Branislav O Šakic

Dr. Branislav O Šakic


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 May 2023 in Brain Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DKDusan Petar Kuljancic
Dusan Petar Kuljancic
MCMina Miroslav Cvjetkovic-Bosnjak
Mina Miroslav Cvjetkovic-Bosnjak
DSDjendji Siladji
Djendji Siladji
DHDarko Hinić
Darko Hinić
DVDunja Veskovic
Dunja Veskovic
BŠBranislav O Šakic
Branislav O Šakic
Only a few studies seem to address suicidality as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in persons previously affected by psychiatric disorders. The relationship between fear and stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the level of social support and suicidality in patients diagnosed with affective and stress-induced psychiatric disorders prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated. This study was observational and involved 100 participants. The examined period was from April 2020 to April 2022. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), the Oslo Social Support Scale 3 (OSSS-3) and general psychiatric interviews were used to obtain data. A statistically significant relationship between the impact of COVID-19-related distress on the occurrence of suicidality and the year of the pandemic χ2(2, N = 100) = 8.347, p = 0.015 was observed. No statistically significant correlation was found between suicidal behavior, stress intensity, fear and the score on the social support scale (p > 0.05). Fear related to the COVID-19 pandemic can only be seen as a contributor to suicidality. Overall, social support does not always act protectively. Previously stressful experiences such as wars, poverty and natural disasters seem to play a significant role in the resilience to each new public health crisis.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MCMina Miroslav Cvjetkovic-Bosnjak
Mina Miroslav Cvjetkovic-Bosnjak
DKDusan Petar Kuljancic
Dusan Petar Kuljancic
AVAna-Marija Vejnovic
Ana-Marija Vejnovic
DHDarko Hinić
Darko Hinić
VKVladimir Knezevic
Vladimir Knezevic
OPOlga Ivetic Poledica
Olga Ivetic Poledica
Background: The aim of this study was to compare the rates of vaccination against COVID-19 infection in psychiatric outpatients and the general population, as well as rates of infected patients. In addition, the level and type of anxiety due to the pandemic were observed in patients with psychotic, anxiety, and depressive disorders. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 171 patients with pre-existing mental disorders completed the questionnaire about the doses and types of vaccination against COVID-19. During 2021–2023, patients with different mental disorders, aged from 18 to 80, were included. All patients filled in a self-reported questionnaire including general information (age, sex, marriage, education, working status, comorbid conditions) as well as questions about mental health, receiving vaccination, and the course of COVID-19 infection if it was present. All patients gave informed consent for the interview. Results: Patients with pre-existing mental disorders were more likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19 compared with the general population. The Sinopharm vaccine was most frequently applied. In the observed patients, 46.8% were infected, but just 7% had a medium or serious form of infection and were not vaccinated. Conclusions: In our study, the percentage of vaccinated psychiatric patients was greater than that in the general population, except in psychotic patients, who were mostly limited by fear. Such results can be explained by the high percentage of somatic comorbidities in this population and perhaps insufficient information about the positive effects of vaccination.

13 April 2023 in Psychiatria Danubina
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
BŠBranislav O Šakic
Branislav O Šakic
AGAlen Gres
Alen Gres
ZGZoran Gajic
Zoran Gajic