Evolving child and adolescent mental health and development programs in Chile.

This analysis reviews the situation of child and adolescent mental health in Chile, organizational determinants, and the initiatives and interventions implemented to enhance child development despite the country's inequities. Progressive development of national mental health plans is covered, from the country's first plan in 2000, to growing the number of mental health professionals and the training they receive, such as MhGAP, to the implementation of "Chile Crece Contigo," whose preliminary evaluations are starting to show some effectiveness. However, the World Health Organization reports that progress in complying with the United Nations Convention of Children's Rights is insufficient. A set off legislative initiatives on behalf of children and adolescents have been passed, while others are being discussed in Parliament. There is much to be done in the nation as a whole and within its health system to ensure improved child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing. More research into child and adolescent mental health should be undertaken. Adequate funding and policymaking are also crucial to giving priority to child and adolescent mental health in Chile.

En este análisis se examina la situación de la salud mental de niños y adolescentes en Chile, los determinantes institucionales y las iniciativas e intervenciones ejecutadas para mejorar el desarrollo infantil a pesar de las inequidades del país. Se ha abarcado el desarrollo progresivo de los planes nacionales de salud mental, desde el primer plan nacional en el año 2000, pasando por el aumento del número de profesionales de salud mental y la capacitación que reciben, como el programa MhGAP, hasta la ejecución de "Chile Crece Contigo", cuyas evaluaciones preliminares están comenzando a mostrar cierta eficacia. Sin embargo, la Organización Mundial de la Salud informa que el progreso en el cumplimiento de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos del Niño es insuficiente. Se ha aprobado un conjunto de iniciativas legislativas a favor de los niños y adolescentes, mientras que otras están tratándose en el parlamento. Es mucho lo que hay por hacer en el país en general y en su sistema de salud para garantizar el mejoramiento de la salud mental y el bienestar de niños y adolescentes. Es necesario aumentar la investigación sobre la salud mental de niños y adolescentes. La disponibilidad de fondos suficientes y la formulación de políticas son también cruciales para dar prioridad a la salud mental de niños y adolescentes en Chile.

Uma análise foi realizada para examinar a situação da saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes no Chile, determinantes organizacionais e iniciativas e intervenções implementadas para melhorar o desenvolvimento infantil diante das iniquidades no país. É descrita a evolução dos planos nacionais de saúde mental, a partir do primeiro plano elaborado em 2000, o crescimento do número de profissionais de saúde mental e a capacitação recebida, como parte do programa mundial de ação para reduzir as lacunas em saúde mental da OMS (MhGAP), e a implementação do programa Chile Crece Contigo cujas avaliações preliminares indicam certo grau de efetividade. Porém, segundo informou a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), houve pouco progresso no cumprimento da Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre os Direitos da Criança. Um conjunto de iniciativas legislativas em prol das crianças e adolescentes foi aprovado e outras propostas estão em debate no congresso. Há ainda muito a ser feito no país como um todo e dentro do sistema de saúde para garantir melhor saúde mental e bem-estar para crianças e adolescentes. Devem ser realizadas outras pesquisas sobre saúde mental da criança e do adolescente. É indispensável dispor de financiamento e políticas adequados que priorizem a saúde mental da criança e do adolescente no Chile.

Evolving child and adolescent mental health and development programs in Chile

[ABSTRACT]. This analysis reviews the situation of child and adolescent mental health in Chile, organizational determinants, and the initiatives and interventions implemented to enhance child development despite the country’s inequities. Progressive development of national mental health plans is covered, from the country’s first plan in 2000, to growing the number of mental health professionals and the training they receive, such as MhGAP, to the implementation of “Chile Crece Contigo,” whose preliminary evaluations are starting to show some effectiveness. However, the World Health Organization reports that progress in complying with the United Nations Convention of Children´s Rights is insufficient. A set off legislative initiatives on behalf of children and adolescents have been passed, while others are being discussed in Parliament. There is much to be done in the nation as a whole and within its health system to ensure improved child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing. More research into child and adolescent mental health should be undertaken. Adequate funding and policymaking are also crucial to giving priority to child and adolescent mental health in Chile.

[RESUMEN]. En este análisis se examina la situación de la salud mental de niños y adolescentes en Chile, los determinantes institucionales y las iniciativas e intervenciones ejecutadas para mejorar el desarrollo infantil a pesar de las inequidades del país. Se ha abarcado el desarrollo progresivo de los planes nacionales de salud mental, desde el primer plan nacional en el año 2000, pasando por el aumento del número de profesionales de salud mental y la capacitación que reciben, como el programa MhGAP, hasta la ejecución de “Chile Crece Contigo”, cuyas evaluaciones preliminares están comenzando a mostrar cierta eficacia. Sin embargo, la Organización Mundial de la Salud informa que el progreso en el cumplimiento de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos del Niño es insuficiente. Se ha aprobado un conjunto de iniciativas legislativas a favor de los niños y adolescentes, mientras que otras están tratándose en el parlamento. Es mucho lo que hay por hacer en el país en general y en su sistema de salud para garantizar el mejoramiento de la salud mental y el bienestar de niños y adolescentes. Es necesario aumentar la investigación sobre la salud mental de niños y adolescentes. La disponibilidad de fondos suficientes y la formulación de políticas son también cruciales para dar prioridad a la salud mental de niños y adolescentes en Chile.

[RESUMO]. Uma análise foi realizada para examinar a situação da saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes no Chile, determinantes organizacionais e iniciativas e intervenções implementadas para melhorar o desenvolvimento infantil diante das iniquidades no país. É descrita a evolução dos planos nacionais de saúde mental, a partir do primeiro plano elaborado em 2000, o crescimento do número de profissionais de saúde mental e a capacitação recebida, como parte do programa mundial de ação para reduzir as lacunas em saúde mental da OMS (MhGAP), e a implementação do programa Chile Crece Contigo cujas avaliações preliminares indicam certo grau de efetividade. Porém, segundo informou a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), houve pouco progresso no cumprimento da Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre os Direitos da Criança. Um conjunto de iniciativas legislativas em prol das crianças e adolescentes foi aprovado e outras propostas estão em debate no congresso. Há ainda muito a ser feito no país como um todo e dentro do sistema de saúde para garantir melhor saúde mental e bem-estar para crianças e adolescentes. Devem ser realizadas outras pesquisas sobre saúde mental da criança e do adolescente. É indispensável dispor de financiamento e políticas adequados que priorizem a saúde mental da criança e do adolescente no Chile.

The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for the treatment of adolescent sexual offenders with paraphilic disorders.

The primary aim of these guidelines was to evaluate the role of pharmacological agents in the treatment of adolescents with paraphilic disorders who are also sexual offenders or at-risk of sexual offending. Psychotherapeutic and psychosocial treatments were also reviewed. Adolescents with paraphilic disorders specifically present a different therapeutic challenge as compared to adults. In part, the challenge relates to adolescents being in various stages of puberty and development, which may limit the use of certain pharmacological agents due to their potential side effects. In addition, most of the published treatment programmes have used cognitive behavioural interventions, family therapies and psychoeducational interventions. Psychological treatment is predicated in adolescents on the notion that sexually deviant behaviour can be controlled by the offender, and that more adaptive behaviours can be learned. The main purposes of these guidelines are to improve the quality of care and to aid physicians in their clinical decisions. These guidelines brought together different expert views and involved an extensive literature research. Each treatment recommendation was evaluated and discussed with respect to the strength of evidence for efficacy, safety, tolerability and feasibility. An algorithm is proposed for the treatment of paraphilic disorders in adolescent sexual offenders or those who are at risk.

Epidemiología del TDAH en niños y adolescentes chilenos / Epidemiology of ADHD in children and adolescents of Chile

ADHD prevalence, associated factors, comorbidity and service use are reported for a sample of 1,558 children and adolescents, belonging to four provinces in Chile. The sample is weighted in each step for selection bias. Psychiatric disorders and impairment are assessed with computerized in-home DISC-IV interviews, and a questionnaire regarding socioeconomic and family variables and service use. Estimates of prevalence rates are obtained by means of STATA 11.0 software, with complex sample design. Multivariate logistic regression is used to determine which factors were the best predictors for mental disorders. Participation rate is 82.4 %. The prevalence of ADHD is 10 %, and the most prevalent subtype is the hyperactive/impulsive, with no gender differences. Both hyperactive/impulsive and combined subtypes are more prevalent in children 4-11 than in adolescents. The most prevalent comorbidities are anxiety disorders and oppositional disorder. Anxiety is the more prevalent comorbid disorder in girls and correlated with a combined subtype. Perception of good family functioning, adolescent age and school dropout have a negative association with ADHD diagnosis, while maltreatment shows a positive correlation. Over 50 % of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD have used services in the last year. This is the first comprehensive community study of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in a South American country. It yields information for child and adolescent mental health programmes in Chile and contributes to cross-cultural epidemiological research. Key words: Psychiatric epidemiology, ADHD prevalence, Cross-cultural epidemiology, Infant and child Psychiatry.

Se describe la prevalencia del TDAH, los factores asociados, la comorbilidad y el uso de servicios, en una muestra de 1.558 niños y adolescentes, pertenecientes a cuatro provincias de Chile. En cada etapa del diseño muestral, se efectúa un pesaje para manejar el sesgo de selección. La presencia de trastornos psiquiátricos y la discapacidad son evaluados en el hogar, a través de la entrevista computarizada DISC-IV y de un cuestionario sobre variables socioeconómicas y familiares, junto al uso de los servicios. Las estimaciones de las tasas de prevalencia son obtenidas, por medio de un software, STATA 11.0, con diseño de muestra complejo. Se utilizó la regresión logística multivariada, para determinar qué factores eran los mejores predictores para trastornos mentales. La tasa de participación es del 82.4%. La prevalencia del TDAH es del 10%, y el subtipo de mayor prevalencia, es el hiperactivo / impulsivo, sin diferencias de género. Ambos subtipos hiperactivo/ impulsivo y combinado, demuestran mayor prevalencia en niños de 4-11 años, que en adolescentes. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes, son los trastornos de ansiedad y el trastorno oposicionista. La ansiedad, es la comorbilidad más frecuente del trastorno en las niñas y se correlacionó con el subtipo combinado. La percepción de un buen funcionamiento familiar, la edad de los adolescentes y la deserción escolar disminuyen el riesgo de presentar TDAH, mientras que el antecedente de maltrato lo aumenta. Más del 50% de los niños y adolescentes que han sido diagnosticados con TDAH, han utilizado servicios en el último año. Este es el primer estudio amplio en la comunidad, en trastornos psiquiátricos en niños y adolescentes, en un país de América del Sur. Ofrece información para programas de Salud Mental en Niños y Adolescentes en Chile y contribuye a la investigación epidemiológica transcultural. Palabras clave: Epidemiología psiquiátrica, Prevalencia del TDAH, Epidemiología transcultural, Psiquiatría del Niño y el Adolescente.

Epidemiology of ADHD in Chilean children and adolescents.

ADHD prevalence, associated factors, comorbidity and service use are reported for a sample of 1,558 children and adolescents, belonging to four provinces in Chile. The sample is weighted in each step for selection bias. Psychiatric disorders and impairment are assessed with computerized in-home DISC-IV interviews, and a questionnaire regarding socioeconomic and family variables and service use. Estimates of prevalence rates are obtained by means of STATA 11.0 software, with complex sample design. Multivariate logistic regression is used to determine which factors were the best predictors for mental disorders. Participation rate is 82.4 %. The prevalence of ADHD is 10 %, and the most prevalent subtype is the hyperactive/impulsive, with no gender differences. Both hyperactive/impulsive and combined subtypes are more prevalent in children 4-11 than in adolescents. The most prevalent comorbidities are anxiety disorders and oppositional disorder. Anxiety is the more prevalent comorbid disorder in girls and correlated with a combined subtype. Perception of good family functioning, adolescent age and school dropout have a negative association with ADHD diagnosis, while maltreatment shows a positive correlation. Over 50 % of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD have used services in the last year. This is the first comprehensive community study of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in a South American country. It yields information for child and adolescent mental health programmes in Chile and contributes to cross-cultural epidemiological research.

[Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Chilean children and adolescents]. / Salud mental infanto-juvenil en Chile y brechas de atención sanitarias.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric disorders that appear during childhood or adolescence should be a public health priority. AIM: To report the results of a national representative survey in the Latin American region examining the prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subjects aged 4 to 18 years were selected using a stratified multistage design. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV (DISC-IV) was used to obtain 12-month DSM-IV diagnoses, and was supplemented with questionnaires examining family risk factors, socioeconomic status and service use. RESULTS: A sample of 1558 children and adolescents (51% males) was evaluated. Fifty three percent of the sample were children aged 4 to 11 years and the rest were adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. The prevalence rate for any psychiatric disorder without impairment was 38.3% (33.5% for boys and 43.3% for girls). The prevalence rate was higher among children as compared to adolescents (42.9% and 33.2%, respectively). A third of participants receiving a diagnosis sought some form of assistance. Nearly a quarter of those using services, did not have a psychiatric diagnosis in the past year. Comorbidity was found in 27% of those with a disorder, but only 7% had three or more diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Chile is high among children and adolescents. This study highlights the increasing need to re-evaluate mental health services provided to children and adolescents in our country.

Prevalence of child and adolescent mental disorders in Chile: a community epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: In Latin America, there is limited research on the prevalence of mental disorders in children and adolescents. This Chilean survey is the first national representative survey in the Latin American region to examine the prevalence of diagnostic and statistical manual-IV (DSM-IV) psychiatric disorders in the region in children and adolescents. METHODS: Subjects aged 4-18 were selected using a stratified multistage design. The diagnostic interview schedule for children version IV (DISC-IV) was used to obtain 12-month DSM-IV diagnoses of affective, anxiety, conduct and substance use disorders, and supplemented with questionnaires examining family risk factors, family income, and service utilization. The parent or the primary caretaker was interviewed for children, aged 4-11, using the DISC-IV; however, adolescents, aged 12-18, were directly interviewed. RESULTS: A sample of 1558 children and adolescents was evaluated. Using the most stringent DISC-IV impairment algorithm, the prevalence rate for any psychiatric disorders was 22.5% (19.3% for boys and 25.8% for girls). The prevalence rate was higher among the children, aged 4-11, in comparison with adolescents, aged 12-18 (27.8% and 16.5%, respectively). Less than half of the subjects in need of services sought some form of assistance. Nearly a quarter of those using services did not present with a psychiatric diagnosis in the past year. Comorbidity was found in 24.8% of those with a disorder, but only 6.3% had three or more diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Chile is high among children and adolescents. This study highlights the increasing need to reevaluate mental health services provided to children and adolescents in Latin America.

Salud mental infanto-juvenil en Chile y brechas de atención sanitarias / Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Chilean children and adolescents

Background: Psychiatric disorders that appear during childhood or adolescence should be a public health priority. Aim: To report the results of a national representative survey in the Latin American region examinig the prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Material and Methods: Subjects aged 4 to 18 years were selected using a stratified multistage design. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV (DISC-IV) was used to obtain 12-month DSM-IV diagnoses, and was supplemented with questionnaires examining family riskfactors, socioeconomic status and service use. Results: A sample of1558 children and adolescents (51% males) was evaluated. Fifty three percent of the sample were children aged 4 to 11 years and the rest were adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. The prevalence rate for any psychiatric disorder without impairment was 38.3% (33.5% for boys and 43.3% for girls). The prevalence rate was higher among children as compared to adolescents (42.9% and 33.2%, respectively). A third of participants receiving a diagnosis sought some form of assistance. Nearly a quarter of those using services, did not have a psychiatric diagnosis in the past year. Comorbidity was found in 27% of those with a disorder, but only 7% had three or more diagnoses. Conclusions: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Chile is high among children and adolescents. This study highlights the increasing need to re-evaluate mental health services provided to children and adolescents in our country.

Prevalence of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders in Santiago, Chile: a community epidemiological study.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in a representative sample of children and adolescents living in Santiago, Chile, as part of a national sample. METHOD: Subjects aged 4-18 were selected using a stratified multistage design. First, ten municipalities/comunas of Santiago were selected; then the blocks, homes, and child or adolescent to be interviewed were chosen. Psychology graduate students administered the Spanish-language, computer-assisted version of DISC-IV that estimated DSM-IV 12-month prevalence. RESULTS: A total of 792 children and adolescents were evaluated, with a participation rate of 76.7%. The most stringent impairment DSM-IV DISC algorithm for psychiatric disorders revealed a prevalence of 25.4% (20.7% for boys and 30.3% for girls). The majority of the diagnoses corresponded to anxiety and affective disorders. Prevalence was higher in children aged 4-11 (31.9%) than in adolescents aged 12-18 (18.2%). This difference was mainly accounted for by disruptive disorders in the younger age group. Anxiety disorders had the highest prevalence, although impairment was low. In contrast, most children and adolescents with affective disorders were impaired. CONCLUSIONS: In Santiago, the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents was high. This study helps raise awareness of child and adolescent mental health issues in Spanish-speaking Latin America and serves as a basis for improving mental health services.

[Prevalence of mental health disorders among children and adolescents living in southern Chile]. / Epidemiología de trastornos mentales infanto juveniles en la Provincia de Cautín.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge about prevalence of psychiatric disorders in all age groups is fundamental to plan an adequate mental health care. AIM: To determine the prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in a representative sample of children and adolescents living in the province of Cautin, Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subjects aged between 4 and 18 years were selected in an aleatory stratified multistage fashion. As part of a national sample, four counties in Cautín were selected, then blocks, homes and the child or adolescent to be interviewed. Psychology graduate students applied the Spanish computer version of DISC-IV, as well as a questionnaire on family risk factors, socioeconomic index and service use. RESULTS: A sample of 272 children and adolescents was evaluated, obtaining 93,4% of participation. Using the most stringent impairment algorithm, the prevalence rate for any psychiatric disorder was 16.8%, being 16.5% in boys and 17.1% in girls and mainly explained by anxiety and affective disorders. Prevalence was practically the same in the group aged 4 to 11 years than in those aged 12 to 18 years (16.7% and 16.8% respectively). Prevalence of anxiety disorders was the highest, but less associated with impairment. On the other hand, all children and adolescents with affective disorders were impaired. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Cautín is high in children and adolescents.

Epidemiología de trastornos mentales infanto juveniles en la Provincia de Cautín / Prevalence of mental health disorders among children and adolescents living in southern Chile

Background: The knowledge about prevalence of psychiatric disorders in all age groups is fundamental to plan an adequate mental health care. Aim: To determine the prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in a representative sample of children and adolescents living in the province of Cautin, Chile. Material and Methods: Subjects aged between 4 and 18 years were selected in an aleatory stratified multistage fashion. As part of a national sample, four counties in Cautín were selected, then blocks, homes and the child or adolescent to be interviewed. Psychology graduate students applied the Spanish computer version of DISC-IV, as well as a questionnaire on family risk factors, socioeconomic index and service use. Results: A sample of 272 children and adolescents was evaluated, obtaining 93,4 percent of participation. Using the most stringent impairment algorithm, the prevalence rate for any psychiatric disorder was 16.8 percent, being 16.5 percent in boys and 17.1 percent in girls and mainly explained by anxiety and affective disorders. Prevalence was practically the same in the group aged 4 to 11 years than in those aged 12 to 18 years (16.7 percent and 16.8 percent respectively). Prevalence of anxiety disorders was the highest, but less associated with impairment. On the other hand, all children and adolescents with affective disorders were impaired. Conclusions: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Cautín is high in children and adolescents.

The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for the biological treatment of paraphilias.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of these guidelines was to evaluate the role of pharmacological agents in the treatment and management of paraphilia, with a focus on the treatment of adults males. Because such treatments are not delivered in isolation, the role of specific psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions was also briefly covered. These guidelines are intended for use in clinical practice by clinicians who diagnose and treat patients with paraphilia. The aim of these guidelines is to improve the quality of care and to aid physicians in clinical decisions. METHODS: The aim of these guidelines was to bring together different views on the appropriate treatment of paraphilias from experts representing different continents. To achieve this aim, an extensive literature search was conducted using the English language literature indexed on MEDLINE/PubMed (1990-2009 for SSRIs) (1969-2009 for antiandrogen treatments), supplemented by other sources, including published reviews. RESULTS: Each treatment recommendation was evaluated and discussed with respect to the strength of evidence for its efficacy, safety, tolerability and feasibility. CONCLUSIONS: An algorithm was proposed with six levels of treatment for different categories of paraphilias.

Prediction of behavioral problems in Chilean schoolchildren.

Five hundred and thirty five Chilean schoolchildren were evaluated with a test-retest procedure using teacher and parent questionnaires in first and sixth grade, respectively, and a measure of self-esteem in sixth grade. According to teachers' ratings, disobedience/aggression, shyness and hyperactivity persisted. Cross-predictions were found: disobedience/aggression increased the risk of cognitive/concentration problems, which predicted emotional immaturity, while hyperactivity predicted disobedience/aggression. Teacher's global opinion of poor achievement predicted cognitive/concentration problems, and poor conduct predicted hyperactivity. Behavioral problems rated by parents in first grade predicted their persistence. Detection of problems in first grade predicts sixth grade outcomes, providing information for implementing preventive interventions.

Identification of a novel gene on chromosome 7q11.2 interrupted by a translocation breakpoint in a pair of autistic twins.

We report here the identification and characterization of a novel gene (AUTS2) that spans the 7q11.2 breakpoint in a monozygotic twin pair concordant for autism and a t(7;20) (q11.2; p11.2) translocation. AUTS2 is 1.2 Mb and has 19 exons. The predicted protein is 1295 amino acids and does not correspond to any known protein. DNA sequence analysis of autism subjects and controls revealed 22 biallelic polymorphic sites. For all sites, both alleles were observed in both cases and controls. Thus no autism-specific mutation was observed. Association analysis with two exonic polymorphic sites and linkage analysis of four dinucleotide repeat markers, two within and two flanking AUTS2, was negative. Thus, although it is unlikely that AUTS2 is an autism susceptibility gene for idiopathic autism, it may be the gene responsible for the disorder in the twins studied here.