Knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian gynecologists.

BACKGROUND: Sexual health access and care for women in the menopausal stages face significant barriers, presenting deficits in relation to diagnosis and treatment. Although epidemiological data indicate high prevalence of problems related to sexual health in this population, traditionally, the theme is not discussed in health care settings. This study aimed to analyze knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages in the context of women's health care in Brazil. METHODS: With a cross-sectional design, a questionnaire was distributed electronically, encompassing variables related to knowledge; practices; and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages. The data obtained were subjected to analysis using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Specifically, we employed multivariate analysis, employing multiple linear regression models, to discern potential factors associated with outcomes concerning the level of knowledge and the frequency of addressing the topic in professional practice. RESULTS: The sample included 70 physicians with specialization in obstetrician/gynecologists who work in health care with women in the menopausal transition or postmenopausal women. A high level of self-reported knowledge about sexual health was identified. Regarding the practices, most of them reported directly proposing the subject and not using instruments. Although they reported frequently addressing the topic in general, topics related to vaginal lubrication, dyspareunia, and sexual dysfunction have been more present in the clinic compared to sexual orientation and women's relationship with themselves. The main barriers were time limitation and patient discomfort with the topic. The multivariate models indicated that female gynecologists and professionals with higher levels of knowledge on the subject had a higher frequency of addressing sexual health in clinical practice with women in menopausal stages. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual health access and care for brazilian women in the menopausal stages presents discrepancies in the frequency of approach between the various topics, in addition to the predictive character of technical knowledge in the practices of professionals. To ensure universal access to sexual health services for this population, an active approach through specific instruments is important, as well as the reinforcement of strategies to improve the level of knowledge of professionals.

A relação entre o comprometimento motor e os sintomas depressivos na doença de Parkinson / The relationship between motor impairment and depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease

Trata-se de um estudo transversal retrospectivo que incluiu 27 pessoas com doença de Parkinson (DP), diagnosticados por neurologista. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o tipo de correlação entre o grau de comprometimento motor e grau de depressão em pessoas com DP, tendo como hipótese que quanto maior o grau de comprometimento motor proporcionado pela doença, maior o grau de depressão. Foram utilizados os instrumentos Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI II) para a medida de sintomas depressivos e do grau de depressão, e a escala Hoehn & Yahr foi aplicada para identificação do grau de comprometimento motor. Foram excluídos indivíduos que não preencheram um dos instrumentos do estudo, selecionando apenas as pessoas com DP que preencheram ambos os instrumentos. Verificou-se uma correlação positiva e significativa entre os resultados do BDI -II e a escala Hoehn & Yahr modificada (r = 0,41, p = 0,035). O estudo identificou, portanto, uma associação crescente e positiva entre o grau de comprometimento motor das pessoas com DP e a presença de sintomas de depressão. Com isso, foi possível concluir que, uma pessoa com DP e maior grau de comprometimento motor, tende a apresentar maior número de sintomas depressivos e, consequentemente maior grau de depressão e vice-versa. Portanto, deve-se dedicar maior atenção à saúde mental dos casos em que a doença se expressa com maior comprometimento motor.

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study that included 27 people with Parkinson's disease (PD), diagnosed by a neurologist. The objective of the study was to analyze the type of correlation between the degree of physical impairment and degree of depression in people with PD, having as hypothesis that the greater the degree of physical impairment provided by the disease, the greater the degree of depression. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) was used to measure depressive symptoms and the degree of depression, and the modified Hoehn & Yahr scale was applied to identify the degree of physical impairment. Individuals who did not complete one of the study instruments were excluded, selecting only those people with PD who completed both instruments. A positive and significant correlation can be verified between the results of the BDI -II and the Hoehn & Yahr scale (r = 0.41, p = 0.035). The study identified, therefore, an increasing and positive association between the degree of motor impairment of people with PD and the presence of symptoms of depression. With this, it was possible to conclude that, a person with PD and a higher degree of motor impairment, tends to present a higher number of depressive symptoms and, consequently, a higher level of depression and vice versa. Thus, the more physically compromised the person with PD is, the greater the association with a more severe depression. Therefore, greater attention should be paid to mental health in cases in which the disease is expressed with greater physical impairment.

Depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and female climacteric: a narrative review

Climacteric is the period in a woman's life cycle that involves perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. It represents the end of the reproductive period and the beginning of female aging in the biological sense. Over the past 10 years, an emphasis has been placed on the study of mental health in the female climacteric. Studies about the prevalence of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and association with different factors have shown important results on the relevance of these disorders during female climacteric. Considering the importance of these findings in the field of public health and epidemiology, we conducted a narrative review aiming to discuss the current knowledge about the prevalence of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation in the female climacteric, analyzing methods and results in different studies, selected from a literature review between 2009 and 2019, in the PubMed, Lilacs, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. Our results showed that the methodology, cultural and sociodemographic differences, as well as a variety of biopsychosocial factors studied, generate some uncertainties about the exact relationship between depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and female climacteric. We conclude that more research, greater methodological rigor, more accurate results and a biopsychosocial view are needed and urgent for effective interventions, cost reduction in mental health care, as well as prevention and control of depression, anxiety and suicide in climacteric.

General, verbal, and non-verbal cognitive functioning of children and adolescents with 22q11-2 deletion syndrome / Funcionamento cognitivo geral, verbal e não verbal de crianças e adolescentes com síndrome de deleção 22q11-2

BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunctions are frequently found in the 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, being an aggravating factor in the impairment of social relationships and communication, strongly impacting the functionality of the individual. Increasing the knowledge regarding cognitive skills may provide contributions to the diagnostic process and the intervention planning. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the general, verbal, and non-verbal cognitive functioning of children and adolescents with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and case series study regarding 15 individuals between 7-18 years-old diagnosed with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. An assessment of the cognitive functions was performed using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI). For data analysis we used a descriptive statistics analysis, having absolute frequencies for variables, and mean, median, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values for numerical variables. RESULTS: In the group analysis, we observed an important cognitive impairment degree. Most of the sampling (n=8; 53.33%) presented a considerably low total intelligence quotient score. Cases showing lower performances also presented greater difficulties regarding Visual Motor and Visuospatial coordination. Regarding the intelligence quotient representative punctuation in the WASI scale, the sample showed a large variability in the results (between 40 and 92 points), with the median total of 83. CONCLUSIONS: We observed important dysfunctions, cognitive difficulties, and intellectual, verbal, and non-verbal disabilities in the population studied. These findings indicate the need for an early intervention to assist not only the cognitive aspect, but also the socio-emotional development of children with the 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, aiming at their participation in society.

FUNDAMENTO: Disfunções cognitivas são frequentemente encontradas na Síndrome de Deleção 22q11.2, sendo um agravante no comprometimento das relações sociais e da comunicação, impactando fortemente na funcionalidade do indivíduo. O aumento do conhecimento sobre as habilidades cognitivas pode trazer contribuições no processo diagnóstico e no planejamento da intervenção. OBJETIVO: Estimar o funcionamento cognitivo geral, verbal e não verbal de crianças e adolescentes com Síndrome de Deleção 22q11.2. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, descritivo, tipo série de casos, com 15 indivíduos entre 7-18 anos com diagnóstico da Síndrome de Deleção 22q11.2. A avaliação das habilidades cognitivas foi realizada com a Escala Wechsler Abreviada de Inteligência (WASI). Para análise dos dados, foi utilizada análise estatística descritiva, com frequências absolutas para variáveis, e média, mediana, desvio padrão, mínima e máximo para variáveis numéricas. RESULTADOS: Na análise do grupo, observou-se um importante grau de comprometimento cognitivo. A maior parte da amostra (n=8; 53,33%) mostrou quociente de inteligência total extremamente baixo. Os casos com desempenhos mais baixos apresentaram maiores dificuldades em relação às habilidades de coordenação visuomotora e visuoespacial. Em relação à pontuação representativa do quociente de inteligência na escala WASI, a amostra apresentou uma grande variabilidade de resultados (entre 40 a 92 pontos), com mediana total de 83 pontos. CONCLUSÕES: As dificuldades cognitivas encontradas indicam a necessidade de uma intervenção precoce para auxiliar não só no desenvolvimento cognitivo, mas socioemocional de crianças com a Síndrome de Deleção 22q11.2 visando sua participação na sociedade.