ABSTRACT
Most people with schizophrenia continue their treatment within their families. This can lead to a deterioration of the life quality of their caregivers, by compromising economic and social aspects, as well as their physical and mental health. Evidence shows that psychosocial interventions can alleviate this burden of care. In Chile, the Ministry of Health recommends the inclusion of psychosocial interventions in the treatment of schizophrenia patients but does not propose any specific programs. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of the program Profamille on the severity of burden of care and psychological symptoms of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Subjects and Methods: Open, non-controlled clinical trial. The program was carried out in rehabilitation centers in three Chilean cities for a period of five months. Participants included 51 caregivers of people with schizophrenia with at least one year of evolution and ambulatory treatment. The program consisted of 10 biweekly, 2.5 hours long sessions led by a clinical psychologist and a psychiatric resident. Self-evaluation scales were used to assess the results. Results: The program dropout rate was 31 percent. Mean scores showed significant differences in the scales of depression and anxiety, pre and post program, with a moderate effect size. There were no differences in the scale of burden of care. Discussion: The Profamille program shows ease of implementation, cost-effectiveness, and a potential favorable effect. Further examination of this program with medium and long term follow-up is suggested...
La mayoría de las personas enfermas de esquizofrenia, continúan su tratamiento a cargo de sus familias. Esto lleva al deterioro en la calidad de vida de sus cuidadores, comprometiendo aspectos económicos, sociales y de salud física y mental. La evidencia muestra que las intervenciones psicosociales, pueden aliviar esta sobrecarga. En Chile, el Ministerio de Salud, recomienda incluirlas en el tratamiento de la esquizofrenia, sin proponer programas específicos. El propósito de esta investigación, es conocer el efecto del programa Profamille, en el grado de sobrecarga y sintomatologia depresiva y ansiosa de familiares de personas con esquizofrenia. Sujetos y Método: Ensayo clínico abierto, no controlado, de tipo pre-post. El Programa consistió en 10 sesiones bisemanales, de 2 horas y media de duración, dirigidas por un psicólogo clínico y un residente de psiquiatría, en centros de rehabilitación de la quinta región. Participaron 51 cuidadores de personas con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia, con al menos, un año de evolución y en tratamiento ambulatorio. El efecto del Programa fue medido con las Escalas de Sobrecarga de Zarit, Depresión de Zungy Conde y Ansiedad de Zung. Resultados: El porcentaje de abandono del programa fue un 31 por ciento. Las medias de los puntajes pre y post programa, muestran diferencias significativas en las escalas de depresión y ansiedad, con un tamaño de efecto moderado, no así en la escala de sobrecarga. Discusión: Por su costo-efectividad, facilidad de implementación y potencial efecto favorable, se recomiendan más ensayos con este programa con seguimientos de mediano y largo plazo...
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Female , Middle Aged , Caregivers/education , Caregivers/psychology , Patient Education as Topic , Schizophrenia , Family Health , Family Therapy , Health Education , Program Evaluation , WorkloadABSTRACT
Currents mediated by calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs), observed for the first time in Xenopus oocytes, have been recorded in many cells and tissues ranging from different types of neurons to epithelial and muscle cells. CaCCs play a role in the regulation of excitability in neurons including sensory receptors. In addition, they are crucial mediators of chloride movements in epithelial cells where their activity regulates electrolyte and fluid transport. The roles of CaCCs, particularly in epithelia, are briefly reviewed with emphasis on their function in secretory epithelia. The recent identification by three independent groups, using different strategies, of TMEM16A as the molecular counterpart of the CaCC is discussed. TMEM16A is part of a family that has 10 other members in mice. The discovery of the potential TMEM16 anion channel activity opens the way for the molecular investigation of the role of these anion channels in specific cells and in organ physiology and pathophysiology. The identification of TMEM16A protein as a CaCC chloride channel molecule represents a great triumph of scientific perseverance and ingenuity. The varied approaches used by the three independent research groups also augur well for the solidity of the discovery.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Mice , Chloride Channels/metabolism , Epithelial Cells , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism , Xenopus Proteins/metabolism , Chloride Channels/genetics , Epithelial Cells/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Xenopus , Xenopus Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent cardiovascular risk factor that depends on folate and vitamin B12 nutrition. AIM: To measure homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 serum levels in healthy children with and without a family history of cardiovascular disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty children aged 6 to 15 years with a family history of cardiovascular disease, and 40 age and sex matched children without such history were studied. Serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 were measured in a fasting blood sample. Homocysteine was measured by a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA), vitamin B12 by enzymatic microparticle assay, covered with intrinsic factor and folic acid by ionic capture, using commercial kits. RESULTS: Children with family history of cardiovascular disease had higher homocysteine levels than their counterparts without family history (7.9 +/- 3 and 5.8 +/- 2 mumol/l respectively, p < 0.03), but similar folic acid (5.2 +/- 1.8 and 5.5 +/- 1.4 pg/ml respectively) and vitamin B12 levels (431 +/- 213 and 445 +/- 209 ng/ml respectively). There was a negative and significant correlation between homocysteine and folic acid and vitamin B12 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Children with a family history of cardiovascular disease have higher levels of serum homocysteine than those without such history, despite having similar levels of folic acid and vitamin B12.