COVID-19 and psychiatric disorders among young people: a cross-sectional study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant rise in mental health issues was observed. Particularly, children and adolescents have shown a higher risk of developing mental disorders than adults. This study aimed to describe the evolving features of the requests for psychiatric emergency interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic in young people. We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing the number, characteristics, and symptoms of people aged between 12 and 18 years old attending one Emergency Department (ED) for psychiatric issues, considering three different periods: T0 (8 March 2019-7 March 2020), T1 (8 March 2020-7 March 2021), and T2 (8 March 2021-7 March 2022). Total admissions were 220: 99 (45%) during T0, 40 (18.1%) for T1, and 81 (36.8%) for T2 (P < 0.001). A significant decrease in the mean age from T0 to T1 was found (P < 0.01). Admissions for psychomotor agitation decreased, while admission due to anxiety disorder and nonsuicidal self-injury raised significantly (P < 0.05), as for first psychiatric presentation (P < 0.01). Regarding substance use, a significant reduction was observed (P < 0.05). The rates of eating disorders (P < 0.001) and early insomnia (P < 0.01) increased from T0. These findings highlight the worsening of psychiatric symptoms in the young population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barriers to the use of three-month Paliperidone Palmitate formulation: a study from an Italian real-world setting.

BACKGROUND: Long-acting injectable paliperidone can improve adherence in psychotic patients and reduce relapses and healthcare resource utilization (HRU). This study compares the effectiveness of the three-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP3M) with the one-monthly formulation (PP1M) and investigates reasons that hinder the use of PP3M in real-world settings. METHODS: The authors conducted a three-phase observational study. For subjects recruited from six psychiatric services in Milan, HRU outcomes of PP3M prescription were evaluated through a 12-month mirror-image design (phase 1) and a comparison of HRU of PP1M-only subjects and PP3M subjects during the year prior to PP3M initiation (phase 2). Lastly, they conducted a survey among physicians concerning reasons for not switching to PP3M (phase 3). RESULTS: A total of 119 subjects (61 on PP3M and 58 on PP1M) were included. One year after PP3M initiation, outpatients' visits decreased significantly. Comparing PP3M with PP1M subjects, no significant difference was found in HRU. Perception of patient's unstable clinical condition was the main reason for maintaining PP1M (32.8%), followed by the need for monthly monitoring (19.7%). CONCLUSION: PP3M initiation was associated with an overall HRU reduction. Subjects switched to PP3M had similar HRU when compared to those who did not, suggesting similar clinical conditions in both groups.

Profile of patients attending psychiatric emergency care during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic: a comparative cross-sectional study between lockdown and post-lockdown periods in Lombardy, Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term impact of early COVID-19 lockdown phase on emergency psychiatric consultations in two psychiatric emergency departments located in Italy. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing the number and characteristics of emergency psychiatric consultations during post-lockdown with respect to the lockdown period. Sociodemographic data, clinical characteristics, referred symptoms, diagnosis, information on multiple psychiatric consultations and hospitalisation were collected. RESULTS: A rise of almost 60% in emergency psychiatric consultations during the post-lockdown compared to the lockdown period was observed. Emergency psychiatric consultations in the post-lockdown period were associated with lower rates of cannabis (aOR = 0.42, p = 0.011) and cocaine use (aOR = 0.39, p = 0.011). Despite a lower occurrence of two or more psychiatric consultations was observed during post-lockdown phase (aOR = 0.44, p = 0.008), subjects who had anxiety disorders (aOR = 3.91, p = 0.000) and substance intoxication or withdrawal (aOR = 6.89, p = 0.000) were more likely to present to emergency psychiatric consultations during post-lockdown period compared to the lockdown one. CONCLUSIONS: Substance intoxication or withdrawal and anxiety disorders increased after the COVID-19 lockdown. The findings of this study suggest to address more economic and professional sources to the mental health areas potentially more affected by the different phases of a pandemic.KEYPOINTSCOVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures increased mental health unmet needs.According to our findings, a rise in emergency psychiatric consultations during the post-lockdown compared to the lockdown period was observed.Patients with substance intoxication or withdrawal syndrome and anxiety disorders were significantly more likely to present to emergency psychiatric consultations during post-lockdown.Lockdown was associated with higher rates of both cannabis and cocaine use disorders as well as of multiple psychiatric consultations.Alternative strategies to improve mental health such as e-health technologies should be promoted.