bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Negative symptoms and associated factors in older people with schizophrenia
Authors: Karoui M. , kammoun I. , Kammoun R. , Nefzi H. , Ellouze F. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe evolution of schizophrenia with age remains poorly studied. The prevalence of negative symptoms in elderly people with schizophrenia is even less described in the literature.Objectivesto evaluate the prevalence of remission of negative symptoms in the elderly and to study the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with this remission.MethodsThe sample consisted of 83 subjects aged 55 years and over, followed at the psychiatry department "G" of the Razi hospital in Tunis and suffering from schizophrenia according to the DSM5 criteria. Global remission was defined as a score below 4 on the seven negative symptom items of the PANSS. A questionnaire was administered to each patient to collect epidemiological and anamnestic data.Results59% of the sample showed remission of global negative symptoms. 84% and 60% were in remission on the emotional and cognitive subscales, respectively. The existence of remission was correlated with lower PANSS global score, more preserved cognitive functioning, later age of onset, more family and social support, and the absence of a concomitant somatic illness.ConclusionsThis study showed that measures to optimize treatment of positive symptoms and cognitive functioning may have an impact on negative symptoms. Similarly, quality of social network in later life impacts the level of negative symptoms.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Case presentation: Very early combined first-line immunotherapy and surgery in tumor-associated anti N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis associated with improved outcome
Authors: Witzel S. , Zeiss R. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionAnti N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDA-R) encephalitis is a potentially reversible cause of psychosis. Nearly all patients (>95.5%) quickly develop additional neurological symptoms, and only about 50 percent fully recover, often with latency. At symptom onset, patients commonly present with isolated psychosis, making it challenging to distinguish the disease from a primary psychiatric disorder: The median time from symptom onset to immunotherapy in adults is 28 days (IQR 14–49), and from symptom onset to surgery in tumor-associated cases 1.4 months (IQR 0.7–2.6). Steroids, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), or plasmapheresis are recommended as first-line immunotherapies.ObjectivesTo highlight a case with improved outcome after very early combined first-line immunotherapy (steroids plus IVIG) and surgery in tumor-associated anti-NMDA-R encephalitis.MethodsWorkup of the clinical case followed by a review of the literature.ResultsWe present the case of a 33-year-old woman with sudden onset of anxiety and jealousy ideas, which within a few days, developed a manifest psychosis with formal thought disorders, paranoid and guilt delusions, distrust, and orientation disorders in the absence of additional neurological deficits. A lower abdominal tumor suspicious of an ovarian tumor was detected sonographically five days before the onset of the first symptoms. Lumbar puncture and abdominal computer tomography were performed within 30 hours after hospital admission, confirming the diagnosis of tumor-associated anti-NMDA-R encephalitis with autoantibodies in CSF and serum at a very early clinical stage. First-line immunotherapy with steroids (methylprednisolone 1000mg, day 6 to 10 after symptom onset) was started immediately and combined with IVIG therapy (0.35g/kg, day 9 to 13 after symptom onset). Surgery of the ovarian tumor was performed on day 14 after admission, with histology revealing an immature teratoma. The neuropsychatric examination on day 1 after surgery showed complete remission of clinical symptoms, which persisted during clinical follow-up after 1 and 4 months.ConclusionsThe present case highlights the role of early CSF diagnostic and tumor assessment if autoimmune encephalitis is suspected. Very early first-line immunotherapy with steroids and IVIG, complemented by tumor surgery, was associated with improved outcome in this case with anti-NMDA-R encephalitis. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the generalizability of the finding.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
New insights into cerebellar dysfunction in patients with delusional disorder: A systematic review
Authors: González- Rodríguez A. , Guàrdia A. , Alvarez A. , Natividad M. , Pagés C. , Ghigliazza C. , Román E. , Sánchez B. , Monreal J. A. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe cerebellum has been implicated in cognitive, affective and motor functions, including emotion regulation, executive control and sensorimotor processing. In schizophrenia, cerebellar dysfunction has been associated with treatment resistance and clinical features. However, few studies have been focused on delusional disorder (DD).ObjectivesOur main purpose was to review the evidence available on cerebellum abnormalities and dysfunctions in patients with DD.MethodsA systematic review was conducted through PubMed, Scopus and ClinicalTrials.gov (inception-June 2022) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) directives. The following search terms were used: cerebellum OR cerebellar AND (“delusional disorder” AND paranoia). Reference lists from included studies were hand-checked to find other potential relevant papers.ResultsSix studies were included from a total of 119 retrieved records (PubMed: 52, Scopus: 66, ClinicalTrials.gov: 1). Study 1:Patients with DD somatic type (n=14) presented a decreased gray matter volume in cerebellar lobules compared to healthy controls (HC) (n=32, left lobule VIIIa) and non-somatic DD (n=18, lobule V). Cerebellar volumes did not seem to differ between HC and non-somatic DD. Study 2:Abnormalities of voluntary saccadic eye movements, linking frontal and cerebellar functions, were found in DD patients (n=34) compared to HC (n=40). Study 3: Abnormal smooth pursuit eye movements in DD (n=15) compared with HC (n=40) and similar to schizophrenia (n=40). Case reports (n=3): DD associated with Dandy-Walker variant (partial vermian hypoplasia), unruptured intracerebral aneurysm of basilar artery, and megacisterna magna.ConclusionsCerebellar deficits in patients with DD has been reported, particularly in those presenting somatic delusional contents.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Psychological Issues among Adult Patients with Untreated Clef Lip and Palate: Algerian Survey-based study
Authors: Rais M. A. , Moussa A. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionCleft lip and palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. Individuals with a cleft of the lip and/or palate (CL/P) differ from their peers due to their facial appearance, hearing and speech problems, in addition, it causes psychosocial impacts among affected children. However, among untreated adults, it seems that psychological sequelae can be major and life limiting.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to assess Algerian untreated young CL/P patients psychological and lifestyle issues.MethodsThis is a survey-based cross-sectional study conducted during August- October 2022 in Algeria through an online survey which is a self-administered questionnaire ( SAQ). The study target population were young individuals ( age between 17 and 30) with untreated or partially treated clef lip and palate confitions. The questionnaire consisted of 10 multiple questions including a demographic section, evaluating patients satisfaction, lifestyle, psychological problems related to their conditions and limitations due to it. All participants provided their informed consent prior to their participation. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used to analyse the collected data.ResultsFinal sample size consisted in 207 responses. The mean age of the participants was 24.3± 3 years. Findings showed that slightly more that three fourths (75,9%) of participants reported that they are unsatisfied of their life because of their CL/P condition. Among 120 uneducated participants, (67%) of them reported thay they abandoned school because of their appearance. For P <0.001, suicide thoughts were higher among female participants (38%) than male participants (9%). Almost half of respondents (49.4%) presented strong immigration desires due to their education, relationships and psychosocial health issues.ConclusionsThe psychological impact of cleft lip and palate in adults appears to be disturbing, chronic and life-limiting. Urgent approaches to ensure the early management of cleft lip and palate in Algeria remain mandatory. Increasing the number of specialized maxillofacial services seems to be a good first step.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Mental Health Home Intensive Care during Spanish national lockdown due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Alba L. , Alonso L. , Pérez H. , Saez S. , Coll C. , Palma S. , Ortiz S. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic situation forced the Spanish Government to declare a home confinement that was prolonged for three months. The Health System had to focus almost entirely on the treatment of patients with Covid-19 infection and vulnerable populations such as people with severe mental illness were overlooked. In this context, mental health home care as an alternative to hospitalization became a first-line approachment for patients with an acute mental health disorder.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to describe the professional practice and the patients characteristics attended by a mental health team in Catalonia during the home confinement due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.MethodsThis study includes the period between March 15, 2020 and June 21, 2020. Sociodemographic, clinical and team functioning variables were described. The patient data was obtained from medical history whereas the rest of information was collected through the creation of a database by the members of the assistencial team.ResultsTeam’s structure was changed with the creation of two mirror teams. Psychological attention was expanded and the weekend coverage was reorganized.During that period 40 patients were treated with a mean age of 47 years. There were no differences regarding the gender (50% were men and 50% were women). 87% of the patients lived with their family. 75% of referrals were made by the hospital and 90% were referred to community services upon discharge. Regarding diagnoses, 57.5% of the patients were diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (10% being reactive to Covid-19). A total of 482 visits were made, of which 51% were conducted in a telematic form. The mean time between the referral and the admission was 37.98h. The team accepted 97% of the referred patients with an occupancy rate of 112.4%.ConclusionsThe re-organisation of a home treatment team during the domiciliary lockdown allowed to increase the occupancy rate and offered a rapid response to patients, avoiding the need of conventional hospitalization and providing a proper care plan.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Universal protective and risk factors of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of compassion and fears of compassion
Authors: Matos M. ,   C. A. C.-1. Consortium
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented detrimental impact on mental health in people around the world. It is therefore important to examine factors that may buffer or heighten the risk of mental health problems in this context.ObjectivesThe current study explores the buffering effects of different flows of compassion (for self, for others, from others) and the magnifying effects of fears of compassion on the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on indicators of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.Methods4057 adult participants collected from the general community population across 21 countries from Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, Asia and Oceania, completed self-report measures of perceived threat of COVID-19, compassion, fears of compassion, social safeness, loneliness, depression, anxiety, stress, posttraumatic stress and growth.ResultsSelf-compassion moderated the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and stress, whereas compassion from others moderated the effects of fears of COVID-19 on social safeness. Fears of compassion moderated the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on psychological distress. Only fears of compassion from others moderated the effects of fears of COVID-19 on social safeness. Furthermore, social connection (compassion and social safeness) predicted higher post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress, whereas social disconnection (fears of compassion and loneliness) predicted increased traumatic symptoms only. Social connection heightened the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on post-traumatic growth, while social disconnection weakened this impact. Social disconnection magnified the impact of the perceived threat of COVID-19 on traumatic stress. The effects were consistent across countries.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the universal protective role of compassion and social connection in promoting resilience and buffering against the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. Furthermore, our results reveal that fears of compassion have a magnifying effect on the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare workers mental health
Authors: Ferrandino M. , Sollo V. , Di Vincenzo M. , Marafioti N. , Della Rocca B. , Brandi C. , Giallonardo V. , Luciano M. , Sampogna G. , Fiorillo A. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented in health events that has had a negative impact on the mental health of the population in general as well as on specific categories, including patients with mental and physical disorders, and healthcare professionals. In particular, COVID-19 pandemic has produced extraordinary stress in healthcare workers, especially frontline physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals.ObjectivesIn the present study we aimed to evaluate levels of burnout, a clinical condition characterized by emotional, psychological and physical exhaustion, in a sample of health workers from the Campania region, Italy, during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary objectives of the study include the assessment, in the same group, of levels of anxiety-depressive symptoms, insomnia, suicidal ideation and symptoms on the post-traumatic spectrum.MethodsAn online survey was released through the official website of the University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli” and social media. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to assess burnout in the healthcare professionals; Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 Short Version to measure levels of anxiety, depression and stress; the Insomnia Severity Index was used to identify insomnia-related symptoms; the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale was adopted to select individuals based on the presence of suicidal thoughts while the Impact of Event Scale-Revised was administered to evaluate trauma-related dimensions.ResultsA total of 389 health workers was recruited. They were predominantly female, with an average age of 39.06 (± 11.85) years, working mainly in the second line hospitals during the COVID-19 emergency. During the pandemic, first- or second-line health workers reporting significant levels of emotional exhaustion are on average 23,89 (±4.22), those reporting feelings of depersonalization are on average 7.58 (±2.73), while those who report a good level of professional efficiency are on average 21.12 (±3.48).Predictors of increased levels of depersonalization are being a first-line worker and the presence of traumatic event avoidance symptoms. Furthermore, levels of professional fulfillment are negatively affected by age, the presence of intrusive symptoms, the presence of sleep disorders, and being a frontline worker.ConclusionsThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare professionals involved in the first and/or second line COVID hospitals is indisputable. Although burnout syndrome is not a new clinical condition, the COVID-19 pandemic may further worsen the magnitude of the problem. However, our results could be a starting point to promote a change in the way we perceive the mental health of healthcare professionals.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Music therapy and depression : the alternative approach
Authors: Zbidi M. , Bouali W. , Hnia M. , Kacem M. , Bensoussia R. , Zarrouk L. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionDepression is a highly prevalent disorder associated with reduced social functioning, impaired quality of life, and increased mortality. This disease is one of the most common reasons for the use of complementary and alternative therapies. Music therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses musical interaction as a means of communication and expression.ObjectivesTo assess, through a systematic review, the effectiveness of music therapy in patients with depression disorder, and to design a research protocol for a randomised controlled trial of group music therapy for depressed patients in a Psychiatry Department.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA).We systematically searched 3 databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar and SciElo) and reviewed randomized controlled trials. The evaluation of the trials was made using the CONsolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines.The review included studies of 16-to-80-year-old impatients and outpatients of both genders with clinical depression using any diagnostic criteria such as ICD 10 (WHO 1992) or DSM 5 Research Diagnostic Criteria. Change in depressive symptoms was measured with various scales. An experimental protocol was then designed to conduct a randomized controlled trial for depressed patients in the Psychiatry Department at the University Hospital of Mahdia, seeking to supplement scientific knowledge in the field of music therapy that has not yet been explored.ResultsA total of 13 articles were included in the study: The analysis of these articles highlighted a predominance of Anglo-Saxon papers and an increasing rate of publication over time.The duration of treatment varied between 2 weeks and 10 weeks and the number of music therapy sessions varied between 4 sessions and 20 sessions.Two major music therapy approach were identified, active method where patients are the ones making music and receptive or passive methods where patients will receive the music.12 researches included in our review reached the conclusion that music therapy had a significant positive effect on patients as the score scales were significantly lower after the end of the therapy. Only one included research found no significant difference between music therapy group and treatment as usual.In addition the results of all studies came on the conclusion that music therapy improved symptoms of anxiety and scores were significantly lower.ConclusionsThis systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that music therapy has an effect on reducing depressive symptoms to some extent. However, high-quality trials evaluating the effects of music therapy on depression are required. Thus,the aim of our study protocol is to contribute to the development of this therapyDisclosure of InterestNone Declared
Linked patterns of symptoms and cognition with brain controllability in major depressive disorder
Authors: Li Q. , Zhao Y. , Wang Y. , Long F. , Gong Q. , Li F. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by both clinical symptoms and cognitive deficits. Prior studies have typically examined either symptoms or cognition correlated with brain measures, thus causing a notable paucity of stable brain markers that capture the full characteristics of MDD. Brain controllability derived from newly proposed brain model integrating both metabolism (energy cost) and dynamics from a control perspective has been considered as a sensitive biomarker for characterizing brain function. Thus, identifying such a biomarker of controllability related to both symptoms and cognition may provide a promising state monitor of MDD.ObjectivesTo assess the associations between two multi-dimensional clinical (symptoms and cognition) and brain controllability data of MDD in an integrative model.MethodsSparse canonical correlation analysis (sCCA) was used to investigate the association between brain controllability at a network level and both clinical symptoms and cognition in 99 first-episode medication-naïve patients with MDD. The potential mediation effect of cognition on relationship between controllability and symptoms was also tested.ResultsAverage controllability was significantly correlated with both symptoms and cognition (rmean=0.54, PBonferroni=0.03). Average controllability of dorsal attention network (DAN) (r=0.46) and visual network (r=0.29) had the highest correlation with both symptoms and cognition. Among clinical variables, depressed mood (r
=-0.23) , suicide(r
=-0.25), work and activities(r
=-0.27), gastrointestinal symptoms (r
=-0.25) were significantly negatively associated with average controllability, while cognitive flexibility (r=0.29) was most strongly positively correlated with average controllability. Additionally, cognitive flexibility fully mediated the association between average controllability of DAN and depressed mood (indirect effect=-0.11, 95% CI [-0.18, -0.04], P=0.001) in MDD.ConclusionsBrain average controllability was correlated with both clinical symptoms and cognition in first-episode medication-naïve patients with MDD. The results suggest that average controllability of DAN and visual network reached high associations with clinical variates in MDD, thus these brain features may serve as stable biomarkers to control the brain functional states transitions to be relevant to cognitions deficits and clinical symptoms of MDD. Additionally, altered average controllability of DAN in patients could induce impairment of cognitive flexibility, and thus cause severe depressed mood, indicating that controllability of DAN may be a potential intervention target for alleviating depressed mood through improving cognitive flexibility in MDD.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared