Perceived insecurity, mental health and urbanization: Results from a multicentric study.

AIMS: This article aims to (1) explore the levels of perceived insecurity in a sample of patients with mood or anxiety disorders and (2) assess whether living in 'big cities' can influence the levels of patients' perceived insecurity and social contacts compared to living in a non-urbanized context. METHODS: A total of 24 Italian mental health centers (MHCs) have been invited to participate. Twenty patients consecutively accessing the MHC have been recruited. All patients have been assessed using validated assessment tools. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 426 patients, mostly female, with a mean age of 45 years. Globally, 52.2% of patients had a diagnosis of mood disorders, and 37.8% had anxiety disorders. Half of the sample declared that the main feeling toward life is uncertainty; higher levels of pessimistic views toward life have been detected in patients living in urban areas. A positive association between negative attitudes toward life and higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, poor social functioning and higher levels of perceived psychological distress has been found. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the presence of a common sense of perceived uncertainty among our sample. Such attitude toward life can have a detrimental impact on patients' psychological and physical well-being, contributing to high levels of distress.

Antipsychotic utilisation and polypharmacy in Italian residential facilities: a survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prescribing practices in psychiatric residential facilities, with particular focus both on the antipsychotic dose and polypharmacy as well as the variation of antipsychotic patterns during a patient's stay within the facilities. METHODS: Fifteen residential facilities of Liguria region in Italy were included. Data were collected through a chart review during a one-day census. Frequency of psychotropic patterns was estimated. Different non-parametric tests were used to analyse the changes in prescription patterns as well as the relationship among antipsychotic dose, the number of antipsychotics and anticholinergic use. RESULTS: The study sample includes 362 patients, 61.9% males. On the census day 77.5% of patients received psychotropic polypharmacy and 57.2% antipsychotic polypharmacy. Antipsychotic polypharmacy was related to the total antipsychotic daily dose and to anticholinergic use. A trend towards an increase of antipsychotic and psychotropic polypharmacy and higher doses of antipsychotics over the period of stay within the facilities was noted. This tendency was related to the length of stay in the facility. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to earlier studies in the same clinical environment a significant increase in the use of psychotropic and antipsychotic polypharmacy was observed. The risk of prescribed polypharmacy seems to be related to time spent in the facility.

Involving patients who attempt suicide in suicide prevention: a focus groups study.

The aim of this study is to gain insight into the individual experiences of patients who attempt suicide in order to better understand the reasons for and emotions behind a suicide attempt, thus also gaining insight, through the patients' own input, into the risk and protective factors which might influence possible repeat attempts and the attitude towards the assistance they receive. Two focus groups were conducted involving 17 participants, all hospitalized at the time of research for attempting suicide. The patients proved themselves competent, even expert in indicating reasons for, risk factors of and prevention strategies for suicide. The main findings suggest that the relational factor represents a key point both as a trigger for the suicide attempt and for promoting the communication of the intent or for preventing a repeat suicide attempt, as interpersonal relationships and an empathic environment were, in essence, what was perceived as therapeutic and protective and enabled the expression of thoughts and self-understanding. Accordingly psychotherapy, non-specific relationship 'monitoring' after discharge and tutored self-help groups have been suggested. Feasibility and implementing methods as well as the role of the nurse for such interventions were discussed.

Schizophrenia trial participation: perceived inclusion barriers and beliefs about antipsychotics.

BACKGROUND: Patient recruitment is the universal rate-limiting factor for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in all medical specialties. This study examined the opinions on perceived inclusion barriers and beliefs about antipsychotics of a group of psychiatrists participating in a pragmatic RCT on antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia (the GiSAS trial). METHODS: A survey of all clinicians working in the trial recruiting centers was performed exploring factors associated to the respondents' opinions. RESULTS: Of 465 clinicians, 278 (59.8%) responded to the questionnaire. Respondents (n=278) were mainly influenced by clinical and trial-related barriers (89%). Factors such as work setting and antipsychotic prescription choices appeared to be related to perceived inclusion barriers. Most respondents believed in the superiority of SGAs (62.9%), one-third indicating drug company representatives as the most important source of information; this was related to further optimism towards SGAs. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents were affected mainly by system-related barriers, whereas personal barriers were given less weight. The influence of industry-mediated information could have affected opinions on SGAs and the lack of uncertainty about antipsychotics attitudes towards trial participation.