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Characteristics of healthcare personnel with SARS-CoV-2 infection: 10 emerging infections program sites in the United States, April 2020–December 2021
- Nora Chea, Taniece Eure, Rebecca Alkis Ramirez, Maria Zlotorzynska, Gregory T. Blazek, Joelle Nadle, Jane Lee, Christopher A. Czaja, Helen Johnston, Devra Barter, Melissa Kellogg, Catherine Emanuel, James Meek, Monica Brackney, Stacy Carswell, Stepy Thomas, Scott K. Fridkin, Lucy E. Wilson, Rebecca Perlmutter, Kaytlynn Marceaux-Galli, Ashley Fell, Sara Lovett, Sarah Lim, Ruth Lynfield, Sarah Shrum Davis, Erin C. Phipps, Marla Sievers, Ghinwa Dumyati, Christopher Myers, Christine Hurley, Erin Licherdell, Rebecca Pierce, Valerie L. S. Ocampo, Eric W. Hall, Christopher Wilson, Cullen Adre, Erika Kirtz, Tiffanie M. Markus, Kathryn Billings, Ian D Plumb, Glen R. Abedi, Jade James-Gist, Shelley S. Magill, Cheri T. Grigg
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- Journal:
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , First View
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 May 2024, pp. 1-9
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Background:
Understanding characteristics of healthcare personnel (HCP) with SARS-CoV-2 infection supports the development and prioritization of interventions to protect this important workforce. We report detailed characteristics of HCP who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from April 20, 2020 through December 31, 2021.
Methods:CDC collaborated with Emerging Infections Program sites in 10 states to interview HCP with SARS-CoV-2 infection (case-HCP) about their demographics, underlying medical conditions, healthcare roles, exposures, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and COVID-19 vaccination status. We grouped case-HCP by healthcare role. To describe residential social vulnerability, we merged geocoded HCP residential addresses with CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) values at the census tract level. We defined highest and lowest SVI quartiles as high and low social vulnerability, respectively.
Results:Our analysis included 7,531 case-HCP. Most case-HCP with roles as certified nursing assistant (CNA) (444, 61.3%), medical assistant (252, 65.3%), or home healthcare worker (HHW) (225, 59.5%) reported their race and ethnicity as either non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic. More than one third of HHWs (166, 45.2%), CNAs (283, 41.7%), and medical assistants (138, 37.9%) reported a residential address in the high social vulnerability category. The proportion of case-HCP who reported using recommended PPE at all times when caring for patients with COVID-19 was lowest among HHWs compared with other roles.
Conclusions:To mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in healthcare settings, infection prevention, and control interventions should be specific to HCP roles and educational backgrounds. Additional interventions are needed to address high social vulnerability among HHWs, CNAs, and medical assistants.
TwinsMX: Exploring the Genetic and Environmental Influences on Health Traits in the Mexican Population
- Brisa García-Vilchis, Talia V. Román-López, Diego Ramírez-González, Xanat J. López-Camaño, Vanessa Murillo-Lechuga, Xóchitl Díaz-Téllez, C. Itzamná Sánchez-Moncada, Ian M. Espinosa-Méndez, Diego Zenteno-Morales, Zaida X. Espinosa-Valdes, Sofia Pradel-Jiménez, Andrea Tapia-Atilano, Ana V. Zanabria-Pérez, Federica Livas-Gangas, Oscar Aldana-Assad, Ulises Caballero-Sánchez, César A. Dominguez-Frausto, Miguel E. Rentería, Alejandra Medina-Rivera, Sarael Alcauter, Alejandra E. Ruiz-Contreras
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- Journal:
- Twin Research and Human Genetics / Volume 27 / Issue 2 / April 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 03 May 2024, pp. 85-96
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TwinsMX registry is a national research initiative in Mexico that aims to understand the complex interplay between genetics and environment in shaping physical and mental health traits among the country’s population. With a multidisciplinary approach, TwinsMX aims to advance our knowledge of the genetic and environmental mechanisms underlying ethnic variations in complex traits and diseases, including behavioral, psychometric, anthropometric, metabolic, cardiovascular and mental disorders. With information gathered from over 2800 twins, this article updates the prevalence of several complex traits; and describes the advances and novel ideas we have implemented such as magnetic resonance imaging. The future expansion of the TwinsMX registry will enhance our comprehension of the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in shaping health and disease in the Mexican population. Overall, this report describes the progress in the building of a solid database that will allow the study of complex traits in the Mexican population, valuable not only for our consortium, but also for the worldwide scientific community, by providing new insights of understudied genetically admixed populations.
Inequality on the frontline: A multi-country study on gender differences in mental health among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Diana Czepiel, Clare McCormack, Andréa T.C. da Silva, Dominika Seblova, Maria F. Moro, Alexandra Restrepo-Henao, Adriana M. Martínez, Oyeyemi Afolabi, Lubna Alnasser, Rubén Alvarado, Hiroki Asaoka, Olatunde Ayinde, Arin Balalian, Dinarte Ballester, Josleen A.l. Barathie, Armando Basagoitia, Djordje Basic, María S. Burrone, Mauro G. Carta, Sol Durand-Arias, Mehmet Eskin, Eduardo Fernández-Jiménez, Marcela I. F. Frey, Oye Gureje, Anna Isahakyan, Rodrigo Jaldo, Elie G. Karam, Dorra Khattech, Jutta Lindert, Gonzalo Martínez-Alés, Franco Mascayano, Roberto Mediavilla, Javier A. Narvaez Gonzalez, Aimee Nasser-Karam, Daisuke Nishi, Olusegun Olaopa, Uta Ouali, Victor Puac-Polanco, Dorian E. Ramírez, Jorge Ramírez, Eliut Rivera-Segarra, Bart P.F. Rutten, Julian Santaella-Tenorio, Jaime C. Sapag, Jana Šeblová, María T. S. Soto, Maria Tavares-Cavalcanti, Linda Valeri, Marit Sijbrandij, Ezra S. Susser, Hans W. Hoek, Els van der Ven
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- Journal:
- Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health / Volume 11 / 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 04 March 2024, e34
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Healthcare workers (HCWs) were at increased risk for mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, with prior data suggesting women may be particularly vulnerable. Our global mental health study aimed to examine factors associated with gender differences in psychological distress and depressive symptoms among HCWs during COVID-19. Across 22 countries in South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, 32,410 HCWs participated in the COVID-19 HEalth caRe wOrkErS (HEROES) study between March 2020 and February 2021. They completed the General Health Questionnaire-12, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and questions about pandemic-relevant exposures. Consistently across countries, women reported elevated mental health problems compared to men. Women also reported increased COVID-19-relevant stressors, including insufficient personal protective equipment and less support from colleagues, while men reported increased contact with COVID-19 patients. At the country level, HCWs in countries with higher gender inequality reported less mental health problems. Higher COVID-19 mortality rates were associated with increased psychological distress merely among women. Our findings suggest that among HCWs, women may have been disproportionately exposed to COVID-19-relevant stressors at the individual and country level. This highlights the importance of considering gender in emergency response efforts to safeguard women’s well-being and ensure healthcare system preparedness during future public health crises.
Overcoming major barriers in seed ecology research in developing countries
- Fernando A. O. Silveira, Lisieux Fuzessy, Shyam S. Phartyal, Roberta L. C. Dayrell, Filip Vandelook, Jerónimo Vázquez-Ramírez, Çağatay Tavşanoğlu, Mehdi Abedi, Sershen Naidoo, Diana C. Acosta-Rojas, Si-Chong Chen, Diana M. Cruz-Tejada, Gehan Jayasuryia, Carlos A. Ordóñez-Parra, Arne Saatkamp
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- Seed Science Research / Volume 33 / Issue 3 / September 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 03 January 2024, pp. 172-181
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Scientists are becoming increasingly aware that disparities in opportunities for conducting and publishing research among scientists living under different socio-economic contexts have created pervasive biases and long-lasting impacts on our views of the natural world. These disparities are challenging the establishment of a global research agenda for a variety of disciplines, including seed ecology. Seed ecology has progressed enormously recently, but multiple barriers have hindered progress in the Global South where biodiversity and environmental complexity are highest. Here, we identify ten major challenges that seed ecologists from developing countries face in relation to planning, designing, conducting and publishing their research. We also propose several measures to overcome these challenges: (1) closing biodiversity knowledge shortfalls, (2) enhancing and creating long-term seed ecological networks, (3) supporting better infrastructure, (4) making fieldwork easier and safer, (5) unlocking funding opportunities, (6) promoting inclusive scientific meetings, (7) alleviating language barriers, (8) improving education, (9) shifting the notion of novelty and relevance and (10) supporting native seed markets. The authors recommend that the proposed solutions can be implemented by seed ecologists and the broader scientific community including funding agencies, research directors, journal editors and the academic publishing industry. Solutions can help mitigate multiple challenges simultaneously, thus offering a relatively inexpensive, fast and productive pathway for the development of seed ecology into a truly global research discipline that benefits scientists irrespective of their geographic location and background.
71 Treatment with TMS Improves Aspects of Attention in Depression: A Pilot Study
- Nicole C Walker, Nathan Ramirez, Laurie Chin, Sonia S Rehman, Stephanie C Gee, Kathleen Hodges, Leanne M Williams, Robert Hickson, L. Chauncey Green, Talaya Patton, Hanaa Aldasouqi, Noah S Philip, F. Andrew Kozel, Jerome A Yesavage, Michelle R Madore
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 476-477
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Objective:
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an evidenced based treatment for adults with treatment resistant depression (TRD). The standard clinical protocol for TMS is to stimulate the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Although the DLPFC is a defining region in the cognitive control network of the brain and implicated in executive functions such as attention and working memory, we lack knowledge about whether TMS improves cognitive function independent of depression symptoms. This exploratory analysis sought to address this gap in knowledge by assessing changes in attention before and after completion of a standard treatment with TMS in Veterans with TRD.
Participants and Methods:Participants consisted of 7 Veterans (14.3% female; age M = 46.14, SD = 7.15; years education M = 16.86, SD = 3.02) who completed a full 30-session course of TMS treatment and had significant depressive symptoms at baseline (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9 score >5). Participants were given neurocognitive assessments measuring aspects of attention [Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale 4th Edition (WAIS-IV) subtests: Digits Forward, Digits Backward, and Number Sequencing) at baseline and again after completion of TMS treatment. The relationship between pre and post scores were examined using paired-samples t-test for continuous variables and a linear regression to covary for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is often comorbid with depression in Veteran populations.
Results:There was a significant improvement in Digit Span Forward (p=.01, d=-.53), but not Digit Span Backward (p=.06) and Number Sequencing (p=.54) post-TMS treatment. Depression severity was not a significant predictor of performance on Digit Span Forward (f(1,5)=.29, p=.61) after TMS treatment. PTSD severity was also not a significant predictor of performance on Digit Span Forward (f(1,5)=1.31, p=.32).
Conclusions:Findings suggested that a standard course of TMS improves less demanding measures of working memory after a full course of TMS, but possibly not the more demanding aspects of working memory. This improvement in cognitive function was independent of improvements in depression and PTSD symptoms. Further investigation in a larger sample and with direct neuroimaging measures of cognitive function is warranted.
Lessons learned from over a decade of data audits in international observational HIV cohorts in Latin America and East Africa
- Sarah C. Lotspeich, Bryan E. Shepherd, Marion Achieng Kariuki, Kara Wools-Kaloustian, Catherine C. McGowan, Beverly Musick, Aggrey Semeere, Brenda E. Crabtree Ramírez, Denna M. Mkwashapi, Carina Cesar, Matthew Ssemakadde, Daisy Maria Machado, Antony Ngeresa, Flávia Faleiro Ferreira, Jerome Lwali, Adias Marcelin, Sandra Wagner Cardoso, Marco Tulio Luque, Larissa Otero, Claudia P. Cortés, Stephany N. Duda
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- Journal of Clinical and Translational Science / Volume 7 / Issue 1 / 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 03 November 2023, e245
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Introduction:
Routine patient care data are increasingly used for biomedical research, but such “secondary use” data have known limitations, including their quality. When leveraging routine care data for observational research, developing audit protocols that can maximize informational return and minimize costs is paramount.
Methods:For more than a decade, the Latin America and East Africa regions of the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium have been auditing the observational data drawn from participating human immunodeficiency virus clinics. Since our earliest audits, where external auditors used paper forms to record audit findings from paper medical records, we have streamlined our protocols to obtain more efficient and informative audits that keep up with advancing technology while reducing travel obligations and associated costs.
Results:We present five key lessons learned from conducting data audits of secondary-use data from resource-limited settings for more than 10 years and share eight recommendations for other consortia looking to implement data quality initiatives.
Conclusion:After completing multiple audit cycles in both the Latin America and East Africa regions of the IeDEA consortium, we have established a rich reference for data quality in our cohorts, as well as large, audited analytical datasets that can be used to answer important clinical questions with confidence. By sharing our audit processes and how they have been adapted over time, we hope that others can develop protocols informed by our lessons learned from more than a decade of experience in these large, diverse cohorts.
Brief psychotic episode in an adult without medical antecedents after suffering the indirect consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war
- R. G. Troyano, M. Fariña Francia, E. Marimon Muñoz, I. Fernandez Marquez, E. Miranda Ruiz, M. Arroyo Ucar, J. Ramirez Gonzalez, S. Ferreiro Gonzalez, C. Hidalgo, A. Quispe
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S911
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Introduction
Almost nine months after the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, millions of people have been affected physically, economically and mainly mentally. Those who have stayed in their homeland, and the ones that have chosen to emigrate to a safer place.
ObjectivesThe objective of this article is to assess the importance of social stressors in the onset of a brief psychotic episode, even in the absence of substance abuse or previous illnesses.
MethodsThe case of a 45-year-old woman is described, known by the Pediatric Emergency Service, for being the tutor of a patient who suffered from anxiety attacks, having emigrated without her parents from Ukraine together with her 5 brothers. The psychotic episode begins when our patient gets notified that she must abandon the custody of the girl, because she will have to go to Turkey with her legal guardians. The family explains the behavioral changes that the patient made and how the clinical picture worsened.
ResultsShe was admitted at the Hospital’s Psychiatry Service and antipsychotics treatment started. After 5 days, the episode had completely been solved.
ConclusionsIn conclusion, we highlight the importance of social problems in the development of a psychiatric pathology and the necessary elements to prevent it: family support network, fast and efficient care services and availability of hospital and pharmaceutical resources.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Acute psychosis following corticosteroid administration for COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection: A case study
- E. Miranda Ruiz, E. Marimon Muñoz, J. Ramirez Gonzalez, M. Fariña, R. G. Troyano, M. I. Arroyo Ucar, S. Ferreiro, I. Fernandez Marquez, C. Hidalgo, A. Quispe, L. Delgado
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S790
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Introduction
Steroids are a necessary treatment for hypoxic respiratory failure; however there are many side effects that should be taken into account. A 44- year-old-woman with asthma and no past psychiatric history was admitted due to COVID-19 pneumonia and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, presenting hypoxic respiratory failure. After two days of intravenous methylprednisolone administration, the patient presented acute psychosis and agitation.
It has been previously described that steroid use can cause effects such as mania, anxiety, agitation, delirium and psychosis amongst other. However they are a necessary treatment in respiratory illnesses and are sometimes unavoidable.
ObjectivesThe aim was to examine the appropriate medical response to steroid induced psychosis in patients with acute hypoxic failure.
MethodsA bibliographical review was done in PubMed database searching recent cases of steroid induced psychosis using the words (“Steroid”, “Psychosis” and “COVID-19”).
ResultsAccording to literature, it has been shown that partial or complete reduction of steroid use and/or use of psychotropic has been successfully used to treat steroid induced psychosis. Following the research it was decided to reduce intravenous methylprednisolone dose from 20mg/ 8h to 20mg/12h and start oral haloperidol 5mg/8h the first 24h and reducing the dose progressively as the patient recovered. After the first 24 hours the patient presented adequate response to steroids as well as partial response to antipsychotic treatment; presenting no further agitation, absence of hallucinations and partial persistence of the persecutory delusion. A couple of days later there was complete remission of the psychotic symptoms and the patient was on the way to recovery from COVID-19 and RSV.
ConclusionsThere is evidence that suggests that medications such as steroids used to treat COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses can lead to psychotic episodes. It is very important to pay attention to possible side effects when treating with steroids and evaluate the patient history as well as suggest having a follow up visit after the hospital discharge.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Efficacy of maintenance electroconvulsive therapy in recurrent depression: a case series
- G. Guerra Valera, Ó. Martín Santiago, M. Esperesate Pajares, Q. D. L. de la Viuda, A. A. Gonzaga Ramírez, C. Vallecillo Adame, C. de Andrés Lobo, T. Jiménez Aparicio, N. Navarro Barriga, B. Rodríguez Rodríguez, M. Fernández Lozano, M. J. Mateos Sexmero, A. Aparicio Parras, M. Calvo Valcárcel, M. A. Andreo Vidal, P. Martínez Gimeno, M. P. Pando Fernández, M. D. L. Á. Guillén Soto
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S832
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Introduction
Maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (mECT) is an option in the treatment of affective disorders which progress is not satisfactory. It is certainly neglected and underused during the clinical practice.
ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of mECT in reducing recurrence and relapse in recurrent depression within a sample of three patients.
MethodsWe followed up these patients among two years since they received the first set of electroconvulsive sessions. We applied the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in the succesives consultations for evaluating the progress.
ResultsThe three patients were diagnosed with Recurrent Depressive Disorder (RDD). One of them is a 60 year old man that received initially a cycle of 12 sessions; since then he received 10 maintenance sessions. Other one is a 70 year old woman that received initially a cycle of 10 sessions; since then she received 6 maintenance sessions. The last one is a 55 year old woman that received initially a cycle of 14 sessions; since then she received 20 maintenance sessions.
All of them showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms evaluated through BDI and clinical examination. In the first case, we found a reduction in the BDI from the first consultation to the last that goes from 60 to 12 points; in the second case, from 58 to 8 points; and in the last case, from 55 to 10 points. The main sections that improved were emotional, physical and delusional.
As side-effects of the treatment, we found anterograde amnesia, lack of concentration and loss of focus at all of them.
ConclusionsWe find mECT as a very useful treatment for resistant cases of affective disorders like RDD.
It should be considered as a real therapeutic option when the first option drugs have been proved without success.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Joint treatment of an acute manic episode and a multiple sclerosis debut: A case study
- M. Fariña Francia, E. Marimon Muñoz, E. Miranda Ruiz, I. Fernandez Marquez, R. G. Troyano, J. Ramirez Gonzalez, S. Ferreiro Gonzalez, C. Hidalgo Vazquez, A. Quispe Sulca, M. I. Arroyo Ucar
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S570-S571
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Introduction
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects 1 in 1000 people. Given the association of MS to many affective disorders and specifically with Bipolar Disorder (BD), it is possible that a manic episode and an acute episode of MS may appear together. In these cases, it is difficult to decide whether it is necessary to start a corticosteroid regimen as treatment for the acute episode of MS, since it may worsen manic symptoms.
ObjectivesThe aim is to carry out a review of the existing information in relation to the comorbidity prevalence of MS and TB as well as the joint treatment of both illnesses, and to expose the details of a clinical case, regarding the treatment that was used in the acute psychiatry unit.
MethodsFirst, a search was done in PubMed database reviewing recent cases of steroid induced psychosis using the words (Multiple Sclerosis) AND (Bipolar Disorder). Subsequently, we describe the case of a 41-year-old patient who was admitted to the acute care unit from the emergency department presenting manic symptoms (megalomania, sensation of increased capacities and ideas of mystical content) associated to episodes of muscle weakness and gait disturbances. A screening Magnetic Resonance was performed in which lesions with inflammatory-demyelinating characteristics were detected, and was therefore catalogued as MS debut.
ResultsAfter carrying out a bibliographical review, we can conclude that studies recommend the inclusion of MS within the differential diagnosis of a first manic episode (1), performing neurological examinations, complete anamnesis and imaging tests, given that there is a high prevalence ratio of the comorbidity (2.95%) (2). It has been described that the use of lithium has a calming and neuroprotective agent that may be useful (3).
ConclusionsWe consider it of interest to describe the therapeutic approach to the case. After the introduction of Aripiprazole and Lithium, a short regimen of methylprednisolone in high doses was administered to treat the MS episode. When the treatment started, the patient presented a progressive improvement of the manic episode and motor symptoms. We observed that corticosteroid therapy did not worsen the manic symptoms or the patient’s evolution in this case. We intend to contribute by providing information on the joint management of these pathologies and we consider that it is necessary to continue studying this matter to be able to manage these cases in the most appropriate way.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
UNTIL IT BURSTS OR ALL OF US BURST. A SCHIZOTYPICAL CASE.
- B. Rodríguez Rodríguez, N. Navarro Barriga, M. Fernández Lozano, M. J. Mateos Sexmero, M. A. Andreo Vidal, M. Calvo Valcárcel, P. Martínez Gimeno, M. P. Pando Fernández, A. Aparicio Parras, M. D. L. Á. Guillén Soto, T. Jiménez Aparicio, M. D. C. Vallecillo Adame, C. de Andrés Lobo, A. A. Gonzaga Ramírez, G. Guerra Valera, M. Queipo de Llano de la Viuda, M. Esperesate Pajares
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S967
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Introduction
Schizotypal disorder is conceptualized as a stable personality pathology (Cluster A) and as a latent manifestation of schizophrenia. It can be understood as an attenuated form of psychosis or high-risk mental state, which may precede the onset of schizophrenia or represent a more stable form of psychopathology that doesn’t necessarily progress to psychosis.
ObjectivesTo exemplify the continuum of psychosis
MethodsReview of scientific literature based on a relevant clinical case.
Results39-year-old male living with his parents. He started studying philosophy. He is a regular cannabis user and has an aunt with schizophrenia. He’s admitted to psychiatry for behavioral disturbance in public. He refers to having been hearing a beeping noise in his street for months, what he interprets as a possible way of being watched due to his past ideology. Without specifying who and why, he sometimes shouts “until it bursts” to stop the noise and he thinks that his neighbours alerted the police about his behavior. During the interview he alludes to Milgram’s experiment, saying that throughout history there have been crimes against humanity and those who pointed them out were labeled “crazy”. His father refers that he has always been “strange” and with certain extravagant revolutionary ideas and thoughts. He doesn’t maintain social relationships and dedicates himself to reading and writing.
ConclusionsIt’s important to understand psychosis as a continuum to advance the understanding of etiology, pathophysiology and resilience of psychotic disorders and to develop strategies for prevention and early intervention
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Delirious episode secondary to rotigotine: the psychotic patch
- M. A. Andreo Vidal, M. Calvo Valcárcel, P. Martínez Gimeno, P. Pando Fernández, B. Rodríguez Rodríguez, N. Navarro Barriga, M. Fernández Lozano, M. J. Mateos Sexmero, T. Jiménez Aparicio, M. D. C. Valdecillo Adame, C. de Andrés Lobo, G. Guerra Valera, M. Queipo de Llano de la Viuda, A. A. Gonzaga Ramirez, M. D. L. Á. Guillén Soto, A. Aparicio Parras, M. Esperesate Pajares
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S626
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Introduction
There is a fine line separating psychiatry and neurology. Most movement disorders can have psychiatric symptoms, not only those caused by the disease itself, but also those induced by the drugs used to treat them.
ObjectivesPresentation of a clinical case about a patient diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease presenting a several-month-long delirious episode due to dopaminergic drugs.
MethodsLiterature review on drug-induced psychosis episodes in Parkinson’s disease.
ResultsA 57-year-old patient with diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease for six years, who went to the emergency room accompanied by his wife due to delirious ideation. He was being treated with levodopa, carbidopa and rasagiline for years, and rotigotine patches whose dosage was being increased over the last few months.
His wife reported celotypical clinical manifestations and multiple interpretations of different circumstances occurring around her. He chased her on the street, had downloaded an app to look for a second cell phone because he believed she was cheating on him, and was obsessed with sex. He had no psychiatric background. It was decided to prescribe quetiapine.
The following day, he returned because he refused to take the medication since he thought he was going to be put to sleep or poisoned. It was decided to admit him to Psychiatry.
During the stay, rasagiline and rotigotine were suspended. Olanzapine and clozapine were introduced, with behavioral improvement and distancing from the psychotic symptoms which motivated the admission. The patient was also motorically stable. Although levodopa is best known for causing psychotic episodes, the symptons were attributed to rotigotine patches for temporally overlapping the dose increase.
ConclusionsPsychiatric symptoms are the third most frequent group of complications in Parkinson’s disease after gastrointestinal complications and abnormal movements. All medication used to control motor disorders can lead to psychosis, not only dopaminergics, but also selegiline, amantadine and anticholinergics.
Excessive stimulation of mesocortical and mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways can lead to psychosis, which is the most common psychiatric problem related to dopaminergic treatment.
In the face of a psychotic episode, antiparkinsonian drugs which are not strictly necessary for motor control should be withdrawn. If this is not sufficient, levodopa dose should be reduced, considering the side effects that may occur. When the adjustment of antiparkinsonian treatment is not effective, neuroleptics, especially quetiapine or clozapine, should be administered. In a recent study, pimavanserin, a serotonin 5-HT2 antagonist, was associated with approximately 35% lower mortality than atypical antipsychotic use during the first 180 days of treatment in community-dwelling patients.
Medication should always be tailor-made to suit each patient and we usually have to resort to lowering or withdrawing the dopaminergic medication.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Bipolar disorder and substance use: Risk factors and prognosis
- M. Fernández Lozano, B. Rodríguez Rodríguez, M. J. Mateos Sexmero, N. Navarro Barriga, C. Vallecillo Adame, C. de Andrés Lobo, T. Jimenez Aparicio, M. Queipo de Llano de la Viuda, G. Guerra Valera, A. A. Gonzaga Ramírez, M. P. Pando Fernández, M. Calvo Valcárcel, M. A. Andreo Vidal, P. Martínez Gimeno
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S704
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Introduction
Bipolar disorder comorbidity rates are the highest among the major mental disorders. In addition to other intoxicants, alcohol is the most abused substance because it is socially accepted and can be legally bought and consumed. Estimates are between 40-70% with male predominance, which further influences the severity with a more complicated course of both disorders.
ObjectivesThe objective of this article is to highlight the impact of substance use on the course and prognosis of bipolar disorder, as well as to make a differential diagnosis of a manic episode in this context.
MethodsBibliographic review of scientific literature based on a relevant clinical case.
ResultsWe present the case of a 45-year-old male patient. Single with no children. Unemployed. History of drug use since he was young: alcohol, cannabis and amphetamines. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2012 after a manic episode that required hospital admission. During his evolution he presented two depressive episodes that required psychopharmacological treatment and follow-up by his psychiatrist of reference. Since then, he has been consuming alcohol and amphetamines occasionally, with a gradual increase until it became daily in the last month. He went to the emergency department for psychomotor agitation after being found in the street. He reported feeling threatened by a racial group presenting accelerated speech, insomnia and increased activity.
ConclusionsThe presence of substance abuse complicates the clinical presentation, treatment and development of bipolar disorder. It is associated with a worse prognosis with multiple negative consequences including worsening symptom severity, increased risk of suicide and hospitalization, increased medical morbidity and complication of social problems. In addition, this comorbidity delays both the diagnosis and treatment, by masking the symptoms, and making more difficult an adequate differential diagnosis.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
I don’t know where I’m going or where I come from. Self-disorders in schizophrenia.
- M. D. C. Vallecillo Adame, L. Rodríguez Andrés, C. de Andrés Lobo, T. Jimenez Aparicio, M. Queipo de Llano de la Viuda, G. Guerra Valera, A. A. Gonzaga Ramirez, M. Fernández Lozano, M. J. Mateos Sexmero, N. Navarro Barriga, B. Rodríguez Rodríguez, M. P. Pando Fernández, M. Calvo Valcárcel, P. Martínez Gimeno, M. A. Andreo Vidal, I. D. L. M. Santos Carrasco
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S1069-S1070
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Introduction
In the early stages of schizophrenia the person experiences feelings of strangeness about themselves, difficulty in making sense of things and difficulty in interacting with their environment. Based on this, self-disorder assessment instruments have been developed and empirical studies have been conducted to assess people at risk of developing a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. These studies show that self-disorders are found in pre-psychotic stages and that their manifestation can predict the transition to schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
ObjectivesWe present the case of a patient with multiple diagnoses and mainly dissociative symptoms who, after years of evolution, was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
MethodsBibliographic review including the latest articles in Pubmed about self-disorders and schizophrenia.
ResultsWe present the clinical case of a 51-year-old woman with a long history of follow-up in mental health consultations and with multiple hospital admissions to the psychiatric unit, with several diagnoses including: dissociative disorder, histrionic personality disorder, adaptive disorder unspecified psychotic disorder and, finally, schizophrenia. The patient during the first hospital admissions showed a clinical picture of intense anxiety, disorientation and claiming to be a different person. The patient related these episodes to stressors she had experienced, and they improved markedly after a short period of hospital admission. Later, psychotic symptoms appeared in the form of auditory and visual hallucinations and delusional ideation, mainly of harm, so that after several years of follow-up and study in mental health consultations and in the psychiatric day hospital, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and treatment with antipsychotics was introduced, with a marked clinical improvement being observed.
ConclusionsIt is important to take into account this type of symptoms (self-disorders), as they allow the identification of individuals in the early stages of the disorder and create the opportunity for early therapeutic interventions.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
PEAKS AND VALLEYS: BIPOLAR DISORDER, RAPID CYCLERS AND ENERGY DRINKS CONSUMPTION
- M. Calvo Valcárcel, M. A. Andreo Vidal, P. Martinez Gimeno, P. Pando Fernández, B. Rodriguez Rodriguez, N. Navarro Barriga, M. Fernández Lozano, M. J. Mateos Sexmero, M. D. C. Vallecillo Adame, T. Jimenez Aparicio, C. de Andres Lobo, M. Queipo de Llano de la Viuda, A. A. Gonzaga Ramirez, G. Guerra Valera
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S702-S703
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Introduction
Bipolar Disorder (BD) is considered a serious mental disorder characterized by a changing mood that fluctuates between two completely opposite poles. It causes pathological and recurrent mood swings, alternating periods of exaltation and grandiosity with periods of depression. We talk about rapid cyclers when four or more manic, hypomanic or depressive episodes have occurred within a twelve-month period. Mood swings can appear rapidly. Approximately half of the people with bipolar disorder may develop rapid cycling at some point.
ObjectivesPresentation of a clinical case about a patient with Bipolar Disorder with rapid cycling and poor response to treatment.
MethodsReview of the scientific literature based on a clinical case.
Results33-year-old male, single, living with his mother, under follow-up by mental health team since 2012. First debut of manic episode in 2010. The patient has filed multiple decompensations related to consumption of toxics (alcohol and cannabis). Currently unemployed. He attended to the emergency service in June 2022 accompanied by his mother, who reported that he was restless. The patient refers that he has interrupted the treatment during the vacations, having sleep rhythm disorder with abuse of caffeine drinks. Currently the patient does not recognize any consumption.The patient reports that during the village festivals he felt very energetic, occasionally consuming drinks rich in taurine and sugars, even having conflicts with people of the village. Finally, the patient was stabilized with Lithium 400 mg and Olanzapine. In September, the patient returned to the emergency service on the recommendation of his referral psychiatrist due to therapeutic failure. The only relevant finding we observed in the analytical determinations were low lithium levels (0.4 mEq/L). The transgression of sleep rhythms and the abuse of psychoactive substances required the admission of the patient to optimize the treatment (Clozapine, Lithium, Valproic Acid). At discharge, he is euthymic, has not presented behavioral alterations and is resting well. Finally, it was decided that the patient should go to the Convalescent Center to continue treatment and achieve psychopathological stability.
ConclusionsBipolar disorder is an important mental illness, having an incidence of 1.2%, being responsible for 20% of all mood disorders. Therefore, it is important to perform an adequate and individualized follow-up of each patient. Treatment with mood stabilizers tries to improve and prevent manic and depressive episodes, improving chronicity and trying to make the long-term evolution as good as possible, being important psychoeducation and psychotherapy.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Late diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cocaine abuse
- C. De Andrés Lobo, C. Vallecillo Adame, T. Jiménez Aparicio, M. Queipo de Llano de la Viuda, G. Guerra Valera, A. A. Gonzaga Ramírez, M. Fernández Lozano, N. Navarro Barriga, M. J. Mateos Sexmero, B. Rodríguez Rodríguez, M. Calvo Valcárcel, M. Andreo Vidal, M. P. Pando Fernández, P. Martínez Gimeno, I. D. L. M. Santos Carrasco, J. I. Gonçalves Cerejeira, A. Rodríguez Campos
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S335-S336
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Introduction
Adult ADHD diagnosis sometimes represents a challenge for the clinician, due to the comorbid psychiatric diseases that are often associated and which complicate de recognition of the primary symptoms of ADHD. The prevalence of ADHD in adult populations is 2’5% and it is a relevant cause of functional impairment.
ObjectivesPresentation of a clinical case of a male cocaine user diagnosed with adult ADHD.
MethodsLiterature review on adult ADHD and comorbid substance abuse.
ResultsA 43-year-old male who consulted in the Emergency Department due to auditory hallucinosis in the context of an increase in his daily cocaine use. There were not delusional symptoms associated and judgment of reality was preserved. Treatment with olanzapine was started and the patient was referred for consultation. In psychiatry consultations, he did not refer sensory-perceptual alterations anymore, nor appeared any signals to suspect so, and he was willing to abandon cocaine use after a few appointments. He expressed some work concerns, highlighting that in recent months, in the context of a greater workload, he had been given several traffic tickets for “distractions.” His wife explained that he had always been a inattentive person (he forgets important dates or appointments) and impulsive, sometimes interrupting conversations. In the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale he scored 32 points.
He was diagnosed with adult ADHD and treatment with extended-release methylphenidate was started with good tolerance and evolution, with improvement in adaptation to his job and social environment. Since then, the patient has moderately reduced the consumption of drugs, although he continues to use cocaine very sporadically.
ConclusionsEarly detection of ADHD and its comorbidities has the potential to change the course of the disorder and the morbidity that will occur later in adults. Comorbidity in adult ADHD is rather the norm than the exception, and it renders diagnosis more difficult. The most frequent comorbidities are usually mood disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. Treatment of adult ADHD consists mainly of pharmacotherapy supported by behavioral interventions. When ADHD coexists with another disorder, the one that most compromises functionality will be treated first and they can be treated simultaneously. The individual characteristics of each patient must be taken into account to choose the optimal treatment.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Memory complaints and quality of life in a patient with mild cognitive impairment
- M. P. Pando Fernández, M. A. Andro Vidal, M. Calvo Valcarcel, P. Martinez Gimeno, M. Queipo de Llano de la Viuda, G. Guerra Valera, A. A. Gonzaga Ramírez, C. De Andrés Lobo, T. Jimenez Aparicio, C. Vilella Martin, M. Fernández Lozano, B. Rodríguez Rodríguez, M. J. Mateos Sexmero, N. Navarro Barriga
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S937-S938
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Introduction
Subjective memory complaints remain a relevant aspect to be considered in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Likewise, their association with depressive symptoms, quality of life and cognitive performance is also an objective to be studied in such patients.
ObjectivesOur clinical case represents just one opportunity to study how memory complaints are related to depressive states and how they affect the quality of life of patients with mild cognitive impairment.
MethodsWe conducted a bibliographical review by searching for articles in Pubmed.
ResultsPERSONAL HISTORY: Male, 73 years old, separated, residing alone in Valladolid. He has home help, a person comes to help him with the household chores. Little social and family circle.
History in Mental HealthHe has a history of an admission in 2013 to this Short Hospitalization Unit for ethanol detoxification. Since then, he has been followed up in the Mental Health Unit. According to the reports, he has been diagnosed with depressive disorder and cluster B personality disorder.
Current psychopharmacological treatment: diazepam, olanzapine, duloxetine 60 mg, quetiapine.
Toxic habits: history of chronic ethanol consumption. Smoker. He denies other toxic habits.
Current EpisodeThe patient presents a worsening of his mood of 15 days of evolution, coinciding with a voluntary decrease of his psychopharmacological treatment that the patient has carried out on his own. He walks with the aid of a crutch. Hypomimic facies. Slowed language, circumstantial, with speech focused on current discomfort.
On assessment, he reports initial improvement after reducing his medication, but in recent days he has experienced a decrease in initiative accompanied by feelings of emptiness, sadness and loneliness. He refers to memory complaints for which he is awaiting evaluation by Neurology. The patient explains that at other times in his life he has presented self-harming ideas that he has been controlling. At this time he expresses desire for improvement and adequate future plans, and accepts plans to attend a memory workshop. He also reports visual hallucinations with no affective repercussions and preserved judgment of reality.
Therapeutic PlanTreatment adjustment: Duloxetine 60 mg, 2cp/day. The patient is recommended to lead an active lifestyle and attend a day center or memory workshop.
ConclusionsIn numerous patients with mild cognitive impairment, we have observed that memory complaints are closely related to depressive symptoms and to the patient’s functioning in daily life.
In one study memory complaints were a negative predictor of quality of life in these patients.
Therefore, in addition to considering the importance of treating depressive symptoms, it is also important to address quality of life in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
“The cat and the calcium”. A case of delirium secondary to hypercalcaemia.
- T. Jiménez Aparicio, C. Vallecillo Adame, C. de Andrés Lobo, G. Medina Ojeda, M. Queipo de Llano de la Viuda, A. A. Gonzaga Ramírez, G. Guerra Valera, M. Fernández Lozano, M. J. Mateos Sexmero, B. Rodríguez Rodríguez, N. Navarro Barriga, M. A. Andreo Vidal, M. Calvo Valcárcel, P. Martínez Gimeno, M. P. Pando Fernández, I. D. L. M. Santos Carrasco, J. I. Gonçalves Cerejeira
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S946-S947
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Introduction
Interconsultation with the psychiatry service is frequently requested from other specialties for the assessment and treatment of patients who present neuropsychiatric symptoms secondary to organic alterations. On the other hand (and in relation to this case), within the possible causes for the elevation of calcaemia figures, the most frequent are hyperparathyroidism and neoplasms, representing between these two entities 90% of cases (1).
Among the organic mental disorders, Delirium stands out, with an approximate prevalence between 1 and 2% (general population), which increases in hospitalized and elderly patients (2).
ObjectivesPresentation of a clinical case about a patient with delirium secondary to hypercalcemia, with hallucinations and behavioral disturbance.
MethodsBibliographic review including the latest articles in Pubmed about delirium (causes and treatment) and hypercalcaemia secondary to neoplasms.
ResultsWe present a 52-year-old male patient, who went to the emergency room accompanied by his wife, due to behavioral alteration. Two days before, he had been evaluated by Neurology, after a first epileptic crisis (with no previous history) that resolved spontaneously. At that time, it was decided not to start antiepileptic treatment.
The patient reported that he had left his house at midnight, looking for a cat. As he explained, this cat had appeared in his house and had left his entire bed full of insects. His wife denied that this had really happened, and when she told the patient to go to the emergency room, he had become very upset.
As background, the patient used to consume alcohol regularly, so the first hypothesis was that this was a withdrawal syndrome. However, although the consumption was daily, in recent months it was not very high, and at that time no other symptoms compatible with alcohol withdrawal were observed (tremor, tachycardia, sweating, hypertension…).
We requested a general blood test and a brain scan. The only relevant finding was hypercalcaemia 12.9mg/dL (which could also be the origin of the previous seizure). It was decided to start treatment with Diazepam and Tiapride in the emergency room, with serum perfusion, and keep under observation. After several hours, the patient felt better, the hallucinations disappeared, and calcium had dropped to 10.2mg/dL. A preferential consultation was scheduled, due to suspicion that the hypercalcaemia could be secondary to a tumor process.
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ConclusionsIt is important to rule out an organic alteration in those patients who present acute psychiatric symptoms. Hypercalcaemia is frequently associated with tumor processes (1) due to secretion of PTH-like peptide (4), so a complete study should be carried out in these cases.
Delirium has a prevalence between 1 and 2% in the general population (2).
Psychopharmacological treatment is used symptomatically, with antipsychotics (3). For the episode to fully resolve, the underlying cause must be treated.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
“Keeping an eye on amylase”. Side effects of antidepressants
- T. Jiménez Aparicio, G. Medina Ojeda, A. Rodríguez Campos, L. Rodríguez Andrés, C. Vallecillo Adame, C. De Andrés Lobo, M. Queipo de Llano de la Viuda, G. Guerra Valera, A. A. Gonzaga Ramírez, M. J. Mateos Sexmero, M. Fernández Lozano, B. Rodríguez Rodríguez, N. Navarro Barriga, M. P. Pando Fernández, P. Martínez Gimeno, M. Calvo Valcárcel, M. A. Andreo Vidal
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S831
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Introduction
Both in consultations with the general practitioner and with the psychiatrist, antidepressants are one of the most used drugs (1). These have multiple indications, and there are different groups according to their mechanism of action. In relation to this case, we are going to talk about Venlafaxine, a dual-type antidepressant, that is, it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. One of the most common side effects is digestive discomfort, which usually resolves after a few weeks (2). However, we should not ignore these symptoms, since they can hide something more serious.
ObjectivesPresentation of a clinical case on a patient who presented an increase in pancreatic amylase after starting treatment with Venlafaxine.
MethodsBibliographic review including the latest articles in Pubmed on side effects of antidepressant treatment, and more specifically at the gastrointestinal level (in this case we will talk about pancreatitis).
ResultsWe present the case of a 49-year-old woman, who was hospitalized 2 years ago, due to a first depressive episode. During this admission, psychopharmacological treatment was started for the first time, on that occasion with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), treatment of first choice (3). The patient had no side effects at that time, but the response was very modest, so it was decided to replace that antidepressant with Venlafaxine (with dual action), up to 150mg. The depressive symptoms improved markedly, however the patient began to feel digestive discomfort (which at first did not seem to be of great importance). A general analysis was performed, in which an increase in lipase (978 U/L) and amylase (528 U/L) was detected. An echoendoscopy, an abdominal scan, and a magnetic resonance cholangiography were performed; Pancreatitis secondary to drugs was suspected (a severe condition). Luckily, no significant lesions were found in the tests, and the levels of amylase and lipase decreased when Venlafaxine treatment was withdrawn (without reaching the normal range). The patient was discharged and continued to attend consultations. In the last control, amylase had dropped to 225 U/L. His abdominal pain disappeared. Treatment with Vortioxetine (a multimodal antidepressant) was started, however the amylase levels continue to be monitored, and the patient continues to see the gastroenterologist.
ConclusionsGastrointestinal side effects are very common when taking antidepressant treatment, and in most cases they do not usually represent a serious problem.
However, it is described in the scientific literature that in some cases, acute pancreatitis secondary to some drugs, including Venlafaxine, can occur (4). In order to detect it, it is necessary to perform a blood test and sometimes also other complementary tests.
For its treatment, the fundamental thing is to withdraw the causing drug, trying to find other alternatives, and carry out a control to monitor possible complications
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Making inroads to precision medicine for the treatment of autoimmune diseases: Harnessing genomic studies to better diagnose and treat complex disorders
- Yuriy Baglaenko, Catriona Wagner, Vijay G. Bhoj, Petter Brodin, M. Eric Gershwin, Daniel Graham, Pietro Invernizzi, Kenneth K. Kidd, Ilya Korsunsky, Michael Levy, Andrew L. Mammen, Victor Nizet, Francisco Ramirez-Valle, Edward C. Stites, Marc S. Williams, Michael Wilson, Noel R. Rose, Virginia Ladd, Marina Sirota
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- Journal:
- Cambridge Prisms: Precision Medicine / Volume 1 / 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 11 May 2023, e25
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Precision Medicine is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle. Autoimmune diseases are those in which the body’s natural defense system loses discriminating power between its own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack healthy tissues. These conditions are very heterogeneous in their presentation and therefore difficult to diagnose and treat. Achieving precision medicine in autoimmune diseases has been challenging due to the complex etiologies of these conditions, involving an interplay between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. However, recent technological and computational advances in molecular profiling have helped identify patient subtypes and molecular pathways which can be used to improve diagnostics and therapeutics. This review discusses the current understanding of the disease mechanisms, heterogeneity, and pathogenic autoantigens in autoimmune diseases gained from genomic and transcriptomic studies and highlights how these findings can be applied to better understand disease heterogeneity in the context of disease diagnostics and therapeutics.