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In the winter of 2022–2023, hundreds of the Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) appeared dead in the coast of the Canary Islands, a rare event considering their cold-living habits, normally occupying the North Atlantic Ocean. In this work, investigation about the parasites present in the Atlantic puffins found in the biggest islands of the Archipelago was carried out from a population portion. Necropsies of 39 birds were made and, during the examination of the urinary tracts, helminths were found. Morphoanatomical analysis under microscope allowed to identify them into Renicola genus with high similarity to Renicola sloanei. After that, DNA was extracted and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 gene were amplificated by a polymerase chain reaction method followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The molecular results demonstrated that in fact R. sloanei was the helminth parasite present in the urinary tracts of the Atlantic puffins found in the Canary Islands.
Cannabis use and familial vulnerability to psychosis have been associated with social cognition deficits. This study examined the potential relationship between cannabis use and cognitive biases underlying social cognition and functioning in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), their siblings, and controls.
Methods
We analyzed a sample of 543 participants with FEP, 203 siblings, and 1168 controls from the EU-GEI study using a correlational design. We used logistic regression analyses to examine the influence of clinical group, lifetime cannabis use frequency, and potency of cannabis use on cognitive biases, accounting for demographic and cognitive variables.
Results
FEP patients showed increased odds of facial recognition processing (FRP) deficits (OR = 1.642, CI 1.123–2.402) relative to controls but not of speech illusions (SI) or jumping to conclusions (JTC) bias, with no statistically significant differences relative to siblings. Daily and occasional lifetime cannabis use were associated with decreased odds of SI (OR = 0.605, CI 0.368–0.997 and OR = 0.646, CI 0.457–0.913 respectively) and JTC bias (OR = 0.625, CI 0.422–0.925 and OR = 0.602, CI 0.460–0.787 respectively) compared with lifetime abstinence, but not with FRP deficits, in the whole sample. Within the cannabis user group, low-potency cannabis use was associated with increased odds of SI (OR = 1.829, CI 1.297–2.578, FRP deficits (OR = 1.393, CI 1.031–1.882, and JTC (OR = 1.661, CI 1.271–2.171) relative to high-potency cannabis use, with comparable effects in the three clinical groups.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest increased odds of cognitive biases in FEP patients who have never used cannabis and in low-potency users. Future studies should elucidate this association and its potential implications.
Dioctophyme renale, the giant kidney worm, is a nematode related to Trichuris sp and is distributed worldwide. These parasites locate in the kidney of their definitive hosts (mainly belonging to the order Carnivora) and have an indirect life cycle with an annelid as the main intermediate host. Humans are rarely affected, but in those that are, 1 or both kidneys are destroyed. In South America, D. renale is widespread in riparian regions where changing climatic conditions, environmental degradation, and compromised sanitation are increasing the risk of distribution of this parasite, including humans. Here, we provide the descriptions of the genetic diversity of the parasite in the region by analysing 73 adult D. renale samples collected from domestic and wild carnivores. The most common hosts were (Canis lupus familiaris) and maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus Fam. Canidae) among domestic and wild carnivores, respectively. This work shows the descriptions of the genetic diversity of this parasite complementing molecular methods and classical and probabilistic phylogeography. Our results strongly suggest that this parasite has been present on the continent long enough to develop local genetic variants. Also, the phylogenies show transmission between localities and bidirectional transmission between domestic and wild species. We now have new tools to understand the ecological dynamics of this parasite such as molecular markers to study its genetic diversity as well as for identification and reporting in cryptic cases.
The harmful consumption of alcohol is known for how tortuous its management can be in mental health, encouraging introspection of it as a serious problem is perhaps the main key to starting to battle against its damaging influence on the development of a functional and full life.
Objectives
To describe a clinical case showing an unpredictible complication in an alcohol detoxification process.
Methods
54-year-old man, native of Cádiz, widowed for half a decade, without children. He resides with his parents in the family home. Currently unemployed for approximately a year. He has previously worked in the IT sector. As a notable somatic history, we found long-established arterial hypertension and a total hip replacement. He has been under irregular follow-up with a mental health team for anxiety-depressive symptoms in the context of grief. He goes to the emergency service brought by his family to begin the detoxification process in the hospital setting. He acknowledges ethanol consumption since he was widowed, which began when he awakes; quantities that ranged between one or up to three bottles of distilled liquor per day, generally consumption is in the home environment. A little less than a year ago, he began to isolate himself in his room and abandon his self-care, eating increasingly insufficient food intake, refusing to receive professional care to quit the habit, mainly because he did not recognize it as disruptive.
The patient was admitted to hospital with symptoms suggestive of withdrawal, making it extremely difficult to control blood pressure levels. On the third day of admission to the acute care unit, fever peaks, blood pressure levels well below normal parameters, and compromised level of consciousness began to be evident.
Results
Blood tests were performed that, together with the clinical picture, suggested imminent septic shock, so critical care was contacted for transfer and stabilization. A germ of probable urinary etiology sensitive to a broad spectrum of antibiotics was isolated in blood cultures, and the medication of the detoxification process was progressively optimized. Once clinical stability was achieved at all levels, an inpatient cessation resource was managed, which the patient accepted and considered suitable for his complete recovery.
Conclusions
A holistic approach to the alcoholic patient is important, since serious problems of an organic nature often arise. This is why a multidisciplinary intervention is necessary, as well as a holistic approach to care, involving both classic pharmacology and assiduous long-term psychotherapeutic intervention.
A 28 year old patient will be presented. This paramilitary man was brought to the Emergency Room due to an autolytic attempt with Benzodiazepines, along with a mouth suture, in the context of a soon to be resolved problematic ankle osteosynthesis procedure. The patient claimed to be suffering pain, furthermore struggling due to the fact he could not be working due to his ankle issue. Language barrier was a problem during the interview.
Objectives
The objetives of this case is to try to explain the issues that may arise in patients with personality disorders in the context of an autolytic attempt
Methods
This patient will be presented, along with systematic bibliography review of the topic.
Results
The following results were extracted upon the attention given to this patient which was admitted to the Psychiatric Unit.
First of all, the mouth stitches were removed, along with a petition for toxicological analysis. The results gave positive for cannabis and benzodiazepines. The patient was also brought previously this year with another autolytic attempt, this time on cocaine consumption too. Furthermore, a thorough review was made of the other autolytic attempts, including those which happened in his country of origin. The patient has hundreds of small cuts among his arms, from previews cuts made in the past. Furthermore, subcutaneous wounds were auto inflicted in the ER, with a small blade.
Among the whole interview, it was clear he had a personality disorder, with high impulsivity levels and lack of control once the situation overflows.
We also tried to understand the outcome of suturing his mouth. The patient referred his acts of impulsiveness due to his overwhelming situation of both having no job at this moment and the pain he was suffering due to his ankle procedure.
The patient was admitted to our Unit due to the high risk he could repeat this act. Upon arrival, the same day he was admitted, the patient asked if he had to stay at the unit. When explaining the following already told event, furthermore insisting in the possibility of been evaluated by the Traumatology team, he proceeded to try and hang himself with his medical-hospital clothing.
The patient was treated with antipsychotics. Along with Lormetazepam at night. At the end of the hospitalization, and after been evaluated by the Psychiatrist of this Unit, the patient was also treated with Lithium due to its effectiveness in the treatment of autolytic attempts.
Conclusions
Personality disorders are one of the psychiatric pathologies that prevail with greater frequency in autolytic attempts 1. Additionally, it should be taken into account the possible ongoing consumption of psychoactive drugs that could also derive in psychopathological decompensation. On top of the following, the use of antipsychotic treatment is indicated for the managing of conduction altercations 2, besides Lithium being a great option in managing suicidal temptations 3.
An increased risk of suicide has been reported by psychiatric patients, including schizophrenia1. Numerous evidence suggests alterations in the grade of pro-inflammatory impact on suicidal behavior2, and this relation has been shown in patients with mood or anxious disorders3,4. However, the grade of inflammation impact suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia has hardly been investigated.
Objectives
Identify peripheral blood biomarkers of suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia, including inflammatory and lipid profile parameters.
Methods
Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study. Sample: 254 patients with schizophrenia, aged 18-72. Assessments: ad-hoc demographic and clinical questionnaire, PANSS, CDS, CAINS, PSP. Inflammatory and lipid parameters: C-reactive protein (PCR), interleukin 6 (IL-6); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceridaemia (TG). Statistical analysis: Correlations, T Student, U Mann-Withney and lineal regression.
Results
Mean age: 40.49 (13.10). Men: 64.2%.
No statistically significant differences were found between patients with suicide attempts and those without in any of the inflammatory or lipid parameters (p>0.05). However, differences were found in terms of suicide attempts (yes/no) in the PANSS negative (T=-2.217; p=0.028) and PANSS general psychopathy (T=-4.224; p< 0.001), in depressive symptoms (T =-6.967; p< 0.001), and the MAP subscale of the CAINS (T= -3.741; p<0.001).
Among patients with suicide attempts (n=42; 16.52% of the sample) (mean=1.90; sd=1.73; Range:1-7), statistically significant correlations were found with PCR (r=0.309; p=0.046), but not with cytokines and lipid parameters. On the other hand, no correlations were found with age, sex, length of illness, and any of the clinical scales.
A multiple linear regression was performed considering the number of suicide attempts as the dependent variable and as independent variables, age, sex, and those that were significant in the bivariate analysis (PCR).
A predictive model was found that explains 9.60% of the variance of number of suicide attempts (F = 4.224; p < 0.001). The variable that entered the model was PCR (β= 0.309; p=0.046).
Conclusions
The increase in inflammation (manifested by the elevation of PCR) is related to an increase in the number of suicides. On the contrary, no correlations were found with lipid parameters or interleukins.
Schizotypal personality is a condition suffered by 4% of the population. It is defined by presenting interpersonal, behavioral and perceptual features similar to the clinical features of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, in less intensity and dysfunctionality, but at risk of reaching psychosis.
Objectives
Presentation of a clinical case about a patient with premorbid schizotypal personality traits presenting with an acute psychotic episode.
Methods
Literature review on association between schizotypal personality and psychosis.
Results
A 57-year-old woman with a history of adaptive disorder due to work problems 13 years ago, currently without psychopharmacological treatment, goes to the emergency room brought by the emergency services due to behavioral alteration. She reports that “her husband and son wanted to sexually abuse her”, so she had to run away from home and has been running through the streets of the town without clothes and barefoot.
Her husband relates attitude alterations and extravagant behaviors of years of evolution, such as going on diets of eating only bread for 40 days or talking about exoteric and religious subjects, as believing that the devil got inside her husband through a dental implant. He reports that these behaviors have been accentuated during the last month. She has also created a tarot website, and has even had discussions with several users. She is increasingly suspicious of him, has stopped talking to him and stays in his room all day long, with unmotivated laughter and soliloquies.
It was decided to admit him to Psychiatry and risperidone 4 mg was started. At the beginning, she was suspicious and reticent in the interview. As the days went by, communication improved, she showed a relaxed gesture and distanced herself from the delirious ideation, criticizing the episode.
Conclusions
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in understanding the association between schizotypy and serious mental disorder. Several theories understand schizotypy as a natural continuum of personality that reveals genetic vulnerability and that can lead to psychotic disorder when added to precipitating factors. Other theories define schizotypy as a “latent schizophrenia” where symptoms are contained and expressed in less intensity.
Around 20% evolves to paranoid schizophrenia or other serious mental disorders. It is complex to distinguish between those individuals in whom schizotypy is a prodrome and those in whom it is a stable personality trait. To date, studies applying early psychotherapeutic or pharmacological interventions have had insufficient and contradictory results, and the follow-up and treatment of these individuals could be a stress factor and a stigma. Some studies are looking for reliable markers of evolution to schizophrenia in order to establish adequate protocols for detention, follow-up and treatment.
Conversive disorder is characterised by the presence of one or more involuntary neurological symptoms that are not due to a clear medical pathology. On the other hand, consciously simulated illnesses fall into two diagnostic categories: factitious disorders and malingering, which are differentiated by both the motivation for the behaviour and the awareness of that motivation. Factitious disorder behaviours are motivated by an unconscious need to assume the sick role, whereas malingering behaviours are consciously driven to achieve external secondary gains.
Objectives
Study of the differences between conversion disorder and factitious disorder and their repercussions from a case of difficult diagnosis.
Methods
Bibliographic review of scientific literature based on a relevant clinical case.
Results
We present the case of a 14-year-old male patient. Adoptive parents. Studying in high school. Social difficulties since childhood. He comes to the emergency department on several occasions referring stereotyped movements and motor tics in the four extremities with left cervical lateralization. Increase of these symptoms in the last month, so it was decided to admit him to the pediatric hospital. After observation and study of the patient’s movements with normal complementary tests he should return home. The following day he returned to the emergency department after an episode of dizziness, mutism and emotional block. It was decided to admit him to Psychiatry for behavioral observation and differential diagnosis.
Conclusions
In the assessment of patients it is essential to make an appropriate diagnosis taking into account the patient’s symptomatology and the patient’s background and life context. Conversion disorder is the unintentional production of neurological symptom, whereas malingering and factitious disorder represent the voluntary production of symptoms with internal or external incentives. They have a close history and this has been frequently confounded. Practitioners are often confronted to medically unexplained symptoms; they represent almost 30% of neurologist’s consultation. The first challenge is to detect them, and recent studies have confirmed the importance of “positive” clinical bedside signs based on incoherence and discordance. Multidisciplinary therapy is recommended with behavioral cognitive therapy, antidepressant to treat frequent comorbid anxiety or depression, and physiotherapy. Factitious disorder and malingering should be clearly delineated from conversion disorder. Factitious disorder should be considered as a mental illness and more research on its physiopathology and treatment is needed, when malingering is a non-medical condition encountered in medico-legal cases.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are bacterial metabolites that, within microbiome-gut-brain axis, make a promising research line on etiopathology of mental diseases like schizophrenia (SZ) and major depression disorder. Besides, depressive symptoms are frequent clinical features of SZ.
Objectives
- Describe fecal SCFA concentrations in SZ patients.
Cross-sectional study of 67 outpatients [mean age=43.52±12.42, range=22-67; males=40 (59.7%)] with diagnosis (DSM-5) of SZ recruited from their mental health clinics in Oviedo (Spain).
- Chlorpromazine equivalent doses (CPZ-ED), use of antidepressants.
- MetS (ATP-III), body mass index (BMI; kg/cm2).
- Statistics: Spearman correlation, U Mann-Whitney, ANCOVA.
Results
14 patients showed clinical depression (CDS≥5). There were no differences in age or sex between groups. 36 patients (53.7%) showed systemic low-grade inflammation (CPR≥0.3mg/dL) and 32 (30.8%) MetS.Table 1 shows fecal SCFA levels by depressive state. Means (SD) are ahown.Table 1
CDS≤4
CDS≥5
Total
U Mann-Whitney(p-value)
Acetate
21.449(12.823)
12.911(7.189)
19.665(12.328)
221.000(0.021)
Propanoate
9.170(6.819)
6.848(6.036)
8.685(6.687)
268.500(0.114)
Butyrate
8.529(6.436)
7.875(8.232)
8.392(6.787)
320.000(0.432)
Total SCFA
39.148(23.770)
31.415(24.526)
36.742(23.549)
250.000(0.062)
Correlations were found in Age with Butyrate (r=-0.248,p=0.043) and weekly alcohol units with Propanoate (r=0.250,p=0.041) plus trend to significance with Butyrate (r=0.232,p=0.059). It also showed a trend towards statistical relation for CPZ-ED with Propanoate (r=-0.253,p=0.039) and Total SCFA (r=-0.253,p=0.039). We found no correlation in SCFA with MetS, CGI, PANSS-N, BMI, IPAQ, MEDAS and other toxic habits.
ANCOVA was performed to Acetate and Total SCFA using depression state as independent variable and Age and CPZ-ED as covariates. There was a trend towards statistical significance for Acetate (F=3.937,p=0.052,η2=0.059) whereas Total SCFA showed no difference (F=1.350,p=2.250,η2=0.021).
Conclusions
There seems to be lower levels of fecal Acetate in SZ patients with depressive symptoms, considering age and antipsychotic intake. In our sample there was no relation between SFCA and clinical severity, lifestyle, comorbidities or antidepressant use.
Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic synthesised in 1958. It was withdrawn from the market in the 1970s due to the appearance of agranulocytosis, but was reintroduced due to strong evidence of its efficacy and superiority over other antipsychotics in treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Objectives
To describe the adequate response to clozapine in treatment-refractory psychosis.
Methods
Review of the scientific literature based on a relevant clinical case.
Results
A 16-year-old woman was admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit for psychotic symptoms and behavioural disorders. She lives with her father and older sister; she has not been in contact with her mother, who lives in another country, for several years. She attends secondary school, with poor academic performance. Maternal diagnosis of schizophrenia. She started using cannabis two years ago, with a progressive increase up to 20 grams per week. He reports the onset of a feeling of strangeness a year ago, with progressive isolation in his room, referring to delirious ideation of harm towards classmates and people from his town, self-referentiality and delirious interpretations of religious mystical content (“God speaks to me through a dove”). He comments on the phenomenon of theft and thought-reading. Soliloquies and unmotivated laughter are observed.
Conclusions
Treatment was started with risperidone, progressively increasing the dose up to optimisation, without achieving a decrease in positive symptoms, but with the appearance of excessive sedation and sialorrhoea. It was combined with aripiprazole up to 20mg, maintained for a couple of weeks, without significant clinical improvement. Given the failure of two lines of therapy, it was decided to change to clozapine up to a dose of 75mg, with adequate tolerance and response, achieving a distancing of the delirious ideation. Regular haematological controls were performed, with no alterations in haemogram or troponins.
An increase in suicidal behavior among the adolescent population is reflected in the literature and in clinical practice. According to a study of suicidal behavior and mental health by the Spanish ANAR Foundation, the number of cases with suicidal behavior has experienced an accentuated growth in the period 2012-2022 (1,921.3%), highlighting the increase produced in the post-COVID-19 period, between 2020 and 2022 (128%)
Objectives
To analyze the reasons for admission to the short hospitalization unit. To describe the sociodemographic characteristics of hospitalized adolescents.
Methods
Descriptive observational study of the sample of adolescents admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit of the Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro between January 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023. It is carried out through the information obtained in the clinical history of the patients.
Results
During this period of time 113 adolescents were admitted, 80.2% were female. The mean age was 15.16 years. The main reason for admission was autolytic ideation, occurring in 33.3% of the patients. The second most frequent reason for admission was suicide attempt (29.7%) and behavioral disturbance (17.1%) was the third most frequent. Of the methods used in suicide attempts, drug overeating stands out among the methods used in suicide attempts. (75.8%), followed by attempted hanging (12.1%) or cutting (12.1%).
Image:
Conclusions
The results corroborate what is reported in the scientific literature, where self-harm and self-injury attempts have increased and are the most frequent reasons for admission. This shows that suicide is a public health problem of the first order, where prevention and early intervention programs are necessary.
Benzodiazepine use disorder (BUD) has been associated with the presence of suicidal ideation (SI) in general population. It seems there is an overall increase in the risk of attempting suicide due to the increase of impulsivity, rebound and withdrawal of those who use benzodiazepines(1). However, this association has been scarcely studied.
Objectives
To explore the prevalence, clinical features and factors related to lifetime SI in adults with BUD.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in an outpatient center for addiction treatment between 01/01/2010 and 12/31/2021. Adult patients who met criteria for active BUD were included. Patients with language barriers, cognitive impairments and those who were participating in any clinical trial were excluded. All patients were evaluated with an ad-hoc questionnaire, EuropASI (European Addiction Severity Index), BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) and HRQoL SF-36 (Health-related quality of life according to SF-36). Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed comparing BUD patients with or without SI.
Results
554 patients were included (65.2% males; M age 42.6±12.6 years). SI was reported in 57.2% of the patients. Regarding the sociodemographic variables, any type of lifetime abuse was correlated with SI (67.8%, 73.5% and 77.8% of the patients with emotional, physical and sexual abuse respectively). Considering the different psychiatric features studied, having any psychiatric diagnosis increased SI up to 64%. Depressive and cluster B personality disorders were the ones with a higher presence of SI (67.1% and 68.1% respectively). Anxiety and cluster A personality disorders had also higher proportions of SI (56.1% and 58,7% respectively). Regarding the different assessment instruments used, a higher punctuation on BDI score was seen in the group of patients with SI (23.73±12.86). The scores also showed a worse perception of the mental quality of life of those people with SI, measured by HRQoL (13.76 and 36.82±31.93 in patients with SI and no SI respectively). Considering the EuropASI, there was an increased proportion of SI in those patients with a worse familiar situation (0.44±0.30), a higher alcohol consumption (0.26±0.28) and a worse psychological condition (0.48±0.24).
Conclusions
The prevalence of SI in patients with BUD is significative and is related to several clinical factors. Those factors should be taken into account in daily clinical practice, research, and any health policies on suicide. Further research should be developed.
1. Dodds, T.J. ‘Prescribed benzodiazepines and suicide risk’, The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders 2017; 19(2).
Lithium was the first mood stabilizer and today continues to be a first-line treatment in the treatment of bipolar disorder despite its adverse effects, which make it important to monitor blood levels and control kidney function.
Objectives
Presentation of a case of litium withdrawal and relapse in bipolar disorder. Literature review relating to the risk of relapse when lithium treatment is interrupted.
Methods
We present a clinical case of a patient who suffers a deterioration in renal function that requires the withdrawal of lithium and who consequently suffers a relapse. We conducted a bibliographic research of articles in Pubmed on this topic.
Results
A 49-year-old male, with a history of multiple admissions to UHB since the age of 18 with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and treatment with lithium. Decompensations towards the manic pole have always been related to interruptions in lithium treatment. On several occasions when the patient was feeling well emotionally, he believed himself to be “cured” and abandoned the treatment, triggering a manic episode, showing verbal aggression, increased self-esteem and delusional ideation of harm. Remission was usually achieved with the reintroduction of lithium and the addition of high-dose quetiapine. Between episodes, constant overvalued ideas of economic scarcity seemed to persist, which were accentuated in the form of delusional ideas of ruin in depressive decompensations. After 7 years of stability, control analysis showed blood litemia of 2.2 mEq/L with deterioration of kidney function and generalized tremor was observed, without improvement after serum therapy. He was admitted for dialysis and lithium was suspended. Treatment with valproate was started and a consultation scheduled in a week to adjust the dose. The patient did not attend that consultation and was admitted three days later to Psychiatry Hospitalization showing a challenging attitude, evident dysphoric mood, accelerated speech, with derailments and echolalia. Delusional ideation of harm with auditory hallucinations. Insomnia and hyporexia. Chronic renal failure persisted.
Conclusions
Lithium is a very effective drug but with a narrow therapeutic range that requires adequate monitoring due to the possible consequences of its use at different organs and systems of the body. when lithium is found in the blood at toxic levels with deterioration of kidney function and glomerular filtration fails to recover, lithium treatment should be suspended. Sudden withdrawal of lithium significantly increases the risk of relapse due to rebound effect. More than 50% of patients experience a recurrence within 10 weeks of withdrawal.
Delusional parasitosis, also known as delusional infestation or Ekbom’s syndrome, is a rare psychotic disorder characterized by the false belief that a parasitic skin infestation exists, despite the absence of any medical evidence to support this claim. These patients often see many physicians, so a multidisciplinary approach among clinicians is important. Many patients refuse any treatment due to their firm belief that they suffer from an infestation, not a psychiatric condition, so it is crucial to gain the trust of these patients.
Objectives
The comprehensive review of this clinical case aims to investigate Ekbom syndrome, from a historical, clinical and therapeutic perspective.
Methods
Literature review based on delusional parasitosis.
Results
A 65-year-old woman comes to the psychiatry consultation referred by her primary care physician concerned about being infested by insects that she perceives through scales on her skin for the last three months. She recognizes important impact on her functionality. She is also convinced that her family is being infected too. As psychiatric history she recognizes alcohol abuse in the past (no current consumption) and an episode of persecutory characteristics with a neighbor, more than ten years ago. On psychopathological examination, she shows delusional ideation of parasitosis, with high behavioral repercussions, cenesthetic and cotariform hallucinations, as well as feelings of helplessness and anger. Treatment with Pimozide was started and the patient was referred to dermatology for evaluation, a plan she accepted. Her primary care physician and dermatology specialist were informed about the case and the treatment plan. In the recent reviews, the patient is calmer, however, despite the corroboration of dermatology and in the absence of organic lesions in cranial CT, she is still unsatisfied with the results, remaining firm in her conviction of infestation. It was decided to start treatment with atypical neuroleptics (Aripiprazole), with progressive recovery of her previous functionality.
Conclusions
Despite the increase in the number of studies in recent years, there are still few studies on this type of delirium. The female:male ratio varies in the bibiliography (between 2:1 and 3:1). The onset is usually insidious, generally appearing as a patient who comes to his primary care physician convinced of having parasites in different skin locations. It is usual to observe scratching lesions or even wounds in search of the parasite. In the past, the most used and studied treatment was Pimozide. Currently the treatment of choice is atypical neuroleptics due to their lower side effects. The latest reviews on the prognosis of this disorder show data with percentages of complete recovery between 51% and 70%, and partial responses between 16.5% and 20%. Finally, for a good diagnosis and therapeutic management, it is important to achieve a multidisciplinary approach.
The concept of “Recovery” in the context of psychiatric rehabilitation has undergone significant evolution throughout history. This abstract delves into the question of the truth or falsity of this concept, examining diverse perspectives and arguments surrounding its application.
Objectives
The primary aim of this abstract is to critically analyze the concept of “Recovery” in psychiatric rehabilitation and ACT from both favorable and critical perspectives, considering its historical evolution, and highlighting key distinctions between the theories of Mike Slade and William Anthony.
Furthermore, it addresses the significance of measuring and evaluating the fidelity of healthcare practices to this mode
Methods
To conduct this analysis, an exhaustive review of current scientific literature was undertaken. Emphasis was placed on the importance of measuring and evaluating the fidelity of healthcare practices to this model.
Results
Slade and Anthony’s theories emphasize different aspects of recovery, while implementation models translate these theories into clinical practice and services. Additionally, the discussion highlights the significance of measuring and evaluating the fidelity of healthcare practices to this model.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs have increasingly recognized the importance of the “recovery” concept in promoting the empowerment and self-determination of individuals with severe mental illnesses. This discussion examines how ACT programs have adopted recovery-oriented principles, the ways in which they implement these principles, and the potential benefits and challenges associated with their integration.
Conclusions
The distinctions between Mike Slade and William Anthony’s theories and the implementation models underscore the importance of a precise and differentiated understanding within the field of psychiatric rehabilitation.
The integration of the “recovery” concept within Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) represents a significant shift towards person-centered care in psychiatric rehabilitation. Further research and evaluation are essential to assess the effectiveness and long-term impact of this integration.
References
1. Anthony, W. A. (1993). Recovery from mental illness: The guiding vision of the mental health service system in the 1990s. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 16(4), 11-23.
2. Slade, M. (2009). Personal recovery and mental illness: A guide for mental health professionals. Cambridge University Press
3. Kortrijk, H. E., Mulder, C. L., Drukker, M., Wiersma, D., & Duivenvoorden, H. J. (2020). The effects of assertive community treatment on service use in a homeless population in the Netherlands: A randomized controlled trial. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 47(3), 378-387
Individuals with schizotypal personality disorder are characterized by tendencies to magical thinking, unusual perceptions, discomfort in social situations, and restricted affect. It is frecuent that they have social anxiety and have difficulty in understanding the motivations and thoughts of others.
Objectives
Presentation of a case of a patient who was first diagnosed with adjustment disorder, but on a closer study, was discovered to have a schizotypal personality disorder.
Methods
We conducted a bibliographic review by searching for articles about schizotypal personality disorder and theory of mind in Pubmed.
Results
We present the case of a 39-year-old woman, diagnosed with adjustment disorder after a conflict at work with a colleague that caused her anxiety-depressive symptoms. In consultations, the patient shows verbiage without expansiveness or euphoria, with rambling speech. She expresses feelings of indignation and injustice, she is irritable, with contained anger. She refers that she prefers to be distrustful of others because she does not understand their intentions. Her thoughts are very rigid, which leads her to have avoidant and phobic attitudes, having no relationships of friendship throughout her life.
A neuropsychological evaluation is carried out, resulting in a surprising WAIS with a TIC of 128. However, the Mayer‐Salovey‐Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) shows difficulties in Perception, Comprehension and Emotional Management
Considering the patient’s symptomatology as a whole, it is noteworthy:
– Sustained social isolation throughout their life history
– Superficiality of interpersonal relationships
– Distrust and slight self-referentiality. Deficit in inferring the feelings and thoughts of others
– Peculiar speech with ideas of magical content, superstitions and rituals…
Which together supported a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. From this point we started to work on her self-esteem, modification of irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions, interpersonal communication and metacognitive therapy, with good results.
Conclusions
The type of schizotypal patients who come to consultations most frequently are the actively isolated/timorous profile due to their intense social anxiety and difficulties in understanding and adapting to the social world around them. Initial therapy should be empathic support. The theory of mind is the ability to infer the other’s mental states and therefore predict their behavior, this ability being diminished in the schizotypal patient. Mentalization tasks, metacognitive therapy, cognitive flexibility training, social skills training, and promoting self-worth are useful. On some occasions it may be necessary to start psychopharmacological treatment to control anxiety and unusual perceptions when they cause discomfort.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of illicit use of fentanyl and other opioids in the United States population. This has led to an increase in medical, psychopathological and abuse-associated comorbidity, an increase in deaths and a decrease in the age of consumption, and has become a serious emerging problem in young people.
We present the case of an 18-year-old woman from the United States who recently settled in Spain and started a follow-up in Mental Health due to opioid and other substance abuse problems.
Objectives
To address the growing problem surrounding the illicit use of fentanyl and opioids as drugs of abuse based on the presentation of the clinical case mentioned above.
Methods
Bibliographic search and description of a clinical case of a patient under follow-up by Mental Health at the “Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid”.
Results
An 18-year-old woman from the United States who has been living with her father in Spain since the summer of 2023, having moved to Spain due to problems related to substance abuse.
With no previous medical or surgical history and with a history of follow-up in Mental Health in her country of origin for depressive symptomatology, dysfunctional personality traits and abuse of different toxic substances since adolescence.
After a brief and erratic follow-up in Psychiatry for anxious-depressive symptoms reactive to a complex and conflictive relationship with his mother and marked academic difficulties during the first years of adolescence, at the age of 15 he started using cannabis and alcohol, thus beginning a period marked by relationships with marginalized sectors of the population, substance abuse and school failure.
As his cannabis consumption intensified, he began to consume fentanyl prescribed to his mother, as well as other opioids to which he had access illegally, for which reason he had to be admitted twice to detoxification centers without results, which is why his family finally decided to move him to Spain.
Conclusions
In recent years, fentanyl abuse has become a serious public health problem that is mainly centered in the young population.
High levels of impulsivity and lack of frustration tolerance predispose to the use of illicit substances for elusive purposes.
Substance abuse carries with it not only an important organic comorbidity, but also a marked socio-familial and economic repercussion.
It is widely described in the scientific literature that patients who suffer from some type of congenital syndrome such as Di George Syndrome are more likely to present some type of psychopathological alteration during their development that may require intervention and treatment by infant and juvenile mental health teams in coordination with neuropediatrics (1). On this occasion, we will present the clinical case of a patient who regularly attends psychiatry consultations for management of anxious symptoms with impulse control deficits associated with intellectual disability, diagnosed since childhood with tetralogy of Fallot and later with Di George syndrome. In this type of case, treatment is usually considered taking into account possible comorbidities at the organic level (since there may be cardiological involvement, which can be an added difficulty when taking into account the adverse effects of some psychotropic drugs) (2).
Objectives
This is followed by the presentation of the clinical case, which can serve to exemplify this type of case and clarify any doubts that may arise regarding treatment.
Methods
Presentation of the clinical case and review of updated scientific literature on the subject.
Results
Patient who first came to the infantile-junior consultations at the age of 8 years due to delay in the acquisition of verbal language and impulsivity. The patient had a history of pediatric follow-up since birth for different physical symptoms that finally led to the diagnosis of Di George syndrome.
Given the difficulties he presented both at home and at school, different psychometric tests were performed and it was determined that it could be beneficial to initiate treatment with extended-release methylphenidate. Prior to treatment, psychomotor restlessness (without aggressiveness) and difficulty in concentration prevailed, which improved significantly after upward adjustment of the dose to a guideline corresponding to his age and weight. It was not necessary in this case to administer other treatments (the possibility of starting Aripiprazole in case of episodes of agitation was considered, but it was not necessary). The patient has continued to be monitored by cardiology to assess the possible side effects of the treatment (since it can increase heart rate and blood pressure (3), but so far no complications have been detected).
Thanks to psychotherapeutic and educational intervention, language acquisition was achieved, although to date he still requires support due to the difficulties he still presents.
Conclusions
It is important to take into account the possible side effects of psychopharmacological treatment in patients with an associated congenital syndrome. Intensive and comprehensive follow-up by psychiatry and pediatrics (and later by their primary care physician) should be performed.
Pregnancy and puerperium are two critical stages for women’s mental health due to the biological stress of pregnancy itself, as well as the emotional stress that surrounds this vital moment. (1) Debut and aggravation of psychiatric symptoms may occur, as well as relapse in women previously diagnosed with Severe Mental Disorder (SMD).
Symptoms of the anxious spectrum are the most frequent within the perinatal mental pathology, being impulse phobias an entity that appears in about 25% of women previously diagnosed with OCD and up to 10-15% of women without previous psychopathology (2)
Objectives
Exposing the importance of Perinatal Mental Health from the presentation of a clinical case.
Methods
Review of the literature available in PubMed. Presentation of the pathobiography and evolution of the patient.
Results
Our case is about a 37-year-old woman, 30 weeks pregnant with her first child and history of having required admission to Psychiatry with subsequent follow-up in Mental Health for anxious-depressive symptoms with the presence of self-injurious ideas who, after two weeks with multiple life stressors, came to the Emergency Department for the presence of impulse phobias focused on pregnancy with significant internal anguish and ideas of death as a resolution to it, which is why it was decided to hospitalize her. During admission, and taking into account the patient’s gestational state, treatment was started with diluted Mirtazapine and Aripiprazole solution at minimal doses, which in this case were sufficient for symptom control.
The latest guidelines addressing psychopharmacology during pregnancy and lactation point to sertraline among the antidepressants and Lorazepam among the benzodiazepines as the safest drugs during pregnancy (3).
Conclusions
- The exacerbation of anxious symptomatology and the presence of gestation-focused impulse phobias are frequent during pregnancy and their intensity increases as the time of delivery approaches.
- Sertraline, Lorazepam, Mirtazapine and Aripiprazole are safe drugs during pregnancy.
- In these women, a close and multidisciplinary follow-up by Psychiatry and Gynecology is advisable.
Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a product of polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation (Del Rio D, et al. A review of recent studies on MDA as toxic molecule and biological marker of oxidative stress. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2005;15:316-28). It is a biomarker of oxidative stress and is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (Goh et al. Asian J Psychiatr. 2022;67:102932). Schizofrenia is linked to disrupted oxidative balance and inflammation (Więdłocha et al. Brain Sci. 2023;13:490). Prior research has shown connections between biomarkers and circadian rhythms in schizophrenia (Morera & Abreu. Acta Physiol Scand. 2007;43:313-14) and diabetes type 2 (Kanabrocki EL, et al. Circadian variation in oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy and type II diabetic men. Chronobiol Int. 2002;19:423-39). To determinate if MDA levels have a role in schizophrenia and follow a circadian rhythm may be useful.
Objectives
The aim of our study is to compare diurnal and nocturnal MDA serum levels in patients in acute and stabilized phases of schizophrenia according to CIE-10 to find out if there are variations related with circadian rhythms
Methods
47 patients were included in our study in two clinical phases: acute episode and stabilization. Blood samples were collected at 12:00h and at 00:00h. MDA serum levels were measured twice: when patients were decompensated (admission) and at clinical stabilization (discharge). The relationship between quantitative variables at both times was analysed by T-Student test
Results
There is no significative difference between night and day MDA levels in the acute phase of the schizophrenia (2.22±1.352 vs. 1.93±1.530, p<0.09). There is statistical significance between 12:00 and 00:00 (1.90±1.136 vs. 1.34±0.868, p<0.001) at discharge: it was observed that levels decreased. This result can be interpreted as there is circadian rhythm in stabilized phases.
Conclusions
MDA levels in patients with schizophrenia do not follow a circadian rhythm in the acute episode. When they are clinically stabilized present a circadian change. These patients lose the circadian rhythm in acute episodes. MDA circadian rhythm may help diagnose the clinical phase and its severity. It is necessary to perform more studies to know its utility as an oxidative biomarker