The Association Between Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Results From an Italian Cross-Sectional Study.

Cardiovascular diseases, anxiety, and depression are among the most frequent clinical conditions in the Western world, often in comorbidity. Evidence regarding a shared pathophysiology suggests a mediating role by chronic systemic inflammation. The aims of this study were to measure the association between anxiety and depressive symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors, and inflammatory markers. Outpatients aged 40 years or more undergoing colonoscopy after positive fecal occult blood test were enrolled; the following data were collected: body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, carotid thickness, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Temperament and Character Inventory, INTERdisciplinary MEDicine Self-Assessment, and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey scores. Fifty-four patients were enrolled; 30.2% had anxiety symptoms, 18.9% depressive symptoms, and 9.4% concomitant anxiety-depressive symptoms. Anxiety symptoms were associated with low high-density lipoprotein levels. Depressive symptoms were associated with CRP levels, providing supporting evidence for the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of depression.

Factors Associated with Long-Stays in an Italian Psychiatric Intensive Treatment Facility: 1-Year Retrospective Observational Analysis.

Psychiatric Intensive Treatment Facilities (PITF) are health inpatient settings for patients affected by sub-acute psychiatric disorders with impaired personal and social functioning. The aim of this study is to analyse the demographic and clinical variables related to long-stays in an Italian PITF in order to highlight the risk factors for stay lengthening. We retrospectively collected the selected variables from all patients and their stays in a PITF from 1 to 11-2016 to 31-10-2017. We divided the stays according to the median of duration, ≤29 and > 29 days, to compare selected variables in the two groups of stay length. Patients hospitalized for >29 days more frequently presented "Self-neglect", nursing diagnosis NANDA-I, and needed economic social service support. Multiple linear regression revealed that the presence of some variables as "many medical consultations", "economic social service support", "clinical interviews extended to institutional figures" were statistically significantly associated with an increased stay duration, suggesting that both clinical severity and difficult economic conditions were associated with the lengthening of stay. The knowledge of these factors can contribute to improve psychiatric treatments, reducing potential risk conditions for patient institutional dependence.

Metabolic Syndrome, Anxiety and Depression in a Sample of Italian Primary Care Patients.

This cross-sectional study aimed at measuring the correlation and association of anxiety, depression and comorbid anxiety-depression symptoms with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a sample of Italian primary care patients who attended their General Practitioner clinics over a 1-month period in 2013. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms. The sample was made up of 129 patients (57% women; mean age, 61 ± 12 years). The prevalence of MetS varied from 40% (Adult Treatment Panel III-Revised criteria) to 48% (International Diabetes Federation criteria). The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and comorbid anxiety and depression was, respectively, 26%, 2%, and 15%. MetS (defined according to Adult Treatment Panel III-Revised criteria) was associated with comorbid anxiety-depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 3.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26-11.71), but not with anxiety or depressive symptoms only. Out of the individual components of MetS, enlarged waist circumference was associated with anxiety symptoms (OR = 4.22, 95% CI = 1.56-11.44).

Gender differences in Anxious-depressive symptomatology, Metabolic Syndrome and Colorectal Adenomas among outpatients undergoing colonoscopy: a cross-sectional study according to a PNEI perspective.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: To explore gender differences in patients suffering from anxious-depressive symptoms, Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and Colorectal Adenomas (CRAs) in a sample of outpatients undergoing colonoscopy for screening purposes. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. 126 consecutive outpatients of both sexes undergoing colonoscopy for non-specific abdominal symptoms between January 2015 and June 2021 at the Modena Policlinico General Hospital (Modena, Northern Italy) were enrolled. MetS was diagnosed according to ATPIII and IDF criteria. Anxiety and depression were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), while the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was used to study personality. The SF-36 was also included as a measure of quality of life perception. RESULTS: Among 126 outpatients (51.60% male) undergoing colonoscopy, 51 (44%) had CRAs, 54 (47%) MetS, 41 (41.40%) anxiety symptoms, 22 (22.20%) depressive symptoms and 13 (13.10%) combined anxious-depressive symptoms. HADS-Anxiety (t=2.68, p=0.01) and TCI Reward Dependence (TCI-RD) (t=3.01, p=0.00) mean scores were significantly higher in women; conversely, SF-36 Mental Component Summary scores were higher in men. CRAs were significantly prevalent in men (χ2=9.32, p=0.00) and were statistically significantly associated with male sex at the univariate logistic regression analysis (OR=3.27; p<0.01). At the multivariate logistic regression, diastolic hypertension (p<0.01) was positively associated with male sex, while TCI-RD (p=0.04) and HDL hypocholesterolemia (p=0.02) were inversely associated with male sex. CONCLUSIONS: Several significant gender differences in anxious-depressive symptoms, MetS and CRAs were found. These preliminary data suggest the need to consider gender specificities while implementing therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventive strategies.

"It's All COVID's Fault!": Symptoms of Distress among Workers in an Italian General Hospital during the Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have been faced with specific stressors endangering their physical and mental health and their functioning. This study aimed to assess the short-term psychological health of a sample of Italian HCWs and the related influencing factors. In particular, the study focused on the differences related to HCWs' gender and to having been directly in charge of COVID-19 patients or not. METHODS: An online survey was administered to the whole staff of the Modena General University Hospital three months after the onset of the pandemic, in 2020. Demographic data and changes in working and living conditions related to COVID-19 were collected; mental health status was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). RESULTS: 1172 out of 4788 members returned the survey (response rate = 24.5%), the male/female ratio was 30/70%. Clinically significant symptoms assessed according to the DASS-21 emerged among 21.0% of the respondents for depression, 22.5% for anxiety and 27.0% for stress. Symptoms suggestive of a traumatic reaction were reported by 19.0% of the sample. Symptoms of psychological distress were statistically associated with female gender, job role, ward, changes in lifestyle, whereas first-line work with COVID-19 patients was statistically associated with more stress symptoms. HCWs reported a significant level of psychological distress that could reach severe clinical significance and impact dramatically their quality of life and functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the persistence of the international emergency, effective strategies to anticipate, recognize and address distress in HCWs are essential, also because they may impact the organization and effectiveness of healthcare systems.

Users' choice and change of allocated primary mental health professional in community-based mental health services: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The recovery model in mental health care emphasizes users' right to be involved in key decisions of their care, including choice of one's primary mental health professional (PMHP). AIMS: The aim of this article was to provide a scoping review of the literature on the topic of users' choice, request of change and preferences for the PMHP in community mental health services. METHOD: A search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and PsycINFO for papers in English was performed. Additional relevant research articles were identified through the authors' personal bibliography. RESULTS: A total of 2,774 articles were screened and 38 papers were finally included. Four main aspects emerged: (1) the importance, for users, to be involved in the choice of their PMHP; (2) the importance, for users, of the continuity of care in the relationship with their PMHP; (3) factors of the user/PMHP dyad influencing users' preferences; and (4) the effect of choice on the treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: While it is generally agreed that it is important to consider users' preferences in choosing or requesting to change their PMHP, little research on this topic is available. PMHPs' and other stakeholders' views should also be explored in order to discuss ethical and practical issues.

Preliminary results of a multidisciplinary Italian study adopting a Psycho-Neuro-Endocrine-Immunological (PNEI) approach to the study of colorectal adenomas.

Background and aim of the work Colorectal mucosal precancerous lesions, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and psychiatric disorders may share a common low-grade local and systemic inflammation. Aim is to report on preliminary data concerning a research adopting a psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune (PNEI) approach to study outpatients undergoing colonoscopy. Methods A sample of patients undergoing colonoscopy was cross-sectionally investigated. Data on colorectal adenomas, MetS, early atherosclerosis, anxious-depressive symptoms, personality traits, and inflammatory markers were statistically analyzed. Results Sixty-two patients were recruited (female 50%, mean age: 60.8±9.4 years). The prevalence of adenomas and MetS was respectively of 45.2% and 41.9%. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were detected in 16 (32.7%) and 9 (18.4%) subjects, respectively. The presence of adenomas positively correlated with male sex (p=0.01), age (p<0.01), IL-6 (p=0.03), hsCRP (p=0.04), and MetS (p=0.03); it was also associated with hsCRP concentration (aOR=3.81, p=0.03). Conclusions Proinflammatory atherogenic status, psychological traits, increased mucosal inflammation, and metabolic parameters may share a common a pathogenic mechanism, worth studying.

N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: current status and future prospects.

INTRODUCTION: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is widely known for its role as a mucolytic and as an antidote to paracetamol overdose. There is increasing interest in the use of NAC in the treatment of several psychiatric disorders. The rationale for the administration of NAC in psychiatric conditions is based on its role as a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione, and its action as a modulating agent of glutamatergic, dopaminergic, neurotropic and inflammatory pathways. Areas covered: This study reviews the available data regarding the use of NAC in different psychiatric disorders including substance use disorders, autism, obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder. Promising results were found in trials testing the use of NAC, mainly as an add-on treatment, in cannabis use disorder in young people, depression in bipolar disorder, negative symptoms in schizophrenia, and excoriation (skin-picking) disorder. Despite initial optimism, recent findings regarding NAC efficacy in autism have been disappointing. Expert opinion: These preliminary positive results require further confirmation in larger samples and with longer follow-ups. Given its high tolerability and wide availability, NAC represents an important target to investigate in the field of new adjunctive treatments for psychiatric conditions.

A preliminary study of Patient Dignity Inventory validation among patients hospitalized in an acute psychiatric ward.

PURPOSE: To investigate the perception of dignity among patients hospitalized in a psychiatric setting using the Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI), which had been first validated in oncologic field among terminally ill patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After having modified two items, we administered the Italian version of PDI to all patients hospitalized in a public psychiatric ward (Service of Psychiatric Diagnosis and Treatment of a northern Italian town), who provided their consent and completed it at discharge, from October 21, 2015 to May 31, 2016. We excluded minors and patients with moderate/severe dementia, with poor knowledge of Italian language, who completed PDI in previous hospitalizations and/or were hospitalized for <72 hours. We collected the demographic and clinical variables of our sample (n=135). We statistically analyzed PDI scores, performing Cronbach's alpha coefficient and principal factor analysis, followed by orthogonal and oblique rotation. We concomitantly administered to our sample other scales (Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression and Anxiety, Global Assessment of Functioning and Health of the Nation Outcome Scales) to analyze the PDI concurrent validity. RESULTS: With a response rate of 93%, we obtained a mean PDI score of 48.27 (±19.59 SD) with excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient =0.93). The factorial analysis showed the following three factors with eigenvalue >1 (Kaiser's criterion), which explained >80% of total variance with good internal consistency: 1) "Loss of self-identity and social role", 2) "Anxiety and uncertainty for future" and 3) "Loss of personal autonomy". The PDI and the three-factor scores were statistically significantly positively correlated with the Hamilton Scales for Depression and Anxiety but not with other scale scores. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary research suggests that PDI can be a reliable tool to assess patients' dignity perception in a psychiatric setting, until now little investigated, helping professionals to improve quality of care and patients to accept treatments.