bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive status and addiction denial in the early stages of alcohol addiction
Authors: Ponizovskiy P. , Gofman A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Denial is a common feature of alcohol addiction that is apparent in the early and late stages of the disease. Defensive psychological mechanisms and cognitive failure have been reported as reasons for addiction denial. Effective therapeutic approaches should consider the reasons for anosognosic denial.

Aims and objectives

The study investigates the correlations between the degree of denial of alcohol addiction and cognitive status of people in the early stages of alcohol dependence.

Method

Subjects were identified using clinical interview the AUDIT questionnaire investigating compulsive drinking, impaired control of drinking, alcohol tolerance, and symptoms of withdrawal.

Results

Forty-nine alcoholic patients at early stage of alcohol dependence were identified. At assessment, all had been abstinent for at least 7 days. They reported compulsive drinking, impaired control over it, increased alcohol tolerance, but no withdrawal symptoms followed by relief drinking. The level of denial was defined by summing up the quantitative ratings of awareness of alcohol addiction and its harmful effects. Three groups emerged of non/mild, moderate, and severe levels of addiction denial. Neuropsychological evaluation of verbal memory, logical memory, visual-motor coordination, and motor and mental speed was conducted.

Conclusion

The identified cognitive deficiencies in the 3 groups were mild. Correlation between the poorer test performance and higher levels of denial was not significant. In the early stages of alcohol addiction, the anosognosic denial appears to be an unconscious ego defense mechanism leading to rejection of all the addiction-related problems.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Modafinil: A smart drug with psychiatric implications
Authors: Saiz Garcia H. , Montes Reula L. , Portilla Fernádez A. , Pereira Sanchez V. , Olmo Lopez N. , Mancha Heredero E. , Rosero Enriquez A.S. , Martinez Parreño M.E.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Modafinil is approved to treat excessive somnolence but it is also off-spec used as a treatment for ADHD and as a cognitive enhancer. Research on the effects of modafinil on cognitive function have yielded mixed results. Modafinil interact with dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, glutamate, orexin, histamine and GABA levels. The regulation of these neurotransmitters is widely known to be implicated in most of the neuropsychiatric disorders.

Methodology

A review was conducted aiming to clarify the biological mechanisms of action of modafinil; its effects on attention, learning, executive functions and creative thinking; as well as possible neuropsychiatric disorders associated to its intake. The literature search was conducted in PubMed data reviewing articles dating between 2015 and 2016.

Results

(1) Empirical evidence for cognitive enhancing effects of one of the most frequently used substances, modafinil, is sparse. Studies suggest that with more protracted and complex testing, more benefits are associated to modafinil use.

(2) Modafinil may be implicated in alterations of reward-related behaviour. Compared to placebo, modafinil leads to an enhanced tendency to make previously rewarded choices compared to the avoidance of previously punished choices. This pattern of altered choice behaviour is probably induced by an increase of the dopamine level and a potential contribution of elevated noradrenaline.

Conclusions

Some people share information about this drug in social network. Off-label use of this drug may be implicated in alterations of reward-related behaviour and patients with previous psychiatric disorders should be aware of its possible adverse effects.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Methamphetamine-induced choreoathetosis: A case report
Authors: Turk M.L. , Smith J.
Published: June 2017

We describe the case of a 23-year-old male with a past psychiatric history of Obsessive Compulsive disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Cannabis Use Disorder, and a reported history of Bipolar II Disorder and ADHD, and no past medical history, who presented to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation of erractic behavior. Per his family's report, the patient has not been attending to his activities of daily living and has had poor sleep and significant weight loss for the past month. In the days preceding his presentation, he has experienced worsening irritability and rapid speech, and has been responding to internal stimuli and displaying odd repetitive movements of his extremities. On interview, the patient reported non-compliance to his prescribed Lithium and Paroxetine for the past three months. He also noted recently smoking methamphtamine on a daily basis for the past month and intermittently abusing cannabis, benzodiazepines and cocaine. His urine drug screen was positive for cannabinoids and amphetamines and the rest of his medical workup was within normal limits. On physical exam, he exhibited involuntary writhing and twisting movements of his extremities. An atypical antipschotic was prescribed, after which his choreoathetotic movements resolved within 24 hours. The purpose of this poster is to highlight the possibility of developing chorea as a result of methamphetamine use, given the rarity of such cases, and to discuss whether the resolution of his neurological symptoms were a result of antipsychotic administration or were simply due to the natural course of methamphetamine discontinuation during hospitalization.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
characteristics of suicidal behavior in a rural population
Authors: Chauca Chauca G.M. , Carrión Expósito L. , Jaén Moreno M.J.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Suicidal behavior is defined as any behavior of self-harm with intent and knowledge of what is done. Suicide ranks among the 10 leading causes of death in the statistics of the world health organization.

Objectives

The main objective of the study is to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of patients who have attempted suicide and the characteristics of this behavior.

Methods

It is a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Results

The sample consisted of 70 patients, with a mean age of 41.17 years, most of them were women (58.5%). In relation to employment status, 31.4% were working, 21.4% unemployed, 14.3% were retired and 32.9% had other employment status. Among the characteristics of suicidal behavior characteristics, mode, forecasting rescue, previous suicidal behavior, previous outpatient follow-up and consumption of toxic evaluated. The most frequent method chosen was the voluntary intake of drugs (77.1%). The 67.1% were diagnosed with depressive disorder followed by personality disorders (20%).

Conclusions

In total there is a predominance of women in achieving some suicidal behavior, as well as a higher percentage among single, divorced or widowed (60%) versus married (40%). Also a higher percentage of patients unemployed, pensioners and others who do not receive income (68.5%) versus the occupationally active (22%). Another condition that must be evaluated in the suicide risk is having previously made a suicide attempt, in our study 54.3%. Since subjects with previous suicide attempt are four times more likely to try again. The results are also consistent with other studies that the most common disorder associated with suicide attempt is depressive disorder (67.1%).

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Road traffic accidents and suicide rates in Europe
Authors: Kandrychyn S. , Razvodovsky Y.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Road traffic death and suicide may have some similarity in their psychological correlates; furthermore, road traffic should be considered as a suicide method.

Aims

The present study aims to explore the relationship between road traffic deaths and suicides in Europe.

Methods

Rates of road traffic accident deaths and suicides and gross national income (GNI) per capita for 40 European nations were obtained from the world health organization official database. The total sample was divided on 22 eastern European nations and 18 western European nations.

Results

Mortality rate from road traffic accidents in groups of all European nations is associated positively with suicides (Pearson r = 0.45, two-tailed P < 0.01) and negatively with GNI (r = −0.64, P < 0.0001). At the same time suicide rates does not reveal a significant correlation with GNI. In the groups of eastern European nations road traffic deaths is associated positively with suicides (r = 0.57, P < 0.01) and relationship with GNI is not significant. As a contrast, in the groups of western European nations road traffic deaths is associated negatively with GNI (r = −0.69, P < 0.01) and shows any significant relationship with suicides. Although in this group, suicides show some positive correlation with GNP (r = 0.45, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The present data indicate, therefore, that mode of ecological association between three studied indices is various in the different group of European nations what suggests the multifactorial complexity of violent death etiological mechanisms. At the same time, the data allow to suggest that socioeconomic factors are more essential in prevention of road traffic mortality than suicides.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Is prior suicide attempt a reliable indicator of short-term suicide risk amongst patients admitted to an acute suicide inpatient intervention unit in India?
Authors: Mishra S.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Traditionally past suicide attempt is considered a strong reliable factor in predicting an immediate or short-term suicide risk. Considering the complex interplay of different variables associated with suicide, the absence of past attempts may not prove to be of lesser risk for a consequent attempt.

Aim

To compare sociodemographic and clinical correlates within high-risk suicidal patients who have made a recent suicide attempt in the presence versus absence of past suicide attempts.

Methods

Retrospective review of patient's records admitted to intensive care unit, applied suicide intervention and supportive treatment (ASIST) between 1st January 2015 and 31st May 2016 was conducted. Data was extracted for all consecutive admissions to ASIST, of adults (16 to 60 years) male patients with high risk for suicide.

Results

Out of 109 at risk inpatients, 31% were recent attempters without past attempts and 13.5% were recent and past attempters. Rest included past attempters without recent attempt and non-attempters. Except for poor coping skills, which were significantly higher (Chi2= 13.97; P = 0.001) in the group consisting recent and past attempters, all other relevant sociodemographic and illness related correlates were comparable across these groups.

Conclusion

Suicide risk may be associated with multiple factors. Apart from past attempts, a faulty coping style can be associated with risk for further attempts. Other correlates like age, marital status, employment and illness profile did not follow the traditional pattern in our study which makes them equally important while addressing suicide risk in Indian men.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Fear from freedom, tendency to suicide
Authors: Mohammadi M.
Published: June 2017

The growth of social activities for women in Iran has had a two-sided outcome for women. The worst, the women have encountered the phenomenon of prison, which is a great problem in traditional and Islamic societies. The change of role expectations after the release from prison has imposed many restrictions on women so that there is not any vivid future for them. Lack of enough education and skill has deprived the prisoner women from retaining their pre-prison situation. The high number of suicide among prisoner women shows that subculture of encountering with prisoned women in Islamic societies is based on sin approach in that the women are sinners who will be sent to hell in the other world and they must see the punishment of their sin to be ready for the extreme heat. Disinterestedness in the interaction with other people and loving isolation are two characteristics of style life for these women. The efforts of authorities to return these women to normal life, unfortunately, have failed to work. This paper investigates the reasons and roots of exclusion for prisoner women in Iran and Islamic societies.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Suicidal intent in people with major depression
Authors: Shukla D. , Jilani A.Q. , Jaiswal P. , Nischal A. , Kallivayalil R.A.
Published: June 2017

Background

Depression is most common underlying contributor among cases of attempted/completed suicide. There is dearth of information regarding suicidal intent among people with depression and its relationship with hopelessness among Indians.

Objective

To evaluate and describe the intent of suicide in people with depression among north Indian population.

Methods

This cross-sectional single point, study was performed at the department of psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. Cases were in the age group of 18–60 years with major depressive disorder as per DSM-IV TR criteria. Following tools e.g. Hamilton depression rating scale (HRS), Beck's hopelessness scale (BHS) and suicide intent questionnaire (SIQ) were used for assessment.

Results

Suicidal intent was observed among 68.1% (n = 49) of study sample (n = 72). There was no significant (P > 0.05) association of suicidal intent with socio-demographic factors except domicile status. Suicidal intent was common among people with moderate to severe depression and those with hopelessness. The hopelessness was present among 70.8% of subjects.

Conclusion

Suicidal intent is prevalent among people with major depression. Intervention at initial stage of suicidal intention would of importance for successful preventive measure. This emphasizes the need for evaluation of suicidal intent in cases of depression.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Clinical and psychological characteristics of patients with suicidal thoughts during prolonged depressive and anxiety disorders and their therapeutic correction
Authors: Tsygankov B. , Surnina S.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

This is an extremely important problem of determining clinical-psychological and personality-typological characteristics of patients with suicidal intentions. In the complex therapeutic correction of suicidal behavior, there is almost no use of such psychotherapy method as katathym imaginative psychotherapy (KIP).

Objective

Study of clinical-psychological and personal-typological peculiarities and development of an optimal adaptation of KIP for the treatment of patients with suicidal thoughts.

Methods

The study was included 52 patients with anxiety-depressive disorder and suicidal intentions; was used K. Leongard questionnaire, SCL-90-R, SR-45, J. Vagin questionnaire of suicidal motivation.

Results

The investigated patients were divided into three groups with acute reaction on stress, personality disorder and schizotypal disorder. The first group has revealed the predominance of instrumental, anemic, anesthetic motivation, emotive and anxiety types of accentuation and high level of suicidal readiness. The second has identified anesthetic motivation, anxiety and cyclothymia type of accentuation with a moderate level of suicidal readiness. The third group included patients with symptoms of anemic motivation suicidal motivation, anxiety type of accentuation and a high level of suicidal readiness. The reduction of psychopathological symptoms in patients of the first group occurred in a shorter period of 18.0 ± 2.1 days, compared with the second – 25.0 ± 5.6 days, and the third group – 21.2 ± 2.1 days.

Conclusion

In the main group, the highest suicide rates were in patients with anemic, anesthetic and motivation and anxiety type accentuation. Patients of the first group showed the best response to a comprehensive pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Predicting suicidal behavior by an accurate monitoring of RNA editing biomarkers in blood samples
Authors: Weissmann D. , Vire B. , Van der Laan S. , Salvetat N. , Pointet S. , Lannay Y. , Marcellin G. , Molina F.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Predicting suicidal behaviors is one of the most complex challenges of daily psychiatric practices. Alterations of RNA editing of neurotransmitter receptors and other proteins have been shown to be involved in etiology of different psychiatric disorders and linked to suicidal behavior. Additionally, an increase in expression levels of ADARs, the RNA editing enzymes, has also been observed.

Objective

The objective of the present study was to test whether modifications in RNA editing profile of prime targets allow identifying disease-relevant blood biomarkers and evaluating suicide risk in patients.

Methods

A clinical study was performed to identify an RNA editing signature in blood of depressed patients with and without history of suicide attempts. Patient's samples were drawn in PAXgene tubes and analyzed on Alcediag's proprietary RNA editing platform using NGS. In addition, gene expression analysis by quantitative PCR was performed.

Results

We generated a predictive algorithm comprising various selected biomarkers to detect patients with a high risk to attempt suicide. We evaluated the diagnostic performance using the relative proportion of the phosphodiesterase 8A (PDE8A) mRNA editing at different sites as well as the expression of PDE8A and the ADARs. The significance of these biomarkers for suicidality was evaluated using the receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The generated algorithm comprising the biomarkers was found to have strong diagnostic performances with high specificity and sensitivity.

Conclusions

We developed tools to measure disease–specific biomarkers in blood samples of patients for identifying individuals at the greatest risk for future suicide attempts.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The effect of vitamin B1 on the change of appetite related to premenstrual syndrome in young women
Authors: Abdollahifard S. , Maddahfar M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Many women in the premenstrual period may be faced with physical and psychological changes that restricted the acceptance of the responsibility of daily living, jobs and reduced quality of life outdoors. One of these mental disorders is the changes in appetite. Preventing the initiation is the first step in reducing premenstrual syndrome, is very important. Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) may reduce symptoms of PMS through affecting the performance of coenzymes in the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Objectives

This study was conducted to determine the effect of vitamin B1 on the change of appetite related to PMS.

Methods

In this double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 100 students with PMS residing at dormitories of Jahrom University were divided randomly into two groups, vitamin B1 and placebo. The severity of mental symptoms specially change in appetite and desire to eat sweets in two cycles, before and during the intervention, was recorded by the students. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The comparison of vitamin B1 group before and after the intervention showed that vitamin B1 reduced mean mental (35.08%) symptoms significantly (P < 0.0001). The reduction of severity was observed in desire to eat sweets was 2.42%. The average of mental symptoms severity of PMS has been reduced in vitamin B1 group, and the comparison was significantly different.

Conclusions

Therefore, vitamin B1 is recommended for reduction of symptom severity of PMS include desire to eat sweet. This vitamin can be used to reach a major goal of midwifery, without any side effects.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Sex differences in experimental studies of depression: How can clinical research benefit?
Authors: Kokras N. , Dalla C.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Sex differences in depression and antidepressant response in humans are modestly studied and results are controversial. Experimental studies using animal models may provide insights that could be useful in clinical trials.

Objectives

The objective is to summarize findings from preclinical studies on sex differences and suggest how such preclinical research might be of use in clinical research.

Aims

Specifically it is aimed to summarize evidence for both sexes in relation to the phenotype of depression, its endophenotype and the antidepressant response.

Methods

A selection of experimental studies on sex differences in stress and antidepressant response was performed and their findings were linked to potential confounders or methodological issues that might obscure the results of clinical trials.

Results

In preclinical studies, behavioral indices and models are adjusted for both sexes, in order to properly identify sex differences in primary outcomes. This is not routinely happening in clinical studies when using depression rating scales, which is the analogue of behavioral indices. Moreover, preclinical studies show sex differences at the baseline behavioral response and underlying mechanisms that often converge following antidepressant treatment. This is also a neglected issue in human studies. Finally, preclinical research suggests that when researching on potential biomarkers for depression and antidepressant response sex should be an important factor to consider.

Conclusions

Cautious exploitation of findings on sex differences from preclinical research could improve the design and quality of clinical studies for disease biomarkers and novel antidepressants and facilitate the drug development in a gender aware manner.

Disclosure of interest

NK has received honoraria and travel support from Janssen-Cilag, Lundbeck, Sanofi-Aventis, Medochemie Generics and Elpen S.A. CD has received honoraria from Janssen-Cilag and travel support from Boehringer Ingelheim. None of those is relevant to this study.
Affirmative competence and practices of mental health professionals with LGB clients: An Ibero-American study
Authors: Pereira H.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

There are not many studies about affirmative competence and practices among mental health professionals working with lesbian, gay, and/or bisexual (LGB) clients.

Objectives

The objectives of this research are to assess the levels of affirmative competence and practices of professionals in Ibero-American countries.

Aim

We aim to compare differences regarding gender, country of origin, religious beliefs, political orientation, sexual orientation, age, education, marital status, and possessing specific training related to working with LGB clients, in order to determine the predictive association of the variables under study.

Methods

The sample consists of 630 therapists from various countries various Ibero-American countries: 23% from Portugal, 23.2% from Brazil, 19.1% from Spain, 6.7% from Mexico, 6.7% from Argentina and 18.6% from other countries. Ages ranged from 19 to 75 years old, with a mean age of 41.46 years. The socio-demographic questionnaire, the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale, and the Affirmative Practice Questionnaire were the measures used.

Results

The results show statistically significant differences when comparing marital status, sexual orientation, political orientation, religious beliefs, level of education, and specific training concerning LGB issues. Age, gender, and country of residence show no statistically significant differences. The linear regression model demonstrates that there is a significant predictive value between affirmative competence and practices with LGB clients.

Conclusions

This study indicates that mental health professionals should undergo some type of academic or professional training and/or possess experience in regards to working with LGB clients, in order to enhance their approach when working with this population.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Symptom Validity Testing (SVT) and Social Security Disability Claims
Authors: De Jonghe J. , Schoemaker T. , Lam D. , la Porte P. Andre de
Published: June 2017

Background and aims

Over 50% of adult disability claimants fail some form of SVT. While some over report psychological, affective symptoms, others may report incredible cognitive symptoms. We examined effects of different types of response bias on free recall and self-reported depression.

Participants and methods This is a single site cross-sectional study using a convenience sample (n = 224) of disability claimants in the Netherlands. The Green Word Memory Test (GWMT) was administered to all subjects. The Amsterdam Short Term Memory Test (AKTG), the Structured Inventory of Malingered. Symptomatology (SIMS), and the beck depression inventory (BDI-II) were administered in subsamples. Participant classification according to GWMT and SIMS outcomes resulted in four groups, G+/S+, G+/S−, G−/S+ and G−/S−.

Results

Average age of the participants was 46.3 years (SD 9.9), 41.5% were female, and 43% were higher educated. GWMT was positive in 48.2% of all subjects, and 27.6% scored positive on both GWMT and SIMS. Analysis of variance of GWMT Free recall and Beck depression scores showed significant group differences [F(3, 123) = 33.21, P = .000] and [F(3, 106) = 25.17, P = .000] respectively.

Conclusions

Non credible test performance was prevalent in this Dutch study of disability claimants. Insufficient effort and over reporting of psychological symptoms are associated with different score profiles on regular tests and self-rating scales.

Disclosure of interest

The author receives funding for his work as a neuropsychologist in an expertise setting.
Late Onset Bipolar Disorder: Clinical Characterization
Authors: Gomes J. , Sousa A. , Afonso H. , Lima G.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Bipolar disease is a chronic mental illness with a deep personal and social impact. Alongside with the considerable progress in understanding and treating bipolar disorder, and despite the growing interest in geriatric psychiatry, late onset bipolar disorder has been relatively little studied so far.

Objectives

To review the literature regarding the epidemiology, characteristics and clinical implications of late onset bipolar disorder.

Methodology

A literature review was performed by searching articles in Pubmed, using the following search terms: “late onset bipolar disorder” and “elderly bipolar disorder”. All literature in English published in the last 15 years was examined and 11 articles were selected.

Results

Although the frequency of bipolar disorder type 1 or 2 decrease with age, approximately 6 to 8% of the new cases of bipolar disorder develop in people over 60 years of age. Clinically, late-onset bipolar disorder appears to be associated with a better level of pre-morbid functioning, a less severe psychopathology as well as a smaller family burden of psychiatric illness. The term “secondary mania” postulated by Krauthmamer Klerman has been used to describe a bipolar disease variant associated with a variety of organic factors that may be responsible for this late-onset disease.

Conclusions

Late onset bipolar disorder is probably a different diagnostic than the entity that occurs in younger patients, since it presents with a different clinical presentation. It is a heterogeneous disease with a complex etiology that still needs more research.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The Role of Micrornas in Regulating Redox Modulation in Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Kim H. , Tyryshkin K. , Elmi N. , Oliviera V. , Andreazza A. , Feilotter H.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Alterations in redox modulation are consistently reported in bipolar disorder (BD). MicroRNAs are targeted regulators of gene expression.

Objectives and aims

We aimed to examine if microRNAs that target redox modulators can discriminate between BD and healthy controls.

Methods

Data from brains of individuals with and without BD were obtained from Array Collection datasets. MicroRNAs targeting redox modulators were assessed for their ability to discriminate BD from the control group using machine-learning algorithms. Methylation of microRNAs, expression of their transcription factors and redox targets were assessed with ANCOVA with FDR correction. For validation, we acquired plasma samples belonging to 2 families of individuals with and without BD (n = 9). Plasma microRNAs were sequenced using the Ion Total RNA Sequencing Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific), and microRNAs identified from the in silico analysis were examined in the validation dataset.

Results

We identified 5 miRNAs (hsa-miR-299, hsa-miR-125a, hsa-miR-145, hsa-miR-30b, hsa-miR424) that were common in two of the four in silico datasets. Target genes glutathione peroxidase 4, ATP5A1, ATP5G1, NDUFS1, NDUFC2, and catalase were expressed at different levels between BD and the control group. Furthermore, our results showed that transcription factors CTCF and USF1 might control the expression of hsa-miR-145, while methylation differences were not found. Finally, hsa-miR-30b was significantly increased in the plasma of patients with BD compared to controls in the validation experiment.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that microRNAs may have an important role in the initiation of redox changes in BD.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Are Deficits in Social Cognition Differentiating between Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders
Authors: Sachs G. , Maihofer E. , Erfurth A.
Published: June 2017

Over the last decades, in matters of the assessment of psychopathology and its clinical consequences, there has been an increased interest in neurocognitive function including non-social and social cognition.

Classic psychopathology -as represented e.g. by the standardized AMDP system- focuses on pathognomonic signs for the categorization of syndromes [1] and differentiates between disturbances of perception, concentration, memory retention and long-term memory. A recent short screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP) has addressed five domains of cognitive function: verbal learning–immediate, working memory, verbal fluency, verbal learning–delayed and processing speed [2].

Using the SCIP in admissions from a defined catchment area in the southwest of Vienna we confirm the presence of cognitive deficits in schizophrenic patients and to a lesser degree in bipolar patients. The deficits were present in all five domains and no discriminatory pathognomonic signs could be found between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Recently, possibly selective deficits in social cognition have been described in schizophrenic patients [3]. We review the evidence on the specificity of social impairment to schizophrenia.

Disclosure of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.
The Association Between Autistic Traits and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Preliminary Findings Among Typically-developing Adults in Israel
Authors: Horesh D. , Haruvi-Lamdan N. , Lebendiger S. , Golan O.
Published: June 2017

Background and aims

Although studies show that those suffering from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face an increased risk of exposure to trauma (bullying, physical abuse), the co-morbidity between autistic symptoms/traits and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was almost entirely neglected by researchers. The aim of this preliminary study is to explore the possible associations between these two conditions among typically-developing college students.

Methods

Participants were 39 students, recruited from 2 Israeli universities. Twenty-four participants were psychology students, and 15 were business administration students. Participants completed self-report questionnaires tapping sociodemographic background, trauma exposure, PTSD (the PTSD Checklist-5, PCL-5), and autistic traits (the Autism Spectrum Quotient, AQ).

Results

Our preliminary findings revealed a positive association between symptoms of PTSD and autistic traits. More specifically, among those in the 3rd and 4th highest quartiles of AQ scores, 87.5% met the cut-off score for a probable PTSD diagnosis (χ2 (3) = 8.25, P < 0.05). In addition, t-tests comparing the PTSD and non-PTSD groups showed significant differences in 3 out of 5 AQ sub-scales: social skill (t(37) = –2.12; P < 0.05), attention switching (t(37) = −2.09; P < 0.05) and communication (t(37) = −2.80; P < 0.01). Thus, higher AQ scores were reported by those in the PTSD group.

Conclusions

ASD may serve as a significant risk factor for post-traumatic symptomatology. The associations between these two conditions may be mediated by a variety of potential shared vulnerabilities, including increased rumination, dysregulated emotion and impaired social cognition. Further research is needed in order to explore these mechanisms, as well as to assess co-morbidity in clinical samples of both ASD and PTSD.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Diet and Physical aActivity Intervention Effectiveness in Acute Mental Patients, During Hospitalization: A Matched Case-control Study
Authors: Isaac J. , Guerreiro S. , Pinheiro C. , Pardal A. , Correia N. , Simões Dias S. , Santos C. , Matos Pires A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Diet and physical activity interventions are effective in psychiatric outpatients that suffer from obesity, namely those treated with antipsychotic drugs. However, there is less evidence related to these interventions in hospitalised acute patients.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of a diet and physical activity program on weight and BMI variation in acute psychiatric patients during hospitalisation.

Methods

Matched case-control study from January to September 2016. Inclusion criteria: patients with at least 15 days of hospitalisation in an acute psychiatry ward, evaluated by a nutritionist in the admission and medical discharge. The intervention consisted in a diet and physical activity program, with total restriction to visitors to bring food to the patients. Statistical analysis was done with T-student and multiple linear regression taking into account the effect of age, sex, daily dose of antipsychotics, and days of hospitalisation.

Results

Sixty-six patients were studied (34 cases and 32 controls). Groups were statistically similar concerning the average of age, daily dose of antipsychotics, days of hospitalisation and sex. The differences of weight gain during hospitalisation were 0.088 kg (cases) versus 1484 kg (controls), P < 0.05. And the differences of the increased BMI during the hospitalisation were 0.041 kg/m2 (cases) versus 0.509 kg/m2 (controls), P < 0.05.

Conclusions

Obesity presents challenging health problems for individuals with severe mental illness that require inpatient treatment. This study provides evidence that individuals with acute mental illness can benefit from weight control interventions during their hospitalisation, in special a total restriction to visitors to bring food to the patients.
Update and Revision of the RANZCP Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mood Disorders
Authors: Hopwood M.
Published: June 2017

In 2015, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) published its new Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for Mood Disorders. The Mood Disorder CPG focuses on ‘real world’ clinical management of depressive and bipolar disorders, addressing mood disorders as a whole to recognise the overlap between distinct diagnoses and changes in diagnoses along the mood disorder spectrum. This presentation will provide an overview of the process and methodology used in the development of the guidelines, as well as the key principles established in the new CPG for the assessment and management of depressive and bipolar disorders.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Supportive Text Messages for Patients with Depression – A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Agyapong V. , Juhas M. , Ohinmaa A. , Omeje J. , Mrklas K. , Suen V. , Dursun S. , Greenshaw A.
Published: June 2017

Background

Depression is projected to be the primary cause of disability worldwide by 2030. Our aim was to test the feasibility of a supportive text messaging mobile health intervention in improving treatment outcomes in depressed patients.

Methods

We performed a single-rater-blinded randomised trial involving 73 patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Patients in the intervention group (n = 35) received twice-daily supportive text messages for 3 months while those in the control group (n = 38) received a single text message every fortnight thanking them for participating in the study.

Results

After adjusting for baseline BDI scores, a significant difference remained in the three month mean BDI scores between the intervention and control groups: (20.8 (SD = 11.7) vs. 24.9 (SD = 11.5), F (1, 60) = 4.83, P = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.07). The mean difference in the BDI scores change was significant with an effect size (Cohen's d) of 0.67. Furthermore, after adjusting for baseline scores, a significant difference remained in the three month mean self-rated VAS scores (EQ-5D-5L scale) between the intervention and control groups, 65.7 (SD = 15.3) vs. 57.4 (SD = 22.9), F (1, 60) = 4.16, P = 0.05, ηp2 = 0.065. The mean difference in change mean self-rated VAS scores was also statistically significant with an effect size (Cohen's d) of 0.51.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that supportive text messages are a potentially useful psychological intervention for depression, especially in underserved populations. Further studies are needed to explore the implications of our findings in larger clinical samples.
Cognitive Impairment in Major Depressive Disorder and Severe Depressive Episode with Psychotic Symptoms
Authors: Fedorová S. , Blažková M. , Humpolíček P. , Barteček R.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Cognitive impairment in patients with depressive disorder is a subject of intensive research.

Objectives

This study deals with the cognitive impairment in patients with severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms and patients with major depressive disorder during the acute state of illness.

Aims

The aim was to define domains and the level of cognitive impairment in both groups of patients.

The next aim was to compare profiles of cognitive impairment in both groups of patients.

The last aim was to find out a relationship between cognitive performance and severity of depressive episode during the acute state of illness.

Methods

We have used neuropsychological test battery (Auditory–Verbal Learning Test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, Logical Memory, Digit span test, Trail making test, Verbal Fluency Test, Block Design and Benton Visual Retention Test) for the evaluation of the cognitive functions in patients with severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms (n = 5) and patients with major depressive disorder (n = 8).

Results

We found cognitive impairment in all examined domains in both groups of patients.

More profound cognitive impairment was found in patients with severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms, particularly in visual memory, visuo-constructive abilities, speed of cognitive processing and executive functions. We found no correlation between cognitive performance and severity of depressive episodes.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest a strong correlation between psychotic symptoms in depression and cognitive performance.
Automatic Analysis of Psychotherapy Videos by Using Synchrony Signal
Authors: Gargot T. , Varni G. , Chetouani M. , Cohen D.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Some techniques of psychotherapy are now widely evidence-based and very cost effective, especially cognitive and behavioral therapies. Most of the studies are indirectly based on patient reported outcomes or problematic behaviors evaluated before and after the psychotherapy. Unfortunately, studies struggle to control for what is actually happening during psychotherapy, especially the non-specific aspects, like the interaction between the patient and the therapist, that is a known predictor of psychotherapeutic efficacy. Consequently, it is difficult to make precise links between theory and practice, control its application and understand which of its ingredients are the most important.

Objectives

Here, we suggest a research framework to extract automatically social signals from psychotherapy videos. We focused on the extraction of synchrony of the motor signal since it was considered to be a predictor of psychotherapeutic outcome in an earlier study and a relevant signal for the study of mother-child interactions.

Methods

We developed open source python and R scripts to compute this synchrony of motion history on a database of interaction between a parent and a child http://bit.ly/syncpsy

Results

We confirmed that synchrony, was a relevant signal for studying social interactions since the scores are completely different from synchrony scores computed on shuffle motion history data. However, these scores alone are unable to distinguish the two periods of the videos (with and without disagreement).

Conclusion

Synchrony of motion history is a promising marker of social interactions.
Abuse During Childhood and Burnout
Authors: Di Giacomo E. , Pescatore F. , Colmegna F. , Di Carlo F. , Clerici M.
Published: June 2017

Background

Childhood maltreatment is the most important risk factor for the onset of psychiatric disorders. Revictimization is really frequent as well as substance or alcohol abuse, often linked to self-treatment. Accordingly, our pilot study aims to analyze possible implication of childhood maltreatment on resilience and burnout.

Methods

Patients admitted to outpatients psychiatric department in a six month period (1st January 2015–30th June 2015) complaining low to moderate anxiety or depression have been administered childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) and Maslach burnout inventory.

Results

CTQ results in 71 (87%) Emotional Neglect (EN), 2 (2.4%) Sexual Abuse (SA) and 2 (2.4%) Physical Abuse (PA). Twenty-one showed high emotional exhaustion, 21 high depersonalization, 9 moderate personal accomplishment while 1 showed low personal accomplishment. None of the patients who suffered child sexual abuse shows depersonalization or personal accomplishment difficulties linked to burnout. Patients negative to CTQ show respectively moderate emotional exhaustion (M = 20 ± 20.15), moderate depersonalization (11 ± 9.42) and high personal accomplishment (17 ± 12.38). Patients who suffered emotional neglect show the poorest profile at Maslach, particularly regarding emotional exhaustion. ANOVA reaches statistical significance among the 3 groups of detected abuse (EN, SA, PA) in personal accomplishment (P = 0.013) confirmed at POST HOC between EN and SA (P = 0.0004).

Conclusion

The results obtained in this pilot study highlight two important considerations. First, it seems urgent to stress the huge prevalence of emotional neglect among those referred to psychiatric outpatient department due to moderate anxiety or depression complain. Moreover, emotional neglect appears to be the most compromised factor of burnout, especially if compared to sexual abuse.
Assessing Violence in Psychosis – A Clinical Prediction Rule
Authors: Seena F. , Wolf A. , Fanshawe T.
Published: June 2017

Background

Current approaches to stratify patients with psychosis into risk groups are limited by inconsistency, variable accuracy, and unscalability.

Methods

This paper will present an overview of current approaches based on a systematic review. It will also present a novel scalable approach based on a total national cohort of 75 158 Swedish individuals aged 15–65 with a diagnosis of severe mental illness (schizophrenia, schizophrenic-spectrum, bipolar disorder, and other psychotic illnesses). We developed predictive models for violent offending through linkage of population-based registers and tested them in external validation. We measured discrimination and calibration for prediction of violent offending at 1 year using specified risk cut-offs.

Findings

: A 16-item model was developed from pre-specified routinely collected criminal history, socio-demographic and clinical risk factors. In external validation, the model showed good measures of discrimination (c-index 0.89) and calibration. For risk of violent offending at 1 year, using a 5% cut off, sensitivity was 64% and specificity was 94%. Positive and negative predictive values were 11% and 99%, respectively. The model was used to generate a simple web-based risk calculator (OxMIV).

Interpretation

We have developed a prediction score in a national cohort of all patients with psychosis that can be used as an adjunct to decision-making in clinical practice by identifying those who are at low risk of future violent offending and higher risk individuals who may benefit from additional risk management. Further evaluation in other populations and countries is needed.
Dealing With Specific Cognitive Dysfunctions Associated with Psychiatric Vulnerability in Intellectual Developmental Disorders
Authors: Scuticchio D. , Bianco A. , Rossi M. , Piva Merli M. , Bertelli M.O.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Despite the increasing evidence of common neurodevelopmental alterations and high simultaneous or sequential co-occurrence, the relationship between specific cognitive dysfunctions and psychiatric vulnerability has not been adequately studied, not even in people with intellectual developmental disorders (IDD), whose rate of mental health problems is up to 4 times higher than the general population.

Aim

The aim of the present paper is to investigate the correlation between specific cognitive dysfunctions or dysfunctional cognitive patterns and the presence of specific psychiatric symptoms and syndromes in people with IDD.

Methods

A sample of 52 individuals with IDD consecutively attending a clinical facility for multidisciplinary evaluation, in Florence, Italy was assessed through the SPAID (psychiatric instrument for intellectual disabled adult) system, the WAIS III - R (Wechsler adult intelligence scale III – Revised), the TMT (trial making test), and other neuropsychological tools. Psychiatric diagnoses were formulated by expert clinicians in accordance to DC-LD or DM-ID criteria. The main procedure of the data statistical elaboration was the calculation of frequency and correlation indexes.

Results

Some relevant correlations have been found, that between executive frontal functions, autistic traits and impulse control disorder, and that between working memory and bipolar disorder were among the strongest.

Conclusions

In people with IDD some cognitive alterations or ‘characteristics’ significantly correlate with the presence of psychiatric disorders. The possibility to understand the nature of this relationship seems to increase with the degree of specificity of variables in both the cognitive and the psychopathological assessment.