ESAMEN: descripción y medida de la estructura de los servicios de atención comunitaria en salud mental / ESAMEN: description and assessment of the structure of communityoriented mental health services

La estructura básica de los servicios de salud mental orientados a la comunidad se compone de cuatro tipos de dispositivos: las unidades de salud mental en los hospitales generales, los hospitales de día, los centros de salud mental y los centros de rehabilitación psicosocial, complementados con el apoyo social aportado por los servicios sociales especializados. Debido a que los dispositivos pueden acoger actividades muy diversas que pueden implicar a varios sectores de la Administración y del Tercer Sector simultánea o sucesivamente, y también debido a su implantación geográfica irregular, la gestión de los servicios de salud mental es un asunto complejo sobre el que todavía no se ha alcanzado un acuerdo. En el momento actual disponemos de varios instrumentos de medida y clasificación de los servicios para facilitar su evaluación, pero ninguno de ellos ha logrado popularizarse. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en dar cuenta de un nuevo instrumento, ESAMEN, para describir y medir la estructura de los servicios de salud mental comunitaria, y someterlo a un estudio de viabilidad. Este método no se basa en la clasificación de los dispositivos como se ha hecho hasta ahora, sino en la clasificación de las 32 actividades o módulos de atención que se practican en ellos. Para este estudio de viabilidad, se remitió una encuesta a los coordinadores de 380 dispositivos de salud mental de Andalucía, Euskadi y Madrid, solicitándoles información sobre el área de cobertura y el número de profesionales de cada uno de los módulos dispensados en su dispositivo. Con estos datos se elaboraron indicadores de capacidad (expresada como el tiempo máximo de dedicación por habitante y unidad de tiempo) y alcance (proporción del total de habitantes que es potencialmente beneficiaria del módulo). Las tablas de resultados muestran con claridad y sencillez la estructura de los servicios, valorando cada módulo según su capacidad y alcance poblacional, evidenciando desequilibrios en su distribución, permitiendo comparaciones entre áreas y comunidades, y dejando la puerta abierta al refinamiento de los indicadores y a la inclusión de nuevos módulos de actividad que se puedan desarrollar en el futuro

The basic structure of community-oriented mental health services consists of four types of facilities: mental health units in general hospitals, day hospitals, mental health centres, and psychosocial rehabilitation centres, complemented by social support provided by specialized social services. Due to the fact that these facilities can host very diverse health activities that may involve several sectors of the Administration and the Third Sector, simultaneously or successively, and also due to their irregular geographical implementation, the management of mental health services is a complex issue on which no agreement has yet been reached. At present, we have several instruments for measuring and classifying services to facilitate their management, but none of them has become popular. The aim of this work is to report on ESAMEN, a tool to classify and measure the structure of community mental health services, and to subject it to a feasibility study. This instrument is not based on the classification of facilities as has been done so far, but on the classification of the 32 activities or modules of care that are practiced in them. For this feasibility study, a survey was sent to the coordinators of 380 mental health facilities from Andalusia, Euskadi and Madrid, requesting information on the area of coverage and the number of professionals in each of the modules dispensed in their facility. With these data, indicators of capacity (expressed as the maximum time of professional dedication per inhabitant and unit of time) and scope (proportion of the total number of inhabitants who are potentially beneficiaries of the module) were elaborated. Results tables show with clarity and simplicity the structure of the services, evaluating each module according to its capacity and population scope, showing imbalances in its distribution, allowing comparisons between areas and Communities, and leaving the door open to the refinement of the indicators and the inclusion of new activity modules that may be developed in the future

Impacto de la crisis económica del 2008 en el número de jóvenes hospitalizados por patología psiquiátrica / The impact of the 2008 economic crisis on the increasing number of young psychiatric inpatients

Introducción: Se dispone de escasa literatura científica sobre el impacto de la crisis económica de 2008 en los servicios de salud mental en España. Método: Se ha realizado un análisis de serie temporal interrumpido para examinar una posible asociación a corto plazo entre la crisis económica y el número de hospitalizaciones psiquiátricas. El momento de la intervención (abril del 2008) se fijó sobre la base de los cambios observados en el Producto Interior Bruto (PIB). Se analizaron los datos de 1.152.880 hospitalizaciones psiquiátricas proporcionados por la Encuesta Nacional de Morbilidad Hospitalaria, 69 meses antes y después del inicio de la crisis económica (abril del 2008). Resultados: Las tasas de altas hospitalarias psiquiátricas (ICD9.290-319) ajustadas por edad aumentaron significativamente a partir de abril del 2008, coincidiendo con el inicio de la crisis: las hospitalizaciones aumentaron especialmente en pacientes en el rango de edad 15-24 y en menor medida en el rango de edad 25-34. Los restantes rangos de edad no se vieron afectados. Se observa un aumento significativo en los diagnósticos relativos a la alteración de conducta y emociones, depresión, trastornos neuróticos y de personalidad y trastornos de alcohol y drogas; los diagnósticos relativos al retraso mental y psicosis orgánica no se vieron afectados. Conclusiones: Las hospitalizaciones psiquiátricas aumentaron abruptamente a partir de abril del 2008, coincidiendo con el inicio de la crisis económica. Se han identificado los grupos de edad y diagnósticos afectados. El aumento de las hospitalizaciones se observó solo en los rangos de edad más afectados por el desempleo. Los diagnósticos afectados fueron los más sensibles a los cambios ambientales

Background: Little is published about the impact of the 2008 economic crisis on mental health services in Spain. Method: An interrupted time series analysis was conducted to investigate a potential short-term association between the 2008 economic crisis and the number of psychiatric hospital admissions. The timing of the intervention (April 2008) was based on observed changes in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Data on 1,152,880 psychiatric inpatients from the national Hospital Morbidity Survey, 69 months before and after the onset of the economic crisis (April 2008), were analyzed. Results: Age-adjusted psychiatric (ICD9 290-319) hospital discharge rates significantly increased from April 2008, matching the onset of the crisis, especially for inpatients aged 15-24 years old and to a less extend for inpatients aged 25-34 years old. Other age groups were not affected. There was a significant increase in diagnoses for disturbance of conduct and emotions, depression, neurotic and personality disorders and alcohol and drug disorders; however, diagnoses for mental retardation and organic psychosis for 15-34 years old inpatients were unaffected. Conclusions: Psychiatric hospital admissions abruptly increased in April 2008, coinciding with the onset of the economic crisis. We identified age groups and diagnoses affected. Increased hospitalizations were found only at the age-ranges most affected by the rise in unemployment. The diagnoses affected were those most sensitive to environmental changes

The impact of the 2008 economic crisis on the increasing number of young psychiatric inpatients. / Impacto de la crisis económica del 2008 en el número de jóvenes hospitalizados por patología psiquiátrica.

BACKGROUND: Little is published about the impact of the 2008 economic crisis on mental health services in Spain. METHOD: An interrupted time series analysis was conducted to investigate a potential short-term association between the 2008 economic crisis and the number of psychiatric hospital admissions. The timing of the intervention (April 2008) was based on observed changes in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Data on 1,152,880 psychiatric inpatients from the national Hospital Morbidity Survey, 69 months before and after the onset of the economic crisis (April 2008), were analyzed. RESULTS: Age-adjusted psychiatric (ICD9 290-319) hospital discharge rates significantly increased from April 2008, matching the onset of the crisis, especially for inpatients aged 15-24 years old and to a less extend for inpatients aged 25-34 years old. Other age groups were not affected. There was a significant increase in diagnoses for disturbance of conduct and emotions, depression, neurotic and personality disorders and alcohol and drug disorders; however, diagnoses for mental retardation and organic psychosis for 15-34 years old inpatients were unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric hospital admissions abruptly increased in April 2008, coinciding with the onset of the economic crisis. We identified age groups and diagnoses affected. Increased hospitalizations were found only at the age-ranges most affected by the rise in unemployment. The diagnoses affected were those most sensitive to environmental changes.

Contribution of the Economic Crisis to the Risk Increase of Poor Mental Health in a Region of Spain.

Previous research suggests that the economic crisis can affect mental health. The purpose of this study was to analyse the association of risk of poor mental health with various socioeconomic, demographic, health, quality of life, and social support variables; and to evaluate the contribution of socioeconomic variables most affected by the beginning of the economic crisis (employment situation and income) on the changes in the prevalence of the risk of poor mental health between 2005 and 2010. A study of prevalence evolution in adult population residents of the Valencian Community in the Spanish Mediterranean was conducted. We studied 5781 subjects in 2005 and 3479 in 2010. Logistic regression models have been adjusted to analyse the association between variables. A standardisation procedure was carried out to evaluate which part of the changes in overall prevalence could be attributed to variations in the population structure by age, sex, employment status, and income between the years under study. The prevalence of GHQ+ increased from 2005 to 2010, in both men and women. Several variables were closely associated with the risk of poor mental health (sex, age, country of birth, number of nonmental chronic diseases, social support, disability, cohabitation in couple, employment status, and income). The changes produced as a result of the onset of the economic crisis in income and unemployment (increase in low income and in unemployment rates) contributed to the increase of poor mental health risk. This could confirm the sensitivity of mental health to the economic deterioration caused by the crisis.

Five Interpersonal Factors Are Predictive of the Response to Treatment of Major Depression With Antidepressants in Primary Care.

Introduction: Factors relating to the interpersonal relationship between the patient and their physician and social environment are important components, which contribute to their response to treatment for major depressive disorder. This study aimed to assess the influence of optimism, perfectionism, therapeutic alliance, empathy, social support, and adherence to medication regimen in the response to antidepressant treatments in the context of normal primary care clinical practice. Method: We conducted a prospective study in which 24 primary care physicians administered sertraline or escitalopram to 89 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The response to treatment and remission of the episode was assessed at 4 and 12 weeks by Cox regression. The effect of adherence to the medication regimen was assessed by multiple regression statistical techniques. Results: Adherence to medication (HR = 0.262, 95% CI = 0.125-0.553, p < 0.001) and patient perfectionism (HR = 0.259, 95% CI = 0.017-0.624, p < 0.01) negatively predicted the initial response to treatment, whereas patient optimism (HR = 1.221, 95% CI = 1.080-1.380, p < 0.05) positively predicted it. Patient optimism (HR = 1.247, 95% CI = 1.1-1.4, p < 0.05), empathy perceived by the patient (HR = 1.01, 95% CI = 1001-1002, p < 0.05), and therapeutic alliance (HR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1001-1.04, p < 0.05) positively predicted episode remission, while patient perfectionism (HR = 0.219, 95% CI = 0.093-0.515, p < 0.001) and low adherence to the treatment regimen (HR = 0.293, 95% CI = 0.145-0.595, p < 0.001) negatively predicted it. Finally, social support (p < 0.01) and therapeutic alliance (p < 0.05) predicted adherence to the medication regimen. Conclusions: In addition to taking the antidepressant drug, other factors including the personal interactions between the patient with their primary care physician and with their social environment significantly influenced the patients' initial response and the final rate of episode remission.

Is recession bad for your mental health? The answer could be complex: evidence from the 2008 crisis in Spain.

BACKGROUND: We explored the impact of 2008 recession on the prevalence of mental health problems in Spain. METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional survey design. Datasets from 2006 and 2011 were used, and temporal change was examined. The study was conducted on the economically active population (16-64 years old). The two surveys included 29,478 and 21,007 people, obtaining a 96 and 89.6% response rate, respectively. Multiple logistic regression models were adjusted to identify poor mental health risk factors. A standardisation analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence of people at risk of poor mental health (GHQ+). RESULTS: The prevalence of GHQ+ following the crisis increased in men and decreased in women. Two logistic regression analyses identified GHQ+ risk factors. From 2006 to 2011, unemployment rose and income fell for both men and women, and there was a decline in the prevalence of somatic illness and limitations, factors associated with a higher prevalence of GHQ+. After controlling for age, the change in employment and income among men prompted an increase in the prevalence of GHQ+, while the change in somatic illness and limitations tended to mitigate this effect. After the recession, unemployed men showed a better level of somatic health. The same effects were not detected in women. CONCLUSIONS: The economic recession exerted a complex effect on mental health problems in men. The reduction of prevalence in women was not associated with changes in socioeconomic factors related to the economic crisis nor with changes in somatic health.

Evaluación del modelo comunitario de atención a los trastornos mentales en España / Evaluation of the community mental health care model in Spain

Introducción: El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en evaluar la implementación del modelo comunitario de atención en salud mental en el Estado español en 2014. Secundariamente, se analizan los cambios que el modelo experimentó en 2008, en relación con la recesión económica. Material y Método: Se adoptó la definición de modelo comunitario que se propone en la Estrategia en Salud Mental del SNS, según la cual el modelo se rige por 8 principios y se implementa mediante 39 prácticas asistenciales. Se elaboró una encuesta dirigida a las Juntas Autonómicas de Gobierno de la Asociación Española de Neuropsiquiatría sobre el grado de cumplimiento del modelo comunitario en cada comunidad. Resultados: Se obtuvieron respuestas de 13 Juntas Autonómicas que incluyeron información sobre el 93% de la población española. Conclusión: Las carencias más importantes en la implementación del modelo comunitario en 2014 se relacionaron con la ausencia de una perspectiva de salud pública, con la mala gestión y rendición de cuentas, y la ralentización del desarrollo de equipos, servicios y redes de servicios de orientación comunitaria. El modelo se modificó poco globalmente entre 2008 y 2014, pero algunas prácticas clave, como la universalidad y gratuidad del sistema, la atención sectorizada, el acortamiento de los tiempos de espera, las subvenciones a las asociaciones de usuarios y familiares, y la aplicación de la "ley de dependencia" se contrajeron de forma sustancial en muchas comunidades. Otras prácticas, como la historia clínica informatizada, los planes Individualizados de atención y el tratamiento asertivo comunitario, incrementaron su cobertura en algunas comunidades a pesar de la recesión

Introduction: The objective of this study is to evaluate the implementation of the community mental health care model in the Spanish state in 2014. Secondly, we aim to analyze the changes experienced by the model in 2008, in relation to the economic recession. Materials and methods: We adopted the definition of community model proposed in the Strategy in Mental Health of the National Health System; according to which the model is based on 8 principles and is implemented by means of 39 care practices. The Autonomous Boards of the Spanish Association of Neuropsychiatry conducted a survey on the degree of compliance with the community model in each autonomous community. Results:Responses were obtained from 13 Autonomous Boards, which provided information on the 93% of the Spanish population. Conclusion: The most important shortcomings in the implementation of the community model in 2014 were related to the absence of a public health perspective, to poor management and accountability, and a slowdown in the diversification of community-based teams, services and networks. Globally, the model changed little between 2008 and 2014, but some key practices, such as the free and universal health coverage, the sectorization, the shortening of waiting times, the financial support to users and associations of relatives, and the implementation of the "Dependency Act", deteriorated substantially in many autonomous communities. However, other practices, such as the computerization of medical files, individualized care plans (Care Programme Approach), and the assertive community treatment, increased their coverage in some communities despite the recession

Discordancia entre fuentes estadísticas sanitarias de ámbito nacional (EMH y EESCRI, 1990-2009). Análisis de la morbilidad psiquiátrica / Discordance between two national health statistics sources (EMH and EESCRI, 1990-2009). Analysis of psychiatric morbidity

Introducción: Dos fuentes estadísticas sanitarias proporcionan datos sobre altas y estancias en todos los hospitales españoles: la Encuesta de Morbilidad Hospitalaria (EMH) y la Estadística de Establecimientos Sanitarios con Régimen de Internado (EESCRI). Nuestro objetivo es contrastar ambas fuentes para definir su precisión y pertinencia en estudios de epidemiología psiquiátrica. Material y métodos: Se focaliza el análisis en 2 aspectos: 1.- comparar el número de altas y estancias psiquiátricas recogidas entre 1990-2009; 2.- analizar y comparar el modo en que se proporciona la estancia media. Resultados: Las diferencias entre ambas fuentes son profundas y aumentan con el tiempo. En 2005-2009 la EMH registró un 121% más de altas (577.078 vs. 475.414) y un 46% (14.239.527 vs. 30.821.412) menos de estancias psiquiátricas que la EESCRI. Por otra parte, la estancia media estimada a través de la EESCRI presenta serios problemas metodológicos, particularmente en entornos con hospitalizaciones prolongadas (hospitales psiquiátricos), siendo la estimación de la EESCRI potencialmente inferior al valor real. Conclusiones: Sorprende que los cuestionarios cumplimentados por los hospitales para elaborar la EESCRI proporcionen una morbilidad asistida tan alejada de la que recoge la EMH, cuando ambas fuentes disponen de los mismos registros de pacientes hospitalizados para su elaboración. Resulta difícil atribuir esas diferencias a errores de muestreo, ya que la EMH posee una fracción de muestreo muy elevada, lo que minimiza el error muestral. Ante la discordancia entre fuentes se aconseja utilizar la EMH que ofrece datos más fiables y permite determinar con precisión la duración de las hospitalizaciones (AU)

Introduction: Two statistical sources provide data on hospital stays and discharges for all Spanish hospitals: Hospital Morbidity Survey (acronym in Spanish: EMH) and Statistics of Health Establishments providing Inpatient Care (acronym in Spanish: EESCRI). Our aim is to contrast these two statistical sources to define their accuracy and relevance in psychiatric epidemiology studies. Material and Methodology: The analysis is based on two aspects: 1.- Compare the number of psychiatric stays and hospital discharges from 1990-2009, 2.- Analyze and compare how the average stay is provided. Results: The differences between the two statistical sources are significant and increase over time. In 2005-2009 the EMH records 121% of hospitalizations (577,078 vs. 475,414) and 46% (14,239,527 vs. 30,821,412) of psychiatric stays, compared with EESCRI. Moreover, the average stay estimated by EESCRI shows serious methodological problems, particularly in settings of prolonged hospitalization (psychiatric hospitals); the estimations are potentially below the real value. Conclusions: Surprisingly, the questionnaires completed by hospitals to develop the EESCRI provide data on assisted morbidity quite different from that provided by the EMH, despite both statistical sources having the same inpatient records for data processing. It is difficult to attribute these differences to sampling error, as the EMH has a very high sampling fraction, which minimizes the sampling error. Given the mismatch between sources, we recommend using the EMH, as it offers more reliable data and allows an accurate determination of the length of stays (AU)

Discordance between two national health statistics sources (EMH and EESCRI, 1990-2009). Analysis of psychiatric morbidity.

INTRODUCTION: Two statistical sources provide data on hospital stays and discharges for all Spanish hospitals: Hospital Morbidity Survey (acronym in Spanish: EMH) and Statistics of Health Establishments providing Inpatient Care (acronym in Spanish: EESCRI). Our aim is to contrast these two statistical sources to define their accuracy and relevance in psychiatric epidemiology studies. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: The analysis is based on two aspects: 1.- Compare the number of psychiatric stays and hospital discharges from 1990-2009, 2.- Analyze and compare how the average stay is provided. RESULTS: The differences between the two statistical sources are significant and increase over time. In 2005-2009 the EMH records 121% of hospitalizations (577,078 vs. 475,414) and 46% (14,239,527 vs. 30,821,412) of psychiatric stays, compared with EESCRI. Moreover, the average stay estimated by EESCRI shows serious methodological problems, particularly in settings of prolonged hospitalization (psychiatric hospitals); the estimations are potentially below the real value. CONCLUSIONS: Surprisingly, the questionnaires completed by hospitals to develop the EESCRI provide data on assisted morbidity quite different from that provided by the EMH, despite both statistical sources having the same inpatient records for data processing. It is difficult to attribute these differences to sampling error, as the EMH has a very high sampling fraction, which minimizes the sampling error. Given the mismatch between sources, we recommend using the EMH, as it offers more reliable data and allows an accurate determination of the length of stays.

How does family intervention improve the outcome of people with schizophrenia?

BACKGROUND: There is strong evidence of the efficacy of family psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia, but evidence of the role played by the attitudes of relatives in the therapeutic process is lacking. METHOD: To study the effect of a family intervention on family attitudes and to analyse their mediating role in the therapeutic process 50 patients with schizophrenia and their key relatives undergoing a trial on the efficacy of a family psychosocial intervention were studied by means of the Affective Style Coding System, the Scale of Empathy, and the Relational Control Coding System. Specific statistical methods were used to determine the nature of the relationship of the relatives' attitudes to the outcome of family intervention. RESULTS: Family psychosocial intervention was associated with a reduction in relatives' guilt induction and dominance and an improvement in empathy. Empathy and lack of dominance were identified as independent mediators of the effect of family psychosocial intervention. The change in empathy and dominance during the first 9 months of the intervention predicted the outcome in the following 15 months. CONCLUSION: Relatives' empathy and lack of dominance are mediators of the beneficial effect of family psychosocial intervention on patient's outcome.

Unmet needs in the management of schizophrenia.

Studies on unmet needs during the last decades have played a significant role in the development and dissemination of evidence-based community practices for persistent schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders. This review has thoroughly considered several blocks of unmet needs, which are frequently related to schizophrenic disorders. Those related to health have been the first block to be considered, in which authors have examined the frequent complications and comorbidities found in schizophrenia, such as substance abuse and dual diagnosis. A second block has been devoted to psychosocial and economic needs, especially within the field of recovery of the persistently mentally ill. Within this block, the effects of the current economic difficulties shown in recent literature have been considered as well. Because no patient is static, a third block has reviewed evolving needs according to the clinical staging model. The fourth block has been dedicated to integrated evidence-based interventions to improve the quality of life of persons with schizophrenia. Consideration of community care for those reluctant to maintain contact with mental health services has constituted the fifth block. Finally, authors have aggregated their own reflections regarding future trends. The number of psychosocial unmet needs is extensive. Vast research efforts will be needed to find appropriate ways to meet them, particularly regarding so-called existential needs, but many needs could be met only by applying existing evidence-based interventions. Reinforcing research on the implementation strategies and capacity building of professionals working in community settings might address this problem. The final aim should be based on the collaborative model of care, which rests on the performance of a case manager responsible for monitoring patient progress, providing assertive follow-up, teaching self-help strategies, and facilitating communication among the patient, family doctor, mental health specialist, and other specialists.

Inverse and direct cancer comorbidity in people with central nervous system disorders: a meta-analysis of cancer incidence in 577,013 participants of 50 observational studies.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of scientific consensus about cancer comorbidity in people with central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This study assesses the co-occurrence of cancers in patients with CNS disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), autism spectrum disorders, Down's syndrome (DS), Huntington's disease (HD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD) and schizophrenia (SCZ). METHOD: Comprehensive search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and ISI Web of Knowledge of the literature published before March 2013. We identified 51 relevant articles from 2,229 discrete references, 50 of which contained data suitable for quantitative synthesis (577,013 participants). Pooled effect sizes (ES) were calculated using multiple random-effects meta-analyses. Sources of heterogeneity and uncertainty were explored by means of subgroup and sensitivity analyses, respectively. RESULTS: The presence of CNS disorders was associated with a reduced co-occurrence of cancer (ES = 0.92; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.87-0.98; I(2) = 94.5%). A consistently lower overall co-occurrence of cancer was detected in patients with neurodegenerative disorders (ES = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.75- 0.86; I(2) = 82.8%), and in those with AD (ES = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.22-0.46; I(2) = 0.0%), PD (ES = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.76-0.91; I(2) = 80.0%), MS (ES = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.87-0.95; I(2) = 30.3%) and HD (ES = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.42-0.67; I(2) = 56.4%). Patients with DS had a higher overall co-occurrence of cancer (ES = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.08-1.96; I(2) = 87.9%). No association was observed between cancer and ALS (ES = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.76-1.25; I(2) = 0.0%) or SCZ (ES = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.90-1.07; I(2) = 96.3%). Patients with PD, MS and SCZ showed (a) higher co-occurrence of some specific cancers (e.g. PD with melanoma, MS with brain cancers and SCZ with breast cancer), and (b) lower co-occurrence of other specific cancers (e.g. lung, prostate and colorectal cancers in PD; lung and prostate cancers in MS; and melanoma and prostate cancer in SCZ). CONCLUSION: Increased and decreased co-occurrence of cancer in patients with CNS disorders represents an opportunity to discover biological and non-biological connections between these complex disorders.

Psychometric behaviour of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) in the Spanish national health survey 2006.

BACKGROUND: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a tool to measure the risk for mental disorders in children. The aim of this study is to describe the diagnostic efficiency and internal structure of the SDQ in the sample of children studied in the Spanish National Health Survey 2006. METHODS: A representative sample of 6,773 children aged 4 to 15 years was studied. The data were obtained using the Minors Questionnaire in the Spanish National Health Survey 2006. The ROC curve was constructed and calculations made of the area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity and the Youden J indices. The factorial structure was studied using models of exploratory factorial analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA). RESULTS: The prevalence of behavioural disorders varied between 0.47% and 1.18% according to the requisites of the diagnostic definition. The area under the ROC curve varied from 0.84 to 0.91 according to the diagnosis. Factor models were cross-validated by means of two different random subsamples for EFA and CFA. An EFA suggested a three correlated factor model. CFA confirmed this model. A five-factor model according to EFA and the theoretical five-factor model described in the bibliography were also confirmed. The reliabilities of the factors of the different models were acceptable (>0.70, except for one factor with reliability 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic behaviour of the SDQ in the Spanish population is within the working limits described in other countries. According to the results obtained in this study, the diagnostic efficiency of the questionnaire is adequate to identify probable cases of psychiatric disorders in low prevalence populations. Regarding the factorial structure we found that both the five and the three factor models fit the data with acceptable goodness of fit indexes, the latter including an externalization and internalization dimension and perhaps a meaningful positive social dimension.Accordingly, we recommend studying whether these differences depend on sociocultural factors or are, in fact, due to methodological questions.

Construcción y fiabilidad de un cuestionario para evaluar las necesidades familiares de personas con trastorno mental grave / Construction and reliability of a questionnaire to assess the needs of relatives of patients with severe mental disorder

Numerosos estudios señalan la importante carga a la que se ven sometidos los familiares de personas con trastorno mental grave, así como el papel fundamental que adquieren en su evolución. En este contexto adquiere una relevancia fundamental el conocimiento de las necesidades no satisfechas que presenta el entorno familiar(AU)

Several studies report the significant burden born by relatives of people with severe mental illness and the role it plays in the course of the disorder(AU)

A short message service (SMS)-based strategy for enhancing adherence to antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a short message service (SMS)-based strategy on adherence to antipsychotic treatment. METHODS: A multicentre, randomised, open-label, controlled, 6-month study with clinically stabilised outpatients with schizophrenia was conducted. The patients assigned to the intervention received daily SMS reminders to take their medication for 3 months. Self-reported medication adherence was determined using the Morisky Green Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ). Secondary outcomes were severity of illness, attitude towards medication, insight into illness and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 254 patients were analysed. A significantly greater improvement in adherence was observed among patients receiving SMS text messages compared with the control group. The mean change in MAQ total score from baseline to month 3 was -1.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) -1.02, -0.98) and -0.7 (95%CI -0.72, -0.68), respectively (P=0.02). Greater improvement in negative, cognitive and global clinical symptoms at month 3 was observed. Attitude towards medication also significantly improved across the study in the intervention group versus the controls. CONCLUSIONS: An SMS-based intervention seems feasible and acceptable for enhancing medication adherence. Further studies are needed to confirm whether this kind of intervention could be a complementary strategy to optimise adherence in schizophrenia.

Standardised measures of needs, stigma and informal care in schizophrenia using a bottom-up, cross-cultural approach.

Background There is a lack of instruments to measure the needs, stigma and informal care of people with schizophrenia that take account of sociocultural variation and patients' and formal and informal carers' opinions and experiences. Aims To develop questionnaires to measure stigma, needs and informal (non-professional) care for people with schizophrenia. Method We undertook the study in seven countries and in English, Spanish and Portuguese. We first held focus group discussions with patients, formal carers (professionals) and informal carers (family and friends) in Spain, the UK, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Venezuela to elicit the main dimensions of needs, stigma and informal care. We then held nominal group discussions about these dimensions with patients, family members and professionals in Spain, Portugal and the UK, to develop the instruments. Results Three hundred and three people participated in 46 focus groups and results were discussed in three nominal groups, each involving eight participants. Three instruments were developed in this iterative process: needs for care (46 items), stigma (38 items) and informal care (20 items). Conclusions These instruments are based on service users' and carers' views and experiences and have cross-cultural validity. They will have application in assessment of outcomes for people with schizophrenia and their families.

La opinión de los residentes de psiquiatría sobre la formación que reciben / The opinion of psychiatric residents on the training they receive

Se presentan y comentan los resultados de una encuesta llevada a cabo por la Comisión Nacional de Psiquiatría entre los MIR de psiquiatría de tercer y cuarto año. La encuesta tuvo por objeto conocer la opinión de los residentes sobre la formación que recibieron, así como el grado de satisfacción que experimentaron. Los resultados indican que la mayoría cumplieron con los requisitos del Programa Nacional de Formación Psiquiátrica y que su grado de satisfacción fue bueno. No obstante un porcentaje pequeño pero sustancial de residentes no cumplieron el programa de forma adecuada, particularmente en relación con la formación en psicoterapia, metodología de la investigación, gerontopsiquiatría, neurología y medicina general. Basándose en estos resultados la Comisión Nacional expone su opinión y presenta unas recomendaciones dirigidas a las partes interesadas en la formación de los residentes de psiquiatría en España (AU)

The results of a survey carried out by the Spanish National Board for Psychiatric Training among psychiatric trainees in their third and fourth year of training are presented and discussed. The aim of the survey was to know the resident’s opinion and level of satisfaction on the training they had received. The results indicate that the majority of residents had complied with the National Program for Psychiatric Training requirements and that their level of satisfaction was fair. However a small but substantial percentage did not comply adequately with the program, particularly in relation with the training in psychotherapy, research methodology, old age psychiatry, neurology and general medicine. Based on these results the National Board puts forward some recommendations meant for those involved in the training of psychiatrists in Spain (AU)

The opinion of psychiatric residents on the training they receive.

The results of a survey carried out by the Spanish National Board for Psychiatric Training among psychiatric trainees in their third and fourth year of training are presented and discussed. The aim of the survey was to know the resident's opinion and level of satisfaction on the training they had received. The results indicate that the majority of residents had complied with the National Program for Psychiatric Training requirements and that their level of satisfaction was fair. However a small but substantial percentage did not comply adequately with the program, particularly in relation with the training in psychotherapy, research methodology, old age psychiatry, neurology and general medicine. Based on these results the National Board puts forward some recommendations meant for those involved in the training of psychiatrists in Spain.

No paradox, no progress: inverse cancer comorbidity in people with other complex diseases.

In the past 5 years, several leading groups have attempted to explain why individuals with Down's syndrome have a reduced risk of many solid tumours and an increased risk of leukaemia and testicular cancer. Niels Bohr, the Danish physicist, noted that a paradox could initiate progress. We think that the paradox of a medical disorder protecting against cancer could be formalised in a new model of inverse cancer morbidity in people with other serious diseases. In this Personal View, we review evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies that supports a consistently lower than expected occurrence of cancer in patients with Down's syndrome, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and anorexia nervosa. Intriguingly, most comorbidities are neuropsychiatric or CNS disorders. We provide a brief overview of evidence indicating genetic and molecular connections between cancer and these complex diseases. Inverse comorbidity could be a valuable model to investigate common or related pathways or processes and test new therapies, but, most importantly, to understand why certain people are protected from the malignancy.