Delusion of pregnancy is not common among patients suffering from schizophrenia, especially males. The reports in literature regarding this delusion are rare and not conclusive, particularly about its mechanisms. The psychopathology behind this particular condition may involve hormonal and biological ways.

Illustrate through a case report and a review of literature the causal relationship between delusion of pregnancy and hyperprolactinemia in a male with schizophrenia.

This case report involved a comprehensive evaluation of a patient presenting with delusion of pregnancy and hyperprolactinemia. We compared the clinical findings with the existent research after conducting a literature review on different databases such as Pubmed and the national library of medicine using the key words “delusion of pregnancy” “males” and “hyperprolactinemia”

A 30-year-old Tunisian man with a history of schizophrenia who has been of treatment for 6 months, presented to our department with auditory hallucinations, incoherent speech, and a delusion of pregnancy. The patient reported feeling fetal movements and believed a uterus had been implanted in his abdomen after receiving stem cell injections. Since it is the first time that our patient presents this delusion of pregnancy unlike his other relapses, we asked for a prolactinemia test and complete hormonal panel. His prolactin levels were elevated at 59.33 ng/ml (normal range: 15-25 ng/ml), compared to normal baseline levels in previous admissions. The hormonal screening revealed hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The patient was treated with antipsychotics (haloperidol initially, then switched to clozapine) and sedatives to manage his symptoms and agitation. His prolactin levels were successfully managed with medication, returning to within the normal range (the second measurement being done 8 weeks after the switch to clozapine). The delusion of pregnancy resolved after several weeks of treatment with clozapine. The patient was discharged with ongoing outpatient care to monitor his schizophrenia and prolactin levels.

This case report highlights the association between delusion of pregnancy and hyperprolactinemia in a male patient with schizophrenia. The findings suggest the potential link between these two conditions. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop evidence-based clinical management.

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Sibutramine is an anorexigenic drug that has been used to treat obesity. After its commercialization, FDA ordered the suspension of its prescription in USA because of the adverse effects. It has structural similarities to amphetamine and is a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. The primary metabolites are responsible for the activity and inhibit the reuptake of noradrenalin and serotonin from the synaptic cleft. This substance can interfere with one of the known mechanisms of psychosis increasing dopaminergic transmission and leading to potential psychomimetic effects.

The main objective in this paper is to obtain a critical evaluation of the literature regarding psychosis and sibutramine. There has been done a bibliographic review in databases such us SCOPUS, Web of Science, UptoDate and PubMed. This review was realized under certain criteria and keywords. The motivations behind this research were generated after an unusual clinical case (in symptomatology’s presentation). Sibutramine is a compound, which is not commercialized in the UE, so the diagnosis of the toxic psychosis was more complicated than the average psychedelics drugs.

To develop this review, numerous databases were chosen: PubMed, Scopus, UpToDate and Web of Science. However, only in PubMed we have obtain relevant results. For descriptors we have used two terms: “psychosis” and “sibutramine”. In this database, 27 results were obtained. With the criteria previously designed, which were free text access and works published in the last 20 years, only ten of them met all the criteria. With these ten articles, a systematic and qualitative analysis has been done, focusing on the ones which described similar cases.

The sibutramine psychosis is difficult to identify. Frequently is mixed up with other substances in dietary supplements, which can appear as harmless. So, as clinics, we need to be careful, always considering this information in the clinical records. This case was peculiar; a 24 years old woman was consuming sibutramine as a compound in one supplement she was taken for losing weight. Three weeks prior to the consult the symptons started with an erotomaniac delusions, accompanied by disruptive behaviour, mood swings (dysphoria) and irritability. She was hospitalized and treated with antipsychotic medication (aripiprazole) showing a full recovery in five days.

Sibutramine can cause severe mental health disorders. As a compound of dietary supplements, can be easily acquired through online stores. Our work as clinics is to be vigilant of this kind of substances because of the danger that can generate. More studies should be done, to acquire knowledge of the psychobiological mechanisms involved in these cases. The prognosis seems to be positive, but there are certain risks in patients with unknown vulnerability factors.

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Non-adherence to prescribed medications in schizophrenia is a primary factor leading to relapse and repeated hospitalizations, posing a significant challenge in psychiatric care. Understanding and enhancing medication adherence is crucial for improving outcomes in schizophrenia treatment.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of medication non-adherence among schizophrenia patients and to explore the impact of depression and other sociodemographic factors on adherence levels. Recognizing these influences is essential for developing targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes.

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 350 individuals with schizophrenia, encompassing both outpatients and inpatients. A comprehensive questionnaire was employed to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical history, and therapeutic interventions.

To assess medication adherence and depressive symptoms, the study utilized the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), both of which are validated tools designed for psychiatric evaluations.

Data analysis revealed that 21.3% of the participants exhibited poor medication adherence as measured by MARS. Further statistical testing using a logistic regression model identified employment status and level of depression as significant predictors of non-adherence.

Patients who were unemployed and those exhibiting higher scores on the CDSS indicating more severe depressive symptoms were more likely to be non-compliant with their medication regimen (p=0,001). This highlights the intricate relationship between mental health symptoms and treatment adherence.

The results of this study illuminate the importance of considering depression and employment status when addressing medication adherence in individuals with schizophrenia. These factors play a pivotal role in the adherence behavior and overall treatment outcomes of patients.

Emphasizing comprehensive care that includes management of depression alongside routine antipsychotic treatment could enhance adherence and improve the prognosis for individuals living with schizophrenia. Ongoing research is needed to further elucidate the pathways that influence medication adherence and to develop strategies that effectively address these challenges.

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Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder with a complex and diverse pathology (Owen et al. 2016). Currently, the main form of treatment is antipsychotic therapy (AP), which involves the use of either oral antipsychotics (OAP) or long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) (Stępnicki et al. 2018). Although it affects only about 1% of the population, schizophrenia represents an important socioeconomic problem. The employment rates among individuals with schizophrenia are notably low, with only 10–30% maintaining employment, while approximately 80% are reliant on disability pensions (Holm et al. 2021).

The aim of the study was to analyse the association between early administration of LAIs and the socioeconomic status in patients with long lasting schizophrenia and compare the differences between female and male patients.

This is a retrospective clinical study. We collected socioeconomic and sociodemographic data on all individuals and reviewed each patient’s medical history from their first hospitalization up to the study period. Then we analysed the data. The inclusion criteria were ages from 18 up to 65 years, the diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotics disorders for at least 5 years, use of AP therapy for at least 5 years and current use of LAIs for at least 6 months. Exclusion criteria included the diagnosis of treatment-resistant schizophrenia, or the diagnoses classified under F70–79 in the ICD-10 classification.

From the sample of 100 patients, the ones with early initiation of LAIS, within 2 years of onset of disease, had statistically higher rates of employment than those with late initiation of LAIs (p=0,04). We could not prove that the rate of employment was higher among early initiation female patients (p = 0,825), but we could for the male patients (p = 0,005) (Image 1). Meanwhile we couldn’t prove the same for financial independence (p = 0,398), also there was no statistically significant result based on sex (p = 0,367, p = 0,692).

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Results suggest that patients with earlier initiation of LAIs have higher rates of employment. The difference between sexes (Image 2 and 3) is also an interesting part of the study as it shows that female patients have a later onset than male patients and therefore receive the first does of LAIs at a much older age than men, which could be influencing the higher rate of unemployment and insufficiency among female patients.

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Psychosis is a condition characterised by hallucinations or delusions, which can cause distress and burden for both the individuals experiencing it and their caregivers. Seeking help can reduce the distress and burden, improve symptoms, and prevent adverse outcomes. However, many people still do not seek help or delay help-seeking. The reasons for this are not yet fully understood, especially in South and Southeast Asian settings.

To explore the views and experiences of key stakeholders in South and Southeast Asia towards help-seeking for psychosis.

This systematic review included ‘views’ studies using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method designs. Systematic searches were conducted in several databases, including CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, ASSIA, and Scopus from inception to September 2023. Each article was screened in duplicate by at least two independent reviewers. Popay et al.’s (2006) narrative synthesis was used to synthesise the data.

This review included 51 studies from 10 South and Southeast Asian countries. The synthesis revealed that people with psychosis and their caregivers sought help from various sources. Factors that facilitate or hinder help-seeking behaviours include the ability to recognise problems, the alignment between illness and treatment perceptions, the attainability of help providers, the roles of social networks and support systems, and perceived stigma. Further, people also considered the outcome of each help-seeking process to determine their subsequent behaviours.

Interventions to improve help-seeking behaviours among people with psychosis should consider these multiple factors and address not only the help-seekers but also a wider range of key stakeholders, including social networks and potential help providers.

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Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder often diagnosed in early adulthood, significantly impacting quality of life and increasing mortality risk. Xanomeline-trospium (KarXT), a combination of a muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonist and a peripheral antagonist, offers a potential new approach.

We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of KarXT compared to placebo in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia.

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling patients with schizophrenia treated with KarXT versus placebo. Our outcomes included the overall improvement in schizophrenia symptoms, measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score, as well as specific symptom domains assessed by the PANSS positive and PANSS negative subscales. Additionally, the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) score was used to measure the overall severity of the disorder. We computed mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using R version 4.3.2. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics.

Three RCTs were included with 640 patients, of whom 314 (49.1%) received KarXT. There were 509 males (79.5%) and 131 females (20.5%). The average body mass index (BMI) was slightly higher in the KarXT group (29.1) compared to the placebo (28.8). KarXT resulted in a greater decrease in the PANSS total score (MD: -9.74; 95% CI -12.40, -7.08; p<0.001; I²=0%; Figure 1A), PANSS positive (MD: -3.20; 95% CI -4.04, -2.36; p<0.001; I²=0%; Figure 1B), PANSS negative (MD: -1.55; 95% CI -2.28, -0.81; p<0.001; I²=22%; Figure 1C) and CGI-S score (MD: –0.60; 95% CI -0.75, -0.45; p<0.001; I²=24% Figure 2).

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Our systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs showed that KarXT is significantly more effective than placebo in reducing schizophrenia symptoms.

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Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, typically auditive ones, delusions, disorganized thinking and behavior, and flat or inappropiate affect. Symptoms develop gradually and usually begin during young adulthood and are never resolved completely. There is no objective diagnostic test; diagnosis is based on observed behavior, a holistic psychiatric history that includes the person’s reported experiences, and reports of others familiar with the patient.

• - Explore what schizophrenia is, its main characteristics and how it differs from other mental disorders.

• - Analyze how schizophrenia affects families and interpersonal relationships.

Middle-aged man who resides with his adoptive parents in a town near the municipal seat, unemployed and longitudinally with few social relationships and a lover of technology. He has attended psychiatric consultations on specific occasions and irregularly without a clear diagnosis. a single admission to a city psychiatric hospital for psychotic symptoms that subsided with medication. Since then, monitoring has been erratic and he has been given medication disguised by his parents during meals. In the last two weeks he has been especially distrustful and suspicious, even with his parents, so he has barely been able to sleep and does not eat properly for fear of being poisoned. He has confined himself to his room and refuses to be evaluated by a doctor and his anguish and emotional lability are increasing. For this reason, he is taken to the emergency room, where he is evaluated and it is determined that he is going through an episode with psychotic characteristics, which is why it is necessary, given the repercussion of the condition and the patient’s lack of cooperation, to be involuntarily hospitalized for treatment and stabilization.

During admission, he experiences episodes of intense agitation and serious behavioral alterations that require important pharmacological adjustments. In addition, work is done on awareness of the disease and acceptance of the diagnosis. Although he is initially reluctant to take any type of intervention, he progressively accepts taking medication and understands the nature of his problem, as well as the need to continue monitoring his disorder at an outpatient level. We were also able to provide psychoeducation to the family, thus achieving commitment and support on their part as well, since at first they were reluctant that their son could suffer from schizophrenia, for fear of the stigma and rejection that this could cause.

People with schizophrenia often face social stigmatization, which can lead to further marginalization, isolation and discrimination. This affects their emotional and mental well-being, contributing to a decrease in quality of life. Lack of adequate understanding of the disorder reinforces these myths and perpetuates discrimination.

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The term cycloid psychosis was first introduced by Karl Kleist in 1926 to describe cases that did not meet the typical presentations of schizophrenia or manic-depressive illness. The concept was later developed by Karl Leonard, who proposed three distinct types of cycloid psychoses. Perris and Brockington established the first operational diagnostic criteria for the condition. Cycloid psychosis is characterized by its acute onset, brief duration, polymorphous and shifting symptomatology, a tendency for periodic recurrence, and full inter-episode recovery, with no residual functional impairment following the episodes. Despite its distinct characteristics, cycloid psychosis is not included in the current international psychiatric classification systems.

We aim to present a case report and conduct a literature review.

A narrative review of the literature was conducted, with data collected from the PubMed database. Only English-language studies published in peer-reviewed journals were included in the selection.

Case: A 35-year-old female patient has been presenting, over the last seven years, with episodes characterized by a sudden onset of agitation, acute anxiety (described by the patient as ‘an inexplicable sense of fear’), and frequently accompanied by persecutory delusions and auditory commanding hallucinations. Upon observation, the patient typically presents with confusion and perplexity and exhibits a lack of recollection of some previous events. Following the initiation of antipsychotic treatment, a complete recovery is always observed within a few days, with no residual symptoms remaining. In the most recent episode, the patient drove for a few hours to a different city from the one where she lives and had to ask for help from a fire department, as she felt lost and confused and had no memory of the previous events. According to reports from her family, the patient exhibited disorganized behavior, increased irritability, and a reduction in sleep duration during the week preceding the episode. The patient later acknowledged discontinuation of antipsychotic medication. These episodes occurred without any prior substance use, cognitive decline, or underlying medical conditions. The patient had no previous psychiatric complaints or family history of psychiatric disorders. Although the patient was a smoker, there was no history of substance or alcohol abuse. A comprehensive evaluation, including laboratory tests, imaging studies (head CT and brain MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), revealed no abnormal findings. Considering the range of symptoms and characteristics observed in this clinical case, the patient meets Perris’s criteria for cycloid psychosis.

Our case report highlights that cycloid psychosis exhibits a distinctive symptom pattern and clinical outcome, which can support its validity as a nosological construct distinguishable from other disorders in classification systems.

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In schizophrenia, cognitive symptoms emerge in the early period and are among the core symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of electroconvulsive therapy on the cognitive functions of schizophrenia patients.

In schizophrenia, cognitive symptoms emerge in the early period and are among the core symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of electroconvulsive therapy on the cognitive functions of schizophrenia patients.

In this study, 25 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 criteria and treated with only pharmacotherapy (FT), 25 patients treated with pharmacotherapy plus electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) those who are inpatients in the psychiatry clinics of Istanbul Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital 28 healthy controls were included. Patients were evaluated clinically with tests during the acute exacerbation period and 3 months later.

During the acute exacerbation period, schizophrenia patients were identified to present poor cognitive performance compared to healthy controls. After three months of treatment, significant clinical improvement was observed in both patient groups. MoCA total scores increased for both groups after treatment. After treatment, TMT-A and TMT-B performance improved in the pharmacotherapy group and TMT-A performance improved in the pharmacotherapy + ECT group. With treatment, there was a significant positive change in the number of categories completed in the WCST in the pharmacotherapy group. In the Stroop Test, the pharmacotherapy group showed significant positive changes in the duration values of all cards and in the interference effect, while the pharmacotherapy + ECT group showed significant changes in the duration values of Stroop 1, 2, 4 and 5 and in the interference effect. In the pharmacotherapy + ECT group, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the change in PANNS negative subscale scores and the duration of TMT-B and the number of completed categories, perseverative responses and perseverative errors in WCST.

It was observed that treatment modalities are not superior to each other on cognitive functioning in the long term. The improvement in cognitive areas with treatment may be due to a decrease in symptom severity and increased patient compliance with treatment. In this field, prospective, multicenter studies with larger sample sizes, including different drug groups and different ECT modalities are needed.

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The treatment of severe mental disorders benefits significantly from a multidisciplinary approach that integrates, among others, psychopharmacology and psychotherapy. The intervention with multifamily groups (MFG) shows multiple benefits for this patient profile. Its positive effects include reducing relapse rates, increasing treatment adherence, improving socio-occupational and family functioning, and reducing stress and family burden. When implemented optimally, it can be an effective tool that complements other treatment options, such as psychopharmacology and other psychosocial interventions.

To describe a clinical case of severe mental disorder, emphasizing the special relevance of a comprehensive approach.

The case of a 46-year-old woman, with no prior mental health history, is described. She began follow-up after experiencing several psychotic episodes induced by substance use (cannabis). It was agreed with the patient to start psychopharmacological treatment and a psychotherapeutic approach by incorporating her into the center’s Multifamily Group (MFG). Initially, she received treatment with olanzapine 15 mg maximum daily dose (MDD), but it was discontinued due to the metabolic syndrome that appeared as a side effect. Treatment with lurasidone 74 mg MDD was then started, but it was also eventually discontinued due to intense akathisia. During the three years of follow-up, the patient remained abstinent from cannabis, without psychopharmacological treatment, and received intensive therapy in the MFG. Over time, her delusional ideation of persecution and self-referential clinical symptoms progressively subsided until resolution.

During a session of the MFG, in the context of several stressful situations (her son moving out of the family home, personal experience with the stigma of mental illness after a reading in the MFG, and frequent arguments with her husband), the patient reported delusional ideation and self-referentiality again, predominantly affecting her emotional state. In agreement with the patient and considering the side effects previously experienced with other antipsychotics, it was decided to initiate treatment with Brexpiprazole at progressively increasing doses until reaching 4 mg MDD, with good tolerability and clinical efficacy.

This case highlights the particular importance of adopting a multimodal approach for the effective management of severe mental disorders, which can optimize clinical outcomes, promote more sustainable recovery, and improve the quality of life for patients.

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Constipation is a common side effect of antipsychotic drugs [1] that has not received much attention.

In patients treated with clozapine, constipation may be the most common side effect, affecting one in three patients [2, 3].

Cases of delayed detection of symptoms of constipation or inadequate treatment of constipation have resulted in paralytic ileus, faecal impaction, intestinal obstruction and even death [4,5].

However, other risk factors for constipation are also common in people with schizophrenia, such as low socio-economic status, a sedentary lifestyle, and illnesses and medications associated with constipation.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

To assess constipation in patients with schizophrenia hospitalised at the Arrazi psychiatric hospital in Salé and to study the factors associated with these symptoms: socio-demographics, lifestyle, psychotropic drugs, other drugs and co-morbidities such as diabetes and obesity.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a questionnaire including sociodemographic and clinical criteria as well as questions on the lifestyle of hospitalised patients with schizophrenia to assess constipation in these patients and study the factors associated with these symptoms.

Exclusion criteria: intellectual disability.

A total of 167 patients admitted to the psychiatric hospital for management of schizophrenia were collected. Approximately 69% were male. Adherence to antipsychotics was poor in most patients. 53% were on haloperidol, 25% on olanzapine and 12% on clozapine. Diabetes was present in 21% of patients. Constipation was present in 57% of patients. Most participants had a lifestyle without physical exercise and a balanced diet.

Constipation is common in patients with schizophrenia on antipsychotics, with the risk of complications sometimes severe. It is recommended that clinicians assess antipsychotic-induced constipation and manage it effectively.

None Declared

Religious delusions are a common symptom in patients with schizophrenia. They can be more difficult to treat than other delusions because they are usually held with more conviction [1], which makes them of great clinical relevance. Religious delusions occur in between one-fifth and two-thirds of patients with delusions [2].

Cross-cultural differences may provide a partial explanation, but it seems likely that individual socio-demographic variables, particularly the extent of personal religiosity, as well as genetic factors, may also play a role.

To assess the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and religious activity in patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder with religious delusions followed and hospitalised at the Arrazi psychiatric hospital in Salé.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a questionnaire including socio-demographic criteria, clinical criteria and questions about religious activity by grouping patients into 5 categories: (1 = no religious affiliation, 2 = religious affiliation, but not actively religious, 3 = religious affiliation, somewhat active activity, 4 = religious affiliation, moderately active activity, 5 = religious affiliation, very active activity) to assess the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and religious activity in patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder with religious delusions followed and hospitalised at the Arrazi psychiatric hospital in Salé.

The inclusion criteria were as follows: both sexes with a diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder according to DSM 5 criteria and having a mystico-religious delusion.

The exclusion criterion was severe intellectual disability.

A total of 109 patients were collected.

Approximately 85% were male. Most had an average socio-economic status. 67% lived with their families and 15 were homeless. About 89% were unemployed.

About 78% of the patients were hospitalised and most had poor compliance. All patients had mystico-religious delusions, most thought they were prophets or angels, 10 believed they were God. Fourteen patients thought they were Al Mehdi AL montadar, 2 said they were the Holy Spirit. 22 had a delusion of possession.

77% had Islam as their religion, 12% Christianity and 11% no religious affiliation. About half of the patients had a religious affiliation but were not actively religious. Very active religious subjects were 3 times more likely to suffer from religious delusions than subjects with no religious affiliation.

Our data suggest that a high level of personal religious activity appears to be one of the risk factors for the onset of religious delusions. A high level of religiosity appears to increase the risk of developing religious delusions.

Further research is needed to examine the relationship between religiosity and religious delusions.

None Declared

Schizophrenia is a severe mental condition marked by a progressive onset of symptoms. Early evaluation and proper management are necessary for improving long-term outcomes and reducing the disorder’s severity. Early detection of prodromal symptoms and the prompt initiation of treatment can substantially influence the evolution of the condition, resulting in improved prognoses and a better quality of life.

The paper examines methods for recognizing early indicators of schizophrenia and evaluates the effects of early intervention. The emphasis encompasses comprehending the prevalent prodromal symptoms linked to schizophrenia, assessing diverse early detection techniques, and analysing the advantages of prompt intervention on long-term results.

A comprehensive examination of existing literature and clinical investigations was performed to identify and delineate prevalent prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia, including social disengagement, cognitive impairments, and atypical thought processes. The assessment examined various early detection instruments, encompassing structured clinician interviews, self-report questionnaires, and neuroimaging methodologies. Furthermore, data from longitudinal studies was examined to ascertain how early intervention may impact the disorder’s course and enhance patient outcomes.

The review realized multiple significant prodromal signs, including social isolation and cognitive impairments. Multiple early detection instruments, including structured interviews and neuroimaging, proved helpful in identifying persons at elevated risk for developing schizophrenia. Timely intervention measures, integrating pharmacological therapies and psychosocial assistance, correlated with a substantial decrease in symptom severity and improved long-term results.

The management of schizophrenia necessitates early identification and intervention. The severity of the disorder and the prognosis can be significantly reduced by recognizing prodromal symptoms and administering effective treatment. In order to enhance recovery and mitigate the effects of schizophrenia on individuals and their families, clinicians should prioritize early detection and early treatment.

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Trial protocols and manuals are critical documents outlining core elements of a clinical trial, such as theoretical background, recruitment strategies, intervention structure and components, and control comparators. Availability of these documents is essential as it prevents trial duplication, helps detect or avoid research misconduct, and facilitates tracking of trial results. Moreover, a detailed description of intervention components is crucial for the methodological rigor of advanced meta-research approaches, such as component network meta-analysis (cNMA). However, clinical trials often fail to make these documents publicly accessible, either before or after the trial ends, for instance as supplementary materials to publications. Attempts to obtain these documents by contacting researchers directly are frequently unsuccessful. Therefore, alternative avenues for retrieving these materials must be explored.

This study aims to assess the feasibility of retrieving trial protocols and manuals through alternative sources, such as ethics committees/IRBs, funding bodies, and sponsors.

In the context of a cNMA on psychotherapeutic interventions for eating disorders, we identified 34 published studies (12 on anorexia nervosa and 22 on bulimia nervosa); for each, we reviewed the full-text publications to identify potential sources to retrieve trial protocols and manuals. To this end, we adopted a systematic, stepped approach, investigating: 1) explicit mentions of published trial protocols; 2) trial registration details, including ethics committees/IRBs; 3) institutions or clinics whose ethics committees approved the protocol; 4) specific trial sites or study sponsors/funders; 5) first author’s affiliation.

Of the 34 publications analyzed: 1) 2 studies had published trial protocols; 2) 11 studies were registered in trial databases and reported ethics committee or IRB details; 3)16 studies identified the ethics committee or IRB that approved the protocol; 4) 26 studies reported one or more specific trial sites or funding bodies/sponsors; 5) 31 studies provided the first author’s institutional affiliation.

Overall, 26 studies had at least one contact associated with organizations that would have reviewed the trial documents, and 31 studies had at least one institutional contact potentially connected to the trial’s documentation. For 3 studies no information on ethics committees, trial site, or author affiliation was available.

Despite the recognized importance of making trial protocols publicly available, spontaneous dissemination remains rare in clinical trials on psychotherapeutic interventions. In the absence of published protocols or trial registration details, our feasibility study highlights that full-text publications of trial results can offer multiple potential points of contact that may provide access to such documentation.

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The SABAS is a single-factor measure of problematic smartphone use, with higher scores indicating a potential addictive tendency. Some researchers (Peng et al., 2023) suggest a cutoff point of 23 out of a maximum available score of 36. Other researchers consider a high mean a guideline without suggesting a possible threshold. This score will indicate the presence of the problematic factor under investigation, regardless of age.

Our study aims to identify a score for problematic smartphone use that may already indicate vulnerability to addiction. The research investigates the proposal of a possible cutoff point for problematic smartphone use based on several SABAS surveys over 9 years.

In our research, 1228 participants completed four online surveys between 2015 and 2023. The age distribution was 9-73 years, with 41.2% male and 58.8% female. Our research instrument was the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (Csibi et al., 2018) questionnaire, a 6-question questionnaire designed to detect problematic smartphone use. We hypothesized that SABAS scores that show a significant relationship with cutoff scores of clinical questionnaires with convergent validity (NMP-Q, SPAI, SHAI, FNPQ) could be as cutoff scores within the measure.

Our results showed a significant correlation between SABAS and NMP-Q scores (r(238) = .63, p = .001), with the mean of the moderate-severity nomophobia score (88.5 points) being the mean of the SABAS 23 score. For the response distribution corresponding to the NMP-Q prevalence of severe nomophobia (100 points or more), the SABAS score mean was 29 points. The mean scores on the SPAI questionnaire were 85.82 (SD=22.76) and 97.17 (SD=31.65), respectively, for the subscales Functional Impairment 22.47 (SD=8.41) and 27.29 (SD=9.59), Compulsive Behaviour 29.48 (SD=9,03) and 34.41 (SD=11.64), Withdrawal 21.77 (SD=6.41) and 23.41 (SD=8.55), and Tolerance 12.10 (SD=3.61) and 12.05 (SD=4.64). The correlation was also evident for the SHAI (r(439) = .67, p = .001), its subscales, and the FNPQ scale (r(398) = .27, p = .001).

The mean SABAS score indicating problematic smartphone use was 23 points, with scores above this point indicating increasingly severe use of analyzed behavior. Those with a score of severe nomophobia scored 29 or higher on the SABAS scale. The SABAS shows a significant relationship with the cutoff scores of the convergent validity questionnaires along the mean scores indicated above (23,29), so we suggest using these scores as cutoffs.

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In persons with severe mental illness (SMI) in long-term care, cognitive impairments may be severe and pervasive. However, it remains unclear how cognitive impairments specifically impact daily life and how these effects are reflected in their everyday functioning. Collection of such data is complicated by the fact that these individuals are often excluded from scientific research and tend to drop out more frequently due to the severity and complexity of their mental health issues. This calls for a different approach, one that makes greater use of the available structured and unstructured data from electronic patient records (EPRs).

The goals of this research are to assess how cognitive impairments and their impact on daily life in persons with SMI are qualitatively addressed in EPRs and to assess whether and how such data may be systematically evaluated.

We will conduct an explorative, retrospective EPR study focused on persons with SMI who use long-term care services within Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Department of Rehabilitation. EPRs contain qualitative (such as written reports) as well as quantitative (such as Routine Outcome Measures) data. To ensure patient privacy, the data in the obtained files will be de-identified. Indicators of cognitive impairments and their impact on daily life will be operationalized in collaboration with health care professionals and clustered in the domains of working memory, attention, verbal learning and memory, reasoning and problem solving, processing speed and social cognition. Using these operationalizations, natural language processing, an innovative machine-learning technique used to understand and interpret human language, will be used to identify patterns (such as, potentially, gender differences) with respect to cognitive impairments and their impact on daily life functioning from the qualitative EPR data.

As the study is work in progress, preliminary results are currently not yet available and will be presented at the conference.

EPRs are a potentially vital but underused source of data for persons with SMI in long-term care. By analysing data from EPRs we may gain a broader insight into cognitive impairments and their impact on daily life in persons with SMI. Such insights are essential to aid recovery for persons with SMI in long-term care.

None Declared

For over 50 years, there has been based on Vladimir Hudolin method a family preventive program for the addicted of psychoactive substances and actions (Zoricic 2006; 42(1) 35). Family therapeutic communities (family sobriety clubs) exist in many countries in Europe and the world, in Russia there are over 50 clubs. In Russian clubs, a change in the lifestyle of rehabilitants is accompanied by a transformation of value systems and semantic formations into traditions of religious worldview.

To study the dynamics of changes in value systems and religious beliefs among family sobriety club members during rehabilitation, which includes a spiritually-oriented component.

50 Russian patients with alcohol addiction who participated in rehabilitation in a community setting were examined: 25 (“participants” group) - with remission from several months to two years, 25 (“leaders”) – with remission over two years were also the heads of family sobriety clubs. There were used psychometrical (Schwartz Value Survey – SVS, Religions Orientation Scale - ROS) and statistical methods.

Leading values among “participants” are “kindness”, “safety” and “conformality”, the most significant values among “leaders” are “kindness”, “traditions” and “universalism” (р<0,05). Benchmarking: self-transcedence values prevail among “leaders”, high levels of self-raising among “participants”. Analysis of variance (ANOVA): increasing the significance of values of kindness (p = 0.025) and tradition (p = 0.009) at the level of ideals, tradition (p = 0.0003) and safety (p = 0.04) at the level of priorities at remote stages of rehabilitation. The cohesion of values among “leaders” is higher than among “participants” (conformity (p = 0.03) and kindness (p = 0.09)). Over time a detailing of spiritual ideas takes place, rehabilitants identify themselves as believers and aim to change their lifestyle according to religious Faith values. According to ROS, there is a more meaningful religiosity among “leaders” than among “participants,” the predominance of internal religiosity over external religiosity at long stages of assistance.

Change in value orientations correlates with the duration of rehabilitation, their greater cohesion is noted, values are more consistent with the normative for the population as a whole. Religious idias become more harmonious, a transformation of dysfunctional manifestations of external religiosity into adaptive forms of internal religiosity is noted, which is associated with the increase of overall meaningfulness of life.

None Declared

Aphasia, a language disorder resulting from brain damage, presents significant challenges in assessment and treatment. Traditional evaluation methods often lack precision and efficiency. This study introduces a novel framework for feature extraction in aphasia speech data, leveraging the power of state-of-the-art Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance assessment, classification, and treatment planning. We used the AphasiaBank database (https://aphasia.talkbank.org/) to test our methods.

Our primary objectives were to:

1. 1. Develop a comprehensive set of LLM-based feature extractors for aphasia speech analysis.

2. 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of these features in assessing aphasia types and severity.

3. 3. Explore the potential of AI-assisted speech analysis in clinical settings for aphasia management.

We developed a novel framework focusing on content analysis of transcribed aphasia speech. Our approach utilizes the embedded knowledge of language usage in LLMs to evaluate speech disfluencies. The advanced set of features derived from LLMs includes, but is not limited to: 1) Lemma similarities for vocabulary diversity assessment, 2) Syntactic structure analysis, 3) Use of linkers and connectors, 4) Degree of abstraction in word usage, 5) CEFR framework-based word complexity analysis, 6) Maze type identification, 7) Semantic field variability, 8) False start analysis.

This content-focused feature set is designed to complement existing phonetic features derived from audio files and other potential data sources, such as MRI.

Our evaluation demonstrates that current SOTA LLMs show significant potential in aphasia assessment and group differentiation. The novel feature set provides detailed insights into various aspects of language use affected by aphasia, offering a more comprehensive evaluation than traditional methods.

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This study presents an advancement in applying AI to aphasia assessment and treatment. Our novel LLM-based framework offers a more nuanced and efficient approach to analyzing aphasia speech, potentially leading to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans. The findings lay the groundwork for integrating AI-assisted tools into clinical workflows, complementing rather than replacing human expertise. Future research could explore combining this framework with immersive technologies for enhanced language rehabilitation. This work contributes to a future where AI augments the quality and accessibility of care for individuals with aphasia, while maintaining the central role of human clinicians in the therapeutic process.

None Declared

The basic purpose of any research is to encourage and develop original thinking, critical analysis, and inculcate spontaneity and creativity. However, the online availability of a plethora of resources, sophisticated software, and artificial intelligence has opened floodgates to plagiarism, which is having adverse effect on developing minds for original research.

To comprehensively understand the current state of postgraduate research training, the challenges faced by students, and potential areas for improvement, particularly in fostering an environment conducive to original and unimpeded research.

A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among medical students pursuing postgraduate courses in various specialties to address potential gaps in postgraduate research training. It comprised four sections with a total of twenty-seven items; Section one: Personal Data and Demographics; Section two: Exposure to Research Principles during Undergraduate Studies; Section three: Perception of postgraduate students towards Plagiarism Checks and Linguistic Barriers faced during dissertation writing; Section Four: An open-ended question inviting participants to suggest ways to promote the free flow of research ideas among young researchers. Survey data were exported to Microsoft Excel and analysed using descriptive statistics. Key themes and insights were derived from the suggestions provided in the fourth section of the questionnaire.

The survey questionnaire was completed by 130 respondents. The majority of the students were in their first or second year of postgraduate studies and represented various medical specialities. The majority of participants reported “low exposure” (n=86, 66%) to research methodology during undergraduate studies. 80% participants reported that they conducted a background research on the topic of their thesis and the most common challenge faced by them was lack of credible content in the online arenas. Almost one-third of the respondents reported that their original idea was blocked because of the “plagiarism checks”. Our survey participants represented linguistic diversity and 70.8% considered plagiarism as a marker of “linguistic proficiency”. 77.2% believed that conducting literature reviews exclusively in English, without considering texts available in other languages, hampers comprehensive research on a given topic.

It is imperative to expose undergraduate students to “Practical aspects of research”, such as “Good research Practices”. Further, mentors should allow free flow of ideas, linguistic liberty, and encourage for in-depth discussion over these ideas, ensuring alignment with current scientific standards. An institutional level “Research integrity support” should be provided, including access to authentic plagiarism checking software and workshops focussing on research publication ethics.

R. K. Gupta Consultant of: Nil, J. Yadav Employee of: Nil, R. Gupta Employee of: Nil

Involuntary hospitalization of a patient with a mental disorder is defined as admission to an inpatient unit without consent. Literature suggests that severe involuntarily admitted patients often present in crisis situations, receive less pharmacologic intervention and therapy, and exhibit poorer prognostic outcomes, such as an increased risk of readmission. Despite being a lifesaving treatment, involuntary admissions can also be stigmatizing, undermine the long-term therapeutic relationship and reduce adherence to care. In this context, little research has been conducted to evaluate how switching a patient’s hospitalization from involuntary to voluntary may impact health outcomes, such as psychiatric decompensation.

To compare the risk of hospital readmission of patients who switched to voluntary hospitalization with those who remain under involuntary hospitalization, and to analyze their sociodemographic characteristics and prognostic outcomes.

An observational retrospective study will be conducted using administrative and clinical data of patients who were involuntary admitted to inpatient psychiatry of Unidade Local de Saúde São João. All involuntary hospitalizations spanning from January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, will be categorized into two groups: patients who switch to voluntary hospitalization or patients that maintained involuntary hospitalization. Data registered in medical records within one year after the index hospitalization will be assessed (whether structured data or free-text). Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses will be performed.

For both groups, sociodemographic and clinical variables will be described and compared, as well as the number of previous admissions, their legal status and the presence of previous ambulatory involuntary treatment. Administrative data on patient’s hospitalization, such as the length of stay, medical treatment and procedures performed, and the orientation received after discharge will also be compared. Additionally, prognosis outcomes, including readmissions, length of stay of readmissions and legal status of readmission will be analyzed.

We expect to elucidate the impact of switching involuntary hospitalized patients to voluntary status on prognosis outcomes. Through this comparative analysis, we hope to provide evidence supporting the prioritization of voluntary treatment whenever feasible.

None Declared