Psychometric properties of the GAD-7 (General Anxiety Disorder-7): a cross-sectional study of the Peruvian general population.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are among the main mental health problems worldwide and are considered one of the most disabling conditions. Therefore, it is essential to have measurement tools that can be used to screen for anxiety symptoms in the general population and thus identify potential cases of people with anxiety symptoms and provide them with timely care. Our aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7) in the Peruvian population. METHOD: Our study was a cross-sectional study. The sample included people aged 12 to 65 years in Peru. Confirmatory factor analysis, analysis of measurement invariance, convergent validity with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and internal consistency analysis were performed. RESULTS: In total, 4431 participants were included. The one-factor model showed the best fit (CFI = 0.994; TLI = 0.991; RMSEA = 0.068; WRMR = 1.567). The GAD-7 score showed measurement invariance between men and women and between age groups (adults vs. adolescents) (ΔCFI < 0.01). The internal consistency of the one-factor model was satisfactory (ω = 0.90, α = 0.93). The relationship between depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) and anxiety symptoms (GAD-7) presented a moderate correlation (r = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: Our study concluded that the GAD-7 score shows evidence of validity and reliability for the one-factor model. Furthermore, because the GAD-7 score is invariant, comparisons can be made between groups (i.e., by sex and age group). Finally, we recommend the use of the GAD-7 for the general population in the Peruvian context.

Perception of personal protective equipment availability and mental health outcomes in workers from two national hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During the first wave of the pandemic, a constant concern of healthcare workers, who are more vulnerable to contagion, is their personal safety. This is directly related to the availability of adequate PPE, which led to a perception of dissatisfaction and inequality with government responses. We aim t o determines whether perception of adequate PPE availability is associated with depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms in different types of healthcare workers. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study surveyed clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers in two third-level hospitals in Lima, Peru. An online self-survey assessed the perception of adequate PPE availability, using a Likert scale question, which was then dichotomized for the analysis. In addition, we assessed the depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms using validated questionnaires. Results: 563 participants were included. In general, there is no association between perception of PPE availability and three mental health outcomes. However, in the subgroup analysis, physicians with better perception of PPE availability had less moderate-severe outcomes in mental health; in contrast, nurses had higher moderate-severe outcomes. The type of profession in healthcare workers may modify the effect of this association. Conclusion: The association between perception of PPE availability and mental health outcomes is complex in healthcare workers from two third-level hospitals. This association can vary according to the type of work.

Características clínicas en pacientes atendidos en una unidad de psiquiatría de emergencia en un hospital general de Perú

Introducción. En los últimos 10 a 20 años, la psiquiatría de emergencia ha experimentado un progreso constante en cuanto a la prestación de servicios altamente especializados y enfocados en el paciente. Este aumento global refleja desafíos en accesibilidad y calidad de atención. En el contexto peruano, la legislación de salud mental y múltiples directrices clínicas orientan la prestación de servicios, no obstante, la insuficiencia de datos representa una barrera significativa para la toma de decisiones informadas. Objetivo. Examinar y reportar las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes evaluados en la Unidad de Psiquiatría de Emergencia del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen (HNGAI), de Lima, Perú, y analizar la naturaleza de los cuadros sintomatológicos y sindrómicos. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo, transversal. Se estudiaron las interconsultas recibidas por la Unidad de Psiquiatría de Emergencia del HNGAI, entre julio y diciembre del 2022. Se aplicó un análisis factorial de los síntomas. Resultados. En 1037 pacientes vistos en interconsulta, la edad promedio fue 41,15 ± 23,52 años. El 65,2 % fueron mujeres. La tasa de derivación fue de 1,18 %. Los trastornos más frecuentes fueron los del humor (27,8 %); los síntomas más frecuentes fueron el afecto ansioso (47,3 %), insomnio (38,8 %) y ánimo depresivo (32,6 %). Con respecto al tratamiento, el más usado fueron los antipsicóticos (50,4 %). El análisis factorial exploratorio de los síntomas mostró siete factores o componentes sindrómicos importantes: psicótico, delirium, depresivo-suicida, obsesivo-compulsivo, negativo, apático, ansioso. Conclusión. El paciente típico de esta muestra fue mujer al inicio de su cuarta década de vida. Los trastornos del humor y los síntomas ansiosos fueron los más comunes. El análisis factorial exploratorio mostró la presencia de siete síndromes. Es necesario incrementar la recopilación sistemática de datos e inversión en investigación en psiquiatría de emergencia, todo con la finalidad de mejorar la atención que se brinda a estos pacientes.

Introduction. In the last 10 to 20 years, emergency psychiatry has undergone consistent progress in providing highly specialized and patient-focused services. This global advancement reflects challenges in accessibility and quality of care. In the Peruvian context, mental health legislation and various clinical guidelines guide service provision; however, the lack of data constitutes a significant barrier to informed decision-making. Objective. The objective of this study was to examine and report the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients evaluated at the Emergency Psychiatry Unit of the National Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen Hospital (HNGAI) in Lima, Peru, and analyze the nature of the symptomatic and syndromic profiles present. Methods. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Interconsultations received by the Emergency Psychiatry Unit of HNGAI between July and December 2022 were analyzed. A factorial analysis of symptoms was conducted. Results. Out of a total of 1037 patients seen in interconsultation, the mean age was 41.15 ± 23.52 years. 65.2% of the patients were female. The referral rate was 1.18%. Mood disorders (27.8%) were the most frequent diagnoses, with anxious affect (47.3%), insomnia (38.8%), and depressive mood (32.6%) being the most common symptoms. Antipsychotics (50.4%) were the most used treatment modality. Exploratory factor analysis of symptoms revealed the presence of seven important syndromic factors: psychotic, delirium, depressive-suicidal, obsessive-compulsive, negative, apathetic, and anxious. Conclusion. The typical patient in this sample was a female in the early forties. Mood disorders and anxious symptoms were the most prevalent. Exploratory factor analysis identified the presence of seven syndromes. There is a need to increase systematic data collection and investment in emergency psychiatry research to enhance the care provided to these patients.

Factors associated with mental health in Peruvian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre quantitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the mental health status and associated factors of Peruvian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Descriptive, multicentre, correlational study that used the "Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)", the "Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)" and the "Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R)" questionnaires to evaluate mental health problems. RESULTS: A total of 1,238 students from 8 Peruvian medical schools participated in the study. Of these, 68.5% were women, and the mean age was 21.4 years. Depressive symptoms were found in 74% of the participants, anxiety symptoms in 57% and distress symptoms in 65%. The variables associated with the development of symptoms of moderate-severe depression, anxiety and distress were: not having family economic stability, being in the first years of medical training, being female, and fearing that their medical training would be delayed and impaired. CONCLUSIONS: In a sample of medical students surveyed during the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health problems were common. The factors associated with mental health reported in this study could be useful in identifying vulnerable medical students who require timely psychosocial support and/or psychiatric care.

Evolution and differences of suicide rates in Peru by gender and department, 2017-2019.

INTRODUCTION: Annual suicide rates are increasingly notably worldwide due to various accompanying risk factors. The objective of this study is to know the suicide mortality rates and their distribution between the years 2017 and 2019. METHODS: The national death registries of the Ministry of Health of Peru were analysed, calculating the regional death rates from suicides adjusted for age and gender using the standardisation recommended by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: A total of 1666 cases of suicide were identified (69.3% males); the age group with the highest frequency was that of 20-29 years (27.8%); the mean age at suicide was higher in males (37.49±18.96 vs. 27.86±15.42; P<.001). Hanging was the most common suicide method among both males (58.87%) and females (48.14%). For males, hanging was followed by poisoning (22.6%) and firearms (4.59%); for females, by poisoning (38.75%) and firearms (0.59%). The suicide rate increased from 2017 (1.44/100,000 inhabitants) to 2019 (1.95). The highest rates were identified in the departments of Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna. CONCLUSIONS: In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of suicide cases and the rates by department, with the highest number of cases reported in males. Males tend to use more violent suicide methods. The risk factors in the vulnerable populations that were identified in this study need to be known.

Sensitivity and specificity of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, PHQ-8, PHQ-2) and General Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7, GAD-2) for depression and anxiety diagnosis: a cross-sectional study in a Peruvian hospital population.

OBJECTIVES: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD) are widely used screening tools, but their sensitivity and specificity in low-income and middle-income countries are lower than in high-income countries. We conducted a study to determine the sensitivity and specificity of different versions of these scales in a Peruvian hospital population. DESIGN: Our study has a cross-sectional design. SETTING: Our participants are hospitalised patients in a Peruvian hospital. The gold standard was a clinical psychiatric interview following ICD-10 criteria for depression (F32.0, F32.1, F32.2 and F32.3) and anxiety (F41.0 and F41.1). PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 1347 participants. A total of 334 participants (24.8%) were diagnosed with depression, and 28 participants (2.1%) were diagnosed with anxiety. RESULTS: The PHQ-9's≥7 cut-off point showed the highest simultaneous sensitivity and specificity when contrasted against a psychiatric diagnosis of depression. For a similar contrast against the gold standard, the other optimal cut-off points were: ≥7 for the PHQ-8 and ≥2 for the PHQ-2. In particular, the cut-off point ≥8 had good performance for GAD-7 with sensitivity and specificity, and cut-off point ≥10 had lower levels of sensitivity, but higher levels of specificity, compared with the cut-off point of ≥8. Also, we present the sensitivity and specificity values of each cut-off point in PHQ-9, PHQ-8, PHQ-2, GAD-7 and GAD-2. We confirmed the adequacy of a one-dimensional model for the PHQ-9, PHQ-8 and GAD-7, while all PHQ and GAD scales showed good reliability. CONCLUSIONS: The PHQ and GAD have adequate measurement properties in their different versions. We present specific cut-offs for each version.

Factors associated with mental health in Peruvian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre quantitative study

Objective: To assess the mental health status and associated factors of Peruvian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Descriptive, multicentre, correlational study that used the "Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)", the "Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)" and the "Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R)" questionnaires to evaluate mental health problems. Results: A total of 1,238 students from 8 Peruvian medical schools participated in the study. Of these, 68.5% were women, and the mean age was 21.4 years. Depressive symptoms were found in 74% of the participants, anxiety symptoms in 57% and distress symptoms in 65%. The variables associated with the development of symptoms of moderate-severe depression, anxiety and distress were: not having family economic stability, being in the first years of medical training, being female, and fearing that their medical training would be delayed and impaired. Conclusions: In a sample of medical students surveyed during the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health problems were common. The factors associated with mental health reported in this study could be useful in identifying vulnerable medical students who require timely psychosocial support and/or psychiatric care.

Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de salud mental y sus factores asociados en una muestra de estudiantes de Medicina peruanos durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos:Estudio descriptivo, multicéntrico y correlacional que utilizó las escalas Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) e Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) para evaluar los problemas de salud mental. Resultados: Participaron en total 1.238 estudiantes de 8 facultades de Medicina de Perú. El 68,5% eran mujeres y la media de edad, 21,4 anos. Se encontraron síntomas depresivos en el 74% de los participantes, síntomas de ansiedad en el 57% y síntomas de malestar en el 65%. Las variables asociadas con la aparición de síntomas depresivos moderados-graves, ansiedad y malestar fueron no tener estabilidad económica familiar, estar en los primeros an os de formación médica, ser mujer y sentir el temor de que su formación médica se retrase y se deteriore. Conclusiones: En una muestra de estudiantes de Medicina encuestados durante la pandemia de COVID-19, los problemas de salud mental fueron comunes. Los factores asociados con la salud mental reportados en este estudio podrían ser útiles para identificar a los estudiantes de Medicina vulnerables que requieran apoyo psicosocial y/o atención psiquiátrica oportuna.

Evolución y diferencias en las tasas de suicidio en Perú por sexo y por departamentos, 2017-2019

Introducción: Cada ano, los casos de suicidio vienen en notable aumento en todo el mundo por diversos factores de riesgo. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer las tasas de mortalidad por suicidios y su distribución entre los años 2017 y 2019. Métodos: Se analizaron los registros nacionales del Sistema Nacional de defunciones del Ministerio de Salud del Perú. Se calcularon las tasas regionales de mortalidad por suicidios ajustadas por edad y sexo mediante la estandarización recomendada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Resultados: Se identificaron 1.666 casos de suicidio (el 69,3% varones); el grupo etario con mayor frecuencia fue el de 20 a 29 años (27,8%); la media de edad al suicidio fue mayor en los varones (37,49 ± 18,96 frente a 27,86 ± 15,42; p< 0,001). El ahorcamiento fue el método de suicidio más prevalente entre los varones (58,87%) y las mujeres (48,14%). En el caso de los varones, los demás métodos fueron envenenamiento (22,6%) y armas de fuego (4,59%); en el de las mujeres, envenenamiento (38,75%) y uso de armas de fuego (0,59%). La tasa de suicidio aumento de 2017 (1,44 muertes/100.000 hab.) a 2019 (1,95). Las mayores tasas se identificaron en los departamentos de Arequipa, Moquegua y Tacna. Conclusiones: En los últimos años ha habido un aumento en el número de casos de suicidio y en las tasas por departamento; el mayor número de casos reportados se da en los varones, que tienden a utilizar métodos de suicidio más violentos. Se requiere conocer los factores de riesgo en las poblaciones vulnerables identificadas en este estudio.

Introduction: Annual suicide rates are increasingly notably worldwide due to various accompanying risk factors. The objective of this study is to know the suicide mortality rates and their distribution between the years 2017 and 2019. Methods: The national death registries of the Ministry of Health of Peru were analysed, calculating the regional death rates from suicides adjusted for age and gender using the standardisation recommended by the World Health Organization. Results: A total of 1,666 cases of suicide were identified (69.3% males); the age group with the highest frequency was that of 20 to 29 years (27.8%); the mean age at suicide was higher in males (37.49 ± 18.96 vs. 27.86 ± 15.42; p < 0.001). Hanging was the most common suicide method among both males (58.87%) and females (48.14%). For males, hanging was followed by poisoning (22.6%) and firearms (4.59%); for females, by poisoning (38.75%) and firearms (0.59%). The suicide rate increased from 2017 (1.44/100,000 inhabitants) to 2019 (1.95). The highest rates were identified in the departments of Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna. Conclusions: In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of suicide cases and the rates by department, with the highest number of cases reported in males. Males tend to use more violent suicide methods. The risk factors in the vulnerable populations that were identified in this study need to be known.

Síndrome neuroléptico maligno

El síndrome neuroléptico maligno (SNM) es una reacción adversa medicamentosa potencialmente fatal asociada comúnmente a medicamentos antipsicóticos. Este artículo presenta una revisión actualizada sobre el SNM, aborda su epidemiología, factores de riesgo, presentación clínica, posibles mecanismos subyacentes y tratamiento. Se busca mejorar el reconocimiento temprano, diagnóstico y manejo del SNM en el ámbito clínico para reducir su morbimortalidad. La búsqueda de literatura se realizó en PubMed, fueron priorizados ensayos aleatorizados, revisiones sistemáticas, estudios retrospectivos y reportes de caso. La incidencia del SNM ha disminuido en los últimos años, posiblemente debido a una mejor prescripción y titulación de la medicación. Los factores de riesgo incluyen el uso de antipsicóticos de alta potencia, dosis elevadas, incremento rápido de la dosis y uso de antipsicóticos inyectables de depósito. Se han identificado factores ambientales como la deshidratación, sujeción mecánica y temperaturas extremas. Algunas características psicopatológicas, como la agitación psicomotriz y la confusión, también se han asociado al SNM. Los factores hereditarios y los polimorfismos genéticos pueden influir en la susceptibilidad al SNM, pero se requieren estudios adicionales. La fisiopatología del SNM se relaciona con el bloqueo excesivo de los receptores dopaminérgicos, pero otros cofactores y sistemas neurotransmisores también podrían estar involucrados. El cuadro clínico del SNM se caracteriza por cambios en el estado mental, rigidez muscular, hipertermia, síntomas catatónicos y sudoración profusa. Existen diversas formas de tratamiento, desde medidas generales hasta intervenciones farmacológicas.

The Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a potentially fatal adverse drug reaction commonly associated with antipsychotic medications. This article presents an updated review of NMS, addressing its epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, possible underlying mechanisms, and treatment. The aim is to improve early recognition, diagnosis, and management of NMS in the Peruvian clinical setting to reduce morbidity and mortality. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, prioritizing randomized studies, systematic reviews, retrospective studies, and case reports. The incidence of NMS has decreased in recent years, possibly due to better medication prescription and titration. Risk factors include the use of high-potency antipsychotics, high doses, rapid dose escalation, and the use of depot injectable antipsychotics. Environmental factors such as dehydration, mechanical restraint, and extreme temperatures have been identified. Some psychopathological characteristics, such as psychomotor agitation and confusion, have also been associated with NMS. Genetic factors and genetic polymorphisms may influence susceptibility to NMS, but further studies are needed. The pathophysiology of NMS is related to excessive blockade of dopaminergic receptors, but other cofactors and neurotransmitter systems may be involved. The clinical presentation of NMS is characterized by changes in mental status, muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, catatonic symptoms, and profuse sweating. There are various treatment approaches ranging from general measures to pharmacological interventions.

Characteristics of undergraduate and second speciality mental health programmes in Peru: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to describe the training offered and the availability of professionals required by the Ministry of Health for mental health problems management in the community. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on the training offered in mental health in Peruvian universities. A search for programs was conducted using the University Information System database and universities' websites, as well as using the Ministry of Health's database on health personnel and data on the number of enrolled and current students provided by the University Information System database and the Transparency section of the universities. RESULTS: There were 214 undergraduate, 55 specialty and 7 subspecialty programmes, of which 39%, 47% and 100%, respectively, were offered in the capital city. The duration ranged from 5 to 7 years for undergraduate programs and from 1 to 3 years for subspecialty and second specialty programs. The cost of undergraduate programs ranged from free of charge up to USD 6863.75 for the first semester of study. Second specialty programs ranged from 720 up to 11 986 USD and subspecialty programs ranged from 2267 up to 9138 USD, with medicine being the most expensive. On the other hand, there are a greater number of psychology students (n = 78 781) pursuing undergraduate studies than working professionals (n = 5368), while in the second specialty of psychiatry there are far fewer students pursuing the specialty (n = 67) than working professionals (n = 454). CONCLUSIONS: The problem of professional training in mental health requires that the institutions involved in health and education develop policies to decentralize programs, communicate the demand for professionals in certain areas, make them accessible to the low-income population, respond to mental health problems and guarantee their quality. On the other hand, regarding the low number of mental health personnel working, it is suggested to increase the mental health budget to generate more mental health services and employment.

Psychopathy traits and their association with depression, anxiety and sociodemographic factors in Peruvian medical students

Introduction: Psychopathic traits harm the professional development and interpersonal relations of the general population, including healthcare professionals. This can be seen not only in already licensed physicians, but it may also be evidenced since their formative years as medical students. Objective: To evaluate the presence of psychopathic traits in a sample of Peruvian medical students and determining whether there is an association between sociodemographic and mental health (depression and anxiety) characteristics on the levels of psychopathic traits. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 497 students of a Peruvian medical school. Through online questionnaires, the following instruments were self-administered: Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Results: 19.7% of the participants were in the psychopathic group. The variables associated with a higher frequency of belonging to the psychopathic group were male sex (aPR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.58-2.79, p < 0.05), having clinically relevant depressive (aPR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.41-2.96, p < 0.05) and anxious symptoms (aPR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01-2.09, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Medical students of the sample studied show a high prevalence of psychopathy traits. The variables associated with a higher frequency of belonging to the psychopathic group were male sex, having clinically relevant depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. More involvement on behalf of the medical school is necessary as to the identification of the psychopathic traits in medical students.

Introducción: Los rasgos psicopáticos perjudican el desarrollo profesional y las relaciones interpersonales de la población general, incluidos los profesionales de la salud. Esto se puede ver no solo en médicos ya graduados, sino que también se puede evidenciar desde sus años formativos como estudiantes de medicina. Objetivo: Evaluar la presencia de rasgos psicopáticos en una muestra de estudiantes de medicina peruanos y determinar si existe asociación entre características sociodemográficas y de salud mental (depresión y ansiedad) sobre los niveles de rasgos psicopáticos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 497 estudiantes de una facultad de medicina peruana. A través de cuestionarios en línea, se autoadministraron los siguientes instrumentos: Escala de Psicopatía de Autoinforme de Levenson (LSRP), Cuestionario de Salud del Paciente-9 (PHQ-9) y Trastorno de Ansiedad Generalizada-7 (GAD-7). Resultados: El 19,7% de los participantes pertenecían al grupo de rasgos psicopáticos. Las variables asociadas a una mayor frecuencia de pertenecer al grupo psicopático fueron el sexo masculino (RPa = 2,10, IC 95%: 1,58-2,79, p < 0,05), tener síntomas depresivos (RPa = 2,05, IC 95%: 1,41-2,96, p < 0,05) y ansiosos (RPa = 1,46, IC 95%: 1,01-2,09, p < 0,05) clínicamente relevantes. Conclusiones: Los estudiantes de medicina de la muestra estudiada presentan una alta prevalencia de rasgos psicopáticos. Las variables asociadas a una mayor frecuencia de pertenecer al grupo psicopático fueron el sexo masculino, tener síntomas depresivos y ansiosos clínicamente relevantes. Es necesaria una mayor participación por parte de las facultades de medicina en cuanto a la identificación de los rasgos psicopáticos en sus estudiantes.

One-year follow-up of depression, anxiety, and quality of life of Peruvian patients who survived COVID-19.

PURPOSE: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its associated factors in patients who survived COVID-19 and to assess a prospective evaluation of the prevalence and severity of their depression and anxiety symptoms. METHODS: We followed up a sample of hospitalized patients who survived COVID-19 at 3 and 12 months after discharge. We assessed HRQoL (Euroqol-5D-5L) through telephone interviews. Any problem in any dimension of Euroqol-5D-5L was considered as low HRQoL. The depression and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 tools, respectively. We estimated the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) to low HRQoL using Poisson regression and the changes on their depression and anxiety symptoms during the follow-up. RESULTS: We included 119 patients with a mean follow-up time of 363.6 days. 74% of the participants had low HRQoL at one year after hospital discharge and were associated with being ≥ 41 years old (aPR: 1.95), having a previous history of psychiatric diagnoses before COVID-19 infection (aPR: 1.47), having any COVID-19 symptom during the follow-up at one year (aPR: 1.84), and having a family member who had died from COVID-19 during the first wave (aPR: 1.24). In addition, the clinically relevant depression symptoms were frequent, and they increased from 3 (14.3%) to 12 months (18.5%). CONCLUSION: One year after COVID-19 hospitalization discharge, patients had low HRQoL, and their depression symptoms increased. These findings acknowledge the need to provide services that adequately address mental health sequels and HRQoL to reduce the burden of the COVID-19.

Factors associated with suicidal ideation among medical students during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru: A multicenter study.

We aimed to describe the prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation in a sample of 1238 medical students from different medical schools in Peru based on question 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Our results revealed that 17.9% of the participants had suicidal ideation. Furthermore, using logistic regression, we found that not practicing any religion, the presence of clinically significant depression, and the presence of clinically significant anxiety were statistically related to the presence of suicidal ideation. Our results indicate that suicidal ideation was highly prevalent in the sample of medical students studied.

Mental Health in COVID-2019 Survivors from a General Hospital in Peru: Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Inflammatory Variable Associations.

The current coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic constitutes a significant public health problem worldwide, as well as mental health problems. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health of COVID-19 survivors, considering their sociodemographic, clinical, and immune variables. A cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted on 318 COVID-19 survivors from one hospital in Peru. Through telephone interviews, evaluation of the presence of depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, anxiety symptoms through the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, somatic symptoms through Patient Health Questionnaire-15, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms through Impact of Event Scale-Revised was carried out. Poisson regression analyses were performed with their adjusted variances to calculate the prevalence ratio (PR) with their 95% confidence interval. All regression models were adjusted (PRa) for follow-up time. A significant proportion of patients have depressive (30.9%), anxious (31.1%), somatic (35.2%), and PTSD (29.5%) symptoms. The variables associated with a higher frequency of clinically relevant mental symptoms were female sex, self-perception of greater COVID-19 severity, presence of persistent COVID-19 symptoms, loss of a family member due to COVID-19, and prior psychiatric diagnosis or treatment. In addition, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in patients with clinically relevant symptoms of depression. COVID-19 survivors showed a high prevalence of negative mental symptoms. Our findings help to identify patients who are vulnerable and require psychiatric care.

An explanatory model of depressive symptoms from anxiety, post-traumatic stress, somatic symptoms, and symptom perception: the potential role of inflammatory markers in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: The context of the COVID-19 pandemic has harmed the mental health of the population, increasing the incidence of mental health problems such as depression, especially in those who have had COVID-19. Our study puts forward an explanatory model of depressive symptoms based on subjective psychological factors in those hospitalized for COVID-19 with and without biological markers (i.e., inflammatory markers). Therefore, we aim to evaluate the hypotheses proposed in the model to predict the presence of depressive symptoms. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study, using a simple random sampling. Data from 277 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Lima-Peru, were collected to assess mental health variables (i.e., depressive, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and somatic symptoms), self-perception of COVID-19 related symptoms, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) such as inflammatory marker. We performed a structural equation modeling analysis to evaluate a predictive model of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The results showed a prevalence of depressive symptoms (11.2%), anxiety symptoms (7.9%), somatic symptoms (2.2%), and symptoms of post-traumatic stress (6.1%) in the overall sample. No association was found between the prevalence of these mental health problems among individuals with and without severe inflammatory response. The mental health indicators with the highest prevalence were sleep problems (48%), low energy (47.7%), nervousness (48.77%), worry (47.7%), irritability (43.7%) and back pain (52%) in the overall sample. The model proposed to explain depressive symptoms was able to explain more than 83.7% of the variance and presented good goodness-of-fit indices. Also, a different performance between the proposed model was found between those with and without severe inflammatory response. This difference was mainly found in the relationship between anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms, and between the perception of COVID-19 related symptoms and somatic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrated that our model of mental health variables may explain depressive symptoms in hospitalized patients of COVID-19 from a third-level hospital in Peru. In the model, perception of symptoms influences somatic symptoms, which impact both anxiety symptoms and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Thus, anxiety symptoms could directly influence depressive symptoms or through symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Our findings could be useful to decision-makers for the prevention of depression, used to inform the creation of screening tools (i.e., perception of symptoms, somatic and anxiety symptoms) to identify vulnerable patients to depression.

Analysis of the care provided over a six-month period by the liaison psychiatry unit at a general hospital in Lima, Peru.

INTRODUCTION: Consultation-liaison psychiatry is a branch of clinical psychiatry that enables psychiatrists to carry out a series of activities within a general hospital. The number of liaison psychiatry units around the world has increased significantly, and Peru is no exception. However, this development is heterogeneous and unknown, so recent study reports are required to reveal the characteristics and details of the clinical care services provided by these units. AIM: To describe and report the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients evaluated in the Liaison Psychiatry Unit of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital in Lima, Peru, and to analyse the symptomatic and syndromic nature of the identified conditions. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Referrals to the Liaison Psychiatry Unit of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital between May and October 2019 were studied, and a factor analysis of the symptoms was conducted. RESULTS: In a total of 400 referrals evaluated, the average age was 58 ±â€¯17.09 years and 61.5% of the patients were women. The rate of psychiatric consultation was 2.73%. Internal medicine (13.9%) was the service that most frequently requested a psychiatric consultation. The disorder most frequently diagnosed was anxiety (44%), and the symptoms most frequently found were depression (45.3%), insomnia (44.5%), and anxiety (41.3%). The most used treatments were antidepressants (44.3%). The exploratory factor analysis of the symptoms showed three syndromic components: delirium, depression, and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The typical patient of this sample is a woman in her late 50s, suffering from a non-psychiatric medical illness, and with anxiety disorders as the main diagnosis resulting from the psychiatric consultation.

Caracterización de las atenciones de la unidad de psiquiatría de enlace durante seis meses en un hospital general de Lima, Perú / Analysis of the Care Provided Over a Six-Month Period by the Liaison Psychiatry Unit at a General Hospital in Lima, Peru

Resumen Introducción: La psiquiatría de interconsulta y enlace es un área de la psiquiatría clínica cuya función es que psiquiatras lleven a cabo una serie de actividades dentro de un hospital general. En el contexto internacional, el número de unidades de psiquiatría de enlace se ha incrementado significativamente, situación que está repercutiendo en Perú. Sin embargo, este desarrollo es heterogéneo y desconocido, por lo que se requieren reportes de estudios recientes que revelen las características y los detalles de los servicios de atención clínica de estas unidades. Objetivo: Examinar y reportar las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes evaluados en la Unidad de Psiquiatría de Enlace del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen (HNGAI) de Lima, Perú, y analizar la naturaleza de los cuadros sintomáticos y sindrómicos presentes. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y transversal de las interconsultas recibidas por la Unidad de Psiquiatría de Enlace del HNGAI entre mayo y octubre de 2019; se aplicó un análisis factorial de los síntomas. Resultados: En el total de 400 pacientes vistos en interconsulta, la media de edad fue 58 ± 17,09 arios. El 61,5% eran mujeres. La tasa de derivación fue del 2,73%. El servicio con el mayor número de referencias fue Medicina Interna (13,9%). Los trastornos más frecuentes fueron de naturaleza ansiosa (44%); los síntomas más frecuentes fueron ánimo depresivo (45,3%), insomnio (44,5%) y afecto ansioso (41,3%). Con respecto al tratamiento, el más prescrito fue con antidepresivos (44,3%). El análisis factorial exploratorio de los síntomas mostró 3 factores o componentes sindrómicos importantes: delirio, depresión y ansiedad. Conclusiones: El paciente típico de esta muestra es una mujer al final de su quinta década de vida, con enfermedad médica no psiquiátrica y con evidencia de trastornos ansiosos como diagnóstico principal resultante de la interconsulta psiquiátrica.

ABSTRACT Introduction Consultation-liaison psychiatry is a branch of clinical psychiatry that enables psychiatrists to carry out a series of activities within a general hospital. The number of liaison psychiatry units around the world has increased significantly, and Peru is no exception. However, this development is heterogeneous and unknown, so recent study reports are required to reveal the characteristics and details of the clinical care services provided by these units. Aim To describe and report the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients evaluated in the Liaison Psychiatry Unit of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital in Lima, Peru, and to analyze the symptomatic and syndromic nature of the identified conditions. Methods Cross-sectional descriptive study. Referrals to the Liaison Psychiatry Unit of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital between May and October 2019 were studied, and a factor analysis of the symptoms was conducted. Results In a total of 400 referrals evaluated, the average age was 58 ± 17.09 years and 61.5% of the patients were women. The rate of psychiatric consultation was 2.73%. Internal medicine (13.9%) was the service that most frequently requested a psychiatric consultation. The disorder most frequently diagnosed was anxiety (44%), and the symptoms most frequently found were depression (45.3%), insomnia (44.5%), and anxiety (41.3%). The most used treatments were antidepressants (44.3%). The exploratory factor analysis of the symptoms showed three syndromic components: delirium, depression, and anxiety. Conclusions: The typical patient of this sample is a woman in her late 50s, suffering from a non-psychiatric medical illness, and with anxiety disorders as the main diagnosis resulting from the psychiatric consultation.

Factors Associated with Mental Health Outcomes in Hospital Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: We investigated some of the factors associated with depression, perceived stress, and anxiety in clinical and nonclinical healthcare workers of two hospitals. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was used. The sample included clinical (physicians, nurses, and others) and nonclinical (security and cleaning staff) healthcare workers of two tertiary hospitals in Peru. Participants completed an online self-survey. In the qualitative analysis, data were subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 613 participants, of which 8.6%, 9.0%, and 78.2% had moderate-to-severe anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, respectively. Having a previous mental health problem, being concerned about losing one's job, having at least two COVID-19 symptoms in the preceding two weeks, and being afraid of infecting family members increased the prevalence of experiencing moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety. The qualitative analysis allowed us to identify five recurring factors that caused a negative impact on workers' lives during the pandemic: emotional distress linked to hospital experiences of suffering and death, modification of routines, fear of COVID-19, exacerbation of mental disorders, and physical problems associated with emotional distress. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and nonclinical healthcare workers in Peru have experienced depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research and interventions are necessary to improve psychological support for hospital workers.

Factors Associated with Distress Among Medical Staff During the Initial Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Peru.

The current COVID-19 pandemic affects the mental health of medical staff. Our objective was to evaluate the factors that are associated with the distress of physicians in two general hospitals in Lima, Peru. A cross-sectional correlational survey study was carried out. Physicians completed The Impact of Event Scale-Revised-22 (IES-R), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). A total of 310 physicians completed the survey, 36.5% of whom reported distress symptoms. Higher levels of distress were reached by women, by those with a prior psychiatric diagnosis, by those who considered that the hospital does not provide adequate personal protective equipment, and by those who perceived stigma from family members. Multiple regression analysis showed that there is a correlation between distress symptoms and anxiety symptoms, (B = 0.509), depressive symptoms (B = 0.305), the total hours/week worked in the Emergency Department (B=-0.142), and the stigma perception (B = 0.096). Early intervention programs must be developed to support medical staff members exposed to severe distress situations such as the current viral pandemic.

Development of a Framework for the Implementation of Synchronous Digital Mental Health: Realist Synthesis of Systematic Reviews.

BACKGROUND: The use of technologies has served to reduce gaps in access to treatment, and digital health interventions show promise in the care of mental health problems. However, to understand what and how these interventions work, it is imperative to document the aspects related to their challenging implementation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine what evidence is available for synchronous digital mental health implementation and to develop a framework, informed by a realist review, to explain what makes digital mental health interventions work for people with mental health problems. METHODS: The SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research type) framework was used to develop the following review question: What makes digital mental health interventions with a synchronous component work on people with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, or stress, based on implementation, economic, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies? The MEDLINE, EBM Reviews, PsycINFO, EMBASE, SCOPUS, CINAHL Complete, and Web of Science databases were searched from January 1, 2015, to September 2020 with no language restriction. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) was used to assess the risk of bias and Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (CERQual) was used to assess the confidence in cumulative evidence. Realist synthesis analysis allowed for developing a framework on the implementation of synchronous digital mental health using a grounded-theory approach with an emergent approach. RESULTS: A total of 21 systematic reviews were included in the study. Among these, 90% (n=19) presented a critically low confidence level as assessed with AMSTAR-2. The realist synthesis allowed for the development of three hypotheses to identify the context and mechanisms in which these interventions achieve these outcomes: (1) these interventions reach populations otherwise unable to have access because they do not require the physical presence of the therapist nor the patient, thereby tackling geographic barriers posed by in-person therapy; (2) these interventions reach populations otherwise unable to have access because they can be successfully delivered by nonspecialists, which makes them more cost-effective to implement in health services; and (3) these interventions are acceptable and show good results in satisfaction because they require less need of disclosure and provide more privacy, comfortability, and participation, enabling the establishment of rapport with the therapist. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a framework with three hypotheses that explain what makes digital mental health interventions with a synchronous component work on people with mental health problems. Each hypothesis represents essential outcomes in the implementation process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020203811; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020203811. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.12688/f1000research.27150.2.