bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Bouhamed M. , Kolsi S. , Abdallah M. Ben , Feki I. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting diverse racial/ethnic groups throughout the world. It has a major impact on the patient’s quality of life, influencing career, social activities, family relationships, and all other aspects of lifeObjectives
To evalue the quality of life in patients with psoriasisMethods
Participants were outpatients of Hedi chaker University Hospital Center in sfax, Tunisia, recruited between January and July of 2017, diagnosed with psoriasis. A Demographic questionnaire and the Quality of life Questionnaire (SF-36) were administered in this study.Results44 patients were included in this study. They had with a mean age of 45.8 ±12.1. The majority of patients were married (70.5%), unemployed (40.5%), without medical heredity (84,6%). Psoriasis was in plaque (65.9%), guttate (20.5%) and pustular(13.6.5%). Its severity assessed by BSA, was mild to moderate in 72.7% of cases and associated arthropathy was noted in 29.5% of patients. The overall average SF-36 scale scores for all patients ranged from 4 to 98 with an average of 55.97. The quality of life of patients was impaired in 45.5% of casesQuality of life was significantly more impaired in patients with associated arthropathy (p=0.004). There is no significant differences for the different dimensions of quality of life regarding the clinical form of psoriasis.ConclusionsPsoriasis certainly has an impact on patients’ quality of life.So, dermatologists should give special attention to this subgroup of persons in order to prevent future psychopathology.
From trauma to pain - a pathway to dental anxiety
Authors: Pereira A.T. , Cabaços C. , Araujo A. , Soares M.J. , Macedo A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe main risk factor for dental anxiety is previous traumatic experiences of pain in the dental office. Other consistent etiologic factors are trait-anxiety and preparedness (genetic predisposition to increased sensitivity to pain and aversive stimuli). However, there is a wide inter-individual diversity in the anxiety experience – not all individuals with traumatic experiences at the dentist will develop dental anxiety anxietyObjectivesTo explore potential paths by which a traumatic experience at the dentist (TRAUMA) can lead to dental anxiety.MethodsA community sample of 552 adults (68.2% women; mean age= 35.15±15.790) completed the Portuguese validated versions of: Dental Fear Survey/DFS, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Sensitivity to Pain Traumatization/SPT Scale, Fear of Dental Pain/FDP Questionnaire and Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire–15.Results140 participants (25.2%) had TRAUMA; it was significantly (p<.01) correlated with trait-anxiety (Spearman r=.190), SPT (r=.192), FDP (r=.333), RNT (r=.274) and dental anxiety (DFA total score; r=.418). In the mediation analysis (PROCESS macro 3.5 for SPSS; Model 81; Hays, 2020), trait-anxiety and gender were controlled (as RNT, SPT, FDP mean scores were higher in women, p>.01). Our model was significant (R2=17.15%; p<.001) and showed that TRAUMA predicted dental anxiety directely [direct effect: 10.25 (95% CI - 7.10-13.40)] and also through SPT, FDP and RNT (5 significant indirect effects).ConclusionsThis study underlines the importance of avoiding traumatic experiences in the dental office and of good clinical communication in pain management. If trauma still occurs, dentist should learn how to reduce its impact on the sensitivity and fear of pain and on the RNT.
Relationship of cyberchondria to hypochondriac beliefs and internet use
Authors: Kumchenko S. , Rostovzeva N. , Rasskazova E. , Tkhostov A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAlthough cyberchondria was suggested as a separate phenomenon (Starcevic, Berle, 2013, Starcevic, 2017), it is by definition related to both health anxiety, general hypochondriac beliefs and behavior and Internet use (Baumgartner and Hartmann, 2011, Eastin and Guinsler, 2006, Singh and Brown 2014).ObjectivesThe aim was to reveal relationship between cyberchondria in adult Internet users, Internet use and hypochondriac beliefs and behavior.Methods
126 adults (18-70 years old) filled The Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS, McElroy, Shevlin, 2014), checklist of activities about health online, Scale for Assessing Illness Behavior (Rief et al., 2001), Cognitions About Body and Health Questionnaire (Rief et al., 1998).Results
Compulsion, Distress, Excessiveness, Reassuarance Seeking scales are related to various health-related activities online including both specialized (medical web-sites) and non-specialized (Wikipedia) ones (r=.25-.48, p<.01). Compulsion is closely related to surfing in social networks (r=.41, p<.01), excessiveness – to viewing of illnesses-related pictures (r=.48, p<.01) and reassurance seeking – to reading of online reports (r=.47, p<.01). Cyberchondria is related both to health anxiety (r=.37), hypochondriac behavior (r=.19-.41), beliefs about autonomic sensations, bodily weakness, intolerance to sensations and somatosensory ampliphication (r=.25-.31).ConclusionsIn general population, different aspects of cyberchondria seem to reflect health anxiety and hypochondriac beliefs but are differently related to different forms of online behavior including use of more or less specialized web-sites. Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00799.
Cognitive conversion disorder (functional cognitive disorder) – what’s new?
Authors: Morais J. , Fonseca S. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionSome patients present with significant subjective cognitive symptoms, sometimes interfering with day-to-day live, that are not compatible with any recognizable psychiatric, neurodegenerative or systemic condition. Recent studies have proposed that these patients can be diagnosed with Conversion Disorder (Subtype Cognitive), also known as Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD). This is a relatively recent concept, that still lacks consensus.ObjectivesReview the current state of knowledge regarding prevalence, diagnosis criteria, core clinical features and proposed treatment of Functional Cognitive Disorder.MethodsBibliographic review of the literature published in English in the last 5 years, in the databases Pubmed, PsycINFO and Cochrane. The keywords used were: Functional Cognitive Disorder; Cognition; Conversion Disorder. A review of the titles and abstracts of the resulting articles was made, and selected according to their relevance to the study.ResultsTen articles related to prevalence, diagnosis, clinical associations and treatment of Functional Cognitive Disorder were selected, of which two were systematic reviews, three descriptive studies, three cross sectional clinical studies of memory clinics attendants, one cohort prospective study and one article was a case series report.ConclusionsThe prevalence of FCD is estimated between 11.6% and 56% of patients presenting to memory clinics. However, the prevalence of FCD is hindered by the lack of consensus regarding its definition. Recently, Ball et al proposed a definition in line with the DSM-5 definition of Conversion Disorder with emphasis on positive criteria with the identification of positive evidence of internal inconsistency. Treatment discussion is still limited, and the approach is similar to other conversion disorders.
Changes in illness representations in patients with somatoform disorder after group-analysis therapy: Comparisons to psychoeducation program
Authors: Belokrylov I. , Semikov S. , Rasskazova E. , Tkhostov A. , Sadovnichaja V. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionPsychological work with cognitive beliefs were shown to be beneficial for patients with somatoform disorders and unexplained somatic complaints (Liu et al., 2019). There is still a question of whether these results are specific or common for different kind of interventions including psychoanalytic psychotherapy (Kaplan, 2014).ObjectivesThe aim was to reveal dynamics of illness perception after group analysis psychotherapy comparing to psychoeducation in patients with somatoform disorders.Methods100 patients with somatoform disorders were randomized to psychoeducation intervention (48 patients; 15 males and 33 females) and to the group analysis psychotherapy (52 patients; 15 males and 37 females). Before and after treatment they filled Screening for somatoforms symptoms (Rief, Hiller, 2003) and Illness Perception Questionnaire - Revised (Moss-Morris et al., 2002).Results2 (Groups) × 2 (Time: Before / After) ANOVA with repeated measures revealed major effect of time with both groups demonstrated equal decrease in somatoform symptoms during treatment (F=101.42, p<.01, η²=.52). Patients from both groups after treatment appraised their illnesses as having shorter duration without cycles, less severe consequences on their lives, reported increase in treatment control, understanding of their illness and decrease in emotional reactions (F=7.13-30.62, p<.01, η²=.07-.24). In group analysis condition only patients demonstrated increased beliefs that psychological and risk factors could impact their illness (interaction: F=4.58-7.24, p<.05, η²=.05-.07).ConclusionsPatients with somatoform disorders almost equally benefitted from both psychoeducation and group analysis but group analysis psychotherapy led to better awareness of psychological and risk factors of their illness.
Iatrogenesis as a possible cause of chronification of mental disorders
Authors: Villarroel C. Martín , Garcia L. Carpio , Revuelta M. Sánchez , Matsuura J. , García G. Belmonte , Cutanda J. Dominguez , Daza M. Fernández-Torija , García E. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionMost mental disorders tend to relapse (severe or mild pathologies such as anxiety or dystima disorders), which are potentially recoverable and yet, tend to evolve poorly, persisting residual symptoms without achieving a complete recovery.ObjectivesThe objective of this paper is to analyze the factors that influence process of recurrence and chronification, among which are our own therapeutic interventions.MethodsA bibliographic search was performed from different database (Pubmed, TripDatabase) about the iatrogenic potential of our intervention (psychopharmacological or psychotherapeutic), analyzing influence and mechanisms involved, and the way to prevent them.ResultsAnxiety is a necessary element for the development of people, both from a biological perspective (natural and adaptive psychological response that allows us to respond adequately to possible threats); as an evolutionary psychological (element involved in conflict resolution, in turn necessary for personal development). It would be a mistake to consider it as pathological and try to eliminate it through medication or psychotherapy, since we could interfere with the natural recovery processes, contributing to its chronification and preventing possibility of change. At times, anxiety can be pathological when it occurs disproportionately and exceeds ability to adapt, but we must not eliminate it but to study origin and factors involved, to achieve complete resolution.ConclusionsIn conclusion, we must consider possible iatrogenesis of our therapeutic interventions in process of chronification of mental disorders and try to avoid them by adequately studying individual factors and characteristics, before intervening.
Event-related potentials in a human serial conditioning paradigm
Authors: Pavlov Y. , Kotchoubey B. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionIn a serial compound conditioning paradigm, a sequence of several conditioned stimuli (CS) is predictive to an unconditioned stimulus (US) (e.g., CSA->CSB->US). Animal research showed that, when the US is aversive, CSA elicits the strongest conditioned response, while CSB appears redundant. These effects of primacy and proximity have never been investigated in humans.ObjectivesTo study the effects of temporal proximity of imminent threat and safety in serial compound conditioning.MethodsTwenty-two participants were presented with sequences [CSA->CSB->CSC->CSD]. In 55 trials all four CS were identical vowels (e.g, [oh]), and no US was presented. In the other 55 trials, the CSA was different (CSA+, e.g., [uh]), and the CSD was followed by an electrical shock (US) 2.5 times higher than the individual pain threshold.ResultsNo ERP component distinguished between CS- and CS+ for the first three stimuli in the sequence (i.e., CSA, CSB, CSC). The last CS (CSD) elicited a strong fronto-central CNV only when it was followed by US. Moreover, already after the CSA- (which signalized that no shock would be presented on that trial) the power of alpha oscillations over the somatosensory cortex significantly increased, particularly on the side contralateral to the hand that was electrically stimulated on US trials. The alpha increment lasted up to the onset of the US.ConclusionsThe data indicate two possible mechanisms of adjustment to predictable threat, one of which relies on safety signals (manifested in alpha increment), and the other is related to flight response (manifested in the CNV immediately preceding the shock).
Attitude towards psychological help in anxiety disorders
Authors: Vinogradova M. , Ermusheva A. , Kiselnikov A. , Tsvetkov V. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionIn anxiety disorders with a lot of research on the effectiveness of treatment procedure it is important to consider patients’ implicit attitude towards mental health services, especially psychological help.ObjectivesTo investigate the attitude towards psychological help in anxiety disorders.MethodsIn order to reconstruct an implicit attitude towards psychological help the method of color-emotional semantic associations (Kiselnikov et al., 2014) was used. Ten patients with anxiety disorders and 25 subjects from control group with no history of attending mental health services evaluated subjective differences between 15 semantic objects, 10 basic emotions and 10 colors. Factor analysis was used.ResultsThe analysis revealed the two-factor structure: “Valence” and “Arousal”. The semantic object “Psychological help” got 0.92 and 0.72 as first factor loadings and 0.26 and -0.65 as second factor loadings in anxiety disorders and in control group, respectively. The comparison showed a more intense and positive attitude towards psychological help in anxiety disorders. Contrariwise, the data for other semantic objects showed the tendency of more intense and negative evaluations in the clinical group.ConclusionsIn anxiety disorders a shift in the categorical structure of consciousness to more negative and intense attitudes could be associated to anxiety and threat readiness. However, the attitude towards psychological help was an exception as more intense and positive which could be considered as an important factor of the effectiveness of the treatment in anxiety disorders. The research was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research with the Grant 17-29-02506.
Cognitive and behavioral factors of quality of life in patients with somatoform disorders
Authors: Belokrylov I. , Semikov S. , Tkhostov A. , Rasskazova E. , Yavorovskaya A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionStudies of the cognitive and behavioral factors of perpetuation and quality of life in patients with somatoform disorders are important for identifying targets for psychological interventions and risk groups (Piontek et al., 2018, Dehoust et al., 2017, Schaefer et al., 2012, Flasinski et al., 2020).ObjectivesTo reveal beliefs and behavior in patients with somatoform disorders associated severity of somatic complaints and poorer subjective well-being.Methods125 patients with somatoform disorders 17-68 years old filled Screening for Somatoform Symptoms (Rief, Hiller, 2003), Cognitions About Body And Health Questionnaire (Rief et al., 1998), Scale for the Assessment of Illness Behaviour (Rief, Ihle, Pigler, 2003), and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnairie-18 (Ritsner et al., 2005).ResultsSeverity of somatoform symptoms is higher in patients with catastrophization of bodily sensations, autonomic sensations, belief in their bodily weakness, somatosensory amplification, scanning for bodily symptoms, and disturbances in daily activities due to illness (r=.18-.38, p<.05). Adjusting for the severity of somatoform symptoms, subjective well-being was lower in patients with higher belief in their bodily weakness and somatosensory amplification, autonomic sensations, expression of symptoms, and changes in daily activities due to illness (r=.21-.40, p<.05).ConclusionsThe results suggests that regardless of symptoms severity poorer quality of life in patients with somatoform disorders is associated with beliefs about body and body perception that could be addressed in psychotherapy.
Insight and self-esteem in patients with bipolar disorders
Authors: Hentati S. , Abdallah M. Ben , Daoud M. , Baati I. , Sallemi R. , Feki I. , Masmoudi J. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe recurrence of bipolar disorder due to poor treatment adherence can be explained by different factors.The poor awareness of the disorder seems to be the major cause.ObjectivesTo evaluate insight in patients followed for euthymic bipolar disorders and determine the factors correlated with it,mainly the self-esteem.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study of 33 euthymic subjects with bipolar I and II disorders (DSM 5) and followed up at the psychiatric consultation in Hédi Chaker university Hospital of Sfax.Data collection was performed using a sheet exploring socio-demographic and clinical data. We used Birchwood insight scale to assess the quality of insight and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem scale.ResultsThe average age of our patients was 44,52±12,99 years old.The sex ratio =0.32.Patients were followed for bipolar I disorder(60.6%).The first episode of the disease was depressive in(51.5%) of cases.The average number of depressive episodes was1.97±1.87.The last episode was depressive in(57.6%) or manic in(42.4%).There were no psychotic characteristics in(42.4%) of cases.The patients had good insight in(54.5%).The average of self-esteem score was27±7.85and it was low in 51.5% of cases.Factors correlated with good insight were bipolar II disorder(p=0.001), high number of depressive episodes(p=0.013) and absence of psychotic characteristics(p=0.003) during the last episode.In addition,good insight was significantly associated with low self-esteem(p=0.023).ConclusionsOur study shows that a poor insight depends mainly on the clinical characteristics of bipolar disorders. Moreover,low self-esteem seems to be linked to it. For this reason, our attention should be focused on psychoeducation to improve insight, especially during episodes, in order to facilitate integration and increase patients’ self-esteem.
Does bipolar disorder cause posttraumatic growth? Relationship between psychological resistance in patients with bipolar disorder and caregivers
Authors: Kırşavoğlu B. , Kumsar N. Akkişi 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionFocusing on the negative changes experienced by both patients and caregivers associatively caregiving and experiencing chronic mental illnesses, there is an increasing interest in the phenomenon of development after traumatic experiences with high levels of stress. These changes are in line with the concept of posttraumatic growth.Objectives
In the study, posttraumatic growth and psychological resilience in bipolar patients and caregivers has been examined in the context of the variables that are claimed to be related to it.MethodsWith the approval of ethics committee, 49 patients in euthymic period and caregivers, 49 healthy volunteers meeting the inclusion criterions, applied to Erenköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Training-Research Hospital outpatient clinics between July-December 2019 were included. While psychological resilience and posttraumatic growth scale were implemented to patients and caregivers only psychological resilience scale was applied to healthy volunteers. The relationship between posttraumatic growth and psychological resilience, patient and caregiver variables was examined through statistical methods.ResultsComparing with the patients and caregivers, respectively posttraumatic growth total scores were 57.7%-61.3% of the highest score obtained from the scale in the patients and caregivers. Considering the literature, patients and caregivers experienced moderate to high posttraumatic growth. Caregivers’ psychological resilience levels was higher than the other groups.ConclusionsThe results of the study are in line with the findings that, negative life experiences positively contributes to individuals. Knowing the factors affecting posttraumatic growth can make contribution to approaching patients and caregivers in clinical practice.
Psychosocial functionning in euthymic bipolar patients
Authors: Elleuch S. , Sellami R. , Ouali R. , Masmoudi R. , Feki I. , Masmoudi J. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionBipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, recurring illness that can lead to serious disruptions in functioning.ObjectivesTo evaluate functionning in this population and to explore the relationship with socio-demographic and clinical features of BD.MethodsThis is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study including patients with BD (DSM V) in euthymia, followed on an ambulatory basis to the Mood Disorders Unit of the Psychiatry A Department at Hedi Chaker Hospital University of Sfax between January and April 2019. Patients were considered euthymic if they scored less than 7 on the Young Mania (YMRS) rating scale and less than 8 on the Hamilton Depression scale (HDRS-17). The Short Function Evaluation Test (FAST scale) was used to evaluate functionning. Global functional impairment is defined by a total FAST score>11.ResultsWe recruited 62 patients with a mean age of 45.65 years (SD=13.3) and a sex ratio of 1.13. 88.7% of patients were followed for BD I and 11.3% for BD II. The mean age of onset was 29.37 years (SD=11.6). The mean numbers of manic and depressive episodes were respectively 3.73 (SD=3.8) and 2.48 (SD=2.9). The mean FAST score was 28.97 (SD=15). Overall impairment was observed in 85.5% of patients. Impaired functionning was significantly more frequent in patients with a history of surgery (p=0.046), in those with a higher number of depressive episodes (p<0.001) and in subjects with partial remission (p=0.01).ConclusionsThus, the treatment should target not only the improvement of symptoms but also the reduction of the incapacity of patients.