Consenso de expertos sobre propuestas de información al paciente en tratamiento con sales de litio / Expert consensus on information sheet proposals for patients under treatment with lithium

Introducción: El litio constituye una de las primeras opciones terapéuticas del trastorno bipolar, el cual se caracteriza por cambios recurrentes en el estado de ánimo que reducen fuertemente la calidad de vida. Nuestro objetivo fue alcanzar un consenso de criterio profesional para definir los contenidos de una hoja de información al paciente con trastorno bipolar que inicia tratamiento con litio.Material y métodosSe empleó el método Delphi modificado en 2 rondas. El comité científico —constituido por 9 psiquiatras— elaboró un cuestionario con 20 ítems sobre la información que debe comunicarse al paciente tratado con litio y seleccionó un panel de expertos psiquiatras del ámbito ambulatorio y hospitalario para consensuar esta información. Los panelistas puntuaron cada ítem según una escala Likert de 9 puntos y podían añadir comentarios de manera confidencial. Se consideró consenso en el acuerdo cuando la mediana de las puntuaciones se encontró en el rango [7-9], y en desacuerdo en el rango [1-3].ResultadosSe alcanzó un alto nivel de consenso. En la primera ronda, se alcanzó acuerdo en 17 de los 20 ítems, y tras la segunda ronda, solo quedó un ítem en desacuerdo, el cual contenía información sobre el descubrimiento del litio. Finalmente, dicho ítem fue modificado en la hoja de información del paciente siguiendo los comentarios sugeridos por los panelistas.ConclusionesEste trabajo permitió elaborar una hoja de información para el paciente con trastorno bipolar en tratamiento con litio, con información consensuada por un grupo de expertos de distintos ámbitos de la asistencia sanitaria. (AU)

Introduction: Lithium is one of the first therapeutic options for bipolar disorder, which is characterized by recurrent mood swings that strongly reduce quality of life. Our purpose was to achieve professional consensus criteria to define the contents of an information sheet for patients with bipolar disorder that are starting treatment with lithium.Material and methodsA modified Delphi method in two rounds was used. The Scientific Committee—made up by nine psychiatrists—created a 20-item questionnaire about the information that must be given to the patient treated with lithium and selected a panel of ambulatory and hospital psychiatric experts to agree on this information. Panelists scored each item based on a Likert scale of 9 points and could add comments in a confidential manner. It was considered consensus in agreement when median scores were within the range of [7-9] and in disagreement within the range of [1-3].ResultsA high level of consensus was reached. In the first round, there was agreement on 17 out of 20 items and, after the second round, there was disagreement on just one item containing information about the discovery of lithium. Finally, said item was modified in the Patient's Information Sheet based on the comments suggested by the panelists.ConclusionsThis study allowed to create an information sheet for patients with bipolar disorder under treatment with lithium, with information agreed upon by a group of experts from different health care settings. (AU)

Expert consensus on information sheet proposals for patients under treatment with lithium. / Consenso de expertos sobre propuestas de información al paciente en tratamiento con sales de litio.

INTRODUCTION: Lithium is one of the first therapeutic options for bipolar disorder, which is characterized by recurrent mood swings that strongly reduce quality of life. Our purpose was to achieve professional consensus criteria to define the contents of an information sheet for patients with bipolar disorder that are starting treatment with lithium. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A modified Delphi method in two rounds was used. The Scientific Committee-made up by nine psychiatrists-created a 20-item questionnaire about the information that must be given to the patient treated with lithium and selected a panel of ambulatory and hospital psychiatric experts to agree on this information. Panelists scored each item based on a Likert scale of 9 points and could add comments in a confidential manner. It was considered consensus in agreement when median scores were within the range of [7-9] and in disagreement within the range of [1-3]. RESULTS: A high level of consensus was reached. In the first round, there was agreement on 17 out of 20 items and, after the second round, there was disagreement on just one item containing information about the discovery of lithium. Finally, said item was modified in the Patient's Information Sheet based on the comments suggested by the panelists. CONCLUSIONS: This study allowed to create an information sheet for patients with bipolar disorder under treatment with lithium, with information agreed upon by a group of experts from different health care settings.

[New care models for transgender people in the Spanish Health System: demands, controversies and reflections.] / Nuevos modelos de atención sanitaria para las personas transgénero en el Sistema Sanitario Español: demandas, controversias y reflexiones.

Health care for transgender people in Spain has been progressively established since 1999 when the first multidisciplinary unit for the treatment of sex reassignment was created in Andalusia. In this document, the social changes, the demands and debates of users and professionals, the new models of health care for trans people, and reflections on the current situation, have been analysed. The social openness in Spain regarding sexual and gender diversity has evolved quite positively. The health demands of the transgender users are not uniform and do not always match with the criteria of the professionals. In some Spanish regions, health care is distancing itself from the internationally recommended multidisciplinary model. The new healthcare models have been established under the aegis of primary care and/or endocrinologist in the area, without a required psychological assessment. The main contributing factors for this change of model have been the pressure from some associations with demands for "depathologization" and "decentralization". The professionals of gender units, while recognizing the need for a broader vision of trans reality, warn of the risk of treating trans people without the involvement of mental health specialists or by professionals in proximity with little experience. Moreover, the decentralization would not allow acting on large cohorts, which hinders the advance of knowledge and contrasted evaluations with neighbouring countries. In summary, the new health models, although intended to facilitate care through proximity, do not guarantee improvements in quality and difficult to make a comparative evaluation of the results.

La atención sanitaria a las personas transgénero en España se ha establecido de manera progresiva desde 1999, año en que Andalucía crea la primera unidad multidisciplinar para el tratamiento integral de la reasignación de sexo. Este documento analiza los cambios sociales, las demandas y debates entre usuarios y profesionales y los nuevos modelos de atención sanitaria, y también plantea reflexiones sobre la situación actual. La apertura social en España en la concepción de la diversidad sexual y de género es bastante favorable. Las demandas de los usuarios no son uniformes y no siempre coinciden con los criterios de los profesionales. En algunas comunidades autónomas la asistencia sanitaria se está distanciando del modelo recomendado internacionalmente, que basa la atención en equipos especializados o Unidades de Identidad de Género (UIG). Estos nuevos modelos centran la asistencia en la Atención Primaria, además de en endocrinólogos y pediatras de área sin una evaluación coordinada con Salud Mental. Los principales factores contribuyentes al cambio reciente han sido las demandas desde algunas asociaciones de "despatologización" y "descentralización". Estos nuevos modelos centran la asistencia en la Atención Primaria, además de en endocrinólogos y pediatras de área sin una evaluación coordinada con Salud Mental. Los profesionales que integran las unidades de género, si bien reconocen la necesidad de una visión amplia de la realidad transgénero, alertan del riesgo que supone tratar a personas trans sin una colaboración de especialistas en Salud Mental o por profesionales de área con escasa experiencia. Además, anticipan que la descentralización no facilita el estudio de grandes cohortes, dificultando el avance del conocimiento y la evaluación contrastada con países del entorno. En resumen, los nuevos modelos sanitarios, aunque ofrecen la atención en proximidad, no garantizan mejoras en la calidad ni promueven el análisis comparado de los resultados.

Nuevos modelos de atención sanitaria para las personas transgénero en el sistema sanitario español: demandas, controversias y reflexiones / New care models for transgender people in the Spanish Health System: demands, controversies and reflections

La atención sanitaria a las personas transgénero en España se ha establecido de manera progresiva desde 1999, año en que Andalucía crea la primera unidad multidisciplinar para el tratamiento integral de la reasignación de sexo. Este documento analiza los cambios sociales, las demandas y debates entre usuarios y profesionales y los nuevos modelos de atención sanitaria, y también plantea reflexiones sobre la situación actual. La apertura social en España en la concepción de la diversidad sexual y de género es bastante favorable. Las demandas de los usuarios no son uniformes y no siempre coinciden con los criterios de los profesionales. En algunas comunidades autónomas la asistencia sanitaria se está distanciando del modelo recomendado internacionalmente, que basa la atención en equipos especializados o Unidades de Identidad de Género (UIG). Estos nuevos modelos centran la asistencia en la Atención Primaria, además de en endocrinólogos y pediatras de área sin una evaluación coordinada con Salud Mental. Los principales factores contribuyentes al cambio reciente han sido las demandas desde algunas asociaciones de "despatologización" y "descentralización". Estos nuevos modelos centran la asistencia en la Atención Primaria, además de en endocrinólogos y pediatras de área sin una evaluación coordinada con Salud Mental. Los profesionales que integran las unidades de género, si bien reconocen la necesidad de una visión amplia de la realidad transgénero, alertan del riesgo que supone tratar a personas trans sin una colaboración de especialistas en Salud Mental o por profesionales de área con escasa experiencia. Además, anticipan que la descentralización no facilita el estudio de grandes cohortes, dificultando el avance del conocimiento y la evaluación contrastada con países del entorno. En resumen, los nuevos modelos sanitarios, aunque ofrecen la atención en proximidad, no garantizan mejoras en la calidad ni promueven el análisis comparado de los resultados

Health care for transgender people in Spain has been progressively established since 1999 when the first multidisciplinary unit for the treatment of sex reassignment was created in Andalusia. In this document, the social changes, the demands and debates of users and professionals, the new models of health care for trans people, and reflections on the current situation, have been analysed. The social openness in Spain regarding sexual and gender diversity has evolved quite positively. The health demands of the transgender users are not uniform and do not always match with the criteria of the professionals. In some Spanish regions, health care is distancing itself from the internationally recommended multidisciplinary model. The new healthcare models have been established under the aegis of primary care and/or endocrinologist in the area, without a required psychological assessment. The main contributing factors for this change of model have been the pressure from some associations with demands for "depathologization" and "decentralization". The professionals of gender units, while recognizing the need for a broader vision of trans reality, warn of the risk of treating trans people without the involvement of mental health specialists or by professionals in proximity with little experience. Moreover, the decentralization would not allow acting on large cohorts, which hinders the advance of knowledge and contrasted evaluations with neighbouring countries. In summary, the new health models, although intended to facilitate care through proximity, do not guarantee improvements in quality and difficult to make a comparative evaluation of the results

Permanencia del efecto de una intervención de mejora de calidad en el seguimiento prolongado de pacientes hipertensos (CICLO-RISK STUDY) / Durability of the effects of a quality improvement intervention in hypertensive patients on long-term follow-up (CICLO-RISK study)

ObjetivoEvaluar la permanencia de los efectos conseguidos con una intervención de mejora de calidad en los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) y el riesgo cardiovascular (RCV), como resultados intermedios, en pacientes hipertensos con seguimiento en atención primaria.DiseñoEstudio cuasiexperimental.EmplazamientoDos centros de salud urbanos.Participantes419 y 430 hipertensos en los grupos intervención (GI) y control (GC) respectivamente.IntervenciónPrograma combinado que incluyó auditoría, retroalimentación y sesiones de formación sobre guías clínicas de FRCV y RCV con los profesionales sanitarios responsables de los hipertensos del GI.MedicionesCriterios de evaluación de resultados intermedios (presión arterial, colesterol de las lipoproteínas de baja densidad [cLDL], glucohemoglobina [HbA1c], tabaquismo, índice de masa corporal [IMC] y RCV), realizadas en hipertensos de los dos grupos en marzo de 2002, 2004 y 2006.ResultadosLa permanencia del efecto medio (diferencias entre GI y GC) fue: la presión arterial sistólica disminuyó de 8,9 a 4,3mmHg y la diastólica, de 3,9 a 2,3mmHg (p<0,05). El cLDL disminuyó de 10 a 1,1mg/dl. El riesgo coronario disminuyó de 2,9 a 1,2 y el riesgo de mortalidad cardiovascular, de 0,6 a 0,4 puntos porcentuales. El porcentaje de pacientes con presión arterial<140/90mmHg y con IMC<30pierden la significación estadística en la evaluación final y únicamente la mantiene la proporción de pacientes con riesgo coronario<20%, referidos a los resultados de 2004 y 2006 respectivamente.ConclusionesLa intervención de mejora de calidad se asoció a una reducción de los FRCV y el RCV en la evaluación tras la intervención, con tendencia a que el efecto conseguido disminuya en la evaluación final(AU)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the durability of the effects achieved with a quality improvement intervention on cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular risk, as intermediate outcomes, in hypertensive patients on long-term follow-up long time primary health care.DesignQuasi-experimental study.SettingTwo urban primary care health centres.ParticipantsThe study included 419 and 430 hypertensive patients in the intervention (IG) and control group (CG), respectively.InterventionsQuality improvement intervention consisted of a combined program including, an audit, feedback, training sessions on the main cardiovascular risk factors clinical guidelines.MeasurementsEvaluation of intermediate outcomes (blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol, HbA1c, smoking, BMI and cardiovascular risk), were measured in both groups in March 2002, 2004 and 2006.ResultsThe mean of the durability effect (differences between IG and CG means) was: systolic blood pressure decreased from 8.9 to 4.3 and the diastolic from 3.9 to 2.3mmHg (p<0.05). LDL-cholesterol decreased from 10 to 1.1mg/dl (p>0.05). Coronary risk fell from 2 to 1.2 percentage points and cardiovascular mortality risk from 0.6 to 0.4 percentage points (p<0.05). The percentage of patients with blood pressure<140/90mmHg and BMI<30 lost statistical significance in the end evaluation and only remains in the percentage of patients with coronary risk less than 20% in the 2004 and 2006 results.ConclusionsQuality improvement intervention was associated with reductions in cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular risk in post intervention evaluations with a tendency to decrease the effect achieved in the end evaluation(AU)

[Durability of the effects of a quality improvement intervention in hypertensive patients on long-term follow-up (CICLO-RISK study)]. / Permanencia del efecto de una intervención de mejora de calidad en el seguimiento prolongado de pacientes hipertensos (CICLO-RISK STUDY).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the durability of the effects achieved with a quality improvement intervention on cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular risk, as intermediate outcomes, in hypertensive patients on long-term follow-up long time primary health care. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. SETTING: Two urban primary care health centres. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 419 and 430 hypertensive patients in the intervention (IG) and control group (CG), respectively. INTERVENTIONS: Quality improvement intervention consisted of a combined program including, an audit, feedback, training sessions on the main cardiovascular risk factors clinical guidelines. MEASUREMENTS: Evaluation of intermediate outcomes (blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol, HbA(1c), smoking, BMI and cardiovascular risk), were measured in both groups in March 2002, 2004 and 2006. RESULTS: The mean of the durability effect (differences between IG and CG means) was: systolic blood pressure decreased from 8.9 to 4.3 and the diastolic from 3.9 to 2.3 mmHg (p<0.05). LDL-cholesterol decreased from 10 to 1.1mg/dl (p>0.05). Coronary risk fell from 2 to 1.2 percentage points and cardiovascular mortality risk from 0.6 to 0.4 percentage points (p<0.05). The percentage of patients with blood pressure<140/90 mmHg and BMI<30 lost statistical significance in the end evaluation and only remains in the percentage of patients with coronary risk less than 20% in the 2004 and 2006 results. CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement intervention was associated with reductions in cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular risk in post intervention evaluations with a tendency to decrease the effect achieved in the end evaluation.

The socioeconomic costs of mental illness in Spain.

Mental illness affects a large number of people in the world, seriously impairing their quality of life and resulting in high socioeconomic costs for health care systems and society. Our aim is to estimate the socioeconomic impact of mental illness in Spain for the year 2002, including health care resources, informal care and loss of labour productivity. A prevalence-based approach was used to estimate direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs, and loss of labour productivity. The total costs of mental illness have been estimated at 7,019 million euros. Direct medical costs represented 39.6% of the total costs and 7.3% of total public healthcare expenditure in Spain. Informal care costs represented 17.7% of the total costs. Loss of labour productivity accounted for 42.7% of total costs. In conclusion, the costs of mental illness in Spain make a considerable economic impact from a societal perspective.

The costs of schizophrenia in Spain.

This study estimated the economic impact of schizophrenia-related direct costs (medical and nonmedical costs) in Spain. Direct medical costs (hospitalizations, outpatient consultations, drug costs) and direct nonmedical costs (costs of informal care) were estimated based on prevalence costs for 2002. The total costs of schizophrenia were estimated at euro 1,970.8 million; direct medical costs accounted for 53% and informal care costs 47%. Despite having implemented a conservative approach, the health care costs associated with schizophrenia account for 2.7% of total public health care expenditure in Spain. The sum of medical and nonmedical costs give us a better definition of the magnitude of the problem in Spain as well as contributing to helping make the debate on this issue more transparent.

Estudio del estado de salud, comorbilidad depresiva y rasgos de personalidad en pacientes en hemodiálisis renal crónica / Health-related quality of life, depressive comorbidity and personality traits in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Introducción: El objetivo del presente trabajo es el conocimiento del estado de salud y de los factores de personalidad de una muestra de pacientes en hemodiálisis periódica (HD). Pacientes y método: Se realizó un estudio transversal de una muestra de 45 pacientes en HD del Hospital Universitario de Salamanca. Se estudiaron también 2 muestras de control, que fueron: una muestra de enfermos con diabetes mellitus (DMC) (n = 45) y otra muestra de sujetos sanos o sin enfermedad crónica incapacitante (SC) (n = 45). Se utilizaron el cuestionario SF-36, el inventario de depresión de Beck, el cuestionario de ansiedad estado-rasgo y el cuestionario factorial de personalidad 16 PF de Catell para la valoración de los pacientes y sujetos de control. También se estudiaron diversas variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y analíticas. Resultados: El estado de salud en la muestra de pacientes en HD fue peor que el estado de salud de los 2 grupos de control. Hubo 13 (28,89%) sujetos deprimidos en la muestra de enfermos en HD, número significativamente más elevado que el de las 2 muestras de control, 3 (6,7%) DMC y 1 (2,2%) SC. El perfil de personalidad de los enfermos en HD mostró un patrón de introversión. Los niveles bajos de albúmina sérica se asociaron con una tendencia a mayores niveles de depresión y peor funcionamiento físico y vitalidad en los pacientes en HD. Conclusiones: El estado de salud de los enfermos en HD de nuestro estudio es en líneas generales malo. El perfil de personalidad muestra un patrón con rasgos de introversión

Introduction. The objective of the present study was to know the health status and the personality factors of a group of outpatients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Patients and method: A cross-sectional study was performed. The study population included 45 MHD patients from the University Hospital of Salamanca. The control samples were a group (n=45) of patients with diabetes mellitus (DMS) and a group (n=45) of healthy or without prominent physical or psychological illness subjects (CS). The SF-36, the Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire were used for patients and control subjects assessment. Sociodemographic, medical and laboratory data were also obtained. Results: The general health status were significantly lower in MHD patients than in the other two control groups. There were significantly more depressed MHD patients (13 [28.89%]) than depressed DMS (3 [6.7%]) and depressed CS (1 [2.2%]). Personality profile showed a pattern with introversion traits. Albumin levels were associated with high levels of depression and lower physical functioning and vitality in MHD patients. Conclusions: Health status in MHD patients of our sample is low. Personality profile shows a personality pattern with introversion traits

A 6-month prospective observational study on the effects of quetiapine on sexual functioning.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term impact of quetiapine on sexual functioning of patients with schizophrenia treated in a real practice setting. METHODS: This was a multicenter, noncomparative, open-label, and naturalistic study conducted in outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Patients were evaluated at baseline, day 15, and at the end of months 1, 3, and 6 using the Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impression Severity and Improvement Scales, and the Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire. All primary effectiveness analyses were based on the intent-to-treat sample and consisted primarily of last-observation-carried-forward analysis of Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire, Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale, and Clinical Global Impression Improvement of Illness Scale. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients were recruited by 19 investigators, and 82 patients were included in the intent-to-treat sample. Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire total scores for the patients decreased progressively and significantly from baseline to the study end point. When only patients who initiated quetiapine treatment without being switched from another antipsychotic (n = 28) were included in the intent-to-treat analysis, Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire scores remained almost unchanged throughout the study. Sexual dysfunction rates, defined as a change in the score of any item greater than 0, were 3.7%, 2.4%, 2.4%, and 4.9% for decreased libido, delayed ejaculation/orgasm, lack of ejaculation/orgasm, and difficulties with erection/lubrication, respectively. Overall, quetiapine was efficacious and well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of the design, our results suggest that quetiapine shows a low frequency of sexual dysfunction during long-term treatment of patients with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder in the clinical practice setting.