Performance measures for alcohol and other drugs services: a commentary.

Alcohol and other drugs treatment includes a wide range of service and personal characteristics, along with expected and unexpected barriers to treatment. To capture the benefits and the gaps of a designed treatment, one needs to consider process-of-care and outcome measurements. Process-of-care measures are mainly developments of the rationale proposed by The Washington Circle and capture all variants in the process-of-care as proportions. Outcome measures are strongly related to different concepts of recovery and described as simple yes/no answers type to wide levels of response, such as in Likert-type scales. According to the studies collected here, more realistic periods of data-collection for process-of-care measures and a more reliable format to capture outcome particularities should be designed.

Alcohol dependence and CD4 cell count: is there a relationship?

Alcohol and other drugs use seem to be common among people infected with HIV on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Their effects on HIV progression is still in debate. This study aimed to assess the association between alcohol and drug use and an HIV disease progression biomarker (CD4 cell count) among patients on ART. A cross-sectional study was carried out at an HIV treatment center affiliated with Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Brazil. Four hundred and thirty-eight HIV-positive patients on ART were interviewed by trained psychiatrists and psychologists using the following instruments: Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ). In the previous month, 219 (50%) and 41 (9.3%) patients reported use of alcohol and illicit drugs, respectively. Fifty patients (12.6%) were classified as having harmful alcohol use by AUDIT. According to SCID-I, 80 patients (18.3%) were alcohol abusers, 24 (5.5%) alcohol dependents, and 21 (4.2%) had a current depressive disorder. Almost 73% (n = 319-72.8%) of the patients were adherent to ART. Alcohol dependents were nine times (p < 0.01) more likely to have CD4 cell count ≤200/mm(3), and this association was independent of ART adherence. In conclusion, alcohol dependence seems to be associated with low CD4 cell count in HIV-positive patients. Based on these data, HIV health care workers should always assess alcohol consumption in the treatment setting, and patients should be advised that alcohol dependence may be linked to low CD4.

[Management of patients with substance use illnesses in psychiatric emergency department]. / Manejo do paciente com transtornos relacionados ao uso de substância psicoativa na emergência psiquiátrica.

OBJECTIVE: Substance use disorders are prevalent in emergency departments in medical and psychiatric services, reaching rates of 28% of cases in medical emergency departments. However, professionals in the emergency department identify less than 50% of cases of alcohol-related problems. This article aims to provide evidence-based interventions for the specific treatment to patients who meet diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and who present to emergency rooms during intoxication or abstinence. METHOD: A literature review was performed on Medline database, using the descriptors "acute intoxication", "withdrawal", "alcohol", "cocaine", "cannabis", "opioid", "inhalant", "management", using English as the language. RESULTS: AND CONCLUSION: The care of persons with substance use disorders should include: comprehensive assessment (medical and psychiatric), treatment of diagnosed disorders (withdrawal, intoxication and clinical features that characterize an emergency), awareness of the patient to carry out treatment if necessary and referral.

The influence of depressive symptoms and substance use on adherence to antiretroviral therapy. A cross-sectional prevalence study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is not a stable condition, but is dynamic, like mental conditions. The aim of this study was to examine whether non-adherence to ART is related to demographic and immunological variables, substance use and presence of depressive symptoms. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional prevalence study carried out at a public AIDS treatment center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between July 2006 and January 2007. METHODS: 438 patients on regular ART schedules with recent laboratory tests answered a demographic questionnaire, questions about substance use, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ). RESULTS: The prevalence of non-adherence over the past three months (a pattern of treatment interruption) was 46.3%, and 27.2% also reported this in the past week (a pattern of missed doses). ART interruption was significantly related to older age, lower CD4+ cell count and homosexual/bisexual transmission. The pattern of missed doses was significantly related to younger age, higher HDRS scores and higher viral load of RNA HIV. CONCLUSION: ART interruption may reflect recall errors and changes to the Brazilian demographic characteristics of HIV infection. The missed doses may reflect lifestyle characteristics of younger individuals. Attendance for HIV-positive individuals, particularly younger patients, should involve interventions and counseling in relation to the presence of depressive symptoms.

[Evaluation of a screening test for alcohol-related problems (CAGE) among employees of the Campus of the University of São Paulo]. / Avaliação de instrumento de detecção de problemas relacionados ao uso do álcool (CAGE) entre trabalhadores da prefeitura do campus da Universidade de São Paulo (USP)-Campus Capital.

UNLABELLED: Alcohol intake may play a significant role in absenteeism, delays and accidents at the workplace. However, its detection is limited by difficulties of both patients and physicians regarding the subject. The CAGE questionnaire may be an easy, fast and non intimidative alternative to detect alcohol-related problems (ARP). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the validity coefficients of the CAGE (sensitivity, Sen; specificity, Spec; positive predictive value, PPV, and the area under the ROC curve--AUC) among employees of the Campus of the University of Sao Paulo using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, SCID 2.0. METHODS: A random 203-worker sample was selected to be surveyed with a socio-demographic questionnaire followed by the CAGE questions and the SCID 2.0. CAGE validity coefficients were analyzed according to the SCID 2.0 results for alcohol abuse and dependence, while sociodemographic data were analyzed by the chi-square test. RESULTS: Among 192 interviewed workers, the prevalence of the CAGE-positive was 19.8%. Validity coefficients results were for ARP: Sen=84.4%, Spec=93.1%, PPV=71.1% and AUC=0.88 (p<0.01); and for alcohol dependence: Sen=91.3%, Spec=89.9%, PPV=55.3% and AUC=0.90 (p<0.01). There were significant associations between CAGE-positive and the following characteristics: 1) age (61 years or more, p=0.04), 2) male gender (p=0.01) and 3) blue color occupations (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: The PPV of the CAGE suggested its better performance in screening ARP (abuse and dependence) than only alcohol dependence. The association with age and sex could be related to limitations of the questionnaire. Blue color occupations could indicate a risk factor for ARP. The CAGE was considered valid for the screening of ARP at the workplace.

[Adolescent substance use and family problems]. / Uso de substâncias na adolescência e problemas familiares.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs) and family problems among 965 adolescents from 50 public schools in two cities in São Paulo State, Brazil, in 2007. The Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) was used for data collection. Use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs was associated with a negative assessment of the family relationship, lack of monitoring/support, and psychoactive substance use by family members (p < 0.05). Adolescents that reported having used alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs had more family problems than those who did not consume any substance (p < 0.001). Adolescents that used alcohol and tobacco (p = 0.028) and illicit drugs (p < 0.001) reported having more family problems than those who used only alcohol. The results highlight the importance of awareness of alcohol and tobacco use by adolescents, since such use was associated with significant family impairments, similar to illicit drug use.

Gender parity and drug use: are girls catching up with boys?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between gender and use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in adolescents aged 10 to 18 years in the municipalities of Jacareí and Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 971 adolescents completed the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI). RESULTS: In our sample, 55% of adolescents were male, 33.8% reported having made use in the previous month of alcohol, 13.5% of cigarettes, and 6.4% of illicit drugs. There was no significant difference between genders in the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs in any of the analysis (p > 0.05). The use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs was associated with the city, age, educational level, school failure, and relationship with parents (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Substance abuse among adolescents in our sample seems to follow the recent global trend towards the equalization of drug use between genders. This result should be taken into account by public health professionals in developing policies for this problem.

Fatores associados à Depressão Pós-Parto em mulheres em situação de vulnerabilidade social / Factors associated with postpartum depression in social vulnerability women / Factores asociados con la depresión posparto en las mujeres en situación de vulnerabilidad social

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar possíveis fatores associados com a depressão pós-parto (DPP), como o uso de substâncias e o suporte psicossocial em uma amostra de 102 mulheres em situação de vulnerabilidade social. O estudo foi realizado com puérperas que residiam provisoriamente no alojamento de um Hospital Maternidade público. Aproximadamente 20% das puérperas apresentaram critérios para a DPP além de um padrão de uso de álcool e maconha superior àquelas que não tinham o transtorno. Observou-se também associação entre violência, falta de suporte psicológico e apoio familiar com a DPP. Observou-se uma associação entre a DPP com outras comorbidades de modo que algumas variáveis estudadas possam estar envolvidas na etiologia e manutenção deste transtorno.

This study aimed to evaluate possible factors associated with postpartum depression syndrome (PDD), as the substance abuse and psychosocial support in a sample of 102 women in a social vulnerability condition. The study was conducted with mothers who were residents in specific hospital's lodging. Almost 20% of mothers showed symptoms to PDD as well as abusive alcohol and marijuana consumption compared with those who did not have PDD. Besides, it was observed an association between lack of psychological and familiar support with PDD. PDD it seems to be associated with other comorbidities so that some of these variables can be linked on the etiology and maintenance of PDD.

Este estudo tuvo como objectivo evaluar possibles factores associados con la Depresión Posparto (DPP) como el uso de substancias y apoio psicossocial em 102 mujeres em situación de vulnerabilidad social. El estúdio se realizó com las madres residentes transitórias em la vivienda de un Hospital Maternidad. Aproximadamente 20% de las madres presentaron criterios para el DPP, así como un de consumo de alcohol y marihuana superior a aquellas que no tienen el trastorno. También fue observada uma asociación entre la violencia, falta de apoyo psicológico y de la familia con el DPP. El DPP parece estar asociada con otras enfermedades concomitantes por lo que algunas variables pueden estar implicados en la etiología y el mantenimiento de este trastorno.

The influence of depressive symptoms and substance use on adherence to antiretroviral therapy. A cross-sectional prevalence study / A influência dos sintomas depressivos e do uso de substâncias na adesão à terapia antirretroviral. Um estudo transversal de prevalência

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is not a stable condition, but is dynamic, like mental conditions. The aim of this study was to examine whether non-adherence to ART is related to demographic and immunological variables, substance use and presence of depressive symptoms. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional prevalence study carried out at a public AIDS treatment center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between July 2006 and January 2007. METHODS: 438 patients on regular ART schedules with recent laboratory tests answered a demographic questionnaire, questions about substance use, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ). RESULTS: The prevalence of non-adherence over the past three months (a pattern of treatment interruption) was 46.3%, and 27.2% also reported this in the past week (a pattern of missed doses). ART interruption was significantly related to older age, lower CD4+ cell count and homosexual/bisexual transmission. The pattern of missed doses was significantly related to younger age, higher HDRS scores and higher viral load of RNA HIV. CONCLUSION: ART interruption may reflect recall errors and changes to the Brazilian demographic characteristics of HIV infection. The missed doses may reflect lifestyle characteristics of younger individuals. Attendance for HIV-positive individuals, particularly younger patients, should involve interventions and counseling in relation to the presence of depressive symptoms. .

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Adesão ao tratamento antirretroviral (TARV) não é uma condição estável, mas dinâmica, como os transtornos mentais. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se a não adesão ao TARV relaciona-se às variáveis demográficas e imunológicas, ao uso de substâncias e à presença de sintomas depressivos. DESENHO E LOCAL: Este estudo transversal de prevalência foi realizado em um serviço público para tratamento de pessoas HIV-positivas na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil, entre julho 2006 e janeiro 2007. MÉTODOS: 438 pacientes em regime regular de TARV, que tinham exames laboratoriais recentes, responderam a questionário demográfico, questões sobre uso de substâncias, Escala de Hamilton para Depressão (HAM-D) e Questionário Simplificado de Adesão à Medicação (QSAM). RESULTADOS: A prevalência de não adesão nos últimos três meses (um padrão de interrupção de tratamento) foi de 46,3% e de 27,2% na última semana (um padrão de perda de doses). A interrupção do TARV relacionou-se significativamente a maior idade, menor contagem de células CD4+ e contágio homo/bissexual, enquanto o padrão de perda de doses relacionou-se significativamente com idade mais jovem, pontuação mais alta na HAM-D e maior carga viral de RNA HIV. CONCLUSÃO: A interrupção do TARV pode refletir erros de memória e mudanças nas características demográficas brasileiras da infecção por HIV. A perda de doses pode refletir aspectos de estilo de vida de indivíduos mais jovens. O atendimento de indivíduos HIV-positivos, particularmente os mais jovens, deve envolver intervenções e aconselhamento em relação à presença de sintomas depressivos. .

Uso de substâncias na adolescência e problemas familiares / Adolescent substance use and family problems

Esta pesquisa visou a avaliar a associação entre o consumo de substâncias (álcool, tabaco e drogas ilícitas) e problemas familiares numa amostra de 965 adolescentes em 50 escolas públicas de dois municípios do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, em 2007. Foi utilizado o Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) para a coleta de dados. O uso de álcool, tabaco e drogas ilícitas foi associado à avaliação negativa da relação familiar, à falta de suporte/monitoramento e ao uso de substâncias por familiares (p < 0,05). Os estudantes que relataram ter feito uso de substâncias apresentaram mais problemas familiares do que aqueles que não consumiram nenhuma substância (p < 0,001). Os adolescentes que usaram álcool e tabaco (p = 0,028) e drogas ilícitas (p < 0,001) relataram ter mais problemas familiares do que aqueles que usaram apenas álcool. Os resultados apontam para a importância de se ficar atento ao consumo de álcool e tabaco entre os adolescentes, já que o relato do consumo das duas substâncias esteve associado a prejuízos familiares significativos, semelhantes ao uso de drogas ilícitas.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs) and family problems among 965 adolescents from 50 public schools in two cities in São Paulo State, Brazil, in 2007. The Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) was used for data collection. Use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs was associated with a negative assessment of the family relationship, lack of monitoring/support, and psychoactive substance use by family members (p < 0.05). Adolescents that reported having used alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs had more family problems than those who did not consume any substance (p < 0.001). Adolescents that used alcohol and tobacco (p = 0.028) and illicit drugs (p < 0.001) reported having more family problems than those who used only alcohol. The results highlight the importance of awareness of alcohol and tobacco use by adolescents, since such use was associated with significant family impairments, similar to illicit drug use.

Gender parity and drug use: are girls catching up with boys? / A paridade de gêneros e o uso de drogas: as meninas estão alcançando os meninos?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between gender and use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in adolescents aged 10 to 18 years in the municipalities of Jacareí and Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 971 adolescents completed the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI). RESULTS: In our sample, 55 percent of adolescents were male, 33.8 percent reported having made use in the previous month of alcohol, 13.5 percent of cigarettes, and 6.4 percent of illicit drugs. There was no significant difference between genders in the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs in any of the analysis (p > 0.05). The use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs was associated with the city, age, educational level, school failure, and relationship with parents (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Substance abuse among adolescents in our sample seems to follow the recent global trend towards the equalization of drug use between genders. This result should be taken into account by public health professionals in developing policies for this problem.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as associações entre gênero e uso de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas em adolescentes de 10 a 18 anos dos municípios de Jacareí e Diadema (São Paulo, Brasil). MÉTODOS: O Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) foi respondido por 971 adolescentes. RESULTADOS: Na nossa amostra, 55 por cento eram do sexo masculino, 33,8 por cento relataram ter feito uso de bebidas alcoólicas no último mês, 13,5 por cento de cigarro e 6,4 por cento de drogas ilícitas. Não foi encontrada diferença significativa quanto ao uso de álcool, tabaco e drogas ilícitas entre os gêneros em nenhuma das análises (p > 0,05). O uso de álcool, tabaco e drogas ilícitas foi associado a cidade, idade, grau de escolaridade, repetência escolar, e relacionamento com os pais (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: O consumo entre os adolescentes nesta amostra parece acompanhar recente tendência mundial quanto à equiparação do uso de drogas entre os gêneros. Este resultado deve ser levado em conta pelos profissionais de saúde pública na elaboração de políticas para o problema.

Manejo do paciente com transtornos relacionados ao uso de substância psicoativa na emergência psiquiátrica / Management of patients with substance use illnesses in psychiatric emergency department

OBJETIVO: Transtornos por uso de substâncias são prevalentes em setores de emergência gerais e psiquiátricos, atingindo taxas de 28 por cento das ocorrências em prontos-socorros gerais. Todavia, profissionais dos setores de emergência identificam menos que 50 por cento dos casos de problemas relacionados ao álcool. Este artigo visa fornecer base fundamentada em evidências para o tratamento específico a pacientes que preencham os critérios diagnósticos de transtornos por uso de substâncias e que se apresentam ao pronto-socorro em quadros de intoxicação ou abstinência. MÉTODO: Uma revisão sobre o tema foi realizada na base de dados Medline, usando-se os descritores "intoxicação aguda", "abstinência", "álcool", "cocaína", "cannabis", "opioides", "inalantes" e "manejo", tendo o inglês como idioma. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÃO: O cuidado de pessoas com transtornos por uso de substâncias deve conter: avaliação completa (médica geral e psiquiátrica), tratamento dos quadros diagnosticados (abstinência, intoxicação e quadros clínicos que caracterizem uma emergência), sensibilização do paciente para realizar tratamento, se for necessário, e elaboração de encaminhamento.

OBJECTIVE: Substance use disorders are prevalent in emergency departments in medical and psychiatric services, reaching rates of 28 percent of cases in medical emergency departments. However, professionals in the emergency department identify less than 50 percent of cases of alcohol-related problems. This article aims to provide evidence-based interventions for the specific treatment to patients who meet diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and who present to emergency rooms during intoxication or abstinence. METHOD: A literature review was performed on Medline database, using the descriptors "acute intoxication", "withdrawal", "alcohol", "cocaine", "cannabis", "opioid", "inhalant", "management", using English as the language. RESULTS: AND CONCLUSION: The care of persons with substance use disorders should include: comprehensive assessment (medical and psychiatric), treatment of diagnosed disorders (withdrawal, intoxication and clinical features that characterize an emergency), awareness of the patient to carry out treatment if necessary and referral.

Avaliação de instrumento de detecção de problemas relacionados ao uso do álcool (CAGE) entre trabalhadores da prefeitura do campus da Universidade de São Paulo (USP) - campus capital / Evaluation of a screening test for alcohol-related problems (CAGE) among employees of the Campus of the University of São Paulo

O uso do álcool pode ser responsável por acidentes, atrasos e faltas no trabalho. Sua detecção é limitada pelas dificuldades de pacientes e médicos quanto ao assunto. O questionário CAGE pode ser uma alternativa fácil, rápida e pouco intimidativa na detecção dos problemas relacionados ao uso de álcool (PRA). OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os indicadores de validade do CAGE - sensibilidade (S), especificidade (E), valor preditivo positivo, VPP e a área sob a curva ROC, ASC - entre funcionários da Prefeitura da Cidade Universitária, utilizando a Entrevista Clínica Estruturada para o DSM-IV, a SCID 2.0. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 203 funcionários para entrevista com um questionário sociodemográfico seguido do CAGE e da SCID 2.0 Os indicadores de validade do CAGE foram analisados através dos resultados da SCID 2.0 para abuso e dependência do álcool e os dados sociodemográficos pelo cálculo do qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Entre os 192 funcionários entrevistados, a prevalência do CAGE positivo foi 19,8 por cento, com os seguintes indicadores de validade para a detecção de PRA: S=84,4 por cento, E=93,1 por cento, VPP=71,1 por cento e ASC=0,88 (p<0,01) e para dependência do álcool: S=91,3 por cento, E=89,9 por cento, VPP=55,3 por cento e ASC=0,90 (p<0,01). Houve associações significativas entre o CAGE positivo e as seguintes características: 1) faixa etária de 61 anos ou mais (p=0,04); 2) sexo masculino (p=0,01); e 3) função operacional (p=0,02). CONCLUSÕES: O CAGE teve menos falsos positivos na detecção de PRA (abuso e dependência) que na detecção de dependência do álcool isoladamente. Os resultados para faixa etária e sexo podem refletir limitações do CAGE. Funções operacionais podem indicar um risco para PRA. O CAGE foi considerado válido na detecção de PRA no local de trabalho.

Aspectos psicológicos em mulheres com fibromialgia / Psychological aspects in women with fibromyalgia

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar um grupo de mulheres com fibromialgia da cidade de Sorocaba, SP, para determinar a presença ou näo de distúrbios psicológicos. Estudaram-se 47 mulheres que preencheram os critérios para classificaçäo da fibromialgia do Colégio Americano de Reumatologia e 44 controles normais, em relaçäo à dor músculo-esquelética crônica. Realizaram-se observaçäo clínica, entrevistas psicológica e aplicaram-se os testes de Hamilton para depressäo e ansiedade. observaram-se 63,8% de distúrbios de personalidade em relaçäo a 8,0% no grupo controle; 80,0% de depressäo no grupo de estudo e 12% nos controles e ansiedade em 63,8% do grupo da fibromialgia e 16% nos controles. Os testes de Hamilton se correlacionaram de forma significativa com as entrevistas psicológicas. Conclui-se que ocorre associaçäo significante entre fibromialgia, distúrbios da personalidade, depressäo e ansiedade