Uso de criterios y guías clínicas en la creación de una unidad de trastornos del ánimo / Use of criteria and clinical guidelines in the creation of a mood disorders unit

Los trastornos del ánimo (uni o bipolares) constituyen un significativo problema de salud pública, tanto por su alta prevalencia como por el elevado índice de discapacidad que generan. El presente artículo aborda el problema de la resistencia a tratamiento como también las estrategias y guías clínicas para el manejo de los cuadros de mayor complejidad. Se analizan los aportes de la terapia farmacológica, de la psicoterapia y de las terapias somáticas no farmacológicas, intentando un enfoque integrativo. El equipo multidisciplinario de la Unidad de Trastornos del Ánimo del Departamento de Psiquiatría de Clínica Las Condes busca aplicar un modelo integrativo con una mirada amplia, con el objetivo de encontrar el mejor manejo para cada paciente, orientado no solo a la remisión sintomática sino también a la recuperación funcional (autonomía, calidad de vínculos, etc.), para incidir de este modo en la calidad de vida global de los pacientes.

Affective disorders (uni­ or bipolar) represent a significant public health issue, due both to its high prevalence as well as the high index of disability that they generate. This article addresses the problem of treatment resistance, as well the use of clinical guidelines and strategies for the treatment of more complex cases. We analyze the contributions of pharmacological treatments, psychotherapy and non-pharmacological somatic therapies, from an integrative point of view. The multidisciplinary team of Mood Disorders Unit at Clínica Las Condes Psychiatry Department seeks to apply a broad-view integrative model with the aim of finding the better management strategy for each patient. Our objectives are both symptomatic remission and functional recovery (autonomy, quality of affective bonds, etc.), in order to make a difference on the patients' overall quality of life.

Disfunción tiroidea y trastornos del ánimo: revisión del estado del arte / Thyroid dysfunction and mood disorders: review of the state of the art

La relación entre función tiroidea y trastornos del ánimo se ha observado desde hace más de 50 años. Las hormonas tiroideas, actúan en el cerebro modulando génicamente proteínas asociadas a la fisiopatología de los trastornos del ánimo y potenciando los sistemas de neurotransmisión serotoninérgica y noradrenérgica. En el tratamiento de un episodio depresivo, la normalización de hormonas tiroideas es fundamental, y debe realizarse en todo paciente con sintomatología anímica, especialmente en aquellos con respuestas insuficientes a tratamiento, que requieren niveles de hormonas más estrictos que lo recomendado para población general. En pacientes eutiroideos, la potenciación con triyodotironina ha sido probada, pero también se ha utilizado T4 en altas dosis en casos resistentes, en que se postula que pudiese existir un estado de resistencia a hormonas tiroideas, no reflejado en los niveles hormonales periféricos evaluados rutinariamente. Las enzimas deiodasas, el receptor de hormona tiroidea, y el transportador de hormona tiroidea en la barrera hematoencefálica son blancos a investigar. Los objetivos de la presente revisión son ofrecer orientaciones respecto del uso de hormonas tiroideas en pacientes con trastornos del ánimo, una puesta al día sobre la relación entre hormonas tiroídeas y sistema nervioso central, y las interacciones entre psicofármacos y función tiroidea.

The relationship between thyroid function and mood disorders has been observed for more than 50 years. Thyroid hormones act in the brain genetically modulating proteins associated with the pathophysiology of mood disorders and potentiating the serotonergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission systems. In the treatment of a depressive episode, the normalization of thyroid hormones is essential, and should be performed in all patients with mood symptoms, especially in those with insufficient responses to treatment, which require more stringent hormone levels than recommended for the general population. In euthyroid patients, potentiation with triiodothyronine has been proven, but T4 has also been used in high doses in resistant cases, in which it is postulated that there might be a state of resistance to thyroid hormones, not reflected in the peripheral hormonal levels evaluated routinely. The enzymes deiodasas, the thyroid hormone receptor, and the thyroid hormone transporter in the blood brain barrier are white to investigate. The objectives of this review are to provide guidance regarding the use of thyroid hormones in patients with mood disorders, an update on the relationship between thyroid hormones and central nervous system, and the interactions between psychoactive drugs and thyroid function.

Ocorrência de condições psiquiátricas, uso de psicotrópicos e sua relação com o equilíbrio postural em sujeitos com tontura / Occurrence of psychiatric conditions, use of psychotropic medications and its relationship with postural balance in subjects with dizziness

RESUMO Objetivo analisar a ocorrência do diagnóstico psiquiátrico e o uso de psicotrópicos em sujeitos com queixas vestibulares e relacionar a presença dessas condições aos resultados da vestibulometria. Método estudo quantitativo, observacional, transversal, com 131 pacientes, atendidos em um hospital universitário. Foram submetidos à anamnese, inspeção visual do meato acústico externo, provas de equilíbrio estático e dinâmico, Posturografia dinâmica foam laser e vectoeletronistagmografia computadorizada. Resultados amostra composta por 109 mulheres e 22 homens, com média de idade de 55 anos e nove meses. O tipo de tontura mais frequente foi vertigem, com presença de sintomas neurovegetativos. Observou-se expressiva porcentagem de queixa/diagnóstico psiquiátrico, bem como uso de psicotrópicos, sendo principalmente inibidores seletivos da recaptação da serotonina, seguidos dos benzodiazepínicos. Houve relação entre a presença de condições psiquiátricas e mulheres, alterações do equilíbrio estático e alterações nas posições III e VI do Teste de Organização Sensorial. Na vectoeletronistagmografia, houve relação entre a idade e a presença de nistagmo espontâneo de olhos fechados. Conclusão Constatou-se alta ocorrência de condições psiquiátricas entre pacientes com tontura, com uso de psicotrópicos maior que na população geral. Destaca-se a associação entre ansiedade/depressão e alterações nas posições de sobrecarga visual da posturografia dinâmica foam laser. No entanto, não foi observada relação entre essas condições e alterações nas provas da vectoeletronistagmografia.

ABSTRACT Purpose to analyze the occurrence of psychiatric diagnosis and the use of psychotropics medications in subjects with vestibular complaints and to relate the presence of these conditions to the results of vestibulometry. Methods quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study with 131 patients, treated in a university hospital. They were submitted to anamnesis, visual inspection of the external ear canal, static and dynamic balance tests, Foam laser dynamic posturography and Computerized Vectoelectronystagmography. Results sample composed of 109 women and 22 men, with average age of 55 years and nine months. The most common type of dizziness was vertigo, with the presence of neurovegetative signals. A significant percentage of psychiatric complaint/diagnosis was observed, as well as the use of psychotropic medications, mainly serotonin uptake inhibitors, followed by benzodiazepines. There was a relation between the presence of psychiatric complaints with the female gender, alterations of the static balance and alterations in the Sensorial Organization Test positions III and VI. In the Vectoelectronystagmography, there was a relation between age and the presence of spontaneous nystagmus. Conclusion There was a high occurrence of psychiatric complaint/diagnosis among patients with dizziness, with use of psychotropic medications substantially greater than the general population. The evaluation of postural balance revealed an association between anxiety/depression and alterations visual overload positions in the foam laser dynamic posturography. However, no relationship was found between these conditions and alterations in the Vectoelectronystagmography tests.

Effectiveness evaluation of mood disorder treatment algorithms in Brazilian public healthcare patients

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of three mood disorder treatment algorithms in a sample of patients seeking care in the Brazilian public healthcare system. Methods: A randomized pragmatic trial was conducted with an algorithm developed for treating episodes of major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar depressive episodes and mixed episodes of bipolar disorder (BD). Results: The sample consisted of 259 subjects diagnosed with BD or MDD (DSM-IV-TR). After the onset of symptoms, the first treatment occurred ∼6 years and the use of mood stabilizers began ∼12 years. All proposed algorithms were effective, with response rates around 80%. The majority of the subjects took 20 weeks to obtain a therapeutic response. Conclusions: The algorithms were effective with the medications available through the Brazilian Unified Health System. Because therapeutic response was achieved in most subjects by 20 weeks, a follow-up period longer than 12 weeks may be required to confirm adequate response to treatment. Remission of symptoms is still the main desired outcome. Subjects who achieved remission recovered more rapidly and remained more stable over time. Clinical trial registration: NCT02901249, NCT02870283, NCT02918097

Seguridad de los pacientes con tratamiento medicamentoso para el trastorno de humor / Patient safety in drug therapy for mood disorders

Introducción: las reacciones adversas a los medicamentos son indicadores de seguridad del paciente, que pueden causar impactos clínicos y económicos. Objetivo: describir las reacciones adversas a los medicamentos en pacientes con trastorno de humor. Métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo con un método de búsqueda activa en farmacovigilancia, en pacientes con trastornos de humor atendidos por el Centro de Atención Psicosocial y Ambulatorio de salud en Alfenas, Brasil, durante el periodo de enero a julio de 2011. Los pacientes fueron invitados a participar y respondieron preguntas realizadas en su domicilio a fin de detectar las reacciones adversas a los medicamentos, las que fueron analizadas en cuanto a la causalidad y a la gravedad. Resultados: del total de 31 pacientes, 23 presentaron 60 reacciones adversas a los medicamentos, de ellas el 41,6 por ciento clasifican como probables y 48,3 por ciento como posibles. Todas fueron consideradas no graves, que varían de una a cinco reacciones adversas por paciente. De los 16 medicamentos diferentes utilizados, solo clorhidrato de bupropión no presentó reacciones adversas. Fueron detectadas al menos dos reacciones adversas medicamentos para el resto de los medicamentos. Conclusión: la búsqueda activa identificó que de cada diez pacientes tratados con medicamentos para el control de los trastornos de humor, siete sufrieron una reacción no grave(AU)

Introduction: adverse drug reactions are indicators of patient safety, which can cause clinical and economic impacts. Objective: to describe the adverse drug reactions in patients with mood disorders. Methods: observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study, with active search method in pharmacovigilance in patients with mood disorders attended by the Center for Psychosocial Ambulatory Health Care in Brazil from January to July 2011. Patients were invited to participate and answer questions posed in their residences in order to detect the adverse drug reactions and to analyze them in terms of causality and severity. Results: of 31 patients, 23 presented with 60 adverse drug reactions, being 41.6% probable and 48.3 percent possible. All the adverse drug reactions were not considered serious, ranging one to five adverse reaction per patient. Of the 16 different medicines used, only bupropion hydrochloride did not present ADR. At least two adverse drug reactions were detected for each medicine. Conclusion: The active search identified that seven patients out of 10 treated with medicines to control mood disorders, had no serious adverse reaction(AU)

Adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso em usuários com transtorno do humor de centro de atenção psicossocial do nordeste do Brasil / Compliance with drug therapy in patients with mood disorder at psychosocial care centers in northeastern Brazil

O Transtorno de Humor (TH) é uma doença crônica, recorrente, de difícil diagnóstico e tratamento terapêutico. A baixa adesão à terapia relaciona-se a fatores ligados ao paciente, ao medicamento, ao profissional de saúde ou à doença. O trabalho objetivou avaliar a taxa de adesão ao tratamento e ao lítio de pacientes acometidos pelo TH, delineando o perfil farmacoepidemiológico destes. Para tanto, foram utilizadas de janeiro a outubro de 2011, entrevistas e questionários validados para indivíduos com TH assistidos em Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS). Dos 56 entrevistados, a maioria estava na faixa de 30-50 anos, era do sexo feminino e solteiro. Quanto ao histórico familiar, 55,4 % possuíam outros membros da família com TH, 60,7 % participaram de grupos-CAPS e 62,5 % nunca foram internados. A “Escala de Adesão à Medicação” mostrou que 60,7 %, alguma vez já se esqueceu de tomar o medicamento e do horário de tomá-lo. A maioria não toma o medicamento apenas quando se sente doente e seus pensamentos ficam mais coerentes quando está sob o uso de medicamentos. Do total, 35 pacientes eram bipolares e 23 tomavam lítio, os quais foram entrevistados seguindo o Questionário “Atitudes em Relação ao Lítio”. Destes, cerca de 78 % (n=18) considerou fácil seguir a prescrição, aceitável e importante tomar o lítio por vários anos, apesar dos efeitos colaterais e relataram não tomar o lítio somente quando sente necessidade. Em geral, os entrevistados mostraram boa adesão à terapia medicamentosa, compreendendo que somente através de um tratamento bem estabelecido podem manter a doença estabilizada.

Mood Disorder (MD) is a chronic disease, which is recurrent, hard to diagnose and hard to treat. The low compliance to therapy has been related to the patient, to the medicine, to the health professional or to the illness. The aim of this study was to determine the percent compliance with the drug treatments, and specifically with the lithium treatment, of patients affected by MD, outlining their pharmacoepidemiological profile. Thus, interviews and validated questionnaires were applied to 56 people with MD attended at two Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS), between January and October 2011. Most of the respondents were between 30-50 years of age, female and single. With regard to their family history, 55.4% had other family members with TH, 60.7% participated in CAPS groups and 62.5% had never been hospitalized. Replies to the “Medication Adherence Scale” questionnaire showed that 60.7% had at some time forgotten to take the medicine and the time to take it. Most of them take the medicine even when they are not feeling sick and their thoughts become more coherent when they are making use of the medication. In addition, 35 patients were bipolar and 23 took lithium; these were interviewed with the questionnaire “Attitudes in Relation to Lithium”. Approximately 78% of these (n = 18) thought it was easy to follow the prescription and that it was acceptable and important to take lithium for several years, despite the side effects reported, and they denied taking lithium only when they felt the need. In general, the respondents showed good adherence to drug therapy, understanding that only through a well-established treatment could they keep the disease stabilized.

Efectividad y seguridad de risperidona en terapia combinada con estabilizadores del ánimo en personas con trastorno afectivo bipolar / Effectiveness and safety of risperidone in combination therapy with mood stabilizers in people with bipolar affective disorder

Antecedentes: Descripción de la condición de salud de interés: El trastorno maníaco-depresivo (CIE-10: F31), término acuñado por Emil Kraepelin a fines del siglo XIX, es una enfermedad mental que la psiquiatría clasifica como un desorden afectivo; cuando se manifiesta se acompaña de episodios alternantes o concurrentes de manía o depresión (que pueden durar horas o días) se habla de un trastorno afectivo bipolar. El diagnóstico está basado primordialmente en las propias experiencias y vivencias del sujeto, así como anomalías del comportamiento reportadas por familiares o compañeros de trabajo, todo lo cual finalmente es caracterizado por profesionales de salud ­específicamente psiquiatras, que pueden encontrar difícil clasificar a un individuo como afectado por un trastorno monopolar o uno bipolar; el diagnóstico diferencial de la enfermedad involucra a la esquizofrenia, el desorden de hiperactividad y déficit de atención, la fobia social o la personalidad limítrofe entre otras condiciones que ­cabe anotar- pueden coexistir con el TAB. Aunque se usan escalas, tales como la de diagnóstico de espectro bipolar, éstas no reemplazan el ejercicio de una historia clínica y mental completa. Descripción de la tecnología: La risperidona es un fármaco de alta potencia antipsicótica, predominando sobre su acción sedante. Pertenece al grupo de los antipsicóticos nuevos o atípicos, los cuales tienen un mejor perfil de seguridad, al presentar una menor incidencia de efectos extrapiramidales. Risperidona está indicado en el tratamiento de las psicosis esquizofrénicas agudas y crónicas. También alivia los síntomas afectivos (tales como depresión, sentimientos de culpabilidad, ansiedad) asociados a la esquizofrenia. Evaluación de efectividad y seguridad: Pregunta de investigación: En pacientes adultos con trastorno afectivo bipolar ¿cuál es la efectividad y seguridad de risperidona, olanzapina, quetiapina o aripripazol (antipsicóticos) en combinación con litio o divalproato sódico (estabilizadores del estado de ánimo) comparados con monoterapia de litio o divalproato sódico (estabilizadores del ánimo) para disminuir la recurrencia de la alteración del estado de ánimo (episodios maníacos, depresivos o episodios afectivos mixtos), incidencia de eventos adversos y retiro del tratamiento? La pregunta de investigación fue refinada y validada con base en: autorización de mercadeo de la tecnología para la indicación de interés (registro sanitario INVIMA), listado de medicamentos vitales no disponibles, cobertura de las tecnologías en el Plan Obligatorio de Salud (POS) (Acuerdo 029 de 2011), revisión de grupos terapéuticos (código ATC: Anatomical, Therapeutic, Chemical classification system), recomendaciones de guías de práctica clínica actualizadas, disponibilidad de evidencia sobre efectividad y seguridad, uso de las tecnologías (listas nacionales de recobro, estadísticas de prescripción, entre otros), estudios de prevalencia/incidencia y carga de enfermedad y consulta con expertos temáticos (especialistas clínicos), sociedades científicas y otros actores clave. Población: Estudios cuya población objeto son adultos con diagnóstico de trastorno afectivo bipolar. Metodología: Búsqueda de literatura, Búsqueda en bases de datos electrónicas. Conclusiones: Efectividad: la combinación de risperidona, olanzapina, quetiapina o aripripazol con litio o divalproato sódico (estabilizadores del ánimo) como terapia de mantenimiento para el trastorno afectivo bipolar es más efectiva en comparación con monoterapia de litio o divalproato sódico, para los desenlaces de episodios de recaída de alteración del ánimo (episodios maniacos, depresivos o mixtos). No es significativa la diferencia en efectividad entre los antipsicóticos (risperidona, olanzapina, quetiapina, aripripazol) para los episodios de alteración del ánimo (episodios maniacos, depresivos o mixtos). Aunque la adición de psicoterapia al manejo del TAB excede el objetivo de esta evaluación, hay información proveniente de la evidencia aquí incluída que señala como la estrategia más efectiva, la adición de psicoterapia a la terapia farmacológica para el tratamiento del TAB.\r\nSeguridad: los antipsicóticos se asocian con mayor frecuencia de eventos adversos en comparación con placebo; no hay evidencia conclusiva sobre las diferencias de efectos adversos entre los antipsicóticos (risperidona, olanzapina, quetiapina, aripripazol). No se encontró evidencia para el desenlace retiro de tratamiento en la terapia combinada de mantenimiento.

Determinación de resultados negativos asociados a la medicación en pacientes con diagnóstico de trastornos del humor, hospitalizados en el Servicio de Psiquiatría del Hospital Regional de Iquique Dr. Ernesto Torres Galdames, durante el año 2009 / Determination of negative results associated with medication in patients with mood disorders, hospitalized in the Psychiatry Service Units of the Regional Hospital of Iquique Dr. Ernesto Torre Galdames, during the year 2009

Resultados Negativos Asociados a la Medicación (RNM) son eventos cada vez más frecuentes, vinculados a la terapia farmacológica que obstaculiza los objetivos terapeúticos planteados en los pacientes que requieren tratamiento. Esta investigación se realizó en las dependencias del Servicio de Psiquiatría del Hospital Regional de Iquique, cuyo principal objetivo fue la detección de RNM en las fichas clínicas de pacientes con diagnóstico de trastornos del humor hospitalizados durante el año 2009. Los casos fueron estudiados apoyados con la metodología Dáder y la clasificación de los RNM identificados, se realizó de acuerdo al tercer consenso de Granada. El total de casos incluidos fue de 164, de ellos el 38,4 por ciento presentó un RNM principalmente del tipo "seguridad". La distribución de los RNM a través de las variables independientes se concentró en: sexo femenino, edades entre 18 y 44 años, pacientes con polifarmacia y en hospitalizaciones que se prolongaron hasta por 30 días. Para evaluar si están asociadas estas variables con la aparición de un RNM se aplicó la prueba estadística chi-cuadrado, revelándose diferencias estadísticas significativas en polifarmacia y días cama. Se concluye que los factores asociados a la aparición de un RNM en los pacientes con trastornos del humor del servicio de psiquiatría son la polifarmacia y los días que dura su hospitalización.

Negative Results Associated with Medication (NRM) are increasingly frequent events, linked to pharmacological therapies that hinder the therapeutic goals in the patients who require treatment. This investigation was conducted in the psychiatry service units of the regional hospital of Iquique, whose main objective was de detection of RNM in the clinical records of patients diagnosed with mood disorders, hospitalized in 2009. The cases were studied with the Dáder methodology; the classification of identified RNM was performed according to the third Granada consensus. The total number of cases was 164, 38,4 percent of them presented an RNM through the independent variables focused on: female, aged between 18 and 44 years, patients with poly pharmacy and hospitalization which lasted up to 30 days. To asses whether these variables were associated with the appearance of an RNM, chi-square statistic test used, revealed statistically significant differences in polypharmacy and bed days. In conclusion, the factors associated with the appearance of a RNM in patients with mood disorder are: polypharmacy and days of hospitalization.

La medicalización del sufrimiento femenino: el Trastorno Disfórico Premenstrual / The medicalization of feminine suffering: premenstrual dysphoric disorder

En este artículo intentaremos reflejar algunas de las tensiones existentes en nuestro campo con relación a la cuestión de género, tomando como eje al trastorno disfórico premenstrual (TDPM). Trataremos de ejemplificar las dificultades que se le presentan a la psiquiatría a la hora de intentar comprender lo que llamamos enfermedad mental y cuáles son sus condicionantes internos y externos en relación a una mirada que contemple la perspectiva de género. Desplegaremos dos aproximaciones diferentes. Primero narraremos la historia oficial del TDPM, la que cuentan las revistas médicas que toman en cuenta una vertiente positivista de evolución del conocimiento científico, que no considera a las cuestiones de género. Luego describiremos una aproximación crítica que no desdeña el modelo médico pero lo complementa con aportes provenientes de las ciencias sociales y así puede dar cuenta del sufrimiento femenino en toda su singularidad y amplitud, como sólo es posible a partir de utilizar la perspectiva de género aplicada a la psiquiatría. No podemos pretender que la mirada desde el género se despliegue completamente en el campo de la psiquiatría cuando en el conjunto de la vida social se registra una gran dificultad para que el concepto de género pueda visualizarse en diferentes áreas de la vida cotidiana.

In this paper we'll try to show some of the tensions existing in our field related to gender issue, focusing on the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). We'll try to give some examples of the difficulties Psychiatry has when trying to understand what it is called a mental illness and which are its internal and external determinants from a gender perspective. We will display two different approximations. First of all, the official PMDD story will be narrated, the one told by medical journals, that basing on a positivist side of the scientific knowledge evolution, avoids gender issues. Then we'll describe a critical perspective, which far from denying the medical model it tries to complement it with social sciences contributions, so female suffering can be appreciated in its own singularity and extension. This only can be possible by including gender perspective in Psychiatry practice. We can't expect gender perspective to be fully spread out in the Psychiatry field when in the whole social life there is a big difficulty in visualizing gender concept among the different areas of every day life.

Modafinilo: ¿una alternativa para los trastornos del ánimo? / Modafinil: an alternative for affective disorders?

Modafinil has been used as a pharmaceutical associated whit antidepressives in depressions which have relevant symptoms of fatigue, hypersomnia, or alterations in attention during the acute episode or in the residual symptoms when a total regression in not possible. Due to the specific characteristics of these symptoms, it has been postulated for the treatment of atypical and winter depressions, because of the prevalence somnolence in these groups. The clinical studies show that modafinil has a lower risk in turning to mania in the treatment of depressive groups.

El modafinilo e ha empleado como fármaco asociado a antidepresivos en depresiones que poseen como síntomas relevantes fatiga, hipersomnia o alteraciones de la atención durante el episodio agudo o en los síntomas residuales al no lograrse la remisión completa. Debido a sus características específicas sobre estos síntomas, ha sido postulado para el tratamiento de depresiones atípicas y depresiones invernales, por el predominio de la somnolencia en estos cuadros. Los estudios clínicos señalan que el modafinilo tendría un menor riesgo de viraje a manía en el tratamiento de los cuadros depresivos.

Transtornos de humor refratários a tratamento / Treatment-resistant mood disorders

OBJETIVOS E MÉTODO: Os transtornos de humor estão entre os transtornos psiquiátricos mais prevalentes. Apesar de novas descobertas e avanços no estudo das bases neurobiológicas e abordagens terapêuticas no transtorno bipolar e depressão recorrente, elevadas taxas de recorrência, sintomas subsindrômicos persistentes e refratariedade terapêutica são aspectos clínicos desafiadores e precisam ser abordados. O objetivo desta revisão da literatura é o de avaliar os conceitos e critérios de resistência e refratariedade ao tratamento, e evidenciar as principais alternativas terapêuticas para transtornos do humor resistentes aos tratamentos disponíveis. RESULTADOS: Fatores genéticos, erro diagnóstico e de tratamento, não-aderência, e estressores biológicos e psicossociais podem levar à perda de mecanismos regulatórios e ao aumento na prevalência de casos de refratariedade nos transtornos de humor. Com relação aos tratamentos disponíveis, o uso de doses apropriadas, seguido por associação com um segundo ou terceiro fármaco, e após, se indicado, a troca de medicação, são etapas necessárias na busca de melhor eficácia. Entretanto, no paradigma de refratariedade terapêutica, tratamentos atuando em sistemas já conhecidos, especialmente monoaminas, freqüentemente apresentam limitada eficácia. Assim, a busca por tratamentos mais eficazes para os transtornos de humor torna-se um aspecto chave para diminuir sua morbidade. CONCLUSÃO: Estratégias focadas na regulação de vias ativadoras de neuroplasticidade, incluindo agentes antiglutamatérgicos, antagonistas de receptor glucocorticóide e neuropeptídeos, podem representar opções terapêuticas promissoras.

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: Mood disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. Despite new insights and advances on the neurobiological basis and therapeutic approaches for bipolar disorders and recurrent depression, elevated prevalence of recurrence, persistent sub-syndromal symptoms and treatment resistance are challenging aspects and need to be urgently addressed. The objective of this literature review is to evaluate the current concepts of treatment resistance and refractoriness in mood disorders. RESULTS: Genetic factors, misdiagnosis, use of inappropriate pharmacological approaches, non-compliance and biological/psychosocial stressors account for dysfunctions in mood regulation, thus increasing the prevalence of refractory mood disorders. Regarding available treatments, the use of effective doses during an adequate period followed by augmentation with a second and/or third agent, and finally switching to other agent are steps frequently necessary to optimize efficacy. However, in the treatment-resistant paradigm, drugs mimicking standard strategies, which target preferentially the monoaminergic system, can present reduced therapeutic effects. Thus, the search for new effective treatments for mood disorders is critical to decreasing the overall morbidity secondary to treatment resistance. CONCLUSION: Emerging strategies targeting brain plasticity pathways or 'plasticity enhancers', including antiglutamatergic drugs, glucocorticoid receptor antagonists and neuropeptides, have been considered promising therapeutic options for difficult-to-treat mood disorders.

Apatia na doença de Alzheimer / Apathy in Alzheimer's disease

Apatia é a mais comum síndrome neuropsiquiátrica na doença de Alzheimer, afetando entre 30 e 60 por cento dos pacientes. Pode ser definida como perda de motivação e se manifesta com alterações afetivas, cognitivas e comportamentais, determinando, respectivamente, redução da resposta emocional, perda de autocrítica e retração social. Nesse artigo, são apresentadas as características clínicas da síndrome apática e suas perspectivas terapêuticas. Conclui-se que há uma superposição considerável entre apatia e depressão na doença de Alzheimer, mas ambas as condições são consideradas síndromes independentes. Intervenções farmacológicas para apatia incluem psicoestimulantes, como o metilfenidato, agentes dopaminérgicos e inibidores de colinesterase; mas os resultados são controversos e não há tratamento estabelecido.

Apathy is the most common neuropsychiatry syndrome in Alzheimer's disease affecting 30-60 percent of patients. It can be defined as a loss of motivation and manifests in affect, cognition and behavioral changes, determining blunted emotional response, lack of insight and social retraction, respectively. In this paper, the clinical features and the therapeutic perspectives of apathy are presented. There is considerable overlap between apathy and depression in Alzheimer's disease, but both are considered discrete syndromes. Pharmacological interventions for apathy include psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate, dopaminergic agents and cholinesterase inhibitors, but the results are controversial and there is no established treatment.

Glutamate modulators as novel interventions for mood disorders

Recentes evidências sugerem que as moléculas críticas nas cascatas de sinalizacão neurotrófica são alvos de longo prazo dos antidepressivos monoaminérgicos disponíveis atualmente. Na medida em que transtornos graves e crônicos são caracterizados por deficiências na resiliência neuronal, estratégias farmacológicas que sejam úteis para uma funcão neuroprotetora talvez possam alterar a fisiopatologia e modificar a progressão da doenca. Vários enfoques promissores envolvem a modulacão do sistema neurotransmissor do glutamato, via bloqueio ou potencializacão do receptor pós-sináptico e inibicão da liberacão vesicular pré-sináptica. Foi realizada uma revisão focada da literatura científica existente, com a discussão de três compostos ou classes de drogas que estão atualmente sob investigacão clínica: a ketamina, o riluzol e os potencializadores de receptores de AMPA. DISCUSSAO: Estudos recentes com pacientes com transtornos de humor sugerem que a ketamina, um antagonista do receptor NMDA, poderia ter demonstrado propriedades antidepressivas rápidas. O riluzol demonstrou reverter deficiências mediadas pelo glutamato na plasticidade neuronal e estimular a síntese de fatores neurotróficos derivados do cérebro. Ensaios abertos com depressão resistente ao tratamento produziram resultados promissores. Da mesma forma, os potencializadores de receptores de AMPA impactam favoravelmente os fatores neurotróficos, assim como melhoram a cognicão. CONCLUSÕES: Enfoques farmacológicos que modulam os componentes do sistema de glutamato oferecem novos alvos para transtornos de humor recorrentes e graves. São necessários estudos controlados.

Effects of a Network Program for Preventing Obesity of Patients Taking Antipsychotics or Antidepressants / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the effects of a network program to prevent obesity and improve dietary habits for patients taking antipsychotics or antidepressants. METHOD: Thirty-seven patients in two hospitals were assigned to a control group (21 patients) or an intervention group (16 patients). The intervention group was evaluated to analyze the effect of the network program for six weeks after the program. RESULT: There was a difference in the rate of increased body weight between the control group and the intervention group. Notably, the body weight of both groups before the intervention was significantly increased. However, after the intervention the body weight of the intervention group rarely increased, whereas, the body weight of the control group was significantly increased as expected. There was an observed difference in diet between the control group and the intervention group. After the intervention, caloric intake per day of the intervention group decreased. Also, the duration of the meal of the intervention group after the intervention was longer than before. CONCLUSION: The network program for preventing obesity and improving dietary habits of patients taking antipsychotics or antidepressants was effective. The study shows that a network program can be an important part of a nursing intervention in clinical practice.

Trastornos del ánimo, psicofármacos y tiroides / Mood disorders, psychopharmacology and thyroid hormones

For more than 40 years thyroid hormones and mood disorders have been associated. Some psychiatric symptoms are produced by thyroid illnesses and there is a frequent association of thyroid dysfunction with mood disorders. Therefore, routine thyroid function assessment in patients with mood disorders and the treatment of sub-clinical thyroid dysfunctions is recommended. The usefulness of adding thyroid hormones to antidepressive treatment in euthyroid patients to obtain a potentiation effect has been probed repeatedly. The most common strategy is potentiation with T3, but high doses of T4 have been also used in patients with resistant depression. Thyroid hormones exert their action in the central nervous system through a variety of mechanisms: modulation of gene expression of several groups of proteins, some of them with known physiopathological implications in mood disorders and the influence over serotonin and noradrenergic neurotransmission, known to be one of the modes of action of antidepressants. Finally, it is also important to stress the complex relationship between psychiatric drugs, deiodinases and thyroid hormones, that can potentially help to understand the mechanisms of action of these drugs.

Omega-3 fatty acids in mood disorders: an overview

This review addresses the potential role of omega-3 fatty acids in mood disorders, from the biochemical rationale for their use to the growing body of data supporting their clinical efficacy

Thyroid hormones in treatment of mood disorders.

Although lithium carbonate is still the best validated and most preferred drug used for augmenting treatment of depression, T3 is perhaps the next best agent in this regard. Equivocal evidence, clinical skepticism and lack of data with SSRIs have prevented its widespread use. On the basis of whatever evidence is available it appears to be safe and effective. T4 is useful for replacement purpose and in high doses may have a role in augmenting mood stabilizers. Evidence for other therapeutic effects of thyroid hormones seems to be gathering, but they cannot be recommended yet in other situations as a part of routine clinical practice. Further research about the various therapeutic aspects of thyroid hormones is still required, since this is an area that seems to hold much promise.

Melatonina: revisión de aspectos generales y posibles usos en psiquiatría / Melatonine: review of general aspects and utility in psichiatry

Se revisan aspectos generales de la fisiología de la Melatonina (MT), enfocados sobre los usos clínicos que se discuten en la actualidad. MT se ha indicado en varios trastornos: jet-lag, insomnio por retraso de fase, trastorno afectivo estacional y otros, la mayoría de ellos relacionados posiblemente con desórdenes cronobiológicos. El uso menos controversial parece ser para el insomnio propio de la edad avanzada