Introduction The inter-critical phase in bipolar disorder may contain symptoms that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for a thymic episode. According to studies, these symptoms are common and usually associated with impaired psychosocial and family functioning.ObjectivesStudy the subsyndromal symptoms in remitted patients with bipolar disorder, and their functioning repercussions.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, in the outpatient psychiatry department of the University Hospital in Sfax (Tunisia) among 30 remitted patients with bipolar disorder. We used: the Montgomery And Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Angst Hypomania Questionnaire and the FAST test to assess functioning levels.ResultsThe average age of our population was 44.37±15.45 years with a sex ratio (M/F) =0.66. Most of them lived in urban areas (60%) and half of them did not go beyond the primary school level. Most did not have a constant job (76.6%). The average number of previous thymic episodes was 2±1.33 times/year. A quarter of the patients (26.6%) had hypomanic symptoms in the intercritical phase and 20% had depressive symptoms. Hypomanic symptoms were correlated with tobacco use (p=0.035). Depressive symptoms weremore frequent in men (p=0.074). Functioninglevel was lower in subjects living in rural areas (p=0.065).ConclusionsOur study suggests that residual symptoms were frequent with a significant functional impact. As a result, their identification and management are highly essential to improve the overall functioning of patients with bipolar disorder.
IntroductionPatients with mood disorders have the greater frequency of childhood trauma compared with the general population, and adverse childhood experiences can exert a negative impact on their clinical course. Therefore, many studies confirmed the relationship between childhood traumas and the disadvantageous features of the illness course.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the impact of negative childhood experiences on the clinical course of bipolar disorder.MethodsIt was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study involving patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and followed in the psychiatric department at the University Hospital of Sfax (Tunisia).Personal information form and Childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) were used for data acquisition. Euthymia was defined as a score on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) not higher than 14 and by a score on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) not higher than seven.ResultsWe included 35 patients. Their mean age was 46.69 ± 12.01 years with a sex ratio (M/F)=0.45.The average onset of bipolar disorder was 28.37±10.26 years and the average disease duration was 18.26 ± 11.55 years.Almost the third of our population had a suicidal attempt (31.42%) and a violence history (28.57%). A family history of bipolar disorder was found in 57.14% of the patients.The patients have been hospitalized at least once in 42.85% of cases.Our patients have presented psychotic symptoms in 51.42% of cases and mixed characteristics in 57.14% of cases.Emotional, physical and sexual abuse were reported by 42.85%, 37.14% , 31,42% of patients, respectively, while 74,28% and 42.85% of patients reported physical neglect and emotional neglect.Early age at illness onset was significantly associated with total CTQ score (p=0.014) and the subtype sexual abuse (p=0.009). The presence of psychotic symptomswas significantly associated with total CTQ score (p=0.003) and emotional neglect (p=0.025). Physical neglect was associated with mixed characteristics (p=0.015). Emotional abuse was associated with a greater number of hospitalisations (p=0.023).ConclusionsOur results suggest that childhood trauma is associated with a more severe course of bipolar illness. Clinical assessment of patients with bipolar disorder should include investigation of exposure to childhood trauma in order to determine appropriate therapeutic strategies.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
IntroductionPsychotic disorders have been consistently associated with aggressive behaviors. Psychiatrists are frequently asked to perform assessment regarding potentially aggressive patients. Thus, many psychometric instruments can be useful for identifying the risk of violence and thereby offering appropriate treatment for these individuals.ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to assess the risk of agressive behavior in inpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and to determine its correlates.MethodsUsing face-to-face interviews, inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, in psychiatric department of the University Hospital in Sfax (Tunisia) were included in this cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, carried out between novembre 2020 and octobre 2022.The modified overt aggression scale (MOAS) and historical clinical risk management-20 (HCR-20) questionnaire were used for data acquisition. The HCR-20 score of 20 was used as threshold to divide the sample to violent patients (scoring>20) and non-violent patients (scoring ≤ 20).ResultsThe sample consisted of 60 male inpatients. The mean age was 38.23± 10.37 years.In our sample, 68.3% were single, 35% didn’t reach the secondary educational level, 16.7% used psychoactive substance(s), 35% had prior criminal record, 30% had a history of suicidal attempt and 81.7% had previous hospitalization.The mean score of MOAS was 13.08±8.19. The mean total HCR-20 score was 19.25±5.26. The Historical, Clinical and Risk Management subscales showed mean scores of 8.33±2.96, 5.62±1.89, and 5.28±2.42, respectively.The violent patients represented 45% of the sample.The mean scores of the items H3, H10, C1, C2, C4 and R5 of HCR-20 were respectively : 1.33±0.79, 1.20±0.77, 1.22±0.88, 0.38±0.71, 1.30±0.64 and 1.28±0.73.There was no statistical difference between the two groups in socio-demographic factors.A history of suicidal attempts was significantly more common in the group of violent patients (p=0.029).Regarding the HCR subscales, H3 score (relationship instability) and H10 score (Prior supervision failure) were significantly higher among violent patients (p=0.018 and 0.003 respectively). The C1 score (lack of insight), the C2 score (negative attitudes) and the C4 score (impulsivity) were also significantly higher among violent patients (p=0.016, 0.009 and 0.005 rescpectively).The item R5 (stress) of the risk management subscale was significantly higher in the group of violent patients (p=0.003).The total MOAS score detected severe agression in the nonviolent group (p=0.031).ConclusionsOur study suggests the efficacy of HCR-20 in identifying and distinguishing between violent and nonviolent patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The use of such reliable instrument in clinical psychiatric settings should be encouraged.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
IntroductionAggression and negative behaviours are used to be present in individuals with bipolar disorder, who are sensitive to life events. Thus, many studies investigated the emergence of impulsivity and aggression in the developmental process and revealed its relationship with childhood adversities.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the relationship between childhood trauma and aggressive behaviour in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder.MethodsIt was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study involving patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and followed in the psychiatric department at the University Hospital ofSfax (Tunisia).All subjects completed the Childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) and the Buss–Perry Aggression Scale (BPAS). Euthymiawas defined as a score on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) not higher than 14 and by a score on theYoung Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)not higher than seven.ResultsWe included 35 patients. Their mean age was 46.69 ± 12.01 years with a sex ratio (M/F) =0.45. Most of them lived in urban areas (91.42%) and had a moderate socioeconomic level(88.57%).The most frequent trauma type was physical neglect with 74.28%, followed by emotional abuse (42.85%), emotional neglect (42.85%), physical abuse (37.14%) and sexual abuse (31.42%).The mean score of CTQ was 58.57 ±9.51. Theaverage total score of BPAS was 82.26 ±14.57.The mean scores of subscales of BPAS were 25.49±4.59 for physical aggression, 13.74±3.51for verbal aggression, 19.14±6.22 for anger and 23.89±5.57 for hostility.A statistically significant and positive correlation was determined between CTQ and BPAS (p=0.011). The score of BPAS was significantly correlated with physical abuse (p=0.003) and physical neglect (p=0.014).Conclusions The relationship between CTQ and BGHA scores suggests the possibility that childhood trauma may be one determinant of aggression in patients with bipolar disorder. Considering the childhood trauma history in the evaluation of these patients may prevent their aggression and thus their psychosocial functioning.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
IntroductionCaregiving negatively affects the psychological and physical health of the caregivers, especially in parents of children with neurological impairement (NI).Furthermore, the behavior and demands of the patient make the caregivers encounter increased stress levels and negative thoughtsabout the future that may lead to depression in caregivers.ObjectivesTo assess the relationship between caregiver burden and symptoms of depression in parents of children with NI.MethodsA total of 33 caregivers of children with NI, participated in this cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, carried out in Child Neurology Department of the University Hospital in Sfax (Tunisia), between February and April 2021.The Zarit-Caregiver-Burden-Scale (Zarit-CBS) and the Beck Depression Scale were administered.ResultsThe average age of the caregivers (27 mothers and 6 fathers) was 38,33 years ± 6,53 years. Among the parents, 81,81% didn’t exceed the secondary educational level and75,75% of them had an irregular occupation. The average age of the children (21 boys and 12 girls) was 7,58±4,29 years.Near to the half of them (51,51%) had intellectual disability.Over 54.54% of the children had a functional independence, while 21.21% required help in walking and 24.24% were unable to walk.The intervention was based on motor rehabilitation (57,57%), adequate equipment (24,24%), ergotherapy (45,45%) and speech therapy (60,6%).After the intervention, 63,63% of children had an improvement and 30,3% had a stationary state.The mean score of Zarit-CBS was 52,45±14,26. The caregiver burden was noted in 96,96%.The mean score of Beck was 9,33±5,48. The depression was noted in 78,78%.The total Zarit-CBS score had positive correlation with Beck scores (p=0.038).ConclusionsThere is a positive relationship between the caregiver burden and depression symptoms. Thus, effort should be made to relieve caregiver burden in parents of children with NI.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
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