Many medical workers suffered from severe professional burnout while working in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, but few of them had the opportunity to find psychological help.

The aim of the research was to study the relationship between emotional burnout and self-help strategies in medical professionals during the pandemic.

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used to measure the level of professional burnout. It was filled out by medical workers from January 2021 to November 2022.

The sample consisted of 314 medical workers (57 men and 255 women), whose average age was 36.97±11.93. According to the level of education, the sample included specialists with secondary general education (4.14%), with secondary special education (19.4%), with incomplete higher education (11.46%), with higher education (59.87%) and PhD (5.1%). 35 people (11%) of the surveyed medical workers worked in the red zone.

When medical workers experience severe Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization, they often try to help themselves by drinking alcohol (r=0.156; p=0.005; r=0.184; p=0.001), eating (r=0.227; p=0.000; r=0.151; p=0.007), taking medications (r=0.204; p=0.000; r=0.212; p=0.005), solitude (r=0.204; p=0.000; r=0.133; p=0.019), watching TV series (r=0.173; p=0.002; r=0.146; p=0.01). With an increase in the Reduction of professional skills, medical workers also eat more (r=-0.148; p=0.009) and try to learn something new, engage in self-development (r=-0.137; p=0.015). It is important to note that the desire to seek psychological help is associated only with Emotional Exhaustion (r=0.121, p=0.032), that is, he/she may be aware at an early stage of professional burnout, when the symptoms of depersonalization and reduction of professional skills have not yet occurred.

Thus, all the considered self-help methods are already used with pronounced symptoms of professional burnout, but do not lead to its pronounced decrease. It is important to note that seeking psychological help is possible with awareness of emotional exhaustion, but not with depersonalization and reduction of professional skills.

Disclosure: Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

None Declared

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a serious threat to mental well-being both for patients who have suffered from coronavirus disease and for medical workers of this period. The difference in perceptions about COVID-19 in patients and those who care for them reflects the peculiarities of assessing the coronavirus pandemic and their own coping capabilities.

The aim of the research was to compare the perceptions about COVID-19 in patients and medical professionals during the pandemic.

A Short questionnaire of Disease Perception (E. Broadbent) was used to study patients’ perceptions about COVID-19 disease. The same questionnaire was modified for the perceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic to study the peculiarities of the perceptions about COVID-19 by medical professionals.

The study was conducted from January 2021 to November 2022. The sample consisted of 314 medical workers (57 men and 255 women), whose average age was 36.97±11.93, and 390 patients (64 men and 326 women), whose average age was 28.58±10.74. 35 people (11%) of the surveyed medical workers worked in the red zone.

Medical professionals and patients tend to assess the impact of the pandemic on life in the same way. However, according to medical professionals, the COVID-19 pandemic will last longer than according to patients (4.93±2.81 vs 3.18±2.29, p=0.000). Doctors assess their ability to control the pandemic significantly worse than patients assess their disease as a result of coronavirus infection (2.82±2.28 vs 5.30±2.88, p=0.000). Medical workers have a worse assessment of the effectiveness of the measures taken to combat the pandemic (4.75±2.63 vs 5.50±2.67, p=0.000). Doctors are less likely to find symptoms of coronavirus (2.88±2.32 vs 4.98±2.75, p=0.000) and less concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (3.75±2.55 vs 4.20±2.63, p=0.023). Whereas patients have a worse understanding of what COVID-19 is (6.32±2.87 vs 5.52±2.83, p=0.000), and they believe that COVID-19 affects their emotional state to a greater extent than doctors did (3.60±2.66 vs 4.39±2.90, p=0.000).

Thus, the specifics of the perceptions about COVID-19 may largely depend on whether a person is faced with a coronavirus in the role of a patient or a medical worker. The emotional state of patients is more affected by the pandemic combined with a worse understanding of COVID-19, while medical workers feel less control and tend to regard the measures taken to combat the pandemic as less effective.

Disclosure: Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

None Declared

Work in the severe conditions of the pandemic has become a risk factor for the deterioration of the medical workers’ psychological state, which together can lead to professional burnout and, as a consequence, to professional mistakes (Pervichko, Konyukhovskaya, 2020).

The aim of the research was to study the connection between personal factors of medical workers and professional burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The degree of professional burnout was assessed using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) (Maslach, 2000; Vodopianova, Starchenkova, 2008), HEXACO Personality Inventory (short version) was used to study personality traits (Ashton, Lee, 2007; Egorova, et al., 2019).

The study was conducted from May 2020 to October 2022. The sample consisted of 197 medical workers (32 men and 165 women), whose average age was 38.85±12.05.

Honesty as a personality trait is negatively significantly associated with emotional exhaustion (r=-0.268, p=0.000), depersonalization (r=-0.323, p=0.000) and positively associated with a smaller reduction in professionalism (r=0.290, p=0.000). Emotionality in medical workers is positively significantly associated with emotional exhaustion (r=0.358, p=0.000) and depersonalization (r=0.243, p=0.001) and with a greater reduction in professionalism (r=-0.380, p=0.000). Extroversion is negatively associated with emotional exhaustion (r=-0.478, p=0.000) and depersonalization (r=-0.376, p=0.000) and positively associated with a smaller reduction in professional achievements (r=0.566, p=0.000). Benevolence and conscientiousness reveal negative associations with depersonalization (r=-0.248, p=0.001; r=-0.180, p=0.012) and positive associations with a smaller reduction in professionalism (r=0.190, p=0.008; r=0.301, p=0.000).

Thus, the state of emotional exhaustion during burnout is associated with greater emotionality, less honesty and extroversion. Whereas depersonalization and a greater negative assessment of one’s own professional competence and productivity is associated with less honesty, more emotionality, less extroversion, benevolence and consciousness.

Disclosure: Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

None Declared

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on the psychological state of the population, the individual experience of COVID-19 disease may affect the content of perceptions about coronavirus in those who have been ill with it.

The aim of the research was to study the connection between patients’ experience of the disease and their perceptions about COVID-19.

A Short questionnaire of Disease Perception (E. Broadbent) was used to study patients’ perceptions about COVID-19 disease. The wording “disease” was replaced with “COVID-19 disease”.

The study was conducted from January 2021 to November 2022. The sample consisted of 390 patients (64 men and 326 women), whose average age was 28.58±10.74.

The subjective assessment of the duration of COVID-19 disease and its impact on the patient’s life is higher if the patient is still sick with COVID-19 (r=0.340, p=0.008; r=0.312, p=0.000), in a more severe form (r=0.341, p=0.000; r=0.298, p=0.000), less satisfied with the attitude of medical workers during illness (r=0.151, p=0.003; r=0.143, p=0.005), more afraid for the health of their loved ones (r=-0.194, p=0.000; r=-0.181, p=0.000). At the same time, greater concern about COVID-19 and a greater assessment of its impact on the emotional state is associated with patients’ fear for the health of loved ones (r=-0.267, p=0.000; r=-0.242, p=0.000) and more severe course of the disease (r=0.107, p=0.035; r=0.126, p=0.013). Less sense of control in a COVID-19 disease situation is associated with a more severe course of the disease and greater fear for the health of loved ones (r=-0.174, p=0.001; r=0.154, p=0.002).

Thus, whether the patient has recovered after COVID-19 or not yet, how severe this disease was, how satisfied he was with the attitude of medical workers towards him during the illness and how much he fears for the health of loved ones during the pandemic, is related to such perceptions about COVID-19 disease as an assessment of the disease duration, its impact on life, emotional state, concern about one’s own illness and understanding of its nature.

Disclosure: Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

None Declared

The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic on March 11th 2020. Since then, the containment measures were leading to increasing mental health problems in the general population and worsening of some pre‑existing psychiatric conditions. To our knowledge, there are few studies characterizing the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic on psychiatric hospitalizations across the world.

We aimed to compare the number and characteristics of the hospitalizations in the mental health department of a Portuguese psychiatric hospital from March 2nd 2019 to October 31st 2019 with those that occurred in the same period in 2020.

We conducted a retrospective observational study including all patients admitted to hospital during these periods (n=805). Sociodemographic data, clinical characteristics and information about the context of hospitalization were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using t Student Test, Mann‑Whitney and Chi‑square.

In the pandemic period there was a marked reduction in the number of psychiatric hospitalizations. There was a statistically significant difference in the median length of stay and in the percentage of involuntary hospitalizations between the two periods. In 2019, the most frequent International Classification of Diseases (10th Revision) diagnostic categories were F30‑F39 (mood disorders) and in 2020 were F20‑F29 (schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders).

The reorganization of services and the decrease in admissions through the emergency department may explain these results.

None Declared

Long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and other assisted living facilities, have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19. The overall pandemic created an enormous pressure on long-term care workers (LTCWs), making them particularly vulnerable to mental disorders. However, most of the existing evidence regarding the well-being of care professionals has predominantly focused on frontline healthcare workers.

This study aimed to identify long-term psychological needs of LTCWs derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of a project that is developing an intervention to reduce psychological distress in this population group.

We performed a qualitative study with a rapid research approach. Participants were recruited from long-term care facilities located in Catalonia, Spain. Between April and September 2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews inquiring about the most psychologically challenging stages of the pandemic, perceived emotions during those stages, main determinants of those emotions, and their emotional state at the time of the interview. We used a qualitative content analysis method with an inductive-deductive approach.

Thirty LTCWs participated in the study. Mean age was 44 (SD=11,4), 87% were females and one third were from foreign nationalities. The period of the pandemic with highest mental health burden was the outbreak, with almost every worker having experienced some form of emotional distress. Emotional distress persisted over time in more than half of participants, with fatigue and nervousness being the main emotions expressed at the time of the interview. High workload, feeling that pandemic times are not over and poor working conditions that have remained since then, have been the most frequently expressed determinants of such emotions.

Long after the pandemic outbreak, emotional distress is still relevant. The persistent burden of psychological distress points to a need for institutions to take action to improve working conditions and promote employees’ wellbeing.

None Declared

The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the quality of life and emotional well-being of the Russian population, with increased emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. This study focuses on the specific context of Russian university students studying humanities disciplines, who had to adapt to remote learning and self-education during the pandemic.

This study aimed to assess the quality of life and measure the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among Russian humanities students. Additionally, it examined the correlations between quality of life and emotional disorders.

Data collection was conducted between January and April 2021 using a customized Google form. The study included 35 students from Russian universities. Quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were determined using the DASS-21 methodology, both adapted for use in Russia.

The mean values for the quality of life domains were as follows: “physical and psychological well-being” (M = 20.65±3.85), “self-image” (M = 19.21±3.54), “microsocial support” (M = 10.39±2.36), and “social well-being” (M = 27.93±4.15). Notably, 54% of respondents exhibited no symptoms of depression, 66% showed no signs of anxiety, and 69% reported no stress. Correlation analysis revealed that there was no statistically significant relationship between stress and quality of life, and social well-being did not correlate with emotional disturbances.

During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of Russian humanities students did not experience clinical manifestations of depression, anxiety, or stress. To improve their emotional well-being, students should prioritize their physical and psychological health, self-perception, self-esteem, and relationships with their immediate social circles, particularly their families. In this pandemic context, broader social factors such as recreational opportunities took a back seat in students’ priorities.

None Declared

A pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus is an immensely traumatic event. Researches indicate that such events significantly impact various aspects of individuals, including their physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and social functions, affecting different components of their personality structure. However, the experience of trauma itself is influenced by implicit internal structures known as underlying beliefs. Consequently, emotional responses to traumatic events may be interconnected with these core beliefs.

This study aimed to explore fundamental beliefs among Russian university students and analyze their associations with emotional reactions such as depression, anxiety, and stress.

Data collection took place from January to April 2021 using a custom-designed Google form. The study involved 35 Russian university students. We employed the WAS-37 methodology to investigate fundamental beliefs and the DASS-21 methodology to assess the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Both questionnaires were adapted for use in Russia.

We found that the mean values of the “Benevolence of the surrounding world” (M = 35.5±7.3) and “Luck” (M = 31.7±5.1) scales are higher than the normative mean values for the Russian population. In contrast, the mean values of the “Fairness” (M = 21.0±3.7), “Self-image” (M = 26.6±7.0) and “Beliefs about control” (M = 26.6±4.8) scales are generally not different from the normative values. Depression has negative correlations with Self-image (rs = -0.590, p < 0.01) and Beliefs about control (rs = -0.509, p < 0.01). No statistically significant correlations of anxiety and stress with baseline beliefs were obtained.

During the second wave of the pandemic, Russian university students tend to view the world around them as less perilous than the broader population does, and they perceive themselves as more fortunate. Depressive feelings among students are linked to their lower beliefs in the value and importance of their self, as well as their perception that the world around them is not sufficiently controllable.

None Declared

During a pandemic, the population is required to adapt effectively to drastically altered environmental conditions to avoid the development of psychiatric disorders or other maladaptive responses. This adaptation is closely linked to an individual’s ability to regulate their behaviour effectively and to develop traits such as pliability and autonomy.

The research aims to investigate individual self-regulation among students studying humanities disciplines and individuals living with HIV during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia.

Data collection took place from January to July 2021 using a custom-designed Google form. The study involved 35 university students in Russia specializing in humanities and 59 individuals living with HIV. To assess the development of individual self-regulation and determine its specific profile, we utilized the “Behavioural Self-Regulation Style” questionnaire developed by V.I. Morosanova.

We found that 43% of students have an average level of self-regulation, 37% - high and 20% - low. Among people living with HIV the distribution is similar: 53 % have an average level of self-regulation, 37 % - high and 10 % - low. The analysis of average results of the scales did not reveal statistically significant differences among the groups of respondents. The average profiles have no pronounced peaks and look as follows: planning (M = 5.77±2.16 - students, M = 6.24±1.90 - patients, p > 0.05), modelling (M = 5.26±1.80 vs M = 5.69±1.90, p > 0.05), programming (M = 6.00±1.50 vs M = 5.93±1.66, p > 0.05), performance evaluation (M = 6.26±1.42 vs M = 5.78±1.60, p > 0.05), pliability (M = 6.17±1.87 vs M = 6.58±1.90, p > 0.05) and autonomy (M = 5.00±2.33 vs M = 5.56±2.08, p > 0.05) were almost at the same level in both the student and patient groups.

During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, there were no significant distinctions observed in the self-regulation behaviour styles between students and individuals living with HIV. The majority of participants from these chosen groups demonstrated a similar average level of effectiveness in self-regulating their behaviour, as well as comparable degrees of pliability and autonomy development.

None Declared

The vaccination of children and adolescents against covid 19 is an ongoing debate. While in some countries the program of vaccination of children under 12 years old is already implemented, in others the balance of risk and benefits is a dilemma. Parents’ perception and decision about covid vaccination is an important parameter to consider.

The ain of this study is to evaluate the parents’ attitude about childhood vaccination against Covid 19 in Tunisia.

The “vaccine hesitancy scale (VHS) adopted from WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Immunization” with 8 items translated in tunisian dialect and an additional ten survey idem about the Characteristics of parents and their vaccination status against Covid 19. The survey is distributed on social media groups of parents of tunisian children and adolescents.

Thirty parents have answered the survey.More than 80% of the participants were female with an average age of 38 years old.Among 30 participants 24 were vaccinated against covid 19 at least for once, but only one of them 10% decided to vaccinate their children against covid 19,while 3% are indecisive about the subject.Although 97 % of the children and adolescents have already been vaccinated completely according to the national vaccination program. The most common reasons for the refusal were.Parents consider that routine childhood vaccines are safe, necessary and useful more than covid vaccine. Some parents reported that their children have been infected by the virus so they have doubts about the usefulness of the vaccination.

A year after the pandemic, covid 19 contamination and vaccination against the virus are still an issue. With the emergence of new variants, the decline in protective measures, vaccination against covid is in the process of integrating routine programs. But the lack of information on the effectiveness of the vaccine and the adverse effects are a source of hesitation and refusal for parents. a large-scale national study is necessary before.

None Declared

The COVID-19 pandemic was originally of a magnitude exceeding that of previous epidemics, placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems in general and healthcare professionals in particular.

To assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among healthcare professionals at Farhat Hached Hospital in Sousse during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify associated risk factors.

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among healthcare professionals practicing in the Farhat Hached Hospital of Sousse, which took place during the period extending between August and November 2021. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), were used to assess depression and anxiety respectively.

Our study included 326 healthcare professionals from the Farhat Hached University Hospital. The mean age of our population was 36.38 ±10.19 years, with a clear female predominance of 81.3%. The prevalences of depression and anxiety were 46% and 35.3% respectively. Female gender and being a paramedical staff were risk factors for depressive and anxiety symptoms. On the other hand, professional seniority of over 5 years was statistically significantly associated with anxiety. Sporting activity was inversely associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms.

The multi-variate analytical study revealed that the practice of leisure activities other than sport was a protective factor against the occurrence of depressive symptomatology in healthcare professionals, while current smoking and the practice of a sporting activity were inversely associated with the occurrence of anxious symptomatology.

These findings underline the need for specific prevention strategies to reduce these symptoms and help healthcare professionals maintain their mental health. This will help to guarantee the quality and efficiency of work in the medical environment, to better control the pandemic.

None Declared

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that is primarily prescribed for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Despite its proven efficacy, the prescription of clozapine is sometimes limited by its hematologic side effects, including agranulocytosis. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, schizophrenia is recognized as a risk factor for developing severe forms of the infection. Early and complete vaccination of patients has been recommended. However, there is limited data on the effect of the vaccine on the risk of hematologic abnormalities in patients treated with clozapine.

To study the hematologic effect of the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 in a population of patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia treated with clozapine.

Twenty-five patients hospitalized for schizophrenia at the forensic psychiatry department of Razi Hospital in Manouba, Tunisia, were included. Eighteen patients were treated with clozapine, and seven patients were treated with other antipsychotics. Consent from patients and/or their relatives was obtained before vaccination. The results of complete blood counts performed as part of the therapeutic protocol were compared between the two groups before and after administration of the vaccine.

No patient experienced agranulocytosis induced by clozapine after vaccination against COVID-19.Blood cells counts,red blood cells counts,and platelets were within the normal ranges.However,a decrease in the number of WBCs,neutrophils,and lymphocytes was observed in patients treated with clozapine without significant difference compared to the patients treated with other neuroleptics, but there was no severe neutropenia or need to stop treatment.

The prescription of clozapine, the introduction protocol, and treatment administration have been greatly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the hepatotoxic risk of the drug. Vaccination is essential to prevent severe forms of the infection, especially in at-risk populations such as patients treated for schizophrenia.The potentiation of hematologic side effects induced by clozapine by the vaccine is not documented.The COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is safe even with clozapine

None Declared

Patients with mental illness, particularly those with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, are at increased risk of severe COVID-19. The protective effect of vaccination against severe disease has been demonstrated, and vaccination of vulnerable individuals was a priority during the vaccination campaign. However, the effect of vaccination on the psychiatric symptoms of the disease is not well understood.

To investigate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on psychiatric symptoms and somatic symptoms in patients hospitalized for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Thirty patients hospitalized for treatment-resistant schizophrenia with a history of medico-legal acts were admitted to the forensic psychiatry department at Razi Hospital in Manouba, Tunisia. The consent of patients and/or their relatives was obtained before vaccination, and potential side effects were explained to patients and their families. A neuropsychiatric assessment and clinical examination of patients were performed by their referring psychiatrist before vaccination and one month after.

The patients were all male, with a mean age of 42.3 years.No patient had an allergic reaction to the vaccine. No patient was infected with the virus one month after vaccination. On the clinical level, 30% of patients had general symptoms such as fatigue and myalgia, which improved spontaneously within a few days. On the psychiatric level, exacerbation of positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions was found in 26% of patients. No increase in the frequency of agitation episodes or risk of hetero-aggressive behavior was reported. Sleep disturbances such as difficulty falling asleep and fragmented sleep were reported. The most common functional complaints reported by patients were palpitations, which were a source of somatic concern.

Several side effects of the vaccine have been documented and are taken into account in the daily practice of practitioners, but psychiatric effects are poorly reported and are sometimes attributed to the underlying disease. A complete examination, objective assessment, and regular follow-up are necessary to identify symptoms early and prevent relapses.Because of the small size of the sample;results could not be generelized.Further studies on a larger scale should be conducted.

None Declared

The coronavirus infection emerging in 2019 caused a plethora of physical and mental health problems around the world. Recent studies showed a persistent psychological distress even after few months of the infection.

To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms, insomnia and dyspnea among covid-19 survivors.

We conducted a prospective cohort study including 121 Tunisian COVID-19 inpatients who had been discharged alive from hospital. Each enrolled patient was asked about the period before the hospital stay, and the 6-9 month-period after hospital discharge. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess depressive symptoms. We assessed insomnia via the insomnia severity index (ISI) and dyspnea through the mMRC (modified British Medical Research Council).

The median age of participants was 59 years. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and insomnia increased significantly after the pandemic (5.7% vs 57.9%, p=0.038, r=0.189; and 4.9% vs 26.4%; p<0.0001, r=0.349 respectively). Younger patients presented more depressive symptoms (p<0.0001). females were more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms (p<0.0001). Dyspnea was more prevalent among survivors with depressive symptoms (p=0.001). Patients with depressive symptoms exhibited more insomnia (p<0.0001).

The pandemic of covid19 emerged a wide range of physical and mental health problems with complex physiopathology. The early detection of these disorders improves the quality of life of these patients.

None Declared

The global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have significantly impacted global wellbeing and highlighted the close link between mental and physical health. Social isolation and quarantine have proven to be major stressors, leading to emotional distress and unpredictable psychological consequences.

We explored the pandemic’s impact on individuals’ physical and mental health and social relationships.

We conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire which included among other socio-democratic questions, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ).

A total of 511 adults (55.1% males) participated in this study. Participants reported increased social media use (more than 4-5 times/week) during the lockdown, which was associated with increased fear of COVID-19 and negative effects on mental and physical health, and social relationships (p<0.01). Conversely, non-work-related outings (once a week) were associated with lower fear (p<0.01) and better well-being (p<0.05). Higher fear, particularly for loved ones, was associated with negative effects. The level of physical health was moderate to high, with varying levels of satisfaction in different areas. Empathy correlated with increased fear (p<0.01) and reduced mobility (p<0.05).

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns significantly affected physical and mental health, highlighting the importance of tailoring interventions for vulnerable populations and promoting adaptive coping strategies in times of crisis.

None Declared

Children, who are particularly vulnerable in emergency situations, need tailored mental health strategies.

We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on anger and life satisfaction in children.

September 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Preveza, Greece, interviewing 91 students aged 10-12 years from four elementary schools. The survey included socio-demographic questions, the Anger Expression Scale for Children (AESC), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). AESC scores range from 6 to 30 indicating anger severity, while SWLS scores between 5-9 signify extreme dissatisfaction and 31-35 extreme satisfaction.

Significant correlations were found between the number of siblings (p 0.004), duration of electronic play (p 0.005), and duration of sleep (p 0.014) with life satisfaction. Children without siblings, with limited play consumption, and early bedtimes had lower life satisfaction. The presence of a television in their room (p 0.027) and daily use of television and social media (p 0.007) correlated with anger management and behavior. Social media/TV use was associated with better anger management.

Despite the pandemic lasting almost two years, children’s anger levels in Preveza remained stable, possibly due to outdoor activities and online interactions. These findings provide insights for policy makers, healthcare professionals, and parents seeking to improve anger management of children.

None Declared

Only a few cases of primary anterograde amnesia with confabulation after severe complex brain damage have been described in the literature.

To describe a case of anterograde amnesia with confabulation in a patient with severe and extensive brain damage.

case report

Case presentation: A 48-year-old male patient with a medical history of diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, presented to a psychiatric clinic for the first time. He was admitted to the hospital due to the manifestation of disruptive aggressive behaviour, aimless wandering, and excessive, impulsive expenditure of financial resources. At the time of hospitalization and during the hospital stay, the patient exhibited a state of elevated mood and anterograde amnesia compounded by the presence of prominent confabulation, easily irritable mood with a tendency to conflict. No physical limitations.

Background: The patient is an active long-distance driver for 15 years. A year before hospitalization in psychiatric clinic, he was travelling to Moscow, he had episode of headache and unconsciousness after which hospitalization. Diagnosed with multiple infarcts of embolic origin in the right frontal lobes, both cortical and subcortical, on the right side at the level of the uncus, in the medial anterior parts of the right occipital lobe, on the left side in the insula and at the level of the capsula externa, in the anterior basal part of the left temporal lobe. After hemodynamic stabilization, he was repatriated to Latvia. Stationary positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR, O2 support therapy required.

The patient develops auditory and visual hallucinations, which do not correct on antipsychotic therapy. Lumbar puncture was performed, which showed positive anti-NMDA antibodies, magnetic resonance - autoimmune limbic encephalitis with damage to the gyrus cinguli of the insula cortex of both temporal lobes and the right subfrontal part with spread throughout the right temporal lobe, bilaterally in the mediobasal structures of the temporal lobes and the right thalamus with progressive changes. The patient receives immunomodulatory therapy, plasma exchange and immune globulin. Hallucinations decrease on the background of therapy. At discharge - moderate ataxia in the legs, disorientation in time, severe short-term memory disorders.

The patient in his mind lives like nothing has happened and the same life continues.

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The long-term prognosis for the patient remains uncertain, given the multifaceted nature of the condition and the extent of brain damage. Continuous monitoring, rehabilitation, and ongoing support will be essential to assess cognitive recovery and improve the patient’s quality of life.

None Declared

COVID-19 affected humankind worldwide in different aspects of life. Survivors still report the effects of the pandemic on daily life, physical health, and mental health.

To assess effects of the pandemic on the mood and the quality of life of the survivors.

We conducted a prospective cohort study including 121 Tunisian COVID-19 inpatients who had been discharged alive from hospital. Each enrolled patient was asked about the period before the hospital stay, and the 6-9 month-period after hospital discharge, using several scales: the validated Arabic version of “Patient Health Questionnaire” (PHQ-9) to screen for depressive symptoms, and “EuroQol five-dimension three-level” (EQ-5D-3L) to assess the quality of life.

The median age of participants was 59 years, with extreme values ranging from 18 to 80. Among them, 51.2% were females. As compared with baseline statue of patients, the depressive dimension assessed through PHQ was significantly impaired (7.05 vs 1.12; p<0.001). The different dimensions of the EQ-5D-3L showed significant deterioration in mean scores (mobility:1.09 vs 1.31, p<0.001;  selfcare:1 vs 1.11, p=0.001; daily activities:1.09 vs 1.49, p<0.001; pain and disturbance: 1.17 vs1.49, p<0.0005 and anxiety and depression: 1.07 vs 1.57, p<0.001). Depressive symptoms were 10 times more frequent in post-COVID (57.9% vs 5.7%). The post-COVID PHQ-9 score was correlated with the post-COVID EQ-5D-3L score (p=0.033).

This study points out the long-term impact of the COVID infection. Therefore, the clinician should screen for possible psychological distress even after resolution of the disease, in order to guarantee a better quality of life.

None Declared

Sleep quality depends on several factors such as smoking, physical activity, diet, and certain pathologies, namely obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Indeed, following their vaccination against COVID19, several medical trainees complained about a deterioration of their sleep quality.

To evaluate the quality of sleep of medical trainees who work at Charles Nicolle Hospital and who were vaccinated against SARS-COV2.

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among medical trainees at Charles Nicolle Hospital who were vaccinated against COVID-19 during the period from March 2020 to August 2022. Sleep quality was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. Trainees were contacted during the period August 2022 to September 2022.

Sixty-nine medical trainees, vaccinated against Covid19 joined our study. Forty-nine of them had a significant sleep disturbance: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) greater than five. The average age was 29.39±3.04 years with a female majority (73.5%). No psychiatric history was found. The most affected category of trainees were residents (71.4%). Forty-three of them were inoculated with the messenger RNA vaccine and 4 with inactivated vaccine. Twenty-one patients vaccinated with the messenger RNA vaccine received two doses, seventeen received three doses and only one received a single dose. Sleep latency was high in 20,4% of cases. A sleep duration of less than five hours per night was found in 18,4% of the cases. Six participants reported using a sleep aid three to four times a week.

Our study revealed a significant sleep disturbance in medical trainees at Charles Nicolle Hospital. This could be due to the SARS-COV2 vaccination but can also be explained by the night shifts and the stress to which they are exposed, especially during this pandemic period.

None Declared

The world community is only at the beginning of awareness of the peculiarities of the formation, course and outcome of the psychopathological consequences of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

To investigate the clinical and anamnestic features and their influence on the formation of psychopathological consequences in patients with first diagnosed mental disorders who have experienced COVID-19 and were exposed to the stressors of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

97 patients with first diagnosed mental disorders who have experienced COVID-19 and were exposed to the stressors of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were examined (F 32.0-32.2 – 34 patients, F 40-45 – 32 patients, F 06.3-06.6 – 31 patients). Clinical-psychopathological, clinical-amnestic methods, including information about the experienced coronavirus disease COVID-19, the impact of the stressors of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, and methods of statistical analysis were applied.

The conducted research made it possible to identify the phenomenological structure of mental disorders that develop after the coronavirus disease COVID-19. This structure includes depressive disorders (35.05%), neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (32.99%), as well as mental disorders of organic genesis (31.96%). An important result of the study was the determination of the heterogeneity of mental pathology in the context of the influence of stressogenic factors of the pandemic and other psychogenies. In this aspect, all mental and behavioral disorders must be divided into 3 variants of pathology, which differ in the mechanisms of formation: caused by the pathoplastic factors of COVID-19 and the patient’s personal reactions to the disease; related to the psychogenic effects of the stressors of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic; with a combined mechanism of influence of pathoplastic and psychogenic factors. Certain diagnostic and phenomenological regularities characteristic of each of the options are defined. The influence of pathoplastic factors and personal reactions to the disease is associated with the formation of depressive disorders. Pandemic stressors most often cause the development of neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders. Under the influence of combined factors, disorders of organic genesis are formed to a greater extent. The initial manifestations of pathology also differ with different formation mechanisms: when pathoplastic factors predominate, asthenia, depression and sleep disturbances prevail; with leading psychogenic influences – anxiety and tension; when the above factors are combined - asthenia, stress and cognitive disorders.

The significance of the obtained data lies in the possibility of studying the role of the psychopathological consequences of COVID-19 in the genesis of mental disorders.

None Declared