Traumatic stress symptoms among Spanish healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective study.

AIM: To investigate the occurrence of traumatic stress symptoms (TSS) among healthcare workers active during the COVID-19 pandemic and to obtain insight as to which pandemic-related stressful experiences are associated with onset and persistence of traumatic stress. METHODS: This is a multicenter prospective cohort study. Spanish healthcare workers (N = 4,809) participated at an initial assessment (i.e., just after the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 pandemic) and at a 4-month follow-up assessment using web-based surveys. Logistic regression investigated associations of 19 pandemic-related stressful experiences across four domains (infection-related, work-related, health-related and financial) with TSS prevalence, incidence and persistence, including simulations of population attributable risk proportions (PARP). RESULTS: Thirty-day TSS prevalence at T1 was 22.1%. Four-month incidence and persistence were 11.6% and 54.2%, respectively. Auxiliary nurses had highest rates of TSS prevalence (35.1%) and incidence (16.1%). All 19 pandemic-related stressful experiences under study were associated with TSS prevalence or incidence, especially experiences from the domains of health-related (PARP range 88.4-95.6%) and work-related stressful experiences (PARP range 76.8-86.5%). Nine stressful experiences were also associated with TSS persistence, of which having patient(s) in care who died from COVID-19 had the strongest association. This association remained significant after adjusting for co-occurring depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: TSSs among Spanish healthcare workers active during the COVID-19 pandemic are common and associated with various pandemic-related stressful experiences. Future research should investigate if these stressful experiences represent truly traumatic experiences and carry risk for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Development and validation of a questionnaire for assessing patients´ perceptions of interprofessional integration in health care.

The integration of care between primary, secondary, tertiary health care and social care needs to be interprofessional and patient-centered. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire for measuring patients' perception of integration across health care teams and social services. Data for psychometric assessment of our questionnaire were collected from patients who attended at eleven Primary Care Centers and one tertiary referral Hospital in Spain from March to October 2018. The questionnaire was tested in a pilot study with 40 patients before being administered in a sample of 279 patients. The questionnaires were distributed in urban Health Centers, peri-urban or rural Health Centers (67%) and a tertiary referral hospital (33%). The questionnaire included 9 items that measured patient perceived experiences about care coordination, data accessibility and delivery of clinical information. The model explained 51% of the variation in the data and Cronbach's alpha was 0.8. Two factors comprising perception of coordination and assessment of patient-centered care were identified. The overall perception for integration was low. The reliability and validation of our questionnaire showed its potential as a valuable instrument for assessing patients' perception of the integration of care and can be used within the quality metrics to assess the success of integrated health care management programs.

Thirty-day suicidal thoughts and behaviors among hospital workers during the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 outbreak.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are a key occupational group at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). We investigated the prevalence and correlates of STB among hospital workers during the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 outbreak (March-July 2020). METHODS: Data come from the baseline assessment of a cohort of Spanish hospital workers (n = 5450), recruited from 10 hospitals just after the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak (May 5-July 23, 2020). Web-based self-report surveys assessed 30-day STB, individual characteristics, and potentially modifiable contextual factors related to hospital workers' work and financial situation. RESULTS: Thirty-day STB prevalence was estimated at 8.4% (4.9% passive ideation only, 3.5% active ideation with or without a plan or attempt). A total of n = 6 professionals attempted suicide in the past 30 days. In adjusted models, 30-day STB remained significantly associated with pre-pandemic lifetime mood (odds ratio [OR] = 2.92) and anxiety disorder (OR = 1.90). Significant modifiable factors included a perceived lack of coordination, communication, personnel, or supervision at work (population-attributable risk proportion [PARP] = 50.5%), and financial stress (PARP = 44.1%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Thirty-day STB among hospital workers during the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 outbreak was high. Hospital preparedness for virus outbreaks should be increased, and strong governmental policy response is needed to increase financial security among hospital workers.

Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Val158Met Polymorphism and Clinical Response to Antipsychotic Treatment in Schizophrenia and Schizo-Affective Disorder Patients: a Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme plays a crucial role in dopamine degradation, and the COMT Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680) is associated with significant differences in enzymatic activity and consequently dopamine concentrations in the prefrontal cortex. Multiple studies have analyzed the COMT Val158Met variant in relation to antipsychotic response. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis examining the relationship between COMT Val158Met and antipsychotic response. METHODS: Searches using PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo databases (03/01/2015) yielded 23 studies investigating COMT Val158Met variation and antipsychotic response in schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder. Responders/nonresponders were defined using each study's original criteria. If no binary response definition was used, authors were asked to define response according to at least 30% Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score reduction (or equivalent in other scales). Analysis was conducted under a fixed-effects model. RESULTS: Ten studies met inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Five additional antipsychotic-treated samples were analyzed for Val158Met and response and included in the meta-analysis (ntotal=1416). Met/Met individuals were significantly more likely to respond than Val-carriers (P=.039, ORMet/Met=1.37, 95% CI: 1.02-1.85). Met/Met patients also experienced significantly greater improvement in positive symptoms relative to Val-carriers (P=.030, SMD=0.24, 95% CI: 0.024-0.46). Posthoc analyses on patients treated with atypical antipsychotics (n=1207) showed that Met/Met patients were significantly more likely to respond relative to Val-carriers (P=.0098, ORMet/Met=1.54, 95% CI: 1.11-2.14), while no difference was observed for typical-antipsychotic-treated patients (n=155) (P=.65). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is associated with response to antipsychotics in schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder patients. This effect may be more pronounced for atypical antipsychotics.

Evolución de la prevalencia administrativa de los trastornos mentales durante 13 años en Asturias (norte de España) / Changes in administrative prevalence of mental disorders over a 13-year period in Asturias (northern Spain)

Introducción. El estudio de la prevalencia administrativa a partir de los Registros Acumulativos de Casos Psiquiátricos permite tener una estimación de la salud mental de la población de una zona y del funcionamiento de sus servicios sanitarios. Métodos. Análisis de los datos del Registro Acumulativo de Casos Psiquiátricos de Asturias (RACPAS) entre el 1-1-1998 y el 3-12-2010. Estudio de las características de la población de referencia y análisis de la asociación de los índices sociodemográficos con la prevalencia de la enfermedad mental. Resultados. La población media en los años estudiados fue de 1.078.406 con disminución de los índices de juventud, de Fritz y de reemplazo de la población activa. Se observó un leve incremento de la prevalencia de la mayoría de los trastornos mentales registrados en el RACPAS. No se observó un incremento significativo en la prevalencia de los trastornos mentales orgánicos, psicosis, trastornos del humor, consumo de sustancias no alcohólicas en los hombres ni en los trastornos del comportamiento asociados a disfunciones fisiológicas y a factores somáticos en las mujeres. Hubo diferencias significativas entre los sexos en la prevalencia de todos los trastornos excepto en los trastornos de la personalidad y los trastornos orgánicos cerebrales. El envejecimiento poblacional tuvo una influencia significativa en el incremento de la prevalencia de la mayoría de los trastornos mentales tanto en hombres como en mujeres. Conclusiones. Durante el periodo estudiado se observó un leve incremento general de la prevalencia administrativa influida por el envejecimiento poblacional(AU)

Introduction. The study of administrative prevalence from cumulative psychiatric case registers allows the mental health state of the studied region and the functioning of its Health Services to be estimated. Methods. Data were extracted from the Asturias Cumulative Psychiatric Case Register (RACPAS) between January 1st 1998 and December 3rd 2010. Characteristics of the population of the catchment area were studied, and their relationship with the administrative prevalence was analysed. Results. The mean population in the studied period was 1,078,406 inhabitants. The Fritz index and the Youth and replacement indices of the active population decreased throughout the period. There was no significant increase in the prevalence of organic mental disorders, psychosis, mood disorders, and substance use in males, or behavioural disorders associated with somatic factors and physiological dysfunctions in females. There were significant gender differences in the prevalence of all disorders, except for personality disorders and organic mental disorders. Population ageing had a significant influence on the increase in the prevalence of most mental disorders in both males and females. Conclusions. A slight general increase in the administrative prevalence of mental disorders is observed during the studied period, and it was influenced by population ageing(AU)

Changes in administrative prevalence of mental disorders over a 13-year period in Asturias (northern Spain).

INTRODUCTION: The study of administrative prevalence from cumulative psychiatric case registers allows the mental health state of the studied region and the functioning of its Health Services to be estimated. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Asturias Cumulative Psychiatric Case Register (RACPAS) between January 1st 1998 and December 3 th 2010. Characteristics of the population of the catchment area were studied, and their relationship with the administrative prevalence was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean population in the studied period was 1,078,406 inhabitants. The Fritz index and the Youth and replacement indices of the active population decreased throughout the period. There was no significant increase in the prevalence of organic mental disorders, psychosis, mood disorders, and substance use in males, or behavioral disorders associated with somatic factors and physiological dysfunctions in females. There were significant gender differences in the prevalence of all disorders, except for personality disorders and organic mental disorders. Population ageing had a significant influence on the increase in the prevalence of most mental disorders in both males and females. CONCLUSIONS: A slight general increase in the administrative prevalence of mental disorders is observed during the studied period, and it was influenced by population ageing.

Glucose and lipid disturbances after 1 year of antipsychotic treatment in a drug-naïve population.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the main metabolic side effects induced by antipsychotic treatment in a cohort of first episode drug-naïve subjects after the first year of treatment. METHODS: A randomized, open-label, prospective clinical trial was conducted. Participants were 164 consecutive subjects included in a first episode program and never treated with antipsychotic medication. Patients were assigned to haloperidol, olanzapine or risperidone. The main outcome measures were changes at 1 year in fasting glucose parameters (glucose, insulin levels and insulin resistance index) and changes in fasting lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol). RESULTS: 144 of the total sample were evaluated at 1 year. There was a statistically significant increase in the mean values of insulin levels, insulin resistance index, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. No pathological values in fasting glucose plasma levels were found at baseline and there were no changes after 1 year. Weight gain was positively correlated with changes in insulin levels, insulin resistance index and triglyceride levels. We did not detect statistically significant differences between treatments in any of the parameters evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Fasting glycaemia and insulin concentrations at baseline do not support the hypothesis that schizophrenia is associated with an underlying abnormality in glucose metabolism. The changes in insulin and lipid parameters at 1 year seem to be related to the magnitude of weight gain. There were no significant differences between haloperidol, olanzapine and risperidone concerning metabolic adverse effects after the first year of treatment.

Effect of antipsychotic drugs on brain morphometry. A randomized controlled one-year follow-up study of haloperidol, risperidone and olanzapine.

BACKGROUND: The effect of antipsychotic drugs on brain morphology is under debate. Here we investigate the effects of risperidone, olanzapine and low doses of haloperidol on cortical and subcortical morphometry in first episode drug naïve patients with non-affective psychosis. METHODS: Morphological variables were measured in three treatment groups (haloperidol=18; risperidone=16; olanzapine=18) and in healthy subjects (N=38) at baseline and after one year. The relationship between brain morphometric changes and changes in clinical scores was also assessed. RESULTS: At one year, the three antipsychotics had had an equal effect on the gray matter cortical structure, overall and lobes (all p's>0.121.). A significant time-by-group interaction was found in lateral ventricle volume (F2,47=5.65; p=0.006). Post-hoc comparisons revealed a significant increase in lateral ventricles in patients treated with risperidone (p=0.009). Patients exposed to atypicals (olanzapine and risperidone) exhibited a decrease in caudate nucleus volume (p=0.001). In general, brain changes did not account in any significant manner for clinical changes over time in any treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that low doses of haloperidol, risperidone and olanzapine seem to have an equal effect on the gray matter cortical structure after 1 year of treatment. In contrast to typical antipsychotics, atypicals have differential effects on lateral ventricle and caudate nucleus volumes.

1-year follow-up study of cognitive function in first-episode non-affective psychosis.

The longitudinal course of primary cognitive dysfunction seen in schizophrenia has yet to be fully clarified. Whereas some studies in chronic patients have revealed a progressive decline in cognitive abilities, those studies with first-episode patients have indicated that initial cognitive deficits might remain stable over time. The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal course of cognitive functioning in patients with a first episode of schizophrenia. 112 patients with a first episode of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and 22 healthy controls completed clinical and cognitive evaluations at baseline and again after 1 year. An extensive neuropsychological battery that comprised seven cognitive domains was used. Patients and controls improved their cognitive performance in virtually all the cognitive domains after one year. However, patients continued to show marked cognitive deficits after one year, unlike healthy volunteers. The longitudinal cognitive changes were similar in patients and controls in all domains except Verbal Memory (F = 11.67; df = 1; P = 0.001). The increase in cognitive scores found during early phases of the illness seems to be associated to practice-related changes and would not reflect a real cognitive enhancement but rather stability of deficit. Patients' deficits remained stable over time in all cognitive domains except Verbal Memory, in which less performance improvement was found. Further investigations are warranted to discern the variability in patterns of specific cognitive deficits over time.

Epidemiological factors associated with treated incidence of first-episode non-affective psychosis in Cantabria: insights from the Clinical Programme on Early Phases of Psychosis.

AIM: The aim of the study was to analyse the treated incidence of schizophrenia in Cantabria (Northern Spain) and the sociodemographic risk factors associated with the illness onset. METHODS: Data were obtained from patients included in the Cantabria's Clinical Programme on First-Episode Psychosis (schizophrenia spectrum DSM-IV diagnosis) from 2001 to 2005, from the Cantabria first-episode schizophrenia study (carried out between 1988 and 1989) and from the 2001 Spanish census. RESULTS: Annual incidence was 1.38 per 10,000 inhabitants in the risk-ageperiod. Identified risk factors were male gender (relative risk (RR): 1.61), age 15-25 years (RR: 3.48), unemployment (RR: 2.82), single status (RR: 5.88), low educational level (RR: 4.38), urban environment (RR: 1.62) and cannabis consumption (odds ratio: 12.83). The incidence in females was significantly lower than the one obtained 15 years ago. CONCLUSIONS: The reported factors suggest that underlying biological and social factors modulate the risk of psychosis. This balance operates differently in males and females.

Weight gain induced by haloperidol, risperidone and olanzapine after 1 year: findings of a randomized clinical trial in a drug-naïve population.

BACKGROUND: There is little information about weight gain induced by antipsychotics at long-term. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the weight gain induced by first (haloperidol) and second generation antipsychotics (olanzapine and risperidone) in a cohort of drug-naïve subjects after 1 year of treatment. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized clinical trial, including a representative sample of first episode psychotic incident cases from a population area of 555.000 people. The main outcome measures were changes in body weight and body mass index at 3 months and at 12 months. Both a per protocol analysis and an intention to treat analysis were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 164 drug-naïve patients were included. At 12 months 144 patients were evaluated. Of them, 66% completed the protocol and 34% needed treatment switch. We found statistically significant differences in weight gain at 3 months: 3.8 kg (+/-4.1) for haloperidol, 5.9 kg (+/-5.1) for risperidone and 8.4 kg (+/-5.0) for olanzapine (F=7.045; p=0.002). After 1 year the difference in weight gain had disappeared: 9.7 kg (+/-5.7) for haloperidol, 8.9 kg (+/-8.8) for risperidone and 10.9 kg (+/-7.2) for olanzapine (F=0.817; p=0.445). CONCLUSIONS: Drug-naïve patients experience an extraordinary weight gain after 1 year of treatment with haloperidol, olanzapine or risperidone. The main difference among these treatments is the pattern of weight gain but not the final amount of weight gain.