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The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented global crisis, necessitating drastic changes to living conditions, social life, personal freedom and economic activity. No study has yet examined the presence of psychiatric symptoms in the UK population under similar conditions.
Aims
We investigated the prevalence of COVID-19-related anxiety, generalised anxiety, depression and trauma symptoms in the UK population during an early phase of the pandemic, and estimated associations with variables likely to influence these symptoms.
Method
Between 23 and 28 March 2020, a quota sample of 2025 UK adults aged 18 years and older, stratified by age, gender and household income, was recruited by online survey company Qualtrics. Participants completed standardised measures of depression, generalised anxiety and trauma symptoms relating to the pandemic. Bivariate and multivariate associations were calculated for demographic and health-related variables.
Results
Higher levels of anxiety, depression and trauma symptoms were reported compared with previous population studies, but not dramatically so. Anxiety or depression and trauma symptoms were predicted by young age, presence of children in the home, and high estimates of personal risk. Anxiety and depression were also predicted by low income, loss of income and pre-existing health conditions in self and others. Specific anxiety about COVID-19 was greater in older participants.
Conclusions
This study showed a modest increase in the prevalence of mental health problems in the early stages of the pandemic, and these problems were predicted by several specific COVID-related variables. Further similar surveys, particularly of those with children at home, are required as the pandemic progresses.
Describe the prevalence and characteristics of psychotic symptoms in the context of cocaine injection use in a harm reduction program.
To find associations between intravenous cocaine use and other drug use in cocaine dependent patients suffering from cocaine induced psychosis (CIP). Cannabis was found to be a risk factor for developing CIP in non-intravenous cocaine dependence.
Methods
During a period of 6 months professionals from our Outpatient Drug Clinic completed a confidential questionnaire to describe the adverse clinical effects following cocaine injection. It included age, gender, ethnic group, daily consumption rate and other drugs used in the last 30 days.
Results
Survey was achieved with a sample of 75 Caucasians patients, 69 men and 6 women with an average age of 32 years old. Seventeen percent (13/75) had psychotic symptoms, of which 84% (11/13) had hallucinations (visuals 4/11, auditive 7/11 and kinaesthetic 2/11), 15% (2/13) illusions.
Eighteen percent (14/75) had stereotypy movements and 3% (2/75) had aggressive behaviour. Drugs used by CIP patients, the previous 30 days were: 61% (8/13) cannabis, 31% (4/13) opiates and 15% (2/13) alcohol.
Conclusions
Intravenous cocaine use produced acute psychotic symptoms in 17% of our patients, of which 61% used cannabis. Despite the ethical and practical implications of this type of study, it is necessary to do more observational studies with bigger surveys to conclude these results with statistically significance.
Numerous reports have pointed out the risks adverse hematological effects associated with psychotropic drugs. We report a severe case of thrombocytopenia in a healthy 79 year-old patient happened after mirtazapine administration. Suggesting an immune mechanism.
Objetives
Report a case of mirtazapina-induced inmuno tromnbocitopenia, review of bibliography and to propose monitoring and management strategies.
Aims and methods
:
Care report: PPD (n°HC 16996) treatment with mirtazapina 15 mg/d.Clinical: equimosis cutaneous multiple. Without focalidad. From the point of view etiológico discards organicity (aplasia megacariocítica, processes linfoproliferativos and infectious). An analytical previous examination supports normal platelets until April, 2009, in February the dose doubles from 15 to 30 mg (of mirtazapina). Fatal conclusion: exitus for hemorrhage intracraneal in September, 2009. Clinical judgment: Several Trombopenia, uncertain origin.
Literature review: The first well-documented case of mirtazapine-induced immune thrombocytopenia is “Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex is the target in mirtazapine-induced immune thrombocytopenia” (Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases, 2003).The analysis “Proportion of drug-related serious rare blood dyscrasias” (American Journal of Hematology, 2004) suggests that a substantial fraction of blood dyscrasias may be attributable to drug therapy.
Results
Hematologic side effects from psychotropics may present as serious or even fatal consequences of treatment. Incidences of hematological changes for antidepressants were much lower (about 0.01%).
Conclusions
Before initiating therapy with antidepressants, a carefully case history, with special attention to heart disease, family record and medical treatments, should be obtained. Clinical best practice regarding the safe and effective use of psychotropic medications is based on appropriate monitoring of drug-related problems.
Most of the studies about Eating Disorders in adolescents have been typically focused on females, only to conclude that the approach should be similar in males. It has been stimated that 5-10% of patients with Anorexia Nervosa are males. Later age of onset and higher prevalence of premorbid overweight are considered among the main differences with female patients.
Objectives
Analysis of the anthropometric variables of a sample of males with diagnosis of Restrictive Eating Disorder.
Methods
Naturalistic, Descriptive and Retrospective study
- Sample: 22 male adolescents
- Inclusion criteria: males with Restrictive Eating Disorder diagnosis (according to DSM-IV criteria) admitted to an Eating Disorder ward during 2007 and 2008
- “ad hoc” questionnaire (15 items)
- Analysis: PASW statistics 18
Results
Age range: 7-14years (medium age=14,79±2,50years).11 patients (50%) were older than 16 years-old
- Medium BMI (Body Mass Index) at the beginning of the admission was 17,79kg/m2.
medium weight loss: 13,5±7,02kg/m2 (corresponding to a reduction of 22,24±7,52% of the previous weight)
- Medium speed of weight loss: 0,92±1,1kg/54
- BMI at discharge: 18,69 ±3,43 kg/m2
- 19/22 patients (86%) had a premorbid history of overweight
- Binge eating: 8 patients (36,4%)
- Purgative behaviour: 10 patients (45%)
- Laxatives use: 4 patients (18%)
- Intense physical exercise: 21 patients (95,5%)
- Average duration of current restrictive episode: 13,7 months
Conclusions
In the studied sample we observed:
- High prevalence of premobid overweight
- Very high frequency of compulsive exercise
- Drastic weight loss and loss of a very high percentage of the previous weight, in short periods of time, reaching very low BMI.
Obsessive compulsive-disorder (OCD) is a group of highly debilitating condition characterized by intrusive troubling thoughts, repetitive, compulsive behaviors or mental rituals. A notable percentage of patients are refractory to pharmacological treatment and cognitive behaviour therapy. Increasing attention has been paid to the efficacy of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapies in alleviating pharmacoresistant psychiatric disorders including OCD.
Objectives
The aim of this prospective study was to determine the efficacy of DBS using several targets in a pharmacoresistant OCD population with heterogeneous symptoms.
Methods
Five patients (3 males) have been included in the study. Patients were classified according to their prominent features as follows: contamination/cleaning, symmetry/checking, exactness/counting and forbidden thoughts.
The entire surgical procedure was performed under general anaesthesia. Direct targeting based on stereotactic MRI without microelectrode recordings was done. A combination of two of the following targets was simultaneously implanted for all patients: subthalamic nucleus, accumbens nucleus and bed nucleus of stria terminalis, limbic globus pallidus internus.
Patients were assessed pre-and postoperatively using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale.
Results
Mean age at surgery was of 42.6±12.68 years. Mean follow-up with DBS was of 21±14.88 months.
Mean preoperative Y-BOCS scores was 31.6±2.70 and of 11±7.97 (p=0,057, Wilcoxon signed Rank test).
Conclusion
Subthalamic nucleus and accumbens nucleus targets seem to be comparable in alleviating several subtypes of compulsions (checking, cleaning, counting) as well as obsessions. Further investigations are required to assess the role of limbic globus pallidus in improving pharmacoresitant OCD. Implanted system was well accepted without triggering new obsessions.
The schizophrenia has associated traditionally with major rates of comorbilidad physics. In addition the antipsychotic ones of the second generation are causers of the so called metabolic syndrome (increase of weight, dislipemia and diabetes) that favor directly the cardiovascular disease in our patients.
Objectives
To develop a therapeutic plan to diminish the sobremortalidad and sobremorbilidad of our schizophrenic patients (according to different studies between 25-50 % of cardiovascular risk). To detect the factors of risk, which influence the metabolic Syndrome: a high level of cholesterol HDL, IMC, smoking and hyperglycemia.
To apply measures of prevention for the diabetes, for the arterial hypertension and the dislipemias.
Methods
Retrospective study is realized, checking the clinical histories of the patients beginning medication with aripiprazol for symptomatology psychotic and support the treatment at least 6 months later. We realized preventive specific measures in the patients including education to the patient, careful selection of the antipsychotic with substitution if there appear signs of metabolic syndrome.
Results
39 patients that initiated treatment with aripiprazol, therapeutic doses. Of 39 patients 24 (61,54 %) is smoking, 18 (46,16 %) has an IMC> 25, 11 (28,39 %) hipertriglicerinemia, 5 (12,82 %) index of glycemia basal> 125 and 6 (15,38 %) with hipercolesterolemia.
Conclusion
The antipsychotic atypical alter the metabolic regulation. The treatment with aripiprazol suggests minor risk of metabolic syndrome, in relation to previous similar studies, with antipsychotic others. We think it performs vital importance the prevention of the overweight orientated to patients with the first psychotic episode.
The aim is to investigate the association between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and panic disorder (PD). Genotyping 92 PD patients [Diagnostic Statistic Manual IV (DSM IV) criteria] and 174 controls no differences were found between both groups. Variation in the ApoE-gene was not associated with the development of PD.
Partial or non-adherence to medication is high amongst patients with schizophrenia. Rates of non-adherence of up to 72% have being reported depending on the method used and the patient population. Adherence is essential for optimal long-term patient outcomes in schizophrenia and failure to adhere to medication can have a major impact on the course of illness and treatment outcomes.
Objectives
The objective of the EMEA (Europe, Middle east and Africa) ADHES survey was to collect psychiatrist's perceptions of the assessment, reasons and management of partial and non-adherence to medication.
Aims
The aim of this poster is to present psychiatrist's perceptions collected in the EMEA ADHES survey.
Methods
The survey was devised to ascertain psychiatrists’ preferred methods of assessing adherence, their perceptions of the level of adherence, reasons for non-adherence and on strategies to improve adherence.
Results
Psychiatrists estimated that during the previous month more than half of their patients (53%) were partially or non-adherent. They estimated that as few as a third of patients who deteriorated after stopping medication was able to attribute this to their non-adherence. 76% of psychiatrists assessed adherence most frequently by asking their patient explicitly. Use of long-acting treatment was the preferred choice to address adherence problems for 62% of respondents.
Discussion
This EMEA-wide survey illustrates that while respondents recognised the relevance and importance of partial and non-adherence to medication, there remains a need for more proactive management of treatment adherence of patients with schizophrenia to reduce the frequency and consequences of relapse.
Since the end of 19th century, mental health professionals have noticed that individuals who have experienced traumatic situations often present dissociative symptoms, such as amnesia or fugue states. Dissociation is a defensive mechanism that allows an individual to separate from conscience the psychological distress produced by the trauma. Our aim was to remark the association between Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and long-term dissociative disorders through the study of a clinical case.
Method:
A clinical case was followed and reviewed to illustrate this relationship.
Results:
Ten years ago, a 49-year-old man was diagnosed of PTSD after having witnessed several colleagues burnt in a tragic accident at work and having helped the emergency fire brigade to rescue other victims. His symptoms required treatment with antidepressants and psychotherapy, and fully remitted after one year. Nevertheless, during the last year, he has presented two dissociative amnesia episodes lasting for three days each, which were examined by a neurology service. More recently, he has suffered a ten-day episode of dissociative fugue, which required psychiatric hospitalization. Although the patient has been asymptomatic during a decade, it is remarkable that he has presented three dissociative episodes in a short period of time. One of them, the fugue state, is interesting because of its long duration and its relatively low prevalence in the general population.
Conclusions:
This clinical case allows us to appreciate the long-term relationships between psychological trauma and dissociation, in addition to the well-known short-term effects.
Partial or non-adherence to medication is high amongst patients with schizophrenia. Many and often overlapping factors are considered to impact on treatment adherence, including: patient-related (lack of insight, psychotic, negative or cognitive symptoms), treatment-related (adverse effects, insufficient efficacy), environmental (living situation, negative attitudes of relatives/friends), and physician-related (patient-healthcare professionals relationship) factors.
Objectives
The objective of the ADHES EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) survey was to collect psychiatrist's perceptions of the assessment, reasons and management of partial and non-adherence to medication.
Aims
To present psychiatrist's opinion through EMEA of potential reasons for partial or non-adherence
Methods
The ADHES survey comprised 20 questions and was conducted in 36 countries across EMEA (over 4500 psychiatrists treating patients with schizophrenia).
Results
Across EMEA 37% of psychiatrists viewed lack of insight as the most important reason for their patients stopping medication. 23% of psychiatrists viewed patient's feeling better and thinking it unnecessary to take medication as the most important reason for their patients stopping medication. 7% or less of psychiatrists viewed undesirable side effects, insufficient efficacy, cognitive impairment or drug/alcohol abuse as the most important reasons for their patients stopping medication.
Discussion
In this survey, psychiatrists estimated that patient’s lack of insight and subjective improvement could constitute the main factors explaining poor adherence. Other factors (i.e., side effects, substance abuse) were regarded as less important. Strategies aimed at raising awareness of maintaining treatment, are warranted within EMEA, with the aim of improving clinical outcomes.
Rates of non-adherence of up to 72% have being reported, in schizophrenia, depending on the method used and the patient population. Rates of approximately 59% over 1 year have been reported for individuals with a first episode. Patients who stop medication are almost five times more likely to experience relapse than adherent patients. Failure to adhere to medication can have a major impact on the course of illness and treatment outcomes.
Objectives
The EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) ADHES schizophrenia survey was a survey of psychiatrists across the region, treating patients with schizophrenia, designed to canvas their perceptions of assessment, potential reasons and management for partial or non-adherence to medication amongst their patients.
Aims
To present methodology and demographics of the EMEA ADHES survey in schizophrenia.
Methods
The EMEA ADHES survey comprised 20 questions and was conducted in 36 countries across EMEA. In addition to recording the gender, age and practice setting of the respondents, questions related directly to the issue of partial-/non-adherence in patients with schizophrenia.
Results
The survey was conducted amongst psychiatrists (including neurologists with psychiatric background in Germany) from January - March 2010. Results were obtained from 4722 respondents. Psychiatrists perceived that during the previous month more than half of their patients (53%) were partially or non-adherent across all EMEA regions
Discussion
The EMEA ADHES schizophrenia survey is a large and geographically broad survey providing insight on psychiatrists’ perceptions of the assessment, causes and management of partial and non-adherence to medication.
The recent increase of immigrant population in some European countries represents a new social reality demanding an update of psychiatric clinical practice and resources. We aimed to:
1. compare the clinical and demographic profile of immigrant patients admitted to a Spanish acute psychiatric ward with that of native patients, and
2. detect changes over the last years regarding both the profile and the occupation of psychiatric beds.
Method:
Demographic and clinical data of immigrant patients admitted to the Doctor Peset University Hospital acute unit during 2005-2007 were retrospectively analyzed. For each case, a non-immigrant patient was assigned as a control. Immigrant subjects hospitalized during 2007 were compared to those admitted during 2000.
Results:
Over the three-year period, 38 immigrant individuals needed 45 hospitalizations (2.9-5.1% of total annual psychiatric admissions). Native patients presented similar demographics and produced a similar number of hospital stays, but had significantly more psychiatric (p=.02) and medical (p=.05) comorbid conditions. Immigrant patients hospitalized during 2007 (n= 12) were comparable to those admitted in 2000 (n=6), although the former accounted for a larger proportion of annual admissions (3.44% vs. 1.93%).
Conclusions:
During the last seven years, the occupation of psychiatric beds by immigrant population has almost doubled but it is still in the low range. The clinical and demographic profiles of patients admitted to this acute ward were similar, regardless of their geographical origin.
The use of altrenogest (ALT) supplementation for oestrous synchronization improves subsequent reproductive performance of gilts and sows. However, the causes of this improvement in reproductive performance after ALT treatment are not fully/clearly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ALT supplementation for oestrous synchronization in gilts on the endometrial glands and embryonic development characteristics at 28 days of pregnancy. Pregnant gilts were divided into two experimental treatments: Control (did not receive ALT; n = 9 gilts) and ALT (ALT feeding at 20 mg/day for 18 days; n = 9 gilts). At 28 days of pregnancy, six gilts from each treatment were slaughtered, and reproductive tracts were immediately evaluated. There was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between treatments regarding ovulation rate, number of embryos, number of vital embryos and number of non-vital embryos. Embryo weight, length and embryonic vesicle weight were lower in ALT treatment compared with Control (P < 0.01), and it was lower in the cervical uterine region compared with apex uterine region, respectively (P < 0.05). Higher values of gland duct area, gland duct perimeter, percentage of the glandular area and total endometrial area were observed in ALT treatment compared with Control (P < 0.05). The use of ALT during 18 days for oestrous synchronization in gilts increased the gland duct area, perimeter and total endometrial area but did not increase the embryo number and embryo size at day 28 of pregnancy.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective and fast acting therapy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Animal research has consistently pointed to neuroplasticity as a central mechanism of ECT action (1), however evidence in humans remains scarce (2; 3).
Method
We assessed two independent samples of TRD patients referred for ECT. The Barcelona-sample included 13 subjects treated with bitemporal ECT and 10 healthy volunteers (HV). Four successive 3T structural MRIs were acquired: baseline, 24-48 hours after the 1st ECT session, 24-48 hours after the 9th ECT, and two weeks after ECT course completion. HV were scanned twice five weeks apart. Within the framework of the Barcelona-Sydney Clinical Imaging Collaboration, we also scanned 10 patients treated mainly with right unilateral ECT (Sydney-sample). Whole-brain longitudinal grey matter (GM) changes were measured using intra-subject diffeomorphic registration, within SPM12b.
Results
In the Barcelona-sample, over the course of treatment bitemporal ECT produced a linear increase of GM volume in the limbic system (involving bilateral hippocampi and amygdalae). Additionally, volumetric increase within the right subgenual cortex was detected from baseline to the 9th ECT session. Such volume changes were not observed in HV. Furthermore, GM volume expansion correlated positively with depressive symptom improvement and neurocognitive performance (memory and executive function). Hippocampal and amygdalar volume increases were replicated in the Sydney-sample, although limited to the stimulated hemisphere.
Conclusions
ECT effects described here could be accounted for by the induction of regionally specific structural plasticity. Nevertheless, other mechanisms such as neurovascular changes should not be discarded.
New psychopharmacology provides a better tolerability profile and drug adherence, which should be accompanied by lower relapse rate, incomings and improvement in psychosocial functioning of patients.
Objectives:
1. To describe sociodemographic, clinical and psychometric properties of a sample of psychotic patients admitted to the Acute Unit. 2. Assessing the functionality of psychotic patients requiring hospitalization.
Methods:
Sample:patients admitted to the Psychiatric Hospital Unit of the Hospital San Juan de Alicante (August 1 to 31, 2013), with admission diagnosis of psychotic decompensation (F20). Register of sociodemographic and clinical dates, PANSS, CGI and PSP. Statistical analysis using SPSS.
Results:
N=19. 94%=male, 84.2%=single, 68.4%=family support.37%=schizophrenia, 52.7%=brief reactive psychosis, 10.5%=schizophreniform disorder. 9.7% first psychotic episodes. 52.6%=toxic consumption. Mean scores:PSP = 50.89, CGI= 4.42, PANSS=89.89. Significant relationship between the support and PSP(35=not, 53=yes, p<0.015). Direct relationship between PANSS and CGI (p< 0.0001, 0.89R).
Conclusions:
Although toxics, poor adherence or the long course of the disease are associated with unfavorable scores on scales of function and psychopathology, our results donnot meet it. We attribute the negative results to low sample size and heterogeneity of the group of patients included in the study. Maybe factors such as family support, employment and intellectual level have a greater role. We consider it appropriate to continue the study in the future, standardizing clinical groups and expanding the sample size in order to obtain results with greater statistical significance.
Numerous organic pathologies may appear as single or first psychiatric symptomatology manifestations. That is why we must perform a detailed exploration in these type of patients; anamnesis, a physical examination and supplementary tests.
This poster describes the case of a 24 year old woman who unexpectedly manifests behavioural disorders(psychomotor disinhibition, myoclonus, opsoclonus), speech disturbances (inconsistent content) and a decreased level of consciousness.
-Objectives
We highlight the importance of a sequentially well arranged full assessment and conclude with an accurate diagnosis. Additionaly, we emphasize on differential diagnosis something we ought to take into account in these patients.
-Methods
Bibliographic review of a clinical case of limbic encephalitis Review.
-Results
This poster describes the case of a 24 year old woman who unexpectedly manifests behavioural disturbances (psychomotor deshibición, myoclonus, opsoclonus), speech disturbances (Inconsistent content) and a decreased level of consciousness.
These symptom characteristics are consistent with those we found in our literature review on this pathology (PubMed) and in addition it highlights the important of bearing in mind the organic pathology while examining psychiatric patients.
-Conclusions
Organic mental disorders are conditions that we should keep in mind while making an initial psychiatric assessment.
Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis is a neurological condition that can present psychiatric symptoms, and that requires a complete organic diagnosis (biochemistry, blood count, urinary toxic, EEG, cranial CT and thoraco-abominopelvic, cranial MRI, CSF antibodies).
In order to perform a correct diagnostic it is crucial that we consider a couple of differential diagnosis.
Liture describes many references to neuropsychiatric disorders in dementia. Executive functions have been widely studied in primary degenerative dementia: working memory, inhibition, mental flexibility, fluency, organization, abstraction and appropriate social behavior.
Alzheimer's disease, bvFTD and DLB are the most prevalent and studied.
Objectives:
Transversal descriptive-analysis of neurobehavioral disorders and social behavior in a clinical sample.
Methodology:
Descriptive study. Random selection of cases (patients seen in consultation Behavior Unit Memorial Hospital San Vicente del Raspeig with dementia criteria of Alzheimer's disease, bvFTD and DLB without probable vascular component) and controls (healthy, age 50 years without neurological or psychiatric pathology associated). 1 June 30, 2013. Informed consent is obtained and collected sociodemographic data, clinical (diagnosis, GDS, treatment) and psychometric (MMSE, NPI-Q, Social Norms Questionnaire). Registration Excel database and statistical analysis with SPSS.
Results:
N = 40, controls = 10, AD = 15, DFTvc = 6, DCL = 9. No significant demographic differences in dementia group. DFTvc: SNQ lower score, greater executive involvement. atypical antipsychotics, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine are the most commonly used drugs for behavioral disorders
Conclusion:
Our clinical sample obtained similar results to those described in the literature. Prospective follow-up study in mild cognitive impairment would be needed to provide better knowledge and clinical practice.
A psichiatric emergency is a situation where disorders of thought, mood or behavior are so disruptive that require immediate assistance.
Objectives
To analyze clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, predictors of hospitalization, and poli-attendance in patients attended in a reference area psychiatric emergency service.
Methodology
All assistances from 01.12.2011 to 31.01.12 were recorded in a database. Patient poly-attendance was defined by two or more assistances during the study period. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find out hospitalization and poli-attendance predictors.
Results
N = 219. 50.68% male, 49.32% female; 86.75% between 20-64 years. 45.62% finished primary studies. 80.82% owned social support network. 80.73% unemployed. 71.89% voluntary assistances. 58.97% already tracked by mental health, 24.66% first contact. Reason care: anxiety (24.20%), behavioral disorders (22.57%), suicide (20.55%) and psychosis (12.79%). Final diagnoses: psychosis (24.20%), anxiety (15.48%), depression (10.05%), drugs abuse (9.13%), personality disorders (17.35%), mental retardation (8.22%), social issues (16.89%).26.94% were poly-attendance, assisted by: organic mental disorder (OR= 21,10, IC95%), personality disorders (OR=4,313, IC95%), mental retardation (OR=5,545, IC95%), social issues (OR=2,94, IC95%). 24.20% of the patients hospitalized. Factors associated to risk: age range 15-20 (OR 12.10, IC95%); psychosis (OR = 51.03, IC 95%), depression (OR = 14.61, IC95%), bipolar disorder (OR=20,38, IC 95%).
Conclusions
Minor diseases, social issues or stables axis II disorders accomplished most attendances. Hospitalitation was associated with severe mental illness and lower age.Poly-attendance is not associated with axis I patology, but it is with axis II and IV disorders.
Childbirth always constitutes a profound change in the life of the mother and the rest of the family. Pregnancy, birth and postpartum are crucial periods where the mother will have to face unknown situations and make decisions that are going to determine the strength and type of bond between mother and baby. In the specific case of women with mental illness, this time can involve an important risk of descompensation or aggravation of her condition. For this reason, a specific attention to these patients in moments of special vulnerability, as pregnancy and perinatal period, is necessary.
In our community there are few resources for this need, and because of this we have initiated a program involving perinatal care for women diagnosed with severe mental diseases. The objective of the program is to improve clinical stability of the mother and strengthen the bond with the baby, trying to make it secure and stable.
Our methodology is based on a comprehensive approach including clinical, pharmacological and familiar interventions. Health promotion and coordination with primary care, obstetrics and pediatrics are necessary as well.
To illustrate this, we present here two clinical cases that are being followed in our program. The first one is an adolescent mother with an affective disorder consequence of an unstructured family and several years of violence at home. The second case is a patient with undiagnosed psychotic disorder with serious psychotic symptoms during the pregnancy requiring hospitalization.