HIGHLIGHTS This study examined the early psychological correlates associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in an older adult sample. Regardless of mental status, depressive and avoidant style were the most prevalent in this older adult sample. Interventions need to be tailored to alleviate dysfunctional coping strategies and their progression to mental illness.

Aim To provide a population-based characterization of sociodemographic and clinical risk and protective factors associated with consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or both as a coping strategy in a sample of the Spanish general population during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Cross-sectional study based on an online snowball recruiting questionnaire. The survey consisted of an ad hoc questionnaire comprising clinical and sociodemographic information and the Spanish versions of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Impact of Event Scale (IES). Results The final sample included 21,207 individuals [mean age (SD) = 39.7 (14.0); females: 14,768 (69.6%)]. Up to 2,867 (13.5%) of participants reported using alcohol, 2,545 (12%) tobacco and 1,384 (6.5%) both substances as a strategy to cope with the pandemic. Sex-related factors were associated with alcohol consumption as a coping strategy [female, OR=0.600, p<0.001]. However, education level, work status, and income played different roles depending on the substance used to cope. Having a current mental disorder was associated only with tobacco consumption as a coping strategy [OR=1.391, p<0.001]. Finally, sex differences were also identified. Conclusions Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors were associated with consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or both as a coping method for the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Our findings may help develop specific intervention programs reflecting sex differences, which could minimize negative long-term outcomes of substance use after this pandemic.

Introduction: Interest in the idea of recovery for certain patients with schizophrenia has been growing over the last decade. Improving symptomatology and functioning is crucial for achieving this. Our study aims to identify those factors that substantially contribute to real-world functioning in these patients.Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study in stable outpatients with schizophrenia on maintenance antipsychotic monotherapy. Patients: We studied 144 outpatients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV-TR criteria) meeting the following criteria: (1) 18–65 years of age; (2) being clinically stable for at least the previous three months; (3) on maintenance antipsychotic monotherapy (prescriptions ≤ 10 mg olanzapine, ≤200 mg quetiapine, or ≤100 mg levomepromazine as hypnotics were also allowed); and (4) written informed consent. Assessment: We collected information on demographic and clinical variables by using an ad hoc questionnaire. For psychopathology, we employed the Spanish versions of the following psychometric instruments: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS-Sp), and the Calgary Depression Scale (CDS). In addition, cognitive domains were assessed using the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and the Trail Making Test, parts A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B). Finally, we employed the Spanish versions of the University of California San Diego Performance-based Skills Assessment (Sp-UPSA) and the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) for assessing functional capacity and real-world functioning, respectively. Statistical analysis: A forward stepwise regression was conducted by entering those variables significantly associated with PSP total score into the univariate analyses (Student's t-test, ANOVA with Duncan's post-hoc test, or bivariate Pearson correlation).Results: A total of 144 patients; mean age 40 years, 64% males, mean length of illness 12.4 years, PSP total score 54.3. The final model was a significant predictor of real-world functioning [F(7, 131) = 36.371, p &lt; 0.001] and explained 66.0% of the variance. Variables retained in the model: BNSS-Sp abulia, asociality, and blunted affect, PANSS general psychopathology, Sp-UPSA transportation, TMT-B, and heart rate.Conclusion: Our model will contribute to a more efficient and personalized daily clinical practice by assigning specific interventions to each patient based on specific impaired factors in order to improve functioning.

Introduction A staging model is a clinical tool used to define the development of a disease over time. In schizophrenia, authors have proposed different theoretical staging models of increasing complexity. Therefore, the aims of our study were to provide an updated and critical view of the proposed clinical staging models for schizophrenia and to review the empirical data that support them. Methods Systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines. From the PubMed database and backward reference search, a total of 141 records were retrieved, but only 20 were selected according to the inclusion criteria: (a) available in English; (b) participants with schizophrenia ≥ 18 years; and (c) theoretical and empirical research studies intended to develop, validate, and/or improve staging models of schizophrenia. Results Different clinical staging models for schizophrenia were identified, information about the proposed stages was tabulated and presented in the Results section (Tables 1, 2). Most of which include neuroimaging, functioning, and psychopathology, but only two models add objective biomarkers and none include patient point of view. However, few models have been psychometrically tested or used small samples and thus have been validated only partially. In addition, five studies proposed therapeutic interventions according to the stage of the disorder from a theoretical point of view. Discussion In conclusion, it is possible to stage schizophrenia, but the models developed have several limitations. Empirical validation and inclusion of more specific biomarkers and measures of other life areas affected by schizophrenia could help in the development of more valid models.

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IntroductionWorse sleep quality and increased inflammatory markers in women with schizophrenia (Sch) have been reported (Lee et al. 2019). However, the physiological mechanisms underlying the interplay between sleep and the inflammatory pathways are not yet well understood (Fang et al. 2016).ObjectivesAnalyze the relationship between Neutrophil/Lymphocyte (NLR), Monocyte/Lymphocyte (MLR) and Platelet/Lymphocyte (PLR) ratios, and insomnia in Sch stratified by sex.MethodsFinal sample included 176 Sch patients (ICD-10 criteria) [mean age: 38.9±13.39; males: 111(63.1%)]. Assessment: PANSS, Calgary Depression Scale (CDSS), and Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire (OSQ) to identify a comorbid diagnosis of insomnia based on ICD-10. Fasting counting blood cell were performed to calculate ratios. Statistics: U Mann-Whitney, logistic regression.ResultsInsomnia as comorbid diagnosis was present in 22 Sch (12.5%) with no differences between sex [14 males (12.6%), 8 females (12.3%)], neither in their age. Female patients with insomnia showed increased NLR [2.44±0.69 vs. 1.88±0.80, U=122.00 (p=0.034)]. However, no differences in PLR and MLR were found, neither in any ratio in males. Regression models using insomnia as dependent variable and covariates (age, PANSS-positive, PANSS-negative, CDSS) were estimated. Females: presence of insomnia was associated with NLR [OR=3.564 (p=0.032)], PANSS-positive [OR=1.263 (p=0.013)] and CDSS [OR=1.198 (p=0.092)]. Males: only PANSS-positive [OR=1.123 (p=0.027)] and CDSS scores [OR=1.220 (p=0.005)] were associated with insomnia.ConclusionsNLR represent an inflammatory marker of insomnia in Sch but only in female patients. Improving sleep quality in these patients could help to decrease their inflammatory response.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

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