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Mental health and the effects on methylation of stress-related genes in front-line versus other health care professionals during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian pilot study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 273:347-356. [PMID: 36001138 PMCID: PMC9399986 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01472-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Healthcare workers experienced high degree of stress during COVID-19. Purpose of the present article is to compare mental health (depressive and Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorders-PTSD-symptoms) and epigenetics aspects (degree of methylation of stress-related genes) in front-line healthcare professionals versus healthcare working in non-COVID-19 wards. Sixty-eight healthcare workers were included in the study: 39 were working in COVID-19 wards (cases) and 29 in non-COVID wards (controls). From all participants, demographic and clinical information were collected by an ad-hoc questionnaire. Depressive and PTSD symptoms were evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), respectively. Methylation analyses of 9 promoter/regulatory regions of genes known to be implicated in depression/PTSD (ADCYAP1, BDNF, CRHR1, DRD2, IGF2, LSD1/KDM1A, NR3C1, OXTR, SLC6A4) were performed on DNA from blood samples by the MassARRAY EpiTYPER platform, with MassCleave settings. Controls showed more frequent lifetime history of anxiety/depression with respect to cases (χ2 = 5.72, p = 0.03). On the contrary, cases versus controls presented higher PHQ-9 (t = 2.13, p = 0.04), PHQ-9 sleep item (t = 2.26, p = 0.03), IES-R total (t = 2.17, p = 0.03), IES-R intrusion (t = 2.46, p = 0.02), IES-R avoidance (t = 1.99, p = 0.05) mean total scores. Methylation levels at CRHR1, DRD2 and LSD1 genes was significantly higher in cases with respect to controls (p < 0.01, p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively). Frontline health professionals experienced more negative effects on mental health during COVID-19 pandemic than non-frontline healthcare workers. Methylation levels were increased in genes regulating HPA axis (CRHR1) and dopamine neurotransmission (DRD2 and LSD1), thus supporting the involvement of these biological processes in depression/PTSD and indicating that methylation of these genes can be modulated by stress conditions, such as working as healthcare front-line during COVID-19 pandemic.
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Synovial Fluid-Derived Extracellular Vesicles of Patients with Arthritides Contribute to Hippocampal Synaptic Dysfunctions and Increase with Mood Disorders Severity in Humans. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152276. [PMID: 35892573 PMCID: PMC9331474 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Arthritides are a highly heterogeneous group of disorders that include two major clinical entities, localized joint disorders such as osteoarthritis (OA) and systemic autoimmune-driven diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Arthritides are characterized by chronic debilitating musculoskeletal conditions and systemic chronic inflammation. Poor mental health is also one of the most common comorbidities of arthritides. Depressive symptoms which are most prevalent, negatively impact patient global assessment diminishing the probability of achieving the target of clinical remission. Here, we investigated new insights into mechanisms that link different joint disorders to poor mental health, and to this issue, we explored the action of the synovial fluid-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) on neuronal function. Our data show that the exposure of neurons to different concentrations of EVs derived from both RA and OA synovial fluids (RA-EVs and OA-EVs) leads to increased excitatory synaptic transmission but acts on specific modifications on excitatory or inhibitory synapses, as evidenced by electrophysiological and confocal experiments carried out in hippocampal cultures. The treatment of neurons with EVs membrane is also responsible for generating similar effects to those found with intact EVs suggesting that changes in neuronal ability arise upon EVs membrane molecules′ interactions with neurons. In humans with arthritides, we found that nearly half of patients (37.5%) showed clinically significant psychiatric symptoms (CGIs score ≥ 3), and at least mild anxiety (HAM-A ≥ 7) or depression (MADRS and HAM-D ≥ 7); interestingly, these individuals revealed an increased concentration of synovial EVs. In conclusion, our data showing opposite changes at the excitatory and inhibitory levels in neurons treated with OA- and RA-EVs, lay the scientific basis for personalized medicine in OA and RA patients, and identify EVs as new potential actionable biomarkers in patients with OA/RA with poor mental health.
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Buoli M, Capuzzi E, Caldiroli A, Ceresa A, Esposito CM, Posio C, Auxilia AM, Capellazzi M, Tagliabue I, Surace T, Legnani F, Cirella L, Di Paolo M, Nosari G, Zanelli Quarantini F, Clerici M, Colmegna F, Dakanalis A. Clinical and Biological Factors Are Associated with Treatment-Resistant Depression. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12020034. [PMID: 35200285 PMCID: PMC8869369 DOI: 10.3390/bs12020034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a debilitating condition associated with unmet clinical needs. Few studies have explored clinical characteristics and serum biomarkers associated with TRD. Aims: We investigated whether there were differences in clinical and biochemical variables between patients affected by TRD than those without. Methods: We recruited 343 patients (165 males and 178 females) consecutively hospitalized for MDD to the inpatient clinics affiliated to the Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico, Milan, Italy (n = 234), and ASST Monza, Italy (n = 109). Data were obtained through a screening of the clinical charts and blood analyses conducted during the hospitalization. Results: TRD versus non-TRD patients resulted to be older (p = 0.001), to have a longer duration of illness (p < 0.001), to be more currently treated with a psychiatric poly-therapy (p < 0.001), to have currently more severe depressive symptoms as showed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scores (p = 0.016), to have lower bilirubin plasma levels (p < 0.001). In addition, more lifetime suicide attempts (p = 0.035), more antidepressant treatments before the current episode (p < 0.001), and a lower neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio at borderline statistically significant level (p = 0.060) were all associated with the TRD group. Conclusion: We identified candidate biomarkers associated with TRD such as bilirubin plasma levels and NLR, to be confirmed by further studies. Moreover, TRD seems to be associated with unfavorable clinical factors such as a predisposition to suicidal behaviors. Future research should replicate these results to provide robust data in support of the identification of new targets of treatment and implementation of prevention strategies for TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Buoli
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.B.); (C.M.E.); (C.P.); (T.S.); (F.L.); (L.C.); (M.D.P.); (G.N.); (F.Z.Q.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Capuzzi
- Psychiatric Department, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Monza, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.C.); (A.C.); (M.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Alice Caldiroli
- Psychiatric Department, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Monza, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.C.); (A.C.); (M.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Alessandro Ceresa
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.B.); (C.M.E.); (C.P.); (T.S.); (F.L.); (L.C.); (M.D.P.); (G.N.); (F.Z.Q.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-55035983
| | - Cecilia Maria Esposito
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.B.); (C.M.E.); (C.P.); (T.S.); (F.L.); (L.C.); (M.D.P.); (G.N.); (F.Z.Q.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Posio
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.B.); (C.M.E.); (C.P.); (T.S.); (F.L.); (L.C.); (M.D.P.); (G.N.); (F.Z.Q.)
| | - Anna Maria Auxilia
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.M.A.); (M.C.); (I.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Martina Capellazzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.M.A.); (M.C.); (I.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Ilaria Tagliabue
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.M.A.); (M.C.); (I.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Teresa Surace
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.B.); (C.M.E.); (C.P.); (T.S.); (F.L.); (L.C.); (M.D.P.); (G.N.); (F.Z.Q.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Psychiatric Department, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Monza, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.C.); (A.C.); (M.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Francesca Legnani
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.B.); (C.M.E.); (C.P.); (T.S.); (F.L.); (L.C.); (M.D.P.); (G.N.); (F.Z.Q.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Cirella
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.B.); (C.M.E.); (C.P.); (T.S.); (F.L.); (L.C.); (M.D.P.); (G.N.); (F.Z.Q.)
| | - Martina Di Paolo
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.B.); (C.M.E.); (C.P.); (T.S.); (F.L.); (L.C.); (M.D.P.); (G.N.); (F.Z.Q.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Nosari
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.B.); (C.M.E.); (C.P.); (T.S.); (F.L.); (L.C.); (M.D.P.); (G.N.); (F.Z.Q.)
| | - Francesco Zanelli Quarantini
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.B.); (C.M.E.); (C.P.); (T.S.); (F.L.); (L.C.); (M.D.P.); (G.N.); (F.Z.Q.)
| | - Massimo Clerici
- Psychiatric Department, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Monza, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.C.); (A.C.); (M.C.); (F.C.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.M.A.); (M.C.); (I.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Fabrizia Colmegna
- Psychiatric Department, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Monza, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.C.); (A.C.); (M.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Antonios Dakanalis
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.M.A.); (M.C.); (I.T.); (A.D.)
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Ferrucci SM, Tavecchio S, Angileri L, Surace T, Berti E, Buoli M. Factors Associated with Affective Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis. Acta Derm Venereol 2021; 101:adv00590. [PMID: 34518893 PMCID: PMC9455335 DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to detect demographic and clinical factors associated with affective symptoms and quality of life in patients with severe atopic dermatitis. First, one-way analyses of variance and correlations were performed to compare a large set of qualitative and quantitative clinical variables. Three final multivariable regression models were performed, with depression/anxiety subscales and Dermatology Life Quality Index scores as dependent variables, and the factors that were statistically significant on univariate analyses as independent ones. More severe anxiety symptoms and poorer quality of life (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with more severe depressive symptoms. Female sex and disturbed sleep (p = 0.03) were significantly associated with more severe anxiety. Finally, previous treatment with cyclosporine (p = 0.03) or methotrexate (p = 0.04), more severe depressive symptoms (p < 0.01), itch (p = 0.03), impaired sleep (p < 0.01) and perceived severity of dermatological illness (p < 0.01) were significant predictors of low quality of life. This study shows a complex interplay between the severity of atopic dermatitis, poor quality of life and presence of clinically relevant affective symptoms. These results will help dermatologists to identify patients who need psychiatric consultation within the framework of a multidisciplinary approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Massimiliano Buoli
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, IT-20122, Milan, Italy.
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Ingegnoli F, Buoli M, Posio C, Di Taranto R, Lo Muscio A, Cumbo E, Ostuzzi S, Caporali R. COVID-19 related poor mental health and sleep disorders in rheumatic patients: a citizen science project. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:385. [PMID: 34344329 PMCID: PMC8330176 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03389-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with chronic rheumatic diseases (RDs) are more vulnerable and the containment measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic might have severe psychological consequences. We investigated the presence of and risk factors associated with poor mental health, sleep disorders among RDs during the pandemic. METHODS This cross-sectional Italian citizen science project evaluated the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with RDs. Between May and September 2020, eleven RD patients' associations sent the survey by using their mailing list and the related webpage and social network. 507 RD patients completed an ad-hoc anonymous online survey including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). RESULTS The mean scores on the PSS-10 and the IES-R were 18.1 and 29.7, respectively. Higher PSS scores were associated with younger age (p < 0.01), female gender (p < 0.01), overweight/obesity (p = 0.01), psychiatric pharmacotherapy (p < 0.01), and anxiety for loss of income (p < 0.01). Higher IES-R scores were associated with female gender (p < 0.01), intestinal diseases (p = 0.03), anxiety (p < 0.01), and health concern (p < 0.01). Among 375 patients with inflammatory arthritis, 246 (65.6%) had trouble staying asleep, 238 (63.5%) falling asleep, and 112 (29.9%) had dreams about the pandemic. Older age (OR = 1.038, CI 1.002-1.076), psychiatric pharmacotherapy (OR = 25.819, CI 11.465-58.143), and COVID infection (OR = 2.783, CI 1.215-6.372) were predictive of insomnia during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS A considerable COVID-19 related psychosocial burden has been detected in RDs. Different factors were predictive of poor mental health and sleep disorders in these patients. Focused supportive strategies should be implemented to improve the psychological well-being of fragile patients during pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ingegnoli
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122, Milan, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Buoli
- grid.414818.00000 0004 1757 8749Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Posio
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Di Taranto
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini, Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lo Muscio
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Cumbo
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini, Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Ostuzzi
- ALOMAR Lombard Association for Rheumatic Diseases, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Caporali
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini, Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
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Ingegnoli F, Buoli M, Antonucci F, Coletto LA, Esposito CM, Caporali R. The Link Between Autonomic Nervous System and Rheumatoid Arthritis: From Bench to Bedside. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:589079. [PMID: 33365319 PMCID: PMC7750536 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.589079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal stimulation is an emerging field of research focused on the management and treatment of various diseases through the reestablishment of physiological homeostasis. Electrical vagus nerve stimulation has recently been proposed as a revolutionary therapeutic option for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in combination with or even as a replacement for conventional and biological drugs. In the past few years, disruption of the autonomic system has been linked to RA onset and activity. Novel research on the link between the autonomic nervous system and the immune system (immune-autonomics) has paved the way for the development of innovative RA management strategies. Clinical evidence supports this approach. Cardiovascular involvement, in terms of reduced baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability-derived indices, and mood disorders, common comorbidities in patients with RA, have been linked to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, which in turn is influenced by increased levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. This narrative review provides an overview of the autonomic nervous system and RA connection, discussing most of the common cardiac and mental health-related RA comorbidities and their potential relationships to systemic and joint inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ingegnoli
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Gaetano Pini Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Buoli
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca'Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Antonucci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lavinia Agra Coletto
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Gaetano Pini Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Maria Esposito
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca'Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Caporali
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Gaetano Pini Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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