ABSTRACT
Background: Growing information has emphasized the risk of benzodiazepines (BZD), particularly among the elderly. However, the information available in Latin America is scarce. Aim: to review the available information on the use of BZD in older adults in Latin America to achieve an overview of the information currently available, and a thorough understanding of this phenomenon in our region. Methods: A systematic review with MeSH terms elderly, latinamerican and benzodiazepines was performed in PubMed and with each Latin American country. A search in databases SciELO and LILACS was also performed. In all, 126 items of finally selected 21 that met the inclusion criteria. Results: Studies show that consumption of benzodiazepines in the elderly population in Latin America is high, with a preponderance of long half-life benzodiazepines in women, and frequent self-medication. Conclusions: The revised articles establish the importance of further study of the phenomenon of the use of benzodiazepines in our elderly population. Strikingly, scientific information is scarce, with most studies coming from only one country (Brazil). Moreover, most of them are transversal and descriptive, with few studies that explore long-term side effects, or specific hypotheses. Further studies should address these important issues.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Benzodiazepines/therapeutic use , Socioeconomic Factors , Benzodiazepines/adverse effects , Age Factors , Latin AmericaABSTRACT
Multiple studies have shown that the suicide of a patient can produce posttraumatic and depressive symptoms among the mental health care providers, who typically have high levels of baseline burnout. OBJECTIVES: To measure posttraumatic, depressive and burnout symptoms in the staff of an inpatient psychiatric unit after the suicide of a patient. METHODS: Two months after the suicide all the employees were invited to answer, anonymously, the Posttraumatic Check-List (PCL), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), for measuring posttraumatic, depressive, and burnout symptoms, respectively. RESULTS: Over 80% of the staff participated. A total of 17.1% had probable PTSD, 19.5% probable major depression, 24.4% and 14.6% high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, respectively, and 24.4% low levels of professional accomplishment. The group consisting of nurses, paramedic technicians, and nursing assistants ("nursing staff") had PTSD significantly greater than other workers (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Suicide in a psychiatric ward can produce posttraumatic and depressive symptoms among the staff, as high as another kind of traumas. The impact may be greater on the nursing staff. It is essential that organizations involved in the provision or teaching of mental health care incorporate this reality into their agenda, to prevent, mitigate and respond better to this phenomenon.
Múltiples estudios han mostrado que el suicidio de un paciente puede producir síntomas postraumáticos y depresivos en el personal de salud mental, quienes además presentan altos niveles de burnout basal. OBJETIVOS: Medir síntomas postraumáticos, depresivos y de burnout en los funcionarios de una unidad de hospitalización psiquiátrica luego del suicidio de un paciente. MÉTODOS: Dos meses después del suicidio, todos los funcionarios fueron invitados a contestar anónimamente el Postraumatic Check-List (PCL), el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI), y el Inventario de Burnout de Maslach (MBI), para medir síntomas postraumáticos, depresivos, y de burnout, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: Más del 80% de los funcionarios contestaron los cuestionarios. Un total de 17,1% tenía probable Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático, 19,5% probable depresión mayor, 24,4% y 14,6% altos niveles de agotamiento emocional y despersonalización, respectivamente, y 24,4% bajos niveles de satisfacción profesional. El grupo compuesto por enfermeras universitarias, técnicos paramédicos, y asistentes de enfermería ("personal de enfermería") tuvo síntomas de Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático significativamente mayores que otros funcionarios (p < .001). CONCLUSIONES: El suicidio en una unidad de hospitalización psiquiátrica puede producir tantos síntomas postraumáticos y depresivos en los funcionarios de salud como otros tipos de traumas. El impacto podría ser mayor en el personal de enfermería. Es indispensable que las organizaciones involucradas en la provisión o enseñanza de salud mental incorporen esta realidad en sus agendas, para prevenir, mitigar y responder mejor a este fenómeno.
Subject(s)
Humans , Burnout, Professional , Mental Health , Health Personnel/psychology , Emergency Services, Psychiatric , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Suicide , Attitude of Health Personnel , Surveys and Questionnaires , Workplace/psychology , Mental Health AssistanceABSTRACT
According to recent surveys, there is a high prevalence of domestic violence (DV) in Chile. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, Scielo, and Lilacs with the MesH terms “Chile”, “Mental Health”, “Health”, “Domestic Violence”, to explore the impact of DV on health in Chile. Eleven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Two studies were prospective, exploring the influence of DV on maternal-infant health. Nine studies explored the influence of DV on mental health in adults. DV was associated with deranged mental health indicators specially anxiety and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Similar results were observed among mothers who were victims of violence and their children. It is concluded that DV is a complex phenomenon with serious effects on health. However the number of studies on the subject is low and new follow up studies are required. Predictive models for DV and effective preventive measures are urgently needed.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Domestic Violence/statistics & numerical data , Chile/epidemiology , Domestic Violence/psychology , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Mental Health , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Background: The evaluation of moral judgment criteria in medical students is important to develop effective educational programs in bioethics. Aim: To compare priority judgment criteria and moral judgment tendeney in medical students of first and fifth grade. Material and Methods: The Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ30), to identify moral criteria was applied to 259 students, 63.7% from first year and 50.2% women. Results: The dominant moral tendeney both in first and fifth year students was liberal. Justice and compassion were the most important criteria in men and in women, respectively. Respect towards authority and sanctity were the least important criteria in women and men, respectively. Conclusions: The implications for moral psychology and medical education of these results are discussed.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Judgment , Students, Medical , Bioethics , Chile , Cross-Sectional Studies , Education, Medical , Ethics, Medical/education , Moral Development , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Background: physically and psychologically. We review herein the nomenclature and case definitions for neuropsychiatric lupus syndromes proposed by the American College of Rheumatology in 1999. We emphasize cognitive dysfunction and discuss etiological hypotheses, especially those related to the presence of antineuronal autoantibodies.