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Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) consists of preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others, and which cause a great social deterioration. Its prevalence in aesthetic medicine is around 10 percent, and it is higher in women.
Objectives
The overall objective of this systematic review is to gather integrated evidence to ascertain the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder in an aesthetic medicine practice and its association with satisfaction with the results of the derived interventions.
Methods
An initial search of ScienceDirect, PubMed, PsycInfo, Cochrane, and CINAHL was conducted. In addition, scientific journal publications, book articles and clinical guidelines were used. The search terms were: “body image”, “eating disorder”, and “aesthetic medicine”. The search included results from January 2000 to January 2023, in Spanish and English.
Results
The total number of participants in all studies was 3004. 42.86% of the studies were conducted between 2000 and 2009, while the rest were conducted from 2010 onwards. It has been observed that most patients with BDD seek non-psychiatric treatment for their perceived appearance defects. The result after an aesthetic intervention is that in most patients with BDD there is no improvement in the concern for the perceived body image defect, and they present greater dissatisfaction. A high number of patients with BDD are being overlooked in aesthetic medicine practice who should receive a combined medical and psychological intervention.
Conclusions
It is necessary to create protocols for an early diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder in the aesthetic medicine practice which include a comprehensive approach.
Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to defective copper metabolism. It manifests as neurologic, hepatic and psychiatric symptoms (Benhamla et al. Encephale 2007; 33(6):924–32). Through a case series of three family members, we emphasize the varied presentation of Wilson disease, and the need for investigation of metabolic causes of such symptoms especially in families with a history of consanguinity.
Objectives
We aim to underscore the importance of considering metabolic causes of psychiatric symptoms, particularly when these symptoms cluster within families.
Methods
The cases are presented followed by an exploration of social context, gaps in existing literature, and suggestions for clinical practise.
Results
Case 1: A 32-year-old male previously having received diagnoses of Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder over a period of 13 years presented with cognitive decline, delusions of persecution and reference, 2nd and 3rd person auditory hallucinations, preoccupation with cleaning and a significant decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living. Despite extensive psychiatric treatment, his symptoms worsened, raising suspicion for an underlying medical condition.
Case 2: A 16-year-old male, once a bright student, presented with progressive cognitive decline, poor working memory, social withdrawal, needing assistance with ADLs and sialorrhea for 2 years. These symptoms were initially misattributed to psychological stress and academic pressure, but the lack of response to treatment and worsening neurological signs of poor coordination raised suspicion for an organic cause. His eye exam was positive for Kayser Fleischer ring and his serum ceruloplasmin was below threshold level. This prompted a similar workup for his elder brother which was positive for Wilson disease.
Case 3: The mother of the aforementioned two patients, after witnessing her younger son’s decline, developed major depressive disorder with psychosis. Her symptoms started follwoing the stress of her children’s health problems and their lack of response to treatment.
Upon genetic counselling, the siblings of the first two patients revealed that they were both respectively engaged to be married to their first cousins and that their mother was adamant about these matches due to family traditions.
Conclusions
These cases underscore the need for a heightened suspicion of Wilson disease and other metabolic disorders in patients who belong to regions with high rates of consanguinity and have clustering of psychiatric disorders in their family. Further studies are needed to determine the true prevalence of Wilson disease in Pakistan which may be relatively high due to the common practise of cousin marriages (Zimbrean et al. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2014;36(1):53–62).
Understanding resilience becomes important given that adversity is an unavoidable fact of human life. Over 70% of respondents in a sample of 68,894 people reported at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. The neurotoxic effects of these experiences range from compromised neurocompetence, psychopathology including PTSD and depression, to adverse physical effects.
Objectives
To determine if we could reliably agree on ratings of resilience on a five point scale to aid future studies of the role of resilience in recovery and relapse.
Methods
To assess resilience we developed a five point scale with 1 being the least and 5 behind the most resilient pattern. We found a water metaphor useful to conceptualize these five levels of resilience. Resilience in an ever-changing world can be likened to navigating in a body of water. Adversity tosses us into the water. Here are our levels:
Level 1: At this level, the person sinks to the bottom and remains there. They are making no effort to change their circumstances and remain stagnant.
Level 2: At this level, the person is not sitting at the bottom, but has not yet reached the surface. They are in a place of struggle and resistance, where change is elusive.
Level 3: The person is treading water at this stage. They are working hard to stay afloat, but not making significant progress in altering their overall situation.
Level 4: They’re swimming toward shore, toward a more favorable environment in which they can thrive. They’re actively seeking change and adjustment to a post-adversity reality.
Level 5: At this point, they’ve managed to climb out of the water and change their circumstances. Their resilience allows them to overcome challenges and seek better surroundings.
We used kappa statistics to assess our level of agreement among ourselves (three raters) after studying and discussing prototypical stories for each rating level.
Results
Practicing with training videos, we found we could achieve 84% agreement on the five ratings with 3 raters.
95% CI for free-marginal kappa [0.66, 0.94]; Fixed-marginal kappa = 0.78; 95% CI for fixed-marginal kappa [0.62, 0.93]
When we added AI, we got Percent overall agreement = 71.33% Free-marginal kappa = 0.64; 95% CI for free-marginal kappa [0.50, 0.79]
Fixed-marginal kappa = 0.61; 95% CI for fixed-marginal kappa [0.51, 0.71]
Conclusions
The individuals who fit into the pattern of low resilience tended to have a high amount of childhood adverse experiences as shown through the ACE survey. The accumulation of these events in combination with external variables shape resilience. Factors including intelligence/education level, drug/alcohol use, positive role models, exposures to nature/art/spirituality, and community/family norms steer a person down a set of patterned thinking and actions which ultimately depict their overall life story.
Constipation is a common side effect of antipsychotic drugs [1] that has not received much attention.
In patients treated with clozapine, constipation may be the most common side effect, affecting one in three patients [2, 3].
Cases of delayed detection of symptoms of constipation or inadequate treatment of constipation have resulted in paralytic ileus, faecal impaction, intestinal obstruction and even death [4,5].
However, other risk factors for constipation are also common in people with schizophrenia, such as low socio-economic status, a sedentary lifestyle, and illnesses and medications associated with constipation.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Objectives
To assess constipation in patients with schizophrenia hospitalised at the Arrazi psychiatric hospital in Salé and to study the factors associated with these symptoms: socio-demographics, lifestyle, psychotropic drugs, other drugs and co-morbidities such as diabetes and obesity.
Methods
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a questionnaire including sociodemographic and clinical criteria as well as questions on the lifestyle of hospitalised patients with schizophrenia to assess constipation in these patients and study the factors associated with these symptoms.
Exclusion criteria: intellectual disability.
Results
A total of 167 patients admitted to the psychiatric hospital for management of schizophrenia were collected. Approximately 69% were male. Adherence to antipsychotics was poor in most patients. 53% were on haloperidol, 25% on olanzapine and 12% on clozapine. Diabetes was present in 21% of patients. Constipation was present in 57% of patients. Most participants had a lifestyle without physical exercise and a balanced diet.
Conclusions
Constipation is common in patients with schizophrenia on antipsychotics, with the risk of complications sometimes severe. It is recommended that clinicians assess antipsychotic-induced constipation and manage it effectively.
Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders continue to face societal stigma. This stigma contributes to their loneliness and marginalization, acting as a significant barrier to recovery and clinical stabilization. While medication and clinical follow-up are essential for treatment, social factors are also crucial for individuals to achieve a functional and fulfilling life. It is necessary to explore these factors in this this study.
Objectives
To explore the social factors affecting the recovery and clinical stabilization of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
- To identify the support needs of these patients to enhance their functional and fulfilling lives.
- To assess the impact of societal stigma on the well-being and integration of individuals with schizophrenia.
- To examine the role of mental health professionals and family involvement in reducing stigma and improving social functioning.
- To highlight the importance of vocational interventions and supportive environments in facilitating the integration of patients into society.
Methods
For the purpose of conducting the non-systematic narrative review on the topic, we performed a search for articles in the PubMed database.
Results
Improvements in the effectiveness of antipsychotics and earlier intervention are enabling more patients to reach a cognitive level that supports a functional life, including maintaining interpersonal and occupational relationships. Thematic analysis has identified four key support needs: skill development, vocational intervention, support and encouragement, and a supportive work environment.
The involvement of mental health professionals with the patient’s family is also crucial for addressing and reducing the stigma associated with the illness, thereby enhancing understanding of the individual within the context of their condition.
Social anhedonia, which impairs social functioning, is a significant concern. Additionally, the risk of suicide is notably higher during the initial phase of schizophrenia compared to the general population.
Conclusions
After achieving clinical stabilization with antipsychotics and other psychotropic medications, intervention in the social sphere becomes crucial for the patient’s well-being and functionality. Having a professional occupation, when feasible, is a positive indicator of patients’ integration and their role in society.
To support this integration, psychiatry services and civil society must enhance their efforts. This includes developing occupational services, establishing partnerships with local businesses, and improving public awareness about schizophrenia.
In 2015, China adopted “Made in China 2025” to upgrade its manufacturing sector and to engage firms in contributing to state priorities including economic growth and national security. Since 2015, the media and academics have noted that manufacturing firms of more strategic importance received more subsidies. However, firms manufacturing cutting-edge products do not necessarily mean that they are willing to meet the state’s political goals. This article argues that China grants more subsidies to manufacturing firms more connected to the party-state. Data on manufacturing firms listed in China supports the argument. Data also demonstrates that when manufacturing firms are more politically connected, the positive effects of subsidies on local manufacturing growth and on firm-level productivity tend to decrease. The symbiotic relationship between politically connected firms and the party-state may curb on the growth momentum, which contradicts one of the key goals of “Made in China 2025”: economic growth.
A person with “high-risk mental status (HRMS)” indicates that the person, usually young people between the ages of 14 and 25, is more likely to develop psychosis. These people have attenuated psychotic symptoms without reaching the intensity or frequency of a frank psychotic episode. It is suggested that psychological trauma could favor neurochemical and psychopathological changes in a vulnerable individual. It would be interesting to study the role of psychotherapeutic interventions in the course of high-risk mental states and their possible evolution to a psychotic disorder.
We present the case of an 18-year-old adolescent whose diagnosis was high risk of psychosis.
Objectives
This work has several objectives. On the one hand review current information on high-risk mental status (EMAR). On the other hand, develop a discussion about whether the EMAR category should be a diagnostic entity or just a condition.
Methods
A bibliographic search has been carried out in the main sources of medical information such as Pubmed, Uptodate as well as in national and international journals. Likewise, the knowledge and clinical experience of the team has been reviewed in order to expose its own experience in this field, defining specific interventions as well as results.
Results
The case presented is of an 18-year-old female patient. She states that the main reason for consultation is something that happened last Sunday, at which time he had “an identity crisis” in which he did not know if he was a girl or a boy. The reasoning behind this fact is that “as Pablo Alborán likes him, perhaps he is a boy”. Given the bizarreness of the explanation and the patient’s particular contact, I explore a previous psychopathological situation. She says that since last year she feels more insecure, with diffuse fear that it is difficult to specify or nominate something specific: “in class and that is very difficult for me, public presentations”, she says that “everything scares me”, she says that she has a non-specific fear that has been maintained even increasing over the months and that has led him to have greater anguish. Even though the patient dates the beginning of the picture on Sunday, it is noteworthy that the previous Thursday she had requested a consultation with psychology in the private circuit that although she does not know how to specify the reason “because of fears” it seems that the anguish resulting from this fear had been increasing, having greater difficulties for the presentations in class. The contact is psychotic and the situation that the patient describes is typical of a “treme” situation, cataloged in the current literature as a High-Risk Mental State.
Conclusions
High-risk mental states are not a diagnostic category according to current classifications, although it is necessary to reach a consensus on what the diagnosis implies and what would be the way to proceed when a patient presents these symptoms.
Very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP) is one of the largest group of mental illnesses in late life after dementia and depression. The question of role of cognitive impairment and the risk of dementia development in this group is still open.
Objectives
To determine the relationship between cognitive impairment and clinical features.
Methods
65 patients (62 woman, 3 man), medium age 72,5 [63,5; 78,5], medium age of onset 69 [62; 76] with schizophrenia (F20), n=23; chronic delusion disorder (F22.81), n=7, organic schizophrenia-like disorder (F06.2), n=7, schizoaffective disorder (F25), n=11, manifesting after 60 years, underwent clinical examination. The assessment was carried out using clinical-psychopathological, psychometric and statistical methods.
Results
Based on clinical and psychopathological features, 3 clinical groups were formed. The group of patients with acute polymorphic symptoms with mental disorganization included 25 patients. The cognitive impairment was the most acute in this group and correlated with psychotic and affective symptoms. It reduced by the 28th day of investigation, but didn’t reach the normative ones, which may indicate the presence of persistent cognitive dysfunction associated with the present neurobiological changes and creates particular concern regarding the development of a neurodegenerative process in this group of patients.
The 2nd group included 30 patients with a predominance of paranoid symptoms with an “age” coloring, which, however, wasn’t the leading plot. Cognitive impairment was less pronounced compared to the first group and was stable in nature, was not associated with the degree of reduction of psychotic and affective symptoms. This allows us to consider it as a predictor of the development of psychosis.
The 3rd group included 10 patients and was characterized by the prevalence of affective and delusional symptoms with acute sensory delirium, pseudodementia at the height of the condition. The degree of cognitive decline at the beginning of the study was comparable with patients in the 2nd group. High correlations were established between the degree of reduction of productive and affective symptoms and the improvement of cognitive functions. A complete reduction of existing disorders was noted by the end of treatment, which may indicate a more congenial prognosis.
Conclusions
This study confirms the results of previous studies on presence cognitive impairment in patients with VLOSLP, and in addition demonstrates specific differences in cognitive profiles depending on the clinical variant of VLOSLP.
Recent studies have demonstrated the positive effects of mindfulness-based interventions on stress reduction in healthy individuals. Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) often experience elevated stress levels due to multiple factors. According to literature, plasma and saliva levels of oxytocin (OXT) and cortisol can serve as biological stress markers. However, the interaction between mindfulness, stress, and the oxytocinergic system in SSD remains unexplored.
Objectives
This exploratory study investigates the impact of mindfulness-based group therapy (MBGT) on biological stress parameters, including OXT and cortisol levels in plasma and saliva, and changes in psychological stress parameters.
Methods
A blinded, randomized, and controlled study was conducted. Participants were assigned to either MBGT with four weekly sessions in addition to treatment as usual (MBGT+TAU) or only treatment as usual (TAU). Venous blood and saliva samples were collected before and after the MBGT sessions to determine OXT and cortisol levels. Self-reported questionnaires measured stress via visual analogue scales before and after the MBGT sessions.
Results
A total of 48 outpatients with SSD received either MBGT+TAU (n=25) or TAU (n=23). Analyses revealed a significant reduction in subjective stress levels during each MBGT session. After the MBGT sessions, a significant reduction in cortisol levels was observed, which correlated with the reduction in subjective stress experience. During the first session, oxytocin levels significantly increased in the saliva. However, in the last session, there was a significant decrease in oxytocin levels in both blood and saliva. Additionally, the MBGT+TAU group showed significantly lower OXT plasma levels at the end of the intervention compared to the TAU group.
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Conclusions
The outcomes of this study provide insights into the potential effects of mindfulness on biological and psychological stress parameters in SSD. Consistent with recent research, we found significant effects on subjective stress and changes in oxytocin and cortisol levels throughout the MBGT intervention. A fully powered trial is needed to determine the efficacy of these findings.
Suicidal ideation, encompassing thoughts, planning, and the desire for death, is a critical facet of the suicidal process, potentially leading to suicide attempts and completion. Understanding its prevalence and severity among college students is vital for preventive interventions.
Objectives
Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence and severity of suicidal ideation among college students.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional and analytical study among students from various faculties in Sfax between October 2022 and January 2023. Student recruitment occurred electronically through a Google Forms questionnaire, emphasizing anonymity and the study’s scientific purpose. We utilized the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (French Version) (SIDAS-FR) to identify and assess the severity of suicidal ideation.
Results
Our sample comprised 149 students, predominantly female (83,20%), with an average age of 26 years. Among them, 78,5% were single, and 81,9% lived with their families. Nearly half of the students were from the Sfax Faculty of Medicine, and 64,4% were in their 3rd cycle of education. The mean total score on the SIDAS scale was 1,21 +/- 3,84. Suicidal ideation was reported by 11,4% of participants, with 5,36% indicating moderate to high severity. Factors associated with suicidal ideation included psychiatric disorders (p=0,00), alcohol consumption (p=0,033), psychotropic medication use (p=0,001), and unsatisfactory intrafamily communication (p=0,036).
Conclusions
Suicidal ideation, a concerning issue, particularly among young people, demands focused attention in public health efforts. Understanding the associated factors is pivotal for prevention strategies, emphasizing the importance of mental health support and effective communication within families.
With increase in life expectancy, there is growing interest in quality of life. Sleep is receiving increasing attention among the elderly.
Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the changes in sleep quality with increasing age and the effect of age on the components of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Methods
We used data from the Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018. A total of 228340 participants in this nationwide survey. Sleep quality was assessed using the PSQI. Adults aged ≥ 19 years were divided into six age groups and one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) was used to compare the mean values of PSQI of each group. By comparing the scores for each PSQI component in those aged ≥ 65 years and < 65 years, we aimed to reveal the differences in special components according to age group.
Results
In total, 223334 respondents were included in the study. Based on a one-way ANOVA, the PSQI score generally increased with age. Although the average PSQI score of patients in their 40s was lower than that of patients in their 30s, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.11). When the PSQI component was compared between the population aged over and under 65 years, the population aged ≥ 65 years scored higher in most components. In contrast, daytime dysfunction scored higher in the population aged < 65 years.
Conclusions
Sleep quality tends to decrease with increasing age. Several factors, including physiological changes, underlying physical conditions, and psychosocial factors, may contribute to a decrease in sleep quality with age.
Within disciplines that aim to understand past cultures by studying the objects they made, research methodologies can move between example-based object-specific investigations and whole-of-corpus data-driven analyses. And when the count of extant objects is relatively small, every single individual object has the potential to uniquely contribute to new knowledge or transform existing paradigms. But how does a researcher know how many objects there are, where they are, how they have been studied and written about in the past, and which may be awaiting closer examination? This article introduces an object-literature framework that connects objects to the literature that mention them and creates an error-corrected resource that enables the tracing of objects through published literature and through time. The specific example described here applies the framework to khipus (knotted-cord recording devices from the Andes), to create the “khipu-biblio cross-reference.” Key findings include comprehending the pattern of khipu publications, identifying understudied khipus, and updating the count of known khipus and their locations. By applying the framework to any collection of objects, researchers and collections teams can draw substantial benefits and accelerate the generation of new knowledge.
Cognitive dysfunction is well documented in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, including impairments in attention, memory, executive function and social cognition. These impairments are associated with poor social functioning and reduced activities of daily living.
Various therapeutic interventions have targeted cognitive impairment in both schizophrenic and bipolar patients. Several trials and meta-analyses are currently available. In addition to psychopharmacology, cognitive remediation programmes are available and have been shown to be applicable in clinical practice.
In conclusion, as we move towards more integrative and personalised treatment strategies for schizophrenic and bipolar patients, new assessments and therapies are available to target cognitive dysfunction. Not least because there are currently no cognitive enhancers on the market, it is hoped that new pharmacological adjunctive strategies can improve cognition in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
The expansion of institutional long-term psychiatric care, while well-intentioned, repeats the historical failures of the 19th century answer to severe mental illness: asylums—facilities often marred by neglect, abuse, and the marginalization of individuals with mental illness. Many of the handicaps of persons living in these asylums were not the consequence of the mental health disorder but were iatrogenic damage done by living in these asylums. Though modern psychiatric institutions are more regulated, institutionalization inherently limits autonomy and reinforces stigma, undermining recovery-oriented models of care. Instead of diverting resources to rebuild large-scale facilities, investment should focus on strengthening community-based services, supportive housing, individual placement and support and integrated care models that empower individuals with serious mental illness to live fulfilling lives within society. Evidencebased outpatient programs, Flexible Assertive Community Treatment teams, peer support networks, recovery colleges, mobile crisis teams, peer farms, respite houses offer more humane, cost-effective, and person-centered alternatives. Addressing systemic challenges—such as poverty, lack of housing, lack of social connectedness and fragmented healthcare systems—can better serve this population without reverting to institutional confinement. Long-term solutions must prioritize dignity, autonomy, and inclusion rather than a return to segregated care.
The evolution of digital technologies creates new potential in training specialists who work with children with speech development disorders (6A01.0, ICD-11). The use of digital tools, such as video cases depicting real or simulated speech disorders, provides more opportunities for students to acquire practical diagnostic skills in classroom settings before encountering real individuals with speech disorders.
Objectives
Identifying the attitudes of students, future speech therapists, towards the use of classroom-based diagnostic simulation as a form of training.
Methods
Sixty-two second-year students in the Speech Therapy program were surveyed. The future specialists were asked to anonymously answer open-ended questions about which training methods they consider most effective for enhancing their competencies in diagnosing children with speech disorders.
Results
Forty-three students indicated that they would like to increase the number of practical hours in pre-schools and schools, where they can observe real cases of speech disorders. Thirty-nine students responded that during classroom sessions and self-study, they would like to have unlimited access to video materials showcasing the widest possible range of speech disorders.
Conclusions
Future speech therapists are highly interested in the practical study of speech disorders. However, during their internships, students are often limited in their access to diverse range of examples of the disorders. Creating an educational digital resource featuring video cases which allows students to study cases of speech disorders not only during class time but also during independent work at their own convenience and pace will significantly contribute to successful development of diagnostic competencies. This paper has been supported by the Kazan Federal University Strategic Academic Leadership Program (PRIORITY-2030).
Patients with breast cancer have a higher incidence of psychiatric symptoms and mental illness compared to those without a cancer history. Breast cancer survivors often experience increased depression, anxiety, neurocognitive and sexual dysfunction, sleep disorders, stress-related conditions, and other psychiatric issues. Psychopharmacological intervention plays a key role in managing both comorbid mental illness and cancer-related symptoms caused by the disease or its treatment. However, there is limited scientific evidence regarding the specificities of psychotropic drug prescriptions in patients undergoing antineoplastic therapy.
Objectives
Considering the specificities of this population (greater physical fragility, polypharmacy) and the limited scientific evidence on the subject, the aim of this work is to review the literature on the use of psychotropic drugs—antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and psychostimulants—in the treatment of psychiatric symptoms and cancer-related symptoms in this patient population, with a particular emphasis on psychopharmacological-antineoplastic drug interactions.
Methods
A non-systematic literature review using PubMed as the database.
Results
In patients undergoing tamoxifen treatment, the use of psychotropic drugs that have inhibitory properties on cytochrome P450 (CYP2D6), the enzyme responsible for its metabolism into its active form (endoxifen) should be avoided. This specificity limits the use of strong inhibitors of this enzyme, such as some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors—fluoxetine, paroxetine, and fluvoxamine. In the use of antipsychotics, the preference for drugs less associated with hyperprolactinemia should be considered when managing these patients. Commonly used mood stabilizers, such as lithium and valproic acid, do not interact with the most commonly used antineoplastic drugs in breast cancer, and are frequently used in this population safely, requiring the same monitoring as in the general population.
Conclusions
The need for pharmacological management of psychiatric symptoms or illnesses in the breast cancer population is a reality for which there is still little information in the available scientific literature. It is crucial that the use of psychotropic drugs is carefully monitored due to the potential pharmacological interactions with antineoplastic treatments, which may alter the efficacy or increase the toxicity of the drugs. For this reason, the present review is important and can enrich clinical practice. Collaboration between psychiatrists and oncologists is essential to optimize treatment and improve the quality of life for these patients.
Patients with predominant negative symptoms of schizophrenia experience severe functional impairment and limited response to pharmacological treatments. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has shown potential for treating negative symptoms, but its impact on long-term outcomes, such as time to relapse, remains underexplored.
Objectives
This study aimed to determine whether TMS with an H7-coil prolongs time to first relapse compared to sham stimulation in patients with low positive symptomatology and predominant negative symptoms.
Methods
This study was a randomized, sham-controlled trial at the Psychiatric Clinic Sveti Ivan, Zagreb, Croatia. The target population were patients with PANSS negative symptoms score > 24 and PANSS positive symptoms score < 20, on stable pharmacotherapy for at least three months The intervention group received high-frequency TMS with an H7-coil, while the control group received sham stimulation, both applied once daily for 20 sessions over four weeks. The outcome was time to first psychiatric relapse, defined as psychiatric rehospitalization. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards models were used for statistical comparisons.
Results
A total of 76 outpatients with schizophrenia, aged 18-55 were included; 33% were women. Over the 12-month follow-up, 29% in the H7 group and 24% in the sham group experienced a relapse. The median time to relapse was not reached in either group. The hazard ratio (HR) for relapse in the H7 group relative to sham was 0.82 (95% CI 0.34; 1.97), suggesting no significant effect of TMS on delaying relapse. Adjusted Cox regression model for age, gender, baseline severity of negative and positive symptoms, pharmacotherapy, and number of prior hospitalizations showed similar results (HR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.30; 2.46, p = 0.769). Significant predictors of relapse were baseline severity of negative symptoms (HR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.79; 0.99, p = 0.026) and the number of prior hospitalizations (HR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.16; 2.82, p = 0.009).
Conclusions
No significant effect of H7-coil TMS on delaying relapse was observed in patients with schizophrenia and predominant negative symptoms. Median survival was not reached in either group, suggesting the need for longer follow-up to fully evaluate potential benefits. Baseline severity of negative symptoms and prior hospitalizations should be considered when assessing relapse risk in this patient population.
Nomophobia among university students is recognized as an addictive issue, as their attention is often difficult to divert from smartphones, especially during class. This issue is increasingly evident among nursing students, who frequently check their smartphones during class (p < 0.001), making nomophobia an important concern.
Objectives
We conducted an umbrella review aimed at assessing the prevalence of different psychological and behavioral symptoms among nursing students, including nomophobia, anxiety, sleep disturbances, fear, and stress.
Methods
This meta-synthesis combined evidence from 20 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, incorporating 354 primary studies. Publication records were retrieved from PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus. The methodological quality of each meta-analysis was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 tool. Reporting followed the PRISMA guideline checklist.
Results
Our synthesis revealed that 28% (95% CI: 24%–33%) of nursing students experience psychological and behavioral symptoms. Nomophobia/smartphone addiction was observed at 30% (95% CI: 12%–49%). Other prevalent symptoms included anxiety at 29% (95% CI: 17%–40%), sleep disturbances at 48% (95% CI: 5%–91%), stress at 27% (95% CI: 17%–37%), and fear at 41% (95% CI: 7%–75%).
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that nursing students are increasingly involved in nomophobia. As smartphones play a central role in daily life, digital detoxification is not easy. Although our research did not explore the relationship between nomophobia and other symptoms, the presence of issues such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, fear, and stress in nursing students warrants further investigation.
Severe asthma (SA), often associated with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), contributes significantly to global disability and mortality. A personalized treatment approach, including addressing treatable traits like mental health, is crucial for improving outcomes. The impact of panic disorder (PD) on asthma symptoms and outcomes requires investigation due to their epidemiological association.
Objectives
To cross-sectionally compare the clinical presentation of outpatients with SA and/or CRSwNP, with and without PD, treated at the Personalized Medicine Asthma and Allergy Clinic, Humanitas Research Hospital.
Methods
Participants were consecutively recruited among outpatients attending follow-up visits to treat SA and/or CRSwNP from February to March 2024. All were previously enrolled in the SANI (Severe Asthma Network Italy) or RINET (Rhinosinusitis Italian Network) registries. Participants completed a comprehensive self-report survey on sociodemographic, lifestyle, medical, and psychiatric information, along with validated questionnaires assessing asthma control, severity of nasal obstruction, burden and emotional responses to physical symptoms, psychophysical well-being, and the PD module from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) screening tool, to identify provisional diagnoses for current or past PD. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis, post-hoc Dunn’s, and Fisher’s exact tests, with Holm’s adjustment for multiple comparisons. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results
Seventy-nine patients, 46 women (58.2%) and 33 men (41.8%), participated in this study. Thirty patients (38%) had SA only, 44 (55.7%) had both SA and CRSwNP, and 5 (6.3%) CRSwNP only. Current PD was identified in 7 outpatients (8.9%), while 12 (15.2%) had past PD. Compared to patients who have never experienced PD, those with current PD had significantly worse asthma control, more severe nasal obstruction, greater dyspnea and physical symptom burden, as well as greater proneness to catastrophizing about asthma, heightened attentional focus on internal bodily sensations, and lower quality of life. Patients with past PD had greater dyspnea and physical symptom burden, swallowing difficulty, and reduced quality of life compared to those without PD. No significant differences were found between current and past PD groups.
Conclusions
The prevalence of current or past PD among patients with SA and/or CRSwNP was approximately three times higher than in the general population, corroborating previous epidemiological findings. PD was associated with poorer asthma and nasal symptom control, along with a higher burden and sensitivity to respiratory and physical symptoms. Our preliminary results suggest a need for PD screening and targeted interventions for these patients. Further studies with psychiatric interviews and objective respiratory measures are warranted.
Nefashot, meaning “Souls” and “People” in Hebrew, is an initiative dedicated to promoting mental health awareness through cultural and artistic expressions, fostering inclusive dialogue. Art serves as a critical tool in this mission, using its visual language to make difficult conversations possible and amplify voices that are often unheard.
Objectives
The “Nomadic souls” project aims to raise awareness about the intersection of migration and mental health through the presentation of high-quality contemporary art in exhibitions, curated by professional curators and researchers. By showcasing diverse artistic perspectives, it seeks to foster deeper understanding and dialogue around these critical issues.
Methods
This project is a collaboration between Nefashot, the art initiative KAKDELART, and curators Vera Gailis and Anna Smoliarova, who together launched a call for Israeli artists with diverse immigrant backgrounds under the theme “Nomadic Souls.” The call invited artworks exploring the connection between migration and mental health. So far, the project has produced two exhibitions: “Being Singular/Plural,” which centered on the concept of belonging, and “A Semiotics of the Start,” which delved into the experience of language acquisition. Each exhibition was accompanied by events like literature readings, artist networking, and pop-up photo exhibitions, fostering community engagement and inclusivity.
Results
The project made significant strides in building collaborations and laying the foundation for a platform that facilitated discussions on migration and mental health within both immigrant and local communities. It successfully increased public awareness of these issues and established sustainable partnerships that continued to support the community. Community engagement was central to the project. The exhibitions and related events actively involved migrants as participants, artists, and audience members. Collaborations with the city’s youth department for immigrant assistance were crucial, including co-funding an event that attracted a relevant and engaged audience. Beyond the exhibitions’ objecthood, the project addressed deeper issues such as suicide, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, an academic webinar with immigration professionals was held, focusing on the second exhibition catalog, further broadening the project’s impact and reach.
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Conclusions
The Nefashot initiative highlights the power of art and community collaboration in addressing complex mental health issues related to migration. By fostering dialogue and partnerships, the project has expanded its reach, connecting both local and migrant communities in meaningful ways. The ongoing and future exhibitions aim to continue this momentum, establishing a lasting platform for dialogue, collaboration, and support.