The development of the Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) outpatient unit of Eginition University Hospital into an EIP Network.

Over the past 25 years, in the field of psychosis there is an increased interest in early detection of symptoms and treatment provision for people who are either at Ultra High Risk (UHR) of developing psychosis or with First Episode Psychosis (FEP). Extensive research has proved, that by engaging quickly into treatment and addressing the needs of each case individually, clinical outcomes could be improved substantially. The above evidence-based argument has resulted in the establishment of specialized Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services worldwide. Eginition University Hospital (EUH) in Athens has been providing care for Early Psychosis through a specialized outpatient EIP service since 2012, which receives all early psychosis cases. Initially clinical focus was mainly directed towards UHR cases, since EUH had long been providing standard care for FEP. However, over the last 4 years, the EIP Unit has evolved incrementally into a network of directly linked services, involving the EIP outpatient service, an Inpatient Unit for prompt hospitalization and a Day Clinic for partial hospitalization, to address acute treatment, follow-up and recovery/relapse prevention phases. Diagnostic evaluation is made through specialized instruments along with the typical psychiatric interview. The therapeutic approach follows the international guidelines for EIP, namely symptom-based and phase-specific treatment, which includes supportive counselling, coping strategies and psychoeducation both for subjects and family members, as well as pharmacotherapy when needed and preferably in low doses. Regarding our results, in the first 3 years (3/2012-3/2015) the EIP unit received 26 (60%) UHR subjects and 17 (40%) FEP patients. Over the last 4 years (3/2015-3/2019) the referrals rose to 167 with 35 (21%) UHR and 132 (79%) FEP cases. All of the UHR subjects were from the outset followed by the specialized outpatient EIP service for up to 3 years. As to the FEP patients, seventy-seven (60%) were acutely hospitalized for less than a month, and 10 (8%) attended the Day Clinic for 6 - 12 months, before being referred to the outpatient service. Concluding, the development of the EIP network of specialized services has cohesively enabled a broader therapeutic framework, shifting the clinical focus towards FEP, although UHR subjects are still being assessed systematically. However, there is still considerable work to be done, in order to enhance the full potential of all units and promote the interconnection with potential community settings.

Evidence of advanced parental age linked to sporadic schizophrenia.

Νovel emergence of schizophrenia (SCZ) in its sporadic type has been linked, among many candidate epigenetic factors, with advanced paternal age (PA) and advanced maternal age (MA). The most common hypothesis to the paternal age effect is the increased "de novo mutations" during spermatogenesis, while the maternal age hypothesis, though controversial, is at most based on studies that support higher frequency of perinatal complications. Our sample consisted of 462 subjects with DSM-IV-TR SCZ spectrum disorders from the outpatient unit of Eginition Hospital in Athens, Greece, who were further screened for heritability and were divided in a group of sporadic cases (no reported family history for SCZ related disorders up to 2nd degree relatives) and a group of familial SCZ-spectrum disorder cases (positive reported history for SCZ spectrum). These two groups of patients were compared regarding either paternal or maternal age, while the familial type band was used as a control group. The aim of this retrospective file study was to examine whether advanced parental age may contribute in novel appearance of non-affective psychosis in offspring. Using logistic regression analysis, we found that the risk for the sporadic type, as compared to familial type, showed a significant increase for both advanced MA (OR=4.39, p=0.001) and PA (OR=1.92, p=0.012). After adjusting for confounding effects for the other parent's age and gender, the risk effect for the sporadic type of SCZ remained statistically significant for both advanced MA (OR=4.04, p=0.002) and advanced PA, but with a loss of statistical power (OR=1.72, p=0.049). Few studies have been conducted in Greece concerning the role of parental age in SCZ. Our study is consistent with current literature which indicates that both advanced MA and PA may contribute to an increased risk for emergence of sporadic type of SCZ. Furthermore, it is implied that this risk for the sporadic type as compared to the familial type could be higher for advanced MA than advanced PA. Patients with the sporadic type of SCZ, though clinically indistinguishable from the patients with the familial type of the disorder, may share other pathophysiological underlying mechanisms in which parental age, especially advanced MA, may be a candidate mediator. However, future studies could help clarify the role of both PA and MA in the pathophysiology of the disorder.

The diathesis-stress model in the emergence of major psychiatric disorders during military service.

Existing evidence and the diathesis-stress model hypothesis suggest that stress as an environmental factor may trigger the onset of psychiatric disorders, such as psychosis spectrum disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, in people with an underlying vulnerability. The purpose of this study was to determine the period of time during military service at which symptomatology of clinical significance is more often developed, considering that stress of service and adaptation to its requirements is common to all army recruits. A retrospective file study for the years 2017-2018 was conducted in order to identify male soldiers who were hospitalized in the psychiatric clinic of 414 Athens Military hospital and diagnosed as F20-29, F30-39 and F40-48 according to ICD-10. The number of hospitalizations per clinical diagnosis and the time of onset relatively to the month of military service were examined. A total of 139 cases were screened, 119 of which had disorders falling into the diagnostic categories F20-29, F30-39 and F40-48. 53% of total hospitalizations took place within the first two months of a nine-month military service. It was found that the risk of disorder onset within the first two months of military service was statistically higher (OR=0.210, p=0.001) for a schizophrenic spectrum disorder (F20-29) compared to F30-39 and F40-48 disorders. After adjusting for potential confounders, such as heritability for psychiatric disorders, urbanicity, history of substance use or age, the risk for hospitalization within the first two months continued to be significantly predicted by F20-29 disorder (OR=0.255, p=0.022) compared to other diagnoses. Individuals vulnerable in developing a psychotic disorder appear to have lower stress tolerance and may manifest an earlier disease onset, when exposed to the stress of military service compared to subjects predisposed to develop mood or anxiety disorders. Stress during military service is of major importance for the emergence of the whole psychopathology spectrum, particularly in vulnerable individuals. The development of prevention and early intervention strategies is considered to be of particular importance to conscripts. The findings of the present study are in agreement with the diathesis-stress model and moreover suggest that people who subsequently develop a psychotic spectrum disorder have greater vulnerability to stress exposure.

Steinberg and Durell (1968) revisited: increased rates of First Episode Psychosis following military induction in Greek Army Recruits.

Since the seminal study of Steinbeck and Durell (1968), few epidemiological studies have attempted to replicate whether psychosocial stress precipitates the onset of a first psychotic episode. Our aim was to support or refute the finding of elevated psychosis incidence in the first month of army induction and to examine factors impacting the timing of onset. Data were collected from medical files of 186 army conscripts, hospitalized with a diagnosis of First Episode Psychosis (FEP) between 2005 and 2014 in the Psychiatric Military Hospital in Athens, Greece. FEP rates were at least 4.5 times higher in the first month of military service, compared with any other month. Earlier FEP onset was associated with rural environment at the time of birth, multiple drug use and service away from home. Psychosocial stress precipitates FEP, particularly in those exposed to other risk factors.

Pharmacological agents under research for the maintenance treatment in bipolar disorder.

The treatment of bipolar disorder is a current challenge for clinicians and despite progress in psychopharmacology, options remain limited and results are often unsatisfactory. Current research focuses on finding new pharmaceutical agents for all phases of bipolar disorder, i.e. mania, bipolar depression and maintenance. Particularly, relapse prevention and longterm stabilization is a major therapeutic target. Combination treatment and polypharmacy are the most common choices concerning relapse prevention. Furthermore, during maintenance phase patients often experience residual mood symptoms, cognitive deficits and functional decline, which altogether illustrate the inadequate effectiveness of existing treatments and the need for new, targeted, effective and safe treatments for bipolar disorder. This review focuses on active agents for maintenance treatment in bipolar disorder investigated during the last 5 years. The compounds under investigation have been tried or tested either as monotherapy or as an add-on treatment in clinical trials that have progressed up to phase 3 or in preclinical models of bipolar disorder. While awaiting the completion of many ongoing studies, the results so far indicate that paliperidone and pregabalin may have a position in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. Additionally, dextromethorphan, which acts primarily as a NMDA antagonist, may be an interesting compound for further study. However, results on memantine, another NMDA antagonist, were not encouraging. The effects of omega-3 fatty acids and cytidine were not superior to placebo, although they both have neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties. Eslicarbazepine, which has antiepileptic action, provided some evidence of efficacy as monotherapy. Regarding preclinical studies in experimental models, the pharmacological agents under investigation seem to follow the neurobiological pathways related to mechanism of action of lithium, which is still the "golden standard" for preventing recurrence in bipolar disorder. Major therapeutic targets are synthetic glucose kinase 3 (GSK-3) and the path of phosphoinositol (IMP), both probably involved in the action of lithium. Furthermore, the role of circadian rhythms maintenance is being studied in preclinical and clinical trials investigating the efficacy and safety of compounds CK-01 and ramelteon, respectively. Research also focuses on pharmacological agents based on epigenetic changes and gene expression modulation, as the inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC). Of note, the development of valid and reliable experimental models for bipolar disorder, which currently remains quite controversial, will contribute to the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms and the development of new effective treatments. Improving methodology aspects of clinical trials, such as diagnosis, clinical heterogeneity, monitoring time, gender differences and comorbidities, may promote research. Current studies seem promising for the development of novel pharmacological agents in the near future, although there are methodological limitations in the search for the maintenance treatment in bipolar disorder. New therapeutic targets include not only the already known mechanisms of action, but also novel pathophysiological pathways, probably implicated in bipolar disorder.

Early psychotic experiences: Interventions, problems and perspectives.

Psychotic or psychotic-like experiences and symptoms may precede and be indicative of later psychosis emergence. DSM-5 has introduced Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome (APS) as a condition for further study, arguing for its clinical validity and the need for identifying sub- threshold psychotic states. Early psychosis intervention has an already established role in reducing the Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP), delaying psychosis onset and relieving Ultra High Risk (UHR) individuals from their presenting symptoms. Pharmacological and mainly psycho-therapeutical approaches are suggested for this purpose. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) seems to have clear evidence of favorable outcome concerning transition to psychosis rates, omega-3 fatty acids lower but promising evidence, while low-dose antipsychotic medication or antidepressant treatment may seem beneficial, but it remains unclear if the reported favorable effects persist in the long term and how long intervention in UHR subjects should be given for. Case management and close monitoring based on principles of social psychiatry are considered key elements for the management of UHR individuals. However, the blazing case about early psychosis concerns the accurate specification of the prodromal stage of psychosis, which may set the basis for meaningful and effective early intervention. Although psychometric tools have been developed and provide a common criteria-based recognition method, debate is alive and well regarding "false positive" cases, since most UHR subjects will not finally develop psychosis. Moreover, transition rates to psychosis have been declining over the years, leading to fierce criticism over the validity of the UHR/ APS state and legitimacy of its treatment. On this framework, ethical issues of stigmatizing through unnecessary diagnosing and antipsychotics' prescribing are matters of serious questioning. Clinical heterogeneity and high comorbidity are further implications of the UHR state. Current research emphasizes on improving validity of inclusion criteria and formulating personalised and clinical stage- based intervention strategies. In order to do that, early psychosis recognition and intervention services are established throughout the world, trying to contribute in research by applying clinical, cognitive or neuropsychological criteria. Nevertheless, in the majority of so far conducted studies, samples sizes are considered small and duration of follow-up short, which are limitations yet to overcome. Other scientific voices argue that the UHR state might represent a non-specific risk factor for psychiatric disorders in general and not necessarily for psychosis and tend to examine the UHR and early intervention idea under the prism of subthreshold or early mental distress state. Either way, recognizing and intervening early in emerging psychiatric states, especially in those with psychotic or psychotic-like symptomatology, share indisputable benefits under the broader concept of prevention, setting a strong scientific-clinical rationale for service provision to help-seeking people and the possibility of changing the course for those with vulnerability to psychotic illnesses.

Pseudologia fantastica à deux: review and case study.

While lying is a diachronic integral part of human interaction, pseudologia fantastica represents probably its psychopathological dimension. There are relatively few reported cases on psychological mechanisms of pathological lying and also on criteria concerning psychopathological development on a ground of lying. A review of literature on possible psychological mechanisms of pseudologia fantastica is presented. Psychopathological qualities are rather controversial, especially whether pathological lying is a conscious act or not. DSM IV-TR recognizes pseudologia fantastica in association with factitious disorder but not as a clinical entity. Diagnostic issues are raised regarding lying, deception, pseudology and its shared dimension. Cases of shared pseudology are rarely reported in literature. Related shared psychopathological phenomena such as pseudologia à deux, folie à deux and mass hysteria are equally examined and compared under the prism of 'mental infection'. Cases of pseudologia fantastica are poorly understood or underecognized and clinicians usually pay minor attention in its psychopathological significance. It remains doubtful, whether pathological lying should be considered as an autonomous clinical entity. The need for research both on phenomenology and pathophysiology is emphasized. In addition to reviewing literature, we also report a case of pseudology à deux in a couple, a female and a male patient. Presented psychopathological manifestations, personality characteristics, psychological and social factors concerning both patients are considered, aiming to determine a sufficient phenomenological analysis. The diagnoses of pseudologia fantastica and folie à deux are discussed and documented. A second axis diagnosis of personality disorder and other diagnostic issues are also considered. A favorable issue of this case, within a follow up of one year, is due to the therapeutic and social potential of a community psychiatry's setting, offering an individual follow up to both partners and a family approach including the ex husband of the female patient and her two minor children. The presented case focuses on a notably rare and controversial form of pathological lying, pseudologia fantastica à deux, and possible underlying mechanisms.

Long-term results of transvaginal colposuspension for the treatment of genuine stress incontinence combined with vaginal hysterectomy.

We assessed the long-term efficacy of a modified transvaginal needle bladder neck suspension, combined with vaginal hysterectomy, for the treatment of female stress incontinence. Thirty-two women who underwent this procedure were followed up clinically and urodynamically 1 and 5 years postoperatively. A total of 27 women (84.4%) were cured 1 year postoperatively. Of the 29 women who were followed up 5 years postoperatively, 21 (72.4%) had a satisfactory result (p = 0.157). No significant differences were observed in maximum urine flow rate, residual volume of urine, and functional length of the urethra. On the contrary, the maximum urethral closure pressure was significantly decreased (p = 0.004). Although the results of our study show a decline in success rate by time, the overall long-term efficacy of this technique is undoubtedly satisfactory. This technique is promising as an easy and minimally invasive surgical procedure for bladder neck suspension.