The Association of Biochemical and Genetic Biomarkers in VEGF Pathway with Depression.

VEGF is an important neurotrophic and vascular factor involved in mental disorders. The objective of this study was to verify the effect of genetic polymorphisms in the VEGF pathway on the risk for depression, symptom intensity, and suicide attempts. To examine the association between the VEGF pathway and depression, we genotyped polymorphisms and measured the plasma concentrations of VEGF, KDR, and FLT1 proteins. The participants were 160 patients with depression and 114 healthy controls. The questionnaires that assessed the clinical profile of the patients were the MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, GRID-HAMD21, CTQ, BSI, and the number of suicide attempts. Genotyping of participants was performed using the real-time PCR and protein measurements were performed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). VEGF and its inhibitors were reduced in depression. Individuals with depression and displaying the homozygous AA of the rs699947 polymorphism had higher plasma concentrations of VEGF (p-value = 0.006) and were associated with a greater number of suicide attempts (p-value = 0.041). Individuals with depression that were homozygous for the G allele of the FLT1 polymorphism rs7993418 were associated with lower symptom severity (p-value = 0.040). Our results suggest that VEGF pathway polymorphisms are associated with the number of suicide attempts and the severity of depressive symptoms.

Differential Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder: Genetic and Hormonal Assessment and the Influence of Early-Life Stress.

Few studies have assessed biomarkers for the differentiation of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). However, some elements of depression such as hormones and receptors of the renin-angiotensin-adrenal system (RAAS), the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and history of early-life stress (ELS) could be considered for differential diagnosis. Therefore, this study aimed to assess aldosterone and cortisol levels, MR and GR gene polymorphisms, and ELS as potential biomarkers for differentiating MDD and BD. This study presents a case-control design. Groups comprised samples for genetic, cortisol, and aldosterone analysis: healthy control (HC; n = 113/97/103), MDD (n = 78/69/67) and BD (n = 82/68/65) subjects. Furthermore, all subjects were assessed for diagnostic screening, the severity of depression, and history of ELS by applying MINI-PLUS, GRID-HDRS, and CTQ, respectively. In addition, genotype and allelic frequencies of GR (N363S, R22/23K and BclI) and MR (MI180V and -2G/C) polymorphisms were evaluated via PCR. Our findings demonstrate that basal aldosterone levels may be a biomarker for differentiating BD and MDD. Furthermore, ELS affects the HPA axis in BD, cortisol may be considered a biomarker for distinguishing BD and MDD, but only in the absence of ELS, and, finally, history of ELS and MR-2G/C variant alleles are factors that contribute to the severity of depressive symptoms in MDD and BD.

Cortical thickness and subcortical volume abnormalities in male crack-cocaine users.

Crack-cocaine offers a higher risk of abuse than intranasal and intravenous use of cocaine. Yet, current treatments remain disappointing and our understanding of the mechanism of crack-cocaine neurotoxicity is still incomplete. Magnetic resonance images studies on brain changes of crack-cocaine addicts show divergent data. The present study investigated gray matter (GM) abnormalities in crack-cocaine dependents (n = 18) compared to healthy controls (n = 17). MRI data was analysed using FreeSurfer and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). FreeSurfer analysis showed that CD had decreased cortical thickness (CT) in the left inferior temporal cortex (lTC), left orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) and left rostro frontal cortex (lRFC), enlargement in left inferior lateral ventricle, and smaller GM volume in right hippocampus and right ventral diencephalon. VBM analysis showed that CD had significantly decreased GM volume in left Putamen and left nucleus accumbens. Furthermore, we found a negative correlation between duration of crack-cocaine use and lTC CT. These results provide compelling evidence for GM abnormalities in CD and also suggest that duration of crack-cocaine use may be associated with CT alterations.

Confirmatory factorial analysis of the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey in health professionals in emergency services.

OBJECTIVE: to confirm the factorial validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey version in a sample of health professionals from the emergency services. METHOD: a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and analytical study. Two hundred and eighty-two health professionals participated in the study. For data collection, a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were used. The psychometric sensitivity for the MBI-HSS items was estimated by measures of central tendency, variability and the distribution shape. Internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the adequacy of the sample was verified using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index. As indexes for assessing the quality of fit of the model, the chi-square ratio by the degrees of freedom (χ2/DoF), the comparative fit index (CFI), the goodness of fit index (GFI), the Tucker Lewis index (TLI) and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were considered. To test data fit, the maximum likelihood method was used. RESULTS: the three-factor structure of the Maslach Burnout Inventory was confirmed. Items 9, 12, 15 and 16 had a factorial weight below what was considered appropriate and were removed from the model. The second order hierarchical model with the aforementioned modifications presented an adequate adjustment to the data and can be considered the best and most parsimonious model tested according to the information theory indexes. The internal consistency of the instrument's factors was recalculated considering the exclusion of the items and the three factors were considered adequate. CONCLUSION: the results obtained show that the Maslach Burnout Inventory is a reliable and factorially valid instrument for measuring the burnout syndrome in emergency service professionals in Brazil.

Evaluation of the HPA Axis' Response to Pharmacological Challenges in Experimental and Clinical Early-Life Stress-Associated Depression.

Early-life stress (ELS) is associated with a higher risk of psychopathologies in adulthood, such as depression, which may be related to persistent changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ELS on the functioning of the HPA axis in clinical and experimental situations. Clinically, patients with current depressive episodes, with and without ELS, and healthy controls, composed the sample. Subjects took a capsule containing placebo, fludrocortisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone or spironolactone followed by an assessment of plasma cortisol the morning after. Experimentally, male Wistar rats were submitted to ELS protocol based on variable, unpredictable stressors from postnatal day (PND)1 to PND21. On PND65 animals were behaviorally evaluated through the forced-swimming test (FST). At PND68, pharmacological challenges started, using mifepristone, dexamethasone, spironolactone, or fludrocortisone, and corticosterone levels were determined 3 h after injections. Cortisol response of the patients did not differ significantly from healthy subjects, regardless of their ELS history, and it was lower after fludrocortisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone compared with placebo, indicating the suppression of plasma cortisol by all these treatments. Animals exposed to ELS presented altered phenotype as indicated by an increased immobility time in the FST when compared with control, but no significant long-lasting effects of ELS were observed on the HPA axis response. Limitations on the way the volunteers were sampled may have contributed to the lack of ELS effects on the HPA axis, pointing out the need for further research to understand these complex phenomena.

Intervening variables of Burnout in health professionals of emergency services / Variables de intervención del Burnout en los profesionales sanitarios de los servicios de emergencia / Variáveis interventoras do Burnout em profissionais de saúde dos serviços emergenciais

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the association between Burnout, stress, mental suffering and other personal and work factors associated with this syndrome. Method: cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study with 282 health professionals from the emergency services of the city of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, collected from October 2015 to March 2016. The instruments used were: sociodemographic questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Stress Symptom Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Psychiatric Screening Questionnaire, Fantastic Lifestyle Checklist, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Descriptive writing of the data. Pearson's Chi-Square or Fisher's Exact Tests to check the association between variables and later regression analysis, in which ORs were calculated, with 95% CI and 5% significance level. Results: there was statistical evidence of an association between Burnout and education, early stress, stress, common mental disorders, lifestyle, anxiety and depression. The regression analysis shows that the variables that influence Burnout are: type of service (p=0.032; OR=0.187), education (p=0.029; OR=2.313), perception of stress (p=0.037; OR=1.67) and social readjustment (p=0.031; OR=1.279). Conclusion: this study points to a profile for the development of Burnout, consisting of health professionals with higher education, who suffered early stress, who have symptoms and perception of stress, who do not have a healthy lifestyle and show symptoms of mental suffering. Such results can assist in the development and implementation of strategies aimed at reducing both work stress and the prevalence of Burnout syndrome.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la asociación entre Burnout, estrés, sufrimiento mental y otros factores personales y laborales asociados a este síndrome. Método: estudio transversal, descriptivo y correlacional entre 282 profesionales sanitarios de los servicios de emergencia de la ciudad de Ribeirão Preto, Brasil, recolectados de octubre de 2015 a marzo de 2016. Utilizados os instrumentos: Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: cuestionario sociodemográfico, Inventario de Burnout de Maslach, Cuestionario de Trauma Infantil, Inventario de Síntomas de Estrés, Escala de Estrés Percibido, Cuestionario de Exploración Psiquiátrica, Cuestionario de Estilo de Vida Fantástico, Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión Hospitalaria y Escala de Reajuste Social de Holmes-Rahe. Redacción descriptiva de los datos. Prueba Chi-Cuadrado de Pearson o Prueba exacta de Fisher para comprobar la asociación entre variables y posterior análisis de regresión, en el que se calcularon OR, con IC del 95% y nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: hubo evidencia estadística de asociación entre Burnout y educación, estrés temprano, estrés, trastornos mentales comunes, estilo de vida, ansiedad y depresión. El análisis de regresión muestra que las variables que influyen en el Burnout son: tipo de servicio (p=0.032; OR=0.187), educación (p=0.029; OR=2.313), percepción de estrés (p=0.037; OR=1.67) y reajuste social (p=0.031; OR=1.279). Conclusión: Este estudio apunta a un perfil para el desarrollo del Burnout, conformado por profesionales sanitarios con educación superior, que sufrieron estrés temprano, que presentan síntomas y percepción de estrés, que no tienen un estilo de vida saludable y presentan síntomas de sufrimiento mental. Dichos resultados pueden ayudar en el desarrollo e implementación de estrategias destinadas a reducir tanto el estrés laboral como la prevalencia del síndrome de Burnout.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a associação entre Burnout, estresse, sofrimento mental e demais fatores pessoais e laborais associados a esta síndrome. Método: estudo transversal, descritivo e correlacional entre 282 profissionais de saúde dos serviços de emergências da cidade de Ribeirão Preto, Brasil, coletado de outubro de 2015 a março de 2016. Utilizados os instrumentos: questionário sociodemográfico, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Inventário de Sintomas de Stress, Escala de Estresse Percebido, Psychiatric Screeming Questionnaire, Questionário de Estilo de Vida Fantástico, Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão e Escala de Reajustamento Social de Homes-Rahe. Redação descritiva dos dados. Testes Qui-Quadrado de Pearson ou Exato de Fisher para verificar a associação entre as variáveis e posteriormente análise de regressão, na qual foram calculados OR, com IC de 95% e o nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: houve evidência estatística de associação entre Burnout e escolaridade, estresse precoce, estresse, transtornos mentais comuns, estilo de vida, ansiedade e depressão. A análise de regressão evidencia que as variáveis que influenciam no Burnout são: tipo de serviço (p=0,032; OR=0,187), escolaridade (p=0,029; OR=2,313), percepção de estresse (p=0,037; OR=1,67) e reajustamento social (p=0,031; OR=1,279). Conclusão: este estudo aponta um perfil para o desenvolvimento de Burnout, constituído por profissionais de saúde com maior escolaridade, que sofreram estresse precoce, que apresentam sintomas e percepção de estresse, que não possuem um estilo de vida saudável e apresentam sintomas de sofrimento mental. Tais resultados podem auxiliar no desenvolvimento e implementação de estratégias visando reduzir tanto o estresse laboral como a prevalência da síndrome de Burnout.

Confirmatory factorial analysis of the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey in health professionals in emergency services / Análise fatorial confirmatória do Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey em profissionais de saúde dos serviços de emergência / Análisis factorial confirmatorio del Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey en profesionales de la salud de los servicios de emergencia

Objective: to confirm the factorial validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey version in a sample of health professionals from the emergency services. Method: a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and analytical study. Two hundred and eighty-two health professionals participated in the study. For data collection, a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were used. The psychometric sensitivity for the MBI-HSS items was estimated by measures of central tendency, variability and the distribution shape. Internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the adequacy of the sample was verified using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index. As indexes for assessing the quality of fit of the model, the chi-square ratio by the degrees of freedom (χ2/DoF), the comparative fit index (CFI), the goodness of fit index (GFI), the Tucker Lewis index (TLI) and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were considered. To test data fit, the maximum likelihood method was used. Results: the three-factor structure of the Maslach Burnout Inventory was confirmed. Items 9, 12, 15 and 16 had a factorial weight below what was considered appropriate and were removed from the model. The second order hierarchical model with the aforementioned modifications presented an adequate adjustment to the data and can be considered the best and most parsimonious model tested according to the information theory indexes. The internal consistency of the instrument's factors was recalculated considering the exclusion of the items and the three factors were considered adequate. Conclusion: the results obtained show that the Maslach Burnout Inventory is a reliable and factorially valid instrument for measuring the burnout syndrome in emergency service professionals in Brazil.

Objetivo: confirmar a validade fatorial do Maslach Bunout Inventory - versão Human Services Survey numa amostra de profissionais da saúde dos serviços de emergência. Método: estudo de abordagem quantitativa, exploratório, descritivo e analítico. Participaram do estudo 282 profissionais de saúde. Utilizou-se para a coleta de dados, um questionário sociodemográfico e o Maslach Burnout Inventory. A sensibilidade psicométrica dos itens do Maslach Bunout Inventory - versão Human Services Survey foi estimada pelas medidas de tendência central, variabilidade e forma da distribuição. A consistência interna foi estimada por meio do Coeficiente alfa de Cronbach e a adequação da amostra verificada por meio do índice de Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO). Como índices para a avaliação da qualidade de ajustamento do modelo foram considerados a razão de qui-quadrado pelos graus de liberdade (χ2 /gl), comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit index (GFI), índice de Tucker Lewis (TLI) e root mean square error of aproximation (RMSEA). Para testar o ajustamento dos dados utilizou-se o método de máxima verossimilhança. Resultados: confirmou-se a estrutura trifatorial do Maslach Burnout Inventory. Os itens 9, 12, 15 e 16 apresentaram peso fatorial abaixo do considerado adequado e foram removidos do modelo. O modelo hierárquico de segunda ordem, com as modificações mencionadas, apresentou ajustamento adequado aos dados e pôde ser considerado o melhor e mais parcimonioso modelo testado de acordo com os índices da teoria da informação. A consistência interna dos fatores do instrumento foi recalculada considerando-se a exclusão dos itens e foi considerada adequada nos três os fatores. Conclusão: os resultados obtidos mostram que o Maslach Burnout Inventory é um instrumento confiável e fatorialmente válido para medir a síndrome de o burnout em profissionais dos serviços de emergência no Brasil.

Objetivo: confirmar la validez factorial del Maslach Bunout Inventory - versión Human Services Survey en una muestra de profesionales de la salud de los servicios de emergencia. Método: estudio cuantitativo, exploratorio, descriptivo y analítico. Participaron en el estudio 282 profesionales de la salud. Para la recopilación de datos, se utilizó un cuestionario sociodemográfico y el Maslach Burnout Inventory . La sensibilidad psicométrica de los ítems del Maslach Bunout Inventory - versión Human Services Survey se estimó mediante medidas de tendencia central, variabilidad y forma de distribución. La consistencia interna se estimó usando el Coeficiente alfa de Cronbach y la adecuación de la muestra se verificó usando el índice de Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO). Como índices para evaluar la calidad de ajuste del modelo fueron considerados la razón chi-cuadrado para los grados de libertad (χ 2 /gl), comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit index (GFI), índice de Tucker Lewis (TLI) y root mean square error of aproximation (RMSEA). Para probar el ajuste de los datos, se utilizó el método de máxima verosimilitud. Resultados: se confirmó la estructura de tres factores del Maslach Burnout Inventory . Los ítems 9, 12, 15 y 16 presentaron un peso factorial por debajo de lo que se consideraba adecuado y se eliminaron del modelo. El modelo jerárquico de segundo orden, con las modificaciones antes mencionadas, presentó un ajuste adecuado a los datos y puede considerarse el mejor y más parsimonioso modelo probado de acuerdo con los índices de teoría de la información. La consistencia interna de los factores del instrumento se recalculó ponderando la exclusión de los ítems y se consideró adecuada en los tres factores. Conclusión: los resultados obtenidos muestran que el Maslach Burnout Inventory es un instrumento confiable y factorialmente válido para medir el síndrome de burnout en los profesionales de los servicios de emergencia en Brasil.

Relationship Between Depression and Subtypes of Early Life Stress in Adult Psychiatric Patients.

Numerous studies have researched the aggravating and maintainer effect of Early Life Stress in patients adults with psychiatric disorders. This study examined the relationship between depression and subtypes of early life stress among 81 psychiatric patients treated at the inpatient Day Hospital Unit of a University General Hospital. Psychiatric diagnosis was confirmed according to the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used for evaluating as retrospective assessment of the presence of ELS on these patients, and we also evaluated the severity of hopelessness with the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Our results suggested that the occurrence of depression in adulthood is related to situations of emotional abuse, sexual, and physical neglect during childhood. The analysis between depression and childhood emotional abuse was significant after a multiple logistic regression analysis OR (IC 95%): 4.4 (1.7-11.2), even accounting for gender adjusted OR [AOR] 4.0; (IC 1.5-10.5); psychiatry family history AOR 3.8 (1.4-10.5); previous suicide attempted AOR 3.7; (1.4-10.5) and Hopelessness AOR 3.2 (1.11-9.4). Thus, these findings demonstrate emotional abuse as a significant risk factor to be part of the mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of depression related to early life stress.

Genetic biomarkers for differential diagnosis of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder: A systematic and critical review.

Depressive symptoms are present in the depressive mood state of bipolar disorder (BPD) and major depression disorder (MDD). Often, in clinical practice, BPD patients are misdiagnosed with MDD. Therefore, genetic biomarkers could contribute to the improvement of differential diagnosis between BPD and MDD. This systematic and critical review aimed to find in literature reliable genetic biomarkers that may show differences between BPD and MDD. This systematic review followed the PRISMA-P method. The terms used to search PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were depress*, bipolar, diagnos*, genetic*, biomark*. After applying the selection criteria, N = 27 studies were selected, being n = 9 about biomarkers for BPD; n = 15, about MDD; and n = 3 for distinguishing MDD from BPD. A total of N = 3086 subjects were assessed in the selected studies (n = 486 in BPD group; n = 1212 in MDD group; and n = 1388, healthy control group). The articles were dated up to June 2017. Of the N = 27 studies, n = 16 assessed gene, n = 1 miRNA, n = 2 lcnRNA and n = 3 protein expressions, n = 4 methylation, and n = 4 polymorphisms. Some studies applied more than one of these genetic analyses. To find reliable genetic biomarkers we have taken into account the methodological care during the studies development and their validity. The genetic biomarkers selected are related to genes that play a fundamental role in synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, mood control, brain ageing, immune-inflammatory processes and mitochondrial respiratory chain. BDNF gene expression was one of the genetic biomarkers that highlighted because of its capacity of distinguishing BPD and MDD groups, and being adequately reproduced by more than one selected study.

Contribuições de um hospital-dia para as redes de apoio social a pessoas com transtornos mentais / Contribuciones de un hospital día para redes de apoyo social para personas con trastornos mentales / A day hospital's contributions for social support networks for people with mental disorders

Resumo: Objetivo: Identificar as práticas terapêuticas de um Hospital-Dia em Saúde Mental dirigidas ao suporte às redes de apoio social a pessoas com transtornos mentais. Metodologia: Estudo qualitativo, exploratório, descritivo associado às técnicas de observação participante, entrevistas e revisão documental realizadas no período de 31 de março a 17 de abril de 2014, no Hospital-Dia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo - HD/HCFMRP/USP. Resultados: O Grupo Comunitário de Saúde mental do HD/HCFMRP/USP se constitui em uma das abordagens terapêuticas do plano terapêutico para os pacientes em tratamento sob o regime de semi-internação, ao mesmo tempo em que se consolidou como uma estrutura para além do Hospital-Dia. É uma atividade aberta à comunidade e objetiva ser um espaço para o exercício dialogado de apropriação e comunicação de vivências cotidianas. Discussão: A Terapia Comunitária Integrativa vem se consolidando como uma nova tecnologia de intervenção psicossocial caracterizado por acolher, escutar e cuidar dos sujeitos e de seus sofrimentos. É um espaço de promoção de encontros interpessoais e intercomunitários, de compartilhamento de experiências e acumulações de vida de forma a valorizar cada uma das histórias de vida dos participantes, resgatando a auto-estima, a confiança em si, na perspectiva de ampliação da percepção dos problemas e do consequente vislumbrar de possibilidades de suas resoluções a partir das competências locais.

Resumen: Objetivo: Identificar las prácticas terapéuticas del Hospital de Día dirigidas a las redes de apoyo social de personas con trastornos mentales. Metodología: Estudio cualitativo, exploratorio descriptivo asociado a técnicas de observación participante, entrevistas y revisión documental realizados del 31 de marzo al 17 de abril de 2014 en el Hospital de Día del Hospital de Clínicas de la Facultad de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto Universidad de San Pablo. Resultados: El Grupo Comunitario de Salud Mental del HD/HCFMRP/USP se constituye en uno de los enfoques terapéuticos del plan terapéutico para los pacientes en tratamiento bajo el régimen de semi-internación, al tiempo que se consolidó como una estructura más allá del Hospital de Día. Es una actividad abierta a la comunidad y tiene como objetivo ser un espacio para el ejercicio dialogado de apropiación y comunicación de vivencias cotidianas. Discusión: La Terapia Comunitaria Integrativa se viene consolidando como una nueva tecnología de intervención psicosocial caracterizada por acoger, escuchar y cuidar de los sujetos y de sus sufrimientos. Es un espacio de promoción de encuentros interpersonales e intercomunitarios, para compartir experiencias de vida, para valorar cada una de las historias de vida de los participantes, promoviendo la autoestima y la confianza en sí, a modo de ampliar la percepción de los problemas y encontrar posibilidades de resolución a partir de las competencias locales.

Abstract: Objective: To identify the therapeutic practices of a Day Hospital Mental Health directed support to social support networks for people with mental disorders. Methodology: Qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study associated with participant observation techniques, interviews and documentary review carried out from March 31 to April 17, 2014, in Day Hospital, Hospital Clinical, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo - HD/HCFMRP/USP. Results: The Community Health Group of the HD/HCFMRP/USP constitutes one of the therapeutic approaches of the therapeutic plan for the patients under treatment under the semi-hospitalization regime, at the same time that it has consolidated as a structure beyond the Day Hospital. It is an activity open to the community and aims to be a space for the dialogical exercise of appropriation and communication of everyday experiences. Discussion: Integrative Community Therapy has been consolidating as a new technology of psychosocial intervention characterized by welcoming, listening and caring for the subjects and their sufferings. It is a space for the promotion of interpersonal and intercommunal meetings, sharing of experiences and accumulations of life in order to value each one of the life stories of the participants, rescuing the self-esteem, the confidence in itself, in the perspective of amplifying the perception of the problems and the consequent glimpsing of possibilities of their resolutions based on local competences.

Transtornos da personalidade / Personality disorders

RESUMO Os Transtornos da personalidade são padrões psicológicos de difícil diagnóstico que exigem uma avaliação criteriosa por parte do profissional da saúde mental. A relação médico-paciente também se configura como fator de extrema importância para o manejo destes quadros. Dentro deste contexto, é imprescindível orientar os alunos das áreas de graduação em saúde sobre a existência de tal categoria de transtornos. O presente artigo consiste em uma revisão descritiva, que busca elucidar a definição de transtornos da personalidade; além de discorrer sobre aspectos históricos, nosológicos e epidemiológicos. Nesta publicação ainda serão revisadas as particularidades referentes ao diagnóstico, as comorbidades, ao curso e tratamento destes transtornos. O enfoque maior será no manejo de indivíduos com transtorno da personalidade borderline, dada a maior procura destes por unidades de atendimento psiquiátrico.(AU)

Personality disorders are psychological patterns of difficult diagnosis that require careful evaluations from mental health professionals. The physician-patient relationship is a crucial condition for the management of these disorders. On this view it must be important guide undergraduate students from health care areas through the existence of such a category of disorders. This article consists of a descriptive review aiming at clarifying the definition of personality disorders; furthermore discuss historical, physiological and epidemiological aspects. On this publication will be reviewed some particularities from diagnostic comorbidity, course and treatment of these disorders. The management of individuals with borderline personality disorder will be emphasized in this publication due to increased seek from this public for mental health care units. (AU)

Transtorno bipolar: uma revisão dos aspectos conceituais e clínicos / Bipolar disorder: a review of conceptual and clinical aspects

Esta revisão tem o objetivo de introduzir aspectos históricos, epidemiológicos e etiológicos do transtorno bipolar, além de apresentar a caracterização e curso da doença e algumas questões relativas ao diagnóstico, tratamento e prognóstico. O Transtorno Bipolar (TB) é caracterizado por graves alterações de humor, que envolvem períodos de humor elevado e de depressão intercalados por períodos de remissão. O transtorno se diferencia em dois tipos principais: o Tipo I, em que ocorrem episódios de mania, e o Tipo II, em que a elevação do humor é mais branda e breve, caracterizando episódios de hipomania. O conceito de espectro bipolar amplia a classificação do TB, incluindo padrões clínicos e genéticos. O TB é uma doença comum, que atinge cerca de 30 milhões de pessoas no mundo, afetando homens e mulheres de modo diferente. As causas do TB incluem uma interação de fatores genéticos e ambientais, distinguindo-o como um transtorno complexo e multideterminado. O diagnóstico segundo os critérios do DSM-5 envolve a identificação de sintomas de mania ou hipomania e da avaliação do curso longitudinal da doença. A depressão é geralmente o quadro mais comum e persistente entre os pacientes bipolares. Embora não existam sintomas específicos que distinguem a depressão unipolar da depressão bipolar, foram encontradas características clínicas típicas de cada manifestação (e.g., perfil dos sintomas, história familiar, e curso da doença). O diagnóstico precoce e o tratamento dos episódios agudos de humor melhoram significativamente o prognóstico. O tratamento de primeira escolha é com medicamentos estabilizadores de humor, anticonvulsivantes e antipsicóticos atípicos. A combinação de medicamentos com intervenções psicossociais tem se mostrado efetiva. Não obstante, o uso de antidepressivos em monoterapia não é recomendado. (AU)

This review aims to introduce historical, epidemiological and etiological aspects of bipolar disorder, also to present the characterization and course of the disease, as well as some issues related to the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by severe mood disturbances, involving periods of elevated mood and depression intercalated with periods of remission. The disorder is distinguished into two main types: Type I, in which episodes of mania occur; and Type II, in which mood elevation is milder and briefer, characterizing episodes of hypomania. The concept of bipolar spectrum extends the classification of BD, including clinical and genetic patterns. BD is a common disease that strikes about 30 million people worldwide, affecting men and women differently. The causes of BD include the interaction of genetic and environmental factors, distinguishing it as a complex and multidimensional disorder. The diagnosis according to DSM-5 involves the identification of mania or hypomania symptoms and the longitudinal evaluation of the disease course. Depression is usually the most common and persistent condition among bipolar patients. Although there are no specific symptoms that distinguish unipolar depression from bipolar depression, typical clinical features of each manifestation were found (e.g., symptom profile, family history, and disease course). Early diagnosis and the treatment of acute mood episodes significantly improve the prognosis. The first choice treatment involves mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants and atypical antipsychotics. The combination of medication with psychosocial interventions has been proved effective. However, the use of antidepressant monotherapy is not recommended. (AU)

Diagnóstico de depressões unipolares e bipolares e seus especificadores / Diagnosis of unipolar and bipolar depressions and their specifiers

Depressão é um doença comum, recorrente e crônica, que acomete o organismo do indivíduo como um todo, afetando o humor, as funções cognitivas, neuroendócrinas e outros sistemas do organismo, prejudicando o bem-estar pessoal, social e laboral. A depressão é multifatorial (etiologia intrínseca e extrínseca) e heterogênea, pois, além de unipolar ou bipolar, existem especificadores (subtipos) de depressão, cada um contendo particulares em sua sintomatologia. A presente revisão visa abordar as depressões unipolares e bipolares, assim como alguns de seus especificadores, apresentando suas características, crité- rios diagnósticos, epidemiologia, comorbidades associadas e etiologia; também apresentando a importância de ser feito e como pode ser feito o diagnóstico diferencial entre as depressões unipolares e bipolares.(AU)

Depression is a common, recurrent and chronic disease with a high prevalence in the world population. It is a disease that affects the individual organism as a whole, affecting, in addition to mood, cognitive, neuroendocrine and physiological functions, impairing personal, social and laboral well-being. Depression is multifactorial (intrinsic and extrinsic etiology) and heterogeneous, because in addition of being unipolar or bipolar, there are specifiers (subtypes) of depression, each containing particuliarities in symptomathology. This review aimed to present the unipolar and bipolar depressions, as well as some of their specifiers, with their characteristics, diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, associated comorbidities and etiology; also presenting the importance of being done and how we can make the differential diagnosis between unipolar and bipolar depressions (AU)

Transtornos relacionados a traumas e a estressores / Trauma and stressor-related disorders

Os Transtornos relacionados a traumas e a estressores são quadros psiquiátricos relacionados a exposi- ção a um evento traumático ou estressante, resultando em sofrimento psicológico relevante, prejuízo social, profissional e em outras áreas importantes da vida do indivíduo. A apresentação clínica de tais transtornos é caracterizada por sintomas de ansiedade e de medo, anedonia, disforia, externalizações da raiva, agressividade e sintomas dissociativos. De acordo com a 5ª edição do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais (DSM-5), as categorias diagnósticas inclusas nesse espectro são Transtorno de Apego Reativo, Transtorno de Interação Social Desinibida, Transtorno de Estresse PósTraumático, Transtorno de Estresse Agudo e os Transtornos de Adaptação. O objetivo desta revisão é introduzir o debate sobre a conceituação clínica e as diretrizes terapêuticas dos Transtornos Relacionados a Traumas e a Estressores, direcionando a escolha do profissional pelas práticas terapêuticas adequadas relacionadas a tais categorias diagnósticas. Além disso, os autores discutem as consequências do Estresse Precoce (situações traumáticas ocorridas na infância e adolescência) na vida adulta. (AU)

Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders are psychiatric conditions related to exposure to a traumatic or stressful event, resulting in significant psychological distress social, professional and other relevant areas of the individual's life. The clinical presentation of these disorders is characterized by symptoms of anxiety and fear, anhedonia, dysphoria, externalizations of anger, aggressiveness and dissociative symptoms. According to the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the diagnostic categories included in this spectrum are Reactive Attachment Disorder, Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder and Adjustment Disorders. The objective of this review is to introduce the debate on clinical conceptualization and therapeutic guidelines of Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders, directing professional's choice for proper therapeutic practices related to such diagnostic categories. Also, the authors discuss the consequences of early life stress (traumatic situations that occur in childhood and adolescence) in adulthood. (AU)

Psicofarmacoterapia para o clínico geral / Pharmacotherapy for general practitioners

O objetivo deste artigo é introduzir o aluno de graduação na área da saúde, em especial o aluno de Medicina, no campo da psicofarmacoterapia para o tratamento dos transtornos mentais. Para isso, serão revisados os principais psicofármacos utilizados na atualidade, seus mecanismos de ação, suas indica- ções e contra-indicações, seus efeitos colaterais, oferecendo ainda diretrizes para o seu uso na prática clínica diária.(AU)

The objective of this article is to introduce the graduate students of healthcare courses, especially medical students, into the psychopharmacotherapy field for the treatment of mental disorders. To this aim, we performed a comprehensive review of the main psychoactive drugs used today, their mechanisms of action, indications and contraindications, side effects. We also provided guidelines for their use in daily clinical practice. (AU)

Neuropsychological changes in melancholic and atypical depression: A systematic review.

There is not a consensus as to whether neuropsychological profiling can distinguish depressive subtypes. We aimed to systematically review and critically analyse the literature on cognitive function in patients with melancholic and atypical depression. We searched in databases PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Knowledge and PsycInfo for papers comparing the neuropsychological performance of melancholic patients (MEL) to non-melancholic depressive patients (NMEL), including atypical depressives, and healthy controls (HC). All studies were scrutinised to determine the main methodological characteristics and particularly possible sources of bias influencing the results reported, using the STROBE statement checklist. We also provide effect size of the results reported for contrasts between MEL; patients and NMEL patients. Seventeen studies were included; most of them demonstrated higher neuropsychological impairments of MEL patients compared to both NMEL patients and HC on tasks requiring memory, executive function, attention and reaction time. Detailed analysis of the methodologies used in the studies revealed significant variability especially regarding the participants' sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics of patients and differences in neuropsychological assessment. These findings suggest that MEL may have a distinct and impaired cognitive performance compared to NMEL depressive patients on tasks involving verbal and visual memory, executive function, sustained attention and span, as well as psychomotor speed, this last especially when cognitive load is increased. Additional studies with adequate control of potentially confounding variables will help to clarify further differences in the neuropsychological functioning of depressive subtypes.

Day hospital and psychosocial care center: Expanding the discussion of partial hospitalization in mental health.

INTRODUCTION: Since the second half of the twentieth century the discussions about mental patient care reveal ongoing debate between two health care paradigms: the biomedical/biopsychosocial paradigm and the psychosocial paradigm. The struggle for hegemony over the forms of care, on how to deal optimally with the experience of becoming ill is underpinned by an intentionality of reorganizing knowledge about the health/disease dichotomy, which is reflected in the models proposed for the implementation of actions and services for the promotion, prevention, care and rehabilitation of human health. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the guidelines of care in mental health day hospitals (MHDH) in contrast to type III psychosocial care centers (CAPS III). METHOD: Review of mental health legislation from 1990 to 2014. RESULTS: A definition of therapeutic project could not be found, as well as which activities and techniques should be employed by these health services. CONCLUSION: The MHDH and PCC III are services that replace psychiatric hospital admission and are characterized by their complementarity in the care to the mentally ill. Due to their varied and distinctive intervention methods, which operate synergistically, the contributions from both models of care are optimized. Discussions on the best mental health care model reveal polarization between the biomedical/biopsychosocial and psychosocial paradigms. This reflects the supremacy of the latter over the former in the political-ideological discourse that circumscribes the reform of psychiatric care, which may hinder a better clinical outcome for patients and their families.

Day hospital and psychosocial care center: Expanding the discussion of partial hospitalization in mental health / Hospital-dia e Centro de Atenção Psicossocial: ampliando o debate da internação parcial em saúde mental

Summary Introduction: Since the second half of the twentieth century the discussions about mental patient care reveal ongoing debate between two health care paradigms: the biomedical/biopsychosocial paradigm and the psychosocial paradigm. The struggle for hegemony over the forms of care, on how to deal optimally with the experience of becoming ill is underpinned by an intentionality of reorganizing knowledge about the health/disease dichotomy, which is reflected in the models proposed for the implementation of actions and services for the promotion, prevention, care and rehabilitation of human health. Objective: To discuss the guidelines of care in mental health day hospitals (MHDH) in contrast to type III psychosocial care centers (CAPS III). Method: Review of mental health legislation from 1990 to 2014. Results: A definition of therapeutic project could not be found, as well as which activities and techniques should be employed by these health services. Conclusion: The MHDH and PCC III are services that replace psychiatric hospital admission and are characterized by their complementarity in the care to the mentally ill. Due to their varied and distinctive intervention methods, which operate synergistically, the contributions from both models of care are optimized. Discussions on the best mental health care model reveal polarization between the biomedical/biopsychosocial and psychosocial paradigms. This reflects the supremacy of the latter over the former in the political-ideological discourse that circumscribes the reform of psychiatric care, which may hinder a better clinical outcome for patients and their families.

Resumo Introdução: desde a segunda metade do século XX, as discussões em torno da assistência ao doente mental revelam o debate, ainda inacabado, entre dois paradigmas de atenção à saúde: o paradigma biomédico/biopsicossocial e o paradigma psicossocial. A luta pela hegemonia sobre as formas do cuidado, sobre a melhor maneira de lidar com a experiência do adoecimento, subjaz a uma intencionalidade de reorganização dos saberes sobre o binômio saúde/doença, que se reflete nos modelos propostos para a execução das ações e serviços de promoção, prevenção, assistência e reabilitação da saúde humana. Objetivo: problematizar as diretrizes do cuidado do Hospital-dia em Saúde Mental (HDSM) em contraste com o Centro de Atenção Psicossocial tipo III (CAPS III). Método: revisão da legislação em saúde mental entre 1990-2014. Resultados: não foi encontradas a definição de projeto terapêutico e as atividades e técnicas que devem ser empregadas por esses serviços de saúde. Conclusão: o HDSM e o CAPS III são serviços substitutivos à internação hospitalar psiquiátrica que se caracterizam pela complementaridade na atenção ao doente mental. Pelos seus variados e distintos métodos de intervenção, em ação sinérgica, potencializam-se com as contribuições tanto de um modelo quanto do outro modelo de atenção. As discussões em torno do melhor modelo de atenção em saúde mental mostram-se polarizadas entre os paradigmas biomédico/biopsicossocial e psicossocial, condição que reflete a supremacia do segundo sobre o primeiro no discurso político-ideológico que circunscreve a reforma da assistência psiquiátrica, fato que pode prejudicar o desfecho clínico para o paciente e sua família.

Early life stress in depressive patients: role of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors and of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity.

Depression is a chronic, recurrent and long-term disorder characterized by high rates of impairment and several comorbidities. Early life stress (ELS) is associated with the increased risk for developing depression in adulthood, influences its clinical course and predicts a poorer treatment outcome. Stressful life events play an important role in the pathogenesis of depression, being well established as acute triggers of psychiatric illness. The vulnerability for developing depression is associated to changes in neurobiological systems related to stress regulation. The hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis responds to external and internal stimuli. Reported results indicate that stress in early phases of development can induce persistent changes in the response of the HPA axis to stress in adulthood, leading to a raised susceptibility to depression. These abnormalities appear to be related to the HPA axis deregulation in depression, partially due to an imbalance between glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and mineral ocorticoid receptors (MR). While most studies have consistently demonstrated that GR function is impaired in major depression (reduced GR-mediated feedback in HPA axis), data about the MR role in depression are still limited and contr oversial. Thus, in this review article we summarize the main reported findings about the consequences of ELS in HPA axis functioning and in the responsivity of MR/GR receptors in depression.