- Langreo, Spain
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Research Interests: Primary Care, Mental Health, Family Practice, Medicine, Mental Illness, and 15 moreAnxiety, Humans, Female, Male, Mental Disorders, Mental health services, Aged, Prevalence, Middle Aged, General Health Questionnaire, Adult, ANXIETY, Cross Sectional Studies, Epidemiologic Studies, and Medical and Health Sciences
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The objective of this observational study was to assess under real clinical practice conditions the effectiveness and safety of venlafaxine extended release in anxiety-depressed and hormone-related symptoms in climacteric women with... more
The objective of this observational study was to assess under real clinical practice conditions the effectiveness and safety of venlafaxine extended release in anxiety-depressed and hormone-related symptoms in climacteric women with anxiety or depressive disorders. Observational, prospective, open-label, multicenter, 24-week study, carried out in Spain. A sample of 45 outpatients, adult women between 45 and 55 years of age, diagnosed of depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder were analyzed. Venlafaxine extended release was administered for 24 weeks at doses according to the investigator's clinical criteria. Of the total of 45 patients who were included in the study, 43 (95.6%) completed it. The patients' age range was of 47 to 55 years old, median of 50 and mean of 50.82. The clinical condition evolution was assessed with the evaluation scales scores: Blatt-Kuppermann Menopausal Index, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Sc...
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Many psychiatric facilities allow patients to smoke cigarettes even though this habit is especially harmful for mental patients. We studied the untoward effects produced by the smoking ban in 40 consecutive inpatients admitted to a... more
Many psychiatric facilities allow patients to smoke cigarettes even though this habit is especially harmful for mental patients. We studied the untoward effects produced by the smoking ban in 40 consecutive inpatients admitted to a psychiatric ward of a general hospital. A total of 52.2 % out of 40 patients were smokers; the mean Fagerstrom score was 5.9. The most frequent diagnostic groups were: schizophrenia and delusional disorders; mood disorders; and personality disorders. There were only two untoward effects related with the smoking ban during the study period. This study shows that the smoking ban can be successfully implemented in a general hospital psychiatric unit without causing unfavorable effects.
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This paper shows the application of a ‘case mix’ system (Resources Utilization Groups T18 or RUG‐T18) to a Spanish long‐term inpatient psychiatric sample. Objective: To examine the capacity of RUG‐T18 to predict patient resource use... more
This paper shows the application of a ‘case mix’ system (Resources Utilization Groups T18 or RUG‐T18) to a Spanish long‐term inpatient psychiatric sample. Objective: To examine the capacity of RUG‐T18 to predict patient resource use (spent time of care) in a long‐term psychiatric sample. Subjects and research design: Data included an assessment of 163 patients’ characteristics, corresponding to groups of the RUG‐T18, and detailed measurement of nursing staff care over a 24‐h period. Results: ‘Severe behavioural problems’ was the most frequent RUG‐T18 category. There were significant differences in the spent time of care in the different groups and high variability in the distribution of time of care within groups and in the total sample. Conclusions: The RUG T‐18 system should be improved to become a useful case mix system in long‐term psychiatric inpatients. The high variance intragroups could be minimized improving the psychopathological aspects of the system.
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IntroductionMetabolic syndrome is a frequent, severe, undiagnosed physical comorbidity in patients with severe mental disorders.AimTo develop a predictive model of metabolic syndrome for patients with schizophrenic or bipolar disorders,... more
IntroductionMetabolic syndrome is a frequent, severe, undiagnosed physical comorbidity in patients with severe mental disorders.AimTo develop a predictive model of metabolic syndrome for patients with schizophrenic or bipolar disorders, useful for both clinical practice and research.MethodsNaturalistic, one-year follow-up study conducted in Asturias, Spain. A total of 172 patients with schizophrenic (Sch-P) or bipolar (BD-P) disorders (ICD-10 criteria), under maintenance treatment, who gave written informed consent were included. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the modified NCEP ATP-III criteria. Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS), Genetic Algorithms (GA), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) analysis were performed.ResultsStarting from a large set of demographic and clinical variables, and by means of intermediate MARS and GA models, an SVM model able to classify if a patient with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder suffers from metabolic syndrome with an accurac...
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Las psicosis cicloides son cuadros psicoticos funcionales atipicos que presentan dificultades en cuanto a su correcto diagnostico y tratamiento. Se presenta un caso de una paciente con un cuadro de psicosis cicloide predominantemente... more
Las psicosis cicloides son cuadros psicoticos funcionales atipicos que presentan dificultades en cuanto a su correcto diagnostico y tratamiento. Se presenta un caso de una paciente con un cuadro de psicosis cicloide predominantemente confusional con distintos factores precipitantes. Se discute el papel de los neurolepticos y de los eutimizantes en el tratamiento agudo y de mantenimiento de estos cuadros. Palabras clave: Psicosis cicloide. Neurolepticos. Eutimizantes. Unstable psychosis Cycloid psychoses are atypical psychoses which are difficult to correctly diagnose and treat. A case of a patient with a predominantly confusional cycloid psychosis with variable precipitating factors is presented. The role of neuroleptic and mood stabilizing drugs in acute treatment and maintance of these cases is discussed.
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Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Abstract Purpose/Background A nomogram from a British naturalistic study proposed that the clozapine dosing needed to reach a serum concentration of 350 ng/mL ranged from 265 mg/d... more
Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Abstract Purpose/Background A nomogram from a British naturalistic study proposed that the clozapine dosing needed to reach a serum concentration of 350 ng/mL ranged from 265 mg/d (female nonsmokers) to 525 mg/d (male smokers). Some European reviews have used these dosing recommendations, which seem greater than what we found in an Italian White sample ranging from 245 mg/d (female nonsmokers) to 299 mg/d (male smokers). Five other published samples of European Whites were added to the Italian sample to estimate clozapine doses recommended for reaching 350 ng/mL. Methods/Procedures Average clozapine metabolizers were obtained by eliminating outliers with confounding variables: (1) psychiatric inducers and inhibitors; (2) doses less than 100 mg/d; and (3) when possible, patients with inflammation, obesity, or using oral contraceptives. The study included 1363 average metabolizer European Whites: the Italian sample and 5 new samples. Mean averages that reached serum concentration levels of 350 ng/mL were calculated after stratification by sex and smoking status in each sample. Then, weighted mean averages were obtained by combining the 6 samples. Findings/Results The estimated weighted mean clozapine dosages ranged from 236 to 368 mg/d (236 mg/d in 218 female nonsmokers, 256 mg/d in 340 male nonsmokers, 357 mg/d in 269 female smokers, and 368 mg/d in 546 male smokers). Implications/Conclusions Our recommended dosages are less than those recommended in Europe. Future studies in European Whites need to replicate these recommended doses for average metabolizer patients after sex and smoking stratification and further explore clozapine dosing for those with relevant clinical confounders.
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Evidence suggests the existence of cytokine disturbances in patients with schizophrenia but their association with psychopathology is still unclear. The aim of the current study was to determine if pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (tumor... more
Evidence suggests the existence of cytokine disturbances in patients with schizophrenia but their association with psychopathology is still unclear. The aim of the current study was to determine if pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-2, IL-1β, IL-1RA) are increased in stable outpatients compared with healthy subjects, and to analyze if they could be specific biomarkers of clinical dimensions in schizophrenia. We studied 73 stable outpatients with schizophrenia in their first 10 years of illness and 73 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. An accurate assessment of clinical dimensions (positive, negative, depressive, cognitive) was performed in patients. Only IL-6 levels were significantly increased in patients after controlling for body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, and psychopharmacological treatment, compared with healthy subjects. After adjusting for several confounders, multiple linear regression models identified that P...
This international guideline proposes improving clozapine package inserts worldwide by using ancestry-based dosing and titration. Adverse drug reaction (ADR) databases suggest that clozapine is the third most toxic drug in the United... more
This international guideline proposes improving clozapine package inserts worldwide by using ancestry-based dosing and titration. Adverse drug reaction (ADR) databases suggest that clozapine is the third most toxic drug in the United States (US), and it produces four times higher worldwide pneumonia mortality than that by agranulocytosis or myocarditis. For trough steady-state clozapine serum concentrations, the therapeutic reference range is narrow, from 350 to 600 ng/mL with the potential for toxicity and ADRs as concentrations increase. Clozapine is mainly metabolized by CYP1A2 (female non-smokers, the lowest dose; male smokers, the highest dose). Poor metabolizer status through phenotypic conversion is associated with co-prescription of inhibitors (including oral contraceptives and valproate), obesity, or inflammation with C-reactive protein (CRP) elevations. The Asian population (Pakistan to Japan) or the Americas’ original inhabitants have lower CYP1A2 activity and require low...
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The World Health Organization is revising the classification of common mental disorders in primary care for ICD-11. Major changes from the ICD-10 primary care version have been proposed for: (i) mood and anxiety disorders; and (ii)... more
The World Health Organization is revising the classification of common mental disorders in primary care for ICD-11. Major changes from the ICD-10 primary care version have been proposed for: (i) mood and anxiety disorders; and (ii) presentations of multiple somatic symptoms (bodily stress syndrome). This three-part field study explored the implementation of the revised classification by primary care physicians (PCPs) in five countries. Participating PCPs in Brazil, China, Mexico, Pakistan and Spain were asked to use the revised classification, first in patients that they suspected might be psychologically distressed (Part 1), and second in patients with multiple somatic symptoms causing distress or disability not wholly attributable to a known physical pathology, or with high levels of health anxiety (Part 2). Patients referred to Part 1 or Part 2 underwent a structured diagnostic interview. Part 3 consisted of feedback from PCPs regarding the classification. In Part 1, anxious depr...
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Despite the proven association between smoking and high rates of medical morbidity and reduced life expectancy in people with severe mental disorders (SMD), their smoking rates do not decline as they do in the general population. We... more
Despite the proven association between smoking and high rates of medical morbidity and reduced life expectancy in people with severe mental disorders (SMD), their smoking rates do not decline as they do in the general population. We carried out a non-randomized, open-label, prospective, 9-month follow-up multicentre trial to investigate the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of a 12-week smoking cessation programme for patients with SMD in the community under real-world clinical conditions. Eighty-two adult outpatients with schizophrenic/bipolar disorder smoking ≥15 cigarettes/day were assigned by shared decision between doctors and patients to transdermal nicotine patches (TNP) [36(46.2%)] or varenicline [39(50%)]. Short-term efficacy: The 12-week 7-day smoking cessation (self-reported cigarettes/day=0 and breath carbon monoxide levels≤9ppm) prevalence was 49.3%, without statistically significant differences between medications (TNP 50.0% vs varenicline 48.6%, chi-square=0.015, p=1.000). Long-term efficacy: At weeks 24 and 36, 41.3 and 37.3% of patients were abstinent, with no statistically significant differences between treatments. Safety and Tolerability: no patients made suicide attempts/required hospitalization. There was no worsening on the psychometric scales. Patients significantly increased weight [TNP 1.1(2.8) vs varenicline 2.5(3.3), p=0.063], without significant changes in vital signs/laboratory results, except significant decreases in alkaline phosphatase and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in the varenicline group. Patients under varenicline more frequently presented nausea/vomiting (p<0.0005), patients under TNP experienced skin reactions more frequently (p=0.002). Three patients under varenicline had elevated liver enzymes. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that in real-world clinical settings it is feasible and safe to help patients with stabilized severe mental disorders to quit smoking.
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Se sabe que las personas con esquizofrenia presentan una disminución en la esperanza de vida con respecto a la población general1 que se debe, al menos en parte, a una alta prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular2. La aparición... more
Se sabe que las personas con esquizofrenia presentan una disminución en la esperanza de vida con respecto a la población general1 que se debe, al menos en parte, a una alta prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular2. La aparición de estos factores de riesgo está favorecida por el consumo de determinados psicofármacos y por un estilo de vida poco saludable3,4. Por ello, conocer los hábitos dietéticos de las personas con esquizofrenia es siempre relevante y se vuelve imprescindible cuando se pretende iniciar cualquier plan de intervención encaminado a disminuir el riesgo cardiovascular. Estudiamos 74 pacientes con esquizofrenia (23 de ellos mujeres) con un rango de edad entre 18 y 60 años. Todos fueron diagnosticados según criterios CIE-10 por psiquiatras entrenados. Todos los pacientes tenían más de 2 años de historia de enfermedad y estaban psicopatológicamente estables en el momento del estudio. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos (peso, altura, perímetro abdominal, pulso y tensión arterial) y de consumo de alimentos. El consumo de alimentos se obtuvo de forma retrospectiva utilizando un cuestionario semicuantitativo de alimentación. Todos los sujetos y, siempre que fue posible, sus familiares, fueron entrevistados de manera exhaustiva por una enfermera entrenada (todas las entrevistas fueron realizadas por la misma enfermera que pertenecía al equipo de atención de trastornos mentales graves), que recogía datos de la frecuencia y cantidad de cada comida ingerida durante la semana anterior. La cuantificación se hizo mostrando a los pacientes imágenes con distintas cantidades de cada tipo de comida. La dieta se analizó mediante el programa NUT5, que permite la conversión de los cuestionarios de frecuencia en consumos absolutos de alimentos o nutrientes, esto último utilizando las tablas españolas de composición de alimentos elaboradas por el Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas en
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Research Interests: Anxiety Disorders, Neuropsychopharmacology, Treatment Outcome, Adolescent, Humans, and 15 moreFemale, Male, Young Adult, Lorazepam, Recurrence, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, Time Factors, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Severity of Illness Index, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences, and Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
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Background The main objectives of the survey were: (a) to analyse the sociological, clinical and illness-related correlates of mental illness in primary care; (b) to study, during one-year follow-up, outcome and use of health resources.... more
Background The main objectives of the survey were: (a) to analyse the sociological, clinical and illness-related correlates of mental illness in primary care; (b) to study, during one-year follow-up, outcome and use of health resources. Method The survey comprised a two-phase cross-sectional study. In the first phase patients were classified using the GHQ-28 or by the general practitioner (GP). In the second phase they were assessed by the SCAN system. Results The prevalence rate of mental illness (in attenders) using the GHQ was 33.2%. The corresponding rate for the GP was 14.1%, and for the SCAN 31.5%. Mental illness mainly comprised depression, anxiety and alcohol-related diagnoses. The presence of mental illness and the use of health resources during follow-up were dependent on demographic characteristics and on their original psychiatric status. Conclusions In primary care, mental illness constitutes a major health problem. Despite this fact. GPs do not recognise a substantial ...
Research Interests: Primary Care, Mental Health, Family Practice, Spain, Humans, and 15 moreFemale, Male, Follow-up studies, Mental Disorders, Mental health services, Aged, Prevalence, Middle Aged, Adult, Sex Factors, Cross Sectional Studies, Epidemiologic Studies, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Outcome assessment (Health care), and Medical and Health Sciences
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Introduction Patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have higher rates of medical comorbidities and mortality than general population [1,2]. Aims To find severe mental illness biomarkers. Here, we present the peripherical... more
Introduction Patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have higher rates of medical comorbidities and mortality than general population [1,2]. Aims To find severe mental illness biomarkers. Here, we present the peripherical biological parameters of patients with schizophrenia (SCH), bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy subjects (HS). Methods Cross-sectional, naturalistic study. Inclusion criteria: DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder; age>17 years; and written informed consent given. Results One hundred and twenty-three SCH, 102 BD and 80 HS. Laboratory tests: red cells, haemoglobin, leukocyte, platelets, glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, GPT, AP, CA, P, FE, insulin, HbA1c and TSH. Age and gender were used as covariates. There were differences in: HDL-cholesterol ( P P P P =0.006) and TSH ( P =0.013). The differences were between SCH and HS (HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, AP and TSH),...
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References http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/170/6/529#BIBL This article cites 0 articles, 0 of which you can access for free at:
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OBJECTIVE Clinicians need brief and valid instruments to monitor the psychosocial impact of weight gain in persons with psychiatric disorders. We examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Body Weight, Image and... more
OBJECTIVE Clinicians need brief and valid instruments to monitor the psychosocial impact of weight gain in persons with psychiatric disorders. We examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Body Weight, Image and Self-Esteem Evaluation (B-WISE) questionnaire in patients with severe mental disorders. METHOD The data come from a naturalistic, cross-sectional, validation study conducted at 6 centres in Spain. A total of 211 outpatients with severe mental disorders, 118 with schizophrenia and 93 with bipolar disorder, were evaluated using the B-WISE, the Visual Analogue Scale for Weight and Body Image, and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S). The body mass index was also obtained. RESULTS The principal component analysis confirms 3 components explaining 50.93% of the variance. The Cronbach α values for B-WISE scales ranged between .55 and .73. Significant Pearson correlations were found between B-WISE total score and CGI-S (r = -0.25; P < .001) and ...
Self-harm behaviors in children and adolescents constitute an important public health problem with prevalence figures in the clinical population between 40 and 80%. The objectives of the study were to analyze and compare the Spanish... more
Self-harm behaviors in children and adolescents constitute an important public health problem with prevalence figures in the clinical population between 40 and 80%. The objectives of the study were to analyze and compare the Spanish sub-samples of two studies, SEYLE and WE-STAY to determine prevalence, self-harm patterns and factors associated with self-harm behaviors, notably the use of alcohol or drugs. The questionnaires used in both studies were the Global School Health Survey (GSHS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The self-harm behaviors were evaluated with a modified 6-item version of s the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory (DSHI). The independence of the study's categorical variables was assessed using the Chi-square test. The change in the relative risk of self-harm between the SEYLE study and WE-STAY was evaluated through the odds ratio (OR) calculation. Two different logistic regression models were calculated in...
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Alcohol use/abuse is a health problem in adolescents. The last Survey on use of drugs in Secondary Schoolers carried out in Spain (ESTUDES 2014-2015), reveals that 76.8% of adolescents aged 14 to 18 years consumed alcohol in the previous... more
Alcohol use/abuse is a health problem in adolescents. The last Survey on use of drugs in Secondary Schoolers carried out in Spain (ESTUDES 2014-2015), reveals that 76.8% of adolescents aged 14 to 18 years consumed alcohol in the previous year and 68.2% in the last month. The aim of this study is to determine the medium-term factors associated with alcohol consumption in a sample of Spanish adolescents. The present study was carried out as a part of the Saving and Empowering Young Lives project in Europe (SEYLE) project. The final sample was composed of 708 students, assessed at two times [basal (T0) and one year later (T1)] [males: 51.98%, basal mean age (SD)=4.43 (0.67)]. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed in order to investigate relationships between possible predictive variables found at time T0 and alcohol consumption at time T1. At basal time (T0) the prevalence of alcohol abuse was 25.56%, whereas the prevalence one year later was 49.72% (T1). Varia...
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A new diagnosis of anxious depression (AD), characterized by both depressive and anxious symptoms at case level, has been proposed for the classification of mental disorders for primary care for ICD-11 (ICD-11 PHC). The ICD-11 PHC... more
A new diagnosis of anxious depression (AD), characterized by both depressive and anxious symptoms at case level, has been proposed for the classification of mental disorders for primary care for ICD-11 (ICD-11 PHC). The ICD-11 PHC proposes a duration requirement for anxiety symptoms of 2 weeks, in line with the requirement for depressive symptoms. This study examined diagnostic assignment under ICD-11 PHC as compared to the previous classification, the ICD-10 PHC, and the relationship of anxiety duration to disability and suicidal ideation. Primary care physicians in five countries referred patients based on either perceived psychological distress or distressing somatic symptoms to a research assistant who administered a computer-guided diagnostic interview. Complete data were obtained for 2279 participants. Under ICD-11 PHC 47.7% participants received a diagnosis of AD and had greater disability than other diagnostic groups. Under ICD-10 PHC, in addition to meeting requirements for...
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A study conducted as part of the development of the Eleventh International Classification of Mental Disorders for Primary Health Care (ICD-11 PHC) provided an opportunity to test the relationships among depressive, anxious and somatic... more
A study conducted as part of the development of the Eleventh International Classification of Mental Disorders for Primary Health Care (ICD-11 PHC) provided an opportunity to test the relationships among depressive, anxious and somatic symptoms in PHC. Primary care physicians participating in the ICD-11 PHC field studies in five countries selected patients who presented with somatic symptoms not explained by known physical pathology by applying a 29-item screening on somatic complaints that were under study for bodily stress disorder. Patients were interviewed using the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised and assessed using two five-item scales that measure depressive and anxious symptoms. Structural models of anxious-depressive symptoms and somatic complaints were tested using a bi-factor approach. A total of 797 patients completed the study procedures. Two bi-factor models fit the data well: Model 1 had all symptoms loaded on a general factor, along with one of three specific depre...
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IntroductionThe concept of schizophrenia as a systemic disease includes, not only psychosis, but an increase in somatic comorbidity and cardiovascular risk [1]. Furthermore, it is known the implication of inflammation in the pathogenesis... more
IntroductionThe concept of schizophrenia as a systemic disease includes, not only psychosis, but an increase in somatic comorbidity and cardiovascular risk [1]. Furthermore, it is known the implication of inflammation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia [2].ObjectivesTo determinate potential inflammatory/metabolic biomarkers of schizophrenia's dimensions.MethodsSample: 36 outpatients with schizophrenia for less than 11 years, under stable maintenance treatment (mean age [32.25], males [63.9%]) and their 36 matched controls (age [32.53 ± 6.63]; males [72.2%]).EvaluationPANSS, Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms(CAINS), Calgary Scale(CDS), CGI, Personal and Social Performance Scale(PSP). Biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR (insulin resistance), cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides.ResultsBiomarkers differences between groups are shown in Table 1. Table 2 shows the correlations found after controlling for Body Mass Index [p...
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A World Health Organization (WHO) field study conducted in five countries assessed proposals for Bodily Stress Syndrome (BSS) and Health Anxiety (HA) for the Primary Health Care Version of ICD-11. BSS requires multiple somatic symptoms... more
A World Health Organization (WHO) field study conducted in five countries assessed proposals for Bodily Stress Syndrome (BSS) and Health Anxiety (HA) for the Primary Health Care Version of ICD-11. BSS requires multiple somatic symptoms not caused by known physical pathology and associated with distress or dysfunction. HA involves persistent, intrusive fears of having an illness or intense preoccupation with and misinterpretation of bodily sensations. This study examined how the proposed descriptions for BSS and HA corresponded to what was observed by working primary care physicians (PCPs) in participating countries, and the relationship of BSS and HA to depressive and anxiety disorders and to disability. PCPs referred patients judged to have BSS or HA, who were then interviewed using a standardized psychiatric interview and a standardized measure of disability. Of 587 patients with BSS or HA, 70.4% were identified as having both conditions. Participants had an average of 10.9 somatic symptoms. Patients who presented somatic symptoms across multiple body systems were more disabled than patients with symptoms in a single system. Most referred patients (78.9%) had co-occurring diagnoses of depression, anxiety, or both. Anxious depression was the most common co-occurring psychological disorder, associated with the greatest disability. Study results indicate the importance of assessing for mood and anxiety disorders among patients who present multiple somatic symptoms without identifiable physical pathology. Although highly co-occurring with each other and with mood and anxiety disorders, BSS and HA represent distinct constructs that correspond to important presentations in primary care.
Research Interests: Anxiety Disorders, Psychometrics, Primary Health Care, Medically Unexplained Symptoms, Medicine, and 14 moreHumans, Female, Male, Depressive Disorder, Mental Disorders, Aged, Middle Aged, International Classification of Diseases, Psychosomatic, Adult, Somatoform disorders, World Health Organization, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, and Medical and Health Sciences
The economic crisis has negative effects on the population’s physical and mental health. Our objective has been to study the association between socioeconomic status and number of people demanding mental health services. We performed a... more
The economic crisis has negative effects on the population’s physical and mental health. Our objective has been to study the association between socioeconomic status and number of people demanding mental health services. We performed a correlation analysis of administrative morbidity data (incidence and prevalence) of mental illness (obtained from the Asturias Cumulative Psychiatric Case Register) and three economic indicators (unemployment, consumer price index and gross domestic product). The increase in the unemployment rate is associated with a clear decrease in both new and prevalent mental health demand. CPI has a minor weak positive correlation with the administrative incidence of some mental disorders (Neurotic disorders, Schizophrenia and addictions). GDP does not show a significant correlation with the administrative incidence and it is strongly associated with an increased administrative prevalence that is more intense in the case of alcoholism, neurotic disorders, mental...
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The aim of the present work is to determine the association between unemployment and suicide, and to investigate whether this association is affected by changes in the economic cycle or other variables such as age and sex. A time-trend... more
The aim of the present work is to determine the association between unemployment and suicide, and to investigate whether this association is affected by changes in the economic cycle or other variables such as age and sex. A time-trend analysis was conducted to study changes in the number of suicides between 1999 and 2013 in Spain. Pearson&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s correlation coefficients and regression models were used to find the association between unemployment and suicide. A significant positive association was found between unemployment and suicide in the pre-crisis period in men. In that period (1999-2007), each 1% annual increase in unemployment was associated with a 6.90% increase in the annual variation of suicide in the total population, and with a 9.04% increase in the annual variation of suicide in working age men. The correlation between unemployment and suicide is significant in periods of economic stability, but has weakened during the recent financial crisis. Unemployment and suicide have a complex relationship modulated by age, sex and economic cycle.
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Symptomatology of schizophrenia is heterogeneous, there is not any pathognomonic symptom. Moreover, the diagnosis is difficult, since it is based on subjective information, instead of markers. The purpose of this study is to provide a... more
Symptomatology of schizophrenia is heterogeneous, there is not any pathognomonic symptom. Moreover, the diagnosis is difficult, since it is based on subjective information, instead of markers. The purpose of this study is to provide a review of the current status of blood-based biomarkers of psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia. Inflammatory, hormonal or metabolic dysfunctions have been identified in patients with schizophrenia and it has attempted to establish biomarkers responsible for these dysfunctions. The identification of these biomarkers could contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.
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Symptomatology of schizophrenia is heterogeneous, there is not any pathognomonic symptom. Moreover, the diagnosis is difficult, since it is based on subjective information, instead of markers. The purpose of this study is to provide a... more
Symptomatology of schizophrenia is heterogeneous, there is not any pathognomonic symptom. Moreover, the diagnosis is difficult, since it is based on subjective information, instead of markers. The purpose of this study is to provide a review of the current status of blood-based biomarkers of psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia. Inflammatory, hormonal or metabolic dysfunctions have been identified in patients with schizophrenia and it has attempted to establish biomarkers responsible for these dysfunctions. The identification of these biomarkers could contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.