bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translation and validation of the reaction to impairment and disability inventory in a chinese ccontext
Authors: Siu A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

People with chronic illness and disabilities (CID) often need to adjust to changes in self-concept, cope with their grief from the loss of functional abilities, and to “live with the illness”. Emotional adjustment to disabilities is a major challenge in rehabilitation, but there is no validated Chinese instrument for assessing psychosocial adaptation of people with CID.

Objectives

This study translated the Reaction to Impairment and Disability Inventory (RIDI) into Chinese and validated the Chinese version (C-RIDI), for assessing emotional adjustment in people with CID. We examined the factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and criterion-related validity of the C-RIDI.

Methods

We conducted a survey of people with CID who were recruited from community-rehabilitation settings and self-help groups (n = 244). The research questionnaire collected demographic information, illness-related variables, the C-RIDI, and measures of resilience and well-being.

Results

The C-RIDI has good content validity and no major changes to the translated items were needed for the use with Chinese population. For factor structure, we replicated the results of Livneh, Martz, & Boder (2006). The C-RIDI has two second-order factors of adaptive and non-adaptive scales, which interact with the two denial subscales. Internal consistency of the subscales is satisfactory except for the 3-item denial subscales. Correlations of the C-RIDI subscales with illness-related variables, resilience, and mental well-being are consistent with our hypotheses and provide support for the convergent and criterion-related validity of the scale.

Conclusions

The C-RIDI has satisfactory psychometric properties. The study results support its internal consistency, convergent validity, criterion-related validity, and factorial validity.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Building resilience to early life trauma in belarus and Ukraine
Authors: Kazakova O. , Thomas F. , Suvalo O.
Published: February 2022

Abstract Body

Early life trauma (ELT) refers to various types of adversity that occur during the early years (usually defined as the first 5 years) of a person’s life. It is a key determinant of mental health and well-being throughout the life course. A series of three workshops on early life trauma and mental health care were conducted in Belarus and Ukraine in 2018-2019 to support stakeholders and service providers to better understand and respond to ELT, and to support the development of a network of ELT specialists dedicated to finding common goals, pooling cross-disciplinary data and sharing experiences and good practice across countries. The workshops found that different attitudes, expectations and experiences amongst stakeholders and service providers could hinder the development of consistent, effective and empowering care in Belarus and Ukraine. However, opportunities for more protective and health-enhancing responses were also identified, including the need for: evidence-based education and training; clear roles and communication pathways across sectors; and inter-sectoral partnerships and networks to leverage resources, mitigate practitioner burnout, and build a continuum of support within communities. Findings have been disseminated through a directory of resources in Belarus, a project webpage (www.earlylifetrauma.info) and a report on ELT in Belarus and Ukraine published by WHO Europe.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Correlation between alterations in cognitive function and mean severity of psychotic symptoms in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and its clinical application
Authors: Malliaris P. , Bonotis K.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are characterized by heterogeneity. Cognitive decline, due to recent research results, appears to be a core symptom of schizophrenia. Dimensional approach of SSDs allows the separate assessment of each psychotic symptom, as well as cognitive functioning. Thus, correlations among them and their alterations, between baseline and follow up examination, can be estimated.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to correlate observed alterations in cognitive performance in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, compared with baseline measurement, with alterations in severity of psychotic symptoms.

Methods

85 Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, attended in the Outpatient Department of Early Intervention in Psychosis of University of Thessaly, Greece and its affiliated psychiatric clinics, were evaluated the last 24 months, using the CRDPSS (Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptoms Severity) measure and the validated greek version of the MoCA test. 37 of them had a follow up evaluation. The relationship between the two new categorical variables [dMoCA (positive- negative) and dmCRDPSS7 (positive-negative)] was assessed with x² test.

Results

Alterations in cognitive function, as assessed with MoCA scale and dMoCA variable, were inversely correlated with the alteration in mean severity of other dimensions of psychosis symptoms (dmCRDPSS7), x²(1, N = 37) = 9.4891, p = .0021.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that alterations in cognitive performance may predict an inverse effect in the severity of psychotic symptoms. Periodic follow up of cognitive functioning in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders is suggested, since it can be interpreted in clinically useful information considering relapse.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome associated with second-generation antipsychotics (SGA): An analysis of reported cases in eudravigilance database, 2017-2020
Authors: Torres A. , Mignano A. , Viseu I. , Rodrigues L. , Herdeiro T. , Silva L. , Afreixo V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Antipsychotic drugs are the cornerstone of the pharmacological treatment of psychotic disorders; however, even with Second-generation antipsychotics (SGA), adverse effects continue to be extremely accentuated and the treatment effectiveness is compromised by low adherence of the patient.

Objectives

Taking into consideration the importance of adverse effects for psychotic therapeutics, this study aims to analyze the adverse effect of the Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) reported in EudraVigilance Database, associated with 3 widely used SGA, Risperidone, Quetiapine, and Clozapine.

Methods

The EudraVigilance Database was analyzed from 09/01/2017 to 31/10/2020 about NMS, associated with Risperidone, Quetiapine, and Clozapine. NMS is the second most reported adverse effect inside the Nervous System Disorders SOC (System Organ Class). There were just considered NMS as suspected adverse effect.

Results

It was observed a general tendency of reduction of NMS reports from 2017 to 2020 (most of them performed by healthcare professionals). Risperidone presented the highest level of reports during this period (more than 350), followed by Quetiapine and Clozapine. The NMS reports were predominantly referred to the male sex, from 18 to 64 years old. Risperidone presented the lowest number of fatal cases of NMS (1), in contrast with 3 reported with Quetiapine and Clozapine. A significant number of patients with Schizophrenia recovered from NMS.

Conclusions

It is important to do clinical monitoring of the NMS, because it is rare, although it has life-threatening consequences. Pharmacovigilance databases are important tools to evaluate the safety of drugs and it must be more widely and efficiently promoted for healthcare and patients use.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
PRO perspective
Authors: Fiorillo A.
Published: February 2022

Abstract Body

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact not only on the ordinary lives of people worldwide, but also on the access to mental health care system. In particular, in the first months of the global health emergency, a drastic reduction in the number of access to healthcare system has been recorded. In the “Phase 1” of the emergency, the fear for the contagion, the strict containment measures and the lack of adequate information regarding the virus have been listed as possible factors contributing to this phenomenon. In the “Phase 2”, mental health care has been completely reorganized in order to compile with requirements for physical distancing and reducing overcrowding. The visits in outpatients’ units have been rescheduled, healthcare professionals have received information regarding the adequate use of protective personal equipment and patients have learnt how to protect themselves. Furthermore, telemental health approaches have been fostered worldwide, although several obstacles still persist such as the lack of adequate training for healthcare professionals for using telemental health instruments, the uncertainties regarding the legal implications of telemental health and the difficulties for older patients to access those systems. During this critical period, mental healthcare systems have been proven to be resilient. The pandemic has speed up the process of transformation of mental health care system and we are learning how to further improve the system in order to sustain these changes in the long-term.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
From the lecture theatre to your digital device: Reflections on the production of educational podcasts within undergraduate psychiatry training
Authors: Rahman J. , Charalambous A. , Aled L. , Leonard X. , Parsons C. , Cole G. , Sharma G. , Skuse K. , Tran M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a need for engaging online resources to enrich psychiatry training for undergraduate medical students. Podcasting is a well-established digital communication platform utilised daily in a myriad of capacities, including education. A group of medical students were tasked with creating their own educational podcasts covering specific aspects of psychiatry.

Objectives

Each pair was set a sub-topic of psychiatry and utilised software to produce educational resources. The objective of this project was to reflect upon production as well as explore the efficacy of podcasting as a tool within undergraduate training.

Methods

The medical students conducted research and contacted experts within the field to contribute to their podcasts. The majority of the students then conducted reviews of the literature surrounding podcasting within medical education, which informed the production of their own podcasts. From this, it was discussed how this project could impact future practice, and indicated that podcasts may become crucial asynchronous learning tools in medical education.

Results

Literature review and first-hand experience of podcast production enabled the students to appreciate the advantages of podcasting and the potential for its widespread future applications. Their wider reading revealed that podcast-using study participants outperformed or matched their peers in assessments, and overwhelmingly enjoyed using podcasts over traditional teaching methods.

Conclusions

The use of podcasting can complement traditional psychiatry training and appeal to a generation of digital natives that prefer this learning style. Podcast production is also an excellent revision method, highlighting the advantages of peer-to-peer education in both learning and increasing engagement with psychiatry.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Depressive disorders after wishplash cervical spine injuries in young females
Authors: Syrmos N.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Wishplash cervical spine injuries are serious traumatic situations

Objectives

Aim of this study is to present cases of deppresive disorders after wishplash cervical spine injuries in young females

Methods

4 cases are presented. Range of age between 20 and 30 years old. All of them reported depressive disorders during the post traumatic period after wishplash cervical spine injuries mainly due to road traffic accidents.

Results

All of them they receive appropriate neurological, psychiatric, psycological and rehabilitation support and treatment. They managed to have a good outcome after 12 months follow up.

Conclusions

The development of depressive disorders after such traumatic events remains a strong predictor of a variety of difunctions (social, personal, work etc). The emergence of depressive disorders in many cases remains unexplored and poorly understood. The effect into the the overall health remains a very important factor to investigate. The combination and collaboration of the various medical disciplines is essential in order to help young people.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Diagnosing ADHD in adults: Diagnostic tools and differential diagnosis
Authors: Gondek T.
Published: February 2022

Abstract Body

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, with an estimated prevalence of 2.8% in adults. It is frequently comorbid with other mental disorders and may significantly affect global functioning, leading to stigma and social discrimination. Despite its widespread occurrence in adults, many general psychiatrists do not feel well prepared to diagnose and manage this disorder. Psychiatry training curricula rarely include rotations in specialized ADHD clinics for adults or specialized courses during residency, and in many European countries such specialized clinics for adults or the most recommended medications, are not even available. It makes the recognition and treatment of ADHD often overlooked, unless it has been diagnosed in childhood. Dr. Gondek will demonstrate the diagnostic process of ADHD in adults and main directions for differential diagnosis in cases of a complex clinical picture.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Bipolar disorder hospitalizations – a big data approach
Authors: Gonçalves-Pinho M. , Ribeiro J.P. , Freitas A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a mental disorder characterized by long hospitalizations and frequent need for acute psychiatric care. Hospitalizations represent a valuable quality of care indicator in BD.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe a nationwide perspective of BD related hospitalizations and to use a BigData based approach in mental health research.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational study using a nationwide hospitalization database containing all hospitalizations registered in Portuguese public hospitals from 2008 to 2015. Hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of BD were selected based on International Classification of Diseases version 9, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes of diagnosis 296.xx (excluding 296.2x; 296.3x and 296.9x).

Results

A total of 20,807 hospitalizations were registered belonging to 13,300 patients. 33.4% of the hospitalizations occurred in male patients and the median LoS was 16.0 days. Mean age was 47.9 years and male patients were younger(46.6 vs. 48.6; p< 0.001). 59 hospitalizations had a deadly outcome (0.3%). The most common cause of hospitalization in BD was the diagnosis code 296.4x (Bipolar I disorder, most recent episode (or current) manic) representing 34.3% of all hospitalizations, followed by the code 296.5x (Bipolar I disorder, most recent episode (or current) depressed) with 21.4%. The mean hospitalization charges were 3,508.5€ per episode, with a total charge of 73M€ in the 8-year period of this study.

Conclusions

This is a nationwide study using BigData analysis giving a broad perspective of BD hospitalization panorama at a nationwide level. We found differences in hospitalization characteristics by gender, age and primary diagnosis.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Validation of the european drug addiction prevention trial questionnaire (EU-DAP) for substance use screening and to assess risk and protective factors among adolescents in chile
Authors: Gaete J. , Ramirez S. , Gana S. , Godoy M. , Valenzuela M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Substance use is highly prevalent among Chilean adolescents, and the damage it causes at the neurobiological, psychological, and social levels is well known. However, there are no validated screening instruments that also assess risk and protective factors for this Chilean population.

Objectives

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the European Drug Addiction Prevention Trial Questionnaire (EU-Dap).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 13 schools in Santiago of Chile. The sample included 2,261 adolescents of 10 to 14 years old. The linguistic and cultural adaptation was conducted using focus groups, the construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, and measures of its reliability were also determined. Furthermore, the associations regarding risk and protective factors with substance use were explored.

Results

Substance use questions were well understood by adolescents. Regarding the subscales of risk and protective factors, they needed some changes, and once completed, all new subscales had good or adequate goodness of fit adjustment. Regarding reliability, all of the new subscales had good or acceptable internal consistency according to the omega coefficient (range from 0.69 to 0.89). Finally, most of the risk and protective factors measured by the questionnaire were strongly associated with different substance use outcomes, especially those related to positive and negative beliefs or attitudes towards drugs, normative beliefs, and refusal skills.

Conclusions

The current findings suggest that the EU-Dap questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument, and it may help to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive interventions in the future.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Event related potentials in children with internet addiction disorder
Authors: Bakhtadze S. , Khachapuridze N. , Geladze N.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is defined as one of the commonest disorder in children and adolescents affecting 40 percent of them. Although it does not cause mental disorders it is known that IAD is commonly related with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The best approach to asses attention is recording of event related potentials (ERPs) especially late response like P300. There are growing evidence regarding assessment of attention in IAD with different questionnaires but less is known about evidence received with more valid measurements like P300.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to measure attention parameters in IAD subjects by using the most valid test–latency and amplitude of P300. We have examined 70 children with IAD aged 5-18 years. Children were divided into two groups: Group 1 (40 children) was matched as a study group including children with IAD and group 2 controls (30 children) without IAD and without ADHD.

Methods

IAD was assessed by Young IAD scale. Children with Young scale less than 20 and with IQ less than 85 were excluded from the study. Recording of P300 was done by international protocol using oddball paradigm method. Statistical analysis was done by SSPS 26.

Results

In study group increase in P300 latency was found (mean range 350-375 msc) while amplitude was normal (p <0.05). In controls both parameters were within normal range.

Conclusions

IAD could be related with attention disorders causing poor attention span. This evidence is very important as they affect internet addicted children and adolescents’ social well being.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with mental illness: A two-wave survey of 1180 patients
Authors: Gil Y. , Speed M. , Jefsen O. , Kølbæk P. , Østergaard S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The crisis caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the lives of billions of people across the world. Individuals with mental illness are suspected to be particularly affected by the societal consequences of the pandemic, but there is very limited data on this important aspect.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to gauge the longitudinal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological well-being and symptom levels of individuals receiving treatment for mental disorder in psychiatric hospital services.

Methods

We are in the process of conducting a two-wave, questionnaire-based survey among patients with mental disorders receiving treatment in the psychiatric hospital services of the Central Denmark Region. The first wave was conducted in July 2020 and had 1180 respondents representing all major diagnostic categories. The main finding was that the majority of the respondents reported that their mental health had deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are currently planning the second wave of the survey, which will be fielded in the fall of 2020. Here, we will reassess the mental health of the respondents from wave 1.

Results

Will be presented at the meeting.

Conclusions

Longitudinal studies of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic of mental health are lacking. We therefore expect that the findings of this study will be of significant interest to the field.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Clinical, psychopathological, and biological predictors of resumption of menses in subjects with anorexia nervosa: A 4-year follow-up study
Authors: Rossi E. , Cassioli E. , Castellini G. , Giardinelli L. , Fanelli A. , Fisher A. , Vignozzi L. , Ricca V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Amenorrhea is one of the most frequent and serious consequences of Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Resumption of menses (ROM) is considered an important goal and is associated with a better outcome.

Objectives

To investigate the role of age, Body Mass Index (BMI), diagnostic subtype (restrictive vs binge-purging), history of childhood abuse, duration of illness, psychopathology and sex hormones on ROM in AN.

Methods

52 patients with AN and amenorrhea were enrolled at the start of treatment. Clinical parameters of interest were collected, and questionnaires were administered for the assessment of general (SCL-90-R) and specific (EDE-Q) psychopathology. Blood samples were taken to assess FSH, LH and estradiol levels. All patients were monitored regularly through psychiatric checkups until ROM, for up to four years.

Results

A total of 30 (57.7%) subjects recovered their menstrual cycle in the follow-up period (mean time: 18.7 ± 14.8 months). Recovery was more frequent in the binge-purging subtype than in the restrictive subtype (82.4% vs 48.6%, p=0.019), and was significantly associated with diagnostic crossover (odds ratio=10.0, p=0.032). Multivariate Cox regression showed an increased likelihood of menstrual recovery for binge-purging subtype (p=0.005) and for those reporting a history of childhood abuse (p=0.025). Early ROM was also associated with baseline SCL-90-R scores (p=0.002) and FSH (p=0.011), while a longer duration of illness (p=0.003) and EDE-Q scores (p=0.009) predicted a later recovery.

Conclusions

This study highlights the role of duration of illness, childhood abuse history and psychopathological characteristics in subjects with AN at the start of treatment in predicting ROM.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Gender differences in a forensic psychiatric ward: A retrospective study
Authors: Jesus M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The criminality associated with psychiatric disorders has been extensively studied with some studies showing a greater risk of violence in these patients. The gender differences in the general psychiatric population and can have an impact in the characteristics of a forensic population.

Objectives

The authors aim to study the gender differences regarding diagnosis, type of crime and other characteristics in a forensic ward population.

Methods

A retrospective study was designed, including patients admitted in the Forensic ward of Coimbra Hospital and University Center between 2018 and 2020.

Results

Our study included 110 patients, 19 women and 91 men. Although psychotic disorders were the most common in both groups, particularly schizophrenia, mood disorders were significantly more common in women, with a risk of 7,768. This was explained by a greater prevalence of depressive episodes in women. These were associated with a particular type of crime, infanticide, that was not found in the men group. This might contribute to a greater prevalence of violent crimes in women. There was a chance of committing crimes against the offspring of 24 in women. The use of psychoactive substances was significantly greater in men, with a chance of 12,906.

Conclusions

Considering that mood disorders are more common in women, these findings are easy to understand. The predominance of female perpetrators in infanticide is well described in the literature and can be associated with peripartum depression and gender roles. In this sample substance abuse was more common in man, like it’s seen in the general population.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A polymorphism in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers is associated with the severity of extrapyramidal side effects of haloperidol treatment in schizophrenia spectrum disorders patients
Authors: Kibitov A. , Kiryanova E. , Salnikova L. , Zmeyeva E. , Shmukler A. , Kibitov A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Schizophrenia is one of the most severe mental disorders. Haloperidol and other first-generation antipsychotics are widely used for schizophrenia treatment, but have prominent side effects, primarily extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). The EPS severity is highly variable and may be underlied by genetic factors.

Objectives

We performed a prospective study to test the association of DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A polymorphism (rs18000497) and CYP2D6 phenotype, predicted from genotypes using 8 CYP2D6 alleles (*3, *4, *5, *6,*9, *10,*41, xN) with EPS severity during haloperidol treatment in schizophrenia spectrum disorders patients.

Methods

57 inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (42,1% females; mean age - 46,7±11,8 y.o (M±SD) of European ancestry were enrolled in the study. Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS), Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS) were used to assess EPS on two timepoints: day 1 and day 21 of haloperidol treatment.

Results

TaqIA T-allele carriers in contrast to wild-type allele homozygous patients had higher scores of BARS (p=0.029) and SAS (p=0.024) on day 21. After stratification by CYP2D6 phenotype, these differences were observed only in extensive metabolizers (p=0.006 and p=0.001 respectively), although the CYP2D6 phenotype itself was not associated with EPS severity. The combined effect of TaqIA T allele with CYP2D6 extensive phenotype on BARS score on day 21 was confirmed by General Linear Model (p=0.013).

Conclusions

Our results show that minor TaqIA T-allele is associated with the severity of EPS after 3 weeks of haloperidol treatment only in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers. That highlights the importance of using both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic genetic markers in pharmacogenetic EPS risk assessment.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The psychosocial factors in the formation of symptoms of dementia
Authors: Sidenkova A.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The growing prevalence of severe cognitive impairment in populations, the involvement of a significant number of people of working age in the medical, psychological and social problems associated with dementia, the insufficiency and inconsistency of information about the mechanisms of formation of these disorders actualize a comprehensive social study of dementia.

Objectives

the psychosocial mechanisms of the formation of clinical, functional disorders in dementia, to develop comprehensive medical and psychosocial programs to help patients with dementia and those involved in caring for them, based on the proposals of the psychosocial model of dementia

Methods

A selective observational comparative dynamic study of 315 people with Alzheimer’s dementia and 214 people who care for the patients was carried out.

Results

Changes in family-role and social parameters, a high level of “expressed” emotions of caregivers have an adverse effect on the development of psychotic (r = 0.618), affective (r = 0.701), behavioral (r = 0.837) dementia disorders. The degree of adherence to anti-dementia therapy by the caregiver is one of the important factors determining the amount of care received by the patient (r = 0.698). Agitation / aggression (r = 0.761), anxiety (r = 0.562), sleep disturbances (r = 0.521) contribute to increased compliance. The low satisfaction of the caregiver with premorbid (r = 0.698) and current (r = 0.653) relationships with the patient leads to a decrease in the compliance of the caregiver.

Conclusions

The mechanism of psychopathological symptoms, functional disorders is heterogeneous, depending on the biological causes and psychosocial conditions of functioning of patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Perceptual processing links autism and synesthesia: A twin study
Authors: Neufeld J. , Leeuwen T. Van , Wilsson L. , Norrman H. , Dingemanse M. , Bölte S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Synesthesia is a non-pathological condition where sensory stimuli (e.g. letters or sounds) lead to additional sensations (e.g. color). It occurs more commonly in individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and is associated with increased autistic traits and autism-related perceptual processing characteristics, including a more detail-focused attentional style and altered sensory sensitivity. In addition, autistic traits correlate with the degree of synesthesia (consistency of color choices on an objective synesthesia test) in non-synesthetes.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate whether the degree of synesthesia for graphemes is associated with autistic traits and perceptual processing alterations within twin pairs, where all factors shared by twins (e.g. age, family background, and 50-100% genetics) are implicitly controlled for.

Methods

We investigated a predominantly non-synesthetic twin sample, enriched for ASC and other neurodevelopmental disorders (n=65, 14-34 years, 60% female), modelling the linear relationships between the degree of synesthesia and autistic traits, sensory sensitivity, and visual perception, both within-twin pairs (22 pairs) and across the entire cohort.

Results

A higher degree of synesthesia was associated with increased autistic traits only within the attention to details domain, with sensory hyper-, but not hypo-sensitivity and with being better in identifying fragmented images. These associations were stronger within-twin pairs compared to across the sample.

Conclusions

Consistent with previous findings, the results support an association between the degree of synesthesia and autistic traits and autism-related perceptual features, however restricted to specific domains. Further, the results indicate that a twin design can be more sensitive for detecting these associations.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
How far in the future can we predict others’ affective states?
Authors: Cappello E. , Lettieri G. , Handjaras G. , Ricciardi E. , Pietrini P. , Cecchetti L.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Human social interactions are rooted in the ability to understand and predict one’s own and others emotions. Individuals develop accurate mental models of emotional transitions (MMET) by observing regularities in affective experiences (DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1616056114) and a failure in this regard can produce maladaptive behaviors, one of the hallmark features in several psychiatric conditions.

Objectives

To investigate whether MMET are stable over time and which emotion dimensions (e.g., valence, dominance) influence MMET over time.

Methods

We selected thirty-seven emotion categories (DOI: 10.1177/0539018405058216) and five different time intervals (from 15 minutes to 4 days). Sixty-two healthy participants rated the likelihood of transition between all possible pairs of affective states at each time interval.

Results

As expected, we observed a trend toward uncertainty as the timescale increased. In addition, the probability of shifting between two affective states having the same valence (e.g., happiness and contentment) was rated higher than for emotions with opposite polarity (e.g., happiness and sadness). Even though this pattern becomes gradually noisier for predictions far in the future, it is still present for infradian intervals (Fig.1).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that MMET are informed by the valence dimension and moderately influenced by the timescale of the prediction. These findings in the healthy population may prompt the exploration of emotion dynamics in psychiatric conditions. Future studies could leverage the MMET approach to test whether specific psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder) are associated with abnormal patterns of emotion transitions.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Sensory experience in obsessive compulsive disorder - sensiocd: Do they think or feel differently?
Authors: Da Costa I. Soares , Covelo V. , Moreira R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated to a wide range of symptomatic expression and treatment response variability [1]. Sensory perception has been identified as an emerging factor in this process [2]. Sensory vulnerability and atypical sensory experience were identified as risk factors for the development of OCD [3] and a sensory subtype of the disease was proposed in which there is a positive correlation with early onset sensory symptoms, male gender and family background [4]. Adding to the atypical sensory profile, obsessions are frequently experienced as partially perceptual.

Objectives

Our main goals are to characterize the sensory perception in OCD patients; assess the prevalence and intensity of the sensory properties of the obsessive thoughts and explore the how sensory perception, obsessive thoughts and obsessive dimensions/clusters are interrelated.

Methods

Patients with OCD diagnosis, aged 18 to 65 years and no comorbid mental disorder (except depression) will be recruited. The study battery will include participant form with demographical and clinical features, assessment of depressive and anxiety symptoms (HAM-A and HAM-D) evaluation of clinical outcome measures and obsessive dimensions/clusters (Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOQS) and Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-44 (OBQ-44)), assessment of sensory perception and sensory properties of obsessive thoughts (Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ 21) and Sensory Properties of Obsessive Thoughts Questionnaire (SPOQ)).

Results

The results will help us understand the interaction between perceptual and cognitive processes in OCD.

Conclusions

Better definition of OCD psychopathology and the establishment of a sensory subtype may indicate the need of specific therapeutic indications or a different escalation of treatment measures.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The role of interoception in the mechanism of pain and fatigue in fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
Authors: Sharp H. , Themelis K. , Amato M. , Barritt A. , Davies K. , Harrison N. , Critchley H. , Garfinkel S. , Eccles J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Pain, fatigue and anxiety are common features of fibromyalgia and ME/CFS and significantly impact quality of life. Aetiology is poorly defined but dysfunctional inflammatory, autonomic and interoceptive (sensing of internal bodily signals) processes are implicated.

Objectives

To investigate how altered interoception relates to baseline expression of pain, fatigue and anxiety symptoms in fibromyalgia and ME/CFS and in response to an inflammatory challenge.

Methods

Sixty-five patients with fibromyalgia and/or ME/CFS diagnosis and 26 matched controls underwent baseline assessment: pressure-pain thresholds and self-report questionnaires assessing pain, fatigue and anxiety severity. Participants received injections of typhoid (inflammatory challenge) or saline (placebo) in a randomised, double-blind, crossover design, before completing heartbeat tracking tasks. Three interoception dimensions were examined: subjective sensibility, objective accuracy and metacognitive awareness. Interoceptive trait prediction error was calculated as discrepancy between accuracy and sensibility.

Results

Patients with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS had significantly higher interoceptive sensibility and trait prediction error, despite no differences in interoceptive accuracy. Interoceptive sensibility and trait prediction error correlated with all self-report pain, fatigue and anxiety measures, and with lower pain thresholds. Anxiety mediated the positive-predictive relationships between pain (Visual Analogue Scale and Widespread Pain Index), fatigue impact and interoceptive sensibility. After inflammatory challenge, metacognitive awareness correlated with baseline self-reported symptom measures and lower pain thresholds.

Conclusions

This is the first study investigating interoceptive dimensions in patients with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, which were found to be dysregulated and differentially influenced by inflammatory mechanisms. Interoceptive processes may represent a new potential target for diagnostic and therapeutic investigation in these poorly understood conditions.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Suicidality in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD)
Authors: Longo L. , Jannini T. , Merlo M. , Cecora V. , Gagliano M. , D’Imperia B. , Daverio A. , Monaco L. , Rossi R. , Niolu C. , Siracusano A. , Lorenzo G. Di
Published: February 2022

Introduction

International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) has inserted complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) as a clinically distinct disorder, different from PTSD. The diagnosis of cPTSD has the same requirements for the one of PTSD, in addition to disturbances of self-organization (DSO – e.g., disturbances in relationships, affect dysregulation, and negative self-concept).

Objectives

This study aimed to explore suicidality in PTSD and cPTSD. We examined also the association between clinical dimensions of hopelessness (feelings, loss of motivation, future expectations) and other symptomatologic variables.

Methods

The sample, recruited at the Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, consisted of 189 subjects, 132 diagnosed with PTSD, and 57 with cPTSD, according to the ICD-11 criteria. Participants underwent the following clinical assessments: Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90), Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS).

Results

cPTSD showed significantly higher BHS-total (p = 0.01) and BHS-loss of motivation subscale (p <0.001) scores than PTSD. Besides, cPTSD showed significantly higher scores in all clinical variables except for the IES-intrusive subscale. By controlling for the confounding factor “depression”, suicidality in cPTSD (and in particular the BHS-total) appears to be correlated with IES-total score (p = 0.042) and with DES-Absorption (p = 0.02). Differently, no such correlations are found in PTSD.

Conclusions

Our study shows significant symptomatologic differences between PTSD and cPTSD, including suicidality. Indeed, suicidality in cPTSD appears to be correlated with the “loss of motivation” dimension, which fits well within the ICD-11 criteria of DSO.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
EEG and ECG based response predictors in depression: Time for personalised medicine or treatment stratification?
Authors: Arns M.
Published: February 2022

In depression (MDD) treatment there is a clear need for novel treatments, biomarkers and individualized treatment approaches. One of the most promising and most widely investigated biomarkers for antidepressant treatments is the EEG. Most EEG biomarkers however, still lack robustness and reproducibility and suffer significant publication bias as highlighted in a recent meta-analysis (Widge et al., 2018). Therefore, large controlled validation studies are needed with a focus on robustness, replication and clinical relevance. In this presentation results will be presented from the largest EEG Biomarker study to date, the international Study to Predict Optimized Treatment in Depression (iSPOT-D), where 1008 MDD patients were randomized to Escitalopram, Sertraline and Venlafaxine. Drug-class specific (Arns et al., 2016) and drug-specific (Arns, Gordon & Boutros, 2015) biomarkers will be highlighted as well as preliminary data from a prospective feasibility trial. Furthermore, data will be presented on repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) treatment in MDD on EEG and clinical predictors (Krepel et al., 2018; 2019) and a new method called Neuro-Cardiac-Guided TMS (NCG TMS), that exploits network connectivity in the frontal vagal pathway, as a target engagement approach (Iseger et al., 2019). Finally, clinical implications and implementations will be discussed from a ‘treatment stratification’ perspective, which might be a more realistic goal relative to ‘personalized medicine’ perspective.

Disclosure

MA is unpaid research director of the Brainclinics Foundation, a minority shareholder in neuroCare Group (Munich, Germany), and a co-inventor on 4 patent applications related to EEG, neuromodulation and psychophysiology, but receives no royalties related
Does maternal age or related factors influence the appearance of psychopathology in children?
Authors: Lorenzo J. Buesa , García-Blanco A. , Moreno-Giménez A. , Berga L. Campos , Sahuquillo-Leal R. , Nowak A. , Hervás D. , Diago V. , Vento M.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Maternal age and related factors, such as social vulnerability, are associated with neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders in offspring.

Objectives

To examine the influence of maternal age and its related factors on the appearance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alterations in executive functions and behavioral syndromes of the offspring.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted, consisting of 131 healthy pregnant women aged 20 to 41 years, recruited at 38 weeks’ gestation. Their offspring were followed up to 2 years after birth, when psychopatology was assessed. Maternal age and possible related factors were considered predictors. Bayesian ordinal regression models were performed for each outcome variable.

Results

Symptoms of ASD in children were associated with an older maternal age (OR = 0.188; 95% CI[1.062, 1.401]) and a lower educational level of the parents (OR = -0.879; 95% CI[0.202, 0.832]), meanwhile poor social support predicted most ADHD symptoms OR = -0.086; 95% CI[0.838, 1]) and executive dysfunctions OR = -0.661; 95% CI[0.313, 0.845]. Lower parental education predicted both externalizing and internalizing behavior.

Conclusions

Maternal age-related factors were the main predictors of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, rather than maternal age. The performance of prenatal interventions in pregnant women with advanced age and anxious depressive symptoms or adverse social situation, is crucial to reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring. Likewise, being able to carry out an early detection of childhood psychopathology would allow the implementation of resources that improve their long-term prognosis.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The development of depressive symptomatology, burnout and lifestyle in the Czech population – in years 2014-2020
Authors: Vňuková M. , Ptáček R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

It is clear from the literature that depressive disorder is closely related to lifestyle, however the relationship between burnout and lifestyle remains unclear.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to present a comprehensive overview of depressive symptoms, burnout and lifestyle over the years. Furthermore, this study looks at the relationship between burnout, depressive symptomatology and lifestyle and seeks to clarify the extent to which burnout can be explained by these variables.

Methods

Data collection took place in three waves. The first data collection was in 2014 (October/November), the second in 2017 (March) and the third in 2020 (March). The STEM/MARK agency conducted the data collection and collected answers from a representative sample of respondents using the CAWI method - computer-assisted questioning. These respondents were selected from the European National Panel. Because the target group was adults (18-65 years), an online survey was chosen. Internet penetration in this target population is sufficient and it was not necessary to use a combination of methodologies.

Results

All 3 data collections identically show that for the model explaining burnout statistically significant variables are: age, depression and fatigue during the day. Other variables related to healthy lifestyles did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Even though the variables regarding healthy lifestyles have not reached statistical significance, their importance should not be underestimated. Mental well-being is closely linked to physical health and therefore a holistic approach to health should be emphasized and the rate of burnout should be regularly monitored.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The effectiveness of involuntary electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): A population-based study
Authors: Salagre E. , Rohde C. , Ishtiak-Ahmed K. , Gasse C. , Østergaard S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Involuntary electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be a life-saving intervention for patients suffering from potentially lethal conditions who are unable to give informed consent. However, its use is not widespread, probably partly due to the scarce data on hard outcomes following involuntary ECT. In Denmark, involuntary ECT is only used when patients are at imminent/potential risk of dying if not receiving ECT.

Objectives

We aimed to assess the effectiveness of involuntary ECT by estimating the 1-year survival following its administration.

Methods

We conducted a register-based cohort study involving i) all patients receiving involuntary ECT in Denmark between 2008 and 2019, ii) age and sex-matched patients receiving voluntary ECT, and iii) age and sex-matched individuals from the general population. 1-year survival rates were compared via mortality rate ratios.

Results

We identified 618 patients receiving involuntary ECT, 547 patients receiving voluntary ECT, and 3,080 population-based controls. The survival rate in the year after involuntary ECT was 90%. For patients receiving involuntary ECT, the 1-year mortality rate ratios were 3.1 (95% confidence interval (CI)= 1.9-5.2) and 5.8 (95%CI = 4.0-8.2) compared to those receiving voluntarily ECT and to the population-based controls, respectively. Risk factors for early death among patients receiving involuntary ECT were male sex, being ≥70 years old and having organic mental disorder as the treatment indication.

Conclusions

Treatment with involuntary ECT is associated with a high survival rate, suggesting that the intervention is effective. However, patients receiving involuntary ECT constitute a high-risk population that should be monitored closely after this treatment.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.