bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of the Type of Surgical Treatment on the Quality of Life of Portuguese Women with Breast Cancer
Authors: Pereira H. , Castelo R. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionBreast cancer significantly impacts dimensions of quality of life such as mental health, one's level of activity, family well-being, physical concerns (symptoms and pain), treatment satisfaction, emotional well-being, sexual intimacy, and social functioning.AimThe aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the type of surgery on the quality of life of women being treated for breast cancer, based on the comparison of samples of women who have undergone different types of surgery.MethodOur sample consists of 90 Portuguese women divided into three groups of 30 participants each. The first group underwent radical surgery in order to treat their breast cancer. The second group of women had conservative surgery as a breast cancer treatment. Finally, the last group of women did not have any type of surgical intervention. We use a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Portuguese version of the EORTC QLQ-30 as measurement instruments. The sample consists of patients from a central hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, and the data were collected anonymously.ResultsWe find that in all dimensions of quality of life measured, including general health, physical functioning, social roles, and all emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions, the group of women who underwent radical surgery shows lower scores when compared to the other two groups. This indicates that this group has lower levels of quality of life.ConclusionThe use of surgery for the treatment of breast cancer leads to a diminished quality of life following surgical intervention.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Sham-neurofeedback as an Intervention: Placebo or Nocebo?
Authors: Arina G. , Osina E. , Dobrushina O. , Aziatskaya G. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionSham-controlled studies of neurofeedback are aimed to provide evidence-based data regarding its efficacy. However, a sophisticated sham procedure may turn out to be an intervention rather that a neutral control.MethodsData from a single-case cross-over sham-controlled study of NF in migraine were analyzed to access the effects of sham-NF. The study included 5 females with chronic migraine and was divided into 4 phases: pre-evaluation (≥ 2 weeks), treatment 1 (5 weeks), treatment 2 (5 weeks), post-evaluation (≥ 2 weeks), where treatment 1 and 2 included 10 infra-low frequency NF and 10 sham-NF sessions at T3T4 site in randomized order. Participants filled out a computerized diary about headache and emotions.ResultsSham-NF resulted in some reduction of the level of tension (0.8 ± 0.7 vs. 1.1 ± 0.5, P = 0.1) and anxiety (0.56 ± 0.5 vs. 0.95 ± 0.4, P = 0.07) as measured by the mean value in the diary (rating from 0 - no emotion, to 3 - very intense). While the total frequency of headache was not influenced by sham-NF (40 ± 11% vs. 40 ± 7% days, P = 1), a tendency towards an increase in quantity of severe headaches (42 ± 18% vs. 20 ± 18% days, P = 0.07) and in the need for drug intake (74 ± 27% vs. 44 ± 30% days, P = 0.07) was observed. We supposed that expectation of feedback and failure to receive it during sham sessions may have possible negative effects, while frequent visits to the clinic and contact with the therapist may explain reduction in anxiety.ConclusionSham-NF seems to have both placebo and nocebo effects, which should be considered during interpretation of results of the studies.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Are Patients with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder Overmedicated?
Authors: Dobrzynska E. 
Published: June 2017

Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) is often considered as treatment resistant clinical challenge. While effectiveness of psychological therapies for EUPD is widely acknowledged, there is less supportive evidence for pharmacotherapy use and patients with EUPD are perceived as overmedicated.Objectives and aimsThe purpose of the study was to review prescribing guidelines and clinical practices for EUPD.MethodsMEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched for all English-language articles published 2000-2016 and containing the keywords “emotionally unstable personality disorder”, “borderline personality disorder”, “pharmacotherapy”, “drug treatment” and “treatment guidelines”.ResultsNICE guidelines (2009) recommend pharmacotherapy should not be used for EUPD but for comorbid conditions only. In line with the American Psychiatric Association practice guideline, the Dutch and German guidelines recommend antipsychotics for cognitive-perceptual symptoms. However, in contrary to mood stabilisers they question the efficacy of antidepressants on impulsivity and affective dysregulation.Studies on clinical practice showed 68% of borderline patients without comorbid disorder in UK were using antidepressants, 59% antipsychotics, 59% sedatives and 23% mood stabilizers. Similar results reported Paolini et al with polypharmacy in 83.5% of cases.ConclusionsAll international guidelines recommend psychological therapies as the first-choice in EUPD treatment but diverge with respect to pharmacotherapy use. NICE and Australian guidelines abstain from psychotropics what may prevent to some degree counterproductive polypharmacy, but also can refrain from temporary pharmacological support when needed. More RCTs for pharmacotherapy use in EUPD are needed but meanwhile using pharmacotherapeutic algorithms for specific symptom domains might be the way forward.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Associations Between Chronotype and Schizotypy in Healthy Adults
Authors: Chrobak A. , Tereszko A. , Arciszewska A. , Siwek M. , Dudek D. 
Published: June 2017

Chronotype is defined as individual circadian preference, most often represented on the continuum between two extremes: morningness and eveningness. Growing number of studies show associations between circadian preference and various psychopathological symptoms. Eveningness has been shown to be related with depressiveness in non-clinical population, while mornigness has been presented as protective factor. Schizotypy is a schizophrenic-spectrum personality trait linked with a tendency to eccentricity, magical thinking and unusual experiences. Features of schizotypy has been identified in patients with mood disorders i.e bipolar disorder. While there is growing number of studies evaluating associations between chronotype and affective symptons, to our best knowledge there are no studies adressing the issue of association between schizotypy and circadian preferences. A total of 887 healthy individuals took part in the web-based study. Chronotype has been assessed with the use of Composite Scale of Morningness. Schizotypy has been measured with the use of the enlarged version of The Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE). Analysis revealed significant positive correlations between cognitive disorganization, introvertive/anhedonia, implusiveness/nonconformity and eveningness. To our best knowledge, results indicate for the first time relationship between eveningness and schizotypy, measured by O-LIFE.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The Experience of Shame in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Authors: Tzitzikos G. , Gourgoulianis K. , Kotrotsiou E. , Bonotis K. , Gouva M. , Kotrotsiou S. , Paralikas T. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionIt is reported in global literature that Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may cause a wide range of psychological effects, some of them not fully explored. The aim of this study is to investigate if patients with COPD experience intense feelings of shame.ObjectivesTo find differences in shame experience between males and females, and if there is a correlation of shame with other socio-economic factors.MethodUsing the “Experience of Shame Scale” questionnaire (ESS) in 191 patients with COPD (104 men and 87 women) treated in Primary Health Care services in Greece.ResultsStatistical analysis showed relatively low scores (M 39.5 sd 14.9) for the experience of shame in COPD patients. There is no statistically significant difference of shame for marital status, education level or disease stage. Statistically significant difference shown between males and females (bodily shame P: 0.001, total shame P: 0.031), and between smokers and those who quit smoking. (characterological shame: P: 0.007 behavioral shame P: 0.030, total shame P: 0.009). Also statistically significant difference appears for bodily shame among Body Mass Index (BMI) groups (P: 009) and economic status of the patients (P: 0.008).ConclusionsPatients with COPD seem to have not heavy burden with experience of shame. Any associations of shame with some patient groups are rather expected for cultural and social reasons.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Insight and Social Cognition in First Episode of Psychosis
Authors: Martínez L. , Mané A. , Cortizo R. , Cáceres I. , Treen D. , Galindo L. , Salgado P. , Berge D. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionImpairment of insight in psychotic disorder is associated with adverse impact in treatment compliance, outcome and social functioning although its underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Social cognition and more specifically Theory of mind have been proposed to be correlated to insight. However, the relationship between both factors is still not well defined.AimsTo study the association between social cognition and insight into mental illness in individuals with early psychosis included in the first episode of psychosis program of Hospital del Mar.MethodsFrom the 94 patients included in the first psychotic episode program between January 2011 and January 2016, thirty-eight patients were evaluated six months after the episode. The three initial items of SUMD (Scale Unawareness of Mental Disorder) were used to measure insight and MSCEIT (Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test) was used to assess social cognition. Linear correlation analysis by Pearson correlation was conducted.ResultsInsight results of SUMD six months after the first episode of psychosis were significantly associated with several subsections of MSCEIT, such as experiential area total punctuation (r = –0.574; P = 0.025), emotional facilitation section (r = –0.633; P = 0.011) and the facial emotion perception task (r = –0.572; P = 0.026).ConclusionsResults suggest an association between insight and emotional perception and facilitation performance in first episode patients, which may suggest a role of social cognition in psychosis insight impairment. Further research to better define the participation of social cognition in insight into psychosis alteration is mandatory to understand the etiology of insight, define treatment targets and consequently improve the disorder prognosis.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Neuropsychological Profile of Specific Executive Functions in Patients with Deficit and Non-deficit Schizophrenia
Authors: Pelka-Wysiecka J. , Ernest T. , Monika M. , Jerzy S. 
Published: June 2017

Although it has been shown that there are more profound deficits present in the deficit schizophrenia (DS) patients compared with their non-deficit (NDS) counterparts, there still remain a few matters that require further investigation.Aims(1) Comparison of executive functions between the investigated groups; (2) determining the relationship between their particular aspects within the groups; and (3) drawing up their neuropsychological profile.MethodsOne hundred and forty-eight schizophrenia patients, divided into two groups: patients with DS (n = 70) and NDS (n = 78). Patients were matched for sex, age, number of years of education and their overall cognitive functioning. For the assessment of executive function, we used the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Trail Making Test (TMT), Verbal Fluency Test Phonemic (VFT P), Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT) and Go/No Go task (GNG).ResultsThe DS patients compared with the NDS ones obtained lower scores in WCST and TMT (relative flexibility). We did not observe any inter-group differences in VFT P, SCWT (relative inhibition) or the GNG. In both patient groups, there appeared significant correlations between their WCST and TMT scores. The general neuropsychological profiles were similar in both groups. The DS patients exhibited slightly greater interference within concept formation and non-verbal cognitive flexibility. Such problems may therefore be specific to that particular subset of schizophrenia. Our results may be useful for the development of new rehabilitation activities, which may increase the chance of the patients’ better social functioning.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Is There an Association Between Body Uneasiness and Aberrant Salience in Anorexic Patients? A Preliminary Study
Authors: Mallardo L. , Campone B. , Tofani T. , Ciampi E. , Corsi E. , Baschirotto C. , Appignanesi C. , Lelli L. , Pietrini F. , Rotella F. , Ricca V. , Ballerini A. 
Published: June 2017

The process whereby objects and representations come to be attention grabbing and capture thought and behaviour is called salience, and it is defined as aberrant when a significance is allocated to neutral stimuli. The Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) is a scale to measure aberrant salience, characterized by 29 dichotomic items. By now, a correlation between aberrant salience and eating disorders is unknown. Aim of this study is to evaluate an alteration of salience in patients with anorexia nervosa, to estimate the existance of a correlation between aberrant salience and the experience of body shape.MethodsTwenty-six female patients with AN (diagnosed using DSM-5) were enrolled at the Psychiatry Department of Florence. Psychopathological features were assessed at the time of enrollment using the following scales: SCL-90-R, BUT, EDE-Q. Salience alteration was assessed by the means of the ASI. Statistical analysis were realized using SPSS 20.0 with Spearman bivariate correlation.ResultsMean age was (mean ± SD) 26.2 ± 8.72 and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) 16.1 ± 2.46. Global Severity Index (GSI), Positive Symptom Total (PST) and Positive Symptom Distress Symptom Index (PSDI) were estimated for BUT and SCL-90-R and compared to total value of ASI. Thus, we found a statistical significant (P < 0.05) direct correlation between ASI and BUTpsdi and ASI and SCL-90-Rgsi (correlation coefficient of 0.446 and 0.398, respectively).ConclusionIn this study, we found a significant direct correlation between Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) values and one dimension of body uneasiness in anorexic patients. These preliminary data need further studies with a wider sample to confirm the above-mentioned data.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Anxiety, Depression and Suicidal Behavior Among Medical Students from the University of Valladolid
Authors: Alvarez Astorga A. , Red Gallego M.H. De la , Alonso Sánchez A. , Fuente Ballesteros S. De la , Delgado Santillana T. , Hernandez Anton R. , Gómez García M. , De Lorenzo Calzón M.M. , Mayor Toranzo E. , Blanco Garrote J.A. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionSuicide is a major public health problem, especially in young people. It is one of the most significant causes of mortality and potential years of life lost. Medical students are a vulnerable group presenting mental health problems.ObjectivesTo study the prevalence of common mental illnesses among medical students from the university of Valladolid in order to assess the need for intervention programs.MethodsCross-sectional study in which, 584 students participated during the academic year 2015–2016 by completing an online self-administered questionnaire. Mental health outcomes were measured by different batteries of depression, anxiety and suicide (BDI, GAD-7 and MINI). Information about possible related risk factors was also obtained. Statistical Chi2 and Student t-tests were applied to estimate associations between socio-demographic, socioeconomic data and clinical results.ResultsWe found a prevalence of 15.8% for depression, 11.6% for ideation suicide and 38.5% for anxiety, with gender differences in the latter case. Prevalence rates were higher than those described in general population. Compared to other international studies, prevalence estimates were also higher among our sample.ConclusionsThis study shows for the first time data of these three psychiatric disorders among medical students in Spain. It suggests the urge to implementing preventive activities to alleviate maladaptive behaviors, academic stress, improve the quality of life and adaptation of students to college life. Larger, prospective, multicentre studies are needed to draw conclusions about the causes and consequences of students’ stress, since evidence shows that mental health problems are perpetuated throughout professional performance.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
A Descriptive Analysis of Psychological Factors and Childhood Trauma in a Sample of Suicide Attempters
Authors: Delicato C. , Gattoni E. , Di Marco S. , Venesia A. , Vecchi C. , Bert F. , Zeppegno P. , Gramaglia C. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionChildhood trauma, especially sexual abuse, is associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior. However, studies also show that according to the stress-vulnerability model, not all individual exposed to this kind of trauma exhibit suicidal behaviors as some protective factors could diminish the aforementioned risk, such as personality factors. Resilience might be one such a protective factor. Furthermore, there has been growing evidence to support the role of impulsive and aggressive behavior in the risk of suicide.ObjectivesTo compare suicide attempters to non-suicide attempters (patients admitted for any other reason) for as far as psychological features and childhood trauma. To verify the role of resilience and coping strategies as protective factor for suicide attempt, mitigating the risk of an individual who has experienced childhood trauma.MethodsWe recruited patients referred to the inpatient and outpatient facilities of psychiatry ward of “Maggiore della Carità” hospital in Novara during the period November 2015–December 2016. We included all patients from 18 to 65 years with a psychiatric disorder that met DSM–5 diagnostic criteria. For the analysis, we divided patients into two subgroups according to the presence/absence of suicidal behaviors. The assessment included: Resilience Scale for Adult (RSA), Brief cope, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES), childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ), temperament and character inventory (TCI).Results and discussionAlthough, the recruitment is still ongoing preliminary results seem to confirm the role of resilience and coping strategies as protective factor mitigating the risk of an individual who has experienced childhood trauma from making a suicide attempt.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Acute Psychiatric Involuntary Admissions in a Gneral Hospital After Suicidal Behavior. A 2-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Fernandez Miranda J.J. , Frias Ortiz D.F. , Fernandez Diaz S. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionPatients with a plan, access to lethal means, recent social stressors and symptoms suggestive of a psychiatric disorder should be hospitalized immediately. Sometimes involuntary hospital admission is used to avoid a suicidal behavior, taking into account that after a suicide attempt 25% of people repeat attempt and 10% die by suicide.Objectives/aimsTo know hospital admission due to suicide attempts, and how many of them were involuntary.MethodA 2-year retrospective study (2014–2015) of all cases admitted after suicidal behavior in an acute psychiatric ward in a general hospital in Gijón (Spain). Reasons for hospital admission were registered, including suicide attempts. And also if admissions were involuntary.ResultsThe total number of admissions to the psychiatric unit in 2014–2015 was 2376. Admissions due to suicide attempts were 427; 300 of them were involuntary admissions. There were a total of 347 involuntary admissions these two years; among them, due to suicide attempt: 300.ConclusionsMost of involuntary admissions in the psychiatric unit of the hospital studied followed a suicide attempt, as a prevention of repeated suicidal behavior. Obvious high risk of repeat suicide attempt generates an urgency to make an accurate assessment and create a safe treatment plan and determine to retain suicidal patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Clinical Features of ADHD: An Assessment of Suicide Risk and Substance Abuse
Authors: Giordano G. , Falcone G. , Nardella A. , Erbuto D. , Migliorati M. , Innamorati M. , Girardi P. , Pompili M. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionSeveral studies show that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may persist into adulthood, increasing the risk of antisocial behaviour, drug abuse, psychiatric comorbidities, aggressive behaviour, social impairment and suicide risk.ObjectivesAnalyze correlations among ADHD, substances abuse, alcoholism and suicide risk.AimThe aim of our study is to better understand the clinical features of ADHD during adulthood.MethodsWe analyzed the presence of ADHD symptoms, suicide risk and levels of hopelessness, alcoholism and substance abuse in a sample of 50 (40% males) in/outpatients of S. Andrea Hospital in Rome, between February and May 2016. We administered the following scales: Adult-Self Report Scale (ASRS), Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST).ResultsIn our sample of 50 adult patients, 20% had ADHD symptoms (10 subjects). We found that those with ADHD showed more frequently death desires (85.7%; χ2 = 1.31; P = 0.25) and higher levels of hopelessness (66.7%; χ2 = 0.83; P = =0.36) if compared to subjects without ADHD symptoms (respectively 63% and 45.8%). In the overall group of ADHD patients, 10% showed severe alcoholism, 20% (χ2 = 1.39; P = 0.49) had a borderline behavior, whereas 40% presented a substance abuse (χ2 = 1.75; P = 0.18).ConclusionsADHD may represent a psychiatric disorder with an increased suicide risk. It would be important to screen for suicidality and comorbid symptoms routinely in ADHD in order to improve the treatment of the patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.