The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic period on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Metabolic syndrome and COVID-19 Pandemic Period

Aim: This study aimed at investigating the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on metabolic profile in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients at the time of COVID-19. Material(s) and Method(s): This study was completed with 190 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (116) and bipolar disorder (74). Waist circumference and blood pressure measurements were taken on the same date as triglyceride, glucose and HDL data in the electronic recording system of the participants. Initial assessment data are measurements within 3 months prior to the publication of the first case in Turkey. The second evaluation data, on the other hand, is the data obtained within 3 months after the date of removal or relaxation of the restrictions, which is defined as the normalization period. Result(s): A significant increase was observed in the incidence of metabolic syndrome in the participants after the COVID-19 lockdown. In addition, a significant increase in glucose, triglyceride and diastolic blood pressure values, and a significant decrease in HDL values were detected. There was no significant change in systolic blood pressure and waist circumference values. Discussion(s): It has been shown that the COVID-19 lockdown increases the incidence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and causes irregularities in metabolic syndrome parameters.Copyright © 2022, Derman Medical Publishing. All rights reserved.

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic period on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Aim: This study aimed at investigating the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on metabolic profile in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients at the time of COVID-19. Material and Method: This study was completed with 190 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (116) and bipolar disorder (74). Waist circumference and blood pressure measurements were taken on the same date as triglyceride, glucose and HDL data in the electronic recording system of the participants. Initial assessment data are measurements within 3 months prior to the publication of the first case in Turkey. The second evaluation data. on the other hand, is the data obtained within 3 months after the date of removal or relaxation of the restrictions, which is defined as the normalization period. Results: A significant increase was observed in the incidence of metabolic syndrome in the participants after the COVID-19 lockdown. In addition, a significant increase in glucose, triglyceride and diastolic blood pressure values, and a significant decrease in HDL values were detected. There was no significant change in systolic blood pressure and waist circumference values. Discussion: It has been shown that the COVID-19 lockdown increases the incidence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and causes irregularities in metabolic syndrome parameters.

The relationship between fear of COVID-19 and affective symptoms of bipolar patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim: This study aims to examine the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and affective symptoms of patients with bipolar disorder in Turkey. Another aim of the study is to reveal whether participants' fear of COVID-19 changes according to various socio-demographic characteristics. Material and Methods: In the study, data were collected from 100 people with bipolar disorder using a face-to-face survey method by a set of scales including the Young Mania Rating Scale, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. The data collection process was carried out in October 2020 and January 2021. Results: The results of the study showed that 53% of the participants had a moderate level of fear of COVID-19, and 45% had a low level of fear. According to the results of the regression analysis, fear of COVID-19 explains 23.1% of the total variance in the mania state. In addition, female bipolar disorder patients were found to have a greater fear of COVID-19 than men. Discussion: As a result of this study, it was revealed that the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder patients reduced the fear of COVID-19. In this process, detailed scans and interventions for this diagnostic group will be important.

The Opinions Of High School Teachers On Distance Learning Which Is Carried Out Through Eba (Educational Informatics Network) During Covid-19 Pandemic Period

In this study, it is aimed to evalute the distance education, which has been carried out through Educational Informatics Network (EBA) during the Kovid-19 pandemic process according to the opinions of the high school teachers who have taken an active role in this education. The data of this descriptive research using qualitative research methods have been collected through online forms sent to volunteers among the teachers who participated in the webinar named “EBA Use in Distance Education Process”. In the light of the data which have been obtained from descriptive analysis, the biggest obstacles to the effective and efficient use of EBA in the distance education process have been expressed as internet problems, hardware deficiencies, teachers’ inexperience in using the system and the weakness of technology skills. The strongest aspects of EBA have been determined as its rich content structure, the opportunity of making live lessons with students, sharing questions and controlling the students. © 2020. All Rights Reserved.