Identifying Depression Early in Adolescence: assessing the performance of a risk score for future onset of depression in an independent Brazilian sample

Objective: The Identifying Depression Early in Adolescence Risk Score (IDEA-RS) was recently developed in Brazil using data from the Pelotas 1993 Birth Cohort to estimate the individualized probability of developing depression in adolescence. This model includes 11 sociodemographic variables and has been assessed in longitudinal studies from four other countries. We aimed to test the performance of IDEA-RS in an independent, community-based, school-attending sample within the same country: the Brazilian High-Risk Cohort. Methods: Standard external validation, refitted, and case mix-corrected models were used to predict depression among 1442 youth followed from a mean age of 13.5 years at baseline to 17.7 years at follow-up, using probabilities calculated with IDEA-RS coefficients. Results: The area under the curve was 0.65 for standard external validation, 0.70 for the case mix-corrected model, and 0.69 for the refitted model, with discrimination consistently above chance for predicting depression in the new dataset. There was some degree of miscalibration, corrected by model refitting (calibration-in-the-large reduced from 0.77 to 0). Conclusion: IDEA-RS was able to parse individuals with higher or lower probability of developing depression beyond chance in an independent Brazilian sample. Further steps should include model improvements and additional studies in populations with high levels of subclinical symptoms to improve clinical decision making.

Predictors of gaming disorder in children and adolescents: a school-based study

Objective: To determine whether psychiatric and gaming pattern variables are associated with gaming disorder in a school-based sample. Methods: We analyzed data from the Brazilian High-Risk Cohort for Psychiatric Disorders, a community sample aged 10 to 18, using questionnaires on gaming use patterns. We applied the Gaming Addiction Scale to diagnose gaming disorder and the Development and Well-Being Behavior Assessment for other diagnoses. Results: Out of 407 subjects, 83 (20.4%) fulfilled the criteria for gaming disorder. More role-playing game players were diagnosed with gaming disorder that any other genre. Gaming disorder rates increased proportionally to the number of genres played. Playing online, being diagnosed with a mental disorder, and more hours of non-stop gaming were associated with higher rates of gaming disorder. When all variables (including age and gender) were considered in a logistic regression model, the number of genres played, the number of non-stop hours, the proportion of online games, and having a diagnosed mental disorder emerged as significant predictors of gaming disorder. Conclusion: Each variable seems to add further risk of gaming disorder among children and adolescents. Monitoring the length of gaming sessions, the number and type of genres played, time spent gaming online, and behavior changes may help parents or guardians identify unhealthy patterns of gaming behavior.

Precision non-implantable neuromodulation therapies: a perspective for the depressed brain

Current first-line treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) include pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, one-third of depressed patients do not achieve remission after multiple medication trials, and psychotherapy can be costly and time-consuming. Although non-implantable neuromodulation (NIN) techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, and magnetic seizure therapy are gaining momentum for treating MDD, the efficacy of non-convulsive techniques is still modest, whereas use of convulsive modalities is limited by their cognitive side effects. In this context, we propose that NIN techniques could benefit from a precision-oriented approach. In this review, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in implementing such a framework, focusing on enhancing NIN effects via a combination of individualized cognitive interventions, using closed-loop approaches, identifying multimodal biomarkers, using computer electric field modeling to guide targeting and quantify dosage, and using machine learning algorithms to integrate data collected at multiple biological levels and identify clinical responders. Though promising, this framework is currently limited, as previous studies have employed small samples and did not sufficiently explore pathophysiological mechanisms associated with NIN response and side effects. Moreover, cost-effectiveness analyses have not been performed. Nevertheless, further advancements in clinical trials of NIN could shift the field toward a more "precision-oriented" practice.

Effects of childhood trauma on BDNF and TBARS during crack-cocaine withdrawal

Objective: To evaluate the association between childhood trauma (CT) and serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) during crack-cocaine withdrawal. Method: Thirty-three male crack-cocaine users were recruited at admission to a public addiction treatment unit. Serum BDNF and TBARS levels were evaluated at intake and discharge. Information about drug use was assessed by the Addiction Severity Index-6th Version (ASI-6); CT was reported throughout the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). CTQ scores were calculated based on a latent analysis model that divided the sample into low-, medium-, and high-level trauma groups. Results: There was a significant increase in BDNF levels from admission to discharge, which did not differ across CT subgroups. For TBARS levels, we found a significant time vs. trauma interaction (F2,28 = 6.357, p = 0.005,ηp 2 = 0.312). In participants with low trauma level, TBARS decreased, while in those with a high trauma level, TBARS increased during early withdrawal. Conclusion: TBARS levels showed opposite patterns of change in crack-cocaine withdrawal according to baseline CT. These results suggest that CT could be associated with more severe neurological impairment during withdrawal.

Prevalence and trends of mental disorders requiring inpatient care in the city of Porto Alegre: a citywide study including all inpatient admissions due to mental disorders in the public system from 2013-2017 / Prevalência e tendências temporais de transtornos mentais necessitando de tratamento de internação na cidade de Porto Alegre: um estudo de toda a cidade incluindo todas as internações por motivo de saúde mental no sistema público de 2013-2017

Abstract Objectives To investigate the 5-year prevalence of patients admitted to public inpatient care units due to a mental disorder, stratifying them by age group and diagnosis, and to assess trends of admissions over this time period in Porto Alegre. Methods All admissions to the public mental health care system regulated by the city-owned electronic system Administração Geral dos Hospitais (AGHOS) were included in the analysis. The total population size was obtained by estimations of Fundação de Economia e Estatística (FEE). General information about 5-year prevalence of inpatient admissions, time-series trends e prevalence by age groups and diagnosis were presented. Results There were 32,608 admissions over the 5-year period analyzed. The overall prevalence of patients was 1.62% among the total population, 0.01% among children, 1.12% among adolescents, 2.28% among adults and 0.93% among the elderly. The most common diagnosis was drug-related, followed by mood, alcohol-related and psychotic disorders. There was a linear trend showing an increase in the number of admissions from 2013 to the midst of 2014, which dropped in 2015. Conclusions Admissions due to mental disorders are relatively common, mainly among adults and related to drug use and mood disorders. Time trends varied slightly over the 5 years. Prevalence rates in real-world settings might be useful for policymakers interested in planning the public mental health system in large Brazilian cities.

Resumo Objetivos Investigar a prevalência de 5 anos de pacientes internados no sistema público de saúde por motivo de saúde mental, estratificando-os por grupo etário e diagnóstico, e avaliar tendências temporais nas admissões nesse período em Porto Alegre. Métodos Todas as admissões no sistema público de saúde mental reguladas pelo sistema eletrônico da cidade, denominado Administração Geral dos Hospitais (AGHOS), foram incluídos na análise. A população total foi obtida a partir de estimativas da Fundação de Economia e Estatística (FEE). Informações gerais sobre a prevalência de 5 anos de admissões, tendências das séries temporais e prevalência por grupo etário e por diagnóstico foram apresentadas. Resultados Ocorreram 32.608 admissões no período de 5 anos analisado. A prevalência global de pacientes foi de 1,62% na população total, 0,01% em crianças, 1,12% em adolescentes, 2,28% em adultos e 0,93% em idosos. Os diagnósticos mais comuns foram relacionados ao uso de drogas, seguidos de transtornos de humor, relacionados ao álcool e transtornos psicóticos. Houve uma tendência linear mostrando um aumento no número de admissões de 2013 a meados de 2014, que caíram em 2015. Conclusões Admissões por transtornos mentais são relativamente comuns, principalmente entre adultos e relacionados ao uso de drogas e transtornos de humor. Tendências lineares variaram levemente nos últimos 5 anos. Estimativas de prevalência no mundo real podem ser úteis para formuladores de políticas interessados em planejar o sistema público de saúde mental em grandes cidades brasileiras.

Prevalence, clinical correlates and maternal psychopathology of deliberate self-harm in children and early adolescents: results from a large community study

Objectives: Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of deliberate self-harm (DSH) in children from low- and middle-income countries. We investigated the prevalence of DSH and its clinical and maternal psychopathological associations in Brazilian children (n=2,508, ages 6-14y) in a community-based study. Methods: Participants of the High Risk Cohort Study for the Development of Childhood Psychiatric Disorders (HRC) and their mothers were assessed in structured interviews. Current (last month) and lifetime DSH were estimated, including analysis stratified by age groups. Logistic regressions were performed to investigate the role of the children's clinical diagnoses and maternal psychopathology on DSH prevalence estimates, adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results: The prevalence of current DSH was 0.8% (children 0.6%, adolescents 1%) and lifetime DSH was 1.6% (1.8% and 1.5%, respectively). Current and lifetime DSH were more frequent in children with depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), even in multiple models accounting for demographic variables and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Maternal anxiety disorder was strongly associated with current and lifetime DSH in offspring; whereas current DSH, specifically in young children, was associated with maternal mood disorder. Conclusion: Diagnoses of depression, ADHD and ODD were consistently associated with DSH, as was having a mother with anxiety disorder.

Specific and social fears in children and adolescents: separating normative fears from problem indicators and phobias

Objective: To distinguish normative fears from problematic fears and phobias. Methods: We investigated 2,512 children and adolescents from a large community school-based study, the High Risk Study for Psychiatric Disorders. Parent reports of 18 fears and psychiatric diagnosis were investigated. We used two analytical approaches: confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)/item response theory (IRT) and nonparametric receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: According to IRT and ROC analyses, social fears are more likely to indicate problems and phobias than specific fears. Most specific fears were normative when mild; all specific fears indicate problems when pervasive. In addition, the situational fear of toilets and people who look unusual were highly indicative of specific phobia. Among social fears, those not restricted to performance and fear of writing in front of others indicate problems when mild. All social fears indicate problems and are highly indicative of social phobia when pervasive. Conclusion: These preliminary findings provide guidance for clinicians and researchers to determine the boundaries that separate normative fears from problem indicators in children and adolescents, and indicate a differential severity threshold for specific and social fears.

Childhood trauma and dimensions of depression: a specific association with the cognitive domain

Objective: To investigate associations between a history of childhood trauma and dimensions of depression in a sample of clinically depressed patients. Methods: A sample of 217 patients from a mood-disorder outpatient unit was investigated with the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the CORE Assessment of Psychomotor Change, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. A previous latent model identifying six depressive dimensions was used for analysis. Path analysis and Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) models were used to investigate associations between general childhood trauma and childhood maltreatment modalities (emotional, sexual, and physical abuse; emotional and physical neglect) with dimensions of depression (sexual, cognition, insomnia, appetite, non-interactiveness/retardation, and agitation). Results: The overall childhood trauma index was uniquely associated with cognitive aspects of depression, but not with any other depressive dimension. An investigation of childhood maltreatment modalities revealed that emotional abuse was consistently associated with depression severity in the cognitive dimension. Conclusion: Childhood trauma, and specifically emotional abuse, could be significant risk factors for the subsequent development of cognitive symptoms of major depression. These influences might be specific to this depressive dimension and not found in any other dimension, which might have conceptual and therapeutic implications for clinicians and researchers alike.

Measuring child maltreatment using multi-informant survey data: a higher-order confirmatory factor analysis / Dados de levantamento com múltiplos informantes para a mensuração de maus-tratos na infância: uma análise fatorial confirmatória de segunda ordem

Objective To investigate the validity and reliability of a multi-informant approach to measuring child maltreatment (CM) comprising seven questions assessing CM administered to children and their parents in a large community sample. Methods Our sample comprised 2,512 children aged 6 to 12 years and their parents. Child maltreatment (CM) was assessed with three questions answered by the children and four answered by their parents, covering physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to compare the fit indices of different models. Convergent and divergent validity were tested using parent-report and teacher-report scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Discriminant validity was investigated using the Development and Well-Being Assessment to divide subjects into five diagnostic groups: typically developing controls (n = 1,880), fear disorders (n = 108), distress disorders (n = 76), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (n = 143) and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (n = 56). Results A higher-order model with one higher-order factor (child maltreatment) encompassing two lower-order factors (child report and parent report) exhibited the best fit to the data and this model's reliability results were acceptable. As expected, child maltreatment was positively associated with measures of psychopathology and negatively associated with prosocial measures. All diagnostic category groups had higher levels of overall child maltreatment than typically developing children. Conclusions We found evidence for the validity and reliability of this brief measure of child maltreatment using data from a large survey combining information from parents and their children.

Objetivo Investigar a validade e confiabilidade de uma abordagem de múltiplos informantes para a mensuração de maus-tratos na infância, composta por sete questões avaliando maus-tratos na infância respondidas pelas crianças e seus pais em uma ampla amostra comunitária. Métodos A amostra foi composta por 2.512 crianças com idades entre 6 e 12 anos e seus pais. Maus-tratos na infância foram avaliados com três questões respondidas pelas crianças e quatro respondidas pelos seus pais, investigando violência física, negligência física, violência emocional e violência sexual. Análises fatoriais confirmatórias foram utilizadas para comparar os índices de ajuste de diferentes modelos. Validade convergente e divergente foi testada utilizando escores de relato parental e de relato dos professores no Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Validade discriminante foi investigada utilizando a entrevista Development and Well-Being Assessment para dividir os participantes em cinco grupos diagnósticos: controles com desenvolvimento típico (n = 1.880), transtornos do medo (n = 108), transtornos do estresse (n = 76), transtorno de déficit de atenção-hiperatividade (n = 143) e transtorno opositivo-desafiador/conduta (n = 56). Resultados Um modelo de segunda ordem com um fator de segunda ordem (maus-tratos na infância) englobando dois fatores de primeira ordem (relato da criança e relato parental) demonstrou o melhor ajuste aos dados, e os resultados de confiabilidade desse modelo foram aceitáveis. Como esperado, maus-tratos na infância estiveram positivamente associados a medidas de psicopatologia e negativamente associados a medidas pró-sociais. Todos os grupos de categorias diagnósticas tiveram níveis mais altos de maus-tratos na infância do que as crianças com desenvolvimento típico. Conclusões Foram encontradas evidências de validade e confiabilidade dessa medida breve de maus-tratos na infância utilizando dados de um grande levantamento combinando o relato de pais e seus filhos.

Internalizing disorders and quality of life in adolescence: evidence for independent associations

Objective: To investigate whether internalizing disorders are associated with quality of life (QoL) in adolescents, even after accounting for shared risk factors. Methods: The sample comprised 102 adolescents from a community cross-sectional study with an oversampling of anxious subjects. Risk factors previously associated with QoL were assessed and divided into five blocks organized hierarchically from proximal to distal sets of risk factors. Results: Multiple regression analysis yielded a hierarchical model accounting for 72% of QoL variance. All blocks were consistently associated with QoL (p < 0.05), accounting for the following percentages of variance: 12% for demographics; 5.2% for family environment; 37.8% for stressful events; 10% for nutritional and health habits; and 64.2% for dimensional psychopathological symptoms or 22.8% for psychiatric diagnoses (dichotomous). Although most of the QoL variance attributed to internalizing symptoms was explained by the four proximal blocks in the hierarchical model (43.2%), about 21% of the variance was independently associated with internalizing symptoms/diagnoses. Conclusions: QoL is associated with several aspects of adolescent life that were largely predicted by our hierarchical model. Our findings reinforce the hypothesis that internalizing disorders and internalizing symptoms in adolescents have a high impact on QoL and deserve proper clinical attention. .

Dysfunctional family environments and childhood psychopathology: the role of psychiatric comorbidity / Ambientes de famílias disfuncionais e psicopatologia infantil: o papel da comorbidade psiquiátrica

Introduction: The study of the association between specific characteristics of family environments and different types of psychopathology may contribute to our understanding of these complex disorders and ultimately inform therapeutics. Objective: To compare the family characteristics of four groups: typically developing children; children with anxiety disorders only; children with externalizing disorders only; and children with both anxiety and externalizing disorders. Methods: This study enrolled 115 individuals from the community. Child psychiatrists made psychiatric diagnoses using a structured clinical interview. The Family Environment scale was used to evaluate six domains of family function. Results: The group with both anxiety and externalizing disorders had higher levels of conflict in family environment and lower levels of organization when compared with typically developing children. In addition, internalizing and externalizing symptoms were positively associated with conflict and negatively with organization. Maternal depressive and anxious symptoms were also associated with higher conflict and lower organization scores. Conclusion: An important between-group difference in comorbid cases of anxiety and behavioral disorders suggests that children with this comorbidity are potential candidates for family interventions to address family conflicts and organizational aspects (AU)

Introdução: O estudo da relação entre características específicas do ambiente familiar e os diferentes tipos de psicopatologias pode contribuir para o nosso entendimento desses complexos transtornos e possivelmente gerar informações para seu tratamento. Objetivo: Comparar as características familiares de quatro grupos: Crianças com desenvolvimento típico; crianças com transtornos de ansiedade apenas; crianças com transtornos de externalização apenas; e crianças com transtornos de ansiedade e de externalização. Métodos: Cento e quinze indivíduos foram recrutados na comunidade. Psiquiatras pediátricos usaram uma entrevista clínica estruturada para estabelecer os diagnósticos psiquiátricos. A Escala do Ambiente Familiar (Family Environment) foi usada para avaliar os seis domínios de funcionamento da família. Resultados: O grupo que apresentava tanto transtornos de ansiedade quanto de externalização apresentou níveis mais altos de conflito e níveis mais baixos de organização quando comparados com as crianças com desenvolvimento típico. Além disso, os sintomas de externalização e internalização estavam positivamente relacionados a conflitos e negativamente a organização. Sintomas depressivos e de ansiedade da mãe também se mostraram relacionados a resultados mais altos para conflito e mais baixos para organização. Conclusão: Uma importante diferença entre grupos em casos de comorbidades de transtornos de ansiedade e de comportamento sugerem que as crianças com esta comorbidades são candidatos em potencial para intervenções familiares que abordem conflitos familiares e aspectos organizacionais (AU)

Associations between child disciplinary practices and bullying behavior in adolescents / Associações entre práticas de disciplina infantil e comportamento de bullying em adolescentes

OBJECTIVE: to investigate associations between different types of child disciplinary practices and children and adolescents' bullying behavior in a Brazilian sample. METHODS: cross-sectional study, with a school-based sample of 10-to 15-year-old children and adolescents. Child disciplinary practices were assessed using two main subtypes: power-assertive and punitive (psychological aggression, corporal punishment, deprivation of privileges, and penalty tasks) and inductive (explaining, rewarding, and monitoring). A modified version of the Olweus Bully Victim Questionnaire was used to measure the frequency of bullying. RESULTS: 247 children and adolescents were evaluated and 98 (39.7%) were classified as bullies. Power-assertive and punitive discipline by either mother or father was associated with bullying perpetration by their children. Mothers who mostly used this type of discipline were 4.36 (95% CI: 1.87-10.16; p < 0.001) times more likely of having a bully child. Psychological aggression and mild forms of corporal punishment presented the highest odds ratios. Overall inductive discipline was not associated with bullying. CONCLUSIONS: bullying was associated to parents' assertive and punitive discipline. Finding different ways of disciplining children and adolescents might decrease bullying behavior. .

OBJETIVO: investigar a associação entre práticas parentais de disciplina e comportamento de bullying entre adolescentes brasileiros. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal, com alunos de 10 a 15 anos. Práticas parentais de disciplina foram avaliadas utilizando duas subclassificações principais: autoritárias e punitivas (agressão psicológica, punição corporal, retirada de privilégios e penalidades) e indutivas (explicações, recompensa e monitoramento). Uma versão modificada do Olweus Bully Victim Questionnaire foi utilizada para verificar a frequência de bullying. RESULTADOS: foram avaliados 247 adolescentes, e 98 (39,7%) deles foram classificados como agressores. Práticas parentais de disciplina autoritárias e punitivas, utilizadas tanto pela mãe como pelo pai, apresentaram associação com a prática de bullying pelos filhos. Mães que mais utilizavam este tipo de disciplina apresentaram chance 4,36 (IC95%: 1,87-10,16; p < 0,001) vezes maior de ter um filho agressor. Agressão psicológica e formas brandas de punição corporal apresentaram os maiores odds ratio. Disciplina indutiva como um todo não apresentou associação. CONCLUSÕES: a prática de bullying apresentou associação com a disciplina parental autoritária e punitiva. A utilização de diferentes formas de disciplinar os adolescentes podem diminuir o comportamento de bullying. .

Diretrizes da Associação Médica Brasileira para o tratamento do transtorno de ansiedade social / Guidelines of the Brazilian Medical Association for the treatment of social anxiety disorder

INTRODUÇÃO: O transtorno de ansiedade social (TAS) é o transtorno de ansiedade mais comum, freqüentemente sem remissões, sendo comumente associado com importante prejuízo funcional e psicossocial. A Associação Médica Brasileira (AMB), através do "Projeto Diretrizes", busca desenvolver consensos de diagnóstico e tratamento para as doenças mais comuns. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar os achados mais relevantes das diretrizes relativas ao tratamento do TAS, servindo de referência para o médico generalista e especialista. MÉTODO: O método utilizado foi o proposto pela AMB. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados do MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science e Lilacs, entre 1980 e 2010. A estratégia utilizada baseou-se em perguntas estruturadas na forma P.I.C.O (acrônimo das iniciais "paciente ou população"; "intervenção, indicador ou exposição"; "controle ou comparação" e; "outcome ou desfecho"). RESULTADOS: Estudos evidenciam que o tratamento farmacológico de primeira linha para adultos e crianças são os inibidores seletivos de recaptação de serotonina e os inibidores de recaptação de serotonina e noradrenalina, enquanto que a terapia cognitivo-comportamental é apontada como melhor tratamento psicoterápico. Além disso, algumas comorbidades psiquiátricas foram associadas a uma pior evolução do TAS. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar da alta prevalência, o TAS acaba por não receber a devida atenção e tratamento. A melhor escolha para o tratamento de adultos é a associação psicoterapia cognitivo-comportamental com inibidores seletivos de recaptação de serotonina e os inibidores de recaptação de serotonina e noradrenalina. Outras opções como benzodiazepínicos ou inibidores da monoamino-oxidase devem ser usados como segunda e terceira opção respectivamente.

INTRODUCTION: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder, usually with no remission, and is commonly associated with significant functional and psychosocial impairment. The Brazilian Medical Association (BMA), with the project named Diretrizes (Guidelines, in English), seeks to develop consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases. The aim of this article is to present the most important findings of the guidelines on the treatment of SAD, serving as a reference for the general practitioner and specialist. METHOD: The method used was proposed by the BMA. The search was conducted in the databases of MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS, between 1980 and 2010. The strategy used was based on structured questions as PICO (acronym formed by the initials of "patient or population", "intervention, display or exhibition", "control or comparison" and "outcome"). RESULTS: Studies show that the first-line pharmacological treatment for adults and children are serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, whereas cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered the best psychotherapeutic treatment. Moreover, some psychiatric comorbidities were associated with a worse outcome of SAD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its high prevalence, SAD does not receive adequate attention and treatment. The best choice for the treatment of adults is a combination of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy with serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Other options as benzodiazepines or monoamine oxidase inhibitors must be used as second and third choices, respectively.

Predictors of relapse in the second follow-up year post cognitive-behavior therapy for panic disorder / Preditores de recaída no segundo ano após terapia cognitivo-comportamental para pacientes com transtorno de pânico

OBJECTIVE: To investigate predictors of relapse two years after a brief cognitive-behavior group therapy in patients with panic disorder who had failed to respond to pharmacologic treatment. METHOD: A total of 56 patients with panic disorder were followed who had met remission criteria at 1 year evaluation after 12 sessions of cognitive-behavior group therapy. Demographic and clinical features and life stressors were investigated as predictors of relapse. RESULTS: At the 2 year assessment, 39 (70 percent) patients maintained remission status and use of medication was reduced significantly, such that 36 (64 percent) patients were not undergoing any psychiatric treatment. Among all independent variables investigated, only "conflict" as a stressful life event, RR = 3.20 (CI95 percent 1.60; 7.20 - p = 0.001), and the severity or residual anxiety symptoms, RR = 3.60 for each scale point (CI95 percent 1.02; 1.08 - p < 0.001), emerged as nonredundant predictors. CONCLUSION: In spite of the high treatment gains across two years of follow-up, clinicians should pay attention to stress management and to the role of residual symptoms during this period. Results were discussed in the context of treatment cost-efficacy and potential strategies to prolong treatment gains from cognitive-behavior group therapy.

OBJETIVO: Investigar os preditores de recaída após dois anos de terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupo breve para pacientes com transtorno do pânico que não responderam ao tratamento farmacológico. MÉTODO: Um total de 56 pacientes com transtorno do pânico que preencheram os critérios de remissão em um ano de avaliação após as 12 sessões da terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupo foram acompanhados. As características demográficas, clínicas e os estressores de vida foram investigados como preditores de recaída. RESULTADOS: No segundo ano de avaliação, 39 (70 por cento) pacientes mantiveram-se em remissão e o uso de medicação reduziu significativamente, de tal forma que 36 (64 por cento) pacientes não estavam em tratamento psiquiátrico. Entre todas as variáveis independentes investigadas, somente o "conflito" como evento estressor de vida, RR = 3,20 (CI95 por cento 1,60; 7,20 - p = 0,001) e a gravidade ou os sintomas residuais de ansiedade, RR = 3,60 para cada ponto a mais da escala (CI95 por cento 1,02; 1,08 - p < 0,001), foram preditores de recaída. CONCLUSÃO: A despeito dos ganhos do tratamento através dos dois anos, os terapeutas devem manter-se atentos em relação ao manejo do estresse e no papel dos sintomas residuais de ansiedade durante este período. Os resultados são discutidos no contexto de custo-eficácia do tratamento e nas potenciais estratégias para prolongar os ganhos da terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupo.

Diretrizes da Associação Médica Brasileira para o diagnóstico e diagnóstico diferencial do transtorno de ansiedade social / Guidelines of the Brazilian Medical Association for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of social anxiety disorder

OBJETIVO: O transtorno de ansiedade social é o transtorno de ansiedade mais comum, apresenta curso crônico, frequentemente sem remissões, sendo comumente associado com importante prejuízo funcional e comprometimento psicossocial. A Associação Médica Brasileira, por meio do projeto "Diretrizes", busca desenvolver consensos de diagnóstico e tratamento para as doenças mais comuns. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar os achados mais relevantes das diretrizes da Associação Médica Brasileira relativas ao diagnóstico e diagnóstico diferencial do transtorno de ansiedade social. MÉTODO: O método utilizado foi o proposto pela Associação Médica Brasileira para o projeto Diretrizes. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados do Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science e Lilacs, sem limite de tempo. A estratégia utilizada baseou-se em perguntas estruturadas na forma P.I.C.O. (acrônimo das iniciais "paciente ou população"; "intervenção, indicador ou exposição"; "controle ou comparação" e; "outcome ou desfecho"). RESULTADOS: São apresentados dados relativos a manifestações clínicas, prejuízos e implicações, diferenças entre os subtipos generalizado e circunscrito, e impacto com depressão, abuso e dependência de drogas e outros transtornos de ansiedade. Além disso, foram realizadas discussões acerca dos principais diagnósticos diferenciais. CONCLUSÃO: As diretrizes propõem-se a servir de referência para o médico generalista e especialista, auxiliando e facilitando o diagnóstico do transtorno de ansiedade social.

OBJECTIVE: Social anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder. The condition has a chronic course usually with no remission and is frequently associated with significant functional and psychosocial impairment. The Brazilian Medical Association, with the project named Diretrizes ('Guidelines', in English), endeavors to develop diagnostic and treatment protocols for the most common disorders. This work presents the most relevant findings regarding the guidelines of the Brazilian Medical Association concerning the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of social anxiety disorder. METHOD: We used the methodology proposed by the Brazilian Medical Association for the Diretrizes project. The search was performed on the online databases Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs, with no time restraints. Searchable questions were structured using PICO format (acronym for "patient or population"; "intervention, indicator or exposition"; "control or comparison" and; "outcome or ending"). RESULTS: We present data regarding the clinical manifestations of social anxiety disorder, impairments and implications related to the condition, differences between the generalized and specific subtypes, and the relationship with depression, drug dependence and abuse, and other anxiety disorders. Additionally, the main differential diagnoses are discussed. CONCLUSION: The guidelines are intended to serve as references to the general practitioner and the specialist as well, facilitating the diagnosis of social anxiety disorder.