Psychiatric outcomes in outpatients affected by long COVID:A link between mental health and persistence of olfactory complaint

BACKGROUND Anosmia was one of the main symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).A psychiatric history(i.e.,depression)may be an independent contributor to the risk of COVID-19 diagnosis,and COVID-19 survivors appear to have an increased risk of neuropsychiatric sequelae(bidirectional association).AIM To compare the rate of psychiatric disorder among post-COVID patients without anosmia vs patients with persistent olfactory complaints.METHODS We conducted a prospective case control study from March 2020 to May 2021.Patients recruited at the ENT department of Nice University Hospital had a subjective olfactory complaint(visual analogue scale)for over 6 wk and a molecular or CT-proven severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 diagnosis confirmed by serology.Post-COVID patients without persistent olfactory disorders were recruited at the university hospital infectiology department.Psychiatric medical histories were collected by a psychiatrist during the assessments.RESULTS Thirty-four patients with post-COVID-19 olfactory complaints were included in the first group of the study.Fifty percent of the patients were female(n=17).The group’s mean age was 40.5±12.9 years.The control group included 32 participants,of which 34.4%were female(n=11),and had a mean age of 61.2±12.2 years.The rate of psychiatric disorder among post-COVID patients with olfactory complaints was significatively higher(41.7%)than among patients without(18.8%)(χ2=5.9,P=0.015).CONCLUSION The presence of a psychiatric history may constitute a potential risk factor for the development of long COVID due to persistent anosmia.It therefore seems important to establish reinforced health monitoring after a COVID 19 infection in at-risk patients.Further prospective,translational,and collaborative studies are needed to extrapolate these results to the general population.

Need for education of psychiatric evaluation of offenders with mental disorders:A questionnaire survey for Japanese designated psychiatrists

BACKGROUND The management of offenders with mental disorders has been a significant concern in forensic psychiatry.In Japan,the introduction of the Medical Treatment and Supervision Act in 2005 addressed the issue.However,numerous psychiatric patients at risk of violence still find themselves subject to the administrative involuntary hospitalization(AIH)scheme,which lacks clarity and updated standards.AIM To explore current as well as optimized learning strategies for risk assessment in AIH decision making.METHODS We conducted a questionnaire survey among designated psychiatrists to explore their experiences and expectations regarding training methods for psychiatric assessments of offenders with mental disorders.RESULTS The findings of this study’s survey suggest a prevalent reliance on traditional learning approaches such as oral education and on-the-job training.CONCLUSION This underscores the pressing need for structured training protocols in AIH consultations.Moreover,feedback derived from inpatient treatment experiences is identified as a crucial element for enhancing risk assessment skills.

Biological Profile and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients Receiving Neuroleptics at the Psychiatric Department of the University Hospital Center of Brazzaville

Several studies report the problem of cardiovascular tolerance of treatments with neuroleptics, given the important number of morbidities in patients with mental illnesses. This preliminary work aimed to describe the epidemiological and biological profile of patients taking neuroleptics and followed in the psychiatry department of Brazzaville University Hospital, from the angle of cardiovascular risk. Fifty (50) patients (17 men and 33 women), with a mean age of 33.9 10.7 years, were included. Epidemiological data (sex, age, tobacco or alcohol consumption) were collected on pre-established survey forms. Biochemical (total cholesterol, HDL-c, triglycerides and atherogenicity index) and inflammatory parameters (ultra-sensitive CRP, troponin I and NT-ProBNP) were investigated using enzymatic and indirect immunofluorescence technical, respectively. The results obtained showed that 54% of patients were obese, 94% were non-smokers, and 12% had high blood pressure. 10% of patients had high total cholesterol levels and 90% had HDL cholesterol levels below 60 mg/dl. Triglycerides and atherogenicity index were significantly elevated in relation to Body Mass Index (BMI). Ultrasensitive CRP was elevated in 38% of patients. In conclusion, this study revealed an association between lipid parameters (triglycerides and atherogenicity index) in relation to BMI in patients taking neuroleptics followed in the Psychiatry Department of University Hospital Center of Brazzaville.

Psychiatric Sequelae of Chronic Pruritic Dermatoses

This comprehensive review investigates the significant psychological impact and profound psychological comorbidities found in individuals suffering from chronic pruritic dermatoses, including atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, and prurigo nodularis. Highlighting the complex, reciprocal relationship between pruritus and psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, this paper elucidates the comprehensive impact of dermatological disorders on the skin in addition to the far-reaching effects on an individual’s psychological well-being. By evaluating the efficacy of integrated psychodermatological interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, pharmacological treatments, and innovative telepsychiatry and digital health solutions, this review aims to lay the foundation for a more holistic approach to treatment of concurrent dermatological and psychiatric conditions. Future research endeavors should delve deeper into the mechanistic foundation of the pruritus-psychiatry interface, the refinement of tailored treatment strategies, and the evaluation of long-term patient outcomes. In doing so, this review seeks to contribute to the optimization of patient care and well-being, underscoring the pivotal role of addressing both dermatological and psychological needs in achieving comprehensive health outcomes.

Analysis of Hand Hygiene Knowledge,Compliance,and Influencing Factors Among Psychiatric Healthcare Workers

Objective:To evaluate the knowledge,compliance,and influencing factors of hand hygiene among psychiatric healthcare workers.Methods:68 healthcare workers who worked in the Department of Psychiatry between September 2023 and May 2024 were selected to assess their knowledge of hand hygiene and compliance by questionnaire as well as to analyze their influencing factors.Results:Knowledge of hand hygiene among healthcare workers was less than 90%,and doctors’knowledge was lower than that of nurses(P<0.05).The healthcare workers’compliance with hand hygiene was lower than 80%,and the adherence of doctors was lower than that of nurses(P<0.05).Analysis of influencing factors reveals that skepticism about the effectiveness of rapid disinfectants/hand washing,skin irritation from disinfectants/cleaning agents,and busy work schedules with time constraints are the main factors affecting healthcare workers’compliance with hand hygiene,with P<0.05 compared with the same group.Conclusion:Psychiatric healthcare workers’knowledge of hand hygiene as well as compliance with it is low,and there are various factors affecting it,so targeted training is required to strengthen their hand hygiene implementation.

Application of PDCA Cycle in Hand Hygiene Management of Psychiatric Medical Staff

Objective:To study the application effect of the plan-do-check-act(PDCA)cycle management in the hand hygiene management of psychiatric medical staff.Methods:One hundred and twenty medical staff from a psychiatric hospital from May 2023 to December 2023 were selected and divided into two groups.The control group(May 2023 to August 2023)applied the conventional management model,and the observation group(September 2023 to December 2023)applied the PDCA cycle management.The hand hygiene compliance,hand hygiene knowledge,and hygiene qualifications were compared,including the amount of hand sanitizer used.Results:The proportion of medical staff’s hand hygiene compliance and hand hygiene knowledge mastery scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05);the hand hygiene passing rate in the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);the daily amount of hand sanitizer per patient bed and the amount of hand sanitizer used was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The PDCA cycle management model for psychiatric medical staff promoted the improvement of hand hygiene compliance and increased their hand hygiene qualifications.It is suitable for further popularization and application in future clinical practice.

Experienced Involvement (ExIn) in Social-Psychiatric Care of Germany-Challenges and Chances

This study explores the integration of Experienced Involvement(ExIn)in social-psychiatric care in Germany,emphasizing both the challenges and opportunities it presents.The European Leonardo da Vinci Project(2005-2007)established a curriculum for ExIn,promoting participatory structures in psychiatric services.While peer support is well-established in other European countries,Germany’s experience is still developing.This research uses a mixed methods design,combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews,to investigate the professional experiences of ExIn recovery companions and team colleagues in German clinics and support services.The findings reveal numerous benefits:for social-psychiatric services,ExIn enhances service quality,inclusivity,and accessibility;for team colleagues,it fosters reflexivity,hope,and trust,and improves self-care;for service users,it provides empowerment,easy access to support,trust,and hope,and offers credible role models.Despite these benefits,challenges such as stigmatization,lack of recognition,and financial constraints remain and require to be addressed.The study highlights the need and provides implications for a dedicated and inclusive approach to effectively implementing ExIn,ultimately enriching psychiatric care through experiential knowledge and reducing prejudice within mental health services.

Preliminary study of associative stigma among trainee psychiatrists in Flanders, Belgium

AIM: To study the degree of stigmatization among trainee psychiatrists, individual characteristics potentially leading to higher associative stigma, and coping mechanisms.METHODS: Two hundred and seven trainee psychiatrists in Flanders(Belgium), all member of the Flemish Association of Trainee Psychiatrists, were approached to participate in the survey. A non-demanding questionnaire that was specifically designed for the purpose of the study was sent by mail. The questionnaire consisted of three parts, each emphasizing a different aspect of associative stigma: devaluing and humiliating interactions, the focus on stigma during medical train-ing, and identification with negative stereotypes in the media. Answers were scored on a Likert scale ranging from 0 to 3. The results were analyzed using SPSS Version 18.0. RESULTS: The response rate of the study was 75.1%. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was good, with a Cronbach's α of 0.71. Seventy-five percent of all trainee psychiatrists confirmed hearing denigrating or humiliating remarks about the psychiatric profession more than once. Additionally, more than half of them had had remarks about the incompetence of psychiatrists directed at them. Only 1.3% remembered having stigma as a topic during their psychiatric training. Trainees who had been in training for a longer period of time had experienced a significantly higher level of stigmatization than trainees with fewer years of experience(mean total stigma scores of 16.93 ± SD 7.8 vs 14.45 ± SD 6.1, t =-2.179 and P < 0.05). In addition, senior trainees effectively kept quiet about their profession significantly more often than their junior colleagues(mean item score 0.44 ± SD 0.82 vs 0.13 ± SD 0.48, t = 2.874, P < 0.01). Comparable results were found in trainees working in adult psychiatry as were found in those working in child or youth psychiatry(mean item score 0.38 ± SD 0.77 vs 0.15 ± SD 0.53, t =-2.153, P < 0.05). Biologically oriented trainees were more inclined to give preventive explanations about their profession, which can be seen as a coping mechanism used to deal with this stigma(mean item score 2.05 ± SD 1.05 vs 1.34 ± SD 1.1, t =-3.403, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Associative stigma in trainee psychiatrists is underestimated. More attention should be paid to this potentially harmful phenomenon in training.

The Quality in Psychiatric Care-Forensic In-Patient Staff (QPC-FIPS) instrument: Psychometric properties and staff views of the quality of forensic psychiatric services in Sweden

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and dimensionality of the instrument Quality in Psychiatric Care-Forensic In-Patient Staff (QPC-FIPS) and to describe the perceived quality of psychiatric care among forensic inpatient service staff. A sample of 348 forensic inpatient staff from 18 forensic wards in Sweden participated in the study. A confirmatory factor analysis revealed a seven-factor structure with item loadings > 0.50 on expected factors, indicating adequate psychometric properties. The staff’s ratings of quality of care were high, 94% being positive. The highest ratings were found for the secluded-environment dimension and the lowest for the secure-environment dimension. Several factors influenced the ratings of quality of care, for instance, staff’s time to perform their duties and staff’s age. It is concluded that the QPC-FIPS can give valuable information about staff’s perceptions of the quality of care provided at inpatient forensic psychiatric care services, which can be used to identify areas for quality improvement. Use of the QPC-FIPS is an easy and inexpensive way to evaluate quality in forensic inpatient care, preferably in conjunction with the QPC-FIP instrument developed for forensic inpatients and covering the same items and dimensions.

Psychiatric Expertise in Benin Penal Justice Context: What Do They Reveal?

In this study, the authors describe the profile of people seen in criminal psychiatric expertise in northern Benin and their results. It covered the 138 psychiatric assessments carried out as part of criminal proceedings in the years 2017 and 2018. Expertises were on men in 94.9% of the cases. They were over 30 years old in 66.2% of cases. They were prosecuted for blood crimes in 89.5% of cases. The defendants were in detention at the time of the expert in 87.5% of cases. Psychiatric experts diagnosed a psychiatric disorder in 22.8% of cases. There was a relationship between the identified psychiatric disorder and the offense that motivated the charge in 25.8% of the mental disorder cases. It was exclusively cases of psychotic disorders. There was an abolition of discernment in 3.8% of the accused.

Sport in Psychiatric Rehabilitation: A Tool in Pre-Acute, Post-Acute and Chronic Phase

The principal goal of psychiatric rehabilitation is to improve the global functioning of a person who suffer from a mental disorder. New emerging groups of patients meet difficult to attend to a rehabilitation program. Sport represents a new flexible model that can be used in psychiatric rehabilitation. Sport improves physical health and well being, increases sociality, increases self-efficacy and self-esteem. It is well accepted and well tolerated by the patients, too. Its use goes over the chronic phase of illness (typical target of rehabilitation) and it extends to the post-acute and pre acute phase, too.

Psychiatric morbidities in respiratory disorders:a cross sectional report providing insight into consultation-liaison psychiatry services in India

Background:Respiratory disorders are among the leading disorders contributing to extensive morbidity and mortality worldwide.Disorder variants,like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases(COPD)in developed and developing countries,as well as infectious causes,like Tuberculosis(TB)in developing countries,contribute to significant disease burden.The literature points towards the coexistence of psychiatric disorders with respiratory disorders responsible for poorer outcomes.Despite the extensive burden of respiratory disorders and the presence of concurrent psychiatric disorders,studies focusing on their prevalence are limited in India.Methods:A cross-sectional psychiatric screening was carried out on sequential patients attending the tertiary respiratory unit over eight months.Those screened positive were interviewed in detail for psychiatric diagnosis and challenges in the management were discussed.Psychiatric diagnosis,pulmonary TB and medical comorbidity were assessed for correlation with demographic and clinical variables and analyzed by using the Chi-square test and logistic regression method using SPSS version 20.Results:Psychiatric morbidity was present in 100 out of 350 patients(28.57%).Tuberculosis was the most common diagnosis(46%)in subjects attending the respiratory clinic services while common mental disorders like depression,anxiety,and insomnia were the most common psychiatric concern(88%)in this study.Conclusion:Psychiatric disorders and medical morbidities are common in patients with respiratory disorders.Multiple factors determine the treatment adherence in both respiratory and psychiatric disorders.Screening for psychiatric disorders with the help of a consultation-liaison psychiatrist in respiratory units is recommended.Future studies should focus on developing dedicated psychiatry services to enhance overall outcomes in patients with respiratory disorders.

Psychiatric comorbidity in the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn&#x02019;s disease, commonly known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), draw attention from specialists of various disorders, including gastroenterology, psychiatry, and radiology. The involvement of a cortical influence in the brain-gut axis as well as the interaction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the peripheral nervous system provide an initial explanation of the psychological symptoms associated with IBD. The involvement of structures the limbic system, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, the prefrontal cortex, and the amygdala, paves the way for the discovery of the mechanisms underlying depression depression, anxiety, alexithymia, personality traits, and other psychological impairments following the onset of IBD. Psychiatric therapy in IBD patients is almost as important as the gastroenterological approach and consists of pharmacological treatment and psychotherapy. Neither of the available psychiatric treatment methods is considered the golden standard because both methods have side effects, and psychotropic medication can provoke the worsening of IBD symptoms. Thus, both approaches must be applied with awareness of the possibility of side effects. We suggest that psychiatrists and gastroenterologists work together to reach a consensus on IBD therapy to ensure success and to reduce side effects and relapse to the lowest possible rates.

Aerobic exercise improves gastrointestinal motility in psychiatric inpatients

AIM: To evaluate the benefit of aerobic exercise on colonic transit time (CTT) for psychiatric inpatients in a closed ward.

Combined exercise improves gastrointestinal motility in psychiatric in patients

AIM To examine the effect of combined exercise on colonic transit time(CTT) in admitted psychiatric patients. METHODS Over a 6-mo period, consecutive in patients with mental illness were recruited from the Somang Hospital Psychiatry Unit. A combined exercise program that included 60 min per day of exercise 3 d per week for 12 wk was performed. Physical fitness and CTT of the patients were measured twice before and twice after the exercise program. CTT was measured using a multiple marker technique with a radio-opaque marker. Changes in the exercising patients' CTT and weight-,cardiovascular-and fitness-related parameters were statistically assessed.RESULTS After the 12-wk combined exercise intervention, decreased intestinal transit time was observed in all CTTs of the exercise group, including the right CTT(exercise: 15.6 ± 15.2 vs 9.2 ± 11.9, control: 13.1 ± 10.4 vs 10.9 ± 18.7), left CTT(exercise: 19.7 ± 23.5 vs 10.4 ± 13.2, control: 19.2 ± 19.0 vs 16.9 ± 19.8), recto-sigmoid CTT(exercise: 14.3 ± 16.7 vs 6.7 ± 7.9, control: 15.0 ± 14.4 vs 19.3 ± 30.3), and total colonic transit time(TCTT)(exercise: 50.2 ± 38.1 vs 27.1 ± 28.0, control: 47.4 ± 34.6 vs 47.3 ± 47.3). After the 12-wk combined exercise period, TCTT was significantly shortened in the exercise group compared with that in the control group. In addition to eating habits, water intake, and fiber intake, the increased physical activity level as a result of the 12-wk combined exercise program reduced the CTT.

Psychiatric morbidity after surgery for inflammatory bowel disease:A systematic review

AIM To examine the evidence about psychiatric morbidity after inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)-related surgery. METHODS PRISMA guidelines were followed and a protocol was published at PROSPERO(CRD42016037600). Inclusion criteria were studies describing patients with inflammatory bowel disease undergoing surgery and their risk of developing psychiatric disorder. RESULTS Twelve studies(including 4340 patients) were eligible. All studies were non-randomized and most had high risk of bias. Patients operated for inflammatory bowel disease had an increased risk of developing depression,compared with surgical patients with diverticulitis or inguinal hernia,but not cancer. In addition,patients with Crohn's disease had higher risk of depression after surgery compared with non-surgical patients. Patients with ulcerative colitis had higher risk of anxiety after surgery compared with surgical colorectal cancer patients. Charlson comorbidity score more than three and female gender were independent predictors for depression and anxiety following surgery. CONCLUSION The review cannot give any clear answer to the risks of psychiatric morbidity after surgery for IBD studies with the lowest risk of bias indicated an increased risk of depression among surgical patients with Crohn's disease and increased risk of anxiety among patients with ulcerative colitis.

Viral vectors as a novel tool for clinical and neuropsychiatric research applications

Background A viral vector is a genetically modified vector produced by genetic engineering. As pathogenic genes in the virus are completely or largely eliminated, it is safe to be widely used in multidisciplinary research fields for expressing genes, such as neuroscience, metabolism, oncology and so on. Neuroscience and psychiatry are the most closely related disciplines in either basic research or clinical research, but the application of viral vectors in neuropsychiatry has not received much attention or not been widely accepted.Aim This article will focus on the application of viral vectors in basic and clinical neuropsychiatric research.Methods By using viral vectors, scientists can perform neurological labelling, gene expression regulation and physiological manipulation for investigating phenomenon from molecular mechanisms to behaviours. At the same time, to treat mental or neurological disorders, viral vectors can be designed for gene therapy, which alter gene expression levels or repair mutated genes in the brains of patients.Perspective Viral vectors play an important role in basic research and clinical applications. To further understand brain function and prevent mental and neurological diseases, we hypothesize that viral vectors could be used along with various advanced technologies, such as sequencing and high-throughput expression analysis in the neuroscience research field.

How to construct neuroscience-informed psychiatric classification?Towards nomothetic networks psychiatry

Psychiatry remains in a permanent state of crisis,which fragmented psychiatry from the field of medicine.The crisis in psychiatry is evidenced by the many different competing approaches to psychiatric illness including psychodynamic,biological,molecular,pan-omics,precision,cognitive and phenomenological psychiatry,folk psychology,mind-brain dualism,descriptive psychopathology,and postpsychiatry.The current“gold standard”Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders/International Classification of Diseases taxonomies of mood disorders and schizophrenia are unreliable and preclude to employ a deductive reasoning approach.Therefore,it is not surprising that mood disorders and schizophrenia research was unable to revise the conventional classifications and did not provide more adequate therapeutic approaches.The aim of this paper is to explain the new nomothetic network psychiatry(NNP)approach,which uses machine learning methods to build data-driven causal models of mental illness by assembling risk-resilience,adverse outcome pathways(AOP),cognitome,brainome,staging,symptomatome,and phenomenome latent scores in a causal model.The latter may be trained,tested and validated with Partial Least Squares analysis.This approach not only allows to compute pathway-phenotypes or biosignatures,but also to construct reliable and replicable nomothetic networks,which are,therefore,generalizable as disease models.After integrating the validated feature vectors into a well-fitting nomothetic network,clustering analysis may be applied on the latent variable scores of the R/R,AOP,cognitome,brainome,and phenome latent vectors.This pattern recognition method may expose new(transdiagnostic)classes of patients which if cross-validated in independent samples may constitute new(transdiagnostic)nosological categories.

Tattoos as a window to the psyche:How talking about skin art can inform psychiatric practice

Tattooing the skin as a means of personal expression is a ritualized practice that has been around for centuries across many different cultures.Accordingly,the symbolic meaning of tattoos has evolved over time and is highly individualized,from both the internal perspective of the wearer and the external perspective of an observer.Within modern Western societies through the 1970 s,tattoos represented a cultural taboo,typically associated with those outside of the mainstream such as soldiers,incarcerated criminals,gang members,and others belonging to marginalized and counter-cultural groups.This paper aims to review the more recent epidemiology of tattoos in Western culture in order to establish that tattooing has become a mainstream phenomenon.We then review psychological and psychiatric aspects of tattoos,with a goal of revising outmoded stigmas about tattooing and helping clinicians working with tattooed patients to facilitate an exploration of the personal meaning of skin art and self-identity.We suggest that as a kind of augmentation of the physical exam,looking at and talking to patients about their tattoos can provide a valuable window into the psyche,informing clinical practice.

Use of cognitive event-related potentials in the management of psychiatric disorders:Towards an individual follow-up and multicomponent clinical approach

Relapse prevention remains a major challenge in psychiatry,thus indicating that the established treatment methods combining psychotherapy with neuropharmacological interventions are not entirely effective.In recent years,several intervention strategies have been devised that are aimed at improving psychiatric treatment by providing a complementary set of add-on tools that can be used by clinicians to improve current patient assessment.Among these,cognitive eventrelated potentials(ERPs)have been indexed as valuable biomarkers of the pathophysiological mechanisms of various mental illnesses.However,despite decades of research,their clinical utility is still controversial and a matter of debate.In this opinion review,I present the main arguments supporting the use of cognitive ERPs in the management of psychiatric disorders,stressing why it is currently still not the case despite the vast number of ERP studies to date.I also propose a clinically-oriented suitable way in which this technique could—in my opinion—be effectively incorporated into individual patient care by promotion of the use of individual ERP test-retest sessions and the use of a multi-component approach.