bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persistant genital arousal disorder and venlafaxine: A case report
Authors: Marguilho M. , Gonçalves M. , Pereira I. , Marinho G. , Nobre A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In this presentation we describe the case of a woman referred to the Sexology Department after having developed symptoms of Persistent Genital Arousal (PGAD) for the last 5 years, during treatment for Depression with Venlafaxine. PGAD is a clinical entity first described in 2001 by Leiblum and Nathan. Despite having received more attention in the last few years, its etiology remains unclear, with numerous causal factors of different natures being suggested.

Objectives

We aim to describe this clinical case of PGAD and to discuss the possible etiological factors involved as well as to make a brief revision of the literature on this topic.

Methods

We conducted a detailed interview, focused on the nature of the complaints, psychological history, medications, diet and neurologic disorders and performed a thorough clinical examination. We also searched for relevant articles in medical databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar.

Results

A 52 year-old woman previously treated for Depression with Venlafaxine complains of involuntary sensations of genital arousal, with perceived vasocongestion, tingling and pulsatlity during her journey to work in public transportations. The symptoms subsided only after getting home 8-10 hours later and reaching orgasm by masturbating. She stopped Venlafaxine in 2015, but these symptoms persisted. Some authors suggest a link between SSRIs/SNRIs and PGAD.

Conclusions

PGAD is a relatively recent addition to our diagnostic catalog with increasingly more cases being reported in the last few years. It is likely that the condition, however, has no discrete etiology and that a customized approach will be necessary to successfully treat most patients.
Sexual function assessment in men with PTSD
Authors: Maalej R. , Hamdi G. , Felfel D. , Ammar H. Ben , Maamri A. , Kissi Y. El , Zalila H.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Exposure to extreme traumatic events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This disorder affects emotional, social and professional functioning. Recent studies suggest that it can lead to sexual dysfunction.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to compare the level of sexual dysfunction between men with PTSD and control subjects.

Methods

A total of 30 male PTSD patients and 30 controls were included in this study. We used the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check Scale (PCLS) to assess the intensity of PTSD symptoms and the International Erectile Function Index (IIEF15) to assess sexual dysfunction of both patients and controls.

Results

The mean IIEF-15 score was 51.16 ± 6.82 in patients followed for PTSD versus 77.33 ± 2.02 in healthy controls with a non-significant difference (p = 0.26). Three patients (10%) had an alteration of desire while the control reported only dysfunction but there was no significant difference between the mean scores of IIEF-SD (p = 0.22). No patient or control had erectile dysfunction and there was no significant difference between the IIEF-EF sub-scores in the 2 groups (p = 0.20). The mean sexual intercourse satisfaction (SD) score in the patients was 5.13 ± 1.10 versus 8.86 ± 0.40 with a non-significant difference (p = 0.09). Altered satisfaction with intercourse was noted in 15% (n = 5) of subjects with PTSD versus a single control.

Conclusions

It is important that practitioners address the subject of sexuality in patients followed for PTSD and refer their patients, if necessary, to a sexology consultation.
Perinatal depression as a risk-factor for infant sleep disturbances: Subjective data from a case-control study
Authors: O. P. M. Caccialupi , Pucci C. , Colaiori M. , Giacchetti N. , Aceti F. , Sogos C.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Perinatal period is characterized by a broad range of physical, psychological and relational changes. Maternal perinatal depression (PD) is defined as an episode of major depression with the onset from pregnancy to the first year after delivery. Depressive symptoms influence the earlier mother-child interaction and impact on child cognitive, affective and behavioral development.

Objectives

Purpose of our study was to evaluate the consequences of PD on sleep-wake patterns in the early stages of infant development. We aim to investigate the presence of poor sleep in infants/ toddlers and also to identify differences in sleep ecology variables.

Methods

We enrolled, from December 2019 to September 2020, a clinical sample of children born from women with PD (N=19, m.a.=13,7, SD= 7,6) and a healthy control group (N=21, m.a.=15,5, SD=5,43). Infant sleep data were obtained from the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ). Poor sleepers were defined by the following criteria: >3 night wakings, nocturnal wakefulness >1 hr or total sleep duration <9 hr. Maternal depression was assessed with clinical and psychometric evaluation. T-test was used for comparison between the two samples.

Results

Statistical analysis indicates that there were not significant differences between the two groups concerning night wakings (p= .678), nocturnal wakefulness (p= .815), total sleep duration (p= .209) and nocturnal sleep onset time (p= .475).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that PD is not a risk-factor in the onset of infant sleep problems. Probably negative parentig, affective disengagement, delegation in maternal care and sedative effects of pharmacotherapy may affect mother’s perception of her infant’s sleep.
Association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and symptoms of insomnia and depression in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients
Authors: Sochal M. , Bialasiewicz P. , Gabryelska A. , Fichna J. , Talar-Wojnarowska R. , Małecka-Panas E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in depression and sleep disorders. It influences the inflammatory process and may affect the interactions between psychological state and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Objectives

The study aimed to compare BDNF concentrations in the group of Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and healthy control (HC), as well as to correlate it with the severity of depression and insomnia.

Methods

The study included 94 inflammatory bowel disease patients (IBD, 57 CD, and 37 UC) and 26 HC. Each participant completed the following questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Athens insomnia scale (AIS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). BDNF protein concertation measurements were performed using ELISA. Funding: National Science Centre, Poland-2018/31/N/NZ5/03715.

Results

CD patients had a higher serum level of BDNF (22.5 ng/mL, IQR:17.5-28.5) than UC patients (19.1 ng/mL, IQR:12.3-24.6; p=0.045). CD group had higher BDNF concentrations than HC (17.5 ng/mL, IQR:13.2-23.8; p=0.010), but no such differences were found between UC and HC groups (p=0.544). A positive correlation was found between AIS and BDNF among IBD (r=0.22, p=0.035). Additionally, patients, who obtained high BDI scores (>7 points) had lower BDNF concentrations than others (p=0.004). The patients with long sleep latency (>10 min) achieved a higher BDNF level than others (p=0.038). However. BDNF level did not correlate with PSQI results.

Conclusions

BDNF serum level is increased in CD, but not in UC patients. Overall, the severity of insomnia symptoms correlates positively with BDNF levels. Future research should focus on the further explanation of those observations.
Alcohol addiction complicated with comorbid amnestic disorders: The search for innovative approaches to treatment
Authors: Sosin I. , Babenko Y. , Sergienko O. , Mysko G. , Honcharova O. , Lisova I.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Alcohol amnesia and palimpsests belong to understudied areas in addictology concerning the pathogenesis, risk factors, and development of effective integrated, targeted modalities of therapy, prevention, and after-treatment care.

Objectives

Development of a new integrated, pathogenetically grounded approach to the emergency and routine therapy for immediate and long-term consequences of amnestic alcohol intoxication.

Methods

Modern complex clinical-psychopathological, pathopsychological, laboratory, electrophysiological, biochemical examination; method of analogues and prototype analytical examination.

Results

Integrated anti-amnestic pharmacotherapeutic triad: Noobut IC (Phenibut) orally, before meals, for 6 days, twice a day: 250 mg in the morning, 500 mg at night, within days 7-14 250 mg twice: in the morning and at night; Vitaxon 2.0 ml daily, intramuscularly, No10 totally; ozone therapy for 10 days (ozone dissolved in olive oil, 6 mg/100 ml concentration), 5 ml orally 3 times a day. Complex therapy is concurrent with synergistic psychotherapeutic potentiation. Supportive anti-relapse prevention of alcohol-induced amnesia, palimpsests with Noobut IC: 1 tablet (250 mg) orally in the morning for 2 months. The pathogenetic support of the pharmacotherapeutic triad in treatment for alcohol addiction, comorbid with amnestic disorders, is pathogenetically focused on pharmacological properties of each component of the triad and their potentiating effects, involving most pathogenetic mechanisms of this disease.

Conclusions

Relieving and prophylactic efficacy of the proposed pharmacological triad (Noobut, Vitaxon, ozone and concurrent psychotherapeutic potentiation) is proven by the statistical reliability method and illustrated by clinical examples of patient-specific research.
Psychopathology in adult transgender people
Authors: Castellini G. , Ristori J. , Steensma T.
Published: February 2022

Transgender people represent a broad spectrum of individuals that transiently or persistently identify with a gender different from the one assigned at birth (APA, 2013). Transgender healthcare issues have become an increased matter of interest over the last years, as shown by the growth of publications on the subject and by the increase of referrals reported worldwide in all age groups. However, transgender people report encountering numerous obstacles in accessing and receiving appropriate health care with professionals being described as not properly trained on specific gender issues. Considering the diversity and complexity of the gender spectrum in the different age groups and in light of the recent changes in the formal psychiatric classification, mental health providers play a critical role in meeting the needs of gender non-conforming children, adolescents and adults, according to individualized paths. This course has the following aims: (1) learn the principles of assessment of gender incongruence in childhood, adolescence and adulthood; (2) address co-occurring psychopathology (if present); (3) identify different treatment paths according to age and individualized psychological and/or medical needs; (4) work in a multidisciplinary team in line with an integrated model.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Substance use amongst adult patients admitted to an irish acute mental health unit
Authors: Duggan A. , Murray N. , Buckley S. , Lalevic G.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Comorbid substance misuse in mental illness presents a significant challenge to mental health services. It may lead to higher rates of relapse, hospital admissions and poorer treatment outcomes. Up to 47% of inpatients in Irish mental health units may experience substance misuse. Despite the Irish government’s ‘Vision for Change’ policy (2006), access to specialised services remains variable.

Objectives

Evaluate: -prevalence of substance misuse at an Irish mental health unit. -quality and detail of the recorded substance misuse history. -access to specialised services for patients experiencing substance misuse.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of inpatients in a mental health unit over 12 months, was completed. Information recorded included: demographic details, diagnosis, substance use history; access to substance misuse services. Microsoft Excel was utilised for data input and analysis.

Results

267 patients were admitted over twelve months. Substance misuse was the primary diagnosis of 6% and the secondary diagnosis of 67%. 46% of patients reported current substance misuse, 52% reported historical substance misuse. Frequency and quantity of use was documented in 65% and 48% of cases respectively. 4% of patients with a substance misuse history were in current contact with addiction services.

Conclusions

Although 46% of patients reported substance misuse, only 4% were in contact with specialised addiction services. This highlights a significant unmet need. There was variability in the quality of the recorded substance misuse history. In order to fully understand comorbid substance misuse, this be addressed. The addition of a more formatted substance misuse section, to admission proformas, may help to alleviate this issue.
The influence of the COVID-19 epidemic on hospitalizations due to alcohol consumption
Authors: Rădulescu I.D. , Terpan M. , Ciubară A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Excessive alcohol consumption is an ever-topical issue regardless of social or medical problems (pandemic). In these conditions (global medical crisis),to the problem of alcohol consumption has been added a new dimension.

Objectives

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalizations diagnosed with acute intoxication in the hospital. In Romania, the measures due to the pandemic were instituted starting with March 15 2020.

Methods

The study was performed retrospectively between 01.01.2020 - 30.09.2020 in the Psychiatric Hospital ‘Elisabeta Doamna’ Galati. ICD-10 criteria were used to establish the diagnosis of the disorder.

Results

In total, 458 cases were admitted during the period mentioned, of which 401 were male (87.56%), female 57 cases (12.44%). The average age of patients was 45.67 years ± 0.695, with minimum age of 19 years and maximum age of 93 years. The month with the most admissions was January with 80 (17.46%) March by 79 (17.25 %). The months with the fewest hospitalizations were April with 27 cases (5.89%) and July with 35 cases (7.64%).

Conclusions

The analysis of the data shows that as measures specific to the epidemic crisis were instituted, the number of hospitalizations decreased significantly by about 3 times.
An integrated addictions nursing subspecialty to expand the opioid use disorder and substance use disorder workforce
Authors: Williams K. , Selwyn C. , Elkins C. , Young S. , Pancione K. , Baker M. , Getch Y.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In the U.S. approximately11.4 million misused prescription pain relievers; 2.1 million had an OUD in 2017. The Addictions Nursing Subspecialty was created to address this epidemic by expanding a workforce trained in OUD/SUD screening, treatment, and prevention. A curriculum was developed that included integrated/telehealth health care settings in medical and mental health provider shortage areas during their last nine months of training. Courses were developed and taught by aninterprofessional team of university faculty and informed by evidence-based guidelines/clinical competencies for effective OUD/SUD screening/prevention, assessment, treatment, and recovery. Courses were also offered as electives for nursing, clinical-counseling, social work, and other health science disciplines emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare.

Objectives

Expand the OUD/SUD trained workforce in areas with high OUD/SUD mortality rates and high mental health provider shortages emphasizing team-based integrated care and telehealth settings.

Methods

Program curriculum was informed by evidence-based guidelines/clinical competencies for effective OUD/SUD screening/prevention, assessment, treatment, and recovery using integrated care. Competencies included: Core Competencies for Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care that have been set forth by the Center for Integrated Health Solutions, telehealth competencies outlined in the recommended competencies by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), and Core Competencies for Addictions Medicine by the American Board of Addictions Medicine.

Results

Approximately 11 students enrolled in courses received additions integrated/telehealth health care settings. Students responded positively to evaluations regarding timely feedback, unique approach (i.e. intrative content, short videos and discussions).

Conclusions

The Addictions Nursing subspecialty will continue to be offered allowing enrollment for nurses twice a year.
The concept of motivation and its implication in additive disorders
Authors: Medeiros A.B. , Teixeira J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The word motivation derives from the Latin movere, which means to move. In psychiatry, it is an isolated phenomenon found in the substrate of several pathologies, and may be part of an heterogeneous dimensional spectrum. However, there is no unique definition for it, nor a targeted approach. In addictive disorders motivation gains a fundamental role, both as a precipitant of abuse as in its withdrawal.

Objectives

To review the literature about the concept of motivation and its implications on the psychopathology, especially on addictive disorders.

Methods

Narrative review on PubMed/MEDLINE, using the keywords “motivation” AND “psychopatology” AND “addiction”. Articles in English and Portuguese were included.

Results

Three main perspectives were found addressing the concept of motivation in psychopathological terms: psychological, neurobiological and phenomenological. The first describes motivation as the energizing of behaviour in pursuit of a goal. Neurobiology says motivational drive is dependent on the concentration of extrasynaptic dopamine. In phenomenological terms, the concept stands for the web of solicitations that make a certain situation feel in a certain way for the subject. In addictive disorders, learning about what leads to reward, exaggeration in representing those values, and dominance in being guided by those representations lead to alterations on motivation mechanisms.

Conclusions

Motivation is described from different perspectives. Although it is recognized as a fundamental piece in addictive disorders, besides motivational interview model, there are no pharmacological approaches aimed to improving motivation. The recognition of motivation as a concrete psychopathological alteration, and its measure through psychopathological instruments, could optimize the patient’s approach.
Promoting physical distancing and not social distancing: When the words matter
Authors: Wasserman D.
Published: February 2022

As COVID-19 began to plague the world, the term ‘social distancing’ was frequently used, encouraging people to keep a safe physical distance from others to reduce the transmission of the virus. Despite being well-intended, the term has negative implications, further isolating vulnerable groups in society by evoking feelings of rejection and exclusion. For this reason, the members of the European Psychiatric Association Ethics Committee wrote an e-letter in response to an opinion piece published by Science (https://science.sciencemag.org/content/367/6484/1282/tab-e-letters), and also wrote to the European Psychiatry (https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.60) and the World Health Organisation explaining why the term ‘physical distancing’ should instead be used among policymakers, governments and the general public. Words are important and carry great meaning. Therefore, by using the term physical distancing and not social distancing the message becomes clear, individuals should remain physically distant but socially connected to protect the vulnerable communities in societies. The World Health Organisation, as well as the Lancet journals, adopting the term physical distancing in replacement of social distancing, was a rewarding and important step in the right direction.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Suicidal behaviour and cognition: A systematic review with special focus on prefrontal deficits
Authors: Fernández-Sevillano J. , González-Pinto A. , Rodríguez-Revuelta J. , Alberich-Mesa S. , González-Blanco L. , Zorrilla-Martínez I. , Velasco Á. , López-Pena P. , Abad-Acebedo I. , Saiz P.A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Suicidal behaviour and cognition: A systematic review with special focus on prefrontal deficits Introduction: Suicide is a major health concern worldwide, thus, identifying risk factors would enable a more comprehensive understanding and prevention of this behaviour. Neuropsychological alterations could lead to difficulties in interpreting and managing life events resulting in a higher risk of suicide.

Objectives

Objective: Bibliographic review about the influence of neuropsychological deficits on suicidal behaviour.

Methods

Method: A systematic literature search from 2000 to 2020 was performed in Medline (Pubmed), Web of Science, SciELO Citation Index, PsycInfo, PsycArticles and Cochrane Library databases regarding studies comparing cognition of attempters versus non-attempters that share same psychiatric diagnosis. Results: 1.885 patients diagnosed with an Affective Disorder (n = 1512) and Schizophrenia/ Schizoaffective Disorder (n = 373) were included.

Results

In general comparison, attention was found to be clearly dysfunctional. Regarding diagnosis, patients with Schizophrenia and previous history of suicidal behaviour showed a poorer performance in executive function. Patients with current symptoms of an Affective Disorder and a previous history of suicidal attempt had poorer performance in attention and executive function. Similarly, euthymic affective patients with history of suicidal behaviour had worse decision-making, attention and executive function performance compared to euthymic non-attempters.

Conclusions

Patients who have attempted suicide have a poorer neuropsychological functioning than non-attempters with a similar psychiatric disorder in attention and executive function. These alterations increase vulnerability for suicide.

Conflict of interest

Jessica Fernández-Sevillano is beneficiary of the Pre-PhD Training Programme of the Basque Government. Dr. Gonzalez-Pinto has received grants and served as consultant, advisor or CME speaker for the following entities: Almirall, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers
Prevalence of suicidal ideation among medical students at a university in Brazil
Authors: Prata T. , Calcides D. , Vasconcelhos E. , Carvalho A. , De Melo E. , Costa E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Personal and environmental factors may contribute to psychological distress in medical students. As a result, they are more susceptible to suicidal ideation, a serious public health problem.

Objectives

Estimate the prevalence and recognize associated factors of Suicide Ideation and Suicide Attempt among medical students at the Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed with randomly selected students between April and June 2019. A structured online questionnaire about sociodemographic characteristics, educational process, and the current psych emotional experiences, besides Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI), which detects the presence of suicidal ideation, were applied. Statistical evaluation was performed with descriptive analysis and logistic regression for the evaluation of multiple variables.

Results

The study included 133 students, with an average age of 22.9±3.5 and 51,9% were male. Among this sample, 27,1% had suicidal ideation. The frequency is higher in those students who family income <10 minimum wages (OR=3.47) and who were not satisfied with the course (OR=3.52). Furthermore, the frequency of suicide attempt was 15.8%. It was higher among those who claimed to use a doctor-prescribed psychopharmaceutical (OR=10.46) and who lost some discipline in the course (OR=8.17). Ideation and attempt were significantly associated (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Frequency of suicidal ideation was high, associated with dissatisfaction related to the educational process, as well as lower family income. History of attempted suicide was also frequent and associated with ideation. Intervention and prevention measures are required.
Essential information on genetic testing methods that each clinician needs to know/understand
Authors: Coviello D. , Bizzarri V. , Nobili L. , Amore M. , Tammimies K.
Published: February 2022

Genetic testing is well established in many areas of clinical medicine, is increasingly used in clinical psychiatry and it becomes increasingly important to understand the scope and limitations of the different genetic tests applied. The recommended genetic work-up of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (such as intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorders) includes conventional karyotyping (low resolution) able to detect chromosomal rearrangement and structural variants (>5Mb, 5 million-bp), testing for fragile X-Syndrome, screening for deletions and duplications down to 20 Kb by Comparative Genomic Hybridisation (CGH), able to detect Copy Number Variation (CNVs; gain or loss of genetic material compared to the reference genome). Sanger sequencing is used for mapping of single base pair genetic variants in single genes but unable to identify deletions or duplications. The more advanced Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) have enabled to detect variants in panels of 10-100 (or more) genes, or in all coding regions using Whole Exome Sequencing (WES; 23.000 genes). Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis enables also the detection of all size range and types of genetic variation including CNVs, trinucleotide repeats and translocations. All this led to an impressive change in interpreting genomic variants that need to be strictly linked to clinical information before it can be used by clinicians to improve diagnosis or care. Bioinformatic tools to annotate variants, predict their effects and select the genes and genomic regions of interest are needed to guide the clinical work followed with careful evaluation of the prioritized variants based on the clinical knowledge (https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA17130/#tabs|Name:overview).

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Tobacco smoking in non-psychotic patients with suicidal ideation
Authors: Zinchuk M. , Kustov G. , Beghi M. , Pashnin E. , Yakovlev A. , Avedisova A. , Guekht A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Tobacco smoking (TS) is a major public health concern worldwide because of its association with a number of unfavorable health-related outcomes. According to recent studies TS negatively affects both physical and mental health. Suicidal ideation (SI) is more prevalent in people with mental disorders than in the general population. Factors associated with the transition from SI to suicide attempt (SA) should be detected to prevent suicide in this high-risk population.

Objectives

The aim of the study is to evaluate the influence of tobacco smoking on risk of lifetime suicide plan (SP), SA and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in patients with nonpsychotic mental disorders (NPMD) and SI.

Methods

Four hundred and 78 consecutive patients with NPMD and SI were included into the study. All patients were evaluated by a psychiatrist, underwent Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behavior Interview as well as semi-structured interview designed to gather information on demographic and biographical features. Mann-Whitney, Fishers exact test, chi-square test and stepwise logistic regression were used as statistical methods.

Results

Three hundred and 24 (67.8%) patients have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their entire life. No differences were found between smokers and non-smokers in terms of age, gender, educational and occupational statuses as well as age at onset of self-injurious thoughts and behavior, and total number of SP, SA and NSSI (all: p>0.05). The lifetime smokers were at higher risk of SA (OR=2.379; 95% CI 1.58-3.581: p<0.001) and NSSI (OR=1.591; 95% CI 1.064-2.38: p=0.024).

Conclusions

Lifetime smoking in patients with NPMD and SI is associated with SA and NSSI.
Prevalence of suicidal behaviours and its correlates in latvian general population: 2019-2020
Authors: Vinogradova V.V. , Kivite-Urtane A. , Vrublevska J. , Rancans E.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Suicide is a challanging problem for a global public health and Latvia remains in the list of European countries with the highest rates of suicide deaths. Information about the epidemiology of suicidal behavior is required for suicide prevention strategy development.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation, plan, and attempts) and associated factors in Latvian general population.

Methods

Computer assisted face-to-face interviews were carried out between November 2019 and March 2020 to gather information on a representative sample of the Latvian adult population (n=2687). The study sample was selected using a stratified random sampling method. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI; version 7.0.2) was used to assess suicidality. Multinomial logistic regression was applied.

Results

There were 1238 males (46.1%) and 1449 females (53.9%) recruited. Mean age of respondents was 49.9 (SD 18.2). According to the MINI, 10.6% (n=285) of respondents reported at least some level of suicidal behaviour during the last month before interview and 7.1% (n=191) had shown current suicidal behaviour at the moment of interview, 4.0% (n=108) of respondents reported about previous suicide attempts. Non-cohabitation status, unfinished primary education and economical inactivity were statistically significant associated factors for suicidal behaviour among men, but only lower level of education was for women.

Conclusions

Comprehensive national suicide prevention strategy is required for reducing suicidality in Latvia. Special attention should be paid to women with lower education, and economically inactive, unmarried or non-cohabitant men, as well as man with unfinished primary education.
How to do genetic counseling in psychiatry?
Authors: Johansson Soller M. , Moldovan R. , Ingvoldstad Malmgren C. , Cuthbert A. , Rietschel M.
Published: February 2022

Genetic counselling has been defined as the process of helping people “understand and adapt to medical, psychosocial, and familial aspects of genetic conditions.” It can also help patients and families deal with stigma and understand the significance of possible genetic findings. Psychiatric genetic counselling (PGC) is an emerging field aimed to help people with a personal or family history of psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or neuropsychiatric conditions, to understand genetic etiological mechanisms as a critical component. Counselling strategies are used to identify and adapt to psychological and familial consequences of the conditions and to reduce stigma surrounding the psychiatric illness. A recent survey showed that PGC is still not routinely offered and usually only discussed at the initiative of the patient, e.g. if they ask about the possibility of “hereditary" illness, or if a caregiver during a session for another indication, identifies the family history. If a monogenetic or chromosomal cause is identified, the genetic counselling follows a more traditional path, but if, on the other hand, the cause is complex, the counselling will not be as clearcut. It will then focus on explaining risk for disease with quite uncertain riskscores as no causative genetic change is identified. Although genetic testing most often cannot be offered and individual risk scores based on genetic markers cannot be given, there is still great value for patients and their relatives in PGC. Studies have shown that the effect of PGC is an increase of empowerment and a reduction of stigma.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Adapting the traditional case report to a biopsychosocial format
Authors: Wynn R. , Myklebust L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The medical case report (CR) is a vital and viable medical genre with a history of more than 3000 years. With a few exceptions, the CR has had a typical format that has been consistent with the ideals of brevity, conciseness, and a matter-of-fact approach. CR in general and psychiatric CR especially, may benefit from more systematically emphasising and integrating relevant biopsychosocial (BPS) aspects.

Objectives

To discuss how to emphasise and integrate the BPS perspective in the CR.

Methods

Drawing on CR literature and our own experience as CR authors, we discuss how a broader BPS approach successfully can be included in the CR format.

Results

Some central factors that could be considered when including a BPS perspective in the CR are: 1) Actively eliciting the patient’s perspective and including this in the final report. 2) Including relevant information about the life and circumstances of the patient beyond the basic demographic information. 3) Making an effort to preserve the patient’s privacy also when more BPS information is included. The psychological and social constituents of the patient’s life should be central in the BPS-inspired psychiatric CR.

Conclusions

The traditional CR has a long-standing history in medicine and follows a typial conscise and brief format. ‘Hard facts’ and biological information have typically filled most of the text. We argue that giving psychological and social information more attention would improve the quality of many CR, and that this is especially relevant for psychiatric CR.
Prevalence and correlates of depression among the trans-genders of Pakistan
Authors: Zubair U.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Census conducted by government of Pakistan in 2017 has shown that more than 10000 trans-genders live in Pakistan. HIV, illicit substance use and mental health issues including depression are the main health problems faced by this part of coummunity

Objectives

To assess the prevalence of depression among the transgender population and analyze the relationship of socio-demographic factors with depression.

Methods

The sample population comprised of one hundred and forty two transgender people of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Beck depressive inventory II (BDI-II) was used to record the presence and severity of the depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were categorized as mild, moderate and severe. Relationship of the age, smoking, family income, illicit substance use and education was studied with the presence of depressive symptoms among these transgender population of twin cities of Pakistan

Results

A total of 142 transgender people were included in the final analysis. Mean age of the study participants was 39.55 ± 6.18. Out of these, 45.1% had no depressive symptoms while 31.7% had mild, 12.7% had moderate and 10.6% had severe depressive symptomatology. After applying the binary logistic regression we found that presence of depressive symptoms had significant association with illicit substance use among the target population.

Conclusions

This study showed a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among transgender population of twin cities of Pakistan. Use of illicit substances like tobacco, cannabis, opiates and alcohol should be discouraged and those using these should be routinely screened for the presence of other mental health issues in order to timely diagnose and treat them
Translating theory into practice – dealing with pre- and post- menopausal women patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Semenova N. , Karpenko O. , Kazakovtsev B. , Krasnov V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Much has been written about psychosocial treatments (psychoeducation) in schizophrenia. However, for the psychiatric hospital as an organization wishing to create a service guided by an international wave of research there is a need for solutions which are practical and effective in addressing the gender issues and women patients’ needs.

Objectives

This paper looks at and describes the process employed to develop a guidance document to enable the psychoeducation to provide information and to offer support to its women patients (pre- and post- menopausal age) in dealing with schizophrenia. Essential to this project was the understanding that the guidance would be easy to understand and practical whilst maintaining its strong foundation of research and good practice.

Methods

Women patient profile in a schizophrenia group hospitalized at the Moscow-based Psychiatric Hospital was analyzed.

Results

Females of pre- and post- menopausal age actually outnumber males. Such women patients are unique in their needs and demands for health services. This is important subgroup, and some psychosocial interventions should be developed for them. Mental health professionals should be familiar with the unique health problems of these women, and the potential that psychoeducation have to increase their health awareness (information on menopause and aging, oestrogens and depression, on other somatic and psychological influences around menopause, on effects of physical activity etc.).

Conclusions

The implications of this guidance document to enable the psychoeducation for mental health promotion are discussed, in particular the gendered nature of perception of psychosocial treatments in schizophrenia.
Is apathy a true trans-diagnostic construct? preliminary findings of the european study on apathy in schizophrenia
Authors: Fernandez-Egea E.
Published: February 2022

Apathy is a quantitive reduction of goal-directed activity either in behavioural, cognitive, emotional or social dimension in comparison to the person’s previous level of functioning in these areas. Apathy is prevalent across many neurodegenerative, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. It represents the most common behavioural and psychological symptom in people with Alzheimer’s Disease and is often observed in Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease, frontotemporal dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, major depression, and schizophrenia. However, the definition and terminology employed to refer to apathy can vary in the context of different conditions and specialities and the diagnostic criteria have evolved. Additionally, the term apathy is employed to describe both a symptom and a syndrome. Indeed, little progress has been achieved in assessing the validity of the same construct across different disorders (eg. neurodegenerative disorders, schizophrenia or affective disorders). In 2018, a new version of the diagnostic criteria for apathy (DCA) in neuropsychiatric disorders was published. The validity of this new consensus has yet to be assessed among all relevant populations, including schizophrenia. Six European centres (Naples, Geneve, Nice, Rennes, Barcelona, Cambridge) aimed to test the prevalence of apathy, measured with the 2018 DCA, in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. As a second aim, we focused on the relationship between DCA and other measures of apathy and negative symptoms in schizophrenia (BNSS and PANSS). In this talk, we will compare the preliminary findings of this pan-European study in schizophrenia patients with previous studies on neurodegenerative disorders.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Gender differences among psychiatric patients attended in a emergency department
Authors: Recio-Barbero M. , Santorcuato A. , Bacigalupe A. , López-Atanes M. , Fuertes-Soriano S. , Cabezas-Garduño J. , González-Briceño J.P. , Sáenz-Herrero M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Mental health disorders are considered a priority in health policies around the world. It is estimated that more than 900 million people worldwide have a mental disorder, in which stress-related disorders account for a high number of emergency department visits. The scientific literature has pointed out the importance of considering how gender and sex differences influence the clinical outcomes of people with mental illness, playing an important role in the clinical management of these patients.

Objectives

The aim of this report is to investigate the presence of gender differences in the care of psychiatric patients attending the emergency department (ED), taking into account the clinical characteristics, reasons for consultation and practices.

Methods

The study considered all episodes of patients who visited the ED during 2017 and who were assessed by the psychiatric department. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistic software.

Results

During the 12 months period, a total of 3180 episodes were evaluated by the psychiatric department in the ED. Of them, 1723 were female (54,2%) and 1457 male. Regarding clinical data, there were found statistically significant differences with respect to the pharmacological prescription in the ED, specifically in the prescription of benzodiazepines, psychiatric diagnoses after discharge and the indication of hospital admission between women and men.

Conclusions

This study emphasizes the importance of considering the existence of gender differences in both the clinical presentation as well as in the care of psychiatric patients attending the ED. The analysis of these variables would help to improve the health care of psychiatric patients.
Monitowapplication – an investigation of the usability during the first 18 months of commissioning in practice
Authors: Tarp K. , Holmberg T. , Møller A.M. , Lichtenstein M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders, registration of emotions and behavior is an important part of the intervention. Normally, paper and pencil is used but registrations on a mobile application such as MONARCA may be a useful alternative.

Objectives

This study investigates the usability of MONARCA during the first 18 months of commissioning in practice.

Methods

To explore the usability, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven patients and three therapists, combined with data from a survey questionnaire where 10 patients and 12 therapists rated the usability of the app on the System Usability Scale. Participants were recruited from an outpatient clinic for affective disorders in The Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark.

Results

Technical performance, time allocation, therapist effort, commitment, enthusiasm, and increased knowledge are imperative factors. Therapists and patients found that the benefits of registering emotions and behaviors on a mobile application were that it was easy for patients to remember to register daily, it was easy to gain an overview over symptom progress, and access to the registrations improved therapist’s ability to prepare sessions.

Conclusions

Overall, the results from the interviews and survey indicated that both patients and therapists found MONARCA useful, but several improvement opportunities regarding application features and use in the treatment course were found.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Did the effect of placebo increase in rcts of panic disorder across the years?
Authors: Segni F. Di , Zoppi T. , Forcina F. , Anibaldi G. , Bargagna P. , Telesforo C.L. , Montebovi F. , Callovini G. , Giuseppin G. , Janiri D. , Molinaro M. , Sani G. , Kotzalidis G.D.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The curious effect of an increase of the placebo effect across year of publication has been shown for depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as for some medical conditions like hypertension and pain.

Objectives

We aimed to observe how randomised clinical trials with a placebo control behave at this respect in panic disorder trials.

Methods

We searched the PubMed database using the strategy: (panic disorder OR panic attack disorder) AND placebo, which on 3 November 2020 produced 779 records. Inclusion criteria were the above stated, excluded were all studies focusing on the same patients as others and those not providing intelligible data. In our selection we used the PRISMA statement and reached agreement with Delphi rounds.

Results

We identified through other sources further 3 studies. The finally eligible studies were 82, excluded were 700 studies, mainly consisting of reviews (176), challenge studies (173), not dealing with panic disorder (67), studies with unsuitable designs to detect placebo effect (53), studies using same populations as others (36), those with misfocused outcomes (57), those lumping diagnoses and not allowing to separate data for panic disorder (22), and those not using placebo at all (21). Mean response to placebo in included panic disorder studies was 36.01±19.812, ranging from 0 to 76.19%; the correlation with year of publication was positive and significant (Pearson’s r= 0.246; p=0.026).

Conclusions

The effect of placebo in randomised control trials has increased across the years, but this field of research appears to be idle in recent years.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The relationship between cognitive test anxiety and mindfulness among university students
Authors: Ünal-Aydın P. , Sevinç M. , Arslan Y. , Güçlü M. , Aydın O.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Cognitive test anxiety is acknowledged as intense anxiety that prevents the effective use of the previously learned knowledge during the exam and leads to a decrease in success. Mindfulness is indicated as the ability to bring one’s attention to experiences in the present moment in a non-judgmental way. Despite promising outcomes of mindfulness techniques in regulating stress levels, much uncertainty still exists about the specific associations between cognitive test anxiety and mindfulness subcategories.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive test anxiety and subcategories of mindfulness among university students which may help improving current mindfulness interventions that show promising results to tackle cognitive test anxiety.

Methods

One hundred-eighty-two university students were recruited for the study via online forms. Mindfulness was measured with Five Facet Mindfulness (FFMQ-S) and the cognitive test anxiety was assessed with Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale-Revised (CTAR).

Results

Total scores of CTAR-R has an association between subscales of FFMQ; act-aware and non-judge in a positive direction, whereas; observe and describe in a negative direction. In addition, according to our regression model, FFMQ subscales of describing to indicated lower levels of CTAR scores, whereas act aware and non-judge indicated higher levels of CTAR scores.

Conclusions

The findings of the study partially corroborated the previous results by offering inferences about the subcategories of mindfulness. Additionally, these findings suggest that current interventions may target specific subcategories of mindfulness to maximize the positive outcomes of the treatment.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.