Life satisfaction mediates the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms: a study in a sample of Brazilian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the interrelationships between childhood maltreatment, life satisfaction (LS), and depressive symptoms, and to investigate LS as a mediating factor in the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms. METHODS: The sample consisted of 342 adolescents, aged 11 to 17 years (mean = 13.3, SD = 1.52 years), recruited from a public school in Salvador, Brazil. Participants filled out instruments for the collection of sociodemographic data and evaluation of childhood maltreatment, LS, and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the mediating effect of LS. RESULTS: We detected significant negative correlations between childhood maltreatment and LS and between LS and depressive symptoms. We observed a significant positive correlation between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms. LS partially mediated the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms, mitigating the impact of maltreatment. CONCLUSION: LS played an important mediating role in the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms. Longitudinal studies are recommended to fully elucidate these associations, reinforcing the need for attention and care of this vulnerable population.

Efficacy of trial-based cognitive therapy, behavioral activation and treatment as usual in the treatment of major depressive disorder: preliminary findings from a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent, debilitating and disabling disorder, and its prevalence is increasing. Antidepressants (AD), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral activation (BA) are the main treatments for MDD. Trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT) addresses and restructures dysfunctional negative core beliefs (CBs) and is a novel and promising approach. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of TBCT, BA and treatment as usual (TAU) in the treatment of MDD. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with MDD were randomized into 1 of 3 groups and evaluated at baseline, after 6 weeks and at week 12 (final evaluation). The primary outcome was changing in HAM-D scores, and the secondary outcomes included scores on the BDI, CD-Quest, Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and WHOQOL. RESULTS: Both TBCT and BA (which also included AD) were different from TAU (which included antidepressants alone) in reducing the HAM-D and BDI scores and other measures. TBCT and BA were different from TAU in the reduction of disability in SDS and WHOQOL physical domain scores. Besides limited by a small sample size, the dropout rate in the TAU arm was higher, and only 10 patients completed the 3 evaluations. CONCLUSION: This trial provides evidence that TBCT and BA combined with antidepressants were more efficacious than the TAU (drug alone) in reducing the severity of depressive symptoms and disability, showing that this combination can be useful for clinical practice.

Are lower urinary tract symptoms in children associated with urinary symptoms in their mothers?

BACKGROUND: The association between parents who suffered daytime incontinence as children and children who are incontinence has been reported. However, the association of lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction in children and urinary symptoms in mothers has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the children of mothers with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are more likely to have urinary symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in two cities in Brazil. Children/adolescents of 5-17 years of age and their mothers were interviewed. Children with neurological problems, previously detected urinary tract abnormalities or who refused to sign the informed consent or assent form were excluded. The DVSS questionnaire was used to evaluate the presence of LUTS in the children and the ICIQ-OAB questionnaire was used to evaluate their mothers. Constipation in the children was investigated using the ROME III criteria. RESULTS: A total of 827 mother-child pairs were included, with 414 of the children (50.06%) being male. Mean age was 9.1 ± 2.9 years for the children and 35.9 ± 6.5 years for the mothers. Urinary symptoms (occurring at least once or twice a week) were present in 315 children (38.1%), incontinence in 114 (13.8%) and urinary urgency in 141 (17%). Of the mothers, 378 (45.7%) had at least one LUTS, with 103 (12.5%) having incontinence and 153 (18.5%) urgency. According to the DVSS, the overall prevalence of LUT dysfunction was 9.1%. The children's DVSS scores were significantly associated with the mothers' ICIQ-OAB scores (p < 0.0010). Mothers with urinary symptoms were 2.5 times more likely to have a child with LUT dysfunction (95%CI: 1.52-4.17; p < 0.001), while mothers with overactive bladder were 2.8 times more likely to have a child with an overactive bladder (95%CI: 1.63-4.86; p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, these same characteristics were confirmed as independent predictive factors of the presence of LUT dysfunction in the child. Children of mothers with incontinence and urinary urgency were also more likely to have incontinence and urgency. CONCLUSION: Mothers with typical symptoms of overactive bladder are more likely to have a child with LUT dysfunction. This correlation is also positive for the isolated symptoms of urinary urgency and incontinence. Independent predictive factors of the presence of LUT dysfunction in children were: being female, enuresis, constipation, and having a mother with LUTS.

Cytogenetic Biomonitoring in Buccal Mucosa Cells from Women Submitted to Chemotherapy After Mastectomy for Breast Cancer.

In addition to surgery, one of the most widely applied treatments for breast cancer is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is currently considered efficient in curing this disease; however, the therapy may induce damage to the patient's genetic material. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate putative cytotoxic and mutagenic effects induced by chemotherapy in women diagnosed with breast cancer. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was carried out in 42 women, aged 18 to 70 years, allocated according to the diagnosis and stage of breast cancer treatment: control group (healthy) (n=15), chemotherapy group (n=11) and post-chemotherapy group (n=16). Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity were analyzed by the micronucleus test in buccal mucosa cells. A higher frequency (p<0.05) of micronucleated cells was detected in the chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy groups when compared to the control. A higher frequency (p<0.05) of karyorrhexis and pyknosis in the chemotherapy group was also noted. Taken together, our results indicate that chemotherapy induces mutagenicity and cytotoxicity in buccal mucosa cells of women diagnosed with breast cancer, being persistent after finishing their treatment.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (CD-Quest) in a Sample of Undergraduate Students.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the initial psychometric properties of the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (CD-Quest) in its Brazilian Portuguese version tested in adult undergraduate students. METHODS: Brazilian undergraduate medical and psychology students comprising the sample (n=184) completed the following measures: Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory. These self-report instruments were administered collectively in classrooms. RESULTS: The Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.85) and concurrent validity with Beck Depression Inventory (r=0.65, p<0.001) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (r=0.52, p<0.001). Furthermore, it was able to discriminate between groups possessing depressive (Beck Depression Inventory composite score ≥12) and anxious (Beck Anxiety Inventory composite score ≥ 11) indicators from those not possessing them (p<0.001). Principal components showed the measure was unidimensional, and it explained about 29 percent of the data variance. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that all the regression coefficients are greater than or equal to 0.40 CONCLUSION: The original Brazilian version of the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire is adequate for use in the context of national undergraduate students and is able to separate different cognitive distortions. However, further studies using clinical samples are needed.

Changing core beliefs with trial-based cognitive therapy may improve quality of life in social phobia: a randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are differences in quality of life (QoL) improvement after treatment with the trial-based thought record (TBTR) versus conventional cognitive therapy (CCT) in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). METHOD: A randomized trial comparing TBTR with a set of CCT techniques, which included the standard 7-column dysfunctional thought record (DTR) and the positive data log (PDL) in patients with SAD, generalized type. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant time effect in the general health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health domains of the Short Form 36. It also indicated significant treatment effects on the bodily pain, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health domains, with higher scores in the TBTR group. One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), using pretreatment values as covariates, showed that TBTR was associated with significantly better QoL post-treatment (bodily pain, social functioning and role-emotional) and at follow-up (role-emotional). A significant treatment effect on the role-emotional domain at 12-month follow-up denoted a sustained effect of TBTR relative to CCT. CONCLUSION: This study provided preliminary evidence that TBTR is at least as effective as CCT in improving several domains of QoL in SAD, specifically when the standard 7-column DTR and the PDL are used.

Changing core beliefs with trial-based cognitive therapy may improve quality of life in social phobia: a randomized study

Objective: To determine whether there are differences in quality of life (QoL) improvement after treatment with the trial-based thought record (TBTR) versus conventional cognitive therapy (CCT) in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Method: A randomized trial comparing TBTR with a set of CCT techniques, which included the standard 7-column dysfunctional thought record (DTR) and the positive data log (PDL) in patients with SAD, generalized type. Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant time effect in the general health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health domains of the Short Form 36. It also indicated significant treatment effects on the bodily pain, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health domains, with higher scores in the TBTR group. One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), using pretreatment values as covariates, showed that TBTR was associated with significantly better QoL post-treatment (bodily pain, social functioning and role-emotional) and at follow-up (role-emotional). A significant treatment effect on the role-emotional domain at 12-month follow-up denoted a sustained effect of TBTR relative to CCT. Conclusion: This study provided preliminary evidence that TBTR is at least as effective as CCT in improving several domains of QoL in SAD, specifically when the standard 7-column DTR and the PDL are used. .

Prevalence and clinical impact of eating disorders in bipolar patients.

OBJECTIVES: To study the impact of eating disorders (EDs) on the severity of bipolar disorder (BD). METHODS: The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I (SCID-I), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. Clinical and sociodemographic data were also collected. RESULTS: Among the 356 bipolar patients included in this study, 19 (5.3%) were also diagnosed with ED. Of these, 57.9% had bulimia nervosa (BN) and 42.1% had anorexia nervosa (AN). Among ED patients, 94.7% were female. Bipolar patients with EDs presented with lower scores in the mental health domain of the WHOQOL-BREF, higher scores of depressive symptoms, and more psychiatric comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: ED comorbidities imposed important negative outcomes in bipolar patients. This finding suggests that attention should be given to the presence of EDs in BD patients and that better treatments focused on this population should be developed.

Prevalence and clinical impact of eating disorders in bipolar patients / Prevalência e impacto clínico dos transtornos alimentares sobre os pacientes bipolares

OBJECTIVES: To study the impact of eating disorders (EDs) on the severity of bipolar disorder (BD). METHODS: The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I (SCID-I), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. Clinical and sociodemographic data were also collected. RESULTS: Among the 356 bipolar patients included in this study, 19 (5.3 percent) were also diagnosed with ED. Of these, 57.9 percent had bulimia nervosa (BN) and 42.1 percent had anorexia nervosa (AN). Among ED patients, 94.7 percent were female. Bipolar patients with EDs presented with lower scores in the mental health domain of the WHOQOL-BREF, higher scores of depressive symptoms, and more psychiatric comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: ED comorbidities imposed important negative outcomes in bipolar patients. This finding suggests that attention should be given to the presence of EDs in BD patients and that better treatments focused on this population should be developed.

OBJETIVO: Estudar a influência dos transtornos alimentares (TA) na gravidade do transtorno bipolar (TB). MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas a Entrevista Clínica Estruturada para o Eixo I do DSM-IV (SCID-I), a Escala de Young para Avaliação da Mania (YMRS), a Escala de Hamilton para Avaliação da Depressão (HAM-D-17), a Escala de Hamilton para Avaliação da Ansiedade (HAM-A), a Avaliação do Funcionamento Global (GAF) e a Escala Breve de Avaliação da Qualidade de Vida da Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHOQOL-BREF). Os dados clínicos e sociodemográficos também foram coletados. RESULTADOS: Entre os 355 pacientes com TB incluídos neste estudo, 19 (5,3 por cento) também foram diagnosticados como portadores de TA. Destes, 57,9 por cento tinham bulimia nervosa (BN) e 42,1 por cento anorexia nervosa (AN). Dentre os pacientes com TA, 94,7 por cento eram do gênero feminino. Os pacientes portadores de TB e TA apresentaram escores mais baixos do domínio saúde mental da WHOQOL-BREF, escores mais elevados de sintomas depressivos e mais comorbidades psiquiátricas. CONCLUSÕES: A presença de comorbidades com TA acarreta importantes desfechos negativos em pacientes bipolares. Este achado sugere que atenção deva ser dada à presença de TA em pacientes com TB e que melhores tratamentos focados nessa população sejam desenvolvidos.

White matter hyperintensities and their association with suicidality in major affective disorders: a meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging studies.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals who have deep and periventricular white matter hyperintensities may have a higher risk for suicidal behavior. There are mixed results in the literature regarding whether unipolar or bipolar patients who have attempted suicide have more deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMH) or periventricular hyperintensities (PVH) relative to those who have no history of suicide attempts. METHODS: A meta-analysis of studies examining white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in mood disorder patients with and without a history of suicide attempts was performed. RESULTS: Four studies, including a total of 173 patients who attempted suicide and 183 who did not attempt suicide, were included. A significantly higher number of attempters were found to have WMH than non-attempters. Unipolar depressed patients who had attempted suicide had 1.9 times more DWMH and 2.1 times more PVH than those who did not. Bipolar patients who had attempted suicide had 5.4 times more PVH than those who had not. Taken together, unipolar and bipolar patients who had attempted suicide had 2.8 times more DWMH and 4.5 times more PVH than those who had never attempted suicide. CONCLUSION: These findings raise the possibility that WMH are biological substrates of symptoms that lead to suicidal behavior.