Lifestyle and quality of life in children and adolescents during the covid-19 social distancing period

Abstract Objective To evaluate the lifestyle and quality of life in Brazilian children and adolescents during the COVID-19 social distancing period in 2020. Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated children and adolescents (2-18 years of age) and their parents, who voluntarily participated in an online survey. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants during the first 6 months of the pandemic. A questionnaire was used to characterize the study population. The PedsQL 4.0 and the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index were used to assess the quality of life (QoL) in children/adolescents and parents, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 statistical program through the ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni analysis, student's t test, and the generalized estimating equation. Results Mean screen time increased from 2h pre-pandemic to 5h during the pandemic (p <0.001), which was associated with a decline in PedSQL4.0 scores (from 75.7 ± 2.6 to 71.3 ± 13.7, p <0.001). Unhealthy eating habits increased from 11% to 34% and were associated with worse QoL scores compared with improved or unchanged eating habits during the pandemic (69.7 ± 13.3 vs 72.80 ± 13.4 vs 76.4 ± 12.6; p <0.001). Poor sleep quality increased from 9% to 31.7% and was associated with worse QoL scores compared to improved or unchanged sleep quality during the pandemic (67.3 ± 13.1 vs 74.5 ± 13.1 vs 76.8 ± 12.2; p <0.05). Physical exercise was associated with better PedSQL4.0 scores (77.5 ± 12.3 vs 72.5 ± 14.4; p <0.001). Children aged 2-4y old had the best QoLscores. Conclusions Pandemic-related social distancing promoted significant lifestyle changes in children and adolescents, increasing screen time, reducing physical activity, and worsening food and sleep quality, which resulted in worse QoL scores.

The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised - Abbreviated (EPQR-A): psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version

Abstract Introduction The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised - Abbreviated (EPQR-A) consists of 24 items for assessment of the three fundamental personality traits (psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism) and a validity scale (lie scale). Our objectives were to assess the psychometric properties of a version of this instrument culturally adapted for Brazil. Method 321 participants were recruited using a non-probabilistic method. Results Internal consistencies ranged from minimally acceptable to respectable, except for the psychoticism domain. Higher neuroticism scores were associated with higher depression and anxiety scores, higher extraversion scores were associated with lower levels of depression symptoms, and higher psychoticism scores were associated with higher levels of depression symptoms. Conclusion Our findings describe sustainable psychometric properties for the Brazilian Portuguese version of EPQR-A.

Time series analysis of suicide from a monthly perspective in the south of Brazil: an ecological study

Abstract Introduction: Suicide is the cause of death of almost 800 thousand people worldwide every year. In Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul is one of the states with the highest suicide rates. This study aimed to assess whether there is a significant monthly time pattern of suicide in Rio Grande do Sul, by gender and age ranges, and whether suicide characteristics in the state are coherent with findings from previous studies. Methods: All data were collected from official secondary sources maintained by the national Brazilian and Rio Grande do Sul governments, covering a period from 2015 to 2019. Data included suicide deaths and population, divided by gender and age range. Sum totals, frequencies, odds ratios, and time series analyses were performed. Results: From 2015 to 2019, 6,287 people committed suicide in Rio Grande do Sul. Most of them were men and the most prevalent age band was from 50 to 59 years old. Men had higher suicide rates then women in all age ranges (p < 0.001) and in all months of the year, with an approximately 4-fold higher risk of committing suicide when compared to women. Men had a trending peak of suicide in January and December (p < 0.001), whereas women's suicide rates peaked in March and December (p = 0.001). Conclusion: There are monthly time trends and seasonal patterns of suicide rates in Rio Grande do Sul, varying by gender and age range. Gender differences occurred mainly in the first three months of the year, and the age pattern was more evident among individuals aged 60 years or older.

Novas perspectivas nas psicoterapias em gays e lésbicas / New perspectives on psychotherapies with gays and lesbians

INTRODUÇÃO: O estigma que gays e lésbicas sofrem configura uma questão de saúde pública. Frequentemente, a procura de psicoterapia por esses pacientes é motivada por fatores relacionados a dificuldades de relacionamento com o meio. Dessa forma, a psicoterapia é uma ferramenta valiosa para mitigar os efeitos deletérios do estresse de minorias e dos novos impactos psicossociais advindos da pandemia. MÉTODO: Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa da literatura indexada em bases de dados utilizando palavras-chaves obtidas a partir de vocabulários controlados e sinônimos. A amostragem foi por conveniência. RESULTADOS: Diferentes modelos de psicoterapias foram adaptados às necessidades das minorias sexuais, como protocolos baseados nas terapias interpessoal, psicodinâmica e cognitivo-comportamental. Os modelos atuais da identidade sexual incorporam conceitos como homonegatividade internalizada e estresse de minorias, com conflitos que podem ser descritos em estágios passíveis de intervenções psicoterápicas específicas. Adicionalmente, a pandemia de COVID-19 pareceu trazer à tona uma série de novos possíveis estressores para indivíduos pertencentes a minorias sexuais, como o isolamento social e o aumento no consumo de álcool. DISCUSSÃO: Diversos modelos de psicoterapia mostram resultados satisfatórios em gays e lésbicas. Os principais fatores relacionados ao êxito terapêutico são a adoção de uma postura não julgadora e em uma aliança terapêutica sólida. CONCLUSÃO: A psicoterapia apresenta-se como um tratamento de notável valor ao atenuar o possível sofrimento psíquico de gays e lésbicas, principalmente diante da intensificação do estresse de minorias durante a pandemia de COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The stigma suffered by gays and lesbians is a public health issue. Frequently, the demand of psychotherapy by these patients is motivated by factors related to relationship difficulties with the environment, which makes psychotherapy a valuable instrument to reduce the deleterious effects of minority stress and the new psychosocial impacts resulting from the pandemic. METHOD: A narrative review of literature indexed in databases was conducted using keywords obtained from controlled vocabularies and synonyms. The sampling was by convenience. RESULTS: Different models of psychotherapies have been adapted to the needs of sexual minorities, such as protocols based on interpersonal, psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Current models of sexual identity include concepts such as internalized homonegativity and minority stressors, with conflicts that can be described in stages amenable to specific psychotherapeutic interventions. The pandemic of COVID-19 seemed to bring out a number of new potential stressors for individuals belonging to sexual minorities, for exemple social isolation and increased alcohol consumption. DISCUSSION: Several models of psychotherapy demonstrate satisfactory results in gays and lesbians. The main factors related to therapeutic success are the adoption of a non-judgmental stance and in a solid therapeutic alliance. Minority stress, intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributes to negative mental health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Psychotherapy presents itself as a treatment of notable value in alleviating the psychological suffering of gays and lesbians, especially in the face of intensified minority stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El estigma que sufren gays y lesbianas es un problema de salud pública. A menudo, la demanda de psicoterapia por parte de estos pacientes está motivada por factores relacionados con las dificultades de relación con el entorno, lo que convierte a la psicoterapia en un valioso instrumento para reducir los efectos deletéreos del estrés minoritario y los nuevos impactos psicosociales derivados de la pandemia. MÉTODO: Se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura indexada en bases de datos utilizando palabras clave obtenidas de vocabularios controlados y sinónimos. El muestreo fue por conveniencia. RESULTADOS: Se han adaptado diferentes modelos de psicoterapias a las necesidades de las minorías sexuales, como protocolos basados en terapias interpersonales, psicodinámicas y cognitivo-conductuales. Así, la psicoterapia afirmativa emerge como un modelo transteórico asociado a mejores resultados en salud mental que auxilia en la expresión de la identidad sexual de los individuos, aunque no se ajuste a la norma social. La pandemia de COVID-19 pareció generar una serie de nuevos factores estresantes para las personas pertenecientes a minorías sexuales. DISCUSIÓN: Varios modelos de psicoterapia demuestran resultados satisfactorios en gays y lesbianas. Los principales factores relacionados con el éxito terapéutico son la adopción de una postura libre de juicios y en una sólida alianza terapéutica. El estrés de las minorías, intensificado durante la pandemia de COVID-19, contribuye a los resultados negativos de salud mental. CONCLUSIÓN: La psicoterapia se presenta como un tratamiento de notable valor para aliviar el sufrimiento psicológico de gays y lesbianas, especialmente ante el estrés de las minorías intensificado durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

A implementação de psicoterapia on-line em um programa de residência médica em psiquiatria durante a pandemia de COVID-19 / The implementation of online psychotherapy in a medical residency program in psychiatry during the COVID-19 pandemic

O impacto da pandemia de SARS-CoV2 e as recomendações de reduzir a circulação de pessoas produziu uma série de mudanças no nosso cotidiano. Tratamentos tradicionalmente realizados face-a-face de forma presencial as psicoterapias sofreram forte impacto com riscos de abandono e interrupção. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um relato de experiência sobre o processo de implementação de psicoterapia on-line no ambulatório de psicoterapias do Serviço de Psiquiatria de um hospital escola durante a pandemia de SARS-CoV2, exibindo as principais adaptações realizadas nos procedimentos de comunicação, protocolos de atendimento e registros das sessões de psicoterapia. Tendo como foco a garantia da manutenção dos atendimentos durante períodos de distanciamento social foram criadas diretrizes para a realização de psicoterapia on-line com a elaboração de um manual norteador (Material suplementar) de procedimentos para continuidade dos atendimentos dentro dos parâmetros éticos e técnicos estabelecidos pelo serviço. O manual foi elaborado a partir da discussão entre supervisores e residentes, de forma que refletisse a realidade e as demandas comumente atendidas. As adaptações realizadas no ambulatório foram norteadas por quatro grandes objetivos: 1) manutenção e continuidade dos atendimentos; 2) diminuição de barreiras de comunicação entre psicoterapeuta-paciente; 3) manutenção de reuniões on-line e web conferência entre todos os membros da equipe e manutenção dos estudos e; 4) normatização de procedimentos durante as sessões de psicoterapia.(AU)

The impact of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic and the recommendations to reduce the movement of people and agglomerations produced a series of changes in our daily lives, changing the way various health services were provided. Treatments traditionally performed face-to-face such as psychotherapies suffered a strong impact with risks of abandonment and interruption. This paper is an experience report about the process online psychotherapy implementation in a Psychiatry School Hospital Service during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, showing the adaptations in communication procedures, care protocols and records of psychotherapy sessions. With a focus on ensuring the maintenance of care during periods of social distancing, guidelines were created for online psychotherapy based on the preparation of a guiding manual (Supplementary material) of procedures so that care was performed within the parameters ethical and technical established by the service. The manual was created from the discussion between supervisors and residents, so that it reflected the reality and demands commonly met. The adaptations were guided by four major objectives: 1) maintenance and continuity of care, 2) reduction of communication barriers between psychotherapist-patient, 3) maintenance of online meetings and web conferences between all team members and maintenance of studies and 4) standardization of procedures during psychotherapy sessions.(AU)

El impacto de la pandemia de SARS-CoV2 y las recomendaciones para reducir el movimiento de personas ha producido una serie de cambios en nuestra vida cotidiana. Los tratamientos tradicionalmente realizados en psicoterapias presenciales sufrieron un fuerte impacto con riesgos de abandono e interrupción. El propósito de este artículo es presentar un informe de experiencia sobre el proceso de implementación de la psicoterapia online en el ambulatorio de psicoterapia del Servicio de Psiquiatría de un hospital escuela durante la pandemia de SARSCoV2, mostrando las principales adaptaciones realizadas en los procedimientos de comunicación, protocolos asistenciales y registros de sesiones de psicoterapia. Con el foco en asegurar el mantenimiento de la atención durante los períodos de distanciamiento social, se crearon pautas para la realización de la psicoterapia en línea a partir de la elaboración de un manual guía (Material Complementario) de procedimientos para que las exploraciones asistenciales se realizaran dentro de los parámetros éticos y técnicos establecidos por el servicio. Las adaptaciones realizadas en el ambulatorio se basaron en cuatro objetivos principales: 1) mantenimiento y continuidad de la atención; 2) reducción de las barreras de comunicación entre psicoterapeuta-paciente; 3) mantenimiento de reuniones en línea y conferencias web entre todos los miembros del equipo y mantenimiento de estudios y; 4) estandarización de los procedimientos durante las sesiones de psicoterapia.(AU)

Propriedades psicométricas do protocolo de sistema diagnóstico Operationalization of Psychodynamic Diagnosis 2 (OPD-2) em pacientes com transtorno mental grave em psicoterapia / Psychometric properties of the Operationalization of Psychodynamic Diagnosis 2 (OPD-2) diagnostic system protocol in patients with severe mental disorder undergoing psychotherapy

INTRODUCTION: In order to expand the descriptive classification of symptoms in mental disorders, and to bring empirical consistency to psychodynamic/psychoanalytic models, a multiaxial instrument called Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD-2) has been developed, allowing psychotherapy research to encompass the complexity of the relationships between conditions and factors that determine the phenomena of mental pathologies, from a psychodynamic point of view. METHODOLOGY: Longitudinal naturalistic study with 80 outpatients with severe mental disorders, who were treated with a) psychodynamic psychotherapy, b) interpersonal psychotherapy and c) cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. All patients were interviewed at baseline and after six months, according to OPD-2's criteria. They all also completed two self-report measures (WHOQOL-BREF and SCL-90R) to evaluate symptoms and quality of life at each assessment point. RESULTS: According to OPD-2's axis I, better personal resources, psychosocial support, and introspective capacity significantly correlated with fewer symptoms in the BDI's and SCL-90's measures. Also, symptoms' reduction and quality of life's domains significantly correlated with items that assessed OPD-2's "desire for care versus autarchy" and "identity" conflicts. There was also a significant correlation between all items that evaluate structural functioning according to OPD-2 and the SCL-90R's psychotic index. Regarding predictive validity analysis, we observed mean differences in the structural functioning of patients with a history of suicide attempt and previous history of hospitalization. DISCUSSION: results support that OPD-2's criteria significantly correlates with data from validated self-report measures. When administered by trained raters, OPD-2 displayed good quality in assessing patients' conflicts and structural issues. This evidence suggests that the Brazilian version of OPD-2 is a valid and reliable instrument in evaluating psychodynamic properties and can be a useful tool within the clinical and research contexts. (AU)

A troca de psicoterapeuta e o impacto na condição global de pacientes em ambulatórios de residência em psiquiatria / The change of psychotherapist and the impact on the overall condition of patients in outpatient clinics in psychiatry

O processo de troca de psicoterapeuta durante o tratamento em psicoterapia de orientação analítica, em geral, caracteriza-se por ser prejudicial e até mesmo traumático em boa parte dos casos. Porém, trata-se da realidade assistencial em hospitais universitários, em virtude da necessidade de rodízio de atendimentos pelos médicos residentes em formação psiquiátrica durante seu treinamento em psicoterapia e de psiquiatras realizando especialização em psicoterapia. Este trabalho visa revisar este tema pouco abordado na literatura através da proposição de possíveis cenários de como a troca de terapeuta pode ser encarada pelo paciente, ilustrando com algumas vinhetas clínicas. Concluímos que o tema precisa ser expandido para avaliar o melhor encaminhamento para esse contexto clínico, institucional e socioeconômico, visto não haver consenso teórico e técnico que norteiem a abordagem mais adequada e menos traumática para o paciente.(AU)

The process of changing psychotherapist during treatment in analytically oriented psychotherapy is often harmful and even traumatic in most cases. However, this is the reality of care in university hospitals, due to the need for rotation of care by medical residents in training during their qualification in psychotherapy and psychiatrists performing specialization in psychotherapy. This paper aims to review this little addressed theme in the literature by proposing possible scenarios of how the therapist change can be viewed by the patient, illustrating with some clinical vignettes. We conclude that the theme needs to be expanded to evaluate the best referral to this clinical, institutional and socioeconomic context, since there is no theoretical and technical consensus that guides the most appropriate and least traumatic approach for the patient.(AU)

El proceso de cambio de terapeuta durante el tratamiento en psicoterapia de orientación analítica, en general, se caracteriza por ser perjudicial e, incluso, traumático en gran parte de los casos. Sin embargo, se trata de la realidad asistencial en hospitales universitarios, en virtud de la necesidad de rotación en la atención por parte de los residentes en formación en psicoterapia y psiquiatras que realizan especialización en psicoterapia. Este trabajo busca revisar este tema poco analizado en la literatura a través de la proposición de posibles escenarios de cómo el cambio de terapeuta puede ser tomado por el paciente, ilustrando algunos casos clínicos. Concluimos que el asunto necesita ser ampliado para evaluar cuál sería el mejor camino para este contexto clínico, institucional y socioeconómico, una vez que no hay consenso teórico y técnico que orienten hacia un abordaje más adecuado y menos traumático para el paciente.(AU)

Psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-SRPB BREF, Brazilian Portuguese version

Objective: To test the reliability and the discriminant and convergent validity of the abbreviated Brazilian Portuguese World Health Organization's Quality of Life Instrument - Spirituality, Religion, and Personal Beliefs module (WHOQOL-SRPB BREF). Methods: In a sample of 404 individuals, we applied a general questionnaire, the WHOQOL-BREF, the long-form SRPB, the Brief Religious-Spiritual Coping Scale (RCOPE), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Priority was given to the 9-item SRPB assessment: its unidimensionality was tested through confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis of the 9-item SRPB assessment indicated an adjusted model with acceptable fit to data. In the Rasch analysis, general fit measures showed adequate performance. The 9-item SRPB assessment showed good internal consistency (alpha = 0.85), and could differentiate (discriminant validity) between religious and atheist/agnostic respondents (mean = 74.7±14.1 and 56.8±15.5, respectively; t = 6.37; degrees of freedom [df] = 402; p < 0.01) and between non-depressed and depressed respondents (mean = 76.5±12.9 and 67.1±16.5; t = 5.57; df = 190.5; p < 0.01). Correlations (convergent validity) were significant with the positive-RCOPE subscale (r = 0.58, p < 0.01) and the WHOQOL-BREF domains (Pearson coefficient ranging between 0.24 and 0.49; p < 0.01), but were in the negative direction with the negative-RCOPE subscale (r = -0.10, p < 0.05). Correlation with the long-form SRPB domain (r = 0.934) was almost perfect. Conclusion: The Brazilian Portuguese 9-item SRPB has good psychometric properties and confirmed the findings of the long-form Brazilian Portuguese version and the abbreviated English version.

Psychometric properties of the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index (WHOQOL-8) in a Brazilian sample

Objective: To test the psychometric properties of the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index in a Brazilian sample. Methods: The sample consisted of 151 patients and 174 healthy controls (n=325). Several psychometric properties were tested. Results: Reliability showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.81). The measure showed good discriminant validity between patients and healthy controls (mean1 = 3.32, SD1 = 0.70; mean2 = 3.77, SD2 = 0.63, t = 6.12, p < 0.001). Convergent validity showed significant correlations (p < 0.001) between the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index and all domains of the WHOQOL-Bref (overall r = 0.47; general health r = 0.54; physical r = 0.69; psychological r = 0.62; social relationship r = 0.55; environment r = 0.55) and between the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index and the domains of the SF-36, except for the social domain (p = 0.38). On Rasch analysis of unidimensionality, general fit measures showed adequate performance. The EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index also showed good fit on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (chi-square = 18.46, degrees of freedom [df] = 15; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.99; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.03; goodness of fit index [gfi] = 0.99; root mean square residual [RMR] = 0.03; p = 24). Conclusion: The EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index showed good psychometric properties. It is a reliable quality of life measure that can be used in Brazilian populations.

Predictors of length of stay in an acute psychiatric inpatient facility in a general hospital: a prospective study

Objective: There have been significant reductions in numbers of psychiatric beds and length of stay (LOS) worldwide, making LOS in psychiatric beds an interesting outcome. The objective of this study was to find factors measurable on admission that would predict LOS in the acute psychiatric setting. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study. Results: Overall, 385 subjects were included. The median LOS was 25 days. In the final model, six variables explained 14.6% of the variation in LOS: not having own income, psychiatric admissions in the preceding 2 years, high Clinical Global Impression and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores, diagnosis of schizophrenia, and history of attempted suicide. All variables were associated with longer LOS, apart from history of attempted suicide. Conclusions: Identifying patients who will need to stay longer in psychiatric beds remains a challenge. Improving knowledge about determinants of LOS could lead to improvements in the quality of care in hospital psychiatry.

Association between Spirituality and Adherence to Management in Outpatients with Heart Failure / Associação entre Espiritualidade e Adesão ao Tratamento em Pacientes Ambulatoriais com Insuficiência Cardíaca

Abstract Background: Spirituality may influence how patients cope with their illness. Objectives: We assessed whether spirituality may influence adherence to management of outpatients with heart failure. Methods: Cross sectional study enrolling consecutive ambulatory heart failure patients in whom adherence to multidisciplinary treatment was evaluated. Patients were assessed for quality of life, depression, religiosity and spirituality utilizing validated questionnaires. Correlations between adherence and psychosocial variables of interest were obtained. Logistic regression models explored independent predictors of adherence. Results: One hundred and thirty patients (age 60 ± 13 years; 67% male) were interviewed. Adequate adherence score was observed in 38.5% of the patients. Neither depression nor religiosity was correlated to adherence, when assessed separately. Interestingly, spirituality, when assessed by both total score sum (r = 0.26; p = 0.003) and by all specific domains, was positively correlated to adherence. Finally, the combination of spirituality, religiosity and personal beliefs was an independent predictor of adherence when adjusted for demographics, clinical characteristics and psychosocial instruments. Conclusion: Spirituality, religiosity and personal beliefs were the only variables consistently associated with compliance to medication in a cohort of outpatients with heart failure. Our data suggest that adequately addressing these aspects on patient’s care may lead to an improvement in adherence patterns in the complex heart failure management.

Resumo Fundamento: A espiritualidade pode influenciar a maneira com que os pacientes lidam com sua doença. Objetivos: Avaliamos a possibilidade de a espiritualidade influenciar a adesão ao tratamento de pacientes ambulatoriais com insuficiência cardíaca. Métodos: Estudo transversal com pacientes ambulatoriais com insuficiência cardíaca, cuja adesão ao tratamento multidisciplinar foi avaliada. Os pacientes foram avaliados sobre qualidade de vida, depressão, religiosidade e espiritualidade, utilizando questionários validados. Foram obtidas correlações entre adesão e variáveis psicossociais de interesse. Modelos de regressão logística exploraram preditores independentes de adesão. Resultados: Cento e trinta pacientes (idade 60 ± 13 anos; 67% masculinos) foram entrevistados. Observou-se adequado escore de adesão em 38,5% dos pacientes. Nem a depressão ou a religiosidade foram correlacionados à adesão, quando avaliados separadamente. É interessante notar que quando a espiritualidade foi avaliada por ambos, o somatório total de score (r = 0,26; p = 0,003) e os domínios específicos, ela estava positivamente correlacionada à adesão. Por fim, a combinação de espiritualidade, religiosidade e crenças pessoais mostrou-se um preditor independente de adesão quando ajustado às características demográficas, clínicas e a instrumentos psicossociais. Conclusão: Espiritualidade, religiosidade e crenças pessoais foram as únicas variáveis consistentemente associadas à adesão em relação à medicação em uma coorte de pacientes ambulatoriais com insuficiência cardíaca. Nossos dados sugerem que abordar adequadamente esses aspectos no cuidado com o paciente pode auxiliar a melhorar o padrão de adesão no complexo tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca.

Outcomes of inpatients with severe mental illness: a naturalistic descriptive study

Objective: To describe and evaluate the response and predictors of remission during inpatient treatment in a psychiatric unit in a general hospital based on symptomatology, functionality, and quality of life (QoL). Methods: Patients were admitted to a psychiatric unit in a tertiary general hospital in Brazil from June 2011 to December 2013 and included in the study if they met two of the severe mental illness (SMI) criteria: Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) ≤ 50 and duration of service contact ≥ 2 years. Patients were assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Severity Scale , GAF, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument – Abbreviated version (WHOQOL-Bref), and specific diagnostic scales. Results: A total of 239 patients were included. BPRS mean scores were 25.54±11.37 at admission and 10.96±8.11 at discharge (p < 0.001). Patients with manic episodes (odds ratio: 4.03; 95% confidence interval: 1.14-14.30; p = 0.03) were more likely to achieve remission (CGI ≤ 2 at discharge) than those with depressive episodes. Mean length of stay was 28.95±19.86 days. All QoL domains improved significantly in the whole sample. Conclusion: SMI patients had marked improvements in symptomatic and functional measures during psychiatric hospitalization. Patients with manic episodes had higher chance of remission according to the CGI.

Teoria do Apego: conceitos básicos e implicações para a psicoterapia de orientação analítica / Theory of Attachment: basic concepts and implications for psychoanalytic psychotherapy

A Teoria do Apego (TA) descreve como os primeiros vínculos de um indivíduo podem moldar as expectativas futuras dele sobre si e sobre o mundo e descreve também formas com as quais a terapia pode remodelar essas expectativas. Apesar de possuir alguns pontos de divergência com ideias freudianas e kleinianas, essa teoria apresenta também muitas convergências com ideias de psicanalistas como Fairbairn e Winnicott. Assim, o objetivo deste artigo é discorrer sobre os preceitos básicos da TA, sobre suas semelhanças e diferenças com outras escolas da psicodinâmica e sobre suas implicações para a psicoterapia de orientação analítica. Nessa última parte, será apresentado um caso que ilustra conceitos dessa teoria.(AU)

Attachment Theory (AT) describes how an individual's first relationships can shape his/her future expectations about his/herself and about others and it also describes how these expectations can be remodeled through psychotherapy. Despite AT may differ from Freudian and Kleinian ideias, this theory also holds similarities with ideas from psychoanalysts as Fairbairn and Winnicott. Therefore, this study aims to discuss basic concepts about AT, similarities and differences regarding AT and other psychodynamic schools and its implications for psychodynamic psychotherapy. During this last part, a clinical case that illustrates AT concepts will be described.(AU)

Pesquisa em psicoterapia psicanalítica de adultos: uma revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos / Research in psychoanalytic psychotherapy for adults: a systematic review of clinical trials

O objetivo deste estudo é reunir os ensaios clínicos que envolveram alguma modalidade de Psicoterapia Psicanalítica publicados no período compreendido entre julho de 2008 e julho de 2013. Pretendemos identificar quais as modalidades contempladas, qual a população mais estudada, quais os fatores de interesse mais estudados, que localidades apresentam maior produção e quais os principais resultados encontrados. A revisão foi realizada em julho de 2013, através das bases de dados PsycINFO, Embase e Pubmed. Foram selecionados 27 estudos. O número de ECRs em PP encontrado nesta revisão pode ser considerado pequeno, o que possivelmente reflete uma preferência por outros delineamentos de pesquisa na avaliação dos resultados das técnicas psicanalíticas. A pesquisa em PP parece ser veiculada predominantemente através de periódicos acessados muitas vezes apenas por outros pesquisadores. Porém, o difícil acesso pode não ser a única razão por trás da reconhecida dissociação entre academia e prática clínica: a linguagem utilizada nos artigos encontrados nesta revisão pressupõe amplo conhecimento de termos de uso restrito de pesquisadores. Acreditamos que esta revisão pode ser útil para uma geração de terapeutas e pesquisadores que desejam trabalhar em sincronia com o avanço do conhecimento científico.(AU)

This systematic review aims at gathering all the psychoanalytic psychotherapy clinical trials published in the period between July 2008 and July 2013. We intend to identify which modalities were contemplated, the most studied population, the most studied factors of interest, the locations with higher production and the main results. The search was conducted in July 2013 on the following databases: Embase, Pubmed, and PsycINFO. Twenty-seven studies were selected. The number of RCTs in PP found in this review can be considered small, which may reflect a preference for other research designs in evaluating the results of psychoanalytic techniques. Research in PP seems to be conveyed predominantly through journals which are often only accessed by other researchers. However, the difficult access may not be the only reason behind the recognized dissociation between academia and clinical practice: the language used in the articles found in this review requires extensive knowledge of terms of restricted use by researchers. We believe that this review may be useful for a generation of therapists and researchers who wish to work in synchrony with the advancement of scientific knowledge.(AU)

Evaluating psychiatric case-control studies using the STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational Studies in Epidemiology) statement / Avaliando estudos de caso-controle em psiquiatria utilizando o STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational Studies in Epidemiology) statement

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Case-control studies are important in developing clinical and public health knowledge. The STROBE statement (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational Studies in Epidemiology) was developed to establish a checklist of items that should be included in articles reporting observational studies. Our aim was to analyze whether the psychiatric case-control articles published in Brazilian journals with CAPES Qualis rating B1/B2 in 2009 conformed with the STROBE statement. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study on psychiatric papers published in Brazilian journals, within the Postgraduate Medical Program on Psychiatry, at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. METHODS: All psychiatric case-control studies from Brazilian Qualis B1/B2 journals of psychiatry, neurology and public health in 2009 were analyzed. The four most specific items of the STROBE statement were used to evaluate whether these studies fitted within the case-control parameters: 1) selection of cases and controls; 2) controlling for bias; 3) statistical analysis; and 4) presentation of results. RESULTS: Sixteen case-control studies were identified, of which eleven (68.75%) were in psychiatry-focused journals. From analysis using the STROBE statement, all of the articles conformed with item 1; two (12.5%) completely conformed with item 2; none completely conformed with item 3; and only three (18.8%) conformed with item 4. CONCLUSION: The case-control studies analyzed here did not completely conform with the four STROBE statement items for case-control design. In view of the inadequate methodology of the published studies, these findings justify focusing on research and methodology and expanding the investigations on adherence of studies to their designs. .

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Estudos de caso-controle são importantes no desenvolvimento do conhecimento clínico e de saúde pública. O STROBE statement (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational Studies in Epidemiology) foi criado para estabelecer uma lista de itens que devem estar presentes na descrição de estudos observacionais. Nosso objetivo é analisar a adequação de artigos caso-controle psiquiátricos publicados em periódicos brasileiros Qualis B1/B2 CAPES em 2009 utilizando o STROBE statement. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo descritivo de artigos em psiquiatria publicados por periódicos brasileiros, realizado no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Psiquiatria, na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. MÉTODOS: Todos os estudos de caso-controle psiquiátricos em revistas brasileiras Qualis B1/B2 de psiquiatria, neurologia e saúde pública em 2009 foram analisados. Os quatro itens mais específicos do STROBE statement foram utilizados para avaliar se os estudos se ajustavam aos parâmetros de caso-controle: 1) seleção de casos e controles, 2) controle de vieses, 3) análise estatística e 4) apresentação dos resultados. RESULTADOS: Dezesseis estudos de caso-controle foram identificados, 68,75% (11) deles de periódicos de psiquiatria. Após a análise com base no STROBE statement, todos os artigos adequavam-se ao item 1; 12,5% (2) adequavam-se completamente ao item 2; nenhum ajustava-se completamente ao item 3; e somente 18,8% (3) estavam adequados em relação ao item 4. CONCLUSÃO: Os estudos de caso-controle avaliados aqui não se adequaram completamente aos quatro itens do STROBE statement para o desenho de caso-controle. Tendo em vista a inadequada metodologia dos estudos publicados, os achados justificam direcionar-se o foco para a pesquisa e metodologia, aumentando ...

Dependence module of the MINI plus adapted for sugar dependence: psychometric properties / Módulo de dependência do MINI plus adaptado para dependência de açúcar: propriedades psicométricas

This study aimed to analyze the factorial structure and the scale of measurement of the items for dependence of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) adapted for sugar consumption in order to verify if the structural characteristics can be applied to sugar dependence. The questionnaire was applied to a sample of 500 subjects in Brazil (67% female; mean age: 38 y.o.; 43% from weight control clinics; 63% with normal BMI). An exploratory factor analysis was performed to determine the factorial structure and unidimensionality; and, a Rasch model analysis, to verify unidimensionality and items distribution. The model with best fit is unidimensional. All items had good fit to the Rasch model with a reliability of .99, infit between .86 and 1.14 and outfit from .71 to 1.20. The items of MINI Plus adapted for sugar dependence presented good psychometric properties, suggesting that the dependence criteria of DSM-IV support the verification of the construct for sugar addiction.

Analisar a estrutura fatorial e a escala de medida dos critérios de dependência do DSM-IV adaptado para açúcar a fim de verificar se as características estruturais são aplicaveis para dependência de açúcar. O questionário foi aplicado numa amostra de 500 pessoas (67% mulheres; média idade: 38 anos; 43% de clínicas obesidade; 63% IMC normal). A análise fatorial exploratória determinou a estrutura fatorial e unidimensionalidade; a análise de Rasch, a unidimensionalidade e distribuição dos itens. O modelo com melhor ajuste era unidimensional. Todos os itens apresentaram ajustes adequados na análise de Rasch com confiabilidade de 0,99, infit entre 0,86 a 1,14 e outfit entre 0,71 e 1,20. Os itens de dependência do MINI Plus adaptados para açúcar apresentaram boas propriedades psicométricas, sugerindo que os critérios do DSM-IV contribuem na verificação do constructo dependência de açúcar.

Escalas psicométricas como instrumentos de rastreamento para depressão em estudantes do ensino médio / Depression rating scales as screening tools for depression in high school students

CONTEXTO: A depressão é uma importante causa de suicídio em adolescentes. Portanto, são necessários instrumentos adequados para o rastreamento da depressão nessa população. OBJETIVO: Avaliar escalas de depressão como instrumentos de rastreamento para depressão em estudantes brasileiros do ensino médio. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal. Três escalas (BDI, CES-D, e CRS) e um teste para avaliar sintomas psiquiátricos gerais (SRQ) foram aplicados individualmente a 503 estudantes do ensino médio com idades entre 15 e 17 anos. Os resultados foram comparados aos obtidos com os critérios de depressão maior do manual diagnóstico e estatístico de transtornos mentais (DSM-IV). RESULTADOS: A prevalência de depressão maior utilizando-se os critérios do DSM-IV foi de 10,9%. Adolescentes com depressão maior apresentaram escores significativamente mais altos (p = 0,001) no SRQ e nas três escalas avaliadas em comparação ao grupo sem depressão. A sensibilidade e a especificidade para identificar depressão pelo BDI, CES-D e CRS foram, respectivamente, 0,77 e 0,70, 0,75 e 0,73 e 0,82 e 0,71 (curva ROC). Os melhores pontos de corte foram 9 para o BDI, 10 para a CRS e 14 para a CES-D. A frequência de sintomas depressivos foi maior em meninas (aproximadamente 2:1). CONCLUSÃO: Esses achados indicam o uso do BDI, da CES-D e da CRS apenas para o rastreamento, ou como uma avaliação sintomática adicional, da depressão em estudantes do ensino médio. A diferença entre meninos e meninas com relação aos escores nas escalas alerta contra o uso dos mesmos valores de corte para ambos os sexos.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a major cause of suicide among adolescents. Therefore, it is crucial to find suitable depression screening tools for this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of depression rating scales as screening tools for depression in a sample of Brazilian high school students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study. Three scales (BDI, CES-D, and CRS) and a screening test for general psychiatric symptoms (SRQ) were administered to a sample of 503 high school students aged between 15 to 17 years. The results were compared to those obtained with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). RESULTS: The prevalence of major depression using DSM-IV criteria was 10.9%. Adolescents with major depression had significantly higher (p = 0.001) scores in the SRQ and in the three scales analyzed compared to the group without depression. The sensitivity and specificity of BDI, CES-D, and CRS were 0.77 and 0.70, 0.75 and 0.73, and 0.82 and 0.71, respectively, to screen for major depression (ROC curve). The best cutoff values to suggest depression were 9 for BDI, 10 for CSR, and 14 for CES-D. The frequency of depressive symptoms was higher in girls (approximately 2:1). DISCUSSION: The present findings support the use of the BDI, the CES-D and the CRS only for screening or as an additional symptomatic evaluation of depression in high school student. The difference in scale scores between boys and girls warns against the use of the same cutoff values for both sexes.

Brazilian validation of the Quality of Life instrument/spirituality, religion and personal beliefs / Validação brasileira do Instrumento de Qualidade de Vida/espiritualidade, religião e crenças pessoais

OBJETIVO: Analisar propriedades psicométricas do Instrumento de Qualidade de Vida da Organização Mundial da Saúde - Módulo Espiritualidade, Religiosidade e Crenças Pessoais (WHOQOL-SRPB). MÉTODOS: O WHOQOL-SRPB, a Escala de Coping Religioso/Espiritual Abreviada (CRE-Breve), o WHOQOL-Breve e o BDI foram consecutivamente aplicados em amostra de conveniência de 404 pacientes e funcionários de hospital universitário e funcionários de universidade, em Porto Alegre, RS, entre 2006 e 2009. A amostra foi estratificada por sexo, idade, estado de saúde e religião/crença. O reteste dos dois primeiros instrumentos foi realizado com 54 participantes. Análises fatoriais exploratórias do WHOQOL-SRPB pelo método dos componentes principais foram realizadas sem delimitar o número de fatores, solicitando oito fatores e em conjunto com os itens do WHOQOL-Breve. RESULTADOS: O WHOQOL-SRPB em português brasileiro (Domínio SRPB-Geral) apresentou validade de construto, com validade discriminativa entre crentes de não-crentes (t = 7,40; p = 0,0001); validade relacionada ao critério concorrente, discriminando deprimidos de não-deprimidos (t = 5,03; p = 0,0001); validade convergente com o WHOQOL-Breve (com físico r = 0,18; psicológico r = 0,46; social r = 0,35; ambiental r = 0,29; global r = 0,23; p = 0,0001) e com o Domínio SRPB do WHOQOL-100 (r = 0,78; p = 0,0001); e validade convergente/discriminante com a Escala CRE-Breve (com CREpositivo r = 0,64; p = 0,0001/CREnegativo r = -0,03; p = 0,554). Observou-se excelente fidedignidade teste-reteste (t = 0,74; p = 0,463) e consistência interna (α = 0,96; correlação intrafatorial 0,87 > r > 0,60, p = 0,0001). As análises fatoriais exploratórias realizadas corroboraram a estrutura de oito fatores do estudo multicêntrico do WHOQOL-SRPB. CONCLUSÕES: O WHOQOL-SRPB em português brasileiro apresentou boas qualidades psicométricas e uso válido e fidedigno para uso no Brasil. Sugerem-se novos estudos com populações específicas, como diferentes religiões, grupos culturais e/ou doenças.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the psychometric properties of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Instrument - Spirituality, Religion and Personal Beliefs module (WHOQOL-SRPB). METHODS: The WHOQOL-SRPB, the Brief Spiritual/Religious Coping Scale (Brief-SRCOPE Scale), the WHOQOL-BREF and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were consecutively applied in a convenience sample of 404 patients and workers of a university hospital and workers of a university, in the city of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, between 2006 and 2009. The sample was stratified by sex, age, health status and religion/belief. The retest of the two first instruments was conducted with 54 participants. Exploratory factorial analyses of the WHOQOL-SRPB with the method of main components were performed, without limiting the number of factors, and requiring eight factors concomitantly with the WHOQOL-BREF items. RESULTS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the WHOQOL-SRPB (General SRPB-Domain) showed construct validity, with a discriminatory validity between believers and non-believers (t = 7.40; p = 0.0001); concurrent criterion-related validity, distinguishing depressed individuals from non-depressed ones (t = 5.03; p = 0.0001); convergent validity with the WHOQOL-BREF (physical r = 0.18; psychological r = 0.46; social r = 0.35; environmental r = 0.29; global r = 0.23; p = 0.0001) and with the SRPB-Domain of the WHOQOL-100 (r = 0.78; p = 0.0001); and convergent/discriminatory validity with the brief SRCOPE Scale (with positive SRCOPE r = 0.64; p = 0.0001/negative SRCOPE r = -0.03; p = 0.554). Excellent test-retest reliability (t = 0.74; p = 0.463) and internal consistency (α = 0.96; intrafactorial correlation 0.87 > r > 0.60; p = 0.0001) were observed. The exploratory factorial analyses performed corroborated the eight-factor structure of the WHOQOL-SRPB multicenter study. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the WHOQOL-SRPB showed good psychometric qualities and use valid and reliable in Brazil. It is suggested that new studies be conducted with specific populations, such as different religions, cultural groups and/or diseases.