Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder: recent advances in neurobiology and treatment.

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by persistent insufficient nutritional and/or energy intake. ARFID, before referred to as "selective eating disorder", was introduced recently in the DSM-5 as a replacement for and expansion of the previous diagnosis. Individuals with ARFID may limit food variety and intake due to avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of the food or related to any adverse consequences of eating without the intention of losing weight and concerns of body image. The limited understanding of avoidant and restrictive eating poses challenges to effective treatment and management, impacting directly on the growth and development of children and adolescents. The ARFID neurobiological concept has not yet been clearly defined to clinical practice for nutritionists, thereby hindering screening and impeding the development of treatment recommendations. This narrative review provide useful practical information to consult the pathophysiology, the neurobiology, the clinical features, the assessment and the treatment for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their clinical knowledge and management of this disorder.

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by persistent insufficient nutritional and/or energy intake. Individuals with ARFID exhibit limited food intake and variety, often due to a lack in eating, without the primary goal of weight loss. The limited understanding of avoidant and restrictive eating poses challenges in terms of effective treatment and management, which directly impacts the growth and development of children and adolescents, as well as their nutrition and psychosocial well-being. ARFID is a relatively recent diagnostic classification, representing a burgeoning field of study. The identification of diagnostic criteria and the pursuit of new knowledge in this area have only recently begun. Consequently, assessment tools and treatment strategies are still in the process of development and validation. This narrative review explored the neurobiological perspective of ARFID using the three-dimensional model, examined its etiology and risk factors, evaluated clinical screening and evaluation tools, discussed common clinical complications, and presented different types of nutritional, behavioural, and pharmacological interventions used in ARFID treatment.

Bienestar subjetivo, imagen corporal y funcionalidad de candidatos a cirugía bariátrica o sometidos a la misma / Subjective well-being, body image, and functional capacity in people candidate for or undergoing bariatric surgery

Los estudios aquí presentados buscaron evaluar y comparar el bienestar subjetivo (BES), la funcionalidad y la imagen corporal de personas con obesidad mórbida, candidatas a cirugía bariátrica (CB) y sometidas a la misma, e identificar la relación de los componentes del BES con el IMC, la funcionalidad y la imagen corporal, controlando las características de personalidad extroversión y neuroticismo. Participaron 48 personas en periodo prequirúrgico y 29 en posquirúrgico. Se usó la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (ESV), la escala PANAS, el WHODAS 2.0, la Escala de Figuras y Siluetas y la Batería Factorial de Personalidad. Se identificaron diferencias significativas en todas las variables, a excepción del afecto positivo, la comprensión y la comunicación y la relación con las personas. La funcionalidad se correlacionó con todos los componentes del BES y contribuyó a explicar la varianza de la ESV y el afecto negativo. Los factores de personalidad fueron más importantes para explicar el afecto positivo

This paper presents two studies that aimed (1) at assessing and comparing the subjective well-being (SWB), and functional capacity and body image of people with morbid obesity, candidate for or undergoing bariatric surgery (BS), and (2) at identifying the relationship among the components of SWB, BMI, functional capacity, and body image. The sample was composed by 48 patients in pre-surgery period, and 29 in post-surgery. Instruments used were the Life Satisfaction Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, WHODAS 2.0, the Brazilian scale of figures and silhouettes, and the bateria fatorial da personalidade. Statistically significant differences were found between both groups in all the variables, except positive affect, comprehension and communication, and relationships with others. FC was correlated to all the components of SWB and contributed to explaining the variance of life satisfaction and negative affect. Personality traits turned out to be more important than other variables for explaining the variance of positive affect

Personality characteristics and bariatric surgery outcomes: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION:: Numerous studies have focused on psychological assessment of bariatric surgery candidates, aiming to identify which psychological variables, including personality characteristics, are related to successful surgical prognosis. OBJECTIVE:: To analyze, by means of a systematic literature review, longitudinal studies that investigated personality traits and disorders as possible predictors of outcomes in bariatric surgery. METHOD:: PsycInfo, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched for studies published between 2005 and 2015, using the keywords "bariatric" AND "personality." Quantitative longitudinal studies in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were selected for review if they assessed personality as an outcome predictor of BS in people aged 18 years or older. RESULTS:: Sixteen articles were analyzed. The results of this review suggest that externalizing dysfunctions might be associated with less weight reduction, while internalizing dysfunctions appear to be associated with somatic concerns and psychological distress. The persistence dimension (of temperament in Cloninger's model) was positively associated with greater weight loss, while neuroticism (Five Factor Model) and the occurrence of personality disorders were not predictive of weight loss. Furthermore, the results indicate a tendency towards a reduction in personality disorders and neuroticism scores, and an increase in extroversion scores, after BS. CONCLUSIONS:: Assessment of personality characteristics, whether to identify their predictive power or to detect changes during the BS process, is important since it can provide grounds for estimating surgical prognosis and for development of interventions targeting this population.

Personality characteristics and bariatric surgery outcomes: a systematic review / Características de personalidade e desfechos em cirurgia bariátrica: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Introduction: Numerous studies have focused on psychological assessment of bariatric surgery candidates, aiming to identify which psychological variables, including personality characteristics, are related to successful surgical prognosis. Objective: To analyze, by means of a systematic literature review, longitudinal studies that investigated personality traits and disorders as possible predictors of outcomes in bariatric surgery. Method: PsycInfo, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched for studies published between 2005 and 2015, using the keywords "bariatric" AND "personality." Quantitative longitudinal studies in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were selected for review if they assessed personality as an outcome predictor of BS in people aged 18 years or older. Results: Sixteen articles were analyzed. The results of this review suggest that externalizing dysfunctions might be associated with less weight reduction, while internalizing dysfunctions appear to be associated with somatic concerns and psychological distress. The persistence dimension (of temperament in Cloninger's model) was positively associated with greater weight loss, while neuroticism (Five Factor Model) and the occurrence of personality disorders were not predictive of weight loss. Furthermore, the results indicate a tendency towards a reduction in personality disorders and neuroticism scores, and an increase in extroversion scores, after BS. Conclusions: Assessment of personality characteristics, whether to identify their predictive power or to detect changes during the BS process, is important since it can provide grounds for estimating surgical prognosis and for development of interventions targeting this population.

Resumo Introdução: A avaliação psicológica de candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica (CB) tem sido foco de inúmeros estudos com a finalidade de identificar quais as variáveis psicológicas, entre elas as características de personalidade, que se relacionam ao prognóstico cirúrgico. Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão sistemática através de estudos longitudinais que investigaram traços e transtornos de personalidade como possíveis preditores de resultados em CB. Método: Pesquisas nas bases de dados PsycInfo, PubMed e Scopus foram realizadas entre os anos de 2005 e 2015, considerando os descritores "bariatric" AND "personality". Foram incluídos estudos longitudinais quantitativos, em inglês, português ou espanhol, que avaliaram personalidade como preditor de desfecho em CB em população com 18 anos ou mais. Resultados: Dezesseis artigos foram analisados. Os achados sugerem que alterações externalizantes podem estar associadas à menor perda de peso, enquanto que as alterações internalizantes a preocupações somáticas e distúrbios psicológicos; a dimensão persistência (temperamento no modelo de Cloninger) foi associada positivamente a maior perda de peso, enquanto que o fator neuroticismo (Modelo dos Cinco Fatores), e a existência de transtornos da personalidade não foram se mostraram preditivos de perda de peso. Ainda, os resultados indicam uma tendência à redução da prevalência de transtornos de personalidade e diminuição dos escores de neuroticismo e aumento dos escores de extroversão após a CB. Conclusões: A avaliação das características de personalidade, como poder preditivo ou em suas alterações ao longo do processo da CB, torna-se importante a medida que pode auxiliar no prognóstico cirúrgico e no planejamento de intervenções junto a essa população.

Health-related quality of life in adolescents with congenital heart disease.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the health-related quality of life of adolescents with congenital heart disease, describing health-related quality of life according to the diagnosis and severity of congenital heart disease, identified by variables such as the presence of symptoms, surgical interventions, use of medication, and residual lesion. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 203 adolescents with congenital heart disease attended at the Pediatric Cardiology ambulatory of a reference hospital in Brazil. The Brazilian version of the questionnaire KIDSCREEN-27 was used for the assessment of health-related quality of life. Information related to the congenital heart disease diagnosis and clinical variables were collected from the medical records of the patients. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between acyanotic and cyanotic groups, as well as for the different diagnosis of congenital heart disease. A trend for better health-related quality of life in the dimension of Psychological Well-Being (p=0.054) was found in the groups with surgical intervention and use of medication. Adolescents that referred a good general health presented significantly better results in all dimensions of health-related quality of life, except for Autonomy and Parent Relation, than those who presented clinical symptoms (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Type of congenital heart disease and initial diagnosis did not seem to affect the perception of health-related quality of life, corroborating findings of several studies. Surgical interventions and the use of medication can improve previous clinical status, and therefore it seems to be beneficial in terms of Psychological Well-Being. The presence of clinical symptoms was the variable that caused the largest impact on the perception of health-related quality of life, possibly because of the impairment they bring to the daily lives of these patients.

Quality of life and congenital heart disease in childhood and adolescence.

Advances in cardiac surgery techniques and early diagnosis have enabled the increased survival of individuals with congenital heart disease. The investigation of the quality of life in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease provides complementary information to clinical data that can assist in decision making on the part of health professionals. Although many studies have been conducted to investigate the quality of life of children and adolescents with congenital heart disease, the results prove to be contradictory; while some studies show that congenital heart disease can impact the quality of life, others describe a better perception of quality of life among children and adolescents who suffer from the disease when compared with healthy control subjects. The purpose of this study is to review the literature on the assessment of health related quality of life in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease, in order to systematize the existing knowledge on this topic today. It is observed that research seeks to investigate aspects of personality in cardiac patients, their coping strategies used and perceived social support, aiming at better understanding the association of these variables with the level of quality of life in this population.

Qualidade de Vida e Cardiopatia Congenita na Infancia e Adolescencia / Quality of Life and Congenital Heart Disease in Childhood and Adolescenc

Os avanços nas técnicas de cirurgia cardíaca e o diagnóstico precoce têm possibilitado maior sobrevida de indivíduos com cardiopatias congênitas. A investigação da qualidade de vida em crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatias congênitas fornece informações complementares aos dados clínicos que podem auxiliar na tomada de decisão dos profissionais de saúde. Embora muitos estudos tenham sido realizados para investigar a qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatias congênitas, os resultados mostram-se contraditórios. Enquanto alguns estudos revelam que as cardiopatias podem impactar a qualidade de vida, outros descrevem melhor percepção da qualidade de vida entre crianças e adolescentes cardiopatas quando comparados com controles saudáveis. O objetivo deste estudo é revisar a literatura sobre a avaliação da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatias congênitas, de forma a sistematizar o conhecimento existente sobre esse tema na atualidade. Observa-se que as pesquisas procuram investigar aspectos relacionados à personalidade do paciente cardiopata, às estratégias de enfrentamento utilizadas por ele e ao suporte social percebido, visando à melhor compreensão da associação de tais variáveis com o nível de qualidade de vida nessa população.

Advances in cardiac surgery techniques and early diagnosis have enabled the increased survival of individuals with congenital heart disease. The investigation of the quality of life in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease provides complementary information to clinical data that can assist in decision making on the part of health professionals. Although many studies have been conducted to investigate the quality of life of children and adolescents with congenital heart disease, the results prove to be contradictory; while some studies show that congenital heart disease can impact the quality of life, others describe a better perception of quality of life among children and adolescents who suffer from the disease when compared with healthy control subjects. The purpose of this study is to review the literature on the assessment of health related quality of life in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease, in order to systematize the existing knowledge on this topic today. It is observed that research seeks to investigate aspects of personality in cardiac patients, their coping strategies used and perceived social support, aiming at better understanding the association of these variables with the level of quality of life in this population.

Avaliação do Estresse na Obesidade Infantil / Assessment of Stress in Childhood Obesity / Evaluación del Estrés en la Obesidad Infantil

A obesidade infantil é uma doença de causas múltiplas, com repercussões de ordem fisiológica e emocional que pode progredir até a idade adulta. O aumento da obesidade entre as crianças brasileiras está associado ao estilo de vida contemporâneo, que vem se caracterizando pelo sedentarismo e hábitos alimentares inadequados. Entende-se que essa combinação, associada ao estresse, desempenha papel significativo na gênese da obesidade infantil, sendo que os sintomas de estresse variam e dependem da maneira como a criança interpreta e reage às situações do ambiente. Com base nesse entendimento, este trabalho objetivou avaliar o nível de estresse em crianças obesas que frequentam o Instituto de Cardiologia de Porto Alegre. Participaram do estudo 15 crianças com diagnóstico de obesidade, com idades entre oito e 12 anos. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: uma Ficha de Dados Sociodemográficos e de outras informações sobre cada criança, e a Escala de Stress Infantil de Lipp (2005). Sete crianças obtiveram resultados indicativos de estresse (cinco meninas e dois meninos). Os resultados reforçam a expectativa de aumento da obesidade associada ao estresse entre as crianças e sua relação com as alterações do estilo de vida...

Childhood obesity is a disease of multiple causes, with physiological and emotional repercussions that can progress until adulthood. The increase of obesity among Brazilian children is associated to the contemporary lifestyle, characterized by sedentary and inadequate eating habits. It is known that this combination, associated with stress, plays significant role in the genesis of childhood obesity, and that stress symptoms are variable, depending on how the child reacts and interprets the situations of the environment. Therefore, this study had the purpose of evaluating the stress level of obese children that attend Instituto de Cardiologia, in Porto Alegre. Fifteen children with obesity took part in the study, ages from 8 to 12 years old. The instruments used were a Record of Socio-Demographical Data and other important information to understand the child behavior, and the Children Stress Scale (Lipp, 2005). Seven children obtained significant results for stress (five girls and two boys). The results reinforce the expectancy for the increase of obesity associated with stress among children, related to the changes in life style...

La obesidad en la infancia es una enfermedad de múltiples causas, con los efectos fisiológicos y emocionales que puede progresar a la edad adulta. El aumento de la obesidad entre los niños brasileños está asociado con el estilo de la vida contemporánea, que se ha caracterizado por la inactividad y dieta inadecuada. Se entiende que la combinación del con estrés tiene importancia en la génesis de la obesidad infantil, y los síntomas de estrés son variables y dependen de cómo el niño interpreta y reacciona a las situaciones del medio ambiente. En este supuesto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el nivel de estrés en niños obesos en el Instituto de Cardiología de Porto Alegre. Los participantes del estudio fueron 15 niños obesos, de edades comprendidas entre los 8 y 12 años. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron una Ficha de Datos Socio-Demográficos y otras informaciónes importantes para comprender el funcionamiento de los niños y la Escala de Estrés para niños de Lipp (2005). Siete niños tuvo resultados de estrés (cinco niñas y dos niños). Los resultados refuerzan la expectativa de un aumento del estrés asociado con la obesidad entre los niños, y su relación con los cambios en el estilo de vida...

Avaliação do Estresse na Obesidade Infantil / Assessment of Stress in Childhood Obesity / Evaluación del Estrés en la Obesidad Infantil

A obesidade infantil é uma doença de causas múltiplas, com repercussões de ordem fisiológica e emocional que pode progredir até a idade adulta. O aumento da obesidade entre as crianças brasileiras está associado ao estilo de vida contemporâneo, que vem se caracterizando pelo sedentarismo e hábitos alimentares inadequados. Entende-se que essa combinação, associada ao estresse, desempenha papel significativo na gênese da obesidade infantil, sendo que os sintomas de estresse variam e dependem da maneira como a criança interpreta e reage às situações do ambiente. Com base nesse entendimento, este trabalho objetivou avaliar o nível de estresse em crianças obesas que frequentam o Instituto de Cardiologia de Porto Alegre. Participaram do estudo 15 crianças com diagnóstico de obesidade, com idades entre oito e 12 anos. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: uma Ficha de Dados Sociodemográficos e de outras informações sobre cada criança, e a Escala de Stress Infantil de Lipp (2005). Sete crianças obtiveram resultados indicativos de estresse (cinco meninas e dois meninos). Os resultados reforçam a expectativa de aumento da obesidade associada ao estresse entre as crianças e sua relação com as alterações do estilo de vida.(AU)

Childhood obesity is a disease of multiple causes, with physiological and emotional repercussions that can progress until adulthood. The increase of obesity among Brazilian children is associated to the contemporary lifestyle, characterized by sedentary and inadequate eating habits. It is known that this combination, associated with stress, plays significant role in the genesis of childhood obesity, and that stress symptoms are variable, depending on how the child reacts and interprets the situations of the environment. Therefore, this study had the purpose of evaluating the stress level of obese children that attend Instituto de Cardiologia, in Porto Alegre. Fifteen children with obesity took part in the study, ages from 8 to 12 years old. The instruments used were a Record of Socio-Demographical Data and other important information to understand the child behavior, and the Children Stress Scale (Lipp, 2005). Seven children obtained significant results for stress (five girls and two boys). The results reinforce the expectancy for the increase of obesity associated with stress among children, related to the changes in life style.(AU)

La obesidad en la infancia es una enfermedad de múltiples causas, con los efectos fisiológicos y emocionales que puede progresar a la edad adulta. El aumento de la obesidad entre los niños brasileños está asociado con el estilo de la vida contemporánea, que se ha caracterizado por la inactividad y dieta inadecuada. Se entiende que la combinación del con estrés tiene importancia en la génesis de la obesidad infantil, y los síntomas de estrés son variables y dependen de cómo el niño interpreta y reacciona a las situaciones del medio ambiente. En este supuesto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el nivel de estrés en niños obesos en el Instituto de Cardiología de Porto Alegre. Los participantes del estudio fueron 15 niños obesos, de edades comprendidas entre los 8 y 12 años. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron una Ficha de Datos Socio-Demográficos y otras informaciónes importantes para comprender el funcionamiento de los niños y la Escala de Estrés para niños de Lipp (2005). Siete niños tuvo resultados de estrés (cinco niñas y dos niños). Los resultados refuerzan la expectativa de un aumento del estrés asociado con la obesidad entre los niños, y su relación con los cambios en el estilo de vida.(AU)

Imagem corporal e bailarinas profissionais / Body image of professional ballet dancers

A imagem corporal é um tema que sempre está em evidência quando se aborda a dança em suas diferentes modalidades. A busca da imagem corporal ideal em bailarinas vai além dos parâmetros da população em geral e, na medida em que elas se tornam profissionais, a necessidade de manter o peso adequado vai aumentando. Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar o nível de satisfação de bailarinas de balé clássico e de dança jazz com sua imagem corporal, identificando as diferenças e semelhanças entre os dois grupos. Pretende-se ainda identificar semelhanças e diferenças no nível de satisfação com a imagem corporal de bailarinas clássicas de países diferentes. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de campo descritiva. A amostra foi composta por 15 bailarinas adultas profissionais de balé clássico e 16 bailarinas de dança jazz de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil, e por nove bailarinas adultas profissionais radicadas em Nova Iorque, Estados Unidos. O instrumento utilizado para avaliar o nível de satisfação com a imagem corporal foi o Questionário de Imagem Corporal - BSQ, que mede o grau de preocupação com a forma do corpo, a autodepreciação devido à aparência física e a sensação de estar gordo. Os dados foram analisados com auxílio do programa estatístico SPSS 15.0. Para a comparação dos dados foram aplicados os testes Qui-quadrado e Anova, sendo considerados significativos valores de p < 0,05. Os resultados encontrados mostram que as bailarinas, independente de sua modalidade de escolha, apresentam níveis de insatisfação e distorção de sua imagem corporal. Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p = 0,96) entre os três grupos avaliados. Destaca-se, em conclusão, a importância de estudos sobre imagem corporal em grupos considerados de risco, visando a identificação de distúrbios graves em concomitância com transtornos do comportamento alimentar, que trazem consequências nocivas para a saúde de bailarinas.

Body image is an issue that is always in evidence when addressing different types of dance. The search for the ideal body image among dancers goes beyond the parameters of the general population and, as they become professionals, the need to maintain the appropriate weight increases. This study aims to verify the level of satisfaction of classical ballet dancers and jazz dancers with their body image, identifying differences and similarities between the two groups. Furthermore, similarities and differences in the level of satisfaction with body image of classical dancers of different countries will be identified. This is a descriptive research. The sample was composed of 15 professional adult ballet dancers and 16 jazz dancers from Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, and nine professional adult dancers working in New York, United States. The instrument used to assess the level of satisfaction with body image was the Body Shape Questionnaire - BSQ, which measures the degree of concern with the body shape, self-depreciation due to physical appearance and the feeling of being overweight. Data were analyzed with the statistical program SPSS 15.0. Chi-square test and ANOVA test were applied for data comparison and p < 0.05 values were considered significant. The findings show that the dancers, regardless of their modality of choice, present levels of dissatisfaction and distortion of their body image. There were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.96) in the three groups evaluated. In conclusion, studies about body image in risk groups are important for the identification of serious disturbs in concomitance with eating disorders, which bring deleterious consequences to the health of dancers.

Saúde mental do cuidador na instituição hospitalar / Mental health of the caretaker in the hospital institution

Este artigo tem como propósito verificar as experiências laborais dos profissionais de enfermagem e suas conseqüências para a saúde mental desses trabalhadores. A pesquisa foi realizada junto a profissionais de enfermagem do Instituto de Cardiologia de Porto Alegre, afastados de suas atividades durante o ano de 2003 por transtornos mentais e comportamentais (episódios depressivos breves, transtornos depressivos recorrentes e ansiedade generalizada), diagnosticados de acordo com o CID 10. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas individuais semi-estruturadas, e para sua interpretação foi utilizada a técnica de Análise de Conteúdos. Os resultados mostram que aspectos do trabalho contribuíram no processo de adoecer desses profissionais, como a natureza das atividades do cuidador, sobrecarga de tarefas e dificuldades de relacionamento interpessoal. Verificou-se ainda a percepção dos indivíduos quanto ao papel da organização frente ao seu afastamento, de forma a ampliar a discussão sobre gestão de pessoas e promoção de saúde no trabalho.

This article has the purpose of verifying the laboural experiences of the nursing professionals and its consequences on their mental health. The research was made with nursing professionals of the Instituto de Cardiologia in Porto Alegre, who were dismissed from their activities during 2003 due to mental and behavioral disturbances (brief depressive disorder, recurrent depressive disorder and general anxiety), diagnosed according to CID-10. The data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews, and for their interpretation the technique of Content Analisys was used. The results show that aspects of work contributed to the process of falling ill of these professionals, such as the nature of the caretaker activities, overburden of tasks and dificulties of interpersonal relations. It was further verified the perception of the individuals as to the role of the organization vis-à-vis their dismissal, in order to increase the discussion about management of people and health promotion at work.

Saúde mental do cuidador na instituição hospitalar / Mental health of the caretaker in the hospital institution

Este artigo tem como propósito verificar as experiências laborais dos profissionais de enfermagem e suas conseqüências para a saúde mental desses trabalhadores. A pesquisa foi realizada junto a profissionais de enfermagem do Instituto de Cardiologia de Porto Alegre, afastados de suas atividades durante o ano de 2003 por transtornos mentais e comportamentais (episódios depressivos breves, transtornos depressivos recorrentes e ansiedade generalizada), diagnosticados de acordo com o CID 10. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas individuais semi-estruturadas, e para sua interpretação foi utilizada a técnica de Análise de Conteúdos. Os resultados mostram que aspectos do trabalho contribuíram no processo de adoecer desses profissionais, como a natureza das atividades do cuidador, sobrecarga de tarefas e dificuldades de relacionamento interpessoal. Verificou-se ainda a percepção dos indivíduos quanto ao papel da organização frente ao seu afastamento, de forma a ampliar a discussão sobre gestão de pessoas e promoção de saúde no trabalho(AU)

This article has the purpose of verifying the laboural experiences of the nursing professionals and its consequences on their mental health. The research was made with nursing professionals of the Instituto de Cardiologia in Porto Alegre, who were dismissed from their activities during 2003 due to mental and behavioral disturbances (brief depressive disorder, recurrent depressive disorder and general anxiety), diagnosed according to CID-10. The data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews, and for their interpretation the technique of Content Analisys was used. The results show that aspects of work contributed to the process of falling ill of these professionals, such as the nature of the caretaker activities, overburden of tasks and dificulties of interpersonal relations. It was further verified the perception of the individuals as to the role of the organization vis-à-vis their dismissal, in order to increase the discussion about management of people and health promotion at work(AU)