Cognitive dysfunction has been reported in acute psychiatric patients for a long time and has profound implications for the management of severe mental disorders. The Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) is a scale developed for screening cognitive deficits. This tool is simple and easy to administer.

To translate and to validate to Portuguese the SCIP.

The accepted back-translation method is employed for translating from English into Portuguese. One-hundred individuals in good health were characterized using demographic questionnaires and a neuropsychological battery. Subsequently, the new version of the scale was administered on two distinct occasions with a minimum one-week gap between them.

High internal consistencies as well as strong correlations with comparable neuropsychological tests were obtained.

The results obtained from the Portuguese version of SCIP are in line with those from the English version. Effectively, SCIP serves as a key instrument for the initial assessment of cognitive function. Its characteristics, particularly its conciseness and independence from a technological platform, allow it to be integrated into clinical practice. Our aim is to use this version and apply it to different pathologies, comparing patients with controls. This will allow us to study different patients and apply it to our population.

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Non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents has grown in recent years, becoming a significant public health issue. The high social and psychological impacts related to it are often characterized by substance abuse and the development of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, emotional dysregulation and heightened reactivity are associated psychological characteristics.

The aim of this paper was to do a scoping review, mapping the existing literature on self-harming behaviors among Brazilian adolescents, considering their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

We followed the adapted PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews. We searched eight databases: APA PsycNet, LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and Scopus. The selection of studies was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, where three independent researchers examined all titles and abstracts, applying the eligibility criteria. Accordingly, six studies were selected for descriptive analysis due to the variety of study types.

A total of 2,032 youngsters were studied in the age range of 10 to 19 years-old, among over 15,000 reported cases of self-harming behaviors. Females accounted for 51.3% of the cases and had higher scores of impulsivity and loneliness to self-harming behavior (P ≤ 0.05). Alcohol use was evident across both genders but showed higher measures for males in both age groups (10 to 14 and 15 to 19 years, p < 0.001).

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The study pointed to a diversity of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics; however further research is needed on this topic on Brazilian adolescents. In addition, a broader standardization of data is necessary for more specific statistical analyses.

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Mental Health problems and substance misuse during pregnancy constitute a serious social problem due to high maternal-fetal morbidity (Cook et al, 2017; JOCG, 39(10) ,906-915) and low detection and treatment rates (Carmona et al. Adicciones. 2022;34(4):299-308)

Our study aimed to develop and test the feasibility and acceptability of a screening and treatment clinical pathway in pregnancy, based on the combination of e-Health tools with in-person interventions and, secondly, describe the prevalence of mental illness and substance use problems in this population.

1382 pregnant women undergoing her first pregnancy visit were included in a tailored clinical pathway and sent a telematic (App) autoapplied questionnaire with an extensive battery of measures (WHO (Five) Well-Being [WHO-5],Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9], General Anxiety Disorder [GAD-7], Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT], Drug Abuse Screening Test [DAST], Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale [C-SSRS] and specifically designed questions on self-harm and psychopharmacological drugs).

Patients who did not respond to the questionnaire on their own received a counseling call.

Based on the screening results, patients were classified into five groups according to severity (Figure 1) and assigned a specific action pathway (Figure 2) that included a range of intervention intensity that goes from an individual psychiatric appointment to no intervention.

Of the 1382 women included in the clinical pathway, 565(41%) completed the evaluation questionnaires. Of these, 205 (36%) were screened as positive (Grades III,IV or V. Table 1) and 3(0.5%) were classified as needing urgent care. Of the patients offered on-line groups (100), 40% (40) were enrolled in them.Table 1:

Grade distribution of those screened as positives

Concerning prevalence rates, 73 (12,9%) patients endorsed at least moderate anxiety according to GAD-7 (≥10), 65 (11,5%) endorsed at least moderate depression according to PHQ-9 (≥ 10), 17 were positive on DAST (3%) and 63 (11%) patients scored above the threshold in AUDIT-C(≥ 3) for alcohol use.

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High prevalence rates suggest that effective detection and treatment mechanisms should be integrated into usual care. The use of standardized clinical pathways can help with this aim, allowing better clinical management and referral to treatment, but still face challengues to increase retention. The use of e-health tools offers the opportunity to improve accessibility and therapeutic outcomes through online interventions.

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Individuals with mental health disorders often lack access to appropriate care, including psychosocial rehabilitation programs, which are considered essential for their recovery. In 2019, as part of the intervention by the Community and Mental Health Service, at Hospital de Magalhães Lemos, we initiated a psychoeducational group for patients with psychotic spectrum disorders, with the purpose of providing our patients with comprehensive information about their condition and effective management strategies. Our 8-week program consisted of 16 sessions, including icebreaker activities, discussion of certain themes, sharing of experiences and practice of stress management techniques.

The aim of this study was to assess and quantify the impact of our 2023 program.

Out of a total of 20 patients interviewed for our program in 2023, 16 began the program and 12 completed it. The program’s evaluation was based on several assessment tools, including a sociodemographic questionnaire, a knowledge assessment questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire (ITAC), the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL), and the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). We also created a health agenda to organize an individual plan of care.

Our findings indicated an improvement in insight and attitudes towards treatment by 8.6%, an enhancement in treatment adherence by 5%, and an increase in knowledge by 11.9%. In terms of quality of life, we observed a slight improvement in the psychological domain by 0.6% and in the social domain by 1.2%. Regarding the impact on psychotic symptomatology, there was an average decrease in 4 points in the negative subscale and in 3 points in the general psychopathology subscale, whereas the positive subscale remained unchanged. None of the patients required hospitalization during this period.

Our study revealed some improvement in nearly all the evaluated parameters. There was an improvement of the therapeutic relationship, which we believe has contributed to lower scores in the negative symptoms and general psychopathology subscale. As for the study limitations, we acknowledge that we will need to expand our sample through additional programs in the next years, to include it in early intervention psychosis programs and to re-evaluate our patients’ outcomes after a more extended follow-up period, particularly if they continue to participate in our monthly mutual support group. Additionally, we must consider potential study biases, including the subjectivity of PANSS evaluations and the influence of other confounding factors, such as changes in treatment regimens during the program.

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Alcohol and illicit drug use are highly prevalent among the homeless population. Religiosity and spirituality (RS) have been widely associated with lower substance use. However, evidence of this relationship among the homeless is still scarce.

To assess the association between RS and the use of alcohol and illicit drugs among the homeless population of a large Brazilian urban center.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. Aspects such as spirituality (FACIT-Sp12), religiosity (P-DUREL), religious-spiritual coping (Brief-RCOPE), and self-applied questions about current substance use (alcohol and illicit drugs) were evaluated. Adjusted Logistic Regression models were performed.

A total of 456 homeless individuals were included, with an average age of 44.5 (SD=12.6) years. More than half of the participants used alcohol (55.7%) weekly and 34.2% used illicit drugs weekly. The adjusted Logistic Regression models identified that aspects of RS were associated with a lower propensity for alcohol and illicit drug use, whereas negative religious-spiritual coping strategies were associated with a higher propensity for the use of both.

The prevalence of alcohol and illicit drug use among participants was high. Positive RS and religious-spiritual coping were significant protective factors against the use of these substances. Conversely, negative religious-spiritual coping strategies were associated with risk factors.

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Individuals experiencing psychotic symptoms often lack insight into their conditions, especially in first psychotic episodes. According to the Portuguese Mental Health Law, involuntary hospitalization may be necessary in cases of severe mental disorder, involving a threat to the patient or his/her legal assets, when there is a refusal of the necessary treatment.

The aim of our study was to characterize patients admitted involuntarily for first psychotic episode and to compare them with the patients undergoing inpatient voluntary treatment.

Out of a total of 87 patients diagnosed with first psychotic episode, hospitalized between 2020 and 2022 in our service, at Hospital Magalhães Lemos, 65 were included in the study. Exclusion criteria included patients from other residential areas. 40 patients were admitted under involuntary treatment, whereas 25 were hospitalized voluntarily. For both groups, we calculated the duration of untreated psychosis, the prevalence of psychoactive substance abuse, the type of treatment provided and the number of re-hospitalizations.

Patients in involuntary treatment had longer duration of untreated psychosis (71 vs 38 weeks). Among these patients, 53% had comorbid psychoactive substance abuse, in contrast with only 36% of voluntarily treated patients. Upon discharge, 58% of patients in involuntary treatment were prescribed depot antipsychotic medication, whereas only 12% of the ones in voluntary treatment. Out of 40 patients admitted involuntarily, 11 were re-hospitalized, but only 4 of the 25 patients in voluntary treatment (28 vs 16%).

Patients in involuntary treatment probably suffered from more severe disease, as seen for the higher duration of untreated psychosis and frequent comorbid substance abuse. Injectable medication was the preferred choice at the time of discharge for this group. Additionally, they experienced higher rates of re-hospitalizations. Recent changes in Portuguese Mental Health Law, that aims to safeguard the rights and responsibilities of individuals with mental health care needs, motivated this study.

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According to the 2023 statistical report from the Portuguese Migration Observatory, Portugal has received over 72,000 refugees since 2015, with a significant number (56,041) being displaced citizens from Ukraine. This influx includes spontaneous asylum requests. The major countries of origin for refugees in Portugal are Afghanistan, India, Gambia, Pakistan, and Morocco. Notably, refugee populations exhibit elevated incidence rates of specific psychiatric disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive disorders. These conditions are independent risk factors for substance use disorders. Furthermore, refugees face unique risks related to their migration journey, increasing their vulnerability to substance use disorders. The prevalence of substance use disorders, especially Alcohol Use Disorder, can reach up to 36% in this population. CAR 1 (Reception Center for Refugees) is a vital social facility in Portugal dedicated to enhancing the reception and integration of asylum seekers and refugees.

Our primary objective is to determine the prevalence of potential alcohol problems and unhealthy alcohol use within the Portuguese Refugee Center in Lisbon. Our secondary aim is to comprehensively characterize the migrant population. This includes gathering data regarding demographic information, legal status, country of origin, pre-migration alcohol-related issues, psychiatric diagnoses, history of psychiatric evaluations, self-initiated help-seeking behavior, and self-perceived alcohol-related problems.

All individuals currently residing in our refugee center (approximately 70 people) will be invited to participate in a comprehensive survey and screening process. Exclusion criteria will apply to individuals with acute psychiatric conditions unable to provide reliable responses. The survey includes the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the CAGE questionnaire. Quantitative data obtained from the questionnaires will be analyzed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS 29 software.

We anticipate a high prevalence of positive responses to the AUDIT due to potential alcohol-related issues but expect low responses to the CAGE questionnaire due to limited awareness of alcohol use disorder and a reduced perception of the need for help.

This study could help identify and validate the prevalence of alcohol use disorders among migrants, emphasizing the need for appropriate responses. By shedding light on these challenges, we hope to promote effective responses to alcohol use disorder and encourage the utilization of alcohol screening tests in refugee centers, emphasizing the importance of seeking consultation when needed.

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Cancer treatments can affect male fertility. However, the reproductive concerns of this population remain little explored. There is a need to invest in understanding how concerns related to fertility and parenting affect psychosocial adjustment, in order to improve counseling in this context. To this end, it is a priority to provide reliable and valid measures for assessing this construct.

This study aimed to translate, adapt and preliminarily explore the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer Scale - Male Version (RCAC-M).

Translation and back-translation were carried out by two independent translators. A reconciled version was obtained and evaluated by a panel of experts who ensured its cultural adaptation. Before studying the psychometric properties, a pre-test was carried out involving a focus group of 5 male cancer survivors who assessed the adequacy of the measure. The preliminary validation included 32 male cancer survivors aged between 18 and 55. Recruitment was carried out by providing an online questionnaire. A principal component analysis was carried out to explore the factor structure of the measure and to analyze the reliability and convergent validity of the measure.

The results showed good internal consistency of a version consisting of 17 items, grouped into four factors: fertility potential, child health and future life, personal health and future life, and acceptance. Significant moderate associations were found between reported concerns and other constructs that are consistently related to this variable in the literature, namely the importance of parenting and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The original structure of the scale was not corroborated. However, this study suggests the promising character of the Portuguese version of the RCAC-M as a reliable and valid tool for assessing the reproductive concerns of male cancer survivors.

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In ESCAPE-TRD esketamine nasal spray (ESK-NS) significantly increased the probability of achieving remission at Week (Wk) 8 and being relapse‑free through Wk32 after remission at Wk8 versus (vs) quetiapine extended release (Q-XR) in patients (pts) with treatment resistant depression (TRD) (Reif et al. DGPPN 2022; P-01-04). We report ESK-NS vs Q-XR effects on pt-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) over 32 wks.

Evaluate pt-reported HRQoL using the generic 36-item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2, 4-wk recall, 2009 US population norms) in ESCAPE-TRD.

ESCAPE‑TRD (NCT04338321) was a randomised phase IIIb trial comparing the efficacy of ESK-NS vs Q-XR, both alongside an ongoing selective serotonin/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in pts with TRD. SF-36v2 was assessed every 4 wks (on-treatment and retrieved dropout visits). Domain scores and change from baseline (CfB) were analysed using a mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM; observed cases) adjusted for age, prior treatment failures, baseline score. Higher scores indicate better HRQoL. P values were not adjusted for multiple testing.

336 and 340 pts were randomised to ESK-NS and Q-XR. Baseline domain scores were below general population norms and lowest in Role Emotional, Mental Health and Social Functioning (Figure 1A). All scores improved to Wk32 in both arms (Figure 1B). At Wk4, CfB was significantly higher (better HRQoL) with ESK-NS vs Q-XR across domains (all p<0.01). At Wk8, CfB was significantly higher with ESK-NS vs Q-XR across all domains (p<0.05) except Bodily Pain and Role Physical. At Wk32, CfB was significantly higher with ESK-NS vs Q-XR for Mental Health (p=0.014), Role Emotional (p=0.001), Role Physical (p=0.046) and Social Functioning (p=0.006); a trend of numerical advantage was seen for all other domains (Figure 2).

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In addition to the superior clinical benefits provided by ESK-NS vs Q-XR in ESCAPE-TRD, pts receiving ESK-NS experienced significantly greater improvements in HRQoL vs Q-XR over 32 wks.

We thank the patients who participated. Study funding: Janssen, medical writing: Costello Medical, UK.

A. Young Grant / Research support from: Received grants from Janssen; independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London; the views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, or the Department of Health, Consultant of: Received consulting fees from Allegan, AstraZeneca, Bionomics, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, LivaNova, Lundbeck, Servier, and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma and Sunovion, Speakers bureau of: Received speaker’s honoraria from Allegan, AstraZeneca, Bionomics, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, LivaNova, Lundbeck, Servier, and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma and Sunovion, B. Baune Grant / Research support from: Received research grants from private industries or non-profit funds from AstraZeneca, Lundbeck, and Sanofi-Synthélabo; received research grants from the BMBF and BMG Germany, the DFG, Germany, the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia, and Horizon Europe 2021; received research grants from the Fay Fuller Foundation, and James & Diana Ramsay Foundation, Adelaide, Consultant of: Received consulting fees for roles with the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia; received honoraria from Angelini, AstraZeneca, Biogen, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Johnson & Johnson, LivaNova, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Pfizer, Roche, Servier, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma and Sunovion, and Wyeth; served on advisory boards for Biogen, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Janssen-Cilag, LivaNova, Lundbeck, Novartis, and Otsuka, N. Cardoner Grant / Research support from: Received research grants from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Science and Innovation (CIBERSAM), and the Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation in Health (PERIS) for the period 2016–2020, as well as from Marato TV3 and Recercaixa, Consultant of: Served on advisory boards for Angelini, Esteve, Janssen, Lundbeck, Novartis, Pfizer and Viatris, Speakers bureau of: Received speaker’s honoraria from Angelini, Esteve, Janssen, Lundbeck, Novartis, Pfizer and Viatris, R. Frey Grant / Research support from: Received travel fees from Janssen and LivaNova; received grants or contracts from Alkermes (Principal Investigator), Janssen (Principal Investigator), LivaNova (Principal Investigator) and Medizinisch‑Wissenschaftlicher Fonds des Bürgermeisters von Wien (academic study), Consultant of: Received consulting fees from Boehringer Ingelheim and Janssen, Speakers bureau of: Received speaker’s honoraria from Janssen and Lundbeck, T. Ito Shareolder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen, Y. Kambarov Employee of: Janssen, A. Lacerda Grant / Research support from: Received grants from Azidus, Biophytis, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cellavita, Celltrion, CNPq, Eli Lilly, EOM, FAPESP, Genova, IQVIA, Janssen, Nordisk, Novartis, Novo, Parexel and PPD, Consultant of: Received consulting fees from Aché, Apsen, Biogen, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cristalia, Daiichi, Eurofarma, Sankyo, EMS, Janssen, Libbs, LivaNova, Lundbeck, Sanofi and Torrent, Speakers bureau of: Received speaker’s honoraria from Aché, Apsen, Biogen, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cristalia, Daiichi, Eurofarma, Sankyo, EMS, Janssen, Libbs, LivaNova, Lundbeck, Sanofi and Torrent, B. Rive Employee of: Janssen, C. von Holt Shareolder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen, A. Oliveira-Maia Grant / Research support from: Received grants from Compass Pathways, Ltd., Janssen, and Schuhfried GmBH; investigator‑driven research funded by Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia (PTDC/SAU-NUT/3507/2021; PTDC/MED-NEU/1552/2021; PTDC/MED‑NEU/31331/2017), Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia and FEDER (PTDC/MED-NEU/30845/2017_LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-030845; PTDC/MEC-PSQ/30302/2017_LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-30302), the European Research Council (ERC-2020-STG-Grant 950357), the European Commission Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program (H2020‑SC1‑2017‑CNECT‑2‑777167‑ΒΟUNCE; H2020‑SC1‑DTH‑2019‑875358‑FAITH), and the European Joint Programme in Rare Diseases (Joint Translational Call 2019) through Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia (EJPRD/0001/2020), Consultant of: Received payment or honoraria from MSD (Portugal), Neurolite AG, and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction; received support for attending meetings from Janssen (Portugal); participated in advisory boards for Angelini (Portugal) and Janssen (Portugal), Employee of: Vice-President of the Portuguese Society for Psychiatry and Mental Health; Head of the Psychiatry Working Group for the National Board of Medical Examination (GPNA) at the Portuguese Medical Association and Portuguese Ministry of Health

Being diagnosed with dementia can be a hectic and critical period. While severe dementia may act as a shield when it comes to suicidal risk, mild and early dementia stages may still preserve cognitive functions to elaborate a suicidal plan. Having insight may lead to feelings of despair and sadness that patients find unbearable to deal with. The aim of this article is to review the current literature regarding suicidal risk after a dementia diagnosis.

Review of the most recent literature regarding the risk of suicide among patients with a recent dementia diagnosis. The research was carried out through the PubMed and UptoDate databases, using the terms “dementia”, “diagnosis” and “suicidal risk”.

Previous research showed inconclusive findings, with some authors suggesting a higher risk of an early suicide attempt in patients recently diagnosed with dementia, and others suggesting otherwise. Nowadays, the literature mainly reports that older adults with recent dementia diagnoses are at increased risk of endeavoring suicide. There is an important requirement to offer appropriate support to patients and their families, at the time, or as soon as possible, when a dementia diagnosis is made, to diminish the risk of suicide attempts in these patients.

Patients with recent diagnosis of dementia, or diagnosed at an earlier age, seem to have higher suicidal risk. The period immediately after diagnosis is when individuals need greater support, so these results demand for better assistance for those experiencing such intellectual decline.

The amyloid hypothesis suggests that errors in production, accumulation, or disposal of beta-amyloid are the primary causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since this was hypothesized, there has been significant effort in developing treatments that prevent the build-up of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain. A disease modifying therapy (DMT) changes the clinical progression of AD by interfering in its pathophysiological mechanisms.

The aim of this article is to review the current literature regarding the role of new DMTs for Alzheimer’s dementia and assess the preparedness of health care systems to implement these treatment options.

Review of the most recent literature regarding the role of new DMTs for Alzheimer’s dementia and the challenges faced by the health care system to implement these treatment options. The research was carried out through the PubMed and UptoDate databases, using the terms “amyloid hypothesis”, “Alzheimer”, “disease modifying treatments” and “dementia”.

Research has been focusing on developing monoclonal antibodies as potential DMTs that target Aβ. Aducanumab, a human antibody, or immunotherapy, is the only disease-modifying medication currently approved to treat AD. It targets the Aβ protein and helps to reduce amyloid plaques and is currently the only FDA approved medication to slow the progression of AD. Lecanemab, a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody, binds to Aβ soluble protofibrils with high affinity. Even though there is considerable optimism about its potential, lecanemab will probably be more useful to patients on early stages of the disease.

DMTs administration obeys to certain needs such as a vacancy in Day Hospital for infusion and regular monitorization and for lumbar punction. It demands a complex network involving general practitioner, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, and social services. It also involves a genetic study and complementary diagnosis exams such as PET (Positron emission tomography) scans and MRIs (Magnetic resonance imaging), which are expensive. There is an emerging need to develop enhanced and safer treatments.

Psychotic disorders are not infrequent in late life and involve massive costs to society, affecting individuals and their caregivers. The epidemiology of late-life psychosis remains imprecise and despite its high prevalence, it remains a diagnostic and treatment dilemma. The aim of this article is to review the current literature regarding late-onset psychosis and whether it is recognized as a clinical entity on itself, differing from early-onset psychosis.

Review of the most recent literature regarding late-onset psychosis its clinical and epidemiological particularities. The research was carried out through the PubMed and UptoDate databases, using the terms “late-onset psychosis”, “late-life psychosis”, “dementia” and “elderly”.

Late-life psychotic disorders may originate in an intricate interaction between several biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. These may include functional status, other physical diseases, hospitalizations, physical activity, and stability of care. Some authors refer that older age, and the presence of suicidal ideation were associated with incident late-life psychosis. Assuming the significant load associated with psychotic disorders in late life, their assessment should identify the potential causes and distinguish predictive factors. Treatment should include a combination of nonpharmacological approaches and psychotropic medications, used cautiously.

Late-life psychosis differs from early-onset psychosis on several characteristics. The treatment must be directed towards the cause and adapted to each individual. Non-pharmacologic interventions are frequently used as first line treatment, and pharmacotherapy must be used carefully. The crescent number of senior population must alert to this entity and the specificity of its approach.

Folie a deux, also known as shared psychotic disorder or induced delusional disorder, is a rare mental disorder that was first described in France in the late 19th century and was referred to delusions shared between two individuals in close relationship. The concept has evolved and according to ICD-10 the following criteria for the diagnosis is phenomenology-based only.

To describe a clinical case and review the existing evidence on folie a deux.

Clinical case and non-systematic review of the literature, from the last 15 years, on folie a deux. For this research, the keywords “folie a deux”, “shared psychotic disorder” and “induced delusional disorder” were used in the MEDLINE/PubMed database.

The clinical case presented refers to a 56-year-old female patient with no known psychiatric history. The patient stated that 5 years ago when his mother died, neighbors began to persecute her and her sister. She was medicated with a second-generation antipsychotic without total remission of symptoms. Generally, in folie a deux there is a close and prolonged relationship between the inducer and the receptor, as described in this case. We considered that the sister is the active subject. The delusion is persecutory, the most common in this disorder. The patient kept her job until she was hospitalized and as described in the literature patients with folie a deux maintain their functionality, which is responsible for the underdiagnosis of this disorder. The fact that the current evidence is based on case reports reflects the underdiagnosis and rarity of this disorder.

This clinical case highlights the challenging diagnosis and difficulty in treating this condition. Patients can be diagnosed many years after the onset of symptoms, which may not resolve with treatment. Much information, as prevalence, natural history, and optimal treatment, is lacking on folie a deux, and the etiology remains unknown. As such, prospective studies should be carried out to help understand this disorder.

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Cancer treatments can have a detrimental impact on cancer survivors’ cognitive function. Cognitive rehabilitation is considered the first-line intervention to address cognitive difficulties of cancer survivors. Nevertheless, its efficacy remains unclear.

This meta-analysis aimed to understand the effects of cognitive rehabilitation in non-central system (non-CNS) cancer survivors, through the assessment of the overall efficacy on subjective cognitive outcomes.

This meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis statement. An electronic search on the databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted in May 2021, considering the past 15 years, by two independent authors. Studies were eligible if they included cancer survivors (excluding CNS cancers) who were exposed to cognitive rehabilitation interventions, in which the subjective cognitive effects were measured through self-report questionnaires. The quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials. The effect size was the standardized mean difference in the cognitive assessment, between baseline and post-intervention. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using I2 Statistic. Publication bias was evaluated with Egger’s test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The meta-analysis was performed using R software.

Among 14 studies, with 1115 cancer survivors, one study included a pediatric population, other young adult survivors, and the remaining adult population. The most used scale for measuring cognitive changes was the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) and, as recommended, the Perceived Cognitive Impairments (PCI) subscale was used as the primary measure of subjective cognitive function. Results indicated beneficial effects following cognitive rehabilitation, with an overall standard mean difference between pre- and post-treatment of 3.4447, with CI95% [1.5543; 5.3350], p-value<0.0004. The subgroup analysis between the measures of cognitive outcomes showed that the heterogeneity is Group=Other 0.00% (I2) and for the Group=FACT-Cog PCI is 86% (I2). Analyzing the FACT-Cog PCI, the CI95% [-2.93; 6.43] includes 0, meaning that the overall effect in this subgroup is non-significant. The meta-analysis does not demonstrate publication bias (p-value of the Egger test=0.3220).

Improvement of cognitive function in non-CNS survivors throughout cognitive rehabilitation appears to be effective. The findings of this meta-analysis can help inform clinical practice and assist practitioners in recommending and developing interventions of cognitive rehabilitation and deciding how to evaluate them. Further research is required to strengthen this evidence.

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