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Changes in Parental Reflective Functioning before and after a postpartum depression group therapy
- L. Erkoreka, Z. Alonso, L. Pérez Cabeza
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 67 / Issue S1 / April 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 27 August 2024, p. S137
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Introduction
Parental Reflective Functioning (PRF) refers to parents’ ability to view their children’s and their own behavior by considering internal mental states, such as thoughts, desires, and intentions. Depression has been described as compromising reflective functioning in female samples, whereas other studies have not detected differences in RF between depressed and non-depressed mothers.
ObjectivesWe aim to study whether a group intervention focused on postpartum depression, which we have already observed to cause significant changes in the mother-child bond and the severity of depressive, also improves parental reflective functioning.
MethodsTo that end, we analyzed pre-post data from two different groups (N=12), composed of mothers who had been clinically diagnosed with postpartum depression. They received the 6-week Mothers & Babies Program© and completed the Parental Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) before and after group therapy. Pre-post data from the PRFQ were analyzed using the repeated measures t-test. The correlation between changes in the three questionnaires was also analyzed using Pearson’s correlation test.
ResultsSignificant changes were observed in the Pre-Mentalization Modes (pre=2.37±.457, post=2.03±.520, t=2.0206, p=0.027) and Certainty About Mental States (pre=2.87±1.141, post=3.68±.908, t=-2.814, p=0.010) subscales of the PRFQ, with no significant changes in the Interest and Curiosity subscale (t=-.516, p=0.309). A significant correlation was also observed between pre-post change in EPDS scores and pre-post change in the Certainty About Mental States subscale of the PRFQ (r=-.640, p<.05), while no significant correlations were observed with the rest of the PRFQ subscales, nor with the PBQ.
ConclusionsA brief cognitive-behavioral group therapy developed specifically to treat postpartum depression improves pre-post scores on the Pre-Mentalization (lower post- than pre- score) and Certainty About Mental States (higher post- than pre- score) subscales of the PRFQ. Although a control group is needed to determine the actual effect of the intervention, as time could also play a role in the observed changes, this is an encouraging result. Moreover, the improvement obtained in Certainty About Mental States is inversely correlated with the pre-post changes observed in the EPDS, meaning that the greater the improvement in depression, the greater the improvement in the aforementioned subscale of the PRFQ. A larger sample is needed to assess a hypothetical mediating effect of depression in the observed change.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Nematocide activity of 6,7-diarylpteridines in three experimental models
- C. Ochoa, M. Rodríguez, L. Domínguez, J. Saldaña, R. Di Maio, P. Alonso-Villalobos, M.M. Martínez Grueiro
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- Journal of Helminthology / Volume 73 / Issue 4 / April 1999
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 11 April 2024, pp. 333-336
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The in vitro nematocide activity of seventeen 6,7-diarylpteridines has been tested using three different experimental models, Caenorhabditis elegans, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and Heligmosomoides polygyrus. The method of evaluation of inhibition in the secretion of acetylcholinesterase by H. polygyrus seems to be the most indicated to avoid false positives. The in vivo activities, against Trichinella spiralis, of the most in vitro active pteridines have been assayed. All pteridine derivatives bearing 6,7-di-p-bromophenyl substituents have shown in vitronematocide activites in the three experimental models used. Amongst all the pteridines tested in vivo, only 2,4-pteridinedithione derivatives exhibited moderate activity.
94 Associations Between African Neuropsychological Tests of Memory and Medial Temporal Lobe Structures in Older Congolese Adults with Suspected Dementia
- Jean Ikanga, Sabrina D. Hickle, Megan Schwinne, Emmanuel Epenge, Guy Gikelekele, Immaculee Kavugho, Nathan Tshengele, Mampunza Samuel, Liping Zhao, Deqiang Qiu, Anthony Stringer, Amit M. Saindane, Alvaro Alonso, Daniel L. Drane
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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. 293-294
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Objective:
Hippocampal and medial temporal lobe structure atrophy is commonly observed in patients with mild neurocognitive disorders and dementias of various neurodegenerative conditions, with the degree of atrophy in these regions correlating with cognitive performance on memory tasks. This research has been conducted largely in western and educated countries. As cognitive aging, risk factors, clinical course, and neuropathology can differ between individuals of different races and ethnicities, our goal is to determine whether these findings also generalize to patients with suspected dementias living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Participants and Methods:Neuroimaging and cognitive data have been collected on 40 subjects with probable dementia from the DRC and 40 age-, education-, and gender-matched controls. Patients were classified into groups based on scores on the Community Screening Instrument and the Alzheimer's Questionnaire. All participants completed the African Neuropsychological Battery. T1 MPRAGE images were acquired on Siemens 1.5T scanner. Freesurfer was used to derive volumes and cortical thickness of medial temporal lobe regions. Volumes of structures were divided by intracranial vault volumes to adjust for head size. T-tests were used to compare hippocampal volumes, entorhinal cortex thickness, and perirhinal cortex thickness between subjects with probable dementia compared to healthy age-, gender-, and education-matched controls. Bivariate correlations were conducted to determine whether the volumes of these structures correlate significantly with learning and memory measures on the ANB.
Results:Results will be determined by the methods described previously.
Conclusions:Results from this study will demonstrate whether structural brain changes commonly seen in individuals with dementia living in western and educated countries also are observed in the DRC. Results will also demonstrate whether these brain changes coincide with the degree of impairments on tasks of memory, and whether these structures can be used to aid in clinical diagnosis of patients with dementia and support the use of the ANB and neuroimaging in clinical detection of dementias in the DRC.
Traumatic stress symptoms among Spanish healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective study
- Ana Portillo-Van Diest, Gemma Vilagut, Itxaso Alayo, Montse Ferrer, Franco Amigo, Benedikt L. Amann, Andrés Aragón-Peña, Enric Aragonès, Ángel Asúnsolo Del Barco, Mireia Campos, Isabel Del Cura-González, Meritxell Espuga, Ana González-Pinto, Josep M. Haro, Amparo Larrauri, Nieves López-Fresneña, Alma Martínez de Salázar, Juan D. Molina, Rafael M. Ortí-Lucas, Mara Parellada, José M. Pelayo-Terán, Aurora Pérez-Zapata, José I. Pijoan, Nieves Plana, Teresa Puig, Cristina Rius, Carmen Rodríguez-Blázquez, Ferran Sanz, Consol Serra, Iratxe Urreta-Barallobre, Ronald C. Kessler, Ronny Bruffaerts, Eduard Vieta, Víctor Pérez-Solá, Jordi Alonso, Philippe Mortier, MINDCOVID Working Group
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- Journal:
- Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences / Volume 32 / 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 09 August 2023, e50
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Aim
To investigate the occurrence of traumatic stress symptoms (TSS) among healthcare workers active during the COVID-19 pandemic and to obtain insight as to which pandemic-related stressful experiences are associated with onset and persistence of traumatic stress.
MethodsThis is a multicenter prospective cohort study. Spanish healthcare workers (N = 4,809) participated at an initial assessment (i.e., just after the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 pandemic) and at a 4-month follow-up assessment using web-based surveys. Logistic regression investigated associations of 19 pandemic-related stressful experiences across four domains (infection-related, work-related, health-related and financial) with TSS prevalence, incidence and persistence, including simulations of population attributable risk proportions (PARP).
ResultsThirty-day TSS prevalence at T1 was 22.1%. Four-month incidence and persistence were 11.6% and 54.2%, respectively. Auxiliary nurses had highest rates of TSS prevalence (35.1%) and incidence (16.1%). All 19 pandemic-related stressful experiences under study were associated with TSS prevalence or incidence, especially experiences from the domains of health-related (PARP range 88.4–95.6%) and work-related stressful experiences (PARP range 76.8–86.5%). Nine stressful experiences were also associated with TSS persistence, of which having patient(s) in care who died from COVID-19 had the strongest association. This association remained significant after adjusting for co-occurring depression and anxiety.
ConclusionsTSSs among Spanish healthcare workers active during the COVID-19 pandemic are common and associated with various pandemic-related stressful experiences. Future research should investigate if these stressful experiences represent truly traumatic experiences and carry risk for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Predictors of transition from paliperidone palmitate 1 and 3 months (PP1M & PPP3M) to paliperidone palmitate 6 months (PP6M)
- P. J. Escobedo-Aedo, J. Merayo-Cano, S. Sánchez Alonso, S. Ovejero, L. Muñoz Lorenzo, L. Mata Iturralde
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S438
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Introduction
Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic, mental disease. Its stability relies upon a multidisciplinary treatment, where pharmacological treatment is a key aspect. Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) have proved efficacy in improving adherence, reducing hospitalizations and relapses, compared with oral treatment[1,2]. Paliperidone palmitate is a long-acting antipsychotic, approved by FDA in 2009 for acute and chronic treatment in schizophrenia. To date, long evidence exists regarding treatment efficacy of paliperidone palmitate 1 month (PP1M) and paliperidone palmitate 3 month (PP3M)[3]. In September 2021 a new long-acting medication was approved for schizophrenia treatment, that is, paliperidone palmitate 6 months (PP6M). This is the first LAI with 6 months duration of treatment, which means, only 2 administrations per year.
We here analyzed the factors explaining transitioning from PP1M and PP3M to PP6M treatment in a population previously described somewhere else[4].
ObjectivesTo identify the variables explaining the transition from other long-acting formulations (PP1M and PP3M) to the new biannual formulation (PP6M) in our clinical practice.
Methods123 patients, previously diagnosed with psychotic disorders, in follow-up in our clinical center Fundación Jiménez Díaz Hospital, was analyzed. Sociodemographic factors and clinical evolution were compared in order to identify factors predicting transitioning from PP1M and PP3M to PP6M.
ResultsIn the PP1M group, patients transitioning to PP6M had more than 6 years of evolution of disease ans active consummation of drugs, compared with patients who stayed on PP1M. Other sociodemographic were similar in both groups. Only 1 patient was readmitted in hospital since transition to PP6M and no emergency visits were accounted for people transitioned.
In the PP3M group, the majority of people transitioning to PP6M were under polypharmacy of which, 42% were on clozapine treatment. The percentage of people with schizophrenia diagnosis was significantly less than in the no transitioning group, though it remained the principal diagnosis. No other significant difference was found with regard to sociodemographic variables. Additionally, no emergency visits nor readmissions to hospital were accounted in this group.
Finally, the PP3M transitioned to PP6M significantly more than PP1M group. Although no clear variable explained this situation.
ConclusionsWith these results, we conclude that chronicity and drugs consummation were the main variables explaining transitioning from PP1M to PP6M. In the other hand, the main variable explaining transitioning from PP3M to PP6M was polypharmacy.
These results are preliminary and, therefore, should be taken cautiously. We will probably dilucidated future tendency in these treatment use in the upcoming months.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Cannabis use in different mental disorders: a descriptive study in a psychiatric hospital
- B. Samso, A. López Fariña, C. González Navarro, L. Morado San Segundo, A. Bilbao Idarraga, U. López Puentes, R. F. Lopez Brokate, T. Ruiz de Azua Aspizua, U. Ortega Pozas, C. Arán Cisneros, E. Garnica de Cos, I. Alonso Salas
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S334-S335
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Introduction
In the last decade, the prevalence of THC use is increasing among adolescents and adults. There is also strong evidence to suggest that cannabis use is associated with psychiatric comorbidities. The strongest evidence is found between cannabis use and psychotic disorder. However, the literature shows that those who have used cannabis in the past or for a large part of their lives are at higher risk of mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorder or other drug use than those who do not use cannabis in a harmful way.
ObjectivesTo provide an overview of the association between cannabis use and the different mental pathologies presented by the patients admitted during the study period. To describe the prevalence of THC use in the study according to the mental pathology presented by the patient.
MethodsA retrospective observational descriptive study was developed for 3 months, of all patients admitted to the acute unit of the psychiatric hospital. No exclusion criteria were included.
ResultsDuring the period of study 172 patients were admitted to the hospital, classified according to the main diagnosis we have: 49 patients suffer from schizophrenia, 26 bipolar affective disorder, 20 with depressive disorder, 20 with personality disorder, 19 with substance use disorder, 18 with other unspecified disorders and 20 patients with no known previous diagnosis. The prevalence of THC use in the study sample according to diagnosis, would be schizophrenia 16%, Bipolar affective disorder 19%, Depressive disorder 5%, Personality disorder 45%, Substance use disorder 21%, Unspecified disorders 11% and patients with no known previous diagnosis 10%.
ConclusionsThe results obtained in the study in terms of THC use are in agreement with those obtained in the literature. In our study, we observed that cannabis use is associated with psychotic disorders as well as with mood, personality and substance abuse disorders. Given that the frequency of use has increased and there is a strong association with different comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, guidance on modifications in medication strategies might be necessary.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Adherence to psychiatric medications and diagnosis
- C. González Navarro, A. Bilbao Idarraga, I. Alonso Salas, L. Morado San segundo, A. López Fariña, U. López Puentes, B. Samsó Martínez, R. F. Lopez Brokate, T. Ruiz de Azua Aspizua, E. M. Garnica de Cos, U. Ortega Pozas
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S240-S241
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Introduction
Patients with mental disorders frequently become non-adherent during their long term prescribed treatment. This situation frequently triggers clinical worsening and hospital admission. Therefore, non-adherence may result in poorer long term clinical outcomes and has economic implications for health-care providers (Carlos De las Cuevas et al. Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2021; 23(4):347-362).
Objectives- To describe the adherence to oral and long acting injectable treatment in the sample of patients that were admitted to the short stay hospital unit during the period of study.
- To describe the adherence to treatment amongst psychiatric diagnosis in the sample of study.
MethodsIt was a retrospective observational study with a duration of three months. Data was collected from all patients admitted to the short stay hospital unit during the period of study and there were no specific exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics were performed. To assess the adherence to pharmachological treatment the patient report, the family report and the pharmacy dispensation according to the existent informatic prescription platform was considered. Regarding the long acting injectable treatment the formulary of administration in the clinical history was checked.
ResultsDuring the period of study 172 patients were admitted to the short stay hospital unit. Of those, 146 patients had a previous pharmacologic prescription. Data of treatment was not possible to obtain in 7 patients. In the sample of study, 83.5% were on oral and 16.5% on long acting injectable treatment. The general adherence to treatment in the sample was 61.87%. In the oral treatment group the adherence was 58.4% and in the long acting injectable treatment group was 65.2%.
Amongst the different psychiatric diagnoses the outcomes of adherence to treatment were: 60.4% in schizophrenia and related psychosis, 62.5% in bipolar disorder, 78.6% in depression, 58.3% in personality disorders and 62% in addictive disorders.
ConclusionsIn our descriptive study adherence to treatment was higher in the long acting injectable treatment group, agreeing with the existent scientific literature.
The results of adherence for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are similar to the ones found in scientific literature but differ from the ones for depression, being higher in our sample (Judit Lazary et al. Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2021;23(4): 347-362). Moreover, in scientific literature it is found a similar prevalence of adherence across diagnosis (for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression) whereas in our sample patients with depression showed a different and higher adherence to treatment (Judit Lazary et al. Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2021;23(4): 347-362). In our sample, patients with personality disorders had the lowest adherence to treatment.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Acute mutism in a young female. A case report of a 20-year-old female who presents a 3-month mutism
- A. Gonzalez-Mota, A. Gonzalez-Gil, C. Martin-Gomez, J. A. Benito-Sanchez, I. M. Peso-Navarro, L. Fernandez-Alonso
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S177-S178
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Introduction
A 20-year-old female presents with a progressive 3-month mutism, hyporexia (20kg weight loss), abulia, anhedonia, apathy, social isolation,seeking company of her parents even at night, bradypsychia, sialorrhea, psychomotor slowdown and hypomimia. She is hospitalized in the Psychiatric Brief Hospitalization Unit (PBHU).Her parents relate the beginning of this symptomatology to a breakup and gender violence,which the patient confirms during the interview by eye/cephalic movements and single words jotted down.
ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to describe the evolution of the patient during her hospitalization in the PBHU of Salamanca and to look into the available bibliography about mutism related to stress and sialorrhea.
MethodsWe carried out a follow-up of the hospitalization of the patient and a structured search in PubMed with the keywords “mutism”,“sialorrhea” and “stress” in the last 10 years in English,Spanish and French.
ResultsFew or no articles where found.Therefore, the articles about mutism and stress were analyzed, which focused mostly in selective mutism. Regarding fear,the response to cope with the threat(fight, flight, freeze) is mediated by the autonomic system. The “Polyvagal Theory” speaks about the vagus nerve participating in emotion regulation (social communication and mobilization). Dissociation, in this context,has adaptive and defensive purposes and its threshold can be reduced by repeated stress situations.Long-term alteration of the autonomic nervous system has been described in selective mutism.This malfunction can be related to an elevated production of saliva due to the activation of the parasympathetic in the salivary glands, causing sialorrhea in our patient.
The patient began treatment with sertraline 100mg and risperidone 2mg with the aim of its antidepressive and major tranquilizer effects, she also began individual and family psychotherapy, we assured her sleep and intakes and she began to progressively recover her speech and mobility,identifying a possible trigger for the symptomatology: a physical beating of gender violence after her breakup.
ConclusionsDissociation and “freeze” response can be a maladaptative mechanism to fear.The malfunction of the autonomic nervous system can explain the disconnection,poor gaze,low facial and body expression and inability to speak.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Alcohol consumption and cardiovascular risk: a descriptive study in a psychiatric short stay unit
- C. González Navarro, I. Alonso Salas, L. Morado San segundo, A. López Fariña, A. Bilbao Idarraga, U. López Puentes, B. Samsó Martínez, R. F. Lopez Brokate, T. Ruiz de Azua Aspizua, E. M. Garnica de Cos, U. Ortega Pozas
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S754
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Introduction
Patients with mental disorders have a decreased life expectancy, being the main reason the cardiovascular disease. An important proportion of patients present a comorbid drug consumption. Amongst drugs, alcohol is the most frequent, and it is associated with a higher cardiovascular risk. The metabolic syndrome is one of the most employed tools to assess cardiovascular risk.
Objectives- To describe the demographic characteristics of the patients with an active alcohol consumption that were admitted to the hospital during the period of study.
- To describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the sample, according to the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III) criteria.
MethodsRetrospective observational study of three months duration. Data was collected from all patients admitted to the hospital during the period of study, with no specific exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics were performed.
ResultsDuring the period of study 172 patients were admitted to the hospital (56.4% women and 43.6% men). A 44.8% presented alcohol consumption (25% sporadically, 6.4% weekly and 13.4% daily). Amongst women, 1% presented daily and 1% weekly consumption. Amongst men, 21.3% presented daily and 5.3% weekly consumption.
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study sample was 29.11%. In the alcohol consumption group, the prevalence was 24.7% and differed according to the pattern of consumption: 43.5% in the daily consumption group, 27.3% in the weekly and 14% in the sporadically consumption group.
ConclusionsOn the one hand, in the sample of study a higher percentage of men present an active alcohol consumption, compared to women. It is remarkable the high percentage of daily alcohol consumption amongst men in our sample.
On the other hand, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our sample is similar to the one found in scientific literature regarding patients with mental disorders. It is noteworthy in our sample the increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome found in patients with a daily alcohol consumption, and a decreased prevalence in those with a sporadic pattern.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Effectiveness of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reducing severe symptoms in patients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- T. Gutierrez Higueras, F. Calera Cortés, L. Montes Arjona, S. Vicent Fores, S. Sainz de la Cuesta Alonso, E. D. Servín López
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S306
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Introduction
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been studied in relation to mental illness. Among the most important omega 3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) stand out, both derived from alpha-linolenic acid. Both EPA and DHA are essential fatty acids. Consequently, mammals are not capable of synthesizing them and must incorporate them through the consumption of products such as fish oil. The interest about the role of omega 3 fatty acids for the treatment of patients with impulsiveness, hostility and aggressiveness is growing and originated from the finding of a low level of EPA and DHA in the central nervous system of these individuals.
ObjectivesTo determine the evidence on the effectiveness of omega-3 acids in reducing severe symptoms in patients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.
MethodsA literature review was carried out in Epistemonikos, using the descriptors: “borderline personality disorder” AND “Omega-3”. 7 results are obtained. The results of a time limit of 10 years with meta-analyses and systematic reviews were filtered, obtaining 7 results and selecting 3 of them for their relevance to the PICO question. Subsequently, the search was repeated using the same descriptors and time limit in the Cochrane Library, NICE, and Pubmed; no selection was made by coincidence of those previously selected.
ResultsThe first systematic review studied the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids in symptomatology associated with BPD, with differentiation of the domains of affective, impulsive and cognitive-perceptual symptoms. Within the meta-analysis, 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included that compared omega-3 fatty acids with placebo or any active comparator, four of these RCTs verified the effect of omega-3 acids in 137 patients with BPD or behavior related to the BPD.
The second systematic review, conducted in the Cochrane Collaboration, performed a meta-analysis of randomized comparisons of drug versus placebo. Twenty-seven trials testing first- and second-generation antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and omega-3 fatty acids were included. For supplemental omega-3 fatty acids, significant effects were found in one study (n = 49 ) for reduction in suicidality (RR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.95) and depressive symptoms (RR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.28 to 0, 81).
ConclusionsAvailable data indicate that marine omega-3 fatty acids improve BPD symptoms, particularly impulsive behavioral dyscontrol and affective dysregulation, reducing depressive symptoms and suicidal tendencies. Marine omega-3 fatty acids could be considered as a complementary therapy for the improvement of severe symptoms associated with patients with BPD.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
What do we know about lithium associated hypercalcemia?
- N. Laherrán Cantera, R. Palacios - Garrán, A. Sanchez-Guerra Alonso, C. Gutiérrez Santaló, L. I. Muñoz-Manchado
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S577
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Introduction
Lithium associated with hypercalcemia may mimic a psychiatric condition and be confused for a relapse of bipolar disorder. The etiology seems to be due to a reduced sensitivity of the parathyroid cells to calcium, altering the parathyroid hormone (PTH) response. Lithium as an essential monovalent cation has some structural similarity to calcium (Ca) and can interact with protein receptors. This leads to changes in the inhibitory configuration of PTH and increased serum calcium concentrations, rising the threshold necessary to suppress hormone secretion.
Lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism (HIL) is the main cause of hypercalcemia in these patients.
ObjectivesBased on a clinical case of lithium-associated hypercalcemia in a patient with bipolar disorder, review the existing literature and state the needs for periodic monitoring protocols.
MethodsCase report and bibliographical review.
ResultsA 38-year-old woman, diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder at the age of 18, has been treated with lithium during which she developed secondary tubulointerstitial nephropathy as an adverse effect. Recently, she requested medical evaluation for constitutional syndrome associated with deterioration of general condition with loss of strength and difficulty in walking. Analytically, mild hypercalcemia was detected, and the study was extended to include Ca and PTH.
Chronic lithium therapy often develops mild hypercalcemia (approximately 10 to 20 percent of patients taking lithium), most likely due to increased secretion of PTH. Lithium can also unmask previously unrecognized mild hyperparathyroidism in patients with adenomas within a few years of starting therapy or induce parathyroid hyperplasia with a chronic use.
The hypercalcemia usually, but not always, subsides when the lithium is stopped. Normalization of serum calcium is more likely to occur one to four weeks post-lithium withdrawal in patients with a relatively short duration of lithium use. It is less likely in patients receiving lithium for more than 10 years.
Regarding the case to be presented, a review of the literature is carried out and the need to propose periodic calcium monitoring protocols is exposed.
ConclusionsRecommendations include determination of serum calcium every 6 months, urinary calcium and creatinine every 12 months, and bone mineral density monitoring every 1 to 3 years. Regular analytical monitoring including total calcium, PTH and vitamin D, would identify patients with a tendency to hypercalcemia so that appropriate measures could be taken. So as chronic treatment with lithium can develop mild hypercalcemia, I consider it necessary to develop periodic monitoring protocols for this adverse effect.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Brief intervervention for a metabolic syndrome in psychiatric outpatients with severe/persistent mental illness: A prospective study
- M. Escarti, C. Alonso, L. Fernandez, O. Ribera, A. Beato, R. Cozar, G. Selva
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S904
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Introduction
Metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent in people with mental severe illness (Sun & Jang, 2020).Metabolic disorders in people with schizophrenia increase their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, consequently reducing their life expectancy by approximately 10 to 25 years (Heald et al., 2017)In part these cardio-metabolic risk factors are attributable to unhealthy lifestyle, including poor diet and sedentary behaviour.Lifestyle interventions (diet, increased physical activity) are the first-line treatments to decrease that risk.
ObjectivesOur objective is to carry out a prospective study on the application of a program of healthy habits in outpatients unit
MethodsPatients with mental severe illness were recruited at a mental health center in the Hospital Clinic of Valencia. Inclusion criteria: age from 18 to 65 years and diagnosis of severe/persistent mental illness Exclusion criteria: acute illness, were not understanding Spanish, not be able to read and understand questionnaries. We included following data: sociodemographic data and aspects of the health behaviors, anthropometric measurements and analytical with hemogram and biochemistry pre and post-intervention. All subjects gave informed consent for participation in the study.
ResultsWe included 12 patients, but only 9 completed the full program. Average baseline data suggests that participants were at increased health risk when entering the program.At the end of the program, differences were observed: a reduction in glucose profile, a reduction of an average of 3.33 kg from the initial weight and a reduction of 10 points in blood pressure.
ConclusionsThis real world pilot trial evaluate of a health promotion intervention targeting physical activity and healthy eating in mental health care using a specific programme.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Tobacco and hypertension: a descriptive study in a psychiatric short care unit
- I. Alonso Salas, A. Lopez Fariña, C. Gonzalez Navarro, A. Bilbao Idarraga, L. Morado San Segundo, U. Lopez Puentes, R. Lopez Brokate, T. Ruiz de Azua Aspizua, E. M. Garnica de Cos, U. Ortega Pozas, B. Samsó Martinez
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S954-S955
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Introduction
Patients affected by mental disorders are known to have a decreased life expectancy.
One of the main reasons are cardiovascular diseases. It is known that tobacco and hypertension are risk factors to develop them. WHO estimates that hypertension is diagnosed and treated in less than half of adults with hypertension, and even less in patients with severe mental illness.
ObjectivesTo describe the demographic characteristics of patients with tobacco comsumption and hypertension admitted to a short-term hospitalization unit.
MethodsA three-month retrospective observational study. Data were collected by interviewing incoming patients and performing a blood pressure measurement, with no exclusion criteria.
ResultsOf 172 patients admitted, 100 were smokers of whom 49 were men and 51 were women. Among the smokers, a total of 18 patients were diagnosed with hypertension and 79 were not diagnosed. Within the group of patients not diagnosed with hypertension, elevated blood pressure was recorded in 5 of them. A total of 67 patients were non-smokers, 23 of whom were male and 44 female. Among the non-smokers, 19 were diagnosed with hypertension and 48 were not, despite which elevated blood pressure levels were recorded in 4 of them. No data were collected from 5 patients.
ConclusionsThe prevalence of smokers in our sample was 58%. The prevalence of patients diagnosed with hypertension was 21,51% which is coherent with the existent literature. We did not find a higher percentage of hypertensive patients among the smokers admitted. There were patients who suffered from hypertension and were not diagnosed or treated previously.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Mental Health Home Intensive Care during Spanish national lockdown due to COVID-19 Pandemic
- L. Alba, L. Alonso, H. Pérez, S. Saez, C. Coll, S. Palma, S. Ortiz
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S409
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Introduction
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic situation forced the Spanish Government to declare a home confinement that was prolonged for three months. The Health System had to focus almost entirely on the treatment of patients with Covid-19 infection and vulnerable populations such as people with severe mental illness were overlooked. In this context, mental health home care as an alternative to hospitalization became a first-line approachment for patients with an acute mental health disorder.
ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to describe the professional practice and the patients characteristics attended by a mental health team in Catalonia during the home confinement due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
MethodsThis study includes the period between March 15, 2020 and June 21, 2020. Sociodemographic, clinical and team functioning variables were described. The patient data was obtained from medical history whereas the rest of information was collected through the creation of a database by the members of the assistencial team.
ResultsTeam’s structure was changed with the creation of two mirror teams. Psychological attention was expanded and the weekend coverage was reorganized.During that period 40 patients were treated with a mean age of 47 years. There were no differences regarding the gender (50% were men and 50% were women). 87% of the patients lived with their family. 75% of referrals were made by the hospital and 90% were referred to community services upon discharge. Regarding diagnoses, 57.5% of the patients were diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (10% being reactive to Covid-19). A total of 482 visits were made, of which 51% were conducted in a telematic form. The mean time between the referral and the admission was 37.98h. The team accepted 97% of the referred patients with an occupancy rate of 112.4%.
ConclusionsThe re-organisation of a home treatment team during the domiciliary lockdown allowed to increase the occupancy rate and offered a rapid response to patients, avoiding the need of conventional hospitalization and providing a proper care plan.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Thyroid disorders in psychiatric patients: a descriptive study in a psychiatric hospital
- U. López, L. Morado San Segundo, C. González Navarro, I. Alonso Salas, A. López Fariña, A. Bilbao Idarraga, B. Samsó Martínez, R. F. López Brokate, E. M. Garnica de Cos, T. Ruiz de Azua Aspizua, U. Ortega Pozas
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S471
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Introduction
Thyroid disorders can present with psychiatric symptons similar to depression, and, at the same time, certain treatments, like litio, can cause changes in thyroid function. Given, therefore, the importance for the treatment and care of patients, the study of thyroid function is one of the parametres that should be requested in patients with psychiatric pathology.
ObjectivesTo study the frequency of thyroid disorders in patients who where admitted to a psychiatric short stay unit.
MethodsRetrospective descriptive observational study is carried out in the acute stay unit of a psychiatric hospital. As a sample, all patients admitted to the unit over a period of three months. During admission, their sociodemographic data, the treatment they receive and their diagnosis are recorded. Secondly, blood test are performed whith differents parameters, including TSH values.
ResultsIn the total sample of 172 patients, 8 of them have TSH abnormalities. 7 of them, all women, present hypothyroidism values.
A single male patient presented values of hyperthryroidism.
ConclusionsAccording to the present study, 4,6% of the patients present alterations at the TSH at admission, although except in one case, the values were not markedly altered.
The thyroid study at admission allows detecting cases of altered TSH that are amenable to treatment and monitoring.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Under-diagnosis of alcohol abuse: a descriptive study in a psychiatric hospital
- A. Lopez Fariña, U. López Puentes, I. Alonso Salas, C. Gonzalez Navarro, A. Bilbao Idarraga, L. Morado Sansegundo, U. Ortega Pozas, C. Aran Cisneros, B. Samso Martinez, R. F. Lopez Brokate, T. Ruiz de Azua Aspizua, E. M. Garnica De Cos
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S333
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Introduction
Incidence of alcohol abuse in our country is high, although it is still under-diagnosed and under-treated. The WHO estimates that a total of 3.3 million deaths worldwide per year are related to alcohol consumption.
ObjectivesThe main objective is to describe the pattern of alcohol consumption in a sample of patients who are admitted to our psychiatric hospital for different reasons, relating with previous diagnoses.
MethodsA retrospective observational descriptive study was carried out in the acute care unit of the psychiatric hospital, after approval of the corresponding protocol by the ethics committee. All patients admitted to this unit during a three-month period were taken as a sample. During admission, sociodemographic data, drug use, treatment type and time and previous diagnoses were collected.
ResultsOut of 172 patients, 81 reported being abstemious, 45 declared occasional consumption, 11 weekly and 22 daily consumption. There is no data about 13 patients. Among those who reported daily alcohol consumption, 59% had a previous diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder (SUD), 23% a previous diagnosis of Schizophrenia, 13.5% of Bipolar Disorder and finally 4.5% of Depressive Disorder. All the patients with a previous diagnosis of SUD reported consumption of more than 10 SDUs/day, the group with Schizophrenia stated less than 5 SDUs/day, of the group with T. Bipolar between 7-10 SDUs/day and with T. Depressive 5 SDUs/day.
ConclusionsThe results obtained are consistent with the literature in relation to the under-diagnosis of alcohol use disorder, taking into account that 40% of patients in the sample with daily alcohol consumption previously had not such a diagnosis and it was not recorded in their medical history. For this reason, and for the sake of being able to treat them, it is essential to question all patients about alcohol consumption, whatever the reason for their admission.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
GnRh agonists as precipitating components of psychiatric pathology. A case report.
- A. Guerrero Medina, J. S. García Eslava, A. C. Martín Rodriguez, L. Martinez Salvador, M. J. Alvarez Alonso, M. Aubareda Magriña
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S1042-S1043
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Introduction
GnRh agonists are drugs used in various gynecological pathologies, among which is endometriosis. They act by stimulating GnRh receptors in the pituitary gland. This sustained and continuous stimulation of GnRh, will initially generate an increase in the release of luteinizing hormones and follicle-stimulating hormones, subsequently losing sensitivity to the receptors, internalizing them, and thus suppressing the release of these hormones, which would entail an ovarian suppression, thereby inhibiting the release of estrogens and progesterone. Psychiatric adverse effects have been described. Gonzalez-Rodriguez et al (Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:479), described this association with changes in mood, and the presence of a series of cases where the link between GnRh agonist and the possibility of presenting psychotic symptoms is observed. Wieck (Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2011;8:173-87), Frokjaer (J Neurosci Res 2020;98(7):1283-1292), Brzezinski-Sinai et al (Front Psychiatry 2020;11:693) reported that this association could be related with the relationship of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, hormonal fluctuation and its relationship with the dopaminergic regulation, a genetic component that would increase the predisposition to trigger psychiatric pathology in patients with greater sensitivity to hormonal fluctuations, and the loss of neuroprotection generated by the decrease of estrogens in the central nervous system. All of this in the context of multiple environmental and genetic factors that participate together in the appearance of the disease.
ObjectivesTo describe the importance of detecting the risk factors that can precipitate a psychotic episode, including the use of certain drugs, such as GnRh agonists.
MethodsWe describe a case of a 45 year old patient with endometriosis with multiple organ involvement who went to the emergency room due to behavioral changes in the context of a brief psychotic disorder with “ad-integrum” recovery.
ResultsA retrospective analysis of the case is conducted, observing an association between the introduction of GnRh agonists and the presentation of a first psychotic episode.
ConclusionsThe importance of this case lies in the limited evidence of this association in the literature, and the implication of these drugs in the triggering of psychiatric pathology, being an aspect to be considered by psychiatrists in their patient’s follow-up.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Intravenous prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil) bolus in ductus arteriosus-dependent CHD: valid or absolutely contraindicated?
- Jose L. Colín Ortiz, Angel Cruz Hernández, Jorge A. Silva Estrada, Roberto Maldonado Alonso, Carlos A. Corona Villalobos, Carlos González Rebeles Guerrero, Linda F. Pérez Pérez
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- Journal:
- Cardiology in the Young / Volume 34 / Issue 2 / February 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 05 July 2023, pp. 314-318
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The use of prostaglandin E1 is well documented in ductus arteriosus-dependent CHD or in neonatal pulmonary pathologies that cause severe pulmonary hypertension. The intravenous infusion is well established in loading infusion and maintenance with an onset of action of 30 minutes until 2 hours or even more. Our aim is to report three patients with pulmonary atresia that presented hypercyanotic spell due to a ductal spasm during cardiac catheterisation in whom the administration of a bolus of alprostadil reversed the spasm and increased pulmonary flow, immediately stabilising the condition of the patients allowing subsequent successful stent placement with no serious complications or sequelae after the administration of the bolus. More studies are needed to make a recommendation regarding the use of alprostadil in bolus in cases where the ductal spasm might jeopardise the life of the patient.
Students’ attitudes to animal welfare and rights in Europe and Asia
- CJC Phillips, S Izmirli, SJ Aldavood, M Alonso, Bl Choe, A Hanlon, A Handziska, G Illmann, L Keeling, M Kennedy, GH Lee, V Lund, C Mejdell, VR Pelagic, T Rehn
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- Animal Welfare / Volume 21 / Issue 1 / February 2012
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 January 2023, pp. 87-100
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A survey of attitudes towards the welfare and rights of animals was conducted in universities in 11 European and Asian countries, to improve understanding of cultural differences that might impact on trade and international relations. Collaborators’ universities were recruited in each country to assist in the design, translation and administration of the survey via the internet in a convenient selection of the country's universities, providing 3,433 student responses from at least 103 universities. Respondents rated the acceptability of 43 major concerns about animals (focused on type of use, animal integrity, killing animals, animal welfare, experimentation on animals, changes in animal genotypes, the environment for animals and societal attitudes towards animals). Students from European countries had more concern for animal welfare than students from Asian countries, which may be partly explained by increased affluence of European students as there was a positive correlation between student expenditure and concern for animal welfare and rights. Southern and central European countries had most concern for animal rights and unnatural practices. Those in communist or former communist countries in Asia and Europe had most concern about killing animals and those in northern European countries the least. Regional similarities between neighbouring countries were evident in responses to animal issues and there were no differences between ethnic groups within a country. Thus, there were national and continental differences in European and Asian students’ attitudes to animals’ welfare and rights, which appear to arise as a result of the socio-political situation in regions rather than religious or other differences.
Evidence of distant spiral arms in the Galactic disk quadrant IV from VVV red clump giants
- R. Kammers, R. K. Saito, E. Botan, D. Minniti, J. Alonso-García, L. C. Smith, P. W. Lucas
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- Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia / Volume 39 / 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 09 September 2022, e039
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The discovery of new clear windows in the Galactic plane using the VVV near-IR extinction maps allows the study of the structure of the Milky Way (MW) disk. The ultimate goal of this work is to map the spiral arms in the far side of the MW, which is a relatively unexplored region of our Galaxy, using red clump (RC) giants as distance indicators. We search for near-IR clear windows located at low Galactic latitudes ( $|b|< 1$ deg) in the MW disk using the VVV near-IR extinction maps. We have identified two new windows named VVV WIN 1607–5258 and VVV WIN 1475–5877, respectively, that complement the previously known window VVV WIN 1713–3939. We analyse the distribution of RC stars in these three clear near-IR windows and measure their number density along the line of sight. This allows us to find overdensities in the distribution and measure their distances along the line of sight. We then use the VVV proper motions in order to measure the kinematics of the RC stars at different distances. We find enhancements in the distance distribution of RC giants in all the studied windows, interpreting them as the presence of spiral arms in the MW disk. These structures are absent in the current models of synthetic population for the same MW lines of sight. We were able to trace the end of the Galactic bar, the Norma arm, as well as the Scutum–Centaurus arm in the far disk. Using the VVV proper motions, we measure the kinematics for these Galactic features, confirming that they share the bulk rotation of the Galactic disk.