Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by a persistant decrease in food intake leading to dramatic weight loss and energy deficit. The ghrelin system is a key regulator of appetite and food intake across species. LEAP-2, a recently discovered ghrelin antagonist, appears to be up-regulated in obesity and opposes to the orexigenic drive of ghrelin. The evolution of LEAP-2 levels could be an interesting insight to reflect the regulation of appetite in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN).

We tested this hypothesis and here provide the first study exploring the ghrelin and LEAP-2 regulation in long-term food restriction followed by refeeding in both mice and patients suffering from AN.

Using a translational strategy, we compared the regulation of ghrelin and LEAP-2 concentrations in blood during food restriction and after refeeding i/ in female mice exposed to a 14 days protocol combining quantitative food restriction and running wheel activity followed by 10 days of progressive refeeding; ii/ in an ongoing longitudinal study of patients with AN evaluated before and after refeeding (n=30) as well as 6 months after hospital discharge to evaluate if the weight gain was stable (n=7) or unstable (n=10). Plasma concentrations of ghrelin and LEAP-2 were measured with selective immunoassays.

Long-term food restriction in mice was associated with increased ghrelin (p<0.001) and decreased LEAP-2 concentrations (p=0.006) compared to ad libitum fed controls. Refeeding led to a decrease in ghrelin (p<0.01) and increase in LEAP-2 concentrations (p<0.01). Patients with AN displayed increased ghrelin levels (p<0.01) but also higher LEAP-2 concentrations on admission than after refeeding (p=0.04). LEAP-2 decreased with refeeding. On 17 patients re-evaluated 6 months after discharge, patients with unstable weight gain exhibited a greater decrease of LEAP-2 concentrations during refeeding compared to patient with stable weight gain (p=0.02). Decreasing LEAP-2 concentrations was able to predict a negative outcome (i.e. unstable weight gain) in 80% of the cases.

We provide evidence that the ghrelin/LEAP-2 system is not regulated according to the nutritional status in AN as it is in the case of a physiological adaptation to food restriction. Results from an ongoing longitudinal study exploring remission in AN suggest that the evolution of LEAP-2 concentrations during refeeding is opposed to data from preclinical model and could give new insights on the outcome of weight gain in AN.

None Declared

Tobacco use among youth is a real public health concern in most developing countries. To provide recent epidemiological data regarding tobacco use among this specific population, a national survey was conducted in Tunisia in 2021. We aimed to determine cigarette smoking prevalence in Tunisian adolescents and assess associated factors.

We aimed to determine cigarette smoking prevalence in Tunisian adolescents and assess associated factors.

Data from the Mediterranean school survey on alcohol and other drugs (MedSPAD 2021) were used. Based on three-stage stratification sampling method, first and second grade high school students were enrolled. A self-administered standardized questionnaire was used and weighted prevalence estimates for cigarette smoking “at least once in a lifetime” were studied. Binary logistic regression model was used to assess associated factors and Adjusted Odds Ratios (AORs) were presented. The independent factors included were: sex, area of residence, private or public sector, alcohol and cannabis use, and being exposed to tobacco smoking in family and peer’s environment. Epidata and STATA software were used for data entry and statistical analysis, respectively.

Among 6.201 participants with a mean age of 16.8 years, 60.4% were girls; the prevalence of cigarette smoking was 24,75% 95% CI [23.24,26.32], significantly higher among boys (41.1% versus 14.2%, p<10-3). Univariate analysis revealed a significant difference in cigarette smoking by region (p-value< 10-4). The highest prevalence of cigarette smoking was observed in the capital city. Cigarettes were perceived as easily accessible by less than a third of the students (38.46% and 20.94% of boys and girls respectively, p=10-4). In multivariable analysis, the only independently associated factor to this behaviour was male sex (AOR=1.5[0.15 – 2.9], p-value=0.03).

Our study revealed a high prevalence of smoking among students with male sex as an associated factor. Developing a healthy school environment and implementing school-based intervention programs are therefore, highly required.

None Declared

Personality disorder (PD) is defined as an enduring and inflexible pattern of long duration leading to significant distress or impairment and is not due to the use of substances or another medical condition. In general, the main form of therapy for PD is psychotherapy, with adjuvant pharmacotherapy. Due to a predisposition to instability and decompensation, individuals with PD are more likely to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. With the passing of time, the frequency of PD diagnosis has been rising.

The study aimed to assess changes in the prevalence of PD diagnosis between the years 2009 and 2021 in the Psychiatric Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Lodz (Poland) and the characteristics of admitted patients.

This retrospective included 27097 records of patients admitted for psychiatric hospitalization between the years 2009 and 2021. The diagnosis of PD (F60 and F61) was based on ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. For analysis, both main, as well as coexisting diagnoses of PD were included. For the analysis patients were divided into subgroups based on age and legal gender.

We observed a statistically significant increase in the number of hospitalization of individuals with PD (6,94% in 2009 and 14,29% in 2021; p<0.0001). No rise in the frequency of F60 diagnosis was observed (4,56% in 2009 and 4,48%; p=0.973, while the diagnosis of mixed PD (F61) has greatly risen (2,38% in 2009 and in 9,81% in 2021; p=0.003), this growth was especially visible in men (1,62% in 2009 and 10,44% in 2021; p=0.007). In individuals above the age of 35 at the time of hospitalization significant growth in PD diagnosis was present (5,22% in 2009 and in 8,25% in 2021; p=0.003), similarly, PD increased in patients older than 65 (0,50% in 2009 and in 4,00% in 2021; p=0.003).

In the past 13 years, there has been a great increase in the number of hospitalized individuals with PD, particularly the rise reflects growth in mixed PD diagnosis. Interestingly, in men, PD diagnosis is 4 times more frequent in 2021 than in 2009. The increase in the number of PD diagnoses in changing environment might be due to greater clinical vigilance of psychiatrists and a more in-depth diagnostic process, yet further analysis including data from the outpatient clinic is needed.

None Declared

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the tear film and ocular surface representing one of the most common problems in ophthalmological practice and significant public health problem. Characteristic symptoms of DED include gritty, sandy foreign body sensation as well as visual disturbances that have a negative impact on the patient’s daily activities and also affecting patient’s quality of life (QOL).

The objective of this research is to point out the importance of transdisciplinary approach to treatment of dry eye disease in patients with psychiatric disorders.

We reviewed all current available literature in Pubmed dealing with the topic of connection of dry eye disease and psychiatric disorders.

In recent years, the relationship between DED and psychiatric disorders has been gaining attention. A number of epidemiological studies have reported a possible association between dry eye and psychiatric disorders showing that the subjective symptoms of dry eye can be affected not only by changes of the tear film and ocular surface but also psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSP) and subjective happiness. Apart from psychiatric disorders, psychiatric medications are also considered as risk factors for DED due to their influence on the tear film status. The incidence of ocular side effects increases rapidly with the use of polypharmacy, a very common form of treatment used in psychiatry.

Mental health disorders may be one of considerable contributing factors for dry eye symptoms and undiagnosed mental health conditions can be an influencing element for unexplained levels of DED symptoms. Depression, anxiety, stress, hypochondriasis, neuroticism, sleep and mood disorders may be associated with the exacerbation of symptoms to degrees that are not consistent with the objective signs related to tear dysfunction as well as changes in the anterior surface of the eye.

There is often inconsistency between signs and symptoms of DED, where symptoms often are more related to non-ocular conditions including psychiatric disorders than to tear film parameters. Consequently, in many cases DED may be considered as a psychiatric as well as ophthalmological problem. Psychiatrists and ophthalmologists need to be aware of the potential influence of psychiatric disorders and medications on tear film stability.

A detailed medical history, thorough ophthalmological examination and referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist may be essential in the treatment of those patients. In treatment of psychiatric patients, an integrative and transdisciplinary approach will result in better functioning and higher QOL.

None Declared

The ghrelin system is a key regulator of appetite and food intake across species. LEAP-2, a recently discovered ghrelin antagonist, appears to be up-regulated in obesity and opposes to the orexigenic drive of ghrelin. The evolution of LEAP-2 levels could be an interesting insight to reflect the regulation of appetite in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN). We provide the first study exploring the ghrelin and LEAP-2 regulation in long-term food restriction followed by refeeding in both mice and patients suffering from AN.

Using a translational strategy, we compared the regulation of ghrelin and LEAP-2 concentrations in blood during food restriction and after refeeding in female mice exposed to a 14 days protocol combining quantitative food restriction and running wheel activity followed by progressive refeeding. We compared these results to clinical data fom in an ongoing longitudinal study of patients with AN evaluated before and after refeeding as well as 6 months after hospital discharge.

Long-term food restriction in mice was associated with increased ghrelin and decreased LEAP-2 concentrations compared to ad libitum fed controls. Refeeding led to an increase in LEAP-2 concentrations. Patients with AN displayed increased ghrelin levels but also higher LEAP-2 concentrations on admission than after refeeding. LEAP-2 decreased with refeeding. On 17 patients re-evaluated 6 months after discharge, patients with unstable weight gain exhibited a greater decrease of LEAP-2 concentrations during refeeding compared to patient with stable weight gain. Decreasing LEAP-2 concentrations was able to predict a negative outcome (i.e. unstable weight gain) in 80% of the cases.

We provide evidence that the ghrelin/LEAP-2 system is not regulated according to the nutritional status in AN as it is in the case of a physiological adaptation to food restriction. Our clinical data suggest that the evolution of LEAP-2 concentrations during refeeding is opposed to data from preclinical model and could give new insights on the outcome of weight gain in AN.

None Declared

During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, psychological distress, anxiety and depression reached new highs associated with a number of variables such as pandemic related-stress and sleep difficulties. These later two are known to be the precipitant and risk factors for psychological distress/mental disorders, respectively, and negative cognitive emotion regulation strategies can also have a key role on psychological/mental health problems generation and maintenance.

To study stress, sleep difficulties and the use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies by groups of students with different levels of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

496 university students (mean age ± SD=20.99 years ± 2.27; 78.6% women) completed an online questionnaire between January and April, 2021, which included the Mental Health Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, as well as three questions from the Insomnia Scale to evaluate Difficulties in Initiating Sleep (DIS), Maintaining Sleep (DMS) and Early Morning Awakening (EMA). A Sleep Difficulties Index (SDI) was calculated by summing the scores of these three items.

18.3% of the students showed high levels of psychological distress (group 1; scores 1 SD =/< Mean), 62.7% average levels (group 2), and 19% low levels (group 3; Scores 1SD =/>Mean). The group 1, compared with group 3, showed higher levels of sleeping difficulties (DIS, DMS, EMA and SDI), greater stress levels and an increased use of negative emotion regulation strategies, as well as a lesser use of positive emotion regulation strategies. Furthermore, the group 2, with average levels of psychological distress is significantly distinct from the group with better mental health when comparing these same variables.

Almost one fifth of the Portuguese university students report elevated levels of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical interventions to promote psychological/mental health in this population should focus on reducing stress, promoting adequate sleep habits, reducing the use of negative cognitive emotion regulation strategies and increasing the use of positive ones.

None Declared

In the past ten years, the use of mobile phones for text messaging has increased dramatically. This is due to its utility in communication and interactions in the professional and personal spheres. Recent studies have demonstrated that the usage of text messaging via smart phones for social networking has also contributed to the reduction of loneliness. However, excessive usage of mobile phones is linked to certain psychiatric morbidities. Textaphrenia is one of these newly emerging mental health issues.

The aim of this review is to analyze the effects of excessive use of mobile phones among young population.

Medical publications, studies, and specialized information on the subject were used to complete this work.

Researchers have shown a correlation between excessive cell phone use and personality traits like neuroticism, extraversion, low self-esteem,and impulsivity. In addition to sleep disturbances, anxiety, tension, and depressed mood are all symptoms that have been linked to unhealthy cell phone use. These symptoms have also been linked to abusive use of the internet. Moreover, the current investigation sheds light on the coexisting link that exists between problematic cell phone use and the use of substances like tobacco and alcohol.

The evidence suggests that excessive usage of smart phones for text messaging might lead to the development of psychological dependence and can interfere with daily tasks.

None Declared

The association of an addictive disorder (harmful use, abuse or dependence) with a schizophrenic disorder is the rule. Genetic vulnerability and social and economic factors are common to both disorders.

determine the impact of addictive behavior on patients suffering from schizophrenia.

A descriptive and analytical retrospective study of 150 patients with schizophrenia hospitalized in the psychiatry department of Taher Sfar University Hospital in Mahdia from January 2017 to December 2021.

The average age of the patients was 39.8 ± 11.23 years with a predominance of the age group 36-45 years (38.4%). All of the patients were male. Three quarters of the patients (75.5%) were consumers of psychoactive substances (PSA): nearly three quarters (72.8%) were dependent on tobacco, more than a third (39.7%) were dependent on alcohol, more than a quarter (29.1%) dependent on cannabis and almost a quarter (26.5%) dependent on other SPAs. Criminal history, suicide attempts and hospitalization in psychiatry were significantly more frequent in patients who consumed SPA than those who did not consume (39.5% vs 8.1%; p=0.008, 17.5% vs 2.7%; p=0.02, 89.5 % vs 75.7%; p=0.03, respectively). Patients who consumed SPA had significantly more positive signs of schizophrenia (51.8% vs 10.8%; p=0.001) and were significantly less observant to treatment (55.3% vs 16.3%; p=0.001) than those who did not consume. Hetero-aggressiveness, self-aggressiveness and job change were significantly more frequent in patients with addictive behaviors than those without addiction (86.8% vs 48.7%; p=0.001, 23.7% vs 2.7%; p= 0.004, 14.9% vs 0%; p=0.015, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that criminal history, hetero-aggressiveness, predominant positive symptomatology and work stoppage were the factors independently associated with SPA consumption in patients with schizophrenia in our study (β=14.7 95% CI 3.23–67.01, p=0.001, β=0.099, 95% CI 0.03–0.31, p=0.001, β=7.18, 95% CI 2.09–24.67, p=0.002, β=5.24 95% CI 1.27–21.7; p=0.02, respectively).

According to our study, addictive comorbidities concern three quarters of our patients. They expose them to a higher risk of legal problems, hetero-aggressiveness, predominance of positive signs and instability at work. These results encourage the development of methods for early diagnostic identification of addictive behavior comorbid with schizophrenia as well as integrated care combining psychiatric and addictological care.

None Declared

Recent studies reported substantive clinical differences in those with a bipolar disorder who evidence elevated or irritable mood during a manic episode, which may have treatment and prognosis implications.

We aim to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of inpatients admitted for bipolar mania with elevated vs. irritable mood.

Retrospective observational study of inpatients admitted between January 1st 2018 and July 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 143 inpatients, 39,9% (n=57) with elevated mood. When compared with those with irritable mood, euphoric patients had 2.765 more odds of having previous psychiatric hospitalizations (x2(1, N = 143) = 4.93; p = 0.026). Interestingly, 78.4% of inaugural manic episodes (n=19) presented with irritable mood (x2(1, N = 143) = 3.447; p = 0.063). We also found that a patient with euphoric mood has 2.575 greater odds of being under a mood stabilizer (x2(1, N = 143) = 5.026; p = 0.025) before admission. More specifically, there is a significantly higher proportion of euphoric patients that were prescribed with valproic acid as mood stabilizer (57.9% vs 37.2%; x2(1, N = 143) = 5.016; p = 0.015). This association was not found with lithium. We found no statistically significant differences regarding the sociodemographic characteristics, previous long acting injectable antipsychotic or antidepressant treatment and psychotic symptoms during manic episode between the two groups.

Patients with elevated mood are more likely to have a previous bipolar disorder diagnosis, which may reflect an observer bias due to the fact that diagnosis is already known.

The use of valproic acid as mood stabilizer may be a protective factor to irritable mood, since it’s currently prescribed in those with bipolar disorder who have more depressive or mixed instead of manic episodes. However, future studies are essential to understand the impact of mood stabilizer on these two contrasting phenotypic expressions.

Differences related to disease severity or sociodemographic characteristics were not found.

None Declared

The current SARS Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected primary care and health system services provided to chronically ill patients, such as patients with Diabetes Mellitus

The comparison of glycemic regulation as demonstrated by the levels of glycated hemoglobin HbA1c % in Psychiatric patients monitored at the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica before the pandemic (9/2018 -2/2020) and during its progression (3/2020-2/2022)

The study was done retrospectively and included 543 diabetic patients who were examined in Outpatient Clinics during the aforementioned time intervals. HbA1c % levels were measured in peripheral blood and at least two measurements were averaged for each patient. The statistical method used to compare the mean value of HbA1c % was the paired t-test and the level of significance was p<0.05.

The mean of the mean values of HbA1c % before the pandemic was 7.22% while (sd 6.6-7.9) while during the pandemic period it was 8.56% (sd 7.1-9.9). The t score was calculated as 3.3 with a significance level of p=0.0165 (p<0.05).

n the present study, a statistically significant increase in the HbA1c % of the Diabetic patients of the Psychiatric Hospital over the last two years is found, which indicates a worsening of the glycemic control of this particular group of patients. It is worth noting that 24 out of 543 (4.4%) missed a scheduled follow-up visit, while the greater variation in HbA1c % values during the second period indicates the varied way the pandemic affected the behavior of psychiatric patients

None Declared

Physical activity (PA) has emerged as an interesting adjuvant non-pharmacological intervention in patients with schizophrenia (SZPs). The vast majority of programs are face-to-face without considering the patients’ physiological capacities and their difficulty to achieve the programs. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of PA on clinical variables and brain plasticity. Its originality was to adapt PA on the cardiorespiratory and physical capacities (APA) and to deliver PA remotely by a videoconference coach (e-APA).

This longitudinal study included 35 SZPs (DSM-5) randomized either in an e-APA group or in a control group (health education training (e-HE)). Both programs were delivered in the same conditions, remotely via the web with a professional, for two 60-minute sessions per week during 16 weeks. Cardiorespiratory capacity measured by VO2max, clinical symptoms assessed with PANSS, BNSS and SNS, total hippocampus (HCP) volumes and their subfields, were evaluated in pre- (session 1) and post- interventions (session 2). High-resolution T1-weighted and two high-resolution T2w brain volumes were proceeded at session 1 and 2 (MRI 3-T, Philips). ANCOVAs were performed to determine intervention and/or diagnostic effects on relative variation (RV) of cardiorespiratory capacity, clinical symptoms and HCP volumes.

The retention rate of SZPs in the study was 88.6%. SZPs of e-APA group presented a greater RV of VO2max (+7.3%) compared to SPZs-HE (-3.9%) (p = 0.024). No significant effect of the e-APA compared to the e-HE was demonstrated regarding the RV of the clinical symptoms. However, between 1 and 2 sessions, total PANSS scores, positive and general PANSS sub-scores significantly decreased in both groups while total SNS and BNSS scores only decreased in e-APA group. Finally, a positive and greater RV of the left subiculum volume was observed in e-APA (+3.4%) compared to e-HE (-2.5%) (p = 0.0005).

This study is the first one demonstrating the feasibility and acceptability of a remote APA program in SZPs with high participation rates. Our results show that e-APA induces brain plasticity reflected by an increase of HCP subfield volume and improves the cardiorespiratory capacity in SZPs. This study underlines that remote APA represents an innovative, original, safe and effective adjunctive therapeutic strategy in schizophrenia.

None Declared

Differences in psychiatry training vary substantially across Europe. Such organisations as the European Federation of Psychiatry Trainees (EFPT), the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and the European Psychiatry Association, have committed to offer international experiences based on the premise that it could foster international collaboration, aid early career professionals to progress professionally and spark discussion regarding different practices across Europe.

To date, there are no studies that focus on the exchange experience in mental health professionals.

We present the synthesis of the first seven years answers from 2012 to 2019 to the post-exchange online evaluation form, which trainees had to fill in in order to receive an attendance certificate.

The present study analysed the answers of 182 psychiatry trainees or recent graduates who took part in the EFPT exchange program during 2012 and 2019 and filled in the internet-based evaluation form. The inclusion criteria were currently in training or recently finished training as a psychiatrist in Europe and filling in the questionnaire. The exclusion criterion was participation in the EFPT exchange program for the second or subsequent time.

All trainees were systemically asked to complete the online evaluation form after the exchange period. The form includes sociodemographic, training in host country-related, and exchange experience-related questions. Experience measures were evaluated using the 4-point Likert scale. Data was anonymized before the analysis. The study followed the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

From the 198 individuals who filled the questionnaire, 182 were involved in final analyses. The majority of participants were females in the second half of their training. The average age was 29 years. The largest number of applicants were from Turkey, whereas the United Kingdom hosted the most participants. One-third of the participants had previous international exchange experience.

Most trainees were exposed to both outpatient and inpatient treatment settings and were involved in educational or research activities. 96.7% of participants indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, 95.6% said that the exchange was useful or very useful, and 98.9% were likely or very likely to recommend exchange to colleagues. A description of trainees and exchange placements is presented in a table (couldn’t be uploaded).

To our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the experience of psychiatry trainees who went on exchange during their professional training. Vast majority of trainees were satisfied with their exchange, thought it would be useful for their clinical practice and would recommend it to their colleagues. These findings are in line with other studies that examined medical exchange experiences .

None Declared

Research exploring the mental health impact of the early stages of the pandemic among parents has found that 1 in 4 parents experienced increased psychological distress and reported more than one negative mental health symptom, especially quarantined parents. Ongoing stressors for parents related to the Covid-19 pandemic abound, yet the long-term impact of the pandemic on parental mental health remains largely unexplored, limiting the development and effectiveness of prevention and intervention efforts.

This study aims to fill this gap and explore the implications of the pandemic on parental mental health post-lockdown periods.

The Covid Care Calls Program (CCC) was designed to address developing needs in response to the pandemic in highly marginalized communities across Guatemala. For the baseline study at the onset of the pandemic, 330 individuals participated. Convenience sampling was used. Callers administered a semi-structured interview to elicited information regarding health and mental health status, household composition, and nature of parenting and offspring functioning. For the current study, the same procedure of telephone surveying was used. A random sample of 100 baseline participants was included. Calls were administered between June 2021 and August 2021, 6-months post lifting of lockdown restrictions. Paired t-tests were used to examine differences in mental health impairment (anxiety, depression, stress, burnout) from immediately post-lifting of lockdown restrictions to 6-months following lifting of lockdown measures. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine predictors of mental health impairment.

We found that 6-months post lifting of stringent mitigation measures, parents reported engaging in increased negative parenting behaviors; observed increased negative behaviors from their children; reported increased anxiety, depression, and stress; and, reported increased burnout, especially mothers.

Our findings regarding increased parental stress and burnout well after quarantine and lockdown periods are cause for concern. In addition to their own stress, children are likely to experience a negative downstream effect from their parents’ mental health impairment. Increased negative responses from children further exacerbate parental maladjustment which in turn increases negative child behaviors, and thus the cycle begins, resulting in an often conflictual, harsh, or disengaged home environment and dysfunctional parent-child relationships. This type of parental strain (has been noted to confer risk of psychopathology across generation. Family level intervention and increased access to community-based supports for parents are key to mitigating this persistent impairment.

None Declared

Cloninger divides personality into temperament and character, proposing that temperament is innate and character is shaped by environment. With the development of noninvasive methods for measuring central nervous system activity, there have been many attempts to test personality theories using neuroscientific research methods. Thus, the use of neuroscience to examine existing theories of personality will enable a review of these theories and may lead to the formulation of new theories of personality.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological factors underlying temperament and personality development in healthy adults by analyzing neural networks in the brain using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

The study was conducted after obtaining prior approval from the Ethics Committee of Kanazawa Medical University. Eighty-one healthy subjects who consented to the study after explaining the purpose and methods were imaged with a 3T MRI scanner in the resting state, and statistical image analysis was performed using the CONN toolbox. Personality and temperament were assessed using the temperament personality test based on Cloninger’s 7-dimensional model of personality.

Five types of neural networks were extracted by independent component analysis, including Salience, Default mode, and Language. Regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between the functional connectivity of the networks and temperament/personality traits.

We were able to observe the functional connectivity of representative neural networks from the data of healthy subjects, suggesting that individual differences in the degree of functional connectivity of neural networks may be related to the individual characteristics of temperament and personality of the subjects.

None Declared

Adolescence is, arguably, the most vulnerable period of a person’s development when the susceptibility to emotional-affective and behavioural disorders is at its height and conflict situations can result in self-injuries and suicide attempts, some with lethal outcomes (Woycex W., Сlinical Suicidology, 2007.-280p). Research indicates that conflict with family is associated with suicide attempts in adolescents (Elise P. JAD, 2018; 241:499-504). There is a small body of research on the risk factors for suicide attempts in Armenian adolescents. However, there is a lack of research on understanding what role conflict can play in developing suicidal thoughts and behaviour.

The present research aims to understand the role of conflict in suicide attempts among Armenian adolescents.

The researcher conducted a qualitative analysis of 39 patient histories of adolescents hospitalised after a suicide attempt using the documentary method. The patient histories included, among others, the results of psychiatric tests using Hamilton’s Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Hamilton’s Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and the records of psychiatric consultation.

The psychiatric tests showed that all adolescents suffered either mild, moderate or severe levels of depression and anxiety. They also exhibited mild, moderate or severe suicide risk, based on C-SSRS. The results revealed that before the suicide attempt, adolescents were exposed to continuous distress and traumatic events at home that lasted for months, sometimes years. They often witnessed domestic abuse and attempted to protect one of the parents (usually their mother) from being physically and psychologically abused. In some cases, the distress was the result of parents trying to end the adolescent’s relationship with their boyfriend. During psychiatric consultation, adolescents disclosed reoccurring suicidal thoughts and suicidal ideation when exposed to continuous trauma and distress at home. In most cases, conflict with parents was the trigger that made adolescents act. The conflict was the last straw that pushed them to attempt suicide.

Suicide attempt in Armenian adolescents remains one of the least investigated areas. Domestic abuse is often silenced and almost never reported to authorities. This usually leaves adolescents one-on-one with their struggles. The needs of adolescent witnesses of domestic abuse and those suffering controlling behaviour and developing suicidal thoughts, some of them eventually attempting suicide - remain largely unaddressed. More research is needed to understand factors associated with suicidal behaviour in Armenian adolescents. Research studies can hopefully become a basis for a future centralised mental health strategy aimed at helping adolescents find a way out and not resort to suicidal attempts.

None Declared

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genetic elements resulting from ancestral infection of germline cells. HERVs have been associated with multiple complex disorders, including neurodevelopment disorders, namely autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

In this review, we aim to explore the relationship between endogenous retroviruses and autism spectrum disorder.

A non-systematic review of literature published in the Pubmed database in the last ten years was performed. A combination of the search terms “autism spectrum disorder”, “ASD”, “endogenous retrovirus”, “human endogenous retrovirus”, “ERV” and “HERV” was used. Articles were selected based on title and abstract review.

Preclinical and human studies suggest that the abnormal expression of endogenous retroviruses can represent a biological trait of neurodevelopment disorders in affected individuals and their parents. The precise epigenetic processes that underpin this relationship remain elusive. Nonetheless, HERVs play various roles, modulate host immune response and may affect human embryogenesis. All of these factors can participate in the interplay among genetic vulnerability, environmental risk factors, and maternal immune activation that contribute for the development of ASD.

There is a recent, mounting body of evidence linking HERVs and ASD. Whether HERVs behave as a cofactor for the development of ASD or an epiphenomenon of neurodevelopmental disorders remains unclear. Further research is needed to assess if there is causality and evaluate the potential for HERVs to serve as biomarkers for ASD.

None Declared

The diagnosis of the main psychiatric syndromes is still almost exclusively phenotypic and depends essentially of the recognition of characteristic signs and symptoms. The clinical evalution allows the formulation of a set of differential diagnoses, according to the pathological meaning of certain symptomatic patterns and combinations. Aside from the entire dependence on the clinical interview, there are still no complementary psychiatric diagnostic exams and it is also worth noting the absence of pathognomonic symptoms.

Through the presentation of the case of a patient with Bipolar Affective Disorder who manifests, during a manic episode, a Capgras delusion, we intend to approach the heterogeneity of the manifestation of some symptoms that tend to be specific of concrete psychiatric syndromes.

Clinical case presentation and non-systematic literature review using Pubmed plataform.

AB, female, 49 years old, diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder. Hospitalized for a manic episode with dysphoric mood, increased energy levels and delusional activity of grandiose and persecutory content. During hospitalization, a Capgras delusion centered on the husband emerged: he was replaced by a stranger, I was able to detect him by smell.

Capgras delusion is a delusional misidentification syndrome characterized by the belief that someone close has been replaced by an imposter. Despite being a rare syndrome, vastly more common in schizophrenia, affecting about 73% of cases, it can also occur in other psychiatric conditions such as dementia syndromes and, less often, mood disorders (16.7%).

Additionally, there are several examples that demonstrate the versatility of psychiatric symptom occurrence in different diagnoses, with first-rank symptoms serving as an example. Described in 1959 by Kurt Schneider, they were considered specific symptoms of schizophrenia, assuming this diagnosis based on the recognition of only one symptom. Over time, its pathognomonic character has become extinct, and its detection in mood disorders and acute psychotic disorder is relatively common.

Another example is the overlap between depressive and anxious symptoms. In fact, anxiety symptoms occur in about 85% of patients diagnosed with depressive disorder and, in turn, the presence of depressive symptoms in about 90% of patients diagnosed with anxiety disorder. This evidence has allowed, over time, a review of the diagnostic criteria for these disorders, leading to a progressive blurring of the threshold between them.

Psychiatric diagnosis is still a delicate task, totally dependent on the clinical interview. The lack of analytical and imaging tests, as well as the absence of pathognomonic symptoms, constitute a particular challenge in diagnosis. For this reason, we highlight the importance of recognizing combinations and patterns of symptoms rather than the specificity of just one symptom.

None Declared

Different areas of life quality are associated with emotional status. In pandemic conditions, the index of life quality may contribute to emotional stability. However, HIV-infected patients are at risk for affective disorders and are often characterized by a low life rate.

The study aimed to examine the relationship between life quality and emotional status among HIV-infected patients during the second wave of the pandemic.

Data were collected between February and July 2021 using a Google form we developed. Fifty-nine HIV-positive patients participated in the study. We used the WHOQOL-BREF to examine the quality of life and the DASS-21 to determine depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Both questionnaires were adapted for use in Russia.

We found that 64 % of the respondents had no symptoms of depression, 61 % of the patients reported no anxiety, and 71 % had no detectable stress. We found that physical and psychological well-being was associated with depression (rxy = -0.318, p < 0.05) and anxiety (rxy = -0.308, p < 0.05), microsocial support was associated with depression (rxy = -0.430, p < 0.01) and anxiety (rxy = -0.330, p < 0.05), social well-being with depression (rxy = -0.375, p < 0.01), anxiety (rxy = -0.448, p < 0.01) and stress (rxy = -0.362, p < 0.01).

During the second pandemic wave, the social well-being was most strongly associated with emotional well-being among patients living with HIV. This indicates that different types of social support are essential for this group of patients. Therefore, state authorities should pay special attention to the social welfare of this group of patients.

None Declared

Compassion is expected to be a characteristic present in medical students, since it is a key element in subsequent professional practice (Blanco et al., 2021). However, during the degree, students go through various demands that can generate burnout syndrome (Amor et al., 2020) and as a consequence a decrease in compassion. In this sense, it is important to provide empirical evidence on the possible relationship between these two constructs, in order to generate support that allows the implementation of mental health promotion strategies.

Analyze the relationship between compassion and burnout syndrome in medical students.

This study was done through a cross-sectional study of correlational scope in 250 medical students. The Compassion Scales developed by Gilbert (Gilbert et al., 2017) were used; they assess three general factors (Self-compassion, Compassion for others, and Compassion from others), However, in this study, we used only the self-compassion and compassion for others scales.

The results revealed a statistically significant, positive correlation between personal accomplishment and self-compassion. In the case of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, significant associations were also found with self-compassion and compassion for others, but of a negative magnitude (Table 1).

Image:

It was concluded that the higher the levels of self-compassion of the medical students evaluated, the greater their personal fulfillment. On the other hand, the lower the levels of self-compassion and compassion for others, the higher levels of depersonalization and emotional exhaustion were found in medical students

None Declared

In the framework of the EU-Erasmus+, the European Alliance for Sport and Mental Health (EASMH) project has been funded, aiming to promote the improvement of good clinical practice for sport-based psychosocial interventions throughout Europe. A specific training programme tailoring professional sport coaches has been developed in order to improve their skills in engaging and involving patients with severe mental disorders in sport-based rehabilitation activities.

to evaluate the perceived quality and utility of the EASMH training programme by sport coaches from different European countries (including Italy, UK, Romania, and Finland).

As part of the EASMH project, the University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli” has coordinated the development of training materials for professional sport coaches. The training programme has been tested in a pilot training programme. An ad-hoc questionnaire has been developed and administered at the end of the training, during a meeting held in Brussels in July 2022.

The EASMH training programme consists of six modules, dealing with the following topics: definition of mental health/mental disorders; classification systems; essential clinical features of severe mental disorders; personal and social burden associated with severe mental disorders; how to build a therapeutic relationship with a patient with severe mental disorders; verbal and non-verbal communication; evaluation of patient’s preference in selecting sport activities; definition of a personalized plan; motivational interview/problem-solving strategy. A total of eight professional coaches involved in different sport coming from Italy, Romania, United Kingdom and Finland participated in the entire training, consisting of six 4hr training modules. Seven out the eight coaches compiled the questionnaire. The overall feedback has been extremely positive. Overall, coaches have judged the modules as very clear, useful and of high standing. Each question has been rated with an average of 4.35 related to the overall content.

The present survey confirms that a short online training programme focused on professional sport coaches is well received by participants and can provide them with useful information on how to engage patients with severe mental disorders. The next step of the EASMH project foresees the implementation of several local pilot actions with the active involvement of patients with severe mental disorders.

None Declared