Association between schizophrenia and syphilis: a retrospective study in Xiamen, China

Syphilis susceptibility factors atlas: A wide-angled Mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVE

The pathogenic mechanisms of syphilis and the host defense mechanisms against syphilis remain poorly understood. Exploration of the susceptibility factors of syphilis may provide crucial clues for unraveling its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

A two-sample Mendelian Randomization framework was utilized, and the inverse-variance weighted method was used as the main analysis. All data was sourced from Genome-wide association studies datasets from 2015 to 2022 in Europe, and all participants were of European descent. Only summary-level statistics were used. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the heterogeneity and pleiotropy of the datasets.

RESULTS

Our study established 18 exposure factors (12 risk factors and 6 protective factors) for syphilis susceptibility. Twelve factors encompassing body mass index, waist circumference, darker natural skin, cooked vegetable intake, processed meat intake, diabetes mellitus, glucose regulation disorders, gout, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, diverticulitis, and longer menstrual cycles were found to increase susceptibility to syphilis. In contrast, 6 factors including easier skin tanning, blonde natural hair color, irritability, higher neuroticism scores, extended sleep duration, and delayed age at first sexual intercourse were connected to a reduced risk of syphilis infection (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified 18 influencing factors of syphilis susceptibility. These findings offered novel insights for further probing into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of syphilis and underscored the importance of multifaceted prevention strategies against syphilis.

Sexually transmitted infections, sexual life and risk behaviours of people living with schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), along with sexual health and behaviour, have received little attention in schizophrenia patients.

AIMS

To systematically review and meta-analytically characterise the prevalence of STIs and sexual risk behaviours among schizophrenia patients.

METHOD

Web of Science, PubMed, BIOSIS, KCI-Korean Journal Database, MEDLINE, Russian Science Citation Index, SciELO and Cochrane Central Register were systematically searched from inception to 6 July 2023. Studies reporting on the prevalence or odds ratio of any STI or any outcome related to sexual risk behaviours among schizophrenia samples were included. PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant (CRD42023443602) random-effects meta-analyses were used for the selected outcomes. Q-statistics, I2 index, sensitivity analyses and meta-regressions were used. Study quality and publication bias were assessed.

RESULTS

Forty-eight studies (N = 2 459 456) reporting on STI prevalence (including 15 allowing for calculation of an odds ratio) and 33 studies (N = 4255) reporting on sexual risk behaviours were included. Schizophrenia samples showed a high prevalence of STIs and higher risks of HIV (odds ratio = 2.11; 95% CI 1.23-3.63), hepatitis C virus (HCV, odds ratio = 4.54; 95% CI 2.15-961) and hepatitis B virus (HBV; odds ratio = 2.42; 95% CI 1.95-3.01) infections than healthy controls. HIV prevalence was higher in Africa compared with other continents and in in-patient (rather than out-patient) settings. Finally, 37.7% (95% CI 31.5-44.4%) of patients were sexually active; 35.0% (95% CI 6.6-59.3%) reported consistent condom use, and 55.3% (95% CI 25.0-82.4%) maintained unprotected sexual relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

Schizophrenia patients have high prevalence of STIs, with several-fold increased risks of HIV, HBV and HCV infection compared with the general population. Sexual health must be considered as an integral component of care.

Effectiveness of Group Patient-Led Life Skills Training on Function and Self-Efficacy for People With Schizophrenia: A Quasi-Experimental Study

The current quasi-experimental study evaluated the effectiveness of group patient-led life skills training (LST) on functional recovery and self-efficacy of people with schizophrenia. Two psychiatric units in a mental health center were randomly assigned to intervention (first psychiatric unit) and control (second psychiatric unit) groups. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. The intervention group (n = 51) received group patient-led LST, and the control group (n = 53) received routine mental health care services. Outcomes on patients' functional recovery and self-efficacy between groups were compared at baseline, during the intervention (4 weeks), and immediately after the intervention (8 weeks). Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Results showed that the intervention improved functional recovery and self-efficacy of people with schizophrenia (p < 0.05). Therefore, it is recommended that group patient-led LST be integrated in therapy for people with schizophrenia to facilitate their functional recovery and help them achieve their highest potential for independent living. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(2), 60-67.].

Validation of the 30-item nurses' observation scale for inpatient evaluation and mental health-care promotion

CONTEXT

The 30-item nurses' observation scale for inpatient evaluation (NOSIE-30) developed for the behavioral and observational rating of psychiatric inpatients.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validation of the NOSIE-30 and mental health-care promotion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The participants with psychiatric disorders were selected from 310 inpatients referred to the military educational hospital in Iran. This study was carried out in two phases: First, translation of the NOSIE-30 into Persian followed the stepwise, iterative procedures developed by the International Quality of Life Assessment project approach. Second, face validity, criterion-related validity and construct validity, and reliability of the Persian version were determined. The concurrent validity was assessed by using the global assessment of functioning (GAF) instrument. Data were analyzed with the SPSS software of version 22. Exploratory factor analysis, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and interrater agreement with intraclass correlation coefficient and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to data analysis.

RESULTS

Pearson's correlation coefficient between the NOSIE and GAF was 0.75. The interrater reliability for subscale scores and structure of the NOSIE were ranging from 0.70 to 0.94 and Cohen's kappa = 0.74. Furthermore, the internal consistency of the scale's total scores was estimated by Cronbach's alpha = 0.85.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding indicated that NOSIE-30 Persian version scale has the desirable validity and reliability for evaluating the nursing care of inpatients. Thus, nurses can promote mental health care by applying this scale in the psychiatric setting.