Association between alpha-2a-adrenergic receptor gene and ADHD inattentive type.

BACKGROUND: Previous investigations have demonstrated that an MspI polymorphism at the adrenergic alpha2A receptor gene (ADRA2A) is associated with severity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattentive symptoms in clinical samples composed mainly of subjects with ADHD, combined type. This study aimed to investigate the association between this ADRA2A polymorphism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-inattentive type (ADHD-I) in a nonreferred sample. METHODS: In a case-control study, we assessed a sample of 100 children and adolescents with ADHD-I and 100 non-ADHD controls. Cases and controls were matched by gender and age and were screened by using teacher reports in a revised version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham rating scale at 12 schools. Psychiatric diagnoses were derived through structured diagnostic interviews. RESULTS: Homozygous subjects for the G allele at the ADRA2A had significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for ADHD-I than did those with other genotypes (CC + CG genotypes), even after adjusting for potential confounders (p = .02; OR = 3.78; 95% confidence interval = 1.23-11.62). In family-based analyses, no significant associations were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the ADRA2A may be associated with ADHD-I, replicating previous findings from clinical samples that have suggested the importance of this gene for the dimension of inattention. In addition, these results support the role of the noradrenergic system in ADHD.

Smoking during pregnancy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive type: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Few previous studies assessed specifically attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive subtype (ADHD-I) in nonreferred samples. This study investigated the association between ADHD-I and prenatal exposure to nicotine. METHOD: In a case-control study performed between September 2002 and April 2005, we assessed a nonreferred Brazilian sample of 100 children and adolescents with ADHD-I and 100 non-ADHD controls (6-18 years old). Cases and controls, matched by gender and age, were screened using teacher reports in the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-IV (SNAP-IV) scale. They were systematically evaluated through structured diagnostic interviews. Prenatal exposure to nicotine and potential confounding factors were evaluated by direct interview with mothers. RESULTS: Adjusting for confounding factors (maternal ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, birth weight, and alcohol use during pregnancy), children whose mothers smoked>or=10 cigarettes per day during pregnancy presented a significantly higher odds ratio for ADHD-I than children who were not exposed to nicotine during pregnancy (odds ratio 3.44; 95% confidence interval 1.17-10.06). Dimensional analyses showed significantly higher inattentive scores in subjects whose mothers smoked>or=10 cigarettes per day than in others after adjusting for confounding factors (p=.002). CONCLUSIONS: In a nonreferred sample, the authors expanded to ADHD-I previous findings documenting the association between prenatal exposure to nicotine and broadly defined ADHD in clinical samples.

Interrater agreement for the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia epidemiological version for school-age children (K-SADS-E).

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to assess the interrater agreement for the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Epidemiological version for School-Age Children (K-SADS-E). METHODS: Four interviewers being trained with the K-SADS-E scored independently 29 videotaped interviews performed with psychiatric outpatients in the ADHD Outpatient Clinic at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Interrater agreement analysis was performed using the kappa coefficient (k). RESULTS: Kappa coefficients were.93 (p<.001) for affective disorders,.9 (p<.001) for anxiety disorders,.94 (p<.001) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and disruptive behavior disorders. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest an excellent interrater agreement for the diagnosis of several mental disorders in childhood and adolescence by the Brazilian Portuguese version of the K-SADS-E.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and comorbidity in Brazil: comparisons between two referred samples.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the pattern of comorbidity in referred samples of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) patients from two different geographic areas in Brazil. METHODS: The diagnoses of ADHD and comorbid conditions, according to DSM-IV criteria, were achieved in both clinics through semi-structured interview methodology, complemented by clinical interviews with the children or adolescents and their parents. RESULTS: We assessed 343 ADHD children and adolescents in Porto Alegre (capital of the southernmost state of the country) and 78 ADHD youths in Rio de Janeiro (capital of a southeastern state). Although a significant difference in the prevalence of ADHD without comorbidity was detected between the two groups (p = 0.02), no significant difference was detected in the profile of comorbidities between them. Main ADHD comorbidities in both samples were: a) Oppositional Defiant Disorder (Porto Alegre = 39.1%; Rio de Janeiro = 51.3 %); b) Anxiety Disorders (Porto Alegre = 24.2%; Rio de Janeiro = 30.8 %); c) Conduct Disorder (Porto Alegre = 13.7%; Rio de Janeiro = 17.9 %); and d) Major Depression and/or Dysthymia (Porto Alegre = 11.4%; Rio de Janeiro = 10.3 %). CONCLUSIONS: Our results from clinical samples in a developing country with a diverse culture suggest the crosscultural validity of the ADHD comorbidity profile.

Diagnóstico e tratamento da hiperplasia benigna da próstata / Diagnosis and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

A hiperplasia benigna da próstata (HBP) é uma condição muito prevalente em homens a partir dos 40 anos, atingindo mais da metade da população masculina na sétima década e a quase totalidade na oitava década. Os sintomas a ela relacionados podem causar grande prejuízo à qualidade de vida desses pacientes. O objetivo da presente revisão é resumir a literatura atual sobre a patologia, focando na sua epidemiologia, diagnóstico e manejo. A avaliação inicial do paciente com HBP deve compreender a anamnese com aplicação do escore de sintomas prostáticos (IPSS), exame físico com toque retal, avaliação laboratorial (PSA sérico, exame de urina e função renal), além de métodos de imagem e urodinâmica para casos selecionados. O tratamento inicial para casos leves e moderados é medicamentoso, com o uso de alfa-bloqueadores ou inibidores da 5-alfaredutase, ou ainda a combinação desses. Pacientes que não respondem ao tratamento medicamentoso, com sintomas graves, ou que desenvolvem complicações da HBP devem ser considerados para tratamento cirúrgico. Este consiste em cirurgia aberta para próstatas de grande volume, ressecção transuretral para próstatas menores, além de outros tratamentos invasivos pouco disponíveis ou indisponíveis no nosso meio. O tratamento expectante para casos leves deve ser lembrado. Em conclusão, a HBP é doença com alta prevalência, cujo tratamento deve ser individualizado e instituído antes do surgimento de complicações maiores

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a very prevalent condition in men after 40 years of age, affecting more than half the male population in the seventh decade, and almost all in the eighth decade of life. The related symptoms can cause great damage to the quality of life of these patients. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature on the disease, focusing on epidemiology, diagnosis, and management. The initial evaluation of patients with BPH must include anamnesis with scoring of prostatic symptoms (IPSS), physical examination with digital rectal examination, laboratory evaluation (serum PSA, urinalysis and renal function), and imaging and urodynamics for selected cases. The initial treatment for mild to moderate cases is drug-based, using alpha blockers or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, or a combination of these. Patients who do respond to drug treatment, with severe symptoms, or who develop complications of BPH should be considered for surgical treatment. This consists in open surgery for large-volume prostates, transurethral resection for smaller prostates, and other invasive treatments little or unavailable in our community. The expectant treatment for mild cases should be considered. In conclusion, BPH is a highly prevalent disease whose treatment should be individualized and started before the onset of major complications

Interrater agreement for the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia epidemiological version for school-age children (K-SADS-E)

OBJETIVE: The main objective of this study was to assess the interrater agreement for the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Epidemiological version for School-Age Children (K-SADS-E). METHODS: Four interviewers being trained with the K-SADS-E scored independently 29 videotaped interviews performed with psychiatric outpatients in the ADHD Outpatient Clinic at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Interrater agreement analysis was performed using the kappa coefficient (k). RESULTS: Kappa coefficients were .93 (p<.001) for affective disorders, .9 (p<.001) for anxiety disorders, .94 (p<.001) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and disruptive behavior disorders. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest an excellent interrater agreement for the diagnosis of several mental disorders in childhood and adolescence by the Brazilian Portuguese version of the K-SADS-E

O transtorno de déficit de atençäo/hiperatividade na adolescência / Attention deficit disorder/hiperactivity in adolescence

Durante a adolescência os jovens säo tomados por intensos sentimentos, passam por mudanças significativas e assumem novos comportamentos. Entretanto, se apresentam uma constelaçäo de sintomas de desatençäo e impulsividade que causam prejuízo, esses näo podem ser vistos como normais ou temporários, devendo ser avaliados clinicamente. O transtorno de déficit de atençäo/hiperatividade é uma entidade clínica com início primeiramente na infância, mas que pode ser reconhecido durante a adolescência. Esse transtorno pode continuar durante a idade adulta, provocando crescente prejuízo acadêmico, emocional e familiar. Portanto, o diagnóstico e o tratamento adequado säo fundamentais