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Objective The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures have had a clear psychological impact on families, and specifically those with children with chronic illnesses have reported greater overloads and exhaustion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure, impact and experience of the pandemic on families of pediatric solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients compared to families of healthy children and adolescents. Methods We recruited 96 families, 48 with a pediatric SOT recipient and 48 healthy controls, matched by child age and gender. A primary caregiver from each family responded to an online sociodemographic questionnaire and the COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Survey (CEFIS), which explores the exposure, impact and experience of the pandemic and lockdown on families. Results Exposure to the pandemic was greater in families of healthy children and adolescents. The impact was mostly negative in both groups: caregivers reported increased anxiety (76%) and mood disturbances (71.9%) and hindered quality of sleep (64.6%) and health habits (58.3%). On the positive side, family relationships improved. Qualitatively, the SOT group positively perceived isolation and established hygienic measures as protective and destigmatizing, although they reported fear of virus transmission to their child. Conclusions The psychological impact of the pandemic has been similar in both groups, although families of transplant recipients have protected themselves more, probably because they are used to prevention measures and they see contagion as a graver risk. Additionally, SOT recipients’ families presented some idiosyncratic elements, especially a decrease in their perception of stigma associated with the medical condition.

COVID-19; Anxiety; Pregnancy COVID-19; Ansiedad; Embarazo COVID-19; Ansietat; Embaràs Background: To explore the depression and anxiety symptoms in the postpartum period during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to identify potential risk factors. Methods: A multicentre observational cohort study including 536 women was performed at three hospitals in Spain. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS), and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) were assessed after birth. Depression (EPDS) and anxiety (STAI) symptoms were measured, and the cut-off scores were set at 10 and 13 for EPDS, and at 40 for STAI. Results: Regarding EPDS, 32.3% (95% CI, 28% to 36.5%) of women had a score ≥ 10, and 17.3% (95% CI, 13.9% to 20.7%) had a score ≥ 13. Women with an STAI score ≥ 40 accounted for 46.8% (95% CI, 42.3% to 51.2%). A lower level of social support (MOS-SSS), a fetal malformation diagnosis and a history of depression (p = 0.000, p = 0.019 and p = 0.043) were independent risk factors for postpartum depression. A lower level of social support and a history of mental health disorders (p = 0.000, p = 0.003) were independent risk factors for postpartum anxiety. Conclusion: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed during the postpartum period.

Introduction Anxiety and depression during pregnancy can lead to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The SARS CoV‐2 pandemic, and the complete lockdown required during the first wave in most countries are stressors for pregnant women and can lead to anxiety and depression during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to explore depression and anxiety symptoms, and social support in pregnant women during the SARS CoV‐2 lockdown, as well as to explore demographic risk factors. Material and methods A prospective cohort study was performed at Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, including pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic during the SARS‐CoV2 lockdown period. Three questionnaires were administered to study depression (EPDS), anxiety (STAI) and Social Support (MOS‐SSS). STAI state (STAIs) described the actual state of anxiety and the STAI trait (STAIt) described the trait of anxiety. A cut‐off of 10 for EPDS and 40 for STAI was considered to be clinically relevant. The main outcome measures were depression and anxiety symptoms. Results A total of 217 women were invited to participate, and 204 accepted (94%). From these, 164 filled in the EPDS, 109 STAI and 159 MOS‐SSS questionnaires: 37.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.5%‐45.7%) (62/164) of women showed an EPDS result ≥10, 59.6% (95% CI 49.8%‐68.8%) (65/109) a STAI state (STAIs) ≥40, and 58.7% (95% CI 48.9%‐67.9%) (64/109) a STAI trait (STAIt) ≥40. Regression analysis showed that mental health disorder, Latin American origin and lack of social support were independent risk factors for anxiety symptoms in the STAIs (P = .032, P = .040 and P = .029, respectively). Regarding depressive symptoms, maternal body mass index, mental health disorders and social support were independent factors (P = .013, P = .015 and P = .000, respectively). Conclusions A lockdown scenario during the first wave of the SARS‐CoV 2 pandemic increased the symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant women, particularly affecting those with less social support.

mHealth; Dieta; Activitat física mHealth; Dieta; Actividad física mHealth; Diet; Physical activity Background: mHealth has experienced a huge growth during the last decade. It has been presented as a new and promising pathway to increase self-management of health and chronic conditions in several populations. One of the most prolific areas of mHealth has been healthy lifestyles promotion. However, few mobile apps have succeeded in engaging people and ensuring sustained use. Objective: This paper describes the pilot test protocol of the PReventive Care Infrastructure based on Ubiquitous Sensing (PRECIOUS) project, aimed at validating the PRECIOUS system with end users. This system includes, within a motivational framework, the Bodyguard2 sensor (accelerometer with heart rate monitoring) and the PRECIOUS app. Methods: This is a pilot experimental study targeting morbidly obese prediabetic patients who will be randomized to three conditions: (1) Group 1 - Control group (Treatment as usual with the endocrinologist and the nurse + Bodyguard2), (2) Group 2 - PRECIOUS system (Bodyguard2 + PRECIOUS app), and (3) Group 3 - PRECIOUS system (Bodyguard2 + PRECIOUS app + Motivational Interviewing). The duration of the study will be 3 months with scheduled follow-up appointments within the scope of the project at Weeks 3, 5, 8, and 12. During the study, several measures related to healthy lifestyles, weight management, and health-related quality of life will be collected to explore the effectiveness of PRECIOUS to foster behavior change, as well as user acceptance, usability, and satisfaction with the solution. Results: Because of the encouraging results shown in similar scientific work analyzing health apps acceptance in clinical settings, we expect patients to widely accept and express satisfaction with PRECIOUS. We also expect to find acceptable usability of the preventive health solution. The recruitment of the pilot study has concluded with the inclusion of 31 morbidly obese prediabetic patients. Results are expected to be available in mid-2017. Conclusions: Adopting and maintaining healthy habits may be challenging in people with chronic conditions who usually need regular support to ensure mid/long-term adherence to recommendations and behavior change. Thus, mHealth could become a powerful and efficient tool since it allows continuous communication with users and immediate feedback. The PRECIOUS system is an innovative preventive health care solution aimed at enhancing inner motivation from users to change their lifestyles and adopt healthier habits. PRECIOUS includes ubiquitous sensors and a scientifically grounded app to address three main components of health: physical activity, diet, and stress levels. The PRECIOUS project Grant Agreement No. 611366 is a project supported by the European Commission through the 7th Framework Programme. PRECIOUS has eight beneficiaries from six countries (FI, UK, ES, AT, FR, BE) and is coordinated by AALTO-Korkeakoulusäätiö (FI).

To compare psychophysiological responses among novice surgeons during performance of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).Randomized study.Academic institution.Fifteen novice surgeons.The psychophysiological effects of performing ESS were assessed among 15 novice surgeons at 30 minutes before (T - 30), at the beginning of (T0), at 15 minutes (T15), and 45 minutes (T45) during, and at 30 minutes after (T + 30) surgery. Participants were randomized to perform ESS with a computer-assisted surgery system, to perform ESS without a computer-assisted surgery system, or to be evaluated on a nonsurgical day (control day). Measured were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score, Visual Analog Anxiety Scale score, heart rate, blood pressure, and plasma cortisol and prolactin levels.Anxiety as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score was not modified by the experimental conditions. The mean (SEM) Visual Analog Anxiety Scale score increased (P.05) during ESS at T0 (2.45 [0.32]), T15 (3.46 [0.50]), and T45 (3.17 [0.46]) compared with the control day (1.19 [0.19], 1.32 [0.26], and 1.20 [0.19], respectively). The mean (SEM) systolic blood pressure (in millimeters of mercury) increased (P.05) during ESS at T0 (127 [2]), T15 (126 [3]), and T45 (125 [2]) compared with the control day (120 [3], 119 [4], and 116 [3], respectively). The mean (SEM) heart rate (in beats per minute) increased during ESS but was significant only at T15 (73 [4]) compared with the control day (64 [3]). The mean (SEM) plasma cortisol level (in micrograms per deciliter) increased 29% above baseline during performance of ESS and reached a maximum peak at T45 (12.6 [1.2]) compared with the control day (9.7 [1.1]), while prolactin levels did not change. The Visual Analog Anxiety Scale score, heart rate, blood pressure, and endocrine biomarkers of stress were not significantly modified during performance of ESS with a computer-assisted surgery system.This study demonstrates for the first time that cardiovascular and anxiety changes during performance of ESS are not associated with increased levels of prototypical endocrine stress hormones.

Studies on individual psychotherapy indicate that some interventions may reduce the number of recurrences in bipolar patients. However, there has been a lack of structured, well-designed, blinded, controlled studies demonstrating the efficacy of group psychoeducation to prevent recurrences in patients with bipolar I and II disorder.One hundred twenty bipolar I and II outpatients in remission (Young Mania Rating Scale score6, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 score8) for at least 6 months prior to inclusion in the study, who were receiving standard pharmacologic treatment, were included in a controlled trial. Subjects were matched for age and sex and randomized to receive, in addition to standard psychiatric care, 21 sessions of group psychoeducation or 21 sessions of nonstructured group meetings. Subjects were assessed monthly during the 21-week treatment period and throughout the 2-year follow-up.Group psychoeducation significantly reduced the number of relapsed patients and the number of recurrences per patient, and increased the time to depressive, manic, hypomanic, and mixed recurrences. The number and length of hospitalizations per patient were also lower in patients who received psychoeducation.Group psychoeducation is an efficacious intervention to prevent recurrence in pharmacologically treated patients with bipolar I and II disorder.

IntroductionAlexithymia is said to be an important feature of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGD). Most studies focus on the presence of alexithymia in patients suffering non-motor FGD (NMFGD) but few studies have analyzed its occurrence in motor FGD (MFGD) patients.Objectives- To describe the presence of alexithymia, measured with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), in a sample of FGD inpatients.- To analyze the differences in alexithymia, measured with the TAS-20, between MFGD and NMFGD inpatients.Material and method46 inpatients admitted to the Vall d’Hebron Digestive System Research Unit to study the existence of FGD were evaluated from January 2008 to July 2010. All patients completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).ResultsThe mean age of the sample was 41.02 ± 16.86 years, 89.1% were women and 10.9% were men. With regard to their diagnostic condition, 31 met criteria of NMFGD, 13 of MFGD, and 2 did not met criteria of both disorders. The mean TAS-20 total score was: 46.24 ± 13.60. MFGD patients obtained a mean score of 45.45 ± 12.53, and patients with NMFGD had a mean score of 45.75 ± 12.53. No statistically significant differences were found between both subtypes with regard to alexithymia.ConclusionsAlexithymia, measured with the TAS-20, may not be present in FGD. Discordances of our results with previous findings in FGD may be due to complex psychosocial factors and to psychometric difficulties in assessing alexithymia in this group of patients.

IntroductionPatients suffering from Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGD) experience a high degree of psychological discomfort difficult to measure with current psychometric tools.Objectives- To describe the presence of affective symptoms measured with the Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) Scale in FGD inpatients.- To analyze the differences in HAD subscales scores between motor functional gastrointestinal disorders (MFGD) and non-motor functional gastrointestinal disorders (NMFGD).Material and method46 inpatients admitted to the Vall d’Hebron Digestive System Research Unit to study the existence of FGD were evaluated from January 2008 to July 2010. All patients completed the HAD scale and results from the two HAD subscales - Anxiety subscale (HAD-A) and Depression subscale (HAD-D)- were analyzed.ResultsThe mean age of the sample was 41.02 ± 16.86 years, 89.1% were women and 10.9% were men. Thirty-one patients met criteria of NMFGD, 13 of MFGD, and 2 did not met criteria of both diagnoses. The mean scores of the HAD were: HAD-A = 8.12 ± 5.23) and HAD-D = 5.20 ± 4.20. MFGD patients’ HAD results were: HAD-A = 7.00 ± 5.74 and HAD-D = 4.55 ± 4.52 while NMGFD HAD results were: HAD-A = 8.21 ± 4.98 and HAD-D = 4.96 ± 3.77. No statistically significant differences were found between both groups.ConclusionsAccording to our findings, MFGD patients do not meet HAD criteria of anxiety or depression while NMFGD patients only fulfill criteria for probable anxiety or depression. New psychometric tools should be developed in the future to study the psychological discomfort these patients usually complain of.