Tag: nevin manimala

Psychiatr Danub. 2025 Sep;37(Suppl 1):385-390.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) face significant occupational stressors that increase their risk of psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and burnout. In particular, nurse may experience higher psychological distress due to unique workplace demands. However, direct comparisons between nurses and other HCWs within tertiary care hospitals remain limited. This retrospective study aimed to compare work-related stress levels and mental health outcomes in nurses versus other HCWs seeking psychological or psychiatric support through the Occupational Health Service (OHS) of a tertiary care hospital in central Italy.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study analyzing healthcare workers (HCWs) who accessed psychological or psychiatric support through an Occupational Counseling Service (OCS) over a three-year period. Medical records of 155 HCWs who accessed the OHS from January 2022 to December 2024 were reviewed. Sociodemographic, occupational, clinical, and psychometric data were collected. Subgroup analyses compared nurses (n=79) to other professionals (n=76) regarding psychological distress, psychiatric diagnoses, and treatment. Correlations between personal/family psychiatric history and work-related stress were also assessed.

RESULTS: Nurses exhibited significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety compared to other HCWs. A positive personal and/or family history of anxiety and mood disorders was present in 26.5% of the full cohort and correlated significantly with work-related stress and burnout (p<0.001). Burnout and secondary traumatic stress were prevalent across all groups, although compassion satisfaction remained relatively preserved.

CONCLUSIONS: Nurses demonstrated greater vulnerability to affective symptoms and work-related stress compared to other HCWs, underscoring the need for tailored mental health support within occupational health frameworks. Early identification and intervention strategies are crucial to mitigate psychological distress and improve wellbeing among hospital staff.

PMID:40982943

Psychiatr Danub. 2025 Sep;37(Suppl 1):362-367.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aims to analyse certain populations’ sociodemographic factors and to investigate the use of polypharmacy for inpatients assigned to involuntary treatment at the National Center of Mental Health, Riga, Latvia.

METHODS: A retrospective review of clinical data was undertaken in adult inpatients assigned to involuntary psychiatric treatment in the period from December 17th, 2024, till February 4th, 2025. The data about the participants’ sociodemographic factors, hospitalisation duration, diagnosis, and treatment strategies were obtained from the hospital’s databases. Only data from a fixed 30-day window at the time of analysis were considered, irrespective of hospitalization duration, to ensure consistency and avoid bias from ongoing treatment modifications. The Antipsychotic Total Daily Dose Calculator was used to assess polypharmacy load by estimating the BNF (British National Formulary) coefficient relative to the recommended maximum daily dose. All data were collected in MS Excel and analysed using IBM SPSS 29.0.1.0.

RESULTS: The study included 88 inpatients with compulsory medical measures. Results showed a mean age of the participants equal to 41.49±2.41 years, males’ dominance making 86.36% (n=76) of the study group, and schizophrenia (F20, ICD-10) noted as the most dominant diagnostic category. Polypharmacy with more than one antipsychotic medication was observed in 89.77% (n=79) of the inpatients. The most common treatment combination was an antipsychotic with a mood stabilizer, prescribed to 44.32% (n=39) of participants. Treatment was primarily guided by antipsychotics, with haloperidol emerging as the most commonly used drug, representing 72.72% (n=64) of the cases, and mood stabilizers received by 57.95% (n=51) of the inpatients. The analysis revealed that 34.09% (n=30) of participants had a BNF coefficient within the recommended maximum daily dose, while the majority, or 65.9% (n=58), exceeded the recommended threshold.

CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to existing knowledge of currently available data about polypharmacy in psychiatric practice and certain population groups undergoing involuntary hospitalisation. The results about treatment patterns may support the optimization of treatment practices and warrant closer attention to safety, side effect profiles, and possible long-term outcomes when polypharmacy is used.

PMID:40982939

Psychiatr Danub. 2025 Sep;37(Suppl 1):351-355.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The rise of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, has intensified the global drug abuse crisis, posing serious challenges to healthcare systems. Nurses and nursing students play a crucial role in prevention, early identification, and emergency management of opioid-related cases. Health Literacy (HL), the ability to access, understand, and use health information, has been proposed as a critical determinant of clinical competence in this context. This study aims to assess the knowledge, awareness, and health literacy of nurses and nursing students in relation to fentanyl and drug abuse, exploring potential associations between HL levels and preparedness to manage substance-related emergencies.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2024 to January 2025, involving 157 participants (nurses and nursing students) across Italy. A structured questionnaire was administered online, covering four domains: sociodemographic information, health literacy (HL), drug addiction knowledge and specific knowledge of fentanyl. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS.

RESULTS: Participants demonstrated good overall knowledge about fentanyl clinical use and effects. However, misconceptions were identified – particularly regarding lethal dosages and the inability to detect fentanyl with the senses. Notably, HL scores did not consistently correlate with higher knowledge levels; in some cases, participants with lower HL scores showed better understanding of specific topics such as routes of administration and naloxone use. A significant negative correlation was found between HL and knowledge of drug availability (r = -0.35; p < 0.001). No significant differences emerged between students and professionals.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings challenge the assumption that higher HL always predicts better preparedness. Standard HL measures may fail to capture contextual and experiential knowledge essential for managing opioid-related emergencies. Nursing education should incorporate more experiential and clinically focused training on drug abuse, integrating HL as an operational – rather than merely promotional – competency. Further research with larger samples and qualitative methods is recommended.

PMID:40982937

Psychiatr Danub. 2025 Sep;37(Suppl 1):344-350.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a prevalent and under-recognized eating disorder associated with psychological distress and maladaptive coping. Healthcare professionals are frequently exposed to high levels of occupational stress, which may increase their vulnerability to disordered eating behaviors, including BED. This study aimed to explore the relationship between work-related stress, emotional exhaustion and the risk of developing binge eating symptoms among healthcare professionals in Italy.

METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between May and July 2024 among 312 healthcare professionals. Participants completed a structured questionnaire comprising sociodemographic data, stress-related variables, the Emotional Exhaustion subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Binge Eating Scale (BES).

RESULTS: The sample was predominantly female (81.7%) with a mean age of 37.6 years. Twenty percent reported a history of eating disorders and 60.3% reported stress or anxiety. Significant associations were found between BES scores and stress-related variables, including anxiety, emotional exhaustion, eating during work breaks and vending machine use (p< 0.005). Higher BES scores were correlated with burnout symptoms such as fatigue, emotional drain and inability to cope. A strong association also emerged between BES scores and the perceived impact of stress on eating habits.

CONCLUSIONS: Work-related stress and burnout symptoms are significantly associated with binge eating tendencies among healthcare professionals. Preventive strategies – such as institutional stress management programs and access to healthy food – are essential to promote well-being and prevent maladaptive eating behaviors in high-stress healthcare environments.

PMID:40982936

Psychiatr Danub. 2025 Sep;37(Suppl 1):315-320.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the relationship between cognitive function and the data of volumetric sphygmography and speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with heart arrhythmias.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocentral cohort study with 33 patients. Group 1 – patients with frequent extrasystoles (ES) of II and more class by Lown (n = 12; 47-79 years old), group 2 – with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) (n = 14; 50-81 years old) and control group – without serious cardiovascular diseases (n = 7; 46-75 years old).

METHODS: lipidograms, 24 hours ECG monitoring, TTE, volumetric sphygmography. For cognitive function evaluation, we used the standard MoCA Test.

RESULTS: Post hoc analysis according to Dunn showed that groups 1 and 2 differed in LA volume (p = 0.002, ε² = 0.34) and MoCA (p = 0.007, ε² = 0.30). Differences between groups 2 and control were also significant for LA volume (p = 0.024) and MoCA (p = 0.045). We observed a decreasing of cognitive function in both main groups, mostly in with paroxysmal AF. Statistically significant differences in GLS between 1 and 2 group – it was lower in group 2, characterizing the decreasing of LV systolic function.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with frequent ES and paroxysmal AF, develop a cognitive impairment, mostly in the group with paroxysmal AF. Increased arterial stiffness parameters (R-CAVI, L-CAVI) and LA structural changes (increased LA volume, decreased LA strain) are significant predictors of cognitive impairment. The group of patients with paroxysmal AF differed most significantly from the control group in all key parameters.

PMID:40982932

Psychiatr Danub. 2025 Sep;37(Suppl 1):300-304.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults present elevated suicide risk, which remains a major public health concern. This study aims to characterize the clinical and psychosocial features of adolescents and young adults referred for psychiatric consultation after a suicide attempt.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study at the University Hospital of Perugia, Italy, analyzing 72 patients aged 14-35 who received their first psychiatric evaluation during medical hospitalization. Patients were divided into two groups: those referred after a suicide attempt (SA group, n=36) and those referred for other psychiatric concerns (non-SA group, n=36). Data were extracted from structured consultation reports and included sociodemographic, clinical, and psychopathological variables. Bivariate analyses compared the two groups using appropriate statistical tests.

RESULTS: Compared to the non-SA group, the SA group had significantly higher rates of unemployment, positive psychiatric family history, previous suicide attempts, insomnia prior to admission, anxiety symptoms with both psychic and somatic features, personality disorders, and mood stabilizer use. SA patients also showed lower cooperativeness during interviews and were more likely to be assessed with suicidal ideation. More than one third of SA patients were assessed as euthymic post-attempt.

CONCLUSIONS: Key clinical markers of suicide risk in youths may include unemployment, family psychiatric history, insomnia, anxiety with somatic and psychic features, and personality disorders. The clinical profile of suicide attempters suggests a possible contribution of bipolar spectrum diathesis and affective dysregulation. Early, multidimensional risk assessment and integrated intervention strategies in liaison psychiatry are essential to improve detection and prevention of suicidality in youth.

PMID:40982928

Psychiatr Danub. 2025 Sep;37(Suppl 1):284-287.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are linked to a higher risk of suicidality, especially among young adults. Despite progress in psychiatric treatments, suicidality remains a leading cause of early death in this group. Symptoms like depression and anxiety are increasingly seen as major contributors to this risk. This study aims to explore clinical risk factors for suicidality in young males inpatients diagnosed with SSD, focusing on the roles of depression, anxiety, and previous suicidal behavior.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Psychiatric Hospital no. 1 named after N.A. Alexeev of the Department of Health of Moscow, involving 40 male inpatients aged 18-35 years. Participants were divided into two groups: those with suicidal behavior (n=20) and those without (n=20). Psychometric assessments included the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and Student’s t-tests were used.

RESULTS: The group with suicidal behavior had significantly higher scores on the C-SSRS and CDSS, as well as on the PANSS anxiety/depression subscale, compared to the control group. Regression analysis indicated that depression and anxiety accounted for 74% of the variance in suicidality scores. No significant differences in social functioning (PSP) were found between the groups. A history of suicide attempts was not a significant predictor in this sample.

CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety are significant predictors of suicidality in young males with SSD. Historical suicide attempts showed no significant effect in this sample. The findings underscore the importance of regular screening and timely intervention to lower suicide risk in young adults with SSD.

PMID:40982925

Psychiatr Danub. 2025 Sep;37(Suppl 1):278-283.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The degree of cognitive impairment and verbal fluency are more important predictors of a patient’s social rehabilitation than the severity of negative or positive symptoms. At the same time, researchers have confirmed and rejected linkages between linguistic functioning and certain cognitive functions in various studies. In several cases these correlations were observed, but did not reach any statistical significance. The aim of this study was to investigate and understand the effects of cognitive decline and impaired fluency on the social functioning of patients with schizophrenia, using a set of experimental psychological techniques on a homogeneous group of patients.

METHODS: The study involved 30 patients with paranoid schizophrenia. The average age of the patients was around 22 years. All patients received cariprazine in doses of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mg per day. Assessment was performed at baseline and after 8 months using a battery of neurocognitive tests, verbal fluency tests, social functioning scales, PANSS scale and adverse effect scales.

RESULTS: Assessment of higher cognitive functions through verbal fluency may provide a new approach to assessing social functioning. Since social engagement and social involvement usually require considerable effort, the ability of verbal fluency tests may help assess social functioning in a time-constrained clinical setting by both psychologists and psychiatrists, without additional training in clinical psychology. Subsequently, the impact of both antipsychotic treatment and neurocognitive training in improving social outcomes in patients with schizophrenia may be assessed. Comparisons of different antipsychotic medications and combination treatments and a longer-term assessment after 2-3 years of treatment are also needed.

CONCLUSIONS: Verbal fluency deficits can serve as early indicators of cognitive decline and indicators of the success of psychosocial interventions, characterizing the clinical condition of patients and their social functioning.

PMID:40982924

Psychiatr Danub. 2025 Sep;37(Suppl 1):260-266.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study investigates impairments in real-life functioning domains among patients with affective disorders (depression and mania), addressing gaps in understanding the relationship between symptom severity and functional outcomes. The research aims to assess real-life functioning domains in clinical populations exhibiting varying degrees of affective disorder severity.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 23 outpatients (16 with depression, 7 with mania) and 44 healthy controls. Participants were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and Specific Levels of Functioning Scale (SLOF). Statistical analyses included Chi-square tests for functional impairments and Pearson’s correlations to examine associations between symptom severity and functioning.

RESULTS: Key findings demonstrate significant functional deficits in depressive patients across all measured domains (physical functioning, personal care, interpersonal relationships, social acceptability, activities, and work skills), with particularly pronounced impairments in physical functioning (χ²=12.25, p<0.001) and personal care skills (universally low scores). Manic patients exhibited comparable domain-specific impairments, though with less pronounced severity differentiation. Notably, symptom severity (measured via HDRS/YMRS scales) showed minimal correlation with functional outcomes, with the exception of an inverse relationship between depression severity and social acceptability (r=-0.56, p<0.03). Limitations include modest sample sizes and cross-sectional design, warranting future longitudinal research with larger cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS: Affective disorders broadly impair real-life functioning irrespective of symptom severity, except for depression’s inverse relationship with social acceptability. This finding suggests that functional impairments in affective disorders may represent independent disease dimensions rather than simple byproducts of symptom intensity, emphasizing the need for targeted psychosocial interventions alongside symptom management.

PMID:40982921

Psychiatr Danub. 2025 Sep;37(Suppl 1):237-S259.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Modern post-industrial society is facing a complex of challenges, such as including epidemiological threats, high demands from employers, aggressive forms of corporations’ management, stress at the work place, as well as geopolitical and economic instability worldwide. These factors bring a significant impact on mental health of the general population, contributing to an increased prevalence of mental disorders, particularly, affective states. The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive screening tool based on a self-questionnaire approach for accurate differentiation of affective spectrum state, from preclinical / at-risk to severe clinical conditions. To achieve this goal, we focused on identifying key affective symptoms’ domains and application of machine learning (ML) methods to perform a comprehensive data analysis on classifying the respondents into preclinical and clinical subgroups.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study consisted of two stages. At the first stage, we developed and conducted an online survey among the experimental population consisting of university staff and students. This survey version included 19 questions. The study was interrupted to make adjustments. At the second stage, the survey was finalized based on data analysis (descriptive and inferential) and classification tasks. The revised survey was redistributed with additional criteria for inclusion and exclusion of the respondents applied to the study design. The final version contained 34 questions, excluding unreliable questions characterized by p > .05. 381 individuals (269 employees and 112 students) were interviewed, of whom 99 showed signs of depression, normal sadness or emotional burnout. We conducted correlation, descriptive, and inferential analyses and classification of respondents using ML-based methods.

RESULTS: The results confirmed the presence of significant differences (p < .001) between the groups with euthymia, normal sadness, emotional burnout and depression. However, there were no statistically significant differences for respondents with a pre-known emotional state and for respondents whose condition has been classified using machine learning technologies. The final distribution by category was as follows: euthymia – 38.8%, normal sadness – 27.3%, emotional burnout – 25.2%, depression – 8.7%. Our developed self-report tool has demonstrated statistical benefit, but requires further clinical research to clarify sensitive symptoms’ domains for updating its items content.

CONCLUSIONS: ML-based analysis of the self-report screening tool-related data demonstrated its sensitivity to classify affective states spectrum onto the separate states of depression, emotional burnout, normal sadness and euthymia (i.e. affective or emotional profiles of the respondents) with 100% accuracy at the final iteration. The problem of assessing mental health lies in the difficulty of obtaining fast, accurate, and emotionally neutral determination of the affective state in individual respondents and across populations. Development of a sensitive self-questionnaire / screening benefits from the the integration of clinical assessments along with the modern ML-based algorithms, as well as targeting the approach that helps to reduce costs and increase the diagnostic accuracy of existing psychometric tools.

PMID:40982919