The role of childhood cumulative trauma in the risk of lifetime PTSD: An epidemiological study.

Cumulative trauma is usually devastating and can lead to severe psychological consequences, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Exposure to various types of traumas, particularly during childhood, can be even more deleterious than the sheer number of events experienced. This epidemiological study is the first to investigate the impact of discrete childhood traumatic exposure on the risk of developing lifetime PTSD in a representative sample of the general population of the two biggest Brazilian cities. Participants were aged between 15 and 75 years old, living in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who had experienced traumatic events (N = 3,231). The PTSD diagnosis was assessed using the DSM-IV criteria through the version 2.1 of Composite International Diagnostic Interview. To operationalize childhood cumulative trauma, we considered the sum of 15 different childhood trauma categories that occurred before PTSD onset. The final multivariate logistic regression model indicated a strong relationship between the number of discrete types of childhood traumas and the likelihood of the lifetime PTSD development. The lifetime PTSD risk increased 28 % with each different type of childhood trauma when adjusted by confounds. Our study strengthens the evidence associating childhood cumulative trauma to increased lifetime PTSD risk.

Comorbidity in post-traumatic stress disorder: A population-based study from the two largest cities in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the patterns of comorbidity between PTSD and depression, other anxiety disorders, alcohol-related disorders using the DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria. The temporal sequence of the comorbid diagnoses was also investigated. METHODS: We used data from a large population-based survey carried out between 2007 and 2008 in the two largest cities in Brazil: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: Diagnoses of depression, other anxiety disorders, and alcohol-related disorder were more prevalent in the people with PTSD than in those without PTSD. Using the DSM-IV criteria, approximately 67% of cases presenting PTSD were also diagnosed with another mental disorder. The diagnosis category of other anxiety disorders presented the highest proportion of comorbidity (53%). Depression was found in 34% person with PTSD whilst alcohol-related disorders were observed in 7%. Considering the temporal relationship, the onset of comorbid depression was uniformly distributed through the periods before, within the same year and after PTSD's onset. When other anxiety disorders were comorbid with PTSD, in almost 90% of the cases the other anxiety disorders preceded PTSD. For comorbidity between of alcohol-related disorders and PTSD, in 50% of the cases alcohol-related disorders preceded the diagnosis of PTSD. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design imposes limitations on establishing a temporal relationship between the onset of psychiatric disorders due to memory bias. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that among individuals presenting comorbid PTSD and other anxiety disorders, this diagnosis tend to precede PTSD. Comorbid cases are more frequent and more severe, and this should be taken into account in therapeutic research and clinical practice.

Correlated factors of depression among male and female inmates. / Fatores associados à depressão em homens e mulheres presos.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of depression is high in the prison system, and the differences between sex regarding associated risk factors are still not clear. We analyzed the correlated factors of depression among incarcerated men and women in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study with stratified and multi-stage probabilistic sample was performed. Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was applied for psychiatric diagnostic classification, as well as a questionnaire on criminal history with 1,192 men and 617 women. Lifetime prevalence of mental disorder was calculated, and association analysis performed by multinomial logistic regression stratified by sex. A dependent variable was categorized into depression, any other mental disorder and no mental disorder (reference). RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was of 33.3% -(30.3 - 36.5) in women and 12.9% (11.1 - 15.0) in men. Depression was associated with disciplinary penalty, being in a stable relationship, physical health problems and history of infringement in adolescence in men. Regarding other mental illnesses, the correlated factors were historical transgression during adolescence and re-offense. Among women, depression was associated with physical health problems, drug crimes, violent crimes and being imprisoned. DISCUSSION: Results confirmed the differences between associated factors with depression regarding sex. CONCLUSION: Differences in the profile between men and women require effective specialized programs, considering the need for coping strategies for incarcerated men and health-related rehabilitation for women with depression.

INTRODUÇÃO: As prevalências de depressão em presídios são altas, porém não há clareza sobre os fatores de risco entre os sexos. Analisamos os fatores associados à depressão entre homens e mulheres presos no estado de São Paulo. METODOLOGIA: Estudo transversal, de 2006 a 2007, com amostra probabilística estratificada e em múltiplos estágios. Aplicaram-se o Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) para diagnóstico psiquiátrico e questionário sobre histórico criminal em 1.192 homens e 617 mulheres. As prevalências foram calculadas para vida e fatores associados, para cada sexo, analisadas por meio da regressão logística multinomial. A variável dependente foi categorizada em: depressão, outro transtorno e sem transtorno mental. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de depressão em mulheres foi de 33,3% (30,3 - 36,5) e em homens de 12,9% (11,1 - 15,0). Entre homens, foram associados à depressão falta disciplinar no presídio, histórico infracional na adolescência, ter companheira e problemas de saúde. Associados a outros transtornos: histórico infracional na adolescência e reincidência. Entre mulheres, as associações com depressão foram: problemas de saúde, crime de drogas e violência, estar presa em penitenciária e reincidência. Outros transtornos foram com problemas de saúde, reincidência, histórico infracional e crime violento. DISCUSSÃO: Resultados confirmam estudos sobre diferenças entre os sexos para fatores associados à depressão. CONCLUSÃO: Há diferenças no perfil de homens e mulheres, que demandam distintas estratégias de enfrentamento, como coping e reabilitação em saúde para as mulheres com depressão.

Fatores associados à depressão em homens e mulheres presos / Correlated factors of depression among male and female inmates

RESUMO: Introdução: As prevalências de depressão em presídios são altas, porém não há clareza sobre os fatores de risco entre os sexos. Analisamos os fatores associados à depressão entre homens e mulheres presos no estado de São Paulo. Metodologia: Estudo transversal, de 2006 a 2007, com amostra probabilística estratificada e em múltiplos estágios. Aplicaram-se o Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) para diagnóstico psiquiátrico e questionário sobre histórico criminal em 1.192 homens e 617 mulheres. As prevalências foram calculadas para vida e fatores associados, para cada sexo, analisadas por meio da regressão logística multinomial. A variável dependente foi categorizada em: depressão, outro transtorno e sem transtorno mental. Resultados: A prevalência de depressão em mulheres foi de 33,3% (30,3 - 36,5) e em homens de 12,9% (11,1 - 15,0). Entre homens, foram associados à depressão falta disciplinar no presídio, histórico infracional na adolescência, ter companheira e problemas de saúde. Associados a outros transtornos: histórico infracional na adolescência e reincidência. Entre mulheres, as associações com depressão foram: problemas de saúde, crime de drogas e violência, estar presa em penitenciária e reincidência. Outros transtornos foram com problemas de saúde, reincidência, histórico infracional e crime violento. Discussão: Resultados confirmam estudos sobre diferenças entre os sexos para fatores associados à depressão. Conclusão: Há diferenças no perfil de homens e mulheres, que demandam distintas estratégias de enfrentamento, como coping e reabilitação em saúde para as mulheres com depressão.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The prevalence of depression is high in the prison system, and the differences between sex regarding associated risk factors are still not clear. We analyzed the correlated factors of depression among incarcerated men and women in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Methodology: A cross-sectional study with stratified and multi-stage probabilistic sample was performed. Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was applied for psychiatric diagnostic classification, as well as a questionnaire on criminal history with 1,192 men and 617 women. Lifetime prevalence of mental disorder was calculated, and association analysis performed by multinomial logistic regression stratified by sex. A dependent variable was categorized into depression, any other mental disorder and no mental disorder (reference). Results: The prevalence of depression was of 33.3% ­(30.3 - 36.5) in women and 12.9% (11.1 - 15.0) in men. Depression was associated with disciplinary penalty, being in a stable relationship, physical health problems and history of infringement in adolescence in men. Regarding other mental illnesses, the correlated factors were historical transgression during adolescence and re-offense. Among women, depression was associated with physical health problems, drug crimes, violent crimes and being imprisoned. Discussion: Results confirmed the differences between associated factors with depression regarding sex. Conclusion: Differences in the profile between men and women require effective specialized programs, considering the need for coping strategies for incarcerated men and health-related rehabilitation for women with depression.

Need for information in a representative sample of outpatients with schizophrenia disorders.

BACKGROUND: Providing adequate information and involving patients in treatment have become an essential component of mental health care. Despite this, research regarding the extent to which this need has been met in clinical services is still scarce. AIMS: To investigate the need for information about psychiatric condition and treatment among outpatients with schizophrenia disorders and how this need is associated with service use, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. METHODS: Need for information about condition and treatment, using the corresponding domain in the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN), in a representative sample of 401 schizophrenia outpatients in Santos, Brazil was assessed. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to investigate the association of information as a reported need and as an unmet need with service use variables, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Need for information was reported by 214 (53.4%) patients, being met in 101 (25.2%) and unmet in 113 (28.2%). Hierarchical regression indicated a significant association of a reported need with higher age of onset, family monitoring medication use last year and lower education level, which was only associated with an unmet need. CONCLUSION: Information was a commonly reported need and which was often unmet, showing no significant association with service use. Greater attention should be given by mental health services to information provision.

Attendance of children and adolescents with psychoactive substance use disorders performed by Psychosocial Care Centers in Brazil, 2008-2012. / Atendimentos de crianças e adolescentes com transtornos por uso de substâncias psicoativas nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial no Brasil, 2008-2012.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the profile of care for children and adolescents withpsychoactive substance use disorders performed by the Brazilian Psychosocial Care Centers (Centros de Atenção Psicossocial - CAPS) from 2008 to 2012. METHODS: a descriptive study with data from the SUS Outpatient Information System (Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do Sistema Único de Saúde - SIA/SUS) and the system of National Registration of Health Establishments (Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde - CNES). RESULTS: a total of 151.330 attendances were observed, 81.2% were males and 99.2% were in the age range of 10 to 19 years; the main causes were polydrug use (56.7%), cocaine (15.6%), marijuana (15.6%) and alcohol (9.0%); the CAPS for Alcohol and other Drugs (CAPS AD) accounted for 81.8% of the records; from 2008 to 2012, the attendance rate from 39.6 to 76.7/100 thousand inhabitants. CONCLUSION: there was an increase in the attendance rates, observing the predominance of males, age range of 10 to 19 years and disorders due to polydrug use.

Atendimentos de crianças e adolescentes com transtornos por uso de substâncias psicoativas nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial no Brasil, 2008-2012 / Atendimientos de niños y adolescentes con trastornos relacionados con uso de sustancias psicoactivas en los Centros de Atención Psicosocial en Brasil, 2008-2012 / Attendance of children and adolescents with psychoactive substance use disorders performed by Psychosocial Care Centers in Brazil, 2008-2012

Objetivo: descrever o perfil dos atendimentos a crianças e adolescentes com transtornos mentais e comportamentais por uso de substâncias psicoativas (SPA) realizados pelos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) do Brasil, no período 2008-2012. Métodos: estudo descritivo, com dados do Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIA/SUS) e do sistema do Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde (CNES). Resultados: foram observados 151.330 atendimentos, 81,2% do sexo masculino e 99,2% na faixa etária de 10 a 19 anos; as principais causas de atendimento foram transtornos por uso de múltiplas SPA (56,7%), cocaína (15,6%), maconha (15,6%) e álcool (9,0%); os CAPS Álcool e outras Drogas foram responsáveis por 81,8% dos atendimentos; de 2008 a 2012, a taxa de atendimentos elevou-se de 39,6 para 76,7/100 mil habitantes. Conclusão: elevaram-se as taxas de atendimento, observando-se predominância do sexo masculino, idade de 10 a 19 anos e transtornos por uso de múltiplas SPA.

Objetivo: describir el perfil de atención en población infanto-juvenil con trastornos mentales y de comportamiento debidos al consumo de sustancias psicotropas en Centros de Atención Psicosocial (CAPS) de Brasil, de 2008 a 2012. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, con datos del Sistema de Informaciones Ambulatorias del Sistema Único de Salud (SIA/SUS) y sistema de Registro Nacional de Establecimientos de Salud (RNES). Resultados: se observaron 151.330 atendimientos, 81,2% en hombres y 99,2% en individuos entre 10 e 19 años; las principales causas de atención fueron trastornos por uso de múltiples sustancias psicoactivas (56,7%), cocaína (15,6%), marihuana (15,6%) y alcohol (9,0%); CAPS Alcohol y otras Drogas fueron responsables por 81,8% de los registros; de 2008 a 2012, la tasa de atención se elevó de 39,6 a 76,7/100 mil habitantes. Conclusión: hubo elevación de las tasas de atención, observándose predominancia del sexo masculino, grupo de 10 a 19 años y trastornos por uso de múltiples sustancias.

Objective: to describe the profile of care for children and adolescents withpsychoactive substance use disorders performed by the Brazilian Psychosocial Care Centers (Centros de Atenção Psicossocial - CAPS) from 2008 to 2012. Methods: a descriptive study with data from the SUS Outpatient Information System (Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do Sistema Único de Saúde - SIA/SUS) and the system of National Registration of Health Establishments (Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde - CNES). Results: a total of 151.330 attendances were observed, 81.2% were males and 99.2% were in the age range of 10 to 19 years; the main causes were polydrug use (56.7%), cocaine (15.6%), marijuana (15.6%) and alcohol (9.0%); the CAPS for Alcohol and other Drugs (CAPS AD) accounted for 81.8% of the records; from 2008 to 2012, the attendance rate from 39.6 to 76.7/100 thousand inhabitants. Conclusion: there was an increase in the attendance rates, observing the predominance of males, age range of 10 to 19 years and disorders due to polydrug use.

Sexual trauma is more strongly associated with tonic immobility than other types of trauma - A population based study.

BACKGROUND: Tonic immobility is an involuntary motor and vocal inhibition reaction, considered the last-ditch response of the defensive cascade model. It is elicited in context of inescapable threat and perception of entrapment. Our aim was to investigate the association between different traumatic events and peritraumatic tonic immobility (PTI) in a representative sample of the general population. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of general population from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo with 3231 victims of traumatic events aged 15-75 years who completed the Tonic Immobility Scale (TIS). We calculated the frequency of the different traumatic events and estimated the mean scores with 95% confidence intervals for each traumatic event, controlling for the potential confounders using multiple linear regression models. Finally, we calculated the proportion of individual scoring zero in TIS for the 16 traumatic events. RESULTS: PTI scores in child sexual abuse and adult sexual violence were almost twice as high as in other types of traumatic events, even when controlled for gender and educational level. Torture and war also showed high PTI scores, but these were based on very small number of cases and need to be interpreted with caution. Furthermore, victims of sexual trauma had the lowest proportion of individuals with total absence of PTI symptoms. LIMITATIONS: This is a cross-sectional study and causal inferences must be drawn with caution. CONCLUSIONS: Peritraumatic tonic immobility is more strongly associated with sexual trauma, particularly in childhood, than to other types of trauma in the general population.

Increasing Awareness and Acceptance Through Mindfulness and Somatic Education Movements.

Context • The main feature of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) is the encouragement of present moment awareness and of self-regulation, which are associated with health benefits. Meditating with the body in movement has been referred to as one of the most accessible ways of reaching such awareness. An MBI program, Mindfulness and Movements of Integration (MMI), has the same structure as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) but puts more emphasis on the body and uses somatic education (SE) movements instead of yoga postures. Objectives • The study aimed to explore and describe the implementation of an MMI group and evaluate the effects on the main skills of mindfulness (ie, present moment awareness and acceptance). Design • The study used a pretest-posttest design. Setting • The study took place at the clinic of the Department of Psychiatry at the Federal University of São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil. Participants • Participants were individuals 18 y old or older living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Intervention • The intervention was structured to have 8 weekly sessions of 2.5 h each and a 1-d retreat. Participants were taught the formal meditation practices derived of MBSR: (1) the body scan and (2) awareness of different focuses-breathing, body sensations, sounds, thoughts, feelings, and open awareness. From the third session until the end of the study, 4 SE series of movements were added. Outcome Measures • The Brazilian adapted and validated versions of both the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale (PHLMS) were used to assess present moment awareness, and acceptance was assessed using only the latter scale. Results • Significant improvements were observed in the mean score on the MAAS for present moment awareness (Cohen's d = 1.58). The PHLMS mean scores also showed significant improvements related to the Awareness (Cohen's d = 0.85) and Acceptance (Cohen's d = 0.63) subscales. However, the correlation between the changes in scores in those subscales was not significant (r = .29; P = .29). Conclusions • The results point to the MMI program as a potentially acceptable and useful MBI by increasing awareness and acceptance through mindfulness and SE movements.

Efetividade do atendimento psicossocial na continuidade escolar de adolescentes em vulnerabilidade social / Efectividad de la atención psicosocial de adolescentes con vulnerabilidad social / Effectiveness of psychosocial care in school continuity of adolescents in social vulnerability

OBJETIVO: estudar a efetividade do programa de atendimento psicossocial (PAS) na continuidade escolar de adolescentes em vulnerabilidade social. MÉTODOS: estudo de coorte retrospectivo de adolescentes atendidos de 2007 a 2012, em programa de intervenção multidisciplinar com pressupostos da abordagem de redução de danos; o efeito da intervenção foi avaliado por meio de modelos de regressão de Poisson. RESULTADOS: foram incluídos 200 adolescentes, dos quais 116 permaneceram e 84 abandonaram o programa; 74,5% estavam estudando após seguimento de seis meses, com maior proporção entre os aderentes à intervenção (RR=1,12 - IC95% 1,01;1,27) e aqueles que estavam estudando no início da intervenção (RR=8,52 - IC95% 3,71;19,57). CONCLUSÃO: o programa avaliado tem efeito positivo na reinserção e continuidade escolar do adolescente em vulnerabilidade social; porém, características do indivíduo, como já estar estudando, desempenharam papel predominante na adesão ao PAS.

OBJETIVO: estudiar la efectividad de la atención psicosocial en adolescentes en vulnerabilidad social. MÉTODOS: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de adolescentes atendidos entre 2007-2012 en el programa de intervención multidisciplinaria con presupuestos de enfoque de reducción de daños; el efecto de la intervención se evaluó mediante modelos de regresión de Poisson. RESULTADOS: se incluyeron 200 adolescentes, de los cuales 84 abandonaron el programa; 24% de los adolescentes tenían un ingreso familiar por debajo de la línea de la pobreza y 59% tenían discrepancias edad/grado escolar; la asociación entre la adherencia a la intervención y el estudiar después de seis meses fue significativa (RR=1,12 - IC95% 1,1;1,27), pero estudiar en PAS tuvo un efecto considerable (RR=8,52 - IC95% 3,71;19,57). CONCLUSIÓN: el programa evaluado tiene un efecto positivo en la rehabilitación y continuidad escolar de los adolescentes en vulnerabilidad social, pero las características individuales, como ya estudiar, jugaron un papel importante en la adhesión.

OBJECTIVE: to study the effectiveness of a psychosocial care program in school continuity of adolescents in social vulnerability. METHODS: this was a retrospective cohort study involving 200 adolescents assisted in a multidisciplinary intervention program with harm reduction approach, from 2007 to 2012; the intervention effect was assessed using Poisson regression models. RESULTS: 200 adolescents were included in the program; 116 of them continued and 84 dropped it; 74.5% were attending school after six month, with a higher proportion among those who adhered to the intervention (RR=1.12 - 95%CI 1.01;1.27); and those who were studying when they joined the program (RR=8.52 - 95%CI 3.71;19.57). CONCLUSION: the evaluated program has a positive effect on rehabilitation and school continuity of adolescents in social vulnerability, but individual characteristics, such as being studying already, play a dominant role in the adherence to the program.

Effectiveness of psychosocial care in school continuity of adolescents in social vulnerability. / Efetividade do atendimento psicossocial na continuidade escolar de adolescentes em vulnerabilidade social.

OBJECTIVE: to study the effectiveness of a psychosocial care program in school continuity of adolescents in social vulnerability. METHODS: this was a retrospective cohort study involving 200 adolescents assisted in a multidisciplinary intervention program with harm reduction approach, from 2007 to 2012; the intervention effect was assessed using Poisson regression models. RESULTS: 200 adolescents were included in the program; 116 of them continued and 84 dropped it; 74.5% were attending school after six month, with a higher proportion among those who adhered to the intervention (RR=1.12 - 95%CI 1.01;1.27); and those who were studying when they joined the program (RR=8.52 - 95%CI 3.71;19.57). CONCLUSION: the evaluated program has a positive effect on rehabilitation and school continuity of adolescents in social vulnerability, but individual characteristics, such as being studying already, play a dominant role in the adherence to the program.

A cross-sectional study to compare levels of psychiatric morbidity between young people and adults exposed to violence in a large urban center.

BACKGROUND: Teenagers and young adults are more exposed to violence and traumatic events than adults, and these factors can be associated with mental disorders. This paper aims at investigating whether young people are more exposed to violence and traumatic events and to compare pattern of mental disorders with adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, conducted between 2007 and 2008 with a randomly selected sample of 15 to 75 year-old residents of São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred thirty-six participants were divided into two groups: 1096 (43.2 %) young people (15 to 24 years), and 1440 (56.8 %) adults (25 to 75 years). 12-month exposure to traumatic events was higher among young people (32.1 % vs. 20.6 %; p < 0.001). Assaultive violence was reported by 13.4 % of young people and 8.6 % of adults (p = 0.012); 20.1 % of young people and 13 % of adults reported suffering other injury or shocking events (p < 0.001); sudden death/life threatening illness of a close person was declared by 6.1 % of young people and 3.2 % of adults (p = 0.017). Prevalence of alcohol related disorders was higher among young people (5.4 % vs. 2.5 %; P = 0.032); depressive disorders were more prevalent among adults (9.0 % vs. 4.7 %; P = 0.004). Alcohol related disorders were associated to assaultive violence among young people (OR = 3.4; 95 % CI = 1.36 to 8.52; p = 0.004) and adults (OR = 2.38; 95 % CI = 1.23 to 4.61; p = 0.002). Phobic/anxiety disorders were associated to other injury or shocking events among young people (OR = 1.28; 95 % CI = 0.67 to 2.44; p = 0.025). Major depressive disorder was associated to assaultive violence among young people (OR = 2.27; 95 % CI = 1.09 to 4.74; p = 0.004) and adults (OR = 1.28; 95 % CI = 0.85 to 1.93; p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Exposure to violence and traumatic events was higher among young people. Alcohol related disorders, depression and phobic/anxiety disorders were significantly higher among young people exposed to traumatic events. Despite the study design, high exposure to violence and traumatic events in this age group can be considered important factors in triggering mental disorders in this vulnerable age period.

Subjective distress in a representative sample of outpatients with psychotic disorders.

BACKGROUND: The affective burden of psychotic disorder has been increasingly recognised. However, subjective reports of distress and its covariates, especially those related to service use, remain under-investigated in patients with psychosis. METHODS: This study investigated subjective distress and its covariates in a representative sample of 401 outpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of psychotic disorders in Brazil. Distress was assessed using the corresponding domain of a standardised measure of need - the Camberwell Assessment of Need. RESULTS: Distress was reported as a need by 165 (41%) patients, being met in 78 (20%) and unmet in 87 (22%). Hierarchical logistic regression showed that the presence of distress as a need was predicted by attendance at psychotherapy (OR=3.49, CI=1.62-7.53), presence of suicidal ideation (OR=2.89, CI=1.75-4.79), non-attendance at psychosocial rehabilitation (OR=2.84, CI=1.31-6.19), and higher psychopathology (OR=1.09, CI=1.06-1.12). An unmet need was predicted by family not accompanying patients to treatment (OR=2.60, CI=1.05-6.44) and higher psychopathology (OR=1.05, CI=1.02-1.09). LIMITATION: The use of a cross-sectional design and a single questionnaire domain to evaluate distress are the main limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective distress is a common unmet need in psychosis, and can be treated. The main clinical implication is that subjective distress in psychosis may be impacted on by family engagement and psychosocial interventions.

Psychotropic Drug Use in São Paulo, Brazil--An Epidemiological Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of one month psychotropic drug use in São Paulo, Brazil, and to assess the gap treatment between the presence of mental disorders and psychotropic drug users. METHOD: A probabilistic sample of non-institutionalized individuals from the general population of São Paulo (n = 2336; turnout: 84.5%) who were 15 years or older were interviewed by a trained research staff, applying the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 (CIDI WHO) (depression, anxiety-phobia, OCD\PTSD, alcoholism sections), and an inventory investigating psychotropic drug use during the 12-month and one-month periods immediately preceding the interview. Logistic models were fitted to investigate associations between psychotropic drug use as well as socio-demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: The one month prevalence of psychotropic drug use in São Paulo was 5.89%, the most commonly used drugs were antidepressants (3.15%) and tranquilizers (2.67%). A higher consumption of psychotropic drugs (overall, antidepressants and tranquilizers) was observed among women (OR:2.42), older individuals (OR:1.04), individuals with higher levels of formal education (1.06), and individuals with a family (OR:2.29) or personal history of mental illness (OR:3.27). The main psychotropic drug prescribers were psychiatrists (41%), followed by general practitioners (30%); 60% of psychotropic drugs were obtained through a government-run dispensing program. Most individuals who obtained a positive diagnosis on the CIDI 2.1 during the previous month were not using psychotropic medication (85%). Among individuals with a diagnosis of moderate to severe depression, 67.5% were not on any pharmacological treatment. CONCLUSION: There is a change in the type of psychotropic more often used in São Paulo, from benzodiazepines to antidepressants, this event is observed in different cultures. The prevalence of use is similar to other developing countries. Most of the patients presenting a psychiatric illness in the month prior to testing were not receiving any sort of psychiatric medication. This may be explained by a failure to identify cases in primary care, which could be improved (and access to treatment could be facilitated) if professionals received more specialized training in managing cases with mental health problems.

Peritraumatic tonic immobility in a large representative sample of the general population: association with posttraumatic stress disorder and female gender.

BACKGROUND: Tonic immobility is an involuntary response to inescapable life-threatening events. Peritraumatic tonic immobility has been reported in convenience samples of female victims of sexual assault and in mixed-gender victims of different types of trauma. This study evaluated peritraumatic tonic immobility in a representative general population sample and its association with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and gender. METHODS: 3231 victims of traumatic events aged 15-75 years responded to the Tonic Immobility Scale. PTSD and traumatic events were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 2.1). We calculated the means and the standard deviations of Tonic Immobility Scale scores stratified by PTSD and gender. The association between tonic immobility scores and gender was explored controlling for potential confounders through a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: Tonic immobility scores were more than double in those who met criteria for PTSD and were almost four points higher in women. Gender differences remained statistically significant even after adjustment for confounding variables. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional and retrospective design may have given rise to recall bias. Results presented here may not apply to small and medium rural areas and the CIDI 2.1 can lead to a certain degree of misclassification. CONCLUSIONS: We have expanded the scope of previous investigations on peritraumatic tonic immobility which were based on convenience samples only, showing its occurrence in victims of traumatic events using a large representative sample of the general population. Furthermore, we confirmed in an unbiased sample the association between peritraumatic tonic immobility and PTSD and female gender.

Drug-related disorders and the criminal and clinical background of the prison population of São Paulo State, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between drug (DAD) and alcohol (AAD) abuse and dependency and criminal and clinical background by gender of prisoners in São Paulo, Brazil. METHOD: Cross-sectional study, random sample stratified by administrative district, from which prisons and prisoners were selected via random, multistage sampling. Psychiatric diagnoses were made with the CIDI 2.1. Lifetime prevalence and 95% CI were calculated and adjusted via analysis of complex samples. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was carried out with four categories of dependent variables: presence AAD; presence DAD; presence of another mental disorder; no mental disorders. For female alcohol and drug abuse and dependency (ADAD) were combined into a single category. RESULTS: The sample was composed by 1809 interviewed prisoners (1192 men and 617 women). Prevalence of DAD and AAD was 25.2% and 15.6%, respectively, among female prisoners, and 26.5% and 18.5% among males. Male prisoners with DAD were more likely to have a criminal record as an adolescent (OR 2.17), to be a repeat offender (OR 2.85), and to have committed a property crime (OR 2.18). Prisoners with AAD were repeat offenders (OR 2.18). Among female prisoners, ADAD was associated with repeat offenses (OR 3.39), a criminal record as an adolescent (OR 9.24), a clinical or infectious condition (OR 5.09), another health problem (OR 3.04), and violent crime (OR 2.5). CONCLUSION: The study confirmed an association between drug-use disorders and the criminal and clinical background in the study population. Prisoners with such disorders were more likely to be repeat offenders and to have a criminal record as adolescents. Among female prisoners disorders were also associated with violent crime and health problems, while among males they were associated with property crime. These patterns in clinical and criminal backgrounds illustrate the need for social rehabilitation programs and specific medical treatment for prison populations.

Resilience to trauma in the two largest cities of Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Resilience is a dynamic process involving the interaction between intrapsychic and social factors of risk and protection. For resilience to be recognized there must be a significant threat to the individual, such as a traumatic event, and a good quality of adjustment. The aim of this study was to identify predisposing factors and possible mechanisms associated with resilience to traumatic events in the general population. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with a random sample, aged 15-75 years, living in the two largest cities in Brazil, who were exposed to trauma (N = 3,231). Positive adaptation to trauma was defined as the lifetime absence of anxiety (including posttraumatic stress disorder), depression and alcohol related disorders in the presence of at least one traumatic event. Logistic regression models predicting resilience were used to estimate the incidence density ratio. This measure expresses the extent to which the rate of resilience differs from the exposed group to the non-exposed group. Moreover, we explored the relationship between positive/negative affect and resilience, using linear regression models. RESULTS: Male gender was a predisposing factor to positive adaptation (incidence density ratio [IDR] = 1.34; p < 0.001). There was an inverse linear relationship between childhood violence and resilience (IDR = 0.67; 0.53; 0.19; p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that the absence of parental mental disease (IDR = 1.35; p = 0.07) also predisposes individuals to positive adaptation. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides results that help to identify vulnerable groups and protective factors that may lead to a positive adaptation following traumatic experiences.

Structural validity of the tonic immobility scale in a population exposed to trauma: evidence from two large Brazilian samples.

BACKGROUND: Tonic Immobility is a temporary state of motor inhibition in situations involving extreme fear. The first scale developed for its assessment was the 10-item Tonic Immobility Scale (TIS). However, there are still few studies on its structural (dimensional) validity. The objective of this study was to reassess the factor structure of the TIS applied to representative samples exposed to general trauma of two Brazilian mega-cities. METHODS: The sample comprised 3,223 participants reporting at least one traumatic experience. In São Paulo (n = 2,148), a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) first tested the originally proposed two-dimensional structure. This was followed by sequential Exploratory Structural Equation Models to identify the best fitting model, and subsequently tested in Rio de Janeiro (n = 1,075) via CFA. Alternative reduced versions were further explored using the aggregate sample. Model-based Item Response Theory (IRT) location parameters were also investigated. RESULTS: An absence of factor-based convergent and discriminant validity rejected the original proposition. However, the one-dimensional structure still held several residual correlations. Further exploration indicated the sustainability of reduced versions with seven (alternative A) and six (alternative B) items. Both presented excellent fit and no relevant residual item correlation. According to the IRT location parameters, items in alternative B covered a wider range of the latent trait. The Loevinger's H scalability coefficients underscored this pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The original model did not hold. A one-factor solution was the most tenable in both large samples, but with significant item residual correlations, indicating that content redundancies persisted. Further reduced and simplified versions of the TIS proved promising. Although studies are yet to be carried out in other settings, it is the authors' impression that the restricted versions of the TIS are already apt for use in epidemiologic studies since the pros tend to outweigh the cons (as outlined in the Discussion section).

Prevalence of mental disorders among prisoners in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the prison population in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Through stratified random sampling, 1.192 men and 617 women prisoners were evaluated for the presence of psychiatric disorders by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, 2.1 version, according to definitions and criteria of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The prevalence estimates of mental disorders and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated and adjusted for sample design through complex sample analysis. RESULTS: Lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates differed between genders. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any mental disorder was, respectively, 68.9% and 39.2% among women, and 56.1% and 22.1% among men. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of anxious-phobic disorders was, respectively, 50% and 27.7% among women and 35.3% and 13.6% among men, of affective disorders was 40% and 21% among women and 20.8% and 9.9% among men, and of drug-related disorders was 25.2% and 1.6% among women and 26.5% and 1.3% among men. For severe mental disorders (psychotic, bipolar disorders, and severe depression), the lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates were, respectively, 25.8% and 14.7% among women, and 12.3% and 6.3% among men. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large-scale epidemiological study performed with the prison population in Brazil, revealed high rates of psychiatric disorders among men and women. Many similarities, as well as some differences, were found between our results and those of studies conducted in other countries. The differences observed are more likely due to the peculiarities of the prison systems in each country than to the diagnostic criteria adopted in the studies. This fact reinforces the importance of conducting such studies as part of planning and development of appropriate policies for the particular mental health needs of specific prison populations.

Prison is not the right place for people with mental disorders: the Brazilian case.

The large number of individuals with severe mental disorders in prisons worldwide has alarming implications, which leads to the question of the appropriateness of the prison system for people with this type of morbidity. This article discusses these implications, the problems in therapeutic approaches and the legal aspects in the Brazilian context.