Dementia develops slowly and insidiously and causes cognitive impairment. The diagnosis is pivotal for relevant treatment and care. However, 50,000 people are estimated to have undiagnosed dementia in Denmark, while 36,000 are diagnosed.

The municipalities offers a home visit to the population at the ages of 75 and 80 years to assess the need of care and prevent sickness. These home visits are well established and might offer an unused opportunity to detect cognitive impairment and dementia.

To assess impaired cognition at home visits in order to initiate clinical examination for dementia.

A feasibility study with the use of Brief Assessment of Impaired Cognition Questionnaire (BASIC-Q) (sensitivity 0.92, specificity 0.97) at home visits. It is expected to include 1000 participants without a dementia diagnosis at the ages of 75 and 80 years. Participants will be included in a period of 12 moths (in the year of 2022), in a number of municipalities.

If the screening for cognitive impairment is positive, the participant is motivated for clinical examination at the general practitioner. Follow-up through registers and general practitioners.

Preliminary results will be presented at the conference.

Assessment of cognition might give an opportunity to start medication and social support early in the elderly with impaired cognition and undiagnosed dementia.

No significant relationships.

The updated programme for postgraduate psychiatry training in Malta was implemented in 2017. The trainees’ perspective was identified as an important and untapped resource in implementing positive change.

1. Identification of lacunae within the training programme 2. Acquire ideas regarding new initiatives 3. Identify what is particularly good. 4. Present a comprehensive report to the relevant stakeholders 5. Use of findings to work on concrete changes, with re-audit in 1 year.

Data from a national online survey of 12 Maltese Psychiatric Trainees from a total of 19 (63%% response rate) were examined. Both qualitative and quantitative data was gathered by making use of Likert scales as well as open ended questions. Various areas were surveyed, including 1. Ease of accessibility and quality of Clinical Supervision & Educational Supervision 2. Lectures and Teaching Seminars 3. After hours Duties 4. Psychotherapy Module 5. Preparation for MRCpsych Examinations

A noticeable difficulty in accessing clinical supervision (66%), the lack of research presentation opportunities (75%), as well as difficulties in the psychotherapy module (66.7%) were noted.

All results were collated into a six-page report. This report was presented to both the Maltese Postgraduate Training Committee as well as the Executive committee of the Maltese Association of Psychiatry and the Chairman of the Psychiatry Department. Various suggestions were flagged for Implementation including: 1. Rotation specific teaching 2. Restructure of the Psychotherapy module including training 3. Annual Research Day 4. Complex Case Discussions Follow up plans include reaudit in one year following the implemented changes.

No significant relationships.

The measurement of the physiological coherence, the order and the quality of the connection of complex systems such as the cardiac and the respiratory system, varies in situations of stress and relaxation.

We aim to assess changes in physiological coherence and perception of stress during mental stress and directed breathing exercises.

Repeated-measures study in healthy adults without prior training in breathing techniques, aged between 18 and 65 years of both sexes who were evaluated in three situations: baseline, mental stress (Stroop test and successive subtractions), and directed breathing, during which were captured heart rate and respiratory signals to estimate physiological coherence and the participants rated the perceived stress at each moment.

34 participants were analyzed, 59% women, with a median age of 36 years (Rq = 13). During mental stress tasks, the median for physiological coherence was similar to baseline coherence but increased significantly with five minutes of directed breathing exercises (38% vs. 63% p <0.0001). The highest perception of stress was during successive subtractions (Me 7, Rq = 4) and the lowest during directed breathing exercises (Me 2 Rq = 3.0). The correlation was sought between physiological coherence and perception of stress during each of the four moments of the study. Basal (Rho Spearman -0.05, p 0.54); Stroop (Rho -0.17, p 0.03); successive subtractions (Rho 0.50, p 0.77); and directed breathing (Rho -0.28, p 0.09).

A correlation was found between physiological coherence and perception of stress during the Stroop test; however, no association was found.

No significant relationships.

Attachment style is defined by the American Psychological Association as “the characteristic way people relate to others in the context of intimate relationships”. Four attachment styles have been described: secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dismissing. While the effect of attachment style on psychotherapy was widely investigated, few studies have investigated its role in determining beliefs about medicines in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between preoccupied attachment style and beliefs about medicines in patients with MDD.

27 patients admitted in the Psychiatric Unit of Careggi with diagnosis of MDD were enrolled. Working Alliance Inventory - patient version (WAI-P), Relationship Style Questionnaire (RSQ) and Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) were administered. An ANCOVA model having BMQ total score as dependent variable and age, sex, RSQ preoccupied attachment subscale and WAI-P task subscale as predictors was considered. WAI-P task was intended to assess the role of agreement on therapeutic choices.

The overall model was significant (F(4,22)=9,571, P<0.001) and explained 66.8% of BMQ total score variance (R2=0.668). Both RSQ preoccupied attachment subscale (B=3.331, t(22)=3.907, p=0.001) and WAI-P task subscale (B=0.238, t(22)=4.565, p<0.001) showed a positive correlation with BMQ total scores. RSQ preoccupied attachment subscale explained 44.6% of variance of BMQ total scores (partial η2=0.446), WAI-P task explained 52.3% of variance of BMQ total scores (partial η2= 0.523). Age (B=0.059, t(22)=1.588, p=0.129) and sex (F(1,22)=0.035, p=0.854) had no significant effect.

These preliminary data suggest a possible influence of preoccupied attachment style on beliefs about medicines in patients with MDD.

No significant relationships.

High prevalence of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and poor sleep hygiene in population (Perlis et al., 2011, Riemann et al., 2017) allow suggesting (Rasskazova, Tkhostov, 2012) a socially determined low value of sleep relative to other activities and demands.

The aim was to reveal the role of the relative value of sleep and subjective quality of sleep in people without sleep disorders.

172 participants 18-62 years old without diagnosed sleep disorders answered three items about their relative sleep value, filled Insomnia Severity Index, Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep Scale (Morin, 1993), Behavioral Factors of Sleep Disorders Scale (Rasskazova, 2020) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Zigmond, Snaith, 1983)

56.3% -65.3% participants tend to neglect sleep for the sake of other activities in conflictual situation independent on gender and age. Sleep neglect is associated with poorer subjective sleep indirectly – through poor sleep hygiene, depressive emotions and postponement of the time to get up in the morning (β=.02-.09; 95%CI [.01-.17]). High value of healthy sleep is associated with poorer sleep quality if it leads to higher dysfunctional sleep beliefs and sleep rituals (indirect effects β=.04-.16; 95%CI [.01-.23]), but with better sleep quality if it leads to better sleep hygiene in the evening and less delay in getting up in the morning (β=-.04 - -.02; 95%CI [-.08-.00]).

Relative value of sleep might play a different role in the sleep regulation depending on which long-term beliefs, emotions, and behaviors it provokes. Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00740.

Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00740

With the COVID-19 pandemic recognized as a major threat to human health, promoting vaccination is of paramount importance to public health.

To examine the association between factors of the Health Belief Model (HBM) and intentions to be vaccinated against COVID-19, when a vaccine becomes available.

A literature review has been made through PubMed database.

The HBM dimensions “perceived barriers”, “perceived benefits” and “perceived severity” were considered to be significant predictors of acceptance of vaccinations. The HBM constructs of cues to action (trust in third-party information sources), perceived severity of and susceptibility to COVID-19, and beliefs about the protection benefits of a COVID-19 vaccine, subsequently may elicit willingness to vaccinate. Individual predictors of vaccination were believing the vaccine is effective at preventing COVID-19, recalling their doctor recommending the vaccine. Common perceived barriers against vaccination included believing the vaccine could give people the virus, believing the vaccine can make individuals ill afterwards and preferring to develop immunity “naturally”. Patients who delayed and refused vaccine doses were more likely to have vaccine safety concerns and perceive fewer benefits associated with vaccines.

HBM is an effective tool for identifying facilitators and barriers to health behaviors. Health promotion should make use of the HBM, as the model provides a theoretically understanding of the dynamics that may enable the success of important health-related policy in the wake of COVID-19 and future pandemics and identifies the communication mechanisms that must be leveraged by governments and authorities in enforcing policy.

No significant relationships.

Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, motor hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD cognitive and behavioral presentation is characterized by a high heterogeneity (APA, 2013). Indeed, a complex diagnostic process, that considers several validated tools, is, to date, necessary.

The main aim is to develop supervised machine learning (ML) algorithms that could be used to support the diagnostic process for ADHD, by identifying the most relevant features in discriminating between the presence or absence of the ADHD diagnosis in children.

We analyzed data from 342 children (Mean age: 8y 8m ± 1y; 61 F) referred for possible ADHD symptomatology. Assessments were performed by an expert clinician and through questionnaires: Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Conners Rating Scale for Parents (CPRS) and for Teachers (CTRS). Data were analyzed using a decision tree classifier and random forest algorithms.

The decision tree model performed an accuracy of 0.71. The random forest model that was identified as the best tested, performed an accuracy of 0.77 (Figure 1) and it identified as most informative parent- and teacher-rated DSM-oriented ADHD symptoms (Figure 2).

Figure 1: Random forest confusion matrix and statistics.

Figure 2: Ranking of variables importance.

A random forest classifier could represent an effective algorithm to support the identification of ADHD children and to simplify the diagnostic process as an initial step. The use of supervised machine learning algorithms could be useful in helping the diagnostic process, highlighting the importance of a personalized medicine approach.

No significant relationships.

Hope should be fostered by providing information to help service users develop an understanding of psychological difficulties and encourage an active role in their self-care. This might include providing an open caring environment, nurse presence, comfort/pain relief, and involving patients in their care.

To analyze the critical importance of hope-inspiring competence as a high-quality mental health nursing care in recovery-oriented practice.

This was a reflective and discursive study based on experiential aspects of hope in mental health recovery.

Hope and hopelessness are important determinants of mental health. Hope has a positive influence on people’s mental health, on increasing comfort and satisfaction with life and on reducing negative emotions and suicide, decreasing the predisposition to addiction, and preventing family exhaustion, with a predictive effect on subjective well-being and protection of mental health. The concept of hope-inspiring competence is introduced to denote a relatively high level of the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses ability to instil and maintain hope for recovery in people with mental health disorders.

The evidence seems to point to the importance of incorporating hope in collaborative strategies to promote mental health and manage mental health disorders. Despite this recognition of the role of the specialist nurse in psychiatric-mental health in training for hope, the way it develops in the context of specialized practice lacks evidence and visibility. A vision of recovery from mental illness exists, and hope, trust and self-determination should be incorporated into all treatment models.

No significant relationships.

As liaison psychiatrists, it is very important to mantein a good relationship with other medical specialties in order to obtain the best result for our patients. Most of the times, the somatic process affects direct or indirectly to mental healt and vice versa, so our cooperation is extremely important for the patient’s welbeing.

With this study we try to find special considerations and necesities of every specialty that count on us in our hospital. We have design this batebase with the aim of discovering which are the main problems that suffer the admitted patients, which doubts face our colleagues when evaluate mental health patients, etc. Thus, our team could help other physicians properly or so we could stablish a proper liaison in order to make things easier.

A database has been created with all the patients evaluated by our liaison psychiatry team during half a year. We have taken into account sex, age, referral specialist, mental health diagnosis (after our evaluation), previous mental health follow-up, if they are on psycopharmacology treatment, if they requiere psycopharmacology treatment and if they requiere follow-up once discharged.

22,9% were kid/adolescent patients. 25,8% were elderly people (>70 yo). 47% were men (of which, 6% were trans men), 53% were women. 22,9% suffered from adjustment disorder, 14,1% had no acute mental health problem, 11,76% presented substance abuse. Main petitions were made from Internal Medicine (30%)

With this information we can explore other specialists’ and admitted patients’ needs and concerns and focus our effort in solving them.

No significant relationships.

Mental health professionals are one of the major sources of stigma for persons with schizophrenia and their families. The stereotype of incompetence is central in this stigmatization, whereas valuing skills is a fundamental aspect of mental health care and recovery.

The aim of this study is to identify the domains of competence stigmatized in schizophrenia by mental health professionals and the factors associated with this stigmatization.

An online survey was conducted with a specific measure of the stereotype of incompetence and these associated factors. Participants were to be mental health professionals who work or have worked with persons with schizophrenia. These participants were recruited through professional social networks.

Responses of 164 participants were analyzed. The results reported four highly stigmatized skill domains: ability to relate well socially, ability to be effective in their work, ability to make decisions about their health, and ability to control their emotions. Intelligence was found to be less stigmatized than the other dimensions. Recovery beliefs, categorical beliefs, and perceived similarities were factors associated with the stereotype of incompetence.

Responses of 164 participants were analyzed. The results reported four highly stigmatized skill domains: ability to relate well socially, ability to be effective in their work, ability to make decisions about their health, and ability to control their emotions. Intelligence was found to be less stigmatized than the other dimensions. Recovery beliefs, categorical beliefs, and perceived similarities were factors associated with the stereotype of incompetence.

No significant relationships.

Both Major Depressive and Alcohol Use Disorders are highly prevalent. They also are the major contributors to disability and decreased quality of life and, as they are often comorbid with each other, the diagnosis and treatment of concurrent depression and alcohol use disorder represents a challenging task with multiple clinical questions requiring evidence-based recommendations.

The goal of this presentation is to review the optimal strategies to treat concurrent alcohol use and major depressive disorders in the context of current research findings and clinical practice.

Narrative review, knowledge synthesis.

The most up-to-date research findings in the areas of epidemiology of concurrent depression and alcohol use disorder, their differential diagnosis, and treatment approaches will be reviewed. This review will include the current evidence of effectiveness of various antidepressants in treatment of depression concurrent with alcohol use disorder and antidipsotropic agents use for alcohol use disorder in the context of depressive symptoms, as well as their combinations. We will discuss the timeline of initiation of both antidepressants and antidipsotropic agents, non-pharmacological treatment modalities as well as the clinical tools that can be used to properly monitor patients’ progress and optimize the treatment process, and the integrative teamwork necessary to achieve optimal results.

Ultimately, the optimal diagnostic and treatment algorithm and the set of evidence-based treatment recommendations will be presented.

No significant relationships.

The process of professional self-determination in adolescence is a key developmental task, the successful resolution of which determines the psychological health and well-being. Professional self-determination includes 1) the formation of a professional identity on the base of exploration the possibilities of professional choice, 2) making a decision for professional future

1) to study the features of a personal professional perspective in adolescence; 2) to reveal status of identity in the field of professional self-determination; 3) to study the relationship between the status of identity and the personal professional perspective.

The modified Personal Professional Perspective technique (N.S.Pryazhnikov) and the interview to determine status identity in the professional field (D.Marsia) were used. The study involved 144 respondents aged 15 to 17 years.

The heterochronicity of the formation of the components of the personal professional perspective (PPP) among adolescents is revealed. The connection of the high status of identity in the professional sphere with the formation of PPP has been proved. The formation of all components of the PPP among adolescents with the status of a moratorium and status of achieved identity is higher than in group with diffusion status (U criterion, p = 0.00).

The high status of identity in the professional sphere (moratorium and achieved identity) is associated with a high level of formation of a personal professional perspective.

No significant relationships.

Clinical studies demonstrated the efficacy of rTMS treatment in major depressive disorder. However, the results of meta-analyses are contradictory due to the heterogeneity of the included studies.

The aim was to analyse the effectiveness of rTMS for treatment-resistant major depression.

A systematic literature review of English-language articles published in the last 10 years was performed on PubMed and Scopus databases according to PRISMA guideline principles. To assess the effects of rTMS on response and remission rates, random-effects model and inverse variance method were used.

23 randomized double-blind sham-controlled studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis for response (n= 1020 patients) and 12 studies for remission (n= 846 patients). The relative risk for response and remission were 2.19 (95% CI: 1.68-2,86, p=0.000 n=912) and 2.65 (95% CI: 1.32-5,31, p=0.002, n=603), respectively using rTMS as add on treatment (in patients after two antidepressant treatment failures) compared to standard pharmacotherapy. I2analysis showed no considerable heterogeneity in the combined effect sizes neither for remission studies (I2=23.36%) nor for response studies (I2=0.00%).

Transcranial magnetic stimulation became an evidence-based, effective treatment for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, either as a monotherapy or as an augmentation of pharmacotherapy. However, because of the lack of standardized protocol, a substantial methodological heterogeneity exists. According to our results, rTMS was significantly more effective than sham rTMS in both response and remission outcomes, which is consistent with previous meta-analyses, but the effect size was a bit smaller than what was reported previously.

No significant relationships.

First responders to disasters are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trajectories of post-traumatic stress symptom severity differ among individuals, even if they are exposed to similar events. These trajectories have not yet been reported in non-Western first responders.

We aimed to explore post-traumatic stress symptom severity trajectories and their risk factors in first responders to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE)— a historically large earthquake that resulted in a tsunami and a nuclear disaster.

56 388 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) personnel dispatched to the GEJE were enrolled in this seven-year longitudinal cohort study. PTSD symptom severity was measured using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Trajectories were identified using latent growth mixture models (LGMM). Nine potential risk factors for the symptom severity trajectories were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression.

Five symptom severity trajectories were identified: “resilient” (54.7%), “recovery” (24.5%), “incomplete recovery” (10.7%), “late-onset” (5.7%), and “chronic” (4.3%). The main risk factors for the four non-resilient trajectories were older age, personal disaster experiences, and working conditions. These working conditions included duties involving body recovery or radiation exposure risk, longer deployment length, later or no post-deployment leave, and longer post-deployment overtime.

The majority of first responders to GEJE were resilient and developed few or no PTSD symptoms. A substantial minority experienced late-onset and chronic symptom severity trajectories. The identified risk factors can inform policies for prevention, early detection, and intervention in individuals at risk of developing symptomatic trajectories.

No significant relationships.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative pathology that develops mainly in elderly and senile people. Disruption of BDNF transport or suppression of its production appears to be typical for people of old age. Objective: To investigate the influence of Alzheimer’s disease on the secretion of brain factors and correlate with neuropsychological profiles.

12 men (2) and women (10) with Alzheimer’s disease were examined. The average age of the subjects was 76.25 + 4.89. Methods: MMSE, ADAS-COG, laboratory - BDNF was performed using the G7611 BDNF Emax (R) ImmunoAssaySystem 5 x 96 wells, BDNF Emax® Immunological test.

2 patients have mild dementia, 8 patients have moderate dementia, 2 patients have severe dementia. The average age of patients with mild dementia was 72.0 + 1.0. The average MMSE score is 16.7 + 3.4.

Correlation analysis showed a close relationship between a pronounced decrease in memory in memory tests (ADAS-COG) and a pronounced decrease in blood BDNF content (r = 0.676). A close statistically significant relationship was found between a low result of the recognition test and a low blood BDNF content (r = 0.598).

We assume that blood BDNF is a marker of pathologically accelerated aging of the central nervous system, since low test results for mnestic function are an indicator of severe degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.

No significant relationships.

Schizophrenia is characterized by impairments in motivation and coping and decrements in psychosocial functioning in major life areas.

This study attempted to examine the links between treatment motivation, coping, and psychosocial functioning for persons with schizophrenia. Design: Cross-sectional survey.

One hundred thirty-eight participants were recruited at random from outpatient psychosocial rehabilitation programs in Moscow-based psychiatric hospitals. The measures of motivation were administered by testers blind to scores on other study variables; measures of coping (COPE, CERQ) and psychosocial functioning (PSP, EQ5D5L, SF36, Q-Les-Q-18) were administered. Data were analyzed using latent construct modeling to test for mediator and moderator effects.

There were strong bivariate relationships between coping, motivation, and psychosocial functioning. The results demonstrated that coping strongly mediated the relationship between motivation and psychosocial functioning. This mediation was evidenced by: 1) the direct path from motivation to a functional outcome no longer being statistically significant after introducing coping into the model; 2) the statistical significance of the indirect path from motivation through coping to functional outcome. There was no support for the moderation hypotheses.

Motivation influences psychosocial functioning through its relationship with coping, and coping is a critical mechanism for explaining the relationship between motivation and psychosocial functioning. These results will be compared with work on motivation, neurocognition, and psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia (Nakagami et al. 2008), as well as with gender issues. Professionals working with schizophrenia patients should consider such variables as coping when designing and implementing gender-sensitive intervention programs.

No significant relationships.

According to the Medical Subject Headings, the vocabulary used by PubMed, procrastination is ‘the deferment of actions or tasks to a later time, or to infinity’. Studies on procrastination are increasing, especially among university students, gaining prominence in academic literature. However, studies on the procrastination phenomenon have been mainly quantitative, correlating such experiences with clinical and behavioral manifestations. Specific research with occupational therapy students is lacking in the literature.

To interpret symbolic meanings related to life experiences of the procrastination phenomenon of school tasks as reported by occupational therapy undergraduate students, self-referred as procrastinators.

Clinical-qualitative design. Data collected through semi-directed interviews with open-ended questions in-depth. Clinical-Qualitative Content Analysis generated categories discussed in the light of the psychodynamic theoretical framework. This study was carried out in a private Brazilian university. The sample was closed by the information saturation criterion.

Seven students were interviewed. Procrastination comes associated with anxiety as productivity, but not reported as an “executive drive”, that would imprison the individual in a vicious cycle. There are defense mechanisms referred to as self-preservation for not assume responsibilities for tasks. Ineffective strategies seem to be experienced by the students to avoid procrastination, but without resolving possible psychodynamic conflicts related to the task.

Students’ procrastination ambivalently affects their daily lives, although they can report the phenomenon as negative. It is suggested further qualitative studies that explore specifically meanings of procrastinating personal activities, in general, considering these individuals will work precisely in a therapeutic approach in the field of occupations of the people.

No significant relationships.

Schizophrenia is frequently a chronic and disabling disorder, characterized by heterogeneous positive and negative symptoms. Negative symptoms are a major health concern and a core component of schizophrenia that account for a large part of the long-term disability and poor functional outcomes in patients with the disorder. Adequate treatment would mean important progress and Distinguishing primary from secondary negative symptoms may inform about treatment options.

Objective: to provide information that may be useful for clinicians treating patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

We searched Pubmed and Cochrane Library database for english language articles.

Negative symptoms are a core component of schizophrenia that account for a large part of the long-term disability and poor functional outcomes. Negative symptoms are common in schizophrenia; up to 60% of patients may have prominent clinically relevant negative symptoms that require treatment. Negative symptoms can occur at any point in the course of illness, although they are reported as the most common first symptom of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms can be primary symptoms, which are intrinsic to the underlying pathophysiology of schizophrenia, or secondary symptoms that are related to psychiatric or medical comorbidities, adverse effects of treatment, or environmental factors. Negative symptoms clearly constitute an unmet medical need in schizophrenia, and new and effective treatments are urgently needed.

Clinically relevant negative symptoms of schizophrenia need to be recognized, assessed, and as well managed as possible in order to achieve improved outcomes for patients. More studies are needed to establish the better approach to negative symptoms.

No significant relationships.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) could result in various medical consequences. Clinical manifestations are diverse and range from asymptomatic or mild, fever-like symptoms, to more severe and life-threatening complications. Although the clinical presentation was initially dominated by respiratory symptoms, psychiatric symptoms and sequelae have been reported in COVID- 19 patients and convalescents.

To describe four clinical case reports of patients admitted to the inpatient unit of Psychiatric Hospital Sarajevo (PHS) with acute onset of psychosis in the recovery stage of COVID-19.

In this case series we report cases of 4 patients, all female, mean age 53.25 years, hospitalized in PHS during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. All developed psychotic symptoms in the recovery phase of COVID-19. None had a previous history of psychiatric disturbances of any kind. All patients were diagnosed with brief psychotic disorder (BPD), according to DSM 5 criteria for BPD.

COVID-19 affects various organ systems, including the brain, with variable symptoms based on disease severity. Psychotic features have been observed as well. The pathophysiology and direct biological effects of the disease are not fully understood. COVID-19 patients and convalescents can develop psychotic symptoms as a consequence of multiple concurrent factors. Several proposed mechanisms include direct central nervous system infiltration, cytokine network dysregulation, peripheral immune cell transmigration, and post-infectious autoimmunity [1], treatments used to manage the infection, and psychosocial stress.

Clinicians need to be aware of possible psychotic manifestations in COVID-19 patients and survivors. Long-term follow-up is warranted to provide efficient patient care.

No significant relationships.

There are two common hypotheses to explain such high comorbidity between nicotine dependence and schizophrenia (SZ): self-medication for decreasing psychiatric symptoms or common environmental risk factors can predispose to both nicotine dependence and other risky behaviors in SZ

Little is known about the influence of cigarette smoking comorbidities such substance use disorder (SUD), criminal history, or risky decision among patients with SZ.

The Iowa Gambling test (IGT) was administered to thirty-nine patients with SZ of whom 69% reporting cigarette smoking. Both groups were evaluated using a socio-demographic questionnaire and clinical assessment using PANSS and self-report questionnaire the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). To evaluate decision making was evaluated with the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT).

The full SZ sample performed worse on the IGT then normal population. Smokers with SZ performed significantly worse than nonsmokers on the IGT primarily because they preferred “disadvantageous” decks to a greater degree. The PANSS and impulsivity tendencies (BIS-11) did not predict overall performance on the IGT. Smokers with SZ had impaired affective decision-making. Behavior suggested preferential attention to the frequency amount of gain and inattention to amount of loss suggesting impairments in risk/reward decision-making

This study is the first to compare IGT in smokers and nonsmokers with SZ with adjustment of SUD, criminal history, and existing tattoo to further examine IGT performance. These results support the hypothesis that comorbidities between nicotine dependence and SZ can be linked to other common factor that is associated with other externalizing behaviors in SZ.

No significant relationships.