Impact of inequalities in health care on the mortality risk of individuals with severe mental illnesses

Univ Fed Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, Res Grp Mol & Behav Neurosci Bipolar Disorder, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Hlth Network, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacol Unit, Toronto, ON, CanadaBrain & Cognit Res Fdn, Toronto, ON, CanadaUniv Fed Sao Paulo, UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, Res Grp Mol & Behav Neurosci Bipolar Disorder, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Systematic review of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of addictions

Objective: To conduct the first systematic literature review of clinical trials of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for the treatment of substance abuse disorders and addictive behaviors. Methods: A search of the MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO databases was conducted. The inclusion criteria for the review were clinical trials that used NAC in the treatment of a disorder related to substance use and/or addictive behaviors, limited to texts in English, Spanish, or French. The selected studies were evaluated with respect to type of trial, sample size, diagnostic input, intervention, length of follow-up, outcome variables, and results. Results: Nine studies analyzing a total of 165 patients met the eligibility criteria and were included in qualitative analysis. These studies evaluated the role of NAC in cocaine dependence (three studies), cannabis dependence (two studies), nicotine dependence (two studies), methamphetamine addiction (one study), and pathological gambling (one study). Five of these trials were double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled. Conclusions: The studies analyzed suggest a potential role for NAC in the treatment of addiction, especially of cocaine and cannabis dependence. These results are concordant with the hypothesis of the involvement of glutamatergic pathways in the pathophysiology of addiction.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Psychiatry Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LINC)Santa Marcelina HospitalSchool of Medicine and Barwon Health Deakin University IMPACT Strategic Research CentreUniversity of Melbourne Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Orygen Youth Health Research Centre Department of PsychiatryUNIFESP, Department of Psychiatry Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LINC)SciEL

Intervenção precoce no transtorno bipolar: necessidades atuais, rumos futuros

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article is to discuss the rationale/background for early intervention in bipolar disorder. METHOD: Narrative review. RESULTS: There are often significant delays before the diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made and effective management initiated. Growing evidence from both preclinical and clinical literature points to a clear need for improved early identification and early intervention in bipolar disorder. Increasing efforts are being applied to the identification of those at high risk of onset of bipolar disorder. It is hoped that identification of an early prodrome of illness will allow preventative measures to be taken. CONCLUSIONS: There is a clear rationale for improved early identification and early intervention in bipolar disorder.OBJETIVOS: O objetivo do artigo é discutir os fundamentos para a intervenção precoce no transtorno bipolar. MÉTODO: Revisão narrativa. RESULTADOS: Frequentemente existe um atraso significativo com relação ao momento em que o transtorno bipolar é detectado e o início do tratamento. Evidências crescentes oriundas de estudos pré-clínicos e clínicos apontam para a clara necessidade de melhorar a detecção e o tratamento precoces no transtorno bipolar. Esforços também tem sido direcionados para a identificação de indivíduos em alto risco. Espera-se que a identificação do pródromo do transtorno bipolar permita a instauração de medidas preventivas. CONCLUSÕES: Existem bases claras para o investimento na melhora da detecção e tratamento precoces do transtorno bipolar.Institute of Psychiatry Department of Psychosis StudiesUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Psychiatry Program of Recognition and Intervention in Individuals at Risk Mental StatesUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Psychiatry Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical NeurosciencesUNIFESP, Department of Psychiatry Program of Recognition and Intervention in Individuals at Risk Mental StatesUNIFESP, Department of Psychiatry Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical NeurosciencesSciEL

It is time to prepare mental health services to attend to migrants and refugees

Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Programa Posgrad Psiquiatria & Psicol Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Programa Posgrad Psiquiatria & Psicol Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Stress, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder in migrants: a comprehensive review

Objective: There is growing evidence supporting the association between migration and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Considering the growing population of migrants and the particularities of providing culturally sensitive mental health care for these persons, clinicians should be kept up to date with the latest information regarding this topic. The objective of this study was to critically review the literature regarding migration, trauma and PTSD, and mental health services. Methods: The PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and ISI Web of Science databases were searched for articles published in Portuguese, English, Spanish, or French, and indexed from inception to 2017. The following keywords were used: migration, mental health, mental health services, stress, posttraumatic stress disorder, and trauma. Results: Migration is associated with specific stressors, mainly related to the migratory experience and to the necessary process of acculturation occurring in adaptation to the host country. These major stressors have potential consequences in many areas, including mental health. The prevalence of PTSD among migrants is very high (47%), especially among refugees, who experience it at nearly twice the rate of migrant workers. Conclusions: Mental health professionals must be trained to recognize and provide appropriate care for posttraumatic and/or stress-related disorders among migrants.Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psiquiatria, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Percepção de professores de escola pública sobre saúde mental

OBJECTIVE To examine public school teachers’ perceptions about general health and mental health, and the way in which they obtained this information. METHODSQualitative research was conducted with 31 primary and secondary school teachers at a state school in the municipality of São Paulo, SP, Southeastern Brazil, in 2010. The teachers responded to a questionnaire containing open-ended questions about mental health and general health. The following aspects were evaluated: Teachers’ understanding of the terms “health and “mental health,” the relevance of the need for information on the subject, the method preferred for obtaining information, their experience with different media regarding such matters, and perceptions about the extent to which this available information is sufficient to support their practice. The data were processed using the Qualiquantisoft software and analyzed according to the Discourse of the Collective Subject technique. RESULTS From the teachers’ perspective, general health is defined as the proper physiological functioning of the body and mental health is related to the balance between mind and body, as a requirement for happiness. Most of the teachers (80.6%) showed great interest in acquiring knowledge about mental health and receiving educational materials on the subject. For these teachers, the lack of information creates insecurity and complicates the management of everyday situations involving mental disorders. For 61.3% of the teachers, television is the medium that provides the most information on the topic. CONCLUSIONS The data indicate that there is little information available on mental health for teachers, showing that strategies need to be developed to promote mental health in schools.OBJETIVO Analisar percepções de professores de escola pública sobre saúde geral e saúde mental e os meios de obtenção dessas informações. MÉTODOS Pesquisa qualitativa com 31 professores do ensino fundamental e médio de uma escola estadual do município de São Paulo, no ano de 2010. Os professores responderam a um questionário com perguntas abertas sobre saúde mental e saúde em geral. Avaliou-se o que os professores compreendiam sobre o termo “saúde” e “saúde mental”, a relevância da necessidade de informação sobre o assunto, o método informativo preferido, a experiência com os diferentes meios de comunicação no que tange a assuntos dessa natureza e a percepção sobre quanto essas informações disponíveis são suficientes para amparar a sua prática. Os dados foram processados no software QUALIQUANTISOFT e analisados segundo técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. RESULTADOS Na perspectiva do professor, saúde em geral é definida como o adequado funcionamento fisiológico do organismo e saúde mental relaciona-se ao equilíbrio entre mente e corpo, como requisito para a felicidade. A maioria dos professores (80,6%) demonstrou grande interesse em adquirir conhecimentos sobre saúde mental e receber materiais educativos sobre o assunto. Para os professores, a falta de informação gera insegurança e dificulta o manejo de situações cotidianas envolvendo transtornos mentais. Para 61,3% dos professores, a televisão é o veículo que mais produz informação sobre o tema. CONCLUSÕES Os dados indicam que há pouca informação sobre saúde mental disponível para os professores, mostrando ser necessário haver desenvolvimento de estratégias de promoção da saúde mental na escola.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de PsiquiatriaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Psiquiatria Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Neurociências ClínicasUniversidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Saúde PúblicaUNIFESP, Depto. de PsiquiatriaUNIFESP, Depto. de Psiquiatria Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Neurociências ClínicasSciEL

Intervenção precoce em psicose: um mapa das iniciativas clínicas e de pesquisa na América Latina

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to review Latin America's early intervention services in psychosis and to shed light into their challenges and particularities. METHOD: An internet-based search comprising medical societies' websites, published articles, and major universities' websites was conducted and the results were critically discussed. RESULTS: Latin American countries are profoundly deficient in specialized early intervention services. Our search found seven target services, four of which are based in urban areas of Brazil, inside tertiary hospitals or universities. Among the initiatives advanced by these centers, there are partnerships with the public educational system and other community-based efforts toward knowledge transfer. On the other hand, several challenges remain to be overcome, especially in relation to their expansion, which is necessary to match the existing demand.OBJETIVO: Este artigo tem o objetivo de revisar os serviços de intervenção precoce em psicose na América Latina e lançar luz sobre seus desafios e particularidades. MÉTODO: Foi realizada uma busca na internet compreendendo os websites de sociedades médicas e das principais universidades e artigos publicados por autores latino-americanos e os resultados foram discutidos criticamente. RESULTADOS: Os países latino-americanos são profundamente deficientes no que diz respeito a serviços especializados de intervenção precoce em psicose. Nossa busca encontrou sete serviços principais, quatro dos quais baseados em áreas urbanas do Brasil, dentro de hospitais terciários ou universidades. Dentre as iniciativas promovidas por esses centros, há parcerias com o sistema público de educação e outros esforços baseados na comunidade para transferência de conhecimento. Não obstante, vários desafios ainda devem ser superados, relacionados sobretudo à expansão de tais serviços, necessária para abarcar a demanda existente.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Psychiatry Program for Recognition and Intervention in Individuals in At-Risk Mental StateUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Psychiatry Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Psychiatry Program of SchizophreniaUNIFESP, Department of Psychiatry Program for Recognition and Intervention in Individuals in At-Risk Mental StateUNIFESP, Department of Psychiatry Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical NeurosciencesUNIFESP, Department of Psychiatry Program of SchizophreniaSciEL

"Life Chart" retrospectivo: instrumento para assinalar graficamente a presença e a evolução do impacto funcional de episódios afetivos maníacos e depressivos

CONTEXTO: Entre os instrumentos utilizados, em pesquisa e na prática clínica, para representar e detalhar o curso longitudinal do transtorno bipolar, o Life Chart tem sido o mais utilizado. Além de ser comprovadamente de fácil aplicação, possui fidedignidade em relatar o histórico clínico do paciente. OBJETIVO: Apresentar o Life Chart Retrospectivo em sua versão em português. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas tradução e retradução, revisão e avaliação de equivalência semântica, idiomática, experimental ou cultural e conceitual. RESULTADOS: Estão apresentados em forma de gráfico. CONCLUSÃO: A partir do desenvolvimento dessa versão do Life Chart para o português, os estudos realizados no Brasil podem fazer uso dos mesmos parâmetros de registro que os estudos internacionais.BACKGROUND: A life chart is a widely used instrument both in research and clinical practice to document the longitudinal course of bipolar disorder, being easy to apply and accuratly reports the clinical history. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this paper is to present the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Retrospective Life Chart. METHODS: Translation and retrotranslation, review, and semantic, language, cultural and conceptual equivalence were done. RESULTS: Results are presented in graphic format. DISCUSSION: The Portuguese version of Life Chart will allow that studies conducted in Brazil to use the same parameters that are used in international research

Childhood maltreatment and coping in bipolar disorder

A personal history of childhood maltreatment has been associated with unfavorable outcomes in bipolar disorder (BD). The impact of early life stressors on the course of BD may be influenced by individual differences in coping skills. The coping construct relies on neurocognitive mechanisms that are usually influenced by childhood maltreatment. The objective of the present study was to verify the association between childhood maltreatment and coping skills in individuals with BD Type 1. Thirty female euthymic outpatients with BD Type 1 were evaluated using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and two additional instruments to measure their coping preferences: Ways of Coping Questionnaire (coping strategies) and Brief COPE (coping styles). Reports of physical abuse (B = .64, p < .01) and emotional abuse (B = .44, p = .01) were associated with the use of maladaptive strategies that focused on emotional control. Adaptive strategies and styles of coping, such as focusing on the problem, were chosen less frequently by women who had experienced emotional neglect (B = .53, p < .01) and physical abuse (B = -.48, p < .01) in childhood. The small sample size in the present study prevented subgroup analyses. The sample did not include male BD participants. Our results indicate that early traumatic events may have a long-lasting deleterious influence on coping abilities in female BD patients. Future prospective studies may investigate whether the negative impact of childhood maltreatment over the course of BD is mediated by individual differences in coping abilities.Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do SulUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL