Sexual functions and prolactin levels in patients with bipolar disorder

Objective: Mood stabilizers and antipsychotic drugs are known to have adverse effects on sexual function. However, patients often refrain from speaking about sexual complaints that may cause dose reduction and discontinuation of the drug without medical supervision. In this study we aimed to evaluate sexual functions of patients with bipolar disorder in remission period, considering prolactin levels and medications. Method: We recruited 52 patients with bipolar disorder in remission according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Prolactin levels were measured in all patients. The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) was used to assess sexual dysfunction. Results: Mean prolactin levels were 24.71 ± 4.25 and 19.96 ± 5.52 ng/ml respectively for females and males. Patients taking mood stabilizer (MS) and mood stabilizer plus antipsychotic (AP) treatment had different prolactin levels (p<0.001). Total GRISS scores were not different for MS and MS+AP treatment groups. We didn't find a correlation between Total GRISS scores and prolactin levels. There was a significant deterioration in female non-sensuality, female dissatisfaction and anorgasmia subscales of female patients and significant deterioration in premature ejaculation, impotence and male dissatisfaction subscales of male patients. Discussion: In our sample, both men and women patients with bipolar disorder in remission have sexual dysfunctions. Our results suggest that prolactin levels are not sufficient to demonstrate the sexual dysfunction. To enhance patient compliance it is necessary to focus more on sexual symptoms of patients receiving MS and AP treatment

Procenjivanje simptoma poremećaja igranja kompjuterskih igara na internetu (eng. Internet Gaming Disorder) kod studenata - internacionalna validaciona studija mere samoprocene

The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of a self-report scale for assessing Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) symptoms according to the DSM-5 and ICD-11 among 3270 college/univers ity students (2095 [64.1%] females; age mean 21.6 [3.1] years) from different countries worldwide. Croatian, English, Polish, Portuguese, Serbian, Turkish, and Vietnamese versions of the scale were tested. The study showed that symptoms of IGD could be measured as a single underlying factor among college/university students. A nine itemsymptom scale following DSM-5, and a short four-item scale representing the main ICD-11 symptoms, had sound internal consistency and construct validity. Three symptom-items were found non-invariant across the language samples (i.e., preoccupation with on-line gaming, loss of interests in previous hobbies and entertainment, and the use of gaming to relieve negative moods). This study provides initial evidence for assessing IGD symptoms among college/university students and will hopefully foster further research into gaming addiction in this population worldwide especially with taking into account language/cultural differences.U ovoj studiji su procenjena psihometrijska svojstva skale samoprocene koja je namenjena proceni simptoma poremećaja igranja kompjuterskih igrara na internetu (eng. Internet Gaming Disorder-IGD) prema DSM-5 i ICD-11 klasifikacijama mentalnih bolesti na uzorku od 3270 studenata (2095 [64.1%] devojaka; prosečna starost 21.6 [3.1] godina) iz više zemalja. Ispitana je hrvatska, engleska, poljska, portugalska, srpska, turska i vijetnamska verzija skale. Rezultati su pokazali da se kod studenata IGD simptomi mogu izmeriti instrumentom u čijoj osnovi leži jedan faktor. Skala od devet stavki koje se odnose na DSM-5 kriterijume i kratka skala od četiri stavke koja se odnosi na glavne simptome prema ICD-11 kriterijumima imaju zadovoljavajuću internu konzistentnost i konstruktnu validnost. Merna invarijantnost u odnosu na različite jezike je utvrđena za tri ajtema (preokupiranost igranjem onlajn igara, gubljenje interesovanja za dotadašnje hobije i zabavu i korišćenje igranja za rasterećenje od negativnih emocija). Ova studija je ponudila početne podatke za procenu simptoma poremećaja igranja kompjuterskih igrara na internetu kod studenata i nadamo se da će podstaći buduća istraživanja zavisnosti od kompjuterskih igrara u populacijama širom sveta uzimajući u obzir jezičke/kulturološke razlike

Examining the association between exposome score for schizophrenia and functioning in schizophrenia, siblings, and healthy controls: Results from the EUGEI study.

Background. A cumulative environmental exposure score for schizophrenia (exposome score for schizophrenia [ES-SCZ]) may provide potential utility for risk stratification and outcome prediction. Here, we investigated whether ES-SCZ was associated with functioning in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, unaffected siblings, and healthy controls. Methods. This cross-sectional sample consisted of 1,261 patients, 1,282 unaffected siblings, and 1,525 healthy controls. The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale was used to assess functioning. ES-SCZ was calculated based on our previously validated method. The association between ES-SCZ and the GAF dimensions (symptom and disability) was analyzed by applying regression models in each group (patients, siblings, and controls). Additional models included polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (PRS-SCZ) as a covariate. Results. ES-SCZ was associated with the GAF dimensions in patients (symptom: B = 1.53, p-value = 0.001; disability: B = 1.44, p-value = 0.001), siblings (symptom: B = 3.07, p-value < 0.001; disability: B = 2.52, p-value < 0.001), and healthy controls (symptom: B = 1.50, p-value < 0.001; disability: B = 1.31, p-value < 0.001). The results remained the same after adjusting for PRS-SCZ. The degree of associations of ES-SCZ with both symptom and disability dimensions were higher in unaffected siblings than in patients and controls. By analyzing an independent dataset (the Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis study), we replicated the results observed in the patient group. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that ES-SCZ shows promise for enhancing risk prediction and stratification in research practice. From a clinical perspective, ES-SCZ may aid in efforts of clinical characterization, operationalizing transdiagnostic clinical staging models, and personalizing clinical management

Results of the COVID-19 mental health international for the general population (COMET-G) study.

INTRODUCTION: There are few published empirical data on the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, and until now, there is no large international study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, an online questionnaire gathered data from 55,589 participants from 40 countries (64.85% females aged 35.80 ± 13.61; 34.05% males aged 34.90±13.29 and 1.10% other aged 31.64±13.15). Distress and probable depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analyses and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested relations among variables. RESULTS: Probable depression was detected in 17.80% and distress in 16.71%. A significant percentage reported a deterioration in mental state, family dynamics and everyday lifestyle. Persons with a history of mental disorders had higher rates of current depression (31.82% vs. 13.07%). At least half of participants were accepting (at least to a moderate degree) a non-bizarre conspiracy. The highest Relative Risk (RR) to develop depression was associated with history of Bipolar disorder and self-harm/attempts (RR = 5.88). Suicidality was not increased in persons without a history of any mental disorder. Based on these results a model was developed. CONCLUSIONS: The final model revealed multiple vulnerabilities and an interplay leading from simple anxiety to probable depression and suicidality through distress. This could be of practical utility since many of these factors are modifiable. Future research and interventions should specifically focus on them

Examining facial emotion recognition as an intermediate phenotype for psychosis: findings from the EUGEI study

Background Social cognition impairments, such as facial emotion recognition (FER), have been acknowledged since the earliest description of schizophrenia. Here, we tested FER as an intermediate phenotype for psychosis using two approaches that are indicators of genetic risk for schizophrenia: the proxy-genetic risk approach (family design) and the polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (PRS-SCZ). Methods The sample comprised 2039 individuals with schizophrenia, 2141 siblings, and 2049 healthy controls (HC). The Degraded Facial Affect Recognition Task (DFAR) was applied to measure the FER accuracy. Schizotypal traits in siblings and HC were assessed using the Structured Interview for Schizotypy-Revised (SIS-R). The PRS-SCZ was trained using the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium results. Regression models were applied to test the association of DFAR with psychosis risk, SIS-R, and PRS-SCZ. Results The DFAR-total scores were lower in individuals with schizophrenia than in siblings (RR = 0.97 [95% CI 0.97, 0.97]), who scored lower than HC (RR = 0.99 [95% CI 0.99–1.00]). The DFAR-total scores were negatively associated with SIS-R total scores in siblings (B = −2.04 [95% CI −3.72, −0.36]) and HC (B = −2.93 [95% CI −5.50, −0.36]). Different patterns of association were observed for individual emotions. No significant associations were found between DFAR scores and PRS-SCZ. Conclusions Our findings based on a proxy genetic risk approach suggest that FER deficits may represent an intermediate phenotype for schizophrenia. However, a significant association between FER and PRS-SCZ was not found. In the future, genetic mechanisms underlying FER phenotypes should be investigated trans-diagnostically

Staging of Schizophrenia with the Use of PANSS: An International Multi-Center Study

Introduction: A specific clinically relevant staging model for schizophrenia has not yet been developed. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the factor structure of the PANSS and develop such a staging method.Methods: Twenty-nine centers from 25 countries contributed 2358 patients aged 37.21 ± 11.87 years with schizophrenia. Analysis of covariance, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Discriminant Function Analysis, and inspection of resultant plots were performed.Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis returned 5 factors explaining 59% of the variance (positive, negative, excitement/hostility, depression/anxiety, and neurocognition). The staging model included 4 main stages with substages that were predominantly characterized by a single domain of symptoms (stage 1: positive; stages 2a and 2b: excitement/hostility; stage 3a and 3b: depression/anxiety; stage 4a and 4b: neurocognition). There were no differences between sexes. The Discriminant Function Analysis developed an algorithm that correctly classified >85% of patients.Discussion: This study elaborates a 5-factor solution and a clinical staging method for patients with schizophrenia. It is the largest study to address these issues among patients who are more likely to remain affiliated with mental health services for prolonged periods of time.<br /

What is the role of personal characteristics of psychiatric trainees in Turkey on their mobility and migration?

WOS: 000468136700009PubMed: 30951929European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT)We would like to thank the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) Research working group for their support to the Brain Drain Study

Mobility trends of psychiatric trainees in Turkey:hard to leave, harder to stay?

WOS: 000464862700012PubMed: 29938296European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) Brain Drain Study GroupWe would like to thank the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) Brain Drain Study Group for their support to this research project

SERUM TNF- RELATED WEAK INDUCER OF APOPTOSIS (TWEAK), TNF- RELATED APOPTOSIS-INDUCING LIGAND (TRAIL) LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH BIPOLAR DEPRESSION, MAJOR DEPRESSION AND A HEALTHY CONTROL GROUP

Background: A low-grade inflammation is presumed to be related to the etiopathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily members have roles in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders because of the relationship with inflammation and neurogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum TNFrelated weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) levels in patients with bipolar depression (BD), MDD and a healthy control (HC) group to determine any differences between MDD and BD in terms of inflammation biomarkers. Subjects and methods: After a 12-hour overnight fast, 5 milliliter (mL) samples of fasting blood were obtained from the participants. The TWEAK and TRAIL plasma levels were calculated using ELISA kits. Results: The TWEAK levels were found to be higher in the BD group than in the HC group (p=0.03). No statistically significant differences were determined between the BD vs MDD and MDD vs HC groups (p=0.17, p=0.37, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups (BD vs HC; BD vs MDD; MDD vs HC) in terms of TRAIL levels (p=0.21). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to have explored TWEAK levels in patients with BD. The higher TWEAK levels in BD than in the control group is compatible with the inflammation hypothesis of BD. Limitations of the study were the differences in medications of the patient groups and that it was a cross-sectional study. There is a need for further longitudinal studies with larger sample size and medication-free patients