The Role of Gender in Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder: Differences Related to Hopelessness, Alexithymia, Coping Strategies, and Sensory Profile.

Background and Objectives: Gender differences are poorly investigated in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), although they could be useful in determining the most appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. The aim of the present study was to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and the emotional and behavioral dimensions (such as coping, alexithymia, and sensory profile) between males and females with BPD. Material and Methods: Two hundred seven participants were recruited. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) were administered. Results: Male patients with BPD showed more involuntary hospitalizations and greater use of alcohol and illicit substances compared to females. Conversely, females with BPD reported more frequent medication abuse than males. Furthermore, females had high levels of alexithymia and hopelessness. Regarding coping strategies, females with BPD reported higher levels of "restraint coping" and "use of instrumental social support" at COPE. Finally, females with BPD had higher scores in the Sensory Sensitivity and Sensation Avoiding categories at the AASP. Conclusions: Our study highlights gender differences in substance use, emotion expression, future vision, sensory perception, and coping strategies in patients with BPD. Further gender studies may clarify these differences and guide the development of specific and differential treatments in males and females with BPD.

Mechanical Restraint in Inpatient Psychiatric Unit: Prevalence and Associated Clinical Variables.

Background and Objectives: mechanical restraint (MR) is a controversial issue in emergency psychiatry and should be better studied to implement other alternative therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of MR in an Italian psychiatric unit and identify the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as well as the pharmacological pattern associated with MR. Materials and Methods: all subjects (N = 799) consecutively admitted to an Italian psychiatric inpatient unit were recruited. Several sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Results: The prevalence of MR was 14.1%. Males, a younger age, and a single and migrant status were associated with the MR phenomenon. MR was more prevalent in patients affected by other diagnoses and comorbid illicit substance use, in patients with aggressive behaviors, and those that were involuntary admitted, leading significantly to hospitalization over 21 days. Furthermore, the patients that underwent MR were taking a lower number of psychiatric medications. Conclusions: Unfortunately, MR is still used in emergency psychiatry. Future research should focus on the dynamics of MR development in psychiatry, specifically considering ward- and staff-related factors that could help identify a more precise prevention and alternative intervention strategies.

Complex polypharmacy in bipolar disorder: Results from a real-world inpatient psychiatric unit.

BACKGROUND: Multiple medications are frequently prescribed to patients with bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of the present study was to identify sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with complex polypharmacy in patients affected by BD. METHODS: 556 patients with BD were included. A semi-structured interview was used to collect sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as pharmacological treatment. Participants were divided in two groups, abased on the use of complex polypharmacy (i.e., a combination of 4 or more psychotropic medications). Differences between the two groups were evaluated with t-test and chi-squared test. A stepwise logistic regression was then applied to identify factors significantly associated with complex polypharmacy. RESULTS: Patients with BD and complex polypharmacy were more likely to be single and unemployed. Moreover, earlier age at onset, longer duration of illness, higher number of hospitalizations, higher prevalence of medical and psychiatric comorbidity, and the use of illicit substances (except heroin) were associated with complex polypharmacy. In the logistic regression model, single status, older age, number of hospitalizations, and the presence of psychiatric comorbidities were regarded as factors significantly associated with complex polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reflect the need to develop clear guidelines for the long-term management of BD, especially when pharmacological discontinuation is needed.

C-Reactive Protein as a Potential Peripheral Biomarker for High-Lethality Suicide Attempts.

The aim of the present study was to identify a cut-off of c-reactive protein (c-RP) potentially predictive of high-lethality suicide attempts (SA) in an inpatient psychiatric sample. After attempting suicide, subjects were admitted to the emergency ward of the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino and later to the section of Psychiatry from 1 August 2013 to 31 July 2018. C-reactive protein was measured. The Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC_AUC) was used to assess the discriminative capacity of c-RP for high- vs. low-lethality SA, and a logistic regression was performed to detect the odds ratio, adjusted for age and sex. High-lethality suicide attempters were 133 (30.8%), while low-lethality suicide attempters were 299 (69.2%). The optimal cut-off threshold (and corresponding sensitivity and specificity values) for c-RP was 4.65 mg/L (68/71%). This cut-off corresponds to an AUC of 73.5%. An odds ratio of 4.70 was generated for current high-lethality SA after a logistic regression, adjusted for age and sex. Research on social and biological factors underlying the lethality of SA is crucial for a better understanding of this complex phenomenon. Identifying potential predictors of SA, especially those at high lethality, is essential to implement personalized preventive strategies.

[Management of cardiogenic shock: a proposal for a shared protocol]. / Gestione dello shock cardiogeno: una proposta di percorso integrato.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex and relatively rare disease. Whilst its mortality remains unacceptably high, a multidisciplinary approach based on pre-established and shared protocols may improve prognosis and ensure appropriate resource allocation. Comprehensive hemodynamic assessment and monitoring as well as tailored, goal-directed medical therapy are part of an optimal management. Moreover, mechanical support devices may be helpful as they sustain hemodynamics to a greater extent as compared to inotropes and vasopressors, while lacking their cardiotoxic effects. Therefore, they are increasingly used in CS patients. In 2019, a new protocol for the management of patients with CS was adopted at the Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (HSM) in Genoa, Italy. Following in the footsteps of similar international experiences, the HSM protocol aims at streamlining the management of these high-risk patients improving the cooperation among healthcare specialists, and also addressing the key issues of mechanical support device implantation and appropriate referral for palliative care.

Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with presumed paradoxical embolism: periprocedural results and midterm risk of recurrent neurologic events.

OBJECTIVE: To report our data on selected patients with previous paradoxical embolism who underwent transcatheter patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure. METHODS: Between July 2001 and July 2007, percutaneous PFO closure was performed on 128 patients (65 women, mean age: 46 +/- 12.8 years). Patent foramen ovale closure was recommended for secondary prevention in patients with previous transient ischemic attacks (52.5%), stroke (46%), or peripheral embolism (1.5%). RESULTS: Implantation was successful in all patients, and at the end of intervention, complete PFO closure was achieved in 70.3% of them. There were no "major" complications (ie, deaths, device embolization or thrombosis, need for cardiac surgery). The overall incidence of complications (mostly hemorrhagic) was 7%. The mean follow-up period was 32 months. Complete closure had been achieved in 78.4% and in 82.5% of patients at the third month of transesophageal echocardiography examination and at the sixth month of transcranial Doppler examination, respectively. There were no recurrent thromboembolic events during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous closure of PFO is a feasible procedure, but it is not a risk-free technique. However, in correctly selected patients (ie, large PFO and those at risk for neurologic relapse), nearly complete PFO closure seems to provide protection from future neurologic ischaemic events at midterm follow-up.