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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure performed under general anaesthesia involving triggering an intentional brief seizure through small electrical currents through the brain. The anaesthetic depth should be adequate prior to shock and measured with BIS, a processed electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor. Adjusting the hypnotic dose allows to decrease the ictal threshold and thus improve the response to treatment and decrease side effects.
Objectives
Our goal is detecting elements such as spontaneous epileptiform activity after ECT without tonic-clonic activity with the spectral density matrix (SDM).
Methods
Our patient: an 87-year-old woman, diagnosed with F20.2 catatonic schizophrenia and under antipsychotic treatment since her youth. She has required multiple hospital admissions due to psychopathological decompensations until starting monthly maintenance ECT sessions in 2014. Since then she no new hospital admissions have been required.
Results
Images 1D and 1E shows the SDM, a spectrogram of the EEG. The X axis show time (minutes), the Y axis shows the frequency (Hz) and the Z axis shows the energy or intensity of that electrical activity in the frequency bands replaced by colors: warm colors (red) reflecting high intensity electroencephalographic activity and cool colors (yellow, blue and green), low activity. Images 2 and 3’s EDM shows spontaneous epileptiform activity after electroconvulsive therapy without tonic-clonic activity. We observed an initial EDM of an awake patient, with warm colours in practically all frequency bands, including the beta band (13-30 Hz), characteristic of waking states. Around 9:50 anaesthetic induction occurs, activity increases in slow frequencies (red colours in alpha, theta and delta), plus an increase of cold colours in beta, reflecting the disappearance of brain activity in that frequency. The asterisk reflects the EEG response to the electrical discharge, followed by a postcritical state with brain activity exclusively in slow waves and high amplitude (delta and some theta) and absence of activity in other frequencies (blue colour in the beta and alpha bands) around 9:57. At about 10:00 there is an abrupt appearance of high intensity brain activity (warm colours) in beta and alpha and delta, mainly, reflecting spontaneous epileptiform activity after treatment and clinically reflected as a patient absent and disconnected from the environment, but without tonic-clonic activity. New postcritical state in which blue colour predominates, reflecting little brain activity, and warmer colours reappear in all frequency bands, including beta, reflecting the progressive recovery of wakefulness.
Image:
Image 2:
Image 3:
Conclusions
Psychiatric pathology can be reflected in the SDM, which allows to observe changes in the EEG, correcting the electrical stimulus of the shock and the dose of anesthetic appropriate to the patient to trigger an intentional brief seizure under general anesthesia.
We develop a Thom–Mather theory of frontals analogous to Ishikawa's theory of deformations of Legendrian singularities but at the frontal level, avoiding the use of the contact setting. In particular, we define concepts like frontal stability, versality of frontal unfoldings or frontal codimension. We prove several characterizations of stability, including a frontal Mather–Gaffney criterion, and of versality. We then define the method of reduction with which we show how to construct frontal versal unfoldings of plane curves and show how to construct stable unfoldings of corank 1 frontals with isolated instability which are not necessarily versal. We prove a frontal version of Mond's conjecture in dimension 1. Finally, we classify stable frontal multigerms and give a complete classification of corank 1 stable frontals from $\mathbb {C}^3$ to $\mathbb {C}^4$.
We consider the relative Bruce–Roberts number $\mu _{\textrm {BR}}^{-}(f,\,X)$ of a function on an isolated hypersurface singularity $(X,\,0)$. We show that $\mu _{\textrm {BR}}^{-}(f,\,X)$ is equal to the sum of the Milnor number of the fibre $\mu (f^{-1}(0)\cap X,\,0)$ plus the difference $\mu (X,\,0)-\tau (X,\,0)$ between the Milnor and the Tjurina numbers of $(X,\,0)$. As an application, we show that the usual Bruce–Roberts number $\mu _{\textrm {BR}}(f,\,X)$ is equal to $\mu (f)+\mu _{\textrm {BR}}^{-}(f,\,X)$. We also deduce that the relative logarithmic characteristic variety $LC(X)^{-}$, obtained from the logarithmic characteristic variety $LC(X)$ by eliminating the component corresponding to the complement of $X$ in the ambient space, is Cohen–Macaulay.
Previous literature supports antipsychotics’ (AP) efficacy in acute first-episode psychosis (FEP) in terms of symptomatology and functioning but also a cognitive detrimental effect. However, regarding functional recovery in stabilised patients, these effects are not clear. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to investigate dopaminergic/anticholinergic burden of (AP) on psychosocial functioning in FEP. We also examined whether cognitive impairment may mediate these effects on functioning.
Methods
A total of 157 FEP participants were assessed at study entry, and at 2 months and 2 years after remission of the acute episode. The primary outcomes were social functioning as measured by the functioning assessment short test (FAST). Cognitive domains were assessed as potential mediators. Dopaminergic and anticholinergic AP burden on 2-year psychosocial functioning [measured with chlorpromazine (CPZ) and drug burden index] were independent variables. Secondary outcomes were clinical and socio-demographic variables.
Results
Mediation analysis found a statistical but not meaningful contribution of dopaminergic receptor blockade burden to worse functioning mediated by cognition (for every 600 CPZ equivalent points, 2-year FAST score increased 1.38 points). Regarding verbal memory and attention, there was an indirect effect of CPZ burden on FAST (b = 0.0045, 95% CI 0.0011–0.0091) and (b = 0.0026, 95% CI 0.0001–0.0006) respectively. However, only verbal memory post hoc analyses showed a significant indirect effect (b = 0.009, 95% CI 0.033–0.0151) adding premorbid IQ as covariate. We did not find significant results for anticholinergic burden.
Conclusion
CPZ dose effect over functioning is mediated by verbal memory but this association appears barely relevant.
To assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the SWN scale, an instrument which evaluates the subjective experience of psychotic patients towards neuroleptic treatment.
Methods
A validation study (feasibility, reliability, and validity) was conducted in 20 psychiatric centers. Patients were evaluated with the PANSS, the CGI severity scale and the SWN-20. A re-test was conducted one week after baseline. The study included clinically stabilized outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia (DSM-IV-TR criteria) who were on treatment as usual. The SWN used in this study consists of 20 questions answered on a 6-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 20 to 120 points (higher scores indicating better well-being). The original version was back-translated and a focus group was conducted to improve the comprehension of the items.
Results
97 patients were included. Seventy-two percent of them (70) were male. Mean age was 35 years (SD = 10.0). Mean SWN total score: 83.5 (SD = 14.0). Internal homogeneity: 0.86. Test-retest in clinically stable patients was 0.89. SWN correlated significantly with the PANSS, but not with the DAI-10. Patients with none-mild clinical affectation had higher SWN scores, indicating a better subjective well-being, and vice versa.
Conclusions
The subjective experience of psychotic patients towards treatment is a key factor in therapeutic adherence, quality of life, and clinical outcome. The Spanish version of the SWN scale showed good psychometric properties in a sample of schizophrenic stabilized outpatients. SWN scale constitutes a valuable addition to evaluate patients’ subjective well-being.
It is widely developed the idea of communitary attention of serious mental disorders, instead of being recluded in long stay hospitals. But tomake this project real it is needed a complex sociosanitay support: psychosocial rehabilitation units, protected dwellings…and nowadays some people are still discharged to long term hospitals.
The objective of this work is to demonstrate that clinical characteristics are not determinant and that the main reason that supports the decision is the insufficent social resources spread.
Methods
279 inpatients that entered a Psychosocial rehabilitation unit from January 2005 to April 2009 are selected. There are two comparison groups depending on the derivation to long term units. There are compared different variables taking the HoNOS scale as measurement tool. Ths stathistical comparison test used is the Fisher exact test.
HoNOs scale items:
1 Disruptive behaviour
2 Non-accidental self-injury
3 Alcohol/drug taking
4 Cognition
5 Physical illness
6 Hallucinations/delusions
7 Depressed mood
8 Other mental problems
9 Relationship
10 Daily activity
11 Living conditions
12 Activities/occupation
Results
There is not statistical significance when clinical items of the HoNOS scale (item 1 to 8) are compared, instead of item 5 (p=0,001). There appears significance when comparing social items and specially item 9 (p=0,031),11 (p=0,002) and 12 (0,026).
Conclusions
Nowadays there is no difference in the clinical profile of inpatients when derivation. The fact of not having adequate living conditions is determinant in the decision of derivation, showing that socio sanitary resources are insufficient for an optimal communitary system.
To study the short-term effect of treatment with quetiapine on prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits of the startle reflex in schizophrenia patients.
Subjects and methods
Using PPI, we studied a group of 21 schizophrenia patients and 16 controls. Seventeen of the patients were re-tested with PPI after 21 days of treatment with quetiapine.
Results
At baseline, an almost significant decrease in PPI was found in the patients as compared to the controls. PPI measurements did not change in the patients after 21 days of treatment with quetiapine, despite their clinical improvement.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that short-term quetiapine treatment may not modify PPI measures in schizophrenia patients.
The main finding of a former Spanish multicenter study (SMS) on the effectiveness of naltrexone maintenance in heroin addicts, was the high retention rate achieved at 24 weeks of follow-up since naltrexone induction (40%). The authors claimed this rate was one of the highest ever reported in the literature for a non-selected sample of opiate addicts and discussed the possible relevance of a set of variables — like motivations and expectations due to a new treatment — on the findings. To assess the possible effects of these variables, we have compared the retention rates in two similar naltrexone programmes. The first programme (hospital sample) included 56 individuals who were also included in the SMS where they accounted for 37% of the total sample. That programme was developed formerly to the naltrexone marketing. The second sample (ambulatory sample) included 67 individuals who were recruited at least a year apart since naltrexone marketing was approved by the Spanish Health Boards. The time-lag between the beginnig of both studies was in the range of 15 to 25 months.
The subjects in both programmes had similar distributions regarding age (p = 0.27), sex (p = 0.79), weeks on treatment after naltrexone induction (p = 0.20), and program compliance (p = 0.78). The retention rates evaluated over a period of 24 weeks were also similar (p = 0.45). The only difference appeared at 12 weeks of follow-up, showing in higher retention the hospital sample than the ambulatory sample (+23%; p < 0.05). The results are discussed according to other studies and it is concluded that findings reported in the former SMS and in this study are not unusual but compatible with recent research. Also underlined is the potential importance of naltrexone as a concomitant treatment for extinguishing high risk behaviours and the conditional stimuli associated with treatment relapse in heroin addicts.
ECT has demonstrated to be an effective and safe biological treatment that can be considered as an alternative to pharmacotherapy, especially for treating severe, resistant and recurrent, affective, psychotic and catatonic symptoms. CECT refers to the one that is started after acute treatment and lasts for a maximum period of 6 months with the objective of preventing relapse. M-ECT is the one that is started once C-ECT has ended with the aim of preventing recurrences. The aim of this study was to explore the evidence for using C-ECT and M-ECT as an alternative to pharmacotherapy.
Methods
We performed a search in MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane, from 1950 until the present to identify articles in which C-ECT and M-ECT were used as alternative treatments to pharmacotherapy.
Results
C-ECT and M-ECT have demonstrated to be an effective and safe alternative to pharmacotherapy in Unipolar Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia, especially in the prevention of relapse and recurrences. It reduces number and days of hospitalization. In combination with pharmacotherapy, it increases effectiveness of pharmacological treatment. It does not affect cognitive functioning.
Conclusions
C-ECT and M-ECT should be considered as an alternative to pharmacotherapy in the treatment of affective and psychotic, severe, resistant and recurrent symptoms. It is an effective and safe treatment, which prevents relapse and recurrences in severe mental illness, reducing hospitalization rates and health costs.
In order to improve global functioning in psychotic patients is necessary to know the kind of variables influencing those.
Aim
To research that of a clinical and epidemiological variables group which of them are associated to a better outcome in global functioning in patients affected by psychosis.
Methods
A total of 73 psychotic patients were included in this study. All of them were evaluated through a battery of tests including GAF and SIX, PANSS, S-GPTS and a comprehensive questionnaire for clinical and epidemiological variables. A binary logistic regression analysis was applied to the data set of global functioning scores divided by the median in two halves: better and worse global functioning. The model included the following variables: positive, negative and general psychopatology PANSS subscales, PANSS subtype, first or second generation antipsychotic, stimulants drugs use, tobacco use, sex, age, onset age, number of psychotic episodes and S-GPTS score.
Results
Treatment with second generation antipsychotics and lesser scoring in S-GPTS scale were associated with a better outcomes in global functioning. We found an association between lesser negative symptoms and lesser number of psychotic episodes with a better functioning which showed a marginal statistical significance.
Conclusions
We raise the question about preferential use of second generation of antipsychotics as opposed to older antipsychotics and the necessity of improving adherence to treatment for breaking the vicious cycle between psychotic episodes and a worse global functioning. Further studies with greater sample are needed to explain these and another questions.
Since the early description of paranoia, nosology of delusional disorder has always been controversial. The idea of ??unitary psychosis is old but has now taken on new value from the dimensional continuum model of psychosis.
Aims
1. To study the psychopathological dimensions of the schizophrenia spectrum. 2. To explore the relationship between the dimensions obtained and the categorical diagnoses. 3 To compare the different diagnoses of the psychosis from a psychopathological and functional point of view.
Material and Methods
an observational study with 550 patients was conducted. 373 patients with schizophrenia, 137 patients with delusional disorder, 40 patients with schizoaffective disorder. PANSS was used to assess the psychopathology and GAF for global functioning. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the PANSS items was performed in order to obtain a dimensional model. The relationship between diagnostic categories and dimensions was subsequently studied with ANOVA tests.
Results
5 Factors,-manic, negative symptoms, depression, positive symptoms and cognition-, similar in composition to other models were obtained. The model yielded the 57.27% of the total variance. The dimensional model obtained was able to explain the differences and similarities between the different categories of the schizophrenia spectrum and the validity of the categories was questioned. The value of the model in order to help establish the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment decision-making was postulated.
The relationship between neuropsychological and overall performance in people with schizophrenia is known. Smoking and stimulant drugs use can improve neuropsychological outcomes, however the existence of drugs use may be a more severe illness marker.
Objective
The purpose of this study is to investigate which clinical and epidemiological variables, including stimulant drugs use and smoking, influence on neuropsychological performance in patients with psychosis.
Material and methods
92 patients with different psychosis were assessed with a battery that included SCIP, to assess neuropsychological performance, PANSS, to evaluate psychotalogy, GAF and SIX as global performance measures. We also explore clinic and sociodemographic data. A binary logistic regresion model was applied on scores on the task ‘words’ of the SCIP (memory and learning), dichotomized at the median. The model included: sex, age, onset age, family history, negative scale, positive scale, global psychopatology and PANSS subtypes, estimated premorbid IQ using Barona Index, stimulant drugs use, smoking and funcionality.
Results
The absence of stimulating drugs use and smoking (trials 2 and 3 of SCIP), was associated with better memory and learning in patients with psychosis. Younger age (trials 1-4 and total of words), higher functionality (trials 1,2 and total of words) and premorbid IQ (trials 2 and 4) were also positively associated with better neuropsychological performance.
Conclusions
Stimulant drugs use and smoking could be markers of poorer previous neuropsychological function in psychotic patients. It is necessary to do longitudinal studies evaluating these variables as markers, risk or protective factors of cognitive performance
Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome described in a variety of medical and psychiatric conditions. Its association with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has been sparsely described.
Objetives
We reported two patients with FTD that present a catatonic state.
Aim
Case reports
Method
Literature review through Pubmed and report of a clinical cases.
Results
Case 1: Frontotemporal dementia, behavioral variant.
65 year old female who was hospitalized after losing weight due to his active refusal to eat and subsequently was undergone a gastrostomy. Once stabilized physically was derived to psychogeriatric ward where the patient was stuporous, mute, with mannerisms and rigidity. Continued with refusal to take food. On examination she had staring, posturing, echophenomena, automatic obedience, Gegenhalten, ambitendency and perseveration. It featured 12 of 23 symptoms of Bush and Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS), scoring 32. She improved completely her catatonic state within one week with lorazepam 2.5 mg /day and zolpidem 10mg/day. Perseverative behavior and mannerisms was maintained.
Case 2: Frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia
67 years old male who was admitted to psychogeriatric ward because had aggressivity and negativism. On examination immobility, mutism, staring, echolalia, rigidity, negativism, withdrawal, perseveration, Gegenhalten, impulsiveness and combativeness were observed. It featured 11 of 23 symptoms of BFCRS, scoring 22. He was treated with lorazepam 10mg/day and valproic acid 900 mg/day. Catatonic symptoms disappeared a month later. Negativism and impulsiveness persisted slightly.
Conclusions
The catatonic syndrome may occur in patients with FTD. In both conditions symptoms overlap. The response to GABAergic drugs was optimal.
Medical assistance for elderly people with mental health problems increases at the same time that life expectancy does.
Objectives
The aim of this work is to describe several demographic and clinical characteristics of elderly patients admitted for the first time to an acute inpatient psychiatry unit.
Methods
Observational, descriptive, and retrospective study from June 2013 to May 2015, where it is analysed patients older than 65 years admitted to the acute psychiatric ward of Hospital de Getafe in that period without psychiatric hospitalization in their personal background.
Results
Seventeen patients were included of a total of 428 patients admitted in that period (3.97%). Mean age: 70.7 ± 4.7. A total of 10 male (58.9%). The average stay in the studied group was 18.5 days, slightly lower than general average stay in that period (19.2 days). No psychiatric background was found in 4 patients. The most common diagnoses was depressive episode (5 patients) followed by manic episode (4 patients) and delusional disorder. Every of them but one, were taking at least one antipsychotic drug at discharge.
Conclusions
Elderly patients represent a low percentage of the total of patients admitted to an acute inpatient psychiatry unit. Many of them, despite having long-term ambulatory psychiatric follow-up, require a first psychiatric hospitalization after 65 years, as well as other patients begin their treatment in the mental health services in that hospitalization. It is noteworthy that antipsychotic drugs are used very commonly in those patients.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Comorbidity between two or more mental disorders is highly frequent. Depression is one of the diseases that more often accompanies other conditions.
Objectives
The objective of this study is to establish the prevalence of depression in patients with delusional disorder and describe the treatment used in these cases.
Aims
The aim is to provide useful information regarding this frequent, often disregarded, comorbidity.
Methods
Our results proceed from the Andalusian delusional disorder case register. We reviewed 1927 clinical histories of patients diagnosed of delusional disorder. Upon having verified the diagnosis, following DSM-V criteria, we recollected several data, including sociodemographic factors, depression comorbidity and antidepressive treatment.
Results
One thousand four hundred and fifty-two patients matched DSM-V delusional disorder criteria. 49,8% of our sample were women. Average following period was 9 years and 1 month, with an average of 0,84 hospitalizations. The prevalence of depression in patients with delusional disorders was 31,9%. 67,5% of them received some kind of antidepressive treatment. The antidepressive drugs most frequently used were selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Conclusions
Depression is a highly prevalent condition among patients with delusional disorder. Most of them are on antidepressive treatment, the most employed of which is based on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Comorbid depression can have an important impact on the course of delusional disorder. A correct diagnosis and treatment should be made to help improve the prognosis and life quality of these patients.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Mindfulness is defined as the ability of paying attention to the present moment with intentionality, moment to moment without making judgments of value.
Objectives
To describe the effectiveness of group therapy performed in our mental health center according to the results in the SOFI scale of patients. This scale is designed to assess different qualities, which evolve through training in meditation practice based on mindfulness.
Methods
Group therapy consisted of 12 weekly sessions of an hour and a half. A total of 11 patients, 7 of which having completed therapy. The questionnaires were answered in the first and final session of therapy.
Results
The questionnaire items were divided before and after treatment, into four categories with the following results: positive (friendly, happy, acceptance, compassion) to himself: 1.86 (0.54)/2.75 (0.78) and to others 3.57 (0.86)/3.89 (0.54); negative (hate, angry, cruel, bad) to himself: 2.92 (0.54)/2 (0.23); and to others: 2.28 (0.41)/1.96 (0.36)
Conclusions
In keeping with similar studies, the scale shows effectiveness of therapy in all sets of items, highlighting the variation of the aspects related to himself.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Sensory deficits such as blindness and deafness are very common forms of disability, affecting over 300 million people worldwide according to World Health Organization estimates. These conditions can lead to misinterpretations of the environment, which may contribute to the development of a delusional disorder in predisposed people.
Objectives
The objective of this study is to establish the prevalence of blindness and hearing loss across delusional disorder.
Aims
The aim is to provide useful information regarding this frequent, often disregarded, comorbidity.
Methods
Our results proceed from the Andalusian delusional disorder case-register (DelirAnda). We reviewed 1927 clinical histories of patients diagnosed of delusional disorder. Upon having verified the diagnosis following DSM-V criteria, we recollected data on the prevalence of blindness and hearing loss, which were defined based on clinical diagnosis.
Results
One thousand four hundred and fifty-two patients matched DSM-5 delusional disorder criteria. Among them, 49.8% of our sample were women. The overall prevalence of sensory deficits was 7.4%, 3.5% of the patients with delusional disorder were blind, while 3.9% of them suffered from hearing loss.
Conclusions
Our results are consistent with previous studies, such as the Deliremp study, which found a 5.7% prevalence of sensory deficit among delusional disorder patients. These results show a higher prevalence of sensory deficit among delusional disorder patients compared with the general population. However, causality could not be established. Further study should be undertaken regarding the relationship between these two conditions.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Depressive disorders are the most prevalent mental diseases and they cause a major impact in our society.
Objectives
The objective of this study is to establish the prevalence of depressive disorders in Andalusia.
Aims
The aim is to provide useful information regarding this prevalent and disabling condition, in order to contribute to its prevention and treatment.
Methods
Our results proceed from the PISMA-ep study, undertook in Andalusia. In this cross-sectional community based study, 4507 participants between 18 and 75 years of age were interviewed by fully trained professionals. The main diagnostic tool was the Spanish version of the MINI Neuropsychiatric International Interview.
Results
Our sample consists of 4507 participants. 50.9% of them were females. Mean age was 42.8 years. The estimated one-month prevalence of any mood disorder was 7.9% (7.1–8.6). The estimated one-month prevalence of major depression was 6, 4% (5.6–7.1). The prevalence of the other measured depressive disorders were as follows: Recurrent depressive episode: 3.7% (3.2–4.3), Melancholic depression: 3% (2.5–3.5), Severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms: 1.4% (1.1–1.8).
Conclusions
The PISMA-ep is the first large mental health epidemiological study ever developed in the largest region of Spain. The results obtained in this region show a higher prevalence of depressive disorders in Andalusia, when compared with prior studies that used a nationally representative sample (i.e. the ESEMeD study). The reasons for this higher prevalence are yet to be explored.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Patient's relatives usually care for patients with schizophrenia, and as informal caregivers they experience negative consequences. The aim of the EDUCA-III trial is to test the efficacy of a psychoeducational intervention program (PIP) versus standard care to reduce the caregiver burden at post-intervention (4 months), and at follow-up (8 months).
Method
A two-arm, evaluator blind, multicentre, randomized controlled trial. The PIP group had 12 weekly group sessions. The control intervention group had the usual support and standard care. Primary outcomes were change scores since baseline on the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ).
Results
One hundred and nine caregivers were randomized to PIP and 114 to control condition from 23 research sites. The decrease of ZBI scores was significantly higher on the PIP arm at 4 months (mean difference [MD] = −4.33; 95% CI −7.96, −0.71), and at 8 months (MD = −4.46; 95% CI −7.79, −1.13). There were no significant decreases in the IEQ scores (MD at 4 months = −2.80; 95% CI −6.27, 0.67; MD at 8 months = −2.85; 95% CI −6.51, 0.81).
Conclusions
The PIP condition seems to reduce caregiver burden.