The borderline pattern is an optional diagnostic specification in ICD 11 that includes the diagnostic criteria for borderline disorder. With the introduction of the dimensional diagnosis of personality disorders by grading the severity of the disorder and determining the pathological traits, a debate has been opened about the need for the borderline pattern specifier.

The objective of the study is to determine the relationship of the borderline pattern with the level of personality functionality and its role in the differentiation of patients with and without personality disorder.

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the degree of severity of personality disorder and borderline pattern in patients diagnosed with personality disorder according to ICD 10 compared to healthy individuals. LPFS-BF-2.0 was used to assess the degree of personality functioning, and BPS was used to assess the existence and intensity of a borderline pattern.

Two groups between the ages of 18 and 65 were included in the study, the first of 17 people (N 17, 41% women) (mean age 34.29, SD 13.85) with a diagnosed personality disorder according to ICD 10 and the second a control group of 22 healthy subjects (N 22, 59% female) (mean age 33.18 years, SD 11.76). The first respondent group had LPFS-BF-2.0 scores of 29.88 (SD 4.93) and BPS 38.06 (SD 7.3). The control group had LPFS-BF-2.0 scores of 17.22 (SD 3.99) and BPS 20.09 (SD 6.05). A high correlation was found between LPFS-BF-2.0 and BPS, r(39)=0.82 p=0.0000. The differences between the two groups were high both according to the level of personality functionality t(37)=8.849 p<0.00001 and according to the intensity of the borderline pattern t(37)=8.401 p<0.00001.

According to the obtained results for the high correlation between the intensity of the borderline pattern and the level of functionality of the person, it is concluded that the borderline pattern is an indicator of the degree of severity of a personality disorder. The significant difference between the levels of personality functionality and the borderline pattern in both groups can be used in the differential diagnosis of persons with and without personality disorder and other mental disorders, which would have implications for the therapy plan.

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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and complex mental disorder and a major contributor to disability, health-care costs, and societal expenses worldwide. BPD is associated with considerable functional impairment and high healthcare utilization, often co-occurring with other mental disorders such as depression, substance use disorders, and bipolar disorder, further entangling its presentation. Coupled with the high risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviours, this calls for an evidence-based treatment, with a timely intervention to reduce both individual suffering and intensive care utilization. BPD treatment remains challenging. With its neurobiological underpinnings yet to be fully clarified, no medication is specifically approved for BPD, being psychotherapy approaches the treatment of choice. However, since not all patients respond sufficiently to psychotherapy, further research in this area is of utmost importance.

To assess the impact of a structured mentalization-based therapy (MBT) program on the number and length of psychiatric hospitalizations of patients with a discharge diagnosis of BPD.

An observational retrospective study will be conducted using routinely collected health data from adult patients admitted to the inpatient unit in the psychiatry service of the Unidade Local de Saúde de São João (ULSSJ), a University Hospital in Porto, Portugal. Using data from 2003 to 2023, a 20-year analysis will be performed, allowing for the comparison of hospitalizations before and after the program introduction. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of ULSSJ under the approval n.º 337-23.

The number and length of hospitalizations before and after the implementation of this program will be compared, to evaluate its impact. Findings will be reported using the RECORD guidelines and disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed journals.

With this analysis we expect to enhance the understanding of the impact of psychotherapies on this disorder and, hopefully, demonstrate that implementing a MBT program for BPD patients may lead to a decrease in the number and length of hospitalizations due to BPD, which may be indicative of more effective treatment and lower healthcare costs associated with this disorder.

None Declared

Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by social and interpersonal deficits, eccentric behaviour, unusual beliefs, magical thinking and blunted affect, and it may represent a predisposition for psychosis. Hoarding disorder, which has recently been recognised in ICD-11, is defined by accumulation and persistent difficulty in discarding ordinary possessions, leading to interfering levels of clutter that compromise the use or safety of living spaces. Hoarding behaviour can occur in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including psychotic disorders. Research suggests an association between schizotypal traits and hoarding symptoms including cognitive deficits, emotional dysregulation or impaired insight, which are also characteristic of psychosis.

We aim to present a case of hoarding disorder in a woman with schizotypal personality traits which presented with a first psychotic episode at her fifties.

We describe a case report and a non-systematic review on the subject.

A 55-years-old woman was admitted to psychiatric emergency department with behaviour changes, marked by significant neglect in self and health-care in addition to social and emotional isolation. She also exhibited somatic, persecutory and autoreferential delusions, as well as auditory hallucinations. She believed that her body had no production of saliva and her meals mostly consisted of chocolate pudding, since she was convinced this was the only food her organism could tolerate. As a consequence, her nutrition was fairly neglected and severe potassium deficits were observed with electrocardiogram changes and fainting episode. Beyond these symptoms, a severe hoarding pattern was found which had worsened over the last years. Supported by family meetings and psychological personality assessment, dysfunctional personality traits stood out, with a difficulty in interpersonal relationships and adaptation to external reality. During hospitalization, we found that psychotic symptoms had months of evolution. Antipsychotic medication was initiated (Paliperidone) with significant improvement of symptomatology, but not full remission.

Upon a comprehensive assessment, we concluded that the patient’s dysfunctionality was mainly due to schizotypal personality disorder rather than the acute psychotic episode. This case also suggests the importance of assessing personality traits, in particular schizotypal, in patients with hoarding symptoms. An overlap between hoarding symptoms and schizotypy has previously been reported in literature. Therefore, we highlight that distinction among schizotypal personality traits, psychotic and hoarding symptoms can be challenging among clinical practice. In overall, a broad assessment of symptoms is warranted in order to better understand what is in the basis of patient’s dysfunctionality and ensure and effective treatment.

None Declared

The presence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in cancer patients can be a risk factor for adherence to oncological treatment.

To analyze problems related to adherence to treatment of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in comorbidity with gynecological cancer.

Clinical histories and subsequent interviews of patients (“A” and “B”), both 25 years of age. “A” with a diagnosis of Cervical Cancer in 2022, without adherence to treatment, irritable, unmotivated, with emotional instability in her relationships, chronic emptiness, impulsivity, risky sexual behaviors, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. B, diagnosed with endometrial cancer in January 2023, presents treatment adherence with extreme fear of abandonment, irritability, anhedonia, anxiety, low self-esteem, impulsivity, and suicidal ideas. Both receive psychotherapy at the Psychooncology and Palliative Care clinic. Scales from the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder were applied.

Anxiety, lack of control, and rebellion manifested A’s lack of adherence. B’s “adherence” is redefined as separation anxiety, currently deposited in her partner and the oncology team. They evoked physical and sexual violence experienced since childhood and drug abuse, which influenced her anger and attitude towards cancer treatment for being “captives” of the disease. Thus, she denied A her dependency needs and B her fear of her partner’s abandonment and her suicidal thoughts.

Internal conflicts are expressed through self-destructive behavior: addressing her fears allowed her to continue treatment. Psychotherapy limited his judgment, cognitive, and reasoning lapses. They mentalized stories of abuse, early violence, and behaviors that limited their quality of life before and after cancer, improving their treatment adherence.

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The reproduction of the structure of the NEO-FFI has been stable across different Arabic cultures. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3 (NEO-FFI-3) is the revised version of the NEO-FFI-R, which describes personality in terms of the Five Factor Model, namely Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. The psychometric properties of the NEO-FFI-3 present a robust verification base in diverse cultures. Although there is an Arabic version of the NEO-FFI, the psychometric properties of the Arabic NEO-FFI-3 are yet unknown.

The study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Arabic adaptation of the NEO-FFI-3.

The Arabic version of the NEO-FFI-3 is a 60-item questionnaire, and the NEO-FFI-R 60-item questionnaire was administered to1373 Kuwait university undergraduates (559 males mean age = 20.41±1.43 and 814 females; mean age = 20.60±1.18). The internal consistency reliability, factor structure, and convergent validity of the NEO-FFI-3 with NEO–FFI-R were assessed.

Cronbach’s alpha was satisfactory for N (0.72), E (0.82), O (0.79), A (0.82) and C (0.74). Results revealed significant gender differences in N, O & C with a favor for females. PCA showed that NEO-FFI-3 five factors explains 53.98% of the total variance. However, the high mean correlations between the NEO-FFI-3 and NEO–FFI-R scales, with coefficients of (0.87) for the N, (0.85) for the E, (0.84) for the C, (0.78) for the O, and (0.77) for the A.

The findings support the psychometric properties of the Arabic adaptations of the NEO-FFI-3 as useful instruments for assessing the Big Five.

None Declared

The Mini-IPIP, a 20-item short form of the 50-item International Personality Item Pool-Five-Factor Model measure (Goldberg, 1999), with promising psychometric properties, The Mini-IPIP describes personality in terms of the Five Factor Model, namely Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. The Mini-IPIP appears to be an alternative to the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), and the Big Five Inventory (BFI).

The study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Mini-IPIP.

The Arabic version of the Mini-IPIP scales, and the TIPI was administered to1560 Kuwait university undergraduates (576 males mean age = 21.82±0.70 and 984 females; mean age = 20.95±1.31). The internal consistency reliability, factor structure, and convergent validity of the Mini-IPIP with TIPI & BFI were assessed.

Cronbach’s alpha was satisfactory for N (0.82), E (0.73), O (0.75), A (0.81) and C (0.80). Results revealed significant gender differences in N with a favor for females and in E, O & C with a favor for males. PCA showed that Mini-IPIP five factors explains 71.05 % of the total variance. The Mini-IPIP demonstrated good convergent validity with the BFI (r =71, .76, .77, .82, .67 for E, A, C, N, and O, respectively) and with the TIPI (r = .46, .49, .66, .69, .58 for E, A, C, N, and O, respectively).

The findings support the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Mini-IPIP as a useful tool for researchers needing a short assessment of the Big Five in research.

None Declared

Laughter can be regarded as a distinct form of cathartic experience, arising from the violation of various well-established cultural norms. The balance between the emotions of laughter and fear depends on the extent and nature of the norm violation, as well as the specifics of its perception. The development of regulatory functions enables younger schoolchildren to comprehend increasingly complex forms of humor, which involve the transgression of cultural norms—ranging from behavioral violations to breaches of logical and linguistic norms.

To examine the specific features of humor perception and production by younger schoolchildren, as well as the potential for regulating their subjective experiences of danger and safety in situations involving norm violations in humor.

The empirical study involved 360 younger schoolchildren (aged 7-10). The “Sometimes It Happens” (T. Artemyeva) method was used to study humor. The analysis of the schoolchildren’s responses was based on the following indicators: identification of rules (norms) in academic, extracurricular, and family interaction situations; the creation of humorous event scenarios; and the selection of event outcomes (adaptive or maladaptive humor).

The study revealed that the development of regulatory functions in younger schoolchildren allows them not to fear violating certain cultural norms or rules of social interaction in a joke. The positive correlation between maladaptive event outcomes and the identification of norms and rules by younger schoolchildren indicates the development of their regulatory function, mastery over their own cognitive processes, and their ability to interpret “dangerous” or “fear-inducing” scenarios as subjectively non-threatening, allowing them to emotionally distance themselves from such situations. Younger schoolchildren recognize the potential of humor in violating cultural norms, understanding that something in the event does not occur as it should according to the rule. In the child’s view, adherence to cultural norms guarantees a sense of safety in interactions with adults and peers.

The findings of the study provide a foundation for the development of programs aimed at enhancing the regulatory functions of younger schoolchildren.

This paper has been supported by the Kazan Federal University Strategic Academic Leadership Program (PRIORITY-2030).

None Declared

Anticipatory competence allows an adolescent to act and make important decisions in life and activities with a certain temporal-spatial foresight. However, due to their disorder, adolescents with motor impairments are not always able to anticipate the development of future events, and they experience difficulties in establishing social contacts and understanding the emotional states of others.

To study the specifics of anticipatory competence in adolescents with motor disorders.

The study involved 46 adolescents (aged 12-15) attending educational institutions for children with disabilities, with a history of spastic diplegia, spastic tetraplegia, and ataxia. The research employed the following methods: the “Achenbach’s Questionnaire,” V.D. Mendelevich’s “Test of Anticipatory Competence,” V.P. Ulyanova’s “Anticipation of the Outcome of a Situation with Norm Violations,” and the authors’ method “Study of Anticipatory Competence of Adolescents” by A.I. Akhmetzyanova and T.V. Artemyeva.

The study revealed that, although the overall level of anticipatory competence in adolescents with motor disorders is quite high, these children experience difficulties in spatial orientation and in structuring a sequence of actions. They encounter challenges in planning future activities and they frequently experience delays. Adolescents with this pathology demonstrated low anticipatory competence in virtual reality, indicating difficulties in virtual communication with others.

The findings of this study on the specifics of anticipatory competence in adolescents with motor disorders will help develop and implement programs for the social adaptation of children, preparing them for future professional activities and independent living in the community.

This paper has been supported by the Kazan Federal University Strategic Academic Leadership Program (PRIORITY-2030).

None Declared

The evolution of digital technologies creates new potential in training specialists who work with children with speech development disorders (6A01.0, ICD-11). The use of digital tools, such as video cases depicting real or simulated speech disorders, provides more opportunities for students to acquire practical diagnostic skills in classroom settings before encountering real individuals with speech disorders.

Identifying the attitudes of students, future speech therapists, towards the use of classroom-based diagnostic simulation as a form of training.

Sixty-two second-year students in the Speech Therapy program were surveyed. The future specialists were asked to anonymously answer open-ended questions about which training methods they consider most effective for enhancing their competencies in diagnosing children with speech disorders.

Forty-three students indicated that they would like to increase the number of practical hours in pre-schools and schools, where they can observe real cases of speech disorders. Thirty-nine students responded that during classroom sessions and self-study, they would like to have unlimited access to video materials showcasing the widest possible range of speech disorders.

Future speech therapists are highly interested in the practical study of speech disorders. However, during their internships, students are often limited in their access to diverse range of examples of the disorders. Creating an educational digital resource featuring video cases which allows students to study cases of speech disorders not only during class time but also during independent work at their own convenience and pace will significantly contribute to successful development of diagnostic competencies. This paper has been supported by the Kazan Federal University Strategic Academic Leadership Program (PRIORITY-2030).

None Declared

Sciatica pain represents a typical symptom of spinal radicular syndromes. Disability due to this pain can affect mental health of patients.

Our study aims to assess the relationship between mental health and disability among patients with chronic sciatica.

We conducted a descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional survey among patients suffering from documented common sciatic pain evolving for more than 3 months. We collected socio-professional data. We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Our study population was exclusively female, including 69 patients. The mean age of participants was 56.2 ±12.6 years. The most frequent etiology of sciatica pain was a herniated disc, followed by lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The root path was L5 in 49 cases and S1 in 20 cases. The mean Oswestry score was 25 ± 4.1. The disability was moderate, severe and crippled respectively in 10.1%, 82.6% and 7.2% of patients. Regarding the patients’ anxiety levels, it was found that 76.8%, 20.3%, and 2.9% appeared to have mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively. As for the depression levels of patients, 13 were mildly depressed (18.8%), 20 were moderately depressed (29%), and 36 were severely depressed (52.2%). We found that anxiety and depression were correlated with disability (p = <0.05, r = 0.2).

Our findings highlight a correlation between altered mental health and disability among patients with chronic sciatica. It is crucial to screen psychiatric disorders among these patients in order to improve their well-being.

None Declared

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is used to treat chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) resistant to other therapies and procedures. The treatment involves implanting a device that delivers electrical stimulation along the ascending nerve pathways. According to the bio-psycho-social model of pain, the success of SCS is influenced by more than just the technical aspects of the procedure. Psychological and context-related factors also play a crucial role.

To profile a sample of Italian patients with CNP in the pre-implant phase from a psycho-social perspective, using such data to predict the SCS outcome.

Candidates for SCS at the Pain Therapy Center of the University Hospital of Verona (Italy) undergo a psychological assessment at the Clinical Psychology unit before the implantation. This assessment includes an interview to evaluate the impact of pain, coping strategies, and family support, as well as any history of traumatic experiences, psychiatric conditions, and lifetime use of alcohol or substances. Additionally, a series of questionnaires are administered to assess pain (Brief Pain Inventory, BPI), psychopathology (Symptom Checklist 90, SCL-90), personality (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, MMPI-2), coping style (Coping Strategies Questionnaire, CSQ), the tendency to catastrophize (Pain Catastrophizing Scale, PCS), family and social support (Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support, MSPSS), and self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale, G-SES). Patients are evaluated at 6 months follow-up (now ongoing).

To date, 131 patients (mean age 62.6±13.8; 56% females) have been evaluated at baseline. Overall, they show high percentages of somatization (71% of the sample), sleep disturbances (70%), depressive (40%), and obsessive-compulsive (38%) symptoms, together with moderate levels of catastrophizing (18.4±9.4 on the 0-36 range of the catastrophizing CSQ subscale), and a personality profile characterized by health worries (26%), somatic complaints (19%), and cynism (26%). Overall, they perceive a moderate level of self-efficacy (30.83±4.9 on the 0-40 range of the G-SES) and good family or social support (84%).

Patients with CNP who are candidates for SCS show a peculiar psycho-social profile in terms of personality traits, coping strategies, and psychopathology. Using a pre-implant psycho-social assessment has significant implications for clinical practice since it allows to identify patients at a higher risk of SCS failure. It also enables the early detection of individuals who may benefit from psychological support before or after the SCS procedure.

None Declared

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a rare condition characterized by recurrent brief episodes of unilateral and excruciating facial pain, typically triggered by innocuous stimuli. It is historically known as the “suicide disease”, emphasizing the severity of the attacks and its impact on patients’ mental health.

We aim to highlight the risk of psychiatric comorbidities following TN diagnosis and discuss the potential burden depicted by the phrase “suicide disease”.

We presented a case report and conducted a non-systematic review of the literature.

A 72-year-old female patient with history of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, recurrent thrombophlebitis but no previous relevant psychiatric history, presents with depressive mood, anhedonia, insomnia, reduced appetite and feelings of hopelessness, which began 3 months prior. These symptoms started shortly after she began experiencing paroxysms of intense electric shock-like pain in the right hemiface, allodynia (specially triggered by the wind, talking, chewing and light touch) and lacrimation of the right eye. The patient had multiple consultations with neurology and psychiatry physicians. TN was presumed and the patient initiated treatment with pregabalin and intravenous infusions of lidocaine, as well as antidepressants. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed neurovascular compression of the right trigeminal nerve, supporting the diagnosis. Depressive symptoms aggravated and she experienced recurrent suicidal thoughts as she became aware of the TN diagnosis and experienced debilitating symptoms due to initial suboptimal pain relief. Oxcarbazepine was later introduced in the treatment plan and pain relief was slowly achieved. Suicidal ideation waned despite maintenance of depressive mood. Evidence shows there is a higher risk of newly diagnosed depressive, anxious and sleep disorders following TN diagnosis, most likely due to its deleterious effect at a psychological, behavioral and social level. Currently, however, the phrase “suicide disease” may be an ill-suited one as the lack of information on suicide rates among patients with TN and the availability of new and more efficient therapeutic options do not support its present use.

This case exemplifies the increased risk of new psychiatric comorbidities following TN diagnosis, further aggravating patients’ quality of life. Despite its historical significance, the label “suicide disease” seems to lack current applicability and may not only harm patients’ understanding and acceptance of the diagnosis, but also exacerbate fear and stress concerning its prognosis.

None Declared

Chronic painful conditions in alcohol use disorder (AUD) are often seen and represent a significant problem in their therapy. Its incidence is higher than in the general population and is often associated with AUD relapse. Often, they are very manipulative.

The aim of our study was the intersection of the state of therapy and therapeutic response in patients with chronic pain and AUD.

This cross-sectional study includes 25 patients treated at the Department for male alcoholism in the SPH “Slavoljub Bakalovic” in Vršac during their hospitalization. The covered period was from April 1st to August 31st 2024.

During our research, 48 male patients with AUD were treated at our department, and 25 (52.01%) had horonic pain. The average age of the patients was 52 years (24-80), and the duration of symptoms was from 7 months to 20 years (average 8 years and 4 months). Localization was mainly in the area of the lower back (10), lumboischialgia (9) and only in the extremities (6). According to the type of pain, the majority (23) had predominantly neuropathic pain. The average value of pain intensity on the VAS scale was 4 (4.2). All patients were treated with non-steroidal analgesics and benzodiazepines. Along with the mentioned therapy, 9 (36%) patients received a coanalgetic from the group of anticonvulsants and 12 (48%) from the group of antidepressants. Few patients (7) used before and during the hospitalizations supplement based on Mg and vitamin B complex. A good therapeutic response was achieved in 17 patients (reduction of pain on the VAS scale by 2 or more points), partial in 6 patients (reduction of pain on the VAS scale by 1 point). In 2 patients, the prescribed therapy did not reduce pain.

Chronic pain syndromes in AUD is more frequent than in general population, and early detection and good therapy protocol is very important to reduce symptoms. Pain treatment protocol for AUD patients must be made individually for each patient in order to achieve an adequate therapeutic response and avoid interaction with other drugs in the therapy of AUD. With a well-balanced therapy, a good therapeutic response in pain reduction can be achieved.

None Declared

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Recent research highlights a significant comorbidity between ADHD and pain, suggesting that individuals with ADHD may experience altered pain perception and a higher prevalence of pain conditions.

This review aims to explore the possible link between pain and ADHD, specifically examining the relationship between ADHD and pain perception, the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on pain thresholds, and the potential underlying mechanism connecting these two conditions.

A non-systematic review of the literature was conducted, focusing on key studies published in the last 15 years. The search terms included “pain,” “ADHD,” and “methylphenidate.”

Based on this review, several key findings emerged:

• • Dopamine’s Role in Pain: Accumulating data suggest that dopamine is implicated in pain processing. Many regions of the CNS involved in pain processing have high dopamine receptor density, whose activation can be analgesic.

• • Increased Prevalence of Chronic Pain: Individuals with ADHD show a higher prevalence of chronic pain conditions, indicating a significant comorbidity between ADHD and pain.

• • Altered Pain Perception: Individuals with ADHD are more likely to exhibit lower pain thresholds and increased pain sensitivity, particularly in untreated individuals.

• • Impact of Methylphenidate: Methylphenidate, a common treatment for ADHD, partially reverses altered pain responses, suggesting its potential role in normalizing pain perception through dopaminergic modulation.

• • Neuroinflammation as a Link: Neuroinflammation has been suggested as a potential factor linking ADHD and pain, particularly through dopaminergic dysregulation.

This review underscores the need for increased awareness of the pain-ADHD comorbidity. Understanding altered pain perception in ADHD is crucial for improving patient care and developing targeted treatments. While current evidence suggests treatments like methylphenidate may help modulate pain sensitivity, further research is essential to clarify the mechanisms and establish guidelines for managing pain in ADHD patients.

None Declared

Previous research has shown chronic pain to be more prevalent in individuals with psychiatric disorders, compared to the general population.

We performed a systematic review of studies relating to chronic pain in patients with schizophrenia (PWS), to explore its cause, prevalence and presentation.

Our search strategy yielded 4963 studies. Once duplicates were removed, and studies were screened according to our inclusion/exclusion criteria, 15 studies on chronic pain and quality of life (QOL) in PWS remained.

Our results showed that the prevalence of chronic pain in PWS was equal to, or greater than, healthy controls. Studies assessing chronic headaches specifically, found headaches to be more prevalent. Studies that compared chronic pain in PWS to individuals with other psychiatric disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, found PWS to have lower levels of pain. Pain intensity ranged from mild to moderate and was most frequently reported in the abdomen and head. The presence of pain was associated with anxiety, depression, psychotic symptoms, and older age. No clear links were found between chronic pain and patient gender, education, or wealth. QOL, particularly health-related QOL, was lower in patients with higher levels of pain, and such patients experienced greater functional impairment. However, when PWS performed self-assessments of QOL and health satisfaction, no difference was seen between individuals with and without pain.

These variations in pain perception may be due to disturbances in somatosensation, with PWS being internally more preocccupied. Specifically, computational models suggest this may be due to aberrant salience, where PWS attribute meaning or value to innocuous stimuli. Understanding the link between chronic pain and schizophrenia is essential as this may contribute to premature death. Further research is required to explore the link between comorbidities as a cause of chronic pain in PWS.

None Declared

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neuropathic pain condition that significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Few studies have examined the application of short-term Behavioral Activation (BA) programs for patients with CRPS, and studies that include informational support messages are scarce.

This study is intended to investigate the effects of an online BA program, accompanied by informational support messages, on pain intensity, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, depression, life satisfaction, and behavioral patterns in patients with CRPS.

Two patients with CRPS participated in an eight-session online BA program using a multiple-baseline design. After the first session, participants completed daily activity monitoring sheets, and the baseline was measured. The BA intervention began in the third session, and from that point until the eighth session, participants received immediate informational support messages once they completed their monitoring sheets. The informational support messages consisted of graphs comparing the previous day’s pain intensity, depression levels, and activity levels, as well as linear trendline graphs based on recorded data. Additionally, questionnaires were used to measure pain intensity, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, depression, life satisfaction, and behavioral patterns pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at a four-week follow-up, and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated.

Daily activity monitoring sheets indicated that activity levels significantly increased during the intervention phase and were maintained or further increased at follow-up. Depression levels gradually decreased from the intervention phase, but pain intensity showed no significant change.

Questionnaires revealed that pain catastrophizing and depression decreased post-intervention and at follow-up compared to baseline, while life satisfaction increased, and pain avoidance behaviors decreased. However, pain intensity increased compared to baseline, and pain interference decreased at follow-up. Effect sizes, measured by Cohen’s d, indicated large effects for all variables except behavioral patterns and pain interference post-intervention, and for all variables except behavioral patterns at follow-up.

These findings suggest that an online BA program with informational support may be effective for patients with CRPS.

M. Jung Grant / Research support from: National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2022S1A5A2A03050752), S. Cho Grant / Research support from: National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2022S1A5A2A03050752)

Most common pain in psychosis is headache. On the second place are spinal syndromes. Often patients have chronic spinal pain, and the treatment of neuropathic component is difficult because polymedication and possible drug interaction.

The aim of our study was the intersection of the state of therapy and therapeutic response in patients with spinal chronic pain and psychosis.

This cross-sectional study includes 25 patients treated at the Department for woman chronic psychosis in the SPH “Slavoljub Bakalovic” in Vršac during their hospitalization. The covered period was from April 1st to August 31st 2024.

During our research, 60 female patients with psychosis were treated at our department, and 25 (41.67%) had spinal hronic pain. The average age of the patients was 60 years (41-75), and the duration of symptoms was from 6 months to 11 years (average 2 years and 2 months). Localization was mainly in the area of the lower back (12), cervicobrachialgia (7), lumboischialgia (5) and only in the lower extremities (1). According to the type of pain, all of them had predominantly neuropathic pain. The average value of pain intensity on the VAS scale was 4 (3.92). All patients were treated with non-steroidal analgesics and 16 of them had benzodiapines in therapy. Along with the mentioned therapy, 9 (36%) patients received a coanalgetic from the group of anticonvulsants and 5 (20%) from the group of antidepressants. Only 4 patients used during the hospitalization supplement based on vitamin B complex. A good therapeutic response was achieved in 20 (80%) patients (reduction of pain on the VAS scale by 2 or more points), partial in 1 patient (reduction of pain on the VAS scale by 1 point). In 4 patients, the prescribed therapy did not reduce pain.

Chronic pain of spinal origin occurs in an approximate percentage as in the general population, but the problem of its treatment is the primary disease and polymedication in the therapy of the primary disease.With a well-balanced therapy, a good therapeutic response in pain reduction can be achieved.

None Declared

The postnatal period is a time of great vulnerability in terms of mental health, with depression being one of the most common complications. This condition can significantly affect how women perceive and process the pain and stress associated with childbirth. Pain experienced during pregnancy and postpartum is linked to psychological distress, often influenced by pain catastrophizing a cognitive tendency to dwell on, magnify, or feel helpless in the face of pain. To manage these challenges, many women rely on coping mechanisms to navigate the significant stressors of this period.

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between postpartum depression, pain catastrophizing, and coping mechanisms in the postnatal period.

We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study targeting women in their first week postpartum who had been admitted to the gynaecology-obstetrics department of the Hedi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax, Tunisia. The study was conducted over a three-month period (October, November and December 2023). We used the Tunisian Arabic version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Pain catastrophisation was assessed using the pain catasrophizing scale (PCS). We used the French version of the coping scale Ways of coping checklist revised (WCC) to evaluate coping strategies.

The study included 220 postpartum women with a mean age of 31.1 ± 6.6. Psychiatric history was recorded in 5.5% of participants, predominantly bipolar disorders (4.1%). Medical or surgical history was reported by 14.1% of women. Among the participants, 28.6% were primiparous, and 71.4% were multiparous. A history of child loss was noted in 4.5% of cases. Spontaneous labor occurred in 65.5% of women, while 17.7% underwent induced labor. Vaginal deliveries were performed in 56.4% of cases, with forceps used in 8.2%. Postpartum recovery was uncomplicated for 86.4% of participants, while complications occurred in 13.6% of cases. Postnatal care was provided by family members for 55% of women. Postpartum depression was observed in 20.9% of participants.The average score of Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was 24 ± 11, and problem-focused coping was the most frequently employed strategy, with a mean score of 26.51 ± 6.3.

Women with postpartum depression had significantly higher PCS scores (p<0,001). Emotion-focused coping was the predominant strategy used by this group (p=0.003). Conversely, women without postpartum depression were more likely to use problem-focused coping (p<0.001) and social support-based coping (p=0.011).

This study reveals that postpartum depression is associated with higher pain catastrophizing and a greater use of emotion-focused coping. In contrast, women without depression tended to use problem-focused and social support-based coping, suggesting that these strategies may help mitigate postpartum psychological distress.

None Declared

The rare epileptic seizure syndrome nodding is endemic among African adolescents. While the etiology remains poorly understood, its mechanistic hypothesis suggests a neuroinflammatory disorder that could benefit from mapping Doxycycline as a treatment option. Here, we assess the use of Doxycycline as either monotherapy or adjunct therapy for epilepsy prophylaxis, with a particular emphasis on its intervention for nodding syndrome.

The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of Doxycycline for treating nodding syndrome. Also to comment on the likely use of Doxycycline as a form of adjunct therapy when paired with other antiepileptic drugs as a means to optimize the management efforts of nodding syndrome.

Our analysis included randomized controlled trials and observational studies which were sorted and assessed in accordance to PRISMA guidelines through a systematic search of the literature using all electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane. The search terms included Doxycycline and nodding syndrome. The systematic set of extraction data were limited to studies that included a confirmed adolescent population exhibiting probable symptoms of nodding syndrome with Doxycycline as the primary intervention. Effect sizes will be measured with a random-effects model, and heterogeneity will be calculated with I² statistics.

Nine studies in total involving 1,120 subjects were analyzed, that included four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of doxycycline monotherapy on 480 subjects, as well as five observational studies exploring the use of doxycycline with first-line anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) on 640 subjects.

Seizure frequency reduction

Doxycycline administration on its own reduced seizure frequency by 30% relative to the placebo (relative risk [RR] = 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]= 0.60 to 0.85, p < .001), whereas, added to AEDs, reduced seizure frequency by 45% (RR = 0.552, 95% CI = = 0.42 to 0.73, p < 0.001; I² = 22%, considered low heterogeneity).

Lower severity of symptoms

The overall results suggest improvements in motor functions and cognitive assessments of -0.82 (standardized mean difference, 95% CI = -1.12 to -0.52, p < .001), which may indicate an improvement in motor symptoms.

AED add-on and impact on quality of life

Doxycycline with AED smear resulted in a reduction in seizure frequency of 45% (SMD = -0.68, 95% CI = -0.94 to -0.42, p < .001) and a statistically significant improvement in quality of life of approximately 25% (p < 0.01); effect estimates presented moderate heterogeneity (I² = 45%).

Doxycycline has potential for extended use since our findings support a safe and potentially beneficial intervention in nodding syndrome. Our study may serve as a useful guide for the use of antibiotics in other neuropathologies with inflammatory elements.

None Declared

The catatonic syndrome is a heterogeneous syndrome that manifests with a variety of symptoms, whose management is not clearly predefined despite being a clinically diagnosable entity. It is a frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated condition that can lead to the death of the patient, and which originates from a large number of psychiatric and organic pathologies.

To present a case highlighting the most significant and representative findings typically observed in catatonic syndrome, as well as to highlight the most relevant data regarding the origin, diagnosis and treatment of this entity.

This case report describes a single patient. The methodology includes a detailed study of the symptoms manifested by the patient and the main guidelines for therapeutic management.

In this poster, the case of a 24-year-old man who comes to the emergency room with what appears to be catatonic syndrome is presented. The most notable symptoms include mutism with occasional echolalia, facial echomimia, apragmatic and disorganized behavior with a tendency toward inhibition, flexibilitas cerea, and antigravity postures. It was decided to administer high doses of benzodiazepines and subsequently electroconvulsive therapy since one of the most frequently seen evidence in catatonic syndrome is dysfunction in the dopaminergic pathway. The patient presented complications of this treatment such as bronchoaspiration. At the same time, multiple complementary diagnostic tests were performed such as blood tests, brain CT, brain MRI, electroencephalogram, and lumbar puncture, all of them without significant findings. Later, the episode reversed and a psychotic picture with predominance of auditory hallucinations was seen, which progressively improved over weeks with a regimen of antipsychotics (injectable aripiprazole and oral olanzapine).

It is therefore concluded that it would be beneficial for it to be more widely represented in treatment guidelines and clinical trials, which would lead to easier and faster clinical decision-making. In other words, it is concluded that early and effective detection and intervention are of vital importance in the management of the catatonic syndrome under study.

None Declared