Association between telomere length with alcohol use disorder and internalizing/externalizing comorbidities in a Brazilian male sample.

BACKGROUND: Shortening telomere length (TL) is an important ageing marker associated with substance use disorder (SUD). However, the influence of psychiatric and clinical comorbidities and alcohol-related outcomes has not been much explored in the context of TL in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and may be a source of heterogeneity in AUD studies. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the influence of AUD, alcohol-related outcomes, and common psychiatric comorbidities on TL in men with AUD and healthy controls (HC). METHODS: Men with AUD (n = 108, mean age = 52.4, SD = 8.6) were recruited in a detoxification unit, and HC (n = 80, mean age = 50.04, SD = 9.1) from the blood bank, both located in Brazil. HC had no current or lifetime diagnosis of any substance use disorder. Psychiatric comorbidities were assessed using SCID-I. TL ratio was measured in triplicates using quantitative multiplex PCR. RESULTS: Telomere length did not differ between individuals with AUD and HC (p = 0.073) or was associated with AUD-related outcomes, trauma, or clinical comorbidities. Individuals with externalizing disorders had longer TL when comparing with those with internalizing disorders (p = 0.018) or without comorbidity (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that TL was influenced by the presence of psychiatric comorbidity rather than case or control status. These results were adjusted for potential confounders, such as age.

U-SMILE: a brief version of the Short Multidimensional Inventory on Lifestyle Evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Lifestyle Medicine comprises six domains: diet, substance use, physical activity, stress management, social connection, and sleep. The comprehensive assessment of lifestyle is challenging, but the "Short Multidimensional Inventory on Lifestyle Evaluation" (SMILE) was developed to fill out this gap. In this paper, we describe the development and the psychometric properties (internal consistency, concurrent and convergent validity) of a shorter version of the SMILE among university students. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional study including 369 students from 10 Brazilian universities were used. Considering a theoretical nomological net, we performed exploratory factor analysis to obtain the most parsimonious, interpretable and good-fitting model. RESULTS: The final model was called U-SMILE, comprised 24 items, and presented acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.73, McDonald's ω = 0.79). To evaluate the concurrent validity of the U-SMILE, we compared it to the original SMILE and found a high correlation between the instruments (Spearman's r= 0.94). Furthermore, we evaluated convergent validity by examining the U-SMILE correlation with the PHQ-9 (Spearman's r= -0.517), and GAD-7 (Spearman's r= -0.356), two validated instruments to screen for depression and anxiety, respectively. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that the U-SMILE is a valid instrument for assessing lifestyle among university students. We recommend that the use of U-SMILE to evaluate overall lifestyle scores rather than individual domain scores. Finally, we discuss the importance of clarifying the definitions of lifestyle and related constructs in future research.

High COVID-19 morbidity and mortality risk among smoked drug users in Brazil.

ABSTRACT: In much of the West, including Brazil, drug use has increased since social distancing began in response to the pandemic. Use of smoked and modified drugs, and their impacts on health, may contribute to aggravate the effects of the pandemic. However, studies on the relationship between use of smoked drugs and the new coronavirus are still scarce and have not received enough attention in global health recommendations. This paper aims to briefly review the relationship between use of smoked drugs and acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]. Recent studies also suggest that drug consumption increases the risk of contamination by SARS-CoV-2 and leads to worse prognosis, particularly consumption of drugs that affect lung function. Use of smoked drugs, especially tobacco, is strongly associated with lung diseases that are risk factors for contamination by SARS-CoV-2. It is essential to develop strategies based on specific characteristics of drug users and for mental health professionals to be included in strategic teams. It is also necessary to invest in information campaigns regarding risks and prevention of harm caused by smoked drugs as well as to design strategies that facilitate access to psychosocial treatment during the pandemic.

High COVID-19 morbidity and mortality risk among smoked drug users in Brazil

Abstract In much of the West, including Brazil, drug use has increased since social distancing began in response to the pandemic. Use of smoked and modified drugs, and their impacts on health, may contribute to aggravate the effects of the pandemic. However, studies on the relationship between use of smoked drugs and the new coronavirus are still scarce and have not received enough attention in global health recommendations. This paper aims to briefly review the relationship between use of smoked drugs and acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]. Recent studies also suggest that drug consumption increases the risk of contamination by SARS-CoV-2 and leads to worse prognosis, particularly consumption of drugs that affect lung function. Use of smoked drugs, especially tobacco, is strongly associated with lung diseases that are risk factors for contamination by SARS-CoV-2. It is essential to develop strategies based on specific characteristics of drug users and for mental health professionals to be included in strategic teams. It is also necessary to invest in information campaigns regarding risks and prevention of harm caused by smoked drugs as well as to design strategies that facilitate access to psychosocial treatment during the pandemic.

Differential impact on suicide mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Objectives: To compare suicide rates observed in Brazil after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the estimated rate based on suicide deaths between 2010 and 2020, and identify sociodemographic variables associated with this outcome. Methods: Ecological time-series study. Data were obtained from Brazilian Unified Health System Department of Information Technology (DATASUS), with the structural break of the data set in March 2020. The number of actual suicides observed and the number of expected suicides if there were no COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed through bayesian structural time series modeling. Results: The overall incidence of suicides in Brazil remained stable after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to what would be expected. However, there was a significant increase in suicide deaths among women (6.9%) and older adult (9.1%). Analysis by macro-regions of the country showed significant increases in suicide deaths in the Center-West (7.4%), Northeast (5.7%), and Southeast (10%). Stratified analyses revealed differences according to age, sex, education, and skin color. Conclusions: Despite stability in the overall number of suicides, this phenomenon occurs heterogeneously among different population groups and regions of Brazil. Rates have increased in populations with a history of poor access to health, which may have been more severely impacted by the pandemic.

Differential impact on suicide mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To compare suicide rates observed in Brazil after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the estimated rate based on suicide deaths between 2010 and 2020, and identify sociodemographic variables associated with this outcome. METHODS: Ecological time-series study. Data were obtained from Brazilian Unified Health System Department of Information Technology (DATASUS), with the structural break of the data set in March 2020. The number of actual suicides observed and the number of expected suicides if there were no COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed through bayesian structural time series modeling. RESULTS: The overall incidence of suicides in Brazil remained stable after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to what would be expected. However, there was a significant increase in suicide deaths among women (6.9%) and older adult (9.1%). Analysis by macro-regions of the country showed significant increases in suicide deaths in the Center-West (7.4%), Northeast (5.7%), and Southeast (10%). Stratified analyses revealed differences according to age, sex, education, and skin color. CONCLUSIONS: Despite stability in the overall number of suicides, this phenomenon occurs heterogeneously among different population groups and regions of Brazil. Rates have increased in populations with a history of poor access to health, which may have been more severely impacted by the pandemic.

The next pandemic: impact of COVID-19 in mental healthcare assistance in a nationwide epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported the worsening of psychiatric symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have evaluated the impact on the access to mental health services during COVID-19. Our aim was to analyze temporal trends and prediction of appointments held in Brazil's public health system, to compare the observed and expected number of mental healthcare appointments during the COVID-19 pandemics. METHODS: An ecological time-series study was performed, analyzing mental health appointments before and during the pandemic (from 2016 and 2020) from the Brazilian governmental database. The structural break in the data series was assessed using the Chow test, with the break considered in March 2020. Bayesian structural time-series models were used to estimate current average appointments and the predicted expectation if there was no pandemic. FINDINGS: Compared to the expected, between March and August 2020 about 28% less outpatient appointments in mental health were observed, totaling 471,448 individuals with suspended assistance. Group appointments and psychiatric hospitalizations were also severely impacted by the pandemic (decreased of 68% and 33%, respectively). On the other hand, mental health emergency consultations and home care increased during this period (36% and 52%, respectively). INTERPRETATION: Our findings demonstrate a dramatic change in mental health assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, which corroborates a recent WHO survey. This phenomenon can aggravate the mental health crisis and generate a parallel pandemic that may last for a longer time than the COVID-19 pandemic. FUNDING: This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001.

Incidência de AIDS em idosos do Rio Grande do Sul de 1997 a 2017: um estudo ecológico / AIDS incidence in Rio Grande do Sul in elderly from 1997 to 2017: an ecological study / Incidencia de SIDA en personas mayores en Rio Grande do Sul de 1997 a 2017: un estudio ecológico

Justificativa e Objetivos: O Rio Grande do Sul está entre os estados brasileiros com maior percentual de idosos. Mas, apesar das altas taxas de HIV/AIDS que têm sido verificadas na população geral, existem poucas investigações científicas que exploram este tema na população idosa. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a incidência anual de AIDS na população com 60 anos ou mais de idade, residente no estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil, no período de 1997 a 2017, e comparar a diferença na taxa de infecção entre os sexos. Métodos: Estudo ecológico de série temporal. As informações sobre as notificações anuais de AIDS foram coletadas no TABNET, e os dados populacionais do RS foram consultados do TABNET e do site da Fundação de Economia e Estatística (FEE) do RS. A incidência anual foi calculada por 100 mil habitantes. Resultados: Entre 1997 e 2017 foram notificados 3.697 casos de AIDS em idosos no RS. No comparativo entre 1997 e 2017, a incidência anual de AIDS em idosos no RS aumentou de 3,92 para 13,71/100 mil habitantes, o que configura um crescimento de 249,93% (340,49% entre homens e 171,50% entre mulheres). Conclusão: O percentual de diagnósticos de AIDS em idosos no RS foi seis vezes superior ao evidenciado na população geral. A taxa em homens foi quase duas vezes mais alta do que a das mulheres. Isso pode decorrer do aumento da expectativa de vida e de fatores relacionados ao comportamento sexual, como o uso de medicações para impotência e reposição hormonal e de tecnologias de comunicação.(AU)

Background and Objectives: Rio Grande do Sul (RS) is one of the Brazilian states with the highest percentage of older adults. However, despite the high rates of HIV/AIDS that have been detected in the general population, there are few scientific investigations regarding its prevalence in the older adult population. Our goal is to identify the annual incidence of AIDS in the population aged 60 or over living in the State of RS, Brazil, from 1997 to 2017, and to compare the sex differences in infection rates. Methods: This was a time-series ecological study. Information on annual AIDS notifications was collected on TABNET, and population data of RS was collected on TABNET and the website of the Foundation of Economy and Statistics (FEE) of RS. The annual incidence was calculated per 100,000 inhabitants. Results: Between 1997 and 2017, 3,697 AIDS cases in older adults were notified in RS. In the comparison between 1997 and 2017, the annual incidence of AIDS in older adults in RS increased from 3.92 to 13.71/100,000 inhabitants, and a 249.93% increase (340.49% among men and 171.50% among women). Conclusion: The percentage of AIDS diagnostic in RS was six times higher in older adults than in the general population. The rate for men was almost twice as high as that for women. This may be due to increased life expectancy and other factors related to sexual behavior, such as medications for erectile dysfunction and hormonal replacement, and communication technologies.(AU)

Justificación y Objetivos: Rio Grande do Sul se encuentra entre los estados brasileños con el mayor porcentaje de personas mayores. Además, se han observado altas tasas de VIH/SIDA en la población general; sin embargo, hay pocas investigaciones científicas que exploren este tema. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la incidencia anual de SIDA en la población mayor de 60 años residente en Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, en el periodo de 1997 a 2017, así como comparar la diferencia en la tasa de infección entre los sexos. Métodos: Estudio ecológico de series de tiempo. La información sobre las notificaciones anuales de SIDA se consultó en TABNET y los datos de población de ese estado se recopilaron en TABNET y en el sitio web de la Fundación de Economía y Estadística (FEE). La incidencia anual se calculó por 100 mil habitantes. Resultados: Entre 1997 y 2017 se reportaron 3.697 casos de SIDA en las personas mayores en este estado. En la comparación entre 1997 y 2017, la incidencia anual de SIDA en ancianos encontrada pasó de 3,92 a 13,71/100.000 habitantes, lo que representa un aumento del 249,93% (340,49% en hombres y 171,50% entre mujeres). Conclusiones: El porcentaje de diagnóstico de SIDA en personas mayores encontrado fue seis veces mayor al evidenciado en la población general. La tasa de los hombres fue casi el doble que la de las mujeres. Esto puede deberse al aumento de la esperanza de vida y factores relacionados con la conducta sexual, como el uso de medicamentos para la impotencia y el reemplazo hormonal y tecnologías de la comunicación.(AU)

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on substance use: Implications for prevention and treatment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought major challenges to healthcare systems and public health policies globally, as it requires novel treatment and prevention strategies to adapt for the impact of the pandemic. Individuals with substance user disorders (SUD) are at risk population for contamination due to multiple factors-attributable to their clinical, psychological and psychosocial conditions. Moreover, social and economic changes caused by the pandemic, along with the traditional difficulties regarding treatment access and adherence-will certainly worsen during this period, therefore aggravate their condition. In addition, this population are potential vectors of transmission. In that sense, specific strategies for prevention and treatment must be discussed. health care professionals dealing with SUD must be aware of the risks and challenges they will meet during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Addiction care must be reinforced, instead of postponed, in order to avoid complications of both SUD and COVID-19 and to prevent the transmission of coronavirus.

Alcohol Use and COVID-19: Can we Predict the Impact of the Pandemic on Alcohol Use Based on the Previous Crises in the 21st Century? A Brief Review.

The enormous health and economic challenges precipitated by the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are comparable or even greater than those associated with previous historical world crises. Alcohol use, especially drinking to cope with stress, is a concern, as an increase in its sales has been reported in some countries during the quarantine. This study aims to provide a better understanding of what to expect in terms of alcohol consumption, risk factors for excessive use, and its potential consequences during this pandemic based on previous experiences. We investigated how traumatic events related to alcohol consumption. Studies on mass traumatic events (i.e., terrorism as 9/11), epidemic outbreaks (i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS] in 2003), economic crises (such as 2008's Great Recession), and COVID-19 were selected. The main keywords used to select the studies were alcohol use, drinking patterns, alcohol use disorders, and alcohol-related consequences. Previous studies reported increases in alcohol use associated with those events mediated, at least partially, by anxiety and depressive symptoms, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Being male, young, and single also seems to be associated with a higher vulnerability to develop risky drinking behavior after those tragic events. The discussion of previous risk and protective factors can contribute to elaborate more specific public health policies to mitigate the impact of the current pandemic on people's mental health, especially alcohol-related problems.

Crack/cocaine users show more family problems than other substance users.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate family problems among crack/cocaine users compared with alcohol and other substance users. METHODS: A cross-sectional multi-center study selected 741 current adult substance users from outpatient and inpatient Brazilian specialized clinics. Subjects were evaluated with the sixth version of the Addiction Severity Index, and 293 crack users were compared with 126 cocaine snorters and 322 alcohol and other drug users. RESULTS: Cocaine users showed more family problems when compared with other drug users, with no significant difference between routes of administration. These problems included arguing (crack 66.5%, powder cocaine 63.3%, other drugs 50.3%, p=0.004), having trouble getting along with partners (61.5%× 64.6%× 48.7%, p=0.013), and the need for additional childcare services in order to attend treatment (13.3%×10.3%×5.1%, p=0.002). Additionally, the majority of crack/cocaine users had spent time with relatives in the last month (84.6%×86.5%×76.6%, p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian treatment programs should enhance family treatment strategies, and childcare services need to be included.

Crack/cocaine users show more family problems than other substance users

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate family problems among crack/cocaine users compared with alcohol and other substance users. METHODS: A cross-sectional multi-center study selected 741 current adult substance users from outpatient and inpatient Brazilian specialized clinics. Subjects were evaluated with the sixth version of the Addiction Severity Index, and 293 crack users were compared with 126 cocaine snorters and 322 alcohol and other drug users. RESULTS: Cocaine users showed more family problems when compared with other drug users, with no significant difference between routes of administration. These problems included arguing (crack 66.5%, powder cocaine 63.3%, other drugs 50.3%, p = 0.004), having trouble getting along with partners (61.5%×64.6%×48.7%, p = 0.013), and the need for additional childcare services in order to attend treatment (13.3%×10.3%×5.1%, p = 0.002). Additionally, the majority of crack/cocaine users had spent time with relatives in the last month (84.6%×86.5%×76.6%, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian treatment programs should enhance family treatment strategies, and childcare services need to be included. .

The effects of ADHD in adult substance abusers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychiatric comorbidities and different areas of life functioning in substance abusers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. A cross-sectional, multi-center study involving 285 adult substance abusers from outpatient and inpatient clinics was performed. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, the sixth version of the Addiction Severity Index, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview were used for data collection. Individuals with comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders showed increased addiction severity when compared with individuals without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (53.3 ± 7.3 vs. 48.4 ± 8.4, respectively). Our results suggest that comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders is associated with a more severe course of substance use and with social and psychiatric impairment.