Caregivers' depressive symptoms and eating disorder severity in adults with anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Negative affectivity of caregivers has been linked to difficulties in the caregiver-patient relationship and it is assumed to contribute to the maintenance of eating disorder (ED) symptoms. AIMS: The present study investigated the relationship of patients' ED symptom severity to patients' and caregivers' depressive symptoms, and caregivers' involvement in a mixed sample of adult inpatients with anorexia (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), as well as their caregivers. METHOD: The Eating Disorder Examination and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to 55 adult ED patients (26 AN and 29 BN), and the BDI as well as the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire were filled in by one caregiver of each patient. RESULTS: Our results showed caregivers' depressive symptoms to be significantly related to patients' ED symptom severity, however depressive symptoms and ED symptoms of patients were not related. No connection of involvement of caregivers and ED severity of patients was found. AN and BN patients did not significantly differ on ED severity or depressive symptoms. Caregivers of AN and BN patients did not differ significantly on depressive symptoms and involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the importance of mental health support for caregivers of adults with AN and BN.

Management of delirium in acute stroke patients: a position paper by the Austrian Stroke Society on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Delirium is a common complication in acute stroke patients, occurring in 15-35% of all stroke unit admissions and is associated with prolonged hospital stay and a poor post-stroke prognosis. Managing delirium in acute stroke patients necessitates an intensive and multiprofessional therapeutic approach, placing a significant burden on healthcare staff. However, dedicated practical recommendations for delirium management developed for the population of acute stroke patients are lacking. For this purpose, the Austrian Stroke Society, in cooperation with the Austrian Society of Neurology, the Austrian Society of Neurorehabilitation, and the Austrian Society of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics has formulated an evidence-based position paper addressing the management of delirium in acute stroke patients. The paper outlines practical recommendations on the three pillars of care in stroke patients with delirium: (a) Key aspects of delirium prevention including stroke-specific delirium risk factors and delirium prediction scores are described. Moreover, a non-pharmacological delirium prevention bundle is presented. (b) The paper provides recommendations on timing and frequency of delirium screening to ensure early diagnosis of delirium in acute stroke patients. Moreover, it reports on the use of different delirium screening tools in stroke populations. (c) An overview of non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment strategies in patients with delirium and acute stroke is presented and summarized as key recommendation statements.

Brain regulation training improves emotional competences in patients with alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined as the impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences and still represents one of the biggest challenges for society regarding health conditions, social consequences, and financial costs, including the high relapse rates after traditional alcohol rehabilitation treatment. Especially, the deficient emotional competence in AUD is said to play a key role in the development of AUD and hinders the interruption of substance compulsion, often leading to a viscous circle of relapse. Although the empirical evidence of a neurophysiological basis of AUD is solid and increases even further, clinical interventions based on neurophysiology are still rare for individuals with AUD. This randomized controlled trial investigates changes in emotional competences, alcohol-related cognitions, and drinking behavior before and after an established alcohol rehabilitation treatment (control group: nCG = 29) compared to before and after an optimized, add-on neurofeedback (NF) training (experimental group: nEG = 27). Improvements on the clinical-psychological level, i.e. increases in emotional competences as well as life satisfaction, were found after the experimental electroencephalography (EEG) NF training. Neurophysiological measurements via resting-state EEG indicate decreases in low beta frequency band, while alpha and theta bands remained unaffected.

Effectiveness of Online and Remote Interventions for Mental Health in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of mental illness increased in children, adolescents, and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time, access to treatment facilities has been restricted, resulting in a need for the quick implementation of remote or online interventions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to give an overview of randomized controlled studies examining remote or online interventions for mental health in children, adolescents, and young adults and to explore the overall effectiveness of these interventions regarding different symptoms. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines using PubMed, PsycInfo, Psyndex, Embase, and Google Scholar. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model to calculate overall effect sizes for interventions using standardized mean differences (SMDs) for postintervention scores. RESULTS: We identified 17 articles with 8732 participants in the final sample, and 13 were included in the quantitative analysis. The studies examined different digital interventions for several outcomes, showing better outcomes than the control in some studies. Meta-analyses revealed significant medium overall effects for anxiety (SMD=0.44, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.67) and social functioning (SMD=0.42, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.17) and a large significant effect for depression (SMD=1.31, 95% CI 0.34 to 2.95). In contrast, no significant overall treatment effects for well-being, psychological distress, disordered eating, and COVID-19-related symptoms were found. CONCLUSIONS: The qualitative and quantitative analyses of the included studies show promising results regarding the effectiveness of online interventions, especially for symptoms of anxiety and depression and for training of social functioning. However, the effectiveness needs to be further investigated for other groups of symptoms in the future. All in all, more research with high-quality studies is required.

Stigma towards mental illness in Asian nations and low-and-middle-income countries, and comparison with high-income countries: A literature review and practice implications.

Background: Stigma related to mental illness (and its treatment) is prevalent worldwide. This stigma could be at the structural or organizational level, societal level (interpersonal stigma), and the individual level (internalized stigma). Vulnerable populations, for example, gender minorities, children, adolescents, and geriatric populations, are more prone to stigma. The magnitude of stigma and its negative influence is determined by socio-cultural factors and macro (mental health policies, programs) or micro-level factors (societal views, health sectors, or individuals' attitudes towards mentally ill persons). Mental health stigma is associated with more serious psychological problems among the victims, reduced access to mental health care, poor adherence to treatment, and unfavorable outcomes. Although various nationwide and well-established anti-stigma interventions/campaigns exist in high-income countries (HICs) with favorable outcomes, a comprehensive synthesis of literature from the Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), more so from the Asian continent is lacking. The lack of such literature impedes growth in stigma-related research, including developing anti-stigma interventions. Aim: To synthesize the available mental health stigma literature from Asia and LMICs and compare them on the mental health stigma, anti-stigma interventions, and the effectiveness of such interventions from HICs. Materials and Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were screened using the following search terms: stigma, prejudice, discrimination, stereotype, perceived stigma, associate stigma (for Stigma), mental health, mental illness, mental disorder psychiatric* (for mental health), and low-and-middle-income countries, LMICs, High-income countries, and Asia, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation/SAARC (for countries of interest). Bibliographic and grey literature were also performed to obtain the relevant records. Results: The anti-stigma interventions in Asia nations and LMICs are generalized (vs. disorder specific), population-based (vs. specific groups, such as patients, caregivers, and health professionals), mostly educative (vs. contact-based or attitude and behavioral-based programs), and lacking in long-term effectiveness data. Government, international/national bodies, professional organizations, and mental health professionals can play a crucial in addressing mental health stigma. Conclusion: There is a need for a multi-modal intervention and multi-sectoral coordination to mitigate the mental health stigma. Greater research (nationwide surveys, cultural determinants of stigma, culture-specific anti-stigma interventions) in this area is required.

[S1 guidelines for the management of postviral conditions using the example of post-COVID-19]. / Leitlinie S1 für das Management postviraler Zustände am Beispiel Post-COVID-19.

These S1 guidelines are an updated and expanded version of the S1 guidelines on long COVID differential diagnostic and management strategies. They summarize the state of knowledge on postviral conditions like long/post COVID at the time of writing. Due to the dynamic nature of knowledge development, they are intended to be "living guidelines". The focus is on practical applicability at the level of primary care, which is understood to be the appropriate place for initial access and for primary care and treatment. The guidelines provide recommendations on the course of treatment, differential diagnostics of the most common symptoms that can result from infections like with SARS-CoV-2, treatment options, patient management and care, reintegration and rehabilitation. The guidelines have been developed through an interdisciplinary and interprofessional process and provide recommendations on interfaces and possibilities for collaboration.

World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines update 2023 on the pharmacological treatment of eating disorders.

OBJECTIVES: This 2023 update of the WFSBP guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of eating disorders (EDs) reflects the latest diagnostic and psychopharmacological progress and the improved WFSBP recommendations for the assessment of the level of evidence (LoE) and the grade of recommendation (GoR). METHODS: The WFSBP Task Force EDs reviewed the relevant literature and provided a timely grading of the LoE and the GoR. RESULTS: In anorexia nervosa (AN), only a limited recommendation (LoE: A; GoR: 2) for olanzapine can be given, because the available evidence is restricted to weight gain, and its effect on psychopathology is less clear. In bulimia nervosa (BN), the current literature prompts a recommendation for fluoxetine (LoE: A; GoR: 1) or topiramate (LoE: A; GoR: 1). In binge-eating disorder (BED), lisdexamfetamine (LDX; LoE: A; GoR: 1) or topiramate (LoE: A; GoR: 1) can be recommended. There is only sparse evidence for the drug treatment of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), pica, and rumination disorder (RD). CONCLUSION: In BN, fluoxetine, and topiramate, and in BED, LDX and topiramate can be recommended. Despite the published evidence, olanzapine and topiramate have not received marketing authorisation for use in EDs from any medicine regulatory agency.

Involvement, depressive symptoms, and their associations with problems and unmet needs in caregivers of adult eating disorder patients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the most important problems and needs caregivers of adult inpatients with eating disorders (EDs) are confronted with in their everyday lives. A further aim was to investigate the associations between problems, needs, involvement, and depression in carers. METHODS: Fifty-five caregivers of inpatients with EDs (26 anorexia nervosa, 29 bulimia nervosa) completed the Carers' Needs Assessment, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire. The relationships between variables were tested via multiple linear regressions and mediation analyses. RESULTS: The most frequent problem reported by caregivers was a lack of information about the course and treatment of the illness and consequent disappointment, whereas their most frequently reported needs were different forms of information and counselling. Problems, unmet needs, and worrying were especially high in parents compared to other caregivers. Involvement mediated significantly between problems (b = 0.26, BCa CI [0.03, 0.49]) as well as unmet needs (b = 0.32, BCa CI [0.03, 0.59]) of caregivers and their depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our findings underline the importance of including the problems and needs of caregivers of adult eating disorder patients in the planning of family and community interventions, to support their mental health. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Evidence obtained from cohort or case-control analytic studies.

Adverse childhood experiences as risk factors for recurrent admissions in young psychiatric inpatients.

Background: Patients who require psychiatric inpatient treatment early in life are a particularly at-risk population. Factors such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are, however, not well studied in those requiring psychiatric inpatient treatment during both childhood or adolescence and adulthood. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate, in young adult inpatients, the risk factors for prior admissions in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, with a focus on ACEs. Materials and methods: An explorative population-based systematic chart investigation of psychiatric inpatients aged 18-25 was conducted at the University Hospital Tulln, Austria. Data analysis was done with descriptive methods and Pearson's chi- squared-, Fisher's exact-, Mann-Whitney-U-tests and predictive logistic regression models. Results: The sample comprised 390 inpatients (51.8% female), with an average age of 20 years at first psychiatric hospital admission. Those with a former child and adolescent psychiatry inpatient treatment (10.3%) were predominantly female (77.5%). Their number of documented ACEs was increased compared to those without former child and adolescent psychiatry admissions (2 vs 1.1), with up to twice as many experiences of family dysfunction, neglect or abuse. Sexual abuse (OR: 3.0), having been an adopted or fostered child (OR: 4.5), and female sex (OR: 3.0) were identified as main risk factors. Furthermore, former child and adolescent psychiatry inpatients suffered from higher rates of psychosomatic or personality disorders, comorbidities and functional impairment, and were readmitted twice as often in young adulthood. Conclusion: Young adult inpatients with reoccurring psychiatric inpatient treatments have increased rates of severe ACEs. Thus, special attention should be given to identifying ACEs, evaluating needs for psychosocial support and therapy, and meeting these needs after discharge.

Oxytocin receptor gene methylation as a molecular marker for severity of depressive symptoms in affective disorder patients.

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide and hormone involved in emotional functioning and also seems to play a role in moderating the stress response. Both preclinical and clinical studies point to an increased methylation status of the Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) promoter region with concomitant deficits in social, cognitive and emotional functioning. We hypothesize that methylation levels (%) of the oxytocin receptor promoter region correlate with the severity of depression symptoms and/or with the severity of childhood trauma within this present sample of affective disorder patients. METHODOLOGY: Eight hundred forty six (846) affective disorder patients of Central European origin were recruited at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Medical University Vienna, the Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science and Zentren für seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med Leopoldau. Psychiatric assessment included a semi-structured diagnostic interview (Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry), the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Concomitantly DNA samples of peripheral blood cells were collected for Multiplexed and Sensitive DNA Methylation Testing. RESULTS: Our data suggests a positive but not significant association between OXTR promoter Exons 1-3 methylation levels and severity of depression symptoms as well as severity of emotional neglect in affective disorder patients and no association with childhood trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings contribute to elucidate the role of OXTR in affective disorders, but further longitudinal studies in particular are necessary to broaden the current state of knowledge.

BDNF gene polymorphisms predicting treatment response to CBT-based rehabilitation of depression: to be submitted to: European Neuropsychopharmacology.

Genetic factors were shown to play a major role in both variation of treatment response and incidence of adverse effects to medication in affective disorders. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of therapygenetic studies, investigating the prediction of psychological therapy outcomes from genetic markers. Neuroplasticity and one of its mediators, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are potential research targets in this field. We aimed to investigate Tag SNP polymorphisms of the BDNF gene in depressed patients treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in the context of a standardized 6-weeks outpatient rehabilitation program. Treatment response was assessed calculating the mean differences in BDI-II (Beck Depression Inventory) scores from admission to discharge. Six BDNF SNPs, including the Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265), were genotyped. Both genotypic data and BDI-II-scores at admission and discharge were available for 277 patients. Three SNPs, rs10501087 (p = 0.005, FDRp=0.015), rs11030104 (p = 0.006, FDRp=0.012), and the Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265, p<0.001, FDRp=0.006), were significantly associated with treatment response in depressed patients, even after multiple testing correction using the false discovery rate method (FDRp). We conclude that BDNF might serve as promising genetic marker for treatment response to psychological treatment in depression. However, due to our limited sample size, further studies are needed to disentangle the role of BDNF as potential therapygenetic marker.

Comorbidities of bladder pain syndrome in the context of the HITOP distress category: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is, looking at different care settings, to examine prevalence rates of psychological distress-level comorbidities in female interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) patients, their impact on Quality of Life (QoL), and the correlation between such comorbidities and symptom severity. METHODS: A systematic literature search according to PRISMA guidelines was conducted in PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were found that met inclusion criteria. Prevalence rates of depression and anxiety are higher in IC/BPS patients compared to the general population; however, due to a wide array of measurements, statistical comparisons between care settings were only possible in two cases showing mixed results. No studies meeting inclusion criteria exist that examine PTSD and borderline personality disorder, though rates of past traumatic experiences seem to be higher in patients than in healthy controls. Psychological comorbidities of the distress category, especially depression, are found in most studies to be related to symptom severity, also yielding statistically significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: While there is still need for studies focused on some of the comorbidities as well as on different care settings, the data already show that psychological comorbidities of the distress category play an important role in IC/BPS patients regarding suffering, QoL, and symptom severity, thus emphasizing the need for highly specialized interdisciplinary treatment.

Monoamino Oxidase A Gene Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Methylation Status and the Risk of Violent Suicide Attempts in Affective Disorder Patients.

Background: When investigating the neurobiology of suicidal behavior, Monoamino Oxidase A (MAOA) is one of the prime suspects to consider. Interestingly, MAOA dysregulation has also been associated with violent behavior in previous publications. In the present study, we aimed to establish an association between polymorphisms of the MAOA gene and methylation status of the MAOA gene Exon I, and suicide attempts with violent methods in a sample of affective disorder patients. Methods: Eight hundred fourteen Caucasian affective disorder patients were assessed at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Medical University Vienna, the Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science and Zentren für seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med Leopoldau. An assemblage of psychiatric interviews was performed (e.g., SCAN, HAMD, SBQ-R, CTQ) and DNA samples of peripheral blood cells were collected for Sequenom MassARRAY® iPLEX Gold genotyping and Multiplexed and Sensitive DNA Methylation Testing. Results: Female affective disorder patients with a history of violent suicide attempt were found to have a significantly increased frequency of the AA genotype in the rs5906957 single nucleotide polymorphism (p = 0.003). Furthermore, the MAOA gene exon I promoter region showed significantly decreased methylation in female violent suicide attempter(s) as opposed to female affective disorder patients who had no history of suicide attempt or no history of suicide attempt with violent method. Limitations: The small sample size hampers to reveal small genetic effects as to be expected in psychiatric disorders. Conclusions: This study offers promising findings about associations between the MAOA gene and violent suicide especially in women.

[Ketamine in the therapy of chronic pain and depression]. / Ketamin: Einsatz bei chronischen Schmerzen und Depression.

Although ketamine has been known and clinically applied for a long time, questions still arise around the many possible indications in which the anesthetic and analgesic substance could be used. In particular, these questions relate to new indications in which ketamine is used in low subanesthetic doses.The mechanism of action at the NMDA receptor clearly distinguishes ketamine from all other analgesics. Possible applications include the prevention of chronic postoperative pain as well as the treatment of neuropathic pain. With the treatment of refractory depression completely new therapeutic areas for ketamine could be established.

Personality functioning in anxiety disorders.

BACKGROUND: The Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders as well as the upcoming IDC-11 have established a new focus on diagnosing personality disorders (PD): personality functioning. An impairment of self and interpersonal functioning in these models represents a general diagnostic criterion for a personality disorder. Little is known so far about the impairment of personality functioning in patients with other mental disorders than PD. This study aims to assess personality functioning in patients with anxiety disorders. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients with the diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or phobia, and 16 healthy control persons were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I and -II) and were assessed by means of the Structured Interview for Personality Organization (STIPO) to determine the level of personality functioning. RESULTS: While all three patient groups showed significant impairment in personality functioning compared to the control group, no significant differences were observed between the different patient groups. In all three groups of anxiety disorders patients with comorbid PD showed significantly worse personality functioning than patients without. Patients without comorbid PD also yielded a significant impairment in their personality functioning when compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety disorders are associated with a significant impairment in personality functioning, which is significantly increased by comorbid PD. There are no differences in terms of personality functioning between patients with different anxiety disorders.

Influence of CRHR1 Polymorphisms and Childhood Abuse on Suicide Attempts in Affective Disorders: A GxE Approach.

Background: Previous studies have shown that the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis (HPA-axis) is closely involved in the development of affective disorders. Given that early life events are also linked to dysregulation of the same system, there might be an association between childhood adversities and suicidal behavior in affective disorders, moderated by HPA-axis genes. We aimed to investigate a potential association between childhood trauma and previous suicide attempts in affective disorder patients, moderated by variants of the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) gene. Methods: The current pilot study is part of an ongoing study on suicidal behavior in affective disorders (VieSAD). Two hundred fifty eight Caucasian affective disorder patients were assessed at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Medical University Vienna and the Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science. An assemblage of psychiatric interviews was performed (e.g., SCAN, HAMD, SBQ-R, CTQ) and DNA samples of peripheral blood cells were genotyped with TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assays (rs7209436, rs4792887, rs110402, rs242924, and rs242939). Results: Neither genetic, nor haplotypic associations between CRHR1 polymorphisms and previous suicide attempts could be established for the present sample. Using a binary logistic regression model, significant gene-environment-interactions were found for the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs7209436 and rs110402, reflecting the impact of childhood trauma and CRHR1 polymorphisms on previous suicide attempts. Limitations: A larger sample size will be required to ultimately elucidate the link between childhood trauma and the HPA axis in suicidal behavior. Conclusion: This pilot study presents promising gene-environment-interaction findings in affective disorder patients with a history of suicide attempts.

The Impact of COMT and Childhood Maltreatment on Suicidal Behaviour in Affective Disorders.

The inconsistent findings on the association between COMT (catecholamine-O-methyl-transferase) and suicidal behaviour gave reason to choose a clear phenotype description of suicidal behaviour and take childhood maltreatment as environmental factor into account. The aim of this candidate-gene-association study was to eliminate heterogeneity within the sample by only recruiting affective disorder patients and find associations between COMT polymorphisms and defined suicidal phenotypes. In a sample of 258 affective disorder patients a detailed clinical assessment (e.g. CTQ, SCAN, HAMD, SBQ-R, VI-SURIAS, LPC) was performed. DNA of peripheral blood samples was genotyped using TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assays. We observed that the haplotype GAT of rs737865, rs6269, rs4633 is significantly associated with suicide attempt (p = 0.003 [pcorr = 0.021]), and that there is a tendency towards self-harming behaviour (p = 0.02 [pcorr = 0.08]) and also NSSI (p = 0.03 [pcorr = 0.08]), though the p values did not resist multiple testing correction. The same effect we observed with the 4-marker slide window haplotype, GATA of rs737865, rs6269, rs4633, rs4680 (p = 0.009 [pcorr = 0.045]). The findings support an association between the COMT gene and suicidal behaviour phenotypes with and without childhood maltreatment as environmental factor.

Parenthood among patients with psychotic disorders: gender differences in a non-selective clinical sample.

A large proportion of people with psychotic disorders have children and also live with them. However, research has rarely studied this in clinical populations and included male patients. This exploratory study used routine data of all 709 patients with a psychotic disorder treated in a psychiatric inpatient service in Austria between 2012 and 2015. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, number and age of children, and living arrangements were assessed and analysed. More female patients than male patients had children in the total sample (56% vs. 30%), and in diagnostic subgroups with bipolar disorder (71%, 53%), schizoaffective disorder (65%, 24%), and schizophrenia (45%, 21%). Being female, higher age, and living with a partner were associated with having children. Unlike female patients, most male patients with underage children (≤18 years) did not live with them, especially when patients had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The gender specific differences in parenthood and custody arrangements identified in this study indicate different support needs of mothers and fathers with psychotic disorders. Not living with a child and having limited access might come with feelings of guilt and loss, which should be addressed in research and practice.

[Manpower requirements for medical doctors in psychiatric departments of community hospitals--bottom-up calculation for the psychiatric department of Donauspital in Vienna]. / Ärztlicher Personalbedarf in der Versorgungspsychiatrie--eine "Bottom-Up" Personalbedarfsberechnung am Beispiel der Psychiatrischen Abteilung des Donauspitals in Wien.

BACKGROUND: Clinical psychiatry changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Clinical challenges are very different from those in old mental hospitals. Psychotherapy and sociotherapy are effective but very time-consuming parts of treatments of nearly every psychiatric disorder. Planning of staff resources based on the German "Psychiatrie Personalverordnung" does not match with modern quality requirements. As a result, the standards of evidence-based treatment cannot be offered to severely mentally ill inpatients. METHODS: We carried out a buttom-up calculation of medical staffing for the concrete patients considering diagnosis, and length of stay of the psychiatric department of the Danube hospital in Vienna 2013 and 2014. This is an 80 bed unit responsible for an area of 250,000 inhabitants, providing about 1100 admissions each year. RESULTS: The calculated yearly sum of working hours for medical doctors in the particular department was 39,527. When considering a net working-time of 80%, the actual number of medical staff should be at least doubled to allow psychiatric treatment according to current guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Severely ill psychiatric patients seem to be undertreated because of low staffing of psychiatric departments.