Toxoplasmosis Is More Frequent in Schizophrenia Patients Than in the General Population in Mexico and Is Not Associated with More Severe Course of Schizophrenia Measured with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease, which was discovered in 1908, caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. T. gondii infects neuronal, glial, and muscle cells, and chronic infections are characterized by the presence of cysts, in the brain and muscle cells, formed by bradyzoites. T. gondii is capable of synthesizing L-DOPA, a precursor of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is key in the etiology of neuropsychological disorders such as schizophrenia. Previous studies have shown high levels of IgG Toxoplasma antibodies in schizophrenia patients. Many published studies show that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis is higher in schizophrenia patients. In this study, we aimed to identify the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in patients with schizophrenia and the relationships between, sociodemographic factors and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. A total of 27 schizophrenic patients were included and IgG anti-T. gondii was determined in serum samples by ELISA. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, sociodemographic factors were associated with seropositivity. We found that the prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was 51.7%. In the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, statistical significant association (p = 0.024) was found in Item 13 which is related to motor retardation, however, the association turned non-significant after of correction for multiple tests or after of analyzed with a logistic regression p = 0.059, odds ratio (OR) = 2.316 with a 95% confidence interval [0.970 to 5.532]. Other association was not found between toxoplasmosis and others factors. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis on our population under study was significantly higher than that reported by general population or other group of Mexican schizophrenia patients.

Association between Burnout Syndrome and medical training by specialty in first-year residents / Síndrome de burnout en residentes de primer año: asociación por especialidad

Abstract Introduction Burnout syndrome (BOS) comprises emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment in those affected. Instruments such as the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) can help to identify those affected. Physicians in training have been described as an at-risk group for this syndrome. Objective Describe the association between BOS and medical training by specialty in first-year residents. Method This is a cross-sectional analytical study of specialty residents at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara. Sociodemographic data were obtained and the MBI was administered to identify BOS. Samples were compared, and a comparative analysis performed to identify factors associated with BOS. Results Eighty-eight residents were included, with 21.6% (n = 19) presenting BOS, 53.4% displaying emotional exhaustion (n = 47), 53.7% showing depersonalization (n = 47), and 39.8% reduced personal accomplishment (n = 35). Presenting BOS was not associated with sociodemographic characteristics or type of specialty. Work hours (ro = .229, p = .032), and a higher number of on-call hours/week (ro = .34, p = .001) were associated with higher BOS. Discussion and conclusion The prevalence of BOS was lower than expected. Over half scored for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, which could be explained by a self-reporting bias. There was no association between the group/type of specialty and BOS. This study creates new knowledge that works as an institutional situational diagnosis, helps to determine the scope of the problem, and encourages to consider the contributing factors to its origin and maintenance.

Resumen Introducción El síndrome de burnout (SBO) comprende el agotamiento emocional, la despersonalización y la reducción de la realización personal en aquellos a quienes afecta. Instrumentos como el Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) pueden ayudar a identificar a los afectados. Los médicos en formación se han descrito como un grupo de riesgo para presentar este síndrome. Objetivo Describir la asociación entre el síndrome de burnout y la formación médica por especialidad en residentes de primer año. Método Se trata de un estudio analítico transversal de residentes de especialidad del Hospital Civil de Guadalajara. Se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos y se administró el MBI para identificar SBO. Se compararon las muestras y se realizó un análisis comparativo para identificar los factores asociados con SBO. Resultados Se incluyeron 88 residentes, con 21.6% (n = 19) presentando SBO; 53.4% mostrando agotamiento emocional (n = 47); 53.7% (n = 47) mostrando despersonalización; y 39.8% (n = 35) reducción de realización personal. La presentación de SBO no se asoció a características sociodemográficas ni al tipo de especialidad. Las horas de trabajo (ro = .229, p = .032) y un mayor número de horas de guardia/semana (ro = .34, p = .001) se asociaron con una mayor BOS. Discusión y conclusión La prevalencia de SBO fue menor de lo esperado. Más de la mitad puntuó por agotamiento emocional y despersonalización, lo que podría explicarse por un sesgo en la autoevaluación. No hubo asociación entre el grupo/tipo de especialidad y SBO. Este estudio genera nuevos conocimientos que funcionan como un diagnóstico situacional institucional, ayuda a determinar el alcance del problema y alienta a considerar los factores que contribuyen a su origen y mantenimiento.