Childhood maltreatment mediates the effect of the genetic background on psychosis risk in young adults.

Childhood maltreatment (CM) and genetic vulnerability are both risk factors for psychosis, but the relations between them are not fully understood. Guided by the recent identification of genetic risk to CM, this study investigates the hypothesis that genetic risk to schizophrenia also increases the risk of CM and thus impacts psychosis risk. The relationship between schizophrenia polygenetic risk, CM, and psychotic-like experiences (PLE) was investigated in participants from the Utrecht Cannabis Cohort (N = 1262) and replicated in the independent IMAGEN cohort (N = 1740). Schizophrenia polygenic risk score (SZ-PRS) were calculated from the most recent GWAS. The relationship between CM, PRS, and PLE was first investigated using multivariate linear regression. Next, mediation of CM in the pathway linking SZ-PRS and PLE was examined by structural equation modeling, while adjusting for a set of potential mediators including cannabis use, smoking, and neuroticism. In agreement with previous studies, PLE were strongly associated with SZ-PRS (B = 0.190, p = 0.009) and CM (B = 0.575, p < 0.001). Novel was that CM was also significantly associated with SZ-PRS (B = 0.171, p = 0.001), and substantially mediated the effects of SZ-PRS on PLE (proportion mediated = 29.9%, p = 0.001). In the replication cohort, the analyses yielded similar results, confirming equally strong mediation by CM (proportion mediated = 34.7%, p = 0.009). Our results suggest that CM acts as a mediator in the causal pathway linking SZ-PRS and psychosis risk. These findings open new perspectives on the relations between genetic and environmental risks and warrant further studies into potential interventions to reduce psychosis risk in vulnerable people.

Patient subjective experience of treatment with long-acting injectable antipsychotics: a systematic review of qualitative studies / Experiência subjetiva do paciente no tratamento com antipsicóticos injetáveis de ação prolongada: uma revisão sistemática de estudos qualitativos

ABSTRACT Objective: To gain a better understanding of how long-acting injectable antipsychotic (LAI) therapy is perceived by patients. Methods: A search for qualitative studies has been carried out on PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO and PsycArticles, yielding 11 studies suitable for a review of qualitative studies. The reporting approach chosen was meta-ethnography, following the ENTREQ statement recommendations. Key concepts common to the different studies were extrapolated and then analysed in a systematic and comparative way. Results: Some recurrent issues were associated with LAIs, such as fear of coercion, fear of needles and lack of knowledge about depot therapy. These topics are linked to each other and the patients most concerned about the disadvantages of LAIs are those who are less informed about them, or who have experienced coercion and trauma during hospitalisation. On the other hand, patients who had already received LAIs, and those who had a good therapeutic relationship with their healthcare providers expressed satisfaction with this form of treatment and its continuation. Conclusion: Long-acting injectable antipsychotics are a tool in the management of mental disorders, and a viable alternative to oral medication. Patients show curiosity towards this method of administration, but lack of knowledge is a common finding. Shared decision making about the use of LAIs antipsychotics requires that patients receive accurate information and support for their decision regarding medication.

RESUMO Objetivo: Compreender melhor de que forma a terapia com antipsicóticos injetáveis de ação prolongada (IAP) é percebida pelos pacientes. Métodos: Uma pesquisa por estudos qualitativos foi conduzida em PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO e PsyArticles, resultando em 11 estudos adequados para desenvolver uma revisão de estudos qualitativos. A abordagem escolhida foi a metaetnografia, seguindo as recomendações da diretriz ENTREQ. Conceitos-chave comuns aos diferentes estudos foram extrapolados e analisados de forma sistemática e comparativa. Resultados: Alguns problemas recorrentes foram associados aos IAPs, como medo de coerção, medo de agulhas e falta de conhecimento sobre a terapia com medicação depot. Esses tópicos se conectam uns aos outros: os pacientes mais preocupados com as desvantagens dos IAPs são os menos informados a seu respeito ou aqueles que passaram por coação e traumas durante a hospitalização. Por outro lado, os pacientes que já receberam IAPs e aqueles que apresentam boa relação terapêutica com seus prestadores de assistência médica demonstraram satisfação com essa forma de tratamento e sua continuidade. Conclusão: Os antipsicóticos injetáveis de ação prolongada são um instrumento para a gestão de transtornos mentais e uma alternativa viável à medicação oral. Pacientes demonstram curiosidade em relação a esse método de administração, mas a falta de conhecimento é um fator comumente encontrado. A tomada de decisão compartilhada sobre o uso de antipsicóticos IAPs requer que os pacientes recebam informações precisas e apoio em suas decisões em relação à medicação.

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.