ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the Social Representations of pregnant women about high-risk pregnancy and its repercussions for prenatal care. Method: Qualitative study, based on the procedural aspect of the Theory of Social Representations, carried out with 62 high-risk prenatal pregnant women at a High Complexity Maternity, in Belém, PA, Brazil. Data from semi-structured interviews were processed by the software Interface de R pour les Analyzes Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires. Results: Four categories emerged, in which three dimensions of the Theory composing the genesis of Social Representations are considered: the affective dimension, the biological dimension and the sociocultural dimension. Conclusion: Affects, negative feelings, and adaptations were revealed, with high-risk pregnancy being represented as an unusual and uncomfortable event, influenced by common sense and science, communication means, and dialogues with health professionals, with family support being considered of paramount importance. and prenatal care a propitious moment for establishing bonds with the health professional, seen as essential for their adherence to the care offered.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las Representaciones Sociales de gestantes sobre el embarazo de alto riesgo y sus repercusiones para el prenatal. Método: Estudio cualitativo, basado en el aspecto procedimental de la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales, realizado con 62 gestantes en la atención prenatal de alto riesgo en una Maternidad de Alta Complejidad, en Belém, PA, Brasil. Los datos de las entrevistas semiestructuradas fueron procesados por el software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires. Resultados: Surgieron cuatro categorías, en las que se consideraron tres dimensiones de la Teoría que compusieran la génesis de las Representaciones Sociales, a saber: la dimensión afectiva, la dimensión biológica y la dimensión sociocultural. Conclusión: Se revelaron afectos, sentimientos negativos y adaptaciones, representando el embarazo de alto riesgo como un evento insólito e incómodo, influenciado por el sentido común y la ciencia, los medios de comunicación y diálogos con profesionales de la salud, considerándose de suma importancia el apoyo familiar y el control prenatal, un momento propicio para establecer vínculos con el profesional de la salud, visto como fundamental para su adhesión a los cuidados ofrecidos.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as Representações Sociais de mulheres grávidas sobre a gestação de alto risco e suas repercussões para assistência pré-natal. Método: Estudo qualitativo, pautado na vertente processual da Teoria das Representações Sociais, realizado com 62 gestantes do pré-natal de alto risco de uma Maternidade de Alta Complexidade, em Belém, PA, Brasil. Os dados das entrevistas semiestruturadas foram processados pelo software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires. Resultados: Emergiram quatro categorias, nas quais consideram-se três dimensões da Teoria que compuseram a gênese das Representações Sociais, quais sejam: a dimensão afetiva, a dimensão biológica e a dimensão sociocultural. Conclusão: Desvelaram-se afetos, sentimentos negativos e adaptações, representando-se a gestação de alto risco como evento inusitado e desconfortável, influenciado pelo senso comum e ciência, meios de comunicação e diálogos com os profissionais de saúde, sendo o suporte familiar considerado de suma importância e o pré-natal um momento propício para estabelecimento de vínculos com o profissional de saúde, visto como fundamental para sua adesão aos cuidados ofertados.

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze Primary Health Care professionals’ perceptions about the access of people with pulmonary tuberculosis to government social support and income transfer programs. Methods: multicenter/qualitative study, carried out in Family Health Units in four Brazilian capitals: Belém/Pará, Campo Grande/Mato Grosso do Sul, Recife/Pernambuco and Rio de Janeiro/Rio de Janeiro. Fifty-eight professionals participated (social workers, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physicians and nursing technicians), who provided assistance to people with pulmonary tuberculosis. Individual interviews were conducted, and the content analysis technique was used. Results: among the participants, 45/77.6% were women and 33/56.9% were between 25 and 40 years old. Two thematic categories were organized, demonstrating the perceptions about the possibilities of access to government programs by people with pulmonary tuberculosis in vulnerable situations and the obstacles inherent to this context. Final considerations: it is necessary to move forward in improving patient access to social programs.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar las percepciones de los profesionales de la Atención Primaria de Salud sobre el acceso de las personas con tuberculosis pulmonar a los programas gubernamentales de apoyo social y transferencia de ingresos. Métodos: estudio multicéntrico/cualitativo, realizado en Unidades de Salud de la Familia en cuatro capitales brasileñas: Belém/Pará, Campo Grande/Mato Grosso do Sul, Recife/Pernambuco y Rio de Janeiro/Rio de Janeiro. Participaron 58 profesionales (trabajadores sociales, odontólogos, enfermeros, farmacéuticos, médicos y técnicos de enfermería) que brindaron asistencia a personas con tuberculosis pulmonar. Se realizaron entrevistas individuales y se utilizó la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados: entre los participantes, 45/77,6% eran mujeres y 33/56,9% tenían entre 25 y 40 años. Se organizaron dos categorías temáticas, demostrando las percepciones sobre las posibilidades de acceso a los programas gubernamentales por parte de las personas con tuberculosis pulmonar en situación de vulnerabilidad y los obstáculos inherentes a este contexto. Consideraciones finales: es necesario avanzar en mejorar el acceso de los pacientes a los programas sociales.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar as percepções dos profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde sobre o acesso de pessoas com tuberculose pulmonar aos programas sociais governamentais de suporte e de transferência de renda. Métodos: estudo multicêntrico/qualitativo, realizado em Unidades de Saúde da Família de quatro capitais brasileiras: Belém/Pará, Campo Grande/Mato Grosso do Sul, Recife/Pernambuco e Rio de Janeiro/Rio de Janeiro. Participaram 58 profissionais (assistentes sociais, dentistas, enfermeiros, farmacêuticos, médicos e técnicos de enfermagem), que prestavam assistência às pessoas com tuberculose pulmonar. Foram realizadas entrevistas individuais, e utilizou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: entre os participantes, 45/77,6% eram mulheres e 33/56,9% tinham entre 25 e 40 anos. Organizaram-se duas categorias temáticas, demonstrando as percepções acerca das possibilidades de acesso aos programas governamentais por pessoas com tuberculose pulmonar em situação de vulnerabilidade e os obstáculos inerentes a esse contexto. Considerações finais: é necessário avançar na melhoria do acesso dos doentes aos programas sociais.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular risk factors can mediate the association between depression and cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cardiovascular risk factors in adult individuals with and without histories of major depression in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. METHODS: This study evaluated 423 individuals without any lifetime diagnosis of major depression and 203 individuals with a previous diagnosis of major depression (n = 626). The participants underwent a psychiatric evaluation using a structured clinical interview (SCID-1), an anthropometric evaluation and a clinical evaluation that included blood pressure measurement and assessment of fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and physical activity levels. RESULTS: Individuals with histories of major depression were more likely to be female (P < 0.0001). Individuals with lifetime diagnoses of major depression were more likely to be current smokers (odds ratio, OR 1.61; 95% confidence interval, CI 1.01-2.59) and to have diabetes (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.01-3.21); and less likely to be obese (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.35-0.94). CONCLUSION: Individuals with major depression had higher odds of presenting tobacco smoking and diabetes, and lower odds of being obese. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of this, so as to increase the rates of diagnosis and treatment in this population.

OBJECTIVES: To report the prevalence and factors associated with the use of benzodiazepines in the general population and those with a mental health condition in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: 5,037 individuals from the Sao Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey data were interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, designed to generate DSM-IV diagnoses. Additionally, participants were asked if they had taken any medication in the previous 12 months for the treatment of any mental health condition. RESULTS: The prevalence of benzodiazepine use ranged from 3.6% in the general population to 7.8% among subjects with a mental health condition. Benzodiazepine use was more prevalent in subjects that had been diagnosed with a mood disorder as opposed to an anxiety disorder (14.7% vs. 8.1%, respectively). Subjects that had been diagnosed with a panic disorder (33.7%) or bipolar I/II (23.3%) reported the highest use. Individuals aged ≥50 years (11.1%), those with two or more disorders (11.2%), those with moderate or severe disorders (10%), and those that used psychiatric services (29.8%) also reported higher use. CONCLUSION: These findings give an overview of the use of benzodiazepines in the general population, which will be useful in the public health domain. Benzodiazepine use was higher in those with a mental health condition, with people that had a mood disorder being the most vulnerable. Furthermore, females and the elderly had high benzodiazepine use, so careful management in these groups is required.

The aim of this study was to review emerging evidence of novel treatments for anxiety disorders. We searched PubMed and EMBASE for evidence-based therapeutic alternatives for anxiety disorders in adults, covering the past five years. Eligible articles were systematic reviews (with or without meta-analysis), which evaluated treatment effectiveness of either nonbiological or biological interventions for anxiety disorders. Retrieved articles were summarized as an overview. We assessed methods, quality of evidence, and risk of bias of the articles. Nineteen systematic reviews provided information on almost 88 thousand participants, distributed across 811 clinical trials. Regarding the interventions, 11 reviews investigated psychological or nonbiological treatments; 5, pharmacological or biological; and 3, more than one type of active intervention. Computer-delivered psychological interventions were helpful for treating anxiety of low-to-moderate intensity, but the therapist-oriented approaches had greater results. Recommendations for regular exercise, mindfulness, yoga, and safety behaviors were applicable to anxiety. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, medication augmentation, and new pharmacological agents (vortioxetine) presented inconclusive benefits in patients with anxiety disorders who presented partial responses or refractoriness to standard treatment. New treatment options for anxiety disorders should only be provided to the community after a thorough examination of their efficacy.

Resumo: Os transtornos mentais estão associados à situação laboral enquanto preditores significativos e consequências do desemprego e da aposentadoria precoce. Este estudo estima as taxas de prevalência de transtornos mentais nos últimos 12 meses de acordo com o DSM-IV, além do uso de serviços de saúde e as associações com situação laboral de acordo com gênero na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram analisados dados do São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey (n = 5.037), um estudo populacional que avalia a prevalência e determinantes dos transtornos mentais entre adultos, usando a Composite International Diagnostic Interview. As associações foram estimadas através de razões de prevalência, obtidas por regressão logística binomial e multinomial. O estudo mostra que os transtornos mentais, especialmente transtornos de humor estão associados à inatividade ou ao desemprego entre os homens e à inatividade entre as mulheres, com exceção aos transtornos devido ao uso de substâncias psicoativas que também estão associados ao desemprego em as mulheres. Entre os portadores de transtornos mentais, a busca de serviços de saúde é menos frequente entre os desempregados.

Abstract: Mental disorders are associated with employment status as significant predictors and as consequences of unemployment and early retirement. This study describes the estimates and associations of 12-month DSM-IV prevalence rates of mental disorders and use of health services with employment status by gender in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil. Data from the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey was analyzed (n = 5,037). This is a population-based study assessing the prevalence and determinants of mental disorders among adults, using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The associations were estimated by odds ratios obtained through binomial and multinomial logistic regression. This study demonstrates that having mental disorders, especially mood disorders, is associated with being inactive or unemployed among men and inactive among women, but only having a substance use disorder is associated with being unemployed among women. Among those with mental disorders, seeking health care services is less frequent within unemployed.

Resumen: Los trastornos mentales están asociados a la situación laboral, como predictores significativos por las consecuencias que provocan el desempleo y la jubilación precoz. Este estudio estima las tasas de prevalencia de trastornos mentales en 12 meses, de acuerdo con el DSM-IV, además del uso de servicios de salud y las asociaciones existentes con la situación laboral, de acuerdo con el género en el área metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. Se analizaron los datos del São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey (n = 5.037), un estudio poblacional que evalúa la prevalencia y determinantes de los trastornos mentales entre adultos, usando la Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Las asociaciones se estimaron con razones de prevalencia, obtenidas por la regresión logística binomial y multinomial. El estudio muestra que los trastornos mentales, especialmente los trastornos de humor, están asociados a la inactividad o al desempleo en hombres y a la inactividad en mujeres, pero que sólo el trastorno de consumo de sustancias está asociado al desempleo en mujeres. Entre los portadores de trastornos mentales, la búsqueda de servicios de salud es menos frecuente entre los desempleados.

Resumo: Os transtornos mentais estão associados à situação laboral enquanto preditores significativos e consequências do desemprego e da aposentadoria precoce. Este estudo estima as taxas de prevalência de transtornos mentais nos últimos 12 meses de acordo com o DSM-IV, além do uso de serviços de saúde e as associações com situação laboral de acordo com gênero na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram analisados dados do São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey (n = 5.037), um estudo populacional que avalia a prevalência e determinantes dos transtornos mentais entre adultos, usando a Composite International Diagnostic Interview. As associações foram estimadas através de razões de prevalência, obtidas por regressão logística binomial e multinomial. O estudo mostra que os transtornos mentais, especialmente transtornos de humor estão associados à inatividade ou ao desemprego entre os homens e à inatividade entre as mulheres, com exceção aos transtornos devido ao uso de substâncias psicoativas que também estão associados ao desemprego em as mulheres. Entre os portadores de transtornos mentais, a busca de serviços de saúde é menos frequente entre os desempregados.

Abstract: Mental disorders are associated with employment status as significant predictors and as consequences of unemployment and early retirement. This study describes the estimates and associations of 12-month DSM-IV prevalence rates of mental disorders and use of health services with employment status by gender in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil. Data from the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey was analyzed (n = 5,037). This is a population-based study assessing the prevalence and determinants of mental disorders among adults, using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The associations were estimated by odds ratios obtained through binomial and multinomial logistic regression. This study demonstrates that having mental disorders, especially mood disorders, is associated with being inactive or unemployed among men and inactive among women, but only having a substance use disorder is associated with being unemployed among women. Among those with mental disorders, seeking health care services is less frequent within unemployed.

Resumen: Los trastornos mentales están asociados a la situación laboral, como predictores significativos por las consecuencias que provocan el desempleo y la jubilación precoz. Este estudio estima las tasas de prevalencia de trastornos mentales en 12 meses, de acuerdo con el DSM-IV, además del uso de servicios de salud y las asociaciones existentes con la situación laboral, de acuerdo con el género en el área metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. Se analizaron los datos del São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey (n = 5.037), un estudio poblacional que evalúa la prevalencia y determinantes de los trastornos mentales entre adultos, usando la Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Las asociaciones se estimaron con razones de prevalencia, obtenidas por la regresión logística binomial y multinomial. El estudio muestra que los trastornos mentales, especialmente los trastornos de humor, están asociados a la inactividad o al desempleo en hombres y a la inactividad en mujeres, pero que sólo el trastorno de consumo de sustancias está asociado al desempleo en mujeres. Entre los portadores de trastornos mentales, la búsqueda de servicios de salud es menos frecuente entre los desempleados.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of 12-month self-reported pain and chronic pain in a general population and to describe their clinical profile to assess if chronic pain is associated with 12-month mental disorders. METHODS The data used comes from the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey, a population-based study assessing adult (≥ 18 years) residents of the São Paulo metropolitan area, Brazil. We have assessed the respondents (n = 5,037) using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0), with a global response rate of 81.3%. Descriptive analyses have been performed, and crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) have been calculated with logistic and multinomial regression and presented with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS The prevalence of pain and chronic pain in the past 12 months were 52.6% (95%CI 50.3–54.8) and 31.0% (95%CI 29.2–32.7), respectively. Joints (16.5%, 95%CI 15.4–17.5) and back or neck (15.5%, 95%CI 14.2–16.9) were the most frequently reported anatomical sites of chronic pain. On a 10-point analogue scale, the mean intensity of the worst pain was 7.7 (95%CI 7.4–7.8), and the mean average pain was 5.5 (95%CI 5.2–5.6); the mean treatment response was 6.3 (95%CI 6.0–6.6). Mean pain duration was 16.1 (95%CI 15.6–17.0) days a month and 132 (95%CI 126–144) minutes a day. Chronic pain was associated with 12-month DSM-IV mental disorders (OR = 2.7, 95%CI 2.3–3.3), anxiety disorders (OR = 2.1, 95%CI 1.9–3.0), and mood disorders (OR = 3.3, 95%CI 2.4–4.1). CONCLUSIONS A high prevalence of chronic pain in multiple sites is observed among the general adult population, and associations between chronic pain and mental disorders are frequent.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of 12-month self-reported pain and chronic pain in a general population and to describe their clinical profile to assess if chronic pain is associated with 12-month mental disorders. METHODS The data used comes from the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey, a population-based study assessing adult (≥ 18 years) residents of the São Paulo metropolitan area, Brazil. We have assessed the respondents (n = 5,037) using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0), with a global response rate of 81.3%. Descriptive analyses have been performed, and crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) have been calculated with logistic and multinomial regression and presented with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS The prevalence of pain and chronic pain in the past 12 months were 52.6% (95%CI 50.3–54.8) and 31.0% (95%CI 29.2–32.7), respectively. Joints (16.5%, 95%CI 15.4–17.5) and back or neck (15.5%, 95%CI 14.2–16.9) were the most frequently reported anatomical sites of chronic pain. On a 10-point analogue scale, the mean intensity of the worst pain was 7.7 (95%CI 7.4–7.8), and the mean average pain was 5.5 (95%CI 5.2–5.6); the mean treatment response was 6.3 (95%CI 6.0–6.6). Mean pain duration was 16.1 (95%CI 15.6–17.0) days a month and 132 (95%CI 126–144) minutes a day. Chronic pain was associated with 12-month DSM-IV mental disorders (OR = 2.7, 95%CI 2.3–3.3), anxiety disorders (OR = 2.1, 95%CI 1.9–3.0), and mood disorders (OR = 3.3, 95%CI 2.4–4.1). CONCLUSIONS A high prevalence of chronic pain in multiple sites is observed among the general adult population, and associations between chronic pain and mental disorders are frequent.

OBJETIVO Analisar os determinantes individuais e contextuais do uso de serviços de saúde na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo.MÉTODOS Foram utilizados os dados do estudo São Paulo Megacity, a versão brasileira da pesquisa multicêntrica World Mental Health Survey. Foram analisados 3.588 indivíduos adultos residentes em 69 áreas da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, SP (38 municípios adjacentes e 31 subprefeituras do município de São Paulo), selecionados por meio de amostragem multiestratificada da população não institucionalizada. Foram ajustados modelos multinível logísticos Bayesianos para identificar os determinantes individuais e contextuais do uso de serviços de saúde nos últimos 12 meses e a presença de médico de referência para cuidados de rotina.RESULTADOS As características contextuais do local de residência (desigualdade de renda, violência e renda mediana) não apresentaram associação significativa (p > 0,05) com o uso de serviços ou com a presença de médico de referência para cuidados de rotina. A única exceção foi a associação negativa entre residir em uma área com alta desigualdade de renda e a presença de médico de referência (OR 0,77; IC95% 0,60;0,99) após controle das características individuais. O estudo apontou uma forte e consistente associação entre algumas características individuais (principalmente escolaridade e presença de plano de saúde) com o uso de serviços de saúde e ter médico de referência. A presença de doenças crônicas e mentais associou-se fortemente com o uso de serviços no último ano (independentemente de características individuais), mas não com a presença de médico de referência.CONCLUSÕES Características individuais como maior escolaridade e ter plano de saúde foram determinantes importantes do uso de serviços de saúde na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. A melhor compreensão desses determinantes é necessária para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas que permitam o uso equitativo dos serviços de saúde.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the individual and contextual determinants of the use of health care services in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo.METHODS Data from the Sao Paulo Megacity study – the Brazilian version of the World Mental Health Survey multicenter study – were used. A total of 3,588 adults living in 69 neighborhoods in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo, SP, Southeastern Brazil, including 38 municipalities and 31 neighboring districts, were selected using multistratified sampling of the non-institutionalized population. Multilevel Bayesian logistic models were adjusted to identify the individual and contextual determinants of the use of health care services in the past 12 months and presence of a regular physician for routine care.RESULTS The contextual characteristics of the place of residence (income inequality, violence, and median income) showed no significant correlation (p > 0.05) with the use of health care services or with the presence of a regular physician for routine care. The only exception was the negative correlation between living in areas with high income inequality and presence of a regular physician (OR: 0.77; 95%CI 0.60;0.99) after controlling for individual characteristics. The study revealed a strong and consistent correlation between individual characteristics (mainly education and possession of health insurance), use of health care services, and presence of a regular physician. Presence of chronic and mental illnesses was strongly correlated with the use of health care services in the past year (regardless of the individual characteristics) but not with the presence of a regular physician.CONCLUSIONS Individual characteristics including higher education and possession of health insurance were important determinants of the use of health care services in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo. A better understanding of these determinants is essential for the development of public policies that promote equitable use of health care services.

OBJETIVO Analisar os determinantes individuais e contextuais do uso de serviços de saúde na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo.MÉTODOS Foram utilizados os dados do estudo São Paulo Megacity, a versão brasileira da pesquisa multicêntrica World Mental Health Survey. Foram analisados 3.588 indivíduos adultos residentes em 69 áreas da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, SP (38 municípios adjacentes e 31 subprefeituras do município de São Paulo), selecionados por meio de amostragem multiestratificada da população não institucionalizada. Foram ajustados modelos multinível logísticos Bayesianos para identificar os determinantes individuais e contextuais do uso de serviços de saúde nos últimos 12 meses e a presença de médico de referência para cuidados de rotina.RESULTADOS As características contextuais do local de residência (desigualdade de renda, violência e renda mediana) não apresentaram associação significativa (p > 0,05) com o uso de serviços ou com a presença de médico de referência para cuidados de rotina. A única exceção foi a associação negativa entre residir em uma área com alta desigualdade de renda e a presença de médico de referência (OR 0,77; IC95% 0,60;0,99) após controle das características individuais. O estudo apontou uma forte e consistente associação entre algumas características individuais (principalmente escolaridade e presença de plano de saúde) com o uso de serviços de saúde e ter médico de referência. A presença de doenças crônicas e mentais associou-se fortemente com o uso de serviços no último ano (independentemente de características individuais), mas não com a presença de médico de referência.CONCLUSÕES Características individuais como maior escolaridade e ter plano de saúde foram determinantes importantes do uso de serviços de saúde na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. A melhor compreensão desses determinantes é necessária para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas que permitam o uso equitativo dos serviços de saúde.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the individual and contextual determinants of the use of health care services in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo.METHODS Data from the Sao Paulo Megacity study – the Brazilian version of the World Mental Health Survey multicenter study – were used. A total of 3,588 adults living in 69 neighborhoods in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo, SP, Southeastern Brazil, including 38 municipalities and 31 neighboring districts, were selected using multistratified sampling of the non-institutionalized population. Multilevel Bayesian logistic models were adjusted to identify the individual and contextual determinants of the use of health care services in the past 12 months and presence of a regular physician for routine care.RESULTS The contextual characteristics of the place of residence (income inequality, violence, and median income) showed no significant correlation (p > 0.05) with the use of health care services or with the presence of a regular physician for routine care. The only exception was the negative correlation between living in areas with high income inequality and presence of a regular physician (OR: 0.77; 95%CI 0.60;0.99) after controlling for individual characteristics. The study revealed a strong and consistent correlation between individual characteristics (mainly education and possession of health insurance), use of health care services, and presence of a regular physician. Presence of chronic and mental illnesses was strongly correlated with the use of health care services in the past year (regardless of the individual characteristics) but not with the presence of a regular physician.CONCLUSIONS Individual characteristics including higher education and possession of health insurance were important determinants of the use of health care services in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo. A better understanding of these determinants is essential for the development of public policies that promote equitable use of health care services.

The genotoxicity of bloom head (BHE) and leaf (LE) extracts from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.), and their ability to modulate the mutagenicity and recombinogenicity of two alkylating agents (ethyl methanesulfonate - EMS and mitomycin C - MMC) and the intercalating agent bleomycin (BLM), were examined using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster. Neither the mutagenicity nor the recombinogenicity of BLM or MMC was modified by co- or post-treatment with BHE or LE. In contrast, co-treatment with BHE significantly enhanced the EMS-induced genotoxicity involving mutagenic and/or recombinant events. Co-treatment with LE did not alter the genotoxicity of EMS whereas post-treatment with the highest dose of LE significantly increased this genotoxicity. This enhancement included a synergistic increase restricted to somatic recombination. These results show that artichoke extracts promote homologous recombination in proliferative cells of D. melanogaster.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relative importance of common physical and mental disorders with regard to the number of days out-of-role (DOR; number of days for which a person is completely unable to work or carry out normal activities because of health problems) in a population-based sample of adults in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil. METHODS: The São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey was administered during face-to-face interviews with 2,942 adult household residents. The presence of 8 chronic physical disorders and 3 classes of mental disorders (mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders) was assessed for the previous year along with the number of days in the previous month for which each respondent was completely unable to work or carry out normal daily activities due to health problems. Using multiple regression analysis, we examined the associations of the disorders and their comorbidities with the number of days out-of-role while controlling for socio-demographic variables. Both individual-level and population-level associations were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 13.1% of the respondents reported 1 or more days out-of-role in the previous month, with an annual median of 41.4 days out-of-role. The disorders considered in this study accounted for 71.7% of all DOR; the disorders that caused the greatest number of DOR at the individual-level were digestive (22.6), mood (19.9), substance use (15.0), chronic pain (16.5), and anxiety (14.0) disorders. The disorders associated with the highest population-attributable DOR were chronic pain (35.2%), mood (16.5%), and anxiety (15.0%) disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Because pain, anxiety, and mood disorders have high effects at both the individual and societal levels, targeted interventions to reduce the impairments associated with these disorders have the highest potential to reduce the societal burdens of chronic illness in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area.

OBJETIVOS: O Inventário de Depressão de Beck (IDB) é utilizado mundialmente para detectar sintomas depressivos. Este questionário foi revisado (1996) para se adequar aos critérios do DSM-IV para episódio depressivo maior. Avaliamos a confiabilidade e validade da versão I em português-brasileiro do IDB-I em uma amostra não clínica de adultos. MÉTODOS: O questionário foi aplicado em duas ocasiões para 60 estudantes universitários. Em seguida, 182 adultos residentes na comunidade preencheram IDB-II, Questionário de Auto-Resposta e escala K10. Psiquiatras treinados entrevistaram pessoalmente os respondentes através da Entrevista Clínica Estruturada (SCID-I), a escala de depressão de Montgomery-Åsberg e de ansiedade de Hamilton. Análise descritiva, detecção de sinal (Receiver Operating Characteristics), correlação e função discriminante foram realizadas para investigar as propriedades psicométricas do IBD-II. RESULTADOS: O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse do IDB-II foi de 0,89 e o coeficiente alfa de consistência interna foi de 0,93. Adotando a SCID como padrão-ouro, o ponto de corte de 10/11 foi o melhor limiar para detectar depressão, alcançando sensibilidade de 70% e especificidade de 87%. A validade concorrente (correlação de 0,63-0,93 com escalas aplicadas simultaneamente) e a capacidade preditiva de gravidade (mais de 65% de classificação correta de indivíduos deprimidos) foram aceitáveis. CONCLUSÃO: O IDB-II é fidedigno e válido para mensurar sintomatologia depressiva na população brasileira não clínica falante do português.

BACKGROUND: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is used worldwide for detecting depressive symptoms. This questionnaire has been revised (1996) to match the DSM-IV criteria for a major depressive episode. We assessed the reliability and the validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the BDI-II for non-clinical adults. METHODS: The questionnaire was applied to 60 college students on two occasions. Afterwards, 182 community-dwelling adults completed the BDI-II, the Self-Report Questionnaire, and the K10 Scale. Trained psychiatrists performed face-to-face interviews with the respondents using the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-I), the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Scale, and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Descriptive analysis, signal detection analysis (Receiver Operating Characteristics), correlation analysis, and discriminant function analysis were performed to investigate the psychometric properties of the BDI-II. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient of the BDI-II was 0.89, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of internal consistency was 0.93. Taking the SCID as the gold standard, the cut-off point of 10/11 was the best threshold for detecting depression, yielding a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 87%. The concurrent validity (a correlation of 0.63-0.93 with scales applied simultaneously) and the predictive ability of the severity level (over 65% correct classification) were acceptable. CONCLUSION: The BDI-II is reliable and valid for measuring depressive symptomatology among Portuguese-speaking Brazilian non-clinical populations.

OBJETIVOS: Estimar a prevalência, idade de início, distribuição por sexo e idade e identifica fatores correlacionados à morbidade psiquiátrica na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP). MÉTODOS: O Estudo Epidemiológico de Transtornos Mentais São Paulo Megacity avaliou transtornos psiquiátricos em uma amostra probabilística composta por 5.037 adultos (18+) residentes na RMSP, utilizando o Composite International Diagnostic Interview, versão World Mental Health Survey. A taxa global de resposta foi de 81,3%. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de pelo menos um transtorno mental ao longo da vida foi de 44,8% e o risco estimado aos 75 anos de idade foi de 57,7%; comorbidade ocorreu com frequência. Depressão maior, fobias específicas e abuso de álcool foram os transtornos mais prevalentes; transtornos de ansiedade foi a classe de transtornos mais frequente. Fobias específicas e transtornos do controle de impulsos tiveram idade de início precoce, enquanto transtornos do humor tiveram início mais tardiamente. Mulheres apresentaram maior risco para transtornos do humor e de ansiedade, e homens para transtornos decorrentes do uso de álcool e drogas. Com exceção de transtornos da conduta, que foram mais frequentes em homens, não se observou diferenças de gênero na distribuição de transtornos do controle de impulso. Observou-se uma tendência consistente entre os diferentes transtornos de maiores taxas de morbidade nas coortes mais jovens. Baixa escolaridade mostrou-se associada a transtornos decorrentes do uso de álcool e drogas. CONCLUSÃO: Transtornos psiquiátricos na população geral adulta da RMSP são altamente prevalentes, com comorbidade frequente, idade de início precoce na maior parte dos transtornos avaliados, e taxas mais elevadas nas coortes mais jovens. Tal cenário suscita ações vigorosas de saúde pública.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate prevalence, age-of-onset, gender distribution and identify correlates of lifetime psychiatric disorders in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area (SPMA). METHODS: The São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey assessed psychiatric disorders on a probabilistic sample of 5,037 adult residents in the SPMA, using the World Mental Health Survey Version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Response rate was 81.3%. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence for any disorder was 44.8%; estimated risk at age 75 was 57.7%; comorbidity was frequent. Major depression, specific phobias and alcohol abuse were the most prevalent across disorders; anxiety disorders were the most frequent class. Early age-of-onset for phobic and impulse-control disorders and later age-of-onset for mood disorders were observed. Women were more likely to have anxiety and mood disorders, whereas men, substance use disorders. Apart from conduct disorders, more frequent in men, there were no gender differences in impulse-control disorders. There was a consistent trend of higher prevalence in the youngest cohorts. Low education level was associated to substance use disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent among the general adult population in the SPMA, with frequent comorbidity, early age-of-onset for most disorders, and younger cohorts presenting higher rates of morbidity. Such scenario calls for vigorous public health action.