The complex clinical and cognitive phenotype of adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid hoarding disorder
Several studies consistently showed that patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have high rates of hoarding disorder (HD) comorbidity. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical and cognitive features of adult ADHD patients with and without hoarding comorbidity according to a self-report measure, and a sample of healthy controls.
Lipid variability in drug-naïve individuals affected with Major Depressive Disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This study aimed to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the evidence examining lipid profiles in drug-naïve MDD patients.
Investigating psychiatric morbidity, hopelessness and suicide risk in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a case-control study
The psychiatric phenotype of the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) has been largely described.
Can simple biomarkers of inflammation guide the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders?
In this study, we wanted to investigate the usability of routine blood samples taken at the beginning of hospitalisation in inpatients to predict the presence of psychotic symptoms in patients.
Unexpected improvement in nicotine consumption after low-frequency repetitive magnetic stimulation
We report a case on the efficiency of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cigarette consumption cessation.The patient was 29 years old, He received intensive psychiatric treatments along with ten years of history of depressive and obsessive-compulsive disorders.The first four years of treatment were marked by good outcomes. However, the last 6 years were marked by persisting depressive symptoms associating with psychotic features and sexual obsessions.
Relationship between coping strategies and change in symptom severity in contamination-focused OCD patients during the COVID-19: a one-year follow-up
To examine the relationship between coping strategies and the change in symptom severity in contamination-focused OCD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic over a one-year follow-up.
Borderline personality disorder is an innate empathy anomaly: a scoping and narrative review
Studying empathy in borderline personality disorder (BPD) is essential because difficulties with interpersonal functioning are integral.
Real-world demographic and clinical profiles of patients with treatment-resistant depression initiated on esketamine nasal spray
ESKALE is a French, multicentre, observational study of adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) treated with esketamine. This interim analysis describes baseline demographic and clinical characteristic evolution in patients included and treated from early access program to post-marketing launch.
Exploring real-world prescribing patterns for maintenance treatment in bipolar disorders: a focus on antidepressants and benzodiazepines
Bipolar disorders (BD) are characterized by highly recurrent nature, necessitating adequate maintenance treatment for long-term disorder control. This study aimed to investigate real-world prescribing patterns among outpatients with BD, focusing on the utilisation of antidepressants (AD) and benzodiazepines (BDZ).
Mirtazapine blood levels and antidepressant response
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is an important tool for treatment optimisation. Its usefulness has recently been demonstrated for some first-line antidepressants; however, few studies have been reported on the relationship between blood levels of mirtazapine and its antidepressant effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between blood concentration of mirtazapine and antidepressant response.
Real-world outcomes of long-term use of silexan in patients with anxiety disorders: a single-centre experience
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of long-term use of silexan in patients with a wide range of anxiety disorders.
Neurobiological and psychological factors to depression
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common condition with complex psychological and biological background. While its aetiology is still unclear, chronic stress stands amongst major risk factors to MDD pathogenesis. When researching on MDD, it is necessary to be familiar with the neurobiological effects of several prominent contributors to the chronic stress factor experienced across hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neurotransmission, immune system reflexivity, and genetic alterations. Bi-directional flow of MDD pathogenesis suggests that psychological factors produce biological effects. Here, a summary of how the MDD expresses its mechanisms of action across an overactive HPA axis, the negative impacts of reduced neurotransmitter functions, the inflammatory responses and their gene x environment interactions. This paper builds on these conceptual factors and their input towards the MDD symptomatology with a purpose of synthesising the current findings and create an integrated view of the MDD pathogenesis. Finally, relevant treatment implications will be summarised, along with recommendations to a multimodal clinical practice.
How to treat subsyndromal anxiety disorder - practical recommendations for implementation in primary care
Anxiety is a common and disabling condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Subsyndromal anxiety (SSA) refers to anxiety symptoms that do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder but pose a risk for developing such disorders. We aimed to provide practical recommendations for the treatment of SSA in primary care settings.
Sertraline with desvenlafaxine and sertraline with mirtazapine as treatment initiation in MDD patients with moderate to severe depression and effect on inflammatory markers
This study evaluated the effect of sertraline with desvenlafaxine and sertraline with mirtazapine on HAM-D score and inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α levels) in major depressive disorder.
Hoarding behaviour: special features and complications in real-world clinical practice
Hoarding behaviour is a common but poorly characterised problem in real-world clinical practice. Although hoarding behaviour is the key component of Hoarding Disorder (HD), there are people who exhibit hoarding behaviour but do not suffer from HD. The aim of the present study was to characterise a clinical sample of patients with clinically relevant hoarding behaviour and evaluate the differential characteristics between patients with and without HD.
Depressive symptoms in the entire spectrum of cognitive ageing in Greece: evidence from the Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet (HELIAD)
To study (i) the prevalence of mild and moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms in the entire spectrum of cognitive ageing in Greece and (ii) the relationship between these symptoms and demographic and clinical data.
Prevalence and risk factors for metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and bipolar disorder
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a risk for developing cardiovascular diseases and its prevalence is especially high in psychiatric patients. To date, there is limited data from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the prevalence of MetS. Therefore, we aimed to investigate its prevalence and possible risk factors in a large sample of psychiatric patients in the UAE.
Editorial: Embracing continuity and diversity in psychiatric practice
Suicide ideation and male-female differences in major depressive disorder
This study aimed to explore male-female differences in suicide ideation (SI) and suicide risk factors in major depressive disorder (MDD).
Effects of seasonality in emergency admissions for mental disorders: two years of clinical experience
This retrospective study, conducted in Turin, Italy, between January 2021 and February 2023, investigates the impact of seasonal heatwaves on emergency department (ED) admissions for mental disorders.
Does attention deficit hyperactivity disorder worsen family functioning and parenting styles? A case control study
A bidirectional relationship between family functioning and parenting styles and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is proposed. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of ADHD symptoms on parenting styles and the general functionality of the family as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Serum peripheral markers for inflammation in adolescents with anorexia nervosa
There is a limited number of studies comparing the levels of inflammation in adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and healthy controls based on complete blood count and platelet parameters.
The relevance of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis for psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are often the first to be consulted in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. While this disease is rare, psychiatrists need to be aware of its relevant fundamental, clinical and therapeutic aspects. We begin by reviewing the connection between anti-NMDAR encephalitis and the glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia. Next, we focus on the profile of the patient typically afflicted with this disease. Then, we tackle the limited utility of current diagnostic criteria during the early stage of the disease. After reviewing the psychiatric features, we debate the quest for finding specific psychiatric phenotypes that could facilitate early-stage diagnosis. We conclude by discussing the treatment of psychiatric symptoms and disease outcomes. As follows, this paper presents the relevance of anti-NMDAR encephalitis for psychiatrists.
Prevalence of suicide attempt, suicide ideation and self-harm at diagnosis in adolescents with eating disorders
Data concerning the suicide prevalence of eating disorder (ED) subtypes and predictive factors are lacking in youth. This study aimed to examine suicide attempts (SA), suicide ideation (SI) and self-harm (SH) upon diagnosis in adolescents with EDs.
Hospitalisation outcomes for patients with severe mental illness treated by female vs. male psychiatry residents
Recent literature suggests that female physicians provide higher quality of care compared to their male counterparts across a variety of physical medical conditions. We examine whether a similar phenomenon is observed for psychiatry residents treating hospitalised psychiatric patients.
Elevated C-reactive protein/albumin ratio in patients with methamphetamine use disorder
Methamphetamine use disorder causes significant crises, which have individual, familial, and social consequences. Identifying inflammatory biomarkers for methamphetamine use disorder may be useful for following the inflammatory status of patients in clinical assessment. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) and neutrophil/albumin ratio (NAR) levels can be used as inflammatory biomarkers in methamphetamine use disorder.
Treating postpartum affective and/or anxiety disorders in a mother-baby day hospital: preliminary results
Women experiencing perinatal mental-health illness have unique needs. The present study analyzes preliminary data about the effectiveness of MBDH in treating postpartum women with affective and anxiety disorders.
Depression and atrial fibrillation in a reciprocal liaison: a neuro-cardiac link
To explore the reciprocal relationship of depression and atrial fibrillation (AF).
Which clinical factors and biochemical parameters are associated with late-life major depression?
Late-life major depression (MD) is a frequent and high-cost psychiatric disorder. Our purpose was to detect clinical and biological factors possibly associated with this condition to better prevent and treat it.
Cheers and a thank-you note from the founding chief-editor