Interpretación psiquiátrica forense de la fórmula de inimputabilidad del nuevo Código Penal cubano de 2022 / Psychiatric forensic interpretation of non-imputability formula in the new 2022 Cuban Penal Code

Resumen: En 2022 el Código Penal cubano incorporó una nueva fórmula de inimputabilidad. Este artículo aborda el problema de cómo interpretarla y aplicarla durante las pericias psiquiátricas a imputados. Es su objetivo analizar desde la Psiquiatría dicha fórmula penal para su interpretación forense. Se muestran las críticas que, en publicaciones y ámbitos académicos, fueron hechas a la anterior fórmula; así como la norma complementaria del organismo rector para su interpretación pericial. Se expone y analiza la actual fórmula, elaborada con asesoría de psiquiatras al proceso legislativo, para superar aquellas críticas, pero que, precisamente por diferente, demanda actualizar su interpretación y los métodos periciales para calificar casos acertadamente, detectar simulación y ser controlable como prueba por los jueces. Un criterio de interpretación fue elaborado por el autor y se le sometió a grupos de expertos para consensuar una propuesta final normativa, consistente en considerar pericialmente pretenso inimputable a quién actuó ilícitamente por un trastorno psicótico diagnosticado que se manifestó directamente en el delito, lo que debe quedar demostrado en el informe. En su generalidad, estos criterios pueden aplicarse a valoración de inimputabilidad según otros códigos penales.

Introduction: In 2022 a new Cuban Penal Code incorporated a new requirement of non-imputability. This article approaches to the problem of how to interpret and apply this new non-imputability formula to the psychiatric examination of defendants and has the objective of analyzing it in forensic interpretation. It shows the academic and publisher's criticism made of the previous Cuban non-imputability formula and the complementary precept of the health ministry for forensic interpretation. The new non-imputability formula, elaborated with psychiatrists' assistance during a legislative process to surpass those previous criticisms, is exposed and analyzed. This new different penal requirement put under obligation to change in forensic interpretations and methods to identify criminal non-imputability, pretenders and to be a clue controlled by judges. A new forensic interpretation criterion was elaborated and submitted to groups of psychiatrist experts, to obtain a normative proposition that considered in possible non-imputability of the person who committed the crime during a diagnosed psychotic disorder that was the certain direct determinant of the fact. The psychiatric report may show all mentioned below and, in general view, according to other penal codes, these criteria can be applied in the forensic expertise relative to non-imputability.

Evaluación de las características operativas de la versión 2. 2018 del instrumento de evaluación del malestar emocional de la National Comprehensive Cancer Network en pacientes atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá / Assessment of the operational characteristics of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network distress management tool, v. 2.2018, in patients seen at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá

Resumen | Introducción. Los pacientes con cáncer presentan niveles significativos de malestar emocional. La National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) desarrolló un instrumento (Distress Management) para evaluarlo de forma rápida en pacientes oncológicos. Para su utilización en Colombia, se hizo la adaptación transcultural y se validó. Objetivo. Determinar las características operativas del instrumento de malestar emocional, versión 2.2018, en pacientes atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología. Materiales y métodos. Previa autorización de la NCCN, se procedió a la traducción, adaptación transcultural y evaluación de las características operativas del instrumento. Se incluyeron 343 pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, quienes diligenciaron el instrumento adaptado transculturalmente. Se efectuó un estudio de prueba diagnóstica como patrón de referencia mediante una entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados. Los pacientes tenían una edad promedio de 49,7 años (DE=15) y la mayoría (67 %) eran mujeres. El instrumento tuvo un área bajo la curva ROC de 0,81 (IC95% 0,77-0,86); el punto de corte óptimo fue de 3,5, el cual se aproximó a 4; la sensibilidad fue de 0,81 (IC95% 0,76-0,85) y la especificidad de 0,69 (IC95% 0,64-0,74). El porcentaje de acuerdo entre el resultado de la entrevista y el instrumento fue de 73 % (kappa=0,64; p<0,001). Conclusiones. El instrumento de malestar emocional permitió detectar el malestar emocional moderado a grave que requiere intervención y manejo. Este instrumento fue adaptado y validado en pacientes con cáncer en Colombia, conservándose el punto de corte en ≥4 como en la versión original.

Abstract | Introduction: Cancer patients have significant levels of emotional distress. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) developed the distress management tool to quickly assess significant distress in oncological patients who require intervention. For its use in Colombia, we made its cross-cultural adaptation and validation. Objective: To determine the operative characteristics of the distress management tool, version 2.2018, in patients seen at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC) in Colombia. Materials and methods: Counting with the authorization from the NCCN, we translated, made the cross-cultural adaptation, and evaluated the operational characteristics of the tool. We included 343 cancer patients seen at the INC, who filled out the cross-culturally adapted instrument. A diagnostic test study was carried out with a semi-structured interview as a reference. Results: The patients had an average age of 49.7 years (SD=15) and the majority were women (67%). The instrument had an area under the ROC curve of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.77 - 0.86); its optimal cut-off point was 3.5 approached to 4 when using integers on the scale; its sensitivity was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.76 - 0.85), and its specificity, 0.69 (95% CI: 0.64 - 0.74). The agreement percentage between the result of the interview and the instrument was 73% (kappa = 0.64; p< 0.001). Conclusions: The distress management tool allowed for the detection of moderate to severe distress requiring intervention and management. This instrument was adapted and validated in cancer patients in Colombia keeping the cutoff point at ≥ 4 as in the original version.

Accuracy of the semantic fluency test to separate healthy old people from patients with Alzheimers disease in a low education population / Acurácia do teste de fluência semântica para separar pessoas saudáveis de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer em uma população de baixa escolaridade

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the accuracy of two semantic categories of the verbal fluency test (supermarket and animal categories) to separate healthy elderly individuals and lower educated Alzheimer's disease patients. METHODS: We evaluated 69 older adults with less than 5 years of schooling, consisting of 31 healthy elderly, and 38 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Semantic verbal fluency was evaluated using the animal and supermarket categories. Mann-Whitney U and Independent t Tests were used to compare the two groups, and the diagnostic accuracy of the tests was analyzed by sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio's, and the Area Under the Curve (AUC). RESULTS: We found a significant difference between the healthy older and Alzheimer's disease groups, in both, animal (p = 0.014) and supermarket verbal fluency (p < 0.001). The supermarket category showed better overall diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.840, 95% CI = 0.746-0.933; p < 0.001) compared to the animal category (AUC = 0.671, 95% CI = 0.543-0.800; p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: The supermarket category of semantic verbal fluency provides better accuracy than the animal category for the identification of dementia in a Brazilian elderly population with low educational level.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a acurácia de duas categorias semânticas do teste de fluência verbal (categorias de supermercado e animal) para separar idosos saudáveis e pacientes com doença de Alzheimer com baixa escolaridade. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos 69 idosos com menos de 5 anos de escolaridade, consistindo em 31 idosos saudáveis e 38 pacientes diagnosticados com a doença de Alzheimer. A fluência verbal semântica foi avaliada nas categorias animal e supermercado. O teste de Mann-Whitney U e o teste t independente foram usados para comparar os dois grupos, e a precisão diagnóstica dos testes foi analisada por sensibilidade, especificidade, razão de verossimilhança e área sob a curva (AUC). RESULTADOS: Encontramos uma diferença significativa entre os grupos de idosos saudáveis e com doença de Alzheimer, tanto na fluência verbal de animais (p = 0,014) quanto na de supermercado (p < 0,001). A categoria supermercado apresentou melhor precisão diagnóstica geral (AUC = 0,840; IC 95% = 0,746- 0,933; p < 0,001) em comparação com a categoria animal (AUC = 0,671; IC 95% = 0,543-0,800; p = 0,014). CONCLUSÃO: A categoria supermercado de fluência verbal semântica fornece melhor acurácia do que a categoria animal para a identificação de demência em uma população idosa brasileira com baixo nível educacional.

Does psychotherapy improve alexithymia? A comparison study among patients with mild or moderate depression

Abstract Background Alexithymia is reported to be a risk factor for depression. Psychotherapy is efficient for treatment of depression. Yet, the effect of psychotherapies on alexithymia is poorly understood. Objectives We aimed to compare Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Psychotherapy (ExP) and Supportive Counseling (SUP) for therapeutic efficacy and effect on alexithymia in depression. Methods There were 22 patients for each patient group. Sessions were performed as eight consecutive weekly and following two monthly boosters. Sixty six healthy controls were added. Prior to the sessions, patients received Sociodemographic Data Form, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-1), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). The control group received Sociodemographic Data Form, SCID-1 and TAS-20. Patients additionally received HDRS and TAS-20 after their weekly and booster sessions. Results Patients' mean TAS-20 score was greater than of controls, however, it did not have a significant change throughout the study. Mean HDRS scores of ExP and CBT groups were lower than SUP group at the end. Discussion Alexithymia did not improve with psychotherapy. The exception was effect of ExP on externally oriented thinking. Psychotherapies all improved depression. CBT and ExP were more helpful than SUP.

Dementia screening in Brazil: a systematic review of normative data for the mini-mental state examination

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used instrument for the screening of older adults with suspected cognitive impairment; the MMSE has been translated and validated in numerous languages and countries. The cultural and sociodemographic characteristics of the sample can influence performance on the test; therefore, applying the MMSE in different populations usually requires adjustments of those variables. From this perspective, the present study aims to review the normative data for the MMSE in the Brazilian older population, including those adaptations to the original test. Database searches were performed in Medline, Web of Knowledge, Scielo and Pepsic for articles assessing healthy elderly Brazilian samples using the MMSE. Heterogeneity across and within the studies was analyzed. Of a total of 1,085 retrieved articles, 14 were included. Significant differences across studies were identified for the characteristics of the samples, the presence of alterations to the MMSE subtests and the presentation of the results. The risk of biases was relevant for all the studies. Considering the large methodological heterogeneity among studies, the generalization of the available normative data for the MMSE may not be appropriate for the general elderly Brazilian population.

Gene and cell therapy in South Africa: current status and future prospects

South Africa has a high disease burden resulting from communicable and non-communicable diseases. Current therapeutic interventions rarely result in a cure and the associated lifelong treatment places a considerable strain on an overburdened health sector. Gene and cell therapies present novel alternatives to disease management, offering the promise of a single treatment and a lifelong cure. Although challenges remain, investment in the field has started to bear fruit, with a number of gene and cell therapeutics reaching the market in the past decade. To take full advantage of these developments, it is important that a proactive approach to nurturing appropriate human and material resources is adopted in the country

Adaptação de teste para rastreio de delirium em idosos admitidos em serviço de urgência / Adaptation of a delirium screening test for elderly adults admitted to emergency departments

OBJETIVO: O delirium é uma das síndromes mais frequentes em idosos admitidos nas unidades de urgência e, apesar de apresentar sintomas e sinais bem estabelecidos, ainda há falhas de diagnóstico. Dessa forma, o objetivo do estudo foi adaptar o Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMT) como teste de rastreio para delirium em idosos admitidos em uma unidade de urgência. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado no serviço de urgência de um hospital universitário em Brasília, Brasil, no período de abril a junho de 2014. Foram avaliados 90 pacientes de ambos os sexos, com 60 anos ou mais de idade. O Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) Instrument foi estabelecido como padrão ouro para diagnóstico de delirium. Foram aplicadas questões do AMT em versão traduzida e adaptada culturalmente, com quatro modelos distintos e outros reduzidos, todos comparados ao CAM a partir da curva característica de operação do receptor (ROC) (significância < 0,05; H0: ASC = 0,5) e à reprodutibilidade interavaliadores a partir do índice Kappa, por meio do SPSS, versão 22.0.0.0. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de delirium foi de 25,6%. O melhor dos quatro modelos do AMT apresentou sensibilidade de 78,3%, especificidade de 85,1%, com boa reprodutibilidade interavaliador (Kappa = 0,793). O melhor modelo reduzido foi o com quatro questões, com sensibilidade de 82,6%, especificidade de 82,1% e Kappa de 0,746. CONCLUSÕES: A adaptação do AMT (completa e reduzida) mostrou-se adequada como alternativa para o rastreio breve de delirium em idosos admitidos em unidades de urgência quando comparada ao padrão ouro, principalmente para pacientes desacompanhados e sem déficit cognitivo prévio.

OBJECTIVE: Delirium is one of the most frequent syndromes among elderly patients admitted to emergency units and, despite presenting well-established symptoms and signs, there are still diagnostic failures. Thus, the aim of the study was to adapt the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) as a screening tool for delirium in elderly adults admitted to an emergency department. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the emergency department of a university hospital in Brasília, Brazil between April and June, 2014. We evaluated 90 patients of both sexes, aged 60 years or older. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) Instrument was considered the gold standard for diagnosing delirium. The complete translated AMT, administered in four different culturally adapted models, as well as condensed models, were compared to the CAM receiver operating characteristics curve (significance < 0.05; H0: AUC = 0.5). Inter-rater agreement was evaluated with the kappa test, using SPSS version 22.0.0.0. RESULTS: The prevalence of delirium was 25.6%. The best of the four AMT models presented sensitivity and specificity of 78.3% and 85.1%, respectively, with good inter-rater reproducibility (Kappa = 0.793). The best condensed model included four questions, with sensitivity and specificity of 82.6% and 82.1%, respectively, and a kappa of 0.746. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the gold standard, the adapted AMT (complete or condensed) was adequate as an alternative for quick delirium screening in elderly patients admitted to an emergency department, especially for unaccompanied patients with no prior cognitive deficit

Age and mini-mental state examination score can predict poor-quality spirometry in the elderly: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: The goal was to identify predictors of poor-quality spirometry in community-dwelling older adults and their respective cutoffs. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study involving 245 elderly subjects (age≥60 years). The spirometric data were categorized as good or poor quality, and cognitive status was assessed using an adapted version (scaled to have a maximum of 19 points) of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the association between poor-quality spirometry and sociodemographic, behavioral and health characteristics. The best cutoff points for predicting poor-quality spirometry were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: In this population, 61 (24.9%) subjects with poor-quality spirometry were identified. After multiple logistic regression analysis, only age and Mini-Mental State Examination score were still associated with poor-quality spirometry (p≤0.05). The cutoff for the Mini-Mental State Examination score was 15 points, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.628 (p=0.0017), sensitivity of 74.5% and specificity of 49.5%; for age, the cutoff was 78 years, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.718 (p=0.0001), sensitivity of 57.4% and specificity of 79.9%. CONCLUSION: Age and Mini-Mental State Examination score together are good predictors of poor-quality spirometry and can contribute to the screening of community-dwelling older adults unable to meet the minimum quality criteria for a spirometric test.

Diffusion tensor imaging of brain white matter in Huntington gene mutation individuals / Imagem por tensor de difusão em indivíduos com mutação do gene da doença de Huntington

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the role of the involvement of white matter tracts in huntingtin gene mutation patients as a potential biomarker of the progression of the disease. Methods We evaluated 34 participants (11 symptomatic huntingtin gene mutation, 12 presymptomatic huntingtin gene mutation, and 11 controls). We performed brain magnetic resonance imaging to assess white matter integrity using diffusion tensor imaging, with measurement of fractional anisotropy. Results We observed a significant decrease of fractional anisotropy in the cortical spinal tracts, corona radiate, corpus callosum, external capsule, thalamic radiations, superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus in the Huntington disease group compared to the control and presymptomatic groups. Reduction of fractional anisotropy is indicative of a degenerative process and axonal loss. There was no statistically significant difference between the presymptomatic and control groups. Conclusion White matter integrity is affected in huntingtin gene mutation symptomatic individuals, but other studies with larger samples are required to assess its usefulness in the progression of the neurodegenerative process.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o envolvimento da substância branca (SB) cerebral em indivíduos com mutação do gene da huntingtina. Métodos Foram avaliados 34 indivíduos: 11 com mutação do gene da huntingtina sintomática, 12 assintomáticos com mutação do gene da huntingtina e 11 indivíduos controles. Realizamos ressonância magnética cerebral para avaliar a integridade da SB usando o tensor de difusão (DTI), com medição da anisotrofia fracionada (FA). Resultados Observamos uma diminuição da FA no trato corticoespinhal, coroa radiada, corpo caloso (joelho, corpo e esplênio), cápsula externa, radiações talâmicas, fascículo longitudinal superior e inferior, e fascículo frontal-occipital inferior no grupo dos indivíduos com mutação sintomática. A redução da FA é indicativa de processo degenerativo e perda axonal. Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos controle e pré-sintomático. Conclusão Houve comprometimento da integridade da SB em indivíduos com mutação no gene da Huntingtina sintomática, mas outros estudos são necessários para avaliar a sua utilidade na progressão do processo neurodegenerativo.

Cognitive performance of primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma patients / Desempenho cognitivo em pacientes com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto e glaucoma de pressão normal

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess cognitive performance differences among primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients, normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients, and healthy control (C) subjects. Methods: A total of 60 participants (20 POAG, 20 NTG, and 20 C subjects) were included in this study. A detailed ophthalmologic examination was performed on all participants. A spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system was used to measure the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses. To assess the cognitive performance of all participants, detailed neurological examinations, including the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), were performed by the same neurologist. Results: There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of age (p =0.348) or gender (p =0.935). The mean RNFL thicknesses were significantly different among the groups (85.2 ± 14.7, 76.8 ± 10.3, and 91.4 ± 7.7 µm in the POAG, NTG, and C subjects, respectively; p <0.001). The mean GC-IPL thicknesses were 77.5 ± 9.7 µm in the POAG group, 73.4 ± 7.8 µm in the NTG group, and 78.8 ± 3.8 µm in the C group. Differences among the groups were not statistically significant (p =0.085). MMSE scores were 26.1 ± 1.4, 25.7 ± 2.3, and 28.8 ± 0.9 in the POAG, NTG, and C groups, respectively. There were significant differences among the three groups (p <0.001). Specifically, there were significant differences between the NTG and C groups (p <0.001), and between the POAG and C groups (p =0.001). There was no significant difference between the POAG and NTG groups (p =0.595). Conclusions: There appear to be similar risk factors in glaucoma and neurodegenerative disorders that cause deterioration in cognitive performance. Comparing the low MMSE scores of the POAG and NTG patients with the scores of healthy C participants supports our hypothesis. Consequently, it is recommended that a neurologist should also examine glaucoma patients.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar as diferenças de desempenho cognitivo entre pacientes com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto (POAG), glaucoma de pressão normal (NTG) e controle de indivíduos saudáveis (C). Métodos: Um total de 60 pessoas (20 POAG, 20 NTG e 20 indivíduos saudáveis) foram incluídos neste estudo. Um exame oftalmológico detalhado foi realizado em todos os participantes. Um sistema de tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral (SD-OCT) foi utilizado para medir as espessuras da camada de células ganglionares plexiforme interna (GC-IPL) e da camada de fibras nervosas da retina (RNFL). Para avaliar o desempenho cognitivo de todos os participantes, foi realizado pelo mesmo neurologista um exame neurológico detalhado, incluindo mini-exame do estado mental (MMSE). Resultados: Não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos em termos de idade (p=0,348) e sexo (p=0,935). Espessuras médias da RNFL foram significativamente diferentes, sendo 85,2 ± 14,7, 76,8 ± 10,3 e 91,4 ± 7,7 µm nos grupos POAG, NTG e controles, respectivamente (p<0,001). As espessuras médias da GC-IPL observadas foram 77.5 ± 9.7 μm no grupo POAG, 73,4 ± 7,8 µm no grupo NTG e 78,8 ± 3,8 µm nos controlos. As diferenças entre os grupos não foram estatisticamente significantes (p=0,085). Graduações do MMSE foram 26,1 ± 1,4, 25,7 ± 2,3 e 28,8 ± 0,9 nos grupos POAG, NTG e controles, respectivamente. Houve diferenças significativas entre os três grupos (p<0,001). Houve diferença significativa entre NTG e saudáveis (p<0,001). Houve diferença significativa entre POAG e saudáveis (p=0,001). Não houve diferença significativa entre o POAG e NTG (p=0,595). Conclusões: Parecem haver fatores de risco semelhantes no glaucoma e nos distúrbios neurodegenerativos que causam deterioração no desempenho cognitivo. Comparando a baixa graduação do MMSE de pacientes com POAG e NTG com controles saudáveis referenda nossa hipótese. Consequentemente recomenda-se que um neurologista também examine os pacientes de glaucoma.

Quedas e qualidade de vida de idosos com catarata / Falls and quality of life of people with cataracts

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a associação entre quedas e qualidade de vida em idosos com catarata. Métodos: Tratou-se de estudo observacional com delineamento transversal, realizado no Distrito Federal, Brasil, com uma amostra de 38 idosos comunitários divididos em dois grupos: idosos caidores (n=18) e idosos não caidores (n=20). Avaliou-se por meio do instrumento National Eye Institute - Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI-VFQ 25) a saúde geral dos indivíduos da amostra, assim como a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde visual. A caracterização da amostra foi realizada por meio da análise descritiva a fim de avaliar a associação entre quedas e demais variáveis, utilizou-se o teste não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney (p<0,05). Resultados: A faixa etária ≥ 70 anos prevaleceu entre os participantes da pesquisa (63,16%). Dentre os idosos que fizeram parte deste estudo, 36 (94,74%) relataram ter algum problema para enxergar. Idosos caidores apresentaram escore geral mais baixo, quando comparados aos não caidores (p=0,0159), apresentaram também maior dificuldade em realizar atividades para perto (p=0,0299) e para longe (p=0,0104), pior saúde mental (p=0,0001) e nível mais elevado de dependência (p=0,0008). Conclusão: As quedas interferem negativamente na qualidade de vida de idosos com catarata, tornando as ações para prevenção de quedas e o tratamento e/ou correção do déficit visual importantes para evitar prejuízos futuros.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the association between falls and quality of life in elderly individuals with cataract. Methods: This was an observational and cross-sectional study carried out in the Federal District, Brazil, with a sample of 38 community-dwelling elderly individuals, who were divided into two groups: falling elderly (n=18) and non-falling elderly (n=20). The NEI-VFQ-25 was used as a tool to assess the patient overall health and the quality of life related to visual health. Sample characterization was performed by descriptive analysis and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05) was used to evaluate the association between falls and the other variables. Results: Elders within the age group ≥ 70 years old were the majority in this study. 36 participants (94.74%) of this study claimed to have some vision problems. Falling elderly presented lower scores when compared to the non-falling elderly (p=0.0159) and they also showed worse mental health (p=0.0001), higher level of dependence (p=0.0008) and greater difficulty to perform up close vision tasks (p=0.0299) and far vision tasks (p=0.0104). Conclusion: Falls have a negative impact on the quality of life of elderly individuals with cataract, which makes preventive actions and the treatment and/or correction of visual impairments important in order to avoid future harms.

Psychometric Properties of Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer's Disease Patients in an Asian Context

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The purpose of the current study is to assess the psychometric properties of Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) on patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a multicultural Asian context.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Sixty-four mild AD patients (mean age ± SD; 72.24 ± 7.88 years), 80 MCI patients (66.44 ± 7.45 years) and 125 healthy controls (HCs) (61.81 ± 6.96 years) participated in the study. Participants underwent a clinical interview and serial neuropsychological testing. ADAS-Cog total and subtest scores were compared across the 3 groups. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis were performed and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPVs) and negative predictive values (NPVs) were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients with MCI attained significantly worse neuropsychological test scores than healthy controls but significantly better results than patients with mild AD on ADAS-Cog total score, subtest items, and the delayed recall item (P <0.001). The best cutoff score to differentiate between MCI and HC was ≥4 (sensitivity = 0.73, specificity = 0.69, PPV = 0.90, NPV = 0.40), while the best cutoff score to distinguish between MCI and mild AD was ≥12 (sensitivity = 0.86, specificity = 0.89, PPV = 0.99, NPV = 0.32). Evidence of internal consistency of the ADAS-Cog (Cronbach α = 0.85) as well as convergent validity with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (ρ = -0.75) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (ρ = -0.81) (both P <0.001) was also found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The ADAS-Cog which is widely used in clinical trials is applicable to the Asian cohort. It is useful in the detection of MCI and mild AD as well as in distinguishing these 2 conditions.</p>

Negative emotions affect postoperative scores for evaluating functional knee recovery and quality of life after total knee replacement

This study aimed to determine whether psychological factors affect health-related quality of life (HRQL) and recovery of knee function in total knee replacement (TKR) patients. A total of 119 TKR patients (male: 38; female: 81) completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-revised (EPQR-S), Knee Society Score (KSS), and HRQL (SF-36). At 1 and 6 months after surgery, anxiety, depression, and KSS scores in TKR patients were significantly better compared with those preoperatively (P<0.05). SF-36 scores at the sixth month after surgery were significantly improved compared with preoperative scores (P<0.001). Preoperative Physical Component Summary Scale (PCS) and Mental Component Summary Scale (MCS) scores were negatively associated with extraversion (E score) (B=-0.986 and -0.967, respectively, both P<0.05). Postoperative PCS and State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores were negatively associated with neuroticism (N score; B=-0.137 and -0.991, respectively, both P<0.05). Postoperative MCS, SAI, Trait Anxiety Inventory (TAI), and BAI scores were also negatively associated with the N score (B=-0.367, -0.107, -0.281, and -0.851, respectively, all P<0.05). The KSS function score at the sixth month after surgery was negatively associated with TAI and N scores (B=-0.315 and -0.532, respectively, both P<0.05), but positively associated with the E score (B=0.215, P<0.05). The postoperative KSS joint score was positively associated with postoperative PCS (B=0.356, P<0.05). In conclusion, for TKR patients, the scores used for evaluating recovery of knee function and HRQL after 6 months are inversely associated with the presence of negative emotions.

O uso do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental em pesquisas com idosos no Brasil: uma revisão sistemática / Use of the Mini-Mental State Examination in research on the elderly in Brazil: a systematic review

Resumo O Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) é o teste de rastreio cognitivo mais utilizado no mundo. No Brasil, diferentes versões e pontos de corte do MEEM têm sido usados. Para analisar seu uso em estudos empíricos brasileiros com idosos, efetuou-se uma revisão sistemática de artigos indexados na SciELO. Foram utilizados o nome completo do instrumento e sua abreviação para recuperar os textos. Observou-se uma tendência de crescimento da produção científica analisada, no período de 1998 a 2013. Foram mencionadas 11 versões do MEEM, destacando-se a de Bertolucci et al. Mais da metade das investigações fizeram uso da escolaridade como critério para estabelecer pontos de corte. Os estudos têm sido realizados predominantemente com amostras recrutadas em grandes cidades da região Sudeste e na comunidade. Não obstante a tendência de crescimento de pesquisas com idosos que utilizam o MEEM, as propriedades psicométricas dessa medida têm sido pouco investigadas. Apesar da ampla utilização do MEEM no Brasil, faltam padronização e evidências de validade para essa medida.

Abstract The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used cognitive screening test around the world. In Brazil, different MMSE versions and many cut-off points have been used. A systematic review of papers indexed in Scielo was conducted in order to analyze use of the MMSE in Brazilian empirical studies with elderly people. To search for these texts, the complete name of the instrument and its abbreviation were used. A growth trend in the scientific production during the 1998 to 2013 period was observed. Eleven versions of the MMSE were identified and the Bertolucci et al. version was the most cited. Over half of the studies used schooling as the criteria to establish cut-off points. The studies were predominantly conducted using samples recruited from large cities in the Southeastern region and in the community. Despite the growing trend of research with the elderly using the MMSE, the psychometric properties of this scale of measurement have been the subject of little investigation. Despite the widespread use of the MMSE in Brazil, there is a lack of standardization and evidence of validity for this this scale of measurement.

Idiopathic very late-onset cerebellar ataxia: a Brazilian case series / Ataxia cerebellar idiopática com início muito tardio: uma série de casos brasileiros

ABSTRACTThe authors present a Brazilian case series of eight patients with idiopathic very-late onset (mean 75.5 years old) cerebellar ataxia, featuring predominantly gait ataxia, associated with cerebellar atrophy.Method: 26 adult patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic late onset cerebellar ataxia were analyzed in a Brazilian ataxia outpatient clinic and followed regularly over 20 years. Among them, 8 elderly patients were diagnosed as probable very late onset cerebellar ataxia. These patients were evaluated with neurological, ophthalmologic and Mini-Mental Status examinations, brain MRI, and EMG.Results: 62.5% of patients were males, mean age was 81.9 years-old, and mean age of onset was 75.5 years. Gait cerebellar ataxia was observed in all patients, as well as, cerebellar atrophy on brain MRI. Mild cognitive impairment and visual loss, due to macular degeneration, were observed in 50% of cases. Chorea was concomitantly found in 3 patients.Conclusion: We believe that this condition is similar the one described by Marie-Foix-Alajouanine presenting with mild dysarthria, associated with gait ataxia, and some patients had cognitive dysfunction and chorea.

RESUMOOs autores apresentam uma série de casos incluindo oito pacientes com ataxia cerebellar de início muito tardio (média de 75,5 anos de idade) apresentando ataxia de marcha, associada à atrofia cerebelar.Método: 26 pacientes adultos com diagnóstico de ataxia cerebelar de início tardio idiopática foram analisados ambulatorialmente e acompanhados regularmente ao longo de 20 anos. Destes, oito pacientes idosos foram diagnosticados como provável ataxia cerebelar início muito tardio. Os pacientes foram submetidos a um exame neurológico completo, avaliação cognitive e oftalmológica assim como ressonância magnética do cérebro e eletroneuromiografia tambem foram realizados.Resultados: 62,5% dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino, com idade média de 81,9 anos, com média de idade de início aos 75,5 anos. Ataxia cerebelar predominante de marcha foi observada em todos os pacientes, bem como, a atrofia cerebelar na ressonância magnética cerebral. Comprometimento cognitivo leve e perda visual, devido à degeneração macular, foram observados em 50% dos casos. Coréia foi encontrada em 3 pacientes.Conclusão: Acreditamos que esta condição é semelhante à descrita por Marie-Foix-Alajouanine apresentando disartria leve, associada a ataxia de marcha, disfunção cognitiva e coréia.

The competition with a concurrent cognitive task affects posturographic measures in patients with Parkinson disease / A competição com uma tarefa cognitiva afeta medidas posturográficas de pacientes com doença de Parkinson

ABSTRACTObjectives To estimate the impact of a sensory-motor- cognitive task on postural balance, in Parkinson disease patients (Hoehn and Yahr 2-3) and to investigate possible relationships between posturography and functional balance clinical scales.Method Parkinson disease patients (n = 40) and healthy controls (n = 27) were evaluated with fluency tests, Berg Balance scale, Mini Best test and static posturography on the conditions eyes open, eyes closed and dual-task (simultaneous balance and fluency tasks).Results Posturographic data showed that Parkinson disease patients performed worse than controls in all evaluations. In general, balance on dual-task was significantly poorer than balance with eyes closed. Posturographic data were weakly correlated to clinical balance scales.Conclusion In clinical practice, Parkinson disease patients are commonly assessed with eyes closed, to sensitize balance. Our study showed that adding a cognitive task is even more effective. Static posturographic data should be carefully overgeneralized to infer functional balance impairments.

RESUMOObjetivos Estimar o impacto de uma tarefa sensório-cognitivo-motora no equilíbrio, em pacientes com doença de Parkinson e investigar possíveis relações entre dados posturográficos e escalas de equilíbrio funcional.Método Pacientes (n = 40) e controles (n = 27) foram avaliados com testes de fluência verbal, escala de equilíbrio de Berg (BBS), Mini Best Test (MBT) e posturografia estática nas condições olhos abertos, olhos fechados e tarefa-dupla (equilíbrio e fluência verbal, simultaneamente).Resultados Dados posturográficos mostraram que pacientes apresentaram pior desempenho que controles em todas as avaliações. O equilíbrio na dupla-tarefa foi pior que na privação visual. Dados posturográficos apresentaram correlações fracas com a a BBS e MBT.Conclusão Pacientes com Parkinson são comumente avaliados com olhos fechados para sensibilizar o equilíbrio. Nosso estudo mostra que a adição de uma tarefa cognitiva é mais efetiva. Dados da posturografia estática devem ser generalizados com cuidado nas interferências sobre equilíbrio.

Valoración Geriátrica Integral / Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

El paciente geriátrico es un paciente de especiales características en el que confluyen características propias del envejecimiento fisiológico y las formas especiales de presentación de las patologías, lo que hace necesaria una valoración especial, la Valoración Geriátrica Integral (VGI), la cual nos permite de una manera global valorar las características de éste tipo de pacientes que se escaparían de una valoración clínica usual, que comprende sólo anamnesis y exploración física. La VGI es "un proceso diagnóstico evolutivo multidimensional (porque analiza las diferentes esferas que integran al individuo) e interdisciplinario (interdisciplinaria porque en esta participan diferentes profesionales médicos, enfermeras y asistentes sociales), diseñado para identificar y cuantificar los problemas físicos, funcionales, psíquicos y sociales que puedan presentar los adultos mayores, especialmente los más frágiles, con el propósito de desarrollar un plan individualizado de cuidados integrales, que permita una acción preventiva, terapéutica, rehabilitadora y de seguimiento, con la óptima utilización de recursos, a fin de lograr el mayor grado de autonomía y mejorar la calidad de vida del adulto mayor." Constituye la herramienta fundamental del trabajo del clínico que atiende pacientes dentro del campo geriátrico. Un reciente metanálisis concluyó que los ancianos hospitalizados que se les realizó VGI incrementaron la posibilidad de permanecer vivos en su propia casa, es decir, menos probabilidades de institucionalizarse, de presentar deterioro funcional o de morir, además de experimentar mejoría de la cognición en un máximo de 12 meses comparado con pacientes de las mismas características...(AU)

The geriatric patient is a patient of special features, in which the physiological aging and the special forms of presentation of the pathologies come together which makes a special evaluation necessary such as the Integral Geriatrical valuation (VGI), which allows us with a global approach to value the characteristics of this type of patients, since could be escape of a usual clinical evaluation, this include only anamnesis and physical examination. The VGI it is "a evolutive multidimensional process of diagnosis (because it analyzes different spheres that integrates the individual) and interdisciplinary (interdisciplinary because of the participation of different areas as doctors, nurses and social assistants), designed to identify and quantify physical, functional, psychic and social problems who can present the elderly population, specially the most weak ones, in order to develop an individualized plan of integral cares, that allows preventive, therapeutic , rehabilitative and the follow up antions , with the optimal uses of the resources, in order to obtain a greater degree of autonomy to improve the quality of life of the elderly patients" It is the fundamental tool of work of the clinicians that takes care of elderly patients. A recent meta analysis study concluded that the elderly hospitalized patients that were evaluated with the VGI , increased the possibility of remaining alive at community field at home, it means. less possibilities to received hospitalization and reducing the possibilities to present functional deterioration or of dying, besides to experience improvement of the cognition in a maximum of 12 months compared with patients of the same characteristics.

Percepções de indivíduos com transtornos mentais e familiares sobre odesempenho ocupacional: contribuições da terapia ocupacional / Perceptions of individuals with mental disorders and their families about the occupational performance: contributions of occupational therapy

O estudo teve como objetivos: investigar a percepção de indivíduos com transtornos mentais e de seus familiares sobre o desempenho ocupacional em atividades cotidianas e as dificuldades para isto e descrever as contribuições da Terapia Ocupacional para auxiliar na melhora do desempenho ocupacional nas atividades cotidianas. Configura-se como uma pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva que utiliza entrevista semi-estruturada para a coleta de dados e o Método Fenomenológico de Sanders para a análise. As temáticas emergentes foram relacionadas ao lazer e a produtividade. Constatou-se que várias das atividades que os sujeitos gostavam de realizar antes de adoecer, foram as mesmas que deixaram de realizar após a doença mental. Há o desejo de retomar, bem como executar novas atividades cotidianas, porém existem barreiras que são desde a dificuldade financeira, até problemas intrínsecos ao sujeito como medo e insegurança. O terapeuta ocupacional realiza uma parceria com o sujeito e sua família, a fim de auxilia-ló a tornar-se um agente ativo. Pode-se evidenciar ainda a necessidade do desenvolvimento da produção científica que contextualize a atuação e o objeto de estudo da Terapia Ocupacional na saúde mental.

The objectives of study is: determine the perception of individuals with mental disorders and their families about the occupational performance in daily activities and the diffi cultiesfor this and describe the contributions of Occupational Therapy to assist in the improvement of the occupational performance in these daily activities. This study is a qualitative, descriptiveresearch that uses semi- structured interviews for the collection of data and the Phenomenological Method of Sanders for the analysis. Emerging issues were related to leisure and productivity. It was noted that several of the activities that the subjects liked to perform before falling ill, were the same that he left to accomplishafter the mental illness. There’s the desire to resume, as well as running new everyday activities, but there are barriers that are from financial hardship, until problems intrinsic to the subject as fear and insecurity. The occupational therapist performs a partnership with the individual and his family, to help him to become anactive agent. Can show the need of scientific development that contextualize the performance and the object of Occupational Therapy study in mental health.