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Ferrara F, Capuozzo M, Trama U, Nava E, Langella R, Valentino F, Zovi A. Covid-19 psychological distress: Analysis of antipsychotic drugs' use in an Italian population sample. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2024:S0003-4509(24)00064-6. [PMID: 38663841 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current pandemic, in addition to putting a strain on healthcare systems and global economies, has exacerbated psychiatric problems and undermined the mental health of many individuals. In an Italian cohort, this phenomenon has been assessed through a retrospective study aimed at evaluating the consumption and costs of antipsychotic drugs between 2020 and 2022. METHODS All dispensations made in local pharmacies accessible to the public have been extracted from a database called 'Sistema Tessera Sanitaria', which covers a population of approximately one million people residents in the ASL Napoli 3 Sud. Consumption data expressed in defined daily dose (DDD) and expenditure data expressed in Euro have been extrapolated. RESULTS The results in the years 2020-2021 were relatively consistent, with consumption and expenditure decreasing slightly from 2020 to 2021. In 2022, the results showed a decrease in consumption and expenditure (2,706,951.07 DDD and €1,700,897.47) representing the reduced accessibility of patients to the healthcare facilities due to the pandemic. However, it should be noted that the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole showed an upward trend, registering an increase in consumption. CONCLUSION Despite expectations of increased consumption of antipsychotic medications, real-world evidence indicated a different phenomenon, with the pandemic seemingly not affecting the consumption of these drugs. The difficulty in accessing care and medical appointments has probably influenced this data, masking the therapeutic needs of citizens. It will be necessary to assess in the coming years, as normal clinical activity resumes, whether there will be a growing consumption of these medications, which represent one of the main expenditure categories for the National Healthcare System.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ferrara
- Pharmaceutical department, Asl Napoli 3 Sud, 22, Dell'amicizia street, 80035 Nola, Naples, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Capuozzo
- Pharmaceutical department, Asl Napoli 3 Sud, 3, Marittima street, 80056 Ercolano, Naples, Italy
| | - Ugo Trama
- General Direction for Health Protection and Coordination of the Campania Regional Health System, Naples, Italy
| | - Eduardo Nava
- Pharmaceutical department, Asl Napoli 3 Sud, 22, Dell'amicizia street, 80035 Nola, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Langella
- Italian Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SIFO), SIFO Secretariat of the Lombardy Region, 81, Carlo-Farini street, 20159 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Zovi
- Ministry of Health, 5, viale Giorgio-Ribotta, 00144 Rome, Italy
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Rainford A, Moran S, McMahon E, Fahy YP, McDonald C, Hallahan B. A longitudinal evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a cohort of patients treated with clozapine. Ir J Psychol Med 2023; 40:396-401. [PMID: 35156601 DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2021.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We previously demonstrated that three months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on individuals with treatment-resistant psychotic disorders was modest. Here, we examined and compared the psychological and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the same patient cohort 12 months after their initial study engagement. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 54 individuals (85.7% response rate) between June 12 and July 29, 2021, 12 months after their initial interviews. Participants' subjective experience of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety symptoms, social and vocational functioning was measured utilising the same Likert scales at both time points. Anxiety symptoms were additionally measured using subjective (Beck Anxiety Inventory) and objective (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS)) psychometric instruments. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon ranked tests compared parametric or non-parametric data over time. Free-text responses pertaining to participants' perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 were grouped into themes. RESULTS A minor increase in anxiety symptoms was demonstrated utilising the HARS (1.9 points, z = 3.017, p = 0.003), with a minimal increase in depressive symptoms noted using Likert ratings (0.8 points, z = 2.119, p = 0.034). Five themes were identified with the most prevalent being (i) positivity regarding vaccination, (ii) social isolation from family members and (iii) looking forward to post-COVID-19 'normality'. However, negative views pertaining to the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 and vaccination were additionally reported. CONCLUSIONS No significant overall clinical change in symptomatology or functioning over time was noted.The study demonstrated that positive views regarding vaccination and optimism for the future were evident for some participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoibheann Rainford
- School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - S Moran
- School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Eimear McMahon
- School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Colm McDonald
- School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Brian Hallahan
- School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Kaltenboeck A, Portela Millinger F, Stadtmann S, Schmid C, Amering M, Vogl S, Fellinger M. How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect the personal lives and care realities of people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder? A qualitative interview study. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1239-1249. [PMID: 36864811 PMCID: PMC9988625 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231156833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes one of the greatest recent public crises. This study explored its influence on the lives and care realities of people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). METHODS Between October 2020 and April 2021, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 volunteers with SSDs receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment in Vienna (Austria). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. RESULTS Three main themes were identified. First, 'Pandemic life is deprived, lonely and surreal - though certain aspects can be perceived as positive'. Second, 'Bio-psycho-social support systems were struck at their core by the pandemic and were left severely compromised'. Last, 'There is a complex interplay between one's prior experience of psychosis and the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic'. The pandemic situation affected interviewees in various ways. For many, it led to a drastic reduction in day-to-day and social activities and contributed to an atmosphere of strangeness and threat. Bio-psycho-social support providers frequently suspended their services and offered alternatives were not always helpful. Participants indicated that whilst having an SSD might render them vulnerable to the pandemic situation, prior experience with psychotic crises can also provide knowledge, skills and self-confidence which enable better coping. Some interviewees also perceived aspects of the pandemic situation as helpful for recovering from psychosis. CONCLUSION Healthcare providers must acknowledge the perspectives and needs of people with SSDs in present and future public health crises to ensure proper clinical support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kaltenboeck
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Filipe Portela Millinger
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Stadtmann
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
- Sozialpsychiatrisches Zentrum, Caritas der Erzdiözese Wien, Austria
| | - Christine Schmid
- Department of Psychology and Ergonomics, Technical University Berlin, Germany
| | - Michaela Amering
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Vogl
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Matthäus Fellinger
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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Maglia M, Signorelli MS, Petralia A, Verduzzo I, Carmen C, Rodolico A, Di Piazza J, Caponnetto P. A Clinical Psychological View about Delusional Characterizations in Subjects with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder during the COVID-19 Period. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12072698. [PMID: 37048782 PMCID: PMC10094991 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12072698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
(Background) The period experienced during the COVID-19 virus and the respective social regulations associated with it caused enormous psychosocial stress. (Objective) The objective of the present work was to observe whether the lived period induced a change in delusional characterizations in subjects with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. (Methods) A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines for systematic reviews of the PRISMA GROUP. The literature search was conducted from November 2021 to May 2022, using various scientific platforms including PubMed. (Results) A total of 865 articles were found, from which 176 duplicates were removed. The remaining articles were reviewed by reading the titles and abstracts; fourteen were included. (Conclusions) During this research, it was possible to confirm the initial thesis, namely that delirium absorbs external reality by being modified by it. It was observed that the speed of absorption is estimated to be directly proportional to the speed of the modification of social reality and to the impact that the latter has on the subject's private sphere. Moreover, the situation of radical change represented a condition of abnormal psychosocial stress, which led to an increase in diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and, specifically, a weighty increase in diagnoses of brief psychotic disorder (BDP). In the coming years, it is estimated that there will be an increase in diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum disorder caused by both environmental and biological factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Maglia
- Department of Educational Sciences, Section of Psychology, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (COEHAR), University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Petralia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Idria Verduzzo
- Department of Educational Sciences, Section of Psychology, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Concerto Carmen
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rodolico
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Jennifer Di Piazza
- Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Pasquale Caponnetto
- Department of Educational Sciences, Section of Psychology, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (COEHAR), University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
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First episode psychosis during the Covid-19 pandemic in Milan, Italy: Diagnostic outcomes at 1-year follow-up. Psychiatry Res 2023; 321:115068. [PMID: 36724649 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
An influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on First Episode Psychosis (FEP) has been hypothesized. We previously reported an increase of FEP during the early stages of the pandemic in Milan, Italy. Here we report a 1-year follow-up of the same cohort and comparison with a FEP cohort from 2019. The higher proportion of non-chronic psychoses observed during the pandemic (58.62% in 2020 vs 43,75% in 2019) should be confirmed in larger cohorts over a longer follow-up period.
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Testoni I. New Psychological Perspectives on Death and Dying-Between Normality and the COVID-19 Emergency. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:414. [PMID: 36354391 PMCID: PMC9687007 DOI: 10.3390/bs12110414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, there has been a constantly increasing preoccupation with physical perfection and the scientific urge to improve life expectancy [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Testoni
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy;
- Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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