Prenatal and postnatal exposure to acetaminophen in relation to autism spectrum and attention-deficit and hyperactivity symptoms in childhood: Meta-analysis in six European population-based cohorts.

The potential etiological role of early acetaminophen exposure on Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is inconclusive. We aimed to study this association in a collaborative study of six European population-based birth/child cohorts. A total of 73,881 mother-child pairs were included in the study. Prenatal and postnatal (up to 18 months) acetaminophen exposure was assessed through maternal questionnaires or interviews. ASC and ADHD symptoms were assessed at 4-12 years of age using validated instruments. Children were classified as having borderline/clinical symptoms using recommended cutoffs for each instrument. Hospital diagnoses were also available in one cohort. Analyses were adjusted for child and maternal characteristics along with indications for acetaminophen use. Adjusted cohort-specific effect estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analysis. The proportion of children having borderline/clinical symptoms ranged between 0.9 and 12.9% for ASC and between 1.2 and 12.2% for ADHD. Results indicated that children prenatally exposed to acetaminophen were 19% and 21% more likely to subsequently have borderline or clinical ASC (OR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.07-1.33) and ADHD symptoms (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.07-1.36) compared to non-exposed children. Boys and girls showed higher odds for ASC and ADHD symptoms after prenatal exposure, though these associations were slightly stronger among boys. Postnatal exposure to acetaminophen was not associated with ASC or ADHD symptoms. These results replicate previous work and support providing clear information to pregnant women and their partners about potential long-term risks of acetaminophen use.

Maternal Consumption of Seafood in Pregnancy and Child Neuropsychological Development: A Longitudinal Study Based on a Population With High Consumption Levels.

Seafood consumption during pregnancy is thought to be beneficial for child neuropsychological development, but to our knowledge no large cohort studies with high fatty fish consumption have analyzed the association by seafood subtype. We evaluated 1,892 and 1,589 mother-child pairs at the ages of 14 months and 5 years, respectively, in a population-based Spanish birth cohort established during 2004-2008. Bayley and McCarthy scales and the Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test were used to assess neuropsychological development. Results from multivariate linear regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and further adjusted for umbilical cord blood mercury or long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations. Overall, consumption of seafood above the recommended limit of 340 g/week was associated with 10-g/week increments in neuropsychological scores. By subtype, in addition to lean fish, consumption of large fatty fish showed a positive association; offspring of persons within the highest quantile (>238 g/week) had an adjusted increase of 2.29 points in McCarthy general cognitive score (95% confidence interval: 0.42, 4.16). Similar findings were observed for the Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test. Beta coefficients diminished 15%-30% after adjustment for mercury or long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations. Consumption of large fatty fish during pregnancy presents moderate child neuropsychological benefits, including improvements in cognitive functioning and some protection from autism-spectrum traits.

Exposure to bisphenol A during pregnancy and child neuropsychological development in the INMA-Sabadell cohort.

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) may be a neurodevelopmental toxicant, but evidence is not consistent in terms of the sex-specific patterns of the associations and the specific behavioral or cognitive domains most affected. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of prenatal BPA exposure on cognitive, psychomotor, and behavioral development in 438 children at 1, 4 and 7 years of age. METHODS: BPA was measured in spot urine samples collected in trimester 1 and 3 of pregnancy from women participating in the INMA-Sabadell birth cohort study. Cognitive and psychomotor development was assessed at 1 and 4 years using psychologist-based scales. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and other behavioral problems were assessed at 4 years by teachers and at 7 years by parents using questionnaire-based rating scales. RESULTS: Geometric mean creatinine-adjusted BPA concentration of the averaged samples was 2.6 µg/g creatinine. BPA exposure was not associated with the cognitive scores or their subscales at 1 and 4 years of age. At 1 year of age, exposure in the highest tertile of BPA concentrations was associated with a reduction of psychomotor scores (T3 vs T1 ß=-4.28 points, 95% CI: -8.15, -0.41), but there was no association with psychomotor outcomes at 4 years. At 4 years, BPA exposure was associated with an increased risk of ADHD-hyperactivity symptoms (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) per log10 µg BPA/g creatinine increase=1.72; 1.08, 2.73) and this association was stronger in boys than in girls. Further, boys had an increased risk of ADHD-inattention symptoms whereas girls showed a reduced risk (p for interaction <0.1). At 7 years, these associations were not statistically significant nor were any other behavioral problems. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that prenatal BPA exposure does not affect cognitive development up to age 4 years. Associations are observed with psychomotor development and ADHD-related symptoms at early ages, but these do not appear to persist until later ages.

The Efficacy of "Foundations," a Digital Mental Health App to Improve Mental Well-being During COVID-19: Proof-of-Principle Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Against a long-term trend of increasing demand, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global rise in common mental disorders. Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for scalable, evidence-based interventions to support mental well-being. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this proof-of-principle study was to evaluate the efficacy of a mobile-based app in adults with self-reported symptoms of anxiety and stress in a randomized control trial that took place during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. METHODS: Adults with mild to severe anxiety and moderate to high levels of perceived stress were randomized to either the intervention or control arm. Participants in the intervention arm were given access to the Foundations app for the duration of the 4-week study. All participants were required to self-report a range of validated measures of mental well-being (10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience scale [CD-RISC-10], 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale [GAD-7], Office of National Statistics Four Subjective Well-being Questions [ONS-4], World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index [WHO-5]) and sleep (Minimal Insomnia Scale [MISS]) at baseline and at weeks 2 and 4. The self-reported measures of perceived stress (10-item Perceived Stress Score [PSS-10]) were obtained weekly. RESULTS: A total of 136 participants completed the study and were included in the final analysis. The intervention group (n=62) showed significant improvements compared to the control group (n=74) on measures of anxiety, with a mean GAD-7 score change from baseline of -1.35 (SD 4.43) and -0.23 (SD 3.24), respectively (t134=1.71, P=.04); resilience, with a mean change in CD-RISC score of 1.79 (SD 4.08) and -0.31 (SD 3.16), respectively (t134=-3.37, P<.001); sleep, with a mean MISS score change of -1.16 (SD 2.67) and -0.26 (SD 2.29), respectively (t134=2.13, P=.01); and mental well-being, with a mean WHO-5 score change of 1.53 (SD 5.30) and -0.23 (SD 4.20), respectively (t134=-2.16, P=.02), within 2 weeks of using Foundations, with further improvements emerging at week 4. Perceived stress was also reduced within the intervention group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance relative to the control group, with a PSS score change from baseline to week 2 of -2.94 (SD 6.84) and -2.05 (SD 5.34), respectively (t134= 0.84, P=.20). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a proof of principle that the digital mental health app Foundations can improve measures of mental well-being, anxiety, resilience, and sleep within 2 weeks of use, with greater effects after 4 weeks. Foundations therefore offers potential as a scalable, cost-effective, and accessible solution to enhance mental well-being, even during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. TRIAL REGISTRATION: OSF Registries osf.io/f6djb; https://osf.io/vm3xq.

Eye Vergence Responses During an Attention Task in Adults With ADHD and Clinical Controls.

Objective: ADHD patients show poor oculomotor control and recent studies show that attention-related eye vergence is weak in ADHD children. We aimed to assess vergence as a potential diagnostic biomarker for ADHD in adults. Method: We assessed the modulation in the angle of vergence while performing an attention task (N = 144), comparing the results for adults previously diagnosed with ADHD (N = 108) with age-matched clinical controls (N = 36). Results: Significant differences in eye vergence response modulation between clinical controls and ADHD patients were documented. Diagnostic test accuracy was 79%. Conclusion: In combination with an attention task, eye vergence responses could be used as an objective marker to support the clinical diagnosis of adult ADHD.

Acetaminophen use in pregnancy and neurodevelopment: attention function and autism spectrum symptoms.

Background: Acetaminophen is extensively used during pregnancy. But there is a lack of population-representative cohort studies evaluating its effects on a range of neuropsychological and behavioural endpoints. We aimed to assess whether prenatal exposure to acetaminophen is adversely associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 1 and 5 years of age. Methods: This Spanish birth cohort study included 2644 mother-child pairs recruited during pregnancy. The proportion of liveborn participants evaluated at 1 and 5 years was 88.8% and 79.9%, respectively. Use of acetaminophen was evaluated prospectively in two structured interviews. Ever/never use and frequency of use (never, sporadic, persistent) were measured. Main neurodevelopment outcomes were assessed using Childhood Autism Spectrum Test (CAST), Conner's Kiddie Continuous Performance Test (K-CPT) and ADHD-DSM-IV form list. Regression models were adjusted for social determinants and co-morbidities. Results: Over 40% of mothers reported using acetaminophen. Ever-exposed offspring had higher risks of presenting more hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.98), K-CPT commission errors (IRR = 1.10, 1.03-1.17), and lower detectability scores (coefficient ß = -0.75, -0.13--0.02). CAST scores were increased in ever-exposed males (ß = 0.63, 0.09-1.18). Increased effect sizes of risks by frequency of use were observed for hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms (IRR = 2.01, 0.95-4.24) in all children, K-CPT commission errors (IRR = 1.32, 1.05-1.66) and detectability (ß = -0.18, -0.36-0.00) in females, and CAST scores in males (ß = 1.91, 0.44-3.38). Conclusions: Prenatal acetaminophen exposure was associated with a greater number of autism spectrum symptoms in males and showed adverse effects on attention-related outcomes for both genders. These associations seem to be dependent on the frequency of exposure.

Repercusión del coonfinamento durante el estado de alarma por SARS - COV -2 en urgencias de un hospital psiquiátrico / Repercussion of the coonfinamento during the state of alarm by SARS - VOC-2 in the emergency room of a psychiatric hospital

Como describen Yao & Chen (2020), las personas con trastorno mental son más susceptibles a factores estresantes externos. Sobre esta premisa, nos planteamos como hipótesis que el estado de alarma había repercutido en el número y características de las visitas psiquiátricas en el Servicio de Urgencias. El objetivo general del estudio fue describir los motivos de consulta relacionados con COVID-19 en urgencias del Hospital Sagrat Cor de Martorell durante el primer estado de alarma (del 14/03/2020 al 21/06/2020). Para ello, se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal a partir de los datos de los informes de visitas a urgencias durante el primer confinamiento decretado en España. Seleccionamos como muestra 121 visitas relacionadas con COVID-19. El mayor porcentaje de las visitas fue durante la segunda mitad del estado de alarma, a pesar de que durante este periodo se realizaron menos ingresos en valores porcentuales. Como principal conclusión, destacaríamos la mayor proporción de ingresos psiquiátricos durante el primer periodo del estado de alarma, a pesar de que a medida que transcurre el tiempo de confinamiento se incrementa el número de visitas en urgencias (AU)

As Yao & Chen (2020) describe, people with mental disorders are more susceptible to external stressors. Based on this premise, we hypothesized that the state of emergency had an impact on the number and characteristics of psychiatric visits in the Emergency Department. The general objective of the study was to describe the reasons for consultation related to COVID-19 in the emergency room of the Hospital Sagrat Cor de Martorell during the first state of alarm (from 03/14/2020 to 06/21/2020). An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out based on the data from the reports of visits to the emergency room during the first confinement decreed in Spain. Qualitative data on the content of the visit, diagnosis and need for admission were collected. We selected as a sample 121 visits related to COVID-19. The highest percentage of visits was during the second half of the state of alarm, despite the fact that fewer admissions were made in percentage terms during this period. As the main conclusion, we would highlight the higher proportion of psychiatric admissions during the first period of the state of alarm, despite the fact that as the time of confinement elapses, the number of visits to the emergency room increases. (AU)

Evidencia sistemática vs. creencias o conocimiento popular: el caso de la Luna y la patología psiquiátrica / Systematic evidence vs. beliefs or popular knowledge: the case of the moon and psychiatric pathology

Introducción: Es de importancia considerar la jerarquía en la fortaleza de los hallazgos desde el punto de vista de la medicina basada en la evidencia. Este reconocimiento no debe dejar de lado los elementos que se encuentran en la parte inferior de la escala. Método: Para ilustrar la relevancia de todos los hallazgos encontrados sobre el tema se presenta un caso, a modo de ejemplo. Además, se expone la influencia que ejerce la Luna en la patología psiquiátrica y la complejidad metodológica que implica su estudio. Discusión y conclusiones: Se examinaron las dificultades metodológicas que pueden presentarse a la hora de realizar estudios y la forma como éstas pueden afectar los hallazgos. Se observó que éstos no implican un conocimiento absoluto ni incontrovertible y se proponen diseños para el estudio de la influencia lunar en las manifestaciones psicopatológicas...

Introduction: It is important to consider the hierarchy that classifies the strength of evidence sources from the Evidence-Based Medicine point of view. This recognition should not put aside elements from the lower part of this scale. Method: In order to illustrate the proposed relevancy of all evidence levels, an example is used. The evidence that has been gathered on the subject of the Moon’s influence on psychiatric pathology and the methodological difficulties that this topic implies are noted. Discussion and Conclusion: The methodological difficulties that can present themselves during the process of research and the way in which they can affect the evidence obtained are discussed. In turn, the evidence obtained should not be considered as absolute and incontrovertible knowledge. Additionally, possible designs for research on lunar influence on psychopathologic manifestations are suggested...

Influencia de la violencia en el medio escolar y en sus docentes: estudio en una localidad de Bogotá, Colombia / Influence of Violence on Teachers and the School: A Study in a Locality of Bogotá, Colombia

Introducción: Existen algunos factores que aumentan el riesgo de aparición del síndrome de agotamiento profesional (SAP), como ejercer el trabajo en condiciones de violencia. Objetivo: Conocer la influencia de la violencia y de las pandillas en el quehacer docente y la apreciación de los profesores sobre la calidad de la educación. Método: Un estudio cualitativo y cuantitativo en 3 sedes de un colegio sometido a actos violentos por parte de pandillas. Se presentan los datos cualitativos que se derivan de 5 entrevistas en profundidad con informantes clave y 9 grupos focales (GF) con 114 docentes de 137 (83,2%). Resultados: Se describe la situación de violencia por pandillas. Se evidencian en los docentes situaciones de miedo, angustia o temor; desconcierto e incertidumbre; inseguridad y desconfianza; frustración, impotencia y desesperanza; tristeza y otras emociones derivadas de la situación. Se encontró disminución rendimiento docente-estudiante; poca autoridad y ruptura de límite; libertades limitadas; in uencia en la salud mental y en lo emocional del docente, entre otras. Los docentes sugieren dar mayor apoyo para actividades lúdicas, deportivas y espirituales; implementar nuevos métodos o estrategias pedagógicos; leyes en defensa de profesores e incentivos para éstos, entre otros. Conclusiones: La situación de violencia por pandillas afecta a la comunidad entera y por este motivo, también ejerce efectos sobre la relación profesor-estudiante y sobre la calidad de la educación. Por tanto, se requieren medidas orientadas a mejorar la comunicación entre los diferentes actores, y a proteger la labor educativa que estos profesionales llevan a cabo...

Introduction: There are related factors that increase the risk of presenting burnout syndrome, such as working in violent conditions. Objectives: To study the influence that violence in the community and gangs has on teaching on a daily basis, as well as the teachers’ opinion on the quality of education. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study in three locations of a school subject to violent acts by gangs. The qualitative data came from deep interviews with key informants and nine focal groups with 114 of the 137 teachers (83.2%). Results: The deep interviews describe the violent situation that gangs generate in the sector. We found that teachers experience: Fear and anguish, uncertainty, lack of security and distrust, frustration and impotence, sadness, and other emotions derived from the situation. In the second question the findings where: Lower student-teacher performance, no boundaries and little authority, limited freedom, consequences on the mental and emotional health of the teacher, among others. The teachers suggest more support for spiritual activities, sports, arts and fieldtrips; implementation of new methods and strategies for teaching; laws to protect the teacher and incentives for them, among others. Conclusions: The violence generated by the gangs affects the entire community, indirectly affecting the teacher-student relationship, and therefore the quality of education. This problem requires immediate actions to improve communication among the different parties implicated in the problem, and measures to protect the educational tasks undertaken by the teachers...

Hallazgos neuropsiquiátricos en una mujer quince años después de una intoxicación por mercurio elemental / Neuropsychiatric findings in a woman fifteen years after elemental mercury poisoning

Introducción: El mercurio es un metal cuyo uso implica un riesgo de exposición, especialmente en el ambiente laboral o por agua contaminada. Se ha documentado que la intoxicación por mercurio elemental puede generar síntomas neuropsiquiátricos en los individuos afectados. Sin embargo, las posibles secuelas en el largo plazo son menos conocidas. Objetivo: Presentar el caso de una mujer de 44 años que sufrió una intoxicación por mercurio hace 15 años; se busca describir la sintomatología que ha presentado en este tiempo y los hallazgos neuropsiquiátricos actuales. Método: Reporte de caso. Resultados: Se documentan alteraciones en el pensamiento, el afecto, la sensopercepción y los procesos de memoria, nominación, atención y abstracción. Estos hallazgos son compatibles con la afectación cortico-subcortical. Adicionalmente, se encontró temblor y paresia de las extremidades. Al hacer la resonancia magnética de cerebro no se encontraron alteraciones y se descartó intoxicación actual por este metal. Discusión: Los hallazgos documentados son en su mayoría compatibles con lo que se ha descrito previamente en la literatura. En esta paciente se documenta un déficit cognoscitivo que persiste en forma crónica luego de la terminación de la exposición, a diferencia de lo reportado en otros trabajos. Conclusión: El diagnóstico precoz y el tratamiento oportuno de la intoxicación por mercurio son de gran importancia y pueden estar relacionados con una disminución en las secuelas neuropsiquiátricas de estos pacientes. Adicionalmente, es necesario implementar y diseñar programas de salud ocupacional y vigilancia ambiental destinados a prevenir intoxicaciones por mercurio...

Introduction: The use of mercury can lead to exposure especially in the work environment o through contaminated water sources. The fact that elemental mercury poisoning can cause neuropsychiatric symptoms has been documented. However, the possible long-term sequelae are less well-known. Objective: To report the case of an adult woman who suffered mercury poisoning fifteen years ago, with a description of the symptomatology that she has presented in this time period as well as the present day neuropsychiatric findings. Method: Case report Results: The case of a 44 year-old woman with a history of elemental mercury poisoning fifteen years ago is reported. Among the findings, compromise of thought, mood, perception, memory, attention, nomination and abstraction processes was documented. This is compatible with both cortical and subcortical involvement. In addition, tremor and paresis of the extremities was found. There were no pathological changes in the magnetic resonance image of the brain and current mercury intoxication was ruled out. Discussion: The majority of findings in this patient are compatible with what has been described previously in medical literature. In this case, cognitive compromise persists chronically after exposure has ceased. This contrasts with what has been reported in previous articles. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of mercury poisoning are of great importance and may be related to a reduction in the neuropsychiatric sequelae of these patients. In addition, it is necessary to implement and design occupational health and environmental protection programmes destined to prevent mercury poisoning...

El docente, su entorno y el síndrome de agotamiento profesional (SAP) en colegios públicos en Bogotá (Colombia) / Teachers, their environment and burnout syndrome (PBS) in public schools in Bogota (Colombia)

Introducción: El síndrome de agotamiento profesional (SAP) o burnout es de gran importancia y prevalencia entre los docentes; no obstante, en Colombia se ha estudiado poco. Objetivos: (1) Describir algunas características de los docentes respecto a su entorno laboral, bienestar y satisfacción personal, dificultades laborales, relación con estudiantes con dificultades y autoconocimiento, y (2) analizar su relación con el SAP en tres colegios públicos de Bogotá. Método: Se evaluó el SAP en docentes con un estudio de corte transversal, tipo encuesta, en tres colegios públicos de Bogotá, Colombia, mediante el Inventario de Maslach para Burnout y un cuestionario diseñado para indagar sobre factores socieodemográficos, personales y laborales. Resultados: Se realizaron 343 encuestas, de 367 previstas, para un índice de respuesta del 93,4%. El SAP tiene una prevalencia del 15,6%. El análisis factorial del cuestionario diseñado para docentes encontró que evaluaba cinco dimensiones y dentro de estas son evidentes las quejas sobre el ambiente laboral y las dificultades en los colegios, así como que más de un 70% de los docentes no se sienten preparados para manejar estudiantes con discapacidad física, mental y sensorial. Se establecieron relaciones entre algunos de estos factores y la presencia o no de SAP. Conclusión: El SAP es frecuente en docentes, existen quejas en múltiples esferas y se requieren intervenciones de salud mental que lleven a mejorar la interacción docente-alumno, en aras de mejorar la calidad de la educación...

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence and importance of burnout syndrome among teachers, it has rarely been studied in Colombia. Objective: To document and describe the following as they relate to burnout syndrome in three public schools in Bogotá: characteristics of the typical teaching environment, characteristics of student-teacher relations, the degree of well-being and personal satisfaction felt by teachers, as well as the difficulties they face on the job. Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed at three public schools in Bogotá. Teachers were evaluated via the Maslach Inventory for Burnout and a questionnaire encompassing sociodemographic, personal, and professional factors. Results: 343 out of 367 possible teachers completed the questionnaire resulting in a 93.4% response rate. The prevalence of burnout among this population was 15.6%. A factorial analysis of the questionnaire defined 5 categories of influence: work environment, personal satisfaction, work difficulties, working with problem students, and self-knowledge. Complaints related to work environment and work difficulties were the most common and more than 70% of survey-takers did not feel prepared to work with students possessing physical, mental or sensory handicaps. Some associations between these issues and the presence or absence of burnout syndrome were established. Conclusion: Burnout syndrome is a common occurrence among teachers in Bogotá stemming from a number of factors. Mental health interventions aimed at improving student-teacher interactions are required to enhance the overall quality of our educational system...

Prevalencia y características del síndrome de agotamiento profesional (SAP) en docentes de tres colegios públicos de Bogotá (Colombia) / Prevalence and Characteristics of Burnout Syndrome among Teachers of Three Public Schools in Bogotá (Colombia)

Introducción: El síndrome de agotamiento profesional (SAP) o burnout tiene gran importancia y prevalencia entre los trabajadores de la salud y está parcialmente estudiado entre los docentes. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y las características asociadas al SAP en tres colegios públicos de Bogotá. Método: Se realizó un diseño de corte transversal, tipo encuesta, en tres colegios públicos de Bogotá. Se evaluaron los docentes mediante el Inventario de Maslach para agotamiento profesional y un cuestionario diseñado para evaluar factores sociodemográficos, personales y laborales. Resultados: Se realizaron 343 encuestas, de 367 previstas, para un índice de respuesta del 93,4%. Se halló que el SAP tiene una prevalencia de 15,4% para los docentes y que podría aumentar a 29,7% si se tiene en cuenta que dos de los tres dominios del SAP están por encima del percentil 30. Un 25,3% de los docentes presentaron cansancio emocional alto. La prevalencia de SAP fue menor en docentes mayores de 55 años, con 21 a 30 años de experiencia; en aquellos que solamente trabajan una jornada, y en los que tienen cargos directivos. Es menos frecuente en docentes casados y en aquellos que tienen más hijos. Conclusión: El SAP es frecuente en docentes y requiere intervenciones de salud mental que lleven a mejorar la interacción docente-alumno.

Introduction: Burnout syndrome is highly prevalent among health care professionals, but has only been partially studied in teachers. Objective: To determine the characteristics associated to burnout syndrome in teachers of three public schools in the city of Bogotá (Colombia). Method: Teachers were evaluated according to the Maslach Inventory for Burnout and a questionnaire designed to evaluate socio-demographic, personal and job-related factors. Results: 343 out of 367 questionnaires were completed, giving a response index of 93.4%. It was noted that burnout syndrome had a prevalence of 15.4% in teachers but it could actually rise to 29.7% if the fact is taken into account that two out of three domains of burnout syndrome were above the 30th percentile. 25.3% of the teachers had high emotional tiredness. The prevalence of burnout syndrome was lower in teachers over 55 years of age with 21 to 30 years of working experience, also in those who worked less hours a day and in those with high directive positions. It was also less frequent in married teachers and in those who have more children. Conclusion: Burnout syndrome is frequent in teachers and requires interventions in mental health in order to improve the teacher-student relationship.