Cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the family questionnaire in a Brazilian sample of relatives of schizophrenia outpatients

Family environment and depressive episode are associated with relapse after first-episode psychosis

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Relapse rates are high among patients who have experienced first-episode psychosis (FEP). Psychotic relapses are associated with worse quality of life and poorer functionality of the FEP patient. The use of psychoactive substances, non-adherence to drug treatment, and high expressed emotion (EE) are notable predictors of relapse after the FEP. Although some studies have suggested that psychotic relapse may be associated with a family environment with high levels of emotional over-involvement (EOI), this finding is still inconsistent across different cultures. EE specific components must be evaluated and interpreted according to the context of cultural norms. There is a scarcity of studies on the role of depression in the occurrence of relapses after the FEP, and the results remain uncertain. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This study explored the predictors of psychotic relapses in Brazilian patients who experienced FEP. Our results indicate that 29.2% of the patients relapsed after the FEP. Patients diagnosed with depression and high-EOI in the family environment were predictors of psychotic relapses in this population. This study expands knowledge about the cultural specificity of EOI and the role of depression in psychotic relapse. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Nursing professionals must consider the implications of the family environment and depression in the course of psychosis. Family interventions and the appropriate treatment of depression are important for improving the prognosis of FEP patients. ABSTRACT: Introduction Psychotic relapse may be associated with relatives' high emotional over-involvement (EOI) and with a diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE) among first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients, but the results are still inconsistent across different cultures. Aim Evaluate the predictors of relapse in FEP patients. Method Prospective cohort study with 6-month follow-up conducted with 65 dyads of patients and relatives from an early intervention unit in Brazil. At the baseline interview, relatives answered to a sociodemographic data form and to the Family Questionnaire. Patients provided sociodemographic and clinical data and answered the Measurement of Treatment Adherence; the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test; the Severity of Dependence Scale to assess cannabis dependence, and the MDE module of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Psychotic relapses were evaluated using items from the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. The data were analysed using multiple logistic regression. Results 29.2% of the patients presented at least one psychotic relapse. High-EOI and MDE were predictors of psychotic relapses. Discussion Our findings expand the knowledge about the cultural specificity of EOI and the role of depression in psychotic relapse. Implications for practice Family nursing interventions and the appropriate treatment of MDE must be considered in the care of FEP patients.

Predictors of Expressed Emotion in First Episode Psychosis

This article evaluated the predictors of EE and its components, EOI and CC, in relatives of first episode psychosis patients (FEP) in Brazil. Cross-sectional observational study conducted with 82 dyads of FEP patients and their relatives. Data collection instruments: sociodemographic and clinical data questionnaire, Family Questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Logistic and linear regression models were used. Our results indicate that patient's age, relative's sex, daily time spent together, and family burden were predictors of EE and its components. Our findings may be helpful in planning nursing interventions to reduce EE and prevent psychotic relapses.

Expressed emotion and socio-demographic and clinical factors in families of Brazilian patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Families are the main caregivers of people with schizophrenia. Family dynamic and expressed emotion (EE) of relatives are fundamental determinants on the course of schizophrenia.

METHOD

This study analyzed socio-demographic and clinical factors related to EE components. A total of 94 dyads (patients with schizophrenia and their relatives) were recruited from three mental health clinics. A form containing socio-demographic and clinical variables and the Brazilian version of Family Questionnaire were used and the data were analyzed through regression model.

RESULTS

Results showed that factors such as patients' occupation status and patients' age, as well as relatives' gender and the degree of relatedness, were related to emotional overinvolvement and critical comments levels.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study in the Brazilian cultural context that evaluates EE components and related factors on families of patients with schizophrenia. Other studies concerning EE on different cultural contexts and possible interventions must be carried out to help health professionals to improve patient and family care.

Emoção expressa de familiares e recaídas psiquiátricas de pacientes com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre recaídas psiquiátricas de pacientes com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia, níveis de emoção expressa de seus familiares e fatores relacionados. Método: Estudo prospectivo, realizado em um serviço ambulatorial de saúde mental e em dois Centros de Atenção Psicossocial, com pacientes e familiares que responderam ao Family Questionnaire − Versão Português do Brasil, um formulário contendo as variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas e um roteiro estruturado para avaliação de recaídas. Para a análise, utilizou-se do modelo de regressão logística. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 89 díades. Dos pacientes investigados, 31% apresentaram recaídas, e 68% dos familiares, elevada emoção expressa. A relação entre a emoção expressa e as recaídas não foi significativa. A análise de regressão logística mostrou que quanto maior o número de internação nos 2 anos precedentes ao estudo, a chance de o paciente apresentar recaídas no período de 24 meses é de 1,34. Conclusão: A emoção expressa foi insuficiente para predizer recaídas. Assim, as recaídas devem ser compreendidas como um fenômeno multifatorial. Esses resultados fornecem subsídios para intervenções e investigações sobre os múltiplos fatores envolvidos na evolução do paciente com esquizofrenia, acompanhado em serviços de saúde mental de base comunitária.

Predictive Validity of the Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Family Questionnaire for Relapse in Patients With Schizophrenia

Background and Purpose: The Family Questionnaire-Brazilian Portuguese Version (FQ-BPV) has been preliminarily validated in the Brazilian population. This study assessed the predictive validity of the FQ-BPV for relapse in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Ninety-four dyads (patients with schizophrenia and their relatives) were recruited from three mental health clinics. Expressed emotion was assessed using the FQ-BPV. Presence of relapse was assessed at 6-, 9-, 12-, and 18-month follow-ups and analyzed through logistic regressions. Results: The critical comments (CC) domain of the FQ-BPV was statistically significant at 18 months. However, the model was not sufficiently robust to classify individuals correctly into relapse or no relapse categories. Conclusion: The FQ-BPV did not predict relapse well and we cannot recommend it for that purpose in Brazil without further studies.