Portuguese Version of the Stigma Scale: Preliminary Psychometric Characteristics.

INTRODUCTION: Stigma is associated with poor prognosis of illness and reduced help-seeking behavior, self-esteem and treatment compliance. The aims of this study were to study the reliability and construct validity of the King's et al Stigma Scale, and its association with Illness and Help-Seeking Behaviors scale (IHSBS) scores. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and forty mental health patients filled out the Stigma scale and the Illness and Help-Seeking Behaviors scale. The exploratory factor analysis of the stigma scale was performed, and its reliability studied. The correlation analysis was used and mean differences in Stigma Scale scores among IHSBS groups were explored. RESULTS: The exploratory factor analysis indicated four factors (F): F1-Disclosure, F2-Discrimination, F3-Acceptance and F4-Personal Growth, which showed acceptable/good internal consistency (α from 0.70 to 0.91). Help-seeking behaviors were not associated with stigma. The levels of Discrimination were high in the group with global high-IHSB and in patients with medium/high illness behavior (IB) and health-related worries (HW). Additionally, Disclosure and overall stigma levels were higher in groups with high-HW and with medium-IB scores (when compared with the group with low-IB). The group with low-IB also had lower levels of Acceptance and Personal Growth when compared with the groups with medium-IB and high-IB, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Stigma Scale (27 items) is a valid, reliable instrument and useful tool to assess stigma in mental health patients.

Introdução: O estigma está associado a pior prognóstico de doença e redução da procura de ajuda, autoestima e adesão ao tratamento. Os objetivos deste estudo foram estudar a fidedignidade a validade de construto da Escala de Estigma de King et al e a sua associação com as pontuações da Escala de Comportamento de Procura de Ajuda e de Doença (ECPAD). Material e Métodos: Cento e quarenta doentes psiquiátricos preencheram a Escala de Estigma e a ECPAD. Foi realizada a análise fatorial exploratória da escala de estigma e a sua fidelidade estudada. Foram realizadas análises de correlação e exploradas as diferenças nas médias das pontuações da escala de estigma nos grupos de ECPAD. Resultados: A análise fatorial exploratória indicou quatro fatores (F): F1-Divulgação, F2-Discriminação, F3-Aceitação e F4-Crescimento Pessoal (α de 0.70 a 0.91). Os comportamentos de procura de ajuda não se associaram ao estigma. Os níveis de Discriminação foram altos no grupo com CPAD total-elevado e nos grupos com comportamentos de doença (CD) e com preocupações com a saúde (PS) médios/elevados. Adicionalmente, os níveis de Divulgação e Estigma total foram superiores no grupo com PS-elevado e no grupo com CD-médio (quando comparado com o grupo CD-baixo). O grupo com CD-baixo também revelou níveis inferiores de Aceitação e Crescimento Pessoal em comparação com os grupos com CD-médio e CD-elevado, respectivamente. Conclusão: A escala de estigma (27 itens) é um instrumento válido, fidedigno e útil para avaliar o estigma em doentes psiquiátricos.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and ocular surface findings: case reports and review of the literature.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is a rare dermatosis with about 300 cases reported to date. The authors describe two siblings with RTS and inflammatory conjunctival disease featuring fornix shortening and symblepharon as well as palpebral disease with sparse eyelashes. These cases demonstrate RTS ocular surface findings different to those usually described.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and ocular surface findings: case reports and review of the literature / Síndrome de Rothmund-Thomson e achados da superfície ocular: casos clínicos e revisão da literatura

ABSTRACT Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is a rare dermatosis with about 300 cases reported to date. The authors describe two siblings with RTS and inflammatory conjunctival disease featuring fornix shortening and symblepharon as well as palpebral disease with sparse eyelashes. These cases demonstrate RTS ocular surface findings different to those usually described.

RESUMO A síndrome de Rothmund-Thomson (SRT) é uma dermatose rara com cerca de 300 casos reportados. Os autores descrevem dois irmãos com síndrome de Rothmund-Thomson e doença inflamatória conjuntival com encurtamento do fundo de saco e simbléfaro, assim como doença palpebral com escassez de cilíos. Ambos os casos demonstram achados da superfície ocular diferentes dos habitualmente descritos.

Isolated posterior scleritis associated with tuberculosis.

Ocular tuberculosis (TB) is considered to be rare, although its incidence has varied widely over time and in different populations. Latent TB is diagnosed when a person is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis but does not have active TB. During the last decade, interferon-gamma release assay tests have been developed that allow identification of patients with latent TB infection with better specificity than the tuberculin skin test and can differentiate between infection and prior vaccination. Although rare, tuberculous scleritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of posterior scleritis. Here we describe a patient with posterior scleritis and severe visual loss associated with latent TB without uveitis, anterior scleritis, keratitis, or any other previous ocular disease history. The patient responded well to a combined treatment of antitubercular therapy and oral corticosteroids.

Isolated posterior scleritis associated with tuberculosis / Esclerite posterior isolada associada à tuberculose

ABSTRACT Ocular tuberculosis (TB) is considered to be rare, although its incidence has varied widely over time and in different populations. Latent TB is diagnosed when a person is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis but does not have active TB. During the last decade, interferon-gamma release assay tests have been developed that allow identification of patients with latent TB infection with better specificity than the tuberculin skin test and can differentiate between infection and prior vaccination. Although rare, tuberculous scleritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of posterior scleritis. Here we describe a patient with posterior scleritis and severe visual loss associated with latent TB without uveitis, anterior scleritis, keratitis, or any other previous ocular disease history. The patient responded well to a combined treatment of antitubercular therapy and oral corticosteroids.

RESUMO A tuberculose (TB) ocular foi considerada rara, embora a sua incidência tenha variado significativamente ao longo do tempo e nas diferentes populações. A TB latente é diagnosticada quando alguém é infetado com Mycobacterium tuberculosis sem possuir doença ativa. Durante a última década, testes tendo por base interferon gamma release assay foram desenvolvidos, permitindo a identificação de pacientes com infeção por tuberculose latente com maior especificidade que o teste tuberculínico e diferenciar infeção e vacinação prévia. Embora rara, a esclerite tuberculosa deve ser tida em consideração no diagnóstico diferencial de esclerite posterior. Reportamos um paciente com esclerite posterior e baixa grave de acuidade visual associada a TB latente, sem uveíte, esclerite anterior, ceratite ou história de doença ocular prévia. O paciente respondeu favoravelmente a um tratamento combinado de fármacos antituberculose e corticoides orais.