bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variation and alcohol consumption: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Colombo R.A. , Preve M. , Bolla E. , Traber R.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Seasonal and geographic variations in light exposure influence human mood and behavior, including alcohol consumption. In literature alcohol consumption have a clear seasonal rhythm, with specific differences during the year . Seasonal changes in mood and behavior (seasonality) may be closely related to alcoholism. The aim of our study is to evaluate the relationship between alcohol consumption and seasonal variation.

Method

One hundred and nine inpatient are assessed with: the SCID-P for axis I diagnosis. Inclusion criteria are: (1) acute alcohol intoxication at the admission. All the socio-demographic characteristics are explained.

Results

The peak period of alcohol admission is in the autumn, the lowest period is in spring in April and May. There is any significant difference related to gender. The 76% of the admission are coerced admission. The rates of co-morbidity are: personality disorders (30.3%), affective disorders (22.9%) and psychotic disorders (12.8%).

Discussion and conclusion

Some patients with alcoholism have a seasonal pattern to their alcohol misuse. Several lines of evidence suggest that changes in the circadian system are also involved in the development of non-seasonal mood disorders, such as major depression and bipolar disorder. Thus, developmental alcohol exposure produces subtle abnormalities in circadian rhythms that may contribute to the development of seasonal and non-seasonal mood disorders. Further research is warranted to replicate our clinical and qualitative observations and, in general, quantitative studies in large samples followed up over time are needed. Methodological limitations, clinical implications and suggestions for future research directions are considered.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Cognitive impairment associated with drug use in old age people
Authors: Ros-Cucurull E. , Cardona-Rubira C. , García-Raboso E. , Palma-Álvarez R.F. , Grau-López L. , Daigre C. , Rodríguez-Cintas L. , Sorribes-Puertas M. , Martínez-Arias R. , Cuautle A. , Ortiz-Medina M.B. , Fadeuilhe C. , Jacas C. , Casas M. , Roncero C.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Substance use disorder is a growing phenomenon among old adults. It is usually significantly undervalued, misidentified, under diagnosed and poorly treated. It has been related to cognitive impairment but there are few studies focused on the elderly.

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between drug use and cognitive impairment in old adults.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study (basal and 6 month follow up) in 67 patients over 65 years old seeking for treatment for drug misuse (alcohol and prescription drugs, mainly benzodiacepines) in addiction and dual diagnosis unit in Barcelona. A specific protocol was performed to evaluate attention, executive function, working memory, learning capacity, fonetic and visual fluency, decision-making, visual construction and cognitive flexibility (FCT, CPT-II, N-BACK, COWAT FAS, TAP, SDMT, IGT, CVLT, TOL, RFFT, STROOP). Patients were compared with a control group (healthy non drug users) with same characteristics (gender, age range and education status). The protocol consisted in two separated sessions of 90 minutes each one performed by a neuropsychologist.

Results

Results obtained suggested that patients under drug misuse had worse scores in fluency, visual construction, memory and attention compared with controls. After 6 month treatment and achieving abstinence patients improve in cognitive skills as verbal learning, short-term memory and free recall of verbal information. Cognitive impairment profile changes depending on the substance abused (alcohol or benzodiacepines).

Conclusions

Drug use can produce deleterious effects in old adults. However, those who achieve abstinence may improve some cognitive functioning as verbal learning, short-term memory and free recall of verbal information.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The application of the attitudes towards suicide questionnaire (ATTS) in Tunisian elderly
Authors: Abbes W. , Manel M. , Kaouthar H. , Nada C. , Nasreddine Z. , Lobna Z. , Jihen B.T. , Mohamed M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

According to WHO, suicide is a major public health problem and the most affected age group by suicide in Tunisia is that of over 70 years.

Aims

To study the perception of the Tunisian elderly of suicide.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted during a 3-month period from October to December 2015. Fifty persons aged at least 65 years participated to the study. We used an anonymous questionnaire with a specific scale: “Attitudes Towards Suicide Questionnaire” (ATTS).

Results

The mean age of our patients was 67.5 years. Sex ratio was 1.27. Most of the participants were married (82%), unemployed (63.2%), with a secondary or high educational level (62%), and low income (73.5%). All participants were believers. As for religious practice, 74.5% of the recruited elderly made the fast and 73.5% were prayers. Among women, 70.8% wore the veil. Concerning the perception of suicide, it was on the dimension of “permissiveness” (M = 1.88) that our participants agreed less. Those who made prayers had lower scores of “permissiveness” (P = 0.032). Women who wore the veil had higher scores on the field of “incomprehensibility” than the unveiled ones (P = 0.047). Furthermore, 68% of our participants believed that suicide is stigmatizing.

Conclusions

It might be time to try to lift the taboo and stigma through information and sensitizing campaigns on suicide. In this direction, studies of perception help to identify, somehow, “automatic thoughts” regarding representations of suicide and to try to develop an “alternative thinking” in the general population.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Algeria, from social issue to self-immolation; autopsy of a “fashionable” suicide
Authors: Pacha N. Ali
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Self-immolation has been practised for several centuries in some cultures. Tolerated by Mahayana Buddhism and Hinduism. It is practised for many reasons: Sati (rituals), political protests, devotion and renouncement. In addition, it is also observed in some warrior cultures, like Rajputs.

The self-immolation trend began in Tunisia during government protests (“Arab spring” revolution) when a man named Bouazizi set himself on fire and died. Fiery copycat suicides spread throughout other countries. Algeria has also discovered this form of protest and faced a wave of self-immolation considered by some commentators to have reached epidemic proportions.

Objective

Our goal is to show the kind of support that political and health authorities, with the help of psychiatrists, are trying to set up in order to achieve efficient prevention.

Methods

In a case-control study, 20 consecutive case of deliberate self-inflicted burns admitted to the regional burn centre (Douera Hospital, Algeria) were compared with 20 controls who were selected from the community and matched by sex, age and living area. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM IV) Axis I (clinical disorders) and Axis II (personality and mental retardation) diagnoses were assessed via detailed clinical interview.

Results

There have been 69 cases of self-immolation, with an average age of 26 including 87% of men and from which 13% with a psychiatric history. Unemployment and housing crisis are the most common causes. Here, we will provide specific explanations about our country.

Conclusion

It turns out that self-immolation is an extreme form of protest against the social malaise to make things change and does not due in the most cases to mental disease.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Risk factor for suicide attempt in a general hospital
Authors: Mures B. , Lluis N.G. , Luis O.G. , Iñigo A.P. , German M.H. , José R.Q. , Yolanda L.P.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

A major risk factor for suicide is suicide attempts. The aim of the present study was to assess risk factors for nonfatal suicide attempts. Suicide attempt with high lethality have been interacting with certain clinical and demographic factors such as age, sex, psychopathology and adverse events, among others.

Methods

Observational, descriptive and retrospective study of people who was admitted to a general hospital after suicide attempt.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determinate variable associated to high risk of suicide. Describe and analyze demographic and clinical characteristics associated with serious suicide attempts as well as the methods used.

Results

Of a total of 504, 23 patients was admitted after suicide attempt, 61% male, mean age 54.1; 60% required ICU; the most common method consisted of multiple drug intake 40%, 30% associated with toxic, mostly alcohol. Predominant summer and diagnosis of adjustment disorder.

Conclusion

As is the case with suicides prevails male and summer. As to the most common method has been from medication, both men and women. We were surprised diagnosis of the most common reactions to stress. We conclude that the findings could guide a progressive change in the presuicidal pathology.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Neurobiological Correlates of the Treatment of Emotion Processing in Schizophrenia
Authors: Sachs G. , Felsberger H. , Furtner J. , Erfurth A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Mentalizing ability is impaired in patients with schizophrenia. Most studies in schizophrenia report hypoactivation of the core-mentalizing network including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and bilateral temporoparietal junction (TPJ). In our study, in patients with first episode schizophrenia treatment as usual with atypical antipsychotics (TAU) was compared to the add-on effect of a mentalization-based treatment program (MBT) on the mentalizing network in the brain.

Method

12 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-IV-TR criteria participated in the study (6 males, mean age: 30.43, SD = 9.35 years, years of education 13.23, SD =2.45). A modified treatment program for psychoses was used based on the mentalization-based therapy developed by Bateman and Fonagy (2009). Before and after the treatment fMRI analyses (fixed effects analyses) were carried out (3 Tesla, 5 blocks on/off, 36s, TR = 3.62, SPM) using the n-back task.

Results

Preliminary results show single analyses due to the small sample size. Comparing the fMRI scans before and after treatment, increases in the activation patterns were found in first episode patients treated with MBT. In patients with TAU a reduction in the activation patterns was demonstrated (mean changes in the activation clusters in the MBT group was 5.53, SD 12.79, in the TAU group -5.80, SD 6.91).

Discussion

Mentalization-based treatment is a promising approach in the treatment of schizophrenia and can have an impact on social networks in the brain. Further studies are needed for a better understanding of social cognition and the related neural mechanisms in schizophrenia.

Disclosure of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.
Screening for perinatal anxiety disorder in Serbian women
Authors: Kitanovic B. , Milutinovic D.
Published: June 2017

Perinatal generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has a high prevalence of 8.5%–10.5% during pregnancy and 4.4%–10.8% postpartum which is higher or as high as in general population. Despite its attendant dysfunction in the patient, this potentially debilitating mental health condition is often underdiagnosed due to difficulty in distinguishing normal versus pathological worry and nonexistent screening tool for perinatal GAD. The maternal dysfunction can potentially impact mother–infant bonding and influence neurodevelopment outcomes in the children.

Objective

To screen 100 women for anxiety symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum at the primary health center “Zvezdara”.

Methods

One thousand women were screened for anxiety symptoms using the GAD-7 and DSM-IV. Questionnaire that covered key demographic and obstetric information and GAD-7 and DSM-IV, were administered at the third trimester of pregnancy, and 8 weeks postpartum. Women were identified as at high risk for anxiety, cut-off scores of 5, 10, and 15 were taken as the cut off points for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively.

Results

Ten percent of the sample was screened positive for mild anxiety symptoms during pregnancy. Subsequently, efforts were made to follow-up women with a postnatal GAD-7 and 7.2% percent were screened positive during postpartum.

Conclusion

Clinicians should be aware of the frequency and level of anxiety symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum. Therefore, it is very important to identify women at high risk. Be aware that GAD is one of the risk factors that complicate pregnancy.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Protocol for Developing and Validating a Multivariable Prediction Model to Individualize the Risk of Recurrence of Bipolar Disorder in the Perinatal Period
Authors: Dias M. Casanova , Jones I. , Di Florio A. , Jones L. , Craddock N.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

For women with bipolar disorder, childbirth is a high-risk period with 40–50% experiencing a recurrence and 20% developing a severe episode of postpartum psychosis. Bipolar episodes in the perinatal period affect women and their families.

Managing bipolar disorder in pregnancy and postpartum is a challenge. There is lack of literature to inform that and an urgent need for more data.

Objectives

To develop and validate a risk prediction model for individual prognosis of the risk of recurrence of bipolar disorder for women in the perinatal period.

Aims

To provide evidence-based information to help women and the clinicians that look after them make decisions about their care, taking into account the most recent scientific knowledge and their individual characteristics.

Methods

The development of the model will be done in retrospective data from a large clinical cohort from the Bipolar Disorder Research Network (BDRN.org). The validation will be done in a prospectively recruited sample.

Participants will be 2181 parous women with a lifetime diagnosis of bipolar disorder from BDRN and 300 prospectively recruited pregnant women with a history of postpartum psychosis or bipolar disorder.

Predictors will be chosen based on clinical experience and literature, from data collected via semi-structured interview (in pregnancy and 3 months postpartum, medical and psychiatric notes) e.g. medication, smoking, parity, obstetric complications and sleep.

Results

N/A.

Conclusions

We will present the full prediction model (regression coefficients and model intercept) and report performance measures (with CIs).

We will discuss its potential clinical use and implications for future research.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Disturbed Sleep and Activity in Toddlers with Early Signs of ADHD
Authors: Bundgaard A.K. , Bilenberg N. , Asmussen J. , Vigeholm Stokbæk N.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) is a frequent psychiatric disorder present in childhood, where sleep-problems are a prominent, pervasive and clinically important feature. However, our understanding of whether sleep-problems mimic or exacerbate daytime ADHD-symptom expression remains insufficient.

Objective

Research examining sleep and daily activity in toddlers with early signs of ADHD might help identify early risk factors.

Aims

To investigate whether disturbed sleep patterns and daily activity level is associated with early signs of ADHD in toddlers.

Methods

Twenty-four toddlers from the Danish Odense Child Cohort scoring above the 93rd percentile on the ADHD scale of the Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 1½–5 were categorized as cases and compared to 25 age and gender-matched controls scoring below the 50th percentile. Daytime and nocturnal activity for 49 toddlers were assessed through seven days of actigraphy. Parents completed Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and the ADHD Rating Scale IV Preschool Version (ADHD-RS).

Results

Actigraphic data revealed an increased night-to-night variability, prolonged total sleep time, fewer sleep interruptions and fewer minutes in moderate-to-vigorous-physical activity (MVPA) in cases compared to controls. Increased night-to-night variability was found significantly associated with higher total scores on both the CSHQ and ADHD-RS. Further, fewer minutes in MVPA were associated with a higher parent-reported motor activity on the ADHD-RS.

Conclusion

Findings show that early signs of ADHD are associated with irregular sleep patterns and lower daytime activity, as illustrated by actigraphy. Studies investigating early ADHD risk factors could lead to a preschool ADHD risk index to help guide future early intervention.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The Effect of Cognition Enhancement Program Using Toy-robot for Children
Authors: Shin M.S. , Jeon H.J. , Park J.R. , Lee J. , Shin H.W.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of Cognition Enhancement Program (CEP) using toy-robot for children aged 5–10 years. We thought that CEP using toy-robot might be a more kids-friendly method for improving cognitive ability than traditional programs. The enhancement of cognitive functions such as attention, response inhibition, memory, and working memory after the cognition training were the focus of the study.

Methods

One hundred and twenty children aged 5 to 10 were ramdomly assigned to 3 groups: (1) experimental group receiving CEP training using toy-robot, (2) control group receiving previously developed internet-based cognitive training, (3) waiting list. The children of experiment and control groups received individual 8 training sessions. The effect of the program was measured with Smart Toyweb's cognitive assessment tools we had developed (smart device based assessment) as well as traditional neuropsychological tests throughout 3 times (pre-training, post-training, and 1-month follow-up).

Results

The training is in progress since it started in October 2016. We observed some of children on the CEP training tend to show improvement of cognitive function. The final assessment is planned for February 2017.

Conclusions

The CEP using toy-robot could be very promising and useful in that it is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological treatment for children with attention or memory problem in home and clinical settings.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The Association Between Time Spent on Computer Tablets and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Among Children from 3 to 12 Years Old
Authors: Alhadi A. , Abid O.A. , Alsuhaibani K.A. , Alshehri K.A. , Alowaisheq R.A. , Backer N.B. Al
Published: June 2017

Introduction

ADHD is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders in children. The worldwide prevalence is estimated to be between 2–18%. The exact cause of ADHD is still unknown, but some factors have been found to increase the risk of having ADHD like increase TV exposure time and video games.

Objectives

To study the association between time spent on computer tablets (iPads or Android tablets) by children and ADHD.

Methods

This cross sectional study targeted children from 3 to 12 years old who use computer tablets. Two non-random sampling techniques were used to distribute self-administered questionnaires to one of the caregivers of 275 children, 36 of them installed an application in their children's computer tablets that measures the actual time spent by the children. The questionnaire contains demographics, validated Arabic ADHD rating scale and questions to assess the parental attitude. The SPSS package was used for statistical analysis.

Results

The results showed that the overall prevalence of ADHD is 22.2% and it is higher in males. There is no statistically significant association between ADHD and all variables except for the time spent on computer tablets, which showed that children using computer tablets more than the average time have an increased chance of having ADHD with an odds ratio of 1.9 with 95% confidence interval from 1.08 to 3.40.

Conclusion

This study shows an association between time spent on computer tablets by children and ADHD. There is need for longitudinal studies to demonstrate the temporality and to confirm the association.
Changes in Utilization of Psychiatric Hospital Facilities in Denmark by Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia from 1970 Through 2012: The Advent of ‘revolving Door’ Patients
Authors: Jeppesen R.M. , Christensen T.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The Danish psychiatric system has gone through several structural changes in the last four decades. The deinstitutionalization of the mental healthcare system was implemented in Denmark in the late 1970s with the intention of increasing outpatient treatment. One of the aims in the reorganization was to treat the patient in the local environment rather than during long-term hospitalization.

Objectives

This study focuses on the changes in the utilization of hospital facilities for patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Aims

The aims of this study were to analyze the development of admission/readmission, bed days and occupancy rates over four decades (1970–2012) in Denmark in schizophrenia treatment using admission statistics for in-patients only.

Methods

Using register data from secondary healthcare treatment of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in Denmark 1970–2012, we analyzed the development in the use of hospital facilities.

Results

Our major finding was a 220% increase between 1970 and 2012 in the total number of hospital admissions due to schizophrenia each year, while at the same time the number of annual schizophrenia bed days was reduced by 76%. Furthermore, the readmission rate within a year after discharge with a diagnosis of schizophrenia reached 70% in 2012 compared to 51% in 1970. Finally, the total bed occupancy continued to rise over the four decades and has exceeded 100% in several years since 1999.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that the reorganization of the Danish mental healthcare system has created a problem of “revolving door” schizophrenia patients’ who since the 1970s have been increasingly hospitalized but for shorter periods.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Predicting Antidepressant Response from Genes
Authors: Corfitsen H. , Drago A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Pharmacogenetics may inform an accurate prescribing of antidepressants by identifying the genetic background specifically responding to a certain drug. Despite decades of efforts though, pharmacogenetics appears to be still in its infancy.

Aim

A clearer understanding of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics events in combination with the genetic and epigenetic controls of cells and molecular cascade must inform the future of personalised medicine.

Objectives

To systematically review the current cutting edge knowledge about pharmacognetics in the search for the next groundbreaking biological key events that may provide the keys to future treatments.

Methods

The major online databases are systematically searched with common keywords by two independent researchers and conflicting findings are solved during regular meetings dedicated to the topic in object. Manual searching of single bibliographies is also put in place.

Results

Genes belonging to the serotoningeric, dopaminergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic systems are classic candidates for pharmacogenetics whose role was not confirmed by GWAS analyses, which, on the other hand, identified genes related to molecular pathways not associated with direct target of drugs used for the treatment of depression.

Conclusion

Both hypothesis driven candidate genetic investigations and GWAS analyses have been conducted so far, leading to the identification of a handful of potential good candidates, but the replication rate of the positive association findings lags behind expectations. The current knowledge about the pharmacodyncamic and pharmacokinetic genetic determinants of antidepressant response is critically analysed and new candidates are presented discussed.
A molecular Pathway Analysis Informs the Genetic Risk for Arrhythmia During Antipsychotic Treatment
Authors: Fischer E.K. , Dyrby Andersen H. , Braun Jepsen M. , Drago A.
Published: June 2017

Background

Arrhythmia is a potentially fatal side effect of antipsychotics. A biologic predictive tool to prevent it is missing.

Aim

Identification of a genetic profile at risk for antipsychotic induced arrhythmia.

Objective

Identifying a molecular pathway enriched for antipsychotic induced QT-modifications.

Methods

Seven hundred and sixty-five SKZ individuals, M = 556, age = 40.93 ± 11.03 were included. QT-variation was a phase-specific created variable. A nested mixed regression served in R for clinical and molecular pathway analyses. Plink served for genetic analyses. Quality checking was standard, inflation factor was controlled by lambda values.

Results

Quetiapine and Perphenazine were associated with QT variation (P = 0.002; Estimate = 5.79 and P = 5.67e-06; Estimate = 8.96 respectively). No other significant association was detected. No inflation was detected. Axon guidance and Collagen biosynthesis (Table 1) were associated with QT variation at a conservative (adjusted) P value < 0.01.

Conclusions

Two molecular pathways were identified as possibly involved in QT modifications during antispsychotic treatment in SKZ patients. Previous evidence supports a role of the same pathways in cardiac disorders [1,2]. Interaction of specific SNPs with the drugs will be focus of further research.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
A molecular Pathway Analysis Stresses the Role of Inflammation Towards Cognition in Schizophrenia
Authors: Fischer E.K. , Holm C. , Christensen M. , Drago A.
Published: June 2017

Background

Cognitive processes are impaired in Schizophrenia (SKZ). The nature of such impairment escapes definition.

Aim

Identification of a genetic profile at risk of cognitive impairment.

Object

Identifying a molecular pathways enriched for mutations associated with cognitive impairment.

Methods

Seven hundred and sixty-five individuals from the CATIE, M = 556, mean age = 40.93 ± 11.03 were included. Verbal memory was outcome. R and Plink served for the analyses. Inflation factor was controlled by lambda values. Input for the pathway analysis were SNPs associated with outcome (P < 0.05) genomewide.

Results

Gender (male, P = 2.34e–05;t = –4.26) and years of education (P = 1.57e–03;t = 6.502) were associated with verbal memory. Inflammation and oxidation were associated with outcome (Table 1, adj_P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Being male and poorly educated were associated with poorer verbal memory. Inflammation and the arachidonic acid pathway were enriched in mutations associated with poorer verbal memory. This finding is in line with previous reports [1,2,3].
The Differential Cognitive Deficits Between Patients with Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease and Patients with Early Stage Vascular Dementia
Authors: Park J.H. , Kyung Min K. , Byoung Sun J.
Published: June 2017

Background

The study aims to examine whether cognitive deficits are different between patients with early stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) and patients with early stage vascular dementia (VaD) using the Korean version of the CERAD neuropsychological battery (CERAD-K-N).

Methods

Patients with early stage dementia, global Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) 0.5 or 1 were consecutively recruited among first visitors to a dementia clinic, 257 AD patients and 90 VaD patients completed the protocol of the Korean version of the CERAD clinical assessment battery. CERAD-K-N was administered for the comprehensive evaluation of the neuropsychological function.

Results

Of the total 347 participants, 257 (69.1%) were AD group (CDR 0.5 = 66.9%) and 90 (21.9%) were VaD group (CDR 0.5 = 40.0%). Patients with very mild AD showed poorer performances in Boston naming test (BNT) (P = 0.028), word list memory test (P < 0.001), word list recall test (P < 0.001) and word list recognition test (WLRcT) (P = 0.006) than very mild VaD after adjustment of T score of MMSE-KC. However, the performance of trail making A (TMA) was more impaired in VaD group than in AD group. The performance of WLRcT (P < 0.001) was the worst among neuropsychological tests within AD group, whereas TMA was performed worst within VaD group.

Conclusions

Patients with early-stage AD have more cognitive deficits on memory and language while patients with early-stage VaD show worse cognitive function on attention/processing speed. In addition, as the first cognitive deficit, memory dysfunction comes in AD and deficit in attention/processing speed in VaD.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Does Participation in the Meeting Centre Support Programme Change the Stigma Experienced by People with Dementia?
Authors: Szcześniak D. , Urbańska K. , Farina E. , Saibene F.L. , Chattat R. , Evans S. , Evans S. , Brooker D. , Orrell M. , Hendriks I. , Meiland F. , Dröes R.M. , Rymaszewska J.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The Meeting Centre Support Programme (MCSP) is a community-based approach to support people living with dementia and their families. It was developed in the Netherlands and has been implemented in other European Countries (Italy, Poland and the UK) within the JPND-MEETINGDEM project.

Aims

To assess the relationship between background characteristics of people with dementia participating in MCSP, mood, quality of life (QoL) and experienced stigma, and to explore if and how the experienced stigma changed after 6 months of participation in MCSP.

Methods

A pretest (M1) post-test (M7) control group design with matched groups regarding severity of dementia was applied. In each country, a minimum of 25 participants using MCSP were compared with people with dementia receiving ‘usual care’. Data were collected with the Stigma Impact Scale, Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, Global Deterioration Scale and two QoL scales (QoL-AD & DQoL). Differences in background characteristics were taken into account in the analyses.

Results

The preliminary analysis on 116 participants at baseline shows that the level of stigma was low to moderate. People felt more socially rejected in the UK than in Poland and Italy. The level of perceived stigmatization appeared negatively correlated with QoL areas and positively correlated with negative mood. Changes after 6 months will be presented.

Conclusions

It is expected that after 6 months people living with dementia participating in MCSP will experience less stigma, as in contrast with usual care MCSP promotes social integration of people with dementia and person-centered support.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Assessment of renal function based on cystatin C in elderly with dementia
Authors: Zamfir M.V. , Talașman A.A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Assessment of renal function in elderly with dementia is a difficult clinical problem due to the high prevalence of malnutrition and creatinine limits as a marker of glomerular filtration in this context.

Objectives

To assess the correlation between renal function and dementia diagnosis.

Aims

To highlight differences between methods of assessment of renal function based on creatinine and cystatin C.

Methods

Cross-sectional study. Patients institutionalized at Bucharest City-Center of Socio-Medical Services (a nursing home) from 04/2014 to 11/2014 were included in the study. Dementia diagnosis was established by a psychiatrist. We determined serum creatinine by Jaffe method and serum cystatin C by nephelometry. Renal function was determined using several formulas based on serum creatinine/cystatin C: Cockcroft–Gault, MDRD, creatinine CKDEPI/cystatin/creatinine + cystatin, Berlin Initiative Study (BIS1, BIS2), Lund-Malmo LM-LBM. To highlight a link between dementia and renal function, we determined Spearman correlation coefficients.

Results

Thirty-one patients were included in the study, mean age 78.6 (63–97) years, 64% women. The diagnosis of dementia (1 = positive, 0 = negative) had the following statistically significant correlations: CKDEPIcystatin: rho = –0.390, P = 0.015; CKDEPI creatinine-cystatin: rho = –0.332, P = 0.032; BIS2: rho = –0.346, P = 0.02. We did not find statistically significant correlations between the diagnosis of dementia and formulas for assessing renal function based on creatinine only.

Conclusions

Elderly patients with dementia present decreased kidney function as determined by formulas based on cystatin/cystatin + creatinine, but not on creatinine alone. Assessment of renal function using cystatin C might represent a useful method for detection of renal dysfunction in these patients and for proper dosage of medication.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Relationships between leisure time physical activity, physical fitness and mental health among young adult males
Authors: Appelqvist-Schmidlechner K. , Vaara J. , Mäkinen J. , Vasankari T. , Kyröläinen H.
Published: June 2017

Physical activity has been seen as an important tool to prevent both physical and mental disorders like depression and anxiety. However, previous research has mainly focused on mental health problems rather than positive mental health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and physical fitness with mental distress and positive mental health. The study sample consisted of 792 men (mean age 26 years) who participated in the study prior their military refresher-training course. Cardio-respiratory and muscle fitness tests were measured, and LTPA, positive mental health (Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, SWEMWBS) and mental distress were assessed with a questionnaire. Analysis of variance and linear regressions were used as statistical methods. Younger age and lower military education were associated with mental distress, whereas older age and higher military education were inversely associated with high positive mental health (flourishing). Moreover, individuals reporting vigorous LTPA at least 1–2 times per week had lower level of mental distress and were more commonly experiencing flourishing compared to their less physically active counterparts. Physical fitness (both aerobic and muscular) was associated with lower mental distress, but not with flourishing. In conclusion, leisure time physical activity and physical fitness may contribute to mental health. The present results highlight that even low amount of leisure-time physical activity may promote mental health and prevent mental disorders. Leisure time physical activity, rather than physical fitness, seems to be more essential for positive mental health.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Relationship between pain coping strategies with mental disorders symptoms in patients referring to dental clinics
Authors: Homayouni A. , Ahmadi R. , Nikpour G.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The study aimed to assess the relationship between mental disorders symptoms with pain coping strategies in dentistry clinics.

Method

One hundred and twenty people with dental pain that attended in dentistry clinics were randomly selected and responded to Rosenstein and Keefe's Pain Coping Strategies Questionnaire (PCSQ) and Derogatis's Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R). PCSQ assesses six pain coping strategies: diverting attention, reinterpretation pain sensation, self-negotiation, ignoring pain, disastrous thought, hope–praying, and SCL-90 measures nine dimensions: somatization, obsessive compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. The data were analysed with Pearson correlation coefficient and independent t-test.

Results

Findings showed positive and significant relationship between disastrous thought with all mental disorders symptoms; and reinterpretation pain sensation with depression and anxiety. Also there is negative significant relationship between ignoring pain with obsessive compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity and somatization; and hope – praying with interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism. Meanwhile there were significant differences in males and females. Females got more scores in ignoring pain than males, and males got more scores in anxiety, hostility and paranoid ideation tan females.

Discussion

With regard to findings, it is recommended that in addition to drug treatment, for changing the attitudes and thinking in patients with dental pain, psychiatrists and psychologists apply psychological treatments specially cognitive-behavior therapy to reduce abnormal thinking level about pain so that the length during of treatment declines, and as a results reduce the personality and health problems that is related with dental pain before and in during of drug treatment.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Attitudes towards help seeking behaviour and professional psychiatric help in Slovenia
Authors: Roškar S. , Bračič M. , Kolar U. , Konec Juričič N. , Lekić K. , Alenka T.G. , Dobnik B. , Poštuvan V. , Vatovec M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Knowledge about signs and treatment of mental illnesses is often not enough to seek professional help. Hence, it is important to gain understanding of other determinants, i.e. attitudes, stigma, which influence help-seeking behaviour.

Objectives

Based on Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour, we aimed at collecting data of determinants known to be related to behavioural action, in our case help seeking.

Aims

To examine how attitudes, stigma and normative believes influence help seeking behaviour and whether these determinants differ in relation to demographic data and mental health indicators of the respondents’ region.

Methods

A representative sample of adult Slovene population (n = 594) was recruited via an on-line invitation. They were asked to (i) provide basic demographic data (region, age, gender, mental health history…) and (ii) to complete the inventory of attitudes toward seeking mental health services. The inventory variables (attitudes, knowledge and stigma) were linked to demographic data and mental health indicators in Slovenia.

Results

The respondents dispose of good knowledge of where and when to seek help either for themselves or others. However, the readiness to seek help was significantly lower, in particular so in men, younger, single persons and respondents from regions with lower mental health indicators. Accordingly, stigma was significantly higher pronounced in the same groups. More than 50% of respondents have already experienced mental distress, however only 25% have sought help.

Conclusions

Reasons for this “help seeking gap” should be further scrutinized. Future interventions shall be focused on changing attitudes and destigmatization mental health issues.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
A Review of Advances in Social Sciences and their Application for Research in Suicidal Behavior
Authors: Castroman J. Lopez
Published: June 2017

Suicidal behavior and its prevention constitute a major public health issue, and the moderating effect of sociodemographic factors has been studied for more than a century. In the last years it has become evident that the relationship between social factors and suicidal behavior is complex and highly dependent on the context. For instance, minorities suffering marginalization, such as the Inuit in Canada or the aborigines in Australia, present high rates of suicide. However, other minorities, such as immigrants arriving to tightened communities, can be protected from suicide compared to the social majority. Other contradictory effects have been reported concerning income per capita and the evolution of the economy. Unfortunately, the interplay of social factors in suicidal behavior and the social consequences of suicide attempts are rarely represented in theoretical models of suicidal behavior, despite their importance to adapt suicide prevention policies to social groups at risk. In this presentation, recent advances and new and integrative avenues for future research in the social aspects of suicidal behavior will be summarized.

Disclosure of interest

The author declares that he has no competing interest.
Metacognitive Awareness in Cocaine Addiction (MACA): Rationale and Feasibility of an Integrated Intervention Program
Authors: Cheli S. , Velicogna F. , Fioravanti P. , Simeone A. , Enzo C. , Di Natale S. , Cavalletti V. , Taddeo M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses report low-quality evidence to suggest a significant differential effectiveness between standard psychosocial interventions in reducing substance consumption. They highlight the presence of several types of treatments that usually integrate different approaches in a multimodal manner. CBT-based interventions seem to be the most effective ones in terms of dropouts and relapse prevention, particularly in cocaine addiction.

Objectives

We discuss recent advances in experimental and clinical studies on cocaine addiction. We especially try to integrate emerging cognitive neuroscience evidences and results of the meta-analyses of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions.

Aims

The primary aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of a new multimodal intervention for cocaine addiction, namely MACA (Metacognitve Awareness in Cocaine Addiction). Secondary aims are to discuss: (i) rationale of integrating different approaches; (ii) preliminary results of a previous pilot-study; (iii) feasibility of present study using the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework.

Methods

We describe and evaluate our model that comprises:

– an individual short intervention based on dilemma-focused therapy;

– a psycho-educational group based on standard CBT treatments;

– a relapse-prevention group based on mindfulness protocols for addiction;

– a follow-up online self-administered course and automatic personalized feedback.

Results

Existing literature seems to support the need for new integrated programs. RE-AIM feasibility analysis shows promising results in integrating the proposed approaches in terms of symptoms reduction, relapse prevention and cost-benefit ratio.

Conclusions

Preliminary evidence supports potential for the MACA program in treating cocaine addiction. The research design of a wait-list controlled trial with pre- and post-treatment assessment is discussed.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Features of Emotional Intelligence and its Connection with Level of Social Functioning in Patients with Depressive-paranoid Symptoms
Authors: Zubatiuk O.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The problem of social functioning of psychiatric patients is one of the most relevant these days.

Objectives

Studying characteristics of emotional intelligence parameters in patients with depressive-paranoid symptoms in psychotic disorders in the structure of F 20.0, F25.1 and F33.3.

Participants Study involved 40 patients divided into three groups according to nosology:

– Group 1: F 20.0;

– Group 2: F 25.1;

– Group 3: F 33.3.

Methods

MSCEIT (Russian version of the adapted version of Sergienko O.O., Vetrova I.I.), the scale of PANSS and PSP.

Results

The highest rates are in the group F25.1, except for the scale D. In group F 20.0 compared to other scales reduced scale index N. In group F 33.3 reduced compared to the scales A and E are indicators of scales D and H. 2. The observed negative correlation scale D performance of N5, G1, G5, G8, G14 (PANSS) in group F 20.0 and positive correlation in group F 33.3 of G6. E indicators scales show positive correlation with G3, group F20.0, and F33.3. Also was found a negative correlation with the performance scale O13 H group F20.0. 3. The positive correlation between the level of social functioning and performance scale H group F20.0 scales and indicators in the group D F33.3.

Conclusion

The findings are the “resource area”, which have become “target” of rehabilitation programs for this group of patients.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Cognitive, Emotional and Personal Features of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Mandel I. , Mikheev S. , Mandel A.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Cognitive and behavioural problems usually accompany isolated clefts of the lip and/or the palate (ICLP) [1].

Aims

To investigate cognitive, emotional and personal features of children with ICLP in comparison with non-cleft children from complete families and non-cleft orphans.

Methods

The ICLP group consisted of 29 children (age 14.2 ± 0.7). The first comparison group (1CG) consisted of 34 non-cleft children (age 14.1 ± 0.5). The second comparison group (2CG) consisted of 30 non-cleft orphans (age 13.8 ± 0.8). Drawing tests “House-Tree-Person” have been selected to evaluate the level of children's development, emotional and personal features in all three groups. M. Luscher Color test was chosen to figure out the children's psychological state, regardless of education level.

Results

The most characteristic features of the ICLP children and 2CG were similar. They included infantilism (69%; 43.3%), low self-control (65.5%; 56.7%), demonstrative demeanor (62%; 36.7%), escape from reality into fantasy (93%; 76.7%), anxiety (69%; 63.3%). ICLP children compared with the 1CG has shown significantly higher level of aggression (79.3% vs. 4.2%), increased self-esteem (59.6 vs. 4.2%), impulsiveness (51.7% vs. 16.7%), the importance of other people's opinions (59.6% vs. 29.2%). Contrary, the feelings of lack of emotional warmth, the need for protection were observed in 1CG more frequently–70.8% vs 55.2% in ICLP and 60% in 2CG.

Conclusions

Psychological correction in children with ICLP should be aimed at increasing the adaptive functions, facilitating communication with peers, search the area for self-realization.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.