scholarly journals AI-Based Prediction and Prevention of Psychological and Behavioral Changes in Ex-COVID-19 Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krešimir Ćosić ◽  
Siniša Popović ◽  
Marko Šarlija ◽  
Ivan Kesedžić ◽  
Mate Gambiraža ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 pandemic has adverse consequences on human psychology and behavior long after initial recovery from the virus. These COVID-19 health sequelae, if undetected and left untreated, may lead to more enduring mental health problems, and put vulnerable individuals at risk of developing more serious psychopathologies. Therefore, an early distinction of such vulnerable individuals from those who are more resilient is important to undertake timely preventive interventions. The main aim of this article is to present a comprehensive multimodal conceptual approach for addressing these potential psychological and behavioral mental health changes using state-of-the-art tools and means of artificial intelligence (AI). Mental health COVID-19 recovery programs at post-COVID clinics based on AI prediction and prevention strategies may significantly improve the global mental health of ex-COVID-19 patients. Most COVID-19 recovery programs currently involve specialists such as pulmonologists, cardiologists, and neurologists, but there is a lack of psychiatrist care. The focus of this article is on new tools which can enhance the current limited psychiatrist resources and capabilities in coping with the upcoming challenges related to widespread mental health disorders. Patients affected by COVID-19 are more vulnerable to psychological and behavioral changes than non-COVID populations and therefore they deserve careful clinical psychological screening in post-COVID clinics. However, despite significant advances in research, the pace of progress in prevention of psychiatric disorders in these patients is still insufficient. Current approaches for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders largely rely on clinical rating scales, as well as self-rating questionnaires that are inadequate for comprehensive assessment of ex-COVID-19 patients’ susceptibility to mental health deterioration. These limitations can presumably be overcome by applying state-of-the-art AI-based tools in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of psychiatric disorders in acute phase of disease to prevent more chronic psychiatric consequences.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. Bjorgaas ◽  
I. Elgen ◽  
T. Boe ◽  
M. Hysing

Introduction. Children with cerebral palsy (CP), one of the most common childhood neurological disorders, often have associated medical and psychological symptoms. This study assesses mental health problems compared to population controls and the ability of a mental health screening tool to predict psychiatric disorders and to capture the complexity of coexisting symptoms.Methods. Children with CP (N=47) were assessed according to DSM-IV criteria using a psychiatric diagnostic instrument (Kiddie-SADS) and a mental health screening questionnaire (SDQ). Participants from the Bergen Child Study, a large epidemiological study, served as controls.Results. Children with CP had significantly higher means on all problem scores including impact scores. Two in three children scored above 90th percentile cutoff on Total Difficulties Score (TDS), and 57% met criteria for a psychiatric disorder, yielding a sensitivity of 0.85 and a specificity of 0.55. Mental health problems coexisted across symptom scales, and peer problems were highly prevalent in all groups of psychiatric disorders.Conclusion. A high prevalence of mental health problems and cooccurrence of symptoms were found in children with CP compared to controls. Screening with SDQ detects mental health problems, but does not predict specific disorders in children with CP. ADHD is common, but difficult to diagnose due to complexity of symptoms. Mental health services integrated in regular followup of children with CP are recommended due to high prevalence and considerable overlap of mental health symptoms.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4pt2) ◽  
pp. 1401-1412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Hecker ◽  
Karl M. Radtke ◽  
Katharin Hermenau ◽  
Andreas Papassotiropoulos ◽  
Thomas Elbert

AbstractChild abuse is associated with a number of emotional and behavioral problems. Nevertheless, it has been argued that these adverse consequences may not hold for societies in which many of the specific acts of abuse are culturally normed. Epigenetic modifications in the genes of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis may provide a potential mechanism translating abuse into altered gene expression, which subsequently results in behavioral changes. Our investigation took place in Tanzania, a society in which many forms of abuse are commonly employed as disciplinary methods. We included 35 children with high exposure and compared them to 25 children with low exposure. Extreme group comparisons revealed that children with high exposure reported more mental health problems. Child abuse was associated with differential methylation in the proopiomelanocortin gene (POMC), measured both in saliva and in blood. Hierarchical clustering based on the methylation of the POMC gene found two distinct clusters. These corresponded with children's self-reported abuse, with two-thirds of the children allocated into their respective group. Our results emphasize the consequences of child abuse based on both molecular and behavioral grounds, providing further evidence that acts of abuse affect children, even when culturally acceptable. Furthermore, on a molecular level, our findings strengthen the credibility of children's self-reports.


Author(s):  
Karolina Fila-Witecka ◽  
Adrianna Senczyszyn ◽  
Agata Kołodziejczyk ◽  
Marta Ciułkowicz ◽  
Julian Maciaszek ◽  
...  

Students worldwide have been impacted by nationwide safety closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating an environment with loss of interaction with colleagues, social isolation, boredom, and economic uncertainty. Since university students were considered uniquely vulnerable to mental health problems even before the pandemic, this study aimed to investigate lifestyle and behavioral changes experienced by this population due to the epidemiological situation and their effect on their mental health. Data were collected via an online survey conducted among university students across Poland. The survey addressed recent lifestyle changes that were a result of the pandemic as well as psychological distress, symptoms of insomnia and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The results indicate that protective factors include maintaining a daily routine, staying physically active, following a usual eating pattern and taking care of sleep hygiene. Changes in behavior contributing to poorer mental health included giving up a daily routine, neglecting meals, tidiness, hygiene as well as social relationships, changes in food intake, sleeping schedule, a decrease in physical activity and the onset of sexual dysfunctions. A history of psychiatric treatment and an increase in self-harm as well as an increase in alcohol and tobacco consumption were also found to be associated with psychological distress. Experienced lifestyle and behavioral changes and their impact on mental health were apparent throughout the obtained data, highlighting the need for psychological support in the studied population. Based on the results we were able to establish a list of protective and risk factors influencing the everyday life and psychological wellbeing of students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which could also be translated into life skills.


Author(s):  
Hans Oh ◽  
Ai Koyanagi ◽  
Jordan DeVylder ◽  
Andrew Stickley

Seasonal allergies have been associated with mental health problems, though the evidence is still emergent, particularly in the United States. We analyzed data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication and the National Latino and Asian American Survey (years 2001–2003). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relations between lifetime allergies and lifetime psychiatric disorders (each disorder in a separate model), adjusting for socio-demographic variables (including region of residence) and tobacco use. Analyses were also stratified to test for effect modification by race and sex. A history of seasonal allergies was associated with greater odds of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders, but not alcohol or substance use disorders, after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and tobacco use. The associations between seasonal allergies and mood disorders, substance use disorders, and alcohol use disorders were particularly strong for Latino Americans. The association between seasonal allergies and eating disorders was stronger for men than women. Seasonal allergies are a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Individuals complaining of seasonal allergies should be screened for early signs of mental health problems and referred to specialized services accordingly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 215 (04) ◽  
pp. 588-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel L. A. Dückers ◽  
Lennart Reifels ◽  
Derek P. De Beurs ◽  
Chris R. Brewin

BackgroundPrevious research has identified a vulnerability paradox in global mental health: contrary to positive associations at the individual level, lower vulnerability at the country level is accompanied by a higher prevalence in a variety of mental health problems in national populations. However, the validity of the paradox has been challenged, specifically for bias from modest sample sizes and reliance on a survey methodology not designed for cross-national comparisons.AimsTo verify whether the paradox applies to suicide, using data from a sizable country sample and an entirely different data source.MethodWe combined data from the World Health Organization 2014 suicide report and the country vulnerability index from the 2016 World Risk Report. Suicide was predicted in different steps based on gender, vulnerability and their interaction, World Bank income categories, and suicide data quality.ResultsA negative association between country vulnerability and suicide prevalence in both women and men was found. Suicide rates were higher for men, regardless of country vulnerability. The model predicting suicide in 96 countries based on gender, vulnerability, income and data quality had the best goodness-of-fit compared with other models. The vulnerability paradox is not accounted for by income or data quality, and exists across and within income categories.ConclusionsThe study underscores the relevance of country-level factors in the study of mental health problems. The lower mental disorder prevalence in more vulnerable countries implies that living in such countries fosters protective factors that more than compensate for the limitations in professional healthcare capacity.Declaration of interestNone.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazeem Ayinde Ayanda ◽  
Dauda Sulyman ◽  
Mahmud Yinka Mahmud ◽  
Joy Pius ◽  
Simeon Yinka Ategbese

Psychiatric disorders are common sequelae of diabetes mellitus and can further worsen the clinical state and quality of life of patients. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and pattern of psychological illnesses in patients with diabetes mellitus and to assess factors that predict these psychiatric disorders. The mental health of 114 eligible consenting adult patients with diabetes mellitus attending the diabetic clinic of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital was assessed using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the study respondents was 39.5% and the pattern of diagnoses found were Major Depressive Disorder (31.6%), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (6.1%) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (1.8%). None of the sociodemographic variables was significantly associated with the presence of psychiatric disorders. The presence of diabetic complications (OR=2.519; 95% CI=1.056-6.001; P-value=0.037) was predictive of psychiatric disorders while good sugar control (OR=0.372; 95% CI=0.162-0.854; P-value=0.020) was a significant protective factor. A notable proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus develop mental health problems which can worsen the clinical outcome and further increase the burden of this illness. Efforts to promptly identify and manage these comorbid psychological problems can improve the prognosis of these patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S133-S133
Author(s):  
S. Coli ◽  
D. Scuticchio ◽  
M. Bertelli

IntroductionAdults with Intellectual disability (ID) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are more vulnerable to mental health problems than the general population.Objectives/aimsThis study investigates presence and rate of psychiatric disorders in comparison with ID or ASD alone, and appropriateness of assessment and diagnostic procedures or tools.MethodsA systematic mapping of the literature was carried out on the basis of the above mentioned issues. The search was conducted using PubMed and ScienceDirect, according to the following keywords: psychiatric comorbidity, psychiatric disorders, autism, ASD, intellectual disability, mental health problems, adults, assessment tools, diagnosis. Twenty-eight papers were selected for pertinence to mapping issues among more than 500.ResultsMany studies show that ASD is an important vulnerability factor for psychiatric co-morbidity and for challenging behaviors (CBs) in adults with ID. Highest rates were reported for psychotic, mood, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Few studies show that the difference between adults with ID plus ASD and adults with only ID are not statistically significant, but for the presence of CBs in those with ID plus ASD. The disagreement of results is based on a variety of factors such as diagnostic over-shadowing, scarcity of specific assessment tools, consideration of the introspective and communication difficulties, incompleteness of medical records, and low reliability of information sources.ConclusionsAlthough low studies concordance, the literature mapping suggests the presence of ASD in ID to be associated with higher rates of psychopathology. Since the relevant implications for prevention and clinical management, further research with high-level evidence is hoped.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Grahame K. Simpson ◽  
Robyn Tate

Addressing mental health issues is a core concern in the treatment of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their families. Mental health issues are widespread after TBI and arise whether the injury was sustained in civilian or conflict contexts. In the Guest Editorial, Simon Fleminger outlines key issues and conundrums that arise in the intertwining of mental health problems and TBI, as well as the importance of integrating the treatment of mental health conditions into neurorehabilitation.


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