Suicide Attempts in an Italian Population with Cannabis Use Disorders: Results of a Follow-Up Study.

The relationship between cannabis use and suicidal behavior is complex, with no consensus in the literature. We used electronic health records of national health services to identify individuals who received a diagnosis of Cannabis Use Disorder in the Metropolitan area of Bologna from 2009 to 2019. In this cohort we identified accesses to Emergency Departments for suicide attempts from 2009 to 2019. The Crude Suicide Rate for 1,000 Person Years was 2.5, higher in females, in patients with Alcohol Use Disorders, with any psychiatric diagnosis, within one year from the first visit, and during the COVID-19 period. The risk was over 22 times higher than in the general population. Considering the high prevalence of cannabis use in the general population and the consequent risk of Cannabis Use Disorders, these data suggest the importance of a clinical evaluation for suicidal risk.

Parental bonding, depression, and suicidal ideation in medical students.

Background: The psychological condition of university students has been the focus of research since several years. In this population, prevalence rates of depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety disorders and substance abuse are higher than those of the general population, and medical students are more likely to have mental health issues than other students. Aims: This study deals with the psychological condition of medical students, with a focus on correlations between depression, suicidal ideation and the quality of the perceived parenting style. Gender differences were also considered. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of medical students, with an online questionnaire consisting of a personal data sheet for demographic and anamnestic data, and of three self-rating scales: the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), for the screening of depressive symptoms; the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), to assess suicidal ideation; the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), to investigate the memory of the attitude of one's parents in the first 16 years of life. Two main affective dimensions were considered by PBI: "care" (affection and empathy) and "protection" (intrusiveness, controlling and constraint). Four different patterns of parenting styles are so evidenced: Neglectful Parenting (low care/low protection), Affectionless Control (low care/high protection), Optimal Parenting (high care/low protection), and Affectionate Constraint (high care/high protection). Results: Overall, 671 students (182 males and 489 females) participated. Females, compared to males, experienced more distress and self-injurious behaviors, while males experienced more drugs or alcohol abuse. The BHS and BDI-II scores correlated positively with the PBI score for "protection" and negatively with that for "care." Affectionless Control and Neglectful Parenting were associated with higher medians of BHS and BDI-II scores. Conclusion: The study confirms that the undergraduate medical student population has higher prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation than those detectable in the general population (respectively, 50.2% and 16.7% vs. 15-18% and 9.2%) and that some specific parenting styles correlate with these two clinical variables. The impact of Affectionless Control and Neglectful Parenting on suicidal ideation and depressive symptomatology was more pronounced in females than in males. For males, the role of the father seemed to have less impact on the affective roots of suicidal thoughts and depression.

Anger, Emotional Fragility, Self-esteem, and Psychiatric Comorbidity in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa/Acne Inversa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS) is one of the most debilitating inflammatory chronic skin diseases and it heavily impairs the emotional and relational life of the patients. Despite its clinical and epidemiological relevance, its psychological correlates are still largely unexplored. The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychological and emotional impact of HS, with a specific focus on psychiatric symptoms, particularly depression, suicidal ideation, self-esteem, anger, and some personality traits. Thirty eight patients diagnosed with HS (HS Group) were compared with a control group of 28 outpatients diagnosed with nevi (N Group) and assessed with psychometric questionnaires (GHQ-28, STAXI-2, BDI-II, BHS, RSES, EF Questionnaire, and I-R Questionnaire). Results showed significant differences between the two groups, with more psychiatric symptoms, lower self-esteem, and higher levels of state anger and of emotional fragility in HS patients. These findings suggest the evidence of a significant psychiatric comorbidity in HS and of a strong emotional impact of the disease.

Antidoping attitudes among elite athletes: a cross sectional study in biathlon using a suitably developed questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The attitude of athletes towards antidoping interventions was surveyed among biathletes by a properly developed questionnaire. METHODS: Topics and items were identified by a multidisciplinary team. A demographics and an awareness sections exploring respondents' characteristics and knowledge of the antidoping rules were added. The anonymous, self-administered tool was distributed to athletes during two international events. Two hundred forty-four biathletes participated in the survey. The structure of the questionnaire, determined by factor analysis, included three domains: safety (items N.=12) acceptance (N.=11), and satisfaction (N.=13) exploring respectively the perceived protection from cheating, the acceptance of the limitations on daily activities imposed by the antidoping interventions and the satisfaction with antidoping rules and actions. The domain scores and a general antidoping attitude score were calculated. RESULTS: The questionnaire, which displayed construct validity (r=0.500, P<0.001), good internal consistency (α=0.82) and significant acceptable test-retest reliability (k=0.59), revealed a good antidoping attitude (general score: 64.9/100±8.8) and in relation to each domain a satisfaction of athletes with antidoping interventions (65.3±13.6), good acceptance of the related restrictions (70.1±10.9), and concerns about safety (59.5±11.9), which was the lowest scoring domain (P<0.001). The degree of awareness, differently from age and gender, influenced the antidoping attitude score. CONCLUSIONS: The new questionnaire revealed a positive mood of biathletes towards antidoping interventions, pointed out their necessity of protection from cheating and highlighted the positive influence of awareness of the rules on antidoping attitude. The questionnaire is not sport-specific, which allows any international federation to evaluate the impact of antidoping strategies on athletes.

A response to Gadarowski's letter to the editor.

This discussion is meant to examine the issues raised by Gadarowski in a recent Letter to the Editor.This is a reply to http://www.hqlo.com/content/pdf/1477-7525-11-52.pdf.

Procreative sex in infertile couples: the decay of pleasure?

BACKGROUND: Infertility represents a major challenge to the emotional balance and sexual life of couples, with long-lasting and gender-specific effects. The objective of this study is to explore personality features of infertile patients and detect possible sexual disorders in couples undergoing infertility treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study 60 infertile couples and 52 fertile control couples were asked to complete standardized and validated questionnaires: the Adjective Check List (ACL) to enquire about personality features and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) or the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) to assess sexual functioning of female and male partners. The study population was divided into 3 groups: Group A (N = 30, recently diagnosed infertile couples) Group B (N = 30, infertile couples already undergoing Intrauterine Insemination) and Group C (N = 52, fertile control group). RESULTS: Infertile patients did not display any distinguishing personality features. Regarding sexual function, men of all the three groups scored higher in both questionnaires (sexual satisfaction, desire and orgasm) than their female partners. Comparing results between groups, Group A male partners obtained lower scores in all the subscales. Women belonging to Group A and Group B showed an impairment of sexual arousal, satisfaction, lubrification and orgasm when compared to fertile controls. CONCLUSIONS: Even if at the very first stages of infertility treatment no personality disturbances can be detected, the couples' sexual life is already impaired with different sexual disorders according to gender.

The orthodontist burnout.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether the Burnout Syndrome is clearly expressed in orthodontic practice and to identify its impact in both general dentistry and orthodontics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 366 operators in the dentistry-orthodontic field, hence a multi-factorial statistical analysis based on the multi-factorial method was carried out. Demographic data, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), divided into three subsets, Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and Personal Accomplishment (PA), and a specific questionnaire for orthodontists were analysed. RESULTS: The analysis of the MBI showed that EE affects only 1/5 of the sample, DP significantly affects only 1/3 of the sample, while the RPA was reported to be low in 2/3 of the sample. General dentists were more affected from burnout as compared with orthodontists. The specific questionnaire highlighted that members of both categories had work-related stress, mostly due to management and financial issues related to the workplace. CONCLUSIONS: The research suggested that Italian orthodontists were less prone to Burnout Syndrome compared to general dentists. As life-style has a major impact on the onset of the syndrome, preventive measures and solutions could be useful in order to prevent the symptoms of the Burnout Syndrome.

Pilot study to determine improvements in subjective penile morphology and personal relationships following a Nesbit plication procedure for men with congenital penile curvature.

AIM: To determine whether the surgical straightening of congenital penile curvature can improve intromission comfort, penile features, personal relationships and psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: Fifty-four patients (mean age 24 years, range 20-31 years) whose congenital penile deviation due to physiological curvature was>or=25 degrees, as measured on a graph, and who were experiencing penetration discomfort were assessed specifically for the present study. Of these, 14 patients suffered from psychogenic ED. The assessment included a case history, an objective examination, a pharmacologically-induced erection with prostaglandin E1 10-20 g, a graph taken during erection, a basal and dynamic Duplex ultrasonograph, penile length measurement, nocturnal penile tumescence recording, hormonal profiles and a psychological interview to evaluate the quality of their personal relationships according to Hinde's parameters (contents, number, features, frequency, ability to perceive limits of mutuality, subjective perception of the other person[s], and reliability). All patients underwent the Nesbit procedure. The initial assessment was repeated at 3 and 12 months after surgery. Data analyses were carried out using the z test. RESULTS: Subjective judgement of cosmetic penile features and vaginal intromission comfort improved significantly after surgery whereas the quality of personal relationships and ED did not. CONCLUSION: The surgical straightening of congenital penile curvature improved intromission comfort and penile features, but it failed to improve interpersonal relationships or psychogenic ED.