Safety and efficacy of Ketamine in a patient with psychotic depression, cardiovascular disease, and starvation risk / Eficacia y seguridad de la Ketamina en una paciente con depresión, síntomas psicóticos, enfermedad cardiovascular y riesgo de inanición

Abstract Introduction: There has been a rising interest in ketamine as a promising treatment for refractory depression. Despite this, there is uncertain knowledge regarding aspects of the routinary use of ketamine for treating depression, such as optimal doses, long term toxicity, abuse potential in depressed patients, probable adverse effects associated with antidepressant drugs, the indication of ketamine in psychotic patients, and the ethical concerns of ketamine use. Clinical case: A 63 year-old woman with a psychotic depressive episode, catatonic features, cardiovascular disease (patent foramen ovale and atrial fibrillation) , and starvation risk because she refused food intake. She was sent to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) after several weeks of oral administration of benzodiazepine, antipsychotic, and antidepressant medications; the patient presented no improvement, but she was rejected due to her cardiovascular comorbidity. Two IV Ketamine doses were used as a life-saving strategy with good clinical response, mainly in terms of the catatonic features. The ketamine treatment was not only effective but also well tolerated. Discussion: Despite the little information regarding its use in psychotic and catatonic patients, this case would suggest that it remains effective and safe, as well as a good option for patients with cardiovascular disease and those who cannot use electroconvulsive therapy.

Psicodrama como terapia en trauma y estrés postraumático / Psychodrama as a Therapy in Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar la evidencia disponible de la eficacia del psicodrama como terapia para el manejo del trauma psicológico, trastorno por estrés agudo y postraumático. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura en MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Scopus, LILACS y Ovid hasta abril de 2019. Se incluyeron los términos: (1)Psychodrama, (2)Role-playing, (3)Stress disorders, Acute, posttraumatic, y (4)Psychological trauma (MeSH). Se seleccionaron revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura, metaanálisis, ensayos clínicos aleatorios, cuasi aleatorios y estudios observacionales en inglés y español. Se seleccionaron los trabajos que incluyeran una descripción de las intervenciones con técnicas del psicodrama. Resultados: 14 trabajos cumplieron criterios de inclusión. Conclusión: No se encontró una asociación fuerte de la eficacia del psicodrama ante los síntomas de estrés postraumático. Se requieren más investigaciones con diseño metodológico ajustado para este tipo de intervenciones.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the available evidence in regarding the efficacy of psychodrama in patients with acute and posttraumatic stress disorder and psychological trauma- Methods: Systematic review. Terms: (1)Psychodrama, (2)Role-playing, (3)Stress disorders, Acute, posttraumatic, and (4)Psychological trauma (Mesh), were searched in Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Scopus, Lillacs and OVID, until April 2019. Systematic reviews of the literature, meta-analysis, randomized clinical trials, quasi-randomized and observational studies in English and Spanish were selected. The works should have described interventions with psychodrama techniques. Results: 14 papers met the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: There is no evidence of the psychodrama response to the symptoms after traumatic stress. Research should be carried out with a more rigorous methodological design.

"Chasing the Dragon": A Fatal Case Report of Toxic Leucoencéphalopathie Due to Inhaled Heroin.

BACKGROUND: Leukoencephalopathy is a myelin disorder caused by multiple agents, including substance abuse. CASE: A 28-year-old man arrived at the emergency department having suffered from asthenia, dizziness, disorientation and ataxia for two months. He had a two-year history of heroin inhalation. He arrived in a normal physical condition. Brain magnetic resonance showed bilateral diffuse hypointense lesions in the white matter. At day 3 after admission, he presented neurological deterioration, stupor, haemodynamic instability, respiratory failure, and died. DISCUSSION: Toxic leukoencephalopathy symptoms start with inattention, memory and personality changes, and may eventually cause dementia and death. Heroin inhalation is a common practice and can lead to leukoencephalopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Leukoencephalopathy associated with heroin inhalation is a rare entity that mainly affects young adults and has a high social impact. Its aetiology is unclear, it has no effective treatment and there is a high mortality rate. Heroin consumption is on the rise in Colombia, so TL should be considered by medical staff.

"Chasing the Dragon": A Fatal Case Report of Toxic Leucoencéphalopathie Due to Inhaled Heroin

Leukoencephalopathy is a myelin disorder caused by multiple agents, including substance abuse. A 28-year-old man arrived at the emergency department having suffered from asthenia, dizziness, disorientation and ataxia for two months. He had a two-year history of heroin inhalation. He arrived in a normal physical condition. Brain magnetic resonance showed bilateral diffuse hypointense lesions in the white matter. At day 3 after admission, he presented neurological deterioration, stupor, haemodynamic instability, respiratory failure, and died. Toxic leukoencephalopathy symptoms start with inattention, memory and personality changes, and may eventually cause dementia and death. Heroin inhalation is a common practice and can lead to leukoencephalopathy. Leukoencephalopathy associated with heroin inhalation is a rare entity that mainly affects young adults and has a high social impact. Its aetiology is unclear, it has no effective treatment and there is a high mortality rate. Heroin consumption is on the rise in Colombia, so TL should be considered by medical staff.

La leucoencefalopatía es una patología de la mielina producida por múltiples agentes, incluidas las sustancias de abuso. Un varón de 28 años llegó urgencias por 2 meses de astenia, mareo, desorientación y ataxia. Tenía antecedentes de consumo inhalado de heroína por 2 años. Presentaba condiciones físicas regulares. La resonancia magnética cerebral mostró lesiones hipointensas difusas bilaterales en la sustancia blanca. Al tercer día presentó empeoramiento de su estado neurológico, estupor, inestabilidad hemodinámica, insuficiencia respiratoria y muerte. Los síntomas de leucoencefalopatía tóxica (LT) comienzan con falta de atención, cambios en la memoria y la personalidad, y finalmente demencia y muerte. El consumo de heroína inhalada es una práctica frecuente con riesgo de que produzca LT. La leucoencefalopatía asociada con el uso de heroína inhalada es una entidad rara que afecta principalmente a adultos jóvenes y tiene un alto impacto social. Su etiología no está clara, no tiene un tratamiento efectivo y tiene altas tasas de mortalidad. El consumo de heroína está aumentando en Colombia, por lo que el personal médico debe tener en cuenta la LT.

Adult Gender Dysphoria with Coronary Disease. Case Report and Literature Review. / Disforia de género en el adulto con enfermedad coronaria. Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Gender dysphoria (GD) refers to a marked incongruity between gender identity and biological sex. GD generates a significant clinical discomfort for at least six months. METHODS: Case report and non-systematic literature review. Case presentation A 56-year-old male-to-female patient, who had a history of coronary disease and a second thromboembolic event after hormone therapy (self-medicated). Once she had received acute management for the cardiovascular disease, she consulted for her GD. DISCUSSION: GD requires multidisciplinary management. Cross-sex hormonal therapy is considered the main treatment. It has been documented that oral oestrogen preparations may increase the risk of thromboembolic events in patients over the age of 40, especially when they have cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive treatment should be offered to everyone who has GD, to relieve psychological distress, decrease psychiatric comorbidity and improve quality of life. To date, there is little scientific evidence regarding cross-sex hormonal therapy in transgender women over the age of 40; we therefore recommend multidisciplinary, close and rigorous monitoring, in particular when they have cardiovascular risk.

Disforia de género en el adulto con enfermedad coronaria. Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Adult Gender Dysphoria with Coronary Disease. Case Report and Literature Review

RESUMEN Introducción: La disforia de género (DG) hace referencia a una marcada incongruencia entre la identidad de género y el sexo biológico, que genera un malestar clínico de al menos 6 meses de duración. Métodos: Reporte de caso y revisión no sistemática de la literatura. Presentación del caso: Mujer transgénero de 56 años, con historia de enfermedad coronaria y un segundo evento tromboembólico posterior a la automedicación de terapia hormonal. Después del tratamiento agudo de su afección cardiovascular, solicitó tratamiento para su DG. Discusión: La DG requiere un tratamiento multidisciplinario. La THC es el pilar del tratamiento. Se ha documentado que el uso de presentaciones orales de estrógenos puede aumentar el riesgo de eventos tromboembólicos en pacientes mayores de 40 años, principalmente cuando tienen factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Conclusiones: Se debe ofrecer un tratamiento integral a todas las personas con DG para aliviar el malestar psicológico, disminuir la comorbilidad psiquiátrica y mejorar su calidad de vida. Hasta el momento hay poca evidencia científica respecto a la THC en mujeres transgénero mayores de 40años, por lo que se recomienda una vigilancia multidisciplinaria, estrecha y rigurosa, en especial cuando hay riesgo cardiovascular.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Gender dysphoria (GD) refers to a marked incongruity between gender identity and biological sex. GD generates a significant clinical discomfort for at least six months. Methods: Case report and non-systematic literature review. Case presentation: A 56-year-old male-to-female patient, who had a history of coronary disease and a second thromboembolic event after hormone therapy (self-medicated). Once she had received acute management for the cardiovascular disease, she consulted for her GD. Discussion: GD requires multidisciplinary management. Cross-sex hormonal therapy is considered the main treatment. It has been documented that oral oestrogen preparations may increase the risk of thromboembolic events in patients over the age of 40, especially when they have cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: Comprehensive treatment should be offered to everyone who has GD, to relieve psychological distress, decrease psychiatric comorbidity and improve quality of life. To date, there is little scientific evidence regarding cross-sex hormonal therapy in transgender women over the age of 40; we therefore recommend multidisciplinary, close and rigorous monitoring, in particular when they have cardiovascular risk.

Post-traumatic stress disorder in internally displaced people of Colombia: An ecological study.

BACKGROUND: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been described as one of the most frequently reported mental condition among refugees and internally displaced populations (IDPs). Despite this, few has been reported about it in Latin America, even in Colombia, the country with the highest number of IDPs in the in the world. METHOD: This ecological study assessed incidence and differences of PTSD in general population and IDPs in Colombia and its departments (32) during 2009-2012. Epidemiological data was collected from the National Health Records System (RIPS), retrieving the ICD-10 code F43.1 in both populations. We estimated PTSD incidence rates on both populations (cases/100,000 pop), using reference population of the IDPs (SISDHES and the general population was taken from the (DANE). Incidence rates ratios were calculated comparing both populations. RESULTS: In general population, 6619 cases of PTSD occurred (14.5 cases/100,000 pop, 95%CI 14.0-15.0) while 177 among IDPs (73.8 cases/100,000 pop, 95%CI 63.0-85.0). PTSD was 5.1 times higher among IDPs than in general population. Ranging from 1.6 (Tolima) to 15.8 (Quindío) (median: 4.4). In departments with higher incidence, also it was in IDPs (r2 = 0.4899; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study evidenced a significantly higher PTSD incidence among IDPs, when compared with general population in the same territories. This has relevant implications for screening, diagnosis and management of PTSD among IDPs, especially in high incidence areas. More studies are required to improve the understanding of this condition among vulnerable populations, as well to provide better medical and psychological interventions and for the development of public policies in countries, such as Colombia, with IDPs.

Dependencia al alcohol en estudiantes de la Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira / Alcohol dependence in students of the Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira

La dependencia al alcohol constituye un grave problema de salud pública. A nivel mundial se han hecho estudios que han comprobado la dependencia al alcohol en diferentes lugares, pero infortunadamente en la Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, no se han efectuado estudios que demuestren el grado de dependencia. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la dependencia al consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en la población estudiantil de la Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira en el primer semestre de 2008. Se utilizó el test de CAGE y fue diligenciado por una muestra aleatoria de 947 estudiantes de la institución. La prevalencia de dependencia al alcohol fue de 16.35%, y la prevalencia del riesgo a padecer dependencia fue de 20.57%. La facultad que reportó mayor dependencia fue la de Ingeniería Industrial con un 24.10% y el programa con mayor grado de alcoholismo fue Técnico Profesional en Mecatrónica. Se concluye que el porcentaje de dependencia al alcohol en estudiantes de la Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira es elevado, lo que amerita una intervención por parte de la Vicerrectoría de Bienestar Universitario, para instaurar programas de prevención que disminuyan los problemas tanto orgánicos como psicosociales para esta población altamente vulnerable.

Alcohol dependence is a serious public health problem. Globally there have been studies that have found alcohol dependence in different places, but unfortunately at Technological of Pereira University, such studies haven’t been carried out so far. The aim of this study was to establish alcohol dependency in the student population at Technological of Pereira University, during the first semester 2008. CAGE test was used and completed by a random sample of 947 students of the institution. The prevalence of alcohol dependence was of 16.35%, while the risk prevalence of suffering dependency was of 20.57%. Industrial Engineering program reported the highest levels of dependency, 24.10%; whilst, mechatronic technicians showed the most elevated degrees of alcoholism. Finally, the rate of alcohol dependence in students from Technological of Pereira University is high, which deserves intervention from University’s Welfare Vicerectory, in order to implement prevention programmes to decrease not only organic but also psychosocial problems in highly vulnerable populations.

El humor como estrategia terapéutica en niños hospitalizados en unidades pediátricas en Pereira (Colombia) Reporte de una experiencia / Humor as a Strategy to Treat Children Hospitalized in Pediatric Units in Pereira (Colombia): Report of an Experience

Introducción : Los pacientes pediátricos son especialmente susceptibles al estrés. De ahí que el humor se use como estrategia en muchos hospitales en el mundo para disminuir el estrés durante la hospitalización, especialmente en los niños. Métodos : Se realizaron intervenciones periódicas en las unidades intermedias de Kennedy y Cuba de la ESE Salud Pereira, que inicialmente se basaron en el cambio del ambiente hospitalario: la decoración de las salas y los implementos utilizados por el personal de salud. Los grupos de voluntarios fueron entrenados en técnicas de clown , construcción de personajes y juego personalizado. Resultados : Se realizaron 108 intervenciones, con un promedio de 12 por mes, en un período de 9 meses, en las cuales se trabajó con 648 niños, con una relación de 72 niños por mes; sus edades fl uctuaron entre los 2 meses y los 14 años. Se destaca el impacto favorable en el ambiente hospitalario y en la sensación subjetiva de un mayor bienestar por parte de pacientes, familiares de pacientes y personal de salud, además del interés y la necesidad de llevar a cabo estudios que utilicen marcadores biológicos de estrés para valorar el impacto en los pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados de este tipo de programas. Discusión y conclusiones : Los resultados cualitativos de esta intervención fueron los esperados y la valoración subjetiva del personal de salud, de los pacientes y de sus familiares fueron satisfactorias en cuanto al logro de este objetivo. Esta experiencia suma argumentos para la discusión acerca de la necesidad de implementar programas de este tipo en las instituciones de salud y la inclusión de formación acerca de terapia del humor en los currículos de las carreras de las áreas de la salud.

Introduction : Pediatric patients are specially susceptible to stress. Humor has been used in many hospitals around the world as a strategy to decrease stress levels during hospitalization, specially in children. Methods : Periodic interventions were made in two intermediatecare pediatric units in a public hospital in Pereira, Colombia. The initial intervention was based on changes of the hospital environment by modifying the decoration of wards and implements used by the health workers. The groups, made up of volunteers, were trained in clown techniques, construction of characters, and personalized games . Results : 108 in-terventions were made in a period of 9 months with a mean of 12 interventions per month, during which the group worked with 648 children (72 children per month with 6 children per intervention), with ages between 2 months and 14 years. The favorable impact in hospital environment and the subjective sensation of welfare in the patients, their families and the health personnel is worth noting. Discussion and conclusions : The qualitative results of this intervention were as expected. The subjective opinion of health workers, patients and their families was satisfactory. This experience adds arguments to the discussion about the need to implement programs like this one in health institutions and to include laughter therapy in the curricula of health educational programs.