The Influence of Personality Disorder Symptoms on Treatment Outcomes in Bipolar Disorder: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial: L'influence des symptômes du trouble de la personnalité sur les résultats du traitement dans le trouble bipolaire : Une analyse secondaire d'un essai randomisé contrôlé.

OBJECTIVES: Many people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder also have comorbid personality disorder. Few studies have explored how personality disorder may influence pharmacological treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to conduct a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial of adjunctive nutraceutical treatments for bipolar depression, to determine whether maladaptive personality traits influence treatment outcomes. METHODS: Scores on the Standardised Assessment of Personality - Abbreviated Scale screener were used to classify participants as having bipolar disorder with (n = 119) and without (n = 29) above threshold personality disorder symptoms (personality disorder). Outcome measures included: The Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impressions and Improvement Severity Scales, Patient Global Impressions-Improvement scale, Bipolar Depression Rating Scale, Range of Impaired Functioning Tool, Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale and Quality of Life and Enjoyment Scale (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form). Generalised estimated equations examined the two-way interactions of personality disorder by time or treatment and investigated personality disorder as a non-specified predictor of outcomes. RESULTS: Over time, the Patient Global Impressions-Improvement scores were significantly higher in those in the personality disorder group. No other significant differences in the two-way interactions of personality disorder by treatment group or personality disorder by time were found. Personality disorder was a significant but non-specific predictor of poorer outcomes on the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale, Range of Impaired Functioning Tool, and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form, regardless of time or treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential impact of maladaptive personality traits on treatment outcomes and suggests that the presence of comorbid personality disorder may confer additional burden and compromise treatment outcomes. This warrants further investigation as does the corroboration of these exploratory findings. This is important because understanding the impact of comorbid personality disorder on bipolar disorder may enable the development of effective psychological and pharmacotherapeutic options for personalised treatments.

Emergency presentations for farm-related injuries in older adults residing in south-western Victoria, Australia.

INTRODUCTION: Farm workers are at high risk for injuries, and epidemiological data are needed to plan resource allocation. OBJECTIVE: This study identified regions with high farm-related injury rates in the Barwon South West region of Victoria, Australia, for residents aged ≥50 yr. DESIGN: Retrospective synthesis using electronic medical records of emergency presentations occurring during 2017-2019 inclusive for Local Government Areas (LGA) in the study region. For each LGA, age-standardised incidence rates (per 1000 population/year) were calculated. FINDINGS: For men and women combined, there were 31 218 emergency presentations for any injury, and 1150 (3.68%) of these were farm-related. The overall age-standardised rate for farm-related injury presentations was 2.6 (95% CI 2.4-2.7); men had a higher rate than women (4.1, 95% CI 3.9-4.4 versus 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.3, respectively). For individual LGAs, the highest rates of farm-related emergency presentations occurred in Moyne and Southern Grampians, both rural LGAs. Approximately two-thirds of farm-related injuries occurred during work activities (65.0%), and most individuals arrived at the hospital by transport classified as "other" (including private car, 83.3%). There were also several common injury causes identified: "other animal related injury" (20.2%), "cutting, piercing object" (19.5%), "fall ⟨1 m" (13.1%), and "struck by or collision with object" (12.5%). Few injuries were caused by machinery (1.7%) and these occurred mainly in the LGA of Moyne (65%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study provides data to inform future research and resource allocation for the prevention of farm-related injuries.

The Impact of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Pharmacologic Intervention Outcomes for Adults With Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) co-occurring in people with bipolar disorder (BD) is high. People with BD and PTSD may experience different outcomes and quality of life after pharmacologic treatment than those with BD alone. This review systematically explores the impact of PTSD on pharmacologic treatment outcomes for adults with BD. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search up to November 25, 2021, using MEDLINE Complete, Embase, American Psychological Association PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify randomized and nonrandomized studies of pharmacologic interventions for adults with BD that assessed for comorbid PTSD. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool to assess the risk of bias. RESULTS: The search identified 5093 articles, and we reviewed 62 full-text articles. Two articles met inclusion criteria (N = 438). One article was an observational study, and the other was a randomized comparative effectiveness trial. The observational study examined lithium response rates and found higher response rates in BD alone compared with BD plus PTSD over 4 years. The randomized trial reported more severe symptoms in the BD plus PTSD group than in those with BD alone following 6 months of quetiapine treatment. There was no significant difference in the lithium treatment group at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid PTSD may affect quetiapine and lithium treatment response in those with BD. Because of the high risk of bias and low quality of evidence, however, these results are preliminary. Specific studies exploring comorbid BD and PTSD are required to inform pharmacotherapy selection and guidelines appropriately. (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews ID: CRD42020182540).

Personality traits as mediators of the relationship between childhood trauma and depression severity in bipolar disorder: A structural equation model.

BACKGROUND: Childhood trauma is negatively associated with depression severity in bipolar disorder; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated whether personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness) mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of bipolar depression. METHODS: Data from 209 individuals with bipolar disorder recruited for the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder were analysed. Using structural equation modelling, we examined the direct and indirect associations between childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and depression severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) - with the personality traits (NEO Personality Inventory-Revised) as mediators. RESULTS: The direct effect of childhood trauma on depression severity (standardised ß = 0.32, 95% bootstrap confidence interval [CI] = 0.20-0.45, p < 0.001) and the indirect effect via neuroticism (standardised ß = 0.03, 95% bootstrap CI [0.002, 0.07], p = 0.039) were significant; supporting a partial mediation model. The indirect effect accounted for 9% of the total effect of childhood trauma on depression severity (standardised ß = 0.09, 95% bootstrap CI [0.002, 0.19], p = 0.046). The final model had a good fit with the data (comparative fit index = 0.96; root mean square error of approximation = 0.05, 90% CI = [0.02, 0.07]). CONCLUSION: Personality traits may be relevant psychological mediators that link childhood trauma to a more severe clinical presentation of bipolar depression. Consequently, a person's personality structure may be a crucial operative factor to incorporate in therapeutic plans when treating individuals with bipolar disorder who report a history of childhood trauma.

A scoping review of the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services across regional, rural, and remote Australia.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate healthcare access and utilisation are implicated in the mental health burden experienced by those living in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Facilitators that better enable access and utilisation are also reported in the literature. To date, a synthesis on both the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services within the rural Australian context has not been undertaken. This scoping review aims to (1) synthesise the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services in regional, rural, and remote Australia, as identified using the Modified Monash Model; and (2) better understand the relationship between barriers and facilitators and their geographical context. METHODS: A systematic search of Medline Complete, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL was undertaken to identify peer-reviewed literature. Grey literature was collated from relevant websites. Study characteristics, including barriers and facilitators, and location were extracted. A descriptive synthesis of results was conducted. RESULTS: Fifty-three articles were included in this scoping review. Prominent barriers to access and utilisation included: limited resources; system complexity and navigation; attitudinal and social matters; technological limitations; distance to services; insufficient culturally-sensitive practice; and lack of awareness. Facilitators included person-centred and collaborative care; technological facilitation; environment and ease of access; community supports; mental health literacy and culturally-sensitive practice. The variability of the included studies precluded the geographical analysis from being completed. CONCLUSION: Both healthcare providers and service users considered a number of barriers and facilitators to mental health service access and utilisation in the regional, rural, and remote Australian context. Barriers and facilitators should be considered when re-designing services, particularly in light of the findings and recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System, which may be relevant to other areas of Australia. Additional research generated from rural Australia is needed to better understand the geographical context in which specific barriers and facilitators occur.

Minocycline as Treatment for Psychiatric and Neurological Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Minocycline has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties that explain the renewed interest in its use as an adjunctive treatment for psychiatric and neurological conditions. Following the completion of several new clinical trials using minocycline, we proposed an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis of the data available. The PICO (patient/population, intervention, comparison and outcomes) framework was used to search 5 databases aiming to identify randomized controlled trials that used minocycline as an adjunctive treatment for psychiatric and neurological conditions. Search results, data extraction, and risk of bias were performed by two independent authors for each publication. Quantitative meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software. Literature search and review resulted in 32 studies being included in this review: 10 in schizophrenia, 3 studies in depression, and 7 in stroke, with the benefit of minocycline being used in some of the core symptoms evaluated; 2 in bipolar disorder and 2 in substance use, without demonstrating a benefit for using minocycline; 1 in obsessive-compulsive disorder, 2 in brain and spinal injuries, 2 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 1 in Alzheimer's disease, 1 in multiple systems atrophy, and 1 in pain, with mixes results. For most of the conditions included in this review the data is still limited and difficult to interpret, warranting more well-designed and powered studies. On the other hand, the studies available for schizophrenia seem to suggest an overall benefit favoring the use of minocycline as an adjunctive treatment.

A Systematic Review of Nutraceuticals for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Certain nutrient supplements (nutraceuticals) may target neurobiological pathways perturbed in bipolar disorder (BD) such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nutraceuticals thus may have a potential role as adjunctive treatments for BD. METHODS: A search of Embase via embase.com, PubMed via PubMed, Cumulated index to nursing and allied health literature (CINAHL) Complete via EBSCO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials via cochranelibrary.com was conducted to identify published randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of nutraceuticals on mood symptomatology in adults with BD. Search terms for BD, nutraceuticals, and clinical trials (total search terms = 75) were used to search from inception to February 20, 2020. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomized trials was used to assess the risk of bias. RESULTS: A total of 1,712 studies were identified through the search. After rigorous screening, 22 studies were included in the review. There was large variability across the studies with 15 different nutraceutical agents assessed and as such insufficient homogeneity for a meta-analysis to be conducted (I2 > 50%). Studies revealed promising, albeit conflicting, evidence for omega-3 fatty acids and N-acetylcysteine. Isolated positive results were reported for coenzyme Q10. CONCLUSION: Given nutraceuticals are tolerable and accessible, they may be useful as potential adjunctive treatments for BD. Nutraceuticals targeting neuroinflammation or mitochondrial activity may have the most potential for the depressive phase. However, further studies are required to determine efficacy.

Adjunctive Garcinia mangostana Linn. (Mangosteen) Pericarp for Schizophrenia: A 24-Week Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Efficacy Trial: Péricarpe d'appoint Garcinia mangostana Linn (mangoustan) pour la schizophrénie : un essai d'efficacité de 24 semaines, à double insu, randomisé et contrôlé par placebo.

OBJECTIVES: Garcinia mangostana Linn. ("mangosteen") pericarp contains bioactive compounds that may target biological pathways implicated in schizophrenia. We conducted a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of adjunctive mangosteen pericarp, compared to placebo, in the treatment of schizophrenia. METHODS: People diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), recruited across 2 sites (Brisbane and Victoria, Australia), were randomized to receive 24 weeks of adjunctive mangosteen pericarp (1,000 mg/day) or matched placebo. The primary outcome measure was the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale total score. Secondary outcomes included positive and negative symptoms, general psychopathology, clinical global severity and improvement, participant reported overall improvement, depressive symptoms, functioning, quality of life, and safety data at 24 and 28 weeks (4 weeks postdiscontinuation). Data were collected from July 2016 to February 2019. RESULTS: Baseline assessments were conducted on 148 people (mangosteen = 74, placebo = 74); data analyses were conducted on 136 (92%) participants with postbaseline data. The treatment group had significantly higher symptom severity compared to placebo, and both groups significantly improved on all symptom, functioning, and quality of life measures over time. No between-group differences were found for the rate of change between baseline and 24 or 28 weeks. CONCLUSION: Despite promising preclinical and clinical work, our results do not support mangosteen pericarp extract as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Understanding perceived social support among women with personality disorder clusters.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand perceived social support (PSS) among women with personality disorder (PD). We also investigated potential differences in PSS according to PD clusters (clusters A, B, C). METHODS: Women (n = 718) from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MPSS) and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders. Multivariable regression and analyses of covariance were employed, controlling for psychiatric and sociodemographic confounders. RESULTS: After age-adjustment, PD (any) and the PD clusters were negatively associated with PSS across all subscales. Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons revealed lower: significant other PSS for cluster A; family PSS for cluster C, friend PSS for clusters B and C; and total PSS for clusters B and C. CONCLUSION: Aspects of PSS were predominantly lower among women with cluster B and C PDs.

Personality disorder increases risk of low quality of life among women with mental state disorders.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available examining the relationship between mental state disorders (mood, anxiety, substance use, eating disorders), their co-occurrence with personality disorder (PD), and quality of life among women. We aimed to investigate these relationships in a sample of women from the community. METHOD: Women from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (n = 717) were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I/NP and SCID-II) and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Weight and height were measured and lifestyle and demographic factors were self-reported. Logistic regression models (odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals) were undertaken to investigate associations among groups (mental state disorders, co-occurring mental state disorders with PD, and controls) and the WHOQOL-BREF domains (physical, psychological, social, and environmental health) while testing for potential confounding. RESULTS: Results indicated that mental state disorders were associated with increased risk of low quality of life in physical, psychological, social, but not environmental domains, compared to controls. This risk was increased among women with co-occurring PD across all domains compared to both controls and those with mental state disorders. CONCLUSION: These findings add evidence suggesting poor quality of life is experienced by those with mental state disorders, and that this is worsened by the experience of co-occurring PD.

Psychiatric symptoms, associated pharmacological treatments and cognitive function: A population-based study of men.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric symptomatology and medications used in their treatment may be modifiable risk factors associated with cognitive function, although findings from population-based studies spanning the full adult age range are lacking. This study aimed to investigate associations between psychiatric symptomatology, psychotropic medication use and cognitive function in a population-based sample of men. METHODS: Data for 537 men were drawn from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Cognitive function (psychomotor function, attention, working memory and visual learning) was determined using the Cog-State Brief Battery. Current depressive and anxiety symptomatology was determined using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and psychotropic medication use was self-reported. Linear regression models were developed to determine associations between psychiatric symptomatology and psychotropic medication use with each cognitive measure. RESULTS: Depressive symptomatology was associated with lower overall cognitive function (b-0.037 ± 0.010, η2 = 0.025, p < 0.001), psychomotor function (b 0.006 ± 0.002, η2 = 0.028 p < 0.001) and attention (b 0.004 ± 0.001, η2 = 0.021, p < 0.001), whereas psychotropic use was associated with lower overall cognitive function (b - 0.174 ± 0.075, η2 = 0.010, p = 0.021), attention (b 0.017 ± 0.008, η2 = 0.008, p = 0.038 and working memory (b 0.031 ± 0.012, η2 = 0.010, p = 0.010). Anticonvulsant use was associated with lower overall cognitive function (b - 0.723 ± 0.172, η2 = 0.032, p < 0.001), attention (b 0.065 ± 0.018, η2 = 0.029, p < 0.001) and working memory (b 0.088 ± 0.026, η2 = 0.022, p < 0.001). All relationships were found to have a small effect. There were no significant associations between anxiety symptomatology and antidepressant and anxiolytic use with any of the cognitive domains. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptomatology and anticonvulsant use were associated with lower cognitive function. Understanding the underlying mechanisms involved in these relationships can advance knowledge on the heterogeneity in cognitive ageing and aid in prevention initiatives.

Social determinants of health and cognitive function: A cross-sectional study among men without dementia.

BACKGROUND: Certain age-related and medical factors have been associated with cognitive dysfunction; however, less is known regarding social determinants of health. The current study aimed to investigate associations between social determinants of health and cognitive function in a population-based sample of men without dementia. METHODS: Data were drawn from the ongoing Geelong Osteoporosis Study (n = 536). Cognitive function was determined using the Cog-State Brief Battery. Area-based socioeconomic status (SES) was determined using the Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage, marital status by self-report, and social support by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, which considers family, friends, and significant others. RESULTS: Belonging to a higher SES group, being in a relationship (married/de-facto) and perceived social support from a significant other and friends were each associated with better overall cognitive function. In regard to the specific cognitive domains, higher SES was associated with better psychomotor function and visual learning, being in a relationship was associated with better working memory, and perceived social support from a significant other was associated with better attention and working memory, with perceived social support from friends associated with better psychomotor function. There were no associations detected between social support from family and any of the cognitive domains. CONCLUSION: Higher SES, being in a relationship, and greater perceived social support from a significant other and friends were associated with better cognitive function. Further studies identifying underlying mechanisms linking social factors with cognition are needed to establish prevention strategies and enhance cognitive health.

Mental health emergency presentations across the Barwon South West region in Victoria, Australia: An epidemiological investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine mental health emergency presentations across the Barwon South West, Victoria, Australia - an area comprising a range of urban and rural localities. METHODS: This is a retrospective synthesis of mental health emergency presentations across the Barwon South West (1 February 2017-31 December 2019). De-identified data were obtained from individuals who presented to EDs and urgent care centres (UCCs) within the study region, who had a principal diagnosis of a Mental and Behavioural Disorder (codes F00-F99). Data were sourced from the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset and Rural Acute Hospital Database Register (RAHDaR). Age-standardised incident rates for mental health emergency presentations were calculated for the whole sample and for local government areas. Data on usual accommodation, arrival transport mode, referral source, patient disposition and length of ED/UCC stay were also obtained. RESULTS: We identified 11 613 mental health emergency presentations, with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (n = 3139, 27.0%) and mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use (n = 3487, 30.0%) being the most frequent types of presentations recorded. The highest age-standardised incidence rates (mental health diagnosis per 1000 population/year) were in Glenelg (13.95), whereas Queenscliffe had the lowest incident rates (3.76). Most presentations (n = 3851, 33.2%) tended to occur for individuals aged between 15 and 29 years. CONCLUSIONS: Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders and mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use were the most frequent types of presentations recorded across the sample. RAHDaR represented a small but meaningful contribution to the data.

Exploring the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services in regional, rural, and remote Australia: A scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Australians from regional, rural, and remote areas face diverse and complex challenges in accessing and utilising mental health services. Previous research has pointed to a range of individual, community, structural, and systemic barriers at play, however, limited literature has synthesised the knowledge on this topic. Parallel to this, information on the facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services for this group is not well documented. This protocol describes the methodology to undertake a scoping review, which aims to explore the barriers and facilitators associated with accessing and utilising mental health services in regional, rural, and remote Australia. In addition, the scoping review aims to geographically map the identified barriers and facilitators. METHODS: This protocol is guided by Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. A search strategy will be developed and implemented to identify relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature. Studies will be included if they report on the barriers and/or facilitators associated with accessing and/or utilising mental health services in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Two reviewers will independently screen the data at the title/abstract and full-text stage. One reviewer will extract the relevant data using a predetermined charting form and a second reviewer will validate the included data. A Geographical Information System program will be used to map the location of the studies; locations will be stratified according to the Modified Monash Model and relationships between barriers and facilitators will be analysed. Key findings will be presented in a narrative account and in text, tables, and maps. DISCUSSION: This scoping review will provide a contemporary account on the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising mental health services for regional, rural, and remote Australians. It is anticipated that the results of this scoping review will have national policy relevance and may be useful to healthcare providers.

Exploring the comorbidity between personality and musculoskeletal disorders among adults: A scoping review.

Introduction: There is growing awareness of the comorbidity between mental and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and their associated burden. We aimed to explore what is known regarding the existing epidemiological clinical-and population- based literature on the comorbidity between personality disorders (PDs) and MSDs specifically. In addition, we aimed to investigate their associated burden by examining a range of outcomes including morbidity/mortality, patient- and clinical-reported outcomes, work-related outcomes, hospital admissions, and financial costs. Finally, we sought to identify gaps in the literature and provide recommendations for further research. Methods: Studies with participants 15 years of age were eligible. Categorical PDs/features (DSM-III/IV/5 or ICD 9/10), identified by a health care professional, medical records, diagnostic interviews, or self-administered questionnaires. The definitions/groupings of MSDs were guided by the ICD-10 including conditions of the back, joints, and soft tissue, and disorders of bone density and structure. Published peer-reviewed and gray literature were considered. Eligible study designs were cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, and existing reviews of observational studies. Identification and selection of articles, data extraction and the presentation of the results was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidance and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. Results: In total, 57 articles were eligible including 10 reviews and 47 individual studies. Across clinical and population settings, we detected evidence of comorbidity between PDs and chronic back/neck/spine conditions, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, and emerging evidence of associations between PDs and reduced bone mineral density. In terms of knowledge gaps, the burden associated with PDs and MSDs is poorly understood, as is their underlying mechanisms. Discussion: This scoping review might prompt further research into PDs and MSDs as separate groups of disorders, along with their comorbidity and the mechanisms that may link them. Systematic review registration: https://osf.io/mxbr2/registrations.

Associations between personality and musculoskeletal disorders in the general population: A systematic review protocol.

There is growing evidence of the comorbidity between personality disorder (PD) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, there are no systematic reviews including critical appraisal and meta-analyses that identify, evaluate, and synthesize the available evidence on these associations. Therefore, we present here a protocol of the methodology to undertake a systematic review, with the objective to evaluate associations between PD and MSDs in epidemiological population-based studies. A systematic review of observational studies will be conducted. A complete search strategy will be developed in consultation with a health librarian. To identify peer-reviewed literature, the search will be translated for, and implemented in Medline Complete, CINAHL Complete, and PsycINFO via the EBSCOhost platform from 1990 to the present. Gray literature will be identified. Studies will be eligible if they examine general population participants aged 15 years and over. Associations of interest are the presence of threshold or positive screen according to the DSM-V/5 (groupings: any, Clusters A, B, C, specific PD) or ICD-10 for PD in relation to arthritis, back/neck conditions, fibromyalgia, osteopenia/osteoporosis, and/or "any" of these MSDs. Data extraction and critical appraisal will be conducted in line with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance for systematic reviews of etiology and risk. The results from all studies will be presented in tables, text, and figures. A descriptive synthesis will present the characteristics of included studies, critical appraisal results, and descriptions of the main findings. Where appropriate, meta-analyses will be performed. If heterogeneity (e.g., I 2 = 50%) is detected, subgroup/sensitivity analysis may be used to explore the possible sources. The systematic review does not require ethics approval. The proposed systematic review will strengthen the evidence base on what is known regarding associations between PD and MSDs by identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing the findings of existing observational studies including meta-analyses, where appropriate.

Coping with COVID-19: Exploring coping strategies, distress, and post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

Objective: This study aimed to explore coping strategies, distress, and post-traumatic growth among Australians with and without a history of a mental health diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Australians (N = 381) completed an online survey between 4-August 2020 and 25-October-2020. Coping strategies, distress, and post-traumatic growth were ascertained via the Brief COPE, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), respectively. Linear regression was conducted to examine the relationship between the Brief COPE, DASS-21, and PTGI, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Models were conducted separately for those with/without a history of a mental health diagnosis. Results: Higher distress was found among those with a history of a mental health diagnosis. Significant differences in the types of coping strategies associated with distress and post-traumatic growth were identified between the groups, however, behavioral disengagement and self-blame consistently predicted depression, anxiety, and stress. For those with a history of a mental health diagnosis, positive reframing decreased anxiety. Self-distraction was associated with post-traumatic growth across both groups. Conclusion: There are important differences in the way people with and without a history of a mental health diagnosis cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a global health concern, and with no present cure, prevention is critical. Exposure to adverse childhood experiences may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. This systematic review was conducted to synthesize the evidence on the associations between adverse childhood experiences (<18 years) and the risk of Alzheimer's disease in adulthood. Methods: A search strategy was developed and conducted to identify articles investigating the associations between exposure to adverse childhood experiences and the onset of Alzheimer's disease by searching key databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycInfo). Two reviewers independently determined the eligibility of studies according to pre-determined criteria, and assessed the methodological quality using the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 14-item checklist for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies, respectively. Due to limited studies, a descriptive synthesis was performed. The protocol for this review is published in BMJ Open and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020191439). Results: Our search yielded 781 articles, of which three (two separate analyses from the same cohort study and one cross-sectional study) met the predetermined eligibility criteria. The methodological quality assessment yielded an overall mean score of 78.9% (range 66.6 - 84.6%). All studies found adverse childhood experiences were associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, there was a limited number of available studies to inform the synthesis. Conclusions: Adverse childhood experiences appear to be associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, although, further research is needed. Registration and Protocol: The protocol for this review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020191439) and published with BMJ Open (Corney et al., 2021).

Exploring the comorbidity of musculoskeletal and personality disorders among adults: a scoping review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Separately, mental and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent across the life course and are leading contributors to disability worldwide. While people with personality disorder (PD) have been shown to have an increased risk of certain physical health comorbidities-associations with MSDs have not been thoroughly explored. The proposed scoping review aims to explore the existing clinical- and population-based literature on the comorbidity of PD and MSDs among adults ≥ 18 years and the burden associated with their comorbidity, identify knowledge gaps on this topic, and propose recommendations for future research. METHODS: This protocol describes the methodology to undertake the scoping review. It is guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the extensions recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute. A comprehensive search strategy will be used to identify relevant articles, which will be underpinned by Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) inclusion criteria. One author will perform the search and two authors will independently screen titles/abstracts followed by a full-text review for articles considered relevant. The supervising author will confirm the final selection of articles to be included. One author will extract relevant information from the articles using a predetermined charting form, while a second will perform validation of all information entered. DISCUSSION: Information will be synthesised to inform a discussion of what is known regarding associations between PD and MSDs, and the burden associated with their comorbidity in different contexts, with future research directions proposed. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This protocol is registered in Open Science Framework Registries ( https://osf.io/mxbr2/ ).