D. Caldirola, Italy
Humanitas University Mental HealthPresenter of 2 Presentations
EPV0485 - C-reactive protein in a naturalistic sample of inpatients with Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
ABSTRACT
Introduction
The relevance of inflammation to psychiatric disorders is well established. While inflammation was broadly investigated in mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) received little attention. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker commonly assessed in clinical practice. Studies comparing CRP levels across mood disorders and OCD are lacking.
Objectives
We compared the prevalence of CRP-based low-grade inflammation (LGI) across major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD) and OCD, taking into account multiple individual variables that may affect CRP levels.
Methods
Retrospective, observational cross-sectional study in a naturalistic sample of hospitalized patients with MDD or BD or OCD. Information was collected from electronic medical records. Based on serum CRP levels at admission, the following were defined: CRP: >3 mg/L and ≤10 mg/l, “yes” LGI; ≤3 mg/L, “no” LGI. Logistic regression models were applied.
Results
We included 156 patients with MDD, 135 with BD, and 97 with OCD. We found prevalence rates of CRP-LGI of 29.9%, 36.5%, and 47.4% in patients with OCD, MDD, and BD, respectively, without significant differences between groups. The entire set of individual variables considered (e.g., sex, body mass index, medication) explained only one-third of the observed variations in CRP-LGI.
Conclusions
CRP-LGI may be a transdiagnostic feature of a substantial portion of patients with MDD or BD or OCD, rather than being exclusive to a specific psychiatric disorder. The presence of LGI was not fully explained by individual confounding factors. Given the relevance of inflammation to psychiatric and medical outcome, routine measurements of CRP in psychiatric settings may be valuable.
O074 - New onset of mental disorders, lifestyle changes, and quality of relationships during Covid-19 in Italian population.
ABSTRACT
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has been causing relevant public health and psychosocial consequences.
Objectives
To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, lifestyle and personal relationships in the Italian general population.
Methods
An online survey spread between May and June 2020 to collect socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle, relationship, and mental health self-reported information. Mental disorder screening was performed by the Patient Health Questionnaire and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5.
Results
Participants were 2003, 1504 of which (75%) completed the entire questionnaire (1157 females, 77%). Among the completers who have not had any mental disorder before (n=524, 35%), 263 (51.7%) met cut-off scores for psychiatric diagnoses on the self-report psychiatric screeners during the pandemic (i.e., Major Depressive Disorder, 11.3%, with death thoughts in approximately half of the cases; Panic Disorder, 1.1%; Generalized Anxiety Disorder, 13%.3, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, 13.2%, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, 7.3%; Alcohol Abuse, 5.5%). In line with this, 39% of completers complained of insomnia, while 12% and 10% started using anxiolytics and antidepressants, respectively. Approximately 7-8 % of completers started/increased alcohol and/or nicotine consumption, 33% quitted/decreased physical activity, and 40% declared decreased sexual satisfaction. Approximately 21% and 38% declared worsening in relationship with partner and difficulty in child-caring, respectively.
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be a risk factor for new onset of mental disorders and worsening in lifestyle and familial relationships in the Italian population. These results should be confirmed by clinical interviews, and may represent a starting point for further monitoring of the medium and long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.