Dysregulation of Plasma Growth Factors and Chemokines in Cocaine Use Disorder: Implications for Dual Diagnosis with Schizophrenia and Antisocial Personality Disorder in an Exploratory Study.

INTRODUCTION: Dual diagnosis in individuals with cocaine use disorders (CUDs) presents a mental health challenge marked by an increased susceptibility to disabling morbidities and premature mortality. Despite extensive research on depression and anxiety, other prevalent comorbidities, such as psychotic and personality disorders, have received less attention. This study explores inflammation-related mediators as potential biomarkers for CUD and dual diagnosis with schizophrenia (SCZ) or antisocial personality disorder (APD). METHODS: This exploratory study included 95 participants, comprising 40 healthy subjects and 55 abstinent patients with CUD. Lifetime CUD was diagnosed either as single diagnosis (CUD group, N = 25) or as a dual diagnosis (DD group. N = 30) with SCZ (CUD+SCZ subgroup) or APD (CUD+APD subgroup). Participants were clinically assessed, and the plasma concentrations of growth factors (i.e., G-CSF, BDNF, and VEGF-A) and chemokines (i.e., CCL11/eotaxin-1, CCL2/MCP-1, and CXCL12/SDF-1) were determined and log(10)-transformed for analysis. RESULTS: Growth factors and chemokines were dysregulated by CUD and psychiatric diagnoses. Specifically, patients in the CUD group exhibited significantly lower concentrations of G-CSF and CCL11/eotaxin-1 than the control group. In contrast, the DD group showed significantly higher concentrations of all analytes than both the CUD and control groups. Additionally, no differences in these analytes were observed between the CUD+SCZ and CUD+APD subgroups within the DD group. Regarding cocaine-related variables, significant associations were identified in the CUD group: an inverse correlation between the age at first cocaine use and the concentrations of BDNF and CCL2/MCP-1; and a positive correlation between the duration of the cocaine abstinence and the concentrations of BDNF and CCL11/eotaxin-1. Lastly, a logistic regression model incorporating all these analytes demonstrated high discriminatory power in distinguishing patients with CUD alone from those with dual diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with dual diagnosis of CUD exhibit elevated concentrations of growth factors and chemokines, distinguishing them from those with CUD alone. It is unclear whether the differences in these inflammatory mediators are specific to the presence of SCZ and APD. The study highlights potential biomarkers and associations, providing valuable insights into the intricate interplay of CUD and psychiatric disorders to enhance clinical diagnosis and therapeutics.

Substance Addiction in Adolescents: Influence of Parenting and Personality Traits.

BACKGROUND: Substance use in adolescents has been separately related to personality traits and parental socialization styles; in this study, our objective was to study these variables in an integrated way. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in five institutes in a final sample of 331 students, excluding those with gaming disorder. The sample was stratified into three subgroups: 'no addiction', 'low risk', and 'high risk' of Substance Use Disorders (SUD). RESULTS: 12.9% of the adolescents presented a low risk of SUD, while 18.3% showed a high risk, with both being older (F = 9.16; p < 0.001) than the no addiction group. Adolescents with high risk scored lower in control and structure variables and higher in maternal and paternal indifference factors. Non-addicted subjects presented higher scores in conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness and lower scores in neuroticism. The probability of SUD increased with age (OR = 2.187; p = 0.022), sensation seeking (OR = 1.084; p < 0.001), and neuroticism (OR = 1.049; p = 0.042), while conscientiousness was a protective factor (OR = 0.930; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: These results reflect that personality traits are directly related to the development of substance abuse in adolescents.

Mental Health in First- and Second-Division Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of sport in mental health have been broadly studied. However, few studies have examined these outcomes in high-performance athletes. We aimed to analyze the state of the mental health of the Villarreal Soccer Club's first- (FD) and second-division (SD) players and the possible mediating effects of sex and professional category. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with an initial sample of 108 soccer players (final sample n = 54). Data from MINI, HARS, HDRS, BARRAT-11 and SCSRQ questionnaires were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 23.41 years (SD = 4.56) and 61.1% (n = 33) were men. A proportion of 24.1% (n = 13) stated that they had undergone mental health treatment, 7.4% (n = 4) had taken psychotropic drugs, and 2.1% (n = 1) had made a suicide attempt. Differences were observed between the FD and SD players in terms of the sensitivity to punishment (t = -2.2; p = 0.033), overall impulsivity (t = -3.1; p = 0.003), unplanned impulsivity (t = 3.4; p = 0.001), and the HDRS (U = -110.5; p = 0.004), HARS-Total (U = -104.0; p = 0.006) and HARS-Psychological subscale scores (U = -104.0; p = 0.001). Differences were also observed between the female and male SD players for the HARS-Somatic subscale (U = 136.5; p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: The low values obtained in the clinical scales, together with the reported psychopathological histories, suggested that the Villareal players showed better mental health than the general population.

Evolution of psychopathology, purpose in life, and moral courage in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study.

Introduction: Almost 2 years and five infection waves after the COVID-19 pandemic started, healthcare workers continued dealing with the pandemic situation and facing the health consequences and the mental health disorders it caused. This study aimed to evaluate the onset and progression of psychopathology as well as the role of predictor variables such as purpose in life and moral courage among healthcare workers during this time. Materials and methods: This was a longitudinal prospective study carried out with 45 Spanish healthcare workers who answered two questionnaires, the first questionnaire in April-May 2020 (T1) and the second questionnaire in September-October 2021 (T2). Results: Although 29.5% of the sample considered that their mental health had improved over this time, almost half of them (47.7%) said it had not changed, while 22.7% reported a decline in their mental health from the first time they were asked. Specifically, 46.8% presented anxiety, 23.4% depression, and 42.6% acute stress at T1, and 38.3% had anxiety, 17% depression, and 27.7% post-traumatic stress disorder at T2. Despite this, there were no differences between T1 and T2 anxiety scores (p = 0.53), although there was a decrease in depression (p = 0.03) and acute stress (p = 0.02) scores. Predictor variable outcomes such as purpose in life (p = 0.88) and moral courage (p = 0.86; p = 0.38) did not change over time, but when modelling the data, purpose in life predicted psychopathology at T1, which in turn affected the psychopathology results at T2. Conclusion: This study showed that, although psychopathology decreased over the months, its prevalence remained high. Even though the purpose in life predicted psychopathology at T1, it seems that once the psychopathology is established (T2), the factors that would improve it would be different from the protective factors that prevented its establishment, which become secondary.

Treatment of dissociative symptoms with opioid antagonists: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The clinical guidelines for the treatment of dissociation focus primarily on psychotherapy. However, different psychoactive drugs are used in clinical practice. The use of opioid antagonists has been proposed as a therapeutic option based on the theory that dissociation might be a phenomenon mediated by dysregulation of the endogenous opioid system. OBJECTIVE: To review and meta-analyse the available evidence on the efficacy of the opioid antagonists naltrexone, naloxone, and nalmefene as treatments for dissociative symptoms and disorders. METHOD: The PRISMA guidelines were followed, and this review was registered in Prospero with reference number CRD42021280976. The search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and PubPsych databases. RESULTS: 1,798 citations were obtained. After removing duplicates and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we included 5 comparative studies with 9 dissociation measures that had included a total of 154 participants, of whom 134 had been treated with an opioid antagonist. The results of the meta-analysis showed a treatment effect for dissociation when using opioid antagonists [pooled d = 1.46 (95% CI: 0.62-2.31)]. However, the studies we included were very heterogeneous [Q = 66.89 (p < .001)] and there may have been publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Although more research is needed and the results must be interpreted with caution because of the limited amount of data and heterogeneity in the studies and their methodological qualities, opioid antagonists (particularly naltrexone) are promising candidates for the treatment of dissociative symptoms and showed a moderate - large effect size in reducing these symptoms.

The results of the meta-analysis showed a treatment effect for dissociation when using opioid antagonists [pooled d = 1.46 (95% CI: 0.62­2.31)].The results must be interpreted with caution because of the limited amount of data and heterogeneity in the studies and their methodological qualities.Opioid antagonists (particularly naltrexone) are promising candidates for the treatment of dissociative symptoms and showed a moderate ­ large effect size in reducing these symptoms.

Relationship of Gaming Disorder with parenting based on low affection-communication and personality trait of neuroticism in adolescents.

Background: Gaming Disorder is increasingly common in adolescents. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between parenting, personality traits, and Gaming Disorder. Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study in six secondary schools of Castelló, obtaining a final sample of 397 students. Results: Adolescents with Gaming Disorder had lower scores in Adolescent Affection-Communication (F = 8.201; p < 0.001), Father's Warmth (F = 3.459; p = 0.028), and Father's Acceptance/Involvement (F = 5.467; p = 0.003), and higher scores in Mother's Revoking Privileges (F = 4.277; p = 0.034) and Father's Indifference (F = 7.868; p = 0.002) than healthy participants. Male sex was a risk factor for Gaming Disorder (OR = 12.221; p = 0.004), while Adolescent Affection-Communication (OR = 0.908; p = 0.001) and Agreeableness (OR = 0.903; p = 0.022) were protective factors. Data modeling described the protective effect that Adolescent Affection-Communication had on Gaming Disorder, which was both directly (B = -0.20; p < 0.001) and indirectly mediated by Neuroticism (B = -0.20; p < 0.001), while Neuroticism itself was a risk factor for Gaming Disorder (B = 0.50; p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results reflect that Parental style with low affection and communication was directly and indirectly related to the Gaming Disorder, as well as male sex and personality trait of Neuroticism.

Personality traits and psychopathology in adolescents with videogame addiction. / Rasgos de personalidad y psicopatología en adolescentes con adicción a videojuegos.

Gaming disorder (GD) was recently included in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in five secondary schools, with a final sample of 119 students. A diagnosis of GD was made in 6.4% (n = 23) of this sample. Compared with healthy subjects, adolescents with GD showed low levels of conscientiousness (F = 7.82; p = .001) and agreeableness (F = 3.31; p = .041) and scored higher in school maladjustment (SMC; F = 9.23; p < .001). Two discriminating functions were obtained that allowed us to predict patient group allocation with a success rate of 60.5% (Z1 = 0.406 × Sex + 0.560 × Conscientiousness - 0.677 × SMC; Z2 = 0.915 × Sex + 0.191 × Conscientiousness + 0.326 × SMC). Subjects with addiction differed from healthy subjects in presenting school maladjustment and low consciousness, while both groups of subjects with addiction differed in that video game addiction was proportionally higher in boys. The probability of GD was higher if subjects were male (OR [95% CI]) = 4.82 [1.17-19.81]; p = .029) and had school maladjustment (OR [95% CI] = 1.08 [1-1.17]; p = .047); while that of substance use disorder was higher if the subjects had neuroticism (OR [95% CI] = 1.07 [1-1.14]; p < .040), clinical maladjustment (OR [95% CI] = 1.10 [1.01- 1.20]; p = .020), school maladjustment (OR [95% CI] = 1.06 [1-1.13]; p = .048), low personal adjustment (OR [95% CI] = 0.94 [0.88-0.99]; p = .047) and emotional symptoms (OR [95% CI] = 0.86 [0.78-0.96]; p = .006).

El trastorno por uso de videojuegos se incluyó recientemente en la 11ª edición de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades. Se realizó un estudio transversal en cinco institutos, con una muestra final de 119 alumnos. El 6,4% (n = 23) de los sujetos tenía trastorno por uso de videojuegos. Los adolescentes con trastorno por uso de videojuegos mostraron bajos niveles de consciencia (F = 7,82; p = ,001) y amabilidad (F = 3,31; p = ,041); y puntuaron más alto en inadaptación escolar (SMC; F = 9,230; p < ,001) que los sanos. Obtuvimos dos funciones discriminantes que clasificaban correctamente al 60,5% (Z1 = 0,406 × Sexo + 0,560 × Conciencia - 0,677 × SMC; Z2 = 0,915 × Sexo + 0,191 × Conciencia + 0,326 × SMC). Los sujetos con adicción se diferenciaban de los sanos en presentar inadaptación escolar y baja conciencia, mientras que ambos grupos con adicción se diferenciaban en que los alumnos con adicción a videojuegos eran en mayor proporción varones. La probabilidad de trastorno por uso de videojuegos aumentaba si el sujeto era varón (OR [CI 95%] = 4,82 (1,17-19,81); p = ,029) con inadaptación escolar (OR [IC 95%] = 1,08 (1-1,17); p = ,047); mientras que el trastorno por uso de sustancias aumentaba si el sujeto presentaba neuroticismo (OR [IC 95%] =1,07 [1-1,14]; p < ,040), desajuste clínico (OR [IC 95%] = 1,10 [1,01-1,20]; p = ,020), inadaptación escolar (OR [IC 95%] = 1,06 [1-1,13]; p = ,048), bajo ajuste personal (OR [IC 95%] = 0,94 [0,88-0,99]; p = ,047) y síntomas emocionales (OR [IC 95%] = 0,86 [0,78-0,96]; p = ,006).

Relationship of DRD5 and MAO-B VNTR polymorphisms with paranoid and antisocial personality disorders in polydrug users.

Although multiple studies have shown the role genetics plays in personality disorders and in addictions, few have studied the genetic aspects of their comorbidity. Here, we carried out a cross-sectional study in a sample comprising 303 Caucasian polydrug-consuming patients. The presence of personality disorders was evaluated using the International Personality Disorder Examination, and genes related to dopamine, serotonin and monoamine oxidase (MAO) were genotyped. A significant relationship was observed between the bp 279 DRD5 variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism and paranoid personality disorder OR 95 % CI = 2.186 1.074 ; 4.449 ; p = 0.006 . The bp 182 OR 95 % CI = 0.407 0.178 ; 0.931 ; p = 0.033 and bp 184 OR 95 % CI = 0.391 0.188 ; 0.813 ; p = 0.012 alleles of the MAOB VNTR were also associated with antisocial personality disorder. Among patients with addictions, paranoid personality disorder should also be considered in addition to the importance of antisocial and borderline personality disorders. The higher frequency of the bp 279 DRD5 VNTR allele found in patients with paranoid personality disorder, as well as the associations between alleles of the MAOB VNTR and antisocial personality disorder, support the monoaminergic bases of these personality disorders, especially when dealing with patients with addictions.

Rasgos de personalidad y psicopatología en adolescentes con adicción a videojuegos / Personality traits and psychopathology in adolescents with videogame addiction

El trastorno por uso de videojuegos se incluyó recientemente en la 11ªedición de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades. Se realizó un estudio transversal en cinco institutos, con una muestra final de 119 alumnos. El 6,4% (n = 23) de los sujetos tenía trastorno por uso de videojuegos. Los adolescentes con trastorno por uso de videojuegos mostraron bajos niveles de consciencia (F = 7,82; p = ,001) y amabilidad (F = 3,31; p = ,041); y puntuaron más alto en inadaptación escolar (SMC; F = 9,230; p < ,001)que los sanos. Obtuvimos dos funciones discriminantes que clasificaban correctamente al 60,5% (Z1 = 0,406 × Sexo + 0,560 × Conciencia - 0,677× SMC; Z2 = 0,915 × Sexo + 0,191 × Conciencia + 0,326 × SMC). Los sujetos con adicción se diferenciaban de los sanos en presentar inadaptación escolar y baja conciencia, mientras que ambos grupos con adicción se diferenciaban en que los alumnos con adicción a videojuegos eran en mayor proporción varones. La probabilidad de trastorno por uso de videojuegos aumentaba si el sujeto era varón (OR [CI 95%] = 4,82 (1,17-19,81); p =,029) con inadaptación escolar (OR [IC 95%] = 1,08 (1-1,17); p = ,047);mientras que el trastorno por uso de sustancias aumentaba si el sujeto presentaba neuroticismo (OR [IC 95%] =1,07 [1-1,14]; p < ,040), desajuste clínico (OR [IC 95%] = 1,10 [1,01-1,20]; p = ,020), inadaptación escolar(OR [IC 95%] = 1,06 [1-1,13]; p = ,048), bajo ajuste personal (OR [IC95%] = 0,94 [0,88-0,99]; p = ,047) y síntomas emocionales (OR [IC 95%]= 0,86 [0,78-0,96]; p = ,006). (AU)

Gaming disorder (GD) was recently included in the 11th edition of theInternational Classification of Diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in five secondary schools, with a final sample of 119 students. A diagnosis of GD was made in 6.4% (n = 23) of this sample. Compared with healthy subjects, adolescents with GD showed low levels of conscientiousness(F = 7.82; p = .001) and agreeableness (F = 3.31; p = .041) and scored higherin school maladjustment (SMC; F = 9.23; p < .001). Two discriminating functions were obtained that allowed us to predict patient group allocation with a success rate of 60.5% (Z1 = 0.406 × Sex + 0.560 × Conscientiousness− 0.677 × SMC; Z2 = 0.915 × Sex + 0.191 × Conscientiousness + 0.326 ×SMC). Subjects with addiction differed from healthy subjects in presenting school maladjustment and low consciousness, while both groups of subjectswith addiction differed in that video game addiction was proportionally higher in boys. The probability of GD was higher if subjects were male (OR[95% CI]) = 4.82 [1.17-19.81]; p = .029) and had school maladjustment(OR [95% CI] = 1.08 [1-1.17]; p = .047); while that of substance use disorder was higher if the subjects had neuroticism (OR [95% CI] = 1.07[1-1.14]; p < .040), clinical maladjustment (OR [95% CI] = 1.10 [1.01-1.20]; p = .020), school maladjustment (OR [95% CI] = 1.06 [1-1.13]; p =.048), low personal adjustment (OR [95% CI] = 0.94 [0.88-0.99]; p = .047)and emotional symptoms (OR [95% CI] = 0.86 [0.78-0.96]; p = .006). (AU)

Sexual Differences in Addictions and Dual Disorders: Importance of Gender Perspective.

Sex (the biological attributes of females and males) and gender (socially constructed roles, behaviours, and identities) both affect molecular and cellular processes, protective and vulnerability factors, social and relational life [...].

Burnout, psychopathology and purpose in life in healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in the workload of healthcare workers that, together with the risks associated with exposure to this new virus, has affected their mental health. Objectives: The objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence of psychopathology and burnout syndrome in healthcare workers and the predictive role of purpose in life and moral courage in this relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 115 Spanish healthcare workers. Results: Participants with burnout had higher anxiety (p = 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), post-traumatic stress (p = 0.01) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.03) levels. The different components of burnout (emotional fatigue and despersonalization) were associated with the occurrence of anxiety (OR = 0.31) and depression (OR = 0.26), respectively. A strong purpose in life decreased emotional fatigue (OR = -0.39) depersonalization (OR = -0.23) scores, increased personal accomplishment (OR = 0.52), subsequently reducing burnout levels (OR = -0.45). Conclusions: Purpose in life was most strongly related to decreased levels of burnout. Furthermore, an association between anxiety, depression and the components of burnout was found.

Dual Diagnosis in Adolescents with Problematic Use of Video Games: Beyond Substances.

The technological revolution has led to the birth of new diagnoses, such as gaming disorder. When any addiction, including this one, is associated with other mental disorders, it is considered a dual diagnosis. The objectives of this current work were to estimate the prevalence of dual diagnoses in the adolescent general population while also considering the problematic use of video games and substance addiction and assessing its psychosocial risk factors. Thus, we carried out a cross-sectional study with a sample of 397 adolescents; 16.4% presented problematic videogame use and 3% presented a dual diagnosis. Male gender increased the probability of both a dual diagnosis (OR [95% CI] = 7.119 [1.132, 44.785]; p = 0.036) and problematic video game use (OR [95% CI] = 9.85 [4.08, 23.77]; p < 0.001). Regarding personality, low conscientiousness, openness, and agreeableness scores were predictors of a dual diagnosis and problematic videogame use, while emotional stability predicted a dual diagnosis (OR [95% CI] = 1.116 [1.030, 1.209]; p = 0.008). Regarding family dynamics, low affection and communication increased both the probability of a dual diagnosis (OR [95% CI] = 0.927 [0.891, 0.965]; p < 0.001) and problematic video game use (OR [95% CI] = 0.968 [0.945, 0.992]; p = 0.009). Regarding academic performance, bad school grades increased the probability of a dual diagnosis. In summary, male gender, certain personality traits, poor communication, and poor affective family dynamics should be interpreted as red flags that indicate an increased risk of a dual diagnosis in adolescents, which could require early intervention through specific detection programs.

Purpose in Life and Character Strengths as Predictors of Health Sciences Students' Psychopathology During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Health sciences students experience high levels of psychopathology conditioned by psychosocial, financial, and academic factors. However, COVID-19 pandemic might even have worsened their mental health. Thus, this article aims to evaluate how the exposure to COVID-19 pandemic has affected these students' mental health and to determine the effect of purpose in life and character strengths on this psychopathology. Methods: A cross-sectional study of unpaired samples was carried out in Spain during the first and third waves of the pandemic in 70 medical and 52 nursing students. Results: The risk factor that most determined the appearance of anxiety was the exposure of family and friends to COVID-19 (OR = 4.01; p < 0.001), while the most protective factors were honesty (OR = -1.14; p = 0.025) and purpose in life (OR = -0.18; p < 0.001). Purpose in life also protected against the onset of depression and total psychopathology. In addition, we observed studying medicine was a protective factor against total psychopathology while being a nursing student was associated with high levels of acute stress. Conclusion: Exposure of the students' family and friends to SARS-CoV-2 favored the appearance of symptoms of anxiety. Honesty had a preventing role in the onset of anxiety and a high purpose in life was protective against the appearance of anxiety, depression, and total psychopathology.

The Efficacy of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Patients with Dual Diagnosis: Schizophrenia and Addiction.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of an animal-assisted-therapy (AAT) program in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and substance-use disorders in residential treatment in order to intervene in the remission of negative and positive symptoms and improve quality of life and adherence to treatment, favouring the clinical stabilization of patients who participate in the AAT program, within the context of a mental-illness-treatment device. This was a quasi-experimental prospective study with intersubject and intrasubject factors. The sample comprised 36 patients (21 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group) who were evaluated at three time points (in the 3rd, 6th, and 10th sessions). The program lasted 3 months and consisted of 10 sessions that were implemented once a week, with a maximum participation of 10 patients per group. The participants were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for schizophrenia and the Life Skills Profile-20 (LSP-20) questionnaire. We observed a decrease in the positive symptoms of psychosis (F: 27.80, p = 0.001) and an improvement in functionality (F: 26.70, p < 0.001) as the sessions progressed. On the basis of these results, we concluded that AAT seems to be valid as a coadjuvant therapy as part of the rehabilitation processes of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and addiction-spectrum disorders (dual diagnosis).

Sex Differences in Substance Use, Prevalence, Pharmacological Therapy, and Mental Health in Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Sex differences are poorly studied within the field of mental health, even though there is evidence of disparities (with respect to brain anatomy, activation patterns, and neurochemistry, etc.) that can significantly influence the etiology and course of mental disorders. The objective of this work was to review sex differences in adolescents (aged 13-18 years) diagnosed with ADHD (according to the DSM-IV, DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 criteria) in terms of substance use disorder (SUD), prevalence, pharmacological therapy and mental health. We searched three academic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) and performed a narrative review of a total of 21 articles. The main conclusions of this research were (1) girls with ADHD are more at risk of substance use than boys, although there was no consensus on the prevalence of dual disorders; (2) girls are less frequently treated because of underdiagnosis and because they are more often inattentive and thereby show less disruptive behavior; (3) together with increased impairment in cognitive and executive functioning in girls, the aforementioned could be related to greater substance use and poorer functioning, especially in terms of more self-injurious behavior; and (4) early diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, especially in adolescent girls, is essential to prevent early substance use, the development of SUD, and suicidal behavior.

Substance Use in the Transgender Population: A Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between identifying as transgender and substance use. (2) Methods: We searched for relevant studies in PubMed, Scopus, the Web of Science, and PsycINFO on 21 July 2021. (3) Results: Twenty studies comparing transgender and cisgender people were included in this work, accounting for a total of 2,376,951 participants (18,329 of whom were transgender). These articles included data on current tobacco use, current tobacco use disorder, current alcohol use, current alcohol use disorder, lifetime substance (all) use, current substance use (excluding tobacco and alcohol), current use of specific substances (excluding tobacco and alcohol and including cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, ecstasy, stimulants, heroin, opiates, cannabis, marijuana, LSD, hallucinogens, steroids, inhalants, sedatives, Ritalin or Adderall, diet pills, cold medicine, prescription medications, polysubstance, other club drugs, and other illegal drugs), and current substance use disorder (excluding tobacco and alcohol). We used the ORs and their 95% CIs to state the association between identifying as transgender and those variables. The control reference category used in all cases was cisgender. We employed a random-effects model. Transgender people were more likely to use tobacco (odds ratio (OR) = 1.65; 95% CI [1.37, 1.98]), have used substances throughout their lives (OR = 1.48; 95% CI [1.30, 1.68]), and present current use of specific substances (OR = 1.79; 95% CI [1.54, 2.07]). When current alcohol and substance use in general and tobacco, alcohol, and substance use disorders specifically were considered, the likelihood did not differ from that of cisgender people. (4) Conclusions: The presence of substance use disorders did not differ between transgender and cisgender people. Considering this population as consumers or as addicted may be a prejudice that perpetuates stigma. Nonetheless, transgender people were more likely to use tobacco and other substances, but not alcohol. Hypothetically, this might be an emotional regulation strategy, a maladaptive mechanism for coping with traumatic experiences, or could respond to minority stress, produced by stigma, prejudice, discrimination, and harassment. It is of particular importance to implement policies against discrimination and stigmatisation and to adapt prevention and treatment services so that they are inclusive of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lifestyles and Levels of Anxiety and Depression of Patients with Schizophrenia: A Retrospective Observational Study.

The movement restrictions put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic required modification of the population's usual routines, including those of the most vulnerable groups such as patients with schizophrenia. This was a retrospective observational study. We used an online survey to collect information on patient adherence to the Mediterranean diet (Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener questionnaire), physical exercise (International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form), and tobacco consumption and levels of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) before and during the movement restrictions. A total of 102 people with schizophrenia participated in this study. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown the participants significantly increased the number of minutes spent sitting per day (z = -6.73; p < 0.001), decreased the time they spent walking (z = -6.32; p < 0.001), and increased their tobacco consumption (X2 = 156.90; p < 0.001). These results were also accompanied by a significant increase in their reported levels of anxiety (z = -7.45; p < 0.001) and depression (z = -7.03, p < 0.001). No significant differences in patient diets during the pandemic compared to before the movement restrictions were reported. These results suggest the need to implement specific programs to improve lifestyle and reduce anxiety and depression during possible future pandemic situations.

The Association between a MAOB Variable Number Tandem Repeat Polymorphism and Cocaine and Opiate Addictions in Polyconsumers.

Genetic analysis of the association between alcohol, cocaine, and opiate addiction and variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms in monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) and serotonergic 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 1B and 2C (HTR1B 21 and HTR2C) pathway genes was performed in a sample of 302 polyconsumers. Our genetic association analysis revealed a significant association between a 184 base pair (bp) VNTR polymorphism in the MAOB gene and addiction to cocaine and opiates. This work highlights new genetic marker associations in cocaine and opiate polyconsumer addictions. These data help to clarify and quantify the complex role of genetics in addictive disorders, as well as their future contribution to the prevention (genetic counselling), diagnosis (genetic diagnosis of vulnerability), and treatment (pharmacogenomics) of these disorders.

Cocaine Increases Sensorimotor Gating and is Related to Psychopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Prepulse inhibition regulates sensorimotor gating and is a marker of vulnerability to certain disorders. We compared prepulse inhibition, psychopathy, and sensitivity to punishment and reward in patients with cocaine-related disorder without psychiatric comorbidities and a control group. METHODS: This was an observational study of a sample of 22 male cases with cocaine-related disorder and 22 healthy male controls. We used the Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview; the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire; and the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale and Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised. Prepulse inhibition was evaluated at 30, 60, and 120 ms. RESULTS: Cocaine-related disorder group had a higher overall score (t = 12.556, p = .001) and primary psychopathy score (t = 3.750, p = .001) on Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, a higher score on both Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised factors, sensitivity to rewards (t = 3.076, p = .005) and prepulse inhibition at 30 ms (t = 2.859, p = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Cocaine use in patients without psychiatric comorbidities seems to increase sensorimotor gating. Therefore, these patients likely have an increased sensitivity to rewards, causing them to focus more on cocaine-boosting stimuli, thus explaining the psychopathic traits of these individuals.

Proposal for the Inclusion of Tobacco Use in Suicide Risk Scales: Results of a Meta-Analysis.

There is an association between smoking and suicide, even though the direction and nature of this relationship remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between smoking and suicidal behaviours (ideation, planning, suicide attempts, and death by suicide). On 24 August 2020, we searched the PubMed, Cochrane library, Scopus, Web of Science, TRIP, and SCIENCE DIRECT databases for relevant articles on this topic. Twenty prospective cohort studies involving 2,457,864 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with never smokers, former and current smokers had an increased risk of death by suicide (relative risk [RR] = 1.31; 95% CI [1.13, 1.52] and RR = 2.41; 95% CI [2.08, 2.80], respectively), ideation (RR = 1.35; 95% CI [1.31, 1.39] and RR = 1.84; 95% CI [1.21, 2.78]), and attempted suicide (RR = 1.27; 95% CI [0.56, 2.87] and RR = 1.71; 95% CI [0.73, 3.97]). Moreover, compared to never smokers, current smoker women (RR = 2.51; 95% CI [2.06-3.04] had an increased risk of taking their own life (Q = 13,591.53; p < 0.001) than current smoker men (RR = 2.06; 95% CI [1.62-2.62]. Furthermore, smoking exposure (former and current smokers) was associated with a 1.74-fold increased risk (95% CI [1.54, 1.96]) of suicidal behaviour (death by suicide, ideation, planning, or attempts). Thus, because of the prospective relationship between smoking and suicidal behaviours, smoking should be included in suicide risk scales as a useful and easy item to evaluate suicide risk.