All-cause mortality risk in long-acting injectable versus oral antipsychotics in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Patients with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotic treatment present lower mortality rates than those who do not. However, the non-adherence rate is high, which can be partially addressed using long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics. The impact of LAI treatments on all-cause mortality compared to oral antipsychotics remains unclear. To fill that gap, a random effects meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the odds ratio (OR) of all-cause, suicidal, and non-suicidal mortality among patients taking LAI antipsychotics compared to oral antipsychotics (PROSPERO:CRD42023391352). Individual and pooled LAI antipsychotics were analyzed against pooled oral antipsychotics. Sensitivity analyses were performed for study design, setting, and industry sponsorship. Meta-regressions were conducted for gender, age, antipsychotic dose, and race. Seventeen articles, total sample 12,042 patients (N = 5795 oral, N = 6247 LAI) were included. Lower risk of all-cause mortality for patients receiving LAI antipsychotics vs receiving oral antipsychotics was found (OR = 0.79; 95%CI = 0.66-0.95). Statistical significance was maintained when only studies comparing the same LAI and oral antipsychotic were included (OR = 0.79; 95%CI = 0.66-0.95; p = <0.01), as well as for non-suicidal mortality (OR = 0.77: 95%CI = 0.63-0.94; p = 0.01), but not for suicidal mortality (OR = 0.86; 95%CI = 0.59-1.26; p = 0.44). Mortality reduction was more pronounced for LAI antipsychotics in first-episode psychosis (FEP) (OR = 0.79; 95%CI = 0.66-0.96) compared to chronic psychosis. No individual LAI reported statistically significant differences against all pooled oral antipsychotics. LAI antipsychotics are associated with a lower risk of all-cause and non-suicidal mortality in individuals with schizophrenia compared to oral antipsychotics. Better adherence to the medication and health services may explain this difference. Whenever possible, the use of LAIs should be considered from the FEP.

Difficulties Fulfilling Self-Care Needs Among Family Caregivers: An Observational Study.

IMPORTANCE: Assuming the care of a family member with a disability or chronic illness constitutes a health risk factor for caregivers, who frequently overlook their own self-care. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the self-care activities (SCAs) among caregivers of a family member with a disability or chronic illness and assess the impact on their satisfaction and quality of life (QoL). DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional, analytic study. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred caregivers of family members with a disability or chronic illness in the city of Zaragoza, Spain. OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The family caregivers' occupational performance and satisfaction were assessed with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, and their QoL was assessed with the World Health Organization-Quality of Life. RESULTS: In total, 32.8% of family caregivers had difficulty in all activities related to self-care, 46.6% had difficulty sleeping and resting, 31.6% had difficulty receiving health-related treatments, and 31.2% had difficulty with physical exercise. Women and younger family caregivers showed greater impairment in self-care. Occupational performance, satisfaction, and QoL worsened as the number of affected activities increased. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Caring for a family member with a disability or chronic illness has a negative impact on the SCAs of caregivers, especially among female caregivers and those of younger age. Caregiving is also associated with lower occupational performance, satisfaction, and QoL. Plain-Language Summary: Caring for a family member with a disability or chronic illness can become a health risk for caregivers, who frequently ignore their own self-care. The study results found that women and younger family caregivers showed a greater decline in self-care. This study provides information to help occupational therapists to work with family caregivers to prevent a decline in their self-care and improve their quality of life.

Number and nature of psychiatric emergency department visits in a tertiary hospital before, during, and after coronavirus pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health globally, leading to a deterioration in the overall mental health of the population and changes across all healthcare levels, including emergency departments (ED). However, the evolution of the quantity and nature of psychiatric ED visits in the post-pandemic period remains uncertain. Aims: To examine changes in the number and nature of psychiatric emergencies at a general hospital before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Psychiatric ED visits from a tertiary hospital in the Basque Country (Spain) between January 2019 and November 2023 were investigated. Electronical health registers detailing the number and nature of psychiatric care consultations were analyzed for the study timeframe. Three periods were then compared: pre-pandemic (from January 2019 to February 2020), pandemic (from March 2020 to January 2022), and post-pandemic (from February 2022 onwards). Results: 16,969 psychiatric ED visits were recorded for the study period. The number of psychiatric ED visits remained stable from pre-pandemic (269.93 visits/month) to pandemic (264.48 visits/month) periods but experienced a significant rise during the post-pandemic period (330.00 visits/month; t=-6.42; p<0.001), which was not reflected in medical and traumatological visits. The proportion of visits for anxiety (Z=-2.97; p=0.003), suicidal ideation (Z=-5.48; p<0.001), and administrative and social consultations (Z=-5.69; p<0.001) increased over the course of the pandemic. In contrast, visits for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (Z=4.85; p<0.001), as well as unspecified behavioral alterations (Z=2.51; p=0.012), significantly decreased. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have altered the patterns of urgent psychiatric care, characterized by a sharp increase of average monthly number of consultations and a shift in their nature. Future efforts should focus on characterizing this surge in demand and enhancing both emergency services and outpatient settings.

Two novel genomes of fireflies with different degrees of sexual dimorphism reveal insights into sex-biased gene expression and dosage compensation.

Sexual dimorphism arises because of divergent fitness optima between the sexes. Phenotypic divergence between sexes can range from mild to extreme. Fireflies, bioluminescent beetles, present various degrees of sexual dimorphism, with species showing very mild sexual dimorphism to species presenting female-specific neoteny, posing a unique framework to investigate the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits across species. In this work, we present novel assembled genomes of two firefly species, Lamprohiza splendidula and Luciola italica, species with different degrees of sexual dimorphism. We uncover high synteny conservation of the X-chromosome across ~ 180 Mya and find full X-chromosome dosage compensation in our two fireflies, hinting at common mechanism upregulating the single male X-chromosome. Different degrees of sex-biased expressed genes were found across two body parts showing different proportions of expression conservation between species. Interestingly, we do not find X-chromosome enrichment of sex-biased genes, but retrieve autosomal enrichment of sex-biased genes. We further uncover higher nucleotide diversity in the intronic regions of sex-biased genes, hinting at a maintenance of heterozygosity through sexual selection. We identify different levels of sex-biased gene expression divergence including a set of genes showing conserved sex-biased gene expression between species. Divergent and conserved sex-biased genes are good candidates to test their role in the maintenance of sexually dimorphic traits.

Effect of long-acting antipsychotic treatment on psychiatric hospitalization rate in early psychosis patients: a naturalistic study.

Background: The effectiveness of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics in preventing relapses of first-episode psychosis is currently debated. Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the number of psychiatric hospitalizations comparing the LAI cohort versus the oral cohort during different phases of the illness, pre-LAI treatment, during LAI treatment, and after LAI treatment. Design: A naturalistic study was conducted on two independent cohorts of early psychosis patients receiving treatment from a specific early intervention service. The first cohort comprised 228 patients who received LAIs, while the second cohort comprised 667 patients who had never received LAIs. Methods: This study was designed as a longitudinal observational study conducted within a naturalistic clinical setting in two cohorts of early psychosis patients. Repeated series ANCOVA (ANCOVA-r) was used to study the number of hospitalizations in the different study periods (T1 = from the date of the first psychiatric record to the beginning of the mirror period; T2 = the mirror period; T3 = from the LAI implementation to the LAI discontinuation; and T4 = from the LAI discontinuation to the end). In all cases, discontinuation of LAI involved the return to oral treatment. In all, 35 patients had not T4 as they were still on LAI treatment at the time of database closing (September 2020), and their data were not included in the analysis of the effect of the LAI discontinuation. Results: The patients in the LAI cohort were younger, more frequently males, presented more schizophrenia diagnoses, and had a higher number of hospitalizations (2.50 ± 2.61 versus 1.19 ± 1.69; p < 0.001) than the oral cohort. The number of hospitalizations at the end of the follow-up was higher in the LAI cohort [0.20 (standard deviation (SD)) = 0.79] versus 0.45 [SD = 0.45 (SD = 1.13); F(23.90), p < 0.001]. However, after the introduction of LAIs, the differences in hospitalization rates between the two cohorts became less pronounced. Once LAI treatment was ceased, the hospitalization rate increased again. Conclusion: In our study, early psychosis patients receiving LAIs experienced a greater decrease in hospitalizations after introducing the LAI treatment than those treated solely with oral medication. These findings support using LAIs as a viable strategy for preventing rehospitalization and improving the overall course of treatment for individuals with early psychosis.

A comprehensive examination of mental health in patients with head and neck cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with head and neck cancer present particularly considerable levels of emotional distress. However, the actual rates of clinically relevant mental health symptoms and disorders among this population remain unknown. METHODS: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses and Meta-analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology-compliant systematic review and quantitative random-effects meta-analysis was performed to determine suicide incidence and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, distress, posttraumatic stress, and insomnia in this population. MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register, KCI Korean Journal database, SciELO, Russian Science Citation Index, and Ovid-PsycINFO databases were searched from database inception to August 1, 2023 (PROSPERO: CRD42023441432). Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were performed to investigate the effect of clinical, therapeutical, and methodological factors. RESULTS: A total of 208 studies (n = 654 413; median age = 60.7 years; 25.5% women) were identified. Among the patients, 19.5% reported depressive symptoms (95% confidence interval [CI] = 17% to 21%), 17.8% anxiety symptoms (95% CI = 14% to 21%), 34.3% distress (95% CI = 29% to 39%), 17.7% posttraumatic symptoms (95% CI = 6% to 41%), and 43.8% insomnia symptoms (95% CI = 35% to 52%). Diagnostic criteria assessments revealed lower prevalence of disorders: 10.3% depression (95% CI = 7% to 13%), 5.6% anxiety (95% CI = 2% to 10%), 9.6% insomnia (95% CI = 1% to 40%), and 1% posttraumatic stress (95% CI = 0% to 84.5%). Suicide pooled incidence was 161.16 per 100 000 individuals per year (95% CI = 82 to 239). Meta-regressions found a statistically significant higher prevalence of anxiety in patients undergoing primary chemoradiation compared with surgery and increased distress in smokers and advanced tumor staging. European samples exhibited lower prevalence of distress. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with head and neck cancer presented notable prevalence of mental health concerns in all domains. Suicide remains a highly relevant concern. The prevalence of criteria-meeting disorders is significantly lower than clinically relevant symptoms. Investigating the effectiveness of targeted assessments for disorders in highly symptomatic patients is essential.

Prevalence and Correlates of the Concurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are two common and impairing neurodevelopmental conditions with partial symptomatic overlap. The aim of this study is to systematically and meta-analytically examine the following: (i) the prevalence of an OCD diagnosis among young people with ASD, (ii) the prevalence of an ASD diagnosis among young people with OCD, and (iii) the clinical and therapeutic implications of such comorbidity. METHOD: A multistep literature search was performed from database inception until 17 November 2023. This PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023480543), identified studies reporting on the prevalence, sociodemographic, psychopathologic, prognostic, and therapeutic correlates of OCD and ASD concurrence in children and adolescents. A quantitative meta-analysis with random effects was conducted to analyse the pooled prevalence of OCD among samples with a mean age of < 18 years old with ASD and the prevalence of ASD among individuals under 18 with OCD. Sensitivity analyses were performed to investigate the effect of diagnostic criteria and different continents. Meta-regression analyses were conducted to examine the effect of gender, age, IQ, and OCD severity scores. A narrative review of the clinical and therapeutical implications of the comorbidity was provided. RESULTS: 42 studies were selected for the systematic review (SR), and 31 of them were also included in one of the meta-analyses. The pooled prevalence of OCD among ASD youth samples (n = 8916, mean age = 10.6 ± 1.6; 16.4% female) was 11.6% (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 6.9%; 18.8%), and the pooled prevalence of ASD among OCD children and adolescent samples (n = 6209, mean age = 14.1 ± 1.4; 45.7% female) was 9.5% (95% CI = 6.0%; 14.7%). Meta-regressions found a statistically higher prevalence of ASD among samples with a lower prevalence of females (ß = -4.7; 95%CI = -8.6; -0.8). Children with both OCD and ASD present higher rates of functional impairment, psychopathology, and other comorbidities, compared to youth with either of the disorders alone. CONCLUSIONS: OCD and ASD are highly concurrent conditions in youth, with symptomatic, prognostic, severity, and therapeutic implications. Future research should focus on conducting longitudinal cohort studies prospectively to determine development trajectories, along with randomized controlled trials to assess the efficacy of specific therapeutic interventions.

Epigenetic modifications in the ferroptosis pathway in cord blood cells from newborns of smoking mothers and their influence on fetal growth.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant capacity in newborns. Uncontrolled oxidative stress plays a role in fetal development disorders and in adverse perinatal outcomes. In order to identify molecular pathways involved in low fetal growth, epigenetic modifications in newborns of smoking and non-smoking mothers were examined. Low birth weight newborns of mothers who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day during the first trimester of pregnancy and normal birth weight newborns of mothers who did not smoke during pregnancy were included in the study. DNA was extracted from umbilical cord blood of term newborns. 125 differentially methylated regions were identified by MeDIP-Seq. Functional analysis revealed several pathways, such as ferroptosis, that were enriched in differentially methylated genes after prenatal smoke exposure. GPX4 and PCBP1 were found to be hypermethylated and associated with low fetal growth. These epigenetic modifications in ferroptosis pathway genes in newborns of smoking mothers can potentially contribute to intrauterine growth restriction through the induction of cell death via lipid peroxidation of cell membranes. The identification of epigenetic modifications in the ferroptosis pathway sheds light on the potential mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of low birth weight in infants born to smoking mothers.

Umbrella Review: Atlas of the Meta-Analytical Evidence of Early-Onset Psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: Early-onset psychosis (EOP) refers to the development of psychosis before the age of 18 years. We aimed to summarize, for the first time, the meta-analytical evidence in the field of this vulnerable population and to provide evidence-based recommendations. METHOD: We performed a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-compliant, pre-registered (PROSPERO: CRD42022350868) systematic review of several databases and registers to identify meta-analyses of studies conducted in EOP individuals to conduct an umbrella review. Literature search, screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were carried out independently. Results were narratively reported, clustered across core domains. Quality assessment was performed with the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) tool. RESULTS: A total of 30 meta-analyses were included (373 individual studies, 25,983 participants, mean age 15.1 years, 38.3% female). Individuals with EOP showed more cognitive impairments compared with controls and individuals with adult/late-onset psychosis. Abnormalities were observed meta-analytically in neuroimaging markers but not in oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers. In all, 60.1% of EOP individuals had a poor prognosis. Clozapine was the antipsychotic with the highest efficacy for overall, positive, and negative symptoms. Tolerance to medication varied among the evaluated antipsychotics. The risk of discontinuation of antipsychotics for any reason or side effects was low or equal compared to placebo. CONCLUSION: EOP is associated with cognitive impairment, involuntary admissions, and poor prognosis. Antipsychotics can be efficacious in EOP, but tolerability and safety need to be taken into consideration. Clozapine should be considered in EOP individuals who are resistant to 2 non-clozapine antipsychotics. Further meta-analytical research is needed on response to psychological interventions and other prognostic factors. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This umbrella review summarized the meta-analytical knowledge from 30 meta-analyses on early-onset psychosis. Early-onset psychosis refers to the development of psychosis before the age of 18 years and is associated with cognitive impairment, hospitalization, and poor prognosis. Individuals with early-onset psychosis show more cognitive impairments and abnormalities compared with controls. Clozapine was the antipsychotic with the highest efficacy for positive, negative, and overall symptoms and should be considered in individuals with early-onset psychosis. STUDY PREREGISTRATION INFORMATION: Early Onset Psychosis: Umbrella Review on Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment factors; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; CRD42022350868.

Sexually transmitted infections, sexual life and risk behaviours of people living with schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), along with sexual health and behaviour, have received little attention in schizophrenia patients. AIMS: To systematically review and meta-analytically characterise the prevalence of STIs and sexual risk behaviours among schizophrenia patients. METHOD: Web of Science, PubMed, BIOSIS, KCI-Korean Journal Database, MEDLINE, Russian Science Citation Index, SciELO and Cochrane Central Register were systematically searched from inception to 6 July 2023. Studies reporting on the prevalence or odds ratio of any STI or any outcome related to sexual risk behaviours among schizophrenia samples were included. PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant (CRD42023443602) random-effects meta-analyses were used for the selected outcomes. Q-statistics, I2 index, sensitivity analyses and meta-regressions were used. Study quality and publication bias were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-eight studies (N = 2 459 456) reporting on STI prevalence (including 15 allowing for calculation of an odds ratio) and 33 studies (N = 4255) reporting on sexual risk behaviours were included. Schizophrenia samples showed a high prevalence of STIs and higher risks of HIV (odds ratio = 2.11; 95% CI 1.23-3.63), hepatitis C virus (HCV, odds ratio = 4.54; 95% CI 2.15-961) and hepatitis B virus (HBV; odds ratio = 2.42; 95% CI 1.95-3.01) infections than healthy controls. HIV prevalence was higher in Africa compared with other continents and in in-patient (rather than out-patient) settings. Finally, 37.7% (95% CI 31.5-44.4%) of patients were sexually active; 35.0% (95% CI 6.6-59.3%) reported consistent condom use, and 55.3% (95% CI 25.0-82.4%) maintained unprotected sexual relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Schizophrenia patients have high prevalence of STIs, with several-fold increased risks of HIV, HBV and HCV infection compared with the general population. Sexual health must be considered as an integral component of care.

Duration of Untreated Psychosis and Outcomes in First-Episode Psychosis: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Early Detection and Intervention Strategies.

BACKGROUND: The role of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) as an early detection and intervention target to improve outcomes for individuals with first-episode psychosis is unknown. STUDY DESIGN: PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant systematic review to identify studies until February 1, 2023, with an intervention and a control group, reporting DUP in both groups. Random effects meta-analysis to evaluate (1) differences in DUP in early detection/intervention services vs the control group, (2) the efficacy of early detection strategies regarding eight real-world outcomes at baseline (service entry), and (3) the efficacy of early intervention strategies on ten real-world outcomes at follow-up. We conducted quality assessment, heterogeneity, publication bias, and meta-regression analyses (PROSPERO: CRD42020163640). STUDY RESULTS: From 6229 citations, 33 intervention studies were retrieved. The intervention group achieved a small DUP reduction (Hedges' g = 0.168, 95% CI = 0.055-0.283) vs the control group. The early detection group had better functioning levels (g = 0.281, 95% CI = 0.073-0.488) at baseline. Both groups did not differ regarding total psychopathology, admission rates, quality of life, positive/negative/depressive symptoms, and employment rates (P > .05). Early interventions improved quality of life (g = 0.600, 95% CI = 0.408-0.791), employment rates (g = 0.427, 95% CI = 0.135-0.718), negative symptoms (g = 0.417, 95% CI = 0.153-0.682), relapse rates (g = 0.364, 95% CI = 0.117-0.612), admissions rates (g = 0.335, 95% CI = 0.198-0.468), total psychopathology (g = 0.298, 95% CI = 0.014-0.582), depressive symptoms (g = 0.268, 95% CI = 0.008-0.528), and functioning (g = 0.180, 95% CI = 0.065-0.295) at follow-up but not positive symptoms or remission (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Comparing interventions targeting DUP and control groups, the impact of early detection strategies on DUP and other correlates is limited. However, the impact of early intervention was significant regarding relevant outcomes, underscoring the importance of supporting early intervention services worldwide.

Design and Validation of a Questionnaire to Measure Patient Experience in Relation to Hospital Nursing Care.

The objective has been to develop and validate a questionnaire to know patient experience in relation to nursing care during their hospital stay in the Spanish healthcare setting. To know patient experience will improve the quality of care of the healthcare system; therefore, we must count on validated tools so it can be evaluated in an accurate way. METHOD: a questionnaire containing 29 items alongside socio-demographic questions was developed. It was distributed to 158 patients admitted to a tertiary hospital. The psychometric properties were assessed through principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate construct validity, employing Cronbach's alpha to test reliability. RESULTS: The final tool contains 17 items grouped into 5 dimensions: interrelations, nursing care, information during hospital stay, information about patient's rights, and discharge information. Two additional questions related to pain were added. The questionnaire showed adequate validity and reliability. CONCLUSIONS: we describe a new tool validated and adapted to the Spanish healthcare setting with adequate validity and reliability to assess patient experience with nursing professionals during hospital stay. This tool will serve to identify areas for improvement in hospital nursing care and as an instrument in the management and supervision of nursing teams.

The magnitude and variability of neurocognitive performance in first-episode psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

Neurocognitive deficits are a core feature of psychotic disorders, but it is unclear whether they affect all individuals uniformly. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the evidence on the magnitude, progression, and variability of neurocognitive functioning in individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP). A multistep literature search was conducted in several databases up to November 1, 2022. Original studies reporting on neurocognitive functioning in FEP were included. The researchers extracted the data and clustered the neurocognitive tasks according to the seven Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) domains and six additional domains. Random-effect model meta-analyses, assessment of publication biases and study quality, and meta-regressions were conducted. The primary effect size reported was Hedges g of (1) neurocognitive functioning in individuals at FEP measuring differences with healthy control (HC) individuals or (2) evolution of neurocognitive impairment across study follow-up intervals. Of 30,384 studies screened, 54 were included, comprising 3,925 FEP individuals and 1,285 HC individuals. Variability analyses indicated greater variability in FEP compared to HC at baseline and follow-up. We found better neurocognitive performance in the HC group at baseline and follow-up but no differences in longitudinal neurocognitive changes between groups. Across the 13 domains, individuals with FEP showed improvement from baseline in all studied domains, except for visual memory. Metaregressions showed some differences in several of the studied domains. The findings suggest that individuals with FEP have marked cognitive impairment, but there is greater variability in cognitive functioning in patients than in HC. This suggests that subgroups of individuals suffer severe disease-related cognitive impairments, whereas others may be much less affected. While these impairments seem stable in the medium term, certain indicators may suggest potential further decline in the long term for a specific subgroup of individuals, although more research is needed to clarify this. Overall, this study highlights the need for tailored neurocognitive interventions for individuals with FEP based on their specific deficits and progression.

Assessing the Relevance of Non-molecular Prognostic Systems for Myelodysplastic Syndrome in the Era of Next-Generation Sequencing.

Background: The Molecular International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-M) has improved the prediction of clinical outcomes for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The Artificial Intelligence Prognostic Scoring System for MDS (AIPSS-MDS), based on classical clinical parameters, has outperformed the IPSS, revised version (IPSS-R). For the first time, we validated the IPSS-M and other molecular prognostic models and compared them with the established IPSS-R and AIPSS-MDS models using data from South American patients. Methods: Molecular and clinical data from 145 patients with MDS and 37 patients with MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasms were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Prognostic power evaluation revealed that the IPSS-M (Harrell's concordance [C]-index: 0.75, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.68) predicted overall survival better than the European MDS (EuroMDS; C-index: 0.72, AUC: 0.68) and Munich Leukemia Laboratory (MLL) (C-index: 0.70, AUC: 0.64) models. The IPSS-M prognostic discrimination was similar to that of the AIPSS-MDS model (C-index: 0.74, AUC: 0.66) and outperformed the IPSS-R model (C-index: 0.70, AUC: 0.61). Considering simplified low- and high-risk groups for clinical management, after restratifying from IPSS-R (57% and 32%, respectively, hazard ratio [HR]: 2.8; P=0.002) to IPSS-M, 12.6% of patients were upstaged, and 5% were downstaged (HR: 2.9; P=0.001). The AIPSS-MDS recategorized 51% of the low-risk cohort as high-risk, with no patients being downstaged (HR: 5.6; P<0.001), consistent with most patients requiring disease-modifying therapy. Conclusions: The IPSS-M and AIPSS-MDS models provide more accurate survival prognoses than the IPSS-R, EuroMDS, and MLL models. The AIPSS-MDS model is a valid option for assessing risks for all patients with MDS, especially in resource-limited centers where molecular testing is not currently a standard clinical practice.

PsyCog: A computerised mini battery for assessing cognition in psychosis.

Despite the functional impact of cognitive deficit in people with psychosis, objective cognitive assessment is not typically part of routine clinical care. This is partly due to the length of traditional assessments and the need for a highly trained administrator. Brief, automated computerised assessments could help to address this issue. We present data from an evaluation of PsyCog, a computerised, non-verbal, mini battery of cognitive tests. Healthy Control (HC) (N = 135), Clinical High Risk (CHR) (N = 233), and First Episode Psychosis (FEP) (N = 301) participants from a multi-centre prospective study were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. PsyCog was used to assess cognitive performance at baseline and at up to two follow-up timepoints. Mean total testing time was 35.95 min (SD = 2.87). Relative to HCs, effect sizes of performance impairments were medium to large in FEP patients (composite score G = 1.21, subtest range = 0.52-0.88) and small to medium in CHR patients (composite score G = 0.59, subtest range = 0.18-0.49). Site effects were minimal, and test-retest reliability of the PsyCog composite was good (ICC = 0.82-0.89), though some practice effects and differences in data completion between groups were found. The present implementation of PsyCog shows it to be a useful tool for assessing cognitive function in people with psychosis. Computerised cognitive assessments have the potential to facilitate the evaluation of cognition in psychosis in both research and in clinical care, though caution should still be taken in terms of implementation and study design.

Experiencias antes y después de la mamoplastia de reducción en pacientes con macromastia / Experiences before and after reduction mammoplasty in patients with macromastia

Introducción: la hipertrofia mamaria o macromastia es un desarrollo excesivo y desproporcionado de tejido mamario, que suele ir asociada con síntomas físicos y psíquicos que alteran la calidad de vida y pueden ser en ocasiones tremendamente incapacitantes. Prácticamente la única opción terapéutica para estas pacientes es la mamoplastia de reducción, procedimiento quirúrgico que ha demostrado ser muy eficaz para reducir los síntomas. Objetivo: describir y analizar los resultados de la intervención desde el punto de vista de las propias pacientes con macromastia antes y después de la reducción mamaria, a través de los comentarios expresados por ellas mismas. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo. Análisis de las características de las pacientes, valoración del cambio en la salud experimentado tras la intervención y las experiencias subjetivas de las mujeres relativas a su macromastia antes y después de la intervención. Resultados: Un total de 121 mujeres intervenidas de macromastia con una edad media de 40,71 años participaron en el estudio. Las pacientes experimentaron un cambio positivo en su estado de salud tras la intervención (p < 0,001). La mayoría de los problemas verbalizados hacían referencia a la dificultad en el vestir y en realizar actividad física, así como la gran mejoría experimentada tras la intervención Conclusión: las experiencias compartidas por las mujeres con macromastia tras la reducción mamaria evidencian una significativa mejoría tanto en su percepción de la salud como en su vida cotidiana, incluyendo el encontrar una ropa adecuada a su gusto y necesidades de actividad física. (AU)

Introduction: Mammary hypertrophy or macromastia is an excessive and disproportionate development of breast tissue, which is usually associated with physical and mental symptoms that alter the quality of life and can sometimes be tremendously disabling. Practically the only therapeutic option for these patients is a reduction mammoplasty, a surgical procedure that has proven to be very effective in reducing symptoms. Objective: To describe and analyze the outcomes of the intervention from the point of view of the patients themselves through the comments expressed by patients with macromastia before and after breast reduction. Material and methods: Prospective study. Analysis of the characteristics of the patients, assessment of the health change experienced after the intervention, and the subjective experiences of the women regarding their macromastia before and after the intervention. Results: A total of 121 women operated on for macromastia with a mean age of 40.71 years participated in the study. The patients experienced a positive change in their health status after the intervention (p < 0.001). Most of the verbalized problems referred to the difficulty in dressing and carrying out physical activity, as well as the great improvement experienced after the intervention. Conclusion: The experiences shared by women with macromastia after breast reduction surgery demonstrate a significant improvement not only in their perception of health but also in their daily life, including finding clothing that is suitable for their preferences and physical activity needs. (AU)

Anxiety symptoms and disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors have been shown to affect anxiety levels of young people. We meta-analytically assessed the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents during the pandemic, and the predictors and moderating factors influencing anxiety. Methods Multiple databases and registers were searched in this PRISMA and MOOSE-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO:CRD42021266695) until 27/06/2021. We included individual studies evaluating the prevalence and characteristics of anxiety symptoms or anxiety disorders in children and adolescents (mean age ≤18 years), during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data extraction and quality assessment were carried out by independent authors. Random-effects meta-analyses of the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V3. Results 74 articles (total participant sample=478,882) were included (mean age=13.4 years, 52.3% female). The pooled rate of children and adolescents fulfilling diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders was 13.0% (95%CI=4.9–30.1); the pooled prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 26.5% (95%CI=20.3–33.9). Anxiety symptoms were significantly more prevalent in females than males (B = 0.103, p<.001), significantly higher during the second wave of COVID-19, following July 2020, than during the first wave, prior to June 2020, (Q= 8.136, p=.017), and during school closure (Q= 8.100, p=.014). Quality of included studies was overall moderate. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially amongst females. This study identifies vulnerable groups, risk, and protective factors, which is crucial to developing clinical practice to prevent further mental health deterioration in young people. (AU)

Desarrollo competencial del enfermero novel en urgencias con la implementación de un programa de tutorización / Skill development through a mentoring program for nurses new to the emergency department

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Vivir en residencias de ancianos ¿Factor pronóstico de mortalidad en infecciones respiratorias? / Living in nursing homes. Prognostic factor of mortality in respiratory infections?

Resumen La infección respiratoria es uno de los diagnósticos más frecuentes en el ámbito sanitario asociado a una elevada mortalidad. Residir en una residencia de ancianos podría ser un factor de riesgo predictivo de mortalidad. El objetivo fue estudiar las características de los pacientes con infección respiratoria según procedieran de su domicilio o de residencias de ancianos, y analizar si la procedencia es un factor de riesgo de mortalidad. Se trata de un estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Participaron 208 pacientes con infección respiratoria ingresados en un Servicio de Medicina Interna. Se recogieron variables clínicas, analíticas, epidemio lógicas, pronosticas y terapéuticas realizándose un análisis multivariado. Los pacientes tuvieron una edad media 83 años y 135 (64.9%) procedían de su domicilio. El 44.7% presentaban insuficiencia cardiaca como antecedente clínico. La mayoría cumplían criterios de pluripatología, polifarmacia y tenían una dependencia moderada según índice de Barthel. La mortalidad durante el internamiento hospitalario fue de 16 pacientes (7.7%), y durante el seguimiento a seis meses de 37 (17.8%). Los procedentes de residencias de ancianos presentaron una mayor mortalidad, un 37%, que los que vivían en su propio domicilio, un 19,3% (p = 0.005). En el análisis multivariado los factores pronósticos de mortalidad fueron un mayor nivel de urea al ingreso (OR = 2.33, IC 95% = 1.06-5.11) y la no prescripción de oxígeno al alta (OR = 2.96, IC 95% = 1.29-6.82). En conclusión, se observó un mayor porcentaje de mortalidad en los pacientes procedentes de residencias de ancianos, sin embargo, es necesario realizar más investigaciones para clarificar si el residir en un centro geriátrico puede ser considerado un factor de riesgo independiente de mortalidad.

Abstract Respiratory infection is one of the most frequent diagnoses associated with high mortality. Living in a nursing home could be a predictive risk factor for mortality. The objective was to study the characteristics of patients with respi ratory infection according to whether they came from their home or nursing homes, and to analyze whether their origin is a risk factor for mortality. It was a prospective cohort study, that included 208 patients with respiratory infection admitted to the Internal Medicine Service, that participated in the study. Clinical, analytical, epidemiologi cal, prognostic and therapeutic variables were collected and a multivariate analysis was performed. Patients had an average age of 83 years and 64.9% came from their home. 44.7% had heart failure as a clinical history. Most of patients met criteria of pluripatology, polypharmacy and were moderately dependent according to Barthel's index. Mortality at admission was 16 patients (7.7%), and during the six-month follow-up of 37 patients (17.8%). Those coming from nursing homes had a higher mortality rate, 37%, than those who lived in their own home, 19.3% (p = 0.005). In the multivariate analysis, the prognostic factors for mortality were a higher level of urea at admission (OR = 2.33, IC 95% = 1.06-5.11) and the non-prescription of oxygen at discharge (OR = 2.96, IC 95% = 1.29-6.82). In conclusion, a higher percentage of mortality is observed in patients coming from nursing homes, however further research is needed to clarify whether living in a residence for elderly can be considered an independent risk factor for mortality.