Tag: statistics

Psychiatr Danub. 2023 Oct;35(Suppl 2):364-369.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: School attendance problems have an impact on the social, academic, and professional development of young people. School refusal and truancy are described as school attendance problems. Clarifying the developmental trajectory of school refusal would allow a better understanding of the phenomenon including earlier detection and improved management. Following a dimensional model, we can consider school refusal as an internalizing problem and truancy as an externalizing problem implying the existence of different risk factor profiles.

SUBJECT AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study on four groups of child and adolescent inpatients (school refusal (SR), truancy (TR), behavior disorder without deschooling (BD), and eating disorder (ED). Each subject was included in one of the groups based on a checklist criterion and the diagnoses made at the end of hospitalization. We then compared groups with descriptive statistics (Chi^² and Fisher’s exact test) to highlight the developmental trajectory and the possible risk factors profile in SR.

RESULTS: Delayed language development, attachment disorder, attentional deficit and hyperactivity disorder, physical abuse, and substance abuse were predominantly reported in BD and TR. Learning disorders were mostly present in BD, TR, and SR. Family interactions were more violent and aggressive in BD and TR than in ED and SR. We observed more violent and conflictual relationships with peers in BD and TR. In SR, subjects seemed to experiment with more isolation and rejection. Behavioral disorder non-specified, ODD, and CD seemed more frequent in BD and TR. We found anxiety disorder and mood disorders more frequently in the SR group.

CONCLUSION: Inpatients with severe SR are characterized by internalizing problems and difficulties in emotional dysregulation and problems socializing with peers. Inpatients with BD and TR were associated with externalizing problems and difficulties in behavioral regulation skills.

PMID:37800257

Psychiatr Danub. 2023 Oct;35(Suppl 2):353-358.

ABSTRACT

Empathy is the complex prosocial cognitive capacity to recognize and react to the emotions of others. An empathic attitude from medical doctors is essential to build a good relationship with patients. In engineering education there is an hypervalorization of technical skills in disadvantage of these affective elements. Psychopathy is the lack of considerations toward others. These two important personality traits shape social interactions. In this study we analyzed, through the network theory, these characteristics in a young population of medical and engineering university students in Belgium. The aim of this study was therefore to estimate the individual network structure of these traits in both groups, as well as estimate whether there is a fundamental difference in the way that these traits connect in these two populations. Medical and engineering students completed online three self-report questionnaires about empathy and psychopathy traits. There were 178 responders without exclusions due outliers. No significant differences were found in psychopathic traits between the two groups. There was a statistically significant difference in empathic concerns, the medical students being more empathic than their peers in engineering. Psychopathic traits did not vary significantly between the two groups. This study provided insights into the differences in empathic and psychopathic traits among those students. Future research should explore the factors that contribute to these differences and investigate the potential impact of targeted interventions or curricular modifications in cultivating empathy and minimizing antisocial behaviors in both fields.

PMID:37800255

Psychiatr Danub. 2023 Oct;35(Suppl 2):347-352.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stigmatization of morbidity in health care workers, the incidence of disease, the disease that interferes with the disease of medical care. Social distancing by clinicians is an integral part of the stigmatization that depends on the behavior of the patient and the level of awareness of the clinician.

METHODS: The modified Bogardus Social Distance Self-Assessment Scale (BSDS) was used to evaluate the indicators of social distance phenomena. The assessment was performed by clinicians for the following groups of patients with the following mental disorders: alcohol use disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, drug addiction, epilepsy, mental retardation, schizophrenia. All statistical calculations were performed using IBM SPSS-27 software (IBM Corp. 2021, licensed to Samara State Medical University). P-value ≤ 0.05 was determined as significant for the between-group (PSY vs NPHP) comparisons using a nonparametric Wilcoxon test.

RESULTS: The study included 141 clinicians: PSY (n=20; 36.2±4.2 y.o.) and NPHP (n=121; 25.9±2.2 y.o.). The NPHP group included general practitioners (GP)/physicians (n=29; 20.6%), surgeons (n=19; 13.5%), obstetrician-gynecologists (n=26; 18.4%), neurologists (n=11; 7.8%), pediatricians (n=6; 4.3%), and other subspecialists (including urologists, tuberculosis specialists, ophthalmologists, and dermatologists) (n=30; 21.3%). The study included 141 students at the Samara State Medical University who were trained in psychiatry. An anonymous survey was conducted on the BSDS scale before and after training. Our analysis of the data showed that the social distance of clinicians in terms of coverage reaches different values depending on the mental disorder, but with common trends both before and after the psychiatry training course. Mean (SD) social distance scores recurred from 2.8 (1.3) for bipolar disorder to 5.3 (1.5) for addiction in the predevelopment group and 2.9 (1.3), 5.4 (1.4) in the group of clinicians after training, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Social distancing scores among clinicians in contemporary Russia were highest for drug addicts, and lowest for depression and bipolar disorder. Stigmatization among clinicians appears to affect the delivery of care to certain categories of patients, which requires further study. Higher social distance scores in patients with drug addiction may be associated with higher stigma and lack of compassion towards these patients. Conversely, lower rates of social distancing and the corresponding emotional acceptance of people with depression and bipolar disorder by clinicians may interfere with timely diagnosis and the availability of appropriate early, treatable care. The awareness of clinicians regarding psychopathological manifestations does not affect the level of social distance, but increases it in relation to mentally healthy individuals with normal behavior.

PMID:37800254

Psychiatr Danub. 2023 Oct;35(Suppl 2):302-307.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Subjects suffering from psychiatric disorders are frequently hospitalized due to medical comorbidities. In the present study, we analyzed consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) activity in a General Hospital, describing the sociodemographic, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of the evaluated subjects, as well as reasons for consultation requests.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data concerning psychiatric consultation performed at the Perugia General Hospital during a 1-year period (01/06/2022-20/06/2023) were collected and analyzed by means of descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: A total of 707 psychiatric consultations were performed. The primary reason that led to psychiatric consultations was psychomotor agitation. 85 (18.5%) patients attempted suicide; the most frequent modality was the assumption of drugs at non-therapeutic doses. The 72% of the sample (n=509) presented a clear-cut medical comorbidity. In most cases, subjects were referred to Community Mental Health and Addiction services (n=22, 32.4%).

CONCLUSIONS: CLP plays a crucial role in the perspective of the overall well-being of hospitalized subjects, but also for the overall management of complex cases. Despite this, a homogeneous approach with standardized guidelines is needed in this field.

PMID:37800245

Psychiatr Danub. 2023 Oct;35(Suppl 2):287-291.

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has left emotional consequences for healthcare workers. Dramatic results are obtained on compassion fatigue, burnout, and hopelessness in healthcare workers (HCWs) of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease. Our study evaluated differences in these factors during and after the pandemic in 48 HCWs. The results showed a statistically significant difference in the Satisfaction of Compassion (P=0.014; during vs post-pandemic) and in the subscale of Secondary Trauma (P=0.005) and Burnout (P=0.49) in CFSS. The results were not statistically significant on the BHS scale (P=0.285). However, hopelessness was found in a higher percentage of HCWs at the end of the pandemic than during the pandemic period (respectively: 35.67% vs 31.67%).

PMID:37800242

Psychiatr Danub. 2023 Oct;35(Suppl 2):271-281.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate self-reported changes in mental health and their association with various sociodemographic factors and beliefs in conspiracy theories among university and college students in Latvia during the second state of emergency caused by COVID-19.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of an international research project, where university and college students were anonymously asked to complete an online self-report questionnaire. Changes in anxiety and depression were assessed using self-rated questions. Statistical analysis involved Pearson’s chi-square test and univariate binary logistic regression.ression.

RESULTS: The study comprised 1047 students, with 828 females (79.08% aged 21.71±0.09). Worsening in self-reported anxiety was more prevalent among females (69.3%, p<0.001), unemployed respondents (70.0%, p=0.003), individuals who were were not working during the lockdown (70.3%, p<0.001), those experiencing deterioration in general health condition (93.0%, p<0.001), and those belonging to or having knowledge of someone in a vulnerable group (69.5%, p=0.004). Worsening self-reported depression was more prevalent in respondents who did not work during the lockdown (63.9%, p=0.014) and those with deteriorating general health conditions (93.0%, p<0.001). Increased odds ratios (OR) for experiencing changes in anxiety and depression were associated with beliefs in the following conspiracy theories: ‘Recommended measures are an attempt to restrict human rights’ (OR=1.49, p=0.019 and OR=2.40, p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, increased OR for experiencing changes in depression were associated with beliefs in the following conspiracy theories: ‘The COVID-19 vaccine was ready before the virus spread’ (OR=3.11, p=0.007), ‘COVID-19 has a lower mortality rate” (OR=1.85, p<0.001)’, ‘Recommended measures are an attempt to restrict human rights’ (OR=2.40, p<0.001), and ‘The COVID-19 outbreak is the creation of world leaders’ (OR=2.17, p=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported changes in depression and anxiety were associated with certain beliefs in specific conspiracy theories.

PMID:37800240

Psychiatr Danub. 2023 Oct;35(Suppl 2):266-270.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: WHO has decreed an end to the pandemic crisis from COVID-19. However, the consequences of stress, compassion fatigue, and healthcare workers’ expectations are still evident. Also, the hope of ending the problems associated with the pandemic is still present, although the awareness of maintaining a high level of attention is current in the HCWs.

METHOD: In our observational study, 102 (65 females, 37 males) mental healthcare workers were evaluated during and post-COVID-19 pandemic. They were divided into different categories of workers: nurses, physicians, psychologists, social assistants, social educators, social health workers, and psychiatric rehabilitation technicians. We used the ProQoL for compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout; BHS for hopelessness.

RESULTS: ProQoL data showed a significant increase in compassion satisfaction in post-pandemic (p=0.002) in all professional workers. The same results in burnout and secondary stress subscales (respectively, p=0.018, p=0.000) are evident. The BHS total score indicated that the difference between T0 vs. T1 was not statistically significant (p=0.109).

CONCLUSIONS: The collected data during and post-COVID-19 pandemic showed reduced burnout and compassion fatigue in the helping professions. However, in the periods analyzed, no changes in hope are observed.

PMID:37800239

Clin Infect Dis. 2023 Oct 5:ciad606. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciad606. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) occurs frequently, and concomitant antibiotic (CA) during the initial episode for treatment of non-C. difficile infection is a major risk factor. We sought to address the comparative efficacy of fidaxomicin vs. vancomycin in the setting of CA during the initial CDI episode.

METHODS: We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label trial at two hospitals in Ann Arbor, MI. We consecutively consented and enrolled hospitalized patients ≥18 years old with diarrhea, a positive test for C. difficile, and ≥1 qualifying CA. Complicated CDI, CDI treatment for >24 hours prior to enrollment, and planned long-term (>12 weeks) CA use were notable exclusions.Clinical cure was defined as resolution of diarrhea for 2 consecutive days maintained until 2 days after therapy, and rCDI as recurrent diarrhea with positive testing ≤30 days after initial treatment. Patients were randomized to fidaxomicin or vancomycin.

RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups of 144 subjects. Rates of clinical cure (73% vs. 62.9%, P = .195) and rCDI (3.3% vs 4.0%; P > .99) were similar for fidaxomicin and vancomycin in the intention to treat and per protocol cohorts, respectively. Only four subjects developed rCDI.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study of patients with CDI receiving CA, a numerically higher proportion were cured with fidaxomicin vs. vancomycin, but this result did not reach statistical significance. Overall recurrence was lower than anticipated in both arms compared to previous studies that did not extend duration of CDI treatment during CA.

PMID:37797310 | DOI:10.1093/cid/ciad606

Eur J Neurol. 2023 Oct 5. doi: 10.1111/ene.16087. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37797299 | DOI:10.1111/ene.16087

Prev Chronic Dis. 2023 Oct 5;20:E88. doi: 10.5888/pcd20.230046.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity positively affects health. Although 94% of Americans know the health benefits of regular physical activity, more than 75% do not achieve recommended levels. The objective of our study was to identify and define the key components of a physical activity intervention tailored to rural American men.

METHODS: We recruited rural men (N = 447) via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk online platform to complete a needs assessment survey focused on their interest in a physical activity intervention, preferred intervention features, and potential intervention objectives. Data were summarized by using descriptive statistics. A cumulative logistic regression model examined associations between the men’s perceived importance of physical activity to health and their interest in a physical activity intervention.

RESULTS: Almost all participants (97.7%) rated physical activity as “at least somewhat important” to their health, and 83.9% indicated they would be “at least somewhat interested” in participating in a physical activity intervention. On a scale of 1 (not at all a barrier) to 5 (very much a barrier), motivation (mean 3.4; 95% CI, 3.3-3.5), cold weather (mean, 3.4; 95% CI, 3.3-3.5), and tiredness (mean, 3.3; 95% CI, 3.2-3.4) were rated the biggest barriers to physical activity. Becoming fitter (54.1%) was the top reason for joining a physical activity program. Preferred delivery channels for receiving an intervention were mobile application (ranked from 1 being the most preferred and 9 being the least preferred: mean, 2.8; 95% CI, 2.70-3.09) and e-mail (mean, 4.2; 95% CI, 3.92-4.36). Rural men preferred interventions that taught them how to exercise and that could be done from home.

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest US men in rural areas are receptive to physical activity programs. A systematic approach and a clear model of development are needed to tailor future physical activity interventions to the special needs of rural men.

PMID:37797290 | DOI:10.5888/pcd20.230046