Validação brasileira do Alcohol Craving Questionnaire ­ Short Form Revised (ACQ-SFR) / Brazilian validation of Alcohol Craving Questionnaire ­ Short Form Revised (ACQ-SFR)

Introdução: A avaliação do craving é importante para o tratamento de pacientes com Transtornos por uso de substâncias psicoativas. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a validação do Alcohol Craving Questionnaire-Short Form Revised- Versão Brasileira (ACQ-SFR ­ Versão Brasileira). Métodos: Foi um estudo observacional transversal, com uma amostra não aleatória de 121 participantes alcoolistas, do sexo masculino, internados para desintoxicação em unidade especializada. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: entrevista clínica com dados sociodemográficos e de padrão de uso de substâncias, MMSE, ACQ-SFR ­ Versão Brasileira, EAV do craving, BDI, BAI, estímulo visual indutor de craving. Resultados: Na análise fatorial, foram encontrados dois fatores: o fator 1 representa o craving pelo reforço positivo e negativo do álcool, e o fator 2, o propósito de consumir o álcool associado ao prazer. O alfa de Cronbach total foi de 0,91 (12 itens), o do Fator 1 foi 0,92 (8 itens) e o do Fator 2 foi 0,70 (3 itens). O total de pontos da escala foi correlacionado com a Escala Analógico-Visual (r=0,658; p<0,01). Conclusão: Conclui-se que o ACQ-SFR ­ Versão Brasileira demonstrou ter propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias. (AU)

Introduction: The assessment of craving is important in the treatment of patients with psychoactive substance use disorders. The purpose of this study was to validate the Brazilian version of the Alcohol Craving Questionnaire ­ Short Form Revised (ACQ­SFR ­ Brazilian Version). Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, with a non-random sample of 121 male alcoholic participants admitted for detoxification in a specialized unit. The instruments used to collect data were clinical interview with sociodemographic data and substance use pattern, MMSE, ACQ-SFR ­ Brazilian version, VAS of craving, BDI, BAI, and visual inducer of craving. Results: In a factorial analysis, two factors were found: factor 1 represents craving due to positive and negative reinforcement of alcohol use, and factor 2, the purpose of consuming alcohol associated with pleasure. Overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 (12 items), while factor 1 was 0.92 (8 items) and factor 2 was 0.70 (3 items). Total scale score correlated with VAS score (r = 0.658; p < 0.01). Conclusions: AACQ-SFR ­ Brazilian version presented satisfactory psychometric properties. (AU)

Induction and comparison of craving for tobacco, marijuana and crack

Abstract Background The literature findings report that use of multiple substances can produce adverse clinical and behavioral effects, which may affect craving and the results of drug treatment. Also, the understanding of craving construct and its interaction in the use of smoked substances is underexplored. Objectives To induce and compare craving for tobacco, marijuana and crack-cocaine on hospitalized dependents whose drug of choice is crack-cocaine. Methods Quasi-experimental study with a convenience sample consisting of 210 males divided into 3 equal groups (Group-1: craving induced by crack; Group-2: craving induced by tobacco; and Group-3: craving induced by marijuana). All participants met ICD-10 dependence criteria for cocaine/crack, marijuana and tobacco, were aged between 18 and 65 and had used these substances for at least one year. Photos were used to induce craving and self-report instruments to evaluate possible alterations. Results This study showed that craving for tobacco was more intense than for marijuana and crack, when the groups were compared by VAS. Using specific scales, both craving for tobacco and craving for marijuana were more intense than craving for crack. Discussion These results would imply interventions at the initial stages of abstinence with cognitive-behavioural techniques and pharmacotherapy in order to reduce craving.

Developmental Screening Tools: Feasibility of Use at Primary Healthcare Level in Low- and Middle-income Settings.

An estimated 150 million children have a disability. Early identification of developmental disabilities is a high priority for the World Health Organization to allow action to reduce impairments through Gap Action Program on mental health. The study identified the feasibility of using the developmental screening and monitoring tools for children aged 0-3 year(s) by non-specialist primary healthcare providers in low-resource settings. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify the tools, assess their psychometric properties, and feasibility of use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Key indicators to examine feasibility in LMICs were derived from a consultation with 23 international experts. We identified 426 studies from which 14 tools used in LMICs were extracted for further examination. Three tools reported adequate psychometric properties and met most of the feasibility criteria. Three tools appear promising for use in identifying and monitoring young children with disabilities at primary healthcare level in LMICs. Further research and development are needed to optimize these tools.

Validação psicométrica do Marijuana Craving Questionnaire-Short Form – versão Brasil / Psychometric validation of Marijuana Craving Questionnaire-Short Form – Brazil version

Introdução: O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a validação psicométrica do Marijuana Craving Questionnaire-Short Form - Versão Brasil (MCQ-SF – Versão Brasil). Métodos: Neste estudo transversal, uma amostra não aleatória de 120 participantes do sexo masculino foi dividida em dois grupos: Grupo 1, incluindo usuários de cannabis da população geral (n=34) e Grupo 2, incluindo pacientes internados em unidade de dependência química e que preenchiam critérios diagnósticos para dependência de cannabis pela CID-10 (n=86). Os indivíduos do Grupo 1, que foram recrutados pelo método snow-ball, deviam estar utilizando a cannabis há pelo menos um ano, tê-la utilizado pela última vez há no mínimo 24 e no máximo 48 horas, e não ser dependentes de outras substâncias psicoativas salvo a nicotina. Os indivíduos do Grupo 2 deviam apenas preencher critérios diagnósticos para dependência de cannabis, não sendo necessário que não fossem dependentes de outras substâncias psicoativas. Além disso, deviam estar utilizando a cannabis há pelo menos um ano e tê-la utilizado pela última vez há no mínimo 24 horas. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: entrevista clínica com dados sociodemográficos, SRQ20, MMSE, MCQ-SF – Versão Brasil, EAV do craving, BDI, BAI, estímulo visual indutor de craving. Resultados: Na análise fatorial, foram encontrados três fatores: Emocionalidade, Intencionalidade e Compulsividade. Os três fatores apresentaram variância total de 66,74%. O alfa de Cronbach do seu total de pontos foi 0,89. O instrumento no total de pontos foi correlacionado com a Escala Analógico-Visual (r=0,644; p<0,01) Conclusões: Conclui-se que o MCQ-SF – Versão Brasil demonstrou ter propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias.

Introduction: We aimed to conduct a psychometric validation of the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire-Short Form – Brazil Version (MCQ-SF – Brazil Version). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a non-random sample of 120 males were allocated into two groups: Group 1, including cannabis users in the general population (n=34) or Group 2, including patients admitted to a chemical dependency unit and who met diagnostic criteria for cannabis dependence in the ICD-10 (n=86). The subjects in Group 1, who were recruited by the snowball method, should be using cannabis for at least 1 year and for the last time between 24 and 48 hours before data collection. Additionally, they should not have any other addiction except nicotine. Subjects in Group 2 should only fulfill diagnostic criteria for cannabis dependence and may also be dependent on other psychoactive substances. The subjects should be using cannabis for at least one year and for the last time at least 24 hours before data collection. The instruments used were: clinical interview with sociodemographic data, SRQ20, MMSE, MCQ-SF Brazil Version - VAS of Craving, BDI, BAI, and visual stimulus inducing craving. Results: Factor analysis revealed three factors: Emotionality, Intentionality and Compulsivity. The three factors showed a total variance of 66.74%. Cronbach’s alpha of the total score was 0.89. The instrument total score was correlated with the VAS (r=0.644, p<0.01). Conclusions: We conclude that the MCQ-SF – Brazil Version has demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties.