Publications by authors named "Z El Hechmi"

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the link between soluble HLA-E isoforms and the risk and severity of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in a Tunisian population.
  • Findings indicate that bipolar disorder patients have significantly higher levels of sHLA-E, especially during acute phases, while schizophrenia patients show higher levels in stable conditions but not generally.
  • The results support the idea that sHLA-E can be considered a reliable inflammatory marker for both disorders, confirming previous findings in a French cohort.
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Objectives: Schizophrenia is a complex and chronic neuropsychiatric disorder. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified several at risk genetic variants, including two single nucleotide polymorphisms, namely the rs10503253 and the rs1270942 respectively located in the CSMD1 and the CFB loci. The present case-control study was designed to assess potential associations between the two variants and the risk of developing schizophrenia and disease severity.

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Aims: The present survey aims to assess the overall mood disorder prevalence and identify associated socio-demographic and clinical factors in a Tunisian community sample, with special attention to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Mood disorders are one of the leading causes of all non-fatal burdens of disease, with depression being at the top of the list. The COVID-19 pandemic may have increased the prevalence of mood disorders, especially in Low and Middle-income countries (LMICs) and in vulnerable populations.

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Introduction: Treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS), affecting approximately one-third of patients with schizophrenia, is associated with a serious impairment in global psychosocial functioning. Clozapine is the only licensed drug for TRS. However its prescription remains limited by its side effects requiring mandatory monitoring.

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Background: Muslims fast each year during the Holy Month of Ramadan. This rite has major socio-cultural consequences. The circadian rhythms, energy expenditure, body temperature and biological clock are also influenced by Ramadan fasting.

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