IntroductionManagement of HIV/AIDS “worried well” people is among the most complex and challenging psychiatric problems in HIV care.ObjectivesTo provide an overview of HIV/AIDS “worried well”.MethodsLiterature review based on PubMed/Medline, using the keywords “HIV” and “worried well”.ResultsThe HIV/AIDS “worried well” are those individuals who are intensely worried about being infected with HIV, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Indeed, they will rapidly return with the renewed conviction that the physician has “got it wrong” or “missed something”. So, they tend to over-utilize health care services. Seven HIV/AIDS “worried well” sub-groups have been identified: those with past sex or drug use history; those with relationship problems; the partners/spouse of those at risk; couples in individual or family life transitions; past history of psychological problems; misunderstanding of health education material; and pseudo and factitious AIDS. These patients have several striking consistencies in their presenting phenomenology and background features and usually have psychiatric problems associated. The authors will analyze all these aspects. Currently there are no guidelines to deal with this clinical condition, however cognitive-behavioral therapy along with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has been an effective approach. It is also important to ensure follow-up discussion to these patients, especially where unresolved life issues may cause future vulnerability in absence of intervention.ConclusionsPatients may express their concerns about HIV infection by several ways, directly or indirectly, and psychiatrists need to be aware of this reality, which causes much suffering as well as severe monetary loss.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world health scenario, causing numerous problems related to the overload of services. In this scenario, the approach to oncological diseases becomes a challenge, considering the risk of progression of cancer disease and death due to delay in diagnosis and treatment. Faced with this exceptional situation, coloproctology services have been forced to change their routine to adapt to the new reality, considering risks and benefits in the conduct of these patients. Thus, the experience of the coloproctology service at the Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, state of São Paulo, Brazil, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic is described, evaluating the possibility of maintaining elective oncological surgeries through selection by directed anamnesis. Method Retrospective cohort study with prospective collection comparing colorectal surgery for cancer before and during the pandemic from December 2019 to July 2020. Results In total, 81 patients were included. During the pandemic, 41 patients were operated on with 2 perioperative contaminations by COVID-19. Both length of stay and complications were not different between groups. Conclusion Since there was no increase in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in elective oncology surgeries with patients screened for guided anamnesis, it is worth considering this method for maintaining surgical procedures even in the event of a pandemic.
IntroductionHIV-infection is a very stigmatized, chronic disease with increased rates of psychiatric disorders, being major depression the most common.ObjectiveTo review the recent research related to depression in HIV-infected patients.MethodsLiterature review based on PubMed/Medline, using the keywords “HIV” and “depression”.ResultsHIV-infected patients have a chance 2-7 times higher of developing major depression, around the time of diagnosis or during the course of their illness. However, only fewer than 50% of the cases are recognized clinically. Several factors contribute to its under-recognition and under-treatment, such as the overlap between the neurovegetative symptoms of depression, the somatic symptoms of HIV disease, and the effects of comorbid diseases; the mistaken belief that depressive symptoms are expected in this group; the neuropsychiatric side effects associated with some antiretrovirals. Besides, major depression presents important diagnostic challenges due to biological, psychological, and social components associated with the infection. The authors will analyze the clinical presentation.Depression has been associated with a negative impact on quality of life, poorer HAART adherence, faster HIV disease progression and increased mortality risk. Importantly, however, appropriate psychiatric intervention can do it over. In fact, studies suggest that patients receiving SSRI treatments for depression have rates of adherence and CD4+ T-cell counts similar to non-depressed patients receiving HAART.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of major depression in HIV-positive individuals and its serious consequences if untreated, increase even further the importance of its effective identification and subsequent treatment in this group of patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
IntroductionPsychosis represents an uncommon but serious complication in the course of HIV infection, and always requires a careful differential diagnosis.ObjectivesTo provide an overview of psychosis in HIV-infected patients.MethodsLiterature review based on PubMed/MEDLINE, using the keywords “HIV” and “psychosis”.ResultsPsychosis in HIV-positive individuals can be divided into psychotic disorders predating HIV infection and new-onset psychotic disorders in HIV-seropositive patients. The pathophysiology of psychosis in this population is complex and a multifactorial etiology is likely in most instances. The authors will analyze them and describe the differences of psychopathological pattern in first-episode psychosis between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. Antipsychotic agents are the treatments of choice regardless of the underlying diagnosis. However, they should always be used at the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible duration. Increased sensitivity to extrapyramidal reactions, high risk for dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, potential interactions between HAART and some antipsychotic agents are also important considerations. Importantly, psychosis may be a harbinger of dementia. Cross-sectional studies have also suggested that psychosis may adversely impact the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV-infection.ConclusionsPsychosis disorders may arise before or at any time during the course of HIV infection. A solid understanding of the complex relationship between psychosis and HIV allows for better evaluation and more effective treatment for psychotic individuals at risk for or infected with HIV. Thus, both HIV care programs and psychiatric care clinics should be made familiar with this important subject.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
IntroductionEfavirenz, a non-nucleoside analogue inhibitor of the reverse transcriptase, has become commonly used in the treatment of HIV infection. Although highly effective, efavirenz is associated with causing neuropsychiatric side effects in approximately 50% of patients.ObjectivesTo provide an overview of efavirenz-induced neuropsychiatric effects.MethodsLiterature review based on PubMed/Medline.ResultsThe neuropsychiatric side effects of efavirenz usually begin quickly, commonly peak in the first two weeks after the start of therapy, and can include depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, impaired concentration, aggressive behavior, paranoia, psychosis. Generally, these events are mild to moderate in severity and time limited, however, in a small number of cases, are late, persistent or intolerable. They are often associated with a negative impact on treatment adhesion. Some factors are known to increase the risk of neuropsychiatric effects in HIV-positive patients. The behavioral effects of efavirenz appear to be dose-dependent and mediated predominately by the 5-HT2A receptor, a primary site of action of lysergic acid diethylamine (LSD). Importantly, the efavirenz-induced neuropsychiatric effects may be difficult to distinguish from HIV-related neuropsychiatric symptoms, preexisting mental disorder or substance use. The neuropsychiatric effects should be treated with non-pharmacologic or pharmacologic interventions, according to severity. The psychiatric status of patients should be closely monitored for at least the first 6 to 12 months of treatment.ConclusionTaking into account the high rates of neuropsychiatric side effects, it is crucial that the physicians are familiar with this important subject, and the decision to initiate efavirenz in psychiatric patients is individualized.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
IntroductionHIV infection is a chronic disease characterized by a great deal of uncertainty and unpredictability, being anxiety disorders a frequent psychiatric problem.ObjectiveTo provide an overview of anxiety in HIV-infected patients.MethodsLiterature review based on PubMed/Medline, using the keywords “HIV” and “anxiety disorders”.ResultsHIV-infected individuals can experience symptoms of anxiety across the spectrum of anxiety disorders. Adjustment disorder with anxious mood is the most common diagnosis, followed by generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Some patients present with these disorders prior to notification, others develop them during the course of their illness, mainly at key moments. In HIV-infected patients, anxiety can be a manifestation of side effects of medication; a symptom of an illness associated with HIV disease; or, most commonly, the psychological response to the stressors of the illness. In fact, many issues are responsible for the anxiety experienced by people living with HIV. The authors will analyze them. Besides the distress of anxiety disorders, these lead to a decrease in adherence to antiretroviral treatments, resulting in adverse progression of HIV disease and increased risk of mortality. Importantly, however, appropriate psychiatric intervention can do it over.ConclusionsCareful diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders in the context of HIV disease is even important, given the serious effects if untreated. Thus, anxiety should never be seen simply as a natural reaction to a life-threatening illness.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
ResumoO presente trabalho teve por objetivo descrever recortes de um caso clínico de um adolescente com diagnóstico de transtorno de conduta, atendido no Centro de Referência de um Instituto de Hebiatria de uma faculdade de medicina. Tratou-se de um adolescente de 12 anos de idade, atendido por uma equipe multidisciplinar. Entendeu-se nesse estudo a importância do diagnóstico, pois nos casos de transtornos de conduta é sempre necessária uma análise mais aprofundada do adolescente e de seu meio social, uma vez que sempre haverá diferenças entre os sujeitos e, consequentemente, a intervenção psicológica deverá ser individualizada para cada paciente para que se possa ajudá-lo. Grazielle ribeiro Novais et al. AbstractThe aim of the present study was to describe the cut -offs of a clinical case of an adolescent with a diagnosis of conduct disorder, attended at the Reference Center of an Institute of Hebiatrics of a medical school. It was a 12-year-old adolescent, assisted by a multidisciplinary team. The importance of diagnosis is evident, because in the cases of conduct disorders a more in-depth analysis of the adolescent and his social environment is always necessary, since there will always be differences between the subjects and, consequently, the psychological intervention should be specific for each patient so that they can be helped.
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