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IntroductionBiological rhythms play an important role in the etiology of mood disorders. Several lines of evidence established a link between circadian rhythm disruption and mood episodes. Chronotypes are the behavioral manifestations of circadian rhythms and eveningness appears to be more frequent in bipolar disorder (BD). The influence of chronotype on mood symptoms needs yet to be clarified.Objectives-Identifying the predominant chronotype in a Tunisian sample of patients with BD -Assessing the association between chronotype and biological rhythm disruptions in the sampleMethodsFor this study, a total of 80 euthymic outpatients with bipolar disorder and 80 control subjects were recruited. Biological rhythms disruptions were assessed using the Biological Rhythm Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN). Predominant chronotype was identified using the composite scale of morningness (CSM).ResultsBRIAN scores showed greater biological rhythms disruptions in bipolar patients than the control subjects (mean scores 35.26±9.21 vs 25.84±2.68). Low CSM scores in the patients’ group indicated a predominant evening chronotype whereas an intermediate chronotype was more frequent within the control group. The correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between the 2 scales (r=-0.716, p<0.001): the CSM scores decreased as the BRIAN scores increased.ConclusionsThis study indicates that eveningness is more common in BD. This chronotype is more likely to disturb biological rhythms which may increase the risk of mood symptoms and lead to a poor prognosis for BD, thus the relevance of treating rhythm alterations, especially in evening-type patients, in order to improve their quality of life and prevent mood episodes.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

IntroductionBipolarDisorders (BD) are regarded as a multidimensionaldiseaseinvolvingbothpsychological and physicaldeterminants. Althoughmood dimension andthymicinstability areconsidered as the « core » aspect of bipolardisorders, itis crucial to note thatsomaticproblemsfrequentlyoccur in BD,deeplyworsening the prognosis.ObjectivesHerewedescribea case of atwentyyearshistory of psychiatricimpairment, diagnosedlaterwithcardiac malformation.MethodsFemale patient H.G has been admitted for the first time to psychiatric department ‘A’ of Razi Hospital,treated for type 1 bipolar disorder since 2004 with poor therapeutic compliance. We reviewed the clinical and paraclinical data.ResultsThe patient was hospitalized for a severe manic episode with psychotic features, without cardiac personal history. The patient was asymptomatic and physical examination showed no abnormalities. Following a routine electrocardiogram, an acute coronary syndrom was discovered (inverted T waves seen in V1 to V6). Cardiac troponins were not elevated. According to cardiology recommandations, ischemic heart disease could not be ruled out and extensive cardiovascular investigations were needed. Antipsychotics and mood stabilizors were contraindicated.Therefore, the manic episode could only be managed using benzodiazepines. Given contradictions between clinical, electrocardioagraphic and imaging findings,coronary angiography was necessary. Results showed no significant stenosis of coronary arteries and a myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending artery and we were able to put her on antipsychiotics and moodstabilizer, almost two months after her admission.ConclusionsThis case underlines the significant impact of somatic comorbidities in therapeutic management of bipolar disorders. Cardiovascular diseases in particular cause a delay in treatment initiation and an increase in patient length of hospital stay.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

IntroductionCriminality has become of increasing concern in the practice of psychiatry. However, violence among elderly psychiatric patients is an underestimated and understudied phenomenon.ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to identify differences in the socio-demographic, clinical and criminological profiles between elderly criminals under treatment for psychiatric disorders and those not known to have mental disorders prior to the criminal offense in Tunisia.MethodsWe present a retrospective study on twenty male criminal mental patients, aged sixty years or older, who were hospitalized in the Forensic Psychiatry Department of Razi Hospital during 18 years, following a dismissal for insanity under Article 38 of the Penal Code and Article 29 of Law 92/83 on Mental Health.ResultsPrevalence was higher among elderly criminals without a known psychiatric history (2.42% versus 1.98%). The average age was roughly the same, around 73 years old.Neurological and cardiovascular histories were the most common in both groups. The criminal act was indicative of dementia in 8 cases. Criminal history was more frequent in elderly patients with a personal psychiatric history (55.5% versus 18.2%). Patients whose act was revelatory of their mental disorder committed more violent crimes (63.7% versus 44.4%) using blunt objects (71.4% versus 0%).The victim most often belonged to the aggressor’s family, particularly the spouse (87.5%).ConclusionsScreening for criminal risk factors in the elderly, early diagnosis of mental disorders and a comprehensive therapeutic project are necessary to prevent the risk of violent behaviour.