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Abstract Introduction Cannabis is probably the most commonly used illicit drug. It is often regarded as a relatively nonharmful experience, even though evidence indicates otherwise. Legalization of non-medical cannabis, which has already taken place in several countries, is currently a controversial issue. Objective To provide an up-to-date overview of current models and policies and their outcomes that can inform future political decisions regarding non-medical cannabis use. Methods PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar scientific databases were searched for articles written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese published between 1990 and December 2020. The reference lists of these articles were similarly used as bibliography sources. Gray literature was also included. Results While non-medical cannabis has been decriminalized in many countries, it has only been legalized in Uruguay, Canada, and some U.S. states. Several benefits of legalization were identified: decreases in cannabis-related crimes, law-enforcement and judicial costs; reduction in synthetic cannabis supply; decline in black economies and possible diminution of other illegal drug buying; and tax revenue increases. Reported legalization problems included: increases in cannabis use; cannabis-related disorders; and cannabis-related accidents and hospitalizations. Harm-reduction strategies are available in the scientific literature. Conclusion Growing, although incomplete, evidence exists to guide policy makers, minimize cannabis-related harm, and positively contribute to public health, if the legalization path is to be followed. Dialogue between legislators and science should be encouraged. There are more than a few legalization pathways, with diverse economic, social and health wellbeing effects. Public health-driven, instead of profit-driven models, seem to offer the most benefits regarding non-medical cannabis legalization. Most of the true public health effects of cannabis legalization are still unknown, for we are still in the early stages of these policies and their implications. Future studies should address the medium-to-long-term social, economic, and health consequences of legalization policies.
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Abstract Introduction Sexual dysfunction is common in individuals with psychiatric disorders and under psychotropic medication such as antidepressants and antipsychotics. Several scales have been developed to assess sexual function in these patients. The Arizona Sexual Scale (ASEX) is a five-item rating scale that quantifies sex drive, arousal, vaginal lubrication/penile erection, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction from orgasm. We describe the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the ASEX into the Portuguese language, with the goal of contributing to the assessment of sexual function in Portuguese-speaking psychiatric patients under treatment with psychotropic drugs. Methods The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process thoroughly followed the steps recommended by the Task Force of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), namely: preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back-translation, back-translation review, harmonization, cognitive debriefing, review of cognitive debriefing, finalization, proofreading, and final version. Results The process was successfully completed and no major differences were found between the translation, reconciliation and back-translation phases, with only small adjustments being made. Conclusion The translation of the ASEX was completed successfully, following international reference guidelines. The use of these guidelines is a guarantee of a Portuguese version that is qualitatively and semantically equivalent to the original scale. This availability of this new scale version will enable studies evaluating the sexual function of Portuguese-speaking psychiatric patients. Future studies may assess the validity of the scale for Portuguese-speaking populations.
Resumo Introdução A disfunção sexual é comum em indivíduos com doenças psiquiátricas e sob o uso de medicações como antidepressivos e antipsicóticos. Várias escalas foram desenvolvidas para avaliar a função sexual desses doentes. A Arizona Sexual Scale (ASEX) é uma escala de cinco itens de avaliação que quantifica desejo sexual, excitação, lubrificação vaginal/ereção peniana, capacidade para atingir o orgasmo e satisfação com o orgasmo. Este artigo descreve o processo de tradução e adaptação transcultural da escala ASEX para a língua portuguesa, com o objetivo de contribuir para a avaliação da função sexual dos doentes medicados com fármacos psicotrópicos nos vários países onde se utiliza essa língua. Métodos A tradução e a adaptação transcultural seguiram de forma detalhada os passos recomendados pelo grupo de trabalho da International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), nomeadamente: preparação, tradução inicial, reconciliação, retroversão, revisão da retroversão, harmonização, teste cognitivo, revisão do teste cognitivo, finalização, leitura final e versão final. Resultados O processo foi completado com sucesso, e não foram observadas diferenças grandes entre as fases de tradução, reconciliação e retroversão, tendo sido feitos apenas pequenos ajustes. Conclusão A tradução da escala ASEX foi bem-sucedida, seguindo orientações internacionais de referência. A aplicação dessas orientações é a garantia de uma versão em língua portuguesa que é qualitativa e semanticamente equivalente à versão original da escala. A existência desta nova versão da escala permitirá estudos que avaliem a função sexual dos doentes em países nos quais se fale a língua portuguesa. Estudos futuros poderão atestar a validade da escala para essas populações.