Factors associated with the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms in health workers of two centres of reference for COVID 19 patient care in Antioquia, Colombia - A latent class analysis

OBJECTIVE

To classify the staff of two reference institutions for COVID-19 care in Antioquia according to the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms, and to determine the factors associated with these classes.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study in which the GAD-7, PHQ-9, fear of COVID-19, and the Copenhagen Burnout scale were used. Latent class analysis was performed to identify the classes, and the factors associated with these were determined using multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

486 people participated. The three-class model had the best fit: class I with low scores on the scales; class II with mild degrees of anxiety and depression, and intermediate levels of fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress; and class III with moderate and severe degrees of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. The factors associated with belonging to class III were age (OR = 0.94; 95%CI, 0.91-0.96), change of residence to avoid exposing relatives (OR = 4.01; 95%CI, 1.99-8.09), and a history of depressive disorder (OR = 3.10; 95%CI, 1.27-7.56), and anxiety (OR = 5.5; 95%CI, 2.36-12.90). Factors associated with class II were age (OR = 0.97; 95%CI, 0.95-0.99), history of depressive disorder (OR = 3.41; 95%CI, 1.60-7.25), living with someone at risk of death from COVID-19 (OR = 1.86; 95%CI, 1.19-2.91), family member being healthcare staff (OR = 1.58; 95%CI, 1.01-2.47), and change of residence to avoid exposing relatives (OR = 1.99; 95%CI, 1.11-3.59).

CONCLUSIONS

Three classes of participants were obtained, two of them with anxiety and depression symptoms. Younger age and a history of mental disorder were factors associated with the two classes of symptomatic patients; other factors may be causes or consequences of the symptoms.

Structural neuroimaging and predominant polarity in patients with type 1 bipolar disorder from Antioquia

INTRODUCTION

Predominant polarity (PP) has been proposed as a specifier of bipolar disorder (BD) due to its relationship with clinical and prognostic variables. It is possible that this is due to a different underlying neurobiology, in such a way that the changes found by structural nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) in BD are different and specific.

OBJECTIVES

To explore findings of structural neuroimaging in patients with BD type I (BD-I) according to PP.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study that evaluated 77 patients with BD-I using the DIGS interview. PP was established using the operative definition of two-thirds of all affective episodes throughout life to classify PP as manic (MPP), depressive (DPP) or indeterminate (IPP). MRI was performed during the euthymia phase to measure intracranial structures. The data obtained was analysed using a linear regression model adjusted for confounding variables (drug use, alcohol use, psychoactive substance use) and were compared between the three groups finding the standardised mean difference (SMD).

RESULTS

Differences with adequate effect size were found in three brain structures after adjusting for confounding variables, specifically in the right fusiform gyrus and the left lingual gyrus, which were greater in the DPP group than in the MPP group (SMD = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.34-1.49 and SMD = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.21-1.35). Likewise, in the right thalamus, it was shown to be greater in the IPP group compared to MPP group (SMD 0.89, 95% CI = 0.31-1.46).

CONCLUSIONS

A reduction in the thickness of the right fusiform gyrus and the left lingual gyrus, as well as the right thalamic volume was observed in patients with BD-I with PPM, which supports the hypothesis that PP has a plausible neurobiological correlate and could have potential utility as a BD specifier.

Correlation between cognitive performance and structural neuroanatomy in patients with type I bipolar affective disorder treated with and without lithium

INTRODUCTION

Lithium treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) has been associated with less cognitive impairment and fewer changes in structural brain anatomy compared to other treatments. However, the studies are heterogeneous and few assess whether these effects are related. The objective of this study was to evaluate and relate cognitive performance and structural neuroanatomy in patients treated with and without lithium.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study that included 48 subjects with BD-I, of which 22 were treated with lithium and 26 without lithium. Performance was assessed on Wechsler III (WAIS III), TMT A and B (Trial Making Test) neuropsychological tests, California verbal learning test (CVLT), Rey complex figure test and Wisconsin card sorting test. Brain structures obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated. The standardised mean difference (SMD) between both groups was calculated, adjusted for confounding variables using a propensity score, and the Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to assess the relationship between cognitive performance and neuroanatomical regions.

RESULTS

Compared to the group without lithium, the group with lithium had fewer perseverative errors in the Wisconsin test (SMD = -0.69) and greater left and right cortical areas (SMD = 0.85; SMD = 0.92); greater surface area in the left anterior cingulate (SMD = 1.32), right medial orbitofrontal cortex (SMD = 1.17), right superior frontal gyrus (SMD = 0.82), and right and left precentral gyrus (SMD = 1.33; SMD = 0.98); greater volume of the right amygdala (SMD = 0.57), right hippocampus (SMD = 0.66), right putamen (SMD = 0.87) and right thalamus (SMD = .67). In the lithium group, a correlation was found with these errors and the thickness of the left precentral gyrus (ρ = -0.78), the volume of the right thalamus (ρ = -0.44), and the right amygdala (ρ = 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The lithium group had better cognitive flexibility and greater dimension in some frontal and subcortical cortical regions. Furthermore, there was a moderate to high correlation between performance in this executive function and the thickness of the right precentral gyrus, and the volumes of the thalamus and the right amygdala. These findings could suggest a neuroprotective effect of lithium.

Validity and reliability of the SBI (Spanish Burnout Inventory) in medical surgical specialists

Introduction. Burnout Syndrome is the term used to describe the psychological response to patient care-related chronic work stress. Studies have found that the prevalence of practitioner burnout in Colombia ranges between 17.6% and 45%. Given the importance of this phenomenon in our setting, we decided to carry out a validation and reliability study of the Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI). Objective. To assess the validity and reliability of the SBI in medical surgical specialists working in fourteen health care facilities in Antioquia (Colombia) in 2018. Methods. The study was conducted in 14 healthcare institutions among 8 surgical specialties. The tool consists of 20 items collected by means of face-to-face interviews under the supervision of a psychologist, and maintaining confidentiality. The psychometric assessment included content validity (CV), construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha. Results. The study sample consisted of 234 participants. CV of the tool was 0.82. The CFA showed acceptable model fit, with the results of goodness-of-fit being χ2=384.578 (p<0.000; df: 165), RMSEA = 0.075 [90% CI: 0.066 – 0.085], CFI = 0.953, TLI = 0.946 and WRMR = 1.074. The SBI Cronbach’s alpha was 0.79. Conclusion. The SBI showed acceptable CV levels for all the items and domains. The SBI is a valid tool with adequate reliability for use in medical surgical specialists of healthcare institutions in Antioquia-Colombia.

[Factors associated with the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms in health workers of two centres of reference for COVID 19 patient care in Antioquia, Colombia - a latent class analysis]

Objective: To classify the staff of two reference institutions for COVID-19 care in Antioquia according to the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms, and to determine the factors associated with these classes.Methods:Cross-sectional study in which the GAD-7, PHQ-9, fear of COVID-19, and the Copenhagen Burnout scale were used. Latent class analysis was performed to identify the classes, and the factors associated with these were determined using multinomial logistic regression.Results: 486 people participated. The three-class model had the best fit: class I with low scores on the scales; class II with mild degrees of anxiety and depression, and intermediate levels of fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress; and class III with moderate and severe degrees of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. The factors associated with belonging to class III were age (OR=0.94; 95%CI, 0.91-0.96), change of residence to avoid exposing relatives (OR=4.01; 95%CI, 1.99-8.09), and a history of depressive disorder (OR=3.10; 95%CI, 1.27-7.56), and anxiety (OR=5.5; 95%CI, 2.36-12.90). Factors associated with class II were age (OR=0.97; 95%CI, 0.95-0.99), history of depressive disorder (OR=3.41; 95%CI, 1.60-7.25), living with someone at risk of death from COVID-19 (OR=1.86; 95%CI, 1.19-2.91), family member being healthcare staff (OR=1.58; 95%CI, 1.01-2.47), and change of residence to avoid exposing relatives (OR=1.99; 95%CI, 1.11-3.59).Conclusions: Three classes of participants were obtained, two of them with anxiety and depression symptoms. Younger age and a history of mental disorder were factors associated with the two classes of symptomatic patients; other factors may be causes or consequences of the symptoms.

Correlation Between Cognitive Performance and Structural Neuroanatomy in Patients with Type I Bipolar Affective Disorder Treated with and Without Lithium

INTRODUCTION

Lithium treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) has been associated with less cognitive impairment and fewer changes in structural brain anatomy compared to other treatments. However, the studies are heterogeneous and few assess whether these effects are related. The objective of this study was to evaluate and relate cognitive performance and structural neuroanatomy in patients treated with and without lithium.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study that included 48 subjects with BD-I, of which 22 were treated with lithium and 26 without lithium. Performance was assessed on Wechsler III (WAIS III), TMT A and B (Trial Making Test) neuropsychological tests, California verbal learning test (CVLT), Rey complex figure test and Wisconsin card sorting test. Brain structures obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated. The standardised mean difference (SMD) between both groups was calculated, adjusted for confounding variables using a propensity score, and the Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to assess the relationship between cognitive performance and neuroanatomical regions.

RESULTS

Compared to the group without lithium, the group with lithium had fewer perseverative errors in the Wisconsin test (SMD = -0.69) and greater left and right cortical areas (SMD = 0.85; SMD = 0.92); greater surface area in the left anterior cingulate (SMD = 1.32), right medial orbitofrontal cortex (SMD = 1.17), right superior frontal gyrus (SMD = 0.82), and right and left precentral gyrus (SMD = 1.33; SMD = 0.98); greater volume of the right amygdala (SMD = 0.57), right hippocampus (SMD = 0.66), right putamen (SMD = 0.87) and right thalamus (SMD=.67). In the lithium group, a correlation was found with these errors and the thickness of the left precentral gyrus (ρ = -0.78), the volume of the right thalamus (ρ =-0.44), and the right amygdala (ρ = 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The lithium group had better cognitive flexibility and greater dimension in some frontal and subcortical cortical regions. Furthermore, there was a moderate to high correlation between performance in this executive function and the thickness of the right precentral gyrus, and the volumes of the thalamus and the right amygdala. These findings could suggest a neuroprotective effect of lithium.

Structural Neuroimaging and Predominant Polarity in Patients with Type 1 Bipolar Disorder from Antioquia

INTRODUCTION

Predominant polarity (PP) has been proposed as a specifier of bipolar disorder (BD) due to its relationship with clinical and prognostic variables. It is possible that this is due to a different underlying neurobiology, in such a way that the changes found by structural nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) in BD are different and specific.

OBJECTIVES

To explore findings of structural neuroimaging in patients with BD type I (BD-I) according to PP.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study that evaluated 77 patients with BD-I using the DIGS interview. PP was established using the operative definition of two-thirds of all affective episodes throughout life to classify PP as manic (MPP), depressive (DPP) or indeterminate (IPP). MRIwas performed during the euthymia phase to measure intracranial structures. The data obtained was analysed using a linear regression model adjusted for confounding variables (drug use, alcohol use, psychoactive substance use) and were compared between the three groups finding the standardised mean difference (SMD).

RESULTS

Differences with adequate effect size were found in three brain structures after adjusting for confounding variables, specifically in the right fusiform gyrus and the left lingual gyrus, which were greater in the DPP group than in the MPP group (SMD = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.34 to 1.49 and SMD = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.21 to 1.35). Likewise, in the right thalamus, it was shown to be greater in the IPP group compared to MPP group (SMD 0.89, 95% CI = 0.31 to 1.46).

CONCLUSIONS

A reduction in the thickness of the right fusiform gyrus and the left lingual gyrus, as well as the right thalamic volume was observed in patients with BD-I with PPM, which supports the hypothesis that PP has a plausible neurobiological correlate and could have potential utility as a BD specifier.

Funcionalidade e fatores associados em idosos de San Juan de Pasto, na Colômbia

Introducción: la capacidad funcional es uno de los determinantes del estado de salud del adulto mayor. En esta población se presenta una mayor dependencia que conlleva a cambios significativos en los estilos de vida, y en la interacción social y familiar. El presente estudio analiza la relación de factores sociodemográficos y condiciones de salud con el estado funcional en una muestra de adultos mayores de la ciudad de Pasto, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: estudio de corte transversal en una muestra de 391 adultos mayores a quienes se les evaluó su estado funcional con la escala de actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria de Lawton y Brody. Se estudiaron las características demográficas, los antecedentes médicos, el nivel cognitivo global y la sintomatología depresiva. Se calculó como medida de asociación la razón de disparidad —rd— cruda y ajustada con sus respectivos intervalos de con anza del 95%, mediante modelos de regresión logística binaria. Resultados: un 26,3% de los adultos mayores se encontró en un nivel de dependencia funcional, asociado al género masculino (rd = 2,72; IC95% 1,51-4,93), dependencia económica (or = 1,41; IC95% 1,26-4,40), antecedentes de en- fermedad cerebrovascular (or = 3,41; IC95% 1,21-9,61), artritis (or = 2,24; IC95% 1,27-3,98), síntomasdepresivos (or = 3,07; IC95% 1,54-6,123) y deterioro cognitivo (or = 2,04; IC95% 1,15-3,64). Discusión: los resultados del presente estudio determinaron que, con el proceso de envejecimiento, la capacidad funcional se ve condicionada a múltiples factores, lo cual lleva a que el adulto mayor pierda paulatinamente su nivel de independencia, lo que puede impactar en su calidad de vida y, por ende, en el contexto donde interactúa.

Factores asociados a la desnutrición o al riesgo de desnutrición en adultos mayores de San Juan de Pasto, Colombia: Un estudio transversal

Introducción. La desnutrición es un problema común en los adultos mayores relacionada tanto con los cambios propios del envejecimiento como con otros factores de salud, sociales y económicos.  El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la frecuencia de desnutrición o riesgo de desnutrición y los factores asociados, en adultos mayores de San Juan de Pasto, Nariño, Colombia.Material y métodos. Estudio transversal en una muestra de 261 adultos mayores. Para valorar el estado nutricional se utilizó el Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) y para la evaluación cognitiva se aplicó el Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Los síntomas depresivos se determinaron a través de la escala Yesavage y el grado de independencia funcional con la escala de Lawton y Brody. Para establecer la asociación entre los factores sociodemográficos y clínicos con el MNA, se realizó un modelo de regresión logística y se calculó la Odds Ratio (OR) crudo y ajustado con su respectivo intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC95%).Resultados. El 60,1% de los adultos mayores presentó riesgo de desnutrición y el 6,5% desnutrición. Quienes pertenecían a niveles socioeconómicos bajos (OR=2,07; IC95%: 1,18-3,64), con nivel de dependencia funcional (OR=2,74; IC95%: 1,07-5,53) y sintomatología depresiva (OR=7,02; IC95%: 2,08-23,74), presentaron mayor desnutrición o riesgo de desnutrición.Conclusiones. Estos hallazgos muestran un alto porcentaje de adultos mayores con desnutrición o riesgo de desnutrición asociados a un nivel socioeconómico bajo, implicación o dependencia funcional y sintomatología depresiva. Se requiere un manejo integral orientado hacia la valoración e intervención planificada, teniendo en cuenta los factores asociados a esta condición nutricional.

Therapeutic efficacy of alternative primaquine regimens to standard treatment in preventing relapses by Plasmodium vivax: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To compare efficacy and safety of primaquine regimens currently used to prevent relapses by P. vivax. Methods: A systematic review was carried out to identify clinical trials evaluating efficacy and safety to prevent malaria recurrences by P. vivax of primaquine regimen 0.5 mg / kg / day for 7 or 14 days compared to standard regimen of 0.25 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Efficacy of primaquine according to cumulative incidence of recurrences after 28 days was determined. The overall relative risk with fixed-effects meta-analysis was estimated. Results: For the regimen 0.5 mg/kg/day/7 days were identified 7 studies, which showed an incidence of recurrence between 0% and 20% with follow-up 60-210 days; only 4 studies comparing with the standard regimen 0.25 mg/kg/day/14 days and no difference in recurrences between both regimens (RR= 0.977, 95% CI= 0.670 to 1.423) were found. 3 clinical trials using regimen 0.5 mg/kg/day/14 days with an incidence of recurrences between 1.8% and 18.0% during 330-365 days were identified; only one study comparing with the standard regimen (RR= 0.846, 95% CI= 0.484 to 1.477). High risk of bias and differences in handling of included studies were found. Conclusion: Available evidence is insufficient to determine whether currently PQ regimens used as alternative rather than standard treatment have better efficacy and safety in preventing relapse of P. vivax. Clinical trials are required to guide changes in treatment regimen of malaria vivax.

Tratamiento de la enfermedad arterial periférica de las extremidades inferiores con células mononucleares de médula ósea autólogas: reporte de seguimiento a un año

Introducción: las células mononucleares de la médula ósea son efectivas para el tratamiento de pacientes con enfermedad arterial periférica (EAP). Los factores de crecimiento que ellas sintetizan se usan para inducir angiogénesis.Objetivo: establecer en Colombia la seguridad, factibilidad y resultado del tratamiento de la EAP utilizando células autólogas, para evitar su progreso a estadios más avanzados.Métodos: previo consentimiento, se hizo aspirado de médula ósea bajo anestesia local. Las células obtenidas se concentraron y se inyectaron intramuscularmente en los gastrocnemios de las extremidades isquémicas. El grupo control retrospectivo no recibió células. La evaluación clínica incluyó varios parámetros. Las células se analizaron por citometría de flujo.Resultados: edad media de los pacientes: 69 ± 11 años; viabilidad celular: 99,15% ± 0,76%; número de células inyectadas: 9,2 x 108 ± 6,2 x 108. Los análisis angiográficos postratamiento mostraron formación de vasos colaterales nuevos en las extremidades afectadas, con mínimo engrosamiento. Se observaron aumento en la distancia caminada libre de dolor y mejoría del dolor en reposo. La obtención y aplicación de las células no se asoció con ninguna complicación.Conclusiones: este estudio preliminar demostró que la terapia celular autóloga es segura, factible y cambia positivamente la historia natural de la EAP. Se sugiere el estudio de un número mayor de pacientes antes de establecer este tratamiento en Colombia.

A description of the mental health and copying strategies in victims of assault with a weapon in the city of Medellín (Colombia)

The study looked to describe the state of mental health and coping strategies expressed during and after assault with a deadly weapon, from October 2006 to March 2007, in the city of Medellin, Colombia. Participants were 50 adults differentiated by sex. The clinical interview International Neuropsychiatric Inventory (MINI), and the protocol of characterization of assault with a deadly weapon designed by the researchers, were applied to the victims. Comparisons with averages of males and females were made, in relation to mental health and coping strategies used during and after the assault. There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms between men and women, who showed state health perturbations with symptoms of post traumatic stress and anguish disorders sometimes in life. Differences were found in copying strategies during and after assault; during assault women reactions were immobility and/or silence, men reactions were physical or verbal aggression; after assault women requested for psychological support and company while men used security devices.