Introduction

Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO on March 11th and efforts have been made to minimize the impact that this new disease can produce. The mental health effects of this pandemic can be severe considering that each year close to 800.000 people die by suicide. This pandemic could increase those numbers, although this is not inevitable.

Objectives

This work reviewed the current available data on possible causes for a suicide rate increase and to try to understand if suicide is already increasing worldwide.

Methods

Non-systematic review of the literature with selection of scientific articles published in the past 6 months; by searching Pubmed and Medscape databases using the combination of MeSH descriptors. The following MeSH terms were used: Covid-19; suicide; SARS-Cov2; pandemic.

Results

Multiple factors can account for an increase in suicide rates such as isolation with a sense of decreased belongingness and increased burdensomeness. A synergy with known suicide precipitants can also occur such as domestic violence, intra-familiar conflicts, alcohol consumption and access to means. Media communication can represent a danger with constant reports about the crisis. And lastly the loss of employment and financial stressors can produce an important impact.

Conclusions

In conclusion, Covid-19 will produce an important impact in many spheres of society, one of which will be mental health. If at the start of this crisis a widespread sense of solidarity was present with the maintenance of precipitant factors for suicide we expect to see an increase in suicide rates.

Introduction

We are facing a crisis caused by an extremely infectious disease, Covid-19. The mechanisms of infection and transmission of this coronavirus are largely unknown but some of the clearer recommendations are washing hands and surfaces. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder has a lifetime prevalence of 2-3%, among the multiple symptoms, fear of dirt or being contaminated, and excessive washing are the most common affecting about 50% of patients.

Objectives

We reviewed the available information to understand if there are changes in OCD symptoms during the pandemic.

Methods

Non-systematic review of the literature with selection of scientific articles published in the past 6 months; by searching Pubmed and Medscape databases using the combination of MeSH descriptors. The following MeSH terms were used: Covid-19; SARS-Cov2; pandemic; obsessive compulsive disorder; OCD.

Results

From a theoretical point of view, the increased frequency of hand washing and the importance of following hand-washing steps can add to a ritualistic pattern, also cleaning hands every time a person comes from outside or contacts with others can be justified as a preventive action rather than considered a problem and it can be “normalized” by others as a pandemic response.

Conclusions

In conclusion, there is evidence that during quarantine an overall increase in obsession and compulsion severity emerged with contamination symptoms associated with worse outcomes. There is data on an increase in relapses with patients not asking for help in a timely manner. The current situation is unpredictable and rapidly changing. It is likely that more information about this topic will arise in the next months.

Introduction

Neuropsychiatric drugs account for 16% of drugs that can lead to hepatotoxicity and psychiatric patients can have multiple comorbidities that can increase the incidence of liver disorders such as alcoholism, drug abuse and polymedication.

The continuous use of atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAD) has raised questions over their tolerability over endocrine, metabolic and cardiovascular systems. They are also associated with mild elevation of aminotransferases and occasionally cause idiosyncratic liver injury with varying phenotypes.

Hepatotoxicity is defined based on biological parameters such as elevation of alkaline phosphatase enzyme, SGPT, SGOT and GGT or clinical abnormalities (jaundice and hepatitis).

Objectives

This work reviewed the current available evidence on the hepatic damage produced by AAD.

Methods

Non-systematic review of the literature with selection of scientific articles published in the past 10 years; by searching Pubmed and Medscape databases using the combination of MeSH descriptors. The following MeSH terms were used: atypical antipsychotic drugs; hepatotoxicity; hepatic; Olanzapine; Clozapine; Risperidone; Aripiprazol; Paliperidone.

Results

Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs are generally well tolerated and hepatic alterations are in general very low or rare. The cases published were observed with Clozapine, Olanzapine and Risperidone. Atypical Antipsychotic drugs have a better profile than Chlorpromazine.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the hepatic injury generally occurs within the first weeks of treatment and is usually reversible with drug withdrawal. Hepatic check-ups may be relevant, especially in the beginning of treatment.