Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are characterized by heterogeneity. Cognitive decline, due to recent research results, appears to be a core symptom of schizophrenia. Dimensional approach of SSDs allows the separate assessment of each psychotic symptom, as well as cognitive functioning. Thus, correlations among them and their alterations, between baseline and follow up examination, can be estimated.

The objective of this study is to correlate observed alterations in cognitive performance in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, compared with baseline measurement, with alterations in severity of psychotic symptoms.

85 Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, attended in the Outpatient Department of Early Intervention in Psychosis of University of Thessaly, Greece and its affiliated psychiatric clinics, were evaluated the last 24 months, using the CRDPSS (Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptoms Severity) measure and the validated greek version of the MoCA test. 37 of them had a follow up evaluation. The relationship between the two new categorical variables [dMoCA (positive- negative) and dmCRDPSS7 (positive-negative)] was assessed with x² test.

Alterations in cognitive function, as assessed with MoCA scale and dMoCA variable, were inversely correlated with the alteration in mean severity of other dimensions of psychosis symptoms (dmCRDPSS7), x²(1, N = 37) = 9.4891, p = .0021.

Our data suggest that alterations in cognitive performance may predict an inverse effect in the severity of psychotic symptoms. Periodic follow up of cognitive functioning in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders is suggested, since it can be interpreted in clinically useful information considering relapse.

No significant relationships.

Healthcare services are increasingly confronted with challenges related to old age mental disorders. The survey aimed to provide an overview of existing psychogeriatric services in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and North Macedonia.

After identification of psychogeriatric units across the four countries, their head physicians were asked to provide data on their clinical, teaching, and research activity, as well as staff composition. Moreover, the attitudes of head physicians to current needs and future service development were explored.

A total of 15 psychogeriatric units were identified (3 in Bulgaria, 8 in Greece, and 4 in North Macedonia). Results show wide variation regarding the location, team size and composition, service availability, numbers of patients attending, and inpatient treatment length. Most head physicians underscored the urgent need for breakthroughs in the graduate and postgraduate education in psychogeriatrics of medical and nonmedical professionals, as well as in the interconnection of their units with community primary healthcare services and long-term care facilities for seniors via telemedicine. They would welcome the development of national standards for psychogeriatric units, potentially embodying clear pointers for action. A number of head physicians advocated the development of nationwide old age mental health registries.

Regional disparities in resources and services for seniors’ mental health services were unveiled. These data may enrich the dialogue on optimizing psychogeriatric services through planning future cross-border collaborations mainly based on telemedicine services, especially in the era of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and training/education in psychogeriatrics of mental health professionals.

It is reported in global literature that Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may cause a wide range of psychological effects, some of them not fully explored. The aim of this study is to investigate if patients with COPD experience intense feelings of shame.

To find differences in shame experience between males and females, and if there is a correlation of shame with other socio-economic factors.

Using the “Experience of Shame Scale” questionnaire (ESS) in 191 patients with COPD (104 men and 87 women) treated in Primary Health Care services in Greece.

Statistical analysis showed relatively low scores (M 39.5 sd 14.9) for the experience of shame in COPD patients. There is no statistically significant difference of shame for marital status, education level or disease stage. Statistically significant difference shown between males and females (bodily shame P: 0.001, total shame P: 0.031), and between smokers and those who quit smoking. (characterological shame: P: 0.007 behavioral shame P: 0.030, total shame P: 0.009). Also statistically significant difference appears for bodily shame among Body Mass Index (BMI) groups (P: 009) and economic status of the patients (P: 0.008).

Patients with COPD seem to have not heavy burden with experience of shame. Any associations of shame with some patient groups are rather expected for cultural and social reasons.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.