Como ser psicólogo hospitalar na pandemia de covid-19 no Brasil? Uma pesquisa documental / How to be a hospital psychologist in the covid-19 pandemic in Brasil? A documental research

Resumo Com alta transmissibilidade e demanda por atendimento hospitalar, a covid-19 teve impactos (como ansiedade, medo e insegurança) sobre o equilíbrio psicológico de pacientes, seus familiares e profissionais da saúde. Diante disso, o objetivo deste artigo é mapear intervenções psicológicas no contexto hospitalar frente à covid-19, a fim de subsidiar a constituição de protocolos. Observou-se que visitas virtuais, trabalho de luto antecipatório e técnicas de psicoeducação, através de psicoterapia breve, mostram-se necessários dentro do contexto de unidades fechadas, Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTIs) e emergências, como forma de enfrentamento que permite a elaboração de sentimentos, como medo, angústia e ansiedade. Para ambulatórios, destacam-se os plantões psicológicos, através de videochamadas, de demanda espontânea, além de encaminhamento para psicoterapia externa, voltados a profissionais com sintomas de pânico, ansiedade, depressão e exaustão. Mesmo com intervenções psicológicas originadas a partir desse contexto, evidencia-se a falta de protocolos com abrangência nacional e eficazes para o ambiente hospitalar, tanto para pacientes e familiares como para profissionais que atuam diretamente com o vírus. Portanto, cabe ao Brasil aperfeiçoar o modelo apresentado pela Comissão Nacional de Saúde da China, ou construir protocolos próprios de acordo com o contexto sociocultural, compreendendo suas diferentes formas de comunicação e enfrentamento. É essencial considerar sentimentos de cansaço dos profissionais da saúde, de forma que se sugerem ações como grupo de acolhimento de demandas emocionais geradas nesta pandemia.

Abstract With high transmission and demand for hospital care, COVID-19 caused impacts (such as anxiety fear, and insecurity) on the psychological balance of patients, family members, and health professionals. Therefore, the objective of this article is to map psychological interventions in the hospital context against COVID-19, to support the constitution of protocols in this environment. We observed that virtual visits, anticipatory mourning work, and psychoeducational techniques, via brief psychotherapy are necessary within the context of closed units, Intensive Care Units (ICU's), and emergencies, as a way of coping that allow the elaboration of feelings such as fear, anguish , and anxiety. For outpatient clinics, psychological shifts in hospitals, via video calls, of spontaneous demand, in addition to referral to external psychotherapy, for professionals with symptoms of panic, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion stand out. Even with psychological interventions originating from this context, the lack of protocols with national coverage and effectiveness for the hospital environment is evident, both for patients and families and for professionals who work directly with the virus. Therefore, it is up to Brazil to improve the model presented by the National Health Commission for the People's Republic of China, or build our own protocols according to the sociocultural context, comprising their different forms of communication and confrontation. In addition, it to Considering the feelings of tiredness of health professionals is essential, so that actions such as a group to acknowledge emotional demands generated in this pandemic are suggested.

Tiros na escola: algumas referências para a psicologia na assistência à comunidade escolar / School shotting: some references for psychology in school comunity support / Tíros em la escuela: algunas referencias para la psicología em la asistencia à comunidad escolar

A atuação em situações de emergências e desastres apresentam-se como um dos grandes desafios na atuação dos profissionais da Psicologia, demandando intervenções singulares, desde o primeiro contato com as vítimas e o com entorno afetado pelo ocorrido, passando pelo trabalho interdisciplinar e interinstitucional junto aos órgãos públicos de segurança, justiça, assistência e saúde. O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar, por meio da experiência na assistência às vítimas na Escola Estadual Raul Brasil, as particularidades e adversidades enfrentadas durante o primeiro semestre de intervenções emergenciais que antecederam a contratação de psicólogos por parte do poder público municipal para continuidade das ações. Por meio de relatos de experiência em intervenções psicológicas, obtidos em diferentes instituições para a assistência às vítimas, este trabalho também visa apresentar alternativas que possam servir de referências para a intervenção do psicólogo e da psicóloga em situações de emergências e desastres, especialmente ocorridas na comunidade escolar. Observou-se que a realização do trabalho interdisciplinar e interinstitucional somado à participação da direção da escola no planejamento das ações e a realização de plantões psicológicos e rodas de conversa junto à comunidade escolar foram fundamentais para a assistência às vítimas do ocorrido.(AU)

Timely response to emergency and disaster situations is a major challenge for Psychology professionals and require particular interventions, from initial contact with the victims and the affected environment to interdisciplinary and interinstitutional collaboration with public security, justice, assistance and health agencies. Based on the experience of providing assistance to the victims of the State School Raul Brasil, this paper presents the adversities and specificities faced during the first semester of emergency interventions implemented before psychologists were hired by municipal officials for the continuity of care. By analyzing experience reports on psychological interventions obtained from different institutions for victim assistance, this paper proposes alternatives to be used as reference for psychological intervention in emergency and disaster situations, especially those experienced by the school community. Interdisciplinary and interinstitutional collaboration with the school board for planning actions and offering psychological services and conversation circles for the school community was fundamental to assist the victims.(AU)

La actuación en situaciones de emergencias es uno de los grandes desafíos a los profesionales de la psicología, pues demanda intervenciones singulares desde el primer contacto con las víctimas y con el contexto afectado por lo ocurrido, pasando por la interdisciplinaridad e interinstitucionalidad junto a los organismos públicos de seguridad, justicia, asistencia y salud. Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar, por medio de la experiencia de la asistencia a las víctimas del colegio estadual Raul Brasil (en São Paulo, Brasil), las particularidades y adversidades enfrentadas durante el primer semestre de las intervenciones de emergencia que antecedieron la contratación de psicólogos por parte del municipio para continuidad de las acciones. Por medio de reportes de experiencia en intervenciones psicológicas, obtenidos en diferentes instituciones para la asistencia a las víctimas, este estudio también pretende presentar alternativas que puedan servir de referencia en la intervención de psicólogos y psicólogas en situaciones de emergencia y desastres, especialmente ocurridas en la comunidad escolar. Se verificó que la realización del trabajo interdisciplinar e interinstitucional, la participación de la dirección del colegio en la implementación de acciones y la realización de guardias psicológicas y círculos de conversación con la comunidad escolar fueron fundamentales para una asistencia a las víctimas.(AU)

Impacto da solidão na qualidade de vida de universitários de Minas Gerais / The impact of solitude in the quality of life of college students in Minas Gerais / Impacto de la soledad en la calidad de vida de estudiantes universitarios de Minas Gerais

O ingresso na universidade é marcado por intensas transformações pessoais e pela necessidade de adaptação para um modelo de ensino mais autônomo. Esse cenário pode contribuir para o surgimento de sentimentos de solidão e impactar a qualidade de vida dos universitários. O presente estudo visou investigar as relações entre a solidão e a qualidade de vida em universitários de uma universidade pública do interior de Minas Gerais. Participaram da pesquisa 268 estudantes de graduação selecionados aleatoriamente. Como instrumentos, foram utilizados um questionário sociodemográfico e de hábitos de vida, o Medical Outcomes Study 36 - item Short Form (SF-36), e a Escala Brasileira de Solidão (UCLA-BR). Foram conduzidas análises descritivas e inferenciais (correlação, Kruskal-Wallis e regressão logística). O domínio da qualidade de vida com maior escore foi Capacidade Funcional e Vitalidade foi o menor. Referente à solidão, 60,82% da amostra apresentou nível mínimo. Houve associação significativa entre a solidão e seis domínios da qualidade de vida. A solidão dobrou a chance de pior qualidade de vida nos domínios: aspectos sociais (β = 2,66), limitação emocional (β = 2,18) e saúde mental (β = 2,61). Conclui-se que a solidão impacta negativamente a qualidade de vida dos universitários e que, por isso, são necessárias intervenções para essa população.(AU)

Enrollment in the university is marked by intense personal transformations and the need to adapt to a more autonomous teaching model. This scenario can contribute to the emergence of feelings of loneliness and impact the quality of life of college students. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between loneliness and quality of life in college students at a public university in the interior of the state of Minas Gerais. A total of 268 undergraduate students randomly select took part in the study. The instruments used were a sociodemographic and lifestyle questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Study 36 - item Short Form (SF-36), and the Brazilian Loneliness Scale (UCLA-BR). Descriptive and inferential analyzes were conducted (correlation, Kruskal-Wallis, and logistic regression). The highest score in the quality of life's domain was Functional Capacity and the lowest was Vitality. Regarding loneliness, 60.82% of the sample had a minimum level. There was a significant association between loneliness and six quality of life domains. Loneliness doubled the chance of worse quality of life for the domains: social aspects (β = 2.66), emotional limitation (β = 2.18), and mental health (β = 2.61). In conclusion, loneliness negatively impacts the quality of life of university students and, therefore, interventions are required for this population.(AU)

El ingreso a la universidad está marcado por intensas transformaciones personales y la necesidad de adaptarse a un modelo de enseñanza más autónomo. Este escenario puede contribuir a la aparición de sentimientos de soledad e impactar la calidad de vida de los estudiantes universitarios. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar las relaciones entre la soledad y la calidad de vida en los estudiantes universitarios de una universidad pública del interior de Minas Gerais (Brasil). En la investigación participaron 268 estudiantes universitarios seleccionados al azar. Los instrumentos que se utilizaron fueron cuestionario de hábitos sociodemográficos y de estilo de vida, el Medical Outcomes Study 36 -item Short Form (SF-36) y la Escala de soledad brasileña (UCLA-BR). Se realizaron análisis descriptivos e inferenciales (correlación, Kruskal-Wallis y regresión logística). El dominio de la calidad de vida con la puntuación más alta fue la capacidad funcional, y el de la vitalidad fue la más baja. En cuanto a la soledad, el 60,82% de la muestra presentó nivel mínimo. Hubo una asociación significativa entre la soledad y seis dominios de calidad de vida. La soledad duplicó la posibilidad de una peor calidad de vida para los dominios: aspectos sociales (β = 2,66), limitación emocional (β = 2,18) y salud mental (β = 2,61). Se concluye que la soledad afecta negativamente la calidad de vida de los estudiantes universitarios y, por lo tanto, está prohibida para esta población.(AU)

Impactos reais e/ou potenciais da pandemia de Covid-19 na saúde mental de idosos / Real and/or potential impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health in older adults / Impactos reales y/o potenciales de la pandemia de Covid-19 en la salud mental de los ancianos

A pandemia de COVID-19 e as medidas de controle para conter a disseminação do vírus, como o distanciamento social, trouxeram mudanças à rotina das pessoas, mundialmente. Esse contexto pode gerar impactos adversos para a saúde mental dos indivíduos, especialmente, àqueles em maior vulnerabilidade, os idosos. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar na literatura os impactos reais e/ou potenciais da pandemia de COVID-19 na saúde mental de idosos. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura com buscas realizadas na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, que utilizou a seguinte estratégia de busca: (Coronavírus OR "Infecções por Coronavirus" OR "Coronavirus Infections" OR COVID-19) AND (idoso OR elderly OR aged) AND ("Saúde Mental" OR "Mental Health"). Foram critérios de inclusão: artigos acessados na íntegra, sem distinção de ano e idioma, indexados até o dia 11 de novembro de 2020; e os critérios de exclusão: artigos com fuga do escopo da pesquisa, revisões de literatura, arquivos multimídia e duplicados. Foram encontrados 241 registros, e após a aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade estabelecidos restaram 27 artigos para discussão. Dentre os impactos reais/potenciais da pandemia de COVID-19 na saúde mental dos idosos, abordados nos estudos, destaca-se a ansiedade, depressão, solidão, estresse, sensação de medo ou pânico, tristeza, suicídio/ideação suicida e insônia. Apesar disso, considera-se que há uma quantidade ainda escassa de estudos voltados especificamente para a população idosa que permitam aprofundar as discussões sobre esse tema.

The COVID-19 pandemic and control measures to contain the spread of the virus, such as social detachment, have brought changes to people's routine, worldwide. This context can generate adverse impacts on the mental health of individuals, especially those most vulnerable, the older adults. The aim of this study was to analyze in the literature the real and / or potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the older adults. It is an integrative literature review with searches performed in the Virtual Health Library, which used the following search strategy: (Coronavírus OR "Infecções por Coronavirus" OR "Coronavirus Infections" OR COVID- 19) AND (idoso OR elderly OR aged) AND ("Saúde Mental" OR "Mental Health"). Inclusion criteria were: articles accessed in full, without distinction of year and language, indexed until November 11, 2020; and exclusion criteria: articles with escape the scope of the research, literature reviews, multimedia and duplicate files, 241 records were found, and after applying the established eligibility criteria, 27 articles remained for discussion, among the actual / potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on older people, addressed in the studies, anxiety, depression, loneliness, stress, feeling of fear or panic, sadness, suicide / suicidal ideation and insomnia stand out. Despite this, there is still a small amount studies specifically aimed at the older population that allow further discussions on this topic.

La pandemia de covid-19 y las medidas de control para contener la propagación del virus, como el distanciamiento social, han supuesto cambios en la rutina de las personas en todo el mundo. Este contexto puede generar impactos adversos a la salud mental de los individuos, especialmente a los más vulnerables, los ancianos. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar en la literatura los impactos reales y/o potenciales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la salud mental de los ancianos. Se trata de una revisión bibliográfica integradora con búsquedas realizadas en la Biblioteca Virtual de Salud, que utilizó la siguiente estrategia de búsqueda: (Coronavirus OR "Coronavirus Infections" OR "Coronavirus Infections" OR COVID-19) AND (elderly OR aged) AND ("Mental Health" OR "Mental Health"). Los criterios de inclusión fueron: artículos accedidos en su totalidad, independientemente del año y el idioma, indexados hasta el 11 de noviembre de 2020; y los criterios de exclusión: artículos que estuvieran fuera del ámbito de la investigación, revisiones bibliográficas, archivos multimedia y duplicados. Se encontraron un total de 241 registros, y tras aplicar los criterios de elegibilidad establecidos, quedaron 27 artículos para su discusión. Entre los impactos reales/potenciales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la salud mental de los ancianos, abordados en los estudios, destacan la ansiedad, la depresión, la soledad, el estrés, la sensación de miedo o pánico, la tristeza, la ideación suicida/suicida y el insomnio. A pesar de ello, se considera que todavía hay una escasa cantidad de estudios dirigidos específicamente a la población de edad avanzada que permitan profundizar en las discusiones sobre este tema.

Prevalence and Associations between Anxiety, Depression, and Stress among Peruvian University Students during the covid-19 Pandemic / Prevalencia y asociaciones de ansiedad, depresión y estrés en estudiantes universitarios peruanos durante la pandemia de covid-19 / Prevalência e associações de ansiedade, depressão e estresse em estudantes universitários peruanos durante a pandemia de covid-19

The pandemic has brought about social changes, which may have affected mental health.The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of and associations between anxiety, depression, and stress among Peruvian university students during the covid-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This was an analytical, multi-centered, cross-sectional study conducted with 2,572 university students from 16 Peruvian cities. Depression, anxiety, and stress diagnoses were obtained with the dass-21 scale (stress alpha: 0.85; anx-iety alpha: 0.84; and depression alpha: 0.87). The values were crossed with significant social and educational variables. Results: Anxiety was the most common condition (extremely severe in 4 %, severe in 3 %, and mod-erate in 10 %). Whereas stress and depression were not associated with the course of studies (p > 0.330 and p > 0.440, respectively), anxiety was lower among students pursuing health-related degrees (p = 0.011). Women showed higher levels of stress (p = 0.040) and anxiety (p = 0.017). Older participants had relatively lower stress (p = 0.002), depression (p = 0.006), and anxiety (p = 0.044) levels. Third-year students had higher depression levels than first-year students (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Significant prevalence levels and associations were identified for the three conditions, which should be monitored to determine their current status, given the possible future occurrence of panic attacks or post-traumatic stress, among other complications.

la pandemia vivida obligó a cambios sociales que pudieron influir en la salud mental. El objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia y asociaciones de ansiedad, depresión y estrés en estudiantes universitarios peruanos durante la pandemia por covid-19. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal analítico y multicéntrico, en 2572 estudiantes universitarios de 16 ciudades de Perú. Los diagnósticos de depresión, ansiedad y estrés se obtuvieron con la escala dass-21 (alfa estrés: 0.85; alfa ansiedad: 0.84 y alfa depresión: 0.87). A estos se los cruzó con importantes variables socioeducativas. Resultados: la ansiedad fue la patología más frecuente (4 % de forma extrema severa, 3 % de forma severa y 10 % de forma mode-rada); el estrés y la depresión no tienen asociación con la carrera profesional (p > 0.330 y p > 0.440, res-pectivamente); en cambio, la ansiedad fue menor en los estudiantes de carreras de salud (p = 0.011). Las mujeres tuvieron más estrés (p = 0.040) y ansiedad (p = 0.017). A mayor edad, hubo menos estrés (p = 0.002), depresión (p = 0.006) y ansiedad (p = 0.044). Los de tercer año tuvieron más depresión en comparación con los de primer año (p = 0.011). Conclusiones: existen importantes prevalencias y asociaciones de las tres patologías evaluadas, lo que debe ser monitorizado según como están actualmente. Esto por las posibles futuras manifestaciones de crisis de pánico, estrés postraumático, entre otras.

a pandemia que estamos vivenciando forçou mudanças sociais, que podem influenciar na saúde mental. O objetivo do estudo é determinar a prevalência e associações de ansiedade, depressão e estresse em estudantes universitários peruanos durante a pandemia de covid-19. Materiais e métodos:estudo transversal analítico e multicêntrico, com 2572 estudantes universitários provenientes de 16 cidades do Peru. Os diagnósticos de depressão, ansiedade e estresse foram obtidos com a escala dass-21 (Alpha para estresse: 0,85; Alpha para ansiedade: 0,84 e Alpha para depressão: 0,87), estes foram cruza-dos com importantes variáveis socioeducativas. Resultados: a ansiedade foi a patologia mais frequente (4 % em sua forma extremamente grave, 3 % forma grave e 10 % forma moderada); estresse e depressão não foram associados à carreira profissional (p > 0,330 e p > 0,440, respectivamente); por outro lado, a ansiedade foi menor nos estudantes da carreira da saúde (p = 0,011). As mulheres apresentaram mais estresse (p = 0,040) e ansiedade (p = 0,017); quanto maior a idade houve menos estresse (p = 0,002), depressão (p = 0,006) e ansiedade (p = 0,044). Estudantes do 3º ano apresentaram mais depressão em comparação aos do 1º ano (p = 0,011). Conclusões: existem prevalências e associações importantes entre as três patologias avaliadas, que devem ser monitoradas de acordo com a forma como se encontram atualmente. Isso se deve às possíveis manifestações futuras de ataques de pânico, estresse pós-traumá-tico, entre outras complicações.

Presença de sintomas de fobia social, transtorno do pânico e ansiedade de separação em estudantes de 11 a 17 anos, em uma escola da rede pública de ensino de Salvador / Presence of symptoms of social phobia, panic and separation anxiety in students aged 11 to 17 years from a school of th public system of Salvador

Introdução: crianças e adolescentes, não raro, apresentam sintomas de fobia social, transtorno do pânico e ansiedade de separação, que podem causar comprometimento nas habilidades sociais e dificultar as relações de forma incapacitante. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar a presença de sintomas fóbicos sociais, transtorno de pânico e ansiedade de separação em adolescentes, com idade entre 11 e 17 anos, de uma escola pública da cidade de Salvador. Metodologia: este é um estudo observacional, transversal, que integra outro mais amplo, realizado em escola pública de Salvador, entre março e dezembro de 2015. A escala Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression foi aplicada em uma amostra de 674 alunos. Resultados: os alunos apresentaram sintomas de fobia social, transtorno do pânico e ansiedade de separação, em escala crescente, de acordo com a idade.

Introduction:children and adolescents often present symptoms of social phobia, panic disorder and separation anxiety disorder, which can cause social impairments and hinder relationships in a disabling way. Objective: this study aims to investigate the presence of social phobia, panic disorder and separation anxiety symptoms in adolescents aged between 11 and 17 years from a public school in the city of Salvador. Methodology: the present study is an observational cross-sectional research, which is part of a broader study conducted in a public school in Salvador, between March and December 2015. The Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) was used in a sample of 674 students. Results: the students presented symptoms of social phobia, panic disorder and separation anxiety on an increasing scale proportional to age.

Spring in London with Covid-19: a personal view.

This is a personal view from London as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread here and the situation changes from day to day. As such it can only be a snapshot caught in time; it is not a diary of events. The Coronavirus Act 2020 gives Government enormous powers and was passed by Parliament in one day of debate immediately before it closed early for the Easter break. In March, the government imposed a "lockdown: the closure of all" but "essential" businesses and people other than essential workers must work from home but are allowed out for exercise and food shopping but must maintain 2 m apart, the "social distancing rule". The aim is to suppress the spread of the virus, reduce the death toll and "protect the National Health Service (NHS)" which needed time to empty wards and expand its intensive care unit (ICU) capability to deal with an expected influx of thousands of very sick patients. I discuss whether this strategy is working, how and why it has rapidly been altered to respond to criticism. Why was the Government so slow to seek the help of private laboratories to assist with testing? Why was the personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance altered only after criticism? I look at the impact of the lockdown on the UK economy, the changes to practice of medicine and speeding of scientific research. Cooperating with the lockdown has its price; is it harming the health and mental health of children, people living in households with potentially abusive partners or parents and those who are disabled or financially desperate? Is the cure worse than the disease? The Economy is being devastated by the lockdown and each day of lockdown it is worse. Is litigation being seeded even now by the pandemic? Notwithstanding unprecedented Government financial help many businesses are on the edge of collapse, people will lose their jobs and pensioners income. The winners include pharmacies, supermarkets, online food retailers, Amazon, online apps, providers of video games, services, streaming and scientific research laboratories, manufacturers of testing kits, ventilators, hand sanitisers, coffins, undertakers, etc. The British public is cooperating with lockdown but are we less productive at home? Parents with babies and children often child minders, school, grandparents or paid help which is not now available. Will current reliance on video-conferencing and video calls permanently change the way we work and will we need smaller city offices? Will we travel less? Will medical and legal practice and civil and criminal trials be generally carried out remotely? Will social distancing with self-isolation and job losses and business failures fuel depression? Is Covid-19 comparable to past epidemics like the Plague and Spanish flu?

Attitudes of Anesthesiology Specialists and Residents toward Patients Infected with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): A National Survey Study.

Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of anesthesiology specialists and residents in Turkey about COVID-19 and their attitudes toward the strategies and application methods to be used for a suspected/confirmed COVID-19 case that needs to be operated on or followed up in an intensive care unit, as well as to raise awareness about this issue. Methods: This descriptive study comprised anesthesiology specialists and residents working in various health institutions in Turkey. The data used in this study were obtained online between March 13, 2020 and March 25, 2020 through the website SurveyMonkey (SurveyMonkey, San Mateo, CA) by using a survey form. We contacted members of the Turkish Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Society through the social media platforms Twitter, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp, as well as through their e-mail addresses and invited them to participate in the study. Those who agreed to participate responded to the aforementioned survey. We used SPSS 22.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY) to analyze the survey data statistically. Results: A total of 346 anesthesiology specialists and residents participated in the study. Although the majority of the participants exhibited the correct attitudes toward airway management, research assistants with little professional experience were observed to be undecided or had the tendency to make incorrect decisions. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading rapidly worldwide. The incidence of COVID-19 cases is increasing daily, and this disease can cause patient death. Anesthesiology specialists and residents who perform emergency operations on these patients in settings other than intensive care units should follow simple and easy-to-understand algorithms to ensure safety. The provision of theoretical and practical training to healthcare providers before they meet patients will help ensure patient-healthcare provider safety and prevent panic, which can cause distress among healthcare providers.

Uma visão atualizada da anafilaxia idiopática: a ausência de evidência não é a evidência de ausência / An updated view of idiopathic anaphylaxis: absence of evidence is not evidence of absence

A anafilaxia idiopática não apresenta etiologia conhecida. A sua prevalência é estimada entre 10-35% de todas as modalidades de anafilaxia. A sintomatologia apresentada é a mesma de qualquer outra anafilaxia: urticária, angioedema, ruborização, prurido, hipotensão arterial, taquicardia, manifestações gastrointestinais (disfagia, náusea, vômitos, cólicas abdominais, diarreia), asma, edema laríngeo, tontura e síncope. A mortalidade é rara. Não há transmissão genética, mas 40% dos pacientes são atópicos. É mais frequente nos adultos do que nas crianças, e principalmente em mulheres. É um diagnóstico de exclusão. Ocorre ativação mastocitária com desgranulação citoplasmática dos mediadores de anafilaxia (triptase, histamina, entre outros). É uma anafilaxia com boa resposta aos corticoides, e, portanto, caso não haja resposta adequada a doses eficazes de prednisona/prednisolona, o seu diagnóstico deve ser revisto. O diagnóstico diferencial da anafilaxia idiopática inclui: a mastocitose sistêmica indolente, síndromes de ativação mastocitária monoclonais, alergia à galactose-alfa-1,3 galactose, anafilaxia induzida por exercícios (com e sem dependência alimentar e medicamentosa), angioedema hereditário (congênito e adquirido), feocromocitoma, síndrome carcinoide, anafilaxia oral acarina, alergia ao Anisakis simplex, disfunção das cordas vocais, síndrome escombroide, alergia ao sêmen, alergia ao látex, manifestações psicossomáticas (síndrome do pânico, globus hystericus e a síndrome de Münchausen), bem como as tradicionais e mais frequentes modalidades de anafilaxia (alergia a alimentos, medicamentos e insetos). O tratamento na crise aguda da anafilaxia idiopática é o mesmo do que nas demais anafilaxias, incluindo a administração intramuscular imediata de epinefrina. Deve haver uma generosa e prolongada prescrição de corticoterapia oral, e também a instituição de medicação preventiva (anti-histamínicos anti- H1 e anti-H2, cetotifeno, albuterol oral, montelucaste, cromoglicato de sódio, e por último o omalizumabe). Os pacientes devem portar epinefrina autoinjetora e ser instruídos sobre como agir em caso de um episódio anafilático. Eles respondem bem à administração de epinefrina. A corticoterapia oral, por 4-6 semanas, pode induzir uma remissão completa.

Idiopathic anaphylaxis is a condition of unknown etiology. Its prevalence ranges from 10 to 35% of all cases of anaphylaxis. Clinical symptoms and signs are those of classic anaphylaxis, including urticaria, angioedema, flushing, itching, hypotension, tachycardia, gastrointestinal manifestations (dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea), asthma, laryngeal edema, dizziness, and syncope. Mortality is rare. There is no genetic transmission, but about 40% of patients are atopic. It is more common in adults than in children, affecting mainly women. It is considered a diagnosis of exclusion of other known forms of anaphylaxis. Mast cell activation occurs with cytoplasmatic degranulation of mediators of anaphylaxis (tryptase and histamine, among others). Because idiopathic anaphylaxis is a steroid-responsive condition, if it is not controlled with adequate doses of prednisone/prednisolone, the diagnosis should be challenged. The differential diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis includes indolent systemic mastocytosis, clonal mast cell activation syndromes, galactose-alpha-1,3- galactose allergy, exercise-induced anaphylaxis (both food- and drug-dependent and -independent), hereditary angioedema (congenital and acquired), pheochromocytoma, carcinoid syndrome, oral mite anaphylaxis, Anisakis simplex allergy, vocal cord dysfunction, scombroid poisoning, semen allergy, latex allergy, psychosomatic conditions (panic attacks, globus hystericus, and Münchausen syndrome), and the classic forms of anaphylaxis (food, drug, and insect allergies). Treatment of acute idiopathic anaphylaxis is the same as in the other forms of anaphylaxis, including intramuscular epinephrine, but with prolonged oral corticosteroid therapy. It might also include other oral preventive medications (H1 and H2 antihistamines, ketotifen, oral albuterol, montelukast, sodium cromoglycate, and recently omalizumab). Patients should have an epinephrine auto-injector and be instructed on self-management of anaphylaxis. Good response to epinephrine is observed, and oral corticosteroid therapy for 4-6 weeks can induce complete remission.

Pre-treatment peripheral biomarkers associated with treatment response in panic symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder and panic disorder: A 12-week follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral biomarkers have been studied to predict treatment response of panic symptoms. We hypothesized that depressive disorder (MDD) vs. panic disorder (PD) would exhibit different peripheral biomarkers, and their correlation with severity of panic attacks (PA) would also differ. METHODS: Forty-one MDD patients, 52 PD patients, and 59 healthy controls were followed for 12 weeks. We measured peripheral biomarkers along with the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) at each visit-pre-treatment, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks on a regular schedule. Peripheral biomarkers including serum cytokines, plasma and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), leptin, adiponectin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Patients with MDD and PD demonstrated significantly higher levels of pre-treatment IL-6 compared to controls, but no differences were seen in plasma and serum BDNF, leptin, adiponectin, and CRP. Pre-treatment leptin showed a significant clinical correlation with reduction of panic symptoms in MDD patients at visit 5 (p=0.011), whereas pre-treatment IL-6 showed a negative correlation with panic symptom reduction in PD patients (p=0.022). An improvement in three panic-related items was observed to be positively correlated with pre-treatment leptin in MDD patients: distress during PA, anticipatory anxiety, and occupational interference. CONCLUSION: Higher pre-treatment leptin was associated with better response to treatment regarding panic symptoms in patients with MDD, while higher IL-6 was associated with worse response regarding panic symptoms in PD patients. Different predictive peripheral biomarkers observed in MDD and PD suggest the need for establishing individualized predictive biomarkers, even in cases of similar symptoms observed in different disorders.

Diving-related fatalities: multidisciplinary, experience-based investigation.

To describe the technical characteristics of fatal diving mishaps and to elucidate the causes of death using a sequence analysis and a multidisciplinary investigation of diving-related fatalities. All cases of diving deaths recorded on the coast of Girona (Spain) between January 2009 and May 2018 were analyzed. Most data were obtained from the police technical reports and the forensic pathology service. Each accident was analyzed in order to identify the trigger, disabling agent, disabling injury, and cause of death. During the study period 25 diving-related fatalities were recorded. Most of the victims were males aged 50-69 years, and 11 were experienced divers. Almost all victims were using open-circuit SCUBA to breathe with compressed air as their sole gas supply. None of the victims were diving alone. The most common identified triggers included exertion, panic, buoyancy problems, disorientation and confusion. The main factors identified as disabling agents were rapid ascent, a cardiac incident, panic and entrapment. Asphyxia, lung over expansion, and myocardial ischemia were the most frequent disabling injuries. Finally, drowning represented the main cause of death, followed by arterial gas embolism and natural causes or internal diseases. A differential diagnosis, performed in the setting of a multidisciplinary investigation, is essential for elucidating the cause of death in diving-related fatalities. The proposed sequence analysis allows to clarify underlying problems in these cases and to identify risk factors and unsafe behaviors in diving.

A Shift in the Activation of Serotonergic and Non-serotonergic Neurons in the Dorsal Raphe Lateral Wings Subnucleus Underlies the Panicolytic-Like Effect of Fluoxetine in Rats.

A wealth of evidence indicates that the lateral wings subnucleus of the dorsal raphe nucleus (lwDR) is implicated in the processing of panic-associated stimuli. Escape expression in the elevated T-maze, considered a panic-related defensive behavior, markedly and selectively recruits non-serotonergic cells within this DR subregion and in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG), another key panic-associated area. However, whether anti-panic drugs may interfere with this pattern of neuronal activation is still unknown. In the present study, the effects of acute (10 mg/kg) or chronic fluoxetine (10 mg/kg/daily/21 days) treatment on the number of serotonergic and non-serotonergic cells induced by escape expression within the rat DR and PAG subnuclei were investigated by immunochemistry. The results showed that chronic, but not acute, treatment with fluoxetine impaired escape expression, indicating a panicolytic-like effect, and markedly decreased the number of non-serotonergic cells that were recruited in the lwDR and dPAG. The same treatment selectively increased the number of serotonergic neurons within the lwDR. Our immunochemistry analyses also revealed that the non-serotonergic cells recruited in the lwDR and dPAG by the escape expression were not nitrergic. Overall, our findings suggest that the anti-panic effect of chronic treatment with fluoxetine is mediated by stimulation of the lwDR-dPAG pathway that controls the expression of panic-associated escape behaviors.

Pattern of anxiety, insecurity, fear, panic and/or phobia observed by quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) / Padrão de ansiedade, insegurança, medo, pânico e/ou fobia observado no exame de eletroencefalografia quantitativa (QEEG)

ABSTRACT: Stress is a response in which an individual wants to have more control over a situation. A constant state of stress is called anxiety. Some patients deny symptoms. An instrument can help arrive at a diagnosis. Objective: Using TQ-7 QEEG, this study aimed to evaluate the association of symptoms of anxiety, insecurity, fear, panic and phobia with hot temporals defined as Beta (15-23 Hz) >17% and High-Beta waves (23-38 Hz) >10% at T3 and T4. Methods: Five hundred and forty-three patients of both genders with ages ranging from 16-59 years were evaluated, divided into two groups: Control (without hot temporals: n=274) and Case Group (with hot temporals: n=269). The Chi-square test was used (p-values ≤0.05). Results: There was a significant association (p-value <0.001) between the symptoms related to amygdala activation, expressed in the temporals (Beta >17% and High-Beta >10%). (Anxiety, T3=89.6% - T4=88.8%; T3=92.6% - T4=93.3%), (Fear, T3=80.7% - T4=84.4%; T3=82.9% - T4=95.9%), (Insecurity, T3=82.2% - T4=81.4%; T3=69.5% - T4=97.8%), (Panic, T3=52.4 - T4=72.5%; T3=90.3% - T4=74.0%), (Phobia, T3=17.5% - T4=22.7%; T3=19.7% - T4=27.1%), when compared to the respective controls (Beta control, T3=8.4%, 10.2%, 21.2%, 1.1%, 0.4% and T4=11.3%, 4.4%, 23.0%, 2.6%, 1.1%) (High-Beta control, T3=4.0%, 6.9%, 6.2%, 0.4%, 0.0% and T4=17.5%, 6.2%, 3.3%, 4.0%, 0.7%). Conclusion: Anxiety, insecurity, fear, panic and phobia are observed by QEEG when the levels of total Beta >17% and High-Beta waves >10% at T3 and T4.

RESUMO: O estresse é uma resposta a uma situação na qual, um indivíduo quer ter mais controle. Um estado de estresse constante é chamado de ansiedade. Alguns pacientes negam sintomas. Um instrumento pode auxiliar um diagnóstico. Objetivo: Utilizando o QEEG TQ-7, este estudo objetivou avaliar a associação dos sintomas de ansiedade, insegurança, medo, pânico e/ou fobia com a categoria de temporais quentes definidos como Beta (15-23 Hz) >17% e Beta-Alta (23-38 Hz) >10% em T3 e T4. Métodos: Foram avaliados 543 pacientes de ambos os gêneros na faixa etária de 16-59 anos, divididos: Controle (sem temporais quentes: n=274) Grupo estudado (com temporais quentes: n=269). Foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado (p-valor ≤0.05). Resultados: Houve associação significativa (p-valor <0.001) entre os sintomas relacionados à ativação da amigdala, expressos nos temporais (Beta >17% e Beta-Alta >10%). (Ansiedade, T3=89,6% - T4=88,8%; T3=92,6% - T4=93,3%), (Medo, T3=80,7% - T4=84,4%; T3=82,9% - T4=95,9%), (Insegurança, T3=82,2% - T4=81,4%; T3=69,5% - T4=97,8%), (Pânico, T3=52.4% - T4=72.5%; T3=90.3% - T4=74.0%), (Fobia, T3=17,5% - T4=22,7%; T3=19,7% - T4=27,1%), quando comparados aos respectivos controles (Beta controle, T3=8,4%, 10,2%, 21,2%, 1,1%, 0,4% e T4=11,3%, 4,4%, 23,0%, 2,6%, 1,1%) e (Beta-Alta Controle, T3=4,0%, 6,9%, 6,2%, 0,4%, 0,0%; T4=17,5%, 6,2%, 3,3%, 4,0%, 0,7%). Conclusão: Ansiedade, insegurança, medo, pânico e fobia são observados no QEEG, quando Beta >17% e Beta-Alta >10% em T3 e T4.

Increased Vaccination Coverage among Adolescents and Young Adults in the District of Palermo as a Result of a Public Health Strategy to Counteract an 'Epidemic Panic'.

During the summer of 2016 four cases of invasive meningococcal disease in rapid succession among young adults in the district of Palermo, Italy, resulting in one death, were widely reported by local and national mass media. The resultant 'epidemic panic' among the general population overloaded the vaccination units of the Palermo district over the following months. Strategies implemented by the Sicilian and local public health authorities to counteract 'meningitis fear' included the following: (a) extension of active and free-of-charge anti-meningococcal tetravalent vaccination from age class 12⁻18 to 12⁻30 years old; (b) implementation of vaccination units during normal clinic hours in rooms tailored for vaccine administration; (c) development of informative institutional tools and timely communication throughout local mass media to reassure the general population. In 2016, an increase in the anti-meningococcal coverage was observed in the Palermo district (+18% for 16-year-olds and +14% for 18-year-olds) and at the regional level (+11.2% and +13.5%, respectively). Concurrent catch-up of other recommended vaccinations for age (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-poliomyelitis and papillomavirus) resulted in a further increase of administered doses. The fear of meningitis, managed by the Sicilian public health authorities, had positive impacts in terms of prevention. In particular, the communication strategies that were adopted contributed to educating Sicilian young adults about vaccination issues.

Evolução da neurociência comportamental nos últimos 50 anos. Foco no sistema de defesa e na neurotransmissão / Evolution of behavioral neuroscience during the last 50 years. Focus on the defense system and neurotransmission

A evolução da Neurociência Comportamental nos últimos 50 anos é apresentada em função das pesquisas desenvolvidas pelo autor e colaboradores na área de Neuropsicofarmacologia. A principal linha de investigação relatada aborda o papel da serotonina na regulação das repostas de defesa, que estão relacionadas com as emoções ansiedade, medo e pânico, bem como com as respectivas patologias: transtorno de ansiedade generalizada, fobias e pânico. As estruturas cerebrais críticas para a ansiedade ­ amígdala, hipocampo e ínsula ­ estão localizadas no cérebro anterior, enquanto que as relacionadas com o medo e o pânico ­ hipotálamo e matéria cinzenta periaquedutal (MCP) ­ situam-se no diencéfalo e no tronco cerebral. Dá-se ênfase ao papel da MCP nas reações a ameaças proximais ­ imobilidade , fuga e luta ­ que estão relacionadas com ataques de pânico. São relatados resultados obtidos em modelos animais de pânico e em experimentação com seres humanos, incluindo testes de ansiedade experimental e neuroimagem morfométrica e funcional, cujas implicações para o conhecimento da fisiopatologia do transtorno de pânico e seu tratamento farmacológico são discutidas. (AU)

The evolution of Behavioral Neuroscience along the last 50 years is presented on the basis of the research work carried out by the author and his coworkers. The main line of investigation reported deals with the role of serotonin in the regulation of defense reactions that are related to the emotions anxiety, fear and panic, as well as to the respective pathologies: generalized anxiety disorder, phobias and panic disorder. The key brain structures for anxiety ­ amygdala, hippocampus and insula ­ are localized in the forebrain, whereas those related to fear and panic hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) ­ are placed in the diencephalon and brain stem. The role of the defense reactions to proximal danger ­ immobility, flight and fight ­ that are related to panic attacks are highlighted. The results obtained in animal models of anxiety and panic, as well as in humans, including experimental anxiety tests and morphometric and functional neuroimaging are reported, and their implications for the knowledge of the pathophysiology of panic disorder and its pharmacological treatment are discussed. (AU)

Tobacco-Free Cigarette Smoke Exposure Induces Anxiety and Panic-Related Behaviours in Male Wistar Rats.

Smokers, who generally present with lung damage, are more anxious than non-smokers and have an associated augmented risk of panic. Considering that lung damage signals specific neural pathways that are related to affective responses, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of pulmonary injury on anxiety and panic-like behaviours in animals exposed to cigarette smoke with and without tobacco. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: a control group (CG); a regular cigarette group (RC); and a tobacco-free cigarette (TFC) group. Animals were exposed to twelve cigarettes per day for eight consecutive days. The animals were then exposed to an elevated T-maze and an open field. The RC and TFC groups presented increases in inflammatory cell inflow, antioxidant enzyme activity, and TBARS levels, and a decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio was observed in the TFC group. Exposure to RC smoke reduced anxiety and panic-related behaviours. On the other hand, TFC induced anxiety and panic-related behaviours. Thus, our results contradict the concept that nicotine is solely accountable for shifted behavioural patterns caused by smoking, in that exposure to TFC smoke causes anxiety and panic-related behaviours.

The Rodent-versus-wild Snake Paradigm as a Model for Studying Anxiety- and Panic-like Behaviors: Face, Construct and Predictive Validities.

Using an innovative approach to study the neural bases of psychiatric disorders, this study investigated the behavioral, morphological and pharmacological bases of panic attack-induced responses in a prey-versus-coral snake paradigm. Mesocricetus auratus was chronically treated with intraperitoneal administration of the selective serotonin uptake inhibitor paroxetine or the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)/benzodiazepine receptor agonist alprazolam at three different doses and were then confronted with a venomous coral snake (Micrurus frontalis, Reptilia, Elapidae). The threatened rodents exhibited defensive attention, flat back approaches, defensive immobility, and escape defensive responses in the presence of the venomous snake, followed by increases in Fos protein in limbic structure neurons. Chronic administration of both paroxetine and alprazolam decreased these responses with morphological correlates between the panicolytic effect of both drugs administered at the highest dose and decreases in Fos protein-immunolabeled perikarya found in the amygdaloid complex, hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray matter columns, which are structures that make up the encephalic aversion system. These findings provide face, construct and predictive validities of this new experimental model of anxiety- and panic attack-like behavioral responses displayed by threatened prey confronted with venomous coral snakes.