Correlations between childhood maltreatment, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and risk behaviors in adolescent schoolchildren

Abstract Objective Childhood maltreatment is extremely harmful to health, especially in relation to development of the psychiatric disorders throughout life. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and types of maltreatment in a sample of adolescent schoolchildren and to investigate associations between maltreatment types and anxiety and depressive symptoms, sociodemographic variables, and risk behaviors. The study also identified which variables were the greatest predictors of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample of 654 school students aged 11 to 17 years. We collected sociodemographic data and administered the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-47) to measure anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) to evaluate maltreatment and adverse experiences such as abuse and negligence during childhood and adolescence. Statistical analyses were conducted to estimate correlations between sociodemographic data, anxiety, depression, and types of maltreatment. A regression analysis was also conducted to identify maltreatment types that predict psychological symptoms. Results Emotional abuse and emotional neglect were the most prevalent types of maltreatment. Statistically, emotional abuse was the maltreatment type most strongly correlated with depression and anxiety and tended to co-occur with other types of maltreatment. Additionally, emotional and sexual abuse were the greatest predictors of anxiety and depression in adolescents. Conclusion The above results reinforce the findings of previous studies in terms of understanding the effects of maltreatment. They identify emotional abuse as the main predictor of depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Development and psychometric properties of the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire for Adolescents (CD-Quest-T)

Abstract Introduction The Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (CD-Quest) is an instrument that identifies logical errors or cognitive distortions and is used in trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT). However, it had previously only been available for adults. Objectives To develop and validate a version of the CD-Quest for teens (CD-Quest-T) aged 11 to 17 years and test its psychometric properties. Method A total of 299 schoolchildren participated in the investigation. After content validity was assessed, the language was adapted for the target age group, and the length of the instrument was reduced to eight items (from the initial 15). Five cognitive therapists analyzed the content and structure of the items. Finally, to investigate the construct validity of the CD-Quest-T, the instrument was divided into a full scale and two subscales, which measure the frequency of the distortions and the intensity attributed to them, respectively. Results The overall internal consistency of the scale was α = 0.77, whereas subscale indices were α = 0.75 for the frequency scale and α = 0.73 for the intensity scale. Results from exploratory factor analysis and concurrent validity analysis indicated that the CD-Quest-T items have good psychometric properties and generate scores reliably. Conclusion The psychometric properties of the CD-Quest-T demonstrate its adequacy for measurement of cognitive distortions in adolescents.

Randomized trial of the efficacy of trial-based cognitive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: preliminary findings

Abstract Introduction Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the fourth most prevalent mental disorder and is a disabling condition. OCD is associated with anatomical and functional changes in the brain, in addition to dysfunctional cognitions. The treatments of choice are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure and response prevention (ERP). Trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT) is a recent and empirically validated psychotherapy with a focus on restructuring dysfunctional negative core beliefs (CBs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of TBCT relative to ERP for treatment of OCD. Methods A randomized, single-blind clinical trial was conducted, randomizing 26 patients for individual treatment with TBCT (n = 12) or ERP (n = 14). The groups were evaluated at baseline, at the end of 3 months (12 sessions), and at 3, 6, and 12-month follow-ups. Results Both approaches reduced the severity of symptoms with large effect sizes. These results were maintained at the 12-month follow-up assessment. Conclusion TBCT may be a valid and promising treatment for this disorder.

Construction and Validation of Social Anxiety Disorder Exposure and Evaluation Scale ­ SADEE

In the cases of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), treatment dropout is a frequent problem, which demands the development of instruments that enable treatment compliance. The present paper deals with the construction and validation of the Social Anxiety Disorder Exposure and Evaluation Scale (SADEE). The number of participants in the study was N = 407 responders of both genders. The process of content validity first led to the modification of problematic items. The construct validity was investigated by both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, with the objective of estimating a unidimensional measure. The final adjustment obtained was that CFI = .99; TLI = .98; RMSEA = .04; SRMR = .07; χ2 /gl = 1.70. SADEE presented high correlation with the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale and high reliability. The conclusion was that SADEE showed satisfactory evidence of construct and concurrent validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

Presença de sintomas de fobia social, transtorno do pânico e ansiedade de separação em estudantes de 11 a 17 anos, em uma escola da rede pública de ensino de Salvador / Presence of symptoms of social phobia, panic and separation anxiety in students aged 11 to 17 years from a school of th public system of Salvador

Introdução: crianças e adolescentes, não raro, apresentam sintomas de fobia social, transtorno do pânico e ansiedade de separação, que podem causar comprometimento nas habilidades sociais e dificultar as relações de forma incapacitante. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar a presença de sintomas fóbicos sociais, transtorno de pânico e ansiedade de separação em adolescentes, com idade entre 11 e 17 anos, de uma escola pública da cidade de Salvador. Metodologia: este é um estudo observacional, transversal, que integra outro mais amplo, realizado em escola pública de Salvador, entre março e dezembro de 2015. A escala Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression foi aplicada em uma amostra de 674 alunos. Resultados: os alunos apresentaram sintomas de fobia social, transtorno do pânico e ansiedade de separação, em escala crescente, de acordo com a idade.

Introduction:children and adolescents often present symptoms of social phobia, panic disorder and separation anxiety disorder, which can cause social impairments and hinder relationships in a disabling way. Objective: this study aims to investigate the presence of social phobia, panic disorder and separation anxiety symptoms in adolescents aged between 11 and 17 years from a public school in the city of Salvador. Methodology: the present study is an observational cross-sectional research, which is part of a broader study conducted in a public school in Salvador, between March and December 2015. The Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) was used in a sample of 674 students. Results: the students presented symptoms of social phobia, panic disorder and separation anxiety on an increasing scale proportional to age.

Prefrontal gray matter volume in adults bipolar I outpatients is associated with history of suicide attempts?

ABSTRACT Background: Patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD) have the highest lifetime risk for suicidal behavior (SB) compared to other psychiatric disorders. Neuroimaging research provides evidence of some structural and functional abnormalities in the brain of BD suicide attempters (SA), but interpretation of these findings may represent a number of features. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the volume of the prefrontal cortex in euthymic BD type I outpatients, with and without history of SA. Methods: 36 euthymic BD I outpatients (18 with and 18 without suicide attempt history) were underwent structural MRI and total and regional gray matter volumes were assessed and compared with 22 healthy controls (HC). Results: We did not found any differences in all areas between suicidal and non-suicidal BD I patients and BD patients as a group compared to HC as well. Discussion: our findings suggest that can be a different subgroups of patients in relation to prefrontal cortex volumes according to some clinical and socio-demographic caractheristics, such as number of previous episodes and continuous use of medical psychotropic drugs that may induce neuroplasticity phenomena, which restore cerebral volume and possibly can lead to long-term euthymia state.

Perfil de pacientes com diagnóstico de transtorno de estresse pós-traumático atendidos em um ambulatório de ansiedade e trauma / Profile of patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder treated at an anxiety and trauma outpatient clinic

Introdução: o transtorno de estresse pós-traumático se caracteriza pela ação de ansiedade extrema a um evento externo, o que coloca a vida da pessoa em risco, sob a forma de ameaça direta ou testemunho do evento traumático. Objetivo: descrever o perfil sociodemográfico e clínico de pacientes com transtorno de estresse pós-traumático, atendidos em um ensaio clínico no Programa de Ansiedade, da Faculdade de Medicina, da Universidade de São Paulo. Metodologia: noventa e cinco pacientes com idade entre 18 e 65 anos, que apresentavam o diagnóstico desse transtorno, foram avaliados individualmente por psiquiatras, no período de janeiro de 2014 a março de 2015. As variáveis estudadas foram: sexo, idade, nível educacional, religião, tempo com o transtorno, uso de medicação, comorbidades psiquiátricas e tipo de evento traumático. Resultados ­ A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 41,7 anos, sendo 80% do sexo feminino, 53,7% solteiros ou divorciados, 43% católicos e 87,4% usavam algum tipo de medicação antes do diagnóstico. Conclusão: destaca-se que o transtorno de estresse pós-traumático é mais comum no sexo feminino e que a presença de comorbidades é frequente, sendo recorrente o transtorno de ansiedade generalizada, o transtorno depressivo maior e a agorafobia, o que piora o prognóstico. Dados relevantes da literatura foram discutidos.

Introduction: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by the reaction of extreme anxiety to an external event that puts the person's life at risk in the form of a direct threat or testimony to the traumatic event. Objective: describing the socio-demographic and clinical profile of patients with PTSD treated in a clinical trial in the Anxiety Program of the Medical School of the University of São Paulo. Methodology: ninety-five patients aged between 18 and 65 years, who had a diagnosis of PTSD assessed individually by psychiatrists, from January 2014 to March 2015. The variables studied were: sex, age, educational level and religion, time with the disorder, medication use, psychiatric comorbidities and type of traumatic event. Results: mean age was 41.7 years, 80% female, 53.7% were single or divorced, 43% Catholic and 87.4% of patients used some type of medication prior to diagnosis. Conclusion: it is noteworthy that PTSD is more common in females and that the presence of comorbidities is frequent, with generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and agoraphobia being common, which worsens the prognosis. Relevant data from the literature were discussed.

Ocorrência de sintomas de transtorno de ansiedade generalizada (TAG) e transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC) em estudantes de 11 a 18 anos de uma escola pública de Salvador / Occurrence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in students aged 11 to 18 years from a public school in Salvador

Introdução: o objetivo deste estudo é descrever a ocorrência de sintomas de TAG e TOC em adolescentes, com idade entre 11 e 18 anos, procedentes de escola pública da cidade do Salvador. Metodologia: estudo observacional e transversal, com 674 adolescentes de uma escola pública, que responderam a uma escala para avaliação de sintomas de TAG e TOC, aplicada entre o período de março e dezembro de 2015. Resultados: os escores da RCADS para TAG e TOC foram, em média, superiores aos pontos de corte estabelecidos pela escala, sugerindo aumento da presença desses sintomas na população estudada, com prevalência maior entre as alunas nos ois grupos de sintomas estudados. Conclusão: os dados apontam para a presença de sintomas de ansiedade generalizada e de TOC entre escolares, sugerindo uma maior necessidade de estudos para a compreensão do papel desses sintomas na qualidade de vida dessa população, como também sua importância como fatores de risco para o adoecimento mental. Medidas de prevenção devem direcionar os esforços para estudos metodologicamente mais robustos na área.

Introduction: the aim of this study is to describe the occurrence of symptoms of GAD and OCD in adolescents, aged between 11 to 18 years old, from a public school in the city of Salvador. Methodology: observational and cross-sectional study with 674 adolescents from a public school, who responded to a scale for assessing symptoms of GAD and OCD applied from March to December 2015. Results: the RCADS scores for GAD and OCD were on average higher than the cutoff points established by the scale, suggesting an increased presence of these symptoms in the studied population, with a higher prevalence among girls in the two groups of symptoms studied. Conclusion: data point to the presence of symptoms of generalized anxiety and OCD among schoolchildren, suggesting a greater need for studies to understand the role of these symptoms in the quality of life of this population, as well as their importance as risk factors for mental illness. Prevention measures should direct efforts towards more methodologically robust studies in the area.

Life satisfaction mediates the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms: a study in a sample of Brazilian adolescents

Objective: To evaluate the interrelationships between childhood maltreatment, life satisfaction (LS), and depressive symptoms, and to investigate LS as a mediating factor in the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms. Methods: The sample consisted of 342 adolescents, aged 11 to 17 years (mean = 13.3, SD = 1.52 years), recruited from a public school in Salvador, Brazil. Participants filled out instruments for the collection of sociodemographic data and evaluation of childhood maltreatment, LS, and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the mediating effect of LS. Results: We detected significant negative correlations between childhood maltreatment and LS and between LS and depressive symptoms. We observed a significant positive correlation between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms. LS partially mediated the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms, mitigating the impact of maltreatment. Conclusion: LS played an important mediating role in the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms. Longitudinal studies are recommended to fully elucidate these associations, reinforcing the need for attention and care of this vulnerable population.

Prevalence of Behavioral Problems in Adolescents in Social Vulnerability: Assessment from a Parental Perspective / Prevalência de Problemas de Comportamento em Adolescentes em Situação de Vulnerabilidade Social: Avaliação a partir da Perspectiva dos Pais / Prevalencia de Problemas de Conducta en Adolescentes en Situación de Vulnerabilidad Social: Evaluación desde la Perspectiva de los Padres

Abstract Although there are international data on the prevalence of behavioral problems through childhood/adolescence, there is still a need to explore emotional/behavioral problems experienced by Brazilian adolescents, especially in situations of extreme social problems or social vulnerability (SV). This is an observational, cross-sectional study, carried out with a convenience sample, to describe emotional/behavioral problems of adolescents living in a high SV scenario in the city of Salvador-BA, from their parents or guardians' point of view. Sociodemographic questionnaire and CBCL/6-18 were applied to a sample of 274 adolescents' parents/guardians. Data analysis found that 20.4% of the sample had problems in the clinical range for CBCL's Total Problems. Sociodemographic variables can impact behavioral problems in adolescence and need to be investigated. This study adds new data on child and youth psychopathologies at the national level and can promote preventive actions and referrals aimed at this population.

Resumo Mesmo diante de dados internacionais sobre prevalência de problemas de comportamento durante a infância/adolescência, ainda há necessidade de explorar problemas emocionais/comportamentais vivenciados pelos adolescentes brasileiros, especialmente em situações de altos problemas sociais ou de vulnerabilidade social (VS). Foi realizado estudo observacional, transversal, com amostra de conveniência, que teve por objetivo descrever os problemas emocionais/comportamentais apresentados por adolescentes que vivem em um contexto de alta VS na cidade de Salvador-BA, a partir do ponto de vista de seus pais ou responsáveis. Foram aplicados questionário sociodemográfico e CBCL/6-18 numa amostra de 274 pais/responsáveis pelos adolescentes. Análises dos dados obtidos indicaram que 20,4% da amostra apresentaram problemas na faixa clínica para escala total do instrumento. Variáveis sociodemográficas podem influenciar os problemas de comportamento na adolescência, necessitando ser investigadas. Este estudo colabora com novos dados sobre psicopatologias infanto-juvenis em âmbito nacional, o que possibilita criar ações preventivas e encaminhamentos voltados para esta população.

Resumen Aún cuando existan datos internacionales sobre la prevalencia de problemas de conducta durante la infancia/adolescencia, aún es necesario explorar los problemas emocionales/de conducta que experimentan los adolescentes brasileños, especialmente en contextos de alta vulnerabilidad social (VS). Se realizó un estudio observacional de conveniencia transversal para describir los problemas emocionales/conductuales presentados por adolescentes, de 11 a 17 años, que viven en un contexto de alta vulnerabilidad social en la ciudad de Salvador-BA, desde el punto de vista de los padres/tutores. Se aplicó un cuestionario sociodemográfico y el CBCL/6-18 a una muestra de 274 padres/tutores de adolescentes. El análisis de los datos indicó que el 20.4% de la muestra tenía problemas en el rango clínico en la escala completa del instrumento. Las variables sociodemográficas pueden influir en los problemas de conducta en la adolescencia y deben investigarse. Este estudio colabora con nuevos datos sobre las psicopatologías infantiles y juveniles en todo el país, lo que permite crear acciones preventivas y referencias dirigidas a esa población.

Quality of life, risk behaviors and depression among carriers of hepatitis C virus and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1: a comparative study

Abstract Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) has low prevalence rates, but is endemic in some regions of the world. It is usually a chronic asymptomatic infection, but it can be associated with serious neurologic and urinary conditions. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is broadly spread out worldwide. The majority of these infections have a chronic course that may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Objectives: To compare sociodemographic and mental health (risk behaviors, depression, and suicide) aspects, and quality of life among patients with HCV or HTLV-1. Methods: Observational, comparative and cross-sectional study involving outpatients with HCV or HLTV-1 infection. Sociodemographic characteristics, risk behaviors and quality of life were assessed through the questionnaires Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - MINI Plus (depression and suicide) and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (quality of life). Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses (hierarchical logistic regression) were conducted. Results: 143 individuals with HCV and 113 individuals with HTLV-1 infection were included. Males were predominant in the HCV group (68.8%) and females in the HTLV-1 group (71.7%). The frequency of risk behaviors (sexual and drug use) was greater in those with HCV (p < 0.05). A past depressive episode was more common in the HTLV-1 group (p = 0.037). Quality of life was significantly worse in the physical functioning, vitality, mental health, and social functioning domains in those with HTLV-1 (p < 0.05). HTLV-1 infection remained independently associated with worse quality of life in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Risk behaviors are frequent among those infected with HCV. Additionally, despite HTLV-1 being considered an infection with low morbidity, issues related to mental health (depressive episode) and decreased quality of life are relevant.

Análise qualitativa de conteúdo e estudo piloto da escala SOCRATES-SO / Qualitative content analysis and pilot study of the SOCRATES-SO Scale

Objetivo: apresentar os resultados da etapa inicial de adaptação da escala estágios de motivação para mudança e preparação no tratamento do sobrepeso e obesidade ­ SOCRATES SO. Metodologia: um grupo de juízes, composto por seis profissionais experientes, especialistas em suas respectivas áreas de atuação, realizou a análise da SOCRATES-SO para validação de conteúdo. Os juízes preencheram um protocolo de análise dos componentes do referido instrumento. Posteriormente, a versão final foi aplicada em uma amostra (n=17) de sujeitos com sobrepeso e obesidade. Resultados e discussão: na validação de conteúdo, os componentes da escala obtiveram uma aprovação acima de 80% pelos juízes com o método de porcentagem de concordância, exceto no item 1. Conclusão: a SOCRATES-SO parece ter se mostrado um instrumento promissor para a avaliação da motivação para mudança no comportamento alimentar. No entanto, essa foi apenas a fase inicial de adaptação do instrumento. Ajustes, como a retirada de alguns itens, podem ser necessários para tornar esse teste mais homogêneo após a análise fatorial confirmatória.

Objectives: present the results of the initial stage of adaptation of the scale stages of motivation for change and preparation in the treatment of overweight and obesity ­ SOCRATES SO. Methodology: a group of judges, composed of six experienced professionals, experts in their respective areas of activity, performed the SOCRATES-SO analysis for content validity. The judges completed a protocol analyzing the components of that instrument. Subsequently, the final version was applied in a sample (n = 17) of overweight and obese subjects. Results and discussion: in the validity of content, the components of the scale obtained an approval above 80% by the judges with the percentage agreement method, except in item 1. Conclusion: SOCRATES-SO seems to have been a promising instrument for the assessment of the motivation for change in eating behavior. However, this was only the initial phase of adaptation of the instrument. Adjustments, such as removal of some items, may be necessary to make the test more homogeneous after confirmatory factor analysis

Ocorrência do bullying e sua correlação com as escalas psicométricas SCARED e CDI, o consumo de álcool e a automutilação em escola pública municipal de Salvador, Brasil / Bullying incidence and its correlation with SCARED and CDI psychometric scales, alcohol consumption and self-mutilation in a public school in the City of Salvador/Brazil

Introdução: bullying ocorre entre 5% e 35% dos estudantes, podendo gerar psicopatologias. Objetivos: verificar a incidência de "prática" e "vitimização" por bullying e correlações com as escalas SCARED e CDI; álcool; "pensamentos de ferir-se" e "comportamentos de ferir-se de propósito". Metodologia: foi realizado cálculo da ocorrência da forma direta de agressão em setenta e um escolares, com idade entre doze e dezessete anos, no contexto de estudo oferecendo treinamento baseado na Terapia Cognitiva Processual. Foi também calculada a correlação de Pearson e a análise de regressão linear, bem como a estatística descritiva da amostra (média e desvio padrão). Resultados: 54,93% eram meninas. Idade média: 13.92 anos. Meninos praticaram mais e meninas sofreram mais bullying. 56,35% reportaram envolvimento com agressão: 35,22% como vítimas, 21,13% como agressores e 14,09% como vítimas/ agressores. "Pensar em ferir-se" e "ferir-se de propósito" possuem correlação moderada e positiva com a prática de bullying e a escala SCARED apresentou associação fraca, mas significativa com o sofrer bullying. A análise de regressão mostrou que: 1) "pensar em ferir-se" tem possibilidade de predizer significantemente a prática de bullying e explica 15% de sua variância; 2) "ferir-se de propósito" tem potencial para predizer a prática da agressão, explicar 18% de sua variância e para predizê-la significativamente. A Scared associada com sofrer bullying explica 9% da variância e foi capaz de predizer o sofrer bullying. Não houve correlação com CDI e uso de álcool. Conclusão: a ocorrência de violência na escola é alta, sugerindo-se psicoeducação sobre bullying no ambiente escolar, tanto para os pais quanto para a população em geral.

Introduction: bullying occurs in 5% up to 35% of students, and can generate psychopathologies. Objectives: to verify the incidence of "practicing" and "suffering" bullying and correlations with SCARED and CDI scales; alcohol; "thoughts of self-wounding" and "behaviors of self-wounding on purpose." Methodology: to calculate the occurrence of the direct form of aggression in seventy-one school youngsters, aged between twelve and seventeen, in the context of a study offering training based on Cognitive Processual Therapy. Pearson's correlation was calculated, linear regression analysis and descriptive statistics of the sample (mean and standard deviation). Results: 54.93% were girls. Average age: 13.92 years. Boys practiced more and girls suffered more bullying. 56.35% reported involvement with aggression: 35.22% as victims, 21.13% as aggressors and 14.09% as victims/aggressors. "Thinking about getting hurt" and "hurt on purpose" have a moderate and positive correlation with the practice of bullying and the SCARED scale has a weak but significant association with suffering bullying. The regression analysis showed that: 1) "thinking about being hurt" has the possibility to significantly predict the practice of bullying and explains 15% of its variance; 2) "injuring oneself on purpose" has the potential to predict the practice of aggression, explain 18% of its variance, and to predict it significantly. SCARED associated with bullying, explains 9% of the variance and was able to predict suffering bullying. There was no correlation with ICD and alcohol. Conclusion: the incidence of violence within school is high, the measurement has biases and it is suggested psychoeducation on bullying in the school environment, for parents and for the population in general.

Quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with HIV/AIDS who present poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy: a cross-sectional study in Salvador, Brazil

Abstract The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy marked a major gain in efficacy of HIV/AIDS treatment and a reduction in morbidity and mortality of the infected patients. However, high levels of adherence are required to obtain virologic suppression. In Brazil, the policy of free and universal access to antiretroviral therapy has been in place since 1996, although there are reports of poor adherence. Objective To define the clinical, demographic and psychological characteristics, and quality of life of patients with HIV/AIDS who present poor adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. To be included in the study patients had to be 18 through 65 years old, diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, having the two previous viral loads above 500 copies, a surrogate for poor adherence to antiretrovirals. The following instruments were applied to all eligible patients: the sociodemographic questionnaire "Adherence Follow-up Questionnaire", the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the 36-Item Short Form Survey. Results 47 patients were evaluated, 70.2% were female, mean age of 41.9 years (±10.5), 46.8% were single, 51.1% self-reported adherence ≥95%, 46.8% mentioned depression as the main reason for not taking the medication, 59.5% presented symptoms of moderate to severe depression, and 44.7% presented symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety. Finally, regarding health-related quality of life these patients obtained low scores in all dimensions, physical component summary of 43.96 (±9.64) and mental component summary of 33.19 (±13.35). Conclusion The psychological component is considered to be fundamental in the management of HIV/AIDS patients. Psychoeducation should be conducted at the initial evaluation to reduce negative beliefs regarding antiretroviral therapy Assessment of anxiety and depression symptoms should be done throughout therapy as both psycological conditions are associated with patient adherence, success of treatment, and ultimately with patients' quality of life.

Changing negative core beliefs with trial-based thought record

Background: Trial-based thought record (TBTR) is a technique used in trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT), and simulates a court trial. It was designed to restructure unhelpful core beliefs (CBs) during psychotherapy. Objective: To confirm previous findings on the efficacy of TBTR in decreasing patients' adherence to self-critical and unhelpful CBs and corresponding emotions, as well as assessing the differential efficacy of the empty-chair approach relative to the static format of TBTR. Methods: Thirty-nine outpatients were submitted to a 50-minute, one-session, application of the TBTR technique in the empty-chair (n = 18) or conventional (n = 21) formats. Patients' adherence to unhelpful CBs and the intensity of corresponding emotions were assessed after each step of TBTR, and the results obtained in each format were compared. Results: Significant reductions in percent values both in the credit given to CBs and in the intensity of corresponding emotions were observed at the end of the session (p < .001), relative to baseline values. ANCOVA also showed a significant difference in favor of the empty-chair format for both belief credit and emotion intensity (p = .04). Discussion: TBTR may help patients reduce adherence to unhelpful CBs and corresponding emotions and the empty-chair format seems to be more efficacious than the conventional format.

Changing core beliefs with trial-based cognitive therapy may improve quality of life in social phobia: a randomized study

Objective: To determine whether there are differences in quality of life (QoL) improvement after treatment with the trial-based thought record (TBTR) versus conventional cognitive therapy (CCT) in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Method: A randomized trial comparing TBTR with a set of CCT techniques, which included the standard 7-column dysfunctional thought record (DTR) and the positive data log (PDL) in patients with SAD, generalized type. Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant time effect in the general health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health domains of the Short Form 36. It also indicated significant treatment effects on the bodily pain, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health domains, with higher scores in the TBTR group. One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), using pretreatment values as covariates, showed that TBTR was associated with significantly better QoL post-treatment (bodily pain, social functioning and role-emotional) and at follow-up (role-emotional). A significant treatment effect on the role-emotional domain at 12-month follow-up denoted a sustained effect of TBTR relative to CCT. Conclusion: This study provided preliminary evidence that TBTR is at least as effective as CCT in improving several domains of QoL in SAD, specifically when the standard 7-column DTR and the PDL are used. .

The impacts of cognitive-behavioral therapy on the treatment of phobic disorders measured by functional neuroimaging techniques: a systematic review

Objective: Functional neuroimaging techniques represent fundamental tools in the context of translational research integrating neurobiology, psychopathology, neuropsychology, and therapeutics. In addition, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has proven its efficacy in the treatment of anxiety disorders and may be useful in phobias. The literature has shown that feelings and behaviors are mediated by specific brain circuits, and changes in patterns of interaction should be associated with cerebral alterations. Based on these concepts, a systematic review was conducted aiming to evaluate the impact of CBT on phobic disorders measured by functional neuroimaging techniques. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted including studies published between January 1980 and April 2012. Studies written in English, Spanish or Portuguese evaluating changes in the pattern of functional neuroimaging before and after CBT in patients with phobic disorders were included. Results: The initial search strategy retrieved 45 studies. Six of these studies met all inclusion criteria. Significant deactivations in the amygdala, insula, thalamus and hippocampus, as well as activation of the medial orbitofrontal cortex, were observed after CBT in phobic patients when compared with controls. Conclusion: In spite of their technical limitations, neuroimaging techniques provide neurobiological support for the efficacy of CBT in the treatment of phobic disorders. Further studies are needed to confirm this conclusion. .

Nitric oxide plasma/serum levels in patients with schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis / Níveis plasmáticos/séricos do óxido nítrico em pacientes com esquizofrenia: uma revisão sistemática e metanálise

For the last 40 years, schizophrenia has been considered to be the result primarily of a dysfunction in brain dopaminergic pathways. In this review, it is described and discussed findings concerning nitric oxide-mediated neurotransmission in schizophrenia. Studies were searched in PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS using the terms schizophrenia and nitric oxide plasma levels or nitric oxide serum levels, with no time limit. The reference lists of selected articles were also hand-searched for additional articles. From 15 potential reports, 10 were eligible to be included in the review and meta-analysis. These studies included a total of 505 patients with schizophrenia and 339 healthy volunteers. No significant difference was found between patients and healthy controls regarding total nitrite plasma/serum levels (effect size g = 0.285, 95%CI = -0.205 to 0.774, p = 0.254). However, when studies with patients under antipsychotic treatment were examined separately, there was a significant difference between patients and healthy volunteers (effect size g = 0.663, 95%CI = 0.365 to 0.961, p < 0.001), showing that patients under treatment have higher levels of plasma/serum nitric oxide than controls. These results suggest that antipsychotics increase nitric oxide plasma/serum levels and that the nitrergic pathway would be a fertile target for the development of new treatments for patients with schizophrenia.

Durante os últimos 40 anos, a esquizofrenia foi considerada, principalmente, como o resultado de disfunções dopaminérgicas no cérebro. Esta revisão descreve e discute algumas descobertas sobre a neurotransmissão mediada pelo óxido nítrico na esquizofrenia. A busca foi feita nas bases PubMed, SciELO e LILACS usando-se os termos schizophrenia e nitric oxide plasma levels ou nitric oxide serum levels, sem limites de tempo. As listas de referências dos artigos selecionados foram examinadas em busca de outras publicações pertinentes. Dentre 15 artigos passíveis de serem incluídos, 10 preenchiam os critérios estabelecidos para a revisão e metanálise. Esses estudos incluíram 505 pacientes com esquizofrenia e 339 voluntários saudáveis. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre pacientes e voluntários saudáveis quanto aos níveis plasmáticos de nitrito total (effect size g = 0,285, IC 95% = -0,205 a 0,774, p = 0,254). No entanto, o exame separado dos estudos envolvendo pacientes em tratamento antipsicótico apresentou diferenças significativas entre pacientes e voluntários saudáveis (effect size g = 0,663, IC 95% = 0,365 to 0,961, p < 0,001), demonstrando que pacientes em tratamento possuem níveis plasmáticos mais altos de óxido nítrico. Esses resultados sugerem que os antipsicóticos podem aumentar os níveis plasmáticos de óxido nítrico e que a via nitrérgica (e sua estimulação) constituiria um alvo propício para o desenvolvimento de novos tratamentos para pacientes com esquizofrenia.

Prevalence and clinical impact of eating disorders in bipolar patients / Prevalência e impacto clínico dos transtornos alimentares sobre os pacientes bipolares

OBJECTIVES: To study the impact of eating disorders (EDs) on the severity of bipolar disorder (BD). METHODS: The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I (SCID-I), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. Clinical and sociodemographic data were also collected. RESULTS: Among the 356 bipolar patients included in this study, 19 (5.3 percent) were also diagnosed with ED. Of these, 57.9 percent had bulimia nervosa (BN) and 42.1 percent had anorexia nervosa (AN). Among ED patients, 94.7 percent were female. Bipolar patients with EDs presented with lower scores in the mental health domain of the WHOQOL-BREF, higher scores of depressive symptoms, and more psychiatric comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: ED comorbidities imposed important negative outcomes in bipolar patients. This finding suggests that attention should be given to the presence of EDs in BD patients and that better treatments focused on this population should be developed.

OBJETIVO: Estudar a influência dos transtornos alimentares (TA) na gravidade do transtorno bipolar (TB). MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas a Entrevista Clínica Estruturada para o Eixo I do DSM-IV (SCID-I), a Escala de Young para Avaliação da Mania (YMRS), a Escala de Hamilton para Avaliação da Depressão (HAM-D-17), a Escala de Hamilton para Avaliação da Ansiedade (HAM-A), a Avaliação do Funcionamento Global (GAF) e a Escala Breve de Avaliação da Qualidade de Vida da Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHOQOL-BREF). Os dados clínicos e sociodemográficos também foram coletados. RESULTADOS: Entre os 355 pacientes com TB incluídos neste estudo, 19 (5,3 por cento) também foram diagnosticados como portadores de TA. Destes, 57,9 por cento tinham bulimia nervosa (BN) e 42,1 por cento anorexia nervosa (AN). Dentre os pacientes com TA, 94,7 por cento eram do gênero feminino. Os pacientes portadores de TB e TA apresentaram escores mais baixos do domínio saúde mental da WHOQOL-BREF, escores mais elevados de sintomas depressivos e mais comorbidades psiquiátricas. CONCLUSÕES: A presença de comorbidades com TA acarreta importantes desfechos negativos em pacientes bipolares. Este achado sugere que atenção deva ser dada à presença de TA em pacientes com TB e que melhores tratamentos focados nessa população sejam desenvolvidos.

Influence of specific obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions on strategic planning in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder / Avaliação de planejamento estratégico em pacientes com transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo de acordo com as dimensões de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates obsessive-compulsive disorder patients in terms of strategic planning and its association with specific obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions. METHOD: We evaluated 32 obsessive-compulsive disorder patients. Strategic planning was assessed by the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, and the obsessive-compulsive dimensions were assessed by the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. In the statistical analyses, the level of significance was set at 5 percent. We employed linear regression, including age, intelligence quotient, number of comorbidities, the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale score, and the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. RESULTS: The Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale "worst-ever" score correlated significantly with the planning score on the copy portion of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (r = 0.4, p = 0.04) and was the only variable to show a significant association after linear regression (β = 0.55, t = 2.1, p = 0.04). Compulsive hoarding correlated positively with strategic planning (r = 0.44, p = 0.03). None of the remaining symptom dimensions presented any significant correlations with strategic planning. CONCLUSION: We found the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms to be associated with strategic planning. In addition, there was a significant positive association between the planning score on the copy portion of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test copy score and the hoarding dimension score on the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Our results underscore the idea that obsessive-compulsive disorder is a heterogeneous disorder and suggest that the hoarding dimension has a specific neuropsychological profile. Therefore, it is important to assess the peculiarities of each obsessive-compulsive symptom dimension.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo investiga o planejamento estratégico em pacientes com transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo e sua possível associação com dimensões de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 32 pacientes com transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo. O planejamento estratégico foi avaliado pelo Teste da Figura Complexa de Rey. Presença e gravidade de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos foram avaliadas pela Escala Dimensional para Sintomas Obsessivo-Compulsivos e a Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Análises estatísticas foram realizadas utilizando nível de significância de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: Escores globais da Escala Dimensional para Sintomas Obsessivo-Compulsivos na pior fase apresentaram correlação significativa com os escores de cópia do Teste da Figura Complexa de Rey-Osterrieth (r = 0,4, p = 0,04), além de manter significância na análise de regressão, incluindo idade, quociente de inteligência, número de comorbidades e escores no Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale e Escala Dimensional para Sintomas Obsessivo-Compulsivos (β= 0,55, t = 2,1, p = 0,04). A dimensão colecionismo teve uma correlação significativa com o escore de planejamento estratégico (r = 0,44, p = 0,03). As outras dimensões de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos não apresentaram correlações significativas com os escores de planejamento estratégico. CONCLUSÃO: A gravidade dos sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos e a dimensão colecionismo apresentaram associações significativas com escores de planejamento estratégico na cópia do Teste da Figura Complexa de Rey. Os achados reforçam a ideia de que o transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo é um transtorno heterogêneo, e de que é importante avaliar as especificidades de cada dimensão de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos, além de sugerir que a dimensão colecionismo apresenta características neuropsicológicas distintas.