[Validation of the Spanish version of the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale in the general population]. / [Validación de la versión española de la Escala de Percepciones Anómalas de Cardiff en población general].

INTRODUCTION: Interest in the existence of anomalous perceptions in the general population has increased greatly over recent years. Because of this, it has been possible to extend the knowledge regarding the theory of psychosis as a dimensional model. This study has aimed to validate the Spanish version of the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale (CAPS) the general population. METHOD: A descriptive, controlled and cross-sectional study was performed. It evaluated 324 participants from the general population with the Spanish translation of the CAPS, the 21-item Peter et al. Delusions Inventory, the Revised Launay-Slade Hallucinations Scale and the reduced Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE). RESULTS: The results indicate that the Spanish version of the CAPS has good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Analysis of the relationship with other scales indicates evidence of good convergent and divergent validity and the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the CAPS showed a structure with three consistent factors. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the CAPS is a valid and reliable psychometric measure of the anomalous perceptual experiences in the general population.

Assessment of Subclinical Psychotic Symptoms in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthritis.

Inflammatory and autoimmune processes have been associated with the onset of depressive and psychotic symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) are rheumatic diseases with an inflammatory etiology. A high prevalence of depressive and anxiety-related comorbidity has been reported for both diseases, with no evidence of a greater prevalence of psychosis. The objective of the present study was to evaluate for the first time subclinical psychotic symptoms in patients with RA and SpA. This is a cross-sectional, single-center study including RA and SpA patients, as well as healthy controls. Abnormal psychotic experiences (positive, negative, and depressive symptoms) were evaluated using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-42). Functional capacity was evaluated using the Short-Form Health Survey SF-12. We compared the CAPE and SF-12 scores between the three groups. We recruited 385 individuals: 218 with RA, 100 with SpA, and 67 healthy controls. According to the CAPE scale, the frequency of subclinical psychotic symptoms was greater in patients than in healthy controls (RA, 1.90 vs. 1.63, p < 0.001; SpA, 1.88 vs. 1.63, p = 0.001). Distress was also greater in patients than in controls owing to the presence of symptoms. No differences were observed between the three groups for the mental dimension scores in the SF-12 Health Survey (43.75 in RA, 45.54 in SpA, and 43.19 in healthy controls). Our findings point to a greater prevalence of subclinical psychotic symptoms in patients with RA and patients with SpA than in the general population. The results suggest an association between inflammation and depression/subclinical psychotic symptoms.

Validation of the Spanish-language Cardiff Anomalous Perception Scale.

The Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale (CAPS) is a psychometric measure of hallucinatory experience. It has been widely used in English and used in initial studies in Spanish but a full validation study has not yet been published. We report a validation study of the Spanish-language CAPS, conducted in both Spain and Colombia to cover both European and Latin American Spanish. The Spanish-language version of the CAPS was produced through back translation with slight modifications made for local dialects. In Spain, 329 non-clinical participants completed the CAPS along with 40 patients with psychosis. In Colombia, 190 non-clinical participants completed the CAPS along with 21 patients with psychosis. Participants completed other psychometric scales measuring psychosis-like experience to additionally test convergent and divergent validity. The Spanish-language CAPS was found to have good internal reliability. Test-retest reliability was slightly below the cut-off, although could only be tested in the Spanish non-clinical sample. The scale showed solid construct validity and a principal components analysis broadly replicated previously reported three component factor structures for the CAPS.

Depersonalisation and schizophrenia: Comparative study of initial and multiple episodes of schizophrenia. / Despersonalización y esquizofrenia: estudio comparativo entre primeros y múltiples episodios de esquizofrenia.

INTRODUCTION: The phenomena of depersonalisation/derealisation have classically been associated with the initial phases of psychosis, and it is assumed that they would precede (even by years) the onset of clinical psychosis, being much more common in the prodromal and acute phases of the illness. The aims of the present study are to analyse the differences in depersonalisation/derealisation between patients with initial and multiple episodes and the factors that could influence this. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, controlled and cross-sectional study of 48 patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia (20 with an initial episode and 28 with multiple episodes). These patients were assessed using scales such as the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale, the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale. RESULTS: Participants with initial episodes score higher on both the Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale, and the subscale of the Dissociative Experiences Scale that evaluates such experiences. There were no associations between these types of experience and the positive symptoms subscale of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. CONCLUSIONS: Depersonalisation/derealisation experiences appear with greater frequency, duration and intensity in patients in the early stages of the illnesses, gradually decreasing as they become chronic.

[Factorial Structure of the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale (CAPS) in a Colombian Population Sample]. / Estructura factorial de la Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale (CAPS) en una muestra de población colombiana.

BACKGROUND: The continuum hypothesis of psychosis assumes that hallucinations are not exclusive of psychotic disorders. A number of psychometric tests have been developed to assess psychosis using a dimensional model. OBJECTIVES: To determine the factorial structure of the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale (CAPS) for the Colombian population, and to contrast the fit of two factor models previously reported in the literature by conducting a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which 207 subjects from the general population were assessed using the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale. RESULTS: A two-factor structure with acceptable ordinal alpha coefficients (α=.88 and α=.87) was found. One factor gathered items related to multimodal perceptual alterations, and a second factor grouped items related with experiences linked to the temporal lobe. The analysis of the first factor indicated that it was dependent on cultural issues for the interpretation of sensations. The second factor appeared almost unchanged on diverse populations, suggesting its transcultural character. When comparing the models proposed by Bell et al. and Jaen-Moreno et al. using the data obtained from the sample, the confirmatory factor analysis conducted indicated inadequate goodness-of-fit indexes (χ(2)). However, some incremental goodness-of-fit indexes (normalized χ(2) [RMSEA]) were acceptable. The Jaén-Moreno et al. model showed the best fit to the data collected from the Colombian sample. CONCLUSIONS: The factorial structure of CAPS for the Colombian population appears to be sensitive to cultural issues, especially when describing anomalous sensorial experiences.

Subtipo Persecutorio Del Trastorno Delirante: Estudio De Series De 129 Casos / Persecutory Subtype Of Delusional Disorder. Descriptive Study Of 129 Cases

Resumen Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer las características demográficas, factores ambientales, factores de riego psicosociales, y clínicas del subtipo persecutorio en un grupo de pacientes con trastorno delirante (TD). Metodología. Estudio epidemiológico retrospectivo sobre un Registro de Casos en el Dispensario de Psiquiatría e Higiene Mental de Córdoba sobre pacientes con TD según criterios DSM-IV-TR. Aquellos pacientes que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión definidos constituyeron nuestra muestra final de 261 casos, de ellos 129 casos presentaban el subtipo persecutorio. Las variables sobre las que se recogió información en base a protocolos, fueron agrupadas con el orden siguiente: I. Variables de los datos sociodemográficos y generales. II. Variables de los Factores de riesgo del TD (familiares y personales). III. Variables del Cuadro Clínico y el Diagnostico del TD (Presentación, sintomatología delirante, funcionalidad y discapacidad, utilización de los recursos sanitarios, tratamiento, problemas psicosociales, evolución y curso). Resultados. La proporción hombres versus mujeres en el subtipo persecutorio fue de 1,04. Solo el 5,4% de estos pacientes tenía estudios primarios. Un 65,9%, al realizar la primera consulta psiquiátrica, se encontraba casado y el 50,4% convivían en el hogar. Un 14,7% consumió previamente alcohol y un 0,8% otras sustancias. Las ideas de referencia y de persecución se presentaron el 98,4% y en el 99,2% de los casos respectivamente. Conclusiones. Son necesarios futuros estudios prospectivos para investigar los factores de riesgo del subtipo persecutorio del TD.

Objective. The objective of this study is to investigate the demographic, environmental, psychosocial and clinical characteristics of the persecutory subtype in a group of patients with delusional disorder (DD). Methodology. Retrospective descriptive study of DD cases registered at Psychiatry and Mental Hygiene Clinic of Cordoba according to DSM-IV-TR criteria was conducted. We obtained a sample of 261 DD patients who met the inclusion criteria; of them 129 cases has persecutory subtype. Data and variables collected were divided into 4 groups: I. Socio-demographic and general data. II. DD risk factors (personal and family). III. DD clinical picture and diagnosis (presentation, symptoms, disability, use of health care resources, treatment, and evolution). Results. The proportion of males versus females of the persecutory subtype was of 1.04. Only 5.4% of patients had primary level of education. At the first visit of the psychiatry clinic, 65.9% of the patients were married and about half of them shared home. About 14.7% of patients had a past history of alcohol consumption, and only 0.8% consumed other drugs. Ideas of reference and of persecution were found in 98.4% and 99.2% respectively. Conclusions. It is necessary to conduct future prospective studies to investigate the risk factors associated with the persecutory subtype of DD.

Trastorno delirante y conducta suicida: estudio descriptivo de 26 casos / Delusional disorder and suicidal behavior: descriptive study of 26 cases

Resumen Introducción/antecedentes: La conducta suicida en el trastorno delirante (TD) ha sido escasamente estudiada. Objetivo: Profundizar en el conocimiento de las características demográficas, ambientales, psicosociales y clínicas del suicido en un grupo de pacientes con TD con la finalidad de contribuir a generar y sugerir estrategias que contribuyan a realizar nuevos estudios de mayor nivel explicativo. Método: Estudio epidemiológico descriptivo retrospectivo de Registro de Casos en el Dispensario de Psiquiatría e Higiene Mental de Córdoba sobre pacientes con TD según criterios DSM-IV-TR. Aquellos pacientes que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión definidos constituyeron nuestra muestra final de 261 casos, de ellos 26 casos presentaron evidencias de intento de suicidio. Las variables sobre las que se recogió información en base a protocolos, fueron agrupadas con el orden siguiente: I. Sociodemográficos y generales. II. Factores de riesgo del TD (familiares y personales). III. Cuadro Clínico y el Diagnóstico del TD (Presentación, Sintomatología, Funcionalidad y Discapacidad, utilización de los recursos sanitarios, tratamiento, problemas psicosociales, evolución y curso) y medios letales utilizados. Resultados: La edad media de los pacientes fue de 47 años y el 60% fueron hombres. Los datos sociodemográficos muestran que los pacientes con intento de suicidio residían en núcleos rurales (46,2%), no tenían estudios en un 15,4%, un 57,7% no trabajaba y un 26,9% recibía una pensión por enfermedad o jubilación laboral. El subtipo persecutorio con 8 casos, fue el más frecuente, seguido de los subtipos de grandiosidad (6 casos) y celotípico (6 casos), mixto (3 casos), erotomaniaco (2 casos) y somático (1 casos). Discusión y conclusión: Son necesarios futuros estudios prospectivos para investigar los factores de protección, de riesgo y/o asociados al suicidio en el TD.

Introduction/Background: Suicidal behavior in delusional disorder (DD) patients has been poorly studied. Objective: Investigate the demographic, environmental, psychosocial and clinical characteristics of the suicidal behavior in a group of patients with DD. Method: Retrospective descriptive study of DD cases registered at Psychiatry and Mental Hygiene Clinic of Cordoba according to DSM-IV criteria was conducted. We obtained a sample of 261 DD patients who met the inclusion criteria, of them 26 cases presented evidence of suicidal behavior. Data and variables collected were divided into 4 groups: I. Socio-demographic and general data. II. DD risk factors (personal and family). III. DD clinical picture and diagnosis (presentation, symptoms, disability, use of health care resources, treatment, and evolution) and lethal methods used. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47 years old and 60% were males. Socio-demographic data show that 46.2% of patients with suicidal behavior lived in rural areas, only 15.4% were analphabet, 57.7% were unemployed, and 26.9% were receiving a pension because of illness or retirement. The persecutory subtype with 8 cases was the most frequent presentation, followed by grandiose (6 cases) and jealous (6 cases), mixed (3 cases), erotomanic (2 cases) and somatic (1 case) subtypes. Discussion and conclusion: It is necessary to conduct future prospective studies to investigate the protective and risks factors associated with the suicidal behavior in DD patients.

Estructura factorial de la Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale (CAPS) en una muestra de población colombiana / Factorial Structure of the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale (CAPS) in a Colombian Population Sample

Introducción: La hipótesis del continuo de la psicosis asume que las alucinaciones no son fenómenos exclusivos de los trastornos del espectro psicótico. Se ha desarrollado una serie de pruebas psicométricas abordando la psicosis a partir de un modelo dimensional. Objetivos: Determinar la estructura factorial de la Escala de Percepciones Anómalas de Cardiff (CAPS) en población colombiana y contrastar el ajuste de dos modelos factoriales previamente reportados en la literatura utilizando la técnica de análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC). Métodos: Estudio instrumental y transversal en el que participaron 207 sujetos de la población general evaluados con la CAPS. Resultados: Se encontró una estructura de dos factores con coeficientes alfa ordinales aceptables (α = 0,88 y α = 0,87). Un primer factor reúne ítems relacionados con alteraciones perceptuales multimodales y un segundo factor agrupa ítems asociados a experiencias relacionadas con el lóbulo temporal. El análisis del primer factor indica que depende de aspectos culturales en la interpretación de las sensaciones. El segundo factor aparece casi inalterable en diversas poblaciones, lo cual hace pensar en su carácter transcultural. Al comparar los modelos de Bell et al. y Jaén-Moreno et al., a partir de los datos obtenidos, los AFC muestran índices de ajuste absolutos (χ²) inadecuados. Sin embargo, algunos índices de ajuste incremental (χ²normalizado [RMSEA]) son aceptables. De los dos modelos, el propuesto por Jaén-Moreno et al. Fue el que mejor se adecuó a los datos de la muestra colombiana. Conclusiones: La estructura factorial del CAPS en población colombiana parece ser sensible a aspectos culturales en la interpretación de experiencias sensoriales anómalas.

Background: The continuum hypothesis of psychosis assumes that hallucinations are not exclusive of psychotic disorders. A number of psychometric tests have been developed to assess psychosis using a dimensional model. Objectives: To determine the factorial structure of the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale (CAPS) for the Colombian population, and to contrast the fit of two factor models previously reported in the literature by conducting a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 207 subjects from the general population were assessed using the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale. Results: A two-factor structure with acceptable ordinal alpha coefficients (α=.88 and α=.87) was found. One factor gathered items related to multimodal perceptual alterations, and a second factor grouped items related with experiences linked to the temporal lobe. The analy sis of the first factor indicated that it was dependent on cultural issues for the interpretation of sensations. The second factor appeared almost unchanged on diverse populations, sug gesting its transcultural character. When comparing the models proposed by Bell et al. and Jaen-Moreno et al. using the data obtained from the sample, the confirmatory factor analysis conducted indicated inadequate goodness-of-fit indexes (χ²). However, some incremental goodness-of-fit indexes (normalized χ² [RMSEA]) were acceptable. The Jaén-Moreno et al. model showed the best fit to the data collected from the Colombian sample. Conclusions: The factorial structure of CAPS for the Colombian population appears to be sensitive to cultural issues, especially when describing anomalous sensorial experiences.

Degradación de las formaciones psicóticas: un intento de objetivación / Degradation of the psychotic structures: an attempt of objectivation

El proceso de recuperación de la psicosis se lleva a cabo a través de una serie de etapas gradativas; de ahí su denominación de proceso de degradación. Este proceso se basa fundamentalmente en dos fenómenos: la debilitación de la certidumbre acerca de la realidad de la formación psicótica y la desactualización de la misma; o sea, la recuperación de un juicio de realidad correcto, sustitutorio del hasta entonces juicio de realidad psicótico. Con el fin de objetivar el proceso de degradación de la psicosis, y en particular los dos fenómenos señalados, hemos diseñado un cuestionario (CEDEP) que evaluá el grado de certeza que un determinado paciente posee sobre la realidad o ficción de sus formaciones psicóticas, tanto actuales como mnésticas. Este trabajo se inserta en la línea de investigación que Castilla del Pino y colaboradores llevan a cabo sobre la psicopatologia de la conducta psicótica