Assessment of the quality of life (QoL) in patients diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUDs) is important due to the need to explore potential ways of improving the prognosis and evolution of these patients towards recovery and prolonged abstinence. The impact of SUDs on the QoL is often difficult to determine in the absence of structured methods because of the multiple factors that may moderate the results, including misperceptions of the patients on the effects of the drugs of abuse (DOA), stigmatization, countertransference aspects of the therapeutic relationships, etc.

To assess the most validated psychometric tools dedicated to the evaluation of QoL in patients with SUDs.

A literature review was conducted in three electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and Clarivate/Web of Science) to find clinical reports published between January 2000 and September 2024 regarding the QoL instruments in patients with SUD. The keywords used were “substance use disorders”, “quality of life”, “health-related quality of life”, “scales”, “inventories”, and “questionnaires”. There was no restriction regarding the age of participants, and only sources published in English were selected.

The most frequently reported scales used for the purpose of monitoring the QoL in patients with SUDs were the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and EuroQoL (EQ) 5D 5L. Also, WHOQOL-BREF, which is associated with the WHO International Classification of Diseases system, is a comprehensive and useful instrument that may be applied in patients with SUDs. Health-related Quality of Life for Drug Abusers (HRQOLDA) and Injection Drug Use Quality of Life Scale (IDUQOL) may be used in this specific population because they refer more exactly to daily life aspects of the patients with SUD that interfere with their QoL, but these instruments are less known and applied by clinicians.

General instruments, like surveys or inventories, targeting the evaluation of QoL and, also, more specific instruments focused on the quality of the daily life of patients with SUDs need to be administered in case management because these may highlight important areas of therapeutic intervention. The inclusion of such instruments is expected to have multiple benefits, such as better treatment adherence through the improvement of the therapeutic relationship, more targeted interventions for the meeds of this population, etc.

None Declared

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a highly prevalent and complex class of psychiatric illnesses that lead to increased rates of mortality and morbidity, societal costs, low quality of life, and difficulties in all important areas of personal functioning. Although SUDs are constantly explored from a therapeutic perspective, there are very few validated treatments available for these disorders.

To review the evidence supporting new targets for the psychopharmacological management of patients diagnosed with SUDs.

A literature review was conducted in three electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, and Clarivate/Web of Science) and the US National Library of Medicine database for clinical trials (www.clinicaltrials.gov) to find clinical and preclinical sources published between January 2000 and September 2024. The keywords used were „substance use disorders”, „drug dependence”, „drug addiction”, „new treatments”, „drugs in pipeline”, and „pharmacological treatment”. There was no restriction regarding the age of participants, and only sources published in English were selected.

Based on 12 sources identified for detailed analysis, the main directions of research in the field of new treatments for SUDs are modulators of glutamatergic and GABA-ergic systems, neurokinin-1 receptors, alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, G-protein signaling-biased μ-opioid receptor agonists, serotonin modulators, cannabinoid agonists or partial agonists, N-acetylcysteine, and monoclonal antibodies. These agents are explored for cocaine, opioids, nicotine, psychostimulants, and cannabis use disorder. Examples of investigational products from these emergent classes are SR-170189 (a biased mu-opioid receptor agonist without evidence of tolerance in preclinical studies), dexmedetomidine (BXCL501, an alpha-2 preferring agonist explored for opioid withdrawal), guanfacine (another alpha-2 agonist explored in cannabis use disorder-CUD), lorcaserin (a selective 5HT2C receptor agonist also explored for CUD), oxytocin (explored for alcohol use disorder- AUD and as add-on to methadone for comorbid opioid and cocaine use disorder), N-acetylcysteine (investigated for AUD and nicotine use disorder), NT-814 (neurokinin-1 and -3 receptor antagonist, investigated for opioid use disorder), memantine (a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist explored in patients with AUD), baclofen (a GABA-B receptor agonist explored for AUD, opioid withdrawal, and psychostimulants use disorder) and various biological therapies for NUD and cocaine use disorder.

There are hopes related to an extensive number of investigational products that undergo different stages of clinical research for a large variety of SUDs, targeting multiple neurotransmitters and hormonal pathways, and even biological therapies that could block the action of the drugs of abuse before reaching their targets.

None Declared

Women are diagnosed with depression twice as often as men. Although depression is more common in women, men have higher suicide rates. Instead of seeking help, men tend to use various coping mechanisms that can be considered dysfunctional. These behaviors include risk-taking behaviors, aggressive behaviors, and alcohol and substance use. In addition, men’s failure to seek mental health services may be related to their beliefs about gender and masculinity. That symptom cluster is called a male depressive syndrome and can be seen in both sexes.

The present study aimed to measure depression with a widely used scale and a gender-sensitive scale among men with addiction disorders. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate relations between addiction severity, depression and masculinity.

Fifty-one male patients with alcohol and substance addiction participated in the present study. BAPİRT-alcohol and BAPİRT-drug questionnaires, Beck Depression Scale, Gender Sensitive Depression Scale, and Precarious Manhood Beliefs.

The mean age of the patients was 40.56 ± 12.35, and most were single (64.7%). Regarding the cut-off scores of BAPİRT scales, 45.9% of patients screened as high risk for substance addiction, and 86.27% screened as high risk for alcohol addiction. Depression scores were evaluated using the cut-off values. Both the Beck Depression Scale and the Gender Sensitive Depression Scale determined a depression prevalence of 60.8%, with diverse participants. Table 1 shows the intersection of the depression screening with the two scales.

Male patients with addiction showed a high prevalence of depression (%60.8). Gender-sensitive depression was related to substance addiction severity.

Male patients with addiction may experience depression with a specific symptom cluster, which includes irritability.

None Declared

Tobacco and alcohol use are two of the main risk factors for most of the non-communicable diseases and causes of death worldwide. Healthcare professionals can play an important role in helping patients to quit smoking and alcohol consumption, but this role is undermined if they themselves have the same addictions.

The aim of this study was to study the effect of smoking and alcohol use on healthcare professionals’ quality of life. In addition we aimed to identify any demographic and occupational factors that affect quality of life.

The research sample of the present cross-sectional study consisted of 200 health professionals. The Demographic Questionnaire, the Smoking Addiction Inventory (Fagerstrom), the Alcohol Addiction Inventory, and the Quality of Life Inventory (EQ-5D) were used. The statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package IBM Spss v.27

Among the sample, the 46.5% stated that were smokers. The mean score of alcohol dependence was found to be 3.61 (±3.29), while the corresponding mean value of Fagerstrom was calculated to be 3.96 (±2.27). The EQ-5D quality of life score was found to be 0.93. Finally, the EQ-Vas score was found to be 7.95 (± 1.57).

A particularly high prevalence of smoking was found among the healthcare professionals in the study, while alcohol consumption was moderate. The results showed that tobacco and alcohol consumption negatively affects the quality of life of healthcare professionals.

None Declared

Illness Anxiety Disorder denotes an excessive fear of becoming critically ill. Even when a medical exam does not indicate a significant medical problem, people may have no physical symptoms or think that familiar body sensations or minor symptoms are symptoms of a dangerous sickness.

We aimed to estimate and compare the prevalence of illness anxiety disorder among health colleges students at King Saud University. Also, we examined whether the prevalence of illness anxiety disorder is influenced by the specific field of study within the medical disciplines and whether the disorder manifests differently among students based on their chosen area of specialization.

This was an observational cross-sectional study. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire called The Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) and was analyzed using SPSS 23rd version.

The prevalence of IAD in this study was found to be 5.8% (n=325). with a significant relation to gender, college, the presence of psychiatric disorders, and being subjected to abuse or neglect.

This study found that the prevalence of illness anxiety disorder was low compared to other studies published in the past.

None Declared

Binge-eating behavior and anxiety disorders pose a significant public health issue worldwide, as it has severe implications for both the physical and mental health of the adolescent population. The present study evaluated the prevalence of binge-eating behavior, anxiety disorders, and associated factors among the northern Saudi adolescent population.

Assessed the correlation between binge eating and anxiety.

The present population-based cross-sectional study was carried out among adolescents in the Aljouf region of Saudi Arabia from June 2023 to December 2023. A total of 384 eligible participants were selected using the convenience sampling method. The present study used a pretested Arabic version of the binge eating scale (BES) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) to assess the binge-eating behavior and anxiety disorders among the target population. The Spearman correlation test determined the strength and direction of the correlation between BES and HAM-A scores. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis was applied to find the associated factors for binge-eating behavior among the study participants.

Of the 384 participants, moderate and severe binge-eating behaviors were found among 11.2% and 8.3% of the respondents, respectively. Regarding the severity of anxiety as assessed by the HAM-A scale, mild, moderate, and severe anxiety were shown among 12.8%, 9.6%, and 7.5% of the participants, respectively. Also, the study found a positive correlation between binge eating and anxiety scores, with a correlation coefficient of 0.26 and a p-value of 0.001. Furthermore, being female (p = 0.001), moderate (p = 0.004), and severe anxiety (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with binge-eating behavior.

The present research findings advocate for the implementation of targeted interventions and support services aimed at decreasing binge-eating behavior and anxiety, thereby promoting the overall well-being of adolescents and building stronger future generations. Moreover, it is recommended that optional courses about binge eating be incorporated into the curricula of schools and universities.

None Declared

Binge-eating behavior and anxiety disorders pose a significant public health issue worldwide, as it has severe implications for both the physical and mental health of the adolescent population. The present study evaluated the prevalence of binge-eating behavior, anxiety disorders, and associated factors among the northern Saudi adolescent population.

assessed the correlation between binge eating and anxiety.

The present population-based cross-sectional study was carried out among adolescents in the Aljouf region of Saudi Arabia from June 2023 to December 2023. A total of 384 eligible participants were selected using the convenience sampling method. The present study used a pretested Arabic version of the binge eating scale (BES) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) to assess the binge-eating behavior and anxiety disorders among the target population. The Spearman correlation test determined the strength and direction of the correlation between BES and HAM-A scores. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis was applied to find the associated factors for binge-eating behavior among the study participants.

Of the 384 participants, moderate and severe binge-eating behaviors were found among 11.2% and 8.3% of the respondents, respectively. Regarding the severity of anxiety as assessed by the HAM-A scale, mild, moderate, and severe anxiety were shown among 12.8%, 9.6%, and 7.5% of the participants, respectively. Also, the study found a positive correlation between binge eating and anxiety scores, with a correlation coefficient of 0.26 and a p-value of 0.001. Furthermore, being female (p = 0.001), moderate (p = 0.004), and severe anxiety (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with binge-eating behavior.

The present research findings advocate for the implementation of targeted interventions and support services aimed at decreasing binge-eating behavior and anxiety, thereby promoting the overall well-being of adolescents and building stronger future generations. Moreover, it is recommended that optional courses about binge eating be incorporated into the curricula of schools and universities.

None Declared

While the relationship between social anxiety disorder SAD and various sociodemographic factors has been explored, there is a notable gap in research examining the prevalence of SAD in visually impaired individuals. Vision loss could influence social interactions and thus may alter the typical presentation or severity of social anxiety.

This study aims to compare self-esteem and social anxiety disorder (SAD) levels between visually impaired and sighted individuals and to explore the relationship between social anxiety and various sociodemographic factors.

A case-control study was conducted from March to June 2017 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, involving 62 participants (24 visually impaired and 38 sighted). Participants completed a demographic form, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA to compare psychological outcomes between groups.

The mean age of visually impaired participants was significantly higher than that of sighted participants (24±2.8 vs. 22.4±2.2 years, p=0.013). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of gender, marital status, or education level. The RSES scores indicated no significant difference in self-esteem between visually impaired and sighted individuals (18.13±2.66 vs. 17.42±2.04, p=0.244). Similarly, LSAS scores did not significantly differ between the two groups (32.63±24.19 vs. 36.68±22.68, p=0.506).

The findings suggest that visually impaired individuals do not have significantly different levels of self-esteem or social anxiety compared to their sighted peers, indicating that visual impairment may not directly contribute to lower self-esteem or higher social anxiety. Future research should involve larger, more diverse samples and longitudinal studies to further explore these relationships.

None Declared

Vicarious trauma can significantly affect the physical and mental health of mental health professionals, as well as their ability to provide quality of care, particularly in the population of child and adolescent psychiatry residents who frequently encounter traumatic narratives.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of vicarious trauma in child and adolescent psychiatry residents.

This is a cross-sectional study conducted from 19 august to 16 september 2024. An anonymous Google Forms questionnaire was sent to child psychiatry residents via the college email and private groups. We used the Compassion Fatigue Questionnaire to measure levels of vicarious trauma.

A total of 48 child psychiatry resident out of 70 participated in the study. The sex ratio was 1:8,6. The mean age was 28,8 years. The residents were married in 33,4% of cases, in a romantic relationship in 29,1% and single in 37,5%. We found that 54,1% of residents practiced a leisure activity, 22,9% had history of psychiatric disorder and 14,5% had addictive behaviours. We found that 74% of the residents exhibited a high to very high risk of vicarious trauma. The mean score of Compassion Fatigue Questionnaire was 44,18.

This study underscores the need to recognize and address vicarious trauma among child and adolescent psychiatry residents in Tunisia, as its effects can detrimentally influence both clinician well-being and patient care. By fostering an awareness of this often-overlooked issue and integrating supportive measures into residency training, it can help residents develop healthier coping strategies and resilience.

None Declared

Excessive preoccupation of having a serious illness (EPHSI) or illness anxiety disorder is frequently reported by doctors and medical students

Our objectives were to estimate the frequency of EPHSI in a population of medicine residents in Tunisia and to determine the factors associated with this pathology.

This was a cross-sectional study via internet, carried out among 404 medicine residents practicing in Tunisia during the period of November and December 2020 and January 2021.

The information was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire, edited using the Google site and disseminated via social networks. This questionnaire was inspired by the Health Anxiety Questionnaire, the MSD score, and the DSM-5 criteria for illness anxiety disorder

In the end of the study period, 404 medicine residents responded to the questionnaire. The mean age was 27.4 years, the sex ratio was 0.47. Residents who fulfilled the DSM5 criteria of anxiety illness disorder represented 33.7% of the total group.

The most preoccupying diseases were neoplastic diseases (40.8%), neurodegenerative disorders (14.3%), and psychiatric disorders (10%).

EPHSI was associated to several sociodemographic, anamnestic and psychological factors

The establishment of psychological support systems for students, emphasizing coping and stress management techniques, should be implemented to prevent the EPHSI.

None Declared

Nowadays thousands of students choose to get into medical universities in foreign countries for a plethora of reasons. Tunisia represents one of these destinations, thanks to its geographic localization, weather, biological diversity as well as its ethnical and cultural background.

To determine the effect of anxiety and psychological distress on the motivation of studies in foreign students in Tunisia.

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, carried out between July and September 2023 among foreign students at the Sfax Faculty of Medicine. Data collection was carried out using an anonymous self-questionnaire via “Google Forms shared via social media. Psychological distress was assessed using the “DASS-21” Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Motivation was assessed using the French version of the “SMMS-R-FR” Study Motivational Strength Questionnaire.

Seventy-two foreign medical students completed the survey. The average age was 25 ± 3.45 years. The majority of students were male (57%). Coffee and tobacco were the most consumed substance by the students (88.9%, and 47.2% respectively). The mean score for score anxiety score was 6.59, 7.2 for depression and 7.83 for stress. The mean score for the strength of motivation was 42.4. We found a negative statistical association between the anxiety dimension and the strength of motivation (p=0.011, r= -0.29). We found no statistical association with the depressive symptoms dimension nor with the stress dimension.Smoking was correlated with anxiety and depression in our foreign students (p=0.02 and p=0.027 respectively).

Identifying psychological distress and screening for them can help prevent the deterioration of mental health of foreign students and therefore the deterioration their academic performance.

None Declared

Cyberchondria refers to the phenomenon where individuals experience increased health anxiety due to excessive health-related information-seeking on the internet. This behavior can lead to increased worry, symptom misinterpretation, and the belief that one may be suffering from a serious illness. While internet health-seeking is common, it can become maladaptive and contribute to clinically significant anxiety.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of cyberchondria among medical students, and to explore the relationship between online health-seeking behaviors and health anxiety.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinical medical students using the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-18). The CSS is a 12-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the frequency of online health searches, the distress caused by those searches, and the misinterpretation of symptoms. The HAI-18 evaluates the frequency and intensity of health-related worries and behaviors over the past six months. Participants were asked to report their online health-searching habits, emotional responses, and overall health anxiety levels.

A total of 169 clinical students participated in the study, with a predominance of females (74%). The mean age of participants was 23 ± 1.5 years. Regarding family medical history, 62.1% of participants reported a familial history of medical conditions, while 26% had a familial history of psychiatric disorders. Additionally, 39.6% of participants reported that their family members had been hospitalized for a serious illness. A personal medical history was reported by 23.7% of participants, and 21.3% had a documented history of psychiatric disorders. Health-related anxiety was observed in 21.9% of participants and was significantly associated with a history of family member hospitalization for a serious illness (p < 0.05). Regarding cyberchondria, 35.5% of participants reported low levels, 43.2% moderate levels, 20.1% high levels, and 1.2% very high levels. High levels of cyberchondria were significantly associated with higher health anxiety scores (p < 0.001).

The findings suggest a moderate to high prevalence of cyberchondria among clinical medical students, with a strong association between higher cyberchondria scores and increased health-related anxiety. Interventions to reduce cyberchondria should focus on managing health anxiety and mitigating the negative impact of online health information

None Declared

Health-related anxiety, characterized by excessive worry about one’s health, often leads to significant distress and impairment. Thought suppression, the conscious attempt to control or avoid unwanted thoughts, is frequently associated with various psychological conditions, including anxiety disorders. Research suggests that individuals with anxiety may attempt to suppress thoughts related to their fears, potentially exacerbating symptoms.

The present study investigates the relationship between thought suppression and health-related anxiety, exploring how the tendency to suppress intrusive thoughts may influence health anxiety levels.

A cross-sectional survey design was employed, with participants drawn from a sample of medical students. The White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI) was used to assess the extent to which participants tend to suppress intrusive thoughts, while the Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-18) was used to measure health-related anxiety. The HAI-18 evaluates the frequency and intensity of health-related worries and behaviors over the past six months.

The study recruited 213 medical students, of which 74.2% were female. The mean age of participants was 22.11 ± 2 years. Among the sample, 22.1% had a personal medical history, and 20.2% had a documented history of psychiatric disorders. Regarding family medical history, 59.6% of participants reported a familial history of medical conditions, and 21.6% reported a familial history of psychiatric disorders. Additionally, 39% of participants had family members who had been hospitalized for serious illness.

Health-related anxiety was observed in 26.3% of participants. A significant positive correlation was found between WBSI scores (thought suppression) and HAI scores (health-related anxiety) (r = 0.301, p < 0.001), suggesting that participants who reported higher levels of thought suppression were more likely to experience health-related intrusive thoughts and heightened anxiety about their health. Furthermore, individuals with higher health anxiety tended to have a stronger inclination to suppress thoughts, compared to those with lower levels of health anxiety.

The findings indicate a positive relationship between thought suppression and health-related anxiety among medical students. Specifically, students who engage in higher levels of thought suppression tend to report more frequent intrusive thoughts related to health and greater anxiety about their well-being. Future research could explore interventions aimed at reducing thought suppression as a potential strategy for alleviating health anxiety.

None Declared

Cyberchondria, defined as excessive and anxiety-driven health-related internet searching, has become an increasingly significant issue in the digital age, where easy access to online health information can contribute to heightened health anxiety. Recent studies suggest that cognitive avoidance strategies, such as thought suppression, may worsen anxiety-related behaviors, including health-related internet searching.

The objective of this study was to investigate how the tendency to suppress thoughts (thought suppression) influences the development and intensity of cyberchondria in a sample of medical students.

A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving a sample of 213 medical students. The White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI) was used to assess participants’ tendency to suppress health-related thoughts. The Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) was used to measure the extent and severity of health-related internet searching behaviors. Participants also provided information about their medical history, family medical history, and psychiatric background.

The sample consisted predominantly of females (74.2%), with a mean age of 22.11 ± 2 years. Among the 213 participants, 22.1% reported a personal medical history, and 20.2% had a documented history of psychiatric disorders. Regarding family medical history, 59.6% of participants reported a familial history of medical conditions, and 21.6% reported a familial history of psychiatric disorders. Additionally, 39% of participants reported that family members had been hospitalized for serious illness.

The levels of cyberchondria among participants were as follows: 36.6% of participants reported low levels of cyberchondria, 41.8% reported moderate levels, 20.7% reported high levels, and 0.9% reported very high levels of cyberchondria.

A significant positive correlation was found between WBSI scores (measuring thought suppression) and Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) scores (measuring health-related internet searching) (r = 0.4, p=0.02). This suggests that medical students who engaged in higher levels of thought suppression were more likely to experience intrusive health-related thoughts and engage in heightened online health searching behaviors.

The findings of this study suggest that there is a positive relationship between thought suppression and the intensity of cyberchondria among medical students. These results highlight the importance of addressing cognitive avoidance strategies, such as thought suppression, in the management of health anxiety. Future research could explore interventions that aim to reduce thought suppression, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness-based techniques, as potential strategies for alleviating cyberchondria and its associated health anxiety.

None Declared

It is well-established that medical students often experience health-related anxiety, a phenomenon commonly referred to as “medical student syndrome” in the literature. This condition is believed to arise from exposure to life-threatening diseases during medical training.

Health anxiety is characterized by excessive worry about having a serious illness, often leading to heightened distress and maladaptive health-related behaviors.

The aim of this study was to explore and compare health anxiety levels between preclinical and clinical medical students.

A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted at the Sfax Medical School from March to June 2024. Medical students were invited to voluntarily complete a self-administered questionnaire, which collected socio-demographic data, lifestyle-related factors (such as substance use, physical activity, and medical history), and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-18). The HAI-18 assesses the frequency and intensity of health-related worries and behaviors experienced over the past six months. The total score ranges from 0 to 54 and includes two subscales: the Health Anxiety subscale (items 1–14, range 0–42) and the Negative Consequences of Illness subscale (items 15–18, range 0–12). A score of 18 or higher on the Health Anxiety subscale indicates significant health anxiety.

A total of 285 students participated in the study, with a predominance of females (73.7%).

The mean age was 21.96 ± 2.05 years. Preclinical students constituted 31.9% of the sample, while clinical students comprised 68.1%. Most participants (91.9%) resided in urban areas, and 82.1% reported a moderate socioeconomic status. Additionally, 69.5% of participants were living with their families. A medical history was reported by 21.8% of the participants, while 17.2% had a history of psychiatric difficulties. Among these students, 5% had been hospitalized for a serious illness, for a prolonged duration or on multiple occasions.

Health-related anxiety was observed in 24.6% of participants. It was significantly associated with female gender (p = 0.045), a history of psychiatric difficulties (p = 0.004), and being a clinical medical student (p = 0.04). These factors were identified as key predictors of increased health-related anxiety levels.

Female gender, a history of psychiatric difficulties, and clinical medical training were identified as significant risk factors for health-related anxiety among medical students. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to address and alleviate anxiety in these high-risk groups, potentially improving both mental health and academic performance within medical training environments.

None Declared

Severe asthma (SA), often associated with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), contributes significantly to global disability and mortality. A personalized treatment approach, including addressing treatable traits like mental health, is crucial for improving outcomes. The impact of panic disorder (PD) on asthma symptoms and outcomes requires investigation due to their epidemiological association.

To cross-sectionally compare the clinical presentation of outpatients with SA and/or CRSwNP, with and without PD, treated at the Personalized Medicine Asthma and Allergy Clinic, Humanitas Research Hospital.

Participants were consecutively recruited among outpatients attending follow-up visits to treat SA and/or CRSwNP from February to March 2024. All were previously enrolled in the SANI (Severe Asthma Network Italy) or RINET (Rhinosinusitis Italian Network) registries. Participants completed a comprehensive self-report survey on sociodemographic, lifestyle, medical, and psychiatric information, along with validated questionnaires assessing asthma control, severity of nasal obstruction, burden and emotional responses to physical symptoms, psychophysical well-being, and the PD module from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) screening tool, to identify provisional diagnoses for current or past PD. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis, post-hoc Dunn’s, and Fisher’s exact tests, with Holm’s adjustment for multiple comparisons. The significance level was set at 0.05.

Seventy-nine patients, 46 women (58.2%) and 33 men (41.8%), participated in this study. Thirty patients (38%) had SA only, 44 (55.7%) had both SA and CRSwNP, and 5 (6.3%) CRSwNP only. Current PD was identified in 7 outpatients (8.9%), while 12 (15.2%) had past PD. Compared to patients who have never experienced PD, those with current PD had significantly worse asthma control, more severe nasal obstruction, greater dyspnea and physical symptom burden, as well as greater proneness to catastrophizing about asthma, heightened attentional focus on internal bodily sensations, and lower quality of life. Patients with past PD had greater dyspnea and physical symptom burden, swallowing difficulty, and reduced quality of life compared to those without PD. No significant differences were found between current and past PD groups.

The prevalence of current or past PD among patients with SA and/or CRSwNP was approximately three times higher than in the general population, corroborating previous epidemiological findings. PD was associated with poorer asthma and nasal symptom control, along with a higher burden and sensitivity to respiratory and physical symptoms. Our preliminary results suggest a need for PD screening and targeted interventions for these patients. Further studies with psychiatric interviews and objective respiratory measures are warranted.

None Declared

Patients with somatization disorder frequently seek medical evaluations for unexplained symptoms, strongly believing they are physically ill and often rejecting psychosocial explanations. In Turkey, easy and low-cost access to healthcare and medications via the General Health Insurance system encourages frequent hospital visits. High patient loads and short consultation times hinder thorough assessments, complicating diagnoses like somatization disorder. Consequently, physicians may practice “defensive medicine,” over-ordering tests and medications to minimize risks. These practices reinforce patients’ beliefs in having an organic illness and increase the risk of polypharmacy.

This case discusses a patient with somatization disorder experiencing multiple hospital admissions and polypharmacy due to the dynamics of the Turkish healthcare system.

A 31-year-old woman was admitted after a suicide attempt, exhibiting depressive symptoms and psychosomatic complaints. Detailed examinations of her socio-demographic data, medical and psychiatric history, current complaints, medication use, and past hospitalizations were conducted.

Since age 16, the patient frequently presented with fainting, convulsions, nausea, and vomiting, undergoing extensive evaluations. She repeatedly visited emergency services for chest pain radiating to her left arm and jaw; coronary angiography found no cardiac pathology. Despite no organic cause, she was prescribed 15 different medications by various specialties, reaching 20 tablets daily, covering cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and respiratory systems. Due to family issues, divorce processes, and social stressors, she exhibited depressive and psychosomatic symptoms, attempted suicide 7 times, and was hospitalized in psychiatric wards 12 times. In her latest attempt, she ingested 15 fluoxetine tablets. Psychiatric evaluation revealed ongoing somatic complaints, and polypharmacy was adversely affecting her health. After consultations, unnecessary non-psychiatric medications were discontinued. Her treatment was adjusted to venlafaxine 300 mg/day, clozapine 50 mg/day, and mirtazapine 30 mg/day.

This case illustrates how structural issues in the healthcare system adversely affect patients with somatization disorder, increasing polypharmacy risk. Unnecessary tests and treatments reinforce beliefs in organic illness and complicate management. Healthcare professionals should approach such patients carefully, avoid defensive medicine practices, and consider early psychiatric evaluation. Policy-level changes are needed for the healthcare system to better address these patients’ needs.

None Declared

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) represent a significant global health burden, affecting approximately 15-20% of the population. These disorders can significantly impair quality of life, particularly in individuals facing high levels of psychological stress, such as medical students.

To study the association between psychiatric factors, specifically anxiety and depressive disorders, and the prevalence of FGIDs among medical students in Tunisia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among second-year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Sousse, from March 2023 to February 2024. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn. Psychiatric conditions were assed using validated screening tools.

The study included 206 students, with a strong female predominance (80.1%). Among them, 46.1% (n=95) reported experiencing between 1 and 4 digestive disorders, primarily abdominal pain and bloating (66%). Psychiatrically, univariate analysis revealed a significant association between FGIDs and several psychological factors: female gender (p<0.01), a tendency towards anger in daily life (p<0.01), anticipatory anxiety (p<0.01), and the presence of panic attacks (p<0.01).

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are prevalent among medical students and are often linked to anxiety and depressive disorders. Preventive measures focused on stress management and mental health could significantly improve the quality of life of these students and prevent digestive complications.

None Declared

Manganese (Mn), an essential yet potentially toxic metal found naturally in the environment, has been implicated in various neurodegenerative and neuroaffective disorders due to its propensity for chronic intoxication.

This study explores the neuroprotective effects of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) against Mn-induced toxicity, with a specific focus on its potential to mitigate anxiety and depressive disorders.

Three groups of male Wistar rats were used: one group was injected with 25 mg/kg Mn, another with 25 mg/kg Mn plus 4 mg/kg EDTA, and the control group received NaCl. Injections were administered intraperitoneally daily for 12 weeks. Rat weights were monitored weekly, and following the exposure period, rats underwent a series of neurobehavioral tests to assess anxiety and depressive behaviors.

Rats receiving the 25 mg/kg Mn dose alone exhibited increased immobility in the forced swimming test (FST) and anhedonia in the sucrose preference test, indicative of depressive behaviors. In contrast, rats treated with Mn and EDTA displayed significantly reduced immobility times and maintained normal sucrose water consumption. Behavioral tests, including the open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM), indicated increased anxiety in Mn-exposed rats, which was mitigated by EDTA treatment.

Mn exposure induces anxiety and depressive disorders in rats, but coadministration of EDTA significantly mitigates these effects, suggesting its potential as a neuroprotective agent against Mn toxicity.

None Declared

Response to treatment in pediatric social anxiety disorder (SAD) is highly variable. Atypical face processing has been suggested as a maintaining factor. A previous study reported that youth with SAD scan a more restricted area of faces than healthy controls during emotion recognition, potentially interfering with social cognition.

The current study examined whether visual scanning and arousal (pupil dilation) also predicts treatment response and changes as a function of successful treatment.

Youth with SAD (n = 55) were assessed prior to treatment with internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) or supportive therapy (ISUPPORT) and three and twelve months after treatment.

Restricted scanning of faces predicted worse treatment outcome, most consistently for youth receiving ICBT. No evidence for a change in social attention after treatment was found. Instead, visual social attention measures showed moderate to high stability. Children whose arousal decreased from baseline to three months follow up were most likely to benefit from ICBT rather than ISUPPORT, pointing to a role of arousal in treatment response.

Restricted scanning of faces may interfere with social interaction, thereby interfering with treatment. These results have implications for our understanding of social information processing in SAD.

None Declared