Explore extrapyramidal side effects link with functional prognosis of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective and descriptive study in the psychiatry department “C”, in Razi hospital (Tunis), between October 2014 and March 2015. Sixty patients suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorder (DSM IV-R) were included. Functional status was explored with the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) and the Social Autonomy Scale (EAS). Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) were evaluated using the Simpson and Angus Rating Scale (SAS).

Functional remission was achieved according to GAF, SOFAS and EAS in respectively: 63,30%, 48,30% and 51,70% of the patients. SAS mean score was 0.898 ± 0.29 (0.4–2). Although SAS showed no significant association with GAF, SOFAS and EAS global scores, patient with less EPS had better autonomy in EAS’ dimension “Relationship with the outside” (P = 0.048).

EPS may influence functional remission at several levels starting from the neurobiological to the social stigmatization and the treatment adherence levels. Further research in this matter is required.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

To examine whether concomitant psychotropic medications use is associated to functional remission in schizophrenia patients.

A cross-sectional, retrospective and descriptive study was conducted in the psychiatry department “C”, in Razi hospital (Tunis), between October 2014 and March 2015. Sixty patients suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorder (DSM IV-R) were included. Functional status was explored with the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment scale and the Social Autonomy Scale (EAS). Sociodemographic and therapeutic characteristics have been collected during a semi-structured interview.

Rates of functional remission were respectively: 63.30% at the GAF scale, 48.30% at the SOFAS and 51.70% at the SAS. Antipsychotics were prescribed alone in more than half patients (56.70%), mood stabilizers in 40% and antidepressants in 1.7% of the cases. Benzodiazepines were prescribed in 40% of the patients. There was no association between CPM use and functional remission, using three scales (GAF: P = 0.091; SOFAS = 0.125; EAS = 0.728).

Largely used, concomitant psychotropic medications can increase side effects, cause drug interactions, escalate treatment costs, and lead to non-adherence. That is said, their therapeutic effectiveness should be thoroughly investigated, aiming to recovery not only symptoms control.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Impaired motivation is considered a fundamental aspect of the Avolition domain of negative symptoms. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) contains the highest number of DA neurons projecting to the brain areas involved in motivation-related processes.

The aim of our study was to investigate by functional MRI the resting-state functional connectivity (RS-FC) of the VTA in patients with schizophrenia and its relationships with real-life motivation and avolition.

The RS-FC was investigated in 22 healthy controls (HC) and in 26 schizophrenia patients (SCZ) treated with second generation antipsychotics only and divided in high (HA = 13) and low avolition (LA = 13) subgroups. We used the Quality of Life Scale and the Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome to assess real-life motivation and avolition, respectively.

HA, as compared to LA and HC, showed a reduced RS-FC of VTA with the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (R VLPFC), right posterior insula (R pINS) and right lateral occipital cortex (R LOC). The RS-FC for these regions was positively correlated with motivation in the whole sample and negatively correlated with avolition in schizophrenia patients.

Our findings demonstrate that motivational deficits in schizophrenia patients are linked to reduced functional connectivity in the DA circuit involved in retrieval of the outcome values of different actions to guide behavior. Further characterization of the factors modulating the functional connectivity in this circuit might foster the development of innovative treatments for avolition.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The first five years after the onset of a first episode of psychosis (FEP) are crucial for long term outcome. In this period, the risk of relapse is particularly high. Consequences of relapse include an increased risk of neurotoxicity, chronicity, hospitalization, decreased response to treatment, increased economic burden and functional impairment.

To discern the influence of cannabis on relapse as it may contribute to adopt specific measures in patients during early stages of the illness.

PAFIP is an early intervention program for patients with a FEP. Between January 2005 and January 2011, 163 patients were recruited for this study. They were followed-up during 3 years at intervals of three months. The sample was divided into three groups: (1) those non-cannabis users neither before the FEP nor during follow-up (nn), (2) consumers before the FEP and during follow-up (ss) and (3) consumers before the FEP that gave up consumption during follow-up (sn).

No statistically significant differences between the three groups were observed but a trend (P = 0.057) towards a more enduring survival in Group 3 (sn). (Kaplan–Meier curve and detailed Log Rank Test results will be included in the final poster).

Cannabis has a detrimental effect on schizophrenia. The interruption of its use could contribute to improve the outcome of the disease, as the results of our study suggest.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The diagnosis of psychosis is based on the presence or absence of characteristic symptoms. The presence of such symptoms varies during the course and treatment, raising the question of diagnostic stability after a first psychotic episode.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic stability after a first psychotic episode in the long term (five years after the first inpatient admission).

A retrospective study that included patients with first psychotic episode between 2007 and 2011 admitted to the inpatient unit of the psychiatry and mental health clinic of São João hospital center, Oporto, Portugal and re-evaluation of the diagnosis after five years.

We included 60 patients with a first psychosis episode, 22 of which were drop-outs after five years. Of the 38 patients evaluated, it was possible to see that after 5 years 68.4% (n = 26) maintained the same diagnosis during follow-up. In particular, the diagnosis of schizophrenia was kept in 83.3% of patients after 5 years (n = 15, 18 patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia after first admission). Diagnosis of acute and transient psychotic disorder and psychosis not otherwise specified were the least stable diagnosis after 5 years.

The diagnosis after a first psychotic episode has important therapeutic and prognostic implications. The presence of characteristic symptomatology, with periods of partial or total remission between subsequent episodes emphasizes the need for regular monitoring, since this group of patients appears to be more vulnerable to changes in diagnosis over time.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The side effects of clozapine may affect the treatment process negatively, and increase the disability.

We aimed to assess the side effects of clozapine, and their relationship with the clinical variables in schizophrenia patients, and study the predictors of disability.

Consecutive 122 outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, and were on clozapine treatment were included in the study. Information about sociodemographic characteristics, past and current clinical status were gathered through a clinical interview and review of the medical records, and physical measures and laboratory tests, including clozapine plasma levels, were recorded. The patients were assessed with SCID-I, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, UKU-Side Effect Rating Scale, WHO-Disability Assessment Schedule-II.

Hypersalivation, weight gain, sedation and constipation were the most common side effects of clozapine. Although the mean plasma clozapine levels were high (828.11 ± 445.5 ng/mL), no significant effect of clozapine dose and plasma levels were detected on the severity of side effects, except for constipation. Metabolic syndrome prevalence was found to be 50% according to ATP IIIA criteria. Duration of clozapine treatment, clozapine dose and plasma levels were not significantly different between patients with and without metabolic syndrome. Regression analysis showed that the severity of schizophrenia psychopathology and the number of side effects predicted the severity of disability.

Side effects of clozapine increase the disability of patients with schizophrenia and should be monitored regularly. On the other hand, clozapine dose and plasma levels do not determine the severity of most of the common side effects.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Clozapine has superior efficacy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and has various effects on psychiatric comorbidities, which may affect the illness course.

We aimed to assess the past and current psychiatric comorbidities in schizophrenia patients treated with clozapine, and study their relationship with clinical variables.

Consecutive 122 outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia receiving clozapine were included. Information about past and current clinical status were gathered through a clinical interview and review of the medical records, along with laboratory test results. Patients were assessed with structured clinical interview for Axis-I Disorders for DSM-IV, Clinical Global Impression Scale, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale, Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS), WHO-Disability Assessment Schedule-II.

There was a significant decrease in the diagnosis of depression, alcohol and substance use disorder, number of suicide attempts, and an increase in the diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) after clozapine initiation. Clozapine related de novo OCD appeared in 48.4% of the patients, and there was a positive correlation between Y-BOCS total scores and clozapine dose and plasma levels. In the de novo OCD group, compulsion scores were higher than obsession scores with checking most prevalent among compulsions. Total PANSS, Y-BOCS, PASscores were positively correlated withtotal disability score.

Clozapine seems to decrease comorbid depression, alcohol and substance use and number of suicide attempts and increase OCD. Assessment and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities in clozapine using schizophrenia patients is vital to decrease disability.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Schizophrenia puts a significant burden on caregivers.

To explore the effects of two long-acting treatments (LAT), paliperidone palmitate 1-month and 3-month formulations on caregiver burden (CGB) in European patients with schizophrenia using the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ)

To conduct a subgroup analysis of two randomized, double-blind studies (NCT01515423 and NCT01529515).

Caregivers (≥ 1 h of contact/week with the patients) were offered to complete the IEQ (31 items, each scoring: 0–4; total score: sum of 27 items [0–108]).

Among 756 European caregivers (53% parents, 18% spouse/partner or girl/boyfriend, 10% sister/brother), 60% reported a CGB of ≥ 32 hours/week at open-label baseline (BL-OL). CGB reduced significantly for patients with both BL-OL and at least one double-blind IEQ sum-score (n = 433): mean improvement [SD] (9.9 [12.66], P < 0.001) from BL-OL (mean [SD] 26.0 [13.30]) to study end (16.0 [10.47]); (reduction in burden associated with worrying [2.9 points] and urging [4.3 points]). CGB significantly improved in patients on prior oral antipsychotics post-switching to LAT with less leisure days impacted and less hours spent in caregiving (P < 0.001). There was significant relationship between improvements and relapse status, patient age (P < 0.001), age at diagnosis (P < 0.002), and number of prior psychiatric hospitalizations in the last 24 months (P < 0.05). Prior use of long-acting antipsychotics other than paliperidone palmitate 1-month or 3-month formulations at BL-OL and duration of prior psychiatric hospitalizations in the last 24 months did not show significant effect on improvements.

Switching from an oral antipsychotic to an LAT can provide a meaningful and significant improvement in caregiver burden.

All authors are employees of Janssen Research & Development, LLC and hold stocks in the company.

Non-psychotic axis I diagnoses are highly prevalent in at-risk mental state (ARMS) and first episode psychosis (FEP) patients, the most common being affective and anxiety disorders. Few studies have examined differences between ARMS and FEP patients or gender effects regarding such diagnoses.

To examine current and lifetime comorbidities in ARMS and FEP patients. Furthermore, to examine gender differences, and differences between patients with (ARMS-T) and without later transition to psychosis (ARMS-NT).

This study was part of the Früherkennung von Psychosen (FePsy) study. Current and lifetime axis I comorbidities were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I).

One hundred and thirty-two ARMS and 98 FEP patients were included. Current comorbidities were present in 53.1% of FEP and 64.4% of ARMS patients, the most common being affective, anxiety and substance use disorders. Current affective disorders were significantly more common in ARMS than FEP. Lifetime comorbidities were diagnosed in 58.2% of FEP and 69.7% of ARMS patients, with significantly more affective and anxiety disorders in ARMS than FEP. Male FEP patients had more current and lifetime substance use disorders (across all substances) compared to female FEP. No differences emerged between ARMS-T and ARMS-NT.

As expected ARMS patients have many comorbidities, while clearly diagnosed FEP have less comorbidities. There were few gender differences in axis I comorbidities. Moreover, no differences between ARMS-T and NT emerged, suggesting that axis I comorbidities do not improve prediction of transition. Nevertheless, the high comorbidity prevalence is relevant for global functioning and clinical treatment.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Over the past decade, perceptual organization has gained an increasingly important role in the psychopathology of schizophrenia. With the advancements in visual neurocognitive sciences, visual processing, especially mid- and high-level processing have been linked with psychotic symptoms, as well as prodromal and ultra-high risk patients. Motor dysfunction is being seen as well as an integral element of schizophrenia, separate from the other symptoms and with possible implications for disease risk and outcome. This could illustrate two systems at work, which by either individual dysfunction or integrative disorganization help explain some the neurocognitive mechanisms in schizophrenia.

The current study's argument is that tests from these two domains could be used in a complementary manner to offer a neurocognitive characterization of schizophrenic patients.

A total of 24 patients and 19 controls were evaluated. In order to assess mid-level visual perception the Leuven Perceptual Organization Screening Test was used, along with a scale for assessing soft neurological signs and a task for gait and motor imagery. Clinical symptoms were measured with the Positive And Negative Symptoms Scale, using the five-factor model as proposed by Lindenmayer. Data analysis involved comparison of means between patient and control groups as well as a multivariate factor analysis calculating the impact of perceptual and motor functions on clinical symptoms.

Consistent with previous findings, visual and motor functions would differentiate between patient and control groups. In accordance with the study's aim, visual and motor functions had different impact on symptom dimensions.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

During the last decades, the recovery from severe mental illness has shifted from a focus on reducing symptoms to a more holistic approach of emphasizing consumer-centered goals and subjective wellness (Anthony, 1993). The implementation of this controversial new model it has not had an easy path. In that sense, Ridgway (2004, 2011) developed the Recovery Enhancing Environments (REE), an instrument to gather information on personal mental health recovery and the elements that people feel are important to their recovery; staff activities and an organizational climate that encourages resilience.

To present the preliminary results of the Spanish adaptation.

English to Spanish translation of REE was carried out. The REE interview and Euro-Qol5d, HoNOS, EEAG and CGI scales were completed by 312 patients in Mental Health Services organization of Bizkaia (Spain), 189 men and 123 women (age = 48.89). The interviewers of the REE were service users trained and hired for this task.

The alpha de Cronbach was .98, and for its dimensions: program performance indicators (.97), organizational climate (.92) and recovery markers (.93). The concurrent validity with others scales have resulted in correlations coefficients superiors to r = .35 (P < .001).

As the different indicators are adequate and the instrument has a similar structure to other theoretical studies, it can be conclude that Spanish REE is an appropriate measure to fill the gap between the knowledge in the recovery model and what services can do to supports this model. All of this information gathered from people who receive mental health services.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

There is an increasingly recognition of the concept of recovery in the treatment of mental illness. Recovery defined as living a fulfilling, rewarding life, even in the ongoing presence of a mental illness. Consequently, a number of instruments have been designed to assess recovery-oriented outcomes.

The objective of the study was to conduct a systematic revision of the instruments used to assess recovery with appropriate psychometric properties.

A systematic review of the literature has been realized. The adequacy of the instruments utilization, the content validity and psychometrics properties were gathered and analyzed.

After a systematic review, it has been obtained 25 different instruments for measuring personal recovery and 17 for assessing the orientation of recovery in mental health services. As a consequence of the lack of consensus that exists in the conceptualization of recovery; several instruments have been developed and used to assess the different recovery domains. But it is essential to select scales that match with the recovery model and assess adequately the individual's recovery, and also, the recovery orientation of services. Moreover, those instruments should have appropriate psychometric properties and should be suitable to be introduced in routinely clinical settings.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The problem of mental health of synthetic (“designer”) drug or “spice” users draws the increasing attention of experts of various areas in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry and psychotherapy.

Research objective To classify and describe the psychotic states arising after the use of “spice”; to define the personality changes and probable consequences of the use observed in patients in the conditions of a hospital.

One hundred and one patients (93 men and 8 women; mean age 27.8 ± 7.6 years) with dependence on “spice” revealed between 2014 and 2015 were examined. History taking, clinical-psychopathological investigation and experimental psychological testing were used.

As a result of research the patients were divided into 5 groups according to criteria of ICD-10:

– group 1: acute intoxication with delirium (n = 16; 15.84%);

– group 2: residual and late-onset psychotic disorders like flashbacks (n = 9; 8.92%);

– group 3: withdrawal state with delirium (n = 32; 31.68%);

– group 4: psychotic disorder, mainly hallucinatory (n = 30; 29.70%);

– group 5: paranoid schizophrenia (n = 14; 13.86%).

The use of synthetic cannabinoids (“spice”) can initiate transient psychotic episodes, serve as the contributing factor of development of paranoid schizophrenia, continuous type of the course, leads to “accentuation” of schizoid, paranoid and psychopathic traits of the personality. It is proposed to make up a question of the possibility of additional use of the clarifying designation “synthetic cannabinoids/spice” at reference of patients using synthetic cannabinoids to the section of ICD-10 F12 “Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids” the agenda of clinicians.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Stressful or traumatic events occurred during childhood do have a role in the genesis of personality disorders. Less is known about this remarkable association in people with addictive behaviors.

This study aims to disentangle the relationship between childhood adverse experiences, personality disorders (PDs) and substance use disorders (SUDs).

A cross-sectional naturalistic study of 320 consecutive SUDs outpatients attending an Italian addiction service. Participants were clinically evaluated by a semi-structured interview, the SCID-II (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II PD), and the CECA-Q (Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse-questionnaire). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)

The prevalence rate of PDs in our sample of patients is 62.2%. PDs were associated with a history of physical punishment in childhood (OR = 1.82; CI 95%: 1.05–3.16; P = 0.034). Being exposed to three adverse events increases the risk of Cluster B PD (OR = 5.92; CI 95%: 2.21–15.92; P < 0.001). Heroin addiction increases the risk of Cluster B PD, both as previous (OR = 2.93; CI 95%: 1.49–5.75; P = 0.003) or current (OR = 4.34; IC 95%: 1.97–11.8; P = 0.004) consumption. Childhood institutionalization increases the probability of cluster B PD (OR: 2.15; CI 95%: 1.02–4.54; P = 0.041). Whereas being employed reduces the probability of both PDs and SUDs (OR = 0.54; CI 95%: 0.31–0.93; P = 0.027).

PDs occurred in 62% of patients and were related to adverse childhood experiences and SUDs having detrimental effects on both social and occupational functioning. Being employed could be a protective factor on the development of PDs.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Alcoholic use disorder is a big problem in every country. It is the leading factor causing high disability-adjusted life year (DALYs). The National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiology Cathchment Area found that 37% of people with alcoholic use disorder had comorbid along with psychiatric disorder especially depression. In order to successfully treat patients with alcoholic use disorder, we have to treat their comorbidity along as well.

To examine the prevalence and correlation of depression awareness in patients with alcoholic use disorder.

Inpatients and outpatients who were diagnosed with alcoholic use disorder and alcohol dependence were invited to participate in this research. Subjects who had any history of depressive disorder treatment before were excluded. The awareness of depression was determined by the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised, IPQ-R. Depressive disorder was determined by the Thai version of the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).

Ninety subjects with alcoholic use disorder agreed to join this research. Twenty-nine of the 90 (32.2%) had depression due to the PHQ-9 scale. Twenty-three were aware that they had depression and that was related to alcohol use. Using the logistic regression analysis, there were no significant factors related to this awareness.

There is high prevalence of depression in patients with alcoholic use disorder and most of them have awareness did not receive treatment for depression.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses report low-quality evidence to suggest a significant differential effectiveness between standard psychosocial interventions in reducing substance consumption. They highlight the presence of several types of treatments that usually integrate different approaches in a multimodal manner. CBT-based interventions seem to be the most effective ones in terms of dropouts and relapse prevention, particularly in cocaine addiction.

We discuss recent advances in experimental and clinical studies on cocaine addiction. We especially try to integrate emerging cognitive neuroscience evidences and results of the meta-analyses of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions.

The primary aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of a new multimodal intervention for cocaine addiction, namely MACA (Metacognitve Awareness in Cocaine Addiction). Secondary aims are to discuss: (i) rationale of integrating different approaches; (ii) preliminary results of a previous pilot-study; (iii) feasibility of present study using the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework.

We describe and evaluate our model that comprises:

– an individual short intervention based on dilemma-focused therapy;

– a psycho-educational group based on standard CBT treatments;

– a relapse-prevention group based on mindfulness protocols for addiction;

– a follow-up online self-administered course and automatic personalized feedback.

Existing literature seems to support the need for new integrated programs. RE-AIM feasibility analysis shows promising results in integrating the proposed approaches in terms of symptoms reduction, relapse prevention and cost-benefit ratio.

Preliminary evidence supports potential for the MACA program in treating cocaine addiction. The research design of a wait-list controlled trial with pre- and post-treatment assessment is discussed.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Addiction to psychoactive substances (PAS) can lead to cardiovascular complications. Cardiotoxicity of drugs is known but it is rarely documented by toxicology.

We conducted a prevalence study on PAS use among patients with cardiac symptoms, with an analysis of diagnosis and a description of PAS user's characteristics.

To improve the therapeutic management in addictology for cardiac patients.

Prospective observational study performed during 3 months. Patients admitted in cardiology had to complete a hetero-questionnaire about his PAS consumption and a qualitative toxicological research in urine and/or blood (immunochemical/GC–MS detection).

One hundred and sixty-one patients were included: 86% men, aged 24–68 years (Table 1). Results show a high level of PAS use in our population: 8.7%. A significant PAS use is observed among patients aged 40–70 years, with a prevalence of 22% for the 40–49, 15% for the 50–59 and 7% for the 60–69. PAS detected were mainly cannabis and cocaine. Clinical diagnoses of patients positive to PAS were acute coronary syndromes and severe cardiac arrhythmias.

In patients admitted in cardiology, toxicological screening is rarely done. Our study shows a significant PAS use among patients aged 40–70 years. According to data of the French Health Barometer, there is regular use of cannabis and cocaine at respectively 3% and 1.1% among people aged 18–64. These results invite us to achieve a more systematic identification of PAS use among patients with cardiovascular disorders and to optimize the therapeutic management by a systematic orientation in addictology.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

QTc interval prolongation is considered a risk factor for fatal polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, which can result in sudden cardiac death. Most psychotropic drugs have a dose-dependent potential to prolong the QTc interval. However, other factors require appropriate consideration, including: age; gender; other medications; electrolyte abnormalities; severe comorbid conditions, such as co-occurring alcohol or substances abuse/dependence.

The objective was to study the potential mediating roles of alcohol/substances abuse on QTc prolongation.

The Italian research group STAR Network, in collaboration with the Young Italian Psychiatrists Association, aimed to evaluate the frequency of QTc interval prolongation in a sample of patients under treatment with psychotropic drugs through a cross-sectional national survey.

A sample of 2411 unselected patients were enrolled after performing an ECG during the recruitment period. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected from medical records. Collected data underwent statistical analysis.

A total of 11.2% of patients reported alcohol abuse, and only 8.9% psychotropic substances. According to the threshold, less than 20% of patients had a borderline value of QTc, and 1% a pathological value. Patients with co-occurring alcohol misuse and drug abuse were more likely to have longer QTc interval.

The present study describes the frequency of QTc prolongation in real-world clinical practice. Before prescribing a psychotropic drug, the physician should carefully assess its risks and benefits to avoid this type of adverse reaction, particularly when additional risk factors are present. The potential role of alcohol and substances on QTc length could be particularly useful in emergency settings.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Alcoholic hallucinosis is a rare complication of chronic alcohol abuse, characterized by acoustic verbal hallucinations and delusions, mainly of a menacing content, arising in clear consciousness, that appear during or shortly after a period of heavy alcohol consumption.

To outline the key clinical features of alcoholic hallucinosis in order to improve differential diagnosis with other entities.

We studied the evolution of an outpatient followed in a Mental Health Centre of Valladolid and compared it with present data about the condition, found in a bibliographic search of articles no older than 10 years about the topic.

Partial insight about the experience, along with clear consciousness, was key to discard other psychiatric diagnosis that also present acoustic hallucinations. Neuroimagining and functional tests in our patient showed moderate cognitive impairment and cortical atrophy, which contradicts other studies which claim that an acceptable level of cognition must be present in order to gain the necessary insight to meet the diagnostic criteria.

Alcoholic hallucinosis is a rare form of subacute encephalopathy, secondary to an abrupt stop in a previously chronic and heavy alcohol consumption. Its diagnosis is mainly clinical, and neuroleptics are the most used drug, being abstinence essential for an adequate evolution. The course is usually benign, although the acoustic phenomena may not disappear completely.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Although several authors found a strong association between childhood trauma and substance abuse disorder, many other suggest that specific personological aspects and resilience may contribute to the development of this disease.

To compare the characteristics of psychiatric patients with and without dual diagnosis assessing differences in psychological correlates, such as resilience, coping strategies, self-esteem, temperament, character traits and childhood trauma.

From November 2015 to May 2016, we recruited all patients aged between 18 to 65 years referred to the Psychiatry Ward of “Maggiore della Carità” Hospital in Novara, Italy. Diagnosis of psychiatric disorder was made according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Exclusion criteria were: inability to express a valid inform consent, a personality disorder or mental retardation diagnosis. We administered to each patient: Resilience Scale for Adult (RSA), Brief Cope, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Patients were subdivided for the analysis into two groups: dual diagnosis and no dual diagnosis (or single diagnosis) group.

Data show that dual-diagnosis patients (n = 40) had lower global levels of resilience (RSA) and cooperativeness (TCI). Higher novelty seeking and reward dependence traits (TCI) were found as well. Moreover, the lower Cope-Avoidance (Brief Cope) was statistically different among patients with dual diagnosis compared to single diagnosis ones.

Identified differences between these two groups could suggest targets to manage during the treatments in order to optimise dual diagnosis patients’ outcomes.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.