Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating, neurodegenerative, and immune-mediated disease that affects the central nervous system. Usually co-occurs with difficulties in emotional regulation and psychopathology. Anxiety is one of the most common psychiatric manifestations in patients with MS. Nonetheless, empirical evidences on the joint predictive effect of MS clinical conditions and emotion regulation processes on the development of anxiety in MS patients are scarce.

This preliminary study aimed to explore whether fatigue, physical disability (MS clinical conditions) and a low compassionate attitude (maladaptive emotion regulation process based on self-judgment, over-identification, and isolation) predict anxiety symptoms in MS patients.

A convenience sample of 107 patients with MS diagnosis and without other neurological disorders was used in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed the Anxiety Subscale of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21, the Analogic Fatigue Scale, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, and the Self-judgment, Isolation and Over-identification Subscales of the Self-Compassion Scale.

All potential predictors showed significant correlations with anxiety symptoms and predicted this symptomatology through simple linear regressions. Therefore, they were selected as covariates of the multiple linear regression model, which explained 32% of the variance of anxiety symptoms. This model revealed that fatigue, physical disability, and low compassionate attitude are significant predictors.

The results support the relevance of psychological interventions for MS patients to implement effective strategies to regulate anxiety associated with fatigue and physical disability. Helping patients to adopt a more compassionate attitude toward the self can reduce their anxiety.

No significant relationships.

Somatoform disorders, previously diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10, are shifting towards somatic symptom disorder in DSM-V and bodily distress disorder in ICD-11.

Before using the current criteria, because the new diagnostic entities can identify a larger pool of patients with various physical complaints and diagnoses, it is essential to consider the physical and psychiatric comorbidities that have an important role in deciding the pharmacological treatment.

We conducted a retrospective observational study on a group of 169 patients previously diagnosed with a type of somatoform disorder and hospitalized between January 2015 - January 2021 in a psychiatric emergency hospital in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Male:female ratio was 1:1.41. The mean age was 52.35±13.3 years, the mean period of hospitalization was 12±5.39 days. 54% of patients lived in urban areas, and almost half of them were married. Most patients were not professionally active and did not receive a superior education. Most patients had one hospitalization and had at least one physical and one psychiatric comorbidity. The most frequent somatic comorbidities were: cardiovascular, metabolic, rheumatological, gastrointestinal, endocrinological, and neurological, and the most frequent psychiatric ones were: depressive, personality, anxiety, neurocognitive, and substance use disorders. The most frequent type of somatoform disorders were: undifferentiated somatoform disorder and somatization disorder. Regarding psychiatric treatment, antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, and hypnotics were used. No correlations were observed between the presence of depressive or anxiety disorders and somatic comorbidities.

ICD and DSM need to clarify diagnostic criteria and develop therapeutical guidelines for this type of patient.

No significant relationships.

There is suggestive evidence that Obssesive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by impaired neuropsychological functions that are also influenced by clinical variables. Several studies show that these neuropsychological deficits could be potential endophenotype markers.

The present study aimed to examine neuropsychological patterns in OCD patients and several clinical variables before and after a follow-up of 10 years.

This study examined 44 outpatients with OCD. Cognitive performance and clinical data of these patients were documented before and after a follow-up of 10 years. A neuropsychological battery was administered and scored to them including Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure, the Digit-span test, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. As well, several clinical variables were also assessed including sociodemographic variables, general intelligence measured by Progressive Raven’s matrices, Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Finally, data was analyzed using t-Student and Pearson’s correlation.

In general, the pattern of neuropsychological dysfunction in patients with OCD remains unchanged during the follow-up period, except for some specific variables. Low scores on some verbal memory tasks were associated with severity of OCD, and nonverbal memory was influenced by depressive symptoms in the first evaluation, while, after the follow-up, as obsessive and affective symptoms improve, there’s no significant change in the neuropsychological pattern.

Despite the influence of some clinical and sociodemographic variables on the neuropsychological performance in OCD patients, cognitive dysfunction remains unchanged after a follow-up period of 10 year. These results suggest that cognitive deficits could be considered as a trait marker for the disorder.

No significant relationships.

While several studies have assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexuality and sexual behavior in the general population, very few studies have assessed sexuality in patients recovered from Sars-Cov 2 infection.

The objectives of our study were to assess factors associated with sexuality dysfunction in women recovered from covid-19.

This is a case-control study.

The women in the case group have been infected with Sars-Cov 2, and cured for one to two months at the time of the study, women in the control group have not been infected with Sars-Cov 2. We assessed depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sexuality in both groups using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), the Post traumatic stress disorder Checklist Scale (PCLS) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

In total, we recruited 30 women in the case group and 30 women in the control group. An FSFI score <26.55 and corresponding to impaired sexual function was found in 63.33% of women in the case group versus 53.33% of women in the control group (p=0.009). Factors influencing sexual activity were depression (OR = 17.86, CI95% = [1.1-290.12]) and PTSD (OR = 18.51, CI95% = [1.43-240.30]).

Depression and PTSD are significantly associated with sexual dysfunction in women recovered from COVID-19, even in mild or pauci-symptomatic clinical forms.

No significant relationships.

Family members caregivers (FMCs) of patients with severe psychiatric disorders (SMPD) are subjected to a complex system of fatigue and stress. FMCs can be subjected to a care burden defined as “Family Burnout”. Caring of family members of patients affected by psychiatric disorder suffered an additional burden during the pandemic period.

To investigate the stress, burnout and compassion fatigue in FMCs during the pandemic vs non-pandemic period.

In our observational study we recruited family members (FMCs) of SMPDs (DSM-5). The severity was assessed with BPRS > 31; from March 2021 to July 2021 (T1), in 66 FMCs (38 females, 28 men) that completed following questionnaires: CBI (Caregiver Burden Inventory), ProQOL (compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue (burnout and secondary trauma) subscales]. These data (T1) were compared with the scores obtained in the same family members in 2019 (T0) in a pre-pandemic period.

ProQOL data /T1) have a higher total score than those observed in a previous study (T0). They show a lower main score in Compassion Satisfaction (CS) subscale [T1 vs T0; 34.27 vs 38.89 (p < .00.5). CS subscale T0 vs T1= 34.84% vs 12.12%). High levels of burnout were found in 28.79% (T1) vs 13.64% (T0) of FMCs group. Similar results showed in the Secondary Trauma subscale and CBI with higher scores in T1 vs T0.

The comparative mean results (2019 vs 2021) showed that in the same group of FMCs, the mean values obtained with same scales were higher during the lockdown. During health crisis, FMCs of psychiatric patients are subjected to high levels of stress.

No significant relationships.

Vaccination is an effective way to control the infection. COVID-19 is a new disease, and so is the vaccine against it.

The aim of the study was to investigate psychological characteristics associated with attitude towards vaccination.

An online survey was used (N=1336) (31.03.2020–9.02.2021). Respondents completed COPE, «Moral dilemmas» (30 Green’s Dilemmas, 10 of each type) and decided which strategy to stop the pandemic they found the effective (vaccination, herb immunity, innovative treatment or simply waiting until it fades away on its own). The study analyzed groups of those who see the benefits of vaccination and those who do not consider vaccination as a way to solve the problem of coronavirus.

«Vaccination» attitude is more typical for men, for younger people and is also associated with assessment of COVID-19 as a dangerous disease (61% versus 21% for «vaccination» and «no vaccination» groups respectively), more diligent compliance with anti-epidemic rules (3,7 and 2,9 mean number of protection methods used), at the same time, the “vaccination” group responds about the less inconvenience associated with restrictions during the pandemic. This social attitude is associated with «need for creativity» and constructive coping: «planning», «concentration on emotions», the use of instrumental and emotional social support. There is a difference in personal moral choices (3,6 versus 2,9 for «vaccination» and «no vaccination» groups respectively), that demonstrated that positive attitude towards vaccination signifies an active personal position.

Positive attitude towards vaccination is associated with a proactive personal position and involvement in social interaction using interpersonal coping strategies.

No significant relationships.

During Covid-19 pandemic schools in Greece were closed and distance education instituted.

To find out whether the pandemic circumstances and the catholic internet access affected the time students spend on web activities other than educational duties.

Our sample consisted of 1213 parents with children from 4th, 5th, and 6th elementary school grades. They were collected with snowball sampling through internet, and they filled closed ended questions anonymous questionary.

During the pandemic the amount of time that children spent on the internet for purposes other than school obligations (social media, videogames, videos) was increasing by the time. On holidays and weekends this time was further increased. Parents mentioned reduced sleep time, reduced interest in hobbies and activities, as well as in person social communication with friends and loss of interest for school and educational matters. Children spend a lot of time on internet activities and sometimes they use it to avoid loneliness and negative situations. According to parents if their child doesn’t spend its preferrable time on the internet, get anxious, irritable, and sad. Often the child hides the time of internet use. Children from families with low socioeconomic, educational level, family income are more vulnerable to develop internet problematic use.

Social isolation, school closures, distance education, cancellation of after school activities and the facile internet access increased problematic internet use. This use is associated with behavioural, emotional and psychosocial problems. It is important to give information and implement educational programs for parents about how to control internet use of their children.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a new form of trauma, which is impacting on the mental health of the general population. However, the effects of this new trauma are variable, being mediated by individual factors such as the levels of resilience and the coping strategies.

The aims of the present study are: 1) describe the levels of resilience and the type of coping strategies adopted by the Italian general adult population during the first wave of the pandemic; 2) evaluate the protective role of coping strategies and resilience on the levels of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms.

An online survey has been developed, which includes several validated self-reported questionnaires for the evaluation of participants’ mental health condition, coping strategies and levels of resilience. The main outcome measure is the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21).

The finale sample consists of 20,720 participants, more than half reported low levels of resilience, which were not associated with age or gender. The levels of resilience did not differ among the general population, patients with pre-existing mental disorders and those infected by COVID-19. People with low levels of resilience rarely used adaptive coping strategies. The levels of resilience did not have any influence on stress, depressive or anxiety symptoms.

The presence of low levels of resilience in the general population may be the missing link between the pandemic and increasing concerns on mental health problems. This could be important for the development of ad-hoc supportive and preventive psychosocial interventions.

No significant relationships.

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based supported employment program that helps people with severe mental illness to achieve steady meaningful employment in competitive mainstream jobs. Employment specialists are an integral part of IPS service delivery. The primary goal of an employment specialist is to help IPS users obtain competitive employment by providing targeted job development and ongoing support to workers and employers for as long as it is required.

This study aims to investigate the impact of the covid-19 restrictions on the delivery of IPS services in Northern Norway and how this may have affected the employment specialists’ perception their work environment.

We conducted four phases of a longitudinal work environment panel survey with the IPS employment specialists in Northern Norway. Phase 1: January-February 2020 (pre-covid), phase 2: June-July 2020 (during covid) and phase 3: October-November 2020 (during covid) were not related to covid and collected data on fourteen work environment indicators. Phase 4: October 2020 was a covid specific survey and collected data about the impact of covid-19 restrictions on IPS service delivery.

Employment specialists perceived that they had less collaborative engagement with clinical teams and employers after covid-19 restrictions were introduced. This was accompanied by a significant decline in four of the employment specialists’ work environment indicators.

The covid-19 restrictions appear to have created obstacles for IPS service delivery in Northern Norway. These challenges may have negatively impacted the employment specialists’ perception of their work environment, creating job dissatisfaction and potentially increasing employee attrition.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional worries and challenges to people’s lives, with potential implications for psychological well-being.

To understand which worries and life changes have affected most the Portuguese general population during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyse which contents are associated with higher levels of repetitive negative thinking/RNT and psychological distress/PD.

In September-December 2020, 413 Portuguese adults (69.2% female; Mean age= 31.02±14.272) were asked one open questions, with reference to the COVID-19 pandemic period: “what was your biggest worry?”; the answers were independently categorized by two researchers. Participants also filled the validated Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale and the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire.

The most prevalent worries were about: 1) fear of contamination (oneself and others-48.7%; 2) physical and mental health and well-being (self and others)-27.2%; 3) studies and profession-13.3%; 4) uncertainty about the future-7.7%; 5) economic-financial issues-6.5%; 6) miscellaneous-3.3%; 7) no worries-0.7%. Participants who had worries of the theme 4 had the highest RNT and PD mean scores, followed by themes 3 and 5, and then themes 2 and 1. These thematic groups significantly (p<.01) differ between each other (except 3-5) and from the other groups. RNT was a significant predictor of PD (R2=37.0%, β=.609, p<.001).

People who worry about the future uncertainties, occupational activities and finances should be systematically assessed with regard to their levels of anxiety, depression and stress and they can learn to deal with the RNT as a way to reduce their psychological suffering in times of pandemic.

No significant relationships.

Identifying a feasible model of chronic schizophrenia would be valuable for studying the possible underlying mechanism and to investigate emerging treatments. Our hypothesis starts from the observation that combining ketamine with isolation could result in long-lasting neuro-psychological deficits and schizophrenia-like features; thus, it could probably be used as the first model of chronic schizophrenia that emphasizes the characteristic of having a multifactorial etiology

creation of a complex animal model capable of exhibiting the multifactorial origin and manifestation of schizophrenia.

we investigated the effects of ketamine administration combined with isolation in inducing schizophrenia-like symptoms in male albino rats and the brain reactive oxygen species levels.

Our results showed that the number of lines crossings in the open field test, the number of open arm entries in the elevated plus maze, and the spontaneous alternations percentage in the Y-maze were significantly lower in the ketamine + isolation group compared to both the control and ketamine + social housing group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ketamine + isolation intervention significantly increased the MDA levels and decreased the GPx levels both in the hippocampus and the cortex of the rats. In addition, our premise of creating a model capable of exhibiting both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia was also based on adding the aripiprazole treatment to a group of rats

combining ketamine with isolation could result in long-lasting neuro-psychological deficits and schizophrenia-like features

No significant relationships.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disabilities causing major social, communication, and behavioural challenges. Although causative roles of altered genes and environment are recognized, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.

We carried out a longitudinal analysis of morphological correlates of synaptic plasticity in the cortex with an array of neuro-behavioural tests in Tsc2 loss-of-function ASD rats with persistent mTORC1 hyperactivity.

Dendritic spine density and morphology with astroglial response were analysed along with behavioural tests in 45 d.o., 90 d.o. and 12 m.o. age groups maintained under standard or enriched conditions.

We report a higher density of spines, with a bigger proportion of thin spines in 90 d. o. Tsc2+/- rats, while under enrichment the spine density in 12 m.o groups was lower. In behavioural tests, rats under enrichment showed higher activity in open arms and anogenital contact tests in the second and third age groups. They also showed enhanced self-grooming. Total distance travelled in the open field by Tsc2+/- rats was less in the first and second age groups. Confocal imaging showed an increase in pS6 expression in second and third Tsc2+/- groups, implying mTORC1 hyperactivity.

Our results show that the environment may have differential neuro-behavioural impacts in rats with unleashed mTORC1, in agreement with the two-hit mechanisms of the underlying neuro-behavioural effects in this model. Although the results of the morphometric analysis suggest a causal link between behavioural changes with altered synaptic plasticity, the mechanisms and involved signalling remain to be defined.

No significant relationships.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been reported as a worldwide emergency. Due to the extensiveness of spread and death, it has been declared as a pandemic.

To highlight how COVID-19 pandemic psycho-emotional affects the medical staff of a frontline University Hospital in the “battle” with new coronavirus.

We employed a cross-sectional survey of 71 resident doctors from a frontline Hospital after a one-year pandemic and analyzed the prevalence and associated factors with work-related psychological distress among our study group.

Out of the hospital resident doctors, 71 participated and completed the questionnaire, offering an overall response rate of 100%. The majority of participants were women (86% - 61). The average age was 29 years. Most respondents were unmarried. A total of 67% of participants were non-smokers, 5% stated that they occasionally consumed alcohol, none of them used drugs. As a result of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data, aspects related to anxiety (21.12% - 15), exhaustion (15.49% - 11), and depression (11.26% - 8) are highlighted. In our study, no people were identified who would reach extreme exhaustion in the work process, due to good resilience and due to a well thought out program of work and rest during the pandemic.

The psychological pressure at work, as well as the one felt after limiting and restricting mobility for shorter or longer periods, had an impact on the psycho-emotional state of health care workers, requiring further psychological reassessments and psychological support.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on both physical and mental health of people around the world.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the number and characteristics of people seeking emergency psychiatric help during combined psychosocial stressful events in March 2020.

Data for 3927 patients seeking emergency psychiatric help were collected and analyzed for the months preceding, during and after lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant earthquake that took place on 22nd March 2020 in Zagreb, and compared with the same months of 2019.

A significant decrease in both the number of visits and admissions to the hospital was found for the month of lockdown. There was a significant decrease in the number of out-patients visits and day hospital admissions. Compared with other months, more women and younger patients sought help. There was a significant rise in the number of patients presenting with suicidal thoughts, as well as a larger percentage of involuntary admissions.

Overall less people sought psychiatric help in the face of an unpredictable acute threat, which was interpreted in the light of prioritizing fear of infection over mental health issues. Alternatively, it is possible that people threatened with immediate danger mobilize short- term compensatory psychological resources which help deal with or put off mental illness. This research was conducted as part of the project of the Croatian Science Foundation CORONA-04-2086 Life in the time of COVID-19-social implications on the security and well-being of vulnerable groups in the European context.

No significant relationships.

The combination of cognitive behavioral interventions and art therapy provides a unique tool for image transformation as a strategy for managing distress in extremely stressful situations. Previous studies offer evidence of the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral- and art-based (CB-ART) interventions in reducing stress related to community crises such as wars and earthquakes.

This study aimed to extend current knowledge by investigating the effectiveness of CB-ART interventions in the Covid-19 context, and the mechanisms underlying them.

Online CB-ART interventions were implemented during the first national lockdown in Israel with 15 women. The intervention included drawing three pictures related to: (1) Covid-19-related emotions and thoughts; (2) resources that may help them cope with the pandemic outcomes; and (3) integration of the stressful image and the resource picture. To examine the intervention effect, participants’ Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs) values were measured using a pre-post design.

Participants’ initial distress levels decreased on completion of the intervention. Another key finding is the reduction of the initial size of the stressful image and enlargement of the resource images within the integrated drawing. This may be the proposed mechanisms underlying the reduction of the SUDs values.

The new perspective derived from the compositional transformations performed by the participants may have increased their sense of control and competence, enabling them to perceive the Covid-19-related stressors as less threatening. The described art-based tool can be easily implemented online by mental health professionals with diverse populations in times of community crises.

No significant relationships.

Since the outbreak of the 2019 coronavirus, healthcare workers found themselves on the front lines of an unprecedented battle. Being characterized by adversity, this experience represents a fertile ground for the study of resilience.

Our study aims to clarify the phenomenon of resilience through its influence on perceived stress level and its connection with coping strategies.

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 254 healthcare professionals in the region of Sousse during the pandemic. In addition to socio-demographic and professional characteristics, Resilience, perceived stress, and coping strategies were assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the PSS10 scale, and the Brief Cope questionnaire, respectively.

The overall mean [±standard deviation (SD)] age of the participants was 32.9 ± 8.76 years with a sex ratio (M / F) of 0.51. The assessment of resilience among participants revealed a mean score of 64.99 ± 14.72. The majority of participants evinced a score> 50 (82.68%) and 39.76% had a score >70. Our results revealed that, on the one hand, problem-focused coping strategies were positive predictors of resilience (p<10-3), accounting for 3.6% of its variance. On the other hand, coping strategies (problem-focused strategies and avoidance strategies) are also an integral part of the process by which resilience significantly influences the level of perceived stress (mediating factor).

Despite its complexity, the relationship between resilience and coping strategies is undeniable and it is a part of an important line of intervention opening the way to better identifications and care.

No significant relationships.

There is limited research in adolescent at risk for psychosis. The new criteria of Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome (APS) of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- 5 (DSM-5) have not been validated.

The aims of this study were to: 1) characterize adolescent’s profile with APS (DSM-5 APS) compared to adolescents with early onset psychosis (EOP) and with other psychiatric disorders (non-APS); 2) to estimate their long-term risk of transition to psychosis and prognostic accuracy of DSM-5 APS.

243 adolescents, aged 12-17, were included (October 2012- July 2019) and dived in three sub-groups (110 DSM-5 APS, 31 EOP, 102 non-APS). All underwent a comprehensive assessment evaluating: sociodemographic characteristics, family and personal history of any DSM-5 psychiatric disorders, psychopathological assessment and level of functioning. An annual follow-up evaluation was carried out (up to 7 years) including a clinical interview to investigate DSM-5 criteria for transition to psychosis.

DSM-5 APS adolescents had on average higher comorbid disorders (2.3) and intermediate psychopathological and functioning profile between non-APS/EOP. The cumulative risk of transition at 1,2,3, 4-5 years was 13%, 17%, 24.2%, 26.8% and 26.8% in DSM-5 APS group, 0%, 0%, 3.2%, 3.2% and 3.2% in the non-APS. The 5-year prognostic accuracy of the DSM-5 APS in adolescent was adequate (Area Under the Curve=0.77) with high sensitivity (91.3%) and suboptimal specificity (63.2%).

The DSM-5 APS diagnosis can be used to detect help-seeking adolescents at risk of psychosis and predict their long-term outcomes, leading the way to new preventive approaches.

The authors declare that they do not have a significant financial interest, consultancy or other relationship with products, manufacturer(s) of products or providers of services related to this abstrac.

Menstrual psychosis was first described in the 18th century. Brockington defined its characteristics: acute onset; brief duration with full recovery; confusion, stupor and mutism, delusions, hallucinations, or a manic syndrome and periodicity in temporal association with the menstrual cycle.

Description of a clinical case of menstrual psychosis and review of the literature.

Description of a clinical case. Non systematic review of the literature, searching the terms “psychosis”; “menstrual”; “catamenial” in the databases Pubmed, Medline and Cochrane.

Female, 39-year-old patient. No psychiatric history until the postpartum period of a traumatic vaginal birth, when she developed stupor and mutism which lasted for two days. During the following 2 years, she progressively presented with sadness, asthenia, anhedonia, insomnia and incapacity for self-care. She was prescribed paroxetine and olanzapine, with partial recovery. Subsequently, she had at least 6 episodes with about 3-day duration of asthenia, food refusal, insomnia, incapacity for self-care, disorganization of thought and behavior and mystical and persecutory delusions, coincident with the beginning of menstruation. She was hospitalized in two of them and received treatment with venlafaxine 75mg and paliperidone 6mg, with psychotic symptoms remission after a week.

This case presents the characteristics of menstrual psychosis. This is a rare condition, with only 30 reported cases worldwide. According to current classification systems, this condition fulfills diagnostic criteria for brief psychotic disorder. Nonetheless, studying in more detail this disorder could be interesting, with the goal of deepening the knowledge of the neurobiology of psychosis, particularly the effects of estrogen on this disorder.

No significant relationships.

Social dysfunction is a significant feature of schizophrenia leading to deminution of quality of life (QoL).

To explore the correlation between social functioning and quality of life in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The study sample comprised 32 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (24 males and 8 females) recruited from the Clinic for mental disorders “Dr Laza Lazarevic” in Belgrade, with a mean age of 41.28 years (min 24, max 62), assessed by the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF).

There were two significant quasi-canonical positive correlations between social functioning and QoL (1: f-test=16.4, p=.001; 2: f-test=23, p=0.0001.) The first structure is formed through the set of SFS subscales- Recreation, Independence-performance and Independence-competence and set of QoL subscales- Mental health, Physical health, Environment and General assessment of QoL. The second structure is formed through the set of SFS subscales- Interpersonal functioning and Social engagement/withdrawal and the set of QoL subscales- General assessment of QoL and Environment. Furthermore, the first canonical component indicates a greater overlap of the opposition set by social functioning (23%) which leads to the assumption that the direction of influence goes from social functioning to QoL. Due to the equality of redundancy in the second canonical component, the direction of influence can only be inferred on the basis of the first canonical component.

Social functioning and quality of life are related in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, and this relationship is based on specific subfactors within those areas.

No significant relationships.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) can be directly measured and assessed by the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) or estimated from different field tests as the Modified Shuttle Walking Test (MSWT). The CRF in schizophrenia (SP) population may be altered due to sex, age, body composition and core symptoms variables. However, the extent to which each domain influences CRF in this pathology is still unknown.

To analyze the predictive value of body composition and core symptoms in SP for CRF.

Participants (N = 144, 41.7 ± 10.3 yr old) with SP were assessed with (1) body mass index and fat percentage; (2) upright bicycle ergometer using an incremental ramp protocol and the MSWT; and (3) positive and negative symptoms of the disease [“Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale” (PANSS) and “The Brief Negative Symptom Scale” (BNSS)]. In the Stepwise Multiple Regression analyses, those variables which correlated (Spearman’s Rho) significantly with each CFR scores were included

Lower negative symptoms (P<0.001) and positive PANSS (P=0.035) predicted V̇O2peak (L·min−1) (R2=28.3%). Lower negative symptoms (P<0.001), positive PANSS (P=0.006) and fat body mass (P<0.001) explained V̇O2peak (mL·kg−1·min−1) (R2=46.5%). MSWT was predicted (R2=58.9%) by lower negative symptoms (P=0.001), body mass (P<0.001) and total PANSS (P=0.004).

In patients with SP significantly higher CRF was detected in those with lower negative and positive symptoms, as well as lower body mass. Exercise interventions for improving CRF should be promoting in this population for a better control of core symptoms.

No significant relationships.