Brazilian Psychiatric Association guidelines on the integration of spirituality into mental health clinical practice: Part 1. Spiritual history and differential diagnosis

Objectives: To present evidence-based guidelines for clinical practice regarding religiosity and spirituality in mental health care in Brazil. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify potentially eligible articles indexed in the PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO, LILACS, and Cochrane databases. A summary of recommendations and their levels of evidence was produced in accordance with Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines. Results: The systematic review identified 6,609 articles, 41 of which satisfied all inclusion criteria. Taking a spiritual history was found to be an essential part of a compassionate and culturally sensitive approach to care. It represents a way of obtaining relevant information about the patient's religiosity/spirituality, potential conflicts that could impact treatment adherence, and improve patient satisfaction. Consistent evidence shows that reported perceptual experiences are unreliable for differentiating between anomalous experiences and psychopathology. Negative symptoms, cognitive and behavioral disorganization, and functional impairment are more helpful for distinguishing pathological and non-pathological anomalous experiences. Conclusion: Considering the importance of religiosity/spirituality for many patients, a spiritual history should be routinely included in mental health care. Anomalous experiences are highly prevalent, requiring a sensitive and evidence-based approach to differential diagnosis.

Brazilian Psychiatric Association guidelines for the management of suicidal behavior. Part 3. Suicide prevention hotlines

Crisis hotlines are direct communication systems, usually telephone-based, set up to prevent suicide. However, few studies have evaluated their effectiveness. The present study aims to perform a systematic review, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, of the effectiveness of interventions through direct communication systems to reduce the number of suicides or suicide attempts. We searched the MEDLINE, Cochrane, SciELO, and ClinicaTrials.gov databases, and used the 2011 Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence classification. The literature search yielded 267 studies, of which 35 fulfilled the selection criteria. Although significant heterogeneity was found among studies, there is evidence that direct telephone interventions are effective when included in broader preventive protocols and provided by trained staff. Despite the limitations, which included heterogeneity of samples, designs, and outcome measures, we were able to design a protocol for the use of remote services to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. A hotline or similar system could be an effective intervention for broader suicide prevention programs. However, further research is necessary to specify which protocol components are key to enhance effectiveness. Systematic review registry number: PROSPERO CRD42020206517

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS) for the Brazilian population

Abstract Introduction Few instruments are available in Brazil to evaluate psychomotor activity in psychiatric emergency, clinical, and research settings. This study aimed to perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS) into Brazilian Portuguese and assess the adapted scale's psychometric properties. Method An expert consensus committee conducted a translation and back-translation of the original scale, resulting in the BARS-BR. Four pairs of physicians administered the BARS-BR and the Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) to patients in a hospital psychiatry emergency room and patients in the hospital's psychiatric wards. The BARS-BR was compared to the SAS to assess concurrent validity and internal consistency was evaluated with the Bland-Altman technique. Results In the emergency room, the correlation coefficients between the first and second assessments were rho = 0.997 and rho = 1.0, respectively. In the hospital wards, the correlation coefficient between the pair of evaluators was rho = 0.951. There were strong correlations between the BARS-BR score of the first examiner and the SAS score of the second examiner (rho = 0.903) and between the SAS score of the first examiner and the BARS-BR score of the second examiner (rho = 0.893). Conclusion The BARS-BR showed good psychometric properties, and we recommend its use because it constitutes an easy method for assessment of changes in psychomotor activity. Further studies are suggested to evaluate adoption and comprehension of the BARS-BR scale by all classes of healthcare professionals.

Can medical residency keep young specialists in the place where they graduate? Cross-sectional and exploratory study of the first seven years after implementation of medical residency programs in the State of Tocantins, Brazil

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: New medical schools and new medical residencies in Brazil, mainly in its interior, were opened under the justification of collaborating towards distribution of these healthcare professionals and specialist doctors across the national territory. However, this proposal did not guarantee that medical practitioners would become established in the place where they graduated and specialized. OBJECTIVE: To calculate, through interviews, how many specialists who graduated in the state of Tocantins stayed there after finishing their medical residency; and to analyze the factors that made them stay or leave the place. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional exploratory study conducted at a Brazilian federal public higher education institution. METHODS: All graduates from medical residencies in Tocantins, who graduated between 2013 and 2019, were contacted by telephone and, after obtaining consent, an interview was conducted. The interviews took place between June 2020 and January 2021. RESULTS: The permanence of medical residency graduates in the state increased from 50% in an earlier study to 55.8% in the current study, thus showing a situation of stability. In addition, we detected some reasons for staying or not. In a multivariate analysis, only working in the state capital was related to staying in the state of Tocantins, showing a 5.6 times greater chance. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of those who remained was just over 50%, even some years after implementation of the first programs. Most specialists remained working for the state health department, with a smaller proportion in municipal health departments, and were concentrated in the state capital.

Psychiatric emergency units in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the infrastructure (e.g., availability, resources, and staff), basic metrics, and problems (e.g., network, overcrowding, resources, and infrastructure) of the psychiatric emergency services in Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study assessing psychiatric services (n=29) listed by the Brazilian Psychiatric Association in 2019. RESULTS: Almost all the units reported 24 h/7-day availability having psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers, with 8.8 (SE=2.2) and 2.8 (SE=0.3) consultations and hospitalizations per day, respectively. Separated room for contention was reported by the minority of the services (38%). The most commonly reported problems were insufficient structure for child/adolescent care (83%), increasing patient demand (72%), housing referral for homeless (72%), excessive prescription demand (69%), short-term room overcrowding (59%), court orders for inpatient treatment (59%), lack of vacancies for inpatients hospitalization (59%), and referral to primary care (56%). CONCLUSIONS: Similar to the United States, the Brazilian psychiatric emergency units are decreasing and encompass the shortcomings of the Brazilian mental health care network.

Brazilian Psychiatric Association guidelines for the management of suicidal behavior. Part 2. Screening, intervention, and prevention

This article continues our presentation of the Brazilian Psychiatric Association guidelines for the management of patients with suicidal behavior, with a focus on screening, intervention, postvention, prevention, and promotion. For the development of these guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of the MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, and SciELO databases for research published from 1997 to 2020. Systematic reviews, clinical trials, and cohort/observational studies on screening, intervention, and prevention in suicidal behavior were included. This project involved 14 Brazilian psychiatry professionals and 1 psychologist selected by the Psychiatric Emergencies Committee of the Brazilian Psychiatric Association for their experience and knowledge in psychiatry and psychiatric emergencies. Publications were evaluated according to the 2011 Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) Levels of Evidence Classification. Eighty-five articles were reviewed (of 5,362 initially collected and 755 abstracts on the drug approach). Forms of screening, intervention, and prevention are presented. The intervention section presents evidence for psychotherapeutic and drug interventions. For the latter, it is important to remember that each medication is effective only for specific groups and should not replace treatment protocols. We maintain our recommendation for the use of universal screening plus intervention. Although the various studies differ in terms of the populations evaluated and several proposals are presented, there is already significant evidence for certain interventions. Suicidal behavior can be analyzed by evidence-based medicine protocols. Currently, the best strategy is to combine several techniques through the Safety Plan. Nevertheless, further research on the topic is needed to elucidate some approaches with particular potential for intervention and prevention. Systematic review registry number: CRD42020206517

Brazilian Psychiatric Association guidelines for the management of suicidal behavior. Part 1. Risk factors, protective factors, and assessment

Suicide is a global public health problem that causes the loss of more than 800,000 lives each year, principally among young people. In Brazil, the average mortality rate attributable to suicide is approximately 5.23 per 100,000 population. Although many guidelines have been published for the management of suicidal behavior, to date, there are no recent guidelines based on the principles of evidence-based medicine that apply to the reality of suicide in Brazil. The objective of this work is to provide key guidelines for managing patients with suicidal behavior in Brazil. This project involved 11 Brazilian psychiatry professionals selected by the Psychiatric Emergencies Committee (Comissão de Emergências Psiquiátricas) of the Brazilian Psychiatric Association for their experience and knowledge in psychiatry and psychiatric emergencies. For the development of these guidelines, 79 articles were reviewed (from 5,362 initially collected and 755 abstracts). In this review, we present definitions, risk and protective factors, assessments, and an introduction to the Safety Plan. Systematic review registry number: CRD42020206517

Preditores de sofrimento psicológico e prevalência de transtornos mentais autodeclarados em profissionais de saúde e na população em geral durante a pandemia de Covid-19 no Brasil / Predictors of psychological distress and prevalence of self-reported mental disorders in health care professionals and in the general population during the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil

O fardo dos transtornos mentais pode aumentar durante a pandemia de Covid-19. Por isso, é estratégico caracterizar a saúde mental da população. Analisamos dados coletados pela Internet de 164.881 profissionais de saúde e 5.635 participantes da população geral. O Índice de Gravidade Global (GSI) do Inventário Breve de Sintomas, diagnóstico autodeclarado de transtornos mentais, características sociodemográficas, estado de saúde física, história de contato com a Covid-19, percepções e preocupações e medidas preventivas adotadas foram comparados entre as amostras. Análises de regressão múltipla foram usadas para investigação de fatores associados ao GSI. O distresse psicológico foi classificado como alto ou muito alto em 13,4% dos profissionais de saúde e em 31,4% dos participantes da população geral. A prevalência de transtornos mentais ao longo da vida foi 36% para profissionais de saúde e 44,7% para a população geral, sendo os mais frequentes transtornos depressivos e ansiedade generalizada. Entre os profissionais de saúde, ser do sexo feminino e mais jovem foi associado à maior distresse psicológico. Para a população geral foram preditores de distresse a classe econômica e um domicílio com mais pessoas. Foram significativamente associados ao GSI sintomas de Covid-19, sentir-se menos produtivo no trabalho, medo de transmitir o vírus para a família, medo de dificuldades financeiras e sentir que os relacionamentos em casa pioraram. A prevalência de transtornos mentais atinge parte relevante da população brasileira. Fatores sociodemográficos, aspectos familiares e instabilidade financeira devem ser considerados no entendimento do distresse psicológico durante a pandemia.(AU)

BACKGROUND: The burden of mental disorders is likely to increase during the Covid-19 pandemic. Knowing the rate of psychological distress and mental disorders, its severity, and factors associated with psychological distress is strategical. METHOD: We analyzed online cross-sectional data from 164,881 health professionals and from 5,635 participants from the general population in Brazil. The Global Severity Index (GSI) from the Brief Symptom Inventory, self-reported diagnosis of mental disorders, sociodemographic characteristics, and factors related to Covid-19, such as physical health status, diagnosis and contact history, perceptions and concerns, and precautionary measures were compared between samples. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate factors related to GSI scores. RESULTS: Psychological distress was high or very high in 13.4% of health professionals and in 31.4% of the general population. Health professionals reported a lower rate of current or previous history of mental disorders (36%) than participants from the general population (44.7%). Age (younger) and gender (female) predicted higher psychological distress for health professionals and economic class (lower) and household size (more members) for the general population. People with higher GSI scores reported to have experienced more physical symptoms associated with Covid-19, feeling less productive at work, being afraid of transmitting the coronavirus to the family, fear of financial difficulties, and feeling that home relations were worse during the pandemic outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological distress at the first wave of Covid-19 was associated with sociodemographic features and an anxious perception of physical symptoms, virus transmission to loved ones, disruption of family relations, and financial situation.(AU)

INTRODUCCIÓN: Es probable que la carga de los trastornos mentales aumente durante la pandemia de Covid-19. Conocer la tasa de malestar psicológico y de los trastornos mentales, su gravedad y los factores asociados al malestar psicológico es estratégico. MÉTODO: Se analizaron datos transversales en línea de 164.881 profesionales de la salud y 5.635 participantes de la población general de Brasil. Se compararon entre las muestras el Índice de Gravedad Global (GSI) del Inventario Breve de Síntomas, el diagnóstico auto declarado de trastornos mentales, las características sociodemográficas y los factores relacionados con la Covid-19. Se utilizó un análisis de regresión múltiple para investigar los factores relacionados con las puntuaciones del GSI. RESULTADOS: El malestar psicológico era alto o muy alto en 13,4% de los profesionales de la salud y en 31,4% de la población general. Los profesionales de la salud declararon tasa de 36% de trastornos mentales y la población general de 44,7%. La edad (más joven) y el sexo (femenino) predijeron un mayor malestar psicológico para los profesionales de la salud y la clase económica (más baja) y el tamaño de la familia (más miembros) para la población general. Las personas con puntuaciones más altas en el GSI declararon haber experimentado más síntomas físicos asociados a la Covid-19, sentirse menos productivos en el trabajo, tener miedo de transmitir el coronavirus a la familia, temer dificultades económicas y sentir que las relaciones domésticas empeoraron. CONCLUSIONES: La angustia psicológica se asoció a las características sociodemográficas y a la percepción ansiosa de los síntomas físicos, la transmisión del virus a los seres queridos, la perturbación de las relaciones familiares y la situación económica.(AU)

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.

Brazilian guidelines for the management of psychomotor agitation. Part 2. Pharmacological approach

Objective: To present the essential guidelines for pharmacological management of patients with psychomotor agitation in Brazil. Methods: This is a systematic review of articles retrieved from the MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and SciELO databases published from 1997 to 2017. Other relevant articles in the literature were also used to develop these guidelines. The search strategy used structured questions formulated using the PICO model, as recommended by the Guidelines Project of the Brazilian Medical Association. Recommendations were summarized according to their level of evidence, which was determined using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine system and critical appraisal tools. Results: Of 5,362 articles retrieved, 1,731 abstracts were selected for further reading. The final sample included 74 articles that met all inclusion criteria. The evidence shows that pharmacologic treatment is indicated only after non-pharmacologic approaches have failed. The cause of the agitation, side effects of the medications, and contraindications must guide the medication choice. The oral route should be preferred for drug administration; IV administration must be avoided. All subjects must be monitored before and after medication administration. Conclusion: If non-pharmacological strategies fail, medications are needed to control agitation and violent behavior. Once medicated, the patient should be monitored until a tranquil state is possible without excessive sedation. Systematic review registry number: CRD42017054440.

Brazilian guidelines for the management of psychomotor agitation. Part 1. Non-pharmacological approach

Objective: To present the essential guidelines for non-pharmacological management of patients with psychomotor agitation in Brazil. Methods: These guidelines were developed based on a systematic review of articles published from 1997 to 2017, retrieved from MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, and SciELO. Other relevant articles identified by searching the reference lists of included studies were also used to develop these guidelines. The search strategy used structured questions formulated using the PICO model, as recommended by the Guidelines Project of the Brazilian Medical Association. Recommendations were summarized according to their level of evidence, which was determined using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine system and critical appraisal tools. Results: We initially selected 1,731 abstracts among 5,362 articles. The final sample included 104 articles that fulfilled all the inclusion criteria. The management of agitated patients should always start with the least coercive approach. The initial non-pharmacological measures include a verbal strategy and referral of the patient to the appropriate setting, preferably a facility designed for the care of psychiatric patients with controlled noise, lighting, and safety aspects. Verbal de-escalation techniques have been shown to decrease agitation and reduce the potential for associated violence in the emergency setting. The possibility of underlying medical etiologies must be considered first and foremost. Particular attention should be paid to the patient's appearance and behavior, physical signs, and mental state. If agitation is severe, rapid tranquilization with medications is recommended. Finally, if verbal measures fail to contain the patient, physical restraint should be performed as the ultimate measure for patient protection, and always be accompanied by rapid tranquilization. Healthcare teams must be thoroughly trained to use these techniques and overcome difficulties if the verbal approach fails. It is important that healthcare professionals be trained in non-pharmacological management of patients with psychomotor agitation as part of the requirements for a degree and graduate degree. Conclusion: The non-pharmacological management of agitated patients should follow the hierarchy of less invasive to more invasive and coercive measures, starting with referral of the patient to an appropriate environment, management by a trained team, use of verbal techniques, performance of physical and mental assessment, use of medications, and, if unavoidable, use of the mechanical restraint. Systematic review registry number: CRD42017054440.

Proportion of doctors who stayed in the state of Tocantins after finishing medical residency: preliminary results from a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Few studies have assessed the impact of medical residencies on the public healthcare system. The aim here was to assess the number of specialists who remained in the state of Tocantins after finishing the medical residency program during the first two years of the first programs (2013 and 2014). DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional and exploratory study conducted at the Federal University of Tocantins in Brazil. METHODS: All graduates of medical residency programs in Tocantins, of the years 2013 and 2014, were interviewed by telephone and e-mail between May and July 2014. RESULTS: Information was obtained from 37 graduates from medical residency. Seventeen (50.0%) were working in the state public healthcare system and only six (17.6%) in a municipal service in June 2014. Considering only the 24 doctors who had never worked in the state of Tocantins before their residency, it was observed that two who graduated in 2013 (20.0%) and five who graduated in 2014 (35.7%), i.e. seven out of the total number (29.2%), had established their homes in Tocantins. CONCLUSIONS: The number of graduates from medical residency who stayed in the state of Tocantins in 2013 and 2014 was small. However, this was related to the absence of other programs for continuation of the specialization. The state healthcare system was primarily responsible for employment of these doctors within public services. On the other hand, hiring by municipal services was extremely low.

Reduction of prefrontal thickness in military police officers with post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract Background Brain-imaging studies in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have consistently revealed alterations in brain structure and function and this is correlated to symptomatology. However, few studies have investigated the role of biomarkers in PTSD some specific groups, as police officers. Objective To evaluate prefrontal and limbic volumes, and cortical thickness of police officers exposed to trauma during work who developed post-traumatic stress disorder, resilient matched controls (without PTSD), and compared to healthy civilians. Methods Prefrontal and limbic volumes, and cortical thickness of 12 police officers with PTSD, 12 resilient police officers, and 12 healthy civilians who underwent brain MRI were analyzed. Results Differences in limbic structures volume were not significative after Bonferroni correction. A significant reduction in cortical thickness on right rostral cingulate, right and left middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal, left lingual, calcarine and cuneus were observed in PTSD group in comparison to controls was observed. Discussion Although preliminary, our results suggested not only the association between cortical thickness and PTSD, but also indicated that patients and controls have anatomical differences.

Perfil das alterações vasculares periféricas em dependentes de crack acompanhados em Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Álcool e Drogas (CAPS-AD) / Profile of peripheral vascular changes in crack-cocaine addicts receiving treatment at a Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drugs

CONTEXTO: O consumo de crack é um dos grandes desafios em saúde pública, e o uso dessa droga tem efeitos diretos na saúde de seus usuários. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o perfil das alterações vasculares em pacientes com dependência de crack em Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Álcool e Drogas (CAPS-AD) e observar os possíveis efeitos vasculares periféricos. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo, de corte transversal. Os pacientes da amostra foram submetidos a um questionário objetivo para avaliar questões demográficas, padrão de uso da droga, coexistência de diabetes melito, hipertensão arterial ou tabagismo, exame físico e ecográfico. Os dados foram sumarizados e analisados estatisticamente com teste qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher. RESULTADOS: A média de idade da amostra foi de 33,29 (±7,15) anos, e 74% eram do gênero masculino. A média de idade de início de uso da droga foi de 23,4 (±7,78) anos, com tempo médio de uso de 9,58 (±5,64) anos. O consumo médio diário de pedras de crack foi de 21,45 (±8,32) pedras. A alteração de pulsos em membros inferiores foi mais frequente em mulheres. A prevalência do espessamento da parede arterial nos membros inferiores foi de 94,8%. O tempo de uso da droga apresentou associação estatística (p = 0,0096) com alteração do padrão de curva espectral das artérias dos membros inferiores. CONCLUSÕES: Há alterações vasculares periféricas em usuários de crack. O tempo de uso da droga exerceu um maior impacto nesse sistema, o que sugere associação entre o uso do crack e a diminuição de fluxo arterial.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of crack is one of the major challenges in public health and taking this drug has direct effects on the health of those who use it. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the profile of vascular abnormalities in patients receiving treatment for crack dependency at a Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drugs and to observe possible peripheral vascular effects. METHODS: The study design is observational, descriptive and cross-sectional. An objective questionnaire was administered to the patients in the sample to collect data on demographic details; drug use profile; and concomitant diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and/or smoking; and physical and ultrasound examinations were conducted. Data were summarized and analyzed statistically with the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 33.29 (±7.15) years, and 74% were male. Mean age at onset of drug use was 23.4 (±7.78) years and mean time since onset was 9.58 (±5.64) years. Mean consumption of crack rocks was 21.45 (±8.32) per day. The rate of abnormal lower limb pulses was higher among women. The prevalence of artery wall thickening in lower limbs was 94.8%. Time since starting to use crack exhibited a statistically significant association (p = 0.0096) with abnormalities in the spectral curve profiles of lower limb arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Crack users exhibit peripheral vascular disorders. Length of time since starting to use the drug had the greatest impact on this system, suggesting an association between crack use and reduced arterial flow.

Afastamentos por transtornos mentais entre servidores públicos federais no Tocantins / Absence from work due to mental disorders among federal government workers in Tocantins, Brazil

Resumo Objetivo: analisar as características epidemiológicas de afastamentos do trabalho por Transtornos Mentais e de Comportamento (TMC) entre servidores públicos federais do Poder Executivo, no Tocantins, e investigar se variáveis pré-selecionadas influenciaram nos afastamentos. Métodos: foram avaliados dados de 103 servidores com pelo menos um registro de afastamento por transtornos mentais no período de abril de 2011 a dezembro de 2012. Os dados foram obtidos de prontuários eletrônicos e de informações do Portal da Transparência do Governo Federal Resultados: “Episódios depressivos”, “Reações ao stress grave e transtornos de adaptação”, e “Outros transtornos ansiosos” foram os mais frequentes causadores dos afastamentos. Diagnósticos de “Esquizofrenia, transtornos esquizotípicos e delirantes” apresentaram a maior média de afastamentos por servidor; os diagnósticos de “Transtornos devido ao uso de substância psicoativa” apresentaram a maior média de dias de afastamento por servidor. Na análise de correlação parcial, controlado o efeito da idade, os servidores com menos tempo de serviço público e de trabalho em órgão federal passaram mais dias afastados do trabalho do que aqueles que já trabalhavam nesses ambientes há mais tempo. Conclusão: os resultados reforçam a concepção de saúde mental e de trabalho como indissociáveis na conjuntura produtiva atual, incluindo o serviço público.

Abstract Objective: to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the absence from work due to Mental Behavioral Disorders (MBD) among federal government workers in the state of Tocantins-Brazil and also to investigate whether pre-selected variables have influenced on the absence from work. Methods: we collected data from 103 federal government workers with at least one record of absence from work due to mental disorders from April 2011 to December 2012. Data were obtained from electronic medical records and information from Portal da Transparência of Brazilian Federal Government. Results: “depressive episodes”, “reaction to severe stress, and adjustment disorders” and “other anxiety disorders” were the most frequent causes of absence. Diagnosis of “schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders” had the highest average of medical leave per person, while “mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use” had the highest average of days of absence per person. In the partial correlation analysis, the results indicated that workers with shorter employment time who have taken medical leaves due to mental disorders spent more days off work than those who were already working in these same environments before. Conclusion: the results reinforce the concept of “mental health” and “work” as inseparable in the current production environment, which includes the public sector work environment.

Efeitos cardiotóxicos resultantes da interação da risperidona com diuréticos tiazídicos / Cardiotoxic effects resulting from the interaction between risperidone and thiazide diuretics

Antipsicóticos atípicos têm sua ação em doses que podem produzir efeitos colaterais importantes. A risperidona é o antipsicótico atípico de nova geração mais utilizado na atualidade e seu uso está associado a tratamento de esquizofrenia, transtornos psicóticos, episódios de mania e nos distúrbios de comportamento, entre outros. Os efeitos adversos mais importantes estão relacionados ao sistema nervoso central e autônomo, sistema endócrino e sistema cardiovascular. Neste último, pode haver efeitos inotrópicos negativos e alterações no eletrocardiograma, como prolongamento do intervalo QT, podendo causar taquicardia e arritmias. Relatamos um caso de um homem de 48 anos com história de delírio persecutório após ser ameaçado no trabalho, que estava sendo tratado com risperidona e paroxetina. Por não haver melhora, suas doses foram aumentadas e o paciente apresentou alargamento do intervalo QTc, com diminuição da amplitude da onda T e aumento da onda U, e hipocalemia. Além disso, o paciente era hipertenso e estava em uso de hidroclorotiazida. A risperidona tem o potencial de bloquear o componente rápido do canal cardíaco de potássio e isso prolonga o processo de repolarização dos ventrículos, podendo causar torsade de pointes, morte súbita e arritmias. Já a hidroclorotiazida causa hipocalemia, provocando alterações na contração e relaxamento do miocárdio. Houve interação medicamentosa grave entre duas drogas com potencial arritmogênico, o que levou às alterações no eletrocardiograma e produziu sintomas danosos ao paciente. A troca do antipsicótico atípico para um típico e da hidroclorotiazida por um diurético que não causa hipocalemia trouxe melhoras ao paciente.

Atypical antipsychotics have their actions in doses that can cause important side effects. The risperidone is the new generation atypical antipsychotic most widely used these days and it is related to the treatment of schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, manic episodes and behavioral disorder, among others. The most significant side effects are associated with the central and autonomic nervous system, endocrine system and cardiovascular system. Considering the latter, negative inotropic effects and changes on eletrocardiograma can occur, with QT-interval prolongation, which can cause tachycardia and arrhythmias. We reported a case of a 48 years old man with history of persecutory delusion after being threatened at work, treated with risperidone and paroxetine. Since there was no improvement, the doses were increased and the patient showed QTc-interval prolongation, with a T-wave amplitude decrease and an increase on the U-wave, in addition to hypokalemia. Besides, the patient was hypertensive and was using hydrochlorothiazide. Risperidone has the potential to block the fast component of the cardiac potassium channel and it extends the repolarization process of the ventricles, which can lead to torsade de pointes, sudden cardiac death and arrhythmias. Also hydrochlorothiazide can cause hypokalemia, with disturbances on the myocardium depolarization and repolarization. There was a serious drug interaction with two potentially arrhythmogenic drugs, which led to the alterations on the electrocardiogram and generated hurtful symptoms to the patient. The shift of the atypical antipsychotic to one typical and of the hydrochlorothiazide to a diuretic that does not cause hypokalemia brought improvements to the patient.

Há relação entre internações hospitalares por doenças respiratórias, mudanças climáticas e focos de queimadas numa população pediátrica? / Is there relationship between hospital admissions for respiratory diseases, climate changes and fire outbreaks in the pediatric population?

Introdução: Considerando que o Tocantins está entre os Estados brasileiros com maior número de ocorrência de incêndios florestais, os focos de queimadas nessa região assumem importância como fator causal, no que se refere ao aumento de internações por doenças respiratórias. Objetivo: Determinar a relação entre focos de calor (queimadas), índices pluviométricos, umidade relativa do ar e média de temperatura mensal com o número de internações hospitalares por doenças respiratórias no Hospital Infantil Público de Palmas (HIPP). Método: Foi realizado estudo transversal que comparou o número de focos de calor (queimadas), índices pluviométricos e umidade relativa do ar com o número de internações hospitalares por doenças respiratórias em um hospital infantil de Palmas - TO, no ano de 2012. Resultados: Do total de internações no HIPP por diversas causas, 42,24% foram decorrentes de doenças respiratórias. O índice pluviométrico chegou a 0 mm no terceiro trimestre, 54,9±42,6 mm no segundo, seguido por 194,8±149,9 mm no quarto e, finalmente, 249,2±128,9 mm no primeiro (p<0,04). Com relação à umidade, variou de 41,7±4,7% no terceiro trimestre para 65,6±7,9 % no segundo, 69,0±11,9% no quarto e 81,9±2,7% no primeiro (p<0,04). Aparentemente, a diferença no número de focos de incêndio não foi estatisticamente significativa. Foi observada correlação negativa entre o índice pluviométrico e o número de internações por doenças respiratórias, no total (R=-0,606; p<0,03) e por pneumonia (R=-0,735; p<0,01). Conclusão: Os fatores ambientais têm importância causal com o aumento de internações por doenças respiratórias; portanto, devem ser implementadas ações voltadas à saúde para melhora dos atendimentos dos pacientes nos períodos de seca.

HIV/AIDS-related visceral leishmaniasis: a clinical and epidemiological description of visceral leishmaniasis in northern Brazil

Introduction: This study aimed to describe the main features of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), both related to and independent of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, in patients who were registered in Tocantins, Brazil. Methods: Data from 1,779 new patients with VL, 33 of whom were also infected with HIV, were reviewed. Results: The incidence of VL/HIV coinfection increased from 0.32/100,000 inhabitants in 2007 to 1.08/100,000 inhabitants in 2010. VL occurred predominantly in children aged 10 years or younger, while VL/HIV was more common in patients aged between 18 and 50 years. There were more male patients in the VL/HIV group than in the VL group. Relapse rates were also considerably higher in the VL/HIV (9.1%) group than in the VL group (1.5%). Despite a similar clinical presentation, VL/HIV patients exhibited a higher proportion (24.2%) of concomitant infectious diseases and jaundice. Pentavalent antimonials were used for the initial treatment of VL and VL/HIV infections. However, amphotericin B deoxycholate and liposomal amphotericin B were also widely used in the treatment of VL/HIV coinfection. The mortality rate was higher in the VL/HIV coinfection group (19.4%) than in the VL group (5.4%). Furthermore, the mortality rate due to other causes was significantly higher in the VL/HIV group (12.9%) than in the VL group (0.7%). Conclusions: The study showed that the incidence, clinical characteristics and outcomes among the VL and VL/HIV patients in this state are similar to those from other endemic regions, indicating that both infections are emerging with increasing frequency in Brazil. .