Psychiatric and obstetric characteristics of pregnant crack users admitted to a referral center in Southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Psychoactive substance use among pregnant women has reached alarmingly high rates. Our aim was to characterize the psychiatric and clinical profiles of pregnant crack users in Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 24 pregnant crack users admitted to a referral hospital for psychiatric disorders in pregnant women, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, over three years. The following instruments were applied: a clinical-obstetric questionnaire; the condensed version of the Addiction Severity Index; a diagnostic interview for psychoactive substance use based on DSM-5; the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for DSM-IV; and the Semi-Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders (SCID-II). RESULTS: Most patients had severe crack dependence and used other substances, such as tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol. The median duration of crack use was three years, ranging between three and 12 years. Most women subsisted from illegal or informal activities; a fifth had previously been arrested and often had relationship problems. Twenty percent had HIV (n = 5), and 37.5% (n = 9) had syphilis. Borderline personality disorder was the most prevalent mental condition (62.5%), followed by suicidal tendencies (45.8%), hypomanic episodes due to substance use (37.5%), and past major depressive episodes (33.3%). CONCLUSIONS: An alarmingly high prevalence of consumption of other drugs, psychiatric disorders, and difficult-to-treat personality disorders was observed in our study. Investigating the psychiatric profile of women who use substances is essential to minimize the impacts on the mother and child, optimize therapeutic approaches to comorbidities, and enable more effective relapse prevention.

Pancreatitis aguda asociada a cocaína, una complicación inusual. Serie de casos / Cocaine-induced acute pancreatitis, an unusual complication. Case serie / Pancreatite aguda associada à cocaína, uma complicação incomum. Número de casos

La cocaína es una de las sustancias ilegales más consumidas y Colombia no es la ex­cepción. Dentro de las sustancias ilegales es la segunda más consumida después del cannabis. Por su mecanismo mismo de acción, que produce aumento de aminas bióge­nas, se han asociado con la cocaína diferentes riesgos, tanto agudos como crónicos, y dentro de sus complicaciones se han descrito cambios comportamentales, compromiso cardiovascular y neurológico. La coingesta de cocaína y alcohol da lugar a un metabolito conocido como cocaetileno, que lleva a complicaciones cardiovasculares. Poco se ha descrito sobre el riesgo de la cocaína o la coingesta cocaína y alcohol, como un factor sumatorio, para la pancreatitis. Reportamos tres pacientes jóvenes consumidores del alcaloide que desarrollaron pancreatitis aguda, dos de ellos murieron. El objetivo de este reporte es sensibilizar a los trabajadores de la salud sobre otro riesgo para considerar en los pacientes consumidores de cocaína.

Cocaine is one of the most consumed illegal substances and Colombia is no exception. It is the second most consumed among the illegal substances after cannabis. Due to its very mechanism of action, which produces an increase in biogenic amines, different risks, both acute and chronic, have been associated with cocaine, and among its complications, behavioral changes, cardiovascular and neurological compromise have been described. The co-ingestion of cocaine and alcohol gives rise to a metabolite known as cocaethylene, which leads to cardiovascular complications. Little has been described about the risk of cocaine or cocaine and alcohol co-ingestion, as a summative factor, for pancreatitis. We report three young patients consuming the alkaloid who developed acute pancreatitis, two of whom died. The objective of this report is to sensitize health workers about another risk to consider in cocaine-consuming patients.

A cocaína é uma das substâncias ilícitas mais consumidas e a Colômbia não é exceção. Dentro das substâncias ilícitas é a segunda mais consumida depois da maconha. Devido ao seu próprio mecanismo de ação, que produz aumento de aminas biogênicas, diversos riscos, tanto agudos quanto crônicos, têm sido associados à cocaína e, entre suas complicações, têm sido descritas alterações comportamentais, comprometimento cardiovascular e neurológico. A co-ingestão de cocaína e álcool dá origem a um metabólito conhecido como cocaetileno, que leva a complicações cardiovasculares. Pouco tem sido descrito sobre o risco da co-ingestão de cocaína ou cocaína e álcool, como fator somativo, para pancreatite. Relatamos 3 pacientes jovens consumindo o alcalóide que desenvolveram pancreatite aguda, dois dos quais morreram. O objetivo deste relatório é sensibilizar os profissionais de saúde sobre outro risco a ser considerado em pacientes consumidores de cocaína.

Cingulate cortical thickness in cocaine use disorder: mediation effect between early life stress and cocaine consumption.

OBJECTIVE: The cingulate gyrus is implicated in the neurobiology of addiction, such as chronic cocaine consumption. Early life stress (ELS) is an important moderator of cocaine use disorder (CUD). Therefore, we investigated the effect of CUD on cingulate cortical thickness and tested whether a history of ELS could influence the effects of CUD. METHODS: Participants aged 18-50 years (78 with CUD due to crack cocaine consumption and 53 healthy controls) underwent magnetic resonance imaging and the cingulate thickness (rostral anterior, caudal anterior, posterior, and isthmus regions) was analysed. The clinical assessment comprised the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Addiction Severity Index. Group comparisons adjusting by sex, age, and education were performed. Mediation models were generated where lifetime cocaine use, CTQ score, and cortical thickness corresponded to the independent variable, intermediary variable, and outcome, respectively. RESULTS: Group comparisons revealed significant differences in six out of eight cingulate cortices, showing lower thickness in the CUD group. Furthermore, years of regular cocaine use was the variable most associated with cingulate thickness. Negative correlations were found between CTQ scores and the isthmus cingulate (right hemisphere), as well as with the rostral anterior cingulate (left hemisphere). In the mediation analysis, we observed a significant negative direct effect of lifetime cocaine use on the isthmus cingulate and an indirect effect of cocaine use mediated by CTQ score. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a history of ELS could aggravate the negative effects of chronic cocaine use on the cingulate gyrus, particularly in the right isthmus cingulate cortex.

Childhood trauma subtypes may influence the pattern of substance use and preferential substance in men with alcohol and/or crack-cocaine addiction

Objective: To compare the prevalence and subtypes of childhood maltreatment (CM) between individuals with and without substance use disorder (SUD) and investigate the influence of different traumas on the preferential use of substances and the severity of dependence. Methods: The sample consisted of 1,040 men with SUD (alcohol users [n=315], crack-cocaine users [n=406], multiple-substance users [n=319]) and 201 controls. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Addiction Severity Index-6 (ASI-6) were used to assess CM and drug-use patterns. Results: Individuals with SUD had a higher prevalence of CM than controls (63.4 vs. 28.1%, respectively). Exposure to physical trauma was associated with alcohol use disorder and severity of alcohol use. In contrast, emotional trauma was associated with use of multiple substances and severity of drug use in crack-cocaine users. Conclusions: This study corroborates the association of CM with SUD susceptibility. Our results suggest that the type of CM may influence preferential substance use and addiction severity. In this sense, physical traumas are more associated with alcohol use, while emotional and sexual traumas favor use of multiple drugs, especially crack cocaine. These findings may help the development of tailored prevention and intervention strategies.

Oral changes in cocaine abusers: an integrative review / Mudanças orais em usuários abusivos de cocaína: revisão integrativa

Abstract Introduction: Cocaine is one of the most often used psychoactive drugs worldwide, being extracted from the leaves of Erytroxylus coca plant. Its abusive use can trigger several consequences for the human body, including the oral cavity. Objective: To identify the oral disorders that are most commonly found in individuals who abuse cocaine, in addition to the main diagnostic and treatment methods. Methods: An integrative review was carried out on the databases: LILACS, BBO, LIS, MEDLINE, SciELO, Science Direct and PubMed. The following keywords were used: ‟Cocaína", ‟Boca", ‟Palato" and ‟Odontologia", together with their synonyms and variations in English, obtained from DeCS andMeSH. The inclusion criteria were original articles, articles in Portuguese, English and Spanish, studies involving individuals, without restriction related to the year of publication. Animal studies, literature reviews, book chapters, theses and dissertations were excluded. Results: In total, 1373 records were identified. Of these, 22 articles were selected to comprise the review. Several oral alterations caused by cocaine abuse were found, primarily perforation of the palate, predisposition to periodontal diseases, temporomandibular disorders, bruxism, damage to oral tissues, dental caries, destructive lesions of the facial midline, xerostomia and ageusia. Among the diagnostic methods used by the professionals, anamnesis, intraoral examinations and head and neck computed tomography were the most frequently mentioned. As for treatment, in patients with palatal perforation, the reconstruction of the affected area or the use of prosthetic obturators is carried out. Conclusion: The management of these patients is not an easy task, as many of the users do not even seek professional help. The health professionals must be able to recognize these manifestations and alterations to establish timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. © 2021 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). HIGHLIGHTS Integrative review aiming to detect oral changes in cocaine abusers. The main oral changes, methods of diagnosis and treatment were identified. Good anamnesis and qualified health professionals are necessary.

Resumo Introdução: A cocaína é uma das drogas psicoativas mais usadas no mundo, é extraída das folhas da Erytroxylus coca. Seu uso abusivo pode desencadear inúmeras consequências para o corpo humano, inclusive na cavidade oral. Objetivo: Identificar quais as alterações orais mais comumente encontradas nos indivíduos que fazem uso abusivo de cocaína, além das principais formas de diagnóstico e tratamento. Método: Fez-se uma revisão integrativa nas bases de dados Lilacs, BBO, LIS, Medline, Sci-ELO, Science Direct e PubMed. Foram usados os descritores ‟cocaína", ‟boca", ‟palato" e ‟odontologia" junto de seus sinônimos e variações em inglês, retirados do DeCS e MeSH. Os critérios de inclusão foram artigos originais, artigos nas línguas portuguesa, inglesa e espanhola, estudos que envolveram pessoas e sem restrição quanto ao ano de publicação. Foram excluídos estudos feitos em animais, revisões da literatura, capítulos de livros, teses e dissertações. Resultados: Foram identificados 1.373 registros. Desses, 22 artigos foram selecionados para compor a revisão. Diversas alterações orais causadas por uso abusivo de cocaína foram encontradas. As principais foram perfuração do palato, predisposição para doenças periodontais, desordens temporomandibulares, bruxismo, danos aos tecidos orais, cárie dentária, lesões destrutivas da linha média facial, xerostomia e ageusia. Entre as formas de diagnóstico usadas pelos profissionais, a anamnese, exames físicos intraorais e a tomografia computadorizada da região da cabeça e pescoço foram as mais mencionadas. Como tratamento, nos pacientes com perfuração palatina, é feita a reconstrução da área afetada ou o uso de obturadores protéticos. Conclusão: O manejo desses pacientes não é tarefa fácil, pois muitos usuários sequer procuram ajuda profissional. Os profissionais da saúde devem ser capazes de reconhecer tais alterações e manifestações para que sejam feitos diagnósticos e planejamentos de tratamentos oportunos e precisos. DESTAQUES Revisão integrativa que visa detectar alterações orais em usuários de cocaína. Identificaram-se as principais manifestações orais, formas de diagnóstico e tratamento. Necessidade da feitura de boa anamnese e profissionais da saúde capacitados.

Childhood trauma subtypes may influence the pattern of substance use and preferential substance in men with alcohol and/or crack-cocaine addiction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence and subtypes of childhood maltreatment (CM) between individuals with and without substance use disorder (SUD) and investigate the influence of different traumas on the preferential use of substances and the severity of dependence. METHODS: The sample consisted of 1,040 men with SUD (alcohol users [n=315], crack-cocaine users [n=406], multiple-substance users [n=319]) and 201 controls. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Addiction Severity Index-6 (ASI-6) were used to assess CM and drug-use patterns. RESULTS: Individuals with SUD had a higher prevalence of CM than controls (63.4 vs. 28.1%, respectively). Exposure to physical trauma was associated with alcohol use disorder and severity of alcohol use. In contrast, emotional trauma was associated with use of multiple substances and severity of drug use in crack-cocaine users. CONCLUSIONS: This study corroborates the association of CM with SUD susceptibility. Our results suggest that the type of CM may influence preferential substance use and addiction severity. In this sense, physical traumas are more associated with alcohol use, while emotional and sexual traumas favor use of multiple drugs, especially crack cocaine. These findings may help the development of tailored prevention and intervention strategies.

Características y complicaciones de la intoxicación aguda por cocaína Un estudio transversal en un servicio de urgencias de Colombia / Characteristics and complications of acute cocaine intoxication A cross-sectional study in an emergency room in Colombia

Resumen Introducción: el consumo de cocaína se ha incrementado y con ello el número de consultas a urgencias y hospitalizaciones por intoxicación aguda. El objetivo fue describir las características y complicaciones de los pacientes intoxicados por cocaína que acudieron al servicio de urgencias de un hospital de alta complejidad de Colombia. Método: estudio de corte transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes atendidos durante 2016 y 2019 con intoxicación por cocaína, según historia clínica y test de cocaína positivo y sin enfermedad de base que afectara directamente la supervivencia. Se describieron las características sociodemográficas y clínicas y se estimó la mortalidad y prevalencia de complicaciones. Resultados: se incluyeron 159 pacientes, en su mayoría hombres, con bajo nivel educativo y mediana de edad de 31 años. La mortalidad fue 3.8%. La prevalencia de lesión renal aguda (LRA) fue de 29.6% (IC95% 22.6-37.3%), 8.8% (IC95% 4.3-14.3%) para insuficiencia hepática aguda (IHA), 4.4% (IC95% 1.8-8.9%) para infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) y 4.4% (IC 95% 1.8-8.9%) para ataque cerebrovascular (ACV). Los niveles elevados de fosfocreatinquinasa (CPK) fueron encontrados con valores mayor a mil en 80% de pacientes con LRA, 100% de IHA, y en 50% de ACV. Conclusión: la intoxicación aguda por cocaína produce alteraciones multiorgánicas principalmente renales y hepáticas, que pueden ser por daño directo y también posiblemente por daño muscular reflejado en la elevación de CPK. Esto puede indicar la necesidad de vigilancia estricta de esta enzima y su investigación como variable pronóstica. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2256).

Abstract Introduction: the use of cocaine has increased, and, with it, the number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to acute intoxication. The objective was to describe the characteristics and complications of patients with cocaine intoxication who were seen in the emergency room of a tertiary care hospital in Colombia. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study. Patients seen from 2016 to 2019 with cocaine intoxication, according to the medical chart and a positive cocaine test, and with no underlying diseases which would directly affect survival, were included. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristic were described, and the mortality and prevalence of complications were estimated. Results: a total of 159 patients were included, mostly males, with a low educational level and a median age of 31 years. The mortality was 3.8%. The prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) was 29.6% (95%CI 22.6 - 37.3%), 8.8% (95%CI 4.3 - 14.3%) for acute liver failure (ALF), 4.4% (95%CI 1.8 - 8.9%) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 4.4% (95% CI 1.8-8.9%) for cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels were found to be greater than 1,000 in 80% of patients with AKI, 100% of those with ALF, and 50% of those with CVA. Conclusion: acute cocaine intoxication causes multiple organ dysfunction, mainly of the kidneys and liver, which may be due to direct injury and possibly also due to muscle damage reflected in the elevated CPK. This could indicate the need for strict monitoring of this enzyme and research of its use as a prognostic variable. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2256).

Oral changes in cocaine abusers: an integrative review.

INTRODUCTION: Cocaine is one of the most often used psychoactive drugs worldwide, being extracted from the leaves of Erytroxylus coca plant. Its abusive use can trigger several consequences for the human body, including the oral cavity. OBJECTIVE: To identify the oral disorders that are most commonly found in individuals who abuse cocaine, in addition to the main diagnostic and treatment methods. METHODS: An integrative review was carried out on the databases: LILACS, BBO, LIS, MEDLINE, SciELO, Science Direct and PubMed. The following keywords were used: "Cocaína", "Boca", "Palato" and "Odontologia", together with their synonyms and variations in English, obtained from DeCS and MeSH. The inclusion criteria were original articles, articles in Portuguese, English and Spanish, studies involving individuals, without restriction related to the year of publication. Animal studies, literature reviews, book chapters, theses and dissertations were excluded. RESULTS: In total, 1373 records were identified. Of these, 22 articles were selected to comprise the review. Several oral alterations caused by cocaine abuse were found, primarily perforation of the palate, predisposition to periodontal diseases, temporomandibular disorders, bruxism, damage to oral tissues, dental caries, destructive lesions of the facial midline, xerostomia and ageusia. Among the diagnostic methods used by the professionals, anamnesis, intraoral examinations and head and neck computed tomography were the most frequently mentioned. As for treatment, in patients with palatal perforation, the reconstruction of the affected area or the use of prosthetic obturators is carried out. CONCLUSION: The management of these patients is not an easy task, as many of the users do not even seek professional help. The health professionals must be able to recognize these manifestations and alterations to establish timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands related to cocaine abuse

Abstract Neutrophilic dermatoses encompass a wide spectrum of diseases characterized by a dense infiltration mainly composed of neutrophils. Neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands is currently considered a localized variant of Sweet syndrome. Cocaine abuse has been related to a wide range of mucocutaneous manifestations, including neutrophilic dermatoses such as pyoderma gangrenosum. The authors of this study present a patient with neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands, in which cocaine abuse was identified as a probable trigger.

Neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands related to cocaine abuse.

Neutrophilic dermatoses encompass a wide spectrum of diseases characterized by a dense infiltration mainly composed of neutrophils. Neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands is currently considered a localized variant of Sweet syndrome. Cocaine abuse has been related to a wide range of mucocutaneous manifestations, including neutrophilic dermatoses such as pyoderma gangrenosum. The authors of this study present a patient with neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands, in which cocaine abuse was identified as a probable trigger.

Cocaine-Related Aortic Dissection: what do we know?

INTRODUCTION: Cocaine use is known to be associated with an increased risk for vascular diseases. It is likely to trigger or increase the risk for an aortic dissection. We conducted an analysis of 45 cases of cocaine-related aortic dissection to further characterize the clinical features and outcomes of this patient cohort. METHODS: Our study cohort of 45 patients consisted of 11 cases from our institutional database and 34 published case reports. RESULTS: The observed cases of acute aortic dissection related to cocaine use showed a high proportion of young (41.3±8.67 years) and male (88.9%) patients. Most of the cases (75%) were classified as Stanford type A. Also, in 75% of the cases, cocaine use was prevalent for more than one year. Median time from last cocaine use to onset of symptoms was one hour. In-hospital mortality was 21.4%, while additional 11.9% of the cases died before arriving at the hospital. CONCLUSION: Acute aortic dissection related to cocaine use occurs in predominantly young male patients and has a dismal outcome when compared to all comer series.

Cocaine-related aortic dissection: what do we know?

Abstract Introduction: Cocaine use is known to be associated with an increased risk for vascular diseases. It is likely to trigger or increase the risk for an aortic dissection. We conducted an analysis of 45 cases of cocaine-related aortic dissection to further characterize the clinical features and outcomes of this patient cohort. Methods: Our study cohort of 45 patients consisted of 11 cases from our institutional database and 34 published case reports. Results: The observed cases of acute aortic dissection related to cocaine use showed a high proportion of young (41.3±8.67 years) and male (88.9%) patients. Most of the cases (75%) were classified as Stanford type A. Also, in 75% of the cases, cocaine use was prevalent for more than one year. Median time from last cocaine use to onset of symptoms was one hour. In-hospital mortality was 21.4%, while additional 11.9% of the cases died before arriving at the hospital. Conclusion: Acute aortic dissection related to cocaine use occurs in predominantly young male patients and has a dismal outcome when compared to all comer series.

Perforación de la bóveda palatina por consumo de cocaína: reporte de un caso / Perforation of the palatine dome for cocaine consumption: report of a case

El abuso del consumo de cocaína puede ocasionar problemas físicos y mentales graves. Dicha droga puede ser utilizada de varias formas y sus efectos sobre la cavidad oral varían según la vía de administración, causando desde erosiones en las piezas dentarias, abrasiones cervicales, caries, enfermedad periodontal, disfunción temporomandibular, xerostomía, ulceraciones hasta la perforación del paladar duro y/o blando. Se describirá el caso clínico de un paciente cocainómano que concurrió al servicio de odontología del Hospital San Martin de La Plata, presentando dos perforaciones en el paladar duro debido al consumo crónico, y el tratamiento de urgencia correspondiente mediante una placa obturatríz que favorece la deglución y el habla del paciente (AU)

Abuse of cocaine use can cause serious physical and mental problems. is drug can be used in several ways and its effects on the oral cavity vary according to the route of administration, causing from erosions in the teeth, cervical abrasions, caries, periodontal disease, temporomandibular dysfunction, xerostomia, ulcerations to the perforation of the hard palate and / or soft.The clinical case of a cocaine patient who attended the dentistry service of the San Martin de La Plata Hospital will be described, presenting two perforations in the hard palate due to chronic consumption, and the corresponding emergency treatment by means of an obturator plate that favors swallowing and He speaks of the patient (AU)

Motivação para primeira experiência do uso de drogas e recaídas de pessoas em tratamento / Motivation for first-time drug use and relapses of people in treatment

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a motivação para primeira experiência no uso de drogas e recaídas após abstinência por pessoas com dependência química induzida pelo crack. Estudo descritivo, de abordagem mista. Foram realizadas 600 entrevistas com a utilização de questionário estruturado, na etapa quantitativa, e oito grupos focais, na etapa qualitativa, com total de 39 participantes. Para análise de dados utilizou-se o software SPSS e o método de interpretação de sentidos. A curiosidade motivou a iniciação do uso de drogas, assim como a pressão dos amigos e problemas familiares. Já a dificuldade de ficar sem a droga, vontade de sentir o efeito novamente, pressão de amigos, problemas familiares, decepção pela desconfiança dos familiares e o uso de drogas na própria instituição de tratamento foram relatados como motivadores de recaída. Os dados em ambas as metodologias foram convergentes e ratificaram os resultados obtidos.

The aim of this study was to investigate the motivation for first-time drug use and relapses after abstinence of people with chemical dependency to crack cocaine. A descriptive study, with a mixed approach. In the quantitative phase, six hundred interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. In the qualitative phase, eight focus groups were created, with 39 total participants. SPSS software and the sense interpretation method were used to analyze the data. Curiosity, as well as peer pressure and family problems, motivated the initiation of drug use. Difficulty to live without the drug, desire to feel its effect again, peer pressure, family problems, disappointment in lack of trust of family members, and drug use at the rehabilitation institution were reported as relapse motivators. The data in both methodologies were convergent and confirmed the obtained results.

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in a cocaine user: diagnostic and therapeutic knowledge

Abstract Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) is a chronic infection that can affect the skin and mucous membranes. We report a case of oral, nasopharyngeal, and penile lesions in a 35-year-old cocaine user. The patient presented with ulcerated lesions in 2014. Histopathologic analysis revealed amastigotes, and serological test results were positive for leishmaniasis. Systemic therapy with meglumine antimoniate was administered; however, the patient failed to present for follow-up. In 2018, he returned with nasal collapse, and another histopathologic test confirmed MCL. This case illustrates the importance of careful differential diagnosis of skin and mucous ulcers to identify the particular pathology.

Cocaine use disorder in females is associated with altered social decision-making: a study with the prisoner's dilemma and the ultimatum game.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cocaine use is associated with cognitive deficits, including poor performance on neuropsychological tasks of memory, executive functions, theory of mind and decision-making. However, the relationship between cocaine use disorder and social decision-making remains unclear. This is particularly relevant given the fact that many cocaine abusers present impairments in social functioning. In this sense, game theory paradigms have been helping to comprehend the behavior of psychiatric patients when they directly engage in social situations, which may better approximate many of their real-life choices. METHODS: The present study investigated social decision-making in individuals with or without cocaine use disorder, examining their behavior in the Prisoner's Dilemma and in the Ultimatum Game. Thus, 129 females diagnosed with cocaine use disorder and 55 females with no history of substance abuse were recruited and performed both social decision-making tasks. Additional assessments included information about demographics, patterns of substance consumption and executive function performance. RESULTS: Females with cocaine use disorder opted more often to not defect in the Prisoner's Dilemma, while in the Ultimatum Game they frequently chose to accept the first and unfair offer as responders. These effects were more pronounced within females with long-term history of cocaine use. Associations between cocaine use disorder and altered social decision-making were independent from demographic and executive function variables. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of cocaine use disorder on social decision-making was detected in both game paradigms, resulting in more cooperative behavior in the Prisoner's Dilemma and higher acceptance rate of unfair offers in the Ultimatum Game. Further studies should focus on investigating these associations to shed light on the putative biopsychosocial factors underlying the observed effects.

Peripheral blood microRNA levels in females with cocaine use disorder.

BACKGROUND: There is growing emphasis in the field of psychiatry on the need to identify candidate biomarkers to aid in diagnosis and clinical management of addictive disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small nucleotide sequences with the ability to regulate gene expression at the transcriptomic level. However, the role of miRNAs as potential biomarkers for addiction is still underexplored. Based on translational and clinical findings, we compared the expression levels of microRNA-124 (miR-124), microRNA-181 (miR-181), and microRNA-212 (miR-212) between a group of females with cocaine use disorder (CUD; n = 30) and a group of healthy female controls (HC; n = 20). METHODS: Blood expression levels of miR-124, miR-181, and miR-212 in the HC and CUD group were determined by qPCR, using two miRNAs as endogenous controls (miR-24 and miR-126). Substance use behavior was assessed by self-report using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI-6) and depressive symptoms severity was measured using the Beck Depressive Inventory (BDI-II). Urine screen test was performed to detect cocaine metabolites. RESULTS: Mir-124 and miR-181 were upregulated in the CUD group (p > 0.01). Furthermore, increased cognitive/affective depression symptoms were identified among a CUD subgroup with the higher miR-181 expression levels (p > 0.05). No significant difference in expression levels was found for miR-212. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-124 and miR-181 show promise as biomarkers for CUD when assessed in the peripheral blood. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations and to validate target genes regulated by these miRNAs.

Calidad de vida de adolescentes y adultos jóvenes foráneos adictos atendidos en las comunidades terapéuticas El Cocal y El Quinqué / Life quality of addicted adolescents and young adults' therapeutic communities from El Cocal and El Quinqué

RESUMEN Introducción: el consumo de sustancias tóxicas supone un grave problema biológico, psicológico y social para los individuos adictos. Objetivo: caracterizar las adicciones en pacientes adolescentes y adultos jóvenes foráneos atendidos en las Comunidades Terapéuticas El Cocal y El Quinqué. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo a los 612 adolescentes y adultos jóvenes foráneos atendidos que ingresaron entre el 2001 y 2015 en las Comunidades Terapéuticas de Holguín, Cuba. Los factores de riesgo se precisan en las historias clínicas, donde aparecen el examen psiquiátrico, historia social psiquiátrica, entrevistas individuales, dinámica familiar y estudios psicológicos. Resultados: prevaleció el sexo masculino, con el 93,6%, y el grupo de edades 20 a 24 años, con el 88,6%; el inicio del consumo ocurrió entre los 13 y 17 años, con el 49,5%, así como el 52,9% con nivel académico de bachiller elemental; el 66,7% se encontraban solteros y el 60,5% nunca tuvo vínculo laboral. Las principales drogas de consumo fueron alcohol (94,3%), marihuana (85,1%) y cocaína (84,3%). Los factores de riesgo personológicos y familiares desempeñaron un papel determinante para el uso y abuso de drogas, con el consiguiente deterioro paulatino de la calidad de vida. Conclusiones: la adicción prevalece en jóvenes del sexo masculino policonsumidores, en que los factores de riesgos tuvieron un papel determinante en el uso y abuso de drogas legales e ilegales, que genera el deterioro de su calidad de vida.

ABSTRACT Introduction: drugs have become a terrible biological, psychological and social problem, affecting addicted individuals´ quality of life. Objective: characterize adolescents and young-adults addictions and life quality, treated at El Quinqué and El Cocal Therapeutic Communities. Method: a descriptive study on a sample of 612 adolescents and young-adults admitted in the therapeutics communities of Holguin, Cuba, from 2001 to 2015. Risk factors, psychiatric history, individual interviews, familiar dynamics and psychological studies are included in the clinical records. Results: males prevailed in 93.6%, and the age groups from 20 to 24 reached 88.6%. Consumption between 13 and 17 years old were 49.5% as well as the 52.9% % with elementary bachelor. The 66.7% were single, 60.5% had never worked. Consumption main drugs were alcohol up to 94.3%, marijuana with 85.1% and cocaine elevated to 84.3%. The personological and family risk factors for the use and abuse of drugs, diminishes their life quality. Conclusions: addiction prevails in polychocumenical male adolescents. Risk factors are the key to the use and abuse of legal and illegal drugs. They gradually deteriorate life quality.

Corrigendum: Yellow and black-stained fingers in a patient with headache.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2017.28.318.14333.].