bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emergency Department Presentations to the Mental Health Services at Sligo University Hospital during the COVID pandemic
Authors: Gunawardena S. M. , Godavarthi A. , Gethins E. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionIn March 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 a pandemic and Ireland went into its first lockdown. The Mental Health Liaison team at Sligo University Hospital operate 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week, with out of hours covered by the on-call Psychiatry junior doctors. The service has seen an increase in referrals, many of whom are known to community mental health teams.ObjectivesWe reviewed the numbers and trends of mental health presentations to the Emergency Department at Sligo University Hospital throughout the pandemic, including the patterns of presentations around the implementation of lockdowns.MethodsThe Liaison Mental Health Service at Sligo University Hospital gathers data relating to numbers and types of presentation to the service. Data was taken from a pre-existing database of psychiatric presentations to the emergency department at Sligo University Hospital including patient demographics, nature of presenting complaint, time period in which they presented and whether they were previously linked in with a community mental health team in the preceding six months. We also looked at the pattern of ED mental health presentations from March 2019 to August 2021. In order to compare psychiatric presentations pre and during covid, data was broken down into two groups: the twelve months preceding March 2020 and the twelve months from March 2020. Categorical data were analysed using the Chi squared test for homogeneity in SPSS.ResultsOverall, there was a 14% increase in mental health presentations during the pandemic. There was a significantly greater proportion of presentations of psychosis during the pandemic period (p<.014) and for medication review (p=.03) and significantly less presenting with addiction (p <0.001). Of those patients seen in the Emergency Department in 2021, 54.3% were known to the CMHT in the previous 6 months. in 2019, mental health presentations made up 1.36% of total ED attendances. This increased to 1.47% in 2020. From January to August 2021, 2.62% of ED attendances were mental health presentations.Image:ConclusionsThe Covid-19 pandemic led to increased mental health presentations to Sligo University Hospital emergency department, with a significantly greater proportion presenting with psychosis and for medication review. These findings have implications around patient care and service provision. These results show that the prevalence of mental health has increased during the pandemic, particularly severe and enduring mental illnesses. New strategies must be implemented to accommodate to this increase in presentations.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Psychological struggles in tunisian Infertile couples: A gender Perspective
Authors: Mahfoudh K. , Askri F. , Hamzaoui S. , Ouertani A. , Ouali U. , Aissa A. , Jomli R. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionDefined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected sexual intercourse, infertility remains a current and compelling topic of interest for both scientists and the general public.Over the past few decades, the prevalence of infertility, regardless of its cause, has significantly increased. Furthermore, it affects approximatively 15% of tunisian couples. However, previous studies have primarily assessed the psychological impact on women, leaving a gap in understanding gender differences.ObjectivesOur study aims to compare the psychological impact of infertility between genders in a Tunisian sample.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in a public hospital specializing in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) from August 30th to December 1st, 2022, involving sexually active infertile couples who had been under observation for at least one year. The participants provided information related to socio-demographic data. Additionally, we used the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) to assess anxiety and depression, and the Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQol) questionnaire to evaluate the quality of life. These questionnaires were administered in the Tunisian dialect.ResultsA sample of 60 infertile couples were recruited to this study. Primary infertility was present in 97% of cases and male infertility was the most common cause, accounting for 35%. Our findings revealed that women experienced higher rates of depression (35%) and anxiety (52%) compared to men (15% and 28%), with a statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.001).Furthermore, women reported a significantly compromised overall quality of life, particularly in the context of treatment-related aspects (p=0.03).Notably, anxiety was identified as a significant risk factor for reduced quality of life among women (B = -5.27). In contrast, lower socioeconomic status was associated with diminished overall quality of life in men (B = -7.09).ConclusionsIt is important to consider gender differences in the management of infertility in order to guide and target psychological interventions and to improve the quality of life of infertile couples.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Mental health impact of the Russian-Ukraine war on Canadian residents with or without Ukrainian descent
Authors: Belinda A. , Shalaby R. , Wei Y. , Agyapong V. I. O. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionWar tends to produce fear. The devastating and traumatic occurrences of war can have both short- and long-term effects on the mental well-being of populations. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine indirectly affects all populations, especially individuals of Ukrainian descent.ObjectivesTo assess the mental health impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Canadian residents who subscribed to ‘Text4Hope Ukraine’ program and to ascertain if there are differences in mental health impacts between those with and without Ukrainian descent.MethodsCanadians were invited to self-subscribe to the text messaging program. An online survey was used to collect sociodemographic, war-related, and clinical information; stress, resilience, likely anxiety disorder and likely depressive disorder from subscribers. Outcome measures included baseline scores using validated scales. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 25. To examine the association of psychological problems with the sociodemographic and war-related factors, univariate analysis using the Chi-square/Fishers Exact test was performed with two-tailed significance (p ≤ .05). An independent sample t-test with two-tailed significance (p-value ≤ 0.05) was employed to assess the differences in the respective mean scores of the psychological problems across the two groups. The first group represents the participants who did not have citizenship or ancestors from Ukraine (NUk), while the second group represents the respondents are Ukrainian who either have previously held citizenship or have ancestors/family from Ukraine (Ukr). No imputation of missing data and reported data represents the complete responsesResultsStudy findings reflected prevalence of low resilience (59.7%), moderate to high stress (87.5%), likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder (45.8%) and likely Major Depressive Disorder (38.9%). Respondents who identified as female had a higher likelihood of presenting with low resilience (χ2(1) = 5.68, p = .02) and likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder (χ2 (1) = 4.85, p = .03) compared to male respondents. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores of the four psychological problems based on any of the variables that suggest Ukrainian descent or not (p>.05).ConclusionsWar can have negative impacts on all populations irrespective of their location, or association of individuals with the impacted country. This study provides valuable insights into the mental health impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on a specific sample of Canadian residents who subscribed to the ‘Text4Hope Ukraine’ text messaging program. This information is relevant when planning mental health intervention for this population. Governments should target and provide adequate mental health and psychosocial support or interventions for global populations at risk during war.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Cognitive functioning of patients with borderline personality disorder
Authors: Chumakov E. , Charnaia D. , Petrova N. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe neurocognitive deficit model as a characteristic of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been the focus of research for the past 20 years. However, no such studies have been performed in Russia.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to investigate the neurocognitive profile of patients with BPD.MethodsFifty patients with BPD (according to DSM-V criteria) in stable mental state (72% women; mean age 22.44±4.32) were examined. BPD symptom severity was assessed using the Borderline Personality Disorder Questionnaire (PBQ-BPD), which was validated in the Russian population (34 points or more indicated a higher probability of BPD diagnosis). The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) was used to assess cognitive function (in order to use these data for differential diagnosis with schizophrenia spectrum disorders). The study was approved by the ethical committee of Saint Petersburg State University.ResultsOn the PBQ-BPD results, 38% of patients (n=19) scored over 34 points, despite being stable. BACS subscales T-scores (presented as median [Q1; Q3]) were within normal limits (Verbal memory - 49.81 [46.56; 53,06]; Working memory - 43.73 [38.0; 47.50]; Motor function - 44.08 [41.0; 47.25]; Coding - 45.56 [42.50; 48.63]; Verbal fluency - 48.14 [46.0; 52.0]; Tower of London test - 52.33 [47.0; 57.0]). A number of patients had low scores on the BACS subscales (T-score < 40), particularly working memory (33.3%), coding (20.8%), and verbal memory (18.8%). The BACS Composite T Score (46.02 [43.65; 48.39]) correlated with the PBQ-BPD score (32.00 [27.00; 36.00]; r=-0.316; p=0.028). To better characterize the cognitive functioning of patients with BPD, patients were divided into two groups: those who scored less than 34 on the PBQ-BPD (group 1) and those who scored more than 34 on the PBQ-BPD (group 2). Group 2 patients had a lower BACS Composite T-score (42.32 [38.06; 46.58]; 48.45 [45.87; 51.03]; p=0.009) and nominally lower mean scores on all BACS subscales, compared with Group 1 patients. We found significant differences in T-scores values on the Working Memory subscale (Group 1 - 45.0 [41.0; 49.0]; Group 2 - 38.0 [33.0; 43.5], p=0.003), Verbal Fluency (49.0 [47.25; 53.75]; 48.0 [44.0; 49.0]; p=0.047), Tower of London Test (57.0 [52.0; 57.0]; 48.0 [42.0; 57.0]; p=0.036).ConclusionsNeurocognitive impairment was detected in 33.3% of patients with BPD. The dominant cognitive impairments in the patients were decreased working and verbal memory and information processing speed. The severity of BPD symptoms has been confirmed to correlate with the neurocognitive functioning of these patients.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Evaluation of the effectiveness of psychosocial rehabilitation: an innovative approach based on the analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Mitikhin V. , Solokhina T. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionIn psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR), rank scales are widely used to assess the severity of functional disorders in patients. The main problem of evaluating the effectiveness of PSR is related to the methods of processing data obtained using psychometric scales used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions within PSR. The proof of the non-numerical nature of ranks was obtained by J. Pfanzagl (1968). Incorrect processing of rank information obtained in the framework of psychosocial research leads to contradictions in the assessment of the patient’s condition. Consequently, rank processing does not allow classical mathematical operations (summation, average), which makes it impossible to correctly estimate the effectiveness of PSR numerically.ObjectivesDevelopment of algorithms for numerical evaluation of PSR efficiency based on rank information processing using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) [1].MethodsClinical, psychometric, AHP algorithmsResultsThe analysis of the problems of assessing the patient’s conditions on the basis of categorical and psychometric (rank) scales and subscales shows that these problems can be presented in the form of appropriate hierarchies, the structure of which must be taken into account when processing the initial information.According to the results of the analysis of the data of preliminary studies, the main areas of impaired functioning of patients affecting the evaluation of the effectiveness of PSR have been identified. Rank estimates of changes in the relevant areas of the patient’s dysfunction after the PSR program compared to the initial level are the basis for the conclusion about the effectiveness of the PSR components. Algorithms of the AHP normative approach were used to translate rank information into numerical information [2]. The weight of the areas of the patient’s functioning disorders was used in the formation of integral estimates of the effectiveness of PSR.The fundamental difference between AHP-based assessments and rank assessments is due to the fact that numerical estimates of the weight of the criteria and the corresponding changes in the patient’s condition are obtained, which depend on the qualifications of specialists, the characteristics of the scales used to measure violations in the relevant areas and the procedures of the PSR.ConclusionsObtaining the results of processing rank information in a numerical scale allows to obtain the correct integration of the patient’s personal characteristics when considering PSR procedures and to obtain correct prognostic models of the patient’s condition. 1. Saaty T. European Journal of Operational Research.1990; 48(1):9-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-2217(90)90057-I 2. Mitikhin V.G., Solokhina T.A. et al. Psychiatry, 2022; 20(2): 51-59. DOI: 10.30629/2618-6667-2022-20-2-51-59Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
A differentiated approach to the choice of a neuroprotective drugs during complex antidepressant therapy of elderly depressive patients in a hospital setting
Authors: Pochueva V. , Yakovleva O. , Safarova T. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe complex antidepressant therapy in combination with neuroprotectors increases the overall effectiveness of the treatment of depression in the elderly due to the group of the most difficult patients for therapy with ≥2 predictors of a low therapeutic response (LTRP), as well as in patients with complex (anxious, senesto-hypochondriacal, delusional) and prolonged (≥6 months) depressions.ObjectivesDevelopment of a differentiated approach to the choice of types of neuroprotective drugs in the course of complex antidepressant therapy in depressive elderly patients.MethodsWe studied groups of hospitalized patients aged ≥60 years with mild, moderate and severe depression (according to ICD-10) who received antidepressant monotherapy (comparison group) for 28 days (43 people) or complex antidepressant therapy in combination with carnicetin (20), cerebrolysin (20), citicoline (20), ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (EMHPS) (25) and actovegin (25). Complaints about memory impairment, lonely living, and the presence of leukoaraiosis on brain CT were considered as LTRP. Efficacy of therapy (change in total HAMD-17 scores in %) was compared in subgroups with neuroprotectors and in the comparison group in patients with ≥2 LTRPs, as well as in patients with complex and prolonged depressions. Statistical analysis was performed.ResultsBy the 28th day of treatment, all patients with ≥2 LTRPs in the subgroups with the addition of any neuroprotectors were responders (≥50% change) with a significantly higher efficacy of therapy than in the monotherapy group (36.0%, p<0.05). The efficacy of therapy was significantly higher in the subgroup with the addition of actovegin than in the subgroups with cerebrolysin and citicoline (73.7% versus 55.6% and 52.0%, respectively, p<0.05). In complex depression, the effectiveness of therapy in the subgroup with cerebrolysin did not statistically differ from the comparison group. In prolonged depression, no statistically significant difference in efficacy was found between the citicoline-supplemented subgroup and the monotherapy group. The highest efficacy in the treatment of complex and prolonged depression was observed in subgroups with the addition of actovegin and EMHPS (p<0.01).ConclusionsIf there are indications for prescribing complex antidepressant therapy (≥2 LTRPs) in depressive patients of late age, all studied neuroprotective drugs demonstrated high efficiency compared to monotherapy. In complex depressions, the combination of antidepressants with cerebrolysin turned out to be less effective, in protracted depressions - with citicoline. Neuroprotectors actovegin and EMHPS can be considered universal drugs of choice for complex therapy of the most difficult categories of elderly depressive patients in a hospital setting.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Different modalities of measuring life engagement in people living with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A preliminary analysis
Authors: Cerati C. , Calzavara-Pinton I. , Nibbio G. , Cicale A. , Zardini D. , Italia M. , Altieri L. , Lisoni J. , Deste G. , Barlati S. , Vita A. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe concept of “life engagement” encompasses several aspects of one’s life, including personal well-being, contentment, purpose, and engagement in meaningful activities. In 2006, the group led by Scheier designed a 6-item scale to measure this concept in the general population: the Life Engagement Test (LET), however, this tool was never validated in clinical populations (Scheier et al. 2006 J Clin Psychiatry 2006; 29 291-298). In subjects living with schizophrenia life engagement can be measured through the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale-Life Engagement (PANSS-LE), derived by isolating 11 items (i.e., N01, N02, N03, N04, N05, N06, G06, G07, G13, G15, G16) from the PANSS (Correll et al. 2022 J Clin Psychiatry 2022; 83-4) (Correll et al. 2022 J Clin Psychiatry 2022; 83-5).ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and functional correlates of two different measures of life engagement in a cohort of individuals living with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD).MethodsNinety-five subjects living with SSD recruited from the ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia (Italy) were included in the preliminary ad-interim analysis of the present study: for each patient information regarding the clinical presentation were measured with the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale, the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS), the Brief Negative Symptoms Scale (BNSS) and the PANSS; additionally, information related to the psychosocial functioning were collected through the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale; finally, life engagement was evaluated through the LET and the PANSS-LE. Spearman’s correlations were performed using SPSS v28 and p values < 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsBoth the LET and the PANSS-LE were correlated with the CGI (p=0.002 and p<0.001 respectively), but only the PANSS-LE was found to be correlated with the GAF (p<0.001), the BNSS (p<0.001) and the HoNOS (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe concept of life engagement is of growing interest for healthcare professionals working in the mental health field, in line with the concept of reaching a full functional recovery and considering patient-reported outcomes. From our study it is evident that life engagement in individuals living with SSD is better characterized through the PANSS-LE rather than the LET, as the former is more specific to define the complexity of the SSD symptomatology.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Deep brain stimulation and psychosis as side effect: A case study
Authors: Selakovic M. , Panetsou C. , Karkatsoulis T. , Tsaklakidou D. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionDeep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a therapeutic method used for decades in neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD) or dystonia. HD is a rare, inherited, neurodegenerative condition that causes progressive motor deficits, psychiatric symptoms, and cognitive impairment.ObjectivesMoreover, after DBS as a psychiatric side effect has been marked and the etiology of that side effect is not well- understood.Methods
A case study of a 51 years old male is presented, who developed involuntary movements, for the first time at the age of 17, being diagnosed with Chorea Huntington, was treated with medication without improvement of the symptoms, such as rigidity and bradykinesia. After ten years, based on guidelines, he was treated with DBS, the outcome of which showed complete improvement of neurological symptomatology. Nevertheless, he started to present delusional ideas of reference with his siblings, sleep disturbance, dysphoria and agitation.ResultsObviously, DBS improved neurological symptomatology permanently. The medical history of our patient has shown the recurrence of psychiatric symptoms as a few mandatory psychiatric hospitalizations and his condition has improved with olanzapine 20 mg/ daily and L.A.I. of paliperidone (once /monthly).Conclusions
By far, DBS, as a treatment modality, has great potential to modify disease outcomes and potentially cure the devastating genetic neurodegenerative disorder such as chorea. The cases with psychiatric side effects of DBS have been described so rarely, that it’s difficult to formulate conclusions that can be applied to the whole population of patients treated with DBS. In our opinion, in some cases it is possible to effectively treat the psychotic symptoms without resignation from the benefits of DBS.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared