bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Relapse in Patients with Schizophrenia during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Abdelfattah E. , Bassiony M. , Sehlo M. , Zayed A. , Atwa S. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionPeople with schizophrenia could be more substantially influenced by the emotional stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in relapses or worsening of an already existing mental health condition because of the high susceptibility to stress.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the presence of relapse and its risk factors among patients with schizophrenia during the era of COVID 19 pandemic.MethodsThis study included 90 adults who met DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia and were diagnosed by (SCID-I) Arabic version and who are following up at the outpatient psychiatric clinic, Zagazig University Hospital, Egypt, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) measuring severity of symptoms, Compliance Rating Scale (CRS) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). scales were conducted on those patients before COVID-19 pandemic from January to April 2019 and repeated on September to November 2020 during COVID 19 pandemic to compare clinical parameters between those two periods as to detect any deterioration in their clinical state.ResultsThe mean score of compliance rating scale (CRS) was decreased after COVID-19 pandemic compared to before COVID 19 (P<0.001).The mean score of PANSS scale positive subscale (P) had increased after COVID-19 pandemic compared to before COVID 19 (P<0.001).ConclusionsThere was a deterioration of the clinical state of schizophrenic patients during COVID-19 pandemic especially the positive symptoms and following up the news about COVID-19 regularly, decreased level of family support, lower level of compliance with treatment, and having a family member with COVID-19 infection or death were the risk factors for relapse.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Adherence to the Recommendations from the Portuguese General Directorate of Health (GDH) during the COVID-19 pandemic: fear or prosocial behaviour?
Authors: Cabacos C. , Pereira A.T. , Pacheco M.J. , Soares S. , Manão A. , Araújo A. , Amaral A.P. , De Sousa R. , Macedo A. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionDuring a public health crisis, preventive measures are essential. However, to make them effective, all citizens must be engaged.ObjectivesTo analyse the differential role of individual and contextual variables in the adherence to public health recommendations.Methods1376 adults (70.5% female; mean age=35.55±14.27) completed a survey between September/2020 and May/2021 with: Adherence Scale to the Recommendations during COVID-19
(ASR-COVID19; evaluates three dimensions of adherence), Fear of Covid-19 Scale (FC19S) and Toronto and Coimbra Prosocial Behaviour Questionnaire (ProBeQ; assesses empathy and altruism).ResultsAdherence did not differ between individuals with or without personal or family history of COVID-19 infection. ASR-COVID19 and all dimensions were positively correlated to ProBeQ’s altruism and empathy (from r=.32 to r=.54); FCV19S correlated positively to total adherence score and house sanitation (from r=.18 to r=.26; all p<.01). Linear regressions revealed that altruism and empathy (first model), as well as fear of Covid-19 (second model), were significant predictors of adherence; however, while the first model explained ≅28% of its variance, the second (FCV19S as independent variable) only explained ≅3%. Regression models performed in a subsample of participants with personal or family history of COVID-19 revealed that only empathy, but not altruism, was a significant predictor of adherence; in this subsample, fear was no longer a significant predictor of adherence, except for lockdown and use of teleservices.ConclusionsBased on our results, we suggest health care providers and public health campaigns should take into consideration social solidarity and altruism, as well as previous experiences, when appealing to public’s engagement in health behaviour.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Early Intervention for Psychosis in emerging countries: findings from a first-episode psychosis programme in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
Authors: Correa-Oliveira G. , Scarabelot L. , Morais Araujo J. , Boin A. , Mendes Paula Pessoa R. , Rodrigues Leal L. , Del-Ben C. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionPeople presenting first-episode psychosis (FEP) benefit from early intervention programmes, although they are scarce in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Brazil, there are just a few of them unequally distributed across the country.ObjectivesWe aimed to describe the workings of the Ribeirão Preto Early Intervention for Psychosis Programme (Ribeirão Preto-EIP) – an outpatient service for first-episode psychosis patients residents in the Ribeirão Preto catchment area in Southeastern Brazil.MethodsA retrospective cohort of all patients attended throughout four years (2015-2018) was analysed. We excluded patients who attended only the first consultation and those with an initial diagnosis other than a psychotic disorder. Data was obtained through retrospective analysis of medical records.ResultsOur service had 358 new referrals during the four-year period, and 237 patients were followed on average (median) by 14 months. Most of the patients were male (64.1%), single (84.8%), with a median age of 23.5 years (age ranged from 9 to 86 years). Schizophrenia was the main diagnosis (43.4%), followed by substance-induced (25.7%) and affective psychosis (18.6%). Taking follow-up diagnoses as gold-standard, initial diagnoses of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorders had the highest positive predictive values, 83% and 81% respectively. Most referrals to our programme were made by tertiary care (63.7%), followed by secondary (28.5%) and primary care (7.8%).ConclusionsHere we presented a large sample of FEP patients in a representation as trustworthy to the reality of our programme as possible. Our analysis suggest that Early Intervention Programmes can be successfully implemented in LMICs.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Hospital readmissions in the group of users on the Flexible Assertive Community Treatment – experiences from RECOVER E Montenegro samples
Authors: Dedovic J. , Djurisic T. , Tomcuk A. , Macic A. , Matkovic N. , Miladinovic D. , Vlahovic S. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionAs a part of Horizon 2020 program, RECOVER-E project activities were initiated in Montenegro in 2018. The initial step involved a thorough situation analysis of the setting and circumstances of treatment of users with severe mental health illnesses, followed by the establishment of the community mental health team (CMHT) within the Special Psychiatric Hospital Kotor. The CMHT became responsible for the treatment of a group of clients with severe mental health illnesses, based on the principles of „Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT – A Dutch model).ObjectivesThe main objective of this research was to establish whether there were substantial differences regarding the hospital readmissions in the group of patients treated by the CMHT, compared to usual mental health care in Montenegro.MethodsWithin the RECOVER-E project, a sample of 202 patients, users of mental health services, were recruited in Montenegro. Patients were randomized into two similar-sized groups - intervention group, whose treatment was managed by the multidisciplinary CMHT, and control group where treatment as usual was continued. To estimate and follow-up the frequency of hospital readmissions, medical documentation was used.ResultsPatients in the intervention group had less hospital days during the 18 months follow-up period. However, the differences between two groups regarding number of readmissions, and total length of hospital days were not statistically significant measured by independent T test.ConclusionsThis study showed that CMHT care could reduce the total length of hospital days during the treatment of psychotic disorders even dough during the COVID 19 pandemic and lock down measuresDisclosureNo significant relationships.
Investigation of alpha-synuclein in patients with late-onset schizophrenia
Authors: Palchikova E. , Nikolaev M. , Lavrinova A. , Neznanov N. , Pchelina S. , Zalutskaya N. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionThere is no consensus about whether late-onset schizophrenia(LOS) is a type of schizophrenia or a secondary psychotic disorder. One of the theories of the occurrence of late-onset psychoses is neurodegeneration caused by the imbalance of proteostasis.ObjectivesTo study the concentration and expression of alpha-synuclein in patients with LOS compared with controls.MethodsThe study involved 42 patients with the ICD-10 criteria of schizophrenia with the onset of the disease after 45 years and 104 controls with no dementia and severe somatic pathology, comparable in age and gender. The alpha-synuclein level was estimated in a lymphocytic cell fraction from patients with LOS N=42 and controls N=104 using the Human alpha-synuclein ELISA kit. The expression of the SNCA gene was studied in 22 LOS patients and 22 controls and determined by PCR using the SYBR Green Supermix kit and the CFX96 instrument in comparison with the referent genes using previously developed primers. LOS group underwent psychopathological examination including scales. Statistics: SPSS 12.0; the Mann–Whitney test; exponential regression analysis; data is given as median (min–max). The level of significance was set at p<0.05.ResultsThe alpha-synuclein level is higher in patients with LOS (9.21 (0.78-29.52)) compared to control (6,355 (0.46-35.44)), p=0.024. The mRNA level of the SNCA gene is higher in the LOS group (0.533 (0.089-1.406)) compared to controls (0.087 (0.016-0.266) , p<0.001.ConclusionsOur study shows the relationship of alpha-synuclein with the manifestations of LOS. Obtained novel data can open up new targets for therapy and bring it closer to understanding the phenomenon.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Effectiveness of vortioxetine in real-world clinical practice: Italian cohort results from the global RELIEVE study
Authors: De Filippis S. , Pugliese A. , Simonsen K. , Ren H. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating disease in Italy affects 5.4% of people over 15 and 11.6% for the elderly. Efficacy of vortioxetine in adult patients with MDD was demonstrated in randomised controlled trials, there is a need for data on treatment in daily practice in Italy.ObjectivesTo present the effectiveness and safety data of vortioxetine in real-world setting from patients enrolled from Italy in the RELIEVE study.MethodsRELIEVE was a prospective, multi-national, observational study of outpatients initiating vortioxetine treatment for MDD at physician’s discretion. Data and outcomes of treatment of patients were collected at routine clinical visits. The primary outcome was functioning measured by SDS. Secondary outcomes included depressive symptoms measured by PHQ-9, cognitive funcion measured by PDQ-5, quality of life measured by EQ-5D-5L. Changes from baseline to month 6 were estimated with a linear mixed model of repeated measures approach.ResultsA total of 231 patients (mean age, 55.5 years, 27.3% over 65 years, 62% female) were enrolled from Italy and included in the analysis. Mean(SD) SDS total score, PHQ-9, PDQ-5 scores at baseline were 17.8(7.58), 15.7(5.97) and 9.8(4.99), the scores(SE) decreased by 6.6(0.64), 5.9(0.47) and 3.6(0.36) from baseline to last visit. Mean(SE) EQ-5D-5L utility index increased by 0.13(0.01). Safety and tolerability profile of vortioxetine was in line with the established profile.ConclusionsImprovements in overall functioning, depressive symptoms, cognitive function and quality of life were observed in patients treated with vortioxetine, including a wide proportion of elderly patients in a real-world setting.DisclosureA. Pugliese is an employee of Lundbeck Italy. K. Simonsen and H. Ren are employees of H. Lundbeck A/S.
Perfectionism and stereotype in plastic surgery
Authors: Hogea L. , Corsaro L. , Anghel T. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionThe concept of beauty has transformed through time and across the globe during specific events in history and continues to evolve.ObjectivesThis study will focus on how tendency toward perfectionism and stereotypes promoted by media influence beauty perception and the need of plastic surgery.MethodsIn this study we examined factors influencing attitudes toward plastic surgery among 23 women with an average 35 years old and the data were collected through three questionnaire: The abbreviated multidimensional perfectionism scale (MPS) is a 30-item measure separated into two 15-item subscales: self-oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism; The abbreviated perfectionistic self-presentation scale (PSPS) is a 20-item measure divided into two ten-item subscales: perfectionistic self-promotion and non-display of imperfection. Participants’ perceptions of media messages about appearance issues have been assessed using 30 items of the Sociocultural Attitudes toward Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3). Sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, physical appearance perfectionism were considered as predictors of tendency toward plastic surgery.ResultsThe results showed that there is significant positive association between perfectionism, the influence of mass media and increased women’ s likelihood of undergoing plastic surgery.ConclusionsOur findings suggest firstly that a greater perfectionist tendency and psychological investment in physical appearance predict more favorable attitudes toward plastic surgery. Perfectionists women may choose plastic surgery as part of their need of bodily perfection. Secondly, the choice of plastic surgery depended on sociocultural attitudes toward physical appearance.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Deficient Multisensory Integration with concomitant resting-state connectivity in adult ADHD
Authors: Schulze M. , Aslan B. , Lux S. , Philipsen A. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionADHD patients often report that they are being flooded by sensory impressions. Studies investigating sensory processing show hypersensitivity for sensory inputs across the senses. While studying unimodal signal-processing is relevant and well-suited in a controlled laboratory environment, our daily interaction with our environment does not occur merely unimodal. A complex interplay of the senses is necessary to form a unified percept. In order to achieve this, the unimodal sensory modalities are bound together in a process called multisensory integration (MI).ObjectivesIn the current study we investigate MI in an adult ADHD sample accompanied by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI).MethodsTwenty-five ADHD patients and twenty-four healthy controls were recruited. MI was examined using the McGurk effect, where - in case of successful MI - incongruent speech-like phonemes between visual and auditory modality are leading to a perception of a new phoneme. Mann-Whitney-U test was applied to assess statistical differences between groups. Resting-state functional MRI was acquired to realize a seed-to-voxel analysisResultsSusceptibility to MCGurk was significantly lowered for ADHD patients (ADHDMdn:5.83%, ControlsMdn:44.2%, U= 160.5, p=0.022, r=-0.34). When ADHD patients integrated phonemes, reaction times were significantly longer (ADHDMdn:1260ms, ControlsMdn:582ms, U=41.0, p<.000, r= -0.56). Seeded medio temporal gyrus was negatively associated in functional connectivity to primary auditory cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, and fusiform gyrus.ConclusionsMI seems to be deficient for ADHD patients for stimuli that need late attentional allocation. This finding is supported for higher functional connectivity from unimodal sensory areas to polymodal, MI convergence zones for complex stimuli.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
First-Episode Psychosis care in Central Europe: What we have learned and what we still need to do
Authors: Réthelyi J. 
Published: September 2022

First Episode Psychosis (FEP) treatment is a critical element of mental health-care systems, which has been shown to improve outcomes in this patient group. Due to divergent historical and political trajectories, countries of Central and Eastern Europe have taken a different course in the development of mental health-care. Among these differences is the less advanced level of present FEP treatment networks. Traditionally mental health-care is more inpatient based in these countries, with a lesser emphasis on specialized outpatient services, and early intervention programmes have been only launched during the last 15 years. Despite the lag of the development of FEP services, a variety of models has been already started in our countries. In my lecture I will review the literature about the Central and Esteran European region. I will also present good practices of how the existing early intervention programmes can be integrated into the traditional mental health-care systems.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Successful outcomes using Long Acting Buprenorphine (LAB - Buvidal) to treat Codeine, Tramadol and other Opioid Analgesia Dependencies (OAD) in Wales during the Pandemic
Authors: Melichar J. , Graver F. , Parimelalagan L. , Lewis J. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionLong Acting Buprenorphine (LAB) – Buvidal (CAM2038) – is a prolonged release treatment for opioid dependence in adults. Its extensive use was funded by Welsh Government during the pandemic in Wales and it has been found to be a significantly better than oral medications in improving quality of life, possibly through providing allostatic craving and anxiety reductionObjectivesThis is a case series of 10 patients who were referred to Community Addiction Services in North and South West Wales with OAD.MethodsPatients were mainly using Codeine or Tramadol and were referred due to either ongoing illicit use or via primary care services requesting support. As part of the pandemic initiative, they were initiated on Buvidal and followed up.ResultsAll ten patients successfully started on Buvidal without significant issues. As a group, if transferred straight to Buvidal, they tended to have fewer significant withdrawal symptoms prior to starting on the Buvidal compared to those on Methadone or Heroin. They were treated on the usual range of Buvidal doses (1 on 64mg, the others on 96-128mg monthly). They have all stabilised and successfully moved on with their lives on Buvidal. One has used the time on Buvidal to have psychological input around past traumas and successfully detoxified in the community using Buvidal.ConclusionsRecommendations for services considering OAD - it is a surprisingly effective treatment which is easy to start. It has the scope for being both an effective OAD recovery medication and a potentially simple detoxification strategy for this patient group.DisclosureProfessor Melichar has provided consultancy work, presentations, training and chaired panel discussions for all the companies in this area in the UK and some outside the UK. Recent work includes Althea (UK), Britannia (UK), Camurus (UK and Global), Martin
Psychotropic drug repurposing for COVID-19: a systematic review
Authors: Isayeva U. , Fico G. , Gomes-Da-Costa S. , Sagué Villavella M. , Gimenez A. , Manchia M. , Murru A. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionRecently, several antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics have been suggested to have favorable effects in the treatment of COVID-19.ObjectivesThe aim of this systematic review was to collect evidence from preclinical and clinical studies concerning the scientific evidence for the repurposing of psychotropic drugs in COVID-19 treatment.MethodsTwo independent authors searched PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycInfo, Clinical Trial Registration Site US (ClinicalTrials.gov) databases, and reviewed the reference lists of articles for eligible articles published up to May 31st, 2021. All preclinical and clinical studies on the effect of any psychotropic drug on Sars-CoV-2 or patients with COVID-19 were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for the quality assessment of clinical studies. This systematic review adheres to the PRISMA guidelines.Results22 studies were included in the synthesis: 9 clinical studies, 9 preclinical studies, and 4 computational studies. The use of antidepressants, both SSRI and non-SSRI, was associated with a reduced risk of severe complications of COVID-19. Several antipsychotics showed an increased risk for both Sars-CoV-2 infection and severe complications during COVID-19.ConclusionsThe current evidence supports a potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 role for several antidepressants, while the evidence on mood stabilizers or antipsychotics remains controversial. Drug repurposing proved highly successful in response to the current pandemic and psychotropic medications are widely used in clinical practice with well-known safety and tolerability profiles, showing antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties, being perfect candidates for possible treatment of COVID-19. Further research will deliver optimized and specific therapeutic tools that will increase the preparedness of health systems for possible future epidemics.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
The Development of a Complex FEP Program at Semmelweis University
Authors: Simon V. , Herman L. , Vass E. , Csukly G. , Zsigmond R.I. , Réthelyi J. 
Published: September 2022

Introduction First episode psychosis (FEP) programs target the first 3-5 years after the first manifestation of a psychotic episode. Although follow-up results after 10-15 years are mixed, reported results of the first 5-10 years are promising in improving relapse prevention, functional outcomes and reducing mental health care costs, compared to treatment as usual. Objectives Our objective was to develop the first complex FEP program in Hungary. Methods Male and female inpatients, (age:17-40years), hospitalized due to a first psychotic episode and consenting to participate, were included, since 2019 October. Drug induced psychosis and organic background in the etiology of the psychotic episode were excluded. Duration of the program is 2-3 years, based on the individual needs of the patients. The program provides detailed clinical and neuropsychological examinations, MRI, pharmacotherapy, various psychosocial interventions, and support group for relatives. Results Twenty-eight patients [15 male,13 female, mean age=22,4 (18-40)years] were included. The program has been repeatedly limited by COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatric control, pharmacotherapy, psychoeducation and supportive therapy, however could be continously provided via telepsychiatry, even during the lockdown. During the first 2 years, 90% of the patients remained in treatment, showed good compliance with pharmacotherapy; 10% of the patients were rehospitalized due to relapse. In the presentation, besides clinical experiences, preliminary clinical outcome data will also be presented. Conclusions The first complex FEP program in Hungary, although limited repeatedly by the pandemic, show promising clinical results with low relapse rates and high level of adherence to therapy in the first 2 years after a first psychotic episode.DisclosureNo significant relationships.