Successful Clozapine Rechallenge After Clozapine-Induced Severe Anemia: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Clozapine, a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA), is considered the gold standard medication to treat patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Despite its efficacy, clozapine is associated with adverse effects, notably neutropenia and agranulocytosis. Other hematological adverse effects are less common. Severe anemia is a rare adverse effect seldom reported in the literature and is typically associated with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Nevertheless, the benefits of clozapine in managing TRS make rechallenge a reasonable option. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 35-year-old man with TRS, resistant to previous antipsychotics, who experienced severe anemia during clozapine treatment. An investigation for clozapine-induced anemia revealed PRCA on myelogram. After discontinuing clozapine, the patient's hemoglobin levels recovered. Subsequent treatments with olanzapine, zuclopenthixol, and aripiprazole proved ineffective, leading us to consider a clozapine rechallenge. The rechallenge, monitored for 58 days, resulted in improved psychiatric symptoms and stable hemoglobin levels. The patient remained stable during 6 months of follow-up, with no hematological changes. DISCUSSION: PRCA is a very rare adverse effect of clozapine. The cause of drug-induced PRCA is still unknown; for clozapine, there are no studies. Rechallenge after a severe and rare adverse effect is a complex decision. This case is the first to report a successful clozapine rechallenge following severe anemia without other blood dyscrasias, emphasizing the imperative need for close monitoring during the rechallenge process. Further study is warranted to understand the predictive factors for a successful outcome in clozapine rechallenges.

Prevalência de comportamento suicida em estudantes de Medicina / Prevalence of suicidal behavior in Medical students

Resumo: Introdução: Médicos e alunos de Medicina são grupos de risco para o suicídio e comportamento suicida. Comportamentos suicidas abrangem fenômenos que vão desde pensamentos, planejamentos, tentativas e até a morte por suicídio. Sabe-se pouco sobre o comportamento suicida entre estudantes de Medicina brasileiros. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a prevalência de ideação, planejamentos e tentativas suicidas em uma amostra de estudantes de graduação em Medicina do Brasil, e identificar os fatores sociodemográficos, de vida estudantil e de saúde mais associados a esses comportamentos. Método: Participaram do estudo 722 alunos do curso de Medicina da Unicamp, durante os anos de 2017 e 2018, que responderam de forma voluntária e anônima a um questionário amplo, que incluía dados sociodemográficos, de vida acadêmica e de comportamento suicida. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do teste de qui-quadrado, do teste de Mann-Whitney e da regressão logística múltipla. Adotou-se o nível de significância estatística de 95%. Resultado: As prevalências de pensamentos, planejamento e tentativas de suicídio ao longa da vida foram respectivamente 196 (27,3%), 64 (8,9%) e 26 (3,6%). Nos 30 dias que antecederam a pesquisa, 36 (5%) pensaram seriamente em pôr fim à própria vida, e 11 (1,5%) planejaram concretamente colocar fim a própria vida. Bullying, presença de transtorno mental, procura de assistência em saúde mental na universidade, uso de calmante sem prescrição médica, baixo nível socioeconômico, morar sozinho, religião (ateus, agnósticos e espiritualistas) e grau de religiosidade são os fatores que, conjuntamente, melhor explicam a chance de comportamento suicida. Conclusão: Alunos de Medicina apresentam prevalências importantes de comportamento suicida.

Abstract: Introduction: Physicians and medical students constitute groups at risk for suicide and suicidal behavior. Suicidal behaviors encompass phenomena ranging from thoughts, planning, and finally death by suicide. Little is known about suicidal behavior among Brazilian medical students. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning and suicide attempt in a sample of undergraduate medical students in Brazil, as well as to identify the sociodemographic, student life aspects and health factors most often associated with suicidal behavior. Method: A total of 722 medical students at Unicamp, during 2017 and 2018, voluntarily and anonymously answered a broad questionnaire, including sociodemographic data, aspects of academic life and suicidal behavior. A statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and multivariate logistic regression. A statistical significance level of 95% was adopted. Results: The lifetime prevalence rates of suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts were respectively 196 (27.3%), 64 (8.9%), and 26 (3.6%). In the 30 days prior to the survey, 36 (5%) seriously thought about ending their own lives, and 11 (1.5%) concretely planned to end their own lives. Bullying, presence of mental disorder, seeking mental health care at the university, use of sedatives without a prescription, low socioeconomic level, living alone, religion (atheists, agnostics and spiritualists) and degree of religiousness are the factors that, together, best explain the chance of suicidal behavior. Conclusion: Medical students show important prevalence rates of suicidal behavior.

Nonsuicidal self-injury in undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study and association with suicidal behavior.

The objective of this study was to investigate nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in graduates and correlate NSSI with sociodemographic profile, suicidal behavior, and prior mental health disorders. The study is part of a larger survey investigating sociodemographic profile, quality of life and mental health in undergraduates from one of Brazil´s largest universities. A bespoke questionnaire was devised about NSSI based on the DSM5 diagnostic criteria. The data were analyzed using the statistical analysis package SPSS. A total of 6.906 university students took part in the study. Regarding NSSI, 17.8% of students reported at least one episode in their lifetime, and 35% reported age at NSSI onset of 14-16 years. Self-injurious behavior was associated with female gender, self-reported black skin color, dissatisfaction with the chosen course, history of bullying and prior mental disorder. There was a ten times greater risk of suicidal behavior among self-injurers and this risk was higher still for recurrent NSSI.

Ambulatório de Gênero e Sexualidades (AmbGen/ HC/ UNICAMP): relato da experiência do serviço / Gender and Sexualities Outpatient Clinic (AmbGen/ HC/UNICAMP): report of the service experience

0 Ambulatório de Género e Sexualidades (AmbGen) do Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas é um dos poucos dispositivos públicos que acolhem população da infância e adolescência com variabilidade de género. A psiquiatria e psicologia investigam transtornos mentais, desencadeadores do sofrimento psíquico, disforias relacionados à incongruência de gênero e, no caso de crianças e adolescentes, acolhem as familías buscando compreensão da dinâmica familiar, esclarecimento de duvidas e estigmas. A intervenção hormonal na adolescência é possível em dois momentos: no inicio da puberdade, através de terapia medicamentosa visando blogueio puberal, e hormonização cruzada. A adequação corporal & identidade de género da pessoa trans, através da hormonização, é desejada pela maior parte dos adultos atendidos. A arteterapia realiza atendimentos nos quais busca fornecer padrões adequados à questões relevantes, utilizando- se de modalidades expressivas e vivências de processos criativos, uma maneira terapêutica diferenciada que propicia um ambiente acolhedor por um viés artístico. Características de género e voz são muito abrangentes. Sendo assim, a terapia fonoaudiológica a pessoas trans não se restringe apenas a produção vocal, mas também se relaciona a outros aspectos da comunicação e do discurso.

We need to talk about the use of methylphenidate by medical students - review of the literature / Precisamos falar sobre uso de Metilfenidato por estudantes de medicina - revisão da literatura

Abstract: Introduction: Studies methylphenidate (MPH) has been used by medical students to increase their mental activity and improve the performance required during undergraduate school, generating concern regarding the risks to their physical and mental health. This scenario indicates the need for specifically aimed measures in medical schools. Objective: To review the literature about the use of MPH without medical indication amongst medical students. Method: A thorough review of the literature published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, between 2013 and 2019, based on data made available by Pubmed and Scielo, utilizing keywords in the three above languages, along the four stages of the selection process. Results and Discussion: Altogether, 224 articles were found, of which 25 were selected after reading, dealing with the use of MPH or 'cognition enhancer' by undergraduate medical students without a doctor's prescription. The research indicated significant variability in the frequency of consumption, related to the investigated pattern of use, use with or without indication, before or after entering University and country where the study was carried out. The most frequent justification for the use without medical indication was to attain improvement in academic performance. A lack of research with a fair appraisal of the cognition, behavioral and psychic risks involved, among them addiction and the approach of the topic in medical schools, was noted. Conclusion: The high rates of usage of MPH by medical students aiming at cognitive enhancement strengthens the importance of preventative actions in medical schools. The strategies must consider information concerning the risks of use (of MPH) without medical indication; non-pharmacological interventions for performance improvement; sleep hygiene measures organization for adequate study activities; broad discussions about ethical aspects and curricular structure.

Resumo: Introdução: Estudos mostram que o metilfenidato (MPH) tem sido utilizado por estudantes de medicina para aumentar sua atividade mental e melhorar o desempenho exigido durante a graduação, gerando preocupações quanto aos riscos à sua saúde física e mental. Esse cenário indica a necessidade de medidas especificamente direcionadas nas escolas médicas. Objetivo: Revisar a literatura sobre o uso de MPH sem indicação médica entre estudantes de medicina. Método: Revisão minuciosa da literatura publicada em inglês, espanhol e português, entre 2013 e 2019, com base em dados disponibilizados pelo PUBMED e SCIELO, utilizando palavras-chave nos três idiomas acima, ao longo das quatro etapas do processo de seleção. Resultados e Discussão: Ao todo, foram encontrados 224 artigos, dos quais 25 foram selecionados após leitura, tratando do uso de MPH ou 'potencializador da cognição' por graduandos de medicina sem prescrição médica. A pesquisa indicou variabilidade significativa na frequência de consumo, relacionada ao padrão de uso investigado, uso com ou sem indicação, antes ou após a entrada na Universidade e país onde o estudo foi realizado. A justificativa mais frequente para o uso sem indicação médica foi a de obter melhora no desempenho acadêmico. Notou-se a carência de pesquisas com uma avaliação adequada dos riscos cognitivos, comportamentais e psíquicos envolvidos, entre eles o risco de adição e a abordagem do tópico nas escolas médicas. Conclusão: As altas taxas de uso do MPH por estudantes de medicina visando o aprimoramento cognitivo reforça a importância de ações preventivas nas escolas médicas. As estratégias devem considerar informações sobre os riscos do uso (do MPH) sem indicação médica; intervenções não farmacológicas para melhoria do desempenho cognitivo; medidas de higiene do sono; organização para atividades de estudo adequadas; amplas discussões sobre aspectos éticos e estrutura curricular.

Das psicoses associadas a infecções no Brasil: 100 anos da contribuição psicopatológica de Antonio Austregésilo / On psychoses associated with infections in Brazil: 100 years of the psychopathological contribution by Antonio Austregésilo / De las psicosis asociadas a infecciones en Brasil:1 00 años de la contribución psicopatológica de AntonioAustregésilo / Sur les psychoses associées aux infections au Brésil: 100 ans de contribution psychopathologique de Antônio Austregésilo

No presente trabalho, analisa-se a contribuição do neurologista e neuropsiquiatra Antonio Austregésilo (1876--1960) para o estudo psicopatológico e sistematização das chamadas psicoses infecciosas, no Brasil. Baseando-se em Emil Kraepelin e lançando mão de observações clínicas em doenças infecciosas globais e tropicais, Austregésilo revela detalhado conhecimento clínico e intervém no debate sobre etiologia, especificidades de fatores causais e curso da doença, na fronteira entre as doenças físicas infecciosas e os transtornos mentais.

The present article analyzes the contribution of neurologist and neuropsychiatrist Antonio Austregésilo (1876-1960) for the psychopathological study and systematization of so-called infectious psychoses in Brazil. Based on Emil Kraepelin and using clinical observations on global and tropical infectious diseases, Austregésilo built detailed clinical knowledge and took part in the debate on etiology, specificities of causal factors and the course of the disease, which is located on the edge between infectious physical diseases and mental disorders.

Cet article analyse la contribution du neurologue et neuropsychiatre Antonio Austregésilo (1876-1960) à l'étude psychopathologique et à la systématisation des psychoses dites infectieuses au Brésil. Basé sur Emil Kraepelin et en utilisant des observations cliniques sur les maladies infectieuses mondiales et tropicales, Austregésilo construit un savoir clinique détaillé et participe au débat sur l'étiologie, les spécificités des facteurs causals et le cours de la maladie, à la frontière entre les maladies physiques infectieuses et les troubles mentaux.

En el presente trabajo, analizamos la contribución del neurólogo y neuropsiquiatra Antonio Austregésilo (1876-1960) al estudio psicopatológico y a la sistematización de las llamadas psicosis infecciosas en Brasil. Basándose en Emil Kraepelin y utilizando observaciones clínicas sobre enfermedades infecciosas globales y tropicales, Austregésilo revela conocimientos clínicos detallados e interviene en el debate sobre la etiología, las especificidades de los factores causales y el curso de la enfermedad, en la frontera entre las enfermedades físicas infecciosas y los trastornos mentales.

Patients with Schizophrenia Undergoing Gastric Bypass Surgery: a Case Series Study.

PURPOSE: Obesity affects approximately 45-55% of persons with schizophrenia and is more difficult to manage in these individuals than in the general population, apart from being an additional factor for morbidity and premature mortality. Although bariatric surgery is considered the most effective long-term treatment for severe obesity, there are few reports on the outcomes of this procedure in persons with schizophrenia. This study aimed to evaluate weight loss and psychiatric symptoms in persons with obesity and schizophrenia after bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five persons with schizophrenia and moderate to severe obesity who underwent bariatric surgery were followed up for 2 years. Anthropometric data were collected, and psychiatric symptoms were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), which assessed the pre- and postoperative occurrence and severity of symptoms of schizophrenia. RESULTS: The mean body mass index before surgery was 43.5 ± 5.2 kg/m2 and decreased to 28.1 ± 1.9 kg/m2 1 year postoperatively. The mean percentage of total postoperative weight loss was 30.7 ± 6.8% after 6 months, 34.7 ± 7.9% after 1 year, and 34.3 ± 5.5% after 2 years. Before surgery, all subjects were in remission based on the PANSS. Postoperative evaluations showed that the participants had no relapse of psychiatric symptoms (p > 0.05 for the three PANSS dimensions throughout the follow-up period). There were no considerable changes in their medication regimens. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that bariatric surgery may be a viable treatment option for stable patients with schizophrenia if they have a preoperative assessment and close management and involvement by mental health professionals throughout the course of treatment.

Differences in Cortical Structure and Functional MRI Connectivity in High Functioning Autism.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a complex group of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by deficits in communication and social behaviors. We examined the functional connectivity (FC) of the default mode network (DMN) and its relation to multimodal morphometry to investigate superregional, system-level alterations in a group of 22 adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism compared to age-, and intelligence quotient-matched 29 healthy controls. The main findings were that ASD patients had gray matter (GM) reduction, decreased cortical thickness and larger cortical surface areas in several brain regions, including the cingulate, temporal lobes, and amygdala, as well as increased gyrification in regions associated with encoding visual memories and areas of the sensorimotor component of the DMN, more pronounced in the left hemisphere. Moreover, patients with ASD had decreased connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex, and areas of the executive control component of the DMN and increased FC between the anteromedial prefrontal cortex and areas of the sensorimotor component of the DMN. Reduced cortical thickness in the right inferior frontal lobe correlated with higher social impairment according to the scores of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Reduced cortical thickness in left frontal regions, as well as an increased cortical thickness in the right temporal pole and posterior cingulate, were associated with worse scores on the communication domain of the ADI-R. We found no association between scores on the restrictive and repetitive behaviors domain of ADI-R with structural measures or FC. The combination of these structural and connectivity abnormalities may help to explain some of the core behaviors in high-functioning ASD and need to be investigated further.

Dopamine D2 receptor gene polymorphisms and externalizing behaviors in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Dopamine is involved in several cerebral physiological processes, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) have been associated with numerous neurological and mental disorders, including those involving alterations in cognitive and emotional processes. METHODS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the SNPs c.957C > T (rs6277) and c.-585A > G (rs1799978) in the DRD2 gene and behavioral characteristics of children and adolescents based on an inventory of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Children and adolescents between 8 and 20 years old who were clinically followed-up were genotyped for the SNPs c.957C > T and c.-585A > G, and related to data of the CBCL/6-18 scale assessment performed with the help of caregivers. The chi-squared test was used to assess the differences in the frequencies of the C and T alleles in the polymorphism c.957C > T and of the A and G alleles in the polymorphism c.-585A > G with respect to the grouped CBCL scores at a significance level of 5%. Multiple logistic regression models were performed, to control whether sex and/or ethnicity could influence the results. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were assessed overall, and the presence of the T allele (C/T and T/T) of DRD2 c.957C > T polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of defiant and oppositional problems and with attention and hyperactivity problems. There were no associations detected with polymorphism DRD2 c.-585A > G polymorphism. Both SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg-equilibrium. CONCLUSIONS: Although the findings of this study are preliminary, due to its small number of participants, the presence of T allele (C/T, T/T) in c.957C > T SNP was associated with difficulty in impulse control, self-control of emotions, and conduct adjustment, which can contribute to improving the identification of mental and behavioral phenotypes associated with gene expression.

Corrigendum to "Pharmacogenetics of Risperidone and Cardiovascular Risk in Children and Adolescents".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2016/5872423.].

Realismo e pragmatismo em psiquiatria: um debate / Realism and pragmatism in Psychiatry: a debate / Réalisme et pragmatisme em Psychiatrie: un débat / Realismo y pragmatismo en Psiquiatría: un debate / Realismus und Pragmatismus in der Psychiatrie: eine Debatte

O artigo apresenta um debate sobre a natureza do objeto da psiquiatria. Apresentam-se duas perspectivas de abordagem da questão — o realismo e o pragmatismo. Segundo o realismo, as condições denominadas transtornos mentais existiriam de forma autônoma, a despeito da conceitualização humana. Já as perspectivas pragmáticas pressuporiam que transtornos mentais não são suficientemente explicados como tipos naturais, porque normas e interesses humanos sempre estariam presentes em classificações psiquiátricas. São descritas as características, diferenças e pontos de limitação dessas abordagens.

This paper presents a debate on the nature of the object of Psychiatry. Two approaches to the issue are discussed: realism and pragmatism. According to realism, would exist autonomously the conditions known as mental disorders regardless of human conceptualization. Pragmatist perspectives assume that mental disorders are not sufficiently explained as natural types, since human norms and interests are always at stake in the making of psychiatric classifications. The specific features, differences, and limitations of both approaches are described.

Les auteurs présentent une réflexion critique à propos de la nature de l’objet de la psychiatrie. D’emblée, ils postulent deux voies [approches] majeures permettant d’explorer cette question fondamentale: le réalisme et le pragmatisme. Selon le réalisme, les troubles mentaux existent comme des entites autonomes, de facon independant d’une structuration conceptuelle. D’autre part, l’approche pragmatique met en avant les enjeux sociaux ce qui permet d’en déduire et d’affirmer que les troubles mentaux ne sont pas réductible à de types naturels. Enfin, les auteurs examinent brièvement et mettent en évidence les caractéristiques et limites de ces différentes approches dans la clinique psychiatrique.

El artículo presenta un debate sobre la naturaleza del objeto de la psiquiatría. Son discutidas dos perspectivas del problema: realismo y pragmatismo. Para el realismo, los trastornos mentales existen autónomamente, a pesar de la conceptua-lización humana. Las perspectivas pragmáticas suponen que los trastornos mentales no pueden ser explicados suficientemente como tipos naturales, pues las clasificaciones psiquiátricas son siempre atravesadas por normas e intereses humanos. Son descritas las características, diferencias y límites de ambos enfoques.

In diesem Artikel präsentieren wir eine Debatte über die Natur des Objektes in der Psychiatrie. Wir bieten somit zwei perspektiven bezüglich dieser Problematik- den Realismus einerseits, und den Pragmatismus als gegen Stellung. Für den Realismus würden die sogenannten Bedingungen der Psychiatrischen Störungen auf autonomer Weise vorhanden sein, und dies trotz menschlicher Konstruktionen. Pragmatische Perspektiven setzten voraus das Psychische Störungen nicht genügend durch ‘natural kinds’ erklärt werden können, weil menschliche Normen und sonstige Interessen sonst immer in Psychiatrischen Klassifikationen zu finden sind. Die Charakteristiken, Unterschiede und Einschränkungen werden dieser Perspektiven werden hier beschrieben.

A historiographic study of psychiatric treatments in Brazil: mentalism and organicism from 1830 to 1859.

Our aim is to investigate two major tendencies in nineteenth-century Brazilian alienism: mentalism and organicism, by conducting a descriptive study of original Brazilian documents on medical health treatments in the 1830s, 1840s and 1850s. Primary sources of Brazilian alienism were theses, memoirs, official reports, and documents written by clinicians and asylum directors. We analysed early mental treatment in Brazilian lunatic asylums, exploring the relative contributions of two main theoretical orientations: moral treatment (based on Pinel and Esquirol) and 'medical-organicist therapeutic orientation'. Intertextuality was used to assess reports of medical organicist treatment in Brazil. We concluded that contemporaneous textual sources indicate that mid-nineteenth-century alienism in Brazil was predominantly influenced by organicism exported from European countries. Pinel's mentalist view, nevertheless, remained the reference point for clinical issues associated with the doctor-patient relationship.

Pharmacogenetics of Risperidone and Cardiovascular Risk in Children and Adolescents.

Objective. To identify the frequency of obesity and metabolic complications in child and adolescent users of risperidone. Potential associations with clinical parameters and SNPs of the HTR2C, DRD2, LEP, LEPR, MC4R, and CYP2D6 genes were analyzed. Methods. Samples from 120 risperidone users (8-20 years old) were collected and SNPs were analyzed, alongside assessment of chronological and bone ages, prescribed and weight-adjusted doses, use of other psychotropic drugs, waist circumference, BMI z-scores, blood pressure, HOMA-IR index, fasting levels of serum glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, transaminases, and leptin. Results. Thirty-two (26.7%) patients were overweight and 5 (4.2%) obese. Hypertension was recorded in 8 patients (6.7%), metabolic syndrome in 6 (5%), and increased waist circumference in 20 (16.7%). The HOMA-IR was high for 22 patients (18.3%), while total cholesterol and triglycerides were high in 20 (16.7%) and 41 (34.2%) patients, respectively. SNP associations were found for LEP, HTR2C, and CYP2D6 with BMI; CYP2D6 with blood pressure, ALT, and HOMA-IR; HTR2C and LEPR with leptin levels; MC4R and DRD2 with HOMA-IR; HTR2C with WC; and LEP with ALT. Conclusions. Although not higher than in the general pediatric population, a high frequency of patients was overweight/obese, with abnormalities in metabolic parameters and some pharmacogenetic associations.

Priapism and clozapine use in a patient with hypochondriacal delusional syndrome.

Priapism is a urological emergency that results in a penile or clitoral engorgement, having several triggers by the use of medications, including psychiatric drugs, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants. The most common priapism presentation is the ischemic type that can result in the fibrosis of corporus cavernosus, with a significant risk of persistent erectile dysfunction. It is believed that, in the case of antipsychotic use, priapism is mediated by an imbalance in alpha-1-adrenergic blocking, with large variation affinity for alpha-1-adrenergic receptors among antipsychotics. This case report contributes to the study of this rare but severe side effect. Priapism can limit both treatment adherence and the reproductive future of our patients. We describe a case report of a patient with a delusional hypochondriac syndrome who had multiple priapism episodes using clozapine 50 mg/daily. In conclusion, we make brief comments on priapism management, a hard clinical dilemma.