The modern understanding of AD allows us to consider it through the constructs of “vulnerability” and “stability” of the brain as a dynamic system of dialectical interaction between the pathogenic process and the protective process that prevents neurodegeneration. The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) is based on observations of discrepancy between the degree of brain pathology and the severity of clinical manifestations. The concept of “reserve” was proposed to describe the resistance of the brain to a developing damage caused by a pathological process. Stern (2002) considered CR as a protective factor that modifies the impact of brain pathology on cognitive function. The researchers have defined CR as an ability to optimize cognitive function through differential involvement of structures or neural networks of the brain into brain activity.

A systematic review of scientific studies has been conducted

The review includes an analysis of full-text literature sources.

Several possible directions of CR influence on cognitive functions have been described:

1. 1) CR may reduce the risk of MCI or dementia through mechanisms, which do not depend on the level of neurodegenerative pathological changes in the brain.

2. 2) CR can interact with the markers of brain pathology or healthaffectingthe future cognitive decline or risk of progression. It has been found that smaller volumes or thickness in some AD vulnerable areas of the brain represent a stronger risk factor for cognitive impairment in people with low CR than in people with higher CR. CR protective effects on clinical outcomes reduce as the number of damaged neurons increases.

3. 3) The protective effect of CR increasesduring late AD onset and at a low rate of the damaged substrate accumulation.

4. 4) CR changes the relationship between genetic factors and aging withclinical and cognitive outcomes. The relationship between age and AD pathology level or age-related structural changes in the brain may weaken in people with higher CR

The concept of cerebral-cognitive reserve actualizes the problem of the search for compensatory mechanisms of cognitive deficit in AD, the assessmentof the structure of the reserve, the development and implementationof programs to maintain the reserve, the preventionof its depletion, starting from the preclinical stage of the disease, which can prevent the transformation of preclinical manifestations of AD into cognitive disorders

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Psychiatrists being one of the significant groups associated with one of the highest risks of emotional burnout (EB). The risks of EB increase significantly in the conditions of war, which places increased demands on their physical, mental and psychological resources, and determines the relevance and necessity of studying the predictors, clinical phenomenology, psychological and psychopathological mechanisms of EB, and necessitates the development of innovative approaches to its corrections.

The study the features of EB among psychiatrists in war period.

The examination included the usage of clinical-psychopathological, psychodiagnostic and psychometric research methods.

The study sample consisted of 120 psychiatrists who worked in Kyiv in the period from February 24, 2022, during 2022. 69.2 of psychiatrists working in Kyiv during the war have manifestations of EB of varying intensity and clinical variability. All of them have signs of professional maladaptation (PM), deterioration of well-being, somatovegetative and dyssomnia disorders, deformation of social ties and decrease in motivation to work. In 47.5%, the formation of symptoms of tension, resistance and exhaustion are observed, 21.7% have clinically complited and formed all manifestations of EB and PM.

The leading diagnostic and prognostic marker of EB is PM, the manifestations of which are the first consequence of the imbalance of the processes of performing professional duties and internal resources, which will ensure their optimal implementation.

A mathematical model of the development and forecast of PM, as a leading descriptor of EB, was developed, which considers the state of socio-demographic characteristics (age, work experience, and the total quality of life indicator), affective indicators (objective and subjective manifestations of depression and anxiety) and psychosocial features (social-psychological adaptation). The use of this model makes it possible to determine 4 risk groups for the development of PM (low, moderate, high, very high), based on which personalized approaches to the diagnosis, therapy and prevention of EB among psychiatrists during the war have been developed.

The implementation and further evaluation of these approaches proved their effectiveness in eliminating the manifestations of EB and PM, normalizing the mental state with the levelling of psychopathological symptoms, improving the socio-psychological adaptation and quality of life of psychiatrists.

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Some studies have shown that late-life depression is related to faster cognitive decline and may increase the risk of dementia.

Identifying risk and protective factors for dementia is essential to develop preventive interventions. Some literature has suggested that mood disorders (namely depression) are potential modifiable risk factors for dementia.

Thus, it is important to know clinical presentation of depression that is associated to dementia, as a manifestation of subclinical dementia or as a risk factor for neurocognitive disorders.

We aim to identify clinical characteristics related to dementia of inpatients admitted for first time due to depressive episode after 55 years old.

Retrospective cohort study of inpatients admitted between January 1st 2010 and March 31st 2022 in a psychiatry inpatient unit of a tertiary hospital. Descriptive analysis of the results was performed using the SPSS software, version 26.0.

Our sample included 57 inpatients, 15,8% (n=9) with the diagnosis of dementia 5,2 (SD 5,6) years after admission. All of these patients presented a depressive episode with psychotic symptoms, namely delusion activity. In those with hallucinatory activity, no one developed dementia.

Interestingly, 33,3% of patients with dementia (n=3) presented with delusion of ruin, 55,6% (n=5) with delusion of prejudice/persecutory delusion and 66,7% (n=6) manifested delusion of ruin and/or prejudice.

We also found that 42,9% (n=3) of patients with dementia manifested Cotard delusion while this type of delusion was observed in 13,6% of patients without dementia (p=0,095).

Our study has several limitations because is based on results of only one hospital, with a small sample size.

However, since depressive symptoms are potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, future studies are essential to understand the mechanisms that link depression to cognitive decline as well as clinical characteristics that may constitute predictors of dementia.

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Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a major public health concern on a global scale. The increasing prevalence of ASD worldwide, coupled with the arising demand for treatments, underscores its important role in the public mental health discourse. Ensuring the equitable integration of children with ASD and their families into all aspects of society becomes an imperative task, in order to eradicate the stigma associated with the broad spectrum of autism, encompassing both visible and concealed dimensions.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the crude prevalence of ASD in Greece nationwide, while also examining regional disparities in both prevalence and therapies. The study spanned a three-year period from February 2019 to February 2022 and relied on retrospective data sourced from the Greek National Organization for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY).

EOPYY provided de-identified data, including information such as sex, age, diagnosis, and treatment for each child, facilitated by hashed social security numbers. Statistical analysis of the dataset was performed using the open-source statistical program R.

A total of 18,245 children aged 2 -17 years were diagnosed with ASD in Greece, representing a nationwide crude prevalence rate of 1.16%. Regional disparities were evident, with prevalence rates ranging from 0.49% in the North Aegean to 1.57% in Crete. Over the three-year study period, a total of 15,328,327 non-medical therapies were prescribed, corresponding to an annual average of 264 therapies per child. Statistically significant differences between the thirteen regions in Greece were observed, ranging from 230 to 323 annual therapies per child.

Our findings align Greece’s ASD prevalence with the global estimate of 1 in 100 children, as per the World Health Organization. Disparities between rural and urban areas in Greece may be attributed to differences in diagnostic procedures and the availability and accessibility of specialized services for autistic individuals. Thus, the establishment of a national surveillance system for ASD is recommended to enhance our understanding of the autism spectrum, monitor changes in prevalence, and identify potential contributing factors to autism conditions. Furthermore, these evidence-based results offer invaluable insights for crafting policies concerning healthcare, education, and employment for individuals with ASD in order to ensure the development of people with autism, their wellbeing, and a good quality of life.

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Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the presence of β-amyloid deposits in senile plaques and brain vessels. β-amyloid stimulates the glial release of proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), or nitric oxide (NO), which are potentially toxic to neurons. One potential therapy for Alzheimer’s disease is the use of agents that inhibit the aggregation and formation of insoluble β-amyloid deposits in the brain, or break down the aggregates that have already formed, thus preventing their toxicity.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ovocystatin on the formation and destabilization of β-amyloid aggregation.

The effect of ovocystatin on β-amyloid aggregation was determined by Thioflavin T (ThT) Assay and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The impact on PC12 cell viability was determined by MTT assay.

Ovocystatin can interact directly with Aβ42, inhibiting its aggregation and reducing the toxicity induced by aggregated forms of β-amyloid. All effects are dose-dependent. Additionally, a significant increase in the PC12 cell viability treated simultaneously with Aβ42 and ovocystatin was observed.

Ovocystatin may be an important factor in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by regulating the conversion of monomeric β-amyloid into larger and potentially more toxic particles. However, the mechanisms of inhibition of amyloid fibrillar protein formation and/or destabilization by ovocystatin are still unclear and require further investigation.

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The digital age has transformed mental health support in Tunisia. This study explores how individuals seek assistance for mental health concerns online, considering their comfort levels, preferences, and decision-making factors.

This study aims to: Investigate the comfort levels of Tunisians when discussing mental health concerns online Identify preferred online sources for mental health support Explore factors influencing the choice between online sources and mental health professionals

To unearth these insights, an exhaustive online survey was meticulously conducted. This survey was posted online on different social media platforms and cast a wide net, drawing responses from an eclectic cross-section of Tunisian society. The survey methodically gathered data on participants’ demographics, their inclinations towards online avenues for seeking assistance, and the multifaceted factors that sway their choices in this digital age.

Intriguingly, the results of this study illuminate several key findings:

Comfort Levels: A striking 47% of respondents expressed their unease about discussing their mental health concerns online. This statistic vividly underscores the intricate interplay between digital platforms and the persistent social stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Preferences for Online Sources: The study notably revealed that mental health apps and online counseling websites are emerging as the favored choices among those seeking support. This underscores the surging significance of digital mental health solutions tailored to individual needs.

Factors Influencing Preferences: An array of factors sways the preference for online sources. Among them, the allure of anonymity, the appeal of convenience, and the perception of limited access to in-person mental health professionals were prevalent. Additionally, financial constraints emerged as a notable consideration in the decision-making process.

Trust in Online Information: In contrast, individuals who leaned toward seeking assistance from mental health professionals stressed the pivotal importance of professional expertise, personalized guidance, and a comprehensive understanding of their concerns. Importantly, 38% expressed reservations about the reliability of online mental health information, underscoring the critical role of trust in the process.

This study sheds light on the nuanced process of seeking mental health assistance in the digital age. It emphasizes the need to address mental health stigma and improve online resource credibility. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive mental health strategies that integrate digital solutions and traditional professional care, catering to diverse preferences and needs in Tunisia.

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In Colombia the traditional treatment model implies the needing of a total cessation of consume to be able to acces an impatientand long stance rehabilitation program. However, literature in other countries expériences had sugested and used a harm reduction program with an otpatien rehabilitation program.

As this programs are more cost-effective and enables the patient to continue his daily life, perpetuate his life style, keep and enhance the psychosocial network, an outpatient comprehensive multimodular program was designed to adapt to a health promotion company (EPS for its spanish acronym) and has been used since 2017.

• - share the expérience aquired in an undeveloped country of latin America

• - The tipification in the main substance consumption in the development group as well as it’s differentiation in gender and age group

Expérience and results

• - The majority of patients are men over women

• - the predominant age group is between 29-59 years old

• - there is a difference between the age group depending on the substance of impact

The experience have shown that up to 30% of the population treated have gotten to a controlled consumption or the total suspension without the needing of an impatient program In général thé patient have shown motivation and adherence to an outpatient program

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Several data have been published in the past decade on the mental health of the Hungarian population by different research teams but less information is available about the trends of mental status of the population based on comparable research methods.

Our aim is to provide data on the time trends of mental status in Hungary using comparable methodology.

Four cross-sectional mental health surveys of the adult Hungarian population were designed by the authors; data collection was carried out by an opinion polling company between 2010 and 2023. Representative samples were selected by multistage stratified cluster sampling and weighted for analysis. Self-filling questionnaires were used to collect information on demographic data and socioeconomic status; validated scales were used to assess pathological distress (GHQ) and sense of coherence (SOC).

Distribution of the respondents by permanent residence, age and sex in all surveys reflected that of the adult population of the country. The proportion of adults struggling with severe psychological distress approximately halved from 14.53% in 2010 to 6.78% in 2019 showing a significantly improving trend (<0.001) with higher proportions of women being severely stressed compared to men. Sense of coherence, a measure of psychological resilience increased by 3.43 points from 2010 to 2019 (p<0.001), also reflecting a significantly improving trend without gender difference. However, the last survey of 2023 showed significant worsening with 18.85% of adults struggling with pathological distress, and a dramatic decrease in sense of coherence (-13.64 points).

Educational level and social support were found to be consistent and significant determinants of mental health.

Mental health status improved among Hungarian adults in the past decade up until 2019 but the trend turned into the opposite by 2023. Further research is warranted to uncover the underlying causes of the latest changes.

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Incarcerated individuals are subject to a heightened risk of both mental and physical ailments. Hence, it is important to conduct regular assessments of their mental well-being and other potential health hazards.

The aim of this study is to examine the subjective experience of fear related to COVID-19 and the psychological consequences of the pandemic among a cohort of young adult male convicts.

A research design using an institutional-based quantitative cross-sectional approach was used. The data collecting period was from July to September 2022, during which data was gathered at a juvenile correctional facility located in the center area of Portugal. The researchers used questionnaires to gather data pertaining to demographic and health attributes, fear related to COVID-19, as well as measures of depression, anxiety, stress, and resilient coping.

The study included a cohort of 60 incarcerated males who had been imprisoned for a duration exceeding 2 years. The prevalence of stress was found to be the highest among offenders, with around 75% reporting this symptom. Anxiety was the second most often reported symptom, with 38.3% of inmates experiencing it, followed closely by depression, which was reported by 36.7% of the inmate population. The average score on the Fear of COVID-19 Scale was 17.38 ± 4.80, suggesting that participants generally reported mild levels of fear. A total of 38 subjects, accounting for 63.3% of the sample, had low scores in resilience. The participants’ responses indicated that their perceptions of mental health were within a fairly high range, with an average score of 3.62 ± 0.87. Similarly, their perceptions of physical health were also moderately high, with an average score of 3.73 ± 0.95. In terms of global health, participants reported a slightly lower average score of 3.27 ± 0.82 for the preceding month. The Pearson correlation matrix revealed statistically significant associations between fear of COVID-19 and characteristics linked to mental health, with the strength of these associations ranging from moderate to high (p < 0.001). The identification of predictive variables for fear of COVID-19 was accomplished by the use of a multiple linear regression model. Four predictors were identified in the study, namely age, perception of mental health, and overall levels of anxiety and stress. These predictors together account for about 49.7% of the variance in the outcome variable.

The findings of our research indicate a significant prevalence of stress among incarcerated individuals, accompanied by moderate levels of anxiety and depression. Our research has the potential to provide valuable insights for policymakers, mental health professionals, public health specialists, and other relevant stakeholders in the identification and effective management of pandemic-induced anxieties and mental health symptoms.

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Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by negative symptoms, such as cognitive impairment. Recent reports indicate the importance of the immune system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The development of inflammation affects cognitive functioning.

The aim of the study was to analyze the association between the level of lymphocytes in venous blood and selected cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia.

Lymphocyte levels were determined in the venous blood of patients suffering from schizophrenia and the control group. Additionally, a verbal fluency test (VFT) and a Stroop test were conducted on the same day. The VFT evaluates the ability to express words, and the Stroop test assesses verbal working memory. The inclusion criteria were age up to fifty years, and for the study group – diagnosis of schizophrenia and treatment with neuroleptics. Exclusion criteria included organic brain diseases, electroconvulsive therapy, and use of benzodiazepines within 48 hours before the study. Currently, six patients and six healthy people have been studied.

Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia have an increased lymphocyte concentration in the blood compared to healthy individuals constituting the control group. There are discrepancies in the results of the phonemic fluency test, no significant differences were found between schizophrenics and the control group. Healthy men and women achieved higher results in the semantic fluency test compared to men and women with schizophrenia. Women constituting the control group achieved higher results in the Stroop test compared to women suffering from schizophrenia. Table 1 illustrates the concentration of lymphocytes in venous blood and the number of points in the phonemic fluency test, semantic fluency test, and in the Stroop test of the study and the control groups.

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Patients with schizophrenia are characterized by higher levels of immune system parameters and worse results in terms of semantic fluency. Men with schizophrenia showed no verbal working memory deficits. In turn, women with schizophrenia obtained worse results in the verbal working memory test. In conclusion, there is evidence of immune system activation in schizophrenia, which affects the cognitive functioning of patients.

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Introduction: LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) people often do not seek health care and do not identify as LGBTQ people because of fear of judgment, stereotyping, and discrimination by health professionals. All of this is a particularly worrying phenomenon, because various mental difficulties, risky behaviors, and certain types of somatic and psychosomatic diseases may appear in a higher proportion among them.

Attitudes related to LGBTQ people were examined in several areas in Hungary. Most of our data comes from psychologists, however, a comprehensive examination of health professionals’ attitudes towards LGBTQ people has not yet been carried out.

In a cross-sectional online survey, we ask healthcare professionals (medical doctors, nurses, other graduate healthcare professionals and medical university students) to fill out our questionnaire. The participants complete the Modern Homonegativity Scale and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Clinical Skills Development Scale.

We assume that the majority of Hungarian healthcare professionals have a neutral or positive attitude towards LGBTQ people, but they struggle with a significant lack of affirmative skills. We will present our results in detail in the presentation of the symposium.

There is an urgent need to provide the appropriate affirmative knowledge material to Hungarian healthcare workers.

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Negative symptoms (NS) are an important clinical characteristic of schizophrenia. In recent years, clinical research on NS has focused on their clinical heterogeneity. Based on two-factor analysis, it has been proposed to divide NS into abulia-apathy (AA) and expressive deficit (ED) domains. A number of studies have shown that these domains have different effects on the clinical features of schizophrenia, which suggests different pathophysiological mechanisms of their development. Neurobiological differences between AA and DE have been identified in neuroimaging and immunological studies but there is less research on the genetic background of NS.

To search for an association between the rs1344706 polymorphism of the zinc finger protein gene (ZNF804A) and the AA and ED subdomains. The rs1344706 polymorphism is one of the best-supported risk variants for schizophrenia. The risk genotype AA has been shown to be associated with clinical presentations of the disease.

The study included 1116 (741 (66.3% women) patients with schizophrenia. The diagnosis was made according to ICD-10 criteria (item F20). The average age of the patients was 38.4 (13.6) years, age at disease onset was 26.1 (10.6) years. NS were assessed with the PANSS. The PANSS-derived AA domain consisted of Emotional withdrawal (PANSS item N2), Apathetic social withdrawal (N4), Active social avoidance (G16). The DE domain included Blunted affect (N1), Poor rapport (N3), Lack of spontaneity (N6), Mannerism and posturing (G5), Motor retardation (G7), Disturbance of volition (G13). Genotyping of the ZNF804A rs1344706 polymorphism was carried out using HRM-PCR. ANOVA with genotype and sex as independent variables, and age at the time of disease manifestation and its duration as covariates was used. Post hoc tests were performed using Bonferroni correction.

A significant effect of the rs1344706 polymorphism on the severity of symptoms in the AA domain was revealed (F=5.88, df=2, p=0.002). In carriers of the CC genotype, the severity of symptoms was significantly lower than in carriers of the AA genotype and the AC genotype (8.4(3.5), 9.4(7.4) and 8.8(3.5) points, respectively). This effect was independent of sex and was not mediated by age at onset or duration of disease. There was no effect of the rs1344706 polymorphism on the severity of symptoms in the ED domain.

The association of the ZNF804A rs1344706 (A/C) polymorphism with NS of schizophrenia has not been reported so far though some studies have found the effect of this polymorphism on  PANSS positive symptoms and PANSS total score. The finding of the association with NS can be explained by the fact that the NS heterogeneity was taken into account in the present study.

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Eating disorders (ED) are one of the most pressing problems of modern society. Eating disorders, due to their heterogeneity, can be considered both an independent form of mental disorders and as part of the manifestations of other mental illnesses. In the vast majority of cases within these pathologies, eating disorder coexists with depressive symptoms, which significantly worsens the prognosis of the disease.

Identification of the association of depressive disorders with eating disorders to improve the criteria for nosological diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic approaches.

A total of 74 patients aged from 15 to 25 years old (all female, average age 16.2), who were on outpatient and inpatient observation of the clinic were studied.

The study made it possible to establish the characteristics of depressive disorders and the nature of the current course of depression associated with eating disorders. In eating disorders with a predominance of anorexia nervosa, the structure of depression was more dominated by the asthenia radical with symptoms of apathy, melancholia, anhedonia, irritability, episodes of anxiety after eating, and sleep disturbances. Patients noted a decrease in performance, mental activity, and a narrowing of their range of interests and communication. Depression became severe as exhaustion progressed. For eating disorders with bulimia nervosa. depressive states varied in the severity and polymorphism of their manifestations. Their structure was largely dominated by the apatho-adynamic radical of affect, along with asthenia and anxiety, which often reached the level of panic states. Often, along with this, there were pronounced a guilt feeling and low self-esteem ideas with self-deprecation and self-hatred, which led to the manifestation of auto-aggressive behavior (both non-suicidal and suicidal). Depression reached a severe degree as exhaustion progressed, as well as against the background of more frequent attacks of overeating and vomiting.

The identified associations between depressive disorders and eating disorders allow us to form a clearer picture of the expected course of psychiatric disease and optimize therapeutic intervention algorithms.

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According to the World Health Organization, around 2 billion people worldwide are estimated to drink. Alcohol intake results in 25% of the 3.8% of worldwide fatalities and 4.6% of global disability-adjusted life years that may be attributed to alcohol

This review seeks to synthesize data on psychological and pharmacological treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) available in the inpatient setting.

A comprehensive and narrative review of studies and research on psychological and pharmacological interventions for patients with alcohol use disorders in inpatient treatment units was performed. Data was extracted from electronic bibliographic databases, including Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Global Health, HealthSTAR, and Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) via EBSCOhost. This review included both qualitative and quantitative studies

Overall, after an initial title, abstract screening, and subsequent full-text screening, seven out of 1245 extracted studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. This review suggests that a combination of pharmacological interventions such as naltrexone, nalmefene, acamprosate and brief psychological interventions were effective in treating AUD.

This review suggests that pharmacological and psychological approaches, when used together, are efficacious in treating AUD. There is a need to adopt both pharmacological and psychological interventions in the treatment of AUD.

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The gut-brain axis establishes the relationships between bacteria, neurotransmitters and psychophysiological responses associated with a neuronal and behavioral correlate in autism and different mental disorders.

In recent years, there has been an increase in studies on the implications of the gut microbiota (MI) in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

1. To study if there is a dysbiosis or alteration of the MI can trigger the appearance of ASD symptoms.

It is considered that there is a frequent comorbidity with gastro-intestinal symptoms (GS), pain and sensory reactivity in ASD, and that these are indicators of a possible alteration in the gut-brain axis.

In this sense, children with ASD have hypersensitivity to certain visual, olfactory, tactile, etc. stimuli. which makes them be more picky about food and have certain repetitive patterns of behavior, as a consequence they present gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation and abdominal pain. Sensory reactivity can influence both feeding and sleep patterns in autism.

Currently, there are measuring instruments for sensory reactivity, pain and gastro-intestinal symptoms. However, there are several limitations of these instruments and especially with sensory reactivity in autism because: (1) the items had not been developed in collaboration with interested parties (pediatricians, neuropsychologists, etc.) and (2) the lack of structural validity analysis. Thus, it appears that most validation studies do not meet the criteria of sufficient psychometric quality according to the COSMIN guidelines. Additionally, there is a lack of consensus around terminology (e.g., sensory overreactivity, hyperreactivity, SOR, etc.) and components relevant to sensory functioning.

In the present work, preliminary data are presented on new measures to take into account to evaluate sensory reactivity and pain in the population with autism. This is a first step to obtain an index of the gut-brain axis for the ASD population.

Keywords: ASD, gut-brain, sensory reactivity, pain

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Depressive disorders frequently coexist with chronic medical conditions like heart failure (HF), significantly impacting patients’ overall health and quality of life. This study aims to explore the correlation between soluble ST2 molecule levels and the presence of depressive disorders in patients with heart failure.

A total of 200 patients, all diagnosed with heart failure, were included in this study. Among them, 30 patients were mentally healthy, and the remaining 170 exhibited medium-level depressive disorders. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for soluble ST2 levels to assess the potential correlation between depressive disorders and soluble ST2 levels in patients with heart failure.

A total of 200 patients, all diagnosed with heart failure, were included in this study. Among them, 30 patients were mentally healthy, and the remaining 170 exhibited medium-level depressive disorders. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for soluble ST2 levels to assess the potential correlation between depressive disorders and soluble ST2 levels in patients with heart failure.

The study demonstrated a statistically significant finding, indicating that the levels of soluble ST2 were 1.6 times higher in patients with depression and comorbid heart failure compared to mentally healthy individuals with heart failure.

This study elucidates a statistically significant correlation between medium-level depressive disorders and elevated soluble ST2 levels in patients with coexisting heart failure, shedding light on the potential role of soluble ST2 as a biomarker in identifying and managing depressive disorders in heart failure patients. The observed 1.6-fold increase in soluble ST2 levels in heart failure patients with depression emphasizes the importance of mental health assessment and intervention in individuals with chronic medical conditions, particularly heart failure, to enhance overall care and outcomes.

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In Hungary, in contrast to most other countries, suicide deaths increased significantly during the first year of the COVID-19 epidemic (March to December 2020). Globally, the burden of emergency care in the healthcare system tended to decrease during the first period of the epidemic.

Our research aimed to evaluate the changes in the number of intentional suicide attempts by violent and non-violent means during the first two years of the epidemic, compared to the trend before March 2020 in the Budapest metropolitan area and Pest County.

We analyzed psychiatric assessment reports of self-poisoning patients admitted to Péterfy Hospital’s Emergency Department and Clinical Toxicology from Jan 2019 to Dec 2021 to estimate non-violent suicide attempt trends. We analyzed patient data for violent suicide attempts treated at Dr. Manninger Jenő Trauma Centre from 2016-2021, focusing on trends during the first two years of the pandemic. Negative binomial regression estimates were used for interrupted time series analysis with Prais-Winsten regression, controlling for time and seasonal and autoregressive effects. We used change-point detection to examine the leveling of trends. The Institutional Review Board approved the research in both institutions. Approval numbers: 08-2022 (Péterfy Hospitaly) and 19-2021 (Traumatology Center).

The number of male non-violent suicide attempts decreased by 16.6% compared with the pre-epidemic period (p<0.001). A similar and significant decrease was observed in females and in the total population (Image 1). The female and total population trends, i.e., the decrease, were reversed by August 2020, and the male trends were reversed by October 2020. The total number of patients treated for violent suicide attempts increased significantly (p<0.05) during the first two years of the pandemic (Image 2). There was a slight increase in violent attempts in men and a small decrease in women, but these changes are not statistically significant.

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Image 2:

We hypothesize that those who tried to end their life through non-violent drug use were less inclined to seek assistance because they were concerned about being hospitalized during the COVID-19 outbreak. The surge in violent attempts is striking, as it correlates with the rise in suicide fatalities documented in Hungary during the initial year of the outbreak. Our data was obtained from two prominent public hospitals in Budapest, enabling us to conduct a more concentrated and thorough examination of the circumstances in the capital.

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The development of oxidative stress in patients with schizophrenia is associated with changes in the level of activity of antioxidant enzymes. It is likely that catalytically active antibodies (abzymes) can take on these functions. Abzymes are antibodies with enzymatic activity. Catalase and SOD activity of abzymes was previously detected in patients with schizophrenia. But NADPH-dependent peroxidase activity has not been studied. The present work discusses the protective role of abzymes against reactive oxygen species within the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

The aim of the study was to investigate the NADPH-dependent peroxidase activity of IgG in patients with paranoid schizophrenia in the exacerbation phase and in the remission phase.

A total of 124 patients were examined during the work. Of them, 82 patients with paranoid schizophrenia (F20.0) had a mean age of 33.6±5.12 years (52 males, 30 females), disease duration averaged 8.9± 4.62 years. Patients with schizophrenia included 42 patients with acute schizophrenia and 40 patients with schizophrenia in therapeutic remission. The control group included 42 sex- and age-matched patients. IgG was purified by affinity chromatography on columns with proteinsepharose on an AKTA purifier chromatograph (GE). The homogeneity of isolated IgG preparations was checked by Lemilly electrophoresis in a gradient of 4-18% PAAG. Gel filtration under pH-shock conditions was performed on a Superdex-200 HR 10/30 column. NADPH-dependent peroxidase activity of IgG was determined on a SPECORD M-40 spectrophotometer (Carl Zeiss) at 340 nm by NADPH oxidation in the conjugated glutathione reductase reaction of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide reduction. Statistical processing of data was performed in Statistica 12.0 program.

It was proved that IgG from patients with schizophrenia had NADPH-dependent peroxidase activity, and this activity is an intrinsic property of the investigated antibodies. The NADPH-dependent peroxidase activity in IgG patients in the exacerbation stage was increased 3-fold (p=0.0001) compared to the studied activity in the group of healthy individuals, and it was increased 2-fold (p=0.017) in the group of patients in therapeutic remission compared to the activity in healthy individuals. Also NADPH-dependent IgG peroxidase activity in patients in remission was 1.7 times lower than in patients during the exacerbation period (p=0.012).

It was established for the first time that abzymes from patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals have NADPH-dependent peroxidase activity and can decompose lipo and hydroperoxides. We hypothesize that these abzymes help cope with generalized oxidative stress. Under the influence of neuroleptic therapy in patients in remission, the level of oxidative stress and NADPH-dependent peroxidase activity of abzymes decrease.

None Declared

Most patients with mental disorders exhibit multiple comorbidities. Without doubt the presence of multiple co-occurring somatic and mental disorders is associated with a higher insurance spending for the psychiatric patients. The details of this association need to be elucidated.

The aim of current study was 1) to delineate the typical nonmental comorbidities that occur among mental patients, and 2) to investigate social health insurance spending on comorbidities compared to the direct mental care costs of the same population. The analysis offers unique insight into the health care spending, since it focuses not only the costs of psychiatric care but reflects the whole range of treatments delivered to this group.

A database with the claim records of the Hungarian NHIF was created including direct healthcare costs for mental diagnosis. Patients were recorded either in primary or in specialist care with at least one mental health diagnosis in the last pre-pandemic year (2019). Adopting a case-control design, spending and comorbidities were compared to the control group, which comprised patients who did not have any mental diagnosis. Cases and controls were matched on demographic characteristics like age, gender, place of residence with deprivation index and marital status..

Mental problems affected in 2019 more than 1,5 million persons in Hungary. Half of them did not access specialist care but were only seen with the mental diagnosis by a GP. Direct insurance spending for mental care is around 156 million EUR/year with 4% of the total direct health spending. Besides these costs another 665 million EUR (+17% of all health spending) were reimbursed for the same patient group for the treatment of other diseases. With regards to affected patient numbers, the three most important comorbidities were cardio-vascular conditions (34% of mental patients with 14% of all spending of the group); diseases of the digestive system (29% vs 14%); and musco-sceletal conditions (28% / 9% ) In terms of spending three other disease groups also have to be considered as of high significance: carcinomas (4% patients vs 13% of spending); neurological disorders (13% /vs 7%); and diseases of the endocrine, nutritional and metabolic system (24% vs 6%).

The analysis aims to raise awareness for the complex issues of comorbidities of mental patients. We see that this patient group suffers heavily from other conditions the costs of which is much higher than the direct mental care costs. A better understanding of the coexistence of somatic and mental disorders and a holistic approach of treatment (care integration, reimbursement across different types of care, etc.) would be desirable.

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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder characterized by unstable relationships, a tendency to self–destruction, affective and behavioral dysregulation and BPD are a clinical problem

Early detection and timely intervention for BPD is becoming a new public health priority as it helps prevent the adverse personal, social and economic consequences of the disorder. Borderline personality disorder first manifests itself, as a rule, in adolescence, so it is easy to mistake it for manifestations of “difficult age” characteristic of the period of growing up. In this sense, the typical signs of borderline personality disorder are not original: low self-esteem, emotional excitability, impulsive behavior and sudden mood swings, to one degree or another characteristic of all adolescents. An alarming exception is, perhaps, only a tendency to self-harm and, the so-called, desocialization of a teenager, the loss of social skills and connections (for example, friendships). Recently, experts have increasingly mentioned desocialization in connection with the development of Internet technologies and gadgets that replace communication in real life for many teenagers

An anonymous survey of 57 older teenagers conducted. The degree of borderline personality disorder assessed using IPDE, STAI, and CDI. Statistical processing of the results carried out in Microsoft Excel using measures of the central trend (arithmetic mean, standard deviation) and correlation analysis. The significance of the differences between the groups was determined using the Student’s t-test (p < 0.05)

On average, the level of BPD among the respondents was at a low level of 9.81 (±4.43) points. The severity of personal anxiety was at a high level of 45.02 (±13.25) points, situational anxiety was also at a high level of 41.14 (±14.93). The severity of depression was above average and amounted to 55.84 (±14.33) points

Teenage girls are more prone to anxiety and depression than boys are. High anxiety causes a tendency to depression, and these two factors affect the occurrence of PRL. The average score does not affect the manifestations of anxiety, depression and the occurrence of BPD

None Declared