There has been increasing interest in the association between childhood trauma and psychosis. Proposals for potential mechanisms involved include affective dysregulation and appraisals of threat, yet few large-scale clinical studies exist in affective psychosis.

We hypothesise that within bipolar disorder (BD), childhood events will show a significant association with psychosis, and in particular with symptoms driven by dysregulation of mood or with a persecutory content.

2019 participants were recruited as part of our programme of research into the genetic and non-genetic determinants of BD (www.bdrn.org). Data on lifetime ever presence of psychosis and specific psychotic symptoms were determined by detailed structured interview with case note review. Childhood events were recorded after self-report questionnaire and case note information.

There was no relationship between childhood events, or childhood abuse, and psychosis per se. Childhood events were not associated with increased risk of persecutory or other delusions. Significant associations were found between childhood abuse and auditory hallucinations, strongest between sexual abuse and mood congruent or abusive voices. These relationships remain significant after controlling for lifetime ever cannabis misuse.

Within affective disorder, the relationship between childhood events and psychosis appears to be relatively symptom-specific. It is possible that the pathways leading to psychotic symptoms differ, with delusions and non-hallucinatory symptoms being influenced less by childhood or early environmental experience.

1. Upthegrove R, Chard C, Jones, L, Gordon –Smith K, Forty L, Jones I and Craddock N. Adverse Childhood Events and Psychosis in Bipolar Affective Disorder. BJPsych In press BJP/2014/152611

Children exposed to adverse psychosocial experiences, or early parental loss, are at an increased risk for later depression. Preclinical data indicate that epigenetic regulation of gene expression mediates the effects of early life stress (ELS) on adult behavior and health. In addition to stress-responsive systems (glucocorticoids), the expression of neurotrophic factors in the brain may be regulated epigenetically in the context of ELS contributing to mental health, or systemic disease at adulthood.

In order to investigate epigenetic changes in target genes involved in the long-term effects of early adversity on psychopathology, we have set up an animal model (rat) of prenatal stress.

show that ELS leads to a long-term down-regulation in the expression of target genes, such as the receptor for glucocorticoids and Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), thus mimicking adult conditions characterizing increased risk for psychopathology. Behavioral and neuroendocrine changes accompanying these differences in gene expression suggest increased stress responsivity, as well as impaired social behavior. Chronic treatment with the antipsychotic lurasidone during adolescence was able to counteract the changes in BDNF expression produced by ELS, preventing the down-regulation of long 3’-UTR BDNF levels that occurred from late adolescence into young adulthood. Furthermore, interaction with a non-stressed rat conspecific ameliorated behavioural dysfunction.

data indicate potential therapeutic targets to counteract prenatal stress and suggest that the perinatal environment can act as a potential buffer for stressful conditions occurring around birth. Support: ERA net-NEURON 'Poseidon” and Fondazione Cariplo 2012.

To assess the risk of first-time seizures in association with exposure to antidepressants in patients with depressive disorders.

We conducted a retrospective follow-up study with a nested case-control analysis using data from the U.K.-based Clinical Practice Research Datalink. We estimated incidence rates (IRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of seizures in depressed patients who used no antidepressant treatment or who used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), or ‘other antidepressants’. To better adjust for potential confounding, we estimated odds ratios (ORs) of antidepressant drug use among cases with seizures and matched controls in a nested case-control analysis.

Of 151,005 depressed patients, 619 had an incident seizure during follow-up. IRs per 10,000 person-years were 9.33 (95% CI, 6.19-12.46) in non-users of antidepressants, 12.44 (95% CI, 10.67-14.21) in SSRI users, 15.44 (95% CI, 8.99-21.89) in SNRI users, 8.33 (95% CI, 4.68-11.98) in TCA users, and 5.05 (95% CI, 4.49-5.62) in past users of antidepressants. Across single antidepressants, the highest IR per 10,000 person-years (17.06 [95% CI, 7.41-26.72]) was observed in mirtazapine users. In the case-control analysis we observed the highest risks of seizure in male users of other antidepressants (OR 3.90, 95% CI 1.85-8.26), and in female users of SNRIs (2.70, 95% CI 1.33-5.48) compared with non-use.

With the exception of TCAs, antidepressant use in depressed patients was associated with an increased risk of seizures compared to non-use. Risk estimates differed across antidepressants and depended on timing of therapy, dose, and sex.

This cross-sectional study was aimed to investigate the factors associated with bipolar disorder in pregnant female, including sociodemographic parameters, social support, social conflict, suicidal idea and sleep.

A total of 84 pregnant female were recruited. They filled out self-completing questionnaires on sociodemographic factors, obstetric history, depressive symptoms and bipolarity. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Korean version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Bipolarity was assessed using the Korean version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (K-MDQ).

Nineteen participants (22.6%) had positive K-MDQ scores, suggesting the present of bipolarity. Positive EPDS group had twenty subjects (25%) who had depressive symptoms. The diathesis of bipolar disorder was associated with marital dissatisfaction, social conflict, depression and sleep. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the only poor sleep was a risk of bipolarity.

Pregnant female with bipolarity were more depressed and sleep problems than those without bipolarity. The results showed that the most important factor of influencing bipolarity was sleep.

Research integrating neuroimaging and molecular genetics has yielded important insights into how variability in brain chemistry predicts brain function and structure, behaviour and risk for psychopathology. Disrupted neurotransmission of glutamate within corticalstriatal-thalamocortical circuitry has been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Candidate gene studies have identified associations between variants in glutamate system genes and OCD, particularly for SLC1A1, although these results remain controversial after GWAS and meta-analytical approaches.

To examine the effects of multiple polymorphisms of the glutamatergic pathway on frontostriatal connectivity, measured by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), in OCD.

Individual multilocus genetic profile scores (MGPS) reflecting the additive effects of multiple alleles of the glutamatergic pathway, analysed by the Affymetrix GeneticChip® SNP array, were compiled for 134 OCD patients and 63 healthy controls. Association between these genetic scores and brain functional connectivity patterns between the dorsal and ventral striatal regions and limbic cortical areas including the orbitofrontal cortex and surrounding areas, such as the anterior prefrontal and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex, were investigated.

In the entire group, glutamatergic MGPS were significantly associated with connectivity patterns involving the ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex. Distinct relationships between MGPS and functional connectivity between the ventral striatum, amygdala, ventromedial frontal cortex and insula between OCD and healthy subjects emerged.

Glutamatergic genetic risk variants are related to normal frontostriatal connectivity; a fact that might explain the role of glutamatergic pathway disruptions in the susceptibility to develop OCD.

Limited research is available on children and adolescent psychosis. Thus, we conducted a Meta-Analysis of pharmaceutical treatments, using literature from the last 5 years. A 16 year cumulative prevalence of psychosis in the Calgary Health Region was also examined.

Conduct a Meta-Analysis to determine effective treatments for children and adolescent psychosis. Conduct a prevalence study for the Calgary Health Zone from 1994-2009.

Update and identify effective treatment interventions for children and adolescent psychosis, and determine psychosis prevalence in the Calgary Health Region.

Direct physician billing data was used for the Calgary Health Region (Alberta) from 1994-2009 (n = 763449) to identify 73078 unique individuals (30762-males, 42316-females), each of whom had a physician-assigned diagnosis of psychosis. Using standard methods, 41 studies were identified and those meeting inclusion criteria were compared and ranked on the basis of effect size, study design, etc. across studies.

The 16 year cumulative prevalence of psychosis per 10,000 was 1026 for all ages, and 229 under 19. 4 studies met measurable outcomes; 34 results were positive, 17 were equivalent, and no results were negative. The greatest effect size was 1.03, while the lowest was −0.286. Risperidone, Quetiapine, and Olanzapine were effective treatments.

Risperidone, Quetiapine, and Olanzapine are effective treatments for children and adolescent psychosis. Psychosis rates increased 2.3 times for all ages, and 2 times under age 19, from 1994-2009. Psychosis in the under 19 male population is becoming more prevalent and increasing at a higher rate compared to females.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an effective psychological intervention for children and young people with anxiety disorders (James et al, 2013). This has led to interest in whether CBT programmes can be widely provided in schools to prevent or ameliorate anxiety symptoms in children.

Results from school based anxiety prevention trials are encouraging (Neil & Christensen 2009; Fisak, Richard, Mann 2011). Before the widespread use of school based preventive programmes can be advocated methodologically robust evaluations are required to demonstrate that they are effective when transported to everyday settings.

To undertake a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a universal school based CBT programme (Friends for Life) for children aged 9-10 years of age .

Three arm RCT comparing Friends for Life delivered by trained health or school leaders with usual school provision (Stallard et al,2012). Primary outcome the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) at 12 month follow-up.

A total of 1362 children from 40 schools participated with 1257 (92%) being re-assessed at follow-up. There was a difference in adjusted mean child report RCADS scores for health-led versus school-led FRIENDS (−3.94, 95%CI −6.41 to −1.47) and health-led FRIENDS versus usual school provision (2.66, 95%CI −5.22 to −0.09). Health-led CBT resulted in greater reductions in symptoms of anxiety than the other two arms (Stallard et al 2014),

Our pragmatic trial demonstrates that universally delivered anxiety prevention programmes can be effective when transported into schools. However, effectiveness varies depending upon who delivers them.

Depression/anxiety disorders and smoking behavior often begin in adolescence as co-occurring phenomena. Epidemiologically, the relationship between them is bidirectional,

To examine both adolescent smoking as a predictor of depression/anxiety disorders, and the effect of these disorders on adolescent smoking.

A representative sample of Catalan adolescents (N = 3008) participating in (PFI) a longitudinal study were interviewed about smoking behavior at baseline (T1) and at two follow-up assessments (T2 and T3). In interviews at baseline (T1) and at T4, the parents were asked whether their daughters/sons had a diagnosis of depression or anxiety. Smoking behavior was defined as smoking at least once a week. Age, sex and household income were included.

Depression/anxiety at T1 increases the risk of smoking behavior at T3 [odds ratio (OR), 1.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-3.14] compared with undiagnosed adolescents. After adjusting for age and sex, the risk remains, but after adjusting for sex, age and income, the risk of smoking behavior decreases as household income increases [OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.9-2.85]. Alternatively, smoking behavior at T3 increases the risk of depression/anxiety at T4 [OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.5] compared with non-smokers. After adjusting for age and sex, the risk remains, but after adjusting for sex, age and income, the risk of depression/anxiety decreases as household income increases [OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.93-2.36].

Our findings provide the first evidence of a two-way relationship between adolescent smoking and depression/anxiety disorders in a community sample in Spain.

An association between psychiatric disorders in childhood and the later development of major depressive disorders (MDD) has been suggested. However, no prospective population-based cohort study has been able to directly compare the risks of MDD following a broad spectrum of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders.

To use a large, register-based cohort to establish whether or not psychiatric disorders in childhood lead to a higher risk of later MDD and, if so, which disorders are associated with the highest risks.

To estimate and compare the risk of later MDD in children diagnosed with one of ten psychiatric disorders

Using Danish population-based registers all persons born in Denmark from 1990 through 2000 were identified and followed from their 5^th birthday through 2012. Cumulative incidences and incidence rate ratios of MDD following each of ten exposure disorders were calculated

We followed 960,026 persons, contributing 8,778,331 person-years. Among these 7,787 were diagnosed with MDD (incidence=1.7/1000 pyrs).

Diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder led to an absolute risk of MDD within eight years of 1.6% in males and 4.98% in females with early onset (ages 0-14) and 7.02% in males and 15.98% in females with late onset (ages 14-18).

For all groups, anxiety and eating disorders were associated with the highest risks of MDD.

Most disorders were associated with a significantly increased risk of later MDD and children with anxiety and eating disorders carry the greater risk. Future research should focus on common pathways between depression and other psychiatric disorders.

Complications of birth and pregnancy are more than twice as likely among children and adolescents with mental disorder. Using an informatics approach, this study examines the type of mental disorder associated with complications of birth and pregnancy in the local pediatric population (Calgary Research Ethics Board ID: 21695).

A data set containing physician visit for approximately 240,000 unique individuals from 1994-2009 was employed. Additionally, a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of pediatric mental disorder associated with complications of birth and pregnancy (as a major class of ICD)

was undertaken in order to provide an interpretational context.

Results from the systematic literature review show that mothers who experience gestational infection, disease or drug exposure had a 3.7-fold increased risk of giving birth to children with mental disorders. Perinatal risk factors and obstetric complications were observed to cause a 1.5-fold increased risk. Emotional violence during pregnancy was seen to correlate with premature birth (an obstetric complication) which belongs to the previous category. Forrest plot also revealed that gestational diabetes and influenza were the leading causes of increasing this risk. In the local pediatric population, the prevalence of offspring born with mental disorders whose mothers experienced pregnancy/childbirth complications increased from 18 individuals/1000 to 28 individuals/1000.

On average, maternal pregnancy/childbirth complications lead to a 2-fold increased risk of offspring being born with mental disorders. In the local population, the prevalence of mental disorders consequent to pregnancy and childbirth complications has increased by a factor of 1.4 during the 1994-2009 period.

The most frequent targets for pharmacologic intervention in PDD patients include associated comorbid conditions: hyperactivity, inattention, compulsive-like behaviors, anxiety, depression, aggression, self-injurious behavior, repetitive or stereotypic behaviors, and sleep disturbances [1-2].

To compare efficacy and tolerability of risperidone and atomoxetine in the treatment of severe and challenging behaviors in children with PDD.

Was conducted 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study with parallel group of comparison and flexible doses of Risperidon (1.0-3.0 mg; MD = 1,8) and Atomoxetine (25.0 – 40.0 mg; MD = 32,8). Were randomized 80 children from 12 to 18 years old (MD = 10,8) with the assessment ≥ 6 points on the diagnostic criteria for DSM IV-TR for autism, ≥12 balls Irritability by ABC-C. All children were assessed by an additional ADI-R, ADOS. Drug efficacy was assessed weekly using the ABC-C, CGI-I / CGI-S, Adverse event recording.

Risperidone and Atomoxetine are more effective than placebo in Irritability, Agitation, Crying subscales (F = 2,30, DF = 1,47, P = 0,12), Hyperactivity, Noncompliance (F = 103,24, DF = 1,68, ? ≤ 0,0001), Lethargy, Social Withdrawal (F = 2,30, DF = 1,47, P = 0,12), Stereotypic Behavior (F = 27,94, DF = 1,24, ? ≤ 0,0001). In Risperidone therapy was observed Inappropriate Speech retardation, and more frequently extra pyramidal side effects.

Risperidon (1.0-3.0 mg / day) and Atomoxetine (25.0 – 40.0 mg / day) are more effective than placebo and well-tolerated and can be recommended for treatment of severe and challenging behaviors in children with PDD.

The aim of this study was to compare testosterone level with clinical features of problem behavior in children with ASD.

The study sample consisted of 35 pre-pubertal boys with clinical diagnosis of ASD. In all children (ages 3-10) diagnosed as ASD, parents completed Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form (NCBRF) (version for intellectual disabilities)-parent version. Rating scale assessed child´s behavior as observed in previous 1-2 months. Specific problem behavior was rated on subscales for conduct problems, anxiety, hyperactivity, self-injury/stereotypic behavior, self-isolated/ritualistic and overly sensitive. On this rating form parents also assessed social behavior: compliant behavior and adaptive social behavior. Total serum testosterone levels were determined after the parents completed rating forms, according to standardized procedure.

It was found positive correlation between total serum testosterone levels and conduct problem subscale (p=0.007, r=0.445) and as well as total serum testosterone levels and overly sensitive subscale (p=0.03, r=0.348) of NCBRF. In other subscalesof NCBRF(problem behavior or social behavior) were no significant correlations.

The results suggest that there might be some relationship between problem behavior (specifically conduct problems and overal sensitivity) and testosterone levels in boys with ASD. Testosterone levels had no significant correlation with other subscales of NCBRF. However further research is needed for investigation of complex androgen activity (free TST levels, SHBD levels) and potential roles of other hormones in complex etiology of conduct problems and overall sensitivity in children with ASD. This findings rise interest in further investigation of relationship between testosterone and conduct problems and overall sensitivity in children with ASD and indicate that therapeutic strategies targeting testosteronecould be useful in the treatment of problem behaviors in children with ASD.

This study was part of broader projects focused on ASD conducted in Autism Research Center for Autism (ARCA), Comenius University and was supported by grants APVV 02544-11 and VEGA1/0086/14.

The eating disorders (ET) seem more and more common. These disorders are multifactorial. Several risk factors have been studied in literature. However, the link with the temperament, biological basis of personality and depression are scarce.

The estimation of the prevalence of ET, cyclothymic temperament (CT) and depression among medical students and the assessment the relationship between these three parameters.

This is a descriptive transversal and analytical study involving one hundred and seven students from the Faculty of Medicine of Sfax. The study was conducted using the EAT (Eating Attitude Test 40) for the evaluation of ET, extract TEMPS -A (Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Auto – questionnaire) to evaluate the CT and Beck scale (BDI: Beck depression Inventory), allowing depression detection.

The mean age was 21.08 years. Around two-thirds of the students were females, 60.7 %. The ET- prevalence was 13.1 %. Nearly half of the students (46.7%) were depressed at the time of the survey, five (4.7%) presented severe depression cases. The prevalence of CT was 44.9%. We found a significant correlation between the presence of CT and both ET and depression disorders according to both dimensional and categorical approaches. An association was found between depression and ET

In our population, the prevalence of depression and the ET is important. The CT was associated with these two disorders, which requires the multiplication of students surveyed, to know the prevalence of this disorder better and search for psychiatric comorbidities and risk factors.

Previous studies suggest a relationship between decreased serum cholesterollevels and impulsive/aggressive behaviors [1]; howeverwe found just one study in the literature based in eating disorder [2].

To investigate the potentialrelationship between lipid profile (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides) andmeasures of impulsivity, aggression or suicidal behavior in a sample of nevertreated patient whit Eating disorder and healthy controls.

The first episode of eatingdisorders group consisted of 199 (age range 14-60) subjects included in DETECTAprogram of Cantabria, Spain, from 2011 to 2013. Other group of 199healthy controls were initially recruited from the community and matched by ageand gender. Socio-demographic information was collected for each subject. Clinicalcharacteristics were ascertained either from clinical charts or by directquestioning the study participants. Lifetime diagnosis of impulse control wasassessed with questionnaires developed ad hoc. Impulsivity was evaluated using self-administered questionnaires, EatingDisorder Inventory and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory.

Differences found betweensubgroups did not differ from those shown in the literature, with higher levelsof impulsivity in the group of Bulimia. However in the partial correlation we did not find a relationship betweencholesterol levels and Impulsivity. We neither found this relationshipbetween suicide attempts, pathological gambling, compulsive buying disorder, self-harm or kleptomania.

Although the biological mechanism between plasma hypocholesterolemia andimpulsive behavior has not been fully elucidated this relationship has beenestablished in others pathologies [3], howeverin eating disorders so far, this theory has not been proved.

Although Positive (PS) and Negative Schizotypy (NS) are considered distinct entities, prefrontal dysfunction seems to be a common underlying mechanism. According to recent evidence, PS can be divided into Paranoid (ParS) and Cognitive-Perceptual (CPS).

To explore NS’, ParS’ and CPS’ profiles of prefrontal function/psychopathology/stressful childhood experiences.

To examine associations between NS, ParS and CPS with the above phenotype in a community sample.

140 healthy adults completed the Schizotypal-Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), Symptom-Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90R), Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test (WCST), CANTAB Spatial Working Memory (SWM), Parental-Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Child Abuse/Trauma Scale (CAT). Associations between schizotypal dimensions and outcome variables were examined with separate forward regression-analyses (confounders: age, smoking).

High ParS and NS but not CPS were predicted by high CAT score and low parental-care respectively (Ps<0.001). High NS and high ParS predicted inefficient SWM strategy and increased WCST perseverative-errors (Ps<0.001; R2:0.155 and 0.243) while high ParS also predicted fewer WCST-completed categories and increased total errors (Ps<0.001; R2:0.138 and 0.174). All schizotypal dimensions along with reduced parental-care predicted high SCL-90 psychopathology in all dimensions (Ps<0.001); NS predicted mostly interpersonal sensitivity, depression and phobic anxiety (R2range:0.211-0.426), ParS predicted mostly obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism (R2range:0.257-0.373) and CPS predicted mostly somatization and anger/hostility (R2:0.240 and 0.213).

ParS and NS were similar in terms of prefrontal dysfunction and childhood life experiences although they differed in their clinical psychopathology patterns. CPS seems to be a 'less severe” form of schizotypy in terms of prefrontal dysfunction and childhood experiences with minimal impact on current psychopathology.

Suicide constitutes one of the major public health problems worldwide. The aim of this study is to examine the possible correlation of suicide rates in Greece with some social indices during the financial crisis.

Our study includes all suicide rates recorded in Greece during the time period 2001-2011 (EL.STAT). We assessed the standardized suicide rates (number of suicide cases per 100.000 inhabitants, SSR). We obtained data from EL.STAT. regarding the following social indices: unemployment, population at-risk-of poverty or social exclusion and material deprivation.

During the period 2001-2011 a total number of 4.133 cases of suicide were recorded. Male suicides were 3.424 (82.8%) and female suicides were 710 (17.2%). The mean SSR for the period study (2001–2011) was 3.37±0.37/100.000 inhabitants. The mean male SSR was 5.64±0.64/100.000 and the mean female SSR was 1.15±0.22/100.000. Our analysis has clearly demonstrated a positive correlation between unemployment and total SSR (r=0.64, p=0.03), as well as between unemployment and male SSR (r=0.68, p=0.02) for the period 2001-2011. During the period of economic crisis (2008-2011) an even positive correlation between unemployment and male SSR was observed (r=0.96, p=0.03). Yet, during the period of economic crisis a positive correlation between population at risk of poverty or social exclusion and total SSR (r=0.96, p=0.03) as well as between material deprivation and male SSR (r=0.99, p=0.01) was revealed.

The results of this study show that the effect of economic crisis and recession in Greece on social parameters is evident.

Among the causes of headache, migraine headache are most common. Migraine is most common referrals to neurology clinics in all human societies. Today it is confirmed that many of chronic headache is associated with psychological and behavioral problems. Personality is defined as the capacity of individual protest :and temperament &character are subsets of personality. TCI(temperament & character Inventory)is a questionnaire that evaluate these dimensions.

To evaluate relationship between temperament and character pattern with migraine

To provide information for psychiatrists, neurologists and other clinicians to aware of this relationship

This is a prospective case control study which was done on 63 migraine patients as case group and 63 controls. TCI was used for evaluation.

In case group the average score in patients were: Novelty seeking 41.51,mean Harm avoidance was 52.16 and reward dependence 62.14. The average score of Self-directedness was 53.14,cooperativeness 78.45, Preseveraence 63.21 and Self-transcendence was 60.95.

In control group the average score in patients were: Novelty seeking 44.77,mean Harm avoidance was 49.28and reward dependence 62.42. The average score of Self-directedness was 54.81,Harm avoidance 73.92, Preseverence 54.09 and Self-transcendence was 62.42.

Harm avoidance and cooperativeness had a significant difference between groups(P ha=0/048, P co=0/043)

Results showed a significant difference between groups in HA and CO. We can conclude that migraine patients had a higher score in HA and CO subsets. HA is related to serotonergic system and this results presents the role of serotonin in migraine pathology, we can understand the role of serotonin in the incidence of HA in migraine patients.

Psoriasis has a significant impact on the mental and emotional functioning. It has been shown that the risk of psychiatric comorbidity as well as suicide risk increases with the severity of the disease.

To analyze the association between psoriasis, mental disorders and suicidal ideation in a sample of patients affected by psoriasis.

To analyze the differences between patients affected by psoriasis and patients with other dermatologic diseases.

we enrolled 157 consecutive patients (90 women and 67 men), mean age 50,15 years (±16,21); 91 affected by psoriasis (58.0 %), 35 by melanoma (22.3 %) and 31 with atopic dermatitis (19.7%). All participants completed a structured sociodemographic interview. We also administered the following rating scale: Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM- D) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM -A). We assessed current and prior suicidal ideation and the number of previous suicide attempts.

Patients with psoriasis, more frequently had a comorbid psychiatric disorder (38.5% vs 16.7 %, p < 0.05), and reported more frequently previous suicidal ideation (37.4% vs 16.7%) and history of one or more suicide attempts (6.6% vs 0.0%, p < 0.05). Moreover, patients with psoriasis, have higher scores on the HAM -D (T155 = 3.09, p < 0.01). The duration of illness of more than 8 years (beta = 1.51, p< 0.001) was the only factor independently associated with psoriasis.

The clinical evaluation of patients with psoriasis should include the assessment of psychiatric comorbidities and the routine assessment of suicide risk.