Social anxiety and negative early life events in university students

Abstract Introduction: There is substantial evidence regarding the impact of negative life events during childhood on the aetiology of psychiatric disorders. We examined the association between negative early life events and social anxiety in a sample of 571 Spanish University students. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2007, we collected data through a semistructured questionnaire of sociodemographic variables, personal and family psychiatric history, and substance abuse. We assessed the five early negative life events: (i) the loss of someone close, (ii) emotional abuse, (iii) physical abuse, (iv) family violence, and (v) sexual abuse. All participants completed the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Results: Mean (SD) age was 21 (4.5), 75% female, LSAS score was 40 (DP = 22), 14.2% had a psychiatric family history and 50.6% had negative life events during childhood. Linear regression analyses, after controlling for age, gender, and family psychiatric history, showed a positive association between family violence and social anxiety score (p = 0.03). None of the remaining stressors produced a significant increase in LSAS score (p > 0.05). Conclusion: University students with high levels of social anxiety presented higher prevalence of negative early life events. Thus, childhood family violence could be a risk factor for social anxiety in such a population

Social anxiety spectrum: study of this psychiatry comorbidities and the association with the mitral valve prolapse

Introdução: O transtorno de ansiedade social (TAS) é uma condição que pode ser muito incapacitante, com considerável sofrimento subjetivo, alta prevalência de comorbidades psiquiátricas e impacto negativo no funcionamento psicossocial. Entretanto, existem poucos dados na literatura sobre a possível extensão deste comprometimento nos indivíduos com sinais e sintomas subclínicos do TAS. Além disso, a discussão sobre a associação entre o prolapso de valva mitral (PVM) e os transtornos de ansiedade, particularmente com o transtorno de pânico e o TAS, existe já há cerca de três décadas, mas os resultados publicados não são suficientes para definitivamente estabelecer ou excluir a associação entre essas condições, com prevalências variando de 0 a 57%. Método: O delineamento metodológico envolveu duas etapas. Na primeira, as comorbidades psiquiátricas e o comprometimento no funcionamento psicossocial foram avaliados em 355 estudantes universitários que haviam sido diagnosticados previamente como TAS (n=141), TAS subclínico (n=92) ou controles (n=122). Na segunda etapa, um total de 232 voluntários diagnosticados como transtorno de pânico (n=41), TAS (n=89) ou controles (n=102) foram avaliados em ecocardiografia quanto ao PVM. Os exames foram realizados por dois cardiologistas que estavam cegos em relação ao diagnóstico psiquiátrico dos participantes. Foram obtidas medidas utilizando os critérios atuais e antigos para o diagnóstico de PVM, para permitir a comparação e generalização dos resultados. Resultados: A taxa de comorbidade com outros transtornos psiquiátricos foi de 71,6% no grupo TAS e de 50% nos sujeitos com TAS subclínico, ambos significativamente maiores que os controles (28,7%). A presença de comorbidades foi progressivamente maior de acordo com o subtipo e a gravidade do TAS. Quanto ao funcionamento psicossocial o grupo TAS apresentou maior comprometimento que os outros dois grupos em todos os domínios avaliados, e os sujeitos com TAS subclínico apresentaram valores intermediários. Na segunda etapa, os resultados demonstraram que não há diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos quanto à prevalência de PVM, seja pelos critérios ecocardiográficos atuais para o diagnóstico de PVM (visão longitudinal paraesternal: pânico=2,4%, TAS=4,5%, controles=1,0%) ou pelos critérios antigos (visão apical de 4-câmaras: pânico=2,4%, TAS=4,5%, controles=10,8%; modo-M: pânico=2,4%, TAS=6,7%, controles=4,9%). Também não houve diferenças significativas em relação a outras características morfológicas, como presença de regurgitação mitral, espessamento valvar ou presença de alongamento de cordoalhas. Conclusões: A prevalência de comorbidades psiquiátricas e o comprometimento no funcionamento psicossocial aumentam progressivamente ao longo do espectro de ansiedade social. O fato de o TAS subclínico apresentar considerável incapacidade e sofrimento em comparação com sujeitos controles justifica uma revisão na validade desses critérios diagnósticos. Por outro lado, não houve associação entre o transtorno de pânico ou o TAS com o PVM em nossos resultados, independente dos critérios diagnósticos utilizados, com prevalências compatíveis com a esperada na população geral. Dessa forma, é preciso desmistificar a relação entre essa alteração cardíaca e o transtorno de pânico e o TAS, pelas repercussões que pode ter para o paciente e em seu tratamento psiquiátrico.Background: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a highly disabling condition that causes considerable subjective suffering. It has a high prevalence rate of psychiatric comorbidities and a negative impact on psychosocial functioning. However, few data are available in the literature about the possible extent of this impairment in individuals with subthreshold signs and symptoms of SAD. In addition, the discussion about the association between mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and anxiety disorders, especially panic disorder and SAD, has been going on for over three decades, but the published results are insufficient to establish or to exclude an association between these conditions, with reported prevalence rates ranging from 0% to 57%. Method: The methodological design involved two stages. In the first, psychiatric comorbidities and psychosocial functioning impairment were evaluated in 355 college students diagnosed with SAD (n=141), subthreshold SAD (n=92) or as healthy controls (n=122) in a previous study. In the second stage, a total of 232 volunteers previously diagnosed with panic disorder (n=41), SAD (n=89) or as healthy controls (n=102) underwent echocardiographic evaluation for MVP. The exams were performed by two cardiologists who were blind to the psychiatric diagnosis of the participants. Measurements based on current and earlier MVP diagnostic criteria were taken in order to permit the comparison and generalization of the results. Results: The rate of comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders was 71.6% in the SAD group and 50% in subjects with subthreshold SAD, both significantly greater than controls (28.7%). The presence of comorbidities increased progressively according to SAD subtype and severity. Concerning psychosocial functioning, the SAD group had greater impairment than the other two groups in all domains evaluated, and subjects with subthreshold SAD presented intermediate values. In the second stage, the results demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences among the groups in terms of MVP prevalence, whether using current diagnostic criteria (long-axis view: panic=2.4%, SAD=4.5%, control=1.0%) or earlier criteria (apical four-chamber view: panic=2.4%, SAD=4.5%, control=10.8%; M-mode: panic=2.4%, SAD=6.7%, control=4.9%). Also, there were no significant differences regarding other morphological characteristics, such as presence of mitral regurgitation, mean valve thickness or elongation of chordae. Conclusions: The rates of psychiatric comorbidities and the psychosocial functioning impairment increase progressively along the spectrum of social anxiety. The fact that subthreshold SAD causes considerable disability and suffering in comparison with control subjects justifies a review of the validity of current diagnostic criteria. On the other hand, in this investigation no association between panic disorder or SAD and MVP was documented, regardless of the diagnostic criteria used, with prevalence rates similar to those reported for the general population. Thus, it seems necessary to demystify the relationship between this cardiac alteration and panic disorder and SAD in order to avoid unwanted influences for the patient and his psychiatric treatment

Comparability between telephone and face-to-face Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV in assessing social anxiety disorder

PURPOSE. This article evaluates the comparability of the telephone and in-person Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) interviews in assessing patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) as an independent anxiety diagnosis. DESIGN AND METHODS. One hundred subjects were randomly selected and interviewed with the SCID, once by telephone and once in person (1-3 months later). FINDINGS. The prevalence of SAD assessed with the telephone interviews was 56%, whereas the in-person prevalence was 52%, with no statistically significant difference. The test-retest kappa for the 200 interviews was .84, indication of excellent agreement. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. These findings, along with the existing evidence of their validity, should encourage the use of SCID by telephone for SAD diagnostic interviews.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP, Sao Paulo State, Brazil)[02/13197-2]Fundacao de Apoio ao Ensino, Pesquisa (FAEPA)Assistencia do Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto da Universidade de Sao Paulo (FAEPA, Brazil

Social anxiety and negative early life events in university students Eventos negativos na infância e ansiedade social em estudantes universitários

INTRODUCTION: There is substantial evidence regarding the impact of negative life events during childhood on the aetiology of psychiatric disorders. We examined the association between negative early life events and social anxiety in a sample of 571 Spanish University students. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2007, we collected data through a semistructured questionnaire of sociodemographic variables, personal and family psychiatric history, and substance abuse. We assessed the five early negative life events: (i) the loss of someone close, (ii) emotional abuse, (iii) physical abuse, (iv) family violence, and (v) sexual abuse. All participants completed the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age was 21 (4.5), 75% female, LSAS score was 40 (DP = 22), 14.2% had a psychiatric family history and 50.6% had negative life events during childhood. Linear regression analyses, after controlling for age, gender, and family psychiatric history, showed a positive association between family violence and social score (p = 0.03). None of the remaining stressors produced a significant increase in LSAS score (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: University students with high levels of social anxiety presented higher prevalence of negative early life events. Thus, childhood family violence could be a risk factor for social anxiety in such a population.<br>INTRODUÇÃO: Existem evidências substanciais sobre o impacto de eventos negativos da vida durante a infância na etiologia dos transtornos psiquiátricos. Examinamos a associação entre os eventos negativos ocorridos na infância e a ansiedade social em uma amostra de 571 estudantes universitários espanhóis. MÉTODOS: Em um estudo transversal realizado em 2007, foram coletados os dados de variáveis sociodemográficas, história psiquiátrica pessoal e familiar e abuso de substâncias por meio de um questionário semiestruturado e avaliamos cinco eventos negativos ocorridos na infância: (i) a perda de alguém próximo, (ii) abuso emocional, (iii) abuso físico, (iv) violência familiar e (v) abuso sexual. Todos os participantes preencheram a escala de Liebowitz para ansiedade social. RESULTADOS: A média (DP) de idade foi de 21 anos (4,5); 75% eram do sexo feminino; o escore na LSAS foi 40 (DP = 22); 14,2% tinham história psiquiátrica familiar e 50,6% tiveram eventos negativos durante a infância. A análise de regressão linear, após o controle para idade, sexo e história psiquiátrica familiar, mostraram associação positiva entre violência familiar e escore de ansiedade social (p = 0,03). Nenhum dos fatores estressores restantes produziu aumento significativo no escore da LSAS (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Os estudantes universitários com altos níveis de ansiedade social apresentaram prevalência maior de eventos negativos precoces. Portanto, a violência familiar na infância pode ser um fator de risco para ansiedade social em tal população

Application of <i>Lolium multiflorum</i> as an Efficient Raw Material in the Production of Adsorbent for Removal of Methylene Blue

In this study, ryegrass straw agricultural residue (Lolium multiflorum L.) was employed as an adsorbent material to remove methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions. Four adsorbents were produced using phosphoric acid and pyrolysis as activating agents. The samples were analyzed with TGA, FTIR, SEM, and XRD techniques. A rapid adsorption of the MB was obtained with the ryegrass treated with 40% H3PO4, reaching equilibrium in 2 min. Moreover, a maximum adsorption capacity of 80.79 mg g−1 and a removal efficiency of 99% were achieved. The results demonstrate a good performance of adsorbents from ryegrass for removing dye contaminants, such as methylene blue, from the aqueous solutions

Mitral valve prolapse and anxiety disorders

We investigated whether there is an association between anxiety disorders and mitral valve prolapse. We compared mitral valve prolapse prevalence in individuals with panic disorder (n=41), social anxiety disorder (n=89) and in healthy controls (n=102) in an attempt to overcome the biases of previous studies. Our results show no associations between panic disorder or social anxiety disorder and mitral valve prolapse, regardless of the diagnostic criteria employed, and that the relationship between these conditions seems not to be clinically relevant.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq, Brazil)Fundacao de Apoio ao Ensino (FAEPA)Pesquisa e Assistencia do Hospital des Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicine de Ribeirao Preto da Universidade de Sao Paulo (FAEPA, Brazil

Validity of a Brazilian version of the Zung self-rating depression scale for screening of depression in patients with Parkinson`s disease

Introduction: Parkinson`s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with prominent motor manifestations and many other non-motor symptoms that significantly decrease quality-of-life and are frequently under-recognized, for example depression. Objective: To study the validity of a Brazilian version of the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) for the diagnosis of depression in patients with PD. Methods: We evaluated 78 consecutive non demented patients over the age of 40 with diagnosis of PD at a Movement Disorders Outpatient Clinic, who could read and understand questionnaires. They completed the SIDS and the Geriatric Depression Scale with 15 items (GDS-15). The diagnosis of depression was made after a structured clinical interview based on DSM-IV criteria for the diagnosis of major depression (SCID-CV). Results: The prevalence of major depression was 23.1%. Cronbach`s alpha was 0.73 and the area under the ROC curve was 0.93 for the SDS. The score index of 55 had a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 83.3% for the diagnosis of depression. The total scores of the SDS and GDS-15 were highly correlated (0.652, p < 0.0001) and correlated weakly with the scores of a motor scale. Discussion: The SIDS is a valid too] for screening depression in patients with PD since the specific SDS index of 55 is adopted. Two shortened versions could be used with good results. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq, Brasilia, Brazil)CAPES (Brasilia, Brazil)FAPESP (Sao Paulo, Brazil

Social phobia in Brazilian university students: Prevalence, under-recognition and academic impairment in women

Background: Despite the fact that public speaking is a common academic activity and that social phobia has been associated with lower educational achievement and impaired academic performance, little research has examined the prevalence of social phobia in college students. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of social phobia in a large sample of Brazilian college students and to examine the academic impact of this disorder. Methods: The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and the MINI-SPIN, used as the indicator of social phobia in the screening phase, were applied to 2319 randomly selected students from two Brazilian universities. For the second phase (diagnostic confirmation), four psychiatrists and one clinical psychologist administered the SCID-IV to subjects with MINI-SPIN scores of 6 or higher. Results: The prevalence of social phobia among the university students was 11.6%. Women with social phobia had significantly lower grades than those without the disorder. Fear of public speaking was the most common social fear. Only two of the 237 students with social phobia (0.8%) had previously received a diagnosis of social phobia and were under treatment. Limitations: Social phobia comorbidities were not evaluated in this study. The methods of assessment employed by the universities (written exams) may mask the presence of social phobia. This was not a population-based study, and thus the results are not generalizable to the entire population with social phobia. Conclusion: Preventive strategies are recommended to reduce the under-recognition and the adverse impact of social phobia on academic performance and overall quality of life of university students. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq, Brazil)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), BrazilFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP, Brazil)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP), BrazilCAPESCAPESNARSADNARSADStanley Medical Research InstituteStanley Medical Research InstituteAstra-ZenecaAstraZenecaEli LillyEli LillyJanssen-CilagJanssen CilagServierServierCNPqCNP

(1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging of the hippocampus in patients with panic disorder

Recent theories of panic disorder propose an extensive involvement of limbic system structures, such as the hippocampus, in the pathophysiology of this condition. Despite this, no prior study has examined exclusively the hippocampal neurochemistry in this disorder. The current study used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging ((1)H-MRSI) to examine possible abnormalities in the hippocampus in panic disorder patients. Participants comprised 25 panic patients and 18 psychiatrically healthy controls. N-acetylaspartate (NAA, a putative marker of neuronal viability) and choline (Cho, involved in the synthesis and degradation of cell membranes) levels were quantified relative to creatine (Cr, which is thought to be relatively stable among individuals and in different metabolic condition) in both right and left hippocampi. Compared with controls, panic patients demonstrated significantly lower NAA/Cr in the left hippocampus. No other difference was detected. This result is consistent with previous neuroimaging findings of hippocampal alterations in panic and provides the first neurochemical evidence suggestive of involvement of this structure in the disorder. Moreover, lower left hippocampal NAA/Cr in panic disorder may possibly reflect neuronal loss and/or neuronal metabolic dysfunction, and could be related to a deficit in evaluating ambiguous cues. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq-Brazil)[554490/2005-6]CAPE