ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate epidemiological factors related to treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) in Northeast Brazil, a region where data about mental health are still scarce. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included all patients with schizophrenia currently receiving treatment at the outpatient psychiatric clinic of a tertiary hospital in Northeast Brazil. They were divided into TRS and treatment-responsive groups, and epidemiological characteristics of both groups were compared. A logistic regression model investigated factors related to treatment resistance. RESULTS: Two hundred and five patients were included, 155 treatment-resistant and 50 treatment-responsive. The TRS group had higher use of benzodiazepines (36.1 vs. 18%, p = 0.017) and antiepileptics (36.8 vs. 8.0%, p < 0.001), antipsychotic polypharmacy (28.6 vs. 8%, p = 0.003) and suicide attempts (35.6 vs. 20%, p = 0.04). Age at onset was younger (19.7±7.3 vs. 24.6±8.6 years, p = 0.001) and CGI was higher in TRS (3.72±1.00 vs. 3.16±1.00, p = 0.001). In logistic regression, being married was a protector (odds ratio [OR] = 0.248, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.091-0.679, p = 0.007) and younger age at onset was a predictor (OR = 1.076, 95%CI 1.034-1.120, p < 0.001) of treatment resistance. CONCLUSION: Early onset of disease was associated with more treatment resistance, while being married with less resistance. Clinicians should identify early predictors of resistance in order to reduce unfavorable outcomes.
ABSTRACT
We report a case of a 49-year-old male patient with abdominal distension and diffuse stomach cramps associated with peripheral eosinophilia. Treatment for eosinophilic parasitosis was not effective. After a few weeks, the patient developed acute obstructive abdomen with ascites, which was atypically improved with the use of antispasmodics and analgesics. Upper digestive endoscopy, colonoscopy and histopathologic examination of the gastric and intestinal mucosa did not show any significant changes. Video laparoscopic biopsy of the mesenteric lymph node and peritoneum revealed a nonspecific chronic inflammatory process with intense diffuse tissue eosinophilia. Complementary tests revealed right-sided pleural effusion and increased serum immunoglobulin E levels, with altered D-xylose absorption test results. The patient was treated with a hypoallergenic diet and an oral corticosteroid; the symptoms resolved and the laboratory test results improved. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. The clinical presentation varies according to the affected site and the depth and extent of digestive tract involvement. This case report, which presents the rare simultaneous involvement of the mucosal, muscular and serosal layers, aims to describe and discuss the clinical and therapeutic aspects of eosinophilic gastroenteritis as well as its progression.