bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Explorative Study to Assess the Neuropsychiatric Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Dastidar Baidyanath Ghosh 
Published: June 2022

AimsTo assess the neurocognitive and psychiatric impact of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 recovered patients in a district COVID hospital in West Bengal, India.MethodsA total of 300 COVID-19 recovered patients who had suffered from SARS-CoV-2 and admitted at a district COVID hospital in West Bengal were selected by simple random sampling method. Informed consent was obtained from these patients. Subsequently a questionnaire based interview was conducted by trained clinical psychologist. The following scales were administered BDI (Depression), BAI, HAM A(Anxiety), SF 36 (Quality of Life), SCL 90 (Psychopathology), Addenbrooks scale (Neuro Cognitive impairment), socio demographic proforma which included vaccination status, pulmonary involvement and medical interventions.The data were analysed by SPPS and compared with matched control group and the following statistical tools were used - independent t test, spearman's rho, chi square test, linear regression analyses and z test.ResultsThe results of our study do not indicate any statistically significant differences in the psychosocial parameters (depression, anxiety, psychopathology and quality of life) between case and control group.Neurocognitive deficits not statistically significant in study population.Delirium experienced during admission process and vascular insult such as stroke significant in case versus control group.ConclusionOur study indicates that COVID-19 does not have any significant psychological or neurocognitive impact.Our study was one of the few interview based studies conducted on COVID recovered patients.Certain studies collected data from emergency room case records / meta analysis to suggest that COVID-19 may have a psychological sequel in the long term.Our study and similar interview based studies contradict this hypothesis.
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety Disorders in Adults: A Systematic Narrative Review
Authors: Harrison Lisa , Umla-Runge Katja , Hassoulas Athanasios 
Published: June 2022

AimsIn recent years there has been accelerated clinical interest in Mindfulness based interventions (MBI's) leading to an upswell in research due the impact of its wide clinical application. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) have recently been investigated for the beneficial treatment of anxiety-based disorders in adults. The aim of the current review was to appraise and synthesise findings of studies published within the last decade, in determining the efficacy of MBCT and ACT in treating anxiety disorders in adults, given gaps identified in the existing literature.MethodsScoping searches were conducted using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Emcare, and Cochrane databases. The Synthesis Without Meta-analysis protocol (SWiM) was adopted for this review, in evaluating the efficacy of MBCT and ACT for anxiety disorders in adults. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Standards.ResultsThe results of this review suggest that MBCT and ACT are effective therapeutic modalities in improving anxiety in adult populations. The results are, however, tentative. Whilst both MBI's show promise in the treatment of anxiety disorders, with the paucity of existing systematic reviews and methodological flaws within overall primary study design, the results should be interpreted with caution.ConclusionThe overall therapeutic effectiveness of MBI's has been assessed and the general data support its efficacy. However, a judicious approach is required as results continue to remain inconclusive grounded in the totality of the evidence.The current review revealed the ongoing methodological concerns encountered in determining the comparative effectiveness of MBCT and ACT for anxiety disorders in adults. Due to the current limited number of comparative studies of mindfulness based with mindfulness informed interventions, it could be suggested that a lack of systematic research is slowly influencing a collective understanding of MBI's being a homogenous group of treatments. The lack of delineation can have an impact on research, clinical practice and policy making. Further high quality research is required to continue to bridge the science practice gap. Without depth of understandings associated with the mechanisms of change and the impact that contextual aspects have on the outcome effectiveness, there are significant implications for practice and patient care. It is of importance that the adaptation and subsequent developments in clinical practice do not outpace the research base to fully understand the mechanisms that make each MBI effective, for which population and diagnoses.
“The Stress of the Situation”: How Do Compounding Experiences of Oppression Impact Emotional Distress Among a Diverse Sample of Internally Displaced People in Colombia?
Authors: Kerrigan Rachel , Burgess Rochelle , Fonseca Laura 
Published: June 2022

AimsAddressing the mental health needs of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Colombia has been identified as a public health priority. Women and disabled IDPs are recognised as under-researched populations, with differences in vulnerabilities to displacement and resettlement prospects. This thematic network analysis employs an intersectional approach to consider how compounding experiences of oppression impact emotional distress among IDPs to enable informed and appropriate service provision.MethodsThis is a qualitative analysis of a subset of data collected by the second author and her research team in 2017–18, as part of a larger action research project. Participants were randomly selected from the Victim's register in an industrialised municipality of Colombia. A subsample (n = 20) were invited to participate in life and family histories. Units of analysis were individual (n = 11) and family interviews (n = 9), with a mixture of self-identifying disabled and non-disabled men and women. River and tree of life tools were used to elicit culturally sensitive discussion of significant life events and ongoing distress. NVivo software and hand coding techniques were used to operationalise thematic webs. The analysis employed a grounded approach to thematic network analysis.ResultsThree global themes, each underpinned by several organisational themes, were developed. The first, Environments and contexts of displacement, considers the loss of land and community alongside the myriad of social institutions, legal entitlements, family circumstances, cultural expectations and stigma influencing participants' access to resources. The second, Making sense of it all, represents the emotional and cognitive responses to perceived injustices and eroded trust. The third, Mechanisms for managing distress, represents strategies employed by IDPs at individual and family levels. Relationships between employment status and gendered divisions of labour were noted, suggesting that non-disabled women were able to meet increased domestic and paid work demands following displacement, though this was a considerable source of stress. Concepts around racial, indigenous and class identities were alluded to by several participants but could not be fully developed due to relative scarcity of accounts within the dataset.ConclusionThe thematic networks presented illustrate several compounding and interrelated oppressions faced by IDPs, offering explanation as to how this produces and sustains emotional distress. Participants’ well-founded worries about economic security and childcare alongside concerns for safety and acceptance in host communities require co-ordinated, locally informed responses. Prevention and recovery programmes should consider interventions at a family level, whilst strengthening participants’ self-developed strategies for managing distress.
Insight Into Illness Among Inpatients in a Forensic Service - a Study From Dundrum Hospital as Part of the Dforest Study
Authors: Murray Sean , Davoren Mary , Kennedy Harry 
Published: June 2022

AimsWe endeavoured to ascertain if using a specific tool rating insight adds benefit over and above the insight ratings on violence risk assessment or recovery based tools currently in use and to see if they may be helpful in guiding clinical decision making.MethodsA cross sectional study of 104 forensic in-patients was completed. All current inpatients were rated for self-rated and clinician-rated insight using the VAGUS tool, a validated and reliable measure of insight into psychotic symptoms. All participants completed the self-rated scale independent of the clinician to avoid bias. Patients were also rated with the HCR-20, the Dundrum-3 and Dundrum-4, and the PANSS measures. Patients’ scores on the VAGUS tool and the other tools were compared to ascertain if any correlations could be identified.ResultsHigher scores on the VAGUS tool were associated with a greater degree of insight into psychotic symptoms. Clinician and self-ratings of insight on the VAGUS tool were different from but complimentary to the ratings for insight on the HCR-20 (r = 0.480, p = <0.001), the DUNDRUM-3 (r = 0.491, p = <0.001) and DUNDRUM-4 (r = 0.265, p = 0.041). An inverse relationship between the VAGUS scores and the scores on the PANSS measures (r = 0.452, p = <0.001) was found, correlating lower levels of insight with a higher degree of positive and negative psychotic symptoms. There was also a correlation between greater insight and progress through the care pathway to lower secure wards.ConclusionUsing a specific tool to rate insight adds benefit over and above the insight ratings on other tools currently in use and may be helpful in guiding clinical decision making in the forensic setting.
Moroccans’ Perception of Addiction: A Cross-Sectional Study on Stigma and Familiarity Dynamics
Authors: M'hamdi Ibrahim , Harbil Afaf , Bensaid Abdessamad , Benchekroun Omar 
Published: June 2022

AimsThis study aims to assess the stigmatization of Moroccans towards substance and nonsubstance addictions, as well as to explore its relationship with both demographic factors and addiction familiarity.Methods527 Moroccans anonymously participated in a cross-sectional study via an online survey that was distributed on social media. Participants were randomly assigned 2 vignettes describing either substance (Alcohol and Cannabis) or non-substance (Gambling and Social Media) addictions, followed by the Social Distance Scale and the Familiarity Scale.ResultsA total of 527 individuals answered our online questionnaire. The median age of respondents was 27.6 years (std = 15.66). 56% were females and 44% were males. Among the participants 45% were married and 50% were medical students or health professionals.Using ANOVA and a series of student t-tests, that yielded a p < 0.05, the following results were obtained:A moderate level of stigma was found towards all addictions, except for social media where no stigma was found (p < 0.05). In contrast, the familiarity level was high with social media addiction and low with the other addictions (p < 0.05).The women in our study showed higher stigmatization of all addictions, whereas older people (>43 years) showed higher stigmatization of substance addictions only.Different levels of stigmatization were observed towards the 4 types of addiction; the highest being cannabis addiction and the lowest being social media addiction.Regarding familiarity with addiction, males were more familiar with all types of addiction. Whereas, younger individuals (<23 years) were the least familiar with substance addiction.Moroccans’ familiarity levels with different types of addiction were significantly different. Familiarity with social media addiction was the highest whereas familiarity with gambling addiction was the lowest.Using the Pearson correlation, we found that stigma and familiarity concerning substance addiction were negatively correlated (r=−0,30, p < 0.01). A stronger, yet moderate relationship was found between stigma and familiarity regarding cannabis (r=−0,36, p < 0.01).ConclusionIt seems that Moroccans stigmatize against most addictions, which was found to be influenced by multiple factors including familiarity level, age, and sex. These findings can be used as a base to create a targeted educational campaign to tackle addiction in our society. No significant conclusions were made concerning whether or not the academic level or the health professional background influenced stigmatization, which raises concerns about the Moroccan academic and medical curricula's representation of addiction.
Metabolic Effects of Antidepressants; Is It Time to Change the Conversation?
Authors: Patel Anjali , Shanthakumaran Yathorshan , Rasheed Reshma , Nazir Imaduldin 
Published: June 2022

AimsThe incidence of depression has risen both nationally and internationally. The mainstay of management remains referral to IAPT and treatment with SSRI and SNRIs and the rates of prescribing are rising exponentially. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more people faced mental health challenges. In the last ten years, the incidence of SSRI prescribing rose from 6.8% to 100%. A known side effect of antidepressant medication is weight gain, dyslipidemia, increasing risk of impaired fasting glycaemia and diabetes. Our study was conducted to assess the actual risk incurred in our population from the point of starting therapy till date.MethodsPatients were identified from the GP clinical system (SystmOne) to identify those with a current prescription of antidepressants and antipsychotics. A retrospective analysis of 591 patients' case records was undertaken. Body weight, BMI, fasting glucose, HbA1c, fasting lipids and Q risk were analysed at the time of prescription initiation, post treatment and any rise in cardiovascular risk over a period of years. The data were analysed to see the trajectory of deterioration in metabolic risk. All patients were assessed to ensure they had been signposted and referred to weight management services.ResultsThe data show a positive correlation between the onset of antidepressant and antipsychotic prescribing, worsening of BMI, increase of cardiovascular and metabolic risk. The data show an exponential rise in BMI and metabolic risk (cardiovascular Q risk, dyslipidemia, imparied fasting glycaemia, diabetes and ischaemic heart disease) for patients taking SSRI and SNRI within 12 months. This effect continues for the length of the prescribing interval. We also found that with the rise of BMI dose, escalation was common due to reduced effectiveness. The average rise in cardiovascular Q risk average was 14.05% over three years. Patients need careful counselling at the outset and need regular reassessment of metabolic risks at each medication review. Informed consent must be obtained - risks of SSRI, SNRI and antipsychotic risk should be stated.ConclusionA known iatrogenic risk of antidepressant medication is weight gain, dyslipidemia, increasing risk of impaired fasting glycaemia and diabetes. Careful counselling and metabolic risk assessment is required when initiating these medications. Throughout the length of prescribing patients need re-assessment of their cardiovascular and diabetes risk with timely referral to weight management services to counterbalance metabolic risks.
A Mixed Method Study of Indian Mothers Assessing Impact of Lockdown in the Understanding and Burden of ADHD in Their Child
Authors: Patkar Prajakta 
Published: June 2022

AimsTo study the impact of the lockdown (pandemic) in the mother's understanding of the child's disorder (ADHD) and the burden faced by her.MethodsA mixed method design with a combination of a qualitative and quantitative approach. An in depth in-person semi structured interview with the participant mother was conducted as the qualitative part and the quantitative part of the study consisted of burden assessment by the Zarit Caregiver burden scale pre and post pandemic. The responses were transcribed and themes were identifiedResultsAs far as understanding of the disorder was concerned, the major themes identified were “Knew about the child's problems from teachers but online schooling made me see the child's issues in person” and “Knew about the illness but more time led to more bonding and more understanding”. When questioned about the burden faced, the major themes that evolved were “Increased burden as I felt exhausted taking care of child 24/7” and “Increased burden as I felt angry and irritated with my child, the school and family”. The Zarit caregiver questionnaire revealed a statistically significant difference in the burden before and after pandemic with more number of mothers falling in the mild to moderate & severe category of burden after the commencement of the pandemic.ConclusionCOVID-19 pandemic increased the caregiver burden for Indian mothers of children with ADHD. They understood a lot more about their child's disorders by spending more time and devised different ways and means of helping their child in academic and other areas.
Associated Mortality Risk of Atypical Antipsychotic Medication in Individuals With Dementia (AMRAAD): A Clinical Cohort Study
Authors: Phiri Peter , Engelthaler Tomas , Carr Hannah , Delanerolle Gayathri , Holmes Clive , Rathod Shanaya 
Published: June 2022

AimsAntipsychotic medications such as risperidone, olanzapine and aripiprazole are used to treat psychological and behavioural symptoms among dementia patients. Current evidence indicate prescription rates for antipsychotics vary and wider consensus to evaluate clinical epidemiological outcomes is limited. This study aims to investigate the potential impact of atypical antipsychotics on the mortality of patients with dementia.MethodsA retrospective clinical cohort study was developed to review United Kingdom Clinical Record Interactive Search system based data between January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. A descriptive statistical method was used to analyse the data. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were used to assess the severity and stage of disease progression. A study specific cox proportional hazards model was developed to evaluate the relationship between survival following diagnosis and other variables.ResultsA total sample size of 1692 patients were identified using natural language processing of which, 587 were prescribed olanzapine, quetiapine, or risperidone (common group) whilst 893 (control group) were not prescribed any antipsychotics. Patients prescribed olanzapine and Risperidone showed similar risk of death [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–1.60; P < 0.01], (HR = 1.35; 95%CI: 1.18–1.54; P < 0.001). Patients prescribed Quetiapine showed no significant association (HR = 1.09; 95%CI: 0.90–1.34; P = 0.38). Factors associated with a lower risk of death were elevated MMSE score at diagnosis (HR = 0.72; 95%CI: 0.62–0.83; P < 0.001) along with other demographic factors such as women (HR = 0.73; 95%CI: 0.64–0.82; P < 0.001) and being of a Caucasian British group (HR = 0.82; 95%CI: 0.72–0.94; P < 0.01).ConclusionA significant mortality risk was identified among those prescribed olanzapine and risperidone which contradicts previous findings although the study designs used were different. Comprehensive research should be conducted to better assess clinical epidemiological outcomes associated with diagnosis and therapies to improve clinical management of these patients.
Comparison of Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders Among the Adult Population in Bangladesh, Before and During the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Radwan Rifat Binte , Mallik Chiro Islam , Pike Grace 
Published: June 2022

AimsThe aims were to determine and compare the prevalence of possible psychiatric disorders among Bangladeshi adults before and during lockdown. It was hypothesized that prevalence of possible psychiatric disorders would increase during the lockdown. In Bangladesh, lockdown was implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in conditions where those prone to developing psychiatric disorders were more vulnerable in an environment where the mental healthcare infrastructure is already lacking. Although many studies outlined the devastating impact on mental health that the lockdown measures created, this unique study specifically uses a World Health Organization developed research instrument for a lower-middle-income country.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative study with one stage design to determine possible psychiatric cases. Initially, 603 adults were randomly contacted using Facebook messenger & groups and email. Questionnaires including the validated Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ)-20 in Bangla, for screening psychopathology of the cases, and a structured questionnaire containing socio-demographic and other related variables, were inputted into Google Forms and hyperlinks were distributed. Eventually, 570 participants, from 18 to 77 years, with Internet access, who completed the questionnaires, were included in the study through purposive and consecutive sampling. The SRQ variables were divided into four categories: (1) depressive/anxious; (2) somatic symptoms; (3) reduced vital energy; and (4) depressive thoughts. Using IBM SPSS Statistics, paired sample t-tests were used during data analysis.ResultsThe mean age of cases was 34.69 ± 13.02 years; male: female = 1.41:1. The prevalence of possible psychiatric disorders was 43.9% during lockdown compared to 23.3% before lockdown (t = 19.497, P = 0.000). Before lockdown, sex and employment status were significant factors for the SRQ positive cases. After lockdown, in the SRQ positive cases, sex, educational status, COVID-19 positive cases and death due to COVID-19 among family members were highly significant (p = 0.0001) factors. Somatic symptoms and depressive thoughts were approximately double in prevalence among the SRQ positive cases during lockdown compared to before lockdown.ConclusionThere was a significant impact on mental health where a reduction in psychological and socioeconomic support occurred. These findings are in line with those in the literature where somatic symptoms have been identified as most commonly experienced during the pandemic. Increased depressive thoughts are associated with increased feelings of possible impending death and fear of an uncertain situation. Clearly, the mental health infrastructure of Bangladesh is in even greater need of rapid change to ensure resilience to the survivors of the lockdown.