Third Argentine Consensus statement on management Bipolar Disorders. Section3: Bipolar Disorder in the context of special situations / Tercer Consenso Argentino sobre el manejo de los Trastornos Bipolares. Tercera parte: Manejo de los Trastornos Bipolares en el contexto de situaciones especiales.

This document constitutes the third and last part of the Third Argentine Consensus on the Management of Bipolar Disorders carried out by the Argentine Association of Biological Psychiatry (AAPB). Continuing with the initial objective, this section of the Consensus on the Management of Bipolar Disorders is focused on the management of bipolar disorders in special populations. This section constitutes a comprehensive review and expert consideration of the scientific evidence on: a) the management of bipolar disorders in treatment-resistant patients; b) the management of bipolar disorder in childhood and adolescence; c) the management of bipolar disorders in women during their perinatal period and, d) the management of bipolar disorders in older adults.

Este documento constituye la tercera y última parte del Tercer Consenso Argentino sobre el Manejo de los Trastornos Bipolares llevada a cabo por la Asociación Argentina de Psiquiatría Biológica (AAPB). Siguiendo con el objetivo propuesto por el comité de expertos, en la actual versión del Consenso sobre el manejo de los trastornos bipolares, esta sección está enfocada al abordaje de los Trastornos Bipolares en situaciones especiales. Esto configura una revisión exhaustiva de la evidencia científica  sobre: a) el manejo de los trastornos bipolares en pacientes resistentes al tratamiento, b) el manejo de los trastornos bipolares en la mujer en el período perinatal, c) el manejo del trastorno bipolar en la etapa infantojuvenil y d) el manejo de los trastornos bipolares en los adultos mayores.

Third Argentine Consensus statement on management Bipolar Disorders. Section 2 A: Comprehensive treatment of the bipolar disorders in adults / Tercer Consenso Argentino sobre el manejo de los Trastornos Bipolares. Segunda Parte A: Tratamiento integral de los trastornos bipolares en el adulto.

This document constitutes the second section A of the Third Argentine Consensus on the Management of Bipolar Disorders, focused on synthesizing the most updated evidence on therapeutic approaches for adult patients. The aim of this section (2A) is to provide therapeutic recommendations for managing bipolar disorders in adults. In addition, the scope of this current manuscript outlines recommendations on the use of treatment guidelines, levels of evidence available to support these recommendations, general considerations for the treatment of bipolar disorders, the so-called pseudoresistance and adherence to treatment, general considerations on psychological therapies, as well as long term treatment of bipolar disorders.

Este documento corresponde a la segunda parte del Tercer Consenso Argentino sobre el manejo de los trastornos bipolares, enfocada en sintetizar la evidencia actualizada sobre los abordajes terapéuticos de esta patología en los pacientes adultos. Siguiendo la metodología descripta en la primera parte del Consenso, el panel de expertos realizó una exhaustiva revisión de la bibliografía y, como consecuencia de un posterior debate sobre la información disponible, se generó esta sección A del segundo documento que abarca el tratamiento integral de las personas adultas que padecen este trastorno. Durante la etapa de debate y discusión de estas guías, se decidió incorporar algunos puntos que estimamos serán de gran utilidad para el equipo interdisciplinario encargado del manejo de pacientes con trastornos bipolares.  En tal sentido, en la sección A de la segunda parte de este documento, se podrán encontrar las recomendaciones generales para el uso de las guías de tratamiento, los niveles de evidencia disponibles para sustentar las recomendaciones, las consideraciones generales del tratamiento de los trastornos bipolares, el fenómeno de pseudorresistencia y adherencia al tratamiento, las consideraciones generales sobre el abordaje psicológico, así como el tratamiento a largo plazo de los trastornos bipolares.

Third Argentine Consensus statement on management Bipolar Disorders. Section 2 B / Tercer Consenso Argentino sobre el manejo de los Trastornos Bipolares. Segunda Parte B.

This document constitutes the second section B of the Third Argentine Consensus on the Management of Bipolar Disorders, focused on synthesizing the most updated evidence on therapeutic approaches for adult patients. The scope of this section is to provide therapeutic recommendations for managing bipolar disorders in adults, (i) acute mania (ii) bipolar depression (iii) mixed stated (iv) suicidality and (vi) psychological interventions. In addition, the current manuscript outlines the assessment and management of side effects of pharmacotherapeutic treatments.

Este documento constituye la segunda parte B del Tercer Consenso Argentino sobre el Manejo de los Trastornos Bipolares llevada a cabo por la Asociación Argentina de Psiquiatría Biológica (AAPB). Siguiendo con el direccionamiento iniciado en el parte 2A sobre el tratamiento integral de los trastornos bipolares, esta sección se ha enfocado en sintetizar la evidencia más actualizada sobre abordajes terapéuticos para pacientes adultos. El alcance de esta sección es proporcionar recomendaciones terapéuticas para el manejo de los trastornos bipolares en adultos, (i) manía aguda, (ii) depresión bipolar, (iii) estado mixto, (iv) el suicidio en el trastorno bipolar, (v) intervenciones psicológicas. Además, el presente manuscrito aborda la evaluación y el manejo de los efectos secundarios de los tratamientos farmacoterapéuticos.

["ZOOM effect". The TV sign in patients with dementia: Is there an increased incidence during pandemia due to a rise in isolation and virtuality?] / "Efecto ZOOM". El signo de la TV en pacientes con demencia: ¿Hubo un aumento en la incidencia durante la pandemia debido al mayor aislamiento y la virtualidad?

Delusional misidentification syndromes are misperceptions of external stimuli with an associated belief or elaboration that is held with delusional intensity. In the TV sign patient believes that the observed television events are occurring in a real three-dimensional space. It is one of the very rare forms of delusional misidentification syndrome in patients withdementia.Wereport7patientswithcognitiveimpairmentcaseswhohavepresentedTVsignduringtheCOVID-19 pandemic. Two patients had Alzheimer's dementia type diagnosis, 1 atypical Alzheimer dementia, 1 vascular dementia and 3 of them had mixed etiology (2 Alzheimer dementia + vascular and 1 dementia with Lewy bodies + vascular). Three presented other psychotic symptoms and 1 patient also had Capgras syndrome. These 7 cases series raise the possibility of an increase incidence of TV sign in patients with dementia during pandemia triggered by the rise in expo- sure to screen devices and a social isolation during this period.

Do we treat dementia of the Alzheimer type or Alzheimer's disease? Anti-dementia drugs in the era of biomarkers / ¿Tratamos la demencia tipo Alzheimer o la enfermedad de Alzheimer? Fármacos antidemenciales en la era de los biomarcadores.

Approved drug treatments for Alzheimer´s disease (AD) are symptomatic and don´t modify the disease course. These include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AchI) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, memantine. Around 20 years ago, these drugs were approved for Alzheimer type Dementia. This wasbased on clinical trials which inclusion criteria were focused on a clinical amnestic AD presentation. At that time, subjects with an atypical AD clinical presentation or biomarkers were not included in the pharmacological trials. New biomarkers that detect amyloid and neurodegeneration have allowed us to evaluate pathological changes compatible with AD. These new advances from aclinical and biomarkers perspective allowed a diagnostic criteria update; going from an exclusively clinical criteria to one that is hybrid: clinical presentation and biomarkers based criteria.New biomarkers facilitate the early diagnosis of AD and other dementias.However, they also generate new challenges and questions regarding the adequate pharmacological treatment.There is a need for clinical trials that evaluate anti-dementia drug's efficacy based on current diagnostic criteria (clinical profile and biomarkers) and new practice guidelines. In addition, regulatory authorities should update ACHI and memantine indications.This will help doctors to prescribe the best possible treatment for this specific population without increasing risks.

Los tratamientos farmacológicos aprobados para la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) son sintomáticos y no modifican el curso de la enfermedad. Estos incluyen inhibidores de la acetilcolinesterasa (IACE) y el antagonista del receptor de N-metil-D-aspartato, memantina. Estos medicamentos fueron aprobados para la demencia de tipo Alzheimer (DTA) hace unos 20 años, basándose en ensayos clínicos centrados en la presentación clínica amnésica de la EA sin considerar biomarcadores o presentaciones clínicas atípicas de EA. Los nuevos biomarcadores que detectan amiloide y neurodegeneración nos han permitido evaluar cambios patológicos compatibles con la EA. Estos nuevos avances desde la perspectiva de los biomarcadores y clínicos han llevado a una actualización de los criterios diagnósticos, pasando de criterios exclusivamente clínicos a criterios híbridos: clínicos y basados en marcadores. Estos biomarcadores facilitan el diagnóstico precoz de la EA y otras demencias; sin embargo, a veces generan desafíos y replanteos en relación al tratamiento farmacológico adecuado. Sería útil implementar ensayos clínicos que evalúen la eficacia de los fármacos aprobados para la enfermedad de Alzheimer, en su momento con criterios de demencia tipo Alzheimer en función de los criterios diagnósticos actuales (perfil clínico y biomarcadores). Además, la actualización de la indicación de prescripción de IACE y memantina por parte de las autoridades regulatorias especificando con más detalle la población objetivo ayudaría a prescribir el mejor tratamiento posible a los pacientes sin aumentar los riesgos.

Third Argentine Consensus statement on management Bipolar Disorders. Section1: introduction and general concepts / Tercer Consenso Argentino sobre el manejo de los Trastornos Bipolares. Primera Parte: introducción, método de trabajo y generalidades.

The Third Argentine Consensus on the management of bipolar disorders (TB) is an initiative of the Argentine Association of Biological Psychiatry (AAPB). As a reference document, this consensus pursues two main objectives: on the one hand, to summarize and systematize the best available evidence on the comprehensive management of this pathology; on the other, to provide a useful, up-to-date instrument for psychiatrists, multidisciplinary teams dedicated to mental health, and government agencies. During a period of approximately six months of work -that is, from May to October 2022- a committee of experts made up of 18 professionals and representatives of the three most important Psychiatry and Mental Health associations in Argentina (that is, the AAPB, the Argentine Association of Psychiatrists, AAP, and the Association of Argentine Psychiatrists, APSA) have focused on updating the information regarding TB. Finally, this document was prepared as a result of an exhaustive review of the bibliography published to date, which was strategically divided into three parts: the first deals with the generalities of TB; the second deals with the comprehensive treatment of the pathology; finally, the third analyzes TB in the context of special situations.

El Tercer Consenso Argentino sobre el manejo de los Trastornos Bipolares (TB) es una iniciativa de la Asociación Argentina de Psiquiatría Biológica (AAPB). Como documento de referencia, este consenso persigue dos objetivos principales: por un lado, resumir y sistematizar la mejor evidencia disponible sobre el manejo integral de esta patología; por el otro, proporcionar un instrumento útil y actualizado a psiquiatras, a equipos multidisciplinarios abocados a la salud mental y a organismos gubernamentales. Durante un período de aproximadamente seis meses de trabajo -desde mayo a octubre de 2022- un comité de expertos integrado por 18 profesionales y por representantes de las tres asociaciones de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental más importantes de la Argentina: la AAPB, la Asociación Argentina de Psiquiatras, (AAP) y la Asociación de Psiquiatras Argentinos (APSA), se abocaron a actualizar la información respecto de los TB. Finalmente, y como resultado de una exhaustiva revisión de la bibliográfica publicada hasta la actualidad, se confeccionó este documento que fue dividido estratégicamente en tres partes: la primera versa acerca de las generalidades del TB; la segunda aborda el  tratamiento integral de la patología; y, por último, la tercera analiza los TB en el contexto de situaciones especiales.

Dementia in Latin America: Paving the way toward a regional action plan.

Across Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACs), the fight against dementia faces pressing challenges, such as heterogeneity, diversity, political instability, and socioeconomic disparities. These can be addressed more effectively in a collaborative setting that fosters open exchange of knowledge. In this work, the Latin American and Caribbean Consortium on Dementia (LAC-CD) proposes an agenda for integration to deliver a Knowledge to Action Framework (KtAF). First, we summarize evidence-based strategies (epidemiology, genetics, biomarkers, clinical trials, nonpharmacological interventions, networking, and translational research) and align them to current global strategies to translate regional knowledge into transformative actions. Then we characterize key sources of complexity (genetic isolates, admixture in populations, environmental factors, and barriers to effective interventions), map them to the above challenges, and provide the basic mosaics of knowledge toward a KtAF. Finally, we describe strategies supporting the knowledge creation stage that underpins the translational impact of KtAF.

What is happening with not recommended drugs for dementia in Argentina? Prescription patterns and direct costs analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The only recommended pharmacological treatments for specific dementias are donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, and memantine (recommended drugs, RD). However, other drugs without recommendations (not recommended drugs, NRD) are often used to treat patients with cognitive impairment (CI) in Argentina. The INSSJyP is the largest health insurance in Argentina. The objective of this study is to analyze the prescription pattern, cost, and implications of NRD used for the treatment of CI in the INSSJyP. MATERIALS: This is a retrospective, population-based study of the INSSJyP outpatients' prescriptions database for drugs usually prescribed for CI during 2015. These data were compared with the same database in 2009. The number of "prescriptions" always refers to dispensed packages. RESULTS: A total of 3 255 438 packages of drugs usually indicated for CI were prescribed during 2015: 1 912 476 packages of RD (59%) and 1 342 962 packages of NRD (41%).Comparing the results with those obtained in 2009, there is a 148% gross increase in the prescription of both RD and NRD for CI, although the rates/1000 affiliates/year show a lesser rise for NRD (70.1%) compared to RD (103.9 %).The expenditure on CI drugs prescribed during 2015 was 77 million USD. NRD cost represented approximately 20 million USD. CONCLUSION: Inappropriate drug use increases health costs in developing countries. We found a high number of patients with a probable diagnosis of CI treated with NRD. It is extremely relevant that all the healthcare professionals can update their knowledge and modify behavioral insights about appropriate prescription for specific dementias.

[Psychotropic drugs prescription to elderly people in the national institute of social services for retirees and pensioners of argentina (PAMI)]. / Prescripción de psicofármacos a personas mayores en el Instituto Nacional de Servicios Sociales para Jubilados y Pensionados de Argentina (PAMI).

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prescribing pattern of psychotropic drugs to affiliates over 60 years of age at the National Institute of Social Services for Retirees and Pensioners of Argentina (PAMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of the at the National Institute of Social Services for Retirees and Pensioners of Argentina (PAMI) database on the population over 60 years of age who received at least one psychotropic drug during 2016. RESULTS: During the year 2016, 30% of the population over 60 years of age received the prescription of at least one psychotropic drug. There was a greater prescription of psychotropic drugs to women than to men (75.3% vs. 24.7%). Of the drugs prescribed, 67% were benzodiazepines, 20% were antidepressants, 9% were antipsychotics and 4% were non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. 54% of the drugs prescribed were clonazepam and alprazolam. 21% of the population received three or more prescriptions during the period studied. There was a relatively greater prescription of psychotropic drugs in the population of 75 years old or older. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into account the risks of adverse effects, interactions and the inclusion of some of these drugs among those that should not be prescribed among older adults, the high prescription rate of some of these drugs is alarming. It is necessary to develop strategies among general practitioners, specialists and also among the general population in order to reduce the prescription of psychotropic drugs.

How Argentina is training their mental health residents to face its Silver Tsunami?

In low- and middle-income countries, there is an increase in the percentage of aging population similar to or greater than that of high-income countries (World Population Ageing 1950-2050, UN, 2001). The emerging health and economical challenges due to these demographic changes will have to be addressed by their health systems. In this context, an adequate training of available human resources in geriatric psychiatry/psychogeriatrics (GP/PG) should be an essential step to meet those challenges.

[Structural neuroimaging in dementia for outpatient clinic visit]. / Neuroimágenes estructurales en demencias para el consultorio general.

Dementia is a common illness to find in a psychiatric consultation and its incidence is rising as the aged population increases. Traditionally the imagines in dementia were used to rule out etiologies that had pharmacological o surgery treatments. However, in the last years neuroimaging has played a very important role in the field of dementia. Structural imaging (particularly MRI) has become an important tool in the diagnosis of degenerative dementias because of findings that help us to support the diagnosis of different etiologies. Different patterns of atrophy can be identified on visual inspection of MRI in various neurodegenerative conditions. However, it's sometimes difficult to recognize or acknowledge these patterns during a regular outpatient clinic visit. In this review we describe the most important findings in structural neuroimaging in the most common causes of dementia and we analyze the most useful visual scales that can help us in the differential diagnosis of dementia during a regular outpatient clinic visit.

Associations Among Loneliness, Purpose in Life and Subjective Cognitive Decline in Ethnoracially Diverse Older Adults Living in the United States.

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), which precedes Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementia, may be affected by purpose in life (PiL) and loneliness in older adults. We investigated associations among PiL, loneliness, and SCD in US Latino (n = 126), Black (n = 74), Asian (n = 33), and White (n = 637) adults. Higher PiL predicted lower SCD in all groups (p-values < .012), except Black participants. Lower loneliness predicted lower SCD in Latino and White groups (p-values < .05), and PiL moderated this association in White adults. PiL and loneliness may play important roles in cognitive decline. Differential predictors of SCD suggest differential targets for preventing cognitive decline and dementia across ethnoracial groups.

[Depressive pseudodementia. Differential diagnosis or meeting point?]. / Pseudodemencia depresiva ¿Diagnóstico diferencial o punto de encuentro?

Depressive pseudodementia is a major depressive disorder in which the cognitive deficits secondary to the affective disorder is so significant that clinicians are obliged to consider dementia as a differential diagnosis. The relationship between depression and dementia is complex and intricate. Even after depressive pseudodementia has remitted, certain cognitive deficits may persist and the risk of developing dementia increases. The concept of depressive pseudodementia continues to be useful in clinical practice in spite of its limitations.

[Use of benzodiazepines and related drugs in social security for older adults in Argentina]. / Uso de benzodiazepinas y fármacos relacionados en el Seguro Social para adultos mayores de Argentina.

The clinical use of benzodiazepines (BZD) and related drugs is a controversial issue, especially prolonged prescription in older adults, which is contrary to general recommendations. Our objective was to describe the use of BZD and the hypnotics called Z drugs (zolpidem, zopiclone and eszopiclone) in elderly beneficiaries of the National Institute of Social Services for Retirees and Pensioners (INSSJP-PAMI) of Argentina. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional drug use study was conducted based on the Institute's drug dispensing database. Beneficiaries of both sexes aged 65 years and over were included. The prevalence of use in 2018 and the defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants / day (DHD) were calculated for each drug. A total of 3 864 949 beneficiaries were included (77.6% of the Argentine population of that age, 61.2% women), with 184 000 nonagenarians and more than 5000 centenarians; 30.3% of whom received at least one dispensation of BZD or "Z drugs" during 2018, with a higher prevalence of use in women (35.6%) than in men (22.0%) and with a progressive increase until 85-89 years, with a subsequent decrease. The most prescribed BZDs were alprazolam (41.6%) and clonazepam (41.1%), followed by lorazepam (9.9%). The dispense drugs reached 252.7 DHD, representing an average of 0.8 DDD per user and per day, a value that decreased with age. The prevalence of use found is among the highest at international level, justifying the implementation of clinical and public health interventions to improve this situation.

El uso clínico de las benzodiazepinas (BZD) y fármacos relacionados es un tema controversial, especialmente la prescripción prolongada en adultos mayores, que es contraria a las recomendaciones generales. Nuestro objetivo fue describir el uso de BZD y de los hipnóticos denominados fármacos Z (zolpidem, zopiclona y eszopiclona) en los adultos mayores beneficiarios del Instituto Nacional de Servicios Sociales para Jubilados y Pensionados (INSSJP-PAMI) de Argentina. Se realizó un estudio de utilización de medicamentos observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, a partir de la base de datos de dispensa de medicamentos del Instituto. Se incluyeron los beneficiarios de ambos sexos de 65 años y más. Se calculó para cada fármaco la prevalencia de uso en 2018 y las dosis diarias definidas (DDD) por cada 1000 habitantes/día (DHD). Se incluyeron 3 864 949 beneficiarios (77.6 % de la población argentina de esa edad, 61.2 % mujeres), con 184 000 nonagenarios y más de 5000 centenarios. El 30.3 % recibió al me nos una dispensa de BZD o fármacos Z durante 2018, con mayor prevalencia de uso en mujeres (35.6%) que en varones (22.0%) y con aumento progresivo hasta los 85-89 años, y descenso posterior. Las BZD más recetadas fueron alprazolam (41.6%) y clonazepam (41.1%), seguidas por lorazepam (9.9%). La dispensa alcanzó 252.7 DHD, representado un promedio de 0.8 DDD por usuario y por día, valor que disminuyó con la edad. La prevalencia de uso encontrada está entre las más elevadas a nivel internacional, justificando la implementación de intervenciones clínicas y de salud pública para mejorar esta situación.

An international perspective on advanced neuroimaging: cometh the hour or ivory tower?

Over the past five to ten years, neuroimaging capability for neurodegenerative diseases has made remarkable progress. However, debate remains as to the true clinical utility of these advanced and costly investigations. Not only is the place of these tests in diagnostic algorithms unclear, but the access to them varies both within and between countries. We sought to gather informed opinion from recognized leaders in the field who can combine both an academic and a clinical perspective on the use of neuroimaging in their own countries. Opinion is presented from Scotland, Argentina, the Czech Republic, France, the USA and Australia. The emerging consensus was one of ongoing caution. While in most countries there was a sense that the use of more advanced imaging techniques was growing, their hour has not yet cometh. However, these techniques, rather than falling from the Ivory Tower, should descend slowly step by step onto fertile and receptive clinics from where better clinical guidelines will emerge.

[Reduction of social coverage for symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis: a disinvestment initiative in Argentina, 2015-2017]. / Reducción de la cobertura social para los fármacos antiartrósicos sintomáticos de acción lenta: una iniciativa de desinversión en Argentina, 2015-2017.

In April 2016, the National Institute of Social Services for Retirees and Pensioners discontinued its policy of 100% coverage for 159 drugs (the "social subsidy"), including symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis (SYSADOAs), due to insufficient evidence of significant clinical benefit. We evaluated the effect of this measure on the use of SYSADOAs as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which were unaffected by this policy change. We compared outpatient dispensations of SYSADOAs and NSAIDs from 2015 to 2017, measuring dispensed units, retail price, and out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries each month. After the change in coverage, there was a 61.6% total decrease in SYSADOA units dispensed, and a 63.4% decrease in the final sales price to the public, measured in constant values. Dispensation was not reoriented towards NSAIDs, which fell by 6.1%. The incidence of new treatments decreased (from 6.4 to 3.3 treatments per 1,000 beneficiaries per month), as did their continuity. Beneficiaries' out-of-pocket spending on SYSADOAs increased by 75.8% (at constant values). Disinvestment in interventions with questionable therapeutic value is an important tool in working toward the sustainability of health systems.

En abril de 2016, el Instituto Nacional de Servicios Sociales para Jubilados y Pensionados excluyó del subsidio social la cobertura al 100% de 159 fármacos, entre ellos, los antiartrósicos sintomáticos de acción lenta o symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis (SySADOA), por insuficiente evidencia de beneficio clínico significativo. Evaluamos el efecto de esta medida sobre la utilización de SySADOA y de los antiinflamatorios no esteroides (AINE), no afectados por la medida. Se compararon las dispensas ambulatorias de los SySADOA y los AINE de 2015 a 2017, midiendo unidades dispensadas, precio de venta al público y gasto de bolsillo del beneficiario para cada mes. Luego de la medida, descendieron un 61,6% los envases de SySADOA dispensados y un 63,4% el monto total del precio de venta al público, medido en valores constantes. La dispensa no se reorientó hacia los AINE, que descendieron un 6,1%. Disminuyó tanto la incidencia de nuevos tratamientos (de 6,4 a 3,3 tratamientos por 1.000 beneficiarios por mes) como su continuidad. El gasto de bolsillo de los beneficiarios en SySADOA aumentó un 75,8% (a valores constantes). La desinversión en intervenciones de valor terapéutico cuestionable es una herramienta valiosa para la sustentabilidad de los sistemas de salud.

The impact of COVID-19 on the well-being and cognition of older adults living in the United States and Latin America.

BACKGROUND: In the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults from vulnerable ethnoracial groups are at high risk of infection, hospitalization, and death. We aimed to explore the pandemic's impact on the well-being and cognition of older adults living in the United States (US), Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. METHODS: 1,608 (646 White, 852 Latino, 77 Black, 33 Asian; 72% female) individuals from the US and four Latin American countries aged ≥ 55 years completed an online survey regarding well-being and cognition during the pandemic between May and September 2020. Outcome variables (pandemic impact, discrimination, loneliness, purpose of life, subjective cognitive concerns) were compared across four US ethnoracial groups and older adults living in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. FINDINGS: Mean age for all participants was 66.7 (SD = 7.7) years and mean education was 15.4 (SD = 2.7) years. Compared to Whites, Latinos living in the US reported greater economic impact (p < .001, ηp 2  = 0.031); while Blacks reported experiencing discrimination more often (p < .001, ηp 2  = 0.050). Blacks and Latinos reported more positive coping (p < .001, ηp 2  = 0.040). Compared to Latinos living in the US, Latinos in Chile, Mexico, and Peru reported greater pandemic impact, Latinos in Mexico and Peru reported more positive coping, Latinos in Argentina, Mexico, and Peru had greater economic impact, and Latinos in Argentina, Chile, and Peru reported less discrimination. INTERPRETATION: The COVID-19 pandemic has differentially impacted the well-being of older ethnically diverse individuals in the US and Latin America. Future studies should examine how mediators like income and coping skills modify the pandemic's impact. FUNDING: Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry.

[The law of the land]. / La Ley del Reino.

The mental health legislation in England has two essential pillars: The Mental Health Act 2007 and The Capacity Act 2005. The Mental Health Act is the legislation governing the formal detention and care of mentally disordered people in english hospitals. The Mental Capacity Act provides a statutory framework to empower and protect vulnerable people who are not able to make their own decisions. This article reviews certain essential aspects of these laws and the impact they have in daily practice.