities as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. The use of antipsychotics can be considered as a risk factor regarded its immunomodulatory effects. Furthermore, stigma and discrimination towards mental illnesses particularly schizophrenia might have contributed to a worse prognosis.

Conclusions

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder ,associated with an increased high risk Covid-19. Thus, this population require enhanced preventive and disease management strategies.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Factors Associated With The Covid-19 Infection Severity In Patients With Mental Disorders
Authors: Turki M. , Daoud A. , Blanji S. , Ellouze S. , Ben Jmeaa R. , Ben Abdallah F. , Halouani N. , Aloulou J.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Recent research showed that persons with mental disorders may represent a population at increased risk for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection with more adverse outcomes.

Objectives

We aimed to analyze clinical profile of psychiatric inpatients during their infection with COVID-19, and to explore factors associated with the disease progression.

Methods

We analyzed retrospectively the medical records of 32 psychiatric inpatients, hospitalized in psychiatry “B” department at Hedi Chaker hospital (Sfax, Tunisia), and who contracted the COVID-19 infection. We used “Charlson Comorbidity Index Score” (CCIS), predicting 10-year survival in patients with multiple comorbidities.

Results

Somatic history was reported in 50% of patients. The CCIS ranged between 0 and 4. Psychiatric diagnosis was schizophrenia in 81.3% and bipolar disorder in 18.7% of cases. The clinical symptoms reported were fever (50%), dry cough (75%); dyspnea (34.4%). Biological assessment showed a lymphopenia in 40.6% and a high C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in 53.1%. Among our patients, 37,5% needed oxygen, and 25% were transferred to the intensive care unit. The COVID-19 complications were mostly bacterial pulmonary superinfections (21.9%) and pulmonary embolism (9.4%). Only three (9.4%) patients died from the virus. Patients with medical history were more likely to need oxygen (p<0.001). Clinical and paraclinical parameters associated with oxygen need were: fever (p<0.001); dyspnea (p<0.001); lymphopenia (p<0.001); high CRP (p=0.001). Patients presenting pulmonary superinfection or embolism were more likely to require oxygen (p=0.006 and p=0.044 respectively).

Conclusions

This study highlighted factors that may worsen the COVID-19 infection evolution, and which require special attention, in order to improve the prognosis of this disease.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Involuntary Treatments in Italy: a Debated Issue
Authors: Carpiniello B.
Published: September 2022

Involuntary treatments probably are the most critical issue for psychiatric practice all over the world, including Italy, where the public debate about involuntary admissions and related coercive measures has been constantly alive. In Italy involuntary treatments are justified on the basis of three criteria: the presence of a mental illness; the need for urgent hospital-based treatment, the patient refusal of treatment. Although only 10% of all hospitalizations in Italy occur on a involuntary basis, actually the lowest rate in Europe, proposals of modification of the current Law have been repeatedly presented, in terms of further restrictions of the conditions allowing involuntary hospitalization or even in terms of its abolition. The practice of physical restraint in particular, which has been reported as applied in approx. 85% of Psychiatric Wards, has been strongly criticized, although the effective dimension of its use in Italy is unknown due the lack of official data. In 2015 The National Council of Bioethics expressed a series of doubts and criticisms as well as the Special Commission for Human Rights of the Italian Senate in 2016. Moreover, the death of some patients submitted to physical restraint in the last years, gave repeteadly rise to a media hype, leading again very recently to claims for the abolition of any form of physical restraint during a National Conference on Mental Health, a proposal that the Minister of Health welcomed, committing himself to implement it through a agreement between the State and the Regions, officially devoted to health assistance in Italy.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Manic episode following SARS-COV-2 Infection
Authors: Bencharfa Z. , Amara Y. , El Moussaoui N. , Belbachir S. , Ouanass A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

In December 2019, infection with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in the city of Wuhan, China. Although generally recognized for its often fatal respiratory problems, other neuropsychiatric complications are receiving increasing attention.

Objectives

We will try through a clinical case to explain the psychiatric disorders in the context of this infection, and to highlight the two main explanatory theories of psychiatric disorders, in relation with the SARS-Cov-2 infection.

Methods

We report here a case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a 54-year-old female patient with no specific pathological history, including psychiatric, who presented a fever, anosmia, and asthenia in the absence of any respiratory signs. Her PCR came back positive and her chest CT scan was normal.The patient was treated with paracetamol with vitamin C,with good clinical improvement. She came 15 days later to the psychiatric emergency room with psychomotor excitement. The patient was motorically unstable, could not hold still, her mimicry was hypermobile, contact with her was familiar, she was logorrheic with flight of ideas,she verbalized multiple projects, her mood was euphoric and her sleep was disturbed. Her blood tests were unremarkable.

Results

The diagnosis of manic episode was retained, and the patient was put on Olanzapine 10 mg, sodium Valproate 1g and Lorazepam 2.5 mg in degression with good clinical improvement.

Conclusions

Although the data in the literature remain scarce concerning the impact of this virus on mental health, we will try through this clinical case to explain the psychiatric disorders in the context of this viral epidemic, due to stress and inflammation.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The difficult symbolic construction of physicians’ and nurses’ experiences working in COVID-19 intensive care units: A qualitative study on reports at a university public hospital in Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Turato E. , Silva F. , Guerra L. , Cavalcante J. , Gasparotto A.P. , Aoki R.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Humanistic studies that explore symbolic aspects of the experience of working on the COVID-19 frontline are necessary. Do these professionals have psychic time to symbolize such acute experiences? We expect these preliminary findings of this research provide subsidies for discussing psychological management in groups with these professionals.

Objectives

To interpret emotional meanings reported by physicians and nurses on their experiences of working at COVID-19 intensive care units.

Methods

Clinical-qualitative design. Data collection with semi-directed interviews with open-ended questions in-depth applied to a sample of six professionals, closed by theoretical information saturation, in a Brazilian university general hospital. Trigger question: “Talk about psychological meanings of your experience in face of management of patients with COVID-19 at ICU”. Data treatment by the Seven Steps of the Clinical-Qualitative Content Analysis. Theoretical framework of Medical Psychology using Balintian concepts.

Results

We raised 3 categories. (1) Psychic time and absence of symbolization in face of the pandemic; (2) Denial as a defense or psychosocial adaptation mechanisms; (3) Tensions and family support: triggers of ambivalent emotional experiences.

Conclusions

Raw experience of COVID-19 pandemic did not allow for realization of symbolization. Psychological defenses are manifested, either to maintain balance or to deny the existence of dangers related to mental health. Presence of families and health team confirm that the feeling of loneliness is avoided. Anxieties related to the fear of contamination are recurrent. There is dual relationship regarding the emotional experiences of health professionals, but the data point to importance of looking at how these individuals perceive and experience the pandemic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The impact of the COVID pandemic on the treatment of psychoactive drug addicts in Zenica-Doboj Canton of BiH april 2020-april 2021
Authors: Kasper S.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The paper presents experiences in working with drug addicts in Ze-Do Canton after the outbreak of the COVID pandemic

Objectives

The time frame in which the research was conducted was April 15, 2020 to April 15, 2021. Criteria for inclusion in the study were clinically and laboratory-proven dependence on psychoactive substances and participation in some of the types of treatment in our institution. Criteria for exclusion from the study due to population specificity were not defined

Methods

. The study was designed as a retrospective-prospective in which the following parameters were monitored: rate of retention in treatment, rate of relapse and overdose, deterioration of basic psychopathology, number of hospitalizations due to worsening addiction or comorbid psychopathology, suicide rate, incidence and prevalence of blood-borne hepatitis and HIV -a, incidence and prevalence of COVID in the addicted population and auto and hetero-destructive behavior of health care users.

Results

The results of the study indicated an increased rate of abuse of substitution therapy, an increased rate of relapse, most often with stimulants, abuse of sedatives, antidepressants and anticholinergics, an increased rate of overdose but no deaths and an increased rate of hospitalization due to worsening basic psychopathology.

Conclusions

The study indicated a deterioration in the quality of health care of addicts to psychoactive substances caused by pandemic working conditions and a marked deterioration in basic psychopathology caused by social distancing and the impossibility of more frequent and direct contact with patients. continuous monitoring

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Distinctive features of First Episode of Psychosis during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Casanovas F. , Dinamarca F. , Pérez Oms A. , Llimona Sánchez C. , García Hernández D. , Ginés J.M. , Pérez-Solà V. , Bergé D. , Mané A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

COVID19 has brought several psychosocial stressors that are having an impact on global mental health. The impact of the pandemic on the incidence of First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) is not clear.

Objectives

To describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of FEP patients diagnosed since the onset of the COVID19 pandemic and compare them with the equivalent period of the previous year.

Methods

We included all FEP patients attended at Parc de Salut Mar (Barcelona, Spain) from March 14, 2020 (when the state of emergency in Spain began) to December 31, 2020 with the same period of 2019. We assessed sociodemographic variables, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), cannabis and alcohol use, psychiatric diagnosis, and psychiatric symptom scales. We performed a univariate analysis between the groups using U-Mann Whitney for continuous variables and Chi-Square for qualitative variables.

Results

A total of 20 FEP patients were diagnosed in each period. No differences were found in sociodemographic variables, scales scores or DUP. During COVID19 period there was a smaller proportion of cannabis users (60% vs 90%; p=0.028) and a tendency of lower weekly consumption (14.44 vs 16.42; p=0.096). There were more cases of BPD (25% vs 5%; p=0.077) and less of affective psychosis (0% vs 25%; 0.017).

Conclusions

During the COVID-19 pandemic we did not find an increase of FEP or more severe clinical presentations. However, we identified differences in the type of FEP that could be related to the psychosocial stressors of this time.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The COVID-19 pandemic impact on prenatal anxiety
Authors: Nourchene K. , Khelifa E. , Maatouk O. , Ben Aissa S. , Abassi B. , Bouguerra I. , Anissa B. , Amdouni F. , Mnif L.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Anxiety manifestations are one of the most described symptoms during pregnancy. Meanwhile, the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health and anxiety distress in particular, of pregnant and postpartum women remains unclear.

Objectives

The purpose of our study was to evaluate anxiety among prgnant women during covid19 and describe its associated factors

Methods

It was a comparative cross-sectional case- control study in a Tunisian gynecologic department. All women were in the third term of pregnancy. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The data were compared to a control group assessed in a similar study conducted before the pandemic in the same city. Eighty pregnant women was investigated during the covid pandemic and 100 pregnant women investigated before the COVID-19 outbreak in Tunisia was assigned to the control group.

Results

Pregnant women during COVID-19 scored less on BAI than controls (15.49±9.223 vs 17.40±7.410). Less patients presented moderate to severe anxiety during pandemic (38.8% (n=31) than controls 51% (n=51)). The difference between groups in means and prevalence values was not significant. The negative results could be related to the low power of the test (P=0.36).

Conclusions

Despite the expected psychological distress among vulnerable population , Covid-19 didn’t impact anxiety prevalence or scores among pregnant women in our current study .

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Attitudes to COVID-19 during the lockdown among university students in Russia and Uzbekistan
Authors: Nikolaev E. , Aleksandrov A. , Poverinov I. , Niyazov L.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

During the COVID-19 caused lockdown, when students had to study on-line, they became highly vulnerable to stress. How different were the attitudes of university students towards COVID-19 in such situation in different countries?

Objectives

The goal is to determine the differences in attitudes to COVID-19 during the lockdown among university students in Russia and Uzbekistan

Methods

In May 2020, there was an on-line survey of 163 students of both genders in Ulianov Chuvash State University in Russia and of 49 university students from Bukhara, Samarkand and Andijan in Uzbekistan. The instrument used was ‘Attitude towards COVID-19 Questionnaire’ (Nikolaev, 2020).

Results

The comparison revealed that Uzbek students are more interested in the latest COVID-19 news than Russian ones (p=.0004), they also consider this pandemic as severe and dangerous for people (p=.0006), and think that governmental measures to fight coronavirus are adequate (p=.0008). Russian students in their turn, as compared with their Uzbek peers, feel highly concerned about the risk of their own infection (p=.00001), as well as the threat to their own life (p=.00546) and the life of their relatives and closest ones (p=.0005) as a result of coronavirus spread. In addition, Uzbek students regard themselves healthier than Russian ones (p=.0329). Students’ self-estimation of happiness does not differ (p=.0776).

Conclusions

Differences in attitudes to COVID-19 among students are associated with more apparent socially oriented behavior of students from Uzbekistan, and more personality-oriented behavior of Russian students.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The dark side of social ties: coronavirus 2019-induced fear and intergroup conflicts
Authors: Tei S. , Fujino J.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The relationship between fear and social ties has been frequently discussed in the context of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but investigation of the nature of these experiences is still insufficient. Research suggests that people who respect social ties often experience better mental health outcomes. However, when socially isolated, excluded, or subjected to rumors, they may become more vulnerable to criticism, shame, and fear. Another potential problem of the COVID-19 pandemic is intergroup prejudice and distrust.

Objectives

To examine the development and mitigation of social ties, fears, and biases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We applied discourse analysis to relevant literature and their associated references that incorporated textual, social, and cognitive dimensions. The main databases used were PubMed and Web of Science.

Results

Although the importance of social ties was loudly vocalized as lessening loneliness, people also globally described stigma-related fear or intergroup conflicts. The sense of social ties appeared disproportionately amplified in the form of an in-group identity, group pressures, and empathic distress. Some people overstated worries about their COVID-19-positive status being revealed to others and causing distress for them. Furthermore, discrimination and vigilantism were manifested with fear-related stereotyping and hostility.

Conclusions

Our findings support the view that social ties can indeed function as both risk and protective factors. Context-adjusted perspectives and reciprocal dialogs seem crucial to alleviate these negative impacts. The subsequent mitigation of misunderstandings, fear-induced bias, and maladaptive distress appraisal may lead to a more reasonable and flexible recognition of social ties.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
COVID-19 treatment corticosteroids-induced mania
Authors: Galvañ J. , Angélico I.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Psychiatric disturbances induced by substances are registered in both CIE-10 and DSM-5. It is also well known, since many years, the association between mania and corticosteroids (more than 200 results in PubMed found), recently widely used during the last pandemic against COVID-19.

Objectives

To remember and to point out the association of substance-induced mental disorders, warning about the experimentation in new clinical settings and raising awareness to prevent or treat its possible consequences in mental health.

Methods

A two cases clinical series with COVID-19 pneumonia treated with high-doses intravenous corticosteroids during more than a week. Two women, after theirs 50s, with no personal or family psychiatric history, developing after finishing the hospital treatment, insomnia, motor and behavioral hyperactivity and dysphoric mood with irritability, but preserving clinical insight.

Results

At first, these states were assessed by internists and psychologists as reactive stress anxiety and were treated with benzodiazepines and psychotherapy, without success, during more than two weeks. After a psychiatric evaluation, considering the medical history and recent use of corticosteroids, the hipomania diagnosis was pointed out. Antipsychotic treatment (low doses olanzapine chosen) was induced with total remission of symptoms in less than 15 days with restitutio ad integrum. Regarding these cases, an updated bibliographic review on corticosteroid-induced mania and its treatment was carried out.

Conclusions

With this presentation, the authors would like to highlight, in these times of pandemic, the importance of remembering the influence and relationship of drugs use in major psychiatric syndromes, both in the causal origin and in the treatment.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
“When the virus decompensated the neurosis.” About a case
Authors: Valverde Barea M. , España Osuna A. , Vargas Melero P. , Solis M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic and social and mobility restriction measures have had a negative impact on the mental health of the population.

Objectives

The objective is to demonstrate the impact of the pandemic on mental disorders.

Methods

64-year-old man who is taken to the emergency room after a suicide attempt, by hanging with a belt out of concern and measuring the contagion of the COVID-19 virus in the context of long-standing delirious ideas of contamination and hypochondriacal neurosis. Adaptive disorder in relation to previous divorce. Psychopathologically, the patient is anxious and restless, conscious, inattentive and poorly oriented in space and time. Accelerated language with monothematic discourse about the possibility of contagion that has caused isolation behavior to the point of shredding organic waste and throwing it down the toilet so as not to have to go out to throw it out for fear of contagion. Faced with a neighbor’s wake-up call due to a blocked pipe, he suffers a crisis of guilt and anxiety and attempts to commit suicide. COVID-19 PCR=negative. Beck’s Depression Inventory 24=moderate depression. IPDE accentuated obsessive and avoidant personality traits.

Results

Diagnosis: Moderate depressive episode with psychotic symptoms. Hypochondriacal disorder. Ananchastic personality disorder. Treatment: Paliperidone 3mg/24h. Sertraline 100mg/24h

Conclusions

In obsessive personalities and hypochondriacal neuroses, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed an increased risk of decompensation for affective disorders and even suicide attempts. Isolation, lack of treatment and prior monitoring, as well as the difficulty of identifying vital stressors, must be taken into account if an early intervention is to be carried out.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Perceptions of Tunisians on COVID-19 Vaccines: a qualitative study
Authors: Jomli R. , Jemli H. , Sabrine O. , Ouali U.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

In Tunisia, the Ministry of Health launched an awareness campaign in television spots and different social media platforms and started the vaccination campaign on the 13 March 2021 aiming to have vaccinated half of the Tunisian population by the end of 2021. However, to date, on July 31, 2021, only 1,104,286 people are completely vaccinated

Objectives

The aim of the study was to identify Tunisians’ mental perceptions and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines to examine the predictors of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Tunisian population.

Methods

A group of citizens, randomly selected were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected through a focus group using a piloted topic guide. The entire discussion was recorded in audio-visual mode with a total duration of 1 hour. We also collected data on participant gender, age, education, and profession.

Results

Seven women and four men participated in the study All participants reported having doubts about the efficacy of the vaccines. Two participants reported that their acquaintances died after being vaccinated. They suspected that expired vaccines have caused the reported deaths. “I think these vaccines can be extremely dangerous. They could contain chemicals that are carcinogens or that have a castrating effect”, an interlocutor stated, supported by the rest of the group. We found unanimously in our study, attesting to the relevance of religion in the lives of the Tunisian people, which is in agreement with literature

Conclusions

Construction of multi-component and systematic interventions are required by public health authorities.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Depression among frontline medical and paramedical staff during the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Maatouk O. , Kammoun R. , Kammoun I. , Souabni K. , Karoui M. , Nefzi H. , Ellouz F.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The current coronavirus pandemic is a unique and unusual situation. It is putting the general population under severe strain. However, frontline medical and paramedical staff remain particularly vulnerable to depression because of its close contact with patients.

Objectives

The aim of this work was to screen and evaluate depression in the frontline professionals during the pandemic and to study their associated factors .

Methods

In this study , we conducted a national descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study over a 2-month period from September to October 2020. We used “Beck Depression Inventory” to assess depression and “Brief Cope Scale” to detect a possible correlation between depression and coping mechanisms.

Results

We collected 78 professionals. The mean age was 29.86 years. 2/3 of workers were women. 67.9% of the staff were residents. 39.7% worked in Covid units. 7.7% had personal psychiatric history. 56.4% of the staff worked daily and 76.9% of them provided direct care to patients with Coronavirus. 52.6% of workers did not receive adequate training of protection against Covid-19.The staff reported 66.7% of death among their patients. 42.3% suffered from minor depression and only 2.3% suffered from severe depression. During this period we objectified an increase of 14.1% in the psychoactive substances use. Stigma affected 57.7% of professionals. We didn’t objectify a significant correlation between Depression and coping mechanisms .

Conclusions

Screening depression among healthcare professionals should be considered in order to prevent it, ensure continuity of care and avoid sick leaves.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Gender differences in reaction to Covid19 in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Van Der Gaag R.J. , Van Wijngaarden-Cremers P.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The Covid 19 pandemic has had an enormous psychological impact in which women were mentally more affected than men (Berthelot et al 2020 - Liu et al 2020). More over it exacerbated symptoms and suffering in individuals with psychiatric disorders. The question is how did it affect individuals with autism (ASD). And if so, did it affect women and girls more that men and boys or differently.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of the covid 19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in patients with ASD

Methods

a combination of literature review and assessement of the population of individuals with autism spectrum disorders in a large specialized unit for individuals with ASD

Results

No seperate reports on individuals with ASD were found in the recent literature. Obviously the pandemic and confinement had great impact on individuals with intellectual disabilities amongst whom many individuals with comorbid developmental disorders as ADHD and/or Autism (e.g.Palacio-Ortiz et al 2020 - Guessoum et al 2020) In our population some remarkable outcomes were noted in the sense that a substantial part of the population with autism had positive experiences: e.g. clear social rules / less contact. Males enjoyed more online contact and games / experienced less loneliness - In females we found significantly more depressive symptoms, anxiety and suicidal behaviour.

Conclusions

Covid 19 has had a great psychological impact with marked gender differences. Remarkably in ASD men enjoyed some of the benefits of the confinement. In women with ASD the emotional impact was significantly higher.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Suicide presentation and the risk at the time of the mandatory quarantine for the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic: medico-legal and forensic aspects
Authors: Scalise C. , Sacco M.A. , Zibetti A. , De Fazio P. , Ricci P. , Aquila I.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

COVID-19 pandemic is the most important health emergency of the 21st century. Since the high number of infected people and as there is still no specific therapy worldwide, the pandemic has been countered through the application of prevention measures based on social distancing and home isolation. These elements are known risk factors for the development of various psychiatric conditions. From a forensic point of view, these pathologies are related to a high suicide rate.

Objectives

It is no coincidence that during the previous pandemics that have occurred in history there has been a significant increase in suicides. By this work, we therefore want to highlight the psychological consequences of a pandemic and the importance of preventive strategies.

Methods

It is important to focus not only on physical well-being but also on the psychological aspects that the pandemic produces in the daily life of each individual

Results

If the infecting agent causes the death of millions of people around the world, the socio-economic context that is created indirectly determines as many deaths.

Conclusions

Therefore it is necessary to underline how it is advisable to implement preventive measures in order to significantly reduce deaths from suicide, a problem with an important impact in the social and forensic fields.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Pharmacogenomics of MDD as a Developing Field: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Baune B.
Published: September 2022

While first gene-drug pairs have emerged to be clinically actionable in the treatment of major depressive disorders (MDD) (e.g., CYP2D6 and TCAs/SSRIs), genomic studies have not yet been successful in identifying replicable and valid biomarkers of pharmacological treatment outcome. While some trials suggest that candidates such as CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP1A2, SLC6A4 and HTR2A polymorphisms may improve the prediction of response/remission, these results should be interpreted cautiously and required confirmation in larger samples. This presentation will cover state of the art of pharmacogenomics for MDD as well as the emerging field of pharmacotranscriptomics and functional genomics analyses in MDD. Specifically, pharmacotranscriptomics in combination with genomics may be a promising avenue in overcoming some of the current limitations in treatment response prediction research. More recently, the combined genetic effect of polygenic risk scores has shown promising results in predicting treatment response. Importantly, adequately large and well phenotyped clinical trials are required to be conducted with pharmacogenomics/-transcriptomics prospectively in mind.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Impact of the covid-19 pandemic on Moroccan health workers who were not on the frontline
Authors: Benallel K. , Nzamba Nzamba D. , Benjelloun R. , Gartoum M. , Kadiri M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Since March2019, successive waves of the COVID-19pandemic have challenged the mental health of frontline healthcare workers, who have been shown in numerous studies to be at increased risk for characterized psychiatric disorders. However, healthcare professionals who were not directly involved in the care of patients withCOVID-19 were often not investigated. In Morocco, the literature dealing with the psychological impact of the pandemic on backline health professionals is still scarce.

Objectives

The purpose of our survey is to assess the stress, anxiety, and depression of health workers who were not on the front lines of care forCOVID-19 patients.

Methods

It is a survey developed on googleforms and disseminated via social networks targeting groups of health professionals in Morocco, during June2020. We used the DASS21 scale(depression, anxiety and stress scale with21 items). The results were analyzed using the JAMOVI application.

Results

out of80 participants: 54%are men, 56%are aged between 31 and 40years old, 38%have been in practice for less than 5years of exercise, 66%are married, 41%are specialists 36%are residents and 21%are nurses, 44% work in psychiatric ward. Psychiatric symptoms: 64%have worries, 64% tired, 63% irritability, 59% sadness, 53% insomnia and 51% somatic complaints. 6.3%report substance use. DASS-21: 50%of participants have depression (7.5%mild, 26.25%moderate, 11.25%severe, 5%extremely severe), 48.75%have Anxiety (7.5%mild, 25%moderate, 8.25%severe, 7.5%extremely severe) and 30%report Stress (8.75%mild, 15%moderate, 6.25%severe, 0%extremely severe).

Conclusions

The high level of job stress during the early months of the pandemic exposed health workers who were not on the front line of care forCOVID-19 patients to an increased risk of psychological decompensation.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Eating habits during quarantine: Investigating the role of emotions and loneliness in a sample of adults in Greece
Authors: Savvopoulou N. , Assimakopoulos K. , Gourzis P. , Jelastopulu E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Imposing quarantine as a measure to manage the coronavirus pandemic is a stressful event that is often associated with negative psychological effects. Eating habits seemed to be significantly affected during the quarantine, while strong negative emotions were triggered as the feeling of loneliness increased at the same time.

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the eating habits of individuals during quarantine and the role of positive and negative emotions and loneliness in shaping these habits.

Methods

An online cross-sectional study was performed using 3 validated scales, EAT-26 (3 subscales: Dieting, Bulimia and Food Preoccupation, Oral Control), Modified Differential Emotions Scale and UCLA Loneliness Scale. Data was collected between April and May 2021 mainly from social media platforms. Statistical analyses included linear regression and mediation analyses.

Results

Abnormal eating habits were detected in 25% of the participants (N= 450, ages 18-74) while the majority reported medium rates of negative/positive emotions and loneliness. Female sex is associated with abnormal eating habits (p=0.010) and mainly dietary behaviors (p=0.029). Negative emotions (p=0.032) and loneliness (p=0.001) seem to be predictive factors of eating habits in general and bulimic behaviors. Negative emotions correlate directly with eating habits. However, we found a significant mediation of loneliness (p=0.032). Furthermore, the observed association between negative emotions and bulimia is partly mediated by loneliness (p=0.018).

Conclusions

Negative emotions and loneliness seemed to play an important role in shaping eating habits during quarantine. Multilevel public health interventions are needed to address the negative effects of quarantine and pandemic in general.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Anxiety and Depression among Patients Admitted at COVID wards of East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) Using the Validated Filipino Version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-P)
Authors: Guiang F.J. , Gabaon M.A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

COVID-19 is a multifaceted disease establishing differences in terms of its occurrence, manner of clinical presentation and disease predilection. While mental health becomes one of the less analyzed aspects, addressing anxiety and depression allows clinicians to provide more patient-centered care in this pandemic era.

Objectives

This study determined the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among patients admitted for at least 14 days at COVID wards of East Avenue Medical using the validated Filipino version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-P), and described the socioeconomic, psychosocial, clinical factors affecting its development among COVID-19 patients.

Methods

232 patients admitted at COVID ward of East Avenue Medical Center for at least 14 days were included in the study. Participants were interviewed using the validated Filipino version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS-P) questionnaire. STATA 13.1 was used for data analysis at 95% confidence interval

Results

Anxiety was significantly correlated with hypertension (p= 0.044), diabetes (p= 0.008), employment status (p= 0.038), and with patients who had family members with COVID- 19 (p= 0.033). Depressive symptoms occurred more likely in Chronic Kidney Disease and in COVID-19 suspects. Most participants had a normal HADS-P anxiety (6) and depression (4) median scores. Mild symptoms of anxiety (n=55) and depression (n=30) were noted among participants. The severity of COVID-19 classification was a statistically significant variable for developing anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions

Identifying predictors of developing anxiety and depressive symptoms enables us to develop better strategies in addressing mental health as one of the important aspects of patient management during this pandemic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Anxiety symptoms in critically ill COVID-19 survivors and its association with post-discharge health concerns
Authors: Silva B. , Martins S. , Ferreira A.R. , Fernandes J. , Vieira T. , Fontes L. , Reis N. , Braga A. , Coimbra I. , Paiva J.A. , Fernandes L.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Evidence suggest that critically ill COVID-19 patients are at higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms, which may be related to or exacerbated by patients concerns regarding their health status and recovery.

Objectives

To assess anxiety symptoms in critically ill COVID-19 survivors, 1-2 months after hospital discharge and to analyze its association with concerns reported by patients regarding their own health status and recovery.

Methods

In the framework of MAPA prospective research, this preliminary study included COVID-19 patients admitted in the Intensive Care Medicine Department (ICMD) of a University Hospital. Patients were excluded if they had an ICMD length of stay (LoS) ≤24h, terminal illness, major auditory impairment or inability to communicate at the evaluation time. Participants were assessed at a scheduled telephone follow-up appointment, with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Additional questions were asked to assess the survivors’ post-discharge concerns regarding discrimination against for COVID-19, infection of a family member, re-infection or sequelae related to COVID-19.

Results

Eighty-three patients were included (median age=63 years; 63% male) and 24% had anxiety symptoms. Anxiety scores were higher in survivors who reported being afraid of being discriminated against for COVID-19 (30% vs 10%; p=0.034), being re-infected (100% vs 79%; p=0.032) and having sequelae (94% vs 44%; p<0.001).

Conclusions

These findings revealed that anxiety is common in COVID-19 survivors and is associated with post-discharge patients concerns that may limit patient daily living. This study emphasizes the importance of psychological assessment and follow-up of the COVID-19 survivors, in order to support these patients recovery.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Quality of sleep in Tunisian patients with Multiple Sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Safa K. , Farhat N. , Salma S. , Nadia B. , Mariem B.A. , Chokri M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

COVID-19 pandemic has affected human communities around the world, and there is fear that people with chronic diseases such as Multiple sclerosis(MS) are more vulnerable to negative psychological effects.

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of sleep in patients with (MS) in comparison with healthy controls(HCs), during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify its associated factors.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey study conducted with patients followed at the neurology department of Hbib bourguiba university hospital in sfax(Tunisia), during the month of november2020. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI). The PSQI is a questionnaire assessing participants’ sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep disturbances and their severity during the past month.Participants with a PSQI ≤5 are classified as ‘good sleepers’.

Results

Fifty two patients were included in the study. The mean age was 33.69 years(SD=9.21 years)and the sex ratio(F/H)was 4.77. Overall, our patients had higher scores of(PSQI)compared to HC and these différences were statistically significant(p < 0.05). The mean score of(PSQI)was 11.04(SD=3.003)and 11.53%were classified as ‘good sleepers’. Unemployment was related to a poor sleep quality(p=0.0001). Patients with high EDSS(r=0.7;p=0.0001), high number of relapses(r=0.58 ;p=0.0001)were more likely to have sleep disturbance. There was a positive correlation between a poor sleep quality and the duration of disease(r=0.38;p=0.005).

Conclusions

We identified that during the COVID-19pandemic patients with(MS)had a worse sleep quality. The COVID-19pandemic poses a challenge to psychological resilience. More studies are warranted to better understand the long-term consequences of the pandemic on mental health of vulnerable people.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Vaccine hesitancy among hospital workers
Authors: Abu Shehab A.H.I. , Cruceanu C. , Ciubara A.B. , Gurita A.V. , Luca L. , Ciubara A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Vaccine hesitancy is a serious issue and it affects the scientific achievements of health. This phenomenon has begun to be studied more often in health care workers, to find its determining factors.

Objectives

The aim was to determine the percentage of hospital workers who got vaccinated against the infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

Beginning with October 2021, we conducted an online questionnaire in which 57 hospital workers participated. Preliminary results allowed us to assess the rate of vaccine hesitancy among this group.

Results

Out of the 57 hospital workers, the majority were vaccinated (n=45, 78.94%) in comparison to less than a quarter (n=12, 21.05%) that refused vaccination. The group of hospital workers included mostly nurses ( n=21, 36.84%). Also, 12 psychologists (21.05%), 11 doctors (19.29%), and 10 students (17.54%) were included. Among the cases that did not accept getting vaccinated against COVID-19, the highest percentage was occupied by nurses (n=9, 15.78%). Moreover, there were only one doctor and one psychologist who did not get vaccinated.

Conclusions

In the current pandemic times, the hesitancy and refusal of vaccination prove to be very challenging. It is important to explore their reasons and to promote health education programs.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.