Number and nature of psychiatric emergency department visits in a tertiary hospital before, during, and after coronavirus pandemic

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health globally, leading to a deterioration in the overall mental health of the population and changes across all healthcare levels, including emergency departments (ED). However, the evolution of the quantity and nature of psychiatric ED visits in the post-pandemic period remains uncertain. Aims: To examine changes in the number and nature of psychiatric emergencies at a general hospital before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Psychiatric ED visits from a tertiary hospital in the Basque Country (Spain) between January 2019 and November 2023 were investigated. Electronical health registers detailing the number and nature of psychiatric care consultations were analyzed for the study timeframe. Three periods were then compared: pre-pandemic (from January 2019 to February 2020), pandemic (from March 2020 to January 2022), and post-pandemic (from February 2022 onwards). Results: 16,969 psychiatric ED visits were recorded for the study period. The number of psychiatric ED visits remained stable from pre-pandemic (269.93 visits/month) to pandemic (264.48 visits/month) periods but experienced a significant rise during the post-pandemic period (330.00 visits/month; t=-6.42; p<0.001), which was not reflected in medical and traumatological visits. The proportion of visits for anxiety (Z=-2.97; p=0.003), suicidal ideation (Z=-5.48; p<0.001), and administrative and social consultations (Z=-5.69; p<0.001) increased over the course of the pandemic. In contrast, visits for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (Z=4.85; p<0.001), as well as unspecified behavioral alterations (Z=2.51; p=0.012), significantly decreased. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have altered the patterns of urgent psychiatric care, characterized by a sharp increase of average monthly number of consultations and a shift in their nature. Future efforts should focus on characterizing this surge in demand and enhancing both emergency services and outpatient settings

Proportion and predictors of remission and recovery in first-episode psychosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis

[EN] Background To determine the proportion of patients in symptomatic remission and recovery following a first-episode of psychosis (FEP). Methods A multistep literature search using the Web of Science database, Cochrane Central Register of Reviews, Ovid/PsychINFO, and trial registries from database inception to November 5, 2020, was performed. Cohort studies and randomized control trials (RCT) investigating the proportion of remission and recovery following a FEP were included. Two independent researchers searched, following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines and using a PROSPERO protocol. We performed meta-analyses regarding the proportion of remission/recovery (symptomatic plus functional outcomes). Heterogeneity was measured employing Q statistics and I-2 test. To identify potential predictors, meta-regression analyses were conducted, as well as qualitative reporting of studies included in a systematic review. Sensitivity analyses were performed regarding different times of follow-up and type of studies. Results One hundred articles (82 cohorts and 18 RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled proportion of symptomatic remission was 54% (95%CI [30, 49-58]) over a mean follow-up period of 43.57 months (SD = 51.82) in 76 studies. After excluding RCT from the sample, the proportion of remission remained similar (55%). The pooled proportion of recovery was 32% (95%CI [27-36]) over a mean follow-up period of 71.85 months (SD = 73.54) in 40 studies. After excluding RCT from the sample, the recovery proportion remained the same. No significant effect of any sociodemographic or clinical predictor was found. Conclusions Half of the patients are in symptomatic remission around 4 years after the FEP, while about a third show recovery after 5.5 years

An umbrella review of candidate predictors of response, remission, recovery, and relapse across mental disorders

We aimed to identify diagnosis-specific/transdiagnostic/transoutcome multivariable candidate predictors (MCPs) of key outcomes in mental disorders. We conducted&nbsp;an umbrella review (protocol&nbsp; link ), searching MEDLINE/Embase (19/07/2022), including systematic reviews of studies reporting on MCPs of response, remission, recovery, or relapse, in DSM/ICD-defined mental disorders. From published predictors, we filtered MCPs, validating MCP criteria. AMSTAR2/PROBAST measured quality/risk of bias of systematic reviews/individual studies. We included 117 systematic reviews, 403 studies, 299,888 individuals with mental disorders, testing 796 prediction models. Only 4.3%/1.2% of the systematic reviews/individual studies were at low risk of bias. The most frequently targeted outcome was remission (36.9%), the least frequent was recovery (2.5%). Studies mainly focused on depressive (39.4%), substance-use (17.9%), and schizophrenia-spectrum (11.9%) disorders. We identified numerous MCPs within disorders for response, remission and relapse, but none for recovery. Transdiagnostic MCPs of remission included lower disease-specific symptoms (disorders = 5), female sex/higher education (disorders = 3), and&nbsp;quality of life/functioning (disorders = 2). Transdiagnostic MCPs of relapse included higher disease-specific symptoms (disorders = 5), higher depressive symptoms (disorders = 3), and younger age/higher anxiety symptoms/global illness severity/ number of previous episodes/negative life events (disorders = 2). Finally, positive trans-outcome MCPs for depression included less negative life events/depressive symptoms (response, remission, less relapse), female sex (response, remission) and better functioning (response, less relapse); for schizophrenia, less positive symptoms/higher depressive symptoms (remission, less relapse); for substance use disorder, marital status/higher education (remission, less relapse). Male sex, younger age, more clinical symptoms and comorbid mental/physical symptoms/disorders were poor prognostic factors, while positive factors included social contacts and employment, absent negative life events, higher education, early access/intervention, lower disease-specific and comorbid mental and physical symptoms/conditions, across mental disorders. Current data limitations include high risk of bias of studies and extraction of single predictors from multivariable models. Identified MCPs can inform future development, validation or refinement of prediction models of key outcomes in mental disorders

Table_1_Number and nature of psychiatric emergency department visits in a tertiary hospital before, during, and after coronavirus pandemic.docx

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health globally, leading to a deterioration in the overall mental health of the population and changes across all healthcare levels, including emergency departments (ED). However, the evolution of the quantity and nature of psychiatric ED visits in the post-pandemic period remains uncertain.AimsTo examine changes in the number and nature of psychiatric emergencies at a general hospital before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and methodsPsychiatric ED visits from a tertiary hospital in the Basque Country (Spain) between January 2019 and November 2023 were investigated. Electronical health registers detailing the number and nature of psychiatric care consultations were analyzed for the study timeframe. Three periods were then compared: pre-pandemic (from January 2019 to February 2020), pandemic (from March 2020 to January 2022), and post-pandemic (from February 2022 onwards).Results16,969 psychiatric ED visits were recorded for the study period. The number of psychiatric ED visits remained stable from pre-pandemic (269.93 visits/month) to pandemic (264.48 visits/month) periods but experienced a significant rise during the post-pandemic period (330.00 visits/month; t=-6.42; pConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have altered the patterns of urgent psychiatric care, characterized by a sharp increase of average monthly number of consultations and a shift in their nature. Future efforts should focus on characterizing this surge in demand and enhancing both emergency services and outpatient settings.</p

Sexually transmitted infections, sexual life and risk behaviours of people living with schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), along with sexual health and behaviour, have received little attention in schizophrenia patients. Aims To systematically review and meta-analytically characterise the prevalence of STIs and sexual risk behaviours among schizophrenia patients. Method Web of Science, PubMed, BIOSIS, KCI-Korean Journal Database, MEDLINE, Russian Science Citation Index, SciELO and Cochrane Central Register were systematically searched from inception to 6 July 2023. Studies reporting on the prevalence or odds ratio of any STI or any outcome related to sexual risk behaviours among schizophrenia samples were included. PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant (CRD42023443602) random-effects meta-analyses were used for the selected outcomes. Q-statistics, I2 index, sensitivity analyses and meta-regressions were used. Study quality and publication bias were assessed. Results Forty-eight studies (N = 2 459 456) reporting on STI prevalence (including 15 allowing for calculation of an odds ratio) and 33 studies (N = 4255) reporting on sexual risk behaviours were included. Schizophrenia samples showed a high prevalence of STIs and higher risks of HIV (odds ratio = 2.11; 95% CI 1.23–3.63), hepatitis C virus (HCV, odds ratio = 4.54; 95% CI 2.15–961) and hepatitis B virus (HBV; odds ratio = 2.42; 95% CI 1.95–3.01) infections than healthy controls. HIV prevalence was higher in Africa compared with other continents and in in-patient (rather than out-patient) settings. Finally, 37.7% (95% CI 31.5–44.4%) of patients were sexually active; 35.0% (95% CI 6.6–59.3%) reported consistent condom use, and 55.3% (95% CI 25.0–82.4%) maintained unprotected sexual relationships. Conclusions Schizophrenia patients have high prevalence of STIs, with several-fold increased risks of HIV, HBV and HCV infection compared with the general population. Sexual health must be considered as an integral component of care

Understanding the relationship between time spent outdoors, mental well-being and health-related behaviours in a Spanish sample:a real-time smartphone-based study

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has affected our lifestyle and physical and mental well-being. We aimed to study the effect of being outdoors and mental well-being after the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: We used smartphone based ecological momentary assessments (EMA) (Urban Mind app) to study the mental well-being of the Spanish general population. We collected socio-demographic data, past and current physical and mental health, and social and physical environment. Participants were recruited during 5 months (February to June 2021). Longitudinal associations between EMA and anxiety, depression, loneliness, tiredness, and happiness during the assessments were investigated using random intercept ordinal logistic regression models. Results: 274 subjects downloaded the app and completed the baseline assessment. 66 participants completed at least 50 % of the assessments. Being outdoors was related to a lower likelihood of anxiety (OR: 0.48, 95 %CI 0.34-0.66), depression (OR: 0.40, 95 %CI 0.28-0.56), tiredness (OR: 0.47, 95 %CI 0.35-0.63), and loneliness (OR: 0.59, 95 %CI 0.42-0.84), and a higher likelihood of happiness (OR: 2.14, 95 %CI 1.57-2.93). Conclusions: Being outdoors is related to better mental health in the general population independently of other factors (baseline mental well-being or socio-demographic characteristics). Public policies should include measurements to promote outdoor spaces in urban settings

Examining the variability of neurocognitive functioning in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis:a meta-analysis

: This study aims to meta-analytically characterize the presence and magnitude of within-group variability across neurocognitive functioning in young people at Clinical High-Risk for psychosis (CHR-P) and comparison groups. Multistep, PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant systematic review (PROSPERO-CRD42020192826) of the Web of Science database, Cochrane Central Register of Reviews and Ovid/PsycINFO and trial registries up to July 1, 2020. The risk of bias was assessed using a modified version of the NOS for cohort and cross-sectional studies. Original studies reporting neurocognitive functioning in individuals at CHR-P compared to healthy controls (HC) or first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients were included. The primary outcome was the random-effect meta-analytic variability ratios (VR). Secondary outcomes included the coefficient of variation ratios (CVR). Seventy-eight studies were included, relating to 5162 CHR-P individuals, 2865 HC and 486 FEP. The CHR-P group demonstrated higher variability compared to HC (in descending order of magnitude) in visual memory (VR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.02-1.94), executive functioning (VR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.18-1.45), verbal learning (VR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.15-1.45), premorbid IQ (VR: 1.27, 95% CI 1.09-1.49), processing speed (VR: 1.26, 95% CI 1.07-1.48), visual learning (VR: 1.20, 95% CI 1.07-1.34), and reasoning and problem solving (VR: 1.17, 95% CI 1.03-1.34). In the CVR analyses the variability in CHR-P population remains in the previous neurocognitive domains and emerged in attention/vigilance, working memory, social cognition, and visuospatial ability. The CHR-P group transitioning to psychosis showed greater VR in executive functioning compared to those not developing psychosis and compared to FEP groups. Clinical high risk for psychosis subjects shows increased variability in neurocognitive performance compared to HC. The main limitation of this study is the validity of the VR and CVR as an index of variability which has received debate. This finding should be explored by further individual-participant data research and support precision medicine approaches

Relationship between elimination disorders and internalizing‐externalizing problems in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Background Elimination disorders are highly prevalent in childhood and often associated with clinically relevant comorbid psychological disorders. The aim of this study is to determine if, and to what extent, children with elimination disorders show higher internalizing and externalizing problems than their healthy peers. Methods A multistep literature search was performed from database inception until May 1st, 2022. PRISMA/MOOSE‐compliant systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42022303555) were used to identify studies reporting on internalizing and/or externalizing symptoms in children with an elimination disorder and a healthy control (HC) group. First, a systematic review was provided. Second, where data allowed for it, a quantitative meta‐analysis with random effects model was conducted to analyze the differences between the elimination disorder and the HC groups for internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Effect size was standardized mean difference. Meta‐regression analyses were conducted to examine the effect of sex, age, and study quality. Funnel plots were used to detect a publication bias. Where found, the trim and fill method was used to correct it. Results 36 articles were included, 32 of them reporting on enuresis (n = 3244; mean age = 9.4; SD = 3.4; 43.84% female) and 7 of them on encopresis (n = 214; mean age = 8.6; SD = 2.3; 36.24% female). Children with an elimination disorder presented significantly lower self‐concept (ES:0.42; 95%CI [0.08; 9.76]; p = 0.017) and higher symptom scores for thought problems (ES:−0.26; 95%CI: −0.43;−0.09]; p = 0.003), externalizing symptoms (ES: −0.20; 95%CI [−0.37;−0.03]; p = 0.020), attention problems (ES:−0.37; 95%CI [−0.51;−0.22]; p = 0.0001), aggressive behavior (ES:−0.33; 95%CI [−0.62;−0.04]; p = 0.025) and social problems (ES:−0.39; 95%CI [−0.58;−0.21]; p = 0.0001). Significant publication biases were found across several of the studied domains. No significant effect of sex, age or quality of the study score was found. Conclusions Children with an elimination disorder may have significant internalizing and externalizing problems, as well as impaired self‐concept. It is recommendable to screen for them in children with enuresis or encopresis and provide appropriate interventions

COVID-19 pandemic effects on health worker's mental health:Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) exposed to coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) are at high risk of developing mental health concerns across several domains. The aim of this study is to determine the updated, global frequency of these outcomes. METHODS: A multistep literature search was performed from database inception until March 1, 2021. PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant systematic review and PROSPERO protocol were used to identify studies reporting on depression, anxiety, acute stress, post-traumatic symptoms, insomnia, and burnout in HCWs exposed to COVID-19. A quantitative meta-analysis with random effects was conducted to analyze the proportion rate of the mental health disorders. Sensitivity analyses were performed to investigate the effect of the different continents and scales. Meta-regression analyses were conducted to examine the effect of gender, age, and work position. RESULTS: 239 articles were included (n = 271,319 HCWs, mean age = 36.08 ± 8.33 (66.99% female). 33% HCWs exposed to COVID-19 reported depressive symptoms (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 28–38%), 42% anxiety features (95% CI = 35–48), 40% acute stress (95% CI = 32–47), 32% post-traumatic symptoms (95% CI = 26–37%), 42% insomnia (95% CI = 36–48), 37% burnout (95% CI = 31–42). Sensitivity analyses did not show statistically significant differences. Meta-regressions found a statistically significant lower prevalence of post-traumatic symptoms in Asia. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs exposed to COVID-19 were found to have a significant prevalence of mental health concerns in all domains analyzed. The effects of COVID-19 on HCWs’ mental health could be underestimated and the future consequences dismissed

sj-docx-1-tpp-10.1177_20451253241243273 – Supplemental material for Effect of long-acting antipsychotic treatment on psychiatric hospitalization rate in early psychosis patients: a naturalistic study

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-tpp-10.1177_20451253241243273 for Effect of long-acting antipsychotic treatment on psychiatric hospitalization rate in early psychosis patients: a naturalistic study by Raúl Sancho-Echeverria, Claudia Aymerich, José Manuel Rodríguez-Sánchez, Patxi Gil, Borja Pedruzo, Miguel Ángel González-Torres, Paolo Fusar-Poli, Celso Arango and Ana Catalan in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology</p