Mental health problems increase the risk for unstable career paths and often lead to early transition to disability pensions. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based program integrated into psychiatric care helping individuals with serious mental illness to find competitive employment. It comprises personalized job search as well as individual in-work support for both the employee and the employer.

The Finnish Individual Placement and Support Evaluation Study (2020-2023) aims at investigating the implementation, feasibility as well as perceived benefits and outcomes of the IPS program implemented for the first time broadly in Finland. The present study focuses on the changes observed among program participants in employment status and psychosocial well-being during the 6- and 12-months follow-ups.

Both quantitative and qualitative data from different stakeholders have been and will be collected. The data collection will be finished at the end of 2022. The presentation focuses on findings from interviews (n=31) and from questionnaire data collected among program participants at baseline and at 6- and 12-months follow-ups. The total sample will comprise approximately 300 program participants (18−64 years of age) diagnosed with a severe mental illness.

Findings on changes in employment status as well as in psychosocial well-being (self-rated health and work ability, mental distress, positive mental health, self-esteem, satisfaction with life, social inclusion, and perceived social support) will be discussed at the congress. The preliminary findings of the study show that about half of the program participants have succeeded in getting employed at least once during the follow-up. However, becoming employed does not always result in increased psychosocial well-being. Work-related stress, meaningless or unsuitable job, problems at the workplace community or fear of being stigmatized may contribute toward decreased psychosocial well-being.

Meaningful work can play an important role in the process of recovery from mental illness. However, individuals with severe mental health problems need support with the working life related concerns and stress especially at the beginning of employment.

None Declared

Postnatal hospitalisation is an extremely traumatic event for both mother and baby. Such a situation reflects a psychological dysfunction with a risk of developing a post-traumatic stress disorder.

To study the level of stress in mothers of babies hospitalised during the postnatal period in the neonatal unit and to identify the risk factors associated with the persistence of high levels of stress 3 months after discharge.

This was a longitudinal, descriptive and analytical study conducted between April and September 2021. The sample consisted of mothers of babies hospitalized in the neonatology department of Sfax-Tunisia for a period ranging from 5 to 15 days. Socio-demographic data were collected using a pre-designed form. The level of stress was assessed using the 22-item “Impact of Event Scale-Revised” (IES-R), validated in Arabic.

The sample consisted of 86 mothers with a mean age of 32.17 years.

Severe stress symptoms were found in 77.90% of the mothers during their babies’ hospitalisation. They persisted in 8.90% of the young mothers 3 months after discharge from hospital.

Certain factors were significantly associated with the persistence of a high level of stress in mothers 3 months after the discharge of their babies, such as the occurrence of postpartum complications (p=0.012), the absence of visits to the baby’s intensive care unit (p=0.047) and a living environment with a single parent (p=0.034).

The present study shows that the level of stress is quite high among mothers of babies hospitalised in neonatology during the postnatal period and that this symptomatology can last for months after discharge.

Prevention and reduction of stress induced by postnatal hospitalisation through parental guidance and psychological support for mothers strengthens interactions and the mother-baby bond.

None Declared

Body Mass Index (BMI) is an informative factor on body fatness which has been associated to higher levels of Perinatal Depression (PD) and complications during pregnancy. We aimed to explore the impact of pre-pregnancy and postnatal BMI on the risk of Perinatal Depression and pregnancy outcomes among women recruited at their third trimester of pregnancy.

We report on findings from a large multi-centre study conducted in the South of Italy and involving 1611 women accessing three urban gynaecological departments from July to November 2020. Pregnant women were assessed at their third trimester of pregnancy (T0) and after the childbirth (T1) ;The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) has been employed for the screening of PD over time (T0 and T1) as well as other standardized measures for neuroticism, resilience, and quality of life at baseline. BMI (T0 and T1) and other socio-demographic and clinical characteristics have been collected.

Over-weight and obesity (higher levels of BMI) were associated with higher risk of PD (higher scores of EPDS), higher neuroticism and poorer subjective psychological well-being among enrolled women. Also, obesity and over-weight were associated with lower education, higher number of physical comorbidities, medical treatments and complications during pregnancy.

Over-weight and obesity may impact on mental health and pregnancy outcome of women enrolled. Psycho-educational interventions aimed to improve the management of physical and emotional issues may reduce the risk of PD and complications during pregnancy.

The evolution of schizophrenia with age remains poorly studied. The prevalence of negative symptoms in elderly people with schizophrenia is even less described in the literature.

to evaluate the prevalence of remission of negative symptoms in the elderly and to study the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with this remission.

The sample consisted of 83 subjects aged 55 years and over, followed at the psychiatry department "G" of the Razi hospital in Tunis and suffering from schizophrenia according to the DSM5 criteria. Global remission was defined as a score below 4 on the seven negative symptom items of the PANSS. A questionnaire was administered to each patient to collect epidemiological and anamnestic data.

59% of the sample showed remission of global negative symptoms. 84% and 60% were in remission on the emotional and cognitive subscales, respectively. The existence of remission was correlated with lower PANSS global score, more preserved cognitive functioning, later age of onset, more family and social support, and the absence of a concomitant somatic illness.

This study showed that measures to optimize treatment of positive symptoms and cognitive functioning may have an impact on negative symptoms. Similarly, quality of social network in later life impacts the level of negative symptoms.

None Declared

Charles-Bonnet syndrome was described in 1760 by the Swiss philosopher Charles-Bonnet, who reported that his grandfather’s visual hallucinations were due to eye disease rather than mental illness.

It is characterized by the presence of visual hallucinations, which are usually complex and structured, in elderly patients with preserved cognitive status, significant deterioration in visual acuity and no evidence of associated psychiatric or neurological disease.

The objective of this poster is to contribute a case to the existing series, and thus get closer to the knowledge of this clinical entity.

To review the case, a search was made in Pubmed with the terms hallucinations and Charles Bonnet’s Syndrome.

This is a 76-year-old man, in follow-up by the ophthalmology service in the context of bilateral cataract, which causes severe visual disturbance. He went to our hospital, accompanied by his wife, reporting that for some months he has had complex visual hallucinations of various animals, colors in space, as well as children playing around him. All this generates a lot of anxiety, although the patient makes adequate criticism of them.

The neurological examination performed was normal. The CT scan and laboratory tests were also within normal limits. Cognitive impairment was explored using the MMSE scale, which did not show any alteration. In addition, after a psychiatric evaluation, the patient does not meet the criteria for any disorder included in the DSM V. After reviewing the literature and taking into account the clinical picture described, the case is framed within a Charles-Bonnet syndrome.

Regarding the therapeutic plan carried out, it was decided to start treatment with Gabapentin up to a maximum dose of 900 mg/day, with a considerable improvement in the hallucinatory symptoms. In addition, given the repercussion at the affective level, especially with a predominance of anxious symptoms, it was decided to start sertraline at a dose of 50 mg/day, with an adequate therapeutic response.

Charles-Bonnet syndrome refers to hallucinosis, generally of a visual nature, that appear in patients with a sensory deficit associated with the type of sensory-perceptive alteration. It is important to take it into account in the differential diagnosis of the elderly patient with hallucinosis. There is no established treatment, although neuroleptics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antiepileptics are used.

None Declared

Sleep deprivation (SD) is being examined in the treatment of depression and other affective disorders for years. However, studies’ outcomes remain ambiguous, with varying levels of clinical improvement and its ephemeral character. Thus, it is necessary to find new factors accounting for the variability of results to develop new therapeutic protocols.

The study aimed to assess the influence of physical activity on mood and reaction speed following SD.

The study group consisted of 71 participants. SD lasted about 24 hours, beginning in the morning hours of the SD day to the morning hours of the following day. Physical activity (PA) was controlled using actigraphy (actigraph GENEActive Original, ActivInsights Ltd.) given to each participant. Participants underwent the reaction speed test (Response Time Test Apparatus, AT Smart Systems, Poland) and filled out a questionnaire assessing depression symptoms- Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), in the evening of the SD day, and the following morning. Based on the percentage of sedentary time (gravity-subtracted sum of vector magnitudes<386, DOI 10.1111/sms.13488) participants were classified as inactive (≥70% of SD duration spent sedentary, n= 43) or active (n= 28).

There were no significant differences between the active and the inactive participants regarding pre/post SD BDI score, reaction speed, and demographic data (age, sex, BMI) (all p>0.05). The inactive group had a significantly lower BDI score following SD in comparison with their baseline parameters (5, IQR 1-12 vs. 3, IQR 0-12, p=0.024) than the active group (3, IQR 1-6 vs. 3, IQR 0-7, p=0.408). Reaction speed after SD was impaired in both active (0.216, IQR 0.206-0.226 vs. 0.231, IQR 0.222-0.46, p<0.001) and inactive group (0.224, IQR 0.216-0.235 vs. 0.238, IQR 0.220-0.251, p<0.001). However, the difference between pre/post SD response time was slightly higher in the active individuals (0.015, IQR 0.011-0.028 vs. 0.012, IQR 0.003-0.022, p=0.047).

This study shows, that a sedentary behavior during SD might improve mood and slightly less impair the response time to auditory or visual stimuli than a higher activity level. Thus, PA could be an important modulator of clinical outcomes observed in individuals with affective disorders subjected to SD. PA should be accounted for in the SD protocols designed for future studies.

None Declared

The concept of ESSENCE was created to coin a set of clinical symptoms in early childhood , before the age of 5 to 6 years, that may be present in several specifically undefined disorders and that may be associated with the development of more specific psychiatric disorders in adolescence and adulthood, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder.Those symptoms may include deficits in development, communication, language, social skills, motor coordination, attention, behavior, mood and sleep.

To evaluate the association between Neurodevelopmental Disorders, which manifest by uncharacteristic and diffuse symptoms in early childhood, and AutismSpectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.

We performed a non-systematic review of the existent literature with the keywords: “Attention Deficit”; “Hyperactivity Disorder”; “Autism Spectrum Disorder”; “ESSENCE”; “Schizophrenia”; and “Bipolar Disorder”.

Although ESSENCE is not a diagnostic term, some symptoms regarding ESSENCE are shared with early symptoms of different Major Psychiatric Disorders, namely speech and language delay, impulsivity, inattention, feeding difficulties, hypo/hyperactivity or other behavior problems.

There is a growing acceptance that the co-existence of disorders and the sharing of symptoms (so-called comorbidity) is a questionable concept, since we are usually not dealing with completely separate disorders.

Neurodevelopmental disorders present with frequent comorbidities and the overlap between the disordersstill needs to be better studied, as in autism spectrum disorder and attention deficithyperactivity, through a greater understanding of shared genetic and environmental factors and that reflect how early symptomatic syndromes can coexist in childhood, and later in adolescence and adulthood .

The concept of ESSENCE emphasis the difficulty when making adiagnosis, specifically in Neurodevelopmental Disorders due to the fact that a variety osymptoms overlap. It is known that some disorders that will manifest in adulthood sharesymptoms with ESSENCE. Therefore, it is of great need to associate the current clinical findings with the present and future technologies, e.g. genetic markers, in order to dentify a common core with ESSENCE and Major Psychiatric Disorders.

None Declared

Bipolar disorder is characterized with recurrent manic and depressive episodes with interepisodic remission periods. The course of illness including frequency and severity of mood episodes are the most evident changes at geriatric ages in bipolar disorders.

With this background, we aim to evaluate the clinical variables of bipolar patients older than 60 years and compare clinical variables before and after this age.

Bipolar patients who applied to psychiatry outpatient unit in Çanakkale 18 Mart University Medical Faculty between the years of 2017-2022 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients over the age of 60 were included in the study. 47 out of 133 people over the age of 60 with bipolar disorder were not included in the study due to lack of information. Socio-demographic data of 85 patients recruited for the study, and clinical variables of the patients before and after the age of 60 were compared with Wilcoxon test. SPSS 26 version was used for statistical analysis and p<0.05 was considered as significance level.

When we evaluate the sociodemographic variables of the patients, we found that 61.2% (n=52) of the patients were female, mean age was 67.6± 6.3 years and mean duration of education was 7.2±4.6 years. Most of the patients (76.5%, n=65) was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1 (BP1) while nearly one four of them (24.7%) had a mood disorder history among their relatives. Median of the illness duration was 19.5 years (min:2, max:60), mean age of the first episode was 43.6±14.3 years and more than half had their first episode as depression (56.5%, n=48). When we compare the number of episodes, number and duration hospitalizations before and after the age of 60 years, we found that number of depressive (p=0.001,z:-3.3), (hypo)manic (p=0.001,z:-3.3), episodes and number of hospitalizations (p<0.001,z:-3.8), were lower at geriatric ages. However, there was no difference before and after the age of 60 years in terms of duration of hospitalization.

Course of illness in bipolar disorder is highly variable and recurrence of mood episodes may increase with age (van der Markt A et al . Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2022;3;37(11), Dols A et al, The clinical course of late-life bipolar disorder, looking back and forward. 2017 Dec 11). However, in our study we found that number of depressive, (hypo)manic episodes and number of hospitalizations were lower at geriatric ages. This discrepancy may be related with sample selection and study design. Nevertheless, it should be taken into account for further studies. Besides, this is not a mirror image study and duration of follow-up periods were not considered for the statistical analysis. These are the additional limitation of our study. It is difficult to make further interpretations considering these limitations. Prospective follow-up studies with large sample size are required to better understand the course of bipolar disorder at geriatric ages.

None Declared

Multiple studies show an association between inflammation –characterized by increased blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines– and major depressive disorder (MDD). People with chronic low-grade inflammation may be at an increased risk of MDD, often in the form of sickness behaviors. A cross-sectional relationship between low-grade inflammation and anxiety has also been reported, but the potential longitudinal relationship has been less well studied.

We aimed to examine whether basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS-)induced levels of inflammatory markers are associated with depressive and anxiety symptom severity over the course of nine years. We hypothesized that inflammation is predictive of the severity and the course of a subset of symptoms, especially symptoms that overlap with sickness behavior, such as anhedonia, anorexia, low concentration, low energy, loss of libido, psychomotor slowness, irritability, and malaise.

We tested the association between basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory markers with individual depressive symptoms (measured using the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report) and anxiety symptoms (measured with the Beck’s Anxiety Inventory; BAI, Fear Questionnaire;FQ and Penn’s State Worry Questionnaire; PSWQ) over a period of up to 9 years using multivariate-adjusted mixed models in 1147 to 2872 Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) participants.

At baseline, participants were on average 42.2 years old, 66.5% were women, and 53.9% had a current mood or anxiety disorder. We found that basal and LPS-stimulated inflammatory markers were more strongly associated with sickness behavior symptoms at up to 9-year follow up compared to non-sickness behavior symptoms of depression. However, we also found significant associations with some symptoms that are not typical of sickness behavior (e.g., sympathetic arousal among others). The associations between inflammation and anxiety symptoms were attenuated by 25%-30% after adjusting for the presence of (comorbid) major depressive disorder (MDD), but remained statistically significant.

Inflammation was not related to depression as a unified syndrome but rather to the presence and the course of specific MDD symptoms, of which the majority were related to sickness behavior. With regard to anxiety symptoms, we found that participants with high levels of inflammatory markers have on average high levels of anxiety consisting of physical arousal and agoraphobia, which tended to persist over a period of nine years, albeit with small effect sizes. These associations were partly driven by co-morbid depression. Anti-inflammatory strategies should be tested in the subgroup of MDD patients who report depressive symptoms related to sickness behavior.

None Declared

This study investigated the influence of synesthetic experiences on working memory and hypothesized that Grapheme-Colour Synaesthesia causes enhanced working memory for the materials in the congruent condition.

The current study uses the existing experiments conducted within the field of Synaesthesia as a basis in order to find out whether synaesthesia influences working memory for the letters, words, and days of the week that elicit synesthetic experiences

Experimental research design was used to identify the extent of the causal relationship between Synaesthetic and non-Synesthetic experiences and enhanced working memory in both Synesthetes and non-Synesthetes. A short screening questionnaire, Stroop task, and N-back task was used to measure the relationship between the two variables for quantitative measurement. (Radvansky, 2011), This study uses materials such as Stroop task and n-back task from Robinson’s (2015) work, Radvansky’s (2011), and Terhune et al. (2013) work. However, certain changes in the methodology of the current study makes it easier and efficient to conduct this study with a different population.

Grapheme-Color synesthetes (Mean= 1276.682 milliseconds) appear to take less amount of time in responding correctly to the incongruent stimulus in the Stroop Task than non-Synesthetes (Mean= 1487.89 milliseconds). Secondly, Grapheme-Color Synesthetes (Mean=1170.929 milliseconds) have a significant difference in accuracy of responding in the congruent condition of the Stroop Task with the non-Synesthetes (Mean= 1491.159 milliseconds). Further evidence from the N-back Task also demonstrated a significant relationship between the variables in both incongruent and congruent conditions; Grapheme-Color Synesthetes (Mean= 2621.390 milliseconds) showed a significant difference in correctly responding to the nonmatching stimulus in N-back Task with Non-Synesthetes (Mean= 2854.351 milliseconds). Similarly, Grapheme-Color Synesthetes (Mean=1330.130 milliseconds) showed a large difference in responding correctly to the matching stimulus in the N-back Task with Non-Synesthetes (Mean= 2301.071 milliseconds). Grapheme-Color Synesthetes were faster in responding correctly than non-Synesthetes in all conditions.

Regardless of what have been concluded as a result of the current study, it is difficult to reach at any conclusions taking into account the oppositions about working memory of Grapheme-Color Synesthetes in different studies. Therefore, the data suggest that future studies should further test the capacity of working memory in Grapheme-Color Synesthetes.

None Declared

Simulation as a pedagogical strategy contributes to improving the acquisition, consolidation and retention of knowledge and is very attractive for students.

In simulation learning, students come into contact with real clinical practices, allowing them to develop personal, psychosocial, ethical and clinical skills, facilitating learning for decision-making.

The creation of different and complex simulation scenarios within the scope of Mental Health and Psychiatry (MHP) allows the empowerment of nursing students, through the anticipation and prevention of errors and the creation of training opportunities, which culminate in the development of critical thinking and reflective on the ethical dimension of caring for people experiencing mental illness.

To analyze the simulation as a strategy to develop ethical competences in MHP; To reflect on respect for autonomy, capacity for self-determination and dignity of the person; To reflect on care practices that promote respect and dignity for people experiencing mental illness.

After the careful design of the situation simulation scenario in MHP, the steps are as follows:

Prebriefing - transmit generic information about the scenario to the participants/students; request the participation of some students to assume the role of actors in the context they will encounter and prepare to start the case; explain to observers what will happen and the goals of the scenario.

• - Scenario development.

• - Debriefing - ask observers to analyse and reflect on positive aspects of performance; lead participants to analyse and reflect on their actions; investigate the basis of gaps/errors.

• - Reflection - facilitating students’ structured thinking (reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action); review learning.

• - Assessment - focus group interview; observation and/or filming.

The evaluation revealed that the use of a simulation scenario allows the connection between the theoretical contents of ethics (principles, dignity of the person, human rights, informed consent, …) with what they saw and experienced in the scenario; facilitates understanding of concepts, helps to internalize knowledge and retain information; favors reflection, development of critical thinking through discussion and argumentation; makes it easier to understand the relationship between the subject taught and reality; and the discussion of the situation helped to structure the thought.

The diversity of scenarios is interesting and useful, it allows understanding the different role of nurses in the hospital context and in the context of primary care.

It is concluded that the use of a simulation scenario in MHP is of great interest and usefulness for the development of ethical competences, allowing reflection on care practices that promote respect and dignity of the person with experience of mental illness.

None Declared

Binge eating behaviors are associated with psychological, social, and biological factors, while it is suggested that they may be triggered by negative emotions, including depression and anxiety, and provide relief from them, which in turn may lead to reinforcement of such behaviors.

This study aimed to examine the eating habits and in particular the binge eating behaviors of a sample of adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented challenge for public health and communities worldwide with multi-level consequences on people’s lives.

The sample consisted of 196 individuals residing in Greece aged 18 to 64 years (76.5% women), who completed an anonymous questionnaire from June to July 2021. This included the following psychometric instruments: Fear of COVID-19 Scale to assess the fear related to COVID-19, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale to assess self-esteem, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 to assess anxiety, depression and stress, Binge Eating Scale to assess binge eating behaviors, UCLA Loneliness Scale for the evaluation of the perceived feeling of loneliness and Reflective Functioning Questionnaire for the assessment of reflective functioning (i.e., the ability to understand human behavior in terms of underlying mental states).

The majority of participants (86.7%) reported that during the pandemic their diet was less healthy than before the pandemic onset, while almost half (46.4%) of the participants stated that they had experiences an episode of binge eating during the past 6 months, and 36.2% that they had used self-induced vomiting in order to control their weight. Of note, the results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that higher levels of fear of the pandemic as well as of depression were independently associated with higher binge eating, with women presenting higher mean scores in the Binge Eating Scale than men. Conversely, higher self-esteem appeared to be independently associated with lower binge eating levels, thus acting as a protective factor, whereas the remaining psychometric factors were not found statistically significantly related.

In conclusion, the findings of the present study highlight the importance of identifying dysfunctional eating behaviors and related psychological factors that may potentially act as risk or protective factors, especially during the pandemic.

None Declared

We often find it challenging to manage hyperactivity, low frustration tolerance and angry outbursts in patients with ASD and comorbid ADHD. Fewer drugs are approved for these disorders and these patients are more likely to develop adverse effects.

The aim of this case is to show how the combination of lisdexamfetamine together with guanfacine has very positive effects on anger outbursts and boundary heteroaggressiveness in patients with ASD and ADHD.

Case report and literature review

This is a 14-year-old minor admitted to the psychiatric unit after physical aggression against his family due to anger after removal of video games, requiring police intervention. He has been diagnosed since he was 11 years old with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. He was being treated with methylphenidate 54 mg and aripiprazole 10 mg. Since the beginning of the admission, the following pharmacological adjustment has been made: Methylphenidate is substituted by lisdexamfetamine up to 50 mg per day. Guanfacine has been started up to 4 mg per day and the dose of aripiprazole has been maintained. The patient had no adverse effects with adequate tolerance without sedation, hyporexia or hypotension. With this adjustment, improvement was found in the levels of restlessness and hyperactivity. The patient expressed a subjective improvement in the levels of restlessness and with a notable improvement in attention in the hospital classroom. An improvement in emotional regulation was also observed, with more tolerance to the imposition of limits, without an explosion of anger in the face of any rule during admission

The management of hyperactivity and episodes of low frustration tolerance in patients with ASD and ADHD is complex. Many studies point out the time-limited use of some antipsychotics such as risperidone or aripiprazole. This work aims to show guanfacine in combination with lisdexamfetamine as an excellent combination for the management of agitation and rage explosion in these patients. In addition, the profile of adverse effects at metabolic level is much better than that of atypical antipsychotics.

• - Extended-Release Guanfacine for Hyperactivity in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Lawrence Scahill et al. Am J Psychiatry. 2015 Dec.

None Declared

The comorbidity between Schizophrenia and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms represents almost 25% of schizophrenic patients and it is believed that almost 12% match the diagnostic criteria for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Some second-generation antipsychotics may worsen or even induce those symptoms, which makes the treatment of this patients a difficult challenge.

To assess the link between Schizophrenia and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms, to discuss the diagnostic challenges and treatment options. To present a clinical case report of a schizophrenic patient with Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms, which improved with proper treatment.

We performed a non-systematic review of the existent literature with the keywords “Schizophrenia” and “Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms”. Description of a clinical case report.

We present the case report of a male, 21 years old, single, diagnosed with Schizophrenia. In the past year, he was admitted twice in a psychiatric ward for persecutory and mystic delusions, which lead him to erratic behaviour. Since his adolescence he manifested repeated washing and compulsive cleaning associated with the fear of being contaminated with multiple diseases. Those compulsions worsened when he started being treated with antipsychotics. However, with therapeutic adjustments and with the introduction of an antidepressant we were able to control those symptoms.

Some antipsychotics may induce or even aggravate Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in psychotic patients. It is of extreme relevance to differentiate those symptoms as comorbid in Schizophrenia or if they existed prior to the first positive symptoms, since they can be representative of an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Understanding this diagnostic and treatment complexity enables us to be more familiar with the development of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in schizophrenic patients.

None Declared

Previous studies have showed that the type of early childcare can be associated with child behavioural difficulties though results vary across countries.

To investigate the link between early childcare from birth to 3 years and child behavioural difficulties at age 5.5 years, in the French context.

In this study (n = 9,699), parents participating in the French ELFE birth cohort reported their child main childcare type used between birth and three years of age (centre-based (22.6%), childminder (43.6%), informal (8.2%) or parents only [25.7%)), and the child’s behaviour through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at age 5.5 years. Scores were calculated for each SDQ subscale as well as the total SDQ scores. Logistic regression analyses were carried out adjusting on socio-demographic, parents’ and child’s characteristics to evaluate the association between early childcare type and abnormal SDQ total score (>16) as well as subscale scores.

In the study population, 584 (6.02%) children had abnormal SDQ total score, and 1,104 (11.4%) in the emotional subscale, 573 (5.91%) in the peer relationship subscale, 1,433 (14.8%) in behavioural subscale, and 1,097 (11,3%) in the hyperactivity subscale. After adjusting, compared to children who were looked after by their parents only, those who were in centre-based childcare had a lower likelihood of having an abnormal SDQ total score (ORa = 0.76 [95% CI: 0.58 – 0.99]), while there was no significant difference for children who were in a childminder’s care (ORa = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.75 – 1.17]) or in an informal childcare (ORa = 1.18 [95% CI: 0.86 – 1.63]). In additional analyses, we found that compared to children in parental care only, children in centre-based childcare had a decreased likelihood of having abnormal internalising subscales scores: emotional subscale, (ORa = 0.81 [95% CI: 0.67 – 0.99]) and peer relationship subscale, (ORa = 0.79 [95% CI: 0.61 – 1.02]). All other associations were not significant except for the informal childcare which was associated to a higher likelihood of abnormal behavioural subscale (ORa = 1.29 [95% CI: 1.03 – 1.62]).

In the French ELFE cohort, early centre-based childcare was linked to lower likelihood of having internalising problems in children at age 5.5 years. Further studies should focus on the possible mecanisms of this association. Family and childhood policies should aim to make centre-based childcare accessible to more children.

None Declared

The COVID-19 pandemic may affect sexual intimacy and have implications for overall sexual well-being.

This study comprised two main objectives: 1) To explore the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on older couples’ sexual intimacy; and 2) To assess how older couples’ sexual intimacy during the COVID-19 pandemic influences mental health.

The sample of this qualitative study consisted of 391 older participants (between 65 and 87 years of age).

For the first objective, semi-structured interview data yielded five main themes: (1) Less sexual satisfaction (68%); (2) Less sexual desire (67%); (3) Stronger affective relationships (34%); (4) Fear of contracting physical illness (29%); and (5) Less attractiveness (23%). Three main themes concerning mental health were reported by participants: (1) Less anxiety and distress (78%); (2) Greater attention to negative emotional states (55%); and (3) Less emotional outbursts (41%).

The pandemic affected older adults’ sexual intimacy, mostly negatively. Less sexual satisfaction and desire were felt by these older couples. Conversely, stronger affective relationships were reported. In spite of these mostly negative influences, existing sexual intimacy was mostly linked to less perceived anxiety and distress, greater attention to negative emotional states, and less emotional outbursts. Sexual intimacy during COVID-19 has received little attention; however, these results highlight its positive contribution to mental health and therefore a relevant approach to this topic should be taken, especially in later life.

None Declared

Peer support workers (PSW) and text messaging services (TxM) are effective mental health supportive services. Both interventions have positive outcomes, with TxM demonstrating clinical and economic effectiveness and PSW showing its utility within the recovery-oriented model.

To evaluate the effectiveness of combining PSW and TxM together in reducing psychological distress of recently discharged patients receiving psychiatric care.

In a prospective, rater-blinded, pilot-controlled observational design, 181 discharged patients were recruited and randomized into four conditions; TxM only, PSW only, TxM and PSW, and treatment as usual. Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), a standardized measure of mental distress, was examined at four time points: baseline, six weeks, three months, and six months. MANCOVA was used to assess the impact of the interventions on participants’ scores on four CORE-OM subscales across the three follow-up time points.

A total of 63 patients completed assessments at each time point. The interaction between PSW and TxM was predictive of differences in scores on the CORE-OM functioning subscale with a medium effect size (F1,63 = 4.19; p = 0.045; ηp2 = 0.07). The PSW + TxM group consistently achieved higher rates of recovery and clinical and reliable improvement compared to the other study groups. Additionally, the text message group and the PSW + TxM group significantly reduced the prevalence of risk of self/other harm symptoms after six months of intervention, with 27.59% (χ2(1) = 4.42, p = 0.04) and 50% (χ2(1) = 9.03, p < 0.01) prevalence reduction, respectively.

Combining PSW and TxM is effective with positive clinical outcomes for acute care patients. Incorporating the two interventions into routine psychiatric care for patients after discharge is highly recommended.

None Declared

Violence among the mentally ill population has long been a subject of stigma, and controversy. Clinicians’ ability to assess the violent potential is still limited.

The objective of this work is to identify the positively correlated indicators of aggressive behavior in patients admitted to hospital emergency departments.

It is a retrospective and descriptive paper based on the records of patients admitted to the emergency department of Arrazi University Psychiatric Hospital in Salé during a one-month period.

The psychiatric diagnosis was formulated using the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and Violent behavior was assessed using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). The existence of aggressive behavior was defined by a MOAS score ≥3.

We used SPSS 15 to analyse results

Sixty-five case files were selected during the study month. The average age was 35.3 (19;64).

The mean of our sample MOAS aggression scale score was 31.5 [0; 79] and 90% of patients had a score ≥ 3 (image 1)

Among the 65 admissions, heteroaggressive risk was the most frequent reason for hospitalization (N=53), followed by psychomotor excitement. IMAGE 2

Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between high MOAS scores and substance use, history of suicide attempt, educational level and socioeconomic level

Image:

Image 2:

In the current research, the prevalence of aggressive behavior was high among these patients, which may be due to the conditions of psychiatric hospitalization in our region, which is often reserved for the most serious and dangerous patients.

None Declared

The emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) has had a substantial impact worldwide. NPS mimic the effect of “existing” drugs and are specifically manufactured so that the new substances fall out of regulatory frameworks. Although the structural changes might be minimal, NPS often have marked differences in potency and subsequent harm.

The population of the Azores archipelago has been particularly affected by the rapid growing and changing nature of this phenomenon, mainly caused by the introduction and spread of the “newly” synthetic cathinones as a inexpensive and easily available street drug.

Before any educational, public health and socioeconomic policy changes be proposed to accurately tackle the problem, the basic step of knowing how these substances have been affecting their users, specially their neuropsychiatric effects, must be taken.

This project aims to characterize the neuropsychiatric side effects caused by the acute intoxication of NPS with a psychostimulant profile, namely synthetic cathinones.

Description of the neuropsychiatric symptoms of intoxicated users of stimulant NPS that present to non-governmental organizations specialized in addictions and also to the psychiatry emergency department in Sao Miguel - Azores.

Review of the forensic records of the deaths by suicide in 2021 in Sao Miguel, looking for evidence of recent abuse of NPS or previous history of “NPS use disorder”.

Non-systematic review of the recent and relevant scientific literature on this topic.

The desired effects are increased energy, mood enhancement, euphoria, mental clarity, improved concentration, improved sociability, increased talkativeness, empathy inducing effects, amplification of sound and colour and prosexual effects. Nevertheless, in the case of intoxication, the frequent neuropsychiatric side effects tend to be agitation, agressiveness, irritability, altered consciousness, brief psychosis with paranoid delusion, visual and auditive hallucinations, transient mania, enhanced sensorial experiences, headaches, dizzyness, seizures, confusion and amnesia. Usually, the acjute intoxication period tend to be followed by a “crash” with depression, craving, anxiety, panic, suicidal ideation and behaviours. A third of the deaths by suicides in Sao Miguel Island in 2021, 7 out of 21, were in stimulant NPS active or recent users.

Review of the neuropsychiatric effects of New Psychoactive Substances with a psychostimulant profile. Further studies of this population of synthetic cathinone users in the Azores are due, namely studying their socioeconomic background, looking for risk and protective factors, and also the long-term side effects.

None Declared

Patients suffering from schizophrenia have a higher risk of premature death. An unhealthy lifestyle contributes to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndromes, suicides among them. In addition to the use of selected therapy with a restriction metabolic risk has become important to influence non-pharmacological factors such as proper diet, introducing the principles of a healthy lifestyle. A diet rich in fiber, the DASH diet, the Mediterranean diet may become beneficial in terms of lowering parameters metabolic, cardiovascular and immune related to premature mortality in schizophrenia.

Patients suffering from schizophrenia have a higher risk of premature death. An unhealthy lifestyle contributes to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndromes, suicides among them. In addition to the use of selected therapy with a restriction metabolic risk has become important to influence non-pharmacological factors such as proper diet, introducing the principles of a healthy lifestyle. A diet rich in fiber, the DASH diet, the Mediterranean diet may become beneficial in terms of lowering parameters metabolic, cardiovascular and immune related to premature mortality in schizophrenia.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the lifestyle on the metabolic parameters in schizophrenia

In our study, we assessed the influence of diet, nutritional knowledge and lifestyle on parameters of metabolic syndrome (cholesterol, triglicerydes, glucose) in patients with schizophrenia.

In the results we have found positive co-relations between unhealthy diet and lifestyle and lack of knowledge on proper nutrition and increased parameters of metabolic syndrome.

Dietary intervention may become one of the therapeutic goals in schizophrenia.

None Declared