Differential impact on suicide mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Objectives: To compare suicide rates observed in Brazil after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the estimated rate based on suicide deaths between 2010 and 2020, and identify sociodemographic variables associated with this outcome. Methods: Ecological time-series study. Data were obtained from Brazilian Unified Health System Department of Information Technology (DATASUS), with the structural break of the data set in March 2020. The number of actual suicides observed and the number of expected suicides if there were no COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed through bayesian structural time series modeling. Results: The overall incidence of suicides in Brazil remained stable after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to what would be expected. However, there was a significant increase in suicide deaths among women (6.9%) and older adult (9.1%). Analysis by macro-regions of the country showed significant increases in suicide deaths in the Center-West (7.4%), Northeast (5.7%), and Southeast (10%). Stratified analyses revealed differences according to age, sex, education, and skin color. Conclusions: Despite stability in the overall number of suicides, this phenomenon occurs heterogeneously among different population groups and regions of Brazil. Rates have increased in populations with a history of poor access to health, which may have been more severely impacted by the pandemic.

Neuroprogression in post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review

Abstract Introduction Neuroprogression has been proposed as the pathological rewiring of the brain that takes place in parallel with clinical and neurocognitive deterioration in the course of psychiatric disorders. This study aims to review the biological underpinnings and clinical outcomes related to neuroprogression in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods We performed a systematic review by searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for articles published between January 1, 1960, and January 6, 2020. Inclusion criteria were met when articles assessed brain changes, neurocognition, functioning, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotrophins in patients with PTSD. Narrative review articles, case reports, and preclinical studies were excluded. Results A total of 965 abstracts were identified and 15 articles were included in our systematic review. It seems that for a subset of patients whose symptoms worsen or are maintained at a high intensity there is a progressive change in the frontal lobe, especially the prefrontal cortex, and worsening of both neurocognition (verbal memory and facial recognition) and functioning (physical, psychological, social and environmental). Conclusion Although current findings associate progressive reduction in frontal lobe size with neurocognitive impairment, further research is needed to characterize PTSD as a neuroprogressive disorder.

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)

Functioning in early and late stages of schizophrenia / Funcionalidade nos estágios inicial e final da esquizofrenia

INTRODUCTION: Schizophrenia is frequently associated with a debilitating course and prominent impairment in social and occupational functioning. Although the criteria for classification into stages have not been defined in the literature, illness duration and functioning seem to be good candidates. OBJECTIVE: To compare functioning of patients with schizophrenia at different stages of the disease (early vs. late) and healthy sex- and age-matched controls. METHODS: This double-blinded, case-controlled study included 79 individuals: 23 patients with schizophrenia diagnosed up to 5 years earlier; 19 patients with schizophrenia diagnosed at least 20 years earlier; and healthy matched controls. Diagnoses were established using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) Axis I Disorder. Functioning was assessed using the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST). RESULTS: Patients in the early stage had significantly higher scores than healthy controls in total FAST and in autonomy, occupational functioning, cognitive functioning and interpersonal relationships. Individuals in the late stage had significantly poorer functioning than controls in all domains. The comparison of functioning between the two groups of patients revealed no significant differences, except in occupational functioning, in which late stage patients had a poorer performance. CONCLUSION: Functioning impairment in schizophrenia tends to remain stable despite illness duration. Therefore, functioning should be effectively assessed at an early stage, as illness duration alone may not be the most reliable criterion to stage patients with schizophrenia (AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: A esquizofrenia está frequentemente associada a um curso debilitante e a um importante comprometimento no funcionamento social e ocupacional. Embora os critérios para classificação em diferentes estágios ainda não tenham sido definidos, a duração da doença e a funcionalidade têm sido apontadas como bons candidatos. OBJETIVO: Comparar a funcionalidade de indivíduos com esquizofrenia no estágio inicial e final com controles saudáveis correspondentes em idade e sexo. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo caso-controle, duplo-cego, foram incluídos 79 pacientes: 23 com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia feito até 5 anos atrás (estágio inicial); 19 diagnosticados há pelo menos 20 anos (estágio final); e controles saudáveis pareados. O diagnóstico foi estabelecido pela Entrevista Clínica Estruturada para Transtornos do Eixo I do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais, 4ª edição (DSM-IV). A funcionalidade foi avaliada através da escala Teste Breve de Avaliação Funcional (FAST). RESULTADOS: Os pacientes em estágio inicial tiveram escores significativamente maiores do que controles saudáveis na escala FAST (escore total e domínios autonomia, funcionamento ocupacional, funcionamento cognitivo e relações interpessoais). Os indivíduos em estágio final apresentaram funcionalidade pior que os controles em todos os domínios. A comparação entre os dois grupos não mostrou diferenças, exceto no funcionamento ocupacional, em que os pacientes em estágio final apresentaram um desempenho pior. CONCLUSÃO: O prejuízo da funcionalidade na esquizofrenia tende a permanecer estável ao longo da doença. Portanto, a funcionalidade deve ser avaliada nos estágios iniciais da doença, já que a duração da doença por si só pode não ser o critério mais confiável para definir o estágio de pacientes com esquizofrenia (AU)