Severity Of Psychopathological Symptoms Research Articles

Factor structure of the brief psychiatric rating scale-expanded among outpatients with psychotic disorders in five Southeast European countries: evidence for five factors

The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is a useful tool for measuring the severity of psychopathological symptoms among patients with psychosis. Many studies, predominantly in Western countries, have investigated its factor structure. This study has the following aims: (a) to further explore the factor structure of the BPRS-Expanded version (BPRS-E, 24 items) among outpatients with psychotic disorders in Southeast European countries; (b) to confirm the identified model; and (c) to investigate the goodness-of-fit of the three competing BPRS-E factor models derived from previous studies. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) produced a solution with 21 items grouped into five factors, thus supporting the existence of a fifth factor, i.e., Disorganization. A follow-up confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) revealed a 19-item model (with two items removed) that fit the data well. In addition, the stability of two out of three competing factor models was confirmed. Finally, the BPRS-E model with 5 factors developed in this cross-national study was found to include a greater number of items compared to competing models.

Стресс от невидимых информационных угроз и его последствия

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Relevance.</strong> In recent years, studies have accumulated a lot of factual material on the psychological consequences of stress caused by exposure to aggressive environmental factors, including the COVID–19 virus threat factor. In this connection, the task of generalizing and rethinking the role of information threats in the development of psychopathological symptoms in the general population becomes obvious. <strong>Goal.</strong> The work is devoted to the theoretical and empirical analysis of the psychological consequences of experiencing invisible information threats (viral and radiation threats, the threat of a life–threatening disease, a terrorist threat to indirect victims, emotional violence). <strong>Materials and methods:</strong> the total sample size for assessing the experience of the COVID–19 virus threat is 712 respondents interviewed in two time periods (from April to May 2020, from October 2021 to May 2022). Empirical data of a cross–cultural project on the study of PTSD in the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident 1992–1994 are also used. laboratories of psychology of post–traumatic stress of the IP RAS under the leadership of N.V. Tarabrina and the psychophysiological laboratory of Harvard Medical School (USA), headed by Professor R. Pitman. To assess the experience of a terrorist threat, empirical data from a 2007 dissertation study Bykhovets Yu.V. Test battery: a questionnaire on the experience of a viral threat, SCL–90–R, PCL–5, SHVS–10, a questionnaire on the prescription and intensity of the disease COVID–19 are used. <strong>Results.</strong> The dynamics of the psychological state of the population during the COVID–19 pandemic (2020 - 2022) is described. A comparative analysis of the severity of psychopathological symptoms in the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident, indirect victims of terrorist attacks and COVID–19 respondents who were ill/not ill is presented. A comparative analysis of the severity of delayed symptoms, in particular post–traumatic stress disorder, showed that 19,7 % of the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident were diagnosed with PTSD, 24 % of indirect victims of terrorist attacks and 7,25% of people who had Covid–19. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> According to the study, it can be concluded that the psychological consequences of a collision with invisible information threats are represented by a wide range of negative affectivity, which proves the possibility of attributing these stressors to high–intensity stressors.</p>

COVID-19 exposure and psychosis: A comparison of clinical, functional, and cognitive profiles in remitted patients with psychosis

The impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on psychiatric care in remitted patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) remains unknown. This study compared the demographic, clinical, functional, and cognitive profiles of patients recruited before and during the pandemic. The results showed that COVID patients were significantly older, smokers, alcohol users, experienced more stressors, with better functioning than pre-COVID patients. The former also had fewer severe negative and general psychopathological symptoms, more impaired insight, poorer medication compliance, and worse cognitive performance. Our findings highlighted a timely need to improve awareness into the illness and treatment in FEP patients experiencing pandemic related stressors.

Sleep disorders in a naturalistic cohort of Dutch psychiatric outpatients: prevalence rates and associations with psychopathology symptom severity and well-being.

Sleep problems are very common in individuals with a mental disorder. Given the abundant evidence indicating the negative impact of disturbed sleep on mental health outcome, insight into the prevalence of all types of sleep disorders in specific mental disorders and neurodevelopmental conditions is of practical importance. Therefore, we estimated the prevalence of six types of sleep disorders with the Holland Sleep Disorders Questionnaire in an overall mental health sample (n = 1082) and separately for different mental and neurodevelopmental conditions. Furthermore, associations between specific sleep disorders, psychopathology and well-being were studied. The impact of the total number of sleep disorders on these associations was examined. Overall, 46.2% of all participants scored above the cut-off for having a sleep disorder. Specifically, 26.8% scored on insomnia, 12.1% on sleep breathing disorders, 9.7% on hypersomnia, 13.7% on circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, 11.2% on parasomnia, and 17.9% on sleep-related movement disorders. Most sleep disorders were associated with greater severity of psychopathology and lower well-being. These associations got stronger with an increasing number of sleep disorders. Our study revealed higher suspected prevalence of most sleep disorders in a mental disorder sample compared to the general population. Moreover, the presence of sleep disorder(s) was strongly associated with symptom severity and reduced well-being. These findings extend the notion that early detection and treatment of sleep disorders in mental health populations is essential for psychiatric outcome.

Incidence and Factors Associated with Hyperglycemia in Patients with First Hospitalization for Major Depression Disorder: A Large Cross-Sectional Sample.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder characterized by persistent spontaneous depression and has a high rate of disability and mortality. There is a complex relationship between MDD and disorders of glucose metabolism, and our study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for hyperglycemia in patients with MDD who were hospitalized for the first times. A total of 981 first-time inpatients with MDD were recruited, socio-demographic information, anthropometric data, and biochemical parameters were collected for each participant. The 17-item Hamilton Assessment Scale for Depression (HAMD-17), the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA-14), the Positive Syndrome Scale (PSS), and Clinical General Impressions Inventory-Severity of Illness (CGI-SI) scores were used to assess patients' clinical symptoms. The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 9.28% among patients with MDD who were hospitalized for the first time. Compared to the non-hyperglycemic subgroup, patients in the hyperglycemic subgroup were found to have more extensive and significant demographic and clinical characteristics, higher levels of metabolism-related parameters, and more severe psychological and psycho-pathological symptoms. Age, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triglycerides (TG) were risk factors for hyperglycemia in MDD patients, while course of disease was a protective factor. The study findings suggest that the prevalence of hyperglycemia is not high in patients with MDD who are hospitalized for the first time. The risk variables for predicting hyperglycemia include age, TSH and TG. The above three factors and course of disease have good combined diagnostic ability for hyperglycemia.

Psychological burden and disease-related quality of life in dialysis patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic - a cross-sectional observational study.

Since the first reports of the spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus, experts have pointed to the possible psychological consequences of the pandemic. In this study, we tried to answer the question of whether the level of perceived stress related to the pandemic affects the quality of life related to the disease and the functioning of patients on peritoneal and hemodialysis. Out of 106 patients from the dialysis center of the University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław during the first wave of the pandemic, 73 patients were enrolled, including 61 hemodialysis (HD) and 12 peritoneal dialysis (PD). The study used The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), The Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), and The Kidney Disease and Quality of Life (KDQOL-SF™). Nearly half of the respondents (48%) experienced psychological distress and 5.6% of the respondents showed clinically significant psychopathological symptoms (GHQ). Half of the study group declared a significant occurrence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (IES-R). A high score of subjectively perceived stress related to the pandemic was observed in both study groups. Numerous significant negative correlations were found between the results of the KDQOL subscales and psychopathological symptoms (IES-R and GHQ) without significant differences between the two groups (HD vs. PD). Almost all KDQOL subscales were significantly moderately or strongly correlated with the level of perceived stress related to the pandemic. The level of subjectively assessed stress related to the pandemic and the severity of psychopathological symptoms, including post-traumatic stress, were significant in the entire group of patients undergoing renal replacement therapy, regardless of the dialysis type. Numerous confirmed relationships between the domains of the quality of life related to the disease and the level of perceived stress and psychopathological symptoms indicate an urgent need to provide effective psychological support to this group of patients and to develop preventive programs in the field of mental health of people undergoing renal replacement therapy.

Association between Psychopathological Symptoms and Aggression and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Adolescents with Behavioural and Emotional Disturbances.

Behavioural and emotional disturbances (F92.8) are the most recognized disorders in a developmental psychiatry. As the problem is still alarmingly increasing, the searches for their etiopathogenesis and more effective preventing and therapy methods are required. The aim of the study was to assess the association between the quality of life, some psychopathological features, concentrations of selected immunoprotective (brain-derived neurotrophin, BDNF), and endocrine (cortisol, F) factors while adolescent disturbances. The study was performed in 123 inpatients of a psychiatric ward with F92.8 diagnosis, aged 13-18 years. The complete patients' interview, physical examination, and routine laboratory tests, including serum F and BDNF tests, were performed. All patients completed standardized questionnaires to estimate: the severity of psychopathological symptoms (SCL-90), the level of aggression (Buss-Perry). The changes in the plasma BDNF and F concentrations were shown in patients raised in foster homes and institutions. The significantly lower BDNF was observed in youth from foster and suicide-experienced families. The more severe psychopathological symptoms, especially aggression and hostility, were found in these ones, who abused alcohol, attempted suicide, had lower self-esteem and cognitive processes, and were lacking safety in dysfunctional families.

Influences of race and clinical variables on psychiatric genetic research participation: Results from a schizophrenia sample.

Advances in genetics has led to a better understanding of both genetic and environmental contributions to psychiatric mental health disorders. But psychiatric genetics research is predominantly Eurocentric, and individuals of non-European ancestry continue to be significantly underrepresented in research studies with potential to worsen existing mental health disparities. The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with genetic study participation in a schizophrenia sample. The study sample was extracted from the Clinical Antipsychotics Trial of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) schizophrenia study which enrolled 1493 patients with chronic schizophrenia between the ages of 18-65 years and incorporated an optional genetic sub-study. Using a logistic regression model (N = 1249), we examined sociodemographic and clinical variables that were independently associated with the outcome i.e., participation in the genetic sub-study. The genetic sub-study had a lower proportion of Black (30% in genetic vs 40% in CATIE overall) and other race (4% vs 6%) participants. Increased severity of psychopathology symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 0.78, p = 0.004) decreased the odds whereas better reasoning scores (OR = 1.16, p = 0.036) increased the odds of genetic study participation. Compared to Black participants, White participants were significantly more likely to participate in the genetic sub-study (OR = 1.43, p = 0.009). Clinical factors in addition to race significantly impact genetic study participation of individuals with chronic schizophrenia. Our findings highlight the need for future research that examines the interactive effects of race and clinical factors such as symptom severity on psychiatrically ill individuals' choice to participate in genetics studies and to identify targeted strategies to increase equitable representation in psychiatric genetics research.

Apelin-13 and Asprosin in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa and Their Association with Psychometric and Metabolic Variables

IntroductionAnorexia nervosa (AN) is a widespread, metabo-psychiatric disorder with high relapse rates, comorbidity, and mortality. Many regulatory proteins and neurohormones studied to date play essential roles in the etiopathogenesis of eating disorders and the maintenance of psychopathological symptoms. Nevertheless, the regulatory and pathophysiological mechanisms of AN are still poorly understood.ObjectivesThe present study aimed to investigate the plasma levels of asprosin (ASP) and apelin-13 (APE-13) in malnourished (AN1) and partially cured (AN2) adolescent patients with AN. Correlations between protein levels and several dimensions of AN symptomatology, such as eating disorder, depressive, and obsessive compulsive symptoms, were investigated.MethodsSixty-four patients aged 11–18 years admitted to the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the acute phase of AN participated in the study. Between the 1st and 3rd days of admission, patients with AN (AN1) underwent psychometric evaluation, height and weight assessment, and 15 mL of blood was drawn. The same procedures were repeated at a second time point about 11.2 ± 2.3 weeks later, after partial normalization of body weight on the day of discharge (AN2). The control group (CG) normal-weight girls with no history of psychiatric disorders, recruited from among the students of a local school. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CYBOCS), were used to assess eating disorder symptoms, depression, obsessions and compulsions. Patients were included in a nutritional rehabilitation program. Daily caloric intake was 2000–2500 kcal and was gradually increased to 3500–4000 kcal depending on weight gain (1.0–1.5 kg per week).ResultsAPE-13 levels were higher in the AN1 group than in the post-realimentation and the CG group. APE-13 levels were independent of insulin and glucose levels. Plasma ASP levels increased with increasing body weight in patients with AN, correlating with the severity of eating disorder symptoms in emaciation.Image:Image 2:Image 3:ConclusionsThe presented data suggest that APE-13 and ASP may be AN’s biomarkers-regulation of eating behavior by APE-13 and ASP, the close relationship between them and emotional behavior, and changes in neurohormone levels in patients with eating and affective disorders seem to support these hypotheses. Moreover, their plasma levels seem to be related to the severity of psychopathological symptoms of eating disorders.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Evaluation Expression of the Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 Apoptotic Genes in Schizophrenia Patients.

Apoptosis is programmed cell death that occurs by several pathways. Caspase-3 is induced by active caspase-9 via the intrinsic pathway. The aim of this research was to explore the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in schizophrenia patients and healthy samples. RNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of 39 schizophrenia patients' and healthy samples. After cDNA synthesis, real time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to analyse caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression. The severity of psychopathological symptoms of schizophrenia was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale for schizophrenia (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). The expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes was higher in schizophrenia patients than in healthy samples (p = 0.012, p = 0.002, respectively). The increase in caspase-3 gene expression was significant with being male, smoking and with a duration of less than 6 years (p = 0.047, p = 0.049, p = 0.034, respectively). On the other hand, the increase in caspase-9 gene expression was significant in patients who is smoke, have children, and are under 33 years old (p = 0.040, p = 0.043, p = 0.045, respectively). A significant positive correlation was detected between the caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression (r = 0.3218, p = 0.049). Our findings indicate that caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression may activate cell death mechanisms by intrinsic apoptotic genes. Furthermore, caspase-3 and caspase-9 may play essential roles in different ways in schizophrenia. Hence there is a need to further study the apoptotic mechanism with expanded patient populations.

Clinical-Immunological Correlates in Post-COVID-19 Endogenous Psychoses.

Objectives. To carry out a clinical and immunological study of the potential impact of coronavirus infection on the course of endogenous psychoses. Materials and methods. A total of 33 female patients aged 16-48 years with depressive-delusional states (F20.01, F21, F31) developing after coronavirus infections took part; group 1 consisted of 15 people who developed depressive-delusional states 1-2 months after COVID-19; group 2 consisted of 18 people with similar psychoses developing at later time points (2-6 months). The severity of psychopathological symptoms was assessed using the PANSS and HDRS-21 scales. The activity of inflammatory markers leukocyte elastase (LE) and α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI) was determined in patients' blood. Absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte contents and their ratio (the neutrophil:lymphocyte index) were also evaluated. Standard values for indicators from healthy donors corresponding to patients in terms of age and sex were used as control values. Results. Endogenous psychosis developing at longer intervals after coronavirus infection (group 2) was found to be associated with "typical" inflammatory reactions, with increases in the activity of acute-phase proteins (α1-PI: 43.0 (35.6-49.7) IU/ml, p = 0.001) and neutrophil degranulation activity (LE - 254.8 (238.0-271.0) nmol/min·ml, p < 0.001), which was associated with the development of depressive-delusional states with dominance of manifestations of positive affectivity (anxiety, melancholy) and the extended nature of delusional disorders, which were mostly incongruent to affect. Conversely, development of endogenous psychosis during the first two months after COVID-19 (group 1) was characterized by a spectrum of inflammatory biomarkers with a decrease in neutrophil count ((2.6 ± 0.9)·109/liter, p < 0.05) and low LE activity (196 (172-209.4) nmol/min·ml, p < 0.001). This immunological profile was associated with predominance of manifestations of negative affectivity (apathy, asthenia, adynamia) in the structure of depressive-delusional states and the relatively undeveloped nature of delusional disorders, which were predominantly congruent to affect. Conclusions. The clinical and biological correlates found here presumptively indicate that experience of COVID-19 infection has a modulatory effect on neuroinflammation and the structure of endogenous psychosis.

Prediction of the quality of mental life in patients with aseptic necrosis of the femoral head with non-psychotic mental disorders

The article presents the results of a study of the quality of mental life in patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head and non-psychotic mental disorders. The aim of the work was to study the mental component of the quality of life in patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head and non-psychotic mental disorders and to determine the predictors that influence its formation. A study of 137 people was conducted, of which 96 reached the end of the study. The Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) quality of life questionnaire was used to assess the mental component of quality of life. The SCL-90-R scale, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (TMAS), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) were also used. The determined psychopathological and psychometric factors that influenced the quality of life of patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head and non-psychotic mental disorders made it possible to develop a logistic model for predicting the achievement of an average level of the mental component of the quality of life in the postoperative period. The mental component of qua lity of life at the preoperative stage, the general index of severity of psychopathological symptoms according to the SCL-90-R method, the presence of anxiety-depressive or apathy-abulic syndromes and alexithymia according to the TAS-20 method acted as predictors. The resulting lo- gistic model has an outstanding predictive ability: AUC = 0.849 (95 % CI 0.761—0.914), p &lt; 0.0001, sensitivity — 77.78 % (CI 60.8—89.9) and specificity — 78.33 % (CI 65.8—87.9).

Clinical-correlative analysis of patients at risk of schizophrenia

Objective: Establishing a link between the structure and severity of psychopathological symptoms and the level of functioning in patients at risk of schizophrenia. Material and Methods: The study examined 38 patients with a depressive episode with attenuated positive symptoms (APS) from the risk group of schizophrenia hospitalized in 2011-2015. The follow-up was 7.3 ± 1.7 years. At the time of the examination, all patients were in remission. HDRS (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale), SOPS (Scale of Prodromal Symptoms) and (SANS) Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms were used. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistica 12 program. Results: At the time of the survey, 21.1% of the cases were diagnosed as schizophrenic (F25 and F20 according to ICD-10), 28.9 % as affective (F34.0, F31.3, F31.7 and F33.4), 13.2 % as personal disorders (F60.1, F60.a, F3.8 per cent) and 36,8 % as schizotypal disorders (F21.3, F21.4, F21.5, F21.8). Social performance on the PSP scale of 13.2 % was rated as high (100-81 points), 28.9 % and 31.6 % as average (80-61 and 60-41 points respectively) and 26.3 % as low (less than 40 points). The strongest correlations (p˂0.05) are found between total scores on the SOPS scale, negative SOPS scores, total SANS score and PSP score (- 0.854, - 0.876, - 0.812 respectively), subscale of negative SOPS symptoms and socially beneficial PSP activity (-0.831) subscale of apathy-anhedonia SANS and social relations PSP (0,801). Discussion: A high level of social functioning is possible provided there is a complete reduction of the prodromal and depressive symptoms, at medium levels, functioning is determined primarily by increasing negative symptoms, especially the domain of avolition - apathy, and low levels are formed by persistent APS, increasing symptoms of disorganization and negative symptoms. Conclusion: The study showed that the outcome of the first depressive episode with the risk symptoms of schizophrenia is generally characterized by some degree of decline in social functioning, which cannot be considered as a phenomenon in its own right, on the contrary, it’s a derivative of psychopathological symptoms.

PECULIARITIES OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA WITH CONCOMITANT DIABETES MELLITUS

In this article studied the features of the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia with concomitant diabetes mellitus. Conducting this study on the assessment of the quality of life of patients in the compared groups, we came to the conclusion that concomitant diabetes mellitus significantly reduces the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia. The revealed stronger relationship between the subjective assessment of one's QoL and the severity of positive and negative psychopathological symptoms in patients with concomitant somatic pathology suggests that the use of questionnaires to assess the quality of life in this category of patients for the development of individual rehabilitation programs is highly informative. Keywords: quality of life of patients with schizophrenia, diabetes mellitus, positive and negative psychopathological symptoms, individual rehabilitation programs.

Interrelationship of psychological distress, basic beliefs and perceptions of family relationships in informal caregivers of children and adults with epilepsy

BACKGROUND: Relatives caring for an epilepsy patient play a significant role in the care system and maintaining the well-being of the chronically ill and often suffer from significant stress.&#x0D; AIM: The aim of the study was to reveal the relationship of psychological distress, basic beliefs and perceptions of family relationships in relatives taking care of children and adults with epilepsy.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 62 relatives caring for patients with epilepsy, 44 relatives of children (mean [SD] age, 34,64 6,73 years) and 18 relatives of adults (mean [SD] age, 48,72 10,99 years). The Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the World Assumption Scale and the Family Environment Scale was used as an assessment tools. Also semi-structured interview for assessing socio-demographic and clinical characteristics was applied.&#x0D; RESULTS: The results of the study revealed significant similarities of the studied groups both in the explication of the psychopathological symptoms and in perception of their own personality, the surrounding world and intra-family interaction. Informal caregivers of such patients demonstrates significant variability and severity of psychopathological symptoms. And their perception of themselves and the surrounding world is characterized by the faade tendencies that act as psychological protection that prevents the catastrophizing of the subjective assessment of the situation associated with the chronic disease of a loved one.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the need to develop specialized psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at reducing the level of psychological distress in informal caregivers of patients with epilepsy. During the development and carrying out of such interventions, it is important to take into account the subjective assessment of caregivers available life situation, as well as his/her personal values and attitudes that largely determine the severity of psychopathological symptoms.

Curiosity Disturbed the Cat: Instagram’s Sensitive-Content Screens Do Not Deter Vulnerable Users From Viewing Distressing Content

In an attempt to mitigate the negative impact of graphic online imagery, Instagram has introduced sensitive-content screens—graphic images are obfuscated with a blur and accompanied by a warning. Sensitive-content screens purportedly allow “vulnerable people” with mental-health concerns to avoid potentially distressing content. However, no research has assessed whether sensitive-content screens operate as intended. Here we examined whether people, including vulnerable users (operationalized as people with more severe psychopathological symptoms, e.g., depression), use the sensitive-content screens as a tool for avoidance. In two studies, we found that the majority of participants (80%–85%) indicated a desire (Study 1) or made a choice (Study 2) to uncover a screened image. Furthermore, we found no evidence that vulnerable users were any more likely to use the screens to avoid sensitive content. Therefore, warning screens appear to be an ineffective way to deter vulnerable users from viewing negative content.

Apelin-13 and Asprosin in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa and Their Association with Psychometric and Metabolic Variables.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a widespread, metabo-psychiatric disorder with high relapse rates, comorbidity, and mortality. Many regulatory proteins and neurohormones studied to date play essential roles in the etiopathogenesis of eating disorders and the maintenance of psychopathological symptoms. Nevertheless, the regulatory and pathophysiological mechanisms of AN are still poorly understood. In the presented study, the plasma levels of apelin-13 (APE-13) and asprosin (ASP), as well as carbohydrate metabolism parameters and psychometric parameters, were evaluated in low-weight adolescent female patients with AN (AN1), after partial weight normalization (AN2) and in an age-matched healthy control group (CG) were evaluated. APE-13 levels were higher in the AN1 group than in the post-realimentation and the CG group. APE-13 levels were independent of insulin and glucose levels. Plasma ASP levels increased with increasing body weight in patients with AN, correlating with the severity of eating disorder symptoms in emaciation. The presented data suggest that APE-13 and ASP may be AN’s biomarkers-regulation of eating behavior by APE-13 and ASP, the close relationship between them and emotional behavior, and changes in neurohormone levels in patients with eating and affective disorders seem to support these hypotheses. Moreover, their plasma levels seem to be related to the severity of psychopathological symptoms of eating disorders.

Ujawnianie problemów ze zdrowiem psychicznym: zakres, predyktory i konsekwencje dla osób z rozpoznaniem zaburzeń psychotycznych

The analysis of the extent, sociodemographic and clinical predictors, and consequences of disclosing mental health problems for people with psychotic disorders. 147 individuals with a diagnosis of psychotic disorder (ICD-10 categories F20-F29) were examined with questionnaires to assess the extent and consequences of their disclosing of mental health problems to others, as well as their social functioning, depressive symptoms, and the global severity of psychopathological symptoms. The majority of respondents talked openly about their mental health problems to their parents, spouses or life partners, as well as physicians and other non-psychiatric health care professionals, while a substantial minority (less than one-fifth) talked about these issues to casual acquaintances, neighbors, teachers and lecturers, co-workers, police officers and municipal guards, representatives of the court system, or public officials. Multiple regression analysis showed that the older the respondents were, the less willing they were to disclose their mental problems to others (β = -0.34; p <0.05). In contrast, the longer they were ill, the more inclined they were to disclose their mental health issues (β = 0.29; p <0.05). Disclosure of mental health problems had varying effects on the subjects' social relationships, with a significant proportion reporting no difference in the way they were treated by others, while others reported either deterioration or improvement in this area. The results of the study provide clinicians with practical guidance on supporting and assisting patients with psychotic disorders in the process of making informed decisions about "coming out".

COVID-19 and the Mental Health of Nursing Professionals in Brazil: Associations between Social and Clinical Contexts and Psychopathological Symptoms.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an important negative psychological impact on people worldwide, especially nursing professionals who seem to be more vulnerable to the development of psychopathological symptoms. Objective: To analyze relationships between variables from the social and clinical contexts with psychopathological symptoms in nursing professionals from different geographic regions of Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 1737 nursing professionals from the five regions of Brazil. Data collection was carried out online with a questionnaire made available via Google Forms containing sociodemographic, occupational, and clinical questions, and the Symptom Assessment Scale-40-R, for the assessment of psychopathological symptoms. Differences between mean scores for the severity of psychopathological symptoms were assessed using the Mann–Whitney and Kruskall–Wallis tests. Results: There was a significant difference in the psychoticism domain scores according to Brazilian geographic region, with greater severity among professionals from the North and Northeast regions when compared with those from the South region. Social context variables (gender, age group, and marital status) and clinical variables (psychological and psychiatric follow-up; psychological or emotional support by the institution; family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker with COVID-19, and death among them; use of psychiatric medication without a medical prescription; and taking steps to take care of their mental health) were significantly related to psychopathological symptoms. Conclusions: The results point to the importance of mental health promotion strategies for professionals through psychological or emotional support, as evidence indicates that this support can be a predictor of reduced psychological distress.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk Factors Related to Acute Psychiatric Relapses in Patients with Severe Mental Disorders: A Preliminary Study.

Previous studies have indicated that vitamin (Vit) D deficiency is frequent in psychiatric patients, regardless of diagnostic category. We aimed to assess whether acute psychiatric relapses in inpatients was associated with Vit D deficiency compared to stabilized outpatients. The cohort (152 total patients, 75 males and 77 females) had a mean age of 47.3 ± 14.4 years at admission and was grouped according to psychiatric diagnosis. Psychopathological symptom severity was assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), a multidimensional symptom inventory. Total calcium serum levels were measured using standard laboratory methods, while plasma levels of 25-OH-Vit D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured by automated chemiluminescence immunoassays. The psychiatric inpatient subgroup showed a significant difference in serum levels of 25-OH-Vit D and PTH (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis between serum levels of 25-OH-Vit D and BPRS total and subitem scores indicated a significantly negative relationship. In addition, linear regression analysis evidenced that the inpatient condition might predict low PTH and 25-OH-Vit D serum levels. Hospitalized psychiatric patients are at increased risk for Vit D deficiency regardless of their diagnostic categories. The mechanism underlying the association between acute psychiatric relapses and Vit D deficiency remains unclear. Therefore, screening for Vit D deficiency should pertain to the health assessment of patients with major psychiatric disorders.