Genetic Variations in Elements of the Oxytocinergic Pathway are Associated with Attention/Hyperactivity Problems and Anxiety Problems in Childhood.

Genetic alterations related to oxytocin system seem to influence the neurobiology of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety problems leading to greater functional, social and emotional impairment. Here, we analyzed the association of OXTR rs2254298 and CD38 rs6449182 variants with attention/hyperactivity problems and anxiety problems in children. The study enrolled 292 children and adjusted regression model revealed OXTR rs2254298 AA genotype as a risk factor for attention deficit/hyperactivity problems (PR: 2.37; PadjFDR = 0.006), attention problems (PR: 2.71; PadjFDR = 0.003) and anxiety problems (PR: 1.92; PadjFDR = 0.018). CD38 rs6449182 G allele showed as a risk factor for attention deficit/hyperactivity problems (PR: 1.56; PadjFDR = 0.028). Moreover, in silico approach for regulatory roles found markers that influence chromatin accessibility and transcription capacity. Together, these data provide genetic information of oxytocin in developmental and behavioral disorders opening a range of opportunities for future studies that clarify their neurobiology in childhood.

Evidence of validity of the revised Helping Alliance Questionnaire based on the internal structure in a Brazilian clinical sample.

The revised Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAq-II) is among the most used instruments that measure therapeutic alliance. Despite its use in research, this instrument is not validated for the Brazilian population. The aim of this study was to explore the evidence of validity of the HAq-II based on the internal structure in a sample of Brazilian psychiatric patients. An ambulatory convenience sample of 204 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 81 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was randomized between two different types of treatment. The HAq-II was completed by patients (patient version) and by 33 therapists who performed the interventions (therapist version) between the second and third sessions. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to investigate two models: (1) a one-dimensional therapeutic alliance model and (2) a two-dimensional model considering the factors 'positive alliance' and 'negative alliance'. The internal consistency of the HAq-II was measured by Cronbach's alpha. To investigate discriminant validity, we used the t-test for independent samples, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The analysis showed that the best model of the instrument was one-dimensional. Cronbach's alpha for both versions displayed values above 0.89. The Brazilian version of the HAq-II presented properties similar to those found in the original version. However, studies related to the one-dimensional model with other samples are necessary.

Family perception of the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder patient and the family accommodation.

BACKGROUND: Family members tend to modify their routine by assisting or participating in the patient's rituals. These behaviors have been identified as family accommodation (FA). AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between family accommodation of relatives of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) patients and their perceptions about the obsessions and compulsions of the patient. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study with family members of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in a Southern Brazilian city. The family perception of the OCD symptoms and their accommodation were assessed through the Family Accommodation Scale for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Interviewer-Rated (FAS-IR). RESULTS: The level of family accommodation was higher in those family members who lived with the patient when compared to those who did not live with them (p = .011). The obsessions associated with higher levels of family accommodation were: contamination (p < .001), hoarding/saving (p = .001), symmetry/exactness (p = .001), religious (p = .019), and diverse (p = .003). Regarding compulsions, the perception of all symptoms was associated with higher levels of family accommodation (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The family accommodation is present in family members of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder patients, regardless of the type of obsessive/compulsive symptom perceived.

Prevalence of mental health problems in preschoolers and the impact of maternal depression.

A large number of children of depressed mothers have one or more mental disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of maternal depression on the mental health of 4-5-year-old children of adolescent mothers, according to the hypotheses generated from the model of accumulation. Between October 2009 and March 2011, all pregnant adolescents who received prenatal care from the public health system in Pelotas (southern Brazil) were invited to participate in the study and have been prospectively followed. Of these individuals, 413 participants were evaluated in the postpartum period and when the child was 2-3 years old and 4-5 years old (current stage). The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to assess mental health problems in children, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)-Plus version was used to assess maternal depression. We applied a structured modeling approach to examine the relations between three different hypothesized life course models (accumulation, critical period, and mobility) and maternal depression. After selecting the most appropriate model, we used a logistic regression analysis to assess the effect of depression on mental health problems in 4-5-year-old children of adolescent mothers. We used the Chi square test to estimate the prevalence of mental health problems in 4-5-year-old children. The longer the time of exposure to maternal depression, the greater the probability that the child would present behavioral problems. Investments in strategies to prevent mental disorders beginning in the gestational period are important.

[Quality of life with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: a study among Primary Care users]. / Qualidade de vida no Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo: um estudo com usuários da Atenção Básica.

Quality of life (QOL) can be affected by the presence of mental disorders, like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Thus, the evaluation and monitoring of QOL in patients with mental disorders enables the identification of priorities, making it possible to implement actions to improve QOL among health system users. The scope of this article is to measure QOL in OCD patients in primary health care. It involves a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample including all users of three Basic Health Units of Pelotas in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The quality of life was measured with the WHOQOL-Bref and the OCD was assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) This study included 1081 individuals. The prevalence of OCD was 3.9%. OCD patients had a lower average in all domains of QOL when compared to individuals without OCD (p < 0.001). The findings of this study emphasize the importance of using QOL as a monitoring tool of the disorder in basic health care.

Qualidade de vida no Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo: um estudo com usuários da Atenção Básica / Quality of life with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: a study among Primary Care users

Resumo A qualidade de vida (QV) pode ser afetada pela presença de transtornos mentais, como o Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo (TOC). Assim, a avaliação e o acompanhamento dos índices de QV em pacientes com transtornos mentais permite a identificação de suas prioridades, sendo possível a implementação de ações para a melhora desses índices nos usuários do sistema de saúde. O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a QV em portadores de TOC usuários da atenção primária à saúde. Estudo transversal com amostragem por conveniência, incluindo todos os usuários de três Unidades Básicas de Saúde de Pelotas, RS. Para avaliar a QV foi utilizada a WHOQOL-Bref, e o TOC foi avaliado através da M.I.N.I. Foram avaliados 1081 indivíduos. A prevalência de TOC foi de 3,9%. Portadores de TOC apresentaram médias inferiores em todos os domínios da QV quando comparados aos indivíduos sem TOC (p < 0,001). Os achados deste estudo enfatizam a importância de utilizar a QV como instrumento de monitoramento da melhora do transtorno no âmbito da atenção básica à saúde.

Abstract Quality of life (QOL) can be affected by the presence of mental disorders, like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Thus, the evaluation and monitoring of QOL in patients with mental disorders enables the identification of priorities, making it possible to implement actions to improve QOL among health system users. The scope of this article is to measure QOL in OCD patients in primary health care. It involves a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample including all users of three Basic Health Units of Pelotas in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The quality of life was measured with the WHOQOL-Bref and the OCD was assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) This study included 1081 individuals. The prevalence of OCD was 3.9%. OCD patients had a lower average in all domains of QOL when compared to individuals without OCD (p < 0.001). The findings of this study emphasize the importance of using QOL as a monitoring tool of the disorder in basic health care.

Panic disorder and psychoactive substance use in primary care / Transtorno do pânico e uso de substâncias psicoativas na atenção primária

Objective: To identify the association between panic disorder and licit and illicit substance use in the population provided with primary care in the southern Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with patients from three primary care centers. We used the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) to evaluate substance use and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to diagnose panic disorder. Results: A total of 1,081 subjects were evaluated. The prevalence of panic disorder was 5.6%. Panic disorder was associated with using marijuana (p = 0.001), tobacco (p = 0.001), cocaine (p < 0.001), and other illicit substances (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A significant association is noticed between panic disorder and licit and illicit substance use, thus, it is interesting to rethink the approach to treatment/intervention in patients with dual diagnosis. .

Objetivo: Identificar a associação entre transtorno do pânico e uso de substâncias lícitas e ilícitas na população atendida na atenção primária no sul do Brasil. Métodos: Este é um estudo transversal com pacientes de três centros de cuidados primários. Foi usado o Teste de Triagem do Envolvimento com Álcool, Tabaco e Outras Substâncias (ASSIST) para avaliar o uso de substâncias e a Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) para diagnosticar o transtorno do pânico. Resultados: Um total de 1.081 pacientes foram avaliados. A prevalência de transtorno do pânico foi de 5,6%. O transtorno do pânico foi associado com o uso de maconha (p = 0,001), tabaco (p = 0,001), cocaína (p < 0,001) e outras substâncias ilícitas (p < 0,001). Conclusão: Foi observada uma associação significativa entre transtorno do pânico e uso de substâncias lícitas e ilícitas. Por este motivo, é interessante repensar a abordagem de tratamento/ intervenção em pacientes com duplo diagnóstico. .

Panic disorder and psychoactive substance use in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the association between panic disorder and licit and illicit substance use in the population provided with primary care in the southern Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with patients from three primary care centers. We used the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) to evaluate substance use and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to diagnose panic disorder. RESULTS: A total of 1,081 subjects were evaluated. The prevalence of panic disorder was 5.6%. Panic disorder was associated with using marijuana (p = 0.001), tobacco (p = 0.001), cocaine (p < 0.001), and other illicit substances (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A significant association is noticed between panic disorder and licit and illicit substance use, thus, it is interesting to rethink the approach to treatment/intervention in patients with dual diagnosis.