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Cardiovascular risk in patients with bipolar disorder in Tunisia
- D. Njah, M. Lagha, S. Boudriga, W. Homri, I. Ben romdhane, R. Labbene
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S696
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Introduction
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a multisystemic disorder affecting not only thymic regulation but also immunologic function and cardiovascular status. In fact , BD itself appears to confer risk for cardiovascular disease independent of treatments used to manage the disorder, which results in an increase in risk of morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. Indeed, according to the literature, the life expectancy of patients with BD is reduced by eight to ten years, and particularly, cardiovascular events are two to three times more frequent and occur earlier.
ObjectivesThe objectives of our study were to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with BD in remission and to compare it to a control sample.
MethodsThis was a case-control study that took place over an 18-month period, from January 2, 2020 to June 30, 2021, in RAZI hospital, in Tunisia . Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 26.0.
ResultsSixty patients in remission and sixty healthy controls were included in this study.
The mean age was 42.5 ± 11.1 years with extremes of 20 and 60 years in the case group, while the mean age was 42.7 ± 10.2 years with extremes of 20 and 63 years in the control group.
At least one cardiovascular risk factor was found in 91% of patients with BD vs 78% of controls, and 92% of patients were smokers vs 68% of controls, with a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.041 and p=0.001), respectively.
ConclusionsGiven the high risk of cardiovascular disease, rigorous cardiovascular risk assessment is critical for patients with BD. Psychiatrists should be aware of this problem and carefully monitor these patients for cardiovascular risk factors, including smoking, as part of their standards of care.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Depression and anxiety in family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in tunisia
- D. Njah, M. Lagha, S. Boudriga, W. Homri, I. Ben romdhane, R. Labbene
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S829
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Introduction
Around 1% of the general population have schizophrenia. It dramatically affects not only the patients who suffer from it, but also their family members. It represents a difficult task for family caregivers, especially at the time of deinstitutionalization of the patients, when they have to assume some of the functions and care previously provided by psychiatric institutions. This day-to-day care can influence the lives of the caregivers and cause anxiety or depression, which might affect the care that the patients receive.
ObjectivesThe objectives of our study were to assess anxiety and depression in family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and to identify associated risk factors.
MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study including family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the 14-item Anxiety and Depression Scale in its validated version in Tunisian dialect (HAD scale).Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 26.0.
ResultsWe included 30 family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.
The prevalence of depression in family caregivers was 40 % while 56% of them were anxious. Six caregivers had both depression and anxiety, 63.3% of them were unemployed and 52.2% stopped working to take care of their relative.
In our study, the schizophrenic patient’s history of aggression towards the caregiver was statistically associated with depression (p=0.025 ). The worse the compliance of the patient to the treatment, the more likely the caregiver is to develop anxiety (p= 0.027).The parents (mother or father) were the most exposed to depression, anxiety or both (p=0.016). Family caregivers who lived with the patient under the same roof developed more anxious symptoms than the ones who didn’t (p=0.005). The time spent taking care of the patient was higher for the caregivers with depression, anxiety or both (p = 0.046).
ConclusionsSchizophrenia may cause a significant psychological distress for family members such as depression or anxiety .Several factors seem to be involved, inherent to the disease, to the patient and to the caregiver.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Tunisian medical students’ attitudes and views of psychiatry:
- S. Boudriga, M. Lagha, D. Njah, A. Dakhli, I. Ben romdhane, W. Homri, R. Labbene
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S1122-S1123
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Introduction
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a chronic shortage of psychiatrists on a global scale. In Tunisia, we only have 287 psychiatric specialists, the equivalent of 0,23 per 10 000 habitants in 2017. There is a strong and urgent need to increase the recruitment and retention of doctors in psychiatry, starting from their young years.
ObjectivesWe aimed to study medical students’ attitudes and views of psychiatry, and their career choices in psychiatry.
MethodsA systematic random sample of medical from two medical schools anonymously completed a questionnaire, distributed via the internet, covering the mental illness: clinicians’ attitudes (MICA) scale, their choice of psychiatry as a career, and the possible associated factors.
ResultsA total of 118 medical students participated in the study, with 50% in the second and first years of medical school. The mean age was 21.00 ± 12.2 years. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.24. We found a personal history of mental health problems in 33.1% of the students.
The mean score of the attitude of health care professionals towards mental illness was 43.61 ± 8.22 out of 96. The results were moderately positive (lowest possible score 25, highest possible score 67) and the female student’s attitude was slightly –but not significantly more positive than male students (male 46.4, female 42.4).
Negative attitudes were reported about the interactions with people with mental health problems, fear of disclosure to colleagues or friends about mental health problems, and confidence in the capabilities of assessing mental health problems in general medicine. No correlation was observed between the immersion clerkship of psychiatry and the MICA scores.
Of the 118 respondents to this question, 35 (29.8%) were most interested in surgical specialties, 35 (29.8%) in medical specialties, and 10 participants (8.5%) were most keen on psychiatry.
ConclusionsStigma against psychiatry is widespread among medical students. The negative attitudes about mental health and mental diseases may be addressed through educational programs.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Mental health problems in tunisian military population
- D. Njah, H. Kefi, I. Bouzouita, A. Baatout, C. Bencheickh, S. Eddif, A. Oumaya
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S897
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Introduction
Military personnel can face unique risks and challenges to their mental health. High-stress situations, prolonged absences, and difficulty adjusting to civilian life can affect their mental health and hence develop psychiatric disorders , particularly major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder( PTSD). That’s why searching for involved factors that could have an impact on these mental disorders or help predict them is crucial in the military population.
ObjectivesOur objectives were to describe the epidemiological profile of military patients followed in the psychiatric department of the military hospital of Tunis (MHT) and to identify the risk factors associated to psychiatric disorders in this population.
MethodsThis was a retrospective study conducted over a period of 4 weeks , in the psychiatry department of the MHT. We included in our study patients drawn at random at the outpatient clinics, all psychiatric disorders included. We analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of the patients as well as the risk factors with the SPSS software 26.0.
ResultsOne hundred military patients were included in our study. The mean age of the patients was 38.74(±9.73) years, 93% of them were male, 86% had a high school education, 71% belonged to middle socioeconomic category, and 59% lived in the military barracks. The mean duration of service was 17.68(±9.22) years. Active military members were assigned to weapons jobs (45%), administrative (15%), technical (24%), transportation (8%), and health (6%) specialities.We found that MDD was the main psychiatric disorder found in 64% of the patients with a mean severity of 76.9%. Besides , administrative specialities were the most frequent source of MDD (73.3%), while transportation posts were the most common cause of the PTSD (12.5%). And finally weapons specialties were the most likely to cause adjustment disorders (13.3%). In addition, we found that a long military service duration was associated with a chronic evolution of all the mental disorders (p :0.002).
ConclusionsThe army is mostly affected by major depressive disorder . The position occupied by the patient seems to play a role in the type of the disorder . The seniority in the military service would be a risk factor for chronicity of the mental disorder.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Quality of Life (QoL) among medical students in Tunisia: a study using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument
- D. Njah, M. Lagha, S. Boudriga, W. Homri, I. Ben Romdhane, R. Labbene
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S353-S354
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Introduction
Mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression have been described among medical students and are associated with poor academic and professional performance. That’s why having a satisfying quality of life (QoL) is one of the main sources of motivation for students for their future.
ObjectivesOur objectives were to assess the QoL of medical students and residents in Tunisia and to explore the influencing factors on this one.
MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study among medical students and residents in Tunisia, all universities included, where they completed a questionnaire which comprised the WHOQOL-BREF instrument in its french version and several socio-demographics questions, in September 2022. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 26.0.
ResultsOne hundred twenty-five medical students and residents were included in our study. The mean age was 26.10(±3.41) years and most of them were female (73%). Mean scores of the WHOQOL-BREF in the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains were 36.51 (±11.54), 45.22 (±15.71), 37.19 (±18.61) and 52.94 (±14.84), respectively. Students and residents had a relatively higher environmental mean score and a lower physical health mean score. The lowest mean score of the physical domain was observed in the 6th year students while the lowest mean scores of the psychological, social and environmental domains were observed in the medical students. Besides, we found a higher score of social and environmental domains in the residents group. In addition, we found a high correlation between psychological and environmental domains (p=0.000), psychological and social domains (p=0.021). We also found a correlation between age and social domain (p=0.034), in fact, the higher the age was the better the score of the social domain was. And finally we found a significant relationship between the environmental domain and the level of studies (p=0.05).
ConclusionsPhysical health, psychological, social and environmental issues have an important impact on the QoL of our population and hence their future. Certain factors seem to be involved and have to be taken into consideration in order to improve QoL among medical students and residents.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared