Exploring the similarities and differences between medical assessments of competence and criminal responsibility

The medical assessments of criminal responsibility and competence to consent to treatment are performed, developed and debated in distinct domains. In this paper I try to connect these domains by exploring the similarities and differences between both assessments. In my view, in both assessments a decision-making process is evaluated in relation to the possible influence of a mental disorder on this process. I will argue that, in spite of the relevance of the differences, both practices could benefit from the recognition of this similarity. For cooperative research could be developed directed at elucidating exactly how various mental disturbances can affect decision-making processes

So Different, yet So Similar: Meta-Analysis and Policy Modeling of Willingness to Participate in Clinical Trials among Brazilians and Indians

BACKGROUND: With the global expansion of clinical trials and the expectations of the rise of the emerging economies known as BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China), the understanding of factors that affect the willingness to participate in clinical trials of patients from those countries assumes a central role in the future of health research. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) of willingness to participate in clinical trials among Brazilian patients and then we compared it with Indian patients (with results of another SRMA previously conducted by our group) through a system dynamics model. RESULTS: Five studies were included in the SRMA of Brazilian patients. Our main findings are 1) the major motivation for Brazilian patients to participate in clinical trials is altruism, 2) monetary reimbursement is the least important factor motivating Brazilian patients, 3) the major barrier for Brazilian patients to not participate in clinical trials is the fear of side effects, and 4) Brazilian patients are more likely willing to participate in clinical trials than Indians. CONCLUSION: Our study provides important insights for investigators and sponsors for planning trials in Brazil (and India) in the future. Ignoring these results may lead to unnecessary fund/time spending. More studies are needed to validate our results and for better understanding of this poorly studied theme

Free will and psychiatric assessment of criminal responsibility. A parallel with informed consent

In some criminal cases a forensic psychiatrist is asked to make an assessment of the state of mind of the defendant at the time of the legally relevant act. A considerable number of people seem to hold that the basis for this assessment is that free will is required for legal responsibility, and that mental disorders can compromise free will. In fact, because of the alleged relationship between the forensic assessment and free will, researchers in forensic psychiatry also consider the complicated metaphysical discussions on free will relevant to the assessment. At the same time, there is concern about the lack of advancement with respect to clarifying the nature of the forensic assessment. In this paper I argue that, even if free will is considered relevant, there may be no need for forensic researchers to engage into metaphysical discussions on free will in order to make significant progress. I will do so, drawing a parallel between the assessment of criminal responsibility on the one hand, and the medical practice of obtaining informed consent on the other. I argue that also with respect to informed consent, free will is considered relevant, or even crucial. This is the parallel. Yet, researchers on informed consent have not entered into metaphysical debates on free will. Meanwhile, research on informed consent has made significant progress. Based on the parallel with respect to free will, and the differences with respect to research, I conclude that researchers on forensic assessment may not have to engage into metaphysical discussions on free will in order to advance our understanding of this psychiatric practice. © 2010 The Author(s)

Estudo retrospectivo da associação entre transtorno de pânico em adultos e transtorno de ansiedade na infância Retrospective study of the association between adulthood panic disorder and childhood anxiety disorders

OBJETIVO: A etiologia do transtorno do pânico (TP) é provavelmente multifatorial, incluindo fatores genéticos, biológicos, cognitivo-comportamentais e psicossociais que contribuem para o aparecimento de sintomas de ansiedade, muitas vezes durante a infância. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre história de transtornos de ansiedade na infância e transtorno do pânico na vida adulta. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados retrospectivamente 84 pacientes adultos com transtorno do pânico quanto à presença de história de transtornos de ansiedade na infância, por meio de uma entrevista estruturada (K-SADS-E e DICA-P). A presença de comorbidades com outros transtornos de ansiedade e de humor foi avaliada por uma revisão de registros médicos. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que 59,5% dos pacientes adultos com TP apresentavam história de ansiedade na infância. Encontrou-se uma associação significativa entre a presença de história de transtorno de ansiedade generalizada na infância e a presença de comorbidades com o TP na vida adulta, como agorafobia (p=0,05) e depressão (p=0,03). CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo sugere que a história de transtorno de ansiedade na infância pode ser considerada um preditor de maior gravidade para o transtorno do pânico na vida adulta.<br>OBJECTIVE: The etiology of panic disorder is probably multifactorial, involving genetic, biological, cognitive-behavioral and psychosocial factors that may contribute to the onset of anxiety symptoms in childhood. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between past history of anxiety disorder in childhood and panic disorder in adult life. METHODS: Using a structured interview (K-SADS-E and DICA-P), 84 panic disorder adult patients were interviewed and childhood anxiety disorder was retrospectively investigated. A review of medical registers was performed to assess comorbidities with other anxiety and mood disorders. RESULTS: Of the patients studied, 59,5% had past history of childhood anxiety disorders. There was a significant association between generalized anxiety disorder history during childhood and panic disorder in adult life and its comorbidities such as agoraphobia (p=0,05) and depression (p=0,03). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that childhood anxiety disorder may be a predictor of the severity of panic disorder in adult life