Early Support for People Who Hear Voices: Exploratory Research on Family Medicine Physicians' Clinical Practice and Beliefs.

Nowadays the phenomenon of hearing voices represents a very fertile and discussed field of research. In psychological and psychiatric fields, the phenomenon has been described as a normal phenomenon, but also as a prodromal stage and as a symptom of psychosis. Through a qualitative research methodology, the aim was to explore how family medicine physicians configure the phenomenon and its clinical and interactive implications. The present research involved 35 family medicine physicians as figures of primary importance in the approach toward people who start to hear voices. Semi-structured interviews have been used and they have been analyzed by the method of discourse analysis. The results show a remarkable difficulty in understanding the phenomenon in all its complexity and the tendency to consider it a symptom or a prodromal stage of psychopathology. Increasing the knowledge of doctors on the subject is necessary so that their evaluation and choice of intervention match the needs of each patient. We also discuss the importance of promoting the knowledge of the potential meanings taken on by the voices in the context of the personal and family background of the individual hearer, and of collaboration with other relevant professionals and services.

The Invisible Discrimination: Biases in the Clinical Approach Regarding Migrants: A Study to Help Ethnopsychology Services and Clinicians.

The complexity of migration flows across the world has led to a redefinition of psychological and social services users. The access of migrants from different cultural backgrounds to clinical services or social health services has diversified the demand for concomitant help. Biases and misinterpretations have been created by unaccustomed professionals in this field, which could lead to serious consequences and invalidate diagnostic and treatment procedures. The purpose of this study is to summarize the evidence about errors or prejudices observed in clinical practices regarding the provision of social health services to people from different cultural backgrounds. Results show three main types of biases: racial stereotype activation, ethnocentrism and micro-aggressions. Some implications on the clinical setting were discussed, as being aware of these biases can help mental health professionals manage communication more consciously with users.

(Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke.

INTRODUCTION: People with poststroke acquired brain injury (ABI) face a complex and often troubled identity reconstruction journey. The literature is rich with studies related to the psychological and neuropsychological components involved in rehabilitation, but it is lacking with respect to the investigation of the existential dimensions and the challenges associated with finding new senses and meanings for one's identity and future perspectives, body and interpersonal relationships. METHODS: The aim of this study is to investigate the narrative processes of identity reconstruction after brain damage. Through a qualitative approach, 30 autobiographical narratives about self, body and the relationships with others were collected and analyzed. Semistructured interviews were used for the data collection. Narrative and positioning analysis were applied. RESULTS: Four main positionings emerged: sanctioning a radical break with one's previous life; assuming a sense of salvation and compulsory as well as irreversible adaptation to the limitations associated with one's condition; feeling different and disabled; and considering new possibilities and active constructions of self-being in relationship with others. These results underline the narrative processes of construction of the injury and the identity and delineate possible resources and instruments to improve the clinical practice for health practitioners. They are also valuable for other professionals who deal with neurological services and rehabilitation, such as psychological counselling and support for persons who have experienced ABI and their families. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This work resulted from a close collaboration between two universities and a hospital neurological rehabilitation department in the Veneto Region (Northern Italy). Three associations of people with stroke and their families living in the same area contributed to designing the research on the basis of the needs expressed by their members with the aim to identify strategies and devices to be implemented in the public service to improve the care pathway. They also participated in the interpretation of the data.

Pharmacogenomic study of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in Mexican pediatric patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between well-defined genetic risk variants in SLC28A3, RARG and UGT1A6 and anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in Mexican pediatric patients. Methods: We tested a cohort of 79 children treated with anthracyclines for the presence of SLC28A3-rs7853758, RARG-rs2229774 and UGT1A6-rs17863783. Results: The SLC28A3-rs7853758 variant was more frequent in this cohort, while the UGT1A6-rs17863783 and RARG-rs2229774 variants were present at lower frequencies. A clinically important decrease of fractional shortening was associated with SLC28A3-rs7853758 variant. Conclusion: In this cohort, 39.2% of patients carried the protective SLC28A3 variant. A small number of tested patients have the risk variants of UGT1A6 and RARG. None of the patients shared the two risk variants.

Mental health practitioners' narratives about gender transition and the role of diagnosis: A qualitative study in the Italian context.

In many European Countries, a diagnosis is needed to access the gender transition process, which has sparked debate about whether gender variance should be equated with a psychodiagnosis. This study explores mental health practitioners' perspectives about the implications of using the diagnosis for gatekeeping purposes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 Italian mental health specialists. The personal positions and interpretative repertoires emerging from the interviews centred on three thematic areas: the diagnosis, the practitioner's role, and the clinical relationship. In relation to the development of health promotion policies, findings underscore the importance of exercising reflexivity, adhering to theory and national and/or international guidelines, and analysing people's needs to ensure that the clinical setting is an affirmative space, especially for non-binary people.

The Impact of Relational and Organizational-Environmental Aspects in Hospital Blood Collection: Clinical and Health Indications and New Training Needs.

This study deals with people who underwent a blood test and consequently suffered a fainting episode in the past. This phenomenon affects many people and if not adequately dealt with, it can lead to a perception of the blood test as a serious and traumatic event, which could limit its use as a preventive diagnostic tool. These experiences have been explored by research mainly on the basis of the physiological mechanisms involved in fainting, with a few studies considering the actual lived experience related to the blood test. This study explored how this experience is lived and managed, capturing aspects that could facilitate blood tests and the procedures associated with them, thus it focused on people with vasovagal syncope and was articulated through the semi-structured interview methodology. Among the significant results is the importance of the relational aspects implemented by health staff, the differing organisation of the blood test procedure, the need to make the hospital environment less aseptic and more humanistic, effective actions to counter the anxieties relating to the administration of the blood test and the importance of including the blood test with an inter-disciplinarity perspective.

Osteoporosis severa: fundamentos para su terapia farmacológica en México / Severe osteoporosis: Principles for pharmacological therapy in Mexico

Antecedentes: El presente artículo muestra la evidencia y recomendaciones de la eficacia y seguridad de las terapias hasta hoy aprobadas y disponibles en México para el tratamiento de la osteoporosis en su etapa severa o establecida, con la finalidad de establecer una postura terapéutica acerca de la eficacia y seguridad para esta etapa del padecimiento, de acuerdo con las cédulas descriptivas del Cuadro Básico y Catálogo de Medicamentos del Sector Salud en México. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática y narrativa de la evidencia de teriparatida y denosumab, desde su perfil farmacológico, efectividad y seguridad derivado de ensayos clínicos, además de un análisis de las recomendaciones generales de las principales guías de práctica clínica nacionales e internacionales. Resultados: La evidencia establece que teriparatida y denosumab pertenecen a clases terapéuticas distintas, con mecanismos de acción biológicamente opuestos e indicaciones de uso claramente diferenciadas en sus respectivas cédulas, por lo cual no son sustituibles ni intercambiables en la terapia de osteoporosis severa. Ambas representan la mejor opción disponible hasta el momento para esta etapa del padecimiento. Son similares en su eficacia de prevención de nuevas fracturas vertebrales por fragilidad, con un RR de 0,35 (IC 95%: 0,22-0,55) para teriparatida, y de 0,32 (IC 95%: 0,26-0,41) para denosumab. La reducción absoluta del riesgo es mayor con teriparatida 9,3% (21 meses) que con denosumab 4,8% (36 meses). Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados concuerdan con las recomendaciones disponibles en las principales guías de práctica clínica nacionales e internacionales, por lo que son propuestas ambas terapias como consecutivas y nunca como sustitutivas.(AU)

Background: This article presents evidence and recommendations regarding the efficacy and safety of the approved and available therapies in Mexico to treat severe or established osteoporosis with the aim of developing a position regarding therapeutics in this stage of the disease, according to the descriptive cards of the National Drug Formulary of the National General Health Council of Mexico. Methods: We performed a systematic and narrative review of the evidence of teriparatide and denosumab, from their pharmacological profile, effectiveness, and safety derived from clinical trials, as well as an analysis of the general recommendations of the national and international clinical practice guidelines. Results: The evidence establishes that teriparatide and denosumab belong to different therapeutic classes, with biologically opposed mechanisms of action and indications of use, which are clearly differentiated in their respective national codes, therefore these drugs cannot be substitutable or interchangeable in severe osteoporosis therapy. Both represent the best options currently available for this stage of the disease; being similar in their efficacy in preventing new vertebral fragility fractures, with an RR of .35 (CI 95%; .22-.55) for teriparatide, and .32 (CI 95%: .26-.41) for denosumab. The absolute risk reduction is higher with teriparatide 9.3% (21 months) compared with denosumab at 4.8% (36 months). Conclusions: Our results agree with the recommendations available in national and international clinical practice guidelines, with both therapies proposed as a sequential, but not a substitute, treatment.(AU)

Severe osteoporosis: Principles for pharmacological therapy in Mexico. / Osteoporosis severa: fundamentos para su terapia farmacológica en México.

BACKGROUND: This article presents evidence and recommendations regarding the efficacy and safety of the approved and available therapies in Mexico to treat severe or established osteoporosis with the aim of developing a position regarding therapeutics in this stage of the disease, according to the descriptive cards of the National Drug Formulary of the National General Health Council of Mexico. METHODS: We performed a systematic and narrative review of the evidence of teriparatide and denosumab, from their pharmacological profile, effectiveness, and safety derived from clinical trials, as well as an analysis of the general recommendations of the national and international clinical practice guidelines. RESULTS: The evidence establishes that teriparatide and denosumab belong to different therapeutic classes, with biologically opposed mechanisms of action and indications of use, which are clearly differentiated in their respective national codes, therefore these drugs cannot be substitutable or interchangeable in severe osteoporosis therapy. Both represent the best options currently available for this stage of the disease; being similar in their efficacy in preventing new vertebral fragility fractures, with an RR of .35 (CI 95%; .22-.55) for teriparatide, and .32 (CI 95%: .26-.41) for denosumab. The absolute risk reduction is higher with teriparatide 9.3% (21 months) compared with denosumab at 4.8% (36 months). CONCLUSIONS: Our results agree with the recommendations available in national and international clinical practice guidelines, with both therapies proposed as a sequential, but not a substitute, treatment.

The Phenomenon of "Hearing Voices": Not Just Psychotic Hallucinations-A Psychological Literature Review and a Reflection on Clinical and Social Health.

The phenomenon of hearing voices is currently a much-discussed topic, both in the field of research and in the field of care services. The majority of people who report "hearing voices" do not subsequently receive services or receive a diagnosis of psychopathology. This topic raises questions for professionals in the health field about the lack of tools that can help illuminate the phenomenon. The purposes of this work are (a) to highlight the psychological studies that approach the phenomenon in a non-psychopathological way and (b) to determine which concepts could aid the comprehension of the phenomenon. The method consists of a systematic review of the literature that characterizes the phenomenon of hearing voices from a non-pathological perspective. The literature offers different theoretical approaches to interpret the phenomenon in a way that is not necessarily pathological and presents new tools for examining the phenomenon. For example, a few studies state that it is possible to coexist with voices, while others indicate that it is necessary to know how to manage voices. We highlighted and discussed several concepts that can support doctors, psychiatrists and practitioners in understanding "hearer" patients, particularly attention to the context of belonging, attention to language, and the role of the sense-making process.

[Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity: report of fatal cases]. / Cardiotoxicidad inducida por antraciclinas. Reporte de casos fatales.

BACKGROUND: Anthracyclines are effective drugs in pediatrics cancer treatment. However, anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC) is a serious adverse drug reaction that affects the survival in patients treated for childhood cancer. CLINICAL CASES: Case 1: Nine-year-old girl with stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma with 12 epirubicin doses and a cumulative dose of 576 mg/m2. After last chemotherapy dose, the patient was admitted with systemic inflammatory response, asthenia and adinamia. Echocardiography: LVEF of 22%, SF 11% and moderate mitral regurgitation. Patient died 2 days after diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to anthracyclines. Case 2: Fifteen-year-old girl with stage IV Burkitt lymphoma with two epirubicin doses and a cumulative dose of 90 mg/m2. After the last cycle, the patient developed several infectious foci. Echocardiography: LVEF of 49%, SF 20% and dilated left ventricle with septal flattening. Patient died 13 days after diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy by anthracyclines. CONCLUSION: AIC is a problem in pediatric patients receiving anthracyclines, monitoring is essential to detect the onset of cardiac damage to provide an intervention to prevent heart failure progress.

Introducción: las antraciclinas son fármacos eficaces en el tratamiento de pacientes pediátricos con cáncer. Sin embargo, la cardiotoxicidad inducida por antraciclinas (CIA) es una reacción adversa grave que afecta la sobrevida de niños y jóvenes. Casos clínicos: el caso 1 estuvo constituido por una paciente de nueve años con linfoma de Hodgkin estadio IV con 12 ciclos de quimioterapia con epirrubicina y una dosis acumulada de 576 mg/m2. Después del último ciclo de quimioterapia, la paciente ingresó con respuesta inflamatoria sistémica, astenia y adinamia. El ecocardiograma reportó una FEVI de 22 %, FA de 11 % e insuficiencia mitral moderada. La paciente falleció dos días después con diagnóstico de cardiomiopatía dilatada secundaria a antraciclinas. El caso 2 fue el de una paciente de 15 años con linfoma no Hodgkin tipo Burkitt estadio IV, con dos ciclos de quimioterapia con epirrubicina y una dosis acumulada de 90 mg/m2. Después del último ciclo, la paciente presentó diversos focos infecciosos. El ecocardiograma reportó una FEVI de 49 %, una FA de 20 % y dilatación del ventrículo izquierdo con aplanamiento septal. La paciente falleció 13 días después del diagnóstico de cardiomiopatía dilatada por antraciclinas. Conclusión: la CIA es un problema en los pacientes pediátricos que reciben antraciclinas. El monitoreo durante y después de la quimioterapia es indispensable para detectar el inicio del daño cardiaco a fin de brindar una intervención oportuna que evite la evolución a una insuficiencia cardiaca.

Risk Factors for Febrile Neutropenia in Children With Solid Tumors Treated With Cisplatin-based Chemotherapy.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common and potentially fatal adverse drug reaction of cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CDDPBC) in pediatric patients. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the incidence and independent risk factors for FN in pediatric patients with solid tumors treated with CDPPBC. Cohort integration was performed in the first cycle of chemotherapy with CDDPBC and patients were followed up to 6 months after the last cycle. FN was defined according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Relative risks were calculated with confidence intervals at 95% (95% CI) to determine FN risk factors. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors. One hundred and thirty-nine pediatric patients (median age 7.4 y, range 0.08 to 17 y) were included in the study. FN incidence was 62.5%. Independent risk factors for FN were chemotherapy regimens including anthracyclines (odds ratio [OR]=19.44 [95% CI, 5.40-70.02), hypomagnesaemia (OR=8.20 [95% CI, 1.81-37.14]), and radiotherapy (OR=6.67 [95% CI, 1.24-35.94]). It is therefore concluded that anthracyclines-containing regimens, hypomagnesaemia, and radiotherapy are independent risk factors for FN in patients receiving CDDPBC.

Qualidade de vida de cuidadoras formais de idosos / Quality of life of formal caregivers of the elderly / Calidad de vida de los cuidadores formales de personas mayores

Pesquisa descritiva e exploratória de abordagem quantitativa realizada em dois serviços de longa permanência para idosos em municípios baianos, com o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade de vida de cuidadores de idosos residentes em Instituições de Longa Permanência. A amostra foi constituída por 18 cuidadores. O instrumento de coleta de dados foi composto por dados sociodemográficos, condições de saúde e o questionário WHOQOL-Bref. Na avaliação da qualidade de vida, constatou-se que os cuidadores de idosos apresentaram menor pontuação no domínio meio ambiente (52,14 pontos) e maior pontuação no domínio psicológico (79,16 pontos). Concluiu-se que a qualidade de vida dos cuidadores formais de idosos avaliados apresenta comprometimento no Domínio Meio Ambiente.

This is a descriptive and exploratory study with a quantitative approach carried out in two long-term care facilities for the elderly in municipalities of Bahia, with the purpose of evaluating the quality of life of the caregivers of the elderly residents in long stay institutions. The sample consisted of 18 caregivers. The data collection instrument consisted of sociodemographic information, health conditions and the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire. In evaluating the quality of life it was verified that the caregivers had lower scores in the environment domain (52.14 points) and higher scores in the psychological domain (79.16 points). It was concluded that the quality of life of the assessed caregivers demonstrated commitment in the Domain Environment.

Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y exploratorio con enfoque cuantitativo llevado a cabo en dos centros de atención a largo plazo para personas mayores en municipalidades de Bahia, con el objetivo de evaluar la calidad de vida de los cuidadores de ancianos residentes in instituciones de larga estadía. La muestra fue constituida por 18 cuidadores. El instrumento de recolecta de datos consistió en información sociodemográfica, las condiciones de salud y el cuestionario WHOQOL-Bref. En la evaluación de la calidad de vida se encontró que los cuidadores de ancianos tenían puntuaciones más bajas en el campo del medio ambiente (52,14 puntos) y una puntuación más alta en el dominio psicológico (79,16 puntos). Se concluyó que la calidad de vida de los cuidadores formales de ancianos evaluados presenta comprometimiento en el dominio del medio ambiente.