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Aymerich C, Pedruzo B, Salazar de Pablo G, Olazabal N, Catalan A, González-Torres MÁ. Number and nature of psychiatric emergency department visits in a tertiary hospital before, during, and after coronavirus pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1380401. [PMID: 38699456 PMCID: PMC11063275 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1380401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health globally, leading to a deterioration in the overall mental health of the population and changes across all healthcare levels, including emergency departments (ED). However, the evolution of the quantity and nature of psychiatric ED visits in the post-pandemic period remains uncertain. Aims To examine changes in the number and nature of psychiatric emergencies at a general hospital before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods Psychiatric ED visits from a tertiary hospital in the Basque Country (Spain) between January 2019 and November 2023 were investigated. Electronical health registers detailing the number and nature of psychiatric care consultations were analyzed for the study timeframe. Three periods were then compared: pre-pandemic (from January 2019 to February 2020), pandemic (from March 2020 to January 2022), and post-pandemic (from February 2022 onwards). Results 16,969 psychiatric ED visits were recorded for the study period. The number of psychiatric ED visits remained stable from pre-pandemic (269.93 visits/month) to pandemic (264.48 visits/month) periods but experienced a significant rise during the post-pandemic period (330.00 visits/month; t=-6.42; p<0.001), which was not reflected in medical and traumatological visits. The proportion of visits for anxiety (Z=-2.97; p=0.003), suicidal ideation (Z=-5.48; p<0.001), and administrative and social consultations (Z=-5.69; p<0.001) increased over the course of the pandemic. In contrast, visits for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (Z=4.85; p<0.001), as well as unspecified behavioral alterations (Z=2.51; p=0.012), significantly decreased. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have altered the patterns of urgent psychiatric care, characterized by a sharp increase of average monthly number of consultations and a shift in their nature. Future efforts should focus on characterizing this surge in demand and enhancing both emergency services and outpatient settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Aymerich
- Psychiatry Department, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza, Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain
- Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Organización Sanitaria Integrada (OSI) Bilbao-Basurto, Bilbao, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Borja Pedruzo
- Psychiatry Department, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza, Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain
- Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Organización Sanitaria Integrada (OSI) Bilbao-Basurto, Bilbao, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Salazar de Pablo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, South London and Maudsley, NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, IiSGM, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nora Olazabal
- Psychiatry Department, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza, Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain
- Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Organización Sanitaria Integrada (OSI) Bilbao-Basurto, Bilbao, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Ana Catalan
- Psychiatry Department, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza, Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain
- Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Organización Sanitaria Integrada (OSI) Bilbao-Basurto, Bilbao, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel Ángel González-Torres
- Psychiatry Department, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza, Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain
- Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Organización Sanitaria Integrada (OSI) Bilbao-Basurto, Bilbao, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
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Duarte MP, Joncas J, Parent S, Duval M, Chémaly O, Brassard F, Mac-Thiong JM, Barchi S, Labelle H. A Dangerous Curve: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Brace Treatment in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Global Spine J 2024; 14:513-518. [PMID: 35816368 PMCID: PMC9274152 DOI: 10.1177/21925682221113487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Observational Cohort study. OBJECTIVES We aim to document the abandon and irregular compliance rate towards brace treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on AIS progression. METHODS We reviewed a database of AIS patients recruited between March and September 2020. We included AIS patients under brace treatment according to SRS criteria. The patients were divided in 2 cohorts: those with self-reported Good-Compliance (GC) to treatment and those who had a Bad-Compliance (BC). Data analysis included biometric and radiographic data at first visit and last follow-up and percentage of progression. Unpaired student-t tests and Chi2 were used for comparison. RESULTS 152 patients met inclusion criteria. 89 patients (age:12.1y.o.±1.4) reported good adherence to treatment, while 63 patients (age:12.7y.o.±1.8) were not compliant. Within the BC group, 18 patients reported irregular brace wear, while 45 had completely abandoned treatment (abandon rate of 29%). The GC cohort started treatment with a mean main thoracic (MT) curve of 26° and finished with 27°. The mean difference between measurements was +.65°±7.5; mean progression rate was -4.6%. However, the BC cohort started with a mean MT curve of 27° and finished with 32°, with a mean increase of +5°±8 and a mean progression rate of -13%. The differences between the 2 cohorts were statistically significant (P = .0002). Six patients from the BC group progressed and were offered surgery. CONCLUSION The abandon rate of brace treatment in AIS significantly increased during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who voluntarily discontinued treatment had significant increases in curve progression and surgical indication rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matias Pereira Duarte
- Orthopaedic Division, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- University of Montreal, Surgery Department, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Julie Joncas
- Orthopaedic Division, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Stefan Parent
- Orthopaedic Division, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- University of Montreal, Surgery Department, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mylène Duval
- Orthopaedic Division, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Olivier Chémaly
- Orthopaedic Division, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- University of Montreal, Surgery Department, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Félix Brassard
- Orthopaedic Division, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- University of Montreal, Surgery Department, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-Marc Mac-Thiong
- Orthopaedic Division, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- University of Montreal, Surgery Department, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Soraya Barchi
- Orthopaedic Division, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Hubert Labelle
- Orthopaedic Division, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- University of Montreal, Surgery Department, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Tsamakis K, Tsiptsios D, Stubbs B, Ma R, Romano E, Mueller C, Ahmad A, Triantafyllis AS, Tsitsas G, Dragioti E. Summarising data and factors associated with COVID-19 related conspiracy theories in the first year of the pandemic: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:244. [PMID: 36320071 PMCID: PMC9623972 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00959-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Conspiracy theories can have particularly harmful effects by negatively shaping health-related behaviours. A significant number of COVID-19 specific conspiracy theories emerged in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic outbreak. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic (2020), to identify their prevalence, their determinants and their public health consequences. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in PubMed and PsycINFO to detect all studies examining any conspiracy theory related to COVID-19 between January 1st 2020, and January 10th 2021. Forty-three studies were included with a total of 61,809 participants. Between 0.4 and 82.7% of participants agreed with at least one conspiracy belief. Certain sociodemographic factors (young age, female gender, being non-white, lower socioeconomic status), psychological aspects (pessimism, blaming others, anger) and other qualities (political conservatism, religiosity, mistrust in science and using social media as source of information) were associated with increased acceptance of conspiracy theories. Conspiracy beliefs led to harmful health-related behaviours and posed a serious public health threat. Large-scale collaborations between governments and healthcare organizations are needed to curb the spread of conspiracy theories and their adverse consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Tsamakis
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.5216.00000 0001 2155 0800Second Department of Psychiatry, Attikon University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece ,grid.264200.20000 0000 8546 682XInstitute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George’s University of London, London, UK
| | - Dimitrios Tsiptsios
- grid.12284.3d0000 0001 2170 8022Neurology Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Brendon Stubbs
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.37640.360000 0000 9439 0839South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London, UK
| | - Ruimin Ma
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Eugenia Romano
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Christoph Mueller
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.37640.360000 0000 9439 0839South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London, UK
| | - Ayesha Ahmad
- grid.264200.20000 0000 8546 682XInstitute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George’s University of London, London, UK
| | - Andreas S. Triantafyllis
- grid.414012.20000 0004 0622 6596Department of Cardiology, Asklepeion General Hospital Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Tsitsas
- grid.15823.3d0000 0004 0622 2843Counselling Centre, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - Elena Dragioti
- grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Wójcik D, Kutnik J, Szalewski L, Borowicz J. Predictors of stress among dentists during the COVID-19 epidemic. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7859. [PMID: 35552453 PMCID: PMC9096752 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11519-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between personality traits, self-esteem and life satisfaction, and also the stress level, among dentists during the COVID-19 outbreak. In order to confirm our hypotheses, 310 active dentists aged 25–64 years who were practising during the first wave of COVID-19 in Poland were examined. The IPIP-BFM-20 self-report questionnaire was used to measure personality traits, the popular Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to assess self-esteem, the five-item Satisfaction with Life Scale was used to measure life satisfaction and the four-item version of the Perceived Stress Scale was used to measure stress. The dependent variable—stress—correlates negatively with traits in relation to the dimensions of extraversion (r = −0.17, p < 0.01), emotional stability (r = −0.35, p < 0.01) and intellect (r = −0.16, p < 0.01); it also has a negative correlation with self-esteem (r = −0.37, p < 0.01) and life satisfaction (r = −0.35, p < 0.01). Among the analysed variables, the highest correlations are observed for the following: self-esteem and emotional stability (r = 0.51, p < 0.01); self-esteem and life satisfaction (r = 0.49, p < 0.01); extraversion and intellect (r = 0.47, p < 0.01). Considering the measures of mediation relevance and pathway relevance, it can be assumed that both self-esteem and life satisfaction have a mediating function in the relationship between agreeableness, emotional stability and stress: the relationship between emotional stability and stress is negative whereas that between agreeableness and stress is positive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Wójcik
- Department of Dental Prosthetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Jan Kutnik
- Department of Personality Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Leszek Szalewski
- Digital Dentistry Lab Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiodiagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Janusz Borowicz
- Department of Dental Prosthetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Tsamakis K, Mueller C. Challenges in Predicting Cognitive Decline in Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2021; 50:1-8. [PMID: 33780925 DOI: 10.1159/000515008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is under-recognized and carries a worse prognosis than other subtypes of the condition. Cognitive impairment is a cardinal feature of all types of dementia and DLB presents with a distinct profile with deficits in attention, executive function, and visuoperceptual abilities. This difference from Alzheimer's disease and the common presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms may lead to challenges in predicting cognitive decline in this patient population. Firstly, the diagnosis of DLB is often delayed in clinical practice leading to variability from which time point in the disease course cognitive decline is measured. Secondly, the most frequently used measurement tools for cognitive difficulties focus on memory and naming rather than the domains affected by DLB. While there is now largely a consensus which tools are useful in diagnosing DLB, their validity in assessing deteriorating cognition is less clear. Thirdly, the presence of fluctuating cognition, the propensity to develop delirium episodes, as well as difficulties in distinguishing the two entities in clinical practice make it difficult to predict the disease course. Sleep disturbances are likely to influence cognitive decline but require further study in patients within established DLB. Fourthly, as in most cases of dementia, neuropathological comorbidities are frequently present in DLB. While the influence of Alzheimer's pathology on cognitive decline in DLB is comparatively well understood, the impact of other pathologies remains unclear. The recent definition of research criteria for mild cognitive impairment in DLB could facilitate earlier diagnosis and more structured follow-up. Assessment tools measuring cognitive domains predominantly affected in DLB need to be more consistently used in longitudinal studies and clinical practice, as well as concurrent measures of fluctuations in cognition. Greater availability of biomarkers and digital healthcare solutions can play an important role in enabling more accurate monitoring and prediction of cognitive decline in DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Tsamakis
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Second Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University General Hospital 'ATTIKON', Athens, Greece
| | - Christoph Mueller
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Tsamakis K, Tsiptsios D, Ouranidis A, Mueller C, Schizas D, Terniotis C, Nikolakakis N, Tyros G, Kympouropoulos S, Lazaris A, Spandidos DA, Smyrnis N, Rizos E. COVID-19 and its consequences on mental health (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:244. [PMID: 33603852 PMCID: PMC7851613 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
As one year is approaching since the beginning of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is important to acknowledge the detrimental effect that it is having on mental health at the individual, societal and public health levels. The current review presents the direct and indirect psychological impact of COVID-19 on the general public, as well as on vulnerable groups, including the elderly, the young, healthcare professionals, people with pre-existing mental health issues, those infected by COVID-19, homeless people and refugees. Important findings are discussed in the present review, including the social stigma in older people associated with portraying COVID-19 as the disease of the elderly, and the limited psychological impact of COVID-19 in the severely mentally ill, alongside the response of the mental healthcare systems globally to this unparalleled public health crisis. The important lessons to be learnt so far can help formulate individual mental health recommendations, as well as improved intervention and prevention public health strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Tsamakis
- Second Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece.,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitrios Tsiptsios
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland SR4 7TP, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Ouranidis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
| | - Christoph Mueller
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitrios Schizas
- First Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laikon General Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Christos Terniotis
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, General Hospital of Agrinio, Agrinio 30100, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Nikolakakis
- Second Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
| | - Georgios Tyros
- Department of Dermatology, Syggros Hospital, Athens 16121, Greece
| | - Stylianos Kympouropoulos
- Second Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
| | - Andreas Lazaris
- Department of Vascular Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Smyrnis
- Second Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Rizos
- Second Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens 12462, Greece
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