Background: Early adverse stress is a risk factor for the appearance of mental health ailments during adulthood. Aim: To systematically review treatment outcomes on mental health symptoms and functional domains, and of interventions aimed at treating adults with depressive disorders and early adverse stress (EAS). Material and Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis including experimental and quasi-experimental published studies indexed in the CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, which explored the effectiveness of treatment interventions for depressive disorders in adults exposed to EAS. Data on outcomes was extracted from the included studies. A narrative, qualitative approach or a quality-effects model for meta-analysis were used for synthesizing these data. Results: Thirteen studies were included. Psychological or combined treatment interventions for depression in adults exposed to EAS may be effective in reducing trauma-related symptoms and social dysfunction in the short-and mid-term, with small effect size and without substantive heterogeneity. The assessment of anxiety symptoms and health-related quality of life yielded mixed results. Conclusions: Despite the ubiquity of EAS and its adverse and long-lasting consequences for well-being and health, treatment alternatives are scant. This review suggests that there are treatment interventions for depression in adults exposed to EAS that may achieve integral mental health benefits, alleviating its impact on various symptoms and functional domains, when EAS is explicitly considered in the treatment intervention.

Background: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) is an instrument to assess child abuse and neglect Aim: to adapt and confirm the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the CTQ-SF in Chile. Material and Methods: The CTQ-SF was applied to 89 clinically depressed subjects (77.5% women) who consulted at an outpatient mental health clinic. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability (Cronbach’s α) tests, and convergent validity analyses with clinical markers of complex depression were carried out. Results: The Chilean version of the CTQ-SF demonstrated an acceptable fit to a five-factor model, with adequate psychometric properties. The CFA revealed that a better fit to a five-factor model would be achieved after elimination of two items from the physical neglect scale, the less reliable scale of the questionnaire. The physical abuse scale discriminated between patients with a complex depression versus non-complex depression, and all the CTQ-SF’s scales discriminated between patients with high suicide risk and/or history of psychiatric admissions versus those patients without this background. Conclusions: the Chilean version of the CTQ-SF shows evidence of structural and discriminant validity, and reliability, in a clinical sample. Better alternatives to specifically assess the physical neglect construct should be developed.

Background: There is a paucity of validated instruments for screening depression in adolescent populations in Chile. Aim: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the adolescent version of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Material and Methods: The PHQ-9 was transculturally adapted and administered to adolescents aged 15 to 19 years residing in Santiago de Chile, who were then evaluated with a semi structured interview (Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version or K-SADS-PL) and the Beck Depression Inventory. Internal validity, concurrent validity, and discriminatory power of the PHQ-9 were analyzed. Results: We evaluated 245 adolescents aged 16.2 ± 1 years (71% females). Two hundred and ten presented with a depressive episode and 35 were healthy. The sensitivity and specificity of the scale were 86.2 and 82.9% for 11 points, with a positive likelihood ratio of 5.02. Conclusions: The PHQ-9 is sensitive and specific enough to be used as a screening tool in adolescents with suspected depression. At a 11-point cut-off score as proposed, the likelihood to find a positive result in a subject with depression is five times higher.

Background: International evidence has shown the complex interaction between depression and chronic physical diseases. Depression in scenarios involving multiple comorbidities has not received enough attention in Chile. Aim: To characterize the depressed people who consult at Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs), taking into account the presence of chronic physical or psychiatric comorbidity. Materials and Methods: A secondary analysis of databases used in a clinical trial. Two hundred fifty six adults seeking professional help were recruited in four PHCCs located in the Metropolitan Region. These people had a major depressive episode, identified with a structured psychiatric interview (MINI), and gave their informed consent to participate. Socio-demographic information was collected, depressive symptomatology was measured with the patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), psychiatric morbidity was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), and chronic physical diseases were self-reported by the patients. Descriptive analyses of all the variables were conducted. Results: Seventy percent of patients had a history of depression, with a median of two prior depressive episodes. Depressive symptoms were mostly considered as moderate to severe and severe and 31% of the patients had high suicide risk. Seventy eight percent displayed a physical or psychiatric comorbidity. Of these patients, 29% only had a chronic physical comorbidity, while 46% suffered from an additional psychiatric disorder. Conclusions: Depressed individuals who seek help at PHCCs constitute an especially complex population that must be treated taking into account multiple comorbidities.

Objective to develop a predictive model to evaluate the factors that modify the access to treatment for Postpartum Depression (PPD). Methods prospective study with mothers who participated in the monitoring of child health in primary care centers. For the initial assessment and during 3 months, it was considered: sociodemographic data, gyneco-obstetric data, data on the services provided, depressive symptoms according to the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and quality of life according to the Short Form-36 Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36). The diagnosis of depression was made based on MINI. Mothers diagnosed with PPD in the initial evaluation, were followed-up. Results a statistical model was constructed to determine the factors that prevented access to treatment, which consisted of: item 2 of EPDS (OR 0.43, 95%CI: 0.20-0.93) and item 5 (OR 0.48, 95%CI: 0.21-1.09), and previous history of depression treatment (OR 0.26, 95%CI: 0.61-1.06). Area under the ROC curve for the model=0.79; p-value for the Hosmer-Lemershow=0.73. Conclusion it was elaborated a simple, well standardized and accurate profile, which advises that nurses should pay attention to those mothers diagnosed with PPD, presenting low/no anhedonia (item 2 of EPDS), scarce/no panic/fear (item 5 of EPDS), and no history of depression, as it is likely that these women do not initiate treatment.

Objetivo desarrollar un modelo predictivo para evaluar los factores que modifiquen el acceso a tratamiento para la DPP. Métodos estudio prospectivo de madres que asistieron a control de niño sano en centros de atención primaria. En evaluación basal y 3 meses, se registraron: datos sociodemográficos, gineco-obstétricos, variables de uso de servicios, síntomas depresivos con la Escala de Depresión Posparto de Edimburgo (EPDS) y calidad de vida con el Cuestionario de Salud SF-36. El diagnóstico de depresión se hizo con el MINI. Se siguió a madres que en evaluación basal tenían DPP. Resultados se construyó un modelo estadístico para determinar los factores que impidieron el acceso a tratamiento, compuesto por: ítems del EPDS 2 (OR 0,43, IC95%: 0,20-0,93) y 5 (OR 0,48, IC95%: 0,21-1,09), e historia previa de tratamiento de depresión (OR 0,26, IC95%: 0,61-1,06). Área bajo la curva ROC para el modelo=0,79; valor de p para la prueba de Hosmer-Lemershow=0,73. Conclusión se elaboró un perfil simple, bien calibrado y discriminante, que sugiere que los/las enfermeros/as estén atentos/as a aquellas madres con DPP que presenten baja/nula anhedonia (ítem 2 EPDS), escaso/nulo pánico/miedo (ítem 5 EPDS), y sin antecedentes de depresión, ya que es probable que estas mujeres no ingresen a tratamiento.

Objetivo desenvolver um modelo preditivo para avaliar os fatores que modificam o acesso a tratamento para a DPP. Métodos estudo prospectivo com mães que participaram do acompanhamento da saúde da criança em centros de atenção primária. Na avaliação inicial e durante 3 meses, foram registrados: dados sociodemográficos, gineco-obstétricos, dados sobre o uso dos serviços, sintomas depressivos de acordo com a Escala de Depressão Pós-parto de Edimburgo (EPDS) e qualidade de vida de acordo com o Questionário de Saúde SF-36. O diagnóstico de depressão foi feito com o MINI. Foram acompanhadas as mães que tinham DPP na avaliação inicial. Resultados foi construído um modelo estatístico para determinar os fatores que impediram o acesso a tratamento, constituído por: item 2 da EPDS (OR 0,43, IC95%: 0,20-0,93) e 5 (OR 0,48, IC95%: 0,21-1,09), e história prévia de tratamento para depressão (OR 0,26, IC95%: 0,61-1,06). Área sob a curva ROC para o modelo=0,79; valor de p para o teste de Hosmer-Lemershow=0,73. Conclusão foi elaborado um perfil simples, bem padronizado e preciso, que recomenda que os/as enfermeiros/as estejam atentos/as àquelas mães com DPP que apresentem anedonia baixa/nula (item 2 da EPDS), pânico/medo escasso/nulo (item 5 da EPDS) e sem antecedentes de depressão, já que é provável que estas mulheres não entrem em tratamento.

Objetivo desenvolver um modelo preditivo para avaliar os fatores que modificam o acesso a tratamento para a DPP. Métodos estudo prospectivo com mães que participaram do acompanhamento da saúde da criança em centros de atenção primária. Na avaliação inicial e durante 3 meses, foram registrados: dados sociodemográficos, gineco-obstétricos, dados sobre o uso dos serviços, sintomas depressivos de acordo com a Escala de Depressão Pós-parto de Edimburgo (EPDS) e qualidade de vida de acordo com o Questionário de Saúde SF-36. O diagnóstico de depressão foi feito com o MINI. Foram acompanhadas as mães que tinham DPP na avaliação inicial. Resultados foi construído um modelo estatístico para determinar os fatores que impediram o acesso a tratamento, constituído por: item 2 da EPDS (OR 0,43, IC95%: 0,20-0,93) e 5 (OR 0,48, IC95%: 0,21-1,09), e história prévia de tratamento para depressão (OR 0,26, IC95%: 0,61-1,06). Área sob a curva ROC para o modelo=0,79; valor de p para o teste de Hosmer-Lemershow=0,73. Conclusão foi elaborado um perfil simples, bem padronizado e preciso, que recomenda que os/as enfermeiros/as estejam atentos/as àquelas mães com DPP que apresentem anedonia baixa/nula (item 2 da EPDS), pânico/medo escasso/nulo (item 5 da EPDS) e sem antecedentes de depressão, já que é provável que estas mulheres não entrem em tratamento.

Objective to develop a predictive model to evaluate the factors that modify the access to treatment for Postpartum Depression (PPD). Methods prospective study with mothers who participated in the monitoring of child health in primary care centers. For the initial assessment and during 3 months, it was considered: sociodemographic data, gyneco-obstetric data, data on the services provided, depressive symptoms according to the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and quality of life according to the Short Form-36 Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36). The diagnosis of depression was made based on MINI. Mothers diagnosed with PPD in the initial evaluation, were followed-up. Results a statistical model was constructed to determine the factors that prevented access to treatment, which consisted of: item 2 of EPDS (OR 0.43, 95%CI: 0.20-0.93) and item 5 (OR 0.48, 95%CI: 0.21-1.09), and previous history of depression treatment (OR 0.26, 95%CI: 0.61-1.06). Area under the ROC curve for the model=0.79; p-value for the Hosmer-Lemershow=0.73. Conclusion it was elaborated a simple, well standardized and accurate profile, which advises that nurses should pay attention to those mothers diagnosed with PPD, presenting low/no anhedonia (item 2 of EPDS), scarce/no panic/fear (item 5 of EPDS), and no history of depression, as it is likely that these women do not initiate treatment.

Objetivo desarrollar un modelo predictivo para evaluar los factores que modifiquen el acceso a tratamiento para la DPP. Métodos estudio prospectivo de madres que asistieron a control de niño sano en centros de atención primaria. En evaluación basal y 3 meses, se registraron: datos sociodemográficos, gineco-obstétricos, variables de uso de servicios, síntomas depresivos con la Escala de Depresión Posparto de Edimburgo (EPDS) y calidad de vida con el Cuestionario de Salud SF-36. El diagnóstico de depresión se hizo con el MINI. Se siguió a madres que en evaluación basal tenían DPP. Resultados se construyó un modelo estadístico para determinar los factores que impidieron el acceso a tratamiento, compuesto por: ítems del EPDS 2 (OR 0,43, IC95%: 0,20-0,93) y 5 (OR 0,48, IC95%: 0,21-1,09), e historia previa de tratamiento de depresión (OR 0,26, IC95%: 0,61-1,06). Área bajo la curva ROC para el modelo=0,79; valor de p para la prueba de Hosmer-Lemershow=0,73. Conclusión se elaboró un perfil simple, bien calibrado y discriminante, que sugiere que los/las enfermeros/as estén atentos/as a aquellas madres con DPP que presenten baja/nula anhedonia (ítem 2 EPDS), escaso/nulo pánico/miedo (ítem 5 EPDS), y sin antecedentes de depresión, ya que es probable que estas mujeres no ingresen a tratamiento.

In spite of the high prevalence of mental health disorders in Chile, there is a significant financing deficit in this area when compared to the world’s average. The financing for mental health has not increased in accordance with the objectives proposed in the 2000 Chilean National Mental Health and Psychiatry Plan, and only three of the six mental health priorities proposed by this plan have secure financial coverage. The National Health Strategy for the Fulfilment of Health Objectives for the decade 2011-2020 acknowledges that mental disorders worsen the quality of life, increase the risk of physical illness, and have a substantial economic cost for the country. Thus, this article focuses on the importance of investing in mental health, the cost of not doing so, and the need for local mental health research. The article discusses how the United States is trying to eliminate the financial discrimination suffered by patients with mental health disorders, and concludes with public policy recommendations for Chile.